ABC Magazine: North Shields & Tynemouth Edition, June - July 2021

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N O RT H S H I E L D S E D I T I O N | J U N E - J U LY 2 02 1

PUZZLES INSIDE

ON YOUR BIKE

MAKE NEW SPACE

Summer of Cycling underway & plans revealed to expand cycle network

Your loft & garage hold the key to extra space in your home

PAWTASTIC The North East Dog Festival returns for 2021

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

ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in North Shields, Tynemouth, Royal Quays and surrounding areas. You can also read it online, visit www.yourabc.co.uk for more information.

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LO C A L N E W S

SUMMER OF CYCLING 2021 GETS UNDERWAY North Tyneside Council are encouraging everyone to explore the borough on two wheels

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his year’s Summer of Cycling is underway in North Tyneside. North Tyneside Council’s campaign, which was launched in 2019, is aimed at getting everyone – regardless of age or ability – out exploring the borough on two wheels.

Last year’s event had to be held online only due to COVID, but this year it is possible to stage some activities alongside a wealth of cycling-related information and advice available online.

Cllr Sandra Graham, North Tyneside’s Cycling Champion, said: “Cycling has never been more popular in North Tyneside, with trips on two wheels increasing by 59 per cent in the last year – the highest rate across Tyne and Wear.

We want cycling to be accessible to all. That’s why campaigns like our Summer of Cycling are a great way to encourage everyone, no matter their age or ability, to give it a go and enjoy all the benefits it brings.

“There’s no feeling quite like being out in the open air, enjoying some exercise and taking in some of the wonderful open spaces North Tyneside has to offer. Not only is great for your own wellbeing but you’re also doing your bit to make our environment cleaner and greener.”

This year’s Summer of Cycling has begun with free weekly inclusive cycling sessions taking place at The Parks Sports. Participants use specially adapted bikes to make cycling accessible to all.

Bikeability cycle safety training sessions aimed at children aged eight and over at various locations around the borough will also be available to book via Eventbright

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from 26 July, continuing throughout August.

Guided rides will be taking place in partnership with Bike 4 Health for young people and families during the school summer holidays to give young people the chance to put their Bikeability training into practice. Cycle safety training aimed at adults, providing help and advice and boosting confidence both on and off-road, will also be held.

To support the growth in everyday cycling in North Tyneside, the council continues to invest in cycling infrastructure and continues to seek opportunities to improve the borough’s cycling network. A public consultation is currently taking place seeking views on plans to invest in up to 14km of new strategic cycle routes - including an option for the first ‘Dutch-style’ roundabout in the region - to be delivered between 2021 and 2023.

Cllr Graham added: “These new

routes will encourage economic regeneration and help people cycle and walk to work safely. I would urge everyone to have their say on the consultation. This is around £8.6million of investment so please take the time to visit our interactive online tool and have your say and find out how you might be able to leave your car at home to get to work if at all possible. Climate change is a big issue for everybody and we all need to play our part and do our bit.”

To take part in the consultation visit https://app.placechangers. co.uk/campaign/187/overview For more information about the Summer of Cycling, including video guides to bike maintenance, information about local routes, tips about commuting by bike, where to buy second-hand bikes and where to get your bike fixed visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk and search Summer of Cycling.

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LO C A L N E W S

North Shields exhibition to showcase creative reflections of Lockdown A thought provoking community art Exhibition ‘Time on My Hands’ is to be held in The Bank Studios in North Shields Beacon Centre in August.

Organised by local artist Gail Curry, the exhibition will display reflections on lockdown by Gail and the local community.

Gail explains: “I used creativity to help me manage my mental health, as well as to create items that helped me to reflect on the time I spent alone in lock down. I chose to create a series of clocks to represent my experience of lock down.”

“Some of the time was easy to enjoy, a lot of it was not. I began to think of others experiences and how they might represent their lock down. Given that I don’t have speech, conversations can be very tricky things, so I decided instead of trying to use speech and technology, we should use the universal language of art to share our experience of lock down in North Tyneside. I therefore invited the community to submit their own creative work to join mine in this exhibition

and selected 35 works to join my own.”

The age of exhibitors ranges from 5 to 92 years, representing all geographical areas of North Tyneside, as well as many forms of creativity.

The Bank Studio is located in the former Natwest Bank in the Beacon Shopping Centre in North Shields. It houses studio space for six North Tyneside artists and a gallery space. It is part of East Street Arts Spaces programme, providing studios and support for artists in empty shops and temporary spaces. The studio gives artists the opportunity to create new art, present and develop their practice through exhibitions, workshops and performances, and to develop public events in the gallery space.

