L N ocal ISSUE 6
etwork Magazine
How soft are you? Personalised Holidays Close Protection Training Where is your child? Popular Sayings Sticky BBQ Chicken Crossword & Word Search
THE WOODEN FURNITURE COMPANY Unit 2 Ford Farm, Braintree Road Dunmow CM6 1HU Tel: 01371 872292 www.woodenfurnituredunmow.co.uk Oak, Painted & Rattan Furniture for your Home & Garden. 1,000’s Square feet of furniture on display All at Rock Bottom Prices Open 7 Days a Week For more details see page 2
FREE Magazines delivered through the letterbox
The Notleys - Braintree - Great Leighs - High Garrett - Bocking Rayne - Flitch Green - Dunmow Please see our website for full delivery details www.localnetworkmag.co.uk
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www.localnetworkmag.co.uk Info@localnetworkmag.co.uk 12,000 Free Magazines Delivered Through The Letterbox Every Month Would you like details about advertising? Call - 01371 830200
This Month
Page 22 SQR Close Protection Training
Page 5 Garden View
Page 24 The origin of popular sayings
Page 7 Sticky BBQ Chicken
Page 26 Can you save that much?
Page 10 First Anglia launches new product
Page 27 The daddy of sandwiches
Page 11 Steve Chew
Page 28 Do I need a survey?
Page 13 How soft are you?
Page 29 Bocking & Braintree Carnival
Page 14 Where is your child?
Page 30 The value of a good accountant
Page 19 Personalised Holidays
Page 31 Crossword & Wordsearch
woodenfurnituredunmow.co.uk
Unit 2 Ford Farm, Braintreee Road, Great Dunmow, Essex. CM6 1HU Oak and painted furniture including traditional and contemporary, for living dining and bedroom, also all weather rattan garden furniture all at rock bottom prices. Thousands of square feet of furniture on display, all at rock bottom prices.
01371 872 292 Open 7 Days a week Disclaimer
Would you like details about advertising? Call - 01371 830200
While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of artwork. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that the description of the goods and services are fair and accurate. Local Network Magazine does not officially endorse and advertising material included in this publication. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in any retrievable system or transmitted in any form-electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – without the consent of the publisher. Publisher: Local Network Magazine. 8 The Maltings, Thaxted, Essex. CM6 2NB
Palm Tree Pools is a family run business with over 50 years of experience in all aspects of swimming pool management and maintenance. We are based in Essex and offer unparalleled customer service and reliability. We offer a range of maintenance schemes to keep your pool ready to use whenever you need it, taking away the stress of pool management and maintenance. We also provide a wide range of equipment and chemicals at very competitive prices as well as a knowledge base that only comes from servicing a varied blend of satisfied, long-term, clients. If you are not lucky enough to have a permanent pool, we also stock some amazing above ground pools and “easy up” hot tubs and spas which can be enjoyed throughout the summer and easily stored in the winter. Above Ground Pool packages start at £250 plus VAT and can usually be delivered within five days of ordering. Please contact us for details on maintenance schemes, above ground pools, hot tubs, spas, equipment, accessories and chemical supplies or visit our ebay store at www.stores.ebay.co.uk/palmtreepools
01376 528 774
Telephone: E-Mail: palmtreepools1@gmail.com www.facebook.com/palmtreepool
Covering all building work in the Essex area
You love the house, you like the neighbours and you´re very happy in the neighbourhood. But a growing family needs more room. So why move out when you could move up with a Roomadder loft conversion and create valuable new space in your current home. With Room Adder you can create space to work by turning the loft into an efficient office, where you can work from home without distractions. Depending on the size of your loft, you could add an extra bedroom, children’s playroom, shower room or even a master suite. With a little help and some professional expertise, your loft could be transformed into a usable living space without having to move.
Services we offer n Extensions
n Renovations
n Loft Conversions
n Bathroom Conversions n Bedroom Conversions
n Roof Conversions
n Office Conversions
n Dormer Conversions
n EPDM Rubber Roofs n Building Work
Witham: 01376 230 030 | Chelmsford: 01245 830 030 Maldon: 01621 880 080 | Email: info@roomadder.co.uk 4
Garden View
Project Pleasure
Getting Started April is a great month for a garden project; one which can be achieved in a morning or an afternoon, and which improves a few square metres. You’ll feel you’ve achieved something wonderful and if you break the whole garden into a series of small projects it suddenly appears more manageable. Here are three to get you started. Strawberry Pots You don’t need a huge patch to enjoy growing strawberries. Plant a few in pots as a treat. Buy young, rich green plants which have been certified virus-free. Plant 3-4 in a 12 inch (30cm) clay pot. The crowns (where shoots meet roots) should be level with the compost surface. Water them in and stand in the shelter of a house wall. If you have a greenhouse or a cold frame they will establish more quickly and fruit earlier. Pinch off any runners which form. Grass Lawns always look bedraggled after the winter. Remove dead grass by raking the surface with a wire toothed rake. Improve drainage on heavy soil by spiking it with a garden fork every 6 inches (15cm) or so, to a depth of about 4 inches (10cm), giving the fork a good wiggle each time. Sweep sharp sand into the holes with a broom. Then mow the lawn with the blades set on high and remove the clippings. Two weeks later apply a combined weed killer and fertilizer. If you’re lucky it will rain within 24 hours. If not just water it in. Mow weekly to keep the lawn thick and healthy.
