Your FREE local magazine for the EN area Issue 42 • December 2011 /January 2012
Christmas Giveaway Competitions - Win Champagne, Books, Games, and much more
Local News & What’s On Living • Leisure • Lifestyle
Hello and Welcome to the December 2011 January 2012 issue of EN Magazine. With Christmas just around the corner how many of us, young and old, are getting excited at the prospect of opening presents delivered by Santa?
Contents Page 3 - 7 Local News and Events Page 8 - 13 Christmas Gift Guide Page 13 Christmas Gift Competition Page 14 Christmas Financial Advice Page 15 What’s On Local Business Services and Classified Advertising
In this issue of EN Magazine we have put together a guide to some of the gifts that we think would make good presents this year and we have a selection to give away – see page 14 for details. Christmas can also create additional pressure on our finances. Buying gifts, going out to parties and just getting around, all appear to add up to a lot more in December. EN Magazine brings you some advice on ways to budget over this expensive time and some ideas on getting the best deals. Congratulations to the winners of the Wright’s Flour cake mix competition in the November issue of EN Magazine: Mrs E Augier from Potters Bar, Marie Gray from Cuffley, and Jan Hickman, Peter Inwood and Mark Garner from Enfield. We hope you enjoy making and eating your cakes! EN Magazine will be taking a break towards the end of December, to celebrate Christmas and the New Year but we will be back at the end of January with our first issue of 2012. All the team at EN magazine would like to wish all our readers
Contacts Douglas Lee Publisher Sarah Vittachi Features Editor Gillian Smith Staff Writer Ricky Goshawk Guest Writer Tel: 020 8367 3917
email Editorial@enmagazine. co.uk Sales@enmagazine.co.uk Printed by Polestar Distribution by Regal EN Magazine is published by
63 High Street Potters Bar Hertfordshire EN6 5AS
A Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year. Kind regards
Doug Douglas Lee Publisher, EN Magazine
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by omissions or errors in the printing of this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any medium without written permission of the publisher.
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
Keep warm, Keep well, Keep in touch
As the dark nights draw in, the temperature drops and the threat of snow looms, the advice is keep warm, keep well and keep in touch this winter.
“During the winter months we tend to withdraw into our homes, which means we see less of our neighbours. We all think of Christmas as a time of giving and spending time with loved ones - so let’s try to extend that same festive spirit to everyone this winter and look out for people in your community,” said Cllr Brenda Batten, Leisure, Culture and Health Portfolio Holder.
Keep warm
There are some simple steps we can take to keep warm and safe: •Keep your home warm. Your main living room should be between around 18-21C (6470F) and the rest of the house at a minimum of 16C (61F). You
can also use a hot-water bottle or electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm while you’re in bed.
•Wrap up warm, inside and out. Several thin layers of clothes are better than one thick layer. Don’t forget to wear hats, gloves and scarves outside and if possible, stay inside during a cold period. •Keep active. Move around at least once an hour and don’t sit down for long periods of time. Even light exercise will help keep you warm. •Keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts. •Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy levels up during winter. •Keep in touch with local weather forecasts. Icy
Local News and Events pavements and roads can be very slippery. Take extra care if you go out and wear boots or shoes with good grip on the soles. You may be able to claim financial and practical help with heating your home and a number of grants are available including the Warm Front Scheme, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments. To find out if you qualify, call a Warm Front advisor free on, 0800 316 2805. Winter Fuel Payments of up to £400 are available if you were born on or before July 5 1950 - to find out more about these call 08459 151515, visit www.direct.gov. uk/winterfuel. Or for Cold Weather Payments, which are available if you claim certain benefits, contact Jobcentre Plus or visit www.direct.gov. uk/coldweatherpayment
Keep well
As the days become colder and the evenings darker, we all tend to stay inside more – which can mean less exercise and filling up on less healthy
comfort food. “It’s important to maintain a healthy diet and try to get some exercise, whether it’s inside or out!” said Cllr Batten. “Regular exercise helps to control your weight, boost your immune system and is a good way to break the tension, that can build if the family is constantly cooped up inside the house.”
Keep in touch
For some, winter can be a lonely time of year. For older people, or those with mobility issues, ice and snow can mean they are unable to go outside. Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to cold weather. Ensure they are warm and have stocks of food, so if they can’t get out they have something to eat. “Our community relies on everyone being good neighbours. Winter can be a lonely time for some, so five minutes out of our day to keep in touch, can be a lifeline to some,” said Cllr Batten.
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EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
Local News and Events
Give the environment a gift You might not have even got the Christmas decs up yet, but when there are more pine needles on the floor, than on your Christmas tree and the festive cards are starting to look cluttered, remember to give your gift - to the environment. Cllr Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for the environment, explained: “Many people are involved in recycling throughout the year and at Christmas time we all have extra waste. We are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to recycle all those extras. So when all the celebrations are over, please spare a few minutes to recycle all you can.”
