ABC WEST Magazine : May 2019

ABC YOUR FREE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR WALLSEND

Inside: LOCAL NEWS OFFERS WHAT’S ON WALLSEND

BATTLE HILL

HADRIAN PARK

HOLY CROSS

HADRIAN LODGE 1

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On average teeth will whiten 6 Shades in just 45 minutes. The new and unique formulation ensures you the patient experiences little or no sensitivity.

We are now offering Zoom in-surgery for ÂŁ350 until 31st March, which includes custom made trays to keep your teeth white for years to come (normally ÂŁ450).

Available as a gift voucher for your loved ones.

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WELCOME TO ABC ABC West distributed free of charge to thousands of homes and is available in over 200 outlets such as CafĂŠs, Dentists, Hairdressers, Health Clubs, Community Centres. You can also read it online by following the link at www.yourabc.co.uk

Each edition of ABC brings you a range of exclusive adverts and features including, local news, business features, special offers and more.

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Publisher: R Wilson Advertising, PO Box 225, Bedlington, NE63 3FL. 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.

5

FAMILY DAYS OUT

WITH THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS ON THE HORIZON, WE HAVE PICKED 6 GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT...

CANNY CRAFTY

Let’s get creative at Canny Crafty in Gosforth, and bring out your kids creative side - and set yours free too!

Visit a family run craft centre for little kids and big kids who love to paint and create. With ceramic painting and

free-play your kids can get all sorts of crafty.

Paint your own pottery is available Tuesday - Sunday, drop-ins are welcome during weekdays and booking is recommended on weekends and during school holidays.

Free-play is great for those who love to get messy, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up afterwards!

You can get crafting even if you’ve got a baby.

Bring your baby along and get their hand or foot printed onto ceramics. Create a memento that you can cherish when their feet and hands have doubled in size, so you can remember just how tiny they were. The centre also runs occasional workshops so make sure to look out if a new one is coming out soon You can also enjoy locally roasted Pumphrey's coffee or other refreshments plus sweet treats and snacks.

147 Salters Road, Gosforth, NE3 1DU www.cannycraftynewcastle.co.uk

6

DINOSAUR ENCOUNTER ADVENTURE GOLF

Dinosaur Encounter is a thrilling 12 hole adventure golf course, complete with roaring and moving dinosaurs, artificial rocks and lush vegetation! All set within a 9,000 square foot site that charmingly recreates the mood of the land that time forgot!

Get your putters at the ready and keep your game face on as you sneak past 10 life size dinosaurs who guard the course! The Brachiosaurus and the Spinosaurus are easy to spot, they’re ones who are moving!

With tropical plants and palm trees, convincing boulders, and an actual waterfall, this is a great place to take kids whether they like golf or not!

And, if you’re tough enough for dinosaurs, you’re tough enough for a bit of drizzle: don’t let the weather put you off! Although they’ll have to close if it gets too treacherous, the course is open in most conditions and the weather rarely affects the quality of the course. If the weather is inclement though, it’s always worth phoning to check if the course is open before you set off.

And whenever you go, go early - because a second round on the same day is half price! So if you’re a sore loser in this morning, why not try and get revenge this afternoon?!

Heighley Gate Garden Centre, Morpeth, NE61 3DA www.golf-attractions.com/dinosaur-encounter-morpeth

BBC NEWCASTLE TOUR Why do some newsreaders only wear one shoe?

Why does the weather forecaster have an earpiece in their left ear, while presenters have theirs in their right? What’s the RATS alarm? Find out all this and more at the BBC Newcastle Tour!

Start your adventure and see what you discover at the hub of the BBC in the North East and Cumbria. Come see where many of the exciting shows you know and love are filmed, including the CBBC's hit shows 'The Dumping Ground' and 'Wolfblood'! There is also a treat for Dumping Ground fans part of the set is here ready for you to dress with props.

Fancy having a go at creating a show yourself, then why not? Get set to explore the whole host of interactive elements in their specially designed studio inviting you to make your episode of Newsround and star in a radio programme or, if you prefer a behind the scenes role, how about trying vision mixing or sound effects?

