The West Moors Directory - April 2023

Welcome...

Dear Residents,

It is Spring! I do so love this time of year. Flowers, the promise of better weather, lambs, new life - it has a huge sense of hope, which quite frankly I think we could all benefit from! Here at Modern Magazines we won an award! We are so proud of this. We won Best Business to Business company for 2023 in the WeyPort Business Awards. Fabulous! Daichi our wonderful Modern Magazines Campervan tells you all about us inside your local magazine this month. We do hope you enjoy reading this as well as our local and celebrity news articles. There is something for everyone here.

Not to mention of course our loyal and trusted trades and services who are here for you! From plumbers to window fitters, roofs experts to beauticians and gardeners to flooring specialists, we have them all. The index at the back gives you a quick guide to find who you are looking for, or if you have time to sit with your feet up and have a well earned cuppa, then the whole magazine should keep you interested for an hour or so. Enjoy.

If there is anything you would like to see in your little community magazine, or you know of a company that wants more business and to get their name out to the local residents, please let me know. We love to help and make your magazine as useful as possible.

Stephen, myself, Julie, Mel, Steph, Tracey, Pippa, Chris, Jaidan our wonderful new graphic designer, Beth and her 4 month baby are all here for you!

Debbie, Stephen & all of us here at Modern Magazines

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DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damaged caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

The

A thoroughly Modern Monarch

Everything we know about His Majesty’s upcoming coronation.

King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday May 6th 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Eyes around the world will focus their attention once more on this magnificent London institution where the King will be crowned – alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort –in a ceremony overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This opulent ritual is the last of its kind in Europe and has remained largely unchanged for the past 1,000 years. It is an honour of course, but for a King who wants to be a modern monarch there are a few wrinkles that must be ironed out with Buckingham Palace confirming that although the Coronation will be ‘rooted in long-standing traditions’, it will also reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future.

For starters, it will be a relatively modest affair, even compared to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation that came in the recent aftermath of World War II. The ceremony itself is expected to last around two hours – rather than the three for Liz’s ascension to the throne – and guests will be limited to 2,000 due to health and safety restrictions. That’s considerably less than the 8,000 dignitaries from 129 nations who were crammed into Westminster Abbey in 1953.

There will also be less pomp and formality. Prince William is the only Duke expected to carry out the traditional gesture of kneeling and swearing allegiance to the King, and His Majesty has apparently decided to swap the stockings and breeches worn at coronations by his male predecessors for a military uniform, possibly that of Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore for the State Opening of Parliament last May.

As for the crown, Charles will wear the solid gold 17th Century St Edward’s Crown.

It is exceptionally heavy and contains the Cullinan II diamond, sometimes called the Second Star of Africa.

At its heart however, the ceremony must fulfil its key role as being the symbolic religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned, as well as fulfilling the physical act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head. And despite cementing His Majesty’s role as Head of the Church of England, it is thought that representatives of different faiths will also be present – to uphold the King’s wish to reflect the ethnic diversity of modern Britain. He will also still pledge to be “Defender of the Faith”, but further words will be added that allow the King to show he serves all religious faiths.

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Geography Quiz

1. What is the official currency of India?

2. Where is the world’s largest desert found?

3. What country formally ruled Iceland?

4. How many time zones does Australia have?

5. What is the highest active volcano in Europe?

6. What is the only country that borders the UK?

7. Which country has the most pyramids in the world?

8. What city is known as the Glass Capital of the World?

9. What is the capital city of Argentina?

10. Kathmandu is the capital city of which country?

The Full Monty

Even after four decades, green-fingered expert Monty Don’s passion for the outdoors shows little sign of waning, as he explains why gaining new inspiration is so important.

A lifetime of getting green fingers might be taking its toll physically on the 67-year-old broadcaster and writer Monty Don: aside from his bout of peritonitis in 2007, a stroke that could have killed him a year later, and battles with depression – for which he says gardening has been a better antidote than any prescription drug – the everyday rigours of flowering and weeding, pruning and digging have left his body as weathered as one would expect… not that he cares.

“It’s a strange day when you put the visual appearance of your garden over yourself,” he laughs. “For me, that was quite some time ago, but it all relates back to how passionate you are about a subject or a project.

“It’s a big job to keep my garden how I want it, and to keep going – you do that because it’s important not only for the future, but in respecting the effort you have put in previously.”

A renowned writer on all things horticultural since the early 1990s, Don has had over 20 books published and still pens a number of popular newspaper columns.

He became the welcoming, enthusiastic, all-knowing expert on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World

programme between 2003 and 2008, before taking on lead presenting duties for its flagship Chelsea Flower Show in 2014.

Well dressed in his ‘painterly’ style and with a sparkling demeanour, Monty’s garden at Longmeadow in Herefordshire has become something of a national horticultural staple, with fans sharing in the ups and downs of tending to an expansive plot that continues to throw up new challenges. “We’ve had all manner of issues over the past few years, especially some drainage issues.

“Where nature is concerned, you’ve got to expect the unexpected – it’s a fun part of the process… at least, fixing it is!”

When asked about his own inspirations, he admits to having been influenced by

aesthetics

the style and aesthetics of French gardener Nicole de Vesian, who passed away in 1996.

“Nicole had a great feeling for both colour and form, and then for space,” he says. “Her use of colours could look muted and faded at first, but when her gardens were in bloom they looked fantastic when the sun is shining. And she used the space in between plants and sculptures better than anyone. That’s been a blueprint I’ve used for Longmeadow for quite some time.

and

“I think it’s important to have heroes and inspiration, no matter who you are or for how long you’ve been in the game.”

Fundraising with Friends

Want to make friends and get that ‘feel good’ factor at the same time?

Oddfellows friendship groups are a great way to make new friends, enjoy social events with like-minded people and give back to your local community at the same time. Our branches host regular activities and social events across the local area to help our members get the most out of life. Forming strong friendships can help us feel more fulfilled and support our mental health and wellbeing. There are so many benefits to spending time with good friends.

As well as supporting each other when times get tough, a very important aspect of what we do is fundraising for local charities and supporting our communities. The Oddfellows is a national non-profit organisation and each local branch is involved in supporting both local and national charities. We are proud to have donated thousands of pounds in recent years. Local charities that have benefitted from our efforts include Macmillan Caring Locally, Marie Curie, Dorset and Somerset Air

Ambulance, Forest Holme Hospice, Yeovil Freewheelers (Bloodbikes), Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Care UK, Wessex Cancer Trust and Youth Cancer Trust. Our accompanying picture shows member Edna Daniels presenting a cheque to Julia’s House, a children’s hospice organisation operating in Dorset and Wiltshire, who were supported by Edna’s branch.

We realise that times are hard at the moment, but socialising doesn’t need to be expensive - we organise many affordable, fun events. So if you’d like to make new friends and be part of a supportive friendship group, why not give us a try.

Contact our District Secretary, Andrew Hampton, for a copy of our latest events diary and newsletter, and information about your nearest branch.

Contact Andrew on 01202 743910 or email Andrew.hampton@oddfellows.co.uk

The Oddfellows is the trading name of The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity Friendly Society Limited, Incorporated and registered

Ferndown Probus Club

Covering Ferndown, West Moors, Ashley Heath, St Leonards, Parley & District

Now is an excellent time to meet new people and make new friends. Why not join our members for lunch each month at the Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel & Spa? Good food, good company and interesting speakers, just what you have been waiting for!

