Warwickshire Now October 2020

Warwickshire

Now

WIN GOODIES FROM PEACH PERFECT BONFIRE NIGHT SAFETY GETTING CHILDREN ACTIVE OCTOBER 2020 | ISSUE 47

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

Dive into autumn t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 1 n

HOMES • GARDENS • EDUCATION • HEALTH & BEAUTY • PUZZLES • COMPETITIONS

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Warwickshire

04

Now

Contents

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05

OCTOBER 2020

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

COMPETITION 05 Win a selection of goodies from Peach Perfect

HOME & GARDEN

16

14

08 Bonfire Night Safety

LET’S GET COSY 14 Our favourite things to get cosy this autumn

HEALTHY & BEAUTY 16 Stress-busting ideas

20

EDUCATION 20 Reopening of schools vital for child health

PUZZLES 22 Get your brain into gear with our monthly puzzles

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

AK Fitted Interiors Daisy Bennett NHS Sport England

ADVERTISING Kate Gilmartin 01905 727904 kate@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.

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

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

Leamington Music is back!

After nearly six months with no concerts, Leamington Music has opened booking for seven concerts to be given during October and November. There are two series in new venues for the leading promoter of chamber and early music in Warwickshire.

The Investec International String Quartet series is transferred from the Royal Pump Rooms on the Parade to Holy Trinity Church in Beauchamp Avenue. The quartets will give two concerts of an hour with different programmes at 5pm and 8pm. On Friday 6 November the Carducci String Quartet also makes a return visit bringing quartets by Haydn, Beethoven, Dvořák and Shostakovich and Bartók’s arrangement of Romanian folk dances.

The Jubilee String Quartet comes on Friday 27 November and besides offering quartets by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Mendelssohn includes two works which continue the Czech connection that Leamington Music has always made. Sylvie Bodorová’s Quartet No 4 ‘Shofarot’ will have its UK premiere and before that, Vilem Tauský’s Coventry is revived. The other new venue for Leamington Music is The Dream Factory in Warwick. On Tuesday 13 October, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet will play Haydn, Wolf and Schubert in a concert that marks the eightieth birthday of the Festival Director, Richard Phillips.

Further concerts on Tuesday evenings first feature Joglaresa playing medieval hits in its programme Boogie Knights on 3 November. A week later, Kosmos with Harriet Mackenzie on violin, Meg Hamilton on viola and the Serbian virtuoso accordion player Miloš Milivojević play world music, particularly from the Balkans and Mediterranean.

On 24 November The Mellstock Band, which annually fills the Lord Leycester Hospital, brings a new programme, The Shepherd’s Calendar, to the town. n

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COMPETITION

Large Swarovski Crystal Guardian Angel: (£12)

Fabulous gift ideas from Peach Perfect... that you can win!

Peach Perfect has teamed up with NOW Warwickshire Magazine to offer one lucky reader a selection of fantastic gifts – for friends, relatives or even themselves!

With thoughts soon turning to Christmas shopping, more and more people are looking for gift inspiration for their loved ones. Peach Perfect is an online boutique with a range of stunning and original - present ideas for all ages

Make & Sew Suitcase: (£19)

and tastes, including crafts, crystals, jewellery, home and garden accessories and more.

There’s a range of gifts which can be personalised, gifts that relate to specific sports or hobbies or birthstones and new and unique ideas for babies and toddlers – and even pets.

The entrepreneur behind the business, Kate Findlay, from Barford, said: “Our message for Christmas is that, even if people can’t spend the festive season

The Sienna Glass Bird Feeder: (£21)

with all their loved ones, they can let them know they’re in their thoughts with a carefully chosen token.

“It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture - we believe that frequent little acts of thoughtfulness can be much more appealing - and affordable! Why not give a close friend or family member who you can’t see, a virtual hug. We have some great gift ideas for everyone, even those hard to please people who have everything!”

To help get you inspired – or get your festive

Music Night In: (£29)

shopping

list

kickstarted

-

Kate has chosen four of her favourite

presents to give away for home, garden and hobby time. . .

The Sienna Glass Bird Feeder: (£21) This beautiful handcrafted glass bird feeder can also be used as a planter or piece of garden art and will enhance any garden.

Make & Sew Suitcase: (£19) This pretty new sewing kit by Rex London is packed full of sewing essentials and goodies including a project book and is perfect for both experienced and novice sewers.

