Bonus Sapor Magazine Feb |Mar 2019

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 62

M AG A Z I N E

Dante

Hale’s Italian newcomer

Barrecorre

The brand-new exercise phenomenon

Brilliantly Beige

Fashion goes neutral this season

We test drive the new Bentley Continental GT

Win a couple’s makeover at FIXX Salons Altrincham

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EDITOR’S LETTER

GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Beverley Uddin-Khandakar e: beverley@salutions.co.uk GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR Salim Uddin-Khandakar e: salim@salutions.co.uk ADVERTISING Call the sales team on 0161 445 2883 e: info@salutions.co.uk JOURNALIST / OFFICE MANAGER Emily Fitzgibbons e: emily@salutions.co.uk ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Paul King / Claire King

www.twistedgifted.co.uk e: creative@twistedgifted.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Catherine Reed Fay Wertheimer Oliver Chesher Dr Jill Nash Catherine Saunders Ray King Lisa Symonds Emily Fitzgibbons PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Browne PR Shots Bigstockphoto.com Press Loft Martin Hambleton EDITOR’S IMAGE Julian Kronfli

It’s that time of the year when many of us come up with New Year’s resolutions and set ourselves the mission of doing more exercise, losing a bit of weight, giving up bad habits and generally wanting to become a new, improved, happier version of ourselves.

I made some bold statements in December, of what changes I was going to make in 2019, but ended 2018 with a chest infection and started the new year with bronchitis. So, my new year is just beginning – and 2019, I am coming to get you!

Let’s face it though – if you go on a hardcore diet, you almost inevitably fail, and if you push yourself to do exercises that you hate, then you’re doomed, and before long, your new gym gear will be redundant. So, I’ve decided to dust off my dancing shoes (that haven’t seen the light of day since I did Charity Strictly for Brainwave) and book some dancing lessons. I’m also going to check out some yoga classes in the local area and make sure I go to choir practice every week. New year, new start, as they say. No pressure then!

”

I love a new year. It’s an excuse to reorganise everything. Once the Christmas tree is down and the house is bare, one of the first things I do is throw everything out that I’ve not used or worn in the past 12 months and have an early spring clean. Then I go to the local supermarket and buy some daffodils. They instantly brighten the home and your mood. Try it, it works.

We’ve also been organising ourselves at Salutions HQ and have revamped the magazines – it’s a work in progress, but please let us know what you think. Also, can you believe that Didsbury Magazine is 125 issues old – and still looking as young and fresh as the day it was launched!

We have a host of inspiring people to read about inside this issue, and don’t forget to enter the FIXX Salons competition on page 41 – you and your other half could win a special Valentine’s Day couples makeover!

Enjoy and we’ll see you in April.

Beverley GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Beverley@salutions.co.uk February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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This Magazine is published six times a year by Salutions Limited. The contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without prior written permission. The publishers are not liable for statements made and opinions expressed. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher can take no responsibility for omissions and errors.

Salutions Limited. 5 The Stables, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 5PG 0161 445 2883 | info@salutions.co.uk | Visit us online: salutions.co.uk

Competition Terms & Conditions No purchase necessary. Employees of Salutions Limited and associated companies, promotional partners, their agents and families are not eligible to enter. Entries will be declared void if found mutilated, illegible, altered, reconstructed, forged or tampered with in any way. In the event of there being more claims than prizes available in any category, then prizes will be awarded to the earliest claimant. (Where applicable, as stated.) All entries are subject to scrutiny. Salutions Limited reserves the right to stop the promotion/competition at any time at its own discretion. Winners must accept that their names may be announced on any Salutions related media, including web and print, and may be used for publicity purposes if required. Rules as published, when applicable to specific joint offers, product discounts etc. All prizes unclaimed remain the property of Salutions Limited. Persons under the age of 18 are not eligible to enter. The prize must be taken as offered and is not transferable. No cash or credit alternatives will be given.

Editor’s decision is final. By entering a competition you agree to receive e-letters and mailshots from Salutions Limited. We do not sell our database to third parties and are compliant with the Data Protection Act 1998. Should you wish NOT to receive such information, please state NO OFFERS. By entering the competition you agree to the above terms and conditions.

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Dr Raja has perfected the application of dermal fillers and wrinkle injections into an art form, to give a smooth and natural looking, relaxed face.

UltraPulse Laser CO2 laser is best for superficial ablation, skin tightening and treating superficial dyschromia from sun damage. One of the most common indications is treating lines and wrinkles. It is also possible to achieve a significant improvement in certain subtypes of acne scarring.

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MEET DOCTOR NYLA Doctor Nyla Raja (MBCHB, MRCGP, DFFP, DP Dermatology) is a skin specialist, trusted by TV personalities and well-known celebrity figures.

She is the Founder and Medical Director of Medispa, Wilmslow.

Doctor Nyla is one of very few Doctors to have distinction in membership from the Royal College of GP’s. Having delivered over 65,000 treatments with exceptional results, she has gained the admiration and respect of audiences worldwide, making her one of the top cosmetic doctors in the UK. As a woman I believe that ageing should be a natural and graceful process. My primary aim is to allow women of all ages to externalise their inner beauty and radiance through administering scientifically proven and cutting-edge medical treatments with the highest level of expertise. My clinical commitment to you is achieving timeless, astounding results every time, leaving you feeling fresh and invigorated on the inside with natural radiance on the outside.

Doctor Nyla’s unique vision as a pioneer in the field of cosmetic medicine is to transform the way aesthetic treatments are administered and delivered to achieve a natural, radiant youthfulness. Her dedication and commitment to the highest ethical standards, combined with a passion for perfectionism, shape her practice and drive her unparalleled success and reputation in this field.

Doctor Nyla Raja focuses on devising individual, unique treatment regimes for her clients to achieve flawless perfection. These regimes accentuate the natural features while rejuvenating contours of the face. She believes that as a gatekeeper to the ageing process, it is necessary to offer a multi-modular approach for the prevention of ageing and to not simply treat the current area of concern, but to plan sensibly to slow the ageing process.

Doctor Nyla is passionate, determined, and extremely sympathetic to the needs of her patients. She is almost certainly the woman you should have by your side should you choose to go down the non-surgical aesthetic improvements route, as her vast experience and innate artistry skills have only ever achieved exceptional results.

Why choose Medispa by Doctor Nyla? It is…

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One of the most experienced clinics in the North West The largest Ultherapy® clinic of excellence outside London The only Diamond CoolSculpting® clinic outside London and, according to Zeltiq, the most preferred Teoxane Clinic of the Year Winner of the prestigious BTL Aesthetics Face of the Year The largest BTL clinic in the UK

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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CONTENTS 40 41 68/70 73

Bringing you the best, and the latest fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel, news and food

Grow your own, Lady Muck style Lust List Ask the Experts Education News: Latest updates from the schools

PEOPLE 18 20 23 34 83

Jennifer Atkinson: Inspiring Travel Company Tony Collier: Speaker-volunteer Prostate Cancer UK Sebi Hesk: GB Handball Player Penny Lynch: A Taste of Honey Petra van den Houten: RNCM

FOOD & DRINK 59 61

theglossymagazine.com

@theGlossyMag

@theglossymagazine

63

@theGlossyMag

ENTERTAINMENT

REGULARS 01 09 29 32 37 38

Dante Hale Proove : Didsbury | Kai : Manchester Rafa’s : Didsbury The Ivy : Manchester | WowYauChau Altrincham | George’s : Worsley

26 84 86 87 88

Hello from the Editor News and Views Brilliantly Beige: Keep it nice and neutral this season Lovin’ Lace: The perfect fabric for Valentine’s Day Bloomin’ Lovely : Spring interior trends revealed Red Hot Interiors : The colour of love for your home

Travel: Moinhos Velhos, Portugal What’s On? A new season of entertainment Tech: Materials science Outdoors: A lovely stroll Motoring News: Grand Touring – The next level

AND THE REST… 41

Win a Valentine’s Day couple’s makeover for you and your other half at FIXX Salons Altrincham

ON THE COVER FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 98

M AG A Z I N E FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 125

Penny Lynch

Putting the sweetness back into Burton Road

Petra van den Houten

M AG A Z I N E FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 62

Dante

M AG A Z I N E

M AG A Z I N E FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 • ISSUE 33

Sebi Hesk

Hale’s Italian newcomer

Didsbury’s handball ace

Barrecorre

The brand-new exercise phenomenon

Health and wellbeing in music education

Tony Collier Dante

Sebi Hesk

talks prostate cancer awareness

Hale’s Italian newcomer

Didsbury’s handball ace

Barrecorre

The brand-new exercise phenomenon

Brilliantly Beige

Fashion goes neutral this season

Jennifer Atkinson’s

extraordinary journey with Inspiring Travel Company

DIDSBURY MAGAZINE Jennifer Atkinson Inspiring Travel Company 6

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

Tony Collier

We test drive the new

Win a couple’s makeover at

Win a couple’s makeover at

talks prostate cancer awareness FIXX Salons Altrincham

HALE&BOWDON MAGAZINE Next Spring Summer 2019

Bentley Continental GT

FIXX Salons Altrincham

Jennifer Atkinson’s

extraordinary journey with Inspiring Travel Company

Petra van den Houten Health and wellbeing in music education

BONUS SAPOR MAGAZINE MEDIACITY MAGAZINE Model wears White Blazer Sebi Hesk and Trousers. Betty & Co. GB Handball Player

Luxury OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo is located in the beautiful Maldives, just a 45-minute speedboat transfer from Male International Airport. Oozing charm and confidence, the Luxury Lifestyle Resort welcomes guests into a world of bright turquoise skies, deep azure waters and warm, white sands. Enjoy the unique ‘Indulgence Plan’ that goes beyond your average All Inclusive plan and includes everything from underwater dining, spa treatments, diving excursions and a range of premium beverages.

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For all life’s legal needs

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

LOCAL NEWS

Manchester Pride Festival 2019

Manchester Pride has announced the brand new format for the 2019 Manchester Pride Festival and a new home for the August Bank Holiday event’s live music experience.

The festival, which takes place over four days in Manchester city centre every August Bank Holiday (23-26 August), has revealed an exciting new format which will be made up of six key elements, extending the reach of the LGBT+ event even further and creating new touch points for all LGBT+ people across Greater Manchester and beyond.

The internationally renowned festival, which is one of the biggest in the world, has also announced a unique and exciting location for its new live music element, to be named Manchester Pride Live. The ticketed event, which replaces what was known as The Big Weekend, will take place at Mayfield, close to Piccadilly Station.

Manchester Pride Live at Mayfield will take place over two days – Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August – and will host about 30 artists across two stages in and around the Mayfield Depot, part of the former Mayfield Station site. World-class acts will perform each day in a ticket-only party, the like of which has never been seen before at the festival.

Manchester Pride Festival 2019 will be made up of Manchester Pride Live, the Candlelit Vigil, the Superbia Weekend, the Gay Village Gathering, Manchester Pride Parade and Youth Pride MCR.

Tickets on sale now. manchesterpride.com/festival-about

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Divorce and separation

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Manchester scientists set to take on cancer ‘Grand Challenge’ Researchers at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, part of The University of Manchester, are set to receive over £2 million as part of a £19 million investment by the charity in a five-year global research project to investigate why some cancers are specific to certain tissues and not others.

The funding for the ground-breaking research will come from Cancer Research UK’s Grand Challenge awards – set up to revolutionise the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Manchester scientists are part of a team of experts from Glasgow, the US and the Netherlands who beat stiff international competition to secure the funding. They will bring their world-leading expertise in skin cancer to the pioneering project, which was selected by an international panel of experts from a shortlist of ten exceptional, multi-disciplinary collaborations from

universities, institutes and industry across the globe.

Professor Richard Marais, Director of the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, currently based at Alderley Park in Cheshire, said: “We are delighted to be part of Cancer Research UK’s Grand Challenge. This award endorses Manchester’s position in the global fight against cancer.

It will allow us to answer fundamental questions about cancer biology, how it is caused in different tissues and why particular cancers kill some people but not others. This is not something we could do by ourselves, so being part of this international team is important to our success.”

Cancer Research UK’s Grand Challenge was established to help scientists attack some of the hardest unanswered questions in cancer research. The international

project team is looking to understand why genetic faults only affect certain tissues.

If someone carries a potentially cancercausing gene mutation, this fault can exist in every cell of the body, but only causes specific cancers, such as breast or skin.

The team is studying why this is the case and will use this information to find ways to prevent or treat cancer in these organs.

Professor Marais continued: “My team will be looking at DNA damage in skin cancer.

We want to understand why a particular type of DNA damage causes the most deadly type of skin cancer, melanoma, but not squamous cell carcinoma, a more common form of skin cancer. Sharing the knowledge gained by different researchers in the consortium will give us an insight as to why particular types of DNA damage drive different cancers in different parts of the body.” For more information visit cruk.org.uk/grandchallenge

The Private GP & Night Doctor Dr Bruce Jobling | 24 Hours | 7 Days

0161 980 2626

www.TheNightDoctor.uk “Peace of mind for you and your family, at all times” 10

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

Employment issues

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Art Antiques Cheshire A wonderful antidote to brighten up a dull February day is a visit to Art Antiques Cheshire taking place at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, near Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6LJ from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th February 2019.

Returning for the seventh year, the fair has a reputation for bestowing a warm welcome to everyone, creating a stylish layout and offering visitors practical ideas on how to furnish and decorate their homes. It is also an opportunity to chat to the specialist

BMI The Alexandra Hospital BMI The Alexandra Hospital is proud to announce that it is now officially the exclusive healthcare provider of professional ice hockey team Manchester Storm. The Alexandra will be supporting the team throughout the season as they compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

This is an exciting opportunity for both Manchester Storm and The Alexandra.

The private hospital is also the official sponsor of the player Félix-Antoine Poulin, who commented: “We are very excited to be in partnership with The Alexandra Hospital. As professional athletes, we want to ensure we give the best possible performance and results to our supporters. This new

partnership is reassuring to the team, as we will be looked after by expert consultants in a well-established private hospital.”

dealers, who are happy to impart their knowledge or advise on starting a collection.

At this next event, around 25 leading experts will present an impressive showcase of furniture, silver, paintings, sculpture, jewellery, watches, glass, maps, antiquities, ceramics and other decorative arts – from the modern, eclectic and quirky to the classic and traditional. It is a must-visit destination for design professionals and art and antique aficionados alike.

This is an exciting time for The Alexandra and Manchester Storm; we are looking forward to supporting the club throughout the season.”

It is clear that this partnership and sponsorship is important to Poulin and the team at Manchester Storm. The Alexandra is BMI Healthcare’s flagship hospital. There are currently over 450 consultants practicing at The Alexandra and this partnership is an opportunity to support a local professional team.

Executive Director, Marge Falconer, said: “We are very proud to be in partnership with Manchester Storm. Their players will have access to some of the most advanced medical equipment and expertise available.

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Bereavement advice

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Creme Eggs wanted

Please support Francis House Children’s Hospice Easter Chick Appeal 2019 by donating Cadbury Creme Eggs. Francis House needs thousands of eggs to fill little knitted chicks that are sent in by supporters of the hospice. The chicks are then sold in schools and various outlets around Greater Manchester to raise vital funds. Maybe you would like to sell some at your office?

Every year, Francis House receives more and more chicks, making it a real challenge to source enough eggs to fill each one. If you are able to donate a quantity of eggs, this would be an enormous help.

Thanks to community support last year, the appeal raised over £51,000.

You can help by collecting eggs in your workplace, school or at home, purchasing a box or two to drop off at the hospice, or you could make a donation towards the cost of the eggs. Francis House is your local children’s hospice, providing care and support to families of children with a short life-expectancy from all across Greater Manchester and beyond. The Easter Chick Appeal is a great opportunity for the whole community to come together and make a real difference to such a vital, local cause.

Local author strikes two-book deal

Manchester-based author and former divorce lawyer Caroline England has signed a two-book deal with Piatkus. The deal includes a dark psychological thriller called Betray Her, a story centred around a toxic friendship and a destructive love triangle. It will be published in March 2019.

