Hunsbury Handbook December 2016

Inside This Issue Local Businesses Tips On Surviving Christmas The Gift Of A Good Book Learning Through Play Christmas Traditions Tech Trends For 2017 Party Pick-Me-Ups & much more!

December 2016 The Independent Community Magazine and Business Directory for East & West Hunsbury, Hunsbury Meadows, Hunsbury Fields, Collingtree Park & Buckingham Fields Please mention The Hunsbury Handbook when responding to adverts

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Dear Neighbours,

I

’ve had my first mince pie, which means the countdown to Christmas can officially start! My children will be putting the Christmas decorations up imminently (followed by me re-arranging them!); I’ve got ‘fake’ presents for under the tree (wrapped empty boxes) as I still haven’t started any Christmas shopping - but at least there’s an illusion that I’m super organised! I must remember to remove the empty gift -wrapped boxes, otherwise there may be some disappointed (and confused) faces come unwrapping time on Christmas morning!

I have, nonetheless, made progress since last month as I now have a list...hooray. However, the list is of things I would like this Christmas, rather than a ‘to-do/ buy’ list but it’s a very good start! In all seriousness, I’m taking a more laid back approach this year as sometimes we can all put too much pressure on ourselves to have the ‘perfect’ Christmas. I’ve realised what makes it perfect is being relaxed and enjoying quality time with family...now I’ve just got to explain that to my kids!

We have a very festive issue for you this month, starting with rustic Christmas interiors advice on page 10; mincemeat and apple mini strudels recipe on page 16 and the changing face of Christmas and New Year celebrations, page 26. We have tips on surviving Christmas, page 20 and party pick-me-ups on page 46.

We’ve got lots of great gift ideas, including recommended books, gardening gifts and educational presents, pages 30, 34 and 42 respectively. We also look at the top tech trends for 2017 on page 40.

Enter our Royal & Derngate competition on page 44 for a chance to win two tickets to see The Full Monty a great Christmas gift for you or a loved one.

Finally, Roade Community Orchestra would like to invite you to their Christmas Concert on 6th December, details on page 22.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Zoë

Royal & Derngate: Win Two Tickets To See The Full Monty

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

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Royal & Derngate: Coming Soon 14 Roade Community Orchestra: Christmas Concert 22 Northamptonshire Police: Christmas Drink & Drug Driving Campaign 50

ARTICLES & FEATURES Home & Interiors: A Rustic Christmas Christmas Postal Dates Cake & Bake: Mincemeat & Apple Mini Strudels Health: Six Tips For Surviving Christmas December Special: Ring Out The Old, Ring In The New Book Review: The Gift Of A Good Book Gardening: Gardening Gifts Tech Spec: Tech Trends For 2017 Computer Tip: Smart Phoneys Beware The Bad Apps Parenting: Learning Through Play Beauty: Party Pick-Me-Ups Finance: Different Types Of Debt And How To Deal With Them Motoring: Golf GTI Clubsport S

10 14 16 20 26 30 34 40 41 42 46

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Who doesn’t love a natural look at home? And especially at Christmas, when presentbuying, hosting guests, shopping, cooking and generally rushing around can all get a bit too much. Keeping your decorations simple and rustic is not only attractive and on-trend, but it also makes life easier and can be extremely cost-effective. Unpretentious and understated, natural decorations suit every home, large or small, modern or traditional and make a fabulous, timeless alternative to commercialised glitz and glitter.

The centrepiece of this look, ideally, is a real tree, which is best bought from a good local stockist. Choose one that’s as fresh as possible, make a new cut at the bottom, and display in a stand (a wicker basket is

perfect) that holds a reservoir of water – it could need one or two litres every day. (Tip: the Nordmann Fir holds its needles really well.) Decorate generously, but don’t overload your tree and keep to a limited colour scheme (white, red, green and brown are all great), using natural materials (see box, page 12). And, if you wish to add a touch of sparkle, twine the tree with small, plain white fairy lights.

Feeling inspired? Spend a weekend making decorations with the family. Garlands of popcorn, nuts and paper strings of angels or snowflakes, or even gingerbread stars, all look adorable and can be used everywhere in the home.

Instead of shiny baubles, how about cutting simple shapes from felt and blanket-stitching them around the outside? Or

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making a wreath using clippings from the garden? Similarly, you can create wonderful decorations using sprigs of evergreens, ivy, pine cones (you could spray them with artificial snow), rose hips, dried seed heads and twigs (try lashing them together into a star shape). Or dry slices of apple and orange and tie them together with gardener’s string, adding cinnamon sticks and star anise. It will look and smell gorgeous. Of course, if you’re short of time, all these and more can be found in the shops, along with all sorts of irresistible decorations such as birch bark candle holders, driftwood Christmas trees and needlefelted and knitted owls, reindeer and robins.

When it comes to wrapping presents, choose brown paper and string, or lengths of fabric and cotton ribbon, rather than foil that can’t be recycled. Use cardboard luggage labels and bear in mind that children might enjoy potato printing the plain paper for a little embellishment – white paint looks fantastic against the brown. As for receiving presents, there’s nothing nicer than a row of

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knitted stockings hanging by the fire, perhaps with some printed hessian sacks – widely available these days – for larger gifts.

