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The Spring Issue April / May Issue 13 / 2012 £1.50 where sold
The Spring Issue April / May Issue 13 / 2012 £1.50 - where sold
■ Style & Fashion ■ Home & Garden ■ Entertainment ■ Competitions ■ Local Events ■ Travel ... and much more ...
Gilwern Garage
GILWERN
GARAGE CRICKHOWELL ROAD, GILWERN, NP7 0DF
Your Local Family Store
Off License
Grocery
Hot Food & Fresh Baked Bread
Newspapers & Magazines
Fresh Foods
Snacks
Soft Drinks
Fresh & Frozen Foods
Pay Point
You may have noticed that Gilwen Garage has been undergoing a facelift over the past few months. Gone are all the outdated shelving units and the harsh lighting as Diyan and Bhavi Patel have transformed the interior to make visiting the shop a welcoming place. The end result is a store that meets customers’ requirements, a space that seems larger, yet has more stock on the shelves. Diyan said that the changes were undertaken to meet the need of the residents of Gilwern and its surrounding areas, and added: “The changes have been made to ensure that coming to Gilwern Garage is a shopping experience. People expect more from a shop. Its not just about good prices these days, we have to have something extra. “This major transformation will strengthen Gilwern Garage’s status as a major shopping destination for the local community and give our customers convenience and better product selection that they deserve.”
Diyan took over the business at Gilwen Garage five years ago after selling his newsagent shop in Tottenham in North London. He added: “It’s been a tough transition, but I think with this refurbishment can only increase footfall through our doors. We hope that by making this commitment to improve the store that our customers can enjoy a greater range of produce and better value for money alongside the service, which our customers have come to expect from us over the years. The final phase of the refurbishment is due to be undertaken in the coming weeks, which will see the shop frontage being updated. Diyan concluded: “We are really excited about our new look and we’re looking forward to offering our customers some really great offers during the coming months.” Gilwern Garage is open from 6.30am to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 9pm Saturday and Sunday.
Gas Bottles Coal Fuel
Lottery
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon - Fri 6.30am - 9.00pm Sat - Sun 7.00pm - 9.00pm gilwerngarage@aol.com 02
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Diyan Patel, the owner of the recently refurbished Gilwern Garage
Welcome
to the April edition of the Gazette and Diary magazine. With the Easter holidays giving everyone a well earned break, Abergavenny is buzzing with local people and visitors alike and I'm sure we're all keeping our fingers crossed that the good weather we've enjoyed recently stays with us for a while - although with rumours of snow to come it may not be quite time to put the toboggans away yet!
In association with
The Abergavenny Chronicle DESIGNERS: Dave Simkiss dave.simkiss@nwn.co.uk
As ever this month's G&D is packed with exciting articles, features and suggestions of how to make the most of the light nights, with our very special extended feature on farming and the agricultural industry offering an extra insight into life in rural Monmouthshire.
John Gaulton john.gaulton@nwn.co.uk
We hope you enjoy what we have to offer this month...and that we can all look forward to reading the Gazette and Diary while basking in the Abergavenny sunshine.
ADVERTISING: Jenna Hopkins ext 26 Hazel Walding - Advertising Manager For information on how to advertise in our next issue, contact: advertising@tindlenews.co.uk or telephone 01873 852187 ext 34 or ext 26 GENERAL MANAGER - Mary Purcell
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Page 06 Homes and Gardens Page 04 Joe Swift at the Chelsea Flower Show
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Farm Life FREE
Page 12 Spotlight on Abergavenny Market
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Page 13 - 14 Cracking good tips for Easter
The sourcing of newsprint is a major environmental concern for publishers and we at NWN Media source our newsprint from UPM Kymmene in Deeside, utilising their 100% recycled paper, which is produced as a natural, renewable and recyclable fibre from sustainable, responsibly managed forests. UPM is committed to forest management and forest harvesting practices based on the internationally accepted principles of sustainable forest management.
The Spring Issue April / May Issue 13 / 2012 £1.50 - where sold
■ Style & Fash ion ■ Home & Garden ■ ■ Competitio Entertainment ns ■ Local Eve nts ■ Travel ... and much mor e ...
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UPM Kymmene is just a mile from the press site, which also keeps carbon footprint to a minimum in the obtaining of our paper. All newsprint waste is taken back to UPMʼs site and fully recycled.
Page 18 Improve your health with a pet
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Chelsea first for swift BY HANNAH STEPHENSON For a man making his debut at the illustrious Chelsea Flower Show this year, TV gardener Joe Swift seems remarkably relaxed, even though advice is being thrown at him from all directions. "Titchmarsh has been asking me for years when I was going to do a garden. Andy Sturgeon (a Chelsea gold medal winner and competitor at this year's event), who's a good friend of mine, has given me some good advice about the approach and organising yourself, how to deal with things on site and how to keep focused, because there are a lot of distractions."
