ISSUE 17
SPRING 2021
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Could learning a language benefit you in 2021?
PARK LIFE Get to know your local parks a little better
COVID-19 SECURE This magazine has been delivered in compliance with the UK Govenment’s Covid-19 risk management guidance
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Get to know the parks of Newcastle a little better
During these unprecedented times, and in the midst of another lockdown, it is vital that we look after ourselves both mentally and physically. Whilst we cant connect with each other as much as we would like, now is the perfect time to re-connect with nature. Spending time in nature, and within all the government guidelines, has been proven to directly and positively affect our cognitive function. Scientists increasingly recognise the beneficial effects of being exposed to nature on immune functioning, mood and feelings of well-being. Experiencing nature has been shown to reduce stress levels, help people feel less overwhelmed and more in control of the situation. As we are encouraged to exercise as local as possible, whilst still making sure we look after ourselves, 6
here are a selection of local parks for you to enjoy.
Armstrong Park
This historic park, gifted to the people of Newcastle by Lord Armstrong in 1878, sits on the East bank of the Ouseburn Valley and is recorded in the Ancient Woodland inventory with many oak, elm, beech, ash and sycamore trees. The park is well connected to Jesmond Dene and Heaton Park by a good network of paths, making it popular for dog walking and informal exercise. The tennis and basketball courts and bowling green are well used and the play area is popular with families or there are plenty of grassy open spaces to burn off some energy. The post medieval watermill was restored in 2011 using Heritage
Photo by Philip Atkinson on Unsplash
PARK LIFE
Lottery Funding. And make sure you discover King John’s Well – thought to once be a medicinal spring for King John’s Palace (the remains of which can still be seen in Heaton Park).
Brandling Park
Officially opened in 1880, Brandling Park is a small Victorian park and can be found adjacent to the Great North Road. Despite its busy location, the popular park maintains a quiet village green atmosphere and is made up of informal lawned areas, lined by trees and a pleasant mix of flowers and shrubs. Its relaxed nature makes it a popular meeting place for local residents and students and is popular for walking and informal
urbangreennewcastle.org
LOCAL
Exhibition Park
Exhibition Park has always been a popular location for events in the city. It was the location of the 1887 Royal Jubilee Exhibition which attracted over two million visitors and the 1929 North East Coast Exhibition also took place in the park. Today the park is host to a range of festivals and sporting events throughout the year. The impressive art deco Palace of the Arts is the only remaining building of the 1929 North East Coast Exhibition and is now home to Wylam Brewery, with a microbrewery on site and a vibrant events venue that can host up to 800 people. The park has a stunning mix of tree-lined paths, large informal lawned areas, beautiful flowerbeds and a stunning lake that is home to a family of swans and ducks. Exhibition Park has something for everyone with a popular play area, large open spaces for ball games or a relaxing picnic, a large skatepark and outdoor gym equipment. The network of footpaths and cycle paths makes it a popular with people working or studying in the city centre and is well used for dog walking, running or just chilling out. There are also two croquet lawns and a pavilion with an active club house and tennis courts that are free to play.
Gosforth Central Park
This popular park in the heart of
Gosforth plays host to over 200 trees, where a wide range of species and lime trees line the pathways. The War Memorial is Grade II Listed and a focal point for the annual remembrance service. Gosforth Central Park offers an excellent range of leisure and play facilities for all ages including a popular play area for under 14s (with swings, slides and climbing units,
urbangreennewcastle.org
recreation. The good network of footpaths and cycle paths makes it popular for those working in the city centre. Brandling Park is connected to nearby Exhibition Park by an underpass, where you will find facilities including a café and toilets.
tennis and basketball courts, a men’s bowling club, and large informal grassed areas which is great for ball games, picnics and dog walking. The formal flowerbeds feature a mix of flowers and shrubs, with ornamental roses and spectacular spring bulbs and make sure you visit
the wildflower meadow and wildlife pond which is a haven for local wildlife.
Heaton Park
Heaton Park, in the heart of a thriving community, is packed with history as well as stunning variety of seasonal flowerbeds, shrubs and trees. The park has an excellent network of footpaths to explore, connecting the park to nearby Ouseburn Park, Armstrong Park and Jesmond Dene. The beautiful Victorian Pavilion and Terrace, dating back to 1880 is a focal point and the perfect spot on a sunny day to watch the world go by and enjoy the fine views across the park. Refurbished in 2011 with Heritage Lottery Funding, the Pavilion is home to the popular Sambuca Italian restaurant. Heaton Park boasts two excellent play areas and plenty of open spaces for informal games and family fun. Look out for the 13th century ruins of King John's Palace (a fortified manor house) and the original gates and pillars to the park still exist at the entrance off Heaton Park View and Heaton Road.
Jesmond Dene Park
Jesmond Dene is the jewel in the crown of Newcastle's parks and green spaces. The Dene is packed
“The River Ouseburn was used to power the mills of the industrial revolution. You will find evidence of the area’s industrial heritage within the Dene today.” 7
urbangreennewcastle.org Photo by Philip Atkinson on Unsplash
full of historic and natural features and masses of wildlife, flowers and ancient woodland for everyone to enjoy. The River Ouseburn was used to power the mills of the industrial revolution. You will find evidence of the area’s industrial heritage within the Dene today. By 1862 William Armstrong had purchased most of the Dene and had built his house (Jesmond Dene House) and transformed the dene into his private garden, creating waterfalls, a grotto and planting many exotic trees and shrubs. In 1883 Armstrong gifted his garden back to the people of Newcastle and it was officially opened to the public in 1884. Jesmond Dene is home to Pets Corner. The popular attraction opened in the 1960s and continues to delight families with young children. Next door you will find the Visitor Centre which includes a gift shop, café, classroom, toilets and meetings space. There is a play area next to Pets Corner, designed and built as part of the Ouseburn Parks Lottery Project in 2011. Jesmond Dene is an ancient woodland and of geological interest. The dominant tree species are English, with a mix of exotic species. 8
Wildlife can be found in abundance - with otters, kingfishers and dippers known to have breeding sites on the river. The excellent network of paths, connecting Jesmond Dene to neighbouring Ouseburn parks makes Jesmond Dene popular with dog walkers, runners and walkers looking to get away from it all.
Jesmond Vale
Jesmond Vale is a mix of woodland and grassland to the south of Jesmond Dene and Armstrong Bridge with a network of footpaths connecting it to Jesmond Dene, Armstrong Park and Ouseburn Park. Jesmond Vale is a quieter park perfect for walking and dog walking and enjoying some peace and tranquillity away from busy urban living.
Leazes Park
Leazes Park is a traditional Victorian park in the centre of Newcastle. In
“Leazes Park is a rare gem that’s full of history and perfect for a stroll.” the shadow of St James’ Park and opposite the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), this mature well-kept green space is a rare gem that’s full of history and perfect for a stroll. The park officially opened in 1873, and boasts a lake (which was originally intended for ice-skating and boating) and is stocked and fished by Leazes Park Angling Association. With meandering tree-lined paths that change throughout the seasons, it’s an all-round great place to relax. There are lots of benches to sit and read a book or enjoy some lunch and watch the world go by. A large play area can be found in the woodland to the north of the park and is separated into two areas so children of all ages can enjoy playing.