Publisher of Piatkus and Constable Fiction Anna Boatman bought world rights from Kate Johnson at MacKenzie Wolf.

Donate your unwanted Christmas gifts A local charity is asking people to consider donating any unwanted Christmas gifts this year to help people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

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festive season and left to gather dust.

St Ann’s Hospice, which has sites at Little Hulton, Heald Green and the Neil Cliffe Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, is asking local people to drop off any new and unused bottles, gift sets, chocolates, items of clothing or other unwanted presents to their hospice sites.

“We can use these gifts in lots of ways, whether that’s in fundraising raffles or fairs, or to be sold in our hospice shops across Greater Manchester or online. The money raised from donated items helps us to care for the thousands of local patients and their families we support each year, so please do consider dropping off any unwanted or unloved items. We’d really appreciate your support.”

Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice, explained: “Everyone has had a gift that they’ve received for Christmas that either doesn’t fit properly or is simply put into a cupboard after the

Donations can be dropped into the basket provided at the hospice sites in either St Ann’s Road North in Heald Green, Meadowsweet Lane (off Peel Lane) in Little Hulton or can be taken to any of the

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

Please deliver to: Fundraising Office, 390 Parrswood Road, M20 5nA or call 0161 443 2200 for more information.

Anna Boatman said: "Caroline’s writing is utterly compulsive – I’ve always loved her books, but Betray Her was a standout for me. It stole my life for 48 hours! I can’t wait to share her amazing books with new readers."

Caroline added: "I am delighted to join Piatkus and particularly thrilled to be working with Anna Boatman and her team. I’m so excited to start my journey with Betray Her and can’t wait to see it out next year."

hospice’s fourteen charity shops (locations can be found at sah.org.uk/shop).

For more information, please visit sah.org.uk or call 0161 498 3631.

Hospice fundraisers Helen Taylor and Sam O’Reilly.

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Buying a home

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

theProfileClub 2019 to be the most exciting yet…

String Infusion

David fairclough and Barbara Hallwood

Dan Whitehead and Tony Hallwood

Barbara, Salim and Bev

Salim, Barbara, Tony and Bev

Barbara, Daniel Thomas and Maria khan

Members of theProfileClub and guests gathered at Rosso in Manchester to celebrate the 7th birthday of this exclusive business club.

Guests were treated to a spectacular musical performance by String Infusion, who recently featured at the Pride of Britain Awards. During the evening, founder of theProfileClub, Barbara Hallwood, unveiled a spectacular schedule of events for 2019, highlighting that this is looking to be its most exciting year yet. A prize draw took place to mark the seven-year celebration, the top prize being a wonderful hamper kindly donated by member Harvey Nichols.

For further information on theProfileClub, visit theprofileclub.com or call Barbara Hallwood on 07939 905412.

Dante 151 Ashley Road, Hale, Altrincham WA14 2UW 0161 928 0453 | dantehale.co.uk

FROM NOON TILL 6.30PM EVERYDAY

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

Settling disputes

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Charity Christmas Ball 2019 Saturday 30th november The Midland Manchester Hotel

Salutions Winterland Wonderland Ball 2018 was the best yet! And we raised £21,070 for Beechwood Cancer Care Centre and Maggie’s Manchester. Check out the images at theglossymagazine.com Why not join us this year? To book tickets, please email salim@salutions.co.uk or call 0161 445 2883.

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Jennifer’s extraordinary journey Jennifer Atkinson, Chair of the Inspiring Travel Company (ITC), may have spent her career exploring the world’s most exotic and exciting locations, but, she reveals to Salutions, it’s Didsbury and its exceptional community spirit that has truly captured her heart

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

She moved to the area around 20 years ago. Her brother was already a resident and, having secured a job with advertising agency McCann Erickson, she left her native Leeds and kind of landed on his doorstep… and never left.

The move was to be the first step on what turned out to be the most extraordinary journey, which would take Jen from Marketing Manager at ITC to CEO, and then leading a management buyout (MBO) to become Chair.

A born entrepreneur It all began when Jennifer was a child with an entrepreneurial spirit and creative mind.

“I was always coming up with some scheme or other,” she smiles. “Even as a kid, I remember seeing a derelict building and thinking ‘I’d love to turn that into a shopping outlet’, oh, and then there were the endless cake sales!”

She was fascinated by television adverts and communicating ideas and messages, a passion that led her to study marketing with law at Lancaster University (“a weird combination, if I’m honest, but both are about presenting facts and information in a compelling way”), but her career beginnings were not quite as glamourous as she’d first imagined: “I thought I’d walk straight into Saatchi and Saatchi after uni,” laughs Jen, “But, of course, I had to start at the bottom and learn the ropes.”

By Lisa Symonds

The dream job The job at McCann was the first of many, there was even a spell in property, but Jen couldn’t settle. She’d concluded she was “unemployable” and would have to work for herself, but then a recruitment agency told her about a job at ITC. “It was miles away in Chester,” remembers Jennifer, “And as I drove there to meet the owner, Drew Foster, I thought, ‘never in a million years am I going to do this commute every day’. But the minute I met him, I was totally and utterly inspired, and I took on the role of Marketing Manager in 2004.”

Until then, Jen’s holidays were more caravan than 5-star! ITC specialised (and still does) in luxurious, high-end holidays, its clients (think successful business people and celebrities) once featured in the BBC TV series The Millionaires’ Holiday Club.

Much to Jen’s joy, her role took her to the most glamourous corners of the globe.

A perfect storm Fast forward to 2009 and ITC and Jen faced what she describes as a “perfect, horrific storm”. And its aftermath is the stuff of movies starring an unflappable, unstoppable female lead.

by this – if you put enough energy out there, focus on what you want and set clear goals, you create your own luck.

And you’ve got to have the courage to take risks, make those leaps into the unknown.”

She now takes on a more strategic role at ITC and is busy transforming her life yet again.

(Laughter) “I’m on life 460 now I think?

I just got to thinking that life is about balance – as well as your career, you have to nourish yourself, put you at the top of your to-do list.”

“I was having the time of my life,” says Jen, “But then, suddenly, the credit crunch hit, business was affected and, worst of all, Drew was diagnosed with cancer. That’s when I put together a plan on how to grow and transform the business and presented it to Drew. His reaction? ‘Crack on! I’ll make you CEO’.”

With this in mind, she’s been looking for new close-to-home ventures; mentoring fledgling entrepreneurs and supporting other women in business.

Six months later, Drew sadly passed away.

“I’d never run a business and it was a tough market,” admits Jen. “It was a very challenging time. As a female leader, you like to be liked, but I had to make lots of difficult decisions, such as redundancies.

I started to think, ‘be careful what you wish for…’”

Enjoying the stroll Jennifer’s jet-setting days aren’t over, but her passport’s not as cluttered. The family – husband Dave, son Billy (6) and daughter Belle (4) – holiday once a year in Barbados, but it’s when talking about life in Didsbury that her face lights up.

Onwards and upwards Within a year, the business was stable again, Jen had her first child (a boy) and she made a big decision. She set about leading a management buyout of ITC. Raising the equity was tough (“I nearly gave up”,) but a chance holiday encounter with a recently retired ITC client looking to make an investment saw them stage an MBO in 2014. Oh, and by now, Jen was pregnant with a little girl!

“Are you keeping up?” she asks jokingly.

We are, and we’re completely in awe. ITC now has an annual turnover of £90 million and is making a £4.5 million profit.

Words to live life by…

“I’m not better or cleverer than anyone,” says Jen self-deprecatingly, “I live my life

“I find standing still incredibly hard. So, I’m going to keep moving but stroll and enjoy the view rather than sprint.”

“I lived in West Didsbury originally, for the bars! I met Dave in The Metropolitan and have celebrated every birthday in there since I was 25! We now live in the village. I adore the sense of community – everyone looks out for each other and you feel connected. In a world where so many people don’t know their neighbours, it’s old-fashioned and pretty fantastic.”

She does return to Leeds (“not often enough according to my mother!”) but it’s evident where she now belongs, the city where her high-flying career really took off: “My rose colour has changed,” she smiles, widely, “Changed from white to red. I’ve become a real Mancunian.”

Find out more: inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk ITC Travel Group Limited, Concorde House, Canal Street, Chester CH1 4EJ 01244 355 597 February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

19

Tony Collier Prostate Cancer Awareness

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

62 years old, indefatigable and terminally ill, Tony Collier still runs where others fear to tread. An awareness speaker-volunteer for Prostate Cancer UK since January 2018, Tony has delivered at least two highly personalised talks a month to over 2,000 people in running clubs, offices, fire stations, church halls and corporate environments. He covers the illness, its treatment and, above all, the life-saving potential of early PSA testing for males over 40.

Looking to the future, his most fervent wish is for prostate cancer screening to be established. None yet exists worldwide. With this uppermost in mind, Tony was delighted to be the ‘face’ of the charity’s 2018 Christmas appeal to fund research into prostate cancer screening.

Tony’s diagnosis Well, this Altrincham-born husband, father, grandpa, avid runner and accountant committed to umpteen civic and charitable causes, was diagnosed on May 9th 2017. He had just completed two marathons within a fortnight. On May 8th, planning for a gruelling South African ultramarathon the following month, Tony nipped to the doctor for a cortisone injection to relieve his acute ‘groin strain’. That injection never materialised. His highly concerned medic arranged an immediate MRI scan, further tests and, at 8pm the next day, announced Tony had incurable, stage 4 prostate cancer. Having spread to his pelvis, hips, spine, ribs and skull, the cancer had probably been in his system for a decade.

Should treatment fail, super-fit Tony might only have two years left.

By Fay Wertheimer | Image Mike Browne

Looking back “I walked in for an injection,” recalls Tony, “and 36 hours later, was pronounced deadly ill. Tracey – my wife-cum-practiceadministrator – and I were shell-shocked beyond belief. I had absolutely no symptoms at all – no difficulty emptying my bladder, no ‘dribbling’, no nocturnal trips to the loo, no erectile dysfunction and no unexplained weight loss. I thought I was in mint condition.”

He continues, “Prostate cancer’s a silent killer, not just an old man’s disease. Presently, a PSA level test is the only indicator of your prostate health. I had mine at 60. Had I been tested at 50, I might have been curable. Moreover, I have added concerns for my son and two grandsons who, like anyone with a family history of the illness, will be at risk and need regular check-ups. Mind you, by then, I hope screening will be in place.”

What is PSA? Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland. As this gland grows with age, the PSA level increases too. PSA testing provides

a starting tool for checking abnormalities and cancer. Unlike biopsy, the PSA blood test is non-invasive.

The Facts Prostate cancer is UK men’s main cancer killer – it affects 1 in 8 males (the risk increases to 1 in 4 for Afro-Caribbean men), 129 men are diagnosed daily (47,000 annually) and 400,000 UK males live with the disease. Every 45 minutes, another male in the UK dies from prostate cancer. 80% of sufferers present NO symptoms.

The Treatment Prostate cancer thrives on testosterone. To kill the cancer, production of this hormone is stopped chemically. In Tony’s case, some cancer cells lie dormant in his body. When they resume activity, his illness will be labelled ‘castration-resistant cancer’.

Meanwhile, he experiences hot flushes and hot sweats – to some extent responsive to acupuncture – physical weakness, fatigue and loss of libido. He adds wryly, “I am, in effect, emasculated – a menopausal woman. I try to stay positive and enjoy each day, but some aren’t so good.”

And now?

After 20 months of ongoing treatment, Tony still co-owns MBL Accountants in Altrincham and Northwich, works three days weekly, runs regularly and spends every possible moment bonding and “creating a bank of memories” with his two grandsons. Recent Chair of Altrincham Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer, Director and former Chair of Altrincham Town Centre Plan and board member of Altrincham Football Club Community Charity, the remarkable Mr Collier gains immense gratification from the town’s booming social and economic revival. Above all, he appreciates the true value of family and friendships.

The Message If sisters, wives, parents, pals, brothers, kids and partners can urge every man over 40 they know to take the PSA blood test, lives will be saved. Mind you, for greater accuracy, it’s advisable to wait after having sex or cycling 50 miles.

If you’d like Tony to speak to your friends, colleagues, workmates or social groups, contact him directly. He offers first-hand, insightful and helpful hints on handling prostate cancer, living with it and simply being aware. It’s due to his open, approachable manner and realistic advice, two men now receive treatment for their curable, early-diagnosis prostate cancer. They heeded Tony Collier’s words, “Be on the alert – it may save your life. If you don’t do anything about your prostate health, you could end up like me.”

Call Tony Collier on 07798 752 357

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

21

Sebi Hesk Didsbury’s handball ace

By Fay Wertheimer

Now 17, Didsbury’s laidback handball ace Sebi Hesk represented England in 2016 and 2017 in Denmark and Hungary – and kept a cool head. But on Great Britain’s 2018 Under-18s Squad in Austria, the quietly-spoken 6-foot-two lad reacted differently.

Alongside four other North West GB team mates, this former Parrs Wood High School and present-day Xaverian College student recalls, “After walking out, lining up and facing the cameras, my name was called out. Our national anthem was played. I felt emotional, very proud, responsible and patriotic.”

And why not? Within five years, Sebi’s speed, agility and intellect have had him promoted from school handball to local, county, regional, national and international levels. He could crow – but that’s not him. Neither civic acknowledgements of his prowess including GLL Sports Foundation and MCRVIP Leadership Award, nor the captaincy of Under-19s Warrington Wolves, nor last October’s tough final in Kosovo inflated his ego.

You see, this young top goal-scorer and frequent ‘man of the match’ understands the precariousness of sport and the value of education.

Of course, he aims for a European Sports Scholarship after college.

Of course, like his England coach, Chris McDermott, Sebi aspires to the Olympics. But handball, though more cerebral than rugby, his earlier love, is nonetheless a contact sport.

Injuries are integral to the game and can end a career.

So, having experienced the benefits of physiotherapy, he’s keeping that profession in mind for the future too.

Meanwhile, Sebi trains twice weekly in Warrington.

He also studies and parties hard, remaining mindful that, turning 18 in March, he must apply for reselection on Team GB ’s Under 20s.

He adds, “I like the physical side of handball. I’m not aggressive, but on court I change. Handball’s given me focus, I have the chance to do something that stimulates me physically and mentally.

He continues, “My advantage is being lefthanded, tall and lean. Playing at right back, I can jump high to get the ball over people’s heads towards the goal. But anyone, any shape and any size, can play – try it.” A relative newcomer to UK’s sports’ scene, handball receives no funding.

Promotion in schools and the 40 UCAS points gained completing England Handball’s 2-year distance-learning BTEC course from Loughborough College do both attract youngsters. However, most effective in spreading the word are inspirational players like Sebi Hesk, who simply leads by example.

For more information please contact: The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Winwick Road, Warrington WA2 7NE Tel: 01925 246482/3 | Email office@britishhandball.com February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Deep detox in Portugal Set in Algarve’s beautiful countryside is Moinhos Velhos, where Jill Nash discovers a perfect chilled-out retreat for New Year beginnings

Experience While the thought of shedding the Christmas excess really appealed to me, the reality of a juice-fasting detox holiday seemed a bit extreme. I had visions of starving for a week, and then piling on the pounds binge eating once I returned home. When I arrived to Moinhos Velhos (I managed to avoid sneaking in packets of biscuits), I had ultimately set myself the challenge of not only taking care of my body for a week but also my mind. The pressures of work life and juggling a young family often make it difficult to calm my mind and switch off for any considerable period of time.

Moinhos Velhos is just over an hour drive from Faro, cut into the rugged countryside, there is nothing glossy about this place. It is not a polished resort, and isn’t intended to be either. There is a 26

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

genuine feeling of calm and nature feels so close and comforting. The gardens are stunning; I particularly loved the little messages hanging off the trees everywhere.

The luscious groves of fresh vegetables and fruit, ready and ripe for picking, are made into juices for each daily dose to the guests.

