Around Town Magazine Upminster October Edition 2016

T E R I N S U P M 0 1 6 1 0 . 2

FAILURE TO APPROVE YOUR ARTWORK BY

30TH JUNE WILL RESULT IN THE ARTWORK BEING DISPLAYED AS

Contact: MrJUNE Adam Prescott / Invoice Number: 34366 30TH RESULT IN THE ARTWORK BEING DISPLAYED AS SHOWN 30TH JUNE WILL RESULT INWILL THE ARTWORK BEING DISPLAYED AS SHOWN

FAILUREYOUR TO APPROVE YOUR FAILURE TO APPROVE ARTWORK

BY ARTWORK BY

Contact: Mr Adam Prescott / Invoice Number: Contact: Mr Adam Prescott / Invoice Number: 3436634366

CALL NOW!

01268 293 440

CALL NOW! CALL NOW!

01268 293 01268 293www.rjbconstructionandlining.co.u 440440 www.rjbconstructionandlining.co.uk www.rjbconstructionandlining.co.uk

257MM

257MM

All Digger Work - Drainage Tarmacadam - Hand & Machine Lay - Hot Tar & Shingle/Resin Bonded - Block Paving/Concrete - Council Vehicle Crossings - Brick Work White Lining Hot Thermo Plastic & Rubberized TrafďŹ c Paints

01268 281762 www.rjbconstructionandlining.co.uk Elm Farm, London Road, Crays Hill, Billericay CM11 2UZ DiggerAllWork Block Paving / Concrete 07977All992211 Digger WorkAll Digger Work Block Paving / Concrete Block Paving / Concrete DrainageDrainage Tarmacadam Tarmacadam

Drainage

Council Vehicle CouncilCrossings Vehicle Crossings Council Vehicle Crossings Brick Work Brick Work

BLINDS CURTAINS AND SHUTTERS OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9.30AM - 5.00PM

SATURDAY 9.30AM - 4.00PM

MARKET LEADERS IN CONSERVATORIES WINDOWS, DOORS AND ROOFLINE

www.amazonwindows.co.uk

THE BEST PRICES LOCALLY FOR

WINDOWS, DOORS, CONSERVATORIES, ORANGERIES, ROOFLINE AND EXTENSIONS Established in 1989, amazon remains focussed on quality, care and service, resulting in unprecedented customer satisfaction.

AMAZON’S GUARDIAN SOLID ROOF

the alternative to a glass roof. Guardian solid conservatory roofs offer 10 times more energy efficiency than a traditional conservatory and is also the perfect replacement roof for existing conservatories.

OVER 750 ROOFS INSTALLED

0118 988 8101

SE

01252 629955 / 0800 378182

EU

SA T:

TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND OFFERS, VISIT OUR SUPERB SHOWROOMS AT: DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRE LIFESTYLE CENTRE 166 HYDE END ROAD FLEET ROAD, FLEET SHINFIELD, READING RG2 9ER HAMPSHIRE GU51 4BX

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Join us this festive season starting from November for some exciting upcoming events! Enjoy a two or three course meal in our newly refurbished restaurant.

A Night of Magic - 11th November 2016 - 3 courses £34.95 Murder Mystery Evening - 18th November 2016 - 3 courses £44.95 Luther Vandross Tribute - 19th November 2016 - 2 courses £29.99, 3 courses £34.95 Only Fools and 2 Courses - 25th November 2016 - 2 courses £34.95 Visit our facebook page for more information: facebook.com/ManorEssex

SPECIAL OFFERS

Simply present your voucher when you arrive or mention it if you are booking tickets over the phone.

LUNCH

DINNER

SPECIAL DINNER SHOWS

2-4-1 on glasses of prosecco 10% off fish and chips 2 courses £12.95 3 courses £15.95

2-4-1 on glasses of prosecco 10% off food bill

10% off tickets of these shows: • A night of magic • Murder mystery evening • Luther Vandross tribute night • Only fools and 2 courses

10% off food bill

10% off a bottle of prosecco

10% off dessert

The Manor Hotel & Restaurant, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9EL | 01708 555 586 | reception@themanoressex.co.uk Offers, promotions and coupons can be used for any single purchase on regularly priced menu items only. Offers may not be used in conjunction with another offer. E & OE.

CONTENTS 11

10 Angela Watkinson Political Update

12 Around Town Sports

Focuses on Women’s Sports Week

16 Recipe

Chicken Pie

18

WEST ESSEX F 13

OFFERING ONLY PREMIER BRANDS, PREMIER QUAL ITY AND PREMIER SERVICE

Martin Lewis

Bodywash Bathrooms

Money Saving Expert

Romford,

sales@bodywash.u

Essex

www.bodywash.u

01708 73670

A12 Eastern Avenue,

• Carpet • Wood • Laminate • Amtico • Vinyl • RM5 3AL

26 What’s On

When and Where...

