Discover Itchen Valley Mar/Apr 2014

Itchen Valley Edition inc Hedge End | Fair Oak | Colden Common | Botley | Horton Heath

Mar/Apr 2014

Spot the Golden Egg and Win £100 see p22

Transform Your Lawn this Spring!

Before & After see page 12

Short Story p6 | Gardening p14 | Puzzles p20 | History p24 What’s On p26 | Advertisers Index p28 | Life Begins 30

Live Local... Think Local... Buy Local

SERVICE D ES I G N I N STA L L AT I O N P LU M B I N G • T I L I N G CA R P E N T RY THE COMPLETE E L ECT R I CASERVICE L ST E A M R O O M S • DESIGN • INSTALLATION W E T R O O M S • PLUMBING • TILINGWAT • CARPENTRY • ELECTRICAL E R SO F T N ERS • STEAMROOMS P L AST E •RWETROOMS ING B•U I L D I N G NEEDS WO R K SPECIAL S U P P LY & •FPLASTERING IT • WATER SOFTENERS PA RT ‘ P ’ •CBUILDING E RT I F I EWORK D • DECORATION • SUPPLY & FIT ONLY PART ‘P’ CERTIFIED

SHOWERS & BATHROOMS

AOUA

B AT H R O O M S B AFor T aHfirst R with Oclass Otiling MS installation

that’s second to none CALLto none CALL tiling that’s second

01489 01489 579461 579461 www.aquabathrooms.com www.aquabathrooms.com

Advanced Appliance Care

£10 OFF

REPAIR when booking on-line

Same Day/Next Day Service Low Cost, Fast Repair 15 Years Experience All Makes & Models Repaired Fully Guaranteed • Dishwashers • Fridge Freezers • Cookers • Tumble Dryers • Integrated Specialists • OAP Discounts

02380 982855

where reputation matters

www.advancedappliancecare.co.uk

FREE QUOTES YEARS EXPERIENCE FREE33QUOTES ESTA B L I S H E D 31 Y E A R S

Io Contracts

Our Io Contracts customers regularly asked for help and advice on planning applications so we are proud to announce the launch of Io Design

• Building Projects • Extensions our Speciality • Loft & Garage Conversions • New Flat Roof Systems 25 years experience

Tel: 023 8047 7150 www.iocontracts.com

Io Design • Survey & Measure • Planning Drawings & Applications • Building Regulation Drawings With Io Design you will deal with one person from start to finish. We are a local, family run company which enables us to offer competitive prices as well as a high quality, personal service throughout the entire process.

Feel free to still choose your own builder or use Io Contracts for a complete service.

Tel: 023 8047 7150 www.planningdrawings.biz Tel: 023 8047 7150

Email: enquires@iocontracts.com 249 Upper Deacon Road SO19 5JR

All SO postcodes covered

2

From this to this in just a few days!

s Just give uHave you always wanted the kitchen of your . .. l l but can’t quite justify paying the expensive a ca dreams, price tag that comes with it?

Now you can by just swapping the doors and worktops.

Call Sean for a FREE Quote on

02381 280123 or 02380274413 Visit our Showroom: 8 Falkland Court, Falkland Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 3GA - FREE PARKING

Proud members of

www.dreamdoors.co.uk

Find us on

3

ABOUT US

Discover Magazines ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Tel: Melanie Tinson 023 8026 6388 Email: melanie@discovermagazines.co.uk Web: www.discoveradvertising.co.uk

ARTWORK ENQUIRIES Tel: Debbie Nixon 023 8001 0222 Email: design@discovermagazines.co.uk

ACCOUNTS ENQUIRIES Tel: Tania Houston 023 8027 6361 Email: Tania@discovermagazines.co.uk

EDITORIAL/COMMUNITY NEWS Please visit www.discovercommunity.co.uk and use the Editorial Form under Contact Us Email: editorial@discovermagazines.co.uk Tel: 023 8026 6388

NEXT ISSUE: DIARY DATES Editorial copy deadline: 21 April Advertisement copy deadline: 23 April 1st Distribution: w/c 30 April 2nd Distribution: w/c 21 May

Distribution Discover Itchen Valley is published every other month and distributed to Hedge End, Fair Oak, Botley, Horton Heath and Colden Common.

This is a total distribution of 14,000 homes.

132,000 Circulation, 10 Local Editions

The Walking Wounded In addition to being business partners, Mel and I are best friends. We play squash a couple of times a week which we can follow with a chat about work (and of course all manner of other things, none of which can be remembered 30 minutes after we have parted).

In mid-February we had a game where my score was looking particularly embarrassing and in my desperation not to be beaten I ran full pelt after the ball. Unfortunately I didn’t stop in time and ran into the wall. This resulted in a ‘Tom and Jerry’ style bump above my eyebrow and within 24 hours the most impressive black eye.

Coincidentally three days later we went skiing together for a few days. At the end of the last day, Mel took a bad tumble, stretched a ligament in her shoulder and was off to the doctors to be strapped up for the journey home. As we walked through the airport together even the man in the passport booth couldn’t help smirking and passport people never smile. Comments from strangers and friends have ranged from ‘have you two been in an accident’, ‘have you two had a fight’ and (for me from my hairdresser) ‘have you had some ‘work’ done’.

And they say exercise is good for you? Pah! If you are feeling lucky (and clearly we aren’t) we are running a competition again to find the hidden symbol (page 22). We’ve hidden an Easter egg this time - truly a golden egg as it could net you £100. Good hunting!

Tania

Melanie Tinson & Tania Houston

Romsey Chandlers Ford Southampton Southampton West Winchester Southampton East Itchen Valley Meon Valley Fareham Locks Heath 4

The beautiful finishing touch to any room Specialists in Blinds & Awnings for inside and out inCluding: Conservatory Blinds Shutters Awnings Roman Roller

Waterside

Blinds

Wooden Venetians Vertical Pleated inTu Perfect Fit

Call for a free home design visit or advice

023 8084 0505 www.watersideblinds.co.uk

Your local family run business with over 55 years experience

5

SHORT STORy

Parma Violets

by Jackie Brewster “Can you be trusted to mind the café while I nip next door?”

Aunt Carol asked solemnly as though she was leaving Becky in charge of the country. It was a big responsibility, and this was only Becky’s third day. The lunchtime rush was over, and there had been no customers for nearly an hour.

While Becky was grateful to Carol for giving her a holiday job, she found that buttering cobs was not as easy as they made it look on television. She suspected Carol wasn’t convinced she had what it took to be a success in catering.

“Whatever you do,” Carol warned her, ”don’t let that rat chap in.”

Which seemed both a strange and reasonable request.

