ABC Magazine: Wansbeck Edition - August / September 2020

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

ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in Ashington, Stakeford, Pegswood and surrounding areas and is available in various outlets such as cafés, dentists, hairdressers, health clubs and community centres.

You can also read it online, visit www.yourabc.co.uk for more information.

If you’re interested in advertising, please call Richard on 07526 522272 or email info@yourabc.co.uk Publisher: R Wilson Advertising, PO Box 225, Bedlington, NE63 3FL www.yourabc.co.uk Email: info@yourabc.co.uk Facebook: @yourabc Twitter: @abcmagazines Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor the editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other clause. R Wilson Advertising does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.

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ALNWICK GARDEN

T

Ready To Welcome Visitors Back Again

he Alnwick Garden is back open, and all the staff are looking forward to welcoming guests back to the multi-award winning visitor attraction once again.

However, in keeping with these unprecedented times, there have been some changes to the Alnwick Garden experience to help keep all visitors safe, whilst making your visit as enjoyable as possible.

The garden will open from 9am – 6pm every day, and all bookings must be made online or by telephone. The site will also be cashless.

Visitors will be required to book their tickets online and, whilst booking, you can select the day and the time that you wish to arrive. All Friends of The Alnwick Garden will receive a letter or email with a dedicated phone number and web URL to allow you to book your visit slot.

The Garden have also got the official seal of approval from VisitBritain to say that they are following government and industry Covid-19 guidelines.

Check out the list of safely measures on the opposite page for all visitors over the coming months to ensure everyone has a pleasant, enjoyable and safe experience.

Keeping the garden in order and clean has been the teams priority. Your safety is their top concern and they

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have taken the time over the last few weeks to make sure they are ready for your return.

Alnwick Garden is the brainchild of The Duchess of Northumberland, and is a multi-award winning visitor attraction based just south of Alnwick Town Centre, clearly signposted off the A1.

The Garden boasts 12 acres of meandering and magnificent Gardens, and is home to the world’s largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard, a Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets, and the worlds largest Treehouse Restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant is currently closed due to Covid restrictions but keep visiting their website for details of it’s re-opening.

The Garden is a peacful and tranquil haven to spend hour after hour wandering amongst the Roses, the Ornamental Garden and the Cherry Blossom or just kicking back to take it all in on one of the 50 swinging benches.

The Garden is a registered charity, and any surplus from it’s running is re-invested into improving and developing The Alnwick Garden for the future through one of their charity programmes, helping people in and around Northumberland from a variety of social backgrounds. www.alnwickgarden.com

Here are some of the safely measures, restrictions and rules in place for all visitors over the coming months to ensure everyone has a pleasant, enjoyable and safe experience:

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Images: Alwick Garden

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Please ensure you arrive at your selected time with your booking confirmation. The staff will not be able to admit you into The Garden without it, or if you arrive earlier/later than the time specified on your booking confirmation.

If you are driving to The Alnwick Garden, please be considerate of those around you whilst parking, leaving or returning to your vehicle. Paying for parking will be via contactless card payment only, and you are able to park anywhere other than the first tier which is reserved for Blue Badge holders only.

After you have parked, please maintain a distance of 2 metres or more from other visitors and adhere to any signage and guidelines you see across.

Please follow the one-way routes where applicable.

If you need to double back, please do so at the earliest juncture instead of turning around as this compromises the safety of other visitors.

The Gift Shop and Plant Centre have temporarily relocated. You are able to visit these areas even if you do not have a ticket. Please follow the signage on the one-way system to access these areas.

The Gift Shop and Plant Centre will only be accepting card payments.

Masks must be worn inside the Gift Shop, Pavilion Kitchen (unless seated inside) and The Bakery.

There will be limited toilet facilities available, these will be cleaned every 20 minutes for your safety.

Within The Garden you are free to move around at your leisure, however, the onus is on you to ensure that you and your family exercise the 2 metre rule.

Please be respectful of others space and safety.

There may be some areas within The Garden that are too narrow for two-way traffic. If this is the case please utilise the one-way system that will be clearly signposted.

The Garden will have hand sanitiser available across the site. Please feel free to use this as and when you deem necessary.

The Garden will be allowing picnics on site. If you have any litter please make sure you dispose of it responsibly or take it home with you. Littering puts both visitors and staff at risk.

The Poison Garden will be open, but unfortunately there will be no guided tours. Instead, you can learn about what’s in the Poison Garden using a QR code reader app on your smart phone, or by purchasing one of our Poison Garden books available in the Gift Shop.

The swinging benches are being thoroughly sanitised twice a day. If you do wish to use the swinging benches please utilise the sanitisers available at the top of the Cherry Orchard before and after use.

At this time our children’s tractors will be unavailable. This will be used as an opportunity to send them off for an MOT and a full valet so they’re all set for next season!

