Warwickshire Now - May 2021 by PW Media & Publishing Ltd

Warwickshire

Now

SPRING GREEN INTERIORS PERFECT NAILS NATIONAL WALKING MONTH MAY 2021 | ISSUE 52

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

TURN TO PAGE 25 FOR MORE DETAILS

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

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Warwickshire

Now

Contents

MAY 2021

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

HOME & GARDEN 08 Giving your home a fresh lick of paint

12 Spring Green interiors

HEALTH & WELL-BEING 20 Get your nails ready for summer

24 The benefits of swimming

WA R W I C K S H I R E

NOW 01905 723011

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EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Access 4 Lofts Age UK Daisy Bennett Jonathan Small NHS shakespeare.org.uk Stratford Butterfly Farm Swimming.org

ADVERTISING Kate Gilmartin 01905 727904 kate@pw-media.co.uk Lis Gardner 01905 727901 lis@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

May half term family activities at The British Motor Museum May half-term is all about the ‘Most Beautiful Car in the World’ the Jaguar E-type as it celebrates its 60th Birthday. You will have chance to meet Dotty or Dougie our car designers from the swinging 60s as they explore this amazing car and it’s design in their new exhibition ‘E-type Evolution’. Take Home Your Own Jaguar E-type! Come and collect a Jaguar E-type cut-out model for you to take home and make. You can colour it in, paint it or even restyle it with recycled materials or glitter. Please collect this from the Collections Centre before 4:30pm, there is one per child. Online Activities

If you’re not able to visit the Museum you can still join in the Birthday celebrations with our online ‘Jaguar E-type turns 60’ activities. Click here to take part! The event runs from May 29th - June 6 at The British Motor Museum. Family tickets are £40. NOTE: All activities are included in Museum admission. All activities are suitable for 3+ years with adult supervision, unless otherwise specified. For more details and to book tickets, go to www. britishmotormuseum.co.uk n

Walk for Myton in May Every May, at The Myton Hospices, hundreds of supporters who have signed up to their fabulous Walk for Myton event and who have opted to take on one of the three specially selected routes while raising money for Myton, often in memory of a loved one. Coronavirus restrictions meant this wasn’t possible last year, but, knowing, how much their supporters love taking part in this flagship Myton event, they have resolved that ‘the show must go on’ and turned it into our Virtual Walk for Myton – and they’re doing the same this year! Ongoing restrictions mean they are still not in the position to invite you, the dedicated fundraisers and supporters, to spend time with at the hospice before and after your walk as they have in previous years but they are hopeful that come Sunday 9th May they will be able to welcome you in some capacity – keep your eyes peeled for updates. So, instead they are asking you to take on your Walk for Myton from your house or a nearby location in safe bubbles or groups, while still raising the same amazing money for Myton. This is a great opportunity for you to get out for your daily exercise, remember a loved one, and enjoy some quality time alone or with your friends and family. Please remember to ensure you are following all government guidance when taking part. Now, more than ever, Myton Hospice need your help to raise vital

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funds so they can continue to support those who need us, now and in the future. With millions to raise this year in order to continue providing our services free of charge, every penny you can raise in sponsorship or donate makes a massive difference! To sign up, visit, www.mytonhospice.org/ n

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Heritage Bathrooms - Victoria suite with fitted bath www.heritagebathrooms.com

THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA Dunsmore Living Landscape receives a great big nature boost The Dunsmore Living Landscape Partnership has received funding from Severn Trent to improve education grounds and community green spaces for nature. The new project, Wilder Communities, is part of Severn Trent’s Great Big Nature Boost scheme, which aims to boost nature across 5000ha of land in the Severn Trent region by 2027. Over 2021/22, the Dunsmore Living Landscape team are going to be creating and enhancing habitats with communities to help transform the environment we live in: restoring, recreating and reconnecting wildlife rich spaces for the benefit of nature and people. Enhancements are fully funded and include work such as wildflower sowing, tree and hedge planting and pond creation. The project plays a vital part in Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s strategic plans for a wilder future, whilst supporting The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 by 30 campaign. This aims for at least 30% of our land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030, making more space for nature and helping to tackle the three biggest environmental challenges facing us today; the ecological crisis, the climate crisis and the human health crisis, where people are increasingly disconnected from nature.

Dan Loveard, DLL’s Community Engagement Officer said: “Thank you to Severn Trent for funding this exciting project; it is fantastic to be able to continue and build on Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s existing partnership, whilst investing further into our mutual aspirations of restoring important habitats for wildlife and people.” Zara Frankton, Severn Trent’s Senior Biodiversity Coordinator said: “We’re really excited to expand our partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, through our support for the Wilder Communities project. Whatever your age, we think it’s a great way to connect with your local community, learn new things and improve habitats for wildlife.” If anyone is interested in improving their education grounds or community green spaces then get in touch with Dan Loveard (daniel. loveard@wkwt.org.uk).. n

It’s also a great opportunity to empower communities to take action for wildlife and use these spaces as a resource for learning and exploring the natural world, whilst fostering pride, belonging and involvement in the community. The State of Nature report tells us that 41% of UK species are in decline; it is clear that we need more people than ever to champion nature’s recovery in order to reverse this trend.

