WIN £500
TO SPEND AT
IKEA
February 2011 / Issue 3 / Free / letsthinklocal.co.uk
p32
Action for Children Find out about intensive fostering in Fareham
Market Makers An interview with one of the South’s fastest growing businesses
Artist Review We speak with local fine artist Ian Finlay
Fruit with faces competiti
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Inside this issue: Valentine’s Day / Local Business / Fashion / Artist Review / Weddings / Technology
p02.indd 1
26/01/2011 12:46:59
Contents: Issue 3
Contents Cover Story 8
Valentine’s Day Two different views on Valentines and tips to make the most of it.
Features 12
Guest
Weddings We find out about the wedding season at Careys Manor.
16
Technology
Console Wars Xbox Kinect and Playstation Move go to battle for your living room.
20
Business
8
Market Makers We talk to co-founder Henry Braithwaite about Market Makers rapid growth.
24
Guest
Fareham Town FC The history of Fareham Town and how you can give your support.
26
Fashion
The Future of Fashion Part 1 in Kat Nicholls’s guide to the future of fashion and what to look out for in 2011.
30
20
26
Guest
Action for Children We speak to Paul Hargeaves about their Intensive Fostering programme.
34
Food Review
Vatika in Wickham A review of one of the South’s best fine dining restaurants.
40
Creative
Artist Review We delve into the life of local artist Ian Finlay.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
30
34 think local
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p04.indd 1
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Welcome: Issue 3
Welcome think local Ltd, 25 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth East, Fareham. PO15 5TT Phone: 01489 560881 Email: sales@letsthinklocal.co.uk Web: www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
“When I mention the platform I am not simply referring to the magazine that you currently hold in your hands”
Editorial Team Contributing Editor: Eddie Jones, eddie@letsthinklocal.co.uk Fashion Writer: Kat Nicholls Intern Writer: Michael Smith
Opinion is a cornerstone of British society. In many cases it’s a difference in opinion that leads to an interesting story, a change of thinking or even major development or improvement. For many, February and more specifically Valentine’s Day, is a time to celebrate love and romance, for others it’s just a commercial excuse for another financial outlay so soon after Christmas and New Year period.
Creative Senior Designer: Tom O’Malley, design@letsthinklocal.co.uk Advertising Account Manager: Debbie Ellis, sales@letsthinklocal.co.uk Accounts Priscilla Browning Think Local Publishers Dominic Lewis, dominic@letsthinklocal.co.uk Richard Waldron, richard@letsthinklocal.co.uk
NEXT ISSUE: March 2011 Printed by: Precision Colour Printing
© Lets Think Local Limited 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Lets Think Local Limited (company number 07435909) is registered in England and Wales. The Trading address of Lets Think Local Limited is 25 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth, East Fareham, PO15 5TT. Lets Think Local Limited use due care and diligence in the preparation of the magazine but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes, misprints or typographical errors. The views expressed by contributors both professional and amateur are not necessarily those of the publisher or Lets Think Local Limited. Lets Think Local Limited accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relied either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. Lets Think Local Limited will however investigate any written complaints. All rights reserved.
Our writers and contributors have proven that you don’t need to look far for absorbing and locally applicable articles. Our commitment to a content rich experience remains as strong as ever, as does our desire to create the local platform that you as the reader deserve. When I mention the platform, I’m not simply referring to the magazine that you currently hold in your hands, our innovation offers far more than that. The aim has always been to create a completely interactive system for the local area and its residents, a place where not only information is being transmitted from us to you but where you can interact with us. A place where you could take advantage of local deals then post your own, take time to read our reviews and then have your own say amongst hundreds of other possibilities. Our digital platform makes community interaction simple. This month we have teamed up with IKEA to bring you a competition not to be missed. Head to page 32 for details on how to enter, for your chance to win £500 to spend in IKEA.
Eddie Jones February cover
On the web WIN £500
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Action for Children Find out about intensive fostering in Fareham
Market Makers An interview with one of the South’s fastest growing businesses
Artist Review We speak with local fine artist Ian Finlay
Please recycle this magazine
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Inside this issue: Valentine’s Day / Local Business / Fashion / Artist Review / Weddings / Technology
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Feature: Valentine’s Day
A Beacon of Love or a Commercial Romance Monster Much like that well known, tar like, yeast extract product, it seems that Valentine’s Day is very much a love or hate subject. No other day of note stirs quite as much outspoken opinion as Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day isn’t about being romantic ‘on cue’ spending untold amounts of money. Unless you are very fortunate and have the time, money and opportunity to wine and dine your partner on a regular basis, Valentines is a chance to show loved ones how much you really care. If Christmas is for family, Halloween and Easter for kids and Mothers Day for Mothers, then why shouldn’t there be a mere 24 hours to be set aside for couples, fledgeling relationships or even people still looking for love. Its important to remember that this day isn’t just for the new, holding hands in the park, kissing in public young lovers. Its equally for the married couples, with their hectic lifestyles and busy jobs who don’t often get the chance to see each other with purely romance on the cards. And why shouldn’t it be a chance for people to go out and look for love, a chance to find someone special?
8
“If Christmas is for family... and Mothers Day is for Mothers then why shouldn’t there be a mere 24 hours to be set aside for couples...” For some, Valentines will be just another day of the year, time to spend a night in or out with the one they love. But for others it’s a reason to pay a babysitter, an excuse to leave the office a little early, and a chance to spend an undisturbed evening as a pair, perhaps for the first time in a long while.
THE
LOVER THE
There will always be a few miserable people, moaning on about how commercial Valentine’s Day is and how it’s not even a real holiday. But honestly, who really cares? While they are out telling everyone within ears shot just how terrible it is I plan to make the most of it.
HATER
The Lover
And to all those who bemoan the commercial side of Valentines Day just hold on a moment. We’re all very aware that florists, chocolatiers, and greeting card sellers are all keen to cash in - but in what way is that a change from any other special occasion on the calendar? By no means does it mean you have to slavishly follow their idea of what constitutes romance.
those who can only muster complaints at the thought of a couple of hours of drinking wine, eating food and celebrating life and love you really have to wonder if you’re doing something wrong.
So whatever you do during your Valentine’s Day make sure its special, whether its a trip to your favourite burger van or a last minute trip to New York, enjoy yourself. To
To those of you that want to spend the day moaning on about the misgivings of Valentines, go ahead, but I’m afraid I cant stay and listen, i’ll be out for dinner.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
Feature: Valentine’s Day
THE
HATER
The Hater Here it is again. Valentine’s Day has the knack of creeping up on you, like the most deadly of assassins. Your year is going well, the weather seems milder and you’re back in routine. Cue Valentines Day, a bottomless pit for your money, followed by a minefield of romantic blunders and lonely hearts. I don’t hate Valentine’s Day, I loathe it.
LOVER THE
Immediately many of you are going to presume I’m some sort of Valentines Scrooge, who is lonely and bitter, but please don’t be so hasty. Funnily enough I consider myself quite a loving person, I’m happily in a relationship and have been for some time, I welled up during Marley and Me and I can even occasionally be inclined to conjure up a romantic gesture or two. I’m a fan of love, a believer, but to me Valentine’s Day has forgotten what love really is. Its not difficult to reel out a list of usual suspects for causing my discontent. The restaurateurs, the florists, the card makers and the lingerie salesman, all gathered together gleefully scheming their 300% price rise across the board for one week only. While they are at it why not make sure they remind everyone that if we don’t spend our money on their expensive tat, we face weeks of accusing looks, disappointed faces and tense silences. There are so many valid and more meaningful occasions that warrant a spending spree but Valentine’s Day is surely a step too far. But lets forget the money for a moment. Since when did Valentine’s Day hold such power in our lives? A day especially designed to do irreversible damage to a relationship, why should so much hinge on the actions of one day? For those of us that may forget things from time to time, bearing nothing more than a nervous smile and a wilting bouquet of flowers from the petrol station, the consequences can be nothing short of disastrous. To celebrate love, hope and romance is a wonderful concept but shouldn’t that happen every day? Why is there a need for a day when we tell our partners and loved ones how much we love them? I resent the fact that, despite the promise it so keenly offers, Valentine’s Day has never done me any favours.
“The restaurateurs, the florists, the card makers and the lingerie salesman, all gathered together gleefully scheming their 300% price rise...” February does no good at all. Valentine’s Day is a deadly enemy to the committed but forgetful partner, but a crafty comrade to the unfaithful. It seems a romantic gesture on one day a year can obscure a catalogue of misdemeanours throughout the other 364. Who exactly does Valentines suit? Those just starting a relationship find themselves wondering about the appropriate actions to take for this romantic occasion and people who have been together for years may wonder what to do this year, how to top last year. And let us not forget those who are still looking for someone and feel left out entirely. There’s nothing wrong with the principles of Valentine’s day. It may well have started as a time to celebrate love, but in modern society it has just become another excuse to needlessly force people to shop compulsively. An encouragement to make a beeline for things they neither need nor really want in order to ‘express’ their love during this ‘Hallmark’ holiday. While the rest of the commercial world is trafficking red roses, plush toys and candlelit restaurant reservations, why not sit back, enjoy a good movie and bask in your wisdom.