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He hasn't so far encountered any of the feuding which can come with such a competitive show. Remember the bitter row a few years ago between Sturgeon and rival Diarmuid Gavin, who accused him of plagiarism? Or the time when Gavin fell out with Gardeners' Question Time panellist Bunny Guinness over the height of a wall? Swift remains unperturbed, although he is aware of the high level of competition which will ensue as the event draws nearer. "My landscaper said, 'The closer you get to the show, the more competitive others become'. But everyone's been unbelievably supportive." It has taken a year for his Homebase Teenage Cancer Trust garden to come to fruition. The inspiration for it comes from his vision of combining natural elements with city living. "Living in a city, you notice beautiful natural materials and are physically drawn to them. I have boulders, a huge wooden frame and running water in the show garden. "The idea is to connect the city and suburban dweller to those natural materials that might not be so prevalent in the city, where you get a lot of concrete and tarmac and other hard elements. "It's incredibly relevant. City-cooling in the summer and creating more green space in the city is extremely important. "In a city space you want to keep the focus within the garden because you don't have the rolling hills beyond to tie in the extended landscape. "It's all about creating key views within a garden, and you can do that in a small garden by placing key sculpture, plants and water here and there. "People need to think big in a small space. Don't put loads of little things in a small garden. Put one or two big things in there to make a real impact." Plants in his show garden will include trees such as stemmed Cornus Mas and Prunus 'Amber Beauty' alongside a London plane tree, all selected for their sculptural forms and the interesting colour and texture of their bark.
He wants the garden to be aspirational, but recognises that visitors may want to take some aspect of the garden home with them. With this in mind, Homebase has launched The Chelsea Collection, a range of plants inspired by Swift's design. "It's important to be able to take elements of Chelsea home with you but it is the catwalk of design. Very few people are going to create a garden that's on the level of Chelsea but I think there are loads of ideas for planting areas and ways of using sculpture and furniture that people should be inspired by." Oranges, acid yellows, burgundies and rustcoloured flowers combine to create a warm colour palette in his garden. Many are currently under glass and will be in and out of the greenhouse on a daily basis to ensure they are perfect for May. Iris, geums, potentillas, roses, libertia and grevilleas all feature, some of which can be easily grown in this country. "There has to be an element of sustainability but some of these plants aren't hardy," he admits. "But it is a climate change garden to a degree. Four cedarwood frames will be coming from Germany, while the stone, boulders, walling and gravel mulch are from Yorkshire and the perennials are British grown." The RHS has extremely high criteria of entry, demanding details of design, landscaping, material sourcing and budget. "It's interesting being on the other side of the ropes," he says. "The scariest thing for me is getting my planting right. I feel quite confident about the garden design. There's a lot of hard structure and it's trying to counterbalance that with some really lovely, original planting." He says he's not too worried about being awarded any medals. "It's not like I've got two or three Chelsea golds in the past so there's not something to live up to. I just want to build a garden I'm happy with. A medal isn't the most important thing to me." The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 22 to 26. For details, phone 0844 338 0338 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea
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ORDER TODAY- by telephone, or collect direct from the farm just 4.5 miles from Abergavenny Why is MUCKAS MULCH sold in 40 litre bags ? Because expreiments have shown that reasonably sized, modestly lightweight bags are more popular than the larger 75 or 80 litre heavy bags sold by some competitors. Of course if you have really large gardens you can have it delivered loose by the tonne - and you will save quite a bit by so doing - We can offer a FORTY POUNDS discount for this type of order because we save on the bags and cost of bagging. Conversely we have to charge a small order surcharge of 50p per bag for orders of FIVE bags or less. Why not place your order NOW while you have the details in front of you and see for yourself the wonderful benefits of using MUCKAS MULCH.
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wonderful, new product, which has been a real breakthrough in helping to transform our customers' gasrdens from a tiresome chore into the pleasure that gardening should be. MUCKAS MULCH is produced by blending forest wastes uniquely with high temperatures composted horse and farmyard manures. Unlike less professionally produced composts it is entirely weed-free, pestfree and odour-free. Attractive and light and easy to handle MUCKAS MULCH will break down your heavy clay soil, thereby improving drainage and producing a high fertility growth medium your plants will love to grow in. Imagine being able to just lightly fork through your soil and produce a fine tilth for sowing or planting instead of the back breaking digging and breaking
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AND ALL THIS FROM USING JUST ONE SPECIAL PRODUCT... Marvelous “MUCKAS MULCH". It is attractive in appearance, completely free from artificial and sometimes dangerous chemicals thereby assuring you of CHEMICAL-FREE Gardening. Why, when you use “MUCKAS MULCH", are you making a contribution to the environment? Because “MUCKAS MULCH” is free of chemicals AND free of peat products , so you are protecting Britain's fast disappearing peat bogs as well as using only natures produce. We market “MUCKAS MULCH” under licence from Charles Denham of Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire who has been featured on radio and television gardening programmes including “GARDENERS WORLD” and top. gardening journalists have written articles praising the versatility of the product.. When you buy “MUCKAS MULCH” you
can be sure of getting an “honest to goodness” down to earth product which is light and easy to handle - it comes in strong 40 litre polythene bags weighing approximately 18-20 kilos,,, less than half a hundredweight.It has no smell, an attractive, brown, earthy consistency and, being free from artificial chemicals, it is safe to use on any part of your garden. If you want to use “MUCKAS MULCH” on ericaceous plants, like camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons etc., you will need to tell us and we will then make it especially for YOU. This is because the standard form contains a little lime which ericaceous plants do not like.