Left alone, Becky practised folding napkins until she heard the café door open. An elderly gentleman, smartly dressed, sat down at the table by the window.

Becky took a deep breath, picked up her order pad and walked briskly over to him.

“What can I get you, sir?” she asked. He was wearing a jacket which appeared to be wriggling.

A small furry nose popped up between the lapels.

Becky nearly dropped her pencil.

“Oh, don’t worry about him,” the man said. “He’s fine.”

“Pets aren’t allowed in the café,” Becky said nervously. She was almost certain this was true because she’d read a sign in the window.

“Roland’s not a pet,” the man replied, browsing the menu.

6

“He’s a guide dog, and they’re perfectly welcome everywhere.”

“But you’re not blind,” Becky said, a little embarrassed.

“Of course everyone immediately thinks of guide dogs for the blind.” He closed the menu as though he found nothing appetising within it.

“Roland’s an allergy guide dog.

Have you heard of that?”

Becky confessed she had not.

“I am allergic to parma violets,” the man continued confidentially.

“Roland has to sniff my food to confirm it’s safe to eat.”

“Allergic to parma violets?” Becky repeated blankly.

“Dangerously.” The man nodded sagely and tapped the menu.

“Can you recommend anything that doesn’t include parma violets?”

Becky was confused. Parma violets were little purple sweets she had no idea they were also a cooking ingredient.

“I don’t think there’s any in the tea,” Becky said hopefully. The man frowned, “Can you guarantee it?”

She shook her head.

“In that case, it’s a good job I have Roland here.” He pulled Roland out of his jacket and sat him in his lap. He was a funny looking dog, with short legs, a pointy nose and a long body.

“What type of dog is he?” Becky asked.

“He’s an allergy dog, we’ve been

through this.” The man waved his hand dismissively. “Be quick with the tea dear, I’ve a plane to catch.”

Becky hurried back behind the counter. Something didn’t feel right about the man and his allergy dog. She hoped he would drink up and go before her aunt returned. After all, the nearest airport was a two hour drive.

She was not in luck. Carol bustled into the café carrying a box of crisps.

“Any customers?” she asked.

“Not really,” Becky lied as she overflowed the teacup.

“So who’s that for?” Carol asked dubiously.

“The gentleman over there.”

Carol turned round and almost exploded.

“Not you again,” she screamed.

“Get that rat out of here!”

The man scooped up Roland protectively. “He’s not a rat,” he said indignantly. “He’s a ferret, and they’re very clever animals.”

“He sniffs parma violets,” Becky added to explain the situation.

And with that, her fate in the world of catering was sealed.

AQUATEC Plumbing and Heating Central Heating Installations, Maintenance, Servicing and Repairs Boiler Replacement, Servicing, Upgrades Bathroom and Kitchen Installations Chemical flushing of heating systems Landlord's gas safety checks Part P electrical qualified

For a prompt, reliable service.

No call out charge. Free estimates.

24 Hour Call-out T: 023 8026 6544 M: 07802 385542

C9896

email: aquatec@ntlworld.com www.aquatecplumbingandheating.co.uk 147722

For Everything BOILERS Central Heating & Combination Boilers Repairs | Installation | Service A local, family run business keeping the homes of Southampton and surrounding areas warm with quality boiler systems and a personal service.

HigH EnErgy EfficiEnt BoilErs

• Installer of All Main Boiler Manufacturers • Full Trained, Local Engineers in Your Area • Repairs & Servicing • Landlord Safety Checks • All Work Guaranteed • Competitive Rates • Renewable Energy/Biomass Installations

Est

years

G.E. HardinG & SonS Ltd inc Boilercare Drivers Wharf, Northam, Southampton SO14 0PF

023 8038 2830

www.gehardingandsonsltd.co.uk info@geharding.co.uk

12887

7

LOCAL EVENTS

Titchfield Art & Craft Show 2014 It’s the 40th anniversary of this acclaimed annual event and a wide variety of quality original art work, photography and craft exhibits will be on display and on sale.

There will be both painting and craft demonstrations, a raffle with some great prizes and the artists are invited to sell greetings cards of their work.

The Show takes place at Titchfield Community Centre (Mill Street, Titchfield) on Saturday 26th April – 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 27th April – 10am to 4pm, tickets are available on the door for only £2.

Tickets for the Preview Evening on Friday 25th April can be bought from Titchfield Community Centre at a price of £7.50, and will be available from Wednesday 19th March. The ticket includes entry to the exhibition, wine and canapés, as well as a tremendous social evening and the opportunity to buy from the pick of the exhibition. Entry to the Preview Evening is by ticket only.

This year the children from Titchfield County Primary School and West Hill Park School will be delighting visitors with their Van Gogh and Picasso inspired work. All visitors are invited to vote for their favourite pictures throughout the weekend and the votes will be counted on Sunday afternoon to determine the winners.

Homemade refreshments provided by the local Country Market will be on sale throughout the Show.

More information can be found at www.titchfieldartandcraft.co.uk or by contacting info@titchfieldartandcraft.co.uk

8

Tel: 01489 782333

www.htsstudios.com

QUALITY BATHROOMS & KITCHENS Herald Ind. Estate | Hedge End | SO30 2JW

The Door Hanger Ltd Need a new door?

We can supply five 30” x 78” white primed colonial doors (six panel grained moulded doors), supplied and fitted with brass furniture st £375

Ju

Other sizes including metric available Free estimates

Call Tony 07941 191855 www.thedoorhanger.co.uk Checkatrade.co.uk/thedoorhanger

Quality Carpets & Vinyls Supplied & Fitted Carpets—Vinyls—Karndean—Amtico

TRADING STANDARDS APPROVED CONTRACTOR

(Flooring Ltd)

WE OFFER MANY SERVICES INCLUDING:

• Home Selection Service - Wide Range • Amtico Flooring Supplied & Fitted • Floor Preparation Undertaken • Re-Adaptations • Free Estimates & Planning • Domestic & Contract

MOB: 07860 348245 Tel/Fax: 023 8026 5048

SOLUTIONS

AT COMPETITIVE PRICES CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE TODAY

Use us for ALL your printing needs Folders • Stationery Brochures • Leaflets • Books Manuals • Digital Magazines Mailing Campaigns

Fogged Up / Broken Glass Replacement All Door Locks and Handles All Window Hinges, Handles and Locks Ventilators, Skylights and Velux Conservatory Roof Panels All Types of Glass and Mirror Supplied Spares from all Major Manufacturers Greenhouse Glazing and Repair NO CALL OUT CHARGE FULLY INSURED • ALL WORK GUARANTEED NO CALL TOO SMALL

Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen

PRINT

BY

A WINDOWMENDA

G E NICHOLS

OFFERING EXCELLENT

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS

02380 273955 07771 518502 EST 1991

As Recommended By

MAGAZINES

500 business cards and 500 compliment slips only £98.00 inclusive of Design, Delivery and V.A.T. Warwick Printing Company Tel : 01926 883355 Website : www.warwickprinting.co.uk

9

Garden Maintenance Reliable, experienced & professional

Border Maintenance Lawn Care Tree Surgery Hedge Trimming Shrub Pruning Garden Clearance Planting Design Service for a free estimate call

01489 779998

Experts in your Garden

www.hambrooks.co.uk

coverMaintenanceV5.indd 1

10

06/02/2014 14:16

Your Local Experienced Locksmith (est 2000)

DAVE’S FRIENDly GARDEN SERVICE

Garden Maintenance carried out all year round

Experienced local locksmith service

LAWNS CUT • HEDGES TRIMMED OR REMOVED • TIDY UPS & CLEARANCES TREES PRUNED • FRUIT TREES • PATIOS & PATHWAYS CLEANED PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE • WEEKLY • MONTHLY OR ONE-OFFS Trained at Sparshot College Free Estimates

• All locks opened, repaired, replaced

023 81 788908

•

07814 697699

• No call out charge

Tidy Timber

• 24 hour service • Fully insured

“Give your timber a treat”

• 19 years experience

Protect and extend the life of your garden timber.

• UPVC door lock specialist

Fence panels, sheds, trellis, decking, furniture & gates.

• Free estimates & advice

All colours and finishes available.

• Emergency response available

Call Steve on

01489 619050

www.lockright-security.com

Call now for a free quote.

Tel: 07905 046551

www.tidytimber.co.uk

Bulk Bags for all your landscaping We like to think recommendation

ARBOR-CALL ARBOR-CALL GN EO T RTERE ESEU SRU GR EO S NS

Local company with over 22 years’ experience.

is the best way to meet new We like to think recommendation customers visit our website and is the best way to meetso new see a few customers so visit ourwhat website andof our satisfied customers have to say about us. see what a few of our satisfied customers have to say about us.

& garden projects

• Great prices • Local deliveries www.arborcall.co.uk www.arborcall.co.uk • Convenient & easy Experts in your Garden 20mm Plum Slate 20mm Round Pebble

We aare a local professional company with over 22 years of experience.

We are local professional company with over 22 years of experience.

Come and see our wide range of bulk bag materials

• All Tree Work Undertaken • NPTC Qualified • Tree Stump Removal • Hedge Cutting Specialists • Fully Insured We offer a full range of specialist services: • Free Quotations • Crown Shaping, thinning &services: pruning We offer a fullreductions, range of specialist • Tree Felling & Intricate Dismantling • No Job Too Big or Too Small

• Decorative and building aggregates • Top soils • Bark mulch • Slate mulch • Type 1 scalpings • N.P.T.C. Qualified Tree Surgeons

• All Work to BS3998 • Carried N.P.T.C.Out Qualified TreeStandard Surgeons and much more • £10 Million • AllPublic WorkLiability CarriedInsurance Out to BS3998 Standard • Crown Shaping, reductions, thinning & pruning • Site Clearance The Complete A-Z of Landscaping • Hedge Cutting Specialists • Tree Felling & Intricate Dismantling • £10 Million Public Liability Insurance • Domestic & Commercial • Tree Stump Removal • Site Clearance • Grounds Maintenance • Hedge Cutting Specialists Call now on 01489 779992 • Free Quotations and Health Check • Planning Applications • Domestic & Commercial • Tree Stump Removal • Grounds Maintenance • FreeVisit Quotations Health • Planning Applications We have the latest equipment which makes us efficient and price competitive! our websiteand and see us at Check work.

01489 890333

www.arborcall.co.uk

Supplies

www.hampshiregardensupplies.co.uk

No job too big or small. Contact us for your Free Estimate & Site Visit.

We have the latest equipment which makes us efficient and price competitive! Visit our website and see us at work.

Office: 01489 890333 • EMAIL: enquiries@arborcall.co.uk • www.arborcall.co.uk No job too big or small. Contact us for your Free Estimate & Site Visit.

11

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The Green, Green Grass of Home Well, what a winter it has been for our gardens. And your lawn is probably showing the scars of every gale and deluge that has hit us over the last few months.

No matter how lovely it was in September, right now it probably looks more like coir matting than a green carpet!

What to do then to bring it back to life? Our featured advertiser this month, Greenkeeper Lawncare, have made a very successful business out of proving that using their professional (but very affordable) service is the best solution, with hundreds of happy, repeat customers year after year.

So what’s the difference between professional and DIy?

Before the GreenKeeper treatment, our cover picture shows the after

Products Greenkeeper uses professional slow-release fertilizers, which have been developed, tested, and fine-tuned on tens of thousands of lawns, golf courses, sports fields and parks. Furthermore organic summer feeds are applied within your schedule at no extra cost.

Equipment Scarification and aeration are physically demanding procedures and need robust equipment to get good results – a domestic lawn rake isn’t up to scratch.

Greenkeeper uses professional machines, clear up ‘arisings’ and dispose of them for you if necessary.

starting from square one. A lawn maintenance service can make a significant difference, giving your grass a regular program of TLC.

Cost yes there’s a fee to pay to a professional, but you’d still need to pay for equipment and fertilisers if you were doing it yourself. And when you take into account the hidden cost of using your time it’s really great value ‘outsourcing’ this service. you only have to look at this picture – the ‘before’ – then turn to the front cover to see the ‘after’. The results speak for themselves, and with prices starting at just £14 per treatment, what’s not to love? Call Rob at Greenkeeper today for your free lawn analysis.

Analysis and Planning

Consistency

The Greenkeeper service begins with a complete lawn analysis, evaluating your soil type, and identifying any weeds and pests.

Then they develop a programme of treatment that's specific to the needs of your lawn, which is monitored throughout the seasons.

Life and leisure are certain to get in the way of a TESTIMONIAL: Superb improvement consistent program in our lawn since you took it over from a of DIy lawncare. previous lawn company. Thank you, your Sporadic attention team are punctual and always give feed back and neglect - even if on the general condition of the lawn. I have unintentional – can passed your details to our neighbour. lead you to find that you are always Mr P, Southampton.

ALSO FROM GREENKEEPER Pro-grow deliveries - excellent recycled green compost product for mulching, top dressing and general soil improvement. The delivery for a 2 cubic metre transit tipper load is £155.00, equivalent to approximately 33 x 60litre bags. That has to be easier and cheaper than loading up your car from a DIy shop!

12

WHO ARE WE?!

Your local lawn treatment professionals servicing lawns in your area. “Rob, I am so pleased with the way the lawn has improved.