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ADVERTIS ING FEATU RE
Hello to a brighter, smarter future
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e have never been more mindful of our sense of mortality, our health and well being. At the dawn of spring, perhaps we can take a breath and look forward to brighter prospects. Throughout the pandemic, Concept Eye Clinic has been at the fore in providing a vital eye health service for our local community. At a time when our eyes have never worked harder with digital devices becoming integral to our lives, our team have been at the helm to provide not just eye care, but a service where you feel safe, relaxed and nurtured. Our lives have changed irrevocably. We’re using more computer and tablet screens than ever. Protecting our vision has never been more critical. At Concept we see the impact of this with patients experiencing vision deterioration, difficulty in reading, eye strain, headache and dry eyes. If you’re struggling or have noticed a change, we urge you to make your appointment soon. An eye examination at Concept is not just about vision, but about health and, if you’re fed up with standard vision our new ‘SmartLife’ lens from Zeiss is designed for your eyes changing anatomy and visual behaviour.
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“Theatre 1’ is a life changing experience for your vision” - Jim Brennan, Optometrist Quite simply, Theatre 1 is unlike any other eye examination space. With space age technology, you can now, within the space of an hour, see what your optometrist can see in real time and comfort with uncompromising attention to detail. Your eye examination includes 3D retinal scanning (OCT), wide field retinal photography, anterior eye photography and iProfiler for customised Zeiss lenses. We advise this for all adults and especially those with a family history of eye-conditions or systemic conditions such as heart disease. Our Advanced eye examination is included in your care programme. “Gabriel and Rahil inspire trust and my respect in how they have helped me choose the best glasses I’ve ever had “ - Hudson, Jesmond Bespoke spectacle styling is what sets Concept apart so, once you’ve booked your eye MOT ready for a spring in your step, how about a new pair of glasses? In these
challenging times, investment in our well being has never been more important, but looking good doesn’t have to break the bank. Our eye care programmes provide incredible benefits with choice on luxury frames, sunglasses and Zeiss technology lenses for the spectacle wearer. Each programme offers an intelligent, interest-free payment scheme to help you enjoy premier eye care and beautiful eye wear and lenses as often as you like. From the quiet confidence of Lindberg, to the glamour of DITA and Tom Ford, with clever craftsmanship and design detail, there’s something special here for everyone because individual style and personality is respected as part of our unique ethos and frame-work of client care. Your spectacles are more than a vision aid. They are a personal statement and, more than ever, they are an important emotional investment. At Concept we recognise this. Your eyes matter to us. Call us 0191 2851603 ■ Concept Eye Clinic, 157 - 159 High Street, Gosforth, NE3 1HB concepteyeclinic.com
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L OC A L
Centre looks forward to welcoming BACK community
Great Park Community Centre, which is overseen by a board of trustees and managed by local company Evolution Management, offers a variety of different activities and events and has something for everyone. However, due to current lockdown measures, many of the usual services, classes and facilities have been put on temporary hold. The Community Centre has been mainly providing a platform for essential childcare services throughout lockdown. Plantpots Playgroup and Butterflies and Bugs after school club have continued to operate, along with a takeaway service only from Great Park Shake Shack. The centre looks forward to welcoming the whole community back when it is safe to do so, and to getting back to offering a full range of services. When the centre is fully operational, there is a Playgroup, a cafĂŠ, after school club, various fitness classes, music lessons, baby classes, girl guides, martial arts, language classes, puppy training, church group, corporate and community meetings and Great Park Football Club which covers all ages from young children up to the adult team. For hire to the local community the centre has hall spaces, a recently renovated meeting room, grass pitches, outdoor court facilities including tennis and netball and the new 3G pitch, which offers the chance for rugby and 5-a-side football. You can find out more about the centres activities and events by joining their Facebook group, or visiting www.greatparkcommunitycentre.com. Roseden Way, Great Park, NE13 9BD.
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SUDOKU
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Solution
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
German Language Learning for 2021 SUSANNE WARDLE, DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF THE GERMAN TEACHER, EXPLAINS WHY LEARNING A LANGUAGE COULD BENEFIT YOU IN 2021
Could German language learning be your New Year’s resolution for 2021? Finally, the year 2020 has gone and, despite the ongoing challenges due to Covid-19, it is time to think about the fulfilment of plans, dreams and the achievement of goals for 2021. However, while 60% of people make New Year’s resolutions, most give up by the 12th of January and 43% in under a month. As a matter of fact, only 8-12% of all resolutions see their fulfilment by the end of the year. Let it be German Whether you have always wanted to learn a new language or refresh your language from school, German is a great choice for any English speaker. Undeniably German is similar to English, as you say the letters you see and it is very structured. Whether you decide to learn German or any other language, here are the top tips: Firstly, pick a language which is relevant to you. So, it might be your holiday destination, or you might have friends who are native speakers or speak the language well. Do you need the language for work or will it further your career? Did you enjoy the language at school and wished you kept it up? Do you enjoy German films, books, music or composers? Whatever your reason, if the language is relevant to you, you will put the work in to learn it! Secondly, you could learn a language with a partner, friend, group or your children? It is fun to learn together and apart from practising, you can correct and challenge each other. Expect challenges on the way and have realistic expectations. It is unlikely that you will achieve fluency within a few months unless you have some prior knowledge. Your life will get busy at times and your language learning might not be your priority. Be clear in your goal settings and convey this to your language teacher! What do you want to get out
“A different language is a different version of life” - Frederico Fellini – film director 14
of your language learning? Any professional language teacher will have that conversation with you and tailor the lesson to your needs. Make a commitment to learning! 10 minutes of vocabulary learning a day is better than 1 hour in 7 days. Complete the set homework! Have fun with the language: Listen to songs, label your house with post-its, write your shopping list in German, try your German out on friends and on holiday and watch German language films with subtitles. Benefits of learning a language • It opens your world to another way of thinking while gaining a deeper understanding of your own culture. • Languages let you connect you with different people and a different culture and limit barriers between people. • Foreign languages improve your analytical and problem-solving skills. • A foreign language opens the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science. • It undoubtedly has health benefits, as it sharpens your memory and helps to prevent the onset of dementia. • Learning a language is fun and gives you a sense of achievement. In brief, whatever your New Year’s Resolutions for 2021, make language learning one of them. There is no age limit and you might surprise yourself. Absolutely consider German as an option. It has a lot to offer and is easier than you think! ■ www.germanteacher.uk
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QUICK CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 E.g. a ketch (3-6) 6 Copper and zinc alloy (5) 9 Item (7) 10 Not friendly (7) 11 Nail-like fastener (5) 12 Carry (9) 13 Bony structures (9) 15 Burning gas (5) 16 Forbiddingly (5) 18 Environmental fouling agent (9) 20 Deadlock (9) 23 Lukewarm (5) 25 Arabian Nights hero (3,4) 26 Mythical creature (7) 27 Expel (5) 28 Northern Canadian island (9)
DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 17 19 21 22 24
Melts (5) Exterior (7) Satan (9) Larceny (5) Practice session (9) Defeats (5) Grand Canyon state (7) Confection (9) In good order (9) Home for abandoned children (9) Ornamental water jets (9) Conceive (7) Sanction (7) Make law (5) Peer (5) Move rhythmically (5)
