People & Places Magazine February 2020

FR EE

ISSUE 6. FEBRUARY 2020

YORK

THIS MONTH...

HOMES AND INTERIORS DIY or Call Out? LIFESTYLE Avoid First Date Faux-Pas HEALTH AND BEAUTY 7 Essential Steps to a Better You FOOD AND DRINK Winter Lamb Casserole GARDENING Things to do in February

JS Woodcraft WOOD FLOORS & ACCESSORIES

Handcrafted Oak Floors

Unique to Every Customer.

See our Business Spotlight on page 6.

FEBRUARY 2020 | 1

CONTENTS

A very warm welcome to the our February edition.

February brings with it slightly longer daylight hours, and if we look closely in our gardens we can hopefully begin to see the start of new life emerging in preparation for spring, which I am sure we are all very much looking forward to.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Victoria

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY • February was added to the Roman calendar in 713BC. The length of the month changed over time and, at one time, it had as few as 23 days. When Julius Caesar remade the Roman calendar, the month was assigned 28 days during normal years and 29 days during leap years, which occurred every four years.

• It is the shortest month of the year.

• The Welsh call February “y mis bach” which means “little month”.

• In the Southern Hemisphere February is a summer month the equivalent of August.

• The month is named for the Latin word Februum which means purification.

• Together with January, it was the last of the months added to the Roman calendar.

• The largest American sporting event of the year, the Super Bowl, is held in February.

• Birthstone: Amethyst.

• Flower: Primrose.

• Zodiac signs: Aquarius and Pisces.

4 HOMES AND INTERIORS DIY or Call Out?.............................................................4 Business Spotlight - JS Woodcraft.................................6 The Perfect DIY project................................................8

LIFESTYLE Valentine’s Day - A History..........................................13 Alternative Romances for Valentine’s Day..................14 Be Prepared to be Bowled Over...................................16 Avoid First Date Faux-Pas............................................18 Back Street Bali ...........................................................19

20 HEALTH & BEAUTY 7 Essential Steps to a Better You.................................20 The Ambulance Wish Foundation...............................22 Let’s Talk About... Anxiety Disorders.........................23 Marie Curie - Mother and Daughter Duo...................17

FOOD & DRINK The Three Hares Inn...................................................27

CONTACT US

Winter Lamb Casserole................................................28

For advertising contact; Mike Duffy Telephone: 07598 989 594 Email: mike@woldsmedia.co.uk

One-Pot Paprika Pork...................................................28

For stories/articles contact Victoria Telephone: 07546 140 688 Email: peopleandplacesarticles@gmail.com People & Places Magazine is published by Wolds Media. Chestnut House, Bielby, York, YO42 4JW 2 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

Gluten-Free Lemon Shortbread..................................29 Chocolate Fudge Brownie............................................29 Like Chalk and Cheese

GARDENING Things to do in February..............................................31

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P&P Homes & Interiors

DIY OR CALL OUT? There are certain things that a seasoned DIY-er can take on, potentially saving themselves thousands in call out charges. But take on a job beyond your abilities and it really could cost you dearly - contractors don’t charge those expensive fees for nothing after all. So what are those ‘little’ DIY jobs you should always get professional help with and what can you tackle yourself?

DIY Painting and decorating: Hiring a professional to do a paint job on your home is the ultimate luxury. The tools are inexpensive and there’s little real skill involved, especially if you don’t involve wallpaper hanging. Pick up the best quality paint, brushes and rollers you can afford, prepare surfaces well with sugar soap, warm water, polyfiller and sandpaper and you can have a brand spanking new dining room by this evening.

Flatpack: It would be unbelievable to most of our dads that you can now hire someone to construct your flatpack furniture but it’s absolutely true and the trade is booming. Read instructions carefully and take your time and you’ll find that there’s really no need to panic at all those unlabelled pieces. Better still chaps, according to recent research by Ikea women are better at flatpack construction than men so get the ladies in your life involved.

Demolition: If you’re not afraid of getting a little bit on the dusty side there’s no harm to taking on demolition work yourself provided you take the right precautions. Knocking down walls, ripping out old bathroom fittings or removing doors in preparation for building work can save time and money. Call out Electrics: Never attempt major electrical work yourself as the consequences of a mistake made can obviously be extremely serious. Rewiring a room, fitting new lighting

4 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

fixtures and fitting fuse boards should all be undertaken by a qualified electrician to meet the very high standards required by law.

High work: While simple jobs such as replacing a slipped tile or fixing a broken gutter might be undertaken by an individual with a good ladder and someone to hold it for them major repairs or work on a very high or severely pitched roof should always be a job for the professionals. If a job needs scaffolding it probably needs an experienced builder to do it.

Gas plumbing: Many plumbing jobs, from fitting a new radiator to replacing bathroom pipes can be done by a competent DIYer, however gas plumbing is a whole different ball game. Never consider fitting or repairing a boiler or gas fire yourself and always ensure that you use a Corgi registered plumber.

Big equipment jobs: If your job is going to involve hiring a digger or buying a floor sander you might just save yourself some time by paying the little extra it costs to hire someone who already has the tools.

While tiling a bathroom will take a professional a day it could take an inexperienced tiler a week, cost a pretty penny in tile cutting tools and the result won’t be as neat.

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P&P Homes & Interiors

PEOPLE & PLACES

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT JS Woodcraft - Truly a Cut Above

A

fter many years doing this job it is rare that something surprises me but walking into JS Woodcraft did just that.

The word bespoke is overly used these days, I am sure you have seen the adverts bespoke this bespoke that, but the truth is unless something is made to your specification it never will be truly bespoke.

As you walk in through the doors you are met by a very impressive 3,000 sq ft showroom with a mind-blowing array of different patterned and coloured oak flooring but the real surprise was yet to unveil itself.