The first day started at 7am with a lemon tea by the wood stove and all the guests sat around a large wooden table, apparently this daily start would help cleanse the bowels before the two-hour yoga class.

Normally, at this time, I would be sat at home wolfing down a chocolate croissant and an espresso before the school run, and then I sceptically wondered how lemon tea would give me any energy to cope with a two-hour yoga class, let alone the rest of the day.

The first day took a lot of adjusting, not

only to the new diet, but the singing rituals at juice time and the new environment with strangers. I felt like I was back on Girl Guides camp, without the night-time mischief.

The daily yoga was very gentle and kind, not as intense and fast-paced as I had imagined. I managed the two-hour session without any fuss and felt my body instantly relax as soon as I entered the temple. The temple, where both daily meditation and yoga took place, was floor-to-ceiling windows, with stunning views of the lush countryside and heated by a wood burner.

It was very cosy, littered with blankets and pillows, and the change of yoga teacher every day kept it fresh and interesting.

After the first day, I really settled into my accommodation, which was a single room in the little wooden mill cottage. It was

basic but clean and warm, and I tried to make my space a complete sanctuary with plenty of books, magazines and music. There are no TVs in the bedrooms and very little in the way of a mobile signal in the valley, which definitely forces you to switch off from the digital world, and I was very grateful for this. The environment and communal setting also meant that you engaged with other guests more readily and created conversations with total strangers from different backgrounds, and yet all share the same sentiment that we are ‘in it together’.

The daily programme is handled before your arrival and includes all juices and broths, complete with instructions on the daily vitamins pills and powders. My favourites were the lemon and cinnamon and apple and ginger shots, they tasted so fresh and really hit the spot. You can drink

as much lemon water and herbal teas as you wish, and there are day trips to Lagos or the beach for those who want to escape, but I didn’t want to be tempted. While there are no formal programmes on Saturday, there are plenty of optional extras to choose from – everything from acupuncture treatments to Thai massage, and the therapists are extremely experienced.

I spent most of my week indulging in a daily dip in the salt-water swimming pool and relaxing in the hot tub. It felt complete bliss to enjoy an afternoon swim without children climbing on me and screaming for swimming races. I really enjoyed just staying still and contemplating my life back home, something I rarely have time to do.

By day four, my caffeine headaches were almost gone. I recognised that the fuzzy

head feeling I have every day back home was almost certainly causing me harm, and I made a pact with myself to cut down on caffeine, but this retreat certainly gave me the boost I needed to start. I thought I’d have felt a panging for food and desperate starvation, but, to my surprise, the juices and broths were very filling, yet my stomach was feeling flat and un-bloated.

I heard of people coming here to help stop smoking or to help with healing post-cancer, there hasn’t been any research evidence to suggest this will help, but I do wonder that the longer the fasting programme, the cleaner your body and mind will become.

For me, a week stay certainly did the trick.

It was long enough to kick start a healthy routine and detox my mind and my body, but not too long to be away from family.

Next year, I’ll be back and, hopefully, I can extend it to 10 days.

Booking Prices for a seven-day programme are from €1,150 per person based on two people sharing.

The price includes accommodation, juices and supplements, daily yoga and meditation.

Find dates of the programmes and further information at moinhos-velhos.com February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

27

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Hannah Drawstring Tunic Dress £129 Damsel In A Dress Available at Next February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

A Taste of Honey Putting the sweetness back into Burton Road Penny Lynch, PR guru and previous owner of Didsbury’s Love 2 Eat, talks taking on Didsbury deli, A Taste of Honey.

“Food is my thing, so owning A Taste of Honey is a dream come true,” says Penny.

“I found the right business at the right time, and Hari Pabla, of Pabla & Pabla Solicitors, was just the right investor.”

After a complete renovation, finished with beautiful handmade honeycomb feature shelving, which was built and designed by Bogdan at 108 Builders (also responsible for the complete refit), she opened on December 1st 2018, just a few weeks before Christmas, and has already had an overwhelming response from the community.

“We’ve restored A Taste of Honey to its former glory of being a traditional local deli and that’s what people want to see – the food is well-liked too, which helps!”

And what food can you expect?

“We always have slow-cooked beef and veggie chilli, eight different fresh veggie saint’s salads each day and two homemade soups; sweetcorn and chilli chowder, and our Duvet Day noodle soup. We’re actually launching our own secret recipe bone broth soon, it’s so good for you – and the latest trend!”

The house specials include butternut squash and veg tagine served with pomegranate and roasted tomato hummus, beef bourguignon and pistachio and rose, and Rolo cakes.

Alongside daily fresh bread, rotisserie chickens, cheeses and local honey (obviously), mum-of-one Penny tells us there’s also some more unusual things to be found…

“We stock full ranges of vegan and glutenfree dishes and cakes, including sweets and cheese, and some unique flavours of jams and chutneys. Every product has a story.”

The deli also stocks a range of CBD products from cbdultra.co.uk, such as hemp tea and coffee, oils and massage balms. The increasingly popular cannabisbased products can help relieve stress and provide pain relief. Penny says, “They’re the way forward and we plan to expand the range further.”

All the deli’s suppliers are local and independent. “We only use suppliers who aren’t local if they’re exceptionally good!” jokes Penny.

Suppliers include Kit’s Peanut Chutney, Manilife peanut butter, Loving Food Kimchi and Kombucha, Bongo Bongo Chilli Jam, Fruits of the Forage and The Smokey Carter.

Breakfast is big at A Taste of Honey, so much so, they’ve recently released a Goldilocks’ Porridge Station, encouraging people to pick up porridge on the way to work or doing the school run.

And it doesn’t end there.

“Our Breakfast in Bed hamper is proving popular,” says Penny. “Customers can pre-order for just £20 and it includes tea, coffee, half a dozen free range eggs, sausage or bacon, bagels or croissants and jam – perfect for a duvet day. We’ll even deliver it if it can’t be collected!”

The decadent breakfast recipe of savoury bread and butter pudding, cheese and ham or pesto and tomato-filled croissants covered in a homemade béchamel sauce topped with spring onions is a house favourite.

In need of event food? A Taste of Honey have you covered there too, creating bespoke menus dependent on theme, size, budget and personal preference.

Currently, there’s seating for customers but it’s limited.

“We’ve got plans to open the courtyard in the spring, we envisage it as a secret garden,” smiles Penny. “Our goal is to make A Taste of Honey a hub of the Didsbury community.”

Fancy a discount at Evie’s Retreat salon in Didsbury?

A Taste of Honey customers can currently receive 20% off all treatments.

All readers can receive a free tea or coffee when they pop in to say hello.

Opening Hours: 7:30am-6pm Monday-Friday | 9am-5pm Saturday | 11am-4pm Sunday A Taste of Honey, 138 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1JQ atasteofhoneydeli.co.uk | info@atasteofhoneydeli.com | 0161 434 5217 @TasteofHoneyM20 tasteofhoneym20 | #atasteofhoney

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Thistles Floral Cushion £59.95 Annabel James Available at annabeljames.co.uk

Field Of Joy Wallpaper Mural £30/m2 Available at wallsauce.com

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Overlooked Happiness Framed Print £40-£120 Fiona Watson Available at Next

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Red Porcelain Scented Candle £55 Ligne Blanche Available at Selfridges

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Roland 32x32cm Glossy Picture Frame £25 Habitat Available at habitat.co.uk

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

AWARDING-WINNING WOOD FLOORING MANCHESTER, LONDON, LOS ANGELES For residential projects, hotels, restaurants, bars & offices Over 15 years ago, the New & Reclaimed Flooring Company set down its roots in Manchester.

If you’re planning a project and looking for ideas, why not pay us a visit?

Since then, we’ve come a long way, expanding to offices in London and Los Angeles and gaining clients all over the world.

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However, we see Manchester as our home. Based in Stockport, in the heart of Northern England, you’ll discover our newly opened unique showroom/workshop.

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Our largest sample library. We offer you all our harvested and reclaimed flooring, including engineered and solid wood in a plethora of colours and designs Special offers and discounted products only available at our workshop

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Our attentive production team – who will be delighted to advise on what finishes, species and styles will work for your project.

Here in our Cheshire showroom/ workshop, you can also watch our craftsmen work their magic – lovingly creating wooden flooring from both reclaimed and harvested wooden beams. Not only can you touch, feel and smell the wood, you can watch the wooden floor creation process take place.

Unit 3 Hammond Trade Centre, Hammond Avenue, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 1PQ 0207 250 1108 | sales@reclaimedflooringco.com February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

39

Grow your own

STYLE It’s official. I’m a bad person. A very bad person. And I am going to hell

By Catherine Saunders. Read more at www.ladymuck.style Winter is a boring time for green-fingered folk. Very little to do in the garden or down on the veggie plot. So, to shed the Christmas carbs pounds, I decided to go swimming before work a couple of times a week. How on earth was I to know that my timings would perfectly match the early morning training schedule of the university water polo team? The all-male, under-25 and extremely ripped university water polo team.

40

shallow end, followed swiftly the next week by the team coach’s new patrolling regime at that end too, and the week after, benches moved to act as a screen. So, shamefaced, I cancelled my membership.

But the middle-aged receptionist’s knowing wink, as I left, made me feel somewhat less guilty.

And shifting those Christmas pounds is hard work. Forcing me to take rests at the shallow end every couple of lengths. And when you’re resting, what else can you do but lean forwards on your elbows, take a long, deep sigh, and enjoy the view? The very ripped view. Repeatedly. I knew it was wrong but, hell, it felt right. And what hot-blooded woman doesn’t leave a sports bag at her resting spot so she can easily reach for her glasses? To more easily read the pool lap clock. Honest.

As punishment for my inappropriate ogling, I’ve been down on my allotment ever since, digging in all weathers and preparing the beds for spring, and it was all going so very appropriately, right up until I met my new neighbour on Plot 11B – Mike. A rather ripped 25-year-old, sporting his old uni water polo team hoody and introducing himself as a growyour-own virgin on the look-out for an experienced woman to show him the ropes. Oh, dear Lord. So, with my eyes fixed firmly on Mike’s wellies, I shared some words of wisdom to help get him started, before doing a runner.

I knew I’d been rumbled a few weeks in, when the lifeguard moved his seat to the

So, for anyone else out there thinking about having a go at grow-your-own,

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

here’s the tips I gave Mike. For beginners, reading up about square foot gardening (SFM) is definitely a good place to start.

Check out loveyourgarden.com for more information or buy the book One Magic Square – Grow Your Own Food on One Square Metre by Lolo Hubein from amazon.co.uk. Invest in a compact plant trainer, a boon for beginners growing seeds (£14.99 from greenfingers.com) and start with easy-to-grow veg like lettuces, courgettes, tomatoes, rocket, French beans and basil. Use good compost such as John Innes No 1 and remember to bring your seedling compost indoors and allow to heat up for a couple of days before you sow seeds, so the compost and the seeds are at the same room temperature, which improves germination. Transfer your seedlings into pots and grow on your patio or balcony; alternatively, if you have room, grow on in raised beds.

Right, must dash. Got to text the girls.

Magic Mike is on TV tonight. Now, where are my glasses…

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Brita Style Jug Designed with a cutting-edge technology and filters 2.4 litres of water. It features a smart LED light to measure and notify the user when to replace the filter cartridge. In Soft grey, Soft lime, Soft blue. £31. brita.co.uk/fill-and-enjoy/style Made By Coopers Apothecary Made By Coopers Apothecary only use natural, organic, clean ingredients and natural preservatives to create their artisan line of beauty and wellness products. From 100 % natural aromatherapy candles, mists, bath salts, body oils to bath and spa products - Made By Coopers Apothecary have everything you need to unwind, re-charge and feel beautiful inside out. The brand's Best Seller- Made By Coopers Sleepy Head Room & Pillow Mist has been known for its effective use of essentials oils and aromatherapy to ease anxiety or stress and refresh your senses. £35. www.madebycoopersapothecary.com

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SEKSY Three fragrances Entice : Embrace : Elegance Lavishly designed bottle with a dazzling Swarovski Crystal.

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LED Mini Light Whitening Kit £39.99 | Teeth Whitening Strips £22.49 | Tooth Polish 75ml £10.99 From Superdrug and billiondollarsmilecosmetics.co.uk February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

It’s a GIN TING GinTing is distilled with the finest Juniper Berries along with Cassia Bark, Coriander Seeds, Orange & Lemon Peel, plus a few other secret botanicals.

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Renovatio – expert rejuvenation in the heart of Cheshire Discover the non-invasive cosmetic clinic where a hand-picked team of experts makes your wellbeing their priority

At Renovatio (Latin for rejuvenation), we believe that your wellbeing is what should always come first. We are a non-invasive cosmetic clinic based in the heart of Cheshire. Positioned in the tranquil grounds of Cherry Tree Farm, Rostherne and its idyllic settings, it is easy to forget you are a two-minute drive from major motorway links and Manchester Airport.

Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon Mr Rimouche and his team of

medical and aesthetic experts bring a wealth of knowledge to the newly formed cosmetic clinic. With state-of-the-art technology and with an accumulation of over 100 years’ experience, you can rest assured you are in the safest hands.

Offering non-surgical and surgical treatments throughout the clinic allows an unbiased recommendation for what is most suitable for each individual patient and client.

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

43

Meet you at the barre We catch up with the two women responsible for bringing brand-new exercise phenomenon Barrecorre to the region

If improving your health and fitness is top of this year’s to-do list or you’re looking to shake up your current regime, you can do no better than Barrecore – the new-tothe-North-West boutique exercise classes run by Katharina Wrather and Sarah Emblow.

Katharina and Sarah are both extremely passionate about Barrecore; its ability to quickly transform your body shape and create communities of like-minded ladies.

Here, they reveal what Barrecore involves and why its benefits have no boundaries when it comes to age or ability…

Barre beginnings The exercise is a derivative of The Lotte Berk Method – a concept created by London-based dancer Lotte Berk in 1968, originally as a low-impact way to rehabilitate following an injury. Participants take to the barre (much like a ballerina in training) and complete a series of small but intense movements to music. The concept later took off in New York, where Katharina 44

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

was working when first introduced to it: “I was shocked how quickly it transformed my body and how quickly I fell in love with it,” says German-born business and marketing graduate Katharina. “Then, when I moved to London, I started my own barre studio. Four years later, and pregnant with my second child, my husband and I moved to Cheshire. I couldn’t wait to return to the barre, attended some classes and met Sarah.”

Sarah, who had previously worked in business retail management, had developed her passion for barre during business trips to London: “I loved the whole idea of barre,” explains the mother of two from Manchester, “and teamed up with Barrecore founder and celebrity trainer Niki Rein. I was desperate for us to expand beyond London and set up our first studio outside of the capital in Alderley Edge. It was then that Katharina moved around the corner from me… it was meant to be!”

Incredible results The women now run two studios in Alderley Edge and Hale, as well as hosting classes at lululemon in Manchester. Little wonder most sessions are fully booked, their passion for Barrecore is infectious and the quick results offered can be positively addictive.

“The small movements and stretches tone and lengthen the muscles and burn fat,” explains Katharina. “The results are incredible – a leaner, more toned and flexible body. It’s good for losing weight too, which surprises people, as it’s not in the typical hard-core cardio style of something like spinning. But working large muscle groups burns lots of calories and the more lean muscle mass you build, the higher your metabolic rate. It’s about controlling breathing too and engaging the core, i.e. working the back, tummy and bum.

“With the movements switching regularly, it’s difficult to get bored – another reason people keep coming back for more.”

A community vibe “Physical results aside,” says Sarah, “it’s the environment that clients love. From the minute you walk through the door, it’s extremely welcoming. There’s a real community vibe at all of our classes.”

Katharina agrees: “A lot of people admit to feeling a little intimidated before they arrive, not knowing what to expect. But you will get to know everyone really quickly – a million miles away from the anonymous gym environment.”

