Delivered to: Cannock, Burntwood, Cheslyn Hay, Hatherton, Hawks Green, Heath Hayes Hednesford, Huntington, Norton Canes, Shoal Hill, Wedges Mills, Wimblebury,
January/February 2016
Great Prizes to be won inside this issue: Win tickets for Into The Hoods at The Grand Theatre Win tickets for The Banff Mountain Film Festival at The Gatehouse, Stafford Win tickets to see Totally Tina at Crewe Lyceum
Local Magazine delivered to 20,000 selected Homes and Businesses*
A Message From the Editor
You could be one of the lucky winners, good luck!
II hope you’ve all had a great Christmas with family and friends! I want to wish all of our advertisers and readers a happy New Year! Let’s hope 2016 is a great year for us all!
The team at the Staffordshire Outlook are extremely grateful to the local advertisers who choose to advertise their business in the magazine in 2015, and to the readers who continue to support the Staffordshire Outlook. We hope that our readers will use these reputable companies when the need arises, and don’t forget to mention Staffordshire Outlook if using any of the advertisers!
In this edition we have also have plenty of advertisers who have winter sales including CRS, Cousins, Interiors Italia, Neuxgen and lots more.
If you are a business owner and would like to be featured in the Staffordshire Outlook magazine then please contact us on the details below.
Hello readers,
Welcome to the January/February edition of the Staffordshire Outlook magazine.
The winners from the November /December edition are below. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who entered. We continue to have some lovely comments from the winners of the great prizes they have won in the magazine. Don’t forget to enter the fantastic competitions in this edition; including tickets for In the Hood: Remix at The Grand Theatre, Tickets for the Banff Winter Film Festival and Tickets for Totally Tina at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre.
Congratulations to: Winners of tickets for Peter Pan at the Grand Theatre Louise Noon, Cheslyn Hay Richard Owen, Shoal Hill Winners of a pair of tickets to The Festive Gift Fair
Claire Shelley - Burntwood, Mrs M Bagnall, -Hatherton Emma Haddaway - Wimblebury Joanne Moore - Huntington Adam Checkley -Heath Hayes
Staffordshire Outlook Magazine Ltd Tel: 01952 321334 Staffordshire Outlook Magazine is published by Staffordshire Outlook Magazine Limited www.staffordshireoutlook.co.uk Advertising enquiries Sharon Caldwell - Sales Director Email: sharon@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk Editorial/What’s on information Mal Caldwell - Editor Email: info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk Magazine design: Kate Dalgliesh - Graphic Designer Email: design@etakcreative.co.uk
If you belong to a local group or charity and would like forthcoming events published in this magazine please email info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk
Enjoy your read …..
Contents
New bathroom with Neuxgen 6 Dora Leighton 8 Win tickets for In the Hood:Remix 10 Warmup this winter with underfloor heating 12 Chasewood 15 Tech Aluminium Systems Ltd 16 Chimney Advice 20/21 Neuxgen 22 Winter Treats in the Perennial Garden 24 Standeford Garden 25 Puzzles 26 Rugeley Fireplaces 27 Furniture Trends 28/29 Play area at Hednesford Park open 30 Cannock Based IT Support CompanyNIAV 31 Hednesford Animal Hospital 32 The Dog Groomer 34 Win tickets for BANFF Film Festival 36 Harrisons Club 37 Recipe of the month 38 Compton Hospice 40 Tracy Mason Travel 42/43 New to Salon La Mink and La Minky 44 Penkridge Runners 48 SI Cannock Festive afternoon 48 Set yourself a healthy challenge 50 Energie Ladies Fitness 51 The Cottage Surgery 52 Stafford Community Hub receives Royal approval 54 Sue Starr Hypnotherapy 55 The Chase CACI Clinic 56 Help find Cannock’s unsung hero 58 Why should I make a will 59 Win tickets for Totally Tina A truly tempting TT by Rob Taylor 62 Zero Hero by Rob Taylor 64 Index of advertisers 66 Puzzle Solutions 66
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We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Staffordshire Outlook magazine and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert or editorial. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. Staffordshire Outlook magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in any retrieval system of transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photo copying or otherwise – without the prior consent of Staffordshire Outlook magazine.*total distribution 20,000 copies across two months.
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New Bathroom with Neuxgen
If there is one room in the house where you need to be warm and perfectly comfortable, it’s the bathroom. There it is that you can find yourself wearing the least clothes, and be wet too. Bathrooms should be where you can relax in warm humidity, where you have access to limitless piping hot water and where you can be free from chilling draughts. Once upon a time bathrooms comprised a bath, washbasin and perhaps also a WC. Today most people also expect a shower. Our ideas have changed over recent years as have our bathing habits. As a population we bathe more often in the week than did our parents and grandparents, we expect to be able to do so whenever we feel like it, and at a moment’s notice. A well designed, comfortable bathroom is not a luxury, it is a necessity, a right to which we are all entitled. If your present bathroom lacks some creature comforts, it’s high time it was replaced.
The biggest change in the modern bathroom however, is the shower. Whether housed in a separate cubicle or fitted over the bath. Make sure there are sufficient mirrors and adequate lighting. An illuminated mirror and shaving point are essential. Choose the decor with care. Bathrooms should be cheerful or elegant, not depressingly plain. Consider ceramic or porcelain tiles for the walls and the same for the floors though alternatively, you could choose karndean or vinyl flooring. If your bathroom is not a supreme pleasure to enter and be in, the time has come to ensure it is, and there really is no time like the present. So if your thoughts are turning towards revamping your bathroom it’s worth remembering that we don’t have to look much further than Neuxgen. Call in to their new showroom they provide quality services with up-to-date products to help make our homes just perfect.
First consider a new suite. The latest baths are of plastic derivatives, warm to the touch, easy to care for and tough in use. You can however, still buy enamelled cast iron or steel baths though oddly, they tend to cost rather more than the non-metal models. Modern baths are also very attractive to look at and come, not only in a huge range of colours including black and white, they are also made in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit in with almost any shape and size of room. Matching washbasins may stand upon a pedestal or they may be fitted into a vanity unit with a surrounding worktop and cupboards underneath. The basin part will be made either of a plastic derivative or porcelain. The latest matching WCs are sleek, easy to clean, porcelain fixtures with low, slim-line cisterns and a two-tier choice of flush - full or half, to help conserve your water.
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Neuxgen Ltd, Bank House, 8 Mill Street, Cannock WS11 0DL See our fantastic offers on the advert opposite. www.neuxgen.com
01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK
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SI CANNOCK & DISTRICT
DORA LEIGHTON 3RD APRIL 1916 - 7TH OCTOBER 2015 It is with great sadness that Cannock Soroptimists - and indeed Soroptimists elsewhere in the Region and abroad - mourn the passing of their much loved Dora in her 100th year. Dora Leighton, nee Richards, was known, loved and admired by so many people in the local area and beyond. She was born in Bridgtown, married a local man, Jim Leighton and brought up her family there. She was a teacher of dance, travelling to youth clubs throughout Staffordshire; so many Cannock people were taught to dance by Dora. Even when she stopped teaching she continued to do her dance exercises regularly. In her early 90s she was still able to do the splits: though she said she had to do them at the side of the bed so that she had something to hold onto to get her up! She was most upset with herself because she could no longer kick her leg above her shoulder! Dora was a Soroptimist for over 47 years, having joined SI Cannock & District in January 1968; she was President in 1974/75 and again in 1981/82 and was made an Honorary member in 2005. Dora was always an active member of the club, getting involved in everything - her interest never diminished. She attended her last SI meeting on September 22nd of this year. For those 47 years Dora attended almost every event, whatever it was: she helped to distribute leaflets, sold raffle tickets, collected goods for women victims of domestic violence, had petitions signed, wrote to her MP, held group meetings at her home; she never shied away from difficult or disturbing issues, she always promoted educating, empowering and enabling women. She showed a keen interest in International projects and wrote often to Soroptimists in Australia and the Philippines, sharing ideas and friendship; until about 8 years ago Dora attended the annual UK conferences: she was always keen to learn. Dora supported Midland Chase Region and until very recently she attended the quarterly meetings as well as Charter Dinners for other clubs within the Region. At club level she gave her total support to the President and to all club projects; she was an active participant in all club discussions, putting forward her thoughts and views with care and eloquence. And on top of all this, Dora had a fabulous sense of humour! She could laugh at herself and with others 8
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and could always be relied upon to tell a few jokes remembered accurately and delivered with panache or tell stories about her many and varied experiences. Club members were treated to some of these stories very recently when, as part of President Lynne’s initiative for all members to learn a little more about each other, she gave a potted history of her own life, having everyone laughing with the story of the train taking her and new husband Jim to London on their honeymoon during WW2 being involved in the blitz! Only Dora would have found so much humour in an event like that. Dora was a positive role model for so many: she loved life, respected all people, had a wonderful sense of humour and an infectious laugh. To say that she will be missed is something of an understatement, but the plus side is that everyone who met her gained something positive and precious from her. Cannock Soroptimists are proud to have known her and that she was a member of their club, she will be remembered with love and gratitude.
Dora Leighton on her 99th birthday, April 3rd 2015
Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile! ADVERTISEMENT
It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director Brian Stanley feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not
just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’ Cloudy2Clear service the Cannock
and Stafford areas and Brian is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends
and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Brian a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
STEAMED UP DOUBLE GLAZING? Don’t replace the Frames... just the Panes!
Broken or Damaged Windows? Faulty Hinges, Handles or Locks? Want The Latest Energy Saving Glass? All Glazing Backed By Our 5 Year Manufacturers Guarantee Priority Freephone
0800 61 21118 www.cloudy2clear.com ...we make saving money perfectly clear... 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK
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Competition
One lucky winner can win two tickets to see INTO THE HOODS: REMIXED on Thursday 25th February at 7.30pm. Into the Hoods: Remixed is the newly revamped version of the original award-winning production that stormed the West End in 2008. Under the direction of Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince, the much-loved show returns to the stage with all the wit and charm of the original, updated for 2015 with new choreography, a remixed soundtrack and fresh designs. Set in the ‘Ruff Endz Estate’, the story follows two lost school children who have been tasked to find an iPhone as white as milk, trainers as pure as gold, a hoodie as red as blood and some weave as yellow as corn. Along the way, they meet DJ Spinderella, aspiring singer Lil Red, vivacious rapper Rap-on-Zel, budding music producer Jaxx and embark upon a storybook adventure into the heart of a pulsating community. Co-produced with Sadler’s Wells Theatre, cocommissioned by Curve, Leicester, and supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. “THE MASSIVELY TALENTED ZOONATION ARE GENUINELY MESMERISING. STANDING OVATION STUFF” Metro
To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and send it on a postcard with your name, address and telephone number to: Staffordshire Outlook Magazine, 30 Swinburne Close, Sutton Heights, Telford TF7 4PZ or email info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk before Thursday 11th February 2016. Winners will be notified by telephone. In what year did the original production of Into The Hoods storm the West End? 1) 2004 2) 2008 3) 2010 4) 2012
To book your seats today please go online at Call the Box Office on 01902 42 92 12 or visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk 10 STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Competition Terms and Conditions Winners to collect tickets from the box office on the evening of the performance. Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash or alternative prize nights available. Winners may be required to partake in relevant publicity.
