YOURSHERWOOD NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
Sherwood lake re-opens years of silt shifted! pages 12-13
Spring clean your health top body maintenance tips pages 6-9
The perfect mix
fresh air and easy exercise pages 4-5
Simple herbs for health pots full of vital vitamins pages 14-15
welcome... ...to the May issue As the warmer weather approaches and the work in Sherwood continues to take shape, there have been a number of events both inside and outside TN2 Community Centre. At the start of the year we visited the New Year New You health event, followed by Meghan Edward’s The Exhibition featuring a variety of work by local artists. More recently we joined the well attended Easter Egg Hunt and the Herb Garden event organised by the team at Town & Country Foundation. Coming up in May we will see the long awaited official opening of Sherwood Lake and, although the work around the lake has had its challenges, we all look forward to seeing the results of everyone’s passion and hard work for transforming this once rarely used area into a space for everyone. We are always looking at ways to improve and redesign Your Sherwood and would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. If you have any suggestions, would like to share any events, ideas or stories please get in touch by emailing. magazine@tchg.org.uk or calling 01892 501446.
News bites Getting back to work Do you need an effective CV and help getting back in to work? Working Futures can help you with this as well as with covering letters, interview techniques, job applications and searching for jobs on line. The IT training is delivered by staff from St Gregory’s school and is on a one-to-one basis. It covers topics such as spreadsheets, using Word, emails, using websites, databases and PowerPoint. You work at your own pace and will quickly gain confidence with the help of the friendly team. Dawn offers one-to-one support and advice for everyone.
They are very friendly and helpful. I have gained so much confidence with IT over a few short weeks and I have also refreshed my CV. Local resident The group meets weekly, term time only – Just drop in between 12:00pm-1.45pm at St Philip’s Church, Birken Road.
Rachel Branson Your Sherwood
Useful Websites ....................................... IMAGO (formerly Voluntary Action Within Kent) www.vawk.org.uk St Philip’s Church www.stphiliptunbridgewells.org.uk Kent High Weald Partnership www.khwp.org.uk Tunbridge Wells Borough Council www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk Town & Country www.tchg.org.uk
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To find out more contact Dawn Grant on 07736 946333 or Roisin Donovan on 01892 501480 www.working-futures.co.uk
New sheltered housing scheme comes to Sherwood
Remember these days? If you lived in Sherwood in the 1960s, share your memories of those days with Bob Backhouse as he continues his project to research Sherwood’s history. Bob is still seeking stories from people who worked in the North Farm industrial estates in the 1960s up to the present day. There were a number of industries, including electrical goods companies and a company printing LP sleeves for pop records. Bob is also keen to receive stories from people who have witnessed the changes in Sherwood from the start of expansion in the 1950s to the present day. Did you move in to Sherwood during that time? Whether you came from Tunbridge Wells or from further afield, Bob would like to hear from you – all stories are very welcome. Bob is able to do home visits, or see him at his weekly surgery every Wednesday 9.30am to 10.30am at TN2 Community Centre.
01892 535086 bobbackhouse@gmail.com 23 Blakeway, Sherwood, TN2 3DF
Lakewood in the 1950s In the last few issues we have featured other places called Sherwood from around the world, so this time we’ve turned our attention to another place called Lakewood... Lakewood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is bordered by Long Beach on the west and south, Bellflower on the north, Cerritos on the northeast, Cypress on the east, and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast. Sometimes called ‘an instant city’ because of its origins – going from lima bean fields in 1950 to a well-developed city by 1960 – Lakewood is a classic example of a post–World War II American suburb. Photo Lakewood Park, August 1951. [Photo by William A. Garnett]
Town & Country is building a new sheltered homes scheme in Sherwood, in Greggs Wood Road, Tunbridge Wells. Designed specifically to be suitable for those aged over 55, the pet-friendly scheme will offer a mixture of one and two bedroom flats. The development is expected to be completed this autumn, and the homes will all be advertised for bidding through Kent Homechoice shortly before they are ready for completion. If you would be interested in moving to one of these new homes, you need to be registered for housing with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. If you are not already registered for housing and want to see if you may be eligible to apply for a flat, you can submit a housing register application at www. kenthomechoice.org.uk by clicking on ‘register’ and completing the online form. If you do not have internet access you could either go to Tunbridge Wells Gateway or call the Allocations Team at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on 01892 526121 for assistance.