Broadcasting House, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2NE www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/newcastle

SEGEDUNUM ROMAN FORT

The Segedunum Roman Fort is the most excavated and developed Fort along the famous Hadrian’s Wall.

The site features a 35m high observation tower providing outstanding views across this impressive World Heritage Site, an amazing back drop for your family photo.

The site now also boasts a large interactive museum showcasing Roman artifacts found in the excavations, ranging from the only known surviving stone toilet seat, to accurate models of the Carpathia (the ship that rescued over 700 of the Titanic ships survivors) and HMS Comus, plus a recreated section of Hadrian’s Wall itself.

You can also step out and explore the Roman Garden and Colliery and, if you’re taking a group, you can book a guided tour.

Buddle Street, Wallsend, NE28 6HR www.segedunumromanfort.org.uk

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE 7

FAMILY DAYS OUT...CONTINUED

AIRBOX BOUNCE Airbox Bounce offers terrific trampoline fun for children and adults alike.

The venue is full of interconnected trampolines, angled walls, roll-over platforms, foam pits, battle beams and so much more!

The foam pits, battle beams, Ninja area and angled walls will have you literally bouncing off the walls... Your kids will love this place (and so will you)! There’s even a mini area with soft play and mini trampolines, especially designed for under-5's.

If your child is feeling anxious about making a large jump don’t worry, the patient and friendly staff at Airbox are there to make sure every little bouncer builds the confidence to take the leap and has the best time possible at the trampoline park.

Want to get fit? Warm up on the interconnected trampolines before having a go at wild slamdunk basketball. Then, if you still have energy left, get a good sweat on the cardio wall. Finally, once your workout is complete, take a break at the Box Café and grab a bite to eat and some much needed refreshments.

3 Atley Way, Nelson Industrial Estate, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 1WA www.airboxbounce.co.uk

GREAT NORTH MUSEUM The Great North Museum has lots of exciting and interesting things to do and discover, you can easily spend a few hours here with the kids.

There are a number of fascinating permanent displays covering topics such as Natural Science, World Culture, Archaeology and Geology. Be sure to check out the Living Planet display, which gives you the chance to investigate and study hundreds of cool creatures using a mixture of hands on investigation and interactive touch screens!

There are live animal tanks and displays which are a always a big hit with the smalls and a virtual aquarium, plus full sized models of an elephant and a great white shark!

Learn about Hadrian's wall on a large scale interactive model, see a life sized T Rex dinosaur replica and discover spectacular objects from Ancient Greece, plus there are mummies from Ancient Egypt.

8 8

There are loads of interesting fossils to investigate and one of the largest collections of World Culture items in the North of England, which includes a complete Inuit kayak, a sealskin Parka, and aboriginal religious items and message tokens.

Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4PT www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

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7

LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

REASONS TO BOOK YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY WITH A NOT JUST TRAVEL EXPERT DISCOVER A NEW WAY TO BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY WITH YOUR VERY OWN PERSONAL TRAVEL EXPERT, ANNE KING. HERE SHE EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS...

A

t Not Just Travel, we’re passionate about sending people on holidays they’ll remember forever.

Whatever you want, whatever your budget, we’ll take care of it for you. And here’s how we’ll do it…

MORE CHOICE

At Not Just Travel, we have access to over 12 million holiday options, which gives you total choice and freedom to create the holiday you really want. With more choice than pretty much any other travel agency, your personal Travel Consultant can explore options from some of the biggest travel brands out there, including the likes of TUI, Kuoni, 12

and Thomas Cook, to name just a few. We have destinations all over the world, accommodation of all types, and all the added extras you need to piece together a package holiday that you’ll love. With your personal travel expert looking after you, its sure to be a holiday to remember!

HOLIDAYS YOU WON’T FIND ONLINE

Although you can find some cheap deals online, what you see is only 62% of holidays that are actually available. Your personal Travel Consultant will be able to access holidays that are only available to those in the travel industry and can find exclusive deals and prices that aren’t available to the public.