Thoughts? Let us know how you feel about Valentine’s Day by visiting www.letsthinklocal.co.uk and posting your thoughts, or e-mail us on hello@letsthinklocal.co.uk. We can also be contacted via facebook and twitter.
Setting too much expectation on what does or does not occur on the 14th of
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
9
Feature: Valentine’s Day
10
Tips for Valentines day
Look your best
1
It really doesn’t take much to make a little extra effort. For men its all about the simple things. Put on a decent shirt, have a shave and maybe even get a haircut. These small things really will make a world of difference. This equally applies to the Ladies. Why not get out that dress you haven’t worn in a while, make yourself look and feel special even if you’re just staying in. If your glad rags are looking a bit worse for wear, why not pop out and treat you and your partner? Fareham Town Centre is a great place to get hold of some new threads. With high street names now into their spring collections why not take the opportunity to update your wardrobe. Shops such as River Island, Topshop and Topman stock everything you’ll need. And if time isn’t on your side then you can always go online. riverisland.com, topshop.com and topman. com all offer next day delivery. This month our resident fashion writer, Kat Nicholls takes a look at the up and coming brands, fashions and blogs of 2011. So why not get some help from the professionals before you dish out your hard earned cash?
Get the right gift
Choose the right restaurant
Cook the right dish
Big or small the most important thing about any gift on Valentine’s Day is that it means something. Think long and hard about what your partner or date will really appreciate, it doesn’t always have to involve spending hundreds of pounds. A small gift can mean a lot if you show that time and thought has gone into it.
Whilst there is nothing wrong with a good greasy spoon, Valentines is an occasion and its best to have plans. Choose what restaurant you fancy and make sure it is booked well in advance. If you leave it to the last minute you’re going to be disappointed. Remember that if you’re the one in charge of arranging it, keep what food your partner likes in mind.
If you’re cooking, take this as your chance to shine. Try and stay away from your run of the mill bangers and mash and try something different. In the end, even if it doesn’t come out as you wanted, the effort and thought will be there for your companion to see. Again it’s important to remember the occasion and that you’re not just cooking for yourself, making your best and hottest curry could be a bad move.
2
As featured in last months issue the folks from Finishing Touches and Gadgets N Gizmo, know exactly how to find you the perfect pocket sized gift for your loved one. Online sites such as www.firebox.com have got thousands of valentines gift ideas. A simple gesture can go a long way!
10
3
This months food review comes from fine dining restaurant Vatika. During Valentines they will be offering an exclusive tasting menu, with a 6 course meal and glass of champagne at £55pp or a 6 course menu with wine at £79pp. Why not take this great opportunity to do something really special.
4
Each month we feature a great recipe from some of the best eateries in the local area. Visit the website at letsthinklocal.co.uk and visit our food and drink section to find some great ideas for a special Valentines dish.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
Feature: Valentine’s Day
Do something different
Choose the right booze
It’s good to think outside the box. If some sort of culinary adventure has been done before or isn’t up your street why not try something completely different. Find an activity suitable for the both of you, maybe something that you have never got round to doing before. Later in this issue we will be speaking to accomplished artist Ian Finlay who has given us some beginners tips on learning to paint. Why not take the chance to buy a canvas and some brushes then let your imaginations run wild.
A little wine goes a long way, and on Valentine’s day its all about quality over quantity. Whilst any other night a trip to see what’s on offer at the local supermarket will more than suffice why not go for something different and do your homework. See what wine compliments your food and spend that extra few quid. Sit back, enjoy and watch those inhibitions disappear.
5
Use flower power
7
Yes they are dead, and yes they are extremely pricy at this time of year but the simple truth is that most women love them. The traditional red Rose is always a good start but there are a number of flowers that offer something a bit unusual whilst keeping the romance flowing. Orchids, Lilacs, Tulips and Daisies all offer a great alternative. And if you want to go all floral for him, why not go for a bonsai tree.
6
Wickham Vineyard (wickamvineyard.com) produce award winning wine from 10 different grape varieties with a wonderful choice of red, white, rose and sparkling. If you place a bottle of this stuff on the dinner table no one is going to be disappointed.
10 Romantic Movies to Watch
The Thomas Crown Affair A very rich and successful playboy amuses himself by stealing artwork, but may have met his match in a seductive detective. (1999)
Chocolat A woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop in a small French village that shakes up the rigid morality of the community. (2000)
Make it intimate
When Harry Met Sally
Its so easy to forget the small things whilst going all out to impress someone. Keep romance in mind at every opportunity. Light some candles or use scented oils to set the mood. Theme your evening around all the things your partner loves.
Harry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship. (1989)
8
Casablanca Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II. An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications. (1942)
Love Actually
USE
FLOWER
Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. (2003)
Moulin Rouge! A poet falls for a beautiful courtesan whom a jealous duke covets in this stylish musical. (2001)
The Notebook A poor and passionate young man falls in love with a rich young woman and gives her a sense of freedom. They are soon separated by their social differences.
The Lady and the Tramp The romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt. (1955)
Pretty Woman Bring the tunes
9
When it comes to choosing the music it’s all down to taste. If your heart tells you to go with the cheesy classics then so be it, but some songs go deeper than just being romantic. Take time to make a playlist of songs that mean something to you and your partner, that remind you of the good times and places you have been together. They don’t have to be mushy to be memorable!
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
Enjoy yourself
10
If there is one tip that you should hold above all others it has to be this one. In todays society it is often rare to find time to really have fun with each other. Whatever you do this Valentine’s Day don’t lose sight of what this day is really about. Whether you’re going out for a slap up meal, trying something different or staying in with a duvet and a movie, just remember to enjoy yourself.
A man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love. (1990)
How to lose a Guy in 10 Days Benjamin Barry is an advertising executive and ladies’ man who, to win a big campaign, bets that he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days.
11
Feature: Wedding’s
A Wedding to Savour and Cherish To millions it’s the biggest and most important day of their lives. So finding the right location can make or break your big day. Finding the right location for your big day is nothing less than imperative. Few places in England can rival the New Forest as the perfect scene for your wedding day. The New Forest has the uncanny ability to capture a place in everyone’s heart and will never disappoint. With it’s ancient landscape and romantic history, there’s no better place to hold one of the most magical events of your life. Situated in the heart of the New Forest lies Careys Manor. Set in idyllic grounds, the four star hotel is a beautiful Victorian Manor House with a unique Thai Spa. Famous for its award winning cuisine, relaxed romantic atmosphere and elegant surroundings, the people at Careys Manor pride themselves on turning your wedding dreams into a reality.
12
Only ever hosting one wedding a day means that a personal service is guaranteed throughout. They hold a license for both civil wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships. There is a wide variety of wedding packages available including use of the elegant Cedar Suit and lounge areas. A focus on your individual requirements and needs is key, whether you dream of a small intimate ceremony with close friends and family or a large lavish ceremony, the aim is to make the day truly yours. The personal touches continue with the culinary options. The team of talented chefs have created mouthwatering menus using only the finest locally sourced produce. All the menus on offer are flexible and your specific requirements can always be catered for.
“Set in idyllic grounds, the four star hotel is a beautiful Victorian Manor House with a unique Thai Spa” Careys Manor offers newly refurbished luxuriously appointed bedrooms that offer something for all tastes. Choose from either traditional charm combined with classical period features or opt for a more sophisticated contemporary style that oozes elegance, whilst you enjoy your own private terrace, to watch the sun go down over the picturesque forest. If you would like to find out more about Careys Manor and their wedding experience why not visit the hotel and meet with Wedding and Banqueting Manager, Francoise Gysemans. Take time to ask him about absolutely anything regarding your plans as you enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea for you and your guest.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
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Feature: Technology
Console Wars One of the biggest technological battles in gaming history is about to take place... in your living room. The battle lines have been drawn. Take your rightful place in front of the TV screen as your friends and family take cover on the sofa, frozen rigid with expectation. You’re about to emerge yourself in interactive gaming like never before, but have you chosen your weapon wisely? With the recent release of the Kinect for Xbox and Playstation Move, think local took an in-depth look at both to find out who’s the heavyweight champ and who’s overweight amateur.
Round 1: Set Up Xbox Kinect: Consider setting up a Kinect as part of a game in itself. You will discover muscles you never knew you had. The problem arises when you realise how far away you have to be away from the sensor. To pick up your full body movements everything in a 6 foot radius needs to be cleared away, and ideally you need to stand about 8 feet away. For many UK households this just isn’t possible. An inspired touch is the built in microphone. You will have to endure a speech test but this should take less than five minutes. Making your console almost fully voicecontrolled. The good: Fun set up only done once, the voice control works well, a look into the real future of gaming. The bad: The space needed is an issue, direct sunlight on the sensor can affect performance, large sensor means balancing on top of any wall mounted flat screen will be tricky.
