The Suburb Circular - July 2015 by The Suburb Circular

www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk

6000 copies distributed door to door in Hampstead Garden Suburb

JULY 2015 | ISSUE 3

Specialising in: Hampstead Garden Suburb & Surrounding areas

Estate Agents for: Flats, Cottages, Houses, Executive Homes

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FOOD & NUTRITION • Home & Garden • Education & politics • health & Fitness • AND MUCH MORE...

inside

Contents JULY 2015

Food & Nutrition

4 This Months Delicious Recipe

Gifts & Events

6 Fun Tech Summer Camps

Education & Politics 10 Leap Ahead 13 North Bridge House

Health & Fitness

15 The Long and Short of it 15 When Should I Start Dating Again? 16 Varicose Vein Advice 18 Understanding Money Within a Marriage

Home & Garden

20 On Your Plot - Hoarding 22 Art - Etchings Demystified 25 Plant of the Month

Beauty & Fashion

26 Trends in Prom and Party Wear for 2015

Motoring & Travel

28 The New Mitsubishi Shogun 29 Is Your Car Ready for the Road?

Business &Finance

30 Things They Don’t Want You to Know

020-3659-2399  info@thesuburbcircular.co.uk www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publishers. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content no responsibility can be taken for errors and omissions. The views expressed in the magazine are not those necessary those of the publishers. Readers are strongly advised to check information published with individual advertisers and take legal advise where appropriate, before entering any transactions.

The team EDITORIAL Editor Sarah Klein Contributors Gareth Cook, Catherine Brahams-Melinek, Catherine Loble, Mike Freer MP, Sophie Personne , David Hillel Burns, Carole Nyman, Gita Joshi , Tim Barnes-Clay, Martin Lewis

ADVERTISING

DESIGN & PRODUCTION James English, Scott Cartwright

www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk

The Bach Players The Seasons

music by Vivaldi and his French, Austrian & Italian contemporaries

Saturday 18 July, 7.30 pm

St John’s Downshire Hill Hampstead London NW3 1NU

Full details: www.thebachplayers.org.uk or phone: 020 8815 0197

Tickets from our website & on the door

Very suitable for children !

Dear Readers

uly is here which means that the end of the school year is approaching, holiday plans are being finalised and Wimbledon is well under way!

Eli Cohen 020-3659-2399

from the editor

Holidays have very often been, in my experience, like that annoying friend who manages to appear charming and appealing time and time again, even after realising many times that s/he isn’t going to change for the better. With almost every ‘encounter’ there is an element of hope that this time it will be perfect; the weather will not be too hot, but hot enough; nothing will accidentally be left behind; there will be no rush in the airport etc. But there are indeed always disappointments and frustrations that occur, especially when serious planning has gone into it! For some, planning a holiday is genuinely more exciting and fun than the holiday itself - like an event that you are arranging; the many days/ weeks of planning can somehow be more exciting than the event itself. All of which is quite bizarre when thinking about it! If you aren’t going away this summer, the lack of traffic, both vehicular and human, is definitely something to savour. Less queuing in shops and traffic, experiencing more personal space, and quieter surroundings are definitely a ‘holiday’ in itself. There is something satisfying in taking holidays during ‘off-peak’ periods as one can seemingly ‘get the best of both worlds’, although I’ve rarely been lucky enough to do so. This is something I ‘plan’ on factoring in for my next holiday! Either way, I wish you an ‘enjoyable summer’ and, if you are going away, have a ‘safe trip’!

Sarah

PS. The next Issue will be ‘The September Issue’.

food & nutrition

FOODmatters Peach and raspberry Champagne cocktail

• 3 ripe peaches, stoned and quartered

Serves 8

• 400g fresh raspberries, plus a few extra for decoration

INGREDIENTS

Takes 10 minutes to make, plus chilling Easy This peach and raspberry cocktail is made with a delicious fruit puree and Champagne or sparkling wine. NUTRITIONAL INFO PER SERVING Calories: 114kcals Fat: 0.2g (0.1g saturated) Protein: 1.4g Carbohydrates: 7.9g (7.5g sugars) Salt: Trace

• Caster sugar, to taste (optional) • 3 tbsp raspberry or peach liqueur • 75cl bottle inexpensive Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled 1 Put the fruit into a clean food processor and whizz to a smooth puree. Taste and, if it’s quite tart, stir in some sugar according to taste. Push the berry puree through a fine plastic sieve into a small bowl. Stir in the raspberry or peach liqueur. Transfer to a sterilised bottle, then chill for a few hours or until ready to take to the picnic. 2 At the picnic, pop a few raspberries into 8

champagne flutes or tall glasses. Add the raspberry puree, carefully pour in the Champagne and gently stir. Serve the cocktail with extra raspberries, if you like. 3 For non-drinkers, omit the liqueur and use sparkling water or lemonade instead of Champagne.

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the Suburb Circular • july 2015