Edition 19 To advertise contact our Sales Team today, details below. Booking deadline for our November edition is: Wednesday 26th October Copyright 2016. Around Town Upminster is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine.

Opinions expressed in Around Town do not necessarily represent those of the editors of Around Town Magazines. Around Town Magazines are published by Black Square Print Media Ltd produced by Black Square Litho Ltd.

Around Town Magazines Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay CM12 0DX

17

25

01708 6 01277 658444

www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk sales@aroundtownmagazine.co.uk

Est.1975

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Roof Repair Specialists, All Leaks Cured New Tiled Roofs & Velux Windows Roof Overhauls & Maintenance Asbestos Removal & Garage Roofs Commercials & Industrial Experts The Best Quality Materials Used High Performance Felt Flat Roofs EPDM Firestone Rubber Flat Roofs uPVC Guttering, Fascias & Roofline Storm Damage & Insurance Work Chimney Stacks Repaired & Removed Leadwork, Pointing & Rendering Replacement Roof Valleys & Bays 24 Hour Emergency Repairs, 7 Days

CELEBRATING OVER 40 YEARS OF TRADING WITH ORIGINAL COMPANY NAME & TELEPHONE NUMBER

A UNIQUE FAMILY RUB BUSINESS BUILT ON REPUTATION FULLY INSURED ALL WORK GUARANTEED - FREE ESTIMATES - NO DEPOSITS TAKEN - NO SUB CONTRACTORS USED

OVER 10,00 HAPPY CUSTOMERS CAN NOT BE WRONG!

WE OFFER VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES & WILL BEAT ANY GENUINE WRITTEN ESTIMATE

01708 551714 07743 406418

www.sr-roofers.co.uk srrooferessex.co.uk 41a Sunningdale Road, Rainham RM13 7BD

Make it a De Rougemont Manor

Christmas

December Christmas

Lunchtimes

Enjoy the run up to Christmas with a fantastic traditional 3 course Christmas lunch created by our talented chefs.

Served Mon - Fri 12pm -2.30pm.

3 Courses - £16.95

Festive Afternoon

Tea

Visit our website to view all xmas menus

Enjoy a Scrumptious Festive Afternoon Tea Take a break from all the Christmas preparations and commotion. Spoil yourself and those you care about with an array of tasty freshly cut sandwiches, light and fruity scones and delicious Christmas Treats. Enjoy as much tea and coffee as you like.

Take time out to relax and enjoy.

For all bookings please call

01277 226 418

Available Throughout December Mon - Thurs, 2.00pm - 5pm £15.95 Per Adult or £19.95 with a Glass of Mulled Wine or Prosecco.

De Rougemont Manor, Great Warley Street, Brentwood, Essex CM13 3JP

www.derougemontmanor.co.uk

Hotel & Suites

RELIABLE, FAMILY RUN BUSINESS WITH OVER 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. COVERING ESSEX & SURROUNDING AREAS WE SPECIALISE IN UPVC WINDOWS, CONSERVATORIES, COMPOSITE, PATIO, FRENCH & BI-FOLD DOORS, FASCIAS, SOFFITS & GUTTERING, ROOF LANTERNS, ADJUSTMENT & REPAIRS, REPLACEMENT UNITS, LOCKING STSTEMS, HINGES & HANDLES, GLASS SPLASH BACKS & CARPENTRY

10 YEAR E GUARANTEC

ON ALL UPV ONS INSTALLATI

FOR A FREE QUOTE OR TO REQUEST A BROCHURE, SPEAK TO A QUALIFIED TRADESMAN NOT A SALESPERSON CALL MATTHEW ON: 07519 327 172 OR 01268 964 111 OR EMAIL ASPINALLSWINDOWSANDDOORS@GMAIL.COM SEE MORE OF OUR WORK ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE /ASPINALLSWINDOWSANDDOORS

Happy New Year from all of us at

Brighton

Happy New Year from all of us at

ess with 10 years experience in the kitchen industry

10% OFF

WITH THIS ADVERT!

A family run business with 10 years experience in the kitchen industry

From a Simple Door Swap to a Whole New Installation

Simple Door Swap Made to Measure • Doors & Worktops • Sinks & Taps Applinces • Plumbing • Tiling • Electrics • CAD Design ole New Installation

asure • Doors, Worktops, Trends Plumbing s • Appliances• rics • CAD Design

Call us now on: 08006990807 or 07954502355 www.4-kitchens.co.uk • sales@4-kitchens.co.uk

now on: 01375 767997

ens.co.uk PLEASE MENTION AROUNDBeech TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS 8 Acacia• Sales@4-Kitchens.co.uk Beige Cream Ash Cream Avola Grey Avola White Dakar Dark Walnut

advertorial

Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.

Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company

policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee.

But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

Locally Cloudy2Clear service Upminster and

Cranham & manager Chris Miller agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Chris a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

9

scheduled operations and appointments in preparation for the strike which caused stress and inconvenience to patients but may now proceed as planned.

The successful pilot scheme in A&E, redirecting around one third of people needing non emergency care, except children, has been made a permanent arrangement between 9am and 9pm, freeing up doctors to treat people needing emergency care and reducing waiting times in an improved service.

Angela Watkinsons

Member of Parliament For Upminster & Hornchurch

It was a great relief to our Hospitals Trust, patients and many doctors that the BMA called off its threatened strike.

BHRHT had already delayed

Unemployment in Hornchurch and Upminster has always been around the national average and is down 51% since 2010, following the national trend.

Jobcentre Plus helps job seekers to find employment, access training or further education at Hornchurch College of Further and Higher

Education or apply for a wide range of apprenticeships. There is a positive future for everyone appropriate to their skills.

There are more displaced persons in the world than ever before and a coordinated global response is needed. The recent appalling destruction of a humanitarian aid convoy to Alleppo has made that urgent. Refugees must claim asylum in the first safe country they arrive in and support must be provided to countries that receive disproportionate numbers. The UK has already donated £2.3bn to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, including 22m food rations, 4.4m medical consultations and shelter for almost ½m people. Sadly that is still not enough and other countries must step up their relief contributions during this seemingly never ending conflict.

têáÖÜíë=qêÉÉ=pìêÖÉêó=iÑäíë==NLQLNM==NMWRP=~ã==m~ÖÉ=N

07738 688392

Collards Upholstery London Limited For All Your Upholster y Repairs No matter how old your furniture is ... repairs and restoration are a great option compared to replacement and often far cheaper.

New seat springs or webbing Leather and fabric replaced

All types of tree & hedge work undertaken

Re-webbing and re-stitching Clean, repair and restore Leather colour match Arm foam replaced Re-colour leather Cushions replaced Frame repairs

CUL

Please call for a free estimate and advice

Office: 02085 001 121 01708 744 587 Mobile: 07999 343 389

Asheton Farm Business Centre Tysea Hill Stapleford Abbotts Romford, Essex RM4 1JU

• Free estimates • Fully qualified • Public Liability Insured to £5million • Emergency call out available • Unseasoned wood available • Friendly reliable service • Site clearance • Stump removal www.wrighttreesurgery.co.uk Part of the City & Guilds Group

www.collardsupholstery.co.uk Info@collardsupholstery.co.uk

10

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

OFFERING ONLY PREMIER BRANDS, PREMIER QUA L ITY AND PREMIER SERVICE Bodywash Bathrooms A12 Eastern Avenue,

01708 736700

Romford,

sales@bodywash.uk

Essex

www.bodywash.uk

RM5 3AL

WOMEN’S SPORT WEEK The beginning of October marks Women’s sport week, something that flies under the radar and despite watching team GB get more medals than they ever have at the Rio games and a number of our heroes at the games were of course women, it is still surprising just how much coverage women’s sports achieve.

what Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are wearing at times than their talent, but I cannot understand why Tennis is the only sport that has made strides. There are some sports which are a level playing field and some that the women’s equivalent would provide us with just as much entertainment.

However, there has been progress when it comes to our mainstream sports. Women’s football is receiving more and more coverage. I was surprised to see a highlights show dedicated to the Women’s Premier League, I shouldn’t be surprised, but this is new. The Women’s World Cup captured an audience, mainly because they gave the country something to cheer about compared to the Men’s team. Long may this coverage continue and hopefully crowds continue to increase, as it seems a little narrow minded that only at the Olympics do we consider Women’s sports worth watching in our droves.

Ronda Rousey dominated MMA for a short while and made headlines even when she was defeated in spectacular fashion. We will watch the women’s 100m final, and surely by the same token, would we watch Nicola Adams if she was a professional boxer live on Sky, I think I would?

The Women’s Rugby team went and won the world cup, however the coverage of women’s Rugby has not increased, possibly because football is still the number one sport in the country, but it seems a little unfair that this achievement has not done too much for the sport.

The most high profile women’s sports are still Athletics and Tennis, where stars are born after astonishing performances and consistency.

Grand Slam tournament prize money in Tennis is now the same as men’s, which is a little odd seeing as the men have to play more sets.