The Time on my Hands exhibition will run from 1st to 24th August, Sunday to Tuesday 10am to 4pm at The Bank Studios, Beacon Centre, Bedford Street, North Shields, NE29 6QF. ▪ www.gailcurry.co.uk

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Healthy balanced meals and snacks are on offer as well as ensuring any dietary requirements.

Our fees include your child’s personal Learning Journey file with photographs, all meals, snacks, outings, visitors into nurseries etc. We do not have any hidden charges.

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Age UK North Tyneside urges pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit

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ge UK Ambassadors, Len Goodman and Rustie Lee, are supporting Age UK’s call for pensioners to find out if they are entitled to Pension Credit.

The number of pensioners in poverty has now passed the two million mark, with Black and Asian older people most at risk of struggling financially in later life, warns Age UK North Tyneside, as it urges any older person in North Tyneside who feels financially hardpressed to check their eligibility for Pension Credit.

Pension Credit is a benefit that tops up low pensioner incomes, typically taking an older person who receives it above the poverty line.

Being found to be eligible for Pension Credit also acts as a gateway to some other benefits, potentially transforming an older person’s standard of living.

Since 2013/14, the number of pensioners in poverty has risen by almost a third (31 per cent) from 1.6 million. Official figures show that a third of Asian older people (33 per cent) and just under a third of Black older people (30 per cent) in the UK live below the poverty line, compared to 16 per cent of White older people. The over-85s, renters, and single, female pensioners, are also at greater risk of poverty than the older population as a whole. The total number of older people living in poverty in the UK now stands at 2.1 million.

Despite these high numbers and recent government figures showing that nearly a million older people could not afford an unexpected bill of £200, nearly a million (920,000) pensioner households are missing out on Pension Credit payments worth up to £1.6 billion every year – that’s an average of £32 a week, or over £1,600 a year, per recipient.

The Charity is urging all 12

pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet to put in a claim for Pension Credit – a means-tested, tax-free benefit for pensioners that opens the door to many other potential benefits including: A free TV licence (if also over-75) Help with Council Tax Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital A Cold Weather Payment of £25 when the temperature is 0°C or below for 7 days in a row Help with rent An extra payment within Pension Credit for carers, worth up to £37.70 a week

Image: Wikipedia

FIGURES SHOW OVER TWO MILLION UK PENSIONERS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY, WITH BLACK AND ASIAN OLDER PEOPLE MOST AT RISK

• • • • • •

Len Goodman: “Older people are so resilient and tend to know how to make do, but it doesn’t have to be like that for those who are struggling to manage day-to-day bills.

“Pension Credit is a benefit for low-income pensioners to help cover the costs of later life. Lots of people don’t even know it exists, meaning almost a million older households are not getting the extra money they are entitled to. For those that have claimed, it can mean being able to stick the heating on for longer or having the money to buy essentials for their home to keep well and safe.

“That’s why I’m supporting Age UK’s efforts to raise more awareness about this benefit. There’s help out there and Age UK can support older people throughout the whole process – from information gathering to form filling. Please… I would urge anyone who’s watching the pennies to find out more and see if they can make a claim. Pension Credit not only gives you more money each week, it can also be a gateway to other help too.”

Rustie Lee: “It’s so important for everyone who’s feeling the pinch at

Age UK Ambassador, Rustie Lee the moment to see if they might be entitled to claim some extra help.

It’s just shocking that so many older people can’t afford the basics such as decent, healthy food or keeping their house nice and warm “Pension Credit is a really important benefit that can make a big difference to older people on a budget, giving them a bit of extra cash to pay for things that most people for granted. I’d urge any older person who is struggling to make ends meet at the moment to speak to Age UK to find out if they could be eligible for Pension Credit, it could make all the difference and open the door to lots of other financial support too. There’s absolutely nothing to lose by making a claim!”

Len Watson, Charity Services Manager, Age UK North Tyneside said “anyone aged 50 plus years in North Tyneside who is feeling the pinch should contact the team here in North Shields. We’re able to perform a free, over the telephone benefit check and explore benefits which many people are entitled to but not claiming” To make a claim, people should call Age UK North Tyneside Tel: 0191 2808484 Option1 or the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/ pension-credit/how-to-claim

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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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LO CA L N E W S

Image: North Tyneside Council

Plans revealed to enhance public transport routes and expand cycling network

Artist 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.”

Have your say online by visiting: https://app.placechangers.co.uk/campaign/187/overview

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At Concept, your eyes matter to us T

he joy of summer, as we reconnect with family and friends, can be blighted by watery, itchy, dry eyes. If you hadn’t felt it already, hay fever season is fully underway, with high pollen counts expected until the onset of Autumn. Whilst being amidst nature can have many benefits, most common groups of pollen that cause hay fever are trees and grass.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

A Weekend of Pawtastic Fun The North East Dog Festival returns for 2021, but this year the fun is over two days!