Sainsbury’s and TK Maxx during the whole of January. Drop them off at reception at Hertsmere Borough Council Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, or the ‘bring banks Furzefield car park in Potters Bar. And you can take your real Christmas tree to have it recycled for free - Saturday 7 January: Oakmere car park, High Street, Potters Bar between 11am and 2pm. Please ensure all tinsel and decorations are removed. For more information on recycling over the festive period, visit the Hertsmere Council website www. hertsmere.gov.uk
Make a note of these dates now and get involved. From January: You can take your Christmas cards to one of the major supermarkets – including Asda, Be a councillor advert 190x140:advert Marks and Spencer, Morrisons,
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Waste recycling for flats and estates
The first phase of a new food waste recycling service was launched at the end of November to help reduce the councils high landfill bills for rubbish. Recycling food waste reduces the amount that is sent to landfill and minimises the amount of methane (a powerful greenhouse gas) that is produced, keeps landfill disposal costs down and enables the council to turn the food waste into compost. Residents living in flats or on estates, have been receiving a free kitchen caddy to store food waste and plate scrappings and six months of compostable bags to keep the caddy clean. Both cooked and uncooked food can be recycled. Bread and pastries, Page 1 dairy products,
Be a councillor Interested in your community? Want to make a difference to what is going on in your area?
All sorts of people become councillors. So regardless of whether you are a working mum, a single dad, a student, a businessman or anything else in between, if you want to learn how to become a councillor, then come along to our open evening. Wednesday 18 January, 6pm Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, WD6 1WA To book your place email: wrox.rehill@hertsmere.gov.uk or call Wrox on 020 8207 7423. All welcome. Read more at www.hertsmere.gov.uk/beacouncillor or www.beacouncillor.org.uk
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
fish, fruit and vegetables, meat, bones, tea and coffee grounds can all be placed in the kitchen caddy and transferred to the communal bins that have been placed on estates across the borough. Generally there is one bin per building and they are located in the same location as other recycling containers. “This project is about helping the environment and making sure everyone in Enfield has access to the same recycling facilities, regardless of where they live.” Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Chris Bond, said. “Recycling your food waste really helps because it diverts rubbish from landfill. I’d urge residents to do their bit and start recycling their food waste now.” For more information about recycling visit www.enfield.gov. uk
Local News and Events
? this could be you
Being a Scout used to be about learning to tie knots, camping and reading maps.
Local Scout group the 6th Enfield have been pro-active in getting out and about and trying new things. “Being a Scout gives us a lot of opportunities to learn skills and take part in activities which we would not normally get the chance to do and it’s great fun,” said one of the group. The cost of taking the group to try out local activities can be a hindrance for some of
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To All Our Customers
the parents, which is why the e would like to say a big THANK YOU group would like to say a big to all our customers both new and old thank you to PressBay Motors, who throughout 2011 have helped us to be a Speedy Fit Tyre Services, Direct success and spread the word of ROCKY REEF Boot and EN Magazine for Award Winning supporting them. Without their help, they could not have gone Fresh Cooked Fish To Order clay pigeon shooting. Fried in batter or Matzo meal, grilled plain or
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The 6th Enfield Scout group meet on Wednesdays at 7.45pm at St Luke’s Hall, Morley Hill, Enfield. If you’re interested in joining the 6th Enfield, or a local business who would like to find out how you can get involved – then call 07763 152 651.
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Last minute extra guests this Christmas – don’t panic! At Vic Smith Beds, they have the answer to all your needs – whether it is a three in one guest bed, a sofa bed that opens out into a great bed or an extendable dining table and extra chairs. They also offer great storage solutions too – from sliding storage to ottomans in the bed section to beautifully constructed solid oak cabinets and sideboards. And don’t forget they also offer a range of fireside chairs – something to relax into at the end of the day! Part of their ongoing commitment to their customers is to offer a same or next day service where possible due to the large number of stocks they carry. They can still offer pre-Christmas delivery on most items. Pop in and see the REEF XMAS.indd 1 expanded ranges they have ROCKY to offer. Since the opening of the dining room shop last year, they keep introducing new pieces. Remember – “If you want a bed, you want a Vic Smith Bed, if you want a sofa bed, you want a Vic Smith Sofa Bed, and if you want a dining table, you want a Vic Smith Dining table!”
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EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
Local News and Events
Local Authors Publish in Time for Christmas
John Allwork says that he has always had a passion for the use of words, and the English language. From jotting down a few lines about something that made him laugh, to creating characters and stories for his children. John has now taken his interest in writing, from scribbles on paper and in notebooks, to publishing his first book of poems called The Sanders Corner Book of Poems.
“The name for the book comes from the corner in Crews Hill, where I worked in horticulture until the nursery closed down a few years ago and I set up my own gardening business. Many of the poems and anecdotes in my book refer back to my time working at Crews Hill and as a gardener. From day to day observations of working, to more generic appreciations of how the industries have changed, in both Enfield and further afield, to reflections on national and international
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events that have changed and shaped the world round us.” said John. The book also includes a collection of poems and stories for children with humorous fictional characters. ”I have tried to collate my years of writing to centre in one place.” added John. “In total there are 92 poems and we have included 14 photos and some illustrations by my daughter, it really has been a family venture, as they were the ones who encouraged me to do the book in the first place.” The book is on sale priced £12.99 and is available locally from Watersones, Ma Battley’s, Browns Garden Centre, Gallerie Veronique and Capel Manor.
