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23/10/2015
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INSIDE
1 FOOD & NUTRITION • Home & Garden • Education & politics • health &www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk Fitness • AND MUCH MORE...
inside
Contents NOVEMBER 2015
Food & Nutrition
4 Light Apple Tart with Quince Puree 6 NEW Sushi Menu
Festivities
8 It’s All Childs Play by Sue Gascoyne
Beauty & Fashion
10 Makeup Tips by James Vincent
Education & Politics
12 Gaming: Addiction or Advantage? 14 Politics Matters by Noel Lynch (Green Party)
Health & Fitness
4
17
17 Astigmatism by David Hillel Burns 18 Remarkable Relationships by Jessica McGregor Johnson
Home & Garden
20 Household Tips 22 Grass Roots by Sally Tierney
Motoring & Travel 25 Auto-Biographies
Gifts & Events 26 PART 2 – Dinner Service Tips
Business & Finance
28 Martin Lewis – Mortgages 30 Cost Effective E-Marketing
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. 2 the Suburb Circular • november 2015
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The team EDITORIAL EDITOR Sarah Klein
from the editor
CONTRIBUTORS Sue Gascoyne
Dear Readers
James Vincent Noel Lynch David Hillel Burns Jessica McGregor Johnson Sally Tierney Tim Barnes-Clay Martin Lewis Darren Strom
ADVERTISING Eli Cohen 020-3659-2399
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Judith Sterling, James English
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a
m I the only one who thinks that the recent 5p bag surcharge is a fabulous idea?
Not just for environmental and ecological reasons, but because of the message that it sends out. I don’t mean to sound like a grumbler, but the increasingly apparent ‘disposable’ attitude which affects our generation is quite worrying. Even if shoppers seldom bring their own bags to re-se them, the ‘recycle and don’t chuck out’ message should definitely have an impact on our lifestyle as a whole. With technology and social advances leading towards a ‘quick/ disposable’ attitude, the bag surcharge is a kind of refreshing reminder that a ‘tolerant’ attitude is also healthy in many elements of day-to-day life. Incidentally, it was reported recently that in Scotland, where this Law was introduced last year, the number of plastic bags handed out in stores fell by 80%. That is quite a statistic! Thinking about it, shopping bags have only been around for approximately 50 years. Prior to that shoppers had to bring their own means of carrying their purchases. I presume it was a sort of ‘gesture of goodwill’ that shops displayed over these years. But it had to come! Over the past few years the major supermarkets’ bags have just got thinner and thinner. The next downgrade in quality was literately going to be too flimsy and thin to even see! Have a fabulous month!
Sarah
food & nutrition
LIGHT APPLE TART WITH QUINCE PUREE Serves 8
NUTRITIONAL INFO PER SERVING
Takes 45 minutes to make,
Calories Fat Protein Carbohydrates Salt
50 minutes to cook + chilling Easy
INGREDIENTS • • • • • •
900g quinces (or 500g eating apples) 100g caster sugar 500g ready-made puff pastry Plain flour for dusting Butter for greasing 750g eating apples, such as cox’s or braeburn • 175g apricot jam • Crème fraîche to serve
METHOD 1. Peel, quarter, core and slice the quinces and put them into a wide saucepan with 75g of the sugar and 3-4 tbsp water. Cook gently over a low heat for about 20 minutes until tender, then tip into a bowl and mash to a purée with a fork. Leave to cool. (If you’re making this tart with just apples, cook the 500g apples in the same way as the quinces, but then tip them into a sieve set over a bowl to collect and reserve the juices. Mash to a purée with a fork.) 2. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut out a 30cm circle using a plate as
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the Suburb Circular • november 2015
413kcals 14.8g (7g saturated) 4.3g 69.8g (45.3g sugar) 0.5g
a template. Lift onto a lightly greased baking sheet and prick the pastry here and there with a fork, leaving a 2.5cm border clear around the edge. Spread the fruit purée on top, again leaving the edge clear, and chill for at least 30 minutes. 3. Preheat the oven to 200°C/ fan180°C/gas 6. Peel and core the apples and slice them quite thinly. Arrange the slices, overlapping slightly, in circles on top of the fruit purée, then sprinkle them heavily with the remaining sugar. Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden and the edges of the apples are lightly browned. 4. Put the apricot jam into a small pan with 1 tbsp water (or reserved apple cooking juices, if you have them) and warm gently. Press through a sieve into a bowl, then brush generously over the apples. Serve the tart warm or cold, on the day it’s made, with crème fraîche.
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uramaki
8 Pieces
maki Fish rolls
Small rolls of rice & seaweed with a variety of fillings.
