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Love is in the air! www.villagetweet.co.uk
February 2013
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL BUSINESS 11 Barns Green • Billingshurst • Five Oaks • Ifold • Kirdford • Loxwood • Plaistow • Slinfold • Wisborough Green
Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk
Contents
Y
es, it’s the Month of Love again! This issue – as you will have surmised from the cover – is an unashamedly romantic one. Valentines’ Day features include The Food of Love (aphrodisiacs and chocolate mainly!), Language of Flowers (make sure your flowers send the right message to your loved one!), Love in the 21st Century (modern dating techniques), and a trickier than usual Valentines’ Day Spot the Difference. There are Valentines’ Day menus on offer from the Half Moon and Queens Head pubs, gorgeous Valentines’ Day flowers available from Blooms 2 florist and – for the really serious – wedding dresses from Maureens! Grahame Cover photo: Dance of Love. Two Great Flamingos, Wild Animal Park, California (well, you didn’t think it was Billingshurst did you?!) By Lori Branham Food & drink Half Moon Pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Chef Thai Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hungry Guest Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wisborough Green Farmers & Village Market Recipe: Cashew Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monsoon Indian Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Queens Head Pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Food of Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billingshurst Butchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayfield Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sumners Ponds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Health & wellbeing AM Beauty Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Keep Fit for 2013 – Go for a Health Walk . . . . . . . .10 Gozone Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Lesley Hawker Sports Massage Therapy . . . . . . . .11 Solar Flare, Yoga Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 13 Meraki Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 About the house Fowlers, Estate Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Hamilton Cole, TV & Satellite Equipment . . . . . . . .17 New Move, Online Estate Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Vertus Building Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 West Sussex Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 ATG Property Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Jef Wilson, Decorator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Pest Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Re-Nu Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 ADC Appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 GJ Coles Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Hallam Trim, Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Appaloosa Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Delta Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Holly Boilers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Catherine’s Pet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Goring Road Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Coates Chimneys and Sweeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Euroll UK, roller garage doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Pest B Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 RW Scott Carpenter & Joiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Brazier Building Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Cleansing Service Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Make Small Bigger (maximising your room space) . .26 Odd Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Apex Aerials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Oven Revival Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 The Carpet Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Austens Home Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Cracknell Pitt-Draffen, Estate Agent . . . . . . . . . .OBC Motoring KB Private Hire . . . . . . . Sat-nav Savvy . . . . . . . . A-Team Mechanics . . . . Macs Private Hire . . . . . Sussex Towing Brackets
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COPY DATE FOR MARCH ISSUE: 4th FEBRUARY Published by A272 Design, PO Box 371, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 4AS
Editorial and Advertising: Grahame Pearson 07762 767084 editor@villagetweet.co.uk Website Design: Stephen Pearson stephen@pearson-design.co.uk
www.villagetweet.co.uk Printed by: The Lavenham Press, Suffolk Disclaimer: All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith. However, A272 Design cannot take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. © No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher. Garden Tweet! Garden View: A Frosty Reception Donnabhán Garden Design . . . . Mark Hedges Garden Services . . Andrew Gale Tree Surgery . . . . . AR Garden & Tree Care . . . . . . . John Potter Winter Garden Work Sussex & Surrey Tree Services . Village Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton-Turner Trees & Gardens
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Miscellaneous Professional Services & Businesses Blooms 2, Florist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Maureens, Prom & Bridal Dresses . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Southwater Cycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Bax Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 TechGeek IT and Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 One Stop Computer Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Safer Internet Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Features Why Water Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Language of Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Love in the 21st Century . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Five Good Reasons to Learn a Language Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On Your Bike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Living with Laika . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Computing: iPhone app troubleshooting . .
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Community/Out & About/Farming/Smallholding Haven Heavenlies: Twelfth Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Wey & Arun Canal Trust Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Wey & Arun Canal Trust Photo Competition . . . . . .14 Billingshurst Dramatic Society: When We Are Married . .21 Vivace Chorus: An Evening of Elgar . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Evershed Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 B.E.A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Michaela Giles’ Diary of a Smallholder . . . . . . . . . .36 John Nash’s Farming Column: Princess . . . . . . . . .37 Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre . . . .43 Little Tweeters! Kids Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobtails Montessori Nursery Fishers Farm Park . . . . . . . . Tip Top Tutors . . . . . . . . . . . Spying by Yvonne Fleece . .
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Equine SPR Centre: Transporting your horse . . . . . . . . . . .30 Games and quizzes Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 40 Spot the Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34, 46 Last But Not Least What’s On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 45 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
DĞĞƚ &ŽǁůĞƌƐ͛ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͗ KƵƌ ŵĂŶ ŝŶ
BILLINGSHURST
Keith Hutchinson
Director, Billingshurst
Keith brings our clients 27 years· experience and a record of awardwinning client care and attention.
.HLWK·V SDUWQHU LQ WKe office is Lori, his wife. You see, Fowlers really is a family firm.
He is a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents and is a Qualified Energy Assessor so can advise our clients on energy conservation.
Lori too is the consummate property professional having managed offices in nearby towns and villages working with clients in Southwater, Ashington, Horsham, Arundel and Billingshurst.
tĞ͛ůů ŵĂŬĞ LJŽƵ feel at home
74, High Street Billingshurst RH14 9QS. www.fowlersonline.co.uk 01403 786787
THE HALF MOON Kirdford, West Sussex, RH14 0LT The Half Moon, Kirdford is hugely proud to welcome our Award Winning new Head Chef - Reuben Waller. Resident from Friday 11th January, he will be presenting his superlative cuisine in a perfect setting of open log fires, comfortable and spacious dining areas and a well stocked bar. Formerly presenting as a pub restaurant, The Half Moon is now focusing on providing a top quality offering in a warm, relaxed atmosphere, using the best local producers, fine wines and exceptional service.
Our meat is sourced from John Murray of Loxwood, fish is delivered daily from the South Coast and our Fruit & Veg arrives direct from Secretts Farm, Milford. Located opposite the ancient church of St John the Baptist, in the picturesque and quintessentially English village of Kirdford, just off the A272 between Billingshurst & Petworth, we are the perfect venue for wedding celebrations, christenings, birthdays, shooting lunches, and other private parties with catering tailored to your specifications or selected directly from our seasonal a la carte menus. We look forward to welcoming you soonÇĽ
THE HALF MOON
THE HALF MOON
Kirdford, West Sussex, RH14 0LT
Kirdford, West Sussex, RH14 0LT
Proudly presenting extracts from our new menu created by Award Winning Head Chef, Reuben Waller
‡Ž‡„”ƒ–‡ ƒŽ‡Â?–‹Â?‡ǯ• ‹‰Š– on Thursday 14th February with a gourmet dinner & music at The Half Moon, Kirdford
Starters Seared Local Scallops with a Saffron, Pea & Pancetta Sauce served with Steamed Samphire ‘Â?‡ ‘ƒ•– ‡‡–• ™‹–Š ‘Ž†‡Â? ”‘•• Â‘ÂƒÂ–ÇŻÂ• Š‡‡•‡ served with Grapefuit & Mixed Leaves Black Pudding, Smoked Bacon and a Butter Crouton with a Poached Egg, Mixed Leaves and Garlic & Tarragon Sauce
Mains Double Cooked Shoulder of South Downs Lamb, with Braised Red Cabbage, Wilted Spinach & Truffle Mash Natural Smoked Haddock with Bubble & Squeak, Seasonal Greens, and a Poached Duck Egg topped with Hollandaise Sauce Braised Shin of Beef with baby Turnips, Sugarsnap Peas and Creamed Mash
Country Classics Sausage & Bean Stew with Homemade Crusty Breads ‡ƒ”‡† ÂƒÂŽÂˆÇŻÂ• ‹˜‡” ™‹–Š Pancetta, Caramelised Onions and Onion Jus ‡—„‡Â?ǯ• Žƒ••‹… ‘––ƒ‰‡ ‹‡
”ƒœ‹Â?‰ Â‘ÂƒÂ”Â†Â•ÇĄ Ž‘—‰ŠÂ?ƒÂ?ǯ•ǥ —”‰‡”• ĆŹ ƒÂ?†™‹…Š‡• ƒŽ•‘ ƒ˜ƒ‹Žƒ„Ž‡ on our lighter Bar Menu
Call Now for Reservations on 01403 820223
Featuring gentle Jazz with Carla Hendriks & Paul Stiles Advanced Booking essential Quote this advert on booking to receive a complimentary Glass of Champagne on arrival! Tel: 01403 820223 Web: www.halfmoonkirdford.co.uk Email: info@halfmoonkirdford.co.uk
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Food and drink
thai restaurant
by thanapaisit
Delicious Thai cuisine prepared with finest locally sourced ingredients
Please view our menu online: www.thechefthaicuisine.co.uk Eat in or take-away
Lunch 12.00am - 2.30pm
Dinner 6.00pm -10.30pm
TEL: 01403 786128 MOBILE: 07825 517439 9 JENGERS MEAD, BILLINGSHURST, WEST SUSSEX RH14 9PB
Wisborough Green
Another new taste experience from
“The pizzas are excellent… perfectly puffed-up base, crisp crust, pliable middle... toppings full of gusto”
Farmers & F
The Hungry Guest Café, Lombard Street, Petworth Eat-in or Take-Away. Open year round Tuesday to Saturday evenings Call 01798 344564
Vill ket Village Market
2nd THURSDAY MONTHLY 9:00-12:30 VILLAGE HALL Enquiries: 01403 700624
10% discount with this ad
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Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk
Food and drink
Cashew Chicken
It’s Chinese New Year on 10th February. Even if you are not Chinese you’ll love this tasty dish
METHOD
1. Cut the chicken into 1cm cubes. Mix with the egg white, salt and corn flour in a small bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. 2. Heat a wok or large frying pan until very hot. Add the oil and when it is very hot and slightly smoking remove the wok from the heat. Immediately add the chicken, stirring vigorously to prevent it from sticking. The chicken will turn white after a couple of minutes. Drain off the excess oil and reserve the chicken on a plate 3. Wipe the wok or pan clean with kitchen roll. Heat it until it is very hot, add 2 tbsp oil and the cashew nuts and stir-fry them for 1 minute. Add the rest of the ingredients. Return the chicken to the wok and stir-fry the mixture for another 2 minutes. Reserve the chicken to a plate again. 4. Make the vegetables: trim the bean sprouts at both ends. Chop the peppers into bit-size pieces and finely shred the chillies and the water chestnuts. 5. Heat a wok or large frying pan until it is very hot. Add the oil and when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the garlic, ginger and spring onions and stir fry for 15 seconds. Then add the bean sprouts, shredded chilli, peppers and shredded water chestnuts and stir fry for about 1 minute. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until it is well mixed and heated through. Return the chicken to the pan for a final stir. Serve at once with some steamed rice, garnished with spring onions.
