Soarvalley octnov14 issuu

Priceless

SOUTH EDITION Deliveries this month to: Barrow upon Soar Mountsorrel Cossington Seagrave Sileby Quorn Rothley Cropston Thurcaston Swithland and Woodhouse Eaves Deliveries next month to Soar Valley North: Loughborough Nanpantan Su on Bonington Long Wha on The Wolds, Zouch, Hoton Cotes, Hathern Prestwold Normanton Stanford Wymeswold and Rempstone plus high foo all retail outlets throughout Charnwood

Issue 31 Oct/Nov 2014

Your award winning

30,000 magazines

EVERY TWO MONTHS

Cook

Mushroom & Chicken Pot Pies Banana Walnut & Chocolate Cake

Walk

Shining Cliff

What’s On In and around the Soar Valley

Win

£25 Cash GCR Calendar Meal for Two Fairtrade Hamper

Not 1 ­ But 4

BEST Editorial

BEST Front Cover

BEST Social Media

Shortlisted in 4 categories at this year’s awards See Editor’s le er on page 3 For details

www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Copy deadline for November Tuesday 21st October

BEST Website/App

Community Meals

community meals

Enjoy a

Hot Lunchtime Meal & Sweet delivered to your Home

Would you like a hot meal delivered to your home or do you have a friend or relative who would enjoy a hot lunch?

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for a Hot Meal & Sweet for a Frozen Meal & Sweet If you are looking for peace of mind - our wellbeing trained Community Assistants will keep an eye on your friend or relative during their daily visit.

01509 415559

Or visit our website at www.icarecuisine.co.uk www.icaregroup.co.uk

Soar Valley Life Editors Steve & Mary Johns Adver sing Chris Easom Steve Johns Marke ng & Distribu on Alison Jacques

HOW to ADVERTISE: See page 5 & 6

Telephone 01509 813125 Email enquiries Adver sing info@soarvalleylife.co.uk Editorial editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Web www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/ SoarValleyLife Address 1 Burton Road, Sileby LE12 7RU Copyright © Fantas c State Limited trading as Soar Valley Life. The Publisher reserves and controls all rights to the work presented in this magazine. Any applica on for any use of any of the work, features, adver sements, quota ons, photographs, images or other work within this publica on must be made directly to the publisher. No part of this publica on may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmi ed, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Front Cover Photo: © Bill Allsopp “Charnwood Gold” Beacon Hill 10th November 2012 Canon 5D Mk3 and 17‐40mm lens

Recognise us?

Every day we receive compe on entries in the post and by email and we can o en follow day by day where our hardworking distributors have been by the addresses on the entries as they come in.

And we are also being no ced out in the big wide world; you can read Soar Valley Life on line and as a consequence we are receiving comments and compe on entries from all over the place. The furthest entry so far came from Southern Ireland. Mary and I aren’t sure what this means exactly but we definitely view it posi vely. But it does mean that we are being recognised and real proof came last week when we heard that Soar Valley Life had been shortlisted in four categories in this year’s Independent Magazine Publishers’ Awards ‐ Best Editorial, Best Website/App, Best Social Media and Best Front Cover. Do you remember that we won a Highly Commended award last year in the Best New Magazine category? Well, fingers and legs crossed that we can add to that on October 3rd (a er we have gone to print) at this year’s conference. We’ll keep you posted ‐ check out the website and our Facebook page to find out how we did ‐ Soar Valley Life/Facebook or www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Steve & Mary Johns Time to plant Spring bulbs

Contents

Your Eyes, Blue Light & Macular Degenera on 6 Time to Plant Spring Bulbs 9 Quiz – Creepy Crawlies 11 Shared Parental Leave 15 Quick Crossword 17 Page 9 No Brainer 19 Recipe – Mushroom & Chicken Pot Pies 20 Recipe – Banana, Walnut & Chocolate Cake 22 Help is at Hand – and Foot!

25 Rising Stars 26 Easy Sudoku 27 New Thai Restaurant Open in Quorn 28 page 17 Real Ale, Real Pub, Real Food, Real People 30 Times they are a‐changing 32 Advanced Electrolysis – Skin Tags 35 Shades of Autumn 37 WIN £25 Cash Mixing it up 39 with us on Facebook Integrated Health Care 41 Win a Meal for Two 42 Page 60 Wet, Wet, Wet 43 Everything Under the Sun 44 And Another Thing 46 Win a GCR Calendar 47 Spot the Difference 48 Walking Shining Cliff Win a Fairtrade Hamper 49 Hallowe’en Wordsearch 49 Page 52 Business Networking 50 Walking – Shining Cliff 52 Being a Residen al Landlord 55 A Growing Success 56 What’s On 58 New Thai Compe on Winners 60 Restaurant Win £25 Cash 60 Open in Quorn Being a Landscape Photographer 61 Page 28 Answers to Puzzles 61 1

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page 18 Win a meal for two at The Mountsorrel

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Recipes

Mushroom & Chicken Pot Pies

Page 20

Banana, Walnut & Chocolate Cake

Page 22

££££££££££££££ COMPETITION WINNERS page 60

Business Networking Where to go… page 50

Soar Valley Life is an independent community publica on. Please note that while the publisher takes care to be accurate, no liability will be accepted under any circumstances whatsoever, should any of the contents of the magazine be inaccurate or incorrect.

Page 3

Soar Valley Life Trades and Services

48

Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Clare Satchell Reflexology Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional LighterLife Pennie Blatchford ‐ Advanced Electrolysis Reed Wellbeing ‐ Complementary Health TSL Holis c Centre Visual Answers Op cians / Optometrists Walk‐in Physio Ltd

51 25 51 14 35 41 53 7 15

14

Holidays and Travel I Can You Can

19

Home A 2 Z Cleaning Services Absolute Window Solu ons Ltd Acacia Curtains and Blinds Ancient & Modern Furniture Restora on B.G.I.S. Ltd Bishop's Appliance Care Bunny Appliance Warehouse Carpets of Choice Custom Conservatories & Windows Dave Mi on Electrical DCI Kitchens Delta Aerials Digital.R.Us Ltd Fab Plumbing Fine Finish Furniture Hot Repairs KR Electrical

17 36 37 12 43 42 21 18 16 27 53 12 54 12 40 25 16

Arts and Cra s The Gallery ‐ Su on Bonington Handmade for Li le Rascals

47 47

Builders and Builders Merchants Charnwood Oaks Roofing & Building John A. Stephens Ltd

12 8

Child Care and Educa on Rothley Park Kindergarten Courier Services MyParcelShop.Com Funeral Services The Willows Natural Burial Grounds Ltd

27

Garden A 2 Z Cleaning Services Canopy Tree Services Charnwood Tree Services Claire Jones Gardens Compos ng ‐ Leicestershire County Council Harrison Landscaping

17 8 11 9 10 9

Health Care Ac vity 4all Andrew Sedman Fitness Training

39 15

Informa on is included in our What’s On sec on subject to space being available. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publica on is accurate, Soar Valley Life cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions and neither do we endorse companies or adver sers or their products and services appearing in this magazine.

Thinking of adver sing?

Sixth page square

Sixth Page from £31 per month

Quarter page Banner advert

Quarter Page from £49 per month

Quarter Page Portrait

Third Page

Banner advert

Third Page from £59 per month

All adver sers get free lis ng on Soar Valley Life business directory www.soarvalleylfe.co.uk

All prices subject to VAT and based on a six month booking (1 month booking is possible) Full details of all ra Page 4

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

LockXpert Louis Bespoke Kitchens Low Woods Furnishings Ltd Ocean Designs Conservatory Furniture Richard Watson Painter and Decorator SJS Professional Carpet Cleaner SJS Leather Cleaning and Restora on Soar Valley Aerials The Oven Cleaning Company The Soot Buster UK Gas Services Ltd Whelband Windows

39 34 64 37 17 60 12 16 41 41 23 62

Home Care Services Absolute Care Agency Icare Community Meals

Moss Solicitors Moving Made Cheaper Sterling Law Solicitors The Loughborough Ladies Business Group

55 33 26 50

Pubs, Restaurants & Catering Park Hill Golf Club Thai Tunnel Restaurant The Free Trade Inn The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel The Waterside Inn The Wedding Cafe The White Horse Inn Yew Lodge Hotel

38 29 31 57 24 42 13 13

25 2

Motoring Cumberland Auto Care Loughborough Kia Twiggers Motorcycles Ltd

Residen al Care The Abbeyfield

51

16 63 16

Pet Care Posh Dogs Woodside Animal Centre

Sports and Leisure Cyclops Cycles Great Central Railway Park Hill Golf Club

14 59 38

53 53

U li es The U lity Warehouse Discount Club

19

Professional Services Baker & Co Accountants Bill Allsopp Photography CP Accountancy Ltd Cat Eley‐Gaunt ‐ Wealth Management Garre ‐Long Solicitors

54 61 15 53 24

Wedding Services Brides and Belles The Wedding Café Mansi Beauty & Bridal

43 42 42

Wholesalers Costco Leicester

45

Adver sing Rates

Your award winning

Half page

Full page

Portrait

Double page spread

Half page Landscape

Half Page from £79 per month

Full Page from £139 per month

Double Page Spread from £249 per month

ate op ons can be found at www.soarvalleylife.co.uk - Email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk Call 01509 813125

Like us on facebook to further promote your business www.facebook.com/SoarValleyLife

Page 5

Your Eyes, Blue Light & Macular Degenera on

by Mohammed Bhojani

Tradi onal incandescent lights are rapidly being replaced by LEDs which have a longer life, lower energy costs and less environmental impact; but they have a harmful side effect on your eyes…

By 2016, tradi onal incandescent light sources will no longer be available for home ligh ng. Ligh ng industry es mates believe 90% of all light sources worldwide will be based on solid state ligh ng and LED lights by 2020.

LED technology has generated many new ligh ng applica ons. Toys and even clothes now also incorporate LEDs. Solid state ligh ng is found in TV screens, computer monitors, smart phones and tablets.

Despite the advantages, these new ar ficial light sources present a high propor on of blue light from the visible spectrum. Typically, fluorescent lamps contain 26% blue light, cool white LEDs at least 35% versus only 3% for incandescent lamps. These longer wavelength blue light emissions have been found in studies to be responsible for increased re nal cell death – your re nal cells once damaged cannot regenerate.

Prolonged blue light exposure of your eye has also been found to increase risk of macular degenera on (AMD) – the leading cause of blindness in the western world.

Other studies have found blue light to predispose individuals to headaches, migraines, eyestrain and visual stress (o en associated with dyslexia).

I recommend regular eye exams as an essen al part of keeping your eyes healthy. Children should have an eye exam when they are around three to four years old and earlier if parents have any concerns. A er that, children should a end an eye exam every one to two years, depending on the advice given by their optometrist. Eye tests are free for all children under 16 on the NHS. For older age groups in addi on to regular eye tests, I recommend Optomap AF scans; these can detect the early accumula on of re nal waste products (Lipofuscin) that can lead to AMD and 3D O.C.T eye scans (Ocular Coherence Tomography) that enable us to ‘see below the surface’ of your re na and detect the earliest macular changes. These scans are quick, painless and non‐invasive. They are available in some hospitals and now also available at Visual Answers.