With its normal lime content “MUCKAS MULCH” works wonders on clay soils, just spread it on the surface 3” thick(75mm) and leave it to nature to do the rest. Why break your back breaking up clay when “MUCKAS MULCH” will do it for you?, leaving you free to do the more enjoyable tasks in the garden like smelling the roses! Soon after laying down “MUCKAS MULCH” the worms and weather will combine to turn your heavy clay soil into an easily worked friable tilth that becomes the envy of your gardening friends and neighbours.
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The Spring Issue
We also supply woodchips and hay for horses and pets ●
April / May
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Homes and Gardens
&
PEST CONTROL
Best of the bunch - Viola
Your Number One Local pest control Co.
If you want some pretty, dainty plants for your spring patio pots or to put at the front of borders or to add to a courtyard setting, violas are now widely available in garden centres in a myriad of colours.
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They are more subtle and fragile-looking than the larger pansies which so often fill baskets at this time of year,
yet they are tougher and more weather-resistant. They thrive in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Team them in pots with small vertical evergreens, heather and dwarf narcissi for an eyecatching display. Viola can be annuals, biennials or deciduous or evergreen perennials. Good varieties include V. cornuta 'Penny', and 'Spring Sherbets'.
Good enough to eat - Radishes If you're just starting to experiment with vegetable gardening, then radishes are among the easiest starter veg to try. Sow them from March onwards, sowing in succession so you have a continuous crop rather than a glut. You can't leave them too long in the ground as the roots will go woody or the plants will bolt.
TELEPHONE 01873 830204
Radishes should be sown in rich, well-drained soil in rows, thinning them to 2.5cm (1in) apart and keep plants well watered and the area well weeded.
Fernybank, Quarry Road, Clydach, Nr Abergavenny
They are a fast-producing crop which are best eaten straight away. Summer radishes can be sown up until August and harvested from May onwards, while winter radishes should be sown in July and harvested from August through to November. Good varieties include 'Scarlet Globe' and 'French Breakfast'.
Three ways to... Use trees for wildlife 1. Make a log pile out of pruned trees and tree stumps in a quiet corner of the garden to encourage insects, invertebrates and beneficial wildlife such as frogs and hedgehogs to shelter there. 2. Include some native evergreen trees such as holly and yew in your garden to offer winter cover and tasty red berries for birds to eat.
Biomass (wood) heating
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The Feed In Tariff (FIT) continues to cover electricity generation from Renewables. Here at Greenearth Energy we have over 10 years experience installing Solar Photovoltaic panels for domestic , agricultural, commercial and public sector customers. The FIT is still an exceptionally good deal with returns of up to 8%, as well as the obvious benefits to the environment.
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We design and install high-efficiency wood (log, pellet or chip) boilers that can heat a single domestic residence or multiple buildings. We also design and install heat pumps and Solar Hot Water Systems The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is now available for non-domestic heat generation from biomass, solar thermal panels or heat pumps (domestic RHI to be introduced in the Autumn of 2012) RHI payments are guaranteed for 20 years, with some systems having a pay-back time as short as 7 years RHI is indexed linked for inflation You will be able to save money by eliminating or reducing your need for fossil fuel
What next? Please contact us for further information on our range of products. Our team of experienced surveyors, installation technicians and support staff will work closely with you from initial enquiry through to installation. One of our core principles is to use quality products and to install them to the highest possible standard.
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3. Secure nest boxes to the trunks of trees, facing away from hot sun and strong winds, to give birds a haven for their young.
Reliable and Friendly help
What to do this week
Tackling the jobs you can’t. (or would rather not) For example... ● Grass cutting ● Digging ● Hedge Trimming ● Fencing ● Leaf clearing ● Putting up cupboards, shelves and curtain rails ● Clearing out lofts & garages Etc, etc,etc…..
■ Start feeding fish and using the pond
email: ljknoyle@btinternet.com Mob: 07871 415919
■ Open the greenhouse or conservatory
The Spring Issue
doors and vents on warm days.
NEW STOCKS OF MULTIFUEL STOVES Stoves ● Fireplaces ● Surrounds Gas Fires ● Ecofans ● Free quotations ● Restoration
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April / May
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■ Sow summer bedding plants in a heated
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■ Top-dress permanent containers with fresh
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propagator or under glass. ■ When space becomes available in the
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greenhouse, pot up cuttings of tender perennials taken last summer and at the beginning of this year. Cut back ornamental grasses and other perennials left for winter interest to make way for new growth. Divide hostas before they come into leaf. Continue to deadhead winter-flowering pansies to prolong their flowering period. Clear up weedy beds before mulching. Top dress spring-flowering alpines with grit or gravel to show off the plants and to help prevent stem rots. Remove early infestations of aphids by hand to prevent the problem getting out of control. Continue to plant onions, garlic and shallots.
