Worcestershire Now - APRIL 2020

Worcestershire

Now

LOCAL CORONAVIRUS NEWS INFORMATION FROM GOV.UK UPDATES FROM AGE UK APRIL 2020 | ISSUE 198 t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 1 n

NEWS • HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD & DRINK • HEALTH & BEAUTY • GOLDEN YEARS • PUZZLES

n 2 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

Worcestershire

10

Now 20

22 APRIL 2020

24

HOME & GARDEN 10

Illuminate Your Garden Space

16

Perfect Potted Plants

20

Nature Notebook

HEALTH & BEAUTY 22

26

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

FOOD & DRINK 24

Cooking From Cans in Your Cupboard

GOLDEN YEARS 26

An Update From Age UK

30

A Guide to Yoga

38

EDUCATION 36

New Forest School at Winterfold

PUZZLED 38

36

Stay Home. Stay Safe. Do Some Puzzles

WO RC E S T E R S H I R E

NOW 01905 723011

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

ADVERTISING

nowmagazines.co.uk

Rachel Seabright 01905 727900 rachel@pw-media.co.uk

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

Lis Gardner Tel: 01905 727901 Email: lis@pw-media.co.uk

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727905 Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS

DESIGN

Kirstie Trobe

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

Daisy Bennett Wendy Carter Langley’s Solicitors Mumbo-Jumbo Public Health England Royal Horticultural Society Winterfold School

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 Worcestershire Now magazine t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 3 n your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

HERE & NOW

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0 202 h c r Ma 23rd

HERE & NOW

Symptoms The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of: new continuous cough and/or high temperature; For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

Isolation If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started.

If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for 7 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

For anyone else in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14 day isolation period.

Isolation, means total social isolation. No popping out, no opening the door to sign for packaging. Everything must be left on the door step. Absolutely no going out, apart from you own garden as long as it is not a shared space.

It is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.

If you can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period. If you cannot move vulnerable people out of your home, stay away from them as much as possible.

If you have coronavirus symptoms: do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital, you do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home. Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home, plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home and consider what can be done for vulnerable people in the household.

no longer have a high temperature, they can

Ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home, wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser.

will have greatly reduced the overall amount

If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then use the NHS 111 onlinecoronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999

community protection. Further isolation

ENDING SELF-ISOLATION AND HOUSEHOLD-ISOLATION Self-Isolation If you have been symptomatic, then you may end your self-isolation after 7 days. The 7-day period starts from the day when you first became ill.

had any signs of improvement and have not

Household Isolation If living with others, then all household members who remain well may end household-isolation after 14 days. The 14day period starts from the day illness began in the first person to become ill. Fourteen days is the incubation period for coronavirus; people who remain well after 14 days are unlikely to be infectious.

cough alone does not mean someone must

After 7 days, if the first person to become ill feels better and no longer has a high temperature, they can return to their normal routine. If any other family members become unwell during the 14-day householdisolation period, they should follow the same advice - that is, after 7 days of their symptoms starting, if they feel better and

also return to their normal routine.

Should a household member develop coronavirus symptoms late in the 14-day household-isolation period (for example, on day 13 or day 14) the isolation period does not need to be extended, but the person with the new symptoms has to stay at home for 7 days. The 14-day household-isolation period of infection the rest of the household could pass on, and it is not necessary to restart 14 days of isolation for the whole household.

This will have provided a high level of of members of this household will provide very little additional community protection.

At the end of the 14-day period, any family member who has not become unwell can leave household isolation.

If any ill person in the household has not already sought medical advice, they should contact NHS 111 online. If your home has no internet access, you should call NHS 111.

The cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection

having

cleared.

A

persistent

continue to self-isolate for more than 7 days.

Social Isolation For the well everybody now should be in social isolation. Unless you are going to buy food, medication or going to work (if you can’t work from home) then you should be at home. Any contact with anyone outside of household should only be conducted at a minium of 8 feet away. The best measurement is hold out your arm holding a mobile phone and it needs to be twice that…

By following the science from Public Heath England we can all beat this by taking responsibility for own actions to save someones life. We can all be heroes. n

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITY

For many the prospect of self isolating for several weeks seems somewhat grim, but need it be?

Not only is it a chance to catch up on all the odd jobs that you never quite have the time for, but it is also an ideal opportunity to explore your more creative side.

We may not be able to get out and about, but what better time of year to start appreciating the everyday things we have around us? The flowers in the garden starting to bloom, a jug or some fruit just waiting to be captured as a still life?

Throwing yourself in at the deep end by drawing or painting from real life might seem a little daunting? I’d recommend using a photograph or, even better, copying from a picture that an artist has already pared down and simplified. Take time to observe, the accuracy of the drawing will be the foundation to build the creative flourishes with dashes of colour or tonal shading. If you lack confidence in your drawing skills you can make this initial step a lot easier by drawing a grid over the picture you wish to copy (it’s not cheating, even the great masters had to scale up their small sketches onto larger canvases).