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LOCAL NEWS

POOLS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BUT SWIMMERS MUST PRE-BOOK Active Northumberland swimming pools have reopened to the public this month, but swimmers must pre-book a time slot, before taking the plunge.

It is lane swimming only with the option of a slow, medium or fast swimming lane. Swimmers must also register and pre-book online as numbers in the pools will be restricted to ensure there is plenty of space for social distancing.

As government lockdown restrictions eased, nine key sports centres in the county reopened their doors on July 25th. Initially the swimming pools had a members only policy while numbers and demand for swimming was monitored. Now Active Northumberland feels it has the capacity to be able to safely open the pools to non-members, aged 14 years of age and above.

In order to pre-book the pay-asyou- go public will need to register an account with Active Northumberland at www.activenorthumberland.org. uk in order to get a member ID and Pin Number. This will enable them to book a time slot, a day in advance, on the website or Active Northumberland app.

Mark Warnes, Acting Chief Executive of Active Northumberland said “ The safety of our customers and our staff is our top priority and we have stringent new hygiene and social distancing practices in place, as well as limiting the number of people taking part in various activities. We are reopening our facilities in a phased and careful manner and after monitoring the swimming pools we have the capacity to open them up to the wider public. Numbers in the pool at any one time will always be restricted so pre-booking a time slot is essential and at this stage, because of the safety precautions that we are asking people to adhere to, the swimming will only be open to those 8

who are 14 years of age and above.”

Active Northumberland has sought industry advice from Swim England, UK Active and Public Health England. There are new safety and social distancing guidelines in place, while cleaning schedules have been ramped up considerably and numbers in the centres are restricted.

Northumberland County Councillor Cath Homer, cabinet member with responsibility for leisure said “ Over the past week or so we’ve had a great response from members who are thrilled to be back using the fantastic facilities in the centres and who tell us they feel very reassured by all the hygiene and safety precautions that have been put in place.” “ The past few months have been an unprecedented time for us all and I’d like to thank the public for their patience as we work to reopen the sports centres on a phased basis. Opening the swimming pools to the wider public is another step forward. Over time we plan to open more activities, to more people, but

at present we have to take a slow and cautious approach to ensure everyone is kept safe. ” The pools that will be open for public lane swimming are: Ashington Alnwick - Willowburn Sports Centre Berwick - Swan Centre Blyth Sports Centre Concordia Sports Centre - Cramlington Hexham - Wentworth Sports Centre Morpeth - Riverside Leisure Centre Ponteland Sports Centre Prudhoe Waterworld Concordia, Cramlington At this stage the gym and exercise classes can only be booked

by Active Northumberland members however fitness instructors are continuing to provide daily home workouts which can be viewed on the Active Northumberland facebook page or YouTube channel.

There are also other activities that non-members can participate in including: Clip n Climb, and sports hall activities such as badminton, table tennis and short tennis.

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LOCAL NEWS

TOP STARS HEAD TO OUTDOOR ARENA IN NEWCASTLE Virgin Money Unity Arena will play host to an array of world class stars.

The UK's first dedicated socially distanced music venue is arriving in Newcastle this month.

Virgin Money Unity Arena has been set up in Gosforth Park, a perfect location to host the wide variety of events on offer. This is a unique outdoor experience, playing host to 500 viewing spaces and a maximum capacity of 2500.

The outdoor arena will give music and comedy fans the chance to see some world class performers, whilst ensuring all safety guidelines are met. Stars such as Jimmy Carr, Ronan Keating, Alfie Boe, Van Morrison and many more will all head to the region over the coming weeks.

This is how it will work: When you book tickets to your chosen event, you will receive a confirmation email and e-ticket.

Please keep hold of these and do NOT delete them. You will be asked for your car registration and will be allocated a time slot for arrival. You are asked to turn up at the allotted time and no sooner, spaces are pre-allocated so you will not get a better space if you arrive early.

Entry will be checked via license plate to ensure no interaction is needed between venue staff and customers. When arriving at the Entry Gate you will be asked to show Security Staff your booking confirmation email and you will then be directed by staff to the Car Park.

Cars will be parked safely 2 metre distance from each other and attendees will be guided to their own private viewing area, again with a 2 metre area around them, so you can be rest assured that you will enjoy the experience of the performance with a safe distance from other guests around you.

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“The outdoor arena will give music and comedy fans the chance to see performers, whilst ensuring all safety guidelines are met.”

The staff will then direct you to your personal area where you can enjoy this special show, collecting your pre-ordered food and drink on arrival. If you didn't get the chance to pre-order then don’t worry, you can order on site when you arrive!

There will be hand sanitiser stations outside each toilet location, plus additional hand sanitisers for all members of staff. All staff will have training in advance about the safety procedures for maintaining hygiene including hand washing and wearing gloves when serving and delivering food. Staff and support stewards will be required to wear masks at all times.