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Invest in your childʼs future One to One Tuition (I come to you or you to us) (reduced rates for two children per session)
Free assessment & consultation Friendly, very experienced local Ex-senior Teacher and Tutor offers: help and support to ages 6 to 16 in Maths, English and Science. Regular, intensive, holiday or intermittent courses available weekdays and weekends Plus Revision, Entrance Exams, Common Entrance, G.C.S.E., SATS etc. Home schooling support and advice Adult literacy & numeracy
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Recipe Corner Asian Spiced Burgers with Mango Salsa Ingredients: ● 450g/1lb lean beef mince ● 1 onion, peeled and grated ● 10ml/2tsp garlic paste or 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped ● 10ml/2tsp fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped ● 15ml/1tbsp garam masala ● 5ml/1tsp turmeric ● Salt and freshly milled black pepper ● 15-30ml/1-2tbsp freshly chopped coriander ● Mango Salsa: ● 1 ripe mango, peeled, stoned and finely chopped ● 1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped ● 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped, optional ● 30ml/2tbsp freshly chopped mint ● 15ml/1tbsp freshly chopped coriander ● Grated rind and juice of 1 lime
3. To make the salsa, mix all the salsa ingredients together in a large bowl, cover and set aside in a cool place, but not the refrigerator. 4. Cook the burgers on a prepared barbecue or preheated grill for 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked and any meat juices run clear. 5. Serve the burgers in mini naans with the salsa.
Serve s4
Preparation time: 15 minutes plus chilling time Cooking time: 12-16 minutes Method: 1. In a large, shallow bowl mix all the burger ingredients together. 2. Using slightly damp hands shape the mixture into 4 x 9cm (3½inch burgers). Cover and chill for 20 minutes.
King Henry Vii School Ysgol Brenin Harri’r VIII
Old Hereford Road, Abergavenny NP7 6EP http://www.kinghenryviiischool.org.uk
King Henry VIII School offers a diverse and challenging curriculum for 11-18 year olds within a vibrant and achieving community. We are proud at King Henry VIII of our reputation for: ●
A tradition of first class teaching by well qualified and caring teachers
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Offering a wide range of academic and vocational courses
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Achieving outstanding examination results at both Key Stage 4 and 5
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Supporting pupils with special educational needs
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Providing an extensive range of extra curricular activities including sporting and musical activities and regular visits abroad
For further information or to arrange a visit please contact Nicholas Oaten (Headteacher) on 01873 735373
“We would like to say the very best of luck to all students about to take exams and wish them every success for the future.”
Respecting tradition, embracing the future.
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Busting anti aging myths
Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change Face It, by Vivian Diller, Ph.D., is a psychological guide to help women deal with the emotions brought on by their changing appearances. As a model turned psychotherapist, Diller has had the opportunity to examine the world of beauty from two very different vantage points. This unique perspective helped her develop a six-step program that begins with recognizing “uh-oh” moments that reveal the reality of changing looks, and goes on to identify the masks used to cover deeper issues and define the role beauty plays in a woman’s life, and ends with bidding adieu to old definitions of beauty, so women can enjoy their appearance—at any age!
If your beauty cabinet is brimming with half-used anti-ageing products that once promised to be the next big thing in zapping wrinkles, you’re not alone. The quest to diminish frown lines and crows feet from our faces is big business and in Britain we spend an estimated £700 million a year on moisturising creams. But when eye creams and DIY facial massages just aren’t enough, beauty gadgets can be a pain-free alternative to the Botox needle. From wrinkle wands that wave a magic spell over your lines to sci-fi style head contraptions that give your facial muscles a workout, these are the devices that can apparently lift and tuck as you’re sitting on your sofa. If you’re a moisturiser traditionalist, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the latest antiageing lotions and potions on the shelves. Here are some of the newest wrinklebeaters on the block that have the beauty world talking:
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April / May
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Spotlight on Abergavenny Market Abergavenny Market has a large range of internationally flavoured stalls and flying the flag for Caribbean food is Richard Brown. Richard runs his mother’s stall, which evolved out of running a Jamaican themed restaurant in Cardiff which had no end of famous people dropping into eat its cuisine. Richard said: “When my mother, Dorrett, was nearing retirement she was on the lookout for a new, but less
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Bridge Street. Crickhowell. Powys. NP8 1AR Tel: 01873 810338 Fax: 01873 810338 Email: info@thebridgeendinn.com www.thebridgeendinn.com
stressful venture to occupy her time. And she decided on setting up her stall in Abergavenny as the town had a good reputation for its market. “She gave it a go and it soon became a success. In the early days we used to offer tasting sessions, but as our products became well known there was little need to do this every week.” Ma Brown’s stall has also been a regular exhibitor at the Abergavenny Food Festival and the products on offer are in the market are based around patties, which are similar to the British pasty, which have a variety of fillings from the hot and spicy to the full flavoured varieties. “Patties is very much part of the Caribbean Food culture and they can be bought on just about every street corner in Jamaica in an extremely wide range of fillings,” added Richard. As you would expect from this type of market stall a variety of beef and chicken curries can be discovered, but Richard says they have a curry, which is gaining in popularity.
He added: “Goat curries are fast becoming one of our best sellers. It seems that when people go to the Caribbean they try the local delicacies and want to emulate it when they get back home. “ Another popular favourite is jerk chicken, which is chicken on the bone and given a curried flavour. Other popular ranges include the variety of Jamaican sweets.
in the Jamaica and took an interest in food at an early age. She came to Wales in the 1960s and brought her knowledge with her. The curries she produces is nothing like the curries you get in a takeaway, they are something very special. “Everything is freshly prepared, and unless you’ve tasted a curry from this region, you don’t know what your are missing.”