“It’s also a great place to meet new people,” continues Sarah, “and a great place to network. I spent a lot of my previous career at networking events that were staged and stiff. Barrecore gets everyone talking, I wish I’d have discovered it earlier and (laughs) I’d never ever have had to attend a networking event!”

No-fear fitness The women explain that their core demographic is females in their 30s, 40s and 50s, but there too are enquiries from people everywhere between the ages of 14 and 70. It’s Barrecore’s accessibility – no age or fitness restrictions – that is at the heart of their intense enthusiasm for it.

“The thing about Barrecore is that it’s a leveller,” explains Sarah, “no-one is better than anyone else at it. Everyone is doing the same thing, whether it’s your fifth or five hundredth class. You don’t plateau and that’s why it’s so motivating.

“We also offer a very personalised experience.

We are able to work closely with each person in the group and adapt movements to their ability or requirements, like a personal training session but with added camaraderie. The best of both worlds.”

And is any special equipment required?

“No! Just bring yourself, leggings and socks,” smiles Sarah.

A double act It’s evident the ladies work wonderfully together; sharing a passion for Barrecore and family life.

“We’re a bit of a double act,” smiles Sarah. “forever busy looking after our kids and clients.”

“It’s true,” says Katharina, “It’s a bit of a juggling act, but we understand each other, helping each other when one of the children is ill and things like that.”

Together, with their love of Barrecore and passion for sharing its power with other women, they appear unstoppable. And their next move?

“Hopefully, a studio in Didsbury,” reveals Sarah.

And with that, they’re off, post-school drop-off, to share their expertise with the ladies of Cheshire. And we’re left incredibly inspired and 100% ready to sign up to the barre army!

*FREE Introductory class* Looking to create a healthy habit in 2019?

Every few weeks, Katharina and Sarah host introductory sessions at the three studios – a great way to learn about the history of Barrecore and what to expect in your first class.

The ladies are offering 25 Didsbury Magazine, Hale&Bowdon Magazine, Bonus Sapor Magazine and MediaCity Magazine readers, the chance to attend a FREE INTRODUCTORY BARRECORE CLASS in either Alderley Edge, Hale or Manchester.

Simply call 01625 584746 and quote one of the above magazines.

LOCATIONS: 35A London Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7JT 30 Park Road, Hale, WA15 9NN 7 St Anns Square, Manchester M2 7EF Visit barrecore.co.uk to find out more.

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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One of the UK’s leading and most trusted Aesthetics & Wellness clinics.

• Voted Manchester's best Health Company at The Talk Of Manchester Awards 2018 • National Award Winner at the Aesthetics Awards 2018 • The only North West clinic to offer DualSculpting • Bespoke & unrushed consultations • Cheshire's #1 correctional clinic • As featured in Tatler, Sun On Sunday and Mail On Sunday,

EMSCULPT is the world's only procedure proven to help both women and men build muscle and burn fat.

Causing 20,000 muscle contractions in the abdomen or buttocks in just one 30-minute session, EMSCULPT is the first machine to increase muscle mass by 16% and kill fat by 19%.

Led by Dr Rosh (MBChB MRCGP MRCP) • Global Key Opinion Leader & Lead Doctor for Croma (injectables, dermal fillers & threads) • European Key Opinion Leader (KOL) For Merz Aesthetics • Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) Fitness To Practice Board Member • International injector, teacher and speaker • Writer for leading publication Aesthetic Journal • Leader of medical research team at University of Manchester

Ultherapy® is the only FDA-cleared, non-invasive procedure that lifts and tightens the neck, chin and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the chest. Working at the same levels below the skin as plastic surgery, Ultherapy® can revive your own collagen and elastin without the need for a facelift.

miraDry is the only safe, FDA-cleared and CE-marked non-invasive procedure that can dramatically reduce underarm sweat and odour in as little as one treatment.

Helping to restore your confidence and improve your quality of life.

KLNIK are proud to exclusively offer DualSculpting – multiple-site CoolSculpting that halves your procedure time. Our staff are the UK's best trained and graduates of the international CoolSculpting University. CoolSculpting is the world’s #1 FDA-approved, non-surgical, fat-freezing procedure.

At KLNIK, our bespoke IV Therapy treatments provide essential nutrients, helping you to fight off illness, support your objectives in fitness, skin health, anti-ageing, detoxification, immune function and mental performance.

BEAUTY AT KLNIK

Our highly experienced team offer an extensive range of luxury treatments, including intimate waxing, lashes, nails, HydraFacial, Decléor massage, ZO Skin Health skincare, and many more, to help you feel your beautiful best.

KLNIK THE COLONY, ALTRINCHAM ROAD, WILMSLOW, CHESHIRE SK9 4LY 01625 362 200 | INFO@KLNIK.CO.UK | @KLNIKOFFICIAL | KLNIK.CO.UK

Private GP Service Rapid access to an expert opinion at a time convenient to you

Oering a range of appointments for both adults and children at Spire Manchester Hospital, Didsbury and at their clinic in Hale.

Book an appointment by calling 0161 447 6700 or go online at spiregp.spirehealthcare.com Spire Manchester Hospital 170 Barlow Moor Road Didsbury Manchester M20 2AF

Spire Manchester Clinic Hale 159 Ashley Road Hale Cheshire WA15 9SF

Consultant-led dermatology care at EVERyTHING SKIN CLINIC TM

For all skin conditions Our private Dermatology Centre, located in Cheadle village, is the first dedicated service of its kind in the North West, offering specialist diagnosis by a team of experienced and highly-skilled consultants in one convenient location. The practice is unique to the region, as we are the only private dermatology clinic that is entirely made up of consultant dermatologists, enabling us to offer the highest quality skin consultations, treatments and surgery.

EVERyTHING SKIN CLINIC TEAM

Dr Vishal Madan M.B.B.S (Hons), M.D., FRCP (UK)

Dr Vishal Madan, Director of Everything Skin, is a leading Consultant Dermatologist, Laser and Dermatological Surgeon, who developed the service with the aim of providing the best medical and affordable skin care in health and disease under one roof.

Dr Madan has more than 16 years of combined NHS and private practice experience covering all aspects of skin diseases and has a special interest in skin cancer treatment using Mohs micrographic surgery; an advanced technique which is currently the most successful method of treating basal cell carcinomas. He is also President of the British Medical Laser Association and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester.

He has joined hands with some of the region’s finest highly trained and experienced consultant dermatologists, who all have existing practices within NHS hospitals and are on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register. The clinic and the team are recognised by and registered with all major health insurance providers.

Dr Emma McMullen, MBChB, FRCP

Dr McMullen has been practicing as a full-time NHS Consultant Dermatologist for nine years and is currently the Clinical Director for Dermatology and Tertiary Medicine at Salford Royal Foundation Trust, heading up the largest dermatology department in the UK. Dr McMullen specialises in urgent and life-threatening dermatology, acne, allergic drug reactions and hidradenitis suppurativa. As well as these areas, she sees large numbers of general dermatology and skin cancer patients.

Dr Matthew Harries, PhD, FRCP

Dr Matthew Harries is a Consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer with a specialist interest in hair and scalp disorders, particularly hair loss.

He was awarded a PhD from the University of Manchester for his research into the hair’s immune system in scarring alopecias.

He is the British Hair and Nail Society Committee Member for research and also sits on the UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network steering committee.

Dr Stephanie Ogden, PhD, FRCP

Dr Ogden is a Consultant Dermatologist undertaking all aspects of general dermatology, including skin cancer and vulval clinics. She is the local skin cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) lead in Stockport and maintains a research interest in immunology and skin ageing. She is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester and has an active role in teaching including undergraduates, trainees and general practitioners.

Dr Tamara Griffiths, MD FRCP FAAD

Dr Griffiths received her dermatology training at the University of Michigan, USA and the University of Manchester, UK. An American Board-Certified Dermatologist and on the UK Specialist Register, she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the British Association of Dermatologists. She is a Senior Consultant at one of the largest UK Dermatology Centres at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, and Honorary Lecturer at the University of Manchester, where she is Programme Director for the MSc in Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine.

Everything Skin Clinic™ Suite B, Haw Bank House, Cheadle SK8 1AL 48

For more information or to make an appointment: please call 0161 509 1294 or visit everythingskin.co.uk

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

Fertility options for single women Egg freezing Reproductive Health Group (RHG) Clinical Director, Luciano Nardo, says that egg freezing using the vitrification method should be offered to all single, healthy women who want to preserve their own fertility.

“Whilst it is established that elective egg freezing doesn’t guarantee pregnancy outcome, it increases the chances of a woman conceiving her own biological child later on in life,” explains Luciano.

“Age is closely linked with the number and quality of eggs, therefore, the probabilities of having a successful egg freezing cycle are higher in women younger than 35.”

Ovaries do not continue to function infinitely. Fertility naturally decreases with age and, unfortunately, it cannot be restored. Typically, you need twice as many eggs to produce a single baby at age 39 than you would at age 29.

For these reasons fertility preservation is becoming increasingly popular.

Research suggests that more and more women are leaving it too late before deciding to start a family. There are many understandable reasons for this, whether it be financial position, enjoying a successful career, finding the right person or getting on the property ladder. When the ‘time is right’, many women, and couples, find that they struggle to become pregnant. Whilst you cannot always plan for every eventuality in life, you can try to protect your future

fertility by freezing your eggs whilst they are at an optimum quality and potentially undergo conventional IVF treatment or ICSI treatment when you are ready to try to start a family.

Sperm donation Using donor sperm is an option for women who are unable to start a family because they are single. Luckily, there are options available so that women can have a baby without having to be in a relationship. “At Reproductive Health Group we offer a number of treatments that use donor sperm, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), that help single women and couples achieve a pregnancy, and our staff will provide the expertise and support throughout your journey” added Luciano Nardo.

“The use of donor sperm in fertility treatments is very successful and as a result many women and couples have now had their dreams come true.”

There are nearly 2000 donor sperm treatments per year in the UK and with one in every six couples needing some form of fertility treatment, it is estimated that there is one child in every school classroom who is the result of fertility treatment.

At Reproductive Health Group, we offer a comprehensive fertility preservation programme, including egg freezing, sperm freezing and embryo freezing. We have the latest technologies and the multidisciplinary expertise to assist you through the fertility preservation journey.

Donor sperm is available from specialist donor banks, which are based in the UK and overseas, and they provide sperm for the use in fertility treatments and allow women and couples to select a sperm donor with the characteristics of their choice, including height, eye and hair colour, and blood group. Only donors with the highest quality of sperm are accepted as donors and they undergo rigorous tests and genetic screening to give you the best chance of achieving a pregnancy. Karen Schnauffer, Laboratory Director at RHG, says:

Find out more by visiting reproductivehealthgroup.co.uk, calling 01925 202 180 or emailing us at info@reproductivehealthgroup.co.uk reproductivehealthgroup.co.uk

RHG Reproductive Health Group

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

49

Peace of mind for you and your family at all times

The Private GP & Night Doctor Service We are a group of experienced GPs based in South Manchester, we offer the highest level of medical care, above and beyond the NHS. Whilst the NHS is a good system, demand has increased so much that it has become almost impossible for it to offer the prompt and personal care that we all wish for.

We believe our registered patients want a professional service with peace of mind at all times – from immediate telephone advice to organising an admission into hospital, anytime, day or night – all provided by a small group of doctors whom they know.

Hopefully, you will not need to see a doctor urgently, but accidents or illnesses can occur when least expected, and having to travel or wait several hours for healthcare can only make the ordeal worse.

You can stay registered with your NHS GP, as our aim is not to replace your care but to work alongside it, providing you with our extra medical care when you or your family need it most.

It only takes two minutes to register online today, so we can look after you in the future.

4 24 hrs a day

4 7 days a week

4 Personal and confidential

4 Well-being and full health Dr Bruce Jobling

checks with general blood test

4 Night and weekend home visits

4 Routine non-urgent appointments or same-day and evening consultations as you need

4 Covering Hale, Wilmslow,

Didsbury and their surrounding areas

Registration fee from £18 per month plus consultation fees You can remain with your NHS GP • Additional surgery in Hale If this service is of interest to you or your family, please contact us to register

0161 980 2626 | Info@ThePrivateGP.uk | www.TheNightDoctor.uk The Surgery, 96 Church Road, Gatley, Cheshire SK8 4NQ | The Practice, Hale, Cheshire WA15

Cancer treatment and genetics: How DNA testing is changing the landscape

Genetic testing is the analysis of your DNA – using a sample of your saliva, or sometimes blood or tissue, it's possible to establish if you have certain gene mutations which are associated with particular diseases.

At Everything Genetic Ltd., we provide you with pioneering, medically-validated genetic testing for cancer and heart disease. Our cancer tests can help you discover if you have a higher than average risk of getting cancer, or if you are unfortunate enough to already have the disease, can help your doctor identify the best treatment for you. We too can extend the lives of people already affected by late stage cancer. Many of our tests are covered by private health insurance.

Leading cancer expert Dr Greg Wilson is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie Private Care and The Alexandra Hospital. His areas of expertise are breast cancer, colon cancer and liver-directed therapies for liver cancer.

Here, he talks about the importance of genetic testing: “Half the UK population will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime,” says Dr Wilson. “Since I became a consultant oncologist almost 20 years ago, surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy

(anti-cancer drugs) have continued as the three main modes of treatment.

“We often hear about new surgical techniques (e.g. robotic surgery), radiotherapy advances (e.g. proton beam), and new drugs, whether they be chemotherapy tablets, injections or immunotherapy, which stimulates the immune system to fight the cancer.

“There has, however, been a quiet revolution taking place in the field of genetics and tumour analysis. I will leave tumour analysis for another article; however, it is increasingly important to check something called ‘germline’ genetics.”

Germline genetics “Checking the ‘germline’ means analysing the patient’s normal genetic code looking for abnormalities,” explains Dr Wilson.

“Inherited genetic mutations put a person at higher risk of developing cancer. The highest profile case was Angelina Jolie, who found that she carries the breast cancer type 1 gene mutation (BRCA1), giving an 80% and 50% lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer respectively. She elected to have her breasts and ovaries removed.

“One in eight females will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Research has shown that

8.65% of breast cancer patients carry a gene mutation. If known, such patients are recommended bilateral mastectomy rather than lump removal and radiotherapy.

Different chemotherapy drugs are also recommended.

“Genetic testing is not routinely offered unless a patient has a strong family history and risk analysis is performed via specialist clinics. This takes time and patients are eligible for NHS testing only if they meet certain criteria. However, people can now choose for this to be done privately, either through their health insurance or at a reasonably affordable cost.

“In the year 2000, testing would take over a year and cost thousands of pounds.

Today, a simple saliva test sent through the post will analyse 30 genes, costs under £400, and the results are back within approximately a month.”

Dr Wilson concludes, “Genetics has come a long way in 20 years, but it’s only just getting started and that is great news for everyone, especially future generations!”

Dr Wilson's comments relate to genetics as a whole, and not specifically Everything Genetic.

For more information or to purchase a test, please call: 01270 623 179 or visit everythinggeneticltd.co.uk February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

51

If you have a knee problem,

consult one of the UK’s leading knee specialists Knee problem? Do you have knee pain?

Have you injured your knee?

For quick effective treatment contact the kneedoc... it’s all you need to know Treatments available: • Arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery

• Ligament reconstruction (anterior cruciate ligament, ACL)

• Less invasive customised Knee Replacement Surgery and also Robotic Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery designed specifically to your knee from specialised scans, both potentially allowing shorter hospital stay & rehab with quicker return to activity.

• State of the art non-surgical arthritis treatments including hyaluronic acid injections and groundbreaking n-STRIDE injections.