Ferndown PROBUS is a members’ club for retired or semi-retired professional men and our aim is to create a positive ambience of fellowship, friendship and fun.

We meet on the first Wednesday

of each month at the Brabant Function Room, Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel & Spa, Ferndown commencing at 12 noon. Meetings are centred around a two-course lunch, followed by a talk given by invited Speakers covering a diverse range of subjects. Many of our ladies meet for a more informal gathering in the Spikes Bar at the same venue at the same time or arrange to meet at an alternative location.

A coffee morning is also held at the Brabant Function Room on the second Wednesday of each month for our members and their partners to enjoy a relaxed and sociable get together.

Other social gatherings and events are arranged throughout the year in accordance with member interest.

New members will be made most welcome. For further details please ring the Secretary, Alan Stevens, on 01202 876826, or email: alan_

stevens@talk21.com

More detailed information about the club can be found on our website:

www.ferndownprobusclub.org

President: Brian Quist

West Moors Lun h & Friendship Cl

The club meets on a Wednesday in St. Church Hall, Pinehurst Road from 11.15am until 3.30pm, anyone over the age of 60 living in West Moors is welcome to join. Club contact for all information: Sylvia on 01202 892902

Over the past months we have enjoyed the singing, guitar and piano playing of many visiting entertainers as well as quizzes, card and board games. In April we look forward to welcoming singer Paul Spencer and also Phil Cowan with Country and Western music. We also have Easter to celebrate in April and, at the beginning of May, the Coronation to look forward to.

The members and helpers of the club would like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter with, hopefully, some warm sunshine.

Minimum charge £45

Baloo is looking for a forever home!

Hello, I am Baloo

I am a 3 year old neutered Border Collie. I am a big gentle dog, friendly to strangers of all ages, affectionate and playful and love having my tummy tickled. I have lived with a cat, ignore horses, cattle, bikes, even sheep, but I am anxious of some cars. Unfortunately, I have been diagnosed with Epilepsy and require daily medication to stop the distressing fits. We have got the right medication and regular checks need doing. I am covered by the Petplan lifetime policy which will be transferred to the new owner. I need about 2 hours exercise a day – walks and free running in the garden. I very much like to potter around the house and garden, or the local woods. I do need human company as I get separation anxiety. Help with veterinary fees maybe available when using our vets.

If you are able to offer me or one of my lovely friends a forever home or a foster home

Please contact our office on:

Tel: 01202 875000

Email: admin@waggytails.org.uk

or visit our website :

www.waggytails.org.uk

We also have lots of other dogs looking for their forever homes.

Waggy Tails Rescue are in need of more foster homes. If you are at home most of the time, have a secure garden an experienced with dogs then please give us a ring and discuss fostering for us. It is a very rewarding experience and enables us to continue helping these dogs.

(No children under 10 in the house please.)

Waggy Tails Rescue is a registered charity based in Dorset, we rescue and rehome dogs that have been abandoned, neglected or otherwise in need of a new home. We also find homes for other small furries that may be in our care, so to find out more you can contact us on the number above or send donations or letters to:

Waggy Tails Rescue

Helen’s House

143 Magna Road

Wimborne BH21 3AW

Thank you for supporting us!

Who or what are we?

Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club members come from all walks of life but with one thing in common: they want to give something back. They give of their time and run events to raise money to support local charities and deserving causes.

Through the worldwide network of Rotary clubs, we also donate funds to support international emergency relief efforts, such as Ukraine, the Pakistan flood disaster.

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Dudsbury Golf Club to enjoy a meal, maybe listen to a speaker on a topic of interest, just socialise or plan future events. Visitors are always welcome.

What do we do?

Annually, through our charity “Ferndown and Parley Rotary CIO”, we run a series of events to raise money for charities or provide an opportunity for the Ferndown community to come together:

• In June we hold the Fete-on-the-Field on the King George V Playing Fields in Ferndown. Organised in association with Ferndown Town Council and our regular sponsor, Hearnes Estate Agents, the Fete offers market stalls, a classic car show, a range of entertainment for all the family and a good choice of food to enjoy.

• Also in June we hold our Charity Golf Day at Dudsbury Golf Club, supported by our regular sponsor Hendy’s Motors. Open to golfers of all abilities, this event has raised over £100,000 since its inception.

• September sees the Parley Pairs Golf Day, played at Crane Valley Golf Club. Again, open to golfers of all ages and abilities for a fun day to raise money for good causes. This is a very lucky event – there has never been a need to carry an umbrella.

• December is a busy time for us organising the Christmas-in-Ferndown event, again in

association with Ferndown Town Council and Hearnes. A family day of market stalls, entertainment, food and Santa’s Grotto, all in and around Pennys Walk, culminates in the Mayor switching on the Ferndown Christmas Lights.

• Also in December we make our Christmas Collections in aid of local charities. In 2022, this raised ca.£1500. Thank you to Sainsburys Ferndown for letting us collect outside their store.

• Twice a year, we host our ‘Old Folks Tea Party’, providing fellowship, entertainment and afternoon tea for local senior citizens at St. Marks Church. Transport to and from is provided for those who need it.

Alongside these core events we hold quiz evenings, BBQs, sporting get-togethers, social gatherings throughout the year.

Who do we help?

We endeavour to support local good causes. If you know of anyone in need that could use a helping hand, please let us know.

Coming Up

In the new year our focus will turn to planning our June events, Fete On The Field and our Charity Golf Day. A lot of effort is needed to ensure that these key events run successfully. Offers of help are always welcomed.

Interested?

For more details of future meetings and events, or if you’d like to get involved go to our website at FerndownandParleyRotary. org , or call our membership secretary John on 01202 891875

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What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

It’s an important legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions, or make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to.

Think of an LPA like an insurance policy, putting it in place while you’re fit and healthy gives you peace of mind knowing that, no matter how life plays out, your health and financial matters will be managed as per your wishes

Here’s how it works:

Margaret suffers an unexpected illness or accident, resulting in a loss of mental capacity.

Without an LPA

Next of kin doesn’t have the legal right to make decisions for Margaret

Sole bank accounts are frozen

Joint bank accounts are frozen in some circumstances

Bills can’t be paid from Margaret’s money

Investment decisions can’t be made (any previous authority given to make investment decisions is cancelled)

Property can’t be sold, meaning a co-habiting partner can’t move house if they wanted to

Next of kin don’t have the legal right to make decisions about medical treatment

Next of kin don’t have the legal rights to make personal choices, for example where Margaret should live

If you don’t plan ahead and you suffer an accident or illness which causes you to lose mental capacity, your next of kin can only get the legal authority to act on your behalf through a Court Order. This is a long, costly and intrusive process.

With an LPA

Margaret puts LPAs in place for both Financials & Health and Care Decisions appointing a representative

Margarethas legallyappointeda representativetomake decisionsabouther finances

Thebankrecognisesthe chosenrepresentative’s legalauthorityandNO accountsarefrozen

Investmentdecisions canbemadeby Margaret’s representatives

Bills can be paid as normal

Property can be sold if needed

The representative has the legal right to make decisions about Margaret’s medical treatment

The representative can make personal choices for Margaret, such as where to live.

