Discover Totton & Ashurst January/February 2017 by Tania Houston

Y/FEBRUARY AR 20 NU

Totton & Ashurst EDITION

Includ

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CALMO | WOODLANDS | NETLEY MARSH | ELING |

Inside Discover Why Collectors

Love Vinyl

An Interview with

Mel C

Home Interiors: Decluttering Parenting: Fussy Eaters Gardening: Fighting the Frost Motoring: Golf GTI Bon Appétit: by Cécile Plus Short Story, Recipe, Puzzle Page, Kidzone: Clubs & Classes Find a Local Business on p47

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Editor’s Letter

NEW YEAR, OLD HABITS We all know that 31st December and 1st January are simply dates in a calendar and, in the bigger picture, both days are likely to be identical. Still, they do act as a marker, highlighting what we have and haven’t achieved in the previous year and what we intend to do in the following year. Health based resolutions are always at the top of the ‘most popular’ lists – give up smoking, drink less alcohol, lose weight. And a new one – cut down on screen time: particularly social media, but also TV. So far, so boring. Far more fun is the type of resolution that has you doing things: going on holiday, spending more time with friends and family, starting a new hobby or improving your home. Yet, as any serial procrastinator will attest, the first list is much easier to get underway.

You are already smoking/drinking/eating too much so all that’s needed is to do less of it. For the proactive stuff, before you know it, it’s spring and you’ve missed out on the good holiday deal and the kitchen still needs doing. So why do we not get things done as hoped? For an analytic person it might be because they need to research every option before deciding and lose the passion for the idea along the way. With me I’m full of new ideas; a great starter and poor finisher. It often helps (well at least it has helped me) to understand why you procrastinate. There are lots of reasons for not achieving and a good start is a book called ‘How to get things done (without trying too hard)’ by Richard Templar. Written in around 100 very short ‘lessons’ even someone with the shortest attention span like me can manage to read it. You have to get round to buying the book first though!

Me l a

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27 January, 8pm Hanger Farm Arts Centre SO40 8FT 02380 667274 Inspired by a gig Tiff did in David Lynch’s nightclub in Paris last year, just one month before the Bataclan attacks, Tiff explores our need to make huge worldwide impactful events about us, delving into morality, modernity, vanity, mental health, film reboots & clouds. Quickly becoming a well-known face on television screens, 2015 saw Tiff play series regular Tanya in BBC3’s hit mockumentary People Just Do Nothing, which will be returning in 2016 for two more series, join the panel twice on Mock The Week (BBC Two), perform on Comedy Central’s Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, be a guest on Dave’s Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, recount

a story on Comedy History’s Drunk History and become the UK correspondent on for the new Australian satirical programme The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. Other credits include The Office (BBC Two), The Apprentice: You’re Fired (BBC Two), Only Joking (Sky), Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Two), Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC Two), Celebrity Deal or No Deal (Channel 4) and Safeword (ITV2). The Sunday Herald “This is a heartfelt, hilarious, provocative, important hour of stand-up from one of the best in the business.” The Mirror “It’s punchy and political but in the best, most human sort of way. It’s charming but hard-hitting and it’s radical, but not self-consciously so.”

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Short Story

THE SCIENCE OF SNOW SHOVELLING

By Jackie Brewster

Maurice laced his boots up eagerly, pleased with himself for remembering to get the snow shovel out of the shed last night. Thanks to a thick blanket of snow, this Sunday morning was the perfect opportunity to win back the favour of Mrs Harby, his comely neighbour. What woman could resist a man with a shovel? And when it came to snow and the shovelling of it, Maurice considered himself quite the expert.

“Nah, I’m alright,” Dale called back. “You’re just making more work,” Maurice said. “I’m sure your grandmother would like to get her car off the drive at some point.” “Yeah,” Dale said, hacking at the ground. “She’s going out for Sunday lunch.” “Anywhere nice?” Maurice liked to keep abreast of all Mrs Harby’s comings and goings. “I didn’t ask.” Dale kicked a pile of snow. “I’d better lend a hand.” Maurice strode purposefully across with his shovel. It was time to impress the lady by taking control of the situation. “You know what would get this done quicker?” Dale said, stumbling into a snow drift. “Chucking down some hot water.” “That’s where you’re wrong,” Maurice said. “The only way to clear this drive is with hard work. Hot water will do more harm than good.” “Yeah, right,” Dale said sarcastically, throwing down his shovel. “I’m off to get some.” Good lord, Maurice thought, don’t they teach them anything at school these days? At least with the boy gone for a few minutes he could get on with the job properly.