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he brainchild of business partners Rebecca Ashworth Earle and Dawn Oliver Doyle, the festival is now in its fourth year and was created after a realisation that the North East was lacking in dog events of this kind. Every year it becomes more popular, with people wanting to find new things to do with their dogs, explore and learn what's new in the world of dogs and have a great day out.

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Activities are handpicked for the event with Dawn and Rebecca working closely with clubs having known many of them for several years.

Displays and guest speakers are carefully selected to bring the best entertainment coupled with education. Rebecca and Dawn do all of this themselves with knowledge and experience not only of the holistic dog but also in event management, social media marketing and everything in-between. With this approach they can put dogs at the centre of the festival and run a successful event at the same time.

The festival plays host to numerous have-a-go activities; flyball, gundog scurries, hoopers, parkour, scent games, fastest recall and temptation alley to name but a few. There are also three dog shows with lots of rosettes and prizes to be won. There will be two demonstration rings this year with showstopper displays from falconry and herding dogs. A Wellness marquee where guest speakers will be talking about nutrition, welfare, canine activities, and behaviour. Add in lots of shopping, food stalls and a funfair what more can you need Rebecca and Dawn are no stranger to dogs, with over 40 years’ experience between them; having had dogs all their lives and both working their dogs, training in various disciplines, and competing in dog sports. Currently Rebecca shares her home with four working cockers and a collie-cross, whilst Dawn has seven working cockers. ​​As a team they live, breathe and work with dogs every day. The event is the result of years of passion, dedication, and investment to create an annual one-of-a-kind festival for dogs; and they hope to be able to continue for many years to come.

▪ www.northeastdogfestival.com

22

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

GARDEN VIEW:

SAVE WATER

By Rachael Leverton

I

n spite of the somewhat soggy spring, water is an increasingly precious resource in the UK. Over the past few decades, rivers, reservoirs, and ground water supplies have become depleted. It’s important to save water where we can.

Most of us have enough space for at least one water butt, and there are slimline versions for smaller plots.

Connect them to every available downpipe around your house! Fit guttering to sheds and summer houses to allow even more water collection. Keep the butts covered to prevent leaves falling in and deter mosquitos from breeding.

Bulk up soil with organic matter, such as compost and leaf mould. This improves free-draining soil particularly, but most soil types will benefit. It prevents clay soil baking hard and damaging roots, and on boggy soil it improves drainage and oxygenation. It's win-win, whatever soil you garden on.

Water during cooler parts of the day. A good soak every few days is better than little and often, because when only the surface is wet most of the water evaporates or drains away. Also, water only at critical stages like germination, or when you've just transplanted young plants with immature root systems, or when fruit is setting such as tomatoes or strawberries.

Bare soil loses moisture quickly through evaporation so mulch, mulch, mulch. Use straw, grass clippings or leaf mould. Mulching has the added benefit of smothering weeds.

A green lawn looks lush, but no-one should be watering a lawn nowadays. Yes it will yellow, but lawns are tough and will green up at the first sign of rain.

I retired my sprinkler system years ago. Sprinklers are

210L Water Butt - £47 B&Q

100L Water Butt with Connection Kit - £30 Argos

24

wasteful and it’s better to implement targeted watering or even a slow drip-irrigation system. Work with your garden rather than against it. My free-draining lime soil favours plants such as lavenders and other silver-leaved species. If you garden on clay you might choose roses or ribes sanguineum and Malus (crab apples).

Greenhouses can be a major source of water wastage.

Never place pots directly on to staging. Instead, use capillary matting or trays to capture run-off and enable plants to access this when needed.

The only time you shouldn't use rainwater is with seedlings. They are vulnerable to a variety of fungal infections which fall under the catchall phrase, 'damping off disease'. Tap water only is recommended for seedlings. But once they are potted up, you can switch to harvested rainwater.

'Grey' water is water from washing up or washing vegetables, or even bathwater. Collecting it can be a good idea providing you take certain precautions. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you make the most of your own grey water. Use rinsing water only or eco products free from phosphates which are harmful to the microflora in the soil. Bathwater should not be stored for too long and should only be used to water flowers, never edible crops, because of the risk of bacterial growth harmful to humans if ingested.

I hope this has inspired you to save water in your garden this summer.

Happy gardening.

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LOCAL NEWS

PARKRUN EVENTS RETURN TO THE NORTH EAST

Following discussions with organisers, and thorough reviews of risk assessments, the regions Directors of Public Health are pleased to be able to support the return of Parkrun events to the region.

Organisers have worked hard to put in place measures that keep attendees safe, and they are delighted that residents will once again be able to participate in these events and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits they offer.

As we know it is much safer for people to be with others outdoors where the virus is less likely to spread, but the organisers urge participants to remain cautious at all times to protect themselves and others, particularly while the region continues to see a steady rise in Covid-19 cases.