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Warmup this winter with Underfloor Heating from Tile Choice
Many home owners are now opting to have underfloor heating systems installed within their home for the warm gentle heat it offers and the ease at which it can be installed. Advancements in technology now mean that many of these heating systems are easy to install and provide the home owner with an alternative heat source which can be installed under many floor bases. Warmup is the leading and best-selling manufacturer of electrical underfloor heating systems. Their range of underfloor heating systems offers the home owner affordable and excellent long term product satisfaction.
tile heating installation errors for complete peace-of-mind! Tile Choice are now offering lower prices with 40% off all Warmup Underfloor heating products, Britain’s best-selling electrical underfloor heating system the first company to offer a lifetime guarantee on undertile heating.
Underfloor heating spreads warmth over the entire floor area, resulting in up to half the heat being emitted as low-temperature radiant heat. Warming a large area at a low temperature (21-25 C / 70-77 F) produces the most comfortable and efficient form of heating possible by reducing the heat loss from our bodies without overheating the surrounding air.
Available exclusively from Warmup, the 3iE is the world’s first fully interactive, touch technology, energy monitor thermostat. Featuring advanced energy monitoring, the Warmup 3iE featuring Active Energy Management which can save you up to 10% on your energy bills and view actual graphs of your recorded energy consumption against costs.
The Worlds Best-Selling Electric Underfloor Heating Brand - Warmup. Used either as primary heating or simply as floor heat to keep the chill off Underfloor Heating from Warmup is inexpensive, easy to install and comes with a Lifetime Warranty. Our SafetyNet Guarantee covers under 12
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Electric heating is no longer an expensive luxury it is built for everyone to enjoy. All you have to do is measure your room and pick which heating kit you require and choose from the range of thermostats that we offer. This very simple to install and use with a self adhesive mesh makes it very easy to lay and the single end connection means you only have to run one cable to the thermostat. With your selected tiles laid you can enjoy the warmth of underfloor heating for many years to come.
CALL FOR A BROCHURE
T: 01543 505539
Ralvern Upholstery Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green Cannock, Staffs WS11 7XN E: sales@ralvernupholstery.co.uk
www.ralvernupholstery.co.uk
The Chasewood brand of furniture has been manufactured in Staffordshire for over 20 years DESIGNING, CREATING AND INSTALLING BEAUTIFUL FITTED FURNITURE
As a family business we have been designing, creating and installing beautiful fitted furniture throughout the UK offering a reliable and friendly service. In July 2015 we opened our new showroom in Hednesford alongside our production facility. Making the most of even the smallest space is what makes our fitted furniture so utterly desirable. Our innovative storage solutions provide a place for most household items, ensuring the interiors of your furniture look immaculate open or closed. We will carefully consider the style of your room and the atmosphere you wish to create, providing creative solutions for any awkward corners, uneven floors or sloping ceilings. Our professional team will create a design tailored to your needs and life style. Your furniture will be manufactured in our Hednesford factory by our cabinet makers, some having over 30 years experience. Our expert installation teams will then skilfully install your new furniture in your home. At Chasewood we also offer a huge range of free standing furniture available to view online. Visit chasewood-furniture.co.uk to view a wide range of designs and finishes to spark the imagination. 14
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Due to popular demand finance is now available for all our fitted furniture. This means you can enjoy our beautifully crafted fitted furniture and have the luxury of paying weekly. We work with Ideal4FINANCE so that they can negotiate secured and unsecured personal loans for your furniture. Personal loans can be used to spread the cost of purchase for you. To arrange for a designer to visit your home and carry out a free survey and offer advice and discuss design solutions, please call Freephone 0800 316 1078. Alternatively you can visit our website to view products and book online. Our stylish Hednesford showroom is open to the public 6 days a week: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Saturday: 10am – 3pm
50% Winter Sale Finance Available
Beautifully crafted bespoke furniture
Freephone : 0800 316 1078 Visit our website: chasewood-furniture.co.uk Visit our online shop: furniture-for-bedrooms.co.uk 124 Anglesey Business Park, Littleworth Road, Hednesford WS12 1NR
10 Year Guarantee Call for a Free Design Visit Call for a Free Brochure Subject to status
01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 15 Showroom open to the public 6 days a week. Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Saturday 10am - 3pm
Bring the outside into your home with Tech Aluminium Systems Ltd UPDATE YOUR PROPERTY AND INJECT SOME 21ST CENTURY STYLING
Can you imagine a wide open space added to your home, instantly generating a contemporary, stylish look? You can open up an entire area during the day or partially fold-back depending on the amount of fresh air and space you require. We manufacture standard windows and doors, bifold and patio doors, curtain walling and balustrade at our factory in Rumer Hill, Cannock. We manufacture all of our products in house therefore maintaining a consistently high standard and quality. Manufactured and installed to provide maximum viewing areas, our bi-fold and sliding doors add the 21st century to any property and can provide you with clearer access to your patio or garden bringing the outside in, just unlatch the high security locking and with a light push you have the access to your outdoor living area. When closed, Bi-fold and sliding doors offer shelter and warmth with little reduction in natural light, allowing you to stay connected to the outside from the comfort of your home. Our products meet the stringent security standards required for construction, security, safety, weather-tightness and strength of performance. This means behind its striking looks, your door is robust and built to last all-year round.
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Whether we are asked to create and plan original bespoke designs from your requirements or we are working with other architects and designers, we promise you that from the moment we take on your project, we will work very closely with you from the start to the finish. Aluminium, Stainless Steel and Glass production has developed so much over the past few years that almost anything is possible to achieve your desired look, so please do not hesitate to contact us with your bespoke ideas, plans and projects. With our wealth of experience you can be assured that our ability to transform some style into your property comes with an attention to detail and uncompromising commitment to quality and performance, our aim is to deliver a first class product, at a competitive price. After we have installed your product, we offer after sales care advice to maintain and increase the effective life of your bespoke glass product. So if you are looking at updating your property and injecting style and the 21st century cutting edge chic, with a local Cannock based company, contact the team at Tech Aluminium Systems Ltd. Tech Aluminium Systems Limited Unit 10 Rumer Hill Business Estate Rumer Hill Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0ET 01543 467272 Website: www.techalumsystems.co.uk Email: admin@techalum.co.uk
• Curved Glass • Glass Balustrade & Balconies • Glass Partitions • Glass Doors, Patio Doors, Bi-fold Doors • Shop Fronts, Canopies & Entrance Glass Tech Alum Systems Limited Unit 10 Rumer Hill Business Estate Rumer Hill Road Cannock Staffordshire WS11 0ET
01543 467272 admin@techalum.co.uk
www.techalumsystems.co.uk
sale WINTER
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UPTO 60% OFF EVERYTHING USE COUPON CODE WINTER15 FOR EXTRA 15% DISCOUNT www.rootwoodhouse.co.uk 79a Darlington Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4JD. TEL: 01902 715 985
HUGE SAVINGS THIS WINTER On All Luxury Italian Furniture www.interiorsitalia.com 79a Darlington Street Wolverhampton WV1 4JD
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Chimney Safety Advice for Consumers OVER 30 THOUSANDS HOUSES HAVE CHIMNEY FIRES UK fire statistics show that each year on average over 30 thousands houses have chimney fires. The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) advises that this will be largely due to not getting the chimney swept often enough or burning fuel that is inappropriate for the appliance and causing tar to build up in the chimney. Most insurance companies will no longer pay out for claims made due to chimney fires, unless the chimney has been swept by a professional Chimney Sweep and a valid Certificate of Chimney Sweeping issued that is recognised by insurance companies. If the fire brigade is called out to a chimney fire and it is proven that the chimney has not been properly maintained, then the local council can bill you for the call out, which can be expensive!
include the type of fuel used, appliance, duration of use, moisture content of wood fuel, and the type of chimney you have. Your local NACS Chimney Sweep will be able to advise on the sweeping frequency during the appointment. The sweeping frequencies below are for guidance purposes only:• • • • •
Chimney fires can not only destroy homes but also endanger the occupiers of the dwelling. Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have enough fuel to be as dramatic or visible as their more spectacular cousins. The temperatures they reach are very high and can cause damage to the chimney structure and nearby combustible parts of the house. Use only recommended fuels for your appliance and flue type (if you are unsure then check your manufactures instructions, ask your stove supplier, or your local NACS Chimney Sweep). Chimneys need to allow the free passage of dangerous combustion gases. Regular Chimney Sweeping will remove soot, bird nests, cobwebs and any other blockages. It also removes creosote, which will help to prevent dangerous chimney fires. Chimney Sweeping will also help to increase the efficiency of appliances. The frequency of Chimney Sweeping will depend on a number of factors which 20
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Smokeless Fuel: At least once a year Wood: Quarterly when in use Bituminous Coal: Quarterly when in use Oil: Once per year Gas: Once per year
NACS Chimney Sweeps are very mindful and conscious of making as little mess as possible, and are in fact trained in the prevention of dust escaping during sweeping. Normally Chimney Sweeps will need a clear passage to the chimney and adequate space to work in. They may suggest you clear any ornaments from the hearth and mantelpiece, and perhaps you could clear the grate of any fuel, ash or rubbish etc before the sweep arrives. Gas and oil flues will also need to be swept. It is essential that all flues are kept clean and clear of debris and vermin nests. It will also help with the prevention of chimney fires and even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have just moved house, then it is important you have your chimney swept as soon as possible as you may not necessarily know when it was last cleaned properly by a professional Chimney Sweep. Always ensure you receive a NACS Certificate of Chimney Sweeping. Your Chimney Sweep will also provide advice on your Chimney, heating appliances, what fuels to use, and the best practice for fuel storage. Chimney Sweeps that are Members of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps undertake an extensive training program and have to successfully complete a full assessment prior to becoming and trading as a NACS Member. All NACS Members
must hold valid insurance for Chimney Sweeping, of which they provide a copy of to the Association on an annual basis. They must also have the correct equipment to be able to undertake the job which is checked at the time of their assessment.