You can also completely tailor a holiday to your needs when booking with a Travel Consultant, which is something you wouldn’t be able to do when booking online.

MULTI-AWARD WINNING

Many of us read reviews of products or seek expert advice before committing to a big purchase, so why should booking a holiday be any different? At Not Just Travel, our success speaks for itself. We have won many awards over the years, including Homeworking Agency of the Year four years running.

We’re passionate about travel and passionate about people, and we love sending people on holidays they’ll remember forever, so leave it to us and you won’t be disappointed. Still need convincing?

FULLY PROTECTED

Should something go wrong while you’re away, you might not always know what to do. When

you. Whether you know exactly what you want or need a little inspiration, planning and booking your perfect holiday has never been easier.

No more time spent trawling through the internet and reading TripAdvisor reviews, only to go back to the flight you want and finding out it’s doubled in price. You’ll have insider knowledge, expert advice, and best of all, a friendly face to speak to throughout the whole process.

THE PERFECT PRICE

you book with a Travel Consultant, they’ll be there for you every step of the way. From planning and booking through to your departure and arrival home. If your flight is cancelled or there is a problem with the hotel, we’ll be on hand to help you in any way we can.

You will also have peace of mind that your holiday is ABTA and ATOL protected. We book your holiday as a package, which ensures every aspect is covered, and we also provide tra vel insurance should you need it.

YOUR HOLIDAY BEGINS WITH US

The prices you find on the internet are non-negotiable. However, Not Just Travel has buying power of around £3m per day. What does this mean for you? This means we have access to some of the best deals and the authority to negotiate the perfect price for you.

Simply tell us your budget and we will do the rest. Your Travel Consultant will also be able to advise you on a realistic budget based on where you want to go, so that we can find you the perfect holiday at the perfect price!

As your personal Travel Consultant, tell me what you’d like from your holiday and I'll sort everything for you. Whatever you want, whatever your budget, I'll take care of it - Anne King

UNIQUE PERSONAL SERVICE

There are some things money can’t buy, and our exceptional service is one of them. You don’t pay any extra for the pleasure of booking with a Travel Consultant, so why wouldn’t you? We know that booking a holiday is about so much more than flights and a hotel. It’s personal to you, and we’re passionate about understanding exactly what you want and delivering that to you at no extra cost.

Chat to Anne King, your local Personal Travel Expert today to start planning your next holiday.

Call on 07885 694 621 or visit www. anneking.notjusttravel.com

ANNE KING Tel: 07885 694 621 www.anneking.notjusttravel.com Facebook: AnneKingNJT

Booking a holiday should be exciting, not stressful. When you book with us, you’ll have a dedicated Travel Consultant to do all the hard work for

13

LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FUTURE CARE FEES Your home may be at risk

I

n the past five years one million family homes have had to be sold to pay for care. Homes that were going to be the children’s inheritance.

Should you need to go into care in later life, your assets will be means tested by the local authority. If the value of your assets, including your home, exceeds £23,250 you will have to pay full care fees. The average cost of care is now in excess of £30,000 a year.

HOW CAN WE LEGALLY PROTECT OUR HOME FROM CARE FEES?

There are many 'myths' about protecting your home, such as giving it away to your children (not recommended) the 7 year rule (applies to Inheritance Tax NOT care fees) Common Law Marriage (no such thing in the UK) etc.

It is important to receive the correct advice when considering how to protect, so local authorities will not regard it as deliberate deprivation of assets.

MIRROR WILLS

If in your wills you leave everything to each other, and then to the children (mirror wills) you may unintentionally gift the full home to the local authority, should surviving spouse go into care. The children could then be left with very little.

PROPERTY TRUST WILLS LEGALLY PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM CARE FEES

Instead of leaving your share of the home to each other on first death, with Property Trust Wills, you each leave your share of the home in trust (ring fenced) for the children, stating they are not to receive it during the lifetime of the surviving spouse, who retains the FULL USE of the home.

Should surviving spouse go into care, that half of the home in trust is legally protected from care fees.

