1suburbcircularwebsitecopy by The Suburb Circular

January 2017

6000 copies distributed door to door in Hampstead Garden Suburb

issue 18

www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk

GIFTS & EVENTS • BUSINESS & FINANCE • HEALTH & WELLBEING • AND MORE...

Valentine’s Day

The Origins & Today P4

january 2017 | suburb circular | 2

contents january 2017

TSC feature Photography - A Beginners Guide

16 & 17

gifts & events Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day - The Origins Local & London Events

education & politics New Help to Buy Scheme

Crackdown on Texting Drivers

4&5

6 22

health & wellbeing Is your Dental Care Grown Up? The Power of Pause The Optometrist - Lazy Eye Best Ways to Treat Cold & Flu

8 10 & 11 13

14 & 15

business & Finance How to Replace Lost documents

motoring & travel New Laws for Booster Seats

20 & 21

Minimal Maintenance with EV

24 & 25

Martin Lewis - Car Insurance

26 & 27

directory

28 & 30

from

the editor

dear readers, A

s I’m writing the monthly editor’s letter, I suddenly notice how much the world is changing in regular snapshots, slightly surreal and at times shocking. We had Brexit and now we are watching our “survival” with the growing pains of our current government and our economy. Then we had the European elections following in our “exit / change” footsteps. Now we are seeing the major change in the U.S.A. with the surprise and despair for some of President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration. We hope to bring you a Donald J. Trump article in our next issue. We would love your help in bringing the community together by sharing your ideas and concerns regarding local issues, plus please provide us with suggestions for local “heroes” and personalities you’d like to see featured in future issues of your Suburb Circular. Thanking you for your continued emails and phone calls showing appreciation and support. Happy Valentine’s and please order early and don’t forget your loved ones!

the team

Editorial Editor Henry Marshall

Contributors

Henry Marshall Ellie Bergin Edwin Choner Arie Kiselstein David Hillel Burns David Grant Martin Lewis Ellie Bergin Leo Newman

Publishing Consultant

Daniel Frohwein

Advertising

Arie Kiselstein 020-7101 4042

Design & Production

Scott Cartwright Kerrie Callard

www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk info@thesuburbcircular.co.uk

Happy reading

020 7101 4042

Henry Marshall 020 7101 4042 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

january 2017 | suburb circular | 4

gifts & events

Valentine’s Day The Origins & Today E

very February 14, across the world, chocolates, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the history of this centuries-old holiday, from ancient Roman rituals to the customs of Victorian England.

THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE

The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine

may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and– most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

ORIGINS OF VALENTINE’S DAY: A PAGAN FESTIVAL IN FEBRUARY. A UK TRADITION FROM THE 17TH CENTURY While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial–which probably occurred around A.D. 270–others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. To begin the festival, members

“

TODAY, ACCORDING TO THE GREETING CARD ASSOCIATION, AN ESTIMATED 1 BILLION VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS ARE SENT EACH YEAR, MAKING VALENTINE’S DAY THE SECOND LARGEST CARDSENDING HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR. (AN ESTIMATED 2.6 BILLION CARDS ARE SENT FOR CHRISTMAS.) WOMEN PURCHASE APPROXIMATELY 85 PERCENT OF ALL VALENTINES.

of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat’s hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the

city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.

VALENTINE’S DAY: A DAY OF ROMANCE

Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity and but was outlawed— as it was deemed “un-Christian”–at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance. Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in

existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

TYPICAL VALENTINE’S DAY GREETINGS

In addition to the United Kingdom, Valentine’s Day is majorly celebrated in the United States & Canada, Mexico, France and Australia. Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated in England around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it reached America and it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing

technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings. The first mass-produced valentine cards were elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines. Worldwide around 40 million heart shaped chocolate boxes are sold and 20 billion £ is spent with over 300 million roses and £4 billion is spent on jewellery and 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine’s day.

january 2017 | suburb circular | 6

food & wine

Help To Buy

A Success Story or an Empty Promise? One of the government’s flagship home ownership programmes ended in December 2016, amidst both praise and criticism. The Help-to-Buy Mortgage Guarantee scheme is likely to have helped more than 100,000 individuals or couples buy a home. The Council of Mortgage Lenders said it had worked “exceptionally well”, making mortgages more available when it started in October 2013. Under the programme, borrowers were able to get a mortgage with just a 5% deposit. If those borrowers were unable to make payments, the government promised to compensate the lender.

The Help-to-Buy scheme is only available on new-build homes. However Shelter has argued that the scheme helped to push up house prices. often there is a premium to pay on new build housing and the scheme has simply propped up this section of the market. In addition the ownership structure of these properties are complex

meaning when it comes to sell the property it can take time. In addition around 30 banks or building socities now offer similar high loanto-value loans, so the Bank of England declared in September that the scheme is no longer necessary.

It has also served to increase the amount of homes being built of which there is currently a shortage. Home Builders Federation Executive Chairman Stewart Baseley said: “ Help to Buy continues to help stimulate demand for new build homes. As a result we have seen huge increases in house building activity and the supply of much needed new homes. We estimate the larger house builders have increased out by 50% since the trouch with overall supply up to 37% in the last two years. The industry remains committed to working with government on policies that

enable it to maintain increases in build rates such that more people have access to high quality new homes.” On the balance of thing the Mortgage Guarantee scheme has cost the taxpayer a relatively small amount of money. Up to 30 September, only two homeowners had defaulted on their mortgages, meaning that the Treasury has had to pay out just £17,411 to compensate mortgage lenders. With interest rates at record lows, default rates have also been minimal. However when interest rates eventually rise, more borrowers are likely to default on mortgage payments, so the Teasury may have to pay out more. The guarantee on such mortgages - and thus taxpayers’ liability - lasts for seven years after they are taken out. As a result the Treasury won’t know the final cost of the scheme until June 2024. In conclusion the scheme to date has aided 150,000 completions 80% of whom have been first time buyers. This is a significant number of individuals/families who have got themselves onto the first rung of the housing ladder. This has come through a collaborative effort between the government and private industry which under the current government looks set to continue.

january 2017 | suburb circular | 8

Is Your Dental Care

Grown Up? M

any years ago, when I was still training as a dentist, one of my patients brought her two kids, aged 7 and 13, along for consultations. I explained to the seven-year-old boy about the importance of regular brushing and showed him the correct technique. When it came to the 13-year-old girl, I talked about the damage created by too many fizzy drinks and introduced the prospect of flossing. It was only after I’d examined mum and chatted to her about using interdental brushes that reach between your teeth, and using a more specialised fluoride toothpaste, that I suddenly realised how much dental care “grows up” with you. Just as the way you take care of your skin, it changes drastically

between ages 5, 25 and 60….. Just as your exercise routine looks radically different as a teenager, in your 30s and as a pensioner…. And just as your medical care changes, also…. The way you should take care of your teeth changes over time. There’s no way a young kid could take on the kind of flossing regime an adult can, and no need to talk about fizzy drinks yet (I hope!). But equally, if at 35 you’re still taking care of your teeth the same way you were when you a teenager, your dental care needs to grow up! This is especially important because as you grow older, your dental make-up becomes increasingly unique. From the position and colour of your teeth, to the fillings, crowns, implants and other treatments you’ve had, no one else’s mouth looks exactly like yours. As such, it requires care and treatment that’s

totally personalised to you. There’s no one-size-fits-all dental plan.

