Stubbington
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May 2020 | Issue 64 | £1.50 where sold
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THIS MONTH...
y, arit h c y, unit d more m n om s, c rties a e p i Rec prope
CONTENTS 8
Get Puzzled
22
Recipe of the Month
12
Mum’s the Word
24
Keep On Running
19
Watering & Wellies
29
Home Focus
20
Crofton Parish
Test yourself with this month’s crossword
Some lockdown ideas to entertain the kids
Gardening DIY
A taste of holiday, Spanish baked eggs
What a difference a few weeks makes
Your safe haven
Trust Moments
may issue 2020
Smalltalk
W
here to begin?
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This Big Voice Bigazine is delivered to residents and businesses in Alverstoke. For distribution enquiries please give me (Gemma) a call. Two other editions are also published in Stubbington & Hill Head and Lee on Solent.
Whilst Big Voice Directories aim to provide a quality publication for local reference, it cannot be held responsible for the services, reputation or cost of any of the advertisers, and content of adverts or editorial herein. Readers must make their own enquiries to establish the credentials of each entry. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Publishers. The magazines are produced on paper sourced from FSC approved paper mills and printed using vegetable based inks. They love being recycled but please pass to a friend first! Magazine, adverts, design, layout and content ©Copyright Peach Publications Ltd.
When I write a Small Talk, I often reflect on old issues and how I was approaching things. Sort of like a mirror to the weeks ahead. This time though, the world we knew a month ago is one we may not see for some time. As with every other country it’s touched, Covid-19 has had a life altering impact on the UK that will be felt for many months and years ahead. Firstly, I dearly hope you are all well and that your families remain healthy and safe. Whether you live on your own or are isolating because you are vulnerable, please know that people do care deeply. This is evident from the response we have seen to the NHS appeal for community volunteers and I have seen this personally from the people that live around me. Help is not far away if you need it, so please do contact neighbours who can help make sure you have the essentials. In our house life has changed dramatically, just as yours will have. Things have been scary but we’re also looking for the positives. I must comment on the fantastic work our daughters’ school have done to create an active and vibrant digital school. Daily welcome videos from the teacher, continually updated classwork, pen pals and digital assemblies have all been fantastic to be a part of. Additionally, digital platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger have allowed us to stay in close contact with friends and family, even my nan who is 85 and in permanent isolation and alone for the duration. Last week, technology even allowed me to organise a quiz night for 8 couples via video conference, it was great and something we hope to continue in a bid to feel connected. Finally, to the Big Voice, due to the clear advice from the Government I’ve taken the decision to suspend the printed magazine for the duration of the lock down and therefore you will be reading this digitally. The safety of the distributors and the many houses they visit on a monthly basis is paramount. Please continue to support your local businesses, we need you more than ever now. I hope you enjoy the magazine in its temporary new format. Please look after yourselves and your loved ones. #StayHomeStaySafe
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Get Puzzled Clues Across 7. Three in One (6) 8. Corrects (6) 9. Harp-like Instruments (4) 10. Abuse (8) 11. China Container with a face (7) 13. Appal (5) 15. Alternate (5) 17. Post Code USA 20. Conflagration (3-4) 21. Clump (4) 23. Covert (6) 24. Accord (6) Clues Down 1. Creative (4) 2. No Doubt (6) 3. Element FM (7) 4. Perhaps (5) 5. Sparsity (6) 6. Leading (8) 14. Stranger (8)
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Mum’s the Word My month as a Mum Wow being a mum over the last month is a totally different experience to what is my ‘normal’ and I guess it is for you too. If you follow the ‘Small Talk’ at the front of this magazine you will know that we are a very busy family and I am always trying to slow down. In this horrendous situation we have found the world in, suddenly we have that time I have always longed for. I’m not going to say it’s been easy, as well as running my business and a busy home, I have also become a teacher, a sport coach and have had to spend much more time planning the shopping and preparing the meals. Within the safety of our home during the lockdown, we’re finding positives in the time we are spending together as a family. We eat together every night, we have daily exercise as a family and we can do all those things with the children that we don’t normally have time for. There will never be another time in your life that you will have so much time as a family, cherish it. Here are a few ideas of things you can do at home with the children to help keep you all entertained. If you have found a great activity, I would love to feature some of your ideas over the next few weeks on my Facebook page @BigVoiceDirectories.