Richard said: “My mother was born and brought up
ABERGAVENNY
MARKET
Situated in the middle of the town known as the Gateway to Wales, Abergavenny Tuesday Market is well known as one of the major markets in Wales.
MARKETS EVERY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAYS
Easter bank holiday fair
Sunday 8th April & Monday 9th April
Arts & Crafts Fair Thursday 12th April
Crafts Fair
Saturday 14th April
Antiques Fair Sunday 15th April
Farmers Market Thursday 26th April
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For further details contact Geoff Harris 01873 735811
WEIGHT loss
The Good Life
Siobhan Freegard, a mother-of-three and founder of parenting website Netmums, says: "One of the problems is that there's a growing expectation that Easter should be a 'perfect' celebration rather like Christmas, which can pile pressure on parents.
"Changes in routine - with school holidays and maybe different care arrangements for children - should be clearly talked through by couples, so one parent doesn't feel they've been left to organise it all," she says. "If there's a family gathering but it could be fraught, why not consider arranging to see some family members at different times instead of bringing everyone together? "An outing to an event or even an outdoor
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picnic could be better than a big family meal, as being somewhere different together can be a distraction which will help prevent tensions building." At the end of the day, it's all about being realistic, asking for help, and not pretending to be a 'supermum' says Freegard. "If you're having a big family lunch, get everyone to bring a dish, organise older kids so they organise an egg hunt for younger ones, and encourage the family to make their own decorated eggs and decorations for the home," she says.
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"Everyone imagines everyone else is enjoying idyllic gatherings, with perfectly decorated houses and perfectly behaved children just like the ones portrayed in the magazines.
Longer working hours are making time off even more precious, and that can also leave people subconsciously demanding and expecting more from their free time, points out Denise Knowles, a relationship counsellor for Relate.
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It also found that harder economic times mean families who might formerly have taken holidays away are now staying at home and falling back on 'old fashioned' ways to entertain children, from trips to local farms or the seaside to playing board games or spending time on a child-friendly hobby.
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"But by contrast with the December celebration, which it's common to start planning months in advance, Easter's generally only planned a couple of weeks beforehand.
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By Gabrielle Fagan A family gathering, an Easter egg hunt and enjoying time with children because they're not at school are all traditional pleasures at this time of year.
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The Spring Issue
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April / May
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Cracking good tips for Easter ■ Too much chocolate (and fizzy drinks) probably won't help
children's behaviour. Suggest to relatives that instead of eggs they give a token, add to a savings account, or give a pocket money gift. ■ Theme parks can be expensive outings. Instead, check out free or
minimal cost events, including Easter Egg hunts, held by local organisations from churches and museums to local authorities. Websites such as www.netmums.com have information contributed by members covering all areas. ■ Holiday clubs can be great for kids but if cost is an issue, reduce it
by making a plan with other parents to take care of children on a rotating group basis a couple of days each week.
AVENUE ROAD NURSING HOME
■ Easter's a revision time for teenagers facing exams in May and
June. While they need peace and quiet to study, younger siblings can be distracting. Try to organise a period each day when they can visit grandparents or friends, and go on outings.
Becoming part of your family
■ Plan a couple of special occasions that can be anticipated over the
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school holiday, which needn't be expensive, but will be focal points. ■ Have a 'grab bag' filled with inexpensive bits and pieces, including
craft kit which each child can dip into throughout the holiday. Relatives could donate £1 each for a small item, from elastic bands for French skipping to crayons, to fill the bags instead of buying an egg.
28 Avenue Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 7DB Tel: 01873 857607 Fax: 01873 857607 Mob: 07830 385435 (Dr. A. Bansal)
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■ Prise children away from computer games and get them to
participate in a board game, create their own growing area in a garden, or check out fundraising challenges to involve them in 'doing' rather than 'sitting'.
■ Try to ensure that during the Easter weekend there's at least one
outdoor break, where everyone gets outdoors even just for a walk in the park or a cycle ride or swim. It will help diffuse any tension that can increase if everyone's cooped up indoors the whole time. ■ If children perpetually complain of being bored, get them to
identify an outing, event, or place they'd like to visit by researching it for themselves (and give them a budget to work to). If they've found something themselves, they'll be more committed to it and enthusiastic than if you impose it on them.
