May 2015 | Issue 5 | Priceless
Learn to let go Let some flow into life
Sensei SAYS
Is karate just for fighters?
Š Image by Christopher Gibson And available at White Dog Gallery, Lee on the Solent
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By Nig el M ais ey
GIG GUIDE All gigs start at 9pm unless otherwise stated.
April Friday 17th Friday 17th Saturday 18th Saturday 18th Sunday 19th Friday 24th Friday 24th Saturday 25th Saturday 25th Sunday 26th
May
Friday 1st Friday 1st Saturday 2nd Saturday 2nd Sunday 3rd Friday 8th Friday 8th Saturday 9th Sunday 10th Friday 15th Friday 15th Saturday 16th Saturday 16th Sunday 17th Friday 22nd Friday 22nd Saturday 23rd Saturday 23rd Sunday 24th Friday 29th Friday 29th Saturday 30th Saturday 30th Sunday 31st
Monkey Butlers Beyonce (tribute) Mafia Rock of the Pops The Worried Men Fixed Wheel Sultan Sheiks The Startled Monkeys MAFIA Soul Patch
The Bird The Carisbrooke The Carisbrooke The Hoeford The Bird The Bird The Carisbrooke The Carisbrooke The Hoeford The Bird
Fareham Gosport Gosport Gosport Fareham 6pm Fareham Gosport Gosport Fareham Fareham 6pm
Dr Peppers LACB Small Town Hot Heads Go Mad Lewis Creaven Band Dust Bowl Strange Fruit Scary Biscuits Legend Sorted Crackling Jack Cher Tribute Louise (Blondie Tribute) Juicy Lucy The Punk Pirates 8 foot Yetti Fine Southern Gents Roy Peplow Maxine & Lacey Neandertones The Stereotypes Headstock Monster The Business
The Bird The Carisbrooke The Carisbrooke The Hoeford The Bird The Bird The Carisbrooke The Hoeford The Bird The Bird The Carisbrooke The Carisbrooke The Hoeford The Bird The Bird The Carisbrooke The Carisbrooke The Hoeford The Bird The Bird The Carisbrooke The Carisbrooke The Hoeford The Bird
Fareham Gosport Gosport Fareham Fareham 6pm Fareham Gosport Fareham Fareham 6pm Fareham Gosport Gosport Fareham Fareham 6pm Fareham Gosport Gosport Fareham Fareham 6pm Fareham Gosport Gosport Fareham Fareham 6pm
Š Tim Stephens
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THIS MONTH..
28 h, healt , y t i un e comm and mor , s e p s i Rec opertie pr
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CHILDREN 7
Sensei Says...
HEALTH, BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE
Learning to let go ...is Karate just for fighters? Another insightful look 22 Jessica McGregor Johnson gently guides us into the at the martial arts world from local Karate magical ways of letting go and enjoying the instructor Rob Wood. moment.
HOUSE AND GARDENS 12
Planning Matters
Check out this months round up of planning applications in and around Stubbington.
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Plant of the month
The Azalea. A classic plant that sprays colour into any garden. Pop one into a tub or border and enjoy this wonderful shrub.
MOTORING 28
Porsche Panemera Diesel
It looks like a bloated beast and occasionally it handles like one. Read on to find out more about this rating of the new Porsche by Tim Barnes-Clay.
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL 21
Martins Money Tips
Debt. Not a great topic but don’t hide from it. See what little gems Martin comes up with this month.
COMMUNITY If you’ve got a local Good News story we’d love to hear about it! Whether it’s kindly friends or neighbours going out of their way to help each other, children doing fab activities that make them smile, winning awards or just doing a good turn we’d love to know! Email your stories to us at editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
may issue 2015
Pearl Publishing 01329 630630
Joint Editors Coralie Todd & Sean Middleton editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
Advertising Sales sales@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
Regular Contributors Martin Lewis, Rob Wood, Tim Barnes-Clay, Anne Wilson
Distribution This Big Voice Bigazine is delivered to residents and businesses in Stubbington & Hill Head. For distribution enquiries please give us a call and speak to Sean. Four other editions are also published in Alverstoke, Gosport, Lee on Solent and Whiteley, Titchfield Park and Burridge. 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 Pearl Publishing.
