Hunsbury Handbook October 2015

Inside This Issue Local Businesses Eco Homes Gardening - Leaf Litter Halloween Macaroons Understanding Psoriasis Best Tech For Watching TV & much more!

October 2015 The Independent Community Magazine and Business Directory for East Hunsbury, West Hunsbury, Collingtree Park & Buckingham Fields Please mention The Hunsbury Handbook when responding to adverts

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TEL: 01604 552800 MOB: 07880 794324

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Dear Neighbours,

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Starlight Dance & Musical Theatre School: Celebrating Their 1st Anniversary Lamport Hall: Gift & Craft Fair George’s Handyman Services: Looking For A Handyman You Can Trust? Look No Further!

Royal & Derngate: What’s On

Zoë

Royal & Derngate: Win Two Tickets To See Last Night A DJ Stole My Life

01604 708854; zoe@hunsburyhandbook.co.uk www.hunsburyhandbook.co.uk

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COMMUNITY NEWS

t’s been busy, busy, busy since my boys have gone back to school - every evening and weekend taken up with a sporting activity, plus a month full of birthday celebrations (5 in total!), so I’m about ready to sleep through October!

Unfortunately, looking at my diary for the forthcoming weeks, my much needed ‘duvet-day’ will have to wait until 17th October...when I intend to do absolutely nothing all day (family take note!).

With my son transitioning to year 7 next year, we’ve also commenced attendance to the numerous secondary school open evenings, ready to make our 3 choices by the end of the month. I’m hoping it will be a relatively stress-free decision and we will be in agreement with the options although, what we/he wants is ultimately not necessarily what will be offered. As a parent you only want the best for your child and their school education plays an important role regarding their future...so it’s a nervous waiting game until the offer in March! Good luck to everyone in the same position.

I’ve refrained from putting the heating on thus far but I’m sure as we progress into October the need will arise!

Our home and interiors feature this month looks at ways to update your home to keep you snug and cosy, without paying huge energy bills, page 16. Although the arrival of autumn means less frequent lawn mowing, it is replaced with the inconvenience of leaf littering, which can cause problems. Gardening expert, Pippa Greenwood, has advice on turning those unwanted fallen leaves into good use, page 22.

Our technology review looks at the best tech for watching TV on page 34 and James Baggott has fun test driving the McLaren 650S Spider, page 28.

This month, we’re tempting you with our Chinese Roast Pork recipe on page 36 and for the ultimate Halloween sweet treat, why not have a go at making a batch of Halloween French Macaroons, page 10.

Plus, with finance advice, health information, beauty tips and those all-important local trade contacts, make sure you keep your Hunsbury Handbook handy! Until next month...

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ARTICLES & FEATURES Cake & Bake: Halloween Macaroons Home & Interiors: Eco Homes Gardening: Leaf Litter Motoring: McLaren 650S Spider Tech Spec: Vision On Recipe: Chinese Roast Pork With Vegetable Fried Rice Finance: What Are Your Options When You’re Struggling With Debt?

Legal: Legal Implications Of The Ashley Madison Hack Beauty: Tresses That Impress Health: Understanding Psoriasis

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40 44 48 52

PUZZLES Sudoku Halloween Wordsearch

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COMPETITION

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It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director Trevor Skidmore feels that it’s all about service.

‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 10

year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps.

Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done.

We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave the house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

Cloudy2Clear service the Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough and Corby areas and Trevor is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business

from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Trevor a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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CELEBRATES ITS 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! On the 8th September 2014, Starlight Dance & Musical Theatre School opened its doors for the first time in East Hunsbury. In its first year they have gone from 3 classes a week to hosting 9, including commercial, ballet and contemporary, with more classes coming in the autumn available for ages 3 - adult. They proudly offer classes from ÂŁ4, with no termly fees, to ensure they can cater for everyone.

The school has performed at a range of community & charity events including the Northampton Balloon Festival and Wootton Walk In The Park. They have also entered students for Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams, with excellent results.

Following the success of their first show in February, Starlight Dance & Musical Theatre School are putting on their second full length show in October, at the Cripps Theatre.

For more information on Starlight Dance & Musical Theatre School, please phone 07950 111522, email Northampton@starlightdance.net or visit www.starlightdance.net.

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146377

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Unit 16, Low Farm Place, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6HY

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Step Two – What are its weak points?

It may already be obvious what problems need solving. Rattling, draughty windows, gaps around the edges of the front door, heat escaping through the roof, perhaps. For more specifics, however, it could be helpful to commission a professional test for air tightness and heat loss.

Best done on a cold, clear winter’s night (so try to plan ahead), it is non-invasive and shouldn’t cost a great deal more than around £300. The results will demonstrate exactly where you have the most serious problems, helping you to target improvements where they are most needed.

Step One – Get to know your home What is your home made from?

How was it originally built and what changes, if any, have been made to it over the years?

Getting to know what is going on inside and outside your four walls will make it easier to work out how you can eco-improve the property.

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Step Three – The loft Although there is no one-sizefits-all solution, your loft will often be the top priority for eco-improvement. Marianne Suhr, historic buildings surveyor and co-author of Old House Eco Handbook (Frances Lincoln, £30), recommends laying 300mm of quilt insulation – but points out that it is important to retain some form of ventilation in the space in order to avoid condensation.

There is a range of insulation materials on offer at varying prices, but she says that if you can afford natural materials,

such as sheep’s wool or hemp, they tend to be better for older properties, as they have the ability to absorb water vapour and release it. And, she adds, check your loft regularly for signs of condensation, mould and small animals.