Fresh flowers are fabulous at Christmas – a gorgeous reminder of springtime soon to come. Hyacinths are classic (and their scent will fill your home), as are amaryllis and poinsettias.

They all look particularly special in white, of course. Wrap pots in hessian tied with string or pop groups of them into a wicker basket; you can decorate the tops of the pots with silver moss.

Because this is a look where less is more, laying the festive table is easy. A linen runner or place mats, plain white china, clear glass (recycled and robust or cut crystal for a twinkle, whichever you prefer) and simple decorations such as bowls of pine cones or oranges studded with cloves, and perhaps a vase full of evergreens, twigs and boughs.

Cosy, welcoming and unpretentious.

Finally, add candles, small and tall, in rows along mantelpieces, in the centre of the dining table, on simple iron candelabra, in

advent displays – anywhere their flickering glow will make you feel happy. Alternatively, tea lights look pretty inside old jam jars, which is safer if you have young children around.

Pop a mince pie in the oven and heat some mulled wine on the hob, and here it is – a very merry Christmas.

IMAGE p.10: Log battery candles with star design, £12 each, The Contemporary Home, 02392 469400; www.tch.net

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is considerably lower than the rest of the UK’s). Any amount of alcohol affects your judgement and reactions.

Christmas is just around the corner, and for many of us, it’s a special time to get together with our loved ones.

Unfortunately, ‘the season to be jolly’ is often fraught with pressure to produce the perfect celebration, family tensions and the temptation of too much food and alcohol.

So how can you survive Christmas?

1. BE PREPARED Start adding a few Christmas items to each shopping list now, saving you the stress of that massive shopping expedition when shops are busiest. Only the freshest of items need to be purchased just before the big day. Bake, prepare and freeze as much as possible in advance and get others to help you, so that everyone has more time to relax together on the day.

2. GO EASY ON THE ALCOHOL Alcohol is a calorie-heavy appetite stimulant increasingly

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linked to serious health conditions. It also lowers our inhibitions and affects our judgment, so beware: Christmas Day isn’t the best time to voice long-standing gripes. If you can’t resist a tipple, consider the festive occasions coming up and decide on your limits for each one, ensuring you don’t exceed the recommended weekly maximum of 14 units (now applicable to men and women).

Never drink on an empty stomach and aim to have a soft drink (preferably water) for each alcoholic drink to help your body cope with alcohol’s toxins and its dehydrating effects, which cause hangover symptoms.

Alcohol absorption depends on speed of intake and your size, age, weight, metabolism and what else you’ve consumed, so no set amount guarantees you’re under the legal drinkdrive limit (and Scotland’s limit

3. REMEMBER: CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT EVERYONE If possible, try to resolve family conflicts before the big day (or persuade people to agree a temporary truce).

If you’re chief organiser, consider what everyone (including yourself) wants most from their Christmas, but remind them that everyone’s vision will be different.

Compromises will be required.

Try to find one or two things everyone can enjoy together, but let people have their own space too.

Unfortunately, the sexist stereotype of the exhausted woman who rushes around to prepare everything while everyone else relaxes, is one perpetuated by many Christmas adverts, which portray it as comical and the norm. Don’t let it be. Ensure everyone helps, whether it’s by laying the table, topping up drinks or preparing vegetables.

4. BE SHREWD WITH FOOD Keep a few quick-to-prepare items in stock to feed unexpected visitors, but don’t buy huge quantities of food.

You can always top up, if necessary, after Christmas Day; the shops will be open.

Food poisoning isn’t festive, so ensure all cooks wash and dry

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their hands. Frozen foods should be properly defrosted and either cooked thoroughly, or refrigerated, immediately (particularly large poultry or joints of meat). Keep raw foods separate from cooked, and chilled items in the fridge right up until they’re required.

Remember to leave enough room in the fridge for cold air to circulate. Chill leftovers rapidly and eat them within two days (reheating thoroughly when necessary).

Don’t leave buffet foods out for more than 4 hours.

Healthy festive food swaps: • Remove the skin and avoid butter basting your turkey (removing around a third of its calories and half its fat).

Skim off fat from meat juices before adding them to the gravy.

• Choose low-salt gravy mixes and keep the saltshaker off the table.

• Swap: o sausage meat for

vegetarian sausage mix. o goose fat for healthy oils o traditional mince pies for lattice, filo or opentop versions o brandy butter or cream for low-fat custard or crème fraiche o breaded or battered snacks for homemade, marinated savouries o high-fat dips for homemade ones with yogurt or crème fraiche o crisps, salted nuts and chocolate for plain popcorn, rice cakes, pretzels, unsalted nuts and homemade chocolate-covered fruit (preferably using dark chocolate)

5. STAY FESTIVE FIT Include some normal meals, at normal times, to avoid stomach problems (and weight gain) caused by too much rich food, sugar and salt. An alarming amount of people are admitted

to hospital over the festive season because of the sheer quantity or unhealthy nature of what they’ve eaten. Keep portion size sensible and stop eating just as you start to feel full. It takes time for your stomach to tell your brain it’s full.

Ensure you get a good night’s sleep whenever possible, and keep moving; a walk will burn calories and provide the daylight and fresh air necessary to keep you feeling good, physically and mentally.