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Looking after your feet when you have diabetes Podiatrists look after diabetic feet, and help with education and treatment to prevent the serious problems that can develop in the diabetic foot. All our registered diabetic patients receive a FREE annual diabetic foot screening, a copy of which is sent to your GP & individual leaflet advice. Covid-19 safety measures are in place in our practice to protect our patients and ourselves. Please see our website for more information. HCPC Registered Podiatrists 25 Ashburton Road | Gosforth | NE3 4XN T: 0191 284 3698 W: www.chiropodistsnewcastle.co.uk /newcastlefeet
17
FITNESS
hula fitness! The perfect lockdown exercise By Tracey Anderson
During the first lockdown I rather enjoyed the enforced laziness. I am a gym member, but I don’t really love it. After a while though I noticed that, while I didn’t miss weights and running on the treadmill, I did miss the classes, and the rush of endorphins that followed. Then one day while idly flicking through YouTube videos I came across a ‘hulafitness’ workout. It looked fun. I grabbed one of my daughter’s neon hula hoops and had a go. Much harder than it looked but I enjoyed it. The next afternoon I had another go and my teenage daughter joined in. We laughed a lot (which was a bonus as anyone who has a teenage daughter will acknowledge) and afterwards we investigated hula-fitness a bit more. Hula hooping is inexpensive, and you can do it practically anywhere, which is kind of the point in lockdown. All you need to get started is a hoop and room to move. Standard hula hoops are cheap as chips but after a few sessions we invested in weighted ones. Even they didn’t break the bank. Ours cost about £15 each but even the more expensive ones were only £40. It is important to find the rightsized hoop. Larger hoops are a little easier as a beginner because you spin more slowly. If using a weighted hoop, begin with a lighter one (around 0.5-1Kg) and increase the weight as you get more proficient. Correct form is more important than weight, and I did have a little accident where I pulled a muscle in my back 18
for a few days because in my enthusiasm the first hoop I bought was too heavy. There are a few online tutorials that talk you through how to hula hoop with proper form. To my delight I found our gym offered a beginner’s online hula fitness class, so we signed up for that. With hula hooping, you teach your body how to move the right way with the hoop while working your cardiovascular system. Shorter workouts are better at the start. We started with two ten-minute sessions a day and worked up from there.
Hold each side of the hoop around your waist, resting against your back. With the hoop against your back, start spinning the hoop in whichever direction you find easiest. As the hoop starts to spin, move your waist in a circular motion to keep the hoop moving. Push your hips slightly forward as the hoop moves across your stomach and push back when the hoop moves across your back. KEEP THE CORE MUSCLES ENGAGED – TUMMY TIGHT. If the hoop drops, just pick it up and get going again.
BASIC FORM AND POSTURE
FINALLY
Feet should be a little more than shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly in front of the other. Your back should be straight, and your core engaged to protect your back.
If you have a back injury or chronic back pain, check with your doctor or physical therapist before trying hula hooping to make sure it’s safe for you.
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
PROBATE: How much do you charge? BY JACQUELINE EMMERSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EMMERSONS SOLICITORS
W
hen I am drafting wills on behalf of clients we discuss the issue of Executors. An Executor is the person who handles all of the paperwork and administration when someone dies. They are expected to apply for a Grant of Probate and thereafter gather in the assets of the estate, pay all creditors and distribute the remainder to the beneficiaries. If you want to appoint someone who knows what they are doing, who can work quickly and who takes away the stress from your family then it would be a good idea to appoint a solicitor. Hence the question, how much do you charge? Well that depends very much upon you. Are you organised? A three bedroomed property which is neat and tidy and with most paperwork in one room will take about four to six hours for three of our staff to search for jewellery, paperwork, share certificates, coin collections, musical instruments etc. We have to search everywhere. If you were very organised you would have all paperwork in one draw or cabinet with a list of your old accounts/investments indicating that those accounts had been closed down. This will immediately cut down on costs as we won’t have to spend time locating paperwork. There is a world of difference between us going through fifteen years of old bills or being presented with a neat orderly collection of up to date paperwork. If you have asked a family member to be your executor this is what you are asking them to attend to unless they then appoint a solicitor upon your death. What state a property is in will hugely affect how much we charge. You are probably not aware of just how much a skip can cost. We have just received a quote for over £12,000 for a company to clear out a house. It’s in such bad condition that builders cannot tell what the structure of the building is like. I know that once it’s cleaned up and the garden tidied that we can make tens of thousands more on this property. It’s in a beautiful location with a mature 50 foot private garden. A person’s mental health can deteriorate quite quickly once other family members pass away. We once went to a small house that was so packed with rubbish that we couldn’t tell if there was a bathroom 20
JACQUELINE EMMERSON
or not. The family had taken one look at the place and instructed us to act. It took six staff from our Clear and Clean team four days to clear out that house. But they also cleaned it from top to bottom, thus it was immediately ready for sale and sold within days of being placed upon the market. According to the neighbour the place had been as neat as a pin when the lady of the house was alive. She predeceased her husband by three years and things had declined that much in such a short space of time. I think the correct question to ask is how much added value can we as solicitors bring to the estate. A few months ago we sorted out a house that had not been modernised since the 1950’s. No modern kitchen or bathroom, no central heating. But we organised everything very quickly and using sealed bids we obtained £65,000 over the asking price within three days of the property going on the market for sale. I know that everyone does not live their lives in order to save probate legal fees but at the moment, as we are all stuck in the house, is it not a good idea to organise your paperwork. Whilst you are at it you might decide to rearrange some of your contracts. If you are preparing a list of utility companies with account numbers what about negotiating yourself a better deal. If you have gold sovereigns are they hidden all over the house, will I have to look down the back of drawers to find them or could you store them with your jewellery. Do you have an old watch? In days gone by as soon as a man qualified from his apprenticeship he would buy himself a decent watch. Those watches are often left lying in cupboards but they can be worth a fortune. Gold is also quite valuable at the moment and it’s worth taking it down to the gold dealers in town to sell it. Why not cash in your money now and, when Covid is over take yourself off for a few days holiday. That way I won’t be charging your estate for the time taken to go and sell your gold, sovereigns or jewellery. A win win situation. ■ If you require any help then please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0191 2846989 or je@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk
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www.neboilercare.co.uk
21
EDUCATION
World Book Day Thursday 4th March is WORLD BOOK DAY and this year the focus is on libraries. By Sarah Davey
E
very Saturday morning, after we’d endured the weekly shop, my mother took me and my brother to the library. We’d flop down in the children’s section and skim the titles, our heads tilted at ninety degrees. Our card limit was three books each and it never seemed enough. My mother was an avid reader and instilled in both of us the love of a good story. It’s why I’m delighted that World Book Day is here again, and that it's working even more closely with libraries. For the first time in our lives libraries are seriously under threat. Yet libraries level the playing field for families who can't afford to buy books. They are gateways to a world of information and imagination. World Book Day is the annual event supporting books and reading in the UK. Schools, libraries and bookshops will be holding book related events, activities and parties. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get involved. The aim of World Book Day is to encourage children to explore the pleasure of reading. Your child will be given a book token which can be exchanged for one of ten specially published World Book Day books. The theme this year is story-sharing. Research has proven that keen readers: ·· Read, write and concentrate better ·· Process new information more easily ·· Have many interests and do well in a wide variety of subjects
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·· ·· ··
Are more flexible thinkers and are more open to new ideas Deal with personal problems better without their schoolwork being affected. They are also well equipped to deal with the explosion of constantly changing information available through the internet and social media.