Each row of platforms will have a dedicated section of toilets to limit groups. Toilet queues will operate with a 2m distance.

When the show ends please keep your distance from others, staff will direct you back to your

car and you will be given directions to safely exit the site. Please be patient and please be safe.

The arena is a fully accessible site, with dedicated disabled access, meaning everyone can enjoy the show!

EVENTS INCLUDE 22nd August: Supergrass 23rd August: Love at the Musicals 26th August: Elvana 27th August: Tom Grennan 30th August: Jason Manford 31st August: Jimmy Carr 1st September: Bill Bailey 3rd September: Van Morrison 5th September: Maximo Park 9th September: Craig Charles 10th September: Alfie Boe 11th September: Ronan Keating 13th September: Becky Hill For full details and prices visit www.virginmoneyunityarena.com

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LOCAL NEWS

OUTDOOR CINEMA COMES TO BLYTH TOWN CENTRE Blyth Market Place is set to be transformed into a family friendly outdoor cinema space.

Northumberland County Council, Blyth Town Council and Advance Northumberland are bringing the county’s first major town centre movie event to the seaside town this month.

A free programme of blockbuster movies, family favourites and musicals started on Wednesday 19th August for a four week programme in the Market Place.

The booking-only event is aimed at giving the area a real boost and encouraging residents and visitors to come to the town centre.

Tickets booking is now live and more information is available at www.northumberland.gov.uk/blythcinema There will be two movies per day at 12pm and 3pm, Wednesday - Saturday and all events are free of charge and fully safe - meeting all covid secure requirements.

Bookings will be strictly online only ensuring contact details can be provided for track and trace purposes.

Tickets are on a first come first served basis. No walkups are allowed and the event is strictly no alcohol.

A maximum of six tickets will be able to be booked to be seated together in a socially distanced pod for up to six people who must be from one household or one social bubble. The cinema space will hold a maximum of 60 people to ensure safe social distancing.

The cinema will be showing classic movies and a host of childrens favourites, including Toy Story 4, Trolls, The Lego Batman Movie, Beauty and the Beast and Incredibles 2.

A number of local retailers will also be offering deals for movie-goers.

Warren Taylor, Blyth Town Councillor and Mayor said "This is a real first for Blyth and it’s fantastic to partner with everyone through the Blyth Town Forum and do something positive in the town centre. Covid has been 16

a big blow to the town. Our usual events programme could not go ahead earlier this year, so it’s lovely to be able to put on amazing events like these after such a difficult time. I hope the community will get behind the event and come to the town centre over the summer.

We have held some fantastic events in Blyth and this is another opportunity to showcase our town.”

Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Chair of Advance Northumberland, Richard Wearmouth, said: “We have worked closely together with our partners in the Blyth Town Forum, the Town Council and Advance Northumberland in the last few weeks to organise this new event for Blyth.

“There will be two movies per day at 12pm and 3pm, Wednesday - Saturday and all events are free of charge with online booking only.”

“We have huge plans to transform the town centre over the next few years through the Energising Blyth Regeneration Programme. This includes proposals for new culture facilities on the Market Place and this is a great way to test out new reasons for people to visit and enjoy spending time in the town. We’ve worked closely with public health authorities to ensure that all measures are in place to make this a safe, welcoming and enjoyable event as we must continue to be careful given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“I hope that everyone who attends will have a fantastic time, hopefully in the sunshine!”

For all the details visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/ Business/Northumberland-Markets/Blyth-Market.aspx

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Ashington Community Woodland is a picturesque green space close to the town centre and, in order for local residents to make the most of this fantastic natural resource, a brand new guide, available to download via the website at the bottom of this article, has just been launched.

The guide provides 8 interesting walks around the woodlands for a range of abilities and fitness levels, and has been developed by Friends of Ashington Community Woods with support from Groundwork NE, Active Northumberland and Walking for Health.

Walking for Health encourages people to become physically active in their local communities. Just like other health walks operating across the country, the Ashington Community Woods Health Walks aren’t just for those people who are currently in a health related group, they are also designed to encourage anyone living locally to venture outdoors for about an hour, enjoy a walk around the local area and improve their health.

Ashington Community Woodland is a large woodland on the former Ashington Colliery site. This green space covers approximately 135 hectares, lying immediately to the north of the centre of Ashington, with access over the railway line next to the Police station. The woodland boasts a colony of red squirrels and a host of other wild life and plant life.

The Friends of Ashington Community Woods group contribute to the very important ongoing maintenance and success of the woodland. Volunteers from the group carry out essential woodland management tasks such as path maintenance and wildlife habitat creation as well as organising community events and have a good time whilst doing it!

All Health Walks are led by trained volunteers.