16
Playstation Move: Perhaps slightly less ambitious, like the Wii you are still required to hold a handheld device while playing. Setting up the move is a very simple process. Plug in the USB sensor in the shape of the Playstation Eye, ensure your Move controller(s) are fully charged and your ready to go. As soon as your plug it in you get the feeling that the Move is designed solely with gaming in mind. You will have to do a very quick set up process before each game you play, which gets a tad repetitive, but because the Eye sensor only picks up the Move controllers you wont need to get the removal men in to clear out the furniture. The good: Quick set up, games oriented, smaller space needed, small sensor can balance on TV. The Bad: Controllers need charging, direct sunlight can affect sensor, no microphone for voice control. Winner: Kinect
Round 2: The Games Xbox Kinect: It’s clear from start that Microsoft are aiming the Kinect at a family
V
audience. Even from the dashboard the background music is comparable to the tones of Nintendo and the cartoon avatar characters bare similarityto their Wii counterparts too. Except for the title ‘Fighters Uncaged’ which will have you kicking, punching and windmilling in every direction, its generally good old fashioned family fun from the range of Kinect launch titles. The Kinect also uses its voice control system which increases the level of interaction to a level that no other console can offer. The Good: Playable by everybody, good range of games, great multiplayer options. Voice recognition The Bad: Limited number or hardcore games, Graphics.
Playstation Move: Unlike their rival, Sony have clearly aimed their product at a more mature gaming experience. The graphics are more realistic than those on Kinect and games seem to require a higher level of skill and practice. That isn’t to say that there aren’t still those party favourites, and maybe in these opening months they can claim a wider range of genre titles to choose from.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
V
The Good: Games that test skill, realistic graphics, range of multiplayer games. The Bad: Games that require higher skill levels alienate some. The Winner: Move
Round 3: Motion Control Xbox Kinect: There is certainly something new and refreshing about using you body as the controller and the idea is backed up in reality. The accuracy and timing is crisp most of the time with only the rarest moments of lag. Watching a replica of yourself jumping, heading and dancing your socks off is a real revelation. When more than one player becomes involved it recognises them instantly. The boffins at Microsoft have even managed to programme the Kinect to recognise individual faces and log them in. This is a real landmark from the Xbox developers. The Good: Ground breaking tech, accurate and crisp response, also has multiplayer recognition. The Bad: Suffers from occasional lag, effected by the distance the user has to be away from the sensor.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
Feature: Technology
PlayStation Move: The PS3 Eye only picks up movement from the Move controllers so the jaw dropping technology shown in the Kinect isn’t as clear from the outset. Probably a fairer comparison would be that of the Wii. In that sense it really is a step forward. The results when gaming are accurate and crisp and the more realistic graphics, together with the fact your holding something in your hand whilst playing, make the experience feel more believable. A small yet important detail is that many games can be played sitting down, meaning if you need a breather, just take a seat. The Good: Accurate and crisp response, feels realistic, can be played sitting down. The Bad: Less inspiring than Kinect, very occasional lag. The Winner: Kinect
Round 4: Price Xbox Kinect: £130 for the sensor is a large sum .On the plus side however there are no expensive add ons. The Good: A one off price. The Bad: A hefty price.
Playstation Move: The starter kit can be found for around £45 if you shop around online. Each additional controller costs an extra £28. The whole system with 4 controllers costs around the same as the Kinect but it can be created over time. The Good: A low initial hit to your wallet. The Bad: Price slowly builds up when purchasing additions. Winner: Move
The Result We have ourselves a Mexican stand off at 2 rounds a piece, there can be no clear winner here. Kinect is an extremely impressive piece of technology, certainly offering a view of the future of gaming. The Move is probably better for serious gamers. In the end it all comes down to the type of gamer you are. When it comes to entertainment value neither ends up face down on the canvas.
Kinect or Move? Let us know what you think. www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
17
Fresh for 2011...
Express FM champions’ local music 93.7 Express FM, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire’s only truly local radio station is putting all their weight behind local music this year. As well as the traditional rotated playlists, we have a brand new revamped Local List, featuring a collection of unsigned artists from across the South. In order to bring the Express FM listeners the best that the South has to offer in terms of local unsigned music, we have enlisted the help of some local industry people, promoters, DJs and presenters of Express FM’s own specialist shows. If you want to get your band considered for Express FM’s Local List, then email your mp3’s to music@expressfm.com or send them on CD to c/o Head of Music, 49 Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1SA. Local Artists already being supported by Express FM include, Bear Cavalry, Ivienna, and Jack Palmer. For more information on them head to
www.expressfm.com.
For a station that is Fresh, Different, Surprising, Accessible and Local, keep your dial tuned to 93.7 Express FM.
Express FM is delighted to be one of Think Local's business associates.
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25/01/2011 16:13:28
Feature: Local Business
What Matters to Market Makers We visit Market Makers to learn about their meteoric rise in just a 7 year period. Established in 2004 by co-founders Paul Thomas & Henry Braithwaite, Market Makers is a multi-award winning telemarketing agency, based just outside Cosham, building bespoke campaigns for the appointment, sales and lead generation requirements of their clients. Having developed from a company consisting of a handful of employees, the business now boasts a client base that includes blue chip companies such as Samsung, HSBC, Barclays and Microsoft. Entering what is a crowded market in telemarketing meant that Market Makers had to offer a unique service, a world apart from the more traditional, reasonably primitive and unskilled offering that others supplied. A focus on service and client success amongst other innovative introductions has provided this. Market Makers has the highest retention rate of their staff in the industry, relying strongly on the family feel that has been developed over time, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels part of the success. For two years running they have won a prestigious place in ‘The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For’ list and statistically are the best company to work for in Hampshire. think local went to visit Market Makers in their brand new office and spoke to Operations Director and co-founder Henry Braithwaite.
20
Operations Director and co-founder: Henry Braithwaite
think local: You formed Market Makers in January of 2004 with co-founder Paul Thomas. How did the concept of Market Makers come about? Henry Braithwaite: Paul and I had known each other from school, coincidently we found ourselves working for the same company in our early twenties. Paul was working within the marketing team and I was involved in the management of the call centre. We were able to generate a fair amount of success for the company. Many of our clients were sending their guys over to see how we were achieving our results in terms of sales generation.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
Feature: Local Business
“Market Makers has the highest retention rate of their staff in the industry, relying strongly on the family feel that has been developed over time...” our parents kitchens and our bedrooms. At the end of year one we had taken on some space and had about 10 guys involved, year two it was 30 and we have continued to grow. Today we have around 130 people working from the office, by the end of the year we would like to increase this to around 180. It’s been great to see a strong growth all the way through.
two have remained and grown with the business. For new people coming in, it’s great to see senior managers who only a few years ago were in an entry level position. Whilst the Sunday Times award is a National award, in Hampshire we are officially recognised as the best company to work for and we hope the results for this year can be just as successful.
TL: For the past two years the company has been named amongst ‘The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For’ what measures have been put in place to achieve this? HB: Our business is a people business, we don’t have machines or products that we sell. People are very important to us
TL: Market Markers has managed to achieve massive success in a hugely competitive market, what’s unique about the approach to your work? HB: Again, it’s about the people. You can only take the processes and the systems so far and we have taken those to the limit. The IT that we have is totally industry leading, the support functions are brilliant and we have some great innovations such as online diaries and real time reporting that all of our clients can access. Right from the get go, even when there was only two of us, we didn’t want to buy an off the shelf product that we had to compromise with. One of our first employees was an IT developer, and we have been developing our own bespoke software for over 7 years. A lot of our blue chip clients, with their multimillion pound budgets have shown real interest in what we have been able to develop in house.
We had always had a massive interest in business and decided to set out on our own, offering our experience to other clients. Initially we really focused on our marketing strategy offering. People started looking to us to do some call centre support. However, when we began looking around for people to partner with, we just couldn’t find anyone that was to the standard we were looking for. The suppliers tended to be high volume, scripted, with a very low skill base, as opposed to the high calibre business to business service we needed.
so we make sure we invest a massive amount in them. It’s not just about paying a good wage, which we do, but it’s also about engaging them in the business and making sure that every person can have an impact on the performance of the business. I think if you spoke to any of the guys, they are all informed about what’s going on. Twice a week we have an all company meeting, people know how their role fits into the bigger picture. I think that’s a very strong part of what we do.