I was greeted by Helen and Scott Almond who formed the business in November 2011. As we spoke my attention was drawn towards a solitary window in the showroom wall which at the time, I thought was overlooking the warehouse and must admit initially I wondered why it was there, not to mention what purpose it served. Helen could see the wonderment that was written all over my face and led me to the window which I quickly realised was overlooking the factory floor where they themselves finish the flooring. Helen explained “This is the factory where we finish the flooring for our customers, every order is different and is made individually to suit our customers needs and requirements”.

I watched in bewilderment as somebodies order was being made and passing through the machinery. Scott added “When Helen and I started the business it was just the two of us, now we are a team of 14 which includes our son who is taking his apprenticeship”. Helen interjected as I watched the flooring being produced “We have a true passion for perfection, every job we produce is truly bespoke and individual. We pride ourselves on quality and giving our customers the best possible service”.

It is fair to say that it hasn’t all being plain sailing for the couple as 6 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

Helen explained “We recently moved to this unit from Clifton Moor York where the business was founded”. She went on to say, “During 2014 our unit at Clifton Moor caught fire which quickly spread almost destroying everything we had worked for, it took us almost a year to rebuild the unit before we were fully operational again”.

Scott and Helen outgrew their Clifton Moor site last year and moved location 10 miles north of York to what was originally the Ride Away Equestrian store between Sutton on the Forest and Stillington.

Helen explained “I was a director of Ride Away and worked from these premises and knew that this unit would be more suitable for production and storage space”.

I asked Scott what his function was with the production process, he gestured for me to follow him and took me into a small room full of bottles and square pieces of oak. He then went on to say, “We are truly bespoke to each customer, they effectively design their own flooring by choosing the width, thickness, grade, bevel and finally the colour”. As I look around the room he explained further “This is where I create the colour and finish for the customer then we let them take sample boards home to make sure they are completely satisfied before production starts”. We only use top quality European engineered oak, the finish is durable making your floor a lifetime purchase, we have all our finishes tested for durability i.e. wine, butter, tomato sauce to name but a few”.

I guess while you have been reading this you will be thinking that’s got to be expensive, but yet again I was surprised to learn that cost is very much dependant on the specification of the flooring boards and in a lot of cases doesn’t cost any more than a good quality carpet but with one major difference oak flooring will last and will not require replacing in a few years’ time.

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Top quality European engineered oak, with a durable finish making your floor a life time purchase OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM-5PM • SATURDAY 9AM-4PM Stillington Rd, Sutton on Forest, York YO61 1EH

Tel: 01904 479900 info@jswoodcraft.co.uk www.jswoodcraftflooring.co.uk

WHY A 1930S HOUSE COULD BE

THE PERFECT DIY PROJECT Think of a typical British home and you might think of a chocolate box thatched cottage, roses round the door, an apple tree in the garden. But you’d be more on the money if you pictured a bay fronted 30s semi-detached, pebble dashed and wide doored.

T

hose very same houses were built at a time when Britain was plunged in to a depression as serious as today’s. So it’s not a surprise that, unlike today’s identikit homes thrown up overnight, 1930s homes were built to last. That’s why so many families still live in so many 1930s semis today. That’s not the only reason that one of these homes is an excellent buy.

Whatever your hopes and dreams for family space look no further - with good thick walls and oodles of space inside and outside the possibilities are endless.

As far as extensions are concerned few properties offer so much potential as a typical 1930s home. With high roofs, lofts can be converted in to useable rooms by simply boarding out and adding a loft ladder, indeed go one step further and add a dormer (more often than not planning permission is not difficult to gain on these kind of homes and in the areas in which they are found) and you could find yourself with two rooms or a very impressive master suite. Extensions are also simple to both rear and side of 1930s semis as the plots tend to be large with long gardens and garages that can be built over or indeed converted themselves.

The long garden of your typical 30s town house also lends itself to the addition of a garden office or summerhouse or, if you’re feeling a bit

8 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

Good Life, you might choose to add a vegetable patch or fruit trees.

Meanwhile add a decked or patio area immediately behind the house, add sliding or fold back doors to your kitchen and you’ve got the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living.

When it comes to modern decor schemes there are few older houses that can take them so well. Your 1930s semi will more than likely have an outdated fireplace that can be replaced with a cool modern design, walls are taken down fairly easily to give a funky, open plan design, which suits young families and dinner party throwers alike while wide windows throughout let light flood in, essential in today’s home where we appreciate every ounce of light we can get.

While making a 1930s home work for you might take little more than a lick of paint or paving the large front garden to add parking space, it is undoubtedly worth asking an architect to come over and give you some ideas for how to best use your space - most will spend time talking through ideas with you free of charge in the hope of a commission. As our finances look back to the war years there’s no better time to make the most of your 1930s home.

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P&P Homes & Interiors

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P&P Lifestyle

VALENTINE’S DAY

A HISTORY Spring is almost upon us and, like the rest of nature, our thoughts are turning to romance.

As bulbs begin to peep out of the ground and birdsong our gardens, there is a noticeable change in the air as St Valentine’s Day approaches.

Embracing a time of year that is historically associated with love and fertility, St Valentine’s Day encompasses the marriage of Greek gods Zeus and Hera and the Ancient Roman festival of Lupercus, the god of fertility.

There is some dispute over the original date of this festival but since 496 St Valentine’s Day has been celebrated on February 14 when Pope Galasius named it in memory of a third century Roman priest.

While there were two other St Valentines, one a priest in Italy and another who lived and died in Africa, it is widely accepted that the Bishop of Interamna (now Terni in northern Italy) is the basis for the modern saint.

He was killed the next day, February 14, 270 AD, and Julia and many whose lives were touched remembered him every February 14, by sending notes and gifts to others to celebrate his life.

That tradition has grown rapidly worldwide and an estimated one billion cards are now sent each year, making it the second largest cardsending holiday of the year after Christmas.

However, many centuries later, St Valentine continues to be the source of fervent discussion and disagreement.

Far from the passion and heat of the Italian capital, two Celtic nations are at loggerheads over who can lay claim to the saint’s holy relics.

Valentinius was a devout Catholic who dared to flout Roman Emperor Claudius II’s edict which banned soldiers from marrying, as he believed it weakened their military resolve and focus.