Page 6

Smart phones and tablets emit harmful blue­violet light that can affect your eyes

Early detec on of AMD is vital, as lifestyle, dietary changes, mul vitamins combined with the right protec ve op cal lenses can help lower your risk.

Eye specialists increasingly recommend ophthalmic lenses that reduce exposure to the blue light too.

New Crizal Prevencia lenses block UV and also selec vely filter harmful blue-violet light too. A recent European study showed Crizal Prevencia lenses can reduce re nal cell death by up to 25%. These technically advanced lenses are now available at Visual Answers for both children and adults to protect and maintain eye health and vision.

Call Visual Answers on Quorn (01509) 414151 and Barrow (01509) 416800 and make your appointment today.

Mohammed Bhojani BSc (Hons) MCOptom is Principal Optometrist at Visual Answers Op cians based in Quorn (01509) 414151 and Barrow (01509) 416800 near Loughborough. www.VisualAnswers.co.uk

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Independent opticians come out top in a recent Which? survey

Independent opticians

*THE BEST & WORST PLACES TO BUY YOUR GLASSES ACCORDING TO Which?

Give your eyes the 20/20 experience too.

BUILDERS MERCHANTS

Main Branch/Stockyard: Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1AG Tel: 0115 941 2861 Satellite Branch: 45 ~ 55, Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford NG2 5FX Tel: 0115 981 4313

The widest range of hard landscaping products from the East Midlands leading independent builders’ merchant Choose from: Marshalls (the UK’s leading landscape product supplier) and Stonemarket (arguably the trendsetters for innovative hard landscape products) Next day delivery for most popular products – large fleet of 20+ vehicles for prompt delivery Professional design and layout guides free to download from our website

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Felling, pruning, hedge cutting, planting, stump grinding to BS3998 Tree hazard surveys, mortgage reports and BS5837 surveys undertaken

FREE QUOTES - FULLY INSURED AND QUALIFIED Trading since 2004

01509 590 095 www.canopytrees.co.uk canopytrees

Page 8

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

© SVL

Time to Plant Spring Bulbs Buy early while there’s s ll plenty of variety to choose from.

Most spring flowering bulbs can be planted straight away but October or November is best for tulips and hyacinths; these are late starters so are be er stored in paper bags in a cool dry place rather than being planted in damp ground outside where they may rot before they have chance to take root. It’s important to plant deeply enough ‐ roughly three mes their depth from top to bo om. If you garden on heavy soil add a handful of gri y sand to the bo om of each plan ng hole to improve drainage around the roo ng zone. Naturalise in grass or plant in borders or pots ‐ a bit of me invested now will guarantee a splash of colour in the spring.

COMPOST AT HOME TO REDUCE YOUR WASTE Plus, join our FREE Rot-a-Lot Home Composting Club* for tips and advice.

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quoting reference LEL040A

Quiz – Creepy Crawlies 1.

In the nursery rhyme Sing A Song Of Sixpence, how many blackbirds were baked in a pie?

1.

What type of insects would you keep in a formicarium?

2.

The Colorado Beetle is par cularly known for a acking which crop?

3.

Which insect has a two word name with the first word being named according to the stance it typically adopts, and the second word being the Greek work for “fortune teller”?

4.

The name of which insect comes from an old wives’ tale that it would burrow into the brains of humans and lay eggs?

5.

Insects have bodies that are split into three parts. The head and the abdomen are two of these, but what name is given to the third part that lies in between these?

6.

How many eyes do most spiders have?

7.

By what three word name is the crane fly commonly known in the UK?

8.

With a name derived from a Greek term meaning “stomach footed”, what is the name given to the class of animals to which snails and slugs belong?

9.

What name is given to the fear of spiders?

10. Which traditonal Spanish song has a tle that literally translates as “The Cockroach”?

Answers on page 61

01509 414 169

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 11

ancient M

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www.amfurniturerestoration.co.uk Restoration and renovation of antique furniture Bespoke cabinet making & furniture reproduction Re-lacquering of modern furniture (i.e. Ercol, G-Plan, Old Charm etc) & French Polishing General repairs Est. 1995 © SVL If you would like to enquire further please contact David Nash on 07976 571 679 or 01530 587 537

Plumbing or Heating Problem?

A local professional service for all your gas, plumbing and heating requirements Boiler breakdown and upgrade specialists Full range of work undertaken (free quotes) Installations • Breakdowns • Repairs • Service Fully insured • Qualified Engineers Part L • Part P • WRAS • City & Guilds Vented and Unvented heating systems Safety certificates/checks • Power flushing

24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL OUT Contact Darryl now for obligation free assistance

info@fabplumbing.co.uk

www.fabplumbing.co.uk

0333 456 7080 07867 301862

01509 768831 • • • •

In business since 1983 5 year warranty We’ll beat any like for like quote High Quality Digital TV, DAB & FM Aerials • LCD/Plasma Wall Mounts • OAP Discounts • Tune-in & System set ups 133 Highgate Road, Sileby LE12 7PW www.deltaaerials.co.uk

Page 12

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

The White Horse Inn, 6 Church Street, Seagrave, Leicestershire, LE12 7LT

01509 814715

NEW

Italian Night every Wednesday!

Booking advisable

The White Horse is a great pub to visit all year round, whether you choose to enjoy the delightful views in our garden in the summer or relax by the fire with a newspaper during the winter.

Whenever you come to visit, you will always find friendly staff, excellent food and drink and a great atmosphere.

The Stables Shop

Selling a wide range of gifts, tea and coffee, homemade produce and everyday essentials.

Open Tuesdays-Fridays (3pm-6pm), Saturdays (10am-12pm & 3pm-6pm) and Sundays (10am-12pm)

The Stables Function Room

Available to hire for parties of up to 60 people (standing) or 30 (seated). Catering and bar also available.

What’s On At The White Horse?

Tuesdays, 6pm-8.45pm – £5.95 Menu

Choose from a range of fantastic £5.95 specials!

Wednesdays, 6pm-8.45pm – Italian Night Enjoy a range of authentic Italian dishes!

Thursdays, 6pm-8.45pm – Steak Night

Two rump steaks or specials with a bottle of house wine for just £27.50! Individual deal for just £14!

Fridays, 6pm-8.45pm – Normal Menu Choose from a wide range of delicious home-cooked meals and daily specials.

Saturdays, 6pm-8.45pm – Specials Night

Buy any two specials and a bottle of house wine for just £27.50!

Sundays, 12pm-2.15pm – Sunday Lunch

Enjoy a free bottle of house wine with your Sunday lunch for any table of 4 or more! (Must include at least 2 adults.)

The Stables Shop and Function Room at The White Horse are now open!

Visit www.whitehorseseagrave.co.uk for more details.

Advertise in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See page 5

© SVL

Page 13

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Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Shared Parental Leave Statutory pay and leave for employed parents is being reformed by HM Revenue & Customs...

From 5 April 2015 parents of babies born a er this date will be en tled to Shared Parental Pay and Leave. This will mean working mothers are able to end their maternity leave and pay early and share any untaken leave and pay with their partner. Parents may take their leave in phases; however they must no fy their employer eight weeks before they become eligible for it and it must all be taken between the child’s birth and their first birthday.

CP Accountancy Ltd End of year accounts, Bookkeeping, VAT, PAYE, CIS, and Tax Returns for Sole-traders, Partnerships and small Limited Companies

New Na onal Minimum Wage From 1st October 2014 the na onal minimum wage will increase as follows: Adults aged 21 years and over: £6.50 per hour 18 years to 20 years inclusive: £5.13 per hour Above school leaving age but under 18 years: £3.79 per hour Appren ces under 19 years or in their first year of appren ceship: £2.73 per hour Caroline Dinsmore Tel: 01162 303 973

Office 9 Lazarus Court, Woodgate Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NR Tel: 01162 303 973 Mobile: 07749 650129 Email: info@cpaccountancyltd.co.uk

Caroline Dinsmore is licensed and regulated by the AAT under license number 5865

For appointments call or text: Physiotherapy & Acupuncture

07884493809

www.walk-inphysio.co.uk • info@walk-inphysio.co.uk

An adult based class designed to help beginners with weight loss and toning of the body Mixed Group • Suitable for anyone between the ages of 18 and 49 One to One Personal Training is also offered

07514 408718 Class Instructor & Personal Trainer Andrew Sedman AJS.fitnesspt@gmail.com

Every Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.15pm, St Gregory’s Social Centre, The Banks, Sileby LE12 7RE Every Thursday 6.10pm - 6.55pm, Seagrave Memorial Hall, Green Lane, Loughborough LE12 7LU Starting 30/10/14

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See page 5

Page 15

TWIGGERS MOTORCYCLES

Our Servicing Centre Also Specialises in HONDA KAWASAKI SUZUKI YAMAHA

SERVICING, MOT'S & REPAIRS TO ALL VEHICLES including VANS & MOTORHOMES WELDING TO MOT STANDARD AND ABOVE ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS

• New & Used for Sale • Servicing - Spares - Repairs & MOT’s • Tyres Supplied & Fitted • Helmets - Clothing - Alarms - Locks • Closed Sundays & Wednesdays

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Page 16

1/6th page 65mm X 65mm Full Colour With Free Layout & Design for only

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Get your message through 13,000 letter boxes every month and free entry in our on-line trades and services directory Call Steve for details on

01509 813125

Email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk www.soarvalleylife.co.uk All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Quick Crossword 1

2

3

4

5

8

6

7

9

Across

Down

1 Cars, vans and buses etc (7)

1 Works hard (5)

5 Type of sailing boat (5) 8 Enhance (7)

10

9 Perfect (5)

11

10 Severe (5) 12

13

14

11 Playhouse (7)

15

12 Reliable (6)

16 17

14 Shovels (6)

18

22

19

20

21

23

24

25

17 Extremely old (7)

2 Type of fruit (5) 3 Grimaced (7) 4 Crates (6) 5 Dagger (5) 6 Given medical care (7) 7 Assistants (7) 12 Exchanged (7) 13 Elated (7)

19 Endangered species (5)

15 Throws (7)

22 Tracks (5)

16 Used for drinking (6)

23 Sportsman (7)

18 Assignment (5)

24 Father (5)

20 Waterfowl (5)

25 Female rela ons (7)

21 Sco sh dances (5) Answers on page 61

Richard Watson Professional Painter and Decorator from internal to external

Thirty years experience in the trade - Sileby based

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T: 01509 815753 M: 07880 754011

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Carpet Cleaning Gutter and UPVC Cleaning Window Cleaning Patios & Driveways Cleaned Home Cleaning

Pressure Washing A2Z can clean any hard surface with the latest in Pressure Washing equipment the results are spectacular. We can clean Car Parks, Car Dealerships, Forecourts, Driveways, Patios, remove Graffiti and much more.