Guaranteeing at least half the value of your home for your children. If surviving spouse does not go into care, your full home passes to the children on the death of surviving spouse as per your wills. Spouse and children could be the executors, trustees and beneficiaries.

By spending a few hundred pounds now on Property Trust Wills, you can legally protect at least half the value of your home for your children. The cost also includes free probate advice at the time it is needed.

If requested, money left on first death to surviving spouse, could also be protected by Money Trusts written into your wills.

Surviving spouse could access capital and income from the trust. If surviving spouse goes into care, the money in the trust is safeguarded from care fees. Spouse and children could be the trustees and beneficiaries.

Both the Property and Money Trusts protect your children’s inheritance in the event of: Surviving spouse remarrying, Going bankrupt, Changing their will, Children divorcing, IHT mitigation etc. Ask our adviser to explain.

All trust wills are drafted by our experienced solicitors who specialise in this field.

Trust Wills do not come into effect until first death. Whilst both of you are alive you are still able to sell your home and buy another, spend your money or save your money. Your assets remain under your control.

We also recommend Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s) which enable your family to legally manage your affairs for your benefit, should you become unable to. Without LPA’s the Court of Protection would take control of your finances. The Local Authority would take control of your welfare, including deciding where you would live. LPA’s can only be made whilst you have mental capacity. They are important. Please ask our adviser to explain.

Our service is fully inclusive, our qualified solicitors, who are insured and regulated Members of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) will draft your trust wills to reflect your own requirements. We personally deliver the completed documents to you. Our adviser would also oversee and guide you through the signing process, as it is important that legal documents are signed and witnessed correctly to ensure validity. Members of IPW & SWW, Trading Standards approved, GDPR registered, providing a courteous and professional service since 2006.

If you have any concerns, and would like to know more, please CALL US on 0191 206 4007 to arrange a free home or office appointment.

Our experienced adviser will be happy to clearly explain and answer any questions you may have. Perhaps it’s time to protect your family...

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TASTY DATES The North East has a fast developing reputation as one of the most up and coming regions in the country for the quality and diverse range of its food and drink. The 2019 calendar is already filling up with culinary festivals and markets.

Here are just some of the regions events already confirmed for this year.

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PROPER FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

These festivals have already proved themselves a popular addition to the region’s gourmet calendar with outings in North Shields, Whitley Bay and Cramlington in recent years. This year’s confirmed events are: North Shields 4-6 May; South Shields 25-27 May; Whitley Bay 15-16 June; Gosforth 13-14 July Finally, the Great North Feast, South Shields August 24-26 a massive celebration of food and drink, bringing together the community for a social eating experience which has never been seen before in the North East. www.properfoodanddrinkfestivals.co.uk

TYNEMOUTH FOOD FESTIVAL

Tynemouth Priory and Castle hosts the annual festival on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May. Stalls include Papa Ganoush, Fat Hippo, Scream for Pizza, The Little Fishy and more. There will also be stalls selling local artisan products, a festival bar and live music. www.tynemouthfoodfestival.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

GATESHEAD BEER FESTIVAL

The tenth annual event is scheduled for 3 - 5 May at the ground of Gateshead Rugby Club at Eastwood Gardens, Low Fell. As well as ales and ciders produced locally and from around the country, hot and cold food will be available along with Cava, gin and whisky. There will also be a full programme of live music, with a mix of genres including soul, rock, indie, folk, irish, tibutes and even male voice choirs. www.gatesheadbeerfestival.co.uk

SEAHAM FOOD FESTIVAL

This year sees the first ever Seaham Food Festival taking place on 8 and 9 June. Set in the lively harbour town, the festival will bring a host of culinary delights to Durham’s heritage coast, with top chefs, fabulous traders and producers, and tasty demonstrations to get the taste buds tingling. www.seahamfoodfestival.co.uk