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nigiri & Gunkan
Salads 130. Teriyaki Salmon on crunchy rice
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160. Salmon Tartar Gunkan
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162. Tuna Tartar Gunkan
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Inside Insideout outrice riceand andseaweed seaweedrolls rollswith with aavariety varietyofoffillings fillings&&tasty tastysauces sauces
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Regular Sashimi 5 Slices Regular Sashimi 5 Slices Mega Sahimi 10 Slices Mega Sahimi 10 Slices
sashimi sashimi
Thick Thick slices slices of fresh, raw fish of fresh, raw fish
146. 146.Spicy SpicyTuna Tuna&& Cucumber Cucumber
Avocado Avocado
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Large Large cone ofcone riceofwith rice wit a variety of fillings a variety of filling
170. Avocado 171. Sweet Spicy KaniKani & 174. Salmon 170. Avocado 171. Sweet 172. 172. Spicy 173.173. & 174. Salmon Temaki Potato Tempura Tuna Temaki Avocado Avocado Temaki Temaki Potato Tempura Tuna Temaki Avocado Avocado Tem 143. Spicy Salmon 143. Spicy Salmon
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£4.80 £4.80 149. 149.Smoked SmokedSalmon Salmon &&Cucumber Cucumber
moked moked ocado ocado
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temaki temakihandrolls handrolls
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£2.90 £2.90 vv
156. 156. Sweet Sweet Potato Potato
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153. 153.Mango Mango
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157. 157.Beetroot Beetroot
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vv
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182. Yellowtail 182. Yellowtail
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183.183. Seared Seared Salmon Salmon
£4.80 £4.80
184. Seared Tuna Mega 184. Seared Tuna 185. 185. Mega 186. Mega Mixed 186. Mega 187.187. Mixed with black pepper Sashimi with black pepperSalmon Salmon Sashimi Tuna Sashimi Tuna SashimiSashimi Sashimi
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out roll outfilled roll with filled with salmon, avocado, of spicy salmon, avocado, InsideInside Inside outout rollroll composed of of of spicy Inside composed cooked salmon with awith a cooked salmon withwith mango topped mango tuna, avocado & spicy tunatuna topped tuna, avocado & spicy tempura crust crust tempura
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193.193. Salmon Salmon Dragon Roll Roll Dragon
Inside Inside out rollout composed of roll compose salmon,salmon, avocadoavocado & & spicy salmon spicy salmon
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55 Nigiri Nigirior or33Gunkan Gunkan
194. Vegetarian 195. 194. Vegetarian Vegan Vegan Roll R 195. Salmon Spear Salmon Spear 196. Caterpillar197.197. 196. Caterpillar Delight Delight roll compose Inside Inside out rollout composed of Futomaki roll filled salmon 4 varieties Futomaki roll filled with with FreshFresh salmon with 4with varieties
Sea Bass Bass 163. Sea
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163. Vegetarian Vegetarian 163. Caviar Gunkan Gunkan Caviar
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Futomaki filled sweetsalmon, Futomaki rollroll filled withwith sweet salmon, avocado avocado & & potato & selection of crunchy cucumber potato & selection of crunchy cucumber Vegetables & spicy sauce Vegetables & spicy sauce
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filled salmonISO filled ISOISO filled withwith friedfried salmon ISO filled topped withwith kani kani topped skins, lettuce & sesame withwith skins, lettuce & sesame vegetarian vegetarian caviarcaviar
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FESTIVITIES Business & Finance
IT’S ALLchilds play
By Sue Gascoyne, www.playtoz.co.uk
Firework Magic
p
icture the scene it’s November 5th and families are stood huddled together for the spectacle of a fireworks display. Wrapped in coats, hats, gloves and wellies to insulate against the crisp night air, I doubt they will give a thought to their senses, but when the excitement of the night is over it will be their senses which forge lasting memories and turn the experience from digital to HD! Watching fireworks burst onto an inky night sky and mutate into a multitude of patterns, it’s difficult not to be impressed and awed by these beautiful man-made creations. Fireworks are a visual feast. Some spread like delicate fingers dipped in luminous paint arcing across black paper. Others blossom like exotic blooms captured in time lapse, whilst sparklers trace magic letters in the air, casting a warm glow on beaming faces. The crackle of the bonfire, fizzle of Catherine Wheels and the “oohs and “aahs” of crowds are punctuated by the whoosh of rockets and surprising bursts of sound as bangers do what they do best. The smell of spent fuses, burning embers and BBQ aromas fill the air. Then there’s the warmth of the bonfire, tickle of ash on the cheek and thrilling sense of anticipation as you wait for each firework to erupt. Occasions like this are a sensory fusion of sights, sounds, smells and tastes - a heady cocktail that forges
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the Suburb Circular • november 2015
experiences deep within the memory. As babies we learn by seeking out patterns and spotting novelty and change, something which continues throughout childhood. As adults though, our perspective shifts and we tend to focus on the bigger picture. This is essential if we want to avoid getting bogged down by the everyday profusion of sensory stimuli and get to school and work on time! Fireworks can of course be appreciated on
and extremely effective. Children will enjoy making them, experimenting with their own creative flair then watching them come to life at night time. To make spooky lanterns you’ll need… •Sticks – a pack of glow in the dark bracelets works well. •Some small cardboard containers. Kitchen roll tubes look great and the card is soft enough for children to cut, but any cardboard packing will work fine, from teabag boxes to tissue boxes. •Paints or wrapping paper, if desired, to decorate the boxes. •A pen or pencil. •A pair of scissors.
