Towcester In Business December magazine

Y P P S A A H XM

MONTHLY

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012

65p where sold

BUSINESSES THAT ADVERTISE IN A RECESSION ARE THE ONES THAT SURVIVE AND COME OUT THE OTHER END

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Best Area Magazines Ltd 46 Chestnut Close Hampton Nr Evesham Worcestershire WR11 2PA

M E R R Y

C H R I S T M A S

C O N T E N T S www.inbusinessmags.co.uk EDITORS COMMENT Mandy Mills would like to say a big thank you to all the Customers , Distributors & Staff who made this year a continued success .

ADVERTISING Kate Martin 01386 424898 inbusinesspublications@yahoo.co.uk

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“January Sales Tips”

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“ProtectYour Roof ThisWinter”

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“Steamed Up Double Glazing” Cloudy 2 Clear

“Postal Scam”

FEATURES EDITOR Jen Oakton

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“Driving Through The Snow”

PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Howard

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“Last Christmas Posting Dates”

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Community What’s On

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“Pets - A Festive Warning”

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Index

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Trevor Skidmore NEXT ISSUE COPY DATE 18th January 2012 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012 ISSUE The aims of Towcester In Business Magazine are to help businesses in the area become known and useful to local people and to encourage the people of Towcester and surrounding areas to support these businesses in order that the local community can flourish. © 2011 All artwork and copy appearing in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

All information published is correct according to those who supplied it and no responsibility is taken if it is not.

Care is taken to ensure all advertisements are truthful and no liability is accepted for errors or emissions.The right to refuse advertisements is reserved. The use of this publication for

canvassing, direct marketing or any other activity apart from sourcing local goods and services is strictly prohibited.

The above title is a division of The Best Area Magazines Ltd.

Other magazines include Brackley & Buckingham

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Tips for the January Sales Are you a sucker for a ‘great bargain’?

It’s really easy to lose all rational thought when shopping in the sales and quickly the cost of those bargains soon mounts up to a small fortune. Don’t waste money this time.

Follow these tips instead!

Make a list. What do you need? What do you want?

Research. Look online for the best bargains.

Make a note of things you really like before the sales begin so you can look out for them later.

Stick to your budget.

Only take that amount of cash if you don’t trust yourself.

Give it a second thought. Don’t get caught up in the euphoria of spending money. Is this really what you want or is it more clutter?

Shop online. It’s harder to make impulse purchases this way.

Jen Oakton

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Protect your roof this winter Heavy snowfall and below freezing temperatures can cause great damage to the roof of your home. There are steps you can take to protect your property.

Ice and snow can build up on a roof during a period of severe weather. The main cause of this is a warm attic – the heat melts the snow too quickly leading to ice which can block gutters, damage roofs and form giant icicles. Avoid this by keeping your attic cold. Check both insulation and ventilation are adequate.

Carefully clear snow from roofs you can easily access such as single storey extensions and sheds.

Try to prevent ice from building up in your gutters as this can cause extensive damage.

Do not risk your own safety when carrying out roof maintenance. There are several roofing companies in this area that will provide an efficient, effective service at a reasonable cost.

Most roofing tasks are best left to the professionals.

Specialists in f lat roofing, PVC f ascias a nd guttering Slating Tiling Lead w ork

Chimney Chimney re-pointing re-pointing and rebuilding rebuilding

Storm damage

General building maintenance

Call now for a free quote and advice

T: 01296 714129 or 07724 919716 Well known known local tradesman with 15 years years experience .

Comes highly highly recommended. recommended.