NORTH EAST CHILLI FESTIVAL

Since its inception in 2010, the Chilli Festival has grown from a one day event into a 3 day music and food celebration. This year the festival will take place at Meggies Burn Fields on Blyth seafront from 5-7 July, and, as the name suggests, will feature an array of spicy treats to tempt, and definitely tingle the taste buds! The main stage will play host to a variety of local and national bands, as well as the infamous chilli eating competition! www.chillifest-ne.co.uk

BERWICK FOOD & BEER FESTIVAL Now in its 12th Year, the Berwick Food and Beer Festival is taking place from 6 - 8 September, and is a must for anyone interested in great tasting food and beer. Organised by Berwick Slow Food, and held in the magnificent surroundings of the towns 18th Century Barracks, the entrance fee to the festival also grants you access to the museums many informative exhibits.

In addition to over 80 stalls of the finest local and regional produce and beers there is also a selection of wine, gin champagne and cocktails too. There are cookery demonstrations, information stands, an animal farm, foodie films and live music. www.berwickfoodandbeerfestival.co.uk

MORPETH FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Scheduled for 5 and 6 October, it’s still early days but more than 50,000 people attended last year’s event so planning is already under way for the sixth annual event which is sure to be a big attraction in the town. www.moreinmorpeth.co.uk/events/morpeth-food-drinkfestival-2018

CRAFT BEER CALLING

This is to take place from 24, 25, 26 October at Wylam Brewery, Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park, Newcastle.

Craft brewers will run their own bars and visitors will be able to chat to staff about their products. Also promised are a gin palace, a wine cellar, cider, street food and music. www.craftbeercalling.com

NEWCASTLE GIN & RUM FEST

The UK’s largest Gin & Rum Festival tour is coming to Newcastle for the first time. The festival, held at the Civic Centre in Newcastle on 24 and 25 May will showcase over 60 different Gins and 60 different Rums in an amazing venue. A guide will be on hand to showcase you all the products on offer, and their own award-winning resident DJ will keep you entertained, playing music from all genres.

Search ‘The Gin and Rum Festival Newcastle’ at www.eventbrite.co.uk

17 17

EATING OUT

‘CATCH’ OF THE DAY FISH AND CHIPS ARE A REAL TREAT, ESPECIALLY AT THE AWARD WINNING PONTELAND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT ‘CATCH’, WRITES RICHARD WILSON

I

t is a common misconception, probably based on childhood memories, that fish and chips taste better when eaten at the seaside.

Whilst there are some delightful chip shops and seafood restaurants sprinkled along our glorious Northumberland and North Tyneside coasts, venture inland and you will find a selection of some of the best the North East has to offer.

Being a fish lover myself, and with my wife in tow, I decided to do exactly that, and the restaurant we chose to try was the award-winning Catch seafood restaurant on the outskirts of Ponteland.

Building on the success of the Catch restaurants in West Vale and Holmfirth, Catch Seafood Ponteland is the third Catch restaurant and, as the name suggests, is a dedicated fish and seafood restaurant, located just off the A696 just outside of Ponteland.

Entering through the main glass doors lit by a Catch sign, we were greeted by a host and shown to our table in the restaurant area. The bar and restaurant have a modern PERFECT: Sea bass and beef dripping chips

18

contemporary feel with an open glassfronted wine cellar, quirky lighting and a sleeper fronted chrome topped bar.

The menu, as you would expect, is packed with an array of seafood selections, some classic, some very innovative. Although there is the odd non fish dish, if seafood is not to your liking then this menu is probably wasted on you, and vegetarians should certainly seek an alternative venue!

For my starter I chose the King Scallops with roasted chorizo and garlic butter. If asked to describe the dish in one word it would be moreish!

TASTY: King Prawn Battered Scampi

For my main course I ordered from the simply fish section of the menu.

This section allows you to construct the dish yourself, by choosing your fish, 2 sides and a sauce to compliment the dish. My choices were - sea bass, beef dripping chips, spinach, accompanied by a thermidor sauce. Being a fish restaurant, you would expect that to be the star of the show, and it didn’t disappoint, crispy skin and perfectly cooked – the chips were a delight too!

