Village Life Tewin March 2012

Life VillageL Lifestyle | Business | Community www.villagelifemag.com

TEWIN

FREE

ISSUE 8: MARCH 2012

JustFittedKitchens CATALYST BUSINESS GROUP Inspiration for School Holidays

PLUS WARESIDE WINES Tewin • Datchworth • Oaklands • Digswell • Woolmer Green • Watton at Stone • Bull’s Green • Burnham Green • Hammer Green

Don’t move IMPROVE! RMT Home Build Ltd are a family-run building contract firm based in Stevenage.We’ve been in the industry since 1989 and work with customers across Hertfordshire and the South East.

We cover all projects, small, medium or large and pride ourselves on offering a premium service and value for money.

Our team comprises of highly skilled and qualified tradesmen.

We specialise in • Extensions • Refurbishments • Loft Conversions • Basements • Kitchens • Painting & Decorating • Windows & Doors • Roofing • Fencing & Decking • Driveways & Patios Contact us for references or to read letters from our happy customers “In the space of 4 weeks it’s gone from being a tired, dated flat to being a fabulous modern home...” “...thanks for making our new house feel like home. It was always going to be a big project and you managed to make it happen in a short time and put up with our demands...” “...brilliant from start to finish RMT as a company have been amazing...”

For a free no obligation quotation Call: 0800 542 3122 / 01438 310063 Email: info@rmthomebuild.co.uk www.rmthomebuild.co.uk

WELCOME TO MARCH The bit of sunshine last month was a great reminder that Spring starts on the 20th March. Some other dates for your diary are Mother’s Day on the18th, St Patrick’s Day on the 17th and Schools break for Easter on the 30th!

If you are on Twitter or Facebook then you can follow us at @villagelifemag and facebook.com/villagelifemagazine We are always looking for local stories to publish and keen to hear feedback or any ideas on how we can improve the magazine, so please do get in touch with us.

Email us with details of your local events so we can list them for you for free in the what’s on section, and Don’t Forget you can find the answers to the puzzles page on our website each month – www.villagelifemag.com Bye for now,

CALL US: 01438 216950 EMAIL US: mail@villagelifemag.com VISIT US AND READ THE

Jose & Melanie

MAGAZINE ONLINE: www.villagelifemag.com facebook.com/villagelifemagazine

CONTENTS

ONYOUR TRAVELS: PAGE 10-11

4:

Local news

6:

Wellbeing: MarilynTuck –Weight loss – Getting it right

8:

Lifestyle: Employment Law – When is a Dismissal Unfair?

10-11: OnYour Travels: Inspiration for School Holidays 14-15: Business: Just Fitted Kitchens 16:

Lifestyle: 2012 and All That Jazz

17:

Business: David Thomas Garages

18:

Business: Catalyst Business Group

WARESIDE WINES: PAGE 20-21

20-21: Business:Wareside Wines 22:

What’s on in March/Take a break

Where Can You Find Village Life?

Village Life Magazine has a readership of 15,000 people and is delivered to homes and businesses across 9 villages.

Find us in Tewin, Datchworth, Oaklands, Digswell, Woolmer Green, Bull’s Green, Burnham Green, Hammer Green and Watton at Stone.

March 2012

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Melanie Saavedra 01438 216950 sales@villagelifemag.com Village Life is published monthly by MJS Publishing.

01438 216950, www.villagelifemag.com © 2012 Village Life (Tewin). Village Life (Tewin) is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or of Village Life magazine.

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

3

LOCaL NEWS

DEER BECOMES CAUGHT IN TENNIS NET AND STATUE IN TEWIN A deer was rescued by the RSPCA and firefighters after it became caught in a tennis net and then tangled with a statue in Tewin last month.

The adult buck became caught in the net and then managed to get its antlers caught in the statue, after it roamed onto a tennis court.

RSPCA animal welfare officer Kate Wright said: “When I arrived, I was faced with a very large fallow deer buck which had managed to get itself completely caught in a tennis net and then it appears that when it ran off in a panic, it smashed into a large metal statue and got caught in that as well. I called the fire service to help, because a male deer of this size is very powerful and I could not contain it by myself.”

Firefighters placed a large tarpaulin over the top of the deer to get it to the ground, while Anne put a towel over its face. It took four firefighters to hold the buck down. They managed to cut the netting off and free the deer from the statue.

