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PENSIONS ICE Gullands SKATING Solicitors discuss
MARCH 2015
What’s On Mother’s Day events
radical changes to the Grounds, Bluewater, Calverley rules of pensions Somerset House
Maidstone YMCA to host Table Top Sale - see inside for details
Road Test Audi TT
What’s On January Events
Contents Contents 8
4 Road Test 8 Modern Day Exile 10 Gardening 13 Unshackle Your Stereo
10
14 Loose Neighbourhood 15 Property
This month don’t forget to spoil Mum on Mother’s Day Sunday 15th March!
Wishing you all a magnificent March. Sarah, Editor
Copy deadline for next edition:
29 Dipping into Pension
Tuesday 17th March
34 Recipe
38 Index of Services In & Around Magazine is distributed each month to; Loose, Boughton Monchelsea, Coxheath, Bearsted, Grove Green, Penenden Heath, Allington, Aylesford, Ditton, West Malling, Sutton Valence, Langley, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne, Maidstone Town Centre and Newnham Court. inandaround
February has flown by and we are almost out of the depths of winter hooray! As much as I love snuggling up on the sofa watching films with my family we have now exhausted winter and are itching to spend time outdoors.
23 Local Community
36 Classifieds
2
Dear Readers
19 Brain Teasers
27 What’s On
34
March 2015
Please support your local businesses and help put OUR money back into OUR community. If you use an advertiser in this magazine please don’t forget to say you found them in “in and around” magazine.
16 Health - Glue Ear
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to In and Around Magazine
“Connecting local people to local businesses”
Me with my friend’s new baby
Editor & Publisher: Sarah Maberley Tel: 01622 296230 Published independently by: In & Around Kent publications Email: info@inandaroundkent.co.uk www.inandaroundkent.co.uk Laurel House, 43 Earl Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PD
Boot fair/Table Top Indoor Sale Sunday 8th March at the Maidstone YMCA Sports Centre Melrose Close ME15 6BD Doors open to sellers only from 8.30am Opens to the public 9.30am‐1.00pm Admission is free Tables are £8.00 or £10 if supplied by us. Limited bookings available. Refreshments available Please call: 01622 740889/749404 or email preschool.admin@maidstoneymca.org.uk To book your table please pay and register at reception. All money raised to go towards the play area Charity Number: 1110087 Free Parking and Disability access
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Motoring Feature
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Road Test - Volkswagen Passat a lower paygrade. I have to say that the optional 18” alloys really fill the wheel arches nicely too.
T
he Passat has always been considered a cut above the midrange saloons produced by other volume manufacturers: classier, a little more prestigious, a quality product, it manages to sit somewhere in between the Mondeo and the BMW 3 Series. Yet, despite this, in the UK it is consistently outsold by rivals such as the Vauxhall Insignia, so it’s easy to forget what a global success story the Passat truly is. Since its launch in 1973 a staggering 22 million cars have been sold and each year it sells more than the entire output of Audi or BMW. The eighth generation of the Passat has just gone on sale and, I can tell you now, it is only going to enhance that remarkable commercial success. VW is a firm believer in evolutionary styling and this is born out in the new car which is clearly a descendant of the old model but has the current corporate VW snout with frowning ellipsoid headlights and a wide grill. It’s wider than the previous car and looks sleek and low with hard edged, angular styling – almost like an Audi A4 on 4
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Inside, the Passat has adopted the “virtual” instrument binnacle from the Audi TT but with less success. It has the same format with the speedo and rev counter at each side and the satnav overlaid in the centre, but the graphics are overly fussy and, as the satnav is not a standard feature on many cars, the centre of the display gets filled up with a hodgepodge of information; I preferred the old analogue instruments. Still, the materials are all top quality and the fit and finish cannot be faulted. The seats are firm but supremely comfortable on a long trip and there’s plenty of space, particularly in the rear seats and the boot. At the moment there’s an all diesel engine line up; clearly VW hasn’t registered recent concerns about NO2 and particulate air pollution. At the bottom of the range is a 1.6 with 118bhp, then VW’s trusty 2.0 litre with uprated outputs of 148bhp or 187bhp and, finally, a rip-snorting biturbo version of the 2.0 litre kicking out a remarkable 237bhp. I tried the 148bhp version, likely to be the biggest seller, which delivers respectable performance – 8.7 seconds to 62mph and a top speed of 137mph. It is also very refined, more so than any other VW diesel I’ve ever driven, although you’ll struggle to achieve the claimed 69mpg economy figure. That engine refinement is carried over to the rest of the car.