Franciscan friars in one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas insist they were asked in 1868 to look after the remains by a French family who owned other religious relics.

Instead, all young Roman men were ordered to worship their twelve gods and every February 15 they celebrated a fertility festival where the men were allowed to choose a sexual partner from the young women gathered.

The relics spent more than a century in a side aisle of St Francis’ Church, Glasgow, and in recent years were kept in a wooden casket in a cardboard box, on a wardrobe in a nearby chapel house.

But Valentinius encouraged the men to shun the heathen practice and dedicate themselves instead to Christ and the sanctity of marriage. He preached Christ at the threat of death and officiated secret weddings on February 14.

He continued to conduct marriages in secret between young people, sometimes as young as twelve, and was eventually arrested. During his imprisonment, Valentinius taught Julia, the prison commander’s beautiful but blind daughter, about Roman history, arithmetic and God. Spurred on by her faith, he prayed for her and she received her sight but only in time to read his last note on the eve of his execution, urging her to devote her life to God and signed “from your Valentine”.

They were recently moved to the church of Blessed St John Duns Scotus in the Gorbals and were put on display for a special Valentine’s service in a bid to bring a little romance to the Scottish city.

However, the Scottish ceremony did not find favour across the Irish Sea where the remains of St Valentine are said to repose in a casket at Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin.

The Irish say they were passed on as a gift from Pope Gregory XVI to the respected Dublin Carmelite, Father John Spratt.

Whatever the truth of the matter, it is unlikely that the confusion will not detract from the true message of the saint’s day.

FEBRUARY 2020 | 13

P&P Lifestyle

ALTERNATIVE ROMANCES FOR

VALENTINE’S DAY

It’s February, the shortest month of the year. That means Valentine’s Day is looming and people are thinking about love, and Casablanca, arguably the most timeless tale of heartbreak and adoration ever committed to screen.

Now more than 70 years old, the film centres on Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a bar owner in Morocco, and the action takes place amid the Nazi and Vichy occupation of North Africa. Of all the gin joints in all the world Rick’s lost love Isla Lund (Ingrid Bergman) shows up at his, on the run from the authorities with Victor Laszlo, leader of the Czech resistance.

Embittered, cynical, and constantly drunk, Rick is initially unsure about assisting the pair of fugitives, in turn losing Isla forever and putting his own life in danger. Eventually he does, and sacrifices are made to help them flee, meaning the loveable anti-hero is left alone again with little more than his sarcasm and Sam the pianist to keep him company.

So Casablanca isn’t an average romance, because the real love story is about a relationship that cannot exist. This got us thinking about a few other cinematic gems that strike a chord with the heartstrings, not because they offer sickly sweet tales, but as a result of their realistic portrayal of life’s complications in matters of the heart. After some deliberation we managed to draw up this list, so here are five features all discerning film buffs should consider come February 14th.

Another Day In Paradise - Larry Clark, 1998 Four junkies hit the road, planning a series of robberies. It doesn’t sound romantic, but once the film finishes you’ll be on the phone faster than you can say ‘better call my loved ones to tell them how much they mean to me’. Tragedy barely comes close.

Buffalo 66 - Vincent Gallo, 1998

Billy just got out of jail, but his parents think he’s been working abroad. They’re also under the impression he has a wife, and so he

14 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

kidnaps a girl called Layla and forces her to visit the folks for dinner, pretending to be his spouse. Off beat in extremis, it’s also utterly charming.

Knocked Up - Judd Apatow, 2007

A one-night stand leaves TV presenter Alison pregnant with the child of stoner-bum Ben. Irrespective of their huge differences a haphazard relationship blossoms and, despite arguably being a little too long at 129 minutes, a witty and poignant tale of modern love unfolds.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Michel Gondry, 2004

Bizarre and absolutely incomparable, Gondry’s debut feature is the most accomplished on this list. Two people try and erase the painful memories of their once beautiful relationship via a new treatment, and wind up realising how precious such treasured moments actually are.

Annie Hall - Woody Allen, 1977

Little can be said about this groundbreaking outing that hasn’t been written before. Arguably the original major work of late 20th Century realist romance, the male-female relationship is explored in great detail, with the highs and lows laid bare for all to see, and empathise with.

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P&P Lifestyle

NEW EARSWICK INDOOR BOWLS CLUB

BE PREPARED TO BE BOWLED OVER Bowls I hear you say, that’s not for me I’m too young for that, but nothing could be further away from the truth. I recently visited New Earswick indoor bowls club and quite frankly was amazed at what the facility has to offer.

As you enter through the doors you walk into the lounge area which is cosy and offers members a place to relax and catch up, there is a wellstocked bar offering a range of very reasonably priced beers, wines and soft drinks.

The upper level you will find Chalker’s Restaurant and Function Room, where daily lunches and snacks are available, all home cooked traditional good food. The function room is well equipped and is ideal to hire for that special occasion free of charge if the club provides the food.

All the communal areas look over the very impressive bowling area which is kept to a very high standard and has in the past has played host to both the England and Scotland national teams.

But putting all this aside the thing that struck me the most was that everyone there was smiling and clearly having a good time, the club is a great place to meet new people and make new friends. There is easy access for people with a disability along with specially designed electric wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy a game and get involved.

I highly recommend booking one of the club’s taster sessions and sample the atmosphere for yourself, bowls and shoes can be provided.

Bowls is an enjoyable social sport and is perfect for everyone to have a go at, as it is suitable for all levels of fitness. Here we list why you should give the sport a go…

1. It’s not too strenuous – Bowls is a gentle way to get active as it has a moderate pace and gets your heart pumping. Walking is involved in the game and it helps to give your arms a workout, as well as your leg muscles when you lunge. It also improves hand to eye coordination

16 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

2. An all-weather sport – Come rain or shine, indoor bowls can be played all year round, so you don’t even need to worry about what it is doing outside 3. Be social – most bowls players love being part of a club and really enjoy the social side of bowls and being part of a team. There are over 2,500 clubs scattered around the country and many offer a social functions calendar. It really is a great way to meet new people and make new friends 4. It’s lots of fun – best of all, playing bowls is fun, so have a go and see whether it is for you 5. Simple rules – Indoor bowls is a game played with two teams and the aim of the game is to get your ball as close as possible to the jack. Here’s a couple of rules…players must keep one foot on the mat when bowling, the jack must travel a minimum of 23 meters without going over the rink boundaries, if the jack lands in the ditch it remains in play, in singles and pairs games, each player bowls four times per end and generally the game ends once a player or team has reached 21 points.