Ashington Community Woods Health Walk meets every Wednesday 10.00 am at the Age UK Building, The Round House, Lintonville Parkway, Ashington.

For more information on volunteering in the woods or to get involved call: 01670 514 876 or visit: www.ashingtonwoods.org.uk ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk/walk-in-the-woods 18

Tel: 0191 234 4606

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LOCAL NEWS

NEW SIGNAGE AT LOCAL PLAY AREAS New signage has been installed on Ashington Town Council’s play areas to remind us that Coronavirus is still with us and consequently we must all use the facilities responsibly.

On Tuesday 23 June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the next stage of the relaxation of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown restrictions which included the re-opening of public playgrounds, in England, on the 4 July 2020.

On 26 June, the Government published its further COVID-19 Guidance for managing playgrounds and outdoor gyms. The guidance presented a considerable additional challenge not only to Ashington Town Council but to all operators or providers of play facilities across the country.

The Town Council after careful consideration of both the guidance and expectation of the public, decided to open the play areas it manages from the 4 July and is still very keen to constantly remind residents of the dangers of COVID-19.

The new signage is reminding all users of play areas in the town to act responsibly by: ·· adhering to the Government guidelines on Social Distancing and try and stay at least 2 metres apart ·· not taking part in any type of social gathering ·· washing your hands or using your own hand

T RANN ** U A T E RESOW OP **N

sanitiser before and after visiting play areas not using the play area if it is already busy using the bins provided to dispose of your rubbish sensibly or take it home if the bins are full.

The Town Council will continue to carry out regular inspections and safety checks of all play areas and will monitor compliance with the guidance issued. Please note however that equipment is not routinely cleansed.

You can report any issues regarding play areas to Northumberland County Council on tel 0345 600 6400 or Ashington Town Council (Monday to Friday) by tel 01670 624 520 or by email sharonparmleyatc@gmail.com ·· ··

For more information on town’s play areas visit: ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk/services/play-areas

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CELEBRATING

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2020

24 High Street East, Wallsend, NE28 8PQ Tel: 0191 234 4606 www.fotosnapswallsend.co.uk

Find us on Facebook 23

1990

Foto Snaps opens it’s doors in Wallsend

1995

Disposable Cameras go on sale and are still available today.

Ideal for weddings, parties and holidays.

1996

APS Cameras were the latest technology ans was available in store. However, APS film was discontinued in 2011.

2005

Foto Snaps move into the digital camera market with something to suit all budgets.

2008

2012

A Cine and VHS to DVD service is now offered in store so you can rescue all of those treasured memories.

2016

The Fujifilm Imagine App is launched. A fantastic way to order prints and photo gifts from your phone and collect them from Foto Snaps when they’re ready.

2018

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Foto Snaps start offering Digital ID Passport Photos. The easy and secure way to attach your ID Photo to your passport application.

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Foto Snaps, your local photographic retailer, is celebrating its 30th year in business!

raeme and Steven Watson are somewhat of a rarity in today’s economic climate – they own and operate a business which is proudly celebrating thirty years successful trading.

This means that they are one of the longeststanding independent retailers in Wallsend.

Their anniversary is testament to the fact that the business has kept abreast with modern technological advances and that the brothers can draw on their comprehensive knowledge in all areas of photography to advise their clients.

Over the years, their range of merchandise and expertise has expanded and diversified so that the services they offer are second to none.

Originally, the main focus of their business was selling cameras and developing and processing films. The procedure would take twenty four hours so clients had to leave the film and make another trip to the shop the next day to collect their photographs. Not so now!

The range of goods on offer is too extensive to do full justice to it in words – it has to be seen to be believed – but here is a flavour of what is on offer.

There are still, of course, cameras for sale but now the range means that you can get exactly the right one for your purpose. Do you want informal snaps of your wedding day? – there are disposable cameras so that you can put one on each table at the reception and have a visual record of who was there and what was going on!!

Do you take photography more seriously? – look at their range of cameras and accessories designed to satisfy even the most specific needs.

If you want advice on what is best for you, or if you have a camera needing repairs, then Fotosnaps should be your first port of call. And once you have taken the photos they can be processed digitally (as you wait) then you can find the perfect frame or album to keep them in.

Nowadays you often need picture identification or passport photographs so why not pop in for a professional picture which you can be certain will meet the criteria demanded for official photos.

The shop carries an impressive range of mobile phones, batteries and chargers but if your interests are on distant objects check out their binoculars and telescopes. They also offer a service which will be of interest to those of us in the 'Silver Surfer' generation – they can transfer cine or video footage to DVD's so you can relive important events.

As well as an extended range of equipment, the brothers offer an extended range of services. They can produce, in seconds, prints from any form of media (iPhone, iPad, Facebook, etc.) and can make enlargements or even reproduce the photo on gift ideas such as mugs, jute bags, cushions, calendars, greeting cards, to name but a few.