both levels, from the detail of the individual firework to the macro scale of the patterns created in huge public displays. Both are amazing for children, big and small. Stood with neck craned looking skyward at the spectacle unfold, us adults can be transported to days gone by when we felt small in the world and every day was filled with awe and wonder. If you’re heading to a display or having your own mini fireworks celebration at home, why not make one of these great lanterns – they’re safe, low cost
Children start by covering or painting their box (if wished) so that these look nice on display. Next draw their design on the box and carefully cut out. Simple shapes work best and are easiest for little hands to cut out (with help from adults). Try two eyes and a mouth as these look really effective. Once their design is cut out they can attach a loop of card to the top of the box to hang from a tree branch. If painted or decorated, arrange attractively on display, alternatively, position in undergrowth or hang from trees where they will only become visible at night. Simply snap a glow bracelet to activate and place one inside each box, then sit back and wait as a crowd of spooky glowing faces comes to life!
Sue Gascoyne - For fun sensory play activities, Sue’s latest research, resources, training or therapeutic play services go to www.playtoz.co.uk. E: sue@playtoz.co.uk / T: 1206 796722
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Beauty & Fashion
Seasons Change & so does your makeup By James Vincent
S
ad but true: summer is long gone. And now, not only do you have to change your wardrobe, but your makeup kit needs to go through a transition too. The change of seasons is a good time to replace mascara, restock your skin care products and re-examine your daily makeup application. But it’s also a time to try out new things. Here are a few of my favourite must-have makeup kit recommendations to help you transition effortlessly into autumn.
EXFOLIANT
Slough off the dead skin and the effects of summer’s excessive sun and partying with a gentle exfoliant. This will remove the surface that’s been exposed to the elements and stimulate circulation so the new skin is healthy and polished. It’s a perfect way to make your foundation application flawless. James’s suggestion: Koh Gen Do Soft Gommage Gel
metallic eye shadow
This season, the runway in every fashion city reflected back a gilded effect on eyes, from warm copper and bronze to beautiful yellow and rose gold shades. For your kit, keep it simple with a wash of powder shadow. Brush your favourite metallic shade across the lid from lash to crease, or pick up a metallic pencil — the Midas touch with a more subtle effect.
vitamin treatments
Skin serums and treatments containing vitamin A, C and E applied before your daily moisturizer help repair summer damage and prepare your skin for the tough winter months ahead. Even if you do not live in an area where temperature changes drastically, the toll of holiday parties and the increase of time spent inside will be ameliorated with the help of these powerful antioxidants.
mascara
Your mascara should always be replaced every four to six weeks. Use the transition of seasons as an excuse to splurge on a new one! This season is all about full, voluminous lashes. Try one of the new bold, black mascaras for an exciting look, but if you always wear black, black mascara can make you look a little too goth. Get lash volume with a warmer colour like a rich brown.
bronzer
foundation
You can use the change in the seasonal calendar to give you a kick in the pants to try a new foundation. This season, for example, we are seeing more matte skin on the runway. Try a sheer liquid foundation with a matte appearance for a more polished look. Quite a change from the high, dewy complexions of the summer months!
Just because you aren’t on the beach doesn’t mean you should stop adding warmth to the skin. Try a matte powder bronzer or multiple-use cream to create a gorgeous and natural glow. Only apply bronzer where sun would naturally warm the face (forehead, nose, chin and highest point of cheekbones are a great start).
burgundy lip 10
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black liner
Whether it is to create unexpected graphic lines or classic kitten eyes, black liner is as popular this season as ever. The new liquid pens are perfect for delivering a range of looks from naturally polished to perfectly unexpected. Try combining your liquid pen with a black shadow underneath to give your liner more dimension.
Grunge is back! Bold, blackened berry shades and deep, rich burgundy colours are returning to the lip. Get vampy with a beautifully matte lipstick or keep it more modern with a gloss. The look will be less goth, more gorgeous, and fully fall fashion.