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At Fast Fluid Power we are dedicated to providing you with a one-stop fluid power shop! With our trade counter on Grangemill Ind Est, Raglan open from 8am until 5-30 pm Monday – Friday and 9am – 1pm on Saturday, we are here to service you in any way we can. Give us a try, our friendly and extremely helpful staff are on hand to give you advice and help you find a solution to any fluid power problem you may have. We also offer ALL agricultural customers trade discounts as standard! We are also members of the BFPDA and are the ONLY company in South Wales who carry the Q Approved Hose Assembly accreditation giving you piece of mind in the knowledge that what you want is what you get… 1st time every time ! If your stuck and cant get to us with your hydraulic hose… NO PROBLEM. Our *Flexible Solutions mobile hydraulic hose workshops come to you. Our fleet of hydraulic workshops cover the whole of South East Wales. *Call out and labour charges apply
Varta Agricultural & Car Batteries in stock! Lo-Call number 08444 722 922
Agricultural Red Diesel We now sell red agricultural diesel over the counter. We can re-fill your own containers or sell new 25ltr or 205ltr drums. Pop into our trade counter for more details
Fast Fluid Power was established in 2002 to offer the agricultural community of Monmouthshire a complete one stop fluid power shop. We specialise in hydraulic hoses and lubricants and can guarantee the best prices around with superior service and a flash back to the times when companies were grateful for customers. Our friendly, helpful staff are always on hand to offer advice and the best solution that suits your budget. We have one of the UKʼs largest hydraulic manufacturers as our supplier, Stauff UK, whoʼs products are second to none. Coupled with lubricant distribution from Morris Lubricants who are our premier suppliers, we have over 600 25ltr drums in stock in Raglan and over 100 205ltr drums! In 10 years, Fastʼs growth throughout South Wales has been our focus on customer service with very competitive pricing. We now offer deliveries 3 times weekly down to Cardiff & Bridgend and daily from Crickhowell, Abergavenny, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale, Cwmbran, Pontypool, Newport, Chepstow and Coleford. Whether you need a hydraulic hose, a drum of oil or quite simply an adaptor. The chances are with over 30,000 parts in stock we have it! Or if itʼs a hydraulic cylinder, a re-seal, a hydraulic pump or motor then its next day delivery. Due to listening to our customers and reacting to their advice we now offer an agricultural red diesel re-fill service. Just bring your tractor to us, or your own 25ltr or 205ltr drum and we will fill it for you while-you-wait.
We are open from 8am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. You can find us next to Countrywide Stores and MDP Landrovers on Grangemill Ind Est, Raglan. NP15 2BX. Look forward to seeing you soon!
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www.fastfluidpower.co.uk ●
The Spring Issue
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April / May
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Sudoku Challenge
The Belgrave Hotel The Esplanade, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7DU Tel: 01834 842377 Fax: 01834 842626
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W Abergith the Chronavenny icle
Magazine Poll
Gazette Giggles! Q: How do bunnies stay healthy? A: Eggercise
This month we would like to ask our Gazette readers what they would like to see more of within the magazine?
Ring now for Birthdays, Anniversaries and other special breaks. The Sprin g Issue April /
May ■ Style Issue 13 & Fashio / 2012 n ■ Ho £1.50 ■ Comp me & Ga etitions where sold rden ■ ■ Local Entertainm Events ent ■ Travel ... and mu ch more ...
You can contact us by post The Gazette Magazine, Tindle House, 13 Nevil Street, Abergavenny NP7 5AA Or email: hazel@tindlenews.co.uk / jennahopkins@yahoo.co.uk
Magnificent Views Well Drained Course ◆ Friendly Club House ◆ Membership Available ◆
Q: Why are people always tired in April? A: Because they just finished a march Q: What do you call a bunny with a dictionary in his pants? A: A smarty pants.
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Old Ross Rd, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. NP7 8NG. Tel: 01873 856223 Fax: 01873 852177 Email: info@wernddu-golf-club.co.uk Web: www.wernddu-golf-club.co.uk
Q: What do you call ten rabbits marching backwards? A: A receding hareline. Q: What has long ears, four legs, and is worn on your head? A: An Easter bunnet!
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Call for information on our Promotional Offers For more details contact: Chris Murphy Mob: 07719 662634 Tel: 01291 690 077 Website: www.raglanparc.co.uk Parc Lodge, Station Road, Raglan
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. . . o u D Dear if you would like dear duo to help with your problems, please write to Dear Duo, The Gazette and Diary, 13 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5AA.
own place, invite them around, cook them a meal. If you live at home why not offer to cook that night, keep busy.
Dear Duo
April 2012 Pick up your copy of the Abergavenny Chronicle every Thursday
Abergavenny Alzheimers Society, Carers evening, 7.30 pm, The Angel Hotel. All Welcome
Pen-Y-Fal Car Boot Sale, weather permitting. Sellers 10am, Buyers 11am. Tel: 07761363090, 07842521332
Govilon Car Boot. Main Road, every Thursday, mornings, weather permitting. 01873 830834
Abergavenny Alzheimers Society, Memory Café, Trinity Hall, 10.30 – 1pm. All Welcome
Pick up your copy of the Abergavenny Chronicle every Thursday
Govilon Car Boot. Main Road, every Thursday, mornings, weather permitting. 01873 830834
Car Boot Sale, Glangrwyney. 9am
Good Friday Hymn-Singing Festival, Llanwenarth Baptist Church, Govilon 6.30pm. Tel: 01873 831937
Monmouthshire Hunt Point-toPoint, Llanvapley, NP7 8SR, 2pm. Enquiries to the Secretary 07809-502690
Pen-Y-Fal Car Boot Sale, weather permitting. Sellers 10am, Buyers 11am. Tel: 07761363090, 07842521332
Pick up your copy of the Abergavenny Chronicle every Thursday Borough Theatre, 7.30pm. Dr Peter Guest will talk about Isca, The Roman Legionary Fortress at Caerleon. Abergavenny Local History Society. Members are reminded to bring their card. Non members may join on the night, or call 01873 850220
Bill Cainan – The Battle of “Isandlwana”, 7.30pm at the Scout Hall, Castle Road, Crickhowell.