6. Perfect for everyone – Bowls is a sport for all, regardless of age, sex or physical ability, so is great for the whole family. Even if you are partially sighted or in a wheelchair, it is still accessible. It does require practice and some element of skill as bowls do not travel in a straight line The game takes place in an indoor bowls rink with two teams and a player starts by rolling the jack, and bowlers take it in turns to get near the jack, until all the bowls have been played. This is called an ‘end’.

Points are awarded to each team for every bowl that is closer to the jack than the opposing team’s bowls, and then the direction of play changes after each end.

TASTER SESSION Sunday 16th February 2020. 10.00am until 12noon approx.

Everyone is welcome to join in, just call us to book a place (01904 750230) All equipment will be provided. The Restaurant will be open for Sunday Lunch if anyone wishes to book.

NEW INTAKE SESSIONS Begin on Friday 26th February 2020 3.00pm to 5.00pm Sessions run for 5 weeks with our Meet and Greet Team at a cost of £5.00 per person, again, all equipment is provided.

REGULAR GROUPS RUN WITHIN THE CLUB: Line Dancing, Keep Fit, Sequence Dancing and many other activities.

JOIN US FOR OUR QUIZ OR BINGO NIGHTS Quiz on Thursdays at 9.00pm. Bingo on Saturday and Sunday nights from 8.30pm.

OUR RESTAURANT Open to the public for lunches served Tuesday to Friday 11.30am to 1.30pm and Sunday Lunch 11.30am to 2.00pm.

We have a large newly furnished function room available for up to 120 people for your special occasion, Weddings, Birthday Celebrations, Christenings or Children’s Parties, room hire is free if using our Catering, own catering please ring for prices. Catering also available for Funerals.

For larger functions upto 300 people, the downstairs floor area is available between May and August.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION New Earswick & District Bowling Club, Huntington Road, YO32 9PX York

TELEPHONE: 01904 750230

P&P Lifestyle

AVOID FIRST DATE FAUX-PAS First dates can often feel like a minefield of potential faux pas and blunders that may convince a potential suitor that a second date is not a wise idea. It can be difficult to know which areas are off-limits for conversation on a first date, especially when the onus is on getting to know someone. Follow these tips on what to avoid, compiled by the dating experts at introduction agency Bowes Lyon Partnership, to escape first date embarrassment and secure a second meeting.

Religion

It affects people in a whole manner of different ways, and whether an individual is religious or not, they are sure to have some views on beliefs and faith. In certain circumstances, debate about religion can actually create stimulating and interesting conversation, but laying all beliefs and strong opinions bare on a first date can end in disaster. No two opinions on religion are the same, and a heated argument within hours of meeting someone doesn’t spell an automatic second date, so it is wise to steer away from deep conversation about this topic until a little further along the line.

Politics

As is the case with religion, the vast majority of people have immovable opinion about politics, and so it is unwise to descend into outright debate or even argument on a first date. The first date atmosphere should be light and flirty, with friendly conversation about topics which can remain neutral; politics do not fall under any of these categories. In the long run, someone’s political views will probably not be enough to end a relationship, and so holding off on deep discussions about party politics can be eschewed for the first date at least.

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Past Relationships

Everyone has had relationships, with some good and some bad experiences all round. It is inevitable that, at some point, should the relationship be successful, conversation about exes will eventually come to light. Regardless, any mention of previous relationships on a first date should be kept light and broad, without too much detail.

Should the first date go well, there is plenty of time to share details of misfortune with previous partners, but spilling out the minutiae of a recent messy divorce can be a serious faux pas in dating terms.

Money

In-depth discussions about money and how much of it one possesses can be considered rude at the best of times, and should certainly not be brought up on a first date. Financial issues should remain private until such a time as is appropriate; bragging about having a lot of money can come across as cocky or arrogant, whilst mentioning not having enough could look as though you are trying to evade splitting the bill come the end of the date!

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P&P Lifestyle the hotel staff all offering their help. Our bags were taken off us; we were ushered to the reception desk where a man welcomed us with refreshing lemon drinks and a cool towel. The hotel itself was fairly new and having booked a family room we got the pick of the bunch.

The room was over two stories with an en suite mezzanine style bedroom and a further two beds on the ground floor. No expense was spared on luxury and we were made to feel truly special. The balcony was large and had views over the swimming pool and beach beyond.

Unfortunately however the mosquitos in Bali must be on steroids and have a gym subscription as they are huge. Their sole purpose is to share the love and spread countless diseases, more specifically Dengue fever. Cover yourself each day from head to toe in a cloud of maximum deet spray and you should send the signal that the feeling isn’t mutual.

BACK STREET

BALI

Bali usually needs no introduction. With the same splattering of over photographed landmarks published on every travel sight, not to mention those social media adverts which pop up giving everyone the holiday feels, the area is one which most associate as being a luxury paradise. But is Bali really what those millennial Instagrammer’s make it out to be with the slightly odd portrait photographs and questionable poses or is there more than meets the eye.

With Bali being named politically correctly as a ‘developing country’, there is no doubt newcomers to the third world area are sceptical about what to find. Some of the least desirable facts are often overlooked or swept under the imaginary carpet but once here they undeniably become a harsh reality. As you fly into the impressive international airport Ngurah Rai more commonly known as Denpasar, you begin to get a feel for the culture. The friendliness and genuine attitude of the locals is everything and more it is made out to be. They cannot do enough for you. That said there are some who may extort this reputation like the airport luggage porter for example, he certainly did not fall into the genuine category. £20 down and we hadn’t even made it to customs. Welcome to Bali.