Whether you are an absolute novice or someone who has already gained some n 6 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

experience and is looking to enhance their knowledge base there are plenty of options available online. So, with a little practise, in no time at all you’ll unleash your talents.

Obviously, group classes or one to one tuition is best, but in view of present circumstances the online tutorial is the ideal way to build in confidence and experience. You don’t even need lots of specialised equipment, just a pencil and paper will do for a start. If you already have some watercolour paints a ‘pen and wash’ sketch is the quickest way to produce some very satisfying results. The structural line of the pen will enable even the most novice artist to add splashes of colour and vibrancy to their work. Of course, if you don’t already have any equipment there is always the option of ordering online?

As an Art Tutor, and practising Artist, I am currently using several new ways of keeping in touch with my students whilst we’re not able to meet face to face. Having developed series of online tutorials, initially to compliment and reinforce what has been learned during class my Watercolour Beginners Course, they have become invaluable in showing step by step techniques and guidance remotely.

Both structured and flexible they allow for progression of development of style and confidence within the medium.

My art groups have also been mastering the art of video meetings online, which has proved to be surprisingly rewarding. It has provided a great way for students to not only watch demonstrations but share their own artwork, offering plenty of support and suggestions to each other. We even get the chance to have a really good chat, which, after all is what being in a creative group is all about.

Kirstie Trobe is a freelance artist and art tutor.

She runs a Wednesday Watercolour group at The Pump House Environment Centre, Waterworks Road, Worcester, WR1 3EZ. 11am-1pm.

She also teaches watercolour at Worcester Arts Workshop, Samsome Street, Worcester, WR1 1UH. worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk/courses/ watercolour-painting/ And is occasional guest tutor in Life Drawing and Portraiture there. She also offers private tuition and accepts commissions. You can see more of her work and contact her about joining classes at: Facebook: KirstieTrobeFineArt Kirstie Trobe (@kirstietrobefineart) Instagram photos and videos. n

HERE & NOW

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HERE & NOW

CLARIFICATION ON PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY OF SEPARATED FAMILIES DURING LOCKDOWN Following senior minister, Michael Gove adding to the confusion of the nation, and already mixed messages to the public, from Government on new lockdown measures, Natalie Wiles, a chartered legal executive, at Langleys Solicitors, has added some further clarification on parental responsibility of separated and divorced families today during lockdown.

“This is a very challenging time for all of us but for those parents and children in separated families it is a particular challenge. Of course, the first priority is the heath of your loved ones and other members of the public in this unprecedented situation.

The government have now clarified that it is OK for children to spend time with each parent where there are separate households and that

existing arrangements should be maintained.

This will no doubt be a huge relief to many families. Communication between separated parents is vital in these difficult times. It is important to remember that both parents will usually share Parental Responsibility for any dependent child and that parents should keep each other informed in relation to the health and wellbeing of their children.

If there is an existing court order in place determining the arrangements for the children then this should be adhered save for circumstances where self-isolation is required. If an order is not adhered to without a very good reason it is possible for an enforcement application to be made to the Court which could result in penalties for the non-compliant parent.

It is also important for parents to remember that it is important for the children’s emotional wellbeing to maintain a good and regular relationship with both parents. In the event that one parent, or the children, are unwell or self-isolating there are other methods of maintaining contact such as facetime or skype to assist the children in speaking to the parent they are not presently with.

It is important that during these very worrying times that as much stability is maintained for the children as possible and following established patterns of time spent with each parent will play a big part in this.” n

Song for VE Day 75 Written

by Worcestershire Musician catchy and we are inviting events all over the UK to either perform it themselves or play it over the VE Day 75 weekend of 8th - 10th May this year. We also see it forming a part of the media activity.”

Well known Worcester-based blues based singer songwriting trio Mumbo-Jumbo has written a song to celebrate the role of women on the Homefront during WW2 for the VE Day 75 event organisers.

The song, ‘Six Million Women (The Homefront Song)’ is to be a part of the ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’ taking place throughout the United Kingdom at 3pm on the 8th May 2020, and has been written and recorded by MumboJumbo and features top folk singer Edwina Hayes.

“We were interested in having a song that celebrated the vital but often under recognised role of women on the Homefront as part of VE Day 75,” said Pageantmaster Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR. “The song is very n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

“It was great to write a song specially for such a major national and international event, and we are looking forward to it being a small cog in a big wheel,” said Oliver Carpenter of MumboJumbo who will be part of the thousands of activities planned for the weekend. “Focussing on the transformation of the war effort by the movement of women, young and older people into war work, the song also touches on how this permanently evolved the world of work and the role of women, as well as the combination of worry and camaraderie at the time.

Getting Edwina Hayes in to sing the song was a really rewarding part of the project.”