EVENTS

Technology Jewel for Children

Gareth Cook - WWW.FUNTECHSUMMERCAMPS.com

eard of Minecraft? If you have school age children, you probably have. It’s that computer game they spend hours playing, creating their own virtual world. But it’s actually much more than that. Minecraft is amazing educational software that can extend children’s learning because it provides a context. In Minecraft, Redstone is electricity and using this feature enables you to create electronic AND gates, OR gates and NOT gates, which when combined form circuits used to create every computer’s CPU (Central Processing Unit) or ‘brain’. “Mention Minecraft to a youngster and they get very excited, so we have taken an environment the children love and developed a curriculum that teaches them high level electronics,” says Sheineez Barber, Managing Partner at FunTech. “They consume the content and think they are playing, but they are learning some very complex electronics – many of the concepts that we teach in our Minecraft Redstone camp are what our A Level Computing students are taught!” 3D digital printing is the biggest

the Suburb Circular • JULY 2015

game-changer in the technology industry since the development of mobile apps. 3D printers use a fine powder that sets into a hard plaster-like finish that builds up an object one layer at a time and over the last decade the process has become cheaper and the range of materials that can be used has expanded. In the not too distant future consumer goods could be made using 3D printers, and they are already being used in some cases to print artificial bones and prosthetics. “The printing part is easy. The skill lies in designing what you want to print, and this will be a key skill for the next generation,” says Barber. “Every year I am astounded at how our youngsters absorb what we teach them: for example, at our 3D Digital Design camp the children start with a wire-framed cube and create a fully rigged, animated and rendered character from their imagination which includes adding bone structures, digital sculpting, lighting and animation”. Technology has moved so quickly and plays such a central role in every type of commercial activity that for current and future generations, coding is a skill that is as essential as literacy and numeracy were for

past generations. “It is going to be crucial that our children learn how to code, and I am relieved that the schools are now delivering coding,” says Barber. “However, they are going to need to develop these skills to a much higher level if they are to compete with the emerging markets in the Far East and the States”. Barber is passionate about touchtyping and says “In today’s digital world, touch-typing is a must. If we continue with allowing our children to hunt and peck type with two fingers, we are going to see high levels of backaches, RSI (repetitive strain injury) and ultimately sitting at the computer for longer than is needed. If there is one piece of advice I would give to all parents, it would be to ensure that your child can touch type: it will be a skill they will use for life.” On voice dictation Barber says, “The technology is already here to implement voice dictation, but the problem is how to implement it in oﬃces, schools or more importantly during

examinations: I can’t see it being used mainstream in our schools or workplaces any time soon.” Like it or not, Pandora’s technology box is open – our world runs on code! Sheineez Barber has been running FunTech for 20 years and she and her team have taught thousands of children. They now have a centre in Hampstead Garden Suburbs, where the old Apples and Pears shop used to be. We can thank the five families of HGS who travelled to FunTech Maidenhead every week for three years that they are now operating in our area. “I was concerned about having a centre in London, as I am not particularly interested in packing our classrooms by delivering a one-size fits all style of learning:

using an environment they will engage with so their learning is given a context and feels like fun.”

education for me has to be tailored to each individual child and be fun” explains Barber. “We don’t offer childcare or let children play on a computer for the week: we teach them relevant skills

For more information please see FunTech’s website: www.funtechsummercamps.com

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www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk

Jobbik to Jewish HOW A NEO-FASCIST POLITICIAN BECAME A PROUD JEW FIGHTING ANTI-SEMITISM

Csanad Szegedi was the co-founder and leader of the Hungarian far-right nationalist party known for its racist and xenophobic sentiments. However, when a hidden family secret was uncovered, he was forced to undertake a journey of self-discovery.

STANDING UP

Keynote speaker Tisha bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Av, Sunday 26th July Powerful responses to anti-semitism

This Tisha B'av, meet ordinary people whose first hand experiences with antiSemitism compelled them to take an extraordinary stand against hatred. OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Solly Irving: Holocaust survivor and acclaimed educator. Henry Wermuth: Prolific author, Holocaust survivor and speaker.

For more info and to book: www.tikun.co.uk/standingup 0208 912 1213

EVENTS

CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL 2015

4 Aug 7.30pm, 5 Aug 9.15pm, 6 Aug 7.30pm, 7 Aug 9.15pm, 8 Aug 7.30pm Miss Dietrich Regrets A revealing and poignant new look at the ageing Marlene Dietrich, an icon and a legend

4 Aug 9.15pm, 5 Aug 7.30pm, 6 Aug 9.15pm, 7 Aug 7.30pm, 8 Aug 9.15pm Shackleton’s Carpenter Shipwright Harry McNish’s account of the ill-fated Endurance voyage to the Antarctica

10, 12 & 14 Aug 7.30pm, 11, 13 & 15 Aug 9.15pm, 16 Aug 6pm David Mamet’s Sexual Perversity in Chicago Boy meets girl. Simple. Pieces of a jigsaw falling into place. But then? What about the other pieces?

11th Aug 7.30pm, 12 Aug 9.15pm, 13 Aug 7.30pm, 14 Aug 9.15pm David Mamet’s The Shawl

Two con-men plan to scam a young woman out of her inheritance but who’s really tricking who?

15 Aug 7.30pm & 16 Aug 8pm The Roses of Eyam 1665 the village of Eyam was rocked by the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. This play tells its story

17 Aug 7.30pm, 18, 19 & 20 Aug 9.15pm Antony & Cleopatra A new adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, set in a cabaret club in the roaring twenties

18, 19 & 20 Aug 7.30pm Harry’s Girls

A tale of Henry VIII’s wives, set against the backdrop of the death of the American dream

21, 22 & 23 Aug 7.30pm Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens An energetic, funny and wildly camp musical with sparkly one-liners and seriously funky music

24, 25, 26 & 27 Aug 7.30pm The Count of Monte Cristo

Dumas' banquet of heroes, villains, pirates & princes sprinkled with lunacy, dodgy accents & songs

28 & 29 Aug 9.15pm The Second Coming of Robin Askwith Robin Askwith is back with another raucous night of confessions from his illustrious career

29 Aug 7.30pm & 30 Aug 6pm An Audience with Fenella Fielding With her husky voice and vampish looks Fenella Fielding is the legendary star of Stage, Film & TV

30 Aug 4pm Quills & Crosses Join Mathis, an up & coming merchant, on a quest of deception & enlightenment in Tudor England

