Your Local Link Magazine November 2011

YORK BORN & READ! Delivered monthly to every home and business in York and the villages n Issue 98 November 2011

Our amazing cover artwork

plus makeovers, theatre tickets and much more.

A crisp November evening York advert 80 x 97:750 advert 11 16/8/11 16:47

0 5 £7ELL

o n ly

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VAT

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estate agency

Page 1

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OVER 650 local businesses ♥ over 650 local businesses ♥ Things to do ♥inside and much more ♥

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the best of york

the best of york

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the best of york

Welcome...

Let’s hear it for the boys!

Men don’t get much of a look in here at Your Local Link. They’re constantly teased, their dress sense is ridiculed and they’re trampled underfoot if there’s even a sniff of a tin of Quality Street in the office.

6 28 34 46 47 57 60 74 76 88 91 109 126

Best of York Your Motors Health & Beauty Weddings Your Family Your Pet Your Home Your Environment Your Garden York on a Fork Your Events Trades & Services Your Jobs

But two of our lads made a bold bid for freedom this month, when Distribution Manager Jon and all-round YLL supremo Dean took themselves off for a day at the races courtesy of our generous printers. Here they are, all suited and booted – don’t they scrub up well?

They had a great day out (mainly because they didn’t have to put up with us girls!). Luckily for us they didn’t win, or we might not have seen them again!

But it wasn’t just the boys who made a bold bid for freedom this month. Donna and Rachel recently paid

a visit to Face Etc medispa’s Open Night to launch their fab new Endermologie machine, which promises amazing results for face and body. Donna’s already tried it and was very impressed, so she was mainly there for the free fizz on offer. Rachel, however, clearly got a bit giddy at the idea of a night out, and rashly volunteered to have a body treatment – in front of an audience! It takes a brave woman to sport a white body stocking in public, but our Rach is a game girl!

Sadly there aren’t any photos of that particular event.

Not ones she’d let us show, anyway...

By the way, have you noticed our new look? We’ve been working hard (when we haven’t been out gallivanting) on giving our opening pages a fresh

Advertising: Gini, Tracy, Sarah, Mim, Kelly, Richard, Zoe & Avril Accounts: Helen & Claire Distribution: Dean, Jon, Ronnie Design: Rachel, Lisa & Jerry Editorial: Donna & Jessica Publishers: Tracy Outram and Gini Guttery

Add us on facebook Yourlocallink York twitter @locallinkyork

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the best of york

approach and more of what you want.

We know we’re all having to watch the pennies, so you’ll find lots of money saving tips and offers, competitions, discounts and news on new businesses and services to save you time and money. You’ll also find the inside track on big events and attractions happening in the city, so you don’t miss a thing! And because we love hearing you, there’s also plenty of chance for you to get involved, whether it’s requests for volunteers or fundraising help, sharing your good news or just having a good old moan!

Learning made easy at home Email, Google, Skype & more!

Computer set-up

Call: 01904 767881

Email: info@yourlocallink.co.uk Fax: 01904 764843 Write: Your Local Link, Oak Tree Farm, The Moor, Haxby YO32 2LH

Space booking, copy, cancellation and editorial deadline for the December edition is 11th November 2011 and 18th November 2011 for recruitment.

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your competitions

Win a vip

family night out

WIN A NEW YEAR

MAKE OVER!

Remember the feeling of those January blues? With Christmas out the way, New Year celebrations done and dusted and far too many mince pies under our belts, we can often feel the need for a little pick me up. So why not plan yours in advance and get involved in this competition with Top to Toe? Top to Toe is a unisex hair and beauty salon based in Dunnington which specialises in Shellac and Minx Nails, Fake Bake tans and more. The lovely ladies at the salon are offering a fabulous prize to win a New Year makeover. Your make-up artist will cleanse, tone and moisturise your skin, before applying your professional make over. Whether you use it for a night out, a hot date or a good old pamper, you’ll come out feeling a million dollars!

Rowntree Players have teamed up with Frankie and Benny’s to offer one lucky family the perfect way to kick Christmas off in style. Win a family panto night out, with VIP treatment from start to finish. This year’s panto is the family favorite Babes in the Wood. The winning family will be chauffeur driven, courtesy of Crest Cars of Elvington, to Frankie and Benny’s at Foss Islands Road, York, to enjoy a complimentary pre- panto meal with Dame Sue Perblybuilt and her son Preston Blumineck! After your meal, your chauffeur will drive you to the theatre where you will arrive as VIP guests. They’ll chuck in free ice creams and programmes and you’ll even be invited to meet some of the cast!

For your chance to win this fantastic prize just answer the following question:

To be in with a chance of winning this gorgeous prize, simply answer the following question:

What is the title of this year’s Rowntree Players’ family pantomime?

Where is Top to Toe based?

Send your answers on a post card marked ‘VIP Panto Competition’ to the address on page five to reach us by 22nd November, and don’t forget to include your name and contact number. The complimentary evening takes place on Saturday 3rd December, with the panto beginning at 7.30pm. Best of Luck!

Send your answer on a postcard to the address on page five. Mark your entry ‘Top to Toe Competition’ and don’t forget to include your name and contact number. The competition closes 20th December. Good Luck!

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the best of york

your competitions

WIN LIMITED EDITION

SIGNED ART WORK AND CALENDAR

We hope you’ve been admiring the artistic scene of Bootham Bar on our front cover this month. It’s the handy work of York artist Tony Brook, who specialises in beautiful sketches and paintings of our city. If you love it as much as we do then enter this fab competition and win more of his work. The lucky winner will receive one of Tony’s 2012 Calendars which showcase 12 of his favourite views of York, as well as a limited edition print signed by the man himself.

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: What York scene has Tony Brook painted on the front cover of this edition?

Send your answers on a post card marked ‘Tony Brook Competition’ to the address on page five and don’t forget to include your name and contact number. If you’re not lucky enough to win, you can read more about Tony on page 10 to see how you can support a local artist and get your hands on your very own calendar.

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News & offers York. Wining and dining your guests is all well and good, but why not give them something a little more thrilling to write home about? The historic York meetings venue Bedern Hall is now offering a new kind of conference meeting service this autumn.

‘Ghosts and Gurus’ is a special delegate package that includes options for Ghost Walks of the Europe’s most haunted city and a selection of business ‘Gurus’ to present ideas and motivational talks at events. The packages include food and beverage and cater for a minimum of 12. n For more info contact Roger Lee at Bedern Hall on 653698

Protect yourself There’s only one thing more annoying than your computer going kaput just when you’re in the middle of some intensive online Christmas shopping, and that’s someone hacking into your computer and infecting it with a nasty virus that eats your festive shopping list.

THE BUSINESS CONFERENCE WITH A TWIST Conference organisers can often struggle to find unique and exciting ways to entertain their delegates, but that no longer need be the case in

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But never fear, computer repair experts Nycom have come up with an offer that will save Christmas – and you a bit of cash at the same time. As well as fixing your computer for you, they’ll also install Bullguard antivirus software absolutely free! To claim this great offer, all you have to do is mention our name. n Give them a call on 653383 or visit www.nycom.co.uk

York means business!

We all know York is a great place to do business.

And this month the city’s business community will be coming together to celebrate their successes and learn from each other at York Business Week, which runs from 14th – 18th November.

The event aims to advise, inspire and celebrate York’s world-class environment for business and enterprise. Over the course of the week there will be around 40 separate events and workshops available, for everyone from established businesses and those looking to start-up a new venture, to students seeking to embark on a career.

“This is a celebration of York’s business achievements past and inspiration for York’s business achievements yet to come,” says Peter Kay, Chair of York Economic Partnership. “York has good reason to be proud and should have the confidence to be ambitious. That is what York Business Week is all about.” n You can find out more by visiting www.yorkbusinessweek.co.uk

Federation of Small Businesses (York branch) Meets on the third Monday of the month. Call Christine on 629777.

WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise) York Branch Meets on the first Tuesday evening of the month. Visit www.wireuk.org

York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce 4th November Business Lunch, Pavilion Hotel, Fulford. 12 noon – 2pm. Julian Sturdy and Hugh Bayley MP will be speaking.

Women’s Business Clubs 8th November York Premier Club, The Grange Hotel, Clifton.

10am – 12noon. Visit www. thewomensbusinessclubs.com/

11th November Construction Lunch, Sandburn Hall, Flaxton. 12noon – 2pm.

Call 567838 for information York Professionals 14th November York Professionals Charity Challenge.

Visit: www.york-professionals.co.uk Network North Group meets every Wednesday 7.30 – 9am, Beechwood Hotel, Shipton Road. For information email anne@acusmartpa.co.uk York NABO Networking 1st, 15th and 29th November Riverside Farm, Shipton Road, Skelton. Call John on 890582

York Business Week 15th November Business Creativity for Busy People, Ron Cooke Hub, University of York.

10am -12 noon.

15th November IoD Yorkshire Dinner, Mansion House. 7 – 11pm.

Call 0113 243 0152 to book 17th November Growing for Gold, Ron Cooke Hub, University of York. 11am - 3.30pm.

17th November Talking the Media Talk, Ron Cooke Hub, University of York. 4pm - 5pm.

Visit www.yorkbusinessweek.co.uk

n If you have a business networking event coming up, email details to info@yourlocallink.co.uk

The pursuit of harmony

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News & offers

Every picture tells

a story!

York has some amazing local artists, and here at Your Local Link we love to do our bit to promote home grown talent. So when we saw Tony Brook’s gorgeous city prints, we had to tell you about them.

Scenes from Tony Brook’s 2012 Calendar

Tony is York born and bred, and studied at York Art School before launching a successful career as an advertising artist. He now spends much of his time sketching and painting the city he loves in delicate ink and watercolour.

“I hope my work reflects the strong

influence that the city exerts on artists and visitors alike,” he says. “Over the years I have developed a style that is contemporary in application, yet captures that time-mellowed history etched into every stone of York’s beautiful landmarks.”

His prints are available via his website, but for 2012 Tony has produced a beautiful calendar of 12 of his favourite views, taken from original ink and watercolour paintings. From The Shambles to Micklegate, the drama of Clifford Tower to the snowy festivity of

St Helen’s Square at Christmas time, all the city’s much-loved scenes are here, reproduced in very high quality.

It also includes the very dramatic view of Bootham Bar at night which features on this month’s cover!

At the very affordable price of £7.99 (+£2.50 P&P in the UK), it would make a great Christmas gift for a loved one – or even yourself!

To get hold of your copy, just email tonybrook007@btinternet.com or call him on: 01904 762268 or 0785 1980 735

n You can find out more about Tony’s work by visiting his website – www.tonybrookyorkartist.co.uk

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THOMPSONS PETS

CALENDAR COMPETITION Over the summer, we asked you to send in photos of your adorable furry friends for the Thompson’s of York pet calendar competition. We were overwhelmed with the response and had tons of entries, so thank you to everyone for sending in your fab photos.

Work is now in full swing to bring you the finished product - although the photos have proved to be a bit of a distraction for the many animal lovers in the office. The girls have been in serious debate over the cutest pet, campaigns have started for an office dog and stray photos are lying all over the place (but it’s all organised chaos, honest!). Thank God for our designer Rachel, who is working through the madness to create the calendar.

We recruited a very professional and glamorous X-Factor style judging panel to make the all important decisions, with Andrew and Neil of Thompsons acting as Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh (and our Kelly, Sarah and Jessica as the Girls!).

After plenty of umm-ing and ahh-ing, a winning photo from each pet category was finally selected. Watch this space for more information on the winners and how to buy your very own calendar in time for the New Year.

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Didn’t they do well?

Promises, promises

Wax to the max He’s braved fires and daring rescues, but firefighter Stuart Hopkin faced his ultimate fear when he put himself in the hands of a group of York College beauty therapy students for a mammoth waxing session recently.

Stuart, Blue Watch manager at Malton fire station, had all his body hair waxed off to raise money for Cancer Research and the Firefighters charity.

However, his main aim was to

fundraise to help his friend and fellow firefighter, Russ Carr, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Stuart hopes his waxing stunt will raise enough money to send Russ away on a family holiday with his wife and three young children. n Any donations are more than welcome and should be sent to Stuart at Malton Fire Station, Sheepfoot Hill, Malton, YO177DX.

It was an evening of good food, good company and good bargains, all in a good cause when 66 guests gathered for the York Older People’s Assembly’s Auction of Promises at the Guildhall. BBC Radio York DJ Elly Fiorentini stepped into the role of celebrity auctioneer after Look North presenter Harry Gration had to go to hospital. She proved to be the star of the evening, pushing the bid total up to an impressive £1400. Sue Lister, 50+ Festival Coordinator, thanked all those involved in the creation of this wonderful experience. “This is the kind of big hearted community venture that raises our spirits in these uncertain times. We are deeply grateful,” she said.

Deals on wheels Hollie Byrnes is a member of York’s flyball team (a fast a furious dog relay sport). Her team is looking to raise £12,000 to buy Hollie an all-terrain wheelchair. They have set up a special site to raise £8000, but they need to raise the cash within 90 days, or all

the cash is returned to the donors.

Can you help them meet their target and make Hollie and her assistance dog Hilton’s 4 x 4 dreams come true? http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ investment/monsters-wheelchairfund-hollie-and-hilton-go-4x4-412

Clubbing together for charity Keen golfers helped raise nearly £1000 for The Gian Foundation at a recent charity tournament organised by energy efficiency company Solarwall. The event, held at The KP Club in Kilnwick Percy, near Pocklington, was attended by a number of golf enthusiasts including

Want to shout about a recent success? Let us know about it, and we’ll do it for you!

Just write to us at the address on page five, or email us at info@yourlocallink.co.uk, marking your message ‘Didn’t they do well?’ and we’ll do the rest. And if you’ve got a photo for us, even better! Go on…big yourself up. You know you want to…

B I S H O P G AT E a n t i q u e s

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several members of the Solarwall team. Apart from prizes awarded to the successful players, a raffle was held with prizes donated by local businesses and friends of the charity, which was started in 2002 to sponsor the education of children, primarily but not exclusively, blind and orphaned, enabling them to earn a living for themselves in the future.

Can you help?

Sweet memories?

Calling all Smartie Polishers and Kit Kat Cutters! Do you remember the good old days of chocolate and sweet making in York? Then your stories could become part of a brand new attraction opening in York next spring. The Sweet History of York in King’s Square will tell the story of York’s confectionery trading and

manufacturing past. And they’re appealing for former workers to come forward with their stories. To find out more, please visit www. sweethistoryofyork.com.

Tell your story!

YSTV (York Student Television, based at the University of York ) are currently in pre-production for a programme about the planning, building, and opening of the University in 1963, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the university being built. They’re looking for members of City of York Council involved with the planning, people who worked on the construction of the university, and local people in Fulford and Heslington who have memories of the building project. If you can help, email history@ystv.co.uk or call 07825 911022.

It,s all about you. . .

Been injured in an accident that wasn't your fault?

Yes! Are you moving house?

Yes! Thinking about separating from your partner?

Yes! Need some honest legal advice?

Yes! We're here T: 01904 679 990 to help!

E: info@coles-law.co.uk www.coles-law.co.uk 96 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX 13

The way I see it...

The ups and downs of life as seen by our very own (very) Grumpy, (almost) Old Woman It’s been a good month for...

while giving us an Important Safety Talk. Just in case you missed it, the ad consists of a jolly lady bus driver serenading her passengers as they dance – yes, dance – on board the bus. They then continue singing and dancing throughout the journey.

FIREWORKS

Public firework displays, that is. I don’t hold much with the home-based variety. Not just because Bonfire Night now seems to extend from Hallowe’en to New Year’s Eve, which to my cat is the equivalent of going through the First World War. Nor because I was scarred – mentally, not physically – by the time my uncle picked a firework out of the box with a lighted cigarette hanging out of his mouth and nearly turned the house into a Roman Candle.

No, I don’t like them because they’re just so disappointing. For a start, you’re never going to get the same effect as you would at a big public display. Yes, you can buy gigantic fireworks with names like Armageddon Megadeath, but read the small print and you’ll find you can only use them 500 metres from the nearest building. So unless you happen to live on a common, you’re likely to find your nice semi in Acomb ends up in Haxby once the dust settles.

So instead we all stand around trying to look enthusiastic while some unfortunate soul attempts to read the instructions by torchlight.

We ooh and aah over a firework that’s only marginally less spectacular than just lighting the gas. And all the time we’re thinking, “Hurry up and light the damn thing so we can get indoors and watch Strictly.”

“Hurry up and light the damn thing so we can get indoors and watch Strictly.”

Give me a public display any time. And we’ve got some fantastic ones happening in York, so there’s no excuse to miss out!

It’s been a bad month for...

BUSES

It’s been a bad month for...Buses Have you seen that TV ad for our local bus company? Honestly, I haven’t laughed so much since my husband slipped and fell in a stream

Y rk Cars

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As a regular user of the bus service, I can tell you, this would never happen. For one thing, there is more chance of Lady Gaga wearing a twinset than there is of a bus driver singing.

Also, no way any regular bus passenger would look that happy. As a general rule, passengers are only allowed to board the bus if they look as if they have had their soul forcibly removed.

And even then only if they have the correct change. Second, the passengers get on singing and dancing and conga their way down the bus. This also would also never happen. Before boarding the bus, they would almost certainly be stuck behind someone who a) didn’t speak English and b) had never been on a bus before, wanting the entire bus route explained to them in the minutest detail before they parted with their money. And if the singing passengers did manage to find themselves on a seat, they would undoubtedly find themselves sat next to someone who Smelt Funny.

I’d like to see the ad rewritten with one of the passengers trying to hand over a twenty pound note. That really would give them something to sing about...

“What is with the number of adverts on the X Factor? We worked out the other night we’d watched it for half an hour and only seen three songs! I know they have to pay for Tulisa’s frocks somehow, but that’s ridiculous!”

FR, Haxby “Why do shops always have to stock stuff so far ahead of events?

I tried to buy my daughter a costume for Hallowe’en the other day, but they’d all gone to make way for Christmas stuff. The assistant told me if I wanted one I should have bought it in September! And I bet by Christmas it’ll all be Easter eggs. I sometimes feel like my life’s on fast forward!”

KP, Holgate

“People who park in disabled bays really make my blood boil! My friend is disabled and I’ve lost count of the number of times she’s had to struggle to get into her wheelchair in a narrow parking bay miles from the shops because some selfish so-and-so has decided to park right by the door. Think before you park, people!”

JY, Rawcliffe “Your comment on self service checkouts really struck a chord with me.

The other day I went to buy a packet of paracetamols but the supermarket machine refused to sell them to me until I had ‘approval’ from an assistant.

Why couldn’t an assistant just have sold them to me in the first place?”

LK, Dringhouses

Now it’s your turn!

Is there something you’d like to rant or rave about?

Whether it’s buses or banks, or life in general, we want to hear about it.

Just write to the address on p5, or email

Donna@yourlocallink.co.uk

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Horoscopes November 2011

Starsign of the month...

Scorpio

(23rd October - 21st November)

here’s a few famous faces you share your sign with

by James Christie n For details of private readings phone 07884 107100 or 01423 339770 Email: jcp@magepublishing.co.uk

One thing I genuinely love about Scorpios is that they never do things by halves! This month impatience combined with over-confidence will lead to impulsive actions and although you may start new ventures with masses of enthusiasm you need to pace yourself or you’ll quickly run out of steam. This, I’m afraid, is typically Scorpio, and although you can apply the tendency to business matters and careers, it is much more noticeable in affairs of the heart. Scorpios are probably the most passionate people within the Zodiac and their emotions run deep. Their thirst for adventure, especially romantic adventure, can sometimes be unquenchable and as such they can become drunk with the power of love – and we all know what happens when someone has too much to drink! So, November 2011, is a dangerous month for Scorpios who are looking for love and if they find it, they should sip gently from the rim of the glass rather than quaffing the whole thing down in one mouth full. Cheers!

L to R: Katy Perry, Julia Roberts, David Schwimmer & Ronnie in Distribution

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

(21st March - 19th April)

(20th April - 20th May)

(21st May - 20th June)

(21st June - 22nd July)

Other peoples’ problems tend to swamp you and it all gets a bit too much. You could do with a long holiday and a bit of space in which to consider totally different life styles. Despite the ties that bind you may be looking for a house moves and career changes.

Good start to the month, difficult middle weeks and great victory or achievement in the last few days.

Cash aspects tight but not terrible.

Future plans shine with promise.

Those with artistic ambitions should get a very definite green light to do something spectacular with their talents.

Sexy month in affairs of the heart and quite a good period financially as well. The down side comes from other people who seem to think it’s fine to tell you what to do with your cash. If I were you, I’d tell ‘em to bog off and mind their own business – but that really would cause a row!

Very busy period work-wise brings financial reward but you’ll wonder why you’re doing what you’re doing. A partner persuades you to make a decision you may later come to regret but you may find it hard to back down when they put you under pressure. The 5th and 6th are dangerous days for arguments.

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CANCER

News of pregnancies and births could be good news or not so good news! I guess it rather depends on who is pregnant and who’s the father! It’s a positive month for being competitive in all things, but do be warned that there is some competition out there that cannot be ignored.

VIRGO (24th August - 22nd September) If plans have been made that cannot be changed, do not even try to change them. Just go on to the next item on your agenda and deal with every challenge one step at a time. The 9th will be good for an overseas business transaction and the 18th brings some good news for lovers.

LIBRA (23rd September - 22nd October) A lot of new ideas being floated.

Some will work while others won’t.

The only thing you can do is try them all, starting with obvious favourites. Sooner or later you’ll hit the right target. If this sounds a bit “vague” that’s okay – just enjoy the process and have some fun

SAGITTARIUS (22nd November - 21st December) New job routines and/or new financial packages give you a boost and this may be exactly the right time to make a major new purchase. Opportunities to enjoy a

new sense of freedom abound and weekends should be little pockets of pleasure, especially for those in established unions and close relationships.

the best of york

LEO (23th July - 23rd August)

CAPRICORN (22nd December - 19th January) Some very nice things falling into place for you this month that show you just how much you are loved, needed and appreciated. Not a time for looking gift horses in the mouth, so if there’s a chance to take on some extra-curricular work, it will be very much to your advantage to say yes.

AQUARIUS (20th January - 18th February) Some marked improvement to both your social life and significant relationships. Use your leisure time wisely and remember that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It’s a good time for cementing established partnerships or if you’re single, an even better time for finding a new one.

PISCES (19th February - 20th March) A gentle, passive approach brings the greater rewards this month. By all means, enjoy being ambitious but avoid being hasty or impulsive.

Notable cash advantages around the 21st to the 28th which should come as no great surprise. This money is the fruit of past labours so enjoy it and use it.

The longest independent carpet company in York

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Join

the

club

Lishi Tai Chi

a help make your life flow. Lishi is Learn about Lishi and how it can g thin brea , incorporating yoga Daoist system of ‘mindful exercise’ g Fu. The club is always looking Kun and g Kun Chi exercises, Tai Chi, e on Tuesdays and Thursdays at thre for members - meetings are held venues. on tact Ian on 07863 103602 or Phil n For more information, con g.uk k.or iyor 07921 100188, or visit www.lish

Calling all men!

The Millegro and Prima Vocal Ense mble, two of York’s popular choirs, are recruiting new male voic es. Whether you have professionally tuned pipes or are looking to start a new hobby, everyone is welcome to join their rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday evenings at Park Grove Primary School. n If you fancy giving it a go, regi ster your interest at millegro . com or primavocalensemble. co.uk. Alternatively, call Greg on 07809 401164 for more informa tion.

Does your club or group need new members?

Or maybe you have some news you’d like to share. If so, get in touch with us.

Write to us at the address of page five, or email us at info@yourlocallink.co.uk. Mark your message ‘Club News’.

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A bit of badders Badminton players are invited to fly some shuttlecocks with The Badminton Club. The socia l badminton club is open to players of all ages with some expe rience. Anyone that enjoys playing doubles games for a bit of fun and exercise, why not go along? The sessions run at Strensall Village Hall every Thursday evening from 7.30-9.30pm and at Sandburn Hall, Flaxton every Friday afternoon from 2pm- 3.30 pm. n Ring Steve Marshall for info rmation on 490440.

Footballers Wanted!

g for se under 10’s are lookin Bishopthorpe White Ro boys and girls th Bo . ms tea ir the s to join some more footballer ns, which are sio ses to join their training in year 5 are welcome pthorpe. The ho Bis in l oo York Junior Sch held at Archbishops of m until 11.30am and urday morning at 10a sessions run every Sat orpe White Rose ed coaches. Bishopth are lead by FA Qualifi , so matches are gue of the Mitchell Lea under 10’s are members y. pla the team get to held regularly and all 85323309 or contact Jason on 079 n Any queries please ktalk.net email johnsons4@tal

Become a Rotter...

Do you want to learn new skills and help your local community? Are you interested in the environment and reducing waste? Composting with York Rotters could be what you are looking for, and they could be looking for you!

If you join them, you will get FREE composting training and become part of a team which promotes composting at public events.

Have fun and meet new people, or if you prefer to stay out of the lime light, there are opportunities to become involved at their friendly office or in the Environment Centre garden. n No previous experience required, just enthusiasm. If you would like to know more please call 412861.

Looking for a ‘Little

Voice’

Rowntree players are holding auditions for their first show of 2012, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Th ey are looking for a girl who can imitate the likes of great divas suc h as Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Lulu. Gir ls of all ages, looks, sizes and sounds are ver y welcome to com e along to the open auditions for the role.

Auditions will be held on 1st November 201 for Little Voice only, wit 1 h further dates to be advised for other par ts. n For more informa tion please email Nik at littlevoiceyo rk@hotmail.co.uk.

nity

Diverse internship opportu

ntar y internships for students Kigali Crafts are offering three volu rnational development with an and graduates interested in Inte t be enthusiastic, confident Africa specialism. Applicants mus must be ICT competent and They nda. and passionate about Rwa keting, PR and international eager to develop their skills in mar e from three days a week to four networking. The positions rang of travel and food. For more hours a week and covers expenses o.uk. fts.c li-cra information visit www.kiga your CV and a covering n To apply for the role email m letter to: kigalicrafts@gmail.co

ECKANKAR Everyone is welcome to join a new spiritual movement called Eckancar. Regular meetings at York Central Library will be held at 11.15am on the first Sunday of ever y month.

Eckankar means ‘Co-worker with God’ and develops personal understanding and awareness thro ugh unique spiritual exercises, exploring past lives, dreams and soul travel. Join the group and experience something new. n For more info ring Jim Bac klar on 01423 780002

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A magical adventure

nice!

It was the closure of the famous Santa’s Grotto in Victoria House that inspired Maggie Farrimond to create a winter wonderland at the Rock Church in Priory Street. “Once the Co-op closed there was nothing for children in the city at that time,” she says.

“We wanted to come up with something that gave families the same kind of adventure.”

It all started with a phone call. Six years ago, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions received a distress call from City of York Council.

“The company who had been due to set up a Christmas ice rink in the city centre had let them down at the last minute and they wanted to know if we’d be interested in taking over the project,” says Executive Producer Maria Farrugia. “There were only six weeks to go before the rink was due to open, but we just thought – let’s go for it.”

It seems the council picked the right people.

