Three Counties Now January/February 2020

Three Counties

Now

Churchill Retirement Living

Complete peace of mind for you and your family ECO FRIENDLY KITCHENS LOOKING AFTER WINTER SKIN KEEPING CHILDREN ACTIVE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | ISSUE FOUR

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

See page 17 for more information

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HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD & DRINK • WALKS • HEALTH & BEAUTY • WHAT’S ON • COMPETITIONS

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Three Counties

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Now

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020 HERE & NOW 04

All the latest news

HOME & GARDEN 06

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Eco Friendly Kitchens

HEALTH & BEAUTY 12

Rejuvenate your skin

HISTORY 16

The Ludlow Castle Heraldic Roll

GOLDEN YEARS 18

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Staying healthy this winter

EDUCATION 20

Activity levels are on the rise

OUR EVENTS DIARY 24

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What’s going on in your local area

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EDITOR

DESIGN

CONTRIBUTORS

Dawn Pardoe PW Media & Publishing Ltd dawn@pw-media.co.uk

Daisy Bennett daisy@pw-media.co.uk

Daisy Bennett Herefordshire County Council Herefordshire Wildlife Trust NHS Sport England

ADVERTISING Emma Cox 01905 727902 emma@pw-media.co.uk

2nd Floor, Richardson House 24 New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictoral media for this publication are sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PW Media & Publishing Ltd or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope. DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PW Media & Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. Please note that if you enter a competition in the Three Counties Now magazine t @ThreeCountiesNOW | G ThreeCountiesNOW | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 3 n your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Spacious showroom opens its doors

Brewery donates £1,000 to Butterfly Conservation This month the Wood Brewery attended the Butterfly Conservation’s AGM lunch to hand over a cheque following their Wood White fundraising campaign. The brewery raised £1,000 through sales of their limited-edition Wood White beer, which was released earlier this year.

The cloudy, Belgian style white beer – which is also vegan - was produced to raise money for one of the West Midlands rarest butterflies, the Wood White. The species has declined by 88% in the UK since the 1970s. Studies show only around 50 colonies of Wood Whites remain in England and the species is at risk of extinction.

The AGM, which was held at Albrighton Hall Hotel, was held ahead of the West Midland branch’s 40th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner.

Toby and Terri Siveter, who manage Wood’s brewery tap in South Shropshire,

attended the event to formerly hand over the proceeds from the beer sales. They were also on hand to sell Wood White gift packs to raise more funds for the charity.

Toby commented, “We are very thankful the people who have stocked and drank this beer, who have helped us to raise so much money for a local charity. We hope the funds go a long way in helping to protect and preserve the species. Wood’s will continue to support fundraising efforts for the Wood White, as part of its commitment to preserving our local heritage.”

The Wood White beer has enjoyed some strong support from South Shropshire MP, Philip Dunne, who arranged for it to be served in the Strangers’ Bar in the Palace of Westminster earlier this year, with TV presenter, Anthea Turner offering her support with a visit to the bar.n

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Thriving Cotswolds based soft furnishing retailer Just Fabrics have expanded to open a brand-new interiors showroom, warehouse and offices in the Kingsditch Retail Park, on Runnings Road in Cheltenham.

Spread over a spacious 10,000sq foot, the fully refurbished unit has been designed to provide an inspirational space that will house Just Fabrics’ extensive range of beautiful woven and printed interior fabrics from the most creative fabric houses and showcase their bespoke, made to measure services.

Established over 30 years ago in the iconic market town of Burford, Just Fabrics has bucked the retail trend of late and seen remarkable growth over the past 5 years. Their broad customer base, ranging from individual homeowners and crafters to professional interior designers, are offered an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of competitively priced soft furnishing fabrics and services.

Beginning out of one small fabric shop in the Cotswolds, Just Fabrics has evolved into one of the largest independent fabric retailers in the country. With significant growth in online sales, the new location enables Just Fabrics to serve local, national and international customers. n

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HOME AND GARDEN HOME & GARDEN

Harvey Jones - Arbor Kitchen

Eco-friendly Kitchens More and more people are trying to do their best to become environmentally friendly in their on homes. By making simple changes to your everyday life, can make a big impact on the environment.

Green cleaning Use biodegrable soap for washing your hands or cleaning dishes.

