Take part in world’s biggest wildlife survey The UK will once again be peering out of their windows for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th January 2015. Since it started in 1979, the survey has provided information about the changes in numbers of garden birds in winter, and helped to alert conservationists to those species in decline like house sparrows, greenfinches and starlings.
The number of people taking part has grown considerably and now around half a million participants help give nature a home every year by getting involved, making it the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey. To take part spend just one hour at any time over the birdwatch weekend noting the highest number of each bird seen in their gardens or local outside space. They then have to submit their results to the RSPB before 13th February, either online at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or in the post.
This year, participants are being asked again to log some of the other wildlife they see in their gardens to help build an overall picture of how important our gardens are for wildlife. Participants don’t have to see and count these other species during their Big Garden Birdwatch hour, just fill in the form to tell the RSPB whether they see them regularly or in fact have ever seen them in their gardens, at any time of year. The RSPB shares this information with our conservation partners to enable them to understand more about the threats facing our wildlife and tailor advice on giving nature a home, so that people can help their wild visitors thrive. Almost 7.5 million birds were counted in last years’ survey (January 2014) with the results showing greenfinch and starling continue to decline. For the first time however in Birdwatch history, the great spotted woodpecker made it into the top 20 and goldfinches swooped into the number seven spot. More than half of participants in urban areas have spotted toads. In fact, they were reported to have been seen monthly by almost a third of people. Almost a quarter of people in rural gardens see badgers once a month and almost three quarters see hedgehogs. The survey is part of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign, aimed at tackling the housing crisis facing the UK’s threatened wildlife. The charity is asking people to provide a place for wildlife in their own gardens and outside spaces – whether it by planting pollen-rich plants to attract
bees and butterflies, putting up a nestbox for a house sparrow, or creating a pond that will support a number of different species. To find out how you can give nature a home where you live visit www. rspb.org.uk/homes. Teresa Stoneage, RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Project Manager says, “This is a fun, relaxing activity for families or individuals and everyone who takes part will be helping to give nature a home. “Now in its 36th year, Big Garden Birdwatch continues to help us learn about what is happening with our much-loved birds and other visitors, giving us an overall picture of how we will be able to help wildlife for generations to come.” You can register to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2015 at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
Scary start for tiny twins Born 12 weeks early at just 2lbs beautiful Annie and Iris. Annie and Iris are now lively, healthy 16-month toddlers into everything but they had a tough start to life with mum, Hazel shockingly giving birth 12 weeks early and the whole family spending weeks and weeks in the neonatal unit at The Ipswich Hospital. Mum Hazel says, “I don’t think you ever stop and think about the scary things that can happen to little tiny babies until it happens to you. There are just so many things that can go wrong, their little tiny hearts beat slower and you have to tickle them to remind them to start breathing. We had many, many anxious days including several where I thought one or both of our beloved babies would die.” Annie and Iris love books and enjoy storytime as if nothing dangerous ever happened to them. Hazel and dad Andy look at their girls now and say, “Having our twins is a blessing. We feel luckier than most parents because we nearly lost them at the beginning.” The Ipswich Hospital Charity is seeking £100,000 to make their care for sick babies and children even better. If you can help people like Hazel and her beautiful twins, please support The Sunrise Appeal. Watch Annie and Iris’ video at: www.ipswichhospital.nhs.uk/getinvolved/keep-in-touch.htm Ways you can support the appeal: TEXT RISE88 £3/£5/£10 to 70070 ONLINE www.justgiving.com/thesunriseappeal POST a cheque to: The Ipswich Hospital Charity/Sunrise Appeal, FREEPOST RRYE-LXBR-GCCG, The Sunrise Appeal, Box NO49, The Ipswich Hospital Charity, The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Heath Rd, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 5PD. 2
Billie Box get on their bikes Local business owner, Jane Billing of Billie Box Ltd, is in training for a gruelling 300-mile bike ride from London to Paris. Taking place over four days in September 2015, the ride is in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice. Jane has set a fundraising target of £3,700 and is looking for support in the way of sponsorship from local companies. “I will be cycling with my sisterin-law, Gillian Boyle. A little over two years ago our father-in-law passed away at the Hospice. The care he received was incred ble and this is our way of helping them to make sure future patients’ benefit from their care and facilities. Neither of us are what you would call cyclists, so this challenge is taking us way beyond our comfort zones,” said Jane. Jane is looking for companies to sponsor her. For just £100 she will place their company logo on the back of one of eight cycling jerseys (there will be eight to ten logos on each jersey) and publicise their involvement through social media and Billie Box press releases.