I took some photos back in April just before you started and I recently bought a new mower and I took some more photos today, I though you might like them. Amazing to compare and see the improvement. Feel free to use these if they are of any help. All the best, Mike Grant (HAMBLE)�

At GreenKeepers we appreciate there are many different lawn products and a growing amount of large franchised companies available! We are able to offer you a comprehensive annual lawn service at a competitive rate. No gimmicks, just tried and tested products and experienced staff committed to high standards of customer service. Take a look at our website for more information and testimonials from satisfied customers.

A typical annual service will consist of 4-6 visits, including scarification and/or aeration if required.

If you are serious about improving your lawn give us a call on 0800 0845 296 or visit www.greenkeeperlawns.co.uk

Before

After

Peter got the wrong idea about how

to scarify his lawn

Contact Rob for your FREE lawn analysis & quote

0800 0845 296 We have hundreds of happy customers - visit our website to see what they say www.greenkeeperlawns.co.uk 13

GARDENING

Bringing Up Babies

By Pippa Greenwood, www.pippagreenwood.com

A visit to any nursery or garden centre at this time of year will reveal a brilliant array of herbaceous perennials. True, right now they may not look particularly enticing as they usually show little growth and seem to be unbelievably small but just take a look at the illustration on the label and you will see that these small plants have great potential.

14

At this stage, before they put on their fabulous foliage or flowers, herbaceous perennials, particularly those grown in relatively small pots (3in or 7.5cm) are fairly inexpensive, usually somewhere around the £1.50-£2.50 mark and great value. They’re packed full of potential and within a year or two will have formed really good sized plants.

In order to make sure that newly planted herbaceous perennials not only survive but thrive, it’s essential that you give them that little bit of extra tender loving care. Small plants such as these are more likely to be prone to any weather extremes such as drought or waterlogging and even plants in larger pots should be well established.

When you ease the plants out of their pots, if you see a really plentiful supply of roots that usually means you have purchased a good plant. Unlike woody plants such as shrubs and trees, a crammed in root system tends to mean that the plant has been growing well and is unlikely to lead to problems in the future.

Check the plant labels to see the ultimate spread of the plant and then this will give you an idea of how far apart you should space them. For the best effect you generally want to grow several individuals of the same species and I suggest you choose an odd number, perhaps three, or five for a much larger garden, as this invariably makes a better display than if even numbers of plants are used. It may be tempting to plant too close and although this will provide a better looking display initially, over-crowded plants are less likely to become well established, will have to be moved in the near future and in the meantime will be more prone to numerous diseases including grey mould and powdery and downy mildews.

It’s also essential to plant at the correct depth. With herbaceous perennials you need to make sure that you place the plant in the ground to the same depth that it was in the container and although you may decide to mulch the soil afterwards, do remember not to mulch right up to or over the crown of the

plant, as this is likely to lead to poor growth and maybe even dieback.

Weed control is essential and you can either hoe regularly between the plants to prevent the weeds causing competition or you can use a deep mulch or perhaps even place squares of landscape fabric or black polythene around each plant. Do remember however, that if you use polythene, rain will not be able to penetrate through it and so the plants are more likely to suffer from drought. With landscape fabric this is not a problem. I’m a great fan of copper-impregnated and coated fabrics as these help to keep weeds and slugs and snails at bay. Once you have dug over the whole bed, then it’s well worthwhile adding a general fertilizer at the rate suggested on

the packet; this will help to start the plant off well. If you notice that the soil is on the heavy side and unless you have chosen plants which are only likely to thrive under these conditions, it would be advisable to attempt to improve the soil conditions by incorporating plenty of bulky organic matter and grit. Similarly, if the soil is excessively dry, then you could try to improve its texture by incorporating large quantities of any good bulky organic matter. Once the plants are in position, firm the soil thoroughly and do take care not to compact it if it’s on the heavy side. Regular watering is essential and if the ground is not already quite moist, you should water the plants in well. Although they should have been in good condition when you purchased

Tree Services Specialist in all aspects of Tree and Hedge Work

by

them, do check them regularly for signs of any pests or diseases as it will be much easier to stop something in its tracks if you start to take action early on in the season.

Pippa loves growing gorgeous veg and wants to persuade you to as well; visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for the ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ veg growing system where she will send you garden ready plants and weekly advice and tips emails, making veg growing easy, productive and fun.

Garden Design & Landscaping

Neil Richmond

Experts in your Garden

Family Run Business

• Domestic or Business • Hedge Cutting • Tree Felling • Crown Reduction / Reshaping Thinning / Clean

• Deadwood Removal • Fruit Trees Pruned • Tree Planting and After Care • Stump Grinding • Logs for Sale

Quality work at competitive prices Free Estimates and Friendly advice

07834 595383 02380 582377 email: neilrichmond1111@yahoo.co.uk NPTC Qualified

Fully Insured

For a free site visit call 01489 779998

www.hambrooks.co.uk 15

LOCAL CLUBs, GROUPS & EVENTS

Shieldhall to Revisit Bournemouth Air Festival The SS Shieldhall – the oldest passenger cargo steamship still active in Europe – has announced her Full Steam Ahead cruise programme for 2014. The ship will shortly be journeying to Dry Dock in Falmouth for hull repairs, part of a £1.4 million HLF grant project. On her return to Southampton Shieldhall will commence her 2014 programme on 31 May with a 2 hour Vikings! Cruise, remembering the 1000th anniversary of Canute being crowned King of England in Southampton. Other cruise highlights for the year can be seen on the website www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk. Most significantly though, Shieldhall is set to resume her annual visits to Poole in August, from where she will make three trips to visit the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Guests on Shieldhall get a lot more than a conventional cruise along Southampton Water. The ship is manned and run entirely by volunteers, who actively encourage visits to the Engine and Boiler Rooms and also the Bridge. ‘We are told that the interaction with our volunteers is a highlight of everyone’s time on board’ said Graham. ‘On a warm summer’s day the role of engineer must be one of the hottest jobs in the country, as temperatures in the Boiler Room can reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors love to see the engines in operation and whilst they can sympathise about the heat, they should know our volunteers love their work!’

‘Shieldhall is an excellent resource for local residents and enthusiasts’ said Graham. ‘With the ongoing lottery work we are opening up Shieldhall to new audiences with a diverse cruise programme and also through her setting for ‘alongside functions’ where the ship hosts theatre, quiz and film nights. Last year Shieldhall celebrated her 25th anniversary ‘In Preservation’ – we are now entering a new and exciting era. It’s full steam ahead.’

Website www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Fareham Petanque Club Gentle exercise in the fresh air, whatever your age and ability. 8yrs - 80+. Now firmly established in North West Community Centre, Henry Cort Drive Fareham PO15 6PH. Come along on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm. Join in the fun and try French boules, learn to play with good company.