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“Y
Smalalltalk Sm ltalk
our time is limited...
… so don’t waste it living someone else’s life”
said Steve Jobs. I wonder how long it took him to realise this before his life came to an end? And I wonder how many of us are actually guilty of this in one way or another? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the needs of day to day life that you don’t stop to look around you and see what you are blessed with, or indeed how you actually got to where you are. You may not be living in a way that is true to yourself and whilst it might not matter right now, eventually your very self will erode away so that you, at worse, forget who you really are, and at best live a life that doesn’t fulfil you. Without casting responsibility and sense totally adrift, why not spend some time with a pen and a pad and just doodle. Draw or write whatever comes to mind about your life. Let it all flow— nothing is right or wrong—feelings, facts and figures. You’ll end up with a picture that might surprise you. One inarguable fact is that we can only be sure of the very moment so grab yours with both hands and jolly well live it in the way that YOU want to live it! Much love until next month, Coralie and Sean x
Advertise with us! Reliably delivered by our local teams, reaching over 25000 homes each issue, five editions of Big Voice provide exceptional monthly coverage of our area every single month. Call our friendly team now on 01329 630630, jump on our website and have a chat or link up with us on Facebook. Visit our Facebook page Big Voice Directories
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Sensei Rob Wood is a Fourth Dan in Goju-Ryu Karate and has taught children and adults for over 20 years in his dojo in the UK South Coast.
Sensei Says Is Karate just for Fighters?
Students understand that when facing an opponent of junior grade / ability, they should nurture them, build their confidence and be compassionate in their approach. All these things go into making a great pupil and decent person. That said, when students face an equal adversary and the friendship is Many of the people I take on as So, the fighting (Kumite) side of what firmly in place, stand back and watch students have varying degrees of the fireworks! we do… personally it’s the part I justification for starting out. actually enjoy the most right now. Looking back on my earlier years Living in a part of the country where The reason I say “right now” is that training, friends and I often had some over a long period of time, I, like so the Navy has a big connection with pretty horrific sessions and it was many others find training runs in many families appears to attract inevitable that there were going to trends. For a couple of years I get youngsters that simply need a little totally absorbed in Kumite but then I be some injuries I’d rather spare you discipline in their lives that may be have a transition to Kata and that will the details of. At the end of it contributed to Mums or Dads being though, we’d have a laugh, shrug it become my passion for a time. This away on service duty. off and wait for the next session. could then be followed by groundwork, pad work etc. It needs I’m not implying that Servicemen children are unruly, but I like to think to be highlighted that, although one So is Karate just for fighters?... absolutely not. You can take what aspect becomes my focus, it by no that it fills a gap in their lives where you need from a dojo, respect, they have the opportunity to release means makes the other aspects of discipline, fitness, sport, confidence, training are less enjoyable or go some physical pressure, have fun unattended, it just means that when social interaction and life skills. with other children and understand we cover those parts in class, it the importance of respect for other actually just makes the adrenaline inside a disciplined environment. get going quicker! Understandably, when we begin to Obviously there are students that go through the age ranges I see only join the dojo to learn to fight varying degrees of reasons for (for all the right reasons of course!) joining. Some enjoy the whole and that’s fine. To be quite honest, atmosphere of meeting likeminded most of them don’t appreciate the teenagers whilst sadly there are effort it takes to even become a those that are being bullied in reasonable fighter and most will fall everyday life. by the wayside in the process (or find a different part that appeals to The bully victims are the ones that them). I’m assuming that some really strike a chord with me. It’s readers may have concerns that unnecessary in society and absolutely unforgivable that a person those “fighters” may be too physical on those that aren’t quite into is forced to find ways of making Kumite as others and therefore physical aggression stop. might become swamped by those Needless to say, Karate is not just overzealous students. To be honest, about facing physical violence if the respect foundation is physically. The installation of administered correctly from day 1 confidence is a huge by-product of then this is never a problem. being taught. Let’s face it, a I like to think of Karate being a path that everyone can or maybe should take. Clearly I’m bias, but the benefits are immense and the fighting aspect is just a single entity in a huge collection of the Martial Art skill.
confident and assertive person is far more unlikely to be a “target” for the undesirables in the world so ensuring my students can confidently assert themselves respectfully to peers and adults will forever stand them in good stead right the way through life.