Seating Don’t forget an all-weather seat so you can sit and contemplate all your hard work over a cup of tea or a nip of something stronger. Rattan look furniture is particularly popular now and if you choose a good quality make it can last for years and be very low maintenance, it’s really easy to clean using a normal hosepipe or a power washer, can be left outdoors throughout the year and they look stunning. Position it in a sunny area. Buy a few flowering daffodils, tulips and pansies and plant them in a pretty pot next to the bench, then sit back and enjoy.
Happy Gardening Rachel Leverton 5
we love
stoves Stockists of
www.orangestreetphoto.com
ClearvieW StoveS
T: 01371 871 835 Photography Services:
» Weddings make over » Childrens party shoots Training » Photography » Family Portraits
Portfolio » Model Occasions » Special Photography » Commercial & Promotional » Event Photography
Wedding and Event Packages Portraits & Family Photography Children’s Party & Make-Over Shoots Commercial Product / Promotional Work In our studio or on location. Orange Street Photography, Post Office Yard, High Street, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1AW Photography Courses: Introduction to digital photography
See website for dates & details
WANTED
OLD BIKES UP TO 1985
Any condition will be considered Also Spare Parts. Cash Paid on Collection
Visit our showroom to see the full range
Weber barbecues in stock for limited time only
01371 871 816
Open every day except Sunday and Wednesday 10:00am – 5pm sales@welovestoves.com • www.welovestoves.com 3 Ford Farm, Braintree Road, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1HU
We pride ourselves on producing quality workmanship of the highest standards. Paving Brickwork Decking Ponds Driveways Fencing Bespoke garden buildings Garden lighting design and installation
ladies, gents ,children's, butchers, bakers, choppers, shoppers, ,racers, tandems. tricycles etc. No Mountain Bikes
Phone 07815 539779
The Victoria, Shalford Green, Braintree, CM7 5EP
Sticky
Barbeque Chicken
Ingredients
n 12 chicken thighs (chicken wings or drumsticks can be used instead) n For the marinade: n 2 tbsp clear honey n 2 tbs tomato sauce n fresh ginger, peeled and grated (2.5cms / 1 ½”) n 1 garlic clove, crushed n 1½ tsp Chinese five spice n 2 tsp soy sauce n 1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
n Mix together all of the marinade ingredients in a non-metallic bowl. n Pierce the chicken thighs several times with a fork place in the bowl with the marinade n Leave to marinate for at least 2 hours turn several times or leave to marinade overnight. n Once it has marinated, place the chicken on the barbecue over medium-hot coals and cook for about 20 minutes, brush with any leftover marinade as it cooks. It’s important you cook the chicken all the way, if its colouring too quickly move the thighs to a cooler part of the barbecue to cook more gently. n Make sure the chicken is cooked if you’re unsure, pierce the chicken with a skewer: if the juices are still pink, carry on cooking. n Cooking time about 20 – 25 mins. Cooked in the oven Gas no 4 / Elec 180c Fan Oven 160c for about 30 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes or more.
Before
After
Professional Oven Cleaning Service Tel: 01279 491594. Mob: 07477 655965 www.myovenhero.co.uk
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www.sgreencatsitting.webs.com
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BIG or small we can do them all BIG or small we can do them all
Tel: 01376 331214 / 07970 352299 Tel: 01376 331214 / 07970 352299 www.groominmarvelous.com Stressed out? Feeling anxious or depressed? Relationship issues? Feel like you have no motivation or direction in life? Are issues from the past still affecting you ? Would you like to feel happier and more relaxed? Then let me help you using Counselling, Hypnotherapy or EFT (tapping) I work with individuals, couples and young people and can help with a multitude of issues including depression, anger, anxiety, low self esteem, compulsive behaviours, abuse, addictions, bereavement and much more. Please contact me to discuss your concerns or book an appointment KAY MILTON MNCS (acc) Dip. Counselling, Dip. Hypnotherapy, Dip. Meridian psychotherapy Tel:
07885 593 964/01376 551 900
Email:
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milton_kay@yahoo.co.uk
Our mission is to change the way women live and work. If you are a woman who wants more in life, a life that is easy, a life that is feminine and a life that is totally fulfilled, then come along as my guest for free to experience connection, inspiration and warmth like never before.
Next Meetings True Success Balancing Feminine and Masculine Energy Tuesday 14 April 2015 Money: Financial Harmony Tuesday 12 May 2015
Register for FREE at
www.damselsinsuccess.co.uk/Chelmsford/events Or contact Tabitha Pascoe on 07855 145 356 or tabitha@damselsinsuccess.co.uk
Green Dragon Upper London Road Youngs End Braintree, CM77 8QN
Dates for meetings 28th April 2015 26th May 2015 23rd June 2015
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ANGLIA FIRST LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT Having opened their new branch in Braintree in December 2014, Anglia First has had a great start in Essex, having filled 35 job roles already. Martin Burgess – Regional Sales Manager for Anglia First Home Improvements said, “Since opening the Braintree branch in mid December, we have gone from strength to strength. In keeping with our company ethos of being at the forefront of technology, Anglia First has just launched a new state of the art double glazed window system, achieving an A+12 rating.