TV and computer games take up so much of our children’s leisure time that the simple pleasure of reading can be overlooked. Yet reading is the only entertainment medium which is also a life skill and it’s one of the best gifts you can give to your child. So let’s all support World Book Day and... celebrate the power of a story. ■ Visit www.worldbookday.com
Share a few of your childhood favourites with your own children. If your memory needs a jog, here are a few to start you off… Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Grandpa’s Great Escape by David Walliams How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell The Gruffalo By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
CLASSES NOW ONLINE
CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS
. . . it's not just a walk in the park
Get fit with Buggyfit! ✔ Tighten and tone muscles ✔ Flatten your mummy tummy ✔ Make time for exercise ✔ Get back into your pre-baby clothes USUAL CLASS TIMETABLE:
Monday 10.00am Jesmond Tuesday 9.45am & 10.45am - Jesmond Dene Weds 10.00am & 11.00am - Gosforth Friday 10am - Ponteland To book call Debbie 07846 237 855 or email debbie.donaldson1@sky.com www.debbiedonaldson.co.uk
PROMOTION
T
he start of 2021 has begun with a flurry of unpredictable weather, but come rain or shine, there is still plenty to do in the garden. Not your average garden centre, Dobbies is on hand with expert advice to keep you inspired this winter. With more time to spend at home, gardening expert and Horticultural Director at Dobbies, Marcus Eyles, has plenty of ideas to keep you busy, prepare for spring and welcome garden wildlife. Marcus said – “It may not be the natural time you’d think to head outside and do some gardening, but there is still plenty you can be getting on with. Spending even fifteen minutes outside will give you a burst of fresh air and help you to keep on top of odd jobs. As we approach one of the busiest times in the gardeners’ calendar, planning ahead helps me to stay organised and keep on top of anything that might need repairing or replacing in the garden toolbox. With some waterproofs, a hot flask of tea and a pair of headphones so I can listen to a podcast, winter gardening has a quieter, slower pace to it, which I think we can all learn to enjoy."
Winter gardening inspiration
On dry, sunny days, escape into the garden to make a head start on jobs in preparation for the lengthening days of early spring. If healthy eating is in your focus after the indulgence of the festive period then why start growing your own indoor sprouts and microgreens, so easy and nutritious. Terrace garden Start thinking about your bedding displays. The most economical way to fill your tubs and baskets with your summer favourites is to grow your own from young plants and plugs. Pot up into growing trays or fibre pots, using peat-free multipurpose compost, and grow on in a warm frost-free greenhouse or conservatory until all risk of frost has passed. 24
What to do in the garden this winter As cold, wet weather continues, gardening experts at Dobbies share advice on why now is the ideal time to plan ahead for spring
Summer flowering bulbs are available now. Perfect for garden borders and patio containers alike, chose from Begonias, Dahlias, Gladioli and more for fabulous summer colour with very little effort. On mild days plant patio pots with Lily bulbs to fill your garden with their heady fragrance. Beds and borders Where weather allows, now is the perfect time to plant new trees and hedges, creating wildlife friendly structure and boundaries to your garden. If you are planning on moving any plants in your garden, chose a frost-free day while they are still dormant to allow them time to establish ready for the coming spring. On frost free days take the opportunity to prune deciduous trees and shrubs to maintain their shape. In the event of heavy snowfall, use a broom to gently brush off Conifers, Topiary and Evergreen shrubs, helping to prevent damage under the extra weight.
Cottage Garden Sow Sweet Peas under cover now to make strong plants for the earliest blooms. Sow 2 seeds into each re-usable deep root trainer or growing pot, keeping an eye out for mice, which have a penchant for germinating pea seed. If the ground isn’t frozen, you can make a start by planting bare-root roses this month. Hellebores are full of bud now ready to reveal their welcome blooms. Carefully cut off the foliage at the base to show the flowers in all their glory. Continue to cut back and tidy faded cottage garden perennials but leave grasses and seed heads for their architectural interest, particularly beautiful on frosty mornings, but also to feed winter birds and shelter overwintering insects. Fruit & Vegetable Garden Start forcing rhubarb now for the earliest sweetest stems. The
All pots available from Dobbies Garden Centres
traditional way is to exclude light by using an ornamental terracotta forcer, lined with straw for extra warmth, but equally a black bucket inverted over the crown will provide results. New season seed potatoes, onionsets and shallots are available now. Place seed potatoes upturned in egg boxes to shoot (chit) in a light, frost free shed or garage. Don’t start them too early as they can’t be planted out until March.
Watch out for wildlife
Garden birds can be vulnerable when the ground is frozen and there’s little natural harvest available. You can help by setting up a bird table or adding a bird box or house to your garden, something that doesn’t require much space. It only takes a few minutes to put out some bird food, and if you put this out daily you will quickly have regular visitors. In winter, fat-based treats are best. Making sure birds have access to clean fresh water is just as important as putting out bird food. Marcus says – “In freezing temperatures you can stop the water icing over by placing a table-tennis ball in the bird bath. And in the event of snow, check your feeders afterwards to make sure they haven’t been blocked up by snowfall.”
Indoor greenery
All pots available from Dobbies Garden Centres
After Christmas, the house can feel a little bare. Inject vibrant fresh colour with new-season houseplants that will revitalise your home. Choose from our range of fragrant flowering plants, handsome Foliage, hanging and trailing plants, Ferns
and Succulents. Look out for airpurifying plants to support a healthier environment in your home or office space.