So what are the lessons? First, as your children grow up, think carefully about how you can introduce more sophisticated dental care to them. Don’t allow them to think that brushing twice a day is all they have to do for the rest of their lives…. Secondly, if you’re still brushing your teeth like your kids (or grandkids) do, simply brushing twice a day, it’s time to upgrade. And lastly, if you have had any kind of complicated dental care such as orthodontics or gum disease, or previous experience of tooth decay, speak to our hygienists about a personalised care plan. What’s right for others may not be right for you. We’ll work out what is,

to pre-empt further problems. Dr Ellie Bergin is a Principal Dental Surgeon at Bergin Davis Sidelsky Dental Practice and a Clinical Lecturer in Adult Oral Health at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. 020 8458 1611 info@bdsdental.co.uk www.bdsdental.co.uk

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january 2017 | suburb circular | 10

health & wellbeing

Realise

Your Potential The - ‘Power Of Pause’ A

s we all resume our busy lives, the winter break fades into a memory and for many of us, with the return to juggling countless tasks and errands, our lives can reach overwhelm pretty fast. So what practical steps can we take to make 2017 the year we live better, wiser and happier?

Rather than trying to change the many commitments and relationships in our work or personal lives that are outside of our control, the best place to start is within. The area over which we have unique access, for high-powered business executives and for everyone alike, is our mind or more specifically, our attitudes and habits. Let’s start by acknowledging the incredible power of the mind. We’ve all heard of ‘mind over matter’ and ‘mindfulness’, but what should we be mindful about? In simple terms, we live in an age of information overload and immediate access to so much and likewise, so many others have immediate access to us. Our minds become ‘used’ to filtering out what we think we don’t need or want right now, but what we need more than anything is an ‘off button’. Practicing not responding to WhatsApp or SMS or email messages other than at the top of every hour is a first step to taking back control.

Choosing the start of our day to ‘set ourselves up’ with pro-active activities, especially those that are easy wins and/or the most challenging and satisfying to get under our belt, is one popular method of managing ourselves better. But let’s go a bit deeper. Our sub-conscious by nature, is something we are not aware of. What many of us don’t realise is that our sub-conscious is influenced and directed by our conscious mind. We ‘tell ourselves’ the stories that work for us, we lead lives and make decisions often based on beliefs and these beliefs sit ‘active in the background’ of our sub-conscious mind. So sayings like ‘there’s nothing like the present’ or ‘tomorrow is another day’ will compete with one another in our sub-conscious. Conflicting beliefs or ‘stories’ leads to stress. Should I ‘just wait ‘til this blows over and sit tight’ or ‘should I grab the bull by the horns and face the music’? And so the single area of mindfulness that will prove to be the key to changing our lives for the better, one step at a time, is the ‘power of pause’. When we feel stressed and specifically when we are confronted with something that has every possibility of causing future stress or pain, the simplest yet most powerful habit that all of us can nurture is the ability to ‘press pause’. Take a walk, get out into nature when you can and take a break from your jam-packed day. I have found that incredible clarity comes from the moments of greatest stillness and for our minds to quieten down we have to

‘press pause’. I go further than most and take myself away once or twice a year to walk along the coast of Cornwall and when I take clients with me, they find their deepest insights come when they are ‘away from it all’. We can’t all get away for a day or two, but we all can develop habits and attitudes that quiet our minds… Other than the most exceptional of situations, we are able to say “I’ll think about that and come back to you in a few minutes or later today”.

“

IN SIMPLE TERMS, WE LIVE IN AN AGE OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD AND IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO SO MUCH AND LIKEWISE, SO MANY OTHERS HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO US. OUR MINDS BECOME ‘USED’ TO FILTERING OUT WHAT WE THINK WE DON’T NEED OR WANT RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT WE NEED MORE THAN ANYTHING IS AN ‘OFF BUTTON’.

Create the space for yourself to reconnect within, whatever that means to you. Take a moment and sit or lie down away from noise. Take a couple of slow deep breaths and allow yourself to let go of any judgement, let go of any expectations and just give yourself permission to pause. If you want to achieve lasting change, try giving yourself time when you wake up and before going to sleep to close your eyes, become aware of your breathing and as the flow of

thoughts rush through your mind, let them come and go without judging them or thinking about them. It’s harder than it sounds but with practice you will feel better and happier. Give yourself the ‘power of pause’ as your first step towards being more mindful. Stay mindful of your body too - listen to aches and pain, they are messages for you. When confronted with something that kicks you into stress, stay aware (‘mindful’) of what triggers you to slip out of being your most resourceful. Be kinder to

yourself and gift yourself some time to breathe. Be braver and learn to trust your instincts more. Lastly, have the courage to ask for help. Know that the worst that can happen is to be told no. Ultimately, we all have one life to live so realise your potential to live your best and that means taking on the ‘power of pause’ as a habit for a longer, wiser and more peaceful life.

Written by Daniel Frohwein: Writer, Business and Leadership coach, Branding Specialist and Founder of www.realiseyourpotential.com

january 2017 | suburb circular | 12

Lost Documents? Heres How To Get

Replacements Lost your driving licence? Mislaid your MOT? Or booked a holiday and now stuck searching for your passport? Don’t panic; you can get duplicate documents; you just need to know where to look. Driving Licence

Insurance

Lost your licence? Get in touch with the DVLA, (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) to ask for a replacement. You can apply online, by phone or post and you’ll have to stump up a £20 fee. But if there are changes to be made; say updating your address, you’ll need to fill out a ‘D1’ form, which is available from Post Offices or your local DVLA office and then send both payment and paperwork back to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB. Turnaround time for a replacement licence is around three weeks.

Ask your insurer for a duplicate certificate if yours goes missing. Be aware that some companies charge a fee and sometimes up to £30 a time for a motor insurance policy and as much as £55 if you want to make any other changes like updating your marital status. Checking an insurer’s potential charges may not be top of your list when shopping around for the best deal but it’s a question worth asking so you know just how much you’ll be charged if you need duplicate policies or want to make changes in the future.

