CHRIS WRIGHT DENTURE CLINICS ARE YOUR DENTURES CAUSING YOU TEETHING TROUBLES?
Many denture wearers suffer with poor fitting, worn out or artificial (false) looking dentures that cause the wearer to feel a lack of confidence in their dentures.This can present itself when chewing or even by just worrying about the denture dropping during a conversation. All these are issues that ChrisWright Denture Clinics specialise in correcting.
Over recent years there have been many improvements in both the way we construct dentures and in the materials and denture teeth that we use. This means that the end result looks more natural than ever before. Why not call for a FREE Consultation to find out more about these new innovations in denture design and manufacture?
DENTURES NEED REGULAR SERVICING
Dentures are in constant use almost 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are also in a pretty hostile environment in the mouth, being attacked by strong acid, bacteria, hot, cold and spicy food. Denture material absorbs liquids and food odour.
Daily cleaning is essential as well as professional ultrasonic cleaning in a dental laboratory at least once a year. Due to constant bone resorption dentures will become loose sooner or later.
Loose dentures will increase damage to the gums and bone structure, and increase the risk of breakage. Have them re-lined as soon as possible to get a good fit. It only takes a day or two.
Have your dentures inspected by a Clinical Dental Technician at least every two years, or more frequently if necessary.
YOUR DENTURES NEED ATTENTION
1. When they become loose.
2. When teeth or denture base discolours.
3. When tooth surfaces become flat.
4. When denture base does not fit around natural teeth (in partial dentures).
5. When you develop deep lines around your mouth.
6. When your chin sticks out, and the corners of your lips are constantly wet, developing sores.
7. When you stop smiling and feel embarrassed.
MY DENTURES HAVE BECOME LOOSE!
This is easily remedied by a procedure know as Re-lining. A new layer of Denture base is added to your existing Denture, improving the fit and restoring confidence.
DENTURES ON IMPLANTS
This type of Denture is constructed in conjunction with the Dental Implant Surgeon. This is a very good procedure when the patient has limited control and retention of their Dentures. The finished Dentures ‘click’ into position offering the ultimate in Denture Retention.
SHOULD I HAVE A SPARE SET OF DENTURES MADE?
Yes, it is very important to have a spare set of dentures for emergencies in case of breakage.
CONSTRUCTING A GOOD SET OF DENTURES
Constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of dentures is the most difficult task in dentistry. We are not only replacing lost teeth, but also lost tissue matter and bone. In other words, we have to re-create your facial features as they were before the loss of your natural teeth.
In most cases we do not know what your teeth looked like, what size they were or what position they were in originally. We have a few indications but mostly we have to rely on our visual and artistic judgement.
At the same time we have to use our technical expertise in order to make the denture stable and functional. Denture construction is more art than science.
WHAT IS A CLINICAL DENTAL TECHNICIAN?
A Clinical Dental Technician (CDT) is a qualified dental technician that has under gone further Education and Training in areas such as Medical Emergencies Cross Infection Control and Oral Pathology (cancers and anomalies) to name just a few sections that make up the
Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology as Awarded by the Royal Collage of Surgeons (RCS).
It is this qualification that allows the clinicians at Chris Wright Denture Clinics to be able to be registered and regulated with the General Dental Council (the official body for protecting the public with regards to dentistry) and carry indemnity insurance. It is this qualification, which means that only Dentists and Clinical Dental Technicians are the only Dental Professionals permitted to supply dentures direct to the public.
A dental technician is not qualified to supply a denture directly to the public. However, despite this being an act of Mal practice many technicians will still practice illegally without informing the patient that they are not qualified. If you are unsure if your denture provider is qualified; ask them
for their GDC registration number, then contact the GDC to see if they are registered not just as a dental technician but as a CDT.
CHRIS WRIGHT DENTURE CLINICS CAN OFFER ALL ASPECTS OF DENTURE CARE INCLUDING;
• Free Consultations
• Denture cleaning and polishing service
• Repair of broken or cracked dentures
• Relining existing dentures to improve fit
• New full dentures
• New partial dentures (following treatment plan from dentist) *
• Sports mouth guards
*Dentist treatment plan can be arranged
DID YOU KNOW?
It is illegal for anyone who is not a GDC registered Dentist or Clinical Dental Technician to make a dental appliance directly to the public. This includes dentures or tooth whitening. Anyone providing these services should be reported to the General Dental Council or Trading Standards as they are practicing dentistry without the appropriate qualifications or indemnity insurance.
IN THIS ISSUE
8-9
10-11
14-15
TWITTERING ON
By Angela Kelly
TRAVEL
Enjoying the great outdoors in Lake Tahoe
CELEBRITY FEATURE
Graham Norton, host extraordinaire
25-26 HOME
28
Preparing your property for sale
SPOTLIGHT
A focus on local prominent local company
30-33 THE FOOD OF HOKKAIDO
Winner of Masterchef 2011 Tim Anderson shares his 4 recipes for our readers to try
By Angela Kelly - because x’ing on doesn’t sound quite the same
Thirty years of Lottery fun – and
heartbreak
AMAZINGLY, it’s 30 years ago since the National Lottery first began and we all began drawing up wish-lists.
Tickets went on sale for the first time in 1994 and the first of the new breed of Lottery millionaires began to be created.
The “It could be you” slogan with the fingers crossed artwork became the symbol of all our dreams of winning big and living well. But, as most people now realise, winning six or seven figures out of the blue hasn’t all proved plain sailing.
The National Lottery may have handed out more than £95 billion in prizes since 1994, with an additional £49 billion raised for thousands of charities, but there has been heartbeak along with the winners’ cash.
While some lucky winners have continued to enjoy their new luxury lifestyle others have found it hard to adapt.
Inevitably, a large, well-publicised win has brought unwelcome attention from people wanting a part of their cash and some winners have found it hard to distinguish between real friendships and scammers.
Others saw long-term relationships smashed and families divided by the win. Some winners were drawn to unwise investments from “false” friends and advisers which saw their money quickly depleted. In fact, losing it all has not been an uncommon story.
Of course, amid all these negative stories are heartwarming tales of people sharing their winnings with family, friends and their own community.
In fact, some of the happiest and most positive Lottery stories have included a major element of giving away thousands of pounds to others.
Lives have been transformed, good carried out in the community and positive results still making a difference to many.
I wouldn’t know about this kind of transformation because my husband and I had a massive row about the Lottery in late 1994.
We had just decided on a set of numbers (mostly birthdays and other special dates) and been trying it out for a few weeks with much excitement on the Lottery day as numbers were drawn and the whole process unfolded.
Then we actually discussed just what we would do if we became Lottery millionaires, what we would spend our cash on – and that’s when the Big Row took place.
I insisted that we give away a percentage to charity and my husband felt this should only go to organisations that made the money work for them to assure their future.