tools, so a few jobs that might be worthwhile whilst sheltering in from the rain which will also mean you get nice and organised for spring gardening…
Wet weather advice
Q. Is there anything I can do to protect my garden from heavy rain / storms? A. Ultimately rain is good for gardens, as it helps plants and grass to grow. When rain is predicted, it’s a good idea to fork your lawn, as this will aerate it. This essentially improves draining and opens up soil that may be compacted, so that moisture and oxygen can reach the grass roots. You can also dress lawns with a scattering of lawn sand, this will help with drainage for lawns growing on heavy soil and improve the general health of grass, keeping it green and moss free. If you have garden furniture that can stay outside all year round, we would still recommend using a cover to protect it from the rain or frost. To be on the cautious side before a storm or windy weather strikes, make sure your garden furniture is stored away in the garden shed or garage. Q. What jobs can I be getting on with in the garden if it rains? A. Why not make the most of the opportunity to have some shed time. The garden shed can become a bit of place to leave unused pots or used
Sort & clean garden tools
Check mowers and machinery are in good working order so you are primed for grass cutting and hedge strimming and know if any elements need replacing. Re-stain weathered wood garden furniture or give metal sets a good clean. Wash and disinfect your pots – make sure you get rid of dry soil from the bottom of pots and then simply soak in a bucket of warm soapy water, give them an extra scrub before rinsing, followed by drying and disinfecting. Q. How can gardeners work with unseasonal weather and make the most of this? A. Make the most of heavy rainfall by installing a water butt in your garden. Installing a water butt will conserve rainwater, so you don’t have to use extra water from the garden hose or kitchen tap, helping to do your bit towards being more sustainable and saving money on water bills. ■ Find your local Dobbies at Gosforth Park, Gosforth, NE3 5EP Find out more at www.dobbies.com 25
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Supporting People at Home HOME CARE OFFERS A PERSONALISED SERVICE AND BENEFITS WELLBEING TOO EXPLAINS DAVID HASWELL, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BLUEBIRD CARE NEWCASTLE
92% of us don’t want to go into a care home. Thankfully, home care is a cost-effective alternative which offers a more personalised tailored service to a care home – it also has endless benefits for mental health and wellbeing. A recent survey conducted by YouGov on 2,058 adult members of the public in September, shows that more than 9 out of 10 (92%) respondents aged 65 years and over agreed that ‘people would prefer to be supported at home, rather than in a care home’. With figures like this is truly highlights the importance of staying in your own home, with familiar surroundings for as long as possible. Home care and care homes - what’s the difference? Although these two terms sound very similar and both offer the same end result, there is some considerable differences between the two. Aside from the obvious, that the care is carried out in different locations, there are a number of big differences to home care and care homes. Home care ·· Care in your own home with familiar surroundings ·· Remain a part of your community ·· Stay on your own schedule. You decide when you eat, sleep and what you watch on television ·· Continue to look after your much-loved pets ·· See friends and family when you like and enjoy companionship. ·· A personalised care service tailored to your needs and bespoke to you Care homes ·· Move out of your family home and into an unfamiliar environment ·· Follow a schedule which is not your own. Set meal times and have go to sleep at certain times ·· Leave your pets behind ·· Restricted times for seeing friends and family ·· Not companionship based ·· Not one-to-one care. Instead, a team of carers look after a number of people David Haswell, Bluebird Care Director says: “We all want to live at home and in our community 26
for as long as possible. There is nothing better than home comforts. At Bluebird Care Newcastle we support our customers to remain their independent in the own home for as long as possible. This has huge benefits on their physical health, mental health and wellbeing. Supporting people at home benefits individuals as well as their family, friends and neighbours. Care at home provides continuity and a familiar routine in your most familiar environment – your own home”. Needing care for a loved one during COVID Home care services have played a vital role in enabling people to remain at home safely throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, relieving pressure on the stretched NHS. The need for care suddenly doesn’t stop because of COVID, or in fact anything. Care is still delivered whether it be through adverse weather conditions, such as The Beast from the East a few years back, Public Holidays like Christmas, or Sporting events such as the Great North Run, people still need their care and support each day. Like many other care providers and other businesses, Bluebird Care Newcastle have invested heavily in updating policy and procedures to ensure that, all our staff, customers and people we come in to contact with remain safe as possible. One of the advantages of home care especially during the lockdown, is the ability for the personal connections between families and loved ones to still be there, you can still visit your loved one if they are in the comfort of their own home. So, if you or a loved one is need of care and support at home, then please don’t feel as though you haven’t got any options, we are here to help. We’re here for you Find out more about the services provided by award-winning Bluebird Care Newcastle at www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/newcastle or to have a confidential chat to one of our team, please call us on 0191 341 0190.
www.thermosroof.co.uk ★★★★★
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Does it have problems with: Too much sun glare? Condensation build-up? Noise from heavy rain? An unsightly dirty roof?
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
A Success Story for Morpeth Maximize Education is a private educational facility providing supportive and alternative education for students funded both privately and via local government. The business was founded in Morpeth by Christine Jamieson, who built up its reputation for delivering bespoke individual tuition for students of all ages, across a full range of academic subjects. She recognised the need to professionalise the private tutorial industry to ensure tutors provided tuition reflecting the national curriculum and examination board specifications while observing the necessary requirements of safeguarding. The intention was always to ensure that parents and students were given access to highly qualified professional educators, across as many subjects as required, in the most cost-effective way. The standards were set high with a determination ensure services continued to be one to one. The development of locally based tuition centres began in 2019, first in Gosforth then Morpeth when a suitable property became available. The onset of the pandemic brought about new challenges, however, Maximize Education adapted and evolved to meet the challenge and invested heavily in the Morpeth Tuition Centre to ensure a Covid safe
environment for students and staff, welcoming new and old students back into the learning environment. On the 7th September 2020 Maximize Education’s Online Tuition Services went National. The uptake has ensured that this locally developed business is not only surviving the pandemic, but marching forward, creating ongoing employment opportunities for a growing team in their Morpeth based Head Office. ■ www.maximizeeducation.com
TOTALISER Boost your mental agility against the clock. Start with the number on the left and follow the instructions as you go across. Within the 30-second time limit beginners should complete the Level One challenge, intermediate players Level Two and advanced players Level Three. LEVEL ONE
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ANSWER
+9
-11
÷2
-5
TIMES ITSELF
➥
➥
➥
➥
➥
-21 x2.5
3/5
OF THIS
➥
➥
➥
÷5
TIMES ITSELF
➥
➥
÷4
1/2
OF THIS
+36 ÷4
➥
➥
➥
➥
TIMES ITSELF
+29
➥
➥
LEVEL TWO
57
ANSWER
+317 -83 ➥
➥
÷3 ÷16 ➥
➥
LEVEL THREE
115
ANSWER
-345 +12 ➥
➥
√
OF THIS
➥
x3.5 +287
75% OF THIS
-177
➥
➥
➥
➥
SOLUTION: Level One: 11; Level Two: 65; Level Three: 75. 28
TUTORING WITH PROVEN RESULTS • All GCSE & A-level subjects,
including Maths, English & Science • Entrance exams, SAT’s GCSE & A-levels • Catch up on missed schooling
• GCSE & A-levels 2021: Get tutorial support to assist preparation for your Teacher marked assessments To book a free consultation call 07894 852 929 or email maximizeeducation@gmail.com
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Love your home, inside and out, the Stormshield Way! · GENUINE FAMILY BUSINESS · NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED · PRICES OVER PHONE IF REQUIRED
We are very proud of the reputation that we have built over the last 29 years. As a genuine family run business, we have always provided a first class personal service with top quality products. When you choose Stormshield, you can relax in knowing you are working with a trusted family firm, who really cares. We’ll take care of everything - Fully project managed from start to finish and all building works undertaken.
TRIPLE GLAZED WINDOWS
WARM ROOFS
Enjoy extra warmth and noise reduction in the comfort of your home
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STYLISH DOORS
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Composite, Bi-Fold and Patio doors
STORMSHIELD
www.stormshieldhomeimprovements.co.uk Office & Showroom 3 Arcot Court, Nelson Road, Nelson Park, Cramlington, NE23 1BB
Monday to Thursday 9am- 5pm Friday 9am - 3pm Saturday 10am - 4pm. Closed on Sunday
CALL NOW: (01670) 71 00 50 30
Right at Home has provided my husband’s care for a number of years. The quality of carer is of the highest standard and they are always willing to go the extra mile.
How can we help? CARE AND COMPANIONSHIP Includes housekeeping, meal preparation, transport, errands and outings.