He opened his front door and was met with an unwelcome sight. Mrs Harby’s teenage grandson, Dale, was already pacing her drive wielding a shovel of his own. Maurice’s last encounter with Dale had ended with a line full of Mrs Harby’s sheets going up in flames. The boy was a menace, and, by the looks of things thought Maurice, his snow shovelling technique was a disgrace. Rather than methodically working down the driveway, Dale was randomly throwing snow everywhere.

boiled kettle.

“Can I give you some advice young man?” Maurice called over. “You’re going about that all wrong.”

“Just to prove it, do a patch test,” Maurice said. “Pour a small amount somewhere that your grandmother won’t tread and see what happens.” è

Dale returned with a freshly

“Out the way,” he said, “I’m going to pour this.” “Don’t,” Maurice said. “It’ll just make matters worse.” “Course it won’t,” Dale said.

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“Go ahead lad,” he said indulgently. “Whenever you’re ready.” Need a New Will? p7

Dale stood next to his grandmother’s car with the kettle held high, a cloud of steam coming out of the spout. Then, before Maurice could stop him, Dale poured the scalding water all over the windscreen. There was a sickening crack as the glass shattered into a thousand irreparable fragments.

Fancy a new driveway? p24

Maurice’s face drained of all colour. “Oh mate!” Dale laughed. “You were totally right.” Mrs Harby scowled and stormed back inside the house, slamming the front door behind her. Maurice’s next challenge to impress Mrs Harby was how to get a windscreen replaced on a snowy Sunday morning. And the less Dale was involved in that the better.

BUSINESSES FOR SALE STYLISH HAIR SALON PRIME LOCATION IN LYMINGTON Currently staff-run, would suit working owner. 7 chairs Men and children; scope to add ladies hairdressing. Beautiful Georgian building in a prime trading position. Revenue £1,300 p/week Only £9,950 L/hold Ref HW1490 PET SHOP IN SOUTH HANTS TOWN WITH 3-BED FLAT Live pets include birds and small furries; significant pet food sales.16-year lease expires 2026. Annual rent only £5,760 includes 3-bed flat. Sales £125,035 GP £46,185 (37%) £49,950 + sav L/hold Ref HW1499 MOTOR CYCLE SALES, SERVICE, PARTS & REPAIR Established by the Vendor 35 years ago. The vendor also stocks a range of motor cycle accessories including clothing and crash helmets. Price includes business and freehold premises £95,000 F/hold Ref HW1447 CONCRETE CUTTING AND DRILLING SPECIALISTS - STH HAMPSHIRE Retirement Sale. Accounts show turnover y/e 31st of May 2015 £353,601 with gross profits of £164,268 (46%) and reconstituted net profits of £114,978. £195,000 Relocatable Ref HW1491

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“The times, they are a’changin’” PARKERS, Totton’s Specialist Letting Agent You would be forgiven for thinking that Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan was talking about the UK property market when he sang, “the times, they are a’changin’”. As the area’s leading letting agent, we have seen it all in the property market, but one overarching fact is the rise of local property prices, which have seen a significant increase of 145% since 2000. Renting on the increase in Totton Landlords have reasons to be cheerful, with an element of younger people in Totton & The New Forest choosing to rent rather than buy. There are certainly benefits to renting, including the ability to simply call the landlord if there are any issues around your rental home, allowing you to save on large repair costs. The lifestyle of a renter also provides flexibility, which is very important to some people. It is harder for young people to save for a deposit in an age where Apple launch a brandnew product every six months, or the latest HDTV is readily available. Renting is a choice, and we are developing a mindset more akin to the Europeans

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with regards to it. In fact, the fascinating figures show the percentage of households privately rented in Totton & The New Forest have risen from 5.2% in 2001 to 10.1%, according to the last census. Good news for Landlords Landlords can enjoy even more good news as the demand — and prices — for rental accommodation continues to rise. The knock-on effect also means higher-value properties in the area, which also benefits homeowners. While this is ultimately positive news, it does not negate the fact that there are tenants with ambitions of owning their own home in the future, and excessive rental hikes need to be tempered so they are still able to save for a deposit if they so wish. Whether you’re an experienced landlord or thinking about dipping your toe in the water, if you would like a chat about the local property market or are interested in receiving a free rental valuation of your property, we would love to hear from you. Just pop in and we can discuss all things property.