train, so if you’d like to join Jane and 98 of our other fantastic supporters in this fantastic challenge, please visit http://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ events/hospice-team-100.aspx to register.” • To get involved, Jane can be contacted on 01473 722902.
Charities merge
“So far we’ve had incredible support, receiving sponsorship, I would like to say a huge thank you to all of them,” said Jane. Gavin Lamb, Events and Challenges Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said, “Jane has come up with a fantastic fundraising initiative, one that I’m sure many more local businesses will be all too keen to support” “The Hospice Team 100 cycle ride will see 100 St Elizabeth Hospice supporters pedal to Paris in 2015, with the aim of raising £100,000 in total to support local Hospice care. There’s still space to sign-up, and plenty of time to
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Two leading Suffolk charities operating in the areas of sport, education and health delivery are joining forces to help strengthen their provision of services in the county. Inspire Suffo k and Healthy Ambitions have announced that they have merged, with the new organisation operating under the Inspire Suffolk brand. Since 2003, initially as the ITFC Charitable Trust, Inspire Suffo k has used the power of sport to engage, motivate and improve the life chances of young people in Suffolk who are in need. Much of this work takes place within the county’s primary schools, an area also targeted by Healthy Ambitions by way of its highly regarded ‘Early Birds Breakfast Club’. This programme helps educate young people as to where their food comes from, how to prepare it, good table manners, ensuring that the washing up is completed, as well as helping to ensure that the young people who attend the club are ‘fuelled’ and ready to face the day. Further expansion of sport, education and health programmes for Suffo k’s schools are planned for the future along with a range of adult workplace health initiatives currently in development. Tuesday 18th November marked Inspire Suffolk’s first full year delivering under their new name (formerly ITFC Charitable Trust) and providing a far wider brief. Commenting, the Chair of Inspire Suffolk, and Principle of Suffolk New College, Prof. Dave Muller said, “This is fabulous news for Suffolk. Two charities, combining their strengths to ensure that the valuable services they provide continue to prosper and grow whilst working as one organisation. I’d like to thank both my board of trustees and those of Healthy Ambitions for their support and wisdom in overseeing this smooth transition.” Sally Hogg for Healthy Ambitions added, “We are delighted to be merging with Inspire Suffo k. We are sure that by combining our expertise we will be able to create a strong and vibrant charity that is able to improve healthy life quality for people in Suffolk.” Inspire Suffo k will continue to operate from its headquarters in Lindbergh Road in Ipswich and from satellite centres in Lowestoft, Sudbury and Stowmarket. • For details of the healthier lifestyle programmes already available at Inspire Suffolk check out their website www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk
New season at DanceHouse DanceEast is delighted to announce its spring/ summer season 2015. Performance highlights over the coming months include the return of the critically lauded One Night Stand series, a programme of new work from the best new dance companies staged for one night only. Presented this year are 2Faced Dance, Aakash Odedra Company, Gandini Juggling. James Wilton Dance, Robert Clark and Theo Clinkard. Continuing the Snape Dances programme in collaboration with Aldeburgh Music, DanceEast will present the latest work from Wayne McGregor/ Random Dance entitled Atomos. Other partnerships this season will see New Wolsey Theatre hosting New Art Club as part of We Are Ipswich and following the huge success of Finding Home in 2014, DanceEast and Associate Artists Tom Hobden and Kate Flurrie (Unit) will present The Village, another large-scale community dance project with performances at both the Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich and The Apex, Bury St Edmunds. 