Hunsbury Handbook Feb 2016 by Newnorth Print Limited

Inside This Issue Local Businesses Finance: Buy-To-Let Car Review: Fiat 500 Cake & Bake: Palmiers Tech Spec: Computer Love Interiors: Family Bathroom & much more!

February 2016 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

www.northantsflooring.co.uk • 01604 552800 • 07880 794324

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Dear Neighbours,

o be honest, I’m pleased to see the back of January...two trips to A&E already (husband: broken toe and son: head injury), so not the greatest start to the year! However, my biggest relief in reaching the end of the month - the finish to ‘Dry January’, (no, I’m not talking about the weather...if only!). No alcohol for 31 days has taken a huge amount of willpower, as I am known for liking a glass of wine (or two!); however, I am really proud of myself for keeping my resolve and seeing it through to completion and I must admit, I do feel healthier and fitter for it. Will I be continuing throughout February?.. Not a chance! February is Raynaud’s Awareness Month, a health condition which isn’t well-known yet it affects 10 million people in the UK and therefore shouldn’t be ignored; our health article looks at the triggers, symptoms, treatment and prevention of Raynaud’s Phenomenon on page 20. Finance professional, Ann Haldon, looks at whether Buy-to-Let is still a good investment, page 34 and motoring specialist, Iain Betson, reviews the new Fiat 500 on page 28. Pippa Greenwood has tips on encouraging feathered friends into the garden on page 52 and interiors expert, Katherine Sorrell, provides advice on planning your perfect family bathroom, page 12. Finally, it’s Valentine’s Day on 14th February and whether it’s the rush of first love, a slow-burning romance, or the everlasting bond between friends, we have a book recommendation for you, page 40. Also, our Tech Spec feature, ‘Computer Love’ on page 38, looks at gadget accessories which may make a nice change to traditional gifts of chocolates or flowers...although, a dozen bottles of wine is my preference to red roses! Until next month...

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

COMMUNITY NEWS Forum Cinema: What’s On Northampton High School: Open Day, Friday 11th March Brampton Grange: Wedding Fayre, 28th February Dementia Support: The Way Cafe Royal & Derngate: Coming Soon

18 39 45 47 60

ARTICLES & FEATURES Home & Interiors: Plan Your Perfect Family Bathroom Recipe: Beef Stew Health: Raynaud’s Phenomenon Motoring: The Fiat 500 Finance: Is Buy-To-Let Still A Good Investment? Tech Spec: Computer Love Book Reviews: Just Another Way To Say ‘I Love You’ Beauty: The Age Of Plenty Cake & Bake: Palmiers Pets: How To Look After Your Dog’s Paws Gardening: Feathered Friends Travel: Portugal - Cruising On The Douro River

12 16 20 28 34 38 40 44 46 50 52 58

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COMPETITION Royal & Derngate: Win Two Tickets To See The Perfect Murder

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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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queues every morning. The least expensive way to overhaul a family bathroom is to keep the fixtures and fittings in the same place: that way you’ll avoid the costs of altering pipe runs. On the other hand, if the layout just isn’t right – perhaps there’s only a bath and you want to create space to add a separate shower – you’ll have to bite the bullet and re-arrange the room. Measure up and draw a plan on graph paper, noting the position of doors and windows, any radiators that you’re going to keep, the soil pipe and any other permanent fixtures. Then decide what fittings you require: a bath, walk-in shower, WC, basin (or two – ideal for busy bathrooms), radiator and/or heated towel rail (make sure it’s big enough for LOTS of towels)…

THE SPACE The first question: is your room big enough? If it’s too small for comfort, but there’s a tiny, adjacent WC (common in period properties), consider knocking down the wall in between to combine them into one family-friendly room. Many older properties also have a lot of bedrooms compared to the number of bathrooms and it may make sense to convert one of the bedrooms into a second bathroom – thus avoiding

A specially designed showerbath, wider at one end and with a curved-glass screen, can be a great space-saver, and try to include as much storage as you can, so all those plastic toys can be popped away quickly when you need a calm, grown-up space. Vanity units can be built under basins, also concealing pipework and WCs can be placed against false walls which contain both the cistern and some storage space; you can also use wall and floor cupboards, either custom-

made or off-the-peg, plus well thought-out conventional storage ideas such as a hinged chest with a padded seat on top and all sorts of shelves, racks, boxes and baskets. Finally, draw all your fittings to the same scale as your floor plan and cut them out. You can move them around until you find the layout that works best, remembering to allow generous activity space for knees, elbows, drying and so on, around each fitting.

FITTINGS In a bathroom that’s used regularly by all members of the family, young and old, flexibility is key. Opt for a timeless white suite with an easy-clean finish, plus neutral tiles and you can add bold colours and fun patterns in the form of towels, mats, handles and hooks. Wall-hung fittings are easier to clean around, as well as making the space seem bigger; for small children, a sturdy, portable step will help them reach the loo and basin. For safety around hot water, ensure your taps and shower have an antiscald device and touch-safe surfaces and set thermostatic mixers to low temperatures.