Step Four - Windows Your windows can leak out a lot of heat, especially if they are old and single glazed. Short of double glazing, good draught proofing is the answer.

Those DIY self-adhesive strips are only a temporary measure; for a longer-term solution you will need to cut in a rebate and fit either compression seals (hinged windows) or wipers (sashes). Alternatively, if you don’t open your windows often, secondary glazing will dramatically improve both air tightness and heat loss through the glass. There are plenty of different options, including clear panels that simply fix to the window frame with a slim magnetic strip, which are unobtrusive and easy to remove. Or there are two oldfashioned methods: thick, lined curtains, hung close to the wall so draughts can’t creep around the edges; or timber shutters, which have been demonstrated to be even more effective than double glazing.

Step Five: Doors Do your external doors fit well in their frames? If not, it can have a negative impact on your home’s energy efficiency. To

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make them airtight, adjust as necessary for a good fit, add draught proofing (as for windows) and cover keyholes, letter slots and cat flaps. You might even want to pop a good old ‘sausage dog’ along the bottom edge, or hang a long, thick curtain from a hinged rod.

Step Six: Floors Surprisingly, it’s actually a good thing to have wind whistling below your suspended timber floor, the reason being that it will evaporate moisture from the timber and supporting structures and keep your home nice and dry. So don’t block up the air grilles on the outside walls.

Instead, to make the floor itself as airtight as possible, a fitted carpet with a thermal underlay is perfect, or – if you prefer timber boards – seal gaps around the skirting boards with foam strips, a bead of silicon mastic or slivers of matching timber. If the boards have gaps, experts recommend fillets of balsa wood or lengths of string, which you can stain, glue and push into place relatively easily. And, if you can get below the boards (via a cellar or crawl space), or are planning to lift them, it’s a great idea to add insulation underneath.

Step Seven: Walls It is usually pretty straightforward to insulate modern cavity walls; older, solid walls, however, are more of a problem and experts don’t always agree on the best way to go about it. Modern systems may trap moisture and cause damp, but one good option is to add timber panelling inside,

leaving an air gap behind. If you are planning major works, it may be possible to add external or internal insulation at the same time, but be sure to get impartial advice.

Quick Tips • Consider installing shutters. A test by Glasgow Caledonian University found that well-fitted timber shutters reduced heat loss by 60% (they are good for sound insulation and security too). To work most efficiently, they should meet with a rebated edge and include a brush strip or rubber seal.

• A thick rug will help to reduce draughts through gaps in floorboards.

• Adding a pelmet to a window treatment can help to reduce draughts and stop warm air disappearing down the back of your curtains or blind.

• When radiators are placed below windows, their heat can disappear more easily, especially when there is a curtain hanging over them – as it simply directs heat up and behind, rather than into the room. Consider moving radiators to internal walls.

Main Image, p.16: Adding a portiere rod is a great way to insulate a draughty exterior door. Hang heavy, floor-length curtains, ensuring that there is enough stack-back space for the door to be opened easily. If possible, use an insulating lining and heavy fleece interlining – bearing in mind that the pole will need to be able to support the weight.

12mm self-closing button portiere in beeswax, from £44.10, Jim Lawrence, 01473 826685; www.jim-lawrence.co.uk

Affordable Quality.

Hand Finished Curtains ∙ Hand Finished Roman Blinds Pelmets ∙ Fabrics ∙ Alterations ∙ Made To Measure Blinds Blinds: Roller/blackout roller, great for nurseries & bedrooms.

Venetian 25mm or 50mm: Aluminium - Wood - Wood effect, ideal for bathrooms & kitchens. Vertical - Pleated, ideal for conservatories.

Poles: Traditional wooden poles from £25.

Contemporary metal poles from: Eyelet poles £33.50, Pole sets £44.50.

Fabrics: A large selection of great fabrics available from £15.50 per metre.

Whether you are stuck for ideas or know exactly what you require, I am happy to come to you with a selection of fabric samples, poles & accessories to offer helpful advice on design, colour & style, without any obligation. I am qualified to City & Guilds standards in Curtain Making & Soft Furnishing Techniques & Interior Decorations, I also hold a National Design Academy Diploma in Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings. Please visit my website for more details.

Why not give me a call 01604

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456175 or 07977 460054

Email: suecardy@hotmail.com; Website: www.suecardy.com

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Are you surrounded, engulfed and swamped with huge quantities of fallen leaves?

Whether they come from trees in your own garden or from a neighbour, the deluge of leaves that falls in autumn is often enough to get level headed, tree-loving gardeners eyeing up chainsaws!

At this time of year most of us are feeling as if we are being buried alive by falling leaves.

Yes, the vast majority of leaves that are dropping from our own and our neighbours’ trees are pretty enough, and for a while their bright reds, yellows and oranges look stunning both on and off the tree. The problem is that it seems as if there is a virtually endless supply of them and after that initial flurry of pretty colour, the positive feeling soon starts to diminish.

Leaves that are allowed to build up in your garden can cause problems - on the lawn they smother the turf grasses, often causing patches of die back, largely due to lack of light and oxygen. If the crowns of the less tough herbaceous perennials or

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alpines are covered in a soggy blanket of leaves, they too start to deteriorate. So, like it or not, you need to do something - and the sooner you get started the better!

A spring-tined rake is perfect for raking leaves off the lawn and can even work quite well on a gravel drive (provided you don’t rake too deeply and end up ploughing up the stones too!). If you have a lot of lawn or a lot of leaves (or worse still, a big lawn and lots of leaves too) then the easiest way to deal with them is to mow the lawn. Provided you keep the hopper or grasscollector on the mower, when you empty it out you’ll have a fantastic mix of grass clippings and chopped leaves. On beds and borders you’ll usually end up hand picking, or if time and energy is in short supply you could invest in a leaf vacuum or a leaf blower (and this can, of course, be used on most drives, paths and lawns too).

