En october 2014 by Doug

October 2014

MAGAZINE

Spooky Halloween Autumn Getaways How to Choose a University Panto Time

Local News & Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On in Your Area

Welcome to your October issue of en MAGAZINE Hello and welcome to the October 2014 edition of EN Magazine. Have you had to turn on the heating as the last shades of summer disappear and autumn arrives? We normally associate holidays with the summer but who is to say we cannot getaway in the autumn. In this issue of EN Magazine we look at a few autumn destinations. More and more children are taking to the streets to celebrate Halloween with a trip out trick or treating. We investigate the traditions of Halloween and where they come from. Are you or do you know someone who is making the decision on where to continue their education. EN Magazine shares some advice on how to choose the course and University or Higher Education Establishment that will be right for you. I hope that you enjoy reading this issue of EN Magazine. I appreciate your feedback on the magazine so that we can continue to improve. If you have any comments or suggestions please get in touch with me at dal@ enmagazine.co.uk Kind regards

Doug

Douglas Lee Publisher, en magazine

Contents

Page 4 - Local News and Events Page 19 - Education - Choosing a Uni or HE Establishment Page 15 - Autumn Getaway - Ideas to escape to Page 18 - Halloween - Spooky Night Page 21 - Pantomime - They’re Behind You Page 24 - Gardening - Create a prairie Page 26 - Business - Local Business Awards Open Page 27 - EN Directory, Local Trades and Services Page 29 - Showtime and What’ On

Contacts Douglas Lee Publisher

Sarah Vittachi Features Editor

en magazine (Print) ISSN 2049-5722

Joy Prince Credit Control

Tel: 020 8367 3917

63 High Street Potters Bar Hertfordshire EN6 5AS email: Editorial @enmagazine.co.uk Sales @enmagazine.co.uk

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Distribution by Regal Front Cover ©johnnydevil 123rf.com

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by omissions or errors in the printing of this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any medium without written permission of the publisher.

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Local News and Events

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EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Are you ready for the Rainton Pageant? The Rainton Pageant is a yearly free spectacle organised by Forty Hall, to celebrate the life of Sir Nicholas Rainton. Sir Nicholas built Forty Hall and was made Lord Mayor of London in 1632. To celebrate his inauguration Thomas Heywood wrote a pageant called ‘London’s Fountain of Arts and Sciences’ and in 2014 the Rainton Pageant will be a dazzling event inspired by the original pageant.

The event itself involves a procession from Enfield Town to Forty Hall, leading into a night 16:38:52 festival with a display by the musket men of ‘Rawden’s Regiment of Foote’, an art and craft market, music and other merriment. There will be a bar open all day. There are bookable crafts sessions that will take place at 12.00 noon to 3.30pm during the day for children to make pageant masks and historical cuffs. There is also special C17th hair styling sessions!

Mayoral pageants four hundred years ago would have included dignitaries and guildsmen all dressed in

their guild finery in a procession.

Cllr Rohini Simbodyal, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, Youth and Public said “The Rainton Pageant and the Lord Mayor’s Show are very important events that offer a wonderful opportunity to raise the profile of Forty Hall and Enfield right across London. ”This is why we want to get everyone to be part of this fantastic opportunity; to partner with us and make the Pageant unmissable.

“Last year’s Rainton Pageant was spectacular, and we want this year’s to be bigger and better. With the help of the whole community we know we can do it.”

Local News and Events

Ho ho ho – early Christmas cheer for Potters Bar

Three Hertsmere borough councillors have pooled money together from their Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme (WIIS) budgets to donate a total of £1,000 towards Christmas lights in the High Street as well as Darkes Lane. The council’s WIIS gives each of Hertsmere’s

39 councillors £500 to spend on local projects throughout the year.

Potters Bar Parkfield Ward Councillor John Donne coordinated the funding with Potters Bar Oakmere Ward Councillors Ruth Lyon and Penny Swallow – he allocated his total WIIS budget of £500 and Cllrs Lyon and Swallow each gave £250. Local resident and Rotarian John Godfrey applied for the funding. He said: “This is great news and we thank

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local councillors for their support again to help provide Christmas lights along with the Rotary sleigh which helps transport Father Christmas through the town, they give enjoyment to residents and visitors of all age groups.” Cllr Donne added: “Our Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme is all about funding small projects in our areas A T TR UN AD X E CO IS S H DI H T IT W

which benefit local communities. I know Christmas lights will help bring festive cheer to the town and will be appreciated by local residents.”

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EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October06/10/2014 2014 11:095

Local News and Events

Give Someone A Chance? “ M has a difficult home life and as a result has very low self esteem. He finds it very difficult to attempt work in class or on a one to one basis” explained a referral made by an Enfield primary school ” He expects to fail, and does not have the confidence

to try.” This was written back in 2013, before the intervention of London based charity Chance UK. It went on to say “There are times when M is able to become engaged in a task and sees that he can thrive… Unfortunately the school does not have the

resources to give him what he needs…and feel that a mentor would help him too see that he could flourish” … Chance UK run a mentoring programme for primary school children across Enfield. They recruit volunteer mentors and train them to work with children in a Solution Focussed way. This means helping children to notice they have the inner resilience and skills to overcome their barriers,

and achieve their goals. It’s a very positive and energizing way of working with children. Mentors meet with their child one to one every week for 2 – 4 hours outside of school time and do fun activities with them. The programme runs for one complete year. The mentor is given a monthly budget to cover travel and go towards activities in London such as ice skating, sports, materials for an art project, tickets to museums etc. Whilst doing fun things together they are noticing exceptions to the child’s behaviour, and feeding that back to them in a positive and creative way. This then helps the child to form a different story about who they are, setting goals together to help the child realise their potential. It’s a fantastic experience with huge rewards for anyone ready to become a mentor. Chance Uk need mentors who are fun, creative, adventurous, nurturing and ready to work with challenging children like M, who recently attended a Chance UK graduation ceremony at Enfield town hall with his family and mentor there to cheer him on.

His dad turned to the mentor at the end of the ceremony and said “Before books were like kryptonite to him. Now he loves reading in class. You have changed my boy’s life.” If you are interested in becoming a mentor or know anyone who would be interested then contact Chance UK on 02072815858. Visit www.chanceuk.com for more info or email us at volunteer@chanceuk.com

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

SPECIAL OFFERS!

New Rules for Registering to Vote

Nationally the way people register to vote is changing with the introduction of new rules from the government.

The move to individual electoral registration, also known as IER, is taking place across the UK under guidance from the Cabinet Office. It is hoped once in place, the new system will modernise the way people register to vote, help tackle electoral fraud and improve people’s confidence in the electoral register. The transition to IER is a major task for all local authorities and unfortunately for some residents it hasn’t been as smooth as expected.