Frankly, it was a stupid row and I regret it. Unfortunately, it meant that we never played the Lottery again. Now, it could never be me – which is a bit of a relief, actually!
Why more men are flocking to Lidl’s middle aisle
THIS may not be news to many households today but more men than ever are flocking to buy from the middle aisle at Lidl.
The famous German supermarket chain made a very shrewd move when it began offering quirky items in its middle aisles. And when I say “quirky” I mean everything from power tools to canoes and even flamethrowers.
UK Lidl boss Ryan McDonnell said that the chain’s centre rows had a “big male following” and had become synonymous with grabbing must-have purchases. Quite often, even when customers originally go to the store for something quite different.
This obviously works as Lidl has just confirmed a pre-tax profit of £43 million in 2023/24 compared to a loss of £76m the previous year.
While the middle aisle sales are obviously not the only reason for the discount chain’s success, Mr McDonnell does believe that it has become a talking point and attracted more male shoppers.
Interestingly, the middle aisle items are not necessarily very cheap. Who could get through life without a Yamaha Seascooter? A steal at £400.
Other shoppers have been perfectly delighted to buy a two-man canoe and one shopper reportedly bought a gazebo when “I only went in there for some sausages.”
Ice spikes that attach to shoes, a cement mixer, electric hoist, snack helmet and an inflatable hot tub are among other unusual items on offer in the middle aisle.
So if you ever need a welding helmet, a microwave potato cooker or a UV phone sanitizer, well you know where one could be waiting for you.
Sort out that fridge!
WHAT does the inside of your fridge look like? Is it beautifully organized into containers or is there a free-for-all on view?
Could you happily throw open the door to your fridge to a visitor and be sure they’d be impressed?
As someone who can answer a resounding “no” to that last one, it was good to read that consumer magazine Which? has revealed the correct spot for every single item in your fridge.
That includes raw meat, leftovers and condiments. Yes, the debate about where the ketchup should go in the kitchen is finally over.
As well as making your fridge look good, storing food and other items properly helps ensure you and your guests don’t get food poisoning.
Basically, the top shelf is for cured meats, leftovers and cream cakes. The middle shelf is for milk, eggs, cheese, butter and yoghurt and the bottom shelf is for raw meat, chicken and fish.
The drawers should contain fruits and vegetables and the door rack items like maple syrup, mayonnaise, pesto, salad cream and tartare sauce.
Which? says you shouldn’t store cucumbers, bread, tomatoes, mustard, mint sauce, pickle, mango chutney, chilli sauce OR ketchup in the fridge.
If, like me, you’re inclined to chuck food into the fridge where there’s a space, stop right now because we need to pay more attention to the whole subject.
The magazine insists that “no matter how accurate your thermostat is, the temperature in your fridge will still vary between shelves.
“It’s best to think of your thermostat temperature as an average for the fridge because, as a general rule, the higher the shelf, the higher the temperature will be.”
Make storage boxes your friend and, basically, have a plan.
or email: help@aamail.org
Enjoying the great outdoors in Lake Tahoe
If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise….!
A rustle amongst the woodland undergrowth and a dark shadow revealed itself as a large four-legged mass of fur, in the form of a bear. Sauntering slothly, it crossed the cycle path metres away from me and headed for the water near a little place called Pope. I watched in stillness and trepidation, my heartbeat at a heightened pace. Yet, in silent excitement, this was one experience I had dreamed of – seeing a bear - a real one - and it was on my travel bucket list!
I was exploring Lake Tahoe, a destination on the border of California and Nevada and just a two-hour drive from Sacramento, the state capital. Lake Tahoe is the largest freshwater alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in North America, and one of the purest in the world. Said to be over two million years old, this ancient lake is counted among the 20 oldest lakes in the world.
About two-thirds of it lies in California, the remainder extending into Nevada. It measures 21.2 miles north to south and its width reaches 11.9 miles at its widest. And with a depth of 1,645 feet, Lake Tahoe is the second deepest in the US and sits at the dizzy heights of 6,225 ft above sea level. Experts say it won’t freeze because of its depth but it’s advised to avoid a plunge as it is dangerously cold and can literally take your breath away.
Emerald Bay
Lake Tahoe is renowned for its beaches and ski resorts but for me the scenery was the top attraction. Emerald Bay is its crown jewel on the west shore which had me spellbound with its enriching colours shimmering in the sun, shades and tones dazzling on its
surface, mirrored with mountain reflections. It was a stunning vista providing a water colour canvas in a palette of blues and greens which changed according to the water’s depth.
Outdoor activities
For those interested in kayaking, Lake Tahoe is a treat. Here the kayaks are clear providing viewing of up to 75 feet below the surface. The guided tours navigate a path less travelled to experience hidden coves, towering cliffs fringing the shoreline, as well as the geological rock formations which display the history and origins of Lake Tahoe. Tours also take place at night benefiting from the moonlight on the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the stars above.
Heavenly Gondola
Other activities included scenic hiking in Van Sickle Bi-State Park and mountain biking along trails snaking above the lake, overnight backpacking expeditions and snowshoe tours.
Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay State Park is a national natural landmark, 12 miles north of the town of South Lake Tahoe. The park features Eagle Falls and is also the setting for one of the first summer homes built at Lake Tahoe. Vikingsholm, known as the hidden castle, is located at the head of Emerald Bay and is one of the most photographed spots in the United States. This attractive structure, now a national and California landmark, is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture outside of the Nordic countries. The land on which Vikingsholm was built includes 232 acres of Tahoe’s most beautiful vistas and the only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island, which was home to the owner’s teahouse.
Heavenly Village
Visit us for hearty food and
THE STRINES INN
Despite being within Sheffield's border, the Strines Inn could be a world away. Nestled amongst breathtaking moorland scenery, it is one of the local landmarks in the Peak District National Park.
Traditional Country Pub in Sheffield a perfect destination for walkers
I stayed in South Lake Tahoe on the California side in the pedestrianfriendly Heavenly Village, a bustling place with restaurants, shops, bars, live outdoor music and even an axe-throwing venue. Here, it’s a 2.4 mile journey to Heavenly Mountain on the Heavenly Gondola, which runs almost year-round to enjoy the panoramic views of the Lake.
Seen on screen
and dog walkers
Food and drink
The natural beauty of Lake Tahoe’s dramatic views and sunsets, its mountain peaks and vast expanse of water have been captured on screen in many movies. These have included The Bodyguard, City of Angels, Top Gun Maverick, Carsen City and The Godfather.
Other creatures in Lake Tahoe
Our menu is based around old favourites and traditional crowd pleasers, from pies and Yorkshire puddings to lasagne. We also have an extensive range of vegetarian options so there is something for everyone. We serve a host of fine real ales, alongside quality wines and spirits of all kinds.