Phone Mary 01329 843295 or Linda 01329 829495 so that we can make sure there are players there who can give you support on your first try.

16

Why not come and give one of the world’s fastest growing watersports a try. AV SUP Club is based on the beautiful River Hamble and can offer the BSUPA Level 1 “Ready to Ride” course. Learning to SUP is a fast and fun process with a qualified BSUPA instructor, the 2 hour course is run on flat water, It’s accessible to all, young and old (our courses are designed for ages 12 - 112...) and all you need is a little balance. Fantastic for fitness, it’s low impact, very social and great fun!

For more info visit: avsupclub.co.uk or call us on 01489 588327 or email info@avsupclub.co.uk

• General plumbing repairs & installations • From a tap to a complete bathroom • Tiling & decorating • Free estimates • No call out fee • Fully insured • All work guaranteed • NO JOB TOO SMALL For excellent value & a friendly service call your local plumber now on:

02380 265648 / 07802 396153

Hedge End Veterinary Health Centre ÔDedicated to the Wellbeing of Your PetsÓ

01489 782 317 38, Wildern Lane Hedge End Southampton SO30 4EH

• 24 hour emergency cover provided • Mobile nurse clinic • Friendly & dedicated veterinary staff Open Monday to Friday: 8.30am till 7.30pm for routine enquiries.

Consultation by Appointment Only: Monday-Friday: 9am to 12 noon and 4pm to 7.30pm, Saturday: 9am to 12 noon 17

LIVE LOCAL

Adequately insured to rebuild?

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has commissioned the Building Cost Information Service to provide general guidance to help you check the adequacy of your sum insured. It provides guidance on the rebuilding cost of houses and some types of flats to the general public.

The benefits of the residential rebuilding cost calculator: • Use it to check that your buildings insurance amount still covers the rebuild cost • Get a rough idea of your home’s rebuild cost so you don’t end up paying any shortfall • you only need to insure your home for its rebuild cost • SIMPLE and FREE to use • Enter your property information and hit calculate Visit http://abi.bcis.co.uk to check the rebuilding cost of your home.

We clean your oven……so you don’t have to.

Call today to have your oven, hob, extractor or Aga professionally cleaned

Paul Lewis contact details Tel: 02380 011446 Mob: 07584 321529 www.ovenwizards.com

DH LocksmitH services Locked out? No call out charge!

• Lock changes • Burglary repairs • Window locks • Multipoint UPVC locks and much more

07919 182189 www.dhlocks.com 18

Britannia Windows doors & conservatories

neW! loW cost solar panels

023 8027 0606 chandlers ford shoWroom

19

HIDATO

Puzzle Page

Starting at 1 and finishing at 34, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

Pictograms

PICTOGRAMS

6 words CUT CUT

CUT

49

CUT

29 30

3 words

.

46

44

_

1 to 10

43

1

32 38

2

34 13

3 words

7

BE FAST D

22 14

8

25

21

11

18 ©Puzzlepress.co.uk

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

20

24. Agitated (6) 25. Insect which rests with forelimbs raised as if in prayer (6) Down 1. building for housing horses (6) 2. German submarine in World War II (1-4) 3. Frame supporting the body of a car (7) 5. Appear suddenly or unexpectedly (3,2) 6. Windlass used when weighing anchor (7) 7. Soft yellow substance secreted by aural glands (6) 8. Expert in art, food or drink (11) 14. blue-flowered trailing plant (7) 15. brilliant and showy technical skill (7)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 18

22

24

17 19

20

21

©Puzzlepress.co.uk

Across 1. Ornamental plaster used to cover walls (6) 4. Native North American tribe (6) 9. Pear-shaped fruit with green skin ripening to black (7) 10. Writing material (5) 11. Asian water lily (5) 12. Volatile liquid used chiefly as a solvent (7) 13. Narrow strip of rubber formed into a loop for holding objects together (7,4) 18. book of the New Testament (7) 20. Long, narrow passageway (5) 22. Measuring stick (5) 23. Small guitar with four strings (7)

23

25

16. Group of people Olympic Games (6) assembled to sing (6) 19. Lofty nest of a bird of 17. Mary ___, women’s prey (5) pentathlon gold medal 21. Mixture of rain and winner in the 1972 snow (5) Answers: Page 29

HOME COMPUTER HELP We come to you!

Low Cost • Laptops/PCs Repairs • No Jargon Virus/Spyware • Tuition On-Site • Local • Friendly Free Home Callout

The right direction for a great education!

Just one of our many happy customers on Checkatrade “This is the second time I have used Will. First class service again, helped me understand the laptop and installed printer and antivirus.”

(See more great feedback on Checkatrade.com)

Call Will on:

01489 232232 We’re on www.checkatrade.com/homecomputerhelp

www.hchelp.co.uk Kiddywinks A6 postcard_Layout 1 19/09/2013 16:13 Page 1

Full-time A Level and vocational courses Part-time adult learning Tel: 023 8036 7200 | www.barton-peveril.ac.uk Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5ZA

Kiddywinks, Horton Heath, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 7DQ

Tel: 023 8069 2473 • www.kiddywinks-nursery.co.uk • enquiries@kiddywinks-nursery.co.uk

21

NEW!

Win £100 FIND THE HIDDEN SYMBOL COMPETITION All you have to do is find this symbol hidden somewhere within one of this issue’s advertisements HOW TO ENTER: Online: www.discovercommunity.co.uk Text: 07702 567811 Email: editorial@discovermagazines.co.uk You must state the following details: 1. Which advert featured the symbol 2. Your name 3. Your postal address 4. Your email address 5. And most importantly, when you received your copy of Discover

Happy hunting!

Get Paid Exercise!

Get Paid totoExercise!

Discover Romsey needs Discover Magazines local needs peoplelocal to help with people to help with distribution. deliveries starting at the We are looking end of January.

Weforare people in Hedge looking for people inEnd, or West End,of near Botley, the postcodes Common and 8 SO51Colden 5, SO51 7, SO51 Locks Heath. and North Baddesley (SO52).

Routes from 2 hours upwards and

Routes from 2 hours upwards deliveries will be every otherevery month and deliveries will be either Routes from 2 hours upwards and (early Feb, April, June etc).

Rates month or every other month. Rates deliveries will be other month dependent on area, age dependent onevery area,minimum minimum age 13… no maximum! (early Feb, April, June etc).

Rates 13...no maximum!

dependent on area, minimum age 13…The no earlier maximum!

The earlieryou youapply applythe the more more likely likely

One entry per household, last entry date we wecan cangive giveyou youaaroute route near near home. home.