By planning ahead, you can choose who should have legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself. A Lasting Power of Attorney costs far less than a Court Order and the people you choose can step in as soon as needed

Bi-Monthly Litter Pick Saturday 4th

March 2023

There were FRESH FACES from new recruits for this litter pick, one bringing his dedicated Children along, which was perfect, as it is their future we are trying to protect, as well as our present. One of our volunteers hobbled on her rounds with a painful foot ( would have insisted on her giving apologies for this one if known!), another climbed into a ditch to retrieve hidden rubbish (not recommended due to health and safety) and last but not least, one kindly spent extra time separating the recyclable items from landfill ones, helping the planet that little bit more. The sincere dedication of our West Moors residents is undeniable.

Between these 20 wonderfully generous litter heroes, 26 bags of rubbish were removed off the streets of West Moors.

It would bring satisfaction to say that the litter pick today was an early Spring Clean, but unfortunately, West Moors Town Council have been carrying out bi-monthly litter picks, since 2021, and this was yet another necessary clean-up of litter that is strewn onto our streets, every day.

An unacceptable amount of cigarette butts were torn off the pavements by many of

the volunteers. Many do not know, that cigarette butts are made of a type of plastic (plasticised cellulose acetate), and are not biodegradable. One can take 14 years to break apart, its toxins seeping into the earth. It breaks apart into microplastics which stay in the environment for an unknown period of time.

Fourteen years due to one second of selfishness. Before you flick, please think. Despite the amount of litter that is unearthed during these regular events, we are proud of West Moors and those that live and visit here, that DO treat it, therefore each other, with respect.

You can join us on our next litter pick in May, or simply as individuals on your daily walks or as part of a larger community clean up group.

Monday 8th May will be the next litter pick, to coincide with the BIG HELP OUT for the King Charles III Coronation weekend.

Keep an eye out on our website, notice boards and Facebook.

Why not share with us your success stories and perhaps a picture of you and the waste you have collected? Please visit our website for information and guidance on litter picking:

www.westmoors-tc.gov.uk

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STAR GAZING

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the April Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include a chance to spot elusive Mercury, and the Lyrid meteor shower.

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted around 8.45pm on April Fool’s Day. Viewing then switches to our morning skies from the 23rd. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above. com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to your observing area.

Events

The annual Lyrid meteor shower peaks on the night of April 22nd. The dust that causes these meteors comes from Comet Thatcher. The meteors, or ‘shooting stars’, originate from a point in the sky close to the bright star Vega, which lies northeast around 9.30pm, but meteors can be visible in any direction.

Mercury

The innermost planet can be spotted low in our evening skies during the first couple of weeks of April. Look to the lower right of dazzling Venus, between about 8.45 - 9pm (see figure).

Venus

Venus is nearly at its brightest this month and stays long into the night, setting around

midnight. On the 11th it passes close to the Pleiades star cluster (see figure), and lies near the Moon on the 22nd and 23rd (see figure).

Mars

The red planet tracks from Taurus to Gemini over the course of the month, and appears close to the Moon on the 25th. It is setting around 2.30am.

Jupiter & Saturn

Saturn becomes visible in our morning skies midmonth. It is visible just before sunrise, low in the ESE. Jupiter is too close to the Sun to be visible this month.

Moon

April’s full moon occurs on the 6th.

Star of the month

Visible in April an hour after sunset, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. This is not because it is particularly large (it is only twice the size and mass of our Sun), but because it is relatively close to us. It never reaches very high in the sky from our viewpoint in the UK, but can be easily found by tracing a line towards the east through the three stars in Orion’s Belt. Sirius was an important marker star for ancient peoples. The Egyptians knew the flooding of the Nile was imminent when they noticed Sirius rise above the horizon before dawn. Some Australian Indigenous peoples can predict the onset of seasonal change by noticing how much Sirius twinkles, which is due to changing winds and approaching weather systems.

Spring clean your makeup bag

Give your beauty routine a boost by spring cleaning your make up bag.

You may be fastidious when it comes to your nightly cleansing beauty routine, but it’s easy to become complacent about your makeup bag.

All too often, these vessels can become a grimy hotbed for germs and bacteria, which then finds its way onto your skin. A simple clean and sort out every so often however, will help you achieve and maintain that gorgeous glow you covet.

Beautify your bag

From eyeshadow explosions to foundation leaks, it’s easy for the inside of your make up bag to become very dirty.

If it’s made from plastic, simply turn the bag inside out and give it a good wash with soap or shampoo. If it’s a cloth bag, put it through a machine wash on a low temperature setting.

Also, give all your products a wipe or rinse before placing them back inside the bag.

Boost your brushes

Get into the habit of cleaning your makeup brushes and applicators on a semi-regular basis. This is especially important if you find yourself prone to breakouts – the reality is these grubby tools may be contributing to your complexion woes.

Washing your brushes and sponges under the tap with a little shampoo and then leaving to air dry is very effective, but if you have expensive applicators you may want to invest in a dedicated cosmetic brush cleaner.

Have a super spring update

When cleaning up your beauty act, it’s important to clear out any products that are past their date. If you’ve had any single product for over a year it is probably worth getting rid of it; this is especially true when it comes to mascaras and eye pencils that can harbour the bacteria that leads to eye infections.

Spring is also a great time to adapt your products towards the warmer weather. Consider perhaps a higher SPF foundation,

a bronzer and some brighter lip and eye shades for the warmer months that lie ahead.

Get more eco-minded

Products that are packed with chemicals are not just bad for the environment, they aren’t good for your skin either.

For example, disposable makeup removal wipes are neither cost effective nor ideal for efficiently removing grime. Instead, invest in a reusable pad or sponge that can shift the day’s makeup – some dedicated products only require water – and use a toner that comes in a spritz bottle rather than requiring a cotton pad.

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• Closeboard Panels

We manufacture all of our own panels, trellis and gates so if you have any bespoke requirements please don’t hesitate to contact us.

With over 25 years’ experience we are confident that United Fencing Supplies is the right choice for your garden project.

A Design for Life… e Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about his love of modernism in interior design.

I often get people asking me why so many of the build projects on Grand Designs end up being decorated in a modernism style, with sharp lines, slick surfaces, uncomplicated decorative features and a view to celebrate space and light.

The answer to this comes not in the contents of a house, but its exterior. Simply, it follows that the architectural design of a building will often be mirrored by the interior design within it; and while developers may regularly seek to replicate Georgian or Victorian designs styles, most newbuilds still celebrate straight lines, clean shapes and hard edges. Aside from anything else, the build requirements are much easier!

Certainly, with people whose journeys we have followed on Grand Designs, this is very much the trend, although the advent of modernism in home furnishings was something that really took off towards the end of the 19th century. In essence, it was a rebellious response to the years of floral, ornate,

elaborate, elegant and largely curved, flowery styles that had patterned so much of people’s lives.

In modernism the modus operandum became creating something that much more straightforward. Within this, overuse of colour was discouraged, while the invitation was laid out to embrace textures and textiles not previously considered homely – consider steel, concrete, large expanses of glass and other materials once thought of as cold and unwelcoming.

Where colour did prevail, this was to be bold and statementgiving, so perhaps blocks and slabs of shades adjacent to blacks, greys and whites.

Where did this all come from? Well, the Industrial Revolution had a lot to do with a more measured and practical approach to living, and these

modernist statements extended to literature, art, music and more – countless areas where people were expressing a desire to rebel.

Although no end date for modernism has ever been noted, it’s perceived that postmodernism came into being in the late 1970s, and from there society has largely embraced a mass of contrasting and conflicting styles in elegant harmony. Yet modernist architecture has never gone away, and speaking personally, I love the perfection of modernism in interior design –its flow, simplicity, practicality and function.

Wafflicious is One Year Old!

