Our Lifestyle Magazine November/December 18

L

Our

ifestyle Magazine

November / December 2018

WIN A MEAL FOR FOUR AND A BOTTLE OF WINE AT THE LYTTELTON ARMS IN HAGLEY! A £300 JOSEPH RIBKOFF VOUCHER TO SPEND AT FROX IN OLD SWINFORD!

Delivered to 15,000 Selected Households and Businesses Himley, Swindon, Sedgley, Kingswinford, Wall Heath, Enville, Kinver, Stourton, Wollaston, Stourbridge, Norton, Old Swinford, Pedmore, Hagley, Blakedown, Hackman's Gate, Belbroughton, Kidderminster ourlifestylemag.co.uk

ourlifestylemagazine

GALLERY & BESPOKE PICTURE FRAMING 149a Worcester Road, Hagley DY9 ONW Mob: 01562 227 007 Shop: 07973 493 522

E: info@weiserart.co.uk W. www.weiserart.co.uk Weiserart

ORDER YOUR PICTURES FOR CHRISTMAS NOW

#PictureFraming 2

Our Lifestyle Magazine

Contents

Welcome

Home

The temperature has dropped and the countdown to Christmas has begun!

This issue is packed with something for everyone, so relax with a cuppa and enjoy your read. There are many prizes to be won from a Meal for four at the Lyttelton Arms in Hagley to a £300 Voucher at Frox in Old Swindford.

Congratulations to our Nov/Dec 18 competition winners, Amanda Cotterill for Scratch & Carol Wallington Stephanie V. This is our last edition for 2018, we would like to thank all our readers and advertisers for your support in 2018 and wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Let 2019 be the year of living your dreams…....

EARN MONEY & KEEP FIT Our magazine wants distributors in Kidderminster & Stourbridge. Good rates of pay. Ring Graham on 07969 884247 for details.

2 - 25

Property

26 - 27

Travel

28 - 33

Food & Drink

34 - 37

Education

38 - 39

Why I Love My Job

40 - 41

What’s On

42 - 43

Weddings

44 - 48

Fashion

49 - 53

Hair & Beauty

54 - 61

Health

62 - 75

Horoscopes

76 - 77

Pets

78 - 81

Gardens

82 - 85

Crossword

86

Classified

87

Business

88 - 89

Motoring

90 - 91

Funerals

92

Finance & Legal

93 - 99

Danielle Scandrett

Linda Farren

Marketing & Design Director

Managing Director 07841 431446

daniellescandrett@outlook.com

linda@ourlifestylemag.co.uk

Feature Writers; Bob Hickman, Jane de Weijer, Kate Oliver, Michelle Barnett, Mike Whitehurst, Rebecca Underwood.

Competition Terms & Conditions There is no cash alternative to the prize. The competition is free to enter. Entrants must supply their contact details and in doing so agree that Our Lifestyle Magazine can use them for their own marketing purposes. Details supplied by entrants will not be passed on to any third party. All applications will be entered into a prize draw and the winner will be selected at random by the prize supplier. Winners will be notified by telephone and/or e-mail by the 15th of the second month in the issue date e.g. issue March/April 2018 the winner will be notified by 15th April 2018. Entry will assume acceptance of these terms and conditions. Competition start date is the start of the month of the magazine issue and will run until 10th of the second month in the issue date e.g. issue March/April 2018 the competition will run until 10th April 2018 Details of the winner available on request by writing to: Our Lifestyle Magazine Limited, Dominique House 1 Church Road, Netherton. DY2 0LY. Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Our Lifestyle Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage, or omission in an advert. Our Lifestyle Magazine does not officially endorse advertising material which is printed on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All rights are reserved.

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A GR E AT NIGH T ’S SL EEP

SHOULDN’T COST THE EARTH

Your local Silentnight Sleep Centre: Awarded for the Eco Comfort Pocket

23 Mill St, Brierley Hill West Mindlands, DY5 2RG 01384 474166

Dreamland Comfort suppliers since 1976

To walk into the lavish showroom on Mill Street, minutes from the Merry Hill Centre, is to know that you have arrived at one of the Midlands’ leading bed specialists, whose passion is matching your unique requirements with your perfect sleep solution. Dreamland has been the home of luxury beds, bed frames and headboards for more than 40 years and over the decades has earned an enviable reputation in the trade.

The independent, family-run business prides itself on the service and choice of products it offers to its customers, as owner Mike Brown (pictured right) explains: “We stock

an extensive range of beds, mattresses, bedsteads and Electric adjustable beds from our Brierley Hill-based showroom in everything from single to king and even superking sizes.”

The knowledgeable team at Dreamland understand the importance of a good night’s sleep, that’s why they’re always keen to help their customers find the right bed for them. A great emphasis is placed upon training at Dreamland and the entire team are able to offer impartial advice to every one of their customers

mattress has landed a which?

Best Buy for 5 years running!

Whether you want to create your dream bedroom, treat yourself to a new mattress or maybe upgrade from a double to king-size bed or even super king, with more discounted models than ever before you will be spoilt for choice no matter what your budget is.

There is a free-to-use private customer park at the rear of the store.

Dreamland is proud to showcase Silentnight’s Eco Comfort models whose mantra

WIN A

ECO- COMFORT MATTRESS is revitalising sleep that won't cost the planet or your pocket.

The Eco Comfort mattress layer is made from recyclable plastic bottles and sustainable fibres that are breathable and ecofriendly to give you a fresh and purifying sleep.. No wonder Silentnight’s Eco Comfort 1200 5

See "Dreamland Bedding Centre Facebook Page for Full Details

CONTACT DETAILS Dreamland 23 Mill st, Brierley Hill, DY5 2RG 01384 74166 Dreamlandbedding.co.uk

Our Home

Castle Blinds Kingswinford Celebrates 25 Year's!

October ’18 marks the 25th Year celebration for Brierley Hill and Kingswinford based Castle Blinds.

The Companies vision has always been to provide top quality internal and external shading to all their customers both commercial and domestic alike. Castle Blinds pride themselves on a fast, friendly and efficient service that puts their customers needs first.

With Castle Blinds manufacturing most of their own products delivery times are very competitive allowing Plenty of time for pre-Christmas delivery. Amanda Jones says ‘ We predict that this year our Christmas cut off dates when ordering for pre-Christmas installations to be around the 7th December’ This gives plenty of opportunity to dress your windows in time for Christmas.

The end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, is a very exciting time for Castle Blinds, it brings 2 more new book launches, allowing more choice and up to date trend designs. There really is something for everyone.

Brian comments ‘ New book launches are always exciting, it brings many new designs, plenty of choice and the opportunity to refurb our showroom.’

Don’t delay contact Castle Blinds today, At Castle Blinds and Awnings we know that your home is your castle.

Call us on 01384 273769, log on to Castleblinds.co.uk, email sales@castleblinds.co.uk Or why not pop into our showroom at Portway House, Stream Road, Kingswinford, DY6 9NT. The showroom is open from: 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm onSaturdays

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Fresh for

2019

Book a home visit

01384 273769

Ask about our motorised blinds

FREE Measuring!

FREE Fitting!

Visit us in store

AWNINGS

Portway House, Stream Road, Kingwinford. DY6 9NT www.castleblinds.co.uk

Blinds

7 Awnings

Shutters

Our Home

KAW Interior Design focuses on delighting customers We are an independent kitchen company situated in Lisle Avenue, just off the Stourport road in Kidderminster and have been established for twelve years. Last year we won best kitchen design at the Neff national awards, hosted by James Nesbit, with over nine hundred VIP guests attending. Please check out our website www.kawinteriordesign. co.uk to read more about our success and our kitchens.

Why choose KAW Interior Design?

Buying a kitchen is a complex process as it is infrequent, (maybe once to every twenty years) expensive (perhaps second only to purchasing a home) and overwhelming.

As an independent retail expert, we offer a professional, personal service and have the experience and knowledge to help you with purchasing your kitchen. The service and reassurance that we provide to all our customers is priceless. At KAW we pride ourselves on giving the full-service experience, with quality products for real value for money.

We offer a full installation service which includes * Plastering * Electrics * Gas installation and Plumbing * Kitchen Installation * Karndean Flooring * Decorating * Tiling * Worktop Installation

Our advice is to first gain an understanding of what you want to get in your kitchen by creating a wish list. This can be supported by looking at recent projects on our website and by collecting brochures from our show room.

Think about what style door you would like, fundamentally in the industry you will see a slab door which shows a modern design or a door with a square inlay panel which can offer varied options from contempered to traditional.

Finally, when considering your kitchen purchase, think about the allocation of budget to your project, this will always help designers in developing your wish list into reality.

All our furniture is manufactured in Birmingham by Mereway, who offer a comprehensive range of kitchens to suit all budgets. These include the Town & Country, Cucina Colore, English Revival and our new KAW essential collection, which offers a costeffective solution for smaller budgets.

When making your wish list, you should consider the following: how many new appliances you require, have you got any existing appliances you want to keep, do you require solid surfaces or laminate worktops?

To get your project underway, call into our showroom and discuss your requirements with our reward winning design team.

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INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED LUXURY KITCHENS

* Terms & conditions apply - see in-store or website for details

Your first choice for Luxury Kitchens & Kitchen Appliances

SHOWROOM OPEN

TUES -FRI 9 . 3 0 A M-5 PM SAT 1 0 A M -4 PM

Unit 3, 19 Lisle Avenue, Kidderminster DY11 7DF

9

( 01562 66882

www.kawinteriordesign.co.uk

Our Home

ART DECO

By Jane de Weijer : Make Space Interiors ltd Contact: www.makespaceinteriors.co.uk

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Our Home

It’s coming up to that time of year again. The memories of that glorious summer of 2018 are probably fading, and the winter is on its way.

trend is let’s just jazz it up. Love it or hate it you will see it in the High Street, in wallpaper books, on your wall tiles and accessories. Get your Flapper dress on and kick up your heels.

Christmas means sparkle, glamour and bling.

Whatever your style, it is the one time of year where people re-decorate purely by being adventurous with that tree or by adding accessories that appeal and have meaning.

As Roy Woods sang all those years ago, “I wish it could be Christmas everyday”, and it’s true because there’s nothing better than seeing people being original and creative with their decor. It’s amazing what a few strings of baubles can do.

ART DECO: RECAP So, what is Art Deco?

It first appeared in France in the 1920’s taking its name from 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Ddécoratifs et Industriels Modernes.

It emerged in the 1920’s and 30’s, post Great War and prior to the Second World War. It was a celebration of the new, it defined glamour and optimism which was much needed postdepression.

Talking of the glamour, to me the true epitome is reflected in the Art Deco style.

Geometrical forms, symmetry, vibrant colours and the combination of modern materials including aluminium, stainless steel, glass and plastics defined the Art Deco style. It’s a reflection of the new industrialisation, utilising the exciting new technical processes and incorporating the art movements of the period, think Pablo Picasso and his cubist

Guess what? It's back. Visiting the design shows this Autumn the stands were awash with the 2018/19 interpretation of the trend.

They say that when the going gets tough the glam gets going, and this is certainly true. A decade after the financial crash, heading into Brexit and all that may or may not bring, the 11

Our Home paintings, geometry and experimentation.

DECO 2018

Standing alongside the Bauhaus movement of the same era which incorporated clean pure lines and minimalism, Art Deco was about extravagant ornamentation and luxury, it was a time of celebration and fun.

Coming right back to 2018 how has this style been interpreted on the High Street, here is my selection. You go and choose yours it’s all about the interpretation!

1: Be brave, looking for the exotic in the ensuite? These emerald animal print tiles with a gold grout epitomise the ultimate decadence of the era, these from a selection at West One Bathrooms, www.westonebathrooms.com.

ART DECO BOARD: Geometric patterns on wallpapers, a shot of gold, copper shades and metallics define the shapes. The Marble tiles have gold inlays. The radio is made of Bakelite, the colour chart showing the shades of this exciting new material. The mirror, typical of the era with strong bold segments combining to define this classic Deco shape. Look at the glamour of the chair design, combining white leather and metal. The strong turquoise shade as seen on the wall tile and the emerald greens were used extensively during this time. Finally, we have the classic Art deco font, think Great Gatsby, exuberance after those austere war years, and fun.

2: The crystal chandelier with an Art Deco vibe from a selection at Debenhams. www. debenhams.co.uk. You could always find that vintage light fitting to add to your room scheme.

3 & 4: Cole & Sons produce a large range of heritage papers. These have been inspired by that era. Go searching for more to suit your scheme.

5: The shape of this chair is pure Art deco,

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Our Home

TREND UPDATE:

and the gorgeous mustard velvet upholstery is typical of the era. This is a statement chair from Swoon www.swoon.com.

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to update your room decor?

6: Velvet, definitely your go-to deco fabric Velvet has seen a revival over the past two years and it shows no sign of disappearing soon. The rich jewel colours on these cushions are from a range by www.H&MHomes.com.

Here is a selection of Winter 2018 throws ready to be draped over chairs, beds, sofas adding colour and texture and cosy warmth to your winter room.

7: This table lamp and velvet shade epitomise the Deco style. www.H&MHomes.com.

1: Wrap up with this contemporary throw.

Delia Pleat Textured Throw in Old Gold www. perchandparrow.co.uk.

8: The footstool by www.oliverbonas.co.uk combines the metal frame seen on original deco furniture pieces and the blue velvet cushion, pure Art Deco.

2: Bring the current trend for animal prints into your home. www.h&mhome.com.

3: Traditional winter Arran style blankets will look great draped over your sofa and add that Nordic winter style. www.zarahome.com.

9: Want to incorporate the Art Deco geometrics but prefer the neutral understated look? This cushion incorporates the geometrics whilst adding glamour to that cool calm interior. www.H&MHomes.com.

4: Ultra chunky knits from www.etsy.com.

5: I love this soft fake fur blanket from www.H&Mhomes.com.

