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NOVEMBER 2011

ISSUE 6

November 2011

Perfectly Pampered It’s a wrap

MILLMAN

Jewellers of Distinction 2 Church Arcade Bedford TEL 01234 354026

AFFINITY MAGAZINE

Gareth Gates Ge-nius

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Prepare for Christmas

he BBC Good Food Show Winter is the perfect place to find everything you need for Christmas all under one roof. With 21 years experience of putting together the country’s biggest and best Food event, The Good Food Show offers a great festive day out.

Be inspired by top chefs live demos. Some of TV’s favourite foodie faces will be cooking live on stage on the supertheatre sponsored by Sainsbury’s. Star names including James Martin, demonstrating an alternative Christmas Dinner, Rick Stein, John Torode and Gregg Wallace who’ll be creating his classic Christmas pudding. Christmas Theatre – Get some great ideas for Christmas treats by taking a tasting session on this stage – alternatively pick up some fantastic tips for making your own treats including Christmas cookie icing, marzipan fruit making and Christmas cake decorations. World Cheese Awards - If you’re planning on providing the most brilliant cheese board for your guests then where better to get inspiration from than the World Cheese Awards. Over 2500 different cheeses, that’s 40 tonnes, will be judged by the worlds top cheese experts.

Shopping – With over 400 exhibitors it’s the perfect place to pick up gifts for your friends and family. With some fantastic producers’ including Kelly’s Turkeys, English Provender and Scotland Food and Drink, find something original for Christmas Day. Drinks - Stock up your drinks cabinet with a whole range of fantastic drinks suppliers from Glengoyne Whisky to Port from ‘Spirits of the Place’ or pick up something really different from Demijohns Liquid Deli. MasterChef Experience – See all your favourite MasterChef faces live on stage including John Torode, Gregg Wallace, Dhruv Baker and Tim Anderson and the newly crowned Celebrity MasterChef Champion – the perfect place to take any MasterChef fan for a pre-Christmas treat. Plus watch amateur cooks create their signature dishes live on stage to be judged by John and Gregg in the MasterChef Live Challenge sponsored by Plenty. Tickets start at £20.50 and are available from: www.BBCgoodfoodshow.com or 0844 581 1360

WIN! WIN! WIN! Affinity has 5 pairs of tickets to give away to this delicious event. For your chance of winning simply quote “Good Food Show Winter” and send to info@affinitymag.co.uk by 14th November Winners will be notified by 16th November 4

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are You

Cover image Model - Louisa Vaccaro

Location - Embankment Jacket - Claytons, Bedford

Welcome Christmas is coming, bringing with it that mad dash to buy. Weâ€™ve took the hassle out of searching for gifts this month and next and are spreading a little cheer with our gifts for him, stocking fillers for kids and eco gifts to help you get started. Our choice of coats and accessories in this monthâ€™s fashion shoot should keep you warm this winter. And if you want some family fun why not book tickets to see this years Pantomime Aladdin at Milton Keynes Theatre starring Gareth Gates and Paul Burling, and check out our interview with Gareth Gates on page 56. There is also a chance to win a familly ticket to see this great show, so donâ€™t miss out. Finally donâ€™t forget to enter our competition to win tickets to the BBC Good Food Show in November â€“ an early Christmas present to yourself Until Next Month Enjoy

Jane x Follow us on Facebook and visit our website www.affinitymag.co.uk

Missing a Trick? Affinity is an aspirational, luxury lifestyle magazine for Beds and Bucks. It features the best in homes & interiors, music & events, food & travel, beauty & fashion as well as interviews with celebrities and local personalities. Undeniably chic, and of a quality unrivalled in the area, Affinity is the perfect medium to target the affluent people in your area. With copies distributed free in Bedford and the surrounding Beds, Bucks and Cambs villages, the average readership per issue being approximately 50,000, you canâ€™t fail to get your business noticed. Our digital online eMagazine has links direct to advertisers websites thus creating even more potential customers. It is vital that your reputation doesnâ€™t disappear during the present economic climate. It's during these times that 'smart' advertising becomes imperative. Advertising plays an important role during these times and should not be put on the backburner as a way to keep costs down. Advertising your business does not necessarily mean spending a fortune and long term committment will always far outway a one-off advertisement placed here and there. A well planned consistent prescence will almost always pay off in the long run. So donâ€™t be left behind â€“ for all your advertising needs please contact: Jane Fry jane@affinitymag.co.uk info@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 215523 07809 499669

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CONTENTS 4 12 22 25 40 44 52 56 60 64

BBC Good Food Back to the 60â€™s Gifts 4 Him Winter Warmers Bright Sparks Relishing Reading Perfect Primula Gareth Gates Northern Lights Whatâ€™s On For All Your Advertising Needs Contact: jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 215523 07809 499669

All adverts are printed in good faith. Affinity cannot take responsibility for the content of adverts. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that description of goods and services are accurate. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Printed in the UK by Regal Litho 01908 270400 www.regallitho.co.uk

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Little

Black

Dress

FitNess BootCamp Get into your Christmas Party Little Black Dress in 6 weeks.....

Starting Tues 8th Nov until Sunday 18th Dec Mill Meadow, the Embankment

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Crank up your metabolism for the rest of the day with our fat shredding Bootcamps On average a 7lb weight loss over 6 weeks We`ll send you home training plans and a 7 day detox if you block book for 6 weeks It’s outdoors but we have got it covered if it snows! Our Bootcamps are created for all fitness levels, ask us if you are not sure if you are ready Gents…you are welcome too. We also want to help you get in shape for the party season!

Still not sure? Neither was Carol, but read how her 6 week Bootcamp worked for her… ” Bitten by the Bedford Bootcamp Bug! The journey is as important as the end result and the Bedford Bootcamp journey with Rachel and Amy was fast, fun, furious and effective. I lost half a stone and totally recommend it to anyone. Thanks for your motivational flapjacks too “ Carol C, Bedford

To reserve your place: 07879 614 730 info@rachelbenton.co.uk www.rachelbenton.co.uk

Meet us by the Suspension Bridge just before 06:00am

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the

Embankment he River Great Ouse winds its way through the town giving Bedford what has been described as one of the finest riverside settings in England.

The Embankment Gardens were linked to Mill Meadows on the other side of the river by the Suspension Bridge in 1888, and Bedford Park was inaugurated on the same day as the opening of the bridge: a Victorian ensemble with café, bandstand and lodges.

Bedford’s Victorian Embankment is a historic location with plenty of green space, “The wildlife including swans, geese and So now that the temperatures have Embankment ducks and of course rowing, kayaking dropped and nights are longer, and canoeing. has been described what better way to enjoy the historic Embankment than the as one of the finest The town's history goes back to annual Fire and Light Festival and riverside settings Christmas light switch on. Saxon times, and was important in the reign of King Alfred before the in England” Danes attacked it in 1010. This year’s event, takes place on Tuesday 29th November at 7pm where it kicks off The River Great Ouse passes through the town with the lights officially being switched on centre and is lined with gardens. Within these followed by a fantastic ‘Fire and Light display’ gardens stands a war memorial to the fallen of the First World War. The memorial was designed in This spectacular show is designed to be seen and 1921 by the sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger and enjoyed from the full length of the Embankment. depicts a Knight vanquishing a dragon.The inscription reads: So why not wrap up warm and join the party atmosphere as the historic Embankment is once “To Bedfordians who died, many in early youth, again lit up with this fantastic festive display. some full of years and honour, but who all alike gave their lives for their country” 9

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Heart Breakfast with

Stuart & Natalie Hi Affinity readers! You can’t fail to have noticed that the live X Factor shows have begun and while Simon Cowell is reportedly not happy with how the show is rating at the moment, the new judges seem to have settled in really well. Our favorite has to be Kelly Rowland, who told us that she listens to Heart for inspiration when thinking about her song choices for the girls. She also told us what she does to keep in shape! “Two hundred sit-ups I do, maybe every other night. I did it the night before. I couldn’t do it last night, I was way too tired. I probably won’t do it tonight because I’m tired, but I will do it tomorrow night. My trainer, she says one of the ways you bust belly fat is at night and it’s right before you go to bed, so I follow that. So between that and not eating three hours before I go to bed is really important to me... But I do try to work out at least three to four times a week. I’m going to start working out with contestants,

my girls, and I’m really excited about that. We’ll be jogging and running together and singing and that’s fun. That’s bonding time, that’s time that I get to know them and really get into talking to them.” Wow, we’re exhausted just thinking about all that exercise…! Last year’s winner, the gorgeous Matt Cardle, who released his brand new album Letters last month, also came in and talked to us about what he thinks of the new X Factor judges. “I think Kelly is incredible. I think Gary is doing a great job but Simon has got the best ‘err’ in the business. When he goes ‘err’, everyone takes a breath in and thinks, ‘What’s he’s going to say?’ I used to freak out every time he said it. I think there’s a little bit of that missing, but Gary is doing a great job and Tulisa is fitting in really well. Louis is just doing his thing which he will do until the end of time.” And former X Factor judge Danni Minogue has been in the news following rumours that she was in talks to become a judge on Britain’s Got Talent. We wanted to know if the rumours were true! “I don’t have any TV booked in for the 10

next year”, she told Heart. “I haven’t even made any decisions about it but there’s always stuff in the pipeline. Let’s see what happens!” So we wondered, if the call did come, would she be tempted? “I don’t know. At the moment, for me, it’s all about family and being back in Australia. We’ll see what happens but I do love the show. It’s so funny, you’ve always got a dog trying to sing in tune and I’m trying to imagine the Queen watching that!” As if that’s not enough, we’ve recently announced that Heart’s Artist of the Year 2011 is the multi million-selling Bruno Mars. To celebrate, we are hosting an exclusive and intimate live gig with Bruno in London this month – and you could be there! We’re giving away tickets, so keep tuned to Heart and visit heart.co.uk See you next month!

Stuart & Natalie Stuart and Natalie present Heart Breakfast every Monday–Friday at 6am-10am across Herts, Beds, Bucks, Northants and Milton Keynes on 96-104 FM, digital, and online at heart.co.uk

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Choosing the perfect gift can be tricky, particularly as the average person spends over £100 on unwanted gifts each year. So with the season of goodwill upon us, for this month and next I have sourced a few eco friendly gift ideas for your nearest and dearest to treasure.

the of

Eco Gifts for Christmas by Alessia Stoles

Grandad - This

Mum – Any mum will love this beautifully stylish eco gift made from upcycled cement sacks this Ele washbag is sure to be loved by any mum. You can buy one for £11.99 from ganesha.co.uk.

Grandma – If there’s

one thing guaranteed to make Grandma happy it’s pictures of her family this gorgeous photo album made from jeweled sari silks, with 30 handmade paper pages. Available at £22.50 from ganesha.co.uk.