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01329 559474
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P lanning Matters A monthly round up of planning applications submitted since 1 March 2015
FAREHAM COUNCIL REF
LOCATION
PROPOSAL
STATUS
P/15/0206/ 3 Mays Lane Stubbington FP Fareham PO14 2ER
Erection of garage following demolition of existing
Approve
P/15/0204/ 57c Old Street Fareham FP Hampshire PO14 3HQ
Single storey extension with balcony over
Approve
P/15/0201/ 32a Solent Road Fareham FP Hampshire PO14 3LD
Loft conversion (including front and rear dormers) and partial garage conversion
Undecided
P/15/0188/ 14 Short Road Fareham FP Hampshire PO14 3HP
Two storey rear extension, dormer to front and replacement timber cladding to side elevation
Undecided
P/15/0209/ 45 Gosport Road Stubbington FP Fareham PO14 2AP
Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of pair of semi-detached dwellings.
Undecided
P/15/0203/ 40 Osborne View Road Fareham Ground floor front and side extensions and first floor side extension FP Hampshire PO14 3JN
Undecided
P/15/0237/ 77a Mays Lane Stubbington FP Fareham PO14 2EQ
Front extension to existing garage
Undecided
P/15/0236/ Newlands Farm House Stroud FP Green Lane Stubbington PO14 2HT
Proposed two storey rear extension, first floor rear extension, ground floor front extension and redesigning of existing dormer windows above existing garages.
Undecided
P/15/0245/ 3 Osborne View Road Fareham FP Hampshire PO14 3JW
Two storey rear and side extension, re-rendering of whole house, build up front half hip roof to gable and reconstruction of bay window to front elevation
Undecided
P/14/0806/ 32 Seamead Stubbington DP/A Fareham PO14 2NG
Discharge conditions 3 (materials) and 4 (hard surfacing) of p/14/0806/ Undecided fp
P/14/0633/ 47 Vicarage Lane Fareham DP/A Hampshire PO14 2LA
Construction of car port and shed: details pursuant to condition 3 (tree protection method statement)
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Approve
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Azalea
As a member of the Rhododendron family, the Azalea is a beautiful addition to many gardens, preferring a spot of shade in which to offer up colourful blooms in the summer. These shrubs are slow growing and hold onto their flowers for several weeks which makes for a delightful splash of colour and adds interest and depth to many a drab area.
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They’re also pretty easy to look after too. Best planted in spring they thrive in a well drained, acidic soil. If your soil is poorly drained then they work well in containers too. Add some compost, organic matter and mulch to prevent some of the common problems with these plants.
