Warwickshire Now March 2021

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A PERFECT NIGHT’S SLEEP MOTHER’S DAY HAMPERS WIN A NAPTON CIDER BUNDLE MARCH 2021 | ISSUE 50

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

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HOMES • GARDENS • EDUCATION • HEALTH & BEAUTY • PUZZLES • SENIOR LIVING

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Warwickshire

04

Now

Contents

08 16

MARCH 2021

HERE & NOW 04 All the latest news from around Warwickshire.

HOME & GARDEN 08 A Pefect Night’s Sleep

18

MOTHER”S DAY

20

16 Our guide to the best Mother’s Day Hampers

HEALTH & WELL-BEING 18 Your guide to Vitamin D

COMPETITION 20 Win a Napton Cidery Bundle woth £100

WA R W I C K S H I R E

NOW 01905 723011

nowmagazines.co.uk PW Media & Publishing Ltd Lower House, Whyle Lane Pudleston, Nr Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0RQ

EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Arnold Lodge School Bright Dawn Home Care Care UK Daisy Bennett Jonathan Small Leycester House Linbury Doctors National Trust NHS Plant Heritage RHS

ADVERTISING Kate Gilmartin 01905 727904 kate@pw-media.co.uk

DESIGN Daisy Bennett daisy@pw-media.co.uk

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 Warwickshire Now magazine your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

Zog and the quest for the Golden Star

Belly dancing journey retold in new book ‘My Journey as a Belly Dancer’ is Elizabeth Gordon’s true story that delves into the glitz and dangers of a world she found herself caught up in, when she began dancing in a Turkish Cypriot restaurant in London.

Elizabeth explains; “I worked for Solicitors in London and to change the routine I went on a holiday to Morocco. At the hotel, I became inspired when watching a beautiful Arabic dancer and experienced a sense of ‘deja vu’, which only lasted a split second or two but powerful enough to make me believe I would be in her place one day.

“Returning to London, fate led me to a Turkish Cypriot restaurant where I was able to become professional. During the daytime I managed to keep my job as a legal secretary but at night I danced in the clubs and restaurants as a belly dancer.

“Many years later, someone from the past tracked me down saying he had such fond memories of me and wanted to get in touch, but he happened to be a famous celebrity.”

Fascinating, insightful and compelling, it is also an inspiring tale of how anyone can find something new within themselves when they believe all is lost.

Read the full story “My Journey as a Belly Dancer”, available from : Waterstones and Amazon/Book Depository. n

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This brand new activity trail at Warwick Castle will teach all budding Dragons in-training the skills they need to become a fully fledged Dragon.

While Zog may have struggled to master the essential dragon arts of flying, roaring and breathing fire, he’ll apply his new skills to help children with five tasks that mirror his own lessons. From flying high without actually leaving the ground, to testing-out roars...and of course helping kids to capture a princess, children will collect a stamp at every task.

After joining in with Sir Gadabout’s school for ambitious Knights as a final challenge, Zog will be available for a meet-and-greet to hand out golden stars and pose for a souvenir photo with every child.

The Zog activity trail is available everyday from 12th April to 5th September 2021 and is included in the price of your entry ticket.

Zog © 2010 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

Enjoy a stroll around Coombe Abbey for Mother’s Day

Whether you’ve decided to go for Sunday lunch or afternoon tea, we definitely recommend walking off those Mother’s Day excesses with a stroll around Coombe Abbey’s neighbouring park and gardens.

Begin your wander surrounded by their stunning flower beds, which will just be beginning to bloom ahead of spring. From there, you can either stop by the children’s park or continue down to the duck pond where you’ll be faced with either delving into the thick forested areas of Coombe Park, or to return to the gardens. If the weather is behaving and you fancy a lengthy walk, head towards the ever-enchanting woods. Feeling inspired to really spoil your mum in a unique way this Mother’s Day? If so, be sure to explore their full offering and list of events so that you and your family don’t miss out.

For more information, visit www.coombeabbey.com n

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HERE & NOW

Visit National Trust sites safely during March Many of the National Trust gardens, parks and countryside sites remain open in the current lockdown for local people to visit for exercise. But to keep everyone safe at these places, it’s best to book your visit in advance.

What to expect from your visit What’s open to visit?In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside remain open for local people to exercise. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visit in advance and stay local.

What’s closed?

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the latest lockdown in England, all shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and some cafés will offer takeaway refreshments.

How to visit Your safety and that of their staff and volunteers is their priority, so they are continuing to limit numbers to maintain social distancing.

Please book your visit in advance to help with this. New tickets are released every Friday for the following week.

Plan and book your visit There is a booking system at many places for safety, so please always check before you visit to avoid disappointment. Find out which of your local places are open and whether you need to book your visit.