6. FINALLY... KEEP IT IN PROPORTION Christmas Day is only one day; most festivities are centred on just one week out of 52. If the turkey’s burnt, try to laugh about it; it’s not what matters most. Keep celebrations simple, focusing on what makes you and your nearest and dearest happy and ignoring traditions that none of you enjoy. It’s your Christmas.

Relax and enjoy it!

Roade Community Orchestra invites you to a...

Christmas Concert Tuesday 6th December at 7.00pm Roade Primary School, Hartwell Road, Roade

A selection of seasonal music along with film & classical favourites.

Enjoy festive refreshments in the interval; and if your New Year’s resolution is to take up music again and you are interested in joining us, you can chat with the musical director, Ian Riley, and members of the orchestra.

Tickets are available on the door.

Adults £5, children £3 including refreshments.

For more information about the orchestra please visit our website

www.roadecommunityorchestra.com Registered Charity No. 1099130

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Imagine you had been lost on a desert island for forty years and returned just in time to celebrate Christmas and New Year. While at first glance the celebrations might look much the same, dig a little deeper and you’ll find that much has changed since you were away.

Our old festive traditions are constantly evolving and have done so ever since Christmas was first celebrated in the 4th century AD, but recently the pace of change has quickened: traditions that seemed set in stone almost half a century ago are now rarely celebrated in many parts of the UK. CHRISTMAS PUDDING Christmas puddings are still popular, but this heavy, fruitladen treat is beginning to fall out of favour. Many of us now prefer ice cream-based desserts, trifles, or frankly, anything made with chocolate.

You may remember finding a sixpence or a silver charm inside your slice of Christmas pudding.

Also known as ‘tokens’ or ‘favours’, these small silver objects were used to predict the finder’s fortune during the coming year. Discovering a ‘bachelor’s button’ or a ‘spinster’s thimble’ meant you

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were likely to stay single during the next 12 months, while a ring hinted at marriage. A silver wishbone meant a wish would be granted and a sixpence promised wealth.

Records show this tradition dates back to the early 13th century, when a Twelfth Night Cake was eaten on the final night of the Christmas celebrations. A dried pea, a silver ring or small crown was included in the cake mixture and whoever found it became 'king’ or ‘queen' for the night.

MISTLETOE It’s becoming harder and harder to find mistletoe in the shops nowadays and this could suggest that the tradition of hanging a mistletoe bough inside the house - as an encouragement for couples to steal a kiss beneath it - is now dying out.

Historians have suggested that the custom originally began in Scandinavia, where the tip of a tree would be hung up to greet guests. The master and mistress of the house would embrace their guests underneath the bough as a gesture of goodwill and friendship. Strangely, it was the straightlaced Victorians who turned the tradition into

something a little more risqué.

CAROL SINGERS Gone is the time when you would answer the door to a group of well-practised carol singers belting out “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” in three-part harmony. These days it’s more likely that you’ll open the door to half a verse of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas” sung off-key by hopeful teenagers rattling a donation tin.

Carols were originally songs sung during community events such as harvest celebrations, and were originally associated with drunkenness and merriment rather than worship.

It was only later that they began to be sung in church and were specifically associated with Christmas.

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS What began as a sock hung on the mantlepiece, filled with sweets, nuts and fruits, is now the size of an industrial sack which is purchased from a newsagent or greetings card retailer.

The tradition began in the 12th Century when French nuns, inspired by St Nicholas – who gave gold to the poor – left stockings filled with fruit,

including tangerines and nuts, at the houses of poor people.

FIRST FOOTING This odd tradition called for a dark, male stranger to enter the house on or after the stroke of midnight, carrying several items, some of which might include a piece of coal, bread, salt, a coin or a drink (usually whisky). The “First Footer” was the first person to step over the threshold after midnight and it was believed that his actions would bring good fortune to the household in the year to come.

The origin of first footing can be traced to Greece, where a tradition known as pothariko includes giving first footers food or money to keep evil at bay.

CHRISTMAS CARDS While many of us still spend hours writing cards, licking envelopes and sticking stamps, the younger generation sends Christmas card mailouts with a single click. With the rising cost of cards and postage, it’s no wonder that the use of ‘virtual’ cards is on the increase.

The first Christmas cards were created in

Victorian times, when fast developing railway networks made it easier and cheaper to send messages. It’s interesting to note that email is now popular for broadly the same reasons!

Some of our festive traditions may have changed but our love of Christmas and New Year lives on.

The emphasis on renewing old friendships and bringing families together makes it likely that these celebrations will remain popular for many thousands of years to come.

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It is not that long until Christmas now and although I am the first to admit that I haven’t done a great deal of Christmas shopping, this year I’m making a plea for useful presents - and maybe a bit less soap and slippers! If you’ve any gardening friends, whether they’ve been full-on gardening for years or have just been bitten by the gardening bug, it is so easy to get them a present they’ll really enjoy and find useful. A trip to any good local garden centre will reveal plenty of potential gifts in a wide range of prices, sizes and shapes that will suit anybody from the complete novice to the most experienced

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gardener. Another option is to take a look on the internet and get some gorgeous gardening gifts delivered right to your door.