Being indoors and turning our focus back to our rooms includes winter layering with textured throws, lighting the candles and getting into the Christmas spirit.

6 & 8: Go to www.zarahome.com to find these super soft pastel blankets.

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Our Home

2: Fringing

7: Diamond jacquard throw will add style to your Christmas Living room. Black diamond cotton quilted throw form www.naturalbed. co.uk.

Following that trend for glamour add fringing to your lamps, curtains, cushions wherever you decide to place it is easily a trend that you could get arty with. Any good craft shop can supply you with whatever you plan to unleash your creativity on, fringing, lampshades, hey presto, bang on trend!

9: Traditional checks in dusky blues, lilacs and pinks, visit www.zarahome.com.

10: Over the chair is this gorgeous herringbone blanket, Gold Ochre Herringbone Wool Throw by www.marquisanddawe.co.uk.

Visit local independent shops too for inspiration. They have a great range of cosy throws in Mohair and Wool.

FUTURE FORECAST 2019 So, 2019 is nearly upon us apart from all that is Art deco what new trends will be emerging next year?

Otherwise bespoke lampshades, like this from lampshadegarden shop on www.ebay.co.uk, can be created for you. This has that Art Deco vibe.

1: Blue Christmas

3: BrassTaps

Looking forward and preplanning your kitchen? Blue is the colour. Be it a rich deep colour on the cabinet doors, on the walls, on the floors deep navy blue is going to be the colour that designers will be turning to.

Shaker style door in Deep blue.

Planning a new bathroom or kitchen this year?

Big industrial brass or copper taps will add the 2019 contemporary finish to your new space.

This tap from the Landmark range www. samuelheath.com. will offer that industrial finish.

Blue Kitchen door www.ikea.com

Finally, I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas 2018. If you are looking to redecorate in 2019 and would like to contact me for advice I offer a full consultation service through to an online service, I am very happy to help!

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HOME DESIGN SERVICE

A prof es si onal an d f rie ndl y In te r i o r Desi gn ser v i c e i n yo ur ho me inc l uding : - A n i niti a l vi sit to di scuss you r re q u ir m e nts - A f u l l d e s i g n scheme i ncl uding recom m e nd a tion f or fi nis he s , s of t f u r n i s h i n g s a nd a cce ssori e s to cre a te you r p e r f e c t s p a c e - A co m pl e t e p ro j e ct ma na g eme nt op ti on f rom s p e c ifi c a tions to c om p le tion

For more information, contact Jane at: jane@makespaceinteriors.co.uk 0 7 9 6 6 6 3 0 917 / 0 19 0 2 8 4 7 2 2 6

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Our Home

VISIT REPOSE FURNITURE AND FIND YOUR PERFECT SEATING SOLUTION bespoke, made to measure chair that will meet all their specific needs.

Lisa Wardley Repose

“Every customer is different as one chair doesn’t suit all. Once we have carried out an assessment and evaluation of an individual’s needs we design the most suitable seating solution to ensure they have the best possible posture. In addition to addressing their seating requirements it is also about providing a chair which meets their lifestyle needs while fitting in with their living environment” commented Managing Director Lisa Wardley.

Repose has been at the forefront of the design and development of specialist seating solutions since being established in the heart of the Black Country in 1999. Since then, the company has helped resolve the seating needs of thousands of people across the UK from its manufacturing facility in the heart of the black country at Cradley Heath.

Bring along this copy of the magazine and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Should you place an order you will be entitled to a free chair care pack including protective head and arm rest covers and a 5-year all-inclusive warranty including accidental damage worth £199.

As part of its continued growth, Repose recently opened a showroom at its Cradley Heath HQ to enable visitors to view the company’s product range in a relaxed environment. People unable to visit can arrange for a Repose representative to visit them at home and carry out a free no obligation assessment.

To book a showroom appointment or for more information on the full range of seating solutions call 01384 567401, email info@reposefurniture.co.uk or visit www. reposefurniture.co.uk

With 13 models in the Home Comfort range, there is a seating solution suitable for most people. The most popular model, the Rimini rise recliner is available in a range of seat heights, depths and widths and features a waterfall back and three deeply soft cushions to support the head, neck and full length of the back. With such a comprehensive portfolio of chairs available, Repose is in a position to offer every customer they work with a truly

The Rimini from Repose Furniture 16

Luxury handcrafted riser recliners designed to your individual requirements

Book an exclusive appointment to view our range of specialist riser recliner furniture at our factory showroom.

Alternatively request your free brochure.

Call now on 01384 567401 Repose Furniture Limited, Attwood House, Cradley Heath, West Midlands B64 6AN

www.reposefurniture.co.uk 17

Carpets & flooring N.D. WALTERS

Our Home

Carpets • Rugs • Vinyls • Karndean & Amtico Flooring • Laminate & Real Wood Flooring

COME ALONG AND SEE OUR HUGE RANGE OF CARPETS AND FLOORING Luxurious, warm carpets and durable, practical hard floors for your home

88/90 Dudley Rd. Sedgley DY3 1TA

01902 883281 18 42 YEARS A FAMILY OWNED AND RUN BUSINESS FOR OVER

We can uplift and remove old carpets and will move heavy furniture.

Lots of Remnants to clear

Our

Using Witley Direct To Transform Your Home

Home

Witley Direct @witleydirect @witleydirect

provide you with detailed 2D and 3D drawings (and a quotation) for you to see how your ideas will look. With your approval, a home survey will take place where every detail is double checked before their highly skilled manufacturing team (based in Worcestershire) proceed.

With over 35 years experience in manufacturing educational and office furniture, Witley Jones brings you an innovative and exciting new dimension for home office and fitted bedroom furniture – Witley Direct. Drawing on highly skilled in-house manufacturing and design teams, Witley Direct offers you the chance to liven up your home – from a new bright and vibrant bedside cabinet, to a luxurious fitted home office.

At a time to suit you, the Witley Direct installation team will visit you with your new furniture and, with precision and care, help turn your ideas in to reality and transform your bedroom, home office or an awkward, neglected space.

After an initial enquiry, a free non-obligation home consultation with one of the design team takes place at a time to suit you. They will work with you to establish your vision for your home and decipher the best storage solutions to cater for your lifestyle. Following the visit, Witley Direct’s design team then runs with the idea to

Contact now, for an informal discussion or to proceed with a home visit from one of the design team on: W.www.witleydirect.co.uk, E.enquiries@witleydirect.co.uk, T. 01299 828888.

LIVEN UP YOUR HOME Witley Jones brings you an innovative and exciting new dimension for home office and fitted bedroom furniture.

• Home offices, fitted bedrooms and storage solutions • 35 years’ experience • Free design and consultation service • Custom built • Locally manufactured • Family- run business

01299 828888 / 07785 613366

enquiries@witleydirect.co.uk www.witleydirect.co.uk 19

Our Home

Furnished for quality Park Lane Furnishings are an independent upholstery manufacturer and retailer, they create bespoke pieces direct from their workshop in Halesowen for interior designers and the general public, with a wide range of designer fabrics available, from plaid to plains, velvet to linen, you are sure to find the perfect finish for your home.

With the likes of Blendworth, Kobe, Warwick, Cristina Marrone, Essente, J Brown & Ross fabric samples in store there are plenty of options to suit individual requirements.

They also have access to other fabric suppliers such as Romo, Villa Nova, Kirkby Design, Clarke & Clarke, Linwood, Sunbury, GP & J Baker, Bancroft, Casamance, Ian Mankin, Colefax & Fowler, Ashley Wilde, Today Interiors & Sanderson just to name a few.

Park Lane Furnishings showroom, situated on Park Lane, has a large display of sofas in a wide range of styles. Being a manufacturer they also have a bespoke service as standard, allowing customers to change the designs or finishes tailor made to your requirements. It is not just sofas on offer there either, anything that is upholstered is generally available to order such as armchairs, dining chairs, stools, coffee tables, headboards, bar stools, occasional & bedroom chairs, end of bed benches & daybeds etc.

There are also Italian leather sofas on display and branded goods such as Sherborne recliner sofas & chairs.

Visit their showroom today without pressurising sales staff, in a clean welcoming environment to discuss your requirements.

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Park Lane Furnishings Established 2011

Your local independent furniture store. Customise your new sofa today from our factory showroom!

Sofas with a distinct sense of luxury and uniqueness, handcrafted.

01384 918371

|

Globe House, Park Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 2RA Open: Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm | Sat 10am - 4pm www.ParkLaneFurnishings.com 21

Our Home

FISHER & PAYKEL The beautifully crafted yet intelligent fridge freezers feature ActiveSmart™ technology to ensure your groceries are kept at an optimum temperature. The slimline water dispensers don’t take up any storage space in your fridge, whilst the ice maker can be found neatly tucked away in the freezer compartment.

At Fisher & Paykel, New Zealand’s award winning appliance brand, we have been designing products to change the way people live since 1934.

Our design heritage is founded on a pioneering spirit and a culture of curiosity that has challenged conventional appliance design to consistently deliver products tailored to human needs.

We believe in the principle of Turning Routines into Experiences, because behind every product is a story that starts with the consumer. Their home is an expression of who they are, and how they live. Our passion is for creating better products that will turn their everyday routines into enjoyable experiences.

We understand the dynamic nature of modern living, so we deliver products that are adaptable, functional and durable, as well as human. We don’t just make appliances that fit the space provided, we create products that fit the lives lived around them.

Our collections include fridge freezers, dishwashers, ovens, hobs, range cookers, laundry appliances, wine cabinets and more.

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Our Unique to Fisher & Paykel is the DishDrawer™ dishwasher. It features two separately operating drawers, allowing you to choose your desired wash program for each drawer.

There’s no need to use both drawers at the same time, offering a true half load wash if you only have a few items to clean.

Home

pyrolytic cleaning to take the guesswork out of cleaning the oven, as well as helpful tools such as meat probes and telescopic full extension shelves.

Our brand new companion product range features beautiful yet intuitive appliances, which enable you to get the most out of every day. The collection comprises of an oven, microwave oven, steam oven, coffee maker and warming drawers. The products have been designed to fit together perfectly, whether you place them horizontally, vertically or in a quad. Not only do these products ooze sophistication, you’ll discover clever technology across the range. With helpful features such as intuitive digital displays, coffee personalisation, a variety of cooking functions, a meat probe, telescopic rails and a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven. To uncover more about Fisher & Paykel, visit www.fisherpaykel. com/uk

Across the oven collection at Fisher & Paykel, you’ll find a whole host of cooking functions, ready to help you perfect your favourite dishes. In addition to this, some ovens feature

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Our Home

T’WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Christmas eve, the log fire roaring, Christmas lights illuminate the dressed tree, childrens’ stockings hanging from mantle piece and gentle aroma of warming festive scents fill the room.

Fig: Ripe fig melds with nuances of rich cassis, elderberry and earthy patchouli.

Or fill your home with the tempting notes of ground cinnamon and nutmeg swirled with caramel drizzled apples and sweet maple wine; Hot Toddy.

All the presents are wrapped and all the lastminute shopping done, it’s time to sit back and relax ahead of the big day. The ambience of candlelight and the aroma of warming fragrances are just what you need.

Available in many candle styles, each with the famous wooden wick which gives the gentle sound of a crackling log fire. Each candle is made with a soy wax blend giving a clean burn.

Snuggle up with Warm Wool a dreamy scent of warm wool and wild flowers invite you to take a deep breath and relax.

T’was the night before Christmas and all was quiet, apart from a subtle crackle…

Or Fireside, a balance of the natural scents of amber, vetiver and musk to perfectly capture the essence of a cosy evening by a warm fire.

With top notes including bergamot down to smoked mahogany.

See the full range at: www. woodwickcandleshop.co.uk

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PROBLEMS IN YOUR HOUSE OR GARDEN?

WE HAVE AN AFFORDABLE SOLUTION FOR YOU Call now or visit online for a survey and advice Tel: 01384 566497

Est. 1925

112-119 Reddal Hill Road, Cradley Heath, B64 5JN

www.chapmanselectrical.co.uk 25

AN INDEPENDENT ESTATE AGENCY RUN

BY DANIEL AND MICHELLE THOMAS, OFFERING A PERSONAL HANDS ON SERVICE FOR OVER 14 YEARS! visit http://valuation.thepropertyshop.co.uk/ to try our Automatic Instant Home Valuation tool for FREE! THE PROPERTY SHOP SALES & LETTINGS

stourbridge@thepropertyshop.co.uk Suite 1, Northfield House, 176 Lower High Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1TG 26

Our Home T H E

P R O P E R T Y

P E O P L E

movingholmes@hotmail.com

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Destina by Good Travel celebrate 1st Birthday Destina by Good Travel is a luxury independent travel agency based in Hagley, West Midlands and on 27th April 2018, we celebrated our 1st birthday after a major refurbishment and full rebrand. We’ve had a fantastic year with a boost in sales of 20% up, year on year. We’re delighted with the way in which the business is growing and are looking forward to another successful year.

travel show scheduled for September 2018.

Some of our current top destinations include Japan, Dubai and Australia, with a diverse range of itineraries including vibrant cities, cultural experiences and lesser-known areas.

If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, we offer a great range of European Holidays, staying in lovely hotels and private villas including Jet2 holidays, who have recently started flights from Birmingham Airport.

As an independent travel agency, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and working closely with our clients to create the perfect getaway. Whether you are looking for a short city break, family summer holiday, long-haul adventure or something special, our experienced and trusted travel experts go the extra mile to create the perfect holiday and are always happy to help.

As preferred partners of the award-winning tour operator The Inspiring Travel Company, we can also offer something a little bit special - whether you seek an indulgent stay on a secluded beach, go in search of the northern lights or want to experience ranching on the Argentinean pampas with your very own Gaucho guide - whatever your dream holiday may be, Destina Travel can help.