You can also download the Fujifilm Imagine App to your phone from the Apple or Google Play store and turn your photos into beautiful prints or photo gifts. Use the store code fotosnaps and you can click and collect in store.

The fact that the business has not only reached its' twenty fifth anniversary but has grown in size and reputation, is a testament to the way Graeme and Steven move with the times and guarantee customer satisfaction.

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Cameras: Compact Bridge Cameras Disposable Cameras

We accept card payments

24 High Street East, Wallsend, NE28 8PQ Tel: 0191 234 4606

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

CHOIR LOOKS FOR NEW START

Ashington & District Male Voice Choir was We’ve all been experiencing difficulties over recent weeks with many of our regular activities coming formed around the to a standstill and Ashington & District Male Voice Choir suffering like so many organisations. time this picture of Rehearsals and concerts were suspended when the country went into lockdown and this included the High Market was taken cancellation of the 2020 Annual Concert scheduled for 6th June, the first time that this happened for at when gents looking for something different after the c1916. least 40 years. shut down to give choral singing a go. ADMVC is a AllThe the members are itching toa getlong started again community choir offering the gents to meet socially, Choir has and Neil Morton, the Musical Director and Derek Brett enjoy singing whilst also bringing enjoyment to have been proud helping to sustain interest through the use many looking in many parts of Northumberland…it and heritage and is now for more really is of Facebook. Neil has had daily lunchtime interludes enjoyable. Rehearsals are weekly on a Thursday at bringing tunes of to songs requested by viewers 7-00pm in Bomarsund Welfareat and there singers rehearse andwhilst perform aStakeford new &repertoire Derek has made the tunes of many of the choir’s will be publicity when we can go back into action. repertoire available so that members canthe use them.

Furthermore it’s worth remembering that there are venues throughout County.

These initiatives have been great but nothing is like no auditions, no requirements to read music, just a the real thing. wish to give us a try. Just look us up on Facebook All ages and abilities will be made welcome, there’s noor Ideas are now being considered for a new start www.ashingtonmalevoicechoir.org. Details are in the which we hope will not be tooyou far away.

It’s also time below. to read music. audition, and don’t needadvertisement to be able

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REC IPE

with blackberry sauce

This veg-rich tart – drizzled Yorkshire curd tarts with spinach pesto, is well were traditionally worth the effort, and makes made around the perfect dinner

Whitsuntide from leftover curds from the cheesemaking process, and are still made in all good bakeries and cake shops in Yorkshire today. They taste good on their own but even betterwith a sharp fruit sauce, like this one made from blackberries.

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

FOR THE PASTRY: 175g plain flour 75g unsalted butter 40g icing sugar 1 large egg

➊ Make up the pastry by rubbing the butter into the flour with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs then, adding the icing sugar and egg, stir until you have a firm dough. Chill for half an hour.

FOR THE FILLING: 225g curd cheese 12g unsalted butter, melted 100g caster sugar 100g ground almonds 2 eggs 50g currants Good pinch of nutmeg Grated rind of half a lemon 1 tablespoon rum FOR THE SAUCE: Handful of blackberries Juice of ½ a lemon 1 tablespoon cassis liqueur or rose water Caster sugar to taste

30

➋ Roll and line into a 25cm flan tin. Line the pastry with baking parchment and fill with baking beans then bake for 10-15 minutes to set the pastry. Remove the beans and paper and leave the pastry to cool. ➌ For the filling, beat the curd in a bowl to break it up and then stir in all the other ingredients. ➍ Pour into the pastry case and bake at 190°C/375°F/Gas 5 for

Image: © Huw Jones

YORKSHIRE CURD TART

SERVES 4 - 6 about 20 minutes until the top is golden. ➎ For the sauce, take a good handful of blackberries and liquidise them with the juice of ½ lemon, a tablespoon of cassis liqueur or rose water and sugar to taste. Sieve before serving.

Recipe from 'Flavours of England' by Gilli Davies.

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T E C H N OL OGY

BEWARE OF SMISHING! THE NEW KID ON THE FRAUD SQUAD’S BLOCK

By Sarah Davey

A

few years ago, ‘phishing’ was big news. There can’t be a person in the UK who hasn’t received a scam email from an imaginary Nigerian prince or a shady London Investment Office.

Most of us are wise to phishing emails. But now there’s ‘smishing’.

This is shorthand for SMS phishing. SMS stands for ‘short messaging service’ and is basically ‘texting’. So smishing is the text equivalent of phishing!

Smishing texts are sent for the sole purpose of committing opportunistic fraud. The texts look like they’re from a reputable company and they all have one thing in common – they encourage you to take action, often calling a premium rate number or sharing your confidential information.