Music Night In: (£29) Host your own music night with this great pack from TalkingTables. It contains six card sets each with their own challenge as well as props and trophy for some uninhibited noisy fun.

Large Swarovski Crystal Guardian Angel: (£12) These cute crystal angels by Wild Things Gifts come in all the birthstone colours plus more, and incorporate more Swarovski crystals for a greater rainbow-making effect.

Check out Peach Perfect’s full range of gifts by visiting peachperfect.co.uk To enter the competition, please visit the Warwickshire Now Facebook page for details.

Peach Perfect is also offering all NOW readers an exclusive 10% discount on their first online shop - just enter the voucher code NOW10 at checkout.

Terms & Conditions: Entries are limited to one per person and no cash substitute can be offered. The winner must consent to providing personal information for the purpose of publicity. n

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Last three bungalows remaining at Hayfield Grange in the market town of Southam Hayfield Grange, located in the Warwickshire market town of Southam,

only a small selection of bungalows now remaining, we are very

is now 95 per cent sold. Being developed by the UK’s Best Small

busy working with prospective buyers and arranging viewings in full

Housebuilder, the high-quality scheme which offers enviable views of

compliance with our robust Covid-19 Safe Operating Procedure. We

the local area has had a high number of sales since the easing of the

urge anyone who is looking to move to get in touch with us without

Covid-19 lockdown.

delay to avoid missing out on the last few homes.”

Launched to the market last year, Hayfield Grange features 51 two, three

Hayfield became a five-star HBF Housebuilder earlier this year. At the

and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom bungalows. Features that

2019 WhatHouse? Awards, held late last year, Hayfield was crowned

have made the scheme so popular include the bespoke Symphony

Best Small Housebuilder. It won the same accolade at the 2019

kitchens with glazed wall units, Roca bathroom suites, Porcelanosa

Housebuilder Awards, and also scooped the prize for Best Customer

ceramic floor and wall tiles, fitted wardrobes by Hammonds, Farrow &

Satisfaction Initiative.

Ball paint to woodwork, heritage bronze ironmongery and turfed front and rear private gardens.

Hayfield Grange is located at Manders Croft, Wattons Lane, Southam, Warwickshire, CV47 0HZ, just a short walk from the High Street, where

The Government’s Help to Buy initiative, Hayfield’s Part-Exchange

a weekly market is held every Tuesday. The development is seven

programme and a discount scheme for Key Workers have all been very

miles from Royal Leamington Spa, 10 miles from Rugby, 13 miles from

popular with local people looking to upgrade to a new home. Three

Coventry and 15 miles from Stratford Upon Avon.

two-bedroom bungalows now remain, each priced at £375,000.

Kelly Sharman, Sales and Marketing Director for Hayfield said: “With

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For more information or to register your interest, please call 0800 048 4861 or email hayfieldgrange@hayfieldhomes.co.uk. n

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Bonfire Night safety at home While large gatherings at home may be on hold for now, you can still get into the spirit and celebrate bonfire night this November. Whether, you’re looking at getting rid of old garden waste, or commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, we take a look at how you can safely build a bonfore this November 5th.

It goes without saying that fire is extremely dangerous. Building a fire should be done with care and consideration, not only for your safety, but for those who live nearby. Make sure that beforehand, you alert your neighbours and make sure that it’s not a warm day when they’re likely to be their gardens.

Check that there arent any telephone wires or cables above the bonfire; as a rule, the bonfore should be a minimum of five times it’s height from the property. Build the bonfore away from fences, trees and any wooden outbuildings like sheds. Be aware of any small animals, like hedgehogs or birds that may have crawled into the bonfire for shelter.

Make sure the material you are burning is dry. Damp wood causes more smoke. Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire, and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture, or batteries.

Don’t leave bonfires unattended and keep children and pets away from them. An adult should alway be on hand it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with plenty of water. In case of emergencies, always keep a bucket of water on hand to extinguish any out of control embers. If you have any fireworks at home, do not throw them; used or unused into the fire, alongwith aerosols, tyres, or any paint tins. They can produce toxic fumes and some may explode.