The Directors of Public Health have worked with organisers to provide a consistent approach for our communities, with each location being assessed individually. All sites will have similar start times and set ups across the region so there is no need to make long journeys to different Parkrun sites. Please minimise travel and attend your nearest Parkrun event.

How you get there is also important. The safest way remains to walk or cycle but, if you’re driving, then avoid sharing cars with people outside your household

and, when using public transport, make sure you follow the vast safety measures operators have put in place.

Maintaining the Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air guidance remains essential wherever you are, as does making sure you self-isolate and book a PCR test if you develop even the mildest symptoms of the virus. If you feel at all unwell, please do not attend these or any other events. Even those without symptoms should make use of free Lateral Flow Device tests, twice a week where possible, to ensure people aren’t spreading the virus without realising.

▪ For further details and to find your local Park Run event visit www.parkrun.org.uk

✆

USEFUL NUMBERS NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL 0345 2000 101 Monday - Friday 7.30am - 8pm

POLICE NON-EMERGENCY 101 NHS 111

If you need help assessing how urgently treatment is needed.

POWER CUT? CALL 105 SMELL GAS? CALL 0800 111 999

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Helpline for the bereaved and those caring for bereaved people.

FRANK 03001 236600

24 hours a day. Information about drugs for those who use them, their friends and family.

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

SAMARITANS 116 123

BENEFIT ENQUIRY LINE 0800 882 200

To report cruelty, neglect or an animal in distress

RAPE CRISIS 0800 035 2794

Mon - Thu (6pm - 8.30pm), Fri (11am - 2pm)

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 0800 9177 650 28

Advice, help and support for anyone whose relatives or family members are missing.

CARER’S UK 0808 808 777

DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE 0808 247 200 24 hours a day. Confidential helpline for children and young people.

MISSING PEOPLE 116 000

Confidential counselling and advice for anyone affected by gambling dependency.

24 hours a day. Confidential emotional support helpline for anyone in a crisis

CHILDLINE 0800 11 11

Help for anyone in debt.

GAMCARE 0808 8020 133

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER 0345 717 1100

Freephone 24 hours per day

NATIONAL DEBTLINE 0808 808 4000

RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Advice for disabled people and carers on the range of benefits available.

AGE UK 0800 169 6565

CITIZEN’S ADVICE 03444 111 444

THE SILVER HELPLINE 0800 4 70 80 90

NEWCASTLE AIRPORT 0871 882 1121

SHELTERLINE 0808 800 4444

TRAVELINE 0871 200 22 33

Free information on issues affecting older people

24 hrs a day. Offering free confidential, friendship and advice for older people.

8am - 12 midnight. Legal and housing advice line for anyone with a housing problem.

Help and advice for consumers in the UK.

Advice for your journey by public transport by bus, coach, train, metro or ferry.

John & Graham

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2021- 2022 COACH TOURS 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 & Tinsel - Drymen 3rd December £275pp* Turkey & Tinsel - Scarborough 11th December £299pp All Inclusive Burns 6th January 2022 £325pp*

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

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PUZZLE CHALLENGE

WORDSEARCH Can you find all of the ice cream flavours in the grid?

Banoffee Bubble-Gum Butterscotch Cherry Chocolate Coconut Coffee Cookie Dough Honeycomb Mint Choc Chip Neapolitan Pistachio Rocky Road Rum ‘N’ Raisin Salted Caramel Tutti Frutti Vanilla

MINDBENDERS Can you find the hidden phrases?

32

SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

CROSSWORD Across 3. Feline (3) 7. Evening jacket (6) 8. Sloping text style (6) 9. Tear (3) 10. Overpowered, routed (6) 11. Played at Wimbledon (6) 12. Young hen (6) 14. Increase in length or time (6) 17. Exits (6) 21. Souvenirs, trophies (6) 24. Disastrous failure (6) 25. Drifting (6) 26. Giant mythological bird (3) 27. Covert, private (6) 28. Cohesive (6) 29. High-pitched bark (3)

Can you work out the picture puzzles to discover the common phrase?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

2. The Last Leg 1. A foot in the door

SOLUTIONS

MINDBENDER

3. Cut a long story short

WORDSEARCH

EQUALIZER

CROSSWORD

REBUS PUZZLES

1. American Pie 2. Breaking News 3. Half Mast 4. Water Mark 5. Bear in Mind

PLEASE MENTION ABC MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

REBUS PUZZLES

6. Eye of the Tiger

Down 1. Writing table with drawers (6) 2. Concerning teeth (6) 3. Member of the musical brass family (6) 4. Pussyfoot (6) 5. Red semi-precious stone (6) 6. Sight (6) 12. Mate, chum (3) 13. Pasture, grassland (3) 15. The night before (3) 16. Spanish for ‘two’ (3) 18. Departed (6) 19. Church dressing room (6) 20. Athletic, active (6) 21. Daintier than a mug! (6) 22. Base unit of temperature (6) 23. Tidy, set straight (6)

33

ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside

“

I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in Zoom online exercise classes since December last year. These have been incredibly beneficial to me. I’ve been able to safely exercise at home at a time that’s convenient to me and chatting with others in a similar situation has been lovely and very encouraging! I really do hope I can continue in the future.