2Faced Dance presents Dreaming In Code on Friday 6th February. Award-winning choreographer Tamsin Fitzgerald and Eddie Kay for Frantic Assembly present Dreaming in Code, an explosive and instinctive brand-new double bill performed by one of the UK’s most innovative male dance companies. 2Faced Dance combine athletic contemporary dance with heart in the mouth breakdance moves. Featuring a breathtaking collision of kinetically charged dance and theatre, with music by Angus MacRae and Tony-nominated composer Alex Baranowski, 2Faced Dance explore what the future could look l ke in this powerful and fearless work. Bold, risk-taking and adrenalinfuelled, yet agile and graceful, 2Faced Dance seek
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to push the boundaries of the physical, producing dance works that demonstrate unique artistry, but also challenge and entertain. U.Dance East celebrates and showcases excellence in youth dance from across the East of England on Sunday 22nd February. This regional event marks an opportunity for performance groups to come together in a series of selected workshops before performing new, devised works in an exciting mixed bill. This full day of activities is part of U.Dance, the UK’s biggest platform for youth dance. A nationwide programme led by Youth Dance England, U.Dance brings together and supports those who organise youth dance performances, whilst raising awareness of events across the wider dance sector and beyond. Wayne McGregor/Random Dance presents Atomos at Snape Maltings Hall on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February. DanceEast and Aldeburgh Music continue the hugely successful Snape Dances series with the presentation of Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Wayne McGregor’s latest work Atomos. Atomising bodies, movement, film, sound and light into miniature shards of intense sensation, Atomos is the newest work by cutting-edge contemporary choreographer McGregor. Known for his unique, tenacious questioning across the interface of art and science and through the body and mind, McGregor has remained at the forefront of contemporary arts for the past 20 years. Aakash Odedra Company presents Murmur & Inked on Friday 6th March. Murmur & Inked is a new double bill from Aakash Odedra Company. Artistic Director Odedra is one of the most sought-after British choreographer/dancers today. Originally trained in the South Asian styles of kathak and
bharatanatyam, Odedra has developed a distinctive movement style following intensive training with some of the most prestigious choreographers in the world. DanceEast & Unit present The Village on Saturday 14th March at Jerwood DanceHouse, Ipswich and on Wednesday 25th March at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds. The Village is inspired by the hundreds of little villages across England. The audience will zoom in and out of local characters’ lives to reveal a web of community spirit. This exciting new cast will include participants who have never danced before alongside aspiring new talents of the future. Unit will work with DanceEast Core Tutors Caroline Mummery and Lynnette King. There will be a Family Funday at DanceEast on Sunday 22nd March, from 10am Tickets: £3 - £4, Family Ticket £12. This fun-packed morning of activities for families kicks off with the return of Baby Loves To Boogie Children’s Disco. Following on from the successful Halloween Funday, this daytime dance party for parents with babies, toddlers and children up to 5 years comes complete with a DJ and is guaranteed to get you and your little ones moving and grooving – all at a baby friendly volume so the whole family can party together. Tickets cost £3 - £4 and includes entrance to the Baby Loves To Boogie Disco as well as arts and crafts activities, exciting games and fantastic face painting. Age suitability children under 5yrs and their parents This is just a small snapshot of what’s on offer at DanceEast this season, for more information about the many shows and events on offer and to book tickets visit www.danceeast.co.uk or telephone the Box Office at 01473 295230.