Exhibition is open to the public with free entrance and free parking, and is next taking place on 15th & 16th April 2016 at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Bridgefoot, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6YR.
You can search for a local NACS Chimney Sweep at www.nacs.org.uk NACS Chimney Sweeps are: • • • • •
All trained and qualified Fully insured Issue an Industry Standard Certificate of Chimney Sweeping for every Chimney cleaned Follow the Industry Standard Code of Practice Able to inspect and survey Chimneys using CCTV equipment
Article provided by the National Association of Chimney Sweeps December 2015
NACS Members are dedicated to Protecting the Consumer For more consumer information and guidance on Chimneys and Stoves, please visit www.nacs.org. uk where you can also download a FREE Heat Your Home Safely Guide. Alternatively consumers can come along to the annual NACS Exhibition and speak to the experts to gain further advice The NACS
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Neuxgen RELIABLE, HONEST AND PROFESSIONAL BUILDING COMPANY
Neuxgen are a reliable, honest and professional building company established in Staffordshire for over 8 years. We specialise in complete property refurbishments and house extensions. Our job is to take every project from idea to completion, we provide a full service to any homeowner willing to improve their home. With our new show room in Mill Street, Cannock pay us a visit to discuss your next building project. Neuxgen takes great pride in its general and house building work and approach to customer care. We will take the time to listen to your exact needs and offer a tailor-made solution. We will oversee your house building, refurbishment and renovation from start to finish, providing you with a dedicated, bespoke and caring approach to meet your requirements and expectations. With so many companies to choose from, making the right partnership for your home improvement or renovation project is a hard and very important decision to make. Every Neuxgen house extension or building conversion is project managed personally by owner and director Dean Gill. We offer a full one stop service and we employ a team of professional joiners, builders, plumbers, electricians, plasterers and tradesmen for every project. We take care of all of the planning, building regulations, planning applications so there is no need to use a third party. We specialise in refurbishing homes which require close consultation with the client and a tailored approach to the high-end building and design techniques which we are proud to offer, and are able to bring the client’s dreams to reality and to ensure that all goals are met and expectations fulfilled. We make sure all our quotes are as detailed as possible and include all the predictable jobs. No extras at the end, so the project is strictly according to the quote specification. 22
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Once we start, our tradesmen are on site everyday so there are no delays from our side. We are in close contact with you at all times. From start to finish we make sure all our work conforms to current regulations and meets your expectations. The project manager visits site on a regular basis, checking works in progress. Neuxgen promise to complete your extension or renovation project swiftly, professionally and to budget. Working directly with our clients has ensured that our projects have run smoothly, this is one of our strengths and the main ingredient to our success in this competitive industry. We have built our business on client recommendations and word of mouth.
See below a few client testimonials: I have had problems with traders disappearing after doing work and not looking after me later. But Neuxgen have been responsive throughout. When I had to call them out for a fault they got it sorted in no time. I have recommended them to all my family and friends. I am impressed.
Mr Graham, Stafford Nothing was too much trouble... They finished the job quicker than I expected and they cleared up after themselves.
Mr Wint, Cannock They gave me the best overall package out of 5 other quotes. They even came at night when I was home to discuss my options
Mr Holmes, Birmingham Neuxgen Ltd Bank House, Mill Street, Cannock WS11 0DL 01543 500071 www.neuxgen.com
• Full one stop service, directly employed tradesmen • Architectural service available • Planning and building regulations
Come and visit our new showroom, which has been renovated by our own tradesmen. Open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm
• All sizes of house extensions undertaken • Project managed by Company Director • Garage Conversions • Kitchen Extensions • Orangeries • Conservatories • Porches • Bathroom Installations
Neuxgen Ltd Bank House 8 Mill Street Cannock WS11 0DL
• Kitchen Installations
Tel: 01543 500 071 info@neuxgen.co.uk
www.neuxgen.com Home visits available upon request 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 23
Winter Treats in the Perennial Garden SEED HEADS & BERRIES ARE NATURE’S STORE CUPBOARD FOR HUNGRY BIRDS The depths of winter could be a dull and dreary time in the perennial garden with plants dormant and snuggled up below ground but there can still be plenty of interest for both gardeners and wildlife.
Goldfinches
Phlomis russeliana As the memory of summer fades in the garden the bones of flowering plants remain to add interest though the winter months. Many perennials retain stems, dry flowers and seed heads that catch the low sun and become dusted in frost, sparkling in the winter sunshine. Seed heads and berries are nature’s store cupboard hoarding food for hungry birds in times of hardship. The lazy gardener has an immediate advantage over the tidy one who clears away everything in autumn but a little thought and planning can make all the difference. I use three rules of thumb in deciding what should stay and what must be cut down early. Firstly, if it’s diseased or likely to harbour disease then get rid of it; so Phlox stems go early to avoid any chance of harbouring eelworm. Secondly, stems that are hard and have a good shape can be left through the winter and those that go soft or mushy should be cleared away in autumn. Thirdly, if the plant is tender at all leave the stems and dry leaves to protect the crown. Plants like Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis russeliana) are natural performers: the heart-shaped leaves are ground-hugging evergreens and the seed heads are like pepper pots along the length of the stiff stems and are eagerly sought out by finches. The stems attract frost on cold nights and become encrusted and bejewelled by morning. Bubblemint (Agastache) has stems like ears of wheat and the tweezer-like beaks of goldfinches are ideally suited to extracting their tiny seeds. Some perennials need a little work to bring out their winter best. Fennel (Foeniculum) has upright stems and seed heads like the spokes of an umbrella but the dead leaves hang like rags on the stem so it’s best to strip these off to reveal its true majesty.
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Other perennials with good winter shape include Verbena, Bridal Wreath (Francoa), Bergamot (Monarda), and Sea Holly (Eryngium) Ornamental grasses are the kings of winter structure adding drama and stature. The spent husks of the Giant Spanish Oats (Stipa gigantea) blow in the winter gales and shine with frost on crisp sunny mornings. These will remain on the plants until a tidy-up in early March. The Silver Grasses (Miscanthus) have bold outlines and large silky flowers throughout the winter. The leaves gradually turn from green to gold and the brown. Other good winter grasses include Feather Grass (Pennisetum), Korean Grass (Calamagrostis) and Switch Grass (Panicum) Eventually in late winter or early spring the stems will need to be cleared away. Don’t forget the shelter these have been giving the dormant buds below and wait for a mild spell before cutting back to avoid a shock to the plant. Winter doesn’t have to be a barren season in the perennial garden and good things come to those that wait!
Martin Blow Janet & I run SpecialPerennials, a small garden nursery in Hankelow Cheshire where we hold two National Plant Collections and grow a large range of plants for a nature friendly garden. Our garden was featured on BBC Gardener’s World in 2014. Our website www.specialperennials.com is full of colour photos and growing tips. We sell by mail order and also at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season. You can find all the dates on www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk
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STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Rugeley Fireplaces & Stoves UNVEILS BEAUTIFUL NEW SHOWROOM DISPLAYS Just in time for those chilly months ahead, Rugeley Fireplaces & Stoves has just finished investing thousands of pounds updating their fireplace and stove display.
If you haven’t visited the showroom since September, now is the perfect time to drop by and be inspired by their new designs with styles to suit every home and budget. With a mind on keeping your energy bills down, the showroom boasts the most efficient flued gas fire and the most efficient wood burning stove in the world! More than just a source of heat, gas fires are enjoying a resurgence in popularity since manufacturers have used the last few years to develop realistic logs and greater efficiency. Today, they give a credible alternative to a wood burning stove in terms of heat output, efficiency and of course they’re clean and light at the touch of a button.
Make it a cosy New Year and visit the showroom for some warm inspiration.
01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 27
Furniture trends for 2016 Get inspired with our summary of new trends on the interiors front for 2016. We have put together some of the most exciting furniture trends for this coming year.
The dining room revival Spurred on by foodie blogs and the rise of celebrity chefs and TV programs like Great British Bake Off and Master Chef, more people are cooking and entertaining at home, with a welcome comeback of the dining room as a result. The 2016 dining room isn’t necessarily a formal affair; there are currently lots of quirky designs available for a more personal touch.
The dining room revival - Menton dining collection
Scandi style The Scandinavians have already wowed us with their Nordic Noir dramas, as well as their fashion and food. And now Scandi design is finding its way into our homes. This clean, minimalist style is characterised by functionality, beautiful craftsmanship and natural materials. What is not to like?
Scandi style - Biba fabric sofa collection
A statement chair As a quirky accent in the living room, or on its own for a cosy place to snuggle up with your favourite book, the statement chair is on the up. A favourite armchair is a very personal choice so anything goes; the only rules are that it has got to be comfy, and it has got to be super stylish.
Boutique style Create the look of a boutique hotel at home. This dramatic look is made up of a clever mix of classic and contemporary designs, oversized accessories, theatrical lighting, plush fabrics and the odd splash of leather.
Scandi style - Lorraine leather chesterfield sofa
Industrial chic The industrial look is still going strong during 2016. Its staying power is partly because its utilitarian qualities and understated design easily blends in with other interior styles. Try incorporating this look to your home by adding industrial style accessories for a quick update. All the products featured are available from Cousins Furniture Stores, Dudley DY2 8NW and Tyseley B11 2EW. www.cousinsfurniture.co.uk and email online@cousinsfurniture.co.uk 28
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Boutique style - Galaxy upholstered bed
Industrial chic - Quentin occasional tables
A statement chair - Jakobsen Brandon swivel chair
Industrial chic - Gatsby ampers and ornament
Industrial chic - Kavali sideboard
Industrial chic - Chamerley daybed
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Play areas at Hednesford Park officially opened Members from Cannock Chase Council were joined today by local children, community groups and partners to officially open the play areas at Hednesford Park. The two fully inclusive play areas for toddlers/juniors and teenagers have taken over two years to complete with costs in excess of over £250,000.00. The work was made possible following a successful application for just over £2.2M Heritage Lottery Fund Grant, together with funding from the Council, Staffordshire Environmental Fund and St Modwen.
Cannock Chase Council have spent many hours with The Friends of Hednesford Park making sure that this play area is the best that can be offered to the children and parents and without their effort this scheme would not have achieved the PiPA (Planning Inclusive Play Areas) accreditation or be the park it is. Play provision in the District is seen as a family activity and equipment, space and provision actively encourage participation from all family members and friends. The Council is determined to invest in the sports and recreation facilities in the community to help improve the health and wellbeing of its residents.”