The Hotel we booked to stay at in Berawa in the South West of the island kindly provided a private driver to collect us. Trying to find said driver however was a challenge. The sea of 200 or more private drivers each holding a sign with a different name made it an interesting walk a bit like walking down the red carpet at the Oscars minus the photographers. Having never been to Indonesia before, it was striking how alike it was to India with the roadside shops and eateries lining every inch of the street. The drive to the hotel took around an hour in traffic which resembled scenes off some end of the world thriller with everyone trying to drive out of town. Strangely with no traffic lights or dithering drivers it seemed to flow remarkably well. The rest of the world could probably take a page out of the Balinese book of driving.

Upon arrival at The Haven Suites, the Balinese culture came out from behind the couch and punched you in the face. We were swarmed by 20 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

We found the majority of people who visit Bali are a bunch of friendly multi nationals who come for various reasons.

From Americans to Australians it is extremely diverse and the “I’ve come to find myself ” scene is quite prevalent more so in the spiritual centre, Ubud. Spending a day at Finns beach bar in the south west was an experience to say the least. For such a developing country, Finns certainly had sprinkled the glitter and made a luxurious, relaxed haven to rest and unwind.

A blend of chilled music, sunbed service and outstanding views over the bay helped me begin to realise what all the hype was about.

That was until at approximately 6pm when the weary drunken teens decided to roll out of bed and make haste for ‘happy hour’. It then became a Mecca for people who I presume are yet to find themselves, to pray on unsuspecting teenagers impressed by their clearly false career statements. Did you know we overheard conversations from a Hollywood film producer, commercial airline pilot, doctor, actor, property tycoon to name but a few. It was the same man each time, called Geoff! Who ever thought one could do so much from his two star hotel next door. Safe to say most saw through his delusions and moved swiftly to the next.

We tried to escape however the resort very sneakily prohibit external vehicles picking you up, forcing your hand into paying extortionate prices for one of their taxis. They don’t tell you that on the advert!

The South of Bali was very much the same no matter where you went.

A scattering of luxurious hotels nestled in between not so luxurious surroundings. The water park is fantastic and well worth a visit. It somehow creates a very friendly culture where everyone seemed to socialise playing volleyball, enjoying a meal or simply sat relaxing by the numerous pools. This extended beyond the water park into all of Bali. Now I feel would be a good time to mention the food. Whilst the travelers amongst us say when experiencing new places, embrace their culture, eat what they eat, drink what they drink, I would say the same but just not in Bali, it will kill you. The notorious Bali belly is far more common than even I realised. Whilst the food is delicious and exquisitely presented it is far from a five-star hygiene standard. In fact, regardless of establishment, their standards appear to be the same.

We visited one of the best eateries in Bali, a true dining experience, one which the taxi driver looked at us in awe for how we could afford such a place. The cost, £30 each plus days of stomachache, sickness and I shall spare you the intricate details. Our diet quickly became McDonalds and crisps; hardly nutritious.

It became apparent from the time spent in the heavily driven tourist areas that Bali had perhaps jumped the gun and wowed the tourists with their Instagram hot spots. This however is very different once you venture into the north. Find out in the next edition.

7

P&P Health & Beauty

ESSENTIAL STEPS TO A BETTER YOU We’ve never had more information at our disposal about how to keep our bodies in optimum working condition, so you might think basic advice for living has long since had its day. Perhaps with the exception of social media and dating app etiquette. Not so.

The reality of Britain in the 21st Century suggests otherwise. With terminal illness, obesity, and general ill-health still plaguing the population, and many cases avoidable through lifestyle change, it seems that sometimes we all need reminding of a few simple home truths. Here are seven essential steps to a better you, then.

Get active

Change your perspective

Hydrate

Easier said than done, nevertheless toning down the complaints is a good way to begin improving overall mood, which in turn can encourage us to be more active. Setting life goals is a proven way to help with this.

The relationship between exercise and the brain is cyclical. Exercise improves mood, but when we’re feeling low sometimes exercise comes secondary to a binge on junk food. The answer? A regular exercise regime, so we don’t even think about not hitting the gym.

This is the most obvious on our list, but that’s because it might be the most important- stop hydrating completely and you die pretty quickly, after all. In addition to preserving precious life, lovely water clears out toxins, and keeps your toilet trips regular.

Eat vegetables

AKA just eat well in general. Veg is the most important part of the diet because of how rich so much of it is in everything from antioxidants to vitamins. You might want to add fruit to your shopping list too, mind, which is also pretty vital.

Sleep well

We’ve all heard about the late-Margaret Thatcher’s insanely high tolerance for tiredness, and everyone has a friend who claims they ‘really don’t need that much’, but on average people require eight hours per night. So go to bed on time.

Supplement shortcomings

Rather than a reference to social situations, here we’re talking about boosting the body with the likes of powerful omega-3 and other key nutrients. It will improve skin tone, lower inflammation, and even reduce stress...

De-stress

...speaking of which, stress has a huge impact on physical and mental health. Clearly it is best avoided. This is simpler to do when you try and get organised- decluttering, starting to actually use iCal or Google Calendar, not forgetting to set your alarm etc etc.

Image © Aaron Newcomer

The Ambulance Wish Foundation UK

Make a Wish today!

About Us

The Ambulance Wish Foundation’s UK’s mission is to give non mobile, elderly and terminally ill people the resources, specialist transport and care they need to make memories and fulfil a wish.

Wishes can be simple, a last visit home or to a place of personal significance. It’s usually the little things that mean the most to a person nearing the end of their life, but these can seem impossible.

Our aim is to make the impossible, possible. By providing the means to make these wishes, however simple or complex, a reality. From initial contact we will then arrange every aspect of the wish.

Your Wish

Support Us

We would not be able to operate without volunteers and generous donations from individuals, companies and other organisations. Please contact us at info@ ambulancewishfoundation.org.uk if you would like to donate to or support the charity.