Angles’ finest comedy to date Forget panto, Eastern Angles always go for the slightly anarchic approach for their Christmas show and this year Julian Harries and Pat Whymark have excelled themselves with The Mystery of St.Finnigan’s Elbow – a glorious parody of the classic St Trinnian films. We all know the nursery rhyme of Michael Finnigan, he who grew whiskers on his chinnigan, but who knew he had been canonised and his saintly relics the centre piece of a Roman Catholic boarding school in Suffolk. It’s debatable who actually runs the school though, is it Reverend Mother and her band of nuns (some of who appear rather manly) or school bully Lydia Bumolé (it’s not pronounced how it’s spelt!). When the Saintly bones are stolen all is set for a rollicking adventure story. As we’ve come to expect from Eastern Angles at Christmas the plot is wonderfully over the top, the characters absurd and the jokes corny but it’s all done with such skill and conviction that you can’t help but be carried away with the silliness. The entire company (Joe Leat, Francesca Gosling, Alice Mottram, Samuel Martin Greg Wagland) and are clearly having fun with the piece, with worryingly more than one of the gentleman seeming strangely at home in the nuns habit. Harries and Whymark’s direction makes full use of Richard Evans clever set and Whymark’s trademark music permeates, from the raucous It’s Grand to Be a Nun through to a touching ballad It’s Alicia. This night at St.Finnigans sets the bar high for future Eastern Angles Christmas shows. Our school days may be long behind us but this hilarious return to the classroom is certainly top of the class. • The Mystery of St.Finnigan’s Elbow will be at the Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich until 10th January. The production will then move to Woodbridge for a run at the Seckford Theatre from the 13th until the 24th January. To book tickets contact the Box Office on 01473 211498 or visit www.easternangles.co.uk Glen Pearce
Book now for HalfTerm panto fun with the Company of Four Hot on the heels of their very successful last show Toy Journey in November The Company of Four who are based in Woodbridge are already in the throes of rehearsals for their traditional family Pantomime - Aladdin which takes place at The Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge from the 13th until 21st February 2015. Aladdin is one of the all-time favourite pantomimes and is set in China’s old Peking. The story is centred around poor Widow Twankey, her son Aladdin and their adventures. Aladdin is infatuated with the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Jasmine but his quest for wealth is thwarted by the arrival of his arch enemy and villain Abanazer. Other characters include Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee, Ffriend of the princess So Shy and her sister So Veree Shy, the hapless Chinese policemen U Pong, I Pong and E Pong, and, not forgetting the Genie and his counterpart the Slave of the Ringtone. Director, Caro Prescott said, “Aladdin is a traditional panto with lots of opportunity for audience participation. I have tried to give both children and the adults something to identify with on a variety of levels
both in the script and the songs. As I have also been responsible for the costumes it has given me great opportunities to develop a wider eastern/Arabic palette in bright vibrant colours; which I hope will lift the spirits” Those who have seen a Company of Four Pantomime in the past know that they are in for a real treat with fantastic songs, amazing costumes and a talented cast who promise to entertain you from the opening curtain through to the final bow. Tickets are available to book now either online via our website www.cof4.co.uk or by calling the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge on 01394 382174. Don’t miss this amazing show tickets sell out fast so don’t leave it too late to book yours!