Insurance work taken work under taken

P&B ROOFING & Building Contractors Ltd

ALL TYPES OF FLAT ROOFING TILING, SLATING, RE-POINTING, REPAIRS AND RE-ROOFS FASCIAS AND GUTTERS REPAIRED OR REPLACED CHIMNEYS RE-POINTED

A L L W O R K C A R R I E S I N S U R A N C E WA R R A N T Y

Tel: 01280 730831

F R E E E S T I M AT E S

MOBILE: 07956 114001

Credit Cards Accepted Established 20 Years

www.PBR OOFING.co.uk

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in

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Postal Scam

Woodlands

Logs & Kindling DELIVERED LOCALLY 0844 4141174

01280 735005 www.bigtrees.co.uk

“All Aspects Of Tree & Hedge Care Covered” Fully Insured & Qualified Professional Arborists ● Trees & Hedging Supplied & Planted ● Ground Maintenance ● Hazel Hurdle Fencing Installed ● Woodchip & Logs Supplied ● No Job Too Big Or Small -

Residential Or Commercial ● Local Company Offering ● Competitive Prices 8

Can you circulate this around especially as Xmas is fast approaching - it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam: A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact the m on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).

DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize .

If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.

For more information, see the Crime Stoppers website: http://www.crimestoppersuk.org/crime-prevention/helping-preventcrime/scams/postal-delivery-scam

S PI C E R S C O M B E B A R N Self Catering Holiday Accomodation www.spicerscombebarn.co.uk

❚ 4 bedrooms - 2 doubles, 1 twin and 1 bunk bed ❚ Family Bathroom and Shower Room ❚ Wash Room with washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and board ❚ 50ft Open Plan Living Area with wood burning stove ❚ Fully Equipped Kitchen ❚ Dining Area

For availability and booking please phone Kate Burgess on

01280 822766

KINGSBRIDGE DEVON Spicerscombe Barn is situated in a quiet location 3 miles from the small town of Modbury.

Sleeps 8

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MARQUEES

WINTER SERVICE *DISCOUNT

25% off

*This voucher is for full services only, Please bring this voucher with you, Valid from 1st November 2011 until 31st Jan 2012.

Hire a garden marquee from as little as ÂŁ140

www.centraLeisureMarquees.com Mob: 07903 717272

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ONE CALL DOES IT ALL…

Full Service

£59.99 All Inc

• MoTs arranged • Repairs • Exhausts • Batteries • Engine Diagnostics • Brake Safety Centre

Driving through snow The advice during heavy snow is to avoid going out but if you must travel then using your car may be the only option.

Take a few precautionary steps now to make sure you are prepared for a car journey through snow.

Check the tyres (including the spare) to make sure there’s plenty of grip. If you own tyre chains, check they are the correct size and you remember how to fit them.

FREE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY FREE WRITEN QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST

Unit 4, Oak Tree Farm, Akeley, Bucks, MK18 5HF

01280 860700 credits cards accepted

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www.claysvehiclerepairs.co.uk

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Stock up on de-icer and a good window scraper and put keep them handy in the car.

FAST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

You shouldn’t use hot water to clear a windscreen as this can cause the glass to crack.

Sky CCTV BBC Freeview TV BBC Freesat TV Multi Room TV Distribution HD TV Distribution

Put together an emergency kit of a hazard warning sign, blanket, shovel, torch, first aid kit, and long-life drinks and snacks. Put this in the car whenever you need to travel in the winter weather.

Jen Oakton

01280 409 110

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F R E E

under 16’s free

W eight Loss Group W eight Watchers

Towcester Leisure Centre Every Thursday at 9.30am, 5.45 & 7pm

Last Christmas Posting Dates ...then why not use us The Brackley In Business magazine. As well as advertising we now offer leaflet design, print & delivery packages.

Our rates wont break the bank...

T: 01386 424898

inbusinesspublications@yahoo.co.uk 12

Towcester Scout Hall Preschool will again be holding its successful annual Christmas Craft Fayre at Towcester Town Hall on Sunday 4 December 2011.

If you are an interested stallholder then please contact us and we can reserve your space now before the rush! More information nearer the time...

Any enquiries please contact 07980 525116 or email contact@towcesterscouthall preschool.co.uk.