At motorway speeds it is almost eerily silent and the ride is close to perfect; there is nothing even a potholed city street can throw at it that isn’t soaked up with ease. This level of comfort isn’t achieved at the expense of the handling either; there is minimal body roll and huge levels of grip. With the precise 6 speed gearbox and torquey engine, it’s actually good fun to throw down a twisty A road, though there isn’t enough feel from the steering to deliver a truly sporty drive. The appeal of the Passat has always been that it does everything well. This latest version has sleek styling, a perceived sense of quality, plenty of space and practicality and class leading comfort and refinement. The solid performance and handling simply complete the package and the estate version is one of the best load luggers around. It is not even expensive and you can take it as given that the residuals will be rock solid. This is not a car you yearn for and it will not attract covetous glances from your neighbours, but its business-like air and faultless quality will provide years of happy motoring, together with the satisfaction of knowing that you bought a better car than the rest of the crowd. Car as tested Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 2.0 150PS £24,435 RRP
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Feature
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Computing for beginners
at
Lynn Stephen who runs Maidstone Wellness Centre is a Computing centre for for Beginners has just published health and healing in the Maidstone YMCA her fourth book. Osteopathy Osteopathy Contact Gemma on: 01622 762802 / 07593 212364
Contact Gemma on: 01622 762802 / 07593 212 364 Sports Massage This book focuses on the new operating system, Contact Shelly on: 07967 109638 Sports 8.1. Massage Windows Due to the many updates which have Acupuncture 07967 Contact Shelly on: been released her109638 previous book, Windows 8 Contact Melanie on: since 07837 637465 Explained in Plain English, Lynn felt the need to Reflexology / Aromatherapy Acupuncture Contactan Ursula on: 01622 746358 872634 write updated covering Windows 8.1. Contact Melanie on:version 07837/ 07922 637465 Beauty / Massage This book is again written in plain English with no Reflexology / Aromatherapy Contact Georgina on: 07955 426511 jargon to confuse you. There are clear illustrations Hypotherapy / Life Coaching & N.L.P./ 07922 872634 01622 746358 Contact Ursula on: to Contact help Geoff you on: every of/ the 01622step 747575 07950way. 512453So if you are Beauty / Massage new to Windows 8.1 then this is the book for you. Physiotherapy Contact Georgina: 07955 Contact Mark 07794 71 1181 The book ison:priced at ÂŁ9 426511 and is available direct Nutritional from Lynn. ItTherapy is also available on Amazon&or can . Hypnotherapy/ Life Coaching N.L.P Contact Marjan on : 07895 052861 beContact pickedGeoff up locally from BEARSTED Computer on: 01622 747575 / 07950 512453 Solutions at BEARSTED. Melrose Close, Cripple Street, Loose, ME15 6BD www.computingforbeginners.co.uk www.maidstonewellnesscentre.co.uk lynn@computingforbeginners.co.uk
COMPUTING One to One Computer and iPad Training in FOR your own home BEGINNERS
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Sunday Lunch served between 12pm & 3pm. Booking essential (not valid on Monther’s Day) Afternoon Tea served between 2.30pm – 5pm £12.95 per person (booking essential)
Age Restriction 55+
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Travel
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A Modern Day Exile
T
he historians among you may know that the island of Elba was Napoleon’s “prison of choice”, where he exiled himself for 300 days after his first abdication, as opposed to St Helena (4800 miles away in the South Atlantic) where he was sent by the British after his defeat at Waterloo, dying there six years later. My window of opportunity for a short break wasn’t enough to cross the equator to St Helena, so I plumped for a trip to this jewel of the Tuscan Archipelago. I flew to Pisa (via the ubiquitous Ryanair), and hired a car. It’s about 70 miles on the Autostrade from Pisa to Piombino. From there, you take a car ferry over to Rio Marina, a picturesque harbour village on Elba’s east coast. On arrival, a road closure just outside Rio Marina was accompanied by a very poorly signposted diversion, forcing me to refer to Google Maps which offered an alternative route around the north eastern tip of the island, a journey which proved difficult in a small Ford Fiesta at dusk. Suffice to say that conquering the mountain village of Rio Nell Elba didn’t do much for the car’s clutch, although thankfully it just about survived. I had rented a rustic property a short walk from the beautiful beaches at Procchio, a little family resort about 10km west of the island’s main town, Portoferraio. Despite the large ferries blotting Portoferraio’s seascape, it remains full of character. The
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walk up to the upper town to see the National Museum of the Napoleonic Residence at Villa dei Mulini (adult entry €5) is a real highlight, especially the views from the gardens over the sea and across to the Tuscan Mainland. Afterwards, get back down to the Piazza della Republica and grab a bite to eat and a deserved glass of the excellent local wines at Il Castagnacciaio, probably the best pizzeria on the island. If café society is your bag, head for the stunning hilltop town of Capoliveri. The main square, Piazza Matteotti, has a scattering of alfresco bars to watch the sun set and the world go by. A short stroll to Via Roma will give you a choice of restaurants. I went for Osteria Summertime, a busy and popular family-owned place. The braised octopus was superb and went very well with the local Ansonica wine. For a nightcap, try the enoteca (wine bar) Fandango, hidden under the Piazza Matteotti, where you can enjoy a fine Chianti in a very relaxed atmosphere. To explore the south and western part of the island, head first to the bustling beach/harbour town of Marina del Campo, ten minutes south of Procchio at the narrowest part of the island. After a caffè overlooking the harbour, head back north and climb the mountains to the village of Marciana. The views from here are impressive. If you’re feeling energetic, I recommend wandering through the town and
up the hill to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Monte which will build up an appetite to move on to my gastronomic highlight of the trip, the Ristorante Capo Nord in Marciana Marina - amazing freshly caught fish cooked in the local style and an excellent wine list (the Tuscan Viognier was a real winner). Finally, the Villa Napoleonica di San Martino, Napoleon’s country retreat, is worth a visit, as is the very genteel Porto Azzurro. In the latter, sample a fantastic ice cream from La Casa del Gelato on the seafront. For those concerned that the island seems too sedate, Club 64, located between Procchio and Portoferraio, sees locals and visitors dance to the latest music until the very early hours. It’s obvious why Napoleon loved this island and why hordes of Italians, Swiss and Germans more than double the population in the summer months. With an area of just 86 square miles, the mountainous terrain means you won’t get anywhere fast. But you really shouldn’t need to or want to; just enjoy la dolce vita!