The design of the play areas was influenced by the local history of Hednesford, the natural environment and the way children play and develop. Local children contributed to the design through modelling and drawing. The designs are innovative, creative and multi-functional incorporating sensory play, water and sand. Councillor Christine Mitchell, Portfolio Leader for Culture and Sport said “I am delighted to open this fantastic play area for local children. This project has been achieved through rigorous consultation and delivered through the hard work and effort of the local community, partners and Council Officers.
Councillor Christine Mitchell with local school children.
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Cannock based IT Support Company NIAV IN THESE MODERN TIMES YOUR COMPANY RELIES ON IT Cannock based IT Support Company NIAV Priority Support provides a wide range of services to small to medium sized businesses. Performing, when necessary, as their IT department. In these modern times your company relies on IT, and it can be crippling to work flow and funding when there are issues beyond your scope of knowledge or control. Even a machine taking 15 minutes to boot every morning is costing you unnecessary time and therefore money. By having NIAV priority support on your side we can make sure your business flows seamlessly, and in turn increases your credibility as a reliable company. As a new client you are offered a free 20 minute consultation to discuss your requirements, and to assess the quality of the existing IT infrastructure; you are then invited to discuss the things you feel your IT system lacks. A lot of the time there are things that can be done that you didn’t believe computers were capable of. Or there can be
things we can suggest which could make your processes more efficient. Your IT systems can often be taken for granted and expected to work without fault day in day out. But what if your PC systems were to fail, is your sensitive data backed up? Is your client base and all your email history safe? Are you running your systems on Windows XP? If all this sounds familiar then you need to give 20 minutes of your time to us, before your IT systems fail and leave you, your business and your clients in the lurch. We offer a range of on call services and support contracts. We cover all aspects of IT, can set you up with any initial hardware you may require, install and set up any software, servers, email hosting, shared printers, corporate anti-virus, storage facilities and much more. We can also help fine tune existing systems that you have in place, or fix any issues that keep arising and get rid of any problems that are stopping your business from functioning correctly. Your company will be on our list of top priorities. With our experience, knowledge, locality, immediate response, great value support packages, fairly priced ad hoc pricing, disaster support and prevention and a free initial consultation there’s nothing to lose. Speak to NIAV Priority support today on 0800 888 6373.
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Hawkes Green Veterinary Centre Has now changed to,
Hednesford Animal Hospital We are now located at: 12 Market Street, Hednesford 32
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Hawks Green Vets is now Hednesford Animal Hospital MOVING ONWARDS AND UPWARDS TO A BIGGER PRACTICE Hawkes Green Veterinary Centre has now been open for two years and due to our great success we are moving onwards and upwards to a bigger practice. We have also changed our iconic name to Hednesford Animal Hospital to fit in with our new surrounding on Hednesford High Street. Our new practice will be managed by our Head Veterinary Surgeon Dr Kathryn Carder who says ‘I am so excited for this opportunity to expand our practice and offer our clients the best service possible.’ The new premise is a purpose built, state of the art Veterinary Hospital. From the inviting reception room to a fully functioning preparation area, surgical suit and radiography zone, following through to our wet lab and in-patient hospitalisation wards, Hednesford Animal Hospital will hopefully thrive in its new location. We have an excellent team of vets and nurses here at Hednesford Animal Hospital. Some of them will be a familiar face as they have worked for the practice for many years. However we also have some new faces as we have acquired some new members of staff which I am sure you will meet along the way. ‘Kathryn and I are extremely happy regarding our expansion and feel that the new members of staff will be right at home within the hednesford family, we are also extremely proud to say that all of our patients will be treated with the upmost dignity and as if they were our very own. ’ says Head Veterinary Nurse Sarah Jones RVN. Furthermore Kathryn has a keen interest in treating exotic animals such as rabbit, rats and even chickens. She hopes to start her exotic certificate next year to become a Veterinary Surgeon who specializes in treatment of these species. Therefore is more than happy to see and help treat all your unusual friends! Our opening times will be 8am until 7pm Monday to Friday and 11am until 1pm on Saturdays. In case of any emergency and we are closed we have a dedicated team of veterinary surgeons and nurses on standby at Northside Emergency Practice. Furthermore why not join our Animal Health care Scheme, routine care is an important part of
responsible pet ownership and with our Animal Health Care Scheme you can make savings on the annual cost of what we call preventative maintenance, thus helping you keep your pets in tip top condition. So what’s included? • First vaccines • Annual booster • Flea and worm treatment for the whole year! • Microchip (legal requirement in April 2016 for all dogs) • Free nurse’s clinics, weight management clinics and nail clips • 10% off neutering • 20% off pet passport • 10% off dental treatment
How do I join? All for just £9.95 per month for cats, £12.95 for dogs less than 40kg and £14.95 for dogs over 40kg and £5.95 for rabbits. Payment for three months is required upfront. With all this in mind, combined with our great offers and schemes we hope that you will be just as excited as we are. We moved into the premises on the 14th December 2015 so please drop by and take a look! Like us at www. facebook.com/ hawkesgreenvets The new address is: 12 Market Street, Hednesford, Cannock Staffs WS12 1AF We look forward to seeing you soon! 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 33
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2016 UK & IRELAND BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR BIG SCREENS, BIG STORIES The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour offers audiences the opportunity to travel the world and experience a selection of inspirational, exhilarating and unforgettable adventures from the comfort of a theatre chair; while getting to know the characters behind the hair raising on-screen action and adventure.
The World Tour travels the globe every year, to over 45 different countries from Australia through to Antarctica, being enjoyed by more than 400,000 people worldwide.
For a taste of the action, watch the 2015 trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSJOnw4QLx0 For Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour tickets and information go to www.Banff-uk.com.
Now in its seventh edition, the 2016 UK and Ireland Banff Tour will share a collection of exhilarating short films with more than 80 screenings in over 50 locations across two different film programmes in early 2016. The festival tour showcases a diverse collection of the newest and very best films from the global mountain culture and sports community. The two different film programmes, each of approximately two and a half hours in length, will be selected from over 350 films that have been entered into the prestigious 40th anniversary edition of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, held in the Canadian Rockies in November 2015. The Tour is much more than a series of incredible film nights. It brings together people with a wide range of outdoor passions who return every year to enjoy the fantastic community feeling of a Banff screening and leave with new enthusiasm and inspiration for their own adventures. The popularity of the UK and Ireland leg of the Banff World Tour is quickly growing. In 2016, the Tour is expected to bring together more than 50,000 adventure lovers, celebrating the outdoors in unique venues right across the UK and Ireland. 36
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This month we have teamed up with Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour for Two lucky winners the chance to attend the film festival on Friday 12th February 2016 at The Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford. To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the following question: How many adventure lovers is the tour expected to bring together? a) 20,000 b) 50,000 c) 40,000 Email your answer to info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk or on a postcard to 30 Swinburne Close, Sutton Heights, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4PZ. Please ensure that you send your name, address and telephone number. Entries to be received by Sunday 31st January 2016 Terms and conditions: Winners are to collect tickets from the box office at The Gatehouse Theatre on the night of the show Friday 12th February 2016. Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash alternative prize nights available.
Join us at The Harrisons Sports and Social club this New Year GREAT NIGHT OUT, WITH GREAT PEOPLE & SURROUNDINGS Well here we are in 2016, the start of another year of excellent entertainment at Harrisons. If you are looking for a great night out, in great surroundings, with nice people, watching a live band, well the venue you want is Harrisons. Every Thursday evening there is a band performing with 5/6 band members, Country music on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, and foot tapping hand clapping Dixieland Jazz on 1st and 3rd Thursdays. Pay just £3 at the door. Visitors are always welcome. Buy a couple of drinks and you will get your entrance fee back due to our very competitive bar prices. These are great nights so come on drag yourself away from the TV, you will enjoy it. Every Tuesday night is DISCO NIGHT, with DJ Ron Dixon and music mainly from the 50s/ 60s/70s/80s this is just £2 on the door, it’s a good fun night and an ideal place to make new friends. Saturday evening we have live entertainment acts
and Wednesday is Bingo night. Visit us on facebook – Harrisons Sports and Social Club, you can see what’s on. Harrisons opens at 4pm on Mondays to Thursdays with a Happy Hour 5pm to 6pm each day. We are open from 1pm on Fridays and it’s a Happy Afternoon 1pm to 6pm, it’s a great start to the weekend. Saturday and Sundays we are open all day. Cask ales are available. Come on give us a try in 2016 you will love it. We are 200 yards off the A34 in Wharwell Lane Great Wyrley WS6 6EU.
Harrisons
Sports & Social Club Wharwell Lane, Great Wyrley, WS6 6EU Tel: 01922 412138 or 07801 236481 Open from: 4pm Mon - Thurs, All day Fri, Sat & Sun.