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Debt For those with existing debts there are record deals available right now to let you cut the cost and save £100s or £1,000s. Yet as the old adage goes, banks are companies that’d lend you an umbrella when the sun shines and ask for it back when it rains. So getting cheaper credit when in debt is tricky – however I have developed credit card eligibility checkers which can help you check what debt cutting cards you’re able to get before you apply. If you can lower the interest cost, then more of your repayment clears the actual debt, not just services the interest – meaning you’ll be debt-free far quicker. So here are the key debt cost cutting need to knows… I make no apology for saying…. stop borrowing. If you're struggling, borrowing to make ends meet just elongates the problem - making it even costlier and more difficult. The tips below will help, but if you keep adding to the debt nothing will fix it. So take a deep breath, do a budget and examine all your spending to see if you can cut back. Best buys are only best if you can get them. While there are many great rates on offer, you need to pass a credit score to get them, and many fail at that hurdle. Worse still when you apply it leaves a footprint on your file and lots of those in a short space of time can hit your future credit worthiness. I've given evidence to Parliament on this 'antishopping around' system - little's been done. So to fight back on my site we’ve built a free eligibility calculator – which tells you which cards you’re most likely to be accepted for. Just as importantly it does this without leaving a footprint on your file that lenders can see – so you can home in on the right one, minimising applications. To try it go to www.MoneySavingExpert.com/eligibility. Shift credit or store card debt to 35mth 0%. A balance transfer’s where you get a new credit card that repays debts on the old credit or store card(s) for you, so you owe it instead at a lower rate. The longest 0% deals for those new to the card company now last nearly three years (a year ago they were 30 months), but as with many things in life longest isn't
Martin Lewis @MoneySavingExpert
always best. Aim for the lowest fee card, ensuring you've enough time to clear it. Top picks and golden rules at www.mse.me/balancetransfers. Shift your overdraft to 0% too. Debit cards can be debt cards too - if you're in your overdraft it's often more costly than credit cards, especially if you bust your limit. So there are two ways to get out of this. a) Switch to a 0% overdraft: Top bank for customer service www.firstdirect.com offers a £250 0% overdraft (you must payin £1,000/month) and for accepted new switchers a free £100 - which should help reduce the overdraft straight away. For some www.nationwide.co.uk 0% overdraft may be bigger, but it's only for a year and is 50p/day after. b) Shift it to a 0% 'money transfer' credit card. A few balance transfer cards also let newbies 'money transfer'. This is where it pays a lump sum into your bank account, which can then clear your overdraft so you owe it instead. Top pick is www.mbna.co.uk which gives 24 months 0% money transfers for a one off 2.2% fee (though it's 22.9% rep APR after the 0% ends). Yet be careful, follow the balance transfer rules above and for more picks and full step-by-step help see www.mse.me/moneytransfers.
I've never seen a debt crisis that isn't solvable - don't give up hope. The solutions above are for cutting debt costs. Yet for some, it's much worse than that. Do any of these apply to you... - You can't meet even just the minimum monthly payments. - You have non-mortgage debts bigger than a year's salary. - You have sleepless nights or serious depression/anxiety over your debts. If so then you're likely in a debt crisis and that means the solution you need is totally different. The most important thing I can tell you is I've never seen a debt crisis that isn't solvable. It may not always be quick or easy, but there is a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. The first step is to go for free, one-on-one debt counselling help from www.adviceguide.org.uk, www.stepchange.org, www.nationaldebtline.org or, if you're struggling emotionally too www.capuk.org.
Can you cut the cost of existing loans? It's complex, as you need to factor in that most loans charge up to two months' interest to repay them early. - Who should try? Those who can get a substantially lower APR loan (eg, more than a fifth off, so from 10% to 8%), and have a while left to repay. Full options in www.mse.me/cheaploans. - How much can I save? Someone who is 2 years through a 5 year 12% loan for £5,000, paying it off with a 4.9% loan, could save around £1,000. Don't pay all debts equally - attack the highest APR. Once your debts are as cheap as possible, list them all, including overdrafts, in order of APRs. Focus all spare cash to clear the highest APR one as it grows fastest, and just pay the min on the others. Once that's clear, move to the next highest.
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Remarkable Relationships LEARN TO LET GO Letting go allows life to flow better, to be able to see what is before us and move through it rather than holding on to things from the past that no longer serve us. For so many years I went through my life totally attached to the outcome. It was almost like I had the whole of my life mapped out in my mind and all I had to do was get to the end. I woke up the day an old friend asked me if I liked my life and did I want to be living it when I was sixty? The answer was no.
then commit to change. And that’s great, if you see it and decide you want the magic. Trouble is if you do not make that change and continue to ‘stick at it’ you do not fully live for over two thirds of your life. And by the time you get to that last third (if you’re lucky!) you are so exhausted from the slog of life with no magic that it all feels too late.
