March 13

march 2013

MAGAZINE Spring Into Action and Clean Easter Celebrations and Cakes Gardens are Springing to Life

Local News & What’s On in Your Area

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chamberlains

020 8366 3551

Call to arrange for a FREE valuation and marketing advice

www.chamberlainsestates.com

Welcome to your march issue of en MAGAZINE The days are getting longer and spring appears to be on the way, all we need now is a bit of sunshine to warm and brighten up the days.

Hopefully this issue of EN Magazine will do just that for you.

With Easter not far off we take a look at how Easter is celebrated around the world and the cakes associated with the festivities.

Spring is also traditionally a time for having a sort out and clean up around the home. In our home improvements feature we share some tips on bringing a sparkle back into your home, and Tom Wheatcroft, senior gardener at Capel Manor Gardens shares his tips for spring gardening.

I hope that you enjoy reading this issue of EN Magazine. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any comments on this issue at dal@enamagazine.co.uk Kind regards

Doug

Douglas Lee Publisher, EN Magazine

Contents

Page 4 - Page 14 - Page 16 - Page 18 - Page 19 - Page 22 - Page 26 - Page 28 - Page 31 -

Local News and Events Days Out - do girls like aeroplanes?

Legal Page - to buy or buy to let?

Tax and Finance - holiday homes Easter - celebrations and cakes Home Improvements - spring clean into action Gardening Advice - spring is blooming Showtime, What’s On and Classified Adverts The End - car persecution !!!!

Contacts

Douglas Lee Publisher

Sarah Vittachi Features Editor

Gillian Smith Editorial Assistant en magazine (Print) 2049-5722

ISSN

Joy Prince Credit Control

Tel: 020 8367 3917

63 High Street Potters Bar Hertfordshire EN6 5AS

Front Cover Š

email: Editorial @enmagazine.co.uk Sales @enmagazine.co.uk Printed by Polestar Distribution by Regal

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 - March 2013

Local News and Events

Free Easter activities Easter Airlift - 28th March to 5th April Eagles at Easter - 6th April to 12th April See website for details.

Royal Air Force Museum London Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL T: 020 8205 2266 Email: london@rafmuseum.org

FREE ADMISSION www.rafmuseum.org

American Rumble Wrestling Thurs 4th April 7.30pm Tickets: £12, £10 concs, Family of 4 £40 Big bouts, tag team, solo matches, plus the all-in American Rumble The Fureys & Davey Arthur Weds 17th April 8.00pm Tickets: £18, £17 concs Live on stage including all of their hits.

Voice of the Heart – Karen Carpenter Sat 20th April 8.00pm Ticket: £18, £17 concs Live band celebrating the music of The Carpenters.

Call the Box Office for further information or if you would like to receive our free cinema and entertainment brochure.

WYLLYOTTS BOX OFFICE 01707 645005 Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, HERTS EN6 2HN www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

Papal award for local resident Enfield Charity Worker awarded rare Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI. One of the founders of the The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre, based in Enfield, Teresa Aylott, who for many decades has been serving the Enfield community as a health professional and charity worker, has been awarded the rare honour of a Benemerenti Medal in recognition of her work.

The award was presented

by Bishop John Arnold.

Benemerenti Medals are bestowed on individuals who have merited special recognition by The Holy See. The medals are Pontifical decorations instituted by Gregory XVI in 1832 and are conferred on people for distinguished service to Catholic principles, the Church and society. In 2012 only three people in England received these awards.

It was the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, who originally nominated Teresa for the honour, highlighting her 40+ years of service to the Enfield community. Teresa was instrumental in founding the out of hours district nursing service and creating Twilight Services for people who needed care between 7-llpm, this

subsequently became a 24 hour service. In addition to this, Teresa worked tirelessly developing services for terminally ill people, both supporting them and their families to ensure they could remain at home.

With her retirement, this passion has continued with her founding The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre in 2002 at the request of Bishop John Arnold. She continues to play a key role in the activities of the centre which now provide practical and emotional support to more than 650 families affected by cancer.

Bishop John Arnold declared, “Teresa Aylott has been so very generous with her time and expertise from the very first thinking about the possibility of founding a cancer support centre in Enfield. She has stayed with the project through every stage. Her Papal Award is thoroughly well deserved for helping to make the centre a reality and a real benefit to so many living with cancer in Enfield.”

Cake Bakers Delight With television programmes like the Great British Bake Off and the plethora of cookery shows encouraging home baking, the art of cake making and decorating has seen a renaissance.

But once you have mixed your ingredients, baked to perfection, licked the spoons and allowed your creation to cool its time to add the finishing touches.

From icing your cake, adding ribbons to building a cake with many tiers, finishing with a cake topper or perhaps even turning a photo into icing,

the solutions to creating the perfect cake whether for a birthday, wedding, a treat or any celebration are endless.

A trip to Decorative Supplies on Chase Side in Enfield will make you realise just how many ways there are to finish your cake.

Decorative Supplies is a family run business with a passion for cake decorating. Mother and Daughter, Gloria and Elizabeth have a vast knowledge of ways to finish and create outstanding cake decorations. And the shelves of the shop are full

of inspiration. From the cake and icing colours to cake tins in a selection of shapes, size and numbers.

“We supply an extensive range of cake tins, stands and all the equipment for cake decorating. I am also hoping to start classes from the shop teaching people how to make sugar flower cake decorations.”

Gloria told EN Magazine.

One of the services that really impressed EN

Magazine was a printer, which will print a photo or image on to icing. Looking like a desk top printer the system scans your image and reproduces it allowing you to have that baby photo on a birthday cake, or a favourite celebrity smiling out at you ready to be sliced up and enjoyed.

For more information call or visit: Decorative Supplies 020 8366 7666, 122a Chase Side Enfield.

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Local News and Events

What’s in a name?

Six waste collection vehicles have joined the fleet at Hertsmere Borough Council’s Cranborne Road depot in Potters Bar. And to celebrate their arrival, the council is asking Hertsmere youngsters to come up with a name for one or all six of the Dennis Eagle trucks, which will be emblazoned on the cab of each vehicle.

The names should be imaginative and easy to remember. They could be based on a theme or they might be names that have a connection to waste and recycling.

In return, the youngster or youngsters who come up with the chosen entries, will win a £30 gift voucher and a visit to their school by a waste vehicle, where they might even be able to have a go in the driver’s seat.

There will also be a chance to learn more about recycling from the council’s community waste officer and get creative with some ecofriendly arts and crafts.

Councillor Jean Heywood, portfolio-holder for environment and transport, said: “We want young people to feel proud about where they live.

“Our waste and recycling team work hard to keep the borough clean, beautiful and safe, and these new waste collection vehicles, will enable us to provide an even more efficient service at a fraction of the running costs.

Recently, North Enfield Cricket Club, have been

“I’d encourage all youngsters aged five to 11 who live and go to school in Hertsmere to get their thinking caps on now.”

“It’s important they

To enter, send your suggestion or suggestions, along with a sentence explaining why you think the name/s should be chosen, on a postcard to Corporate Communications, Waste vehicle naming competition, Hertsmere Borough Council, Civic Offices, Elstree

working with Enfield council and other funding bodies and has raised over £26,000 for brand new net facilities that will be installed soon. North Enfield has gained ‘Everybody’s Active’ status and is now working towards their full Clubmark. For more details feel free to email the club’s Chairman, James Scott on chairman@ northenfieldcc.co.uk NECC is also a founding member of the recently formed Enfield Cricket Development Partnership (ECDP) which is one of

The Enfield Cricket Development Partnership are busy this spring organising the Enfield Borough Trials for young aspiring cricketers playing against other Boroughs, including local rivals Barnet. The first round of matches will be played on Borough Cricket Day on Bank Holiday

“Hertsmere residents will see lots of these vehicles over the next few years as each one will visit 3,000 properties per week in the borough.

Leather On Willow North Enfield Cricket Club (NECC) is a hidden gem of a ground situated at the top of Hilly Fields on Strayfield Road - between the Fallow Buck Pub and St John’s Church off Clay Hill.

The club runs two adult league Saturday teams and a Sunday ‘friendly’ XI. There is also a popular Colts section, for boys and girls, which meets on Wednesday evenings.

get good names so our residents can easily recognise them and feel they are a familiar part of their day.

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

10 founding member Enfield Cricket clubs who are working together to promote cricket in the borough.

Way, Borehamwood, Herts WD6 1WA or by emailing corporate. communications@ hertsmere.gov.uk

Entrants must be aged five to 11 and must live and go to school in Hertsmere.

Entries must include your name, address, contact telephone number and the school which you attend.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday 30 April. The winning entry will be chosen by Cllr Heywood in May and announced later in the year.

Monday, 6th May 2013 at Winchmore Hill Cricket Club starting at 10am.

Under 10’s, Under 12’s & Under 14’s will be up against the Barnet Borough teams. All spectators welcome!

Local News and Events

Do you have an idea that you think could be the next big thing?

Are you interested in starting a new business, bringing a product to market or working with the local community in an innovative way?

Yes? Then this could be the competition for you.

benefit from a two day ‘Innovation Masterclass’ run by redLoop to help them to develop their ideas in a collaborative environment, and access

business support services within the borough, so that everyone leaves with a developed business proposal. The 3 shortlisted companies will be given support by innovation experts from redLoop to develop their pitch to help get the power and potential of their ideas across to the judging panel. Nine entrants in total will get the chance to go for the big prize, and pitch to the judging panel for the chance to win one of the three ÂŁ10,000 prizes to bring their idea to life.

For further information on the awards and to apply visit www. enfieldinnovation.org The online application process is simple so make sure you get your idea entered by the closing date - Monday 25th March at 6pm

The Enfield Innovation Competition is now in its 4th year and during this time it has seeded new businesses, products and social enterprises throughout the borough.

The 2013 competition is being run as a collabaration between the North London Chamber of Commerce and redloop; the mdx design and innovation centre part of Middlesex University and funded by Enfield Council The focus of the 2012 competition is to develop the capacity and culture for innovation in the borough within three target groups: *Trading businesses (SMEs) *Start-ups *Social Enterprises (new and existing) The competition is designed to help everybody to have and to develop a business idea, and to enter into a creative and business community surrounding the competition.

Shortlisted Start-ups and Social Enterprises will

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

Local News and Events

How to afford a baby in today’s economic climate With the rising cost of childcare, utilities and essentials many working parents are delaying having children until they can afford it. But what if they never can? This year we have been told in insurer LV’s annual Cost of a Child Report in 2013 that the cost of bringing up a child from birth to the age of 21 is £222,458. This is a staggering amount of money. But does having baby really have to cost a fortune?