Wildflower Meadow - (credit - Kieron Huston)

Afternoon tea at Warwick Castle Returning to May 2021, enjoy an afternoon tea in The Conservatory Tea House and take in the surroundings of Warwick Castle Gardens. Originally built in 1786 by local mason William Eborall, today The Conservatory is the perfect place to indulge in an Afternoon Tea, all whilst enjoying the stunning surroundings of the Peacock Garden and the Pageant Field. With three tiers of classic afternoon tea delicacies, complete with stunning T2 teaware, it makes for a sumptuous afternoon. Choose from 10 different blends of loose leaf tea, or upgrade to add a glass of Prosecco to make it extra special. With it’s original features preserved and proudly displaying a replica of the Warwick Vase, The Conservatory Tea House is a peaceful spot, tucked-away within the castle grounds. Gaze out upon the groomed gardens, complete with topiary, flourishing florals, a grand fountain, and its feathered residents. Below, admire breathtaking rolling views down to the River Avon, with sweeping scenery designed by none other than Lancelot “Capability” Brown n 6 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 52 | May 2021

The Conservatory Tea House, grounds and gardens are only accessible with a castle entry ticket (for each person in your party) and your Afternoon Tea must be pre-booked before your visit. n

HERE & NOW

Stratford Butterfly Farm reopens In response to the Government’s measures in the fight against Coronavirus, Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm will re-open 17 May 2021, government review permitting. Autumn Garden Stratford Butterfly Farm are delighted that the government have published the roadmap out of lockdown and are looking forward to welcoming visitors once more from 17 May. This date is dependent on the government review 10th May. All being well the the online booking system will open 11th May.When the Butterfly Farm reopens we will be operating under the latest up to date goverment COVID-19 regulation. Before a visit it is advisable to read the INFORMATION section of this website. All adults over the age of 16 will need to either scan the NHS QR Code or provide Test and Trace contact information on arrival to gain entrance and the wearing of face coverings is still compulsory. For further advice on COVID-19 please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Whilst Stratford Butterfly Farm is closed GIFT VOUCHERS are DISCOUNTED as our way of saying thank you for supporting the butterfly farm during it’s closure. Gift vouchers will remain discounted until we announce the reopening date and switch the booking system back on. For up to date information, visit www.butterflyfarm.co.uk n

The Butterfly Farm team are working hard behind the scenes to make sure we are ready to open in all our beautiful glory!The butterflies, birds, fish, and other creatures are being cared for by the dedicated team as well as the maintenance of the plants and gardens. Newest arrival Bennie the green iguana has settled in beautifully and has made friends with our other resident green iguana, Prudence! Keep an eye out on our social media channels and this website as we will be updating the latest news and re-opening date as soon as it is confirmed. t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 7 n

HOME & GARDEN

Painting your room Are you looking to change up the colour of your room this spring? We give you the five steps to help you try and create that professional look at home. 1. Prepare your room Once you have chosen the perfect colour for your room, you’ll need to prepare to protect your room from damage to the furniture and floor. There is nothing worse than doing a beautiful job to your walls then realising your brand new sofa now has an interesting green splodge on the arm. For starters, wear old clothes including a hat to protect yourself and your hair from having a brand new hair colour. Make sure all furniture that can be moved easily is removed from the room that you are painting, and anything else covered fully with old sheets. If there are any imperfections on the walls, they will need to be filled in before you start any painting. You can use a filler or a putty to smooth out any lumps and bumps and let it dry completely. The space needs to be well ventilated or if the fumes are particularly strong, it is advised to wear a meask. 2. Apply tape Painters tape is key in order for you to not get any mess on surfaces that you don’t want painted. It forms a barrier and is a guide to where you want the paint to go up to. The tape needs to be pressed down firmly to prevent bleed through. No matter how neat you feel you are with a paintbrush, there will always be paint where you don’t want it if you don’t use tape. It is important to use the right tape as some are specifically made for textured surfaces. 3. Prime and paint ceiling Always start with the ceiling first. Use latex primer to help seal the wall and prevent the spread of mold. Use a roller to spread the primer acroos the ceiling. When the primer is completely dry, it is then time to start applying the paint . Use a paintbrush to cut in the edges where the ceiling meets the wall, allowing for full coverage that the roller might not reach. Load the paint try regularly and work in a grid-like pattern to ensure an even coat, varying the direction to avoid overlaping marks. Don’t roll directly over your head and make sure any splatters are wiped with a damp cloth. 4. Prime and sand walls Primer for your walls is essential especially if you want to go from a n 8 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 52 | May 2021

dark to a light colour. Cut in with your paintbrush around the corners of your room and then pour the primer paint into a paint tray. Start painting the primer in 3x3ft sections, working top to bottom, one section at a time until the area is covered. Try to cover as much as you can while the primer is still wet, overlapping areas of wet primer. When the primer is completely dry, sand down any lumps, bumps and ridges. This will ensure for a smooth finish when painting the walls. Wipe the wall clean. 5. Paint the walls When all the preparatory work has been done, it’s time to grab your painting tools. Make sure you have enough paint for two coats, start painting one wall at a time. You’ll find that the coats will have a smoother finish if you take each wall at a time. Work your roller in V or W shapes , working back and forth to give the best coverage. Blend the sections as you go give an even finish. Be sure to have a mixing tool on hand to stir your paint if it has been sitting around for a long time as paint left to stand will affect the colour and finish.