Great, so you spend a lot of time and effort collecting up all these leaves. Then what?

Don’t take them to the tip or make a bonfire: make leaf

mould. It is as easy as anything and makes a fantastic soil mulch or conditioner…for free!

Leaves are best rotted down on their own (they take longer to decompose than the rest of the stuff in your compost heap and need less air and warmth), so make yourself a simple and inexpensive leaf mould bin. Just drive four stakes into the ground to make the corners of a square and then attach chicken mesh around the outside to make a cage. Stack the leaves in, tread or firm them, add some water if they are dry, then more water if the weather remains dry…and then leave them be. If you can chop larger or tougher leaves (like horse chestnut) up first, they’ll rot down much faster either mow them with the lawnmower or ‘chop’ them with a sharp spade. It is worth avoiding very spiky leaves (the spines seem to withstand rotting and get you later!), and any that are very leathery and tough - mainly evergreens such as holly, laurel and camellia, or those from sycamore and plane. If you

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want to speed the process up you can add a leaf mould activator, which is available from garden centres.

If space, time or money is short then you can also make leaf mould in a bin liner or other bag. Choose a good quality bin liner - not a really thin one - and cram it full of leaves, again adding water and/or activator if you wish.

Then stab a few holes in the bag with a garden fork, loosely fold over the top and weigh it down with a brick. Bin liners full of leaves can be

     

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hidden anywhere that you have the space - perhaps behind the shed, garage or greenhouse. If you don’t like the idea of black plastic, then there are now some lovely jute mesh bags which can be crammed full of leaves and act as a perfect container whilst the leaf mould is forming, but will eventually rot down and add to the useful material you produce. You can see these on my website www.pippagreenwood.com/ products.

Whichever method you use

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you should have a useable product in 12-18 months, but leave it a bit longer and it will be even better!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for gorgeous gardening things including the unique ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ - you choose the vegetables you’d like to grow and Pippa sends garden-ready plants as well as weekly advice and tips emails to you. Plus Nemaslug, signed books, jute composting bags and lots more besides.

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All Gas & Oil Boiler, Plumbing & Electrical Work Can Be Quoted Individually On Request • Extensions • Loft/Garage Conversions • Kitchens • Block Paving / Driveways • Hard Landscaping • General Building • Carpentry & Joinery • Roofing • Plumbing & Electrical • Gas & Oil Boilers Get ready for the winter months Call or email the office to book this offer or for further information on the services we provide:

Tel: 01604 879917 Mobile: 07958 686184 (Simon) or 07896 659638 (George) www.foundationbuildingcompany.co.uk Email: info@foundationbuildingcompany.co.uk

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Each row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain the numbers 1 through 9 exactly once. This can be done by applying logic, you do not have to guess. Answers page 62.

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Things are moving quickly.

Probably a bit too quickly. Like the four fighter pilots dog fighting above our heads, my brain is processing information faster than it should be and as I watch the Mercedes GT S fall away into the distance behind me with snatched glimpses in the mirror, it’s clear there’s not much that’s going to catch this thing any time soon.

At full throttle and with Track mode selected on the McLaren’s prominent dash dials, the 650S and I are moving at internal organ-rearranging speeds across the Welsh moors as it rifles through its ratios.

The induction noise is furious, the sucking of the twin turbos gulping down air like a free diver coming up for air. The roof is down and we’re open to the elements; the small, leather and carbon clad cabin is filled with a rush of oxygen and the

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heady smell of the outdoors.

I’m happy.

At least I am now, thinking back to that adrenaline rush of speed. In the driver’s seat the 650S demands chess player levels of concentration but my word it is good. McLaren’s supercar offerings have played second fiddle to the drama from Maranello since they arrived – somewhat overlooked by supercar buyers who deemed them ‘too clinical’ and ‘numb’. That’s a shame, because what the British firm has achieved in such a short space of time is to be applauded. The 650S is without doubt a match for any offering from Ferrari, but over four days with the car I can sort of see what they mean about the numbness. It’s hard to criticize a car for being too good, but this 650S really is. The stomach churning acceleration – which

will see it hit 124mph in just 8.6 seconds – is incredible, but it’s laid down in such a perfect manner that it feels like a computer game, not a heart tugging machine.

That said, it’s an absolute stunning car to look at. This is the MSO version of the 650S Spider, which means it’s even more exclusive than its brothers. The flippy paint, that shimmers beautifully from black to purple, is an £8,632 option, while it’s adorned with carbon fibre extras like mirror arms (£3,505), diffuser (£7,463) and even yellow seatbelts that you will be charged £2,247 for the pleasure of changing the colour of. It’s amazing what customers will pay when presented with an extensive options list, isn’t it?

What they’re paying for really, of course, is the exclusivity that MSO offers. And supercar

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buyers like nothing more than exclusivity. That and how a car makes them feel. Fortunately it ticks both boxes very well indeed. I spent a lot of time in the 650S and although over long distances found it a little uncomfortable – the seats don’t recline enough for my giraffelike limbs – it was easy to ignore thanks to its astonishing performance and the glow it gives you every time you climb in through those dramatic doors.

The steering has a crispness to it and feedback I’ve not experienced in a very long time, while it’s hard to imagine how anything could ever feel any quicker than this 641bhp supercar. Goodness knows how a P1 could offer an experience any more intense than this –

even now I can’t fathom anything being any quicker.

