ABC Magazine: Whitley Bay Edition May - June2021

ABC

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Established

2008

WHITLEY BAY EDITION | MAY / JUNE 2021

PUZZLES INSIDE

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ON YOUR BIKE Plans revealed to expand North Tyneside’s cycle network W H I T L E Y BAY

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WELCOME TO ABC MAGAZINE Welcome to the Whitley Bay edition of ABC, your bi-monthly independent local magazine.

ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in Whitley Bay, Whitley Lodge and Monkseaton or you can view it online via www.yourabc.co.uk

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Each edition of ABC brings you a range of adverts and features including, local news, business features, health, recipes and more.

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North Shields secures funding for cultural programme

North Tyneside Council has been awarded a grant of nearly £73,000 from Historic England as part of the North Shields High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) to create and deliver community-led cultural activities on the high street over the next three years.

The North Shields HSHAZ is one of more than 60 high streets to receive a share of £6 million for their cultural programme. Grants of up to £120,000 have been awarded to local arts organisations for cultural activity on each high street.

The Cultural Programme in North Shields will bring together residents, local community groups and established artists to celebrate the uniqueness of the town. Local people will help co-create and deliver a programme of high-quality workshops, oral history projects and public performances. The programme will culminate in a community-produced play celebrating the history of the North Shields HSHAZ and its importance to commercial and civic life.

North Tyneside VODA is the lead partner for the Cultural Consortium and will be delivering the activities.

This is part of the four-year-long High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme, led by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Cultural Programme aims to make our high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step change in the way we think about bringing high streets back from the brink. As we start to see these important historic spaces become regenerated through building work, it is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.”

Cllr Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor, North Tyneside Council, said: “I am delighted that we have been awarded this grant from Historic England for our North Shields 6

High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) project. Our partnership project alongside the North Shields Cultural Consortium will bring together residents, local community groups and established artists to celebrate what is unique about North Shields and its rich heritage.

“It’s part of our Ambition for North Shields and the Fish Quay master plan, which sets out our exciting vision for the future of the area, and is a great way of getting local people, businesses and community groups, of all ages, to reflect on our past and imagine the future, while growing an appreciation of the heritage on our doorstep.”

The funding builds on the success of a series of pilot cultural projects that have run since last August across 43 High Street Heritage Action Zones. They have not only helped high streets offer cultural activity during lockdown, but also discovered what local people would like to see happening on their high streets.

A SUMMER OF CULTURE As well as the grant-funded cultural activity taking place on high streets over the next three years, Historic England is curating a programme of cultural commissions to get people back to high streets.

TWIN TOWNS (MAY – SEPTEMBER) Historic England is unofficially 'twinning' towns, through a programme of creative commissions that see artists working with local people to uncover what they have in common.

The artworks will explore themes of identity as well as the communities’ collective hopes and challenges, culminating in a series of installations, performances and digital work.

Artists from Unfolding Theatre are engaging with shopkeepers, local residents and high street visitors in North Shields and Lancaster for Unfolding Theatre – High Street Duets, to create five new songs that celebrate place, released later this summer.

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LO CA L N E W S

Image: North Tyneside Council

Plans revealed to enhance public transport routes and expand cycling network

Artists impression of a Dutch Style roundabout North Tyneside Council is seeking views on plans for around 14km of new cycling routes across the borough - including an option for the first ‘Dutchstyle’ roundabout in the region.

The council has secured nearly £1.6m from the Government’s Active Travel Fund (ATF) and £7m from the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) for cycling and transport improvements.

The ATF funding is specifically for schemes along commuter routes where public transport provision is reduced during the pandemic and where there is high potential for people commuting by bicycle.

TCF funding is for transport improvements that close the gap between the time it takes to travel by car and the time it takes to travel by public transport. Any proposed new cycling links must focus on commuter routes.

A six-week public consultation is underway until 11 July asking for views on a number of new schemes including: Around 3km of new and enhanced routes aimed at improving links to Cobalt Business Park and North Tyneside Hospital from the coast and to Newcastle (via the Coast Road Cycle Route).

A new 2km segregated route between Norham Road (New York) and Foxhunters (Monkseaton), including an option for a ‘Dutch-style’ cycling roundabout at the Rake Lane / New York Road junction.

As part of the Ambition for North Shields master plan, up to 6km of cycling routes in and around North Shields town centre connecting to the proposed new transport hub – including Tynemouth Road, Howard Street and Preston Road, as well as a new ramped Riverside Embankment Walkway between the town centre and Fish Quay.

A new bus lane into the Four Lane Ends Interchange with bus priority measures at the Four Lane Ends junction and a new cycling route between Four Lane Ends and Coach Lane (Benton).

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5km of improved cycling links to five Metro stations across the borough aimed at extending the reach of the Metro into areas 2km or more away from an existing station.

Similar to systems commonplace in the Netherlands, the proposed ‘Dutch-style’ roundabout improves safety by providing cycle and pedestrian priority, including zebra crossings for pedestrians and a dedicated cycle path around the roundabout for cyclists.

If it goes ahead, the roundabout would be the first of its kind in the North East and among the first in the UK. Cllr Sandra Graham, North Tyneside’s Cycling Champion, added: “We know there continues to be a real growth in cycling in North Tyneside, which is really good to see as it’s such a great form of exercise but it is also a fantastic way of helping to improve the quality of the air we breathe.

“We also know people want safer, segregated cycling routes to help them get around the borough so I’m delighted that we’ve secured this funding to create this new network of routes which will support the excellent facilities we already have, such as the waggonways and public rights of way network, and National Cycle Network routes.

“As a council we are committed to continuing to improve the cycling environment and infrastructure, encouraging more people to ride bikes and to making every day cycling a simple, safe and attractive option for all.”

Cllr Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor, said: “These proposals are really exciting and forward-thinking in terms of promoting more active and sustainable forms of travel and making it easier to use public transport or cycle to work – particularly as we continue our work to make North Tyneside a greener place to live, work and visit.

“I would urge residents and businesses to have their say on the plans through our public consultation to help us shape the final proposals as they develop.”

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LO C A L N E W S

MOUTH OF THE TYNE FESTIVAL POSTPONED TO 2022 North Tyneside Council has taken the very hard decision to postpone this summer’s Mouth of the Tyne Festival due to the current uncertainty surrounding the next step on the Government’s roadmap.

The festival, an annual celebration of outdoor concerts and street entertainment that attracts crowds of over 100,000 people to the coast, was planned to take place from 8-11 July 2021 after being rescheduled from last year.

But sadly, in line with other festivals and events across the UK, the council has decided to take action in what it believes are the best interests of residents, visitors, artists, suppliers and staff. The festival will now return to Tynemouth from 7-10 July 2022.

Keane’s show has now been rescheduled to Friday 8 July 2022. There will be news on the rest of the line-up very soon.

Tickets already purchased will remain valid for the new dates but anyone that wants a refund can get one from their point of purchase. The festival’s ticketing partners will be in touch with ticket holders directly.