We welcome wishes big or small from everyone, adult or child. Nearly everything is possible, and all wishes are fulfilled free of charge. There is no waiting list, if you wish to use our service then please complete our application form online at www.ambulancewishfoundation.org.uk and we will respond to you as soon as we can.

What we can provide

The Ambulance Wish Foundation UK use specially designed ambulances to transport non mobile, elderly and terminally ill people in safety and comfort, to their place of personal significance.

We use a Multi-Load Assist system, which reduces stress, as they are transferred gently, quietly and smoothly which reduces the risk of injury for our volunteers. Our vehicles are staffed with a range of volunteers, from medically trained to first aiders and drivers to accompany the person for the duration of the wish.

ambulancewishfoundation.org.uk

P&P Health & Beauty

LET’S TALK ABOUT...

ANXIETY DISORDERS

By Karen Hayward

I

n this month’s issue, we are looking at anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders differ from ‘normal’ anxiety in that they are more severe, longer lasting and can interfere with a person’s work and relationships.

Again, as with most mental health conditions, they are very much misunderstood.

a panic attack, so it is important for you to have a medical check up to determine the cause.

Panic attacks can come on very quickly and develop rapidly. There is a sudden onset of intense apprehension, fear or terror. A panic disorder is experienced by someone who has panic attacks and is afraid that a panic attack might occur so they will avoid places or situations where panic attacks have occurred before or where they feel they might have another one.

There are many different types of anxiety disorder. The ones we are going to look at today are generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobic disorders will be covered in separate articles.

Many people with anxiety problems don’t fit neatly into a particular anxiety disorder and it can be quite common for people to have features from several different disorders. A high level of anxiety of over a long period of time will often lead to depression and long periods of depression can bring about symptoms of anxiety.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by overwhelming worry and anxiety. Worries are commonly about things that may go wrong even when there are no signs of trouble.

In next months issue, I will be sharing some practical techniques that you can use to help with your anxiety.

People with GAD experience physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety more days than not and these continue for at least six months. GAD can make it very difficult to concentrate at work, function at home and generally get on with life. It can make you irritable, restless, cause sleep disturbances and make it difficult to make decisions. You may also need constant reassurance around routine things, and you may find your mind going blank. Add this to the symptoms of anxiety that we looked at before and you see how debilitating GAD can be. It can also be difficult for people around sufferers too.

Best wishes Karen Karen Hayward is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor with MHFA England and also runs private therapy clinics in Ryedale, specialising in trauma-based anxiety www.karenhayward.co.uk

If you’ve ever had a panic attack, you will know just how scary they can feel; the sense of impending doom, dizziness, shaking, nausea, hyperventilating, feeling sweaty. In fact, many of the symptoms of a panic attack mirror those of a heart attack or an asthma attack.

There are some medical conditions that have symptoms similar to UPCOMING COURSES AND WORKSHOPS MHFA ENGLAND COURSES Mental Health First Aid Mental Health Champion Mental Health Aware Mental Health First Aid Refresher WORKSHOPS Motivated Mindset Weight Programme Motivated Mindset Weight Programme Tackle Your Anxiety Tackle Your Anxiety

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FEBRUARY 2020 | 23

P&P Health & Beauty

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DUO DEDICATED TO MARIE CURIE Breast cancer survivor, Karen Holloway (Maltby) and her daughter Gemma Hewitt (Selby) are both devoted to Marie Curie. Karen in a voluntary capacity and Gemma, who, following her Mum’s diagnosis in 2015 has dedicated her life’s work to the charity – by spearheading community fundraising across Yorkshire In Karen’s own words her daughter ‘lives and breathes Marie Curie’.

They have pledged to help smash last year’s total of £168,000 raised during the Great Daffodil Appeal from collections and daffodil boxes alongside so many Marie Curie volunteers and supporters.

Here we tell the story of the inspirational couple’s quest to ensure more people in Yorkshire get end of life care and find out how they celebrate Mother’s Day. Karen Holloway, the youngest of 12 children, is a receptionist at her local GP’s surgery and on Christmas Eve three years ago, received the devastating blow that she had grade two aggressive breast cancer.

Karen explained: “It’s a Christmas I will never forget. Ten years ago, I had a succession of cysts on my breasts that, with treatment, cleared up so when I received a recall letter, to attend on Christmas Eve following a routine mammogram I wasn’t unduly concerned. I remember that afternoon vividly. I arrived for my afternoon shift at the surgery in a festive mood wearing my Christmas jumper and earrings.

When I mentioned to colleagues and the Doctors about the letter they encouraged me to go immediately for the second screening. Alarm bells began to ring when I saw the look on the nurse and doctor’s faces, which was crystallised when the nurse took hold of my hand just before the doctor delivered his crushing diagnosis.

My husband and I took the heart wrenching decision to tell our children that day – what a Christmas gift.

I had my first lumpectomy on 19 January and, three weeks later, was devastated to be told that I required further surgery. Fifteen rounds of gruelling radiotherapy followed at Weston Park in Sheffield where I benefitted from the exceptional nursing care. I’m relieved that I’m four years into remission and celebrated last summer by taking eight members of my family on a seven-day cruise around the Mediterranean.

When my daughter, Gemma Hewitt, was appointed Marie Curie Fundraiser for North Yorkshire in November 2016 it inspired me to volunteer for the charity as my way of putting something back into the community following my own personal battle. Working in a GP’s surgery, I witness first-hand the devastating impact terminal illness has on people and their families so have great empathy. It touches the lives of so many and I’m blessed and more fortunate than many others to be here to tell my story.

I hope that in speaking out, it provides others with inspiration to volunteer. We need to raise more money and awareness for research 24 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

and new treatment breakthroughs to help ensure there are more survivors like me.

I began my volunteering role with Marie Curie by taking part in the York street and supermarket collections with Gemma for the Great Daffodil Appeal in March 2018, supported by Paul Elliott of the Chuckle Brothers. I even roped in my husband, sister, brother, sisterin- law and my pregnant niece.