For me since leaving behind the life I did not like my life has been very much like a roller coaster. And that is the magic. I am I realised that I could endure life and get alive to both the ecstatic joys and the to the end or I could live it, moment to black times of sadness. And to enjoy the moment. I think many people endure life magic you need both. Sure you can go and miss out on the magic. I often work through life on a flat-line – no highs no with people who have for many years just lows but that is rather like a living death. stuck at what they hate so that they can Life is supposed to have both highs and get to retirement and then enjoy life. lows, without a low you would not even However they realise that that means know the highs when they came along. they will miss out on most of their life and
Personally, for me the roller coaster is an odd analogy because I actually hate them. Many years ago we were at an amusement park in Spain and a friend went on the corkscrew rollercoaster. She came off with the biggest smile on her face saying “You have to ride it – it is wonderful!”. For some reason in that moment I forgot (caught up by her enthusiasm) that I actually hated roller coasters and gaily got strapped into the ride. It was awful! But - and this is the big but, it taught me a huge lesson. Because after I got off and complained loudly how awful it was she asked: “Did you let go?” “Let go, let go?” I replied, ‘Are you crazy?” “Nope” she said. “The magic of the roller coaster is to let go and allow yourself to go with the ride. If you hold on you are bumped around all over the place, when you let go – that’s when the fun starts”. That’s when the ah-ha happened. I suddenly saw that I had been trying to ensure a ‘safe passage’. But when we do this either on the roller coaster or in life we stop the magic. Because if we only have one way of getting to the end, getting to the result, we do not even see what else life has to offer us. We get tunnel visioned and the best of the fun and opportunity – the magic - might be just beside us and we walk straight by. We need to be open to what comes, to allow it to give us even more than we have set our intention for. We can have a ‘this or something better’ attitude. In the Passion Test we say there are three steps to living a passionate life:
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Intention – being clear on what you are passionate about and setting an intention to go for it Attention – putting your attention on your intention, both by taking action – action engages attention – and energetically focusing on it too. But the magic is the third key: No Tension – simply knowing that once you have done all you can, putting your full attention on your passion, that you can now let go. Let it go with the feeling of it is done – this or something better. Now that’s magic!
Jessica McGregor Johnson, an international, guide & mentor and author of “The Right T-Shirt, Write Your Own Rules”. She helps people, who are at a crossroads in their life who know that there must be more meaning than they currently feel, discover themselves anew, identify their true passions, and live them, whether it be in their work or personal life. You can read the first two chapters of her book here http:// www.jessicamcgregorjohnson.com
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Lucy’s recipe corner
Homemad omemadee apple crisps INGREDIENTS 40g caster sugar 11 tsp lemon juice (to taste) 4 Apples Preheat the oven to 110°c. Put non-stick baking paper onto 2 large baking trays. Pop the sugar, lemon juice and 90ml water in a pan over a low heat. Keep stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Bring it to the boil and cook it for 3-4 minutes until it is just turning syrupy then put to one side. Slice the apple finely and throw the ends in the bin. Dip each slice into the syrup and lay on the baking paper side by side. Bake for 2-3 hours until dried and turn halfway. Check on the slices if some are thinner than the others as these will cook more quickly. Lay out on a rack until they are cool and crisp.
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MOTs BREAKDOWN RECOVERY MOTOR REPAIR Motor Medics is a family run specialist auto repair centre, conveniently located just off Newgate Lane, close to bus links and within easy walking distance of Fareham town centre. Our customer base is built on recommendations and our local reputation for delivering an honest service at a great price. We maintain and repair all makes of cars and vans and because we have four ramps in our large workshop plus our own MOT testing station, your car will be back on the road before you know it! Our workshop is open Monday - Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm and Saturdays 8:30am to 1:00pm (from time to time we may extend these hours to cope with customer demands). We have substantial on site car parking and we also provide a collection and delivery service.
Book your MOT at offer price by calling 01329 286384 now! www.motor-medics.co.uk
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We always aim to keep our quality high and prices low. At the moment we’re offering
MOTs for just ÂŁ35!