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Preparation time: 20 minutes. Cooking time: 10 minutes for the recipe, 20 minutes for the steamed rice. Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
For the chicken 450g boneless chicken breasts, skinned 1 egg white 1 tsp salt 2 tsp corn flour 310ml groundnut (or peanut) oil or water 2 tsp groundnut (or peanut) oil 55g cashew nuts 1 tbsp shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 1 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tbsp spring onions, finely chopped, for garnish For the vegetables 225g bean sprouts 1 red pepper 1 green pepper Red or green chilli 225g water chestnuts, peeled if fresh, rinsed if canned 2 tbsp groundnut oil 1½ tbsp garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped 6 spring onions, shredded 1 tsp salt ½ tsp freshly ground white pepper 2 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tbsp dark soy sauce 2 tsp whole yellow bean sauce 2 tbsp shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 5 tbsp chicken stock or water
It costs less than you might think to advertise in Village Tweet. For our Rate Card visit www.villagetweet.co.uk and click on the ‘Advertise’ tab or call 07762 767084 today!
Village Tweet Editor samples Monsoon’s delights My son, Stephen, spent a few days with me just after Christmas and it seemed a perfect opportunity to escape and have a non-turkey meal! We decided to eat at Monsoon, Billingshurst’s well established Indian restaurant. It being a Thursday we plumped for Monsoon’s two-course meal for two offer. That was the easy decision. A harder one presented itself on being given our menus; what would we choose from the vast selection of tempting dishes? While making up our minds some papadums arrived accompanied by a tray of delectable chutneys including an excellent lime pickle and some gorgeous sweet coconut, delicately flavoured with tomato, giving it an attractive orangey-pink colour. We both chose onion bhajis for our starter. These were some of the best bhajis I have tasted, the coating being crisp and dry, and the filling melting in the mouth. Some mint flavoured sauce accompanied the bhajis. For our main course, Stephen chose a Prawn Kashmiri, very tasty with a hint of banana, while I ordered an old favourite: Prawn Dansak. Sometimes when ordering a ‘favourite’ one is apt to be disappointed but not this time. Monsoon’s claim to use only the finest ingredients was without doubt true: taste like this does not happen by accident, and the balance of flavours was simply perfect. To accompany our curries, we chose mushroom rice, a Tarka Dall as our vegetable side dish and a keema nan, all of which were superb, especially the dall – I love the texture and taste of lentils. It is easy to see why this offer is so popular. What is less easy to understand is how it costs just £22! I was genuinely amazed at the quantity and quality of the meal. The only ‘extra’ we had was a coffee afterwards. Service was discreet and efficient. Attentive without being overly so. The restaurant is very pleasant inside, cosy and traditional. We came away extremely satisfied and will return, as do many others. If you have not yet sampled Monsoon’s delights treat yourself and a loved one at the first opportunity! Grahame Pearson
Two-course meal for two for just £22 Eat in or take-away, lunch or dinner, Sunday-Thursday Larger party? No problem, please call us This extremely popular offer applies to all chicken, meat and prawn main courses
"
Take-away offer
Eat-in offer
7 days a week
Wednesdays only
Order a take-away meal costing over £25 and have a 660ml bottle of Cobra beer on us!
Order a meal and get 25% off the menu prices!
l Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer l Collection only l Present this voucher to qualify l Valid until 28/2/13
*
l Applies to any size of party l Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer l Applies to food only, not drinks l Mention Village Tweet to take advantage of this Special Offer
s er r g Local delivery service available up to 5 miles (Minimum order £20, Billingshurst £15) n a Je e re t View our menu at www.monsoonrestaurant.net n i th an ng to aur pm Monsoon, 42 High Street, Billingshurst i rk st st .30 pa , ju re fter 6 sy ad the E a Ea Me of FRE
01403 786636 / 783113
Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk
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The Queens Head, Barns Green Traditional 17th Century Village Pub Finest quality beers, ciders and wines Cask Marque Pub of Excellence Accredited in CAMRA Good Beer Guide
Finest quality, original home cooked food using our home grown and local produce (Some say it’s the Centre of the Universe)
EVENTS Wednesday 6th February from 8pm Thursday 14th February Tuesday 19th February from 8.30pm Every Sunday from 8pm
Live Acoustic Music Valentines Day Menu Quiz Jamming with Alex
Chapel Road, Barns Green, West Sussex RH13 0PS. Tel: 01403 730436
www.thequeensheadbarnsgreen.co.uk
8
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Coffee break / Food and drink Village Tweet Quick Crossword
01403 782523 8 Jengers Mead, Billingshurst
CHEFandBUTCHER.com Hog Roast & Barbecue Specialists 07815 004673 www.chefandbutcher.com
Solution on page 40
Producing free range pork & grass reared lamb direct to your door
Amazing New Year Offer! Ever wanted to try some of our meat? Well now is a good time as we are offering 25% off a quarter of one of our free range, rare breed x pigs! This will include at least 3 joints, belly slabs and/or strips and loin rolled, on the bone and/or chops, depending on your preference. That’s approximately 14 kilos of quality meat for only £57.75! (meat priced per kilo). Offer limited to Jan/Feb, subject to availability. (Please note: As from the New Year we will no longer be open here at the Farm. Visits are still welcome by appointment only by calling the number below. Pork and Lamb orders will be unaffected and still welcomed via phone or email.)
Suitable for any event, large or small. Our hog roasts use only locally sourced free range pork. Prices starting at £595 (up to 70 people)
Tel: 07920097185 www.clayfieldfarm.co.uk Based in Barns Green
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Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk
Health and wellbeing
Keep fit in 2013 – Go for a Health Walk
T
oo much Christmas pudding over the festive season? Horsham District Council offers a range of activities to help residents with their New Year’s resolutions. Horsham District Council’s Health Walks scheme is the perfect way to meet new friends as well as keep fit and stay healthy in 2013. Join the walkers and take some Vitamin N – that’s N for nature! Many people use nature as a tonic and walking can be an inexpensive and convenient way to support better health and enhance creativity. The Horsham District has some beautiful countryside to explore and volunteer walk leaders have worked hard to find and lead 200 guided walks that residents and visitors can enjoy. Walking is a great form of exercise and can easily be incorporated into everyday life, regardless of fitness level or age. Walking in a group can be relaxing and sociable and regular exercise can help relieve anxiety and depression. There is always a walk on Saturdays and Sundays as well as regular walks through the
week, month and year. The walks are a cost-free way of making new friends and Jill Shuker, Health Walk Coordinator at Horsham District Council, explains more about the scheme: “Most people can walk and these walks have been designed with everyone in mind; walking is easy, and the feeling that you get from the fresh air is just exhilarating. “The walks are short and not too fast, and you can walk at your own pace, enjoying the peace and tranquility that our lovely countryside offers. “Step into a new rhythm and walk off the calories with us.” Unfortunately, the walks will no longer be published in Village Tweet’s What’s On pages. Bill Gander of Horsham District Council, who regularly submitted walks to the magazine on a voluntray basis, has now retired. However, the latest walks can be viewed at www.horsham.gov.uk or alternatively call Horsham District Council on (01403) 215269 or email jill.shuker@horsham.gov.uk. Jill Shuker
An ad in Village Tweet’s
A Beautiful Six Room Vintage Salon
Health and wellbeing section is the most cost-effective way to promote your therapy or fitness business to over 8,000 potential clients Call: 07762 767084 or email: editor@villagetweet.co.uk 10
New Additional Treatments:Semi-permanent make-up Gel Manicure – Lasts up to 3 weeks! New Lycon wax – No more Ouch ladies! Botox & Filler Treatments (Dr. Anna Puri) Luxury treatments and surroundings at affordable prices
A.M. Beauty Clinic
Established 18 years
Tel: 01403 782290 Web: www.ambeautyclinic.com 38 Station Road • Billingshurst • RH14 9SE
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Health and wellbeing
Sports Massage Therapy (Not just for sporty types!)
Care Assistants
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most people work hard and spend their health trying to achieve wealth. Then they retire and spend their wealth trying to regain their health.â&#x20AC;?
We offer:
Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get caught in the trap â&#x20AC;&#x201C; massage is an easy, enjoyable way to make a huge difference to your health and wellbeing right now.
We are currently recruiting
Excellent rates of pay
If you want to improve your mobility, flexibility, circulation, reduce stress and reduce risk of future injuries then book a massage with me.
Full training up to diploma level 2
As a member of the International Institute of Sports Therapists (IIST) you know you will be in safe hands
Flexible working hours
Lesley Hawker BSc (Hons),
For more information please call 01403 783582
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01403 753904 or 07957 003902 Email: lesley@lesleyhawker.co.uk www.lesleyhawker.co.uk
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Health and wellbeing
Why Water Works Experts tell us that we need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, but have you ever stopped to wonder why?
