YOUR LOCAL CROWD
LOCAL CROWD FEBRUARY 2017
Promoting and supporting local business in print & online
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
THE PEOPLE’S ORCHARD Community engagement, learning and restoration of local heritage, it’s all going on the the village of St Dogmaels
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New for 2017... Are you a tourist attraction, accomodation provider,or business that caters for tourists? ...Following the success of the magazine, Your Local Crowd will be launching a new Tourism Guide Book for 2017 and would love to hear from local businesses who would like to be invovled. The new Guide Book will include a variety of local articles on where to go, what to see and where to stay locally across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire. It will also hold several guides, showcasing the various festivals, museums, gardens, walks, beautiful beaches, galleries, craft centres and activities that West Wales has to offer. The handy pocket sized book will be available to in many local shops, hotels, cafes & Tourist information centres throughout the three counties and beyond. A useful source of information for both locals and the visiting tourist. If you would like to be included, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. Advertising starts from just £150 a year. To be included contact our team on 01239 460210 or email your enquiry to sales@yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
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Some sample pages
Editors Letter
Find us on Facebook @ylcrowd
WELCOME... To this February edition of Your Local Crowd... It’s the month of Love! Time to show your partner how much they mean to you. In this edition we endeavour to help you with that, from places to stay, visit and of course, where to grab those all important flowers! We also find out a little more about the great community project in St Dogmaels, The People’s Orchard combining community engagement and learning, and restoring part of your local heritage to make a big contribution to local biodiversity? Our team of committed contributors, continue to offer all manner of advice, from Why we Love Wool - Celtic Sustainables, Why choosing the correct toothbrush is so important - Pembrokeshire Dental Centre, and Boosting your Immunity this Winter - Birdsol.
I’d love to hear from you to discover your business & events or just
to hear your views on Your Local Crowd. Don’t forget to check out our website where you will find so much more, our magazine archives, many other articles & interviews, recipes, what’s on and not forgetting, our directory of local businesses.
ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS
Celtic Sustainables www.celticsustainables.co.uk BirdSol Fitness, Nutrition & Wellbeing www.exerciseyourfreedom.com Pembrokeshire Dental Centre www.pembrokeshiredental centre.co.uk Sally Sellwood Feature Writer www.sallysellwood.com
Your Local Crowd also offer a design service should you need any leaflets, booklets or magazines put together - feel free to get in touch!
SAM JONES | EDITOR | 01239 460210 sam@yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER
www.uk.linkedin.com/in/samjones71 Neither Your Local Crowd, nor it’s employees or agents shall be liable to the consumer, or the recipient of services advertised herein for any loss or damage howsoever arising from the provision of such services by the persons, companies or bodies advertised in this magazine. Your Local Crowd hereby warrants that care has been taken to ensure the details displayed are correct at the time of printing, but accepts no liability for changes occurring after print or failure by the advertiser to provide the services as advertised.
More information at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
NEW FOR 2017 If you are a local business who would like to feature in our new Tourism Guide Book, please get in touch.