Brother – Brothers can be the toughest to buy for but you can’t go wrong with this Glow Brick it’s a glow-inthe-dark light bulb, trapped in a solid acrylic brick. This is £21 from ethicalsuperstore.com

Sister – For the girl

who has everything and who hasn’t got room in her handbag for a chiwuwa opt for this funky doggy wheat warmer. Made from organic cotton, filled with wheat and lavender, you just need to pop her in the microwave for a couple of minutes and this little doggy will keep you warm for up to two hours. £27 from showpony.co.uk.

Queen Green

Dad - For any trend conscious dad, this stylish pair of cufflinks are made from genuine decommissioned firehoses. They are £35 from ethicalsuperstore.com and 50% of the profits are donated to the Fire Fighter Charity.

handmade, fair trade wooden game is finger flicking fun for everyone! Perfect for Grandad at Christmas. Available from fairwindonline.com for £49.50

3 4

Kids – What kid

doesn’t like playing with cardboard boxes so kids will love this recycled cardboard den. Kids will disappear for hours! Get yours for £34.95 fro mimimyne.com.

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‘s Winter Spirit

You might notice that there seems to be a lot of sixties fashion hitting our favourite High Street stores! With smock dresses, and “Peter Pan” collars being the highlight of this Autumn/Winter, it’s only right to complete the look in true sixties style.

Step 1 After your usual cleansing routine and before applying any foundation to your face, apply some base on your eyelids and around your eye. This will help with the eyeshadow to stay put for longer and reduce the amount of creasing. If you don’t have an “official” eye base, concealer and foundation can do the trick. Step 2 Using matt finish eyeshadow, select one of the lightest colours in your palette, either white or a cream/ivory shade. Apply all over your eyelid and blend the colour lightly up to your brow bone, keep the heavier layers on your lid.

Step 3 Either with a soft kohl eyeliner or black/grey eye shadow, draw a rough line along the contour between your brow bone and eyelid. This is easiest with a flat brush to get the initial line in place. Once you are happy with the positioning of your line, use a round blending brush to pull the colour along and blend. Step 4 With a black liquid or gel liner, apply along your lash line as close to the root as possible. Flicks for this look are optional, although going by true Twiggy style, aren’t a must (some of you may breathe a sigh of relief there!). 12

Step 5 Now using a white eyeliner pencil, draw along the inner line of your bottom eyelid. This opens up your eyes giving them a wider appearance. Step 6 (Optional) To enhance the wide eyed look, you can blend and smudge a small amount of black or grey kohl eyeliner underneath your bottom lashes, again, keeping as close to the root as possible. Step 7 Now for the pièce de résistance, the eyelashes! This is where the whole look comes together. Coat your natural lashes with a generous layer of mascara,

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before applying your strip lashes. Once they are securely in place, add another layer of mascara to your falsies to really bulk them up. Step 8 With your bottom lashes, the idea is to get that “clumped” look. So rather than sweeping your mascara wand delicately over your bottom lashes so they feather beautifully, layer the mascara on by moving your wand from left to right, over and over again. You can even “fake” few a bottom lashes by using your liquid liner to draw a few on yourself. Step 9 Finish the look by applying your foundation, powder and a light dusting of pinky blusher, topped off with a light shade of lipstick and voila… enter the age of the 60’s. HOT TIP With this time of year leaving you breathing frost smoke, why not hot up the look with a bold colour on the eyelid underneath the black contour instead of the monochrome black and white shades.

This Seasons

Shades -

Introduction For a more classic look this Autumn/Winter, warm up your features ready to step out in the frosty and crisp air. Try vamping up your lips with lots of deep plums, reds, berrys and even purples. A very key look for this time of year when Christmas do’s are being planned and booked into your diaries. It’s probably one of the quickest and easiest looks to achieve too, although can require a touch of bravery. Watch out for Decembers Affinity Magazine, where I will be giving you tips on how to create an evening look from a day makeup ready for the Office Party using these shades. So with that in mind, here are a few shades that have been big on the catwalks this year for the likes of Gucci and YSL for you to acquaint yourselves with, until we meet again next month…

Sabina

For bookings and enquiries: sabinav@hotmail.co.uk www.sabinaventriglia.co.uk 13

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Strawberry laser inch loss has arrived

Situated in the heart of historic Harrold in the beautiful North Bedfordshire countryside, you will find The Retreat. It is a place to unwind, relax and renew both body and mind.

wner Gail Walker’s philosophy is “To provide you with a warm, calm and relaxing environment in which you can unwind and leave the stresses and the strains of daily life behind for a while. Our aim is to keep treatments as natural as possible at The Retreat while still providing individual and exceptional care for you, your skin and your wellbeing!” And this is exactly what happened when I went to trial their new Strawberry Laser Inch loss treatment. This new treatment is non-invasive, pain free with no side effects.

Now for the moment of truth - I stand up and I feel as if my tummy is tighter it feels as if I am holding it in but I’m not!! But the truth will show on the tape measure – WOW I have lost an amazing 3 inches, what would I have lost for the full 20 minutes? I can’t believe this I look in the mirror and my tummy is definitely flatter!

I must say I was very dubious this couldn’t possibly work in just 10 minutes!

I can’t rave about this treatment enough it does exactly what it says – no hidden gimmicks just genuine inch loss.

And just to prove it wasn’t a fluke and is for men as well as women my husband gave it a go and he lost 3.5 inches on his tummy, as I write this 5 days later both of us agree our stomachs are still flatter!

I arrived at the salon to be met by Gail and her staff; who were all lovely and friendly and made me feel at ease straight away. I went into one of the treatment rooms where the whole procedure was explained to me and my measurements were then taken (I decided to go for my wobbly tummy!)

If anyone wants to try for themselves before commiting to the full course give Gail a call and she will be only to happy to accommodate you for a trial. The cost is £800 for a course of 8 treatments over a 4 week period (2 per week). I know what I’ll be doing for the next few weeks leading up to me fitting into that sexy dress for Christmas!!

I laid on the couch for 10 minutes with a belt of laser paddles round my stomach – The procedure was not uncomfortable it just felt like a nice warm sensation on my tummy.

For more information or to discuss this or any other treatments call Gail on: 01234 721187, www.RetreatHarrold.co.uk

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:36 Page 13

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:36 Page 14

Power

Plate

Last month I shared with you two great pieces of fitness equipment, this month I wanted to tell you about a third, my favourite piece.....

The Power Plate The Power Plate is a vibration training device that features in gyms, training centres and private studios around the world. The machine was originally invented for Russian astronauts to prevent their muscles from wasting away and their bones from becoming brittle whilst on space missions. The concept was then modified by Guus van der Meer in 1999 and in 2000 the Power Plate was born into the commercial health and fitness market. Now the Power Plate is found in over 100 countries around the world and is used by professional athletes, medical practitioners, celebrities and personal trainers. Some of the professional sports teams and athletes using the Power Plate are Chelsea FC, Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC, Lee Westwood, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and some of the celebrities include Dannii Minogue, Claudia Schieffer, Jonathan Ross, Simon Cowell and Hilary Swank.

phenomenal muscle contraction helps to shape, strengthen and condition the muscle which can lead to some truly amazing results.

So how does it actually work? The Power Plate platform vibrates up and down by 2 or 4mm, depending on the setting you choose, at a rate of 25-50 times per second. The user would stand, squat, lunge, sit, balance, press up or crunch on the plate whilst the plate is vibrating. The vibration stimulates an involuntary reflex muscle contraction which makes the muscle relax and contract at the same rate the plate is moving (25-50 times per second). This

There are numerous other benefits to using vibration training dependent on your specific goal.

The Power Plate has recently been certified as a medical device manufacturer under the European Medical Devices Directive (MDD) legislation. This means that all Power Plate products are certified as safe, reliable and effective for use in a medical environment. This was a huge step for Power Plate, it meant that people were taking this product very seriously and the gimmick of the ‘wonder machine’ was now actually proving to be true. I am always asked if vibration training actually works. I know it does sound too good to be true but when the product is used correctly the results speak for themselves. There are research papers from all around the world to back up the claims and I want to share with you my top three health benefits the Power Plate can help you achieve:

If this hasn’t convinced you about the Power Plate then come and visit my studio and try it out for yourself! Christmas is FAST approaching so why not set yourself a goal for your Christmas party and use the Power Plate to help achieve it. 16

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Increased Bone Density Osteoporosis is reaching epidemic levels in our aging population. In July 2006 a study reported that Osteoporosis is expected to triple over the next 50 years. The Power Plate has proven to reduce this risk. Not only does the vibration strengthen our bones, making them less brittle but by using the Power Plate you increase your strength and stability which makes you less likely to have a fall in the first place, which could lead to broken bones.

Julie Holl 07808 739651 jules@hollgroup.com www.julieholl.co.uk

Weight loss Of course any kind of exercise can lead to weight loss but we donâ€™t always have time to do 3 hours every week at the gym and if weâ€™re entirely honest not all of us actually enjoy it. However research suggests that three 30 minutes sessions on the Power Plate can reduce your body weight and body fat percentage substantially. I have been training one lady and she could commit to just one Power Plate session per week and she achieved 41lbs weight loss in 9 months. (Her success story can be found on my website www.julieholl.co.uk/news/S uccess-Story---Well-doneJo-Bampton/) So if time is an issue then great results can still be achieved. 17

Increased flexibility: Personal trainers are always harping on about the need to improve your flexibility but why? Tight muscles can cause pain and postural problems which in turn can lead to injuries and back problems. If your job requires you to sit for prolonged periods of time then your muscles adapt to that and become tight in certain areas - particularly your hips, lower back and around the neck and shoulders. Some simple gentle stretches can reduce these pains which can also lead to better posture. If you play sports you can notice a huge difference when your body is more flexible especially sports such as tennis, golf and football. By using a Vibration device you can increase your flexibility with a few simple stretches and massage techniques.