Although based locally in Welburn, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions has an international reputation. It produces top West End shows all over the world, from Les Miserables to Mamma Mia. It also has its own ice spectacular, the Imperial Ice Stars, which tours internationally.

But the temptation to do something closer to home was too much for Lunchbox boss James Cundall and his team.

“As we produce shows all over the world, we don’t often get to see the end result,” says Maria.

“We also thought it would be hugely rewarding to do something in York. Since this is our home city, we wanted to put on a show that would do them proud. Plus James is obsessed by all things Christmas, so he wanted to do something really amazing!”

And it seems they’ve succeeded. Now in its seventh year, The Ice Factor has become one of York’s must-see festive attractions. And this year’s event,

The answer was Narnia, an amazing festive attraction that takes children into the icy heart of the kingdom of the White Witch. “They literally step through a wardrobe, push through the fur coats and find themselves in a snow covered forest,” says Chris Chapman, the creative genius behind Narnia. “They meet the White Witch, feel the cold of winter and see how Aslan the Lion broke the spell and brought love back into Narnia.”

the second at the MacArthur Glen Designer Outlet, promises to be more spectacular than ever. As well as the amazing ice rink, the Winter Wonderland, as it’s called, will feature a beautiful traditional funfair, plus a Christmas market selling local produce and gifts. Plus, of course, there’s the chance to visit Santa’s Grotto in the outlet.

“We’ve worked very hard to make it special, and we think we can’t wait for everyone to see it,” says Maria. n The Winter Wonderland opens on 26th November till 8th January. Call 0844 847 1523 to book your tickets, or visit www.theicefactor.co.uk.

They then step into a new world of Christmas, where Santa is waiting to greet them in his fabulously festive home. “Before they start on their adventure, they have the chance to fill in a Christmas Wish List, so by the time they reach Santa he knows who they are and what they want for Christmas,” says Chris.

Narnia is a real labour of love for Chris and her team of helpers. “Much of the set stays all year round, but some has to be taken down and rebuilt because of other activities at the church. Every year we try to add something new.” n Narnia will be opening its doors every weekend in December. Just turn up or book by calling 659475 or visit www.rockchurch. org.uk (tickets not available on the door on certain dates).

BayTree Cottages

“A real Yorkshire holiday”

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ASK THE EXPERT

with sUZIE BOGLE MA, FCIPD, FCMI

I might be losing my job

YORK’S FIRST FILM FESTIVAL York’s horizons are expanding, and it’s good news for local arties and film buffs. Gone are the days that film festivals were only for the likes of Cannes and Hollywood. York is now proud to present its very own film festival, known as the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF), the latest addition to the British film festival circuit.

The aim of The ASFF is to bring new and innovative cinema to York, using various iconic, public and hidden spaces around the city as backdrops for the films. Getting involved in the ASFF promises an international experience, as it celebrates independent film from across the world with 150 films being from 30 countries. The screenings will cover a wide variety of genres and filmic styles, including narrative films, documentary, animation, music video and artists’ film amongst others. The full programme includes a series of discussions with big industry names. These include Ivana MacKinnon (Slumdog Millionaire) and Mark Herman (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas). n We reckon everyone should get involved, and us locals need to support this fabulous new cultural project in our very own city.

The festival runs from 3rd November – 6th November. For the full programme, check out www.asff.co.uk. Local Link readers get a 25% discount on the Weekend Pass with this code: ASFFXD

After rumours of the company having difficulties financially and sales being down, my manager came to us last week and told our team that they had to make redundancies in our area of work. There are 10 of us that work in the team and they told us that three jobs have to go. They mentioned a selection pool and criteria but I am really not sure what this means and what may happen next?

I’m sorry that your organisation is struggling at the moment. It’s a difficult time for a lot of businesses. What they appear to have done is put you under consultation for redundancy. Although your manager has held a meeting to inform you of the redundancies and the need to create a selection pool, they will need to confirm this to you and your colleagues in writing. If you don’t have a recognised union, they should consult with you directly. As there only 10 employees at risk of being made redundant there is no minimum timescale for the consultation period.

However, they should tell you exactly how long consultation will last and it be long enough to be fair. As there are only three jobs out of the ten that need to be cut, so they need to create a selection criteria and show you that criteria. Then, using it, choose the three worst performing employees in the team of 10. These employees will be provisionally the ones to be made redundant, if nothing changes to prevent the need to lose the jobs.

These criteria can include any performance measurements, days off sick or any disciplinary issues. They should be based on facts and evidence and not just the opinion of a manager. They may also conduct interviews as a way to judge who are the best performers.

It sounds like competition and that’s exactly what it is - the best performers keep their jobs.

It sounds like competition and that’s exactly what it is - the best performers keep their jobs.

Consultation also means talking to employees, so they can suggest ways of saving some or all of the jobs. Your team might consider working shorter hours for a time or even colleagues volunteering to be made redundant, although your management may reject your offers as not workable or not solving the need to cut jobs. Once the selection is made and consultation is over then those selected will be formally put under notice of redundancy and leave after their contractual notice has been completed.

Remember, in redundancy everything should be only a proposal to make people redundant until they are formally given notice of dismissal for redundancy.

Suzie Bogle MA, FCIPD, FCMI Managing Consultant of Breathing Space providing practical and effective HR support and consultancy for small and medium sized businesses in Yorkshire.

If your business needs help with staffing or HR, we are here to help.

Call 0113 386 9270 Email suzie.bogle@breathingspacehr.co.uk These answers are general in nature and are not intended to substitute for specific expert advice.

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are giving people the chance to give friends and loved ones the ultimate VIP gift – by becoming a York Mystery Plays 2012 Angel.

Next year the plays will return to the Museum Gardens once again to become the biggest outdoor theatre production to ever have taken place in York. Combining more than 1,000 community members, professional actors and award winning writers, it’s set to be a theatrical extravaganza.

28,000 spectators are expected to flock to the shows and Dame Judi Dench and Harry Gration (BBC Look North) are proud patrons.

SEA SICK!!

Take a look at this pic. It’s either the entertainment team on the worst cruise line ever, or Berwick Kaler and his motley crew have taken to the seas to launch this year’s York Theatre Royal panto. A York Family Robinson tells the story of – well, it doesn’t really matter, does it? Let’s just say it features a mermaid, a pirate and a turtle, and you’re likely to come out as confused as you went in. But hopefully you’ll have a few laughs along the way.

It inspired us to come up with a caption competition. Here’s our effort: Turtle: This old wreck doesn’t look safe to me.

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Pirate: You never know, he might retire next year...

Can you do better? Write to us at the address on page five. Who knows, you might even win a prize... n You can buy tickets for A York Family Robinson by calling 01904 623568 or online at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

AN ANGELIC OPPORTUNITY Do you have one of those impossible people to buy for this Christmas who literally have everything? ...Yep, we thought so! Well fear no more. Just in time for Christmas, York Mystery Plays

The Angel Package costs £150 and includes two performance tickets and full VIP treatment and behind the scenes access to the biggest cultural event in York in 2012. All money raised will be used in the production of this not-for-profit community project.

The plays run from the 2nd-27th August. n For more details, call 623568.

Ideas, please!

Plans for next year’s York 800 celebrations are already well underway – but there’s still plenty of time for you to get involved! Next July, it will be 800 years since York was first allowed to elect its own mayor and council, giving the city its own voice for the first time. In celebration of the anniversary,

York @ Large - York’s Cultural partnership - is organising a special programme of events running from January to December 2012 under the name York 800.

There are already a whole host of events and festivals planned, but they really want to hear from residents, local community groups and organisations about how they’d like to get involved in next year’s celebrations. Perhaps you’re holding a street party, performance or a fundraising event. Whatever your idea, they want to know! n Email York800@york.gov.uk, or write to Gill Cooper, Head of Arts, Heritage and Culture, City of York Council, 10-12 George Hudson Street YO1 6LP.

Close to home Continuum is a York-based company with a reputation that stretches way beyond the city walls. It’s responsible for some of Britain’s biggest attractions, including The Canterbury Tales, The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh and Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower. Now the company is coming home with its latest attraction. The Sweet History of York, which is due to open in the spring, tells the story of the city’s long established affinity with confectionery.

“It’s a story that’s crying out to be

ASK THE EXPERT with simon crack

Getting Paid

This month we take a look at a couple of key issues around employment contracts.

Q. I have recently set up my own business and I am looking to take on a couple of employees to help with administrative work. Do I need to give them a written contract of employment?

told,” says Continuum’s General Manager Ann Gurnell. “The city’s history has always been linked to chocolate and confectionery, from the early traders to the entrepreneurs who created factories such as Rowntree’s, Craven’s and Terry’s. Our selling point is to tell stories that amuse and engage people, and York’s sweet history is perfect for that.”

Continuum’s history also dates back to the Vikings, so to speak. It was formed 11 years ago from two companies originally involved in the design and operation of the Jorvik Viking Centre 25 years ago.

Since then they have made a name for themselves with their portfolio of attractions. But they have always

wanted to produce The Sweet History closer to home. It was only when suitable premises in King’s Square became available that the dream began to take shape.

“It’s such a different story, and what’s fascinating about it is that it’s ongoing,” says Ann. “The industry is part of everyone’s past, present and future.

We also still have that entrepreneurial spirit alive today in the shape of a vibrant culture of small, inventive chocolatiers. We want to get them and the public involved as much as possible.” n Turn to p13 to find out how you can get involved.

A. No, but you are under a legal obligation to provide an employee with a written statement of certain terms of their employment, including job description, pay, hours of work, holiday entitlement, sick pay arrangements, notice periods and any disciplinary or grievance procedures you have.

The written statement must be given to the employee no later than two months after their employment begins.

If you fail to provide a written statement or provide an inaccurate or incomplete statement an employee may make a complaint to an employment tribunal while the employment continues, or if it has terminated, within three months of the date of termination.

I would, however, recommend that you incorporate the written statement into a contract of employment. By having a contract of employment in place you can include further terms to help protect your business such as confidentiality, post-termination restrictions and obligations on the employee on termination.

Lawyers such as Hethertons can help you prepare a contract of employment to ensure it covers all the necessary angles.

Q. In my business I have confidential information I want to protect. What steps can I take to ensure my employees do not disclose that information?

A. It would be wise to include a confidentiality clause in your employees’ contracts of employment.

Generally, in a confidentiality clause, you need to define confidential information (with examples if appropriate), specify that disclosure is forbidden both during and after termination of employment and include the right to request confidential information is returned to you at any time.

For confidential information stored on your databases (for example in word documents or in spreadsheets) you should make sure this is password-protected (and the password is changed regularly) to ensure it is kept confidential and only allow a handful of employees have access to it.

You should also consider putting in place an email and internet usage policy together with a social media policy so you can monitor your employees’ email and internet usage to ensure no confidential information is being disclosed.

Finally, you will need to have in place a disciplinary procedure so any breaches by employees can be dealt with appropriately.

Simon Crack is a partner at York-based law firm Hethertons.

Hethertons, based at Rougier Street, provides the full range of legal services to businesses and individuals in the York area.

Tudor Court, Opus Avenue, York Business Park, York, Yo26 6Rs. Tel: 625 327 www.hethertons.co.uk; email: bsu@hethertons.co.uk

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Money &more Want to know how to make your cash go further?

We’ve got the tips, ideas and money saving news to help save your pennies.

Even if you do decide you need an extended warranty, you don’t have to buy one there and then. Several independent providers offer extended warranties, so always shop around for a good deal.

Feelgood factor

The best policy?

Buy any Christmas gadget and the chances are you’ll be offered an extended warranty. When we say ‘offered’ you might not be allowed to leave the store without one – especially as many retailers offer their staff incentives for selling them. But are they really worth it?

expired. It may also cover things like accidental damage, loss or theft.

Which may seem like a good idea, until you realise that your household insurance policy may well cover you for the same thing already. And even if it doesn’t, you can adjust your policy for a lot less than the cost of an extended warranty.

Probably not, in many cases. An extended warranty is like an insurance policy that takes over after the manufacturer’s basic guarantee has

Also, if the product proves faulty, you can claim for a refund under the Sale of Goods Act, which can run for up to six years after purchase.

Care home fees

Buying Christmas charity cards is an easy way to give to good causes. But before you grab any old pack, think again. They might give you a warm fuzzy feeling, but those supermarket charity cards might not be all that charitable. In some cases, only 5p from every pack sold goes to good causes. If you want to make sure your money is going where you want it to go and not into the retailers’ pockets, choose carefully. Cards for Good Causes have several outlets in the city centre, supplying a range of charity Christmas cards, at least 75p in every pound goes to charity. Even better, at York Against Cancer 100% of its profits goes to the charity. n Visit www.yorkagainstcancer. org.uk for more information on where to buy.

SCHOOL UNIFORM HQ Ceejays, the Clifton based printing company, has just added another string to their bow of services.

Already stocking a wide range of uniform and work wear, the company now offer a full school uniform service, which includes stitching, embroidery and retailing.

Westfield Primary School were the first happy customers to take advantage of this nifty service, and Ceejays now produce and retail Westfield’s full uniform range in their shop. Ceejays school uniform service makes it easy for schools to ensure their uniforms’ stitching and embroidery is being produced to the highest standard whilst being sold on one reliable site. Unlike with uniform order forms, parents and children can visit the shop to try before they buy, ensuring they will find a size that fits. n If you think your school could benefit from Ceejays new school uniform service, contact Wayne on 693936 for more information.

When is the NHS liable to pay?

A Case Study – £54,000 recovered from NHS Primary Care Trust Mr and Mrs R had worked all their lives and brought up four children.

They owned their own home.

option other than to arrange with Social Services for Mrs R to move into a nursing home.

In 1998, Mrs R, a retired teacher, suffered a minor stroke and, although at first she appeared to recover well from the stroke, Mrs R’s health began to deteriorate.

She suffered from acute angina, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s Disease as well as having other health problems. Her husband cared for her in their home for five years during which time her health continued to deteriorate.

Mrs R moved in to a Nursing Home in January 2003, at the age of 78. Mr R was required to provide details of their finances and Mrs R was assessed by the local authority as having to pay towards the nursing home fees.

Mrs R was also assessed for NHS Continuing Health Care and the decision, following the assessment, was that Mrs R did not meet the criteria for NHS Continuing Healthcare Care funding.

After being diagnosed with cancer himself, Mr R was unable Mrs R’s pension and teacher’s to continue providing pension were used to pay for her 24 hour a day care care. for his wife and the IS0422_Rich.LocaLink/Straps/AW 20/7/11 11:49 Page 2 In order to pay the care home fees, family was left with no

Mr R mortgaged the family home.

Mrs R died in March 2008.

Following her death, Mr and Mrs R’s children questioned whether in fact her care ought to have been funded by the NHS and her executors instructed Richardson & Co to investigate the case.

We requested the NHS Primary Care Trust to carry out a retrospective review and, having considered the evidence provided and representations made by ourselves on the family’s behalf at a formal Review Hearing, the Primary Care Trust agreed that Mrs R had in fact met the necessary criteria for NHS Continuing Care from the outset and, as such, all of her care costs ought to have been paid by the NHS. They refunded

RICHARDSON GILDENER SOLICITORS 1 Peckitt Street, Opposite Clifford’s Tower, York YO1 9SF. Tel 01904 642727 Email mail@richardsonlaw.co.uk Website www.richardsongildener.co.uk

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all of the fees which had been paid plus interest; a sum in excess of £54,000.00 Mr R used the money, in part, to repay the mortgage. Mr R told his family that the decision had come too late for him to be able to enjoy the money with his beloved wife and, indeed, within 12 months of receiving the monies Mr R himself finally succumbed to cancer.

Should you require further information upon the above issue or in relation to wills, probate or Lasting powers of Attorney, please e-mail me at carolines@richardsonlaw.co.uk or, alternatively, contact me on 01904 642727 or to make an appointment for a FREE 30 minute consultation.

Handy household hints Ask the Expert...

She bakes, she makes, she decorates – frankly there’s nothing our very own domestic goddess Rachel doesn’t know. Every month she’ll be passing on some of her favourite money and time saving tips...

investments advice with julie wilson

Independent Financial Advisors

• If you want to get a really good shine on your mirror, try giving it a polish with newspaper. It’s an old fashioned remedy, but it really works!

• Lemons are the domestic goddess’ best friend. If you’ve squeezed a lemon for cooking, try putting the remains in the dishwasher to keep it smelling fresh (remember to take it out before you next put the dishwasher on!)

• Talking of lemons...half a lemon or some bicarbonate of soda in your fridge will help keep bad smells at bay.

• Do you have limescale in your kettle? No need to invest in expensive descaling products – just put a cup of white vinegar to the water in your kettle, bring to the boil and leave overnight. In the morning rinse thoroughly.

• My knives have gone a bit rusty looking – caused, so I’m told, by too much salt in my dishwasher.

But I discovered a genius product

I was reading an article the other day by a well respected financial journalist – Nic Cicutti – about the different types of adviser. This is what he had to say (I’ve cut it down a bit otherwise there’d be no room left for me to say anything!): “Over the years, I have come across a range of adviser “types” within the IFA community. Three of the most common are the Doctor, the Hi-Fi Salesman and the Teacher.

from Barnitt’s – Bar Keeper’s Friend! It’s a non abrasive powder that’s absolutely brilliant for cleaning off tough stains – it brought my cutlery up a treat!

• Remove burnt on food from a pyrex dish by soaking it in hot water with a denture cleaning tablet it in. Well, if it works on false teeth...

• Stainless steel looks great but it can quickly get marked with fingerprints. To keep yours looking showroom smart, try applying a thin coating of baby oil after you’ve cleaned it. It will keep your steel shiny and smudge free!

The Doctor is the person you go to with a problem and he then offers a solution. You are not required to know what the solution really is, just that he has found the right one for you. The disadvantage is that the minute things go wrong, he or she will realise they have not got a clue what the Doctor was doing, which is when the problems start.

The Hi-Fi Salesman is a different kettle of fish. He (it always is a he) knows everything there is to know about Blu-ray, home cinema packages, subwoofers, multi-channel power amps, processors and music servers. The only slight problem is that you do not understand a word of what he is saying and take it on trust that what he is recommending will actually work for you.

The Teacher is the one who not only wants to sort out your finances, but also wants you to know why he or she is doing it, what the consequences are and how it could work in your favour.

Of the three, I would rather have a Teacher talking to me than a Doctor or a Hi-Fi Salesman. I am not just expecting him or her to sort out my finances and investments. I want someone who will have a dialogue with me, who will explain and educate, who will rein in some of my wilder flights of fancy about an investment idea I picked up in the Sunday newspaper.

Here at Pen-Life we see our advisers’ role very much as “teachers”.

Many aspects of financial advice and tax planning are quite complex, but that does not mean we shouldn’t try and explain them and how they can help you achieve your goals. Take some of the less common financial solutions – Venture Capital Trusts (30% tax relief, tax free dividends, tax free gains), Enterprise Investment Schemes (30% tax relief, tax free gains, Inheritance Tax free after 2 years) and Business Property Relief Schemes (Inheritance Tax free after 2 years), are dismissed by many people – advisers and individuals alike - for being too complex and risky. But what if I told you there was an investment where you get a 30% discount, and the potential to save Inheritance Tax (40%) which is much lower risk than you would expect? Now wouldn’t that be worth learning about?

If you feel you would benefit from a no-obligation chat about your own circumstances, one of our advisers would be more than happy to meet you – at our expense – for an exploratory discussion.

n Pen-Life Chartered Financial Planners, Equinox House, Clifton Park, York YO30 5PA Tel: 01904 661140; Fax: 01904 466206; Email: Julie@pen-life.co.uk; www.pen-life.co.uk Julie Wilson is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and Director of Pen-Life Associates Ltd, Chartered Financial Planners, who help individuals and small businesses make the most from their money including advice on residential and commercial mortgages and equity release, individual and business protection, pensions and retirement planning, savings, investments, tax planning, Inheritance Tax and long term care.

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Local

Sport report

with DAN TAIT

What a scorcher Three York City managers; Billy McEwan, Colin Walker and Chris Brass all left during the dreaded month of November but there will be no danger of that for current boss Gary Mills following the stunning 3-0 win at early pace setters Wrexham and an equally impressive same score beating of old foes Luton Town which has renewed the early season optimism. I went to see the mighty Minstermen win 2-1 at Stockport County in what must have been the hottest day ever recorded in October. Normally it’s just mad Geordies who sit there in October with their shirts off though one man clearly missed the weather report and sat next to us with a big green duffle coat on.

Revenge After a mass of home games early on in the season, November will only see two matches take place at Bootham Crescent. Wrexham will be looking to exact revenge on City when they visit York for a bonfire cracker on the 5th. Conference new boys Lincoln City will be out

to eradicate poor early season form when they travel for the Tuesday night clash on the 29th.

World Cup Mania At the time of writing everything seems to be centred towards the Rugby World Cup. One of my favoruite sporting memories was watching the 2003 World Cup Final win over Australia in an Australian bar….in Middlesbrough.

I remember the owner of ‘Walkabout’ using the tannoy to say “G’day, are you guys gonna

bore yourselves to the world cup?”, hinting at the over reliance on Johnny Wilkinson’s impeccable kicking. Roundly booed in his own bar, he failed to see the irony of the celebrations when Jason Robinson touched down for a try.

In the old days...

My first real introduction to Rugby was in PE at school where receiving the rugby ball felt like setting off a ticking time bomb; I passed it on like it was a deathly pass the parcel. Our teacher used

to get hacked off with the rather wimpy efforts to tackle the school’s ‘hard’ kids. Gizmo (I think he may even have had that on his birth certificate) was probably the most feared as he ran through our team’s defence that crumbled like a knife through butter until the teacher shouted at my best friend who stood between gladiator Gizmo and the posts for a try. He could have sprinted to the corner, the easy, safe option but opted to go head on towards Danny, whose

From £13.00

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upper body strength resembled that of Mr Bean. Danny crouched to tackle but really shut his eyes and hoped for the best. “Great tackle, Danny” shouted the teacher upon Gizmo’s subsequent fall from grace. Danny’s face beamed until he noticed his body the next morning looked like it had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson.

Box clever Speaking of boxers, local fighters Lee Stewart and Harry Matthews continue to represent the city.

Stewart notched up his second consecutive pro win when he won a one sided contest on points over seasoned journeyman Kristian Laight at Barnsley’s Metrodome, whilst Harry Matthews was held to a draw by Andrew Lowe in his British masters middleweight title shot in Leeds. Both men have agreed to meet again in Newark in December to conclude their battle. Lee Stewart is in action again before that on November 26th as he bids to keep his unbeaten record when he fights at Rotherham’s Magna Centre.

Good news story This month’s good local sports news story comes from Fox FC, a football club with a difference – set up with the aim of raising money for charity. Lee Quickmire started the club after seeing the work of Marie Curie Cancer Care at Bradford Hospice and listening

to the stories of people who have suffered with cancer. Founded in 2009, Fox FC raised over £2,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care in their first season, and most recently they have held ‘Foxtonbury 2011’, an event that mixed music and sport to raise £5953.90 to be split between several charities including help for heroes.

Foxtonbury may have been for charity but Arsenal All-Stars showed little when they thumped Fox FC 8-0 before Fox regrouped and faced celeb all-stars side featuring Royle Family star Ralf Little. Fox FC managed to record a 5-4 victory over their famous counterparts before indulging in the rest of the day which saw Shed Seven headline a music festival. Fox’s heroes on the day were keeper Andy Page who despite conceding eight against the gunners picked up man of the match for keeping the score down. Club captain and co-organiser of Foxtobury, David Clark netted the winner against the celebrities.

Lee spoke to Your Local Link about the successful event saying “I would like to thank everyone who attended the event, it was the first time we had done an event of this size and we are grateful for the support shown by the public. We hope you enjoyed it and hope to be back soon with an even bigger Foxtonbury event.”

Employment Contracts All employees have an employment contract with their employer, although it might not be in writing. If an employee does not have a written employment contract, the contract is automatically created when the employee starts work.

What is an employment contract?

An employment contract is an agreement between the employer and the employee which sets out their respective rights, responsibilities and duties. These are called the ‘terms’ of the contract.

The employment contract does not have to be in writing. However, an employee is entitled by law to a written statement of the main employment terms of his engagement.

The employment contract is made as soon as the job offer is accepted. A written contract could cut out disputes between the employer and employee at a later date and helps all parties understand their employment rights.

The employee and employer are bound to the employment contract until it ends (usually by giving notice) or until the terms are changed (both the employee and employer must agree to the changes).

Written statement of employment particulars

The Right Steps

An employee, who has been working for an employer for longer than one month, has the right to receive a written statement of employment particulars; this must be provided by the employer within two months of starting. The written statement will set out the main employment rights.

It is good practice for employers to have employment contracts in place for all their employees. Having a written agreement in place can prevent a costly tribunal in the event of a dispute arising.

IS0422_Rich.LocaLink/Straps/AW

20/7/11 11:49

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To avoid claims that can be costly, lengthy and stressful it is always advisable to have a written contract of employment in place from the outset.

I provide bespoke employment contracts, handbooks and policies for all types of businesses ensuring peace of mind for both employer and employee. I offer a FREE 30 minute consultation and would be happy to discuss any employment issues with you.

Should you require further information, please e-mail me at davidh@richardsonlaw. co.uk or, alternatively, contact me on 01904 642727 or to make an appointment.

RICHARDSON GILDENER SOLICITORS 1 Peckitt Street, Opposite Clifford’s Tower, York YO1 9SF. Tel 01904 642727 Email mail@richardsonlaw.co.uk Website www.richardsongildener.co.uk

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the

guide

The world of gadgets is a bewildering place (trust us, we’ve just been there).

Whilst some gadgets are seemingly pointless, others win you over in disbelief that you’ve ever lived your life without it. We’ve scoured cyber space to bring you the best gizmos on the market in the run up to Christmas, from the ingenious to the down right bizarre. The mind boggles… fingers off at the bus stop ever again.

The understated gloves allow you to use any touch screen device in the depths of winter, whilst keeping your hands snug as a bug. That’s Appsolutely fab if you ask us!

Gadget rating 9/10.

MY SCRATCH MAP £14.99 Imagine being able to show off how very well travelled you are, in a stylishly subtle way, without boring the socks off your friends. At first glance, it’s quite a classy looking wall map, but the idea is to scratch off all the places you’ve visited on

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holiday, revealing lovely colourful and geographic detail as you scratch away.

Gadget rating 6/10.

SMART TOUCH GLOVES £14.99 These babies come with built in conductive material at the finger tips, so you’ll never have to freeze your

POCKET BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD £19.99 This mini portable keyboard connects to your phone, i pad or Playstation 3 via Bluetooth in a few simple clicks.

Surf the net, write emails and chat to friends on a traditional keyboard, no matter how carried away technology gets. Gadget rating 6/10.

iPHONE APPS 1. Tiny Wings Adorably Addictive gaming 2. Swankolab Conduct experiments in your own lab 3. Dropbox The next stage in USB sticks 4. The Heist Challenging vault safe game 5. 8mm Vintage Camera Film videos retro style.

VUZIX VIDEO IWEAR 280 £155.99 Watching a film will never be the same again with this crazy invention.