Painting with hands or feet has always been a favourite of mine, I always make Christmas cards this way. This time we created an animal poster! Have a go and see what creature you can create. Email me a picture and I’ll share it on my Facebook page.
Make mealtimes more fun by making coloured spaghetti! Boil the spaghetti following the instructions then add your favourite food colour for the last two minutes! Simple and fun.
Kids can be artists and learn how shadows are made at the same time. Choose an object and set it up casting a shadow on a piece of paper for them to trace around. Instant fun! Ask them questions about which direction the shadow is coming from and why. Leave the object in place and check it after an hour or so to see if the shadow has moved. 12
One of our neighbours has even made up a ball game called ‘Stick Ball’. It combines cricket and rounders but can be played with less players so it’s perfect for lockdown. Inventing the game was the fun part! If you invent any games, I’d love to hear about them. Well done Rueben! You will need: A bat or strong stick, a tennis ball, minimum of 3 people and something to run around. How to play: 1. Get in a position so there is space for the batsman to run. 2. The bowler throws the ball and once the batman has hit it, they run. 3. The batsman has to get as many runs as they can before the fielder/s returns the ball to the bowler.
Kids just love slime, I’m sure most of us parents feel the exact opposite! It’s creative and will keep them entertained for hours though. Once you have made your slime, use a straw to blow bubbles! Recipe 240ml PVA glue 1tsp bicarbonate of soda A drop or two of food colouring 1tbsp eyewash (must contain boric acid or sodium borate) 1. Pour the glue, food colouring and bicarbonate of soda into your bowl and mix. 2. Slowly add the eyewash and mix. It will quickly become stringy, when it comes away from the sides it is ready to knead in your hands. Top tip: if it seems too sticky add a tiny bit more eyewash but be careful not to add too much or it will just break apart and you will need to start again.
Freeze small toys in plastic tubs or cups, give the children wooden or safe tools and watch them release them.
Raid the recycling and make junk models, vehicles or space stations, the options are endless! The older ones can try and create a boat and test it at bath time.
This is a perfect one for the much younger children. Pass them a colander and some dry spaghetti (if you have some to spare!) and see how much they can thread into the holes. There are also plenty of keep fit, dancing and disco videos for children available on YouTube, the most popular is probably Joe Wicks. If you are a local fitness instructor, kids entertainer etc please let me know when you are streaming videos and I will post them on my facebook page.
I love hearing from my readers and the local community. Please share your ideas, stories and pictures via email or my facebook page.
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At Bluebird Care Gosport we believe that providing an outstanding quality of care is extremely important for our customers. We believe that encouraging individuals to stay in the comfort of their own home when they are in need of care is crucial for their independence because our customers are still making their own choices at home. If you or your loved one are thinking of receiving care then we will happily help, support and guide you through your journey. We specialise in creating a care package that is suitable for the individual’s needs, whether it is half an hour a week or several hours a day. Our friendly care team are not only compassionate but they are understanding of our customers’ needs. Here at Bluebird Care we are exceptional at communicating with friends and family, allowing them to have peace of mind about their loved ones and with permission, we will always communicate any concerns. We hold social events at the office which we encourage our customers to attend. We want to prevent them from feeling lonely or isolated and so we offer social support calls which our customers really enjoy, whether it is going shopping, walking along the beach or even sitting in a coffee shop and having a chat. We would like to encourage our customers to have a fulfilling life and our office and care teams will help support them all the way. How do I arrange home care for myself or my family? Firstly, it is as simple as picking up the phone and discussing what you would like support with, our office team are friendly and will help you. Our coordinator will see if we can achieve your desired time, so your call is consistent. After your discussion on the phone, if you are happy, we will organise
a free assessment that is carried out at home to create a care package that suits your needs. We will organise your first visit with one of our care assistants and the supervisor will be with you to make sure you are happy and help support you along the way. What service we provide and why they can benefit you? We can support you or your loved one with personal care, such as assisting you to get ready for the day. We can help with prompting medication, social support, such as going out to get some food shopping, attending hospital appointments, or even going for a stroll. It is very important for us as a care company to encourage our customers to leave their homes and be part of the community. We also offer live in care or sleep ins. Some individuals may believe moving into a care home is not the right decision for them, so why not have a care assistant in your home to help support you. If you or your loved one needs a little assistancet with housekeeping, we are happy to help. Does Bluebird Care Gosport provide care in your area? Yes, if you live in these selected areas, then we can. We cover all of Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent, Alverstoke, Stubbington, Locks heath, Sarisbury Green, Park Gate and Warsash. Will I see different care assistants every day? No, we believe continuity is very important. Our coordinator will work very hard to make sure you will have the same small number of care assistants on each visit.