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HOME & GARDEN

Reclaim your loft space with Access4 Lofts Are you fed up with clutter? Do you need more storage space? Well the answer could literally be under your own roof! For many home owners, the loft is an underutilised area because it can be difficult and dangerous to reach. Warwick based loft ladder installer Access4Lofts (whose slogan is creating space the easy way’) can change all that, often in less than a day! Access4Lofts provides a free survey and quote service so you can find out what is achievable with your loft area. The majority of properties have an access hatch to the space in the loft. Access4Lofts create space the easy and affordable way. They can supply and install a new loft hatch and a safe, sturdy aluminium loft ladder in your home in just one day! That means that your dark and dismal roof space suddenly becomes a useful storage area for all that family clutter. “My experience enables

CRISS-CROSS: DOWN 1. Rotated 2. Precise 3. Reykjavik 5. Mirror 6. Emblem 7. Submarine 8. Balance 9. Ageless 15. Netherlands 16. Life Science 19. Ash Tree 20. Umiak 21. Chick 22. Swiss 23. Glory 24. Ivory 25. Unite 30. Soya Bean 31. Agreement 33. Shelter 34. Quetzal 35. Stetson 36. Esquire 38. Scales 39. Snooze ACROSS 4. Amber 10. Tourney 11. Durango 12. Tribe 13. Pancake 14. Amiable 15. Novel 17. Newspaper 18. Microcosm 22. Sightseeing 26. Mohawk 27. Eleven 28. Protect 29. Access 31. Ararat 32. Solar Energy 37. Thousands 39. Scientist 40. Scene 41. Clothes 42. Amateur 43. Bloom 44. Repaint 45. Andorra 46. Usher

ANSWERS

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fitting the ladder and converting the access hatch, in double-quick time the space is accessible and I leave no mess behind” explains Wayne Reid, Access4Lofts, Warwick. For extra peace of mind, Access4Lofts is an approved Which? Trusted Trader which means they have been assessed by Which? and passed their stringent checks. For added confidence, they also have full public liability insurance, are DBS checked, and all work carried out comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. To find out how Access4Lofts can create more space for you and your family or to book a free survey and quote visit www.access4lofts. co.uk/warwick or call 01926 679591. You can also find them on Facebook @Access4LoftsWarwick. n

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HOME HOME && GARDEN GARDEN Heritage Bathrooms - Victoria suite with fitted bath www.heritagebathrooms.com

Spring Greens Surround yourself in everything green, with countryside aesthetic and the simple life, to help you create a serene and peaceful home. Beautiful greens and bold florals are everywhere this spring. No room in the house is spared from the serene green shades. From pastel colours to deep emerald hues, there is nothing more calming than an element of nature seeping thrugh your home. Match that with some flashes of florals and you have the basis of the spring green trend. A fresh and serene home Green is considered the most restful color for the eye, and can bring

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about a feeling of calm and peacefulness to a home when used in interior design. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness and tranquility as well as nature and the outside world. Jmaes Hare are a designer fabrics specialists for interior decoration and fashion fabric. Their creative director, Saffron Hare, explains; “Green is an extremely calm, positive colour as it stimulates thoughts of balance, growth and restoration in colour psychology. This colour CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN Beckworth Table Lamp (£95) pictured with Evie Mirror (Oval - Arriving in July) www.darlighting.co.uk/laura-ashley-lighting

immediately brings nature to mind and it’s such a refreshing way to bring the outdoors in.”. The natural world Bringing elements of the natural world inside our homes, could be the way to bring a sense of calm to your surroundings. Evoke the feeling of walking through a garden meadow and having the fresh sun on your face. Pair with yellows or pale pink tones to really brighten up your room. In its basic form, the trend cottagecore came about from people wanting to get back to a simple way of living and be at one with nature. Think open fields and pressed flowers and tea parties; a romantisiced version of how we can find joy in the simple things. Fox & Ivy at Tesco have a selection of elegantly designed dinner sets, transforming any room into a beautiful space. Their hummingbird teapot made from Fine China with floral and silver design with matching tableware range available.

pure Scottish wools alongside co-ordinating cushions, throws and lampshades. Her Dianthus / Vintage Duck Egg pattern below is an example of her fabulous collection . If a bold green colour scheme feels a bit too daunting for you, you can always bring in element of green to a neutral pallette. A simple cushion or a piece of art hung on your wall to create that feeling of being outside. The Laura Ashley Beckworth table lamp in Polished Nickel Lattice (shown above) is a modern lamp base in a gorgeous lantern style. A slick, curved lattice in vintage polished nickel encasing a clear glass cylinder gives this table light a contemporary style that enhances any interior theme. n By Daisy Bennett

One of the best ways to create the feeling of being outside is to bring plants and flowers into your home. Pick flowers from your garden and place them in a vase to put on your window sill. Peonies and tulips are perfect to pick in May and come in a wondrous variety of colour to enhance your home. And as a bonus, plants inside the home freshen the air, filter out pollutants and release oxygen. Don’t forget the detail The key is in the details when it comes to a fresh spring design. No matter what shade you decide to try, or how minimal you like your home, there are beautiful pieces that you can add to create the maximum effect. Think hand drawn art, simple floral designs, hand embroidered cushions and blankets.