MOT

Log Book (V5C)

You can get a replacement MOT certificate from any MOT testing station. Take along your vehicle registration certificate (V5C), often referred to as the ‘log book’, which has the details needed for a reissue and you’ll be charged up to a maximum of £10 for a duplicate. Or for more information go to the GOV.UK website. Driving with an expired MOT will land you with a fixed penalty notice. But providing your MOT is still current, you’re still allowed to drive while awaiting your replacement and should the Police stop you, your MOT can be checked electronically via the VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) database, which oversees MOT testing.

If you lose this you can apply for a copy online or by phone, providing you’re down as the ‘registered keeper’ of the vehicle and none of your other details have changed; like your name or address. A replacement will cost you £25. If you want to apply by post you’ll need to fill in a V62 form which you can download from GOV.UK or get from a Post Office or local DVLA office. The fee’s the same and both payment and paperwork need to be sent to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DD. Online applications can take about a week and up to four weeks for postal ones.

Passport

Searched the house from top to bottom and still can’t find it? Call

the passport advice line (0300 222 0000) to alert them to the fact it’s ‘lost’ and then fill in an ‘LS01’ form which you can download from the GOV.UK website which ‘officially’ registers the fact that it’s lost. This means your ‘old’ passport is cancelled so if it turns up further down the line, it can’t be used. To get a new one you’ll have to reapply which means paying the standard £77.50 fee for a ten year adult passport, with a three week wait time, or for a faster option it’s £112.50 for the one week ‘fast track’ service. It’s worth knowing that the one day service isn’t available for replacement passports.

“

DRIVING WITH AN EXPIRED MOT WILL LAND YOU WITH A FIXED PENALTY NOTICE. BUT PROVIDING YOUR MOT IS STILL CURRENT, YOU’RE STILL ALLOWED TO DRIVE WHILE AWAITING YOUR REPLACEMENT.

“

The Optometrist

Speaks About:

lazy eye

By David Hillel Burns

‘L

azy Eye” is a serious eye problem for people of all ages. Most eyesight problems simply disappear when a person wears the correct spectacles or contact lenses, but weak sight known as lazy eye cannot normally be improved. It’s a lifelong disadvantage. In England alone, “lazy eye” affects more than a million people but it’s not really right to say so, because “lazy eye” is streetspeak. Its proper name is “amblyopia”. It’s not fair to call an eye “lazy” because, if amblyopia is spotted early enough (hopefully

before age four) and treated, much of the sight can be saved, and the treatment is not difficult. So, there may be no lazy eyes, only neglected ones. It’s possible for eyes to be perfectly healthy, yet not see very well. That’s amblyopia. Thankfully it’s usually just one of a pair, though occasionally it’s both. An eye has amblyopia doesn’t see well, even with the best specs or contacts. The reason why an eye gets to be amblyopic is because the brain supresses the signals it receives from it.

For more about amblyopia, see the next issue of this journal. To book an appointment for a professional consultation, phone David on 0208 444 2233.

David is always happy to answer questions from local people about eyesight.

David@Davidhillel.co.uk 119 East Finchley High Road 020 8444 2233

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january 2017 | suburb circular | 14

health & wellbeing

Best Ways

To treat Cold & Flu symptoms

nfortunately, there’s still no known cure for the common cold, which means that this season may be spent battling a few sore throats and nursing a swollen nose. Of course, there are a few tricks and tips that can help you steer clear of the illness causing bacteria that brings on these dastardly flu symptoms, but if you’re unlucky enough to find yourself feeling under the weather, try a few of these tricks for a healthier tomorrow.

GARGLE, RINSE, AND REPEAT: Sore throats can be the bane of any bad cold, especially if you can’t risk calling in sick when you start to feel that itchy sensation forming. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to ease some of the discomfort before it gets too bad. Heat has been a long known remedy for pain; think about how many people use a hot water bottle for a sprain or back ache. Well, this is similar for your throat, only there is an extra trick to this tip. Grab your favorite tea or coffee mug and pour in some warm, not too hot, water; now take the salt shaker and add a pinch to the mug and stir. This warm salty liquid isn’t for drinking, so don’t panic; what you need to do is take a sip, gargle, and spit. After a few tries your throat will begin to feel better, if only for a short while.

DECONGEST YOURSELF: You’ve probably heard about those neat contraptions used to unblock stuffed up noses by breathing steam in, or pouring water into one nostril and out the other. There is an easier and cheaper way to decongest some of that backed up phlegm and mucus yourself, and as an added perk, you can take a hot bath when you’re finished. If you have a shower bath combo put the stopper in your tub and turn on the shower with hot water. Let your water run for a while to produce a good amount of steam; when the tub is full enough hop in and relax in the steamy room. Don’t turn on your ceiling fan, just this once; the steam will actually begin loosening up all of that icky stuff and will help you breathe deep in no time.

DOUBLE UP ON PEPPERMINT Mint isn’t just a great flavor for tooth paste; it can also help make you feel better when you’re under the weather. If you have to go head into work for the day try packing a few mint teabags in your briefcase for later. A little bit of hot water in a mug and this tea can really lift your spirits, giving you more of that hot water that eased your throat, and also a tingly mint that will allow you to breathe more freely. If you can get your hands on some mint lotion or vapor rub, it can also be a big help during the night, especially if you’ve got a bit of a cough; rub it onto your chest before bed, and inhale the refreshing aroma.

NATURAL REMEDIES: Herbal Teas: containing lavender has a calming effect on the body helps for a restful sleep & has antiseptic properties which help to rid the body of toxins. Peppermint tea is also beneficial for ridding the body of toxins. Lemon Balm: helps to eliminate harmful germs in the body and calms the nervous system.

WHEN TO GET A FLU SHOT? It is also best to get a flu shot at the beginning of flu season. Even if a person is not exhibiting symptoms of the flu, if the person has been around a number of other people, a flu shot is best. People who work or go to school around others on a daily basis may have contracted the flu virus and not be aware of it.

HOW CAN THE FLU SPREAD? The flu can easily be spread via public transport and public places. All hand rails, handles, escalators, buttons, doors are the breeding grounds for the germs. People without the vaccine can easily contract the flu and suffer a protracted debilitating period of sickness. it is very important that until one washes ones hands with anti-bacterial soap or hand wash one is extra careful not to touch ones eyes and mouth as that is the most guaranteed way of receiving the virus or cold germs.