12th April 2014, winner will be notified More details/application at: More details/application at: The earlier you apply the more likely by phone or email by the 17th April www.tiny.cc/newdisti www.tiny.cc/newdisti we can give you a route near home.

2014.

22

More details/application at: www.tiny.cc/newdisti

tune in to the all new breakfast show on the breeze with Jez & Lou on 107.2 - 107.8 from 6am weekdays

23

7th: Jim Clark, Formula One

What happened in... ...April 1968?

Average cost of a house was £4,350 A gallon of petrol was about 28p

driver, from Scotland, was killed in an accident in Hockenheim, Germany. Aged just 32 he had twice been World Champion and had won more GP races (25) and achieved more GP pole positions (33) than any other driver.

“…it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop…And I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the Promised Land. And I’m so happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything… mine eyes have seen the coming of the Lord.” From the last speech, on the 3rd April 1968, of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.; Nobel Peace Prize winner, Baptist minister and spokesperson for non-violent protest in the Civil Rights Movement.

Three of the bestselling singles this year were: What A Wonderful World/ Caberet - Louis Armstrong Delilah Tom Jones If I Only Had Time - John Rowles

24

The next evening, while standing on the balcony outside his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, he was assassinated with a single bullet to the head. An escaped convict, James Earl Ray, was arrested and convicted of his murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison; although many, including some of King’s family, believed that Ray was innocent and that the FBI was involved.

2nd: The premiere of 2001: A Space Odyssey took place in Washington. The Stanley Kubrick film was a British-American production, made almost entirely in England, with the screenplay co-written by Arthur C Clarke.

10th: Two storms merged over Wellington, creating Cyclone Giselle, the worst storm in New Zealand’s history, with winds of 170 mph. Three ambulances and a truck were blown onto their sides during rescue attempts. At about six o’clock in the morning the ferry TEV Wahine tried to enter Wellington Harbour but was blown off course and onto a reef and badly damaged before being swept away. After several rescue attempts and false hopes the vessel eventually capsized at about 2:30 pm. 53 people were killed, including many who had taken to lifeboats and rafts.

20th: “People often blame the predictions of troubles for the actual troubles that eventually arrive”. “Politicians who shirk their duty deserve the curses of those who come after”. Just two of the points made by Enoch Powell in his lengthy ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech, for which he was demonized.

23rd: The first decimal coins were issued in Britain: the ten-pence and five-pence pieces.

Patrick D Cousins is the author of Rainbows, Dreams and Angels, a double novella available from Amazon at £6.99, and Short Shorts, a £1.99 Kindle ebook

car & van workshop

now open in hedge end • Your local alternative to high main dealer prices • audi, vW, seat, skoda specialists

car and van MoT and servicing To ManufacTurers specificaTion Fully warranty compliant (see www.independentvwservicing.co.uk)

3 Manufacturer trained technicians 3 General repairs 3 MOT’s for cars and vans class 4 and 7 3 MOT and servicing while you wait 3 100% environmentally friendly waste disposal 3 While you wait diagnostics 3 Tyre sales and wheel balancing 3 Air conditioning servicing 3 Clutch and cambelt replacement

www.independentvwservicing.co.uk

To book your service or MOT call 01489 798383

BAR

ROA

D

TOL L

ALD

ROA

BOT

LEY

ROA

HER

D

S RRY CU ORLD W PC

WA Y

LEY

PIZZ A HU T

BOT

BAR

visiT us aT heraLd indusTriaL esT. hedge end so30 2Jw

D

B30

35

TOL L

free air con re-gas wiTh everY service

WA Y

speciaL opening offer

info@icvs.org.uk 25

LOCAL WHAT’S ON LOVE YOUR BONES DAY 19 Mar, 10am - 3pm Jubilee Hall, Shore Lane, Bishops Waltham SO32 1ED An information day on osteoporosis.

Contact: Jill Phipps 01329 224 531, Jill.Phipps@southernhealth.nhs. uk or Margo Berry, Chairman of the National Osteoporosis Society, Portsmouth Branch 01329 833 114.

Free.

Soberton Village Hall, School Hill, Soberton SO32 3PF Soberton Players present ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, a stage play by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter, adapted from the original TV series, with kind permission of Tiger Aspect Productions. Tickets £7. Box Office 01489 878724. Credit Card Hotline 01489 866666. Email: tickets@ sobertonplayers.co.uk

Holy Trinity Church, West St, Fareham PO16 0EL The choir is giving a concert which includes Mass, Dvorak’s Te Deum and Mozart’s Solemn Vespers.

Tickets £12.00, £10.00 (conc) and £2 (under 16 and students), from the FPC box office 01329 664948, Community Action Fareham 01329 213899, choir members, or on the door on the night. www.fpchoir.org

SOROPTIMIST FASHION SHOW 21 Mar, 7 for 7.30pm Richard Taunton College, Hill Lane SO15 5RL Have fun and help raise valuable funds for Soroptimist International Children’s Charity. See, try, buy and take home fashion from Travelling Trends. This season’s high street fashion at bargain prices, wine and soft drinks bar. Tickets £7, in advance only. 023 80 253847. jean.edwardes@talktalk.net

AUTISM HAMPSHIRE’S CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT 28 Mar, 7 - 10.30pm Hedge End CIU Club, Bursledon Road, Hedge End SO30 0BR Get your brain working and join us for a night of quizzes and puzzles.

Ploughman’s supper, bar and raffle.

Teams of 6, £10 pp. To book a team or for more info contact Lucy ward 01489 880881 ext 208, or email lucy.ward@has.org.uk

NEWTOWN EASTER EGG HUNT 9 Apr, from 11am Forest of Bere Hosted by charities Newtown Infant School/Earlybirds Pre-School. Start at West Walk, Hundred Acres Rd, nr Wickham OR for easier parking, leave your car at Woodend Car Park, Heath Rd and walk though to an alternative start point (same finish point). Face painting, bouncy castle, cakes, lucky dip and many more stalls. Follow the trail and collect coloured eggs, then exchange them for a chocolate prize. £2.50 per child. For more info www.earlybirds. ik.org

BAND CONCERT Royal Victoria Country Park 25 Mar 7pm The Friends of Royal Victoria Country Park will be having another of their popular concerts in the acoustically acclaimed Chapel featuring the Band of The Hampshire Constabulary.

Refreshments will be available.

All money raised will go towards a memorial Poppy sculpture to commemorate World War 1. £9, book in advance 023 8045 5157 SCOUT JAMBOREE QUIZ NIGHT 26 Mar, 7.30pm See page 22 for information.