‘Six Million Women (The Homefront Song)’ can be found at the VE Day 75 website at www.veday75.org/downloads and downloaded in its complete form, as an instrumental backing track and as musical notation for VE Day 75 events. n

For more information, visit www.langleys.com

Fews Marquees helping the NHS Fews Marquees Ltd, a temporary structures business in the heart of the Midlands is taking action against the COVID-19 outbreak, and has formulated project concepts for temporary hospitals, temporary medical structures, triage rooms, accommodation, or any other kind of temporary medical facility and would like to offer these services to the NHS as soon as possible. In addition, they can provide emergency canopies or awnings for use in drive through COVID-19 testing programmes. These services are available at very short notice.

Ian Few, Managing Director of Fews Marquees Ltd says “Our business usually provides premium marquee structures for events, and we also have structures for warehousing, retail and even accommodation. The events industry work has completely vanished with this pandemic, so we have a yard full of stock, vehicles and teams to be deployed at a moment’s notice”.

“Our structures would be the ideal product, with flexible design in width length and height, pressure tested environments, insulated wall panelling and secure access doors. We use bespoke special quilted aluminium lining to give the structures thermal insulation, this keeps the structures at the desired temperature whilst using less energy. We can do a full fit out, including the choice of nonslip floor coverings, water supply, electricity, lighting, toilets, heating and air conditioning.”

The team are working hard contacting as many people as possible.

We have a great team and a great product. We feel if we can get this message out there, NHS hospitals and local authorities will get in touch to see if we can help. We can respond immediately if contacted”. n www.fewsmarquees.co.uk www.temporarystructures.co.uk

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HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

From simple LED lights to elaborate lanterns, we look at what you can do to make the most of your garden space.

As the days are getting longer and summer feels ever closer, it’s time to step outside the home and make the most of your garden.

Whether you have a couple of acres or a small courtyard space, it benefits your health and well being to be able to enjoy the outdoors. Breathing in the fresh night time air whilst sipping on your favourite cocktail, and reading your favourite book can make it seem as though you’re in a far away land.

Solar Powered Garden Lights Outdoor solar lights are an environemntally friendly alternative to to mains powered outdoor lights. They are safe to install and you can place them almost anywhere. Solar lights simply look after themselves and you don’t need an electrician to install them; no hidden wires or hidden costs. The solar cell is the part that converts sunlight into direct electrical current. As evening approaches, the solar cell stops converting sunlight as it weakens and eventually disappears, but for a while they give off light just as a normal

n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

electric light would do. Solar lights can come in all different shapes and sizes; for something different, why not try this

mini sphere

from Shapelights (shown below). The USB solar powered mood light powered lights gives you complete freedom of positioning anywhere in your home or garden.

Christopher Wray Lighting also has a selection of close to 200 different models of exterior lighting designs to choose fro, including solar lighting like the one shown on the previous page. They also have options to suit every style of home, visit their website at www.christopherwray.com to see their extensive collection.

Outdoor Spotlights For a more dramatic look for bigger gardens, spotlights flood the area with light, perfect for perfect for illuminating fences, walls and pergolas. At Decksupermarket.co.uk, you can find an array of specialised lighting with sleek and modern designs, like this cube-shaped wall fixture in dark grey coated aluminum. Big Cubid Dark provides a warm, white focused light. (shown top right).

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

them delicately in small shrubs to give a magical touch.

Outside lanterns are also perfect for adding a touch of personaiity to your garden, they can highlight area that you still want to see on those cooler summer nights. Annabel James has an online store with a variety of outdoor lights and lanterns. The gorgeous silver ‘Starburst’ hanging light with 120 warm white LEDs, suitable for indoor or outdoor use, whereas her selection of lanterns include this robust rope handle; La Rochelle lantern (shown below), which has a wonderful Wall lights Lights can also be added to walls to give a more simple touch to your outside area.

Industville has innovative, industrial-styled lights will transform the outside of your home, wherever you decide to put them.

They are the perfect blend of classic and contemporary meaning they can be used with many styles, from modern, state-ofthe-art exteriors to brick, wood, or vintage finishes. Shown above are just two examples of their products that are on show on their website www.industville.co.uk.

The first one is their ‘Swan Neck Outdoor Wall Light Brass Globe Glass’, The beautiful brass finish makes it the perfect option for any interior or exterior, with the high-quality of the materials highlighted by the warm glow provided by the bulb. The second image is the Bulkhead Copper Sconce Wall Light, hand-crafted in industrial-styled metal and come in a selection of finishes to suit every location.

Bollard Lights Bollard lights are perfect to brighten up pathways and plants as you move through your garden. They are mainly simple posts with lights right at the top and are one of the only types of outdoor landscape lights that can shine in every direction.

Modern bollards are mainly LED with a sleek design, but they can come in different sizes, shapes and materials depending on the style of your garden. Materials include stone, iron, wodd and plastic, so when you’re finding something to choose, there are plenty of options. Sizes can also vary as to whether you are designing your home for a secluded hideaway or for alfresco dining.

Decorative lights If you want a more picturesque scene in your garden, string lights and lanterns are n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

perfect for creating a small haven in your back garden.