The media still seem more concerned about

Formula 1, Snooker, Darts are just three sports that women are on a level playing field with men, but there are no professional women on the circuit. I know that girls perhaps do not take to these sports when they are young, but I guarantee there will be obstacles they have to overcome which men would not should they take the decision to go into said sports.

Women’s sport week should be used to encourage more girls to get involved in sport at a young age and see that it is a way to do something amazing while forging a living for themselves and their families in the future. It should also be used to point out to old fashioned governing bodies that more needs to be done to raise the profile of women in sport to ensure a future for our sports. So much is driven by money, but successful sporting franchises and events make good business, no reason why gender should not enhance profits.

Put the spotlight on your local sports team, contact Zaki Hasan, via email, zaki@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk

PRINTING Small and start-up business, print and marketing specialists.

GIVE US A CALL!

Pleas

e me

01277 658444 Bereavement Stationery Birthday Banners Brochures Business Cards Business Printing

Colour Copying Door Drops Invitations Invoice Pads Leaflets Marketing Campaigns

ntion

Aroun

when

d Tow

n

orderi ng to to cla im

20% O

Newsletters Order of Service Posters Stationery and much more...

your fi rs

FF

t orde

r*

01277 658444

www.blacksquarelitho.co.uk | sales@blacksquarelitho.co.uk Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay, Essex CM12 0DX

*T&Cs Apply

E R TH CA NE! W ZI NE GA A M

Check us out on

Search TORQUE MAGAZINE www.torquemagazine.co.uk /TorqueMagazine

torquemagazine_

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

13

  GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING  GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING GAS●PLUMBING●HEATING   Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired

Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired Allmakes&modelsofboilersserviced andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits andrepaired CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades CondensingBoilersandWarmAirUnits AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades Installations AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades AllworkundertakenLeaksUpgrades Installations Installations NoCallOutCharge Installations NoCallOutCharge Installations NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable NoCallOutCharge OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance OAPdiscountsavailable Fullpublicliabilityinsurance  FullyQualifiedEngineers  Fullpublicliabilityinsurance  FullyQualifiedEngineers Fullpublicliabilityinsurance FullyQualifiedEngineers   FullyQualifiedEngineers   FullyQualifiedEngineers Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness 

Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience Aprofessionalfamilyrunbusiness Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. Honestandreliablewithover20yearsexperience ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall.. ..fromatapwashertoafullheatingsystemcall..

01702435400 01702435400 01702435400 01708 731341

Driveways | Patios | Fencing | Turfing | Small Extensions Walls | Natural Stone | Decking | Porches | Paths

All types of landscaping.

01708 14

FREE ESTIMATES 701337 | 07946619438

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

Barron Sumner

07855 118008

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

15

RECIPE

Chicken Pie (4 Servings) Ingredients: 4 tbsp. butter 1 tbsp. flour 200ml chicken stock 3 tbsp. double cream Sprig of tarragon Squeeze of lemon juice 1 handful button mushrooms (cut into quarters) 1 medium green pepper (sliced) 400g cooked chicken (shredded) 225g ready-made puff pastry 1 medium free-range egg (beaten)

Equipment: Saucepan (2) Large oven proof dish

Method: Gas Mark 6, 200C

mix together.

Melt half the butter in a saucepan before adding the flour. Cook on a low heat for 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and turn up the heat and stir continuously until it is simmering. Then add in the cream and gently simmer until thickened.

Using the dish, pour in the chicken mixture. Then roll out the pastry onto a floured surface. Make sure it is flattened out until 1cm thick. Place the flattened pastry over the dish and cut off the excess around the sides.

Next add the lemon juice and tarragon and switch off the heat. In a separate pan, fry the chicken with mushrooms and peppers with the rest of the butter.

Once this is cooked add the sauce and

Cut a few holes into the top with a knife and brush the pastry with the beaten eggs. Bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes until the filling is hot and the top of browned. Serve and enjoy!

If you would like your recipe to appear in Around Town Magazines then contact our sales team on: 01277 658444 or email: sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk

DIGITAL & SATELLITE

SOUTH EAST HEATING DOMESTIC HEATING

. PLUMBING

Family Run Experienced Service Established in 1988.