Beer garden
Lake Tahoe provided me with my first sighting of a bear amongst its pictorial cocktail of natural beauty. But there is a rumour of another creature – the Tahoe Tessie. Back in the 1800s, the Washoe and Paiute tribes believed this creature lived in the underwater tunnel beneath Cave Rock. Even today the Tahoe Tessie is still believed to exist and has become a popular icon so if you go down to the woods in Lake Tahoe, you may have a big surprise!
The beer garden at The Strines Inn is the perfect place to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside when relaxing with a pint of real ale. Geese, chickens and peacocks roam nearby, while our enclosed play area means there’s plenty of fun to be had for kids.
Atmosphere
Emerald Bay
There’s nothing like a roaring fire and a good beverage to warm the cockles on a winter’s night, and The Strines Inn’s historic building offers atmosphere in spades to those who come through our doors. There’s plenty of nooks and crannies and quiet corners where you can settle in for an afternoon or evening.
Next steps
To plan and book your holiday to California and Lake Tahoe, call Silver Travel Advisor on 0800 412 5678. For more ideas and inspiration visit silvertraveladvisor.com/north-america
Visit us today and find out why people come from miles around to sample our food, drink and unique atmosphere.
Originally a manor house, it was built in 1275 for the Worrall family, although most of the present day structure is 16th Century. After becoming an Inn in 1771 when John Morton leased the property from the Worrall's, it got its name from an Olde English word meaning the meeting of water, quite appropriate as nowadays it overlooks the Strines Reservoir.
In the height of Winter the Inn attracts walkers and visitors on a daily basis. The roaring fires and stunning views perfectly compliment the excellent food and drink available, with many dishes being homemade.
The Strines Inn is also famous for its numerous peacocks, the previous Landlord having introduced several pairs twenty years ago, there are now over thirty of them.
There is also accommodation available for those people looking to escape for a few days to relax. Our rooms all feature four-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms, hot drinks facilities and colour televisions. Each has a dining table where breakfast will be served to you, offering you comfort and privacy. Two of our rooms have fantastic views across the reservoir, so please ask if you would like a room with a view.
• Four-poster bed
• En-suite facilities
• Breakfast included THE STRINES INN BRADFIELD DALE, SHEFFIELD S6 6JE TEL: 01142 851247 www.thestrinesinn.co.uk
When it comes to inviting, relaxing breaks, we have the ideal holiday for you...
Whether you’re looking for a romantic break for two, a family holiday or getting away with friends, Daish’s Holidays offers 12 hotels in 10 of the most popular UK destinations. Our fleet of 35 luxury coaches provide return travel in comfort and style from your pick up point and will take you directly to your hotel, aiming to arrive between 3 – 5pm.
If you’d like to get out and about to explore the local area on your holiday, then all of our breaks can also be booked on a self-drive basis so you’ve got the freedom of having your own car.
Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice
We are proud to announce that five of our group – Somerset, Imperial, Daish’s, Devonshire, County – have been awarded the coveted TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award for 2024.
WY: Halifax, Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield (Denby Dale Road), Sheffield, Tibshelf. All offers are subject to availability and standard terms and conditions (see brochure or website for T&C’s).
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a Standard Room. Supplements apply on twin/double rooms with sole occupancy. Optional local excursions can be booked at the hotel. Many more coach or self-drive holiday dates available in 2024. If you would prefer to self-drive, deduct £20 per person from prices shown. Offer ends 10th April 2025
GRAHAM NORTON chat show host extraordinaire
HE became a quirky favourite as a priest in three episodes of cult TV series Father Ted and has been the quick-witted, sharp-tongued host of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2009.
But it’s fair to say that Graham Norton is really the chat show host all others are measured against for so many years; he has definitely made the genre his own.
And the fact that this kind of accolade is exactly something the popular Irishman would immediately take the rip out of tells you something of who Graham Norton really is.
Born in County Cork as Graham Walker, his childhood was spent in a variety of towns throughout Ireland as his father’s job (a sales’ representative for Guinness) meant the family moved frequently.
Educated at Bandon Grammar School and then University College Cork, Graham spent two years at the latter studying English and French in the 1980s. He didn’t complete his studies, though, but did receive an honorary doctorate from the University in 2013.
In 1983, he travelled to San Francisco where he lived for a year in the Stardance hippie commune house and worked as a waiter. In the late 1980s, he moved to London to attend the Central School of Speech and Drama.
When he joined the actors’ union Equity, he chose his grandmother’s maiden name as his new surname as there was already a comic actor called Graham Walker.
His first appearance in UK broadcasting was as a regular comedian and panellist on BBC Radio 4 show Loose Ends in the early 1990s. He went on to work for Channel 5, winning an award as stand-in host of a late-night TV talk show.
This was followed by a comic quiz show on Channel 5 called Bring Me The Head of Light Entertainment which, although not a critical success, enhanced Graham’s already growing reputation as a comic and host.
In 1996, he co-hosted late-night quiz show Carnal Knowledge on ITV and in 1996 appeared as Father Noel Furlong in Father Ted. After this early success, Graham moved to Channel 4 to host his own chat shows including the weekly So Graham Norton until 2002, followed by V Graham Norton.
The camp and flamboyant entertainer became a firm favourite with TV audiences and in 2004 he was named “the most powerful person in TV comedy” by the Radio Times.
That Summer, Graham tried out his talents on American audiences when he showcased The Graham Norton Effect on Comedy Central. This was also broadcast in the UK on BBC Three.
It was in the UK, however, that Graham became show host supremo. It started in 2001 on the BBC when he hosted Comic Relief, then in 2005 he began hosting Strictly Dance Fever on BBC 1. At the same time, he also started a new chat show, Graham Norton’s Bigger Picture.
Interestingly, he also read stories on the BBC children’s channel CBeebies as part of Bedtime Hour!
He hosted “search for a star” type series to find new show leads for The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz.
But it was when The Graham Norton Show began in 2007 on BBC2 that he anchored himself in the public consciousness as a top entertainer.
In 2009, the show moved to BBC One in a new one-hour format and in May, 2010, he replaced Jonathan Ross’s Saturday morning slot on BBC Radio 2.
He was already no stranger to radio as his warm Irish brogue and clever witticisms beccame an integral part of the BBC Radio 4 panel show Just a Minute. He appeared in more than 100 episodes.
Graham joined Virgin Radio in 2021 and in 2023 co-hosted the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, beginning an association with Eurovision that has lasted.
Veteran, much-missed entertainer Terry Wogan had already established the gently mocking tone of presentation on the famous international event and Graham Norton cleverly continued the fun. In his career he has diversified into all areas of entertainment. This year, he returned to ITV to present a revival of Wheel of Fortune and his past c.v. includes featuring on music videos with Boyzone , Girls Aloud and Sugababes, making his West End stage debut in a revival of La Cage Aux Folles and hosting an American comedy game show.
He’s written an advice column for the Daily Telegraph, later turned into a book Ask Graham, written a successful novel called Holding about murder in an Irish rural community and released his own memoirs.