Ethical cleaning company Bio-D are the UK’s leading manufacturer of environmentally responsible, ethically sound, hypoallergenic, vegan cleaning products. Containing only naturally derived ingredients, they produce a number of kitchen cleaning products. Alternatively, create your own simple surface cleaner from distilled vinegar, lemon juice, essential oils and water.

Save Water: Structure plumbing so that the water can be used for multiple uses.

When you’ve boiled water for veg or pasta, use that for continued cleaning or to water the plants. Only use the dishwasher or washing machine when you have a full load. This way, you will be making the most out of your appliances every time.

Qettle is a 4 in 1 kitchen tap that dispenses 100°C boiling water, cold filtered drinking water, plus normal hot and cold flows from a single spout. It costs just £0.02 pence a day to run; by comparison, a kettle will cost £0.03 pence every time it’s boiled. The availability of cold filtered drinking water is another bonus – the Qettle tap’s filter system removes unpleasant tastes and odours e.g. chlorine – so there’s no need to purchase bulky, expensive bottled water – or to contribute to the plastic waste mountain!

You’ve got it covered

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Energy saving ways don’t just have to be about what you consume, but also in the structure of your kitchen. Apollo Blinds have introduced a range of blinds made from recovered shoreline plastic They utilise recycled plastic, retrieved from beaches, remote coastlines and inland waterways, transforming it into a long-lasting high-performance roller blind fabric. Greenscreen Sea-Tex fabric is energy-efficient, filters sunlight and is fully recyclable. It’s also PVC free. Fifty per cent of the fabric’s weight is recovered ocean plastic.

Check your appliances When using your washing machine using a 40°C wash cycle rather than 60°C means you use a third less electricity.

Make sure your fridge freezer has a A+++ energy label We found the difference between the A+ rated fridge-freezer and the A+++ one is about 5% of an average household’s total electricity use. The difference between the C rated one and the A+++ rated one is a full 20%.

Try not to put your appliance next to a heat source such as a cooker or radiator, as this will make it work harder to stay cool. Air also needs to be able to circulate around the back of the fridge freezer, so make sure there is enough space around the back of the appliance. It is also important to keep it clean as dust increases energy consumption.

In 1979 the inventor and engineer, Ossie Goring, was bothered by how much energy his old cooker was using and, living at a water mill in the village of Coaley, he decided to set about creating a much more environmentally-friendly range cooker which could run off a small water turbine he had installed. A few months later, Ossie had perfected his ‘trickle-feed’ design, which allowed his invention to

HOME AND GARDEN

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HOME AND GARDEN be powered by a small but steady flow of electricity – enabling it to run off the water turbine (or a standard 13amp plug) – and the first Everhot was born. Everhot range cookers use less than half the energy of comparable range cookers. Ossie’s ‘trickle-feed’ design requires only a small but steady flow of electricity, so they can run off a standard 13amp plug and remain the best heat storage range to work with renewables.

www.quettle.com

Recycle, recycle, recycle The UK recycling rate for Waste from Households (WfH; including IBA metal) was 45.7%, increasing from 45.2% in 2016. There is an EU target for the UK to recycle at least 50% of household waste by 2020. Check with your local council for ways that you can recycle your rubbish. There are a multitude of ways that you can recycle and it can be overwhelming and time consuming having several different coloured bins to put each separate item of waste in. Here is a run down of what your local councils advise on recycling.

Herefordshire: The green bin is for dry items such as food tins, drink cans, plastic containers, cardboard, paper and mixed glass. The black bin is for general waste. For more information go to www. herefordshire.gov.uk Monmouthshire: The area covering Monmouthshire has a range of different coloured bags for their recyling methods. The red bad is for paper, cardboard, newspapers, magazines and drink cartons.

The purple bag is for food and drink cans, plastic containers, empty aerosols and aluminium foil. Food waste goes in the blue bin and glass gets put into the glass recylcing box. Household rubbish is in a separate black bin bag. For a detailed description go to www. monmouthshire.gov.uk Shropshire: The black box is for cans, plastics and glass. There is a blue bag for cardboard and paper, a green bin for garden waste, a black bin for general waste and a clear bag for your unwanted batteries. Go to www.shropshire.gov.uk for more details.n

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HOME AND GARDEN

Your Guide to

Dabbling Ducks

Dip into the world of dabbling ducks with Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Winter is a wonderful time to see wildlife, particularly for fans of our feathered friends. As the cold grip of the Arctic winter takes hold on the lakes, pools and marshes of Northern Europe and Russia, huge numbers of swans, ducks and geese retreat to the relative warmth of the UK.