This new product has five main focuses: 1) Improve the energy efficiency performance, reducing costs to our customers year on year. 2) A five chamber outer frame, ensuring strength as well as thermal, acoustic and security performance. 3) Q-Lon weather seal, offering exceptional performance over a wide range of temperatures. 4) 8 point high security locking system, including multi-point shootbolt locking. Featuring 400% more contact area than traditional flat shootbolts. 5) 10 year transferable warranty supported by first class products and installation.” Mr Burgess said, “This new technology is manufactured using the latest technology in glass and spacer bars ensuring solar gain, free heat. This allows the heat generated from your home to be reflected back into the room but also trap free heat from the sun through solar gain, maximising the thermal performance of our windows. If your home consists of single glazed or older double glazed units, replacement with our ‘New Generation’ A+12 double glazed windows will save you money. It can cut the energy you need to heat or cool your home by giving you substantial savings on your energy bills. Throughout our branches in Norwich, Diss, Bury St. Edmunds, King’s Lynn and Braintree, our customers are taking the opportunity to reduce their energy bills, improve their home security and update the look of their homes by having our products installed.” For more information, please visit www.angliafirst.co.uk or call our Head Office on 0800 92 11 12.
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For a free no obligation quotation, contact your local Anglia First office in Braintree now on 01376 554280 and quote ‘Local Network’ to receive up to 30% off.
Belloc and Devon At the turn of last century the great poet, raconteur, anglophile and all-round French Bloke, Hillaire Belloc, was quizzed rather aggressively by some fellow Frenchies - ’Why do you keep nipping off over the Channel and banging on about all things English? What’s the matter with France, ‘La Belle Pays?’ Why on Earth are you so keen on that ghastly island with its constant drizzle and bad cuisine?’ Belloc, as was his wont, took a deep breath, looked them squarely in the eyes and boomed “Parce-qu’il est vert” (Because it is green). I grew up in a South Devon seaside town which seemed to exist purely as somewhere to dream yourself away from. At 18 you were expected to leave home for the bright lights of the Big City, Totnes, perhaps. Allegedly there were places where the grass didn’t grow along the middle of the road and there were more people than cows. According to some there was life ‘Up North’ (to us that meant Bristol) and buildings were even larger than the Exeter Debenhams. That said as you arrive via the hell that is the local bypass, you could be misled into believing that it’s quite a pleasant place – certainly some aspects are beautiful. The steep hills, grand Victorian villas, cedars and palm trees. At the turn of the century it was quite salubrious – but an influx of characterless, commuter entertainers, who infested the local theatres in the 50s and 60s, bought the town to its knees with their mindless, camp dance routines and their endless pantomimes (always featuring some dodgy Northern comic or someone who once appeared as a ventriloquist on ‘Opportunity Knocks’). Bizarrely, people would come from all over the country for cheap holidays or ‘Stag’ and ‘Hen’ weekends and the pubs and clubs would smell of Brut and suntan oil and Bacardi and desperation. They were full of sun-burnt girls - who wanted to be Pepsi or Shirley - but were actually called Bev or Trace from The Wirral (and smelt of Brut and suntan
oil and Bacardi and desperation)…. and their menfolk - gimlet-eyed, aggressive youths in tank-tops and ox-blood Doctor Martens with their cheeky grins and their sexist T-shirts and their grazed knuckles who smelt of Br-(oh, you get the point…) But for all that Devon remains a gorgeous, stunning, wistfully-beautiful place. I still have to fight the urge to beep the car horn when I pass the county sign on the M5. ‘Parcequ’il est vert’ as Belloc put it. Devon is the greenest of green things. Regardless what our Yorkshire chums will have you believe, it truly is God’s Own County. There are some simply breathtaking places;- Watcombe Beach in Torquay, Wistman’s Wood on the Moor, the walk from Salcombe to Bolt Head, Lydford Gorge, Cockington, Lundy…. You take the wonder of Dartmoor and those long summer days on a beach for granted when you’re younger. Somehow, as you grow up it gets traded in for earning a few extra quid, moving to London and living in the Rat Race. Something wrong with the old priorities there. How ironic. As a youngster you dream of leaving the countryside only to spend the rest of your life dreaming of returning to it.
Steve Chew is an author, archaeologist and Head of Content Marketing at Magnificent Stuff Ltd (www.magnificentstuff.net). You can contact him via the website or on 07723 024 865.
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award-winning, cost-effective
DESIGN&PRINT t:
01799 540173
e: studio@design-mill.co.uk
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CLEARANCE SERVICES HOUSE, OFFICE, INDUSTRIAL UNITS, GARDEN AND OUTBUILDING CLEARANCE Here at John James Clearance we will remove all unwanted items from your property leaving the area clean and clear. We will clear all items as instructed, we will clean the area and can provide a redecoration service if required. John James Clearance is a fully insured and registered waste carrier. We only use licensed waste disposal sites and aim to recycle as much waste as possible.
01279 294 294 www.johnjamesclearance.co.uk
leaflet distribution Reliable and trustworthy Leaflet Distribution! If your looking for leaflet distribution, call us now for a free quote on:
01371 238 040
over
ale rem Limesc
in 0 2 . £3 s ’ o c s Te
how soft
are you?
This area is renowned for many things, hard water being one of them!