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WIN WIN WIN WIN EN Magazine has a copy of the Sanders Corner Book of Poems to give away. To be in with a chance just tell us where Sanders Corner is? Send your answers to competitions@enmagazine. co.uk or EN Magazine, 63 High Street, Potters Bar, EN6 5AS including your address and a daytime contact number. Closing date for entries Tuesday 20th December.
Anthony decided to write his book due to his fascination with how the Emperor Caligula was able to spend 27 million gold pieces in four years and particularly, how there seems to be no record of where such a colossal amount of gold went. “‘Blood & Treasure’ is a suggestion for what happened to that gold,” Anthony says. “It’s written for people like me who have some knowledge of what went on in the early Roman Empire and who feel that there are still a number of questions about that period that have not been answered.” It is a satire, aimed at those with lively and enquiring minds, who may feel that there are more than a few parallels with what went on in the reign of the Emperor Claudius and more recent world events. Blood and Treasure is published by Ecademy Press and is available through Amazon priced £12.99.
Blood and Treasure Hertfordshire resident, Anthony Nixon has also released a book in time for Christmas, ‘Blood & Treasure’, is a fascinating account of Roman invasion of Britannia in the first century. The escape of the rebel chieftain Caratacus from the invaders and the consequent search for him by the soldiers of The Second Legion, the Augusta. “I now live in Hertfordshire again, in St Alban. I was born in Letchworth before moving to Southampton at the age of 3,” said Anthony. “St Albans arguably has the best collection of Roman remains in the country, and was a very important settlement in Roman (and indeed pre-Roman) times. I am very interested in that period of history, having studied it (and Latin) to ALevel, but it’s a time about which all we really have is silent ruins. I wanted to try to populate these ruins with real people, to try to find out how they would have lived in the buildings and places they left behind.”
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
WIN WIN WIN WIN To Win a copy of Blood and Treasure in time for Christmas tell us how many gold pieces Emperor Caligula spent? Send your answers to competitions@enmagazine. co.uk or EN Magazine, 63 High Street, Potters Bar, EN6 5AS including your address and a daytime contact number. Closing date for entries Tuesday 20th December.
Keep Safe This Christmas
Accidents at home are likely to send more than 80,000 people to A&E departments across the country during the 12 days of Christmas. Christmas is a time when your home is likely to be full of people and it is in the excitement of the season that accidents can easily happen. But one of the good things about Christmas is that there are typically more people around to supervise the children and, with a little more care and forward planning, most accidents could be avoided. Follow these 12 safety tips from ROSPA to help prevent your festivities being cut short by a trip to casualty: •Make sure you buy children’s gifts for the correct age group and from reputable sources that comply with standards (e.g. The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995)
•Remember to buy batteries for toys that need them - that way you won’t be tempted to remove batteries from smoke alarms •Look out for small items that could pose a choking hazard to young children, including parts that have fallen off toys or from Christmas trees, button batteries and burst balloons •Keep decorations and cards away from fires and other heat sources such as light fittings. Don’t leave burning candles unattended, make sure you put them out before going to bed and do not put candles on Christmas trees •If you have old Christmas lights, seriously consider buying new ones, which will meet much higher safety standards, keep the lights
Local News and Events switched off until the Christmas tree is decorated, don’t let children play with lights (some have swallowed the bulbs), and remember to switch off the lights when going out of the house or going to bed •Remember, Christmas novelties are not toys, even if they resemble them, and they do not have to comply with toy safety regulations. Give careful thought to where you display them, for example, place them high up on Christmas trees where they are out of the reach of young hands
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•Give yourself enough time to prepare and cook Christmas dinner to avoid hot fat, boiling water and sharp knife accidents that come from rushing, and keep anyone not helping with dinner out of the kitchen. Wipe up any spills quickly •Have scissors handy to open packaging, so you’re not tempted to use a knife, and have screwdrivers at the ready to assemble toys •Beware of trailing cables and wires in the rush to connect new gadgets and appliances, and always read instructions
www.vicsmithbeds.co.uk Winchmore Hill Road (near M & S), Southgate N14 6AA
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Vic Smith quarter v2.indd •Falls are the most common accidents so try to keep clutter to a minimum. Make sure stairs are well-lit and free from obstacles, especially if you have guests
•Plan New Year fireworks parties well in advance and follow the Firework Saftey Code •Do not drink and drive, and plan long journeys so you won’t be driving tired. ROSPA are a registered charity and have been at the heart of accident prevention in the UK and around the world for more than 90 years. More than 13,500 people die as a result of accidents across the UK each year. There are millions of other injuries. Accidents cause loss and suffering to the victims and their loved ones, employers and UK society as a whole. We promote safety and the prevention of accidents at work, at leisure, on the road, in the home and through safety education.
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EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
Christmas Gifts
EN Magazine Christmas Gift Ideas It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… And hooray for that! But hang on – that means presents, entertaining, choosing food and drink… the mere thought can make you want to get back to work for a rest. Never fear, here at EN we’ve done some holiday research, and here are some ideas to help out.