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:36 Page 16

Hangover

Headaches

Dehydration The Christmas party and festive season is fast approaching, a time to forget diets and enjoy wonderful food, wine, rich desserts and no doubt chocolate in abundance. However, if we have overdone it, help is at hand with some simple store cupboard remedies to aid speedy recovery from over indulgence, hangovers, headaches and indigestion.

eadaches are quite complex in Ayurveda as, depending on where they originate, or the root cause and imbalance in the body, the treatment will vary. However, if you have a pounding headache with pain over the temples, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice (do not use during pregnancy) taken no more than three times a day may well help. Water with fresh lime, a little salt and sugar act as natural re-hydration mix and will help relieve a headache as a result of de-hydration. Coconut water is also a great hydrator and therefore, beneficial for recovering faster from a hangover. It’s very cooling too, so will counteract the heating effects of excess alcohol. Don’t forget the liver! With increased alcohol consumption, along with complex and heavy meals, the liver comes under strain. One of the best remedies to protect the liver and help detoxify the body efficiently, Milk thistle. But, it will become more effective taken with a cup of fresh mint tea.

squeeze the juice of ¼ lime and immediately before drinking add a ½ teaspoon of baking soda and knock it back quickly. Garlic: To a chopped clove of fresh garlic, add a good pinch of baking soda before eating it. Both of these remedies work by alkalising the digestive system. However, if you suffer from chronic indigestion, a more potent formula will be needed to be taken over a longer period of time to settle the imbalance in the body. Acid stomach Add a good pinch of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of Aloe vera juice or gel which will immediately relieve the hyperacidity 1 teaspoon of lime juice, ½ teaspoon of sugar and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda added to a glass of warm water is an excellent natural alka-saltzer. Again if the Heartburn is chronic, longer term treatment will be required.

Bloating The number one remedy for bloating is fennel, often taken as tea and the gentle aromatic spices Indigestion & over eating such as cumin and coriander, added to food or I have two Ayurvedic remedies for acute drunk as a tea settle the gut. indigestion, both very simple and, effective, using If you have difficulty sleeping after eating late or a kitchen remedies, readily to hand and easy to rich meal, chamomile tea is used by many prepare when you’re feeling rather delicate. cultures to settle the stomach and induce a Lime juice: peaceful night’s sleep. In a cup of warm water -warm is important Carolyn Wood-Herbalist and Naturopath 07944886502 ayurvediC HeaLTH TiP To stimulate digestive juices before a large meal take 1 teaspoon of crushed fresh ginger and add a little Himalayan rock salt – don’t use table salt, a squeeze of lime would be great too. Take this 15 minutes before eating. It will really help in digestive complaints. 18

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:37 Page 17

Beauty Roxanne by

Beauty by Roxanne has been established for 3 years. My aim is to provide you with somewhere you can be pampered by a friendly, professional and experienced therapist. There is a wide range of treatments that you can choose from including: Facials, Body treatments, Manicures, Pedicures, Spray tanning, Gel nails, Eyelash extensions, Waxing and much more. With all these treatments I only use the highest quality products, this helps achieve the best results and leaves you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

Mention Affinity and receive

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26 Greenview Close, Kempston, Bedford Beds, MK42 7BG. Tel: 07872 146804 Email: beautybyroxanne@aol.co.uk www.beatybyroxanne.co.uk I also have a beauty room at: Savills Hair & Beauty Salon, Potton, Beds.

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:37 Page 18

party

it me

t’s the time of year that you don’t need any excuse to get dressed up and sparkle! There’s not many tips really, but the greatest is: love what you wear! Make the most of the opportunity to embrace your inner princess and dress up to the nines but wear what feels good; if you end up wearing something that you don’t feel totally comfortable in it will show. Plus you could be in your outfit for a long time so it needs to be wearable and if possible, comfortable. So, go ahead and sparkle...

90 laysuit £ Sequin P 8 2 £ lt e B Bag £30 se u o h re a W

Side Flo wer Sati Bandea u Dress n £65 www.lip sy.co.uk

Tuxedo cket £49, o Tuxedo Ja M £38 &C Trousers Co r £6 sage 5w D ww rap .lip e D sy. res co .uk s

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Prom Dress £65 Next

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:37 Page 19

hatever your reason for visiting Claytons, Bedfordshire’s largest independent men’s and women’s clothing retailer, you will find yourself in a shop offering beautiful, stylish, quality products.

Claytons is owned and run by Bev and Tim Garner and Matthew Sweeting, who work alongside their 10 members of staff in large open-plan premises on the first floor at Hatters. Claytons originally opened its doors in 1905 in The Arcade in Bedford’s town centre. It was a menswear shop until 2005 when the company added a womenswear department that now stocks an exciting collection of clothing including labels such as Fenn Wright Manson, Oui, Pomodoro, Taifun, Nougat and Crew to name but a few. Gerry Weber and Masai are just two of the new additions expected in January. Claytons also stocks beautiful individual evening dresses, ideal for parties, balls, cruises, proms and weddings, all individually priced and starting from under £100. In the spring of 2009 Claytons moved out of The Arcade to its new home at Hatters , Goldington Road, Bedford. Here the atmosphere is warm and welcoming; you can browse the clothes at your leisure and are made to feel relaxed. The members of staff are extremely helpful and nothing is too much trouble. Claytons is in the process of extending its giftwear section, which includes interesting gifts for everyone. New stock is arriving regularly so if you’re looking for presents this Christmas, or just because you fancy buying yourself or someone else a gift, then look no further – you decide. Within womenswear you will find a beautiful range of individual jewellery, again very reasonably priced, starting from as little as £8.95. Other accessories include hats and fascinators as well as a large selection of scarves. In the menswear department brands include Polo Ralph Lauren, Lyle & Scott, Crew, Barbour, Eton, Robert Graham and Barkers shoes. Claytons offers a range of menswear to suit everyone: whether it’s traditional or modern, smart or casual, you will find exactly what you are looking for. Claytons is definitely worth a visit whether it’s to buy yourself a stunning dress for a special occasion, add some of this season’s essentials to your wardrobe (whether you’re male or female) or buy a gift for a friend, then you need look no further than Claytons. Everything is under one roof, you can have a coffee while you’re browsing and you don’t even need to worry about parking because there is ample FREE parking. Don’t take my word for it though – go and see for yourself!

Claytons at Hatters 532 Goldington Road Bedford MK41 0DX 01234 352429 www.claytonsonline.co.uk

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:37 Page 20

Vintage Jack weekend bag £160 www.lilyandlime.co.uk

Wild & Wolf scrabble flask £17 Debenhams

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Jean-Paul Gautier gift set £39.50 Debenhams

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:37 Page 21

man of the month

Phillip Edge Age: 50 Occupation: Orthopaedic Surgeon Resides: Bedford Describe yourself in three words? Sincere, loyal, patient Saturday night you can be found where? Having fun with family and friends, usually at someone's house. Sometimes in a restaurant. Always somewhere where one can have a conversation without having to shout. Describe your 9 - 5? It’s actually 8 -6! Interacting with people in out-patients and trying to spot the ones who would benefit from having their limbs surgically re-arranged can be great fun! Other days are spent "doing the deed" in the operating theatre - my equivalent to a fantastically kitted out garden shed/workshop. It is challenging as no two cases are ever the same. It is never "routine". Seeing patients who are mobile and pain free after their surgery is very rewarding. Best holiday destination and why? It has to be Tanzania. Climbing all 19,341 feet of Mt Kilimanjaro was both horrendous and fantastic. In doing so I managed to raise about £2000 for a local hospice. Going on safari in tented camps with lions prowling around at night is awesome. The hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti is unforgettable. You can’t leave the house without? My I-phone! Best toy ever invented - and it has some practical value too. Describe your ideal woman? I'm going to invoke the 5th Amendment here - I'm married.

What would you do if you won the lottery? I'm not sure I could do much - my family would get to the cash first. With the remaining scraps I would buy a helicopter, learn to fly it and then travel to all the remote parts of the world (with my tent). I can't think of a better way of getting deep into jungles, around mountain ranges and to desert islands. What do you love most about your job? Every day is different with new challenges. The difference my hands can make to a person's life gives me a tremendous sense of satisfaction and worth. Your top 3 movies? The Bourne Identity, Inception and Finding Nemo! What 4 people dead or alive would you invite to a dinner party and why? Derren Brown - His brand of magic is pure genius and I would hope to see some close up. Who knows - with a little help from some wine he might even give away a secret or two! Dylan Moran - He has to be the funniest man on the planet. With him there there would never be an awkward moment. My Dad (rest his soul) - To answer all those unanswered questions about life and the universe. He was a very wise man. Nelson Mandela - He is the epitome of what we should all strive to be. Having him at the table would be such an honour. Your most extravagant purchase and why? It has to be my convertible. Totally useless in England for 364 days of the year, but it does wonders for the mid-life crisis!

If you could be anyone or anything dead or alive what would it be? A springbok. But I may need to re-consider after the rugby world cup. (If you hadn't guessed, I'm South African)

What makes you stand out in a crowd? I try not to stand out. I prefer to "people watch".

Phillip Edge (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon) The Manor Hospital, Biddenham, Bedford, 07974514793, 01234 369043, ortho.edge@o2.co.uk

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:39 Page 22

:RXOGQ·W LW EH QLFH WR WDNH RII D IHZ \HDUV" 6PRRWK RXW WKRVH WHOO WDOH OLQHV DQG wriinnkles?? B Brrigh i tenn you yo Q" ,W·V QRW D GUDVWLF measurre- ouur raan be the answ sw wer e Dermal Fillers:

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Ring now to book your FREE 15 minute consultation. All Major credit and debit cards accepted. Gift Vouchers available.

Body Bronze Tanning Salon For bookings call us now on 01234 360575 info@bodybronzebedford.co.uk

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To..... From.....Body Bronze

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:39 Page 23

Bare Beauty Anita & Jaz at Bare Beauty invite you to a truly indulgent experience. We offer treatments for both men and women in a very professional, yet relaxed atmospherewhere. The therapists are fully knowledgeable and approachable. We pride ourselves in listening to customerâ€™s needs and tailoring treatments to suit the individual. Vouchers are available all year round for that special occassion, specialist packages including girlsâ€™ parties, wedding packages and ladies day out pampering.

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All treatments if booked in Oct/Nov 2011

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Gift Vouchers Available For That Special Christmas Gift

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:39 Page 24

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s r e arm

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It may be freezing outside, but you can warm up the chilly nights with these winter cocktails. We've got a tipple to tantalize every taste bud

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Ingredients 15ml raspberry fruit liqueur 25ml spiced or dark rum 15ml lemon juice 100ml pressed apple juice 1 tsp sugar syrup Dash of cinnamon and nutmeg

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How to make Mix the fruit liquer, rum, sugar syrup, lemon juice and the warm apple juice together. Then top with boiling water and add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Finish off with a cinnamon stick to garnish.

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:39 Page 25

relaxation by

J’adore his month I’m trying out a relaxing aromatherapy massage at J’adore . Everything here is focused on providing a therapeutic and holistic range of treatments to relax the body and mind – nothing is too much trouble and they do everything they can to meet your expectations and ensure your experience is one to remember.

This is something that I highly recommend especially if you’re feeling a little tense and want to shut the world out and unwind. The massage takes about 30

minutes and is well worth the time and money, you come away feeling as though all the stresses and strains of life have been taken away, added to this the delightful smells of the aromatherapy essential oils which relax or invigorate you depending what ones are chosen between you and your therapist, this treatment is a must on a regular basis allowing your body and mind to re-energise and rebalance.

excellent for tension, stress and healing it’s a deep pressure massage and I was so relaxed I was falling asleep.