Pick up your copy of the Abergavenny Chronicle every Thursday
Govilon Car Boot. Main Road, every Thursday, mornings, weather permitting. 01873 830834
Pen-Y-Fal Car Boot Sale, weather permitting. Sellers 10am, Buyers 11am. Tel: 07761363090, 07842521332
Hands On Harp – Have a go, beginners and improvers, 10am-5pm, St Michael’s Centre, Abergavenny. Contact Gill 01873 812318
Pen-Y-Fal Car Boot Sale, weather permitting. Sellers 10am, Buyers 11am. Tel: 07761363090, 07842521332
Reiki Level 1 Attunement Day at Abergavenny Natural Therapy Centre. £100 or £70 concession. Tel: Bliss 07515542335
Pen-Y-Fal Car Boot Sale, weather permitting. Sellers 10am, Buyers 11am. Tel: 07761363090, 07842521332
I have the most wonderful boyfriend. He's funny, sweet, spontaneous and works incredibly hard at his job which I find very sexy. But he's always busy all the time because he works so much. When I do see him, it's for a night at the weekend and it's so wonderful and when we're together I feel so incredibly happy. The second he leaves, I feel this awful emptiness inside me and until I see him again I can't stop feeling empty and I miss him so much. I've tried to keep myself busy so I don't think about him but I always always always get the exact same feeling when he leaves. We're too young to settle down and find a place of our own because we're both establishing our careers. Although this sounds naive, I want to have everything with him. But this huge feeling of emptiness is horrible and I don't know if I can put myself and my friends through it every time we see each other. Is this a destructive relationship? Or is it love? If anyone has had a similar experience to me what did you do? Any response would be appreciated thanks Dee
But you mustn't allow the fact that you miss him make you miserable. Focus on when you're next going to see him again. What can you do to make it special? Instead of moaning to your friends about how sad and lonely you are, why not invite them round to ask their opinions on a nice meal to cook, or their opinion on sexy underwear, or whatever! You can try the meals out on them, see what they think. Try and sort it with him, and if you can't, it may that he/you/both of you aren't ready for this particular relationship. He may not have a clue how much you miss him in the week and might jump at the chance to spend more time with you! Good luck, J Hi Dee Well ....... if you both want the finer things in life and want to further your career then these times apart have to happen and you will just have to get used to it. Just enjoy your times together and stop fretting in the future if this is "LOVE" you will have plenty of time together.
Hi Dee Firstly, is there anyway he can cut back on his hours and see you a bit more in the week? Perhaps you can arrange to stay at his, or him at yours, say every Tuesday and Thursday, plus your weekend night. You could even say that he doesn't have to come home any earlier, if he doesn't want to, but that when he leaves work, he rings you, you pop round, and then you have a meal together, even if it's like 9pm, and then you can go to bed together, spend that intimate time.
H
If this isn't doable for whatever reason, then fill your week with things. Arrange one night a week that you meet up with a different mate. Another night, perhaps you go with a different friend to the cinema. Another night, spend time with your family . If you have your
Sorry to those who have not had their problems answered yet we have limited space but we will eventually get round to you!
Nick Ramsay AM Assembly Member for Monmouth
Pick up your copy of the Abergavenny Chronicle every Thursday Abergavenny Farmers Market, Market Hall, Abergavenny. Fresh local produce Govilon Car Boot. Main Road, every Thursday, mornings, weather permitting. 01873 830834
Hospitals - Schools - Transport Environment - Housing Write to: Nick Ramsay AM, Constituency Office, 16 Maryport Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1AB E-mail: nicholas.ramsay@wales.gov.uk
For further information call: 01291 674 898 or 029 2089 8735 ●
The Spring Issue
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April / May
17
Improve your health with a The sun’s shining and suddenly taking the dog out doesn’t seem like such a chore.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT PETS CAN LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
But while we all know that pets can be great a motivating force for keeping fit - with the average dog-owner exercising their pet for 48 minutes per day - dogs, and other pets, can also boost an owner’s health and wellbeing in other ways.
A three-year study conducted by Australia’s Baker Medical Research Institute confirmed that pet owners have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels than people without pets. Considering that more than 70,000 people in England die each year from heart disease, a condition exacerbated by stress-related spikes in blood pressure, having a pet certainly seems like a healthy idea.
Dr Anne Mcbride, a psychologist who researches the bond between humans and animals, believes there are huge physical and psychological benefits to sharing your life with a pet.
It has been shown that pets can also help relieve everyday stresses which can, in some circumstances, lead to more profound health problems such as insomnia and depression.
“Once you’ve found the right pet for you and your lifestyle, you get so much back from them. Mentally there’s the benefit of companionship and the pleasure of having an animal to play with or confide in. This in turn can produce positive physical effects like lower blood pressure and improved respiration. Pets also make us laugh, which is great because laughter reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and releases serotonin, which makes us feel happy."