Councillor Sarah Day, Cabinet Member responsible for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the decision to postpone Mouth of the Tyne Festival until next year. We know this will be a huge disappointment to everyone who was looking forward to what is the jewel in the crown of our summer event season and one of the region’s most popular festivals attracting tens of thousands of people. We had so hoped that we could make the festival work this year and gave it every chance. However, with uncertainty still surrounding the next stage of the Government’s roadmap on June 21, we feel we are not in a position to plan and deliver this world-class event to the standard the public expect."

“The logistics involved in organising a festival of this size are significant and with the safety of thousands of visitors to consider we just can’t take any chances. We are all disappointed, but we hope the public will understand and we’ll come back bigger and stronger next year with an event to make us all proud. We’re working hard to make sure ticketholders still get to see the artists they were looking forward to.”

“Here in North Tyneside, we are lucky to have our wonderful beaches, parks, and waggonways and there are still many events planned in the borough for this summer and beyond.”

To find out more about events and activities in North Tyneside visit www.visitnorthtyneside.com

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LO C A L N E W S

LOCAL WALKING CLUB SEEKS NEW MEMBERS Established in 1988, the Phoenix Walking Club offers a warm welcome to new members throughout the year with a wide variety of walks and locations.

Walks are planned every week, mainly in Northumberland and Durham, but also as far afield as the Scottish Borders, The Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales and Moors.

The walks are held on a different day each week, except for Sundays, so anyone with work or other commitment can easily arrange their walking plans around them. Transport is provided each walking day by two coaches, with four pick up points in North Tyneside making it easy to choose the most convenient.

Leaders provide a number of walks each week with different lengths and terrain and members are free to choose the one they prefer depending on how energetic they feel. Walks are normally between eight and sixteen miles, and all end up at a designated pub for a welcome pint, coffee, rest and chat.

Bookings for walks can be made online, but there is a club coffee morning every Friday in Chirnside House, Tynemouth, where bookings can be made for a number of weeks ahead, or simply for the week ahead, whichever is best for you.

Obviously, during Covid restrictions, the club has been unable to offer a full programme, but there should be a full range of walks beginning in August if the easing of restrictions continue as planned.

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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

IT’S TIME TO REWARD YOURSELF WITH THE CONCEPT CARE PLAN There’s something about our coastal vibe that evokes a feeling of freedom from constraints imagined or real. Perhaps in this spirit, Concept in Tynemouth sets itself apart from traditional high street opticians. In a quaint building steeped with history, this place offers an advanced diagnostic eye examination and specialist clinical care for contact lens wearers, myopia control and dry eye sufferers, but it’s the unique frame collection here that also offers a beguiling and fresh perspective in eye wear.

A new pair of glasses is an emotional investment.

As we ease out of social restrictions, don’t we want to look like the best versions of ourselves? Our sense of wellbeing and feeling positive again about our lives is very much at the fore. With this in mind, the frame collection here is carefully chosen and designed to compliment our lifestyle, personality and aspirations. From the statement glamour of Tom Ford, to the minimal edginess of Gotti, bespoke spectacle styling is what the people at Concept Eye Clinic are rather good at.

Choosing the correct lenses is a ‘quality of life’ investment Lens technology has come a long way. The Concept Zeiss portfolio not just optimises visual need, but optimises performance in any frame by matching this with your unique facial anatomy. The coastal climate can be unpredictable. What does remain constant is a requirement for vision protection whatever the weather. UV and UVB permeates through sun and cloud. All the more reason for us to be vigilant in protecting our eyes. All Zeiss ophthalmic lenses offer a ‘higher level than standard’ complete UV Technology sun protection to block harmful rays.

The Concept Care Plan provides luxury eye care for spectacle and contact lens wearers.

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“People have busy lives. At Concept, we understand this but also taketime to get to know our clients and understand their needs. Sarah and I take pride in this. It’s a wonderful feeling to help someone who is a first time glasses wearer, perhaps a little nervous and doesn’t know where to begin.. to someone who has worn glasses for years and now wants something different, who has the confidence to carry off a bold statement.

I love the people we see here at Tynemouth, patients or before lockdown, people coming in to browse and leaving with a pair of sunglasses they couldn’t find anywhere else.”

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

RA Jackson & Son see a Boom in North Tyneside Coastal Real Estate As ambitious plans for the transformation of North Shields, including the Fish Quay, are given final approval by cabinet, North East real estate experts at RA Jackson & Son are already seeing increasing demand for commercial properties in the area. Here they share their view on what the master plan will mean for the local community and the wider coastal region.

The Ambition for North Shields master plan will aim to create a vibrant town centre destination, combining living, working and retail space with easy connectivity to the increasingly popular Fish Quay.

Included in the plan are housing developments at Northumberland Square, the redevelopment of Unicorn House and the restoration of the Wooden Dolly statue. This is in addition to a successful funding bid for the North Shields Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project from Historic England to revitalise Howard Street and Northumberland Square.

Richard Fenwick, Partner at RA Jackson, commented "We're delighted to see the approval of the master plan which will accelerate the re-imagining of North Shields into an increasingly desirable destination to live, work and play. RA Jackson & Son have proudly operated in North Shields for nearly 200 years and support the recent transformation of the area. We have been delighted to welcome some new and dynamic businesses and entrepreneurs who have chosen to locate here."

RA Jackson & Son manage many commercial properties in the local area which accommodate tenants who are making such a positive contribution to our community, including a war veteran who has recently opened a café, Operation Veteran in North Shields to support fellow veterans with a place to meet and re-train, Request a Guest offering creative prints and invitations for every occasion in Whitley Bay, 18

and the newly refurbished award winning kebabs and pizzas at Elder and Wolf on Whitley Road.

Fellow Partner at RA Jackson & Son, James Barlow, adds "We've been seeing an increased demand for residential and commercial property in North Shields, including the Fish Quay, as buyers and prospective tenants look beyond the more traditional hot spots of Whitley Bay and Tynemouth for a coastal lifestyle, surrounded by plentiful amenities."

He adds, "across all of our commercial and residential properties, both for sale and rent, we are witnessing a coastal boom with Zoopla documenting the larger North Shields area increasing by 16.82% and Whitley Bay increasing by 13.81% over the past 5 years. I believe North Shields and the wider coastal region has some of the highest potential to attract everyone from first-time buyers, families, retirees to independent businesses who will all benefit from the enhanced connectivity and quality premises together with a bustling riverside and coastal community."

RA Jackson & Son is one of the

oldest companies in North Tyneside, having been established in 1830 by Thomas Jackson Snr. The company, which originally traded as a Tailors business before becoming a firm of Chartered Surveyors and Property Management Agents, is located on Northumberland Square. Chartered Surveyors Richard Fenwick and James Barlow, who acquired the partnership in 2017 from Peter Jackson, the great great grandson of Thomas Jackson Snr, consider the company to be well placed as North Shields and the surrounding area continues to be a popular destination for both new residents and businesses alike.

RA Jackson & Son are Chartered Surveyors, residential and commercial property agents and RICS registered valuers that have been providing property advice since 1830. Based in North Shields, R A Jackson & Son specialise in the North Tyneside coast and the wider North East region.

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LOCAL NEWS

A self-isolating widow who has been kept from loneliness by regular phone calls during a year of lockdowns has met her saviour ‘Befriender’ for the first time.