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education & politics
gaming: w
e asked Sheineez Barber, Managing Partner at FunTech, who offer high quality courses on all aspects of computing, including video game coding and design, to share her thoughts on whether video games are good or bad for our children. Video games – are they an addictive threat to our children or a positive advantage? That’s a very difficult question to answer. What’s certain is that a life without console or pc gaming, especially for boys, is no longer really an option. The market for games aimed at girls has not really developed, though there is a substantial increase in the number of girls gaming and a recent survey revealed that 52% of the UK’s gamers are women. It’s easy as adults to be dismissive of games and brand them as a waste of time at best, or at worst, as a bad influence. Don’t be fooled by the amount of skill required to
play console or pc games. I played a football game with an eight year old and their hand-eye coordination, speed of thought and reactions to what was happening on the screen were breath-taking. If you’ve not tried it for yourself, have a go and see how far you get… These days games are at the forefront of technology and provide children with a state-ofthe-art immersive experience. Think about how movies have developed. The trailer for the new Star Wars film recently went viral online: compare that to films from 20 or 30 years ago and they seem embarrassingly low-tech by comparison. The same is true for video games. Our children’s expectations of entertainment are now far more sophisticated and demanding. I don’t believe that children should
be prevented from playing games especially if their peer group is ‘into’ playing games. I think it’s about giving your child the reasons for having a more balanced life of their choice, and having the confidence to do so. This of course puts a lot more pressure on parents as children may be less ready to sit down with a good book or simply listen to music. If a child is good at gaming this increases their popularity with their peers, so it’s understandable that they want to do anything in order to continue playing. However, if you can encourage them to balance their game playing with other activities that they enjoy, then gaming soon becomes a secondary interest, rather than an obsession. At FunTech we want to take the idea of passive game playing and turn it into proactive learning. Our objective is to get a child to look at gaming in a scientific way. We encourage them to start to dissect the games they play for their playability and addiction value and then take that and start to learn how to build games of their own. This puts them behind the scenes
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the Suburb Circular • november 2015
of gaming and gives them a deeper appreciation and understanding. When I speak to our students, one thing that especially the boys like is that games which I may find unpalatable such as Grand Theft Auto (GTA) are free-form and offer them a sandbox environment to explore. In the game, they are not shackled by society’s rules: they’re free to do anything they want to. A game that did the exact reverse of GTA was a total flop. The appeal is that these games provide players freedom to do what they like, how they like and when they like. My initial response was that this was scary but then a student replied “Is it scary or does it show a thirst for independence?” I leave you to decide on that! Another hugely popular game that has no boundaries and encourages and rewards exploration is Minecraft. This game can be
misunderstood it contains so much scope for learning. From learning how colours mix (if you dye a sheep blue and another one yellow, their lambs come out green) to Redstone, Minecraft’s electricity that enable you to build very complex electronic circuits. You could build an entire working computer inside Minecraft – who says games aren’t educational! A final important thing to remember is that games have a rating exactly as films do, and they are there for a reason. Please make an active choice of allowing your child to play a game rated 18 if they are not 18, rather than passively allowing them to buy any game they want without restrictions.
For more information please see FunTech’s website: www.funtechsummercamps.com
TECH COURSES for Kids & Teens system.out.printeln FunTyper
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education&&Finance politics Business
matters Noel Lynch Barnet resident and 3rd on the Green list for the London Assembly
new ecological politics?
p
olitics! Is there a word more vilified and contemptible (pace estate agents)?
So why read on? Because there is a new spirit blowing through the musty corridors of power. It has the potential to usher in pluralistic progressive politics - a complete break from the “me too” managerial mush that has masqueraded as political choice in the mainstream for so long. We Greens have observed with dismay how political debate has narrowed over the years to an exclusive focus on the figures, the accounts; losing sight of the point of politics and economics: to enable us to live lives that satisfy our need for love, purpose, and fulfilment, while enabling the whole planet to thrive, forever. We believe that economic justice, social justice and environmental justice go hand in hand, and where they might conflict, to find a balance that is fair. It can be done. We are delighted that the national conversation has moved from how to balance books to discussing our needs and how we meet them. In that discussion we say: the old solutions may not be the right ones. We must devise solutions that meet current needs and are derived from some fundamental principles, such as decisions
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the Suburb Circular • november 2015
should be taken by those whom they affect – which implies electoral reform in Westminster to a more representative, proportional system. Sustainability – if the solution undermines the natural systems that sustain life on earth, they are not solutions. Fairness – including for future generations. And that economics are there to serve people. What’s wonderful about such solutions is that often they work in synergy. Do you want the national economy to flourish, more decent jobs, less pollution, stronger community, lower energy costs, and an end to Britain’s dependence on foreign regimes for fuel? Institute the Green New Deal: insulate (all our) buildings for maximum energy saving, and build the renewable energy sector (including geothermal and storage capacity so intermittent generation is irrelevant). Hey Presto! You’re achieving all those aims. You want to reduce air pollution and strengthen your communities? Organise together to decide how to make walking, cycling, and public transport easier and safer, and implement. The simple process of such discussions strengthens community ties. But it’s better still when there is a real, physical place where local people can shop, meet, eat, learn, and have fun. The vital importance of high streets is all too easily lost in an age of huge corporate mergers and online shopping. I’ve been a small businessman all my life, and understand how the market is more
equal for the big boys than for small, independent businesses. How come?