Bonfire night, for decades wouldn’t be complete without a spectacular firework display. Organised propertly and with safety in mind, a wondrous display of fireworks to celebrate an occasion such as Bonfire Nght, can be entertaining for young and old alike. However fireworks can cause extensive air pollution in a short amount of time, leaving metal particles, dangerous toxins, harmful chemicals and smoke in the air for hours and days. Not mentioning the fear and dred placed upon pets and their owners during firework season.

If you are planning fireworks at home, why not try these alternatives; • Glow sticks Perfect for night time fun and come in a variety of different colours • Firecracker Pinata Build a papier mache pinata in the shape of a firecracker. Fill with sweets, themed gifts, even the aforementioned glowsticks.

• Fireless Fireworks You can make your own party poppers with recycled toilet rolls, balloons and confetti. Simple attach the end of a balloon onto one end of a toilet roll, fill the toilet roll with colourful tissue paper, pull n 8 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 47 | October 2020

back the balloon and POP, your very own party popper.

• Video firework Show If you’re feeling really technical, you could watch a pre-recorded firework show and play it on a projector in the back garden, against a wall or fence.

The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places. You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for: Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight; New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am. Check with Warwickshire Council to find out about any local rules for setting off fireworks. You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates: 15 October to 10 November, 26 to 31 December, 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year.

Most of all, have fun, but be safe! n

By Daisy Bennett

Doric House, Church Street, Studley, Warwickshire, B80 7LG www.fenlanddirect.uk 01527 857750 t @NowWarwickshire | G Warwickshire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 9 n

HOME & GARDEN

Relocation in 2021

If 2020 was all about staying at home, the theme of 2021 could be spreading your wings and getting away.

Things will certainly be a lot different when relocating to Europe, as the new ‘freedom of movement’ rules will apply from 1st January, meaning British people will need a visa to live full-time in an EU country. Meanwhile, long-haul destinations like New Zealand are effectively sealed off to non-citizens of those countries for the time being.

are where you gain residency in return for splurging lots of money on a property or other investment. Money talks everywhere, but €500,000 will get you not only a lovely home, but also a right to live in Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Greece and some Caribbean islands.

Where to move?

Spain and Portugal both offer easy retirement visas. Indeed Portugal has a special low-tax incentive scheme for expat retirees. They’re both very simple to travel backwards and forwards to all year, unlike places like Greece and Turkey where flights are severely curtailed in

But that doesn’t mean you should forget the idea of moving abroad, which is one of the most exciting adventures one can have, at any time of life. You might just need to spend the half of 2021 planning (and the second half living the dream!).

winter. They’re not just warm in climate terms either, but also offer a

Planning for your big move Your first decision will be whether to move full time or part time. It’s certainly more straightforward to stay resident in the UK and just enjoy long – maybe very long – holidays in the sun. You could, for example, buy a second home in Spain, enjoying long, warm winters there, and then rent it out to high-paying tourists while you enjoy an English summer. You’ll have no worries over Brexit, enjoy capital growth (hopefully) on two properties, take holidays whenever you want them, and you can even finance the overseas home with equity release on your UK property.

for a more traditional lifestyle, or move to France instead. Our

If moving full time, 2021 could be a big year for emigration lawyers and agents. They now have another 26 countries to work in, as Brits moving more than half of the year to the EU will need a visa.

You have three types of visa to consider: working, retirement and ‘golden’. Anyone planning on working abroad will need the relevant visa. That includes ‘digital nomads’ who plan to work from home for the Birmingham office. It just happens that ‘home’ is now a café in San Francisco.

Retirement or ‘non-lucrative’ visas will be popular in Spain and France, where if you show an income over a certain amount (usually not that much, less than €1,000 per month) and have private healthcare, you can stay. Lastly, golden or investor visas n 10 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 47 | October 2020

warm welcome to British people looking for a community of fellow British people to share a healthy, active retirement with.

If a British pub on a Spanish costa isn’t your idea of fun, head inland nearest neighbour also has relatively simple visa schemes, as well as 1,600 different cheeses. For Francophiles, being able to throw all your stuff in the car and pop over on a ferry to a country where the children are polite, the markets are buzzing and the property is extremely affordable, is heaven..

New Zealand and Canada may be closed to new immigrants right now, but for 20- and 30-somethings who may not be looking forward to their chances in the post-Covid economy, they’re a good bet for later in 2021 or beyond. Both countries have young, charismatic leaders who have dealt successfully with the pandemic. Property Guides have seen a rush of enquiries to buy a home in New Zealand from older folk too, although the visa barriers are high for anyone aged over 55.