Over the past 12 months we have also been actively involved with the local community, including stands at the local school fetes, wedding fayres, in-store client events and seminars at the local retirement village. We are planning to participate in many more events and integrating further with the local community in 2018 including our very first

For further inspiration why not, pop in, give us a call on 01562 883795 or visit our website www.destinatravel.co.uk where you can subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with all our offers, news and events.

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YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL SPECIALIST From our welcoming store in Hagley, our dedicated travel experts can plan a completely bespoke experience or find the perfect package holiday for you.

Destina by Good Travel has been organising extraordinary holidays for over 40 years.

We’re dedicated to upholding our hard-won reputation for delivering the best in luxury travel combined with excellent customer service.

Our collection of holiday types includes everything from relaxing beach holidays and honeymoons to safari adventures, cruises, city breaks, escorted tours and much more.

At Destina the only limit is your imagination!

FOR FURTHER INSPIRATION WHY NOT POP IN, EMAIL US, GIVE US A CALL OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE 109 Worcester Rd, Hagley, Stourbridge, West Midlands - DY9 0NG

01562 883795 enquiry@destinatravel.co.uk www.destinatravel.co.uk

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OVER 100 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Our Travel

Ahoy there! All aboard Uniworld’s River Countess!

by Rebecca Underwood, Travel Journalist

swish marble floors. A charming escort led us to our sumptuous stateroom and we were provided with the utmost care for the duration of the cruise. We later made our way to the Il Castillo lounge to attend Captain Roland Oost's 'welcome aboard reception' and to meet our fellow passengers and together we marvelled at the spectacular views of Venice, known as the ‘city on the water’.

For landlubbers yearning for tranquillity, Uniworld, voted ‘No. 1 River Cruise Line’ at Travel and Leisure’s 2018 World’s Best Awards, offers the ultimate retreat for lovers of art and architecture and for ardent food and wine connoisseurs.

My mother and I embarked on the sleek-lined River Countess to experience ‘Venice and the Gems of Northern Italy’. All dining, unlimited alcohol (excluding some premium brands), soft drinks and speciality hot beverages are included along with a choice of excursions hosted by English speaking guides, a ‘do as the locals do’ programme, Quietvox audio headset systems and the use of Nordik walking sticks. Nothing detracts from this first class river cruise experience.

The River Countess is elegant and tastefully decorated and accommodations range in size from 4 suites, measuring 214 sq ft with balconies, to a choice of 61 staterooms measuring up to 151 sq ft. Our lavishly appointed stateroom featured handcrafted Savoir® of England beds swathed in crisp Egyptian cotton linens, and our plump pillows ensured a deep slumber, cosseted by the gentle movement of the shifting waters of the Venetian Lagoon. Other stateroom features include spacious built-in closets, individual climate-controlled thermostats and en-suite

Check-in procedures are swift and we received a warm welcome whilst admiring the opulent reception area adorned with a glittering chandelier and plush leopard print seats on 30

Our Travel

River Countess Lobby

River Countess Accommodation marble bathrooms with fluffy towels, plush bathrobes, cosy slippers and a generous selection of L’Occitane en Provence products.

the Savoy Restaurant, the ship’s main dining venue. Afterwards, in the comfort of the Captain’s Lounge and Library, we planned our excursions, beginning with an escorted morning walk around the historic Castello district, where Venetian ships were once built, St Mark’s Piazza and the Doge’s Palace.

Up with the larks and following a yoga session on the gorgeous sun deck we indulged in the elaborate breakfast buffet in 31

Our Travel

River Countess Restaurant During the evening we attended an exclusive opening of St Mark’s Basilica, and, devoid of crowds, it was simply magical. St Mark’s Basilica features five Byzantine domes and the 24 carat gold leaf and glass mosaics glittered in the moonlight and demanded our appreciation.

Guided into the dark interior we took our seats and one by one the treasures, including the 'Pala d'oro', within were illuminated and the stunning surroundings were revealed to an astonished audience.

the Holy See. Construction is thought to have begun in 1232 and the elaborate exterior reflects Byzantine and Romanesque styles with Gothic influences.

During our tour, the River Countess crossed over part of the Adriatic Sea to reach Porto Viro where we re-embarked and sailed along the Po River docking in Polesella. We opted for the excursion to Ferrara, which was awarded Unesco World Heritage status due to the magnificent Este Castle, erected in 1385, the Diamanti Palace, which houses the National Picture Gallery, and the Romanesque St George’s Cathedral, consecrated in 1135.

Back on board, and the vessel sailed sedately around the Venetian Lagoon and we delighted in the sights of Venetian life and the stunning scenery, which, along with the excursions, were discussed at length during dinner. A dining experience on board the River Countess is outstanding and my choice of Chianina beef tenderloin accompanied by a glass of Valpolicella Classico Bonacosta Masi Veneto 2017 was unforgettable. We ended our evenings with a tipple in the Castillo Lounge and as I looked through the panoramic windows, sipping on a chilled glass of wine, I experienced a taste of ‘La Dolce Vita’.

The following day we sailed back to Chioggia.

Once known as the Venetian pantry, Chioggia’s weekly market is one of Italy’s largest and we browsed along the colourful stalls and admired the elaborate displays of all kinds of merchandise.

Another of the many highlights of our cruise was the ‘Magical Islands of Venice’ excursion.

We visited Torcello, which was founded before Venice and it is the site of an 11th century mosaic, which is housed within the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and depicts the Last Judgement. Another island, Burano, is known for its brightly coloured fishermen’s cottages and local lace making. We also

Chioggia, our first port, is the southernmost island in the lagoon, and we joined the Padua Walking Discovery Tour. All around gazed in wonder at St. Anthony’s Basilica, one of only eight international shrines acknowledged by 32

Our Travel explored Mazzorbo, the location of a wine estate utilizing Dorona grapes, which produce a delicious golden wine. At the end of the tour we raised our glasses high and made a toast to the River Countess, a true Venetian gem.

1949. The main dining room, which features a vaulted ceiling, was once a chapel, and there is also a spacious courtyard where diners are seated under a vine covered canopy. I opted for the scrumptious fegato alla veneziana (Venetian style calves liver), and my glass of Ornellala Rosso Bolgheri 2014 complimented the flavours perfectly.

Top Tip For more information on the River Countess visit uniworld.com or call 0808 271 5243.

And those with a sweet tooth should make haste for Grom, the very best Italian gelateria, located on Campo San Barbara, a short walk from the NH Venezia Rio Novo. Choose from a selection of delicious gelato, shakes, sorbetti, biscuits and hot chocolate and all gluten free!

Stop-over in Venice The NH Venezia Rio Novo Hotel, in the Dorsoduro district, is a short walk from the Grand Canal and offers a wide choice of air conditioned, contemporary accommodations, including a premium room with a view, which measures 19 sq metres and features include ultra comfortable beds, flat screen satellite TVs, and spacious bathrooms with refreshing rain-effect showers. Hotel amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, access to the hotel’s gymnasium, and a sumptuous buffet breakfast is presented in the hotel’s restaurant.

Top Tip Venice Accommodation For more information on the NH Venzia Rio Novo visit nh-hotels.com or email nhrionovo@ nh-hotels.com or call reservations on 0203 499 8271

Top Tip Venice Tours and Information Isango.com is a specialist retailer of tours, experiences and attraction tickets and offers a reliable service with competitive rates for over 300 destinations including Venice. For more information visit localvenicetours.com and for information on the city of Venice including events visit www.veneziaunica.it

And for a very special dining experience, head for the Ristorante Al Giardinetto da Severino, located on Sestiere Castello, and only a five minute stroll from St Mark’s Square. This property dates back to the 15th century and has been managed by the same family since

The NH Venezia Rio Novo Hotel Accommodation 33

WIN A MEAL FOR FOUR The Lyttelton Arms is a stylish, modern pub, bar and restaurant offering a prime setting in which to indulge, drink, and socialise, no matter what the occasion.

This stylish contemporary pub provides an impressive selection of fine pub food, beers, wines and real ales, all year round.

With its beautiful interiors bursting with character, and its spacious outdoor area, The Lyttelton Arms is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet drink with friends, a light lunch with a co-worker, or a relaxed al fresco dinner during the warm summer months.

COMPETITION For your chance to win a Festive 3 Course Meal for Four and a Bottle of Wine at The Lyttelton Arms in Hagley please answer the following question:

What date do we start serving our Festive Menu?

Send your answer and contact details to linda@ourlifestylemag.co.uk This competition will close on Friday 30th November 18

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CELEBRATE IN STYLE THIS FESTIVE SEASON MAKE YOUR FESTIVE CELEBRATION EXTRA SPECIAL AT THE LYTTELTON ARMS Festive Season made extra irresistible 14th November to 30th December Not that you need an excuse, but the festive season was made for partying. Whether you’re looking for a fabulous night with the girls, toasting with colleagues or you just fancy letting your hair down with your best friends - do it here in style.

We’ve got everything you need for a night out to remember – fabulous surroundings, an amazing atmosphere, fantastically tempting drinks and delicious dishes to suit all tastes. Our Festive Menu has everything from the classic roast turkey with all the seasonal trimmings to the flavours of the sea with our smoked salmon and king prawn pot. And for dessert? Well, a devilishly temping chocolate orange parfait awaits.

Festive Season Menu 3 Courses - £26.95

01562 882213 THELYTTELTONARMS.CO.UK Bromsgrove Road, Hagley, 35 Stourbridge DY9 9LJ

Our Food & Drink

Recipes

By Mike Whitehurst

SWEET POTATO SCONES WITH ROQUEFORT, FIG JAM, WALNUTS AND ROAST DUCK BREAST THIS RECIPE SERVES 8

Bake the sweet potatoes until very soft then cut in half whilst they are still warm and scoop out the flesh.

INGREDIENTS: 2 sweet potato 200g self raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 2 tablespoon natural yoghurt Pinch of Maldon sea salt Cold butter diced 2 Duck breast 4 Figs 50g caster sugar 8 Walnuts 100g Roquefort

Mix flour salt cold butter chunks to make breadcrumbs - mix in the sweet potato once cold and add in baking powder and yoghurt then mix well into a dough - roll out dough and cut into shapes. Egg wash the tops and bake for 12 minutes.

Whilst the scones are baking slice the figs and mix with the sugar in the small pan and gently warm until the figs break down. Add a little water to help the sugar dissolve. Season and dry fry the duck breasts skin side down pouring the fat off into a jar. Now roast the breasts for about 15 minutes in the oven on 180oC - allow to rest for 10 minutes. Once your scones are out the oven and cooled slice them in half and fill them with your fig jam, roquefort, walnuts and then slice of duck breast -- serve immediately.

EQUIPMENT: Pastry cutter Baking tray Parchment Frying pan Mixing bowl Sharp knife Chopping board Small milk pan

Serve before your Christmas lunch with a nice red wine - for advice on using this recipe email mike@takefood.co.uk

METHOD: 36

BANANA BREAD PUDDING WITH SPICED RUM WHIPPED CREAM THIS RECIPE SERVES 8

METHOD:

INGREDIENTS:

Bake the sweet potatoes until very soft then cut in half whilst they are still warm and scoop out the flesh.

Banana bread 120 g of unsalted butter 240g caster sugar 1 beaten egg 3 bashed up ripe bananas 240g plain flour 2 tsp of baking powder 1 pinch of ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp of fresh grated nutmeg Pinch of salt 120g of milk 2 tsp of vanilla (optional) 40g of raisins Spiced cream Bottle of spiced rum 50g of caster sugar 300ml of double cream

Mix flour salt cold butter chunks to make breadcrumbs - mix in the sweet potato once cold and add in baking powder and yoghurt then mix well into a dough - roll out dough and cut into shapes. Egg wash the tops and bake for 12 minutes.

Whilst the scones are baking slice the figs and mix with the sugar in the small pan and gently warm until the figs break down. Add a little water to help the sugar dissolve. Season and dry fry the duck breasts skin side down pouring the fat off into a jar. Now roast the breasts for about 15 minutes in the oven on 180oC - allow to rest for 10 minutes. Once your scones are out the oven and cooled slice them in half and fill them with your fig jam, roquefort, walnuts and then slice of duck breast -- serve immediately.

EQUIPMENT: Large loaf tin Parchment paper Kitchen aid mixer with paddle and whisk attachment Mixing bowl Fork or small whisk Measuring spoons and jug Scales

Serve before your Christmas lunch with a nice red wine - for advice on using this recipe email mike@takefood.co.uk

Your Private Chef and Caterer Catering for business and social events or celebrating with family and friends e: events@takefood.co.uk m:07939907371 www.takefood.co.uk 37

Our

Education

Restart a Heart The British Heart Foundation say that there are over 30,000 cardiac arrests across the UK which occur outside of hospital every year but the survival rate is less than 1 in 10. Without CPR the chances of surviving cardiac arrest are zero.

On Tuesday 16th October, around 300 pupils at Bromsgrove Preparatory School undertook some important first aid training for the British Heart Foundation’s national campaign Restart a Heart.

Organised and run by Bromsgrove parent and paramedic, Lady Sham Porter, the pupils were taught basic CPR using first aid dummies.

Lady Porter was supported by Jeff Doak from the police service in the morning sessions and Dr Nick Crosbie during the afternoon.

It is hoped that the basic training Bromsgrove’s pupils have been given will stay with them, and potentially save lives.

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Our

Education

Excellence in education since 1620 We have been unlocking the potential of children for nearly 400 years. We offer the best opportunity to boys and girls from three months to 16 years old.

To find our more, call 01562 850204 /HeathfieldKnollSchool

@heathfieldknoll

/heathfieldknollschool

The Middle School (Years 5-8) helps pupils to make a smooth transition into the secondary stage. Pupils continue to benefit from small class sizes (always less than twenty in a class) and a timetabled enrichment programme.

As they mature, pupils are given greater independence and responsibility around the school.

Heathfield Knoll School (HKS) and First Steps Day Nursery is situated in 30 acres of beautiful Worcestershire countryside. We cater for children from three months to 16 years old and offer full wraparound care. Their journey starts in the woodland setting of First Steps Day Nursery. Our experienced and passionate team encourage the children to be active learners, independent thinkers and, most of all, help promote their curiosity.