The fraudulent text often claims to be from a trusted organisation such as: • Your bank, informing you that there is a ‘problem with your account’ such as irregular activity or lack of funds.

• A retailer, offering ‘vouchers’, ‘gift cards’ or ‘prizes’.

• A technology provider such as Apple, Netflix or Google, notifying that you ‘need to validate an account’.

• A parcel delivery company, notifying you that you need to ‘confirm that you want a parcel to be delivered’.

• HMRC, informing you that you are ‘due a tax refund’.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

It can be easy to mistake smishing texts for genuine messages but there are give-aways. They are often peppered with spelling mistakes and they may tell you your account is in danger and you need to act immediately, the threat being that if you don’t your account will be suspended or 32

reported or blocked. This is a scare tactic, to prompt you to follow their instructions.

They may tell you that you have won a prize, or that you will miss out on an exclusive offer unless you call a number immediately. If it seems too good to be true then it almost certainly is.

STOP AND THINK

Don’t click on any links in the text message or follow any instructions. Do not call any numbers given in the message.

If your account is in danger then no phone company, bank, credit card company or HMRC will expect you to contact them directly from the text. Go to the original source of the company the text claims to be from.

Phone them using the number on official documentation, such as a bill, or a bank statement, or use the contact details from the company’s official website.

They will tell you whether the text came from them. If it didn’t, they may refer you to their fraud department.

Simply receiving a suspicious message won’t breach your phone or bank security. Scams won’t work unless you follow the instructions in the text.

Don’t respond in any form to the message as that indicates the number is active and you may be repeatedly targeted.

Report spam text messages directly to your mobile phone provider free of charge by forwarding them to 7726 from the device they are received on.

IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY FALL FOR ONE:

Change your passwords to your bank account, phone account and email account immediately.

Also, make sure you contact your bank and your phone company for advice. Don’t feel embarrassed; smishing messages are designed to look convincing.

Finally, report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre by calling 0300 123 20 40 or by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

GIVE SOMEONE POWER OF ATTORNEY… BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE Lasting Powers of Attorney are invaluable documents as part of the overall planning of your estate as managing your financial affairs can become more difficult as you get older. If a person is unable to manage their affairs due to mental incapacity and they have not made a valid Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney, their assets will be frozen as no one (including their spouse and children) has the authority to deal with them.

At this point someone will need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as the person’s Deputy. The Court will then authorize the Deputy to deal with the person’s affairs in a certain manner. This is a very time consuming (around 6 months) and expensive (in the region of £1,750) process. This situation can be simply avoided through the making of a Lasting Power of Attorney.

By making a Lasting Power of Attorney you can decide whom you would like to manage your affairs in the event that you are unable to do so either due to physical or mental incapacity.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney that can be made, one dealing with your property and financial affairs and the other dealing with your personal welfare.

Personal Welfare

This power gives your attorney the authority to make decisions regarding your healthcare and medical treatment.

Property and Affairs

This power enables your attorney to deal with your bank accounts and your property. This includes decisions in relation to selling or renting your property, paying your bills, applying for benefits you are entitled to and all aspects of dealing with your bank accounts, savings and investments.

34

All work we undertake is at fixed fees: Single Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney: £300 inclusive of VAT Double Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney (suitable for couples): £420 inclusive of VAT Single Will: £120 inclusive of VAT Mirror Will: £180 inclusive of VAT It is imperative that specialist advice is taken in order to ensure that the power given accurately reflects your wishes.

Call Crichton Wills Trusts & Probate on 01670 514772 and speak to a specialist adviser today who will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have and offers a free no obligation appointment in the comfort of your own home.

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35

GARD E N VIE W

DAZZLING DAHLIAS

By Rachael Leverton

Cafe aux Lait

Cornel Brons

Over the past few years, I've fallen in love with dahlias for their ability to provide autumn colour.

I think Dahlias are like the glamorous friend who arrives late to the party, fresh and full of life, outshining all the other guests who are a bit tired and past their best... or maybe that's just me being fanciful.

Either way the vibrant colours, tactile textures and stunning petal formations make the Dahlia queen of the September garden for me.

The dahlia originates from Mexico and there are 30 species and around 20,000 cultivars! Don't let its exotic past fool you; it hails from high mountain regions so is happy in cool, wet, and windy conditions. It doesn't matter what size your garden is there is a dahlia for you, from dwarf varieties to giants. There is even one variety (Imperialis) that can reach 6m (20 feet) in the wild in its native South America.

If your garden is on the exposed side, or you live in the north then look for the pompom varieties as 36

the colourful globes are very hardy, standing up to the worst of the British weather.