It’s from that foothold that Market Makers was created and we have never looked back. We both initially began working from
We have a real entrepreneurial feel around the business. Many of our first employees, people that joined us in year one and
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Ultimately if we or any of our competitors ran a campaign it would either sink or swim on the strength of the people involved, we must understand that. Above all you have to get the right people on the right projects. During any marketing campaign that we run its a real partnership with the client. Everybody on the campaign has a relationship with the clients, we avoid situations where information is just channelled through one senior manager ensuring that there is a lot of communication going on. Everybody is very hungry. One of our major USPs (Unique Selling Propositions) is our five tier career development path. Everybody who joins our telemarketing business does so at the same level. Those guys have five steps of promotion when they hit their performance goals. Many good performers within our industry get frustrated because
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Feature: Local Business
there is no progression. With our business if you’re on track you can gain a promotion every six months. Perks are offered with promotions such as flexitime, dual screens and laptop’s, perhaps even a trip to Paul Smith for a new suit. We provide a real atmosphere that suits hungry sales people. This is not an environment for someone who wants to come in and do 9 to 5 hours with no passion for their job. TL: Most successful businesses can relate back to a defining moment that shapes their future. Off the top of your head can you identify some make or break times for Market Makers? HB: Absolutely, towards our first year of trading we had just finished a campaign for a local firm. I still to this day don’t know how, but someone from one of the national high street banks got wind of our work and we suddenly got an enquiry. This was perhaps 10 months into trading and there were maybe 8 people within the agency at the time. It was a real coup for us to get an opportunity with them. Pitching and winning that project from a blue chip company was certainly a defining moment and we are still working with them 7 years later. When you manage to attract your first major blue chip account you open doors for other large companies to come in.
just within the telemarketing business and we are also looking to double the output on the consultancy side of things. Almost 90% of all these plans are already in motion with many deals already booked in last year. Paul and I are both still very young at 29 and we are very much looking to keep going and push forward.
Have you got what it takes? Market Makers are always on the look out for highly motivated, ambitious and experienced sales staff. If this is something you feel you can offer, visit market makers online at www.marketmakers.co.uk.
Another key moment has to be our recent move, we moved over Christmas from about a mile and a half down the road and have taken on around twice as much space as we had at the old site. We are now in a very prestigious location that we are very pleased with. I think this office move is a big jump up for us with options for space to be expanded and the company to continue to grow other the next few years. TL: What plans do you have for the company in the future? HB: When we meet new people often they comment about the rapid growth of the company over the last 7 years. We really believe that we are still at the bottom of that growth curve and we have big plans for growth in all parts of the business. We would like to take on another 40 heads
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22/01/2011 09:43:12
Feature: Fareham Town Football Club
Your most Local Football Club
Next Hom Fixture e Oppositio n Poole To wn 12 th Febru ary KO: 3pm
Fareham’s hometown club, is rich in history and offers football enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the game they love, without having to break the bank, writes Michael Smith. It is widely recognised that Hampshire is a hot-bed of football. With Southampton and Portsmouth regularly making the Hampshire football headlines, Fareham Town quietly go about their business in nonleague football. Founded in 1946, Fareham Town, nicknamed the ‘Creeksiders’ have won the Hampshire Senior Cup four times, and have also reached the FA Cup 1st round ‘proper on four occasions. They compete in the Syndenhams Wessex Premier, and are currently mid-table, following last seasons sixth placed finish. Town have had a number of players who have gone on to play the game professionally in their history. Ray Hiron, went on to play for Portsmouth who he supported during his childhood. Another
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former Creeksider who went on to play professionally was Paul Moody. He enjoyed an illustrious career in the football league, playing for Saints, Fulham and Millwall amongst others. Perhaps the most famous ex-Fareham player is Steve Claridge, a local lad who went on to score 251 career goals after starting out at Fareham. He now works as a pundit for BBC sport. Town have also been managed by two ex-England internationals, including Ipswich Town legend Ray Crawford who scored 204 goals in 320 games at the Suffolk club. ExPompey Winger Mark Chamberlain became the second England cap to manage Town, when he worked as player-manager in the late nineties. The team play their home games at the
Cam Alders Ground, and have ample car parking space just past the ground. The Ground has its own bar and refreshment hut, and home crowds average just over 100. The supporters are said to be very loyal to their club! Tickets are priced at £6 for adults, and they also offer concessions for accompanied Under 16’s and senior citizens. So why not get down to Cam Alders to support your most local club? With cheap admission, loyal supporters and an option of sitting or standing in the ground, Fareham Town Football Club offers a good old-fashioned football experience, but in a comfortable environment. Fareham have a busy February ahead and would welcome your support. think local would like to thank Ian Tewson for his help and contribution to this article.
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26/01/2011 15:34:40
Feature: Fashion
OnesTo Watch
Future of Fashion....Part one Ironic Fashion: (www.ironicfashion.com)
Fashion; It’s a tricky creature, constantly changing with a habit of morphing faster than most of us can keep up with. This year, however, sees a shift in thinking from the fashion world. The industry is supporting new talent more than ever and online bloggers are gaining more and more power within the business. Personal style is being championed with the idea of fast fashion slowly diminishing in favour of originality. Along with any new year comes new blood, whether it be from a website, a blogger, designer or even a magazine- there is always something or someone new lurking on the horizon. In this guide we’ll be showcasing our definitive list of who you should be keeping your eye on in 2011...
A stylised view of the world from an incredibly stylish Liverpudlian by the name of Lauren McBride. Starting her blog back in 2009, Lauren’s blog has gone from strength to strength and now boasts over 200 devoted followers. Looking at fashion, personal style and everything in-between, the blog includes glimpses of Lauren’s personal life and a healthy dose of satirical humour which makes this blog stand out. Having reached the finals of Elle Magazine’s ‘Shop girl to Stylist’ competition, Lauren can also boast some incredible styling skills. Currently living in Amsterdam and working at an internship for Nike, Lauren continues to reveal exciting snippets of her stylish life in a new city.
Sara Luxe: (www.saraluxe.com) Referring to herself as a small fish in a big sea, Sara Luxe has managed to get herself noticed by top women’s magazine Company, who have recruited her as their official Brit reporter at this years Brit music Awards. Dipping her toes into the world of modelling, PR and buying, this girl has a lot of insider knowledge about the fashion industry. Building her blog up on personal style posts and inspirational editorials, Sara Luxe has gained herself nearly 400 followers since she began in July 2010. Catching the eye of publications such as Company seems to be only the beginning for Sara Luxe, who is sure to have an incredible career in whatever profession she chooses.
Wish Wish Wish: (www.wishwishwish.net) Written by a 19 year old fashion student living in London, Wish Wish Wish casts a dreamy glow on the world of fashion as seen through the beautiful eyes of Carrie. With a penchant for vintage, Carrie stands out for her unique style and the incredible photography on the blog. Seeing glimpses of her life peppered by opinions and ethereal imagery, Wish Wish Wish is a welcome haven for fashion lovers everywhere.
The Dash Empire: (www.thedashempire.com) One for the boys, The Dash Empire is the only place to be for both male and female fashion enthusiasts. Written by Joel, a self confessed fashion addict, the blog covers a vast array of topics, from looks to lust over, to reports from the front row. With a truly tangible presence within the industry and kudos from Vogue magazine, any fashionable guy could do well to take tips from Joel.
The Dandy Project: (www.thedandyproject.com) Described as a men’s blog for the modern Dandy, The Dandy project focuses in on menswear, DIY projects and touches of pop culture for a well rounded and unique blog. Offering ideas and solutions, The Dandy Project offers more than most, gaining it’s writer, Izzy, over 400 followers.
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Feature: Fashion
Fashion Question? Email Kat: kat@letsthinklocal.co.uk
Fiasco: (www.fiascomag.com) Describing itself as a ‘monthly print and digital unisex fashion, arts and lifestyle magazine’, Fiasco has every base covered. With a sleek high-end look the magazine is awash with edgy editorials and polished features. Inside you’ll find a variety of material, from interviews with new and existing talent to reviews and though pieces, it contains everything the dedicated fashion lover will want. A slick black and white themed January issue sets the tone for the year ahead for Fiasco - one built on unique aesthetics and boundless creativity.