We see the effects of hard water by the unsightly crusty, chalky deposits on taps and sinks; it’s caused by a concentration of dissolved minerals and as the water evaporates it leaves behind limescale. It builds up on any surface that hard water is in contact with. Damage from hard water is easy to recognise on the things we see but it’s what we can’t see in pipes and inside appliances that cause even bigger and more costly problems.
Having a water softener system installed in your home can help to increase your home’s value as potential buyers feel relieved that they won’t have to deal with the expensive problems hard water causes in the future. Benefits of having a water softener:
running costs • Lower Longer for appliances • Stain freelifespan taps, sinks, and baths • Less spent on cleaningshowers products • Less money spent for detergent and • fabric conditioner
Limescale in your pipes and hot water cylinder will increase your heating costs considerably. Figures show that just ¼” (6mm) of limescale will increase your water heating costs by 50%. Apart from higher running costs, the cost of repair and replacement of damaged plumbing systems is substantial – and that’s without even mentioning the cost of replacing taps, sinks, baths, washing machines and dishwashers. Soft water make appliances last longer by not clogging up heating elements or pipes; washing machines work more efficiently and you use less detergent and fabric conditioner if the water is soft. Clothes also last longer as hard water can often cause fabrics to lose their colour vibrancy and wear out faster. Fact: By stopping the source of limescale which is basically hard water, you save money.
So, the next time you buy a bottle of limescale remover, remember the only thing that it is going to remove is the surface limescale you can see; there is a huge amount more below the surface and that’s what is costing you money! Did you know that by installing a water softener, you can expect immediate improvements in a matter of days and complete descaling of your plumbing in around 6 months?
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Where is your child? What are they doing? Who are they talking to? 70% of 11 year olds now have a mobile phone. By age 14 this has risen to 90%. A new generation of phone child safety apps – such as MAMABEAR – now allow you to answer all the above questions. So what can these new “child tracking” apps do? The answer is – there’s not much they can’t: a) You can specify certain map locations – such as your house or your child’s school - and MAMABEAR will text you when your child arrives (or leaves) that location. Or you can track their location on a map. b) It will monitor all of your child’s activity on social media – including pictures – and alert you of bad language or threatening behaviour. c) It will remind your child of after school activities or clubs. d) It will even monitor their driving and alert you if they drive – or are driven - too fast, telling you where and when it happened. Whereas it is useful for parents to have this information in order to protect their children, how safe are mobile phones for children to use? Safety can take many forms. 11-15 year olds are most at risk of being mugged for their handsets, accounting for 500,000 of the 700,000 devices stolen each year. Due to their thinner skulls, mobile phone radiation penetrates deeper into children’s heads than an adult. From Sept 2014, Imperial College London has been
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monitoring the effects of mobile phone use on 2,000 11 and 12 year olds. It measured their thinking skills, memory and attention, then will do so again in 2017. Although no harm has ever been proven in the case of adults, current NHS guidelines are that under 16s should only use mobile phones when essential, using a hands free kit. Fortunately most children make few calls, but mainly use the handset as a games console or texting device. And if you do check your teenager’s texts, here is a list of text abbreviations which should ring alarm bells: ASL BRB GTG GYPO IWSN LMIRL NIFOC PIR POS
“Age/Sex/Location?” “Be Right Back” “Got To Go” “Get Your Pants Off !” “I Want Sex Now…! “Let’s Meet In Real Life” “Nude In Front Of Computer” “Parent In Room” “Parents Over Shoulder”
ESSEX HARD ESSEX HARD ESSEX HARD WATER ALERT! WATER ALERT! WATER ALERT! Does Does your your Limescale Limescale look look like like this? this? Does Does your your Limescale Limescale look look like like this? this?
WITH WITH WITH WITH
LIMESCALE LIMESCALE LIMESCALE LIMESCALE
NO NO NO NO
LIMESCALE LIMESCALE LIMESCALE LIMESCALE
SAY NO TO LIMESCALE SAY NO TO SAY NO TO LIMESCALE LIMESCALE S OF TE NE R SS S SO OF FT TE EN NE ER RS SOFTENERS
www.softflowsofteners.co.uk www.softflowsofteners.co.uk www.softflowsofteners.co.uk www.softflowsofteners.co.uk 01245 222 203 01245 222 203 01245 222 01245 222 203 203
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Electrotazz Electrical Contractor David Skeates All electrical work undertaken Domestic & Commercial Maintenance Extensions Rewiring Consumer Units Fault Finding ** 24 Hour Service **
Tel: O78 0976 8765
D&J Plumbing & Heating UK LTD D&J Plumbing & Heating are a trusted and professional family run company dedicated to the highest standards in every aspect of performance, with over 12 years experience in the trade. Our service specialises in the following: P All general plumbing P Boiler installs P Boiler services P Boiler repairs P Boiler breakdowns P Central heating maintenance P Central heating upgrades P Radiator installation P Safety certificates And much much more... [t]
01376 331834
[m]
07832 235275
Would you like to tone up/lose weight/add definition or increase your stamina or fitness? Intimidated by the traditional gym environment? We offer low cost, personal training, customised diet and exercise plans and advice for a healthier lifestyle. We pride ourselves on a personal tailored service so that you get the most from sessions and beyond. Train at home or in our premises in Gt Notley, Braintree. References available on request. All levels of fitness catered for with a huge array of equipment.
Email: jfpfitness@gmail.com or call Justin on: 07805 394 175 www.facebook.com/jfpfitness @jfpfitness
Dedicated to bringing you the most comprehensive range of electricals, together with competitive prices and outstanding customer service.