T
he human body is made up primarily of water. Around 85% of the brain, 80% of blood and 70% of muscle is water. Given these facts, it is easy to understand why maintaining our body’s water levels is so important. During a single day an average person loses around two to four litres of water in the following ways: urine 50%; sweating 34%; breathing 14%; and faeces 2%. In order to keep our body working at its optimum levels, this lost water needs replacing. Most of the lost water (47%) is replaced through drinks, a further 39% through food and the remaining 14% comes as a by product of metabolic activity. What does water do? Water helps remove the dangerous toxins that our body takes in from the air we breathe, the food we eat and the chemicals used in the various products we use on our skin and hair. It cushions and lubricates our joints and carries oxygen and nutrients into our cells. Water also helps regulate our body temperature and assists in digestion. What happens if we don’t drink enough water? If we don’t maintain the correct water levels, our bodies will start to dehydrate. Like a car’s need for oil, if the oil level gets too low, the engine will
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start to run rough. If the oil runs out all together, the engine will stop running. It is the same with our body. Therefore it is easy to see why it is very important to drink eight glasses of water a day. Symptoms of mild dehydration include the following: • Reduced alertness • Reduced concentration • Slower reaction times • Tiredness • Headaches • Feelings of nausea • Low blood pressure • Constipation • Dry skin Drinking water can help us lose weight Believe it or not, it’s true! If we are dehydrated the performance of the blood, liver and kidneys is affected, with the end result that the body can’t metabolise the fat stored in cells as effectively, so the fat remains in the body. In addition, water is a natural appetite suppressant so drinking plenty of natural water (not in tea, coffee or fizzy drinks!) will help us to feel full and not so likely to eat. So, let’s do what the experts tell us and look after our wonderful bodies by drinking plenty of water! Debbie Singh-Bhatti
The Arts / Health and wellbeing
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Heavenly Again! Twelfth Night
A
girl dressed as a boy, lovesick nobles, mistaken identity, conniving servants, yellow stockings cross-gartered and some of the best known, most beautiful quotes in the English language – all at Fishers Farm Theatre when Haven Heavenlies present Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night from 28th February to 2nd March. Following a shipwreck in which her beloved twin brother is assumed dead, Viola finds herself at the court of Duke Orsino. She disguises herself as a boy named Cesario and soon becomes a favourite of the Duke and his messenger to the lady Olivia with whom he is in love. However, Olivia finds herself attracted to Cesario who is in turn smitten with Orsino! Alongside this runs the story of the drunkard Sir Toby Belch, his foolish friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the clever maid Maria, the ‘wise fool’ Feste and the social climbing Malvolio who gets his come-uppance at the hands of the other four. Add in Viola’s twin brother Sebastian and his friend Antonio, some sword fights, drinking, singing and dancing and – for most – a happy ending. The ‘Heavenlies’ started back in 2011 when Juliet Sumner gathered together a band of keen performers from the Horsham and Guildford areas to present A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the field of
The Blue Ship Pub in The Haven. The two performances raised almost £3,000 for Help for Heroes, firm friendships were formed and all parties agreed that another play should be staged the following year. 2012’s The Importance of Being Earnest (reported in Village Tweet, August 2012) was another huge success with all profits going to Sussex Air Ambulance and Limb Power. The opportunity of performing under a roof seemed too good to resist, so when Juliet was approached by Fishers Farm Theatre and locally based charity The Dame Vera Lynn Trust, it seemed the perfect opportunity to stage another play! A percentage of the profits will again go to Sussex Air Ambulance. The cast and crew are currently hard at work preparing costumes and publicity materials (pictured are Tom Hounsham and Roz Hall who play twins Sebastian and Viola – along with a few helpers – shooting their poster on a rather chilly Worthing Beach!), writing original music for the play, learning lines and drinking a lot of tea! Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this bittersweet comedy. Performances are at 7.30pm. Tickets cost just £10 and are available from Fishers Farm on (01403) 700063 or www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk. Roz Hall (playing the part of Viola in the play)
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Community
Wey and Arun Canal Photo Competition 2013
D
id you get a new camera for Christmas or have one tucked away? Then it is time to put it through its paces from the banks of the Wey & Arun Canal. The competition with the theme of ‘Life on the Wey & Arun Canal’ is organised by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT) and winners will not only be in line for a prize but also get to see their work printed in the 2014 calendar. The competition is free to enter and the theme was selected in a bid to inspire people to explore the people, places, flora and fauna that make up the canal environment, and also to share images that have been taken throughout the year. The Trust hopes to use the best images to
A feature in Village Tweet’s Community pages throughout the magazine is a great way to tell over 8,000 local people about your local event or story And it’s free! Call: 07762 767084 or email: editor@villagetweet.co.uk
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reflect the different seasons in the 2014 calendar, which will be sold to help raise funds for the continuing restoration work on the canal. The deadline for entries to the photographic competition, which can be submitted as prints, on a CD or DVD or by email, is 28th February 2013 and winners will be announced this spring. Full details of the rules and submission criteria can be downloaded at www.weyandarun.co.uk/ WACT_PhotographicCompetition2013.pdf Sally Schupke, Chairman, WACT www.weyandarun.co.uk Last year’s winning photo by Derek Greive
Special Cruises on the Wey and Arun Canal Mothering Sunday, 10th March A ‘Coffee & Danish Pastry Cruise’ will depart at 11am and Cream Tea Cruises will depart at 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Black tie service will enhance the treat for special Mums! The trips take 1½ hours. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £7 for children.
Easter Cruises, Easter weekend Our themed Easter Cruises will be running on all four days of the Easter weekend from Good Friday, 29th March to Monday 1st April. The trips take 35 minutes and depart at 11am, 12 noon, 2, 3 and 4pm. Children will receive a chocolate gift from the Easter Bunny while adults enjoy refreshments and the chance to unwind and enjoy the scenery. Tickets cost £8 per person and booking in advance is advisable. The boat departs from the wharf beside the Onslow Arms on the B2133 in Loxwood (we have a free car park) and travels along the decorated canal and through a restored lock. If you would like to book seats for one of the Mothering Sunday or Easter cruises (or enquire about private charters) please call The Wey & Arun Canal Trust Office on 01403 752403 or email office@weyandarun.co.uk
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Love! / Private hire
Language of Flowers Follow Village Tweet’s Guide this Valentines Day
L
ots of men will be heading off to florists this month but have you ever wondered why we give flowers? The Victorians were a rather coy bunch not given to brazen declarations of love, so a whole language sprang up around flowers and plants with special meanings attached to each variety. The language was called floriography. So flowers could be used to express almost any sentiment and in combination they could convey a whole range of emotions. Try saying it with flowers this Valentines’ Day with Village Tweet’s handy guide…
Maureens
Wedding dresses: Eddy K, Hollywood Dreams, Linea Raffaelli & Crystal Breeze
Flower meanings Red rose
Passionate love
White rose
Eternal love or innocence
Pink rose
Perfect happiness or Please believe me
Orchid
Love, beauty and refinement
Apple Blossom
Preference, good fortune
Begonia
Beware!
Bluebell
Humility
Pink carnation
I’ll never forget you
Yellow carnation Disdain, rejection Iris
Faith hope and wisdom
Ivy
Fidelity
Primrose
I can’t live without you or Young love
Sarah Davey Orders now being taken for
Valentines’ Day Thurs 14th February
Contact Mar Tel: 01403 ian 82 Email: mar 0517 ian@bloom s2.co.uk
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Little Tweeters!
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About the house
ONLINE ESTATE AGENTS with local representation New Move now provide a comprehensive and professional low-cost estate agency service in Billingshurst and the surrounding area ______________
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Love! / About the house
Love in the 21st Century
M
ost couples meet in mundane ways that allow them to get to know each other over time – through school, friends, work or hobbies for example – but if none of these methods is working for you, have you considered modern technology to help you find Mr or Miss Right? The internet offers dating websites (sometimes free of charge, but often with a monthly subscription) where your profile, containing a photo and other biographical details, as well as a description of the kind of person you are hoping to meet, is made available for others to see. If someone is interested in you, they can contact you by email and start a conversation to find out if you would both like to take the relationship further. There are risks involved in this type of dating – so don’t give out personal identifying information and never fall for sob stories from poor men in far-away places who need you to give them money. When meeting, make it somewhere public and busy and consider taking a friend along, and use a cheap pay-as-yougo phone to make it easier to get rid of unwelcome admirers! Speed dating involves an equal number of single men and women meeting in a room set out with tables. Each person is given a numbered badge and a card containing the names of all the people they will date that night. The ‘couple’ numbered 1 sits at table 1 and spends around five minutes chatting, with the man moving on to the next table at the sound of a bell. At the end of the evening, every woman will have met every man and all will have marked their cards with the names of people
they would like to meet again. If there is a match (i.e. woman A likes man B and vice versa), the dating service will provide them with contact information. A speed dating session takes around two hours and you can expect to meet between ten and fifteen people. The cost is around £20, normally paid in advance through a speed dating website. The dinner date is a variation on the speed date, where four-eight men and women meet at a restaurant to chat over dinner and get to know one another better. These smaller, more intimate, groups often work better than speed dates as there are others present to help keep the conversation flowing, so it feels less pressurised. At the end of the meal, if you have connected with someone at the table, the host will help you exchange contact information. Modern dating methods may not be the traditional way to meet a new partner, but they do at least open up a world of possibilities! Debbie Singh-Bhatti
J. WILSON Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialist Spring Cleans • Patio Jetwashing All uPVC (Cladding, Facias, Framework, Gutters, Cleaning & Repairs) • Commercial Cleaning General Maintenance & Repairs • Painting & Decorating Professional & Friendly Service • Fully Insured
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Motoring / About the house
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Sat-nav Savvy Choose the right device and drive from A to B with ease
W
hat do Brian Blessed, Kim Cattrall and Victor Meldrew all have in common? They are all voices of sat-navs! Satellite navigation systems – or sat-navs – are an invaluable aid to driving in unfamiliar areas. Gone are the days of struggling to see a tiny road in an enormous atlas as you realise you’re in the wrong lane, going the wrong way. Now you can simply type in the postcode of where you want to go and concentrate on driving, while your chosen voice gives you directions and a map of your route is shown on the screen. There is a huge range of sat-nav solutions available, costing anything from a couple of pounds to several hundred. So how do you choose the right one for you? All sat-navs work in the same way. The ‘magic’ comes from the global position system (GPS) – the network of satellites that orbit the Earth. They can lock onto the receiver in your sat-nav and locate its position to within ten metres. This position is then overlaid on to a map to reveal your location. The first decision is which of the three basic types you want to go for… Integrated sat-navs are part of the car’s dashboard and are fitted by the manufacturer. They normally have the best quality screens and sound systems. They are also secure, as they can’t be removed from the car. However, they obviously cannot be
transferred to another car. Dedicated sat-navs are fitted to the car using either a suction pad on the windscreen or a stand on the dashboard. A lead into the car’s cigarette lighter provides the power. Their big advantage is that you can use them in any car. However, they are very popular with thieves, so you must always remove your sat-nav from the car when you leave and wipe away any suction marks left on the windscreen to prevent the thief breaking into your car and checking the glovebox. The cheapest option is an app for a smartphone. Bear in mind, though, that the quality may not be as good as other options. You will also have to buy a holder so you can see your phone as you drive, and you may need an in-car charger. It’s then a case of investigating the additional services that sat-navs can offer, and trying out a few. Many will calculate how long your journey is likely to take and let you know of any traffic problems up ahead. You can also use them to locate nearby facilities such as petrol/diesel stations, cashpoints and restaurants. Finally, check the cost of software and map updates, and maps of other countries that you may need to download from the manufacturer’s website. And remember, sat-navs are not infallible and should not be a replacement for common sense. If the road suggested looks too narrow, dangerous or apparently cuts through someone’s front garden, choose another route! Alex Brown
Re-Nu can transform your kitchen with made-to-measure replacement doors, drawers and worktops at a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen. We can also suppy and install any new appliances you may want built in; and we can supply and fit matching units or re-arrange existing ones.