My wife chose the battered king prawn ‘scampi’, served with a fresh

salad, homemade tartare sauce and the same beef dripping chips. Very tasty were has comment on the king prawns (I can vouch for that as my folk did stray to her side of the table more than once) and she agreed with my summary of the chips.

The restaurant area features an open kitchen, so we could watch the chefs at work, carefully preparing our dishes.

We were told that the experienced team source the freshest and finest products from UK ports and pass them directly to the in-house award-winning chefs to create the dishes.

Unfortunately, as I was driving on this occasion, I couldn’t sample anything other than a non-alcoholic beverage but, for those who desire, the drinks list includes a range of specially selected wines, spirits, beers, ales and seasonal cocktails to complement your meal.

If you do want to make it an extended stay, or you are celebrating a special occasion, there are 5 large guest rooms available. The rooms, reminiscent of a Hamptons beach house, offer King-size beds and en-suite bathrooms, two rooms even feature a roll top bath!

On the whole we found the restaurant décor and atmosphere very pleasant, and the food a delight.

Although the menu is not cheap, we both agreed it was excellent value for money. So, what’s the catch? On our visit we couldn’t find one!

Catch Seafood A696, Higham Dykes NE20 0DH www.catchseafood.co.uk Tel: 01661 881 440

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

COAST TO CITY CYCLE ROUTE NEARING COMPLETION W ork to finish off a new cycle route linking the North Tyneside coast with Newcastle began at the end of April Most of North Tyneside Council’s shared pedestrian and cycle path on the A1058 Coast Road between Tynemouth and the Newcastle boundary was completed in summer 2018.

However, one section of the path – between the Coast Road and the Silverlink roundabout – couldn’t be completed due to Highways England’s major work to construct the triple-decker junction. But now the new junction is open the team can gain access to finish the final part of the shared path, which will create a sustainable link between the coast and city.

The final works have been funded by Transforming Cities and are being delivered by North Tyneside Council's partner Capita.

Phil Scott, head of environment, housing and leisure, North Tyneside Council, said: “The Coast Road Cycle Scheme will provide a safe, direct and convenient pedestrian and cycle route between our beautiful coast and Newcastle. This scheme moves us closer to achieving our aim of providing a continuous network of strategic cycle routes.”

Claire Kerrin, Network Development for Sustrans in the North East said:

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“The new Coast Road cycle path will be a great addition to the North East’s cycle infrastructure. It’s a safe, segregated and direct route between the coast and Newcastle, which goes through major employment centres. This will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and choose cycling or walking for their everyday journeys.”

Work began at the end of last month and is expected to take around 13 weeks. During this time, there will be a footway/cycleway closure on the Coast Road from the Silverlink roundabout to the Willington Square interchange. Clearly signposted diversions for pedestrians and cyclists will be in place via Middle Engine Lane.

There will be some temporary overnight slip road closures at Willington Square interchange to accommodate the works – further details will be posted on social media in advance.

The 30mph speed restriction for drivers travelling eastbound on the A1058 Coast Road will also be maintained for the duration of the work.

For regular updates, subscribe to the e-bulletin service by emailing roads@northtyneside.gov.uk, and put “Coast Road Cycle Scheme” in the subject field. Or if you have any queries, contact the Major Projects Team on (0191) 643 6500 or roads@ northtyneside.gov.uk

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

R A JACKSON & SON WELCOME NEW CHARTERED SURVEYOR TO THEIR TEAM

Left to right: James Barlow, Barry Knox and Richard Fenwick from R A Jackson & Son

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he partners at R A Jackson & Son LLP, Richard Fenwick and James Barlow, are delighted to welcome Barry Knox MRICS to the team of chartered surveyors at their Northumberland Square, North Shields office.

Barry is a Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered valuer with over 35 years experience in the property industry. Barry acts for a wide range of clients including; private home owners, landlords, banks, housing associations and leading property companies. Barry specialises in HomeBuyer Reports, Building Surveys and Valuations.

Barry joined the team at R A Jackson & Son LLP in September 2018, having previously managed the Survey and Valuation department at Pattinsons for 26 years.