”

Ann, 76

We’re delighted that our doors are reopening for face to face groups. However, we know many people preferred being able to access our classes and services online.

If you’d like to see more online classes, please let us know. You can call our Community Development team on 0191 287 7012 or email Community.Development@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk Registered charity number 1049527. Company number 1763579.

34

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E N TE RTAIN M E N T

FILM REVIEWS STILL WATER Matt Damon becomes a relentless father in ‘Stillwater’, the newest dramatic thriller directed by Academy Award winner Tom McCarthy. The story follows an American oil-rig roughneck Bill Baker from Oklahoma who travels to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter Allison (Abigail Breslin) in prison.

Bill learns that his only daughter has been falsely arrested and charged with murder. But both father and daughter discover that they have no other legal options left. The man builds a new life in the small seaside city of France as he makes it his personal mission to exonerate his daughter.

Confronted with language barriers, cultural differences, and a complicated legal system, Bill is aided by a French woman, Virginie (Camille Cottin), and her eight-year-old daughter Maya. But the clock is ticking and Bill must decide how far he’s willing to go.

The daughter’s story was loosely based on the real-life event of Amanda Knox, an American who spent nearly four years in an Italian prison following her conviction for the murder of her roommate in 2007.

The movie is both directed and written by Tom McCarthy, who last directed ‘Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made’. He has received three Academy Awards in Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director for his writing and direction on ‘Spotlight’, a biographical drama movie of the oldest operating newspaper investigative journalist unit in the US. ‘Stillwater’ is scheduled for release in UK theatres on Friday, 6th August 2021.

JUNGLE CRUISE

In ‘Jungle Cruise’, Emily Blunt plays Dr. Lily Houghton, a British scientist who tries to recruit a riverboat captain, Frank (Dwayne Johnson). Houghton enlists Frank’s help to take her and her brother, McGregor (Jack Whitehall), on an expedition down the Amazon in search of a mysterious tree that has the power to heal diseases.

The team faces several challenges during their quest, such as running into a deadly and poisonous snake and facing another team of explorers led by Aguirre (Edgar Ramirez) and his henchman (Jesse Plemons) who want to find the mystical tree first. Based on a Disneyland theme park ride, this movie is directed by Jaume ColletSerra and written by Michael Green, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. The spectacular score is composed by James Newton Howard who collaborated with Metallica on an instrumental version of the song ‘Nothing Else Matters’ for the film. ‘Jungle Cruise’ also offers top-notch cinematography by Flavio Martínez Labiano.

The movie provides a wild adventure with action-packed, dangerous scenes that leave viewers squirming in their seats. It also invites you to predict what challenges they will encounter next. The overall moral is to be brave and courageous, but also that to overcome obstacles, one needs to think outside the box. The importance of teamwork and relentless effort to achieve a goal is central to the movie’s message. There are some mild violent scenes between characters, so parental guidance is advisable. ‘Jungle Cruise’ is due for release in UK cinemas on July 30th, 2021.

36

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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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.

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41

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 42

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.

Relationship in difficulties?

Talk to the matrimonial specialist

EMMERSONS SOLICITORS has helped thousands of people in your situation.

You will find us to be very approachable. We can offer you help with divorce, separation, financial settlements, arrangements for children, pre-nuptial agreements and same sex partnerships.

Our well-trained staff can obtain the best settlement for you. Due to their experience, excellent negotiating skills and use of Round Table Meetings the vast majority of our clients never have to visit court.

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Why not let us help you reach agreement, avoid court and move on with your life.

Contact us now on 0191 284 6989 to see how we can help you.

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

QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, GARAGE DOORS

COULD A NEW GARAGE DOOR INCREASE THE KERB APPEAL OF YOUR HOME? What does your garage door say about your home? Never thought about it? Perhaps you should. As the housing market booms and people begin to think about upgrading or downsizing, the right garage door can significantly increase the kerb appeal and even the price of your house.

Up and over garage doors consist of a single panel of material. The door has to be pulled out and then pivoted up so it can slide along the roof of the garage. Roll-up garage doors, on the other hand, are made of a number of horizontal sections which are hinged together for flexibility. Because it rests on rollers, it can be lifted, and rolled into place along the roof of the garage.