Part of the problem is corporate funding of political parties. We Greens don’t take corporate money. It keeps us honest. Maybe that should be the rule for every political party? For the London Assembly we have a more progressive electoral system. You can vote twice for the mayor. If your first choice is not among the top few after first votes are counted, your second vote will be counted. You can signal your support for the Green vision, and have the option to vote for a mainstream candidate as well (second). There is also a proportional element to the election: 11 seats are allocated purely on the basis of votes cast – that’s how we win seats on the GLA. There is still a third ballot paper for the Barnet and Camden representative. It’s an election system that enables our voices to be heard, and keeping a geographical link as well. Try it next May.
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HEALTH & FITNESS
Astigmatism by David Hillel Burns
l
ast month I wrote about long-sightedness, and the month before I wrote about being short-sighted. Long-sightedness and shortsightedness are eyesight’s two main errors of focussing. There’s a third one that’s close behind them. It rejoices in the title of Astigmatism. Astigmatism sounds a bit scary but actually it’s not often much of a problem. Almost everyone has appreciable astigmatism, and it’s normally quite mild. Specs or contacts usually neutralise it completely. That’s
particularly important for the development of fine eyesight in small children with high astigmatism. So what is astigmatism? For every point in anything we see, the eye images a corresponding point on the retina, the lightsensitive film at the back of the eye (like the film in a camera). An eye that has astigmatism simply can’t make point images so each would-be point is a little smeared. Overall, that makes the image less clear than it should be. It’s quite slight for most people.
Irregular astigmatism is a rarer type. It can often be more serious, occurring in certain eye conditions such as keratoconus. Restoring sharp and clear sight with special contact lenses for irregular astigmatism is one of our specialisms at David Hillel. 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
Remarkable
RELATIONSHIPS
Time to Trust Your Intuition: By Jessica McGregor Johnson
E
very day your instincts are tested, you have an experience and get an instant hit as to what you feel about it. Your instinct is another word for your intuition – that bigger wiser knowing part of you. Our intuition is with us at all times, we just need to firstly hear it and secondly trust it. Have you ever had that feeling when you simply just ‘knew’ something? You can’t say why but you simply know you are right. Sometimes it can be about someone - you get a funny feeling about them and they turn out to be less than trustworthy.
Or you get a hit about something – which you ignore – and then when it happens you say to yourself “I knew that was going to happen!” That’s your intuition. We hear our intuitive voice when the inner commentator of our lives – that voice that seems to never stop, is quiet enough for us to hear the deeper more knowing voice within. We get to trust it when we start to listen and prove to ourselves of its veracity. I have never known my intuition to be wrong. The only big mistakes I have made in life are when I did not listen to my intuition. I once
made a big ‘sensible’ investment in a company but going against my intuition and sure enough lost the lot. So how does intuition show up? Firstly it is instant. There is no thought process, you just know. Often you can’t even explain to someone why you know. This can be tricky until you get to really trusting your intuition and then you won’t need to have to explain to yourself or anyone else. Continued over the page www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk
17
Business HEALTH &&FITNESS Finance When you notice it follow it. At first if you are not used to using your intuition follow it on the small stuff. Nothing lifechanging at this point. Then over time you will see that it leads you well and you can start listening about the bigger things in life.
remarkable relationships cont. It will have a certain feeling, for me it is deep inner feeling – what I call ‘the clunk’. For others it might be a feeling in the throat, or stomach – there is a reason we call it a gut feeling. Others may have goose bumps, whatever it is you will know what that feeling is – start noticing it.
challenges and grow in the process. Because growth – spiritual growth is what your spirit longs for. So can you trust your instincts – your intuition? Yes if you are ready for the adventure of this journey called life. If you want to stay safe, and it is fine if you do, then be discerning.
It is important to note that Listen to that inner knowing and your intuition has your highest make the decision that feels right in mind. It is not too worried for you at the time. about your egoistic level of living – rather it serves your soul’s In that way you are trusting your journey. And that may mean instincts. that at some time it might point to something Jessica McGregor Johnson is an international speaker, guide & mentor and that feels scary author of “The Right T-Shirt, Write Your Own Rules and Live the Life You Want”. or risky. This She helps people who are at a crossroads in their life discover themselves is part of anew and identify the kind of person they want to be whilst living the life life, you face they chose. You can read the first two chapters of her book here http://www. and conquer jessicamcgregorjohnson.com
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the Suburb Circular • november 2015
home & garden
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home & garden
Household tips Cling Film Tired of wrapping yourself up when doing the packed lunches?