How to book Booking gardens and parklands Entry and parking is free for members, but please bring your membership card with you. You’ll need to enter a valid membership card number for each member booking and membership cards will be checked on entry. Non-members will need to pay. Please book one ticket per person, except for children under five as they don’t need a ticket. You’ll need to choose a 30-minute arrival time for the day you want to visit. The timeslot is for your arrival time only and the length of time you can stay will depend on the opening times of the place you’re visiting. Opening times and booking availability is listed on the webpage of the place you wish to visit. You’ll need to book your tickets by 3pm the day before your visit. Tickets are for your use only and are not for resale. Booking confirmation will be sent by email.

Please make sure you fill in your correct email address when you book to ensure you receive your confirmation email.

Carers Carers can continue to access places for free with an essential companions’ card. Carers don’t need to book a ticket for themselves, but the person they accompany will need a booked ticket.

Clear your clutter for 2021 Although Age UK shops are closed, you can clear your clutter and turn your unwanted books, CDs, games and DVDs into cash donations for Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire, thanks to the @Ziffit and @VMGiving partnership.

All you need to do is download the Ziffit app, scan the barcode on the items you want to trade and select Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire at checkout. Alternatively, you can do this through your computer using this link: AUKCW and Ziffit n

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Booking car parks only To open safely, we’re limiting visitor numbers at some car parks. To avoid disappointment, we recommend you book your car parking space in advance for the car parks listed below, especially at busier times such as weekends and bank holiday. Members can park for free but you’ll need to book a ticket for your car. Non-members will need to pay. If you’re booking a car parking space only, you’ll need to book one ticket per car. You can check the web page of the place you wish to visit to see the car park opening times and booking availability. The length of time you can stay will depend on the place you’re booking, and the booking form will specify how long you can park for.

What to expect from your visit To help keep visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities safe, some changes have been made so your visit will be a bit different to what you’re used to. Before you arrive please have your ticket ready to show our staff either on your phone or a printed copy. If you’re a member, you’ll also need to show your membership card. If you have booked a ticket please arrive within your timeslot. If you’re more than 10 minutes late, we won’t be able to guarantee you entry. Your entry will be at the discretion of the property staff and will be based on visitor numbers and the ability to maintain social distancing. To keep visitor numbers at a safe level, the layout and flow of the car park may have changed. Please look out for staff and any signs around the car park. Campervans that are used for transport are welcome but are not permitted to stay overnight.

During your visit To help keep everyone safe, please follow social distancing and government guidance when you visit. Natural play trails which encourage people to explore and allow for social distancing will be open, however formal playgrounds and play areas are closed Dogs now need to be on leads at certain places.

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Take advantage of Kumon’s FREE registration* At your local Kumon Kenilworth Study Centre Study Centre, our aim is to help children of any age and ability become confident, independent learners. Our students develop lifelong study skills and a passion for learning, as well as the confidence to complete their work independently.

Your child can experience the benefits of Kumon too! Your local Kumon Kenilworth Study Centre is offering Free Registration from 16 January – 31 March 2021 for all new students.

To take advantage of the Free Registration offer, all you need to do is contact your local Instructor, Fani Ganti and book a consultation. Your child will complete a free maths and English assessment so that their level of study can be precisely tailored to their ability. Our individualised maths and English programmes allow students to start at their own, individually set starting point and to progress to an advanced level at their own pace. This creates a positive learning experience, with work always set at just the right level. After the consultation, if parents feel that Kumon is the right programme for their child, they can then register with no fee. Their child will join the other four million students across the world currently developing to their full potential with Kumon.

With 60 years of experience, the Kumon Maths and English Programmes enable students to work above their school grade level. Because our students are able to reach an advanced level of study, often far beyond their school curriculum, they are wellequipped with the skills they need to excel. Kumon

REGISTRATION NORMALLY

£35

is also proud to be recognised as an education provider that delivers proven academic results.

An independent study in 2020 revealed that Kumon students are over a year ahead of the national average, and over six months ahead of their peers in their maths learning at the end of primary school*.

Our programmes place great importance on self-learning, encouraging students to discover how to solve problems for themselves. As our students begin to take ownership of their learning and become independent learners, they develop invaluable confidence and self-motivation. With guidance and support from the Instructor, Kumon students build fluency, ability and confidence, as well as a love of learning. Kumon Instructors continuously monitor, guide and challenge students to grow by gradually increasing the level of difficulty of the worksheets they assign, while taking into account increases in each student’s level of academic ability.

In small manageable steps, students develop their abilities and acquire study skills such as speed, accuracy, time management, concentration and problem-solving.

Take advantage of our Free Registration offer and find out what your child can achieve through the Kumon Maths and English Programmes. Classes currently run online on Wednesdays (4pm to 6pm) and Saturdays (9:30am to 11:30am).