Professor Jari now offers the latest technology “Robotic Assisted” Knee Replacement Surgery for improved outcomes using the MAKO Robot having previously performed the first case in the North West of England

The Knee Doc... it’s all you need to know Contact details: For further information or to book a consultation: Telephone: 0161 445 4988 | Email: claire@thekneedoc.co.uk | www.thekneedoc.co.uk @therealkneedoc

Consultations available at: BMI Alexandra Hospital Cheadle | Ramsay Oaklands Hospital Salford | Spire Hale Clinic Spire Hospital Manchester, Didsbury | The Manchester Institute of Health and Performance The Wilmslow Hospital, 52 Alderley Road Professor Sanjiv Jari, Consultant Knee, Lower Limb & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeon

MRI scanner still requires that they endure the machine very close to their face, as they have to lie between two magnetic poles, often referred to as a 'double doughnut' format. The distance between the upper and lower poles varies but is typically only around 38 - 43cm – and patients would still have the upper part of the scanner directly in front of their face, as the system is only open at the sides.

“The Medserena Upright MRI Centre in Manchester is a fantastic imaging facility that has truly opened up and enhanced patient care, not just locally but regionally too,” says Dr Subhasis Basu, Consultant Musculoskeletal Radiologist. “Conventional MRI scans are known to be difficult to undertake, particularly if someone is claustrophobic. Medserena Manchester allows such patients to be scanned with relative ease in a spacious, modern and reassuring environment. The imaging quality allows me to report images of patients, not just with great clarity but also to scan in various positions that reproduce patients’ symptoms to help me to diagnose patients’ complaints.”

Joint or back pain?

Request an Upright Open MRI scan An estimated 2.5 million people experience back pain every day in the UK, whilst treating it costs the NHS more than 1 billion pounds a year.

If you have long term joint or back pain, you may be required to have an MRI to assess the problem and provide treatment options. Now a revolutionary Upright Open MRI scan offers medical consultants and their patients a better view when the joint, spine or neck is put under natural weight–bearing pressure. This is performed either standing up, sitting down or in a specific posture, such as flexing the neck, crouching or twisting – allowing the scan to be carried out in exactly the position that pain is experienced.

So, why is this latest type of scan not offered more routinely for longer term injuries, especially when it is available to all NHS, health-insured and self-pay patients? It would appear that the answer to this is simply that very few consultants know about it and rely on traditional MRI scanners where patients are scanned lying down.

The Medserena Upright Open MRI Centre in West Didsbury is a state-of-the-art MRI scanning centre that has changed patient experience with a revolutionary sitting or standing MRI scan that’s perfect for claustrophobic patients and those that need a weight-bearing MRI. In fact, the scanner even allows patients to watch TV or DVD on a large screen while it progresses.

For claustrophobic patients, even an ‘open'

“Research has shown that 17% of people with back pain also suffer from claustrophobia,” comments Juliana Hyka, Radiology Manager of Medserena, “with women more prone to it than men. Yet, only 5% said they had been offered an upright open MRI scan for diagnosis. Not surprisingly, 46% said they would prefer to stand up or sit down in a scanner which is open at the front – compared to just 19% who would opt for lying down in an enclosed tunnel.”

With increased awareness, many more patients will benefit from this type of scan.

Some will have had a conventional MRI scan, but their condition may not have been properly diagnosed and they still suffer from pain. And others will be claustrophobic or anxious about the idea of going through an MRI ‘tunnel'.

For further information: back-pain-mri.com Call 0161 434 8039 or visit trulyopenmri.com February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

53

Getting back into fitness Whether you have a specific goal in mind for 2019, such as completing your first park run, climbing a mountain or if you just want to improve or maintain your health and lose weight, here are some things you may want to consider.

There are significant physical and mental health benefits from regular physical activity. The UK Chief Medical Officer guidelines on physical activity state that adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week: •

•

Activity should add up to at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity. A simple way to achieve this is to do 30 minutes on at least five days a week.

Alternatively, comparable benefits can be achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity spread across the week or combinations of moderate and vigorous intensity activity.

Adults should undertake physical activity to improve muscle strength at least two days a week. All adults should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.

There is strong evidence to show that regular exercise helps to treat and reduce the risk of a variety of conditions, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, osteoporosis, dementia, falls and frailty, COPD, musculoskeletal pain and inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Doing more physical activity can also be about doing small, everyday things a little bit differently – simple things like moving about when you’re on the phone, putting more energy into household chores or using the stairs instead of taking the

54

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

lift can make all the difference. Try changing just a few minutes of your daily routine, you’ll be amazed at the impact it has on how good you feel, your health and your chances of further major illnesses.

Avoiding injury When increasing your levels of physical activity it is important to start slowly and build up the volume, frequency and intensity of exercise.

It can be helpful to discuss, set specific goals and plan towards your goals with a coach, personal trainer, physiotherapist, GP or specialist sport and exercise consultant. There are lots of online resources which can help you, such as the NHS Couch to 5k initiative.

Diet and nutrition Getting your diet and nutrition right is important when you increase your activity levels. You will need to make sure you have enough protein and carbohydrate in your diet, particularly around training times to help you adapt to the training stimulus as well as possible.

Staying well hydrated during and after exercise is also important, as you can lose a lot of fluid and electrolytes through sweat associated losses during physical activity.

Managing injury Consider PRICE for initial management of soft tissue injuries: Protecting the injured site Resting Icing Compression of the injured part Elevating the injured area

If you get a significant injury when you increase your activity levels, you may need to seek medical advice from a Healthcare Professional. If your injury is severe you may need to go to your local Emergency Department.

John Rogers Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant OrthTeam Centre at Spire Manchester Hospital

0161 447 6888 www.orthteam.com www.spiremanchester.com

Rapid Access Heart Clinics at Spire Manchester Hospital We understand that people worry about the health of their heart, even the smallest of problems can be troublesome when you do not know what is wrong.

Whether you think you already know your diagnosis or not, at Spire Manchester Hospital, we have produced a range of rapid access heart packages designed to keep it simple if you have any of the following symptoms: • Breathlessness • Chest pain • Palpitations The team will undertake a range of specialist diagnostic tests with fast results and transparent pricing, ensuring you have a bespoke treatment plan to get your heart running as it should.

Appointments are available six days a week.

For more information, please call 0161 447 6700 or visit spiremanchester.com Spire Manchester Hospital, 170 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2AF

Spire Manchester Clinic Hale, 159 Ashley Road, Hale, Cheshire WA15 9SF

Meet the experts Come along to our free health event, where our consultant cardiologists will present on breathlessness, chest pain and palpitations.

There will be ample opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Wednesday 27th February From 6pm Spaces are limited, please reserve your place by calling 0161 447 6703, emailing ManchesterEvents@spirehealthcare.com or booking online at spiremanchester.com

The Life You Want.

The Care You Need.

Call 0161 509 6122 to book your visit

At Sunrise we are devoted to building care that best suits residents’ needs and we always go that extra mile to give you all the help needed to make the best choice for you or your loved one. Offering residential and dementia care we’ve got something for everyone.

295 Hale Road, Hale Barns, Altrincham WA15 8SN SunriseHaleBarns.co.uk

Sunrise of Hale Barns

The support that we provide to future residents and the quality of life on offer for those already living in our Community, sets us apart from the rest.

With our beautiful home-like interior and picturesque landscape gardens, delivering exceptional care is our number one priority.

All our food is cooked on-site by our own chefs using fresh, tasty and nutritious ingredients to create residents’ favourite meals.

Our team are passionate about encouraging residents’ independence and celebrating individuality, come along and experience the Sunrise lifestyle for yourself.

18 October 2018

HALE BARNS

Cheshire’s finest spa experience BE AMONGST THE FIRST IN THE UK TO EXPERIENCE THE INNOVATIVE BRECHELBATH AND STONEBATH – TWO TRULY MEMORABLE WARM THERMAL ROOMS THAT GRADUALLY INCREASE YOUR BODY TEMPERATURE AND OVERLOOK OUR BEAUTIFUL GARDENS

New Year Spa Break from £125 per person DARE TO RELAX WITH OUR NEW YEAR SPA BREAK Take the night off with a relaxing spa break and you'll be treated to a soothing treatment, dinner, breakfast and a peaceful slumber.

Arrive 3pm 50 Minute Elemis Ritual Treatment Complimentary robe hire Light buffet lunch Dinner Overnight's accommodation Full use of Alfresco ThermoSpace Drink of Baileys and gingerbread biscuit Breakfast Depart 11am

To book, please contact 01625 828 135 or email reservations@MottramHall.com Mottram Hall, Wilmslow Road, Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire SK10 4QT

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

57

Hale's Italian newcomer hits the heights Dante at its peak When you open a new Italian restaurant in a village already very well endowed with Italian restaurants, there are really only two options: be different – always a bit of a risk in a neighbourhood venue outside a cosmopolitan city centre – or strive to be the best.

By Ray King

Hale's nuovo arrivato, Dante Italian Kitchen, opened last summer – ironically in the space occupied by Danilo's, one of the village's original ristoranti – is pursuing the latter path and, as we discovered on a recent visit, with considerable aplomb.

Quality ingredients The evident skills of Head Chef Lorenzo Milanesi and his all-Italian brigade, General Manager Luigi Lanzotti's experience and charisma, and a range of superb ingredients (both sourced locally and imported from Italy) combine to lift a menu of familiar dishes to another level. The look of the dining areas on ground and first floors, the former boasting a chic bar and theatre kitchen, has also been thoroughly thought through; the complete makeover is not too

fussy but by no means minimalist, with verdant ceilings and striking indigo decor.

The quality of the generous dishes was obvious from the off. My Bruschetta Funghi (£5.95) was simple fare, but the home-baked bread, the meaty pan-fried mixed mushrooms and the creamy, tangy goat's cheese were all first class. Mrs K chose Carpaccio (£9.95), fabulous slivers of raw beef fillet, cured and and sliced in-house, with rocket, Parmesan and piquant mustard dressing; a classic superbly executed. As ever we shared... and complimented each other on our choices.

Fabulous fish As this was lunchtime, we both chose fish main courses. My Merluzzo alla Griglia (£19.95) combined a thick fillet of perfectly grilled cod – white, deliciously moist and flaky – with a timbale of cavolo nero and a sauce sublimely spiced with Calabrian nduja sausage. A version of this dish appears on Dante's current great value Early Bird menu – available daily from noon until 5.30pm, £14.95 for two courses, £17.95 for three.

Mrs K's Branzino con Salsa Verde (£20.50) brought two just-so fillets of pan-fried seabass on tender spears of asparagus and mixed leaves and a sauce singing with the flavours of parsley, capers and lemon.

Once again, the excellence of the ingredients and the finesse of the cooking shone through and the meticulous attention to detail also encompassed the side dish contorni. The Zucchini Fritte, a fabulous tangle of lightly battered courgette ‘spaghetti’, was a best ever and the sweet potatoes, baked then skinned and served with chilli-spiked yogurt, a revelation.

We drank a fresh, zingy, citrusy Verdicchio (£24.95) from the respected house of Umani Ronchi, perfect with the fish, and rounded off a cracker of a lunch by sharing a beautiful-to-behold mille foglie (£6.95), whose delightfully light and crisp puff pastry was layered with cream and custard and studded with fresh blackcurrants, raspberries and blackberries. Fantastico!

Dante. 151 Ashley Road | Hale Altrincham WA14 2UW 0161 928 0453 | dantehale.co.uk

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

59

DInIng gUIDe To get your business featured contact the Sales Team on 0161 445 2883 or email info@salutions.co.uk

PRoove

KAI

RAFA’s

West Didsbury

Manchester

Didsbury

We visited this picturesque pizza restaurant in West Didsbury for lunch. We entered with growling tummies but we certainly didn’t leave that way.

New Turkish restaurant KAI opened at the old Prezzo site on Deansgate just after Christmas and has undergone a stunning refurbishment, including a beautiful flowered ceiling and plush leather booths.

At only a couple of months old, Rafa’s café bar and restaurant, found in the popular Didsbury Village, is an expansion of one of Manchester’s longest standing Spanish restaurants, El Rincón.

The word Kai is the name of the first tribe that started the Ottoman Empire, which inspired the idea behind the restaurant, which encourages people to come together and share food, much like a tribe. The main focus of the menu is the charcoal grill, where impressive cuts of meat are cooked over hot flames, but there are also vegetarian options, including fresh salads, soups, and famous Turkish 'balloon' breads. All the breads are cooked in the old Prezzo pizza oven which has been kept in the kitchen – a nice touch.

We were greeted by Rafa’s lovely owner, called, you guessed it, Rafael, who recommended we try some of his favourite dishes… and we were happy to oblige.

We started with dough bites and glorious garlic dipping oil (definitely no kissing to be had afterwards), and a half-plain and half-cheesy garlic bread. Then came the pizzas, served uncut, 12” and cooked fresh on site in the open-kitchen pizza oven. We ordered one Funghi Pizza (roasted Portobello mushrooms, truffle oil, tomatoes and mozzarella) and one Margherita with added fresh chilli and onion – we do love an opportunity to custom create!

If pizza isn’t your thing, look to their Street Food section of the menu. Inspired by Italian street vendors, there’s lots of choice. We tried the moreish Arancini Risotto Balls, coated with breadcrumbs and delicately fried, and some toasted Bruschetta topped with mozzarella, rocket, fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil and extra-virgin olive oil – delicious.

For dessert, we ordered the Pizza Dolce to share (rolled Nutella-smothered pizza with banana and pistachio filling) and the Bomboloni, a sweet treat eaten across Italy. The balls of dough made with citrus zest and dusted with cinnamon sugar came with dipping chocolate for pure indulgence. We opted for hot herbal teas to accompany our dreamy Italian dessert.

This is the perfect spot to grab lunch. Proove also offers gluten-free and vegan options at no extra cost.

Dough not miss out!

We started with two cocktails – a Kai Royale and a Strawberry and Lime Mojito, the perfect start to our Friday night.

There’s the option to create your own hot mezze platter to start, and so we indulged in Baby Shrimps, Halloumi, Garlic Mushrooms and Calamari. For mains, we chose an incredibly well cooked Mixed Grill, boasting perfectly pink lamb and juicy chicken, and two large Sea Bass Fillets accompanied by potatoes and veg.

For dessert, it didn’t matter that there was only one option to choose from. The traditional Turkish dessert of Baklava (layers of filo pastry with nuts and honey) was a little slice of heaven!

Crispy Salmon Spring Rolls and silky-smooth King Prawn and Scallop Pâté were up first, not dishes we’d normally choose, but both were delicious. Then came two dishes suitable for vegans and veggies alike – Tartar de Vegetales (mixed vegetables on a bed of potato) and Potato and Onion soup, which was, for a cold soup, not so bad!

Then there was the main event, tender pieces of Pork Fillet on a bed of potato with crispy leeks and a flavoursome red wine reduction – to die for. We ended with a couple of smaller tapas dishes, Gambas Pil Pil (juicy, spicy king prawns) and a simple yet yummy portion of Huevos Revueltos (scrambled eggs) with chorizo.

Despite being well and truly full, Rafa’s desserts are all homemade, so how could we refuse? So we ended the night by sipping spectacular Spanish liquor with a side of Chocolate Churros and a slice of zesty Orange Tart!

If you’re looking for a relaxed authentic experience, this is the perfect spot for tasty traditional tapas.

Proove Pizza 160 Burton Road Didsbury M20 1LH

Kai Deansgate 82-84 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2ER

Rafa’s 653 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury M20 6QZ

0161 669 9061

0161 834 7637

0161 434 9919

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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DINING GUIDE To get your business featured contact the Sales Team on 0161 445 2883 or email info@salutions.co.uk

THE IVY BRASSERIE

WOWYAUCHOW

GEORGE’S

Manchester

Altrincham

Worsley

We visited celeb hot-spot The Ivy not even a week after the shock rooftop fire that hit the headlines, and were impressed to find it was fully back to business just a few days after the blaze.

WowYauChow is not only a fun word to say but a fantastic place to eat. Found in the heart of Altrincham, the new restaurant offers a mixture of British Chinese favourites and traditional Chinese street food in a casual and relaxed setting, complete with interesting art and industrial fittings.

George’s Dining Room & Bar, owned by ex-footballer Ryan Giggs, boasts a mouth-watering British menu that takes inspiration from dishes all over the world, and a great selection of wine and cocktails.