FLOORING Bathroom floors must be nonslip and easy to clean; most importantly, however, they mustn’t mind getting wet. Carpet is a complete non-

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starter in a modern family bathroom and solid wood is risky as it may shrink or warp. If you like the look of timber, however, you may be able to install marine-grade ply, engineered boards, laminate, bamboo or tropical hardwoods. Ceramic tiles are ideal, especially as they work brilliantly with underfloor heating (cosy toes!), while alternatives include linoleum, which has a classic look and is made from environmentally friendly materials, rubber – available in an array of gorgeous colours – and the ever-popular and practical vinyl that can cope with anything kids can throw at it. Literally.

LIGHTING Lighting really makes a difference to the mood of a

bathroom and, if possible, it should be planned in the initial design stages. Include good general, overall lighting, perhaps in the form of inset ceiling spotlights or (less expensive) a ceilingmounted track, plus some task lights, by the mirror, for shaving or applying make-up. Clever ideas include: storage units that incorporate lighting; fitting uplighters in flooring; an led colourchanging lamp operated by remote control; adding a colourful light stream to your tap water and even illuminated tiles. You could even consider fitting low-level lighting that comes on automatically when someone enters the room – great for night-time toilet visits.

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Remember that when any light fitting is near water, it must be manufactured with suitable protection against splashing – designated by an IP coding of 4 and above. IMAGES - p.12: Cooke & Lewis Perdita bathroom suite: shower bath, £198; closecoupled toilet with soft-close seat, £184; semi-pedestal basin, £85; all B&Q, 0333 014 3098; www.diy.com. Above: Losjön hangers, £4.75 for five, Ikea, 0845 358 3363; www.ikea.com/gb.

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by oversensitivity of the small blood vessels and while fingers and toes are most commonly affected, it can affect all extremities, including the ears, nose, lips and nipples.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon (sometimes called Raynaud’s Disease or often just ‘Raynaud’s’) isn’t well-known, yet it affects around 20% of adults worldwide and ten million people in the UK -and it shouldn’t be ignored. That’s why February is Raynaud’s Awareness Month. WHAT IS RAYNAUD’S PHENOMENON? Named after its identifier, Dr Maurice Raynaud, Raynaud’s is a condition in which blood supply to the extremities is interrupted. Attacks are caused

TRIGGERS AND CAUSES Primary Raynaud’s The causes of primary Raynaud’s are unclear, although the NHS estimates that 1 in 10 people with Primary Raynaud’s go on to develop a condition associated with secondary Raynaud’s. However, attacks are often triggered by cold temperatures or, sometimes, anxiety, stress, hormones or smoking, which can all cause blood vessels to go into temporary spasm and restrict blood flow to your extremities. Secondary Raynaud’s Secondary Raynaud’s is often

connected with autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, but can also result from other medical conditions including Hepatitis B and C infections. It may also be a side effect of illegal drugs, some medicines (including the contraceptive pill, betablockers, anti-hypertensives, HRT, anti-migraine medicines and decongestants), an injury, or use of a vibrating tool (‘vibration white finger’) .

DIAGNOSING RAYNAUD’S If you recognise any of the symptoms below, visit your doctor, who can determine whether you have Raynaud’s and request blood tests to determine whether it is primary or secondary. They may suspect secondary Raynaud’s if you’re over 30 (as most cases of primary Raynaud’s appear between 20 and 30), if you’re experiencing severe pain or if only one side of your body is affected. It’s important to get secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon correctly

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diagnosed, as in rare cases it can lead to serious complications such as gangrene or ulcers.

SYMPTOMS Symptoms of Raynaud’s can last a few minutes or a few hours and while some people have regular symptoms, others have long symptom-free periods. Sometimes the condition goes away by itself. • The restriction of blood to extremities can cause them to turn white, then blue, and finally red as blood flow returns to them. • Sometimes there may be pins and needles, numbness, swelling, pain or stiffness. WHO GETS RAYNAUD’S? Secondary Raynaud’s can occur in anyone, as it is associated with other conditions and factors. Primary Raynaud’s can occur in people of any age and seems to be hereditary in some cases. It is: • More common in females than males • Rare in young children • Common in teenagers (although sometimes, it disappears in their twenties) • More common in smokers (because smoking damages blood vessel linings and affects smooth muscle, causing spasm). • Usually mild and more annoying than debilitating. TREATMENT AND PREVENTION If you suffer from Raynaud’s, there are things you can do to help yourself. • Stay warm outdoors with scarves, gloves, hats, earmuffs and heated hand warmers. Clothes and shoes can be warmed with a hair dryer, an electric blanket or in an airing cupboard before putting them on and several thin layers are warmer than one thick one. Wear a thin pair of socks and gloves under thicker ones and if your hands get very cold while you’re out, use hand driers in public toilets to warm them. You can buy special gloves and socks made with pure silver to reflect heat and minimise heat loss. • Try to breathe through your nose when outdoors, as your nose warms the air before it reaches the lungs.