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Learn a language / About the house
Five Good Reasons to…
Learn a Foreign Language
C
ollege evening classes start up again this month. Take the plunge and learn a new language. Here are five good reasons to enrol right now. Make new friends. Languages require practice! It’s easier to talk to new people if you’re both concentrating on something other than how shy you are. Chatting in a foreign language is a good way to break the ice and get to know your classmates. Improve your English! Learning a new language helps us understand tenses, prepositions, and all the other parts of speech we normally take for granted. As a result we speak and write more precisely. Many great writers were / are polyglots! Enrich your travel experiences. Connecting with the locals is the best
way to get the most out of travelling. People are more welcoming if you make an effort to speak their language. It can turn an ordinary trip into the holiday of a lifetime. Join the global community. Most of the rest of the world does not speak English! As the world becomes smaller and more interconnected it’s easy to see that we’ll come into contact with more and more non-English speakers. A foreign language puts you at an advantage in business and personal relationships. Sense of accomplishment. Wouldn’t it be cool to tell people that you speak two or more languages? Not many people in this country can, so if you can pull it off you have a reason to be really proud of yourself. Sarah Davey
G.J.Coles
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The Arts / About the house
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‘When We Are Married’ – from Yorkshire to Billingshurst
F
ollowing on from its recent sell-out production of The 39 Steps, Billingshurst Dramatic Society’s next production is the well-known classic When We Are Married, JB Priestley’s farcical comedy set in Yorkshire in the early 1900s. The play – a satire of smug British conservatism – centres around three couples of high moral standing who, during the celebration of their joint silver wedding anniversaries, discover they were never legally married – a scandalous and outrageous situation in Edwardian times. Their efforts to hide this fact, and their eventual comeuppance, provides much amusement. With some entertaining characters and a well-constructed plot, the play is sure to be another hit. Interestingly, the Society first staged When We Are Married back in 1973 and one member of the original cast is appearing in the new version. The production is on 21st, 22nd and 23rd February at the Women’s Hall, Billingshurst at
7.45pm. Tickets cost £8 and will be available from the Box Office, Mansell McTaggart, High Street, Billingshurst from 11th February. If you prefer, you can reserve tickets for collection and payment at the door, through the Society’s website – www.billingshurstdramaticsociety. webs.com. Billingshurst Dramatic Society has been entertaining local people since 1941. Its members are kept busy rehearsing for two productions and one revue a year but still find time to go on theatre outings and support other local events such as the Billingshurst Show. New members are always welcome, whatever their age, background or experience. If you are interested in becoming a member, take a look at the Society’s website where you will find more information, and complete the form on the Contact Us tab to ensure you are welcomed at the next event. Photo shows a scene from Billingshurst Dramatic Society’s recent production of The 39 Steps
Village Tweet is proud to be the Major Sponsor of the Billingshurst Dramatic Society throughout 2013
The
CELLO CONCERTO
Soloist:
ELGAR
Julian Lloyd Webber
Support Evershed Arts! The Weald’s quirky little Community Arts Initiative, based in the Unitarian Chapel, on Billingshurst High Street l Monthly Folk/Acoustic Club l Regular Classical Concerts l Exhibition Hosting l Beautiful listed building available to hire at low cost for any arts based initiatives For more details and for our forthcoming events visit www.evershedarts.blogspot.co.uk
The Music Makers Elgar The Brandenburg Sinfonia Conductor: Jeremy Backhouse
Saturday Saturday th 9 March March 2013 7.30 7.30 pm GLive GLive Tick Tickets: ets: £14 £14.50, .50, £17 £17.50, .50, £23.5 £23.50 0 and £29.5 £29.50 0 Book online GLiv GLive.co.uk e.co.uk or phone G Liv Live e 0844 77 7701 01 79 7977
vivacechorus.org v ivacechorus.org
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Book reviews / About the house
A Good Read February’s selection from book reviewer Kath Bennett Daughter of Smoke and Bone – Laini Taylor Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well. So begins this novel which really falls into the category young adult (YA) fantasy fiction yet manages to elevate itself through the sheer inventiveness of the plot. It begins in Prague and is the story of teenage art student Karou. She’s in college and has issues with her boyfriend. So far so YA. But this novel quickly develops into something strange and beautiful. Where does Karou go when she disappears from the city without warning, on strange ‘errands’? How can she speak so many languages? Why does her long, bright blue hair never seem to need dyeing? Karou is a girl who transcends two worlds; the real world, and the place she calls ‘Elsewhere’, where she was raised by chimaeras – strange hybrid creatures. But her secret world and all it contains is now threatened by deceptively beautiful interlopers. And Karou's peculiar fate is to fall in love with one of them. There is a saying that there are no really new ideas in literature and Taylor’s novel bears similarities to Romeo and Juliet, not unlike the Twilight series, but it's so much richer, more inventive and colourful. It will appeal to fans of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. Karou is certainly as spirited as Lyra – and with an equally confused heritage. To whom should she remain loyal – her adoptive father or her
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Skellig – David Almond Published in 1998, this unforgettable book achieved instant cult status and is now rightly recognised as a children’s classic. It is often taught in junior and secondary schools, but if you really want your child to live out the magic it offers, catch them early so they can read uninterrupted and absorbed. The story itself is simple. Shortly after the birth of his baby sister, and while her health hangs in the balance, Michael finds Skellig in the garage of the ramshackle old house that he and his parents have just moved into. But who – or what – is he? Slowly Michael begins to find out: with gifts of aspirin, beer, cod liver oil and Chinese takeaway, he discovers a friend. Almond’s prose is beautifully understated, and straightforward enough to capture the interest of the reader before leading into passages of lyrical and emotional intensity. Death is ever present, and dealt with sensitively enough for young readers to understand and relate to, while the message is all about life, and love, and hope. If you haven’t read it, buy it now.
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murderous soul mate? Daughter of Smoke and Bone starts small and grows, taking you on an imaginative journey of forbidden love, intrigue and divided loyalty. Sometimes it’s worth taking a break from your regular genres and dipping into something new. With Valentine’s Day approaching this may just be one of those times… and it certainly makes a change from a clichéd ‘They sailed off into the sunset and lived happily ever after…’
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About the house Dedicated care for ALL your animals
CATHERINE’S PET SERVICES Pet sitting Animal boarding Pet visits Doggie day care Dog walking Fully licensed and insured, excellent references Experience with all domestic pets, horses and livestock
01903 743414 or 07545 313126 catherinespetservices@hotmail.com www.catherinespetservices.co.uk
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H Free fitting H Free grippers H Free delivery H Free underlay H Free door bars H Free estimating 54 HIGH STREET, BILLINGSHURST, RH14 9NY 10 Wallace Parade, Goring Road, Worthing, BN12 4AL. Tel: 01903 700567 *Free offers apply to carpet sales only, minimum order value £200. Excludes remnants, vinyls, hard floors and budget range carpets. Terms & conditions apply
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show me the pest… …I’ll do the rest
About the house
R W Scott & Son Est 1932
Carpenter/Joiner Windows casement and sash, doors, stairs, wardrobes, etc. Trade enquiries welcome
Reliable…Effective…Discreet Mice, Rats, Rabbits, Moles, Squirrels, Wasps, Flies, Fleas BPCA and RSPH Qualified ✦ Fully Insured Small business with a personal service
Call Russell on 07900 418887 or 07801 102690 or 01293 851558 russell@pestboff.co.uk www.pestboff.co.uk
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01403 784665 07768 163853
Keeping you warm this winter… Coates Chimneys and Sweeps Maintenance of Chimneys, Fireplaces & Stoves
Chimneys relined and swept Woodbuners supplied All chimney work undertaken 12 years experience – now in your area HETAS certified, fully qualified & insured
For friendly advice call Lee on 01730 268873 or 07917 840218 www.coateschimneysandsweeps.com
Brazier Building Solutions has been a family run business since the early â&#x20AC;&#x2122;70s and continues to provide a high quality local service. We can provide for you with the experience, labour and materials for any building project, whether a full home refurbishment or simple renovation, from kitchen and bathroom fitting, to house extension or loft conversions and traditional restoration. We pride ourselves on an immaculate finish and attention to detail at a competitive price, whilst providing a smooth and friendly service. Please visit our website for examples of our work: www.brazierbuilding.co.uk
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About the house
Make Small Bigger!
W
e all wish our living space was bigger. But you don’t have to move house. Creative thinking may be all you need… Declutter – Clear everything out of the space you want to enlarge. Go through paperwork and only keep essential stuff. Sell unused items and duplicates, or give them away to friends or a charity shop. Only move things back into the space if they have a place and a purpose. Think Light – Light colours on walls and floors make a space seem airy. But don’t be dull. Use one strong accent colour on a wall or in an alcove to create a feeling of space within a space.
J O D B D O
Mirror Magic – An oversize mirror will instantly make a small space appear twice the size. Create storage – Use neat fitted handle-less cupboards with flush doors to create a minimalist feel. Use shelves to keep things organised and off the floor and tables. Supersize! – Placing one larger feature piece of furniture in a small space sounds counterintuitive, but it provides a focus and a talking point. The rest of the furniture should be slightly scaled down and lighter in colour, to create a feeling of space around the focal point. BE TIDY – Nothing destroys that airy feeling like mess! Sarah Davey
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About the house
APEX AERIALS
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About the house
Don’t let mould take a hold with Austen’s Home Hardware
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our bathroom should be a place of tranquillity and somewhere to relax and soak away your cares. So if, as you sink into your nice hot bath, all you can think about is how those black speckles on the tile grout seem to have increased in the past few days, you may be wondering if you’re sharing your ‘me time’ with some alien life-form. In a way you are. What you’re seeing is mould. It’s neither plant nor animal. It is, in fact, a fungi that thrives in warm, damp places. Humidity that forms in poorly ventilated spaces where moisture is prevalent offers the ideal conditions for
Before
After
mould growth, like your bathroom or kitchen. Mould spores not only look unsightly, they can aggravate respiratory problems, particularly in asthma sufferers and young children, so you’ll do well to tackle the problem before it takes hold. Fortunately, there are a number of solutions available at Austen’s Home Hardware, Billingshurst. We particularly recommend HG Mould Spray, awarded the coveted Good Housekeeping Institute Approved logo for excellence. It is specially formulated to kill spores, and includes a bleaching agent to restore the appearance of grout and silicone sealants around baths and shower trays, or in the kitchen. Available in a convenient 500ml bottle, HG Mould Spray is safe and simple to use on a variety of surfaces. Simply spray the mould and leave for 20 minutes, just enough time to enjoy a cuppa! When you return to rinse the area, you’ll be absolutely amazed at the transformation. Now, with mould eradicated, you can treat yourself to a long hot bath! David Lobley
Austens
High Street BILLINGSHURST 01403 782963 North Street MIDHURST 01730 815979 Market Square PETWORTH 01798 342104 28
Little Tweeters!