Houseplants can make brilliant presents, so why not choose a couple of really good-looking ones? At this time of year there are plenty, such as the indoor cyclamens and azaleas or a flamboyant poinsettia or a gorgeous Christmas cactus, which look fantastic whilst in flower - but don’t forget that lots of the foliage houseplants look great, too. Make sure that you keep the plants at their best by placing them in a suitable position before you give them away, as they could

otherwise suffer quite quickly.

Outdoor plants are also an ideal choice, but before you purchase a gift for someone’s garden make sure that you know that the plant you are choosing will go to a suitable home. There is no use buying a lime-hating plant such as a Pieris, rhododendron, Camellia or azalea for somebody if they garden on chalk, unless you know that they have a supply of ericaceous compost and a good sized pot to hand too! Of course, that could also be a present from someone else if you plan carefully.

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plants, perhaps under-planted with a few small bulbs such as crocus or miniature daffodils, this will make a lovely instant garden impact present for anyone, whatever the size of their garden. Despite the huge quantities of Christmas paraphernalia in garden centres at the moment, any half decent centre will still have a good range of winter bedding plants and winter interest plants available.

Anyone with an interest in growing vegetables would enjoy one of the many gardening books on the subject, or perhaps a ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Voucher Card – this will allow them to select the vegetables they’d like to grow from the range I offer at www.pippagreenwood.com.

Then, in the spring, we send

them garden-ready plants accompanied by weekly advice and tips emails.

Pretty well every gardener I know loves to encourage birds into the garden, so how about a bird box or feeder or maybe even some bird food? Bird feeding equipment and supplies now take up plenty of space in garden centres, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Gardeners love practical things so a good hoe like my favourite, the SpeedHoe, will always be welcome, or how about some Micromesh-covered or polythene-covered EasyTunnels, perfect for protecting crops throughout the growing season next year?

A raised bed kit is a great gift idea, too, allowing people to grow gorgeous vegetables even if their own soil isn’t ideal.

Some kits even come with the option to add crop covers made from fine mesh (to keep pests out) or polythene (to protect from the worst of the weather and provide off-season warmth).

So rather than rushing out and buying something that ‘will do’ as a gift, take a moment and see what you can find which will really bring a smile to someone’s face!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and book Pippa for a gardening talk or peruse the selection of gardening items, including Nemaslug to control slugs, popup crop covers, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, pull-out EasyTunnels, ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Voucher cards, signed books and lots more besides.

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39

In 2016 we saw all kinds of bright ideas in technology: dual-lens cameras in smartphones, virtual reality headsets, new versions of Windows and the end of the headphone socket in iPhones.

Here are the key trends we think will be driving the technology you buy, use or crave in 2017.

Online TV Getting TV over the internet isn’t new, of course, but it’s changing.

In October, it emerged that Netflix is now offering half the amount of titles it offered in 2012. That’s because it - and its rival Amazon - is more interested in making its own programmes than in buying other people’s.

From Amazon’s Jeremy Clarkson vehicle The Grand Tour to Netflix’s The Crown, some of the most exciting TV isn’t being broadcast anywhere but online.

That trend’s going to accelerate in 2017.

4K HDR TV Television manufacturers persuaded us to upgrade from CRT TVs to flat screens, and then from standard definition TVs to high definition TVs. They tried again with 3D, without much success and the next big home entertainment hype is over 4K and HDR televisions. 4K, also known as Ultra HD or UHD for

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short, has four times the number of pixels than full HD, so it delivers really sharp images provided you have a 4K source.

There aren’t many of those around just now: Netflix has a little bit of 4K content, but most broadcasters are still on HD rather than 4K. The most recent PlayStation and Xbox One offer 4K gaming, although once again that depends on having games optimised for the resolution. It might be worth waiting to see whether 4K succeeds or if it’s another 3DTV. While 4K offers more detailed images, HDR offers more drama.

It’s short for High Dynamic Range and you might have encountered it in your smartphone’s camera: HDR delivers deeper shadows and brighter highlights than normal photography and it’s the same with HDR TV. Virtual Reality 2017 will decide whether virtual reality is the next big thing. VR headsets from Facebook-owned Oculus, Google and Sony hit the virtual shelves in late 2016, but it’s what happens this year that will seal the format’s fate: without compelling games to play or experiences to experience, those headsets

could turn out to be very expensive paperweights. The technology is really impressive, but so was 3D TV. Super smartphones After a minor revamp in 2016, the 2017 iPhone is rumoured to be a dramatic upgrade with new screen technology and the same great cameras currently limited to the big and expensive iPhone 7 Plus. We might even see wireless charging too, something Apple’s rivals have offered for some time.

Apple isn’t the only phone firm out there, of course. Samsung’s Galaxy S8 should be impressive too and hopefully less prone to battery explosions than this year’s Galaxy Note 7.

Home Automation Whether it’s Microsoft’s Cortana, Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa, this may be the year when we spend more time talking to our tech than tapping on its screens.

Virtual digital assistants in our phones and in home hubs have the potential to automate everything - assuming they can finally understand non-US accents, that is.

Images L to R: Netflix online video; Sony HDR TV; iPhone 7 Plus; Amazon Echo Dot home hub

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41

From science kits to marble runs, toys can be as educational as they are fun.