Known for its fine dining and famous clientele, it’s no surprise the brasserie was packed to the rafters. We were welcomed with Champagne and cocktails, and the staff looking after us, Michaela and Matt, we’re knowledgeable, attentive and on hand to offer wine pairings and recommendations.

We grazed on Salt Crusted Sourdough whilst browsing the (very pretty) menus. We started with Tempura Prawns with Salt and Pepper Squid served with wasabi miso sauce and Sriracha (pleasantly spicy), and Roasted Scallops complete with butternut squash and flavoursome chorizo. For mains, we chose Chicken Milanese topped with fried egg and truffle cream sauce, the Fillet Steak with Green Peppercorn Sauce accompanied by a side of broccoli with lemon oil, and Truffle Parmesan Fries... how could we not?

To finish, we ordered the classic French dessert Crème Brûlée with caramelised sugar crust and the Chocolate Bombe – a show-stopping melting chocolate dome with a vanilla ice cream and honeycomb centre with hot salted caramel sauce.

Whilst deciding what to eat, we enjoyed some cocktails (it was Saturday night after all) – a Prosecco-based Strawberry Surprise and a Lychee Martini. The food is served much like tapas, Chinese tapas if you will, with diners being encouraged to order many different dishes to share.

We started with the staples (rice and noodles, of course) and chose the Chicken Hot & Spicy, which turned out to be surprisingly mild but tasty nonetheless. Then it was time for round two, with salt and pepper Ribs of Fury, Beef Spring Rolls, and a particularly delicious plate of Crispy Chilli Beef being brought to the table. There’s the great option to swap any meat dish for a tofu alternative too – perfect for none meat-eaters.

If you’re an ice-cream lover, dessert will be a must.

WowYauChow offer an extensive list of fun flavours, such as Bubblegum, Raspberry Ripple, Oreo and Pear Drop.

Located in a traditional, picturesque setting, the building has a contemporary edge and can be found right in the heart of the Manchester village of Worsley.

The chefs at George’s work alongside award-winning butchers and master fishmongers, and pride themselves on picking only the best of British ingredients to create plates that are the perfect blend of casual and elegant dining.

After a warm welcome from the manager, we opted to have a drink at the bar before going into the restaurant.

It was mid-week, not packed, but the atmosphere was good. After our waitress introduced herself, we ordered our starters; Chicken Liver Parfait with red onion jam and Spiced Squash Soup accompanied by curry oil with crispy leeks. As ever, we shared, but for mains, we both opted for identical meals; a delicious 8oz Fillet Steak from the charcoal grill, served with French fries, onion rings and watercress with a pepper sauce. And an extra dish each of King Tiger Prawns!

Dessert is always a must, so after a short break, a selection of ice-creams and sorbets followed.

So, did George’s live up to its name? Absolutely!

We had to take a trip to the stunning second floor bathroom, compete with floral ceiling and female figure statue – possibly the most Instagrammable toilet around!

We were so satisfied with the meal that we asked for a take-out bag for the remaining food, so we could polish it off at home!

The Ivy Spinningfields The Pavilion, Byrom Street, M3 3HG

WowYauChow 59 Stamford New Road, Altrincham WA14 1DS

George’s Dining Room & Bar 17-21 Barton Road, Worsley M28 2PD

0161 503 3222

0161 928 9931

0161 794 5444

George’s have themed nights on a Monday, serving up a different theme each week, along with some great drinks offers which include £5 cocktails and £15 bottles of Prosecco. So what are you waiting for?

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Don't get played – geT PAID What a wonderful world it would be if every time you tender an invoice for the goods or services you supply, it was paid immediately. If you live in that world, lucky you!

The reality for many businesses is a long way from that Chasing customers for payment can be an immensely time-consuming exercise and, in extreme situations, a lack of cash can even put the viability of a business at serious risk. This article looks at some of the reasons why businesses, particularly SMEs, in all commercial sectors and professional firms encounter bad debts and how to resolve them effectively.

Firstly, we need to consider why some customers don’t pay.

Is it because they simply have no money?

There are simple ways to avoid this problem.

Online credit checking services can give you access to enough information to ascertain if someone has the funds to pay 64

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

you. The right time to do this is before you commit yourself to incurring costs.

Alternatively, deliver interim invoices.

If they are not paid promptly, you can consider capping your exposure by not making any further supply until what is already due has been paid (provided you have not already committed yourself to completing the job regardless of when payment is to be made).

Does the customer have a complaint about the goods or services supplied?

This may be a challenge to your customer service skills but, from experience as a lawyer who gets involved at a later stage, it is far better to make every effort to resolve

the complaint (even if it costs you a little to do it) than to ignore it and hope the customer will back down. This is especially so where the complaint is relatively minor, but a substantial amount of money is being withheld until it has been dealt with.

Of course, if there is no substance to the complaint and it is merely a tactic to delay payment or negotiate a discount, by dealing with the issue promptly, the customer runs out of excuses for not paying much sooner.

Have the parties made it clear between them what they are agreeing?

Recording in writing what has been agreed will help to avoid such problems but even then, arguments at a later stage

about what was intended can arise and all too frequently do.

court, then the court can impose sanctions (usually financial) on the party in default.

So far, so straight forward. But if you’ve done everything right (of course, it’s always the other person’s fault… of course it is…) and you still have a dispute, what are you going to do about it?

To comply with the protocol, you are expected to set out the legal and factual basis on which you have a claim in a detailed ‘Letter of Claim’. The other party will then have anywhere between 14 days and three months to respond to the Letter of Claim, depending on the nature of the dispute.

Well, litigation (court proceedings) is very much a last resort option. Unless you need an urgent court order to compel someone to do something or stop them from doing it, you are expected to behave ‘reasonably’ and try to reach a resolution before issuing a claim at court. If either party does not follow the appropriate protocol (there are specific steps required to be taken in some types of case) before a claim is issued at

The parties are encouraged to share relevant documents to support what they say.

Also, the parties are encouraged to meet to discuss a resolution. Where there is tension between the parties, those discussions may be conducted via a mediator (an independent person who is

trained to help parties engage in settlement discussions where they might find it difficult to meet face to face).

At Prosperity Law LLP, we have specialist lawyers who can help you make sure you take the right approach. It is important to reap the potential benefits of following the protocols, namely resolving the dispute and avoiding the costs of litigation, and avoid the potential sanctions if you get it wrong.

In the meantime, we can all dream of a utopia where customers always pay their bills.

Prosperity Law LLP, Vantage Point, 4 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF Tel: 0161 667 3686 | Email: info@prosperitylaw.com | Web: prosperitylaw.com February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Choosing the right divorce lawyer

Georgina Chase, Principal Lawyer, Family Law Team, Slater and Gordon

The selection of a strong legal partner can significantly influence the outcome of your Divorce settlement. If you want specialist advice for something important in your life, then you go to the appropriately qualified professional, such as a surgeon, dentist or optician. Choosing your Divorce lawyer is no different and making the right choice is vital.

Fighting your corner You need to have trust and confidence that your lawyer will work tirelessly to secure you the best possible outcome when faced with a breakdown of your marriage.

As an experienced Divorce lawyer, I appreciate that listening to what you want from a settlement, advising you on the appropriate legal strategy, putting forward your case fiercely and not being afraid to fight your corner is key to producing the relationship you want and need in your solicitor during what is a highly personal and emotional process.

Appointing a forward thinking lawyer who solves problems creatively and uses their expertise to provide you with commercially driven advice to help protect your interests can help you achieve the fair and reasonable financial settlement that you deserve.

Access to the best experts A lawyer who has immediate access to the best experts is imperative, especially if you are a business owner looking to protect the assets you have worked hard to build or if you have a valuable pension that you have contributed to throughout your working life that you are seeking to retain.

Having the right contacts such as forensic accountants, pension actuaries and surveyors who can assist with valuations and the preparation of reports is crucial to the outcome of your settlement and can result in negotiation of more cost effective experts’ fees.

to trial. Your lawyer should use their expertise to pursue your case vigorously, instructing specialist barristers who are experts in their field to represent you in Court.

An Accessible Team At Slater and Gordon, you will be supported by a legal team which places their sole attention on you, keeps you informed, works proactively in preparing you for each stage of the process and provides you with clarity in respect of costs.

This team will go the extra mile and will allow you to be the one who makes the decisions, whilst helping you understand the consequences of those decisions and their impact on your Divorce.

It is appreciated that you are a busy individual and thus you require a lawyer who is accessible, whether that be via Facetime, Skype or mobile.

When faced with a breakdown of your marriage, it is vital that you appoint a lawyer you feel comfortable with, shares and supports your philosophy towards divorce and has a style that works for you. Divorce is our business but most importantly, we recognise that this is your life.

Call us on

0808 175 7837 slatergordon.co.uk Offices in Manchester and throughout the UK

Whilst an amicable solution will be considered and the upmost will be done to achieve a settlement without the need to attend Court, where this is not possible, you need a lawyer who will be tough on your behalf and who has experience of proceeding Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

AsK THe exPeRTs Andrew Hunter

Dr nikhila Deshpande

Mr Colin Chan

As director of Hunter Gardens, Andrew designs and builds bespoke gardens across South Manchester and Cheshire. With over ten years’ experience in the industry and training in carpentry and masonry, Andrew and his team combine contemporary garden design with expert construction.

Dr Nikhila Deshpande is a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist. She’s a Founder and Director of Tranquil TMS, the first North West centre to provide rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) treatment for depression and anxiety.

Mr Colin Chan is a Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon at Spire Manchester Hospital, Didsbury.

I’d like to redesign my garden ready for the summer, where do I start? We all want a welcoming, comfortable space that encourages us to get outside as often as possible. Think about how you want to use the space are you looking for a relaxing, meditative garden or a multi-functional area that combines, for example, a playground and dining area? – and take a look at Pinterest for some initial inspiration. Hunter Gardens offers a free consultation at which we discuss clients’ garden preferences, talk through possible materials and planting schemes, and identify any potential challenges, e.g. drainage, shady areas. We can then deliver a hand-drawn design and associated estimate, with the garden build handled in-house to ensure complete satisfaction from design to construction.

What is rTMs? rTMS is a new treatment for depression and anxiety disorder. It’s safe, effective and quick with minimal side effects. Patients can carry out daily activities after the treatment, including driving and going to work. A magnetic coil is placed on the scalp, stimulating brain/nerve growth in that area of the brain. rTMS has been approved by The Royal College of Psychiatry and NICE.

What is hyperhidrosis or facial flushing?

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that affects the hands, armpits and/or face. A related problem is facial flushing. It is thought to involve the involuntary nerves (called the sympathetic nerves) to these areas. Whilst it is normal to sweat in these areas, some people develop an exaggerated response that can be embarrassing socially and even affect work.

I’m not looking for a full garden redesign – what smaller changes can you recommend to refresh my garden in 2019? Outdoor lighting is a great way to enhance your garden – think LED spotlights that can change shades to complement different seasons placed in borders or focussed on feature plants. Contemporary water features can bring a sense of calm to your outdoor space (and distract from aircraft/traffic noise) and hardwood decking is a good alternative to tired, concrete paving. It’s helpful to have a long-term vision for your garden when selecting the materials and location of individual features, so you’re always investing in your garden’s future.

How can rTMs help depression? rTMS stimulates the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain, the area controlling mood and feelings.

This helps to relieve depression, which can be lifted in as early as a couple of weeks. Patients experience feeling clear and alert, so start enjoying life and feel in control of themselves. There are high-quality scientific studies showing the benefits of rTMS in depression; one in two patients respond and one in three get better.

I'm on prescription medication, can I benefit? rTMS is known to increase the effect of antidepressants, so, yes, one can benefit from being on antidepressants and having rTMS. There’s even a possibility that, under medical supervision, patients may be able to come off antidepressants early or reduce the number of antidepressants they take if they respond well to rTMS.

What are the symptoms?

Hyperhidrosis can occur spontaneously and result in wet and uncomfortable attire. It can even result in hands that drip with sweat for no apparent reason.

Facial flushing can present in the same way. Other medical conditions can sometimes be accompanied by sweating, such as anxiety disorders or an overactive thyroid gland.

What can be done about it?

Mild cases can often be managed with simple measures and lifestyle changes. However, when this becomes unbearable, intervention using either injections to ‘paralyse’ the sweat glands (in the armpits) or surgical division of the sympathetic nerves are options to be discussed with your specialist. These procedures are supported by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The advice given by our experts is in no way intended to replace professional advice and is only a guideline in response to individual reader comments.

Unfortunately, due to a high volume of queries, our experts are unable to engage in any direct correspondence.

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February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

AsK THe exPeRTs neil Barrell

Amanda McAlister

Professor Luciano nardo

Neil Barrell is the Production Manager for the awarding winning New & Reclaimed Flooring Company in Greater Manchester, London & Los Angeles.

Amanda is the Managing Partner at McAlister Family Law. Singled out as a Leading Individual

by Legal 500, describing her as “truly phenomenal”, she is highly experienced in every aspect of pre and post-nuptial agreements.

Professor Luciano Nardo is Founder and Clinical Director at Reproductive Health Group, Daresbury Park, Cheshire as well as a Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist practising both in Manchester and London.

What is solid and engineered wood flooring?

Our engineered platform has a top layer of real wood adhered to a multi-layered structure of birch plywood.

This is to prevent the wood from moving when fitted with underfloor heating or challenging environments with consistent humidity variation. All solid wood is milled without the need for a substrate, both options are of equal quality and the project style and environment will dictate which platform to choose.

I’ve heard of a pre-nuptial agreement, but what’s a post-nuptial agreement?

Unlike a pre-nuptial agreement, which comes before a marriage, a post-nuptial agreement is entered into after it. It’s often drawn up when one party is to receive an inheritance which they want to protect in the event of a divorce. Both pre and post-nuptial agreements provide peace of mind and transparency for all concerned.

What’s the purpose to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities? Studies show that IVF embryos with the wrong number of chromosomes (rod-shaped minute structures contained in each cell and carrying the genes), if transferred into the uterus, may result in implantation failure or early miscarriage. Advanced maternal age increases the chances of having abnormal embryos. The main advantage of Pre-implantation Genetic Testing-a (PGT-a) is to select genetically normal embryos, therefore maximising the chances of successful pregnancy in a shorter period of time and minimising the costs for unnecessary embryo cryopreservation and repeated cycles.

What is the difference between mass-produced and artisan wood flooring? The wood flooring market is saturated with many different options for wood flooring, which all appear to be very similar, however, they are not. Mass-produced floors tend to use cheaper glues and substrates, and many finishes lose the essence of what a wood floor should look and feel like, being closer to plastic. At RFC, we keep wood just as it should be, like wood, and we never over-manufacture our finishes while at the same time keeping them durable and of the highest quality.

Is a wood floor good for kitchens? We have supplied wood floors for many different styles of kitchen areas in the UK, Europe and USA, and we would recommend an engineered floor. We would also recommend an extra coat of sealant to seal between potential gaps in the floor once installed. We have many case study images online showing kitchen projects featuring our wood floors.

Are these agreements legally binding?

At present, neither pre nor post-nuptial agreements are, in the strict understanding of the term, legally binding. However, in certain circumstances, these agreements will be held to have decisive weight in deciding the financial terms of any divorce settlement – providing a number of legal requirements are met. should I get a pre or post-nuptial agreement?

It’s worth considering if, for example, you have children from a previous relationship and want to ensure certain assets are ring-fenced for them to avoid later disputes on your death. Or perhaps you come to the marriage with more capital, or a business that you want to retain upon a separation.

Ask one of our experts at McAlister Family Law for more details.

Does testing for chromosomal abnormalities carry any risks for the embryos? To perform the genetic testing the embryo must be biopsied, which means that some cells are very carefully removed and placed in a small plastic tube. Risks to the embryos are greatly reduced by the experience of the embryologist performing the biopsy and by carrying out the biopsy at the stage of blastocyst (day five or day six of embryo development).