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Insight
How do you combine community engagement and learning, an interest in restoring part of your local heritage and make a big contribution to local biodiversity? The answer that St Dogmaels in North Pembrokeshire has come up with is The People’s Orchard! Reinstating the past to prepare for the future As is so often the case, the People’s Orchard came about as the result of a number of factors coming together. As Nia Siggins, project coordinator, explained, when I met her: “During Abbey 900 when we celebrated 900 years of St Dogmaels Abbey a group of us visited the area in Normandy, France, where the monks who founded the Abbey came from. The area was full of fruit trees and a proud apple heritage. We know that the monks who came to St Dogmaels
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THE PEOPLE’S ORCHARD OF ST DOGMAELS
brought fruit trees with them, and one variety, Pig Aderyn, went native here in Pembrokeshire.” The apple trees were still going strong as recently as the Second World War. A recent visit by a group of former evacuees to the area highlighted the fact that St Dogmaels had avoided the worst of the rationing because of the wide availability of fresh fruit and local honey – a direct result of the efforts of the Medieval monks. The fact that the area had obviously lost huge areas of orchard in a relatively short space of time struck a chord. Nia continued “As we started researching the feasibility of reintroducing fruit trees to the area, it became clear that the loss of the orchards was contributing to the loss of biodiverse habitats in the area and a decline in
pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which is a global problem.” It’s a problem that’s so concerning that the Welsh Government became so concerned with the problem that it published the Welsh Biodiversity Action Plan in 2015 to encourage all organisations and individuals to get involved and help prevent the decline. As the team researched more widely, the idea of an orchard without borders started to develop: not just one large orchard site, but a series of smaller orchards and pockets of fruit trees and wild flower meadows woven throughout the area. As well as bringing back fruit trees into the area, this approach results in the creation of ‘pollinator connector corridors’ vital to maintaining and improving the biodiversity in the area.
Insight
By taking action to restore an important part of the area’s heritage, the project will also support biodiversity for the future. A community orchard The People’s Orchard has already engaged the local community on many levels, and promises to do so for a long time into the future. The project provides many opportunities for people to get together – planting trees, learning how to maintain them, for a start, and then associated projects. The People’s Orchard is working closely with Pembrokeshire Bee Keepers Association and will be introducing bee hives into the area, as well as offering training for people in bee keeping. There are plans for workshops and activities for children to educate them about the importance of
the bees and other pollinators. And what of all the apples? Although the primary aim of the project is to improve the biodiversity of the area, a very happy by product will be an apple harvest. There are plans to run preserving workshops to teach people how to use the fruit, and plans for a number of Community Juicing Days starting in September. People will have the opportunity to bring along apples and take home apple juice – and any surplus may be sold through the Coach House. There’s hardly a week goes by without climate change and threats to our environment hitting the news, but with talk of conferences, summits and treaties, it can be easy to forget that there’s plenty we can do at a local level to tackle the issues we’re facing. The beauty of The People’s Orchard project is that it not only tackles the issue of biodiversity and the decline of bees in a very practical way, it will restore orchards and wild flower meadows to the area and provide opportunities for community activities for years to come. For more information about the People’s Orchard and forthcoming events, visit the Facebook Page follow the project on Instagram, or email orchard@stdogmaelsabbey.org.uk to be added to the mailing list. www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk | 5
Guide
6 STUNNING PLACES...
... to visit on Valentine’s Day
West Wales is full of romantic settings to visit with your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Here are 6 of our favourite places to visit. IMAGES © Crown copyright (2014) Visit Wales & Sam Jones
Laugharne
When you think of Laugharne, you think of Dylan Thomas and rich cultural and historical context of this unique South-Western Carmarthenshire town. Laugharne’s magnificent medieval castle and the surrounding area of the Taf estuary is an enchanting place for an leisurely stroll with someone special. Visit the Dylan Thomas’s
Above and below Laugharne
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After being couped up all winter get outdoors and explore your local area. boathouse and writing shed. We can only assume that his creativity was inspired by his stunning surroundings! 01994 427906 Laugharne Castle, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, SA33 4FA • Places to stay/dine out: Corran Resort & Spa and the The Cors Restaurant & Rooms are two special places, but not forgetting, Keepers Cottage, The Boat House Bed & Breakfast, , Broadway Country House & Hotel, Browns Hotel, Tre-Brentir, Swan Cottage,
Longlane House Bed & Breakfast. • Places to shop/visit: Dylan Thomas Boat House & Dylan Thomas Writing Shed. Choices Gift Shop, Castle Stores, & The Tin Shed.