Twin: (www.twinfactory.co.uk) A biannual art, fashion and feminism book, Twin magazine has taken a fresh view on the magazine industry. Released as a cloth bound, hard-backed book, Twin becomes a prized possession built to lastthis is not the kind of magazine you’ll be throwing away. Launched in 2010, Twin came from the mind of Becky Smith- the ex-creative director of Lula magazine, who has hand picked a team of creatives from around the world to make Twin globally recognised. With a feminist slant and achingly beautiful editorials, Twin is set for great things.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
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Field Sales Executive Due to our rapidly expanding business, we are now looking to recruit a self motivated person to source and stimulate new business. This role requires someone who has had previous experience in advertising or a similar role. They must have the ability to work as a team and the confidence to interact at all levels. (Must have full driving Licence and Vehicle) Salary and Commision is Negotiable reflecting your experience. Here at Think Local, we are determined to push boundaries, to show our ambition, we have already received accolades from advertisers and readers alike. To be considered as part of “our winning team” send your CV and tell us why we should consider you for this challenging role.
hello@letsthinklocal.co.uk
25 Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth, East Fareham, PO15 5TT 01489 560881 • www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
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26/01/2011 14:52:44
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26/01/2011 15:36:52
Feature: Action for Children
Action for Children, Fareham It is quite a statement to claim the ability to change somebodies life forever, however at Action for Children they are doing just that, and you could help them. To many, the work done by those in the Round House on Newgate lane goes largely unnoticed. Yet to some, the work that goes on by its occupants and those who work around it is simply life changing. Action for Children works with children all over Hampshire who are in need of help and support. think local spoke to Programme Supervisor Paul Hargreaves to find out more about the programme and how you could help. Think Local: Hi Paul, what is it that Action for Children does? Paul Hargreaves: Action for Children meets the needs of children and young people who most need support to achieve their full potential. Through our work and through speaking out, Action for Children seek to break the cycle of deprivation, challenge injustice and empower children to overcome the obstacles in their lives that hold them back. We tailor our work to local circumstances, in partnership with children and young people, families, communities and local organisations.
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TL: Where did the inspiration for the Charity come from? PH: We have been working with the UK’s most vulnerable and neglected children since 1869. Originally called the National Children’s Home, or NCH, until September 2008 when we changed our name to one that better describes what we do and what we value - Action for Children. TL: What does your role involve? PH: As Programme Supervisor for Intensive Fostering I am responsible for the day to day running of Intensive Fostering and ensuring our young people achieve positive outcomes. I oversee our team of committed foster carers responsible for delivering the Intensive Fostering programme and our creative and enthusiastic team of staff. TL: How did you find yourself working for Action for Children? PH: Having spent a number of years working with young people unqualified, I graduated from Portsmouth University in 2004 as a Social Worker aged 23. I briefly
worked in Social work positions within the Youth Offending Team and Social Services before moving to Action for Children in 2005. TL: What does Intensive Fostering involve? PH: As a direct alternative to a custodial sentence, Intensive Fostering is a highly effective programme which helps turn around the lives of vulnerable young people and their families. Young people are assessed to see if they are likely to benefit from the scheme. If considered suitable the young person is placed with a foster carer who has been specially trained. The placement lasts for approximately 9 months. The young person earns points on a daily basis to reinforce positive behaviour and
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Feature: Action for Children
We are looking for people who are interested in making a change to young people, who have a good sense of humour, take direction well and have a spare room available. TL: What are your Foster carers provided with? PH: We provide carers with comprehensive training, a highly competitive allowance of over ÂŁ500 per week, exceptional levels of support including 24/7 behaviour management support. We provide carers with the opportunity to be part of something highly successful where they will be contributing to improving the lives of young people in our communities.
they lose points for negative behaviour. The programme provides fair and consistent boundaries. The programme surrounds the young person with positive role models and isolates them from negative peers. The team also work with the family of the young person, teaching them the tools we use on the programme to help ensure a smooth transition when they return home. Throughout the programme young people engage in education, training or employment. TL: The Action for Children Intensive Fostering project has been hugely successful, what do you think the main reasons for this are? PH: I think there are a number of reasons for our projects success. Firstly we are facilitating an evidence based model which has proven to work across the USA. This programme was not thought up over night but is based upon over 25 years of research and implementation. We recognise that the success of the programme is largely dependant on keeping to the model which we consistently try to do. Secondly I think our success is owed largely to the quality and commitment of our staff and foster carers. You only have to spend a few minutes with them to recognise their passion for Intensive Fostering and the young people we work with. These people live and breathe Intensive fostering and most importantly trust in the programme and its success.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
TL: There are highs and lows in any job, especially when working with young people. What makes it all worth doing for you? PH: I feel I am in a really privileged position as I have a front row seat where I get to see a young person’s life transformed in the space of nine months. It is not often you get to see such incredible changes in such a short space of time. There are times when that nine months can feel very long but when you look back at all that has been achieved it is quite astonishing. We typically have young people coming from persistent offending, not attending education, abusing substances with very poor family relationships. In a matter of months we see these young people engaged fully in education, not offending and getting on well with family members. I love being part of something innovative and successful and being surrounded by such positive and supportive people helps me to keep going in those occasional times of frustration. TL: What sort of people are you looking for in a Foster carer? PH: Foster Carer’s come in all different shapes and sizes! They come from varied backgrounds, non-professionals as well as professionals with backgrounds such as teaching, engineering who are looking for a career change. We have foster carers from their mid-twenties to mid-sixties, some with their own children some without. Many of our carers have very lively households often with pets as well!
We would like to welcome potential carers to our friendly and supportive team. We pride ourselves on taking good care of our foster carers, we care about the small details. We recognise what an important job foster carers do and we look to support carers and their families as much as possible. Our team of staff are warm, friendly and enthusiastic and are willing to go the extra mile. TL: What does the future hold for Intensive Fostering? PH: Hopefully the future is bright! The need remains the same with a high number of young people across the country continuing to receive custodial sentences and in contrast to custody the success of the Intensive Fostering programme is evident. It is my hope that with a new year and a new government we will start to see a new drive for Intensive Fostering to be reproduced across the South Coast and the rest of the UK. Certainly here in Hampshire we are looking to build on our success of 2010 having reached a record number of graduations from our Intensive Fostering Programme.
Get in touch Call Paul Hargreaves on: 01329 666930 to arrange an informal meeting.
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Competition: £500 to spend at IKEA
Pricing The Black Brown combination: PAX Wardrobe frames £61.28 each PAX Shelves £12.26 for two, both in Black Brown
KOMPLEMENT interior fittings: Rail £4.09 each Glass Shelf £12.26 Each Pull out storage with compartments £27.57 Drawer £21.45 Shoe Organiser £30.64
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www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
Competition: £500 to spend at IKEA
WIN £500
TO SPEND AT
IKEA
Clean Living We all need practical storage to easily get hold of things every day, whatever space we’re in. This is essential in the bedroom, where clean units keep our lives moving freely. If pressed for time, it’s a great idea to invest in a walk-in wardrobe for all your clothes and shoes. This may sound like a dream, but it can be turned into a reality at IKEA. With a high-quality design at an affordable price and a ten year guarantee the PAX wardrobe enables you to build your own unit to meet all your storage needs. Available in different dimensions, and with hinged or sliding doors, it can be adjusted to fit your space. You can also customise the wardrobe with KOMPLEMENT interior fittings, such as boxes, shelves and rails – and take it home on the very same day! IKEA’s free online bedroom planning tool and in-store experts are on hand to help with the purchase. A stylish solution.
The Competition Would you like the chance to design your perfect wardrobe? With a £500 voucher from IKEA you could do just that! Entering the competition couldn’t be easier - follow these simple steps:
Expert Advice Bedroom Special Mikael Berryman, Head Interior Designer for IKEA, on achieving your dream wardrobe and stylish storage. What are the essential features that make a dream wardrobe? In countries like the UK where most people live in smaller dwellings, you have to make the inside of your wardrobe work hard for you. The more clever you are with how you use your interiors, the more organised your life will be. Why is PAX wardrobe such a great storage solution? Because whether you live in a house, flat or igloo, it offers a place to put those shoes, socks, scarves and snoods! The PAX wardrobe and KOMPLEMENT interior fittings are guaranteed at no extra cost for ten years. Could you sum up how to customise the wardrobe in a unique way? Think function. How many pairs of trousers, tees, shoes and belts do you own? Once you have made a list of everything you would like to store, then it is easier to personalise the inside to meet your needs. If you have 20 pairs of shoes, plan storage for 30 – that’s the real dream. Do you have any practical tips on achieving stylish storage in the home? Activities create needs and solutions are always based on those. It’s a good idea to think of all the activities that take place in your home and then all the needs that are created to carry them out. Creating solutions that work around the way you live will give you just as much peace of mind as the way the storage looks.