THE VICAR OF DIBLEY 27 - 29 Mar, 7.30pm 26

Universal Marina, Sarisbury Green

CAR BOOT SALE Royal Victoria Country Park 1 Apr, 9am to 12pm Free Entry. Please note normal car parking charges apply. If you would like a pitch please phone 023 8045 5157 for details.

Magpie’s Nest Indoor Gift & Craft Market Sat 5th April 2014 10am til 1pm Hedge End Village Hall Showcasing a Nest of Beautiful, Bespoke, Artisan and Unique gifts from talented artists, crafters and small businesses. Also providing a tearoom as well as face painting and glitter tattoos.

FAREHAM PHILHARMONIC CHOIR CONCERT 5 Apr, 7.30pm

RIVERBANK FESTIVAL Universal Marina, Sarisbury Green SO31 7ZN 26 & 27 Apr, 10am – 5pm Charity family fun weekend with tented village incl. Surf Simulator, face painting, River Trips, paddle boarding, climbing wall & Sailing Simulator & much more. Hants RNLI, Police & Fire Brigade. Live music, boats, prestige cars, marine clothing & exhibitors stands.

Competitions & Prizes, Bar & Cafe. FREE ENTRY FOR ALL. www. riverbankfestival.com 01489 574272.

• General Plastering Work • Walls • Ceilings • Plaster Over Artex • Coving • Dry-Lining • Fully Insured

For Free Quote Call Adam

Tel: 07533 981213 Home: 02381 222985 Email: ayplastering@hotmail.co.uk

Fix my garage door.co.uk w

Repairs

w

Locks

w

New Doors

w

Andover

01264 337711

Automatic Operators Winchester

01962 715200

House Martin Heating SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR SPECIAL OFFERS Full Central Heating Installations Boiler Change & System Upgrade Servicing & Breakdowns on all Gas Appliances Free Quotes, Work Guaranteed & Insured 7 YEAR GUARANTEE ON VAILLANT BOILERS Tel: 01489 580145 Mob: 07867 520680 steve@housemartinheating.co.uk www.housemartinheating.co.uk

LIVE LOCAL

New Traineeships Now Launched Eastleigh College has announced the launch of an array of Traineeships, starting March 2014.

Traineeships are a new six month qualification scheme which combines a six week work placement in industry with relevant training in college.

The new Government invested programme focuses on giving students the skills and experience that employers are looking for, to help them prepare for their future career, whilst giving employers the opportunity to bring enthusiastic individuals into their business, before they get onto the job ladder.

Traineeships at Eastleigh College are offered in the following areas: Travel & Tourism Business Administration Hospitality & Catering Motor Vehicle Hairdressing Childcare Following completion of the Traineeship it is hoped that successful candidates would then progress onto a full Apprenticeship with their employer.

If you are an employer looking to take on a Trainee or an individual aged 19-23, without a Level 2 qualification or above, and want to find out more, please call one of the College’s training advisors on 023 8091 1226 or email ecta@eastleigh.ac.uk.

Pure Digital

Aerial & Satellites Digital Aerial Installations & Repairs TV, Telephone & Broadband Points Freesat & Sky No Call out Charge • 10% OAP Discount All work Guaranteed

01489 790380 07712 709645 27

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

Live Local Think Local

www.discovercommunity.co.uk

Local businesses are part of your community There’s so much MORE online!

Your Community Business Directory Hampshire Walks Clubs & Societies What’s On Restaurant Guide Useful Numbers …and how to send in your own community news.

28

Every issue of Discover is full of interesing articles, useful information and fun stuff too, delivered through your door free of charge, made possible by the financial support of its advertisers.

Please support local businesses who promote themselves in Discover. They are ready to serve you and they want your business. We’d appreciate it if you’d mention Discover when contacting advertisers from this issue.

AERIALS Pure Digital Aerial & Satellites 27 APPLIANCE REPAIR Advanced Appliance Care 2 BATHROOMS See Plumbing BLINDS & CURTAINS The Blind Business 31 Waterside Blinds 5 CHILDCARE Kiddywinks Nursery 21 COMPUTER SERVICES Home Computer Help 21 CONSERVATORIES Britannia Conservatories 18 DOUBLE GLAZING INST/REPAIRS Hampshire Window Surgeon 7 Windowmenda 9 EDUCATION Barton Peveril 21 ESTATE AGENT NiceMoves 32 FENCING Colourfence 10 FLOORING G E Nicholls 9 Premier Wood Flooring 10 FURNITURE Pont Furnishings 19 GARAGE DOORS Fix Quick Garage Doors 27 GARAGE SERVICES Independent VW 25 GARDEN DESIGN & SERVICES Arbor-Call Tree Surgeons 11 Colourfence 10 Dave’s Friendly Garden Service 11 GreenKeeper Lawn Services 13 Hambrooks 10/11/15 Neil Richmond Tree & Hedge Services 15 Tidy Timber 11 HEALTH SERVICES Hampshire Hearing 31

kITCHENS Dream Doors Re-Nu LETTING AGENT NiceMoves LOCkSMITH DH Locksmith Lockright OVEN CLEANER Oven Wizards PLASTERER AY Plastering PLUMBING SERVICES (including bathroom installation and gas and boiler services) Aqua Bathrooms Aquatec Plumbing & Heating DN Plumbing Services G.E. Harding & Sons Ltd Gair Gas G Grogan Plumbing & Heating House Martin Heating HTS Studios TP Watts PRINTER Warwick Printing Company PROPERTY MAINTENANCE House Worx Io Contracts The Door Hanger Ltd The Flat Pack People PROPERTY SALES NiceMoves RADIO The Breeze TREE SURGERY See Garden UPHOLSTERY Pont Furnishings VETERINARY Hedge End Veterinary Health Centre WINDOW REPAIR Hampshire Window Surgeon Windowmenda

3 17 32 18 11 18 27

2 7 17 7 31 8 27 8 18 9 8 2 8 27 32 23

19 17 7 9

l Buy Local . . .

USEFUL NUMBERS Doctors & Hospitals NHS Direct

0845 4647

Botley Health Care Centre

01489 782008

Hampshire Dental Helpline

0845 0508345

Hedge End Med Centre

01489 786201

Princess Anne

023 8077 7222

Royal South Hants

023 8063 4288

Royal Winchester County

01962 863535

Southampton General

023 8077 7222

West End Surgery

023 8047 2126

Transport Solent Blue Line Buses

023 8061 8233

Bluestar Buses

023 8061 8233

National Rail Helpline

0845 748 4950

Uni-Link

023 8059 5974

First Bus

023 8022 4854

Interested in Advertising your business?

132,000 local homes and businesses regularly get a copy of Discover through their door. Our satisfied advertisers like Discover because it works! How? • It generates new business, raises their local profile, drives people to their website • It’s good value for money • They can choose from 10 areas in and around Southampton • They can tailor their advert per area • They get free advert design* • They get free editorial* • They get free marketing advice

And we’re nice people to do business with!