But to the ultimate question, one I was asked many times during our test: would I buy one? As much as I love it, as good as it is and as beautiful as it looks, I’m afraid I just couldn’t. It doesn’t float my boat like a Ferrari 488 and I can’t help looking at the figures and thinking you could have the Mercedes, Civic Type R and Mazda from this test and some change for fuel for the same price. The McLaren is good, but not three cars good.

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It’s hard to imagine now, but a twelve-inch TV with four channels was pretty hot stuff not so long ago. Today, of course, we have TVs as big as some houses’ walls and more things to watch on them than ever before. But what tech actually makes your viewing better?

There are two kinds of technology to think about here.

There’s the technology in the screen and the speakers, and there’s the technology that you can connect to a TV to add more options.

Despite the hype it seems that 3D TV is dead: the technology never took off, probably because nobody wanted to wear daft glasses all the time.

Manufacturers still want to sell us stuff, though, so their latest wheeze is 4K TV, also known as Ultra HD. 4K TVs can display four times more pixels than HD TVs, and the result should be a dramatically improved picture.

That’s the theory, but what the manufacturers don’t tell you is that in a typical home, you won’t get the benefit: on screens smaller than about 55

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inches, unless you sit with your nose on the screen you’ll be hard pushed to see any difference. There’s also precious little 4K content available just now: none of the UK broadcasters offer 4K programming.

Manufacturers are also experimenting with shapes and some firms are now offering curved TVs. The intention is to deliver a more involving experience - like IMAX does compared to normal cinemas but curved screens need you to sit right in the middle to get the full effect, which means they aren’t ideal for family viewing unless you’ll all sit in each other’s laps.

The best TVs around just now are LED HD TVs. The LED bit refers to the way they’re lit: by using ultralow power LED lights, LED TVs use much less energy than other flat screens.

If you’re in the market for a new

TV, don’t forget about sound.

Modern TVs’ ultra-slim cases don’t have enough room for good speakers, so most flatscreen TVs sound awfully tinny: many of them sound like you’re watching TV on a laptop. It’s worth investing in a soundbar a long speaker bar that’s designed to sit under the TV and add oomph - or an audiovisual amplifier and speakers if you like your programmes loud.

You’ll find that many TVs today are “smart TVs”, which means they can connect to the internet and access services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Instant Video (at a cost: Netflix and Amazon are subscription services) plus

YouTube and catch-up services such as BBC iPlayer.

If you’d like to have the same services on an existing TV there are several inexpensive ways to do it, provided your TV has a spare HDMI socket (most relatively recent ones should do) and you have a Wi-Fi network to connect to.

Google’s £30 Chromecast and Amazon’s £35 Fire TV Stick both deliver catch-up TV and Netflix over the internet (Amazon’s box also offers Amazon video), while Sky’s Now TV

(£20) doesn’t have Netflix but does deliver catch-up services such as iPlayer. And if you’re an Apple fan, the £57 Apple TV adds Netflix, YouTube, Apple Music and iTunes videos and video rentals - although be careful if you’re considering buying one, as we’re expecting a brand new version to be released any day now.

Images left to right: Samsung curved Smart TV; Hitachi soundbar; Google Chromecast TV adaptor; Amazon Fire TV Stick

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39

Knowing how to deal with debt and understanding the options available, can relieve some of the pressure when creditors are relentlessly pursuing you for money. A range of formal debt solutions exists in England and Wales that consolidate your debt down to a single monthly payment.

They can help you to avoid bankruptcy and although remaining on your credit file for six years, allow you to make a fresh start once repaid. A licensed Insolvency Practitioner (IP) is often appointed to negotiate with creditors on your behalf and ensure that the debt solutions are administered correctly.

An IVA is legally binding and usually lasts for around five years. Your appointed IP will negotiate terms with all unsecured creditors, 75% of whom have to agree to the IVA before it can go ahead.

Who might use it?

This solution is intended for people with unsecured debts.

These might include credit card bills, personal loans,

40

overdrafts and store card arrears, but would not involve secured borrowing against an asset such as a house or car.

Advantages • Interest and charges are frozen • Creditors cannot chase you for payment • No legal action can be taken against you • Once repaid, your remaining debts are written off Disadvantages • An IVA remains on your credit file for six years from its start date • Your job may be affected • If you miss payments, your creditors may enforce bankruptcy • Costs for an IVA can be high, often around £4,000, and form part of your monthly instalment Debt Relief Orders are intended for people with minimal assets and a low income. They offer relief from creditor pressure for a period of time, generally 12 months, and are negotiated on your behalf by a licensed IP. Who might use it?

If your debts are less than

£15,000 and you don’t own your own home, a DRO might be suitable. Also, your assets should total less than £300, with residual income being £50 or less. A DRO currently costs £90.

It’s worth noting that the eligibility criteria for a DRO changes on 1st October 2015 when the debt limit is increased to £20,000. The allowable value of assets also rises to £1,000.

Advantages • You do not have to make any repayments to the debts included in the Debt Relief Order for a fixed period of time – usually one year • This offers you time to improve your financial situation • Your creditors cannot pursue you for debt during this time • All debts included in the DRO are written off if your circumstances have not improved at the end of the term Disadvantages • Interest and charges continue to be added • A Debt Relief Order remains on your credit file for six years



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• It is recorded on the Individual Insolvency Register, which is available for public view • It may affect your job if you work in the legal or financial sectors, the police or prison service

A Debt Management Plan is not legally binding and involves paying back all of your debt, but over a longer period of time. None of the debt will be written off at the end of the term and your DMP provider will deal with creditors on your behalf.