The dabbling duck ID quide: three to spot: Gadwall Males are mostly grey, with a wavy pattern (known as vermiculations) that is strongest on the breast. They have slightly browner heads, brown feathers on the back and a black rear. The bill is greyish-black and the speculum is small and white.

Our lakes, rivers, reservoirs and coasts are a winter home for an estimated 2.1 million ducks!

Female gadwall are similar to female mallards, though slightly smaller and slimmer. The best features to look for are the small white speculum on the wing (much smaller than in male gadwalls) and the bill, which is dark with a neat orange stripe along each side.

Ducks can be split into two broad groups: dabblers and divers. As the name suggests, diving ducks feed mainly by diving underwater, using their strong feet (and sometimes their wings) to swim.

Dabbling ducks, however, feed predominantly at the surface, sometimes even grazing on land. Many dabblers can often be seen upending, with their heads underwater and their bums in the air.

So why not wrap up warm, head to your nearest water body and search for some spinning shovelers, whistling wigeon or pristine pintails. In Herefordshire, head to Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve where recent ground works have been undertaken to improve the site for wildlife.

There are two bird hides here overlooking the lake so you can get comfortable and see how many of the 160 bird species that have been recorded here you can spot! Nearby Wellington Gravel Pits are also frequented by bird watchers – a public footpath gives access to waterside views and a bird hide.

Further North, Titley Pool also attracts flocks of wintering duck, particularly teal, tufted duck, pochard and gosander.

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Teal Our smallest duck, males have a chestnut head with a yellowbordered green patch on each side. The body is grey with a horizontal white line running along it, and a yellow patch either side of the rear. The speculum is bright green.

The female teal is a very small, streaky brown duck, with a small, dark bill that often has orange towards the base. The speculum is bright green, with a broad white bar in front of it and a narrower one at the trailing edge of the wing.

Wigeon Smaller than a mallard, the male has a short neck and small, blue, black-tipped bill. They have a round, chestnut head with a creamy-yellow patch on the forehead. The body is mostly grey, with a white belly, pinkish breast and black rear. The speculum is green with a large white patch in front of it. Often gives a whistling call.

Females are mostly a mottled brown and have a small, round head and short, blue bill with a black tip. The belly is white and the speculum is dark and they lack the large white patch of the male.n Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Rejuvenate your skin Give life back to your skin in the New Year by trying some of these Winter skin friendly products.

No7 PROTECT AND PERFECT ADVANCED DAY CREAM 50ml £25 Smooth the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles and help delay new ones with No7’s advanced protecting & renewing daytime formula. www.boots.com sk:n CALMING BODY LOTION £21.00 sk:n Calming Body Lotion leaves skin feeing soft, comfortable and hydrated all day long. Suitable for all skin types, it provides an instant soothing effect on the skin, leaving skin feeling nourished and comfortable. www.sknclinics.co.uk

CUREL From £12.50 Renowned for its unique propriety Ceramide Care System, the top-selling Japanese skincare range was created to replenish, protect and promote the natural ceramide moisturisers in the skin.

The products are exclusively sold in Boots stores.

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SKINFUL PURE MARINE COLLAGEN POWDER £35 Add Skinful collagen powder to protein balls, muffins and cookies, as well as soups and stews. Collagen offers support to everything from our skin, muscles and bones to our fingernails and hair. www.barebiology.com E.L.F SUPERMASK £12 This soothing treatment face mask is like a warm, comforting hug for your skin. This Cica mask helps to calm stressed skin for a complexion that’s as cool as a cucumber. www.elfcosmetics.co.uk

CLARINS PLANT GOLD £48 A unique 2-in-1 oilemulsion moisturizer housed in an innovative dual-chamber bottle blends together the perfect balance of Clarins’ iconic Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil and a melting lotion providing skin with comfort, vitality, and radiance. www.cllarins.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY MOOGOO SKIN SOOTHING SET £32 Add Skinful collagen powder to protein balls, muffins and cookies, as well as soups and stews. Collagen offers support to everything from our skin, muscles and bones to our fingernails and hair. www.moogooskincare.co.uk

HYDRA BEAUTY NUTRITION CREME £55 The essential moisturising step for the comfort of normal to dry skin. Hydra Beauty Crème deeply hydrates and protects skin against free radicals. Its fresh, rich texture delicately melts away to reveal subtle fruity notes. www.chanel.com

TOTAL SKIN CARE BORAGE BALM 100ML £5.95 Helps eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and dermatitis prone skin.