Library Hours Mon, Tue & Fri, 9:30 - 5pm,

For a Media Pack call 023 8026 6388 or get an instant quote online www.discoveradvertising.co.uk. We’re open 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and during the weekends.

Wed 9am - 5pm,

*Regular Rate

Hedge End

0845 6035631

Thu 9:30am - 7pm, Sat 9:30 - 1pm, Sun Closed

Puzzle Answers

Schools General

Pictograms

Berrywood Primary

01489 780068

Bitterne Manor Park Primary

023 8022 7596

Bitterne Park

023 8032 5200

1. The first cut is the deepest 2. Point blank range 3. Breakfast in bed

Botley CE

01489 782308

Cantell

023 8032 3111

Freegrounds

01489 782295

Kings Copse Primary

01489 785040

Shamblehurst Primary

01489 782342

St James CE

023 8090 0995

The Gregg School

023 8047 2133

Wellstead Primary

01489 799351

Wildern School

01489 783473

Knowledge Crossword Across: 1 Stucco, 4 Apache, 9 Avocado, 10 Paper, 11 Lotus, 12 Naphtha, 13 Elastic band, 18 Hebrews, 20 Aisle, 22 Ruler, 23 Ukulele, 24 Shaken, 25 Mantis.

Down: 1 Stable, 2 U-boat, 3 Chassis, 5 Pop up, 6 Capstan, 7 Earwax, 8 Connoisseur, 14 Lobelia, 15 Bravura, 16 Chorus, 17 Peters, 19 Eyrie, 21 Sleet.

Hidato

29

LIFE BEGINS

When Did You Last Do Something Impulsive?

By Kate McLelland

It sometimes pays to follow your instincts.

Author JK Rowling reportedly decided to write the first Harry Potter novel after an idea for the story occurred to her when she was travelling on a train.

She completed the book as a struggling single mum on state benefits, becoming a multimillionaire within five years.

Japanese engineer Yusuke Funaki saw a performance by the worldfamous circus company Cirque du Soleil and was so inspired that he decided to learn the rope-skipping techniques he had seen in the show. After a few years of practice he abandoned engineering and literally ran away to join the circus. He is still working with Cirque du Soleil as a performer at their Florida base.

The link between these two individuals is their willingness to follow an impulse, taking up new activities that – given their backgrounds and relative inexperience in their chosen fields - were far from guaranteed to result in success.

It takes a certain kind of courage to 30

risk everything in order to follow a dream, especially when we know it might fail. Most of us, at some stage in our lives, have done things that we have regretted at a later date. Sometimes our spur-of-the-moment choices seem so out of character it’s almost as though someone else has taken over our minds.

A study of the brain shows why we feel this way. While the primitive, emotional part of our brain (found in the limbic system) makes rapid-fire decisions about things we like, dislike, hate, love, fear or want, the intellectual and more logical mind (located in prefrontal cortex) is geared to making deliberate and rational conclusions at a slightly slower pace. Allow your emotional brain to guide your actions and you’re likely to end up doing something impulsive.

We tend to associate impulsivity with youth. As they age, people often reject these youthful emotional responses: instead mature people use the knowledge they have acquired, backed up by logic and reason, to cope with new challenges or solve problems.

While no-one would doubt the benefits that knowledge and experience can bring, something is perhaps lost in this process.

Impulse and risk-taking are

closely linked with creativity, and there’s a danger that we may ignore creative impulses that have the power to change the course of our lives.

By middle-age, many of us have ceased to follow our instincts completely, relying on tried and trusted methods that we have learned in our formative years to see us through. But does sticking with what we know actually inhibit brain development?

When individuals settle into routines that are repeated automatically from day to day, the brain activity required for those activities decreases. That means that we tend to carry out familiar actions on autopilot and consequently our minds receive very little stimulation.

The good news is that older people can reactivate their brains by undertaking new activities, or by approaching established routines in different ways.

Whether you decide to join a choir, take up a musical instrument or volunteer for a local charity, it’s not really about the activity – it’s about rekindling the youthful spark that encouraged you to experiment and try new things. At the very least it will give your brain some exercise, at best it might be the key to a whole new life.

The Blind Business

Made to Measure Window Blinds, Curtains & Awnings

A local company since 1989

VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM & SEE OUR LARGE SELECTION OF BLINDS AND DISPLAYS, INCLUDING OUR NEW RANGE OF CURTAIN FABRICS AND POLES FREE - NO OBLIGATION MEASURE AND QUOTE SERVICE TELEPHONE 01489 782044

THE BLIND BUSINESS, Hillier Garden Centre, Woodhouse Lane, Botley SO30 2EZ www.theblindbusiness.co.uk

Hearing problems?

FREE no obligation hearing tests ✔ FREE ✔ Comprehensive hearing assessments ✔ Latest digital hearing technology ✔ Independent hearing advice ✔ Home visits available –✔forFully all your hearing difficulties equipped Testing Centre– whatever y ✔✔FREE no obligation Free Parkinghearing tests

Hampshire Hearing Centre ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Comprehensive hearing assessments Hearing Aids Independent hearing advice Home visits available Fully equipped Testing Centre Free Parking

17 Bournemouth Road, 3DA

17 BournemouthFord Road, SO53 Chandlers Chandlers Ford SO53 3DA

0238026 8026 023 26242624 www.hampshirehearing.co.uk

Boiler and heating repairs without the big bills - Call Now • Boiler B il iinstallation, t ll ti servicing i i &b breakdowns kd • Central heating breakdowns & installation • Annual service plans from £5 per month • Landlord gas safety checks • Power flushing

144901 1-2pge_spring14.indd 1

Call 0800 310 2323 www.gairgas.co.uk E-mail sales@gairgas.co.uk 12/2/14 20:09:20

31

No additional costs. No catch. A quality Estate Agent at a sensible price.

Sell your property for just £895 At NiceMoves Sales & Lettings, we know exactly what’s required to sell and let properties in today’s world. We’ve removed all of the unnecessary costs and we pass all of those savings on to you.

NiceMoves use the latest tools and systems to market your property but with the personal service you’d expect from your Estate Agent and more…

ALSo iNcLuded iN the price: • Professional photography • Detailed floor plans • An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) • Marketing on all the leading property websites

“The complete opposite of any Estate Agent I’ve ever used... For one, these guys actually helped throughout the whole process and were a delight to deal with. Secondly, the fee was great and saved me over £2,500 - it was money very well spent. Using NiceMoves was a very good decision.”

Mr Aston

Visit our website or give us a call today www.nicemoves.co.uk t 02380 000355