Fani Ganti To find out how Kumon study can help your child to shine, contact your local Instructor, Fani Ganti on 01926 754005 or email kenilworth@kumoncentre. co.uk to book a consultation. * study based in England. Further details can be found at kumon.co.uk

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HOME HOME && GARDEN GARDEN

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Secret Linen Store www.secretlinenstore.com

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HOME HOME&&GARDEN GARDEN March is National Bed Month and with National Sleep Day falling on March 13th, we take a look at how to transform your bedroom into a calming sanctuary in preparation for spring.

Duvet days Bed sheets and covers made from natural fibres such as 100% cotton and linen will be more beneficial to your health, helping your skin breath easily as you sleep. The natural fibres in cotton help regulate the body’s temperature, with less chance of waking, whereas linen linen is anti-static, anti-bacterial and acts as a natural insulator.

The Secret Linen store offers premium cotton and linen bedding, bed linen and accessories, such as their Cumin bed linen set made from 100% linen. Molly Freshwater, Secret Linen Store Co-Founder and Creative Director says; “Choosing the right bedding can transform a night’s sleep. Thanks to linen’s unique properties, it boasts moisture absorption and ventilating capabilities, whilst being anti-allergic, making it suitable for people with skin sensitivities. As it can absorb over 20% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet, linen’s ability to wick moisture away from the body keeps skin feeling fresh and cool throughout the night.”

Pile up those cushions Pillows aren’t just for resting your head on, they can be decorative and a simple way to bring out your personality whilst redeorating your bedroom. There’s no official way of how many pillows and cushions you need, but recommendations suggest three is the magic number. Experiement with different shapes, designs and textures that match with your colour scheme. Made To Last, the company that produces long-lasting sustainable products designed in Britain have an assortment of quirky and unique cushions that suit all personlities, like th Bike Cushion (shown below), hand made in the UK using 100% linen.

For an extra layer, place a throw on top of your bed give you extra warmth on cold nights. The House of Bruar have a selection of throws including a luxurious Merino Lambswool Tartan Throw available in several colours, a perfect partner for cooler weather.

Pay attention to the floor.

You wake up, lift the covers off you, climb out of bed and step onto a cold, rough, uninspiring floor. What better way to make the first step of the day your best than to place your feet onto a soft comforting rug. It’s a perfect additon to bring style to your bedroom, however

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Weaver Green Juno Dove Grey Runner - £170 www.weavergreen.com

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Bike cushion £48.95 www.made-to-last.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN you choose to decorate. Without one, a room can seem unfinished, plus they can reduce noise and protect your floors. somehwere to place your Weaver Green are a company that create beautiful rugs and textiles made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Their selection of rugs include a Dove Grey Juno Runner Rug, that’s as soft as wool, perfect for adding some warmth and comfort to bare floors.

Choosing the right storage Having too much clutter around you in the bedroom can lead for a disruptive night’s sleep. Disorganisation can have a negative effect on the brain, disrupting our working memory. It’s not about throwing everything away in order to create a peaceful space, but making sure everything has it’s place.

Black out For a perfect night’s sleep, it’s best to invest in thick curtains or black out blinds. In the winter, thicker materials will help keep the warm in.

If the thought of a heavy material in the summer months put you off, there are plenty of options for blinds that come in different patterns and styles. Whether its roller, venetian or shutter, there’s something to suit every taste. They play a perfect role in of blocking out sunlight and can be made from anything from wood to vinyl. Hillarys offer an excellent blind measuring service ensuring a perfect fit for any shape or size. n

By Daisy Bennett

Wardrobes, shelves, tallboys or small drawers tucked neatly under the bed, all offer easy solutions to get your bedroom organised. If it seems like an overwhelming prospect to reorganise your space, then there are companies that offer bespoke designs that can do all the hard work for you. Neville Johnson offers fully tailored solutions to work with the shape of your room, fitting effortlessly into your decor and style.

Simon Tcherniak, Senior Designer from Neville Johnson says; “Bespoke storage solutions such as custom made shelving and cabinets can be designed to cleverly hideaway all your items whilst creating a beautiful feature in your bedroom. The key advantage of bespoke furniture is that it can seamlessly fill a space and work with any idiosyncrasies. You can gain so much storage in a bedroom by using the full height of a wall, and if you make it no deeper than it needs to be your room will still feel spacious and open. Hiding clutter can help your bedroom feel more serene, spacious and calm – the perfect environment for a good nights’ sleep.”

The Wentworth Bedroom and Neville Johnson Fitted Furniture is priced from £3,000 + VAT.

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HOME & GARDEN

'Jobs to do in March: Planting bulbs Bulbs make a fine display planted in containers or borders, especially daffodils, snowdrops and tulips in spring. They are one of the easiest and most rewarding garden plants to grow. Bulbs are useful for adding colour to spring borders. Tulips come in all shades, from dark purple to white, and bloom at a time of year when many plants offer muted colours.

Other bulbs, such as snowdrops and scillas, are some of the earliest flowering plants in the garden, brightening up the short days of very early spring. Plant tender summer-flowering bulbs, including gladioli, in early spring.