Learning through play sees your child developing key mental, physical and emotional skills, as well as a real appetite for knowledge.

Most toys can be educational, whether they’re helping your child to learn maths, or just to improve their hand-to-eye coordination. Some, however, really do stand out from the crowd. If you’re looking for an educational gift this Christmas, here are a few ideas to get you started…

A simple football can help your child to develop their coordination, become better at working in a team and learn the importance of perseverance. If your child isn’t particularly sporty, the new Scriball from Mitre (£10) might just tempt them. Each kit contains a football decorated with a picture to be coloured in.

There are also felt tips, a mini pump and a

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display stand. Our seven year old tester had great fun colouring the Scriball in and then wanted to head straight out to the park to try it out.

Marble runs are fantastic for encouraging a child’s creativity, as well as helping to develop their problem solving skills, spatial awareness and hand-to-eye coordination. They’re also a lot of fun. Marble runs start at around £10 for a small kit, but if you fancy splashing out, the Hape Quadrilla Space Run (main picture) is likely to prove a hit. The 176 pieces allow for plenty of combinations and the glow in the dark stickers add extra excitement. Crafted with birch and rubber wood, the Space Run should last for years, so could well be passed down to your grandchildren. £120 from www.Amazon.co.uk.

While children seem to choose their comics based on the free plastic toy, most children’s magazines do include educational

activities, from craft ideas to recipes, puzzles and colouring in. If your children have moved on from Sparkle and Thomas the Tank Engine, they might be interested in one of the new range of children’s subscription magazines: • National Geographic Kids magazine is aimed at the ‘explorers, archaeologists, scientists, artists and astronauts of the future’.

Your child could read about endangered animals, lost civilisations, deep sea dives and lots more. A subscription costs from £36 for 12 issues, and can be ordered from www.ngkids.co.uk.

• Whizz Pop Bang! is a monthly science magazine aimed at 6-11 year olds. It’s packed with fun facts, craft activities and experiments.

Each issue costs £3.75, including postal costs.

Subscription offers are available, visit: www.whizzpopbang.com.

• The Week Junior is a current affairs magazine for children aged 8+. It covers news in bite sized chunks,

specially written to appeal to children.

There are also features on a range of subjects, from geography to technology and film. Subscriptions cost from £22.99 for 15 issues, visit www.theweekjunior.co.uk.

Lots of board games have an educational element. However, the ones by Orchard Toys are undoubtedly amongst the best.

They’re designed to help children with a range of skills, from maths to telling the time, identifying healthy food and getting to grips with money. Orchard Toys games are always well-designed, robust and great fun to play for children and parents alike. The bestselling Pop to the Shops sees players move around a board to spend their coins at different shops. For younger children, Dotty Dinosaurs and Monster Bingo focus on helping players to learn colours and shapes.

Priced from just £4.50, games are available from toy stores, supermarkets and www.orchardtoys.com.

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Royal & Derngate

Sensational stage version of The Full Monty reveals all in Northampton The hit stage adaptation of The Full Monty, which won the 2013 UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production, returns to Royal & Derngate, Northampton, from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 January.

In 1997, a British film about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose took the world by storm, becoming one of the most successful British films ever made. Now, the boys are back, only this time, they really have to go The Full Monty… live on stage.

Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar- and BAFTA-winning writer of the film, has gone all the way with this hilarious and heartfelt adaptation that’s getting standing ovations every night, and features the iconic songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

The cast is led by Gary Lucy (Danny Pennant in EastEnders, DS Will Fletcher in The Bill, Kyle Pascoe in Footballer’s Wives, Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks, winner of Dancing on Ice) as Gaz, along with Anthony Lewis (Marc Reynolds in Emmerdale) as Lomper, Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies and for his regular appearances playing Alastair Campbell on Bremner, Bird and Fortune) as Gerald, Louis Emerick (Mick Johnson in Brookside and PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine) as Horse, Chris Fountain (best known for his roles as Justin Burton in Hollyoaks and Tommy Duckworth in Coronation Street, runner-up of Dancing on Ice) as Guy and Kai Owen (best known for his portrayal of Rhys in Torchwood and recently played Pete in Hollyoaks) as Dave.

The Full Monty is Simon Beaufoy’s first work for the theatre. His screen credits include The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire, as well as The Full Monty.

The UK Tour of The Full Monty is directed by Jack Ryder. His directing credits include national tours of Calendar Girls.

The Full Monty takes to the Derngate stage from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 January, with performances at 7.30pm each night and matinees at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets – priced from £11 to £34.50* – can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk. * A charge of £3 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 for The Full Monty on Monday 16th January at 7.30pm Q. Where was the Full Monty set?

Email the answer, your name, full address and contact telephone number to:

zoe@hunsburyhandbook.co.uk Competition entries must be received by 19th December 2016. The winner will be drawn at random & notified on 20th Dec.

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including orange oil, turmeric and papaya, so it’s like breathing in the scent of holidays. With a body scrub, body wash and body lotion, you just need to light a candle to create a home spa experience. And they really do leave your skin and spirits feeling rejuvenated. £34.99, www.urbanveda.co.uk.