• Stay warm indoors by using hot water bottles and microwaveable heat packs and pre-warm your bed with an electric blanket before climbing in. A hot bath before bed is a good idea too. • Stop smoking – smoking affects your blood supply and can reduce your temperature. • Eat for warmth – Hot cereal is a good choice for breakfast and small regular meals, preferably hot, will help you stay energetic and warm throughout the day. Drink plenty of hot drinks too, and use oven gloves to remove things from the fridge. • Avoid heavy carrier bags – they can restrict blood flow to fingers. • Take regular exercise – providing it doesn’t make symptoms worse. • Find ways to relax to reduce stress. Sometimes medication is required if you develop ulcers, experience intense pain or have impaired finger function. There are also procedures available called sympathectomies, in which the nerves that cause the blood vessels to spasm are cut, but these are only recommended in severe cases. These can sometimes be performed by injection or laser rather than surgery, but they vary in permanency and efficacy. Remember: Don’t ignore Raynaud’s symptoms – they may seem mild, but could indicate an underlying condition that needs treatment. Support and information: The Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association http://www.raynauds.org.uk/ Email: info@raynauds.org.uk Telephone: 01270 872776 or 0800 9172494

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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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Fiat’s whizzy runabout may have had a facelift but it still has bags of retro-chic. I heard it first-hand that some weeks the 500 is the only car Fiat dealers sell and at other times it outsells all other models in their range combined. But who’s surprised really? Since its launch in 2007, Fiat have made 1.5 million 500s. And the reason is it’s simply a fun car to drive. The original reincarnation (‘scuse the pun) drew entirely

on the original 1960s Cinquecento’s Italian style. This “remaster”, as Fiat calls it, is no different. Along with the BMW Mini and Vauxhall’s Adam, Fiat has plugged firmly into the “fashion car” sector, appealing to those buyers who like their runabout styled with their own individual and personal touches, but are still part of the chic set.

Three petrol engines provide the go. The mid-range, but tiny, 900cc turbo-charged twocylinder TwinAir 85bhp version recently secured Fiat the Citycar award from ecomotoring website Next Green Car, but the other two are no gas guzzlers either.

The new version has received both a facelift and a tummy tuck. The sporty Abarth version aside, the 500 is now available in three trim levels, the names of which chime very well with its aimed-for sector: the Pop, Pop Star and Lounge.

Standard features include LED running lights, heightadjustable steering wheel, USB and aux-in connections on the stereo, central locking and electric windows. The top of the range Lounge version augments this with, amongst

A second 105bhp turbo version of the 900cc engine is the most powerful whilst, surprisingly, the lowest powered of the trio is a 1.2 normally-aspirated 4 cylinder variant. 5-speed gearboxes are standard on the two lower powered engines, while the 105bhp engine has a 6-speed box.

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other features, fog lights, rear parking sensors and a touchscreen based entertainment system. Where the facelift and the sector positioning really show is in the customisation, where the available combinations take up about three-quarters of the glossy sales catalogue. From wheel size (15”, 16” or 17”) through exterior styling to interior colours and gadgets, the list goes on. The options even extend to the style of 500 badge on the (optional, of course) side protection strips and the colour of the key fob cover! It’s in the driving that the 500 wins and wins again. With its small engines you’d think that the 500 would struggle to

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beat a snail - but it’s not so. The 85 horse powers of the mid-spec engine nip the car along to a very respectable 107mph and get it to 60 in 11 seconds. It’s frugal too: none of the three engines gives a combined cycle of less than 60mpg - figures helped, no doubt, by being equipped with start/stop technology, which is ideal for the mainly city driving seen by most 500s. I was expecting the engine to be a little on the shaky side, being that it has only two cylinders on-board, but that is not the case - I couldn’t detect any lumpiness at all. After nearly 10 years of production, Fiat have remained wise and maintained both the lines and the size of

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the 500. Facelifts are sometimes more than cosmetic and can extend to lengthening of the wheelbase or widening of the body. Sure, it’s getting on for twice the size of the Cinquecento, but that didn’t come with airbags and air conditioning. Keeping the size the same means the remastered Fiat 500 is still the fun tippy-toes whizz-about it’s always been.

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With no sign of improved interest rates for savers and pension changes that offer more freedom, is buy-to-let still a good option for those wanting to invest? At first glance, the increase in stamp duty and reduction in some tax reliefs for landlords may cast doubt on whether investing in bricks-and-mortar is a good idea, but success depends on many factors, not least of which is your commitment to maximising returns. We take a look at what you need to consider when thinking about property investment. One of the first items on the list should be to clarify your motivation for this

type of investment, as it will directly impact on the areas and type of property that you choose.

Do you want rental yield or long-term capital growth? Are you considering a longterm investment to take advantage of capital growth, or focusing on the potential rental yield of a property? Between 15 and 20 years is a common timescale for property ownership with capital growth in mind, which might fit in nicely with your plans for retirement. On the other hand, investing in a multiple-occupancy student let, for example, could bring in much-needed monthly income. You may be

able to make a rental yield of between 5% and 10% if you find a suitable property in a good location, and buy it for the right price. Whether you choose capital growth or rental yield will determine which type of property you buy, so it is worthwhile spending plenty of time considering your endgoal.