100’s of STOCK ITEMS
2 Station Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. CM23 3BL www.mainselectrical.co.uk info@mains-electrical.co.uk ERY V I DEL stock items with this voucher E E 17 FR Offer ends 30th April 2015
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Vintage Glamour Hair Nails Health & Beauty 6 Little Square, Braintree 01376528844 18
Find us between Yumy’s Café & Pasha Café www.vintageglamour.me
Sourcerer Expand Their Magic
To Personalised Holidays
As a sister branch to Sourcerer Business Support, local business woman launches Sourcerer Travel Local business Sourcerer Business Support have been helping businesses out with secretarial and admin duties since 2009. This year, Shelley has branched out to include tailor-made holidays. From personalised honeymoons to business trips, Sourcerer Travel pride themselves on going the extra mile to help buyers find the right holiday for them. Recently, Webcredible conducted a survey into holiday activity which has upped some online travel agents’ ante by reporting that of the 85% of Brits who prefer to booking their holidays online, a huge 60% chose to give up and abandon their purchase and 79% have switched to a different travel provider due to challenges in the website user journey.
the global travel board, what sets them apart from other brands is their focus on providing a unique and personalised service. Entrepreneur Shelley Morris said, “Unlike other travel companies, we are impartial & will strive to find you the best holiday to suit your every desire & budget.” Affiliated with over 450 leading travel companies from Falmouth to Falkirk, families, couples, individuals and companies can benefit from the friendly and professional holiday booking service from the comfort of the home or office. Each professionally trained customer service operator has a helpful, friendly manner when answering queries, as Not Just Travel give advice to maintain high expectations at every step of the journey. Booking a holiday can be an arduous process, whereas using Sourcerer means clients have more time to manage personal or business affairs; and can leave the often time consuming search to the professionals. With consumers being savvier about their purchases and a worldwide recovery from recession on their hands, Sourcerer have picked expert timing to launch their personal and bespoke holiday agency and.
With over 12 million different holidays on offer daily, everything from budget bargains to Millionaire’s retreats can be booked using Shelley’s personal and professional service. Part of the Travel Franchise, the brand new Sourcerer Travel service gives users their own dedicated travel consultant, available to assist, guide & provide expert advice for any adventure. Hertfordshire based, the travel operator offer international holidays flights at reasonable prices to major international destinations spanning the continents of Europe, Australasia, Africa, the Americas, and Asia. As relatively new players on
To find out more information or to look at the fabulous range of destinations Sourcerer offer, see their website at www.sourcerertravel.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact Shelley Morris on 07816 759 607.
In Partnership with
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The Birds Beads Jewellery Making Classes
New classes starting soon, call or pop in for more details. Please visit www.thebirdsandbeads.co.uk and click on CLASSES for more information. Call us on:
01376 529 766
The Blake House Craft Centre, Blake End, Braintree, Essex CM77 6SH
LOCalNETwOrk LoCaLNETWoRk iSSUe 18
Magazine
iSSUe 5
Magazine
Inside 7 Top tips to planning your wedding Garden View Pass the salt Maybe tomorrow? Steve Chew - Crisp Crossword Garden View Wordsearch Pass the Salt Recipe Steve Chew ‘Crisp’ Killer iPhone App Vegetable Chowder Crossword & Word Search Maybe tomorrow if I get a moment
FREE Magazines delivered through the letterbox See www.localnetworkmag.co.uk for full distribution details www.localnetworkmag.co.uk Bishops Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Stansted, Newport, Thaxted, Hatfield Heath, Hatfield, Broad Oak, Elsenham, Takeley & Canfield 1 Bishops Stortford Issue 18 - 2015.indd 1
27/02/2015 23:32
11,000 FREE copies delivered every month The Notleys - Braintree - Great Leighs - High Garrett - Bocking Rayne - Flitch Green - Dunmow Please see our website for full delivery details www.localnetworkmag.co.uk
Braintree Issue 5 - 2015.indd 1
1
27/02/2015 15:41
24,000 Magazines Each Month Bishop’s Stortford 12,000 Magazines Braintree 12,000 Magazines PLUS Digital Magazines Distribution by Post Codes. • Targeted delivered directly through the door into homes expected to have a • 95% disposable income. into businesses and public buildings. • 5% • Interesting articles, puzzles & recipes.
We can’t get you through the Keyhole BUT we can get you through the letterbox!
Are you interested in advertising? For more details please call 01371 830 200
www.localnetworkmag.co.uk info@localnetworkmag.co.uk
Enter our competition to win 1 x FREE Hen Party Music Video Experience for one lucky bride or 5 x prizes of 10% off HNE Media Wedding Videography Enter online www.localnetworkmag.co.uk Terms & conditions apply
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James@hnemedia.co.uk 01279 883 270
Allen House Business Centre Station Road, Sawbridgeworth Hertforshire CM21 9JX
SQR’s Enhanced Close Protection Course SQR group’s instructors will guide you through the Edexcel accredited level 3 BTEC qualification. This is a combination of classroom based learning and off-site drills. Training at SQR’s centre of excellence, the intensive 20 day programme includes: Urban Surveillance, overseas firearms training Krav Maga specialised self-defence and first aid training. Trainee Close Protection Officers will be instructed in threat and risk management, in an active, present context as part of the overall operational planning instructions that will also include rout reconnaissance, venue mapping emergency planning and various specialised skill sets to prepare and plan in advance.