In an emotional scene in her back garden in North Shields, Eileen Kirkham, 84, came face-to-face with Age UK North Tyneside volunteer Dianne Graham, part of the charity’s Befriending team.

Eileen, who lost husband Allan 13 years ago, has barely seen her family over the past year, and has been almost constantly confined to her home.

She has spoken to Dianne every week since March 2020, and said it has kept her going through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Grandmother Eileen said: “It’s been the best, I don’t know what I would have done without Dianne. She really has kept me from feeling lonely.

“We have had such a laugh together and become great friends over the past year, even though we haven’t actually met until today.

It makes such a difference that someone cares. I look forward to her call all through the week.”

Eileen, who bumped elbows with Dianne when they met as they still are unable to touch each other, added: “It’s been amazing meeting outside in the sunshine for the first time today.

It feels like the sun has come out just for us.

“Hopefully now we can start to meet a bit more often face-to-face and enjoy being in each other’s company. I’m looking forward to giving her a proper hug.”

Dianne, 65, who also lives in North Shields, said: “It’s been lovely to develop a friendship with Eileen. We realised we had the same sense of humour and got on straight away.

“We’ve hardly stopped laughing when we have been talking – I have loved telling her tales and hearing her 24

Image by RusbyMedia

Widow meets Befriender for the first time after she helped her through lockdown

Eileen Kirkham meets Befriender Dianne Graham for the first time in her back garden

laugh down the phone.

“It’s been really rewarding volunteering as a Befriender with Age UK North Tyneside, and if there are other people out there who have the time and would like to help make someone else happy, I’d say sign up as a Befriender – you won’t regret it.”

Age UK North Tyneside has kept hundreds of older people from loneliness with its face-to-face Befriending Service over 10 years.

But when the Covid-19 crisis hit and its customers had to self-isolate, it had to adapt, so introduced a new Telephone Befriending service.

Since then, the service has reached hundreds of older people in North Tyneside, including more than 90 new customers during lockdown .

And thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, the charity now is able to run the service for another year.

Telephone Befriending Service Co-ordinator Carole McMurtrie said it has had a massive impact on people’s lives since it started.

Carole said: “We have had a lot of volunteers who wanted to do something positive having been furloughed, and we had a lot of customers who needed extra support and the project snowballed from there. We’ve recruited over 60 new volunteers and they provide 38 hours of support each week which is incredible.

“A lot of older people are now in the situation where, as well as feeling lonely, they have lost confidence, but Befriending really helps with both of these things.

“Some people have absolutely nobody, and just one phone call from a friend can completely make their day.

“I’m proud to say our Telephone Befriending Service has made a huge difference to people this past year, and it is great news that we have the funding to continue it.”

If you are interested in become a Befriender or Befriendee, call 0191 280 8484 option 0 or email enquiries@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk.

"It's lovely to hear her voice and know that she's doing well. I don't know what I'd do without Alison and my family ringing.

Lockdown is so eerie, but it will end and that will be lovely."

Nora, Telephone Befriending Customer

Our Telephone Befriending service can offer you a friendly chat over the phone a couple of times a week. To find out more, call us on 0191 280 8484 Option 1.

Or, if you are interested in volunteering as a Telephone Befriender, call us on 0191 287 7011.

Registered charity number 1049527. Company number 1763579.

25

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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

ENJOY YOUR CONSERVATORY ALL YEAR ROUND

If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot. Here, Thermos Roof explain how they have the answer

C

onservatories are a fantastic space to enjoy whilst looking out onto your garden, they are bright, spacious and give you a great sense of closeness to the outdoors. However, as most conservatory owners will know, whilst they bring all of those benefits, it is usually short lived and can only be enjoyed for two or three months of the year, the rest of those months being either freezing cold or blisteringly hot.

At Thermos Roof, we have been insulating conservatory roofs since 2005 for two main reasons, firstly to increase its insulating performance and secondly to enhance its internal aesthetic appearance.

Experience will have shown you that in the winter as soon as you open the door the heat is sucked out of your room into the conservatory and, during the summer, it becomes a dazzling sauna that’s so hot you need a fan to cool you down. At Thermos Roof we can transform your conservatory from a room you barely use into a room that you can enjoy all year round, because the temperature is comfortable and constant, you will even be able to watch TV or use a computer without sunglasses.

What is most impressive is that we can do this all in one day! With no mess!

We retain your existing polycarbonate or glass roof and insulate it from the inside, finishing it in an attractive gloss white tongue and groove PVC cladding that matches perfectly with the rest of your conservatory

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construction. The materials we use are lightweight, therefore no roof strengthening is required, no planning application is necessary and no long periods of mess and upheaval in your home. In addition to this the look and finish of your Thermos Roof will be as fresh in 10 years as it is now.

The performance of the lightweight insulation system will equal that of vastly more expensive options, with less mess and waste, and less time to install saving you thousands of pounds and allowing you to enjoy your conservatory immediately.

We can install a Thermos Roof to conservatories of any size or shape transforming them into a flowing extension of your living space wherein its use is not dictated by the external weather conditions, it will become warm in winter and cool in summer.

In addition to the above benefits, our team will eliminate mould and condensation, reduce rain, noise and serve to cover up an unsightly

dirty roof. The gloss white finish will make it brighter in the evenings by reflecting light and will give your conservatory that WOW factor, making it a great place to relax or work.

All installations come with a 5 year warranty and we guarantee that you will be amazed with both the improved appearance and the insulating performance of your new roof.

We offer a free quotation service for the installation of your Thermos Roof and, should you require it, we can also undertake maintenance works to repair or replace gutters, fascias, soffits, window sills, roof panels and leaking roofs.

Please give us a call today on 01670 828 695 to start the ball rolling to making full use of your Conservatory!

■ www.thermosroof.co.uk

★★★★★ Check out our 5 star reviews on Facebook

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Is your conservatory: Too cold in the winter? & too hot in the summer?

Does it have problems with: Too much sun glare?

Condensation build-up?

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An unsightly dirty roof?

We can fix ALL of these issues with a Thermos Roof insulation system We can carry out a full install in a single day, leaving zero mess and instant results. We retain your existing roof profile & do Prices from not remove your current roof. A 5 year warranty is included.

£799

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Electrical Safety

Call Steve on 01670 828 695 or 07901 506 645 or visit our website www.thermosroof.co.uk During these unprecedented times, to ensure your safety and ours, all our staff and fitters wear PPE where suitable and, upon completion of each job, your Conservatory will be fully disinfected.

LO C A L N E W S

Your Accessibility Guide to North Tyneside is now live!

North Tyneside Council has worked with AccessAble to create Detailed Access Guides to venues and facilities, including libraries, leisure centres, museums, children’s centres, and countryside parks.

The Guides are 100 per cent facts, figures, and photographs, to help residents and visitors plan their journeys to and around the area, covering everything from parking facilities and hearing loops, to walking distances and accessible toilets.

We know everyone’s accessibility needs are different, which is why having detailed, accurate information is so important. It’s why all of the details you’ll find in the Guide have been checked in person, on site, by trained surveyors. Cllr Anthony McMullen, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, North Tyneside Council, said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to work with AccessAble to create Access Guides for our venues and facilities. We know how important it is to our residents to be able to easily get hold of information about accessibility when they’re out and about and I’m sure these new guides will prove invaluable.”