Jo Bateman, Hertsmere’s Principal Electoral Services Officer, explained: “Individual electoral registration basically means that instead of registering to vote on one form per household, each person will need to register separately, either on an individual form or online. “This summer we submitted our current register to be matched against government records so that electors could automatically be transferred over to a new register without having to take any action. As expected, 80 per cent of electors were carried over to the new register in this way.” “We have written to the remaining 20 per cent

of people asking them to complete a new individual electoral registration form which asks for a National Insurance number and date of birth. However, a number of these residents – about 7 per cent of electors in total – have still not matched with government records, even when they have lived at their address or used their married name for many years. This means we are obliged to ask these electors for additional information, such as a copy of their passport, photo driving licence or a utility bill, in order to satisfy government requirements.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this is causing our residents and hope people will bear with us through this period of transition – rest assured, no one will lose their vote before the general election next year.” Although the deadline to respond to invitations to register under the new system isn’t until December next year – to enable all current electors to vote in the general and local elections on 7 May 2015.New applications to register to vote, for example if you move house or turn 18, will have to be submitted in the new way, on an individual form, or for the first time you can register online at www.gov.uk/ register-to-vote. For more information visit www. hertsmere.gov.uk/ier

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Local News and Events

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to meet Cecil Armstrong, a wartime journalist for the Enfield Gazette, and hear him tell the dramatic story of the night the German SL11 airship was shot down over Enfield, falling to the earth in flames, and the impact airship attacks had on residents’ lives during the war. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable for 6-12 year olds. Booking necessary to secure a place. 27, 28, 29 October 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm Cost: £4 per child Times: 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm Box Office 020 8807 6680 or www.dugdalecentre. co.uk

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Hansel & Gretel

Weds 29th Oct 2.00pm Tickets: £10, £9 child, family of 4 £30 Magic, puppets & the story of Hansel & Gretel.

Sing –a –long a GREASE

Sun 1st Nov 7.30pm Tickets: £15, £14 child/concs Dress up, grab your party bag & sing to your hearts content!

Masters of the House

Sat 15th Nov 8.00pm Tickets: £19, £18 concs, £17 grps 10+ Music from Wicked, Evita, Les Miserables and more! Call the Box Ofﬁce for further information or if you would like to receive our free cinema and entertainment brochure. WYLLYOTTS BOX OFFICE 01707 645005 Wyllyotts Theatre, Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, HERTS EN6 2HN www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

This half term, 27th to 31st October, Enfield Museum will be hosting events to help bring to life the commemoration of WW1 and the affects on the area. March down to the Enfield Museum for their creative and crafty workshops ‘Transport for the Troops’. As part of a programme of events coinciding with the centenary of the First World War and the ‘Enfield at War: 1914-18’ exhibition, children can make and decorate their boats, planes, airships and tanks and learn about transport during the war. They will also get

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Something Borrowed Enfield Museum Service are planning their 2015 exhibition exploring and celebrating the wonderful and sometimes quirky weddings of the people of Enfield. Do you have any items, photos or film that help tell the story of your big day? What cultural, religious or family traditions did you keep? Or did you break from these and arrange your

own alternative ceremony?

Whether something old or something new, they want to hear from you. In particular, they are eager to hear from those with items from Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh ceremonies and the weddings of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and LGBT individuals. Please get in touch by the end of December 2014. Enfield.museum.service@ enfield.gov.uk 020 8379 1462.

Local News and Events

Burglary Warning as Police and Council Clampdown The Metropolitan Police and Enfield Council are warning homeowners to take sensible precautions to prevent themselves from becoming victims of burglary as the nights start to draw in. Burglary rates traditionally increase as the summer ends and with burglary as a priority the police and council are keen to educate residents to reduce the chances and make sure everyone in Enfield has a happy Christmas.

Enfield Police has already set up a dedicated burglary squad in readiness for the nights drawing in and have written to thousands of residents offering free security surveys on their homes through the Safe and Houses Scheme run in partnership with Enfield Council which offer basic crime prevention advice and equipment where appropriate. The letter also includes handy hints which residents can follow to discourage burglars. The police will have extra uniformed and plain clothes officers deployed to the areas most affected by burglary to dissuade people thinking of committing an offence in this area and catching and convicting those that choose to do.

The Council is also looking at ways of providing long

term solutions to burglary, such as installing Alley Gates to reduce access at the rear of properties. The Metropolitan Police advises residents to:

• Increase sensor lighting around your property to discourage burglary • Use a door chain

• Increasing the height of any fencing around your garden or side gate • If a property is left unoccupied for lengthy periods of time use timers to set lights, radio or televisions to turn on and off at various times during the day or night to give the impression someone is at home.

than not to call at all. If it is less serious and does not require an immediate police response call 101. “We want to make your neighbourhood a safer place to live, but we need your help and support to

do so.

If a resident suspects someone of being involved in criminal activity they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Det Chief Insp Paul Healy from Enfield Police said: “We are urging residents to review their home security to ensure that their property is not vulnerable and make it more difficult for burglars to gain access. Don’t become a victim of burglary. “Residents are advised to call 999 is they see people acting suspiciously or hear loud banging that is out of place so officers can investigate their suspicions. It is better to call and be mistaken,

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Local News and Events

In Sue’s Name was a lively intelligent child filled with a sense of joy and always attracted others to her with her warmth and loving nature.”

A new charity was launched recently called In Sue’s Name. The charity was set up br David Taylor a local resident in memory of his late daughter Sue Blasotta. David told EN Magazine “Our eldest daughter was born Susan Jane Taylor on 15th March 1968. She

“On the 26th November 2010 Sue was diagnosed with lesions on the brain and was operated on that night, but sadly 6 weeks later on the 8th January 2011, she died after a short, but brave fight against terminal brain tumours.”

“Eighteen months before she died, she changed careers and went to work at St Ignatius a local Catholic college, working in the office with specific responsibilities for the care of children and contact with parents. She loved this job with a passion that showed

through to the children, fellow staff and parents.”

“She faced death with a courage that was truly amazing and all she was worried about was how her family would cope. Her funeral was attended by over 800 people and we received more than 400 cards and letters after her death.”

“Having seen 2 other families suffer the same anguish from a disease that strikes mainly in the young and finding that there is only limited funds available for research into this dreadful disease, I have decided to honour the memory of our beautiful daughter Sue, by raising funds for research into the causes of the disease and to create awareness into finding a possible treatment which may save lives in the future.” “Six months before she died Sue took part in her fifth Race For Life in aid of Cancer Research and had also done a Sky Dive for the same charity. These she had done to raise funds in memory of her Mothers good friend who had died of Breast Cancer.”

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

“We have just held our first event a Charity Golf Day at Enfield Golf Club with the Mayor and our local MP David Burrowes

in attendance and raised nearly £15,000.”

“We are looking for people to help us to organize events in aid of the charity and I would welcome any help and advice from local organizations who would like to help.” “Our next event we hope will be a Greek Night, involving the local Greek community and we are also planning an Italian Night again involving local Italian community. If you would like to assist in either of these events please contact me on 07940 877485 or e-mail me avidt@yahoo. co.uk, our new website www.insuesname.org.uk should be up and running shortly.”