Bosherton Lily Ponds & Stackpole
A natural haven for wildlife in an enchanted flooded limestone valley. The valley opens up into Broad Haven South Bay, which is equally as beautiful. The Stackpole Estate is now part of The National Trust and is a great site for visitors with its secluded and peaceful walled gardens. Perfect for a romantic walk! 01646 661425 Stackpole Estate, Pembrokeshire, SA71 5DQ
Guide
• Places to stay: Stackpole Inn, Hayston Farmhouse, Coach House, Barn at Kingston,& Barafundle Barns.
SA43 1QH • Places to stay/dine out: The Gwbert Hotel, The Cliff Hotel & Spa, Penrallt Hotel.
Llangrannog
Hafod Estate
Another Ceredigion seaside village with an unspoiled beach, where you can walk out to its second bay at low tide. The clifftop path walk over to Ynys Lochtyn is also fantastic, with some of the best sea views in Wales, where dolphins and seals are often spotted by walkers. Llangrannog Beach, Ceredigion, SA44 6SN • Places to stay: Penbontbren, The Pentre Arms Hotel, Angorfa, Dol Llan, Morfa Isaf, Manorafon & Crannog Cottage. • Places to visit: Patio Café, The Ship & The Pentre Arms. Llangrannog is situated on the coastal path which makes a pleasant walk.
Mwnt
The tiny secluded seaside village of Mwnt, situated between Cardigan and Aberporth on the Ceredigion Coast is best known for its beach, featured in The Daily Mail’s “Europe’s Top 10 loveliest hidden beaches”. On Mwnt’s grassy cliffs you will find the iconic Eglwys y Grog, a medieval church. The pelagic and breath-taking views over Cardigan Bay make this an unbeatable Welsh romantic setting. Mwnt Beach, Ceredigion,
The Hafod Estate, 12 miles South East of Aberystwyth offering stunning scenery. Several walking paths you can take, including Ystwyth Gorge Walk, Lady’s Walk, Bedford Monument Walk & Coed Hafod Walk. Celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day with someone you love by lacing up your walking boots and stride out over some of the most attractive rural parts of Ceredigion. www.hafod.org The Hafod Estate, Devil’s Bridge, Ceredigion SY23 • Places to stay: Tynrhyd, Maesglas Uchaf, The Hafod Hotel (Devil’s Bridge), Hawthorn Cottage & Froneithinog. • Places to visit: Devil’s Bridge Falls, Vale of Rheidol Railway, The Milner’s Arms & Y Caban.
Above Mwnt; below, Llangrannog
Strata Florida Abbey
Strata Florida Abbey in Pontrhydfendigaid near Tregaron, is an former Cisterian Abbey. The ruins remain and give an archaic feel to this incredibly rural part of North-Eastern Ceredigion. Another great walking destination. 01974 831261 Abbey Rd, Ystrad Fflur, Ceredigion, SY25 6ES • Places to stay: Red Lion Hotel,
Talbot Hotel (Pontrhydfendigaid) • Places to visit: Rhiannon Welsh Gold, Jane Beck Welsh blankets (both Tregaron) For More Guides visit www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
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BLOOMIN MARVELLOUS...