Who might use it?

If you can afford to pay your household bills but are struggling to keep up with credit card or store card bills, for example, a DMP may be suitable.

Advantages • Your DMP provider will deal with creditors on your behalf • You are able to repay your debts in full, which may have less impact on your credit file

42

• You make a single consolidated payment to cover the debts included in the plan Disadvantages • Interest and charges may be added • It still has an effect on your credit file, even though you are not writing off any debt • If you don’t keep up repayments, you may be forced into bankruptcy As a measure of last resort, bankruptcy writes off your debt and allows you to start again. It usually lasts for one year, after which time you will be discharged and can begin to rebuild your credit rating.

Who might use it?

If debts are greater than your total assets including home and car, and you cannot afford to keep up repayments, bankruptcy may be your only option. Additionally, one of your creditors may force you into bankruptcy through the courts.

Advantages • All debts are written off • There is no more creditor pressure • You can start afresh financially Disadvantages • You will lose your home and other assets • Your job may be affected • You will find it difficult to obtain borrowing for some time • Bankruptcy will have a serious adverse effect on your credit file Factors including whether you have a regular income, your line of work, total level of debt and assets, all have an influence on which of these solutions would be most appropriate. https://www.gov.uk/optionsfor-paying-off-your-debts/ individual-voluntaryarrangements http://www.stepchange.org/ Debtinformationandadvice/ Debtsolutions/Individual voluntaryarrangement.aspx

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43

The reaction to the hacking of the Ashley Madison website that ’encouraged’ adultery has generated much heat, not a great deal of light and many column inches.

The website was hacked and the details of over 37 million users worldwide were released online, including those who had paid £15 to delete their account information. CEO of Avid Life Media Inc (ALM) Noel Biderman, was forced to resign after a third tranche of hacked emails was released. The company is now being sued in Canada for emotional distress and the police are investigating links between the hack and two suicides as well as multiple blackmail attempts.

A lot of the coverage has taken a high moral tone that is understandable considering the site was a resource that promoted infidelity. It’s important to remember though that the internet did not invent adultery and neither did Ashley Madison, although they did attempt to make it easier. It is of course possible that some people may look to get divorced as a consequence of the information about Ashley Madison users, now in the public domain. However those taking action may be disappointed and unsuccessful.

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There is only one basic ground for divorce: the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

You can prove irretrievable

breakdown by establishing one or more 'facts' for divorce of which adultery is just one.

The others are ‘unreasonable behaviour’, ‘desertion’ and ‘separation’. In this latter case, you and your spouse need to have been living apart for at least two years in England and Wales (one year in Scotland) if you both consent to the divorce or if one partner doesn’t consent then a fiveyear separation in England and Wales (two-year separation in Scotland) is required.

Signing up to an adulterous website does not in itself prove adultery but it may however be used to formulate a history of 'unreasonable behaviour'.

Then there are those who see this as illustrative of a severe lack of understanding that 'privacy' online is an illusion.

Legally, Ashley Madison had to ensure that its users’ information was protected using security measures in proportion to the sensitivity of that personal information.

Given that the hackers claim to have collected credit card transactions as well as real names and addresses it’s clear that that Ashley Madison were not using state-of-the-art security technology.

Users (whatever you may think of them) trusted Ashley Madison with large quantities of deeply personal data and it was not unreasonable for them to expect a higher standard of

security on the Ashley Madison site than other online services.

Ashley Madison should also not have kept its users’ information for longer than necessary and should certainly not have held on to information about users who requested the ‘paid delete’ functionality.

Ashley Madison users could potentially have a claim under data protection laws. It is possible that users would also have a breach of contract claim against Ashley Madison for violating its own terms and conditions. Ashley Madison could be fined by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if they are found to have breached the Data Protection Act 1998.

The ICO has the power to levy fines of up to £500,000 for serious breaches that are likely to cause substantial distress.

The ICO fined Sony £250,000 when its PlayStation network platform was hacked and the data of millions of customers was compromised. Given the sensitivity of the hacked data, the regulator could similarly impose a large fine if it can be shown that Ashley Madison did not comply with the principles of data protection.

Sharine Burgess is a Senior Solicitor at Shoosmiths in Northampton.

Tel: 01604 805665. www.access-legal.co.uk

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Answers page 62

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47

Whether long, short or in-between, afro, curly, wavy or straight, our hair is one of the first things people notice about us. The right style can detract from imperfections and tells the world a little something about our personality. It can make us more self-assured; more confident in the workplace and social situations. And, of course, it’s not just about the cut; having the right tools in your arsenal at home can make all the difference.

I have a confession – until recently I didn’t own a hairbrush. I just used my daughter’s, which is shaped like Hello Kitty, but does the job. Thankfully, now I am the proud owner of a Wet Brush, the US’s bestselling hairbrush, which detangles wet or dry hair like a dream.

My daughter is also a fan, as it doesn’t pull as much, which is making mornings rather more pleasant. The Wet Brush costs £11.99 from www.cultbeauty.co.uk.

If you only make one change to your haircare regime, swap to a gentler, more natural shampoo. Most high street shampoos contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which can strip your hair of essential oils, leaving it limp and lifeless.

A gentler alternative is

Green People Quinoa & Artichoke Shampoo and Conditioner (£9.95 each), which are designed

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to nourish and protect damaged hair. The quinoa and artichoke leaf work together to condition, minimise frizz,

strengthen and protect from UV radiation.