Where to plant bulbs Some bulbs need specific siting; Most hardy bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, prefer a warm, sunny site with good drainage as they come from areas with dry summer climates. Improve light or sandy soils with garden compost and heavy soils with compost plus grit.

How to plant bulbs Most bulbs are acquired and planted when dry, in a dormant, leafless, rootless state. Plant as soon as possible. They may flower poorly following later than recommended planting or after lengthy storage (see Problem section for more detail).

Planting in borders Aim to plant in groups of at least six, as the more bulbs that are grouped together, the better the display. Typically, 25 to 50 bulbs may be needed to make an impressive show. This method applies to spring-, summer- and autumn-flowering bulbs: Dig a hole wide and deep enough for your bulbs. Plant most bulbs at two to three times their depth. For example, for a bulb measuring 5cm (2in) high, dig a hole 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and sit the bulb in the bottom of it.

Place the bulbs in the hole with their ‘nose’, or shoot, facing upwards.

Space them at least twice the bulb’s own width apart. Replace the soil and gently firm with the back of a rake. Avoid treading on the soil as this can damage the bulbs. If the ground is moist or the bulbs are autumn-planted, watering is not critical. Otherwise water straight after planting.

Problems There aren’t many problems to watch out for, apart from checking that the bulbs are healthy to start with (discarding any that are soft or show signs of rot). However, pests to look our for include slugs, snails, squirrels (particularly with tulips and crocus) and diseases such as daffodil viruses, grey mould in snowdrops, narcissus basal rot, tulip fire and tulip viruses.

Missed planting your bulbs at the right time?

It’s easy to forget about bulbs, lost at the back of the shed or in the boot of the car. If that’s the case then the best thing to do is get them in the ground or potted up as soon as you can. If you leave them until the autumn or correct time, they’ll simply have deteriorated further.

Of course, discard any that are soft or rotten first but the remainder are worth a go, even if they have started to sprout. Some bulbs store longer than others (tulip compared to daffodil, for instance) so it will be a bit hit and miss. If you are relying on a display maybe top up with potted bulbs from the garden centre. You might also find they don’t perform as expected in their first year - short flower stalks for example - but if they’re a type of bulb that comes back year after year they should get better in subsequent years. Try adding a well-balanced fertiliser into the soil at planting time to help them recover.

For more information on jobs to do in March visit www.rhs.org.uk n

In containers Most bulbs are ideal for growing in containers, but this especially suits those with large, showy flowers, such as tulips, lilies, arum lilies and alliums. For bulbs that are only going to spend one season in their container, use a mix of three parts multi-purpose compost with one part grit. For long-term container displays, use three parts John Innes No 2 compost mixed with one part grit. Plant at three times their depth and one bulb width apart. Water bulbs once after planting then regularly when in active growth, but you can reduce watering once the leaves start to die down and then through the dormant season.

However, continue to check pots in winter, ensuring they do not dry out completely. To promote good flowering next year, feed the bulbs every seven to ten days with a high-potassium fertiliser such as a liquid tomato feed. Begin feeding as soon as shoots appear, and stop feeding once the foliage starts to die down at the end of the season.

If you bring pots of hardy bulbs indoors during flowering, put them in a sheltered spot outside as soon as flowering is over.

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HOME & GARDEN

'Threatened Plant of the Year 2021' competition launched Plant Heritage calls for garden enthusiasts across the UK to enter competition which celebrates rare and unusual plants.

Horticultural conservation charity Plant Heritage is calling for garden and plant enthusiasts across the UK to enter their ‘Threatened Plant of the Year 2021’ competition.

Now in its second year, the competition showcases rare and unusual garden plants that are not currently available commercially or haven’t been consistently available to buy from garden centres or nurseries.

They must be named cultivars that have been grown or sold in the UK or Ireland prior to 2005.

Anyone can enter this competition (you don’t have to be a Plant Heritage member) and cultivars from any plant group can be entered, so long as the entry requirements are met. The competition runs until Saturday 15th May 2021. To find out more and to enter, visit www. plantheritage.org.uk/conservation/threatened-plant-of-the-yearcompetition.

After applications close on the 15th May, a shortlist will be drawn up by an expert panel from Plant Heritage. Those shortlisted will be displayed at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in July (Covid-19 allowing), where the winner will be crowned and will receive the Threatened Plant of the Year 2021 trophy, a winner’s certificate and a special plant label.

Vicki Cooke, Conservation Manager at Plant Heritage says: “The UK is a nation of keen gardeners, and what better way to celebrate our horticultural heritage and love for gardening than to enter a competition that showcases unusual plants that are rarely seen.

Gardening (of both indoor and outdoor plants) has proved a lifeline for many during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we hope our competition is something positive that everyone can get involved in this spring, providing their plants meet the entry requirements.

Two stunning plants won last year, and we can’t wait to see what the country has to offer this year!”