Theoretical and practical assessments will be conducted to ensure candidates are trained to the highest standard as Close Protection Operatives. Essential skills required to work in this high-end sector of the security industry including foot drills, vehicle operations, the theory and practice of conflict management are taught as part of this enhanced course. Upon completion of your CPO training, you will eligible for licensing as a professional Close Protection Operative under the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The mandatory requirement of First aid training are included in the 20 days of this enhanced course. Chrissy Norris - 5 starHighly recommend to anyone. Great training, great staff, great attitude.
Kyron Williams - 5 starSimply the best you will not regret joining them. Kevin Horseman - 5 star* Very professional * Excellent facilities * The very best instructors in the profession who are dedicated to passing on there knowledge and expertise. They are always on hand to help you with any problem. * Excellent value for money. SQR will teach you enough to meet the basic requirements set out by the SIA. But unlike many other company’s they go above and beyond standard practice to deliver training that ensures CPO’s they train are of the highest calibre able to deal with any task or situation they may find themselves in. I recommend SQR to anybody that is considering a career in close protection. You will not find a better company or package anywhere that can give you the start you need in this very competitive industry. Haydn Brookes - 5 starI would HIGHLY recommend SQR security solutions to anyone wishing to do close protection course! VERY professional in EVERY aspect!! Train to be the best! Aaron Brian - 5 starWhat a great bunch of guys a girls. Enjoyed every single minute of the course. I would recommend this course to everyone who is thinking of getting in the CP world. Magnar Taranger - 5 star Very helpful staff and A very good CP course.
Are you looking for an affordable quality kitchen? Do you need expert advice for a new bedroom or bathroom? At Traditional Woodcraft in Rayne Essex, we use our 30 years of experience and our commitment to personal, friendly customer service to ensure you get quality products and great service at fair prices.
01376 329794 Mobile: 07970 390520 Tel:
17 Brunwin Road, Rayne, Braintree, CM77 6BU www.traditionalwoodcraft.co.uk
The origin of popular sayings
By Brenda Burling
we still use today…
I
am a fan of old sayings, though when writing we are encouraged not to use too many as they can be considered a cliché. When you learn their origins however, the fascination increases. Whoever said history was boring?... To be a “June Bride” has its origins from a time where people only tended to take a bath once a year. These baths were taken around May and people considered themselves to be still relatively fresh come June. Brides would carry a bouquet of flowers to help disguise any smell and it’s from there the “Bride’s Bouquet” was born and is a tradition still upheld today. “Piss Poor” this term even today, is often considered a vulgarity yet has a verifiable background. Urine was used to tan hides, although chemicals are often used today, their smell is equally gut-wrenching. A poor family would often use their collective “contributions” to create an income; they would be collected in a pot and taken to the tannery and they would be paid an amount for it. If this was the only source of income for the family you were deemed to be “piss poor”. As for “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”; when people bathed more often and in a tin bath in front of the fire it was the father who bathed first in the hottest and cleanest water, then followed the other male members of the family and finally down the women and children. By the time it was the youngest members to
have their turn the water would murky and almost like soup. It does make you wonder how many poor unfortunates found themselves being discarded with the bathing dregs. “Saved by the bell” has more macabre roots. People were sometimes, inadvertently buried alive. With lead contents high in cups and mainly whisky and water being drunk, this often lead to people losing consciousness due to lead poisoning and they were mistakenly considered dead, they would then be buried. This discovery was made at a time when there was a shortage of space to bury people and old coffins were being dug up for the grave to be used again, it was then that scratch marks on the inside of the lids were noticed. The practice then began of people being buried with a long rope being tied around their wrist and threaded through a hole in the coffin; the end would lay on top of the grave with a bell attached. Body snatching and grave robbing was a common occurrence and the folk doing the “graveyard shift” would listen out to hear for the bells ringing, alerting them there had been a mistake. “A Wake” came from around the same time when the body would be laid out on a table and friends and family would visit, eat etc. and wait to see if the body would wake. “Raining cats and dogs” comes from the time when all houses had thatch with no wood beneath and the warmest place for small animals, mice and bugs would be to lay in the
thatch to keep warm. When there was a heavy downpour the thatch would become slippery and they would fall off the roof. “Dirt Poor” came from the fact most people only had dirt floors. Only the wealthy had any other form of flooring, usually slate. This however, would become slippery when wet and they would put down straw (thresh) to help alleviate this. As more and more straw was added, when you opened a door, the thresh would slip out. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way to combat this, hence the term “threshold”. Most people had a diet of mainly vegetables, a stew, in a huge pot that was added to daily. This gave rise to the rhyme “Pease Pudding hot, Pease Pudding cold, Pease Pudding in the pot, nine days old.” Pork was considered a luxury but if a family was lucky enough to have a man who provided bacon it was seen as a sign of wealth and prosperity and was often saved for special occasions. This brought about the term
“bringing home the bacon”. If you were to have guests visit the bacon would be hung for all to see and chunks were cut off, everybody would sit around, “chewing the fat”. “Upper Crust” is a term given to those of society who are wealthy or privileged. This saying stems from how a loaf would be divided. The top of the loaf, the “upper crust” was saved for the wealthy and most prosperous, the middle would be for family and the workers received the burnt, bottom part of the loaf.