ALL TICKETS £12 (£10 CONCS) Box Office 020 8340 3488 www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk

education & politics

“Beware the Ides of the Summer Vacation!” by Catherine Brahams-Melinek & Catherine LOBLE

s a child growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, I enjoyed extensive summer holidays. Naturally my brothers and I attended our fair share of summer camps and activity centres, but we also spent immeasurable amounts of time cycling down Wildwood Road for thrills; gorging ourselves on juicy blackberries picked behind the Hampstead Golf Course (ignoring the visible ‘No Trespassing’ signs) and designing an eight-sided Monopoly with our cousins. Those were halcyon days. Oh but “the past is another country, we do things differently there.” Today, we have Google! We have access to infinite articles about our children’s potential decline. Children who are allowed to roam around the suburb getting up to mischief might as well queue up for their frontal lobotomies! We have irrational fears that our friends’ children are all learning Mandarin in five weeks and come September, they will not only be bilingual but also able to play three different instruments at the Suburb Proms. Sadly, there needs no Ghost from Denmark to tell us that “something is rotten” in our society when it comes to children’s education. As a teacher and a former Vice Principal, I can confirm that returning to

school in September is a jolt for everyone. Teachers have an Inset Day to acclimatize (probably the most unpopular day of the year as far as parents are concerned) but pupils are not afforded this luxury. Returning to school after the summer holidays, or in fact, any vacation is a shock. Besides, extensive research conducted by Entwisle & Alexander in 1992, and later by Downey et al in 2004, confirmed that typically pupils who sat a test in July scored substantially less when they repeated exactly the same assessment in September. Children do need some stimulation in the holidays. At Leap Ahead with Confidence, we aim to ameliorate this problem. As both parents and teachers, Catherine Loble and I have set out to ensure that children do not fall victim to the ‘summer slide’ and that , on the contrary, they emerge as happy, confident

W t

C a A

B learners, ready to make the transition from one term to another. We offer bespoke academic courses to children in a friendly comfortable environment both in Hampstead Garden Suburb and in Golders Green. We prepare children in all subjects for the 4, 7 and 11 plus in addition to offering one-day workshops for interview technique, UCAS and medical school applications.

S a S e

A typical course in the holidays will run from 9.15 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. from Monday to Thursday inclusive. Courses comprise twelve hours of academic tuition in groups of eight with a teacher ratio of 4: 1. Rapid learning will take place but no day will, in the words of William Brown, “taste of school.”

The courses are good value and will run throughout the year. We are not simply beating the summer slide but ensuring that children are confident learners throughout their educational journey. Please refer to our website for more information: www.leapaheadwithconfidence.com

the Suburb Circular • JULY 2015

NBH

Highly effective teaching and support from dedicated staff ensures that students’ academic and personal development is outstanding.’ OFSTED, JUNE 2015

North Bridge House Canonbury Senior School & Sixth Form

Will your child be at an ‘Outstanding’ school this September? Choosing a school for Year 9 onwards is a vitally important decision. Discover a school that nurtures confidence and success from Key Stage 3 through to A-Level – visit us to see why Ofsted says we are ‘Outstanding’ in ALL areas. Located in the heart of Islington, private tours are available now for September 2015 applications. Book a place today at northbridgehouse.com/open

2014|2015

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30/06/2015 14:36

Education & politics

Hill Start’

matters Education, Education, Education MIKE FREER MP, FINCHLEY & GOLDERS GREEN

t the heart of this Government’s commitment to delivering real social justice is our belief that every child deserves an excellent education, and that every day that they spend in school should be one that helps them to fulfil their potential. This week we introduced a new Bill to improve school standards across the country. Thanks to the hard work of teachers across the country, the reforms of the last Government and the innovations pioneered by the Government before that, championed by the former Schools Minister Lord Adonis, we have seen dramatic improvements in English education. The Academies program started under the last Labour Government and we have expanded that and introduced parent-lead ‘Free Schools’ which have proved popular with many Schools in this area. Education remains a focus area of the Government. Since 2010, 100,000 more six-year-olds are on track to be confident readers because of our focus on phonics; the EBacc has led to a 71% increase in pupils taking core academic subjects at GCSE; and there are now 1 million more pupils being taught in schools that are ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ — a record high. In short, expectations have been raised, standards have been restored, and teachers and parents have been empowered. But there is more to do. No child should have to put up with

the Suburb Circular • JULY 2015

receiving an education that is anything less than good, so we must go further. We are now making plans to strengthen our ability to intervene more swiftly in failing schools and to properly tackle, for the first time, schools that are coasting. The measures in the Bill are designed to speed up the process by which underperforming schools are transformed, ensuring that there is no delay in giving our children the education they deserve.

Bureaucracy can’t be allowed to delay, or stop, our children receiving a good education Across the world, Governments are recognising that teachers and leaders in education know best how to run their schools. Our Government is no different. We believe in a school-led system where experts have greater freedom but within a strong framework of accountability. That is why we want more schools to benefit from the freedom that academy status brings. Importantly, children with special needs or disabilities must get the best possible education that will enable them to fulfil

their potential. That is what the education and healthcare plans introduced under the previous Conservative led-Government are all about. 17% of the free schools set up under the previous Conservativeled Government deal with alternative provision and children who have special educational needs. Working with other local schools, they are providing a very innovative and exciting education. No one can argue that we shouldn’t transform failing schools. For those schools, urgent action is required, and the Bill introduces tough new measures to turn around failing schools from day one. In the past, such transformation could be delayed or even blocked altogether by pressure groups or unions with ideological objections to transferring power away from town halls to outstanding heads and teachers. The new Bill makes it clear that an academy order will be issued for all schools judged inadequate by Ofsted, enabling them to become sponsored academies. The Bill sweeps away bureaucracy and loopholes that currently mean it takes, on average, more than a year from the day that a school is judged inadequate to the day that it opens as a sponsored academy. Bureaucracy can’t be allowed to delay, or stop, our children receiving a good education.