Looking for an allotment? Live the good life with your own vegetable garden that will provide you with an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year. There’s nothing better than getting your hands on your first vegetable plot. It’s a great feeling, because suddenly you have the space to grow whatever you want. Allotments are great – but they’re not for the fainthearted. However, if you have a burning desire to grow your own fruit and veg why not register your interest for one of the Burslem Road allotments. The allotments will be offered on a ‘first come first served’ basis, so call today to avoid disappointment. Call 01892 501480 or allotments@tchg.org.uk
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Fresh air and ex – the perfect mix!
Free outdoor gym comes to Colebrook Sherwood residents will be able to get fit in the fresh air and sunshine this summer when a new outdoor gym is installed at Colebrook recreation ground. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council recently made the exciting announcement that the fantastic new facility will be located next to the cycle way on the area of Colebrook Recreation ground that sits between Clifton Road and Oak Road. Work is expected to start around 8 June and should take about one week to complete. The ‘gym’ will offer a wide range of resistance and cardiovascular equipment designed to improve strength and heart health, including: • Duo air walker – designed to work the muscles in the lower body, improving flexibility and build strength in the hips and legs • Duo cross rider – similar to the cross trainers that are found in gyms, this piece works the heart, arms and legs simultaneously
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• C hest press – used to provide an upper body workout, focusing on strengthening the chest and arms • L ateral pull down – designed to develop the shoulders and triceps • D uo upper body workout – this station provides a great workout for the arm muscles • D uo workout skier – used to strengthen the lower back and abdomen whilst improving flexibility • D uo workout leg press – helps to strengthen the hip and thigh muscles • R owing machine – a full body cardio workout using both the arms and legs to imitate rowing actions • B ody twist – will help develop flexibility, especially in the lower back and hips • T ai Chi wheel – achieving arm movements similar to those performed in Tai chi this will help improve flexibility and co-ordination in the arms, wrists and shoulders. Also suitable for wheelchair users
xercise
Five good reasons why it’s ‘better out than in’... You don’t need to be a fresh air fiend or fitness fanatic to know that spring and summer sunshine can work wonders to uplift the spirits and give your soul a good workout. Here are five good reasons why spending more time outdoors – whatever the weather – could be the best thing you ever do for your health: • Exercising outdoors makes you happier
Rower
Just five minutes of exercise in a ‘green space’ – such as your local park – is enough to make you feel happier and less stressed, according to recent research published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal. The effect may be due to the oxygen boost from fresh air, which encourages production of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. • You’ll burn more calories outdoors Exercising in the open air isn’t just a mood-booster: you’ll also see quicker results from your workout. The reason? Walking, running or cycling outdoors puts more demands on your body. • You’ll have healthier bones
Tai Chi wheel
Lateral pull down
• Arm bike – provides a full body workout, helping to build stamina, developing the arms and legs • Workout stepper – providing a great cardio workout and targets the muscles in the legs and bottom • Workout cycle – a great cardio workout, perfect for building the leg muscles and working on stamina. The equipment is suitable for people aged 14 years and over and is free to use. Once the equipment has been installed qualified gym instructors from the Health Team at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will organise circuit-style gym sessions to show you how to use the equipment safely, support the less able and to help you get the most benefit from it.
From about the age of 35 we naturally start to lose bone density, so are more at risk from osteoporosis. Vitamin D is a key player in the fight against the bonethinning disease because it regulates the body’s calcium and phosphate levels, ensuring healthy bones and teeth. And where do we get most of our vitamin D from? Sunlight! And to top up our levels, we should each try to get ten minutes of sunlight exposure to bare skin once or twice between 11am and 3pm each day from May to September, according to the National Osteoporosis Society’s Sunlight Campaign. • Sunlight helps lower blood pressure Vitamin D may also help lower blood pressure, according to recent research presented at the European Society of Human Genetics conference. Researchers analysed 35 studies involving 155,000 people across Europe and North America and found that those with high concentrations of vitamin D in their blood had lower blood pressure. • You could avoid asthma
for more information... please contact the health team health@tunbridgewells.gov.uk 01892 554411
Low levels of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ have also been linked to a worsening of asthma symptoms, according to major research at King’s College London. Scientists found that vitamin D helped calm an over-active area of the immune system associated with asthma.