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home & &garden Business Finance
Grassroots
What to do if your garden is out of control
By Sally Tierney, www.yorkshiregardendesigner.co.uk
Don’t fool yourself any longer
I
gave up on my garden about 3 years ago. Prior to that I had fooled myself that I could keep on top of the weeds and that a few ‘native’ plants were beneficial to the wildlife but then I looked at it one day and just gave up. Couch grass had infested the border, running in out of the plants’ roots and Convolvulus was suffocating anything it could – which was everything.
don’t beat yourself up If you and your garden are in the same position I found myself in, the first thing to do is not to spend any energy on being embarrassed about it or blaming yourself for the state it is in. The second thing is to get used to the idea that, if at all possible, that you need to start again, from a clean slate.
start again In an ideal situation, the only sensible option you have at this point, for the sake of future sanity, is to take everything out and begin again. It took me at least 6 months to get used to the
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the Suburb Circular • november 2015
idea and another couple to actually get started on it so don’t be alarmed at the amount of time it might take you to make the decision. At first I wanted to keep all the plants to use again but it was pointed out that I would also be keeping the couch grass and the convolvulus too, being the very reason I was having to take such drastic action, so with reluctance I put all the plants into the municipal green bin for council to compost. Progress brings momentum. Once the project got underway and it was possible to see a little improvement, it didn’t feel too bad to get rid of plants and as the work progressed, it became enjoyable and fulfilling to see how much had been achieved.
everything, except the trees and mature shrubs, it became much easier to think about it and not to mourn the wastage of the previous plants. I then put a lot of time and energy into cleaning the soil of weeds, roots and other debris and incorporating well-rotted organic matter which gave the soil a much needed fertility boost. Now, instead of being sad about the plants I had got rid of, I now felt excited about the opportunities to try new plants in new combinations. All in all, I found beginning again was very liberating and you will too. This is an extract from my forthcoming book ‘The Garden Equation. How to make your garden be a delightful part of your lifestyle’.
With the garden cleared of For more info about this sort of thing, download the first chapter, FREE, of my forthcoming book ‘The Garden Equation. How to have a garden you love that fits beautifully into your lifestyle’ at www.yorkshiregardendesigner.co.uk
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*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Includes all taxes, baggage handling, on-board meals and fuel surcharges. Taxes subject to exchange rate fluctuation and choice of UK airport and are correct at time of advert publication. Limited capacity, selected flights only. Offer is combinable with other half round-trip fares. Economy fare for travel between 03/11/15 and 31/03/16. Business Class Companion fare for travel between 02/11/15 and 30.6.16. Maximum stay is one month. Other conditions may apply, see website for details.
MOTORING TRAVEL HOME & &GARDEN
AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES get ready to glow Volvo lifepaint spray day
By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist Twitter: @carwriteups
this is a free event
v
olvo Cars’ ‘LifePaint’ is a unique illuminating safety paint which is invisible by daylight, but in the dark reflects light in the same direction as the light source, shining brightly to illuminate the objects it has been sprayed on, ideal for cyclists. The LifePaint is transparent and can be washed off. It can be applied to clothes, shoes, helmets, pushchairs and children’s backpacks – even dog leads and collars. Its aim is to make the invisible visible at night.
but places are limited.
register now on
http://www. sentinelcars.co.uk/ lifepaint
Volvo Cars’ Lifepaint was first available as part of a limited pilot in April 2015. The product ran out within 24 hours creating massive demand for wider distribution. From today, it is available at selected Volvo dealers, including ‘Sentinel Volvo’.
when
BMW or Audi. So if you are considering a change from your usual ‘prestige’ motor, you could do a lot worse than visiting a Volvo dealership and going for the very accomplished and ultra-economical V60 Hybrid.
Sentinel Volvo, 596 - 598 Seven Sisters Road, London N15
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TRY OUT LIFEPAINT AT SENTINEL Join us at our Open Day, on 14 November, for you to experience the Lifepaint product. We will be spraying your cycling kit, clothes, dog leads, running shoes (not bikes) and anything you’d like to add a glow to. You can then see the Lifepaint in action in the dark booth designed to recreate similar night time or low light conditions, take photos and share your ideas on how to use Lifepaint in very creative ways. At the event, you will also have the chance to be immersed into the Volvo brand seeing our performance cars (including the V60 Polestar), try some Swedish flavours (in honor of Volvo’s homeland) and enter our prize draws to win Volvo products. Who said that safety needs to be boring?