• • • • • •

DIGITAL TV AND DAB RADIO AERIALS FREEVIEW MULTI ROOM SYSTEMS PLASMA AND LCD TV REPAIRS TUNING AND WALL MOUNTING SERVICE CITY AND GUILDS QUALIFIED

FREE ESTIMATES Call Kevin

07928 004259

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Boiler repairs & replacements Gas installation Central heating installation & Maintenance Oil boiler servicing Gas servicing Landlord safety certificates Bathroom installation Power flushing Solar Panel installation Domestic & Commercial plumbing and heating General plumbing work Gas appliances Gas leaks/safety checks

Mobile:

07956 481819 01708 221500

Office: www.southeastheating-essex.co.uk

WEST ESSEX FLOORING LTD • Carpet • Wood • Laminate • Safety Floors • Karndean • • Amtico • Vinyl • Shower Rooms •

01708 629783

info@westessexflooring.co.uk REFERENCES AVAILABLE • COMPANY NUMBER 08512089

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

17

MORTGAGES

Is now the perfect time to cut the cost of your mortgage? Rates are at historic lows - for the first time a two-year-fix is below 1% and a ten year fix is 2.39%. Many people can cut their mortgage costs by £1,000s. Yet after Brexit many are asking if could it get even cheaper.

My mailbag’s been rammed with messages from nervous mortgage-holders wondering whether they should do anything with their mortgage due to the uncertain economy right now. I don’t have a crystal ball and don’t know what the future holds, but in short here’s my analysis on the situation…

1) Will fixes get cheaper? The rate at which fixes are set is based on complex ‘long-term City swap rates’. And the markets’ gloom has pushed those down, so fix rates could (there’s a lot of crystal-ball gazing here) trickle down a touch further.

2) What about variable rates? There’s certainly pressure on them to drop, Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, has indicated cuts that may happen, though the last meeting of the bank it kept them on hold.

So should people wait?

The big picture... mortgages are at historically cheap rates already. If you can slash £1,000s off your cost and get peace of mind that you can afford it (and if you’re worried about uncertainty, go for a longer fix), then do it.

Yes, there’s a chance it could get even cheaper, but if you’re bagging something that’s easily affordable, that safety and certainty has a value too. Playing the market is never a sure-fire win.

And big savings are possible, such as Kperat’s, who emailed me: “Following your email we did some research, fixed at 1.24%

for 2 yrs, reduced term to 13 yrs without paying much more a month. Will be saving about £20,000, even after fees. THANKS.” Just how cheap are mortgages?

HSBC is offering a 0.99% two-year-fix, though you’ll need a good credit score, to be borrowing less than 65% of your house’s value and pay a huge fee of £1,499. Yet see this is an example of the type of rates available. At 90% of your house’s value you could get 2.49% fee-free for two years, or if you want to fix for longer, there are five-yearfixes in the 2%s too.

So examine what your rate is now; many people are on their lender’s standard variable rate, the rate you go to when a fix or discount ends. So for Barclays, RBS, Halifax, NatWest and most Nationwide customers, it’s around 4%, though this is likely to drop if there is a rate cut. And just remember, every 1% point you cut off your mortgage is around £80/month less per £1,000 of mortgage.

“I’LL GET 6 YRS OF CHARGES BACK AND A GOODWILL £70” How to find the cheapest mortgages For easy benchmarking, to see what’s out there, start with a comparison site that includes all deals, including ‘direct only’, those that aren’t offered by broker. These include my Mortgage Comparison at www. mse.me/mortgagebestbuys or sites such as TotallyMoney.com.

Yet it’s not just the rate that counts: these days getting accepted isn’t easy. Both your credit score and whether you’re deemed able to afford the mortgage count. (The latter is often calculated as if interest rates

are far higher than they are, so you can still pay if rates do rise.) Matching your characteristics to available mortgages is something a good mortgage broker can do that you can’t do yourself.

But do ask if the broker will check all deals available to them and not just a panel of lenders. Also, check how much using a broker will cost and ensure you use a qualified one. Some phone-only brokers such as www.LandC.co.uk are fee-free but if you want face-to-face help, ask friends for a local broker recommendation or use www.

Unbiased.co.uk or www.VouchedFor.co.uk to find one.

Don’t ignore the fees The smaller your mortgage, the bigger the impact of fees, especially on smaller mortgages. A good way to compare mortgages is to divide the fee across the discount or fixed period. So a £1,200 fee on a two-year (i.e., 24-month) deal is £50 a month – add that to the monthly repayment. And if you usewww.mse.me/mortgage bestbuys to compare, the ‘total cost’ function does this automatically for you.

Fix or variable rate?

The advantage of a fix is you get price and budgeting certainty that the rate won’t move for a set time. Variable deals move with UK interest rates – and sometimes just at the provider’s whim. Generally, you pay a

martin L E W IS Money Saving Expert

little more to fix, but not much. Ask yourself how much you think rates will rise over the period. If safety’s what counts for you, err on the side of fixing, and fixing for longer.

Got savings? They could get you a better mortgage For this, you need to find your current loanto-value (LTV), the proportion of the value you’re borrowing. E.g., £80k on a £100k property is 80% LTV. At every 5% LTV threshold from 95% down to 60%, deals tend to get better, so a little extra can have a big impact on your rate.