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Gardening Feature
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Pictorial Meadows
N
othing evokes as many horticultural (and it would appear other) emotions as a beautifully floriforous and buzzing meadow; this is something that mother nature is very good at and we gardeners are not particularly. William Wordsworth, amongst others, waxed lyrically about its charms but, arguably more importantly, the delicious Hollywood actress, Daryl Hannah, admits, “My ideal is to wake up in the morning and run around the meadow naked…!’’ Praise indeed, particularly when you consider she could instead be flashing the veg or streaking through the shrubbery - so what more incentive could there be for creating a fantastic meadow than the possibility that the delectable Ms Hannah could pop round for a bowl of Cornflakes….?! Gardens often turn out be confused pastiches of borrowed landscapes, with our Himalayan style rockeries and trendy ‘prairie’ planting contriving to look as if it belongs where the Buffalo once roamed! Meadows are another of these “wild” landscapes that we have been taming for many years now and one of their greatest exponents is (arguably) Prince Charles, whose Highgrove estate has many acres of impeccably maintained royal wilderness. After many years of care, these are now near enough truely ecologically sound meadows where many species of grasses, plants, bulbs and wildlife have sorted out their respective pecking orders and the cycles of flowering, seeding and clearing have been established. In its prime in late spring and early summer, this really is a sight to behold and, should Charles and Camilla feel the urge for a Darylesque pre-porridge peregrination, then they have the perfect canvas. For the rest of us who do not have acres of garden to devote to this extreme form of naturalistic gardening and who would rather not frighten the neighbours first thing in the morning, what is the best solution to creating a meadow-like effect with all the good bits - bees, butterflies, birds and small furry creatures without all the less interesting elements, such as months of rough looking grass and a total lack of knowledge on how to properly maintain it? Well, now there is a quick, painless and fool-proof way of having your own beautiful flowering meadow within 8 weeks of sowing which will continue to flower right through to late
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Autumn. Pictorial Meadows (www.pictorialmeadows.co.uk) is the brainchild of the University of Sheffield which continues to lead the way in the development of ecologically sound, yet aesthetically perfect seed mixes. The most popular tend to be annual combinations where, if you sow in March, April or May in well prepared soil, you can be guaranteed a glorious spectacle. These mixes first hit the headlines in 2012 when they were used (to rave reviews) in the Olympic Park and they even named a favourite colour combination Golden Girl in honour of a certain local athlete! I first noticed them along a 3 mile stretch of a dual carriageway in Rotherham, where the council had taken the wise decision to replace all the central reservations with Pictorial Meadows. It meant no more expensive mowing and the rainbow of colour it created for months on end was incredible – the council were inundated with compliments and it reduced speeding dramatically on that stretch of road! They have also been used in many award winning gardens at Chelsea, demonstrating their perfect suitablity for smaller gardens and even for use in containers. I was lucky enough to have a look round their headquarters last week at the lovely Sheffield Manor Lodge – well worth a visit in the summer when you can see all their lovely meadows as well as the home farm and café. They are continually researching new combinations and I was pleased to note (mainly for Miss Hannah’s sake) that there is no intention to include either thistles or nettles in any of their meadows!
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Technology
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Unshackle your stereo
B
ack in the 70s and 80s a lot of people, men in particular, were “into” their stereos in a big way (remember the term Hi-Fi?). They would spend huge sums of money on turntables with laser strobe speed control, 60 watt per channel amplifiers with graphic equalisers and speakers that could fill a whole room – not just with sound, but with immense wooden cabinets as tall as a fridge freezer. Over the last twenty years everything has changed. Compact discs superseded vinyl, better electronics made the amplifiers smaller and less complex and improvements in technology meant a tiny speaker could handle 100 watts and deliver perfect undistorted sound. Then came the internet, enabling people to download whatever music they wanted, store it on their computer and then burn it to disc. Finally, the iPod was invented and now everyone walks around with their own personal Hi Fi in their pocket listening to music on earplugs. And if the sound quality isn’t good enough, Beats will sell you a set of headphones which provide awesome sound reproduction. However, the traditional stereo is starting to make a comeback and it’s using the same technology that threatened to make it obsolete in the first place. A high end 70s stereo usually consisted of a separate amplifier with a variety of components connected to it via cables: turntable, tape deck and tuner (radio). Then other cables would lead to the speaker cabinets; often there would be four of them – the main cabinets with woofers, sub-woofers and tweeters (bass, midrange and treble) and a couple of small subwoofers located at the back of the room to give a surround sound effect. The whole thing was bulky, inconvenient, expensive and involved miles and miles of cable running around the room. Of course, if you wanted to listen to music in another room, you needed to buy another stereo.
music source to the amplifier. Quite a few had built in iPod docks but these all became obsolete when Apple changed the data socket with the launch of the iPhone 5. Happily, help is at hand in the form of either a dock that connects your mobile device to your stereo or a Bluetooth connector that plugs into to the back. If you really want to go the whole hog, get a Sonos Connect that links the stereo to any PC or mobile device, internet radio and music streaming services via your wireless router. The other big development is wireless speakers. These are conventional speakers that also contain an amplifier and a wireless receiver; they need a mains power source but dispense with the need for a cable connecting them to the stereo, meaning you can put them in any room without needing to move the entire stereo; once again, you can use your existing stereo via a wireless adapter. The most elegant solution is to buy a complete integrated stereo that connects to the router (and therefore any mobile device, laptop or internet radio and streaming service) as well as to the wireless speakers. Sonos is the market leader in such systems but Bose is coming up fast on the outside and both offer basic systems starting at around £600. One of the big advantages of such a system is that they are modular so you can add extra speakers to the network whenever you want. The system is sophisticated enough to let you listen to different music at different volumes in different rooms, all at the same time. All this in one compact, elegant and affordable package. The Hi-Fi has come of age; ain’t technology a wonderful thing?
Naturally, this has all changed. All the components, which were essentially means of playing different music storage media, have been replaced by a computer or mobile device (normally the ubiquitous smartphone). This is a problem because even stereos that are as little as 4 years old have no means of connecting the inandaround
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Community Feature
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Loose Neighbourhood Plan - Update
N
eighbourhood Plans (NP) enable communities to play a much stronger role in shaping their local areas. They give local people an opportunity to set out a positive vision for how they want their community to develop over the next 15 or 20 years – and then to put in place policies that will help to deliver that vision. Nearly 1300 communities, covering over 5 million people, have started the long and difficult NP process, which typically takes at least 2 years. So far, only 44 NPs have been completed and adopted. Over the last year a steering group of Parish Councillors and residents has been working hard on preparing a NP for the Parish of Loose. Since last month’s article in In and Around we have: • had a useful meeting with Maidstone Borough Council in which we discussed the progress we’ve made and our next steps • prepared a detailed project plan for the rest of the process • been given a further grant by the Loose Amenities Association, and support from our local County Councillor for further funding from KCC
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• created a Loose Neighbourhood Plan page on Facebook for users to visit and comment on, and also started to prepare a dedicated website for those who don’t use Facebook We will shortly be appointing a consultant to help us with the technical aspects of our future work, which is likely to continue until well into next year. One of the key principles of a NP is that it must reflect the views of local people. We have already carried out a questionnaire survey of all households in the Parish, and held two major consultation events. We will now be drawing up specific proposals and running further consultations during the rest of this year. Look out for regular In and Around updates, which will give you details of progress and how and when you can comment on proposals. The more people that do so the stronger the final Plan will be. In the meantime, if you would like to contribute any views, or join our team of volunteer helpers, please contact Jan Capon, Clerk to the Parish Council at loose@btconnect.com, (tel 01622 692712) Jim Andrew Chair, Loose Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
Property Feature
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Are the planning reforms working?