Fox & Ivy Hummingbird Teapot £12 www.tesco.com

Boutique and bold Heritage Bathrooms have created a beautiful and timeless bathroom suite that exudes romantic opulence, full of deep greens and a wonderful floral masterpeice in their Painterly wallpaper from Ellie Cashman. Shown as the main image the whole aesthetic creates a bathroom with a high-end boutique feel.Then you can add your own personal touches with flowers, accessories, candles and trinkets. For a unique and vintage twist on the floral trend, Caroline Inchyra creates a range of unique and timeless fabrics and accessories inspired by antique fabrics. From the original archive inspired linens first released in 2012, the Inchyra range has grown to include

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Linen Vintage Colourway Duck Egg www.inchyra.com

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

New Play Parks Launch at Birnam Mews L&Q is launching two new play parks at Birnam Mews, its new housing development in Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon Situated in each of the two public courtyards at Birnam Mews, the publicly accessible play areas will feature a climbing structure, balancing beam, small playing house, and a totter beam, alongside a range of other equipment. Creating an aesthetically pleasing space, the play parks will be accompanied by two smaller swales – planted with seasonal flowers, trees, and shrubs. Ensuring that the parks remain clean and safe for use, Encore Estates will be maintaining both areas on behalf of L&Q. Ian Millard, Operations Director (Counties) at L&Q, comments: “At L&Q, we don’t just build homes, we aim to grow communities. Facilities like this for our residents and the wider Tiddington population help to foster a sense of community. Set in an area that is already perfect for those with growing families, we hope these spaces will create an opportunity for children to spend time outside exercising, learning, and exploring the world around them.” With 60% of homes reserved already, Birnam Mews is a collection of 60 two, three and four bedroom Shared Ownership houses set amongst beautifully landscaped surroundings with a rural countryside backdrop. Offering high specification homes, the development itself is built around traditional family friendly street-scenes and interspersed with pockets of greenery. Prioritising sustainability, the development has been constructed to accommodate local wildlife, with local flora planted to encourage a natural habitat for butterflies and insects, and a sustainable drainage system fitted throughout the development to filter rain water and create another habitat for wildlife. Ideally situated for families, local primary school Alveston Church of England is minutes away from Birnam Mews, whilst secondary school

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options include OFSTED outstanding Stratford Girls’ Grammar School and King Edward VI School, as well as co-educational Stratford upon Avon school. Shared Ownership prices start from £82,500 for a 25% share of a two bedroom house (FMV: £330,000), £90,000 for a 25% share of a three bedroom house (FMV: £360,00), and £130,000 for a 25% share of a four bedroom house (FMV: £520,000). Register your interest at: http://bit.ly/LandQBirnamMews n

HOME & GARDEN

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Shakespeare Birthplace Trust announces its summer reopening plans To mark William Shakespeare’s 457th birthday, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is delighted to announce its plans for the phased reopening of more of the historic Shakespeare family homes in Stratford-upon-Avon, in line with the Government’s roadmap for cultural reopening. The Trust can confirm that: •

• •

Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the childhood home of William Shakespeare will reopen on Monday, 17 May Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place will reopen to visitors on Monday, 14 June Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place will open for the summer season, five days a week (Saturday – Wednesday) until the end of September. The Trust will keep its operations and plans under review in response to Government guidance.

All three sites have been awarded Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good to Go’ accreditation for Covid-19 safe attractions with assurances of a safe and enjoyable visit. In order to manage capacity and to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors, tickets must be booked online in advance through our website. Tickets will go on sale at www.shakespeare.org.uk from Tuesday, 27 April. Rachael Boyd, director of visitor experience and business development at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said, “Thanks to support from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, we’re delighted to be able to make great progress in our planning and confirm the reopening of more Shakespeare’s family homes this year – marking a significant milestone on our journey to recovery. Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place played fundamental roles in Shakespeare’s life in Stratford-upon-Avon. Although we’ve taken a measured approach to phasing our operations, we were determined to focus on reopening these sites as soon as it was safe and possible to do so. We look forward to warmly welcoming visitors this summer to explore

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Shakespeare’s story and discover the man behind the works.” In light of prolonged disruption to children’s learning as a result of COVID restrictions, the Trust plans to reopen Mary Arden’s Farm as a dedicated outdoor education facility with special access for local and regional primary schools. From 26 April, it will deliver a series of education workshops on site, offering pupils an authentic Tudor learning experience bringing Shakespeare to life in a safe and secure environment. Rachael Boyd added, “Piloting Mary Arden’s Farm as a dedicated outdoor learning space for schools this year is an exciting opportunity for us to deliver enriching learning experiences that will be beneficial to children’s wellbeing and allow teachers to reconnect with their classes after what has been a difficult period. Whilst we’re currently unable to physically welcome schools to the Shakespeare Centre, the farm is an ideal setting for children to learn about Shakespeare’s story, interact with the animals and enjoy playing outdoors.” Hall’s Croft, the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her physician husband John Hall, will remain closed in 2021. The Trust will continue to care for and conserve the site in line with its charitable objectives. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent charity charged by an Act of Parliament with the care of the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Trust normally generates 98% of its own income. In 2020 and 2021 it suffered a loss of income of £17 million due to the impact of the pandemic, and has relied on emergency funding from Arts Council England, as well as grants and repayable finance from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, designed to help arts and heritage organisations to survive the pandemic. For more information and the latest updates, see www.shakespeare.org.uk. n