For example, if you’ve a £150,000 home, and want a £137,000 remortgage, that’s 91% LTV, and the top 5yr fix is 4.49%.

Yet use £2,000 of savings to reduce the borrowing, and you’d then be at 90% LTV – where the top 5yr fix is 2.84%, saving c. £1,600/year in payments.

Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 10 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www. moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip

LOCALLY BASED COMPANY IN BRENTWOOD WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE. NO JOB TOO SMALL! FREE ESTIMATES WITH NO OBLIGATION. We also offer general maintenance and building works.

• ALL TYPES OF PLUMBING / HEATING • NEW BOILER / REPAIRS / SERVICING • BATHROOMS / KITCHENS • POWERFLUSHING • DRAINAGE WORKS

OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE:

• ALL ASPECTS OF DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AND ELECTRICAL WORK CARRIED OUT • SECURITY SYSTEMS AND ALARMS • REPLACEMENT CONSUMER UNITS • PERIODIC INSPECTION & TESTING • FULL REWIRES / PAT TESTING / FAULT FINDING

WE CARRY OUT ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING; FLAT ROOF WORKS, LEAD WORKS, LEAKING ROOFS TILED OR FELT, GUTTERING/DOWNPIPE WORKS, GUTTER CLEANING, CHIMNEY REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS AND FASCIA/SOFFIT WORKS. PLEASE CALL US WITH YOUR REqUIREMENTS.

Tel: 01277 810005 Email: t-p-s-l@btconnect.com www.timminspsl.co.uk Unit 15 Cockridden Farm Estate, Brentwood, Essex CM13 3LH

Project2_Layout 1 01/12/2015 12:14 Page 1

24 HR EMERGENCY

SERVICE • Tree Pruning • Shaping • Precision Felling • Thinning • Stump Grinding • Ground Maintenance • Dead Wooding

. Qualified . Licensed . Insured .

Based in Rayleigh Discounts Available for OAP & Disable in the local area

Quality full installation service for bathrooms, cloak rooms and wet rooms

Planning & Advice Plumbing Tiling Electrics Plastering Carpentry Minor building work

LOGS FOR SALE

CALL MATT

Call us now:

Tel: 01708 259696 Mobile: 07790 753850

www.tree-king.co.uk

m.p.williams.bathrooms@gmail.com

01268 857550

07719 837777

Nokes & Co, Squire House, 81-87 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9AS 01277 633971

07949 266321

mark@nokesandco.co.uk

www.nokesandco.co.uk

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

21

Christmas at Warley Park Golf Club WE CAN DELIVER

THE

P E R F E C T PA C K A G E

A great location with fantastic entertainment from Christmas Party Nights, Tribute Nights, Party Afternoons and Christmas lunches with Father Christmas & Children’s Entertainer Skittleman To make your booking ring: 01277 224891 Email: enquiries@warleypark.co.uk Warley Park Golf Club Magpie Lane Little Warley Essex CM13 3DX www.warleyparkgc.co.uk/Christmas 2016

ORGANISER GOES * MENTION AROUND TOWN*offer PLEASE MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TObefore ADVERTS 22 FREE available for bookings of 12 or more made the end of September

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

23

Composite Doors

from just £799 Selected range price includes . Choice of Blue, Red, Black or White . Chrome Effect Handle and Yale Magnum Lock with 3 Keys . Letterbox optional extra Fully

All of our doors are backed up with a 10 year guarantee

Installe d Inc. VA T

‘the 2016 contemporary range’

or r do You way! ur

yo

. Choice of styles from modern to traditional . Different glazing options . Choice of chrome, graphite, black and gold door furniture

Design your door online @ www.doors-4-you.co.uk

Any size 2-Part uPVC Patio Doors

. Any size, up to 2.4m,

Only £999

. Offers high security and large

2 panel opening.

. High quality stainless steel tracks give maximum possible service life.

Fully Installe d Inc. VA T

units are easily achieved.

. Striking design with low sight line gaskets.

Call our friendly team today

01277 800074 Lines open 9am-9pm 7 days

www.curtainworlddirect.co.uk PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

25

Buying & Selling Children’s Clothes & Toys Children outgrow clothes and toys quickly, and replacing them with new items can be costly. Swapseez UK is a venture that will pay you for toys and clothes and provide bargains on nearly-new items as your children move into the next size or developmental stage.

Sales events are run at Cranham Community Centre on Mondays during term time, from 9:00-12:00.