While many first time parents splash the cash

on their bumps and newborns lots of mums and dads are realising that there are lots of ways to make having a baby more affordable.

Borrowing clothes and kit from family and friends is a great way of reducing costs. Similarly, buying second hand for baby wherever possible is a brilliant way of saving money. This is where Mum2mum market comes in. Mum2mum market organise themed baby and children’s nearly new sales at which it is possible to buy what you need and save hundreds of pounds.

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EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

Babies grow so fast that the chances are they will only wear the hugely expensive designer baby clothes, that cost so much but looked so cute in the shop you couldn’t go home without them, once or twice……..

Almost everything you need can be purchased second hand. At a mum2mum market buyers pay around 30% of the new price for large items like cots and pushchairs and second hand clothes, toys and books start from 50p! You really can pick up almost everything you need from bedding and towels to a second hand designer pram.

Similarly, you can also sell your outgrown stuff and recoup some of the cost.

It’s worthwhile taking care of your baby items so that when you’ve finished with them you can sell them on at a mum2mum market nearly new sale yourself.

You keep 100% of your takings on the day and will recoup some of the outlay spent. Novice sellers are coached prior to the event with sellers’ tips and pricing guides to maximise their sales on the day.

Why buy and sell like this when there are lots of other auction and selling sites? Quite simply it’s an economical way to sell. Sellers can sell a lot of goods in one afternoon

for one flat selling fee.

The cost of selling on an auction site can really stack up and potentially the item won’t sell for as much as you want for it.

At a mum2mum market the seller keeps 100% of the proceeds and retains control over the selling price.For buyers the advantages are huge.

You can see what you are getting, have a proper look at it and ask the buyer questions before parting with your hard earned cash. What’s not to like?

In the current economic climate it makes a great deal of sense to be more thrifty and buy and sell your baby and children’s stuff this way.

Mum2mum market nearly new sales have recently arrived in the Enfield area.

The sales, little havens for cash strapped parents, are popping up throughout the borough. The next sale in Enfield is on Saturday 23rd March at St Stephen’s Church Hall in Bush Hill Park, followed by Tilbury Hall, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar on Saturday 20th April. The next Highlands Village Sale is on Saturday 25th May. For more information visit the website, www. mum2mummarket. co.uk or email fiona atmum2mummarket.co.uk

Local News and Events

Estate Agents are not all the same 23 years ago two bright eyed young men, both called Andrew, opened the doors for the first time of their own estate agency, Chamberlains Estates on Windmill Hill.

All these years later the young faces may have aged a bit and more than a few grey hairs have appeared but the bright eyes and warmth of the greeting have never changed.

“At the time of opening the doors of Chamberlains Estates both Andrew Standen and myself were living in Enfield and had been working in the area in different offices for a number of years. During this time we built up an extensive local knowledge.

In 1989, during a time of recession, we saw many agents closing down.

However, we both thought that by joining forces, using our expertise and

offering an exemplary level of service we could build a successful company,” said Andrew Ryde.

“We have always strived to offer a service where our vendors and purchasers feel the most important part of the process. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions people make during their lives, and probably the most expensive. We want to help make this process as smooth a journey as possible. It could be taking that first step on the property ladder, moving up or downsizing to building a property portfolio or finding the perfect retirement property, we are there,” added Andrew Standen. “In fact it’s been fantastic having people come in looking for their first property, who have returned a few years later to sell that home and buy another maybe with a partner, and then again a bigger home to fit in a family.”

As well as selling property

Chamberlains run a successful lettings business.

“The challenges for the letting agency are different from those of the estate agency. We offer a range of services from introducing the tenant to the landlords property to full management, where we look after the day to day running of property for our client, all of course with the benefit of a free rent guarantee insurance policy” said Andrew S. “We are members of the Property Ombudsmen scheme together with other professional bodies adding additional reassurance to tenants and landlords.”

Andrew Ryde added “Over the 23 years we have been trading we have seen both good and hard times, recessions have come and gone but we have still been able to find, sell and let property for our customers. We are always happy to carry out a valuation or just give someone some advice on how to sell, let or buy their property. Our advice costs nothing but hopefully will help local people. We have always wanted to be seen as a business that is part of the community and try to add support wherever we can. Currently we are sponsoring local events at Highlands School, Chicken Shed Theatre as well as The EN2 Krew dance group. Last year we even sponsored and took on the care and maintenance of a

couple of local flower beds in association with Enfield in Bloom”

WIN WIN WIN Chamberlains Estates have just redesigned and launched their website together with the marketing materials for promoting local properties. To celebrate this Chamberlains Estates would like to offer 2 people an overnight stay at Hanbury Manor and Country Club.

“Moving home is rated as one of the top 5 most stressful experiences that you go through in life, at Chamberlains Estates we aim to take away as much of that worry as possible.

We thought, why not give our competition winners the opportunity to relax and de-stress overnight on us” To enter the competition go to visit www. chamberlainsestates.com and answer the question on the competition page.

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

Local News and Events

Does The EN Area Have The Most Beautiful People In The Country?

Well according to English Hair and Beauty Awards 2013 we must have.

Local Hair and Beauty salons have been recognised at the English Hair and Beauty Awards 2013. The winner of the Hair Salon Of The Year London and the countries Overall Hair Salon of The Year was James Whitaker Hairdressers along with Beauty Salon Of The Year London winner Pure Hair & Beauty and Finalists in the Beauty Salon Of The Year London category, Emma Clair Hair & Beauty.

The winners and finalists of the English Hair and Beauty Awards 2013 are based on public nominations and a panel of judges, and this year the English Hair and Beauty Awards received a staggering 10,000 votes, which covered the 21 specialist categories.

Accolades included

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Beautician of the Year, Hair Salon of the Year and Makeup Specialist of the Year, amongst many others. Now in its second year, the English Hair and Beauty Awards recognises and rewards some of England’s top hair and beauty experts and celebrates the amazing breadth of talent and style in this country.

EN Magazine meet up with the local winners

James Whitaker Hair - Winner Hair Salon Of The Year London and Overall Hair Salon of The Year “It was fantastic to be a finalist again this year, and we were overjoyed when we were announced as the London regions Hair Salon of the Year. I cannot say a big enough thank you to all the customers who took the time to nominate us for this award. We were

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

so pleased and excited to have won, especially when you look at the high quality of finalists.

But then our level of excitement was surpassed when we heard our name read out as the Overall Hair Salon of the Year.”

“Since opening James Whittaker Hair 10 years ago, I have always strived to build a reputation for high quality hair cuts with exemplary service.

I wanted to offer the high-end cutting and styling people travel to central London for, locally. Today I think, and I must congratulate them, I have a fantastic team supporting me, Donna Mott and Lisa Edwards, who are both highly qualified stylists.

Together we try to look after every customer as if they are our only customer, to give them not only the style or colour they are looking for but a pleasurable and fun experience every time they visit the salon.”

“As well as the quality of the customer recommendations the judges also commented on the success we had elsewhere, winning the local EN Magazine Favourite Hairdresser award 2012 and the community work we have carried out, collecting presents at Christmas for Haven House Hospice.”

James Whitaker Hair 82 Lancaster Road, Enfield, EN2 0BX 020 8362 1515

Pure Hair and Beauty – Winner Beauty Salon Of The Year London “At Pure Hair and Beauty I have always tried to install the need for all my staff to go that little bit further in looking after our customers, and I am so pleased that this award recognises all their hard work. As a team we have been overwhelmed by the number of customers who have taken the time

Local News and Events to nominate us for the awards and would like to say a big thank you to them all.”

“As a beauty salon, we offer an extensive range of treatments with a team of 9 beauticians and hair stylists al of whom are already striving to make sure that every one of our customers feels like an award winner when the come in for a treatment.”

Pure Hair and Beauty 45 Windmill Hill, Enfield, EN2 7AE 020 8363 2236

Emma Clair Hair & Beauty - Finalists Beauty Salon Of The Year London.

we had been nominated and were finalists in the 2013 awards. As a small family run beauty salon we would like to say a massive thank you to all the customers that took the time to nominate us to reach the finals. We have always aimed to give our clients the best possible experience and are so grateful that our customers have shown their appreciation of the level of service that we provide.

Emma Clair Hair & Beauty 62 Church St, Enfield EN2 6AX 020 8366 2200

122a Chase Side Enfield EN2 0QN

020 8366 7666

Celebrating St George

“The street part we organised last year was such a success we just wanted to once again bring the community together,” said Paul Keller one of the organisers. “It was not just on the day, but also afterwards you would see people who came to the party and meet for the first time stop and say hello in the stree,t

Specialist in Cake Decorating Equipment and supplies

Decorative Supplies

“We could not believe it when the English Hair and Beauty awards contacted us to tell us

Last year lots of local communities got to together to join in the Queens Jubilee celebrations and hold a street party.

On group of street party organisors have decided to do it all over again.

Everything you need to create your own stunning cake-ations

Dec Supp mar13-.indd 1

12/3/13 07:58:12

rather than walk by, we hope to foster and build on the community spirit at this years event.”

“We decided to hold the event to celebrate St George’s day the patron Saint of England. We have a fun filled day of events for all ages; bouncy castles, steam engines, fancy dress and St George’s shield competitions, a sing along with a local choir and lots more. The event will take place on 27th April from 1-6 pm at The Wonder Pub and Batley Road in Enfield and we would welcome everyone to join us.”

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

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These are really pushy mothers!

If you’ve recently had a baby, the last thing you’ll feel like you have time for is an exercise class. How will you fit it in and who will look after the little one when you’re off down the gym?

Well, local mum and personal trainer, Nicola Ballinger, may well have the answer in the shape of her brand new Pushy Mothers exercise classes for mothers and babies in Oakmere Park. “The great thing about Pushy Mothers is that it fits in around you,” says 39 yearold Nicola, mother of two small boys herself. “You bring the baby with you and lots of the exercises can be done with your buggy. Plus, it’s in the local park, where us new mums seem to spend a lot of our time anyway.”

Pushy Mothers Buggy Workout classes are designed for all levels of fitness and once you’ve had your GP check, you can get started. While the exercises are suitable for everyone, Nicola points out that there’s more to them than just a little bit of light stretching. “By the end of the hour you should be out of breath and you’ll feel like you’ve had a full workout. You should definitely notice a difference in how you look and feel after just a few weeks.”