Vitamin C: keeps the body from getting sick in the flu season. It also detoxifies the body & helps the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Citrus Fruits: such as oranges & grapefruits help to reduce the chances of getting the flu or colds. It enriches the blood helping the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defences against sickness. Good Hygiene: washing your hands after every meal can also shield the body from colds & flu. Reduce Stress: plenty of exercise, resting well each night can lead to overall good health providing the body with a natural defence against the flu & the common cold. | 15

january 2017 | suburb circular | 16

Photography

A beginners guide By David Grant

EQUIPMENT

Camera Selection:

Obviously go digital. The pros of a digital system out weigh the cons 10 times over. Simply being able to see your picture instantly is the single biggest advantage. My recommendation would be the Canon Digital SLR. I bought this camera with no regrets the day that it came out. This was my first SLR camera and I couldn’t be happier. With that said, if you like Nikon better, buy Nikon. All these entry level digital SLR cameras are loaded with features you’ll probably never use or need. Getting a quality camera is what is important and you can’t go wrong with a Canon or a Nikon. Why an SLR? A single Lens Reflex offers a drastic improvement in picture quality. These cameras use much larger digitizing sensors capturing more of the image in digital space. Also SLRs offer the ability to change lenses. Depending

“

A CAMERA BAG REALLY IS A MUST HAVE. A TRIPOD IS A NICETY ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN TIME LAPSE OR LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY. THE OTHER ACCESSORY TO MENTION ARE FILTERS.

“

n the past few years the hobby of photography has been revolutionized unlike any other hobby. With the development of the digital SLR camera, cell phone cameras, and amazing advancements in point and shoot cameras, there really is no excuse you can’t get out and pursue a hobby in photography. Not only have there been improvements in photographic equipment but also in showcasing technology like digital picture frames and photo sharing websites like flikr. There are many reasons people love photography. Some want to capture their kids as they grow up. Others have an artistic passion that drives them to take thousands of pictures. Others still spend their spare time in nature capturing amazing landscapes and the intricacies of the world we live in. Whats your reason for wanting to pursue photography? This hobby guide is meant to help those looking for guidance in the subject. We’re not an authority on the subject but we’ve done our best to point you in the right direction. So where do we start? If you’ve already got a camera I suggest you start there. Start taking pictures. The more pictures you take the better you’ll get.

on the type of photography you are interested in will dictate the lens you choose. More on lenses in the next section.

Lens Selection:

If you’re investing £500 – £1000 in an SLR camera body think long and hard about your lens choice. I would highly recommend you not purchase a body + lens kit that most of the big chain stores sell. Yes you’ll get a little bit better deal but your lens probably isn’t at the top of the lens quality list. Just remember your lens is the second most important factor to taking great pictures. I’m not saying spend a fortune but don’t skimp on a lens. Lenses basically come with two major features you need to concern yourself with. Focal Length (i.e. 28mm – 75mm) and Aperture (i.e. F2.8).

TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHY

This section of the guide is meant to inform new users of the different types of photography. You’re obviously not limited to any particular type but some people find one type more appealing than another. Some people also find it easier to take good pictures of a particular type. I for instance enjoy taking portraits. I’ve found after you take enough pictures of a given type you begin to understand what’s involved in taking great pictures.

Portraits:

My personal favorite. Usually taken of a person, but not necessarily always the case. Pets tend to make great portraits. A portrait should capture the likeness of of the person. Obviously everyone looks different and just taking a picture of their face really doesn’t capture their likeness. To take a great portrait you have to take some time to get to know your subject. Understand what makes them unique. Once that’s nailed down you can attempt to capture those nuances in the portrait.

Nature / Landscapes:

These two features are discussed in detail below. What you should remember is as the Focal Length goes up so does price and conversely as the Aperture goes down the price goes up. Once you understand the concepts of Focal Length and Aperture pick your lens accordingly. I would also highly recommend you read as many reviews on your lens choice before making your purchase.

Memory Card:

Depending on your camera will depend what type of memory you’ll need. Buy as big of a card as you can afford but more importantly buy the Ultra Fast memory. This directly effects how fast you’ll get the data to the card and be ready for the next picture. Remember you’ll be

transferring 10’s of megabytes in a fraction of a second. You’ll need all the speed you can get if you want/ need a respectable frame rate.

Other Accessories:

The only things you really need to take pictures have already been discussed. There are a ton of extras where you could literally waste hundreds of pounds. A camera bag really is a must have. A tripod is a nicety especially if you’re interested in time lapse or low light photography. The other accessory to mention are filters. There are a dozen different types of filters. I went ahead and purchased a polarization filter since I spend a lot of my time outside taking pictures. It really knocks down on the glare and reflections.

Everyone seen the lone tree in a field, a skyline shot of the Big Apple, or a magnificent shot of Niagra Falls. All these types of pictures fall into the Nature/Landscapes category. These types of pictures are generally taken with a wide angle lens in order to capture as much of the scene as possible.

Events:

Wedding, gradations, sporting events, and birthdays all register in the event type of photographs. This is a pretty popular category as everyone wants to remember that momentous occasion. The choices of pictures are endless depending on the situation.

Macro:

Get close up. No, real close. Now your in the macro range. A macro lens is necessary to capture objects close up. The lens must be able to focus at a very short range, and is ideal for portraiture.

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january 2017 | suburb circular | 18

gifts & events

Photography Continued CAMERA SETTINGS Aperture and Shutter Speed:

The aperture is “how fast” the lens is. Basically the aperture defines how wide the shutter can open in a given amount of time. The wider and faster it can open the more light the lens can collect and the faster the shutter speed. Faster shutter speeds mean sharper images because your frame has less time to move while the shutter is open. The implications of this are seen indoors when taking pictures of kids. You don’t want to use a flash because it makes your pictures all blown out, so you use a lens that has a low f-stop/aperture. With these fast lenses you can take pictures inside without a flash and expect them to not be blurry. All my best pictures have been taken with a Tamron 28-75, f2.8 lens. The one thing I forgot to mention about aperature is the Depth of Field. So if I take a portrait, 10 away at f2.8 the following will happen. Where the camera is focused will be perfectly clear or in focus. Then ~5 in front of the focal point and ~5 behind the focal point will be in relatively good focus, then everything else will start blurring out. Portraits look really good because there are no distractions. If you take the same picture from 10 away at f25 then the entire picture, foreground and background, will be in perfect focus. f25 shots are really good for landscapes. You can mess around with all these functions on your point and shoot, its just a pain to adjust the settings because its all menu driven. On an SLR its a flick of

the finger wheel. A great way to learn about aperature is to shoot pictures on an SLR in aperature priority mode. You can look through the view finder and see the frame and a number – not much else. The number I see is the f-stop. Take a picture, and flick my forefinger to move to the next f-stop. Take another picture. The camera will meter the shot to determine the frame rate to make the picture expose at that f-stop. If the number blinks it means there isn’t enough light to properly expose but it will still take the picture since you could have it on a tripod or something to hold it really still. There is also frame priority which allows you to set the frame rate and the camera will adjust the aperture to compensate for a great picture. It won’t take long before you have a really good understanding on how to take decent/great pictures using these 2 modes. There is a fully manual mode, but who has time to adjust all those settings.