Towcester Scout Hall Preschool Registered Charity No. 1022961 www.towcesterscouthallpr eschool.co.uk

Don’t get caught out this year! The last Christmas posting dates for cards to addresses in the UK are:

Saturday 17th December for Second Class Tuesday 20th December for First Class In 2010, heavy snow in the weeks before Christmas caused unexpected delays in postal deliveries so be prepared and send your cards and parcels early this year.

Children who write to Santa by Wednesday 14th December should get a reply before Christmas but write early to be sure of receiving a special letter.

Letters can be sent to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, SAN TA1. In the letter you must include the child’s name and address and do remember to attach a stamp to Jen Oakton

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do you have a club or event to promote

in December Thursday 15th 12.40pm - 15.40pm Admission - FREE Monday 26th 12.50pm - 15.40pm Admission - £10 Admission

IN

?

13 D e c 2 0 1 1 2 0 : 3 0 NEW INN ABTHORPE SILVER STREET ABT HORPE TOWCESTER

TOWCESTER RACECOURSE

Christmas Craft Fayre T

Tuesday is Steak Night 6pm Wednesday is Fish & Chips night from 6pm Thursday is opem mic night from 9pm (All welcome!)

Saturday is live music night.

S

The Plough Inn, Towcester

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send your FREE What’s On Community Listing, email inbusinesspublications@yahoo.co.uk

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Community What’s On

http://www.scottsdaleconsulting.co.uk/

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Pets – A Festive Warning!

The perfect alternative to kennels

Let us arrange for your dog/s to stay with one of our local, carefully selected, very special families – because at Barking Mad we believe your dog deserves a holiday too!

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For more information about our service please contact Shirley Rands

Tel: 01280 700110 Email: shirley.rands@barkingmad.uk.com www.barkingmad.uk.com

It might seem like a treat, but avoid giving your dog any ‘human’ chocolate this Christmas. Chocolate is toxic to almost every type of animal and at during the festive season, plenty of dogs are brought to a vet surgery suffering from what is basically ‘poisoning by chocolate’!

Cats are well-known for eating tinsel and ribbon during the festive season. This can get stuck in the intestine and will require an operation to sort it out so never given tinsel to either a cat or dog to play with.

Shiny Christmas tree baubles are very popular toys for animals in the home. Make sure you put them high enough that they cannot be knocked off the tree as a smashed bauble can injure.

Also keep Christmas houseplants well away from cats. Several of these plants, including holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia are poisonous but well loved by cheeky cats.

I N D E X page number

Blinds Builders & Supplies Caravan & Motor Home Sales/Repairs Carer Car Repairs/Services/MOT’s Chimney Re-pointing Coach Hire Financial Advice Funeral Directors Gardening Maintenance Gardening Supplies Guttering & Fascias Hardware Holiday Cottage Fencing

16 7 9 4 10,11 5 10 13 15 8 7 5 7 8 8

page number

Logs & Kindling Marquee Hire Mobility Pet Care Property Maintenance Printing Psychic Roofing Contractors Tiling Tree Care TV Aerial & Satellite Services Windows, Doors & Conservatories

Tyzack Computing 14

8 9 2 14 1, 12,15

4 1,5 5 15 11 6,13

Call Paul: T:01327 262411 M:0774 0774 500

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FREEPHONE: 0800 6951944 MOBILE: 07788 513780

FULLY QUALIFIED AND INSURED TREE CARE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE Leylandii & Conifer problems solved Hedges reduced and trimmed Pruning and thinning Large or small jobs welcome

UP TO 15% DISCOUNT

Use Leaflets?

FOR OAP’S

Le t u s d i st r i b u t e t h e m f o r y ou

We design, print and deliver leaflets or can distribute your ready-made materials. A maximum of 2 slots per month are available per magazine 10 times a year

Please contact Kate or Mandy 01386 424898 inbusinesspublications@yahoo.co.uk Photographs kindly donated by Paul Howard Photography LSWPP Tel: 01327 830659 or 15 07977558067 paulspix@gmail.com www.photography.org.uk

January

SALE Now On!