show someone your love with flowers
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many of us will be buying someone special, freshly cut flowers. We’ve come up with some a selection of local florists in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire that sell bouquets and arrnagements. No.21 Florist Aberystwyth www.no21flowers.co.uk 01970 626345 21B Pier St, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2LN Deborah Willcocks Floral Design Pembroke www.dwfloraldesign.co.uk 01646 200225 132 Main St, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, SA71 4HN Flower Blaze Carmarthen www.flowerblaze.co.uk 07813 779062 Pistyll Gwion, Ffynnon Ddrain, Carmarthen, SA33 6EE Angela Sadler Llandysul www.angelasadler.uk 01559 363650 Lincoln St, Llandysul
Ceredigion, SA44 4BS Fleur De Paris Floral Design & Gift Shop Newcastle Emlyn 01239 711767 Sycamore Street, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, SA38 9AJ Cascade Florists Lampeter www.cascade-lampeter.co.uk 01570 422403 13 High Street, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7BG Tussie Mussie Flowers Haverfordwest www.tussiemussieflowers.co.uk 01437 763787 9 Quay Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1BG The Green House Pencader www.thegreen-house.co.uk 01559 384594 The Green House, Pencader, Carmarthenshire, SA39 9AA Florist On The Farm Cardigan www.floristonthefarm.com 01239 613631 The Elms, 31 Priory Street Cardigan
Guys, don’t try to fool yourselves into believing we don’t really like flowers. We do! 8
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Four Seasons, Tenby www.fourseasonstenby.co.uk 01834 849100 Upper Frog Street, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7JD Pinc Llandeilo www.pincshop.co.uk 01558 824515 Coffor Bach, 135, Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo Rhosyn Dela, Aberaeron 01545 570432 25 Alban Square, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0AJ Amaryllis Flower Boutique & Interiors, Fishguard www.amaryllisflowerboutique. co.uk 01348 874749 71 West St, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, SA65 9NJ The Woodland Farm Haverfordwest www.thewoodlandfarm.co.uk Read more Guides at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Guide
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0770 3446259
spencergasservices@btinternet.com
Nat Gas + LPG Servicing Houses & Static Caravans
Beauty
SPRING BEAUTY TIPS
Jeffrey Spencer - Experienced Gas Engineer sam@yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
Offices in Crymych & Fishguard
A family run business established in 1974
www.jdjonesaccountants.com VAT • INCOME TAX & PAYE • GOING SELF EMPLOYED CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SCHEME
01239 831493
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@ylcrowd
LOSE THE FOUNDATION Rich creamy foundations are great for the winter, but now spring has arrived, lighten the load on your face and instead invest in a good CC Cream for the more natural look. USE A GOOD SERUM Again, during the colder winter months our skin needs a rich and nourishing moisturizer, but during the warmer months, our skin can become oily. A great way to combat this, along with the blackheads and spots is to hydrate the skin with a lighter serum instead. Quickly absorbed, leaving your skin with a soft glow. USE A GOOD PRIMER Essential for the warmer months to help your makeup last longer.
Winter at Ceridwen Open Mic Night 29/12/16, 7.30/8pm to late/ Cash Bar/ Food/ Free Entry/ Relaxed & supportive crowd St Dywnwen’s Supper 25/01/17, 6pm ‘till late
Contact for Menu/ Book in advance Winter Pizza Sunday 12/02/17, 1pm to 7pm/ Cash Bar/ Live Music/ Indoor games/ Family friendly/ Book in advance
CANOLFAN CERIDWEN CENTRE
Holidays-CoursesEvents-Weddings
Drefelin, Drefach Felindre, Carms, SA44 5XE, 01559 370517 www.ceridwencentre.co.uk info@ceridwencentre.co.uk find us on Facebook/Twitter
EXFOLIATE Get rid of that dull dry winter skin with a good exfoliante. Be careful not to over exfoliate, you really only need to do this a couple of times a week to keep your skin gorgeous and glowing. WATERPROOF MAKE-UP With the weather warming up, well hopefully it will happen soon, none of us want to look sweaty and have our make-up slide off. Invest in some good waterproof makeup. For me waterproof mascara is a must. BLOTTING SHEETS These little beauties make all the difference between dewy skin and greasy skin. A quick blot half way through the day rescues many faces. USE A GOOD MAKEUP REMOVER Remove every trace of make-up before bed, not only does this save your sheets but also your skin. www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk |
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Guide
7 ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS...
... for Valentine’s Day
Feeling Romantic? Wine and dine your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Here are some of the best restaurants in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire offering beautiful surroundings, with delicious food & excellent service to celebrate this traditional day of romance.