In 1999, the State University of New York in Buffalo conducted a study of 48 stock brokers with high blood pressure. All were taking medication for their condition, and half were given a pet to live with as well. When subjected to challenges
designed to increase their stress - such as arguing their way out of a shop-lifting charge - the stock brokers with pets experienced a smaller rise in blood pressure than their pet-less counterparts. LEARN TO RELAX, WITH A FISH Have you ever wondered why fish are so often a feature of dentists’ waiting rooms? In 1985, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis revealed that fish are at least as successful as hypnosis for the purposes of calming dental patients. Those patients who had watched fish in the waiting room even required less pain medication during surgery. Children with hyperactivity disorder and Alzheimer’s patients both exhibit calmer behaviour when free to gaze at brightlycoloured fish. Clinical Psychologist, Jane Fossey, of the Alzheimer’s Society and Society for
Companion Animal Studies, says there is evidence that watching fish can improve the nutritional intake of people with Alzheimer’s by around 21%. “Sometimes people can lose weight because of Alzheimer’s as it can mean they move around a lot or forget whether they have eaten. Watching the fish makes people more restful, and therefore more likely to sit down and take time to eat. “If patients are able to look after the fish themselves, this provides further advantages, because it gives them the chance to care for something, rather always being the care recipients. Tasks like feeding fish also allow family and staff to engage with dementia sufferers in the here-and-now, rather than challenging them to remember the past, she adds. DUMB ANIMALS CAN MAKE KIDS SMARTER AND HEALTHIER It’s a well-known fact that most kids love pets. Univserity Researchers found that four and five-year-olds with animals at home take 18% fewer sick days off school.
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LINDA J. GARRATT D.O.
The Spring Issue
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H. Waters & Sons Lawnmowers • Chainsaws • Garden Machinery
RIDE-ON MOWERS FREE DEMONSTRATIONS
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April / May
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Church Lane, Govilon, Monmouthshire NP7 9RP Telephone Abergavenny 01873 831696
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pet Companion Animal Studies, notes: “There is research to show that children who are exposed to pets within the first year of their life have a lower incidence of hay fever and asthma and are less likely to develop allergies to animals." There are also emotional benefits, Fowler says. “The companionship that pets provide can have a calming influence on children during stressful periods in their lives. For example, there is evidence that children cope better with divorce when they have a pet." Tracy Genever, children’s education officer at pet charity The Blue Cross, says that having a pet from a young age can help children to learn to care for another being and give them a sense of responsibility. “We know from The Blue Cross education talks we give in schools that children often form very strong bonds with their pets," she says. “They can learn a lot by empathising and being sensitive to their pet’s emotions and this can improve their social skills and help them build relationships with people." YOU’RE NEVER LONELY WITH A PET
to consider your choice of pet carefully, but owning a new breed or species can be viewed as an adventure, an opportunity to learn about a new type of animal and develop a relationship with a creature never before considered." According to statistics from The Pet Care Trust, pensioners who own their own pets make 21% fewer visits to the doctor than those without pets.
Psychologist, Dr Anne Mcbride, who researches the bond between humans and animals, believes that pets can do a lot to reduce loneliness.
questionnaire profiling their moods, and the results showed that individuals who spent just 10 minutes with their visiting dog experienced significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and confusion, among other benefits.
But it’s not always necessary to own your own animal to make a health gain. The charity Pets as Therapy (PAT) organise therapeutic visits, taking calm, friendly dogs and cats to hospitals, hospices, and care homes. Their latest initiative is being pioneered at Her Majesty’s Prison Hindley, a Young Offenders’ Institute, where it is hoped that the presence of a dog will relax the teenage inmates.
PK’S KAR KLINIC DIAGNOSTIC & SERVICE CENTRE FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS Specialising in
A recent study by the charity set out to measure the effects of a PAT visit on a person’s mood, to better measure the benefits of the 130,000 visits to people, every week, across the country.
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PAT surveyed participating residents in nursing homes or day centres, aged between 62 and 95. Each respondent was asked to fill in a
“A pet can be a great companion, and age or disability should be no barrier to pet ownership. It may be that you need
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ABERGAVENNY 01873 852299
Contact: KEN HAMMOND Day: 01544 231372 Evenings: 01497 831360 Mobile: 07990 973623 Hergest Industrial Estate, Kington, Herefordshire HR5 3ER
FIREPLACES R.G.M. FIREPLACES Realistic Gas and Electric Fires Fireplaces and Surrounds in Real Wood, Marble & Stone
MIKE GEDDES
REMOVALS OF MONMOUTH
Made to individual specifications Fireplaces & accessories at competitive prices Installation Service Available~Also Plumbing and Heating Specialists
Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Saturday 10am-2pm 19 Whitcross Road, Hereford 01432 265364 www.rgmfireplaces.com
Dorrell Oliver Ltd chartered accountants Linden House, Monk Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5NF Tel: 01873 852113 Fax: 01873 858523 www.dorrells.co.uk
✦ ACCOUNTANCY ✦ AUDIT ✦ TAX ADVICE FOR NEW BUSINESSES
Tarmacadam & Asphalt Specialist (Est 40yrs)
Contractor to Government and Local Authorities h: 01873 810653 m: 07831 448 506 m: 07894 009 541
Roads, Drives, Car Parks etc, Laid by hand or paving machine ESTIMATES FREE w: www.lewisandlogan.co.uk ●
Top quality friendly personal service at rock bottom prices... BUDGET MAN + VAN SERVICE AVAILABLE References available - 30 Years experience Telephone 01600 715509 07860 736755
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