Add string lights around your garden, to create a romantic atmosphere. Place them on your fences and trees or even place

nautical feel Place around your garden or living space for twinkling candlelight.

Crafted in nickel-plated stainless steel, glass and rope. n

By Daisy Bennett

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

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n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN When it comes to planting vegtables in containers, most varieties are suitable, as long as the correct container is chosen. Perfect all year round, but mostly from April to October.

‘spinach’. Follow these with quick growing

The following vegetables lend themselves well to container cultivation: Beetroot, Broad beans, Carrots, Dwarf French beans, Herbs, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rocket, Runner beans, Chillies & Peppers, Salad leaves, Salad onions, Salad turnips and Tomatoes.

use as ‘greens’. The broad beans can be

Timings vary depending on the crop, but the main growing season is from early spring to autumn.

How to grow vegetables in containers Container choice: Pots, troughs and growbags can all be used to allow gardeners without time or room for a vegetable plot to grow fresh, tasty produce. Container-grown vegetables can be started off in a glasshouse, conservatory or porch for earlier crops.

crops of late summer salads.

Broad beans: Sow from February at 20cm (8in) spacings. The tops can be pinched out to reduce blackfly attacks and also for followed in June or July with beetroot for late summer crops.

Carrots: Sow Nantes or Amsterdam cultivars from February for June harvesting. Thin seedlings to 8cm (3in) between plants. Cover the containers with fleece from April onwards to exclude carrot fly. After the carrots, sow French beans to gather in September Herbs: Parsley, for example, can be sown in March for harvesting from June; coriander is also an attractive and popular crop. Basil is another great herb for pots. Repeat crops can be sown for late summer harvest.

Lettuces: Mini lettuces such as ‘Little Gem’

Smaller containers can result in a lack of moisture and nutrients for plant roots.

Aim for containers with a depth and width of at least 45cm (18in), otherwise frequent watering and feeding will be needed.

and ‘Tom Thumb’, spaced at 15cm (6in), can be

Compost choice: Use sterile proprietary potting composts to obtain best results The soil-based compost John Innes No 3 is especially easy to manage, but other composts, including peat-free varieties, are also suitable. Compost in grow-bags is often both good value and reasonable quality.

(6in) spacings; harvest in June and follow

Home made mixtures of two parts soil and one part well rotted organic matter fortified with extra fertiliser can be an economical substitute, but home-made mixtures are not sterile, so may pose a risk for pest and disease problems.

Organic growers who wish to avoid fertiliser use can get good results from mixing wellrotted manure into the potting compost in the lower half of their containers – 20 percent by volume should be sufficient Further care Aftercare should involve provision of a constant water supply, but take care to avoid prolonged waterlogging. A feed of generalpurpose liquid fertiliser can be applied every two weeks. If frost is likely, cover the plants with horticultural fleece and move the pots to a warm, sheltered spot.

Crop Selection Beetroot: Sow in March at 10cm (4in) spacings. The young leaves can be used as n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

sown from January for June harvesting. Follow the lettuces with leeks for winter harvesting.

Peas: Sow ‘mange-tout’ cultivars with edible pods from March; plant them out at 15cm with salad leaves for late summer

Potatoes: Plant early cultivars from March with one tuber for every 30cm of pot diameter.

Salad leaves: Sow from February aiming for 5cm (2in) between plants. Rocket, coriander, lettuce, chicory and spinach are tasty choices. Harvest by pinching off the top few salad leaves, leaving a stump to re-sprout for follow-on crops.

Salad onions: Sow from February with 3cm (1¼in) between plants. Pull them up when they get big enough. By July, you should be able to re-sow with finger carrots for bunches of baby carrots in October Spinach: Sow from February aiming for 10cm (4in) between plants. Spinach quickly runs to seed, so follow it with courgettes in June for late summer fruits Problems Growing vegetables in containers are generally quite easy with the main problems being; Drying out is a common problem, so ensure a regular water supply, avoiding floods and droughts.

Lack of root space can be a problem in small containers, and may result in wilting and symptoms of nutrient deficiency. n www.rhs.uk.org

HOME & GARDEN

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NATURE NOTEBOOK

Nuthatch Eggs © Stephanie Franklin

s g g E r e t s a E l a e The R As we give gifts of chocolate eggs this month, our feathered friends will be creating eggs of their own...

KEEP UP TO DATE Worcestershire Wildlife Trust @WorcsWT t worcestershirewildlifetrust G worcswildlifetrust.co.uk w

It takes a lot of energy to produce an egg; it’s been estimated that it costs a bird more than 200% of its usual daily energy to produce just one egg. Take the blue tit in your garden, for example. I was astonished to learn recently that a clutch of blue tit eggs contains more calcium than the mother’s entire skeleton.

nuthatches, need to have pale eggs so that the parents can see them and birds that nest on the ground often have brown or speckled eggs in order to be well camouflaged. Guillemots, a bird found on the UK’s coasts, nest in large colonies and their eggs are very differently marked in order to allow each pair to recognise their own egg.