In Upper School (Years 9-11) pupils work through their GCSE courses and achieve league topping results. Our Year 11s depart as balanced and confident individuals, thoroughly equipped for life beyond HKS.

Our Preschool offers the very best transition into Reception class. Pupils develop, explore and learn in a dedicated multi-sensory environment suitable for the next stage of their learning.

We invite you to visit HKS to see the smiles on our pupil's face, the positive relationships they make and the aspiration they have to be the best that they can be. We are holding a Preschool and Reception Open Morning on Wednesday 7th November 2018. Please join us from 8.30am for an informal chat and tour.

In Lower School (Reception - Year 4) pupils follow a creative and personalised approach to learning. This allows each individual to flourish and to excel in areas that they are most passionate about.

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Why I Love My Job Greg Parker, Managing Director Phenix Digital and Phenix Education more importantly Clients.

‘I just couldn’t work for anyone else again’ is the clear message from Greg Parker, Managing Director of Phenix Digital and Phenix Education.

Following over 20 years in marketing, running radio stations and enhancing the marketing strategies of his clients; he found himself wanting more. His role as a business development manager opened his eyes to the expanding digital landscape and he soon understood that he needed to set up by himself, in order to be a part of it.

‘The Clients that I work with are fantastic, I have acquired a number of real life-long friends, I get lots of recommendations and repeat business’ says Greg as he answers a business call for the 4th time during our meeting. Greg describes himself as a ‘people person’ and likes to really get to know his clients and understand what issues they face, day to day, and how Phenix could help erase their headaches, as well as finding out which football team they support.

Greg started a digital agency out of his home office, with no website of his own, no branding and literally no name. But armed with a laptop with missing keys he sought out Designers, Developers, Videographers and

‘Phenix Digital really began to take shape in 2014 but has been running since 2011. I’ve worked in the industry, I understand that the phone rings with sales calls all day, and you just haven’t got time to talk to everyone, but I 40

Our Jobs believe we can help businesses, we can really add value to their marketing budget’.

You can easily see Greg is a massive football fan, sitting in his Hagley office his walls are adorned with the Villa greats, and he just can’t wait to talk to us about his latest client, none other than ‘Homes under the Hammer’, Ex Aston Villa Player and well known football pundit Dion Dublin.

Phenix Digital quickly grew with the appointment of Jamie Dorrance as Director, and has since branched out into the Education sector offering applications for parent engagement, Ofsted ready websites, calendar features, online prospectuses fully loaded with cutting edge videography, animation and photography.

‘Dion approached us regarding an app that he and some other celebrities were commissioning, we jumped at the chance to work with them, and although I can’t say too much about it at the moment, it’s fantastic to be working with such high profile people on something so exciting’ laughs Greg ‘getting to work with Dion, Beverley knight, Ian Wright, and Radio 1’s Comedy Dave has been a dream’ enthuses Greg, showing us the Facebook posts from Dion Dublin following a recent visit to their Wolverhampton Head Office.

Talking about how the Education arm of the business began, Greg animatedly takes us through the journey ‘We didn’t realise that this sector was so inspiring. I approached a local school one day, and from there we have honed our School offerings to really work, to assist the Schools with their Ofsted goals and take the hassle out of their digital marketing.

It went so well that we created Phenix Education and have since worked with 100’s of schools, and we have even teamed up with some CAPITA companies, working alongside them, which is really exiting’

As we were leaving we asked Greg to sum up ‘why do you love your job Greg?’ and his answer is quite simply ‘the people’. He goes on to say that ‘the staff that work for me are paramount, they are talented, we love to adapt and grow and evolve and I love the clients we work with. It’s exciting to bring things to life from huge International Engineering Companies, working with Amazon, Schools, Celebrities and the local Beauty Salon that my wife goes to. It’s varied and interesting and of course, I work for ME, all hours, all the time, every minute but it’s so rewarding, and we hope that shows when we deliver to our clients’

Greg admits that he has learnt so much along the way, but loves seeing the finished products, smiling pupils and fantastic facilities that our local schools offer.

‘Video just captures the heart of the user, it really is an emotive tool and pulls prospective parents right into the body of the School, it’s a really effective marketing tool’ says Greg, showing us some of the video’s Phenix Education have produced, and he’s right, it really does immerse you.

41

Our What’s On

WHAT'S ON - NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

Touring: Nov 2018 - Feb 2019

SANTA STEAM SPECIALS - SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY Santa Steam Specials operate on: December 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd & 23rd Get Christmas off to a magical start by joining one of our traditional Santa Steam Specials to meet Father Christmas in his Grotto! Travel by steam train in our vintage carriages from Kidderminster to Arley where the children, and the grown-ups, will have the thrill of meeting Father Christmas in his grotto.

W: www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=55 42

Our

What’s On

West Midland Safari Park 10th or 11th November

Join us on 1Oth or 11th November 2O18 for our Firework Festival Weekend! Enjoy spectacular fireworks, a roaring bonfire, late-night rides and music to bring the party alive!

W: www.wmsp.co.uk/wmsp-events/firework-festival/

Thursday 22nd November Festive shopping evening at the Hagley Road shops in Oldswinford.

A chance for you to purchase some gifts, enjoy some pampering and chat with friends over a festive drink and cake.

43

Our Wedding

Winter Weddings There is nothing more romantic than a winter wedding. Snow on the ground, frost in the air and tree bowers dripping with frozen crystals while inside is warm and cosy with glowing open fires, twinkling candlelight and fulsome winter foliage.

is sufficient matting at the entrance point so that guests can wipe their shoes and not tread slushy footprints into the venue. Look for a venue that has plenty of space between the main entrance and the access to the reception room. That way, you’ll keep the indoor environment toasty and warm.

It used to be that winter was considered the “off season” but venues have now wised up to the fact that it is a popular time of year to marry so the prices can be the same as peak season especially, the week between Christmas and New Year. So if you are planning a winter wedding then it is best to embrace the season and use what is readily available to you.

In the cold then guests will have coats and scarves so make sure that the venue has a cloakroom (and if possible a cloak room attendant) so that guests can leave they belongings safely.

Hotels will have sufficient heating but it might be worth checking that other venues such as marquees or church halls have heating in place. Conversely when the disco starts up it can get rather hot and sticky, check with the venue manager to see if the heating can be reduced in that particular area.

Make sure your venue works in the winter Obviously if you are planning a winter wedding then you should view the venue in the winter to see if it works well in the colder months. If you are attracted to venues that offer open fires with large ornate fireplaces to enhance the wintery theme, do ask then venue manager when you are viewing if the fires are working and can be lit. It is also worth checking whether you can have candles as many venue will not allow a naked flame (if not, don’t worry, you can use storm lanterns which when wreathed in winter foliage look just the part).

When booking the venue take care to avoid any cold-weather mishaps. Make sure that people can actually get to the venue and that there is sufficient parking. If your wedding or reception is in a remote area do leave enough time in the agenda for people to get to the destination in case of bad weather that might slow them down. It might be worth considering having your ceremony and reception at the same venue, saving your guests any travel trouble if there is bad weather.

Decoration There are plenty of ways to decorate your venue to create a warm and cosy atmosphere.

With the sun setting early in the winter months, candles and crystals will add to wintery romance to any venue setting. To add to the ambience, consider bringing in lush, soft textures. Deep red velvety roses set amongst dark green foliage such a holly (especially with the red berries) will add a touch of luxury to the setting. Enhance this with wide velvet ribbon which you can tie

Check with the venue to make sure that there 44

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Our Wedding around napkins or candles centrepieces. You could even tie the ribbon to the chairs and hang themed decorations such a wooden hearts of crystal snowflakes.

gown and embellish your winter wonderland look.

For shoes, go for a close-toed style (strappy heels could be hazardous in snow) as there might be ice or even worse slush on the ground. Why not have a pair of white boots which will peep out from under you dress but keep you sure footed. You could always change into the heels once you are safely at the reception venue. It may be an idea to have a pair of white snow boots that you can change in and out of to travel between venues - fun for the photographs too!

What to wear If ever there was an excuse to use vibrant colours such as forest greens, deep crimsons and brilliant whites then certainly winter is the season to do so. You can also use heavier fabrics such a velvet or sensual silk satins. If you want lace look for the heavier variety like Battenberg lace which is more substantial and will keep you warmer. The best part of winter wedding fashion is that you can indulge in luxurious full skirts without the fear of getting too hot or weighed down with the extra fabric. Choose a style of dress that has sleeves for extra protection and warmth. ž sleeves in particular can look very feminine.

Add gloves for a touch of Hollywood glamour.

Choose a colour that complements your flowers or theme. Perhaps dress your groom in a slick suit and add a scarf in the same colour as your gloves to match the wedding colour theme.

Winter Treats Winter weddings give you the opportunity to serve your guests something quite different and very seasonal. Serve an alternative reception drink such a mulled wine served with mini mince pie or Winter Pimms with gingerbread men decorated in white piped icing to resemble the bride or groom. For sheer decadence, serve a white hot chocolate with marshmallow dips.

For the favours you could have pots of homemade hedgerow jam for the girls and jars of chutney or pickle for the boys. Or bag up snowflake shortbread biscuits piped in white icing and tied with ribbon your wedding colours.

Accessories If you still want to wear shoulder-baring strapless gowns or slinky sheaths you will need to think carefully about your accessories so that you can keep warm and avoid shivering your way through your photography session while still looking fabulous in your dress.

Envelop yourself in a stole or find a warm shawl or cashmere wrap for a look that exudes a charming winter style and essentially, keeps you warm. Look to the more substantial fabrics such as velvet or faux fur to complement your

With careful planning you can enjoy all the usual wedding traditions bundled up in a festive winter theme with unique elements to set your wedding apart from the norm. You and your guests will be rosy cheeked, them from the mulled wine and you from the flush of love...

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there is now a large selection of card, paper to choose from. You can and embellishments and embellishments to choose from. cansets and kits which contain actually buyYou box actually buy box sets andeverything kits which you contain need to create personalised everything you need to create personalised wedding invitations from home. But if you wedding invitations from are home.

Our Wedding confiBut dentif inyou your crafting skills then you are confident in your crafting skills then you can buy packs of blank cards and envelops can buy packs of blank cards and envelops

Jantino Jantino

Your first choice for mother of the Your first choice for mother of the bride and groom, cruise and evening wear. Stocking st cruise and evening wear. Stocking stunning outfits and matching accessories from British matching accessories from British and International designers. Jan and her team are a designers. Jan and her team are always on hand to you look your best for a ensure you look your best for anyensure occasion.

Ladies Designer Wear Ladies Designer Wear

Boutique shopping its finest, since 1 Boutique shopping at its finest, sinceat1988 Main shop open: Main shop open: Mon - Sat 9.45am - 4.45pm Mon - Satfirst 9.45am - 4.45pm Your choice for mother of the bride and groom, cruise and evening Hawkswood Lodge, Old High Street, Quarry Hawkswood Lodge, Old High Street, Quarry wear.

Stocking stunning outfits and matching Bank, West Midlands.

DY5 2JR accessories from British and Bank, West Midlands. DY5 2JR

International designers. Jan and her team are always on hand to ensure you Tel:your 01384 Tel: 01384 565443 look best 565443 for any occasion. www.jantino.co.uk www.jantino.co.uk

Our sale shop has moved to Quarry Bank Our saleHigh shop has moved to Quarry Bank High St, opposite the main shop and is open: St, opposite the main shop and is open: Tues - Thurs, 10 - 4.30pm, Friday 10-2pm Tues - Thurs, 10 - 4.30pm, Friday 10-2pm and Sat- 10 - 4.30pm and Sat 10 - 4.30pm Mon Sat 9.45am - 4.45pm Huge savings on a stunning rangeHuge savings on a stunning range Hawkswood Lodge, Old High of designer wear of designer wear 22b HighStreet, Street, Quarry Bank, Bank, Quarry 22b High Street, Quarry Bank, West Midlands DY52JW West Midlands DY52JW West Midlands.

DY5 2JR Tel: 07914 687630 Tel: 07914 687630

Main shop open:

Tel: 01384 565443 www.jantino.co.uk

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Sale shop open: Quarry Bank High St, opposite the main shop and is open: Mon - Thurs, 10 - 4.30pm, Friday 10-2pm Sat 10 - 4.30pm Huge savings on a stunning range of designer wear 22b High Street, Quarry Bank, West Midlands DY5 2JW

Tel: 07914 687630 48

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Our Fashion

Jewel in the Mews Christmas time in the Mews, Two Elves as busy as ever, Tap tap’ their stones all aglow, Such craftsmanship- so clever!

clearer, Visiting shopping and rushing about, Be certain that gift, you do not miss out.

Some earrings, a necklace, a trinket or two, A gold chain, some pearls it’s all there for you, From bangles, gold rings and cufflinks to choose, So many fine gems from the Jewel in the Mews……

Toiling away they polish and tap, Steadily working without a gap, All shinning and sparkles- their window’s a treasure, If you’re coming to buy, or just looking at leisure.

Written by Kinver resident and legend, Sarah Smith…

Hasten- as Christmas draws ever nearer, And carols and sleigh bells get so much

Kinver Jewellers Bespoke handmade jewellery For your ideal Christmas gifts At Kinver Jewellers we specialise in hand-crafted earrings, pendants, bracelets, wedding and engagement rings, created to the highest standards on the premises.

Turn your dreams into jewellery...

Opening hours Tue - Sat 9.30 - 4.30

01384 877 881

www.kinverjewellers.com 49

Our Fashion

Must Have Coats!

By Michelle Barnett - Fashion Buyer The check coat was huge last season but checks are back again this AW18 with two different takes – the traditional heritage check or the more colourful modern check. Great teamed with jeans and trainers or smart them up with stilettos and tapered trousers.