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Spring clean your health! Sometimes striking a balance between keeping yourself in optimum condition while juggling the pressures of life can be tricky. There never seems to be enough time to do everything you need to do, and trying to find the time to spend on yourself can just add to the pressure. Unfortunately the effects of taking shortcuts can end up reflected in your appearance and general wellbeing.
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But with the warmer months on the horizon, there is no better time to take steps to ‘spring clean your health’. To help you do this, some of the leading names in the lifestyle industry have come together to provide a list of top tips on how to deal with some of the tell-tale signs and boost both your health and confidence – with minimal effort.
Bad breath? Smoking is a key cause of bad breath which can linger for hours and, aside from the wider health implications, the habit is also linked to gum disease. The most immediate way that cigarettes cause bad breath is by leaving smoke particles in the throat and lungs. The chemicals in tobacco also linger in the mouth for hours and lead to the stale scent associated with smoker’s breath. In addition, smoking irritates your gums and can increase your risk of developing gum disease, which is a major cause of halitosis (bad breath). For those trying to stop smoking, cigarette replacement products are available that can simulate the sensation of smoking, or deliver a nicotine hit without lighting up. These include e-cigarettes which are vapourised rather than smoked (although the use of these has become quite controversial) and a variety of nicotine gums, such as Nicoccino, which are less noticeable in use. Michel Bracke, CEO of Nicoccino comments:
Nicoccino has helped thousands of people to quit smoking and unlike vaping, it’s discreet enough to be used anywhere, anytime. The leafthin film slides inside the lip and under the gum and allows the user an immediate nicotine sensation – equivalent to one cigarette – without the harmful chemicals and carcinogens found in traditional cigarettes. The product offers smokeless satisfaction and it will not stain your teeth or nails, or leave an unpleasant odour.
Stained teeth? There are certain foods and beverages which you should avoid if you are trying to maintain a pearly white smile. Tea and coffee in particular might provide the perfect pick me up, but these hot drinks are notorious for discolouring our teeth. Dr Sameer Patel, Clinical Director at Elleven, dentist to the stars, says:
Tea and coffee leave stains between the teeth and, if they are drunk regularly, the tannin compounds that cause the discolouration continue to build up. The best way to avoid this is to rinse the mouth thoroughly with water after consumption, to wash away residue left on the teeth. As a general rule, the more intense the colour of food and drink, the more potential there is for staining. The colour comes from chromogens – intensely pigmented molecules with a tendency to latch onto dental enamel. Acidic food and drink are especially harmful as they not only erode the dental enamel, they also temporarily soften teeth which make them more prone to staining. Watch out for coffee and fruit juices.
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Varicose veins? From weight gain to blood clots, from varicose veins to poor posture, sitting for long periods of time in one position at work or at home can be linked to a host of undesirable health problems. Varicose veins is a condition which affects up to 30% of the UK population during their adult lives, however keeping mobile around the home or office can make a world of difference. Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Founder of The Whiteley Clinic, Professor Mark Whiteley says:
Sitting at an office desk for hours on end is a common part of our day. When you sit for extended periods of time, the muscles in your legs that normally help pump blood aren’t used very much. As a result, in patients with varicose veins or ‘hidden varicose veins’, the blood falls backwards down the leg veins. The blood can then pool in the lower leg, increasing swelling, skin damage and the risks of visible varicose veins. To keep your leg muscles in working form, every half an hour stand up and pump your calves by rising onto your toes repeatedly for 60 seconds. However if you already have visible varicose veins, then these may need to be treated first.
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Dry hair? The daily wear and tear from hair dryers and straighteners can wreak havoc on our hair – drying it out and being a main cause of split ends. Try letting your hair air-dry whenever possible and if you must use a blow-dryer, use it sparingly and make sure you use a warm, not hot, setting. The same goes for curling irons or hot rollers. Renowned haircare guru Nicky Clarke helps you brush up on your brushing technique:
Use a brush that has natural rather than plastic bristles, as plastic generates static electricity which will make your hair more brittle. First brush the ends to remove tangles. That way, you won’t pull and break your hair when you take full strokes with the brush. After you brush the ends, take long, full strokes all the way from the roots of your hair to the ends to spread hair’s natural oils.