Once it was completely free, the animal ran straight through the netting around the tennis court and off back into the wild. Anne said: “When the firefighters lifted the statue up afterwards they were really surprised at the weight of it. It just shows how powerful the deer was to have been dragging this statue on his own. The owners of the tennis court were very pleased we had managed to rescue the deer and also that their statue was returned, as it was a wedding anniversary present! However they now have a clean deer shape in the netting surrounding the court, as it ran straight through, its antlers cutting it like a tin can!

4

VIP GUESTS AT WELWYN HARMONY Welwyn Harmony are an independent organisation for women whose primary purpose is to educate its members in the musical art form of acappella, four part, barbershop harmony.

They have a chorus of around 36 members from a wide range of backgrounds.

The group will be putting on a Variety Show in Welwyn Garden City on the 12th May to raise money for Isabel Hospice. They were delighted to learn that Kim Wilde and her partner, Hal Fowler who are Patrons of the Hospice wanted to know more about them and told them that they would come along to a rehearsal.

On 3rd January, Kim and Hal walked in as they were rehearsing.

Hal sang to the group after tapping a note on the piano. At the end of the evening, Kim and Hal posed with the group for photos and chatted with several people before they left.

June Wright told us, “The rehearsal hall has large mirrors on the far wall, so we saw them as they arrived and some elbowing was used to nudge each other, with huge grins on our faces. Kim and Hal stayed to hear us sing most of our repertoire! Kim cried with emotion when we sang some of the songs (no, not because we were so awful, I hope!) They commented that they loved the way we sang and moved, and we all looked so happy. Kim and Hal are a lovely couple, and we feel so honoured that they came to see us with the possibility of actually appearing in our show, if their schedules permit.”

Welwyn Harmony Chorus’ Variety show is called ‘Showtime!’ and is at The Hawthorne Theatre in WGC at on 12th May. Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01707 357117 or www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk.

Enquiries to Gill Malin 01727 764701 or gill_malin@yahoo. co.uk, www.welwynharmony.co.uk.

CODICOTE BASED COMEDIAN LAUNCHES NOVEL AND PLAY Conscience is a story adapted from a Novel by Johnny Tait about a self-obsessed, bitter middleaged woman, a compassionate teenage girl with a cross to bear and a misogynistic retired police officer – three people with nothing in common find themselves trapped together in a hell of their own making. As the story unfolds we see they are not so different.

The play will be presented with a pre-show talk by Johnny at the Hawthorn Theatre, Campus West, Welwyn Garden City on Saturday April 21st at 6.45 p.m. “Conscience” is not suitable for children as it contains language that some people may find offensive. Tickets are £9 and can be purchased at www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk or by calling 01707 357117.

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

WELLBEING

Weight loss – Getting it right

L

ast month I mentioned how our life is like a road, we have to get on the right one or we end up someplace else.

For the likes of people who are carrying excess fat, unless they are doing something about it, they are on the road to Fatter and to More Miserable which lead to Diabetes, Heart disease, and to Illness.

This seems a bit defeatist but it is proven to them daily by the way they eat in secret, eat too much, and always go on diets. “Oh, that one worked, I lost 5 stone”, I hear people say when they come. But they have put it all back on, so how did it work? There must have been something wrong.

There is one consolation about diets, people at least get a taste of how good it feels to have energy, and a waist, and wear off-the-shelf clothes.

They loved it but why did it all go back on? Did they not kick their bad eating habits? Did they not continue exercising? Weren’t they strong enough to withstand a blip?

I have been dealing with weight issues for some years now, completely 6

naturally. Half a stone a month is great to keep it off permanently, so for 5 stone that may well be almost a year.

It is the first 3 months that counts.

Once you get in the zone and put things in perspective it all becomes second nature. Using hypnotherapy and EFT (emotional freedom technique) I start people thinking positively, we look at what they eat, when, and why. After a couple of consultations they say things like ‘I wasn’t even thinking about it and I left food on my plate’ or ‘It was bizarre, I only ate one!’

For weight loss you have to deal with the triggers that make you eat. Perhaps it is loneliness, difficult kids, the inability to cope, lack of confidence, a void, or something from

the past that is hidden deep and the fat is protecting it so wont go away.

These have to be dealt with. Diets don’t address these issues. And, it is no use thinking no one understands you.When people come I make it my business to.

Of course, to lose weight you need to have a positive attitude, awareness of what and how much is going in your mouth, and also some exercise to tone the muscles to take up the slack when the fat leaves.This is all part of my job.

If you are obese get a thorough medical check, and include thyroid, candida, and, in women, fibroids.