I
n 2012 the government introduced the new National Planning Policy Framework, a major shakeup of the planning laws aimed at encouraging the building of more new homes. The number of new homes completed has fallen far short of what is required for most of the last decade and planning restrictions are seen as one of the main constraints on supply. The reform had three main points. Firstly, the legislation was greatly simplified so it runs to around 50 pages instead of several hundred. Secondly, national and regional housebuilding targets were scrapped and replaced with a local framework, so decisions on how many houses to build and where to put them are made primarily by district councils. Most importantly, the guiding principle of the new legislation is a “presumption in favour of sustainable development.� Sustainable is defined as not impacting negatively on future generations. In effect, providing that the proposed development will not a have a detrimental impact and it is in accordance with the local plan developed by the council, it should be approved.
Has the legislation achieved its objectives or has it created new problems? Well many communities will have breathed a sigh of relief that they are not having large scale developments imposed on them by distant politicians. On the downside, there is evidence that some local councils have simply failed to produce a plan or submitted plans that call for minimal levels of building in a bid to appease Nimby voters. The number of legal challenges by planning inspectors against inadequate local plans doubled last year. However, the strongest sign that the reforms are working is that in the year up to September 2014 planning permission to build 240,000 homes was granted, the highest since 2007 and 80,000 more than in 2011. Even then, not all permissions will result in a completed home but it is a very encouraging sign. But, consider this: only 140,000 homes were completed in the last financial year; the planning system may be working but the developers are still not building enough houses. inandaround
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Health Feature
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Glue Ear (Otitis Media with Effusion) television and find learning at school difficult because they can’t hear the teacher clearly. Potentially, glue ear can affect speech and language development in young children and it can sometimes cause ear infections.
G
lue ear is a condition where the middle ear fills with a glue-like fluid instead of air. This dampens the vibrations made by sound waves as they travel through the eardrum and ossicles. The cochlea in turn receives dampened vibrations, so the ‘volume’ of hearing is essentially ‘turned down,’ hence hearing is dulled. A major cause of glue ear is thought to be the Eustachian tubes becoming narrow, blocked, or not opening properly so they cannot drain fluid efficiently from the middle ear. After a cough, cold or ear infection extra mucus may be produced which builds up in the middle ear and can struggle to drain down the Eustachian tube. Smoke irritation and allergies may also cause problems with the Eustachian tube; the risk of glue ear may also be increased when a sibling has the condition, by being bottle-fed and in households where adults smoke. Glue ear is not caused by earwax or by getting water in the ear after swimming or showering. Glue ear is most common in childhood, particularly between the ages of one and six, but can affect people of any age. A child suffering with glue ear may become quiet and withdrawn or may become frustrated. They may struggle to keep up with conversation, turn up the 16 inandaround
In most cases glue ear clears up without any treatment within a few months; a GP will generally advise watchful waiting for three months to see if there has been any improvement. If the problem persists, referral to an ear, nose and throat consultant will follow; they may advise an operation to clear the fluid and to insert ventilation tubes (grommets), especially if speech and language are affected. This is done under a general anesthetic.
SE Webb Designer/Maker Curtains, Blinds& Soft Furnishings Made to a very high standard • Full design service • Designer fabrics • Tracks & Poles • Accessories • Fitting service • Free measuring For free Estimate contact Sue 01622 715620 07977 678288 suewebb11@hotmail.com sewebbsbespokecurtainsandblinds.co.uk
Learn to Sew
Flexible and Informal sewing lessons Get to know your sewing machine and Start making cushions, roman blinds, curtains, Or anything you choose to make. From absolute beginners to more advanced classes. • Small or individual classes • 6 week courses day or evening • Day workshops Ring Sue for more details on 01622 715620 Or 07977 678288 Suewebb11@hotmail.com
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Personalised quality home care •
Support with daily activities
•
Shopping & light housework
•
Meal preparation
•
Companionship
Please call Emma on
01622 232672
www.caremark.co.uk/maidstone
maidstone@caremark.co.uk 22 inandaround
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g FAIRVIEW mbin FARM ll Plu ob
A No J TREE MAINTENANCE & GARDEN SERVICES S.G. SWIM l ork • SCHOOL W
ETHOS
PROBLEMS WITH THE T TAX AX MAN? A
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T felling, pruning) TREE SURGERY ver 25 yreduction, o(crown ears s Est. For non swimmers to advanced in a new 25 metre nes i s MOWING (lawns) u pool at ilSutton Valence. Maximum of 6 non yB m HEDGE (trimming) Fa & SHRUB swimmers in a class. Saturdays from 1.30 - 4pm CLEARANCE 10 WEEK COURSE - £50 • BathroomLOGS & Shower Installations SEASONED SUPPLIED
15 Starnes rn Court, offf Union io Street Self Employed/Child Maidstone ds Benefit Tax Returns
VAT, PAYE, CIS AND ALL TAX REFUNDS All accounting problems
ce to buy Fairtrade food fo ood ods ds, s, The best place foods, I CAN SORT THEMhousehold OUT! • environmentally Lawns Cut and Edged ally friendly hous •products Hedge Employment versus self-employment considerations &Cutting F airtrade crafts. Ethos also offers aLimited range of organic foods & other • Fence / Shed Painting Companies - formation and advice friendly products. • environmentally Garden Clearance
• Disability Adaptations FULLY INSURED - City & Guilds NPTC qualified • Hot Water Cylinders
01622 743428 / 07817 517733
• BurstFOR Pipes NON Fairview Farm, Linton Road, Loose, Maidstone, Kent • Power Flushing
SWIMMERS TO ADVANCED. R&LGardenServices • Tiling Service FROM 4 YEARS Reliable, Family Run Garden Maintenance Services TO ADULTS
Corporation Tax ~ Reasonable Rates
• Additional Radiatiors
• General Yourfor Garden There isHelp also aAround refill station Please ring for an informal and friendly initial consultation. products! The If majority of • cleaning All Waste Removed Required
MIKE NICHOLS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT F.C.A F.C.I.S items are -also suitable for vegans
A B MOYLER
or vegetarians. accounts.nichols@virgin.net Call Neil on 07871 088119 ethos Maidstone 01622 745629 or 01622 744511 email: ethosmaidstone@gmail.com
Garden Tidy Ups ~ Hedge Cutting
PLUMBING & HEATING
SWIM S.G. Lawn Cutting ~ Patio Cleaning ~ Fencing
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General Garden Maintenance SCHOOL
T 01622 863771 07976 298 296 Please call for M a free quote Fully abmoylerplumbing@talktalk.net 01622 01622 745146751089 | 07730 797424 Insured 07762 182541 No callout charge • Free estimate sgswimschool@o2.co.uk
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CARPENTER / BUILDER ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS • Company and
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Commercial Law • Health and Safety Loft conversions Prosecutions • Construction Law Extensions • Accident Claims • Employment Law Property Maintenance Including - Doors, Windows, • Medical Negligence • Wills, Estates and Tax Planning Roofs, Flooring, Soffits & Fascias etc. • Landlord and Tenant
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For a FREE estimate please call Geoff Brown
PHONE MOBILE 16 in and around 18 in inand andaround around 18
Tel: 01622 689790 www.gullands.com 01622 859703 16 Mill Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6XT Email: mailbox@gullands.com 07941 105133 inandaround
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Puzzles Feature
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Brain teasers
Research is demonstrating that our brains do better in the long term if they are exposed to activities such as brain teaers and logic puzzles. So give your brain the workout it deserves with our Soduku and Wordsearch.