Borage oil boasts one incredible benefit, it’s rich in gamma linolenic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid, and excellent at improving skin’s essential protective barrier. In fact, borage oil has over double the GLA of evening primrose oil. www.beautynaturals.com

DIPROBASE MOISTURING CREAM £11 Diprobase Daily Moisturising Cream is enriched with prebiotics and provides everyday protection and 24 hour long lasting moisturisation to restore and help strengthen the skin barrier. www.diprobase.co.uk

NOVELL ULTRA VIVD £29.99 More than just a tanning brand, their products are infused with skincare benefits to brighten and tighten skin, with anti-ageing properties, blemish blurring and is hydrating and moisturising to skin. www.norvelltanning.co.uk

OVERNIGHT RESET SERUM £49 Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum will leave you with skin that looks rested, fresh, more youthful and radiant. This extraordinary serum suits all skin types, and works in combination with all L’occitaneface care serums and moisturisers. www.uk.loccitane.com

BIOMIRACLE STARDUST MIRACLE MASKS £4.99 A range of five specially formulated peel off masks containing glitter for that extra sparkle! Each mask has been created to help skin feel healthier, hydrated and replenished. The complete Stardust with Glitter range is vegan and uses biodegradable glitter. www.beautybargainsuk.com

S5 REPLENISH SERUM £52 Replenish Serum is a super nourishing oil based serum which works to lock in moisture and repair you skins barrier layer in the cold winter months. You can add a couple of this formula to your favourite moisturiser or apply it neat as the last layer in your skincare routine. www.s5skincare.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Looking after

your skin

Your skin works hard to keep you healthy, and you can return the favour by taking care of it. Here are some tips to help you keep your skin looking and feeling good.

Sun care Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are the main cause of skin ageing and can cause skin cancer. Sunburn can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, so it’s important to protect skin against sun damage at any age, but take special care with babies, children and young people.

To help protect yourself: Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm; cover up with clothes, a hat and sunglasses; use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. You need to spend some time in sunlight so your body can make vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones.

Smoking Smoking is linked to early ageing of the skin. It’s thought smoking reduces the skin’s natural elasticity by causing the breakdown of collagen and reducing collagen production. Collagen is a protein that supports skin strength.

Smoking also reduces blood flow to your skin, so your skin gets fewer nutrients and less oxygen.

Alcohol When you drink alcohol, your body and skin can become dehydrated, leaving the skin looking older and tired. Drinking water can help your skin stay hydrated, preventing it drying out. When you have alcohol, try to drink within the recommended limits and have a non-alcoholic drink, such as soda water or fruit juice, between alcoholic drinks.

Washing your skin Try to use mild soaps or bath oils. Too much washing or using harsh soaps can wash away the natural oils that keep our skin healthy. If you have dry skin, do not use harsh alcohol-based products as these can irritate skin and dry it out.

Moisturising can help prevent dry skin. If you have oily skin, avoid oil-based products and choose waterbased ones instead.

For more details on how to take care of your skin, visit the NHS website; www.nhs.uk .n n 14 | Three Counties Now | Issue Four | January - February 2020

FOOD & DRINK

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HISTORY

The Ludlow Castle

Heraldic Roll

The Ludlow Castle Heraldic Roll is one of the most important documents for the history of Ludlow castle to emerge in recent times. It was discovered in a London antique shop and acquired by the Friends of Ludlow Museum.

Composed of parchment and over four metres long, the Roll provides a unique record of the heraldic decoration of Ludlow castle’s round chapel placed there in 1574. At that time Sir Henry Sidney, President of the Council in the Marches of Wales, commissioned the reconstruction and enlargement of the chancel of the chapel. This was lavishly decorated with heraldic shields which promoted the prestige and heritage of both the Council and Ludlow Castle.

The Roll depicts the names and coats of arms of, firstly, eleven of the owners of Ludlow castle from Walter de Lacy (d.1085) to Queen Elizabeth I; secondly, of the Presidents of the Council in the Marches of Wales, from Bishop Alcock to Sir Henry Sidney, and, thirdly, the names of the members of the Council appointed

by Queen Elizabeth I in 1570. This decoration was much admired by contemporaries and later travellers and remained in situ for almost two hundred years. The chancel was eventually demolished and its contents dispersed or destroyed in the late eighteenth century.