Heritage Checks WHISTLES £285

M&S £99

PRIMARK £25

NEW LOOK £39.99

Modern Checks ZARA £89.99

TOPSHOP £159

HOBBS £359

NEXT £98

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Our Fashion

Teddy Coats The teddy coat is one of the key coats for AW18 and is my personal favourite. Perfect for those cooler months to keep cosy. Best in camels and rusts and works in a variety of shapes too.

WAREHOUSE £89

DOROTHY PERKINS £60

NEW LOOK £29.99

H&M £49

TESCO

ZARA £49

MISS SELFRIDGE £65

NEW LOOK £39.99

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CocoRico Dress Agency

Stocking Nearly New Designer Dresses Shoes and Accessories at a Fraction of the Retail Value

Do you have designer clothes you want to sell?

Bring them in freshly laundered, and let us sell them for you! or Drop in to see Liz who can style you up!

OPEN HOURS Tue - Fri 10.30am - 5pm Sat - 10am - 4pm

Tel: 01384 443775 80 Hagley Road Stourbridge DY8 1QU

Clearance Rail with Fantastic Bargains 52

Our Fashion

FROX

Join us for the Oldswinford Christmas Late Night Shopping Evening on Thursday 22nd November from 5.00 - 8.00pm. Plenty of opportunities to solve those Christmas present worries with lots of accessories, scarves, jewellery, bags or gift vouchers are also available.

Independent boutique, Frox, has recently celebrated its 7th birthday located at 110 Hagley Road, Oldswinford. We offer unique one to one personal styling with beautiful pieces from the new Autumn/Winter 18 range from Joseph Ribkoff, a hugely admired Canadian ladieswear brand which takes you from weddings, cruises and race days to elegant daywear suitable for a more casual occasion.

COMPETITION For your chance to win a £300 Joseph Ribkoff Voucher to spend at Frox please answer the following question:

Evening dresses can also be hired or purchased offering more flexibility for those special events.

Where are Frox located?

We stock cashmere jumpers from Luella, jewellery from Park Lane, gorgeous leather handbags from Italian Moda and we introduce new brands regularly.

Send your answer and contact details to hello@froxhire.co.uk This competition will close on Friday 14th December 18

WIN A £300 JOSEPH RIBKOFF VOUCHER TO SPEND AT FROX

JOSEPH RIBKOFF SUMMER STOCK NOW HAS UP TO 30% - 50% REDUCTIONS OPEN HOURS Sunday/Monday closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10-3.00pm Thursdays 10-1.00pm

froxhire.co.uk 01384 671969 / 07884 344855 110 Hagley Rd, Stourbridge DY8 1QU

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Our Hair & Beauty

OVER THE COUNTER –VCOSMECEUTICAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS When it comes to over the counter (cosmetic) –v- cosmeceutical (clinical) skincare products, it can actually be quite bewildering if you don’t know what the difference is.

All too often people will self-diagnose their skin condition and choose a skincare product that is easily available from a department store or supermarket, it will feel and smell great. But it won’t have the deep effect on the skin or condition.

There will be a myriad of questions about each type of product’s performance, ranging from its suitability through to the price involved.

Both may look and feel the same but there is a big difference between the two!

Cosmeceutical products are available from dermatologists and aesthetic skin clinics, and will be prescribed by a skin care professional.

By having a professional skin diagnosis you will be prescribed the correct skincare product that will lead to amazing results.

The 4 main differences:

1. The existence and the level of active ingredients

4. The Results To Expect

A cosmetic skincare product does not normally contain enough active ingredients, at a scientifically proven level to do what it may claim. To be classed as a cosmeceutical, active ingredients must be at scientificallyproven levels of concentration that have a positive effect on the skin.

Cosmetic products are sold over the counter because they are safe. They may refresh your complexion for a short period of time but they cannot create structural changes or deliver long-term results. Although they will effectively maintain your skin by providing somewhat temporary results.

2. The delivery system

However, when a cosmeceutical is applied to the skin, the active ingredients are able to penetrate the deeper layers and promote change on a cellular level with the ability to make noticeable changes. Improving the skin in the long term making it a results-focused product.

Most likely, the cosmetic product will not be capable of the correct ‘delivery system’ to be able to penetrate the dermis (the upper layer of the skin) in order to be of benefit.

A cosmeceutical product delivery system ensures that the active ingredients (like antioxidants or vitamins) can penetrate the skin correctly and have the ability to bring about visible changes to the skin. These ingredients will have been developed and refined in laboratories for many years and will be backed up by clinical trials and supportive data before coming to the market. This means it when used properly they do what they claim to do.

By really understanding the difference between cosmetic and cosmeceutical skincare products, you’ll understand the benefits of using a product that’s tailored for your needs.

At Tej & Co we have products available for a wide range of skin concerns – anything from anti-ageing through to dry skin, acne, and pigmentation. You don’t need a specific skin concern to use these cosmeceutical products – they are also ideal if you are just keen to maintain youthful healthy skin for as long as possible.

3. Where you can buy the products 54

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TRUSTED, EFFECTIVE, PROVEN, SKINCARE + HAIR REMOVAL...

Effective skin rejuvenation and hair removal for men & women in the Stourbridge area. Trusted and bespoke skincare solutions by Tej&Co. The latest technology and clinical skincare products, extensive experience with proven results.

Book a no obligation consultation with Tej&Co and discover how we can help you.

58B South Road Stourbridge DY8 3YB Visit. tejandco.co.uk Call. 01384 824039 Email. info@tejandco.co.uk Quote Code: LSM0910

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EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO ALL NEW CUSTOMERS TUESDAY- THURSDAY UP UNTIL MID NOVEMBER

Colour and Cut packages from £65 and £30 for a Cut and Blow Dry All new customers please quote 'lifestylemag' to claim your introductory discount.

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NAIL ENHANCEMENTS . GEL NAILS . MANICURES . PEDICURES. ALL BEAUTY TREATMENTS HOLISTIC TREATMENTS . SPRAY TANS . PROM PACKAGES . HIRE THE SALON FOR BRIDAL PARTIES

CHRISTMAS GIFT VOUCHERS NOW AVAILABLE

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENING IN OLDSWINFORD! Thursday 22nd November 5-8pm Taster back massage £10 (15 mins) - Please book in advance File and polish £7 (15 mins) - Please book in advance Goody bags Discount vouchers Complimentary Christmas nibbles and drinks

T: 01384 444704 W: SCRATCHNAILSTUDIO.COM 114 HAGLEY RD, OLDSWINFORD, STOURBRIDGE, DY8 1QU 57

FibroblastFibroblast

Permanently Beautiful Lifts and tightens the area, Upper for eyelids, Results up to 2 Results years, last up Liftseye and tightens theand eyelower area,liftUpper and lower lift last for eyelids, Gives as good as aGives blepharoplasty result but without the surgery, as good as a blepharoplasty result but without the surgery, Permanently Beautiful

Shortens and tightens the fibres the skin, Can't tighten area surgery and in tightens the fibresover in the skin, the Can't overlike tighten the area like NEW SKINShortens PEN AVAILABLE FROM DECEMBER Down time minimalDown time minimal FREE consultations FREE for FIBROBLAST consultations for FIBROBLAST

Get the only FDA-cleared microneedling Fibroblast device here from December!!!

LIFTING WITHOUT LIFTING WITHOUT SURGERY Lifts and tightens theSURGERY eye area, Upper and lower lift for eyelids, Results last up to 2 years, Fibroblast Gives as good as a blepharoplasty result but without the surgery, Lifts and tightens theand eyetightens area, Upper and in lower forCan't eyelids, Results last uparea to 2 like years, Shortens the fibres the lift skin, over tighten the surgery Gives as good as a blepharoplasty without the surgery, Downresult time but minimal Shortens and tightens the fibres FREE in theconsultations skin, Can't over the area like surgery for tighten FIBROBLAST Down time minimal FREE consultations for FIBROBLAST

LIFTING WITHOUT SURGERY Anti-ageing Cellular renewal SURGERY LIFTING WITHOUT Before and After Before and After

Improves Skin Texture Improves Appearance of Scars Temporary Increase in Skin Permeability No Risk of Hyperpigmentation

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Professional Semi-permanent Brows Professional Semi-permanent Brow

Before and After Defines the faceDefines shape the face shape Permanently Before and After Lots of colours toLots suit of everyone's and Beautiful colours toskin suittone everyone's skin tone and hair colour hair colour PROFESSIONAL SEMI-PERMANENT BROWS

Professional Semi-permanent Brows Professional Semi-permanent Brows Defines the face shape

Aftercare packages available Aftercare packages available

Lots of colours to suit everyone's skin tone and Defines the face shape BROWS hair colour Lots of colours to suit everyone's skin tone and Aftercare packages available Chloe Hannah Chloe Hanna hair colour Lifts and tightens the eye area, Upper and lower lift for eyelids, Results last up to 2 years,Mcmaster Beautician of 6 years Beautician (Till the end of Jan 19) Gives as good as a blepharoplasty result but without the surgery, Aftercare packages available

Fibroblast £150

Semi-permanent and Fibroblast qualifiedand Semi-permanent

Shortens and tightens the fibres in the skin, Can't over tighten the area like surgery 07817 793474 07817 7 Down time minimal hello@chloehannah.com hello@chloeh Before and After Before and After for and FIBROBLAST Before andFREE Afterconsultations Before After

Chloe Hannah Mcmaster Beautician of 6 years

Semi-permanent and Fibroblast qualified Chloe Hannah Mcmaster Esteem Cosmetic Clinic · First Cosmetic Floor · Sterling House 158 Hagley Road · Stourbridge · DY8 2JL· Stourbridge · Esteem Clinic · First ·Floor · Sterling House · 158 Hagley Road

Chloe Hannah McMaster

LIFTINGBefore WITHOUT SURGERY and After Before and After

07817 Beautician of 6 years793474 Semi-permanent and Fibroblast qualified hello@chloehannah.com

Beautician of 6 years . Semi-permanent and Fibroblast qualified

07817 793474

793474 hello@chloehannah.com Before and After07817 Before and After hello@chloehannah.com Esteem Cosmetic Clinic · First Floor · Sterling House · 158 Hagley Road · Stourbridge · DY8 2JL 58 Esteem Cosmetic Clinic . First Floor . Sterling House . 158 Hagley Road . Stourbridge . DY8 2JL Esteem Cosmetic Clinic · First Floor · Sterling House · 158 Hagley Road · Stourbridge · DY8 2JL

age

Experts in Cosmetic Injections, Skin Rejuvenation and Anti-Ageing Treatments

Sun Damage BEFORE BEFORE

Gift AFTER AFTER Vouchers Available for Christmas.

Treat a loved one.

Wrinkles

HydraFacial MD @ Esteem

Elionce is a premium thread treatment which uses polydioxanoneBEFORE to create a natural, fresherAFTER and younger looking AFTER BEFORE AFTER AFTER BEFORE BEFORE to as the ’20 minute lift’ due to its simplicity and minimal downtime.

An amazing skin resurfacing and rejuvenation system Redness is the process of a Thread Lift Procedure ess What renewal, Anti-ageing, Infuses skin withisantioxidants, Hydration, Extractation A Skin local anaesthetic is administered to ensure the patient comfortable.

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Why choose an Elionce Thread Lift Premium biodegradable threads • Non Surgical Face-lift • Simple and safe • Minimal downtime • Immediate and

The procedure involves the insertion of thread under the skin via very fine needles or a specially designed cannula.

Blemishes

Redness

The threads work in three ways BEFORE BEFORE AFTER AFTER BEFORE BEFORE Thread anchor points hold the tissue and provide lifting when tensioned Mechanical stimulation of the cells in the skin following the thread insertion into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue

Blemishes

As the threads dissolve, the polydioxanone property promotes the generation of collagen to maintain the lifting effect and improve the skin tone.

Before BEFORE BEFORE

After AFTER AFTER

BEFORE Before BEFORE

AFTER AFTER

Before and After

AFTER After AFTER

This machine will address your problematic skin and restore your skin Oily Skinyouthful appearance. back to a glowing BEFORE AFTER AFTER BEFORE AFTER BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY AFTER

BEFORE BEFORE

Tel 01384 444261 Email info@esteemcosmeticclinic.co.uk 59

Our Hair & Beauty

Nick and Royston's Diary One of the many pleasures you have when you have been in business as long as Nick& Royston, is watching generations of clients grow up. A great example of this is The Bradford Family, as Royston has had the pleasure of doing their hair for many years. It is always an honour to be asked to style a Bride for her wedding day and when Lady Bradford asked for his help with her daughter Lady Alicia`s wedding, he was delighted.

Weston Park is a remarkable setting for a wedding and even more remarkable if it is your family home. Lady Alicia was a complete joy and looked exquisite. It was a very special day, not only for the family, but Nick & Royston who were among the guests in sharing a truly happy and fun day. Fabulous couple, fabulous friends and a fabulous day!!!

New House After selling their beautiful Wighwick home, Nick & Royston have decided to have a complete change of gear, down size and opt for country living. Their new Shropshire home is surrounded by beautiful countryside where they are looking forward to long winter walks with Ruby their dog and cosy nights in front of the log fire. The house is the perfect backdrop for Christmas festive fun.

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Our Hair & Beauty

Kinky Boots As great fans of The Grand Theatre, Nick & Royston were thrilled to be asked as their guests to celebrate the 3rd Year Gala Anniversary of Kinky Boots in the West End at the The Adelphi Theatre. The evening was launched with a Champagne Reception, followed by a performance of this spectacular show.

This wonderful evening did not end there with a chance to meet all the cast and friends at the after party at Mint Leaf. Many Thanks to the all the guys for an amazing evening and Nick and Royston cannot wait for the opening night of Kinky Boots when it visits The Grand.