First up, Urban Veda’s Radiance Body Ritual collection. Just opening the drawstring bag is a treat. The products all smell amazing – they’re packed with nourishing, fragrant ingredients,

Looking to get some of that summer glow back? Green People’s Self-Tan, £21, is one of the best fake tans on the market. It’s easy to apply and develops into a natural looking tan within three hours. As an added bonus, it doesn’t have that typical fake tan smell, and it contains rosehip oil to moisturise as it tans. As with any fake tan, you’ll want to leave at least 24 hours between hair removal and application. It’s also a good idea to exfoliate with a good body scrub beforehand.

Massage in a light body lotion, and give it time to

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Northampton, NN4 9UW

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47

fine lines, puffy eyes or dry skin. You can also use the Dry Eye Concealer to calm and cover small patches of eczema and other areas of irritation.

sink in. Then work some extra moisturiser into your knees, elbows and other ‘knobbly’ bits, to help avoid darker patches. See www.greenpeople.co.uk.

If your hair is looking a bit frazzled and fed up with all that styling, try treating it to an Ouai Treatment Masque. It takes just 10 minutes for the treatment to soothe and restore your weary locks, leaving them smoother and shinier after just one use. A pack of eight sachets will set you back £25, so it’s not cheap, but worth having in your beauty arsenal for big nights out. See www.spacenk.com.

I don’t know whether the eyes truly are the windows to the soul, but they’re certainly a tattle tale when it comes to late nights. Try Anatomicals Puffy the Eye Bag Slayer Wake Up Under Eye Patches. Three pairs cost around £6 from Amazon or www.glossybox.co.uk. They feel incredibly soothing and do seem to reduce swelling in just half an hour.

Cover up any remaining dark circles with Dry Eye Concealer, £11.95, from www.skinshop.co.uk. While the coverage isn’t quite as flawless as some concealers, it makes up for it by helping to moisturise and repair skin. It also goes on smoothly and doesn’t draw attention to

Sometimes a spritz of perfume is all you need to perk yourself up before pulling on your heels. Jo Malone are known for their quirky fragrance combinations, and their latest cologne, Basil and Neroli, is no different. It’s got that lovely freshness of neroli, with a herby twist.

Playful and warm, the fragrance just seems to improve as the night goes on.

Expect plenty of compliments. £43 for 30ml, www.jomalone.co.uk.

Chiropodist / Podiatrist on Home Visit Mobile: 07891 379710 HPC registered No: CH26773

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!

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Christmas drink and drug driving campaign A Christmas campaign to target drink and drug driving will be run by Northamptonshire Police throughout December.

Officers will be out and about across the county taking breath test readings from drivers during a focused, countywide period of activity dealing with these offences.

These enforcement activities will be carried out by officers from the joint Safer Roads Team (Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service), as part of their work to cut the number of collisions on the county’s roads. They will run alongside ongoing education work conducted by the team, which will take place within communities.

Kamila Kemblowska, Safer Roads Team Community Engagement Officer, said: “We hope everyone will have a happy and safe Christmas. We would always say that if you’re driving, it’s better to have none for the road.

“It is vital to remember that you could be over the legal alcohol limit many hours after your last drink so drinkers also need to be careful when considering taking to the wheel the morning after a heavy evening of alcohol consumption.”

Drink and drug driving, points to remember:  Alcohol affects everyone’s driving for the worse. It creates a feeling of overconfidence, makes judging distance and speed more difficult and slows your reactions so it takes longer to stop.

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If you are planning to drink alcohol, it is sensible to also plan how to get home without driving. Agree on a designated driver, save a taxi number to your phone or make sure you are familiar with public transport routes and times before venturing out.

Avoid offering an alcoholic drink to someone you know is planning to drive.

Don’t accept a lift from a driver you know has consumed alcohol.

It is illegal to drive if either you are unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs or you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood.

Police officers can stop you and carry out a roadside drug test to screen for cannabis and cocaine.

If you’re convicted of drug driving you could get: a minimum one year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison, a criminal record. Causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

A drink driving conviction can lead to a 12 month driving ban, a criminal record, a fine, up to six months in prison and an endorsement on your licence for 11 years.

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credit card borrowing, payday loans, store cards, personal loans and catalogue debt, and this is not secured on an asset.

The temptation to borrow money is all around us. Despite the credit crunch, we still live in a consumerist society where credit card companies extend your limit unprompted and payday lenders target those least able to pay extortionate interest rates.

The fact that many people need to borrow simply to pay their bills and meet the everincreasing cost of living means it can become draining and stressful just to stay afloat.

When you owe money to numerous companies, it can be difficult to know how best to deal with your debts - the pressure becomes overwhelming when you’re simply trying to pay them off.

To help you get more control and understand the ramifications of failing to repay, here’s a little more detail about the various forms of secured and unsecured borrowing.

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SECURED LOANS This type of loan is secured on an asset, such as the mortgage on your home. If you fall behind on these repayments your home could be repossessed, so this is the number one priority debt above all others.

Repossession is a worst case scenario, however, and most lenders will initially be open to negotiation. They won’t want to lose you as a customer, but you do need to be proactive about communicating with them and demonstrate that you take the situation seriously.