One year ago, we opened our brand new and exciting family dining experience on the seafront in Weymouth! Yes a full year ago... Offering the most delightful range of tempting treats such as waffles, sundaes and luxury hot chocolate, you really are guaranteed delicious when you come to Wafflicious!

On Saturday 25th February, we celebrated our first birthday. We commemorated the day by offering 50% off everything which of course drew many of our wonderful regular visitors, as well as some brand-new faces.

Situated in the most perfect location on the Esplanade, overlooking Weymouth’s stunning beach and landscape, our guests can devour their treats while taking in the stunning view. Ideal for families and couples alike, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Larger parties can book our “Flamingo Suite” for groups of up to 20 people, perfect for children’s birthday treats and for those who are young at heart!

The menu at Wafflicious includes all your favourite toppings, including

the very popular ‘Smoreo’. You can also choose ‘Chocolate Fudge’, ‘StrawNana’, ‘Apple Pie’ which comes with a full slice of apple pie, and ‘Canadian’ which is a delicious mix of maple syrup and cinnamon. All the Waffles and Sundaes are served with Marshfield Farm Ice cream.

We even have treats for your fourlegged friends as we stock Marshfield Farm Doggy Ice Cream ‘Scoops’. What a treat after a run on the beach!

Taking care of all tastes, Wafflicious also offers savoury waffles for guests who don’t have such a sweet tooth, with tantalising toppings such as ham, cheese and onion with chicken and pepperoni for a ‘pizza waffle’ experience, or smoked salmon, avocado or roasted peppers for a more sophisticated palate.

Whether you’re a Weymouth local or visiting our beautiful town while you’re on holiday, no trip to the beach is complete without a trip to Wafflicious!

Manager, Hayden Corney said, “We have loved our first year and appreciate all the support our

customers have given. We look forward to serving everyone in the many years to come. And remember its delicious here at Wafflicious!”

Call Wafflicious to book your table on 07886 641600. We are on “Just Eat” if you want to try a tantilising treat at home or better still come in, listen to our music on the juke box and let us make you smile!

To book your party at Wafflicious email eat@wafflicious.co.uk

Follow Wafflicious on socials for special offers and events:

www.facebook.com/ WaffliciousWeymouth

www.instagram.com/ wafflicious_weymouth

To see the Wafflicious menu, visit: www.wafflicious.co.uk

Understanding Investments:

Hoping to retire within the next 5-10 years?

We work with many clients in their 50’s who start to think about reducing their working hours or retiring. They realise that there are a finite number of working years ahead and want to save tax and maximise their savings during their peak earning years.

Often we see people paying more tax than they need, with the subsequent tax savings we identify helping them build their own retirement fund. Many people have pensions and investments but are invested in default funds with no idea of what the funds invest in and whether they are suitable for their own retirement needs. They often hold a number of pension plans built up over the years and don’t know what they are paying in charges or whether the plans include any guaranteed benefits, which could be very valuable at retirement.

Realising there is less than 10 years to accumulate sufficient capital on which to live once retired, clients want to know “how much will we need?”. This is one of the most important questions which cannot easily be answered unless you have specific, financial planning tools and software (which we do!).

I’ve listed below some of the key information required to help create a plan.

1. Understand what loans (including mortgage) are outstanding, what interest is being charged and when they are due to be repaid. It is important to be debt free at retirement, albeit there are number of ways to achieve that depending on your personal tax situation.

2. Obtain a state pension projection to understand what you will be entitled to and when. This can be obtained online via the Government website and will be a valuable source of inflation-protected income at the state pension age. It is possible to top this up with lump sum or regular payments if you haven’t been credited with the full 35 years of National Insurance contributions.

3. Obtain projections from any Defined Benefit Pensions. These can also provide future inflation-protected income and the date they are due to commence will vary depending on scheme rules.

Howard Goodship

4. Quantify your personal assets which include cash, investments and property. Understand what your investments such as ISAS and Pensions are invested in, what you are paying in charges and to what level of risk they are exposed. Is this too low or too high or just right, based on when you plan to retire? Do your pension plans allow full pension freedom flexibility in the way you can access income in retirement (Flexi-Access Drawdown, UFPLS, Annuities)?

It’s possible to switch between pension and ISA providers if it is identified there is a financial advantage (lower charges, wider investment choice or more flexible ways to draw income in retirement). It’s also possible to consolidate multiple plans with the aim to reduce charges and simplify.

We utilise specialist cash-flow tools which help clients identify “how much is enough?”. Once in retirement, we help them maximise their lifestyles by showing them whether their retirement “wish-list” is affordable and if so, encouraging them to do things whilst they are fit and able.

If you’d like to learn more or discuss your personal situation, we would be delighted to meet for a free, no obligation initial chat.

Howard Goodship is an Independent Financial Adviser with Lonsdale Wealth Management, 5 Fridays Court, Ringwood. Tel: 01425 208490 www.lonsdaleservices.co.uk

The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and do not constitute individual advice.

Let our care be your legacy

With more children being born and living longer with increasingly complex conditions, respite care couldn’t be more vital in the years to come. Julia’s House has been there for local families providing this vital care for the last 20 years and will only be able to continue to be by their side for the next 20 years with the support of the local community.

When parents receive the devastating news their child has a life-limiting or life-threatening illness, their world falls apart. It is an anxious and lonely existence. Julia’s House is their lifeline.

“The demand for our services has never been greater,”

comments Beth Whitworth, Family Support Services Lead Nurse.

“The families have come out of the pandemic and straight into a cost of living crisis. It’s an incredibly difficult time for them.”

Julia’s House relies almost entirely on generous donations from local

supporters and businesses to fund this vital care for families across Dorset and Wiltshire, receiving just eight per cent Government funding.

You have the power to change lives – and it won’t cost you a penny right now.

Pledging to leave a Gift in your Will is a wonderful way of showing local families you care and will give the charity the confidence to continue developing its life-changing care service for the most vulnerable children and families, long into the future.

A gift of just 1% from your Will can make 100% difference to overwhelmed parents going through dark times. Be remembered for bringing light back into the lives of local families. Find out more at juliashouse.org/legacy

Fours for thought

For April, an eclectic combination of fiction, non-fiction and poetry to stimulate the mind and appease the soul.

The God Desire

by David Baddiel

David Baddiel has spent a lot of time fantasising about how much better life would be if there actually was a God. Unfortunately for him, there isn’t. Or at least, that is Baddiel’s view in this book, which argues that it is indeed the very intensity of his, and everyone else’s, desire for God to exist that proves His nonexistence. Anything so deeply wished-for we will, considers Baddiel, make real.

The God Desire emerges as a philosophical essay that utilises Baddiel’s trademarks of comedy, storytelling and personal asides, offering a highly readable new perspective on the most ancient of debates. Published by William Collins on April 13th

Homecoming by Kate Morton

Many years ago, a police investigation is called and the small town of Tumbilla becomes embroiled in one of the most shocking and perplexing murder cases in the history of South Australia.

Six decades on, Jess, a journalist in London, who

finds herself laid off from her full-time job and struggling to make ends meet. A phone call out of nowhere summons her back to Sydney, which leads her to begin digging into her past, and that long-forgotten tragedy. Published by Mantle on April 13th

A House for Alice by Diana Evans

Alice wants to go home to her native Nigeria to die, though three daughters are divided on whether she stays or goes, and tasked with realising her dream of a house in Africa, conflict stirs and old wounds rise to the surface. Meanwhile their father wanders the flames of purgatory, unable to pass into the light. Will Alice get back home and complete the circle of her life, or will London be her final refuge?