I’ve recently taken up the volunteering role of collection box coordinator for Maltby and have managed to increase the number of collection tins in local shops and pubs from 3 to 33 in the space of a few months. Collecting tins is nothing in comparison to people going through a terminal diagnosis.

Critical illness is a lottery and I’m fortunate to be winning so far.

Living through the experience makes you view life differently - my mantra is to live life to the full and make the most of every moment with family and friends. When I retire I will dedicate more of my time to raising money for Marie Curie and I’m looking forward to taking part in the Great Daffodil Appeal again.

We’re so proud of Gemma’s work - her drive and enthusiasm, energy and passion is infectious and I believe she was made for the job.

Gemma’s role as Marie Curie Community Fundraiser involves developing fundraising relationships in the community and supporting a network of groups and volunteers in their quest to raise vital funds for the charity. Gemma has worked in the charity sector for over seven years. She has also fundraised and volunteered in her free time for a host of organisations including Martin House Hospice, Great Ormond Street and Macmillan Cancer Support and Oxfam, by arranging charity music events and a masquerade ball, raising over £20,000.

Here, Gemma picks up the story: “I joined Marie Curie two and a half years ago, shortly after Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. I knew about the charity’s amazing work and have always had great respect for its palliative care, support and research. Mum’s diagnosis changed the dynamics of our family so I have a degree of understand about the devasting impact terminal illness can have. It gives me immense satisfaction that through my work I am making a difference to the provision of end of life care across Yorkshire.

I’m so proud of my Mum, who was always the matriarch of the family but a born worrier. Her illness has completely redefined her personality, attitude to life and our relationship – we’re now even closer and Mum is living life to the full. Volunteering for Marie Curie has boosted her confidence following her illness and it’s great that we get to work together. I am so proud of her and grateful for all her support.

Mother’s Day has taken on a completely new meaning for me. Last year we spent the day together collecting for Marie Curie then celebrating life with a family meal in the evening. We’re so passionate about Marie Curie that we’re contemplating doing something similar again this year. But we need more volunteers to help out with street and supermarket collections across Yorkshire.”

For more information on how to get involved in the Great Daffodil Appeal, please contact Gemma Hewitt on 01904 755260, email gemma.hewitt@mariecurie.org.uk or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/ daffodil

EXC E LLE NT

FRESH FOOD S E R V E D D A I LY

WEDNESDAYS

FRIDAYS

SUNDAYS

THE

Commercial T R A D I T I O N A L

I N N

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Tel: 01347 824282

Voted Best Fish and Chip Shop in York

Open everyday including Sunday 11am-8pm Come in and see the transformation of this place from a disused toilet block to a multi award winning establishment!

Sample our delicious award winning fish and chips cooked in beef dripping using traditional methods.

Trunk Road Services, A1079 Hull Road, Dunnington, York YO19 5LP

Tel: 01904 489392 Email: thescrapbox@outlook.com

www.thescrapbox.fish 26 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

P&P Food & Drink

THE THREE HARES INN As you enter you are greeted by the friendly staff who immediately make you feel welcome, the atmosphere is relaxed and warm with traditional décor which is very tastefully done.

Advisor Certificate of Excellence you can rest assured that when your time comes to leave you will already be planning a return trip.

I

f you are the type of person that loves a good beer and great food in a nice relaxing friendly atmosphere, then look no further than The Three Hares Inn at Bilbrough York.

The Three Hares also offers accommodation which sleeps up to 10 people and is ideally placed for race goers or families that simply want to explore the attractions our beautiful city has to offer. Motorhomes welcome and dog friendly.

For more information please visit www.thethreeharesinn.co.uk Or call Maureen on 01937 918 005.

Voted York CAMRA Town and Country Pub winter 2018 also in Good Beer Guide 2019 and 2020 this little village Inn certainly has a pedigree to be proud of.

But there is so much more to The Three Hares than just good beer.

As you enter you are greeted by the friendly staff who immediately make you feel welcome, the atmosphere is relaxed and warm with traditional décor which is very tastefully done.

Should you want to eat there is a cosy restaurant which boasts good traditional home cooked dishes and for those of you who enjoy being a little more adventurous you will certainly not be disappointed when you cast your eyes over the mouth-watering menu. Winner of a Trip

Voted by York CAMRA Town and Country Pub of Winter 2018 and in The Good Beer Guide 2019 and 2020

Traditional food and drink • Motorhome and dog friendly.

Now offering accommodation and meeting room.

The Three Hares, Main Street, Bilbrough, York, YO233PH

Tel: 01937 918005 Email: thethreehares@mail.com FEBRUARY 2020 | 27

P&P Food & Drink INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • •

8 lamb chops 1 tbsp olive oil 3 medium onions, peeled and chopped 400g carrots, sliced 12 new potatoes, peeled and cut in half 2tbsp plain flour 450ml lamb stock 25g butter 100g button mushrooms, halved 100g cherry tomatoes, left whole

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 160C/Gas Mark 3 2. In a large non-stick frying pan, dry-fry the lamb chops. Fry until browned on both sides, then transfer to the casserole dish.

WINTER LAMB CASSEROLE The trick to this warming dish is using simple flavours that combine to make something special. This uses shoulder cuts, but leg or loin would work just as well.

3. Add the oil to the pan and heat. Add the onions and carrots, and sautee for a few minutes until browned.

4. Sprinkle over the flour and stir until absorbed. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the stock, then return to heat and bring to the boil. Season to taste.

5. Add the potatoes and stir well to distribute, then pour mixture into the casserole, covering the chops. Transfer casserole dish to oven for 45 minutes.

6. Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the mushrooms, frying for a couple of minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and add the fried mushrooms, along with the cherry 7. Serve immediately with rice or mash and green veg.

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

1 tablespoon olive oil 2 onions, sliced finely 400g lean pork fillet, cut into strips 250g button mushrooms 1 1/2 tbsp paprika 1 tbsp tomato puree 200ml chicken stock 100ml soured cream

METHOD

1. In a large pan, heat the oil and fry the onions until soft and golden, approximately 10 minutes.

ONE-POT PAPRIKA PORK Ready in just over 20 minutes with minimal washing up, this one-pot spicy pork dish makes an ideal midweek treat. Serve with rice, seasonal veg or mash - the possibilities are endless!