2 Abbey Business Park, Friday Street, Leicester LE1 3BW

T: 0116 2629596 • E: sales@leicestercleaners.com • www.leicestercleaners.com Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See page 5

Page 17

Good choice of rugs always available in store

No Brainer

We asked U lity Warehouse consultant, Clare Howe, to calculate a cost comparison for us if we were to transfer our household bills over to U lity Warehouse…

On the right you can see her findings based on our bills at home. This is an exact, like for like comparison based on our exis ng outgoings except for the cash back on the shopping.

When you become a customer of UW you can choose to have a CashBack card. Clare explained, “You can use the CashBack card anywhere in the world where you can use MasterCard. The CashBack card works just like a pay as you go mobile phone in that you load it with money and then you can use it. You won't get in any debt as it's not a credit or debit card and it really helps people budget. You get cash back on your spending which is then available for you to reduce your monthly

expenditure. Put all your Christmas shopping on your CashBack card and you could be having bill free months in the New Year.”

But more on this in the next issue.

We calculated that if I loaded £100 on a CashBack card each week and used it for fuel and shopping this would give us £20 per month cash back.

Together with the savings on u li es we could save over £70 per month.

About seven years ago Mary and I changed our energy supplier and the switch over did not go smoothly; neither did our new supplier give us the savings they had outlined. We were never 100% happy with the way things had turned out but a er all the hassle we stuck with our decision and said we wouldn’t be changing again in a hurry.

But now we are happy to make a switch as it appears that every element with UW provides a saving. The UW website is very easy to use and understand too, giving ongoing daily informa on about our bills. Add to this the fact that we can cancel at any me and the decision to switch really is a No Brainer...

Monthly cost comparison U lity

UW cost

Exis ng

Home Phone

£14.90

Broadband Peak Saver Call Display Total

+ £6.99 + £5.50 + £1.50

£60

£10

£15

Electricity

£39

£49

Gas

£49

£54

Totals

£126.89

£178

Cash back on shopping

Saving £20

n/a

Saving with UW

£71.11

= £28.89

Mobile Phone Usage

Slash your household costs and get all your utilities on one bill

The Utility Warehouse guarantee that you will save money when you switch all your services to them or they will give you back 'Double the Difference' Terms and conditions apply

You could benefit from: • Save money on your services • Get money off your online shopping • Cash back on your shopping • Award winning customer service • Value that's unbeatable • One simple monthly bill To see what you could save contact - Clare Adele Howe

07989 932871

@ClareAdeleHowe hello@clareadele.com www.utilitywarehouse.org.uk/clareadele/jointheclub

Want to travel, but not on your own?

© SVL

‘Let Yourself Go with assisted travel’

From a show in town or London town to an accompanied flight or a cruise to far away.

We support you so that you can continue to enjoy trips away without the fear of having to go it alone.

John Perkins - I Can You Can

07779 555195 jperkins@icanyoucan.org.uk

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 19

Recipe This month’s recipe sponsored by

Bunny Appliance Warehouse

Mushroom & Chicken Pot Pies These perfectly por oned individual pies make a filling lunch or supper simply served with steamed vegetables. You can use any mix of mushrooms but it’s worth looking out for packs of mixed exo c mushrooms for extra flavour.

1

2

3 4

5

6

Makes 4 Ready in 1 hour

Place the porcini in a heatproof bowl and cover with 150ml boiling water. Leave to soak for 10‐15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 220C, Fan 200C, Gas Mark 7.

Heat the bu er and half the olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the shallots for 5 minutes un l so ened. Add the garlic and fry for a further 3‐4 minutes then s r in all the mushrooms and fry over a high heat un l so ened. Remove with a slo ed spoon and set aside.

Add the rest of the oil to the frying pan and fry the diced chicken for 5‐6 minutes un l golden brown all over.

Drain the porcini mushrooms and add the soaking liquid to the chicken. Bring to the boil then simmer for 5 minutes un l reduced.

Meanwhile, finely chop the porcini mushrooms and s r into the fried mushrooms and shallots.

Ingredients: • 25g dried porcini mushrooms

Return all the mushrooms and shallots to the pan and s r in the crème fraiche and thyme leaves. Season= with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Divide the mixture between four individual ovenproof pie dishes. Brush the rims of the dishes with water.

• 25g bu er

Roll out the pastry to about 4mm thickness.

Cut out four circles of pastry big enough to fit on top of the dishes with a li le pastry overlapping the edges. Drape the pastry circles over the filling. Decorate the tops with leaves cut from the pastry trimmings and brush the pastry with beaten egg. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes un l the pastry is crisp and golden.

• 250g chicken breast fillet, diced

Page 20

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 shallots, peeled and chopped • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed • 400g mixed mushrooms, chopped if large • 200g tub crème fraiche • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • 300g puff pastry • Beaten egg, to glaze

Recipe sponsored by Bunny Appliance Warehouse See their full range of fabulous cooking appliances at www.appliancecity.co.uk

Seasonal Recipe

Cake and Bake Banana, Walnut & Chocolate Cake Bananas ripen so quickly that it’s easy to find yourself with several le over needing to be used up. Many people don’t like the taste or smell of ripe bananas though so they o en go to waste. However, when baked in a cake they lose their slightly sour smell and give a subtle taste, which is par cularly delicious when combined with chocolate and walnuts.

1

Preheat the oven to 180C, 160C for fan oven or gas mark 4.

Ingredients:

2

Grease a 900g loaf n and line with greaseproof paper

3

Cream the sugar and bu er together un l fluffy

• 100g light brown sugar

4

Add the eggs and the vanilla essence and then the bananas and mix in well

• 2 large eggs

5

6

Carefully mix in the flour and bicarb, baking powder and cinnamon so there are no lumps, then fold through the dark chocolate and most of the walnuts.

Pour the ba er into the loaf n and bake for 45‐55 minutes un l a skewer through the centre comes out clean.

7

Leave on a rack un l cool before serving to allow me for the chocolate to set.

8

Sprinkle with icing sugar

Page 22

• 100g bu er at room temperature • 25 grams caster sugar (white or golden) • 1 tsp vanilla essence • 3‐4 ripe bananas (depending on size), mashed • 175g plain flour • 11/2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 100g Walnuts (Chopped or whole) • 75g Dark chocolate chopped or coarsely grated

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Page 24

Right on the River Soar.

Sileby Road, Mountsorrel LE12 7BB 0116 230 2758 www.watersidemountsorrel.co.uk Email: food@thewatersidemountsorrel.com All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Help is at Hand - and Foot!

Reflexology, thought to have its origins in ancient China and Egypt, was introduced into western culture in the early 20th century...

Reflexology is the technique of applying pressure to the reflex points on the hands or feet that are thought to relate and connect to other parts of the body. Through this gentle technique, symptoms, stress, localised ailments and injuries can be eased, improved and in some cases eliminated altogether.

I, Steve, am o en scep cal about alterna ve therapies and some mes I’m a bit of a doub ng Thomas. But being editor of Soar Valley Life has led me to try a number of different treatments and I am becoming less so. I’d never tried reflexology so was keen to know more.

Clare Satchell suggested that the best way to find out was to try it and offered me a taster reflexology session.

Shoes and socks removed, soothing music and aroma c candles lit, I was made comfortable in her treatment room and felt immediately relaxed and at ease. Clare lightly pressed on the soles of my feet and pointed out which areas corresponded to the different areas of the rest of me.

Pressing on a specific area she remarked, “This part here connects to your right shoulder and you suffer some discomfort from that don’t you?”

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Page 25

Rising Stars Did you know that the word ‘sterling’ most likely evolved from the mediaeval word for ‘star’? A er 1066 the Normans introduced their coinage to Britain and some of their silver pennies bore a small star. 240 ‘star pennies’ equalled one pound in weight which, over me, became known as a pound sterling. The word sterling also came to mean excellent or of great value - so revered was Bri sh currency in mes gone by...

In today’s world, we some mes need professional exper se in order to protect our valued property or rights and freedoms. This is especially so in a mul ‐ cultural world where one set of laws might clash with another.

Sterling Law Solicitors have been figh ng our corner and represen ng us on all things legal since 2011 and when I visited their offices at High Street Chambers, Loughborough, I met with Head of Opera ons, Gous Ali (pronounced ‘ghost’ without the ‘t’) who explained Sterling’s principles.

“We do believe we’re different from most law firms these days, giving a personal service from the first me you contact us right through to comple on of

your project or issue and beyond, keeping in touch for any help you might need. Ini ally, we invite you in to chat with us for an assessment of your requirements, en rely free of charge and obliga on.

We have 10 dedicated members of staff here at Loughborough and together we are expert in all family and company law. For our private premier overseas clients who have interests here in the UK we offer a 10 point special service package which can include chauffeur driven car from the airport, on demand priority legal access, and even helicopter transporta on and bodyguard services! But, of course, we take great care of every one of our clients and welcome all enquiries ‐ we want our exper se in legal ma ers to be available for everyone. There’s a very apt phrase I o en remind myself and my colleagues of ‐ just because something is standardised it doesn’t mean you are ‐ meaning many things in law and society are bound by rules, regula ons and customs, but it’s the way we interpret these things which can help move us forward and resolve issues.”

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Page 27

New Thai Restaurant Open in Quorn Did you know that before 1967 there wasn’t a Thai restaurant in the United Kingdom? It was probably the popularity of Thailand as a holiday des na on from the 1980s onwards that has contributed to the growth in numbers in recent years, and now with almost a million of us visi ng Thailand each year our island has more than 800 Thai eateries...

I remember the first me I, Steve, tried Thai food; it was in 1989 in Stra ord on Avon. I don’t remember the specifics, or the name of the restaurant, but I remember the experience very well. It was the first me I had had such fantas cally diverse tastes all in one meal. I’d had Chinese and Indian food and was a fan of Italian, Spanish and most other European foods available, both in restaurants and cooking at home, but Thai food was different ‐ cleaner, simpler flavours and yet so diverse on the same plate. Back then the descrip on and guide of what was on the menu did leave a fair bit to one’s own imagina on, but I am pleased to say that these days it is fail‐safe, especially at The Thai Tunnel Restaurant, using the red chilli pepper symbol to denote hotness ‐ three being very hot as seen below: I met with Owner/Manager Woravalan Pramsang on a Saturday a ernoon at the newly refurbished restaurant on the 1st floor of 10 Leicester Road in Quorn ‐ a few yards to the Mountsorrel side of the White Horse pub in the centre of Quorn Village. She showed me around and introduced me to the two chefs as they were preparing food for the evening opening. I asked her what it was that made Thai food so different and special.

Resident chefs at the Thai Tunnel Restaurant in Quorn Panuwat Jingnaga ­ le and Pa ara Srithongchim ­ right

“The most defining element of Thai food is the balance of four characteris cs: spicy, sour, salty and sweet. All dishes should include these four flavours in varying degrees of boldness. Our menu offers the dishes in classifica ons ‐ from Appe sers, such as our mixed pla er which is suitable for the most delicate pale e, to our spicy Hoi Meang Pou Ob ‐ succulent steamed mussels with herbs or our vegetarian favourites of spring roll with noodles, fresh crispy vegetables and sweet chilli sauce.