education Business&&politics Finance

Islington’s first independent senior school proves its worth with

hen North Bridge House Senior School and Sixth Form opened its Grade II listed doors back in September 2014, the co-educational day school for Year 9-13 students became the area’s first independent senior school. The school has certainly made its mark in the area as it was announced last month to have achieved the almost unheard of in a school’s first year – being awarded ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Oftsed. Ofsted’s report reflects how much the school has already achieved as Islington’s first independent senior school for 13-18 year olds, based on the success and reputation of the North Bridge House group, established in 1939. The Canonbury school joins the long-standing independent North Bridge House family, which includes a Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep and a Senior School in Hampstead. What’s clear is that for each school it is all about the pupil. ‘Throughout all North Bridge House schools there’s a real focus on emotional wellbeing and personal development without sacrificing academic excellence,’ says Head Teacher Jonathan Taylor. ‘Nurturing is a word we use a lot.’ Offering a full GCSE and A-Level curriculum, North Bridge House Canonbury prepares its students for the wider world, both inside and outside the classroom. James Stenning, Deputy Head and Director of Co-Curricular Activities points to the school’s approach to

North Bridge House Canonbury pupils celebrate the significant achievement of receiving an ‘Outstanding ’ Ofsted report.

out of class experiences. ‘It’s really important to complement their academic studies with other life skills,’ he says. From the outside the school looks like a well-oiled machine, remarkable considering it has been open for just ten months now. There are 51 children currently studying here, with an ambition of nearer to 100 next year as they steadily grow the school.

self-confidence which aids their academic progress significantly.

‘I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised our high expectations and commitment to providing academic excellence, at the same time as supporting our pupils’ personal development in our non-selective environment ’ says Jonathan.

He continues; ‘I’d say to any parent who wants to learn about us to get North Bridge Ho Canonbury stude in touch and come and have a look. The Ofsted report highlights respond to the of their teache We want people to experience what North Bridge House Canonbury’s we are about rather than take us at nurturing yet academically rigorous face value. They will see teachers ethos and the school is commended who are deeply committed to for excellently preparing students their students, and you will find a ‘for the next stage of their Islineducation gton’s first indepe ndent senwhere ior scho has just are allolstudents turned six months and ha already through effective pastoral support come on leapclassroom s and bou ndswhat’s . Headtea cher Jonathan Taylor invites us engaged with happening and guidance for academic subject Words MARclose-knit within a genuinely K KEBBLE school choices or for university or career chools often make a big community.’ deal of studen ts in Hampstead. choices.’

BRIDGING A GAP

a single unique selling point, but at North Bridge House Senio r&

clear both have thrived a newly

What’s clear is that each one is

all about the pupil. created Sixth Form Canonbury it would Ofsted also identifiesbethe environment. ‘You get ‘Throughou t all the Jonathan Taylor, Head impossible to narrow it down to just put your stamp on thing schools there’s a real the one. The experience begins before ‘consistently outstanding support’ ITeacher and watch them grow focus at on North emotionalBridge even talk education with Headteacher from the start,’ says the wellbeing and personal Taylo‘highly that students receiveJonath andanits r, as he shows me aroun House Senior School & d latter. develo Considering Jame pmen t witho the stunning 16th centur ut y Grade II-listed is also Director of sacrificing academic building that effective teaching’, which both was once home to Thom Sixth Form as Co-Curricular Activities excellence,’Canonbury. Jonathan Cromwell. I have never seen original points to the school’s states. ‘Nurturing is a word motivate and challenge period pupils fireplaces and elaborate more about the school at Tudor Findweout approach to out of class use a lot.’ ceilings in classrooms before . experiences. ‘It’s really impor to fulfil their potential, whilst Offeri ng a full tant to GCSE and A-Level When North Bridge House northbridgehouse.com/canonbury complement their academic opened its curric North Bridge House studies wit historical doors back in other life skills,’ he says. encouraging them to develop a September 2014, Canonulum, bury prepares its students the co-educational day school for Year 9-13 students became the area’s first independent senior schoo l. Did Islington need such a place? ‘Loca l parents who come to our Open Days tell me so,’ Jonathan answers. ‘I spent a lot of my career in the state sector and I am a big defender of excellent state schools. What we are doing is simply increa sing the available choice.’ The Canonbury school

for the From the outside the schoo wider world, both inside l looks lik and outside the a well oiled machine, remar classroom. ‘I’d say to any kable parent who considering it has only been wants to learn about us to open for si get in touch month s. There www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk are and come and have a look,’ 51 children currently Jonathan studying here, with an ambit continues. ‘We want peopl ion of 100 e to to 120 next year. It sugge experience what we are sts a lot of hard about rather than work lies ahead. ‘I was joking with take us at face value. They my will see Deputy Head the other day teachers who are deeply about how committed to we spend an awful lot of their students, and you will our lives here,’ find a Jonathan smiles. ‘But when classroom where all studen you come to ts are engaged

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HEALTH & FITNESS

SUCCESSFUL

When should you start again? By Sophie Personne - www.successful-dating.com

ating too quickly after a split will not serve you in any way. Whilst it may seem obvious, it is essential to acknowledge that you will never recreate what you have lost. The realisation of this often leaves people with a feeling of dissatisfaction, pain and general greater sense of mourning. A split doesn’t normally happen overnight and there will be many reasons why it happened. Changes in communication, outside influences, routine all have an impact. Learning about what could have been handled differently will help you so the behaviour is not reproduced. The dating process can be emotionally draining so you will need to be well prepared and therefore give yourself the time to mourn and grieve. It is often underestimated how much energy you will need to throw at it and how disheartening it can be. If you are already feeling low because of the loss of the relationship, it could contribute to making you feel worse and probably affect your own sense of worth and self-esteem. To counteract the loneliness, it would be better to expand your social circle with new single friends who will understand what you are going through. The best time to start dating is when you are actually feeling ready, not just because you want to be with someone and the company or security you feel they will provide. You should feel happy in your own skin, as a single person and only looking for a partner to enhance your life, not to fill a void. Only once you have reached that stage and dealt with the loss will you indeed be ready to get back out there.