Donna my therapist made me feel completely relaxed and worked her magic with the oils we chose, she informed me this type of massage is

Chloe’s Beauty and Relaxation Relaxation by J’adore 34 St Andrews Road Bedford 01234 328288

All age abilities s & welcom e IN A HIP Mon-Oln DANCE T e WANNA AND TAKE PAR Tue-Harr y-6pm W IP old-4.30 E H R S C N IO pm P HOP W M ed-Rush LD CHA d T IN WOR ITIONS OR JUS Thur-Bromham-4 en-7pm .3 T COMPE NCE FOR FUN? Fri-Sharnbrook 0 & 5.30pm -5, 6 & 7 A D N R pm LEA Tel: 07710 478 118 Email: Dancevybz@aol.com www.Dancevybz.com

Do winter walkies leave you feeling cold, wet and blue? Then we'll take Doggy out for you! Services we offer: -

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I came away from this treatment feeling as if I could just drift through the rest of the day without a care in the world, highly recommended you’ll be amazed how chilled out you feel afterwards.

Beauty By Chloe Relaxation By J’adore This months offers: Universal Contour Inch Loss Wrap only £40.00

45min Dermalogica Facial & 30min Aromatherapy Back Massage only £40.00

Free Facial Massage with all Aromatherapy Massages

All beauty and relaxation treatments offered & Gift vouchers available. Disabled access and free off road parking Tel: 01234 328 288 www.chloesoames.co.uk Chloe’s Beauty & Relaxation, 34 St Andrews Road, Bedford, MK40 2LW

A complete cleaning service • • • • •

Home Business Housekeeping Ironing Deep cleans

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:39 Page 26

Wrap Up

See off the plu mmeting tem peratures with this sea son’s coats a ll courtesy of Claytons ( within Hatte rs, Goldington R d, Bedford)

Faux fur leopard print hat £27 www.forherfromyou.co .uk

Camel

faux fu r trapp er www.fo Hat £27 rherfro myou.c o.uk

OuῚ faux fur feather look with tie belt gilet £159 Apanage white frill blouse £89.95 Oui black leather trousers £199 Claytons d assorte r scarf Faux fu styles £29.95 & colours ytons Cla

£32 oscow at in M u.co.uk h r fu myo Faux rherfro www.fo

OuῚ lambswoo l mix masculin e style camel co at £215 Oui bootleg je ans £99 Apanage navy & caramel top £69.95 Claytons

Red Passigat ti scarf £9.9 5 Claytons

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page 27

r muffs £12 Faux fur ea k omyou.co.u fr er www.forh

Fenn Wri ght Manso n graphit grey woo e l & ca military st shmere mix yle coat £ 349 Claytons

gat assi ed P 5 r u lo .9 ti-co arf £24 s Mul n sc o t Clay

Black bo iled woo faux fur l coat wit detacha h ble colla Red & bla r £149 ck anim al print Apanage top £69 Claytons .95

Taupe baby alpaca wrap £59.95 www.pressies4princesses.co.uk

Barbour black jacket £129.95 Passigatti scarf £44.95 Claytons

er t topp ur boo £20 f x u a F k scow in Mo omyou.co.u fr r e h r ww.fo

Taifun shaped camel coat with button detail & feature collar £250 Claytons

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page 28

On the

Couch Coping with teenagers t's not always easy being a teenager! It's not always easy being a parent to a teenager!

fighting with our teenagers over different values, battling for our personal standpoints, and using our parental role to enforce our authority, then we may lose our children to more than adulthood - we may lose them altogether.

Trying to communicate with a monosyllabic teenager is every parent's worst nightmare. One psychologist likened the teenage experience to the launch of a space craft. With 12 years or so of training behind him, a boy makes his way to the launch pad. He climbs aboard Adolescent One as his parents bite their nails back at Mission Control.

And if we don't solve our differences now, we may miss our last chance. Adolescence can be tough on parents, but it's not easy for the teenagers either. Everything is changing.

The engines roar into life and their son rockets Have you ever wondered why teenagers are so into the stratosphere. And then... they lose all physically awkward? The reason is that different contact with the space ship. His mother is parts of their body grow at different “hold beside herself. He'd promised to ring rates: you'd be awkward too if your me tightly as i head, hands and feet grew faster than when he got to the moon and anyway, has he forgotten his dental grow, but please the rest of you! And recent research appointment next Tuesday? don’t let me see shows that even their brains are changing. The part of the brain that you holding But there's no communication. gives us the ability to make sound me” Nothing. Well, not exactly nothing: the judgments is one of the last bits to radio operator manages to pick up what sound like grunts – though nobody can decipher them. The years go by until a whole decade has passed and suddenly – signals from outer space! He's still alive!

develop. That's why teenagers simply can't understand the logic of not going out with their friends tonight, so as to be fresh for the exam tomorrow.

More remarkably, he's discovered the power of speech again – whole sentences are heard. The parents watch as his capsule bursts into earth's atmosphere. All their fears are over: their boy is back!!!!!!!! If we've done our job well, the sorrow of losing our children to adulthood will be sweet sorrow. If, however, we are living with conflict in the home,

But the changes aren't just physical; teenagers are on a journey into independence – though they desperately need to know their parents are still there for them. The psychological goal of adolescence is to become independent from parents and establish their own identity and place within society. This involves building their own friendships and controlling their own emotional responses. Making their own decisions

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page 29

and moral choices based on consequences and conscience rather than fear of punishment. Developing their own beliefs and plans for the future. It is an exciting time for teenagers, but also a very scary and challenging one. A time when the support and encouragement of parents is paramount to their successful transition into adulthood. How to cope Pick your battles – if we choose to fight every battle – untidy bedroom, bad attitude, homework, blue hair, curfews, choice of clothes –not only will our teenagers believe we're always on their backs, but they'll never understand which of these issues really do matter to us. We have to fight the most important battles – and take the hit in the popularity stakes – but we can't fight them all. Don't - read school reports as a prophecy of a teenager's future life, with some teenagers the academic battle will be both bloody and lengthy, for it is here that the long-term view of the parent (university, career path, marriage, children, comfortable retirement) and the short-term view of the teenager (watching Eastenders, going out tonight) come into sharpest conflict. We know the value of an education, so we cajole and bribe and yell. Nevertheless, in the midst of all this course-work warfare, we should remember a vital principle: don't read the score at half time!

right balance of behaviour and independence, they often swing too far in the opposite direction. But in time, the pendulum will swing back and settle in a more comfortable position. Be Ready - to discuss the rationale behind your behaviour and your rules. Remember that they are learning from you how to be and think like an adult.

Be There - contrary to how it may seem at times, your teenager does want to talk to you. But you need to let it be in their time and at their own pace.

Be Honest - sometimes you will feel stressed and emotional yourself. Don't be afraid of letting your teenager know how you feel. Each time you do, you're showing them that it's ok not to be perfect and it's ok not to have all the answers.

Be Consistent - research shows that consistent limits and boundaries which also respect the young person's boundaries will best help them to create their own sense of security whilst in inner turmoil.

Be Gentle - even though your teenager may act as though they're indestructible, they're emotions are still very fragile - so handle with care.

Be Approving – research has confirmed that both males and females have higher self esteem in early adolescence if they know that they have the approval and support from their families.

Be Loving - remember that while your child may seem to be pushing you away, they still need your love. A teenagers silent plea is often "hold me tightly as I grow, but please don't let me see you holding me!”

Be Reassuring - a lot of teenagers are scared by the feelings they're experiencing and the new responsibilities that they have to take on. They need lots of reassurance that they're not going mad and they will cope.

Remember this is only a phase. It is normal for teenagers to drift away from and even reject their parents. But it's also normal for them to come back and develop a meaningful relationship that will last the rest of your lives.

Be Patient - while teenagers are trying to find the 31

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page 30

the

Ultimate Spyware

In 2013 Captain Nemo strides onto the big screen in David Fincher’s remake of 20,000 leagues under the sea, so let’s hope he’ll have a pair of these Sony DEV-5s slung around his neck.

capable of recording in HD but also 3D. Add in zoom, autofocus and steadyshot and you have all the refinements an inhumane scientific genius, hellbent on hunting down innocent craft and inflicting seaweed cigars on the world, could want! They are in the shops from this month, just in time for Christmas.

The world’s first digital binoculars are not only

Of the Web Best

passion takes a leap of faith and takes the first steps forward into a new age. We’ve had the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Industrial Age to name a few; but in the future when our distant relatives look back at our time this will be the Information Age or Technological Age where we laid the foundations for what was to come, and it will be Tim Berners-Lee who is remembered for this. An Englishman who invented the internet and rather than make millions from its use, presented it to mankind for free with no patent or ownership and changed the way we exist in an exponential way.

This Month – A tale of two journeys.

Last week I endured a return journey to London with our trusted local rail service. Through no choice of my own, I was forced to stand all of the way there, and yes you guessed it, all of the way back. Part of my hot cramped journey to hell and back was entertained by two middle aged gentlemen loudly surmising the decline of Britain and generally giving it a whole lot of ‘this wouldn’t have happened in my day’, followed by a very large slice of ‘we used to rule the world, whatever happened’. The conversation got me thinking and for a short moment I almost agreed with my fellow packed sardines but then my mind wandered to this century’s greatest and most important development, maybe even mankinds greatest leap forward – the Internet.

We may moan about this little Island not being what it once was and to a certain degree be correct but if there is one thing for sure, it doesn’t matter if it is music, entertainment, science, technology or discovery the people that inhabit it reach far and wide and drag the world forward with us. Tim Berners-Lee has changed the way we communicate, connect, shop, bank, work and find love and I just for one moment wish I had put my thought’s aloud to aforementioned gentlemen but that just isn’t the English way!

It is very easy to subscribe to the school of thought that it’s America that leads the way forward in the tech world; Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Apple alone make this hard to refute but let us not forget that it was an Englishman, Tim Berners-Lee who over 20 years ago invented the internet. Once again the Englishman tinkering away with a vision and a

Leigh Millard, Banilla Web Applications www.banilla.co.uk 32

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page 31

Fry’s

footie corner

recently went to Spain to watch the best team in the world, Spain, play Scotland in a qualifier. Scotland must be the only nation that gets an allocation of 1,600 tickets and yet manage to have 12,000 of the 30,000 fans inside the stadium are Scottish.

Also, Stuart Pearce, the England under 21 manager called Ryan Bennett into his squad for their qualifying game in Norway, which again, for Peterborough to have an England under 21 international is miraculous. Long may it continue. Up the Posh!