I am sure your doctor will think of other things too, and call me for a chat.

www.marilyntuck.co.uk Knebworth, phone 07962 811907 and book in now!

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

village life

The Personal touch at Wrights…

“When Warren came to my property he spent time explaining everything, he measured up and took a real interest in my property.

We put it on the market with Wrights and Warrens colleague Nick came out to meet us and have a look around our house. After two weeks and two viewers Nick agreed a sale, eight weeks later we are on our way to a lovely bungalow near to our daughter.

From start to finish Wrights were so friendly, there were no problems, the sale just flowed. Nick always encouraged us to pop in to see him whenever we were in town, this was so nice and put our minds at rest knowing he was always there to help and that nothing was too much trouble. When we were looking to put our property on the market we did meet with two other local estate agents, but we definitely preferred the personal touch and swift service that Wrights gave”.

(Mr & Mrs D Welwyn Garden City, March 2012)

If you are thinking of moving we would be delighted to hear from you...

Please call Warren on 01707 332211 Email: warren.jones@wrightsof.com

FITTED BEDROOMS

Fitted Bedrooms Fitted Studies Sliding Doors Bespoke Designs FREE No obligation quotations

01462 734455 www.ridleybedrooms.co.uk March 2012

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

7

BUSINESS

Employment Law – When is a Dismissal Unfair?

Unfair dismissal claims are one of the leading types of claims in the Employment Tribunal. Hertfordshire-based employment solicitor Mike Powell of Scott-Moncrieff & Associates LLP considers the legal position and examines what makes a dismissal unfair.

Legal Requirements

ACAS Code of Practice

A dismissal must be for a fair reason, e.g. conduct, redundancy, capability, ill-health. If an employee is to be dismissed, it is essential that an employer follows a formal disciplinary procedure.

There is an ACAS Code Of Practice which sets out the minimum procedure that should be followed. Failure to comply can result in an award being increased by up to 25 per cent.

Disciplinary Procedure

Is Dismissal Justified?

Failure to follow a disciplinary procedure can make a dismissal unfair even if there was a legitimate reason for dismissing an employee. Any procedure that an employer follows should comprise the following: • An investigation • Written notification of a disciplinary hearing to the employee including evidence to be relied on at the Disciplinary Hearing and the right to be accompanied • A Disciplinary Hearing • An Appeal Hearing • Written notification of the outcome of the Hearings

The reason for dismissal must be serious enough for dismissal to be justified. This can be a one-off serious offence such as theft, or successive minor offences such as poor timekeeping.

Automatic Unfair Dismissal

Some dismissals are automatically unfair, for example pregnancy, discrimination, health and safety, whistleblowing. In these cases, there is no minimum service requirement.

Whether you are an employer or an employee looking for advice, Mike offers a free initial consultation. For further information, contact Mike on 01462 418629 or visit www.hertsemploymentlaw.co.uk

Scott-Moncrieff & Associates LLP ● ● ● ●

Contracts & Handbooks Compromise Agreements Redundancy & Restructuring General Employment Law Advice

Call Mike Powell for a free consultation: 01462 418629 8

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

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Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

9

ON YOUR TRavELS

Inspiration for those school holidays...

As schools tighten their belts on taking out your children during term time, you will find yourself reduced to a few weeks throughout the year to get that all important breakaway.

So where should you go?

As spring approaches for the Easter break, Egypt is a great destination on a relatively short flight with beautiful weather. All of the big tour operators have packages, Sharm el-Sheikh is a family favourite where the majority of the hotels tend to be all inclusive and can offer kids clubs, sports, water sports and many more activities.You can fly from Luton with selected holiday companies or Gatwick has many different options.

If you would prefer to travel further afield then it is a great time to venture to the Caribbean as you will be avoiding the rainy season which tends to start in May and last until September/October.

10

The Dominican Republic has all the usual hotels set on the beach but can offer land based activities including kite-boarding, mountain biking, dirt biking, horseback riding, golf and caving. In Puerto Plata, the Ocean World Adventure Park is popular with tourists of all ages. It offers a chance to interact with all manners of marine life, including the opportunity to swim with dolphins. With a flight time of around 9 hours and prices more reasonable than you think, this is an ideal choice for your Easter break.

With six weeks to fill in the summer you may be filled with dread or just wonder where to start? Why not take a break in the UK? We have some fantastic

beaches, hotels and holiday parks to suit every budget and age range.

Holkham in Norfolk is a secluded beach backed by scented pine forest, sunbathe, horse ride or explore the miles of sandy beach.