What is the cost of PgT-a? The embryo biopsy and genetic testing require some extra time, additional laboratory steps, special equipment and skills. Therefore, costs are normally added to the standard IVF fees.

At Reproductive Health Group, we charge £535 for each embryo biopsied and genetically tested.

The advice given by our experts is in no way intended to replace professional advice and is only a guideline in response to individual reader comments.

Unfortunately, due to a high volume of queries, our experts are unable to engage in any direct correspondence.

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Anything is Possible.

All it takes is determination.

Know that above all else, we’ve got your back.

• Divorce • Financial Settlements • Children Disputes • Cohabitation Matters • Civil Partnership Disputes • Domestic Violence

Contact us now

0161 507 7145 mcalisterfamilylaw.co.uk ¬ ­

Manchester • Cheshire • London

‘Amanda McAlister is truly phenomenal’ The Legal 500

Lost wills: Ensuring your legacy is secure Heather Roberts, Associate Solicitor in the Manchester Will, Trust And Estate Disputes Team at Irwin Mitchell, explores the issues

Even with today’s technology, lost wills can occur. There is no central will registry and with an ever-changing legal landscape, tracking down an original will can be very difficult – especially if the will was created some time ago. At an already emotional time, you may also be facing a situation where the will designed to safeguard the family home, business or other assets has gone missing.

All reasonable efforts should be made to try and find the original will.

“Reaching out to friends, family and advisors is a good starting point and trying to establish a paper trail may also help,” explains Heather Roberts,

an Associate at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth’s Sheffield office. “Finding the original document will save a potentially time-consuming and costly process in the future.”

What counts as evidence in this situation?

Any sort of records by the deceased or copy wills or oral evidence of conversations with the deceased could be vital pieces of evidence in these situations.

But what if the original will is nowhere to be found?

Being part of the Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team, Heather frequently sees cases involving disputes over missing wills. She advises that finding evidence that the original will was made can be a great help:

“If there’s any sort of letter or record by the deceased about the existence of the will and their intentions for it, then this acts as primary evidence that the original wasn’t destroyed,” says Heather.

“If it’s possible to obtain a solicitors’ file, a copy of the will or even a handwritten note made by the deceased concerning the will, an application can be made to the Probate Registry without the original will.”

Where an original will was in the custody of the deceased and cannot be found after their death, there is a legal presumption that the will was destroyed by the deceased with an intention to revoke it. However, this presumption can be overturned in circumstances where evidence exists to suggest that there is a more probable reason for the will being missing. The court will assess the available evidence and ask itself: is the most likely explanation for the will being missing that the deceased destroyed it with the intention of revoking it? In the absence of any evidence, the presumption will apply.

This means it may be possible to use a copy of the will for securing probate, but only if the evidence is strong enough. The best way to prevent this scenario would be to store the original will at the solicitors’ office where the document was drawn up.

“It’s the safest place to keep a legal document,” Heather advises, “Plus, the solicitor will be very used to the process.”

Telling family, friends or any advisors where your will is stored is helpful for those dealing with your estate.

“It’s not a nice thing to think about,” admits Heather, “but easy access to your will is so important for your family or friends.”

Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth’s Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team has a national capability and can assist you with your concerns over missing wills, as well as a range of other probate, trust and estate disputes.

Contact Heather Roberts | heather.roberts@irwinmitchell.com | Tel: 0370 1500 100, ext. 2896

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Your story starts here

Assessment Days for September 2019 entry

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

14 February

29 March

15 March

Whole School Open Morning - Wednesday 13 March

Call 0161 428 2912 for further information Lady Barn House School 3-11 Independent Co-educational Prep School

Schools Hill, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1JE admissions@ladybarnhouse.org

www.ladybarnhouse.org Forward thinking since 1873

SUPPORTING LOCAL EDUCATION

“Family and Property Law Specialists”

EDUCATION NEWS shropshire school brings campaign to save the oceans to its doorstep

Ellesmere College is bringing a campaign to save the oceans to its doorstep next month in a lecture to be given by a leading conservationist. Francesca Trotman is the Founder and Managing Director of Love The Oceans, a non-profit marine conservation organisation set up in November 2014. Francesca will deliver her talk Plastics and the Planet – Your part in Killing the Oceans as one of the renowned Edge Lectures at Ellesmere College on 6th February.

Nick Pettingale, Director of External Relations at Ellesmere College, said: “The amazing work of Francesca and her team is well-known globally and we are delighted that she has been able to fit this lecture into her busy schedule.

“Love The Oceans is highlighting the dangers of ignoring worsening conservation and environmental issues, which are having a huge detrimental impact on our planet.

Her message is clear and needs to be heeded.

“This is something everyone at Ellesmere College is committed to and we aim to care for our environment and support conservation programmes with a view to improving our world for generations to come.

“We are delighted that she has agreed to give the lecture on 6th February – particularly when one considers she spends so much of her time out of the country – and we are sure there will be many people who will want to come along and hear what she has to say.

“There is still so much work to be done and the college is proud to stand alongside organisations like Love The Oceans for the benefit of all our futures.”

The organisation was born from Francesca’s passion for marine life and she is committed to raising awareness of conservation and

encouraging people to take a greener approach to modern living. She has a masters in marine biology and has been an enthusiastic diver since the age of 13.

She now spends most of her time in Mozambique, having originally visited the country in 2013 for a photography internship. That initial visit inspired her to help local fishermen work towards sustainable fishing and she returned again the following year to begin research on the artisanal fisheries of Guinjata Bay before founding Love The Oceans.

For more information about Love The oceans, visit the website at lovetheoceans.org.

The lecture will take place in the Arts Centre at ellesmere College at 7pm and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. For more information or to book, visit ellesmere.com/pupil-area/ the-edge-lectures.

grange Aspiring Rowers meet Team gB stars

Ford held a training session with some of The Grange’s aspiring rowers. Both former Grange School students, Tom and Emily offered the opportunity at the recent Rowing Club Parent Support Group’s dinner, which raises money for new equipment.

Team GB rowers Tom Ford, who recently won a bronze medal at the World Championships, and his sister Emily

It was a truly inspiring experience for our young athletes; Ethan Scott said, “It was inspiring to see how the day brought

together elite athletes and those just starting out” whilst Alfie Dickens had high hopes Tom could help out a bit more, “I’ve never been so fast in a boat before, Tom can join our quad any day!”

Rowing is a key part of enrichment at The Grange and with its new £6-million Sports Centre opening later this year, the school hopes more future sporting stars will graduate from school.

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

75

EXCELLENT MOCK GCSE RESULTS?

Apply to the WGS Sixth Form for September 2019 to give yourself the chance of realising your hopes and ambitions.

• 43% A* grades at A-Level in 2018 • 1-in-6 pupils took up Oxbridge places in 2018 • Superb UCAS and Careers support Opportunities exist for pupils who wish to study: • Art • Biology • Chemistry • Classical Civilisation • Computer Science • Drama & Theatre Studies • Economics • English Language • English Literature • French • Geography • German • Government & Politics • Greek • History • Latin • Mathematics • Further Mathematics • Music • Physics • Psychology • Philosophy & Theology • Spanish Also on offer to all Sixth Form pupils: • Extended Project Qualification • Withington Enrichment Programme • D of E Award • Model United Nations • Fitness & Wellbeing programme Plus many other opportunities for sport, extracurricular activities and world travel.

Means -tested bursaries available

To arrange a tour call 0161 249 3371 Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL

wgs.org

“Family and Property Law Specialists”

SUPPORTING LOCAL EDUCATION

Abbey College Manchester students venture to Valencia restored trading centre and the cathedral that houses the Holy Grail.

Each day, students explored and photographed a different area of the city, taking in some highly modern architecture at the City of Arts and Sciences as well as the historic Old Town and its impressive street art. During the trip, the keen explorers were also encouraged to indulge in traditional food and drinks, including horchata, fartons and paella at the Central Market.

After a busy couple of days, students enjoyed a trip to Oceanographic, a vast aquarium where they could see sharks, dolphins, whales and jellyfish spectacularly displayed.

Following an inspiring trip to Valencia, budding artists and photographers from Abbey College Manchester have been highly praised for their artistic abilities in a creative competition.

Art and photography students from the city centre-based college ventured to the vibrant Spanish city, where they explored and photographed the various attractions, entering their final masterpiece into the college’s hotly anticipated annual competition.

Students were welcomed to Valencia with a guided walking tour of the old city, which enabled them to see some of the important historical buildings, such as the Silk Exchange, the beautifully

A variety of impressive images were captured during the tour, but it was seventeen-year-old Joyce Jian who was crowned the winner with her impressive piece.

Principal at Abbey College Manchester, Liz Elam, commented, “It was inspiring to see the magnitude of outstanding images that were produced during the educational trip. There is an incredible amount of talent here at Abbey College Manchester and I am so proud of our students.”

There are over 200 students at the college, comprising a mix of students from the local area and other countries. The college offers A-Level, GCSE, Combined Studies and International Foundation Programmes.

Stockport Grammar geographers triumph in WorldWise Quiz

Fifth Year pupils at Stockport Grammar School have won the Geographical Association’s North West Regionals WorldWise Quiz – the third time the school has won the competition in the last three years entered.

Cam Wylie, Zara Latif and Oliver Ensor-Adams demonstrated their great geographical knowledge as they competed against 12 schools from across Greater Manchester at the new Brooks Building at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Birley Fields.

Zara added: “Although it was a quite a competitive day, everybody from the other teams was nice and I’m proud that we could continue the school’s winning streak. I really like everything I’m learning in geography for my GCSE and I’m enjoying it so much that I hope to carry on studying it at A-Level.”

The team from Stockport Grammar won the competition with 85 points from 100 – eight ahead of their nearest rivals.

Cam, Zara and Oliver were chosen from Fourth and Fifth Year pupils by a trial quiz after they expertly displayed the knowledge they had gained from their GCSE modules and their own wider reading.

Head of Geography, Mr Alex Cooke, said: “We are very proud of Cam, Oliver and Zara – three brilliant geographers with excellent knowledge of current affairs.”

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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Co-ed 7-18 Day and Boarding

Lower School Open Day Saturday 30th March 2019 • 10am-12pm “We were impressed by the pupils; ambitious, enthusiastic and focused. Ellesmere opens a lot of doors” - TATLER 2017 | Excellent GCSE, A-Level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate Results | Superb Pastoral Care | Award-Winning Arts Provision and Co-Curricular Education | Extensive Bus Routes | Excellent Sporting Traditions with 7 World Class Sports Academies | Generous Scholarships | Innovative Careers Partnership Programme | Flexible Day and Boarding Options To find out more and to register please contact our admissions team on:

01691 626 510 • www.ellesmere.com Ellesmere College, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 9AB

@ellesmerecoll

/EllesmereColl

ellesmere_college

“Family and Property Law Specialists”

SUPPORTING LOCAL EDUCATION

Withington Girls make a difference in The Gambia

A volunteering project run by Withington Girls’ School (WGS) students has helped make a difference to the lives of young children almost 4,000 miles away. Following months of fundraising work, WGS Sixth Formers donated more than £5,000 towards the construction of an extra classroom at the Mama Tamba Nursery in the small Gambian village of Illiassa, and the group then visited the West African country over the school holidays to paint and decorate the new building.

The one-week expedition was the 14th of its kind to be organised by WGS. Since 2004, students have raised thousands of pounds annually to help establish Mama Tamba and to continue to support the nursery with enhancements to its buildings and associated facilities. The WGS programme has also been able to help the wider village community, and this year’s cohort was delighted to be able to witness at first hand the positive impact the school’s work in Illiassa is making on the local economy.

Olympic athlete to talk to Bowdon Prep School girls about Believing, Persevering and Succeeding!

WGS Teacher and Gambia Project Leader, Ms Kaeren Browning, explained how the addition of a water borehole in 2017, funded by WGS donations, has resulted in increased vegetable yields and enabled the Mama Tamba Headmaster to set up a new youth enterprise scheme, which is now flourishing. Through growing moringa and aloe vera for the manufacture of soaps, lotions and powders, young adults are able to learn the processes involved, with the aim of becoming self-sufficient in the future. The products have already become very popular and all sales income is ploughed back into the project and the community, she says.

Ms Browning added: “We are always thrilled to see the results of our ongoing involvement in Illiassa, but it is really the drive and ingenuity of our Gambian counterparts that makes all these wonderful things come to fruition.”

Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Marilyn Okoro will visit Bowdon Preparatory School on 27th February.

She will be inspiring pupils with stories of her global sporting success and telling them how she had to work hard and then wait for well over ten years to achieve an Olympic medal. North-West based Marilyn won bronze in the 4 x 400m relay at the 2007 World Championships, but it wasn't until 2018 that she finally achieved the Olympic medal!

Bowdon Preparatory School's values are Believe, Persevere and Succeed, and Mrs Sophie Hughes, Head of Sport at Bowdon Preparatory School, commented that, "Marilyn's approach and achievements certainly show all three in action!", and added, "We're really looking forward to Marilyn sharing this story with our girls, as well as leading a workshop on goal-setting and conducting fitness sessions with them."

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL An independent school for girls and boys from 3-18 years

Assistance with fees available at 11+ and 16+ (means tested), academic and music scholarships FOUNDED IN 1487

Junior School and Pre-Reception Open Morning Saturday 11th May 2019, 10am - 12pm Come and spend a day in the Senior School Year 5 Taster Days 15th May, 22nd May and 11th June To book call 0161 419 2408 Senior and Junior School day tours available Extensive school bus routes including Sale, Altrincham and Hale

Inspiring your child Tel: 0161 456 9000 80

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

www.stockportgrammar.co.uk

SUPPORTING LOCAL EDUCATION

“Family and Property Law Specialists”

Innovation and breadth at Lady Barn House School Lady Barn House School has a longstanding and proud reputation for academic success, but it is founded on a belief that this stems from offering a broad, challenging and creative education rather than a narrow educational experience.

This year the offering has broadened further through the introduction of Mandarin to the timetable for children from the age of six, enabling pupils to experience Chinese language and culture, with most of each lesson being taught solely in Mandarin.

The Year 2 children say, “We enjoy learning Mandarin because we love teaching it to our parents. They hadn't learnt any before!”

As a contrast, specialist drama teaching has now been introduced from Year 2 upwards, giving children free rein to develop their creativity and communication skills – and confidence. “Our weekly drama lessons are a valuable chance to encounter a fabulous variety of texts drawn from literature, art and the media,” says Jane Turner, Head of Drama. “With drama activities, we are able to explore these in exciting, imaginative ways and gain a deeper understanding of people, situations and viewpoints.”

Former pupil Michelle Ackerley joins Alderley girls for inspiring talk The girls were fascinated listening to her many stories, about everything from her interviews to her first job in television on Blue Peter. She spoke about overcoming obstacles and turning knockbacks into sources for positive motivation. Her message was an inspiration to everyone.

“It was so fantastic to visit my old school and meet so many incredible students,” Michelle enthused.

“They really are a testament to the school. It’s lovely to see AESG going from strength to strength, with teachers providing the support and inspiration needed for the girls to achieve their true potential.”

Alderley Edge School for Girls (AESG) welcomed former pupil Michelle Ackerley back to school earlier this month to meet current pupils and speak to them as part of their monthly ‘Lunch & Learn’ events. Michelle spoke to Senior School pupils and girls from Years 5 and 6 about her time at Mount Carmel and AESG, and about her successful journey since leaving the school.

Michelle spoke fondly of her time at the school and reminisced about all of the wonderful times she had enjoyed. She was also thrilled to be reunited with some of her teachers who were still at the school. Michelle gave the girls some brilliant advice; to be resilient, to persevere, to believe in themselves and to make the most of every day.

Michelle regularly hosts The One Show alongside Matt Baker, which has seen her interviewing some of the biggest names in film and television, including Samuel L Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, Danny Boyle and Naomie Harris to name but a few. Michelle also presents the new series of UKTV’s Fantasy Homes by the Sea. Having presented on BBC1’s Watchdog and Watchdog Test House, Michelle is the roving reporter on Crimewatch Roadshow, where she can be seen getting involved in police riots, interviewing emergency service men and women, and fully immersing herself in their worlds.