Can you really save that much money ? The words you can save up to 35% off retail prices make us doubt it’s true, do you really believe it? We’ve become very sceptical down to the sales promoted by Internet sites and large stores are able to say “Sale” - “% off” when in many cases all it means is that the product was marked up at a higher price for an amount of time then reduced to prices they should have been sold at in the first place, is that really a sale? Stansted Paving are manufacturers so you can genuinely buy from them and make a saving of up to 35% compared to other retailers, this is not only do they supply builders and landscapers, they supply the public so you really do have the opportunity to make a huge
Stansted Paving was started in the 1980’s and but purchased by the Kemmish family in 2007 they were originally based in Little Hadham; then three years ago they moved to premises at Warrish Hall Farm, Takeley. The friendly face that will almost always greet you when you visit the Showroom at Warrish Hall Farm is Kathy (Mum). Kathy will be able to help you and show you all the colours, shapes and sizes. This is a fact I found amazing, they can offer 1500 combination of colours and sizes! Jon Kemmish (Son) also runs a Landscape business, should you not want the DIY option or you don’t have someone to prepare the ground and lay the slabs he is available to offer you a fantastic service. The Paving Slabs are extremely high quality, when being made they are vibrated not pressed so they are stronger. they also deliver the slabs for a small charge. If you are considering paving it’s worth a trip to visit Stansted Paving, out of a combination of 1500 available there has to be something you
www.stanstedpaving.co.uk Stansted Paving, Warrish Hall Farm, Warrish Hall Lane Takeley, Essex, CM22 6NZ Opening times Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Saturday 8.30am – 1.30pm 26
The Daddy of Sandwiches That’s a Father’s Day barbecued steak sandwich with horseradish cream to you and me. The Ingredients: 1 ciabatta loaf 1 rump or fillet steak Knob of butter Handful of rocket 100ml sour cream 1 tbsp horseradish 1 tsp Dijon mustard Salt and freshly ground black pepper Method:
1. Summer is finally arriving and June brings with it Father’s Day, now there have got to be few things better than hauling out the barbecue on a sunny weekend and cooking up a Father’s Day feast for your old pops. Forget burnt bangers and chargrilled burgers, only the best will do for showing dad how much you appreciate him on his special day. Beef and horseradish, for me, are two things that belong together, and nowhere do they work better than in this recipe. If you’re not a huge fan of horseradish, or find it too hot, you can change the quantities. Personally, I like it fairly punchy so the recipe below will give you a nice hot horseradish cream, but just add more sour cream for a milder version. It’s also worth noting that you can use a various different steak cuts, but I opted for rump because I tend to like the fatter cuts – they've so much more flavour, but obviously fillet would be nice too, not quite as cheap, but certainly nice.
2.
3.
Combine the sour cream, horseradish and mustard in a small bowl, mix well. Cut the ciabatta in half length ways then through the middle to create two sandwiches. Toast on the barbecue until golden. Meanwhile season and brush the steak with a little oil, place onto a hot barbecue. Once cooked removed from the barbecue and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Spread a thin layer of horseradish cream onto each slice of ciabatta. Thinly slice the steak and pile on top. Add more horseradish sauce if required and a handful of rocket.
Nicole Waterman Miss Friday’s Feast, a food and cookery blog missfridaysfeast.blogspot.co.uk @nicolelwaterman
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Buying a House - Do I need a survey? The easy answer to that question is Yes. The next question is why? Buying a property is probably one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you need to make sure it is the right choice. What if following the purchase of your dream home you find that there is subsidence, woodworm, an electrical fault or the boiler is unsafe, just to name a few potential issues. These can be expensive problems to rectify. Prevention is better than cure. The simplest way to avoid this type of scenario is by a property survey, which is undertaken by a Chartered Surveyor. The report will confirm whether the property you are purchasing is in the condition you expect for the price you are paying. Valuation - what is the difference? A survey should not be confused with a valuation. If you are buying with the help of a mortgage, the Mortgage Provider will undertake a valuation to determine whether the property is worth the money you are paying for it. The valuation will only involve a superficial inspection of the property. Sometimes the valuer does not even enter the property but just looks at it from the outside, often referred to as a driveby valuation. Two types of surveys - which one? There are two main types of property survey. The best, but most expensive, is the full structural survey. This is a thorough and detailed assessment of the condition of the property highlighting any defects, major or minor, what is required for these to be remedied and providing information about the possible cost of repair.
1 Ducketts Wharf, South Street, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3AR
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This type of survey is particularly important if, the property you are looking to buy is older or perhaps more unusual, thatched or timber framed or you are planning major works or has already had extensive alterations. The other type of survey is the Homebuyers Report. This is not as detailed as the structural survey. The report will look at the general condition of the property, test for damp and damage to timbers (including woodworm and rot). It will consider the condition of any damp proofing and insulation and provide a figure for building insurance purposes should the property ever need to be rebuilt and provide the value of the property on the open market. Unlike a structural survey the surveyor will not be intrusive, they will not check under floorboards or move furniture. Whichever survey you decide upon, it is in your best interests for a survey to be undertaken at the earliest opportunity to guard against any unwelcome surprises once the property is yours. If you require any assistance in the sale or purchase of your home please call 01279 466910 or email info@watson-legal.com and let our friendly team show you a new way of providing legal services.