Set against the shadows of Grenfell and a country in crisis, these ordinary people are faced with fundamental

questions about who they are, what they want and where, and with whom, they want to be. Published by Chatto on April 6th

Divisible by Itself and One by Kae Tempest

A new poetry collection from Britain’s foremost truth-teller, Kae Tempest masterfully steers a path between publicfacing performance, dramatic work and the contemplative voice that came to the fore in Running Upon the Wires.

Questions of integrity are addressed in direct, affecting terms: how can we be true to ourselves while under constant pressure to conform?

Throughout the poems, ideas of form – of the body, gender, and in nature – resurface and resolve, as the poet considers the changes that are sometimes required to be oneself. Published by Picador on April 27th

The King’s New Groove

He was raised to one day be king, but can Charles III fully realise his vision for Great Britain? Only time will tell.

They say the best things come to those who wait, and King Charles III’s 70 years spent as heir apparent suggest he is well deserving of the throne. For His Majesty, ascension is bittersweet with the loss of his mother still laying heavy on the royal heart, but he is equally keen to finally execute his master plan to bring the Windsors into the 21st century.

But what does this actually mean? And what are the implications for the country as a whole?

One of the main tenets is to slim down the royal family. Over recent years this has happened somewhat organically anyway with the voluntary stepping back of Prince Harry and the less voluntary removal of Prince Andrew from official duty. However, King Charles III is expected to go one step further as he is reportedly seeking to change legislation that allows

non-working royals to be counsellors of state.

Her Majesty’s passing means that Queen Consort Camilla, as the King’s spouse, and Princess Beatrice, as the next adult in line to the throne, are eligible to fill these roles. But aside from Prince William, three of the five counsellors – Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice – are non-working royals. This is thought not to sit well with the King who may change the law to allow his siblings, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal, to take on the duty alongside their current roles as working royals.

Having lived through several tumultuous periods in the monarchy’s history, King Charles III is acutely aware of the Republican sentiment among certain Britons. Queen Elizabeth II was hugely popular, but there are some who are convinced that now is the right time to disband the monarchy and move forward into a fully modern, democratic Britain. Yet when you consider how much the monarchy generates for our economy, not to mention how valuable our traditions and illustrious

history are to us culturally, we would likely lose more than we would gain.

According to Forbes, the House of Windsor is estimated to be worth £19bn. And while the average annual cost for UK taxpayers in royal upkeep comes to around £500m a year, it’s estimated that the monarchy’s brand contributes £2.5bn to the British economy over the same period.

In short, His Majesty knows his worth, but he also respects the need to assimilate more with the everyday people in his kingdom - the recent cost of living crisis, environmental awareness and societal change being issues he must help solve if he is to have a peaceful reign.

World group!”

Sue loses 5st 10lb to win Greatest Loser title!!

Slimming World Greatest Loser 2023 is a competition to find the UK and Ireland’s most successful slimmer’s and the Greatest Loser finalists are the members within the group with the highest overall weight loss. Sue joined Ferndown Slimming World at the Village Hall on a Thursday morning in November 2021 as she was desperately unhappy with her weight and the impact it was having on her health and mobility. Sue made changes to what she ate by following Slimming Worlds Food Optimising Plan and found that just by making some simple changes to the way she shopped, cook and ate that she could still enjoy her favourite meals like A Sunday Roast and spaghetti bolognese and lost lots of weight at the same time! It was life changing! Here’s a picture of Sue before she joined group and a recent one of her being crowned Greatest Loser 2023. Zoe Kemp the consultant at Ferndown Slimming world couldn’t be prouder! She says ‘ seeing Sue blossom over the last 15 months has been a joy to watch. She is an inspiration in group and always has a kind and supportive word with other members as we tackle the psychological barriers that we put in place when it comes to losing weight. We always welcome new members and in-fact its my mission to help everyone break through these barriers with the help and support of our amazing group’. Zoe’s groups are at Ferndown Village Hall on Church Road every Tuesday at 5.45pm &7.30pm and Thursdays at 7.30am, 9am &11am.

TUESDAY

FERNDOWN

VERWOOD

Verwood Memorial Hall, Ringwood Road - 9am

07931 480464

WEDNESDAY

VERWOOD

Verwood Memorial Hall, Ringwood Rd - 5.30pm & 7.30pm Call Danni 07753 312454

WEST MOORS

Pinehurst Comm. Church, Pinehurst Rd - 4, 5.30 & 7.30pm Call Karen 07795 820310

THURSDAY

FERNDOWN

Ferndown Village Hall, Church Rd - 7.30am, 9am & 11am Call Zoe 07964 887581

WEST MOORS

Pinehurst Comm. Church, Pinehurst Rd - 9am & 10.30am

Call Karen 07795 820310

VERWOOD

Verwood Memorial Hall, Ringwood Rd - 5.30pm Call Debbie 07931 480464

FRIDAY

FERNDOWN

Ferndown Scout Hut, Cherry Grove - 9.30am Call Sophie 07818 596511

SATURDAY

KINSON

St Andrews Church Hall, Millhams Rd - 8am & 9.30am

Call Jenny 07841 398337

“Being a loser makes Sue a winner at Ferndown Slimming

The Adventures of Daichi The Modern Magazines Camper Van

We won an award! Daichi was delighted. Having never entered any business competition before we did not know what to expect. Customer service and looking after all our valuable advertisers has been at the core of everything we do here at Modern Magazines. I have always had the viewpoint that we get what we give out in life. If we are helpful, want people to succeed and are willing to go that extra mile to make it all happen, the client is delighted. In return we get great local trades and businesses who also want to help their clients. Everyone wins. You the resident can rely on the people inside the magazine, which is after all what you need. Of course, we are not perfect. Daichi will vouch for that! Mistakes happen and sometimes a client gets cross. This happens in life doesn’t it! Well, how do we react to that? What do we say back? Shouting back creates more shouting and everyone gets upset. Listening, understanding and correcting a mistake, or quietly giving a suggestion back usually handles the situation and we all have a better day for it.

So, that was what this award was all about – our business to business ethos and attitude. How do we treat our advertisers? Well, it seems like we won with flying colours. How amazing is that! One area we work really hard is the creation of the adverts themselves. We have a new graphic designer, Jaidan and he is fantastic. He works quickly and professionally which at a young age of just 23 is brilliant. He is also a videographer and we have some exciting news about a new E-Magazine, which will be online and found through Google, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and even emailed out, where all the adverts will link to business websites, there will be interactive puzzles that can be done within the magazine online, competitions and there will even be talking pages where you will be able to listen to business owners talk about their business and how they can help you. Soon to be released! Keeping up with modern

technology is a must of course, however paper is still in fashion! Yes, print advertising is still seen as the most trusted source of finding a local trades person and business. Combining the two mediums will help all round and create a real hub of the place to go to find all that is local. I am very excited about that… as you can see!

Beth will also be back soon, having had her wonderful baby boy a few months ago. We will then have two graphic designers. Beth has a woman’s touch to her designs (am I allowed to say that?) and I think we will have the perfect balance to get those all-important adverts right, depending on what the customer wants.