These sunglasses have screens built into the lenses that, when wired to an ipod, plays the film in front of your very eyes (literally). Your ipod screen is transformed into the equivalent of a 51-inch display viewed from a 10ft distance, which means you can turn those tedious train journeys and dull commutes into immersive cinema experiences. Just remember not to miss your stop!

Gadget rating 8/10.

your motors

WORLD’S SMALLEST MOBILE £259.99 The sWaP Nova officially wins this title (Guinness World Record approved), weighing in at just 43 grams. It also unofficially wins the world’s tackiest mobile (Local Link approved), as it is encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Attempting to rival the leading smart phones, it offers a full touch screen, USB port and multimedia centre. It’s so tiny you won’t even know it’s in your pocket, but we can’t work out if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

Gadget rating 4/10.

rear windscreen of your car and keep the wireless remote by the wheel.

The remote triggers five different messages which light up on the sign to the driver behind you. Choose between a smiley face, a winking face, ‘thanks’, ‘sorry’ and ‘back off’.

That’s flirting, manners and road rage covered all in one sign. You’ll never have to use hand gestures again!

Gadget rating 7/10.

PERSONAL GPS LOCATOR £79.99 This clever wotsit is a GPS key fob device which records up to three locations and guides you back to them. Ideal for parking, travelling overseas and out door gallivanting, this thing will help you find your way back no matter how rubbish you are with maps.

Gadget rating 7/10.

‘TOP MOTORING GADGET’ LED CAR SIGN £24.99 The LED car sign lets you express yourself in a clear and considerate manner to fellow drivers when you’re on the road (much more effective than a traditional finger or thumb!). Simply fix the sign to the n These products are available to buy at www.iwoot.com and www.firebox.com

york Want a career in music when you leave school?

This is your invitation to our ?

Open?Day Saturday 19 November 11.00-12.30 / 13.00-14.30 ?

Book?now!

Jam Factory, 106 Eldon St, York, YO31 7NH

Book/contact us www.accesstomusic.co.uk Info Hotline: 0800 28 18 42 info@accesstomusic.co.uk 29

your motors

M.O.T MADNESS We all know that dreaded feeling when your M.O.T deadline is creeping up, just when you really don’t want to part with the cash. Inconvenient to say the least. But your M.O.T doesn’t have to cost the earth when you’re looking in the right places. C & M Auto Services offer an M.O.T and free retest for only £38. The average M.O.T costs £54.85, so that’s a huge saving of £16.85 (not to mention the free re-test).

NO VAT, AND NO COMPROMISE Dynamic Spanish car maker SEAT has revived its hugely popular ‘Pay No VAT’ campaign. The new offer covers two of the Barcelona-based car company’s most popular models – the stylish Ibiza 1.4 SE Copa supermini and the sporty Leon 1.6 TDI S Copa family hatchback.

Like all SEATs wearing the ‘Copa’ badge, both cars boast as standard many hundreds of pounds’ worth of the most sought-after equipment previously found on the options list. And with SEAT kindly picking up the 20% tax bill, motorists choosing the Ibiza will pay just £10,699 RRP – a massive saving of £2,105. Those opting for the Leon will pay just £14,909, saving a whopping £2,970. Not a bad saving if you ask us!

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It has been a fantastic year for SEAT and they have managed to record their highest ever shares of the UK’s new car market. Peter Wyhinny, Managing Director of SEAT UK, said: ‘The popularity of our previous ‘Pay No VAT’ offer and the incredible added value of our limited edition Copa models have both clearly helped that success. Now we are combining the appeal of these to produce what I believe is the very best new car offer around!’ n For more details on the SEAT range, to find out more about the offers or to spec’ your new SEAT, simply visit www.seat.co.uk or drop into your local SEAT dealership, DM Keith Ltd at Wigginton Road, York.

With trained technicians on over 10 main car dealers, you know your car will be in good hands. C & M Auto Services also offer a top notch car collection and delivery service, and can even provide you with a courtesy car while they work their magic. And just when you thought they had it all covered, the lads at C&M work hard from 8am-8pm to fit in with your busy schedules. n Call 796718.

The M.o.t Guys

You can rest assured that your motor in good hands at The M.O.T Shop. If you hadn’t guessed, they specialise in M.O.Ts and are experts in their field. The guys at The M.O.T Shop assess cars, mopeds, scooters and motor bikes while you wait, so there’s no messing about! Make an appointment for their professional service and get your M.O.T quickly and easily. n Give them a buzz on 235793.

your motors

Cycle The now famous end of season sale at Get Cycling is on until the end of November. They need to clear their stock of used bikes from their fleet so have lots of great bikes with savings of up to 50% off the original list price.

That’s right - a whopping 50% off! All bikes will be fully serviced and checked before sale and there are bargains to be had.

With 30% off all Raleigh lights as well, there is no better time to make sure your bike is safe for Winter.

Get Cycling is a community interest company based in York.

They run their own bike shop, where they also provide bike repair services and cycle hire.

From their base on the bike path network they also organise cycling events and programmes - from birthday parties to major festivals - and are specialists in disability cycling programmes. They sell, rent out and repair cycles, and their aim is simple: to promote cycling, in all its varieties, for leisure, transport, health, happiness and the environment. n Visit them at 22 Hospital Fields Road, York. Tel: 636812

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Our very own ‘Stig’ looks at hot topics in the land of petrol heads WHAT DOES YOUR CAR SAY ABOUT YOU? Does your car fit the national average? If you drive a blue car, you’re one of the masses. According to the AA, blue is the most popular colour car for drivers overall. If you’re down with the kids, you should be cruising the streets in a black car, as one in three 18-34 year olds favour classic black. Silver is the optimum choice for grey-haired drivers (enough said there). And if your (un) lucky enough to own a brown car, you make up 1% of the brown-carowner-population!

THE BMW THAT DRIVES ITSELF POSH PLATES We all know that private number plates don’t come cheap. Whether you think they are flashy, classy or trashy; they are still selling like hot cakes. The UK’s most expensive number plate is currently owned

by Afzal Kahn, who forked out a whopping £440,625 to be the one and only owner of the ‘F1’ plate.

But wait for it, the most expensive number plate in the world is ‘1’ and sold for a mind-blowing £7.1 million.

It was bought at an Abu Dhabi auction by Saeed Khouri, which makes it seem like old Afzal picked up a bargain!

A NEED FOR SPEED Here’s a classic case of boys and their toys for you. A 1980 Vaxhaull

£15

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Victor has been transformed into the world’s fastest street-legal car, zooming from 0-220 mph in six seconds! The speed demon can clock up to a whopping 250mph and comes complete with an M.O.T. Andy Frost of Wolverhampton spent 29 years and £100,000 to complete the project, and apparently it’s all been worth it.

Remember Herbie, KITT and the Batmobile? They were all famous fictional cars known for their farfetched futuristic technology that meant they could drive themselves.

We know, sounds impossible right?

Wrong, the clever clogs at BMW have created the first (real) car that can drive itself! Once you're cruising on the motorway, press

your motors

what would normally be the steering wheel's volume button a couple of times and the car takes over. The steering instantly starts to make tiny corrections on its own, thanks to the 12 sensors and the highly advanced GPS system. The car is a long way from finished, but is set to be the first of its kind in a range of state-of-the-art cars. Watch this space!

REMARKABLE RENUNION When you sell your old car, you’re already itching to get behind the wheel of your new shiny model right?

The last thing on your mind is buying your old car back, but that is exactly what Pete Thompson did, 44 years later. The Whitby born motorist was reunited with his car after a 44 year gap and was astounded to discover it had only done 10 miles since he

sold it! Back in the day, he bought the classic 1934 Austin for £45, and re bought it for about £6,500. Talk about inflation!

WELDED BLISS Some girls will go to any lengths for the perfect wedding and Megan Ashton was no exception. It was her childhood dream to arrive at her wedding in a classic Porsche, so instead of hiring one, the car-mad 26 year old spent 6 years converting a 1967 VW Beetle into a Porsche 356. She paid £200 for the wreck before transforming it herself into a luxury Porsche valued at £25,000.

The wedding took place at Sandhurst Military Academy in Surrey and Megan was driven to the ceremony in her new fancy car by her father apparently it was all very Porsche… (sorry).

Tel: 01904 431234

www.motshop.co.uk

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Beauty What’s hot and what’s not in the world of beauty and fashion? We’ve got the inside scoop.

Hot....

VITAMIN C It’s that time of year where colds are spreading like wild fire and the odd sniffle can turn in to the cold from hell. Give your immune system a boost with plenty of vitamin C. The tablets give provide you with 100% of your recommended daily allowance, or do it naturally by stocking up on the oranges.

LONG BOOTS As the nights draw in (boo hoo) and the autumn leaves begin to fall, its time to get out the winter boots.

Wind proof, rain proof, child proof, these babies will serve you well all the way through to February.

Whether your getting out the old faithfuls or investing in a new model, you’ll be bang on trend this autumn.

PEACHY BLUSHERS Time to step away from the bronzer! Whilst some of us are still mourning the

We stock We use

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WAISTED JACKETS

loss of our summer holiday tans, we cannot live in denial forever. Switch your bronzers for a peachy blusher to give you a healthy autumn glow.

straightners

This autumn is all about jackets that nip you in at the waist. From blazers to puffers, this autumn sees jackets which kindly come complete with belts, which means you can pull in your silhouette whilst staying snug under lots of layers. Some might even say you’ll be waisting away (sorry, we couldn’t resist).

STATEMENT SCARVES We don’t always have time to put together an outfit that is catwalk ready, do we? Statement scarves are the perfect way to spice up an outfit without spending hours putting it together. Throw on scarves with bright colours, quirky prints and unusual wools to turn heads, even on a Monday morning.

Not....

FAKE LASHES The secret’s out ladies! Everyone knows when you’re wearing falsies.

You can’t even fool the men anymore, and that’s saying something. There is nothing sexy about them, and can often result in you looking far too over done. Invest in a good mascara and embrace your natural lashes.

Because you’re worth it!

MICRO DRESSES Don’t get us wrong, we think that if you’ve got it, you should flaunt it. But that doesn’t mean you have to flaunt everything all at once! The golden rule of dressing to impress is simple; Legs or boobs, but never both. These pesky micro dresses defy the golden rule, which officially puts them in our sin bin.

BOTTLE RED HAIR Yes, yes we all love Rihanna, but sadly, we can’t all be Rihanna. There are almost more bottle red heads about these days than blondes or brunettes, which means the novelty has unquestionably worn off. Go back to your roots and leave the red to RhiRhi.

LEGGINGS We think leggings are the best things ever invented on the planet, but they will never be an acceptable substitute to trousers. Team leggings with cute long tops and flirty dresses, or basically anything that covers your bum. In the wrong light, leggings can be see-through, which can lead to very unfortunate circumstances.

POKER STRAIGHT The days of flat poker straight hair are over. Now, we’re not saying give up your straighteners and invest in an 80’s perm, but natural waves are most definitely in this autumn.

Encourage loose waves with a curling spray or curling tongs on a low heat and reap the benefits. Your split ends will jump for joy!

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Top 10

The long and the short of it

Wednesday 2nd November is National Stress Awareness Day. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Wellbeing and Resilience at Work’. Our idea of reducing stress in the workplace is taking the day off. But just in case that’s not an option, here are our top 10 stress busting tips...

1.

Zara at Life Hair Design has just undergone Racoon International’s comprehensive training programme. She’ll be more than happy to help you achieve the perfect party look, and offer lots of tips and advice on keeping your extensions looking fab all through the festive season.

Aerobic exercise increases energy and releases mood-lifting chemicals. Aim for least 30 minutes every day.

2. Eat small but frequent meals to regulate your blood sugar and avoid mood swings.

3. Drinking and smoking may calm you down temporarily, but can cause anxiety as they wear off.

4. Get enough sleep. When you're well-rested, it's easier to keep your emotional balance.

5. Take control of your workload.

Don’t try to fit too much into your day.

8. Prioritise tasks, and tackle them in order of importance. If you have a nasty job to do, get it done first.

Break overwhelming tasks into 6. Plan regular breaks. Take a walk, 9. smaller steps rather than trying or just get away from your desk for a few minutes.

7. Delegate responsibility. If

someone else can do a task, why not leave them to it?

Hair extensions are a Christmas party must-have. They add instant glamour to any look, whether you’re after volume and fabulous fullness or a complete transformation. Racoon International is one of the top established names in hair extensions. They use only the best quality human hair, root point correct and cuticle intact, for oomph that looks healthy and natural. They also offer fun fibre hair, perfect for adding slices of vibrant colour, and Next to Natural Hair, a unique polymer with the same weight and density as human hair that can be styled and straightened.

to tackle it all at once.

10. Try to leave earlier in the

morning to give you time to ease into your day.

n You’ll find Life Hair Design within Bannatyne’s Health Club, White Rose Close, Unit 1A, York Business Park, Nether Poppleton, YO26 6RL. Call 01904 789340 to book your appointment.

HELP REPAIR YORK CANCER CARE The lovely people at Boots, Monks Cross, are holding a bumper raffle competition from the 22nd October – 5th November to raise money for the York Cancer Care Centre after it received some terrible flood damage recently.

Prizes include afternoon tea for two at Hotel Du Vin, a cut and blow dry at Fresh Hairdressers, five free play vouchers for Creepy Crawlies and tons of luxury beauty goodies from Chanel to Clarins. Tickets are just £1 each and can be bought at any of the beauty counters until the 5th November. Get involved, support a worthy cause and maybe pick up a prize along the way!

to

The revolutionary

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way to lose weight

WIN £50 OFF TREATMENT

AT LIBERTY HAIR

We blow dry, we straighten, we curl and we dye… with all the abuse our poor old hair gets, it’s a miracle we still have any left on our heads! If your locks need a saving grace, you (and your hair) may be interested in the newest and most exclusive treatment to emerge in the salon world. Liberty hair is only one of two salons in the York area to provide the luxury treatment, which is known as the Kebelo System.

The treatment promises smooth, shiny hair for up to 100 days - which sounds absolutely divine to us! It works because unlike other long term smoothing treatments, the Kebelo System is free from formaldehydes, keratin and other chemical nasties that pose a potential health risk. It’s rich in botanical proteins and amino acids that are absorbed deep into the hair, smoothing and strengthening each strand.

The Kebelo treatment costs £200 and takes approximately three hours, but this month the lovely people at Liberty are offering three lucky winners a £50 voucher off the Kebelo System with Emily. And better still, every treatment includes a beautiful box set of Kebelo shampoo, conditioner and treatment.

To have a chance of winning, simply answer the following Question: How many days can the Kebelo system keep your hair smooth for?

Send your answers on a post card marked ‘Liberty Competition’ to the address on page five, and don’t forget to include your name and contact number. Call Liberty on 623274.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Whether it’s about fitness or foundation we can help!

Q. I’ve been told that you should use a foundation brush to apply foundation. Is this true and how should I do it?

A. Yes, because applying foundation with your fingers spreads all the bacteria and germs from your fingers into your foundation and onto your face. Using a brush is a much more hygienic method of make-up application. Also, the fine bristles found in foundation brushes work to give you a flawless finish as you blend away. To apply foundation with a foundation brush, start from the centre of the face (nose and under eyes) and work outwards to the hairline and beyond the jaw line. To keep your brushes in tip top condition, wash them regularly with shampoo to get them as good as new.

Q. My face is puffy around my eyes every Q. Is it true that shaving makes your hair grow back darker and coarser, and waxing makes it grow back more slowly?

If you have a health or beauty question, write to us at the address on page five, or email info@yourlocallink.co.uk.

Don’t forget to mark your question ‘Q & A’.

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A. No, this common belief is all down to illusion. A razor will not make your hair darker, or coarser. The reason that re growth seems thicker and quicker with a razor is because shaving results in blunt ends. This is because with shaving, you’re simply cutting off the hair at skin level, and these blunt ends will be thicker than natural ends. Waxing does not technically make hair grow back more slowly, it just appears to. As it yanks the hairs from the root, the re growth period is much longer, as you have to wait for the deep rooted hair to reach skin level again.

morning, and people are always telling me I look tired. I use eye cream, but nothing works.

A. Your puffiness may be due to dehydration, drinking alcohol or salty and spicy foods at night.

To prevent puffiness, drink plenty of water, always remove eye makeup and sleep with your head slightly elevated to avoid accumulating fluid to your face over night. When using creams, use only a rice grain amount for each eye, and gently tap the cream around the eye socket. Also, try splashing cold water on your face as soon as you wake up.

Q. I’ve been over plucking my eyebrows for years and I want to get their natural shape back.

How do I go about it?

Lesley

@innovations

A. To get your natural shape back, you will unfortunately have to go through a re growth period before you can begin to reshape them. Once your shape has grown back, take a pencil and line it up vertically next to your nose on one side. Wherever the pencil hits your brow level, indicates where your brow should start. Then lay the pencil horizontally across the top of your cheekbone, this indicates where your brows should end. Only pluck any hairs that lie outside the natural shape and arch of your brows.

Alternatively, get a professional re-shape at any of the beauty salons advertised within the health and beauty section. A great finishing tip is to use clear mascara to keep them in place all day.

Q. Every month I suffer from severe PMS. I’ve tried everything but I don’t know how to deal with it anymore.

A. Although PMS is such a common problem, severity of PMS varies from women to women. Different remedies work differently on the individual, so you’re right to try out various preventions. Exercise, relaxation, and stress management can all help PMS symptoms, so why not give yoga a go? It offers a little bit of each. A 20 minute swim can help to ease the bloating, as the pressure of the water causes extra fluid to move back into the blood-stream. If you don’t fancy the swim, a long deep soak in the bath can have a similar effect. For something a little stronger, ask your doctor about the new prescription painkiller Treximet which can ease migraine and cramps simultaneously.

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WORLD DIABETES DAY World Diabetes Day (14th November) exists to increase awareness about diabetes, and involves hundreds of campaigns, activities and screenings worldwide, so we are spreading the word in York!

Kuki Spa-rkle

The Christmas party season is nearly here, and those lovely people at Kuki Spa in Huntington want to give you an early Christmas present. They’ve put together a whole package of great treatments designed to make you look fab this festive season without breaking the bank.

The Party Offer 1 Package consists of a 30 minute Glitzy Manicure; 30 minute Glitzy Pedicure; hair up; party makeover, shimmer spray tan, or trendy strip lashes and eyebrow shape. Choose any two of the above and pay just £35.

Or, if you really want to splash out, you could go for Kuki’s Party Offer 2 Package. Choose any two from the following – Swarovski Sparkle nails; Party Minx hands and feet; Party Shellac hands & feet; revitalising conditioning treatment, massage and cut and blow dry, or a ‘Wow’ hair up for £75.

This offer is available until the end of November, although if you book now you can have your treatments in December. So don’t delay – call Kuki Spa today on 659007 or visit www.kukispa.com.

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DOCTOR’S NOTE...

Dr. Gibson of Strensall Medical Practise told us; ‘Anyone can be affected by diabetes.

Type 1 is most common children and young adults. Type 2 typically affects over 40s and those that are overweight. The best way to prevent diabetes is to control obesity, so weight loss could save you complications later in life.

Diabetics need to eat at regular times, take medication or inject with insulin and closely monitor what they eat, so remember this if they are coming round to eat’.

Star Story...

Local Haxby lad Jordan Holt was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in July 2008 whilst on holiday with his family. Despite living with diabetes and injecting insulin four times a day, the 17 year old has not let this get in the way of his aspiring pro football career. Since playing for Wiggington Grasshoppers, Jordan is currently an apprentice footballer with Hull FC. He also represents Wales in their under 19’s side and has played over 15 international games. He has big plans for the future and hopes to break into the first team for Hull FC and conquer the world of pro football. Jordan is going from strength to strength and proves that diabetes doesn’t have to get in the way of what you really want. We salute you Jordan!

New stylist, new savings

Nicki Moore has now joined the ladies at The Salon Hair & Beauty in Copmanthorpe as their Senior Stylist. Nicki specialises in colour, from highlights to colour correction, as well as hair styles for both ladies and gents. Coming from a near city centre salon with six years salon experience, Nicki welcomes old and new clients and is offering 10 % off your first appointment until 30th November 2011. n You’ll find The Salon at No 3, The Shopping Centre, Copmanthorpe. Call 701499 to book!

Let’s face it, half the fun of going to a Christmas party is getting ready. So imagine if you had your very own beauty therapist in the comfort of your own home.

You and your friends could be waxed, manicured, pedicured, spray tanned and pampered with facials. All you have to do is crack open the champagne!

Beauty therapist and master nail technician Marcelle of Heavenly Nails & Beauty offers pamper parties for kids or grown-ups. Get together with your friends and choose from a wide range of treatments, including mini manicures, eyebrow waxing and neck and shoulder massage. Or why not go for the ever-popular Minx Party, where you can all get your Minx on together for a bargain price – the more the merrier!

As well as offering a range of manicures (including hand-painted nail art and long-lasting Shellac polish), Minx Nails, pedicures, waxing, spray tans, facials and massage, Marcelle is the only therapist in York to offer Mabel Plus, fast, pain free face and body contouring. The Mabel Plus machine uses heat to stimulate collagen production in the skin, smoothing out cellulite before you dare to bare in that Christmas party frock! n For details on the treatments Marcelle offers, call 07710 669945.

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When was the last time you had a really comfortable pair of shoes? Maybe you’re on your feet all day and need to relieve the strain? Or maybe, like the rest of us, you have a wardrobe full of shoes that pinch, nip and generally make your feet ache?

Footcare Works can help. They have a wide range of shoes and orthotics that are guaranteed to get you walking on air. Using their iStep foot scanner, they can analyse your feet and supply specialist insoles and arch support to make your shoes super comfortable.

Or why not treat yourself to a pair of boots from their new exclusive range of Italian leather

footwear from the States? They claim to be the healthiest shoes you’ll ever wear, and with a custom comfort system that means they can be adjusted exactly to your own needs, they may well be right!

In response to customers’ requests, Footcare Works stocks ladies’ sizes up to 11. So now there’s no excuse not to walk tall! n You’ll find Footcare Works at 21 Nunnery Lane.

Call 620120 for more information.

A Coppergate

Blood donor

All the shopaholics in the office love a bit of The Coppergate Centre, and we love it even more around Christmas time. This year we have even more to get excited about, starting with the Coppergate Christmas Lights Switch-On in collaboration with Minster FM. There’s also the new Coppergate Christmas Festival, with festive stalls, rides and giant snow globes... Go and see it for yourself, we’ll see you there!

3 November York Merchant Taylors Hall

(2pm-4pm, 5pm-7pm) 8 November Acomb Parish Church Hall

(2pm-4pm, 5pm-7.30pm) 16 November Rawcliffe Pavillion

(2pm-4pm, 5pm-7pm) 17 November The Reading Rooms, Dunnington

(2pm-4pm, 5pm-7pm) 29 November St Oswalds Church, Fulford

(2pm-4pm, 5pm-7pm) 30 November New Earswick Folk Hall

(2pm-4pm, 5pm-7pm) n For more details, call 0300 123 2323

Christmas

> Gifts from a selection at Joy, Coppergate.

The Soldier Egg cup and toast cutters are an office favourite!!

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sessions

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy seems to be one of those things that we all think sounds rather good, but we never quite understand what it is, right?

Local registered Homeopath Verena GroomWhite is often asked to explain homeopathy, and she tells people that “homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine that was developed over 200 years ago. Unlike conventional medicine, homeopathy focuses on addressing the underlying causes of illness, rather than the symptoms”. To a homeopath, every person is an individual and treatment is personalised to them. Verena says; “I was inspired to train in homeopathy because my youngest child was helped enormously by it and I wanted to be able to help other people in this way”. n For more information contact Verena on 01904 330308, or visit www.verena-homeopath.com.

New orthopaedic service in York Clifton Park Treatment Centre is a specialist orthopaedic hospital which has been providing sterling service to patients in the York and surrounding areas since January 2006. The hospital is now pleased to announce that a new Back Pain and Spinal Service will commence mid-November 2011. The service will be led by Mr McLaren, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who has 25 years’ experience of treating patients with back complaints. Mr McLaren will be supported by experienced physiotherapy and anaesthetic colleagues.

The treatments on offer are aimed at people suffering from back pain which does not appear to be improving, or for people who have a diagnosed condition for which a consultant’s opinion is recommended.

The service is competitively priced and is being offered to those patients who wish to pay for their own treatment, or who have private medical insurance which covers them for this type of service. n Bookings can be made from 21st November by calling 464554 or for more information email clifton.enquiries@ramsayhealth.co.uk.

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Advertisers Announcement

Is there such a thing as a ‘quickie divorce’?

I recently had a client come in to see me for a free 30 minute consultation.

He advised that his wife was going to use the ‘quickie divorce’ process to begin divorce proceedings rather than going through the courts.

It is a common misconception that the court process can be avoided - it cannot.

This misconception is frequently nurtured by bogus companies claiming to offer “quickie divorce”. Do not be fooled there is no option other than to lodge a divorce petition with the County Court.

How long will it take for a straight forward divorce?

I generally advise clients that a straight forward divorce could take between 4 to 6 months, however with the current back log of cases being experienced at the County Court processing paper work, it is difficult to estimate a precise time scale. At York County Court for example, they currently have a backlog of 6 weeks to process all of the paper work.

In order to obtain a divorce you need to follow the same stages as everyone else. The procedure itself is relatively straight forward, however unfortunately you have to wait at each stage for the Court to process the paper work.

the key stages in obtaining a divorce: Issue Petition at Court

⬇

Court send petition to Respondent

⬇

Respondent files Acknowledgment of Service

⬇

Court sends copy of Acknowledgement of Service to Petitioner

⬇

Petitioner files affidavit and directions for trial and requests the Decree Nisi

⬇

District Judge considers the petition, if grounds accepted it will be placed in the judges list to pronounce the Decree Nisi

⬇

Decree Nisi pronounced

⬇

Wait 6 weeks and 1 day

⬇

Petitioner can apply for Decree Absolute

⬇

Hearing on Application

⬇

Decree Absolute obtained Please note that other issues may arise which may delay the process e.g issues with the finances of the marriage or custody of the children. The above diagram is a basic outline of a straight forward divorce. Many firms claim that the divorce process will take between 12-20 weeks, however with current cut backs at the County Court, it is not possible to provide an accurate time scale.

n Should you require further information on obtaining a divorce, please email me at sarahb@richardsonlaw.co.uk or alternatively contact me on 01904 642727 to make an appointment for a FREE 30 minute consultation.

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MARRY ME MARRIOT What are the chances of finding your dream wedding at your dream price?

Slim to impossible, we hear you sigh. Well, that was until the gems at The York Marriot Hotel began to offer their fabulous all inclusive wedding packages.

From just ÂŁ2500 you can have your perfect wedding, and better still they will provide you with your very own certified wedding planner. With a beautiful venue, unmissable pricing and professional planning, you might be tying the knot sooner than you think! n Call 770625 for more information.

ADD SOME EXTRA SPARKLE Have you considered venue styling to add some extra sparkle to your big day?

Ambience can offer you a wealth of experience to get your venue looking picture perfect. Their organza trimmed seat covers can transform a room – so simple yet so effective. With over 200 colour choices in organza and taffeta, free consultations and special offers, Ambience is the first choice in venue styling. n Call 07908 130508 to find out more!