Anyone serious about moving to either of these two countries should set a date for around a year away – especially for New Zealand which will be enjoying springtime – and begin building up a financial war chest. Immigration procedures, flights and removals are not cheap. They should also avoid getting into any long-term relationships – nearly one in five of our readers say they’re having trouble persuading a spouse to move with them! n

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Make your kitchen more eco-friendly With an increasing awareness of the need to protect the Earth’s natural resources, more of us are searching for sustainable ways to update our homes. Consider the following ‘green’ solutions for your own climate conscious kitchen.

Boiling Water Taps More energy efficient than a kettle and, arguably, more cost effective in the long run, boiling water taps are becoming a must have in many new kitchens. Quooker’s latest innovation, the ‘Cube’, also provides filtered, chilled and sparkling options removing the need for anymore plastic and glass water bottles. The company will recycle used canisters too, which can be sent back free of charge.

and easily, helping you get dinner on the table in less time. Which? found that some models can heat 1.5 litres of water to 90°C in around four minutes. That’s more than twice as fast as most gas or electric cookers. Induction cooking is also safer and more efficient because heat is generated instantly in the induction stove and vanishes just as quickly when you switch off. If something boils over, it can’t burn onto the glass ceramic surface because the material hardly gets hot at all.

Recycled Materials British based manufacturer Daval has recently launched the Renzo cabinet collection which has been dubbed as the kitchen with a conscience and one that builds a better future. Doors are made from 100% recycled materials, with a guarantee that no trees have been sacrificed in order to create this exciting and unique product.

The range is made from items such as pallets, fruit boxes and existing furniture but, aesthetically, will compete with the most luxurious of modern kitchens.

Selling your old kitchen Providing your old cabinets are fully functional, you should be able to sell your existing kitchen online, either through Ebay or a dedicated used kitchen specialist. Save space in landfill and increase your budget for your new project at the same time.

Lighting Kitchen lighting needs to work on many levels. It should be bright enough for food preparation, but soft enough for relaxing, kitchen dining. It must be practical yet complement the style of the room at the same time. And, of course, it should be energy efficient. With traditional bulbs, research shows that only 5% of the electricity they use is actually converted into light. Instead, much is wasted on the heating of the filament, which in turn gives off that yellow tinge. Swap these for ultra-efficient LEDs, and whilst the initial investment is higher, your new lighting will last up to ten times as long, with considerable cost savings.

Less waste New developments in refrigeration are having a direct impact on reducing waste, by keeping our food fresh for longer. Siemens’ hyperFresh technology is designed to store items at the ideal temperature and humidity with intelligent drawer design and the ability to cool food up to 40% faster. Whilst we’re on the subject of food, buying locally not only reduces carbon footprint but also helps to support small, independent businesses.

Dishwashers Research suggests that if used efficiently, dishwashers can be significantly cheaper than running your tap while hand-washing your dishes. According to The Energy Saving Trust, one average dishwasher cycle would cost the same in energy and water as heating six washing-up bowls of water in the sink or running the hot tap continuously for nine minutes.

Induction cooking With induction hobs you can prepare your favourite dishes quickly n 12 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 47 | October 2020

All products mentioned in this feature are available from AK Fitted Interiors. For further information please email enquiries@ akfittedinteriors or visit www.akfittedinteriors.co.uk n

HOME & GARDEN

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WHITTARD’s SPICED CHAI TEA £9 Whittard’s take on an Indian classic with warming cinnamon, black tea and ginger. whittards.co.uk

Let's get cosy As the night’s are drawing in, it’s a perfect excuse to get warm and cosy with your favourite book and drown out the noise from outside. We take a look at the best products on the market to help you relax this autumn.