Love Where We Live Awards 2015
Muffin top? Skipping breakfast before work and eating unhealthy snacks can be a big issue for many as temptation often proves all too much when you’re under pressure in the workplace or at home – and also when you’re bored. However, there’s now such a huge choice of healthy and low calorie alternative snack packs available – including chocolate dipped biscuit bars, chipsticks, bakery items such as muffins and flapjacks, coated nuts and fruits and even ready meals – that it’s now possible to minimise your muffin top without giving up your favourite treats. Jo Beach, Entrepreneur and founder of Tasty Little Numbers, a range iof portion controlled snacks, comments:
Portion control is king. It’s important to allow yourself a bit of what you fancy to prevent overindulging on fatty foods to compensate for going without. For example, at only 100 calories a pop, gluten-free 100 calorie chocolate biscuit bars are a perfect workplace snack. Food swaps are also a great way to cut the calories, yet without feeling like you’re depriving your body or going without. Some days there is just no time to sit and eat a cooked breakfast , and a sugary cereal – although often a tempting option when you’re in a hurry – does little to nourish your body. My failsafe 60-second food swap is: 1 banana, 1 cored apple, 1 scoop of protein powder, 1 scoop of flaxseeds and 200ml of water – it takes me 20 seconds to prepare, 20 seconds to whizz to a pulp in my blender and 20 seconds to drink it. I feel super-nourished with carbs, protein and good fats in no time at all!
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s annual Love Where We Live awards celebrate the people who make Tunbridge Wells a great place to live. The awards are not just about great achievements or overcoming adversity, but also the small things that can make a big difference. They recognise individuals, groups and organisations who are dedicated to helping others in our community, benefiting the environment, or accomplishing personal goals. There are nine categories open for nomination this year including the new Young Sports Achiever of the Year award for those 16 and under. The overall winner of the Love Where We Live Award will be chosen by a panel of judges. Nominations are now open. You can nominate online www.lovewherewelive. co.uk or pick up a nomination from the Town Hall or Gateway in Tunbridge Wells or in the Weald Information Centre, Cranbrook. The closing date is Friday 31 July 2015, and the finalists will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the Assembly Hall Theatre on Wednesday 7 October. Nominations close Friday 31 July
Find out more... www.lovewherewelive.co.uk
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TN2 – your com
A healthy start to the new year! The first Health and Wellbeing Event took place on 21 January and saw exhibitors from local agencies, GPs, community organisations and local businesses. The event offered local residents the opportunity to come along and talk to health professionals about lifestyle, diet, nutrition, fitness, smoking as well as a chance to check cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Creative talent showcased at TN2 The art exhibition organised by Meghan Edwards was a wonderful opportunity for local artists to show their work to all those who visited TN2 Community Centre between 20 and 24 March. Meghan organised two workshops in February and then invited local artists to bring their work to the centre. Meghan would like to thank everyone who contributed to the display and also to those who came along to see the work.
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Easter Eggstravaganza at Sherwood Sherwood residents enjoyed some Easter themed fun and games on 10 April, thanks to an Easter celebration organised by TN2 Community Centre and the Sherwood Partnership. As well as various stalls to visit, residents demonstrated their creative abilities with a craft event, followed by lunch and an Easter Egg hunt in the lake area behind the TN2 building. Lynne Bell, Valentina Williams (both sporting bunny ears) and Chris James attended on behalf of Hill, with Cameron and Doron from carpentry contractors Hammerwood, kindly dressing as bunnies to help hand out chocolate and Hill teddies and balloons.
TN2 volunteer scheme Do you have a few spare hours a week? Do you want to do your bit for the community? Are you looking to meet new people? Then you should consider joining the volunteer scheme at TN2. Volunteering helps you gain confidence and self esteem, meet new people and feel valued as part of a team. To find out more pop into TN2 Community Centre or call them on 01892 538230.
mmunity Calling Sherwood’s ‘Shedmen’ Be part of an exciting new venture in Tunbridge Wells! If you are looking for a new outlet for your skills and energy….we might have the answer. A group of us are looking to set up the first Men’s Shed in Tunbridge Wells at the TN2 Centre in Sherwood. What is a Men’s Shed? It’s a larger version of the typical man’s shed in the garden. It’s a place where members can share the tools and resources they need to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace in a safe, friendly and inclusive place. They are places to share skills and learn, where shedders can pursue individual interests and community projects and benefit from the sociable atmosphere and support that a Men’s Shed can offer.