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your family

Putting the ‘uni’ in community HOW TO… It’s never too late to get a taste of Uni life, according to York St John University. Last month saw the start of ‘Go York Events’; a series of lectures which aim to welcome the local community onto their campus to learn about a range of interesting topics (no A-levels, dodgy hair cuts or baggy jeans required!). The events will bring real positivity to the city of York, by bringing together the university’s academics and students, high profile speakers and locals.

Guest lecturers and international speakers will be giving regular monthly talks on campus every month, running from October til June. This month, Collin Timms, Chairman of Guardian Bank, Bangalore, India, will be sharing his life experiences and journey to success in business. So why not get involved and broaden your horizons with this worthwhile opportunity?

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In the peak of The X Factor, everyone’s dreaming of stardom (whilst also drooling over Gary Barlow obviously).

This year it’s all about the bands, so we’ve enlisted the help of Nickky Miller, drummer of top York band The Pauper Kings, to give you lot some tricks behind the trade to start your very own band. Prising Nickky away from his busy rock and roll schedule to complete the interview was no mean feat, but we managed it in the end. Here are his words of wisdom…

• Choosing a band name is always a good start as it will create a product in your head of what you want to become, that will give you drive and focus!

• Try starting a band with friends as a good relationship is important.

You have to get along with each other and this will come out in your music too.

• Charity events are always a good thing to do as it gives you a chance to be seen and play for a great cause.

• It is important to have supportive people around you as your fan base keep you going through the good times and bad times!

• Ask local bands if they ever need a support band. It’s a great way to start performing to an audience and gain a fan base.

• Rehearse as much you can! Your sound and ability to perform are both core ingredients to being in a band.

• The best thing about being in a band is the feeling of being on stage with your best friends and doing what you love doing the best. The worst things are too many pot noodles and missing your own bed! n With strong harmonies, a high standard of musicianship and catchy pop choruses, The Pauper Kings are set for the big time. Find out more about Nickky and The Pauper Kings at www.thepauperkings.com and follow on facebook and twitter.

Did science at school leave you baffled? The University of York and National Science Learning Centre would like to teach you that maths and physics can actually be fun (yes, really) with a unique free eight week course. 'Connect to Science' offers science with a twist – while learning about physics and maths, learners will be writing creatively about the new things they discover about the world. The course consists of a mix of class time, laboratory experiments and visits to local sites including Drax Power Station, the Yorkshire Museum and the University's own Astrocampus. The aim is to show that science can be understood by everyone and used on a daily basis.

The course will run twice in the autumn and a further four times throughout 2012. It’s aimed at any adult no significant previous knowledge in the sciences.

Support for childcare and travel costs is available for learners upon request. n To register for your place, call the Centre for Lifelong Learning on 01904 328473 or visit www.york.ac.uk/lifelonglearning.

Design a rotter!

When you think of Christmas, what springs to mind; shopping, eating, drinking...recycling?

Yes ok we know it’s still a month away, but The York Rotters are already encouraging people to have a green Christmas this year, by launching their annual ‘Christmas Design a Poster’ competition. Children in the York area are invited to design a poster which must show what festive items can be composted over the festive period. And because we love our readers so much, we thought we would start you off with a couple of ideas (wrapping paper, sellotape, old Christmas crackers, envelopes, cardboard and tissue paper can all be composted). The winners shall have their poster designs displayed across York as part of the York Rotters Christmas compost campaign, as well as receiving £20 worth of gift vouchers. So encourage the kids to give it a go and let them prove to York that there’s a lot more to compost at Christmas than just Brussels sprouts! n For details on how to enter see the York Rotters advert on p75.

your family

Combining cultures

Ask the ExpertS...

Family Law

w i t h n i C K I MI TCH E LL & Mark Hepwort h

It’s all different north of the border!

Many readers will no doubt remember my former colleague, Nina Banerjee, who hosted this column from its inception until the end of last year. The reason Nina’s photograph no longer appears on the top of this page is as a result of her having moved from York to Scotland. Many clients assumed that this was a career move and that she would be setting up her plate to practice family law north of the border. In fact, it was her husband’s career that brought about the move and, to the surprise of many, Nina was unable to practice until she had requalified as a Scottish solicitor as the principles and practice of law in that jurisdiction differ fundamentally from those that apply in England. What are the differences in the field of family law?

Firstly, so far as divorce is concerned, in the absence of allegations of adultery or unreasonable behaviour, Scottish couples can divorce on the basis of one year’s separation, provided they both consent – not two years as in England. If one party chooses not to consent, the other does not have to wait for five years to be divorced as in England, but only for a period of two years since the date of separation.

Then there is the bewildering difference in terminology. We operate in the County Court; in Scotland it is the Sheriff’s Court. A Divorce Petition translates into an Initial Writ and the Petitioner becomes a Pursuer. Scottish law does not involve itself with a Decree Nisi and a Decree Absolute – merely a Decree of Divorce which cannot be granted until all financial matters have been resolved.

Whilst these differences are unlikely to affect the majority of citizens of either country, spare a thought for the long suffering family lawyer who practices in the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed – confusing or what?

And how do the Scottish Courts deal with finance?

Here the difference between the two jurisdictions is very significant. Scottish law ring fences assets brought to the marriage by one party, assets that were acquired by gift or inheritance during the marriage and assets that were acquired after separation. In addition, spousal maintenance (or “periodical allowance”), other than for a maximum period of three years, is very rare.

Whilst these differences are unlikely to affect the majority of citizens of either country, spare a thought for the long suffering family lawyer who practices in the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed – confusing or what?

n For legal advice on this or any aspect of family law, contact Mark Hepworth or Nicki Mitchell at Denison Till solicitors on 01904 611411 mgbh@denisontill.com or ncm@denisontill.com

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Claim your free trial session at www.tennis-tots.co.uk

TOP OF THE PREPS At Your Local Link, we love spreading the word when it comes to achievements (and not just about our bargain pair of shoes we found at the weekend!). We were delighted to hear that Clifton Pre-preparatory School has recently won the prestigious title of ‘Pre-preparatory school of the year’, beating other schools from across the country in a public vote. Clifton Pre-preparatory and Nursery School takes pupils from the ages of 3-8. It is an independent co-educational day school for 170 pupils. The school’s head Phillip Hardy said; “All of my hard working staff must of course take the credit for us gaining this national award. It comes on the back of an outstanding inspection in all categories last year” He added; “We believe we provide excellence in everything we do, but it is always heartening to know that the parents and members of the public that voted for us feel the same way”. Well done Clifton Prep!

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Calling all mini Maria Sharapovas and diddy Djokovics! York has been the next destination of choice for Tennis Tots, the UK’s leading tennis play and coaching programme that is taking Yorkshire by storm. Designed for children aged 2-6, Tennis Tots is a fun and interactive way for kids to develop emotionally, physically and socially. Tennis Tots is the brainchild of Matthew McTurk, ex tennis professional and twice men’s Yorkshire doubles champion. Matthew said; “Since starting the programme back in 2008 we have seen a great demand for sessions that allow parents to fully engage with their children and we feel Tennis Tots provides just that”. Give your kids a sporting skill that they will keep for life. Next stop – Wimbledon!

The sessions run once a week as part of a 7 week course, costing £42. Tots and parents are welcome to join the sessions mid-term for a lower price. n Call Adam on 07807 949874 for more information.

Going solo

Going through a divorce or separation is never an easy experience. As well as dealing with the emotional side of the break-up, you suddenly find yourself having to cope with the legal aspects too. So it really helps to have a solicitor you can really talk to, someone who’s available when you need them, can explain what’s happening in a language you can understand and help make the whole process as pain-free as possible.

That was why experienced solicitors Dianna Bamforth and Kiren Dulkoin set up their new business, Ardent Law. Kiren is a Family Law specialist and a member of Resolution,

a national organisation of family lawyers committed to non- confrontational divorce, separation and other family problems. Dianna is a specialist in clinical negligence and personal injury claims, and a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

They aim to approach law in a different, more approachable way. “We don’t want to be stuffy or old fashioned,” says Dianna. “We encourage clients to call us by our first names, and we try to fit in with their lives, by arranging appointments at weekends and out of office hours.”

n For more details on Ardent Law call 01904 782958.

your family

WIN A FREE TERM

to Razzamataz Theatre School Razzamataz appeared on Dragons Den in 2007 and successfully gained Duncan Bannatyne as a partner in their business. They pride themselves not only on the quality of their tuition but in the additional opportunities they offer students.

They are the ideal place for boys and girls aged 4-18 to learn about Pop Singing, Street Dance, Musical Theatre, Drama & Physical Theatre. Razz Minis for their youngest students aged 4-5 is an exciting adventure in performing arts. Classes are designed to bring out each child’s potential. Sessions involve lots of props, games and lively activities. Razzmatzaa is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a place for their child aged (4-17). Twenty runners up will receive a free taster session. The term is 12 weeks from January to March 2012 and is worth up to £220!

To have a chance of winning this fabulous prize for your youngster simply answer the following question…..

In what year did Razzamataz appear on Dragons Den ?

Send your answer to the address on Page five marked ‘Razzamataz’ to reach us by 25th November, and don’t forget to include your name and contact number.

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your family

Beating the bullies

It’s the biggest fear every parent faces, that their child is being bullied at school.

Bullying can take many forms from physical violence to cyberbullying via sites like Facebook. If you find out your child is being bullied: • Find out as much as you can about the incident – who was involved, where, when and exactly what happened.

• Reassure your child they have done the right thing by telling you • Talk to your child’s teacher, and encourage your child to report any further incidents Cyberbullying is more subtle, but just as hurtful and intimidating. If your child is affected, get them to show you any messages they’ve received, and ignore any further messages. If bullying starts in a chat room, encourage them to leave immediately and report the incident to the moderator. Tell them never to give out personal contact details online or put photographs of themselves up on websites.

14th – 25th November are National Anti-Bullying Weeks. This year’s theme is ‘Stop and think – words can hurt’. n To find out more, visit www.antibullyingweek.co.uk

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Happy children learn. That’s what they’ve found at The Mount Pre-School, and it’s their aim to ensure that their pupils are all smiles...teeth or no teeth! The Mount PreSchool prides themselves on their calm environment which allows their children to feel safe, nurtured, confident and above all, happy.

The extensive school grounds and facilities provide invaluable opportunity for active learning. With their woodland area, large tee pee, adventure playground

and outdoor kitchen and classroom, children are spoilt for choice. The Mount Pre-school constantly seeks out educational visits in the local area and invites visitors into school to bring learning to life. What’s more, children are encouraged to express themselves through art, dance, music and imaginative play. With so much on offer, they have happy campers all round! n For further information and to arrange a visit please contact Julia Hampshire on 667529.

your family

Festive magic and more

Father Christmas is paying a visit to Castle Howard this year, bringing with him the Festive Wizard for a light hearted and fun show featuring magic tricks, stories and singing. His visit has been arranged by his good friend Henrietta Rabbit. As many grateful parents will know, pink haired Henrietta is a children’s entertainer extraordinaire. But did you also know she and her team of clowns, fairies and magicians can also provide all kinds of Christmas themed entertainment, from playgroup parties to a Santa’s Grotto complete with elves?

And why should the children have all the fun? Henrietta and her team can also provide great entertainment for grown-up parties and corporate events, from fire acts to magicians and even a gospel choir! n For more information, give her a call on 01904 345404.

Calling all prom princesses!

Introducing York’s first prom show, with all-thingsprom under one roof! This event is a must for all budding prom princesses, which has been specifically invented to help you plan your perfect prom night. On Sunday, 4th December, The Park Inn Hotel will become home to a whole host of prom services, from luxury cars to hair and beauty makeovers. The sparkling event will provide advice, ideas and inspiration, along with a catwalk fashion show, goody bags and free prom planner.

Tickets are £3.00 on the door or £2.50 when booked in advance at www.perfect-prom.co.uk .

Parents and teachers go free. n Any interested local suppliers should contact Karen on 07517 675171.

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your family

This month, we’re getting creative in the office (dangerous, we know), by jumping on the band wagon of the latest crafty craze.

Forget DIY, it’s all about MIY now, especially in the run up to the festive season. MIY stands for ‘make it yourself’ in case you hadn’t guessed, and we have a few ideas for you to not only create beautiful handmade creations, but also save a few bob along the way. So pick up your pliers and your paintbrush and get involved in a bit of MIY!

Gifts galore Create something

really stylish that isn’t available in shops

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Handmade jewellery is so easy to make and is the perfect gift at Christmas.

Craft shops are often treasure chests full of beautiful beads to help you string together something really special.

Complete your finished piece with a pretty gift box and you’re on to a winner. What about customising a plain photo frame? Embellish it with something pretty, whack a photo in

there and hey presto; you have a thoughtful handmade gift (we’ll even let you take the credit for it).

It’s a wrap Is it just us or does wrapping paper get more expensive every year? For a truly quirky gift wrap, spice up a sheet of old newspaper with a splash of colour.

Use paint, pencils, pens, or whatever is lying around. If you fancy something a little more classic, coloured tissue papers can be bought at a fraction of the cost of wrapping papers, and can be decorated with stamps, stickers and ribbon. They’ll be sure to stand out under the tree!

Play your cards right Impress the neighbours by sending your own handmade Christmas cards

your family

Impress your friends by sending

handmade Xmas cards.

and save the environment whilst you’re at it. Create your own designs, or recycle last year’s cards by cutting out the designs from the front cover, and mounting them on your own card. Or why not let the kids do the hard work for you? Let them loose with some colouring pens and, if you dare, some glitter. Their Christmas designs can be stuck onto the front of your cards and are sure to be a charming surprise for friends and family.

start with a simple scarf, and the more advanced knitters out there can create something a little more complex.

Either way, a wool creation is a perfect way to MIY this Christmas. n For your creative supplies, you will find everything you need in York’s array of craft shops. Visit www.vikingloom. co.uk for information on where to find them all on the York Craft Trail.

Winter Wool No, it’s not just for grannies. You’d be amazed with what you can create with two long sticks and a bit of wool.

With so many interesting chunky wools on offer these days, you can create something really stylish that isn’t available in shops. Beginners can

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Word Search

N R O E U G N O T L E C R A P E R C Y L E C H R P B B P C N H N L O R U R A U L

In association with:

D P H A U X D V L A X T G O L N V I B R G F W N R V M W P N R X L S G I N N Y O G O T S E R O F K R A D I O S C I U V H A O V - H N Y L E S G R I N G O T T S R C D S S E H C S D R A Z I W I R O E L N O N I L R E H H I E U L L H E N H P S D W S Y I M D U F A D M E O B N M O R R R U O C V I W F Y G N P O R C N R G R E G G E O A O I F S O A T O R D I S W H B L S B I D N G L W N V N M U T R N A C B Y I B H D I L E S A I S M E E E O R T A F L A O A E G P L L L B G V N H R T I C F R R U P R R U O L L C I O C T I S D S U L K S O N C F L E O L N L B Y S T D E L P H E N I X F D Y O R I E E L D D I R F U G C O S P O L E E F T D V S I L U D N C Q U I R R E L V O Y O F L A M N Q N E D S P Y E L D U D I R G A H D R Y S L R Dark Forest Davils-snare Diagon Alley Draco Dudley Dumbledore Eelops Enchantments

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Erold Filch Fluffy Fred George Ginny Goblins Goyle

Griffindor Gringotts Hagrid Harry Hedwig Hermionie Hogwarts House Cup

How would you like to win some fabulous flowers, courtesy of Dutch Nurseries in Haxby?

Every month they’ll be giving a gorgeous hand-tied bouquet to the winner of our wordsearch. This month’s puzzle has a Harry Potter theme! Send your completed puzzle to ‘Novemver Puzzle Competition’ at the address on page five, to reach us no later than Friday 27th November. The first correct entry will win the flowers! n Dutch Nurseries, 5 Wyre Court, Haxby. Tel. 01904 768439.

Hufflepuff Krabbe Lucious Malfoy Mrs Noris Norbert Oliver Ollivanders

Owl Parceltongue Percy Petunia Phaux Phenix Quidditch Quirrel

Ravenclaw Riddle Ron Scabbers Sir Nicolas Slytherin Snape Spells

Troll Unicorn Vernon Voldemort Wizards Chess Wood

your family

Thoughtful holistic homecare All kinds of people take on the responsibilities of caring for loved ones, and SureCare York are in a position to support you as you care for them.

SureCare York has been established for more than ten years and provides the highest quality homecare to elderly and vulnerable clients. From weekly half-hour visits to 24 hour live-in care, they can meet all your needs whilst your loved ones enjoy the comfort of their home.

Their fully trained and hand-picked staff can offer personal care, domestic and social support, organised to suit your individual requirements.

SureCare York’s Manager Jane Kitt, explains, “The service we can provide is aimed at helping people enjoy a level of confidence and independence, enabling them to keep hold of the household reins. At the same time, it can complement the excellent support given by family, friends or neighbours, so everyone has the chance of a break from routine”.

Dyslexia Action

SureCare York’s homecare services are calculated at an hourly rate, with the minimum length of a visit set at 30 minutes. They pride themselves on giving value for money and as part of their service they can advise on funding options for care. They are happy to provide the highest quality homecare for anyone who needs support, for however long they need it. n For information on all their services, please call 01904 520192.

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your family

Be a good

neighbour The write stuff

Almost 20 years ago, Chris Granger’s mother had a premonition. “She took me to one side and said, ‘Listen to me, the book you are going to write, promise me you’ll do it. No matter how long it takes or how many obstacles you come across, do it.”

At the time Chris had no intention of writing a book.

Even when he retired at the age of 60 and decided to study GCSE and A Level English at York College, little did he imagine that 11 years later he would see his first novel in print.

But his writing skills came flooding back when he was asked to pen an essay about his childhood, which became the first shoots of his recently published novel, Some Lessons in Gaelic. It is an evocative, touching novel inspired by his experiences as a child in 1950s southern Ireland.

Some Lessons in Gaelic by McCawley Grange (his mother’s maiden name) is available from Waterstones in York and online from Amazon. A signed first edition can be obtained from the author – email mccawleygrange@gmail.com

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As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, it’s important to keep an eye on your elderly or disabled neighbours. Even older people who can usually manage on their own may struggle in bad weather. You could offer do some basic shopping, pick up a prescription or walk their dog. They may also just welcome a friendly chat, especially if the bad weather is stopping them getting out and about.

If someone has been taken ill or had an accident in their home, they may not be able to attract attention. Always be on the look-out for signs that something might be wrong, especially when the weather is cold.

Looking for a cheaper way to visit far-flung friends and family this Christmas? Then why not take advantage of the cut price senior railcards being offered by City of York Council.

The railcards are available to purchase for anyone aged over 60 who lives within the City of York area. They enable holders to save a third on most UK rail fares. The cards are normally priced at

Signs to look out for include: • Milk not taken in late in the day • Newspapers stuck in the letterbox • Curtains drawn during the day • Lights burning during the day • Home in darkness when there should be someone at home • Dog barking all day or the cat scratching to be let in n If you are worried or concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a vulnerable adult or older person, call contact 01904 555111 or 0845 0349417 (emergencies only). £28 for the year, but are available from the council for £23. Anyone wanting to buy a senior railcard should visit the reception at 9 St Leonard’s Place between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, bringing with them proof of residence in the City of York Local Authority area and proof of age.

n Wondering if a senior railcard would be any use to you?

Visit www.senior-railcard.co.uk/ to find out more.

home...

All over the city there are dogs looking for homes.

Could you be the one to offer them the love they need?

Robbie 3yrs old neutered male greyhound.

Robbie came to us with a badly broken leg after being abandoned as he would not be able to race anymore.

He is quite shy until he gets to know you. Once he understands you are not going to hurt him he is ever so friendly and playful. He is a firm favourite at the centre and we can not understand why he is passed by day after day. We need a home where there are no children under 13 yrs and where they will give him the time to come out of his shell. He really is a special lad who wants to know what a proper loving home feels like.

Alfie 7yrs old dalmation.

Alfie came to us due to personal family reasons, he is a lovely dog who really needs to be part of a family again.

He is not coping too well with the hustle and bustle of kennel life so we keep him in the quiet part of the centre. He came in with another dog and we tried to keep them together but unfortunately not many people want two dogs and we had to make the hard decision to split them. We feel Alfie is missing his little mate and would love for him to find a home of his own where he can once again be part of a loving family. Unfortunately Alfie would not be able to live with children under the age of 16yrs. n If you could give any of these dogs a home Call: 01904 654 949 or visit RSPCA, Landing Lane, York

£5

.00 OFF

12Kg+ ROYAL CANIN DOG

Voucher valid until 30/11/11

Great

OFFERS

for the whole of November!

All James Wellbeloved

15Kg £36.99 7.5Kg £19.99

RRP £48.99 RRP £28.99

Burns Alert Lamb or Chicken

15Kg £36.99

RRP £43.99

Our team are always on hand for free and friendly advice!

£5

.00 OFF

15Kg ARDEN GRANGE Voucher valid until 30/11/11

FIVE FREE Fat Balls for first 100 customers Voucher valid until 30/11/11

your pet

Give us a

FREE HOLLINGS TREAT

FREE bag of poop bags

for first 50 customers

for the first 200 customers

Voucher valid until 30/11/11

Voucher valid until 30/11/11

Pets Pantry the pet experts

Jockey Lane, Huntington, York, YO32 9NE

Tel: 01904 620527 www.petspantry.co.uk Open Monday to Saturday 9Am - 6pm, SUNDAYS 10AM - 5PM only one voucher per customer can we used with any purchase

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your pet

Got a problem with your pet?

Write to us and we’ll try to sort it out!

If you have a burning question, write to us at the address on page 5, or email info@yourlocallink.co.uk. Mark your question ‘Pet talk’.

Q. This may sound comical but my cat has really bad breath! I’ve also noticed her teeth are very yellow. Is this normal, and is there anything I can do about it?

A. Cats can suffer from dental and gum problems just the same as us humans. Saliva, bacteria and food particles combine to form plaque, which in turn can turn into tartar, a hard yellowish deposit. If this isn’t removed regularly, it can cause gum infection which can make your cat seriously ill. Your first stop should be to talk to your vet. They will be able to advise you on a good dental hygiene routine for your cat. You should also switch to special food, such as Hill’s Science Plan Feline Oral Care, which is designed to reduce plaque and tartar.

Q. I live in York and have five year old greyhound, who has been with me for about seven months now. I am wondering if there is anywhere in York that I can take my greyhound to run off the lead?

It would have to be completely fenced in as she would likely run off. I live in the Leeman Road area. I do not have a car, so

A QUESTION OF BALANCE

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if it was somewhere I could get to by foot or on the bus, that would be great.

A. We’ve racked our brains and come up with an idea that might just help you and your dog.

Our friends at dog walking service Sweeney Dog say they have a fenced-in paddock area which they rent out to dog owners like yourself. They can also give you a few tips about other places to go in the city. Just give them a call on 01904 890666, mention our name and they’ll be happy to help you!

Q. My cat and dog both got really stressed by Bonfire Night last year. What can I do to keep them calmer this year?

A. First of all, don’t get annoyed with your pet if they’re afraid – that will just confirm to them there is a reason to be scared. Keep them indoors, with the doors and windows shut (don’t forget to lock the catflap, too). Put on the TV or play some music to muffle the noise, and play with your pet to distract them from the explosions outside. Having said that, many cats prefer to dash off and hide under the bed or behind the sofa. Don’t try to coax them out, or you may cause them more distress.

CATS PROTECTION NEUTERING OFFER The kind people at the York Cats Protection have a special offer to encourage you to get your cats neutered. Neutering your beloved feline friends can help reduce the growing number of unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens that end up roaming the streets. As a further bonus, neutered male cats are less likely to roam, spray, or fight with other cats. For the teeny tiny price of £5, any cat over the age of 4 months can have the procedure done at your local vets, which would normally costs between £30 and £60. Cat owners must be on a means tested benefit, low income, pension credits or be a student to qualify for the offer. n Call 703086 for details on the scheme.

your pet

Give us a

home...

All over the city there are cats looking for homes.

Could you be the one to offer them the love they need?

Staff at York Cats Protection are eager to find a new home for a loveable, but shy, pair of cats. Brother and sister team George and Lizzie are only 2½ years old and were brought in to the Adoption Centre because their owner could no longer afford to keep them.

Centre Manager, James Hodgkison says “despite their timid nature George & Lizzie are both very gentle cats, they just need a patient new owner with plenty of time to spend with them, so they can slowly get used to people and realise we aren’t all bad!” James continues, “In my experience when cats like these are given the chance they need, they invariably blossom into the sweetest cats you can imagine, and it can be a very rewarding experience for their owners too.”

George & Lizzie are both in good health. They have been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. n If you can offer George & Lizzie a new home please contact

Cats Protection on 01904 760356n or email york@cats.org.uk The Adoption Centre can be found at 582 Huntington Rd. York YO32 9QA and is open daily from 11am -3pm.

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YOUR PROPERTY with PAULA MATTHEWS

On the move...

Paula Matthews at Opus Estate Agents has been chatting to buyers and sellers all over York answering their concerns and queries Q. I invited four estate agents out to value our house two years ago. All four valuations came in at almost identical prices. We chose to go with the agent who we felt had the best local presence thinking we would get the most exposure for our house and therefore get a quicker sale. We have dropped the price substantially and have still had no real interest. What do you think the problem is?

Bigger is not always better and maybe the agent you chose has too many properties on their books. When buyers call the staff cannot go through all the stock that they have and maybe yours is not getting as much exposure as you thought. Have all the staff been out to your property and had a look at what it has to offer?

This is the best way that you will achieve your sale as the staff will be able to describe your property in detail to any potential buyers when they phone or call the office.

Q. Over the last few months I have developed a property to sell which is in a great location. I have had a number of letters from a buyer who has seen me working on the property saying that if I was looking to sell the property they would be interested in buying. I called out a couple of local agents and explained the

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your property. I would go with the first agent because they have been honest in admitting that they have not introduced this buyer. The buyer has seen you working on the property and approached you directly – what a great position to be in! The buyer is obviously keen and will see that your house is on the market, if you go with the first agent they have said that you will not have to pay them a fee so you will be getting the best price for your property. situation. The first agent said that it was great I had someone who was so interested and that the house was very saleable even in such a challenging market. They advised that it would be better to put the property on the open market to make sure I achieved the best price and that if I gave them the details of the interested party and they bought the property I would not have to pay them a fee. The second agent said that they were selling a property for a vendor and they were the interested party in my property. They have offered me a highly discounted fee because of this. Who do you think I should go with?

The first agent is acting in your best interests.

The second agent is marketing a property for the buyer that is interested in your property and will be doing nothing at all to achieve their fee and may not even get you the best price for

Q.

My house currently has four en-suite bedrooms; if I converted my loft to make a bedroom with an en-suite and then made the four bedrooms into three larger bedrooms, would this add value to my property?

Larger rooms and en-suites usually make a property more saleable – it really depends how much the loft conversion will cost. Get some quotes and this will give you an indication of whether you will make any money or break even. Call out a couple of agents to value your property, show them your plans and see what they advise. It maybe that four bedrooms and a loft will achieve a better price.

n Opus Estate Agents Tel: 01904 790070 www.opusmove.co.uk

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 62202 2 or 631818

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call: 07891 858873 01904 468288

Whether your decor is traditional or sleek and contemporary, you can’t beat a rug (little bit of carpet-related humour there). They add the perfect touch of warmth and cosiness on a chilly winter evening.