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Bobtails Montessori is a relaxed and friendly nursery, in Adversane near Billingshurst, providing childcare for 2-5 year olds. Established for over 20 years, Bobtails provides childcare on a daily basis during term-times to children from Adversane, Billingshurst, Wisborough Green, Pulborough and the surrounding areas. Parents can arrange a private viewing of the Montessori by contacting Montessori Principal, Pat West on 01403 786176 or 01489 565368. Children learn, discover and play, guided by the Montessori Method and experienced staff, and can participate in a range of activities, both indoors and out. The children also take part in regular extra curricular activities, such as the upcoming celebration of the Chinese New Year this month, where they will be making dragon masks, puppets, Chinese lanterns and lucky red moneybags with chocolate coins in a special event after school hours. They will also get to eat a Chinese banquet. For more information about Bobtails, please visit the website on www.bobtailsmontessori.co.uk
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Equine
Transporting your horse
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ooner or late most owners will need to transport their horse, whether it be to a local show or riding club clinic, a trip to the vets or even to pastures new. Horse transportation can be a daunting business. Horses and ponies are large animals capable of inflicting lots of damage to people, property and themselves so precautions must be taken to ensure transport is as safe and stress free as possible. If you are only going to transport your horse once or twice a year it would be best to either hire a professional transport company to do the move or hire a self-drive horse box for the day of the move. If, on the other hand, you are attending shows on a regular basis or even taking advantage of hacking in new areas then it would be wise to invest in your own transport. The choice between a lorry or car and trailer comes down to personal choice and circumstances. If you are staying away overnight or spending long days competing then a lorry offers practicality and comfort as you have somewhere to sit between classes, change comfortably and most importantly somewhere to make a bacon butty and a brew! The downside of a lorry is that they can be expensive to run especially in service and maintenance costs. A car and trailer gives you the freedom to be able to get out and about too, although if you passed your driving test after 1997 you will have to take a separate towing test to gain the B+E catogory on your licence allowing you to tow a horse trailer. The rules have also changed recently on who can supervise a learner towing a trailer so check with the DVLA before going ahead and towing. Even if you are legally entitled to tow, if you have never done so before it would be wise to book some lessons so you can be confident with driving the outfit, especially when it comes to reversing! You will also need to check your car’s handbook to make sure you have enough towing capacity for a horse trailer especially when towing two large horses. Some ‘soft roader’ 4x4s have a very limited capacity indeed. Make sure the horse is familiar with the transport before the date of your show; nothing is more annoying to do all the preparation only to find your horse then refuses to load. Feeding the horse in the trailer can help familiarise him with it as can doing lots of loading and unloading in the days leading up
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to the event. Never rush the horse or lose your patience – you could knock his confidence which is very hard to regain. For real problem loaders some of the natural horsemanship methods can work really well; look out for a practitioner in your area and be sure to ask for references, the main key to problem loaders is plenty of practice and time. To prepare the horse for transport it is good practice to fit a set of travelling boots – again accustom the horse to wearing them before transporting him – most horses object to them at first! The boots will provide protection should the horse lose balance and tread on himself. A poll guard is another essential piece of kit and will protect the horse’s head from injury should he throw it up and bang himself on the roof of the lorry or trailer. A travel rug is often worn while travelling and can be a thermatex type material for colder weather or a light cotton sheet popped on to keep the horse clean on the way to a show. ALWAYS use a leather head collar when travelling as it will break under the strain if a horse panics whereas nylon may not. It is advisable to wear a hat and gloves when loading a horse and suitable footwear too. Get your horse used to travelling by taking very short journeys first – I always start by just driving mine around the block – drive smoothly, always thinking ahead to make gear changes smooth, taking bends gently and avoid harsh or heavy braking. If the horse has a good experience of travelling he should have no fear about loading! Finally, maintain your transport – look after it so it will look after you. Trailers often get neglected, stood in damp wet conditions for long periods of time and this does considerable harm to floors and brakes especially – get it serviced every year. ry Hopefully we will get a sunny summer this le d season and you can all get out and enjoy d y, sa ha your horse this season! , k ly ge Jeannette Douglas. SQP, Qualified ac pp illa t e , u Horse Adviser. SPR Centre. ol n s ct V lac o p www.sprcentre.co.uk a a h c t l is sc or on wil th e c g in op se We sid nd rid sh lea y. ng e a es a g a o r i n in p d al ca er ru th etc t to ad se g s u lo , e r r n yo r c od we u ho ridi If o fo T yo
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Little Tweeters! / Community
Spying
Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst …
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eremy Oakhatch hesitated for a moment As it wasn’t too late in the day and as it was after he reached the bottom of his oak tree. raining and blowing really hard and as he was His beady squirrel eyes searched the quite wet, he decided to rest awhile in the ivy surrounding bushes for danger but the coast was hedge which grew over the fence. He curled up clear. He tiptoed over the in a nice dry spot and had rough ground and pushed a sleep. his way through the fence Little did he know that into the goats’ paddock. James Edward the cat had To his surprise there were spied him on his food sheep in there who searches, and stealthily looked at him crept up over the logs at suspiciously. He paid the edge of the garden them no attention as he and was sitting at the usually did with the goats, bottom of the ivy hedge who in turn usually patiently waiting. He sat ignored him. there for quite a while as But on this occasion the rain poured down but one of the sheep, (Stroppy he didn’t seem to notice. Moppy of course) started His eyes were fixed on over towards him in a one spot on the ivy ult? diffic s thing menacing manner. Then hedge. Why do humans have to make she stamped her feet at Jeremy didn’t know him. Jeremy was so shocked he sat stock still for what woke him up but he was instantly alert. Just a moment then ran for his life under the gate and as James Edward sprang, Jeremy squeezed into the paddock. through the tangles of the ivy hedge and over the While he waited for his heart to stop pounding other side, across the paddock through the fence Jeremy checked the course he had chosen. He across the pig pen, through another fence and up was on his way to the bird feeders that Nanny his oak tree to safety. had put up. He knew there was some good food He left James Edward hanging precariously by there just for the taking. He scurried over the all four paws on the ivy hedge looking like a flying grass and through the fence and climbed the squirrel gone wrong. Finally James dropped to small tree which was there. He couldn’t reach the ground and looked around sheepishly. He any of the bird feeders; Nanny had cunningly realised it was raining and he was very wet. He used those hard to get at ones. But he was not shook himself with all the dignity he could muster deterred. He dug around in the garden and found and began to amble over to the house to food, a couple of tasty bits and pieces including a bulb warmth and a sleep. Little did he know that or two. He dug through the lawn looking for a Nanny had spied him and was waiting for him couple of acorns he thought he might have behind the door with a great big red towel! buried in the autumn. Yvonne Fleece
Billingshurst Emergency Assistance Team (BEAT)
B
EAT has been operating as your local Community First Responder (CFR) group since 2006. CFRs are volunteers who attend certain 999 calls with the ambulance service, the idea being that as they are local, CFRs will often arrive before an ambulance so the patient will receive treatment sooner. CFRs are trained in basic life support and carry a range of medical equipment including a defibrillator, a device that could re-start a heart that had stopped. BEAT is always looking for new members to help the group provide more cover. The role is incredibly interesting and rewarding and is a great way to help people in the area you live; you may even literally save a life! Could you provide cover a few hours per week, either from home or work? Full training is given and all equipment is supplied by BEAT, a registered
charity. The role is very flexible and you can vary the times you can provide cover if needed. All of BEAT’s current members are on call around work, family and other commitments. BEAT also sets up Public Access Defibrillators in the community; to date the group has set up ten. BEAT also offers training sessions to local clubs and groups in basic life support such as how to carry out effective CPR. We would like to see as many members of the public trained in CPR as possible. If you would like to find out more about becoming a CFR, or would like details of the training sessions we offer, please contact us. Phone: Paul Berry (01403) 786185 Online: beatresponers.org Twitter: @BEATresponders
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Garden Tweet!
A
A Frosty Reception
s we progress through the year our thoughts are drawn to spring. The days are gradually getting longer, though it’s hardly noticeable because the temperatures are still very cold. People think of February as ‘nearly spring’ but in fact it can be a much colder month than December or January at times. That said, the cold weather is just the stimulus some bulbs need in order for them to burst into bloom. Take the snowdrop for example. This tiny flower with its delicate head looks its best this month, especially when planted in large drifts. Galanthus (snowdrops) naturalise and spread quite rapidly when happy, and over 5-10 years will form the most beautiful carpet of white. Try and visit an open garden this month and you’ll see what I mean. Choose a clear day when the sky is an intense blue. Take a waterproof rug to lie down on and see the world from the woodland floor, just like
s, ve ted s, ol ct ce on ha la er to ta la cti u -re ow s, on ll p se yo n (fl ed c wi n If rde ss sh ase e rde ga e s, le . W a a sin se c) p ay r G a u bu ho , et tod pul n s t o ee er ee p gr ow Tw our m ge in lla d Vi r a u yo
Garden View
a snowdrop would. It’s a beautiful place to be (and to take photographs from). If it’s not frozen solid, the earthy smell of the humus-rich soil is wonderful and there will often be a layer of crunchy leaves still remaining from autumn, partially decomposed which add to the aroma. When you get up close and personal with plants in this way it really gives you a chance to appreciate their beauty. Lift up the little nodding head and see the loveliness within. If you are inspired by these wonderful scenes, now is the perfect time to buy and plant snowdrops, so why not add some to a tub, or plant a swathe by the front door? That way even when it's icy outside you’ll be welcoming guests with a less frosty reception. Lee Bestall www.inspiredgardens.net
Photo: Trevor Lowe
Jobs to do this month include: Cutting down – I’m not talking about the post-Christmas calorie intake, but about the herbaceous perennials. Chop them down now, as far as you can go so that the new shoots will be free to grow next month. Hedge your bets – overgrown evergreen hedges can be cut at the end of the month. Do one side this year and one in a couple of years’ time. It will look pretty awful until it regrows (in about two years) but it will be worth the wait. Compost all the waste you create in the garden, but remember to chop it up well. Consider investing in a shredder if you create a lot of bulky waste. You’ll be impressed with the quality of compost you can produce. Use last year’s compost to lay on the top of the soil around shrubs and roses (known as mulch).
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Kids of all ages
Village Tweet Spot the Difference
Valentine - 10 differences - can you spot them all? Collage by Terri Kahrs Solution on page 46
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Garden Tweet!
Antonio Ruggiero
Tree Surgeon & Garden care specialist
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Community / Garden Tweet!
Diary of a ‘Commuter’ Smallholder The continuing diary of Michaela Giles, a Billingshurst smallholder
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ell the rain has certainly challenged our sense of humour yet again! We will have to farrow our January-born litters inside for the first time; there is a real danger of piglets drowning in the deep puddles if we don’t. This goes against our outdoor born policy here at Tedfold but rest assured by the time you read this article they will be outside running around in the mud! What they will have to possibly endure though is an iron injection as the sows do not have enough iron in their milk to prevent anaemia and usually our piglets can get enough from the soil. I say possibly as we could put a sod of earth in the stable twice a day to similar effect. The piglet injured in last month’s fox attack although still alive is not doing as well as the others and is now about half their size. We have delayed weaning as we are still deciding what to do; once mum’s milk has gone she could starve to death and so it might mean a visit from the ‘fellman’ to put her down humanely. So there is an upside to farrowing indoors… no visits from Mr Fox.
We have had a few calls recently asking for Hogget. Hogget meat is darker and stronger tasting than lamb but not as aged and tough as mutton. I always believed that lambs became hoggets at around one year old when they got their first permanent incisor teeth but I have been reading (googling) that all the previous year’s lambs become hoggets as of the 1st January. A friend of mine lambs in December with her Charollais sheep, so are her lambs hoggets at three weeks old? I will stick to my system of calling them hoggets when the meat tastes like hogget! For interest, the chickens are still not paying the mortgage unless someone wishes to pay me £1,000 for the one egg that has been laid since the last Village Tweet! The next WSSC meeting is a talk by someone from the National Vegetable Society on soft and hard fruits, held at the Brinsbury campus on 27th February if you are thinking of joining us. Michaela Giles www.tedfoldcottagefarm.co.uk
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Community
Princess John Nash is a retired, well sort of retired, fruit farm manager in Kirdford who enjoys scribbling about life on the farm from the now to days gone by.