Want to know more?... We will be meeting regularly so come along and have a chat or contact Tim Tempest or Paul Waghorn timjtem@yahoo.co.uk 07827 919251 Tim 07715 453030 Paul
Your views wanted! Harriet Amos, Sherwood’s Community Organiser, will be visiting homes in the following roads on Mondays with a community questionnaire to find out what people love about where they live and what they would change. She will also be visiting other roads in Sherwood and is looking forward to meeting you over the summer. 1 June - Sandown Park 8 June - Rankine Road & Caley Road 15 June - Greggs Wood Road 22 June - Coneyburrow Road 29 June - Sandhurst Park & Sandhurst Road
6 July - Birken & Liptraps Lane 13 July - Sherwood Road 20 July - Wiltshire Way 27 July - Blackhurst Lane
find out more...
please contact harriet.amos@ corganisers.org.uk or phone 0773 627 6415
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Shifting Sherwood’s silt Created in the Victorian times as part of the landscaped estate of William Siemens at Sherwood House, Sherwood Lake has accumulated a vast amount of silt over the last 100 years as this is the first time the lake has been desilted. This build up of silt has caused serious problems, contributing to low oxygen levels for the fish, which is especially harmful in the warm weather. With help from a landfill tax grant from SITA, topped up with money from Town & Country, Kent High Weald Partnership (KHWP) had enough funding in place to put the contractors on site in January. During the two month project they removed a staggering 960 cubic metres of sludge. Using heavy machinery in an ancient woodland – especially in a space that is open to the public – inevitably caused some disruption. Path diversions were created and signposted, and even though the weather was kind the paths around the lake became quite badly rutted and will take some time to recover. The work programme at Sherwood Lake has been a busy one. Tasks have included removing much of the invasive Rhododendron that had overtaken the banks and were out-competing native shrubs, clearing pathways to improve access and installing boardwalk, bridges and signposts. More recently KHWP has been replanting the banks with native shrub and marginal species and putting ‘barley straw sausages’ into the lake. These large, sausage shaped nets are filled with barley straw which, as it slowly rots in the water, releases safe by products that create a unique environment in which the growth of damaging algae species is discouraged. As part of the works new oak revetment and willow fascines were also installed to prevent further erosion of
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the banks, keeping the lake looking great and the fishing pegs intact. To complement the hard landscaping, they have also installed coir rolls pre-planted with native pond plants, mats to form a reed bed around the outflow, and 100 plugs of marginal and bog plants. The next exciting project is the launch of the floating island, due to take place at the beginning of May. This floating platform is anchored to the bottom of the lake and will be planted with native species, providing a diverse mix of habitat both above and below the water. The completed work at Sherwood Lake could not have been possible without the valuable efforts of volunteers. As Nick Robinson, senior partnership officer, explains:
Our regular Wednesday and Thursday volunteers have tirelessly given up their time to participate in a variety of tasks and we have also been lucky enough to have involvement from corporate groups such as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent County Council, McDonalds and Town and Country Housing Group. There have been many positive changes at Sherwood Lake and the good news is, the best is yet to come. We are confident that the improvements to water quality, following the de-silt will be well worth the disruption involved, and that the lake will be a better place for anglers, local residents and wildlife as a result.
Join in KHWP’s summer activities... Now that the warmer the weather is here, why not get outside and join in the fun activities down at Sherwood lake, where KHWP’ s work to the area continues.
Thursday 21 May Take it to the bank Help improve the lake for wildlife with some aquatic planting
Friday 22 May - 11.30am Great Lakes Launch The major works have now been completed on the lake, so KHWP will be celebrating by launching a floating island and making other improvements for wildlife
Saturday 6 June - 10.30am to 1.30pm Wild Child Workout at Hilbert Woods This day will be a fun mix of practical outdoor work and play! Bring a picnic as rest and relaxation is an important part of this family day
Thursday 16 July Meet outside TN2 Community Centre at 8.30pm Bat-tastic! at Sherwood Lake BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL for this bat detecting walk around Sherwood’s woods and lake
Saturday 1 August - 10.30am to 1.30pm Wild Child Workout at Sherwood Lake This day will be a fun mix of practical outdoor work and play! Bring a picnic as rest and relaxation is an important part of this family day
Thursday 13 August - 11am to 3pm Great Lakes Challenge at Sherwood Lake A full day of free fun activities for all the family. Drop by and go wild!
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Simple herbs for health Kate Arnold, Nutrition Consultant, shares her passion for using simple herbs for improving your health and wellbeing...
squash and rosemary (water, salt and pepper as stock), it’s the most basic recipe I do and it’s delicious. For me, fresh is far superior to dried and it can be refrigerated in a bag for several weeks.