The Threatened Plant of the Year competition was launched in 2020.

The first ever winning plant was the beautiful Clematis montana var. rubens ‘Veitch’, a compact variety not often seen with pink, wide open flowers and grown by National Plant Collection Holder, Val Le May Neville-Parry in Wiltshire. Shropshire based National Plant Collection Holder, Melanie Lewis’ Aeonium ‘Bronze Teacup’ won the Public Vote, as chosen by visitors to Plant Heritage’s website. As the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival couldn’t take place in 2020, it is hoped that these winning plants will also be displayed at this year’s festival, alongside the entries for 2021.

Speaking about her award win last year, 2020 winner, Val Le May Neville-Parry said: “I am honoured that my Clematis ‘Veitch’ has won the competition. I’ve worked hard over the last 30 years to conserve many varieties of Clematis, and not only do I have the only National Plant Collection of Clematis Montana Group, I also now care for the first ever Threatened Plant of the Year winner - I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

To find out more about Plant Heritage, its National Plant Collections or for information about how to become a Collection Holder, Plant Guardian or member, visit www.plantheritage.org.uk n

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2020 SHORTLISTED PLANTS: Lilium ‘Odysseus’ (L) and Narcissus ‘Wild Rose’ (R). Credit Madeleine Tinson (L) and Richard Bloom (R).

2020 WINNERS: Clematis montana var. rubens ‘Veitch’, winner of the Threatened Plant of the Year 2020 (L), and Aeonium ‘Bronze Teacup’, winner of the Public Vote (R). Credit Plant Heritage and Melanie Lewis.

HOME & GARDEN

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Happy Mother's Day Mother’s Day falls on March 14th this year. We take a look at a selection of hampers and gift sets you can send out to your mum during lockdown.

THE EVERYTHING CHOCOLATE GIFT HAMPER COLLECTION £27.50 A carefully curated collection of some of Hotel Chocolat’s best-loved recipes will make an effortless gift. hotelchocolat.com

RELAX BROWNIES GIFT SET £50.95 Give Mum the ultimate relaxation gift set for Mother’s Day brownie filled gift set! bakerdays.com

LUXURY PAMPERING SET GIFT BASKET WITH ALCOHOL-FREE PRESSÉ £94.80 The perfect hamper for those going alcohol free this Mother’s Day regencyhampers.com

THE SIGNATURE HOT CHOCLATE HAMPER £50

ETHICAL GIFT BOX £34.99

SACLA SWEETS IN STORE GIFT BOX £35 A beautiful tasty gift box from Sacla including honey, apricot jam,traditional Amaretti, and Hazelnut Crem DeRí sacla.co.uk

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A brilliant array of nine divine food and drink items all from ethical producers, makes this gift a fantastic gift for Mother’s Day. boroughbox.com

Luxury and Luxury White hot chocolates, a tower of mini marshmallows and a pair of SoHo glasses. whittard.co.uk

HEALTH & WELL BEING

Affordable private GP care We are all aware that it has been a very hard year for health, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But did you know that there is now the option to supplement your existing NHS GP-led care with a dedicated private GP? This means that you are able to remain registered with your NHS GP, but also have access to your very own private doctor, 7 days a week.

want to get to know our patients, spend time with them and care holistically for the whole family.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of Linbury Doctors, call us on 0333 050 7338 or email us at info@ linburydoctors.co.uk. n

Now more than ever, patients want a traditional approach to healthcare, with same-day accessibility, continuity with the same doctor and a GP that can look after the whole family’s needs.

As a member of Linbury Doctors, you can call your private GP directly and have access to out-of-hours appointments, next-day results, urgent requests and much more. Appointment times are not limited, and you can discuss as many problems as you wish at a time that suits you. And, best of all, this can all be done in the comfort of your own home or workplace.

If you would like face-to-face appointments, we can also accommodate this, while ensuring all appropriate measures are taken.

For us, continuity is key to excellent care. So, with this in mind, we

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HEALTH & WELL BEING

The benefits of vitamin D It’s important to take vitamin D as you may have been indoors more than usual this year. You should take 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D a day between October and early March to keep your bones and muscles healthy.

There have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19). But there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D to prevent or treat coronavirus.

Good sources of vitamin D. From about late March/early April to the end of September, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.

But between October and early March we do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight. Read more about vitamin D and sunlight.

Vitamin D is also found in a small number of foods.

Sources include: • oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel • red meat • liver • egg yolks • fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals Another source of vitamin D is dietary supplements.

In the UK, cows’ milk is generally not a good source of vitamin D because it is not fortified, as it is in some other countries.

How much vitamin D do I need?

Babies up to the age of 1 year need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. Children from the age of 1 year and adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

From about late March/early April to the end of September, the majority of people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight on their skin.

A microgram is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram (mg). The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g (μg).

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they have very little or no sunshine exposure.