For more information, visit the website: www.swapseezuk.com or email us at: swapseezuk@hotmail.com

www.chelmsfordwelsh.org.uk www.facebook.com/chelmsfordwelsh Euromedical Ambulance Service A volunteer led charity serving Upminster and Havering providing first aid cover at sporting,social and school events with weekly training sessions leading to recognised first aid qualifications for members.

Meetings are held at the Rush Green Community Assn Social Club.

For more information contact Melvyn Gallagher 01708 224167 or e – mail magallagher@mgnet.freeserve. co.uk

Chelmsford & District Welsh Society Membership is open to anyone with Welsh origins or connections, or to anyone with an appreciation of Welsh heritage and traditions.

Visitors and guests are warmly welcomed to attend our meetings.

Friends Of Upminster Mini Golf Course We are a recently formed group with the aims of promoting the Mini Golf Course in Hall Lane, Upminster and working in partnership with Havering Council to improve amenities and to encourage people of all ages to participate at the course.

Find us on Facebook.

The Society’s monthly meeting is held in St Cedd’s Hall, Cathedral Chapter House, Chelmsford, CM1 1NX, and is usually on the fourth Thursday of every month.

Why not come and give it a go.

Equipment is supplied and the course suits all abilities from novices to experienced golfers looking to improve their short game.

The next meeting is on Thursday 24th November at 7.30pm. All new members are welcome, come along to our meeting for a fun and sociable evening.

More information on the Councils website: www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/ ServiceChild/Hall-Lane-golf-course.

We hold a variety of events, including a ‘Noson Lawen’, St David’s Day Dinner, Church Service, ‘Cymanfa Ganu’, and an annual concert featuring a Welsh Male voice choir, held at Chelmsford Cathedral.

Throughout the year there are also fund raising events such as coffee mornings, musical evenings and a Garden Party.

For more details please contact Gwenno on 07724144432

26

Jazz at the Bardswell Last Tuesday each month following guests with resident trio.

29th November, 2016 The Christmas Crew Gary Wood, trumpet & vocals Tim Huskisson, keyboard Martin Nickless, clarinet Derek Clenshaw, trombone 8.00pm - 10.30pm Admission [inc. buffet] £13 The Bardwell Social Club Junction at Weald Rd. & Bardwell

Close, Brentwood, Essex. CM14 4TJ Tel. 07935 441616 www.jazzatthebardswell.co.uk MOTR® Core, Cardio & Strength Training Neil Carpenter brings the MOTR® fitness machine from the US for prebooked ‘drop-in’ classes on Monday evenings in Cranham (maximum 8 to a class for close supervision). The MOTR® and its resistance bands will challenge your strength, core stability, stamina, control and agility in a full body athletic workout that will burn fat, tone and condition your body like no other workout.

This is a fast paced class so you must be injury free with a basic level of fitness. Flexible online booking is ideal for those with unpredictable schedules.

Want to try out the MOTR® for free?

Book a free class via our website www.upminstersportsmassage.co.uk or email us for further information upminstersportsmassage@gmail.com MummyNatal with Your Natal Way MummyNatal antenatal classes supporting mums-to-be to tune into what their birth experience is, focusing simply on the present moment and finding confidence and acceptance.

Weekly classes include mindful meditation exercises, breathing practice, birth ball exercise, exercises for encouraging baby into optimum position for birth, managing intense sensation exercises, birth physiology and birth choices education.

Classes at The Sanctuary, Upminster, Tuesday 8-9pm – yournatalway@ outlook.com 07738572554 NEW Meditation course & NEW beginner yoga course in Upminster booking now.

Meditation can help to improve sleep, reduce stress, aid your

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

immune system through lowering blood pressure and help with depression and anxiety by encouraging positive thinking and emotional well-being.

• Meditation course for beginners.

Four week course starts in September on Monday evenings 8pm (1 hour) held in my tranquil garden studio. The course costs £40.

Only being taught in small groups so spaces are very limited so booking early is essential • Adult yoga course for beginners. A new 8 week course start September on Tuesday evenings 6.30pm (1 hour), the Old Chapel. The course will cost £48. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.

For further information about all classes please call Vikki on 07976 589133 or email heartfeltyoga@ outlook.com OASIS - A ‘disability-friendly’ meeting for adults On the second Sunday of each month, from 3.00 to 4.30 pm, we have our ‘disability-friendly’ meeting at Cranham Baptist Church, Severn Drive, Upminster, RM14 1SN. A traditional Sunday Service is not for everyone! Oasis meetings are aimed at people with disabilities and their carers. The meetings are accessible, informal and fun where Jesus is worshipped through Bible teaching, singing, prayer and fellowship with others.

We provide a safe environment and loving support for adults with disabilities and their carers.