The Long and by David Hillel Burns

he eye is like a camera. It makes an image of the scene. The image is on the retina, a thin, lightsensitive layer at the back of the eye. The focus is not always perfect. To see better, specs (or contacts) are often worn. Over half of the population wears specs, though many people don’t wear them constantly.

be the higher achievers in almost every field of human endeavour, so maybe it’s not so bad.

The main reason for imperfect sight is structural. If the retina is not in the ideal position, sight is slightly blurred.

Short-sightedness usually starts in the teens, increasing gradually as the eye grows slightly. While that is happening, contact lenses can not only give the best sight but they can also be fitted to slow down the increase in shortsightedness.

For some people, about one in every six or seven, the blurriness is more for things that are further away. Those people are called “short-sighted” because some can see quite well at “short” distances, typically within arm’s length. Psychologists tell us that short-sighted people slightly tend to

Watch out for my piece in the next issue of The Suburb Circular. It will be about longsightedness, which is commonplace and very different!

David is always happy to answer questions from local people about eyesight. You can email him on David@Davidhillel.co.uk 119 East Finchley High Road 020 8444 2233

www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk

HEALTH & FITNESS

Varicose Veins Everything you need to know..

“

V H

aricose Veins generally do not cause any serious risk to your health but some people consider them unsightly and seek to remove them for cosmetic reasons. The effect of varicose veins is caused by weakened valves which cause blood to become trapped instead of flowing freely. This makes the veins stand out prominently from under your skin. Many factors can contribute to varicose veins, including pregnancy, ageing and gaining weight and they will not disappear without treatment. Fortunately, varicose vein surgery is a relatively easy procedure that takes approximately an hour to perform. What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are unsightly large veins on the surface of the leg which bulge and can cause aching, heaviness and swelling of the leg. Why have I got varicose veins? Varicose veins are very common and occur in one in three of the general population. They occur because we stand on two legs and the gravitational effect of the heart being far away from the feet

the Suburb Circular • JULY 2015

leads to increased pressure in the veins. Sometimes a valve in the vein does not close properly and this leads to bulging of the vein. What are the symptoms of varicose veins? The symptoms are pain, swelling, achiness, heaviness of the leg and they are cosmetically unsightly. If they are left alone, after many years you can get ulceration and skin changes such as eczema. How can I eradicate them? The previous method of eradicating varicose veins was under a general anaesthetic with stripping of the veins. This was a painful procedure leaving a large scar in the groin. The new modern methods of treating varicose veins is keyhole surgery or endovascular surgery. This

involves passing a small wire into the vein and destroying the vein with thermal energy which can be given by either a laser or by electrical energy. The remainder of the veins can be removed through tiny incisions which are 1mm in length. The entire procedure can be carried out under local anaesthetic and patients can return to work the following day. What do I need to do after surgery to look after my legs? Your surgeon will give you stockings to wear for a week to two weeks. You should do regular light exercise and you can return to work within one or two days. A small proportion of patients get some pain and simple analgesics will reduce the discomfort.

Our Consultant Vascular Surgeon Mr Syed Tahir Hussain performs this procedure at Highgate Private Hospital. Please contact us to make an appointment: 020 7965 7234, email enquiries@highgatehospital.co.uk or visit www.highgatehospital.co.uk/SC

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“Leg ready” For The Summer? Varicose Vein Surgery at Highgate Private Hospital

Are you suffering from issues related to Varicose Veins?

The benefits of Varicose Vein Surgery can include: • Elimination of unsightly thread veins & spider veins • Relief from inflammation and discomfort • Smoother legs with no bulging veins • Improved self-esteem Varicose Veins are caused by weakened valves which means blood becomes trapped instead of flowing freely. This makes the veins stand out prominently from under your skin. Many factors can contribute to Varicose Veins, including pregnancy, ageing and gaining weight and they will not disappear without treatment. Fortunately, Varicose Vein Surgery is a relatively easy procedure that takes approximately an hour to perform.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Understanding Money By Carole Nyman

very family has its own unique money dynamic but some are so common as to have become stereotypes. The over-spending wife and the controlling husband, for example, are in many comedian’s repertoire. As wives today earn as much or more than their partners, is this sexual stereotype out dated? What are the challenges for couples when it comes to money? When emotions are aroused, reason goes out of the window and nothing is more arousing emotionally than when we perceive our deeply held views about money to be under threat. Our security and sense of self can feel painfully undermined. Money is more diﬃcult to discuss than sex sometimes. This mixture of a subject which is highly charged, and very important to us is a potent mix. Distress levels sky rocket and before we know it we’re acting like a toddler seeking our own way, whatever it takes, our partner’s injured feelings be damned!

The outcome for communication It’s a diﬃcult topic which for many couples becomes taboo, except the odd snide ‘joke’ escapes.