Winner of “Britain’s Best Beach” in 2011 this is definitely worth a visit. Accommodation ranges from quaint bed and breakfast to hotels and holiday parks.

If you would rather travel overseas then the Mediterranean is perfect with flights from 2 hours to around 4 hours. Spain is always a family favourite with Majorca being top of the list, family resorts such as Cala D’or and Alcudia offer beautiful beaches, restaurants and are very family friendly.

With self catering apartments,

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

ON YOUR TRavELS

private villas, hotels and all inclusive I am sure you will find something that matches your needs. If your children are into their sports then the Forte Village in Sardinia is a must with a football academy run by Chelsea FC coaches, cricket, tennis and rugby with stars such as Will Greenwood and Austin Healey offering coaching along with a big range of water sports. With eight hotels to choose from set in over 50 acres this luxury resort is a favourite with Mums and Dads!

October half term sees a rush to Florida with everything spooky and Halloween based, you will find it less humid and more bearable to rush around visiting all the theme parks. The younger ones March 2012

will love Disney and the Magic Kingdom whereas the older ones will be amazed at Universal Studios and Busch Gardens.You will find hotels galore ranging from 2 stars to 5 star luxury or why not book into your own private villa with a heated pool? If you want to stay closer to home then the Canaries are less than four hours away with temperatures in the mid 20’s, offering beach based holidays giving you some final sunshine before the winter sets in.

Christmas time brings a trip to Santa himself with trips to Lapland in Finland. Packages range from a day trip to a 5 night stay getting the whole family into the Christmas spirit; you will visit the reindeer, make snow angels, visit the elves

workshop and meet the man himself! For older children and the big kid in you why not try out the snowmobiles, tobogganing and a husky-drawn sleigh ride. I am sure this is a holiday of a lifetime with memories made forever!

If the cold weather isn’t for you then Dubai could be your ideal destination.You will find an array of the most impressive hotels with their own water parks, private beaches, shopping malls and even skiing! Tax free shopping, gold souks, desert safaris and amazing golf – the only problem is fitting it all in. With a flight time of 7 hours, it is closer than you think!

The school holidays can easily be filled with fun and laughter as the world is your oyster!

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

11

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Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

More than just great ideas...

13

BUSINESS fOCUS

JustfittedKitchens ”We were so impressed with the level of workmanship that JustFittedKitchens have since refurbished every room in our home.” Mr. & Mrs. Briggs “The installation of our beautiful kitchen was executed flawlessly and we would recommend Just Fitted Kitchens without hesitation”. Nick &Yvette Packter

A

friendly and progressive familyrun business based in Weston, JustFittedKitchens Hertfordshire offers genuine quality handmade kitchens to client’s exact and specific requirements.

Due to the firm’s low overheads and their complete control over the manufacturing process, they can be up to 40% cheaper than their London counterparts as well as most trendy designer kitchen studios you would find on a high street.Their design ethos is completely immersive and consultations at their showroom in Weston are very personalized, hence they are open to the public 7 days a week and strictly by appointment.There are no sales reps, no props and no pressure.You will be given professional and experienced advice in a relaxed environment. It is therefore no surprise that top on the list of JustFittedKitchens’ priorities remains their continued commitment to delivering an uncompromising service, from design inception and a professional installation to a highly responsive after-sales service.

WHO IS JUSTFITTEDKITCHENS The company is headed by Jide Akanbi, an entrepreneur with an alloyed and extensive background in interior design, new builds, home renovations and furniture retail operations. “Creating the heart of the home is immensely personal, therefore along with design integrity and the harmonious relationship between well-chosen quality materials that is requisite of any fine handmade kitchen, an emotionally collaborative effort towards a project must also exist in order for us to achieve the desired result.”

FLEXIBILITY JustFittedKitchens’ elegantly designed furniture is totally bespoke and hand built from scratch by a team 14

of craftsmen.The kitchens are available in any colour, any style and any level of detailing from a wide range of woods and surface finishes.Whether contemporary, classic, eclectic, modern, traditional or country, JustFittedKitchens will cater to most tastes.

CONSULTATION A meeting at the showroom would involve discussions pertaining to your planned or expected use of the kitchen, what you dislike about your previous kitchen, your textural and chromatic preferences and your vision or inspiration for the refurbishment of the space.The design process takes into account all your culinary habits as well as ergonomic and cosmetic needs. “We like to come up with solutions that our client’s would still be excited about many years from now”.