Then we move on to our Yum ‐ Yum selec on ‐ which is a course on its own (I think this is one of those that does what it says on the label! Ed’) and you can have duck, beef or vegetarian. Then we present our Soups: Tom Yum Mushroom and Tom Kha Coconut, spicy sour soups with fresh herbs and galangal.

No Thai menu would ever exist without our Phad dishes. These

On the menu is a dish I am sure Mary would like and I’ll urge her to try it on Tuesday evening when we have booked in for a meal ‐ Massaman ‐ Slowly cooked curry, lamb or chicken, with potatoes and onion in rich creamy coconut sauce garnished with fried, sliced onion and cashew nuts.

And what will I choose? It seems I am spoilt for choice with names like Weeping Tiger sirloin steak, or Hoi Shell Kra Ta Ron sizzling s r fried king prawns. Should I risk the daringly hot Talay Kee Mao s r fried ensemble of scallops, mussels and squid? Perhaps I’ll let the chef recommend for me… I’ll let you know how we got on next month! www.thaitunnel.uk 10 Leicester Road, Quorn 01509 620021

✁

Spicy Hot Very Hot Vegetarian Contains Nuts Page 28

contain our special s r fried noodles with all varie es of extras of the customer’s choice ‐ Beef, Pork, Chicken, Duck and shell‐on king prawns. Our special famous Thai green, red and yellow curries which we call Kaeng on our menu, again served with your choice of meat or vegetarian ingredients.”

10% OFF food orders only and valid un l 30th November 2014 with this coupon

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Thai Food is healthy eating - lots of fresh vegetables, Thai herbs and locally sourced fresh meat and fish.

Thai Tunnel serves the finest Thai cuisine in the most authentic setting right in the heart of Quorn.

Enjoy the exquisite flavours of traditional Thai dishes freshly cooked to our own recipes by our professional and dedicated team of experienced Thai chefs.

Our A La Carte menu offers a wide range of delicious dishes prepared and served individually for you in our first floor newly refurbished 60 cover restaurant. Our wine list offers an extensive choice of fine wines to accompany your meal. Bottled beers, spirits, vermouths, aperitifs and soft drinks also available.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Including Bank Holidays Sunday to Thursday 6pm – 11.00pm Friday and Saturday 6pm – 11.30pm Christmas menu now available and bookings now being taken – see website for details

Booking 01509 620021/413377 • Mobile 0753 061 6041 © SVL

10 Leicester Road, Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8ET Email thaitunnel@outlook.com www.thaitunnel.uk

THE FREE Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland CAMRA Pub of the Year 2014 Excellent lunchtime menu Tuesday - Friday 12 ’til 2 and Saturday 12 ’til 3

Real Ale, Real Pub, Real Food, Real People

They’re becoming a regular event now - these awards presenta on nights down at the Free Trade Inn in Sileby...

Mary and I a ended the most recent one ‐ just to take some photos for the magazine you understand ‐ where landlord and landlady Graham and Lisa were

Page 30

presented with their latest award as the best CAMRA pub in the three coun es of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

The award was presented by Phil Tiplady, regional organiser for CAMRA. A er congratula ng the winners Phil explained the criteria used for judging: “Firstly, for this 3 coun es‐wide award, pubs have to have won Pub of the Year in their own region. Then our judges visit each of these winners on a number of unannounced occasions and check for all of the following:

quality of real ales, service and welcome, atmosphere, style and décor, community focus and of course value for money.”

Now I, Steve, being one for sta s cs, had to work out what winning this one was really all about. Well there are, by my reckoning, about 700 pubs in the 3 coun es ‐ so we can now safely say that The Free Trade Inn is the best out of all those 700 pubs.

And when you consider that Graham and Lisa only took over the Free Trade in March of last

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

TRADE INN Our very popular 1, 2, or 3 course traditional Sunday Lunch 12 ‘til 3 27 Cossington Road, Sileby LE12 7RW 01509 814494 www.thefreetradeinn.co.uk

FOOD FROM AROUND THE WORLD Every TUESDAY Served between 6pm-8pm Check our Facebook & Twitter page for details or ask one of our staff for more info

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Graham & Lisa ­ licensees of The Free Trade Inn with their latest award

year and this is their first ever venture into the licensed trade, an award at this level really does become significant. So, you can add a few more a ributes required to win Pub of the Year: commitment, enthusiasm, focus, hard work, good management and loyal, hardworking staff.

Good Beer Guide, which is the Michelin guide to pubs if you like.

We’re now in it, with the coveted award symbol, and we’re only in our second year. Not only that we’ve won CAMRA pub of the year awards at three levels, and were just pipped at the post for the na onal award.”

I asked Lisa what this latest win meant to them: “When we first talked about having a pub of our own it was Graham’s dream to win a pub of the year award and to have an entry in the CAMRA

But, it’s not just the beer that makes The Free Trade a great pub, the food is very good too.

And I’m not saying that just because there was an excellent free buffet!

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See page 5

Page 31

Times they are a-changing Brighter days ahead in the UK housing market?

In 2008 the brakes went on in the property market immediately a er the banking collapse in the US and Europe. Total UK monthly mortgage lending had peaked in October 2007 at £33 billion plumme ng to £9 billion in February 2009; this 72% drop led to a prolonged stagna on of the market.

But recent government ini a ves, together with an easing of restric ons in the banking sector, are restoring confidence and proper es are now selling again with mortgage lending up to just over half of what it was at it’s peak ‐ almost £18 billion in June 2014.

However, the powers that be ‐ the Bank of England, the Government and financial pundits ‐ are all urging cau on so we don’t go down the old road again of lending more than the market and ins tu ons can stand.

The way in which we find our dream home has changed quite drama cally too over the last decade or so.

These days more than 80% of us look for a property on the internet first, elimina ng the need to trawl the high streets, in and out of estate agents’ offices, picking up sheaves of property details. As in many other areas, the internet has revolu onised the way we do things, paving the way for substan al cost and me saving benefits in the process of house buying. The industry has largely risen to the challenge, inves ng heavily to provide fast and user friendly search facili es, and most local estate agents link to one of the major property websites now available. FTSE 250’s highest ranked internet property company lists Loughborough based “Moving Made Cheaper” at number two and three respec vely in new listed proper es and stock available.

I spoke to Clare Edwards, a partner in Moving Made Cheaper, who told me more about the way the market is changing.

Computer screen shot of Moving Made Cheaper’s ranking on Rightmove

Page 32

“Most Estate Agents s ll run expensive high street offices with high running costs which all have to be passed on to the client. We don’t have that. My business partner Jackie Marston and I started Moving Made Cheaper in 2011 precisely to offer lower priced professional estate agency services without all the unnecessary frills. We offer genuine, fixed, low‐priced fees and charge no commission or added expenses.

And, we don’t s nt on the care or service you’d expect.

We’ve hundreds of happy clients, both buyers and sellers, many of whom have given tes monials which you can see on our website. You can speak directly to any one of them and ask them personally about us, as they have all given their permission for you to do that.

We are achieving a 97% sa sfac on ra ng from the surveys taken from our clients which is second to none in our business. Jackie and I have 25 years of combined experience in the housing market and we know what clients want and need; we have seen the change first hand and have responded to it. It works too! It’s not just about the number of houses sold though, it’s about all aspects of the business ‐ having houses to sell and then selling them quickly and efficiently at the market price so that every one is sa sfied. So far this year (mid August 2014) we’ve sold 151 and acquired 143 new instruc ons.”

I asked Clare what makes them unique.

“Apart from charging less, as our name states, it’s the efficiency and care from beginning to end of the selling and buying process. We guarantee to have your ‘For Sale’ board up and your details on the World Wide Web through Right Move within 24 hours of your instruc on.

Oh, and by the way, the property behind the board pictured above was sold within a day!”

Wow! I guess the mes they are a‐changing...

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

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Advanced Electrolysis Mary first met Pennie Blatchford at a Loughborough Ladies Business Group lunch; impressed by what she had learned, an appointment was made to visit Pennie at her clinic the following week. We had always believed that you just had to live with those various li le defects that seem to appear randomly from nowhere - li le tags and other skin blemishes were just a part of life’s rich tapestry…

But apparently this is not so and with very li le fuss or procedure ‐ and not much cost either ‐ many of these can be

easily and safely removed. Pennie explained how Advanced Cosme c Procedures (ACP) uses short‐wave diathermy to remove a large variety of skin blemishes such as skin tags, blood spots, thread veins, spider naevi, warts, seborrhoeic keratoses, milia, epidermoid cysts, age spots and other benign (non‐cancerous) skin lesions.

She showed us lots of ‘before and a er’ photos showing that most ACP treatments give superb results with most blemishes being completely removed.

However, cutbacks in the Health Service and overstretched medical resources mean that removal of these benign skin lesions is now only rarely available on the NHS. Disfiguring and/or embarrassing skin blemishes are seen as minor cosme c problems, regardless of the effect on the person suffering with them.

We are very excited that Pennie is now our editorial contributor on advanced electrolysis and this month’s subject is skin tags.

Skin Tag Removal Many people have skin tags which can be quickly and safely removed using ACP. These benign tumours typically grow to about the size of a grain of rice but can be as big as a raisin or even larger. They may be flesh coloured or pigmented and some are pedunculated ‐ i.e. grow on a fleshy stalk.

Skin tags most commonly form in areas where there is fric on, normally where skin rubs on skin, e.g. the armpits, under the breasts, the groin and on the eyelids. They can also be a problem where jewellery or clothing rubs and are common on the neck and some mes on the back where T‐ shirts repeatedly rub during ac vi es

Skin tags like these can be removed by ACP leaving smooth skin once the area has completely healed.

such as running. They can also form just inside or under the nose.

Those which occur where underwear has rubbed, whilst extremely common, can be par cularly distressing and those

where clothing or jewellery irritates them can become very sore and may be treated for this reason. However, most people have them removed because they consider them unsightly.

Pennie Blatchford

Pennie Blatchford

- Advanced Cosmetic Procedures

Effective removal of benign skin blemishes for men and women

Pennie Blatchford B.Sc.(Hons), ITEC, IBSD, BABTAC

Skin tags, blood spots, warts, seborrhoeic keratosis, age spots, thread veins, spider naevi, milia, and other benign skin defects and blemishes can be removed using advanced electrolysis.

This is an inexpensive, quick and safe procedure. Free initial consultation by fully qualified, insured and licenced practitioner.

Please see website:

www.pennieblatchford.co.uk Email: pennieblatchford@hotmail.co.uk or phone on:

© SVL

Seborrhoeic Keratosis before and after treatment

01509 646506 or 07887 865419 Hailey Avenue, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 4QW

Epidermoid cyst before and after treatment

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 35

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Made to Measure Curtains, Blinds and Shutters

You can do this by using a combina on of warm deep colours in two or three shades li ed by the addi on of lighter tones. Autumn is an exci ng me for us as we see the new fabric collec ons and trends from our suppliers. To mark this, during October, we will be offering 20% off all our fabrics including Clarke & Clarke and Pres gious Tex les ‐ available in curtains, blinds, cushions or simply by the metre for your own use.