EMMA STRAUB, ALL ADULTS HERE £12.99 Witty, warm and thoroughly entertaining, All Adults Here is a delicious dissection of the challenges of modern family life. waterstones.com

SUBLIMAGE £116 The first essential step of the skincare ritual, inspired by the precision and high standards of the Asian ritual. chanel.com

COTTON BLEND PYJAMAS £15 These pyjamas are made from a cotton blend for ultimate comfort. next.co.uk

YANKEE CANDLE AUTUMN GLOW £23.99

VERBENA FOAMING BATH £26 An irresistible foaming bath that will change your bath into a Provencal perfumed escape. uk.loccitane.com

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Earthy leaves swirl with golden sunlight and woody patchouli—like a walk through the forest in autumn yankeecandle.co.uk

BUTTERCUP YELLOW BEEHIVE THROW £40 With its soft and fluffy feel and intriguing honeycomb-inspired weave, the sophisticated beehive blanket is a true beauty. thebritishblanketcompany.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

The Cost of...Ingrowing toenails

Following on from last month’s article introducing the various costs associated with health problems, I thought I would start with something apparently fairly simple – ingrowing toenails. However they can be far from simple.

In my days as NHS Diabetic Foot Specialist, I was involved in the case of a man who developed gangrene from his ingrowing toenail and ultimately died. Until he presented to me in the hospital with the gangrene, he had not once been referred to a chiropodist or podiatrist to address the original problem.

Instead 9 months of GP care with multiple courses of antibiotics had been tried. Unfortunately, all these years later and I still see patients who have had similar treatment plans that have failed to resolve their problem. The record I have experienced is a patient who presented at my clinic after having had 11 courses of antibiotics! It is so unnecessary and he was cured the same day he attended for treatment with me. The reason for this is simple though – ingrowing toenails wont heal properly whilst the nail edge continues to rub or impinge on the flesh. All it takes is removal of that nail edge, treatment of any associated infection, and the problem is sorted, at least until the nail edge grows back. However there are surgical solutions to stop this from happening.

So lets look at the costs involved: Physical costs – Ingrowing toenails can hurt. A lot! At the very least, they impact on footwear choices. Moreso, they impede activities that we may enjoy doing – walking, running, playing sport etc.

Treatment of any infection can affect us as well though. Repeated courses of antibiotics can lead to a higher chance of developing resistance to antibiotics, as well as the chance of affecting the good bacteria in our digestive system.

Emotional costs – Being in pain when we put on shoes, or the pain of lying in bed with the weight of the duvet on our toes, as often occurs with ingrowing toenails, can have a draining effect on our wellbeing. The throbbing, burning, sometimes intensely sharp pain, will go on and on if left untreated. The appearance of a bleeding or bandaged toe can make us feel self-conscious, and the smell when it is infected can affect us and those around us.

Financial costs – The financial cost of not treating an ingrowing toenail properly can soon add up. Recurrent trips to the GP clinic, costs of repeated antibiotics & home remedies, expense of replacement footwear affected by the constant wound seepage, potential loss of earnings etc. But what does it cost to have it professionally treated (by someone who uses sterile instruments and appropriate techniques). Well if you don’t mind waiting and you satisfy the current NHS criteria for access to Podiatry, then you could have it treated for free (please note that it is only free at the point of delivery – we all pay for the NHS through our taxes & National Insurance contributions). Privately you could see a Foot Health Practitioner for mild cases and pay approximately £20-£40 for treatment but it may only last a few weeks. Or treatment by a Podiatrist could last longer at a possible cost of £40- £100, and many could supply antibiotics for you if necessary.

Also a Podiatrist could provide a permanent solution at an additional cost of £250-£500 irrespective of how bad the ingrowing toenail is. Or you could see a surgeon and pay £500-£2000 for a similar cure. The important thing is that whoever you see has the highest possible levels of success to help avoid further physical, emotional, and financial costs for you.

Jonathan Small, Lead Podiatrist, www.healthfirstsoutham.co.uk n

COTTON PAISLEY PRINT PYJAMA SET £19.50 With its cotton-blend fabric, this M&S paisley-print pyjama set feels delightfully light and comfortable to wear. marksandspencer.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Stress-busting ideas If you’re stressed, whether by your job or something more personal, the first step to feeling better is to identify the cause. The most unhelpful thing you can do is turn to something unhealthy to help you cope, such as smoking or drinking.

These are Professor Cooper’s top stress-busting suggestions: Be active Exercise won’t make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you’re feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly.

Take control There’s a solution to any problem. “If you remain passive, thinking, ‘I can’t do anything about my problem’, your stress will get worse,” says Professor Cooper. “That feeling of loss of control is one of the main causes of stress and lack of wellbeing.” The act of taking control is in itself empowering, and it’s a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you and not someone else.