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ou may recall in last March’s Village Tweet I told the tale of Stella, a wonderful old Jersey cow who would always have a special place in my heart. Cows are like people in many ways in that they each have a very different personality that falls into many varied traits and abilities. Some are obviously quite intelligent and quickly master basic skills in dealing with everyday problems that befall them. Some show a timid streak that ensures that when there’s trouble they are at the back of the herd and out of harms way, while others are full of aggression and only too willing to join in any fight that may occur in the course of the day’s wanderings. And then there was Princess… Princess was one of the prettiest Jersey cows I have ever seen. Bought from a very well known herd on the island of Jersey, she was already a decorated show heifer when she joined the herd. She was purchased to introduce good stock into the farm and also to have the enjoyment of leading her around the show ring with at least a chance of getting a rosette of some sort. Princess looked the part: a lovely head mounted with delicate curving horns and large bright eyes above that white ringed, coal-black, shiny nose. With a back as straight as a ramrod and her udder sitting high and even below her soft brown body. She was also as daft as a bat. An idiot in a cattle skin. A complete and utter no-brainer. Princess would eat anything. She was an outsize Labrador of a cow. We once spent hours washing and grooming her for a show, carefully plaiting her tail so that it would be a bouquet of beauty when it was released at the show ground. What did she do? Flicked it round during the night and chewed the pig-tailed end right off! We carelessly left her Dandy brush (a large stiff bristled brush used for removing hair from her winter coat) on the ledge in her pen… she chewed all the bristles clean off it. All of these events followed, of course, by a wide-eyed look of complete innocence and quiet contentment. The final chapter occurred one year when, following a long cold winter, we were trying to prepare Princess for the Spring Show. She had developed a thick coat against the winter’s cold and it was necessary that we somehow got this thick hairy layer off her so that her thinner ‘show coat’ would shine through. Rather like moulting a dog.
Each evening she would be wrapped in a thick blanket coat so that the night temperature would not affect the moulting process. Fine… until the morning we came in and most of the coat had gone, including the leather strap and metal buckle that should have secured it around her ample belly. She’d eaten the blasted thing. Now, that took some doing. It was a big blanket and there was very little of it left to be found. How the devil she managed it we never did find out; a cow’s mouth and teeth are not exactly designed for that sort thing. She did have the courtesy to look a little subdued when we entered the stall in the morning, although she was showing no signs of distress or pain. After the initial panic had died down, and with every blade of her straw bedding frantically lifted and searched for hidden remnants, we called the vet. There was, of course, only one option. Open her up… Surgery on a cow is something to be seen. There is not a lot of decorum or finesse. This is a big animal with a rather large digestive system to explore. The whole thing was done while she stood haltered to the side of her box, an occasional stir in her stance as she shifted her weight onto another leg being the only vague sign she showed of any discomfort. It was all done under local anaesthetic and with a lot of muttering coming from the sweating vet as his arm repeatedly disappeared into the long slit he had made in her side. It was quite an experience to a young lad (as I was then), the sounds of various bits of her internal anatomy being pushed and pulled around so that the vet could get a better view of the area he was seeking, and then the not altogether pleasant aroma that arose around the building as his scalpel opened up the final destination. But it worked. A beautiful, skilled job that healed remarkably quickly and without any great disruption to her daily routine, although it did herald the end of that years show plans. The following year, however, she won us a champion’s ribbon at the Summer Show and she was forgiven for all the trouble and cost that she had caused. She then took her place in the general herd and became a useful member of the milking shed, giving us over many years some very good calves. She even seemed to have learnt her lesson and never repeated the eating disorders of her past. Perhaps she had been just a spoilt teenager looking for attention after all? As I have said: idiotic, barmy, stupid – who knows? But after 50 years she’s still remembered with great affection, and that’s something we should all be aiming for I guess. John Nash Photo: redjar (flickr)
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Cycling
On Your Bike! Is the future two-wheeled?
I
don’t know about you, but I dread each visit to the petrol/diesel station at the moment because I never have a clue how much a litre of fuel is going to cost. I do wonder if running a vehicle will be an unaffordable luxury in a year or two’s time. But maybe I shouldn’t despair, perhaps there is a solution to at least some of our transport problems which, in addition to being fast, cheap and reliable, is also good for you and the environment! “On your bike,” I hear your sceptical retort – and you couldn’t be nearer the truth! Travel by bike does not require vehicle tax, an MoT, breakdown cover, or a visit to the petrol/diesel station. It is convenient and efficient, and usually avoids road works, traffic jams, vying for parking spaces and other road hazards that raise the blood pressure. It firms the thighs and buttocks, tones tummy muscles and increases the metabolic rate. Now if all that isn’t enough to make you jump up and don helmet and reflective armbands, I don’t know what will! So you’ve decided to join the biking brigade, but how do you go about choosing the right bike for you? First, decide on the type of cycling you intend doing. Will you be cycling as a means of transport, or purely for recreation? Then choose your bike accordingly. Traditional bikes are a great low-maintenance option for everyday use but tend to be a bit heavy. If you are willing to sacrifice comfort in favour of speed, then a racing bike may be the one for you, but perhaps the most popular and
practical choice is a mountain or hybrid bike, with their strong frame, knobbly tyres and wide range of gears that cope well both off and on road. Before venturing out, make sure that both brakes work well, both tyres are pumped up and that the saddle is the correct height. Check that the handle bars are tightened, and be sure to wear light coloured or fluorescent clothing that won’t get tangled in the chain or wheels. Wearing a helmet is advisable, especially if cycling on the road. Don’t cycle in too high a gear as this will tire you and keep at least a metre between you and the kerb. You aren’t allowed to cycle on the pavement, but you can of course use the bus/cycle lanes which will speed your progress in towns. Cycle defensively – expect other road users to act as if you were not there. Even if you have ‘right of way’ avoiding contact with a car is vital – better to give way than argue the point from a hospital bed. Always cycle responsibly – the rules of the road apply to cyclists as well as motorists – ignoring pedestrian crossings and red lights is not only illegal, dangerous and stupid but gets cyclists a bad name. Oh, and always use lights at night. So, armed with all these hints, tips and facts, there’s nothing left for you to do now but get on your bike and save yourself a small fortune at the fuel station! Debbie Singh-Bhatti and Grahame Pearson
SOUTHWATER CYCLES est. 1994
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Community / Motoring / Private hire Living with Laika
T
he end of an era – leaving teaching after 40 years and after spending 13 years in my last school with lots of great memories – and a handsome cheque! It could so nearly have been spent on a Philips 47PFL6907T/12 LED HD 1080p 3D Smart TV, 47 inch with Freeview HD & 3D glasses but we decided to put the money towards a German Shepherd pup – the thinking being that getting up for exercise (dog walking) would be better than drifting downstairs for Heir Hunters and Houses under the Hammer in high-definition! I had even sunk to watching The Jeremy Kyle Show on one occasion! Well yes, we did get a new TV as well – a wall-mounted cinema screen that has enabled us to count Dawn French’s wrinkles and observe the quality of the Queen’s dental work! I hereby introduce you to ‘Laika’ (Malaika – shortened to Laika named after the first dog in space, 1957). Long-coated and extremely sociable, she is a veritable honey-pot for yummy mummies and a host of other dog walkers. At last I’ve been able to interact with neighbours as she
discovers the sensuality and aroma of foreign dog parts while I engage in discussions about the benefits of a dry food diet, tinned food and a BARF diet and how to toilet-train a puppy. Yes, it does lead to a huge amount of good-neighbourliness – we’ve been able to garner some respite time (usually Tuesday morning) as a neighbour takes her and Henry, her poodle, off for a good long walk in exchange for a one-hour one-toone maths tutorial every week for a Year 7 pupil – can’t get away from teaching and it’s local! A dog-training lesson takes up an hour every week. Laika’s very biddable and will already fetch a ball and sit on command – I sound like a proud parent don’t I? She unfortunately hasn’t quite accepted the fact that a good long walk, as well as intended to provide her with a sensory explosion and a healthy constitution, should also allow her the opportunity to add to her contribution to the fields and woods – not that I would leave anything behind! By the time we get back home, she becomes husky-like and I’m dragged into our garden for a spot of ‘heavy relief’. Ron Myal
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Computing and IT
iPhone app troubleshooting More sound computer and IT advice from Simon Thomas
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f you were lucky enough to have been given an Apple iPhone (or iPad) for Christmas, here is a quick guide to troubleshooting apps that are malfunctioningâ&#x20AC;Ś Verify the appâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s system requirements, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible they are not compatible with your iPhoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iOS version. Check the appâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s system requirements in the App Store, check your iPhone software version using Settings>General>About. If the application requires a newer version of iOS than the one you are using, you need to update. To do this, connect your device to the laptop or desktop that you usually sync it with. If there is a new iOS version available, you will be prompted to download and install it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible that you are using an outdated version of your app and simply need to get the latest version. Open the App Store and tap â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Updatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. If any updates are available, tap â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Update Allâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. When prompted, enter your iTunes Store account information. Your iPhone will then download and install the updates. Please note that some larger apps may require a Wi-Fi connection to update. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible that you simply need to reboot your iPhone. First turn your iPhone off by pressing the Sleep/Wake button at the top right hand corner of the handset until a red slider appears. Slide your finger across the slider and your iPhone will turn off
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after a few moments. To turn the iPhone back on press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears. Then retry the offending app. Still not working? Try removing it from your iPhone and reinstalling. You neednâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about losing your saved settings or data, providing that you sync the app to iTunes on your computer before you delete it. First sync your iPhone with iTunes to back up your information then touch and hold the relevant application icon on the Home screen until the icons start to wiggle, tap the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;xâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the corner of the app you want to remove. Tap â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Deleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to remove the app from your iPhone and press the Home button to lock the Home screen icons again. To reinstall it, open the App Store on your iPhone and locate the application. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a free app, tap â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Freeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and then â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Installâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. If it is a paid app, tap the price and then â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Buyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. If prompted, enter your iTunes Store account information. If you have previously bought the application, you will be prompted to download it again for free. Tap â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;OKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and your iPhone will install the app. If your issue is still unresolved open the App Store on your iPhone and locate the application. Scroll down and tap â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Report a Problemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Select your issue and any additional comments, tap â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Reportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to submit your issue Simon Thomas (techgeek@tech-geek.co.uk)
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Village Tweet Quick Crossword Solution Puzzle on page 9 Across: 1, MADRAS. 4, SHIPS. 8, ROAST. 9, TUMBLER. 10, INERTIA. 11, STEP. 12, MOW. 14, STUD. 15, HUMP. 18, EYE. 21, WRAP. 23, ASSISTS. 25, RAGDOLL. 26, ERASE. 27, SPELL. 28, ISLAND. Down: 1, MARGIN. 2, DIALECT. 3, APTITUDE. 4, SOME. 5, INLET. 6, SCRAPE. 7, STEAM. 13, WHISPERS. 16, MASCARA. 17, AWARDS. 19, EAGLE. 20, ASCEND. 22, ARGUE. 24, POOL.