Warwickshire women feature in new book The personal stories of nine Warwickshire women are among those featured in a new book released celebrating inspirational female achievers in the UK. I Am A Woman Who marks the latest chapter of Coventry entrepreneur Sandra Garlick’s new vision - one dedicated to empowering women in business. Stories include those of Kerry Field from Southam, Kate Findlay from Barford and Abbu Head from Rugby, who have all overcome adversity to achieve success in their businesses. Other Warwickshire entrepreneurs celebrated are: Transformational Coach Becky Cooper, from Warwick; Fine & Country Homes Partner Agent Rose Lord from Barford; owner of Hybrid Therapy UK Tracy Richardson, from Rugby and, from Nuneaton - photographer Andrea de Gabriel; Sparkle in Style jewellery business owner Jenni Harris and HydroVeg kits inventor Sue Tonks. These women are among more than 30 whose stories make up I Am A Woman Who, the latest book by entrepreneur Sandra Garlick MBE. It is just one of a series of passion projects for the solicitor-turned business coach and mentor whose success has been inspired by her own journey of overcoming huge personal and professional challenges, including struggling for several years, as a single mother of two young sons following the collapse of her marriage. However, after suffering a serious fall in 2016, she was forced to re-evaluate her life and her business. It was a wake-up call for Sandra who soon realised her true ambitions – and the now hugely successful Woman Who brand was born. Since then it has also gone from strength to strength including the launch of the Woman Who Achieves Academy as well as hosting awards celebrating female achievers across the UK. She said: “Now I teach the women I mentor to find their passion and find that sweet spot. If you enjoy doing something, you’re more driven and

more productive and more successful. For me it’s about instilling in women that they shouldn’t be embarrassed to be confident, it’s a good thing to have confidence and to have goals and strive for those goals and work towards them.” The academy, which marks its first anniversary on May 1st, has adapted and grown despite a series of Covid-19 lockdowns, and is now supporting business owners ‘virtually’ across the world. I Am A Woman Who is available for £15 from https://www. womanwho.co.uk/ Visit The Little Gift Hive at: https://thelittlegifthive.co.uk/ Visit Peach Perfect at: https://peachperfect.co.uk/ Visit Amoreantos at: https://www.amoreantos.co.uk/ n

Warwickshire

Now

To book into the June issue contact Kate Gilmartin kate@pw-media.co.uk 01905 727904

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Nail it this spring Pick a beautiful new shade for your nails this spring, and get your nails in tiptop condition with our picks for having the best nails season.

VELVET NAIL POLISH £3.99

VIVA LA VEGAN £15 Meet your new go-to green! The smouldering, earthy and highimpact tones in our deep khaki may be unconventional, yet the rich, comforting and well-balanced colour blend make it a surprisingly neutral polish to enjoy every day. www.nailberry.co.uk

Sophisticated and chic, this Velvet Nail Paints has a luxe, on-trend matte texture. Choose from a plush pearlescent finish in blush tones, or a soft pastel look. www.barrym.com

NEON HOT 4-IN-1 FILE, BUFF, SMOOTH & SHINE BLOCK £12 Long lasting 4 in 1 buffing block with file, buff, smooth and shine surfaces. Easy replace worn pads with peel off replacements. Gives nails a natural shine. www.tweezerman.co.uk

MOTHER EARTH’S CALLING PLANT POWER VEGAN NAIL POLISH £9 The collection is the kindest and purest formulation yet, with no compromise on colour quality or wear time www.nailsinc.com

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EDEN NATURAL NAIL POLISH REMOVER £13.90 Works Perfectly on all Types of Nail Polish. Free from any artificial acetones www.ecco-verde.co.uk

ALL IN ONE NAIL COLOUR WITH ARGAN OIL £6

WILD PLUM NAIL POLISH £35

Created with nourishing argan oil and vitamin E to strengthen the nail, the wide, flat brush makes for easy application, making this a great nail polish you’ll love wearing. www.marksandspencer.com

Wild Plum is a deep plum shade with a lasting highshine finish. www.jimmychoo.com

BAMBOO NAIL POLISH REMOVER PADS £4.50 This set of nail polish remover pads are super effective, removing the varnish much easier and with less waste! These pads are made from bamboo rayon felt, meaning they are durable and reusable. www.peacewiththewild.co.uk

LE VERNIS LONGWEAR NAIL COLOUR £24 A long-wear, protective nail polish with lasting shine designed to make vibrant colours dazzle. Long-wearing, extra-fine and ultra-shiny, each coat offers an absolutely even and lacquered result. www.chanel.com

CRYSTAL NAIL FILE £15 Perfect for your home manicure and for shaping your own nails between salon treatments, this long-lasting crystal file will give you stronger, healthier nails. It is an absolute beauty essential. www.margaretdabbs.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELL BEING

Walking for health May is National Walking Month, we take a look at the NHS guide to walking. Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier. You do not have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. Before you start Any shoes or trainers that are comfortable, provide adequate support and do not cause blisters will do.If you’re walking to work, you could wear your usual work clothes with a comfy pair of shoes and change shoes when you get into work. For long walks, you may want to take some water, healthy snacks, a spare top, sunscreen and a sun hat in a small backpack. If you start going for longer walks regularly, you may want to invest in a waterproof jacket and some specialist walking shoes for more challenging routes. How do I know if I’m walking fast enough? A brisk walk is about 3 miles an hour, which is faster than a stroll. You can tell you’re walking briskly if you can still talk but cannot sing the words to a song. You could also try using the free Active 10 app on your smartphone. It tells you when you’re walking fast enough and suggests ways to fit in some more brisk walking. What if I’m not very active? If you’re not very active but are able to walk, increase your walking distance gradually. If your joints are a problem, check whether your local swimming pool holds exercise classes. The water helps to support your joints while you move and can help you strengthen your muscles. If you’re not active because of a medical condition, get advice on exercising with a disability. Staying motivated Make it a habit The easiest way to walk more is to make walking a habit. Think of ways to include walking in your daily routine. Examples include: • walking part of your journey to work • walking to the shops • using the stairs instead of the lift • leaving the car behind for short journeys • walking the kids to school • doing a regular walk with a friend • going for a stroll with family or friends after dinner • If you live in a city, Walkit has an interactive walk planner to help you find the best walking route. Listen to music Walking while listening to music or a podcast can take your mind off the effort. It can also get you into a rhythm and help you walk