Family favourite
There’s nothing better than a traditional pantomime to get you in the festive mood, and the Mercury Theatre in Colchester hits the nail on the head with this year’s production of Cinderella. The action starts in Stoneybroke Hall where poor Cinderella is made to do all the chores by her stepmother Baroness Evilla. Meanwhile Prince charming is searching for a bride, a grand ball has been organised where the prince will choose his princess and all the elig ble suitors have been invited, including Cinderella. But will she ever get to the party? She has nothing to wear, she can’t dance and she has two ugly sisters that insist she should stay at home… It’s not looking good for poor Cinders. Packed full of fun and laughter from the start this production is a real winner, especially with the younger members of the audience, who were clearly enjoying themselves. Some clever musical arrangements and a very strong cast brings the story to life. A special mention to Dale Somerville as Buttons who was a real hit, his great comic timing had everyone laughing – He could very easily have a one man show of his own! Pantomime is a great way to introduce children to the theatre, and this production of Cinderella is perfect. With a beautiful set and a Disney l ke feel, brilliant vocals and lots of fun it is sure to be a big hit this festive season. Will poor Cinders ever get to the ball? Will Prince Charming wed his perfect princess? And will Buttons ever get to fly? Only one way to find out and it’s well worth the trip down the A12 to Colchester. Cinderella is at the Mercury Theatre until Sunday 11th January. To book tickets contact the Box office on 01206 573948 or you can book online at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk 9
Critically acclaimed production comes to New Wolsey
This year the New Wolsey Theatre turn their ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ attention to the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, and sprinkled with the festive magic that we have come to expect from the Wolsey, makes for a fabulous show. Prince Promising is about to find his bride and become king, however his plans are suddenly halted when a wicked witch shows up and puts a curse on the handsome prince turning him into an ugly beast. The only way to free him from this evil spell is to find a beautiful girl to become his bride. Meanwhile down on Dame Bessie’s Suffolk Farm, things are not running very smoothly. Down on his luck, Sir Peacock Beauregarde and his three daughters have moved in, and while his youngest child Beauty is happy to muck in and do her bit to help farm hand Desperate Dan, her two elder sisters, Luxury and Vanity are much more interested in their designer wardrobe and hair styles. Will the Beast find his Beauty? And will Dame Bessie find a man? Only time will tell as Fairy Fortunate guides us through this tale of true love and adventure. With some fantastic musical numbers and fast paced action Beauty and the Beast is brilliant from the start. The talented actor musicians are fantastically cast making for a very enjoyable evening out. Jam packed with music and laughter, some great dance routines, fabulous costumes, and a sprinkling of fairy magic, Beauty and the Beast is a must see production. This year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto certainly doesn’t disappoint. To book tickets for this amazing show, which runs until Saturday 31st January, visit www.wolseytheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01473 295900. Pic: Mike Kwasniak
The New Wolsey Theatre will be the first venue for Talawa Theatre Company’s tour of critically acclaimed production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons in February 2015, in the centenary year of Miller’s birth. Talawa return to Ipswich after great success with their tour of Moon On A Rainbow Shawl in 2014. All My Sons played to full houses and standing ovations when it opened in a co-production with Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester last year and will now open at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on Thursday 12th February 2015 before going on tour to Cambridge Arts Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse, Watford Palace Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Richmond Theatre, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Malvern Theatres. Ray Shell and Doña Croll lead the cast in this searing investigation of honesty, guilt and the corrupting power of greed. One hundred years after Arthur Miller’s birth, it is still very clear why All My Sons, Miller’s first major success, established him as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th Century. 1947. Joe and Kate Keller, an all-American couple, are living with the ghosts of World War II. Joe is successful, a self-made businessman, loving family man and pillar of the community. He is a partner in a machine shop building fighter plane parts. Joe and Kate’s happiness is clouded by one thing – their son is missing in action, presumed dead by all but his mother… “A flawless production that succeeds in seeing the play in terms that are neither specifically black nor white, but ultimately honours Miller’s ability to see things human.” - The Guardian Book your tickets early to get the best prices! Call the Ticket Sales team on 01473 295900 or take a look online at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Not to be missed!
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Christmas is over, so now why not treat YOU Christmas is over for another year, the decorations have been taken down and the house is looking a little bare. Maybe now is the time to give yourselves a little treat? A visit to Delvaux in Felixstowe is just what Delvaux is bound to tempt you whether it you need as a pick me up. is for yourself or for the home. If you want something that is individual and a little bit special and you enjoy service with a smile then you will be in the right place. Delvaux is a great place to browse in a relaxed and well-lit store where you will avoid the hustle and bustle of the bigger stores with friendly staff on hand to help. You will find Delvaux on Hamilton Rd opposite Prezzo. Open Monday to Saturday 10am until 5pm
Learn cooking techniques at cookery demonstration
Anglia Factors, the kitchen, bathroom and cabinetry specialist, is holding a cookery demonstration at its showroom in Martlesham on Saturday 7th February from 10am until 4pm. The event aims to help people get tasty, nutritious results from Neff ovens by giving practical demonstrations. As a provider of ovens, Anglia Factors likes to give their customers the opportunity to ask questions and see the appliances in action. It is being held in aid of St. Elizabeth Hospice’s Hospice Team 100 London-Paris Cycle, September 15th to 20th 2015 in which Anglia Factors owner Daniel Barr and his son Alex are taking part. The demonstration will be led by a leading home economist from Neff who will explain the various cooking styles and advantages of the company’s ovens. Visitors are welcome to drop in throughout the day and watch a range of dishes being prepared using fresh, seasonal produce. Daniel Barr, owner of Anglia Factors said, “We want our kitchens to look great but we also want people to use them to cook delicious and nutritious food for their friends and family. For those looking to replace their oven or their whole kitchen, this event is a chance to see a top appliance in action – and taste the results.”