Dahlia bulbs are comprised of tubers. In order to sprout the tuber must have an ‘eye’. If you live in a very cold area, you can dig up the tubers at the end of the season and plant them out again the following year. My garden is quite sheltered, so I simply cut them down and mulch them. I learned the hard way that mulched dahlias survive and thrive much better than unmulched plants. Dahlia tubers are hungry beasts and don't take kindly to being undernourished. The first year I planted them I didn't mulch and the second year the flowers

Lubega Power Yellow-Orange

were sparse and undersized. On the advice of a neighbour I fed them, mulched them, and watered them through the hot season, and they returned in full vigour the following year.

Dahlias come in the most amazing array of colours.

'Lubega Power Yellow-Orange' sounds like a toilet cleaner but is in fact a gloriously tropical dwarf bedding dahlia which produces masses of double flowers well into autumn if you deadhead it regularly.

At 30cm you can plant it at the front of the border or in window boxes to brighten the dullest of days.

Dahlia 'Cornel Brons' produces wonderful round copper-coloured architectural flowers. They are long-lasting and make spectacular cut flowers. They look good in the middle of a border because they grow to 90cm.

For gardeners who prefer a more subtle or unusual colour palette: Dahlia 'Cafe aux Lait produces enormous exquisite blooms in a soft apricot-pink colour, which fade to vintage cream. It's the perfect dahlia for creating a focal point toward the back of the border as it grows to 120cm.

Dahlia 'Creme de Cassis' has stunning two-tone petals on water lily-shaped flowers. It grows to 90cm so is good for the middle of a border and also looks fabulous in a big pot.

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OUR FAMILY RUN BUSINESS, WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, CAN HELP YOU FURNISH A BEAUTIFUL HOME

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FI T NE S S

BADMINTON BENEFITS REASONS TO GIVE BADMINTON A GO

By Tracey Anderson

At the time of writing gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools are still closed. But that doesn't mean that we can't participate in sport.

From 1st June we've been able to play badminton outside, in the garden or on a marked court. If you've never played before now might be the perfect time to give it a try. It's a great sport for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Those who play regularly are more mentally alert, with better fitness and agility levels. It's also a very social game and what we need right now are low-risk ways to socialise, because socialising is good for our mental health.

Played at a high level it can burn up to 450 calories an hour but even a gentle to-and-fro with the grand kids in the local park will burn 150-200 calories.

Badminton, like tennis requires total engagement. Players need to predict how an opponent will play a shot and then plan a counter attack, which improves mental agility. There is research to suggest that sports which involve a combination of both mental and physical activity offer a protective effect against dementia.

Badminton requires a lot of movement, in multiple directions.

It requires short sprints, jumps, stretches, and lunges as players strive to reach the shuttlecock, which means that legs, arms, and core muscles are all being worked. This builds strength and flexibility.

Badminton is a great 'build-up' sport. You can start as slow as you like, tapping the shuttlecock over the net, trying to keep a rally going for as long as possible.

As you improve and become quicker on your feet your shots will naturally increase in speed and strength too, and you will almost certainly want to introduce 40

“Played at a high level it can burn up to 450 calories an hour, but even a gentle to-and-fro with the grand kids in the local park will burn 150-200 calories.�

element of competitiveness.

Played at higher levels the shuttlecock travels at impressive speeds. Badminton is actually the fastest racquet sport in the world.

Professional players can smash the shuttle at speeds of over 200mph! This speed encourages players to improve co-ordination and core stability. Again, studies have shown that people with good core strength and co-ordination are less likely to suffer falls as they age.

The best way to get started is to find a friend of similar fitness level and get out and give it a go. Having a practice partner will make you both more likely to commit to playing regularly. It's near impossible to play properly competitively outside as you are at the mercy of any breeze and a shuttlecock is 12 times lighter than a tennis ball. But if the aim

is to improve agility and fitness while socialising and having fun, don't let that stop you. By the time sports facilities open back up your confidence will have grown, and you may be ready for the next step of joining a badminton club or regular session. And the beauty of badminton is that it can be played indoors all winter, so rain never has to stop play. If you're a more accomplished badminton player who is missing their fix you could try Crossminton, which is designed for outdoor play, doesn't need a court, and combines elements of badminton, tennis, and squash.

There are plenty places locally where you’ll be able to hone your newly acquired skills.

Visit www.sportnorthtyneside. org.uk/badminton or www. tynesidebadmintoncentre.co.uk for more details.

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

ENJOY YOUR CONSERVATORY ALL YEAR ROUND If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot, then Thermos Roof have the answer

C

onservatories have become synonymous with the traditional English home.

The first ever Conservatory in the UK was constructed in 1825 and to date there are now approximately 4 million. It is estimated that they can add up to 5% to the value of your property, which makes it a significant asset to your home.

Conservatories 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 that, whilst they bring all of those benefits, it is usually short lived and can only be enjoyed for 2 months of the year, the rest of those months being either freezing cold or blisteringly hot.