Featuring power walking, cardiovascular, resistance and pelvic floor exercises, the Pushy Mothers training system gives you a whole-body approach

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with functional stability training to enhance your everyday life. Exercises are designed to improve core stability for a healthier back and flatter abs while also conditioning your pelvic floor. The training programme is the most effective and specific post natal workout in the country and Nicola has had success with other Pushy Mothers classes in North London. She also teaches her hour-long class at Grovelands Park in Southgate and Alexandra Park in Muswell Hill. Ally Pally regular, Emma Rose loves her weekly workout, “It’s so nice to be able to get out of the house with the baby, meet other mums and get fit in the process. I’ve made some really good friends, lost the baby weight and have got so much more energy, which you really need when you have a seven month old and another one at nursery.”

With a couple of successful classes already under her belt, what made Nicola decide to start a new class in Potters Bar? “I’ve lived here for just over two years, and I’ve certainly noticed more and more families with babies and young children moving into the area. I looked around for similar classes but couldn’t find anything, so I thought Pushy Mothers would go down well.”

And what are Nicola’s credentials when it comes to fitness training? “I’ve always loved exercising, running and dance mainly, and I thought why not combine my work with

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

my passion?” So, after a degree in Psychology, an MA at Middlesex University and several years’ work in the City, Nicola waved goodbye to the corporate world and embarked on a eight month YMCA training course. She then worked as a personal trainer in East Finchley and in Hampstead where she trained some very high profile and demanding clients. So, Nicola clearly knows what she’s doing.

But how do her classes differ from all the others out there? “They’re specifically designed for women who have recently given birth, including by Caesarean. And I like to keep it interesting. There’s nothing worse than going to an exercise class and knowing exactly what’s going to happen next. It gets boring. Plus, I think you get a much greater feeling of wellbeing just exercising outdoors.

You’re amongst nature and if the sun’s shining, there’s nothing better.” Even in the wet, Pushy Mothers still seems to have a positive effect. “It’s a good excuse to get out of the house when it’s pouring with rain and as long as you’ve got waterproofs on, you don’t really notice,” says Emma Rose.

With Pushy Mothers’ aim

being, “to make you feel good and to empower you with the strength to cope with the challenge of motherhood,” it seems like Nicola Ballinger’s new class could be just the thing that the mothers of Potters Bar have been waiting for.

If you like the sound of the Pushy Mothers class in Oakmere Park, you can contact Nicola at nicola@ pushymothers.com or on 07932 678014. Classes take place every Tuesday from 1.30 to 2.30 in Potters Bar and Fridays 12.30 to 1.30 in Grovlands Park Enfield and are suitable for all fitness levels. The first class is free, so why not give it a go? For more information you can also visit the Pushy Mothers website at www.pushymothers.com

So good he bought the company - well almost!

You may of heard the stories about business people who have been so impressed with a product or service, that the have bought the company, well local entrepreneur Nick Davidson has more a less done just that!

“When I was expanding and redeveloping my current office and shop front on Chase Side Enfield, I wanted to create a bright open space and was looking to have large double glazed windows.

I spoke to lots of local window companies and had quotes that ranged from expensive to very expensive. I then meet Tomasz Debski from TBS Group who’s quote caught my eye. The aluminium windows that he quoted me on were the same as another company but it looked like he had missed a 1 from the front of the final price.”

“Since the windows have been installed loads of customers have commented on how good they look.”

“Having been so impressed with the finished product I have joined forces with Tomasz and launched Enfield Windows to offer the same fantastic value, windows, doors, bi-fold doors and conservatories, that I was able to get.”

Enfield Windows provide and install a wide range of uPVC, aluminium and wooden windows. All the windows are made from the industry’s best quality profiles and the highly engineered specification

“I called Tomasz to discuss this as, the windows that he had quoted were my preferred choice, and I just wanted to check the price.

When I spoke to him, Tomasz explained that the price was correct and that it was because he had strong links with a factory in Poland which builds the frames and fits the glass to order.”

MAGAZINE

install is fully guaranteed against failure for 10 years.

includes 5 or 7 chamber insulation, secure internal beading, Energy efficient argon glass, high security locking and secure by design.

Their energy efficient windows are manufactured using the latest technology in glass and spacer units, all the windows have an A rated energy efficiency. These are also designed to exploit radiant heat energy from the sun. These properties combined with supreme thermal insulation result in significantly lowering household fuel energy bills. Every energy efficient window they

All of Enfield Windows new windows can really enhance the look of your home as well as increase your security, and with a wide range of styles they can cater for both traditional and new build properties, ensuring that your windows design blends in beautifully with your home. However important the style of the windows are they understand the importance of feeling secure in your own home, that’s why all of the windows incorporate the latest high security technology.

For more information visit Enfield Windows at 149 Chaseside Enfield or www. enfieldwindows.co.uk

Would you like to earn between £500 and £1000 a month?

We have an opening for a part or full time sales person to join the team Interested ? then email editorial@enmagazine.co.uk EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

13

Days Out

RAF Museum -

is it a day out for an 11 year old girl?

Another INSET day, and its my turn to take the day off to look after my daughter. I can hear the words of her mother wringing in my ears “It’s not just a day to sit her in front of the telly, you should get out and do something together!”

her along?

So what could I do, that won’t cost me a fortune, will be fun for both of us, and is fairly local?

As we arrived I was a little apprehensive as to whether I would have to spend the day with an 11 year old strop, but once we got into the first hall I realised it might not be me that was going to have all the fun.

A search back through my memories of days out as a child and I remembered been taken, by my grandfather to the RAF museum at Hendon. Well it could be the solution.

It is fairly local, and easy to get to, just 30 minutes from Enfield by car, its free entry, although a days parking costs £3.50, and it would be something we could do together. But would an 11 year old girl enjoy a museum about the RAF and the history of flight?

Of course she would! Or is this a day trip I would enjoy and could just drag

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Ok by now you are probably thinking that I have just planned the day for myself, but she has been asking questions about World War II as she has been studying it at school. So INSET day, we are off to RAF Hendon.

Entering the first display hall you are greeted to planes from various era, not just sat around the floor but also hanging at different heights and angles from the ceilings. This is where the questions started and I was grateful to the display information boards helping me to sound knowledgeable about the BAe Harrier being able to take off vertically, the Sopworth F1 Camel, and the Lockheed Martin Joint

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

Strike Fighter, the future of RAF fighter planes, as well as the many other planes on display depicting the history of flight, all the time keeping my daughter not only interested but learning. I was surely going to be in her mother good books!

In this hall was the first of the flight simulators, which are an additional cost. Seating up to 6 people per flight, the Black Hawk simulator was the first one for us to try. There are a number of rides to choose from, including, Eurofighter Typhoon - participate in a display at an air show, which is the one we choose.

Sitting in the simulator you are tipped from side to side and back and forward as the image in

front of you makes you feel as if you in the cockpit of the plane. The giggling on the simulator and the smile as we got off made me think I had chosen a good destination for this day out even on this one ride alone.

We moved on and entered the Bomber Hall and the Historic Hangers, I remember seeing some of these planes on display as a child, the aircraft both old and new. From the majestic Avro Lancaster, the Messerschmitt BF109G-2/Trop, the triumphant Supermarine Spitfire to the planes from modern warfare McDonnell Douglas Phantom and the Avro Vulcan B2, in all over 100 planes.

Dotted around the planes are additional exhibitions

Days Out and displays giving information on various historical elements of the RAF, including the clothing worn by pilots, the nuclear threat and the invention of the bouncing bomb.

I was enjoying wandering around looking at the planes and reading about their history and the wars and campaigns they had been involved in and, to my delight, my 11 year old daughter was to.

After a couple of hours she did start to get a bit bored, but then she is 11, having made our way round we had now got to the next flight simulator. A larger simulator seating up to 12 people per flight the Black Hawk Simulator also offers a selection of rides, she chose the WW1 Dogfight – a battle over the fields of France during WW1 in a Bristol Monoplane, against the enemy. The ride in the simulator was a timely injection of enthusiasm for the next part of the day.

The Aeronauts exhibition is about the science of flight with an interactive gallery for all ages, packed with hands-on exhibits demonstrating how

aircraft fly. You can test your reaction times and vision, take the controls of a helicopter and have a go at low level hang-gliding.

This day was meant to be fun for me. I mean me looking after my daughter and fun for her as well, not her having all the fun. But in the Aeronauts exhibition it was definitely for her.

Eventually, we moved on to the 4D cinema.

Combining cutting-edge 3D computer animation with the added dimension of dynamic seating and special environmental effects, we were transported directly into

the middle of the action.

Joining the crew of the Kalamazoo Girl a B-17 Bomber on a mission. We headed deep into enemy territory on a World War 2 bombing mission, vital to the Allies cause. Using computer animation combined with real-life actors, this poignant epic film was an exciting and enthralling vision into the experience of aircrew in the Second World War. We made our way to The Battle of Britain Hall, which is dedicated to the historical realities of the 1940s when the Royal Air Force stood alone against the might of Germany.

Every hour, the Hall is darkened and you can take a seat above the Hurricane and Spitfire to watch a stunning audiovisual presentation of the Battle.

The show “Our Finest Hour” uses film footage, audio, special lighting effects and the real aircraft to give the visitor some of the atmosphere and feeling of the period, which brings to reality the story of the Battle. The slumbering aircraft are brought back to life with a roar of engines, the rattle of guns and tense voices.

After around 5 hours of exploring the museum I had not encountered one strop or tantrum.

In fact as we left she asked could we come back again some time.

Looking back on the day we had enjoyed together, at the RAF Museum, just as I had done as a child with my grandfather I thought perhaps he had been teaching me about parenting, as well as the history of the RAF!

For more information on visiting the RAF Museum Hendon go to www. rafmuseun.org.uk

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

15

Legal Page

Legal Page in association with Solicitors LLP

To Buy or Buy To Let? That is the Question Looking around the EN area and seeing the cranes and all the developments it doesn’t look like we are in a recession. In recent months, in the EN area, property prices don’t appear to have been affected by the worst recession in a lifetime, as property prices have held their value and even started to rise. A new trend is for empty buildings and office blocks to be converted into residential flats. One such development was recently completed in the Enfield town by a housing association and there are currently 3 developments in the Enfield Town area, one of which, has several floors being added to the high rise building giving what should be spectacular views into the City.

One of these developments is marketed as a ‘Buy to Let’ opportunity with low rate mortgages for Landlord applicants. With housing being in high demand and first time buyers not being able to afford the deposit or the mortgage, the private rental market is thriving.

If you are unable to pay the mortgage, your own home may not be at risk if the mortgage is secured on the rental property.

If you intend to buy a property to rent it, and you have to raise a mortgage, you have the option of raising the mortgage on your existing home, if you have enough equity to do so. Alternatively you can obtain a buy to

let mortgage that is secured on the rental property. If you are unable to pay the mortgage, your own home may not be at risk if the mortgage is secured on the rental property. You should make sure that you can pay the mortgage yourself if the property is empty or if your tenants are unable to pay the rent. It is possible to arrange insurance to cover the unpaid rent but there may be exclusions, which do not cover your situation, so make sure that you read the policy carefully before you start paying the premiums.