Life hasn’t always been plain sailing, however. In 1989 he was mugged, beaten up and stabbed by a group of attackers in London, lost half his blood and nearly died.
In spite of his genuine popularity and highly accomplished performances as a chat show host, he has a surprising appraisal of himself.
“I am really bad at actually interviewing people,” he reportedly stated. “My chat show really is a ‘chat’ show in that we do just witter on because most questions you come up with you either know the answer to or are never going to be answered.
“It’s fine to have a show all about a guest if you’re talking to Bette Davis or Frank Sinatra but if you are talking to someone from Emmerdale – I mean, I am not that interested, are you?”
He believes that “for a long time we played catch-up with American chat shows but I think we have now overtaken them.
“In the end it’s obviously still one person talking to another on a sofa but we make a bigger effort here to differentiate our shows.”
Graham also feels “there’s a mistaken assumption that doing a chat show is easy, but it’s trickier than people assume. To be a good chat show host you have to want to be a chat show host, not just want to be on the telly.”
But whatever the winning format, it’s plain that Graham Norton, chat show host extraordinaire, has discovered it.
‘You Can’t Stop The Beat!’
Brenda Edwards on her directorial debut with Hairspray: The Musical
Direct from the West End, the Big, Bold and Beautiful musical is making its comeback to Buxton this March! From her beginnings on ITV’s The X Factor, to playing the iconic character of ‘Motormouth Maybelle’ in three previous productions of Hairspray: The Musical, Brenda Edwards is now the proud co-director of the UK tour and discusses how its tough subject matters remain as relevant today as it was in the 1960s.
Q: What is Hairspray: the Musical about?
A: Hairspray is about championing the underdog. A young girl, Tracy Turnblad, has big dreams and wants to be famous. She wants to be liked, she wants to be loved, she wants to get the boy! She is judged by some people for how she looks. Unfortunately, it is still very relevant to the world we’re living in today where you’re dealing with racial tension, discrimination and people just not being able to be themselves. Everybody has a dream, and everybody should be able to pursue that dream.
Q: Tell us about Tracy Turnblad, the main character.
A: Tracy is a young girl who is very naive in a lot of ways in that she doesn’t understand why things are segregated. She thinks everybody should be integrated. I think it’s beautiful the way that she ends up pulling two communities in 1962 Baltimore together against all odds. It’s a story that talks about racial discrimination, but it doesn’t shove it down your throat. It’s not a preachy musical. And all of the songs in Hairspray are wonderful, you
really do leave joyful. I just want audiences to leave feeling inspired by Tracy. As one tagline says, she is a young girl with a big personality and even bigger hair. I think a lot of adults could learn a lot from Tracy Turnblad.
Q: You talk about dreams, and you had a dream to become a performer. We saw you on shows like The X Factor trying to make your way before launching an incredible musical theatre career including multiple stints in Hairspray: The Musical as Motormouth Maybelle. But in this show you’re making your debut as a director! What made you want to switch from performing?
A: The producers approached me, and because I’ve been behind the scenes and on the stage performing in this great musical, I have another way of looking at it. Our producer says it’s like seeing it with a different lens through my eyes. I’m not going to be changing the central story, because it’s fantastic, but I’ll be investigating and developing it a bit more and getting people to think about it maybe in a slightly different way. Every action has a reaction, and: “How would you react to that?”. When I came into the show for the first time and they were singing “The Nicest Kids in Town”, one of the lyrics around race was quite eye opening for me. It’s about exploring that and exploring how times were in 1962 Baltimore. I’m working with Paul Kerryson (CEO of Buxton Opera House), who is directing this production of Hairspray and for all the productions that I’ve been in, he’s wonderful. I’m really looking forward to learning from
him because this is new to me and I’m here to take advice and learn. I want to bring a fun factor to the show, so that people leave feeling good. Just for those few hours I want to give people some release from whatever they’re going through in their daily lives.
Q: Does the in-depth knowledge from being an actor in this show help you now as a director with the technical side of things, like where characters can exit and quick changes and who needs to be where?
A: Yes, being backstage in a show, you get to see the (organised!) mayhem that that goes on. When we come on stage it looks like this finished article. But I can appreciate all the running up and down that goes on behind the scenes and I want to try to find ways of making it easier for all the performers and for wigs, wardrobe and make up. It’s about letting the performers know that we’re all part of a team: the backstage crew and production, we’re all there to work together. We want to keep the lines of communication open so that we have a big, happy touring family, and we’re supporting each other as actors and performers, and working well with the other departments so we’re all in it together putting on this wonderful show.
Q: You mentioned Paul Kerryson, who has so much experience as a musical theatre director, including previously directing you in this show! What have you learned from him about being a director so far?
A: He has taught me to listen and that’s very important. I might go in there with an idea: I
Image by Ellie Kurttz
want to do this and that. And he’ll say: “Well, step back, think about the bigger picture.” He’s a very organic director and his style of directing was very different to what I was used to for other shows. With Hairspray, you can find actors’ individual personalities and bring that to the table, rather than saying, “This is the character.” I will be listening to the cast and their ideas and suggestions. People always say to me: “Don’t you get fed up with doing eight shows a week for years?” But I never get fed up with it because as far as I’m concerned, it’s a different audience every night. Every night is an opening night in my mind. And I want that energy. I want to see that energy,
Q: Hairspray: The Musical was created more than 20 years ago and is set in 1962. How is its examination of racial discrimination in the 1960s relevant in 2024?
A: One of the things I want to do is bring somebody in to talk to the cast about what it was like in those times versus now, and to explore what similarities there are still. Hairspray addresses the story of something that really happened in 1962: the TV channel was there but black people were not allowed to be on television. It’s crazy. I think it’s important for people to not feel scared to talk about discrimination, whether that be sexual discrimination or racial discrimination. It’s a topic that I think needs to be spoken about more than it is. But not everybody understands or necessarily knows the right way to say things nowadays. I think there is maybe a nervousness about discussing it as points and opinions can be so instantly judged and that can be frightening. It’s very important to me that the cast are able to do that and have that open forum and an open platform. I was born in 1969 and I saw racial discrimination myself back then, and unfortunately, I still see it today. And it saddens me every time. But the one thing that I do is stand up for myself. And that’s again, what this story is about, Tracy standing up for herself and what she believes in. And she’s just trying to get everybody else to believe, just as she does, that everybody can exist together.
Q: Velma Von Tussle is a very difficult character and embodies the racism that flared up in the USA in the 1960s in response to the Civil Rights Movement. Do you think she ever learns anything or changes her attitudes in this story?