Please Mention

MAGAZINE when responding to adverts and editorial

Local News and Events

Treasures of Enfield Enfield has its gems. Some of these are its people and their ideas for improving the town. American comedian George F Burns (18961996) famously remarked ‘…All the people who know how to run the country are busy driving taxi cabs and cutting hair.’ There is much truth in this. Chris (salon owner for around 30 years) was cutting my hair at Emma Claire at the top of Church Street, and between us we sorted out how to make Enfield more of a lure to visitors in about half an hour. ‘A Carluccio’s.’ ‘A Laura Ashley’. ‘A Jamie Oliver’s!’ ‘Free parking!’ Apart from people and local businesses (and cheers to the chap in the new coffee shop in Pearson’s who gave me two stamps on my loyalty card on my first visit – this is the kind of thing we need), Enfield has other treasures. One of these is Forty Hall, a Grade 1 listed Jacobean manor, with its house, gardens and parklands, farm and (let’s not forget the important bits) café and gift shop. Dating from the 1620s, and containing

within its grounds the site of the former Tudor Elsyng Palace, the Hall is open Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays and offers a cornucopia of delights. You can buy spinning tops and Tiddlywinks, and if that doesn’t tempt your loved ones away from their laptops I don’t know what will.

Forty Hall also offers a full programme of cultural pleasures to savour. This autumn this includes a series of classical concert including the Apex String Trio (Friday 17 October, £12 per ticket, bar open at 6.30 and concert starting at 7.30pm) and the Billroth Quartet, ‘fresh from their performance on Dave Gorman’s show ‘Modern Life is Goodish’ on Saturday 18 October, same details as above. On Friday 21 November you have a ‘Serenade’ with the Anern Trio, who will be performing a ‘medley of much-loved classics from Boccherini, Mozart and Beethoven and much more’. If the performance by flute and harp duo Acacia on 20 September was anything to go by, there are treats ahead. Samantha Pearce and Heather Wrighton’s

concert was a delight. Forty Hall is particularly atmospheric in the forthcoming autumn and winter months, when the grounds display their turning leaves by day, and there is mystery behind every shadow within the house by the time dusk creeps up on the manor walls. December brings a series of after-dark candlelit tours, guided by characters from the house’s historical past, allowing you a glimpse Care

back in time. Storytelling sessions for children are available on the first Wednesday of the month from September to February, allowing even the youngest Enfieldians and Enfield visitors to experience all the hall has to offer. Here’s to Enfield and all it offers – go out there and enjoy! by Sarah Vittachi

Local care agency at the heart of the community

ome Care Preferred, a care agency and independent living care shop based in Winchmore Hill, is a good example of a local business that has become very involved with the local community & associated events. Managing Director Ken Waterhouse explains: “My team and I spend a considerable amount of our time getting involved with community events. As a business that provides a personal service to the local community I believe it is very important that we are involved in events outside of our day to day work. We really enjoyed being part of the recent Palmers Green Festival and we carry out regular events with charities including North London Hospice”. Raksha Patel, community relations manager at Home Care Preferred said “I absolutely love putting on events that support the local neighbourhood and it is so rewarding to work for a company who is prepared to put time and money back into the community. I am thrilled that we are putting on a music night to raise money for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and it is particularly exciting that Wayne Hernandez will be appearing for us that night. Hugely successful within the music business he has worked with Tina Turner, Blur, Roberta Flack, Madonna, Tori Amos and is one of the singers with the band Gorillaz. Tickets are limited and guests should expect a night of fantastic music including soul, R&B, Motown and Reggae”

Event Details:

Wayne Hernandez & his band Waterhouse Hall, (Behind United Reform Church) Compton Road, Winchmore Hill, London N21 3NU

Saturday 8th November 2014. Doors open 7.15pm Performance starts 8pm Tickets £12.00 available from Home Care Preferred. Tel: 020 8364 3670 E:raksha@homecarepreferred.com Credit cards accepted There will be a licensed bar at the venue

Anyone requiring more information can contact Ken at Home Care Preferred; Tel: 020 8364 3670 or ken@homecarepreferred.com www.homecarepreferred.com

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Local News and Events

One Day Of Creativity

Residents of North London and beyond can once again, enjoy a unique shopping experience in one of Southgate’s hidden treasures; a Grade ll listed Regency Villa. Creative Exchange have curated a wonderful collection of work, showcasing 28 creatives and you’ll discover exquisitely

handmade pieces, just in time to start your festive shopping. Inspired prints mixed with Elizabethan ruffle jewellery, original cartoons and aerosol can rings from a host of talented artists, to whet your appetite on Sunday 16 Nov 2014 - 10am to 6pm at St. Monica’s Parish Centre, 6 Cannon Hill,

You’ll find hand turned wooden pieces, carved and pierced with semiprecious inlays, from husband and wife team Patricia and Gabor. Cartoons and charicatures, by Stephen Mansfield, one of the original team from the 1980’s ‘Spitting Image’ TV show. Jewellery inspired by the London

Underground realised in rubber and neoprene, by Denise Yeats of nnoodl. The energy of urban city culture is captured in a silver aerosol spray top ring by Cris Bilton and the flamboyance of the Elizabethan era is turned into striking contemporary jewellery, by designer Karen Fox, using a stainless steel mesh cloth used in the aerospace industry. There are a whole host of other delights including, a selection of graphic art, including work inspired by the Periodic Table, vintage sign painting and typography. There will also be one off pieces in glass and textiles, gifts for men, as well as original paintings and limited edition prints, cards and stationery, all of which make great gifts for special friends and family and why not treat yourself! Creative Exchange has a wonderful reputation for presenting work of extremely high quality and creativity from

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

designer makers and artists. Last year’s event was extremely popular, and as many of the pieces are unique you should make sure you get there early to make sure you’re not disappointed.

For those who cannot wait until November, there will be a pre-fair showcase at the offices of Anthony Webb where a selection of work will be on display. The exhibition runs from 15th October – 17th November so why not pop by to whet your appetite and start your shopping list! www.openstudios.uk.com

Education

How to Choose from 90,000 Finding a Uni or HE College Choosing to continue your education at a University or Higher Education College can seem a bit daunting, especially when there are so many options open to you! There are over 90,000 courses on UCAS (the University and Colleges Admissions Service) and hundreds of providers to choose from, so how do you go about it? The UCAS website (ucas.com) should be your first port of call. It’s full of information and advice about Higher Education and it also contains listings for most of the courses and Higher Education providers in the UK. The Course Search function on the UCAS website is a fantastic tool.