A better way forward Research shows children are more secure when their parents share core values.

the Suburb Circular • july 2015

The six money Habitudes • Security • Spontaneous • Status • Giving • Free spirited • Targeted Goals Each of the Habitudes brings benefits to the relationship. Too much of one Habitude, and you’ll be missing some of the others. So being too focussed on long-term financial Security, means you’d be missing out on fun. If your primary habitude is Security, you need a partner to inject some lightness, eg a partner who is driven by a Spontaneous habitude and vice versa. Couples who want each other to view money in the same way, are missing the point that they were probably attracted to their partner for their diﬀerent views. Indeed it makes for more balance in the relationship. This way of viewing your diﬀerences makes you feel better as a team than individually. A partner who sees money as being for Giving may want to earn enough money to support

How to talk about money calmly A ‘Habitude’ is a mixture of a habit and an attitude which drives our view of money. The trick is for partners to see each other’s habitudes as complementary rather than conflicting. the wider family and feel guilty or angry if money is spent on personal pleasures. Their partner can help them to see money as being there to provide for their future (Security) or to enjoy the moment with activities (Spontaneous). One partner who prioritises saving for specific items or paying for the unexpected (Targeted Goals), may help a Spontaneous partner by having a designated account specifically for spontaneous spending. Knowing and understanding their own styles enables them to cope with their diﬀerences and enhances their lifestyle. The approach of money habitudes is a non-judgmental way of viewing money which reduces stress related to financial management, and promotes understanding and cooperation; an all-round win.

Carole Nyman - Couples counsellor and Wellness Coach Tel: 07941 914 689 E mailcarole@carolenyman.co.uk

HOME & garden

on your Plot Hoarding

t’s hard to remain excited when you’ve had courgette at every meal for a week, and marvellous though raspberries are there is a limit to just how many you can eat at once. Take a bit of time to store your harvest and you can be enjoying home grown right through the winter.

Jobs for July August Water regularly - try to water either in the evening or early mornings. If you are growing main crop potatoes, watch out for signs of blight. Brown patches on the tops and edges of leaves are usually a first sign. Pinch out the tops of runner bean stems that are outgrowing their supports. Keep harvesting those courgettes! Sow turnips and oriental salad plants such as Pak Choi and Chinese Cabbage Strawberry runners that were potted up in June to produce new plants can be planted out now.

the Suburb Circular • JULY 2015

If all has gone to plan (that’s a big if!) then July/August should be a very satisfying month on your plot, with your hard work being repaid by ample harvests of a good range of fruit and veg. The reality tends to be that the excitement of seeing your crops grow and ripen is initially followed by much enjoyment of the first fruits of your labour which can soon be replaced by a panic stricken ‘What the heck do I do with all these’! Certain crops (courgettes and tomatoes spring to mind) can almost guarantee this sequence of events! Sharing with friends and neighbours is great but very often they will have a glut of exactly the same thing at just the same time. What is called for are some simple ideas for storing and preserving your produce. It may be a long time before you are harvesting fresh peas or raspberries again but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be enjoying your home grown produce throughout the winter it just takes a little planning and now is the time to do it.

Blanching and then freezing works for loads of vegetables Onions (and garlic) that have been lifted and left to dry can be plaited and hung in a cool, dry place. Net bags, or tights, also work if you don’t fancy plaiting. Potatoes can be stored in boxes or paper sacks in a dark, dry building but you should check them regularly, removing any that show signs of rotting.

HOME & garden

A good size freezer is a real boon for making the most of your produce. Blanching and then freezing works for loads of vegetables. Key to success is to cool quickly after blanching so have a bowl of cold water at the ready and don’t forget to label what you are freezing!

ready for use in a crumble or pie. If you have a truly wonderful fruit crop then why not arm yourself with a good recipe book and get started on some jam making? It’ll be delicious on your toast in the morning, and what better gift than a pot of homemade raspberry jam?

Another option, and one that can work well for all those tomatoes, is to find a good recipe that you can cook, freeze and use later (how about a wonderful pasta sauce with your own tomatoes and home grown basil?). Even ‘diﬃcult to freeze’ veg such as courgettes can either be incorporated into a sauce, or blanched, frozen and then added to a stew at a later date.

It’s amazing how many books there are that tell you how to grow your fruit and veg, but how little information there is on just how to store it all! One wonderful little book, that deals with just this question is ‘How to store your garden produce’ by Piers Warren. It’s packed with information about how to store just about anything and a great addition to any gardeners library.

Cooking and freezing can work well for fruit too - apple or rhubarb are good stewed and frozen all

Happy harvesting! www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk

Etchings HOME & GARDEN

By Gita Joshi, AWAD, www.orsomajor.com

tching is a type of printmaking that goes back centuries. Originally developed to decorate metal suits of armour, the process is a complex and physical process still loved by contemporary printmakers. Covering a copper or zinc plate the size of the desired image, in a wax ground, the artist then draws

into the wax with a selection of tools. These can often be fine needle pointed tools that can be as delicate as a pencil. It allows of a cross hatching effect to build up areas of light and shade which can also provide contouring. When drawing into the wax the artist draws the image in the reverse. Once complete, the metal plate is

set in an acid bath where the acid bites into the exposed areas of the plate. The plate is then cleaned off and now has an engraved image on it. The advantage of this process is that the metal engraved plate is robust and allows for a high number of prints to be pulled from it, before it starts to

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HOME & GARDEN

deteriorate or corrode. Next the plate is inked. The artist rubs the ink into all the engraved areas of the plate and cleans off any residual ink off the proud surface. Then taking a dampened piece of paper,

it is laid carefully on the plate. Dampening the paper increases its absorbency so it picks up the ink better. A clean sheet of cloth is placed over the paper to protect it some more and then all the layers are collectively passed through the printing press. During this process the paper picks up the ink. The paper is removed from the plate and now it is left to dry. Then it can be signed and numbered by the artist, before being mounted, framed and ready to hang. While many people think that prints

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are simply duplicates, you can see from this process that each print that is made by a printmaker is actually hand pulled and individually printed. In the photographs we can see artist John Duﬃn RE printing his popular Thames Bridges etching. Duﬃn chooses the whitest paper he can find along with the blackest of inks, and much time and effort goes into the drawings that will become his etchings as well as the materials he uses for his prints. It is a long and considered process. So next time you see etchings at a gallery, enjoy knowing the process that went into producing them and that each one was lovingly made by the artist.