Sectional roll-up doors are more expensive as a rule but have certain advantages. Since these doors don’t have to be pulled outwards they are a great option if space on your drive is tight. They also take up less room in the garage since they can be placed higher than a up and over door.

Both types of doors are usually made from wood or steel. Wood is generally cheaper, and some people prefer the look. However, just like 44

wooden patio furniture, a wooden door is more easily damaged by the weather and may warp, split, or blister.

Steel is more expensive. It isn’t prone to warping but does need to be properly treated to prevent rust.

Remember a garage door will be exposed to everything the weather can throw at it day in and day out, so will need regular maintenance.

Doors should be washed down regularly. Wooden garage doors need to be repainted in alternate years to ensure that the wood stays protected.

Steel doors can be painted and treated to an occasional shine with car wax. All moving parts should be lubricated with motor oil whenever the door starts to feel stuck.

Consider…

Remote control - For ease, convenience and even safety you can’t beat a remote-controlled door.

Override - Make sure the remote can be manually overridden in case of power failure. You don’t want the kids, or the dog trapped in there, or even yourself.

Security - Automatic door locking

mechanisms are useful.

Safety – This one is a top priority. To ensure that an electric garage door is deemed safe for use, it will have to incorporate at least one sufficient safety feature into its mechanism which will prevent personal injury.

Every year children and adults are injured in accidents which involve older style garage doors. New doors should have an automatic reverse function. That way, if the door encounters any object as it is closing it will immediately stop and back-up.

Approved by the Guild of Master Craftsmen, AI Garage Doors have been supplying, installing and maintaining garage doors in the Northumberland, North Tyneside and most areas of the North East for over 15 years, building a reputation as reputable and trusted specialists.

They offer a wide range of garage doors in a variety of colours, materials and features whilst offering excellent service and price without compromising on safety or security.

They will guide you through the process, ensuring you select the right garage door to meet your requirements.

They also offer a full repair and maintenance service to keep your garage door running smoothly, so, whether you have something minor from a broken spring or snapped cable, or require a fully fitted automatic double door, they can help!

▪ AI Garage Doors. Tel: 07931 304057 www.aigaragedoors.co.uk

45 45

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

• • • • • • • •

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

www.crawfordhouse.co.uk 46

★★★★★ 9.6

A1 Garage Doors is a trading name of Apex Improvements Limited ©Apex Improvements Limited 2015

TILE NORTH EAST

LTD

K I T C H E N T I L E S | B AT H R O OM T I L E S | F LO O R T I L E S

UNIT 3, HUBBWAY BUSINESS CENTRE, CRAMLINGTON, NE23 8AD OPPOSITE AZURE GARDEN CENTRE Tel: 01670 716 767 Email: tilenortheast@outlook.com www.tilenortheast.com 47

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 48

Davidsons of Morpeth

Nearly New Low Mileage Volkswagen 70 Plate Tiguan 1.5 TSi Evo Match 1800 Miles. £21,995 Save £11060 on cost new

70 Plate Golf 1.5 TSi Evo Life 5 Door 783 Miles. £17,995 Save £6585 on cost new

69 Plate Tiguan 2.0 TDi R-Line Tech 5500 Miles. £27,995 Save £10505 on cost new

69 Plate Golf 1.5 TSi Evo Match 5 Door 3563 Miles. £15,995 Save £10175 on cost new

Your local family run company, striving for a flawless experience to all of our customers.

Go online or call us today for our full selection of stock Davidsons of Morpeth, Coopies Way, Morpeth, NE61 6JN

01670 512 115 www.davidsonsofmorpeth.co.uk

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 50

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.

▪ NewSpace Loft Storage & Garage Conversions Tel: 07973 957 481 www.newspaceloftstorage.co.uk newspacegarageconversions.co.uk

CONVERT YOUR GARAGE TO A HOME OFFICE

NewSpace Loft Storage We create space so everything has a place

LOFT STORAGE SPACE PACKAGE

WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN CREATING HOBBY ROOMS

Add storage space in your property with our special loft package which includes:

Our hobby/play rooms are a fantastic alternative to a full loft conversion and at a fraction of the price, they provide valuable space for a variety of uses.