Dr David Webster, Principal Lecturer in Religion, Philosophy & Ethics at the University of Gloucestershire shared his advice with EN Magazine. “Not sure what to study? Everyone else seem to have their subject chosen, their ideal course picked out, and their future done and dusted? While some students have a clear idea of their intended ‘direction of travel’ - many don’t know, and many are plagued by doubts and uncertainty. Given that university involves, in many cases, a choice about Non selective but achieve high academic standards

Subject specialist teachers

Small classes all girls recognised as individuals

where to live for three years, a degree topic that may define your future options, and financial commitments on a scale most young people haven’t faced before - no wonder it can seem daunting.” “Nonetheless, I’d recommend you try to put concerns about the expectations of parents and teachers to one side, money worries to one side - even vocational issues - and think about one thing. “Think about yourself. What really interests you? What do you love? “Students who start courses for the wrong reasons because others think it is the right course, or because they think it’ll make them rich - often fail to do well. Three years (or more for some courses) is a long time: not all of it will be easy or exciting - you’ll need something to help you get through - and studying a topic that actually matters to you - that you think is the most interesting thing a person could ever want to look - that seems the most effective motivator a student can get.”

Wrap around care 8am–6pm

GRANGE PARK PREP SCHOOL CELEBRATING 90 YEARS Established in 1924, Grange Park Preparatory School is a happy and successful school that provides a stimulating education for girls between the ages of 4 -11. Small class sizes allow us to monitor each child’s progress and help her to explore and develop her talents. In addition to a broad and balanced curriculum we offer a wide range of activities for children to experience, and with a thriving sports, music and drama programme, everyone can discover what they are good at. The GPPS girls will: • Each be known as an individual • Be happy, proactive learners, independent and equipped for the modern world • Develop as confident, well balanced individuals ready to become good citizens • Benefit from belonging to a nurturing community where each child develops respect, empathy, compassion and kindness

Small independent school for girls

For further information please contact: Grange Park Prep School 13 The Chine, Grange Park, London, N21 2EA Email: office@gpps.org.uk Tel: 020 8360 1469 www.gpps.org.uk

We are taking registrations for Reception 2015 but also have some spaces in other years.

OPEN MORNING Saturday 18 October 10 – 12 noon

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Education “Once you know the course area - how do you decide which individual course? Visit. Visit again. Look round the town too - get a real sense of the place. But also - do some research. Get on Twitter, Facebook, Course blogs, Flickr, Tumblr and more. See if staff members have blogs, and what they have published. You can get a real sense of how dynamic a course team is from the digital footprint they leave. This needn’t take days - but it is well worth a couple of hours on Google to see just what kind of student experience you’ll be signing up for.” Student adviser, Charlotte Binstead, at Kaplan Holborn College advises:

1) What to study? The most important thing is probably the course. Not every institution provides every course, and some will have a great reputation for a particular field even if their name isn’t particularly well known. Think about what you enjoy, what you’re good at and what you might like to do once you’ve finished your course. Once you’ve decided what you’d like to study, you’ve suddenly narrowed down your list of possible options from 90000 to a few hundred. That’s still quite a lot, so the next few steps will help you to produce a more manageable list. 2) Where to study? So the next step is to think about where you might want to study your course. Do you want to live in a city, or on a leafy campus? Do you want to live in the North or South? This is also where it’s worth thinking about

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the size of the institution you’re studying at and the teaching methods they use. Universities usually have thousands of students and teach in big lecture theatres, whereas HE Colleges often have smaller intakes and therefore smaller class sizes. It’s up to you whether you think you’d prefer the hustle and bustle of a big university or the more personal approach of a HE college. 3) Employment prospects Whilst choosing a course to study shouldn’t just be about improving your job prospects (see above), it’s important to think a bit about what you might like to do once you’ve graduated and how your institution can help to get you there. Most places will have Careers and Employability services that will help you to get internships and work experience, as well as help you with writing your CV and interview preparation. If you’re thinking of becoming an Accountant or a Lawyer, for example, there is additional post-graduate study involved. Do the places you’re thinking of offer these Professional Qualifications? For example, at Kaplan Holborn College our Accounting and Finance and Law graduates can progress straight onto the ACCA or the LPC and even get a scholarship to do so! Which brings us on to… 4) Scholarships and Bursaries. Most places will offer some form of additional financial support, which will often be linked to your Student Finance assessment. Amounts vary, so it’s worth checking this with the institution. 5) What are the facilities like? The facilities you’re looking for will depend on your course. For example, if you want to study Law, is there a well-stocked Law Library and mock court room? If you want to study Biology, what are the labs like? Are there plenty of computers? Is there somewhere for you to unwind between classes? These are all the kinds of things you can find out when you visit… 6) Go and visit! Once you’ve got a short list, try and arrange to visit as many of them as possible. You won’t know if you’ll be happy somewhere until you’ve been there! If you aren’t able to attend pre-arranged Open Days or Visit Days, most institutions are happy to arrange tours on an individual basis if you contact them in advance.

An Autumn Getaway

Autumn Getaway

The shorter days and long nights of autumn and winter have started to set in and thoughts of long warm summer days and of summer holidays are cast to memories and future dreams. However there are still some exciting holidays to be had in the UK at this time of year.

Isle of Skye

As summer sets on the Isle of Skye the island begins to burst with rich autumnal beauty. The tourists disperse, as do the midges, making it the perfect time to enjoy outdoor adventures and take advantage of autumn deals. The island’s northerly location means that the days are still long, providing visitors with plenty of time to get out onto the hills now glowing purple as the heather emerges into full bloom. The wildlife is abundant as stags gather to rut and salmon swim upstream.

Where to stay At the end of an exhilarating day there’s no better place to retire to than one of the roaring fires at Kinloch Lodge, a former 16th century hunting lodge. Set on the shores of Loch Na Dal this elegant, award-wining hotel possesses all the charms of a cosy Highland getaway. The Michelin starred restaurant is a foodie’s paradise and Marcello Tully and his team consistently serve up delicious dishes from Skye’s natural larder, which is at it’s most prolific at this time of year.

During October, dine in every night of a threenight stay and your third night’s accommodation is complimentary; you pay only for dinner and breakfast.

What to see and do Autumn is the perfect time to get off the beaten track and discover the Misty Isle’s beautiful rivers, remote lochs, stunning scenery and plentiful wildlife, creating memories worthy of any bucket list. Fish for wild Scottish salmon, spot a golden eagle or simply experience Skye’s rugged beauty with Skye Ghillie; offering tuition and guiding for fly and sea fishing and Wilderness Adventures - where you can observe rich flora, fauna & history and enjoy some foraging, wild cooking & bushcraft.

A trip to the island isn’t complete until you’ve been out on the water surrounding its stunning shores. Departing from the picturesque quay and white sand beach at Elgol, the Bella Jane and AquaXplore boat trips enable you to reach some of the most remote and incredibly beautiful areas of Skye and the nearby Small Isles.

Whether you choose a gentle round-trip into spectacular Loch Coruisk or an exhilarating half day on a fast RIB to the Islands of Rum and Canna, there is plenty of wildlife to spot; seals are guaranteed, seabirds - including Gannets and Skuas - plus Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Dolphins and Minke Whales are sighted on most trips to Canna and Rum.