Our team of salesgirls… yes we are all girls there I am afraid… are incredible. We really don’t see ourselves in sales. Our purpose is genuinely to get more work for local businesses and to give you, the valuable resident, good trades and services to

Debbie with Cllr Ann Weaving, Mayor of Weymouth at WeyPort Business Awards

help you. Mel has worked with us for over fifteen years! Today this is what she told me,

“I love working at Modern Magazines. I am one of those rare people who looks forward to going to work. Great team. Great customers!”

Julie has been with us for over nine years. This is what she says,

“I just love working with Debbie and Stephen and the whole team. It really feels like we are a family, looking out for each other and looking after our clients. There is nothing better than knowing you helped a client get more business. Most of all the work is fun, getting to talk to lots of interesting people. I look forward to every day!”

Then we have Steph who is a delight to hear talking to customers on the phone and then our newest member is Pippa who runs our office in Weymouth and set up the new “Wonderful Weymouth Magazine”. She has been amazing. Her knowledge of the area and the people has enormously helped and without her that magazine would not be what it is. Pippa says,

“Having worked on the Wonderful Weymouth magazine the past 16 months, winning the WeyPort B2B category and supporting both local businesses and the local community of Weymouth and Portland, in which I’ve always lived, is an honour.

I would like to thank Debbie, Stephen and the rest of the Modern Magazines team for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic team with a passion to help others succeed.”

Amazing.

Chris, our distribution manager gets the magazines to the distribution company that delivers several of our magazines each month, drops off magazines to local shops, cafes and businesses in their respective areas, delivers magazines to our own distributors in a few areas and when he has some downtime, he posts photos on each of our Facebook pages. He is busy!

I started our first magazine in 2005. At that time Hayden was very young and I needed something to do. I walked around the streets with him in the pram and “touted for business” as Pat at Kingfisher Cleaning Services laughs. She was my first client ever. I will never forget that phone call. It gave me hope and a reason to continue… here we are today. Thank you Pat. Stephen, my husband, gave up his career in computer engineering to work alongside me in 2008 and we have not looked back.

The WeyPort Business Awards were such fun and we thank all our nominations for acknowledging us as “The Business to Business” business of the year! We love what we do and are here for any business wanting to expand. Most of all we are here to link you the homeowner, resident and VIP of your area, to these very important trades and services. We thank all of you for your support and loyalty. Let’s continue to work together.

www.modernmagazines.co.uk

By Debbie Corney

Pippa with the WeyPort B2B Business of the Year 2023 award

Debbie and Stephen with Daichi

In the blood

A new blood test developed by a tech firm in India can spot ‘nearly every kind of cancer’ long before it spreads, and is making waves in the medical world.

Right now, there are over three million people living with cancer in the UK. In addition, one in two of us will develop some form of cancer over our lifetimes, and almost all of us know someone who either died or survived from this brutal disease.

However, good news could be just around the corner.

It is well known that the key to successful cancer treatment is catching it early. The problem though is that cancer is insidious, meaning cells hide deep inside the body, away from detection. They can show no symptoms until the cancer has spread to other organs.

How convenient and practical then, would a simple blood test be that could detect cancer anywhere in your body and at the earliest stages? Well this new technology, a type of liquid biopsy, can do just that.

Several companies are exploring the potential of these tests, but the Trucheck test, developed by the Indian firm Datar Cancer Genetics, is proving to be one of the most effective and affordable. Research on 30,000 people found the checks could identify 91.8 per cent of cases which were non-metastatic (meaning it has not spread beyond the

primary growth site) and covered 70 types of cancer. And this diagnosis can be gleaned from just two 10ml vials of blood.

The system of liquid biopsies works by detecting circulating tumour cells which are released by malignant growths but not from non-cancerous tissue. Over a five-day process in the lab, healthy cells are stimulated to die. Cancer cells are resistant, meaning those that remain will grow, and form clusters.

If these are identified, patients undergo an in-depth consultation, after which they can be booked in for further checks and possible treatment.

The Trucheck test is currently being offered to private customers by British not-forprofit organisation The Cancer Screening Trust, at a cost of £1,250, including consultation, though the company are in talks with the NHS about future trials.

Independent experts have said the findings were “promising”, and are calling for additional research, including trials on a real-world population.

to make a change? IS IT TIME FOR YOU DOYOU WANTTO:

WECAN HELPYOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT

Gennaro Contaldo’s Easter Leg of Lamb

Introduction

When it comes to Easter feasts, you can always look to Italy for a sublime celebration of food, family and faith. This recipe for Gennaro Contaldo’s Easter leg of lamb is the perfect dish to serve to your extended brood over the long weekend.

Ingredients

(serves 4)

• 1.2kg leg of lamb

• Salt & pepper

• Sprig of rosemary

• A little extra virgin olive oil

• 150ml white wine

• 300g baby onions or shallots

• 100g black olives, pitted

• 8 x anchovy fillets, roughly chopped

• 2 x garlic cloves, left whole, crushed

• 320g fresh or frozen peas

Top Tip

• If using fresh peas be sure to weigh them after they have been shelled and cleaned.

• Keep an eye on your lamb while it is in the oven to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Resting is also essential to maintaining the tenderness and moistness of your meat.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/ gas mark 6. Slash the lamb with a sharp knife and rub all over with salt, pepper and a little extra virgin olive oil. Push half the olives and four anchovies into the slashes. Place in a roasting dish together with wine, garlic, shallots, rosemary and remaining anchovies.

2. Reduce the oven temperature to 150°C/gas mark 2 and roast the lamb for 1 hour 30 minutes. If necessary, cover with tin foil halfway through cooking. Baste

throughout and if necessary, add a glass of hot water.

3. About 10 minutes before the end of cooking time, add the peas.

4. Remove from the oven, leave to rest for 5 minutes, place on a board, carve and serve with the vegetables and juices.

Greenfingers… The Alan Titchmarsh Column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. is month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the uniqueness and the survival of our gardens.

ere is an argument to say the more complicated you make something, the more di cult it is to keep things constant. I am certainly guilty of pushing and pushing and adding so much more to an idea when I could have kept things safe and sane.

I think it’s important though to remind people, that whether your garden is some elaborate flourish of colour and texture and shape, or just a bit of grass and some simple shrubbery, absolutely everything about it is unique.

A er all, that space has its own unique history - for some, the flowers in it are a present; they may even come from another country; they might remind us of a special occasion or an event or story. We may just have spo ed them in the garden centre and gone from there.

e point is everything we have is full of memories and stories. e things we put in our gardens remind us of times in our lives, and when that garden is in full colour and full blossom in May, or in its full richness in autumn, or at some other point in the year, it creates and stimulates memories.

I have done so much in my gardens, but I don’t think I could pick one specific thing – everything has been my favourite part at some stage. And I believe the whole beauty of gardening is that it’s personal, and the freedom of choice really is with the person ge ing their hands dirty.

Ultimately, if you want to follow my advice and slavishly do as I say in my books, then that is perfectly fine. However, if you read something and think, ‘I don’t agree with that, I’m doing it my way,’ then that is good too, because it has at least made you think.

Gardening is private – it’s intimate. We all have di erent ideas in terms of what we think of as full or minimalist, and I am passionate about people exploring their own narrative, because anybody can do this. Simply decide what you’d like to grow – perhaps something

you want to eat, or smell, or just look at. Buy the seeds and do it. Don’t even worry about the process, just try it out.

When it succeeds, do it again; and most importantly, when it fails, do it again too!