Includes: • Independent Floor • Timber Ladder • Lights & Sockets • Plaster Boarded • Velux Window

• Loft Ladder • New hatch • Light with Switch • Flooring SUPPLIED & INSTALLED

CALL US FOR FURTHER DETAILS

FOR ONLY £495

Call us today for friendly advice and an estimate 07973 957 481 or 07931 801 472 info@newspaceloftstorage.co.uk

www.newspaceloftstorage.co.uk

TUTOR BUREAU

Leading Nursery Brands at Everyday

Private tuition in your own home with experienced, professional tutors

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All tutors are DBS checked Suitable for Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 GCSE and A Level

Place an order

Also, tuition for university students & adults SATs preparation and homework help

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Unit 8D, North Tyne Ind. Estate, Whitley Road, Benton, NE12 9SZ (Opposite ASDA Beton) PramsNewcastle ∙ Open Tuesday to Saturday by appointment

Tel: 0191 266 1190 ∙ www.babythingz.com

• • • •

ONLINE TUITION ALSO ACROSS NORTH EAST ALL SUBJECTS ALL AGES NEW TUTORS WELCOME

Call (0191) 252 6271 enquiries@tutorbureau.co.uk www.tutorbureau.co.uk

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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.

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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: £180 inclusive of VAT Mirror Will: £240 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.

NOW R C EATING YOUR E P RFECT BEDROOM

KITCHEN • BATHROOM • TILE

Brilliantly Simple...Simply Brilliant Signature Kitchens, Bathrooms & Tiles have been providing customers with quality kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, flooring and tiles for over ten years.

Offering a unique combination of superb products, expertise and unmatched customer service, we bring you the home of your dreams, whilst making the transformation a painless process.

For every project, we have an experienced team and a generation of experience; this successful formula shows in the results. ● FAMILY RUN BUSINESS ● FREE 3D PLANNING & DESIGN ● TILING, ELECTRICS & PLASTERING ● SUPPLY OR INSTALLATION ● FULL PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF YOUR DREAM KITCHEN OR BATHROOM

1a Burnside Road, Whitley Bay, NE25 8PW Tel: 0191 253 5111 www.signaturekitchensbathroomsandtiles.co.uk SHOWROOM OPEN: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm & Saturday 10am - 4pm

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NewSpace

Garage Conversions

WE MAKE THAT UNUSED SPACE A WARM & HABITABLE PLACE

BEFORE

Most garages are too small for modern cars but can provide much needed extra space for the family. · HOME OFFICE · KIDS PLAY ROOM · ADDITIONAL RECEPTION ROOM Your garage holds the key to that extra space and we can bring it to reality.

AFTER

Create an additional living space in your home for less than you may think

Please contact us for friendly advice or to arrange an appointment

Tel: 0797 3957 481 or 07931 801 472

info@newspacegarageconversions.co.uk www.newspacegarageconversions.co.uk

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

For more information visit

www.linguaforme.co.uk or call Barbara on 07946 115 256

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

ENJOY YOUR CONSERVATORY ALL YEAR ROUND WITH A THERMOS ROOF 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

56

with the rest of your conservatory 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

@thermosroof

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?

Noise from heavy rain?

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

PART

P

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 57 PPE where suitable and, upon completion of each job, your Conservatory will be fully disinfected.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

ONE IN FIVE OLDER PEOPLE RELY ON CASH FOR EVERYDAY SPENDING

Age UK calls on the Government to guarantee access to cash for all

A

ge UK warns that being cut off from cash and banking services is tantamount to being excluded from society, and is a risk for many more of us than is often assumed.

Even before the pandemic, many older people still relied heavily on cash, with some being completely dependent on it. Findings from the Financial Lives 2020 Survey found that around 2.4 million people aged 65 and over in the UK relied on cash to a great extent in their day-to-day life – representing around one in five (21 per cent) of all older people[i].

While cash use has declined over the last year, the Charity says it would be a mistake to assume that everyone in our society is willing or able to make all their financial transactions digitally. A YouGov survey in January 2021 found more than half of – equivalent to nearly 6.3 million – older people (65+) in Great Britain had used cash within the last week, despite the UK being in a national lockdown and with many older people shielding at home.

National lockdowns, which led to the shutting of all but essential retail and the nation being asked to stay at home, severely restricted opportunities to spend cash. Those who were more vulnerable to the virus, including millions of older people, were asked to shield at home. At this time, many older and disabled people were forced to rely on family, neighbours, and volunteers to get shopping and pay bills on their behalf, with cash often the preferred payment or repayment method.

Being able to use cash helps

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“Older people who use cash and their local bank branch are finding it increasingly impossible to manage their money, because more and more barriers are being put in their way.” people on a low-income budget more effectively, pay back a carer or friend who shops for them, as well as acting as an essential back-up for those who are not online or who live in an area with poor connectivity. Many people with health conditions, disabilities and dexterity issues find paying in cash much easier than with a bank card or a phone – it’s not easy for someone with sight loss to use a card reader, or someone with bad arthritis in their hands to hit the right buttons on a smart phone.

The decline in high street banks and local ATMs before the Covid-19 pandemic made access to cash even more problematic. Almost 13,000 free-to-use cash machines closed between 2017 and 2020 – a drop of nearly 24 per cent. Those who struggle getting around are finding it increasingly difficult to access their income, pensions, and savings, and in 2020, around 900,000 older people in the UK found it difficult to get to a cash point using ordinary forms of transport.