1. Go to letsthinklocal.co.uk 2. Input the entry code in the voucher box 3. Enter your contact details 4. Winner announced on 21st February 2011
Entry code: thinkwithikea03 Terms and conditions The winning entry selected at random will win an IKEA gift card to the value of £500. The closing date for entries is February 21st, 2011. The winner will be announced in next months edition and will be notified by email no later than 30 days after the closing date. Entrants must be 18 years and over. No cash alternative is available. Only a single entry is permitted per person. The entrant is deemed to have accepted all terms and conditions by participating in this competition.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
For readers who like the PAX wardrobe, are there any other IKEA products that may be of interest? All IKEA storage products are designed with function in mind. We sat ‘brains on the inside, beauty on the outside’. Storage ranges such as BESTA for the living room and FAKTUM for the kitchen feature clever storage solutions. And buying your dream storage solution is especially easy with such services as In-Store Home Delivery or Furniture Assembly (please ask in store for more details) IKEA.co.uk/southampton
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Feature: Food Review
Vatikain Wickham Atul Kochhar and his team have created an Anglo-Indian delight combining mouth watering cuisine with a rare and varied wine collection. As the car slowly meandered down the gravel drive I allowed myself a moment to wonder if perhaps I had made an error of judgement. So secluded is Vatika, nestled beside Wickham Vineyard, it is hard to believe that one of Hampshire’s, if not the South’s most exciting fine dining restaurants was around the approaching corner. As is often the habit with hidden gems such as this, the initial fears were instantaneously forgotten upon arrival. It is so very easy to be made to feel uncomfortable when visiting a fine dining eatery, a focus on fuss and an air of self importance are all too common failings when money, ego and food collide. Fortunately Vatika manages to avoid this outcome with consummate ease. The entrance is understated with the glow of the promise that awaits you inside.
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On entering my companion and I were greeted with an equally glowing smile and directed to our seats. The dining room is not by any means huge, but it’s high ceilings and panoramic views allow for the beautiful surroundings of the vineyard to supply a welcome intrusion during the day. The glass turns reflective at night producing an intimate and comfortable dining atmosphere, continually reminding you that you are somewhere very special. Staff were plentiful and eagerly on hand, whilst the tables were dressed in a simple yet stylish manner without the need for the armoury of cutlery on either side of your plate that you more usually associate with such fine dining establishments. The restaurant bustled with activity, a number of larger rounded tables contained parties of 8 or more, a combination of local work parties and visitors from further afield with a passion for food.
Of course the making of a restaurant comes not only with the quality of its service and atmosphere but with its food. In a hyper-competitive market there is no room for error and many have fallen on their swords when it comes to culinary exploits. This was never going to be a likely outcome for Vatika. Atul Kochar, the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star has created a team that is quickly creating something spectacular at the Vatika.
Atul Kochhar: Celebrity chef and owner of the Vatika.
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Feature: Food Review
As course after course arrived I was astounded by the level of detail and care. There is a real beauty in the simplicity of the produce combined with (delete the complex and expertly devised spice. The ethos of Vatika is clear, use great local produce to create traditional cooking techniques that are updated, redefined and laced with delicate spices. For a starter I plumped for the Salmon Mooli, a dish of spicy crusted cured salmon, mooli yoghurt and fritters but only after a number of delicious introductions had been and gone. A real treat was the delicately baked bread, accompanied by test tubes filled with flavoured salts, somehow not too rich or overpowering.
“The ethos of Vatika is clear, use great local produce to create traditional cooking techniques that are updated, redefined and laced with delicate spices.”
As a main I chose the Duck Cranberry, a honey glazed Magret, with cranberry mash and orange korma. The plate returned to the kitchen spotless much like the others that had preceded it and what delighted even further was the reaction of my companion. Far more sensitive to spice than myself, the look on her face as she was captivated by the tones and textures of the food placed before her was perhaps the greatest tribute of all. I was sadly reminded that the experience was approaching it’s
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
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Feature: Food Review
end when my desert arrived as Chocolate Banana, a simple sounding but wonderfully exciting mixture of milk chocolate mousse, orange crepe and hot pot. In all honesty the quality of my experience did not come as a complete surprise. Only in June of last year Vatika’s young head chef, Jitin Joshi was busy winning a prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Award generally considered as a chef’s equivalent of a Hollywood Oscar. At a ceremony held in the Lancaster London Hotel Jitin emerged with the award for Best Ethnic Chef of the Year beating off prestigious competition from the likes of Collin Brown of Chef Collin Brown Restaurant and Shamim Syed
from the Durbar Tandoori. Speaking of his accomplishment Jitin remarked ‘It is an incredible honour for me to win this award, and a testament to the superb Hampshire producers around me.’ Atul added ‘Jitin represents the spirit of Indian cuisine moving forward, I am extremely proud of him as a chef and of his achievements. I cannot think of anyone better that represents the strength of young Asian chefs today.’ Full to the brim I could reflect on a rare and wonderful evening where the food had been more than adequately supported by the huge cast of wine. Vatika is confidently treading fresh ground with its approach to fine dining and doing so with a smile.
Lets Get Cooking Atul Kochhar’s wonderful Chicken Tikka Pie gives a new take on a family favourite
Vatika Restaurant Botley Rd Shedfield SO32 2HL To book call: 01329 830405 www.vatikarestaurant.com
“Vatika’s young head chef Jitin Joshi, was busy winning a prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Award...”
Ingredients for the Dough: 1070g of plain flower 675g unsalted butter 375g margarine 20g salt 210ml cold water Directions: Make the dough using a rub in method. Ingredients for the pie filling 1000g of diced chicken tikka 100g onion chopped 50g chopped garlic 50g ginger garlic paste 300g chopped tomatoes 50g chopped coriander 10g coriander powder 10g turmeric 10g garam masala salt to taste oil for tempering
Reopening 3rd February 2011
Directions: 1. Heat the oil in a pan 2. Chop garlic 3. Chop onion 4. Add ginger paste 5. Cook until golden brown 6. Add all powder and masala then add chopped tomatoes 7. Cook until masala is cooked 8. Toss diced chicken in cooked masala 9. Bake for 10 minutes at 170 degrees.
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Feature: Name
Looking for the perfect wedding location? Please come in and speak to us about hosting your big day.
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nost, commodit laccatemquas et ditia vit ut et volo volores conseque adigend emporero id ea quasitia dem. Et et doloremqui di blautatibea peliquatis quis essit asperor erferci asinus delenim ra sunt vernati busdae. Ihil inumquae. Et intiaes ditatur simusaperum nulparum num quo bereium quam volupidel miliqui non nullatq uaspicatur, quatur si abo. Borepud icillautas ant rerchil invel etur? Ne dolent dolorem imus apitis sundios vel iur? Qui ut laborem voluptur, offictis modit peritium et verchitium eum facimillor arcim vendae eum fuga. Conserum quo int quiducitatis qui cumqui dolupisint alignam, sunt.
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00
ANDREW M C KELLAR 25 YEARS A HEALER
Andrew McKellar has been healing for twenty five years, the thousands of testimonials at the sanctuary speak for themselves. As a young child Andrew knew he was born for a special purpose, and today he has become world renowned. People travel from all around the world to receive treatment from him. Cure after cure is seen at his sanctuary - Arthritis, Back Problems, Skin Disease, Frozen Shoulders, people deemed incurable only given weeks or months to live have been cured through Andrew’s healing gift. The list goes on and on. Medical science is backward when it comes to recognising spiritual healing. Andrew says “the results I see with the sick and suffering, the medical profession can only dream of achieving. Sooner or later they are going to have to accept Spiritual Healing as a forefront health treatment of the future”. One question often asked is are there many gifted healers in the UK, Andrew says. “Beware of anyone calling themselves a healer. Most healers in the UK are not born with the gift and really do little to help”. Sufferers: when seeking out a healer one must seek out a miracle healer. Andrew says “there
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are about five in the UK”. Andrew has appeared on television in both the UK and USA. Here are just a few of the thousands of grateful patients treated by Andrew McKellar: Ken Gibson suffered years with back pain.“Chiropractor treatment was only temporary, I heard about Andrew, wow the man is amazing. My back pain vanished within a few visits, I was also awaiting a carpal tunnel operation. Andrew treated the condition and said I would not need the operation, and yes all pain and stiffness vanished. The operation was cancelled. He even cured a friend of mine of Chronic Bell Palsy”. Louise Newton had five spinal operations, but still suffered agonising pain for nine years. On entering Andrew’s sanctuary barely able to walk, after a few treatments all pain had dispersed. “I am pain free living a normal life, I carried on with the treatment just to make sure. I cannot believe, all those operations and continued suffering, I am so grateful for Andrew McKellars gift”. Andrew says, “even chiropractors
have said to their patients, they wish they had my ability in treating spinal conditions”.
five years a healer and many more years to go and many more thousands of cures to unfold.
Nicki Desky suffered with chronic M.E. “For seven years being only just able to walk, and with great difficulty seeing my future in a wheelchair I managed to reach Andrew’s sanctuary. He transformed my life - I’m back to work full time. This would not have been possible without Andrew’s gift, he also cured my mum of chronic graves disease. My mum thought her life was over, when her doctor said to go and see Andrew she is now cured.” Maria White says “I crawled into Andrew’s sanctuary in agony after years of suffering. No doctor could help me - I walked out of the sanctuary upright and pain free. He is a miracle healer.”