Curly and coily haired women have cause to celebrate, with the release of Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash, £17.50, which cleanses hair, while preserving moisture and minimising frizz.

The key ingredients are organic babassu oil and baobab oil.

Subrina Kidd, Aveda UK’s Textured Hair Specialist, explains, “Regular cleansing shampoos can often leave hair looking and feeling dry and brittle – this low-lather, sulfatefree formula will refresh and revive the hair texture or curl pattern without removing necessary moisture. To avoid tangling, sub-divide the hair into four sections, massage the Co-Wash into each section, comb through and then rinse thoroughly.”

Looking for a salon-style deep conditioning treatment? Try

Philip Kingsley Geranium & Neroli Elasticizer, £31.50, a preshampoo conditioning treatment that contains neroli, geranium, lavender, rose and orange oils. The Elasticizer has been around for a few years now and has won numerous awards and accolades. This new version looks set to be just as successful, as it leaves hair soft,

50

bouncy and easier to style. While you can just apply it a few minutes before showering, for best results lather it on before bed. It may seem pricey, but a little goes a long way, so you’ll get a fair few weekly treatments from each jar.

Intensive conditioning treatments tend to work best if you cover up with a shower cap. Of course, you could just pick up a simple see-through one for a couple of pounds, but how much more fun is this one from The

Vintage Cosmetic Company?

Lot of brands have limited edition products out for breast cancer awareness at the moment.

One of our favourites is Origins

Pink Ribbon Make A Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment, £19.50. It’s really rich, with extracts of Rose of Jericho and meadowfoam seed oil, so ideal for dry, dehydrated hands. What’s more, £5 from each sale will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

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51

World Psoriasis Day takes place on 29th October to raise awareness and increase understanding of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis affects around 1.8 million people in the UK; more than 2% of the population. Yet it’s poorly understood and sufferers can find their selfesteem and quality of life profoundly affected by it.

back, elbows or knees, although they can appear elsewhere. Severity varies from person to person and many sufferers have periods where their psoriasis calms down, alternated with periods when they experience ‘flare-ups’.

Psoriasis is often thought of as a skin condition, but it’s actually an immune disorder that predominantly affects the skin. The most common symptom is crusty, flaking, red patches of skin with a silvery, scaly surface that typically appear on the scalp, lower

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) This accounts for around 80% of cases, causing dry, red lesions with a scaly, silver surface, known as plaques.

These plaques nay be itchy or sore, and affected skin at the joints may crack and bleed.

Some people may begin with one type of psoriasis that transforms into another. The most common types are:

Nail psoriasis About half of psoriasis sufferers find it affects their nails, causing discolouration, loosening or small dents. In severe cases, nails may crumble.

Scalp psoriasis This causes red patches with thick silver scales over selected parts of the scalp or the whole scalp. It may cause severe itching or temporary hair loss, but equally it may cause little discomfort.

Guttate psoriasis Guttate psoriasis is more common amongst children and teens, commonly occurring after a streptococcal throat infection. It causes tiny dropshaped sores on the chest,

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Providing a fully comprehensive service for care of the foot and lower limb The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists

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Registered Osteopath Professional Osteopathy Pain Relief Clinic Osteopathy is a recognised form of treatment by the British Medical Council for a variety of conditions ranging from:

Lower back pain and “sciatica” Neck and shoulder pain Trapped nerves Whiplash injuries Headaches Sports injuries Pregnancy lower back and pelvic pain Clinics in Kingsthorpe and at “Therapies” at Wootton Fields Morning, Evening and Weekend Appointments available.

Contact Debbie on 07828 215 613 Email at clinic@debbieparnellosteopath.co.uk Website at debbieparnellosteopath.co.uk

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arms, legs and scalp. Often it disappears completely after a few weeks, but may sometimes transform into plaque psoriasis.

Inverse (flexural) psoriasis This causes large, smooth red patches in skins creases, e.g. at the groin, armpits, under the breasts and between the buttocks. Friction and sweating make it worse.

Pustular psoriasis Pustular psoriasis is a rare form that causes pus-filled blisters (pustules).

Generalised pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch psoriasis) affects a wide area and quickly causes pustules that contain white blood cells, often in cycles of a few days or weeks.

It can cause fever, weight loss and fatigue at the beginning of the cycle. Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis affects the palms and soles, causing pustules that gradually become brown, scaly spots, which later peel off. Pustules may reappear every few days or weeks. Acropustulosis affects fingers and toes, causing pustules that burst, leaving bright red areas that later become scaly or ooze, potentially leading to painful nail deformities.

Erythrodermic psoriasis Erythrodermic psoriasis is rare, affecting nearly the whole body, and can cause intense itching or burning.

Your body may lose proteins and fluid, leading to complications such as infection, dehydration, heart failure, hypothermia and malnutrition.

54

Psoriatic Arthritis causes tenderness, pain and swelling in the joints and connective tissue. It’s most common in the hands and feet, but can also affect the knees, ankles, hips and lower back and although it’s more usual for it to occur after skin psoriasis appears, it may occur beforehand, and seems more common in those with nail psoriasis. A rheumatologist will perform blood tests to confirm psoriatic arthritis.

Men and women can suffer with psoriasis at any age, but it appears more often between 15 and 30 years old and at 50 to 60 years old. A direct genetic link hasn’t been discovered, but it seems that a combination of genes may cause a hereditary disposition to it, as one in three people with psoriasis have a relative with the condition.

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, accelerating their usual three to four week renewal cycle to three to seven days and causing a build-up of skin cells that creates psoriasis lesions.