Dr Gregory Burke, Founder and Chairman of AccessAble, said: “We were delighted to work in partnership with North Tyneside Council to create dedicated Detailed Access Guides to their buildings and facilities.

The AccessAble website and App will provide vital information for disabled people, carers, and anyone with access needs; enhancing the independence and choice of residents and visitors.”

You can view North Tyneside’s Accessibility Guide by visiting www.accessable.co.uk/north-tyneside-council It’s also available via the AccessAble App which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play, and provides accessibility information on the go.

LEARN FRENCH

WITH LINGUA FORME

IS LEARNING FRENCH ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

With my French Classes for adults, I can help you to learn at a level that is suitable for you, from beginner to advanced.

All classes are online via Zoom and I provide regular resources and audio files to keep learning fresh, fun and foolproof.

NOW TAKING NEW ONE TO ONE TUITION

FOR GCSE/A LEVEL FROM SEPTEMBER 2021

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WE’RE OPEN AGAIN

Est. 1990

YOUR LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHIC RETAILER RE-OPENING OFFER - WHILE STOCKS LAST

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PRINT IMAGES IN-STORE INSTANTLY WITH OUR FUJI KIOSK

Fill your frames and photo albums with your favourite photos, available in sizes 6”x4”, to 8”x12”.

Or you can create a wide range of personalised gifts including phone covers, cushions, mugs, photo books and more!

CLICK & COLLECT WITH THE FUJIFILM IMAGINE APP Download the FUJIFILM Imagine app from the comfort of your sofa and create and print beautiful photos and gifts that you can collect from our store.

Enter store code: fotosnaps

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TEL: 0191 234 4606

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ADVERTISING FE ATURE

LOOK GOOD, STAY SAFE

Claire Battista, Aesthetic Independent Nurse Prescriber and owner of The Batt House, discusses how to stay safe when considering an aesthetic treatment.

There is a continuing rise in the popularity of injectable aesthetic treatments such as Botox and fillers. In the UK the aesthetics industry is completely unregulated meaning anyone can set themselves up and offer these treatments to members of the public. It is important for members of the public to be aware of this and also to know that Botox is a prescription only medication and should only be administered by a Nurse Prescriber, Cosmetic Doctor or Dentist.

At the Batt House we have seen a rise in patients asking for our help when they have undergone treatments carried out by people who are not qualified or registered healthcare professionals.

Aesthetics treatments such as Dermal fillers and Botox are injectable treatments which always carry an element of risk. It is so important when choosing a professional to carry out your treatment you ensure they have a medical qualification and the appropriate experience and training to ensure your safety.

Medical professionals are trained and experienced professionals who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to take a fully comprehensive medical history, assess suitability of a patient for treatment and manage any complications that may arise from a treatment. Emergency situations can arise from aesthetics treatments, making it important you choose a clinician that is equipped to deal with such emergencies. As an experienced healthcare professional, I am qualified and experienced in detecting and responding to emergency procedures, aseptic technique, infection control, anaphylaxis, management of infection and wound care, medications contraindications, taking a consultation, prescribing and administering medication.

Treatments such as Botox are carried out using prescription only medication and as such the person administering your treatment should 32

be a qualified prescriber like myself.

Sadly, within this industry people have the ability to purchase unregulated products from the internet, set themselves up as an “advanced aesthetic practitioner” and carry out treatments with products that are not licensed for use in the UK. Making it so confusing to the general public as to whether the person treating them is a medical professional.

Always ask for the name of the product to be used, ensure it has a CE mark, do this by asking to see the box the product is in. CE marking indicates conformity with health, Safety and environmental protection standards.

If you can’t see this do not go ahead with treatment!

Having an aesthetics treatment is a great opportunity for me as a Nurse to restore confidence and allow my patients to look and feel their best. It is important to remember that both Botox and filler treatments are safe and effective with complications happening very rarely in well trained and safe hands. When they do, you really do need to be in the hands of someone that can manage it in a timely and professional manner. Most complications require management by prescription only medication which is why it is so important to ensure your clinician can like myself prescribe medication. When choosing a healthcare professional for your treatment it is also worth remembering we are all regulated by our governing bodies and have codes of conduct to follow to ensure safety, ethical practice and care for all of our patients.

MY TOP TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE WHEN SEEKING AN AESTHETIC TREATMENT: ·· Ensure your chosen clinician is a qualified and registered healthcare professional. ·· Ask to see a copy of their qualifications and training. ·· You can check qualifications by asking for their professional body so you can check they are registered with the appropriate regulatory body. For example,

Claire Battista, RN(DIP)He BSc(Hons) NIP

··

··

·· ··

·· ··

as a qualified nurse I, like all registered nurses am a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. www.nmc.org Make sure your clinician purchases their Botox and filler products from a UK aesthetic Pharmacy.

Ensure a full consultation takes place prior to treatment, which considers your full medical and social history.

Ask about complications and how they would be managed.

Be aware that claiming to be an aesthetic practitioner does not mean that person is a health care professional.

Ensure they are fully insured and trained in the treatments they are offering.

Use The Aesthetics Complications Experts Group website to find a practitioner.

You will find The Batt House registered on there! This group is for qualified medics, providing support with complications and continuing education. If your clinician is a member of this group you are rest assured they will have local, national and worldwide support from other medics if complications arise. www.acegrouponline Claire offers free consultations for anyone considering an aesthetic treatment.

The Batt House is an at home clinic based in Bedlington which can be contacted by email at thebatthouse@yahoo.com or by direct message on Facebook or Instagram @batthousecc

AESTHETICS TREATMENTS

BOTOX, FILLER & SKIN TREATMENTS All carried out by an experienced, qualified and insured aesthetic Independent Nurse Prescriber.

Only the highest quality reputable brands used.

Claire Battista RN, Bsc (Hons) Nurse Independent Prescriber CONSULTATIONS AND AFTERCARE ARE FREE OF CHARGE

Contact us to book in at our home based clinic in Bedlington: on Facebook or Instagram @batthousecc or email thebatthouse@yahoo.com

33 33

E N TE RTAIN M E N T

FILM REVIEWS THE MISFITS Richard Pace (Pierce Brosnan), a master craftsman and notorious criminal, is being sought out by a group of misfits. The Prince (Rami Jaber), Hope (Hermione Corfield), Violet (Jamie Chung), Wick (Mike D. Angelo), and Ringo (Nick Cannon) are convinced that Pace can and will assist them in a gold heist with consequences that will affect their lives and millions of others. Armed with a con artist, a martial arts master, a robber, and a bomb expert, the group concoct an elaborate plan to sneak into one of the most heavily guarded places on earth. And Pace agrees to join them, but only if he gets to travel first class.

Pierce Brosnan rose to prominence through his roles in the secret agent franchise ‘James Bond’. This film, which might signify his gradual comeback to the world of action movies, is set primarily in the Middle East. Its principal photography took place in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Los Angeles and was completed before the pandemic.