Healer Andrew Mckellar
The Testimonials go on and on, in their thousands. Andrew says he has no interest in religion, only in helping people become happy and free of suffering. It’s a true blessing to work way beyond the boundaries of medial science. Twenty
25/01/2011 16:31:57
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Feature: Artist Review
Ian Finlay
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Sailing Through Art with Ian Finlay It sounds like a dream to most people. Spending your days sailing, painting and travelling to exotic parts to do both. So how do you make it happen? Turning what you love doing into a source of income that pays the bills? For Ian Finlay it started when he was 10 years old. As a boy, Ian lived in North London, far from the world of yachting and racing boats. Given the opportunity to learn to sail through his school, like many ten year old’s Ian had found another activity to enjoy. There was something about the experience that became ingrained in him. From that first evening on the water, Ian felt that sailing could be a big thing in his life. In time he accumulated enough experience to start teaching beginners but also enjoyed blasting about the reservoir with friends, sailing different dinghies. Youngsters often get competitive so it was no surprise that occasional racing was enjoyed too. There’s
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a great kick when you get over the finish line first and it spurs you on for more. One such week of inter-school racing brought him to the Solent where he saw big racing yachts for the first time. Having read about the legendary Cowes Week he realised that was where he wanted to be. The passage to the objective was the common story of highs and lows. Applications to race turned down from lack of experience on many occasions. Persistence and tenacity eventually paid off after getting an offer to race regularly from the owner of a small racing yacht. Racing is a team game with everyone working within their assigned role to help get their boat over the race course more efficiently than the next. So Ian learnt the ropes, literally, moving into different positions around the yachts, taking opportunities wherever possible to gain
Born and raised in London, he moved to Hampshire on the South Coast in 1992. Undoubtedly one of the most accomplished artists in his field, Finlay’s work is displayed in collections all over the world.
Interested? To see more of Ian’s work and contact details go to www.ianfinlay.com
more experience. But this meant more time travelling from London, the next step was to relocate to the south coast.
01: ABN Amro 1
With that done Ian soon found a position working in the marine industry, working with an importer of a marine clothing brand. More contacts and opportunities to gain experience came with life progressing nicely until changes to the business forced redundancy. Almost before he had time to consider the implications luck presented him with the solution. All over the world there are yachts which for some reason or another need to be moved from place to place. Reasons are many and varied, some owners want to get them back to their home port from where they have sailed to and don’t have the time to do it themselves. Maybe someone has bought one abroad and wants to bring it home and lack of ocean sailing experience means they need help. The people who fill the gap are delivery crews. A skipper will recruit experienced crew to make up the team and in this way Ian was offered a delivery job from the Caribbean to the UK.
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Feature: Artist Review
© All images are copyright of Ian Finlay. Photo left: © Tim Wright, photoaction.com.
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Go online To read Ian’s fantastic painting tips. www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
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“Ian continues to sail to enhance his knowledge...He also does it to win because that competitive spirit is never truly stated.” 03
For a couple of years racing and occasional deliveries earned him enough to live on and took him to some wonderful places across the world. However, the pragmatist in Ian realised that he hadn’t started early enough to achieve his dream, to get into the big time of the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race. So much time working outside of regular office hours meant some re-disciplining was required. Among Ian’s earlier loves had been an interest in art, it had featured heavily in his schooling and he had attended art school for a while. He started re-learning the 9 to 5 mindset by taking up drawing again. It didn’t take long before he thought that he might be able to make a serious go of combining his two loves. He was determined to give it a shot. Ian knew that if he was going to make a serious attempt to make it a source of income he had to learn to paint. In a way he was in a fortunate position, with no regular job to give up there was little to lose. He worked at it; you don’t just buy a canvas, oil paints and some brushes and decide you’re good enough for the National Gallery.
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Long hours developing skills and techniques, reading up on the subject and taking classes was the order of the day. Submitting to exhibitions to try to market his first attempts. Then came the initial breakthrough. Chatting to an owner’s spouse at Cowes the subject of his approaching birthday came up and a painting of his new boat struck her as a great idea, Ian’s first commission! The time spent racing with and against different teams had also enhanced his network of contacts and Ian was approached by other owners, their families and their crews. Over time, the subject matter expanded from their racing yachts to their horses, pets and homes. Ian continues to sail to enhance his knowledge of the subject and gains commissions as a result. He also does it to win because that competitive spirit is never truly sated. Being a painter is not about lounging in the studio waiting for inspiration, it’s about down to earth project management. Taking notes on the subject, travelling to take photos and make sketches to work from,
preparation, focus and being objective enough to scrap hours of work because you have to be satisfied with it before the client ever gets to see it. Some jobs are easier than others, commissions are complex but can be quite simple. Work for exhibitions or for open sale can be more difficult. Deadlines still exist but initial ideas change and inspiration can lead elsewhere. However, the upside is you can sometimes leave it for a while and come back to it some time down the line.
02: Early Morning, Hamble Quay 03: Wa-Hoo! 04: A Breezy Walk Towards Hurst
Being a successful painter means establishing a working routine like any other job. Ian usually starts early in the morning assessing the previous day’s work before putting paint to canvas. Ian enjoys the challenge, aiming to paint something he would proudly hang on his own walls. He is constantly seeking to develop his style and techniques in order to produce better work than he has achieved before. Usually the process flows but sometimes you get stuck. Frustrated but persistent, Ian will work on it until it comes together. Sometimes this happens by chance but it all goes towards creating the job satisfaction.
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Feature: Sue Courtney life coach
St.Valentine’s Day by Sue Courtney
St. Valentine’s day arrives every year on February 14th. Whether you love it or hate it often depends on whether or not you are in a loving, romantic relationship. However, I have ideas to make this year different and a date to celebrate no matter what your current status. If you are in a relationship, you could: Do the usual and book a table in your favourite restaurant for a wonderful meal and finish it off with a bottle of your favourite drink, back home. Light the candles, put on some romantic music and .... Financially challenged this year? No problem. Dress up, light the candles, put on some romantic music, set the table beautifully and enjoy beans on toast and a bottle of bubbly! (Or a cup of tea!) Anything served with love is a special meal. If you are both home and the weather is glorious, take a blanket a bottle of bubbly (or drink of your choice), two glasses and walk to a local beauty spot. Settle down on the blanket, open the bottle and enjoy each other’s company. How about making a decision to set aside one day each month or each week where you commit to making a special effort to honour each other for the love and joy you bring to each other, or And here is a radical thought -- treat your loved one as the special person they are every day, not just once a year! If you should happen to find yourself alone on this day you still have much to celebrate. You could: Get together with friends in a similar position and enjoy a meal, company and a few laughs. The love and support of friends is often more enduring than romantic love and deserves to be honoured and nurtured.
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Contact Sue Courtney is a Personal Success Coach and Stylist. Sue could help to fast track you to your ideal life. Please contact her at, sue@successandimagecoach. co.uk or via her website at www. successandimagecoach.co.uk
Alternatively, you could be your own valentine and honour the wonderful person *you* are. Commit to being your own best friend in the coming year. Treat yourself as kindly as you would a dear friend. Take time out to truly appreciate all your great qualities, skills and talents. Dress up in your best and cook yourself a special meal. Most of us will happily cook a special meal for a friend, dress up for a loved one and speak kind, encouraging words to others. Sadly we often do the opposite for ourselves -- making do with any old scraps left in the cupboard for a lone meal, slobbing out in any old clothes and berating ourselves at every opportunity for our perceived failings. Develop the habit of treating yourself with the same love and respect that you reserve for others. Dress well, eat well and lavish on yourself the same love, dignity and respect that you generally reserve for others...every day!
Become what you love. Develop in yourself the qualities you look for in other people. You have to be complete in yourself -- you can’t expect someone else to do this for you. Follow your intuition, be open and trust love. Face your fears. Identifying and facing up to aspects of relationships that frighten you will enable you to decide how valid the fears are and establish the effect they are having on your happiness. If limiting beliefs are preventing you from developing relationships then list all your limiting beliefs and -- one by one -- take away their power by listing all the ways they *aren’t* true. List all the great aspects of your personality and all the ways that you are lovable and desirable. You have the ability to choose your thoughts and change your limiting beliefs. Know what you truly desire. What sort of relationship do you really want? What qualities would the other person possess? Consider all the options and compare them to the choices you have made so far. Where could you make new choices that might make you happier and take you closer to the life and relationship you desire? Decide how the ideal St. Valentine’s day would be for you and then ask yourself how you could achieve that by next year. Whatever situation you find yourself in on St.Valentine’s Day, you have cause to celebrate. So, make it a good one, and commit to bringing more love and joy into your life in the coming year.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
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26/01/2011 15:38:46
Innocent: Competition Winner
And the Winner is...
COMPETITION WINNER
Fruit with faces
The Competition Well done to everyone who entered our Fruit with Faces competition. Our winner and five runners up have won free innocent fruit tubes.
The Winner
Maddy Mango
Jessica Parker (9) - Fareham A huge congratulations to Jessica for winning our fruit with faces competition. A months supply of innocent fruit tubes are on their way to you! think local likes: Googly eyes and long flowing hair.