The Corran Resort & Spa, Laugharne The Corran Resort & Spa offers a real taste of luxury in the tranquil setting of the Carmarthenshire marshlands. The perfect couples retreat. Offering a relaxed bar area Above The Corran Resort & Spa and fine dining, Sunday lunches and afternoon tea. 01994 427417 The Corran Resort & Spa, East Marsh, Laugharne, This authentic Greek and MediterCarmarthenshire, SA33 4RS ranean restaurant on Aberystwyth Promenade provides a taste of Greece and South Europe in a comfortable, cosy and informal environment. For entertainment, how about belly dancing and live music? Deliveries and take-aways are also available for those who would rather enjoy the gorgeous food within the comfort of their own home. 01970 630572 32 Pier St, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2LN Above The Corran Resort & Spa
The Olive Branch, Aberystwyth
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Y Polyn, Carmarthen A small restaurant tucked away in the Towy Valley, between Carmarthen and Llandeilo. Offering a European style menu with a real emphasis on Welsh produce. For example they use Saltmarsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and Welsh rare breed and free range pork. If you want some quality time with someone you love without any fuss, Y Polyn fits the bill as they really try to avoid pretention. The staff wear jeans, the tables are mismatching and you get to pour your own wine. 01267 290000 Y Polyn, Capel Dewi, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA32 7LH
Guide
The Falcondale, Lampeter A wonderfully romantic setting in a large mansion. Expertly crafted dishes including Welsh Beef, Pigeon Breast, Scallops, Monkfish and Rack of Welsh Lamb. Treat someone you care about with some delicious food at this special hotel and restaurant on St Dwynwen’s Day. 01570 422910 Falcondale Hotel, Falcondale Drive, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7RX
with some real eye catching options, including venison, sea bass & rib eye steak. Choose from the expertly chosen wine list. The mix of old-fashioned and modern décor makes Cardigan Brasserie really special. 01239 758088 Cardigan Brasserie, Cross House, 3 High Street, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1HJ
The Cors Restaurant & Rooms, Laugharne Llys Meddyg, Newport Nestled under Carningli Mountain, this restaurant offers a range of gastronomic experience, from a la carte to easy eating. Eat in The Dining Room, The Cellar Bar or The Kitchen Garden. Llys Meddyg provides intimate dining for couples, with a Head Chef who creates menus to fit the season. 01239 820008 Llys Meddyg, 2014, East Street, Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0SY
Tucked away from the main town, behind its wonderfully landscaped gardens is the restaurant with rooms, converted from an exquisite Victorian House. Beautiful food in an intimate setting. It’s quirky and very romantic and would certainly suit the bill for St Dwynwen’s Day! 01994 427219 The Cors, Newbridge Road, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, SA33 4SH
Cardigan Brasserie Formally known as Ty Croes. Serving high quality food and drink with an evening menu
Cardigan Brasserie
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Gardening
PREPARE YOUR GARDEN NOW...
... and reap the rewards in the summer
H
OPEFULLY by now your bulbs will be blooming, and Spring blossom will be enticing you into the garden. Your priority will most probably be to get on top of the weeds before they run riot, and to get on with sowing seeds for the rest of the year. To do list Spring is the time to get to grips with your borders. Weed and tidy them up, then mulch with manure or compost. It’s also a good time to lift and divide herbaceous perennials, and prune your roses. Cut back dogwood and willow for colourful interest next Winter.