Absolutely amazing support and although Spain were different class on the night, those fans never stopped encouraging their team from start to finish. I really went over to see Craig MackailSmith play and after scoring his first goal for Scotland in the previous game when they won 10, I was very proud that one of our players had done so well against the World Champions.

Barry Fry

I am sure Craig Mackail-Smith has a great international future after his impressive display. Talking about crowds, we at Peterborough have been punching way above our weight for several years now. We continue to be the ‘entertainers’ of the Football League. However in our recent game against Cardiff City, where we won 4-3 in a seven goal thriller, our crowd was the lowest in the Championship all season of only 6,300. Although the Posh fans have been magnificent home and away, Darren Ferguson’s side deserves much better support than what we are getting at the minute. In fact, the same evening the crowd in a Conference game, Luton Town v Wrexham was 7,500 so it just goes to show you it can be done. 33

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page! 32

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18th Century Beer and Food Festival at

Bedford Swan Hotel Bedford Swan Hotel will be hosting an 18th Century beer and food festival from November 3rd - 6th. The Coach Room, alongside The Embankment, will be filled to overflowing with 30 real ales, ciders and perries as well as locally - sourced Taste Real Food dishes. Entrance is just £3 per head, which includes a branded glass and beer guide (free entrance for members of CAMRA Campaign for Real Ale and Taste Real Food Members). Thursday 3rd - a celebration of the Earl of Sandwich with White Park Sirloin (12 noon to 1am) The sandwich was named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich who first asked for his meal of meat to be tucked between two slices of bread so he could carry on playing cards. Friday 4th - Sausages to go with the beer and the sounds of a 10 piece "Decibels of Bedford Town Band" - local musicians with an international reputation plus other entertainment. (12 noon - 1am) Venison and sausages will be on sale - including some of those in the Bedford's Best Traditional Sausage competition which is being launched at this event

Fish n’

Chips

r Keba

Donne

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Chicke

s Burger r o tered F za ons Ca ade Piz Functi Homem Tel: 01234 824121 Molivers lane, Bromham, Bedford,MK43 8JT

Ironing Maid We offer a professional, friendly and reliable ironing service, working in a non- smoking and pet free environment. Whether it’s weekly, monthly or a one-off service, there’s no obligation, we offer a service to entirely suit you. FREE local collection and return of your ironing, at times convenient to you.

Contact: 07847112146 Email: ironingmaid1@gmail.com

Saturday 5th - Music from Pearl Handled Revolver & other entertainment. (12 noon – 1am) Merry Ale and Taste Real Food to sample from a produce sale. Sunday 6th - Live Jazz music over lunch time with other entertainment. (12pm - 10pm) Plus a feast table to tuck into including Gloucester old spot pork and Greensand Ridge lamb. Call (01234) 346656 or www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk Join Taste Real Food at www.tasterealfood.com

“I have lost count of the number of new customers that have visited our premises since seeing us in Affinity. I strongly recommend advertising in Affinity for anyone who wants to boost To advertise in Affinity please call Jane on: their business” Eamonn, The Five Bells, Cople

01234 215523 07809 499669 jane@aﬃnitymag.co.uk

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page 33

homes and

interiors

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:40 Page 34

Realistic Flame Effect Titanium Electric Fire £725 Regency Fireplaces, Bedford

turn up the The Marseille from £2,508 www.chesneys.co.uk

H E The soane Pattern IV from £3,234 www.chesneys.co.uk

The Fiorenza from £5,424 www.chesneys.co.uk

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:41 Page 35

Blase Bioethonal £388.99 www.livingitup.co.uk

A T

Flatford 8kw from £1,356 www.chesneys.co.uk

Alpine 6 series from £1,600 www.chesneys.co.uk

Barrington 6 series from £1,500 www.chesneys.co.uk

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:41 Page 36

Wrought Iron Fire Pokers & Log Ring set £344 hand forged www.iapetus.co.uk

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ow, what a month! My first month as President of Beds Business Women has already proven to be productively hectic and lots of fun. We have almost 100 new members for a brand new year of networking events. Thank you to all existing members for rejoining and new members who have come on board. We look forward to welcoming you all.

Accessories, introduced Creative Beauty’s semi permanent make up services to 5th Avenue to compliment Botox and Chemical Peel services offered by Enhance Cosmetic Solutions. I am looking forward to hearing successful business report with my BBW team.

My salon 5th Avenue join forces with Bedford based businesses, many of them BBW members for the Keech Toy Drive 2011. We raise lots of money for the children of Keech and drop off presents at Christmas time. All sponsors have toy drop off bins and ask for your support with a donation of a brand new toy with a minimum value of £5.00.

40 ladies booked onto our first network session of the new season in October. The novel event entailed travelling between two venues for lunch, networking throughout the journey. A key element is member’s one-minute business presentations about their business. I emphasis the importance of using the time to tell members what you do, what exciting plans you have for the month and what business you are looking to do . Attendance is vital for report and report is vital to pick up new business. Thank you Barfordian Coaches who gave their support for our October Networking Trawl.

We were tickled pink with the generosity of Bedford Blues fans and BBW members at the rugby club’s annual Ladies day to support breast cancer awareness. The 5th Avenue’s team members offered hair and beauty services in the marquee and raised £870.00 on the day.

BBW awards will be approaching their 13th successful year on Thursday 17th November. They aim to salute and recognise the success of women in business across the county. The venue Bedford Blues Rugby Club is a perfect marquee setting and for a daytime event has attracted almost 200 male and female guests. The excellent Lara Morgan will be our guest speaker – In her 19 years in the business, Lara revolutionised the hotel amenities industry, built a successful, forwardthinking organisation, faced some very tough decisions, and finally sold her majority stake for £20 million. Guaranteed to be a sell out, it will be an excellent networking opportunity, chance to meet new faces and the ability to create new business. Ticket prices are £25 for members, £30 non-members or £250 for a table of ten. Book your place before Thursday 10th November on the www.bedsbusinesswomen.org. I would like to thank our judges for this year Ian Pryce – Principal of Bedford College, Ian Cording – Chairman of Federation of Small Businesses and Sam Pirani Commercial Director of Premier Newspapers.

Here are some diary dates that I strongly recommend: Friday 4th - November Firework Display at Biggleswade Town Football club proceeds to St Johns Hospice, Moggerhanger. Thursday 17th November - BBW Business Awards 2011, 11am-2.30pm. Friday 19th November Charity Ball for St Johns Hospice at The Sharnbrook Hotel. Our BBW Christmas network will be on Thursday 15th December with guest presenter Heather Dallas at The Horse & Jockey, Ravensden.

I am pleased to report that BBW members are already working together – I for one have my new beauty business at The Embankment Hotel, launched a new jewellery range in my salon courtesy of Splash Out

www.beds-businesswomen.org For enquiries - kerry@5thavenuespa.co.uk

Keep a fresh eye on what’s new, don’t forget to “like” our new Beds Business Women Facebook Page to keep you in the loop. I look forward to sharing all new news and give you the update about the network trawl in my next write up. See you soon. Kerry Cash President BBW

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:42 Page 41

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:42 Page 42

Relishing

reading

Working in Education we are often asked by parents what they can do to help their child learn and of course there are many different things parents can do, but one of the simplest yet most effective ways to help children learn is through reading. hatever the age of your child, reading is not only beneficial to their learning but also fun and something that can be enjoyed by the adult as well as the child. Tiny children and toddlers enjoy curling up on a parent’s knee and having a ‘story’ read to them. They may not understand it all but they will take in the way we read from left to right, enjoy pointing at pictures and make associations between certain pictures and words. It’s no surprise that many families read stories just before bedtime as it is an immensely soothing activity. Even as adults the idea of curling up by the fire with a good book will be appealing to many. Don’t rush young children to read simply

enjoy the story and they will be learning lots simply through listening to you read to them.

As children grow they obviously learn more about words as well as pictures and it is often helpful to point out particular words. As most parents know young children love repetition and there is a great sense of security to be found in familiarity. It isn’t unusual for young children to want the same story read to them night after night they will enjoy the predictability and may enjoy ‘reading’ some parts with you. When sharing a book, it is also great for learning to talk about what you are reading, ask your child 44

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what they think might happen next or have discussions about similar experiences they may have, for example “do you remember when we went on the train to visit grandma”. As children grow the stories you read with them often become more complex but it is really important to make sure that reading is still fun. As children are learning to read they will often bring books home from school that they have to read, but until a child is a confident reader they will still enjoy stories being read to them as well. Comprehension levels are often way ahead of their own reading ability which means that they will still enjoy and learn from a story that you read to them which may be something they wouldn’t be able to read at all on their own. Even when children can, technically, read the words in the book it takes a lot of concentration for them to read, often having to stop to sound out words that are unfamiliar, and still hold onto the ‘plot’. It is useful then to separate the reading they do and the soothing bedtime story, or exciting adventure story that you read to them,

to look up where the Amazon river was in an atlas. The importance of reading to learning is being recognised more and more and many schools encourage parents to read with their child every day even if just for ten minutes. But of course I am also aware that a number of children and young people struggle with reading. Like anything we find difficult it becomes something we try to avoid. As a parent if you think your child is having trouble with their reading it is worth discussing this with their teacher. But if at all possible try to avoid reading becoming a battleground. Each child is different but if your child shows reluctance to read themselves it is important you keep reading to them, while also encouraging them to read or investigating why they may be reluctant. There are different reasons why children struggle with reading but for many, they may have simply missed the connections between letters and sounds or perhaps struggled with blending sounds together. The importance of phonics to reading is now well recognised and the government are now suggesting phonic assessments for children at certain ages. Programmes are available to help children with reading and spelling or indeed to help adults who have struggled with reading.

As children get older, it is helpful to remember that reading doesn’t just happen with books, many children enjoy magazines and lots of computer games can involve reading as well, and of course social media and texting all involve reading activity One of the most important factors in encouraging your own children to read is simply role modelling it yourself. If they see you enjoying books and reading they are much more likely to want to do it themselves. So it is important to make sure there are a variety of books and other reading materials in the home. We are very lucky today to have some brilliant children’s authors and simply no shortage of good books to suit all tastes. Reading stories that their friends have read is a great way to get children talking about books and stories and many schools have ‘book days’ when children can dress up as characters from their favourite stories etc.

It is very easy to be tempted to think we can help our children learn through buying the latest electronic gadgets or complicated software, and these have there place but reading is still an activity that almost all children will benefit from AND relish. It doesn’t take a huge time commitment, is relatively cheap and can be done almost anywhere. So if you want to invest in your child’s learning……get reading.