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GIFTS & events
F MIX-AND-MATCH PATTERNS? O O A R P La Belle Table
Offers Extended Matching or into June BRANDED KITCHENWARE & BEAUTIFUL GIFTS
matched set of dinnerware provides a foundation for the table setting but confines you to a single look. A mix of dinnerware patterns makes entertaining more flexible, but many people are unsure how to create the best mix. Begin with the dinner plate. The main course is the focal point of the menu and the dinner plate is seen during the first and soup courses. That is why most people tend to start with a block colour dinner plate and patterned salad and soup plates. A very easy Dinner Service to match in this way is Villeroy and Boch Anmut (My Colour and Bloom) The exception is the cup and saucer. When these will be used at the table, use cups and saucers that match the dinner plate. But when beverages are served away from the table, an assortment of patterns adds interest to the occasion.
Ask in Store For Details 0208-458-1331
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Colour is the common denominator. It is easy to mix and match when colours are blended within a given harmony, such as a mix of blue patterns or a match of gold decoration. But when a particular colour is unavailable, mix it with a contrasting shade in a solid colour. And if all else fails, mix the pattern with glass plates, such as Nachtmann Dancing Stars.
It is easy to mix and match when colours are blended within a given harmony, such as a mix of blue patterns or a match of gold decoration 26
the Suburb Circular • NOVEMBER 2015
PART 2
For the formal Occaision To avoid distracting the eye; at a formal table the dinnerware pattern is the same for each course, and the entire table is laid with like pieces. But at an informal table, where fewer courses are served, the table setting is uncluttered and a mix of patterns adds interest to the meal, as does a different pattern at each cover.
For help in making your table look fantastic, call us on 02084581331 or visit www.labelletable.co.uk
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27
Business & Finance
matters MORTGAGES By Martin Lewis @moneysavingexpert
T
his is a crucial warning for anyone with a mortgage. Mortgage rates are at historic lows, but the window to take advantage looks to be slamming shut. The Bank of England Governor has said he believes UK interest rates will rise from their six-year slumber at 0.5% before the end of this year. If that happens, today’s rates will look cheap as chips. So everyone with an outstanding home loan should be checking now to see if they can do better – and possibly lock in at a dirt-cheap rate ahead of possible rises. The potential savings here are huge - here’s a tweet I got from Christopher on the back of
warning about this. “Sorted - my monthly repayments fell from £785 to £533.” So let me run you through the 8 things you need to know.
1Check your current deal
A mortgage is the biggest expenditure most people have, so I’m always slightly surprised that when asked, not everyone knows their rate and details. Check now that you know… a. The current rate: And monthly repayment and amount outstanding. b. Type: Is it a fix, tracker, discount or SVR (standard variable rate, ie, bog standard bank rate)?
c. Deal deadline: If it’s a short-term deal, such as a two-year fix, when does it end? d. Term: How long is it, for example, 25 years, and when it must be fully repaid by. e. Penalties: Are there any penalties if you repay or leave early? f. Your loan-to-value (LTV): The proportion of your home’s current value you are borrowing. As an example, £80,000 on a £100,000 property means an 80% LTV. The lower the LTV, the better deal you can get, so if your home’s increased in value you may gain, even without other changes (both Nationwide.co.uk and Halifax.co.uk have tools showing the rough change in prices in your area). If this is all gooblydegook, my free printed www.mse.me/ remortgageguide booklet can take you through it in detail.
2 Benchmark your cheapest deal at speed.
Recently we’ve seen two-year fixed deals (for those with low LTVs) plummet to almost one per cent that’s unthinkably cheap and longer fixes and variable deals are at or near historic lows too. Yet a host of factors affect what your cheapest deal is, the easy route’s using a comparison site. Just plug in your home’s value, the amount you want to borrow and other details and it should list what’s likely to be available to you. Some sites only list deals available to brokers, missing out some lenders, including HSBC, Tesco Bank and First Direct. So it’s worth checking a comparison site that includes direct-only deals. These include my own mse.me/mortgagebestbuys, and totallymoney.com’s mortgage tool.
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the Suburb Circular • NOVEMBER 2015
Business & Finance
6Should I get a fix or tracker/discount?
With a fixed mortgage, the amount you repay is, er, fixed, so it’s like buying an insurance policy against possible rate rises. Variable deals move with UK interest rates – sometimes at the provider’s whim. Currently you only pay a touch more to fix.
3factors Fees can be £1,000s them in The smaller your mortgage, the bigger the impact fees have, especially for mortgages under £100,000. This can skew which is cheapest for you.
Predicting future interest rate moves is difficult – though pundits think the general direction’s up, the question’s just how quickly. So instead focus on your finances. The more crucial the security of knowing exactly what you’ll pay, the more you should edge towards fixing - and fixing longer. If a rock-bottom deal’s your driver, edge to short-term trackers if cheaper.
4
So you should always incorporate the fees – do this by spreading How much can you save? them over the fixed or tracker Now you know your rate and period (as after you may what’s out there, work out the shift again to another deal). potential savings. I’ve eight tools to Eg, £1,000 of fees over two home in on the right answer for you years is £1,000 / 24 = £42 a at mse.me/mortgagecalc, including month. help comparing two mortgages and estimating if you should To help, the comparison at ditch your fix. www.mse.me/mortgagebestbuys does this for you, so you can see the real cost of different mortgages side by side.