There are many debt charities in the UK that will help you work out a budget if you need guidance in this area, and some may even contact the lender on your behalf. It’s important to let your lender know an amount you can afford to repay and provide them with a copy of your budget to back it up.

UNSECURED LOANS Unsecured lending includes

Credit cards and store cards The UK’s total credit card debt has risen to £65.5 billion in 2016, according to the Money Charity, equating to £2,426 per household. Taking this figure as an example, and assuming your credit card has an average interest rate applied, it would take 25 years and 6 months to repay it in full if you only paid the minimum amount each month.¹ Making the minimum repayment for too long causes a rapid decline into unmanageable debt, particularly if you also have other borrowing to contend with.

Personal loans Personal loans from the bank will have a fixed rate of interest so you know how much you’ll need to pay each month and the exact duration of the loan.

In many respects these loans are easier to manage than credit cards, which come with a temptation to build up more debt over time.

Personal loans are generally offered for larger purchases, however, such as a car or refurbishing a kitchen for example.

Payday loans Payday loans are targeted at those who need small amounts to carry them to the end of the month and are often used to pay bills and meet other

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liabilities. The danger of these types of loan lies in the extremely high rates of interest applied.

If you know that you’ll be able to pay the loan off when it’s due, they may be a good last resort, but missing a payment will very quickly send you into a debt spiral that is difficult to escape.

Mail order catalogues Catalogue companies tend to attract new customers with introductory low interest rates or no interest initially.

Repayments are made over a specified period – usually 20 or 40 weeks, and if you don’t fall behind, using a mail order catalogue can be a flexible way to spend.

The problem is that if you miss even one payment, a higher

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interest rate will come into effect which can be as much as 40% APR. Other charges will also be applied by the company, including late payment fees and a charge for chasing the debt.

As with some credit card companies, your spending limit may be increased regularly to tempt you into purchasing more. On the face of it, buying from a catalogue company seems like a good idea, but these other factors need to be taken into account. Further problems can also arise if you are an agent for the catalogue.

ACTING AS A CATALOGUE AGENT Being a catalogue agent involves collecting money from your customers and remitting it to the company. But what happens if one of your customers doesn’t pay – are you ultimately liable for

the money they owe?

You should keep separate accounting records for all your customers and if they miss a payment, send off the details to the catalogue company. When you first became an agent, you may have signed a separate credit agreement with the company, but should also make sure there’s a credit agreement between yourself and each customer.

The catalogue are likely to take steps to recover any missed payments, whether they are your own or your customers’, but it’s possible that if a signed agreement between yourself and the catalogue company doesn’t exist, they may not have the authority to collect the debt. ¹http://themoneycharity.org.uk/ money-statistics/

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WHAT IS IT? It’s the fastest front-wheeldrive car around the Nürburgring, a stripped-out hardcore celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI and a limited edition collector’s piece all in one.

The Golf GTI Clubsport S is the result of asking engineers to do what they can to cement the GTI’s name in the hot hatch pantheon.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Lifting the Golf’s bonnet will reveal the same two-litre, turbocharged petrol you’ll find elsewhere in the Golf range – notably the Golf GTI and Golf R. In this application it’s been tuned up slightly, producing 306hp – broadly similar to the Golf R’s output but with a different exhaust system freeing up a couple of

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horsepower.

That’s paired with the sixspeed manual gearbox for weight purposes, as the extra few kilos of the dualclutch gearbox (DSG) would work against the weightsaving nature of the Clubsport S. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? The GTI Clubsport S is a topspecification Golf and it comes with the appropriate bells and whistles.

The infotainment system is Volkswagen’s Discover Navigation with a 6.5-inch colour screen - but you can upgrade to the Discover Pro for £1,325, which adds a larger screen and DAB radio.

You’re missing one or two things – not least of which are the rear seats, replaced with a faux strut brace and cargo net. Cruise control is

absent, unusually, leading to an oddly sparse suede steering wheel.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? It drives exactly as you’d expect the car that set the fastest front-wheel-drive lap of the Nürburgring ever to drive. It’s really very savage in a straight line, barking through the exhausts with every upshift, and scrubs off speed no less impressively.

The sticky Michelin Pilot Cup tyres offer huge amounts of grip, too.

On the mixed and drying roads we used, the Clubsport S exhibited a little torque steer if you gave the car some stick, but far less than you might expect.

Otherwise, it’s a very neutral car to drive on the road.

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WHAT DOES THE PRESS THINK? AutoExpress reckons that the Clubsport S has ‘even more involvement and surprising refinement’, while Autocar thinks that it’s ‘by a nose, the very best fast Golf you can buy’.

WHAT DO WE THINK? It seems odd to turn a car with such broad credentials into a two-seater sports car, especially as the rear compartment trim is still present, but you can’t really ignore the way it drives.

The Golf R might be a safer bet for all-weather performance, but the Clubsport S makes a great case for itself on dry roads

and doesn’t feel as wrung out as other front-wheeldrive offerings of similar power outputs.

Losing the rear seats makes the Clubsport S a bit of a tough sell when silhouette rivals retain the family usability and two-seat competitors are commonly less expensive, but as all of the UK’s allocation of 150 have already been sold, it’s almost a moot point.