We are all aware that children are naturally inquisitive and love asking questions. Reading, quite literally, opens up new horizons to them. I remember reading ’Journey to the River Sea’ by Eva Ibbotson with my daughter who then wanted

For more information on programmes to help with reading : 07921193479 info@attunededucation.com www.attunededucation.com 45

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Welcome to.......

the

Fox

at Carlton

incorporating the opening of the

Chase

restaurant

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ituated in the rural Bedfordshire countryside in the village of Carlton is The Fox, it’s full of character, wonderfully cosy and friendly.

The Fox Inn has always been a village pub, but now they wish to promote the opening of the new separate restaurant called The Chase. Their aim is to bring you homemade food whilst you wait, using fresh local produce, with a varied menu that changes all the time, so we decided to try it for ourselves. As soon as we walked through the door David our host couldn’t have made us feel any more welcome, there were already a couple of other diners in the restaurant, even though it was early and they were keen to recommend different dishes to us. The plans for The Fox are not only to promote the restaurant but they are adding theme nights including Tapas, Greek Mezze and one that we will definitely be attending The Medieval Banquet on 12th November. They also serve a delicious Sunday Lunch. Not only do they cater for functions such as wakes, anniversaries, birthdays etc they also hold a yearly beer festival as well as stocking real ale, the car park is exceptionally large so there’s no worry of arriving

and struggling to find parking. Now lets look at this delicious menu and see what tempts us, this is a very difficult decision it is making my mouth water just reading it but after much deliberating and the help of the other diners we opted for Ham Hock terrine with warm bread and homemade piccalilli and Beer Battered Calamari served with spicy mayo dip and garnish. The strong tangy taste of the homemade piccalilli combined with the ham hock on fresh home baked bread was absolutely heavenly. The batter on the calamari was light and crisp allowing the tender flavours of the fresh calamari to come through, simply divine. The mains looked just as wonderful Rainbow Trout pan-fried in white wine, lemon and garlic sauce, oven roasted with almonds and served with seasonal veg and it didn’t disappoint the trout was so fresh and tender, the sweetness of the white wine sauce with the flavours of the almonds and fish were impeccable. My husband opted for The Fox Mixed Grill – burleys sausage, minute steak, bacon, homemade burger, tomatoes, mushrooms and hand cut chips this certainly didn’t disappoint, the burger was totally homemade and the steak was cooked rare exactly how he had asked for it – his words

not mine ‘ you will never taste another sausage like this’ absolutely delicious! The food was delightful and so tasty that I though I wouldn’t be able to fit in a homemade dessert but then I saw the chocolate mousse that was on offer and forced myself!!!! It was a chocolate lover’s heaven and just melted in the mouth. My husbands choice was the Homemade Lemon meringue pie with homemade ice cream his comment “The best/tastiest lemon meringue I have ever tasted’ (quite a compliment from someone who himself was a chef for 15 years!) This is the kind of meal you expect to find in a top class London Restaurant, I can’t sing its praises enough and the prices are so reasonable starters are £4.50 and mains average £10. Go and discover this hidden Gem with absolutely delicious food for yourself, I guarantee you will not be disappointed and will return time and time again!

The Fox 35 High Street Carlton MK43 7LA 01234 720235 www.thefoxatcarlton.co.uk

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Chicken & Rosemary

Stew Ciao everyone! This month I bring you a very traditional Italian dish which is cooked toward the winter months. It is not so much a restaurant dish but one that is cooked in many homes in Italy. A wonderful ingredient is spelt. It is a nutritious grain used as far back as the ancient Egyptians. It has a deep nutlike flavour. You can find it in your local health shop. It can be used in many of the same ways as wheat including bread and pasta making (lovely in soups). If you have a wheat intolerance this is a good substitute and works well with most people. There are variations to this stew but I have found that this works so well with the ingredients mentioned , they all seem to come together and give a wonderful flavour. You have to admit it looks lovely, and is so quick to prepare as well.

‘’The Don’s Delicious Dining’ is exclusive to Affinity, each month ‘The Don’ will be sharing delicious recipes for you to WOW your family and friends with!! If you would like the services of ‘The Don’ for private dining in your own home, please contact him at

davethedon1@googlemail.com 48

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Ingredients 6 skinless & boneless (optional) chicken thighs 250g peeled potatoes, cut into quarters lengthways 2 sliced onions 2 tbls pearled spelt 2 crushed garlic cloves 2 good size sprigs of rosemary chopped 2 tbs aged balsamic 500ml chicken stock 3 tbs olive oil Chopped parsley

Recipe Heat the oven to 190 gas mark 5. Fry the chicken thighs in a little olive oil to seal the flavour and brown them. Scoop out of pan. Add the onions and cook till soft. Add the Balsamic vinegar. Add the rest of the ingredients Bring to a simmer. Transfer into a casserole dish. Place in the oven for approximately 1 hour. Get the family or friends around the table put in some chopped flat leaf parsley and serve.

BUONâ€ˆAPETITO! 49

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Sparkling Wine

Champagne

Annie’s sticky toffee pudding This is just what you want for a cold winter’s evening, cosy and comforting and indulgent. You might need a brisk walk afterwards though!

Ingredients 8oz chopped dates 2tsp bicarbonate of soda 8oz butter 8oz caster sugar 4 eggs 8oz self raising flour Sauce 4oz butter 4oz dark brown sugar ½ pint double cream

Method Put dates in a pan and cover with water, bring to boil and simmer until soft. Take off heat and add 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda and leave to cool completely. Cream together butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs. Stir in the cooled dates and fold in the flour. Put into a buttered baking dish (approx 7” x 10”) and bake for approx 50 – 60 mins on 190C or Gas mark 5. Whilst in oven make the toffee sauce, gently simmer the butter, dark brown sugar and double cream in a pan until it looks like toffee. Pour half the sauce over the pudding and place back in the oven for 5 Minutes. Remove and serve pouring over even more toffee sauce.

When you're in a stylish society, you want to appear knowledgeable about your table manners, your cutlery and don’t forget your wines. You must be able to distinguish between the soup spoon and the dessert spoon. You need to know enough not to put your elbows on the table. And last but not least you must be able to talk about sparkling wine, as it is different from champagne. Actually, in a sense, champagne is not different from sparkling wine, because all champagnes are sparkling wines. However, not all sparkling wines are champagnes. Feeling confused? A sparkling wine is a carbonated wine. It is called 'carbonated' because it contains a large amount of dissolved carbon dioxide, which is the same stuff that imparts the fizz and sizzle to popular drinks like Coke. Champagnes too, have a fizz similar to your Coke. They are carbonated during the second fermentation stage (double fermentation) of the grapes, which is once more than what normal wines have. Thus, Champagne is a sparkling wine in this sense of the word. But you can't call any sparkling wine champagne. In fact, the name 'champagne' is legally protected in many countries in Europe and elsewhere, so people can sue you if you falsely label your product as champagne. We all know champagne is the most well known and one of the costliest of the sparkling wines in the world, but there are many other sparkling varieties of exotic wines produced in other countries and regions, that are very good in their own right. For example, there's the excellent Sekt of Germany and the distinguished Cava of Spain. The Spumante of Italy also has a long and distinguished tradition among sparkling wines. The Cap Classique of South Africa is not a very old variety, but some people prefer it to the European brands. So when you want to celebrate any occasion with champagne but your purse isn't up to the mark to buy the genuine stuff, you can try one of these not-so-pricey and great quality sparkling wines instead of indulging in fake champagne at a cheaper price.

Walter Petipierre Wine & Champagne Critic

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.50 land £12 Pirate Is Interiors h rt Hanwo Bedford

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SAUSAGE ROCKETS Make your bonfire night go with a bang, with these delicious sausage treats.

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Ingredients

Method With a little adult help grill the sausages until golden all over. Cool. Heat the oven to 220C or gas mark 7. Insert a wooden skewer through each sausage. Place on a plate. Mix together the soy sauce and golden syrup and brush over the sausages. Unwrap one sheet of pastry and cut into 8 strips from the shorter end. Wrap around the sausages in a spiral, taking care not to stretch the pastry, place on a baking sheet and brush with egg glaze then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Cut each pepper in half then cut out triangles and insert them in the tips of the skewers. You may like to insert a further longer wooden barbecue skewer to make the spirals look more like rockets.

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:44 Page 50

G a r d e n i n g

Flower of the month

Novem

s ber tip

d apple an tablished ns, Prune es fa ing ers). s (exclud pear tree ordons and espali ased e c , is s d id r o m a pyr g, dead in y d y n a Remove . branches roses and , shrubs, s e e tr y d nted New har can be pla ts n la p g climbin . ild spells Cheery little flowers, each a perfect circle of during m k pretty petals, primulas are usually associated and chec nhouses e e r g e r te with the springtime. Insula ostats a nd therm heaters a perly. pro But, there is in fact a primula for almost every working s until season: this pink variety, pictured, is evergreen tulip bulb em in t n la p to t th and blooms in deepest, darkest winter. Continue nth, plan f this mo irectly into the o d n e e th rd tainers o They are very rewarding plants to grow, flowering patio con for months on end and requiring very little garden. on lawns maintenance; many types can be seen growing n appear e ft o ’t tend ls o quite happily in the wild with no TLC at all. They don m if Toadsto r. a e y f o the me at this ti t remove harm, bu en around. y n a o d Coming in the appealing range of colours, from to dr small chil deep purple and maroon through to pink, scarlet you have t s onto po and numerous shades of yellow, cream and white, ontainer r c o ti a p Raise all them from wate you can find a variety to suit virtually every area p t on feet to sto put new compos of your garden, from sun traps to shady spots. d n a g in logg needed. the top if Pictures and information from the RHS book hance to Garden Plants and Flowers Through the Year, by the last c is r e b such as m Nove Ian Spence and published by Dorling Kindersley, bedding r te ers in w t wallflow plant ou Hardback £16.99 me-nots, te g . r s o ie F s . g pan daisies r flowerin and winte

Primula

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:44 Page 52

voqu E r e v o R ange

The R

It’s one of 2011’s most eagerly anticipated new cars. This model rewrites the 4x4 rulebook – much like the original Range Rover did in 1970. ith a supermini’s emissions, the Evoque is set to end Land Rover’s gas-guzzling reputation once and for all. Factor in stunning looks, handling closer to that of a sporty coupé than a 4x4, and all the ride comfort and sophistication you’d expect from a Range Rover and it’s as breathtaking to look at as it is to drive.

interior features high quality materials and craftsmanship, allowing customers to specify a lavishly appointed cabin with soft leather and beautiful tailoring. There is also an array of options from alloy wheels in alternative finishes to illuminated aluminium and chrome tread plated to personalise it further.

Whether you pick the stunning coupe or a practical 5-Door model, the Range Rover Evoque brings dynamic handling and styling to the classic Range Rover Package of luxury and all terrain performance.

Technology lovers aren’t left out with an 8-inch high definition touch screen display with optional dual view technology that allows a passenger to watch a DVD whilst the driver follows the navigational instructions.