Please give us a call for that at home appointment and we will happily bring the fabrics to you.

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Page 37

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To welcome our New Catering Manager Tony Parris 3 Course Sunday Carvery only £9.95 until 30th November 2014 Booking Essential Tel: 01509 815454 Park Hill Golf Club, Seagrave, Leicestershire LE12 7NG

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Mixing it up

People o en come for physiotherapy with an injury caused by repe ve ac vity. Whether si ng at a computer for hours on end, running for miles day a er day, pain ng walls and ceilings or digging the garden, people seem to s ck with it un l it’s done.

RAPID RESPONSE

But the body objects to repe on; muscles and joints become niggly, then sore and finally painful.

This is par cularly no ceable in the knees, lower back and shoulders.

Taking a break and mixing it up can do wonders for injury preven on. Runners can reduce mileage and get into the gym for other fitness benefits.

Gardeners ‐ instead of digging all one day and kneeling to do plan ng all the next how about comple ng small sec ons at a me? Dig for a bit then kneel for a bit and so on. DIY decorators can alternate between ceilings, skir ng boards and other jobs and computer users can get up, walk around and stretch, or do any other tasks to take a break from the keyboard.

Taking a break and mixing it up gives muscles and joints a rest from repe on and reduces the risk of injury.

Claire Lidstone

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Page 39

• Kitchens • Fitted bedrooms and studies • Free standing furniture for every room • Items manufactured on site with large showroom • Free consultation, designs and quotation service

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Next door to Bunny Appliance Warehouse

© SVL

Integrated Health Care Health Care in the UK is stretched to the limit. People are living longer and with an increasing popula on the situa on is only going to get worse…

Coupled with the highest rates of chronic disease this is driving the general popula on to take more responsibility for its own health. It is es mated that over 40% of people in the UK are currently using some form of “complementary” or “alterna ve” therapy. As a result, a growing number of doctors and healthcare prac oners are referring pa ents to use mind/body approaches ‐ in part because more and more people are demanding it.

For physical and emotional wellbeing

Complementary Health Practitioner REFLEXOLOGY Relieving stress using gentle pressure strategically applied to your hands and feet, helping to alleviate symptoms and improve overall health - especially where conventional medicine has failed.

REIKI Holistic healing helping to integrate your body’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual components by balancing your energy centres, stimulating natural immunity and promoting relaxation.

Using a holis c approach is based on the fundamental principles of healing which promote health rather than focusing on illness. Most enhance the body’s self‐healing ability and address the underlying causes of illness. They also advocate self‐care, promote a lifestyle of natural healthy foods and exercise, and emphasize communica on between pa ent and therapist.

HOPI EAR CANDLING Reduces congestion in the ear and sinus area inducing a feeling of general tranquillity, composure and comfort.

We will know that a new paradigm of healthcare has truly emerged when we no longer need to use terms like “alterna ve” and “complementary”, and these approaches are integrated with the best of conven onal health care to become standard.

Paula Reed is a member of the NHS Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners

Paula Reed

THESOOTBUSTER

Chimney Sweeping Services

EFT ‘Acupuncture without needles’ creating balance within your body’s energy system, particularly successful with addictions, weight, pain, anger management, severe trauma, stress and phobias.

All treatments delivered in my professionally appointed clinic in Barrow-upon-Soar

Telephone: 01509 415125 Email: info@reedwellbeing.co.uk Website: www.reedwellbeing.co.uk

Food tastes better from a clean oven!

Doesn’t your oven deserve a spring clean too?

• Member of the Guild of Master Sweeps •

Registered Stove Installer

• Fully insured

Call Dave Morris on

All work undertaken within

7

days!

Tel: 01455 828967 m: 07821 774273 e: sootbuster1@gmail.com www.thesootbuster.co.uk Dave is also a registered Mole Catcher

Let us restore your oven to near showroom condition!

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www.theovencleaningcompanyleicester.com Offer price based on single residential oven with average use.

This advert must be produced to qualify.

CARPET CLEANING DEEP CLEAN YOUR CARPETS FROM £40.00

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 41

Appliance repair experts with 15 years experience and access to national parts distributor

Faulty washing machine? Not spinning?

Door handle broken? Ripped door seal?

Cooker not heating? Burning food?

Dishwasher stopped cleaning? Not rinsing properly?

Tumble dryer not drying?

Need a new appliance installing?

air!

Don’t Replace - Rep • No Hidden Costs

We’re passionate about customer servic

e

Prices agreed before we visit

BISHOPS APPLIANCE CARE Repair and installation to all makes of domestic appliance APPROVED SERVICE ENGINEERS FOR MANY LEADING BRANDS ACROSS LEICESTERSHIRE

0116 237 5577 • 0796 995 3958 info@bishopsappliancecare.co.uk

© SVL

• Macmillan Coffee Morning Fri 17th Oct • Christmas gift & craft fair Sun 16th Nov • Adult Craft Taster Sessions • Event Nights – BYOB

Book your Christmas Party with us now!

Call or see our facebook page for details

We provide:

• • • • • •

Wedding Consultation Venue Dressing Party Packages Sweetie Cart Buffet Hire Prop & Accessory Hire Pop Up Tea Tent Hire

8a High Street, Syston, LE7 1GP

theweddingcafeuk

www.bishopsappliancecare.co.uk

MA S I

Beauty and Bridal Win a Meal for Two at The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel

For your chance to win a main course meal with a glass of wine for two people at The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel just name two of the herbs growing in their garden.

See pages 56 and 57 for details.

Send your answers together with your name, address and telephone number to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU The first correct answer out of the hat a er the closing date of Tuesday 21st October 2014 will win. Editor’s decision is final. Terms and condi ons apply.

Page 42

and Pedicure

• Massage • Ear piercing • Hair and makeup

10% off on first treatment when you mention this advert To make an appointment call

07870 651698

1 Highgate Road, Sileby, LE12 7PN

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Wet, Wet, Wet Arguably the most significant development in personal bathing in the home since the shower cubicle is the emergance of the wet room...

A wet room is a waterproof room equipped with a shower. The room itself becomes the shower enclosure and the drain is inset into the floor replacing the conven onal shower tray. It has been made possible to create a wet room in most domes c residences due to the advancement of waterproof materials, equipment and fi ngs such as more effec ve

ceramic adhesives, sha erproof polymers, laminated glass, and be er designed internal drainage systems. I asked Chris Henman, of BGIS in Burton on the Wolds, if any home could have a wet room.

“Almost,” he replied, “although there’s usually a lot more involved than you might think and it’s important to have a wide range of skills: ling, plumbing, plastering, carpentry, joinery, decora ng, and floor covering experience. You can o en hit a snag and without the know how to resolve it on the spot the project can get delayed and the costs go up. We have

the whole range of resources available on every job and with our background of whole home improvement behind us we know we can provide luxury, state of the art, affordable bathrooms and wet rooms in almost any situa on. But it’s not just bathrooms and wet rooms; we’re able to start, maintain and complete every aspect of home improvement from beginning to end.”

Chris has a pre y impressive client base which he told me about, too.

You’ll have to ask him though – I couldn’t possibly say...

Affordable Luxury Bathrooms, Wetrooms & Home Improvements 23 Souters Lane, Burton on the Wolds, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5AL

Tel: 01509 881713 Mob: 07944 798 588 chbgis@aol.com www.bgis.co.uk

Opening times:

Monday: 9.00 - 3.00 • Friday: 10.00 - 3.00 Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday: 10.00 - 5.00 • Tuesday & Sunday: Closed Please contact us before you visit as pre booked appointments are given priority Appointments available outside our normal opening hours by prior arrangement

We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful boutique in Wigston Leicester very soon

88 Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 1DR info@bridesandbelleswigston.co.uk

© SVL

NEW RANGES IN STOCK FROM SEPTEMBER – See website for end of season

SALE!

Everything under the sun ...and then some!

Sunrise & sunset mes and phases of the moon Date

Sun Rise

Sun Set

Hours of Daylight

13‐Oct‐14 20‐Oct‐14

07:26 07:34

18:14 17:57

10h 47m 58s 10h 24m 16ss

27‐Oct‐14 03‐Nov‐14 10‐Nov‐14 17‐Nov‐14 24‐Nov‐14 03‐Dec‐14 08‐Dec‐14

06:45 06:57 07:17 07:30 07:42 07:53 08:02

16:43 16:30 16:19 16:08 16:00 15:54 15:50

9h 58m 06s 9h 32m 52s 9h 01m 18s 8h 38m 13s 8h 17m 47s 8h 00m 46s 7h 48m 00s

Date

Moonrise

Moonset

08‐Oct‐14

07:09

18:27

Full Moon @ 11:50

15‐Oct‐14

23:39

14:22

Last Quarter @ 20:12

23‐Oct‐14

07:05

17:47

New Moon @ 22:57

Phase

NOTE: HOURS SHIFT AS CLOCKS GO BACK 1 HOUR 31‐Oct‐14

13:31

23:50

06‐Nov‐14

16:04

06:19

First Quarter @ 02:48 Full Moon @ 22:23

14‐Nov‐14

12:53

23:30

Last Quarter @ 15:15

22:Nov:14

07:14

16:26

New Moon @ 12:32

29:Nov:14

12:36

‐‐‐‐‐‐

First Quarter @ 10:06

The Planets October: Saturn slips from view into the SW dusk by 5/6th, but Mars puts on a braver show. The red planet will be visible around 7pm in the SW. Jupiter shines brighter than any star, rising in the east around 1 am. Early October, Venus rises with the dawn but its light soon dissolves as the Sun comes up.

November: Mars is low in the south‐ west se ng at 7.20 pm. The red

© SVL

The Hubble Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope was

launched in April 1990 and, a er a bit of tweaking and maintenance, remains in full working order examining the universe near and far with amazing results. It orbits at a height of 347 miles about 15 mes every day, that’s approximately 18,000 miles per hour rela ve earth speed. At launch it weighed just under 11 tons but in space it is weightless.Soon a er it was first launched a problem was detected that threatened the future of Hubble: all the images that were sent back were distorted. The solu on was to fit op cal correc on components to re‐focus the images. Spectacles to you and I!

Even the best of us have to wear spec’s some mes you know…

Magnitudes

Astronomers measure the brightness of celes al objects using a scale of magnitudes. Somewhat confusingly, fainter objects have higher magnitudes, while brighter objects have lower magnitudes and the brightest objects have nega ve magnitudes.