To find out more about Bluebird Care’s services, please visit www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/gosport or Call 02393 233922 | email gosport@bluebirdcare.co.uk |
@Bluebirdcaregosport
Bluebird Care, Communications House, 1 Quay Lane, Hardway, Gosport. PO12 4LJ
Solent Sports Injury Clinic Previously known as Stubbington Sports Injury Clinic
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Watering & Wellies
SELF SUFFICIENCY We find ourselves in new territories this month. Our homes have suddenly become a greater source of safety and comfort because we are now in unprecedented times, needing to stay at home except for necessary trips to source food and medical treatment. Our reliance on third parties for our produce has grown so much that many of us are no longer able to sustain a few days at home without needing to go to a shop. And of course fresh produce, when grown well, is an expensive commodity but one which has been proven time and again is vital for good health. Admittedly, many of us don’t have the luxury of outdoor space, but there are still things that you can do, at little cost, that mean you can grow some vegetables for yourself even from a small balcony. Here are a few hints and tips on how to get this started so that you can be more self-sufficient and reduce the amount of trips you are making out of your home to source food. 1. When you next make a trip to the shops (don’t make a special outing for this), buy some seeds. They are generally inexpensive and will have plenty in a packet for most family needs. Some mega-supermarkets will stock gardening supplies so see if you can get hold of some potting compost too. You can use egg boxes or old toilet rolls (fold in one end to create a pot) to sow your seeds - simply sit them on a tray so that when you water them they don’t leak underneath. When the seeds are ready to transfer out you can plant them directly into the ground without disturbing their roots as the egg boxes and toilet rolls will biodegrade. This is particularly great for plants whose roots are more sensitive such as peas.
Gardening DIY for the future months ahead
2. You can start growing vegetables by using scraps. Lettuce, Bok Choy and Cabbage are relatively easy to grow from scraps. Instead of throwing out the leftover leaves, pop them in a bowl. Add some water to the bottom and keep it in a sunny area. Make sure you mist the leaves with water a couple of times a week. After 3 or 4 days you’ll notice roots appearing together with new leaves which means your plant is ready to transfer to the garden or pot. You can do the same with the base of a celery, using warm water in the bottom of the bowl. Potatoes are super easy to do just by using the peelings but make sure that they have two or three eyes on each piece. Dry them out overnight and then plant them about four inches down into your soil. Keep the eyes looking to the sky and then leave them for a few weeks when you’ll start seeing them grow. 3. If you’re into juicing then ginger is a must and this is something that you can easily grow yourself. Plant a spare piece of ginger root into potting soil, with the buds facing up. In a week or so you’ll see new shoots and new roots. 4. Garlic can be grown from one clove. Plant it with the ‘root’ facing down into some potting soil and make sure you place the pot in plenty of direct sunlight, ideally during warmer weather. Keep the pot outdoors in the sun during the day. Once you can see that there are new shoots, cut them back and your plant will produce a bulb. You can take part of this new bulb and plant again. These are just a few ideas to get you going. With more time on our hands at the moment now could be a wonderful time to get involved in nature - if you have children they can join in and understand more about where our precious food comes from. Annie Gardner 19
Crofton Parish
Trust Moments
I’m writing this column with a heavy heart.