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Footie for the children and some Strictly Dancing for their parents For Inspire Suffolk January is a busy month as not only do they begin a new round of high quality, weekly football centres across the County for young people aged between five and 12 years, they are also launching again this year their Strictly-style dance competition to raise funds for the charity which inspires, motivates and education young people here in Suffolk. The football centres all begin again in the first week of January and run for 10 weeks at only £4 per session. Monday and Tuesday nights is for five to eight year olds and Thursday nights they run football centres for nine to 12 year olds each week. These sessions are delivered at Inspire Suffolk, Lindbergh Road in Ipswich (formerly Ipswich Academy High School) and also at Kesgrave Community Centre and Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge.
Dust off the Christmas Cobwebs with a Seasonal Guided Walk
Strictly Dance Have you always wanted to learn to dance ‘Strictly-style?’ Well now is your chance and you’ll be helping to raise funds for Inspire Suffolk at the same time. This month they are looking for men and women who want to learn to dance and would be prepared to strut their stuff at a grand final later in the spring at Inspire Suffolk. Each week the contestants will be tutored by a professional dance school and their dancers and Inspire Suffolk have a glittering line up of high-profile judges, ready to give up their time to come along to the grand finale to cast and eye over each of the budding contestants. There is no fee for your dancing lessons; all the charity asks is that you make a donation at the beginning of your first lesson in January. Places are limited. To find out more about these special ‘Strictly-style’ dance lessons or if you’d like more information on the new round of Term 2 Football Centres for young people call Inspire Suffolk on 0845 1369 300 or log onto www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk and you can also find them on Facebook. Registered charity number: 1101519
Ipswich Tourist Guides have organised the perfect antidote to all the excesses of the Christmas festivities – The “Turkey Buster” Guided Walk! This special winter walk is to take place on Saturday 27th December starting from the Tourist Information Centre, St. Stephens Church, St Stephens Lane at 10.30am. This will be a fun walk for all and the perfect inspiration to get some fresh air! The cost is just £3.00 per person. Places are limited and should be booked in advance at the Tourist Information Centre. Telephone (01473) 258070 or email tourist@ipswich.gov.uk for further information.
A voice for the communities in Suffolk
• The contestants from last year’s Strictly Charity challenge at Inspire Suffolk on the night of the grand finale.