Crème De La Crème The highlight of the Cheshire scene is Dawn Ward`s Crème de la Crème annual ball. Held every year at the Ward`s family home Warford Hall, this year`s theme was The Best of British. The evening was attended by Cheshire`s stars including the other cast members of The Real Housewives of Cheshire, an array of soap stars and personalities from the footballing world, all to raise money for the Caudwell’s Children`s charity.

The entertainment is always dazzling, and this year was the X- Factor`s Rebecca Ferguson and Dawn` daughter Derby, singing the night away. A tremendous night, with friends they love and all for a remarkable cause. Can`t wait for next year!

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Our Health

AM I A SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS? Are you with living with loose or missing teeth due to trauma, decay or gum disease? This may be causing problems with your oral health, the way you chew and taste food, it may even be changing the way you look. If this resonates with you, then you may be a good candidate for dental implants. Amit Pabari, Principal Dentist at Stourbridge Dental & Implant Centre explains...

As an experienced team we’d like to help you find a solution that will restore tooth function as well as give you a healthy, natural looking smile.

If you have a fear of dental procedures dental implant placement can be carried out under local anaesthetic and during the procedure, you should feel no more discomfort than you would for any typical dental treatment.

If you are particularly anxious, we offer intravenous sedation to allow you to relax peacefully while we carry out your treatment and whilst you may have soreness for a few days after placement of the implants, over-the-counter pain relief medication will alleviate the discomfort for most patients.

We find that many people think they are not suitable candidates for dental implants and immediately rule themselves out. But contrary to popular belief most people with failing or missing teeth are suitable for dental implant treatment including: ·

People older than 70 years of age

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Those who have high blood pressure

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People who suffer from Osteoporosis or Arthritis

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People who regularly take prescribed anticoagulant medicines

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Well controlled diabetics

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People who smoke

If you’re tired of letting your teeth rule your life, or perhaps loose dentures are becoming increasingly uncomfortable, then book a free dental implant consultation at the practice and find out all you need to know about dental implants.

Call 01384 378361 or visit stourbridgedental.co.uk 62

ARE YOU CONSIDERING DENTAL IMPLANTS TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?

Living with tooth loss can be difficult. If you have trouble chewing your food or would simply like to feel more confident when you smile.

We can help you. Our experienced team have placed hundreds of implants – all of which have been successful, changing the lives of our patients by rebuilding their smiles often after significant tooth loss.

BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION with a highly qualified member of our team and find out literally everything you ever wanted to know about dental implants before you make your mind up.

LEARN ABOUT • The many benefits of dental implants • All the options available including the revolutionary “Teeth in a day” treatment • How we can help you achieve a healthy natural looking smile that you can be proud of

01384 378361 stourbridgedental.co.uk Attend one of our relaxed, informal dental implant presentations held at the practice or arrange a free one on one consultation.

Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic is a premium private practice located at 6 High Street, Stourbridge DY8 4BX. GDC no. 176798

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Our Health

Transform into the new you!

Transforming Me is a professional service for professional people who want to mentally strengthen themselves. It gives YOU the confidence to succeed at work and in your personal life by achieving a lasting feeling of being almost bullet proof to stress related illness, underlying anxiety and personal issues.

Tracy Roberts Rapid Transformational Therapist

the level of our awareness for most of our lives. Research has demonstrated these subconscious programs can affect our thought patterns, behaviours and even damage our health.

The effects of limiting beliefs, trauma, repressed emotions and unresolved issues in our systems can result in multiple problems, such as: toxic levels of inner tension, a buildup of stress hormones, increased sensitivity to stress, hyperactivity of the nervous system, chronic pain, anxiety, obsessive thought patterns, depression, chronic fatigue, lowered immune system and autonomic nervous system dysregulation.

As a qualified Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT) I give people freedom from unhelpful thinking styles and help them let go of unhappy memories. RTT works to overcome fears and phobias and mentally kick start the body’s processes to support physical healing.

RTT also works to prevent over or under eating, deal with ingrained habits like nail biting, excessive alcohol and really does move you away from pain and rapidly into personal transformation.

Transforming me is equipped with an array of tools and techniques for accessing subconscious blockages and helping you find your way to freedom. It helps YOU identify the root cause of what is holding you back from achieving optimal health and a satisfying happy life.

Transforming Me performs the therapeutic approach of RTT and utilizes hypnotherapy combined with principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and psychotherapy.

It is a unique and distinctive approach that addresses issues on a deep level by accessing the subconscious mind and internal programming that is the driver behind destructive behaviours, limiting beliefs and toxic thought processes.

RTT was developed by famed British therapist, Marisa Peer. Marisa originated this unique and effective therapy technique over her 30 years of successful clinical practice. Marisa was voted Britain's #1 Therapist and has worked with Olympic athletes, celebrities and top entrepreneurs. Marisa is currently developing an RTT program for British schools and a corresponding anti-bullying campaign.

Transforming Me understands that many people try to change their lives through meditation, visualizations, positive self-talk and other relaxation style methods only to find themselves frustrated and continually falling back into old self-destructive patterns.

Whilst these are wonderful and beneficial life practices, they often fail to address and eliminate underlying subconscious programming that has been playing beneath

RTT is endorsed by the General Hypnotherapy Register, the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council, the National and International Council of Psychotherapists, the American Board of Hypnotherapy and the International Association of Complementary Therapists.

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Transform into the new you!

RAPID TRANSFORMATIONAL THERAPY TO TREAT MANY ISSUES CONFIDENCE ISSUES - day to day living including love, relationships and wealth.

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS - exams, driving tests, interview skills FEARS AND PHOBIAS - flying; heights; needles; dentist and animals.

AREAS WE COVER

FOOD AND DRINK - body shape confidence; weight control and moderate alcohol levels.

Worcestershire, Shropshire, Birmingham and the Black Country

CALMNESS & WELLBEING - depression; anxiety, sleep, concentration and memory.

07484 130796

WWW.TRANSFORMINGME.UK transformingme@btinternet.com

IMPROVED BODY FUNCTION - freedom from pain; better eyesight and hearing.

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Our Health

Award Winning Clinic on Your Doorstep The Body Clinic is an Award Winning, Non-Surgical Aesthetic Clinic dedicated to helping you become the very best version of yourself without the need for surgery or invasive cosmetic procedures.

for providing the highest quality treatments while delivering excellence in customer service.

And word is certainly getting around. They have 75 FIVE STAR reviews online, from their loyal followers.

With clients travelling to them, from all over the UK, including London and Cornwall!

With an extensive range of Award Winning, results-driven treatments, they can enhance your Face, Body, and Skin; leading to improved confidence and self-esteem.

They appreciate that finding the “right” Aesthetic clinic can be a daunting task, and they understand that clients value openness and honesty when discussing treatments and procedures.

Their clinically proven treatments can help improve many concerns, such as Premature Ageing, Loose Skin, Stubborn Fat, Cellulite, Acne, Sun Damage and Pigmentation.

When you first visit The Body Clinic, you will have a consultation with one of the team. This is relaxed, informal and confidential. They will listen and understand your concerns, and then advise you on an individual treatment programme that will help you achieve the best results possible.

The Body Clinic is a small, family business based in Stourbridge. Opened in February 2015, this exclusive clinic has gone from strength to strength and has achieved great things in a short space of time.

In 2016 at the prestigious MyFaceMyBody aesthetic awards, they were awarded Highly Commended for Best New Clinic, and in 2017 they were Finalist for Best Aesthetic Clinic and Clinic Website.

To find out more about The Body Clinic and how they can help you, book a FREE no obligation consultation. Tel: 01562 265018 or visit www.thebodyclinic.uk.com to browse their extensive range of treatments, videos and testimonials.

Director, Kate Sykes leads the small team. She has over 20 years’ experience in healthcare and wellness, and is supported by two highly qualified and experienced Aestheticians Charlotte Sykes and Alexandra Cook.

Together, they aim to set the gold standard 66

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Our Health

CQC RATES WEST MIDLANDS Your care HOSPITAL AS ‘GOOD’ tailored to you The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated West Midlands Hospital as ‘Good’ overall in its report published on 17th August 2018.

You can count on us for first

Make West Midlands Hospital

ophthalmology, gynaecology, urology, yoursurgery, healthcare general cosmeticchoice surgery and ENT. West Midlands Hospital is part of Ramsay Health Care UK, a globaltoleader in the class, flexible treatment suit you. independent healthcare sector, operating 35 We offer fast access to the highest standards of care, so people know they can The rating of ‘Good’ was given to West sites across England. trust us to help them get better quickly.

Midlands Hospital following the inspection by the CQC in May this year. The hospital, West Midlands Hospital offer a wide range of which is part of the Ramsay OUR Health Care complimentary patient information events, AREAS OF EXPERTISE Group, was rated ‘Good’ in domains including which offer direct access to consultants, who being effective, caring, responsive and wellcan help you decide on the best treatment led. options for your needs, with no obligation to commit.

The report highlighted that West Midlands EAR, NOSE BONE & EYE COSMETIC GENERAL MEN’S JOINT PAIN across CARE Hospital had improved a range SURGERY of OurMEDICAL upcomingHEALTH events: & THROAT CONDITIONS CONDITIONS areas following their previous inspection in 2015. The CQC are assured of an overall ‘Good’ Cosmetic Surgery Information Morning: standard at the hospital.

Private, one-to-one with Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon, Mr Guy Sterne.

Gloria Kerrigan, Hospital Director, at West 10th November Appointments DIAGNOSTICS PHYSIO- Saturday GENERAL WOMEN’S2018.

Midlands HospitalSKIN said, SPINE “I am& BACK extremely SURGERY HEALTH CONCERNS PAIN THERAPY available from 10am. proud that West Midlands Hospital has been rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and the result is a Spinal Surgery Information Evening: reflection of the hard work and dedication of all the staff. I am delighted that the inspectors With Consultant Neurospinal Surgeon, Mr UPCOMING EVENTS recognised the value we place on delivering Navin Furtado. high standards of patient care and we will Tuesday 13th Spinal November, from 6.30pm.

Cosmetic Surgery Surgery always continue to strive Information to deliver the very Morning Information Evening best healthcare to our local community.”

To find out more or to book, please visit Saturday 10th November Tuesday 13th November westmidlandshospital.co.uk/events.

10.00am 6.30pm The full report for West Midlands Hospital can Or call 0808 252 4215.

Mr Guy Sterne, Mr Navin Furtado, be found on the CQC website.

Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon Consultant Neurospinal Surgeon West Midlands Hospital offers care to private, insured andVisit NHSwestmidlandshospital.co.uk/events patients.

or call 0808 252 4215 for more information

The hospital is inyourHalesowen, twenty or to book place. minutes from Birmingham city centre and offers a comprehensive range of specialties including orthopaedics, pain management,

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Your care tailored to you

Make West Midlands Hospital your healthcare choice You can count on us for first class, flexible treatment to suit you.

We offer fast access to the highest standards of care, so people know they can trust us to help them get better quickly.

OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE

BONE & JOINT PAIN

EYE CARE

SKIN SPINE & BACK CONCERNS PAIN

COSMETIC SURGERY

GENERAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS

MEN’S HEALTH

EAR, NOSE & THROAT CONDITIONS

PHYSIOTHERAPY

GENERAL SURGERY

WOMEN’S HEALTH

DIAGNOSTICS

UPCOMING EVENTS Cosmetic Surgery Information Morning

Spinal Surgery Information Evening

Saturday 10th November 10.00am

Tuesday 13th November 6.30pm

Mr Guy Sterne, Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon

Mr Navin Furtado, Consultant Neurospinal Surgeon

Visit westmidlandshospital.co.uk/events or call 0808 252 4215 for more information or to book your place.

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Look out for the new face of Docker and Wilson. The Eye Collective Stourbridge has arrived.

An independent optician established in 1973, Docker and Wilson has recently undergone a rebrand, introducing a new identity and name change. The Eye Collective Stourbridge has arrived. The Eye Collective remains an independent optical practice with 5 additional branches located around Birmingham.

An extensive range of eyewear – Our designer brands include Ray Ban, Ted Baker, Calvin Klein, Lindberg, and Maui Jims, amongst many more

Contact Lenses •

The Stourbridge branch will continue to provide the highest quality of eye care and eyewear delivered by the same people, in an honest and friendly environment. Customers of all ages can trust in our friendly team led by the practice manager, to choose the perfect pair of glasses to suit their needs and lifestyle.

• •

Custom designed lenses from the world’s leading contact lens manufacturers Tailored monthly payment schemes Free assessment, trial and home delivery

Life with glasses has never been better.

Call us on 01384 394 300 or visit eyecollective.co.uk to book an appointment today.

Why choose The Eye Collective?

An experienced friendly team – Our team pride themselves on helping you choose the perfect eyewear to suit your needs and lifestyle. They’re always on hand to offer expert advice and guidance on all aspects of your eye health.

Visit us at 84 Stourbridge High Street to find out how we can help with all your eye care and eyewear needs.

Personalised lenses – With our bespoke lenses, we offer a ground-breaking service which allows us to create a personalised lens which is as unique as you are.

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50% OFF

A SECOND PAIR OF GLASSES Terms and conditions apply

TRANSPARENCY HAS NEVER BEEN SO VISIBLE

*

*Perceived transparency based on wearer tests 2017 (FR) N=50, resulting from a better perception of anti-reflective feature. ©Essilor International - January 2018. Essilor®, Crizal® and Crizal® Sapphire UV™ are trademarks of Essilor International. Frames: LAFONT.