Focusing on the figures Buy-to-let can still be a good investment if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re prepared to put in the time and effort to make it work. This begins with meticulous research to make sure you get the best mortgage deal, find suitable locations and the right style of property for your target

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market. In other words, you need to make sure as far as possible that the numbers add up. Lending restrictions have made it difficult to find a good mortgage deal in recent years, when compared with the pre-credit crunch era, but even when you’ve got a mortgage offer that you’re happy with, you should be constantly looking for ways to improve returns by switching suppliers and cutting costs. It’s likely that your mortgage provider will need 125% of the monthly rental by way of repayment. The extra amount is intended to cover some of the costs of renting out and provides a degree of reassurance to the lender that their money is safe. Their worry (and yours) is that the property could stand empty for some time, but unfortunately this is one of the inherent risks of being a buy-to-let landlord.

Will you manage the property yourself? Many professional landlords concentrate purely on managing their business. They don’t get involved in the month-to-month management of the property, or dealing with tenant issues – in fact, many landlords never even meet their tenants. It’s purely a numbers game and taking this approach means abandoning any personal preferences with regard to choosing your property. If you decide to hire a letting agent, they will take a percentage of the rent by way of payment. This may seem like a needless expense when you’re willing to do the work yourself, but when you consider how much time and energy is saved in not having to deal with tenant issues it may be money well spent, particularly if you have more than one property.

The inherent risks of buy-to-let Any form of investment is a risk, but with buyto-let one of the inherent problems is not finding a tenant, or having to deal with troublesome occupants who damage your property. Having it standing empty will impact severely on returns over the lifetime of your investment

and you may need to take a reduction in rent to contain some of these losses. It’s also easy for costs to spiral, particularly if the property is old and repairs are needed on a regular basis. Other risks include increases in mortgage interest rates and the property market in general taking a downward turn.

Financial benefits of buy-to-let The beneficial tax reliefs enjoyed on buy-to-let mortgage interest payments are now being limited to the basic rate of income tax. This was previously an attractive part of buy-to-let investing, but they can still be enjoyed if you form a limited company for your property investments. As rates of corporation tax are being reduced to 18% by 2020, for owners of multiple properties at least, this could help to reduce costs. But as always, you need to seek the advice of a professional advisor to maximise the investment returns and minimise your tax bill. It is said that you make your profit when the property is bought rather than when it is sold, so researching the market, understanding the figures, and finding the best buy-to-let mortgage deal will be time well spent. Buying a rental property isn’t the easy option but the rewards are there if you’re prepared to put in the time and effort to make it pay. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/guides/buy-to-let/btlhave-you-considered-the-investment-risks/

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It’s easy to get Valentine’s Day wrong: nothing says “I love you” less than uncomfortable pants in the wrong size, some wilting flowers or whatever chocolates were half price in Tesco. But if your soul mate is a gadget fan, it’s very easy to get Valentine’s Day right. One of the problems of buying presents for gadget fans is that they tend to have the big things already, so for example if they fancied an Apple Watch or a Samsung Galaxy S6 they’ve almost certainly bought it for themselves. But that’s an opportunity rather than a problem, because there are stacks of accessories and add-ons that can enhance what they’ve already got. Take the Apple Watch, for example. There’s a huge range of straps including tanned and coloured leather, metal and fun coloured silicone that can completely transform its looks. Apple’s own ones are fairly nice and predictably expensive, but you don’t need to pay quite so much: metal straps from the likes of Hoco (£48) and leather ones from Nomad (around £70) look and feel fantastic and having multiple straps means the Watch fits with any outfit from ultracasual to seriously formal. It’s a similar story with

smartphone and tablet cases, where there are some fantastic designs to choose from. A woven Ted Baker case for the iPad Mini is £35, while Pipetto.co.uk’s clever Origami cases are around £30. You’ll find all kinds of household names making phone and tablet cases including Radley, Michael Kors and Aspinal of London, with prices ranging from around £12.50 for a simple Radley iPhone case to £250 for an Aspinal iPad case. Accessories aren’t just about fashion. If your beloved has a smartphone, tablet or laptop they might appreciate some Bluetooth accessories, such as Bluetooth wireless headphones around £50 for a set of Jabra Move headphones, rising to around £200 for high-end sets from Bose - or wireless speakers, which are great for streaming music from the likes of Spotify or Apple Music at home, in the garden or on the beach when Summer finally returns. We’re big fans of the Bose Soundlink Mini (£169), but you needn’t spend that much to get great sound: Sony’s SRS-X2 is around £60, while JBL’s Flip 2 is about £50 and TDK’s tough Trek Flex is £55 - £69 depending on your choice of colours. If you’d rather give a more traditional gift, technology can

still help: the Lastminute.com, Laterooms.com, Expedia.co.uk, Kayak and SkyScanner apps can all help you find the perfect romantic getaway at the right price, while the 5pm and OpenTable apps make it easy to book a restaurant for a romantic night out - although if you’d rather impress by cooking something spectacular at home, celebrity chef apps from the likes of Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson can give you not just recipes but videos on how to prepare the perfect Valentine dinner. Tech can even help if you don’t currently have someone to share Valentine’s day with: online matchmaking services such as Match.com have smartphone and tablet apps to help you find Miss or Mr Right, while famous apps such as Tinder (for everyone) and Grindr (for gay or bisexual men) use location awareness to help you find potential partners near you. If that sounds a little bit scary, apps such as Hitch enable friends to play matchmaker, limiting the pool of potential suitors to people your friends already know. Images left to right: Nomad Apple Watch strap; Ted Baker iPad case; Jabra Move wireless headphones; TDK trek flex