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TOP TIPS Sow hardy annuals 1. Order summer outside and half hardy flowering bulbs & seeds annuals in a heated 2. Clear up flower beds propagator. Plant & borders summer 3. Clean your green flowering bulbs, and, in the veg patch, onion house 4. Sow seeds that sets, need a longer season shallots and early 5. Eradicate garden potatoes can go in. pests now You will need to 6. Install water start cutting the grass as it starts to grow. After butts now 7. Move deciduous the wet weather we’ve shrubs now experienced, it’s likely 8. Fix fences, gates that the grass will be growing pretty enthusi- & trellises 9. Clean gardening astically. Remember to wait for dry days before tools 10. Create a getting the mower composting area out. Any areas of lawn that are bare can be over-seeded, and Spring is also a good time to feed your lawn and generally check it over. Moss can be dealt with effectively in Spring too. As the weather warms up, you can start to open vents on the greenhouse. As space becomes available inside your greenhouse, you can pot up cuttings taken from tender perennials, and take more cuttings from the largest plants if necessary to bulk up plant numbers. As the season progresses, weeding remains a priority. However, with the growing season well and truly underway you’ll start to see rewards from your efforts. As you move into April, make sure to keep on top of feeding hungry
As the season gets
underway, you’ll start to see the
rewards from your efforts
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shrubs and roses and other plants that may need it. Tie in climbing and rambling roses, and watch out for late frosts! By May, you should find the herbaceous borders starting to come into their own. Take the opportunity to divide overcrowded clumps of daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs, and as the month draws to an end, plant out summer bedding. Looking for garden a centre? • Tefhedyn Garden Centre, Bridge Street, Newcastle Emlyn www.trefhedyn.co.uk • Penrallt Garden Centre, Moylegrove www.penralltnursery.co.uk • Farmyard Nurseries, Llandysul www. farmyardnurseries.co.uk • Tavernspite Garden Centre, Whitland www.capelweb.co.uk TavernspiteGardenCentre • Grandiflora Garden Centre, St Florence, Pembrokeshire www.grandiflora.co.uk • St Davids Plant and Garden Nursery, Haverfordwest www.stdavidsplants.co.uk
Read more Guides at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk
Image courtesy of Winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Spring – always welcome, and never more so than after the truly horrendous winter we’ve had here on the West Coast. Hopefully, with Winter now a distant memory, Spring brings with it more opportunities to get out into the garden and give it some TLC after the battering of the past few months. There’s plenty to be getting on with – here are our Spring gardening tips to keep you on track and your garden beautiful!
Health & Wellbeing
BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY THIS WINTER Winter time can sometimes bring us cold after cold, one dribbling nose running into another, that endless cough that won’t go away. You’ve likely got stacks of cough medicine, cough sweets, tablets and other concoctions ready to go to help make you feel better when your head is pounding and your throat is red raw. But what if you could help to strengthen immunity and reduce the number of colds, the severity and the length of cold, as well as other viruses and infections? @Bird_Sol_
W
ELL you can. I’ve put together 7 tips for boosting your immunity to help get your through the winter and help you generally feel healthier: Exercise regularly Doing regular moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking, cycling, golf) has shown to increase resistance to upper respiratory tract infections[1] and reduce sick days from work. However, long-term intense exercise can temporarily reduce the immune response, potentially leaving the body susceptible to infections.[2] Practice yoga and meditation Regular meditation and yoga can help to increase your ability to deal with stress and therefore the negative impacts of stress on the immune system[3]. Furthermore, meditation can help to mediate some of the short-term stress response to more intense exercise mentioned above[4]. The movements carried out during yoga postures are also thought to help flush out toxins, supporting a healthy immune system[5][6][7]. Add turmeric to your diet Tumeric (in root or powder form) is an excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant spice. It is particularly powerful at reducing long term low-level inflammation, which is thought to be one of the main causes of many chronic western diseases. Add it to curries, stews and even boiled potatoes. Eat garlic regularly It’s not just an old wives tale, studies have shown that the components of garlic can decrease both the severity of colds and flus
and number of colds people suffer with[8] [9]. Raw garlic has the greatest impact as cooking can break down the active compounds. Drink plenty of water Along with keeping your body moving, having plenty of fluid is key for helping deal with toxins, preventing a toxic overload and taking them to where they are processed. It is also important for aiding digestion, getting key nutrients to the parts of the body where they are needed.