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Bon Appétit

I love beer. But not just any beers. I like good, craft, real ales. And oh my, I’m in for a treat in Hampshire, for it is leading the way in terms of quality of produce and quantity of micro-breweries. My heart belongs to Alfred’s Brewery and Steve Haigh, who showed me what great beers should be all about. His “Winchester Pale” ale was voted by consumers as Best Beer of the CAMRA Winchester Real Ale & Cider Festival 2016, yet again, after his “Saxon Bronze” won the glorious award back in 2013. I was hooked and on a mission to add new little beer gems to my two favourites. Alfred’s Brewery, 5b Scylla Industrial Estate, Winchester SO23 0LD I was then introduced to Triple ﬀf, and my life changed completely. Their “Alton’s Pride” and “Moondance” are nationally recognised as simply amazing. The hype is worth every drop on your lips, trust me. Their on-site shop is open 6 days a week offering their own beers and also a fabulous selection of the best-rated beers from around the world. Paul Allen at Triple ﬀf, Unit 3 Magpie Works, Four Marks, GU34 5HN My beer journey continued with Itchen Valley. Founded in 1997, their very first brew, “Godfathers”, won the Bronze Award for Best Ale in Great Britain the following year at the Great British Beer Festival. Not a bad start! They offer a really interesting tour of the brewery every first Saturday of the month for only £10pp 12

(call 01962-735111 to book). Richard Robinson at Itchen Valley Brewery, Unit D Prospect Commercial Park, Alresford SO24 9QF When I tripped over Red Cat in 2014, I knew my journey had come to a major landmark. I like everything they do. From their philosophy (“we don’t do boring”) to their unrivalled range of beers, they definitely know how to get me excited and coming back for more. My favourite? “Kairos Citrus Session IPA” and “C60 American IPA” from their Untamed Range. “Mr M’s Porter” from their Core Range. Red Cat Brewing, Unit 10 Sun Valley Business Park, Winchester SO23 0LB If you simply cannot make up your mind, then head to newly-opened Caskaway Tasting Rooms on Oxford Street. The owner, Ian Gosney, has created a cosy haven for all beer and wine drinkers. Southampton’s first centrally located micro pub, serving the finest selection of craft beers, ciders, wines and premium spirits. Go there to chill, with a quality drink in hand and a delicious scotch egg in mouth. My kind of pub. Ian Gosney at Caskaway Tasting Rooms, 47 Oxford St, Southampton SO14 3DP Cheers! Cécile x

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WHY COLLECTORS LOVE THE VINYL VIBE In recent years there has been a revolution in the way we buy and listen to music. Thanks to new technologies we are now able to play the music we love wherever, and whenever, we want to hear it.

availability of album cover art and liner notes as reasons why they prefer vinyl recordings to digital music files or CDs. Starting your collection

With so much emphasis on the streaming of music from services such as Spotify, iTunes and Tidal, the use of minidisks, cassettes and CDs now seems strangely old-fashioned. After all, when you can stream everything you could ever wish to hear direct to your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, who needs a physical format?

Many vinyl enthusiasts start out by taking on someone else’s collection, often in the form of a gift or inheritance from a family member. Chances are that these records will not be rare items, but they will at least provide the basis for a collection. Car boot sales, charity shops, record fairs and specialist vinyl stores are the best places to start digging around for additional records, and you might even come across a rare release as you browse.

In spite of all this ingenious and accessible technology, it seems many of us actually prefer to do it the “old school” way. Collecting vinyl records is one of the most surprising trends of the 21st century and fans cite the “authenticity” of analogue sound, the tactile quality of vinyl and the

Once you’ve acquired a few records, you’ll need to decide how to play them. Vintage equipment can be hard to repair if there’s a problem, so most collectors opt for a modern, portable player (£50 £100) or a modern turntable that can be linked to a computer (from £80 - £120). è

How will I know if a record is valuable?

Don’t forget contemporary vinyl

As with any collectable item, rarity is the main driver for pushing up value. Certain packaging characteristics, such as foil-stamp numbering on the jacket (001/500), different coloured pressings, misprints or famous or controversial images/ text can add to the value. Records that have been withdrawn or censored should also be on the collector’s radar, as this indicates that fewer records will have been sold.