EXTRAS In addition to bespoke kitchen cabinetry, JustFittedKitchens will also design and build your bedroom furniture, utility or study to compliment your lifestyle.They specify architectural and exclusive lighting, creative storage accessories, bespoke extraction and a wide variety of specialist worktops including Quartz, Glass, Granite, Corian, Bamboo,Walnut, Oak and Iroko.

They also let clients pick out their granite slab as a personal service, and will supply tiles and flooring where necessary. JustFittedKitchens have access to a range of top-branded appliances to serve a busy and functional kitchen.They have a complete home building team behind them who not only ensure the highest standard of finishing but will take care of all necessary building works i.e. building or knocking down walls, plastering, electrical and plumbing works, replacing ceilings and complete redecorations.

Jide told us,” New clients are always welcome to visit our workshop to see their furniture being built or to visit our previous customers’ premises if necessary.

If there is a kitchen that has caught their eye in a magazine, we’ll make it.This month, allVillage Life readers that commission a kitchen will be supplied specialist worktops at trade prices!”

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

BUSINESS fOCUS

For further information or to arrange an appointment to visit the showroom,

Call Jide on 01438 729610

9 Weston Barns, Hitchin Road, Weston, Herts SG4 7AX www.justfittedkitchens.com March 2012

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

15

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

2012

and

All That Jazz

2

012 is trumpeted by the doom mongers as the year where we can expect the end of the world! Remember all the predictions around the year 2000 and how we were to expect a global meltdown as computers struggled with changing millennia. I was left feeling almost let down by how smoothly the clock ticked on through midnight whilst grateful for email arriving on January 1st.

Now spirituality has a bad reputation with some and maybe with good reason and this is to some extent inevitable when God refuses to show up in a test tube. However as Quantum Physics is now demonstrating thought affects matter. If this were not true why does science insist on double blind experiments and why does the placebo work so well in medicine? It is because of the power of the mind.

This emerging idea is I believe at the heart of the 2012 revolution.

There is much talk of the Laws of Attraction which is nothing to do with speed dating but I believe is an idea whose time has come.This is where we learn how to consciously create our own reality and it is that change that is predicted in ancient times that will be blossoming in 2012.We have always been creating or allowing our own reality but now we are going to learn to do so consciously.

We will demonstrate to ourselves that our success is not down to luck or circumstance as we learn to consciously craft a life from our thoughts, feelings beliefs and attitudes.

When I heard this 20 years ago I was as excited as a banker with a bonus and proving it to myself

on a deeper and deeper level has been my mission.

It’s an idea you have to prove to yourself – become your own experimental scientist because reading it will not do! Observe what you are thinking when things happen in your life. It will usually be easier to spot the connection between your thoughts and your reality when things go wrong as we tend to give a lot more attention to the negative for survival reasons.

So that’s it in a nut shell, some people hate the idea, even some people in the New Age business hate it and want to make all kinds of caveats and exclusion clauses, not me. It is better to accept responsibility for my life than to continue to live with the errant beliefs and ideas that were hatched as a child and that are at the heart of all the trouble in my life. Change our thoughts and we change our world.

I think we all get the idea that real change is afoot in the world and eventually the chaos will I believe bring a loving outcome that will be something to celebrate and is certainly something to ponder as this year unfolds. A Happy New Age to you all.

Angela is the author of the A- Z of the Spiritual Life published on 14th October 2011

by Live It Publishing. Her web site www.angelacourtney.com seeks to provide a hub of information for those seeking to start or further their spiritual education and exploration. Angela is also the organiser of the MBS Network which offers Networking,Talks and Events for Mind Body and Spirit.The first event is on the 28th March at Hitchin Priory.

For more information, contact Angela on 01438 820455, 07948 377957 or visit www.angelacourtney.com 16

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

BUSINESS

DavID THOMaS GaRaGES

L

ocated just off Codicote high street in Newtown, David Thomas Garages is a professional family run business offering Servicing and repairs to main dealer standards or above, at competitive prices.The business is run

by David Thomas with wife Karen and son James.

In addition to servicing and maintenance, David offers MOT testing and repairs, Electronic diagnosis and repairs,Tyre fitting, balancing, laser wheel alignment, Air conditioning servicing and repairs and Fuel injector testing and ultrasonic cleaning. All work is carried out by skilled and trained staff and is fully guaranteed.

They will not carry out extra work without their customer’s authority and Courtesy vehicles are available on request.They

can also service vehicles which are still under manufacturer’s warranty without affecting the validity of that warranty.