Autumn Offers · Three nights dinner, bed & breakfast from £390pp MonThur, £410pp Fri-Sun · Wilderness adventures from £75pp, based on a minimum of two guests · During September & October Kinloch Lodge guests will receive a 10% discount on all Bella Jane and AquaXplore boat trips To find out more about the deals contact reservations@ kinloch-lodge.co.uk 01471 833333

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Autumn Getaway

Stunning Manor House Stay

Chasing the Sun

If a trip up to sky is seams a bit to far how about a trip round the M25 to and get away from it all this autumn at Ghyll Manor, a stunning country house hotel and restaurant located in the heart of West Sussex. The hotel is offering one night’s bed and breakfast, plus an indulgent three-course dinner and a half bottle of champagne on arrival for just £175 for two people, offering a saving of £40 for the stay. Nestled within a 40 acre estate with gardens, the historic black and white timbered country house dates back to the 17th Century and its secluded location in the village of Rusper makes it the ideal location to unwind and relax. Available during September, October and November, the following are included in the one night package costing just £175: - Delicious three course dinner for two people - Accommodation in one of Ghyll Manor’s beautiful, individually designed bedrooms - Full English breakfast - Half a bottle of Champagne on arrival For those looking to stay for a little longer, Ghyll Manor is also offering a two night stay, including two night’s dinner, bed and breakfast, plus a bottle of wine and chocolates for £350 for two people, offering a saving of £57. Three nights are also available for £495 on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis for two people. To book, visit http://retreats.csmaclub.co.uk/ specialoffers or call 03301 230 371.

If it is the sun that you are craving how about taking a trip to Cyprus, which is typically can reach up to around 27 degrees in October.

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Akamas Villas have some fantastic deals in the beautiful, underdeveloped Akamas Region of Western Cyprus. The area is perfect for families – full of natural beauty, gorgeous coves, and untouched forests – great for scenic boat trips, walks, jet skiing, or just lying back and admiring the scenery! The Retreat, a seductive, secluded luxury hideaway, nestled amongst the unspoilt hillside of the countryside of West Cyprus, near to the port of Latchi. Sleeping 10 with 5 double bedrooms, the villa boasts breathtaking views overlooking Chrysochous Bay, an oversized infinity pool, extensive sun terrace, cascading grounds, a games room, solid-oak fully fitted kitchen, underfloor heating, timbered beams and ‘hotel styled’ bathrooms, including a sunken ‘bath for two’ in the master bathroom. The Retreat for just £2,275 for 7 nights from Saturday 25th October 2014, or just £32.50 per person, per night (based on 10 sharing)

Autumn Getaway Stay at the beautiful three-bed Latchi Marina Bungalow in Western Cyprus, which boasts a very private garden and swimming pool. The luxury villa benefits from an enviable location, being just 250m from the beach and from the local amenities of the port of Latchi. The property is laid out on one floor with spacious, open plan living accommodation, a modern fully fitted kitchen and ample living space. Outside, there is a large and private garden area, a secluded swimming pool and ample seating areas. The beautiful garden benefits from a large array of flowers, shrubs and trees. Latchi Marina Bungalow for just £1,250 for 7 nights from Saturday 25th October 2014, or just £29.76 per person, per night (based on 6 sharing)

Transport TROOPS

for the Enfield Museum 27, 28, 29 October 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm

March down to Enfield Museum for our creative and crafty workshops. Fashion your own boats, planes, airships and tanks and hear the dramatic story of how an Airship was shot down over Enfield. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable for 6-12 year olds. Booking necessary to secure a place. Cost: £4 per child Times: 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm Box Office 020 8807 6680 or www.dugdalecentre.co.uk

Half-Term Children’s Events for the ‘Enfield at War 1914-18’ Exhibition. Enfield Museum The Dugdale Centre, Thomas Hardy House 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS Exhibition runs to 11 January 2015 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday 10am-1pm Sunday

www.enfield.gov.uk/museum www.enfield.gov.uk

Arsinoe Beach Villa in Western Cyprus sleeps six and is set out over two floors, with spacious open plan accommodation and an enviable position in Latchi. The private pool is secluded and sheltered, providing the perfect retreat after a day’s exploring or after a long day on the beach. Book Arsinoe Beach Villa for just £1,275 for 7 nights from Saturday 25th October 2014, or just £30.36 per person, per night (based on 6 sharing)

To book or for more information visit please visit akamas-villas.com or call +44 (0) 7979 813480.

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Celebrating Halloween is becoming a big deal in the UK. The shops are awash with gaudy plastic orange pumpkins and skeleton chocolates. Our peaceful evening in front of the television is interrupted by the knocks on the door and the call of “Trick or Treat!” I have often rued the American tradition reaching our shores until I read into the history of Halloween and discovered the roots of Halloween traditions could be far closer to home… October 31st is thought to be the one night of the year when ghosts, witches, and fairies are especially active. It is also the eve of a major Catholic festival, All Saints (1st November) and the eve of the pagan Celtic festival known as Samhain. The three days between 31st October and 2nd November see pagan and Christian celebrations intertwined in a fascinating way and is a perfect example of superstition struggling with religious belief. Currently, it is widely thought that Halloween originated as a pagan Celtic festival of the dead related to the Irish and Scottish Samhain, but there is no evidence that it was connected with the dead in pre-Christian times. Our ancestors celebrated New Year on November 1st. They celebrated their New Year’s Eve on October 31st. Samhain (pronounced ‘sow-in’) marked the end of the “season of the sun” (Summer) and the beginning of “the season of darkness and cold” ( Winter).

In the year 835 AD the Roman Catholic Church made 1st November a church holiday to honour all the saints. Although it was a joyous holiday it was also the eve of All Souls Day, so in Medieval times it became customary to pray for the dead on this date.

Another name for All Saints Day is ‘All Hallows’ (hallow is an archaic English word for ‘saint’). The festival began on All Hallows Eve, the last night of October. Halloween

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comes from All Hallow Even, the eve (night before) All Hallows day. Therefore, Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day.

The Celts and Halloween

The Celts believed that evil spirits came with the long hours of winter darkness. They believed that on that night the barriers between our world and the spirit world were at their weakest and therefore spirits were most likely to be seen on earth. So they built bonfires to frighten the spirits away, and feasted and danced around the fires. The fires brought comfort to the souls in purgatory and people prayed for them.

The fires of Halloween burned the strongest in Scotland and Ireland, where Celtic influence was most pronounced, although they lingered on in some of the northern counties of England until the early years of the last century. In England, the day of fires became 5th November (Bonfire Night), the anniversary of the Gunpowder plot of 1605, but its closeness to Halloween is more than a coincidence. Halloween and Bonfire Night have a common origin they both originated from pagan times, when the evil spirits of darkness had to be driven away with noise and fire.

Jack-o-lanterns

Hollowed out pumpkins with a face cut into one side. People once carved out beets, potatoes and turnips to use as lanterns on Halloween. Nowadays we carve out pumpkins. According to an Irish legend, jack-o-lanterns were named for a man named Jack, who could not enter heaven because he was a miser. He could not enter hell either, because he had played jokes on the devil. So instead, he had to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day. Today, we light candles in pumpkin lanterns and then put them outside our homes to frighten away witches and ghosts.