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends that you take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year if you: • • • •

are not often outdoors – for example, if you’re frail or housebound are in an institution like a care home usually wear clothes that cover up most of your skin when outdoors If you have dark skin – for example you have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background – you may also not get enough vitamin D from sunlight.

You should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year.

What happens if I take too much vitamin D? Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.

If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people. Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.

This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.

Children aged 1 to 10 years should not have more than 50 micrograms (2,000 IU) a day. Infants under 12 months should not have more than 25 micrograms (1,000 IU) a day.

Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.

If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.

You cannot overdose on vitamin D through exposure to sunlight.

But always remember to cover up or protect your skin if you’re out in the sun for long periods to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer www.nhs.uk n

HEALTH & HEALTH BEAUTY & WELL-BEING

The Cost of...heel pain

Continuing with my series on the physical, emotional, and financial costs of various foot-related conditions, this month I am going to focus on one of the most

common, yet most complex of foot problems. There are over 40 possible diagnoses for heel pain, only one of which is plantar fasciitis. Yet there are tens of thousands of members in Facebook forums dedicated specifically to plantarfasciitis and a Google search for ‘heel pain’ produces over 127 million results! Amongst all that online information there will be plenty of good resources and accurate information, but there will also be an unhealthy & unhelpful amount of the opposite too. One aspect that doesn’t get highlighted though are the costs associated with heel pain, hence this article.

Physical costs: There is no doubt about it - heel pain can be debilitating. Our heels are such an important part of normal walking, with something like 1½ times body weight going through the heel as it strikes the ground. So any pain in the heel area will cause issues, from an awareness of discomfort to a compete inability to put any weight on it. Sometimes it can even affect both heels at the same time, which causes serious mobility problems. The automatic response is to reduce the activity that causes the pain, so less steps taken which frequently results in weight gain, which then increases the load on the problem area. This process is self-perpetuating taking the sufferer further away from recovery rather than closer towards it.

Emotional costs: This downhill spiral really can take its toll as the heel pain continues for weeks, months, even years & decades.

Depression and frustration are common with prolonged heel pain with reduced ability to carry out normal activities from cooking

lacking, even leading to isolation and loneliness. Its no wonder that I hear some sufferers mention amputation of the painful foot as they grasp for any possible relief from the pain.

Financial costs: Repeated episodes of days off work with heel pain over prolonged periods of time can bring a financial burden, especially if it results in a change of occupation when treatments aren’t effective.

Spending on low level interventions such as heel pads, different footwear, over-the-counter insoles/orthotics, pain-relief medication & prescriptions can all escalate. Access to good NHS services to help does seem to be a postcode lottery, with the free treatments available through that resulting in patients being passed from one service to another in the hope of finding the one intervention that works with a variable number of treatment options available. However, that variability extends to the private sector so you need to choose wisely if you are seeking private treatment for heel pain. There are 3 key areas to achieve resolution – indepth assessment, accurate diagnosis, and an individualised progressive treatment plan ideally from somewhere or someone that has plenty of tools in their toolbox to help. If there are shortcuts taken in any of those key areas, then the results will not be consistently achieved, and money can be wasted very easily on ineffective interventions. Due to the number of possible diagnoses and the variability of required assessments & treatments, it would take a much longer article to explore all the possible costs of private healthcare for heel pain. Instead I will just give some average figures from our clinic for resolving plantar fasciitis. The vast majority of patients only require a package of care without advanced therapies (shockwave / laser treatment / steroid injections / bespoke orthotics) and spend less than £500 to achieve resolution. A small proportion require some form of advanced therapy from us which can add on £150 - £400. Then the occasional patient requires some combination of our advanced therapies so the total spend could be £1000+. But then again, our feet are worth it as we only get one pair! #PodsHealHeels #PodsFixFeet

to playing with children/grandchildren. Sports and hobbies are For help with heel pain, please scan the QR code below or visit hindered or even stopped, and quality of life is significantly www.healthfirstsoutham.co.uk/pods-heal-heels-campaign/ affected. However all too often those who have never experienced heel pain struggle to comprehend the effects it has so sympathy, Jonathan Small, Lead Podiatrist, @healthfirstsoutham empathy, & understanding from friends, family & colleagues can be www.healthfirstsoutham

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COMPETITION

Win a Napton Cidery bundle worth £100!

Warwickshire NOW has teamed up with Napton Cidery to offer readers the chance to win the perfect prize to raise some lockdown cheer.

The award-winning family business is giving away this exclusive gift bundle worth £100, including special-edition ciders, apple juice, cider vinegar and a tour and tasting sheet to enjoy at home.

Owners Jolyon and Charlotte Olivier head up an eight-strong team at Napton on the Hill which oversees the harvesting, pressing, bottling and distribution of more than 90,000 litres of cider a year, using 17 types of apples from six orchards across the Herefordshire region.

And it all started, nine years ago, when the couple were first introduced to craft cider during a family holiday in Cornwall, deciding to experiment with an apple tree in their back garden.