ISO:

If you have a point and shoot try this. Take a picture at ISO 100 and ISO 1600 and look at the difference on your computer. SLRs are really good to about ISO 400. Basically ISO is digital noise that is injected into the pixels. So if you were at f2.8 and the number was blinking you could run the ISO up to 400 or even 800 to increase the shutter speed so the picture exposes correctly.

Composition

SO YOU WANT TO TAKE GREAT PICTURES? Don’t we all. Having a nice camera certainly makes pictures

better but your composition is what will make those pictures truly great. Two major tips I can offer for the composition of your pictures. USE THE RULES OF THIRDS. Ask yourself what’s interesting about your picture? Now take that interesting ‘thing’ and put in the vertical or horizontal third of the frame. Looks better doesn’t it. Why? Thats just the way the human mind works. FILL THE FRAME: All the dead space around what you’re taking a picture of only adds distractions. Zoom in. Get closer. Fill that frame up as much as you can with whatever you’re photographing.

Lighting:

Lighting is photography. The best light you’ll find as a photographer is a couple hours right after sunrise and a couple hours before sunset. If you could take your pictures at these times it wouldn’t be an issue. Since timing isn’t an option in most cases its important to understand how to handle light. LOW LIGHT: In low light you’ll have to adjust your aperture and ISO settings to get a reasonable frame rate (no blurry pictures). A flash is also an option but can sometime cause an unwanted harsh feel. BRIGHT LIGHT: Remember what you’re mother told you. Don’t look at the sun. Same goes for picture taking. If you’re taking a picture into the sun you’re going to get some very bad sun spots/glare on your pictures. Reposition yourself to get the sun at your back, just make sure your shadow isn’t in the frame.

hampstead local events JAN / FEB 2017

london events

UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE Show “Anything Goes”

MAGIC LANTERN FESTIVAL

Highgate Village, N6 4BD Till 29th January Tickets : £18 - £16 Starts at 7.30pm

Until February 26th Chinese New Year Chiswick House, Chiswick W4 2QN

L I F E L I N E S WITH R O S E T R E M A IN CBE at Burgh House. New End Square, Hampstead on Thursday 2nd February at 7.30pm Entrance - £12 ( supper available - £20 ) Piers Plowright chats with award winning author with books published in 27 countries To book call 020 8539 0246

PHIL SPECTOR HIS LIFE Film documentary screening of his life as the top music producer of the 60’s & 70’s and later convicted of murder. With Vikram Jayanti the film director and Edward Hall artistic director of the Hampstead Theatre. Friday 10th February at 8pm Hampstead Rehearsal Room, tickets - £12 To book www.hampsteadtheatre.com

THE THEATRE OF FASHION at Hampstead Downstairs At Hampstead Downstairs at Hampstead Theatre Eton Avenue NW3 3EU on Sunday 12th February at 2.45pm Entrance - £12

“

LONDON A CAPPELLA FESTIVAL

To book - 020 8340 3488

PAUL GREENGRASS IN CONVERSATION & hosted by Jim Carter The event will include an hour’s conversation plus a Q & A with the award winning film director followed by a screening of his film “The Bourne Ultimatum” Taking place at the Tricycle Theatre on Sunday 5th February at 5pm. To book call 020 7328 1000 or www.tricycle.co.uk

CHINESE NEW YEAR at Burgh House, New End Square Hampstead on Sunday 12th February from 11am - 4pm The Chinese New Year of the Rooster starts at 11am withthe Lion Dance on Hampstead High Street, then at Burgh House with stalls, demonstrations & entertainment ALL FREE Kerry Taylor in conversation with Michael Howells the famous production designer about his career designing sets for TV & Films (Victoria & Nanny McPhee) & fashion shows. To book www.hampsteadtheatre.com

26th - 28th January Kings Place, York Way, Kings Cross N1 9AG Festival with best choral, jazz, contemporary & beatbox music

CHINESE NEW YEAR 29th January Chinatown Parade at Leicester Square Year of the Rooster

LONDON WINTER RUN Run 10km. through roads of Central London for Cancer Research UK 5th February to enter - www.londonwinterrun.co.uk

ORCHID FESTIVAL AT KEW From 4th February See displays of orchids & exotic flowers celebrating India’s plant life. Also decorated rickshaws and India’s music. Entrance - £15 To book - www.kew.org

A VALENTINE EVENING WITH THE STARS 18th February at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Look at the moon through the Great Equatorial Telescope & the planetarium show. To book - www.mg.co.uk

LONDON FASHION WEEK FESTIVAL

The Store Studios 180 The Strand WC2 Thurs 23rd - Sun 26th February Designer catwalks, 150 designer shops Tickets - £21.60

To book - www.tickets.london

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january 2017 | suburb circular | 20

motoring & travel

The Law Using the right

Booster Seat For Children M

any parents are failing to understand the importance of using the right booster seat for their offspring, according to new research by Confused.com. A third say they haven’t used a booster seat for their child at some point, while almost a fifth (17%) say they either rarely or never use a booster seat for their child. The findings come ahead of new child booster seat laws, expected early next year, which could require older children to use booster seats with backs.

Changes to the law

Two-thirds (66%) of parents with children under 12 don’t know the current laws surrounding child car seats, the research shows. Under the current law, people are permitted to use backless booster seats for children weighing more than 15kg – the average weight of a threeyear-old child. Under the new rules, however, which could come in as early as March 2017, booster seats without backs will deemed unsafe for children shorter than 125cm and weighing less than 22kg.

This equates to the average height and weight of children aged between six and eight years old – so it’s likely we’ll see booster seats with backs being used for older kids.

A range of excuses

Of those guilty of using no booster seat, over one in 10 of these were pulled over by the police. Just under three-quarters of these have been fined or prosecuted. Parents who’ve failed to use a booster seat for their child at one time or another have a range of excuses for not doing so. A third said they’d switched over to another car and hadn’t transferred the seat across. Over a quarter claimed ignorance, saying they didn’t think their child needed one. And a quarter said it was because they were only making a short trip, while just under one in 10 simply put it down to forgetfulness.

Half unaware of new rules

Of those parents unfortunate enough to have been in an accident while their child was in the car, one in 10 say their child wasn’t in a car seat at the time. What’s more, 44% of parents didn’t replace their child’s car seat after the accident.

This is despite almost threequarters (72%) of parents being aware that booster seats can be weakened as a result of a crash. The Confused.com research shows only just over a third (34%) of parents say they know the current rules surrounding child car seats.