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If you’re looking for a good old fashioned romance, with just a hint of erotica, then you need to add this trilogy to your wish list. It’s an age-old friends to lovers story, but with plenty of twists and steamy scenes to keep you reading. Ashleigh and Luke have been friends since childhood, but when Ashleigh’s unrequited love is finally reciprocated, will she be brave enough to risk everything? Can this new relationship survive, or is Luke just on the rebound? A good fun, easy read in the style of Fifty Shades of Grey.

Ah, first love – that raw, all consuming fire that is impossible to ignore. 17 year old Lucille’s mum has walked out, leaving Lucille to bring up her little sister and pay the bills. As if that wasn’t enough to cope with, she’s falling for her best friend’s brother, who is already very much taken. Beautifully written, almost poetic at times, This Raging Light follows Lucille as she stumbles into adulthood. While it’s aimed at the young adult market, don’t let that put you off; you don’t have to be a teenager to immerse yourself in Lucille’s story.

It’s 1983 and best friends Cathy and Mary are just starting their adult lives. When one leaves Ireland to work as an au pair in France, the letters start flying back and forth. The vibrancy and hope of youth shines through the pages. At times poignant, but mainly rather funny, Dear Cathy ... Love, Mary is as much a celebration of friendship as it is a coming of age story.

Elsie leaves her childhood sweetheart and West Virginian home town in the 1930s, for a life of adventure in Orlando. A whirlwind romance and painful breakup later and she returns home to marry Homer (the author’s father). The Albert of the title is Elsie’s pet alligator, who lives in their bath and serves as a daily reminder of the life she could have been living in Florida. When Homer and Elsie decide to take Albert back to Florida, their trip certainly provides the adventure that Elsie craves, but will it bring her and Homer together, or pull them even further apart?

Octogenarian Lena Gaunt reflects on her life as an experimental musician, wild child and lover. Her first love was the cello, but then came the theremin – an electronic instrument that would see her rise to almost celebrity status. And then came Beatrix… As Lena starts to recount her life for a documentary, she finds her memories resurfacing and the walls she’s built up around her starting to crumble away.

In a culture where ‘You’ve lost weight’ is the ultimate compliment and magazines tear celebrities apart for gaining a few pounds or wrinkles, it’s no surprise that women often struggle to love and appreciate the body they have. If you’re fed up of avoiding mirrors and jumping on every dieting bandwagon going, you need this book. Follow one chapter each week, dip in and out as you need, or read it cover to cover it’s really up to you. There are no lectures, no criticisms, just simple steps to help you regain an appreciation for your body.

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Science (including Applied Science) Modern Foreign Languages English English Literature Mathematics Pupils achieved 100% in all BTEC subjects A* to C

100% A* 84% A* 83% A* 67% A* 50% A* Level 2

to to to to to

C C C C C

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Inspired by the 1920s, Deco London fragrances are glamourous and grown-up, with a fun side; they’re aimed at women, rather than girls, but these are women who know how to play. Choose from the floral bohemian Loretta, the sultry Millicent, or the oriental Constance. I love all three, but if I had to choose one it would be Millicent. It’s floral, but not too sweet, with scents of bergamot, mandarin, jasmine and musk combining to create a sensual, head turning fragrance. If you’re looking for a new signature scent, head to www.deco-london.com

from, but personally I like the Therapy Massage Candle from Janjira. Once lit, the oils start to melt. Blow the candle out, pour the warm oil into your hand, and start the massage. It’s £30, but smells gorgeous, and the soybean and coconut oil feels lovely on your skin. Thai brand Janjira is quite new to the UK, and specialises in spa quality products to indulge in at home. www.janjira.co.uk

A massage is a pretty sure fire way to get in someone’s good books. There are a lot of massage oils on the market to choose

Another new skincare range to recently reach our shores is Swiss brand ananné. Natural skincare at its finest, ananné is organic, vegan and free from synthetic ingredients. Each product is the result of months (if not years) of scientific research, and is designed to nourish and energise the skin, improving its health rather than just providing a temporary fix. That being said, it

Hairdressers, Beauticians & Alternative Therapists Renowned hairdresser to celebrities & VIP’s, Joanna Bradshaw brings precision cutting and creative colouring to Northants. Based at the premium leisure & relaxation hub, Towcester Centre for Leisure, Images by Joanna offers hair, beauty & therapy treatments by a highly trained team, that challenge the finest salons in London but at a fraction of the cost! Call now to book your appointment:

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doesn’t take long to see a visible improvement. Hero products include the Solacium Repair Serum, £130, and the Oculissiumum Eye Balm, £90. www.ananne.co.uk The night you’ve been looking forward to for ages finally arrives. You have the perfect outfit. Your makeup is pristine. Then you look in the mirror and realise that your roots are startlingly obvious and there are grey hairs standing to attention all over the place. If this scenario sounds familiar, you might want to add the Kazumi Root Vanish to your emergency cupboard. Just brush it on and blow dry. The effect is temporary, but effective and it stays put until you wash it out, so you don’t need to panic if you get caught in the rain. There are five shades to choose from and

Old world charm meets contemporary, with our stunning converted barns. Host to an elegant & romantic English Country House, set within 25 acres of lavish countryside.

it’s pretty good at covering grey hairs. What’s more, it’s packed with botanical extracts and is very gentle, so is great if your hair needs a bit of a break from bleaching. Root Vanish costs from £30 and can be bought from Boots. Who wouldn’t wish for a fairy godmother on hand to wave her wand at times? Well, The

English Mineral Makeup Company’s Fairy Godmother powder may not be able to turn your H&M jeans into a Stella McCartney gown, but it can help to soften the appearance of lines and leave skin feeling smoother and brighter. It also provides a powerful boost of antioxidants to nourish skin and leave it glowing. Visit http://englishmineralmakeup.co.uk to order.

“We had the most wonderful wedding day. It was truly special. So many people commented on the beautiful venue, delicious food & excellent service. Thank you”

One of Northamptonshire’s largest leading wedding venues since 1998, with postcard perfect views in every direction which will impress your guests and provide a stunning backdrop for your photographs and memories. Luxury accommodation available on site for up to 22 guests. Call now to book an appointment or to discuss your wedding with one of our Wedding Specialists.

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Royal & Derngate EastEnders stars lead the cast for The Perfect Murder Well-known from their roles in EastEnders, Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace will appear on stage together for the very first time in Peter James’ The Perfect Murder, which comes to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate from Monday 14 to Saturday 19 March. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Ian Talbot and adapted by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna, this highly acclaimed dark comedy thriller tours the UK again in 2016, having delighted and frightened audiences across the country in 2014 with its darkly funny and gripping storyline. The Perfect Murder tells the story of Victor Smiley and his wife Joan who have been married for a long time. But their marriage has reached crisis point and Victor has decided there is only one way to get Joan out of his life forever... but he’s about to get a nasty surprise... As a young Detective Roy Grace starts to investigate his very first homicide case, dark forces intervene and Grace begins to fear that nothing is quite as it seems. International bestselling crime thriller novelist Peter James has achieved No.1 best sellers around the world, has sold over 16 million books of his Roy Grace series, and is published in 36 languages. The Perfect Murder spent 15 weeks at No 1, remaining for 50 weeks in the iBooks Top 10 and his most recent novel, You Are Dead, quickly reached No 1 in the Fiction charts. Peter James says of The Perfect Murder: “It has always been my dream that one day the curtains would rise in a theatre and a play of my work would be performed. That dream came true in 2014 after a chance meeting with my old friend, producer, Joshua Andrews. The first run of The Perfect Murder, was a sell out success and we have followed that with an even more successful run of my best-selling book Dead Simple. To now have Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace star in The Perfect Murder really is another dream come true. Shane has been a fan of my books for a while, as I have been of Shane. He and Jessie have been loved on television by huge audiences over a number of years, which just goes to show how great they are together and I can’t wait to see Shane and Jessie planning to murder each other on stage every night! Award-winning actors, Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace, have starred together in EastEnders for the last 13 years and their impending return to Albert Square was recently announced. They are also both well known for their numerous other TV and theatre credits and are equally excited by their upcoming stage debut together. The Perfect Murder comes to Derngate stage from Monday 14 to Saturday 19 March. Tickets – priced from £13 to £31* – can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk. *A charge 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 The Perfect Murder on Tuesday 15th March at 7.30pm Q. Which soap have Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie both starred in? Email the answer, your name, full address and contact telephone number to:

zoe@hunsburyhandbook.co.uk Competition entries must be received by 25th February 2016. The winners (two pairs to give away) will be drawn at random & notified on 26th February.

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Posh Dogs Grooming AT

Headlands Farm Kennels Banbury Lane, Gayton, Northants NN7 3JF

Dog Home Boarding Dog Walking * Dog Day Care Cat & Small /Caged Pet Care Home Visits * Dog Training Open 7 Days

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Your Local Builder For... Extensions Plastering Fencing & Decking Driveways & Patios Access Ramps Kitchens & Bathrooms And more...