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Puzzles Feature
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Just for the Kids!!!!!!!! Keep a kid happy with these fun brain teasers
53 6 2
5
Sudoku for Kids
4
s
Anagrams Unscramble the words in our Food word Scramble...
2
I Turf Crie Beagle Vet
3
Tap Too
3
6
Crazy Maze Can you find your way home?
Mr Hug Bear Beard A Motto Anagram Answers: Fruit, Rice, Vegetable, Potato, Hamburger, Bread, Tomato
Kidoku
Bread, Tomato Anagram Answers: Fruit, R
Riddle me this siht We see it once in a year, twice in a week, and never in a day. What is it?
,raey reven d ?ti
The letter “E” ”E“ rettel ehT
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Pest Control
Pest Purge Ltd
One to One Computer and iPad Training in your own home.
For all your pest problems
Also Computer, iPad and Printer Setup
Contact Lynn for more details
Pest Purge Ltd 01622 842481 or 07758 615101
bombing the BBQ and searching out a nice cold Magners to quench their thirst. Worse still if they happen to take a serious dislike to you and actually sting you, just the ticket to spoil a summer garden party. We can come along and move them on, whoever has overstepped the mark, Pest Purge have the technology, the wit and charm to remove them safely without a fuss, keeping your event pest free. It must work; no pest that we have ever expelled has complained! We are tolerant of small disturbances but will intervene when insects get out of hand. If you have a Pest call Pest Purge (small kids excluded)!
COMPUTING FOR BEGINNERS
Wasps, Rats, Mice, Squirrels, Fox, Rabbits, Bedbugs, Fleas Birds, Cockroaches and Moles
01622 745654
www.computingforbeginners.co.uk
Pest Control
Pest Purge Same day support Ltd For all your pest problems
Wasps, Rats, Mice, Squirrels, Fox, Rabbits, Bedbugs and Fleas
Wasps, Rats, Mice, Squirrels, Fox, Rabbits Call 01622 842481 Bedbugs, Fleas, Ants and Birds
Orday support Same 07758 615101 www.pestpurge.co.uk
Call 01622 842481 Or 07758 61510
CARPENTER / BUILDER ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS
No job too small, same day support Call 01622 842481 Or 07758 615101
For all your pest problems
Pest Control
Call Andrew on 01622 745924 Mobile 07769 154656 Or visit www.ahdecor8.co.uk
Pest Purge Ltd
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Interior & Exterior Work Free Estimates & Advice Affordable Rates Local Tradesman City & Guilds Qualified
wasps, moths, flies, bees, hornets and young birds chasing after the insects. Why are they a problem, well for starters flies can contaminate foodstuffs, bluebottles and house flies stomping on your cakes and moths like the brown
• • • • •
Loft conversions Extensions Property Maintenance Including - Doors, Windows, Roofs, Flooring, Soffits & Fascias etc. EXPERIENCED CRAFTSMANSHIP AT COMPETITIVE RATES For a FREE estimate please call Geoff Brown
PHONE 01622 859703 MOBILE 07941 105133 inandaround
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JR BUILDING SERVICES GENERAL BUILDING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Extensions, Brickwork, Patios, Kitchens and Bathrooms
Tel: 01622 891032 Mob: 07729 538972 www.jr-buildingservices.co.uk
CLEANING, SUPPLYING & FITTING OF CARPETS IN YOUR AREA & ALL TYPES OF FLOORING • Leather & Upholstery Cleaning • Stain Resistant Treatments • Flame Retardant Treatments • Persian & Oriental Rugs • Curtains Cleaned • Hard Floor Maintenance • Restore & Sand Floors
A fAmily run business with A reputAtion FR EE E s tim atE for reliAbility s & professionAl expertise
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w w w. a u s t i n s e r v i c e s .c o . u k
Flooring and Cleaning Specialists
BEARSTED COMPUTER SOLUTIONS ... solving your computer problems
Fixed Price Computer Health Check* for only £55 *Inc. Virus & spyware removal, updates downloaded & a service.