Some of the heraldic panels were removed to the Bull Inn in Corve Street, Ludlow where they remained until the 1920s when they are thought to have been sold.

The Council in the Marches of Wales was a regional body of law and administration which covered all of Wales, the Marcher Lordships and adjoining English n 16 | Three Counties Now | Issue Four | January - February 2020

counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Cheshire and Gloucestershire. It was composed of a Lord President and bishops, judges, lawyers and local gentry. Its origins were in the Council first set up in 1473 to administer the estates of the infant Edward, Prince of Wales, son of Edward IV, who was resident in Ludlow.

This Council also acquired judicial powers and eventually developed into a devolved regional government. Its main role was to maintain law and order and enact royal orders and legislation. Ludlow Castle was its administrative base, where it also had courts of justice and a prison. The council was at its most effective during Elizabeth I’s reign and Sir Henry Sidney was its longest serving President from 1560–1586. In the seventeenth century the use and effectiveness of the Council declined, and it was abolished in 1689.

The story of this fascinating artefact, Ludlow castle, the Council and the Presidency of Sir Henry Sidney, along with the lives of the 46 individuals whose arms were placed in the chapel and their heraldry is told in The Ludlow Castle Heraldic Roll published by Logaston Press, 2019. The book also recounts the colourful life of Sir Henry Sidney and the central role he and his family played in the politics of Elizabeth’s court and looks particularly at the legacy he left in both the castle and town of Ludlow. n Extract taken from The Ludlow Castle Heraldic Roll by Rosalind Caird, John Cherry, Phillip Hume and Hugh Wood

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GOLDEN YEARS

Staying healthy this winter

Keeping fit and healthy during the winter months can seem daunting. We take a look at the ten most common winter ailments from the NHS website and how to prevent them throughout the coming months.

Some health problems, such as asthma, sore throat and cold sores, are triggered or worsened by cold weather.

Here’s how to deal with cold weather ailments.

Colds You can help prevent colds by washing your hands regularly. This destroys bugs that you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people, such as light switches and door handles.

It’s also important to keep the house and any household items such as cups, glasses and towels clean, especially if someone in your house is ill.

Top tip: If you get a cold, use disposable tissues instead of fabric handkerchiefs to avoid constantly reinfecting your own hands.

Sore throat Sore throats are common in winter and are almost always caused by viral infections. There’s some evidence that changes in temperature, such as going from a warm, centrally heated room to the icy outdoors, can also affect the throat.

Top tip: One quick and easy remedy for a sore throat is to gargle with warm salty water. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a glass of part-cooled boiled water. It won’t heal the infection, but it has anti-inflammatory properties and can have a soothing effect.

and this can make them perceive pain more acutely. Everything feels worse, including medical conditions. Daily exercise can boost a person’s mental and physical state. Swimming is ideal as it’s easy on the joints.

Cold sores Most of us recognise that cold sores are a sign that we’re run down or under stress. While there’s no cure for cold sores, you can reduce the chances of getting one by looking after yourself through winter.

Top tip: Every day, do things that make you feel less stressed, such as having a hot bath, going for a walk in the park, or watching one of your favourite films.

Heart attacks Heart attacks are more common in winter. This may be because cold weather increases blood pressure and puts more strain on the heart.

Your heart also has to work harder to maintain body heat when it’s cold.

Top tip: Stay warm in your home. Heat the main rooms you use to at least 18C and use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed. Wrap up warm when you go out and wear a hat, scarf and gloves.

Asthma Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. People with asthma should be especially careful in winter.

Cold hands and feet Raynaud’s phenomenon is a common condition that makes your fingers and toes change colour and become very painful in cold weather.

Fingers can go white, then blue, then red, and throb and tingle. The small blood vessels of the hands and feet go into spasm, temporarily reducing blood flow to your hands and feet. In severe cases, medication can help, but most people manage to live with their symptoms.

Top tip: Stay indoors on very cold, windy days. If you do go out, wear a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth. Be extra vigilant about taking your regular medications, and keep reliever inhalers close by.

Top tip: Don’t smoke or drink caffeine (both can worsen symptoms) and always wear warm gloves, socks and shoes when going out in cold weather.

Norovirus Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is an extremely infectious stomach bug. It can strike all year round, but is more common in winter and in places such as hotels, hospitals, nursing homes and schools. The illness is unpleasant, but it’s usually over within a few days.

Flu Flu can be a major killer of vulnerable people. People aged 65 and over, pregnant women and people with long-term health conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are particularly at risk.