As the consequences of the Covid 19 virus take hold, our lives are very different than they were before. You may be ‘self-isolating’, you may only be ‘socialdistancing’, but all of us are changing our patterns of work, family life and recreation in response to this threat to our community. In Crofton Parish, Sunday services are suspended and all of our groups have closed. We have become an ‘online church’, using our website, email and, particularly, the Holy Rood Church Facebook page to communicate and share life together. Like everything we do in Crofton Parish, you are welcome to join in, even if you’ve never been involved before. It’s the only way you can go to church in your pyjamas! Since this crisis began, in Crofton Parish we have tried to focus on three things. I hope you find them helpful. 1) This is a ‘Trust Moment’ It is understandable to feel overwhelmed by the challenge we face. Like you, I worry about older relatives and grieve that the hopes I had for 2020 have had to be put on hold. Like you, I recognise that we have it better than many do, yet I also recognise we may lose friends and family. Life after Covid 19 may not be what it was before. To trust God in moments like this is not to deny the severity of the problem. It is to acknowledge it and yet remember that we are not alone. This is the most challenging moment for our society since the Second World War, it seems. Yet, in this moment – as in every moment – God’s love and mercy are held out to us like an open hand, inviting us to reach out in simple trust. 2) We all have a part to play To manage this crisis requires everybody to do their bit. Western societies have become much more 20
individualistic in recent decades. Yet, this requires a communal response unlike anything we have seen for many years. Even if that means self-isolating so that you don’t get ill and take a precious hospital bed. The shops in our community have set a wonderful example of adapting their working practices so that older people can shop earlier, those self-isolating can arrange home deliveries, etc. We are blessed to live somewhere with such a deep community spirit. As I’m writing this, it’s too early to know if efforts to ‘flatten the curve’ of the outbreak will be successful. What I do know is, we all have to play our part. 3) You can still love your neighbour As well as being responsible for our own actions, we will have many opportunities to care for those around us. Even if you are self-isolating, you can give a neighbour a phone call. For some, the loneliness and isolation will be crippling. The only way through this will be with a community response to the needs around us. At Crofton Parish, we have set up the help@ croftonparish.org.uk email account. If you need help, please get in touch (or you can call the Parish Office on 01329 661154). Equally, if you would like to offer help, you can email too and we will try to connect you with someone in need. The present crisis may last into the autumn or even longer. I hope it won’t. But how we get through it will depend on the choices we each make. I want to invite you to make three simple choices: trust God; play your part and love your neighbour. May God bless you. Revd Richard England Vicar of Crofton Parish richard@croftonparish.org.uk
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Recipe of the month
Spanish Baked Eggs A Taste from the Costas - ideal served as a lunch with a fresh green salad, and eaten al fresco (if the British weather allows!) A perfect holiday reminder that’s quick and easy to prepare. Ingredients for 4 servings 4 x large free range eggs, 100g sliced chorizo, 1 onion finely sliced, 1 red/yellow pepper sliced, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp paprika, 400g can chopped tomatoes, 2 tbsp. olive oil, Chopped parsley, A handful of grated mozzarella. 1. Pre-heat oven to 200C/Fan 180C/400F/Gas Mark 6 2. In a heated pan, add olive oil and lightly cook chorizo and onion for about 4 minutes until soft. Add the pepper and cook. 3. Stir in the paprika and garlic and cook for about a minute before adding the tomatoes to the pan. Simmer until all ingredients are soft. 4. Pour into an ovenproof dish, make four wells, carefully crack the eggs over the mixture into each well and scatter with a handful of grated mozarella. Cover with foil and bake in pre-heated oven for approx. 10 minutes or until eggs are just set but the yolks are still runny. 5. Optional - you can add some parsley to top the baked mixture. Serve with a fresh green salad and crusty bread. Try varying the ingredients for new tastes, for example with extra peppers, sliced potato or even baked beans. For a vegetarian option, leave out the chorizo.