Toys for tinies Keeping the little ones happy over the holidays will be a breeze with toys like these, that’ll go on giving hours of fun long after you’ve taken down the tinsel, picked up the pine needles and recycled the wrapping paper. HappyHopperz! have released a brand new reindeer design just in time for Christmas! HappyHopperz® are a collection of bright, inflatable animals that not only rival the space hoppers of the 1970s, but take BOUNCING to a whole new level. Created with ears and horns for children to grip on to and feet to steady the
bounce, not only are these loveable toys fun to play with, they also help strengthen core muscles, increase balance control and develop coordination skills. RRP: £21.99 If speed is more your childs thing than bounce, how about the BitBike (online store for the UK has just launched!)! The sleek, stylish balance bike for trailblazers aged 18 months to 3 years (up to 15kgs)
– This compact and portable bike has a completely unique ergonomic design
and comes in a range of fabulous neon shades. The BitBike, is an ideal mission vehicle for the smaller explorer! RRP: £90.00 Stockists: www.bitbike.co.uk The Puzzle-Box is a lovely set of four different jigsaws, packaged in a beautiful
keepsake carry box. Available in seven different designs, these make fantastic gifts for girls and boys. Puzzles are a great way to bring the family together at Christmas, and these bright and colourful sets are bound to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Sets include: Playmobil, John Deere Tractor, Horses and Ponies and fairy princess Bibi Blocksberg. RRP: £14.00 Stockists: Amazon And so to bed When it’s time for bath and bed, continue the excitement of Christmas with The Matey Christmas gift sets, a bubbly world of fun, games and adventure for every child! RRP: £5.49 Stockists: Tesco, Asda and Pharmacies
Time to hide the remote control Take a break from the screen this Christmas and go back to basics with family fun and a board game. The great new family quiz, 5 Second Rule (age 8+) that launched this year, is a real crowd pleaser. It should be easy to name 3 breeds of dog – but can you do it under the pressure of 5 seconds as time twirls down on the spiral timer, with the other players staring, waiting for you to get flustered? Time is not on your side, so just say what comes to mind and risk ridiculous answers slipping out. It’s all in good fun with this fast-paced family game. 5 Second Rule was winner at The Toy Fair 2011 and has been named in play.com’s top dozen gifts for Christmas.RRP: £19.99. Or why not play Alexander Armstrong’s BBC game show Pointless (age 10+) in your own home? Fight against your natural instincts as you try to score the least number of
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
points by guessing the least popular answers to general knowledge questions. RRP: £19.99
Impatient players should make sure they have Smart Ass (age 12+) in their Christmas games collection - but don’t play it with those who like a slowpaced game! RRP: £15.99
The new Crayola game teaches children about mixing primary, secondary and tinted colours – without any mess! Players turn over cards to find out which secondary or tinted colour they need to create. They then dial the correct combination of colours into the cleverly
constructed Colour Mix-a-Roo wheel and open the revealer door to see what colour they have created. Magic! RRP: £9.99
Christmas Gifts There’s no place like home Your home looks after you all year long, and now’s the time to give something back. How about enlivening your home with a Geodesis Patchouli Scented Candle? Reminiscent of the hedonistic and bohemian glamour of the 1970s, this powdery and alluring foral fragrance captures the intoxicating depth and seductive power of the delicate white flowers of Sumatra in Western Indonesia.
some Nando’s signature spice into their home. Available in Boots with an RRP of £14.00. And for the cook on Christmas day, how about this novelty oven glove, which will prevent cooks overheating this Christmas. With the Extra Extra hot PERi-PERi sauce and rub which will help them cook up a storm in the kitchen. Available from Boots with an RRP of £12.50.
10 reasons to lose weight in the New Year Have you ever been asked if you were pregnant, refused to go swimming without good reason or avoid looking in the mirror at every opportunity? These are just some of the reasons why you should start your weight-loss journey. Do you want to be standing there after the Christmas festivities wishing you had started LighterLife months ago? If you take up the challenge and join LighterLife, in just three months you could be nearly three stone lighter and well on your way to a healthier life. In 2011 LighterLife has helped clients lose over 100,000 stone – that is equivalent to the weight of more than 600 family cars! If you can answer yes to more than one of the reasons below then get in contact with your local LighterLife Weight Management Counsellor Heather Newham and start your Reasons for losing weight:weight-loss journey today. 1, Improve your sex life 2, Have the confidence to apply “Many of our clients can identify with several for a promotion of these statements and when they join 3, Be able to look in the mirror LighterLife they want to put their weight 4, Want to feature in photographs issues and all these negative comments 5, Enjoy going swimming behind them as quickly as possible”, says 6, Not be asked if you’re pregnant Heather Newham LighterLife Counsellor 7, Walk 10 miles rather than for Enfield. Within weeks they are receiving 10 steps positive and refreshing comments from 8, Come off medication family, friends and even complete strangers. 9, Play active sports with your With LighterLife we can guarantee fast, children simple, safe and effective weight-loss. This 10, Be able to shop on the High enables our clients to feel, lighter, happy Street for clothes and more confident in all elements of their life.”
Makes a great change from the scent of roasting turkey! RRP: £20 Stockists John Lewis, Cologne & Cotton and The Conran Shop. For those that want to spice up the Turkey or add a zing to left overs, Nando’s, has created a selection of gifts, for all spice fiends, to enjoy over the festive period starting from £10. To help you be a bit exPERimental over the festive period, the range includes: The ultimate PERi-PERi sauce combo: A three piece drizzler set, so all guests can enjoy their chosen level of heat. Choose between Garlic, Medium and Hot, for how much PERiment you can take. This year Nando’s has also launched an Extra Hot version too, with Extra hot and Extra Extra Hot PERi-PERi Sauce, plus a PERi Sprinkle to add a kick to anything on the menu. Both are available in Debenhams with an RRP of £13.50.