Since I had a duodenal ulcer in my early twenties I have always been a little wary of herbs and spices, as officially I wasn’t allowed to eat them. However over the years I have understood more how they work and how beneficial they can be to the body and immune system. Additionally, when you cut the junk out of your diet food can taste bland, so herbs and spices have a great role in getting you to eat more healthily.
Terrific thyme
But herbs offer more than health benefits alone. I remember particularly as a child discarding the parsley garnish to the side of a plate of fish and chips. How far we have come since then! I have several window boxes with all sorts of herbs and have grown a selection of rosemary, basil, parsley, sage, thyme and oregano. Apart from the fact that herbs can be pricey to buy in the supermarkets or sometimes hard to get to when you need them, picking them as and when is a joy, and they can be added to literally everything!
Robust rosemary Rosemary is one of my favourite herbs – it’s in my window boxes at the moment and the smell is awesome. It’s also called Dew of the Sea and Old Man. Rosemary is actually related to the mint family and resembles lavender (you see that now!) It has thousands of uses, is easy to grow and extremely hardy – and which means I can’t kill it! Add an entire sprig to vegetable soups for a bright unique flavour. My favourite recipe is squash soup. With only two ingredients
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Thyme herb is absolutely packed with numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for wellness. Thyme originally is native to southern Europe and Mediterranean regions and the most popular variety is ‘Thymus vulgaris’ or ‘French thyme’. Try roasting carrots with honey, lemon juice and seasoning for 25 minutes and add thyme when warm. Delicious!
Why the vitamins in herbs are vital for your health... • V itamin B6 helps increase GABA (a neurotransmitter in the brain) levels in the brain, which helps you cope with stress • V itamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals • V itamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is required to maintain healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids like vitamin A and beta-carotene helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. Kate Arnold Nutrition Consultant BA (Hons), Dip ION, PG Cert, MBANT www.katearnoldnutrition.co.uk
The health benefits of rosemary - O ne of the most common medicinal uses for rosemary has been for improving memory and to prevent brain ageing - R osemary contains antibacterial and antioxidants that are known to have anti inflammatory, anti fungal and antiseptic properties - I t also contains manganese, iron, potassium, fibre, copper calcium and an abundance of B vitamins useful for DNA synthesis and for women just prior to conception - R osemary is a rich source of antioxidants and antiinflammatory compounds which are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation - L aboratory studies have shown rosemary to be rich in antioxidants, which play an important role in neutralising harmful particles called ‘free radicals’ - I n Europe rosemary is often used to help treat indigestion, and Germany has approved it for the treatment of dyspepsia
The health benefits of thyme - T hyme contains thymol, one of the important essential oils, which has been found to have antiseptic and anti-fungal characteristics - T hyme contains many antioxidants and fresh thyme has one of the highest antioxidant levels among herbs. Basically there is lots of ‘good stuff’ in them. - T he leaves are one of the richest sources of potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and selenium. Potassium aids the cells and body fluids that help control heart rate and blood pressure and iron is required for red blood cell formation - T hyme is also a rich source of many important vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C and folic acid - T hyme provides 0.35 mg of vitamin B-6, about 27% of the RDA (recommended dietary allowance)
Sherwood’s Community Herb Garden It’s time to getting digging again down at the Sherwood Community Herb Garden. With the help and support of local volunteers, the herb garden was created where Trebilco Close meets Oak Road as a place for everyone to enjoy. Now that the weather is getting warmer the garden needs your help with weeding, planning and caring for the garden. You don’t need to be green fingered or a plant expert – just come along and join in with digging and planting, or just enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Everyone is welcome!
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Are you a shopaholic? Lots of people love to shop – whether it’s online or traipsing round the stores – and some admit that they get a genuine rush of excitement when they buy new clothes, shoes and accessories. Many women even say they are at their happiest when shopping and spending money. But it seems that overindulging in retail therapy may produce feelings of guilt. In a recent survey* of 2,000 women a quarter confessed to lying about the amount of shopping they actually do! However the study also found that nearly six in ten females have certain rules they abide by before taking the plunge and handing over cash for a new item.