David Thomas trained as a mechanic at a local main dealer and progressed to service manager. He left there and joined Alfa Romeo as a car tester ultimately assuming responsibility for a workshop and team of technicians, looking after their extensive press and demonstrator fleet.

In 1983 he left and decided to start up on his own working from a workshop in Hatfield before buying the current workshop in 1989. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength and David now employs a team of seven technicians all of whom are fully skilled.

Being a Bosch Service Centre,The technicians are trained on the latest technologies and have the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment to pinpoint any faults in your car as quickly and accurately as possible. Any parts that need to be replaced will be of the same quality as those that were originally fitted on your vehicle.They also work to an Office of Fair Trading approved Consumer Code of Practice giving peace of mind.

If you are having problems with your vehicle, or if you would like to book your vehicle in for a service or MOT call David Thomas on 01438 820288 or visit www.davidthomasgarages.co.uk

DAVID THOMAS GARAGES Service is our Business • • • • • • • •

For all your vehicle servicing and MOT requirements Latest Bosch Diagnostic Equipment Air conditioning servicing and repairs Fuel injector testing and ultrasonic cleaning Friendly, personal service from family run team All work carried out by fully skilled and trained staff We do not carry out extra work without your authority Courtesy vehicles available on request

Telephone: 01438 820 288 www.davidthomasgarages.co.uk Newtown, Codicote, Herts. SG4 8UG David Thomas Garages HP 1110.indd 1 Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950 March 2012 Village

21/10/2010 10:4617

BUSINESS

Looking for support to help grow your business?

B

uilding your own business can be a tough job, with the need to develop a range of skills and knowledge, through sales, marketing to accounts, IT and pricing.With a tight budget, buying in the range of expertise you’re going to need is not always an option.

In June 2010 local business owners, Pat Bensky of Catbase Ltd (www.catbase.com) and Jenny Shervell of JS HR Consultancy Services (www.jsconsult.co.uk) put their heads together and founded a local business support group to provide a forum for business owners with diverse business experience to meet and share their expertise to help each other develop and grow their businesses.

The only criteria for membership was to be a willingness to give rather than to sell to the group, as is the case with many conventional networking groups.

The group would meet fortnightly for breakfast, and in an informal but structured way facilitate the growth of mutual support through focussing on individual burning questions, goal setting and a buddying system to keep members on their toes!

CATALYST was born in July 2010 and has developed as a group of like-minded business owners who meet regularly and develop mutually supportive, enduring relationships and, through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, help each other to set and achieve their business goals. ‘Guests are welcome to visit the group to see how we work and we also invite a number of speakers who bring the additional benefit of their own specialist knowledge focussing on helping business to grow.’ Pat says, ‘Expertise from copywriting, through marketing, sales, credit control, financial management to

Jenny Shervell

Pat Bensky

image consultancy and voice coaching are just a few of the topics covered at our meetings.’

CATALYST operates primarily as a business support group, but encourages members to develop successful business partnerships through the networking opportunities that arise through membership of CATALYST both informally and through organised events. ‘Our members get to know each others’ businesses really well, and are therefore in a great position to make confident recommendations to potential new clients and often do.’ says Jenny.

In the pipeline for 2012 is the launch of online membership for business owners who for geographical reasons or other commitments are unable to attend meetings regularly.We are also developing the online timebank to allow members to exchange time with each other for specific support and advice, at a nominal fee to cover administration costs.

If you would like to find out more about CATALYST, or would just like a relaxed break away from your business for a couple of hours, Pat and Jenny would be delighted to welcome you to the Catalyst Informal lunch (details below) where you will get the opportunity to meet some CATALYST members and fellow business owners.

To find out more about CATALYST, to attend one of our meetings as a guest and/or to secure your place at our lunch on 30th March, go to www.catalystbizgroup.com or email Pat or Jenny on contact@catalystbizgroup.com or call Jenny on 07974 314312.

We look forward to meeting you!

Catalyst Business Group Informal Lunch 12-2pm, Friday 30th March 2012 at The Radcliffe Arms Walsworth Road Hitchin SG4 9ST 18

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

VILLAGE LIFE

Welwyn’s brand new dental practice ‘Neel Dentistry’ is now open. We offer a wide variety of general and cosmetic dentistry – such as teeth whitening, veneers, implants and smile makeovers.

Is your routine check up due? Maybe you would like a second opinion? We are here to help.

Discover modern dentistry in our comfortable, state of the art practice in Welwyn High Street.