Get plenty of vitamins, minerals and balanced nutrition Malnutrition is the most common cause of immunodeficiency worldwide. Protein is essential for production of antibodies and other important substances in immune function, as well as, zinc, iron, vitamins A, C, E, and B-6, and other micronutrients[10]. Make sure you are having a good variety of fruit and veggies a day and minimise processed food, additives and preservatives. Minimise alcohol and quit smoking Smoking can lead to upper respiratory tract infections and more frequent and more severe illnesses, so quitting smoking will really help boost your immune system. Furthermore, alcohol has also been shown to lower the initial response to viruses[11] so cutting down what you drink can help prevent illnesses and also your recovery rate. So follow these tips this winter and beyond to feel healthier and hopefully have less of those niggly colds that just won’t go away as well as other illnesses. For a list of the full references visit www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/birdsolfeb17 For further information on health and wellbeing visit BirdSol now www. exerciseyourfreedom.com/fit-tips. Leanne Bird, Founder of BirdSol me@exerciseyourfreedom.com
www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk | 13
Read more from BirdSol at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/health
Leanne Bird
Go Green Go Green
WHY WE LOVE WOOL Wool has been used for hundreds of years to make all sorts of invaluable products such as clothing, upholstery and building materials. The benefits of using wool are vast. It insulates, it’s bio-degradable, antibacterial, sustainable AND it keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot, by Florence Jackson, Celtic Sustainables
PENGUINS IN WOOLLY JUMPERS The insulating benefits of wool were put to the test when an oil spill off the Coast of Phillip Island threatened the lives of its inhabitant - the world’s smallest species of penguin (also known as fairy penguins!). When the catastrophic oil spill swept along the shore, their waterproof insulating feathers became clogged with oil, preventing them from staying warm. Researchers decided to harness the insulating properties of wool by creating a knitting pattern and sending it out to the locals along with a plea to save the penguins! Before long floods of woolly jumpers came from all over the world which could then protect the birds until their feathers regained their natural condition. The wool acted as a natural insulator and was able to regulate their temperature even when wet! WARMTH AND BEDDING Conventional duvets that are often made from down, feather or polyester are all insulators and make the body hot, which
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@CelticSus
is great when you first get into bed, but unlike wool bedding, do not release the heat as our temperature drops during deep sleep. When we slip into a deep sleep, our body temperature drops, and when conventional bedding traps heat, it causes us to wake up tossing and turning throughout the night. BAAVET BEDDING Baavet produce wool bedding in Wales using 100% British wool. Their products are breathable and hypo-allergenic and are ideal for people who get warm in the night or those who suffer from allergies and asthma. The insulating properties of the sheep wool help to regulate your body’s temperature which allows
for a more restful night’s sleep. They celebrate the talents of British people whose experience of wool goes back for generations and they are careful to source their wool from British farmers who they know personally. To make the bedding, they use the finest quality cambric cottons which are especially made by one of the oldest trading cotton merchants in Manchester. There are no harmful chemicals used and the wool isn’t bleached as it would destroy the important scales on the wool fibres. To finish, the Baavet’s are individually handcrafted under the ancient walls of Harlech Castle, to create a truly British product! If you would like to find out more about the Baavet’s we stock, please give us a call, email or check out our website at www.celticsustainables.co.uk
Read more from Celtic Sustainables at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/articles
Florence Jackson
Health & Wellbeing
BRUSH RIGHT BY CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH
It’s important to brush your teeth every day – twice a day – but if you’re not using the right toothbrush, you won’t be brushing effectively. You could even damage your teeth and gums. So follow our tips to help you choose the right toothbrush and make that brushing time count!