Shopping by the rules The number one rule adopted by these shoploving ladies is that as long as they can afford to make the purchase without going overdrawn or into debt, then it’s okay to buy the item. Half of them also reckon that if it’s to replace something that’s been worn to death or needs replacing then it’s also okay to go ahead with the purchase. Keir McConomy of Lovesales.com explains:
‘Having certain rules in place before you take the plunge and buy something is a good idea, especially if you know you can get carried away when shopping. Waiting for something to go down in price or asking yourself if you really need it is a good way of sense checking your purchases.’ So next time you feel the urge for some retail therapy make sure you know your shopping rules...
THE SHOPPING RULES…. If I can buy it outright and not go into debt to buy it then... 1. If it’s replacing something that I have worn to death I should get it 2. If it goes down in price I could consider it 3. If the price is less than I thought it would be I should get it 4. If I have been thinking of it constantly I should consider it 5. If I still want it after a month I should have it 6. If I have been good in other areas of my life then I could reward myself.
Star shopping tip Shopping online for items – especially food – can be a great way to keep an eye on the amount you are spending before checking out. Set yourself a budget before you start shopping and aim to stick within it. If you find you are exceeding your limit you can decide which items you can live without – deleting them from your online basket is a lot easier than rejecting them at the checkout. You might also be able to swap some of your usual items for those on special offer, and you can check pricing without being pressured by a store environment. It also helps you to plan your meals for the week, making sure you avoid buying a load of unnecessary foods that may end up in the bin! * Research by www.lovesales.com 2015
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YOUR SHERWOOD MAY 2015
Better breathing means better health Article by Michael Lingard BSc DO BBEC Buteyko Educator Breathing is the most vital and most social activity in our lives. Professor Konstantin Buteyko claimed over hundred modern diseases are associated with dysfunctional breathing. And did you realise that with every breath you take you inhale some of the exhaled air of every living man and animal on the planet?! We don’t all eat from the same plate, we don’t drink from the same well but we do all breathe from the same atmosphere. Despite that, it is unlikely that your doctor has ever checked your breathing unless you arrived with a respiratory illness – it seems that in today’s modern medicine it doesn’t matter how you breathe as long as you do! This is not that surprising, as it’s only in recent years that medical training has begun to incorporate nutrition into the syllabus in any significant way. We are seeing the results of this omission in the rise of childhood obesity that has reached almost epidemic proportions. At least diet and nutrition is now on the medical agenda, but breathing is still largely ignored. The most common respiratory dysfunction is chronic hidden hyperventilation that is already a 21st century epidemic, as over 75% of us in the West suffer to some degree from this health problem. Yet it is rarely diagnosed and, even when it is, the patient isn’t given the support and training they need to break this bad habit.
You probably believe your breathing is normal – after all, you’ve been doing it since you were born and have never seemed to have a problem with it, have you? But why not check it out anyway? Go to www.youtube.com/ watch?v=cSErLKCISWg to watch a short video that shows you how to measure your breathing in just a minute. The great news is that we can all learn how to improve our breathing in just a few weeks, and once you’ve retrained your breathing it’ll stay good without further work. The benefits of better breathing may be more energy, better sleep, better concentration, less anxiety, and a generally calmer more healthy life. There are many ways of learning to improve your breathing but only one has been subjected to many clinical trials and shown to be very effective and that is the Buteyko Method.
To find out more.... To find out more Google ‘Buteyko’ or visit www.buteykokent.co.uk to download a free app for smartphone or computer that will get you started learning how to breathe better. Alternatively you can download free leaflets that explain the breath connection to all the above conditions.
MAY 2015 YOUR SHERWOOD
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Your outside space Phases two and three of Lakewood will provide 122 new homes (including 40 homes designed especially for older people), a neighbourhood park and community square. The first homes will be ready by the summer and the community park space will be open in late summer. Work on the Community Square is due to start on 1 June and, depending on the weather, will take around 12 weeks to complete.
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YOUR SHERWOOD MAY 2015
If you have any questions about the development, please contact Hill’s Resident Liason Team on 0800 032 6760 or email residents@hill.co.uk Pictured above: an artist’s impression of the Community Park Pictured below: an artist’s impression of the planting for the verges along Greggs Wood Road
On the verge of something good!
Bronze award for Hill
During earlier consultation meetings, residents expressed concern over the remaining homes feeling out of place against the Newbuild. Town & Country have been looking at ways to address these concerns and over the next few months there will be a variety of planting schemes to the verges along Greggs Wood Road. Here are a few of the ideas and planting schemes that will be created over the coming months.