How about when to lay? Birds need to tie in their egg-laying with the availability of food – both for parents to build up the necessary energy and calcium as well as for chicks to have suitable food, such as caterpillars, once they’ve hatched. As our climate changes, there is a risk that these elements become mismatched, especially for migrating species, and we’re already seeing birds starting to lay eggs earlier than they used to.

Interestingly, eggs in the UK may be darker shades than those in the Mediterranean. Recent research showed that eggs in colder areas are darker because they absorb heat more quickly and release it more slowly – an important benefit if parents need to leave the nest to find food.

What of colour? Shells are essentially calcium carbonate so they’re basically white. White eggs would be easy for a predator to spot, though, so birds are also able to use two different pigments – one derives from bile and provides blue and green shading, the other derives from blood and creates spots and patterns. It’s also thought that speckled patterning helps to strengthen the eggs – later eggs in a clutch have more patterning than earlier eggs and this is probably because the female bird has lower calcium levels - the patterning offers additional protection.

Birds that nest in trees and hedgerows, like dunnock and song thrush, often have blue or green eggs, birds that nest in dark holes, such as blue tits and

n 20 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

We’re all familiar with the shape of a chicken’s egg, or an Easter egg come to that, but not all eggs are the same. Those of cliff-dwelling birds like the guillemot, for example, are often more conical at one end and it’s thought that this is because they’re less likely to roll off a slightly sloping cliff. There are other, more practical reasons – the shape of an egg could well be a factor in helping to keep the body streamlined whilst in flight!

It’s important not to disturb breeding birds (and it’s illegal to take their eggs) so please keep dogs on a lead when you’re out for a walk and think about when you cut your hedges and tidy your garden. To help wildlife in your patch, visit www.worcswildlifetrust. co.uk/wildlife-gardening for tips and ideas. n Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Get a Good Night's Sleep A good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health. Sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions. We take a look at gadgets and health supplements to help you get a better night’s sleep

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FOOD & DRINK

Cooking From Cans

in Your Cupboard

In these times when the supermarkets are under pressure and your wallet is empty. You wonder how to make a budget meal from the tins you already have in your cupboard. When Jack Monroe sent us her book in May last year, we thought nice idea maybe for students? But never is it more relevant than now.

This is Monroe’s fifth book, and by far her boldest. She’s always focused on cooking on a budget of course, and this one is an extension of this theme - born out of her experience as a food bank-user, when all she had to cook with were tins. Now, Monroe wants to overturn misconceptions around cans, which she thinks suffer from a “definite PR problem”, all tied up with deep-rooted classism.

She’s well aware of canned food’s dodgy reputation. “You say tinned food to people and they think of post-war rations, Brexit stockpiles or the stuff your nan has at the back of her cupboard,” she says with a groan.

So why do tins have such a PR problem?

Monroe reckons it’s “definitely a class thing”.

“My parents were both working class and we used loads of tins as kids. I didn’t think it was anything weird, until I started mixing in the food world. “The only time you really see tinned food in a cookbook is the occasional can of chopped tomatoes, and even then it’s with the caveat that chopped tomatoes are ‘fine’.”

What Monroe wants to do with this book is show that no food is only for higher-income people. For her, the defining example is the cannellini beurre blanc, which she says is “a recipe I’d not cooked myself in seven years as a food writer, because I thought I was too working class to make beurre blanc - I thought beurre blanc was for other people”.

The chasm between what people think is food for the sophisticated and wealthy and for everyday people is, she says, “deeply ingrained”.

“I felt I wasn’t good enough to make this fancy food, when actually it’s people’s attitudes that aren’t good enough,” she n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

adds. “I want to make the best of everything accessible to everyone, no matter how small their kitchen or how small their budget is.”

The book features plenty of what Monroe’s perhaps best at too: Creating weird and wonderful combinations that work.

She credits her unusual way of thinking about food and flavours to her autism. “I don’t approach recipes like other people do,” she says. “I’m always throwing ingredients together that other people may not have thought of, or would initially say didn’t work, and somehow 99% of the time manage to pull it off.

“It’s just how my brain works,” Monroe adds. “It’s not wired like other people’s and I never really realised that until I started publishing recipes.”

HOW TO MAKE JACK MONROE’S TAKE ON A BRAZILIAN FEIJOADA It’s a bean and steak stew with mandarins.

When food writer Jack Monroe experiments in the kitchen, she doesn’t always know what’s going to happen. “There’s a kind of alchemy to it - a kind of wizardry and experimentation,” she says of her cooking style.

Thanks to her knack with flavours though, more often than not she pulls off the impossible - like when she threw together some ingredients and ended up with her take on a Brazilian feijoada, a bean and meat stew which often has mandarins in it.