TRIBUTE NIGHTS For more details on any of our upcoming tribute nights, please visit our facebook page :
Harrisons Sports and Social Club
Happy hour 5pm to 6pm. September
Thursday 7th Jan.16 BARBARA & ALL THAT JAZZ. Saturday 9th Jan. BAND Thursday 10th FLYING SMOKEYCOLOURS JOE COUNTRY BAND Thursday 14th Jan JOHN WILDWOOD & COUNTRY FRIENDS Saturday 12th IAN CHARLES Saturday 16th Jan KELLY JAMES Thursday 17th NEWWASHBOARD WASHBOARD SYNCOPATORS SYNCOPATORS Thursday 21st Jan NEW Saturday 19th RUN DEVIL RUN BAND Saturday 23rd Jan WAYNE TULSA Thursday 24th KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY BAND Thursday 28th Jan KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY COUNTRY BAND Saturday TWO D's Thursday 4th26th Feb BILL BAILEYS ALL STAR JAZZ BAND Saturday 6th Feb SCOTTIE Thursday 11th Feb SMOKEY JOE COUNTRY BAND Thursday 1stFeb KAY CHRISSAVANAGH CARMELLS VINAGE JAZZ BAND Saturday 13th Saturday 3rdFeb KIA Thursday 18th CHRIS CARMELLS VINTAGE JAZZ BAND Thursday JOHN WILDWOOD & COUNTRY FRIENDS Saturday 20 8th Feb GARETH JOHN Saturday 10th LUKE Thursday 25th Feb KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY COUNTRY BAND Thursday 15th APEX JAZZ &BAND SWING BAND Saturday 27th Feb YESTA-YRS Saturday Thursday 3rd17th March SHERIDAN APEX JAZZLEIGH & SWING BAND Thursday 22nd HIGHWAY COUNTRY BAND Thursday 10th March KNOXVILLE TED & COUNTRY REB’S Thursday 17th March BLUE BANKMUSTANG ST. SYNCOPATORS Saturday 24th BAND Thursday 24th March PETER PETERBODDIS BODDISCOUNTRY COUNTRY BAN Thursday 29th BAND
October
Dixieland jazz or country music band on every Thursday night. Only £3. 60s/70s/80s Disco Night every Tuesday 8.45pm to 12 midnight £2 at door Live entertainment Saturdays Bingo on Wednesday nights. 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 37
RECIPE
Makes 12-16 slices By Michael Peter Whitehurst
WINTER COMFORTING CARROT CAKE INGREDIENTS FOR THE SPONGE • 300ml of olive oil • 300g of organic wholemeal self raising flour • 300g of soft dark brown sugar • 4 medium free range eggs • 2 tsp of baking powder • 1 tsp of ground ginger • 1 tsp of ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp of ground star anise • 50g of grated walnuts • 50g of grated stem ginger • 100g of golden raisins soaked in whisky • 1 tsp of vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp of Valencian orange extract • 1 pinch of Maldon sea salt • 300g of carrots peeled FOR THE BUTTERCREAM • 500g of icing sugar • 250g of softened unsalted butter • 1 tsp of ground mace • 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract • 50g of chopped dried apricots • 50g of roasted walnut halves and hazelnuts • 1 tbsp of toasted pumpkin seeds • Icing sugar EQUIPMENT • 1 x 9” cake tin greased and lined with parchment paper • Magi mix with grating attachment - large or small it’s up to you • Food mixer with paddle attachment / K beater • Spatula METHOd 1. Pre heat the oven to 175ªc and now make the batter. 2. Beat together the oil, salt and sugar on high speed until its lightens in colour a little then add in the flour, baking powder, vanilla, orange extract, spices and eggs and beat until smooth. Now using a magimix or similar food processor or just a hand held grater,
grate the walnuts, stem ginger and carrots and then fold into the cake batter with the whisky soaked raisins and a dash of the whisky. Pour into your 9” greased and lined tin - I use Alan Silverwood Anodised tins as they distribute the heat more evenly when baking. (Wash by hand, don’t put them in the dishwasher). 3. Bake in the oven on the middle shelf for about an hour then allow to cool in the tin for a while until turning out onto a cooling rack. Whilst this is cooling you can make your butter cream. 4. Using the magi mix, clean the bowl out and fit the blade attachment. Pour in the icing sugar and butter and blitz until the mix comes together as a smooth paste, add in a little vanilla and add half the ground mace. Now that the sponge has cooled completely slice across the middle with a cake wire or a long pastry knife. I find it easier to chill the sponge first before cutting so it’s a little less crumbly. Now spread the butter cream across the middle of the cake, as much as you like but you do need to save some for the outside. I like to completely cover my cake with buttercream on the outside but that’s up to you. Top with the chopped dried apricots, roasted nuts and seeds then dust with a little of the ground mace and icing sugar. SERvING SUGGESTION Serve this with an espresso or whatever your favourite hot beverage is.
For any recipe advice please contact mike@takefood.co.uk sign up to my recipe blog here: www.takefood.co.uk/blog 38 20 STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
town & village life magazine | january/february 2016
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This trip is operated by The Different Travel Company (ATOL 6706) for Compton Hospice (Reg. Charity 512387). The Different Travel Company Ltd. is a company registered in England, number 05324268. All flights are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.
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STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
This unique challenge combines two days at a community project in Lusaka with an awe-inspiring downstream canoe expedition on the Lower Zambezi River. Exploring Zambia by water gives you a unique perspective of the beauty of Zambia’s natural landscapes and wildlife with great opportunity to see elephants, hippos and buffalo. Camping on the river bank or a small island each night will give you a tremendous sense of being at one with nature.
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Classic Collection Holidays - the award-winning independent specialist tour operator, celebrating over 27 years in the travel industry. With luxury tailor-made holidays and our friendly and knowledgeable service we look forward to working with the staff at Tracy Mason Travel to create your perfect holiday for 2016. Together with our range of destinations including the Mediterranean, North Africa and Bermuda and our new dedicated brochure to Barbados, we feature specialist holidays from family to adult-only, to those looking for more of a cultural experience with our luxury European city breaks. We offer an excellent range of four and five star hotels, multi-centre options, city and train travel. We pride ourselves on our service in designing and delivering, tailor-made luxury holidays at competitive and affordable prices. Private transfers are included on all of our holidays and we offer departures from numerous UK airports, allowing you to travel in comfort and style. Our holidays are 100% financially protected (through the CAA & ABTA) and our price promise ensures that you receive the best value for money for your holiday We’ve proud that the Canary Islands with their great year round climate, have featured prominently for more than a decade. Many of the luxury properties that we offer in our programme have been included since the early days and due to the longevity of the relationships, many of the hoteliers and managers have become life-long friends not only with us but with many of our customers who return especially during the British winter months to enjoy the fantastic weather, friendly Spanish hospitality and delicious cuisine. Tenerife – an island of contrasts, boasts a long sunny coastline with gigantic sea cliffs and numerous sandy beaches against a backdrop of Spain’s highest mountain, Mount Teide: snow-capped for much of the year. There are trendy resorts and traditional villages and a friendly international culture combined with Carnivals of tradition. The largest and most popular of the Canary Islands, boasting the greatest number of tourist attractions, is the triangular 42 2
JANUARY 2016 STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | NOVEMBER 2015
shaped island of Tenerife. Home to Mount Teide the highest mountain in Spain, Tenerife also features numerous beaches, magnificent sea cliffs, bustling new resorts and traditional towns and villages. The coastline stretches some 269km and features spectacular cliffs and coves, some golden sands (Santa Cruz) and many black volcanic sand beaches. Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz, boasts many beautiful historic buildings with its hub around the Plaza de Espana, close to the busy harbour. This fantastic city is the perfect location for things to do in Tenerife. There are two noteworthy churches, a lively bazaar and food market, Auditario the state of the art Opera House, and a couple of interesting museums: one housing the cannon which allegedly removed Admiral Nelson’s arm! Located on the south coast is Playa de las Américas, one of Tenerife’s most popular holiday destinations. Originally a quiet fishing village it developed in the 1970s into the social hub that it is today. The beaches are the resorts main attraction. There are a number of beaches with Playa los Cristanos and Playa de las Vistas being better for families with their shallow waters. Playa de Troya and Playa del Bobo are the resorts main beaches. Lined with restaurants, bars, shops and a number of watersports centres, you’ll never be stuck for things to do in Playa de las Américas. Caldera de las Canadas is a16km wide volcanic crater with Mount Teide at its northern edge. The high altitude walking is sensational but not for the feint hearted although a cable car takes you to within 200m of the summit to enjoy stunning views from this volcanically active summit, which at 3,718m is Spain’s highest mountain. For more information about Tenerife or any of the other Canary Islands, contact Tracy Mason Travel today.
Celebrating 10 Years!
Paula has been in Happy New Year toTravel allin Penkridge. our clients travel for 26 years and she also started an YTS at Co-op and Jackie who from Tracy MasonashasTravel worked at Tracy Mason Travel independently owned Tracy Mason
for 2 years. They all share between them years of travel experience, and We offer the highest levels of can provide clients with a wealth of personaland service care and are knowledge expertand advice.
We want to thank you all for your continuing support. We look forward to welcoming new clients who want to be Please in to customer speak about your treated withcall excellent service from2016 a travel company whowith care!”a coffee holiday, relax
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Tracy, Paula and Jackie at Tracy Mason Travel would like to wish Jackieclients Armitage, a Happy New Mason 100 %deciding ABTA andyour allTracy ofL-R: their dedicated to sourcing perfect Tracyand takeTravel youristime Tracy Mason Director of Tracythe Mason Mason, Paula Kolodziej protected; being part of one of Year! next destination! holiday to“We suit offer you the andhighest your budget.ATOL Travel added: levels personal service care andrange the largest independent travel agencies, Weofspecialise in an and extensive Hays Travel who are also celebrating Over the years we have acquired are dedicated to sourcing the perfect Tracy Mason Travel is of travel from UK your breaks, to around their 35th anniversary this year. holiday to suit you and budget. many loyal clients celebrating their who 10thhave world in tailor made holidays Wethe specialise an extensive range Please call in to speak about now becomethis greatmonth. friends. We anniversary of travel from UK breaks, to around We your next holiday, relax with to your dream destinations. want to thank all of them for their the world tailor made holidays to your a coffee and take your time We hope you will all book through all of the well-known deciding your next destination! dream destinations. We book through agree that support. 10 yearsWe is look continuing operators including Thomson, of the well-known operators including aforward huge achievement to welcoming new clients all Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook, First Choice, Thomas Cook, Jet 2, for andany withbusiness! our professional and JetOlympic 2, Olympicand andKuoni. Kuoni. Having been Stone StoneCross Cross The team atlevel TracyofMason are made friendly customer service; a very successful business in Penkridge Tracy Mason Travel is 100 % ABTA Penkridge Penkridge up with Director, who has you too will beTracy booking your travel for 10 years. we have acquired many Tracy Mason Travel Stafford loyal clients who have now become worked in the travel industry for 28 and ATOL protected; being part Stafford Stone Cross, Penkridge requirements forher many to years. Tracy started careeryears at Lunn great friends. We are so grateful to all ST19 5AS ST19 5AS of one of the largest independent Stafford ST19 5AS Poly as a YTS and progressed into a of you for your business over the last 10 come. T: 01785 712332 travel Hays Travel. T: 01785 712332 manager of 3 stores, before starting the years, andagencies, here’s to another 10 years! 01785 712332
EBRATING EL
T: 01785 712332 We specialise in an extensive range of travel from UK breaks, to around the world tailor made holidays to your dream destinations. We are a privately owned travel agency. Call in to speak about your next holiday, relax with a coffee and take your time deciding your next destination!