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New laptops from £299 Refurbished Laptops from £199 Desktop PC`s from £39 39 Ink Cartridges from £10 Printing paper £3.99 Printers £59.95 Speakers £9.95 Wireless Mice Microsoft £19.95 Mice with tails £9.95 Logitech Keyboards £12.95 Screen cleaners £4.95 Mini RC Helicopters £29.95 Logitech Web Camera £24.95 Headphones from £7.95 HDMI Cables from £4.95 Norton 2012 anti-virus £39.95 Video to DVD from £19.95 Cine film to DVD from £39.95
Alan & Rodger in the Billingshurst shop 01403 784144 Tim & Luke in the Upper Beeding shop 01903 816116
Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk
Computing and IT
Safer Internet Day 5th February 2013
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he tenth annual Safer Internet Day takes place on 5th February, and is designed to help everyone use the internet and other new technologies safely and responsibly. Passwords are the first line of defence against cyber criminals. Long passwords that use numbers, symbols and mixed-case letters, are the most secure. Use different passwords for each of your important accounts and change them regularly. Malware is a type of computer programme that can be installed on your machine without your knowledge. It can be used to try to access your personal information, or to force your computer to visit websites, send spam email, or perform other actions without your knowledge. To protect against malware, install at least one good quality anti-virus product and scan regularly. You should also upgrade your operating system and software to the latest versions and, if possible, turn on automatic updates. Be careful about what you click and download. If you’re not sure about an unfamiliar site, leave it and research the software before installing it. If malware prevents you from leaving the page, for example by repeatedly opening a download prompt, use your computer’s task manager to close your browser – generally accessed by pressing ‘ctrl’, ‘alt’ and ‘delete’ at the same time. On a Mac, click on the Apple icon at the top-left corner of the screen and choose ‘Force Quit’. Select your browser from the list and hit the ‘Force Quit’ button. Do not trust anything within an email that looks suspicious – even if it’s from people you know – and, if you have the slightest doubt, visit websites by entering the address directly in your browser instead of using links in emails. Do not trust pop-up windows that ask you to download software to make your computer
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safe because it has been infected. Close the window and don’t click inside it. There are tools and controls available to help you manage your online experience. Google SafeSearch excludes sites with sexually explicit content from search results, and Safety Mode on YouTube means that videos with mature or agerestricted content will not show up in searches. Take an interest in your child’s internet activity and talk to them about their experience. Better still, spend time with them working online so that you know how they are using the internet. Children need to know that the internet can be a dangerous place and that not everyone online can be trusted. They should not share personal information like their name, age, address, school, phone number, email address or photos and should always use a nickname as their screen name. To register on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, they should be at least 13. If your child wants to meet someone they have met online, make them aware of the potential dangers, encourage them always to inform you of their plans and insist that you go along too, especially for the first meeting. With these systems and procedures in place, using the internet should be a safer experience for us all! Debbie Singh-Bhatti
Centre A Macmillan Film:
Quartet on Friday the 15th of February Films will also be shown on the 8th of March and the 19th of April All films begin at 7.30pm Tickets £6 on sale at Mansell McTaggart, online at www.TouringCinema.com and at the Centre on the night.
Friday the 5th of April Fake Thackray During the late ’60s and early ‘70s, Jake Thackray’s satirical, witty, sentimental and hilarious songs brought him fame and extensive television exposure as well as a string of top selling LPs. He was a uniquely gifted songwriter that brought comparisons with Flanders & Swann and even the billing of the ‘North Country Noel Coward’. Songs such as ‘Bantam Cock’, ‘Sister Josephine’, ‘The Blacksmith and the Toffee Maker’ and ‘The Ballad of Billy Kershaw’ illustrated what a true craftsman of the English language he was. Dying tragically in 2002, his legacy of songs continues to delight audiences of all ages today. John Watterson’s tribute to Jake is full of the warmth, humour and sincerity that you would expect from a lifelong fan. Fake Thakray is supporting Fairport Convention on their 28-date tour of the UK in the first 3 months of 2013, and is then performing several dozen solo dates, one of the first of which will be in Billingshurst.
Tickets £8, on sale from early February & online via WeGotTickets.com
Following their brilliant show last July, The Starrlite Beatles return on
Saturday the 4th of May Tickets will be on sale from early April We also have excellent party facilities and host the following weekly activities: Rosemary Conley, Zumba Dance, Karate, WeightWatchers, Table Tennis, Badminton, Short Mat Bowls, Spanish, Yoga, Ballroom Dancing, Tae Kwon Do, Rainbow Toddlers, Lacemaking, Craft Classes, Watercolour Painting, Local History, Roman Blind Making, Patchwork Quilting, Pilates, Creative Writing, Reiki, children’s dance classes and Blood Donor sessions (for which no training is needed – just lie back and see if we’ve missed any cobwebs!) Details of all our activities and facilities are on our website – see below. Alternatively, give us a call to find out not only what excellent facilities we have, but also how very reasonable we are, too! (Oh, and we promise not to ask you to “…Press 1 for hire charges, 2 for entertainment listings, 3 for something else…. zzzzzzzzzz…”! )
billingshurstcentre.com 01403
787690
reception@billingshurst.gov.uk
Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk
What’s On near you
What’s On – February and beyond Every Mon Coffee Shop in Plaistow Church. 9-11.30am. Real coffee and a selection of cakes. Why not drop in with your friends after you’ve dropped your children off at school? Every Mon Wisborough Green Short Mat Bowls Club. Village Hall. Mons 2.30-4.30pm, Weds 7-9pm. New & Weds Members and Visitors welcome. £2.50 per session (includes Tea/Coffee & biscuits). Trial session free for newcomers. Further information from www.wisboroughgreen.org or contact Keith Carter on 01403 700502 Every Mon Careful Hands – Day Club for people with Dementia. Dial Post Village Hall, 10am-3.30pm. & Thurs Jenny Jupp, 07951 652788 Every Tues Short mat bowls. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre (formerly Village Hall). 2-4pm. £2.50. Come and try a game. It’s great fun with friendly people in a small club. Further details Gerry (01403) 265873 or John (01403) 783477 Every Tues Help and Company’s Day Care Centre for the elderly. Billingshurst Community & Conference & Thurs Centre, 10am-3.30pm. To reserve your place and book your home-cooked two-course lunch please phone (01403) 788080 Every Weds Horsham Accordion Band. Practises in Slinfold Chapel from 7.30-9.30pm. Varied repertoire. Band Leader Mags Fisher tel: (01403) 790717 or email: magsfisher@btinternet.com Last Thurs Social evening for the villagers of Ifold, Plaistow and Kirdford. Monthly, Foxbridge Golf Club, Ifold, from 7pm. Meet other local people and enjoy a nice social event. Janice: socialifold@hotmail.co.uk Every Thurs Wildlife walkabouts. RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, Wiggonholt, RH20 2EL.. 10am-12 noon. These gentle rambles are an ideal introduction to the reserve and its varied habitats and wildlife, taking in the seasonal delights on the brooks or on our heathland trail. £4 per person (£2 for RSPB members). Visitor Centre: (01798) 875851 Every Thurs HDC Health Walk. Billingshurst. Meet Library car-park, Billingshurst, 2¼ miles, flat, easy. Free, just turn up at 11am. Jean (01403) 786201 Every Sat Indoor table top sale and market. Ansell’s Yard, Kirdford Road, Wisborough Green, RH14 0DD. 10am-2pm. No entrance fee. Tables £5 (must be pre-booked). Tel: (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940 12 Jan to 13 Mar
‘Turner’s Sussex’ Exhibition. Petworth House. The exhibition will feature around 40 carefully selected exhibits. Visitors will also be able to see the Turner paintings in three rooms of Petworth House – the largest collection of Turner oils housed outside Tate Britain. In addition there will be the rare opportunity to view the Old Library, used by Turner as a studio and not normally open to the public. Booking essential: 0844 249 1895. More info: (01798) 342207. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth WEA Course: ‘The Victorians – Ideas & changes that propelled Britain towards the 20th century’. 14 Jan for 10 weeks Tutor: Jennifer Goldsmith. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 2-4pm). Fee £79. For further details contact WEA Secretary Kay Hughes tel: (01403) 784438 or email: kay.hughes18@gmail.com) 1 Feb Dame Vera Lynn Trust Quiz Night. The questions are: What is the event? Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy Quiz Night. Where is it? Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre. What time does it start? 7.30pm. How much is it? £10 to include fish and chips or £6 bring your own supper. How many in a team? Maximum 6. Where to get tickets? Rosie Wyer, Regional Fundraiser, tel: (01403) 780444 or email: rosie.wyer@dvltrust.org.uk 2 Feb Evershed Arts Folk Club – Guest singers. Unitarian Chapel, High Street, Billingshurst. 8pm. Audience welcome to contribute floor spots. £3. www.evershedarts.blogspot.co.uk 3 Feb Indoor Antiques Market & Collectors Sale. Ansell’s Yard, Kirdford Road, Wisborough Green, RH14 0DD. 10am-2pm. No entrance fee. Tables available £8 (must be pre-booked). Telephone (01403) 700633 or 07798 941940 4 Feb Wisborough Green Horticultural Society Annual General Meeting. Village Hall, 8pm. Admission free – anyone interested can come along! 4 Feb to The ART WALL at Kirdford Village Stores presents an exhibition by The Albury 8. Diverse 25 Feb individual styles inspired by life’s experiences. All works are for sale. Sue Ransley, tel: (01403) 820360 6 Feb Billingshurst Horticultural Society Meeting: talk ‘African Safari’ by Dorene Taylor. Women’s Hall, Billingshurst. 8pm. Visitors welcome. Raffle & refreshments 9 Feb Workshop on the two pieces to be performed on 17 March (see separate entry). Christ’s Hospital (Big School). 10.15am. Liz Lancaster: (01403) 753279 or email: chchoralsoc@gmail.com 12 Feb Cranleigh Womens Institute meeting. St Nicolas Church Rooms, Cranleigh, 7.45pm. Our meetings (2nd Tues of the month) are fun and informative with a wide range of speakers. Additional groups for walks. Quizzes, coffee and lunches. Outings to the theatre, cinema and gardens. We welcome new members who can visit at any time. Gill and Brenda (Joint Presidents), tel: (01483) 272337/548535 13 Feb Loxwood Jazz & Blues Club. Village Hall. With candlelit tables and a licensed bar, it has a very intimate atmosphere with international standard jazz and blues. All profits go towards the renovation Loxwood Village Hall. Tickets are priced at the amazing price of £10 each, available from Loxwood Village Stores or Anita Bates on (01403) 752954 13 Feb Messy Church! Billingshurst Village Hall. 3.30-5.45pm. Billingshurst churches welcome families to have fun with games, crafts, singing and stories. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Sit-down meal, donation. www.messychurch.org.uk 14 Feb Billingshurst WI Meeting. Talk by Mike King: ‘The Sacred and Ancient Art of Bodging.’ St Mary’s Room. 2.15pm. Visitors welcome (£1.50). Secretary: (01403) 784175 14 Feb Wisborough Green Farmers’ and Village Market. Village Hall, 9am-12.30pm. Up to 30 stalls selling a variety of locally produced foods and crafts. Contact: Mary Lindfield (01403) 700624