Hill has won a Bronze Considerate Constructors Scheme 2015 National Site Award for Lakewood’s Phases 2 and 3. This site has shown a high level of consideration towards the public, its workforce and the environment through adhering to the Scheme’s five-point Code of Considerate Practice: Care about Appearance, Respect the Community, Protect the Environment, Secure everyone’s Safety, Value their Workforce.
Pemburyrecycle upcycles
Winning a National Site Award is an exceptional achievement, and recognises those sites that have made the greatest contribution towards improving the image of construction.
Pemburyrecycle was established in 2004 when founder Luke Hattle started upcycling the wooden pallets and general household rubbish he saw dumped in skips. With an interest in recycling and re-using scrap, together with a creative mind, he started creating bird feeders and bird boxes from these unwanted items, with a goal to help the local wildlife as well as the environment. From items for the garden to useful household pieces and unique gifts, Pemburyrecycle can help you do your bit to be green and also help the economy – everything is sourced and bought locally. Everything that we would normally throw away is a resource; it‘s just finding something to make it into that counts. Hill invited Luke to help himself to various bits from their skips and he set to work making a Sparrow Terrace and Bee Hotel from the recycled material for Hill to use on the development. To see more of Luke’s creations visit www. pemburyrecycle.co.uk
MAY 2015 YOUR SHERWOOD
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Dates for your diary
Regular events
Mondays (except Bank Holidays)
Tuesdays (not 26 May)
Wednesdays
Time
Activity
Location
10am-12pm
Gerryantics Badminton
TN2 Centre
6pm-8pm
Sunset Twirlers
TN2 Centre
8pm-10pm
Wing Chun
TN2 Centre
5.30pm-8pm
Youth Club
TN2 Centre
9am-11.30am (term time only)
Cyber café
St Philip’s Church
6.30pm-8.30pm
Carousel Majorettes
TN2 Centre
7pm-10pm
Leisure bingo group
TN2 Centre
7pm-9pm
Wing Chun
TN2 Centre
9.30am-10.30am (first Wednesday of each month)
Housing surgery
TN2 Centre
Turn up to discuss any tenancy related issues with your Housing Manager. No appointment necessary.
4.15pm-5.30pm
Kidzclub Activity
St Philip’s Church
Free fun and games for children in school years 3 to 6
5.30pm-7.30pm
SAMA Karate
TN2 Centre
10.30am-11.15am
Stacey’s Little Stars
TN2 Centre
Thursdays
Fridays
Notes
Improve your IT ability at this free cyber café. Crèche available. £1 charge
Friday 15 May 10.30am-11.15am TN2 Centre
Men’s Health Club Football
Thursday 21 May TN2 Centre
Jobs Fair – A chance to meet local employers with job and apprentice opportunities
Thursday 21 May TN2 Centre
Take it to the bank – Help KHWP with some aquatic planting to improve the lake for wildlife
Friday 22 May 11.30am
Great Lakes Launch – Help KHWP launch a floating island to celebrate the lake re-opening
Saturday 6 June 1 0.30am-1.30pm Meet at TN2 Centre
Wild Child Workout at Hilbert Woods – Practical outdoor work and play for the whole family. Bring a picnic
Sunday 7 June TN2 Centre
The Big Lunch – A one day get-together for neighbours. A day to turn off the TV, go out and enjoy good conversation, food, fun and friendship with the people who live near you
Saturday 20 June 10am St Philip’s Church
Messy Church – Family fun including messy crafts, singing, worship and refreshments
Thursday 16 July 8.30pm TN2 Centre
Bat-tastic! at Sherwood Lake – Meet outside TN2 Community Centre for an evening bat detecting walk around Sherwood’s woods and lake. BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Saturday 1 August 1 0.30am-1.30pm Meet at TN2 Centre
Wild Child Workout at Sherwood Lake – Practical outdoor work and play for the whole family. Bring a picnic
Thursday 13 August 1 1am-3pm Meet at TN2 Centre
Great Lakes Challenge at Sherwood Lake – A full day of free fun activities for all the family. Drop by and go wild!
YOUR SHERWOOD – CONTACT US Your Sherwood goes to every home in the Sherwood ward and we are always on the lookout for Sherwood related news and stories. Please get in touch if you have something you think readers might be interested in. Brought to you by Town & Country Foundation magazine@tchg.org.uk
01892 501446
@tandcfoundation
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