Bringing a wealth of experience and specialist property knowledge Barry joins our team of surveyors operating across the North East region from Alnwick, to Hexham and Durham.

Barry said “I have known James and Richard for many years and I am delighted to have joined them at R A Jackson & Son. The team here are all very knowledgeable and extremely passionate about the local area and delivering a quality service to their customers. I strongly believe the local independent agents and valuers are 24

providing a great service and support to the local and regional community”.

James added “Barry has been a fantastic addition to our team, he brings with him a wealth of experience and vast working knowledge of the area and since joining us his professionalism and quality of service have been outstanding”.

Barry undertakes the majority of our HomeBuyer reports which are designed to help and advise individuals buying a residential property.

We are registered with the RICS who ensure that the surveyor who provides the HomeBuyer report gives you professional advice to help you to: make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property make an informed decision on what is a reasonable price to pay for the property take account of any repairs or replacements the property needs; and consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchase the property

• • • •

With specialist knowledge in all aspects of residential and commercial property we are here to support you whatever your plans. For further information on how Barry can help you or to arrange a survey or valuation on your future home please contact us on 0191-2571253 or surveys@rajackson.co.uk

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

LOOKING AFTER LOCAL EYES FOR OVER 40 YEARS J. A. HICKS OPTOMETRIST, A TRADITIONAL YET MODERN PRACTICE AND AN ESTABLISHED PART OF NORTH SHIELDS LIFE

J

.A. Hicks Optometrist began life as Richardson’s Opticians which was located by the train station in North Shields. After a brief time in a prefab near what is now the Co-op, the business became J.A.Hicks and relocated to Nile Street around 1978. They have been there ever since and they like to think of themselves as an established part of North Shields life.

Their staff have all been with them for quite a while too. Janet, one of their Optical Assistants, clocked up 40 years with the company in 2017 and they will be celebrating the same length of service for Catherine, their Dispensing Optician, later this year.

Nicola, their other Optical Assistant, joined the team a mere 30 years ago and Optometrist, Sylvia, took over from Mrs Hicks in 2009 (having qualified as an Optometrist in 1982).

They pride themselves on being a friendly and approachable team.

For kids, they offer appointments after school or on Saturday mornings and run dedicated ‘childrens’ days’ in the holidays with snacks and juice to keep everyone amused. They have a fantastic range of children’s

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frames to choose from, and because they use a local workshop, glasses can be made up within a few daysand the inevitable repairs sorted out quickly too. They can also arrange a familiarisation visit for children (or adults) with special needs or autism and can allow a longer appointment if required.

When it comes to adults, they offer full NHS or private examinations including retinal photography. They have designer brands such as timeless RayBans, less well known styles such as Ronit Furst (think Prue Leith on Bake Off) and an extensive range right through to budget styles. They have something to suit every pocket.

With Summer just around the corner, Sunglasses should be on everyone’s minds – Studies have shown that exposure to ultra- violet light may be linked to eye conditions such as cataract and macular degeneration (AMD). It is therefore vital to protect your eyes in the sun.

Being outdoors may help prevent shortsightedness in children, but don’t forget that their eyes need protecting too.

How about contact lenses? There

are lenses to suit more prescriptions than ever before and they are easier to wear than you might think – give it a go- J.A. Hicks offer a free trial, so you’ve nothing to lose (except your specs).

Optometrist, Sylvia, works with the Charity ‘Sightservice ‘ in Gateshead, which helps people who have a visual impairment. This means she is ideally qualified to offer advice if you have ‘low vision’- (if your vision can’t be corrected fully with glasses or contact lenses) Simple advice about lighting and contrast, or the use of magnifiers, can make life that little bit easier. Just ask and we will help if we can.

So why not pop down and see what the practice can offer you and your family? They pride themselves on being traditional – but not old fashioned- and have many years of combined experience to help and guide you.

J.A Hicks Optometrist 25 Nile Street, North Shields Tyne & Wear NE29 0AZ Tel: 0191 2571093 www.jahicks.co.uk facebook @jahicks.optometrist

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