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Watching wild birds in your garden is a real delight, and the fact that many of them also help to keep pests at bay for much of the year means that it makes sense to do everything you can to encourage them in. Gardens which are very regimented and sparse are much less likely to prove a haven for wild birds, but if you have a fair number of potential hiding places such as a few good sized shrubs or trees, then so much the better. Obviously trees which provide berries or other fruits are always going to be welcome and, although it means that the display of autumnal berries you looked forward to is slightly

     

foreshortened, you can be sure that the birds eating them will have put them to good use! But what else can you do to encourage your feathered friends into the garden? There is no doubt about it that a source of water really is one of the best features you can have. There are many ornamental birdbaths available, or you can create something cheap and just as effective using a shallow dish with sloping sides. The water should be no deeper than 2” (5 cm) if it is to be safely used by a wide range of birds, and if you do have a deeper container then you should fill

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the lower depths of it with good sized stones, so that the water is not too deep. Ideally the water should be changed every other day, but at this time of year when freezing temperatures prevail, it is essential to make sure that the water does not become frozen over for long periods of time. Don’t forget that other garden water features, including ponds with shallow sloping sides, are perfect for many birds to feed and bathe in. Providing birds with additional food materials is also well worthwhile, but do remember that you need to maintain a constant supply of food or else they may come to rely on something that is not

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there when they need it most. If you have a problem with squirrels, then feeding the birds can be a real nightmare – but on the whole, the heavily armoured looking wire structures which rather resemble bird cages and hold a central cylinder of peanuts seem to work well. Admittedly these will set you back anything up to £40, but they do seem to do the job. If squirrels are not a problem, you can use many of the cheaper nut feeders with great success, but of course wherever you position the feeder you should ensure that it is well out of range of the local cat population. Site the feeder in an area where a cat cannot leap up at it, or where there are no other plants nearby from which it can make its ambush. Save household scraps for the birds too; there are lots of things they enjoy eating including apples which have lost their appeal to the household, cooked rice, cheese, old breakfast cereal, raisins and sultanas and, of course, bread. You can also buy fat balls which contain large quantities of mixed seeds, and these can be hung from trees or large shrubs where they will provide a fantastic meal for many birds and, provided you position them in a suitable spot, means that you can also enjoy watching them as they feed. Having once found a blue-tit caught by the foot in a fat ball’s net, I now only buy the net-free fat balls. Luckily I happened to pass the feeder soon after the bird had been trapped,

so was able to cut it free, but the outcome could have been tragic! If you wish, and if you have a strong enough stomach, you can buy numerous grubs and larvae which you can feed to the birds. These high protein bird snacks are particularly useful for birds once they start feeding their young in the spring and are best distributed on a bird table or even on a garage roof. They are available by mail order from various companies as well as in garden centres and pet shops. If you feel like making or buying a bird table on which to set out the feasts you are supplying, then so much the better. Remember to choose one which is not easily accessible by cats and position it in a place where you can sit indoors or on a garden seat and watch the birds as they feed and drink. I mainly feed the birds on top of an old, established hedge. It is just tall enough for me to reach its flat clipped top surface and I put out bird food on flat wooden trays – perfect for me to view and impossible for cats to get the wrong idea about who is meant to be eating! Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ - fantastic UK grown vegetable plants of your choice plus weekly advice and tips emails from Pippa , biological controls, fleece, copper tape and lots more besides.

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Across

1 Maybe (7) 5 Bike (5)

8 Cleaning liquid (7) 9 Precise (5) 10 Additional (5)

11 Cooking area (7) 12 Truthful (6)

14 Moves smoothly (6) 17 Dried grapes (7) 19 Aristocratic (5)

16 17

22 A small fruit (5) 23 Graceful (7)

24 Countryside (5) 25 Large jug (7) Down 1 Ski run (5)

2 Cook in a hot oven (5) 3 Becomes visible (7) 4 Scares (6) 5 Trunk (5) 6 Collided (7) 7 Makes larger (7)

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12 Marina (7) 13 Louder (7) 15 Tolerant (7) 16 Not awake (6) 18 Perfect (5) 20 Overbearing (5) 21 Go into (5) Answers Page 62

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The Douro has its source in northern Spain but Portugal claims the only navigable section, stretching just over 130 km from the estuary in Porto to the Spanish border. It might take a day or two to sail upstream but most ships plan a leisurely return journey, stopping at various mooring spots and including a number of on-shore excursions. Either way, there is plenty of excitement: low bridges when the sundeck roof and even the captain’s cabin may have to be lowered, and locks, all five of them, including the Carrapatelo, one of the deepest in Europe. Passers-by look down in awe from the top, water thunders on the roof then at last the gate opens, a mere 12 metres wide, and the boat gently slips out into the sunlight.