Symptoms are usually worsened or initiated by a trigger, which can include some medications (including lithium, anti-malarials, antiinflammatories, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers), stress, throat infections, excessive

alcohol, skin injuries, smoking, hormonal changes and other immune disorders.

Usually psoriasis can be diagnosed by visual examination, but sometimes a small biopsy (skin sample) is necessary to confirm psoriasis and determine the exact type.

You may be referred to a dermatologist (or rheumatologist if your doctor suspects you have psoriatic arthritis).

Topical treatments are usually tried first, including emollients and anti-inflammatory creams such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, Dithranol, Calcineurin inhibitors and coal tar. If these aren’t completely effective or your psoriasis is severe, you may receive phototherapy, which involves exposing your skin to specific types of ultraviolet light. Severe cases may also be treated with oral or injectable medications.

The Psoriasis Association: http://psoriasisassociation.org.uk/ Email: mail@psoriasisassociation.org.uk Telephone: 08456 760076 (local rate) Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA): www.papaa.org Email: info@papaa.org Tel: 01923 672837 9:30am - 4:30pm weekdays

Help required please!

Can you spare just a few hours every 2 to 3 months?

Volunteers needed to place our printed colour A4 posters at your local GP Surgery, Library, Notice Board, Newsagent etc.

The posters (giving dates and venue details) are designed to promote the Northamptonshire Association for the Blind's Mobile Sight Centre which travels throughout the county offering advice, information, support and showing specialist aids & equipment for visually impaired people in your community.

If you are able to help or know someone who can, please contact us on

01604 719193 for more information.

Your Local Independent Opticians          

Professional & friendly staff Great range of frames All types of contact lenses And the knowledge to back it up!

Easy access, all on one floor Recently refurbished Modern, Hygienic practice NHS & Private Monthly payment plans Free parking, & on bus routes

29 St Leonard’s Rd, Northampton NN4 8DL t. 01604 765 855 www.markdarlingeyecare.co.uk

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55

Royal & Derngate Last Night A DJ Saved My Life, The Musical David Hasselhoff stars in brand new musical The legendary David Hasselhoff is starring in the brand new musical Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, which comes to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 7 November, as part of a 13 week nationwide tour.

The Hoff plays Ross, a hilarious hedonist. He’s Ibiza’s top ‘80s DJ who doesn’t realise a new decade has dawned. Disco is out; the club scene is in.

He tries to keep up with the times... with Mandy, his new younger girlfriend (Kim Tiddy, from The Bill, Hollyoaks), but matters are complicated when his teenage daughter Penny (Stephanie Webber from TV’s The Voice) arrives to stay. Father and daughter haven’t seen each other for three years, since a messy divorce. He finds she is no longer a demure school girl, but a wild child who quickly falls for Rik, the holiday rep, played by Shane Richie Jnr. It’s the story of two generations colliding, as a badly behaved parent tries to control a wild child teenager! This hilarious hit fest is also a touching father and daughter drama set against a background of sun, sea, sex, drugs and hits that take us back to the 80s and 90s.

It’s like Mamma Mia on speed, or Friends meets Ibiza Uncovered!

Underscoring this fast and funny story are a string of hits from the collection Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, including The Only Way is Up, Spice Up Your Life, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Never Gonna Give You Up, Papa Don’t Preach, Believe and, of course, the theme from Baywatch.

Speaking about the exciting new role, The Hoff said: “See it. Believe it. Live it. This is my motto and I am living it now. I can’t wait to bring something new and different to UK theatre audiences. I absolutely love live theatre and the interaction with the audience. To play a character that I can relate to while celebrating an era of fantastic music is going to be Hofftastic!”

A heart-warming, hit-filled pop musical from the creators of Boogie Nights, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life takes to the Derngate stage from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 7 November. Tickets are priced from £17 to £36* and can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk. *A transaction fee of £2.50 applies for all transactions over £15. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons

and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.

Win

two tickets to see Last Night A DJ Saved My Life on Wednesday 4th November at 7.30pm

Q. What beach based TV show in the 80’s/90’s did David Hasselhoff star in?

Email the answer, your name, full address and contact telephone number to: zoe@hunsburyhandbook.co.uk Competition entries must be received by 20th October 2015. The winners (two pairs to give away) will be drawn at random & notified on 21st October.

56

Are you looking for a professional window cleaner in Northampton to bring your home’s windows back to life?

Do you wish your driveway or patio still looked freshly laid?

Window Cleaning • Conservatories Gutter & Fascia Cleaning • Power Washing Internal High Level Vacuuming www.foxspureclean.co.uk

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Top quality decorating at sensible prices All aspects of painting & decorating covered Residential & Commercial Paper hanging specialist Over 20 years experience No job too big or too small Friendly & professional service Contact David Wright for a free quotation on: davewright17@hotmail.co.uk www.dwrightdecorating.co.uk

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For a free, no obligation quotation or advice call Bob Fuller on

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60

Useful Local Telephone Numbers School Phone Numbers East Hunsbury Primary School Absence Line