New Pcs • Accessories • Repairs • Windows 7
Open 9 - 5.30 Mon - Fri 3 The Parade, Bearsted Green 22 inandaround
01622 737335
The Aylesford & Eccles WI are holding their monthly meeting on Wed 25th March at 7.30p.m. in the Brassey Roome Station Road Aylesford. There will be a talk by Trevor Wright on the Life of A Barrister and time for a sociable cup of tea and a chat. There will also be information on various interest days, lunch clubs, darts group and outings etc. We are always pleased to see new members or if you just want to come along to find out more about your local WI then please feel free to come along - no obligation to join at your first visits. If you would like any furthere information please contact Eileen on 01622 715205 26th March AylesARA, a group for anyone over the age of 50 with some active time to spare would like to welcome new members along to their next meeting on Thus 26th March at 2p.m. in the Aylesford Community Centre. There will be a presentation of the life of Sherlock Holmes given by Tony Harris( who has appeared as Henry V111 in the past). If you are just curious please come along and join us - there is no obligation to join at your first visits. Or for further information please contact Wayne on 01622 710734. St Peter & St Pauls Curch Aylesford on Sat 28th March from 6p.m. to 8p.m. at the Church. This will be a fun evening of good old family games, some of them active but not every team member
will have to take part in each game. Each team will enter a representative from their team of up to 10 members. Great fun for children, parents and grandparents. Cost per team member is £2 and you can book ahead to Chris van Straaten on 01622 717434 or email to cjvanstraaten@gmail. com or you can just register at the door on the night. Loose Valley Wives Group meet on Wednesday 4th March for a talk by Mr. Gerry Harris on the stained glass windows in Tudeley Church by the well known artist Marc Chagall. Husbands and visitors are welcome to this event. On Wednesday 18th March our speaker is Avice Harris, her talk is entitled “Carrying the Mail”. Both meetings are in All Saints’ Church, Loose and commence at 7.30 p.m,. Saturday 14th March members will be in Church at 10.00 a.m. preparing the posies for the Mothering Sunday service on the 15th.Details from the Leader Mrs. Shirley Collier. Tel. 741541. If you would like to include your local event, group or notice - please email sarah at info@inandaroundkent.co.uk. This is a FREE service for local non profit making organisations
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Event
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JLM Network Services
On-site Computer Repairs Experienced IT Company Offering: PC Repairs, Upgrades, Servicing Wired/Wireless Networking Virus Removal Data Recovery @ Online PC Backup @ @ @ @
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Contact James now for all your IT needs Tel: 01622 663435 Mob: 07738 422438 sales@maidstonepcrepairs.co.uk www.maidstonepcrepairs.co.uk
Classfieds
crossword solution
FAIRVIEW FARM
ACE
TREE MAINTENANCE & GARDEN SERVICES
IAAK July 14 final to print.indd 29
TREE SURGERY (crown reduction, felling, pruning)
MOWING (lawns)
M.O.T. & Clutch Centre
HEDGE & SHRUB (trimming)
CLEARANCE Vehicle Maintenance, Service & M.O.T SEASONED LOGS SUPPLIED
• • • • • •
Lawns Cut and Edged Hedge Cutting Fence / Shed Painting Garden Clearance General Help Around ReliableYour & costGarden effective Saturday 7th March to repair All Waste Removed If service Required 10am - 3pm
Super Spring Sale
All day make & takes and massive warehouse sale! - DISHWASHERS
Call Neil on 07871 088119 Warehouse Open Mon - Fri 10am - 3pm - TUMBLE DRYERS or 01622 744511 - ELECTRIC COOKERS
www.jandccreations.co.uk Email: info@thebigmow.co.uk
- FRIDGES & FREEZERS
- WASHING MACHINES • Full Liability Insurance www.jandcbeads.co.uk
• Waste Transfer Licence Unitcarried 20 Palaceout Industrial Estate, Bircholt Road, with over All repairs by qualified engineer Parkwood Industrial Estate, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9XT 25 years of experience, every repair is fully guaranteed
Tel: 01622 862302 / 07889 041416
E-mail: enquiries@jandccreations.co.uk
and around Alltype 42 in in and aroundProperty 24
Maintenance
All Carpentry & Maintenance
FULLY INSURED - City & Guilds NPTC qualified
01622 743428 / 07817 517733 Cam Belt Kits Supplied & Fitted Fairview Farm, Linton Road, Loose, Maidstone, Kent Broken Belt Damage Repaired All Makes, Petrol & Diesel
APR&LGardenServices DECORATORS Reliable, Family Run Garden Maintenance Services
OPENDOMESTIC Mon - Fri. & COMMERCIAL 8.00 - 5.30 Garden Tidy Ups ~ Hedge Cutting Sat 8.00 - 12.30 Est. 22 years City & Guilds Lawn Cutting ~ Patio Cleaning ~ Fencing Male & Female M.O.T. onlyDecorators Sun 9.00 - 12.00 Interior & Exterior Work General Garden Maintenance Friendly Professional Service Fully Insured
736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent. ME20 6BG Please call for a free quote FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE Fully 24 Copper Tree 01622 Court ANDY 01622 751089 749676 Loose Insured 07973 525522 Maidstone 07762 JACKIE 182541 ME15 9RW 07878 110934
Tel: 01732 870368
H. Preece Plastering
Film Review Feature
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The Theory of Everything (12A)
Director: James Marsh Eddie Redmayne plays Steven Hawking in a biopic of his relationship with Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones). The Theory of Everything isn’t about Steven Hawking. It isn’t about his work, it isn’t about his illness and it isn’t about the 30 years that he spent married to Jane Wilde. The Theory of Everything isn’t even about ‘the theory of everything’, the ‘one simple equation to explain everything’ that a young Hawking (in hindsight) naively sets out to find following the award of his doctorate. When a film that features the lives of real people is consumed, it must be done with the acknowledgement that we are not watching a documentary, but rather a piece of fiction inspired by reality. But then again, what piece of fiction is not inspired by reality? The Theory of Everything is a beautifully-told tale that has no heroes and no villains. Instead, its characters are utterly believable in their struggle against both the extraordinary and the mundane. Perhaps this is the
film’s greatest strength, yet also its trickiest balancing act; the individual portfolios of Steven and Jane are so utterly disparate and yet the film is careful to let neither one’s life outweigh the other. Acts of weakness or implied weakness on either part are never dwelt upon or exhumed for petty drama, nor are they ignored. They are merely contextualised within a lifetime of enormous strength in the face of overwhelming odds. Redmayne’s Steven is cocky, brash, funny, gentle and brilliant. But these are not character traits acted out in lines or with particular expressions; they are woven into the very skin of his portrayal so that at the end when he sits in a wheelchair onstage to rapturous applause, the urge is to yourself applaud. Applaud the actor or the man he portrays? I couldn’t tell you and I think that says enough. Jones and the rest of the cast are also magnificent, but funnily enough, we only have so much space and time.