As you would expect from a Range Rover, the

But how does it drive? Combining both style and 54

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substance, the Range Rover Evoque offers sure footed capability in challenging on and off road conditions – using a unique combination of technologies to maximise performance and comfort – including a Terrain Response system with settings for General Driving, Grass, Snow, Mud, Ruts and Sand! A choice of engines are available – a 150hp 2.2 litre turbo diesel eD4 engine that delivers less than 129g/km CO2 (in front wheel drive coupe form), 190hp SD4 version which gets from 0 – 60mph in 8.0 seconds when equipped with the automatic gearbox and a new 240hp 2.0 litre turbo-charged petrol engine capable of 0-60mph in just 7.1 seconds. The Range Rover Evoque represents accessible, desirable sophistication!! So if anyone is wondering what to buy me for Christmas – you need look no further!

Engine: 2.0 L I4 petrol (240 PS) 2.2 L I4 diesel (150 PS/190 PS) Top speed: 124mph Acceleration: 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds (190hp SD4 version) CO2 emissions: 149g/km Price: £27,995 - £44,500

Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:44 Page 54

Gareth Gates Genie-us 56

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op and musical theatre star Gareth Gates, fresh from his critically acclaimed role in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables, will be taking panto-goers on a magical carpet ride this Christmas in the title role of Aladdin. In this years fun-packed family pantomime at Milton Keynes Theatre (09 Dec–15 Jan)

busy, it’s something we are all very passionate about so I think it’s going to happen next year now, possibly mid year Have you got a name for the band yet? No that’s something we’re thinking about, we’re starting from scratch, the idea came about when I was on stage at a gig with the band who play with me and it was going so well I just thought I’m at my happiest here I’m at my best here so why not perform in a band with these guys, so, yes it’s very organic we are going to write everything together and find a name and find a direction then we’ll be ready to release some stuff.

Since catapulting to teen idol status back in 2002 in the original Pop Idol, Gareth has enjoyed a succession of number one singles, including his version of Unchained Melody, the 2nd best selling single of the 90’s, and his success hasn’t stopped since. In 2008, Gareth donned the sequins and lycra to take part in the hit TV show Dancing on Ice, before making a change in musical direction by accepting the lead role in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - an ideal start to his theatrical career. During this time Gareth also tackled his first pantomime as Prince Charming, in Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre. In 2009 Gareth wowed audiences up and down the country as he took the role of Marius in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables.

So are you saying you miss the whole singing/record industry thing? Yes when I’m in theatre I do and vice versa when I go back into singing/recording I miss theatre. I will always want to juggle the two from now on – I enjoy both jobs, if you can call it a job, well actually it’s very hard work so yes you can Ha ha So in comparison how does the two compare in regards to rehearsals, time spent away from home and your family? It’s a mixture, I did a year with Les Mis on tour then six months in the West End. Whilst I was on tour I was away from home, although my family came with me when they could, but when I was performing in the West End I was able to live at home so it really depends on what sort of theatre you’re doing, as a recording artist it’s very much all travelling and not really having a base for a little while which is quite hard because I have a daughter now and I don’t want to spend that much time away from her

We caught up with Gareth for a chat about panto, bands and his plans for the future You’ve recently finished a Worldwide and West End tour of Les Miserable, where you played Marius, now you’re playing Aladdin which is a completely different character, what would you say is the difference between the two in your attitude to rehearsals, Is it just as grueling for panto? Is panto more fun? Sure it is, Marius was a great venture for me, I am quite new to theatre I had done Joseph prior to that then I did Les Mis which again was very different, being new to acting I am sort of learning on the job. Les Mis was the best type of show to learn on the job, going through a whole range of emotions and it served me very very well, I really enjoyed it. Panto’s different, it’s much more fun and less rigid and the audience interaction is quite refreshing after doing a job like Les Mis for so long. Equally though, I approach both jobs as a professional I am just as enthusiastic and hard working –the reason I do panto is it’s great fun and a great release

So will she come and watch you in panto? Absolutely yes, this will be the first year she’ll understand what’s going on, one of her favourite Disney movies is Aladdin and so Daddy will be Aladdin this year and I think she’ll be really excited. Previously you’ve appeared in Cinderella and Snow White, is there a panto that you would love to appear in? Every year I get asked that and I have always said Aladdin so here I am, I don’t think there’s many other roles for me there’s Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk – but Aladdin is my favourite.

I read that you’ve recently formed a new band, is that right? Yes that’s right. We were hoping to have some new material out by now but I’ve just been too 57

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Finally Gareth what’s in store for you after Aladdin? There’s a fair few things happening that I can’t say about yet – however watch this space! One thing I am doing in the very near future is recording a documentary on stammering for the BBC it’s called Gareth Gates stammer house, we are getting six stammerers and they are going to join me and Chris on the Maguire programme. We are going to teach them how to gain control of their stammering and follow them in their real lives afterwards as well , we will help coach them and monitor their progress, and that’s happening very soon

performing arts school in Bradford, myself and Jonathon Wilkes have joined forces (www.gateswilkesacademy.com) we run a few of these groups and I thought whilst I’m in Milton Keynes I would love to look at bringing one here, particularly as we are doing Aladdin which is a child based show. There may well be some children in the audience who have that desire to perform, so yes we are hopefully going to open that .We have got so much out of this industry it’s about giving back and giving children the chance to perform. We know lots of people in the industry lots of experts, actors, singer’s choreographers etc who will be involved so it’s a very exciting venture.

Very very soon? Yes, I think it’s on mid November, we start recording in two weeks – Also something else that is quite exciting is I have just opened my own

Aladdin is on between 9th December – 15th January at Milton Keynes Theatre, call the box office on 0844 871 7652 or go online www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

FOR FOR A CHANCE CHANCE TO TO WIN WIN A FAMILY FAMILY TICKET TICKET * FOR FOR THE OPENING NIGHT NIGHT OF OF THIS THIS YEAR’S YEAR’S THE OPENING MILTON MILTON KEYNES KEYNES THEATRE THEATRE PANTO, PANTO, ANSWER ANSWER THE THE FOLLOWING FOLLOWING QUESTION: QUESTION: Which hit IT V 1 show did Gareth Gates don sequins and lycra for i n 20 0 8? A n s we r Na m e Em a i l Tel The deadline for all entries is Mon 2 1 Nov. *4 ticket s , maxim u m of 2 a d ult s

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:45 Page 57

A MAGICAL FUN-FILLED ADVENTURE FOR ALL THE FAMILY! STARRING

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Affinity Magazine_Layout 1 copy 21/10/2011 16:45 Page 58

the majestic

Northern Lights

Earth’s upper atmosphere where they cause the rarefied gasses there to glow with a green, red or purplish light. As always the scientific explanation takes away the romance and mystique of the folklore but that doesn’t take anything away from the eventual, jaw-dropping display.

or many people the top of their ‘Bucket list’ of things to see are the Northern Lights, Natures own spectacular light show.

And one of the most frequent questions is “when is the best time for me to see the Northern Lights?”

So, if the lights’ appearance can’t be guaranteed, how can you at least increase your chances of seeing them? As with everything else, there’s a time and a place!

At first, this question may seem as tenuous as “how long is a piece of string?” and “can you tell me when lightning will strike?”, by choosing a Norwegian coastal cruise with Hurtigruten into the Arctic Circle will significantly increase your chances of seeing them. Although Hurtigruten always state very clearly that the Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomena and therefore cannot be guaranteed, but they do have a few tricks up their sleeves.

It’s interesting to note that the lights are in the sky 365 days a year, day and night, but of course you can’t see them in the day-time, so our tip is to get inside the Aurora Oval when there’s a pitchblack, cloud-free sky. In Norway, this means travelling between October and March. In winter 2010/11, there was some spectacular activity in February & March and our group from Bedford were even lucky enough to see them from the aircraft too! If you can schedule your trip so you miss the moon, that can also help because a bright moon can dull the effect of weak light displays. The good news is that Scientists have predicted that winter 2011/12 is going to be

Firstly, what are they? The indigenous people of the Arctic Circle, including Norway’s Sami people, believed the lights to be the souls of the departed and that they wielded great power. Myth and legend aside, we now know that the lights are simply the result of electrically charged solar particles travelling at very high speeds into the 60

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fantastic choice of exciting winter excursions including snowmobiling, dog sledging and overnight stays in a snow hotel. This winter, you can enjoy their comprehensive choice of voyages from as little as £492 per person on a half board basis.

another great year for high Aurora Borealis activity. Most people think that the Arctic Circle is the place to see the lights. True. But the real place to have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights is beneath something called the Aurora Oval, a belt that roughly occupies the world’s 6070° latitudes. This is the epicentre of Northern Lights activity. It is of course possible for the lights to stray outside of this oval (they occasionally reach the north of Scotland) but your chances of seeing them dips significantly. But you can spoil your chances of seeing the lights even when you are inside the Aurora Oval by situating yourself in a town or other place bathed in artificial light. Light pollution obscures activity in the sky, the further away from it you get, the better your chances are of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

What a wonderful way to experience one of the world’s greatest phenomena. Just remember to pack an extra pair of socks because it can get a little bit chilly! But as the Norwegians like to say, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”.

And this is where Hurtigruten comes into its own. Their fleet of ships sail beneath the Aurora Oval from Bergen to Kirkenes 365 days per year, far from the trappings of artificial light ensuring that you have the best chance possible to seeing this spectacular light show. Hurtigruten also offer a 61

Please call Sue Alexander at Eagle Travel on 01234 348882 or visit Eagle Travel at 11 Goldington Road, Bedford sue@eagletravel.co.uk www.eagletravel.co.uk.

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Discover your.....