General Knowledge Crossword

Across Clues:

1. Needle grasses (5)

3. Small barrel (3)

5. Right or wrong (5)

7. Long, narrow pieces of wood (3)

8. Cannot be identified (3)

9. Point (3)

10. Poem (3)

11. Guardiola (3)

12. Remove (5)

15. Small hut (5)

18. Noticeable (7)

21. Shallow iron pan (7)

25. Raffle (7)

29. Bland (7)

32. Ample (5)

34. Escape of fluid (5)

36. Long, thin fish (3)

37. Narrow beams of light (3)

38. International Organisation (3)

39. Race (3)

40. Through (3)

41. Made from flax (5)

42. Emphasise a reaction (3)

43. Strong vehicle (5)

Down Clues:

1. Smooth soft rock (5)

2. Cravat with wide squares (5)

3. Sarong like, colourful (7)

4. Pl. Millionfish (7)

5. Changes (5)

6. Worthless (5)

13. Position (3)

14. Vehicle (3)

16. Smooth, thick liquid (3)

17. Adult female sheep (3)

18. Flat face, large eyes (3)

19. Very young child (3)

20. Employ (3)

22. Relatives (3)

23. Rim (3)

24. 2012 bear comes alive (3)

26. Paddle (3)

27. Meal (3)

28. Shouting (7)

29. Make better (7)

30. Unwell (3)

31. Frost (3)

32. Fight (5)

33. Alone or unseen (5)

34. Local law (5)

35. Bakers, 13 (5)

7. Ski, 8. UFO,

Answers: Across: 1. Stipa, 3. Keg, 5. Moral,

9. Tip, 10. Ode, 11. Pep, 12. Eject, 15. Hovel, 18. Obtrude, 21. Skillet, 25. Lottery, 29. Insipid, 32. Broad, 34. Bleed, 26. Eel, 27. Ray, 38. ISO, 39. Run, 40. Via, 41. Linen, 42. Gee, 43. Wagon. Down: 1. Shale, 2, Ascot, 3. Kitenge, 4. Guppies, 5. Morph, 6. Losel, 13. Job, 14. Car, 16. Oil, 17. Ewe, 18. Owl, 19. Tot, 20. Use, 22. Kin, 23. Lip, 24. Ted, 26. Oar, 27. Tea, 28. Yelling, 29. Improve, 30. Ill, 31. Ice, 32. Brawl, 33. Dearn, 34. Bylaw, 35. Dozen

Good hearing is healthy living

There’s no shortage of advice when it comes to health - eating the right food, keeping physically active, getting enough sleep. But what’s healthy about good hearing? Taking care of your hearing is shown to have a positive impact on physical and cognitive functions, mental well-being, and social engagement - all of which contribute to the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Statistics show that two in three adults over the age of 60 experience some degree of hearing loss. While it’s often a normal part of ageing, it can go unnoticed if you don’t know what to look for:

Are you experiencing any of the following?

• Dif culty understanding others especially in places with background noise

• Playing the radio or TV louder than the level others require

• Asking people to repeat themselves

• Not hearing things that are out of the range of sight - people, traf c etc. If these sound familiar to you, now is the right time to take steps to improve your hearing and your well-being.

Taking action on your hearing loss gives you: More energy. Taking part in conversations is less draining. This means more energy for the family, friends and the activities you feel passionate about.

More confidence. Understanding what goes on around you lets you actively participate with assurance and peace of mind.

More enjoyment. Whether you’re hosting a get-together or relaxing with good music, better hearing lets you make the most of any moment.

For a free hearing consultation call us today on 01202 985500.

Remember Loved Ones This Spring With a Julia’s House Forever Butterfly

People we have loved and lost are often on our minds as we remember the times we spent together and the lasting memories we made. This spring, Julia’s House, is launching a special way to remember our loved ones with a Forever Butterfly. The local children’s hospice charity has created a beautiful ironworks butterfly that you can buy and keep, in memory of someone close that is no longer with you.

The Forever Butterfly, made by Unbearable Design Ltd in Weymouth, is handmade and finished in waterproof sky-blue lacquer. Placed somewhere meaningful for you, it will create an everlasting reminder and touching tribute to someone you’ve loved and lost. Before all the butterflies land in their forever home with you, they will be featured in a wonderful butterfly garden display at Bowood House & Gardens, Wiltshire on 5-8 April and Athelhampton House & Gardens, Dorchester on 12-15 April,

helping to mark the Julia’s House 20th anniversary year – imagine the spectacular sight of hundreds of butterflies side by side, each one holding a memory of someone special.

Flying free

“I will be buying my Forever Butterfly in memory of my sister, Gabrielle and mum, Maria. Having a butterfly in my garden is a lovely way of thinking of them being free,” shares Diana Lawrence, whose family have been supported by Julia’s House.

Gabrielle (Gabby) had a rare brain condition which meant one side of her brain was stronger than the other. Her complex condition led to scoliosis of the spine, epilepsy and learning difficulties and she stopped being able to swallow. Sadly, Gabby died when she was just 15.

“We couldn’t have wished for a better place to be with Gabby in her final days than Julia’s House - a place where she came and played when she was alive,” continues Diana. “Sadly, after being at a remembering day for Gabby at the hospice, my mum died suddenly. It was such a shock. Even after Gabby and then my mum’s funeral, the support from Julia’s House never stopped for our family – they are always at the end of the telephone, especially on the harder days like the anniversaries. It’s a real comfort to know they will continue to be there for me.”

Who will your Forever Butterfly be for?

To buy your own Forever Butterfly like Diana’s, in memory of someone special to you and to be a part of the extraordinary Forever Butterflies garden display, visit: www.juliashouse. org/foreverbutterflies You can also email info@juliashouse.org or call their head office on: 01202 644220

For Annabel Karmel, Julia’s House patron, the Forever Butterflies are

special too: “Julia’s House is a charity close to my heart because of losing my daughter, Natasha. Losing a child is the worst thing that can ever happen to a mother. I always think what you do for others lives on and what you do for yourself dies with you. And the work we all do with Julia’s House will live on through many generations of families. Forever Butterflies will help that work to continue and I will proudly be displaying my butterfly in memory of Natasha.”

The Forever Butterfly costs £35 and is a beautiful way for someone loved and lost to leave a lasting tribute of care in the community. Every Forever Butterfly bought in someone’s memory will make a life-changing difference to local seriously ill children and their families, including bereaved families just like Diana’s.

The Forever Butterflies have been kindly sponsored by local businesses Clinical Partners (Wiltshire) and Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management and Consulting (Dorset).

Electric dreams, or nightmares?

While the government rallies drivers to pursue environmentally friendly car options, on the ground a lack of electric charging points is holding back the green revolution.

However, as the conflict between supply and demand reaches crisis point, perhaps all is not lost.

There is trouble afoot in the world of green motoring, with a lack of charging points and expensive plug-in costs severely hampering the electric car revolution. Perhaps this was visible in its starkest sense when, just before Christmas, queues of Teslas were seen at motoring service stations looking to charge their vehicles as families went off on their festive breaks.

Charging capability is at the forefront of the problem, in much the same way as when electric vehicles were first popularised over a decade ago. Back then, the question was how many miles a full battery would propel a vehicle, and while the range of these green machines has shot up, the supply of charging points has failed to follow suit in quite the same magnitude.

Recent figures show that almost a third of the charging points in the whole of the UK are situated in London – in quantity, that’s more than Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Leeds and Birmingham combined.

What’s more, the drive to add more charging points across

the UK has slowed to an alarming rate – just 509 installations were made in December, versus a target of 100 per day.