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Feature
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NEIL SHORTER
ETHOS
15 Starnes Court, off Union Street Maidstone The best place to buy fairtrade food, environmentally friendly household products & Fairtrade crafts. Ethos also offers a range of organic foods & other environmentally friendly products The majority of items are also suitable for vegans or vegetables
General Building & Maintenance For all your building requirements All types of internal and external building & general maintenance undertaken with a friendly, reliable service Extensions Patios ~ Brickwork Block Paving Driveways ~ Fencing Garden Projects
Charity cards & Fair Trade gifts. email: ethosmaidstone@gmail.com www.ethosmaidstone.wordpress.com ethos Maidstone
For FREE no obligation quotations contact Neil on 07759 661255 or 01622 743391
17 Halstow Close, Loose, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9XA
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Local Events 1st Feb - 31st March
7th - 8th March
‘Dipping Into Dali’ Galleries Exhibition Maidstone Museum Ian Highlights from one man’s Salvador Dali memorabilia collection. To coincide with the display Nigel Simmins will be giving an informal talk about his collection. Free admission.
Bugs & Grubs Wild Weekend - Kent Life
Spirit Medium Andrew Dee - Black or White Tour - Hazlitt Theatre Everything in life is black or white, why do we allow the ‘grey’ to creep in and confuse us? Spirit Medium Andrew Dee is here to guide you through some of life’s mysteries with help from your loved ones in the spirit world. His return to the Hazlitt Theatre as part of his Black or White Tour, has marked him out as one this country’s finest mediums.. 7.30pm Tickets: £14 7th March Stargazing Spectacular - Maidstone Leisure Centre The extremely popular Stargazing Spectacular returns once more to Maidstone Leisure centre this March and bigger than ever! Expect a host of amazing activities including: children’s science shows presented by the Science Museum and University of Kent, stalls and workshops such as ‘build your own spectroscrope’, lectures on space by leading thinkers, telescope stargazing, fantasty flight simulators, three astrodomes and more. Advanced booking essential! £1.50 Entry
14th & 15th March Mother’s Day Wine Tours and High Tea Hush Heath Treat mums to an afternoon enjoying Hush Heath’s award-winning wines. Tours include High Tea and free glass of Balfour Brut Rosé. A sparkling way to show mums they’re special! 11.30am - 1.30pm 15th March Mother’s Day Lunch - Oakwood House Join us in the beautiful surroundings of Oakwood House and treat mum to a 3 course carvery. Enjoy the relaxing sounds of Sue Barnes. Adults £19.95 Children £9.95 Decorating & 21st March Plastering Services Work ‘Mozart •inInterior Love’& -Exterior Detling • Free Estimates & Advice
An entertainment, devised • Affordable Ratesby Dan Willis, based on the Mozart• Local familyTradesman letters and illustrated with Mozart’s • City & Guilds Qualified music. performed by members of Medway Little Theatre Call on All 01622 745924 and theirAndrew musical friends. proceeds to the Church Fabric Fund. 7.30pm. Child £6.00, Concession Mobile 07769Price 154656 £8.00, Adult £10.00 34 Norrington Road, Loose
S
P TOW E T
S
5th March
Get up close and personal with nature this march, get your wellie boots on and join our bug hunters for a weekend of creepy crawly fun! Adults £7.60, Child £6.00, Concession £6.80, Kent Life members go FREE
We buy & sell anything Maidstone West Station
01622 675252 www.steptows.co.uk inandaround
Cash Paid y Same Da Service
T&C’s Apply
27
Central Hea*ng & Gas Engineers
“you may not need a local & reliable gas engineer today, just remember our name for the day you do”
Service Installa5on Repair samsiangas
01732 885882
• Company and Commercial Law • Construction Law • Employment Law • Wills, Estates and Tax Planning • Conveyancing • Divorce and Family • Criminal Law
www.samsian.co.uk
• Road Traffic Offences • Health and Safety Prosecutions • Accident Claims • Medical Negligence • Landlord and Tenant • Dispute Resolution • Licensing • Notarial Services
Tel: 01622 689790 www.gullands.com 16 Mill Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6XT Email: mailbox@gullands.com 28 inandaround
Feature Feature
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Dipping into your pension pot or not? Should you decide to withdraw funds from your pension pot then you may wish to consider purchasing a “buy to let property� to generate an income for you and, hopefully with bricks and mortar, maintain or increase the capital value of your investment.
Radical changes to the rules in respect of pensions are being introduced in April 2015. These are the most significant changes that have been made to pensions in many years. The key change which has attracted headlines is the new flexible access to pensions from the age of 55 giving you the choice, in certain circumstances, as to whether you take a lump sum, regular lump sums or an income from your pension. These options all have tax implications and you would need to be independently advised as to the option that is best for you.
This is also the time of year where older children are considering their futures and may be looking to move away to undertake further education and will therefore be incurring accommodation costs. It is worth considering buying a property where they are going to study for them to live in, with the additional potential for an income source from other students who may wish to house share/rent a room. These options are certainly worth considering if withdrawing funds from a pension pot. You would of course need to consider the tax implications for owning a property which is not your principal private residence, receiving rent as part of your income and the various issues around tax relief on the associated expenditure of mortgage interest and ongoing maintenance costs. However you may feel that this is a more secure and better investment than retaining funds in a pension scheme.
carrying out a general review of your property requirements in the run up to your retirement. Do you live in a property that is now too large for your needs, too costly to run or in need of repair and maintenance? Would you like to live closer to other family members or perhaps within walking distance of shops and amenities? Perhaps you should consider downsizing from your current home and finding a property that better suits your needs before even considering withdrawing funds from your pension. The equity you release from such a sale may help you with your future plans without leaving you without a future income or with a sizeable tax bill. If you would like advice on buying and selling a property at whatever stage in your life, Alan Williams can be reached at a.williams@gullands.com, 01622 689700 or visit www.gullands.com.