Tracy Mason Travel, Stone Cross, Penkridge, Stafford ST19 5AS 01952 321334 | | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 43 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 01952 321334 533
LetLetususmake your make youfeel fantastic this winter, feel fantastic with with our fabulous new our fabulous offers year offers. Swedish Back Massage
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Lisse Design Keratin Therapy for only £99.99 free shampoo & Bookwith 4 After-care service's conditioner (250ml) and get the 5th FREE
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Please mention this advert at time of booking. 44
Telephone 01543 500 340 www.salonlamink.co.uk
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | DECEMBER 2015
Dawtry Stables, Dawtry Farm, Watling Street Hatherton, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1SD
Keratin Therapy
DesignKeratin Therapy LisseDesign k in M a New to Salon La Mink Lisse L n lo a S to ew N
KERATIN SMOOTHING TREATMENT 100% SECURE, FLEXIBLE & HIGH PERFORMANCE We would like to welcome
ourto new Molly New Lastylist Minky Brotherton to Salon La Mink. Rejuvenated’s Collagen Shots
Alfaparf Milano presents a revolutionary keratin smoothing treatment. 100% Secure, flexible and high performance. Do you dream of perfectly straight hair and more time for yourself? Do you want to manage your look easily and quickly without having to fight every day with a brush and hair dryer? Now you can have straight hair, velvety, bright and easy to comb through with the launch of an innovative new line from Alfaparf Milano: Lisse Design Keratin Therapy. Equipped with the latest formulations for maintaining the integrity and health of hair stylists and consumers, the products of the Lisse Design Keratin Therapy are:
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Drink your way to a more youthful and glowing complexion with Rejuvenated’s Collagen Shots! One serving of Rejuvenated’s ‘Collagen Shots’ provides you with 10,000mgs of marine extract collagen – that’s equal to between 20 to 30 typical collagen tablets a day! The fruit flavoured drink consists of 100% natural marine collagen with 30 years dedication to Stylists. and acai berry which helps reduce premature ageing. To ensure unmatched professional straightening results, Lisse After the age of 25, the body begins to Design Keratin Therapy combines lose its ability to create new collagen, innovative technology to enhance reducing by 1.5% a year andextensions. by the age Molly specialises in hair the delivery of keratin and vital Shecollagen says “We are excited now stock of 45 levels can havetoreduced oils. These innovations are: and Hair Extensions by Micro as much asNano 30%. Ring The visible effects at the salon. These extensions • Kera-Collagen Complex of this collagen reduction are the are perfect toofgive you thicker, fuller Hydrolyzed Keratin Complex, appearance wrinkles, fine lines and looking hair, great for length or to and quaternized Collagen. dryadd skin,colour whichflash we know too well to your hair. are The complex ensures lasting associated directly with ageing. With Micro like rings areissmall rings that that results (up to 3 months). With statistics this, it is no wonder work great on thicker hair. the help of thermal styling, it no anti-aging system can be effective Nanoan rings are 90%supply smaller reshapes the arrangement of without adequate ofthan collagen! micro ring making them virtually the chains of the hair keratin, invisible, evenstarts whendeep hair within is up! and extending them to give the True skin health characteristic shape smooth. supplementing collagen levels with The benefits: Collagen Shots will improve elasticity • 100% Eastern European • Babassu Oil and help to give a more youthful human hair Precious oil from the Amazon appearance. that is an extraordinary • Price Range from £100 10,000 mgs marine collagen, hyaluronic emollient. Makes hair • acai 12 months guarantee on hair acid, berry super antioxidant, soft, silky and shiny. combined B3, B5, C with • Hairwith canvitamin be re-used zinc and copper. • No heat, no glue, NO damage Boost levels of peptide rich amino acids and improve the skin’s tone and texture with Collagen Shots active ingredients. Reduce the appearance of tell-tale signs of ageing. BEFORE
AFTER
Kris Mansfield, a beloved client of Salon La Mink agreed to test Lisse Design Keratin Therapy, as she had previously used the Brazilian straightening systems on her hair. She was amazed with the results and said “I have never had such a pleasurable, successful and time efficient smoothing treatment before.” Contact Russell at Salon La Mink on 01543 500340 for more information on that straight silky hair you’ve always dreamed of.
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
BEFORE
AFTER
This client had shoulder length fine hair, the micro ring hair extensions have given her extra length and thickness. After-care service for our clients with hair extensions Wash, conditioning treatment and blow dry Available to buy at La Minky for just From £12 £39 for a 30 day supply. Book 4 After-care service’s and get the 5th FREE
01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 45
PENKRIDGE RUNNERS
A LOCAL COMMUNITY RUNNING GROUP FOR BOTH BEGINNERS & ESTABLISHED RUNNERS
People start running for a variety of reasons. Some run because they want to lose weight, improve their health, compete in races or try something new. Whatever your reason is for running, you’ll experience many physical, mental and emotional benefits from the sport. One of the biggest benefits of running is that it’s good for your health. Penkridge Runners meet every Saturday morning between 9.15 - 10.45am at Penkridge Middle school. The sessions are varied and structured for all abilities to improve on general fitness, weight loss, endurance & speed. We have a mixture of both beginners and established runners so we operate two groups depending on ability. Over the past 12 months we have had some fantastic results; many of our beginners have run their first ever 5k, 10k & even half marathon and our experienced runners have all
achieved new personal best performances. We also offer a personalised training plan for you to achieve your race goal. Penkridge Runners is also associated with the “Run England Project” Run England is the official England Athletics recreational running project which aims to get the whole nation running. Regardless of your age, fitness level, aspiration, background, or location you can be a part of Run England and benefit from being a part of England’s running community. We are here to help and encourage more people to run, and to run more often. So whatever you want to get from your running we are here to encourage and support you. (And to make sure we all have some fun with our running)! If you are up for a new challenge in 2016 then email or visit us on Facebook for more details.
Cannock & District Soroptimists FESTIVE AFTERNOON
SI Cannock members enjoyed a very festive afternoon at the Norton Canes Community Centre Christmas Fayre on 5th December. Members chatted with fayre-goers about why they love being part of SI Cannock and the work they do for charities; including local domestic violence charity The Pathways Project. At the fayre, members sold Magical Reindeer Food to support Pathways and raised a total of £45 to buy gifts for children who will be spending Christmas in a domestic violence refuge. Children who bought the Magical Reindeer Food were thrilled to be able to help children less fortunate than themselves as well as being excited at being able to provide such sustenance for Santa’s reindeer! Service work lies at the heart of the club’s goals and they are committed to raising awareness of issues relevant to women and girls around the world - issues such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation, modern day slavery and the gynecological condition endometriosis. They also raise funds when appropriate to educate, empower and enable women and girls. 48
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Soroptimists Carole Holdcroft, Kate Young and June Bould at the Norton Canes Christmas Fayre
More information about the club and the organisation is available on the websites: www.sigbi.org/midland-chase www.sigbi.org/cannock-and-district and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SICannock
01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 49
Set yourself a Healthy Heart Challenge in 2016 STAY COMMITTED AND SIGN UP FOR AN EVENT WITH HEART RESEARCH UK
Yes it’s January and yes that’s right, it’s the time of year we all feel under pressure to make a new start, lose weight and do something new with our lives. With life being so hectic nowadays it’s not always easy to commit to your new year’s health resolutions. One way to ensure you stay committed is to sign up for an event with Heart Research UK. This will give you a set date to aim to, people will sponsor you so you can’t let them or yourself down by quitting and after all that, you will have gained a new experience in life, improved your health and probably made some great friends along the way.
Even if leaving your home town to do a challenge seems too much effort and cost, Heart Research UK have even thought of something to suit you too. The My Run, My Way challenge is aimed at people who want to create their own run. Take on your own 5k, 10k, half or full marathon and do it your way. Choose a date, time, route, distance and people to run with and apply for your FREE pack to get started – easy. There is also the Swim the Channel challenge where you have three months to swim the distance of the channel, but don’t worry, it’s in the comfort of your local swimming pool.
Heart Research UK have a whole host of exciting challenges for you to take on in 2016 such as the iconic Great North Run, the London Bupa 10k, Silverstone Half Marathon, the Yorkshire Three Peaks and the Subway 5k series. Not to mention adrenalin packed skydives or intrepid global challenges such as trekking the mighty Great Wall of China or cycling from London to Paris.
So if you want to set yourself that all important Healthy Heart Challenge just contact Heart Research UK to sign up for an event and you will receive your FREE fundraising pack along with a set of Lifestyle leaflets to help and advise you on how to keep your heart healthy. Heart disease is still the UK’s single biggest killer and can strike any of us at any time. Knowing that 80% of this disease is preventable is very important. You can make changes right now to help change the future of your heart health and fitness plays a huge part in this change. Don’t put it off, make the change and sign up today at www.heartresearch.org.uk/events, call 0113 2347474 or email community@heartresearch.org.uk.
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STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Energie Fitness for Women
RESULTS GUARANTEED HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE & EXERCISE FACILITY Energie Fitness for Women is Cannock’s results guaranteed healthy living centre and exercise facility. No matter what your current physical condition or age, you could enjoy a leaner, fitter body, weight loss, inch loss, better posture, mobility and increased circulation. Here at Energie Fitness for Women in Cannock members can enjoy a relaxed & friendly ladies only environment. Each of the machines is multi-functional and each works several different parts of the body at the same time. You will spend just two and a half minutes on each, each machine is so simple to use that even the frailest or the fittest people can exercise at our club. You can put as much or as little effort in as your body will allow.
Some of our mature members or members who have recently undergone surgery, simply sit on and let the machines exercise them, gently manipulating tired, stiff muscles and joints to aid their mobility. Others, even the really fit, can work out, putting effort in on a constant two and a half minute cycle for each machine. The exercise will tone, firm, and help you lose weight while shaping you up and helping to reduce the risk of stroke, thrombosis, heart disease and osteoporosis. It will also help to lower blood pressure, build strength in muscles and joints, aid sleep patterns and increase energy levels. The exercise chairs are set in tasteful surroundings including a separate room where we weigh, measure, take a body fat reading and blood pressure. This we do at regular intervals to monitor your progress. If you’re still not sure why not come and have a friendly chat or book yourself a FREE TRIAL - CALL 01543 502861 TODAY & feel the difference!”
émpowering youtotosucceed succeedinin2016! 2016! émpowering you We’re proud of the 1,000’s Lose, Move, Live We’re proud of the 1,000’s of of Lose, Move, Live women who’ve already achieved women who’ve already achieved Lose inches, move Lose inches, move amazing results with us, even amazing results with us, even more, more, livelive life!life! when their diet and slimming when their diet and slimming alone have failed them. clubsclubs alone have failed them.
We provide the female expertise, specialised We provide the female expertise, specialised equipment and the motivation women equipment and the motivation women needneed to achieve results. But above all, secret the secret to achieve results. But above all, the behind our amazing results our unique behind our amazing results is ouris unique
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01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 51
Is your 2016 New Year’s resolution going to be to remove an unwanted tattoo, - or perhaps one on your partner? An ex partners name, to a now less than trendy music artists name, we’ve removed them all! Whether complete removal is required, or just sufficient fading to allow for new tattoo art to be placed on top of old, all leading plastic surgeons and dermatologists regard Laser Tattoo Removal as the most superior and safest method currently available. Opened in 1992, The Cottage Surgery is the third longest established tattoo removal clinic in the UK. Since then our laser practitioners have removed or faded many thousands of black and multi-coloured tattoos utilising three purpose made, single task lasers, designed, built and maintained to the highest ‘medical grade’ standards.