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Keep on Running
Meeting the challenge What a difference a few weeks make! As March approached, lots of our friends from Gosport Road Runners and our social groups ‘545 RunClub’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’ kept an anxious eye on the developing story surrounding the nasty Covid-19. March is our annual running holiday in beautiful Paphos on the island of Cyprus. It would surely go ahead wouldn’t it? Right up until we were due to fly out on 12th March, we tried to convince ourselves that it would all be OK. Understandably for some it was too big a risk and what would have seen a group of around 60 runners from different local clubs filling the aircraft with joyous banter, turned into a much smaller band of brothers and sisters departing London Gatwick and into the unknown. On arrival, our doubts turned into reality as global pressures saw the local authorities (quite rightly) force the organisers into cancelling the forthcoming races. For Paphos’s businesses and the local economy, this was dreadful news but runners from all over the world took the news very stoically. Some took early flights home whilst others decided to at least get a few social runs in and enjoy a short break. That too was cut short when we awoke early on Sunday morning to hear that our flights home had been cancelled and there followed a few frantic hours trying to book earlier flights so that we could at least get home to family and work. Bizarrely, those of us who remained were still able to make the most of what time we had in Paphos. Our hosts, the hoteliers and restauranteurs did 24
their level best to make what time we had as enjoyable as possible, despite their summer season almost ending before it had a chance to begin. The experience is certainly one that we will not forget in a hurry, but do you know what? We all want to go back next year (hopefully), finish what we started and support the local community who made us so welcome. Meanwhile, back home, it was a strange UK that we returned to. Particularly lots of social media activity around the worst and best of British behaviour that I won’t go into here. What has struck me however is just how much goodness there is out there. Groups springing up everywhere to support those in need which I find so incredibly heart-warming.
In terms of our running...It looks like social distancing guidelines mean that we need to run solo now to look after our mental and physical needs, certainly in the immediate future. Our focus has turned instead to how we best look out for one another. One thing is certain, although we have pain and hardship to endure, we can get each other through this. Events wise, the first of our Summer 5K Series has been cancelled so that May will be the new Race 1 and the finale in September. Our Charity 10K run is still scheduled to go ahead but we will update as we know more. With every bad news story there is something good happening somewhere. If you’re being adversely affected, reach out and there will be some level of support. Block the social media posts that scare or depress you and find those that offer help and advice for seeing this out. If in doubt, reach out. Look out for each other and we hope to be seeing that light at the end of the tunnel sooner, rather than later. Nick cartscartergosvegas@gmail.com
Keep on Running
Absolute GosVegas 545 RunClub The Breakfast Club
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SCOTT ALLEN
HOUSE EXTENSIONS BUILDING REGULATIONS PLANNING PERMISSIONS
Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating Plastering Tiling & Carpentry Clean, tidy & efficient Free quotes References available
Tel: 02393 780653 Mob: 07979 003122 Email: scottallendecorating@hotmail.co.uk
A T W E
Based in Hill Head, Fareham 07817 305 658 www.lomaxdesigns.com info@lomaxdesigns.com
Contact Me - For A Free Consultation & Very Competitive Rates
LOMAX DESIGNS LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONSULTANCY 27
Sh N ow ew ro om
02392 586616 sales@paramountjoinery.com
Westfield Road
Paramount Cheriton Road
Anns H ill Road
• All Furniture Built On Site • Affordable Prices • Superb Quality Buy Dir ect • Large Brand New Showroom from th e • All Furniture Fully Assembled Manufa cturer • Huge Choice Of Colours and Styles • Fast Turnaround • Bespoke Sizes On All Units
Ca n arvo Roard n
War Memorial Hospital
B3333
Units 17-19 | Westfield Industrial Estate Gosport | Hampshire | PO12 3RX
www.paramountjoinery.com
Home Focus
Your safe haven For many of us, our homes have become the one place that we are now taking sanctuary. With government orders to remain at our properties save for absolutely essential trips out, we may now be looking at our four walls in a totally different way. A lot of us have already had the pleasure of being able to work from home, but this is a new phenomena for those used to going into the office every day. And on top of that, if you have children, we’re now running home-schools instead of dropping our little ones at the gates each morning and either going off to work or coming back to fulfil other roles. There’s no doubt about it, this change in our environment is likely to remain for some time. So what can we do to make things feel better and more positive for ourselves and our families? Firstly, a thorough spring clean and tidy will make you feel much better about your indoor space. Pick a room a day and get everyone to tackle it. (if you’re on your own the bonus is you can go at your own pace and you have no-one else to mess things up when you’re done!). Be mindful of how many chemical cleaning products you use especially as our immune systems need all the help they can get at the moment and toxic load in our bodies can contribute to poor health. Make sure you open windows and wear protective clothing if you must use strong sprays etc. Otherwise jump online and get some ideas for making your own surface cleaners, toilet fizzers etc. There are some great recipes for many cleaning products using bicarbonate of soda, essential oils and other non-invasive ingredients that will leave your home smelling great but without the side effects. Give your bed linen a good wash and use the better weather to dry it on the line. There’s nothing nicer than a fresh duvet cover that smells of clean air to jump into at night! Get moving! If you are lucky to have some outdoor space make sure that you step outside often for fresh air. Consider planting some vegetables in your garden or on your balcony. There’s never been a better time to reconnect with nature.