Alternatively you may just be inandaround
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Audley Care Bearsted
Everyone has differing care needs. With Audley Care you can have as little or as much as you want – our quality homecare is tailored around your needs. You may want: • Help with personal care such as getting up and out of bed, whatever the time • A hand with domestic tasks and housekeeping • Someone to walk the dog or feed the cat • A little help and company if you are recovering from illness • Long term, short term or emergency care • Holiday or respite care To find out how we can help you, please call Libby at Audley Care Bearsted for a free consultation:
01622 633101 www.audleycare.co.uk Audley Care Bearsted Mote House Retirement Village, Mote Park, nr Bearsted, Kent, ME15 8NQ
30 inandaround 01731-a5-care-flyer v3 portrait.indd 1
05/09/2014 15:53
Job Vacancies for Homecarers
Audley Care Bearsted is now recruiting homecarers in your area to deliver high quality care and domestic support to our customers living in their own homes. Audley Care provide: • On-going support, training and guidance from the local support office – 24 hour emergency telephone support available • Regular quality monitoring to ensure all our customers receive the best care and assistance • Staff uniforms and equipment bags, healthcare benefits, mileage allowance and staff discount scheme • Use of Audley Care Car • Excellent hourly rates and flexible working hours up to £8.68 per hour • Thorough recruitment process and DBS checks If you are interested in joining our friendly Audley Care Team, please call 0871 226 3775 or email
recruitment@audleycare.co.uk
www.audleycare.co.uk Audley Care Bearsted Mote House Retirement Village, Mote Park, nr Bearsted, Kent, ME15 8NQ inandaround
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Opinion Feature
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Life Sucks
A
fter much bullying and cajoling, I was persuaded to sign up for Dry January; all proceeds to Cancer Research UK if you’re interested. The idea is that you don’t touch a drop of alcohol throughout January – that’s right, 31 whole days without so much as even a small glass of wine, no matter how well deserved. At the end of it all, your admiring friends and family sponsor you for completing this heroic challenge and the money goes towards finding a cure for cancer. Let’s talk about the good stuff, because there must surely be some good things about such a noble quest. I’m always keen to support any cancer charity because cancer has always stalked my family like a dark shadow, picking off 3 out of 4 grandparents, both my dads and my mother in law well before their time. But for advances in detection and treatment, it would have taken my mum and sister as well. Drinking too much is well known for being bad for your health; alcohol consumption has been highlighted as a contributory lifestyle factor in some of the most common types of cancer, and my liver took a serious pounding over Christmas so no doubt it has appreciated its holiday. Drinking alcohol, beer in particular, is a decidedly fattening pastime too (they’re called beer bellies for a reason), so I should have dropped a few ponds over the month. Last but not least, stopping drinking should have saved me a load of cash which is most definitely a good thing; my wallet was another thing that was hammered over the festive season. Not buying several bottles of wine every time I go to the supermarket and avoiding the pub like the plague is guaranteed to save a fortune. As I write this, I’m enduring the last day of my ordeal so I’m in a position to tell you about the 32 inandaround
reality of Dry January rather than the hype. I think it was Frank Sinatra who said that the worst thing about being on the wagon is that when you get up in the morning, you know that’s the best you are going to feel all day. He was so right; without a drink there is nothing to take the edge off the day, nothing to look forward to and Saturday night becomes no different to a Monday night. 31 days is too long to endure this kind of purgatory, which might explain why almost half the group who signed up with us dropped out within a week; my brother in law lasted until 7pm on New Year’s Day! Aside from the lack of the occasional hangover, I really haven’t noticed health benefits either. I feel exactly the same in the morning as I would if I’d drunk 2 or 3 glasses of wine the night before. All the medical evidence suggests that moderate drinkers live longer healthier lives than their teetotal compatriots, so this isn’t surprising. I will admit that I have lost some weight (6 pounds, yay!), but that probably has more to do with resuming the 5/2 diet after a month long orgy of eating and drinking in December. Once again, research suggests that drinking 2 or 3 glasses of wine per day is no more fattening than not drinking any at all. The only area where Dry January has succeeded for me is saving money; I reckon I’m a good £150 better off over the month. Sadly, this is money that won’t find its way into the coffers of local pubs and micro-breweries, both businesses that struggle in January at the best of times. Of course, it will hopefully raise some money for Cancer Research UK, but I can’t help thinking that it would have raised a lot more money if the bright eyed marketing executive who dreamt it up had set a rather less onerous challenge for the participants… and it would have saved me a month of misery too.
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Recipe Feature
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Salad of soft quail’s eggs, black pudding & smoked bacon Bring the water to a rolling boil, gently drop the quail’s eggs in and promptly start a timer for 2 minutes, 40 seconds. As the time hits zero, be quick to remove the eggs and plunge straight into the iced water; leave for at least 10 minutes to cool. Remove and carefully peel the shell off starting at the bigger end and getting under the membrane. Rinse in the water to remove any unwanted shell.
T
Fry the bacon lardons on a low heat to render the fat and crisp it up. Drain the fat and put the lardons on a tray with the black pudding cut into pieces. Peel and cut the avocado into pieces as well.
his is such a wonderful salad. All the things that you love for breakfast but, somehow, more delicate and delicious. It is a perfect starter or lighter lunch, maybe with some crusty homemade bread (a hint of future recipes to come).
Salad dressing:
This is very simple to assemble once prepared.
Method:
Ingredients: 120g smoked bacon lardons (1cm square) 4 slices of good quality black pudding 12 quail’s eggs 2 heads of baby gem lettuce 150g mixed baby spinach & wild rocket 1 Avocado 34 inandaround
50ml extra virgin rapeseed oil 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 1tsp lemon juice ½ tsp Dijon mustard Salt & pepper First of all, mix all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk together, then season and taste. Set aside. Remove the base from the gem lettuce and separate the leaves; wash and drain if necessary. To soft boil the quail’s eggs you need a good sized pan of boiling water and also a big bowl filled with iced water to hand, as well as a slotted spoon or similar to remove the eggs from the boiling water.
Place the tray of bacon and black pudding in a hot oven for 5 minutes to heat and crisp. Place all the lettuce, avocado, warm bacon & black pudding into a bowl and add some dressing. Toss and place into serving bowls. Cut the quail’s eggs in half and add to the salad bowls. Spoon over a little more dressing and enjoy!
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Established in 1987 your local kitchen and bathroom specialist based in Coxheath 1. Large showrooms on two floors 2. Insurance backed deposit guarantee 3. KCC trading standards approved suppliers and recommended installers 4. Free design and quote service
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