5 Can you afford a cheaper mortgage?
15 months ago mortgage affordability checks were introduced to stop people borrowing beyond their means – I believe that’s definitely the right move for those getting new borrowing or extending existing debts. Yet, perversely, most lenders (and from March all lenders) are forced to apply these rules to those trying to switch deal too, leading to some being told “you can’t afford to get a cheaper rate”. This is something I’m lobbying to try and get changed. Yet you need to be aware. Lenders will check you can afford your mortgage if rates hit 6-7%. They also want evidence of income, big bills and expenses, even eating out, so be frugal in the months before applying to make your situation look as good as it can.
Mortgage brokers 7acceptance. can help boost You can, and often should, use a broker to help you find the right deal. They have info unavailable to consumers, eg, lenders’ credit and affordability criteria. A good broker can ease acceptance by matching you to the right deal - and the mortgage interview’s quicker too. But ask the broker how much using them will cost and if they check all deals available to them, not just a panel of lenders. Some phone only brokers like lcplc.co.uk are fee-free, just getting commission from lenders - others charge fees like Which.co.uk (£499), but can cover a wider range of products. If you want face-toface help, then ask friends for local recommendations or use unbiased.co.uk or vouchedfor. co.uk.
www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk
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Business & Finance
Cost effective E-Marketing By DARREN STROM darren@vmal.co.uk
T
he biggest issue for many businesses is that they have a great product or service and that they would be very successful, if only people knew they existed! They are in a “catch 22” situation because, as a result of a lack of their success, they don’t have the hundreds or thousands of pounds needed to market themselves. Appearing at the top of Web search results using SEO can be an expensive prospect and it is something that cannot be attempted without the expertise of a marketing agency. However there are a number of alternative E-Marketing methods that are free or low cost that are worth exploring. Because Search engine rankings can be hard to achieve, and Google themselves, whilst improving the quality of their search results, are making it (deliberately) harder for the average site to rank high, the most viable option is to pay for adverts within the search results. Google
calls their product Adwords. You will notice these ads by the small ad tag on the bottom left of the listing but otherwise they look like the other results. The cost per click is measured by how popular that search result is. When a user clicks on the ad, you could be paying anything from a few pence to over a pound for that click but you can fix a maximum budget. These ads should be treated the same way as a print advert with compelling wording and a clear “call to action”. A primary E-marketing marketing method that has proven to achieve real results, that is much simpler and that is totally free, is ‘Social Media’. The term Social Media includes Social networks, Blogs, Wikis, Youtube, Pinterest and Instagram. Simply defined, it is user generated content. This is a different marketing method to SEO – it is not about using keywords to attract people to your website, rather a direct
Blogs are also defined as ‘social media’ but can be an integrated into your website and help your search engine rankings 30
the Suburb Circular • NOVEMBER 2015
method to interact with and update your clients - much the same way as greeting them when they come into your physical store. The style of writing is usually conversational e.g. “Have you seen our latest product?”. Social Media can be used to strengthen your brand by both connecting with your clients and listening to their needs and adapting in the process. It is widely accepted that, in 2008, Barak Obama gained most of his votes using Social Media. He used it to connect to and inform his voters every step of the way and make them feel connected to his cause and attract others. Blogs are also defined as ‘social media’ but can be an integrated into your website and help your search engine rankings. For a business blog to be successful the subject matter should tie in as close as possible with what you are offering and follow a theme, rather than just be a repository of irrelevant industry news or general things that might interest your clients.
Business & Finance
Email marketing is another method that if used properly can achieve results. To do email marketing professionally you will need to use a third party email service provider,
reconnect with people who have made past purchases but also to welcome emails and post purchase. You can encourage a customer to become a repeat client by including a voucher code in the email for the next
present on a home page. What this means is that instead of clicking on an Adword and getting to the front page of the website, it takes them to a new page or microsite that contains similar wording to the ad text
many of who offer a basic package for free and provide the tools to automate the process and with the built-in facility for a user to opt out.
purchase. Also use friendly welcoming language to give it that human touch.
and a short contact form or phone number as the “call to action”.
If you have an E-Commerce site, connecting to your client via email is a must. Emails should not only be used to
The destination you arrive at after clicking a google ad (link in an email or targeted search engine result) should be a product specific “landing page” or “microsite”. This type of page helps keep the focus on the offer rather than other elements
Darren Strom is CEO of VMAL Ltd – a London based branding, marketing and web design company and can be reached by email at darren@vmal. co.uk or on 0208 133 3527
www.thesuburbcircular.co.uk
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successfully selling for over 26 years
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