And whatever your taste, you’ll find a huge selection at Calverts Carpets’ showroom in Stonebow. Their whole first floor is rug heaven, from funky and fashionable sheepskins in a rainbow of colours, to stunning traditional handwoven rugs from India and Pakistan. For a contemporary interior, look out for Karma, a gorgeous purple deep pile rug from India. Or make a real statement with the Infinite selection from China, affordable rugs featuring striking monochrome designs with a splash of bright colour. For something more understated, look out for their range of Afghan rugs and runners in muted deep red. n To find out more, visit Calverts Carpets at 15 The Stonebow.

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 62202 2 or 631818

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your home

Dave THe

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

£185,000 HANSOM PLACE: £135,000.

LAMBERT COURT: £62,500 (50% SHARE BASIS)

LANGLEY HOUSE: £60,000

When our friend Paula at Opus told us she had a house on her books in the sought after area of Fulford, within easy walking distance of the city centre and the river, beautifully decorated and under £200,000, we had to admit we thought she’d been on the cooking sherry again.

But here it is! This gorgeous two bedroom terrace has it all – fab location, and stunningly presented, too. Plus it has the added advantage of an upstairs bathroom and a downstairs shower room (ideal for guests). The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, lounge, dining room, downstairs shower and stylish dining kitchen. Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a modern white bathroom. Outside there is an enclosed courtyard and useful brick built outhouse. And the price? A mere £185,000. This is sure to get snapped up fast, so call to arrange a viewing today!

HOMEYORK HOUSE: £79,000

Retirement home special

£137,000

Retirement developments exclusively for occupation by people over 55 or 60 years of age are extremely popular as they offer smart, purpose built accommodation often with communal facilities and Warden assistance.

They are usually in convenient locations for local facilities with well maintained communal gardens and offer a comfortable lifestyle surrounded by like-minded people. In York there is a good choice and here are four of the best currently available.

For those on a limited budget there is Lambert Court in Bishophill where you can buy this 1 bedroom first floor apartment on a 50% share basis for just £62,500. Also within reasonable walking distance of the city centre is Langley House in Dodsworth Avenue just off Heworth Green where we have a 1 bedroom first floor apartment for £60,000. Overlooking lovely landscaped gardens in Homeyork House at Danesmead, Fulford is a 1 bedroom first floor apartment at £79,000 and just opposite the hospital in the stylish Hansom Place development is a 2 bedroom ground floor apartment for £135,000.

For more details or to arrange a viewing call

01904 621532 62

Also this month our friends at Opus Estate Agents are offering this fantastic 2 bedroom semi detached bungalow in the popular residential location of Acomb.

Situated in a quiet cul-de sac, the bungalow is in need of some updating, ideal for buyers who are keen to put their own ‘stamp’ on a property.

It is ideally located for easy access of the by-pass and York City Centre, and has an excellent choice of local amenities. There is off street parking to the front of the property and a fully enclosed rear garden.

It really is a little gem and will appeal to a variety of purchasers.

And the price?? It’s a snip at £137,000! n For more details or to arrange a viewing contact OPUS on 790070.

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Classy kitchen?

Looking for a new kitchen? Check out this limited edition beauty from kitchen designer Marazzi Design.

The Colosseo Oro boasts some ultra luxurious finishes, including 24 carat gold leafing, crocodile embossed leather, metallic gloss appliances, and Venetian ink- stained gold glass. And as if that wasn’t blingy enough, the cabinets and surfaces are hand finished with 12 coats of clear lacquer and finished with glitter. The kitchen also comes with Swarovski crystal lights.

And the price? A mere £300,000.

bespoke design

Although you would be one of only ten people in the world to own such a classy kitchen. Alternatively, for that price you could just buy a new house.

hot property!

If you’ve recently bought a terraced house, then give yourself a pat on the back – because you might just have pulled off one of the smartest moves in the current property market. Humble they may be, but terraced houses increased in value more than any other type of home over the past decade, according to research by the Halifax.

manufacture

fitting

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www.dalesofthirsk.co.uk 66

LT D

The average proce of a terraced property has increased 68.4% in the past ten years, compared to 52.8% for the average home. Demand for terraces has been strong because they are the most affordable type of property, with prices 45% cheaper than the average detached home.

“Period terraced properties are always popular due to their character, good sized living accommodation and charming courtyard gardens,” says Scott Anscomb, owner of Your Move Anscombs. “They’re also often ideally situated close to the city centre.

There are examples for every budget from smaller terraces which appeal particularly to young couples looking for their first home through to fabulous large period town houses that capture the grandeur of a bygone era.”

soft options According to a report by isme.com, the average woman spends £419 a year on soft furnishing items for her home. Which is a hell of a lot of scatter cushions, when you think about it.

Although sadly it may not be money well spent, since 61% have no idea about the latest interior design trends.

So how do you make sure you invest wisely? The key is in the planning, says interior designer and DIY SOS presenter Julia Kendell. “Start collecting images that really inspire you so that when you start to put your own scheme together,” she says. “You can collate all these ideas together and get a good feel about what is going to float your boat, and excite you, to create the room that you want.”

Alternatively, check out our Property What’s Hot & Not section and you’ll never make an interior design faux pas again...

starting young North Yorkshire has some of the youngest first time buyers in the country, according to the Halifax.

While buyers usually have to wait until the age of 29 to get their foot on the property ladder, in Selby the average age for a first time buyer is just 25 years old. The experts at the Halifax reckon it’s because areas with younger first time buyers tend to have lower property prices than the rest of the country – in super expensive Harrow, for instance, buyers can’t afford to invest until they reach 34.

your home

The average

woman spends

£419 a year on soft furnishing

The great outdoors The days of dodgy deckchairs and sagging sunloungers are over, according to outdoor leisure company Norfolk Leisure. Apparently, we’re ditching the dull old garden furniture in favour of smart outdoor living, turning our gardens into an extension of our homes. But the people of York still have an eye for a bargain, says Barnitts. “It’s true people are looking more at co-ordinating their outdoor furniture with the theme of their home, whether it’s sleek and

contemporary or traditional and rustic,” says a spokesperson. “But they’re also looking for high end style at an affordable price.”

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Winter Security

The clever guys at The Loft Space Company can help you make the most of your home’s roof space by transforming it into an easily accessible, dust-free area. Their beautifully-crafted wooden loft stair ladders are designed for comfort and safety, take just a few hours to fit and come with a manufacturer’s 10-year parts guarantee. They are incredibly easy to use, quick and convenient, folding out of sight when not in use.

As the dark nights draw in, it’s more important than ever to be switched on with security at home. Every year, burglars take advantage of the longer darkness in winter and according to research by Halifax, burglaries increase by 65%. With November being the most common month for break-ins, we have some top security tips, kindly brought to you by Oliver Fawdington of GC Electronics.

The company provides a full range of boarding services, including bespoke eave-to-eave boarding, to offer you the most efficient use of your available space and budget. What’s more, The Lost Space Company’s insulation products reduce the loss of valuable energy through the roof, so you’ll be sung as a bug this winter and save a few bob along the way!

• Hide car keys as these are regularly stolen during a burglary resulting in either a stolen car or a car insurance excess to pay to have the car locks changed.

• Wheelie bins are used to climb on if a thief wishes to gain access to the home via a low or flat roof. Chain them up or consider carefully where they are placed.

• Check security lights are working and are suitably placed to ensure they cannot be tampered with.

• Visible CCTV fitted to the property gives a clear indication your home is well secured.

• Lock garden sheds and outbuildings and consider alarming them. The garden tools help the thief gain entry to your home.

• Do not leave valuable electrical valuables on show as it tempts the thief to smash the window and grab the item. Electrical items are very easy to sell. n Oliver and his team at GC Electronics specialise in alarm systems, CCTV fitting, security lighting and other services to help you stay secure this winter. Contact Oliver on 01977 683576 for friendly advice and service.

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n Call 0800 587 6662 or 07816 872269 for a free, no-obligation quote.

Beat mould misery Were you one of the many poor souls that put up with condensation and mould last winter? Remember the time it took to clean, the money spent redecorating, the puddles of water and the musty smell throughout the house? With winter approaching, that nasty mould you thought had been covered up is more than likely going to strike again. If you want to save yourself from the hassle of condensation and mould, but want the solution

to be cost effective, EnviroVent is the answer.

EnviroVent can provide a lifetime cure to the problem and they’re so confident they can help you, they’ll even offer a money back guarantee!

These guys are the experts in solving these problems and have been working their magic in homes for over 20 years. So why not call now for your free home-check before it’s too late? n Call EnviroVent on 07715 002 820.

your home

REVAMP YOUR KITCHEN

FOR LESS

We all know pennies are tight this time of year, and that gorgeous new kitchen you’re after has just been a figment of your imagination...until now! Now, thanks to Dream Doors, there is an alternative that’s cheaper and much more convenient than a full refit. Their professional craftsmen can quickly and skilfully replace every cupboard door, side panel, worktop and shelf to give your kitchen a new lease of life for a fraction of the cost of a full refit (and just in time for Christmas!)

The result is a kitchen that looks brand new and will stand the test of time for many years. It usually takes one to two days for Dream Doors to revamp your kitchen. All the new doors, drawers and units are made-to-measure to ensure they look hunky-dory. Barry Kent, the owner of Dream Doors in York, has worked in the kitchen fitting business for years. He visits each customer with ideas, advice and samples to ensure they get exactly what they’re after. Dream Doors are currently offering a generous 10% off to senior citizens, so there’s never been a better time to give your kitchen a little lift! n Dream Doors, 110 Fishergate, YO10 4BB. Call 622234 or visit www.dreamdoors.co.uk

LOOKING TO SELL?

We URGENTLY need more PROPERTIES due to our recent SALES SUCCESS

BUYERS WAITING! Competitive Fees

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making the move work for you

Call us today to book a FREE No Obligation Valuation

Tel 01904 790070

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- The latest designs and materials - Full measuring and fitting service - Over 9 years’ experience As a family business, our reputation We’re confident that we’ll is key, so customer satisfaction have a blind for your budget. is our number one aim.

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no:1

Choice for Blinds

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What’s hot & what’s not We’ve got the lowdown on what the well dressed home is wearing Wood burning stoves They literally are hot.

Eco-friendly, economical, and they’ll keep your room cosy all through the winter. And they’re available in a whole range of styles, too, from sleek contemporary to traditional and rustic. Look for ads in Your Local Link to find a professional fitter.

Ikat prints

WHAT’S HOT DIamonds Well, they are a girl’s best friend. But we’re talking about geometric prints, not the bling variety. Graphic prints are everywhere, from wallpapers to mirrors and mugs. But don’t overdo it, or you’ll feel as if you’re living in the middle of a migraine.

Ikat, in case you’re wondering, is a tribal style dyeing technique similar to tie dyeing. But rather than dyeing the whole fabric, the threads are dyed before weaving. The result is a fab tribal effect that adds a cosy touch to any home. Ikat looks good on walls, soft furnishings (or both, if you go for a toning shade). Or why not go the DIY route with an Ikat stencil?

Check out www.etsy.com for a good selection.

bedheads to dishes, rugs to wall stickers, this timely trend is one to get your hands on (Hands, geddit? ).

BrIGHT DAMASK WALLPAPERS Timeless classic patterns get a fresh new look in technicolour brights like hot pink, lime green and purple. And the great thing is this trend works well with traditional or contemporary schemes.

Shaped mirrors Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a mirror. This new twist on wall art is definitely one we can see ourselves liking!

Mirror from a selection at www.sendmeamirror.com

CLOCKS What’s the time? Time to invest in some mad new clock-themed accessories, of course! From

Bi-fold Doors From £990

Conservatories From £1250 Sliding Sash Windows From £198

Composite Doors From £400

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All Products are Energy Rated

your home

WHAT’S NOT

Christmas decoration despair. That feeling you get when you take that box of baubles down from the attic and realise that most of them haven’t survived their hibernation. That will teach us to sling them in the box because we’re so sick of them come January...

PATTERNED CARPETS Ok, stripes we can just about cope with (they don’t show the dirt, for one thing), but florals – nooo!

Sorry, but we’re just not feeling that ‘saloon bar chic’ look...

DOORSTEP SELLERS Yes, we might well want to change our energy suppliers. But we’re not going to sign up with any old Tom, Dick or Harry with a clipboard, thanks very much.

SHOWER CURTAINS Whoever thought shower curtains were a good idea? They go mouldy when wet, don’t stop puddles on your bathroom floor and there’s frankly nothing worse on a chilly morning than finding yourself getting a slap from a clammy sheet of nylon. Ditch the curtain and go for a smart screen instead, people.

It could be black mould and may be damaging the health of you and your family For a FREE survey and a guaranteed lifetime cure call Envirovent today on 01423 876345

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UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH...

Dean Baker, of York Garage Door Centre Tell us a bit about your business – what do you do, how long has the business been going?

We are a family-owned business that has been retailing and repairing garage doors for more than 25 years in and around the Yorkshire region.

Make waste, stay green

How did you get started?

The business was started by my father in Rotherham.

If you’re in need of a skip, you want a name you can trust. Boswell Skip Hire is a family run business that covers all your needs, and is even environmentally friendly. They recycle up to 90% of your waste so you don’t have to feel guilty about whatever you’re chucking out! It is important to choose a skip that is the right size for your volume of waste as overloading them is illegal, so Boswell’s offers skip sizes from small to jumbo.

As part of their service, they offer same day delivery and cater for domestic and commercial waste. What more could you want from a skip service?

What did you want to be when you were at school?

A professional footballer.

n For a limited time only, Boswell Skip Hire is kindly offering £10 off their service to all our readers. Just mention ‘Your Local Link’ when booking. Tel 01904 488632

What’s the strangest job you’ve ever been asked to do?

We were once asked to install an insulated roller door to a rabbit hutch.

What has been your biggest business achievement so far?

Expanding to two new showrooms in 24 months.

What do you like best about what you do? Every day is different.

What do you do in your spare time? Any special interests or hobbies?

I like to spend as much time as possible with my four children and wife.

What has been your happiest memory?

When my children were born.

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What’s your favourite place in York, and why?

I enjoy walking around the city centre and doing plenty of shopping.

Describe yourself in three words. Energetic, reliable, friendly.

What would your last meal on earth be? A curry.

If you won the lottery, what would you spend the money on?

Another garage door showroom.

Who is your hero? My wife.

What’s your favourite saying?

Do it right the first time.

Where do you gain most of your business? Your Local Link. n York Garage Door Centre, York Business Park, Opus Avenue, Nether Poppleton, York. Tel: 788822.

The heat is on...

You might say Adrian Hurrell was born to be a plumber. His dad started the family plumbing and heating business back in 1970, and Adrian began learning his trade at the age of 14 before taking over the business ten years ago.

Hurrell Plumbing & Heating offers installation, repairs and servicing for central heating systems and boilers. And there’s never been a better time to get a new boiler, says Adrian. “The last thing you need is your central heating system packing up over Christmas, especially if it’s as cold as last year.

Also, the new style boilers are far more energy efficient, saving you money and helping the environment.”

Plus, if you get a new boiler fitted before Christmas, Adrian is offering your first service free! You can see the full range of Worcester Bosch boilers on display at his new shop at 19a Front Street, Acomb.

your home

The ultimate space solution

Whether your business is expanding, your home is changing (or you’re a self confessed hoarder), portable units can offer a saving grace for all sorts of scenarios.

PK Accommodation Ltd is based in Tholthorpe York and is one of the UK’s largest providers of refurbished portable units. The units are the most costeffective way to gain more space for your needs and are available for purchase or hire. PK Accommodation provides an impressive range of portable units including multi-storey and single storey buildings. The range that PK Accommodation offers includes office units, welfare units, sleeper units, shower units, toilets, secure steel stores and more. n The guys at PK Accommodation are currently selling second hand units which can be specifically designed to fit your requirements at competitive prices that won’t break the bank. For more information call 01347 838825 or email sales@pk-cabins.co.uk.

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10 ways to

save money

Imagine, instead of paying for your electricity bills, your energy provider paid you. Sound too good to be true? That’s the basic idea behind the Feed-in Tariff.

Under this scheme energy suppliers make regular payments to householders who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources.

Not only will this reduce your bills, you’ll also receive regular repayments. And with a return of anything up to 10%, it’s a pretty good investment.

A third of all the heat lost goes through the walls, so insulating your cavity walls can save you up to £135 a year. It’s an easy job for a professional, and you could also get a grant to have the work done.

3

Solid walls can lose twice as much heat as cavity walls. They can be insulated from the inside or the outside.

4

Insulating under the floorboards on your ground floor will save you around £60 a year. Sealing the gaps between floors and skirting boards can help reduce draughts too.

5

Just something as simple as sticking a strip of draught-proofing around leaky windows and doors can make big a difference to your energy bills.

6

Energy-efficient glazing keeps your home warmer and quieter as well as reducing your bills. Technology is improving all the time, so if your double glazing is more than 20 years old, it might be worth getting it updated.

7

Don’t leave electrical appliances on standby. They’re still using 85% of the energy they would use if fully switched on. Turn them off at the plug.

8

Be careful with appliances. Tumble dryers especially eat up electricity. If you must use the dryer, make sure clothes are as dry as possible after washing.

Towthorpe/Strensall Household Waste Site, Moor Lane, Strensall YO32 9ST

9

Energy saving bulbs can cut your costs, and generally last a lot longer than traditional bulbs, so they work out cheaper to buy. Whatever type of lighting you are using, always turn the lights off when you leave a room.

October Mon-Sun: 8.30am - 5pm November Mon-Sun: 8.30am - 4pm

10 Is your boiler energy efficient? A new one could cut your bills by a third,

n For further details, and to find out how much you can save, call 764845 or visit www.yorksolarenergy.com.

Beckfield Lane YO26 5PW Mon & Fri 5pm – 7pm.

Sat & Sun 10am - 2pm

The site is closed Tues, Wed and Thurs during winter.

Please note that the last entry to the site is 15 minutes before the advertised closing time.

your roof? Loft insulation is cheap, effective and lasts for at least 40 years.

2

York Solar Energy is a local company that aims to help you make the most of the Feed-In Tariff. They will guide you through every step of the process, and even do all the paperwork for you. They will also carry out a full structural survey of your roof before fitting your solar panels. All you need to do is wait for the money to roll in!

Tip times

Feeling nervous at the idea of those winter fuel bills?

Get your home sorted now and you’ll be amazed at how much you save...

1 Did you know you could be losing a quarter of your heat straight through

Hazel Court, James Street Mon-Sat: 8.30am - 5pm Sun: 8.30am - 4pm Please note that the last entry to the site is 15 minutes before the advertised closing time.

so it’s a worthwhile investment.

Approved Installer

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your environment

Free seminars from Solarwall

The renewable energy and insulation experts at Solarwall of York have started to offer a range of free and informative seminars to interested local businesses and groups.

The bespoke seminars will be held at the Clifton based energy centre and will cover subjects from solar PV and the government’s feet-in-tarrif, to the different kinds of insulation available. The seminars are completely free of charge and will be lead by Solarwall’s team of energy experts.

Solarwall of York provides cost effective energy saving solutions to reduce fuel bills, combat climate change and make homes warmer. Since the company was founded over 33 years ago they have saved the local area more than a staggering 1.5 million tonnes of CO², so that’s good news all round! n For further information and a full list of seminar subjects currently available visit www.theenergycentreyork.co.uk

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your garden

Ask Amanda...

Got a gardening problem?

Amanda from skelton garden centre can help

Q. Do climbing plants do well in containers? My garden is paved but I would like grow something to climb my garden wall For successful growing of climbing plants in containers there are a few things to consider. Choose containers that are large enough ( minimum 15 inches diameter ) and with a good depth to sustain a plant for several years. Bear in mind that once an established climber or wall shrub has entwined itself around the support attached to the wall it will be difficult to re pot.

Use a loam based compost such as John Innes no2 as it retains water and is easily re-wetted. This is important as climbers act as wicks and lose water quickly . Keep soil moist.

the nutrients in the compost it will need feeding with a liquid balanced fertiliser every 2 weeks.

Suitable climbers would be Rosa (patio climbing), Lonicera ( honeysuckle), Clematis, Jasminium officinale( jasmine) all non-evergreen. Passiflora caerula (passion flower), Hedera (ivy), Trachelospermum jasminoides, Clematis Armandii all evergreen and finally annual climbers Thunbergia alata (black eye Susie),Lathyrus odoratus (sweetpea) or Rhodochitron (purple bell vine). Another way of growing climbers is to use a plant support such as a decorative obelisk placed in a pot. These are free standing so you can move them round your patio and are easier to maintain in the future.

Once the plant has exhausted

Q. Is it too late to move my raspberry canes?

No it is not too late. The best time is when they are dormant between November and March and as

long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. If your canes are overcrowded you can divide the clumps at this time too.

If you have a question for Amanda, write to her c/o Oak Tree Farm, The Moor, Haxby YO32 2LH

ESTABLISHED 1977 IN HAXBY. A Local Family Business Built on Customer Recommendations:

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garden - any ideas where I should start?

To establish a wildlife garden provide as many habitats as you can. A lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers and water are all key habitats. To encourage bees and butterflies plant clumps of bee-friendly plants in a sunny spot. Here are some suggestions. Perennials- Campanula (bellflower), Nepeta (catmint), Heleniums, Sedum spectabile (Ice plant), Mentha spicata (garden mint), Verbena bonariensis. Trees and shrubs include Potentilla, Buddleia (butterfly bush) Malus (apple),Crataegus (hawthorn)and Lavandula (lavender).

Wildlife need somewhere to breed and shelter. Grow climbers on walls to provide shelter and nesting sites for birds or install nesting boxes.

Make a hedgehog shelter from garden pruning’s and cover with leaves. Build a log pile to provide a habitat for overwintering insects, toads, newts and frogs.

To encourage a variety of birds into the garden provide a selection of food which will require specific feeders. Goldfinches love niger seed and requires a feeder with a tiny hole, use a mesh feeder for peanuts and a seed feeder for seeds. Ground feeding birds such as robins and blackbirds will feed

your garden

Q. I want to create a wildlife

from a mesh feeder placed on the ground. With winter approaching birds need food with a high fat content such as fat balls and suet blocks. Don’t forget the water.

Finally, you may want to encourage amphibian wildlife and to do this build a pond. Ensure one side of the pond gradually slopes up to dry land and grow plants on the margins to give small amphibians shelter and place some half submerged stones for frogs and toads to rest on.

Q. I put my houseplants outside for the summer, but when I went to bring them in I discovered one of them was covered in white fluffy bugs.

What are they and what should I do about them?

Your houseplant has mealy bug.

This is an insect that sucks sap from soft foliage plants producing a fluffy white wax and a sticky sugary substance called honeydew.

Houseplants are particularly susceptible.

To treat use a systemic insecticide (thiacloprid) Provado Ultimate Bug Killer. Breeding can continue all year so check your plants regularly and re spray if necessary.

TO SHERIFF HUTTON NELSONS PARKS

CEMETERY NEW LANE SHIP INN THE VILLAGE - STRENSALL

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your garden

GROW YOUR OWN with Debbie Pendle from Brunswick Organic Nursery Growing your own fruit and veg is rewarding, good for the planet – and your pocket. Here’s how…

Now that the record breaking temperatures of last month are but a distant memory and the winter months are fast approaching it is the ideal time to plant some garlic. Fresh home-grown garlic is far superior to shop bought and is not difficult to grow. It performs best if subjected to a period of cold for a couple of months to form good sized edible bulbs.

Garlic bulbs should be sourced from a reputable supplier (Brunswick offer an organic variety called Thermidrome) which will be guaranteed to be disease free and a variety suited to our northern climate. Although it might be tempting to purchase bulbs from the supermarket the chances are it will have been imported and the results will be disappointing.

Garlic prefers free draining soil so prepare the planting area well by digging over and incorporating some well rotted manure or garden compost. When you are ready to plant, carefully break up the bulbs avoiding damage to the cloves and cleaning off any loose papery skin. Plant your cloves (with the pointed end uppermost) about 2.5cm (1in) deep on heavy soils, slightly deeper 5cm (4in) deep on lighter sandy soils and about 15cm (6 in) apart.

Green shoots should start to show through the soil in January. In spring the plants would benefit from an

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application of seaweed fertiliser to encourage foliage growth which will feed the bulb. Keep the bed weed free to reduce competition for light and nutrients.

Water well during dry periods but ease off watering when the foliage dies back. This will encourage dormancy and help the drying process.

Harvest between May and July once the foliage has died back, carefully lifting the bulbs out of the soil with a fork. If the weather is good leave them on the surface of the soil for up to a week to dry out, but if we experience the wet summers of late bring them inside to dry. Store bulbs in a cool dark frost free place - check regularly for signs of rot.

As the nights are drawing in fast it limits the amount of time we can spend on the plot and there is still plenty to be done. Cut back the tall foliage of Jerusalem Artichokes to avoid wind damage. Get well prepared for the next gardening season by improving the soil and digging in some well rotted manure – time spent on this now will pay dividends in spring! Alternatively, it is not too late to sow over wintering green manures such as the hardy field bean or winter rye. Summer sown varieties can be dug in and will rot down ready for spring improving the soil structure and increasing the organic matter content of the soil that is essential for organic growing.

JOBS FOR NOVEMBER 3 Sow over wintering broad beans 3 Plant over wintering onion sets and garlic 3 Check stored apples and remove

any showing signs of rot 3 Dig in any summer sown green manures 3 Compost fallen leaves to make leaf mould

Local Suppliers: Brunswick of York CIC, Appleton Road, Bishopthorpe, York. YO23 2RF

n Brunswick Organic Nursery is a growing charity that provides opportunities for adults with learning difficulties in horticulture. www. brunswickyork.org.uk

your garden

Going

‘Au Naturel’ this Christmas?

‘Real or artificial’, it’s almost as controversial as ‘iPhone or BlackBerry’.

Choosing the right tree is a process that deserves due time and respect – it is your festive centre piece after all (maybe apart from the dancing Santa on your doorstep!). If you do decide to go au naturel this Christmas, here are a few things to consider when selecting your Christmas tree...

Before you leave the house, take a look at the space you are going to put it. If you want a large tree, measure the height of the ceiling to make sure your tree will be the right fit. Don’t buy a tree that has been packed into netting. There is no way of knowing what shape it will be when you un-pack it at home. You might end up with a wilted wreck rather than a nice plump pear!

Try to avoid buying a spruce tree, as they will lose almost all of their needles. Fir and pine trees are your best bet, as they will only shed a small amount of needles when they dry out, but it’s still important to keep them well watered for minimum needle drops. Check out our adverts for where to buy the best trees in York.

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your garden

gardening of York Council. “We couldn’t have got here without the support and backing of those who live and work in York getting together to showcase and improve our city and their own local neighbourhoods.”

Going for gold Meanwhile, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel was also celebrating as it clinched ‘Gold Award – Best In Category’ at the North of England Horticultural Society Show. David Barker, the long-standing Head Gardener at the hotel, accepted the award from TV presenter Martin Fish at a ceremony held in Harrogate.