‘The Misfits’ is packed with shots of Dubai’s skylines, car racing and explosions - great for fans of suspense-filled action movies. With several big scenes shot in the Etihad towers, some sequences will remind viewers of ‘Fast and the Furious 7’ (2015), especially since it also features luxury sports cars and explosions.

‘The Misfits’ is rated 18 and set for release in theatres on June 11th. It will also be released on video-on-demand (VOD) 4 days after its theatrical release by Paramount.

LUCA Set in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera and surrounded by beautiful seascapes, ‘Luca’ is a comingof-age story about the titular boy. During an idyllic summer, Luca finds himself engaging in adventures filled with scooter rides, gelato and pasta with a newfound friend, Alberto. But all that fun is threatened by a looming secret they both keep from each other and the rest of the world.

The release of ‘Luca’ this summer will mark Pixar’s 24th feature film and their first and only release for 2021, following ‘Soul’, which came out on Christmas Day last year. Luca is voiced by Jacob Tremblay while Jack Dylan Grazer voices Alberto. Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Marco Barricelli, and Jim Gaffigan are other big names in the voice cast. Dan Romer, an American music producer and singer-songwriter behind Oscarnominated scores like ‘Beasts of the Southern Wilds’, composed the score for ‘Luca ‘. Romer has also worked as a producer and collaborated with singers like Christina Aguilera and Shawn Mendes. Luca marks his first collaboration with Pixar.

Enrico Casarosa’s directorial debut was initially scheduled for theatre viewing, but Disney has announced that the film will be released on its streaming service Disney+. So families who already subscribed to the streaming service will be able to enjoy the film over the summer, as the pandemic keeps cinemas restricted. The film’s teaser trailer was published online on 25th February and shows the impressive and lush CG animation we all expect from Pixar films.

Luca will be released globally online via Disney+ on June 18th.

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A GOOD READ

By Willow Coby

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens

When a young man is found dead on the North Carolina coast the local police – and local residents – start looking for the culprit.

It doesn’t take long before they turn their attention to Kya, also known as the Marsh Girl. But is she guilty of anything more than being an outsider?

What follows is actually two stories intertwined. As the hunt for the murderer continues we learn of Kya’s life in the marsh. At the age of 6 she watched Ma walk away from their shack with a blue case and high heeled shoes.

Though Kya waited, her mother never returned and over the following months her siblings left as well, leaving her alone with Pa. He was often drunk or absent, so it was up to Kya to survive, until he finally left when she was 10.

To some extent, this is a coming-ofage story. It is an unforgettable novel; a celebration of nature and some of the most engaging parts are the descriptions of the marsh world through which Kya glides effortlessly in her canoe. It becomes a character in its own right.

There is no denying that this novel will stay with you long after you finish it and feel as if you have been along the journey though the marsh with Kya.

A GOOD DAY FOR CLIMBING TREES by Jaco Jacobs Don’t let anyone tell you that you are too young to take a stand. Sometimes all it takes is one simple, spur of the moment decision, to change your life forever.

Marnus was fed up. No one seemed to notice him. His older brother acts as if he is in charge, and his younger brother seems to know everything. But a single knock on the door, a petition, and a tree under threat, will ensure that everyone notices him.

This charming novel from one of South Africa’s most popular and prolific children’s authors will hook you in straightaway. It will make you laugh and will make you think about grabbing those opportunities that life gives.

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RECIPES

ETON MESS

The simplest of desserts but possibly the best way to use succulent strawberries.

INGREDIENTS

Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: If making meringues allow 2 hr 30 mins plus cooling. Otherwise, no cooking time!

Serves: 6

For the meringues (or you can use good quality shop-bought meringue nests) 175g caster sugar 1 thick lemon slice 3 egg whites, at room temperature 1 pinch salt To assemble the mess 500g ripe strawberries 50g caster sugar 450ml double cream 1 tbsp icing sugar 1 tsp vanilla paste Mint for garnish

METHOD

Meringues 1. Preheat the oven to 220C / gas 7.

Line a baking tray and pour the sugar on to it then bake in the oven until it just begins to melt at the edges. Rub the inside of the mixing bowl with the lemon (this gets rid of any grease) and add the egg whites. Just before its time to take the sugar out of the oven, start whisking the whites at high speed.

2. Carefully tip the hot sugar and the salt into the fluffy foamy whites.

Continue whisking until the mixture is cool, glossy and forms soft peaks.

Lower the heat in the oven to 130C / gas ½. Heap dollops of meringue on to lined baking trays, making sure they are well spaced. Bake in the cool oven for about two and a half hours. Check after two hours. The outsides should be crisp and golden but not burned! Turn off the oven

and leave the meringues inside to cool completely.

The mess 1. To prepare the strawberries: wash and hull the fruit, and slice into half or quarters. Aim for bite-size pieces. Place the strawberries in a bowl, sprinkle with the caster sugar, making sure all the strawberries are coated. Place in the fridge for half an hour until the fruit goes squidgy and leaks juices.

2. Set a third of the strawberry mixture on one side for later. Using a potato masher lightly crush the rest

into a chunky puree. Pour the double cream into a big bowl (it’s best if the bowl is cold). Sift in the icing sugar and the teaspoon of vanilla paste (not essence) and whip to soft peaks.

3. Roughly squash and break six of the meringues. Fold the pieces and the crushed strawberries into the whipped cream. Don’t mix too thoroughly. The red and white should be clearly distinct.

4. Leave in a big serving dish so people can help themselves, or spoon into tall glasses, topped with a sprig of mint.

STRAWBERRY, FETA & PINE NUT SALAD Berries, feta and sweet balsamic — perfect for sharing

20g Pine Nut Kernels • 120g Strong Wild Rocket • 300g strawberries, trimmed and quartered • 100g Greek Feta • 1tbsp balsamic glaze 1 Put the pine nuts in a dry frying pan and toast over a medium heat until they turn golden.

2 Layer the rocket on a serving platter. Top with the toasted pine nuts and strawberries, then crumble over the feta and season with a grind of black pepper. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze to serve.

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A GOOD MORNING DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Woolly Warriors Needed

FOR THE INNOCENT BIG KNIT CAMPAIGN The Innocent Big Knit campaign has returned, and Age UK North Tyneside is calling on the knitters and crocheters of North Tyneside to get their knitting needles out to help raise urgent funds for older people most in need.

This is the 18th year that innocent has been running the Big Knit in partnership with Age UK, and woolly warriors are needed again this year to craft some little hats to sit on innocent smoothie bottles. For each behatted smoothie sold, Age UK receives 25p, which will help the Charity make a big difference to the lives of older people.

With many of us spending lots of time at home at the moment, it’s a great opportunity for stitching superstars to get crafting, or for knitting newbies to grab some needles and give it a whirl. The pandemic has had a huge impact on older people over the past year, so Age UK is in need of these little hats more

38

than ever to help raise funds for its vital services.

Dawn McNally, Chief Officer of Age UK North Tyneside said: “We need the people of North Tyneside to join us and help knit as many miniature hats as possible to help us hit our 4000 target. It’s been a challenging time for everyone, but this is a really fun campaign to get involved in and it’s a great activity to do whilst we’re all spending more time at home.