Before allowing any one to live in your property you should have a tenancy agreement.

All tenancies are now assured shorthold tenancies unless stated otherwise. The contracts can be for any period but typically are for 6 or 12 months, sometimes with the option of an earlier break clause. At least 2 months’ notice in the correct format must be given to a tenant before the end of the term if possession is to be recovered from a tenant otherwise than voluntarily.

If the tenants do not pay the rent possession can be obtained during the fixed term of the tenancy.

All deposits must be paid into a regulated Tenancy Deposit Scheme

All deposits must be paid into a regulated Tenancy Deposit Scheme in accordance with strict rules and a failure to do so will lead to financial penalties and, potentially, an inability to recover possession of your property. A typical deposit is one month’s rent but more can be obtained by agreement. It is a good idea to get a credit reference for a new tenant and references from a previous landlord, employer or bank. If renting to students a guarantee may be obtained from their parents to ensure that the rent is paid.

If the tenancy expires and the tenant does not leave, the landlord has to apply to the court for possession. If the two month notice has already be given, this process can take 2 – 3 months before there is a possession order.

• Domestic Conveyancing • Separation & Divorce • Wills, Trusts & Probate • Employment Matters • Landlord & Tenant • Civil Litigation • Commercial Conveyancing • Company & Commercial Matters

www.martinshepherd.co.uk 16

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

Solicitors LLP

020 8367 3230

Legal Page Even then the tenant can remain in occupation until a certified court bailiff attends at the property to secure the premises and evict them, which could be another month or more.

A judgment for unpaid rent can be obtained but if the tenant has not been able to pay the rent it is unlikely they will be able to afford to pay the judgment.

If you have a bad tenant it can be very expensive

If you have a bad tenant it can be very expensive and you could be without an income for months although if the tenant disappears owing money, an application can be made to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme for the deposit to be repaid to the Landlord.

It is a criminal offence to evict a tenant from a property even if they are in rent arrears without a court order.

If they are unlawfully evicted the tenants can apply for an injunction to return to the property and claim compensation from the landlord.

With the number of professionals renting, the private rental market is changing and it is possible to have many years of successful renting and never encounter any non –paying or troublesome tenants.

Also you will need to ensure that your property is insured and complies with all fire, gas and other safety regulations.

As a landlord there is a duty to repair and maintain the premises so if you are not able to carry out the repairs yourself you should make sure you have a plumber, or electrician or central heating engineer on hand to attend at your property in an emergency if necessary. Also you will need to ensure that your property is insured and complies with all fire, gas and other safety regulations.

When marketing the property to let you may need an Energy Performance Certificate.

There are many letting agents who will provide you with a full property management service, find the tenants, arrange for certificates, deal with all the paperwork on your behalf and also arrange for the repairs and maintenance so they have all the communications with the tenant so you just receive the rent each month. There is a fee for this service, which is deducted from your rent, but it gives peace of mind.

The letting agents cannot act for the landlord in some

possession actions and will instruct solicitors to do so on their behalf, at the landlord’s expense.

An alternative is for you to manage the letting yourself and use a solicitor to prepare the necessary paperwork for you because, if a mistake is made, it can be a costly exercise.

You may want to take legal advice

If you are considering buying a property to rent or renting a property you already own you may want to take legal advice before doing so as there are a number of other matters to consider such as safety regulations and licences from the Local Authority before a house can be rented.

If you require any advice or more information about this article contact Gareth Humberstone at Martin Shepherd Solicitors gh@martinshepherd.co.uk tel 0208 367 3230

Please Mention

MAGAZINE when responding to adverts and editorial EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

17

Financial

At Sterlings, we’re

Tax and Financial Advice

in association with

Sterlings Chartered Accountants

Professional. Practical. Personal

Is Your Holiday Home A Business For many people the owning of a second property ad a holiday destination and home is the culmination of their hard work and dreams. However to help pay for the upkeep of these homes they are often let out to other holiday makers.

Buying property is normally seen as a good way to invest money. So does this make your holiday home a business or an investment?

The verdict on holiday homes: business or investment?

Last year’s ruling that a holiday home qualified for business property relief was controversial. It opened the door for tax planning on a grand scale. But HMRC appealed the decision and the verdict is finally in... which is?

Case recap

Around a year ago the First-Tier Tribunal gave its decision in the case of the Personal Reps of N V Pawson, deceased and HMRC (P and HMRC). The crux of this case was whether a holiday home, which was rented out for much of the year, counted as a business asset for Inheritance Tax business property relief . If business property relief applied, the value of the property would be Inheritance Tax -free.

Tax-saving opportunities

The original decision, which went in favour of P, caused a great deal of excitement in the tax world as it opened up the possibility for tax saving schemes. However, HMRC appealed the decision, and at the end of January the Upper Tribunal overturned the original ruling. But could the latest decision be challenged?

End of the line?

As far as P is concerned we can’t see the case going to the next stage of appeal. For other holiday rental property owners the latest ruling doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre. The Upper Tribunal didn’t rule out completely the possibility that business property relief can apply, but it will only be the case in exceptional situations.

Business or investment

The rule at the centre of this case says an asset doesn’t

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EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

qualify for business property relief where it is “wholly or mainly” used for “making or holding investments”.

There’s clearly an investment aspect to buying a property, i.e. you hope it will grow in value with the market. This is so even where you intend to rent it out.

The question is therefore whether or not your holiday home is “mainly” an investment. If so then there’s no business property relief .

How can you decide?

To put the question into clearer perspective it might help to look at an example of when an asset does count as part of an overall business. Consider a retail shop; while the value of the property it is run from may increase and make the owner a profit when it’s sold, it’s obvious that it’s “mainly” just somewhere to run the business from. In the context of a rented holiday home, the emphasis will nearly always be on the property, with the rental income playing a supporting role.

Level of services

If you want your holiday home to stand a chance of qualifying for business property relief you need to add services that are completely separate to those needed simply to maintain the property (cleaning, redecorating, etc.).

Tip 1. Services that turn a simple rental to an allinclusive holiday make the difference - think package holiday rather than landlord. By offering catering, outings to local attractions, taxi services, an on-site games room with table tennis and electronic consoles etc., you’ll boost your chances.

Tip 2. If you’re elderly, like Mrs Pawson, running a holiday business probably won’t suit you. Instead, you could mortgage your property and use the capital generated to buy shares in trading companies quoted on the Alternative Investment Market. After just two years these will qualify for business property relief . The effect on your Inheritance Tax bill will be the same as if the holiday home had itself qualified.

In general, letting a holiday home won’t count as a business for Inheritance Tax business property relief purposes. To make it qualify you must provide significant extra services not linked to just maintaining the property. Examples include catering, local tours, onsite entertainment, e.g. a games room, etc.

Adrian Cohen, STERLINGS LTD 020 8343 2255

Easter

Easter - A Global Celebration With Many Traditions It’s that time of year when the occasional sunny day lightens our mood, daffodils and crocuses spring through the grass and lambs gambol in the fields; on top of all these mood enhancing events, there’s chocolate, chicks and the Easter Bunny.

Originally Easter was called Pascha, a Hebrew word for Passover. The word Easter itself evolved from Eostre, which was the name of an Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility and Spring time. For hundreds of years this custom, which marks the end of the deprivations and restrictions of one season and the beginning of new life and fertility in another, has been celebrated religiously or with bizarre customs throughout the world.

EN looked into some of the ways that other countries observe Easter:

Brazil

Easter celebrations in Brazil begin with the Holy Week rituals, which involve the blessing of the palm branches, woven in intricate patterns representing crosses, banners, letters and other related objects. As in many other countries, worshippers in Brazil take part in procession walks, carrying statues of Mary and Jesus.

‘Pacoca’, a special Easter delicacy is prepared by mixing crushed nuts (preferably peanuts) and other ingredients including sugar to form a paste, which is given to visitors to eat.

Bulgaria

The Bulgarian ‘good luck crack’ is a unique Easter tradition to Bulgaria. Eggs are cracked after the midnight service and over the next few days, during the festive season of Easter.

On Easter, the eggs are cracked before lunch. The egg that is cracked on the wall of the church is the first egg that people eat after the long fast of Lent. People take turns in tapping their eggs against the eggs of others and the person who ends up with the last unbroken egg is believed to have a year of good luck. He/she is considered as the most successful, healthy and happy person for the rest of the year.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, the traditional name for Easter Monday is ‘Whipping Monday’, because on this day, the village boys symbolically ‘whip’ girls on the legs. ‘Pussy Willow’ twigs are thought to bring health and youth to anyone who is thrashed with them. The braided whip

made from Pussy Willow twigs is called the ‘Easter Pomlázka’. While whipping the girl, the boy would recite an Easter carol, usually asking for an egg or two. The girl would reward the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his Pomlázka. This tradition is still followed in many parts of Czech Republic.

Greece

On Easter Saturday morning, people throw pots out of windows symbolizing their rejection of Judas – Make sure you wear a helmet if visiting the country at this time of year because it may not be a bright idea get hit on the head !

Germany

Germany is regarded as the birthplace of modern day Easter icons such as Easter Bunny and Easter Tree.

German kids were told of an “Easter Bunny” (Osterhase) that hid eggs and chocolates for children to find on Easter Sunday. Today, Easter eggs are exchanged as presents in Germany. The tradition of the egg tree is also popular in Germany. The eggs used for cooking Easter meals are not broken but are emptied by blowing the contents into a bowl, through pinholes at either end of the egg. The hollow eggs are then beautifully decorated and hung from shrubs and trees, during Easter week.

Finland

Fins make noise, and lots of it….children walk around their home village on Easter night carrying loud musical instruments, ratchets or a cowbell – the little darlings

Poland

We included this for the name – Smingus-Dyngus!!!!! On Easter Monday, Polish boys lie in wait for the Polish girls to wander by and then sprinkle/pour water over them; it is thought that those girls who are caught, will marry within the year. Water is an ancient Spring symbol for cleansing and purification.

Italy

Italian Easters can be explosive as the Scoppio del Carro will attest to. During this festival a fleet of white oxen drag an elaborate multi-storey wagon through the streets of Florence and end up in front of the Basilica di S.Maria del Fiore. Following Mass, the Archbishop ignites a fire and the cart explodes with a wonderful firework display. A big bang ensures a good harvest.

Of course Easter is an opportunity for family and friends to get together and celebrate in whichever way they deem suitable and obviously food plays a big part in this. We all know that cake, buns, eggs, rabbits and lamb are all closely associated with this occasion but do you know why?