PERSONAL CARE AND ASSISTANCE Includes washing, dressing, continence care and medication.
HOSPITAL TO HOME Support when returning home, including post-operative support.
‘‘
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We offer a variety of care services to seniors and adults with both physical and mild learning disabilities. Our services are customised to every individual and are provided by highly-trained CareGivers.
Review - homecare.co.uk
MANAGED LIVE-IN
24 hour care as an alternative to a residential care home.
SPECIALIST CARE AND DEMENTIA Includes physical assistance palliative care and our unique Dementia DELAY Programme.
What Makes us different?
Right at Home Tyneside is no ordinary care provider. First and foremost we are about supporting people who place their trust in us. We aim to exceed their expectations; going the extra mile is the norm and only the best will do. We make delivering your individual needs and choices our number one objective.
Call our friendly team on
0191 223 6806 www.rightathomeuk.co.uk/tyneside
LIFESTYLE
The Rise of Athleisure Wear By Tracey Anderson
It's stating the obvious to say that COVID has changed everything. It's even changed the way we dress. With so many of us working from home there has been a surge in demand for comfy clothes, that don't constrict or constrain, but which still allow us to look professional on Zoom calls and in Team meetings. Enter athleisure wear Athleisure wear is a combination of sports, urban, and fashion wear, but it's more than the sum of its parts. It has grown as a trend because it blends the aesthetics from both the sports and fashion industries, with fashion offering credibility to the sports aesthetic, while the sports provides some functionality to the fashion. Athletic brands are always looking to improve the performance of athletes. This forces them to innovate. Comfort and feel are top priority for most athletes. The goal is to create better fabric and form to improve athletic performance. But parallel to the innovation brands are also looking to get the most out of their investment and being at the front of fashion allows them to reach a wider market. Athletic brands have to stay ahead of the game by developing high-tech fabrics, with better performance and more comfort. The fashion industry, on the other hand, has always focused more on trends and less on comfort and functionality. But who doesn’t want to be comfortable in their clothes? We feel most naturally confident when our clothes are comfortable, and we know we look good. This is the beauty of athleisure wear – it isn’t just for sport; it can be worn anytime and anywhere. For this reason, it has attracted new fans during the age of COVID and homeworking. We can wear athleisure while lounging, walking the dog, hosting a meeting, or cooking supper. It's comfortable, durable, odour-resistant, and wrinkle-free. It’s becoming so popular it’s beginning to eat into the usually stable denim market: in recent surveys in the UK and the US more people now claim to prefer athleisure aesthetics over denim for their casual wear. 32
Next Grey Hoody £28
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Next Sculpting Sports Leggings £24 M&S Crop Legging £19.50
M&S Trainer £39.50 FatFace Soft Jogger £32 All items available at Next
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FA
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AC
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SS
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Aerobic Mums Tums and Bums is a fun postnatal exercise class aimed at increasing your energy levels, toning your body, whilst bringing your baby with you.
Do you want to:
• Flatten you mummy tummy • Regain your strength and fitness • Tighten and tone your muscles • Feel energised The class is a low impact aerobic class specifically designed for mums, with exercise to music, strengthening, toning and relaxation.
Babies welcome too.
CLASSES NOW ONLINE
VISIT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS Monday 1-2pm at Trinity Church, Gosforth
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To book call Debbie 07846 237 855 or email: debbie.donaldson1@sky.com www.debbie.donaldson.co.uk 33 33
ADVERTISING FEATURE
GIVE SOMEONE POWER OF ATTORNEY… BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE Lasting Powers of Attorney are invaluable documents as part of the overall planning of your estate as managing your financial affairs can become more difficult as you get older. If a person is unable to manage their affairs due to mental incapacity and they have not made a valid Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney, their assets will be frozen as no one (including their spouse and children) has the authority to deal with them. At this point someone will need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as the person’s Deputy. The Court will then authorize the Deputy to deal with the person’s affairs in a certain manner. This is a very time consuming (around 6 months) and expensive (in the region of £1,750) process. This situation can be simply avoided through the making of a Lasting Power of Attorney. By making a Lasting Power of Attorney you can decide whom you would like to manage your affairs in the event that you are unable to do so either due to physical or mental incapacity. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney that can be made, one dealing with your property and financial affairs and the other dealing with your personal welfare.
PERSONAL WELFARE This power gives your attorney the authority to make decisions regarding your healthcare and medical treatment. PROPERTY AND AFFAIRS
This power enables your attorney to deal with your bank accounts and your property. This includes decisions in relation to selling or renting your property, paying your bills, applying for benefits you are entitled to and all aspects of dealing with your bank accounts, savings and investments. 34
All work we undertake is at fixed fees: Single Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney: £300 inclusive of VAT Double Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney (suitable for couples): £420 inclusive of VAT Single Will: £180 inclusive of VAT Mirror Will: £240 inclusive of VAT It is imperative that specialist advice is taken in order to ensure that the power given accurately reflects your wishes. Call Crichton Wills Trusts & Probate on 01670 514772 and speak to a specialist adviser today who will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have and offers a free no obligation appointment in the comfort of your own home.
55 Beaumont Court, Pegswood, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1BF
Price of Family Trust ÂŁ1,800 (inc. VAT)
35 35
FOOD
Valentine Jammy Dodgers A HOME MADE TREAT WITH ADDED LOVE
Ingredients
175g plain flour Pinch of salt 75g icing sugar 125g unsalted butter, diced 1 egg yolk 1 tsp vanilla extract 75g raspberry jam 75g apricot jam
Method 1. 2.
3.
4.
on time: Preparati 30 minutes me: Cooking ti s 15-20 minute : s e k Ma 6-8
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5. 6.
7.