Central to Napton’s growing popularity among customers is its strong sustainability ethos, from harvesting through to packaging.

All of its apples come from traditional unsprayed orchards, organic and biodiverse growers, so no unnatural chemicals are introduced into the ecosystem. The cider is also naturally fermented using only wild yeasts and packaged in recyclable materials and all ingredients sourced as locally as possible.

• • • •

2 x 750ml bottles of limited-edition Red Devil cider 2 x 500ml bottles cider vinegar 2 x750ml bottles apple juice Tour and tasting sheet to do at home

Terms and Conditions: You must be over 18 to enter. The prize cannot be exchanged for its cash value and no correspondence can be entered into. Limited-edition ciders are subject to availability and the winner must be happy to take part in any subsequent publicity.

If you are not lucky enough to be a winner this time, you can take advantage of NOW Magazine’s exclusive discount code for 15% off cider products online valid until May 31st. Just add the code NOWMARCH21 into the online order. (Single use per customer only. Not to be used in line with any other offer. Only available on their web shop.)

Napton Cidery’s products can be found at: www.naptoncidery.co.uk/shop

Whilst the pandemic has brought about huge challenges for the business, it has not grounded the couple’s ambitions whose recent new round of funding will help clear the path ahead for finalising future plans, including reopening their new tap room, tasting tours and cider workshops. They also hope to add a new line of apple brandies to their repertoire within the next 18 months.

Jolyon said: “It is a very good time to be helping out local businesses if you can. We have some great rewards available to our investors. There is no better time to get involved with Napton Cidery, we have an exciting future ahead of us.”

The winner’s Napton Cidery prize bundle will consist of the following: • 12 x 500ml bottles of Napton Cider • 2 x 750ml bottles of limited-edition Whiskey cask cider

To enter the competition visit the Warwickshire Now Facebook Page n 20 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 50 | March 2021

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SENIOR LIVING

Quality care you can trust At Care UK’s care homes in Warwickshire, compassionate and expert teams deliver quality care you can trust, in a safe, warm and welcoming environment.

Priors House in Leamington Spa and Ambleside in Stratfordin-Avon provide long and short term residential, dementia and nursing care, giving families the reassurance that their loved ones can stay living at the home should their needs change.

With safety top-of-mind for everyone right now, each home has enhanced their already-robust infection control measures to keep residents and colleagues safe, using the latest technologies.

There’s a ‘Covid safe’ indoor visiting suite which is accessed from the garden, which enables visits through a clear glass screen to keep everyone safe.

n 22 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 50 | March 2021

The Covid vaccination programme has commenced at both homes with the majority of colleagues and residents already vaccinated with the initial dose.

The home’s teams are doing all this while ensuring life stays as normal as possible for the people they care for – going the extra mile to make every day special for residents, with activities and experiences personalised to their unique needs and wishes.

Experts in award winning care, Care UK is one of the UK’s most successful care home operators, with over 35 years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people.

Priors House, Leamington Spa CV32 6RW upon-Avon CV37 9TG

Ambleside, Stratford-

https://www.careuk.com/care-homes/warwickshire. n

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SENIOR LIVING

Home is where the heart is At Bright Dawn Home Care we have been providing a care service for over 12 years. Our Director, Tracy Ferreira wanted to provide a different kind of home care service, as she is passionate about helping people to remain independent in their homes for as long as possible.

Our ethos has always been to provide the best quality and consistent care service to every one of our clients. We have always believed that it is not what we can do, it is what you need us to do for you. Each of our services is tailored to the individual’s wishes, needs and wellbeing; it is flexible and allows for their changing needs.

Our Live-in Care Service provides a Carer in your home who offers companionship, personal care, home help and cooking meals. This allows you to remain independent in your own home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The last twelve months has been difficult for many of us. As a company, we have managed to keep COVID-19 at bay and not a single client has contracted the virus since the pandemic started. We have followed strict government guidelines to keep our clients safe and will continue to work to these until we are told otherwise. Keeping our clients safe during this pandemic is our top priority and enables them to remain in their own home.

“It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others” – Dalai Lama. n

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SENIOR LIVING

Positive vibes at Leycester House Care Home The feeling at Leycester House Care and Nursing home is a positive one, we are thrilled that our ladies and gentlemen calling Leycester House home and the staff have had their first COVID-19 vaccinations. With Spring almost upon us there maybe more to look forward to with the vaccination programme in full swing and our Operations Team are looking closely at our care home visit restrictions being lifted for families and friends.

Ann-Marie our Relations Manager is available to discuss options for care and is on hand for tours of Leycester House. Have an informal chat to see how a loved one’s life could change for the better call 01926 683180. n

At Leycester House we can welcome new residents into our home offering residential, dementia and nursing care and pride ourselves on a CQC Outstanding for care. Family and friends can visit in our pod accessed through an online booking calendar.