“

UNDER THE NEW RULES, HOWEVER, WHICH COULD COME IN AS EARLY AS MARCH 2017, BOOSTER SEATS WITHOUT BACKS WILL DEEMED UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN SHORTER THAN 125CM AND WEIGHING LESS THAN 22KG. THIS EQUATES TO THE AVERAGE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT OF CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND EIGHT YEARS OLD – SO IT’S LIKELY WE’LL SEE BOOSTER SEATS WITH BACKS BEING USED FOR OLDER KIDS.

And, perhaps unsurprisingly, more than half (56%) of parents are unaware of the new regulations, which will only apply to new products on the market, meaning parents who already own and use backless boosters will still be permitted to use them. ‘Parents must be aware of the consequences’ Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says: “Given parents’ confusion about the current car seat regulations, the new rules about backless booster seats will make it even trickier for parents to understand how to keep their children safe. “The messaging needs to be simplified so parents are certain which type of seating will provide their children with the best protection.” Amanda adds: “Parents must also be aware of the potential cost consequences if their child isn’t using the correct seating. If caught by police, they could face a £100 fine.”

BACKLESS BOOSTER SEAT LAW CHANGE

Current law - Under the current law, all children travelling in a vehicle must use the correct car seat for their height, age and weight until they are are either 12 years old or 135cm tall - whichever comes first.

- Children weighing under 15kg (2st 4lbs) must use booster seats with backs children over this weight are permitted to use backless booster seats.

New law - All children travelling will still need to use the correct car seat for their height, age and weight until they are either 12 years old or 135cm tall - whichever comes first. - Under the new rules use of booster seats with backs will be extended for use by taller and heavier children up to 125cm and 22kg (3st 5lbs). - However, the law only applies to new products on the market. It is understood parents who already own and use backless booster seats for their child will still be permitted to use them. | 21

january 2017 | suburb circular | 22

Govt Plans Crackdown On Menance Of

Texting Drivers M

inisters have announced a tough new crackdown on drivers who use their mobile phones at the wheel. The government is increasing the potential penalties for motorists who call, text, take pictures and videos or surf the internet while in charge of a vehicle following an outcry over a number of serious accidents.

Two strikes and you’re out

Transport minister Chris Grayling says that anyone caught using their mobile twice will face a ban when the new rules come into effect. Repeat offenders also face fines of up to £1,000 and possible court action. For first-time transgressions, fines are set to double from the current £100 to £200 while penalty points will also rise from three to six. Newly qualified drivers could also be forced to re-take their tests if they are caught illegally using a phone. The Department for Transport (DfT) says it expects the new regime to come into effect in England, Scotland and Wales early next year.

‘Untold misery’

Grayling said: “As technology develops, mobile phones are common place, but we need to take responsibility for our actions and as drink or drug driving has become socially unacceptable, so must using mobile phones at the wheel. “It may seem harmless when you are replying to a text, answering a call or using an app, but the truth is your actions could kill and cause untold misery to others.” He added: “We all have a part to play

in ensuring our family and friends do not use their phones while driving.” The government announced earlier this year that it was planning to increase the penalties for mobile phone use at the wheel.

New rules beefed up

But the rules unveiled by the DfT in September are far more punitive than those originally proposed in an official consultation launched in January. This is thought to be due to the pressure created by recent highprofile media campaigns aimed at tightening up the laws on drivers’ mobile phone use. A number of reports of fatal collisions caused by motorists being distracted by text messages have also increased public support for a tougher stance. Campaigners say that the current system of fines does not act as a strong enough deterrent to mobile use.

Lack of detection as police numbers fall

And research suggests that the majority of drivers who admit to using their phones at the wheel simply do not expect to get caught. The decline in the number of road traffic officers over the course of this

“

decade is thought to be one of the main reasons that many mobile users do not get caught. Jayne Willetts at the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Unfortunately, with fewer officers out on the roads, more of these offences are going undetected.” There is also concern that motorists simply do not realise how phone use can affect their concentration levels.

Deadly distractions

Research from road-safety organisation Brake has found that drivers who speak on phones are four times more likely to be in a crash that causes injury, regardless of whether it is a handheld or hands-free call. A study also found that their crash risk remains higher than normal for up to 10 minutes after the call. Meanwhile, texting drivers have 35% slower reaction times than other motorists as well as poor lane control. Brake said that a study had found texting drivers were 23 times more likely to crash than those who were paying attention to the traffic around them. Ministers have promised that the new penalty regime will be accompanied by an awareness programme run along the same lines as seasonal drink-driving campaigns.

FOR FIRST-TIME TRANSGRESSIONS, FINES ARE SET TO DOUBLE FROM THE CURRENT £100 TO £200 WHILE PENALTY POINTS WILL ALSO RISE FROM THREE TO SIX.

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january 2017 | suburb circular | 24

motoring & travel

Minimal Maintenance Required

with Electric Vehicles Service, maintenance and repair (SMR) costs for plug-in vehicles would appear to deliver major savings when compared to internal combustion engine models, according to initial findings from expert providers.

he current volume of pure electric plug-in vehicles in the marketplace means thatdefinitive SMR figures based on areliably large sample of models ofsignificance are not yet available. Nevertheless, the ‘simplicity’ of thetechnology in those vehicles dictatesfinancial savings versus internalcombustion engines.

Furthermore, a recent study by Go Ultra Low found that UK motorists could save an average £306 a year in garage bills by switching to a new electric car. Every year, the average motorist forks out £400 for servicing and maintenance for their petrol or diesel car – more than four times the sub-£100 annual spend for an electric model. Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, said: “Pure electric vehicles have

Battery Life

Do Batteries Deteriorate Significantly Over Time?