To find out more about LighterLife call Heather Newham on 0208 366 4443 or visit www.lighterlife.com/heathernewham
A little bit of ‘Him or Lighterlife v2.indd Her time’
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If you’ve been rushing around, or you know someone who has, what could be better than some bubble bath or shower gels? Radox Relax Gift Set – including Radox Relax Bath and Shower Therapy with Lavender & Waterlily . We all like to indulge from time to time, and no more so than at Christmas, which is why the Radox Relax Gift Set is the perfect antidote to the festive period. Whether it’s a long soak in the bath or a well earned hot shower to relax those hard worked muscles, this is a great gift for all.
Grow your own PERiPERi chillis: Ideal for those greenfingered friends and family members. Give them their own African Bird’s Eye Chilli Seeds and planter to bring
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
Christmas Gifts The set also comes with a handy body puff for ultimate revitalisation, so the Radox Relax gift set is a winner this Christmas. RRP: £5 Radox Men Gift Set – A citrus duo of Lime & Ginger Shower Scrub and Lemon & Tea Tree Shower Gel & Shampoo Treat the men in your life to a refreshing and invigorating Christmas with the Radox Men Gift Set. The Lime & Ginger Shower Scrub leaves them feeling fresh and clean with minimal fuss while a shower with the invigorating
Lemon & Tea Tree shower gel & shampoo is the perfect way to start the day. The pack is finished off with a handy washcloth - what more could any man want? RRP: £5
where they will be treated to a luxury facial or massage from, the Return to Glory beauty team, a glass of chilled Champagne and a goody bag worth over £50 (which includes full size skincare, make-up and hair care products from top beauty brands as well as a limited edition beauty treat).
How about treating the lady in your life to tickets to the Vitality Show and Vitality Boutique at Earls Court 2, London, 22nd – 25th March? Vitality promises to be a onestop-shop for women who want to improve their health, enjoy luxurious pamper sessions, pick up invaluable beauty advice or take part in a free fitness class. Tickets start from £12.00 or why not spoil someone with a VIP ticket, £75.00? They will be stars of the show, with the ultimate luxury VIP Pamper experience. Whisked to the front of the queue with fast track entrance and enjoying access to the exclusive pamper lounge,
If fitness is something you want to give your mum or a mum to be this Christmas how about a Yoga DVD? Yoga4mums, aims to inspire a new approach to health within the community, by nurturing the driving force of most families, mum! Their goal is to encourage mum’s back to Cathy Underwood gentle exercise back Founder and directorand of the awardinto winning a social network, using DVDs, the YOGA4MUMS, is delighted to announce release of her latest yoga DVD’s designed community based classes. VSHFLÀFDOO\ ZLWK PXP LQ PLQG
Steps to Great Their Six classes, workshops and DVDs support mum physically and emotionally throughout the various stages of her life. Yoga exercise has enormous benefits. It is a noncompetitive activity and encourages participants to work at their own pace. It’s a wonderful tool that helps build self-esteem as it combines physical and mental health techniques to aid emotional stress.
Gadgets and gizmos Tied to your telephone? Stuck to your screen? Or perhaps you know someone who spells Christmas G-A-D-G-E-T. Check out these ways to bring some
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EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
non-nerdy festive fun to the most committed technophile. A mobile phone case with a secret scent - The Jelly Belly secret jelly bean recipe has been used to scent each case. These new scented phone covers are available in: Bubblegum, Very Cherry, Blueberry, Top Banana, Green Apple, Wild Blackberry, French Vanilla, Liquorice and Grape. The mobile phone cases will fit selected iPhone and Blackberry models and are in the same vibrant colours as the popular beans. Made from a gelstyle rubber that not only protects your phone but makes it smell delicious too, each purchase comes with a 10g bag of jelly beans - even the camera lens hole is the shape of a jelly bean! Motormouse has a fantastic range of fun and quirky computer mice that are sure to put a smile on someone’s face. Motormouse’s unique collection makes the perfect gift for gadget fanatics, or those who love to stand out from the crowd. The range includes a spots car, a classic Mini Cooper and the new Mini Copper S, as well as a Marmite (love it or hate it!) mouse and Toast mousemat. Each mouse is beautifully boxed and comes complete
with batteries, soft carry pouch and super glide mouse mat, so whoever you give your gift to will have everything they need to get started right away. For further information on the complete Motormouse range, visit www.motor-mouse.net
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
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Christmas Gifts Eat, drink and be merry It may be a little early for some, but the party season is just around the corner and that means plenty of sparkle and a glass or two of fizz! So why not celebrate this festive season with Champagne Lanson Black Label NV. The perfect start to all your Christmas revelries. This fresh, mouth-watering champagne is ideal for serving alongside sumptuous canapés at your annual festive bash and is the perfect aperitif, due to it’s non-malolactic style, before the traditional Christmas lunch. Once the big day has been and gone, however, all
thoughts turn to New Year’s Eve. Make a fresh start for 2012 and welcome in the New Year with a glass of Lanson Black Label NV - the must-have Champagne in December. Crafted in the traditional nonmalolactic style since 1760, the award