Our other Medical Aesthetic treatments include: • Acne & acne scarring • Anti-ageing • Birth marks • Botox • Chloasma • Dermal fillers • Electrolysis • Laser hair removal • Laser fungal nail treatment • Hyperhidrosis • Tattoo removal • Medical peels • Melasma • Microdermabrasion • Non-surgical face lifts • Pain relief • Photo-rejuvenation • Pigmentation • Pigmented lesions/Liver spots /Sun spots/Age spots • Port wine stains • Rosacea • Scarring • Skin rejuvenation • Skin tags • Smoking cessation • Sports injury • Stretch marks • Sun damage • Telangiectasia • Thread vein removal • Verruca removal • Wart removal • Wrinkle reduction injections
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STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Our Q-Switched Ruby Laser, (one of only eight in the UK, two of which are in hospitals and used for research) uses the highest power output currently available worldwide, providing the most effective removal. A Q-Switched Nd-yag laser and a Q-Switched KTP laser are also available. Highly experienced laser practitioners and nurses bring many years of combined expertise to bear, therefore providing the quickest most efficient tattoo removal. The Surgery is at the forefront of developing and introducing supplementary treatments to aid this process. The recent influx of cheap lasers from the Far East, mean that some individuals now offer ‘low cost’ treatments. Inevitably the lasers used are underpowered and remove little or no ink at each sitting. The very best of them produce poor results and many recurring treatments are needed to have any significant effect. Two further factors relating to laser technology should be considered. Firstly, most of the inferior lasers claim to be Q-Switched, but in fact use a cheaper electronic version of Q-Switching, and can be as much as 10 to 20 times less powerful. Secondly, within the last couple of years, it has been discovered that these weaker lasers can, by not having the required power to shatter the tattoo ink, instead can melt it, unfortunately changing the nature of the ink, & making it impossible to remove by ANY Laser. Beware!
Compare these to the type of lasers used at The Cottage Surgery and you will realise that overall, these ‘cheaper treatments’ will eventually cost much more. Add to this, increased travel costs as well as time wasted and you will realise ‘cheap tattoo removal’ is not a realistic option and those individuals that offer it, are being less than honest regarding their success. Ask us about THE LASERASE PROMISE, it can make the difference! Beware also of other non-laser tattoo removal methods being offered, often on the internet. Some will definitely not work, others can do you real long term harm. We are happy to provide independent, confidential information. Whilst confidently offering superior outcomes for Laser Tattoo Removal, The Cottage Surgery believe in providing these at competitive rates in a confidential and caring environment. If you want safe, successful and cost effective treatment, there simply is no one else in the region to provide a better service.
Before
After
These images have not been photographically enhanced.
tattoo removal put your trust in The Laserase n Consultatio Promise Expertise
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www.cottage-surgery.co.uk or 01384 940499 Find out more about your The Laserase Promise visit www.laserase.com
February 2015, 2016 and mention this|advert. WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK *To gain 15% off any treatment, please book your treatment on or before the 29th 28th February Offer cannot be claimed alongside any other offer.
01952 321334
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Stafford Community Hub receives Royal approval OFFICIAL OPENING OF VOLUNTARY SECTOR RESOURCE, THE HUB, IN STAFFORD The red carpet was rolled out in Stafford’s community facility The Hub, Eastgate Street for their official opening on Thursday 12th November. His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent officially opened the building in Stafford which houses a wide range of local voluntary sector organisations.
with representatives from the tenants, Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council. The official opening was marked by the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the visit. Oliver Wood from New Directions Support, an organisation that provides day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, presented The Duke with a wooden box that he had made, on behalf of everyone that utilises the building. Jackie Wheeler, Facilities Manager at The Hub was delighted that His Royal Highness had accepted the invitation to open the building.
The HUB, leased by Staffordshire County Council to local infrastructure organisation VAST, offers office space, meeting room hire and a hot desk suite facility at a reduced rate to local voluntary sector organisations operating in the Stafford area. The Duke of Kent’s visit commenced with a tour of the “We are honoured and deighted to have The Duke of Kent opening our building today. We have a number of voluntary organisations housed at The Hub who offer a range of services to support the local community. An official opening of the building by His Royal Highness is the perfect celebration of all they do in the local community.” As tenants of the building, Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West were also part of his visit they were delighted that their main office was included in The Duke’s visit. Volunteers and staff at the charity had the opportunity to meet with The Duke of Kent, talking about their important work in the community and the importance of the Citizens Advice service locally.
building to meet both the tenants and service users and to find out more about the valuable services they provide to the local community. The Duke then attended a lunch 54
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Sue Starr Hypnotherapy COMMITMENT FACILITATES LONG LASTING CHANGE RATHER THAN A TEMPORARY FIX “Throughout the last year, my client base has continued to increase. Clinical Hypnotherapy continues to develop credibility as a leading alternative therapy and features in many media stories mostly for the right reasons! Our point of difference is that we include more behavioural tools, such as CBT and NLP, alongside Hypnotherapy to support clients in achieving their personal goals”. Sue Starr Hypnotherapy has over the last 3 years established itself as a leading practice in South Staffordshire. Sue continues “Teenagers and young children (as young as 6) are an increasing part of my client base; they tend to be great fun to work with and engage really well with therapy. The diversity of issues faced can range from low confidence, anxieties, exam pressures and bullying. GP and school referrals for this continue to highlight a broader shortage in support for young people where quick response is essential” As well as the regular client base, last summer saw an increase in people wanting Hypnotherapy prior to weddings. Best Man speeches, Bride confidence and self-esteem concerns have so far been supported by Sue, “Weddings are supposed to be the best day of a couples lives, however, this pressure of being in the spotlight, organising so much and wanting it to be perfect can be overwhelming. We help with the mindset so that the big day can be fully enjoyed by confident, in control Brides,
Grooms and the Best Man!” The most important thing is that a client really wants a beneficial change for themselves and that they are committed to making a change. Expecting a magic wand result with no hard work or challenges is not the case with Hypnotherapy. “Many people nowadays want quick fixes with no effort; Hypnotherapy requires dedication from the client to bring about change. But combining Hypnotherapy and client commitment facilitates long lasting change rather than a temporary fix!” Sue Starr Dip Hyp, DNLP, GQHP, GHRreg is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and is registered with the General Hypnotherapy Register, General Hypnotherapy Standards Council, and the NHS recognised Complimentary & Natural Healthcare Council. Contact Sue on 07530 310 375 or email sue@suestarr-hypnotherapy.co.uk www.suestarr-hypnotherapy.co.uk
01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 55
Stepping from one year into the next with a smile CELEBRATION, REFLECTION AND OPTIMISM The last month of one year and the first month of the next are both filled with celebration, reflection and optimism. December is the month where Christmas is the main focus of celebrations.
Europe (sound familiar?), the day following September 2nd 1752 would be called the 14th, rather than the 3rd. Before the reform, England celebrated Christmas on the equivalent of the 6th of January by Gregorian reckoning. That is why in some parts of Great Britain the 6th of January is called Old Christmas Day. At The Chase CACI Clinic we are looking forward to a wonderful 2016 whilst looking back on 2015 and the amazing experience it has been; we can reflect on very satisfying results and positive feedback. It has been an absolute pleasure to meet people from such diverse areas and ages. We are very proud of our 90% retention rate for clients but will be looking to improve on that in 2016. Laurels are for winning not resting on!
At The Chase CACI clinic we are celebrating the first year of providing clients with the best that our machines, products and care can provide. During this time, we have met a wonderful, interesting and very loyal group of people. January is a time for both reflection and optimism. The Romans dedicated New Year’s Day to Janus, the pagan god of gates, doors, and beginnings, after whom the first month of the year, January, is named. The pagan deity Janus was depicted as having two faces: one looking forward, the other backward, suggesting that celebrations of the new year are pagan traditions. We know that New Year is celebrated on different days throughout the World but is might surprise you to know that in the Gwaun Valley, Wales new year is celebrated on January 13, based on the Julian calendar. Julius Caesar originally instituted a Heliocentric calendar decreeing that one year would consist of three hundred and sixty-five and a quarter days. Despite the introduction of leap years, the Julian calendar overestimated the year by eleven minutes and fifteen seconds. By the sixteenth century the calendar was ten days out. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII lopped the eleven minutes fifteen seconds off the year and deleted the spare ten days. This Gregorian calendar was adopted throughout Catholic Europe, however, Protestant Europe kept to the old Julian calendar. This meant that London was ten days ahead of Paris. Eventually a Calendar Act was passed in 1751 which stated that in order to bring England into line with the rest of 56
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Talking of winning Laurels: we were invited to the 20th Annual Awards dinner held by ‘Heaven by Deborah Mitchell’ and were absolutely thrilled to be presented with ‘The Best Newcomer Award’ by Deborah herself. This was in recognition of the results being achieved at The Chase CACI Clinic by the innovative use of CACI treatments and Heaven products in our combination therapies. Why not treat yourself to a free consultation and then sample our wonderful combination therapies as part of your New Year resolution? You won’t regret it! New to our team is Heather Groom RGN, a Nurse with over 30years experience, a friendly personality and a genuine desire to help clients look and feel good. In addition, our new CACI Quantum machine is now fully on stream and producing some incredible results. So whether you are in our Electrolysis Room, Ultimate Room or the Quantum Room a member of our dedicated team will ensure that you get the best possible outcome whilst enjoying our quiet and serene atmosphere. Thank you for your support!
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Help Find Cannock’s Unsung Hero THERE ARE SO MANY LOCAL PEOPLE WHO GIVE UP THEIR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling with The Rotary Club of Cannock President Ian Hall launching the award
This year The Rotary Club of Cannock are looking for an outstanding person who is making or has made a significant contribution to our local community through their time, actions, talents and dedication to others and our community. The winner will receive an engraved award, together with a framed certificate, while The Rotary Club of Cannock will donate a £1000 to a charity of their choice. The person should be someone who serves as a role model for compassion and service to make Cannock a better place. They should have a passion for helping others within the community a real unsung hero someone who goes that extra mile. There is no age limit, and the award is open to all. Nominations can be for anyone who lives or works in the Cannock Chase District they should have consistently demonstrated the qualities of compassion and services to others. The charitable activities cannot be part of the nominee’s job description or duties and the individual cannot receive any monetary or personal benefits from their involvement.