Apple Bobbing (Duck-apple)

The Roman festival for remembering the dead was also in October. During this time, the Romans remembered their goddess, Pomona. She was the goddess of the trees and fruits, and when the Romans came to Britain, they began to hold these two festivals on the same day as Samhain. Apple games probably became associated with Halloween because of this. We play the game bobbing for apples, in which apples are placed in a tub or a large basin of water. The contestants, sometimes blindfolded, must take one bite from one of the apples without using their hands. It is not permitted to edge the apple to the side of the bowl to get hold of it.

Halloween costumes

The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. To keep ghosts away from their houses on Halloween, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.

Mischief Night

Halloween was, and is, a time for making mischief many parts of England still recognise Halloween as

Mischief Night - when children would knock on doors demanding a treat (Trick or Treat) and people would disguise themselves as witches, ghosts, kelpies and spunkies, in order to obtain food and money from nervous householders.

Superstitions of Hallowe’en

On Halloween, journeys must be finished before sunset. A piece of bread crossed with salt (holy bread with witch- repellent salt) was carried in the pockets of travellers to keep them safe.

Apples, nuts and candles figured prominently in many of the superstitions practised at Hallowe’en: Girls placed hazel nuts along the front of the fire grate, each one to symbolize one of her suitors. She could then find out who her future husband would be by chanting, ‘If you love me, pop and fly; if you hate me, burn and die.’ People believed that the Devil was a nut-gatherer. At Halloween, nuts were used as magic charms.

Apples

1) If you slice an apple through the equator (to reveal the five-pointed star within) and then eat it by candlelight before a mirror, your future spouse will appear over your shoulder. 2) Peel an apple, making sure the peeling comes off in one long strand and then throw it over your shoulder. The shape it lands in will be the initial of your beloved. 3) If you place an apple under your pillow you will dream of your future husband.

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Candles

Take a candle and look into a mirror whilst combing your hair or eating an apple. Your future husband will appear peeking over your shoulder. So, if you are planning to celebrate this Halloween it is wise to be cautious.

Halloween howlers guaranteed at special event Sunday 26th October – 4pm start

Trent Park, Cockfosters Road, EN4 0PS Something will be going ‘bump’ in the night in Trent Park at the end of October when a special FREE Halloween walk invites you to find out about the darker side of this ancient parkland. Participants will be led on a spooky two hour tour… As darkness falls, find out about the mystery of Camlet Moat, as well as the ghost of the ‘Robber Baron’.

This walk marks the final event for this year in a series of highly successful guided walks, run by Black Rainbow Events, which has seen hundreds of people come to Trent Park to enjoy history tours, survival walks, evening bat walks, bird watching events and more. All the walks were funded by Enfield Council’s Residents Priority Fund. Alan Mitellas, founder of Black Rainbow Events, said, “Our Halloween tour is suitable for both adults and children, and will go into the history of Trent Park, but focussing more on the ghosts and legends of this extraordinary place.

“The park has its share of hauntings, the ghost of Geoffrey de Mandeville – the Robber Baron – being one of them. In the 12th century, he was one of the most powerful men in the country, but then went on to become one of the most bloodthirsty outlaws in English history. His ghost is said to haunt Camlet Moat, on the northern boundary of the park. “Mysterious figures of Roman soldiers, engaged in strange ceremonies, have also been seen in Trent Park. Photos have also been taken showing orbs and demonic faces. What will reveal itself on this walk?” The event is free, just show up at 4pm at the café, near the Cockfosters Rd entrance. Wear comfortable footwear. Bring a torch. Approximately 6.00pm finish.

All Hallows at Forty Hall

Discover the spine-tingling ways people have remembered their dead from different periods and cultures. Creative workshops include: • Make a model feast for an Egyptian Mummy to take to their tomb • Take a spookyselfie in creepy costume • Design fabric for a Malaysian ‘Hopping Ghost’s blanket wrap • Pumpkin carving Friday 31st October 5.30pm 7pm £7.50 Booking essential.

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A Guide to Trick-or-Treating •Plan your route ahead of time. •Trick or treat in streets that you are familiar with. •Carry a torch! •Take along money for a phone call ( this is better than a mobile in case it gets lost or stolen) •Wear identification that’s easy to read. •Always trick or treat in groups, accompanied by an adult. •Stay on the pavements and off the streets. Watch carefully when crossing roads •Walk. Don’t run. •Don’t trample through flower beds and gardens. •Walk with your head up and be aware of your surroundings. •Only visit well lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses. •Don’t enter any houses unless you know the people. •Don’t approach unfamiliar pets and animals. They could get very scared. •Follow traffic signals •Always watch for cars backing up or turning. •Never accept rides from strangers. •Respect other people and their property. Only knock on the doors of people you know or who have put up Halloween decorations indicating that they are happy to take part. •Be polite and say “thank you.” •Avoid any sweets that have loose wrappings or are unwrapped. Be aware of nuts if you have an allergy. •Small children should have their sweets inspected by an adult before they eat it •Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police. •Consider having a party at home instead of Trick or Treating.

Pantomime

Its Pantomime Time Oh No It’s Not!!!! Generation after generation know those familiar words “It’s behind you!” and “Oh no it isn’t!” As adults we can be transported back to Christmas’ of our childhoods as we holler at the baddie or the elaborate dame. But where did it all begin? Pantomime as we know actually dates back to the middle ages and combines many elements of theatre. By adapting it has survived the centuries. The element of “novelty” has always been to the forefront, as has its ability to encompass modern trends and topicality, within its structured framework, achieved by featuring current news stories and popular songs.

Elements that a pantomime should have, to be described as “Traditional” begin with a strong story line. The fable or fairy tale has to be well told, incorporating the all important elements of good battling against evil, and emerging triumphant. To this day “tradition” says that the Pantomime villain should be the first to enter, from the “dark side”, stage left, followed by his adversary the good fairy from stage right. This echoes the tradition in medieval times when the entrances to heaven and hell were placed on these sides. Pantomimes roots can be found in the Italian “Commedia dell’Arte” . This form of entertainment travelled through Italy to France, where it became very popular. It consisted of a number of stock characters performing comic situations, with a highly visual content. The actors generally improvised their way through a plot. The shows often featured a servant, Pulchinello, later to be known as Clown, and a soldier, an unsuitable suitor who seeks the hand of Columbine. Comic chases and tricks were employed to full effect. Although the character of “Pulchinello” has vanished from the Pantomime today, he still exists in this country as “Mr. Punch” the anti-heroic puppet found in children’s Punch and Judy shows. The difficulty with Commedia dell’Arte transferring from France to Great Britain was that, in the main, the actors did not speak English. The scenes from their continental shows had now to be mimed, and more

emphasis was put on to singing and dancing. The comic chases and “business” that emerged from these productions eventually became known as “Slapstick”, still a very important element in modern Pantomimes.