VISIT US AT: 99b MAYS LANE, STUBBINGTON, PO14 2ED
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Auto biographies takes to throw a dart. The formidable engine chucks the monster from 0 to 62 mph in 6.0 Through its proportions alone, seconds, and the Porsche Panamera stands carries it to a top out clearly in its market speed of 161 segment. It measures 1931mm mph. (76.0in) in width and 1418mm The 3.0 litre six (55.8in) in height, while its cylinder turbo overall length is 4970mm (195.7in). And this particular oil- diesel car is made burner model can be recognised for touring - that much is obvious. by the lettering ‘diesel’ on the The 100 litre fuel front doors. tank and claimed Step inside, and the plush cabin 44.1 mpg will take you across a reeks of cowhide. The sumptuous seating-for-four and generous slice of FAST FACTS PROS ‘N’ CONS lengthy legroom, both front and the European continent without rear, provide the comfort you Touring range √ would expect from a car costing the need to stop Max speed: 161mph Power √ for fuel. To give over £60,000. 0-62 mph: 6.0 secs you an idea of its range in the UK, the Space √ Combined mpg: 44.1 German goliath is capable of taking Indeed, every Panamera, has a Engine: 2967cc 6 cylinder 24 valve Economy √ four passengers from Lands End to high level of standard turbo diesel Comfort √ specification. This includes Loch Ness without refuelling. Max. power (bhp): 296 at 4000 rpm Max. torque (Ib/ft): 479 at 1750 Divisive looks X Porsche Active Suspension rpm Performance and low consumption Management, which adapts CO2: 169g/km are accompanied by smooth running handling to suit your preferred Price: £62,922 on the road and low emissions. An additional driving style. In ‘Normal’ mode contributing factor is the auto start/ the car delivers a blend of stop function, which is de rigueur. performance and comfort, and then there’s a ‘Sport’ setting where the It looks like a bloated beast and Porsche has never suffered from a setup is much firmer. occasionally it handles like one. poor image. Sure, like most The Porsche also comes with vivid Bi- automakers, there have been tiny The Porsche Panamera’s swollen blips in its history, but nothing Xenon headlights; parking sensors; exterior is more obvious at the back detrimental. The arrival of the tyre pressure monitoring; automatic of the car; it’s too bulbous to look Panamera Diesel has definitely dimming rear view mirrors; touchathletic. screen satellite navigation and audio polarised the opinion of the petrolheaded purists though. Many don’t But there is no disguising the ability of controls, as well as cruise control. In the vehicle. Two enormous tail pipes addition, the car is available with rear- see it as a 'proper' Porsche, and its jut from the car’s stern like horizontal wheel drive and uses a highly efficient styling certainly doesn’t achieve universal acclaim. steel chimneys; these more than hint eight-speed automatic gearbox as That said; it’s an awesome car to go standard. at the clout that the corpulent car is long distance travelling in with three capable of serving up. For the majority of time spent behind other’s to accompany you. You’re also The front of the Panamera is far more the portly Porsche’s wheel, it pleases bound to get lots of looks – but not always for the right reason. Porsche-like, with its sweeping curved when its hefty haunches launch the bonnet and ever-so-slightly ‘hang-dog car forward with as much effort as it -eyed’ headlights. Approaching it from the front, or when peering down its long, wide, snout, its form starts to draw you in.
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Porsche Panemera Diesel
By Tim Barnes-Clay www.carwriteups.co.uk
P uzzle Answers Answers May 2015
KID’S PAGE
@carwriteups
HONEYCOMB
WORDSEARCH
STEP ON IT
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Have you got happy feet?
We are looking for people who enjoy walking, come rain or shine, and who fancy earning some extra money by delivering the Big Voice Bigazine to their local community. If that’s you then give us a call on 01329 630630 ASAP 30
Cowboy & Indian Nite 9th May. Cowboy stew £4 (order in advance)
JOIN US FOR
Sunday Lunch
3 courses - book now! Adults £8.50, Children £7.50 2 sittings, 12:15pm & 1:45pm
8:30pm start
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