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Ideally the recipient of the award must have a broadbased continuing commitment to community service and or significant charitable contributions of benefit to the community or an individual. Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling who will be one of the Judges of the award stated “There are so many local people who give up their time to help others. I think the biggest hearts in the country are right here and this is the ideal opportunity for the people who put others before themselves to get the recognition they deserve. I am sure the public can spare a few moments to nominate an unsung hero. Nominations must be received by the end of February 2016 and the winner will be presented with their Award at The Rotary Club of Cannock 80th Charter evening in May 2016 If this campaign is a success The Rotary Club of Cannock will look to present the award on an annual basis. To receive a nomination form either download from award@cannockrotary.co.uk Call 07446 816225 or write to Rotary Award, 24 Highfield Road, Heath Hayes, Cannock WS12 2DX
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Competition CREWE
LYCEUM THEATRE
Having headlined the 2015 Glastonbudget Festival in May earlier this year (the biggest tribute festival of the year), Totally TINA comes to Crewe on Friday 15th January 2016. Totally TINA is an award-winning tribute to the Queen of Rock and Roll, Tina Turner, being given the “Official UK number one” honour by the Agents Association of Great Britain. Justine has been singing professionally for over 22 years now and has worked extensively in theatres and on national TV, she is also a much sought after session vocalist for some of the biggest record labels in the UK. In her early career she could be seen treading the familiar cabaret scene as a dynamic vocalist and could boast knowing over 5000 songs, becoming a human juke box at venues. But it was in 2002 that her career would change direction. After winning ITV’s “Stars in their Eyes” as Anastacia, her tribute show “Justine is Anastacia” was in great demand and she spent the next 6 years performing as her around the world, enlisting a live band to create more of a show feel. When Anastacia stopped releasing albums and her popularity waned, it was time to change direction again. Having been told on many occasions she really sounded like Tina Turner, Justine set herself the challenge to become the closest copy she could be. But this was going to take some transformation. After hours of scrutinising video footage, watching mannerisms and movements, hand making the allimportant wig, deciding which costumes to copy, listening to patter and hundreds of versions of the same songs from different decades, the band and Justine created Totally TINA. The boys in the band were informed that girls would have to be a big big part of this and surprisingly no one complained! A troupe of professional dancers were hand-picked, choreography based on Tina’s live shows and our own unique creations were created and the whole production was rehearsed, tweaked and rehearsed again. So get ready to Shake your Tailfeathers, with the Queen of Rock and Soul, Live from Nutbush and Simply the Best! Tickets for the CREWE – Lyceum show taking place on Friday 15th January are available from:
TOTALLY TINA Time: 7.30pm Box Office No: 01270 368242 https://crewelyceum.co.uk/Online/ whatson-january2016 60
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
Two lucky winners will each win a pair of tickets to see Totally Tina on Friday 15th January 2016 at Crewe Lyceum. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and email your answer to info@ staffordshireoutlook.co.uk or on a postcard to 30 Swinburne Close, Sutton Heights, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4PZ with your name, address and telephone number to arrive by 8th January 2016. Winners will be notified by telephone.
Question:
Totally Tina headlined which festival this year? Competition Terms and Conditions Winners to collect tickets from the box office on the night of show. Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash alternative prize nights available.
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A Truly Tempting TT LED LIGHTS & 19 INCH WHEELS: THE BREATHTAKINGLY STYLISH AUDI TT
Diesel versus Petrol: it’s an ageold conundrum that has as much potential to amuse and enthuse us (or alternatively cause some of us to snooze and abuse) as the forthcoming Batman Versus Superman blockbuster does. And now thrown into this debate is the breathtakingly stylish Audi TT. It’s now upon me to find out whether opting for the practicality of the as-tested diesel version is a kind of sacrilege right up there with insisting that, yes of course, Batman would win. Surely any sports car like this must be petrol-powered? Well, sales figures say different. In fact, it turns out that today’s TT is so statistically solid that it may even be your next company car. Gulp. Always a favourite with style-conscious drivers since its launch in the late 1990s, the design icon has in its latest third-gen incarnation evolved its form in the spirit of Porsche’s 911 rather than gone back to the drawing board. And from whichever angle you choose to stare, it’s undeniably handsome. This 2.0 TDI Ultra variant starts at just over £30,000, and comes with front-wheel drive and a silky six-speed manual gearbox. Powering the front wheels is a 181 bhp 2-litre diesel engine, borrowed from the Volkswagen Golf GTD. The TT shares the same magical
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Volkswagen MQB platform architecture too. But why buy it over the petrol? In a nutshell the answer is in the overwhelmingly compelling numbers. Fuel economy is promised to be 67.3mpg combined and emissions is just 110g/km of CO2. With 280lb ft, this diesel model has more torque than the equivalent 2.0 TFSI petrol and is noticeably cheaper to own than the TTS. It’s also on par too when it comes to 0-60 mph sprint times: 7.1 seconds; 150 mph flat out. You really need only buy the petrol if you are obsessed with noise (this diesel engine can be a tad ‘diesel-esque’ at low speed and start-up [but then it is a diesel! – Ed]) but, since this car is a coupe and not a convertible, there’s really no reason not to buy from the black pump. But let’s move away from this debate for now and concentrate on what every TT buyer gets. In theory at least, a car ought to be bigger than the sum of its parts and when the TT gets out onto the open road one or two key sensory, tactile observations hit home. The ride – even in sporting trim – is very impressive and surprisingly supple given that some older Audi models had a reputation for being too harshly suspended for UK roads. This car floats – instead of crashes – over all but the worst potholes. The S Line package adds
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
nearly £3,000 and brings sports seats, LED lights – front and rear – and 19in wheels, but it’s worth it. The TT handles smartly too with plenty of front-end grip and even though when it comes to proper driving it’ll never challenge the flamboyance of a Toyota GT86 or Porsche Cayman, who really cares when you are in a ubiquitous traffic jam. Pick a TT and you’ll look fashionable and cool but moreover you’ll be sitting staring at one of the best interiors I’ve ever seen – including those in cars costing three or four times the TT’s modest price tag. The ‘virtual cockpit’ screen, with integrated sat-nav pages and easy music browsing, is a revelation. Much has been made already about the wondrous design of the air vents and the delicious tactility of almost every material used within, so I’ll add nothing more, except to say that it has almost every other manufacturer red-faced. The driving position is spot-on, low-slung enough to be sporty but not uncomfortable enough to make you set the sat-nav to find the nearest osteopath. Instead you’ll just want to play with the endlessly satisfying ‘virtual’ interface until traffic conditions improve and then you’ll want to just drive some more for laughs, because the TT is a really fun car – as a diesel or a petrol. Although diesel TT drivers, I suspect, will have the last laugh.
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ZERO HERO THERE’S MUCH ENJOYMENT TO BE HAD IN THE SIMPLE ACT OF DRIVING THIS CAR
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Adding precisely “zero” to a Peugeot 208 gets you nothing extra, right? Wrong. You get a SUV in microcosm, the 2008. And it’s a cracking little vehicle that nails the formula of melding SUV styling with hatchback dimensions to offer buyers’ their favourite motoring tool for the 21st Century: the crossover vehicle.
get a wonderfully tactile, bespoke upholstery finish with Emerald green stitching, unique floor mats, and a leather steering wheel. There’s a smart touchscreen multimedia system that features Bluetooth connectivity, DAB digital radio and USB functionality. You get rear-parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, heated door mirrors, along with dual-zone air conditioning and LED lighting. In short, rather a lot of kit for £16,495.
With over 30,000 sold to UK buyers in the last three years, it’s already a much beloved vehicle and in its newest Urban Cross Special Edition guise it looks set to be more popular than ever before. Effectively ‘Urban Cross’ is a styling upgrade over the standard 2008 and I have it here with a 1.2 litre 110 bhp PureTech petrol engine (there’s a 1.6 litre diesel available too). Never until now has it looked so purposeful with an already strong exterior further reinforced by black 17inch alloys and wing mirrors employed to juxtapose distinctive Emerald green metallic paint and special Urban Cross graphics.
Moreover there’s much enjoyment to be had in the simple act of driving this car. Much of this has to do with the punchy and infinitely loveable three cylinder engine, which loves to be revved, is well matched to the five-speed manual gearbox and is able to make surprisingly brisk progress, especially in town. The 2008 uses its 110 bhp and 205 Nm of torque intelligently, never letting performance (0-60 mph: 9.9 seconds; 117 mph top speed) come at the detriment of fuel economy – which is hugely impressive and realistic at 60.1 mpg; I averaged over 55 – or Co2 emissions, which, with a bit of help from a very intuitive Stop/Start system, is listed at 108g/km.
Improvements in styling continue inside also. The cabin is a really nice place in which to spend time. There’s a definite premium feel with a top quality material finish to everything. Based around Allure spec, Urban Cross means you
With its trademark tiny steering wheel, small overhangs and modest footprint, the 2008 makes mincemeat of everyday maladies, like parallel parking, and is able to poke its handsome nose through even the tightest gaps in traffic. A
STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JANUARY 2016
quirkily designed handbrake lever – described officially as being of “aircrafttype” – will take a bit of getting used to but soon only adds to what is a very pleasant driving experience. A comfy, well-suspended ride quality contributes considerably also to this sensory satisfaction, as does only minimal cabin noise – most welcome on longer, faster motorway runs. Your passengers will enjoy much about the 2008 too. Considerable head and leg room – front and rear – always goes down well and here is no different. If you want more room still, the rear seats will fold flat and the boot boasts added ease of loading because its floor runs flush to the aperture. Added reassurance for anyone scared of wintery white stuff will be reassured to hear that as standard on the Urban Cross there is Peugeot’s acclaimed Grip Control technology. This system uses electronic driver aids, coupled with special tyres, to offer drivers greater traction and provide exceptional performance all year round, whatever the weather. Whether with weather as mild as ours you’ll need it is another matter, but, like the cavalcade of safety systems woven into the fabric of this 2008, it’s better to have than to have not. One thing is for sure: if you choose to drive and own this car, you’ll definitely be one of the former.
WHY PAY PAY DEALERSHIP DEALERSHIP WHY PRICES TO TO SERVICE SERVICE PRICES
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Education 15 4/5 11 19 18
Loft Conversions
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La Minky 45 The Chase CACI Clinic 57 The Cottage Surgery 53 UltraSlim 46/47
Builders Neuxgen
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Car Sales/Services/Repair Burntwood MOT 63 Four Ashes Renault Specialists Ltd 65
Chasewood Cousins CRS Interiors Italia Ralvern Ltd Rootwood
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Veterinary
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Home Renovation
Charity/Hospice Compton Hospice
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Furniture/Furnishings
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