winning Lanson Black Label combines its fresh, mouthwatering, zesty flavours with notes of toast and honey - making it the perfect start to any occasion. Champagne Lanson Black Label NV brings a little sparkle to the season. If champagne is not your thing but you still want to serve up something special this Christmas why not add some gold - The Blue Nun Sparkling Gold ... For Life’s Golden Moments For all those celebrations and family get-togethers, Blue Nun has released a new sparkling Gold Edition white wine, complete with distinctive fine
flecks of delicate 22 carat gold leaf! Designed with all the glitz and glamour of the party season in mind, the iconic brand, owned by Langguth Wines in Germany, has used their passion, heritage and expertise to create a delicate, subtle quality sparkling white wine with a lovely light fruitiness (alc 11.00%). Blue Nun has crafted the Gold Edition with a full, rounded flavour; this light and elegant style wine has the exciting addition of gold flecks to highlight the natural effervescence of sparkling white wine. The Gold Edition is ideal as an aperitif or to accompany light bites and hors d’oeuvres so it’s well suited for the party season, special occasions, celebrations or just for fun! RRP: £9.59 Available to buy on-line from drinks direct Calling all Chocoholics. Chocolate lovers across the country will be able to indulge in the ultimate taste experience this Christmas, following the launch of Chocolate Shop, a delicious chocolate-infused wine. The deep ruby red wine, blended with rich, velvety dark chocolate, is available in The Co-operative and Sainsbury’s The wine comes with a suggested RSP of £8.99 and has an ABV of 12 per cent. The chocolate-infused wine offers inviting aromas of black cherry and dark cocoa, complemented by a soft vanilla and creamy mocha finish. This versatile wine provides an
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EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
Christmas Gifts indulgent wine experience that can be enjoyed with friends, with your favourite dessert, on a special occasion, or simply on your own with a good film. If your looking for something to niblle with a tipple why not tempt your taste buds over the holiday with these – yum. Burts Chips are Devon’s artisan crisps with the crunch that packs a punch. Using 100% natural, local and ethically sourced ingredients, Burts Chips are hand-fried in small batches using the finest quality potatoes and evenly seasoned with delicious natural flavours from the traditional to the quirky! Each eyecatching, boldly coloured bag is personalised with the
fryer’s name and checked for perfection, never compromising quality for success. This Christmas crunch your way through the cold winter months with the limited edition seasonal flavour from Burts Chips – Aberdeen Angus! This quintessentially British flavour is the ultimate in comfort food. So keep your cravings at bay, and whether adding a bit of luxury to your lunch or sharing a big bag amongst friends, mouth-watering Aberdeen Angus are guaranteed to add a tasty crunch to your winter months.
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Christmas Give Away EN Magazine as a selection of the gifts, included in the Christmas Gift Ideas article, to give away to our readers. To be in with a chance of winning some of these gifts just tell us how many issue of EN Magazine have been published? Send your answers to competitions@enmagazine. co.uk or EN Magazine, 63 High Street, Potters Bar, EN6 5AS. Stating what gift you would like to win and include your name, address and a daytime contact number. To be entered into the draw for the alcohol, please include your date of birth. Closing date for entries Tuesday 20th December.
The giveaways are; •A HappyHopperz •Crayola Mix a Roo Game •3 Second Rule Game •Radox Matey Sailor •Radox Matey Mermaid •Radox gift set for Him and Her •Yoga4Mums Dvd’s •2 x Vitality Show and Vitality •Boutique tickets •Geodesis Candle •Pri Pri Oven Glove Set •Jelly Belly iPhone phone cover •A Mini Copper Motormouse •A bottle of Lanson Black Label NV •A bottle of Gold Edition Blue Nun •Bottles of Chocolate Shop wine •A selection of Burts Crisps
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
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Finance Advice
Avoiding Christmas Money Worries Whether it is the global downturn, the Euro crisis or the Governments austerity measures, you can not help to be constantly reminded by newspapers, TV and radio that there is a financial crisis. So unless you work in banking and are in receipt of a mega bonus how are you going to pay for Christmas? Christmas is a time of giving, but you don’t want to give yourself a headache in the New Year with bills and debts you can’t afford. It’s all too easy to overspend – there are tempting offers and pressures to buy, but you must decide how much you can afford, before you start spending. Planning, budgeting and organisation are key to avoid getting into debt at Christmas and beyond. If your spending runs out of control, you can soon find that debt is not only a problem at Christmas, but can become a way of life Duncan Jennings, co-founder of VoucherCodes.co.uk says “The best tip I can give is to shop around; look online and use price comparison websites to make sure you get the best deal available. Websites like
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VoucherCodes.co.uk can offer great deals, whether that be discounts and money off, or simply free delivery for online purchases, which can save you some much-needed money during the Christmas period. It is a good idea to make a list before shopping to avoid getting carried away and buying things that you don t need or won t use. Finally, it’s always good to carry cash when shopping on the high street. This helps you keep tabs on how much money you are spending, making budgeting a much easier task. And if you are brave, try your hand at haggling, especially on high ticketed items, ask the shop assistants for their best price, or make them a deal. The worst they could do is say no, and you could end up saving yourself some much needed change for Christmas.”