Gift complex From city parks to village greens, the green fingered residents of York did the city proud recently, helping it to win the prestigious Silver Gilt Award in the Britain in Bloom competition. Following a series of successful entries in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition, York was selected to be the regional representative in the city category of the national finals. “It is amazing that in five years we have gone from a new entrant to the competition to the Britain in Bloom finals,” says Councillor Sonja Crisp of City

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“This is the second year running that we received this prestigious award, which crowns David’s commitment and passion,” says Lionel Chatard, Director and General Manager. “We are very grateful for the dedication and hard work of his Assistant Andrew Leighton and the many local volunteers that have joined the team since we became part of the National Trust by donation.”

crocus care They look gorgeous in your garden, but the autumn crocus could also provide a cure for cancer. Trials are about to start on a new drug derived from the plant’s compound colchicines. The compound, already used to fight gout, has proved effective in preventing several types of tumour spreading. “What we’ve designed is, effectively, a ‘smart bomb’ that can be targeted directly at any solid tumour to kill

it without appearing to harm healthy tissue,” says Professor Laurence Paterson, head of the research team at the University of Bradford. According to Professor Patterson, initial trails have shown a cure rate of over 70% after just a single dose.

keep it green, keep ‘em keen Want to make your employees work harder and stay happier? Forget the big bonuses, and stick a houseplant on their desk instead. According to the Horticultural Trades Association, having plants in

The only way is up Vertical gardening is the new buzzword for keen gardeners. Covering walls with a ‘living wallpaper’ of flowers, fruit, veg or foliage plants not only looks pretty, it also helps maximise space in smaller gardens. You can buy specialised modules that fix on to walls (check out vertigarden.co.uk or polanter.co.uk) or go for a cheaper DIY option – a ladder leant against a wall provides instant shelving for flowerpots.

Make sure you attach it carefully, though!

The big chill We’ve heard of antifreeze for cars, but for plants? Strange as it sounds, that’s what’s about to go on sale in your local garden centre. Unlike the stuff that goes into your motor, Cropaid

uses naturally occurring minerals and bacteria to increase plants’ resistance to frost, cold and heat. Whatever next?

Knitting woollies for wallflowers?

your garden

the office can reduce employee sick leave by up to 23 per cent. Introducing greenery improves office air quality by removing carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds . Green surroundings can also result in higher levels or job satisfaction and lower levels of stress. Not sure if it would work in this office, though – not after what we did to our Venus Flytrap with a sausage roll.

ASKHAM BRYAN GARDENING CLUB Have you heard of the green fingered folk at Askham Bryan College Gardening club? Since 1998, they have collected over 200 members from all over North and West Yorkshire who share a passion for all things horticultural. The club comes together every week to hold social activities, talks, demonstrations and trips to places of interest for gardening enthusiasts.

This month they are hosting an illustrated talk entitled ‘Colour in the Winter Woodland Garden’

by Ben Potterton.

Ben is somewhat of a gardening guru, being owner of Blacksmiths Cottage Nursery and Gardens in Norfolk, as well as being The Operations Manager of Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire.

The talk starts at 7.30pm in The Conference Hall at Askham Bryan College. Members get free admission and visitors pay £5 on the door. n Call Peter Powell on 795059.

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your garden

Make sure everything in the garden’s lovely with the team at

Dean’s Garden centre

This month...

Mahonia Mahonia’s are evergreen shrubs native to Eastern Asia, the Himalaya, North and Central America and contain around 70 species.

Popular, easy to grow garden shrubs, typically grown for their dark green foliage, yellow flowers and blue-black berries, they are the ideal shrub to add some winter colour to the garden and are also hardy so they don’t particularly require any winter protection, but a mulch around the base of the plant will help stop frost getting to the roots.

Though there are various varieties of Mahonia to choose from, there are 3 common varieties which are popular.

Mahonia japonica

This variety has dark green foliage which turns to a reddish-purple in winter and produces spikes of lemon-yellow flowers with a scent similar to Lily of the Valley, from November – March, followed by blue-black berries. One of the taller varieties this variety can grow to around 6ft in height and 10ft in spread.

Mahonia x media Charity Like the japonica variety it has dark green foliage with yellow flowers from November – March, followed by blue-black berries and again is a taller variety which can grow to around 9ft tall. It is ideal for using as screening or a intruder deterrent

due to the spiky foliage and thick, dense habit.

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape) This is a smaller variety of Mahonia which grows to around 3ft high and is one of the most hardiest varieties. Again it has dark green leaves and produces yellow flower spikes followed by blue-black berries.

Mahonia’s are best planted in an area with full sun as long as it is not too dry, or semi-shade and can tolerate most types of soil as long as it is well drained. They can be left un-pruned, but if there are any damaged or diseased branches it is best to prune annually. They can also be trimmed lightly after they have flowered.

n Dean’s Garden Centre, Stockton Lane, Stockton on the Forest, York • Tel: 01904 400141

Call PVC-UK Today on

Freephone 0800 0371947 01262605690 / 07831 584119

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york uk’s best onafork York crowned

food & wine destination It goes without saying that we locals know about all the great grub on offer in York, but our eateries have gone and gained international recognition!

Trip Advisor has placed York as the 5th best food and wine destination in the world, beating the likes of London and Edinburgh. In fact, London didn’t even place!

Florence, Italy came in first place, closely followed by the cuisine capital of Paris.

Emma Shaw, Trip Advisor spokesperson, said: "These awards recognise Europe's best food and wine destinations according to millions of Trip Advisor travelers. With tough competition from destinations renowned for their culinary expertise, the UK should be proud to claim two top 10 spots, with York now well and truly establishing its place on Europe's gastro tourism map."

With the award coming just in time for National Eating Out Week, there’s never been a better excuse to dine out in our delicious city! So whether you fancy a visit to your favorite haunt or trying somewhere new, get involved in National Eating Out Week from 20th – 26th November.

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Verdict VVVV

“For our main course, I ordered Monk Fish wrapped in Parma Ham with Puy Lentils in a red wine sauce and my wife ordered Beef in a Guinness and Mushroon Jus with mashed potato and kale. Our main courses arrived promptly and were steaming hot. My monk fish was delicious! I initially thought the parma ham might overpower the monk fish but it proved to be a very tasty combination. I'm not a big fan of lentils but these were very well cooked and worked nicely with the rest of the dish. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the enormous chunk of beef that was served with a wonderfully rich Guinness gravy. The meat was 'melt in your mouth' tender and there was plenty of mashed potato to soak up the generous portion of 'jus'. Both main courses were excellent.

The Red Lion in Knapton is one of the city’s real hidden gems. We sent Kevin from the Flat Roof Company to sample the fare and friendly service...

“We had often lamented the fact that we didn't have a pub that served really good food near to us in West York. However, it turns out we have a lovely pub almost on our doorstep!

“The Red Lion at Knapton serves excellent, tasty food but it hadn't appeared on our radar, which was a surprise bearing in mind the stellar credentials of its owner and head chef, Annie Prescott. It appears Annie has worked closely with the likes of Michel Roux Jnr at Le Gavroche in London and other notable establishments. More recently she was head chef at Meltons in York.

“Our table was booked for 8pm on a Friday evening. The restaurant seemed to be full which gave the place a very buzzy and warm atmosphere and we were politely welcomed by one of the many waiting staff and shown to our table. Most people were eating but there was an area for people who just wanted a drink.

“The wine menu had a good mix of the usual popular varieties, all very reasonably priced around £15. We chose a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 'Ochagavia' which arrived perfectly chilled and was delicious.

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“The main menu had a good mix of typical pub dishes, such as fish and chips, steak and burgers but we were drawn to the specials menu which contained a range of hearty dishes, including Moules Marinieres and chicken liver pate as starters.

We decided to pace ourselves and ordered a starter of mixed Italian meats with bread and olives to share. The portion was very generous with four types of meat and a large dish of fresh mixed olives, certainly enough for us both.

“For dessert, we shared an apple strudel with ice cream and a cheese board, both were very pleasant. The prices are on the top side of reasonable, with starters around £5, main courses £11 - £15 and desserts around £4. However, the food was excellent and well worth the cost.

Attentive staff and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere make this a very good restaurant and certainly one we look forward to returning to and we have already investigated the Christmas menu on their website!”

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

Christmas pudding

cheesecake This month’s recipe is from Costin Ene, Head Chef at The Marriott Hotel on Tadcaster Road, just in time to get you in the festive spirit……

Ingredients 3 12oz cream cheese

3 11/4 pints double cream whipped to ribbons

3 12oz mascarpone

3 8oz Christmas pudding

3 8oz caster sugar

3 2 packets digestive biscuits

3 8 leaves of gelatine

3 Butter to bind biscuit

3 Juice of 2 lemons

3 Shot of rum

Method Crush up the biscuits and mix with butter, then press into a cake tin and chill.

Cut the Christmas pudding into very small chunks and add 2oz of caster sugar and toss together. Lay out flat on a baking tray and put into an oven at 140 and dry the Christmas pud till it is a little crispy on the out side.

Add the rum and sugar together and then beat in the cheeses, Warm the lemon juice and dissolve the gelatine Pour the lemon juice mix into the cheese and fold, then fold in the cream put in moulds chill and serve

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

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Champagne

at

Cedar Market days 3rd – 6th November Big Green Market, Parliament Street

champagne selected only from the very best vineyards. This sparkling evening includes aperitifs, a delicious four course dinner and wines costing £75 per person. Beats a night out on Micklegate any day if you ask us! n To book call 380038.

Cake That!

Don’t you always wish you knew how to make those gorgeous glittery cupcakes that are all the rage these days? We do, that’s why we’re getting so excited about these decorating workshops by Cake That & Party.

9th November Haxby Market, Haxby WMC car park 11th November Farmers Market, Parliament Street (TBC – call 551355) 24th – 27th November St Nicholas Fayre, Parliament Street n For more details about the city centre events, go to www.york.gov.uk/markets

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Fancy a bit of indulgence this month? What better place to do it than in York’s only 5 star hotel. The Cedar Court Grand Hotel is hosting an evening of homage to Henriot Champagne, one of the last independent and family-owned houses in Champagne. Join Joelle Marti, Baron of the Henriot Champagne house, to enjoy

Discover your icing expertise at their fun and informative four hour workshops where you will learn all the techniques to create beautiful mouth watering cupcakes. Their workshops are hands-on and provide all the tools and equipment you need. At the end of the workshop you will have 12 delicious cupcakes

to take home and share with your friends (or eat all by yourself!). n For details and dates contact Julie on 07584120522 or email info@cupcake-workshop.co.uk.

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

A taste of Spain in Stillington We love the themed nights at the Bay Tree, and this month is no exception. The Bay Tree is hosting a tapas wine tasting night, so you can warm up those winter blues with some firey tapas! Their Majorcan head chef Pablo will be in house preparing a host of authentic and delicious tapas treats for you, whilst you taste an array of Spanish wines. The Bay Tree is celebrating their new wine supplier Yorkshire Vintners, who will guide you through the tasting session.

The lovingly refurbished country pub is nestled just 20 minutes from York in the village of Stillington, and has become a popular haunt with all the local foodies. The evening takes place on 30th November and costs ÂŁ15.95 per head. The event is set to be a fabulous fiesta, right in the heart of Yorkshire! Book early to avoid disappointment, call 01347 811394.

When it comes to Christmas cakes, homemade beats shop bought any time. But what if you don't have the time or the talent to make your own?

Never fear, Treacles is here! Helen offers to take the ache out of home baking, with a selection of seasonal goodies. Her traditional rich fruit Christmas cake is available for order now, with delivery or collection throughout December. Cakes are

square or round, iced or uniced, in various sizes. She also offers crumbly homemade mince pies and delicious Christmas pudding, based on a secret family recipe! Whether you pass them off as your own is entirely up to you (we promise we won’t tell!). n For more details, call Helen on 07711 990517 or visit www.treaclescakes.co.uk.

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

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yorkonafork Cafe and Catering

Sutton-on-the-Forest

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Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

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Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

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National Railway Museum

Choose from two fantastic Christmas packages The perfect platform for a party in unique surroundings Book now to avoid disappointment...

01904 686 223

christmasparties@nrm.org.uk nrm.org.uk/christmasparty

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Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

n WALKS & TOURS n LOCAL & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Every night n GHOST TRAIL OF YORK, West Doors of York Minster. 7.30pm. Dare you cross the centuries and discover York’s spine-chilling history?

From tragic plague victims to murdered orphans and the plumber who spotted an entire Roman legion marching through a basement, you’ll find out how York earned its reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the world. No need to book, just turn up. Call 633276 for more information.

special guest? Every child onboard will receive a personalised gift from Father Christmas. With refreshments and fun onboard, what better way to get in to the Christmas spirit this December? Call YorkBoat on 01904 628324 to make a booking or check availability.

UNTIL 11 NOVEMBER n ANGELS, York Minster. Deo Gloria return

DAILY THROUGHOUT NOV

for the third year to present their sculptural fabric exhibition, based on references from the Bible.

Free after admission to the Minster

n YORKWALK, Museum Gardens Gates.

22 – 30 OCTOBER

Explore the city on foot, and discover places you didn’t know existed. On 5th November, you can follow in the footsteps of one of the city’s most famous sons on the Guy Fawkes Trail, starting at 10.30am and 2pm. Or for a more festive feel, take the St Nicholas Tour on 19th November at 2pm or 26th November at 10.30am. Visit www.yorkwalk. co.uk for more information.

n GHOULISH GATEKEEPER, Micklegate

n

YORK HORROR TOUR , meet 6.45pm.

Witness the darkness behind the street corners that seem so safe by the light of day on this blood curdling 85 minute tour that takes in some of the city’s most gruesome sites. Call 01904 622622 for meeting information.

n YORKBOAT SANTA CRUISES. For an extra magical Christmas this year, why not join a YorkBoat Santa Cruise and meet a very

Bar Museum. 10am – 4pm. Visit the medieval ghoul to make a selection of gruesome Halloween decorations and props. Suitable for ages 7 – 12.

24 – 28 OCTOBER n MAKE YOUR OWN MINI CORSAGE, Barley Hall. 10.30am – 4pm. Add a touch of elegance to your outfit by using craft materials to make one of these fun accessories.

24 OCTOBER n CREATING GEORGIAN CONFECTIONERY, Mansion House. 2 – 4pm.

Discover the artistry and craft of the confectioner during the Georgian period. The workshop will explore the art and culture of sugar work as its

events

EVENTS KEY:

n DAYS OUT & ATTRACTIONS n CONCERTS n ANTIQUES FAIRS & AUCTIONS popularity and usage grew. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

25 OCTOBER n MAKE-UP MASTERCLASS, Barley Hall.

10.30am (adults and children aged 12 and over); 1/3pm (children ages 7 - 12). Heritage specialist Victoria Shearman reveals the truth behind the perfume and cosmetic secrets used by fashionable types in times gone by. With a chance to get hands-on to create your own historical beauty products. Includes admission to the From Hamlet to Hollywood exhibition at Barley Hall. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

n HUNGATE RETROSPECTIVE, DIG, St Saviourgate. 7.30pm. An after-hours chance to view the new Hungate Retrospective exhibition at DIG, and to hear from Pete Connelly, director of the dig, as he looks back over the last five years of excavation and discovery. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

26 – 28 OCTOBER n MERCHANT ADVENTURERS HALL

BY CANDLELIGHT. 6.45, 7.15, 7.45, 8.15 and 8.45pm. As part of the Illuminating York Festival, the stunning timber-framed Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is to be open for exclusive candlelit guided tours.

Due to restrictions on group numbers, pre-booking is advised: 01904 654818.

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

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events

26 – 29 OCTOBER n ILLUMINATING YORK – A GHOSTLY GLOW AT TREASURER’S HOUSE. 6.30 – 9pm. A great night out for the whole family.

Fuel up in the tearoom and get a FREE dessert with every main course. Venture into the house and experience a fusion of light, sound and ghostly tales illuminating the past. See how a ghostly glow reveals some unexpected stories, in this intriguing house renowned across the city for its infamous ghosts. Ghost cellar tours also available.

26 OCTOBER n HAUNTED HALL, Barley Hall. 6 – 8pm.

Suitable for children, Haunted Hall tour starts every thirty minutes. Admission includes a hot chocolate.

A spine-chilling night awaits you as you explore Barley Hall by candlelight in the company of a cast of creepy characters. With surprises in store and frights galore, this is an evening of fun for kids both big and small. Call 01904 615505 to book.

27 OCTOBER n JOANNE HARRIS INTRODUCES

the remains at close quarters. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

ciders and beers with a brief explanation of each one and a Bangers & Mash supper. Call 653698.

28 OCTOBER

n COMEDY NIGHT SPECIAL, Burn Hall Hotel, Tollerton Road, Huby. 8pm, show starts 8.30pm. An amazing night of laughs and hilarity when some of the country’s leading stand-up comics visit Burn Hall. Featuring Sol Bernstein, Ray Kane, Matt Seber and Gareth Unwin. Call 01347 825400.

RUNELIGHT, Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. 2pm.

n HALLOWEEN, BATS FAMILY EVENT,

Join Joanne Harris for a sneak preview of her latest book, Runelight. Hear readings from the new book, get the chance to ask Joanne your questions and have your books signed by the author herself! Prebooking essential: 01904 615505.

Nostell Priory & Parkland, Doncaster Road, Nostell Nr Wakefield WF14QE. 4 – 6.30pm. A family event to start off the Halloween celebrations.

Booking essential – call 01924 863892.

n GLADIATORS: ASK THE

CANDLELIGHT, Bedern Hall, St Andrewgate.

ARCHAEOLOGIST, 10 Coppergate. 7.30pm.

7pm. The historic venue of Bedern Hall offers an alternative medieval version of illuminating York at its bangers and Beer by Candlelight event. The event includes a welcome drink, a tasting of five

Hear from YAT archaeologist Kurt Hunter-Mann on the excavations that uncovered a series of amazing burials at Driffield Terrace, with a chance to view

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n ILLUMINATING YORK BY

29 OCTOBER n LOCOS IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT, National Railway Museum. 6.30 – 9pm. See the collection brought to life with amazing colour and lighting. A unique chance to see locomotives as you’ve never seen them before.

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

29 – 31 OCTOBER n FOLLOW AMELIA’S FOOTSTEPS – HALLOWEEN HIGHLIGHT, Nostell Priory and Parkland, Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield WF4 1QE. Various performances. A moonlight journey of discovery and intrigue in the atmospheric grounds. Retrace the mystery surrounding this 16 year old guest of Nostell from long ago. Join Yew Tree Youth Theatre as they bring this story to life and recreate the run up to her sixteenth birthday, days that would turn out to be the last of her life. Suitable for ages 14+. Booking Essential 01924 863892

29 – 30 OCTOBER n ANTIQUES AND COLLECTORS FAIR, Ripley Village Hall. 9am – 4.30pm. Quality fair with items including decorative antiques, pottery, porcelain, glass, painting, prints, metal ware, jewellery, silver, books, tools, linen etc. Call 01423 889163

30 OCTOBER n HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Ripon HG4 3DY. 2pm.Spooky stories for 4-9 year olds. Dress up to frighten – a prize for the best costumes. Booking essential - call 01765 643166.

n

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND, Beningbrough

Hall & Gardens, Beningbrough YO30 1DD 11am – 5.30pm. Come dressed as scarily as you can!

n ANTIQUES AND COLLECTORS FAIR, York Racecourse. 10am – 4pm. Undercover in the Grandstand with free parking and refreshments.

Call 07817 724904 for more details.

n YORK CELEBRATES JOHN BARRY, York Barbican Centre, 7pm. Local acts will be paying tribute to York’s most famous musician – John Barry, who died earlier this year. They include York Guildhall Orchestra, York Railway Institute Band, Prima Vocal Ensemble & Mellegro Singers, The Steve Cassidy Band and singer Jo Pears. It is also hoped ‘special guests’ will be on stage and in the audience. John Barry Prendergast lived his early years in the Fulford area and made his debut with the John Barry Seven in 1957 at the Rialto Cinema on the site of the present day Mecca Bingo Hall. He later became world famous for his Oscar-winning film music.

Proceeds will go to the Lord Mayor of York’s charities. Box office: 0844 854 2757

2 November n Open Event, York College, Sim Balk Lane.

6-8pm. If you are thinking about syudying for A levels or Vocational courses this open event will answer any questions you may have. With a 99.3% pass rate in 2011 and over 40 A level courses and 80 Vocational courses to chose from there’s a lot to see. No need to book. Tel: 770200.

2 & 9 NOVEMBER n QUAKER QUEST, Friends’ Meeting House, Friargate, York, 7pm (meal served at 6.15pm).

Quakers In The Modern World. Tel: 624216.

3 – 6 NOVEMBER

n THE WEDDING AFFAIR AT SWINTON PARK, Masham, Ripon HG4 4JH. 12 noon to 4pm. Over 40 Exhibitors, roaming catwalk shows, entertainment, bridal competitions and gift bags sponsored by Molton Brown.

Free admission. Further details from www.theweddingaffair. co.uk

n HALLOWEEN WEEKEND, Beningbrough Hall & Gardens. 12 noon. Tricks and treats, blood curdling soup and art workshops. Come dressed as scarily as you can!

Pizza Choice | Delivery Service | Fantastic offers available | Tel: 622022 or 631818

n BIG GREEN MARKET, Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. 9am – 5.30pm. Do your Christmas Shopping with a clear conscience at this exciting market, which features a great selection of ethical goodies, from recycled and fairtrade jewellery to organic cosmetics and clothing, locally produced crafts, foods and ethically traded products from all over the world. The event has plenty to offer food lovers as well, from artisan cheese and fairtrade cakes to hot food such as paella made in front of you using locally sourced ingredients, organic churros and locally reared venison burgers. For more details, visit www. biggreenmarket.co.uk/

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events

3 NOVEMBER

5 NOVEMBER

n AESTHETICA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT, City Screen. 7:30pm until

n FIREWORK DISPLAY, Acorn Club, Thanet Road. 6.30pm (Fireworks 8pm). Childrens Fair, entertainment, amusements, hot dogs, buggers, toffee apples, plus a leading professional fireworks display team.

late. A night of exceptional short film, experience a taste of what the festival has to offer and see the best in international filmmaking. Guests to the Opening Night will receive a complimentary drink with their ticket and an Aesthetica Goody Bag. The screening is followed by an after-party with a DJ. Limited availability, booking recommended. See www.asff.co.uk for more information.

n BONFIRE & FIREWORKS, The Bay Horse, Fulford. 7pm. Refreshments available and free entry.

Call 01904 633384.

n Long Marston Bonfire and Fireworks Display, village Hall Playing

n AN EVENING OF PYSHIC ENTERTAINMENT WITH SUE WARREN,

Firelds, B1224, York to Wetherby Rd. ^.30pm.

Bonfire lit at 6.30, fireworks from 7pm. Food available from 5.30pm, Licenced bar.

New Earswick & District Bowls Club, Huntington Road, YO32 9PX. Doors open 7pm, show starts 7.3pm. Call 01904 750230.

n DUNNINGTON BONFIRE & FIREWORKS, opposite Dunnington Sports

4 – 6 NOVEMBER n AESTHETIC SHORT FILM FESTIVAL.

screenwriter Mark Herman. www.asff.co.uk

Taking place across the city of York , ASFF will screen 150 independent short films across 15 iconic locations, combining the historical with the contemporary. The Weekend Pass includes access to all venues for complete freedom of choice as regards your festival experience. Mix and match your favourite venues, genres and the most convenient screening times for you. For a full list of venues, see www.asff.co.uk.

n COMEDY NIGHT, York Racecourse. Eat drink and be merry with Mark Maier, Taylor Glenn, Paul Kerensa and Chris Norton Walker. Tickets include a light supper. Call 01904 638971 to book.

4 NOVEMBER n INSIDERS’ VIEW: TALKS FROM THE INDUSTRY, York St John University. A series of talks with leading industry figures, including Associate Producer of Slumdog Millionaire, Ivana Mackinnon and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

4 November – 6 November n Film Screenings. Taking place across the city of York, the Aethsetica film Festival will screen 150 independent short films across 15 iconic locations, combining the historical with the contemporary. The Weekend Pass includes access to all venues for complete freedom of choice as regards your festival experience. Mix and match your favourite venues, genres and the most convenient screening times for you. www.asff.co.uk

Club. 5 – 9.30pm. With the band “The Mothers” performing live at this year’s fireworks spectacular make sure to get your tickets early for this eagerly anticipated annual sparkling event. With music and food, a fair and beer tent plus toys and sweets for the kids enjoy bonfire night safely and in style.

Tickets from 07890 230778

n An Exhibition of Illustration & Artist’s Books titled The Minds Eye will be taking over a well-known bookshop in the centre of York as it is transformed into an exciting art gallery space. This takeover will see Janette Ray Rare Books become a showcase for young illustrators from York and beyond. Artist’s Books, select design pieces and gifts will compliment the art work available for sale. Workshops, events and latenight openings are also planned over the two week period. 8 Bootham, York. Tel: 623088

94 EVENTS KEY: n WALKS & TOURS n LOCAL & COMMUNITY EVENTS n DAYS OUT & ATTRACTIONS n CONCERTS n ANTIQUES FAIRS & AUCTIONS

events

n SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY: MEET THE FILMMAKERS, Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. 8 – 11.30pm. Experience evening screenings followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers and networking opportunities, followed by a night with a bar and music. Limited availability – see www.asff. co.uk for information.

n PORTRAIT SKETCH IN OILS, SPACE 109, Walmgate. 10am – 4pm. Learn how to create an Alla Prima portrait sketch in a day, with oils.

Using oil on canvas, paint a portrait from a model in one sitting with local portrait artist Thomas Rimmington. Materials provided including paint canvas and brushes. Please bring a pallete and dipper pot. Some basic drawing and painting skills required. http://www.thomasrimmington.co.uk/

6 NOVEMBER – 18 DECEMBER n ARTRAGEOUS! ART WORKSHOPS, Beningbrough Hall & Gardens. 1 – 3pm.

6 NOVEMBER n YORK FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE, York Barbican. 7pm. Moving Royal British Legion event remembering those who gave their lives fighting for their country. In aid of the Poppy Appeal. Tickets from 0844 854 2757.

n CLOSING DAY EVENT: AWARDS CEREMONY, Yorkshire Museum. 6 – 10pm. An award ceremony will round off the Aesthetica Short Film Festival. Winners will be announced and a selection of the winning films will be shown.

See www.asff.co.uk for information.

n

TEA AND HABERDASHERY, Barley

Hall & Mansion House. 2pm. Get inspired by the

stunning costumes on display in the From Hamlet to Hollywood exhibition at Barley Hall, then stroll over to the state room at York Mansion House for afternoon tea and a haberdashery workshop with a costume expert. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Prebooking essential: 01904 615505.