EN looked up the symbolism behind the food and discovered that Simnel Cake was originally thought to be a cake brought home to mums by girls in service, on the 4th Sunday of Lent. The cake would have 11 marzipan balls on top, representing the 11 Apostles (minus Judas of course). Hot Cross buns have always been eaten all over the world, for example ancient Greeks & Egyptians ate them in honour of goddesses,

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

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Easter Saxons in honour of Eostre with the cross representing the moon and its cycle and for Christians the cross represents the crucifixion.

Apparently rabbit and lamb are the two meats eaten most at this time. Rabbit represents fertility & symbolizes new life; lamb represents the animal that was sacrificed when Jesus was on the cross.

Eggs, chocolate or otherwise have always represented fertility and new beginnings and when painted with bright colours they epitomize sunlight/beginning of spring, although some countries colour their eggs all red, which represents Christ’s blood

When people think of foods at Easter then generally think of chocolate eggs and with Easter only a few weeks away the shelves of shops are already crowded with Easter eggs. However, there are other traditional foods associated with the Easter festivities that you could make yourself. EN Magazine spoke to local flour mill, Wright’s at Ponders End Mills who have a vast selection of packet bread and cake mixes, ideal for producing the perfect edible accompaniment for Easter Celebrations.

Hot Cross Buns

In 1361, a monk named Father Thomas Rockcliffe began a tradition of giving Hot Cross Buns to the poor of St Albans on Good Friday. In years that followed, many customs, traditions, superstitions and claims of healing and protection from evil were associated with the buns.

In the 16th century, Roman Catholicism was banned in England, but the popularity of Hot Cross buns continued. Queen Elizabeth I passed a law banning the consumption of Hot Cross Buns except during festivals such as Easter, Christmas and funerals.

Across the top of a hot cross bun is a symbol that some think is the sign of the crucifix. This is possibly a modern interpretation, as small loaves bearing a cross, were eaten by the Saxons. In this context the cross symbolises the four quarters of the moon.

Hot Cross Bun Recipe:

500g Wrights Premium White bread mix OR Wholemeal bread mix 500g Wright’s Ciabatta Bread Mix 115g Fat 28g Milk Powder 100g Sugar

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EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

225g Mixed Fruit 2 Tablespoons Mixed Spice 1 size 4 egg 520ml Warm Water 100g Self Raising Flour - mixed to a smooth paste with 150ml of cold water for crosses.

50g Caster Sugar dissolved in 100ml Boiling Water For Glaze

Method This recipe makes 30 hot cross buns. A smaller quantity of buns can be made by using half a pack of each mix and half the quantity of other ingredients.

Add the fat, sugar, milk powder, mixed spice and egg to the bread mixes.

Using 520ml of warm water make up the dough following the instructions on the pack.

Add the mixed fruit and blend through the dough.

Divide the dough into 30 pieces and mould into balls.

Rest for 10 minutes.

Remould the pieces and place on a greased baking trays ensuring they are in straight lines to make the piping of the crosses easier. Number on each tray depends on size of tray.

Prove in a warm place for 35-40 minutes or until doubled in size.

Using a piping bag fitted with a fine nozzle (1-1.5mm) pipe crosses carefully on the proved buns.

Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (425°F) gas mark 7 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from oven and brush immediately with sugar solution to give glaze.

Simnel Cake and its Easter Origins

Similar in taste to a Christmas Cake, Simnel Cake is a rich fruit cake with a layer of sweet almondscented marzipan baked running through the centre of it. It is then topped with another layer of marzipan and then eleven small balls of marzipan are placed in a circle on top. The eleven balls represent the eleven true Disciples of Christ. Judas is, of course, notably absent. There is a tradition which states that the cake was given when people went “Mothering”. This was not initially an early reference to Mother’s Day, which occurs a few weeks before Easter in the UK, but a time when people would visit their “Mother” church, the largest in the parish.

Families would meet up at this larger place of worship and exchange gifts or share food. As time went by, and the emphasis was placed on more secular forms of the custom, the occasion was changed more literally – to visiting the mother of the family.

Easter Simnel Cake Recipe Wright’s Carrot Cake Mix 500g Mixed Dried Fruit 350g Marzipan 150g Ground Almonds 100g Zest & juice of two oranges Decoration Apricot Jam 1-2 tbsp Marzipan 450g Fresh Flowers & Ribbon Cake Board 9-10” Round

Method (Makes 1 unit – 12 portions) Add the juice and zest of the two oranges to the mixed fruit and leave to soak for 1 hour.

Place the cake mix, ground almonds, water and oil into a bowl.

Mix together to form a smooth batter.

Add the fruit mixture and mix well.

Pour half of the cake batter into a deep round pre-lined 19cm (7½ inches) baking tin.

Roll out 150g of the marzipan into a 18cm (7 inches) round and place on top of the batter in the baking tin.

Pour over the remaining cake batter.

Smooth over the cake batter making a slight dip in the middle of the cake. (This will help produce a flatter cake) Bake in the lower half of a pre-heated oven 160°C (320°F) gas mark 3-4 for approximately 90 minutes.

Allow the cake to cool before removing from the tin and place in the centre of the cake board.

Brush the top of the cake with warm apricot jam.

Weigh out 150g of the marzipan and roll out a circle to 19cm (7 ½ inches).

Place the circle of marzipan on top of the jam.

Divide the remaining marzipan in half, using one half to form 11 small balls and set round the edge using water.

Place under a preheated grill to brown slightly.

Divide the remaining piece of marzipan into 2 and roll each one into a long rope about 23cm (9 inches) long and twist round each other. Place the twisted marzipan around the bottom of the cake.

Decorate with fresh flowers and finish with ribbon round the top of the cake.

What could be better than chocolate cup cakes with Mini Eggs, a real favourite nesting nicely on these chocolate cupcakes - foiled eggs, mini cream eggs or Maltesers also work well:

Easter Cup Cakes

Wright’s Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix 500g Water 200ml Vegetable Oil 60ml Topping Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa solids) 200g Unsalted Butter (softened) 250g Icing Sugar 250g Vanilla Extract 1 teaspoon

Decorations Chocolate Mini Eggs 1 packet (24-36) Grated White Chocolate 2 tablespoons

Method: Mix all the ingredients under “Cupcakes” to form a smooth batter, for 1-2 minutes.

Line a standard 12 hole muffin tray tin with muffin cases.

Divide the mixture between the muffin cases.

Bake in a preheated oven 180°C (360°F), Gas Mark 5 for 20-25 minutes until firm to the touch.

Allow to cool completely before decorating.

Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally.

Allow to cool. Meanwhile in a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract together until smooth.

Add the melted chocolate and beat until thick and creamy.

Pipe each cake with the chocolate icing a place 2-3 mini eggs on each as per illustration.

Sprinkle on the grated white chocolate.

WIN WIN WIN Wright’s Flour Mills have given us 5 boxes of bread and cake mix products to 5 lucky winners - the boxes will incorporate mix of 5 packets of Wright’s bread and cake mix just tell us where Father Thomas Rockcliffe gave away Hot Cross Buns. ?

To enter email your answer to competitions@ enmagazine.co.uk alternatively you can send your entry to Competitions, EN Magazine, 63 High Street, Potters Bar, EN6 5AS. If you want to be included in the draw for alcohol you must supply us with your date of birth.

Closing date for entries is 3rd Arpil

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

21

Home Improvements

Spring Clean Into Action!

Look around your home and ask yourself: what are you most afraid of? Embarking on a skirmish with your skirting boards? Opening the oven and gazing in fascinated horror at the decaying remnants of last night’s supper, baked from here to eternity onto the inside of the door? Or is it the sinister strands of cobwebs, eerily reminiscent of a fairground ghost train, dangling from the corners of your ceiling? Any of these could be enough to have you closing your eyes, crossing your fingers and actually hoping for the return of winter: that way, in the days of darkness, no one will be able to spot the dust bunnies gathering in wait for your on the stairs…

Don’t worry. You are not alone. For every Hyacinth Bucket out there, intent on Keeping Up Appearances, there are cars and commuter carriages full of the rest of us, with busy lives, jobs and families that occupy most of our time and attention, and who may have taken our eyes off the cleaning ball. The thing is – and there’s no way around this – spring is on its way. Very soon, merciless beams of sunshine will be poking their fingers through your windows, showing up every dancing mote of dust, and you’ll probably be wanting to do something about it. The good news is, here at EN, we’ve pulled together some top tips on products and techniques that can make the spring cleaning process quick, easy and satisfying, leaving you free to get on with the important things in life, like, well, having a life.

Before we start, here’s a list of 10 of the most disliked household chores, as supplied by Oven Pride: · Cleaning the oven · Hoovering the stairs · Cleaning the toilet · Removing hair from the plug [Aarrgh!] · Ironing shirts · Cleaning the skirting boards · Scouring the bath · Moving furniture to clean behind · Cleaning out the fridge · Mowing the lawn

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Does your heart sink at the thought of any of the above? Chris Olive, Brand Manager for Oven Pride, says ‘We all lead such hectic modern lives that it’s sometimes hard to keep on top of everything. Of course, the longer you leave a job, the worse it usually is when you finally get around to facing it, but making sure you have the right tools for the job can make household chores less of a nightmare. When it

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

comes down to it, the thought of doing a job you’ve put off is usually a lot worse than actually getting it done.’

If cleaning the oven features on your household hatelist, Oven Pride, which retails at £3.99 from all major supermarkets, can be a useful weapon in your armoury.

Apply the formula to the areas that need to be cleaned, leave it to soak for a minimum of four hours, or ideally overnight, then remove the residue with a sponge or cloth and rinse the inside of the oven and racks to restore your oven to its former glory. Job done.

Meanwhile, Lindsey Taylor, an expert from leading household cleaning solutions brand, Vileda, offers these tips on how to put a spring in your step whilst tackling the cleaning.

1, Have a structured and organised approach. Try to clean methodically from room to room, top to bottom, to help conserve your energy and ensure nowhere gets missed.

2, Turn over your mattress. It helps to prolong its life.

Use a machine washable mattress protector to keep the need for cleaning your mattress to a minimum.

3, For fragrant drawers, use an essential oil such as lavender or lemon and mix with water in a ratio of 1:5.

Gently wipe the inside of the drawers to give them a fresh spring smell. Make sure you dry any excess liquid to prevent staining.

4, Get rid of the dust that has built up over the year.

Take care using stepladders and dust the top of your wardrobes and cupboards.

5, For wiping glass shower doors, dip a sponge cloth

Home Improvements in white wine vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar cuts straight through any soap scum and will leave your shower sparkling.