Call in and see for yourself – and pick up some further details. We look forward to welcoming you.

43 High Street, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9EE Telephone: 01438 712713 or visit: www.neeldentistry.co.uk

NEELDENTISTRY

Old Welwyn Construction Specialists in Extensions, Home Refurbishment, Landscaping, Patios and Driveways.

Call Daniel on 01438 715362 or 07748 204 818 Email: oldwelwynconstruction@hotmail.co.uk Old2012 Welwyn Construction 0811 HP.indd 1 Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950 March Village

21/07/2011 14:0519

vILLaGE LIfE

Wareside D

Wines

avid and Daphne Briscoe have always had a passion for fine wines and their dream has been to grow and produce their own wine. In 2005 they moved to the village of Wareside and the house had a one acre paddock attached which was classified as agricultural.This was the perfect opportunity for them to realise their dream, they found a contact who had planted a vineyard in Broxbourne and he helped prepare and plant their vineyard and advise the best type of grapes to grow suited to the local climate and soil.

Together they prepared the field, rabbit proofed it, put the trellis work in and planted vines in April 2006.The first crop was in October 2008 which yielded a tiny amount of 300 kgs producing 200 bottles of wine which was enjoyed by friends and family. In 2009 they produced almost 2 tonnes of grapes and began selling their wines to the local community.

Half of the crop was Bacchus (a German white grape variety which is a cross between Riesling, Muller Thurgau and Silvaner varietals).This grape is very suited to the English climate needing a long growing season and as we don’t get a lot of sun, it allows the grapes to mature slowly.

The Bacchus grape produces an aromatic light but full flavoured wine which is quite low in alcohol with lots of interesting flavours and is characteristically English in style.

20

I am assured it is equally as good as a light French wine from the Loire valley.

The other half of the crop was Pinot Noir, a red grape varietal used to produce full flavoured wines such as Burgundy.The Pinot Noir grape is also one of the major components of champagne; the other being Chardonnay.

The buds on the vines burst in late April and over the next 6 to 8 weeks produce foliage and then flower which after pollination then go on to produce grapes. Grapes begin to form and can be clearly seen at the end of July and ripen during August and September, taking about 100 days from pollination to harvest.The levels of acidity and sugar in the grapes are measured regularly and when they reach the optimum point for flavour and good fermentation they are picked.

The harvest usually happens mid October and is when the logistical operation begins.

If the ripe grapes are left unpicked for too long, they are irresistible to insects and birds. At this time of year they are also very susceptible to plant diseases caused by moulds and fungus. David and Daphne aim to pick all of the grapes as quickly as possible when ripe and preferably in one day working long hours.There is a very short window from picking to get them over to the winery to ensure to avoid spoiling; the grapes are taken to Maidenhead to a small well equipped specialist winery for crushing and fermentation.

The juice is extracted and then the fermentation process begins.The wine becomes available for bottling in December when it is labelled and released for sale in March.

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March 2012

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The Sparkling wine is different and is made using traditional Methode Champenoise; the Pinot Noir comes in from here in Wareside, the Chardonnay grapes from Surrenden Vineyard in Kent.

Both grapes go do Maidenhead and are initially fermented separately.They are then blended together and left in tanks.

After the initial bottling, a second cold fermentation takes place in the bottle by adding yeast and a little sugar to the bottle and corking.The bottles are put on lees and they are gently rotated for 2 years.They are then disgorged (a process where bottles are placed upside down forcing the yeast and sediment to fall to the neck of the bottle where it is frozen and pulled out before the bottle is topped up). Now you have a finished bottle and a cork is put in with wire around it.The longer you leave it, the better the flavour will be.This method is time consuming and expensive but produces a wine of great quality. English Sparkling wines produced by this method are winning awards competing against the best that France can produce.

The first English Fizz was 2008 vintage and was released in December 2010; it will continue to improve in flavour for at least 5 years.

David’s career has been in International Pharmaceutical Sales and he visited South Africa for the first time in 1995. He loved the country and became good friends with a Dr in Johannesburg who also liked wine.

They often spoke about owning a vineyard in the March 2012

Cape and in 2006 after setting up the vineyard in Ware; there was an opportunity to buy another vineyard in Robertson (1.5 hours from Cape Town).They bought 80 acres which already had 30 acres planted with vines.

They currently take small amounts of the best grapes to produce special boutique style wines in South Africa and then sell them in the UK.Their “retirement� plan is to spend 6 months in Hertfordshire and 6 months in South Africa managing the vineyards and aiming to produce the best quality small quantity wines.