CALL US ON 01384 394300 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

8 4 HI G H STRE ET, STOU RBRIDGE, WE ST M ID LA N DS DY 8 1 E D WWW. EYECOLLECT IV E .CO.U K 71

Top Tips for a Happy, Healthy Christmas from Dr Hilary Jones Tip: There are some easy ways to eat healthily over the holidays, for example: choose antioxidant rich dark chocolate over the super sweet liqueur filled selection; seek vitamin rich foods like sweet potato, spinach and broccoli to keep your energy levels up; limit your alcohol intake, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

Christmas is notoriously about indulging and ‘getting merry’ with those close to you – but it’s important to take a step back and think about your health, as well as the health of your family and friends, before the festive season commences. We asked Dr Hilary, GP & health broadcaster, to share his top tips…

1. Avoid the temptations

2. Keep an eye on loved ones

Did you know, the average British person consumes 6,000 calories on Christmas day2, three times the average daily amount for women?! And let’s not forget the calories of alcohol. Despite its association with merriment, alcohol is actually a depressant – and it lowers your sleep quality. Its weekly recommendation is 14 units a week which equates to seven 175ml glasses of wine or seven pints of lager, so don’t be afraid to say no to that extra glass of mulled wine!

Christmas is the perfect opportunity to organise a gathering and catch up with friends and family. It also gives you the chance to ensure your relatives, friends and neighbours, who you may not have seen in a while, are healthy and happy. Look out for any changes – for example, feelings of lethargy or weakness may be an indicator of type 2 diabetes; physical unsteadiness may be an indication of osteoporosis; and being asked to repeat what you have said may highlight a hearing problem. So, be alert to even small differences, as latest research shows that hearing loss can increase someone’s chance of developing dementia by 2-5 times if left undiagnosed.1 Tip: Be attentive to any deterioration in your loved ones’ health - you are much more likely to notice any changes than they are, especially if you haven’t seen them for a while. It might be a good time to gently suggest a health checkup. If you notice your family member or friend is having difficulty following the conversation, suggest they get their hearing checked by 72

Our Health booking in for a free hearing test at their local Hidden Hearing branch by calling 0800 037 2060 or visit www.HiddenHearing.co.uk.

3. Stay physically active A shocking survey by the British Heart Foundation revealed that British people spend an average of 178 hours sitting down over the festive period3 – make sure you’re not one of them by staying active this Christmas!

Tip: Stop thinking about your Christmas checklist and schedule in some quiet time to de-stress, either by reading a book, relaxing in a bubble bath or just by sitting down and watching a movie. It may be a good idea to do your Christmas shopping in advance to avoid the crowds, freeing you up to spend more time relaxing with or without friends and family. If you feel as though stress might be getting on top of you, visit your GP for advice and support.

Tip: Something as simple as a daily walk has been shown to improve your health. A study by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress found that just 15 minutes of brisk walking a day can add up to seven years to your life4, so why start your daily walks before the Christmas season commences?

Alternatively, if you want to stay indoors and avoid the cold weather, get in some exercise by playing games with your younger family members, whether that be a kickaround with a football or an exaggerated version of classic charades!

5. Set yourself a New Year’s resolution See the New Year as an opportunity for reevaluating where you are in life, and where you’re headed. Set yourself some goals to make 2019 your happiest and healthiest year yet. New Year resolutions are a great opportunity to infuse your brain with extra motivation, but it’s important not to be too ambitious when setting your resolution – make sure it’s something you really want to achieve.

Tip: Take time to really consider areas in life you wish to improve – perhaps you want to start a new fitness regime, get a promotion at work or write a book – create a realistic timeline for yourself to make your goal achievable. This could also be made fun for the whole family, a friendly competition to keep you all motivated. Each member of the family can choose one or multiple goals and together you can check-in regularly on your progress, with rewards being offered at each milestone.

4. Take it easy Try not to stress out too much over fitting in every dinner or party invitation, or the seasonal strain on your finances – you don’t have to say yes to everything. Enjoy the holidays by spending time doing what you want to do rather than constantly catering for the needs of others. A survey of 1,000 Brits revealed that 81% of people find Christmas stressful5, so it’s important to switch off and take some time for yourself.

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Our Health

Is anxiety holding you back?

The chances are that while reading this, you are grabbing a few minutes to sit down and take a short break. The pace at which we live our lives is demanding: juggling work, family commitments and a busy diary of events can sometimes feel overwhelming. While we all feel anxious from time-to-time, anxiety can become excessive and persistent, with its psychological, emotional and physiological symptoms, such as ‘panic attacks’, impacting on our daily lives and those around us.

Hilary Sims - Life Balance

Hilary also helps people dealing with anger, depression, bullying, family breakdown, stress, low self-esteem, bereavement and trauma, listening, offering non-judgmental support and helping clients identify ways of dealing with situations. Therapy sessions take place at her practice or in the home or workplace.

“A problem shared is indeed a problem halved.

I believe we should all take time to focus on ourselves and affirm that we are living our lives in a balanced way. Being self-aware gives us the opportunity to addressing issues before they manifest into something bigger,” she adds.

Hilary Sims, a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and an Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society, is helping individuals of all ages, couples, families and employees of local businesses talk about anxiety and take positive action through her private practice, ‘Life Balance - Counselling Just For You’, based in Stourbridge.

Hilary is also experienced in working with senior school-aged children and young people, and says children can benefit hugely from talking therapies.

“As a mum and through my work in a school environment I have experienced at first hand the pressures of growing up in an image-obsessed society, exam stress, family and relationship issues, social anxiety and fears about their future. Giving children the opportunity to talk about their feelings and helping them develop strategies to manage them doesn’t just benefit them in the short term; it raises self-esteem, instils in them the confidence to ask for help when they need it and the understanding that they can overcome any problems they encounter.”

“I give people a safe, confidential space to focus on themselves, explore the issues causing their anxiety, and regain control of their thoughts and behaviours through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a collaborative intervention which involves talking and doing,” she explains. “We talk about things in the therapy room which are then practiced between sessions.”

Hilary offers a free 30 minute introductory consultation. To book or for further information, call 07850 447585 or visit www. lifebalancecounselling.net

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Our Health

How To Winterise Your Body We’re familiar with winterizing our cars or garden but have you ever thought about winterizing your body?

Winter is a challenging time for many of us.

The heating goes on, and we lock ourselves up indoors. We get coughs and colds that seem to linger longer than they should. The shorter, darker and colder days mean it’s much harder to stay motivated with healthy lifestyle choices, and the opportunities for outdoor activities decrease especially once the clocks go back.

We would recommend taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement to support your normal diet.

Fuel Your Winter As the colder weather comes around it can be easy to turn to comforting, stodgy foods. We all know how easy it is to gain an extra “winter layer,” which can be very hard to lose once spring comes around.

If you want to make this your healthiest winter yet, then it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that winter brings and make a plan to keep the winter blues at bay.

The Power of Sunshine

It’s important to focus on eating well during the winter. Your diet should include at least five portions of vegetables and fruit each day. This should be as varied as possible and mostly consist of vegetables, with just 1 – 2 pieces of fruit. Homemade winter soups are the perfect way to get extra veg into your diet!

Deprivation of natural sunlight during the winter months causes hormonal changes in our bodies. Reduced levels of the “feel good” hormone Serotonin can leave us feeling down in the dumps. Lack of sunlight can also lead to Vitamin D deficiency. Symptoms include tiredness and fatigue, muscle aches and pains, weak immune system and depression.

Mind The Winter Blues

To increase your exposure to natural light, you should try and get outside as often as possible. Go for a walk on your lunch break and get outside on the weekends.

Be mindful of your mood and mental health during the winter. This time of year, can see an increase in depression and other mental health disorders.

Take Your Vitamins

Locking yourself away during the winter this can lead to feelings of isolation. Make time to meet up with friends, whether for a coffee, a night out or a walk in the fresh air.

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body requires. During the winter fresh food, fruits and vegetables are less available, meaning you could be missing out on important nutrients. And even when fresh foods are in season, it can be hard to get all your nutritional needs from them, given today’s farming practices.

The Body Clinic is an award winning aesthetic clinic located in Stourbridge. Specialising in non-surgical treatments for the face and body. For more information go to www. thebodyclinic.uk.com or call 01562 265 018.

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Horoscopes

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January 20 - February 18

February 19 - March 20

Disregard fanciful ideas from others and try to stick to what you know.

Your brilliance lies in the experience that you have gathered in the past.

You seem to be in line for some cash surprises as the old spondulicks stakes improve. Enjoy this Midas Touch while it lasts. You could be laughing all the way to the bank.

You are just one short step away from finding more professional advancements. Maybe you are being headhunted or in line for a spot of promotion? Either way, you could turn out to be in favour, big time.

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

March 21- April 20

April 21 - May 20

May 21 - June 20

It’s your amazing wit and humour that will help you to charm the birds out of the trees. However, making them laugh could lead to romance filling the air. Ooh la la.

Precision is the key word.

It’s very important to get it right. Watch out for knowalls and those who think that they know better. Trust your own judgement and you will win every time.

It’s time to be tight-lipped about what you know. The day will come when you can tell others exactly how you feel. Straight talking is required, but wait your time and the impact could be amazing.

luoc ,srehto ot hcaorppa eltneg Sagittarius o mlab tup ot23/11 nosr-e20/12 p laedi eht uoy eka m Try hw toestake oht aebneutral yam view erehTparticularly .sretaw delbuotr others. einwmatters dna ecrelating ivda dotoog ruoy Perhaps, rof uoy knaht lliw od time to .put saeup, di citshut ehtapup meand dnabide tuo thguo th e until you say your piece. Time is on .

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Our

Horoscopes

T: 01902334224 W: www.john-starkey.co.uk E: johnstarkey123@outlook.com

Taurus 21/04 - 20/05

It is worth thinking about taking life at Cancer Leo pace, asVirgo a slightly slower the advent of the planet Jupiter, could suggest that you need to hold yourself back for just a week or wo, whilst you weigh up the important options n front of you. you may be professionally head hunted which could be well worth waiting for.

June 21 - July 21

July 22 - August 21

August 22 - September 22

The creative and artistic side of your personality is uppermost and this could lead to a change of direction in your thinking, therefore creating a new circle of friends and acquaintances.

If you can, it’s better to keep a cool head as far as making important decisions is concerned. You seem to be ‘clearing the clutter’ in a very positive way. You should feel on top of the world.

Saturn, the planet of restriction, seems to be loosening its grip on your sign. This should mean that you can let your hair down and let it all hang out. It’s party time, so enjoy every minute of it.

Gemini 21/06 -

20/06

Your wonderfully placid attitude and Libra Scorpio Sagittarius gentle approach to others, could make you the ideal person to put balm on roubled waters. There may be those who will thank you for your good advice and wel hought out and empathetic ideas.

September 21 - October 22

October 23 - November 22

November 23 - December 20

As your thoughts turn to the future, you should find a new sense of optimism taking over. This could change things for the better, once and for all.

Time is on your side, so maybe take life one step at a time. A plan or system is definitely required.

Preparations go better with a smidgen of forward planning.

Staying on schedule is very important. Turn up well brushed with your boots blacked and you just can’t go wrong. That intrepid planet Jupiter is putting you into the limelight.

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Our Pets Gardens

'Tis the Season Blacks Vets look back on a fantastic 2018!

By Dr Brian Hogan, MVB Cert SAS MRCVS, Partner, Blacks Vets

invested heavily in facilities and systems that help support, nurture and develop our team members at whatever point they are in their career.

Can it really be that time of year again already?

Yes, the festive season is upon us and another year has raced past. It’s been a terrific year for us here at Blacks Vets and once again, we have thoroughly enjoyed serving the petowning community of the Black Country. As 2018 draws to a close, we would like to share with you some of our highlights from this year as we look forward to exciting prospects for 2019.

We helped even more pets stay healthy and happy During 2018 we saw even more pets join our popular Protect My Pet Club. This is an easy, cost effective way for clients to provide their dog, cat or rabbit, the very best in preventative healthcare and offers amazing discounts on routine treatments such as boosters, flea and worming medication and services such as microchipping and dental work. The beauty of being a Protect My Pet Club member is that you’ll also receive text reminders for treatment application and routine appointments, making staying on top of your pet’s healthcare effortless. So, if one of your 2019 resolutions is to simplify your life, give us a call!

We’re going to need a bigger trophy cabinet!

We have always prided ourselves on providing truly excellent care to our patients and customer service that is second to none. Our mission is to make Black Country pets the healthiest in the UK and it is this focus that underpins everything we do. It was therefore wonderful to learn that our efforts have been recognized by several awarding bodies, including the RCVS, Chamber of Commerce and the Society of Practicing Vets. 2018 was the year that we learnt we had been awarded ‘Outstanding’ for Client Service by the RCVS across all five of our practices. We were also honoured to win a West Midlands regional Chamber Business Award for Customer Commitment and are now going forward to the national as well as the Black Country finals. At the time of press, we are waiting to hear if we have won and hope to make another announcement by the end of the year. We were also delighted to be announced as a winner at the Vet Wellbeing Awards in the large practice category. We were extremely proud to pick up this award as our team’s wellbeing is at the very heart of our operation.

Over the course of the last 18 months we have

We helped spread the outstanding pet care message Inspiring the next generation of vets, nurses and pet care advisors is one of the best ways to ensure that a passion for pet healthcare and a genuine love of animals is passed on. With this in mind, we have been out and about in the community sharing our enthusiasm for what we do with youngsters from across the region.

We visited a local nursery school, took part in an open day at the Red House Glass Cone and judged several pet shows, all accompanied by our furry and four legged friends! We also improved our in-house training facilities meaning that we are equipped to host professional development sessions for vets 78

Our Pets her feline nursing qualifications, something we know she will adore putting into her everyday practice. Our nursing team was again strengthened with several of our trainee RVN’s completing their training and gaining their formal qualifications. Our Insurance Claim Recovery Team also grew with two new members joining the Blacks family, bringing with them a wealth of external experience in insurance and administration to our set-up.

and nurses from the wider area. We believe education is key to promoting high standards within the industry and fundamental to the Blacks’ philosophy of veterinary excellence and have really enjoyed doing our bit to spread the message.