Leisure

677970

Danes Camp Leisure, Hunsbury

Option 1

Cineworld, Sixfields

0871 200 2000

Simon De Senlis Primary School

661011

Tenpin Bowling, Sixfields

0871 550 1010

Hunsbury Park Primary School

761566

Abbeyfield School

763616

Other Useful Numbers

Dentists / Opticians Rowtree Dental Surgery East Hunsbury

706887

Hunsbury Dental Care Camp Hill

760156

Tesco Opticians, Clannell Road, East Hunsbury

0845 6013479

Mark Darling Eyecare, St. Leonards Road, Far Cotton

765855

Doctors Penvale Park Medical Centre, East Hunsbury

700660

Danes Camp Surgery East Hunsbury

709426

Whitefields Surgery Camp Hill

837200

760171

Pharmacies Unidrug Dispensing Chemist, Butts Rd

702047

In-Store Pharmacy Tesco, Clannell Rd

269747

Unidrugs Pharmacy Camp Hill

705005

Northampton General Hospital

01604 634700 0845 46 47

NHS Direct Northampton Police

03000 111 222

Northampton County Council

0300 126 1000

Northampton Borough Council

01604 837837

Citizens Advice Bureau

0844 855 2122

National Gas Emergency Service

0800 111 999

Anglian Water Services

0845 7 145 145

Abbey Centre Veterinary Clinic

01604 760970

Hunsbury Library Overslade Close, East Hunsbury 0300 126 1000 Monday-Friday 10.00am—6.00pm Saturday 9.00am—5.00pm Sunday 1.00pm—4.00pm The Hunsbury Handbook Editor: Zoe Hawes Telephone: 01604 708854 Email: zoe@hunsburyhandbook.co.uk Website: www.hunsburyhandbook.co.uk Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert.

All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication.

Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate.

The Hunsbury Handbook does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form-electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Rogden Ltd. Printer: Newnorth Print

All opening hours and telephone numbers are given as a guide only andwhen are believed correct at the to timeadverts of going to press Please mention The Hunsbury Handbook responding

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Paving & Driveways

Double Glazing Services

Aerial & Satellite Services Jay’s Aerials

Airport Transfer Services/ Private Hire RRR Cars

Bathrooms & Kitchens Cahill Bathrooms H&Co Developments NuLook Bathrooms & Kitchens Roland Hill Ltd.

Beauty Services Images by Joanna

Building Services Catling Building Services Ltd. FBC Ltd. Newman Builders & Plasterers Mor-Tar Build Stockwell Construction Ltd.

Burglar Alarms Smarter Security Solutions Urban Technology Systems

Care Services Northampton Nursing & Carers Agency

Carpentry EJB Property Services Frost Carpentry Mor-Tar Build

Car Services InTown Automotive

Children’s Activities ProAction Martial Arts Starlight Dance & Musical Theatre

Cleaning Services ChemDry Complete Services Fox’s Pure Clean OvenClean Restorer Group Sweeping Beauty

Computer Services PC First Aid

Craft Fair Lamport Hall

Decorating Services D Wright Decorating George’s Handyman Services Granville Alibone Decorator

41 Bosworth Independent College Home Tuition - Qualified Primary School Teacher/Tutor 34 Kiddi Caru Overstone Park School

Fascias & Soffits

Fascia Future 48 JDN Plastics Matthew Oliver Windows & Doors 31 Fencing 26 Hardingstone Quality Fencing 8 Stockwell Construction Ltd 59 17 Flooring ACR Carpets Northants Flooring 17 Tayflor 31

43 58 7 64

23 21 23 17 63 2 20 23 25 24 25

Absolutely Plastered EJB Property Services Newman Plasterers

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Plumbing Services Cahill Bathrooms Duston Gas, Plumbing & Heating Gary Giddens Plumbing Services Roland Hill Plumbing Services Terry Burgin Plumbing & Heating

45 6 43 14 58

Podiatrist / Chiropodist Kathy Sindall

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EJB Property Services Frost Property Maintenance George’s Handyman Services Granville Alibone Property Maintenance H&Co Developments Newman Builders & Plasterers Stockwell Construction Ltd.

38 25 21 43 19 8 17

Property Sales Horts Estate Agency

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ProAction Martial Arts 32 Starlight Dance & Musical Theatre Trilogy Health & Fitness 13 Heating & Gas

13 12 51

Cahill Gas 12 Duston Gas, Plumbing & Heating FBC Ltd 49 Roland Hill Plumbing & Gas 57 Terry Burgin Heating & Gas 35 Home Interiors / Furnishings 27 Sue Cardy Curtains & Soft 46 Furnishings

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Ash Removal Services

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Restaurant Greens Restaurant

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Roofing & Guttering 48

Health & Fitness

Abacus Roofing JDN Plastics Millbridge Roofing Limited NuLook Roof Solutions

38 23 24 7

Security Systems Smarter Security Solutions Urban Technology Systems

17 31

Theatre Royal & Derngate Theatre

56

Tiling Services GL Complete Tiling

35

Tuition / Private Tutor 18

Ironing Services 46

Nursery/Pre-School

12 Kiddi Caru Overstone Park School 58 Opticians 21 Mark Darling Eyecare 43

27

Removals

Northants Turf Oakview Landscaping 53 RAW Landscaping & Design Stanley Tree Services 38 Hairdressers 25 Images by Joanna 59

35 Sweeping Beauty

Pawfect Petz

Property Maintenance 5

Gardening Services

49 47 55

Osteopath

Debbie Parnell

62

46 49 47

38 30 17

Pet Services

Plastering 3

Electrical Services

29 Andrews Electrical Services Goodsons Electrical 45 Q Electric 19 Estate Agency 39 Horts Estate Agent 14

A.J. Block Paving JRB Block Paving Stockwell Construction Ltd.

53

Primary School Teacher/Tutor

46

Weight Loss 37

Alevere Northampton

Window Cleaning Services 57

Fox’s Pure Clean Wordsearch, p.46

The Tax Doctor

Education

9 21 7 57 15

Sudoku, p.27

Accountants/Financial Services

Cloudy 2 Clear Matthew Oliver Windows & Doors NuLook Roof Solutions Window Repair Geeks Windsor

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