Julie Holdaway - Property Solicitor
Tel: 01279 466910 www.watson-legal.com info@watson-legal.com
e m e h t e h T Happy Birthday for 2015y” Braintree and Bocking Carnival is “Disne In June 2015 The Braintree and Bocking Carnival will be 51 Years old , The Current Carnival has been held in June every year since 1964 and in all that time the same man has been the driving force behind it. Robert Watsons Vision Of A fun day of events that would raise money for many charities .Saw him being awarded the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen in June 2013. The Carnival is now an integral part of Braintree Life , Roberts Children and Grandchildren are the mainstay of the Carnival Committee in which Robert still takes a very active role . There were around 90 entrants in that first carnival in 1964. In 2015 we intend to beat that.
The carnival should be A Da about Families and y Of Fun as well as raising money for charity. A day of dressing In A id o faG up (or should that be ood Cau down) and joining in se the camaraderie of the proces-sion. All Braintree and Bocking Preschools have been asked to get involved and many have already agreed.
Fam
& La ily Fu ugh n ter
We want every body involved community wide. Come and join in the fun register for a float. Or a stall on the arena representing your organisation or help others.
The Chosen charity for 2015 is a children’s charity Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, genetically inherited neuromus-cular condition. SMA may affect crawl-ing and walking ability, arm, hand, head and neck movement, breathing and swallowing. Many Children die before their fifth birthday.
This affects children from birth. Braintree & Bocking Carnival Saturday 6th June 2015 Come on get involved Call Lynn Watson on Tel. 07890 101 196 or Email Lynn@lynnwatson.orangehome.co.uk
For any further information or an application form. “NOTHING TO LOOSE FUN TO GAIN”
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Pawley & Malyon Chartered Accountant Welcome to Pawley & Malyon Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors. In today’s ever changing world, clients need to be confident their affairs are in good hands. At Pawley & Malyon this confidence is gained by our personal approach to your finances and from the results achieved by our advice and recommendations.
ABOUT US
We provide a complete range of accountancy services and have a broad range of clients, both corporate and personal, located throughout the UK. As we are a small firm we strive to offer you a high level of personal service so often lacking in business these days. Whether you are a commercial business, or a non profit’ organisation or an individual, we pride ourselves in always offering you a personal, efficient and professional service. Please contact us on 020 7065 6870 to arrange a free, informal and no obligation initial Meeting.
We are not just a London office we see clients locally Registered to carry on audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
AUDITING ACCOUNTING COMPANY SECRETARIAL TAXATION ADVICE BUSINESS PLANNING SERVICE PAYROLL
Call: 020 7065 6870 London Office: 14 Austin Friars, London, EC2N 2HE
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The value of a good
accountant Around a year ago at the 2014 Budget the Government announced that they would be implementing a review of employee benefits and expenses with a view to simplifying these and also reflecting the changes in working patterns in the years since these rules were initially introduced. As this review is still ongoing no comment was made in the 2015 Budget but later in the year the Government may issue some consultation for employers to respond to. Two areas that are not really covered by the current rules are the increase in temporary labour contracts and also in the number of people regularly working from home. To demonstrate how long the current rules have been in existence Forms P11D were originally required for Directors and higher paid employees earning over £8,500 per annum. The limit has never been increased and so in practice a Form P11D is generally required after each tax year for any employee paid any expenses or benefits unless a dispensation from completing these is in place with HMRC. The general principle for claiming travel and subsistence expenses is that home to main office regular commuting is never allowable but if you are required to visit clients, attend courses, etc at a different location then any additional travel costs that you incur will be allowable. This could be in the form of reimbursement of fares or in claiming a mileage rate of 45p for the 1st 10,000 miles in a tax year and then 25p per mile thereafter. This is to all costs of using the car for work purposes including fuel with the exception of parking or toll costs which can be claimed in addition. If you are required to stay overnight then the costs of the hotel are also allowable while if you are working outside your usual working hours because you are travelling then you may also claim subsistence costs for meals. In certain circumstances at present temporary workers who are based (or expect to be based) at a site for less than 24 months may claim travel costs but as mentioned in the opening paragraph these rules are currently under review. Next month Budget 2015.
Crossword Clues Clues Across
1 Indicator, meter (5) 4 Artist’s stand (5) 7 Not fit for purpose (8) 8 Back, behind (4) 9 Territory (8) 11 Highest point, peak (4) 12 Middle (6) 14 Yield (6) 16 Golf club (4) 18 Concepts, proposals (8) 20 Cab (4) 21 Muse, ponder (8) 23 Musical or colour harmony (5) 24 Layers (5)
Clues Down 1 2 3 4 5 6
Real, true (7) Overturn (5) Fade, wane (3) Conductor, terminal (9) Attendant, minion (7) Depart (5)
10 Indistinguishable (9) 13 Strain, stress (7) 15 Ineffectual, futile (7) 17 Respond, reply (5) 19 Lift, elevate (5) 22 Enmesh, nab (3)
Alice In Wonderland Word Search List Apple Apricot Avocado Banana Berry Cherry Citron Citrus Coconut Current Date Durian Fig Grape Guava Kiwi Kumquat
Lemon Lime Loquat Lychee Mango Melon Orange Papaya Passion Fruit Peach Pear Plum Pluot Pomelo Prune Quince Raisin
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