5 Runners up James (10) and Grace Beach (10) - Southampton James and Grace sent us Winston. With his button nose and pointy ears, he looks good enough to eat. think local likes: Mixed fruit combination.
Thank you to innocent for providing the winners of our competition with free fruit tubes This month’s competition
Matt Askins (11) - Old Portsmouth Matt sent in Ben the Banana, smartly dressed with a tie. think local likes: An eye for detail
See page 32 for your chance to win £500 worth of IKEA vouchers to kit out the wardrobe of your dreams.
Jack Cole (8) - Fareham
David Court (15) - Segensworth
Chloe Gillard (4) - Park Gate
Jaws the Apple shows us his teethy grin. This design would work really well on a pumpkin! think local likes: Halloween Throwback
We wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of Ozzie the Orange. think local likes: Angry expression
Chloe sent us a picture of Malcolm the Mango and his rosy cheeks. think local likes: Head replacement
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A gift shop selling more than you might think - Open 7 days a week
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Kodak Picture Kiosk onsite 4” x 6” prints from 18p, Passport photos for £3.99 Great selection of toys for boys, 3D bookmarks, Games, Radio control models and much more. Watch batteries replaced only £3.50
Milvil Court, Milvil Rd, Lee-On-The-Solent, Hampshire PO13 9LY Telephone: 02392 553701 Web: www.finishingtouchesgiftshop.co.uk Open Mon - Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm. Sat 9:30am - 5:00pm Sun 11:00am - 4:00pm.
TEL:02392 556010 185 High Street, Lee-On-The-Solent, Hampshire, PO13 9BX
www.gadgetngizmo.co.uk
50% Off Your Team Event It’s 2011 so get your team ready and focussed for the New Year by getting them together for a great Team Event at The Race Centre, the UK’s first Race Car Simulation venue based in Chandlers Ford. Racing against your friends and colleagues in professional race car simulators, with a great choice of cars and circuits, is very realistic, great fun and highly competitive. The Race Centre is the UK's first Race Car Simulation venue which has been enjoyed by a huge list of local companies, from the smallest to the largest of companies across the south. "It was great fun for the whole team and excellent value for money" Steven.G, IBM" There is no better time as The Race Centre is offering up to 50% discount on Adult Group Race Events throughout February. Simply go to The Race Centre website and download your discount voucher now for a great deal.
U 18’s Half Term Special During Half Term, The Race Centre is running a special event every week day morning for drivers under 18yrs old. Each driver will get a drivers briefing and 3 x 20 minutes Open practice sessions for just £12 per driver. Please call to book your place on the grid as these events always sell out. Please note the minimum drivers height is 135cm. Corporate Events, Stag Parties, Kids & Teens Parties, Arrive and Drive.
www.theracecentre.co.uk 023 8026 9927
p45.indd 1
26/01/2011 14:54:41
First Class Treatment
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We’ll take care of your investment Open Mon to Thurs 8.30am to 5.30pm
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*To the following postcode areas: PO14, PO15 and SO31.
Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Page 16.indd 1
22/11/2010 16:11
Feature: Local Events
Events
FEBRUARY
Welcome to think local’s all new events page. Showcasing the best hand picked local entertainment. From theatre to sport, there’s always something going on in the solent area. FEBRUARY 28
Theatre The Water Project at The Point Theatre, Eastleigh Following their residency at The Point, Rough Fiction will open the doors on the artistic process; sharing a unique demonstration of their distinctive, playful approach to creating theatre. Audiences are invited to watch a work in progress performance of The Water Project, followed by an in-depth exploration of the process and performance. Where: The Point Theatre, Eastleigh When: 28th February Admission: £6/£5 Concessions
FEBRUARY 15 &16
Theatre Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, at Theatre Royal, Portsmouth The King of Denmark is dead. Consumed with grief, Prince Hamlet devotes himself to avenging his father’s death. Blending traditional and physical theatre with an original musical score, Icarus return to the NTR after the success of Othello and Shakespeare’s R&J. When: 15th and 16th February Where: Theatre Royal,Portsmouth Admission: £9-£13
FEBRUARY 3 - 19
Theatre A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton The Nuffield are delighted to be collaborating with Headlong once more, following the highly acclaimed UK touring productions of The Winter’s Tale and Edward Gantis Amazing Feats of Loneliness. Where: The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton When: 3rd-19th February Admission: £10.50 lowest £19.00 highest.
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think local’s
CHOICE
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
Feature: Local Events
Do you have an event on the horizon that you think we should know about? Then email us at events@letsthinklocal.co.uk
FEBRUARY 13
See more To see more events in the local area posted by think local go to letsthinklocal.co.uk
Celebration Celebrate Chinese New Year! Gunwharf Quays will be celebrating Chinese New Year The centre will be decorated with colourful Oriental style lanterns, dragon dancers performing round the site and much more. Where: Gunwharf Quays When: 13th February Admission: Free
FEBRUARY 11
Music and Dance Juan Martin - Flamenco Fire and Soul Twice voted into the worlds top guitarists by US Guitar Player, celebrated flamenco guitar virtuoso Juan Martin performs his melodic compositions. A native of AndalucÌa he has recorded 18 albums mostly as a composer. He has played with the Royal Philharmonic and greats like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. A great evening of music. Where: Ashcroft Arts Centre, Osborn Road, Fareham When: 11th February Admission: £14.50, £13.50 Concessions, £12.50 Members
FEBRUARY 13
Running Coastal Half-Marathon Half marathon 13.1 miles, starting and finishing at Portsmouth Lifeboat Station (by the ferry to Hayling Island) Multi terrain...running along Southsea Seafront to Old Portsmouth and then returning, back around Bransbury Park and Milton Common before returning to the Lifeboat Station via the foreshore. All in aid of the RNLI. Where: Southsea Seafront to Old Portsmouth When: 13th February Admission: Free for spectators. £14 in advance per runners.
www.letsthinklocal.co.uk
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Your Views
Your Views
Send us your views We really would like to hear your honest opinions about the magazine, local area, features, our digital platform. In fact, anything is welcome. Please email your views to hello@letsthinklocal.co.uk
hello@letsthinklocal.co.uk Thanks to all of those who have taken time to write into us this month. Unfortunately we can’t publish them all, but we are grateful for your feedback, so keep them coming please! Ken: Love the magazine, thanks very much. As you are now online how about a forum to go with your website? There are many free forums out there and it wouldn’t be hard to run alongside the web page.
Diane: Really enjoyed the January issue! It lead me to set myself a new years resolution for a change, and I haven’t been neglecting my garden since! I can tell you it hasn’t been easy what with the recent cold snap.
Eddie: We completely agree that developing ways of creating a fluid relationship between our readers is absolutely vital. We are constantly developing the web platform and a forum is high on the agenda.
Has anyone at the think local office stuck to theirs?
Martin: “Just thought I’d say how much I enjoyed your first two edition’s. Unlike other magazine’s that drop through my door, your mag looks a bit different and is an interesting read. I really enjoyed the White Lies interview, I saw them when they last toured the UK and was pleased to read about their new album. Love ‘Bigger than us’. Will you be covering any local sport in future additions? Eddie: Thanks Martin! Glad you enjoyed the White Lies interview - genuienly nice guys! Funnily enough, as you will have seen in this months issue, we are beginning to look at local sport in the area and will continue to do so in future issues.
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Eddie: I hope the garden is now blossoming Diane. As for New Year’s Resolutions, in the office, it seems it hasn’t been all plain sailing. Whilst a few of my colleagues are still well on track, my ambitions to improve my golf handicap haven’t gone too well at all! Chris: I welcome another mag on things local, but I don’t think I’ll be reading it when your grammar is so appaling. In ‘A trip for the tastebuds’ “Scarlet Bake is composed of two mum’s...” two mum’s whats? That apostrophe! Eddie: Thank you for getting in touch, it’s important that we receive both positive and negative feedback. I can only apologise for our oversight. Unfortunately mistakes can slip through the net and we do our best to catch them. As a local magazine we like to encourage contribution from the local area, should any of our readers wish to send in editorial please do so to the following address - hello@letsthinklocal.co.uk.
What everyone’s been saying about think local Digital Jobs Hants Local Food - source in hants... http://bit.ly/fTlRG9 (via @letsthinklocal) @Stuart Wooster Wonderful article by @letsthinklocal about finding local produce in #hampshire area http://bit.ly/ fTlRG9 Luke De Costa @Katticus1 @letsthinklocal I like the Minimilist look .. My Mum likes the great outdoors, haha, great stuff Kat. @Stuart Wooster @letsthinklocal Amazing looking cover, kinda reminds me of the new issue of Wired. Any issues being distributed in Portsmouth? - Old Portsmouth only at the moment Stuart. - Ed
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Think local Back Cover Feb.indd 1
HAPPY INSIDE 25/01/2011 11:11:45