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faster. You’ll be surprised at how fast the time goes when you’re walking to your favourite tunes. Mix it up Add variety to your walks. You do not have to travel to the countryside to find a rewarding walk. Towns and cities offer interesting walks, including parks, heritage trails, canal towpaths, riverside paths, commons, woodlands, heaths and nature reserves. For inspiring walks, visit Walk Unlimited. For wheelchair users, visit Walks with Wheelchairs, and for parents with buggies, visit Walks with Buggies. Join a walking group Walking in a group is a great way to start walking, make new friends and stay motivated. Ramblers organises group walks for health, leisure and as a means of getting around for people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of fitness. Its website has details of many locally organised walks in towns and cities, as well as the countryside. The UK’s 15 national parks run free guided walks for the whole family during the holidays. n www.nhs.uk

HEALTH & HEALTH BEAUTY & WELL-BEING

The Cost of...”routine” footcare

Footcare is an essential part of keeping our feet healthy. We are used to doing it for other parts of our body – cleaning our teeth, brushing our hair, applying face & hand creams etc. But how many of us spend time caring for our feet? Just like with those other body parts, if we don’t look after our feet then they potentially will cause us problems. Footcare is something we can and should do for ourselves unless there are problems and we need assistance. Fortunately for those who struggle to reach their feet or have medical issues (such as poor circulation or immune-compromised) that could mean it is possibly dangerous for self-care of them, then there are people who can help. Many Podiatrists (historically known as Chiropodists) and Foot Health Practitioners / Professionals offer “routine” foot care services to patients. In the trade we know this as “cut & come again chiropody” as it needs repeating every so often just like having haircuts. However, there is no real risk to you with a haircut, but there are significant possible risks with footcare that make it far from “routine” hence the use of speechmarks. Those risks include infection, ulceration, amputation, even death, and that’s why it’s important that whoever helps to look after your feet has the ability to assess your risk status and provides the appropriate care to manage your risks (including referring on for more specialist care if required). So when looking at the costs of “routine” footcare we really should include the costs of what happens when things go wrong with that care. However that is a vast range due to the variability of outcomes, so instead we will look at the costs associated with footcare itself.

Physical costs – Carrying out your own footcare generally gets progressively more difficult with age due to lack of mobility, arthritic joints, muscle weakness, reduced eyesight, and foot tissue changes (such as thickening of nails). When patients tell me they can no longer reach to look after their own feet, my tongue-incheek phrase is that “legs get longer and arms get shorter as we get older”. Self-care of feet can end up being quite a physicallydemanding task.

Emotional costs – Self-neglect is something that often starts with footcare (or lack of it) due to the physical limitations mentioned. This can progress to neglect of other areas of health leading to deterioration in general well-being. It is often said then when your feet hurt, it hurts all over. That pain can be mental & emotional as well as physical. Financial costs – Self-care of feet is free (apart from investment in good quality equipment & creams to help, such as those available from www.firstaidforfeet.co.uk). Once you need to seek help from others qualified to treat feet, then there are costs associated with it to cover their time, training, equipment, insurance, regulations etc. As with all things in life, if you pay cheap, you often pay twice, and that is no different for professional footcare. I regularly hear of people who have been told by their professional footcare provider that they need treatment every month at a cost of say £30-£40 for example. That’s 12 treatments a year costing £360-£480. Whereas in reality, less frequent treatment is fine providing a thorough job is done each time. On the whole at our clinic, “routine” footcare patients are seen every 2-3 months and the costs currently range from £49 to £79 (after initial assessment) depending upon the amount of work that is required. That equates to an annual cost of £245-£395 based on treatment every 10 weeks, thereby actually working out cheaper in the long-term. In addition to this cost-saving we carry out intensive work to resolve even longstanding foot problems, to ensure ongoing comfort and cost-effectiveness for our patients. We also obtain a full medical history and carry out health screening & vascular assessments in order to ascertain a patient’s risk status before we go anywhere near treating their feet with sterilised instruments. Remember you only get one pair of feet and they are invaluable, so invest in them to keep them healthy. If you have missed any of our previous “Cost of…” articles, then please take at look at the blog on our website www.healthfirstsoutham.co.uk or follow the QR code. n Jonathan Small, Lead Podiatrist, www.healthfirstsoutham @healthfirstsoutham

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HEALTH & WELL BEING

Just keep swimming No matter what your fitness level, the general benefits of swimming are yours to go out and grab and make your own.