“Slapstick” takes its name from a device used in these early entertainments. Harlequin was considered to be a magical creation. He carried with him a sword, made of wood which alternated between being a weapon and a magic wand. This sword or bat had a hinged flap, which created a very loud “slapping” noise when used, generally to give a more theatrical effect when used to slap fellow actors. To this day a pantomime comic will insist on using the talents of a drummer in the orchestra pit to “point” his comic stage business of slaps, falls or trips.

Enter The Dame

The Theatrical tradition of men playing women can be traced back to the early days of theatre, when it was deemed not appropriate for women to enter the theatrical profession. Boys played all the female roles in Shakespeare’s plays, and even during the Restoration, when actresses were established on the stage, often middle aged actors played the roles of older or comedic ladies, since the new breed

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Pantomime of actress either did not possess the years, or the inclination to play such unglamorous roles.

The Pantomime Dame, usually the hero’s mother, such as Widow Twankey in “Aladdin” or “Dame Trott” in Jack and the Beanstalk was a creation that emerged from the early Music Halls of the Victorian era. The public warmed to seeing their favourite comedian playing the role of Jack’s mother, or the King’s cook and bottlewasher. Often the Dame’s costumes would be used to good comic effect by parodying the fashions of the day, in much the same way as the modern Dame or Ugly Sister does at the moment.

The Ugly Sister

The Ugly Sisters were first seen played by women in Rossini’s opera, “La Cenerentola” in London, but were swiftly transformed into men playing the roles in 1860, at the Royal Strand Theatre, London. The Ugly Sisters differ from the Dame in that they have to tread the thin tightrope between being hugely comic characters, and

yet still remain the villains of the piece. This author, having trod that tightrope for twenty years is all too aware of having to keep the balance between comedy, which to achieve needs a degree of warmth and sympathy from the audience, and then being able to turn on the villain when bullying the unfortunate Cinderella. The Panto Dame, on the other hand should exude warmth and comedy,, but is not normally required to do any “dirty Deeds”.

The Principal Boy

The other element of “Traditional” pantomime is on the decline today, namely the “Principal boy” role, played by a girl. Women had for a long time played the “breeches role” in theatre, as far back as the early 1800’s. By the middle of the nineteenth century the vogue for ladies to take on the heroic roles of “Jack” or “Dick Whittington” or “Aladdin” was beginning, and with the rise of Music Hall it became the rule. Quite simply, the Victorian male, living in a society where even the legs of the parlour piano were covered for modesty’s sake , craved the vision of a well turned calf, or shapely ankle. Whilst ladies were corseted, crinolined or bustled on the street, artistic license allowed ladies upon the stage to wear costumes that revealed shapely legs in tights on condition that they were playing a male role! Today the trend seems to be reversing in favour of men playing the parts, but, as has been mentioned, Pantomime constantly adapts in favour of “The flavour of the day”, and we may well see the Pantomime Hero return to the safe keeping of those glamorous ladies yet again.

The Future of Pantomime

“Pantomimes are not what they were” “Pantomime is no longer what it used to be. They have had their day” “Pantomime seems at present to hold its own, I do not see how it can continue to do so” The above quotes might be mistaken for recent press cuttings. In fact they date from 1831, 1846 and 1882 respectively.

“Traditional” pantomime does exist. It still breaks box office records all over the country. If it remained “Traditional” in the sense that it never changed, it would long have passed into theatrical lore. It remains an intrinsic jewel in our crown, and it has to carry with it an important task. A visit to a pantomime may be a child’s first experience of live theatre. If that experience is magical enough, it can leave a lasting impression. In a world where children are surrounded by computer games and videos, DVD’s and the all pervasive influences of television, a visit to a pantomime could be a catalyst. The audience of the future- not just Pantomime, but live theatre could be fostered by the experience of sitting in a darkened auditorium, not a couch in front of a flickering screen, and watching the magic of Pantomime. The tradition will continue, children will shout “Oh yes it is!” as loudly as ever, and, when the actor in the white sheet waves his arms behind our hero and goes “Whoo” Whooo!”, children of all ages will still cry out “Itsbehind-you!”

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Pantomime So, this year which local pantomime will take your fancy?

Sleeping Beauty at The Millfield Theatre

For the first time ever, Millfield Theatre presents the pantomime of your dreams. The ultimate battle of good over evil will be brought to life in a far from sleepy production. Book your tickets early to see the legendary romance of a kiss that wakes Aurora from 100 years sleep, in North London’s most spectacular Christmas Pantomime. Sleeping Beauty is on from Thursday 27 Nov 2014 – Sunday 4 Jan 2015 The Millfield Theatre are very excited to announce the cast for this year’s Christmas spectacular with some old friendly faces and some fabulous new ones... Alex Scott Fairley as Carabosse Scott Jones as Prince Rupert Harriet Payne as Princess Aurora Nic Gibney as Nurse Nelly Luke Barron as King Frederick Shiv Rabheru as Jake the Jester Lizzie Ottley as Fairy Jewel.

Beast will not disappoint as once again you are promised live music, wonderful sets, beautiful costumes and riproaring adventure in true panto style! Wyllyotts Theatre Box Office 01707 645005 or visit www. hertsmereleisure. co.uk/ wyllyotts+theatre/ home.

Millfeld Theatre Box Office Tel: 020 8807 6680 or visit www. enfield.gov.uk/millfield

A Beast of a Panto in Potters Bar this Year!

The Wyllyotts Theatre is inviting all of Herts to “be their guest” this Christmas as we present the traditional family pantomime, Beauty and the Beast , from Friday 12 December until Sunday 4 January 2015.

Samantha Hughes returns once again as the Wicked Malevolent whose evil plans leave the Prince not quite feeling himself and the beautiful Belle (Stephanie Hockley) in danger. They are joined by Jonny Godbold who comes direct from the UK tour of Annie Get Your Gun and the West End production of Top Hat and also by James Wolstenholme as Potty Pierre and the hilarious Gary Cross as Dame Derriere who will be providing the comedy in this years ‘smashing’ production! Bigger, better and beastlier than any panto seen at the Wyllyotts, Beauty and the

Wyllyotts Panto.indd 1

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Gardening

Tulip Mania Tulips are the queens of the spring garden, with their fabulous range of colours, from pale, pastel hues through jewel-bright oranges and hot reds, to moody and sultry purples, burgundy and black. They come in a variety of forms – feathered, fringed, single or double and they are deservedly the most highly-prized of the early season bulbs. And right now is the time for the enjoyable task of planning and purchasing your bulbs! So prized were they in the Netherlands that in the 17th century, certain varieties changed hands for incredible prices, leading to the ‘tulip mania’ that caused a speculative economic bubble in the 1630s.