“The money raised from these little hats will make a big difference to the lives of older people in our area, many of whom have been badly affected by the pandemic. Every hat knitted will help to fund our hugely important services, including telephone befriending.

Katie Simpson, Head of Brand at innocent drinks, said: "We’re delighted to be working with Age UK on the Big Knit once again. After a hard year, we want to make this campaign as big as possible so we can help more older people than ever. We’re incredibly grateful to all the heroic volunteers helping us get there”.

Hats will go on sale in February 2022.

For more information on The Big Knit contact Age UK North Tyneside on 0191 2877012 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside/ about-us/news/articles/2021/the-big-knit-2021/ Completed hats can be safely collected by Age UK North Tyneside’s team Tel: 0191 2877102 or email: community. development@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk.

There are six exciting new hat designs for this year, including a rainbow, rabbit, cupcake, pom pom, fox and bird. These knitting and crochet patterns are available to download, to find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or www.thebigknit.co.uk

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39

ADVERTISING FE ATURE

BOOKING A STAYCATION? TRY CRAWFORD HOUSE With 2021 being labelled the year for staycations in the UK, we have the perfect cosy getaway, Crawford House in Morpeth, Northumberland.

Crawford House is a two bedroom holiday home situated alongside the River Wansbeck.

We are Lisa and Mark and we started up Crawford House in the autumn of 2019, after moving out of the home due to our little family expanding. At the time we decided to keep the house on as a holiday home instead of selling, to see if we enjoyed the experience of being holiday home owners. Fast forward 18 months and, despite the pandemic, we still love the joys Crawford House brings us.

We have spoken to, and met some lovely guests over that time, and have had the pleasure of sharing our home with them.

We strive to ensure our guests have a 5 star experience when they come to stay with us, and the testimonials on our website demonstrate how our guests feel about their stay with us.

Morpeth is a great location to base yourself if you are wishing to explore what the rest of Northumberland has to offer you. Crawford House is perfect for those who want a good mix

of urban and rural experiences on their holiday. Morpeth has some great shops, restaurants, and bars to enjoy.

Crawford House is a 10 minute walk from Morpeth town centre, the train station and bus station. Although we have two bedrooms, we have the option to facilitate up to 6 guests, as we have a sofa bed available in the living space. The bedrooms feature a double bed in the main bedroom with two single beds in the twin room. You will find a smart TV with Netflix and Disney plus subscriptions included as standard for all our guests to enjoy. All linen, towels etc. are provided for our guests at no extra cost. We also have a travel cot and highchair for use by your little ones.

Crawford House is a dog friendly property, as we love to have your canine fiends as our guests too, at no extra charge.

The garden is fully secured so you have confidence in knowing the dogs are safe when you let them out to explore our outdoor space. Morpeth and

Northumberland have some great places to go with your dog, including a few pubs and cafés in the town of Morpeth itself.

We have all been apart from our family and friends for just over a year now and, there is light at the end of the tunnel that we will meet again. When that time comes, and it is safe to do so, think about Crawford House as a place for family and friends to stay if they do not live local to the area.

Our prices start from a £80 per night to book out the whole property and we operate a loyalty scheme where all returning guests get 10% of their next stay as a thank you for choosing us.

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook, @crawfordhousene. We do exclusive discounts for our followers on social media and run regular giveaways, including free stays and vouchers.

Look us up if you want to be in with the chance to win a free night.

For more information, visit www.crawfordhouse.co.uk 40 40

READY FOR YOUR UK STAYCATION?

Crawford House is a cosy two bedroom holiday home in Morpeth, Northumberland.

If you are looking for a home from home for a break, we have got you covered.

Morpeth is a great place to stay to explore the rest of Northumberland from, there are great attractions close by and stunning beaches to enjoy all year round.

• • • • • • • • •

Sleeps 6 people: Double Room, Twin Room & Sofa bed available Pets allowed; they stay for free Travel cot and highchair available for the little ones.

Smart TVs with Netflix and Disney Plus as standard Secure Back Garden with BBQ and Patio Furniture All bed linen, towels and kitchen amenities included Free Parking Located 15 minutes from Morpeth Train and Bus Station COVID Secure with enhanced cleaning between guests

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK

for a chance to win free night stays at Crawford House as well as exclusive discounts off future stays.

@crawfordhousene

BOOK YOUR NEXT UK BREAK AT CRAWFORD HOUSE Prices start from £80 a night, no minimum night stay required.

10% discount on stays longer than 4 nights and 20% discount on stays longer than 10 nights.

Email: info@crawfordhouse.co.uk Telephone: 01670 516214 Mobile: 07919 332173

www.crawfordhouse.co.uk

★★★★★ 9.6

A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

BEST OF BRITISH!

UK Coach Breaks with United Group Travel Right now we all need something to look forward to, and a UK coach break could be just the ticket!

Local coach tourism experts Graham Wright and John Hindhaugh have started their own coach tour company and are taking bookings now.

Graham explains more...

John and I have worked in the coach tourism industry as drivers for many years, the last few spent as tour drivers for the same local North East coach holiday company, until the Global pandemic had a catastrophic effect on our industry, with many companies going out of business.

Over the years, on our numerous tours both abroad and in the UK, we have built up a fantastic relationship with many of our passengers, and are lucky to call many of them friends. They really appreciated our experience and knowledge of the places we visited, to the extent that a lot of passengers started asking who the driver would be before they actually booked a tour with the company.

It was during a conversation with one of our friends that the question was asked about starting our own company doing our own holidays, so here we are.

We have put all our years’ experience and knowledge to good use while planning our exclusive tours. All the tours are exceptional value for money, and we only select the best-established quality hotels, that are generally either known to us, or we have previously used before.

The specific day trips on each tour are also carefully created, all based on our knowledge as well as any relevant previous customer feedback and suggestions to ensure they are always enjoyed. The trips do not leave the hotel too early, or return too late, so as to allow everyone to make full use of the facilities of the chosen hotel.

Guaranteed free time as well as entertainment are also key factors that we take into account to try and make a tour as pleasurable an experience possible.

In such a short space of time, from the initial concept, we have managed to make massive progress. During this current difficult time we all need something to

John Hindhaugh and Graham Wright

“Book with confidence. We have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate and if your tour is cancelled due to the COVID restrictions you will receive a full refund.” look forward to, and we currently have a wide range of fantastic tours in Great Britain. Our advert on the opposite page shows you what’s on offer, with more to follow!

You can rest assured that you can book with confidence with us. We have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate which shows government and industry COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Plus, if your tour is cancelled due to the COVID restrictions, you will receive a full refund.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

■ United Group Travel Ltd Telephone: 01670 632460 / 07957 141654 www.unitedgrouptravel.com Facebook: United Group Travel Ltd E mail: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com Company no. 13052351

42

John & Graham

£30

2021 COACH TOURS

DEPOS PER PERSITON SECURES YO UR BOOKING

Delightful Devon 30th June £595pp* Murder Mystery 16th July £225pp* Potters Resort All Inclusive! 17th September £389pp Three Shire’s 16th August £325pp* Lest We Forget 29th October £295pp* Christmas Markets Shopper 19th November £269pp* Turkey and Tinsel 3rd December £275pp* *plus single room supplement

See website or call for more tours / information

www.unitedgrouptravel.com 01670 632 460 \ 07957 141 654

43

A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

Get Them Growing…

Inspire the next generation of gardeners DOBBIES CELEBRATES NATIONAL CHILDREN’S GARDENING WEEK The benefits of being in nature have many positives and spending time in the garden is a great way to encourage less screen time, in a calm, plug-free space.