Sift the flour, salt and icing sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub it lightly into the flour mix, using your fingertips, until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and vanilla extract lightly together. Make a well in the centre of the flour mix. Add the egg and vanilla and work together to form a soft, smooth dough. (You can use a food processor if you have one). Place the dough in a polythene bag and place in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 170C / gas mark 3. Divide the chilled dough into two equal portions. Place one portion between two pieces of lightly floured greaseproof paper and roll the dough to approximately a 4mm thickness. Repeat with the second piece of dough. Remove the top sheet of paper. With a large biscuit cutter, cut the dough into an even number of discs. Using a small heart cutter, cut out and remove the centre of half the biscuit discs. Place all the discs on the baking sheets. Bake for 15–20 minutes until just firm and barely coloured. Don’t fully bake yet. Remove from the oven and place a teaspoonful of jam in the centre of each whole biscuit round. Spread to 1.5cm from the edge. Place the heart cut-out rounds on top. Return to the oven and cook for a further 5–6 minutes by which time the biscuits will be evenly cooked and the jam sufficiently hot to stick the two halves of the biscuits together. Leave the biscuits to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
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GARDENING
GARDEN VIEW
Heavenly Hellebores By Rachael Leverton
I fell in love with Hellebores a few years ago after an early spring visit to the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge where there are some beautiful displays. They provide a spring garden with elegant colour, and I admit to being quite excited when they appear. They are poisonous plants so are probably best avoided if you have young children. They have a somewhat magical history. A mythological physician named Melampus was said to have observed the cathartic effect of hellebore on goats who munched on the plants. Melampus allegedly then used the milk of the same goats to cure the daughters of the King of Argos of their madness. The plant was used for its purgative properties into the Middle Ages and beyond. Personally, I would recommend growing them only for their attractiveness! The original species originated in the northern parts of Greece and Turkey, but they grow incredibly well in British gardens. Having said that, I was disappointed when my first hellebore plants didn’t thrive initially. They seemed to succumb to disease quite easily. I subsequently learned this this was black rot. Then I heard Alan Titchmarsh’s advice to carefully cut the large fingered leaves from the plant at ground level in January,
taking care not to damage the buds. This somewhat brutal treatment has worked a treat and my hellebores are now flourishing. Hellebores like well-drained soil in sun or dappled shade. My clumps are happily increasing in size yearon-year. The stems shoot up to 25-30cm high between late January and February and the flowers appear at the top. Colours tend to be subtle: green-tinged white, yellow, oxblood red or dull purple but they glow in the more subdued light at this time of year. They would certainly appear washed-out in the bright sun of late spring and summer. The flowers are
rich in nectar so provide food for early bees. There are many varieties of hellebore, with single or double flowers. Just note that not all of them are easy to grow. I have struggled to get the Christmas Rose Helleborus niger to survive, never mind flower, but I’ve had much more success with the Green hellebore, Helleborus viridis, the pretty pink Lenten rose Helleborus x hybridus, which selfseeds quite nicely, and also the Helleborus x hybridus Ashwood Garden hybrids, which come in a variety of colours but don’t seem to self-seed as freely, at least in my garden. Dig in plenty of mushroom compost before planting, and mulch after you’ve cut the leaves off. Dust with a blood, bone and fishmeal mix after flowering and mulch again with wellrotted leaf mould or compost. Dig up any small self-seeded plants and use them as gifts, or to increase your own colony. Happy gardening!
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TILE NORTH EAST
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UNIT 3, HUBBWAY BUSINESS CENTRE, CRAMLINGTON, NE23 8AD OPPOSITE AZURE GARDEN CENTRE Tel: 01670 716 767 Email: tilenortheast@outlook.com www.tilenortheast.com
ADVERTIS ING FEATU RE
Enjoy your conservatory all year round If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot. Here, Thermos Roof explain how they have the answer
Conservatories are a fantastic space to enjoy whilst looking out onto your garden, they are bright, spacious and give you a great sense of closeness to the outdoors. However, as most conservatory owners will know, whilst they bring all of those benefits, it is usually short lived and can only be enjoyed for two or three months of the year, the rest of those months being either freezing cold or blisteringly hot. At Thermos Roof, we have been insulating conservatory roofs since 2005 for two main reasons, firstly to increase its insulating performance and secondly to enhance its internal aesthetic appearance. Experience will have shown you that in the winter as soon as you open the door the heat is sucked out of your room into the conservatory and, during the summer, it becomes a dazzling sauna that’s so hot you need a fan to cool you down. At Thermos Roof we can transform your conservatory from a room you barely use into a room that you can enjoy all year round, because the temperature is comfortable and constant, you will even be able to watch TV or use a computer without sunglasses. What is most impressive is that we can do this all in one day! With no mess! We retain your existing polycarbonate or glass roof and insulate it from the inside, finishing it in an attractive gloss white tongue and groove PVC cladding that matches perfectly with the rest of your conservatory construction. The materials we use are lightweight, therefore no roof strengthening is 40
required, no planning application is necessary and no long periods of mess and upheaval in your home. In addition to this the look and finish of your Thermos Roof will be as fresh in 10 years as it is now. The performance of the lightweight insulation system will equal that of vastly more expensive options, with less mess and waste, and less time to install saving you thousands of pounds and allowing you to enjoy your conservatory immediately. We can install a Thermos Roof to conservatories of any size or shape transforming them into a flowing extension of your living space wherein its use is not dictated by the external weather conditions, it will become warm in winter and cool in summer. In addition to the above benefits, our team will eliminate mould and condensation, reduce rain, noise and serve to cover up an unsightly dirty roof. The gloss white finish will make it brighter in the evenings by
reflecting light and will give your conservatory that WOW factor, making it a great place to relax or work. All installations come with a 5 year warranty and we guarantee that you will be amazed with both the improved appearance and the insulating performance of your new roof. We offer a free quotation service for the installation of your Thermos Roof and, should you require it, we can also undertake maintenance works to repair or replace gutters, fascias, soffits, window sills, roof panels and leaking roofs. Please give us a call today on 01670 828 695 to start the ball rolling to making full use of your Conservatory! ■ www.thermosroof.co.uk
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WE'RE OPEN 9AM - 5.30PM TUES - SAT
UNIT 8D, NORTH TYNE IND. ESTATE, WHITLEY ROAD, BENTON, NE12 9SZ
Opposite ASDA Benton. Two minutes from A19 Whitley Bay Exit on A191 Old Coast Road
BOOKS
NEW LOCAL BOOK COVERS THE BEST WALKS THAT THIS VARIED COUNTY HAS TO OFFER Day Walks in Northumberland features 20 routes between 7.6 and 14.5 miles (12.2km and 23.3km) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Researched and written by local walking guide David Wilson, this book covers the best that this varied county has to offer, including the border country along Hadrian’s Wall, spotless sandy beaches and exploring the industrial heritage of the area. The routes are split into three areas – Northumberland Coast, Northumberland National Park and History & Heritage. Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions,
details of distance and navigation information, and refreshmentstops and local information. David Wilson is a Northumberland Trail and Tour Guide and has spent his life exploring this remote and unique landscape. An ambassador for the county, he can be found in a variety of locations from the wilds of Northumberland National Park to trekking along Hadrian’s Wall. Alongside his passion for tourism in North East England, he is also a long-standing Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champion. This role sees him encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors safely and sustainably - the core principle of Day Walks in Northumberland, his first guidebook.
Available from 4th March 2021 Publisher: Vertebrate Publishing ISBN: 9781912560615 Number of pages: 152 Weight: 200 g Dimensions: 175 x 120 x 10 mm www.v-publishing.co.uk
ARROW WORD In this crossword the clues are printed in what would normally be the ‘black’ squares. Follow the signs from each clue to find where the word should fit.
Palm fruit In the past
Rainbow fish
Rip apart Tame animal
Animal doctor
Golfer's peg
Sea robbers
Score a goal Igneous rock
Small rodents Worse Prohibit
Scottish cap
Spike of corn
Church bench
Singleton Gratuity
Solution
T D A T E G R A P O O R U V E T O A N T R E E
P N I E R T A T I E S
V E T T E E M I P C E E W
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Forest plant
Female relative
Use a needle
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2021 COACH TOURS DELIGHTFUL DEVON
MURDER MYSTERY WEEKEND
2nd - 8th June · 7 days/6 nights DBB
16th July 2021 · 3 days/2 nights DBB
at the Best Western Livermead Cliff Hotel
£595 per person (£60 single supplement) With 3 days included excursions visiting - Totnes, Dartmouth, Exeter, and Sidmouth and 2 days at leisure in resort The Livermead Cliff Hotel on Torquay Sea Front has its own direct private access to Livermead Beach and is a level walk to the Marina & Town Centre. Its quiet location and spacious seaside lawns offering a wonderfully secluded seaside retreat by the Sea. Why not enjoy a Drink on the stunning Riviera Terrace and watch the Boats go in and out of the Marina.