Ingredients: (Serves 4) • 1 x 400g tin of black beans, drained and rinsed • 100g frozen sliced onion or 1 small onion, finely sliced • 2tbsp garlic paste or 4 fat cloves

of garlic, crushed • 2tbsp tomato puree or ketchup • 1tbsp paprika • 1 chicken or beef stock cube • 1 x 300g tin of mandarins, drained • 1 x 400g tin of stewed steak, drained and rinsed • A few pinches of dried chilli flakes Method 1. Tip the black beans into a large saucepan.

Add the onion, garlic, tomato puree and paprika. Cover with 700ml water and crumble in the stock cube, then bring to the boil.

Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, until the beans have started to soften.

2. Add the mandarins and stewed steak to the pot. Cook for a further 20 minutes, then finish with dried chilli flakes to taste, and serve.

HOW TO MAKE JACK MONROE’S CANNELLINI BEURRE BLANC It might sound fancy but it’s really simple to make. “My favourite recipe in this book without a shadow of a doubt is the cannellini bean beurre blanc,” For her, this meal sums up the ethos of Tin Can Cook - simple, cheap but still a bit special.

“It’s a recipe you’ll see in the most exclusive french restaurants,” Monroe adds - and she wants everyone to be able to cook and eat it in their own homes. And yes, you really can make this fancy recipe out of tins from your cupboard.

Ingredients: (Serves 2) • 1 x 400g tin of cannellini beans or haricot beans, drained and rinsed • 800ml vegetable or chicken stock • 120g small pasta shapes • Pepper

FOOD & DRINK For the beurre blanc:

instructions specify). When the pasta is

2. Beat the butter and sugar together in a

• 4tbsp white wine or cider

soft, combine with the beurre blanc sauce.

mixing bowl with a fork or wooden spoon

• 4tbsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar

Season generously with pepper, and enjoy.

until well combined. Break in the eggs and

• 1tbsp garlic paste or 2 fat cloves of garlic, finely chopped • 25g butter Method 1. Pop the beans into a large saucepan that will easily hold three times their volume; you will be adding pasta to this later. Cover with the stock, and bring to the boil. Reduce to a

mix together, beating until smooth.

HOW TO MAKE JACK MONROE’S FRUIT COCKTAIL CAKE

3. Add the fruit cocktail to the mixing bowl

Just five easy ingredients and you’ve got the

and stir through quickly. Add the flour, and

perfect afternoon treat.

mix well to combine into a soft, sweet batter.

Food writer Jack Monroe has a nine-year-old

4. Pour the batter into the tin and bake in the

son, and one thing he’s keen on is testing out

centre of the oven for around 45 minutes -

the dessert recipes from her new books.

depending on the size of your tin. A shallow

simmer for 20 minutes; the longer the cooking

“He’s very enthusiastic about that,” Monroe

time, the softer and creamier the beans will be.

says with a giggle. “He likes any cake with

2. While the beans are cooking, make the beurre blanc in a separate small pan.

Combine all of the ingredients and cook on

fruit in it.” So, she’s onto a winner whenever she whips up this fruit cocktail cake - and it couldn’t be easier.

tin will cook faster, whereas a deeper tin will take its time. To check if it is cooked through, insert a sharp knife into the centre of the cake. If the knife comes out clean, the cake is ready. Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out and slicing. The cake can

a low-medium heat for 15 minutes, to reduce

Ingredients:

be enjoyed hot or cold. Leftovers freeze well

the volume and combine the fat and acid

(Serves 8)

for up to three months, wrapped in foil or

together. You will need to keep an eye on

• 250g butter, plus extra to grease the cake tin

popped in a freezer bag. n

this and stir it fairly continuously, as I have

• 200g caster or granulated sugar

burned and lost many a beurre blanc sauce

• 3 eggs

through a moment’s distraction. Turn off the

• 200g tin of fruit cocktail, drained

heat and allow the beurre blanc to settle.

• 200g self-raising flour

3. When the beans have cooked for 20

Method

minutes, add the pasta. Cook the pasta

1.

for 10 minutes (pasta cooked in sauce

160°C/350°F/gas 4) and lightly grease a

always takes a little longer than the packet

20cm round or square cake tin.

Preheat

Tin Can Cook: 75 Simple Store-cupboard Recipes

by Jack Monroe is published by Bluebird, priced £6.99.

the

oven

to

180°C

Available now.

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n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

GOLDEN YEARS

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GOLDEN YEARS

The offices at Malvern Gate, Worcester and Palma Court, Ross will be closed to the public until further notice, therefore Footcare, Podiatry, Training, and drop-in for Information & Advice services will be suspended until further notice. Unfortunately, we have also had to close the Droitwich Spa Meeting Centre and Drybridge Centre in Hereford.

Staff and volunteers are working hard throughout the two counties to offer essential shopping and prescriptions to our older and vulnerable community. If you or someone you know needs support please get in touch with us.