As National Children’s Gardening Week returns this May (29th May – 6th June) it’s the perfect time to nurture children and grandchildren’s interest in the great outdoors.

Not your average garden centre, Dobbies is on a mission to inspire everyone of all ages to have a grow no matter the size of your garden. Not only that, but they are encouraging families to use sustainable products and practices. Sharing expert advice and ideas for National Children’s Gardening Week, Dobbies Horticultural Director Marcus Eyles said: “With the return of warmer weather, it’s a busy time in the garden, with young plants maturing, seasonal flowers in bloom, and plenty of wildlife to watch out for. There are many easy to grow plants to get little ones interested.

Sunflower growing competitions always cause lots of excitement to see whose plant can grow the tallest!

Marcus continued: “Passing down both knowledge and a passion for gardening to future generations is so important, as there are many valuable life skills that can be learned in the process. From practicing patience, to learning about the science of growing and sustainability the garden naturally combines learning with playtime.”

IDEAS TO GET THEM GROWING…

Grow your own – Edible plants to grow now There are plenty of easy fruit and vegetables to grow, plus many that don’t require much space at all, with containers, window boxes and wall planters all making great mini vegetable gardens and some varieties, such as tumbling cherry tomatoes, growing happily in hanging baskets.

GYO is an ideal way to introduce your children to the enjoyment of growing their own food, broadening their understanding of where the food we eat comes from and also how easy it can be to grow many everyday items on your doorstep.

Lettuce Little Gem (Strip £2.99) Tomato Moneymaker (9cm £1.49) Cucumber Snack Mini (Strip £2.99)

·· ·· ··

Indoors: Monstera – Cheese plant Dypsis – Parlour palm Microsorum – Crocodile fern Cacti & succulents – easy to grow favourites Delsperma – Pickle plant Aloe vera Mimosa pudica – commonly known as a sensitive plant, it shrivels up when you touch it then relaxes again after a few mins – children will be in wonder of it!

·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ··

GIVE THEM THEIR OWN PATCH IN THE GARDEN?

Family gardening is on the rise. This involves splitting up your patch, so children can have a dedicated area to care for; a raised bed can be an ideal solution for this. Get them involved from the beginning by adding personalised signs and finding out what they would like to grow. From sunflowers to carrots, there are plenty of easy-to-grow plants and vegetables.

WILDLIFE SPOTTING

A brilliant way to get children outside and to learn about the natural world around them – plus a great chance to talk to them about sustainability and the important of environmentally-friendly products. One of the simplest activities is to spend time watching for visiting birds and keeping a tally of how many you see together. Throughout the year they will start to notice different species of garden birds and you can help to encourage them by setting up a bird feeder or installing a bird house. Making bird food is a fun and messy play activity for the weekend!

TOOL KIT FOR LITTLE HELPERS IN THE GARDEN…

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

DO YOU WANT TO ESCAPE FROM COERCIVE CONTROL?

BY JACQUELINE EMMERSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EMMERSONS SOLICITORS There has been a lot in the news recently about coercive control which is now a criminal offence. In the criminal courts this is a new arena and of course the burden of proof that the prosecution must reach is quite high compared to the situation in divorce courts.

What amounts to coercive control will be different in each case. In the case of Mr and Mrs Marsden, the wife complained that her husband had told her what to wear, had stopped her seeing her children, had controlled all elements of their finances. In other cases a spouse will control all phone calls, will prevent their partner from meeting friends. I have come across cases where the house is bugged so that all conversations were listened to, or clients who had to account for their whereabouts all day long. Similar to the case of Ruth Dodsworth the tv presenter. Her husband would ring her dozens of times a day to check up on her.

The important thing about the new offence of coercive control is that the abusive partner can be sent to jail. This will at least give the victim some time and space to start on the road to recovery and a new life.

But there has been protection under the law for this type of behaviour for decades. Many many times I have sought injunctions on behalf of my clients when they have suffered physical or mental abuse at the hands of their partners. I can tell you it’s a brave day when a man or woman walks through my door to seek help. I know that what they are doing is very difficult. I see my job as being to help my clients plan an escape, either on an urgent basis or with a slightly longer term plan.

One of the earliest cases I dealt with in my career involved a lady whose husband was very violent towards her and the children. They were all terrified of him. My client had no money and no job. Her husband was actually quite well off but of course part of his control was keeping his wife short of money at all times.

It was clear to me that my client had mild learning difficulties. So much so that she had no idea that what was happening to her was actually rape.

I still wonder how she plucked up the courage to come and see me. However, in short I was able to obtain an injunction preventing her husband from returning to the house and from intimidating her and the children further. I put her in touch with the local women’s refuge who offered her counselling and I then set about obtaining a divorce and a financial settlement which allowed my client and the children to stay in their home with enough money to live on.

I know that for many of you reading this it’s very 46

JACQUELINE EMMERSON

hard to even recognise that you are being abused, or if you have realised then how are you going to extricate yourself and your children, if you have any, from this situation. I know that you may well be living with typical patterns of behaviour, he or she only becomes angry when drunk or high on drugs, they always apologise the next day. Or it was my fault that he smashed his fist through the door, I shouldn’t have started the argument.

Or I don’t want to admit that my girlfriend stabbed me with a can opener, I’m a bouncer after all, how would that look.

So where to start? at Emmersons Solicitors our family lawyers offer a Next Steps in Divorce and Separation appointment. The idea is that we discuss your current situation including accommodation, income and savings of you and your partner, the levels of control or violence.

We then help you to come up with a plan. It might be that you are going to move savings or save up on the quiet for a deposit for rented accommodation. This would be a stop gap only until you obtain a proper financial settlement. It might be putting you in touch with a counsellor. It might be an injunction to remove your partner from the matrimonial home or we might help you to report matters to the police.

In any event the idea is to give you all of the information you will need in order to plan ahead. Some clients take advantage of this initial advice and then we don’t see them for months whilst they go away and think about things. But that’s fine, that’s why we offer our Fixed Fee Initial Divorce interviews. They are designed to be cost effective. We don’t offer free interviews as we want to spend a decent amount of time with our clients covering all options. I have worked at firms before where we were so packed to the gunnels with people seeking free advice that we couldn’t get to the files of our ongoing clients. So we have designed a scheme that works well for us and for our clients. We find that clients have a huge sense of relief when they have been to see us. They leave with the feeling that all is not lost and that there are ways out of their situation.

I know it is a difficult journey, but I always ask my clients to try to look ahead. To the time when their lives are back on track and when I am just a distant memory.

If you need help then please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can help you to move on with your life.

■ If you require any help then please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0191 2846989 or je@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

If your relationship has just ended we understand that you may feel lost or worried.

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Fill in the missing numbers so the equations work from left to right and top to bottom to correctly reach the totals given at the end of each row and column (Pedant alert! This may conflict with mathematicians’ conventions).