If you have space, get out a yoga mat and some tins from the pantry - you can quickly set up your own ‘home gym’ using some of the free online sessions that are in abundance right now. Then once you’re finished you can roll the mat back up and pop it behind the sofa. Encourage everyone in your home to do the same. Their bodies and moods will thank you for it. Try to limit exposure to the news and mobile devices. The screen time isn’t good for us and being constantly bombarded by negativity doesn’t help anyone’s mental health. Have a look at where the focal points are in each room and instead of it being the TV perhaps get out some family board games, cards, colouring or other activities that you can do instead to keep you busy. If you have some houseplants see if you can take some cuttings and grow more for each room. Many indoor plants are great for cleaning the air and with us spending more time indoors this can only be beneficial to our health. And a good plant in a carefully chosen pot (from our existing collection at the moment) can really style up a room in a way you’d not previously thought of. Macrame pot holders are very much en vogue at the moment so this could be a great little hobby to learn right now and produce a useful item at the end of it. You can find tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest if you need assistance. Lastly, remind yourself to be grateful for all that you have. Whether your home is a little studio flat, or a 6 bedroom executive detached, it doesn’t matter. There is beauty and positives to be drawn from each of these (cleaning a studio flat has got to be better!) and as long as we can stay fed, clean and warm then we are very lucky. Lean into your home, keep an eye on your neighbours and allow your home to support you by being in touch with your environment during this time. Structure your day to do your chores, exercise and outdoor time and you’ll quickly get into a new way of life that can only be a better way for us all. 29
LIST
MAZDA/FORD/KIA INDEPENDENT SPECIA
GOSPORT’S MAZDA, FORD & KIA SPECIALISTS FOR DIAGNOSTICS, SERVICE AND REPAIR. Offers a free local collection service (Booking Type Dependant) Female-friendly garage
DEALER TRAINED IANS TECHNIC
We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best, personal service in the industry
New TEXT Number: 07554 261371 or call 02392 520893 Text is the easiest and fastest way to book, if calling please leave a message or email if no answer
33 Moreland Road, Gosport, Hampshire (just off Forton Rd) e-mail: INFO@MAZZ-TEC.CO.UK www.mazz-tec.co.uk
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SOLENT FLOORING
Sit back and relax - we come to you! or alternatively visit our showroom CARPETS, VINYLS, LAMINATES, & REAL WOOD ALL SUPPLIED & PROFESSIONALLY FITTED. OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FULLY INSURED. DIRECT EMPLOYED FITTERS
Showroom now open!! Monday-Friday 9am-2pm If you wish to visit our showroom between the hours of 2pm-5pm Mon-Fri or on a Saturday morning please call to make an appointment.
We supply Top Quality Artificial Grass
‘Solent Twist Promotion’
Stain Free Heavy Domestic Twist with a 7 Year wear warranty, 12 colours, Creams, Browns, Greys. 3m x 4m £240 4m x 4m £320 5m x 4m £395 Price Examples including VAT
To include:- Fitting, 10mm underlay, uplift and disposal of old flooring, Grippers, Door bars, Doors eased, help to move furniture, we even hoover up. The full traditional service
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Call today - 0239 876700 or 0800 9177 553 Jason: 07770 411734 Vicky@solentflooring.co.uk www.solent-flooring.co.uk
Unit C1, Heritage Business Park, Heritage Way, Gosport, PO12 4BG Established 25 years. Company Reg 5813534.
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