Model: Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S Price: £33,155 Engine: Two-litre, fourcylinder petrol Power: 306hp, 380Nm Max speed: 165mph 0-60mph: 5.7s

MPG (combined): 40.4mpg Emissions: 172g/km TARGET BUYERS The performance car enthusiast who loves the Golf but wants a sports car.

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Home Extensions

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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

East Hunsbury Parish Council

01604 708429

Blacky More Community Centre

01604 708429

West Hunsbury Parish Council

01604 891838

Abbey Centre Veterinary Clinic

01604 760970

Northampton General Hospital

01604 634700

Northampton Police

03000 111 222

Northampton County Council

0300 126 1000

Northampton Borough Council

0300 330 7000

Citizens Advice Bureau

0844 855 2122

Hunsbury Library Overslade Close, East Hunsbury 0300 126 1000 Monday-Friday 9.00am—6.00pm Saturday 9.00am—5.00pm Sunday 11.00am—2.00pm 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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Electrical Services Accountants/Financial Services The Tax Doctor

53

Aerial & Satellite Services Jay’s Aerials

Airport Transfer Services/ Private Hire RRR Cars

Bathroom Installations Cahill Bathrooms Roland Hill Ltd. Terry Burgin

Beauty Services Images by Joanna LeBon Beauty

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

Care Services NNCA Northampton Community Care

Carpentry EJB Property Services Frost Carpentry Mor-Tar Build

Car Services InTown Automotive

Children’s Activities ProAction Martial Arts Trilogy Berzerk

Cleaning Services Restorer Group

Computer Services MJR IT Services PC First Aid

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

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Andrews Electrical Services Goodsons Electrical Nick Palmer Electrical Q Electric

Entertainment Royal & Derngate Theatre

Bosworth Independent College Kiddi Caru Overstone Park School

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Estate Agency Horts Estate Agent

57 Fascias & Soffits

JDN Plastics Matthew Oliver Windows & Doors 18 Stormshield 38 55 Fencing Hardingstone Quality Fencing Stockwell Construction Ltd 48 47 Flooring ACR Carpets Northants Flooring 8 Tayflor 59 60 Gardening Services/ 28 Landscaping Hunsbury Home & Garden IRH Lawnmower Servicing & 21 Repairs 27 Moss Garden Services Oakview Landscaping 55 Prestige Lawns 11 RAW Landscaping & Design 60 Stanley Tree Services 32 Images by Joanna Mecini’s Ladies Salon 49 Health & Fitness

35 7 45 37 28 63 2 24

36 35 28 39 37 34 35 48 46

Pet Services Comfy Creatures Pawfect Petz

27 43

Absolutely Plastered EJB Property Services Newman Plasterers

12 55 59

Plumbing Services Cahill Bathrooms MD Gas, Plumbing & Heating Roland Hill Plumbing Services Terry Burgin Plumbing & Heating

18 6 38 55

Podiatrist / Chiropodist Kathy Sindall Milly’s Treat

47 48

Property Maintenance EJB Property Services Frost Property Maintenance George’s Handyman Services Granville Alibone Property Maintenance Hunsbury Home & Garden Newman Builders & Plasterers Stockwell Construction Ltd.

55 11 13 39 36 59 28

Property Sales Horts Estate Agency

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Northampton Buzz Card - Bus Services

51

Restaurant 49 23

25 Heating & Gas Cahill Gas MD Gas, Plumbing & Heating 41 Roland Hill Plumbing & Gas 54 Terry Burgin Heating & Gas

18 6 38 55

Home Interiors / Furnishings

Opticians

58 25 28

Public Transport

23 ProAction Martial Arts & Fitness Trilogy Leisure

3 Mark Darling Eyecare 43 31 Osteopath Debbie Parnell

A.J. Block Paving Hunsbury Tarmacadam & Paving Stockwell Construction Ltd.

Plastering 64

Hairdressers

11 Sue Cardy Curtains & Soft 37 Furnishings 13 39 Kitchen Design/Installation FBC Ltd. Glazing Services Intoto Kitchens Cloudy 2 Clear 9 Roland Hill Ltd. Matthew Oliver Repair Service 13 Matthew Oliver Windows & Doors 7 Locksmith Northants Windows 29 County Locksmiths Ltd. NuLook Roof Solutions 5 Nursery/Pre-School Window Repair Geeks 41 Kiddi Caru Windsor 19 Overstone Park School

Education

Paving & Driveways 13 55 25 7

Greens Restaurant Abacus Roofing JDN Plastics NuLook Roof Solutions Stormshield

8 17 38 50 43 31 21 27

39 35 5 45

Theatre Royal & Derngate Theatre

10

15

Roofing & Guttering

14

2016 Hunsbury Handbook Competition Winners Congratulations to all our 2016, Royal & Derngate Theatre, competition winners: Maria Harding Sandra Hudson Helen Hiams Sue Dunn Leanne Beresford-Linnell Claire Bradshaw Sue Arden Ian Fraser Nicola Anderson Andrea McCrossan Dave Trill George Smith Sarah Brown Sally Armstrong Gemma Hewitt Carolyn Cremin Sarah Fry

Please mention The Hunsbury Handbook when responding to adverts

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