Healthwatch Suffolk enables your voice to influence and shape health and social care services. It finds out what you think and uses your views to improve services because the best services are built around the needs and experiences of the people that use them. It also provides information to help you navigate the care system and understand what to do when things go wrong. As a powerful and independent watchdog, it has the strength of the law behind it. The people who run and buy health and social care services must respond to Healthwatch Suffo k explaining what action they will take, or why they are not taking action. Healthwatch Suffolk also has powers to enter and view any premises where publically funded health and social care is provided to people over the age of 18 (e.g. care homes and hospital wards). A programme is currently being developed to take forward this function in 2015 and you can volunteer as an “authorised representative” now. More details are available on the Healthwatch Suffolk website (see below). How can you be involved? Most importantly, you can talk to Healthwatch Suffolk about your experiences of health and care services so that it can challenge them or encourage good service. It is independent which means you can be honest when sharing your views. You can also become a member for free and receive the newsletter, which includes many ways for you to get involved and contribute to research projects. To find out more: Call 01449 703949, follow Healthwatch on Twitter (@hwsuffo k) or visit www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk. You can also send your views by Freepost to: Freepost RTEC-ZGLG-GYLE Healthwatch Suffolk 12&13 Norfo k House Williamsport Way Needham Market Suffo k IP6 8RW 19
wellbeing Woman starts weight-loss mission with help of her dog To Detox or Not to Detox? ... That is the question! Zoe Johnston has enlisted her dog Maisey to help her mission to lose half her body weight, as part of the Kennel Club’s Get Fit with Fido campaign. Zoe, aged 41, has set her sights on losing nine stone to improve her health and fitness, after gaining the weight having been diagnosed with stage four endometriosis, the most severe level of the condition, when she was 27. Undiagnosed for nine years, Zoe had always been slim and very active until she started having health problems at the age of 18. In complete agony and depressed, Zoe comfort ate and in 2000 she was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis. The damage was so extensive that some of her internal organs had moved from where they should have been and were stuck together against the back wall of her abdomen. Zoe commented, “I was in a lot of pain and was sinking deeper into depression. When I was finally diagnosed, my consultant said he had no idea how I was functioning day to day with the amount of pain I was in.” After surgery to remove the adhesions and to try to move her organs, Zoe was told that if she was going to have children, now was the time. After undergoing IVF, the drugs Zoe was given resulted in making her condition a lot worse and she chose to have a hysterectomy in 2006 in order to give her the best chance possible of a pain-free life. Zoe continues, “My depression got to an all-time low and I genuinely considered ending my life. All that kept me going was knowing how much my family would be hurt. At this point I was eating a lot and got even bigger.” In 2010, Zoe ended up in hospital and discovered the endometriosis had come back, and doctors informed her there was not much more they could do to help her. When Zoe got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross for her 40th birthday she decided to lose weight for her dog and to reduce the stress on her organs. Zoe found out about the Kennel Club’s Get Fit With Fido campaign through Maisey’s dog trainer, Lisa Jackson. Zoe explains, “Maisey has genuinely changed my life and I’m looking forward to starting my new plan. For the first time in my life, I feel as though I can actually do it. I’ve got a great support system in Lisa Jackson and with the tips and advice from Get Fit With Fido.” The Kennel Club’s Get Fit With Fido campaign encourages dogs and their owners to get fit together to improve both health and fitness. All dog owners who enter Get Fit With Fido will receive a 20 per cent discount on Crufts and Discover Dogs tickets; as well as advice, tips and tools for owners. In addition to the education campaign, Get Fit With Fido also includes a Challenge that rewards the dog and dog owner who jointly lose the most weight, and the dog owner and dog who individually lose the most weight, with the help of exercising together. Prizes on offer for the winner of the 2014 Get Fit With Fido Challenge include a one night stay at the dog friendly, 4* boutique townhouse hotel Flemings Mayfair; a luxury dog bed from Charley Chau and Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at the Milestone Hotel in Kensington, London. • For more information on the campaign, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getfitwithfido.