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

Year 5 External Taster Day Monday 1 July 2019 Our fantastic School offers outstanding provision and education for girls aged 2–18.

Tel: 01625 583028 www.aesg.co.uk admissions@aesg.co.uk

The Bridgewater Hall International Concert Series 18|19

The Bridgewater Hall Coming Soon

St Petersburg Philharmonic

Soul Legends ft. Lemar

Yuri Temirkanov conductor Freddy Kempf piano

Wednesday 6 February 7.30pm

Friday 1 February 7.30pm

Transatlantic Sessions

Prokofiev Classical Symphony Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.1 Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 in E minor

Thursday 7 February 7.30pm

Cory Band & Only Men Aloud Brass & Voices at the Movies

Peter Donohoe piano Noriko Ogawa piano

Sunday 3 March 3.00pm

Friday 22 February 7.30pm Debussy En blanc et noir Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

tenThing Brass Ensemble Tine Thing Helseth trumpet Sunday 31 March 7.30pm A programme of Grieg, Albéniz, Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Copland, Bernstein, Tchaikovsky, Piazzolla, Bizet & Sæverud

Box Office: 0161 907 9000 www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

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Season Sponsor

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

Box Office: 0161 907 9000 www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Petra van den Houten Health and wellbeing in music education

Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has been training exceptional musicians for over 40 years.

One of the world’s leading conservatoires, it is home to over 800 students from more than 60 countries, all of whom contain the passion and drive to live a life inspired by music.

But the industry has changed significantly in recent years and young musicians now face life in a fast-paced, challenging environment. This is why the RNCM is dedicating its 2018/19 annual appeal to health and wellbeing – an extremely important cause that Petra van den Houten says can make a significant difference at such a crucial stage in a young musicians’ development.

“Any musician who comes to train with us is not only incredibly talented, but ambitious and dedicated too,” says Petra, the West Didsbury resident who joined the College as Head of Individual Giving last year. “They are like athletes and as such need to be in the best physical and mental health to both complete their studies and develop sustainable careers.”

Sadly, the number of students reporting mental health concerns across Higher Education has risen sharply. Many are living on their own for the first time, often facing acute financial challenges, and social media can add to their anxiety. In addition, music students must also handle the pressures of concerts and recitals, as well as long hours of practice.

Petra, who has lived in West Didsbury for 15 years and worked in the arts and fundraising for 25, explains that while the appeal is raising awareness of health and wellbeing in music education, it’s the not the first time the RNCM has addressed the issue.

“Music created by our students is enjoyed by so many people, but conservatoire study is intense, and we do recognise that this can often take its toll on their physical and mental health,” she explains. “We already provide a range of care services and activities for students and in January, we became the first UK conservatoire to appoint a specialist lecturer in Musicians’ Health and Wellbeing. This role is designed to develop the provision

across the RNCM, but we know that any funds raised will allow us to further improve the support we offer.”

The RNCM’s annual appeal launched in November and has already raised in excess of £8,000. The outcome of the fundraising will include: extra frontline counselling sessions; training all staff in mental health; promoting additional wellbeing activities and extending its community outreach, so that more students can experience working with people in need.

“That’s the great thing about this appeal,” says Petra. “it not only supports the health and wellbeing of our students but ensures that the work we do out in the community – with organisations such as The Seashell Trust, Music in Hospitals and the Belong Morris Feinmann Care Home in Didsbury – continues to make a positive impact on many other people too. It’s more than music and education, it’s about living a fulfilled life as a musician and human being.”

Get involved at rncm.ac.uk/annualappeal February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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What’s ON Spring is surely just around the corner, so why not take a trip to a show or concert to help shake off those winter blues and welcome in a new season of entertainment as the days get longer and the evenings lighter. You can enjoy some romantic dance with Birmingham Royal Ballet at The Lowry, get lively at the Dragon Parade, get lost in an evening of Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre or enjoy some half term family fun with Billionaire Boy.

By Catherine Reed

Dance Anton & Erin Bridgewater Hall 2 March

back and ready to take you on an emotional rollercoaster in an evening of love, loss, betrayal and everything in between.

Green Day’s American Idiot Palace Theatre 2-6 April

Lowry & Pre-Raphaelites The Lowry Until 24 February A major exhibition celebrating LS Lowry’s love of 19th century artists.

This popular Tony Award-winning musical returns to the city to mark its tenth anniversary. This production stars The X Factor’s Luke Friend and The Voice’s Tom Milner. It is the story of three boyhood friends searching for meaning in a post 9/11 world and features the music of Green Day.

Drama Mother Courage & Her Children Royal Exchange 8 Feb – 2 March

Musicals Join the nation’s favourite ballroom couple in their new dance production where ballroom meets musical theatre with stunning choreography and costumes set to your favourite musical moments.

Beauty & the Beast The Lowry 20-23 March Birmingham Royal Ballet presents Beauty & the Beast by choreographer David Bintley. A cruel Prince, cursed to spend his life in a castle finds salvation in the heart of a beautiful girl. The production includes spellbinding transformations, wild waltzes and stunning dance from BRB.

Special events and exhibitions The Dragon Parade Albert Square & Chinatown 10 February The Chinese New Year Parade is always a fabulous event to cheer up a dark February day. Follow the 175-foot dragon from Albert Square to Chinatown to find street food, stalls, live performances, a funfair and fireworks.

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Annie Manchester Opera House 2-16 February The smash-hit production of Annie starring Anita Dobson comes to Manchester and, with its awardwinning book and score (including Easy Street and It’s the Hard Knock Life) it’s easy to see why families love this show.

Motown the Musical Manchester Opera House 26 February – 23 March The story of how Berry Gordy launched the careers of so many legendary artists, including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Just from those names, you can already tell that this show has a soundtrack to die for, filled with hit after hit!

Les Misérables Palace Theatre 19 February – 30 March Abandon all hope all other musicals playing in the city at the same time as this musical masterpiece! Les Mis is

Julie Hesmondhalgh takes the lead as Mother Courage in this sharp new version of Brecht’s universally celebrated classic by Anna Jordan. In times of war, it is business as usual for her as she sells food and clothing to soldiers and works hard to turn conflict into capital and keep herself and her family alive.

SparkPlug HOME 13-23 February Box of Tricks present a new play by David Judge, a punchy and poetic exploration of family, race, identity and love. SparkPlug is the story of a white man who becomes the adoptive father, mother and best friend of a mixed race child, David.

Rough Crossing The Lowry 19-23 February This is a brand-new production of one of the most hilarious of Tom Stoppard’s plays. As an ocean liner crosses the Atlantic, two famous but desperate playwrights try feverishly to finish their play before they reach New York.

What’s ON Based on the Oscar-winning film, which famously starred Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, this is the story of two brothers – one a self-centred salesman and the other an artistic savant with a remarkable memory and a genius for numbers – who embark on a trip across America.

The Life I Lead The Lowry 22-24 February The Life I Lead sees Miles Jupp bringing David Tomlinson, who is best remembered for playing Mr Banks in Mary Poppins and renowned for acting as the classic English gent, to life on stage.

Barber Shop Chronicles Royal Exchange 7-23 March This is a heart-warming new play set in barber shops in Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, Accra and London.

Rain Man The Lowry 11-16 March

Music John Grant Albert Hall 10 February

Family

Fatboy Slim Manchester Arena 28 February

Billionaire Boy The Musical The Lowry 14-17 February

X Factor Live Tour Manchester Arena 3 March

This hilarious new musical is based on David Walliams best-selling book telling the story of Joe Spud and his billionaire Dad Len who has made a fortune based on his new toilet roll invention. As with all of David Walliams’ stories, it is funny, heart-warming and filled with terrific larger than life characters, this time it is accompanied by music from Miranda Cooper, who has also written huge chart-topping hits for artists like Girls Aloud.

The Stranglers O2 Apollo 30 March Lukas Graham Albert Hall 1 April

In The Night Garden Live The Lowry 28 February – 3 March The Cbeebies’ stars are all live on stage – Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends. The show includes magical puppets, full-size costumes, music and projections to bring the TV show to life on stage!

The Worst Witch The Lowry 26-31 March Long before Harry Potter, there was Mildred Hubble; an ordinary girl in an extraordinary place – a school for witches. This new adaptation features songs, music, magic and all of Jill Murphy’s beloved characters.

Comedy Dara O’Briain Stockport Plaza 1 March

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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tech

By Oliver Chesher

MATERIALS SCIENCE

This issue, we’re looking at wonder-materials: the futuristic technologies that give us stronger, lighter, more efficient or simply smarter products.

NILIT

GRAPHENE

No article about materials technology in 2019 would be complete without graphene, especially since it was famously discovered just up the road at the University of Manchester. The strongest material ever known to man, a single sheet of graphene is just one atom in thickness and is expected to revolutionise everything from ultra-fast charging batteries to unbreakable flexible touchscreens (already in development by Samsung).

Bendy mobile phones that take seconds to charge could soon be a reality, but even better than that, graphene could help the human race solve fundamental challenges from clean energy to water filtration.

Imagine a sock that keeps your feet warm, doesn’t get sweaty or smelly, doesn’t give you blisters and is even environmentally friendly to produce.

Amazingly, this 1000 Mile Heat Walk Sock does it all, and its special material actually comes from coffee beans.

The coffee charcoal that comes from discarded coffee bean shells is integrated into the fibres for a natural insulation.

This yarn, known as NILIT Heat, makes a separate layer that moves with your foot under the wool outer, so you really can walk all day or laze around in the outdoors while your feet stay perfectly comfortable. £17.99, 1000mile.co.uk TITANIUM

One of the strongest, lightest and most expensive metals out there, titanium has long been favoured in the aerospace, medical and sports equipment industries, and is now becoming more accessible to us consumers thanks to modern advancements in machining and even 3D printing. The latest trend is titanium cookware, which is tougher than steel or aluminium and is naturally non-stick and resistant to corrosion or contamination.

It’s also a bit more exotic for the show-offs among us… tefal.co.uk

ADVANCEDSKIN

AdvancedSkin is one of the latest performance fabrics from high-end outdoor brand Salomon. The ‘Shield’ variant is used to great effect in this Drifter hoodie, which, amazingly, performs differently when you turn it inside out, making it two garments in one. This multi-purpose lightweight mid-layer is not just reversible for fashion reasons. You can wear the shiny side out for maximum warmth and wind protection or wear the stretch side for a casual look and to allow more air to permeate the insulation in slightly less cold conditions. It not only looks great, but it’s also extremely lightweight and packable for maximum versatility. £105, salomon.com 86

February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

By Oliver Chesher

OUTDOORS A LOVELY STROLL

Getting outdoors doesn’t necessarily have to mean working up a sweat. Not all outdoor pursuits involve risking life and limb on a horse or a mountain bike, in fact, sometimes, it’s the solitude and tranquillity that’s the attraction rather than the adrenaline.

HIKING GEAR FROM DECATHLON I know hiking can be a real endurance sport, but it doesn’t have to be – and that’s what makes it such an accessible and inclusive hobby. Even if you’re just out for a short leg-stretch with the dog, you’ll want to be warm and comfortable, and family favourite outdoor sports retailer Decathlon has you covered with its latest range. With astonishingly good value products, such as a Forclaz genuine down gilet for £34.99 and a proper storm-proof Quechua coat for £59.99, this range is designed at the foot of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, so you know it can handle Cheshire drizzle. decathlon.co.uk

bing.com/maps This issue, we’re all about the peace and quiet. There’s plenty of it to be had in this part of the world, whether you head for the woods, the hills or the beach. And here’s a fantastic free tip for starters – every outdoor fan loves Google Maps for its Earth function, but its arch rival Bing has an ace up its sleeve. It includes a full Ordnance Survey option, which means you can sit at your computer and while away hours looking for new local spots to explore. bing.com/maps

HANDMADE BAGS FROM ALPKIT Continuing the theme of getting away from the extreme adrenaline sports for a while, this range of handmade waxed cotton bags from UK brand Alpkit is a delightful return to traditional materials and manufacturing, reminding us that the British countryside has a long tradition of artisan craftsmanship. My 22-litre Brevent even came with a card hand-signed by the lady that stitched it in Derbyshire! I love the vintage look, inspired by Alpine explorers of the past – even the buckles are a classic brushed aluminium – plus, there are some hidden touches to ensure it stands up to the rigours of modern life, such as an internal padded sleeve for a 15” laptop. A handmade work of art with a 25-year guarantee for only £80. alpkit.com February/March 2019 | salutions.co.uk

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By Oliver Chesher

GRAND TOURING: THE NEXT LEVEL

The NEW Bentley Continental GT has been one of the most eagerly anticipated new cars of the last year. It drew huge crowds when it was unveiled at motor shows around the world and has had buyers and the press queuing up to get a closer look. Recently, I got to the front of the queue.

It is everything I’d expected, but with one big surprise on top. Firstly, you know it’s going to be special. A new Bentley for no less than £160k is guaranteed to be that. The excitement of actually getting your hands on one will not wear off. Secondly, the fit and finish and attention to detail is as amazing as you’d always expect from Bentley.

Every millimetre inside and out is designed and engineered to perfection. And thirdly, the car is such a talking point that any car fanatic will find it a daily joy. Apart from perhaps an ancient Land Rover, I have never experienced such a vehicle that gets everybody talking wherever you go. Kids want selfies with it, old men want to ask about the engine, neighbours see it on your drive and send texts… all part of the experience when you buy such a statement vehicle.

So, to the big surprise. Let me try to explain. To the general public, Bentley is known as one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands.

The venerable automaker has produced some of the most sumptuous cars for the richest and most important people in modern history, and this particular model comes from a long line of Grand Tourers built to cross entire continents in unruffled elegance. As its name makes clear.

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What I might not have been expecting then, was for this thing to be quite so fast. Tyre-shredding, face-stretching, time-bending fast. As a naïve layperson, I had assumed that the 12-cylinder engine would give the effect of silent, effortless unstoppability in the manner of a Rolls Royce or an ocean liner. Yes, it can, but I hadn’t banked on the central dial that selects driving modes to completely transform the experience. In Sport Mode, the snarling aggression and visceral anger are every bit as exhilarating as a racing car, perhaps more so, because of the sheer size and opulence of your surroundings.

I should have guessed from the first giveaway: the gentleman that handed over the car at Bentley Manchester was no car salesman.

Mike is a racing driver. The level of knowledge and passion with which he talked me through the car was completely infectious – I could have listened to him all day.

There are many reasons why this car will be one of the hottest of 2019, but it’s this incredible ability to be both luxurious and sporty in the same package that is really hard to beat. Stellar performance without being jarring, balanced with uncompromising luxury that doesn’t veer into softness: that’s something very few cars can do.

manchester.bentleymotors.com

NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING ADVICE – ON YOUR DOORSTEP Common End of Tax Year Questions • Use it or Lose it What tax allowances and investments need consideration?

• IHT - Is the tax year end relevant?

• Corporate pensions - A deductible business expense?

• Personal pensions - Do I benefit for tax relief?

Professional advice will help you make your personal financial plan, maximising the tax planning and investment opportunities available.

Please Call Kellands on 0161 929 8838 Kellands Chartered Financial Planners provide a full advisory service for private & corporate clients on

Tax Planning. Investments. Pensions. Mortgages.

INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE Tel: 0161 929 8838 Fax: 0161 929 9921 Kellands (Hale) Limited, 24 Victoria Road, Hale, Altrincham WA15 9AD. Email: hale@kelland.co.uk | www.kelland-hale.co.uk The value of investments can go down as well as up. Past performance is no indicator of future returns. This article is correct at time of going to print and does not constitute advice. Kellands (Hale) Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is your responsibility to keep up with the monthly repayments of your mortgage, otherwise your home may be at risk.

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Offices in Manchester and throughout the UK

Call 0808 175 7837 slatergordon.co.uk Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

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