A: Well, I want to explore that because she is very difficult, and even Amber, her
daughter, towards the end, is like: “Mum, just leave it. Why don’t you just go along with it (integration)?” And you’ve also got poor Corney Collins saying: “Come on, Velma, this is the way it’s going, you might as well just be ahead of the trend.” I want to show the two sides of Velma, the bigoted side of her that is just her way or no way, but also her vulnerability. The thing with Velma, she kind of hates everybody. It’s not just a racial thing. I think she’s just had a really bad life which I’d like to explore. There is always one person that is against change and moving for the good and that person is Velma. There’s also the question of nature or nurture, with somebody like her daughter Amber, she’s picked up her mother’s ways. But I’d like to be able to show that even though it’s too late for her mother, maybe, Amber can grow?
Q: What are you looking forward to working on in rehearsal?
A: I’m really looking forward to working with Joanne Clifton (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing) who’s playing Velma Von Tussle. She’s amazing. She’s got such a fantastic voice and is such a talent. You know, I’m really, really pleased with the cast that we’ve got. It’s going to be spectacular.
Q: I know you’re very passionate about inclusion and diversity, how much were you able to be part of bringing the team of cast and the creative together for this production?
A: I’ve always been about inclusion. And, with this show about racial discrimination as well other discrimination, it’s important that backstage as well as front of house as well as on stage, is fully representative. I think we have that down with this cast and the crew.
Hairspray: The Musical is playing at Buxton Opera House between Wed 26 – Sat 29 Mar 2025. Tickets are available to book at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk or 01298 72190.
Age guidance is 7+. Concessions, group and member discounts are available.
Q: As part of that, you held open auditions and that’s how you found your Motormouth Maybelle!
A: Yes, I was very, very proud of that. Again, it’s about inclusion and just giving an opportunity to somebody who would not necessarily have had it. And we found our Motormouth Maybelle, Michelle Ndegwa, and she’s got a beautiful voice. As soon as she started singing, I got the goosebumps, my arm hairs were sticking up! Motormouth to me is the linchpin of the show with some phenomenal songs like “I Know Where I’ve Been”. I’m excited just thinking about her voice and getting that chance to work with her and develop the Motormouth Maybelle character, which was the role that I played so many times and for everybody else to hear her beautiful voice that’s got so much soul and gospel heart.
Q: Do you have a favourite song or number in the show?
A: I love “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” because it’s a fun song and it goes through so many different levels, so many different gears. By the time I used to finish that, I was absolutely knackered! “I Know Where I’ve Been” I think is my favourite song to sing in the show because of the message and what it’s about. And you can’t top “You Can’t Stop the Beat”, it’s a fabulous song. A real feel-good song, and it’s just a barrel of joy and excitement and passion and Drew McOnie’s choreography is spectacular.
Q: What do you want audiences to take away from Hairspray: The Musical?
A: Life is short. So come and spread the joy of bringing everybody together as one happy community. Forget your troubles for one night and come along and have some fun with Hairspray.
Joanne Clifton as Velma Von Tussle Image by Ellie Kurttz
Michelle Ndegwa as Motormouth Maybelle Image by Ellie Kurttz
Gareth Gates – Mon 24 Mar, 7.30pm
Gareth Gates, along with a stellar cast of West End performers, pay tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. An evening of roof raising vocals, slick choreography and a nostalgic journey back in time to the golden era of pop music!
WHAT’S ON THIS SEASON!
Explore our season highlights at Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre.
John Barrowman – Thu 27 Feb, 7.30pm
John Barrowman is on tour with his brand new show Laid Bare, as he shares his unwavering and uncensored passion for life and his profound love of song and story. His stories and personal anecdotes burst with his keen wit, Scottish charm, and infectious energy. An evening of music, fun and laughter.
The Phantoms – Sat 5 Apr, 7.30pm
Join West End star and TV sensation Lee Mead to celebrate the most beloved musicals of all time including Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph, and The Phantom of the Opera.
The MozART Group – Tue 25 Feb, 7.30pm The hilarious twist on classical music. Hysterical, even if you don’t know your Mozart from your Bach, but exquisitely performed if you do!
Eternal Love – Thu 6 – Sat 8 Feb, 7.30pm
Brand-new, original rock musical Eternal Love is a night for musical theatre and rock fans alike, featuring over 20 original songs from two No.1 albums.
U3A - What’s that?
Huddersfield & District U3A is a 40-year old organisation for people in their ‘third age’, retired or semi-retired and those with a disability. Members get together to do something interesting, to learn something new, or just for fun.
U3A offers a wide variety of activities including walking, cycling, Tai Chi, languages, arts and crafts, photography, science and technology and board games, plus music groups and choirs. Groups meet in venues around the area for two hours a week.
There are 10-week autumn and spring terms, with a half-term. Some activities continue in the summer, including bowling, art, music, wood carving, and walking groups.
The groups are small and friendly, with group leaders volunteering their time to pass on knowledge and expertise to others. Membership costs £16 for 2024-2025 and then you choose the subjects you like. Most classes are £15 per term, which helps cover the cost of renting the rooms. Tutors, organisers and staff are all unpaid volunteers and Huddersfield & District U3A is a registered charity that is financially selfsupporting.
New members are always welcome, and so are new tutors. If you have an interest, skill or knowledge you could share with others why not talk to us about starting a group?
Check out our website huddersfieldu3a.org or the Huddersfield & District U3A Facebook page. Volunteers staff the office on Tuesday and Thursdays between 10a.m. and 2p.m. There is an answerphone at other times.
And there’s a choir, music groups and summer activities..THE CHOICE IS ENDLESS!
Transform Lives by Fostering Join Foster for East Midlands
Types of Fostering
Fostering with Foster for East Midlands is a way to make a big difference in children’s lives, especially for those who need a safe and caring place to call home.
Foster for East Midlands is your council’s foster care team, working across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire. For the first time, these councils have joined forces to recruit more foster carers, helping us create better outcomes for the children in our care.
Our regional recruitment hub provides enhanced support along your foster carer journey, including guidance from social workers, recruitment officers, and experienced foster carers. We also offer specialised training to make sure you’re fully prepared to provide a stable and supportive environment where children can grow and thrive.
Different children need different types of foster care. Some may need a temporary home, while others may stay longer. Foster carers help children by offering them a safe place to stay, making a lasting difference in a child’s life.
Do Foster Carers Get Paid?
Yes, foster carers receive financial support, as well as training and guidance, for the important role they play.
Can I Foster?
The most important qualities for foster carers are dedication and a desire to help. We welcome people from all backgrounds, so if you’re interested, we’d love to discuss how fostering could work for you. By fostering for your council, you can help improve the lives of children in your local community.
Carer
“Helping children find stability has been amazing. It can be challenging, but
Preparing your property for sale
WHEN you’re looking to sell your home it’s important to take a long, hard look at it through the eyes of a prospective buyer.
Taking time to prepare your property for sale makes all kinds of sense but it doesn’t have to involve huge expense or big changes to your home. Sometimes, simple actions make all the difference to impressing others and allow you to achieve the best valuation for the property.