Cruising the Douro is about scenery and wine with ample opportunities to taste the latter, be it the light golden ‘Vinho Verde’ and other sparkling wines or the ubiquitous Port, red or white, which is produced at no higher than 500 metres. As for the scenery, it’s simply magic as ships sail in slow motion along the ever meandering river, now

spreading out like a lake, now peeping into a fjord with myriad reflections or squeezing through a narrow gorge between towering cliffs and ochre-coloured rocks. The river depth ranges form 70 metres to 40 cm and it takes all the captain’s skills to dock and navigate the shallows. Wooded slopes frame the lower reaches, dotted with red-roofed villages and chapels, but before long, settlements thin out and vineyards take over, draping every rolling hill in luminous green or autumn colours under the watchful eye of remote wineries. Some vineyards plunge straight down to the water in neat vertical lines, others cling to horizontal terraces retained by stone walls. They say that if you put all the stones end to end, you could build two Great Walls of China. It’s a quiet land with few people around, except at harvest time, and little to disturb the peace but the occasional greeting of ships passing each other. Sometimes a train races along the bank, a heron lands on a tree or a vulture hovers high above the cliffs. Fish pop out of the water, leaving silvery rings

on the surface and in Barca d’Alva, martins nesting under the bridge perform a brilliant aerial dance to catch insects in the sunset. Barca d’Alva is the last place in Portugal, looking across to the border and Terra de Vegon, the final mooring and a convenient stop for a day trip into Spain and the world heritage city of Salamanca. Others drive up to the lovely medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo, basking in the sun among olive and almond groves. Then there’s Regua downstream, just a 30 minute drive from the pilgrimage shrine of Lamego, and Pinhao with its riverside promenade lined with palms and oleander, its steep cobbled lanes, its Roman bridge and railway station glistening with blue and white tiles depicting scenes of local life. Not so far away, the Mateus Palace sits among gardens of fragrant box and flowering trees while up in the hills, traditional inns serve Portuguese fare and local wine. Vineyards, river and hills, it’s all part of the enticing Douro landscape protected by UNESCO, and the International Nature Park shared with neighbouring Spain.

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Home Extensions

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Specialists in Brickwork

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References Always Available

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85 Yeoman Meadow, East Hunsbury, Northampton, NN4 9YX

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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

Opticians

Education

Aerial & Satellite Services Jay’s Aerials

Airport Transfer Services/ Private Hire RRR Cars

Andrews Electrical Services Goodsons Electrical Nick Palmer Electrical 56 Q Electric

Cahill Bathrooms H&Co Developments Roland Hill Ltd. Terry Burgin

26 15 13 6

Beauty Services Images by Joanna

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

Care Services Elite Care Northampton Nursing & Carers Agency

Carpentry EJB Property Services Frost Carpentry Mor-Tar Build

Car Services InTown Automotive

Children’s Activities

Fascia Future JDN Plastics Matthew Oliver Windows & Doors

Tayflor 31 Gardening Services 35 Hunsbury Home & Garden IRH Lawnmower Servicing & 21 Repairs Oakview Landscaping 47 Prestige Lawns RAW Landscaping & Design Stanley Tree Services 30 7 Hairdressers 59 Images by Joanna

Fox’s Pure Clean Restorer Group Sweeping Beauty

35 Home Interiors / Furnishings 27 Sue Cardy Curtains & Soft 35 Furnishings

Forum Cinema

Computer Services PC First Aid

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

9 41 11 31 25

50 50

Absolutely Plastered EJB Property Services Newman Plasterers

28 30 8

27 53 51

Podiatrist / Chiropodist

63 2 57 53 53 10 51 54 55

26 49 10 13 6

Kathy Sindall Milly’s Treat

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

30 7 56 55 15 8 51

Property Sales Horts Estate Agency

Restaurant 44

Greens Restaurant

Roofing & Guttering 43 26 49 24 13 6

Abacus Roofing JDN Plastics Millbridge Roofing Limited NuLook Roof Solutions

30 6 52 11

Security Systems Smarter Security Solutions Urban Technology Systems

31 35

Theatre Royal & Derngate Theatre 41

Wedding Venue Brampton Grange

Window Cleaning Services Fox’s Pure Clean

24 15 17 13 34

Nursery/Pre-School Kiddi Caru Northampton High School Overstone Park School

Pawfect Petz Posh Dogs Grooming

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

Locksmith County Locksmiths Ltd.

Pet Services

Plumbing Services

Kitchen Design/Installation

14 FBC Ltd. 56 H&Co Developments 55 Intoto Kitchens Roland Hill Ltd.

55 51

5 6 41

Ironing Services

39 Sweeping Beauty

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

Heating & Gas

Cleaning Services

Cinema

Plastering

Health & Fitness 32 ProAction Martial Arts & Fitness 43 Cahill Gas Duston Gas, Plumbing & Heating FBC Ltd 18 Roland Hill Plumbing & Gas Terry Burgin Heating & Gas

ProAction Martial Arts

18 60

Fascias & Soffits

44 Fencing Catling Building Services 27 Hardingstone Quality Fencing 24 Stockwell Construction Ltd 8 Flooring 59 ACR Carpets 51 Northants Flooring

Burglar Alarms Smarter Security Solutions Urban Technology Systems

Horts Estate Agent

A.J. Block Paving Stockwell Construction Ltd.

Estate Agency

Bathroom Installations

Debbie Parnell

14 10 36 7

Entertainment Forum Cinema 29 Royal & Derngate Theatre

Osteopath Paving & Driveways

Electrical Services 37

Mark Darling Eyecare

23 39 42

Crossword, p.56

The Tax Doctor

3 23 39 42

Sudoku, p.27

Accountants/Financial Services

Bosworth Independent College Kiddi Caru Northampton High School Overstone Park School

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