Today tulips retain their glamorous appeal and the there has never been as many tempting varieties to choose from. You can go for the drama of a single colour or opt for colour combinations; whichever you choose, once they’re planted, you can look forward with anticipation through the cold winter days to their welcome appearance in spring, heralding the promise of a new season and warmer days to come. Tulips bulbs can be planted out in the garden or in containers. My personal preference is to put them in pots. This way, I don’t dig them up when I’m gardening at other times of the year, and it also gives you the ability to move your containers around the patio, deck or front garden to create wonderful splashes of colour where you need it most. Pots can be placed so that you can see and enjoy them from the comfort of your armchair without having to venture outside on a cold or rainy day. The one downside is that you will have bare containers until the tulips poke their noses through in April and May, but a fantastic way of avoiding this is to plant them in combination with wallflowers; this will give you foliage interest through the winter. They look

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wonderful with tulips and have lovely rich colours and superb scents.

Here are some eye-catching and out-of-the-ordinary combinations you might like to try: Dark tulips mix: ‘Black Parrot’ – an exotic and sultry tulip with glamorous fringed edges ‘Havran’ – a favourite of mine, a silky-satiny bruised purple-black with silvery blue stems and foliage ‘Ronaldo’ – an early spring flowerer in carmine-magenta shades These tulips look fantastic combined with Wallflower cheiri ‘Fire King’, a rich burnt orange. Smoky copper mix: ‘La Belle Epoque’ – becoming more widely available now, a really unusual colour of vintage smoky coffee-pink, very sophisticated ‘Bruine Wimpel’ – aged coppery-ginger tones, subtle and exotic ‘The Artist’ – another new favourite, with painterly flushes of golden orange-red and green Wallflower cheiri ‘Vulcan’ would be my choice for this mix, with its dramatic purple-crimson flowers. Pale and interesting mix: ‘Apricot Beauty’ – subtle shades of apricot inside and silvery-peach on the

Gardening flushed hot pink at the base These gorgeous gem-coloured tulips will look fabulous with either Wallflower ‘Fire King’, ‘Blood Red’ or ‘Vulcan’ – or throw out the rule book and go for a mix of all of them! You should be able to find most of these tulips and wallflowers from your local garden centre or nursery but for some of the more unusual ones you may want to try mail order specialists Crocus (crocus.co.uk) or bulb specialists Jacques Amand (jacquesamandintl. com). Tulips don’t need to be planted until late October/ November. The cold temperatures help to wipe out viral and fungal diseases such as tulip fire which may affect bulbs planted earlier.

outside ‘China Town’ – an unusual frilly-edged tulip in peachypink flashed with green ‘Mistress Grey’ – a washed out smoky-pink with silverygrey overtones Try Wallflower cheiri ‘White Dame’ with this subtle collection. It has serene creamy-white flowers. Hot and dramatic mix: ‘Orange Favourite’ – gorgeous coral-orange and flame flowers with fringed edges with scent of freesias as an added bonus ‘Brown Sugar’ – Sumptuous fat blooms of copperybronze, also slightly scented ‘Cairo’ – an exotic and sophisticated tulip with deep flame-orange insides and cooler golden-peach outsides. This red-hot combination demands a similarly fiery wallflower for maximum impact. Wallflower cheiri ‘Blood Red’ is exactly the shade its name suggests! Jewel mix: ‘Burgundy’ – a beautiful open star-like shape with flowers of shining deep magenta ‘Black Hero’ – spectacular double flowers in glossy near-black. Another favourite. ‘Lasting Love’ – huge elegant flowerheads in a rich carmine-burgundy

To get dense and flowerful spring container displays, you need to try layering bulbs on top of each other – the Dutch call this a bulb lasagna. In this way you should be able to fit 10-12 bulbs in a 12” pot. Using a good-sized pot will not only give you a better, more dramatic and sumptuous display, but will allow you to plant the bulbs deeply, which is important for tulips. Make sure your chosen container has drainage holes at the bottom, and cover this with a few crocks (broken pieces of pot). Put in a few handfuls of generalpurpose compost mixed with some horticultural grit to aid drainage, then put your first layer of bulbs in, pointy end up and about 1.5” apart. Cover with another layer of compost and grit and repeat this process again. Finish with your wallflowers planted at the top of the pot as you normally would. Water thoroughly after planting and look forward to a dazzling display come the spring, good enough to rival any Dutch Old Masters painting! Amanda Clibbens-Stoney Owner of Amanda Clibbens-Stoney Planting Design Amanda.cstoney@gmail.com tel: 07813 955002

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Business

Enterprise Enfield 2014 Business Awards - Open for Entries! The 2014 Enterprise Enfield Business Awards are now open for entries. The annual competition recognises and rewards businesses for their achievements and is an excellent opportunity for businesses to shine and demonstrate their success. The awards have been made possible with the support of the sponsors: Enfield Council, The RSA Trust, Let’s Go Business Hub and Financing Start Up Enterprise Ltd Enterprise Enfield is delighted to be working with these organisations to champion businesses in the region. There are four categories of awards this year which are open to small and medium sized businesses, (under 250 employees) - full details and eligibility requirements for each category are available on the Business Awards website. The categories include: • Start Up Business of the Year (under 2 years of trading), Sponsored by Financing Start Up Enterprise • Business of the Year (over 2 years of trading), Sponsored by The RSA Trust • Enfield Retailer of the Year - sponsored by Enfield Council • Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Let’s Go Business Hub

Winners in each category will receive £1,000 as well as valuable publicity, they will also have the opportunity to display the Business Award Winners logo on their website and marketing materials - an effective way to raise business profile and attract more customers! All shortlisted entrants are invited to attend the prestigious Awards Gala Dinner and Presentation Ceremony, held at the Royal Chace Hotel in Enfield in December. The

event is widely publicized and attended by over 100 people including the Mayor of Enfield, local MPs and dignitaries.

Last year’s winner of the Start Up Award was Katy Davies who said, “Winning the Start Up business award last year was a real boost for my cake making business, KatyBakey, I was thrilled. It really helped to raise my profile and get my work recognized - the £1000 prize money came in handy too as I used it to invest in new equipment which allowed me to take my cake decorating to the next level. “ To enter the competition business owners should complete the entry form on the website: www. EnterpriseEnfieldBusinessAwards.org and return it by the closing deadline 5pm Friday 31st October 2014.

Enterprise Enfield is an independent, not for profit, business advisory and training organization dedicated to helping people start, establish and succeed in business. It also offers help and support to unemployed people. Services include: • A range of Business Seminars including: Barclays Get Ready for Business, Start Right in Business for Women, Social Media, Drive Traffic to Your Website etc • One to one expert Business Advice and Guidance Sessions • 6 month Inspiring Women Programme – intensive support to help women in Enfield start their own business • Low Cost Business Premises • Employability skills training, Careers Clinics with local employer talks • Professional Business Advisers offer expert help in: • Business Planning • Raising Finance • Boosting Sales and Marketing • Organizing Accounts • Reducing Costs and Environmental Impact • The Agency has been awarded the Customer First, Investors in People and Matrix standards for quality business support. Many services are either free or heavily subsidised. Website: www.EnterpriseEnfield. org

EN MAGAZINE - issue 65 October 2014

Embroidery