Our brilliant team grew and blossomed We also had lots of good news to celebrate amongst our own team with promotions and accreditations in plentiful supply. For the first time in our 50-year history we reached over 100 staff enabling us to offer even more local pets a high quality service. Our Head of Client Experience, Penelope Fox, stepped into the role of Group Practice Manager and has a packed 2019 lined up developing our services to offer pets and clients an even better experience. Our Head Nurse at Lye, Liz PSP 140mmx106mm OLM PRINT.pdf Jefferson,Blacks celebrated gaining a distinction1in

And finally, Matthew Howell was promoted to Client and Pet Care Advisor Team Manager, from his role in reception and will be spending time at each of our branches making sure our front of house team continues to their excellent standards.

The future is looking bright for Blacks and we can’t wait to get cracking on another great year. We look forward to welcoming you and 24/01/2018 14:19 your pets in 2019!

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144x218.pdf

1

18/07/2018

15:59

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Our Gardens

TLC FOR YOUR DRIVEWAY When the temperatures plummet it’s your driveway that’s left out in the cold so this autumn give it the TLC it deserves.

It’s always hard to say goodbye to summer, but here at PEJ we’re looking forward to spending the new season making those allimportant improvements that’ll ensure our client’s driveways stay looking great – and remain problem-free – all winter long.

than a well-looked after driveway.

It’s not all about appearances though, if your driveway doesn’t have a proper slope or drainage system – or your block paving has sunk – freestanding water puddles can form and turn to ice when winter’s icy temperatures hit causing a real hazard when you’re coming and going from your property.

So, we thought we’d bring you all you need to know to winter-proof your driveway, so you can sit back, relax, turn up the heating and get cosy indoors, safe in the knowledge that no matter what the winter weather brings your driveway will look great when the spring rolls around.

Undertaking the necessary repairs now will ensure that your driveway is safe and functional all winter long.

Maintenance is a Must

No doubt you’ll have enjoyed soaking up the summer sunshine in your outdoor living space over the last few months and you’ve probably spent a fair bit of time making your garden look amazing too, but what about your driveway? You probably haven’t even given it a second thought.

Your driveway should be maintained in the same way as any other part of your property, so make sure you dedicate a little time to pressure wash it regularly and remove weeds.

It can be tempting to use a de-icing product to clear your driveway in the winter months but these harsh chemicals can prove detrimental, damaging the surface of your driveway and increasing the likelihood of cracks appearing in the future, so steer clear.

Check and Inspect Your driveway is the first thing visitors notice when they arrive at your property, so keeping it in good condition is a must, and now’s the time to give it the attention it deserves, so step outside and take a look:

A Professional Opinion

Even the smallest cracks can pose a problem in the winter months as water seeps inside and makes the damage worse, so tackling these issues early on really is essential to keep repairs small and straightforward.

If you’re not sure where to start though, feel free to give us a call. We offer a free driveway health check and we’re always happy to provide plenty of help and advice when it comes to driveways - we are the experts after all!

We’ve transformed plenty of cracked and crumbling driveways over the years and nothing improves a property’s kerb appeal

We’ll pay a visit to your property, assess your driveway’s needs and ensure that you’re ready for winter in no time.

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Our Motoring

AUDI A7 Audi with the new A7 Sportback, have produced a vehicle that looks like a coupe to appeal to the driver who desires something sporty, but the A7 is also able to be a family car, in addition it also a superb companion for the business executive.

Audi knows how to load the prices though, Tour pack £1,900, full leather pack at £950, an all-round sound system £800, the list goes on and in fact when added made the test vehicle total £65,554 with about £10,000 of extras.

The A7 has one of the most highly technical infotainment systems of a vehicle that I have driven in ages. Three screens give information, directly in front of the driver is one, then two more are located in the centre console and in the dash. The drivers display looks so futuristic when you sit behind the wheel, the Google Earth display has fields and rivers, and it is an incredible system. The smaller system on the dashboard sits in a wonderfully brushed aluminium frame, below that is a further display and this has taken away the old car

It is quick, easy to drive and has an interior that has been superbly put together as you would expect from the Audi stable writes Bob Hickman.

If you are paying the sort of money that Audi demands for this vehicle you would expect the standard ratio of kit to be generous, LED headlights, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure, are newer features that add in to the plethora of other equipment.

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Our Motoring plethora of parking aids and rear cameras so it did enable you to park in to reasonable spaces although this is not a small vehicle.

heating and ventilation controls, it is very touchy feely, I have to be honest I missed the round dial on the transmission tunnel as opposed to touching the screen which at times I found to be a distraction that you do not need when driving.

The boot on the A7 is the same size as the earlier versions and had a huge 536 litres, to put that in to perspective that was 2 full size golf bags, 2 huge suitcases and an abundance of other luggage just swallowed by this vehicle, and being a hatchback style access to the boot is so much easier than the saloon counterparts.

The engine configuration for the A7 is a choice of petrols and diesels, the test vehicle had a huge 2967cc V6 diesel engine producing 286bhp, this was driving an 8-speed automatic gearbox which gave faultless smooth changes at all times.

Audi has announced 2 levels, being the Sport or S-line and those familiar with the brand will appreciate the difference between the two, the S-line having a lowered suspension, if the ride is little too firm just dial in a comfort setting and the car is transformed into a comfortable, reassuring and a pleasure-able place in which to be to be cocoone.

The performance was incredible, a 0-62 in a mere 5.2 seconds, the top speed is limited to 155mph and the co2 figure is quoted as 150g/ km.

The sheer size of the A7 size ensures that you have to be aware of when you are driving in and around town or on narrow lanes. It had a

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Our Funerals

J.T. BROOKES & Co Hagley INDEPENDENT

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Our Finance & Legal

Accountants for Small Business accountant will then supply you with a quote to cover all the work required. Agreed fixed price with no hidden charges and option to pay monthly.

Customer Satisfaction - Business standards in place ensure agreed services are delivered as promised.

Melvyn Shephard is an experienced accountant that offers clients a professional yet friendly and jargon free personal service.

Clients can benefit from the core accountancy and tax advisory services as well as specialist services when needed. Melvyn also holds an MBA enabling him to provide financial advice whilst understanding the wider needs of businesses to be profitable and competitive.

TaxAssist have over 280 locations across the UK and we are happy to meet you face-toface, visiting clients out of hours, at home or business premises.

Attend a meeting with your local TaxAssist Accountant who will determine exactly how we can help you and your business. Your

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ACCOUNTANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Atspecialise TaxAssist Accountants We in supporting small we specialise in supporting business. We can businesses and cansmall help with: with: ●help Self Assessment Tax Returns ● Business Accounts Self Assessment Tax Returns ● Corporation Tax ● Bookkeeping andAccounts VAT Business ● Business Start-ups Tax ● PayrollCorporation and RTI ● Help with CIS Bookkeeping and VAT ● Fixed Fees agreed in advance ...and much moreand HR Payroll

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Our Finance & Legal

Talbots London-Paris Team (l-r): Keith Yates, Peter Hill, Matt Wistow, Steve Kenny, Callum Haynes

Talbots staff get on their bikes to smash £30,000 fundraising target for Birmingham Children’s Hospital explained Callum Haynes, Director at Talbots Law.

Four seasoned riders from Talbots Law have emulated the likes of Hoy, Yates, Froome and Wiggins by completing a 300-mile bike ride to raise much-needed money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH).

“However, I couldn’t have wished to complete the 300-mile challenge with a better group of people. In addition to my colleagues, we were also joined by a mix of doctors, surgeons and parents, all of whom have been to, or know someone that has been supported by Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

The intrepid team, which featured Keith Yates, Peter Hill, Callum Haynes and Matt Wistow from Talbots Law, donned their lycra to take part in the challenge that ended under the watchful gaze of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Talbots staff set off from Crystal Palace in London, before cycling through Kent to Dover.

Between them they successfully raised nearly £12,000, taking the independent law firm’s fundraising efforts for BCH to £35,000 in eight months, with a number of activities still set to take place in 2018.

From there they boarded the ferry to Calais and then continued the journey through Abbeville, Beauvais and on to Paris over the course of four days, riding for more than 50 hours in total.

This means the company’s £30,000 target has been smashed, with the fundraising going towards lifesaving equipment for the fleet of four KIDS/NTS ambulances.

Talbots is not finished there, with Chrissie Green, Ruth Hayes, Sophie Fraser and Sarah Rooney currently in training for the Birmingham Half Marathon in October.

Sarah has even secured a place in next year’s London Marathon. To donate please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ talbots. For further information, go to www. talbotslaw.co.uk or follow @talbotslaw on twitter.

These are mobile intensive care units contained within an ambulance and provide emergency specialist transport for critically ill babies and children across the region.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, with plenty of highs and lows,” 94

Wills, Trusts & Probate Solicitors Life is full of twists and turns. We can’t predict the future, but we can plan for it. That’s why writing a will makes good sense. Without a will, you leave your estate in the hands of uncertainty.

Writing a will may not be something you’ve thought about.

Most people don’t think about will writing until late into their senior years. Some don’t think about it at all. It’s often assumed that with or without a will, your assets will pass to your children, your spouse or whoever your nearest and dearest happens to be. If this were the case, our wills solicitors would have a lot of free time on their hands. However, if you die without putting one in place, your assets will be divided however the judge sees fit.

Ian Bond— Head of Trusts & Estates

Our wills and probate solicitors are industry specialists; and we understand the unpleasant nature of these conversations. Nobody knows what the future holds; and while we always hope for the best, planning for the worst is not a bad idea.

For life’s uncertainties, put your trust in Talbots Law. Our Trusts & Estates team advise on a wide range of issues including:

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    

Preparation of wills Inheritance Tax planning Powers of attorney Estate administration Planning for long-term care

Residential & nursing care charges Asset protection Court of Protection applications Administration of trusts Business succession planning

Codsall | Dudley | Halesowen Kidderminster| Stourbridge | Wolverhampton

www.talbotslaw.co.uk

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0800 118 1500

Our Finance & Legal

Redefining Retirement

Anita Gatehouse Our Lifestyle’s Financial Expert

A woman born in 1931 was expected to live until she was 62.9 years old. Her life expectancy in 2017, now aged 86, would be another seven years taking her to 93.*

but all leisure for some people is also too much. Interestingly and perhaps surprisingly, some really thought that they wanted to finish work but then realised that there were certain aspects of their careers they actually enjoyed and that inspired them.

That is a staggering 30 years more than when she was born! And it’s not just the women who are living longer; the gap between men and women is narrowing meaning that on average, men are also having a longer life before they die.

I recently enjoyed listening to Alistair Humphreys lecture at a financial planning conference, what an inspiration he is. Alistair describes himself as an adventurer having cycled around the world on a push bike, a journey that took over 4 years, amazingly, spending just £7,000. He went on to experience many more epic adventures but then realised he could also embark on microadventures, a term that is now widely used to describe stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

There are two obvious problems that this ’extra’ 30 years brings : having enough money to thrive and look after one’s self and living a satisfying, meaningful life in these additional three decades.

As I work with more of my clients moving into retirement, I am seeing an interesting new paradigm emerging. The old retirement tally suggests you have reached the December of your life, sad that the typical retirement gift of a watch or a clock would help to monitor the time running out! But, the new retirement tally should be that you are retiring in the September of your life with optimism and purpose and exciting plans, not simply watching the clock tick away.

One microadventure was based on an inspirational book he read as a teenager

by Laurie Lee about walking through Spain playing a violin for his supper. Alistair decided to step out of his comfort zone and learn the violin, following in Laurie Lee’s footsteps, sharing with us that the violin playing in public was akin to rowing across the Atlantic in terms of fear. He coined a very useful phrase: The Doorstep Mile, the longest mile of every journey, that initial step that needs energy and courage to step out of the door to begin.

I see a big difference between those who think that age just happens to be a chronological marker and those who are indeed old, an attitudinal marker. Helping this changed attitude, I believe, is planning ahead but unfortunately only a tiny proportion of the population actually plan properly. Thinking not only about how they will spend their time but just as importantly, how they will pay for it. For some people, retirement can become an unnatural state of being; all work is too much,

For each of us our Doorstep Mile will be different. However it should not stop us from doing those things that work has often got in the way of, learning to dance, writing a book, taking up golf, travelling to exciting destinations.

Some of your ideas might be expensive to achieve, some might take just time and 96

Our Finance & Legal commitment but unless you start to plan to do them, the Autumn of your life might just meander along.

Using a financial planner to help plan, design and shape your retirement could well be worth their weight in gold. You wouldn’t plan a house without an architect. It is important to remember the best results will come when you plan ahead of time. Don’t leave it until the last minute: you might be expecting a villa when in reality you have created a tent!

To help you think ahead, here are some important questions to be asked around the idea of your retirement: 1. Do I have enough purpose to wake up and enough money to sleep?

2. What does my ideal retirement look like?

Seven days a week, morning, afternoon and evening?

3. What would I love to do now I have time?

4. Do I have enough resources to do the things I want to do?

If you would like to discuss your retirement options related to the current course you are taking why not give Jo a ring on 01562 745730 to arrange a no obligation 30 minute free telephone meeting.

It could help you plan for a better future and march through that Doorstep Mile.

The last question is probably the hardest for you to answer on your own and is often the stumbling block to being able to get on and get cracking. That’s where we can make all the difference.

Please be aware that before making any financial decision based on this article you should take advice to ensure any action you take is appropriate for your circumstances.

Source *The Maisch and from the Office of National Statistics published figures on the changes in life expectancy

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Our advisors are here to provide the essential business advice and support as your business develops and grows.

At Baldwins, we have many years of experience and commitment to accounting excellence. However our expertise doesn’t stop with accounting, our specialist advisory teams and personal service ethos means we are there to help you and your business thrive in today’s competitive environment.

With offices across the region, you can rely on us to provide up-to-the-minute knowledge and advice. So if you’d like to see what we can do for your business, please contact us for a free introductory meeting.

Ian Wilkins Director 1st Floor | Copthall House | 1 New Road | Stourbridge | West Midlands | DY8 1PH 01384 370060 | info@baldwinandco.co.uk | www.baldwinsaccountants.co.uk

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