6, For tackling the mildew or staining of tile grout that has built up over the winter months, brush the tile joints with a bicarbonate of soda and water paste to remove stains. Then use a heavy-duty scourer such as the Vileda Power Non-Scratch Scourer and a mild cleaning solution to easily and gently scrub down all of your tiles.

7, When cleaning hard floors, use a mop suited for your floor type. If you have tiles, opt for a cloth strip mop. If you have wood or laminate, opt for a flat mop, which puts less moisture on the floor.

8, For cleaning carpets, make sure you dust first, then vacuum. This makes vacuuming more effective as you’ll pick up any fallen dust. To avoid fallen dust in the first place, use a cloth with an electrostatic charge, such as the Vileda Soft Dust Cloth.

9, Whilst cleaning the bathroom, fill the bath tub with a few inches of the hottest water you can draw from the tap. This heats the bathroom temperature and improves the effectiveness of alkaline cleaning solutions.

Ideal for those who like a sparkling clean with minimal elbow grease, the 1, 2 Spray Mini is a handy miniature version of the best-selling Vileda mop – the 1, 2 Spray.

Whereas the 1, 2 Spray Mop focuses on cleaning floors, the 1, 2 Spray Mini is ideal for worktops, windows, glass tables, doors to name but a few. It can even be used to clean inside the car.

Bring warmth and feature into your home with

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Jean Barrie Fireplaces

specialists in hole in the wall designs Traditional, Contemporary, Inset Stoves & Fireplaces, Stoves, Gas, Solid Fuel and Electric Fires OvEr 40 DISPlayS ON ShOW OPENING TIMES

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm Saturday:10am - 5pm Sunday: 11am - 3pm (viewing only)

Culver Garden Centre, Cattlegate Road, Crews Hill, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 9DW

tel: 020 8367 2770 www.jeanbarrie.com

Brighten Your Home with Our Range of Colours Fabrics and Styles

Proof Mar2.indd 1

Like its full-sized predecessor, the 1, 2 Spray Mini’s handle fills with either water or a cleaning fluid such as the 1, 2 Spray cleaning solution. The all-in-one system and ergonomic handle means you can simply spray, wipe and clean – it does all the hard work for you!

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The mini gadget efficiently removes finger prints, grease and smears from a wide range of surfaces such as mirrors, windows, doors, tables, car interiors and many more.

The special microfiber chenille material pad gives five times better cleaning performance than an ordinary cloth thanks to its fluffy, soft ‘cleaning nodules’. Made of microfibre and viscose, the pad absorbs maximum liquid and glides easily and gently across the surface. The durable pad is easy to remove and can even be washed in the washing machine.

A cloth and bucket all in one handsized tool, Vileda’s 1, 2 Spray Mini is the mini innovation in cleaning.

The 1, 2 Spray Mini is available in leading supermarkets RRP £6.99, with the refill pad at RRP £2.99.

ouR powEREd Lift and RisE REcLinERs aRE on ExpREss dELiVERy and aLL aRE aVaiLabLE witH MatcHinG sofas and in a RanGE of fabRics and coLouRs

wE offER coMfoRtabLE suitEs and cHaiRs in a RanGE of sEnsibLE sizEs and styLEs

Furncrafts

QUALITY FURNITURE EST.1933

Celebrating our

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44 London Road EnfiELd town th 1933 year 2013 Middx En2 6Ef on Enfield’s tEL: 020 8363 0359 High Street www.fuRncRafts.co.uk nEEd a HoME Visit ? Just GiVE us a caLL at

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

23

Home Improvements Taking down the nets and cleaning the curtains is a traditional start to the cleaning experience, but there are pitfalls to avoid. Julia Sondack from Drapemasters shares her advice.

Cleaning Nets & Voiles Firstly check the fabric, if it’s a cotton or linen mix or completely synthetic then they should be fine to pop in the washing machine. Most net curtains or voiles are fitted on rods or wires so should slide off easily when taken down. If yours are fitted on tracks with hooks then do make sure you remove the hooks before placing them in the machine. Do not stuff loads in the machine as you will end up with scrunched up grey areas on the curtains where the detergent and water have not been able to reach properly. Use a mild detergent or a net whitener and make sure you use a very delicate cycle.

The time they are in the machine is perfect for giving your panes, frames and sills a good clean/wipe over

to ensure the curtains do not pick up any dust when they are rehung.When the washing machine cycle has finished its light spin remove the curtains and hang straight away. They will dry at the windows releasing any slight creases and smelling gorgeous.

Curtains, Shutters & Blinds It’s time to get out your tickling sticks for those shutters and venetian blinds. Truly nothing works better than a lovely Ostrich feather duster for cleaning these as you can gently ease it in between the slats. With some fabric blinds such as rollers or romans and some curtains, if, it is just a light layer of dust on them we recommend a very gentle vacuum. If they are more than a few years old and have gathered considerable dust then why not try our no shrinkage guaranteed cleaning service?

Drapemasters will come to you, take them down and have them professionally cleaned off site using specialist curtain cleaning machines which then follow through with repleating and pressing equipment. We then return them clean and fresh and refit them ensuring they hang correctly. Your blinds such as rollers, verticals and pleated with heavier dirt can also be taken away and cleaned in ultrasonic vat which quite literally shakes the dirt out of them!

We hope this has given you some food for thought, but there’s more to spring cleaning than just cleaning. There’s also de-cluttering to consider.

It’s time to get rid of what you don’t need to make more space for the things you actually use. Hammonds Furniture say: ‘Winter is almost over and we’re looking forward to warmer climes and lighter days. With this in mind it might be worth taking out all of your winter woollies and putting them into storage. This will create more space for your lighter, brighter clothes and accessories that take up less space.

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“Fitted window seats or linen presses are ideal for storing those extra winter layers and bulky bedding that don’t need to be a permanent fixture in your wardrobe. They also look really pretty and are very on trend right now.

‘Have a serious think about the things that are inside your wardrobe. Are you really going to fit back into that outfit

Home Improvements that became a little too tight years ago, and will you really use ALL of the belts/ties/scarves hanging there gathering dust? Be ruthless when it comes to making space, and don’t think that getting rid of things means you can replace them with more clutter!

‘If there are items in your wardrobe you use more often than others or are particularly fond of, then think about incorporating an in-built display unit. This could be to show off your wonderful shoe collection or could be a rack to display your ties. Tailor-made drawers can be customised to keep jewellery and bottles hidden and organised. Whatever your storage needs, Hammond can create the perfect design that enables everything to be within easy reach. Display units will definitely encourage you to remain clutter free, as you won’t want to mess up your lovely new wardrobe.

‘At the end of your de-cluttering session you should have plenty of things to throw away, re-home or give away, and you will feel a huge sense of wellbeing which will definitely translate to a more harmonious bedroom.’

If you decide you need more space but you also need the stuff that’s taking up the space, Packmate has some space saving storage solutions for the home.

Packmate’s Storeasy range provides your home with a contemporary range of quick fixes to hide away the clutter you can’t get rid of. Their vacuum storage bags compress your clothes, bedding and other household items by removal of air by any vacuum cleaner. This allows you to store up to four times the volume in the same space in your wardrobe, cupboard and under your bed, whilst protecting the items from damp, dust and household pests such as moths.

Enfield Windows bi2.indd 1 So, for the big spring clean-a-thon, you can clear up, clear out or compress your clutter. As a final thought, you can also cash in. Oliver Thomas told us about musicMagpie, an online recycling website which enables customers to get cash in return for their old and unwanted stuff. Examples of things you can trade in for cash include CDs, DVDs, games, laptops, tablets, mobiles, hair straighteners and flat screen monitors.

Now there are no excuses for not clearing up our act, so let’s spring into cleaning action! Good luck with those dust bunnies.

Open up your home

Enfield Windows

Tel: 020 8363 3233 info@enfieldwindows.co.uk www.enfieldwindows.co.uk

Visit our showroom at 149 Chase Side Enfield EN2 0PN

‘No Quibble’ guarantee for 10 years •Wooden Windows & Doors •uPVC Windows & Doors •Aluminium Windows & Doors •Sash Windows •Composite Doors •Bespoke Bi-folding Doors •Conservatories

Trade Sales

Super Spring Savings

Carpets • Wooden Floors • Vinyl Flooring • Rugs and Mats

For comfort and style under your feet

Sarah Vittachi

WIN WIN WIN

To help with your spring clean, EN Magazine has 3 packs of Oven pride and a Vileda 2,1 spry mop to give a way in a free draw.

To enter email competitions@enmagazine.co.uk alternatively you can send your entry to Competitions, EN Magazine, 63 High Street, Potters Bar, EN6 5AS. If you want to be included in the draw for alcohol you must supply us with your date of birth.

Closing date for entries is 3rd April

John Powell has been supplying and fitting carpets in Potters Bar and surrounding areas for over 30 years, with 40 years experience in the flooring retail trade, offering free delivery on all of our products. We offer a complete service, helping our customers select the right carpet, flooring, rug, and blinds in the right colour and finish to fit into their home.

Take advantage of our free measuring and estimating service and if you can not visit our shop, we can arrange to bring samples to you.

Our shop is open Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri from 9:15am - 5pm And Saturday from 9:15am - 4pm

01707 654304 www.johnpowellcarpets.co.uk See Our Brand New

Range Of Blinds

Free Measuring and Fitting Service

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

25

Gardening

Spring Gardening Advice

With Tom Wheatcroft Senior Gardener Capel Manor Gardens

It has this week started to feel like spring at long last, temperatures are rising, the sun has shone and the days are getting lighter, meaning a longer working and growing day. Although temperatures didn’t reach the lows of the last couple of years it has been a long winter, with the first snow in late November and flurries in late February. Hopefully the prolonged cold snap has made you even more keen to get out into your gardens.

One job I look forward to in Spring is the first cut of the lawn. It seems to tidy and lift the whole garden, and I will never tire of freshly mown stripes.

Don’t be tempted to try and cut your lawn too short this time of year, a gentle cut on a high setting will keep your lawn looking greener, and will promote healthy new growth.

If using a petrol lawn mower replenish the fuel as any left in the tank over winter may have gone stale, and don’t forget to check and top the engine oil if required.

For a professional look to your lawn you must also cut your edges! Use a pair of long handled shears to clip the grass, this will smarten up the edges to your beds and really improve the appearance of the garden as a whole.

If like me, you have been enjoying the display of snowdrops in recent months then now is the time to lift and divide established clumps. This is a great way of increasing the coverage of a large clumps, increasing

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The smell of cut grass is a reminder of Spring

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

your stocks quickly or moving them to a more favourable position. The following may seem a little harsh but the process benefits the plants, improving vigour and flowering performance the following year.