It’s easy to focus on vintage collections and forget that today’s artists are releasing tracks (or rereleasing past work) on vinyl. Some limited vinyl releases by bands such as Radiohead, the Arctic Monkeys and Keane are also highly collectable, selling for between £50 and £100 each.

How do I build up my collection? Online sites recommended by collectors include Classic UK 45s – which specialises in 45 rpm releases from the ’50s and ‘60s; Planet Earth Records (an online record store with thousands of rare vinyl records) and discogs.com – where you can buy records at relatively low cost and exchange information with other vinyl fans. Record Fairs are great places to browse and chat with other enthusiasts. Go to www.recordfairsuk.co.uk to check dates of fairs taking place in your area.

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Parenting

FUSSY EATERS Ah, fussy eaters. Don’t you just love them? And don’t you just love those parents who gloatingly tell you that their child eats whatever they’re given, or goes to bed hungry? (Obviously these people have never been woken up at 3am by wails of, “I’m so hungry. Please can I have some porridge?”) Remember the days when your kids would eat most things, as long as it was blended with carrot? Or when you smiled smugly because your nine month old would happily chew on broccoli? It’s like they hit two and then develop taste buds that despise anything other than pasta, bread and sweets. Forget five a day, sometimes you wonder whether your child has eaten so much as a grapesized portion of fruit and veg all week. If you’re at your wits end trying to get them to eat some vegetables, these tips might just help. We know it’s winter, but there are few kids who’ll refuse ice-cream or lollies, even if it’s snowing outside. Try blending two small frozen bananas with a couple of handfuls of frozen raspberries or mixed fruit, and about a third of a cup of yoghurt. It makes a great ice-cream and uses up those bananas the kids have been turning their noses up at. Or, even simpler, buy a ready-made smoothie, pour it into lolly moulds and freeze. While too much fruit juice isn’t great for a child’s teeth, one glass is fine. Ideally, give it to them with a meal. Keep an eye out for mixed juices and smoothies too. (Some even have added multivitamins.) 16

Contrary to popular belief, not all kids like tomato-based sauces. Most do however. Cooked tomatoes are even healthier than raw, so try whizzing up a batch of sauce with a few hidden veggies. Cook a couple of cans worth of chopped tomatoes, along with some salad peppers, carrots, leek and any other vegetables you have languishing in the fridge. You can add a tiny bit of sugar if you want. Blend until smooth if your kids are particularly fussy, then use it as a pasta sauce, or add it to mince to make bolognaise, or cottage pie. Freeze what you don’t use – it’ll keep for months. You can also disguise veggies in other ways. Cauliflower mixes well with potato for example. Or try finely slicing a sweet potato, tossing it in olive oil and roasting it to make ‘intergalactic orange crisps’. (It’s all in the name.)

Kids often prefer raw vegetables to cooked. You could offer them raw carrot, cucumber and salad pepper crudities as a side dish or snack. Some kids will surprise you by loving quite strong flavours. (Mine go mad for olives for example.) And strong flavours can be great for masking the taste of vegetables. So try pesto, garlic or mild curry. Children also like having some control. You could give them a list of five vegetables some days, and ask them to choose two for dinner. Or start a reward chart where they get a sticker for each type of vegetable they eat that week. And try setting out various raw veg with tortilla wraps and letting them make fajitas. Or doing the same with pizza bases. When all else fails, my fussy five year old will eat most things if I pretend it’s a fish that doesn’t want to be eaten, and he’s a shark. The things we do as parents…

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LEARN TO SWIM! Learning to swim is a vital life skill, at Wessex Swim School we ensure your swimmers reach their potential. Our small classes are designed to improve the swimmers confidence, stamina and technique with every lesson. Just 3 pupils per class ADULT LESSONS ALSO AVAILABLE

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Dance Classes Jitterbugz Dance Studio 07922 907727 www.jitterbugzdance.co.uk Cheer and Dance-a-cality 07736320103 www.dance-a-cality.co.uk

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Review Of The Year 2016 1. After winning their first ever Olympic medal in 2016, which country’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, announced they would no longer be progressing plans to change the country’s flag and that the union jack would stay part of it? 2. On March 1st, screenwriter Tony Warren died at the age of 79. Which long- running TV show did he create? 3. Which three members of the Spice Girls reunited in 2016 and launched a new website called “The Spice Girls Gem”? 4. After a 12 year absence, which TV show returned in 2016 and was won by Apollo?