Alongside the plummeting number of ATMs, banks are deserting many communities, with thousands of branches shut, reducing their hours, or scheduled to close. Since January 2015, 4,299 have shut, leaving high streets and town centres across the UK starved of access to cash and banking services.

To avoid the nation sleepwalking into becoming a cashless society which ignores the needs of millions of citizens, Age UK is calling for the urgent introduction of a Universal Service Obligation (USO) on banks to guarantee access to cash for everyone. USOs already exist for water, electricity, post, and more recently, broadband services – recognising how essential they all are to our daily lives. The Charity believes the time has come for the Government to put the cash system on the same footing.

The report also highlights the close connection between cash dependency and digital exclusion. The vast majority of older people are perfectly capable of managing their money themselves, but the rapid move to online banking and digital payments has left many struggling because of the technology. 51 per cent of those aged 65+ do not use or have not recently used internet banking, compared to only 10 per cent of those aged 25-34.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: “This report demonstrates the continuing critical importance of cash in our society. It’s not only essential for older people but for us all, in a world increasingly compelling us to manage our money digitally. Protecting the cash system is essential for enabling millions of citizens to go about their lives, and since it was still widely used during the pandemic, when spending opportunities were few, it’s going to be all the more important for us once we emerge from it and return to some kind of normality.

“Older people who use cash and their local bank branch are finding it increasingly impossible to manage their money because more and more barriers are being put in their way. They don’t want to give up their independence by having to rely on a family member or neighbour, they want to keep control of how they do financial things – but they don’t want

to or can’t do it online.

“It’s time for the Government to recognise how important banknotes and coins are to all our lives and treat the cash system as the essential piece of infrastructure it is – just like utilities, post and broadband. If the Government is serious about ‘building back better’ after the pandemic, then they must legislate to protect cash access within a reasonable travel distance of people’s homes. This will not only help the millions of citizens of all ages who risk being excluded from society if cash is allowed to die, but can also help revitalise our high streets as local businesses strive to recover from the last nightmarish 15 months.”

▪ Age UK North Tyneside, Bradbury Centre, 13 Saville Street West, North Shields NE29 6QP Tel: 0191 280 8484 www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside

MICHAEL LEE

Independent Funeral Director When caring & understanding is most needed With a total of 38 years’ experience, we pride ourselves in compassion and care, ensuring that your loved-one’s funeral is organised with the utmost dignity and respect.

Servicing Northumberland and North Tyneside.

Private Chapel of Rest · 24 Hour Service Golden Charter Pre-Paid Funeral Plans

64 Park Road, Blyth, NE24 3DL Call us 01670 458 851 (24hrs) www.michaelleefunerals.co.uk

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55 Beaumont Court, Pegswood, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1BF

60

Price of Family Trust £1,800 (inc. VAT)

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QUICK PUZZLE CHALLENGE

LAST WORD STANDING

Use the clues to cross out the words in the boxes. One word will be left over.

This last word standing is the mystery keyword.

CLUES:

All colours All dog breeds All office items All meat cuts All words that contain the letter F • All senses • All religions • All family members

FIGURES OF FUN

Each letter has a different numerical value between one and nine.

Find out what each letter represents to reach the added totals by reading across and down. Two values have been filled in for you.

Word Standing 011 vatts Puzzles

SOLUTIONS: LAST WORD STANDING: MOTORBIKE

FIGURES OF FUN

PETITION SOLUTION: MOTORBIKE

B=4, C=7, D=3, E=9, F=5, G=1, H=8, I=6, J=2.

• • • • •

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Davidsons of Morpeth

Volkswagen Authorised Service Dealer Booking your Volkswagen with Davidsons is the surest way to have your car serviced, repaired & cared for by a knowledgeable expert to the highest standard from a family run company, striving for a flawless experience to our customers.

Service, Repairs, Warranty & MOT Call us today to book Davidsons of Morpeth Coopies Way, Morpeth, NE61 6JN

01670 512 115 www.volkswagen.co.uk/retailers/75007/davidsons-of-morpeth-morpeth

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Committed to North Shields.

Dean, North Shields customer

At the heart of your town and your community. Save with us, and you’ll continue to help our high streets.

Visit us on North Shields high street.

newcastle.co.uk Newcastle Building Society Principal Office: 1 Cobalt Park Way, Wallsend, NE28 9EJ. Newcastle Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Newcastle Building Society is entered in the Financial Services Register under number 156058. You can check this on the Financial Services Register or by contacting the Financial Conduct Authority on 0800 111 6768. Call 0345 734 4345 or visit us online www.newcastle.co.uk.