If you are looking for either a permanent move or a respite stays with us, you will enjoy our luxury all-inclusive home where our professional care and hospitality team will make you feel at home!

For families needing urgent care, COVID-19 tests will be available and care assessments can be carried out within 48 hours of an enquiry.

Warwickshire

ANSWERS

You’ve found the answers, now turn to page 30 to find the puzzles!

Kate Gilmartin kate@pw-media.co.uk 01905 727904 n 26 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 50 | March 2021

ACROSS 10. Game Plan 11. Burgundy 12. Gekko 13. Snowball 14. Navigate 15. Essay 18. Dwarf 22. Defoe 23.

Kidderminster 28. Stone Age 29. Geranium 35. Scotch Terrier 38. Flute 39. Dozen 41. Edgar 45. Twilight 46. Heritage 47. Hobby 48. Inca Dove 49. Musingly 50. Range

To book into the April issue contact

CRISS-CROSS: DOWN 1. Barn Owl 2. Network 3. Clean 4. Angle 5. Pikes 6. Ebony 7. Drive 8. Juggler 9. Edition 16. Surf 17. Apiary 19. Fireplace 20. Adagietto 21. Asymmetry 22. Decorated 24. Usage 25. Dough 26. Visit 27. Lemma 30. Method 33. Beta 34. Glowing 35. Stellar 36. Routine 37. Seagull 40. Igloo 41. Ether 42. Gabon 43. Rhyme 44. Grass

Now

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EDUCATION

Specialist care home gets underway in Warwickshire

Work at a brand-new purpose-built residential care home for children has now started on site in Nuneaton, including four stand-alone residential care homes and associated facilities.

The £5.1 million state-of-the-art build, named The Forge, has been designed to provide a safe, secure and encouraging place for up to 20 children who are experiencing emotional and behavioural disorders or recovering from early childhood trauma. Located off Plough Hill Road, the therapeutic facility is being developed by Nuneaton based children’s home provider Forge Care, with Rugby-based construction partner Stepnell as the main contractor and Coventry-based architects IDP.

to promote physical activity and wellbeing. The communal amenity space will include a games area and a stand-alone art room. Outside, children will have access to large play areas that support mental and physical health – such as yoga and meditation amenities - as well as external dining and BBQ’s for the warmer months. The external spaces will also feature sensory and nature spaces, to encourage residents to grow plants or food and encourage wildlife, while utilising the existing pond to provide a tranquil setting for residents.

Once complete, the ground-breaking scheme will provide more than 80 jobs on site for the local area and will become a flagship scheme for Forge Care, offering the highest level of care with a strong focus on quality spaces, materials and design principals.

As well as the four care homes, there will be 21 car parking spaces, including two disabled spaces and cycle parking for staff. The existing community building is remaining on site. The development received planning approval from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council in 2018 with funding finalised last year from Assez Capital. The residential development is expected to be completed by Christmas 2021.

Each of the four individual buildings at The Forge will incorporate a welcome space, main lounge, kitchen, quiet space, games, and an activity space, as well as five en-suite bedrooms on the first floor, to replicate the traditional family home layout. The development has a strong focus on sustainability, using carefully selected materials like timber cladding and zinc, and will provide a variety of green space

n 28 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 50 | March 2021

To find out more about The Forge visit www.forgecare.co.uk To find out more about Stepnell visit: www.stepnell.co.uk. Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd. n

EDUCATION

'Catch Up' for children is short-sighted As the vaccination programme rolls out and we can begin to think of a time when schools return to ‘normal’, we are once again presented with talk of ‘catch up’ with longer school days and extending the term being touted.

But what exactly are we ‘catching up’? Are we looking at helping children to ‘catch up’ on their confidence, their resilience, their skills for learning or their friendships? Are we driven to ensure children ‘catch up’ on their love of art, cooking or their sports fixtures? Or, are we being driven to ‘catch up’ on facts and figures to shoehorn children through tests? If it’s the latter, it may seem a sensible fix but in truth we will be doing our children a disservice in the long term.

successful future.

If we invest time in our children’s wellbeing in the short term, we can accelerate their academic ‘catch up’ in the long term.

David Preston, Headteacher, Arnold Lodge School. n

Academic testing is important but not paramount and should not be used as the outcome we reach for when we build our response for children in the future. In terms of future life outcomes and success, children need social skills, leadership, good work habits and sports related competencies. The child who loves to read, explore outside to learn about nature, play and build with their toys or practice their favourite instrument are setting themselves up with skills for a

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Puzzled?

STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. SUDOKU - HARD

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We are ready for your lock down hair! n 30 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 50 | March 2021

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GO TO PAGE 26 FOR THE ANSWERS

VEGAN SULPHATE FREE PARABEN FREE QUINOA PROTEIN SUNFLOWER OIL GLUTEN FREE ORGANIC

'Taking the puzzle out of hair'

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