7 NOVEMBER n PARKINSONS UK are holding their monthly meeting at 7pm at the Community Centre, Huntington. Guest Speaker. Visitors welcome with family and friends. Tel 01904 758355

7 NOVEMBER – 19 DECEMBER n ART & PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION, Treasurer’s House. 11am – 3pm. Includes illustrations by Ric Liptrot and photography by Sophie Askew, all work inspired by The Treasurer’s House

8 NOVEMBER n GEORGIAN DANCE AT THE MANSION HOUSE. 7pm. Learn the basics behind the fashionable dances enjoyed by Jane Austen and her contemporaries. Suitable for ages 16 and up. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

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9 – 12 NOVEMBER n OKLAHOMA! Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road. 7.30pm. New Earswick Musical Society presents the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic musical. Saddle up and see it! Tickets from 01904 623568

11 NOVEMBER – 16 DECEMBER n RECYCLE YOUR RAGS, Nostell Priory and Parkland, Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield WF4 1QE. Create your own rag rug in time for Christmas at the Friday morning workshops.

Instructions and basic materials provided - just bring along some old clothes to cut up. – 01924 863892

12 NOVEMBER n DISCOVER THE GEORGIAN BANQUET TABLE, Mansion House, 3 – 5pm.

The Georgian banquet table was an artistic feast for the eyes as much as the stomach - Join us as we recreate and indulge in the desserts and confections of the Georgian banquet table with trifles, ice creams and confits. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

n SINGING WORKSHOP DAY, St Saviourgate Methodist Church. All day workshop led by York Musical Society’s conductor Robert Sharpe. Visit www.yorkmusicalsociety.org.uk

n DRINGHOUSES REMEMBERED, St Edward’s Church extension, Dringhouses. 9.30am – 12.30pm. Dringhouses Local History Group presents a multi media display of photographs, documents and maps. Bring along your own photographs and memories!

n WHELDRAKE PLAYGROUP ANNUAL TOY FAIR, Wheldrake Village Hall, Broad Highway , Wheldrake. 2 – 3.30pm. Grab yourself a bargain in time for Christmas. Loads and loads of nearly new and used toys in fantastic condition available at give away prices - a fraction of the high street! Fair includes fantastic Christmas raffle with top prizes and of course the famous fantastic Christmas hamper. Tombola, refreshments and a huge chocolate stand too!

n TOY FAIR, Archibishop of York Junior School, Copmanthorpe Lane. 10am – 2pm.

15 – 17 NOVEMBER n FASHION & GIFT FAIR, The Guildhall.

10am – 4pm. A unique shopping experience showcasing many items not available on the high street. Why not pop in and get some early Christmas shopping done? Free admission.

17 NOVEMBER n CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON, Coppergate Centre. Enjoy late night shopping from 5-8pm and watch the lights get switched on from 5-7pm in collaboration with Minster FM. The Gateway Community Choir will be performing from 7pm and there will be prizes, discounts and free parking at Piccadilly Car Park from 6pm-8pm.

n COMEDY NIGHT, York Racecourse. Back by popular demand, Tork Racecourse is proud to present Peter Kay’s – almost – official tribute act, Lee Lard. Tickets £19.95 including supper. Call 01904 638971 to book.

18 NOVEMBER n ACOUSTIC EVENING, Space 109, Walmgate. 7.30 – 10.30pm. Three highly talented artists sing their own songs in a beautiful candlelit gallery setting. Bring your own drinks – delicious vegetarian food is served in the short break. n COMEDY NIGHT, York Racecourse. Eat drink and be merry with Andi Osho, Tom Crane, Tony Tinman and Steven Hall. Tickets include a light supper. Call 01904 638971 to book.

19TH AND 20TH NOVEMBER n THE GREAT ANTIQUE FAIR,

Wetherby Racecourse , LS22 5EJ . 8am – 5pm (Sat); 9am – 5pm (Sun). Excellent on site catering – free parking. www.jaguarfairs.com

n CERAMIC CRAFT FAIR, Tithe Barn, Church Lane, Nether Poppleton, YO26 6NT. From 10am. Head down to the Pots in Poppleton ceramic craft fair and find a wide range of originally designed and handcrafted ceramics. It’s an opportunity to bag some unique seasonal gifts and sample the delicious homemade baking on offer.

19 – 20, 26 - 27 NOVEMBER and 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 23 DECEMBER n SANTA’S TEAM ADVENTURE, National Railway Museum. Visitors of all ages are invited to help Santa with his seasonal task by riding on board his special steam train with him. The journey begins in the Station Hall which has been transformed into Santa’s depot filled with presents, games and the museum’s toy collection from years gone by.

From here Santa’s helpers will then climb onboard a beautiful festive carriage pulled by a steam train

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to take part in a special interactive story telling adventure. Before the magical steam journey is over, children will meet Santa Claus himself and receive a special present to take home. Call 0844 815 3139 to book your special visit.

19 NOVEMBER n ANDREA CUNDELL CLAY SCULPTURE, Space 109. 10am – 4pm. Andrea will show you how to make a Christmas table centrepiece or three tier cake-stand, which will be hand painted then kiln fired so it can be used in your own home.

n CHRISTMAS FAIR, St Edward’s Church, Tadcaster Road. 10am – 2pm. All funds raised will go towards the running of St Edward’s Playgroup.

n 50th ANNIVERSARY GRAND CEILIDH, Melodie Park, Wigginton Park. Doors open 7pm. Featuring live music from Bandiera Rossa. In aid of Amnesty International York.

n

AINSTY AUTUMN FAYRE, The Ainsty,

Boroughbride Road. 2 – 5.30pm. Fun and fabulous shopping event to raise money for York Hospital’s Cots Appeal and Ovarian Cancer Action. Over 30 stalls selling organic skincare, beauty products, clothes and accessories, handmade cards and a whole hosts of crafts and gifts. In the evening, stay at The Ainsty for a great free Pink and Cheryl Cole Tribute Night!

20 NOVEMBER n THE KING’S SPEECH, Barley Hall and Mansion House. 2pm. A unique opportunity to view costumes worn in this acclaimed film by Colin Firth, Helena Bonham-Carter and Claire Bloom,

before settling down to a special screening in the opulent setting of the state room in York Mansion House. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

n THE WEDDING AFFAIR AT SCAMPSTON HALL, Scampston Hall, Malton

22 NOVEMBER n AN EVENING WITH EDWARD FOX OBE, the Bar Convent. Edward Fox, star of The Day of The Jackal, A Bridge Too Far and Edward & Mrs Simpson, will be performing The Four Quartets Tickets £15 each, including glass of wine. Call 01904 643238

YO17 8NG. 12 noon – 4pm. Many exhibitors, roaming catwalk shows and entertainment. Further information from www.theweddingaffair.co.uk

22 & 23 November

n HIDDEN HOUSE TOUR AND

n Mary Howard Christmas Fair,

BRUNCH, Treasurers House. 10.30am – 1pm.

Take a 45 minute house tour and discover more about the fascinating Frank Green. Followed by lunch in the historic tearoom. 01904 624247.

York Racecourse. 10am-4pm. Do ALL your Christmas shopping under one roof with a huge selection of original, high quality and well priced presents. You will find a friendly atmosphere, complete with licensed restaurant, free parking and customer collection. Tel: 01608 650 900

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events

READING, The Treehouse, Berrick Saul Building, University of York. 6.15 – 6.30pm. Evening of award-winning poets and story writers.

BMS York Chamber Music Season, Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, University of York 8pm.

Rosalind Ventris on Viola and James Baillieu on Piano. www.bms-york.org.uk

25-27 November n Artestee will be exhibiting at the Living North Essence of Christmas Fair at Harewood House, so go along and see what they have to offer! Harewood House will be open to visitors and decorated with some individual and memorable touches. Christmas at Harewood will showcase the most delightful and prestigious Christmas shopping fair to be enjoyed in Yorkshire for many a year don’t miss it!

26 NOVEMBER – 18 DECEMBER n CHRISTMAS AT CASTLE HOWARD.

Centre. York’s favorite Christmas market festival arrives once again, with outdoor stalls taking over Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coppergate. Enjoy the stalls full of gifts, crafts and local farm produce and be entertained by the many choirs and street entertainers. Locals can catch it on the Thursday night to avoid the crowds.

Open daily from 10am. See Castle Howard’s dramatic 18th-century interiors transformed at Christmas time when the Hon Simon and Mrs Howard decorate each room for the festive season.

Attractions include live musical performances and ‘audiences with Father Christmas’ (weekends only - tickets must be pre-booked online from www. castlehoward.co.uk). Discover present ideas for all the family in the gift shops, seasonal local produce in the Farm Shop and estate-grown Christmas trees at the Garden Centre.

25 NOVEMBER

26 & 27 NOVEMBER

n FEEDING THE CAT POETRY

n AN AUDIENCE WITH VICTORIAN

23 – 27 NOVEMBER n ST NICHOLAS FAYRE, York City

FATHER CHRISTMAS, Cliffords Tower.

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11am – 4pm. Meet a traditional Victorian Father Christmas and listen as he recites heart warming and famous yuletide stories and poems. You can also experience Christmasses past with performances of Christmas traditions. For more information, www.english-heritage.org.uk.

n CHRISTMAS MUSIC & LIGHTS, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Nr Ripon. 3.305pm. Christmas is coming! Get into the festive spirit with a visit to Fountains Abbey’s magical winter wonderland. Enjoy listening to seasonal music in the floodlit Abbey ruins and see our trees twinkling with light.

26 NOVEMBER n YORK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, University of York. 8pm.

Featuring works by Wagner, Strauss, Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. Tickets from York Tourist Information Centre, on the door or from 01904 627900.

n FOUR SEASONS BY CANDLELIGHT, Barbican Centre. Celebrate one of the world’s most popular pieces of music at this sumptuous evening of entertainment. The Mozart Festival Orchestra performs Vivaldi’s work in full period costume in an atmospheric candle-lit style setting.

Box office: 0844 8542757

n MO BURROWS CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY, Space 109. To book, and for more information about this and other events: contact@ space109 .org * www.space109.org * fb Space 109 Community Arts Twitter@space109york * Space 107-109 Walmgate, York, YO1 9UA

Box Office Tel: 0844 871 3024 www.atgtickets.com/york Or visit our friendly Box Office on Clifford Street in person

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n BRUNSWICK CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR. 11am – 4pm. Handmade crafts, gifts & Christmas cards. Craft activities and cafe serving cakes, mince pies and mulled wine! For more details visit www.brunswickyork.org.uk

n RAISE THE ROOF DANCE, Haxby Memorial Hall. 7pm. Dance the night away and help raise funds for Haxby Memorial Hall’s new roof. Bar and live music. Tickets £12 including supper, from Denise on 01904 761825. n WINTER TREE WALK, Nostell Priory and Parkland, Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield

WF4 1QE. 11am – 1pm. Celebrate the start of National Tree week with a free walk around the parkland. Learn how to identify trees in their without their leaves.

for every miniaturist’s needs. Talk to the talented artisans and pick up some top tips, and learn and improve your modelling skills in one of the round table workshops

27 NOVEMBER

n ARTSMIX - CHRISTMAS

n YORK DOLLS HOUSE & MINIATURES FAIR, York Racecourse. 10am – 4pm. The York Dolls House and Miniatures Fair is one of the leading fairs in the country and is an excellent opportunity for you to get together with fellow enthusiasts and enjoy a great day out. Shop at over four floors of exhibitors where there will be items

CONTEMPORARY ART MARKET, Castle Howard. 10am – 4pm. Browse a unique selection of handmade art, design and contemporary craft in the Stable Courtyard - the perfect place to discover unusual gift ideas.

n MOVIE BUFFS COLLECTORS FAIR, Royal York Hotel. 10am – 4.30pm. Up to 60 dealer

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tables, cult TV and film memorabilia, sci-fi and fantasy, autographs, artwork, retro/vintage toys, trading cards, models. More dealers wanted – call Nick on 07812 859205.

28 & 29 NOV; 5 & 6 DECEMBER n MADE IN YORKSHIRE CHRISTMAS CRAFT AND PRODUCE MARKET, Castle Howard. 10am – 4pm. Discover over 20 stalls selling a mix of handmade crafts and local produce all made in Yorkshire .

organisations are invited to decorate a tree to be displayed in Haxby Memorial Hall. For further details about decorating a tree please ring Denise on 01904 761825. All proceeds are to go the the Raise The Roof Appeal and the general upkeep of the hall.

3 – 18 DECEMBER n CHRISTMAS AT BENINGBROUGH,

30 NOVEMBER

Beningbrough Hall & Gardens. See Beningbrough dressed up for Christmas, with the house dressed up in a Georgian theme and the Stables in Victorian style.

n FESTIVE LUNCH CLUB, Treasurers

3 DECEMBER

House. 12.30 – 2.30pm. Are you single, widowed or looking to make new friends? Why not join likeminded folk for a festive lunch in the Treasurer’s House tearoom. Includes warming mulled wine and homemade mince pies. 01904 624247.

1 – 7 DECEMBER n AUTUMN ART EXHIBITION, Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Fossgate. 9.30am – 4pm (1st – 6th); 9.30am – 2pm (7th). Paintings for sale. Call 01904 768250 or visit www.yorkartsociety.com

1 DECEMBER – 4 JANUARY n THE COPPERGATE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL, The Coppergate Centre, YO1 9NT. Shop til you drop and enjoy the festive stalls and rides including their giant snow globe! Visit www.coppergateshoppingcentre.co.uk for more information.

3 & 4 DECEMBER n CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL, Haxby Memorial Hall. Local schools, businesses and youth

n WINTER CONCERT, St Michael Le Belfrey.

7.30pm. Experience the perfect compliment for your festive calendar with the Millegro Choir. An enchanting evening featuring traditional Yuletide pieces from around the world. Including favourite classics by Rutter, Chilcott, Warlock, Leighton & Howells. Visit www.millegro.com to book

4 DECEMBER n PERFECT PROM SHOW, Park Inn Hotel, North Street, Y01 6JF. 11am-5pm. A one-stopshop for all things prom, this event is a must for budding prom princesses. A catwalk fashion show displays all the latest prom wear and goody bags will be handed out. Tickets are £3.00 on the door or £2.50 when booked in advance at www.perfectprom.co.uk . Parents and teachers go free.

n CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Poppleton Community Centre. 2.30 – 4.30pm. Christmas themed programme performed by York Concert Band accompanied by children from Poppleton

Ousebank Primary School. All money raised from the event will support Poppleton Community centre and the British Heart Foundation. Tickets available from Upper Poppleton Post Office, Cardlands of Allerton Drive Poppleton or the Poppleton Centre. For more information, call Anne Dixon on 01904 794784.

9 & 16 DECEMBER n CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS AT CASTLE HOWARD. 7.30pm. See Castle Howard dressed for Christmas and celebrate the festive season in style at the stunning Christmas Party Night. Tickets cost £48.50 per person, which includes drinks reception, three course dinner and dancing. For more information, or to book, please call 01653 648632

9, 10, 16 & 17 DECEMBER n YORKBOAT CHRISTMAS NIGHTS AFLOAT. Enjoy your Christmas Party this year onboard a Christmas Party Cruise! Celebrate the festive season in style with friends and colleagues by enjoying a delicious two course barbeque buffet, professional disco and three hour evening cruise.

Call YorkBoat on 01904 628324 to make your booking.

9 DECEMBER n CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Holy Trinity Church, Stockton-in-the-Forest. 7.30pm. Festive refreshments will be served. Tickets available from Arnie Tweddle on 400364 and John Hall on 400182

10 – 17 DECEMBER n CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL, Holy

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celebrating 800 years of the city of york Next July, it will be 800 years since York was first allowed to elect its own mayor and council, giving the city its own voice for the first time. In celebration of the anniversary, York @ Large - York's Cultural partnership - is organising a special programme of events running from January to December 2012 under the name York 800. Some of the city’s favourite events and festivals, such as the Residents Festival in January and Venturefest in February will

be coming under the York 800 umbrella, with the emphasis on celebrating York’s heritage. It will also provide the theme for March’s Fashion City York, and the Science & Technology Festival. March also sees the launch of York Stories, a unique event which is bound to get everyone talking!

innovative work of some present day chocolatiers.

April also sees the opening of the Medieval Gallery at Yorkshire Museum, which goes back 800 years to tell the story of York’s independence.

April is an even bigger month for York 800, with the inaugural Chocolate Festival, which celebrates the city’s confectionery heritage, as well as looking at the

The whole country will be celebrating the Queen’s 60th Jubilee in June, but York will be going even

In May, we celebrate our new Lord Mayor, and the kids can get involved in a special Youth Football Gala.

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We’ll be bringing you more news on events as they happen, so you don’t miss a single moment of the most important year in York’s history! further back in time for its Medieval Summer, which includes exhibitions and archaeological finds and a Medieval Market. And looking to the future, June also sees the Festival of Ideas & Innovation, and the Science and Innovation Grand Tour.

July is the biggest month of all, with the city’s very first Charter Day celebrations. Plans for this are still underway, but all we can tell you so far as that it

promises to be very exciting indeed. The day will include Ebor Vox, a coming together of professional and amateur choirs from all over the city in a unique singing event. Other big events in July include the ever popular Festival of the Rivers with a York 800 theme, the Youth Charter, exhibitions and an archaeological dig at the Mansion House. In August, there is a very special Medieval Festival including, of course, the world famous Mystery Plays. As the

year draws to a close, there are many more events to look forward to, including the Festival of Food & Drink, Illuminating York, St Nicholas’ Fayre and a very special carol concert in the Minster, followed by community New Year’s Eve celebrations to end an amazing year.

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Theatre Travels with my Aunt (23-26 November)

New Earswick Musical Society brings you the famous all-singing all-dancing Rogers & Hammerstein hit. Oklahoma! was the first musical to tell a story with music and lyrics, and has gone down in musical history. Follow the story of rivalries, cowboy crushes and Wild West romances that lead to unlikely circumstances. Chris Hagyard, finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webbers ‘Any Dream Will Do’, plays Jud Fury in the show and is set to give a gripping performance. Oklahoma! broke all box office records in 1943, go along and discover why!

Joseph Rowntree Theatre. n Box office 623568.

Trolius and Cressida (15 – 19 November) Star-crossed lovers, epic battles and an empire on the brink of collapse; It may sound like your average Saturday night in York, but we are actually talking about Trolius and Cressida! York Shakespeare Project’s production of ‘Troilus and Cressida’ re-locates Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and war to York, 1644. The English Civil War provides a dramatic setting for this timeless story, which explores the deadly mix of conflict, romance and chivalry. Combining period music, live accompaniment and singing with edge-of-yourseat combat, ‘Troilus and Cressida’ promises a memorable evening’s entertainment. n Box office 623568

Film guide Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 There’s been more speculation about Bella’s wedding dress than there was over Kate Middleton’s, but all is revealed this month as the world’s most miserable couple finally tie the knot.

But as for living happily ever after – forget it.

Arthur Christmas One for the kids – and the young at heart. When a single present for a very upset little girl is missed, Santa’s youngest son Arthur must go on a mission to deliver the present before the Christmas morning. Animated 3D adventure starring James McEvoy, Jim Broadbent and Bill Nighy.

Tower Heist When a group of hard working guys fall victim to a wealthy business man’s moneymaking scam, they conspire to get revenge by robbing his high-rise residence. Starring Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and Casey Affleck In Time Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star in this futuristic thriller about a world where 104

Babes in the Wood (3-10 December) If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise. Look out for the evil Sheriff of Nottingham who’s plotting to boost his riches whilst Robin Hood and Maid Marion do all they can to stop him. Then there’s catering supremo Sue and her dippy assistant son, Preston. Add in lots of children, a woodland fairy, Willy & Diddy (the sheriff’s henchmen), catchy songs and dazzling dancing and you have the Rowntree Players 2011 Christmas Panto, Babes in the Wood. Joseph Rowntree Theatre. n Box office 07927 026071.

Vue: 08712 240 240 www.myvue.co.uk City Screen: 0871 902 5726 www.picturehouses.co.uk/york Reel Cinema: 0870 801 0870 www.reelcinemas.co.uk

people stop ageing at 25 and must work to buy themselves more time. But when a young man finds himself with more time than he can imagine, he must run from the corrupt police force to save his life.

Wanderlust Jennifer Aniston is rumoured to get her kit off in this story of an urban couple who tire of city life and decide to move to a hippy commune to live a more counter-culture lifestyle. It’s a bold career move, but will it work? The film also stars Paul Rudd, who may or may not get his kit off too.

The Future When a couple decides to adopt a stray cat their perspective on life changes radically, literally altering the course of time and space and testing their faith in each other and themselves.

The Big Year Owen Wilson, Jack Black and Steve Martin plus a few feathered friends star in this comedy about three avid bird watchers competing to spot the rarest birds in North America at a prestigious annual event.

Immortals 3D action movie based on the legend of Theseus, chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity. Not sure about Greek legend, but you can’t beat a man in a loincloth.

Moneyball The story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.

Might sound about as interesting as a VAT return, but it stars Brad Pitt, so it might be worth a look.

The Rum Diary Cult director Bruce Robinson takes on the equally cult book by Hunter S Thompson. Johnny Depp stars as a freelance journalist writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean, who finds himself amidst a group of lost souls all bent on self-destruction. Thoughtprovoking it may be – barrel of laughs it certainly isn’t.

*Listings correct at time of press.

Oklahoma!

(9-12 November)

Let York Settlement Community Players take you on a whirlwind journey around the world from the comfort of your squidgy theatre seat. Henry Pulling’s life changes dramatically when he meets his eccentric Aunt Augusta for the first time in 50 years.

Henry is suddenly plunged into an exotic adventure of travel which is a far cry from suburban retired life. Henry travels to Paris, Venice, Istanbul and Paraguay, uncovers his aunt’s mysterious past, and to his surprise, comes truly alive for the first time in Giles Havergal’s lively stage version of Graham Greene’s popular novel. n Box office 623568.

YORK THEATRE ROYAL PRESENTS…

Essence of Irelend (13 November)

Laurel & Hardy

Described by the Irish world as ‘entirely unique’ and ‘highly recommended’, the critically acclaimed Essence of Ireland is taking theatres by storm.

Now with their biggest and most talented cast of dancers, singers, and musicians, Essence of Ireland combines breathtaking dance routines with the very best of Irish music, a touch of Irish craic, all cleverly woven into a heart-warming tale. Anyone Irish or otherwise, cannot fail to be mesmerised by this truly amazing show. 5 Star Irish Magic!

Call 0844 847 2322

(21 October – 5 November) An un-missable comedy about the life, loves and losses of the creative comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are stuck in a waiting room somewhere between death and eternity. Before they can pass into the next world they take a look back at their lives and loves. With some of their finest comedy routines, musical numbers, dance and slapstick, Stan and Ollie are reborn in a warm and affectionate homage to one of the most successful comedy teams in history. n Call 623568.

Aladdin (9 December to 1 January)

The House of Bernada Alba (24- 26 November) There are eight years of morning ahead of them, but nothing can stop the uncontrollable desire of Bernarda Alba’s five daughters. As the frustrated tension mounts, each holds on to their longings, jealousies and hopes for the attentions of the valiant Pepe Romano, who has promised marriage to just one of them. In the 75th anniversary year of Lorca’s death this is stunning theatrical journey into the imagination of great poetic writer. Call 623568.

The Merry Wives of Winsor (15 – 19 November) Shoot / Get Treasure / Repeat (17-19 November) Beef (22-23 November) Stig of the Dump (29 -30 November)

THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE PRESENTS… Judy and Liza (12 November) This dazzling production tells the turbulent takes of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli against the backdrop of their infamous 1964 London Palladium concert.

West End stars Lucy Williamson and Emma Dears belt out their most famous hits with uncanny accuracy, bursting with star quality.Featuring live performances of all of your favourite Judy and Liza hits including Cabaret, Maybe This Time, The Trolley Song and The Man That Got Away. This is a show that the whole family will not want to miss. n Call 0844 847 2322

Panto time again? Oh yes it is! York’s beloved family pantomime returns with Aladdin, a magic carpet ride of fun, thrills and festive cheer. Steven Arnold (Corrie’s own Ashley Peacock) takes the title role, with Opera House favourite Aiden J Harvey returning as Wishy Washy and seasoned dame Phil Randall taking them down a peg or two as the hilarious Widow Twankey. If you ask your genie for songs, laughs and a sprinkling of stardust this Christmas he’ll be sure to grant all your three wishes in one.

The Ladyboys of Bangkok (2 November) One night of Elvis (3 November) Fascinating Aida (14 November) Al Murray Barrel of Fun (25 November)

Pocklington Arts Centre 8 Mary Coughlan 18-20 Acoustic Blues Weekend 19 Acoustic Blues House Party 23 Jonathan Ansell 24 Mirth Control Comedy Club 26 Alistair McGowan in ‘Sincerely Noel’ THE DUCHESS 1 Sonic Boom Six 2 Strawbs 5 Benjamin Frances Leftwich 6 Marcus Bonfanti 7 Airship 8 Jon Windle 10 Blazin’ Fiddles 11 Apart from Rod 12 Transmission – The Sound of Joy Division

16 Karine Polwart 17 Kate Walsh 19 The Virginmarys 21 Lisa Hannigan 23 Futures 26 Mamas Gun 28 Simon McBride FIBBERS 2 Steve-O 4 Are You Experienced 5 The Fall 9 Fozzy featuring Chris Jericho & Rich Ward 10 Arcane Roots 11 Dananananay Kroyd 12 The Lancashire Hotpots 13 Hyde & Beast

18 19 23 26 27 28 29 30

The Heather Findlay Band Aynsley Lisgter Turin Breaks The Blanks The Lovely eggs Shaun William Ryder Exit Ten Electric Six

STEREO 3 Sarah Lowes 17 The Stow 22 I Dream In Colour 24 Middleman Venue Contacts: Pocklington Arts Centre 01759 301547, The Duchess 641143, Fibbers 651250, Stereo 612237.