For more information contact the Oasis Team on 01708 223551, 07714 853545 or the Church Office on 01708 224851.

Pilates for a Healthier Spine Experienced Sports & Remedial Massage Therapists Charlene & Neil

Carpenter teach traditional Pilates in private sessions and also to small groups in Upminster & Cranham.

Improve the mobility of your spine & joints, increase strength, stamina & muscle elasticity, improve balance, co-ordination & enhance the way you look, feel & move. Levels: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate, Men Only, Post Natal, and Gentle Pilates for Seniors. Group classes are Tues-Fri mornings and Mon-Thurs evenings.

For further information or to book a course or trial class please visit www. upminstersportsmassage.co.uk or call Charlene on 07411 826721, or email upminstersportsmassage@gmail.com Shirley Tours Trips Coach trips, and short breaks in aid of fund raising for Hall Mead and James Oglethorpe Schools, All Saints Church and All Saints Scouts.

Departures from Cranham, flyers on holidays and day trip leaflets available. Please call Shirley Ward 01708 227884 for more details or e mail shirley@shirleytours.co.uk for full list of trips.

Tennis 4 All Hylands is delighted to engage with the JW Tennis Academy (JWTA) offering tennis lessons from mini tennis tots to squad level. All abilities welcome 4 -18 years old. A great way to help children improve their co-ordination, balance and listening skills in a fun and social environment. Also available, Cardio Tennis and Tennis Xpress for adult beginners.

For more details please visit: www.hylandstennis.co.uk or contact us at hylandsclub@gmail.com The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch The Queen’s Theatre’s exciting Outer Limits festival continues with Carry

On Jaywick by acclaimed Romford writer Dan Murphy on Wednesday 26 October in the Foyer at 8pm.

This verbatim play explores Jaywick, the Essex coast’s former seaside gem currently ranked as Britain’s most deprived town.

For more information, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit queens-theatre.co.uk Upminster Park Towns Women’s Guild We are a friendly group of Ladies enjoying a chat over tea and biscuits listening to a good speaker or entertainer. Going on outings/ theatre trips and promoting friendship and well being.

We meet at St.Lawrence Church, Derham Hall, Upminster on the fourth Wednesday each month at 1.45 - 4 pm. For more information contact Deborah Pryor 01708 226127 or Anne Monk 01708 226305 or simply come along.

UPMINSTER U3A Upminster U3A - University of the Third Age - is launching in October, in Upminster naturally! We would appreciate a mention in Around Town Upminster, under What’s On. Launching on 18 October in Upminster, membership will be open to all third agers (i.e. no longer in full time employment). The inaugural meeting will start at 12.30 pm, but regular monthly meetings take place at 1.00 pm on the third Tuesday (except in December), at the Methodist Church Hall, Hall Lane, Upminster. Come along to any meeting and become a member (don’t forget your chequebook), and enjoy talks, walks, interest groups and much more.

For further information, contact info@upminsteru3a.org.uk or check out our Facebook page www. facebook.com/upminsteru3a/.

If you would like to promote your club or event then please email a maximum of 70 words to:

admin@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk Please ensure that all contact details are included.

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

27

LOCAL 01708 641492

Quality Advice and Caring Service

Wills & Probate Lasting Powers of Attorney Court of Protection Family / Children Divorce Matrimonial Financial Settlements Fixed Fees Available Early / late appointments available upon request

01708 251560

Suite 1, Essex House, Station Road Upminster, Essex, RM14 2SJ

www.wells-solicitors.co.uk

30

PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS

Life Care

Mobility Limited

e care W , s r e t t a m y il Fam

LifetyCLimaritede Mobili

’ VISIT OUR WELL STOCKED SHOWROOM ‘ESCAPEGHT

AUTUMN OFFERS!

BATH LIFTS FROM £295.00

FROM

£1250

FROM

£150.00

FROM

£150

ue, Horn ch 26 Elm Para de, Elm Park Aven .uk | Op Ema il: sale s@li feca rem obili ty.co

SCOOTERS FROM £650.00

LIGHTWEIGHT

WHEELCHAIR

LIGHTWEI WHEELCHAIR

STRAIGHT STAIRLIFTS

STRAIGHT STAIR LIFTS FROM £1250

FULL RANGE OF INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS

RISE & RECLINE CHAIRS FROM

£595.00

FREE HOME VISIT & DEMONSTRATIONS AVAILABLE PLUS FREE DELIVERY! 26 Elm Parade, Elm Park Avenue, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 4SA 01708 440 420 | sales@lifecaremobility.co.uk Open: 9.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4pm Saturday

Trusted Provider of Aids To Daily Living

Your Stove is waiting for you!

Photo for illustration purposes only