Stars seen with the naked eye range from Sirius with magnitude ‐ 1.5 down to + 6.5 for the faintest star we can see with the unaided eye. Here’s guide to some of those you’ll know: • Sun ‐ 26.7 • Full Moon ‐ 12.5 • Venus at its brightest ‐ 4.7 • Sirius ‐ 1.5 • Betelgeuse + 0.4 • Polaris (Pole Star) + 2.0 • Faintest stars visible to the naked eye + 6.5 • Faintest star visible to the Hubble telescope +31

planet shines at magnitude + 1.0 in Sagi arius. Jupiter rises about half past ten at magnitude ‐ 2.0 and, apart from the moon, is the brightest object in the night sky. Mercury puts on its best performance of the year.

It’s visible for the first three weeks of the month shining at magnitude ‐ 0.6 in the east at 6 am.

December: Venus reappears mid month at magnitude ‐ 3.8 and is low in the twilight an hour a er sunset.

For the last few evenings of the year,

you might spot Mercury just to its lower right. it’s some 20 mes fainter than Venus, at Magnitude ‐ 0.7, but if you have a pair of decent binoculars it should be an easy target. Mars is hanging on in the evening sky, as it has been all year, and is now se ng at half past seven.

It’s at magnitude + 1 and lies in the constella on of Capricornus. Jupiter rising at 9pm is brilliant at magnitude ‐ 2.2 between Cancer and Leo.

Sponsored by For everything under the sun (almost!)

And Another Thing

by Tom Hughes

I have a blended family. I don’t mean one night I went mad, chopped them all to bits with an axe then heaved their dismembered corpses into a giant Moulinex. What I actually mean is Sarah and I have four kids between us. And no, it’s not Piccadilly Circus in our house, it’s Grand Central Sta on.

“Dad, I’m just going out.”

“But Rob, you’ve just come in.”

“Yes I know, I’ve come in to say I’m going out. Bye.” (slam).

“Dad, will you take me to the cinema?”

“Emma, what are we going to see?”

“I’m going to watch The Hunger Games.”

“Half way through the movie, will I feel like a Lyons hot dog?”

“A what? Dad you’re not coming, you’re just giving us a li .”

I get ready to take Emma to the cinema in my trusty Mondeo Ghia (half leather trim, heated seats).

Now, do I have everything? Keys, coat, shoes, glasses….ready. Beep!

Beep! Hang on, who is that outside sounding their horn?

“It’s OK, Rebecca’s Mum’s here, she’s taking us now, mix up, bye!” (slam).

I sit back down in my coat. Ollie (the dog) sees that I am now wearing my anorak and trots off to retrieve his lead. He drops it at my feet and gives me his, “Well, come on!” look.

We make it to the front porch just as the heavens open. “I’m taking Ollie out, bye!” (slam).

Don’t think door banging is confined to the entrance to our castle; all the internal doors take a hammering. I am an expert in coun ng down the slams.

“Dad! That’s so unfair! Right! Fine.”

“Three, two, one …(slam!) Ooh, right on the money.”

Sarah was impressed. “You’ve got that down to a tee.”

“Here, do you want a go?”

Page 46

“OK” Right on cue, Evan popped his head round.

“Dad, can I have a li on Friday?”

“No problem, where to, your girlfriend’s? The cinema?”

“Glasgow.”

“Glasgow?”

“I’ve got ckets to see The Sausage Kno ers.”

“Glasgow?”

Eyebrows up, chin down, “So…that’s a no?”

“I’m not en rely sure the Mondeo is up to it.”

“Fine!”

Sarah delayed her countdown just a touch too long ‐ “Three…..two (slam), oh damn!”

Amateur. And so another week begins ‐ football, gymnas cs, swimming, cinema, proms, cheerleading, sleepovers, horse‐ riding.

Have you ever tried to organise a parent’s li rota on Facebook? It’d be easier to start a protest flash mob outside a G8 summit.

No one tells me who is picking up who. Emma was in the back seat ready to go to Duke of Edinburgh (It was a mee ng about his Award, he hadn’t called round to see if she was playing out) and I was just about to set off when a Chelsea tractor with blacked out windows skidded to a halt on the pavement in front of us. A strange creature with Gucci bug eyes and a mouth like a salmon was at the wheel.

I shrugged. The creature shrugged back. Emma looked at me and shrugged. We all shrugged. Then the creature sped off, beeping her horn and pou ng rude words at me.

“Who was that?”

“Rebecca’s Mum, I think she was supposed to take us.”

“Well nobody told me.”

Then, a miracle, a gi from the gods. Rob passed his test. We were so proud, his Mother was overjoyed. A whole new world opened up. Li s to the pub, li s to the game, li s to the pub; my life was coming back to say hello!

Delirious, I rang my insurance

company.

“Good morning, I’d like to add an addi onal driver to my policy.”

“Addi onal driver’s age?”

“Seventeen.”

“How long licence held?”

“Two hours.”

“One moment please”. A pause while the computer flicked over into improbability mode.

“That will be an addi onal premium of one hundred and thirty pounds.”

“Really? That’s very reasonable.”

Long summer nights at our local watching other couples throw car keys at each other filtered into my mind.

“Yes, that addi onal premium takes you to your renewal date which is next Saturday.”

“Ok, and how much is it for the year?

“One moment please…five thousand eight hundred and fi y nine pounds, and thirty one pence.”

“You what?! Five thousand – “ “..Eight hundred and fi y nine pounds thirty one pence.

With a nine hundred pounds excess.”

“But….the car is only worth eight hundred quid. So, what am I actually paying for?” “…Peace of mind?”

It was my birthday last week. I came home and everyone was in the front room grinning. I sat down, Rob pushed Ollie off my lap and handed me my present. A pair of driver’s gloves and some furry dice.

Everyone fell about. A car horn blared outside.

“That’s not that Rebecca’s scary Mum again is it?”

“No. Come on Dad, we’re taking you to dinner.”

Outside, a minibus. We all piled in.

What’s this ‐ free food and a li home? Priceless. You see, it doesn’t take much….

Follow Tom’s family life at groomsdaybook.com

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Handmade For Little Rascals Beautiful handmade clothes Girls & Boys clothes made and knitted to order.

Perfect for newborn gift or a treat for your little rascal.

Stock available on our online store including our upcycled range.

Visit Etsy.com - handmade4rascalsUK

Sewing Workshop Make a child's dress at The Gallery in Sutton Bonington.

Friday 24th October 10am - 2pm

handmade4rascals.wordpress.com Facebook - Handmade For Little Rascals Contact Helen & Gaynor - 07751 739780

WIN

The Great Central limited edi on Bridge to the Future 2015 Calendar showcasing the incredibly atmospheric photography of Andrew Rapacz We have two of these brilliant calendars to give away before Christmas. Just send your name and address and phone number marked ‘GCR Calendar’ to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to 1, Burton Road, Sileby LE12 7RU and the first two names out of the hat on December 1st will win.

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 47

Spot Ten Differences

Answers on page 61

Open: Open: 8am 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri 51 Weeks of the year Rothely Park Rothley Park Kindergarten is a well established private day care nursery Kindergarten is a very well established celebrating 11 years of success.

Ourprivate bright, spacious, air-conditioned day care nursery celebrating 10 years of classrooms are designed and equipped to provide quality childcare in a success and continuing to deliver an stimulatingenvironment and enjoyable environment.

We offer 113 childcare places enhancing to alllearning the children and for children thequality ages of 6 weeks standards to 5 years.of such high calibre within the their parents.between We provide maintained provision.

Nursery manager Narinder Kaur and her team of professional nursery

Our bright spacious and air conditioned classrooms designed and to equipped to practitioners deliver a second-to-none childcare are service tailored your child’s provide a quality child care provision, delivering a stimulating and enjoyable learning individual requirements. environment. We offer 113 childcare places between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years.

Limited Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year-olds. We also offer full

From the beginning Narinder Kaur, the nursery manager togetherfor with or part-time sessions as required, depending on availability, allher children professional nursery practitioners continue to deliver a quality childcare service, under the age of 5 years throughout the year and during school holidays. tailoring to your child’s individual requirements.

A warmGovernment welcome awaits you no appointments necessary as all new Limited Funding is–available for 3 and 4are Year olds. We also offer fulland and prospective parents are invited to visit us at their own part time sessions as required depending on availability forconvenience. all children under the age

www.rothleyparkkindergarten.co.uk | tel: 0116 230 3888 info@rothleyparkkindergarten.co.uk | mob: 07813 021410 Rothley Park Kindergarten, Loughborough Road, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NL © SVL

Page 48

Feature your business in Soar Valley Life – contact steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Fair Trade Fayre – Saturday November 8th 2014 Loughborough Town Hall 10am - 4pm Charnwood’s biggest Fairtrade event is back! The 2014 Fair Trade Fayre at Loughborough Town Hall will bring the very best selec on of fairly traded cra s, gi s, jewellery, fashions and foods to local shoppers, in plenty of me for Christmas...

The list of stallholders confirmed for this year include delicious edibles from 'Alethia Foods' and 'Zaytoun', silk cra s from Fairtrade Interiors, gi s and jewellery from 'Created', 'Traidcra ', 'Elefair' and 'Waywood Fairtrade', clothes from ‘Annie Greenabelle’, bath and body treats from 'Neal's Yard' ... to name but a few! Well known local names at the Fayre include Sileby’s The Green Place, Loughborough’s Glebe House and Fair Trading Loughborough.

campaigns group organising the event. “The Fayre is a great way to buy some high quality and unusual Christmas gi s and treats – whilst also helping producers and farmers in developing countries. So come along and experience for yourself the high quality and vast range of fairly traded goods now available.”

The event usually a racts around 1,000 shoppers throughout the day, is free to a end and runs from 10am to 4pm To find out more, please contact Charnwood Ac on For Fairtrade via charnwoodfairtrade@ scali.co.uk

“This year we have a fantas c range of Fairtrade and ethical cra s, gi s, accessories and foods,” explained Jenny Drury, Chair of Charnwood Ac on for Fairtrade, the local

WIN

A hamper like this retail value around £60!

Just complete the wordsearch puzzle below and email the answer, which is a five word phrase, to: editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to 1, Burton Road, Sileby LE12 7RU Winner to be drawn at the Fair Trade Fayre on Saturday 8th November

Hamper prize kindly donated by Campus Living at Loughborough University.

Halloween Apples Bats Black cat Candy Cemetery Coffin Costume Ghosts Ghouls Goblins Graveyard Mask Mummy Night Pumpkin

Scarecrow Scream Skeleton Skull Tombstone

Vampire Werewolf Witches Zombie

Find the names of words associated with halloween in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 49

Business Networking - Part 3

Where to go Organised business networking falls into three main categories: Chamber and Federa on, Professional and Free Sponsored...

Chamber and Federa on The two main business organisa ons serving our area are: • Leicestershire Chamber Of Commerce 1 Mill Lane, Leicester, Leicestershire LE2 7HU Phone: 0116 247 1800 www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk Affiliated to the East Midlands Chamber with Derbyshire and No nghamshire and the Na onal body of business chambers together with the CBI represen ng businesses of all sizes both regionally and na onally. Cost of membership is dependent upon the size of your business and starts from around £250 per year.