Electric vehicle sceptics have also warned of the potential of electric vehicle battery degradation, but such suggestions would appear to be ill-founded. Nissan, last year, published proprietary data going back five years and relating to the European sale of more than 35,000 LEAF models. It showed that 99.99% of battery

fewer moving parts than cars with an internal combustion engine. This means that there are fewer things which require maintenance, and servicing is simpler and cheaper to complete with fewer consumables. KeeResources bought its own Nissan LEAF almost four years ago to gain first-hand experience of an electric vehicle. The company gathers data on millions of SMR transactions on contract hire company-owned vehicles and then provides a wealth of detailed analysis to leasing providers and motor manufacturers to help them in their whole life cost calculations. The KeeResources LEAF has to date clocked up more than 11,000 miles as a pool car and the only maintenance required has been routine servicing. What’s more an employee has recently ordered a Kia Soul EV as their new company car. Their maximum

annual mileage is around 15,000 miles so with home and office recharging available, the company is confident that the car is fit for purpose. Mark Jowsey, director manufacturer liaison at KeeResources commented: “The indications are that SMR costs are very positive versus internal combustion engine vehicles.” With just three main components – the on-board charger, inverter and motor – Nissan says the LEAF is 40% cheaper to maintain compared to petrol or diesel-powered alternatives. It’s a view shared by Steve Chambers, senior editor, SMR, at industry data supplier CAP HPI, who said: “From an SMR perspective; electric vehicles fair well when comparing service costs – you would expect an electric vehicle to have less labour content and of course not require such things as engine oil and oil and fuel filters. “This helps electric vehicles achieve

units remained entirely fit for purpose. The failure rate of the battery power unit – less than 0.01% or just three units in total was, Nissan said, a fraction of the equivalent industry-wide figure for defects affecting traditional combustion engines. Analysis of a basket of 50,000 cars aged three to six-years-old over a fiveyear period by independent insurance specialist Warranty Direct indicated that 0.255% of vehicles on its books had experienced an issue that led to an immobilisation of the internal combustion. Common problems ranged from leaks in the coolant system and damage to the head gasket to engine flooding. The reliability of plug-in vehicles

has been further highlighted by Nissan with more than 140 LEAF hatchback and e-NV200 Combi models being operated as taxis and many more taxi firms waiting for vehicles to be delivered. Six UK-based taxi fleets have to date collectively clocked up more than three million miles in Nissan electric cars, which Nissan says proves the two models’ reliability and durability as well as cost efficiency. A Nissan LEAF operated by Cornwall-based taxi company C&C Taxis has passed 100,000 miles with the owners reporting it had not lost a single bar of battery life. The company now operates a further five LEAFs and a five-seat Nissan e-NV200

Case Study

Chris Chandler, Lex Autolease

an average 40% saving over a conventional model on servicing. Hybrids do show savings, but due to the needs of the internal combustion engine this is nearer 20 to 25% depending upon the model in question.” For example, highlighting the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Mr Chambers explained that SMR costs were lower than diesel versions due to reduced service content and the requirement for less oil. Operators can also gain peace of mind from the warranty cover that plug-in vehicles have for batteries and hybrid elements. Mr Chambers highlighted that they exceeded the standard vehicle warranty with anything up to eight years considered an “industry norm” compared to nearer three years for most internal combustion models.

Combi. Mark Richards, fleet manager at C&C Taxis estimates that each vehicle saves the business around £8,500 per year in fuel bills and maintenance costs. He said: “When we speak to other taxi operators they often tell us range and battery life are the biggest factors preventing them from considering an electric taxi. Then, when we tell them our LEAF has done 100,000 miles and still has full battery health, they’re left speechless.” Furthermore, at least three other LEAF taxis have passed the 100,000-mile mark with more than 30 having covered more than 30,000 miles

Chris Chandler, principal consultant at Lex Autolease, the UK’s largest vehicle leasing and fleet management company, which has 4,500 plug-in vehicles on its books – the most of any provider – explains the importance of service, maintenance and repair (SMR) costs and how electric vehicles can deliver savings versus petrol and diesel models. Calculating service, maintenance and repair (SMR) budgets for cars is a complex activity, requiring a mass of data on parts costs, routine maintenance requirements and scheduling, and component wear rates, or ‘burn rates’ as they are more commonly known. It is of vital importance for leasing companies to get these budgets right as they take the ‘risk’ on maintenance budgets where inclusive in the leases, as they are fixed from day one of the contract. For traditionally fuelled vehicles, and models that have been in the marketplace for some time the risks are reduced as the SMR experts will have a raft of information, not just the servicing intervals and parts costs, but importantly experience of vehicle reliability and ‘burn rates’ of components such as brakes. Where SMR budgets become more challenging is where new vehicles come to market, or even more so when new vehicle technologies are introduced. Although component part costs and servicing regimes may be known, the ‘burn rates’ and reliability are significant unknowns. So when vehicles such as pure electrics and plug-in hybrids come to market there are significant challenges in assessing the SMR

budgets. At Lex Autolease we now have more than 4,500 plug-in vehicles on our fleet, including almost 300 pure electric vehicles. We have been operating some of these vehicles since early in 2012. As a result we are able to provide some strong SMR data for the more established plug-in vehicles, and are also able to identify trends in the new technology. For new vehicles coming to market it can still be difficult to assess some of the costs for plug-in cars, however we have seen some very positive trends with regards to reliability and maintenance costs for these new vehicle technologies. Typically, pure electric vehicles will have a lower SMR cost to petrol or diesel equivalents, especially for vehicles that have been on the market for a little while and hence some maintenance experience and history has been obtained. The following SMR examples (see table below) demonstrate the cost savings that can be achieved by pure electric cars over a fouryear/ 60,000-mile operating cycle. Much of the cost savings are down to the reduced components and consumables, however we have also noted from operating our electric fleet that brake and tyre wear are noticeably reduced due to the regenerative braking on the cars reducing the amount of work the brakes do and also reducing heavy braking overall.

Did You Know? EVS ARE 40% CHEAPER TO MAINTAIN COMPARED TO PETROL OR DIESEL-POWERED ALTERNATIVES

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january 2017 | suburb circular | 26

Martin Lewis

Car Insurance By Martin Lewis @moneysavingexpert

verybody, everybody, everybody should be checking if they can slash the cost of car insurance right now. Okay, I accept not having a car is a good excuse, but don’t ignore this just because you’re ‘not at renewal’ - even then big savings may be possible. The reason for this warning is that car insurance costs have rocketed by 16% over the last year, according to the AA, and it’s saying it “can’t see an immediate end” to the rises. Yet when you get car insurance the price is fixed for the year, so by locking into a policy now you effectively future proof against rises.

So here are my 10 need-to-knows, though for far more help in every scenario, see my mammoth www.mse. me/carinsurance guide.

1. To find the cheapest price at speed – combine comparison sites then add those they miss. There’s no one cheapest insurer, as prices are set individually. So, the aim is to check as many quotes as possible, quickly and easily. Comparison sites do that, but they don’t all cover the same insurers or even give the same price for the same insurer. So…

a) Use two or three of the biggies: www.moneysupermarket.com, www. gocompare.com, www.confused.com and www.comparethemarket.com. (Open all the windows at the same

www.moneysavingexpert.com

time, then cut and paste your info across.)

b) A couple of the big insurers like

bonus, but if it means you save now and prevent future price rises, it can be a big winner.

www.DirectLine.com and www.Aviva. co.uk aren’t on them. Yet they can be competitive, especially if you’ve no convictions and a clean licence, so check these separately too, as they can lead to big savings. Also, there can be special promo deals not included - there’s a list at www.mse. me/insurancedeals.