Electric toothbrushes are a wise investment We’re often asked by people whether it’s worth investing in an electric toothbrush, and the answer is nearly always yes. Electric toothbrushes allow far more thorough brushing, removing plaque more effectively, then manual toothbrushes. At the same time, using an electric toothbrush can help if you’re someone who might be tempted to brush too vigorously with a manual toothbrush. Overbrushing can damage gums and encourage disease. Bristles, brush heads and handles Toothbrushes come with soft and medium bristles, and a variety of brush head sizes. Generally, adults can brush effectively using a soft bristled toothbrush. A small headed brush gives you more access to all areas of your mouth – including those that might otherwise be hard to reach. As
@CelticSus
far as the handle of your toothbrush is concerned, our advice is to go with something you find comfortable to brush with. After all, you’ll be using it every day and there’s no point being uncomfortable. Choosing for Children It’s vital to establish good brushing habits early on with children. Choose a soft bristled brush that’s easy for your child to hold. If bright colours and Disney motifs will make your child more enthusiastic about using the toothbrush, we say ‘go with it’! As long as the brush fits in their mouth and will clean their teeth without being rough on their gums, the decoration isn’t a problem! If you can afford them, electric toothbrushes suitable for children are a good option. Looking after dentures If you wear dentures, you still need to take care of your gums, tongue and palate and a soft-bristled brush
is the most effective tool for this job. You’ll also need to should clean your dentures daily - a strong, but soft bristled brush will be good for this job, removing plaque and food deposits, and keeping your smile fresh. When you’re faced with rows and rows of toothbrushes, each offering different benefits, remember that your priorities are to choose a toothbrush that will fit into your mouth and allow you to reach all the surfaces of your teeth to brush thoroughly without damaging your gum tissue. If you’d like some advice about which toothbrush would suit you best, talk to your dentist who will be happy to advise you – talk to him or her at your next appointment. Our dentists here in Newport, Pembrokeshire, will be happy to talk to you about the right toothbrush, brushing techniques, and any other aspect of your oral health. Contact us now to make an appointment.
Read more fromPembrokeshire Dental Centre at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/articles
Florence Jackson
www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk | 15
Help us Help usput MS on the onmap put MS Help us. the map Text HOPE to 70099 to donate £5 to our groundbreaking research, or visit www.mssociety.org.uk
We are a charitable organisation aiming to relieve the effects poverty for are individuals and families within Pembrokeshire. We a charitable organisation
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Your help is invaluable. http://patchcharity.org.uk We know that multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially devastating condition of the nervous system. We know it’s most often diagnosed in people’s 20s and 30s. We know some have mild symptoms, others are severely disabled.
tracy@patchcharity.org.uk Donations of non-perishable
01646 699275 foods, clothing and small houshold items are always welcome. Thank you But there is still so much we need to know to find a cure.
Texts cost £5 plus standard network text rate. The MS Society receives at least £5. We may use your number in future. If you’d prefer we don’t contact you, add OUT after the keyword when making your donation or at a later date text OUT to 70099
We know that multiple sclerosis is a potentially We know that multiple sclerosis (MS) is a(MS)potentially devastating condition of the nervous system. We know it’s most often diagnosed in people’s 20s and 30s. We know devastating condition of the nervous system. Wedisabled. know it’s most some have mild symptoms, others are severely But there is still so much we need We to knowknow to find a cure. often diagnosed in people’s 20s and 30s. some have Help us. Text HOPE to 70099 to donate £5 to our mild symptoms, others are severely disabled. But there is still so groundbreaking research, or visit www.mssociety.org.uk. much we need to know to find a cure.
Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 07451571.
Texts cost £5 plus standard network text rate. The MS Society receives at least £5. We may use your number in future. If you’d prefer we don’t contact you, add OUT after the keyword when making your donation or at a later date text OUT to 70099 Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity nos. 1139257 / SC041990. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 07451571.
Together we can put MS on the map.
Together we can put MS on the map Texts cost £5 plus standard network text rate. The MS Society recieves at least £5. We may use your number in the future. If you’d prefer we don’t contact you, add OUT after the keyword when making your donation or at a later date text OUT to 70099. Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity nos.1139257 / SC041990. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 07451571
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