People need to be able to visualize how any building would look if they lived in it so the first rule is to DECLUTTER
Often, there is fabulous living space in a property that is hidden by people’s possessions. This doesn’t mean you have to make the property soulless – just keeping it personal but allowing a prospective buyer to see the possibilities for themselves clearly is enough.
Put items in storage, sell them or give them away to charity. The alternative is simply to get rid of unwanted items although these days even bulky furniture has a market.
Charities like the British Heart Foundation and Emmaus (and some local hospices) have a collection service for their own furniture shops so your unwanted item may well be able to help others.
How does your home look from the outside? One survey of more than 2,000 UK adults by YouGov showed that the most important features for real KERB APPEAL were well-maintained windows and a roof that was in good condition.
A pleasant and well-maintained front garden is bound to impress so cut back bushes and ensure pathways and fences are all in good order.
Keeping your home well-painted is another important way to have positive kerb appeal. Research shows that buyers make up their minds about a property within the first few minutes of arriving there so make that initial impression count.
Could your walls – especially in the hall and lounge –do with a fresh coat of paint to make them look better and give a feeling of light and space?
Before any prospective buyers arrive, go around your house checking for any MINOR REPAIRS that you can make. These might be broken door knobs, threadbare carpets or chipped paint. Addressing these can all make that initial impression positive.
Make sure your home SMELLS nice. Cooking smells, faulty drains or full bins can give rooms an odour that will definitely not impressive visitors.
Address areas like faulty drains properly, ensure cleanliness in all rooms (especially bedrooms where grimy bedsheets will definitely NOT show off the room to its best advantage). Lighting candles is one way to give rooms a pleasant smell but be careful not to make the odour too heavy as this can work against the effect.
Give your home a really good CLEAN UP. Pay particular attention to the kitchen, where grease spots could gather around the hob, and to the bathroom where grouting may be chipped or stained.
Put out fresh towels in the bathroom, in cloakrooms or near sinks and ensure the whole house smells fresh. Put away toiletries, clean shower doors and keep the toilet seat down.
Be honest about whether a few minor IMPROVEMENTS could make your home look considerably better. The kitchen is one of the main places which “sell” a home to a buyer but rather than invest in new units it may be worthwhile having new doors and surfaces as a cheaper option.
Clear away items like utensils and the washing up so that the clean lines of your kitchen are plain to see and remove any large appliances that you’re not using. Open surfaces make kitchens look bigger and, again, allow individuals to imagine their own lifestyle there.
If you have an open fire in any of the main rooms and you are seeing prospective buyers in the colder months, light a fire. This not only raises the room temperature attractively but also gives the room a cosy glow – another plus for visitors to absorb. Pay attention to the WINDOWS throughout the property. Are there any “blown” double-glazed windows that could be fixed relatively cheaply?
Do you have windows without either blinds or curtains? Leaving them bare can give a cold feel to a room which can easily be remedied with some cheerful curtains or a modern blind. Millennium Blinds have a huge range to choose from and are a family run business for over 23 years.
Plants and flowers add a homely feeling to any room and can add a splash of colour or greenery. A fruit bowl can add a similar touch. If you have any dark areas – like in the hallway – consider buying a new mirror or two to open up areas where natural light is reduced. Clever use of mirrors in any room can make it look bigger and lighter.
If you have a favourite but now rather worn sofa or comfy chairs, putting on a bright throw in shades to tone in with a room can add to the appeal. New cushion covers in the same colours also add to the overall impression and don’t cost a fortune.
Of course if you are planning to move, it may be that you’d like to invest in new furniture beforehand. A smart, well-appointed lounge is a definite plus for anyone wanting to sell a property.
If you have pets, tidy away any pet items like feeding bowls just in case your visitor is not a pet-lover and, if you can, don’t have pets in the house when prospective buyers call. If the dog has its own
Wetroom & Walk-in Shower Specialists
bed, give that a wash so everything there smells fresh and not of dog!
If you have time to PLAN for your move, improve the energy efficiency of your home by improving insulation, double glazing and the efficiency of your heating system. Reasonable energy bills can certainly impress a prospective buyer at any time.
Post-lockdown, many people like to enjoy their OUTDOOR SPACE and so invest in ways to improve it. If you can improve yours before putting it on the market with better planned growing and seating areas or new garden furniture, you’ll be making a sensible investment.
And once you have moved and are looking to update your bedroom furniture why not try Leyland Beds, a family run business for over 20 years. It has two floors of beds and bedroom furniture as well as occasional and dining ranges.
Great choices for the smallest room
Thinking of updating your bathroom? Then take a look at the extensive showroom at Huddersfield’s Atlas Bathrooms of Lockwood With now even more choice in store, Atlas has invested heavily in the extensive showroom and now has even more displays of bath suites, showers and wet rooms to choose from.
It now has one of the biggest displays of bathrooms and accessories in the Huddersfield area Spread over two floors it has ranges from top manufacturers including Jacuzzi, Heritage, Roca and Ideal Standard.
There is also plenty to suit all budgets with bathrooms and showers ranging in price from affordable to the luxurious end of the market
For more information, look at the website www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk or ring 01484 547110. Victoria Mill, Albert Street, Lockwood, Huddersfield
Tel: 01484 547110
Email: hudd@atlasbathrooms.co.uk Open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday, 9am to 4pm www.atlasbathrooms.co.uk
THE HEARING CENT RES
SPOTLIGHT ON: Gordon Rigg
GARDEN, HOME & LEISURE
Founded by Gordon Rigg himself, the Garden Centre began as just a greenhouse, a shed, and a small selection of garden tools. However, fuelled by his passion for gardening and a vision for growth, Gordon Rigg’s Centres have flourished over the decades, expanding exponentially to become one of the largest garden centres in the North West.
Today, Gordon Rigg Garden, Home & Leisure boast an impressive 60,000 square feet of shopping area and employs over 200 local people. Gordon Rigg’s stock everything from indoor and outdoor plants through to garden furniture, tools, homeware, gifts, bird care, a pets and aquatics department with tropical and coldwater fish as well as a flower shop offering floral arrangements, bouquets, wedding and funeral flowers handmade by their experienced florists.
The Todmorden Garden Centre includes Rigg’s Farm Shop which offers the best quality local and regional produce including cheese, meat, artisan breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, plus a range of small vineyard wines and craft beers. The Garden Centre has also expanded to include Gordon’s Garden Tea Room, where guests have been enjoying dining among the plants and flowers since 2019.
Situated opposite the site is Bottoms Mill Shop, opened by Gordon in 2003, which is the perfect place if you’re looking for clothing, gifts, DIY hardware and homeware. Upstairs, The Cotton Weaver’s Cafe serves hearty, home cooked food, with views overlooking the picturesque Walsden Valley hills.
Gordon Rigg’s has also established a presence in Rochdale, where another branch and Bistro were opened in 1988 due to the popularity of the first site.
Gordon Rigg Garden, Home & Leisure are well-known in the North West, catering to novice and advanced gardeners, but also providing great days out in the countryside that can be enjoyed by everyone.