Once they have finished flowering dig up the whole clump, (the bulbs may well be deeper than you think), tease the clump of bulbs apart, replant and water in well. If you are looking to establish a carpet of these winter beauties then plant each clump around 30cm apart and these will soon bulk up and spread rapidly if they are given their favoured semi shaded position where they will not completely dry out. I really like snowdrops to be planted close to the house or in your front garden so that their understated beauty can be enjoyed daily, brightening up late winter days, reminding us that Spring is only just around the corner.

I have noticed the first of the daffodils flowering already and the crocuses have been in bloom for a while now.

If your borders need a little boost this time of year why not plant some potted bulbs? They are an inexpensive pick me up for the garden and they will come back year after year. It is also time to plant summer flowering bulbs like lillies and Gladioli for colour later in the summer.

If you like having flowers in your home as well in the garden then why not grow your own cut flowers? Now is a great time to get annual flower seeds off to great start ready for picking throughout the summer. Some you can sow directly into your beds, others will do better being started off inside.

Try Nigella, Love in a Mist, it can be sown directly where you would like its long lasting pale pastel blue flowers to sit above fine foliage. First prepare a seed bed in a sunny spot by forking over the soil and break up any lumps and clods, this should then be raked level. Although the seeds can simply be scattered over the surface I prefer to sow them in straight lines a few inches apart, simply scratched in to surface with a cane or edge of your hoe. In this line or drill you can then thinly sow your seed, this means that any germinating weeds can be easily identified and hoed off.

Other flowers to sow direct in this manner are Zinnias and Cosmos, their brightly coloured blooms last a long time both in the garden and the vase.

Gardening I have started off Statice, (sea lavender, which dries well), Ammi, and Verbena bonariensis in seed trays inside, ready to be planted in the garden once the frosts have passed. Simply read the seed packet carefully to find out whether you should sow seed outside now or if you need to get them off to warm start inside.

Perhaps the finest of flowers for cutting are sweet peas and contrary to what you may think, it is not too late to grow your own this year. Many people sow their sweet peas in the Autumn, this may get you early blooms but I think you get great results sowing this time of year. If you have a propagator, or space on a warm windowsill you can sow the seeds approximately 5 per 9cm pot, cover with polythene or place in propagator. Once the frosts have passed they can be panted in the garden, plant at the foot of wigwams made from bamboo canes or have them scramble up trellis, fences or established trees and shrubs. Wherever they are planted they will add a touch of cottage garden charm, height and intoxicating scent. If you think you have sweet pea blooms to be proud of, then why not enter them into a competition? To celebrate Year of The Sweet Pea Capel Manor is hosting a Sweet Pea Day on July 6th, bring your blooms for free entry or come to enjoy a fantastic display of these garden favourites.

Check the website for entry details as well as further information about the many different show gardens and the historic landscape that offer inspiration to visitors.

The Spring show has this year been extended to a 3 day event 12th-14th April. www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk/

Tom’s Top Tips

If you haven’t done so already, prune your roses. Be brave; prune them hard, removing any dead diseased or damaged wood. Give them a feed, water and mulch with compost or manure. You will be rewarded with blooms throughout the summer.

Plant summer flowering bulbs in pots. These can be planted in your borders later in the year or incorporated into your summer pot displays.

Keep on top of emerging weeds by hoeing on dry days, this should nip the weed problem in the bud.

Make sure your tools are in order for the busy year ahead; clean, sharpen and oil cutting tools.

Cut down any remaining tatty, old foliage, seedheads or debris from your perennial plants and ornamental grasses, the new growth will be emerging at the base.

Over large clumps of herbaceous perennials can be lifted and divided, for example Geraniums or Lady’s Mantle ( Alchemilla) to improve vigour and produce new plants.

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SHOWTIME Shaolin Warriors “Return of the Master”

Wyllyots Theatre Sat 6th April 7.30pm Tickets: £22.50, £20 concs, family of 4 £80 For tickets call the Box Office on 01707 645005 or visit www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk DIRECT FROM CHINA!

The internationally acclaimed ‘Shaolin Warriors’ are returning to the UK with a brand new show, “Return of the Master” before embarking on a world tour. This breathtaking theatrical Kung Fu Show continues the story of the warrior, and vividly depicts the rarelyseen Kung Fu masters’ feats of agility strength and skill, using Buddhist Meditation and their rigorous martial arts training. The show is an extravaganza, with gorgeous scenery, atmospheric music, beautiful lights, and hundreds of costumes This is a fully choreographed spectacular production that features 22 professionally trained Kungfu Masters; audiences will be amazed and thrilled by their death defying Kung Fu disciplines such as qigong, animal imitation boxing, drunken boxing, and fighting with over 20 kinds of dangerous traditional weapons.

Oz The Great & Powerful (PG)

Wyllyots Theatre Tickets: Adults £5, Concs £4.80, Children £4.50 3D All Tickets £6.00 Wyllyotts film programme is going from strength to strength. We are delighted to screen this new Disney film over the Easter Holidays!

A small-time magician is thrown into the magical Land of Oz. Fantasy adventure starring Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz & Mila Kunis. (130 mins) Fri 29th Mar- 11am, 2pm & 5pm (3D) - Sat 30th Mar -11am (3D) - Sun 31st Mar 11am - Mon 1st Apr 11am, 2pm (3D) & 5pm - Tues 2nd Apr 11am & 2pm (3D) Weds 3rd Apr 11am & 2pm- Thurs 4th Apr 1pm

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Shades of Midnight Southgate Round Table 111 Invite you join us for an evening of 50s & 60s Rock & Roll music to help raise money for Southgate round tables chosen charity 1VOICE south east

Live Music on the night will be performed by the legendary Shades of Midnight the shades have been reformed by John Powell and Bill Cartwright who are two of the bands original members

So if you enjoy 50s and 60s music join us all for a boogie on April 6th @ david Lloyds enfield from 7.30 pm Fancy dress is optional but why not make the effort.

Tickets are £19.00 including a finger buffet and are available from John Powell Carpets 01707654304

Miss Julie by August Strindberg

Dugdale Centre 20th April Tickets £15 (£12 concessions), online price £14 (£11 concessions) and can be purchased from the Dugdale Centre Box Office on 020 8807 6680 or online at www. dugdalecentre.co.uk

Enfield’s Dugdale Centre to host World Premiere of an exciting new production of Strindberg’s masterpiece.

UK Touring Theatre presents the World Premiere of an exciting new English translation of Miss Julie by August Strindberg; a tale of lust, class conflict and boundaries broken. Developed as part of Strindberg 2012 (the centenary of Strindberg’s death in 1912), this powerful new adaptation of Strindberg’s classic play is touring 13 theatres across the UK. Banned in the UK for 50 years when first written, Miss Julie shocked critics across Europe with its frank portrayal of sexuality and inter-class relationships in 19th century society. Now widely regarded as Strindberg’s masterpiece, its vivid depiction of the class system is still as pertinent today, and has received worldwide critical acclaim.

What’s On

Craft Fair April 13th April at St Luke’s Church, Phipps Hatch Lane, EN2 OHL 12 - 4pm.

Free entry, a wide variety of high quality crafts, childrens’ activities, tea room and fully wheelchair accessible. Find us on Facebook - ‘We Love Craft’

Grange Park Methodist Church Concert Coffee 10.15am Concert at 11.30am Free entry but retiring collection April 13th The Metropolitan Ensemble (with Adam Johnson piano) The quartet performs regularly in many venues.

Has performed live on TV to great acclaim MOZART Flute Quartet in D REIS Flutequartet in D Minor DEBUSSY Reverie

£10 each includes a light buffet.

Bar available

Bring And Buy Supper Saturday 9th March, St Andrew’s Church Hall, Southgate (next to Asda) Trish is kindly organising a Bring And Buy Supper with the profits to be shared equally between The Nightingale and St Andrew’s bell fund.

Tickets £6 each includes hot supper and a glass of wine or soft drink. Extra wine £1 donation.

Doors open 4pm supper to be served at 5.30pm. Come along and bring your friends and your gifts, and help raise some funds.

Luxury Florida Holiday Home

Poulenc (orch. Berkeley)’s Flute Sonata and Mozart’s Andante in C major (for flute and orchestra).

The evening opens with the impressionistic Petite Suite and concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony no. 7 with its stirring dance-like rhythms. Tickets cost £12 and £10 (concessions) with £1 off all tickets purchased at least 1 week in advance; children under 18 pay a flat fee of £5. Tickets can be purchased from www.southgatesymphony. co.uk or by calling 020 8363 9029.

The Battle of Barnet: a guided walk. April 12th 2.30pm Meet at junction of Great North Rd and Hadley Green Rd. 020 8440 6805 www.barnetwalks.talktalk. net High Barnet Ghost Walk. May 24th 7.30pm Meet at High Barnet tube station. 020 8440 6805 www.barnetwalks.talktalk. net

Enfield & District Fuchsia Society Now in our 45th year.

Meet at Capel Manor, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield. 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays of each month 7-45 - 9-45 pm. Demonstrations, talks, advice, regular speakers.

Beginners warmly welcomed.

Free entry to our show, in July.

Christmas party in December.

For further information tel: Roy Fenwick 020 8292 6965 orMark Mendes 020 8368 6670 Enfield National Trust Association meet twice monthly, one afternoon at Holtwhites Sports & Social Club and one evening at either Enfield Grammar School or Enfield County School, Holly Walk, Enfield. We have summer outings, London outings, concert & theatre outings as well as lectures.Please ring Peter on 020 8363 1568 for details.

Enfield RSPB meet once a month at St Andrew’s Church

Do you need space for your pilates and yoga groups, bridge clubs, social groups, private functions?

Southgate Symphony Charity Quiztwo Night Friday Orchestra, on 20up April Outstanding story, six 15th bedroom Vacation 7:30pm Villa sleeps to March 7pm –from 10pmas little as £650 2013 at Southgate (The Bourne) 12 available a week.

Located 15 minutes Comethe andDisney flex your brain Parks. cells Methodist Church, The Bourne, from Theme with The Nightingale Quiz Night. Southgate, London, N14 6RS. Teams of between 6-10 (if you Pool, conducted AdrianRoom Brown, is Facilities include Swimming Spa, TVs,by Games do not have team we canFootball joined flautist Julie Groves Billiards, Aira full Hockey, Table andbyBasketball equipment match you& upWi-Fi. with other team for this French and German provided, members). programme, which includes

Telephone 020 8366 3311 or 07967 681908 for info’ on the fantastic rates available for both high &and low Gardens Season.