Top tip: When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhoea, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Young children and the elderly are especially at risk. By drinking oral rehydration fluids (available from pharmacies), you can reduce the risk of dehydration.

The best way to prevent getting flu is to have the flu jab (or flu nasal spray for children aged 2 to 17). The flu vaccine gives good protection against flu and lasts for one year. If you are over 65 or have a long term health condition, you are also eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine, which provides protection against pneumonia.

Painful joints Many people with arthritis say their joints become more painful and stiff in winter, though it’s not clear why this is the case. There’s no evidence that changes in the weather cause joint damage.

Top tip: Many people get a little depressed during the winter months, n 18 | Three Counties Now | Issue Four | January - February 2020

Top tip: Find out if you’re at risk of getting flu by asking your GP. If you’re in a high-risk group, see your GP to get the vaccination. n www.nhs.uk

GOLDEN YEARS

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EDUCATION

Activity levels are

on the rise

The second annual Active Lives Survey looks at participation figures and attitudes towards activity.

Children’s activity levels are on the rise, according to Sport England’s second annual Active Lives Children and Young People Survey.

The report, covering the academic year 2018/19, was published today with figures showing an increase of 3.6% in the number of children in England doing an average of 60 minutes or more of physical activity a day.

minutes of their daily physical activity in the school day and 30 minutes outside of school.

The figures show that 57.2% (up 4.6%) of children are doing 30 minutes or more of physical activity outside of school, compared to 40.4% at school.

That means that 46.8% of the nation’s children and young people are meeting the recommended level, with the increase driven by more out of school activity – including increases in active play, team sports and walking.

At the other end of the scale, 2.1 million children and young people (29.0%) are doing fewer than 30 minutes of physical activity a day, and while that number is down (by 3.9% over the last year) it’s a reminder of how much more needs to be done. In the middle, another 1.7 million (24.2%) children are ‘fairly active’ – taking part in average of 30-59 minutes a day.

Government guidelines recommend that children and young people should get 30

Inequalities illustrated by last year’s report remain, with 54% of children from the most

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affluent families considered active compared to 42% from the least affluent families – while from the age of five up, boys are more active than girls at every age.

The survey also shows that active children are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others and it’s also shown a positive association between being active and higher levels of mental wellbeing, individual development and community development.

As part of the strategy Towards an Active Nation, Sport England are investing £194 million in children and young people within their remit of responsibility for sport and physical activity outside of school from the age of five. n Sport England

EDUCATION

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If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact our sales team.

Emma Cox Tel: 01905 727902 Email: emma@pw-media.co.uk

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EDUCATION

Library launches

Sensory Book Collection Herefordshire Council’s library service has launched an inclusive sensory board book collection for children.

Many children enjoy the interactivity of board books which they can explore with their hands.

By feeling different textures and finding surprises under flaps or behind doors, reading becomes a multi-sensory experience.

The council’s library service has also worked in partnership with the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) to develop Braille-adapted books to further enhance the collection.

Sharing a book with a child is a fun, family experience – but one that has been denied to people affected by a visual impairment.

Adding Braille-adapted books to the sensory collection means that parents, carers and family members with a visual impairment can now read with their child. A Braille-imprinted acetate is inserted over book pages so books can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Marika Kovacs is visually impaired and is the RNC’s Braille Transcriber. Carol Brown is Marika’s Support Assistant and, working together as a team, they have adapted the board books. Marika says: “Braille-adapted board books weren’t around when I was little so I never experienced the wonder of children’s

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books. I look forward to sharing these books with my great nephew.”

Jon Chedgzoy is Herefordshire Council’s Museum, Libraries and Archives Manager.

He says the sensory collection has been introduced following demand from the local community: “Our new children’s sensory book collection came about after requests from Health Visitors and Early Years settings.

The books will sit as a special collection in the children’s area at Hereford and Leominster Library. Sensory books support inclusive learning and development of children and the books can be shared and enjoyed by everyone. We are so pleased that we can add unique Braille-adapted books to the collection so parents with a visual impairment can share a book with their child. Thank you to Marika and Carol at RNC whose hard work has created these wonderful and inclusive books.”

If you can’t get to Hereford or Leominster Library, you can reserve books from this special collection online or from your nearest library.