The Garden Centre hosts a diverse range of adult and children’s events throughout the year as well as seasonal events, including a Christmas Fayre, Easter DropIn Crafts and an in-store pumpkin patch at Halloween.
The business is now owned and managed by Gordon’s son Peter Rigg, his wife Pauline and their children. Fiona, who oversees the website and marketing, tells us a bit more:
“Gordon Rigg is a real family business; my mother, father, siblings, cousins and Uncle all work in the store. We stock a wide variety of products from our reputable suppliers that we have worked with for years enabling us to offer quality, choice and value which are the same values that formed the company’s foundations back in 1945.
We have an extensive houseplant and outdoor plant department, supplied from the best British growers or sourced fresh from Holland and our staff are very knowledgeable and happy to give advice and resources for people who are new to gardening.
We are approaching our 80th anniversary next year which is very exciting and we have lots of wonderful ideas in the pipeline. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details!
https://www.facebook.com/GordonRiggGHL”
A GARDENER’S PARADISE
one of the l argest garden centres in the north west
The Food of Hokkaido
Since winning MasterChef in 2011, Tim Anderson has carved out an impressive career in food working as an author and chef to become one of the most prominent voices on Japanese food in the UK. He has written eight cookbooks, with his ninth all about the food of Hokkaido published in Autumn 2024. Here he shares 4 recipes for you to try.
WILD ALLIUM GYOZA GYŌJA NINNIKU IRI GYŌZA
Wild alliums make an outstanding addition to gyoza.
I have personally had these at both Teshikaga Ramen and Ichiryuan in Sapporo, and can attest they are an ideal accompaniment to ramen.
You can use either wild garlic or wild leeks for these, or a mix of both. Out of season, nira (garlic chives) are the best substitute.This recipe calls for shopbought gyoza wrappers, but feel free to make them from scratch.
MAKES 40 GYOZA
FILLING
500g (1lb 2oz) fatty, coarse minced (ground) pork
100g (3 1/2oz) wild garlic or wild leeks, finely chopped
1 leaf of Chinese leaf (napa cabbage), finely chopped 2 fresh shiitake mushrooms, destemmed and finely chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp MSG
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
TO ASSEMBLE AND COOK
40 gyoza wrappers
water, as needed cornflour, for dusting about 1 tbsp oil
shōyu, vinegar and chilli or sesame oil, to taste
METHOD
To make the filling, mix everything together by hand until all of the vegetables are well-distributed throughout the pork. Don’t mix more than you have to, as this can make the filling dense and pasty. Use a small spoon to portion the filling into the centre
of each wrapper. Dip your fingertips in water and dampen the edge of each wrapper, then fold the wrapper over the filling, pressing firmly along edges to seal. (Pleat if you like; gyoza are served upside-down so it doesn’t actually matter that much.) As you make them, line the gyoza up in neat rows on trays lined with parchment and lightly dusted with cornflour.
To cook, heat a spoonful of oil in a non-stick pan or, better yet, a very well-seasoned cast-iron pan, over a medium-high heat. Add the gyoza, sealed side up, and fry until the bottoms are golden brown – about 3–5 minutes. Without turning the gyoza, add about 100 ml (31/2 fl oz/ scant 1/2 cup) of water to the pan and put the lid on. Steam for 5 minutes.
Remove the lid and let the remaining water evaporate from the pan to ensure crisp bottoms. When they’re done, carefully lift them from the pan with a spatula, or turn them out directly onto a plate. Serve with soy sauce, vinegar and a few drops of chilli or sesame oil on the side for dipping.
GRIDDLED SALMON AND VEGETABLES WITH MISO AND MELTED BUTTER CHANCHAN-YAKI
I learned to cook this Hokkaido comfort food classic from Toshi-chan in Shikabe, a fisherman’s wife who organises cooking classes at the town hall.The inclusion of mayonnaise is Toshi-chan’s own twist. It is not typical, but I think it’s delicious, so I’ve included it, too.
I also learned to make it with just cabbage and onions, though other vegetables are common, as well – carrots and shimeji mushrooms in particular appear in a lot of recipes, so feel free to add them if you like.
SERVES
4
80 g (23/4 oz) miso (white is best but red is fine, too)
4 tbsp sake
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar
1 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp butter
1/2 sweetheart (hispi) cabbage, cut into strips
about 2 cm (3/4 in) wide
2 onions, halved and thinly sliced
about 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) salmon, boneless (you can have the skin on or off, but if you leave it on, it needs to be scaled)
METHOD
Combine the miso, sake, mirin, sugar and mayo in a small bowl, stirring with a fork or small whisk until no lumps remain. Add 1 tbsp of the butter to a very wide, non-stick or well-seasoned cast iron pan or griddle over a medium–high heat, then add all of the vegetables and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes, just to coat in the butter and barely start to cook. Push the vegetables off to the side of the pan, and place the salmon in the middle, skin-side up. Leave to cook for 2–3 minutes, then turn the fish over so it is skin-side down, being careful not to break the flesh. Pour the miso sauce all over the fish and vegetables, lower the heat to medium, and cover the pan with a lid or a sheet of kitchen foil. Leave everything to steam-fry for about 10–12 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through.
Once the fish is done, place the remaining 1 tbsp of butter on top of the salmon and let it melt. Bring the whole pan to the table to serve, along with rice, soup and pickles.
HAKODATE PORK CURRY GOTŌKEN FŪ HAKODATE PŌKU KARĒ
SERVES 4
30 g (1oz) butter
20 g (3/4oz) beef dripping
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cm (3/4in) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 banana, diced
1/4 apple, peeled and grated
2 tbsp Japanese or Madras curry powder (hot or mild or a mix of both)
1/2 tbsp garam masala
1 tbsp turmeric
5 tbsp mango chutney
2 tbsp tomato purée (paste)
50 g (13/4oz/scant 1/2 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
1 tbsp oil
300 g (101/2 oz) pork belly, rind off, cut into small pieces (a little smaller than bite-size)
1 litre (34 fl oz/41/4 cups) beef stock, or 1 litre (34 fl oz/41/4 cups) water plus 2 beef stock cubes
300 g (101/2 oz) potatoes, peeled and diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1/4–1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
1–2 tbsp shōyu (optional, to taste)
METHOD
Melt the butter and dripping together in a saucepan over a medium heat and add the onion. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often, until well browned, then lower the heat and add the ginger, garlic, banana and apple, and cook for a few minutes until the apple softens. Add the spices, chutney and tomato purée and cook for another minute, stirring often, to infuse the spices into the fat, then stir in the flour and cook for a few minutes to form a thick roux. Transfer the roux to a food processor and blend until smooth.