By Jules Button
Every Christmas and New Year seems to trigger a natural urge to kick-start our initiatives to improve and change our life in some way. Not surprisingly, detoxification (Detox) becomes a popular buzz word this time of year. Most of us will have indulged in one too many glasses of alcohol or Christmas food, setting ourselves up for unwanted weight gain, a sluggish metabolism, and sugar cravings that last for weeks after the festive season is over. Detoxing is a natural and beneficial process that allows our body’s internal cleansing mechanism to do its thing. So why don’t you give your body an early Spring Clean and help remove the unwanted festive toxins. Natural removal of toxins and waste through the body’s cleansing process promotes healthy functioning and supports the immune system. The body employs seven pathways of Toxin Elimination - Blood (Circulatory System) - Lungs (Organ) - Lymphatic (Circulatory System) - Skin (Organ) - Bowel or Colon (Organ) - Liver (Organ) - Kidney (Organ) It is imperative that all pathways function properly for effective total internal body cleansing. Phase I Elimination – Toxins from the digestive system are excreted in the form of bowel eliminations from the colon. During this process, the liver begins clearing out toxins, also helping to prevent fat storage in cells. Phase II Elimination – The liver makes toxins water-soluble so that they can be excreted, completing the process begun in Phase I “Let food be thy medicine.” ~ Hippocrates Fasting is one of the oldest means of spiritual and physical detoxing (cleansing), but a more gentle and convenient approach to detoxing is to nourish the body thoroughly with whole foods and supplements, thus fuelling its natural cleansing mechanism with the nutrients needed to achieve optimal detoxing activity. By choosing a diet rich in high-quality plant proteins, complex carbs and essential fats, you provide your body the nourishment it needs to cleanse and repair. The following is a guidelines to help you start your detox regime: INTESTINES: The nutrients zinc and pantothenic acid, the amino acid L-glutamine and bacteria known as acidophilus and bifidus, are some of the substances that provide healthy support for improved intestinal function such as regular bowel movements, thus eliminating the build-up of unhealthy gut flora and internal toxins. LIVER: Antioxidants found in foods rich in vitamins A, C & E, beta-carotene, B vitamins (especially B3 and B6) and minerals will all aid liver function. Also add these foods to your diet for a healthy liver: garlic, legumes (beans), onions, eggs, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale. KIDNEY: Vitamins A, C, B6 plus minerals magnesium and potassium are just some of the substances that support effective kidney function. Again eat lots of dark leaf vegetables and increase fluid intake (yes that lovely water!) Cut out processed sugars, animal fats and reduce wheat meals to one per day for a while to reduce the Toxic Load on your body. Try having a wheatgrass smoothie everyday for 14-30 days and drink herbal teas instead of Coffee. Happy New Year Everyone - Jules For more information about this article, Naturopa hic advice or Allergy Testing contact Jules Button (BSc MSc) Email: jules@rainbowapothecary.co.uk or call 01394 386777 or pop into Rainbow Apo hecary 6E Church Street Woodbridge IP12 1DH
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wellbeing
Look after your teeth - or risk losing them By Malcolm Harbour, Principal dentist at Harbour Dental Care Dental education has never been better. Children have benefitted from a decent degree of dental education over the past few decades; forwardthinking dental practices provide advice that encourages patients to improve their brushing, flossing and oral care techniques between visits and the web delivers an abundance of dental health tips.
a dental visit, please make an appointment. Life would just not be the same without your teeth. Look after your smile Our advanced dental practice on the High Street offers: • Tailored dental care • Meticulous hygiene therapy • Free relaxation sessions before each appointment
Shocking statistics Yet despite all that information and help, statistics indicate that 53% of adults do not visit their dentist on a regular basis. If you were advised that unless you had your fingers tested at least once a year they could fall off, would you make certain you attended that examination? Would you accept that the quality of your existing lifestyle would be jeopardised without fingers and therefore find about half an hour to ensure they remained healthy and fit for purpose? Know the risks Taking care of your teeth and gums is vital as research indicates
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• Regular mouth cancer screening
the relationship between gum disease and heart disease, strokes, respiratory disease, low birth weight babies, arthritis and diabetes. Imagine life without teeth Even putting aside those links, who wants to be without their own teeth? Almost one in four people aged 65 and over have lost all of their teeth. Imagine spending your old age with
no teeth at all. We are living longer and healthier lives and we are more likely to keep our own teeth for life than we were a decade ago, but only if we take caring for them seriously. As dentists, our priority first and foremost, is to ensure gums and teeth remain healthy. We implore you to visit your dentist regularly. If you know you are overdue for
Our door is always open to new patients. Please give our friendly team a ring for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
Harbour Dental Care 27 High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QH 01473 253599 www.harbourdentalcare.co.uk
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