Thermosroof have been insulating conservatory roofs since 2005 for two main reasons, the first 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 Thermosroof they 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 they can do this all in one day! With no mess!

They retain your existing polycarbonate or glass roof and insulate it form the inside, finishing 44

it in an attractive gloss white tongue and groove PVC cladding that matches perfectly with the rest of your conservatory construction. The materials they use are lightweight therefore no roof strengthening is required, no planning application is necessary and no long periods of mess & upheaval in your home. in addition to this the look and finish of your Thermosroof will be as fresh in 10 years as it is now.

The performance of their 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.

They can install a Thermosroof 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 the Thermosroof team will eliminate mould and condensation, reduce

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

The team offer a free quotation service for the installation of your Thermosroof 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.

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BOOKS

A GOOD READ

By Willow Coby

THE CLOCKMAKER’S DAUGHTER

by Kate Moreton Getting married is one of those big events in your life that changes everything. For Elodie, plans for her upcoming wedding are being pulled away from her by her controlling future mother-in-law. Elodie works as an archivist in London and one day discovers an old satchel, an old photo, and an old sketch of a large house that will change everything and lead Elodie on a quest to discover the truth about the house and the lady in the photograph. Was she meant to find these items and how are they ultimately connected to her own past?

Kate Morton is known for epic sagas – and at nearly 600 pages this is no exception. Told in multiple timelines, the action moves swiftly from the present to the 1880s, the early 1900s, and the 1940s as the story of the house and its inhabitants unfold. With a vast cast of characters this does require some concentration to keep track of who’s who, and sometimes the story changes time period just as you were becoming engrossed. However, it is worth persevering.

Part love story, part ghost story, part murder mystery, and part commentary on social class divide in the Victorian era Morton brings the various stories vividly to life on the page. Who is the clockmaker’s daughter and how did she come to linger at Birchwood Manor? And how will this all help Elodie come to terms with the path that her own life is about to take?

ANIMAL ANTICS: THE LEAPING LION

by Lucy Courtenay Brian is an excitable lion cub. His dad is the King of the Savannah, so a lot is expected of him. He tries to be big and intimidating, like his dad. There is one thing that Brian loves doing more than anything else and that is playing leapfrog. He is the best in the savannah and is always searching for the next big thing to leapfrog over. So, when he tackles his biggest leapfrog ever and fails, he is mortified when all the other animals laugh at him. Humiliated he vows to never leapfrog again.

That is, until he learns that the Animal Olympics are going to be held in the savannah and leapfrog is one of the events! Can he pluck up the courage to compete and risk more humiliation? Will he make his dad proud?

This lovely short chapter book (92 pages) is perfect for young animal lovers, combining animal facts – such as the fact that female lions do most of the hunting – with a fun story. Who knows, maybe lions really ARE good at leapfrog?

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THE TESTAMENTS

by Margaret Atwood Coming 30 years after her best selling The Handmaid’s Tale, readers certainly had a long wait for this sequel. The success of the recent television series has certainly brought in new fans, anxious to know what happens next.

For those not familiar, the original novel told the story of America in the not so distant future where a totalitarian state has been established in the east of the country after a civil war.

Women’s rights have been taken away from them and are subjugated in this patriarchal society.

This sequel tells us what happened next from the perspective of three women: Aunt Lydia, familiar to readers from the first novel, Agnes, a young woman living in Gilead, and Daisy, a young woman living in Canada. Here we learn something of how Gilead came to be in flash back accounts from Aunt Lydia, how the outside world sees Gilead, and the life-changing decisions that are made for young girls in Gilead by society.

As a fan of the original I found this to be a gripping read that did not detract from the power of the 1985 novel. Is it a satisfying ending? Is everything resolved with the end of Gilead? That would be telling too much, and I’ll leave it up to you to make that discovery.

THEATRE SHOES

by Noel Streatfield If you have a child who loves to perform – dancing, singing, acting – then this is the book for them! Noel Streatfield is best known for her novel Ballet Shoes and this one is often overlooked.

Originally published as Curtain Up this follows the story of Sorrel, Holly, and Mark. After the death of their mother, and the disappearance of their father whilst serving in the Navy, the siblings are sent to wartime London to stay with their grandmother who they have never met. They find themselves in a world they have never experienced as they discover that their grandmother (and their mother) used to be a famous actress. She seems keen that the children follow in the family tradition, even though they have no experience, and they find themselves enrolled at Madame Fidolia’s Academy of Dancing and Stage training.

Sorrel soon discovers a passion for performing, starring as Ariel in a production of The Tempest. Mark is determined to join the Navy like his father - despite being a talented singer – whilst Holly, shines at dancing.

Ultimately this story is about coming to terms with loss and discovering an extended family, albeit with the smell of the greasepaint and a pirouette or two.

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