OUTSTANDING VALUE AT £595!
At The Winnock Hotel, Drymen, Loch Lomond
£30
£225 per person (£43 single supplement)
The murder mystery takes place on the first night, followed by an included Day time excursion and evening entertainment on the 2nd night. Murder Mystery Nights take place in various forms, with numerous different plots. Someone sitting next to you may be another guest or an actor who will shortly slump to the floor. On all the storylines, you will be given the opportunity to guess ‘Whodunit’ and a prize given to the winner. In the unlikely event of everyone guessing correctly, we draw the winner from a hat. Most of the murder plots conclude after Breakfast, but some may conclude on the same night. The evening’s entertainment, with Dinner usually served between 7.30pm and 8.00pm – the evening usually finishes between 11pm and mid-night.
John & Graham
DEPOSI PER PERST SECURES YOON UR BOOKING
✆ CALL TODAY TO BOOK
01670 632 460 \ 07957 141 654 07770 934 189 \ 07720 784 084 Check our website or facebook page for updated tour information. Or you can contact us with your email address to receive updates: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com Preferred payments, via bank transfer, cheque, cash* or debit/credit card. Visit our website for terms and conditions 1 Spencer Drive, Pegswood, Morpeth, NE61 6SZ
www.unitedgrouptravel.com
ALL-INCLUSIVE BURNS
TURKEY AND TINSEL
At The Winnock Hotel, Drymen, Loch Lomond 3rd December 2021 · 4 day tour 3 nights DBB £275 per person (£51 Single supplement) Free bar 7:30pm- 10:30pm. Christmas carols on the steamship on Loch Katrine and a visit to Edinburgh Christmas Markets. The popular Winnock Hotel is situated in the centre of Drymen village just a short distance from Loch Lomond. All Bedrooms are prepared in traditional Scottish style with Private Facilities, TV, Tea & Coffee Tray, Lounge area with open fire, Bar, Reception Service, Highlander Restaurant & Function Room for Meals and Entertainment.
TWIXMAS
at Warner’s Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel
27th December 2021 · 4 day tour DBB
Only £389! NO single supplement
Bodelwyddan (pronounced bod-el-withan), is a Grade II listed Victorian building near the North Wales coast, not far from Snowdonia. Set within the grounds of a romantic castle, but with all the amenities of a modern Hotel, including a superb range of leisure facilities, numerous daily activities, and nightly live entertainment.
Dinner is normally a choice menu followed by Tea or Coffee.There are just two floors but no Lift.
The hotel was given a £6 million renovation and awarded a 4* AA award.
OUTSTANDING VALUE AT ONLY £275
** LIMITED AVAILABILITY ALREADY **
at The Winnock Hotel, Drymen, Loch Lomond 6th January 2022 · 5 Day Tour £325 per person (£68 single supplement) Join us for Burns Night in Drymen! Burns Night is the annual celebration honouring the life and works of Robert (Rabbie) Burns, the national poet of Scotland! Each year his birth is celebrated on 25th January with a hearty meal (and lots of haggis of course), a wee dram and renditions of his famous song Auld Lang Syne! Includes: � Return coach travel � 4 nights all-inclusive � Hotel entertainment on at least 2 nights � Glass of wine with dinners followed by tea and coffee � Packed lunches or soup & sandwich lunches � Free bar every night (between 7:30pm & 10:30pm) � Farewell ‘Hot Toddy’ on departure � Loch Lomond cruise with tea/coffee and shortbread served on board
★ QUALITY TOURS - BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE ★ 44
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BOOKS
A Good Read
By Willow Coby
THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY by Rachel Joyce Retirement is meant to be relaxing, isn’t it? You do what you love doing and enjoy yourself. But what if you suddenly receive a letter out of the blue? A woman who worked in your office many years ago has cancer and is dying. She just wants you to know. This touches you for reasons you can’t quite explain, so you write her a note to say that you are sorry to hear that. Putting on your coat and your yacht shoes you leave with the note. Your destination? The post box. Just as far as the end of the road. And so, starts Harold Fry’s extraordinary journey: 627 miles in 87 days. With no plan, other than to reach Queenie, he sets off on a journey of faith. Scribbling on the note he tells her to wait for him. This debut novel from radio and TV writer, Rachel Joyce, will take you on a gentle journey with Harold and the various people he meets along the way. Totally unprepared for what he will encounter, his faith in positive thinking keeps him going as he learns more about his life and relationships with his wife and son.
THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner Post-apocalyptic and dystopian literature is perennially popular with teens and adults alike, and the events of 2020 only served to increase its attraction. The Maze Runner was initially published in 2009 but came to prominence with the release of the film adaptation in 2014. Thomas is a teenager who awakes to find himself in a box in a place called the Glade. He has no memory of who he is or how he came to be here, but he is thrown into this new community, and as a reader so are you. Before long you become familiar with the terminology used by the boys and you feel as if you are a Glader along with them. As Thomas adjusts to his new environment, he learns 46
about the Maze which surrounds the Glade. Each day the walls open and a select group of runners spend daylight hours exploring and mapping it. It is a race against the clock because at sunset the Grievers – giant robotic creatures – enter the Maze and they are deadly. The walls close to protect the community and overnight the structure of the Maze changers, leaving the runners to start again in the morning. The big mystery is why. Why are Thomas and the other boys there and why do the Grievers come out to get them? Why do the walls in the Maze change and will the runners ever solve it? However, more importantly why has a girl been sent to the Glade and why has all communication with the outside world suddenly stopped? This is the first book in an engaging series which develop the story and characters beyond the original theme.
WHEN THE CURTAIN FALLS by Carrie Hope Fletcher Somewhere in every town or city is a special place. A place where real life is suspended, and you can forget about your problems. A place that shows us life in all its details. The ups and downs, love, death, joy, and sadness. It shows us life as we wish it was and life as we hope it will never be. That place is of course, the theatre. This novel catapults you into that world and provides a fascinating glimpse of life backstage where the audience usually never get to venture. Part romance and part ghost story When the Curtain Falls switches between the present day and 1952, where two young lovers try to steal moments together backstage as life begins to echo the drama being played out on stage. Tragedy strikes and one of them is destined to remain forever haunting the dressing rooms and fly floor high above the stage. Nearly 60 years later and their fateful play is revived at the same theatre. Among the cast are Olive and Oscar, also stealing moments together to keep their budding romance secret. But strange things start to happen as a previous occupant is reawakened. Sometimes (especially right now) you need a light, easy-to-read, novel for a bit of escapism. When the Curtain Falls fills that brief. It won’t win any literary awards, and sometimes the character development feels rushed, but it has a certain level of charm. Fletcher herself has grown up in the theatre and anyone who knows her cannot help but picture her when Olive is described. But that only adds to the fun.
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H me Choosing home care with Bluebird Newcastle allows you to benefit from 1-2-1 care, and strong relationships with your care assistants
Find out how Bluebird Care across the North East can support you or a loved one to remain at home 0191 307 7021 newcastle@bluebirdcare.co.uk bluebirdcare.co.uk/newcastle/home-care 48
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