Capel Manor College Visit www.villaneardisney.info

Regular Events and Clubs

we have the space for you

Halls For Hire

Holy Trinity Winchmore Hill , On the Broadway of Green Lanes,Winchmore Hill Contact: Vic Arman - 020 8360 6505

Rooms for Hire

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From club meetings, business meetings and training Option 1 above with facilities, weddings and private parties £90space per month we have the room and for events of any size at Capel Manor, all set in 30 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds.

Contact Reception for more info on 08456 122 122 or functions@capel.ac.uk

Luxury Florida Holiday Home

rooms2.inddOutstanding 1

31/1/13 two story, six bedroom Vacation Villa sleeps up to 12 available. Located 15 minutes from the Disney Theme Parks.

Facilities include Swimming Pool, Spa, TVs, Games Room, & Wi-Fi. Telephone 020 8366 3311 or 07967 681908 for info’ on the fantastic rates available for both high & low Season.

Visit www.villaneardisney.info

Option 2 above

Reciprocity [res-uh-pros-i-tee] 20:26:20

1. reciprocal action or relation; 2. a mutual exchange of commercial or other privileges

Gold Table has been helping its members achieve greater business success for over 4 years. Founded by 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 Gold Table is for you. It is low cost; all fees paid are ploughed back into group; high value.

Why not come and see what we can do together and join us every Wednesday at Enfield Golf Club before your working day?

For further info contact: Andrew Ryde on 020 8366 3551 or visit www.goldtable.co.uk

networking today for tomorrows’ business

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

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What’s On Hall, Silver Street, Enfield @ 7.45pm for lectures, quiz evenings, etc & have monthly mid week walks, coach outings & two “birding” holidays a year.

Check our website; rspb.org. uk/groups/enfield/news or ring Pauline on 020 8363 1568

Cuffley Floral Art Club We are a friendly flower arranging club meeting every 2nd Tuesday in the month (except January and August) at Cuffley Hall, Maynards Place from 8pm-10pm. Doors open from 7pm, visitors always welcome. For more information ring Jackie 020 8441 3663 or Val 01707 889447 Enfield Over 50s Computer Clubmeets first Sunday of every month at St John’s Hall, Strayfield Road, off Theobalds Park Road, Enfield

EN2 9JP from 10.30am to approx 3.00pm Our website is www. enfieldcomputerclub.com or phone Eric at 0208 366 6162 Enfield Video Makers meets first and third Tuesday of every month at 8pm at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Park Avenue, Bush Hill Park, Enfield EN1 2BA Website: www. enfieldvideomakers.co.uk Contact us by email through the website or Eric at 0208 366 6162 Film making, talks about techniques, competitions.

Enfield Woodcarving Club meets every Tuesday evening 7.30 to 9.30pm in the technology room at Chace Community School, Churchbury Lane EN1

Useful Contact Numbers

Enfield Borough Police Crime Prevention Office Crimestoppers Neighbourhood Watch Anti Terrorist Hotline Hertfordshire Police

020 8807 1212 020 8345 1102 0800 555 111 020 7963 0160 0800 789 321 0845 330 0222

Enfield Council 24 Hour Contact No Hertsmere Council Hertsmere Out of Hours Welwyn & Hatfield Council Welwyn & Hatfield Out of Hours

020 8379 1000 020 8207 2277 0845 300 0021 01707 357 000 0800 111 4484

NHS Direct Chase Farm & Barnet Hospital Switchboard Chase Farm Hospital Accident & Emergency Barnet Hospital Accident & Emergency North Middlesex University Hospital Switchboard Potters Bar Community Hospital Age Concern Enfield

0845 46 47 0845 111 4000 020 8375 1010 020 8216 5003 020 8887 2000 01707 653 286 020 8375 4120

Alcoholics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous

0845 769 7555 08700 50 88 80 020 773 0009

Childline Cruse Bereavement Care Helpline Samaritans

0800 1111 0870 1671677 0845 790 9090

RSCPA 24 Hour Emergency Vet

0870 555 5999 01992 762699

Three Valleys Water Freephone Leakline Thames Water Freephone Leakline National Gas Emergency Service Freephone London Electricity Freephone

0800 376 5325 0800 714 614 0800 111 999 0800 0280 247

National Rail Enquiries Congestion Charge Phone Line

08457 48 49 50 0845 900 1234

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EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

3HQ. Please join us! Beginners welcome. George Anglis 07703219022

Oakmere Bridge Club Held at Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane Potters Bar every Monday, 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. We are a small friendly club and would welcome new members. We have vacancies for improvers and intermediate players We play Chicago Bridge. Interested?

Then contact either:Janet (on 01707 651461 Eleanor on 01707 650376 Charles on 0208 449 8448

Potters Bar Film Makers Wyllotts Centre, Potters Bar Alternate Thursdays 8.00pm Contact Penny 01707 656446 or John 01707 872210 www.pottersbarfilmmakers.com for amateur cinematographers.

Programme includes editing, filming techniques, competition evenings, social functions

Grange Park (Evening) W. I. would love you to come and join us at 7.30pm on the first Monday of every month at The Orchard Room Grange Park Methodist, Church Old Park Ridings, Grange Park N.21, when we have a speaker or a quiz and make bookings for social events such as theatre outings etc. If you are interested please phone Jan Barker on 0208 367 0988.

Enfield Camera Club meets at Trinity Church Hall Thursday evenings at 8 pm. New members are always welcome.

Alternatively they can contact the club through the website www.enfieldcameraclub. co.uk or email to mail@ enfieldcameraclub.co.uk. The

subscriptioin rate is £32 for the full season - Visitors are asked to pay a £1 visitor’s fee, The Rotary Club of Enfield Chase Meets on Thursday mornings from 7.30am until 8.30 am in the Coffee Lounge, Enfield Baptist Church, Cecil Road, Enfield Town. For more information call 020 8366 4046 Dance Classes

Latin and Ballroom Combining the elegance of Ballroom with the dynamic Latin American dances these nice ‘n’ easy fun introductory classes will ease even the most hesitant first-time dancer floor with confidence. WEDNESDAYS 8:00 – 8:45 Improvers/Intermediate Class8:45 – 9:30 Beginners Class 9:30 – 10:15 Social Dancing for all levels St Thomas’ Hall 79a Prince George Avenue Oakwood N14 4SN Car park is at the rear of the building. Call 07960 736925 for details Winchmore Folk Dance Club meets every Tuesday morning in term time in the lower hall at Grange Park Methodist Church N21 2EU between 10am and 12 noon to enjoy English Country Dancing. Led by experienced callers, dances range from the 17th Century until modern times. Each session costs £2.50 which includes refreshments.

Beginners welcome. For more information contact John Wood on 020 8926 7293

To include your club or event in

MAGAZINE

email details to editorial@enmagazine.co.uk

Got an Opinion?

Get it off your chest here

THE

D

Chris Rea was inspired to write the song “Road to Hell” while stuck in a traffic jam on the M25.

Having tired to drive and park around the Enfield area recently I am sure anyone with a talent for song writing would be inspired to come up with a No1 hit.

Now I know road works have to take place, but why am I finding that a simple trip to the shops is taking me twice if not three times as long? It seems that the people who plan when road works take place have lost the art of communication. As I drive around, I mean stop start from one set of traffic lights to the next, it appears to me that co-ordination is a forgotten art form.

Here is an example from my house near Lancaster Road I head down Chaseside, sit at a set of traffic lights for road works before reaching the traffic light junction at Parsonage Lane. Eventually I pass the road works lights and junction lights to be hit with another set of road works before reaching the traffic lights at the junction with Windmill Hill. And guess how many workman I saw….?s you guessed it none! From this junction I have a choice sit at road work lights on Slades Hill or go the long way round via Winchmore Hill to reach my destination in Oakwood.

It seems wherever I want to drive at the moment I am restricted by road works, is there really truth in the story that council road departments go crazy at the start of the year spending the budget before it runs out at the end of March so they get more the next year? This could be one reason.

I can already hear some of the people reading this shouting at me to get out of my car and use public transport. But is this really the “nirvana” to road use they would have me believe. Have you tried waiting in the cold or ran for a bus having struggled to get to the stop with bags of shopping. In fact because I can only carry four bags I need to do two trips by public transport a week rather than the one, where I can load the shopping into the boot of my car.

This brings me on to my next point of the persecution of drivers in Enfield – Car Parking.

Have you tried to use the council parking facilities recently? Firstly the car parks in Enfield Town, why do you need my car registration number? Is this just total greed on behalf of the council? People used to pass the tickets on with time left to spare. This can no longer happen, so often the council are receiving double payment for the space for a the same period of time. And why can they not go back to the old system of payment as you leave the car park? How many of us

have rushed back from an appointment or shopping trip before the ticket runs out. Wouldn’t the council raise more funds if we could pay on exit having not rushed back? I for one would happily pay for the extra hour parking rather than be rushed; in fact I now use the private owned car park on Sydney Road where you can do this.

Then you get to the cost of parking, I recently went to a shop in Southgate and had the choice pay for the council parking space on the street for an hour for £1.30 or park in the Marks and Spencer’s car park for a £1, no prizes for guessing where I parked. Oh and if I shop in Marks I get the £1 back.

As you drive around Enfield local shops are standing empty and I am convinced that a key factor for this is parking. Am I going to stop and run in to a shop where I have to pay for parking or drive, often no further, and park in a supermarket with free parking?

A short distance away in Potters Bar they seem to have a solution that is working. The on street parking is free for the first 30 minutes or 20p for an hour. Even if you are only staying for 5 minutes you still have to take a ticket and display it, so traffic flow is controlled, people do not block the spaces all day and the local shops are getting used by local people. In fact I heard from one local business, on Lancaster Road Enfield, that they now drive to Potters Bar from Enfield to do their banking as it is quicker and cheaper than driving into Enfield Town.

I for one am following this example and am now often driving over to Potters Bar, where I can pop into local shops offering fantastic products and service.

I know that Enfield has lots of fantastic local independent shops. I do use and try to support them, but, Enfield Council’s parking policies are forcing me away and I am sure I am not the only person.

Have you got something you want to get off your chest an opinion or just want to rant?

Then why not write it down and send it to editorial@ enmagazine.co.uk or EN Magazine, 63 High Street, Potters Bar, EN6 5AS

EN MAGAZINE - March 2013

31

One visit to Capel Manor’s Spring Gardening Show might not give you green fingers. Then again...

It’s our biggest show, the highlight of our year. There’ll be plant sales, flower displays and gardener’s advice sessions, as well as a weekend packed with family activities, all included in the admission price.

And there’s 30 acres of London’s most beautiful gardens to explore, too.

Find us at www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk, at Bullsmoor Lane just off the A10 in Enfield or call us on 08456 122 122

Spring Showtime

Fri 12th, Sat 13th, Sun 14th April