Destiny Sue has over 30 years experience in the psychic field, is an authority on crystals and psychic energy, and is a world renowned Tarot reader and teacher. Each month readers are welcome to send their questions in for Sue to answer at info@affinitymag.co.uk Sue also offers private readings on a one to one basis, workshops, courses and much more, please visit her website www.sanctuarybedford.co.uk or Tel: 01234 327090 for further details

Readers Questions One of my dreams is I have killed my whole family (my wife and three step children, the worst being my eldest step daughter with a pitch fork) - I wake up very disturbed The dreams that you are attacking your step children and family show a deep set fear of being thought of as hurting them by actions that you unwittingly take . Because your step children can be antagonistic, the fears that sometimes your frustration with them can come across as anger. The pitchfork is an implement which can be seen as both weapon and a tool, and it shows that subconsciously the way that you try to help change things (using the tool) is often taken badly by the children (who in the dream are only encountering it as a weapon) this shows a feeling of being misunderstood . Because you eventually stab the children in this nightmare, this shows a fear that you know that you are seen as doing

things wrong, but are frustrated because you cannot find another way of handling issues and being understood. I am always being chased by things I can't see I keep running into darkness The fearful things in the darkness are to do with feeling incapable of seeing where these issues come from, and a need to calm things down so that your family are safe, and together, despite worries that you feel that you have to keep to yourself. It can say that by trying to help change things you feel that you are always taken wrongly, and you would see that drastic changes need to take place before you can relax, but you feel that you cannot undertake these as you would be thought of badly

The use of stones to remove difficulties Take a stone from the garden (a fairly large smooth one if possible,) and write on it in felt pen or laundry marker, some of things which are difficult in your life, which you want removed. For example: lack of money, pain , and hurt, or housing problems, and write the words five times around the stone in small writing, and then take it to a lake or river, and throw the stone gently in the water, and watch the ripples rise and fade away. Do this three times over a month, and the feelings which are associated with the problems will begin to lessen, giving you the

strength to begin to sort the problem out. At the same time that you write the problems on one stone, write the solution on another, For example: More money to spend, decreasing pain, and somewhere better to live, and write these three times around this second stone, this needs to be planted alongside a bulb or large seed, plant three of these stones over a month. This gives the solution the power to grow. Allow time to reflect on your actions as you do them, as this in itself helps move things forward.

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Crystals which promote peace of mind

Zircon In years gone past Zircon was said to aid sleep, bring prosperity, and promote honour and wisdom in its keeper. The name is thought to come from the Persian word 'zargun', which means 'gold-coloured' because of its natural tawny state. Natural zircon today suffers on account of the similarity of its name to cubic zirconium, the laboratory-grown diamond imitation. Many people are unaware that there is a beautiful natural gemstone called Zircon. Zircon occurs in a wide range of colours,and is sometimes heat treated for better effect, for many years the most popular was the clear and colourless variety, as it looks very similar to a diamond, and makes a good cheaper alternative in jewellery. For use in healing, the natural rough gemstones are often sold in a matrix, or mass of other stone, with their double pyramid shape half hidden within the mass.

Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli is best known as a stone of protection that may be worn to guard against psychic attacks This was worn especially in the breast plates of Egyptian High priests and priestesses, and famously in Tutankhamenâ€™s funeral headdress as Pharaoh to protect him on his journeys in the nether world. Lapis Lazuli quickly releases stress, bringing deep peace.It brings harmony and deep inner selfknowledge. It encourages self-awareness, allows self-expression and reveals inner truth, itâ€™s also a stone which promotes compassion and morality to the personality. It is said to stimulate objectivity and clarity and encourage creativity. Lapis Lazuli is a stone of truth and confidence. It bonds relationships, aiding in expression of feelings and emotions. In the region of health it is thought to boost the immune system, purify blood, lower blood pressure, alleviate insomnia and vertigo, and overcome depression. Little wonder this is thought to be a magical stone.

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your guide to .........

What’s On November 2011

Entrance £2.50, Includes glass of wine/juice, Grand Raffle – Bar also open

Tues 1st – Sat 5th November Stepping Stone Theatre present their first production John Godbers ‘Bouncers’ The Place Theatre – 7.30pm Tickets from www.theplacebedford.org.uk and 01234 269519

Sat 12th November Renhold Christmas Fayre Renhold Village Hall 11am - 3pm We will have a range of stalls & crafts: Books, Woodwork, Christmas decorations & cards, Toys, Cakes, Tombola, Paintings, Raffles and lots more. Refreshments will be served all day. Stallholders please contact; S. Day 01234 771328

Wed 2nd November Kimbolton School Fireworks Kimbolton School, Kimbolton, PE28 0EA Fun Fair and Food starts at 6.00 pm, entry on the evening £10 per Adult / CHILDREN UNDER 16 ARE FREE. Music, Fireworks and a Laser show start at 8pm Hog Roast, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Fish and Chips in the food area. We hope you enjoy one of the largest fireworks shows in the region for 2011 and you have a safe and enjoyable evening.

Sun 13th November Bedford Biggleswade Cats Protection Grand Christmas Bizarre 2.30pm Village Hall Fishers Close, Green End Road, Great Barford - Tombola, Lucky Dip, Manicures, Grand Raffle, Cake Stall, Refreshments and lots of other stalls. Entrance Adults 30p Chilren Free

Thurs 3rd November Flower Arranging Demonstration by ‘Fleurette’ 7.30pm Rutherford Hall, Bedford Modern School, Manton Lane, Bedford. Bedford Hospitals Charity GAMMA PLUS APPEAL Admission £15 to include a glass of wine Tickets available from 01234-356051 and 01234783181

Sun 13th November Bedford Wrestling Spectacular 3.00pm Bedford Corn Exchange Non-stop action as the stars of the grappling game battle it out in Bedford's first Winner Stays In tournament, where the winner remains in the ring to take on the challenge of the next wrestler while the loser is eliminated. Plus a special added attraction as 2011 Bedford Rumble Trophy winner Kris Kay clashes with Wonder Kid Jonny Storm in a fight to the finish return match, with no rounds and no time limit. The Central Box Office: 01234 269519

Sun 6th November Olney Annual Firework Display Recreation Ground, East St, Olney Gates open at 5pm, with the fireworks starting at around 6.30pm. Mon 7th November Alpine Garden Society, Bedfordshire group 7.30pm Village Hall, Wilstead MK45 3BX, £3 An illustrated talk by Sally Petitt of Cambridge Botanic Garden on 'Where do I Belong? An Introduction to the Taxonomy of Alpines'.

Fri 18th November An Olde English Christmas 4.30pm Middleton Hall The Centre MK We are delighted to announce our theme for this year. An Olde English Christmas, traditional in nature, within a beautiful Dickensian setting. At 4:30pm on 18th November, Santa will deliver Christmas to the centre:mk with his festive parade, accompanied by local schools, the Milton Keynes City Orchestra and a singalong in Middleton Hall, to open the grotto and train. After Santa’s parade, join us as we open a spectacular outdoor ice rink around the Christmas tree in Queens Court at 7.30 pm.

Fri 11th November Psychic and Pamper Evening 7pm – 10pm Blunham Village Hall, Blunham Two Clairvoyants, a Palmist and Tarot, Massage, Reflexology & Reiki. Manicurists & Pedicurists Jewellery, Handbags, Paintings, Cards, Candles, Temporary Tatooist, Aloa Vera and Body Shop Stalls

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Fri 18th November Shopping on ice 7.30pm The Centre MK Get your skates on! A spectacular outdoor ice rink opens The elegant outdoor ice rink will create a fantastic Christmassy atmosphere in Queen’s Court this year. Bookings for the ice rink are now open Prices: Peak: Adult: £8.50 Child (under 12): £7.50 Off Peak: Adult: £7.50 Child: £6.50 Fri 18th November Motown's Greatest Hits – 8.00pm Bedford Corn Exchange. The ultimate celebration of the sweet sound of MOTOWN is back by popular demand! In its 8th successive year this stunning 100% live show combine’s first class music together with the slickest choreography. The Central Box Office: 01234 269519 Sat 19th November Christmas Fayre and Coffee Morning 10am – 1pm All Saints Church Hall, Kempston, Church End Kempston support group for Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger Christmas Cards & Goodies, Books, Gifts, Jewellery, Cakes, Jams etc. Admission £1.50 which includes refreshments.

Make beautiful Christmas cards, tree decorations and gifts for your family with our craft days. Contact 01234 711516 www.mkheritage.co.uk/cnm/ Sat 26th November Traditional Jazz night The Village Hall, Pavenham, Bedford MK43 7PH An informal concert by ’The Antique Six’, a highly acclaimed Traditional Jazz Band. A hot supper is included in the price. Bar. Tickets sell quickly so an early application is recommended, 7.30pm £18 per person (no concessions) Tickets are available from Derek Bliss, 01234 823821 Weds 30th Nov – Sat 3rd Dec The Bedford Hospitals Charity Christmas tree festival 10am – 5pm St Pauls Church, Bedford £2.50 children under 16 free

Sat 19th November Christmas Craft Fayre 10.30am - 3.30pm St Mark’s Church & Community Centre, Calder Rise, Brickhill, Beds - Craft stalls. Refreshments, Father Christmas, Hands on Wood Turning, Homemade Cake Stall etc. Get your Christmas Presents early.

The picturesque village of Castle Ashby offers you the unique combination of peaceful, easy rural shopping and walking in the gardens of a Stately Home. Explore the tranquil gardens and relax over a morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. Browse around the interesting variety of shops in the old converted farm buildings where you will find special gifts, crafts, and clothing for any occasion. Why not go and see for yourself! www.ruralshoppingyard-castleashby.co.uk

Fri 25th November Gift Fair & Pampering Evening 6 – 9pm (In aid of St John’s Hospice) St Mark’s Church & community Centre, Calder Rise, Brickhill A variety of stalls selling a range of gifts, food items and refreshments. There will also be a selection of taster pampering treatments on offer. Entrance fee £1 per adult For enquiries email: brickhill2011@yahoo.co.uk

Last month’s competition winners: Reading with Sue - Caroline Benson from Milton Keynes End of Everything - Julia Burgess from Bromham

Sat 26th November Christmas Crafts 10.30am – 4.30pm The Cowper and Newton Museum, Olney

If you have an event you would like us to mention please email jane@affinitymag.co.uk

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Quiet night in with……… devastate his life in ways he cannot imagine…

Clinical psychologist Tony Hill has had a good run. He and police detective Carol Jordan have put away scores of dangerous criminals and have a clearance rate that colleagues envy or resent. But there is one serial killer who has shaped and defined their careers, a person whose evil surpasses all others.

This novel is so gripping it puts your life on hold it’s everything a great detective novel should be, pacy, gripping, clever and stylish an absolutely fantastic read.

Jacko Vance, an ex-celebrity and sociopath whose brilliance and utter lack of remorse have never left Tony’s mind in the ten years Vance has been locked up. Now Jacko has broken out of prison and, with a mind even more twisted and cunning than before, he is focused on wreaking revenge on Tony and Carol for the years he has spent in prison.

WIN! WIN! WIN! We have a hard back copy of this book to give away please email ‘Val McDermid’ to info@affinitymag.co.uk by the 13th November 2011 for a chance of winning.

Tony doesn’t know when Jacko will strike, or where. All he knows is that Jacko will cause him to feel fear like he has never known before – and

SUDO K U The object is to fill the grid so that the numbers 1 to 6 appear once in each row, column and 2 x 3 box, with no repetitions. The answer to this puzzle will be in next months issue.

6 5 5 6 3

1 4 3 66

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tio 0 lta su on £120 lC tia LYly £ In i ONOn

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If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call our clinic TODAY TODA AY for our consultation and health check.

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