Top Ten Tips
1) Plan early for Christmas Be realistic and budget accordingly. Work out how much you are going to spend on each person – and stick to it. Manage expectations as to what you or Santa can give.
2) Don’t forget the
everyday bills
Remember that rent, the mortgage, utility bills, food bills and other existing debts still have to be paid – and the consequences can be severe if they’re not. Even though it’s Christmas, get your priorities right. 3) Don’t bank on an
overdraft
If you do need more money, don’t just run up an overdraft without talking to your bank first – it will work out much more expensive. 4) Keep things simple If you can afford to pay for your goods outright by cash, cheque, or debit card, don’t be persuaded to take out extended credit agreements unless they really do work out cheaper. 5) Shop around Try as many different places as possible to find the best price. Buy what you want and not what other people say you need. Be wary of extended warranties; the cost of a repair could be less than the cost of the warranty. 6) Buy safe to be safe Whatever the deal, whatever the temptation, don’t buy from unauthorised traders and don’t borrow from unauthorised lenders. The initial savings and convenience may prove to be a false economy. 7) Read the small print Check for hidden extras in any credit agreement. Work out the total amount payable. Ensure
EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
that the monthly instalments are within your budget before signing. Interest free credit can seem attractive, but if you don’t pay on time, or miss a payment, you could have to pay a lot more. 8) Do your own credit
checks
If you are going to use a credit card, shop around and compare terms. Some cards charge high interest rates, but provide interest free periods or discounts. Budget for all these costs and put the payment dates in your diary. 9) Be organised There’s a lot to remember at Christmas. If you’ve borrowed money don’t forget that it won’t be long before you have to make a payment. Make sure you pay on time, even if it is only the minimum, or you will be faced with additional charges. 10) Start planning and
saving for next Christmas Once Christmas is over, it’s worth looking at what you did well and what you didn’t. Learn from your mistakes and start planning how you will do things differently next year. This might also be a good time to start saving for next Christmas The Top ten tips have been compiled and developed by Money Advice Trust and sponsored by Barclaycard, www.mymoneysteps.org offers free and comprehensive debt advice online. If you do get into difficulties, get advice as soon as you can from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visit www. adviceguide.org.uk If you are a Barclaycard customer experiencing financial difficulties you can call the customer helpline on 0844 241 2929 for advice
Hall
Luxury What’s On Florida Holiday For HireHome
Jubilee Hall, in Parsonage Lane, Enfield, is a clean carpeted with and toilet facilities. Outstanding twohall story, six kitchenette bedroom Vacation Villa sleeps up to It seats up as to little 80 and would suit local groups and 12 available from as £650 a week. Located 15 minutes for meetings, fromsocieties the Disney Theme Parks.conferences and lectures, or smaller groups for activities such as yoga, etc. For further information or to Spa, discuss requirements Facilities include Swimming Pool, TVs,your Games Room pleaseTable phone 020 8363 9495 or equipment Billiards, Air Hockey, Football and Basketball hall.bookings@enfieldsociety.org.uk provided,email & Wi-Fi.
What’s On In December Beauty & the Beast 25th Nov 11 - 8th Jan 12 Millfield Theatre £10 - £17 Join us in the enchanted forest where curses need to be broken, true love must save the day and the princes aren’t always so handsome. Whether you’re a Christmas cracker or a terrible turkey, get booking now for a spell-binding panto full of Parisian glamour and glitz. Save when you book online at www.millfieldartscentre.co.uk. The Snow Queen 16th Dec 11 - 31st Dec 11 Dugdale Studio Theatre Thomas Hardy House 39 London Road Enfield EN2 6DS Tickets Adult £10 Children/ Concessions £8 Skewbald Theatre’s”The Snow Queen” useing music, song, dance, physical theatre, puppetry and storytelling to bring to life this enchanting new imagining of Hans Christian Anderson’s Tickets Adult £10 Children & Concessions £8 http://www.dugdalecentre.co.uk/ 020 8807 6680 Dugdale Studio Theatre Thomas Hardy House 39 London Road Enfield EN2 6DS DECEMBER Fri 16th 7.30pm Sat 17th 3pm & 7.30pm Sun 18th 3pm Thursday 22nd 7.30pm Friday 23rd 3pm & 7.30pm Sat 24th 3pm & 7.30pm Thursday 29th 3pm & 7.30pm Friday 30th 3pm & 7.30pm Sat 31st 3pm
Telephone 020 8366 3311 or 07967 681908 for info’ on the EARN EXTRA INCOME fantastic rates available for both high & low Season. Jubilee Hall.inddWORK 1 Visit HOME www.villaneardisney.info FROM
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Santa’s Grotto 21st Dec 11 - 23rd Dec 11 Option 1 above Millfield at the Dugdale Centre, £90 per month Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS 11:00 - 13:00 £5 per child (includes goodie bag) Skewbald Theatre host Santa’s Grotto. Wednesday 21 - Friday 23 Outstanding two story, six bedroom Vacation Villa sleeps up to 12 December, 11am - 1pm Santa Pat Sept 2011.indd 1 7/9/11 10:02:52 available. Located 15 minutes from the Disney Theme Parks. & friends entertain the children
Would an extra £500 per month make a difference to you?