Yet it is the practical realities of charging that is ultimately

seems fraught with roadblocks at present, there is hope for motorists.

frustrating electric car owners. Most charging points are slow, and many are built into street lampposts, meaning access is blocked by non-electric vehicles.

In addition, the catastrophic increase in energy prices has seen the cost of electricity rocket. In some cases, charging an electric car can cost more per mile than its diesel counterpart.

While the journey towards a fully electric travel landscapes

pledging

The Department of Transport is currently pledging £1.6billion to support the continued rollout of charge points, with a further £450million dedicated to local authorities.

In addition, the cost of home charging conversion kits continues to fall, with supply lines improving from China all the time.

It’s hoped that the recent slowdown in charging point installation can be put down to the political commotion that swamped much of 2022.

Either way, the fact is, with so many road users now signed up to a motoring revolution, there has never been so much pressure on those in power to put their foot down and make good the promises made.

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A hole lot of avour going on

Under George Harris, Marketing Manager turned sweet maker, Rowntree’s embarked on a golden era during the 1930s; yet while chocolate brands such as KitKat, Smarties, Aero, Black Magic and Dairy Box led the charge initially, it was the launch of Polo mints that really put the York confectioner on the map.

Even though World War II saw the mint’s release delayed – it wouldn’t be until 1948 that the first packs appeared on the shelves of stores – when its arrival came, Britain was hooked.

The original mints didn’t have the word ‘POLO’ imprinted into them, and were distinguishable simply by the hole in the middle, yet the success was down to its low cost, compact size and maximum impact. And like the other mints of the era, each sweet could feasibly keep the recipient sated and fresh for some time.

It’s a product that has evolved hugely over the years – the company has produced fruit, lemon, spearmint, ice, butter mint and gummies, amongst others; always working in smart marketing humour. For instance, on April Fool’s Day 1995, they announced that “in accordance with EEC Council Regulation (EC) 631/95, they

would no longer be producing mints with holes”.

Celebrating 75 years of Rowntree’s iconic mint, the Polo. of starch,

And to flip the concept somewhat, the launch of Polo holes the following year leaned on the false notion that, previously, all the holes had been popped out of the mints and discarded!

The rock-hard nature of the sweet is achieved by compressing it at extreme high pressure - around 75 kilonewtons. That’s the equivalent weight of two fully-grown elephants.

Perhaps part of our love affair with the humble Polo comes in the fact it has always been a British product. To this day, the sweet is produced at the Rowntree’s plant in York. The facility is able to make up to 22,000 sweets per minute –that’s equivalent to over 1.3 million packs a day!

It’s thought the name derives from “polar”, referencing the

cool, fresh taste of the mint; and as far as ingredients go, the formulation is relatively simple, comprising of sugar, glucose syrup, modified starch, stearic acid and mint oils.

While the British public’s attitude towards confectionary has changed significantly over the years as we look to strip high-sugar items out of our diets – the brand responded to this by launching its Sugar Free Polo – our love affair for the humble mint has never waned. It seems certain the Rowntree’s favourite will saunter its way towards its centenary, as fresh and satisfying as it was way back in 1948.

Full steam ahead

Up your cleaning game with one of these super steamy cleaners, guaranteed to make your home sparkle.

Best all round

Polti Vaporetto SV440

Double Steam Mop (approx. £99)

Lightweight, flexible and with a 7.5m cord, this sexy steam machine is ideal for the average house.

Its diminutive size means it’s easy to store, and despite being a fabulous little mop, it actually has a handheld option meaning you can use it for other places about the home.

Is it going to shift really heavy-duty dirt? Perhaps not, but as a day-to-day device to keep the place clean it’s an easy win.

Best on a budget

Morphy Richards

12-in-1 Steam Cleaner (approx. £50)

Anything that boasts 12-in-1 capability will probably be greeted with suspicion, yet Morphy Richards have created a steam mop that really does fulfil so much of what’s asked of it.

Excellent on ceramic tiles and windows, the multi-use elements come in the form of plentiful attachments that can be purposed for any area – from a squeegee to an oven brush, cleaning cloths, carpet glider, worktop surface attachment, crevice brush and even a plastic scraper.

In addition, the floorhead rotates for flexibility in use, while the hose bends in half so you can store it compactly, meaning there is a lot here for little money.

Best for small spaces

Bissell Powerfresh Slimsteam 2234E (approx. £120) Want something superlightweight you can whizz around your kitchen and then place neatly back in your cleaning cupboard (on its own snazzy wall mount, no less) then the Slimsteam is for you.

This Bissell model also comes with attachments that don’t require you to transform it into a handheld device, making it a breeze to effortlessly switch between steaming the floor and giving the tiles above your oven a quick blast.

It’s lightweight, versatile and easy on the purse, meaning you can’t really go wrong with a model like this.

Best for intensive cleaning Kärcher SC5

EasyFix Premium Steam Cleaner (approx. £350) If you’re really serious about steaming, then this veritable beast may be for you.

The Kärcher boasts a 1.5l water tank and 0.5l steam boiler reservoir that heats up in just three minutes, and will cover a whole cleaning session without needing a refill.

Not only that, but this model comes with a variety of accessories which mean that after leaving your floors dazzling, you can move on to your windows, hob and even eliminate the mould that’s been lingering on your bath grout. What more could you ask for… except perhaps someone to do the job for you?!

Royal Pastry Chef’s Spiced Easter Biscuits

Back in 2020, Queen Elizabeth’s royal pastry chefs released the family’s sacred ‘Spiced Easter Biscuits’ recipe. What better way to honour her late Majesty, than by baking these delightful and delicious Easter treats?

Ingredients

Biscuit base:

• 350g plain flour

• 5g bicarbonate of soda

• 10g ground ginger

• 5g cinnamon

• 125g unsalted butter

• 175g light soft brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 60g golden syrup

Icing:

• 2 egg whites

• 600g icing sugar

• Food colouring of your choice

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F/gas mark 3 then mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices in a bowl. Add the diced butter and mix until it reaches a crumb-like texture.

2. Add the sugar, then once combined add the egg and golden syrup. Mix until a dough is formed.

3. Roll the dough to a thickness of 5mm then use biscuit cutters to cut into desired shape such as Easter eggs, chicks or bunnies. Place the biscuits on a non-stick mat or baking paper and bake on the middle shelf for 12-15 minutes until they are golden in colour. Leave biscuits to cool completely before decorating.

4. Add 1 egg white to 600g of icing sugar and beat until

smooth. Spoon mixture into a piping bag - the icing should pipe smoothly and be able to hold when piped as a line – and pipe around the edge of the biscuits. To cover all the biscuits with icing add extra egg white to thin the mixture. Decorate and enjoy!

Top Tip

If you don’t have biscuit cutters in the shapers you require, simply draw or print the ones you need and cut out the dough around them.

Puzzle Page Answers

Quick Crossword Solution #026

Answers:

Across: 2. Sew, 5. Bleach, 7. Earbud, 9. Weave, 10. Carom, 11. Append, 12. Marina, 14. Target, 18. Attire, 21. Leapt, 22. Cubit, 23. Agenda, 24. Noodle, 25. Nod.

Down: 1. Blowup, 2. Shield, 3. Webcam, 4. Summon, 6. Aware, 8. Rarer, 11. Act, 13. Age, 15. Allege, 16. Grain, 17. Titian, 18. Ascend, 19. Taboo, 20. Rattle

Geography

Quiz Answers

6. Ireland

7. Sudan

8. Toledo

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