5. Words such as wondercrump, snozzwanger and scrumdiddlyumptious were included in a new dictionary that was compiled to mark the centenary of which author’s birth? 6. Who was in the news in March 2016 for her use of meldonium? 7. In football, which Englishman refereed the final of Euro 2016? 8. Which country won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with a controversial song about Joseph Stalin’s deportation of the Tatar people from Crimea in 1944? 9. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie separated in September 2016, with which one of the two filing for divorce? 10. In the week following the death of David Bowie, which five of his hit singles reentered the UK top 40 singles chart?

Gardening

FIGHTING THE FROSTS With frost, rain and perhaps even some snow, at this time of year our gardens can be in for quite a battering. Although most of your garden plants are probably fairly frost resistant, what can you do to minimise the damage to those which are not so hardy? It’s time to get outside and take some precautions. Plants in containers are particularly vulnerable to freezing or frosting, and thin-walled containers pose the greatest threat. Where possible, plunge your pots by digging a hole in the soil and placing the plant in its pot into the hole. If it is too heavy to move then wrap it well in several layers of bubble wrap, polythene or old curtains, using lengths of hessian to create a more appealing outermost layer if the container is in a very prominent position. If very harsh weather is forecast or a spell of mild weather has promoted some soft, new growth, drape a double layer of horticultural fleece over the top growth of the plants and anchor it well. Alternatively, consider Easy Fleece Jackets: they come in three sizes and have a draw-string and toggle so that you can easily insert the plant and then secure it – find out more on my website www. pippagreenwood.com/products/protect-your-crops. A double fleece layer can be used on plants in beds and borders too, or to protect slightly tender wall 20

shrubs. Much larger plants can be protected with a home-made ‘cage’ – wrap a framework of four stakes or sturdy canes with netting or chicken wire, then fill the central space around the plant with dry bracken, straw or leaves. Evergreens in containers and in open ground may suffer from drought as well as foliage or stem growth, so continue to water these, especially if they are in a sheltered spot or the weather has been dry. A deep mulch applied to the soil or compost surface before the ground freezes will help to keep water available. Although most fruit trees - like apples and pears, cherries and plums - are hardy, they are also prone to damage. The main risk is to newly opened blossom, though the buds themselves may be damaged too, with late frosts being the most harmful. If you are planting new fruit plants, it really pays to buy from a specialist nursery and to get late-flowering varieties, as they are less likely to be flowering when there is still a risk of frost. è

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Finally, use fleece to cover any seeds already sown out of doors. A double layer of well-anchored fleece or a fleece-covered pull-out EasyTunnel is quick and easy to install, and will help to provide protection and that bit of extra warmth for germinating seeds and seedlings. If you are planning on sowing any early varieties of crops such as broad beans or lettuce, then I’d also suggest that you cover the soil before you sow. A layer of well-anchored polythene will keep off excess rain and allow a little warmth to build up, so when you sow the seeds they won’t suffer from excess sogginess and won’t get such a cold shock.

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Motoring

GOLF GTI CLUBSPORT S What Is It? It’s the fastest front-wheel-drive car around the Nürburgring, a stripped-out hardcore celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI and a limited edition collector’s piece all in one.

The Golf GTI Clubsport S is the result of asking engineers to do what they can to cement the GTI’s name in the hot hatch pantheon. What’s Under The Bonnet? Lifting the Golf ’s bonnet will reveal the same twolitre, turbocharged petrol you’ll find elsewhere in the Golf range – notably the Golf GTI and Golf R. In this application it’s been tuned up slightly, producing 306hp – broadly similar to the Golf R’s output but with a different exhaust system freeing up a couple of horsepower. That’s paired with the six-speed manual gearbox for weight purposes, as the extra few kilos of the dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) would work against the weight-saving nature of the Clubsport S.

What’s The Spec Like? The GTI Clubsport S is a top-specification Golf and it comes with the appropriate bells and whistles. The infotainment system is Volkswagen’s Discover Navigation with a 6.5-inch colour screen - but you 24

can upgrade to the Discover Pro for £1,325, which adds a larger screen and DAB radio. You’re missing one or two things – not least of which are the rear seats, replaced with a faux strut brace and cargo net. Cruise control is absent, unusually, leading to an oddly sparse suede steering wheel. What’s It Like To Drive? It drives exactly as you’d expect the car that set the fastest front-wheel-drive lap of the Nürburgring ever to drive. It’s really very savage in a straight line, barking through the exhausts with every upshift, and scrubs off speed no less impressively. The sticky Michelin Pilot Cup tyres offer huge amounts of grip, too.