Pour the oil into a casserole and set over a high heat, then add the pork belly and brown for a few minutes on all sides. Add the stock and bring to the boil, then sustain at a low boil for about 45 minutes, until the pork is soft. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for another 8–10 minutes until tender, then remove all of the meat and vegetables with a slotted spoon and set aside. Tip the roux into the simmering stock, whisking well to break up any clumps (use a stick blender if you want it really smooth), then simmer for a few minutes to thicken. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water – it should be a pourable consistency. Return the meat and vegetables to the sauce, then season with salt and soy sauce to your taste.
VARIATIONS: Venison is also a popular choice in Hokkaido curries. Simply follow the recipe as written above, with venison instead of pork, but cook the meat for 1 hour 20 minutes before adding the vegetables. Other protein options include hokki curry, which uses clams (cook them in the stock, then pick out their meat and stir it through at the end) or omu curry, which simply has a soft-set omelette on top.
‘DOUBLE FROMAGE’ CHEESECAKE LE TAO NO HOMĀJU NO ‘DŪBURU FUROMĀJU’ CHĪZUKĒKI
Hokkaido is a land of many cheesecakes, but perhaps the most famous of them all, the one that’s graduated from the omiyage stands of Chitose to the big leagues of Narita and Haneda, is the ‘double fromage’ from Otaru’s Le Tao.This double-layered cheesecake is like eating a cloud made of cheese. Even the crust is light and delicate, made of cake rather than biscuits or pastry. It is a symphony of softness, and it is surprisingly easy to make.This recipe is based on versions from Macaroni and HidaMari Cooking.
SERVES 6
CRUMB
butter, as needed, for greasing
about 200 g (7oz) sponge cake
100 ml (31/2 floz/scant 1/2 cup) double (heavy) cream
1 tbsp icing (powdered) sugar
BAKED LAYER
100 g (31/2oz) cream cheese
50 g (13/4oz) mascarpone
50 g (13/4oz/1/4 cup) golden caster (superfine) sugar
50 ml (13/4 floz/31/2 tbsp) double (heavy) cream
1 egg
11/2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
1/8 tsp salt
SET LAYER
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp powdered gelatine
30 g (1oz) golden caster (superfine) sugar
150 g (51/2oz) mascarpone
100 ml (31/2 floz/scant 1/2 cup) double (heavy) cream
1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
METHOD
This recipe works best if everything is at room temperature. Line a 15 cm (6 in) cake tin (pan) (springform, or with a removable base) neatly with baking parchment. Lightly grease the paper with butter. Trim the crusts off the sponge cake and cut the rest of it into chunks, then place in a food processor. Blitz to a fluffy crumb. Pack about a quarter of the crumbs into the bottom of the cake tin, pressing down gently to form an even layer. Preheat the oven to 150oC fan (325°F).
To make the baked layer, smash the cheeses and the sugar together until well mixed, then stir in all of the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. I recommend using a spatula rather than a whisk for this, so you don’t incorporate too much air into the mix. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin, even out the surface with an offset spatula, then bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
Stir together the water, milk and gelatine in a small dish and leave to soften for at least 10 minutes. Heat the liquid until warm (not boiling) in
the microwave – this should take only 10 seconds or so. Stir to fully dissolve the gelatine. Combine the gelatine liquid with the sugar and stir until it dissolves, then whisk together with all of the remaining ingredients until the mixture is visibly more airy. Pour this mixture onto the cooled baked layer, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill.
To finish, whip the cream and sugar together until very soft peaks form – the cream should still be pourable. Remove the cheesecake from the tin, then place it on a cake stand or up-turned bowl so the sides are fully accessible. Spread the whipped cream in a very thin layer all over the surface of the cake, then use your hands to gently press the rest of the cake crumb into the cream, fully coating the cake. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY HOME FROM BEING TAKEN TO PAY FOR YOUR CARE?
Director of Ostrich Legal Jolene Head explains why homeowners are leaving it too late or simply doing nothing at all to protect their hard-earned assets.
Current rules & regulations
Most couples are not aware that if they require care at a later date, the local authority will look at their assets on a means-tested basis to see whether they will contribute to an individual’s care.
Where a financial assessment is carried out, assets have to fall below £14,250 before they can contribute towards any care fees.
If the first person to die (in a married couple) leaves everything to the surviving spouse and the spouse then goes into care, it doesn’t take much time for a person’s estate to diminish from £120,000 to £14,250 when the average weekly cost of care is £900.
“I dealt with one particular case when a client had left all his estate to his wife in his will, and she subsequently went into care. It was initially £280,000, taking into account the property that they owned, the bank accounts, savings, etc. She was in care for four years at the cost of £46,800 per year, and when we came to deal with the estate, two children received £92,800 between the two of them rather than the £280,000 that their parents had hoped they would pass to them.”
What can you do about it?
I have a lot of clients approach me to sign their house over to their children now as they feel it wouldn’t be taken into account if the local authority later carried out a financial assessment.
This is not correct as the local authority has an unlimited amount of time to look back at what assets that individual had and if it is of the view that the person who is going into care has ‘deliberately deprived’ themselves by giving the property away it can seek to have the person who received the asset to pay for the care.
Not only does this outright transfer not work for care fees, but it is also a high-risk step. The property would no longer be owned by you, and as such, you could be forced to leave the property, or it could be taken into account if your children divorced or if they had financial difficulties - So it certainly isn’t something we would recommend.
At Ostrich Legal we recommend changing the way in which you own your property from a joint tenancy to a tenancy-in-common and leave the property on trust for the surviving spouse instead of gifting the entire estate to one another.
It is important that couples act now as it isn’t something that can be done when one party dies or becomes incapacitated as they will not be in a position to give us instructions.
Other can care fee planning our clients have used the type of planning we offer to prevent their children from losing out if their spouse was to remarry.
Most of our clients don’t realise that if their spouse was to remarry then their would automatically be cancelled and their estate would likely all pass to their new spouse, not their children.
Appointments by home visit at no extra cost - Call: 01422 658008
Jolene Head Director of Ostrich Legal Ltd
Director of Ostrich Legal, Jolene Head is your local solicitor with over 14 years experience of helping parents protect as much of their estate as possible.
I know things can be overwhelming, and often complicated when to comes to a Lasting Power of Attorney or Will writing. With Ostrich Legal, you get all the expertise of a fully qualified solicitor but with a friendly, understanding approach from Jolene to keep things as simple as possible.
We come to you. Home or office visits
Flexible appointment times to work around you
Fully qualified Solicitor for your peace of mind
Local expertise and understanding
Approachable and friendly
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£375.00 (EX VAT) FOR THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE TO QUOTE ‘MIRFIELD WORD’
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NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
From Darkness to Light
Director Sarah Brandwood-Spencer
Saturday 5 April 7.30pm
The King’s School, Macclesfield
Mozart on Tour (Prague)
Director Zoë Beyers
Saturday 3 May 7.30pm
The King’s School, Macclesfield Our 2025-2026 season will be announced soon - please follow us on our social channels or sign up to our email list on our website to be