It has the power to give your muscles a makeover, transform you into a cardio king, turn back the clock, and calm you quicker than a secluded beach in the Bahamas. But if this isn’t enough to get you reaching for your cossie, here are our top benefits of swimming to show you there is no such thing as being too cool for the pool. The top 8 benefits of swimming Full body workout. Swimming uses all the muscles in the body so whether you swim a gentle breaststroke or hammer butterfly, you will get a full body workout. Plus, exercising in water makes your body work harder so 30 minutes in a pool is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land. Great for general wellbeing. Just 30 minutes of swimming three times a week alongside a balanced, healthy diet and lifestyle is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy and maintain a positive mental outlook. Do it with friends, and it’s even more fun! De-stresses and relaxes. Whether it’s work stressing you out, the kids being a nightmare, or just life in general, we all get times we just want to SCREAM. Well, help is at hand. Swimming regularly can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve your sleep patterns. Feeling the mental benefits of swimming takes just a light swim. No lane pounding needed. Burns those calories. Swimming is one of the most effective ways to burn calories. A gentle swim can burn over 200 calories in just half an hour, more than double that of walking. And a faster swim would see that chocolate bar gone quicker than if you went running or cycling. Lowers the risk of diseases. As well as being a great form of cardiovascular exercise, swimming just 30 minutes a week can help to guard against heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Supports the body. Water supports up to 90 per cent of the body’s n 24 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 52 | May 2021

weight. So if you sprained an ankle at Monday night football or have a long term injury or illness, swimming is a brilliant way to stay active. Increases your energy levels. Inactivity and not ageing is often responsible for people’s lack of energy. Just 30 minutes of swimming three times per week can boost your energy levels through increased metabolic rate. Exercising without the sweat. If sweating puts you off other forms of exercise, fear not! As a swimmer, you’ll never feel sweaty no matter how hard you work because the water around you is constantly cooling you down.. n www.swimming.org

HEALTH & WELL BEING

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EDUCATION

Applying for student finance New and returning full time undergraduate students in England should apply online now for their 21/22 academic year’s finance. This academic year, the Student Loans Company (SLC) has funded over 1 million students and anticipates an increase in applications for academic year 21/22. Students should submit their applications before the deadline (21 May for new students and 25 June for continuing students) to be confident of having their funding in place before their studies start https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/ To help students apply we have put together the following tips for students, their parents and sponsors. Apply even if you don’t have a confirmed place at university Even if you don’t know what course you are doing or even which university you are going to, you should apply online now at https:// studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/ Select the course you are most likely to do and you can update the application later if required. Have your important documents to hand when applying - Have your National Insurance Number, passport and bank details to hand before you start your application as you will be asked for this information as you apply. If you don’t have a bank account in your own name you should set one up. You will need it so we can pay you your money. Provide your supporting evidence online - To make an application you will need to create an online account and you may be asked to provide evidence to support your application so don’t forget to submit any evidence you are asked for. All evidence apart from some forms of ID or residency evidence can be submitted digitally via your online account. We can’t process your application until we have all the evidence we need. Tell us if your household income has changed – If you have applied n 26 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 52 | May 2021

for a Maintenance Loan based on household income, then your sponsor - usually your parents or partner- will be asked to provide details of their household income for the previous tax year. For 21/22 academic year applications, that’s the 19-20 tax year. If your sponsor expects their income to drop by 15% or more, it is possible to request a Current Year Income (CYI) assessment. A CYI can only be requested once you have submitted your application and your sponsor has also submitted their household income for the 19-20 tax year to support your application too. To do this, visit the following link to download a digital version of the form which will be available once the 20-21 tax year starts in early April, once you have filled it in you can then upload it directly from your online account: www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/ currentyearincome Understand how much funding you could be entitled to - You can apply for Tuition Fee Loans to cover your fees and Maintenance Loans to help with living costs. Use the student finance calculator to find out how much you could be entitled tohttps://www.gov.uk/ student-finance-calculator. Find out if you could be eligible for extra support - Extra funding may be available if you have a disability or a child or adult dependant who relies on you financially. https://www.gov.uk/ student-finance/extra-help Keep your contact details up to date – we may need to get in touch with you throughout the year with important information, so make sure you keep your contact details up to date on your online account. Follow Student Finance England (SFE) on social media Students can stay up-to-date with all the latest student finance information by following SFE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. n

EDUCATION

Active Recovery Hub launched Sport England have teamed up with the Youth Sport Trust to develop a new online resource that’ll help more children be physically active. The Active Recovery Hub, which has been funded by the National Lottery, provides schools, local authorities, and families with easy access to free resources that’ll help more children reach the Chief Medical Officer’s target of taking part in 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

can search for activities by age and the time of day they want to get active. More than 18,800 schools already take part in the School Games, while 38 sports organisations have provided content for the new hub that includes a diverse range of inclusive activities. n Sport England

The resource comes on the back of the government’s School Sport and Activity Action Plan, which promised to extend the School Games website to help teachers and parents find opportunities for young people to compete and get active. Three youngsters doing press ups and enjoying being active Mike Diaper, our executive director for children and young people, said it was vital providers give youngsters a positive experience of being active so they can build healthy habits that last a lifetime. The new hub sits on the School Games website and provides the ideal platform to get young people more active. Schools and users

Virtual Production A World First For Princethorpe Princethorpe College’s entirely virtual production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar School Production was a world first and the culmination of an astounding year of ingenuity for the Music and Performing Arts team. Available for just eight days, this Easter, the powerful performance telling the story of Christ’s arrest and crucifixion was both moving and incredible. After the announcement of the lockdown in January, and in agreement with the rights holders, who also confirmed this had never been attempted before, pupils individually recorded virtual performances that were then edited together to produce a completely virtual show. Featuring all the classic rock musical

numbers that everyone loves, including Gethsemane, I Don’t Know How To Love Him and the mighty anthem Superstar. Gil Cowlishaw, Director of Music, explains, “In ‘normal’ times, we would have never been allowed to make a movie musical but the College has proved that virtual performances can work. It took a lot of determination and ‘can do’ Princethorpe spirit but the hours of rehearsing, performance and editing were certainly worth it.” Over the last year the College has streamed a series of virtual concerts and Foundation wide collaboration projects allowing pupils to continue to perform. The independent secondary school has a thriving music, drama and performing arts co-curricular programme and a dedicated theatre space, although that wasn’t needed on this occasion!” n