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Accountancy services D Inglis Accountancy 345103 20 Hare and Co 692585 29 Joanne Williamson 07931 351450 21 Lorraine Hart (Bookkeeping) 07968 474409 21 Rowley Ward 628663 19 Aerials Aerial Man 07974 954846 110 Aerial Services 819030 110 Aerial Solutions 654144 109 BLTV 07977 044778 110 Castle Aerials 07711 222307 110 DBS Aerials 692266 109 DR Aerial Services 0808 1605678 110 Insight Aerials 07581 213798 110 York Home Cinema 07870 606492 110 antique restoration Antique Restoration 400728 27 antiques/auctions M J Barrowby 01653 690716 Attractions/events/shows Aesthetica Short Film Festival www.asff.co.uk 91 All Seasons Events 07838 420209 98 Altura Events perfect-prom.co.uk 100 Bar Convent 643238 British Music Society 01347 878032 102 Burn Hall Hotel 01347 825400 98 Carols by Candlelight 0844 8542757 92 Castle Howard 01653 648333 93 Celebration Cakes 01937 831173 98 Community Carol Concert 92 Dringhouses Local History 703970 Grand Opera House 0844 8713024 99 Grand Opera House 0844 8713024 99 Hullywood Entertainment 07812 859205 100 Jorvik 543426 95 Mariott Hotel 701000 96 Mary Howard Christmas Fairs 01608 650900 103 Narnia 659475 96 New Earswick Musical Society 768182 97 Newgate Market 07887 754455 101 Parkinsons UK 01904 758355 Rowntree Players 07927 026071 98 The Ainsty Autumn Fayre 07833 436832 97 The Big Green Market biggreenmarket.co.uk 97 The York Art Society 332872 97 Wheldrake Playgroup 01904 449182 York Concerts 322439 91 York Gliding Centre 738694 17 York Racecourse 638971 94 York Shakespeare Project 623568 92 York Symphony Orchestra www.yso.org.uk 101 York Theatre Royal 623568 95 Yorkshire Craft Fairs 01274 835588 101 Yorkshire Craft Fairs 01274 835588 102 Yorkwalk 622303 101 Millegro Choir 07809 401164 97 bathroom/tiles/kitchens Bath & Kitchen Craft 07900 313151 61 Dream Doors 622234 25 Easingwold Bathroom 01347 824777 8 Janico 644074 66 north east water solutions 07533 369495 69 xpress Kitchens 01759 305492 68 York Bathrooms 794867 7 York Kitchens 794867 7 Eden Kitchens 274364 13 Southbank Kitchens 679666 3 Bedrooms Moonlight Bedrooms 01759 302388 7 blinds

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AA Blinds 01937 530604 69 Blind Image 693069 69 Blind Options 608666 61 Blinds By Mark Harrison 630449 61 Blinds Direct 701260 67 Haxby Blinds 769277 71 Building Plans A P Design Services 678045 69 ADDS 762691 67 Architectual Services York 07841 039833 69 CA Architectural Services 07989 663243 69 Drawing Services 07764 319697 67 Pinfold Building Consultancy 07584 903380 71 Stuart Loxton 799961 68 Thurman Design 708965 68 Building/property Maintenance A B Building and Plastering 07702 265476 112 Able Roofing (York) 07908 558954 124 Acomb Builders 07989 116729 111 Alan Robinson Building 07702 814746 112 All Trades Network 07725 574860 110 BJ Building Contractors 07950 061411 112 Bradshaws North Yorkshire Ltd 07970 643817 111 Building Services 07764 319697 112 D & M Building & Paving 07817 380181 112 Harro Developments 399204 111 HC Engineering 477623 112 Hire a Handyman 07870 660350 113 JDP Property Development 07946 238848 112 John B Coxon 07882 505403 113 Justin Higginson 790856 113 Keith Brown 07754 498673 113 Loft Space Company 0800 5876662 71 M B Builders 337756 113 Mike Hare Joinery & Building 737352 113 MW Developments 07958 321014 113 Paul Simpson Property Repairs 07919 368867 113 Peter Wright Building services 07941 914434 112 Pro Scaffolding 07809 231887 113 R J Hall Property Maintenance 07756 863285 113 RD Leeper Developments 07791 343879 113 S.H Winter Building 07834 458443 110 Sanderson Builders 07859 882972 111 SDT Builders 766236 112 T & A Builders & Ground 07903 956963 112 Wallwood Construction 690400 68 Welbuild 07770 686 989 113 WMG Builders 07981 333654 113 Business Services Breathing Space HR 0113 3869270 21 Cartridge World 733999 18 RJB Couriers ltd 476435 21 Car Valeting Attention 2 Detail 07714 769 981 31 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Abbey Carpet Cleaning 360174 115 Andy’s Carpet Cleaning 07805 129559 114 Capricorn Carpet cleaning 07751 848024 75 Future Carpet Cleaning 529529 114 Huntington Carpet 07817 726970 116 Peter Hopwood 07769 896902 116 Ultra Clean 01759 371741 116 carpet Fitting Ewen Carpets Fitted 07718 153433 71 Carpets/Flooring Calverts 788222 3 Carpets @ Home 448817 19 Green Lane Carpets 799541 17 Style Flooring of York 289266 61 Charities MS Society York Branch 758577 55

Relate 679831 55 Childrens Activities All Saints RC School 647877 53 babbling babies 433619 47 Bright World (Host Families) 01273 835745 CYC Family Information Svs 554628 46 Henrietta Rabbit 0333 0004567 49 Imaginative Childcare 407803 53 Just Dance York 07538723010 53 Pretty in Pink 07849 329251 51 Razzamataz 07891 597245 49 Street Level 0113 2176873 53 Tennis Tots 07725 339257 49 Tennis Tykes 07843 342662 53 York Montessori Nursery 490339 49 Chimney Sweep Dave The Sweep 07761 083072 116 Cleaning/Ironing ADream Clean 0800 0561348 115 Brill Services 07742 556585 114 Dolly Char York 07929 452904 114 Dublcheck Cleaning 563670 114 Javelin Cleaning 07788 205688 114 JW Cleaning Services 07931 351450 116 Pure Clean 07858 513754 116 A & M Cleaning 07754 285742 115 Domestique Cleaning 295000 116 Lynda Starkey Cleaning 07778 862 368 116 Maid 2 Clean 0800 0439370 116 Molly Maid 784999 114 No Dust R Us 07522 433573 116 Synergy Cleaning 0800 1522101 115 Top 2 Bottom Cleaning 07849 518899 116 clubs/groups Connections Introductions 01765 688847 27 computers/Web Design Aldwark Computers 654954 21 Bishopwood Accountancy 400660 21 Gemini PC Solutions 332432 21 G-Tec-IT 07917 730249 5 Intake Computer Services 731312 19 Nycom Ltd 653383 5 Waindigo Ltd 410649 11 We R Your IT 08000 470181 5 York PC Solutions 07729 291234 21 Curtains/Soft furnishings Carolines Curtains 332949 67 Christine Alker Curtains 339214 9 Curtains Up 627239 9 Cycling Bob Trotter Cycles 622868 26 Cycling City 551550 22 Get Cycling 636812 2 Damp Proofing Dry Fix 791388 71 Envirovent 0845 2727807 71 Holland Damp Proofing 0808 155 2571 60 Decorators Alan Fawcett Painter 414875 116 Alan Kitson 07801 346218 117 Andy Powell Painting 705082 116 C.K.W. Decorators 07803 117 Durrant Decorating 07847 676901 117 Gary Ambler 07762 551845 117 Gary Goscinski Decorators 07721 453463 117 Gary Roe Painter & Decorator 07717 116489 117 Graham Richardson 07505 759543 117 K Walton Painting 07535 004212 117 Mick Smith Decorating 703574 117 NG Decorators 07790 015966 117 Precision Finish Painting 07823 778079 117

Quality Decorators 778466 117 Ray Webster Painting 07742 077743 117 Richard Driscoll 332030 117 RJH Decorating 07833 105296 117 Stephen Cooke & Co 07771 764980 116 Steves Decorating Services 07766 379736 117 Dentists Acorn Dental 789876 40 Crystal Clear 642595 39 Discos Night Owls 613666 15 Domestic Appliance Repairs Clyde Electrical - Eric Clyde 768698 118 Ians Domestic Appliance 07910 016094 118 Drains Commercial Services 625751 111 driving schools Richard SOM 07904 142108 33 education/tuition Access To Music 655290 29 Bob Lambert 348343 9 Computer Start 07944 717 019 5 Drawing & Painting Master 07789 277382 19 Fulford School 633300 54 Goodmans Piano Tuition 636340 51 Kumon Maths 01757 268114 51 Martina Flint 709792 53 Modern Foreign Languages 07879 443718 49 Ryedale & York Piano Services 01653 696390 53 Spanish Talk 07800 634510 53 The Mount School 667500 50 York College 770200 51 York School of Sewing 07503 510733 12 York St John University 876598 52 Electrical goods Herbert Todd 628676 8 Herbert Todd 628676 70 Electricians Active Electrical Solutions 07999 357647 118 Court Electrical Services 07766 887179 118 D Carrington Electrical 07809 534791 118 Electric Blew 07980 054547 118 Electrical Connections 07724 177824 118 GC Electronics 07803 174916 66 Judge Electrical Ltd 07919 033113 118 Martin Clancy 767480 118 Martin Starkey Electrical 750893 118 S Electrics 795205 118 Yorvik Electrical Services 422157 16 estate/letting agents Northwood Residential 638999 1 Opus Estate Agents 790070 3 Unique Lettings 798777 68 Your Move Anscombs 621532 63 Fascias/soffitts PD Plastics 438799 113 Pinnacle Roofline 780405 119 Plasti-Fit 07765 142505 118 Polyplas 07966 373525 119 Financial advisors Peace of Mind Financial 0113 2792003 23 Pen-Life Associates Ltd 661140 25 fireplaces/multi fuel stoves The Gas Showroom York 692060 20 Food & Drink 31 Castlegate 621404 88 Balloon Tree Farm Shop 01759 373023 85 Belles of York 633333 88 Blacksmith Arms Flaxton 468210 88 Cedar Court Grand Hotel 380050 83 Chapman Butchers 655382 86 Churchill Hotel 644456 83 Cupcakes Workshop 07740 339372 87 Il Treno/sidings 470221 89 Lady Anne Middletons Hotel 611570 85 New Earswick Bowls Club 750230 102 NRM (Vallient) 08448 153139 90

Park Inn 459988 Pizza Choice 622022 Plunkets 637722 Rose & Crown 01347 811333 Shambles Butchers 653484 The Bay Horse Fulford 633384 The Bay Horse, Burythorpe 01653 658200 The Bay Tree Stillington 01347 811394 The Bay Tree Stillington 01347 811394 The Blackwell Ox Inn 01347 810328 The Bumper Castle 690078 The Bumper Castle 690078 The Earl Grey Tea Rooms 654353 The India Lounge 639918 The New Inn 01347 810393 The Nut Free Chocolatier 07891 734235 The Olive Tree 624433 The Parvin 788295 The Red Lion 793957 The Steer Inn 01759 380600 The Tanglewood 648611 The Wenlock Arms 488240 The Woodman 706507 Thompson fish restaurant 468022 Treacles 499316 Tritons Fish & Chips 700189 Wilsons Of York 621835 York Free Range Pork 07933 733685 Fostering Fostering 55533 Funeral Services JG Fielder & Sons 654460 Garage Doors Haxby Garage Doors 07889 152242 Hobman Garage Doors 608951 Premier Garage Doors 07887 940084 SJL Garage Doors 416284 York Garage Door Centre 788822 Gardening Acaster Forge 701513 Andrew Kent 738646 Apex Shed & Fencing 415735 Arborwise 07841 719672 Ascot Fencing 337225 Aztek Landscapes 07803 257347 Brighter Gardens 790112 Brunswick of York 701869 C&C Contracting 448239 Country Gardens 07900 193657 Deans Garden Centre 400141 Direct Driveway Company 07711 230892 Eden Landscapes 07737 825 621 Foss Feeds 706376 Future Landscapes 07969 354674 Gooch Gardens 07547 766885 Groundworks & Digger Hire 07702 126380 Grumbleweed 750157 Horse Manure 4 Sale 01347 811202 Lewis Tree Surgery 0783 1692275 Log Storage Units 07799 766976 Mick Lambert Landscaping 07702 126380 Mike Walmsley Landscapes 700921 P H Landscapes 632617 R H Smith 782600 Resindrives.co.uk 0800 0075733 Resindrives.co.uk 0800 0075733 Rock n Stone York Ltd 608300 Rock Salt 767406 Rowan Tree Garden Design 411487 Sandalwood Gates 608542 Signature Landscaping 07771 543493 Skelton Garden Centre 470072 SRB Fencing 07841 187928 Top Soil 4 Sale 07702 126380 Trevor Smith Landscaping 489998 Waterdale Landscapes 07960 603025 Wykeham Mature Plants 01723 862406

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York Sawmill 705198 York Timber Products 01757 248927 Yorskapes 07795 097563 gates/railings Acaster Forge 701513 PVC UK 0800 0371947 SR Fabrications 07711 359620 Guttering Guttering Of York 07711 222307 Heworth Guttering 07957 901639 Mark Leslie Roofline 07754 205625 Rawcliffe Guttering Solutions 07725 857621 Handypeople Able Handyman Services 07811 169368 DIY Guy 07946 296731 Handy Al 07958 571219 Handyman Services 410356 Home Maintenance 761479 Lukafz Druzic 07704 995987 My Handyman (Ian Parkyn) 07774 2672000 Health & Beauty 3D Hair & Beauty 623166 5 Senses Spa 623745 Amy Kendall Hypnotherpy 659007 Angie Doig-Thorne 489142 Beautycare 769954 Bliss Hair Design 768293 Boab Hair & Beauty 476391 Claire Henson 0113 21082408 Community HU Chant 01423 780002 Counselling – Michael N 07776 252440 FACE etc 675222 Footcare Works 620120 Four Gents Barber Shop 706364 Future Beauty 07525 627358 HairPort 709806 Hanna Olivia Jewellry 01759 368593 Heavenly Nails & Beauty 07710 669945 Jane Tai 08000 831 681 Kuki Skin, Hair & Beauty 659007 Lesley at Innovations 798705 Lisa Clifford 07795 634671 Ludwicks 656506 Make up Base 633844 Maureen Payne 797531 Nail Candy 07585 612062 Northern college of Acupunc. 343305 Palm Treatments 07584 550448 Paulines Hair & Beauty 798522 Ramsay Health Care 464550 Refine and Rewind 07872 579224 Renes Revellers 470292 Revive 430612 Rosemary Conley Diet 790922 Route Map For Life 621918 Smiles Teeth Whitening 07999 463283 The Mount Dental 623436 The Tanning Lounge 652025 Time Beauty 07583 735638 Top To Toe 481378 Verona Homeopathy 330308 Victoria’s Tanning 07870 759800 Yippy Ltd 07825410673 York Community Acupuncture 07951 777136 York Pole Dance Academy 07821 298932 holiday cottages The Bay Tree Stillington 01347 811394 Ironing Creases Away Ironing Svs 758482 Joinery Cass Joinery 07521 292926 Duncan Littlechild Joinery 07830 289107 Eden Kitchens 274364 J Myers Joinery 07877 756584 lewis carpentry 07565 890702 MSB Joinery 07925 323536 Paul Meillam Joinery 07766165116

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Redberry Joinery 07501 144383 120 RGS Joinery 07721 785 800 120 S M Maintenance 752969 113 Wood `n All 07947 001520 120 York Door Services 07973 889232 120 locks/Security/Alarms Access All Locks 410069 120 Afford a Lock 625635 120 Lockfix Security 623108 110 logs/fuel ACG Wood Fuels 01937 830700 73 Dry Logs 652742 79 Dry Seasoned logs 07885 594303 79 Hardwood Logs 07882 847164 75 Watson Wood fuel 01377 267555 73 Mobility/hearing/care Tuina UK 07535 646400 54 Dyslexia Action 634588 55 Forward Mobility 769300 55 Home Instead Senior Care 690884 Minster Mobility 788592 55 MV Mobility 01937 558604 55 Oaklands Care Home 01423 330600 55 Surecare 520192 49 Surecare 520192 51 Surecare 520192 53 Surecare 520192 55 Wiltshire Farm Foods 01423 339666 56 motor parts/services Auto Services 780093 33 Automotive Solutions 792652 33 C & M Auto Services Ltd 796718 33 Central Body Repairs 791176 32 Chips Away 07810 243 444 31 Copmanthorpe MOT`s 700755 31 D & J Woodcock 430130 128 Dave Woods Motorcycles 633000 32 HP Maintenance 792899 33 Incartec Ltd 479907 33 Ivinson Autos 767675 30 JB Auto Cosmetics 693101 30 JJB Motors 426691 30 North Yorkshire Motors 691078 33 Osbaldwick Motors 412417 31 Pedpit 799966 31 Pristine Cars 01937 589099 31 R Walker Cars 797720 32 The MOT Shop 431234 33 Transit Motorcycles 637169 31 U Pull It 0844 8751914 32 Wigginton Car Repairs 750272 33 Wigginton Car Resprays 765948 33 Oven Cleaning Cooker Cleaners Ltd 07831 700113 115 Cookerburra 672859 114 Kitchen Rescue Ltd 0800 6127252 116 Ultra Clean 01759 371741 Pet Care 4 Positive Paws 706882 59 A Cut Above Dog Grooming 422629 59 Alisons Dog Grooming 422905 59 Cats Protection 760356 59 Kute k9s & Kats 07851 240108 59 Marmadukes Mobile Pet 07786 025698 59 Minster Vets 643997 59 Niccy Humberstone 7877301 59 Oscars Pet Food 07572 983362 59 Perfect Paws Dog Grooming 07877 962791 59 Pets Pantry 620527 57 Sweeney Dog Ltd 890666 59 The Dog House 701079 59 The Dog Walker 411113 59 Thompson’s Country Store 488388 58 Top Dog Grooming 07846 794257 59 Phone Repairs White Rose Tec 626655 5 picture framing Steve Garnett 07950 443096 5 Plastering

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A Crosier Bathroom Fitter 07855 970895 Colin Hardgrave 07881 733344 Ernie Jeffrey & Reese Plastering 639619 M Simpson Plastering 332568 Paul Bell Plastering 07904 203537 Paul Sellars Plastering 07789 677251 Plumbing/heating 1A Rapid Response 295344 AJT Plumbing 425337 All Cisterns Go 07946 346928 BPH Services 07973 542283 C Hudson Plumbing & Heating 07966 344950 Chris Murray Plumbing 07912 575963 Colin Bell Plumbing 07885 514332 DJC Plumbing 07770 754215 DRS Installations 499247 E Martin & Sons 07966 486329 Foss Controls 07941 114 788 Fox Plumbing 659476 Gas Servicing 07793 355168 Gastech 07793 814172 Glen Plumbing & Electrics 424169 GPE Services 07501 465392 GW Plumbing 07525 858008 Haxby Plumbing and heating 270308 Hurrells Plumbing & heating 07712 107208 Jupiter Heating & Plumbing 07840 870352 Luke Mitchell Plumbing 07974 025903 ME Electrical 07774 800806 Melbourne Heating York 07984 742264 Mermaid Plumbing 07970 200 035 Nunthorpe Services 07906 592872 Pipe solutions Plumbing Svs 707484 Poppleton Plumbing 07903 979712 S Williams Plumbing 07716 788680 Skelton Plumbing Services 07766 625584 T P Plumbing 07709 711137 T Whitelam Plumbing 07729 980253 The Direct Boiler Co 295033 Tom Plumb 07971 437359 Yorkshire Central Plumbing 780780 pointing Grove Property Repairs 780910 Portable Buildings PK Accomodation Ltd 01347 838825 printing Ceejay UK Ltd 693936 Fulprint 647422 Property Services Buywell Interiors Ltd 01937 844288 recycling CYC Waste Strategy 553292 CYC Waste Strategy 553292 York Rotters 412861 Removals/Storage 1 Van 1 Man 785022 2 Anywhere 07952 843398 A2B 07772 568526 Andy Vans 422268 Forward Removals 0756 3613514 Mr Shifter 07710 450672 Ridings Removals 07854 747129 Riverside Removals 07979 523076 YDL 01653 618171 renewable energy Green Energy Projects ltd 01347 833329 Janico 644074 Solar Solutions (Yorkshire Ltd ) 0113 2880703 York Solar Energy 07412 009670 Roofing Able Roofing (York) 07908 558954 Advanced Roofing 07867 774747 Ebor Roofing and Plastics 07581 332457 Elite Roofing 750166 Flat Roof Company 0800 212548 Flat Roof Company 0800 212548 Future roofs 07773 388141 Haxby Roofline Company 0771 8521107 Ian Young Roofing 07906 590626

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J & P Construction 676697 124 J Foster & Son 07768 401277 124 Mark Winters Lead Work 07976 845678 120 N. Malarkey Roofing 07932 067701 125 Roofs Above 0800 0855 688 124 SD Roofing 07889 652091 125 Shops/stores 22 Interiors 620090 69 Barnitts 625601 15 Bishopgate Antiques 623893 12 Bluebells Of York 289795 5 Coppergate Centre 6 Corkys 625075 51 Cycle Street 427510 9 Direct Tile & Stone Importers 692903 26 Fantasy World 621328 6 Grandads Shed 01430 873777 28 Kettleys 0113 2503716 56 Londons of Heworth 424544 16 Monkbar Model Shop 659423 16 Paul Dawson (York) Ltd 07801 537 412 13 Supersave 625735 7 Time out 626949 17 York Community Furniture 426444 14 Skips/Waste Removal A - Z Waste 07802 434349 75 Acomb Waste Disposal 07724 441630 79 D Boswell 488632 75 Ebor Skip Hire 400997 77 Wrights of Crockey Hill 620626 81 Solicitors Ardent Law Ltd 782958 50 Coles Solicitors 679990 13 Denison Till Solicitors 0800 2797500 47 Harrowells 558600 11 Hethertons Solicitors 625327 23 Minster Law 663927 128 Richardson Gildener Solicitors 642727 44 Richardson Gildener Solicitors 642727 24 Richardson Gildener Solicitors 642727 27 sports/Clubs/Activities Alan Sparks Taekwondo School 796332 26 Tilers 3R Tiling 07817 847992 71 CM Tiling 07976 675527 69 Mr Multitrade 07946 378 665 119 travel/holidays York Cars 638888 14 venue for hire Haxby memorial Hall 764358 13 Weddings Ambience Hire 01757 229625 45 Burythorpe House 01653 658200 45 Horseshoe Weddings 780880 45 Mariott Hotel 701000 45 Swirly Sweet 07783 802270 45 Wedding Affair 0843 2898504 45 York Register Office 654477 45 will Writing JMD Associates UK 799282 17 Window/Door Repairs Access All UPVC Repairs 410069 125 All Double Glazing Repairs 481148 125 Arrow Homecare 07581 006900 125 DR Glazing 654274 125 Windows/Doors/Cons Afford a Lock 625635 125 D.G.M.S Windows 479944 12 Eliments 08000 436005 9 Express Trade Windows York 310222 10 Newspan 0800 5873423 4 PVC Window Doctor 07732 822525 125 Secondary Glazing (D.G.M.S) 479944 15 Square Deals Ltd 0800 7315435 2 Window Solutions 07842 532133 125 York Trade Windows 541919 70 worktops Dales of Thirsk Ltd 01845 522523 66 Work Top Man 07891 858873 61

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trades&services For more information on the trades and services directory please call Mim on: 01904 767881

Aerials

109

Installations & repairs, home cinema, HD, Freesat & Sky

Building & Property Maintenance 110 Roofing, Loft Conversions, Tiling, Extensions, Pointing

Garage Doors Handypeople Joinery

Loft Conversions, Sash Windows, Replacement Doors

119 119 120

Locks / Security 120 Plastering 121 Plumbing & Heating 121

Cleaning

114

Decorators

116

Electricians

118

Removals & Storage 123 Roofing 124

Fascias & Soffits

118

Windows & Doors

Ironing, Oven Cleaning, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Chimney Sweep, Window Cleaning Interior & Exterior

Domestic Appliance repairs & Guttering

Gas Servicing, Emergency Plumbers, Boilers

Flat roofing

125

Double Glazing, repairs, conservatories

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109

Aerials

This spot could be yours

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building & property maintenance

Building

for you...

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111

Building & property Maintenance

As the Kettle Boils

Top 15 strangest phobias When you think of phobias, what springs to mind?

When you think of phobias, what springs to mind?

Call us obvious, but we couldn’t help think the classics.

Petrified of spiders, anxious about heights, nightmares about Pete Burns…So we thought we would scoop up the top 20 weirdest phobias, just to bring you some brilliantly pointless entertainment. These are all real, yes real, and people all around the world are actually living in fear of these peculiar phobias.

Poor sods.

1. Fear of the great mole rat – Zemmiphobia.

2. Fear of bogeys – Bogyphobia.

3. Fear of chopsticks – Consecotaleophobia.

4. Fear of otters – Lutraphobia.

5. Fear of being buried alive – Taphephobia.

6. Fear of being infested with worms – Helminthophobia.

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Building & property Maintenance

7. Fear of string – Linonophobia.

8. Fear of writing or handwriting – Graphophobia.

9. Fear of knees – Genuphobia.

10. Fear of taste - Geumaphobia or Geumophobia.

11. Fear of freedom – Eleutherophobia.

12. Fear of laughter – Geliophobia.

13. Fear of trees – Dendrophobia.

14. Fear of hospitals – Nosocomephobia.

15. Fear of dolls – Pediophobia.

16. Fear of belly buttons – Omphalophobia.

17. Fear of opening your eyes – Optophobia.

18. Fear of trees – Dendrophobia.

19. Fear of laughter – Geliophobia.

20. Fear of freedom – Eleutherophobia.

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

  

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As the Kettle Boils

Strange kinda guy...

No November issue of Your Local Link is complete without giving a special shout out to our ‘home boy’ Guy Fawkes. As you probably all know, he was raised on the bumpy cobbles of Stonegate and attended St Peters school. We could tell you an extensive history of when the gunpowder plot took place in 1604…Blah blah blah. But instead, here’s some weird and wonderful facts that we bet you didn’t know about Mr. Fawkes. Much more entertaining to read whilst dunking a digestive (we should know).

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Before the sneaky plotting began, Fawkes enlisted in the Spanish Army, when he changed his name to Guido. Well, when in Rome?

Straight to the Point...

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The 2006 film V for Vendetta was based on Guy’s escapades and the Gunpowder plot. From York to Hollywood.

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Every year on the 5th November, Guards at the Houses of Parliament perform an annual search (more of a tradition than a precaution) to ensure no plotters are lurking. Fire extinguishers at the ready.

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When Guy was arrested and asked to give his name, he went by the highly original title of John Johnson. Bet he regretted that one.

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The sentence for the guilty plotters was to be hung, drawn and quartered, a practice that included castration and being disemboweled alive. Ouch.

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An uninhabited island in the Galapagos Islands is named Isla Guy Fawkes. Who knows why? Maybe he planned to escape there.

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Guy Fawkes was voted the 30th greatest Briton in a poll conducted in 2002 by the BBC. Must have been slim pickings.

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After much investigation, it was thought that the 36 barrels of gunpowder waiting to be lit had ‘decayed’ so badly that if lit, they wouldn’t have exploded anyway!

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One off or regular cleaning

Tel: 621732 / 07754 285742

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As the Kettle Boils

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York Trivia

There’s nowt better than a bit of trivia over a nice brew and a biccy, and what better trivia subject than our very own city? This month we are picking your brains about York’s celebrities and historical figures. We officially dub anyone to score 10/10 (without googling) a ‘York know-it-all’!

1. To which Saint is York Minster dedicated?

2. Which BBC Look North presenter lives in York and attended St Peters School?

3. Which York Lord Mayor (three times) and was also known as the ‘Railway King’?

4. Which indie band originates from York? (Clue: they compared to the likes of other Yorkshire band Embrace).

5. What is the name of York’s most famous Architect? (Clue: his work was during the Georgian era) 6. Who was responsible for the famous Minster fire in 1829? (at his trial he was found ‘not guilty’ due to insanity!)

7. Which actor hails from York and attended Joseph Rowntree School?

(Clue: Tesco adverts and The Full Monty) 8. What was the name of the late York born film composer who created the James Bond soundtracks? (Clue: sadly, he passed away earlier this year)

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9. Which infamous highway man was hung at York Racecourse in 1739?

10. Which York martyr was crushed to death for harbouring catholic priests?

(Clue: Her husband was a Shambles butcher and their Shambles house now remains a shrine which is open to visitors).

Answers: 1. St Peter 2. Harry Gration 3. George Hudson 4. Shed 7 5. John Carr 6. Johnathan Martin 7. Mark Addy 8. John Barry 9. Dick Turpin 10. Margaret Clitherow Sources: http://www.historyofyork.org.uk

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