• The Federa on of Small Businesses Leicester region contact details: Maxine Aldred ‐ Development Manager on 0116 2597 707 Bi‐monthly free networking at Costco in Thurmaston, together with events both regional and na onal. They offer a whole range of member benefits from free advice to discounted insurance and banking packages.

Again cost of membership depends upon size (number of employees) and starts from £120 per year plus a £30 joining fee.

Professional Networking Organisa ons • BNI ‐ weekly mee ngs usually start at 6.45am There are seven Chapters in Leicestershire: Beadles Lake Golf Club on Wednesdays The Grand Hotel, Leicester city centre, Thursdays Link Hotel, Loughborough, Thursdays Tigers Rugby Club, Fridays College Court Conference Centre, Knighton, Tuesdays at 6.45am and also 11.45am Premier Inn, Braunston Lane East, Fridays All mee ngs are strictly forma ed and each a endee is given a 60 second slot to promote their own business.

The mo o of the BNI is Givers Gain which relates to referrals given to fellow members. The main area execu ve director is Duncan Webster

Page 50

Tel: 0845 224 4041 Membership is around £600 for your first year which includes a one off joining fee and there is a weekly cost of between £10 and £15 towards venue and breakfast.

You can go along as a guest, paying only the venue and breakfast fee, and you can be asked to stand in for a member occasionally.

• 4N Networking Held fortnightly at The Link Hotel, Ashby Road, Loughborough star ng at 8am Each mee ng costs £12.00 breakfast and venue cost and annual membership is in the region of £400 a year. You can go along to 2 mee ngs as a guest before you have to join.

• Loughborough Ladies Business Group Monthly mee ngs at Browns Restaurant, Upper Brown Street, Loughborough. Annual membership around £36.

Free Sponsored Networking • Business Bisco Free to a end and held on the last Wednesday of every month at Low Woods Furnishing store, Low Woods Lane, Belton Loughborough LE12 9TR at 9.30am Contact Helen Thompson ‐ 01530 22246.

• Costa Coffee, Loughborough Market Place Sponsored by Hawley Rogers Solicitors Last Tuesday every month 7.30 am • Starbucks, Thurmaston Retail Park, Thurmaston LE4 8GP Sponsored by Edward Hands & Lewis Solicitors Every second Thursday of the month 7.30 am to 9.30am

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Ltd Lynne Leeming, MSc RHAD MSHAA

Your local hearing specialist 5 Stadon Road, Anstey Leicester, LE7 7AY

Gareth Ga a Hudson MCFHP MAFHP

Foot Fo oo Health Professional Visiting Practice For all your foot care needs in the comfort of your own home:

Existing hearing aid users welcome

+ Nails

Hearing protection for both children and adults

+ Corns

Friendly and professional service

Telephone: 0116 236 6633 Email: charnwoodhearing@btconnect.com www.charnwoodhearing.co.uk

For people who care about their hearing Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm Wed & Sat 9.30am - 12.30pm

+ Calluses + Ingrown toenails + Fungal infections + Diabetic foot care Registered Member Of The British Association Of Foot Health Professionals

Tel: 01509 844461 Mobile: 07896 945156 Email: garethhudson82@live.co.uk

Loughborough

Specialist Dementia care home The Abbeyfield Society offers a range of care and support solutions which reflect the changing expectations of older people; that we all deserve to enjoy our later years and get the most out of life - whatever our individual circumstances.

As a not for profit organisation we welcome the support of volunteers especially in the following areas: Gardening, Befriending, Craft workshops/demonstrations, Baking, Flower arranging, Christmas Decorations, Fundraising, manning our Christmas Market stall

The Abbeyfield Loughborough Society, 44 Westfield Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3QL 01509 266605 www.abbeyfieldloughborough.co.uk

Adver se in Soar Valley Life from £31 per month plus VAT – See page 5

Page 51

Walking - Shining Cliff Walk instruc ons 4 1/4 Miles

2 Hours

Use the parking area just across the river from Ambergate, where the A610 joins the A6 halfway between Matlock and Belper in Derbyshire. No toilets; chip shop with small dining area; local hostelries the ‘Hurt Arms’ (on the A6 near the junc on) and the ‘Excavator’ (on the A610).

1 Go down to the restricted bridleway signpost just on the le of the bridge and turn le past the Birches Woodland sign along the wide track with the river to the right.

Con nue upslope to the marker post.

5 Bear right, down the short slope to the marker post at the junc on, follow the path le to the next junc on and go past the chain barrier to a marker post. Keep straight on passing le of a hut and right of the bunkhouse, downslope to a marker post.

2 Bear right downslope again, between the large chunks of stone forming a barrier and keep direc on right of the factory buildings, carry on between buildings, through the gap with the ‘Shining Cliff Woods’ sign to the le and the railings to the right. Keep on the main path bearing le upslope to the green signpost.

3 Bear le , further upslope, through the gate in the wall as the trees end. Con nue up the field edge with the fence to the right and take the le , higher path at the fork. Go through the narrow gate ahead, with the war memorial to the right.

6 Turn right down this path, cross the stream and go back up to the footbridge. Turn le , further upslope and join the path le at the chain barrier. This track leads downhill back to the marker slope at point 2, turn right and retrace steps back to the parking area and your vehicle.

4 Turn sharp le , along the wider track, between the wall and the fence, up to the corner where the wall turns right close to the seats. Bear right, through the trees and the narrow wooden gate and up the path between walls; carry on with the wall to the le , through a wide gate at a marker post.

© Clive Brown ‐ All our walks are compiled by Clive Brown who holds the copyright. You can order any of his 74 walking guides at: www.walkingcloseto.com. Or email Clive directly at walkingcloseto@yahoo.co.uk

Page 52

Email page? this Life Interested per month plus VAT – See page 5 £28steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk from in Soar Valley Adver insesponsoring

Bringing harmony to mind, body and soul

ADOPT AN ANIMAL

Woodside Animal Centre Massage Treatments • Holistic Therapies Beauty Treatments • Tarot & Spiritual Readings © SVL

75 Woodgate, Loughborough LE11 2TZ

01509 239600

www.tslholistic.co.uk

190 Scudamore Road, Leicester LE3 1UQ

0116 233 6677

info@rspcaleicester.org.uk www.rspcaleicester.org.uk

• Mortgages • Pension Reviews

Canine Grooming and Spa

• Income Protection • Investments

Cat Eley-Gaunt INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER TO BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

07975593464 | 01509416162 84 Willow Road, Barrow upon Soar LE12 8GQ Email: cat.eley-gaunt@2plan.com cateley-gaunt.2plan.com YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. TAX PLANNING IS NOT REGULATED BY THE FCA.

• Life and Critical Illness Cover

• Safe, clean and friendly environment • Teacup to large breeds catered for • Fully qualified and experienced

• Auto Enrolment and Employee Benefits

Mon - Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm • Sat 9.30am to 5.00pm

• IHT and Tax Planning

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

41 Swan Street, Sileby LE12 7NN

Call 01509 767420 / 07592 594000 bethklg@hotmail.co.uk

© SVL

www.poshdogsgrooming.com

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 53

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Page 54

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Being a Residen al Landlord It sounds like an easy way to supplement income but the law rela ng to residen al le ngs is not as straigh orward as you might think; landlords entering into Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreements must protect tenants' deposits, through authorised Tenancy Deposit Schemes, and give tenants prescribed informa on.

On 6 April 2012, the period in which a deposit must be protected, and the prescribed informa on given, increased from 14 to 30 days from receipt of the deposit. This extended deadline is stricter, making it harder for Landlords to remedy a breach.

Landlords who fail to comply may find it more difficult to recover possession, as no ces termina ng a

tenancy could be invalidated, and courts have the power to impose a penalty of up to three mes the deposit.

A poten al trap arises when tenants stay beyond the original fixed term, with the Landlord's consent, as they may now have a statutory periodic tenancy. It will be sensible to make sure the original deposit remains protected (i.e. despite the change in the type of tenancy) and to re‐serve the prescribed informa on within 30 days of the expiry of the original fixed term.

Another important change in the law will mean Landlords have to check their poten al tenants’ immigra on status and that of any other adults whom they allow to occupy their premises. It is

expected that this obliga on will apply from October 2014, although there may be pilot schemes.

Landlords who grant tenancies to people whose immigra on status means they are 'disqualified' from ren ng, or who grant tenancies to people with a 'limited right to rent' that become disqualified during the tenancy, could face fines of up to £3000.

If you would like advice or assistance with any aspect of le ng a property, please contact Nick Gay or Laura Anderson.

Contact: 01509 217770 Nick Gay n.gay@moss-solicitors.co.uk Laura Anderson l.anderson@moss-solicitors.co.uk

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Page 55

A Growing Success At the beginning of the summer I popped along to The Mountsorrel Guesthouse to see how things were going in the restaurant, which had opened in the evenings to non-residents since last December…

Owners Mike and Hilary took me outside to see their newly created raised bed kitchen garden, freshly planted with a variety of vegetables and herbs. I recognised some of them ‐ sage, rosemary, oregano and mint, but others were too young to show their colours.

When I visited again in mid August with a view to wri ng this ar cle, it was great to see the bed burgeoning with all manner of produce ‐ except for a few bare patches where the crop had been used. I think nothing tastes be er than produce straight out of your garden as a part of a meal. I recall watching

New chef Nicola Albiniano at The Restaurant at The Mountsorrel

Page 56

Raymond Blanc, in his TV series, choosing fresh vegetables from his own kitchen garden behind his restaurant in Oxfordshire, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and thinking then that if I ever had my own restaurant I would definitely create some growing space.

One of the new members of staff at The Mountsorrel, chef Nicola Albiniano, spoke to me about the new menu: “I love cooking fine food and use only the best ingredients, especially those in season and sourced locally. And if we can grow our own, so much the be er ‐ for taste, flavour, texture and helping to keep costs down, too. For instance, you can’t get a fresher runner bean than one picked straight from our own garden, can you? And fresh herbs you’ve grown yourself taste much more real. Any sort of preserva ve or processing will alter the original product to some degree and I believe authen city to be so important. I also insist on s cking to a local butcher who sources meat locally and has evidence of traceability.

The style of food we serve here is tradi onal but with an eye on the contemporary; the old favourites are s ll on the menu ‐ the Mountsorrel pie in three different varie es, all slow cooked ‐ our tradi onal prawn cocktail starter and

Runner beans ready for picking in the Mountsorrel Restaurant Garden

Hilary’s Eton mess made with Greek yoghurt. Our specials board is going to introduce new tastes and foods you might not see every day and we have other exci ng ideas we’re working on, such as opening to non‐residents for our special English breakfasts.

All I can say is, “Watch this space!”

Nicola has spent the last 14 years honing her cra as chef at local restaurants and most recently at The Swan in Mountsorrel. Her love of good food really does shine through and I am pleased to say I have an advance copy of the new autumn menu. Have a look at it on their website and see what you fancy ‐ as for me, with all those mouthwatering dishes to choose from, I’ll struggle to make up my mind...