No cold calling - No catalogues to deliver Call Pat for further information 020 8245 3856 www.being-wealthy.co.uk
Luxury Florida Holiday Home
& adults with interactive stories straight from the North Pole
Facilities include Swimming Pool, Spa, TVs, Games Room, & Wi-Fi.
Telephone 020 8366 3311 or 07967 Jack & the Beanstalk 681908 for info’ on the fantastic rates available for both high & low Season. This year Jordan Productions and Visit www.villaneardisney.info the Wyllyotts Theatre proudly present the classic tale of heroism Option 2 above told in true pantomime style! [res-uh-pros-i-tee] month £13.00, £16.50, £14.50, £58 1. reciprocal £50 action per or relation; 2. a mutual exchange of commercial or other privileges family of four depending on show Gold Table has been helping its members achieve greater business success for over 4 years. Founded by date and times Saturday 10th a small group of professionals & skilled trades people, on the ideals of reciprocity. If you are looking to maximise your business potential and are willing to share your expertise with other local businesses then December Sunday 1st January, Gold Table is for you. It is low cost; all fees paid are ploughed back into group; high value. 17:30 Why not come and see what we can do together and join us every Wednesday at Enfield Golf Club before your working day? Wyllyotts Theatre For further info contact: Andrew Ryde on 020 8366 3551 David's Florida Home.indd 1 Wyllyotts Place Darkes Lane or visit www.goldtable.co.uk Potters Bar EN6 2HN Box Office: 01707 645 005
Reciprocity
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Keep up-to-date with What’s On in the local area, along with local sports and leisure groups and activities at www.enmagazine.co.uk
to have your business, event or club listed here and on-line visit www.enmagazine.co.uk or email editorial@enmagazine.co.uk
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EN Magazine - December 2011/January 2012
1/9/10 00:59:06
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Archers Independent Financial Services
Archers would like to wish All their clients A Merry christMAs And thAnk theM for All their support in 2011. here Are four finAnciAl top tips for the new yeAr. MaKE your ISa WorK for you With interest rates at historic lows and inflation currently running at over 5% savers are effectively losing money held in cash ISA’s. It is therefore worth considering an ISA transfer into a stocks and shares ISA. Investing in a stocks and shares ISa doesn’t mean that you have to invest entirely or indeed at all into equities. for the cautious investor it is worth considering corporate bond and gilt funds. one of the most consistent corporate bond funds is the M&G Corporate bond fund. This fund has achieved a return of 36.2% over five years, outperforming its comparative sector, the IMa Corporate Bond Sector, by 16.9%. Corporate bonds are a good alternative to cash they offer the potential for both greater growth and income than from cash deposits, and a smoother return path than equities. As well as reviewing existing Cash ISA’s you should also be regularly monitoring existing equity funds. Whilst certain funds such as M&G’s UK Recovery Fund and Invesco Perpetual High Income Fund have been consistently good performers over the last 20 years or so the same cannot be said for many funds held within ISA portfolios. We would also recommend you consider transferring existing ISA holdings onto a platform as this allows easy switching at minimal cost as most existing ISA’s can be switched by way of an inspecie transfer at no cost!
Time To Tie inTo a fixed raTe! With three and four year fixed rate money below 3% existing homeowners should look to remortgage. Many of these deals also offer a free valuation and free legal fee service. Whilst mortgage rates have remained low since the banking collapse of 2008 mortgage rates are likely to increase in 2012 as banks pass on higher funding costs, the Bank of England reports. In its financial stability report released recently (December 1st 2011) the Bank says wholesale funding costs will rise leading to higher mortgage rates. It states: “At the beginning of the financial crisis, when funding costs rose sharply, banks were relatively slow in updating the price of new mortgages and the residual remained negative for around a year. This suggests it may be during 2012 that any significant increase in banks’ lending rates occurs.” It adds: “While credit availability was reported to have increased slightly in 2011 Q3, particularly for high LTV mortgages, subsequent market intelligence suggests that, as with corporate lending, some banks may be starting to pass on higher funding costs to mortgage customers through higher prices.” The message from Mervyn King is loud and clear, fix your mortgage before it is too late!
Insurance
Investments
Mortgages
Why pay MorE for your lIfE aSSuranCE?
In a recent study from the Office for National Statistics figures indicate that by 2066 there will be more than half a million people in the UK aged 100 or over! Insurance companies now ask more questions than ever before but if you are in good health the likelihood is that you can obtain cheaper life assurance premiums by changing your policy. If you took out a policy sometime ago or purchased directly from a Bank or tied institution (an estate agent that sells only one insurer’s products) you would be foolish not to review the cost!
aCCESS To MonEy for SMall BuSInESS oWnErS! Whilst current and previous Governments have done little to help existing small businesses and banks have been less than helpful it may be possible for business owners to access up to 25% of their existing pension pots. If you are aged over 55 you may be entitled to withdraw a quarter of the fund for business or personal reasons. This facility is open to everybody not just small business owners!
1 Windmill Hill, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 6SE
020 8364 5445
WWW. arChErSonlInE. Co.uK
Archers Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Investments can be made into a selection of funds which invest in different asset classes such as cash, gilts, property and stocks & shares. These funds carry differing levels of risk. The value of the funds can fluctuate and may fall as well as rise. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate taxation and tax advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it