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HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Plant of THE MONTH Dahlia

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Business Finance BEAUTY & &FASHION

Trends in prom and 2

015 has been all about the two piece in prom and party wear. Spring/Summer collections saw lots of the designers favouring this look, and producing styles in stretchy jersey fabric, ball gown or mermaid skirts with lace or beaded tops, and cute short styles with tutu skirts. As well as bringing a new and fresh look to party wear, the big advantage of this look is its versatility, with customers quickly working out that the tops can be worn with jeans after their big event to maximise wear. If the two piece look is not your style, then there are plenty of other styles on offer at Dress 2 Party. The ‘mermaid gown’ remains popular and is a style that appeals to a wide age spectrum; from the 16 year old prom girl through to customers looking for a “special “ birthday dress to the the mother of the bride or groom who tend to favour the more elegant lace or beaded mermaid styles designed by the popular US evening wear company Jovani. This summer we have also seen some beautiful floral mermaid gowns by the designer Sherri Hill in pastel colours that are pure romance, and for those who are more daring there are leopard print styles which give the perfect rock chick vibe. A great summer option for weddings or prom is the long chiffon style dress. Available in

the Suburb Circular • July 2015

an array of colours to suit all complexions, these styles are also super flattering on all types of figures and are very light and easy to wear. This type of dress is a popular option if you are lucky enough to be invited to a wedding in a warm climate, or hoping for a sunny prom.

or ivory colours work best, with some jersey styles in a coral colour proving popular this year. Navy has also been popular in all types of dresses this season, providing a welcome alternative to black and is a colour which we will be seeing even more of in the Winter collections.

As far as colour is concerned, this season has been pretty much anything goes. The request for something elegant in a nude shade continues to dominate amongst all age groups, despite this being a colour that is notoriously hard to work well unless you are blonde and caramel skinned. If you are not blessed with this type of colouring, then the brighter shades will in truth always look better. Red is a universal favourite and suits almost everybody, whilst shades of emerald and royal blue look equally stunning and feature heavily in the summery chiffon gowns, as do the pretty pastel shades.

2015 has seen the continued and growing trend for wearing full length gowns for most special events. However, if you want to buck the trend and go for short and fun number, then the bodycon dress is the style that has surpassed all others this year in the popularity stakes. As a firm favourite with both mothers and their teenage daughters, this bandage style dress will do wonders for your figure and can be worn to parties at any time of the year. Featuring heavily in the new Autumn Collection at Dress 2 Party there are bodycon styles with lace, some with beads and even a two piece bodycon by the designer Sherri Hill, which will surely be a marriage of two of her very best trends for 2015.

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Motoring & travel

AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES New Mitsubishi Shogun By Tim Barnes-Clay, www.carwriteups.co.uk

he 2015 Mitsubishi Shogun has a bold front end, distinguished by a deeper more integrated grille and chic LED daytime running lights. The design changes for this year represent a progressive evolution of the hard-hitting Japanese off-roader.

Since a price decrease in July 2013 Shogun sales have gone from strength to strength. With its new design and improved specification, the Mitsubishi Shogun now offers even better value for money.

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Summer Holidays MADE IN SWEDEN. TUNED IN BRITAIN.

Volvo cars have been designed and built

he summer holidays are to weather the toughest Swedish climate, just around the corner and adapted to perform on British but cleverly we can’t wait for the well-It is paramount to ensure that all roads. of your deserved break. Now, the last Volvo’s components are maintained thing you would want according is your carto the manufacturer’s specifications in order for your Volvo to suddenly deciding to take time deliver optimum performance every time. off too. So to help minimise the Servicing your car at an Approved Volvo chances of a breakdown, here are Centre ensures that your vehicle will some tips to get you ready to hit remain 100% Volvo. It guarantees you the road.

important to check the mechanical and electrical elements of your vehicle which should be done by a professional service centre.