We would like to thank all our supporters and volunteers who have done an incredible job in helping us to continue to support older,

We are keeping in regular contact with our clients and their carers using telephone calls and offering dedicated support numbers if they feel they should need them. Our main priority is to keep our clients and staff safe through this time and although our offices are closed to the public, we are still here ready to support you, your families and carers. We have a dedicated phone line to answer any questions you might have; we are available Monday to Friday 9am4pm. 01905 740 950 / 0800 008 6077.

We are supporting the NHS to provide quicker, safer and more efficient discharge from hospital. We are assisting individuals through our Independence at Home service by ensuring they are supported through a safe and timely discharge from hospital, get home safely, food and other essentials like a warm

n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

vulnerable people. We are working to recruit more volunteers, if you would like to volunteer during this time or in the future please email volunteering@ageukhw.org.uk Due to the current circumstances and how quickly things are changing, the way we are currently running our services may change.

Please either contact us or look on our website for updates. home are in place, we stay in contact for a period of time to make sure they are confident at home once again and have the required support in place to live independently.

Although some of our services have been put on hold for the time being, we are looking forward to getting back to normal as soon as we can. As always if you need support,

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laundry, change of bedlinen and cleaning.

www.ageukhw.org.uk. n

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t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 29 n

GOLDEN YEARS

A Guide to Yoga All you need to know to get started with yoga, including the health benefits, yoga styles for beginners and finding a yoga class. to count towards your 150 minutes of moderate

What is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The main components of yoga are postures (a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility) and breathing. The practice originated in India about 5,000 years ago and has been adapted in other countries in a variety of ways. Yoga is now commonplace in leisure centres, health clubs, schools, hospitals and surgeries.

What are the health benefits of yoga?

Dozens of scientific trials of varying quality have been published on yoga. While there’s scope for more rigorous studies on its health benefits, most studies suggest yoga is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity, especially strength, flexibility and balance.

There’s some evidence that regular yoga

activity, as set out by government guidelines.

However, yoga does count as a strengthening exercise, and at least 2 sessions a week will help you meet the guidelines on musclestrengthening activities. Activities such as yoga and tai chi are also recommended for older adults at risk of falls, to help improve balance and co-ordination.

Can yoga help prevent falls?

Yes. Yoga improves balance by strengthening practice is beneficial for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, aches and pains – including lower back pain – depression and stress.

Does yoga count towards my 150 minutes of activity?

Most forms of yoga are not strenuous enough

your lower body – particularly your ankles and knees – thereby reducing your chances of falling. However, falls may sometimes be caused by a health condition, in which case it’s a good idea to see your GP or visit a falls clinic at a local hospital.

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GOLDEN YEARS

Can yoga help with arthritis?

Yoga is popular with people with arthritis for its gentle way of promoting flexibility and strength.

Some research suggests yoga can reduce pain and mobility problems in people with knee osteoarthritis. However, some yoga moves are not suitable for people with the condition.

Find a teacher who understands arthritis and can adapt movements for individual needs, especially if you have replacement joints, and always check with a doctor or physiotherapist to find out if there are any movements to avoid.

Am I too old for yoga?

Definitely not. People often start yoga in their 70s, and many say they wish they had started sooner. There are yoga classes for every age group. Yoga is a form of exercise that can be enjoyed at any time, from childhood to your advanced years.

Do I have to be fit to do yoga?

No. You can join a class suitable for your fitness level. For example, to join a mixedability yoga class, you need to be able to CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

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GOLDEN YEARS

overstretching. But yoga is the same as any other exercise discipline – it’s perfectly safe if taught properly by people who understand it and have experience.

It’s advisable to learn from a qualified yoga teacher and choose a class appropriate to your level.

What style of yoga should I do?

There are many different styles of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Iyengar and Sivananda. Some styles are more vigorous than others, while some may have a different area of emphasis, such as posture or breathing. Many yoga teachers develop their own practice by studying more than one style. No style is necessarily better or more authentic than any other. The key is to choose a class appropriate for your fitness level.

get up and down from the floor. Some yoga classes are chair-based.

normal range of movement, which may make

Do I need to be flexible to do yoga?

Not necessarily. Yoga will improve your flexibility and help you go beyond your

Can I injure myself doing yoga?

n 34 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

performing your daily activities easier.

Yoga-related injuries are uncommon. Some injuries can be caused by repetitive strain or

What type of class should I look out for?

Classes can vary in duration but typically last between 45 and 90 minutes. A longer class will give you more time for learning breathing and relaxation techniques, and will give the teacher time to work with your individual ability. It’s worth speaking to a teacher about their approach before you sign up for a class. n www.nhs.uk

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 35 n

EDUCATION

NEW FOREST SCHOOL AT WINTERFOLD On a beautiful spring day in March, pupils, staff, parents and governors of Bromsgrove School, Winterfold assembled for the opening ceremony of their newly created outdoor learning environment, Forest School.

The ribbon was cut by TV’s Michael Collie, known from BBC Midlands Today and Countryfile, in particular. Michael is also a parent of four girls who went to Winterfold School, before going on to Bromsgrove School.