Connect with people A good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way. “If you don’t connect with people, you won’t have support to turn to when you need help,” says Professor Cooper. The activities we do with friends help us relax. We often have a good laugh with them, which is an excellent stress reliever. “Talking things through with a friend will also help you find solutions to your problems,” says Professor Cooper.

provide temporary relief, but it won’t make the problems disappear.

You need to tackle the cause of your stress.”

Help other people Professor Cooper says evidence shows that people who help others, through activities such as volunteering or community work, become more resilient. “Helping people who are often in situations worse than yours will help you put your problems into perspective,” says Professor Cooper. “The more you give, the more resilient and happy you feel.”

Work smarter, not harder Working smarter means prioritising your work, concentrating on the tasks that’ll make a real difference. “Leave the least important tasks to last,” says Cooper. “Accept that your in-tray will always be full. Don’t expect it to be empty at the end of the day.”

Try to be positive Look for the positives in life, and things for which you’re grateful.

“People don’t always appreciate what they have,” says Professor Cooper. Try writing down 3 things that went well, or for which you’re grateful, at the end of every day. n www.nhs.co.uk

ANSWERS

Avoid unhealthy habits Don’t rely on alcohol, smoking and caffeine as your ways of coping.

“Men more than women are likely to do this. We call this avoidance behaviour,” says Professor Cooper. “Women are better at seeking support from their social circle.” In the long term, these crutches won’t solve your problems. They’ll just create new ones. “It’s like putting your head in the sand,” says Professor Cooper. “It might n 16 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 47 | October 2020

ACROSS 5. Paths 10. Astronomy 11. Fairy 12. Amuse 13. Knowledge 14. Tasty 15. Stood 17. England 18. Label 19. Wing 20. Devices 21. Knotted 24. Marine 25. Handsome 26. Logical 27. Electron 28. Tribal 29.

Shadows 31. Deposit 32. Pear 33. Fluid 34. Grandad 35. Foggy 37. Egypt 38. Staircase 39. Yield 40. Sneak 41. Installed 42. Zebra

Challenge yourself Setting yourself goals and challenges, whether at work or outside, such as learning a new language or a new sport, helps build confidence. This will help you deal with stress. “By continuing to learn, you become more emotionally resilient as a person,” says Professor Cooper. “It arms you with knowledge and makes you want to do things rather than be passive, such as watching TV all the time.”

CRISS-CROSS: DOWN 1. Using 2. Drawing 3. Underline 4. Imagination 6. Admitted 7. Historical 8. Cabanas 9. Written 16. Swimmer 17. Entries 18. Leaders 20. Delight 21.

Knitted 22. Doubled 23. Declare 25. Handwriting 26. Locomotive 28. Twentieth 29. Singular 30. Elegant 31. Display 32. Parcels 36. Ashes

Have some ‘me time’ Here in the UK, we work the longest hours in Europe, meaning we often don’t spend enough time doing things we really enjoy. “We all need to take some time for socialising, relaxation or exercise,” says Professor Cooper. He recommends setting aside a couple of nights a week for some quality “me time” away from work. “By earmarking those 2 days, it means you won’t be tempted to work overtime,” he says.

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SENIOR LIVING

Charity receives boost to support those bereaved from Covid-19 Local Warwickshire charity to play vital role in Covid-19 response support

The UK’s largest bereavement charity, Cruse Bereavement Care, has received a much needed financial boost from the Department of Health and Social Care to help it respond to an increase in demand for its services due to the pandemic.

The charity, which has local branches in Coventry, Rugby and South Warwickshire, was awarded funding by the Government in June to provide additional support through its existing National Helpline to bereaved people affected by the pandemic. The funding has also allowed the charity to develop its current infrastructure, including increasing the current Helpline team through new recruitment, reallocation of staff and enrolment of existing, locally based Cruse Bereavement Volunteers; extending the opening hours of its Helpline; and creating a new webchat service.

Since the pandemic began the local Cruse Area has continued its work supporting those who are bereaved through the pandemic or other circumstances.

Anne Langley, Area Chair for Coventry and Warwickshire at Cruse Bereavement Care reports: “These are difficult times for everyone and we are yet to see the full impact that the pandemic is having on the thousands of people across the UK who have been bereaved and the lasting impact this will have on their mental health. We know from experience how devastating any death can be but in the current circumstances people are facing some of the most challenging situations imaginable.