On the mixed and drying roads we used, the Clubsport S exhibited a little torque steer if you gave the car some stick, but far less than you might expect. Otherwise, it’s a very neutral car to drive on the road.

What Does The Press Think? AutoExpress reckons that the Clubsport S has ‘even more involvement and surprising refinement’, while Autocar thinks that it’s ‘by a nose, the very best fast Golf you can buy’. è

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Losing the rear seats makes the Clubsport S a bit of a tough sell when silhouette rivals retain the family usability and two-seat competitors are commonly less expensive, but as all of the UK’s allocation of 150 have already been sold, it’s almost a moot point. Target Buyers The performance car enthusiast who loves the Golf but wants a sports car. The Rivals Honda Civic Type R, Porsche Cayman, Ford Focus RS What Do We Think? It seems odd to turn a car with such broad credentials into a two-seater sports car, especially as the rear compartment trim is still present, but you can’t really ignore the way it drives. The Golf R might be a safer bet for all-weather performance, but the Clubsport S makes a great case for itself on dry roads and doesn’t feel as wrung out as other front-wheel-drive offerings of similar power outputs.

Key Selling Points 1. Limited edition cachet 2. Unflappable cornering manners 3. Usable real-world performance Deal Clincher It’s no harder to live with than any other Volkswagen Golf

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Home Interiors

DECLUTTER FOR THE NEW YEAR What could be a better New Year’s resolution for your home than to eliminate mess, create space and generally have a good sort out? If too much mess and clobber has built up in your home over the past year, then it’s time to declutter your stuff and sort your storage, so that your home will be mess-free and superstylish in time for 2017. First, grab some rubbish bags and a few boxes or baskets. Work methodically through each room and sort out obvious rubbish, things that can go to a local charity shop, items that could be sold second-hand, anything that needs mending, littleused things that can be put away in the garage or loft, and genuinely great stuff that you want to keep. Try to get rid of as much as possible, only holding onto things that you really need and/or love. With what’s left, it’s now time to work out where it will go. Label your storage if necessary, and make sure the whole family knows what’s meant 28

to go where. If you still need extra storage after your clear-out, look for all the areas where you could fit more in, whether built-in or freestanding: from backs of doors to under the stairs, tops of wardrobes to under the bed. Think racks, hooks and shelves as well as conventional cabinets and chests of drawers and, where possible, ensure they co-ordinate with existing furniture. You can also relocate some storage; for example by adding a storage unit in the living room to avoid having to tidy toys away upstairs every day. There are a few rules of storage that might be helpful. First, store like with like and match the size and shape of the container to what’s being kept inside (in other words, find small, lidded boxes for things like Lego and big squishy baskets for teddy bears). Store as much as possible near to where it’s most needed, but don’t store frequently used items below knee level or above shoulder height, especially if they’re heavy. Avoid storing things on surfaces such as tables or desks, and allow yourself room to expand – but only within reason. If you have allowed extra space, and then filled it… it’s time to start all over again. è

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Easy ways to banish clutter • Write a list of where you want to declutter. • Have an intensive declutter workout and spend five minutes clearing as much as you can in one area. You’ll be amazed at the difference you can make. Repeat as often as you can. • Hang your clothes up with the hooks all facing one way, and only turn the hook the other way when you wear something. After, say, six months, you can easily assess which items you never wear. You could try the same idea in the kitchen (turn mug handles in one direction, put glasses upside down, and so on), the playroom, the living room… • Make it a family competition with prizes. Who will be the fastest to find three things to throw away, three things to give away and three things to tidy away? • If what you need is some emergency decluttering, pop everything into a big box and hide it somewhere until you have time to go through it properly.

By Katherine Sorrell

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LOCAL CHARITY FOCUS Helping to put the pieces together Established in 1987, It’s Your Choice provides free, confidential information, advice, guidance, and counselling to around 4000 young people aged 12-25, living in the New Forest area. With a small staff team of 10 and around 25 volunteers the team delivers weekly drop-ins, counselling and casework support, as well as regular workshops, group sessions, and school visits, responding to a wide range of needs among young people. These issues include homelessness, poor mental health, damaged personal relationships, poor sexual health, self-harming, drug and substance misuse, and education, training and employment. The charity’s aim is for all young people living in the New Forest to have the help they need to make safe, positive choices which will help them to live happy and fulfilling lives.