As with all library service children’s books, no fines or charges will be incurred on late, lost or damaged books.n www.herefordshire.gov.uk/libraries

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What's On JANUARY Sunday 12th Kinlet Hall Winter Wedding Fair Little Wren Promotions and Kinlet Hall are hosting a Winter Wedding Fair on Sunday 12th January 11.30-3pm. This Wedding Fair will be filled with over 20 of the best Wedding suppliers ranging from makeup artists to venue stylists to caterers and a gin bar. This is an excellent opportunity to look around Kinlet Hall and speak to Clemmie the in-house wedding planner to see how we can help with your special day.Whether you’re looking for a small and intimate day or a much larger celebration, we can accommodate 120 in the house or more with a marquee. Kinlet Hall is a beautiful location for a wedding, with four interconnecting reception rooms and grounds surrounding the house. This historic country house, with its classical hall and picturesque grounds, is a perfect venue for the ceremony and celebration of marriage. There is no need to register, ust show up on the day. However, if you would like to have a thorough discussion/ viewing email clemmie.daborn@kinlet-hall. co.uk

Thursday 16th The story of Guitar Heroes Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Hank Marvin, Brian May and Slash are just some of the outstanding guitar heroes you will have the chance to experience in one amazing show!

This phenomenal live concert style ‘rockumentry’ is performed by the extraordinarily talented and renowned musician: Phil Walker, and his exceptional band. With over 20 guitars used on stage, the show accurately recreates the sound and ambiance of each guitar hero starting from the 1950’s to the present day. Also offering the very latest in video screen technology to create a larger than life event. Compounded in a creative and powerful experience this show not only appeals to all those budding guitar heroes out there, but to music lovers of all ages. Contact the Regal Tenbury for tickets by calling 01584811442

Friday 17th Fostering Information Event Go along to the Old Market on Newmarket Street in Hereford and learn about starting a rewarding career as a foster carer. Full support and training.Excellent financial package and all costs covered. Make a difference to a child’s life. For more information, go to www. herefordshire.gov.uk/fostering

Saturday 18th Usk Farmer’s Market The Usk Farmers’ Market is held on the first and third Saturday of each month throughout n 24 | Three Counties Now | Issue Four | January - February 2020

USk Farmer’s Market Saturday January 18th the year from 10.00am to 1.00 pm. It is held in the Memorial Hall, Maryport St, Usk NP15 1AD with both indoor and outside stalls.

Since its creation in late 1998 the market has become a popular feature of a region famous for its fine produce, food festivals and much acclaimed restaurants. The market operates on the first and third Saturdays of each month throughout the year and offers a wide choice of food, drink and artisan crafts.

Sunday 19th Pilgrims’ Church and Left Over Mill Stones at Redbrook car park For this Monmouthshire Countryside Service walk please wear stout shoes or boots and bring waterproof clothing. Bring your own packed lunch and a drink. Assistance dogs only please. There is no charge for this activity. Walk Route: On this walk you will follow lanes and tracks to ascend to the Pilgrims’ church at Penallt. Continue through fields and green lanes to the village of Penallt and continue to eventually follow the River Wye back to Redbrook village.

Ludlow Singing Wassail Meet up at 3pm in the Blue Boar (Mill Street, Ludlow) for a swift half... then process to to the orchard at Maryvale at the bottom of Mill Street. Gather around the oldest tree for a few songs and poems, then return to appleTeme at the Old Brewery for hot mulled apple juice or cider and more singing. Bring wooden spoons, pots and

pans to wake the trees’ spirits and lanterns to light our way! This is a free event although to help with proceedings please select a ticket via eventbrite. There is free parking at appleTeme in the Lloyds Yard from 2.30pm

Monday 20th Circus of Horrors The new Circus of Horrors show will be a celebration of the 25 years and will include an amazing phantasmaglorios amalgamation of acts, driven by a rock n roll sound scape, a show that will have you sat on the edge of your seat when not falling off it with laughter.

The almighty cast that stormed into the finals of Britain’s Got Talent is now a West End & World Wide Hit will take you on a rock n’ roller coaster ride of amazing & Bizarre acts.

It is a circus like no other and a show you simply can’t afford to miss. Not advisable for under 16’s. Madness begins 7.30pm at The Courtyard.

Friday 24th Friday Live: Mud On The Tyres at The Globe at Hay So far Mud on the Tyres have had some great times at festivals, played some excellent venues and have been fortunate enough to win 2 days recording time at the amazing Rockfield Studios by winning the, “Battle of the Bands,” at the Rockfield Country Music Festival. They have focused on creating an atmosphere of fun with their music and CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

performances to ensure they appeal to music lovers of all generations.