Currently the South African production is two red wines made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon and a white Sauvignon Blanc all under the Vierkoppen label.

Wareside Bacchus is available at a range of locations including The Vine Shop (23 High St, Ware) and at The Rusty Gun (London Road, St Ippolyts). David and Daphne are happy to arrange wine tasting and a tour of their vineyard, just give them a call to arrange a date and time.

You can buy the wine from them directly.

Contact Wareside wines on 01920 468733 info@waresidewines.com or visit www.waresidewines.com

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21

vILLaGE LIfE

Saturday 10th March 2pm - 4.30pm Jumble Sale at Tewin Memorial Hall

Take a Break…

CROSSWORD

What’s on in MARCH Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th March, 10am-5.30pm NGS Open Garden at Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield A 30 acre estate of gardens, woodland and lake open in aid of the NGS, raising money for caring and nursing charities. Adult £5.50, Children £2.50, Concession £4.50. www.ngs.org.uk

Sat 17 Mar 2012 – Sun 18 Mar 2012, 8.00pm Midnight Swim for Isabel Hospice – Haileybury Swimming Pool, Hertford Heath, SG13 7NU & Hatfield Swim Centre, Lemsford Road, Hatfield, AL10 0XR. Sponsored swim and Boat Race Challenge. For more info email Katie Robertson or call the Fundraising team on 01707 382500.

Sat 17 Mar 2012 Quiz for Isabel Hospice – Memorial Hall, Welham Green AL9 7PG. Tickets £11.50 include light refreshments. Bring your own drinks and glasses. Raffle. Organised by North Mymms Group, phone 01707 265333 / 658531

Sunday 18th March, 10am-5pm NGS Open Garden at The Walled Garden, Shenley A 16th century walled garden with terracing and an ampitheatre open in aid of the NGS. £3, Children free.

Wednesday 21st March The Italian Circle of Mid-Herts, WGC Golf Club, Mannicotts, Off High Oaks Road, W.G.C, AL8 7BP “The Jews of Parma & Beyond”. A talk given by Susan Kikoler, Drama Critic & Journalist”. Free Parking. For further information call 01707 372264 or 01438 715277, Non-members £5 per visit.

Sat 24 Mar 2012, 19:30 - 23:15 Social Dance Evening for Isabel Hospice – Newgate Street Village Hall, Newgate Street, Herts SG13 8RA Please bring your own drinks and glasses, contact John Hankins on 01707 873894

aCROSS 1. Game bird (6) 4. Control bar (5) 8. Subdued (5) 9. Unsettled (7) 10. Mysteries (7) 11. Distribute (4) 12. Label (3) 14. Avid (4) 15. Top (4) 18. Ram (3) 21. Water hole (4) 23. Places to learn (7) 25. Putative (7) 26. Lift (5) 27. Abominable Snowmen (5) 28. ______ Scissorhands, film (6)

DOWN 1. Boring tool, cocktail (6) 2. Not indoors (7) 3. Deposit (8) 4. Whip (4) 5. Utter (5) 6. Jacket (6) 7. Romantic meeting (5) 13. Collected (8) 16. Madonna album (7) 17. Score (6) 19. Hymn (5) 20. Belgian port (6) 22. Restrict (5) 24. Responsibility (4)

SUDOKU

Sunday 25th March, 10.30-12.00am (10.00am for NCT members) NCT WGC Children’s Nearly New Sale, Stanborough School, Lemsford Lane, W.G.C, AL8 6YR Admission £1, in aid of NCT Charity. Light refreshments and unsupervised baby play area available. Spring/summer clothing, baby equipment, cots, prams, toys, DVD’s, books, maternity wear. visit www.nct.org.uk/welwyn or call 0844 243 6316.

Saturday 31st March,11am-5pm NGS Open Garden at Hatfield House An historic setting for a spring bulb show open in aid of the NGS, Adult £6, Children free.

Saturday 31st March, 10:30am-2:30pm Welwyn Harmony Spring Fayre, The Vineyard Barn, The Vineyard, Digswell Rise, W.G.C, AL8 7PY Welwyn Harmony Ladies Barbershop Chorus Spring Fayre - Craft Stalls, Homemade Produce, Plants, Nearly New, Clothes, Toys, Books, Refreshments. www.welwynharmony.co.uk GET YOUR EvENT LISTED fOR fREE HERE, EMaIL: mail@villagelifemag.com or call us on 01438 216 950 22

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

March 2012

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