At Sentinel Volvo in North London, we are offering all our customers a completely free-of-charge Summer Check. During this inspection, your Volvo will be put through a • Foreign regulations If driving through • Radiator coolant level – never check whenwe have created a special This is why 25-point check including a get informed about the driving the engine is hot, and neverprogramme, put cold water VolvoEurope, Service Promise , software diagnosis and a courtesy rules and regulations that apply to into a hot radiator; it is recommended designedtoaround you and your Volvo’s wash and vacuum. This can be each country; andevery if driving outside the and completely free with take extra water for toppingneeds up especially done in less than one hour and EU, extra driving documents may be service. Only at a true Volvo centre does if travelling to hot places you will be informed immediately added value always come as standard. mandatory • Tyre tread and pressure – Tread should be If time is an issue, Volvo –Personal about the results what is Service • Road assistance - Check if your motor above 3mm (the depth of a pound coin); might be the solution you:what Twoshould technicians ® working fineforand be Volvo Promise insurance and breakdown policyworking covers on your car simultaneously means labour good tyres will make your drive safer, legalService looked into. you if travelling abroad and thetime kind is cut down by half and a regular service can and more economical too Free Software Upgrade quickly as an you can of assistance available; make abe notedone of in as By keeping allhour. theseSopoints in grab • Wipers and Screen wash levels – Use a a drink and surf the web ourcertainly exclusiveheaded customer emergency numbers check, youinare good quality screen wash to help remove lounge while waiting. We are proud to be the Alternative Transport for a smooth ride. So get in touch • Take with you – Plenty of fresh water, all kinds of dirt and dust; wipers should be pioneers of this innovative, time-saving concept. with Sentinel Volvoindustry... today and snacks and entertainment for the kids; Reshaping the motoring Again. working smoothly Free Health Check book a free Summer Check. And a mobile phone charger in case of Get a 10% discount on the total service cost • Mandatory equipment - Check the status when you mention ‘The Suburb emergency while in remote places, and as an introductory offer to new customers as of the spare wheel, warning triangle, Washing and vacuuming , we will give you a whole have the number unblocked for foreign well as freeCircular’ collection and delivery to the first aid kit and other safety equipment; VolvoSuburb bottle toarea. of thecomplimentary Hampstead Garden trips obligatory equipment may vary between Personal Contact keep you hydrated during your And if you are planning to upgrade to a new Volvo Free Health countries if travelling abroad Volvo, checktrip. out the wide range of Volvo Selekt Check forAssistance your car 1 Year Roadside • Air con – Check if it is blowing cool air approved used cars in stock at our showroom. Safe Journeys! In addition to the above, it is from all vents and at different temperature Contact Sentinel Volvo in North London today. a unique combination of Volvo Genuine methods and the Vehicle Check List Parts, Volvo-uniquesettings expertise of specially trained • Satnav – MakeVolvo sure to have the up-to• Engine oil level – rememberte to check it on technicians. The smartest way to date maps the flat with the engine coldtrouble-free motoring. ®

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Business & Finance

matters Things they don’t want you to know By Martin Lewis @moneysavingexpert

company’s job is to make money, nowt wrong with that, but our job is to keep it. Some firms use a host of tricks to keep us in the dark, yet if you can uncover their secrets you can win.

Their techniques are wide and varied. One example is ‘price differentiation’, where they aim to charge each customer as much as they’ll pay - often done using ‘white labels’, where the same thing is sold under different names. So here are 7 tricks to turn the tables…

British Gas customer? It also operates under the name Sainsbury’s Energy but there it’s £200/year cheaper British Gas runs Sainsbury’s Energy for the supermarket, yet there you pay it far less. Based on a year’s typical dual fuel usage... • On British Gas’ standard tariff you pay an average £1,154. • On British Gas’ Price Promise March 2016, its cheapest deal, you pay average £1,100. • On Sainsbury Fixed Price March 2016, you pay average £950. Sainsbury’s Energy does

have separate call centres, but it’s still operated by British Gas and while like many energy firms it gets its fair share of complaints, in my most recent poll 43% rated its service ‘great’, British Gas 37%. So if for some reason you’re brand loyal and want to stick with British Gas, huge savings are still possible. However, as always price varies by region and usage, so do a comparison to see how it stacks up for you via my www.CheapEnergyClub.com (where you also get switching cashback) or any www.ofgem.gov.uk approved comparison site.

Zara sells its clothes at a fraction of the price If you’re one of millions planning a trip to Spain this summer, you may want to stop shopping at Zara here right now. Spain is Zara’s home country and it sells its clothes at vastly lower prices there. Better still, the www. zara.com Spain website has an English language option, you can compare prices before you go (you can’t order UK delivery from it). Clothes there are often cheaper in euros than in pounds, even before the currency conversion. In fact on a basket of goods it was on average 38% cheaper. Some of you may think ‘ah yes I’ve seen the euro price on some labels in the UK’, but that’s usually the French price, which is generally more expensive. This trick works for others in the same group, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear and Uterque.

If a loan’s advertised at 3.9% rep APR, they’re allowed to charge 20%. Every loan these days is listed as a ‘representative’ or ‘rep’ APR - that means by law only 51% of accepted applicants need to get the advertised rate. The rest can be and usually are charged more, and there’s no cap on how much more. Worse, the only way to know is to apply, and that leaves a footprint on your credit file. So be very careful. One way to mitigate this somewhat is to use the calculator at www.mse.me/eligibility which tells you your odds of being accepted without marking your credit file. The higher your acceptance odds the more likely you are to get the advertised rate, although it’s not guaranteed.

the Suburb Circular • JULY 2015

Business & Finance

Amazon shopper? You’re entitled to music going back 16 years. If you’ve bought CDs or vinyl, you’re entitled to the downloads for nowt going as far back as 1999. To be fair Amazon doesn’t hide that you can do this, but it’s a good trick. Just login to your www.amazon.co.uk music library to see if you’ve any past tracks available. As JHL1959 told me: “Crikey, it’s given me 182 albums, that’s 2,367 tracks. Amazingly, I still like a lot of them - cheered me up.” It’s not always such a success though, GingerJuice said: “Just did this - thought it was brilliant then realised I’d bought the mother-in-law the Susan Boyle CD last year... ugh.”

Only get good mobile signal with one network? Switch to a piggyback. Many people tell me “I wish I could switch network but only Vodafone/EE works in my home.” Yet there’s a way to switch provider but keep the same signal... Only EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 are actual mobile networks, yet there are many cheap virtual networks piggybacking on the same signal. E.g. Giffgaff is O2, Asda is EE, TalkMobile is Vodafone and Shebang is Three (full piggyback list at www.mse.me/piggyback). So check which other providers piggyback on your existing network and see if they’re cheaper.

Energy firms can’t charge exit penalties within 49 days of a fix ending. If you’re on a cheap fixed energy deal you needn’t wait until the last day to switch to avoid exit fees as rules state that 49 days before your fix ends, you’re allowed to switch without penalty.

Play the codeshare trick - where two airlines sell the same flight Airlines don’t shout that their partners often sell their flights too, sometimes for less. If you’re going on popular long-haul routes this can be a way to save.

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