“Because of the pandemic, many people were unable to visit their loved one in a care home or hospital during their last illness, or to be with them at the end of their life. Few people were allowed to attend funerals. All this has meant that many of those left behind have been grieving in isolation, unable to seek much needed comfort from friends and family. What we are seeing now is an increase in calls

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to the Helpline month on month from people who have had to put their grief on hold, and now – more than ever – need our support. n

SENIOR LIVING

Quinton House Engage and re-lift the senses

At Quinton House we understand the needs of every individual. It’s not just about the first class care, it’s about every facet of someone’s life. It’s about what newspaper they read, knowing their favourite breakfast, where they went on holiday as a child, the list is exhaustive.

By understanding each individual we are able to help them settle quickly, and enjoy the benefits that community living in such a special place can offer. You’ll notice from our reviews that our staff’s attention to each resident is exemplary and it’s this genuine interest coupled to compassionate care which keeps our residents so content.

Visit our community and you’ll know you’ve arrived somewhere special.

This is a family-owned home and has been for over twenty years. This continuity coupled to our team’s dedication enables us to deliver ever more impressive levels of compassionate care, the best Warwickshire has to offer.

At Quinton House, we are passionate about what we do and how we care for the older people we work with. Our insight and reputation is built on 20 years of experience in care. We are committed to providing all of our residents, wht exactly the right level of care and support, where and when it is required.

New Sensory Room Our new sensory rom is a specially designed environment that provides a sensory experience to our residents, with a wide variety of different abilities. A sensory room is designed to help people engage with the world around them.

We have sand, sea, seagulls, seaside background music. Chips in a cone or icecream.

We aim to engage and re-lift the senses of all our residents.

We understand the value of maintainung our residence independence and that privacy and choice are important. Our dedicated and highly trained care staff know that no two people are the same, whic is why we make sure we listen to our residence needs and always create bespoke support packages that are tailored to the residence personal circumstances and lifestyle preferences.

Top 20 Small Care Home Groups 2019 Quinton House and Gardens Nursing Home are pleased to anounce that we have won this Award and we couldn’t be any happier. Our staff has worked hard over the years to not only make a difference to our residents but, to assure families that their loved ones are in safe hands.

The carehome.co.uk Group Awards 2019 highlight the most recommended Care Home Groups in the UK. The awards are based on over 120,000 reviews from care home residents as well as their friends and family.

Quinton House Nursing Home, Main Road, Lower Quinton, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 8RY Tel: 01789 720247 Email: info@quintonhouse.net

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EDUCATION

Reopening of schools vital for children's health The hugely important role played by schools in helping children build a healthy relationship with sport and physical activity is being emphasised as they reopen.

The Active Lives Children and Young People Survey revealed that when young people play sport and are active, it doesn’t just benefit their physical health. The survey shows strong evidence that active children are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others, and there’s a strong association between young people being active and better mental health. On top of this, there’s a wealth of evidence that suggests being active has positive benefits on students’ behaviour, attendance and academic results at school.

Last year, 46.8% (3.3 million) of children in England were meeting Chief Medical Officer guidelines of an average of 60 minutes of activity per day across a week. But during lockdown, with schools closed and fewer opportunities to use facilities and play formal sport, these figures dropped significantly.

Data commissioned Savanta ComRes to collect from parents over the summer suggests that activity levels fell to less than a fifth (19%) of children meeting the recommended guidelines, while a separate survey of children we conducted with Childwise in May found a third

n 20 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 47 | October 2020

said the absence of school during the height of the pandemic had a major impact on their ability to be active. The research also showed that teenage girls, Black, Asian and poorer children are relying more than others on ‘at school’ provision to be physically active in their everyday lives. This makes clear the vitally important role that school settings play in supporting children to be active, from informal play right through to formal team sport.

Investing in children’s activity Recognising the important role schools play in supporting children to be more active and healthier, alongside the government Sport England have been investing directly into children’s activity and sport in school settings in recent years, including through the School Sport and Activity Action Plan and PE and Sport Premium.

Some £13.5 million has gone into a secondary teacher training programme, offering professional development opportunities to staff in over 2,000 schools across England to help put pupil’s needs and enjoyment at the heart of PE and school sport, while £26m has been invested into Satellite Clubs to engage children and young people in sport outside the school day and over £16m is supporting the School Games. n Sport England

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n 24 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 47 | October 2020