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What’s On near you 14 Feb
14 Feb 15 Feb 16-24 Feb 18 Feb 21 Feb 21 Feb 21-23 Feb 21-23 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb
28 Feb to 2 Mar 2 Mar
2 Mar 4 Mar 6 Mar 8 Mar
9 Mar 9-10 Mar 10 Mar 12 Mar 14 Mar
14 Mar 17 Mar
Kindly mention Village Tweet when responding to advertisements
Regular bingo evening in aid of the Mary How Trust for Cancer Prevention. 2nd Thursday of every month. Storrington Village Hall, 59 West Street, Storrington, RH20 4DZ. Doors open 7pm, play starts at 7.30pm. Only 50p entry. Great prizes; raffle & refreshments. Fun for everyone! NEW! Jackpot Game £50 for 55 calls. www.maryhowtrust.org, click on ‘News & Events’ Peppers Ghost (Mr and Mrs Marriott) will give a presentation on historic Sussex. This talk comes highly recommended. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 7.30pm. Billingshurst Local History Society. Gillian Knight (01403) 784101 Macmillan Film night. Quartet. Billingshurst Conference & Community Centre. 7.30pm. Tickets £6 from Mansell McTaggart or on the door on the night Fishers Farm ‘Wiggly Week’. Fishers Farm Park, Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green, RH14 0EG. Wiggle your way to Fishers this Half Term to meet a fang-tastic selection of creepy critters! Details (01403) 700063 or www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk. Macmillan Film night. Quartet. Pulborough Village Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £6 from Four Seasons or on the door on the night Barns Green & Itchingfield Women’s Institute Meeting. Talk by Mike King: ‘The Psychology of Sheds.’ Barns Green Village Hall. 2.30pm. Contact Louise Taylor (01903) 743499 or Daphne Lindfield (01403) 791258 for more details Barns Green Village Hall Film Night: Quartet, starring Dame Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly. Doors open 7.30pm, film at 8pm. Tickets £6. www.barnsgreen.com or (01403) 734408 Billingshurst Scouts and Guides: Showtime 2013. Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre. Thurs, Fri 7.30pm; Sat 7pm. Songs and sketches. Tickets £8.50 from Natalie: (01403) 785030 or Aurac, High Street, Bilingshurst Billingshurst Dramatic Society’s ‘When We Are Married’, JB Priestley’s farcical comedy. Women’s Hall, Billingshurst. 7.45pm (bar from 7.15pm). Tickets £8 from the Box Office. Mansell McTaggart’s, High Street, Billingshurst from 11th Feb or www.billingshurstdramaticsociety.webs.com. See page 21 West Sussex Smallholders Club meeting: talk on Soft and Hard Fruits. Arundel Room, Brinsbury Campus, Chichester College, Pulborough. 7:30pm. Info: www.westsussexsmallholders.co.uk Beautiful Vintage Fair: ‘Sussex Country Brocante’. Wisborough Green Village Hall. 11-4pm. Over 25 stalls selling decorative antiques, vintage homeware, pretty clothes & jewellery, gifts and artisan crafts. Entrance £1. More info on Facebook Love Lane Vintage or call Lucy on 07821 720758. Stall enquiries: lovelanevintage@me.com Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’. Haven Heavenlies. Fishers Farm Theatre. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this bittersweet comedy. Performances 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from Fishers Farm on (01403) 700063 or www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk. See page 13 Abseil for Charity! Sofitel Hotel, Gatwick North Terminal. It’s 110 feet from the top of the Sofitel Hotel to the ground, a totally vertical drop. Come and join us, the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy for their second Abseil! £25 deposit required to register your place and minimum £75 in sponsorship required. Please call: (01403) 780444 or email: rosie.wyer@dvltrust.org.uk Evershed Arts Folk Club – Pete Morton (leading folk singer/songwriter). Unitarian Chapel, High Street, Billingshurst. 8pm. Floor singers welcome. £5. www.evershedarts.blogspot.co.uk Wisborough Green Horticultural Society Meeting. Talk: ‘Peter Beale’s Roses’ by Simon White. Village Hall, 8pm, £2 non-members, £1 members Billingshurst Horticultural Society Meeting: talk ‘Plant pests, diseases & disorders’ by Ray Broughton. Women’s Hall, Billingshurst. 8pm. Visitors welcome. Raffle & refreshments Mothers Day Pamper Evening. Rudgwick Community Centre (behind Rudgwick Hall). 7-10pm. Enjoy a pamper evening and treat yourself while you treat your mum. Local therapists will be offering 15 minutes taster sessions of Reflexology, Indian head massage, Shiatsu Massage, Bowen therapy, Crystal therapy, Manicure, Colour therapy and more. Food and refreshments. Limited number of treatments available so please book to avoid disappointment. Each treatment cost £8. Contact: Sashi Verrall or Marion France: (01403) 822504 or 07949 039367. Supporting Eve Appeal (Ovarian Cancer) An Evening of Elgar. GLive, Guildford. 7.30pm. Vivace Chorus with Julian Lloyd Webber. Tickets: £14.50, £17.50, £23/50 & £29.50. Box Office: 0844 7701 797 or GLive.co.uk. See page 21 Fishers Farm ‘Mums Weekend’. Fishers Farm Park, Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green, RH14 0EG. Treat your Mum to a lovely family day out at Fishers this Mother’s Day, and the best part is… all Mums visit for FREE! Details (01403) 700063 or www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk. Mothering Sunday Cruises on the Wey & Arun Canal. Coffee & Danish cruise in the morning or Cream Tea cruise in the afternoon. Details www.weyandarun.co.uk or tel: (01403) 752403. See page 14 Ladies Fashion Show. The Weald School, Billingshurst. 7pm. All profits to Scout Active Support Unit. Loads of bargains on the night. Tickets £6, email: sasufashionshow@gmail.com Colin Manton, a tutor with Sussex University, will talk about the so-called Swing Riots of 1830, ‘when agricultural labourers took direct action for higher wages against farmers, landowners, clergy and overseers of the poor.’ He will tailor his talk to make reference to our locality. Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre. 7.30pm. Billingshurst Local History Society. Gillian Knight (01403) 784101 Billingshurst WI Meeting. Talk by Sheila Southwell: ‘Hand-painted Porcelain.’ St Mary’s Room. 2.15pm. Visitors welcome (£1.50). Secretary: (01403) 784175 Angus Ross Memorial Concert: Zimbe! by Alexander l’Estrange & St Nicholas by Benjamin Britten. Christ’s Hospital (Big School). 7pm. Wonderful music with more than 200 performers. Christ’s Hospital Choral Society, Christ’s Hospital Chapel Choir and Christ’s Hospital Sinfonia, conducted by Andrew Cleary. Further details: Liz Lancaster: (01403) 753279 or email: chchoralsoc@gmail.com
Village Tweet will publish details of local events in the What’s On section. Please email brief details to editor@villagetweet.co.uk together with contact or website details. There is no charge for this as Village Tweet aims to support the local community.
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Editorial and advertising enquiries: 07762 767084, editor@villagetweet.co.uk
Kids of all ages / Advertisers Index
Spot the Difference – Solution
Puzzle on page 34
ADVERTISERS INDEX February 2013 A-Team Mechanics .........................39 ADC Appliances..............................20 AM Beauty Clinic ............................10 Andrew Gale Tree Surgery .............33 Apex Aerials....................................27 Appaloosa Upholstery.....................21 AR Garden & Tree Care..................35 ATG Property Solutions ..................18 Austens Home Hardware................28 Bax Computers ...............................40 Billingshurst Butchers .......................9 Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre......................43 Blooms2 Florist ...............................15 Bobtails Montessori Nursery...........29 Brazier Building Solutions...............25 Catherine’s Pet Services.................23 Clayfield Farm...................................9 Clayton-Turner Trees & Gardens ....36 Cleansing Service Group................26 Coates Chimneys and Sweeps.......24 Cracknell Pit-Draffen, Estate Agent.......................................OBC Delta Decor.....................................22 Donnabhán Garden Design............32
Euroll UK, roller garage doors ........24 Evershed Arts .................................21 Fishers Farm Park ..........................29 Fowlers, Estate Agent.......................3 GJ Coles, Builder............................20 Goring Road Carpet Centre ...........23 Gozone Care ..................................11 Half Moon Pub..................................4 Hallam Trim, Window Cleaning .......20 Hamilton Cole TV & Satellite Equipment...................................17 Holly Boilers....................................22 Jef Wilson, Decorator .....................18 John Potter Winter Garden Work....35 KB Private Hire ...............................15 Lesley Hawker Sports Massage Therapy.......................................11 Mac’s Private Hire...........................39 Mark Hedges Garden Services ......32 Maureens, Prom & Bridal Dresses.......................................14 Meraki Hairdressing........................13 Miss Mop Domestic Cleaning .........23 Monsoon Indian Restaurant..............7 New Move, Online Estate Agent.....17
Odd Job ..........................................26 One Stop Computer Store ..............41 Oven Revival Company ..................27 Pest B Off .......................................24 Pest Man.........................................19 Queens Head Pub ............................8 Re-Nu Kitchens...............................19 RW Scott, Carpenter & Joiner ........24 Solar Flare Yoga classes ..........11, 13 Southwater Cycles..........................38 Sumners Ponds ............................IBC Sussex & Surrey Tree Services ......35 Sussex Towing Brackets .................39 TechGeek, IT & Computers ............40 The Carpet Cleaner ........................26 The Chef Thai Restaurant ................5 The Hungry Guest Café....................5 Tip Top Tutors..................................29 Vertus Building Management..........17 Village Nurseries.............................35 West Sussex Interiors.....................17 Wey & Arun Canal Cruises.............14 Wisborough Green Farmers’ & Village Market ...............................5
Errata: Colin Banks, Royal British Legion, Billingshurst Branch President/Chairman, has informed us that there was an error in last month’s Remembrance Service report (page 29). Mrs Rene Humphries is the Branch Vice President and not Mrs Sue Kingston
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We will not be beaten on fee & customer service standards so please call now for advice on moving.
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