The impact of this can be big, as @ mubzymalone tweeted me: “Just HALVED my car insurance, saving £543 by changing mid-policy. HUGE thanks to @MartinSLewis for the tip.” Not only is he saving now, he’s locked in the price for a year. So, the sooner you act, the more you’re likely to save.

And remember always check that the policy has the right level of cover for you.

3. Check multi-car policies if you’ve more than one car in the home. A few insurers offer spe-

2. Not at renewal? What you can do. If the predictions are correct and prices keep moving up, today’s prices will soon look cheap. Plus, many are overpaying already, especially those who just auto-renew each year. RENEWAL WITHIN 60 DAYS? Some firms such as www.Aviva.co.uk, www. LV.com and www.Nationwide.co.uk give quotes valid for 60 days so get one now, then check against quotes at renewal time. As @dimuthuj7 tweeted: “@MartinSLewis Renewal £521. Quote a month ago, which was honoured, of £319. Thanks.” MIDWAY THROUGH A POLICY? Many wrongly think you can only switch at renewal, but you can do it at any stage. Check if you can get a cheaper policy now. If so, provided you’ve not claimed, for a £50ish admin fee (factor that in), you can usually cancel and get the rest of the year refunded. You won’t earn the year’s no-claims

cial discounts if you have more than one car in the home – but comparison sites can’t include these deals, so do it manually. www.Admiral.com Multicar gives discounts of up to 25%, depending on how many cars you insure. You can also get discounts by linking the household standalone policies with Churchill, Direct Line and Privilege. The savings here could be huge. Equally, they can be a rip off; it’s about trial and error.

4. Comprehensive cover may be cheaper than third party. Bizarrely, merely selecting comprehensive means some insurers see you as a lower risk, and it lowers the price, so always check comprehensive too if you want the cheapest.

5. Adding an extra driver could cost less. Again, counter-intuitively adding another person to the policy can bring down your premium, as the average risk is reduced. It’s especially strong if you’re a young driver adding a responsible older driver, but

can work for others too as Bouncybubbles told me: “Quoted £900 from £500 previous year. By comparing then adding my husband I got it down to £298.”

6. Legitimately tweak your job title. You can’t claim to be the

hideous interest. The worst offender I’ve seen charges up-to-93% APR interest. So, check and if it’s costly, pay upfront if you can. If not, try to get one of the many year-long-plus 0% credit cards. Just ensure you pay it off over the year, then there’s no cost.

Chancellor if you’re a pole dancer (or vice-versa), but many people have wide ranging roles. So by tweaking your job description you might find your quote is lower. Like @RPJ_Webster93 who tweeted: “@martinslewis Thanks to your ‘reword job title’ tip my car insurance quote reduced by £500.” He legitimately changed his job title from ‘council worker’ to ‘civil servant - cleric’.

cially called ‘telematics’) insurers put inside your car to monitor how you drive and when. It’s especially useful for younger drivers facing hefty costs via other means, though if your mileage is limited and you don’t drive at peak times or late at night, it can work well too.

7. Don’t ‘pay monthly’ – it doesn’t exist. Insurers may call it

9. Got special circumstances and struggling? Speak to a broker.

paying monthly, but actually they loan you the year’s cost and while a few are interest free, most charge often

If your circumstances aren’t normal, getting insurance can be tough. Often getting an insurance broker to find

8. Consider installing a ‘black box’. This device is the tech (offi-

a bespoke policy for you can beat comparison sites. See www.biba.org. uk/find-insurance/

10.Can you get cashback. Once you’ve found your cheapest policy check cashback websites like Quidco. com and TopCashback.co.uk to see if you can get any money back on the policy you’ve chosen if you buy it via them - this can be over £50, so is often worth it. Yet don’t let the cashback tail wag the dog. Choose the right policy first, then see cashback as an added extra (as it isn’t 100% guaranteed). Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 11 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/ latesttip

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january 2017 | suburb circular | 28

directory Your Invaluable Hampstead Garden Suburb Directory

Property & Maintenance

House & Home

• Litchfields - 020 8458 5000 - Estate agents

• Moiety Kitchens - 0208 455 3226

• Jeremy Clive - 020 3691 0992 - Estate agents

• Neil Lerner - 020 7724 7234 - Kitchens

• Leo Newman - 020 3235 1820 - Property Management - Estate Agents

• Coraff Carpets - 020 8731 7766

• A & L Window Repairs - 07719 196 744

• Parquet Flooring - 020 8458 6037

• Living In Space - 020 722 3131 - Architects/Designers

• Mobili Domani - 020 8202 0525 - Furniture

• Pinnacle - 020 8806 5353 - Architects

• Tommy Appliance Repair - 07739 988 199

• Bird & Wedge - 020 8808 2812 - Roofing

• Porcelain Tiles - 020 8731 6787

• HGS Joinery & Glazing - 020 8536 0300

• Tiles & Baths Direct- 020 8202 2223

• Apple Construction - 01483 281 515

• Wharfside - 020 7253 3206 - Furniture

• City Builders - 07813 871 286

• BOconcept - 020 7749 8049 - Furniture

• Posners - 020 7625 8899 - Flooring

• Gas Force - 020 8342 8559 - Heating Engineers • Monsoon - 020 8 209 3608 • B & C Securities - 07970 073 115 - Locksmith • B & C Securities - 07970 073 115 - Safes • G & M Power - 020 3371 7971 - Decorators

Health & Fitness

• Kings Removals - 020 8338 3999 • Protect-Me - 020 8800 9492

• The Laboratory Spa - 020 8457 3300

• J & J Security - 020 8203 0999

• Alan Nevies - 020 8458 3874 - Osteopath

• Banham - 020 8905 0922

• Barnard Levitt - 020 8458 0599 - Optometrist

• A & M Surveyors - 020 8371 0379

• David Hillel Opticians - 020 8444 2233

• Debonaire Design & Build - 020 8922 0034

• Physiotherapy on the Move - 07815 886 607

• Hampstead Builders Ltd - 0845 003 6886

0207 722 3131 43 Englands Lane NW3 4YD

info@living-inspace.co.uk www.living-inspace.co.uk

Developments, Extensions, Basements & Loo Conversions Planning Applicaaons & experience with HGS Trust Bespoke Joinery, Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Soo Furnishing Design Interiors showroom open 9am - 6pm, Mon - Fri

Call for a free design consultaaon

Boiler Installation Boiler Breakdown Specialists Boiler Servicing All Central Heating Works All your Plumbing Problems Solved

Mob: 07736472701 Office: 020 8342 8559 info@gasforce.co - www.gasforcelondon.co.uk

january 2017 | suburb circular | 30