28 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

2. Add the pork and mushrooms. Fry on a high heat for approximately 4-5 minutes until the pork is browned.

3. Add the paprika and cook for a further minute.

4. Stir in the tomato puree.

5. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 8 minutes, until the pork is cooked.

6. Stir in the soured cream and add salt and pepper to taste before serving.

P&P Food & Drink

GLUTENFREE LEMON SHORTBREAD

All too often, coeliac sufferers miss out on delicious baked treats, but this gluten-free recipe is suitable for everyone. Many large supermarkets now have gluten-free sections; look there for the flour and baking powder.

Makes 10 - can be stored in an airtight container for a week INGREDIENTS • • • • • •

a little oil for greasing 100g butter 50g golden caster sugar zest of 1/2 a lemon, grated 175g gluten-free flour half a tsp gluten-free baking powder

CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIES A rich chocolate flavour and slightly gooey texture combine for the perfect brownie. Make sure you use good quality dark chocolate - at least 70% cocoa solids. They’ll keep fresh for 3 days - if you can resist them that long! Serves 16 INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

85g dark chocolate 100g butter, unsalted 125g caster sugar 100g muscovado sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 2 whole eggs plus 1 extra yolk, beaten together 100g plain flour 3 tbsp cocoa powder

METHOD

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line an 18cm square cake tin.

2. Soften the butter for a few seconds in the microwave and beat.

2. Crumble the chocolate into a heat-proof bowl Add the butter, then rest the bowl over a pan of simmering water; don’t let the water touch the base of the boil. Allow to melt, then set aside.

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas Mark 5 and lightly grease a baking sheet with oil.

3. Cream the softened butter together with the sugar and lemon zest until the mixture is light and fluffy.

4. Stir in the flour and baking powder and mix together to make dough. Divide the dough into 10 balls and press each flat with the tip of a knife. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

6. Remove from the oven and after 2 minutes, release the shortbread from the baking tray with a flat knife. Cool on a rack before serving.

3. When cool, stir the sugars and vanilla extract into the chocolate.

Gently beat in the eggs and extra yolk, then sift in the flour and cocoa powder through a sieve. Stir until well combined.

4. Pour into the cake tin, then transfer to oven and bake for 30 minutes. The mixture should be risen, but with a slightly soft centre, with moist crumbs sticking to a skewer placed into the middle.

5. Leave to stand for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

When cool, remove the baking parchment, cut into 16 squares and serve.

FEBRUARY 2020 | 29

P&P Puzzles YOUR PUZZLES

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ZODIAC Find the words below in the grid on the left.

They can be placed horizontally, vertically and diagonally, both forwards and backto-front.

AQUARIUS ARIES

G S P Z D C C S G W B M Y O U R A S E P

CANCER

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GEMINI LEO LIBRA PISCES SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 2015

Sudoku

Wordsearch

28

5

2

7

3

TAURUS VIRGO ZODIAC

L C B

ACROSS 1 In an awkward manner (14) 10 A monetary unit of Oman (5) 11 Religious (9) 12 Japanese flower arrangement (7) 13 Hunting guide (7) 14 Nerds (5) 16 Enumerating (9) 19 People who design and create period clothes (9) 20 Vapors (5) 22 Supply of weapons (7) 25 Squanderer (7) 27 Wish harm upon (9) 28 Raves (5) 29 Slides used with overhead projectors (14) DOWN 2 Silent (9) 3 City in Nebraska (5) 4 Imagine (9) 5 At the ends of fingers (5) 6 Evoking (9) 7 Genus of hemlock spruce (5) 8 Sharp high-pitched dog cries (7) 9 Fading (6) 15 Wastes (9) 17 Not here (9) 18 Coverage (9) 19 Horse-drawn carriage (7) 21 Cause a liquid to spatter (6) 23 Reddish brown (5) 24 Type of vine (5) 26 Anagram of “Acres” (5)

LAST MONTH’S WINNERS

30 | PEOPLE & PLACES MAGAZINE

1

5

9

1 2

4

3

1

2

6

9

2

5 4 3

9

6 9

7

The object of Sudoku is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

KRISS-KROSS

SCORPIO

John Knott - The Scrap Box Joanna Joslin - The Commercial

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7 2

C O R N L

Crossword

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P Y K S

K G Q W A A S J

9

TO DO IN

FEBRUARY At last, if you look hard enough, there are signs of the approaching spring, with bulbs appearing and wildlife waking up as light levels and temperatures increase.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES • Complete routine pruning of established fruit trees, but not plum, they should be pruned in summer.

• Cut autumn fruiting raspberry canes to the ground; cut back summer fruiting to a bud just above the top wire.

• Cover any beds to be used for early sowings with black mulch sheeting to warm up the soil and prevent weeds.

• Sow early carrots, cress and spinach outdoors under cloches.

• Sow tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes and aubergines in seed compost and place on a window sill or heated greenhouse to germinate.

LAWNS • If worm casts are a nuisance, scatter them on dry days with a birch broom.

• Take care not to step on bulbs growing in the grass or pile up any snow over bulbs.

FLOWERING PLANTS

SHRUBS AND TREES

• Remove any dead stems before the new shoots begin to grow.

• Fork over the soil between the plants.

• New plants may still be planted, and older ones divided.

• Sow half hardy annuals in a cold frame or greenhouse late in the month.

• Divide bulbs such as snowdrops ready for next year.

• Plant bulbs that need planting in the green.

• Prune hardy evergreen hedges, and renovate overgrown deciduous ones, at the end of the month, before the start of the birds breeding season.

• Prune back trees and climbing plants, whilst still dormant, on frost free days.

• Cut back ornamental grasses from the end of the month onwards.

• Prune winter flowering shrubs that have finished flowering.

FEBRUARY 2020 | 31

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