It’s clear to see that making people tap their feet, dance and laugh at some of their lyrics makes for a slightly different night out than people expect. This, of course, doesn’t stop them writing more touching and melodic songs that clearly show the versatility of the band.

Saturday 25th Ludlow Palmers Charity Burns Night Supper Three course traditional supper (Leekie Soup; Haggis. Neeps and Tatties; (with vegetarian option); and Cranachan). Address to the haggis with a free dram for the toasts. Wine and other drinks on sale. Followed by dancing to the Hi Jinx Ceilidh band. Tickets £30 plus booking fee. Enquiries call 01584 890586 or email info@ ludlowpalmers.uk

Tuesday 28th Dr Faustus - Splendid Productions Splendid Productions present a new creative adaptation of an

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What's On all-time classic at The Blake Theatre in Monmouth. The brilliant scholar Dr Faustus uses his fabulous intellect to summon the actual devil to grant his every wish! But the devil has a price: it will cost Faustus his soul.

Is this the best deal in history – absolutely everything for absolutely nothing? Or… is it perhaps the other way round…? Tickets: Adult £12, Student £10. For tickets go to www.ticketsource.co.uk

FEBRUARY Sunday 3rd Antiques Market An Antiques market held at Ludlow Market in Castle Square.A wide range of antiques and collectibles from over 30 different stall holders. Usually held fortnightly on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month. Ludlow has held street markets since the 12th century.

Nowadays, a traditional open-air market, managed by Ludlow Town Council, takes place in the town square (Castle Square) every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout the year. In addition to the regular market, most Sundays see the market stalls being used either as a Antiques & Collectors Market or for various specialist themes such as books, gardens or crafts. www.ludlow.org.uk/ ludlowmarket.html

Saturday 9th

William Howard in Concert oin us at the start of Hellensmusic Through The Year’s new calendar for 2020. The Great Barn at Hellens Manor provides the most beautiful venue for William Howards’ recital. William is firmly established as one of Britain’s leading pianists and has enjoyed a distinguished career in solo recitals, concertos and chamber music that has taken him to over forty countries.

He performed as a member of the Schubert Ensemble throughout its existence. William Howard’s programme consists of cornerstones of the piano repertoire by Schubert, Bach, and Chopin alongside a work by Smetana (reflecting the pianist’s strong association with Czech music) and contemporary work. The concert is 3-5pm and tickets are £16. Tickets are available at The Courtyard, Hereford www. courtyard.org.uk 01432 340555.

Saturday 15th The Infinite Show Inspired by the basically shocking state of the world his children are growing up in, and a genuine, urgent desire to do something about it, Mark Watson’s new show is about empathy. 99 percent of the world’s population is made up of other people: why can’t we understand them?’

Watson, whose recent TV appearances include Taskmaster and The Island with Bear Grylls, will launch the show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The show is at The Savoy Theatre in Monmoth.

Tickets are £20.90, to book go to www.ents24. com

Thursday 2oth Pesky Pets Workshop During the February half term visit Croft Castle in Leominster for the pesky pests workshop. Discover more about pests in the castle, how they cause damage to our collections and how our house team keep them at bay with a children’s trail, identifying kits, fact sheets and colouring in. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply.

Friday 21st Friday Live: Langkamer at The Globe at Hay The last true heroes of the old South West, Langkamer make good ol’ fashioned guitar music to get your toe nails twitching and your heart strings itching. With feel-good pop hits about things like mortality, anxiety and climate change, if you don’t dig Langkamer you’re probably a square. Or a narc. Or both.

As well as touring England and Sweden this summer, LK will be hitting the road this Autumn to launch their sophomore EP – ‘Getting The Band Back Together’, with the first single already released in the form of ‘Steel’. With a string of festivals and support slots under their belts, Langkamer are going from strength to strength, winning hearts wherever they go. www.globeathay.org/ whats-on/event. Advance; £5, Door; £7. n

FULL RANGE OF COUNTRY CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ALAN PAINE | SEELAND | PINEWOOD | PERCUSSION HOGGS OF FIFE | SHERWOOD | RIDGELINE HARKILA | AIGLE | MEINDL LE CHAMEAU | ARIAT | CHATHAM

n 26 | Three Counties Now | Issue Four | January - February 2020

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n 28 | Three Counties Now | Issue Four | January - February 2020