More and more young people are seeking the support of It’s Your Choice at a time when funding from statutory and voluntary sources are reducing. This is putting services at serious risk. The charity is determined to carry on helping all young people in the area who need support so is actively seeking new donors and sponsors to help keep its muchneeded services open. The charity has a BT MyDonate donation page and has recently registered with online donations site, Care2Save, which allows people to donate as they shop online. They are happy to hear from anyone who wishes to donate much needed funds, volunteer, or otherwise support the charity and the work they do. alice.brown@iyc.org.uk 023 8086 4231

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Robert Kenny talks to

MELANIE C

Ex-Spice Girl Melanie C has wowed the critics with a brand new album this year – and with it, something of a new sound. She also became The Breeze’s latest recruit as a guest radio presenter! Robert Kenny caught up with her ahead of the show.

Do you enjoy doing things like this that are different to the day job?

Yeah - I think I try to keep everything within my comfort zone. So when I worked TV, I did a wonderful show called ‘Finding Jesus’ with Andrew Lloyd Webber which led on to playing Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar so that was incredible – it was a lovely experience. And musical theatre has always been a love of mine since being a kid, so it’s been quite nice. I don’t think I ever go too far away from performing and where I feel comfortable. Music will always be your first love?

Yeah it is. Absolutely. And you know, over the years, I have done lots of different things but I always come back to wanting to make my own music and go out on the road and tour with my band. Tell us what’s going on with the new music. There’s a new album, right?

Yeah - ‘Version Of Me’. I’ve been working on it for three years so it was about time I got my bum in gear and got it out there. And it has been really fun because I work with lots of songwriters and I’ve had great relationships with them for years but it was nice to introduce some new people into the studio, both in a writing capacity and productionwise and it’s helped make the album. I think (it’s) really current – they’re younger guys than I’ve worked with in the past – and it’s just been nice, that collaboration. It’s quite unique, a bit Melanie C, a bit the new people I’m working with – so I’m excited about the album. 36

I heard somewhere that it took you from studios in Los Angeles to a garden shed in London? It’s true. I love this story! It has quite a diverse life, this album. I was over in L.A. In a very swanky studio. I was working with Olly and Gale from Turin Brakes, and we’ve done a song called ‘Something For The Fire’. It started life as a gorgeous acoustic track in Olly’s garden. Down at the bottom of his garden, he has a summerhouse which contains his studio so we demoed it in there. But then one of my songwriters and producers on the album, Tom Wilding, actually lives in a yurt in a field in Bristol. So I’m hoping all those different scenarios have helped to make something very interesting. So you’re hosting your own show on The Breeze. Are you looking forward to it? I’m very excited – and a little nervous. It’s something I’ve not really done before. But you know, a challenge is good. Don’t be nervous. It’s easy.

<Laughs> Yeah that’s what you say!

You can listen again to Melanie C’s show at thebreeze.com and her new album is out to buy now. Robert Kenny can be heard 10am –3pm, Monday to Friday on FM and online at www.thebreeze.com

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MINCEMEAT AND APPLE MINI STRUDELS These delicious sweet and buttery mini fruity strudels make great festive puds over Christmas. You can prepare them a few hours in advance, cover and chill in the fridge and bake just before serving. Makes 8, Ready in 35 minutes 8 tbsp luxury mincemeat 1 small cooking apple, peeled and coarsely grated 8 sheets filo pastry, each measuring 18x31cm 50g unsalted butter, melted Filo pastry stars, to decorate (see Tip) Icing sugar, to dust Whipped cream or brandy butter, to serve

TIP To make the stars, fold a spare sheet of filo pastry into three. Stamp out tiny stars using a small starshaped cookie cutter and brush with a little melted butter. Bake as above but for only 4-5 minutes until crisp and golden. 40

1. Preheat the oven to 200C, Fan 180C, Gas Mark 6. Mix together the mincemeat and grated apple. Take one sheet of filo pastry and brush with some of the melted butter. 2. Place a spoonful of the mincemeat mixture along one short end of the sheet of buttered pastry. Fold in a little of the pastry along each long side then roll up to enclose the filling. Place seam side down on a large greased baking tray. 3. Repeat with the rest of the pastry sheets and mincemeat mixture to make 8 mini strudels in total. Brush with any remaining melted butter. 4. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Cool for 5 minutes then halve and serve with filo pastry stars and dust liberally with icing sugar. Serve with whipped cream or brandy butter.

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