All adver sers appear in our online business directory with a link to their own website – go to www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

NEW AUTUMN MENU Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm Last orders 9pm Contemporary Specials and Traditional Favourites In spacious comfortable surroundings Comfortable lounge bar, real flame fires, chef cooked cuisine, fine wines

THE MOUNTSORREL GUESTHOUSE OPENS ITS RESTAURANT TO NON RESIDENTS 217 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 7AR

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What’s On in and around The Soar Valley: Compiled by Claire Stevens – Soar Valley Life events and news reporter

Diwali Day Diwali celebrations in the city of Leicester are some of the biggest outside of India, and features up to 35,000 people attending the switching on of the lights on Belgrave Road. The event is set in the heart of the city’s Asian community, and provides the chance to enjoy amazing live cultural entertainments as the festival of lights marks the start of the Hindu New Year.

Dates: Thursday 23rd October 2014 Cossington Street Recreation Ground, Cossington Street, Leicester, LE4 6JD Telephone: 0116 299 4444 Email: festivals@leicester.gov.uk Half-term Activity Days Make the most of the school holidays and experience thrilling and informative activities at Beaumanor Hall. Either attend just one day, or take part in several!

Activities include high ropes, survival, archery scrambling and navigation. Please book in advance, for 7‐14 year olds. Drop off between 8.30‐9.15am and pickup between 4.15‐5pm, £30 per day.

Dates: 21st October to 23rd October 2014 Beaumanor Hall, Beaumanor Drive, Woodhouse, Loughborough, LE12 8TX Telephone: 01509 890119 Website: www.beaumanorhall.co.uk Half Term and Hallowe’en at the Green Place, Silby October school half term 22‐ 24th October sees some great children’s workshops for the October break. Check their Facebook page for details: www.facebook.com/TheGreenPlaceSileby.

Hallowe’en week gets a kick start with Wizard Day 25th October 11am ’til 3pm.

You can pop along and make a range of exciting magical things at our annual Wizard day. Broomsticks, wands, masks, lanterns, popcorn making and more. Get kitted out for Halloween.

Evening Guided Walk & Owl Encounter Led by one of the knowledgeable guides at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, this is the chance for you to discover the history of the Battle of Bosworth on a 2 kilometre walk. Following the walk, you will then return to meet the falconer and the owls. Adult admission is £12 and £8 for concessions, starts at 7.00pm. Please book in advance.

Dates: Friday 24th October 2014 Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre & Country Park, Sutton Cheney, CV13 0AD Telephone: 01455 290 429 The Wolds Club A friendly club providing social events, talks, lunches, etc. for ‘young at heart’ residents of all The Wolds Villages and surrounding areas. Meet alternate Wednesday afternoons in The Memorial Hall, Wymeswold. Non‐Members always welcome (£2 entrance fee) Dates: Wednesday 29th October 2.30pm - Musical Afternoon with the U3A Singers

Page 58

Wednesday 12th November 2.30pm – “Plants in Literature” Patsy Raynor Telephone: Margaret Lorriman 01509 880 442. Email: margaret.lorriman@virgin.net Christmas Craft Fair at Houghton-on-the-Hill The annual Houghton‐on‐the‐Hill Christmas Craft Fair is back again, this year in aid of St. Catharine’s charity which raises money to repair and restore the village church in Houghton‐on‐the‐Hill.

The fair will feature over 60 stalls all set up in the village church, primary school, and village hall, which will sell a wide choice of gifts and craft items ranging from hand‐ made cards and chocolates to jams, preserves, scarves, jewellery, cakes, books, toys and lots more. The event will also feature a raffle draw with the chance to win lots of prizes, including two Christmas hampers worth over £100 each. Light refreshments will also be available, with a selection of homemade soups and cakes.

Open from 10.00am until 3.30pm, entry to all three venues all day is £1 per person with children going free.

Dates: Saturday 1st November 2014 Houghton‐on‐the‐Hill, Leicestershire, LE7 9GD Abbey Park Bonfire & Fireworks Display Experience Leicester’s largest annual bonfire and firework display, hosted at Abbey Park. The event draws in 15,000 visitors every year, who attend the city’s celebration to enjoy family fun with lots of food stalls and live entertainment, with the main attraction being the firework display. As well as the headline event there will also be a children’s firework display, perfect for a younger audience.

Dates: Saturday 1st November 2014 Telephone: 0116 299 4444 Email: festivals@leicester.gov.uk Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, Leicester, LE4 5AQ Great Central Bonfire Night – Wednesday 5th November 2014 TRAVEL BY TRAIN TO AND FROM THE BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS – Please arrive in good time to buy tickets and go to the platform before train departure time You are strongly advised to travel by one of our trains to this event. If you use the earlier trains you can avoid the crowds and the last minute rush! More trains have been added to the timetable this year.

VIEWING THE BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS – Bonfire lit at 7.30pm & firework display at 8pm We’ve a fantastic fire, a huge firework display, refreshments and children’s rides.

It’s a magical night out for all the family.

It’s one of the biggest and best shows in Leicestershire so come along and join in the fun. You can arrive at the gate – or even better, travel in heritage style by train from Loughborough, Rothley or Leicester North station. Combine the

magic of a train ride and a sensational fire work display – see you there!

Trains depart Loughborough Central Station at 6.00pm, 6.20pm and 7.00pm Trains depart Leicester North Station at 5.40pm, 6.15pm and 6.50pm Trains depart Rothley Station at 5.50pm, 6.25pm and 7.00pm Fair Trade Fayre at Loughborough Town Hall Saturday 8th November See page 49 for full details Autumn Art Fair In Woodhouse.

The artists’ group ArtSpace Loughborough will be holding their annual art fair at Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall (Main Street, Woodhouse Eaves). This will be their 7th autumn art fair and this year is promising to be bigger and better with a total of 16 artists taking part.

Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th November Murder Mystery Play in association with Friends of St. Mary's, Sileby The Friends of St. Mary's Church in Sileby have organised a murder mystery play, to be performed by the renowned Tyrsby Players from Leicester. Throughout the performance, at the prescribed intervals, a main course cold supper will be served followed by desserts later on in the evening. The audience will be seated at tables of eight people around the hall so that the actors can mingle and interact with them during the evening until the murder is solved. Admission is £12.50 per person, and the audience are asked to bring their own drinks if they wish to do so. Starts at 7.30pm in the Sileby Community Centre.

Dates: Saturday 15th November 2014 Sileby Community Centre, 41 High Street, Sileby, Loughborough, LE12 7RX Telephone: 01509 815525 or 01664 566410 South Croxton Christmas Craft Fair Your Christmas shopping made easy! The fair will feature loads of stalls perfect for finding everyone the ideal present, plus you can soak up the atmosphere with morning coffee, lunch, or afternoon tea.

The event will also include a hog roast, followed by homemade cakes and mince pies. Open from 11.00am until 4.00pm.

Dates: Saturday 22nd November 2014 South Croxton Village Hall, School Lane, South Croxton, LE7 3RT Telephone: 01664 840272 Email: baxter_caroline@hotmail.com Rothley's Christmas Lights Switch On Head down to the Cross Green in Rothley village centre to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the Christmas lights being switched on. Festivities start at 5.00pm.

Dates: Thursday 27th November 2014 Cross Green, Rothley, Leicester, LE7 7PF Telephone: 07720458626 Email: tim@jackson7247.fsnet.co.uk

Interested in sponsoring this page? Email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

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£25 Cash Winner Congratula ons to Chris ne Wells of Leicester who wins £25 just for ‘liking’ our Soar Valley Life facebook page.

0116 2987082 01509 412797 07825 795558 Before

Chris ne was the ‘liker’ picked at random on 30th September 2014 from all ‘likers’ on our page.

Go to Soar Valley Life/facebook for your chance to win!

Meal for Two with Wine Winner Congratula ons to John Cooper of Burbage whose entry in the above compe on was the first correct answer to be drawn out of the hat a er the closing date. The two actors who played two famous detec ves, and whose framed photographs are on the wall in The Waterside Inn, were John Thaw and Jeremy Bre .

John won a two course meal for two people with a bo le of wine at The Waterside Inn, Mountsorrel – see page 24 for details.

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Two Night Break in Skegness Winner Congratulations to Sue Wiltshire of Mountsorrel whose entry in the above competition was the first correct answer to be drawn out of the hat after 30th September 2014. The seven word phrase in our Summer Wordsearch puzzle was “One swallow does not make a summer” Sue wins a two night break for two adults including full English breakfast at the Savoy Hotel, Skegness.

See page 49 to win a food and drink hamper worth £60 in our Hallowe’en Wordsearch

Every month we’ll pick one of our “Likers” on our Facebook page and they will receive a £25 cash prize.

Go to www.facebook.com/SoarValleyLife Click the thumbs-up “Like” bu on near the top and you’re in!

Page 60

Interested in sponsoring this page? Email steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Being a Landscape Photographer This is more about you than the kit in your bag.

First and foremost you must have a love of the countryside and a passion to share it…

Different or be er equipment can improve results but only marginally compared to an exhaus ve knowledge of how to get the best out of what you have. You need a good understanding of the workings of your camera and be able to adapt se ngs quickly when required.

The landscape changes only slowly but the light can change in moments and the ability to react to it or to an cipate it will capture that unrepeatable flee ng moment.

Persistence is another essen al factor; I o en visit loca ons again and again, some mes without ever making a photograph, un l condi ons are at their best.

Time of day and the seasons all have an effect. The so‐ called “Golden Hours” around sunrise and sunset o en give the best light and to benefit from this means being prepared to work unsocial hours. If dawn is at 5 o’clock, and a loca on is a 90 minute drive, I have to get up no later than 3 a.m. to arrive and be set up before the sun crests the horizon. Before doing this I usually check out the loca on first to establish the best viewpoints.

May the light be with you…

Bill Allsopp

Solu ons

Creepy Crawlies Quiz Answers 1.

Ants

2.

Potatoes

3.

The praying man s

4.

Earwig

5.

The thorax

6.

Eight

7.

Daddy long legs

8.

Gastropods

9.

Arachnophobia

Landscape photographer available for commissions.

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6.

Star added next to cross

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Right pumpkins mouth upside down

8.

Le pumpkins eyes

Across: 1 Traffic, 5 Ketch,

9.

Le pumpkins stalk colour

10. Cats claws gone on one paw

Sudoku Solu on

8 Improve, 9 Ideal, 10 Stern, 11 Theatre, 12 Steady, 14 Spades, 17 Ancient, 19 Tiger, 22 Paths, 23 Athlete, 24 Daddy, 25 Sisters.

Down: 1 Toils, 2 Apple,

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3 Frowned, 4 Chests,

Spot the Difference Answers

5 Knife, 6 Treated,

1.

2.

Star under top bat gone Crescent Moon reversed

7 Helpers, 12 Swapped,

3.

Middle shadow on ghost gone

4.

Floa ng leaf shadow gone

16 Straws, 18 Essay,

5.

Small bat facing different way

20 Geese, 21 Reels.

13 Excited, 15 Pitches,

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Page 61

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