Guidelines: 21 Good; 25 Very Good; 29 Excellent

R S H K C E A A V Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

MINDBENDERS

ARROW WORD In this crossword the clues are printed in what would normally be the ‘black’ squares. Follow the signs from each clue to find where the word should fit.

Can you find the hidden phrases?

Miserly

Winter Decorative sculpture containers for flowers

Japanese school of Buddhism

Royal dwellings

Snowshoe

Breaks free Male person Became submerged Work of fiction

Hobbling Reverence

M E S C M A N N O V W L A M E W A N B E N D

V Z A P E S S A N K E L I S A Y C O T E Y E S O D

ARROW WORD

SET SQUARE

MINDBENDER 1. A foot in the door 2. The Last Leg 3. Cut a long story short

SOLUTIONS

NONAGRAM: acer; ache; acre; arch; cake; care; carse; carve; case; cash; cask; cava; cave; caver; chakra; char; charas; charka; chase; chaser; crake; crash; crave; creak; each; eschar; hacek; hack; hacker; HAVERSACK; heck; race; rack; reach; reck; sack; scar; scare; search; serac; shack; varec.

48

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49

A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

Davidsons of Morpeth add Volkswagen brand to their dealership Davidsons of Morpeth, located at Coopies Way, are proud to announce they have recently added the Volkswagen brand to the dealership and are delighted to be an authorised service dealer undertaking any service, repair or warranty work on all Volkswagen vehicles.

Colin Davidson, Business Manager, explains “For us this is an exciting addition to our business. Volkswagen is a quality brand that we are very proud to represent alongside Vauxhall’”.

The management team at Davidsons have attributed the continual success to great customer service and strong values. “We treat all our customers like family. The second they come into the garage we ask ourselves – if this was our mother or father how would we treat them?”

Colin Davidson states “This approach, as well as a relentless strive for a flawless experience, has allowed us to maintain and grow a loyal customer base as they trust our ethical approach.”

He feels that the business is well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to

“Davidsons are well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to travel unnecessarily” travel unnecessarily, especially given the difficult times we currently face with the pandemic.

Davidsons have robust and exemplary measures in place to reassure customers from a COVID perspective. They provide a contactless service throughout, in both the Sales and Service departments. The premises are methodically and regularly deep cleaned and sanitised. Likewise, each and every car is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before customers come in to contact with them.

Tony Waite, an experienced member of the Service Department says “We have really worked hard to stand out from the crowd with the standards we offer to our customers. They are the lifeblood of the business. We receive endless thanks and compliments from our customers which really does delight and drive us. “ Colin and the team at Davidsons say “We’re excited to see what the future holds for us and our customers.”

■ To book call 01670512115

www.volkswagen.co.uk/retailers/75007/davidsons-of-morpeth-morpeth 50

Davidsons of Morpeth

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51

A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

DON’T MOVE - MAKE NEW SPACE!

Your loft or garage can hold the key to that extra space that you need Most of us would benefit from some extra space in our homes, whether it is for storage purposes, providing a place to study, a home office or a hobby room or play room. NewSpace, a local company based in North Tyneside, have been creating safe accessible storage space in their client’s homes throughout the North East since 2004.

From small storage spaces to large hobby area’s or even a place to study they do it all at fantastic rates and with minimum disruption.

They specialise in creating hobby/ play rooms at a fraction of the price of a full loft conversion. They include the installation of an independent floor, lights and sockets, timber loft ladder, Velux window, and plasterboarded throughout.

During a survey of your property, they’ll enquire how you wish to use your loft space and advise you of the options available.

They also provide a comprehensive and expert garage conversion service for domestic property owners.

Garage conversions are a great way to get more out of your home at a time when living space is at a premium. Most garages are too small for modern cars but can provide much needed extra space for the family. People often move house to get more space ignoring the potential already there that can be developed at a comparatively much lower cost, often increasing the value of your property in the process. From home offices and guest suites to games rooms and extra space to entertain we can convert your garage into any space you require.

Their garage conversions services are always supplied as comprehensive packages of works; they get involved at the earliest possible stage providing a full survey and consultation before 52

TRANSFORM YOUR LOFT FROM THIS TO THIS

planning and designing your works.

Converting garage space to home offices, spare rooms, games rooms and just about anything else you require is easy with NewSpace Garage Conversions.

New Space only use Fully Qualified Electricians to carry out electrical work in your home.

They’re Fully Insured and have all the necessary insurances to cover you, themselves, and the public.

And they pride themselves on being Clean,Tidy and Punctual.

Give them a call and they’ll take care of the rest.

CONVERT YOUR GARAGE TO A HOME OFFICE

▪ NewSpace Loft Storage & Garage Conversions Tel: 0191 2345269 Mob:07973957481 www.newspaceloftstorage.co.uk www.newspacegarageconversions.co.uk

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Garage Conversions

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

OFFSETTING ‘BRAIN DRAIN’ DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS WITH THE ARTS Embracing the ARTS during school breaks to boost emotional well-being and prevent academic backslide

By Jennifer Diaz, Director, Turpentyne Ltd

Lockdown number three has come and gone… Our children have been at school off and on for a full year and have lost an uncalculatable amount of academic progress. It has been observed that when children experience less regular academic stimulation during an extended absence from school, their knowledge retention can be adversely affected. Experts often refer to this phenomenon as an academic backslide, yet many of us in the teaching profession refer to it colloquially as “brain drain”.

As both an educator and a parent, I am of the mind to do everything in my power to ensure that my children succeed despite this lost school year. However, I am also concerned about the potential to create further stress and emotional distress for my children who have weathered the past 14 months with extraordinary patience and smiling faces.

It is so very tempting to allow our children to spend their school breaks camped out in front of their game console or television… They certainly have earned a chance to relax. But a summer of screens does them little good. After a year of disruption, our children can ill afford 6 weeks of the dreaded summer “brain drain”. This is why it is so important that we supply our children with engaging activities that help them to grow their minds whilst having fun.

Studies have shown that an effective organic way to enrich our children’s academic performance is through

the arts. Painting, drawing, sculpting, music, drama, and dance, all create opportunities for our children to think creatively and critically. Additionally, the arts help our children to develop a growth mindset where they can develop skills like resilience, tenacity, and the ability to find motivation intrinsically as they master their craft.

Participation in the arts is a complex and multifaceted endeavour that combines many subject matters (like mathematics, history, language, and science) while being uniquely tied to culture. The arts are the perfect link between ALL subject matters, and an excellent delivery system for academic concepts. Brilliant examples are the correlation between drawing and geometry, or the link between playing a musical instrument and having a practical understanding of sound waves and the science of acoustics.

For my family, this summer more than ever before, we are making involvement in the arts an absolute priority to enrich our children’s academic and emotional wellbeing.

Albert Einstein is attributed to have said "creativity is intelligence having fun". Not being one to argue with genius… I say, let us encourage our kids to express theirs!

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57

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FRANK 03001 236600

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Wed, Thu only 10am - 12noon and 2pm 4pm. Advice and information for all carers.

SAMARITANS 116 123

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RAPE CRISIS 0800 035 2794

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Share your feedback on health and social care

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