Speaking with his hands covered in mud, Michael said “It’s brilliant to see the children at Winterfold just enjoying nature and the environment – they’ve been showing me what they can do simply with mud and there’s a lot of it about!

“I love the fact that an old bomb crater, which has been covered in undergrowth for years, has now been re-discovered and turned into a fantastic natural water environment, for plants, animals and pupils to enjoy.

As he cut the ribbon with Reception pupil Grace McNaughton – picked because she was wearing the dirtiest wellies, Michael Collie joked with the children that he thought the hide that had been built, was for children to

n 36 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

hide from the teachers. “They soon corrected me,” he said, “and told me it was to go birdwatching – thank goodness for that!”

Michael talked about his time on Countryfile, when he filmed all over the UK and abroad, going to places that were “wet, windy, muddy, sunny, snowy, blizzarding and wonderful”. He urged the pupils to enjoy and care for the environment, noting that perhaps we hadn’t always done that well so far.

Looking back on his reasons for sending his daughters to Winterfold School, he commented “This sums up what Winterfold is all about – letting children take risks, within reason, and have fun. This is a school that spends money on the things that matter and creates a brilliant environment in the classroom and outside – and the result is the confident and shining, happy, slightly muddy faces I’ve seen today.”

After visiting the new shelter, which will be an outdoor classroom, Michael Collie, together with the Chair of Governors Paul West, Governor Geoff Strong, guests and the Friends of Winterfold committee were treated to a tour of the new site which has been put back to nature. The Friends of Winterfold have

funded a bird hide, tool shed and the new Forest School suits for the children. There will be sections for each year group, from Nursery, through to Year 8, with plans to plant a herb garden, vegetable patch and an orchard.

The pond is already well established, with flora and fauna in abundance. There are plans to build a jetty, so that the children can enjoy lessons in pond dipping.

Sustainability is of paramount importance to everyone at Winterfold. One parent commented that it was great to see the School re-using the materials they already have for the project.

Denise Toms, Headmistress of the School said “Our new Forest School is an outstanding facility for our young pupils to explore the outdoors and enhance their learning and development. We were delighted to welcome Michael Collie, BBC broadcaster and father to four girls who have all been educated at Winterfold, to open our new site. We look forward to taking groups of children to explore the Forest School area with pond, orchard, bird hide, shelter and fire pit. We aim to motivate, inspire and give the children a positive outdoor experience”. n

EDUCATION

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 37 n

Puzzled?

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QUOTE “WN APRIL” Unlimited, unrestricted golf 7 days a week with no requirement to book tee times.

RUN BY THE MEMBERS, FOR THE MEMBERS

Droitwich Golf Club, Westford House, Ford Lane, Droitwich, WR9 0BH Telephone: 01905 774344 | Email: secretary@droitwichgolfclub.co.uk | www.droitwichgolfclub.co.uk t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 39 n

Puzzled?

CRISS-CROSS

Fill in the blanks with the words. To help you get started one letter is already in place.

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5 letter words ATLAS CORAL DAISY DEFOE DIARY ENJOY FAIRY FIX UP HIKER JEWEL LEMON SCOPE

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ACROSS 4. Scope 10. Broncho 11. Vampire 12. Coral 13. Utrecht 14. Debussy 15. Fix Up 17. Vegetable 18. Trumpeter 22. Hummingbird 26. Acacia 27. Kettle 28. Colombo 29. Survey 31. Potato 32. Recalculate 37. Fireplace 39. Storybook 40. Enjoy 41. Unknown 42. Digital 43. Diary 44. Penguin 45. January 46. Jewel CRISS-CROSS: DOWN 1. Pretzel 2. Integer 3. Chihuahua 5. Cookie 6. Peanut 7. Watermark 8. Epaulet 9. Frisbee 15. Flamboyance 16. Probability 19. Invoice 20. Daisy 21. Fairy 22. Hiker 23. Defoe 24. Atlas 25. Lemon 30. Yellow Tit 31. Ptarmigan 33. Pioneer 34. Teenage 35. Obvious 36. Conakry 38. Engine 39. Source

ANSWERS

WORD SEARCH: The hidden capital is WELLINGTON n 40 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

6 letter words ACACIA COOKIE ENGINE KETTLE PEANUT POTATO SOURCE SURVEY 7 letter words BRONCHO COLOMBO CONAKRY DEBUSSY DIGITAL EPAULET FRISBEE INTEGER INVOICE JANUARY OBVIOUS PENGUIN PIONEER PRETZEL TEENAGE UNKNOWN UTRECHT VAMPIRE 9 letter words CHIHUAHUA FIREPLACE PTARMIGAN STORYBOOK TRUMPETER VEGETABLE WATERMARK YELLOW TIT 11 letter words FLAMBOYANCE HUMMINGBIRD PROBABILITY RECALCULATE

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 41 n

Puzzled?

COLOURING

n 42 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 43 n

info@specialisedsecurity.co.uk | www.specialisedsecurity.co.uk

n 44 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 198 | April 2020