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SENIOR LIVING

Good recruitment for older people 50 years after Sir Ian McKellen first played the role of Hamlet, he is set to take up the part once again when theatres reopen this summer. The production has been cast ‘age, colour and gender-blind’, benefiting actors and audiences alike. The aim of having the best person for the role whatever their age is just as worthy an aim in the workplace as it is on the stage. Unfortunately, we know that just as with actors, older workers get typecast and pigeonholed in certain roles, and too often don’t get cast at all. People in their 50s and 60s do not think that recruitment is working for them.In the toughest job market in recent memory this really matters. The Centre for Aging Better in thier latest research, ‘Too much experience’, shows that a third of people in their 50s and 60s feel their age disadvantages them in applying for jobs, higher than any other age group. And this doesn’t only affect people for one role or one job, this has long standing impacts long after a rejection letter is sent. The nationally representative survey found that of people aged 50-69 who had experienced age discrimination in recruitment, a third (33%) felt stuck in insecure work and two thirds (64%) were financially less well of. Three quarters (76%) were put off applying for jobs and a third were put off work altogether or went into early retirement. Most alarmingly, 43% said it had affected their health and wellbeing, and more than two thirds (68%) said it had undermined their confidence. A study published in the American Psychological Association found that people who were most likely to oppose ‘injustices and inequality in society’, and who were most likely to disapprove of racism and sexism, were also more likely to endorse ‘successionbased ageism’ – the idea that older people should step aside to improve younger people’s job opportunities. Older workers may be there because they have been there a long time, but they aren’t often hired there. Not everyone who is older at work is senior. Many people do not make it to the top, or even off the bottom with research showing that older workers are more likely to be stuck in low pay for longer. Applying for a job when you’re younger feels like an

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opportunity, applying for a job when you’re older feels like a risk. It feels like a risk because with any change comes uncertainty. People have something to lose and responsibilities to keep – mortgages, dependents, parents to care for, reputations to uphold, a working identity to maintain, security in working routines, patterns and conditions. On top of all those perceived risks of change, people shouldn’t also need to look over their shoulder and wonder how other people will judge them because of their age. A quarter of over 50s in the survey said they had wanted to move jobs, but felt unable to do so because of their age. It is little wonder then that only 0.23% of people over the age of 50 voluntarily move jobs each quarter – less than half the rate of people in their 30s and 40s. This results in a lack of job mobility and people being stuck in jobs that become unsustainable. Changing our thinking about changing jobs We need opportunities to change jobs no matter our age, whether to progress, take on new challenges, or balance work with other needs. People need to move, up, down or sideways based on where they are in their life or their career, but they are often stuck because they are seen as too experienced, set in their ways, or lacking potential. With more of us living a ‘hundred year life’ it is in all or our interests to make sure that we can move and change jobs free of bias at any point of our working lives. Age bias can affect anyone. The research has found that even applicants in their 20s had been told that they were ‘too old’ for a role. The Centre have found steps that employers can take to reduce age-bias in recruitment – considering where they are placing jobs, considering whether ‘cultural fit’ means more ‘people like us’, using structured interviews and processes, and collecting and analysing the age profile of applicants and recruits. We want to work with employers and recruiters to make these work in practice. Many jobs have been lost, others are in limbo. The worst may still be to come but with half of UK employers planning to recruit this year, we need to make sure that we hire back better, for everyone, whatever their age. n

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PUZZLED? SUDOKU - HARD

If you get stuck, the answers can be found on page 10 4

2 6

7 8

4 4

2 6

4 6

8 1

9 4

WORD SEARCH

Find and cross out all the listed words. The words may go horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and backwards.

6 2

6 8

4 2

7 1

6 4

7 8

3 8

P M

G X

O D O O G

G W J

N G N M M A R

A G G

Z Q O A

B W L

BASKET

DECORATIONS

PINK

U G

G A O O N B

BONNETS

DUCKS

RABBIT

H D

C U O

BUNNY

EGGS

RELIGIOUS

R O C

CANDY

FUN

RISEN

CHILDREN

GOOD

SPRING

CHOCOLATE

HAPPY

SUNDAY

CHURCH

JESUS

YELLOW

CROSS

PICTURES

We are ready for your lock down hair! n 30 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 52 | May 2021

U D H

U G Q Q V O

N O N

D G M C

C D

N N O B

N N U

B N X

N K

CRISS-CROSS

If you get stuck, the answers can be found on page 10 1

11 12

18 19

27 28

32 33

40 41

42 43

45 46

5 letter words AMBER BLOOM CHICK GLORY IVORY NOVEL SCENE SWISS TRIBE UMIAK UNITE USHER

6 letter words ACCESS ARARAT ELEVEN EMBLEM MIRROR MOHAWK SCALES SNOOZE

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

7 letter words AGELESS AMATEUR AMIABLE ANDORRA ASH TREE BALANCE CLOTHES REPAINT DURANGO ESQUIRE PANCAKE PRECISE

PROTECT QUETZAL ROTATED SHELTER STETSON TOURNEY 9 letter words AGREEMENT MICROCOSM NEWSPAPER REYKJAVIK SCIENTIST

SOYA BEANS SUBMARINE THOUSANDS 11 letter words LIFE SCIENCE NETHERLANDS SIGHTSEEING SOLAR ENERGY

'Taking the puzzle out of hair'

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