Bromsgrove & Redditch Pages Nov & Dec 2016

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NOV / DEC 2016

Features and News Inside: Local businesses enjoy night out at Hogarths Stone Manor Bromsgrove Christmas Market is back The Hairy Bikers visit Wildmoor Oak Midlands Family Business Awards finalists announced Local People

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Local Businessess

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Local News

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Community Events

Please send us your stories / events / information Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

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To promote your business here contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

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Hello and welcome to the November / December edition of the Bromsgrove and Redditch Pages.

For most of us the question of “shall I put the heating on” has already been answered and we are clearly moving towards Winter and Christmas at a pace, along with the continued success of the magazine. We have received some great feedback from new customers and advertisers alike and take great pride in hearing that our efforts are being rewarded and that the magazine is being so well received in the community. We will continue to ensure the magazine offers something for everyone and provides interesting, relevant and current content, as this is clearly what our readers are looking for from a local community magazine.

Once again, I hope you find this edition interesting and useful and don’t forget YOU can provide YOUR stories too ?.

Until next month.

Lyndon.

Cover Photo Supplied by: Richard Clifford (Bromsgrove)

Magazine Editor - Lyndon Stokes Telephone: 01527 531382 or 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk A Selection of Local Stories and Information: Night out at Hogarths Stone Manor 6 Why collectors love the Vinyl Vibe 10 Six tips for surving Christmas 12 Bromsgrove Christmas Market returns 16 Your Local News Notice Boards 20 & 36 Beauty Tips for the Winter months 24 The Hairy Bikers visit the Wildmoor Oak 28 Midlands Family Business Awards 30 New Years Eve at Artrix 34 Your Cryptic Crossword 40 Gardening Gift ideas for Christmas 44

[L-R] Lisa Childs (Broad Street DIY) with Åsa Cupitt

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in printing of the advert. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate.

Bromsgrove and Redditch Pages does not endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved.

No part of this publicaion may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the prior consent of the publisher.

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Pepper & Turkey

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Serves 4

Ready in 1 hour 15 minutes

This is a tasty and healthy post-Christmas day family supper and a great way to use up leftover roast turkey.

Ingredients: 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes, scrubbed 2tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, peeled and chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 1 red pepper, deseeded and sliced 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and sliced 225g cooked turkey breast, diced 1 x 230g tub fresh tomato salsa Salt and freshly ground black pepper 100g Cheddar cheese, grated Chopped avocado, lime wedges and freshly chopped parsley, to serve

Preheat the oven to 200C, Fan 180C, Gas Mark 6. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork and place on a baking tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until tender.

Just before the potatoes are ready, heat half the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion for 6-7 minutes until tender, adding the garlic after 5 minutes. Add the peppers and turkey and fry for a further 2-3 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp of the tomato salsa and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Halve the baked sweet potatoes and roughly mash up the flesh with a for . Season lightly and drizzle over half the remaining oil, then pile the turkey and pepper mixture on top of the halves.

Scatter over the cheese and drizzle over the rest of the oil. Return to the oven for 10-12 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Serve with chopped avocado and lime wedges and sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley.

Spoon the rest of the salsa into a small bowl and serve on the side.

TIP For a vegetarian version replace the turkey with halved chestnut mushrooms or diced aubergine or courgette and use vegetarian Cheddar cheese.

To feature your local stories / events / information here

Contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

Best Of Brom event page edit:Nov dec 2016

Events News

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Businesses enjoy an evening at Hogarths Stone Manor The event was attended by representatives from a wide variety of Bromsgrove businesses, including Broad Street DIY, Original Registrations, Big Splash Communications, Singletonʼs Nurseries, Clent Hills Vets, Waldron Decorators, and The Wildmoor Oak.

Members of the Best of Bromsgrove gathered at Hogarthʼs Stone Manor on September 15 for a ʻMeet the Membersʼ networking evening.

Robert Elliot, Sales Manager, Hogarths Stone Manor

Paul Warren, from Broad Street DIY said: “After a long day at work the more formal types of networking can appear off-putting.”

Guests enjoyed a drinks reception on arrival, followed by a welcome speech from Lyndon Stokes, owner of the Best of Bromsgrove.

A delicious three-course dinner was then served, prepared by the Head Chef and his team, using some ingredients from the hotelʼs own kitchen garden.

Robert Elliot, sales manager at Hogarths Stone Manor, addressed the guests, speaking enthusiastically about the huge transformation that has taken place since Andy and Helena Hogarths purchased Stone Manor from the Dunn family, in February 2015.

Colin Doyle, owner of Original Registrations added: “These networking events are a perfect opportunity to meet other local business people, with the chance to enjoy an informal chat over dinner.”

If you think your business is one of the best in Bromsgrove and would like to know more about joining The Best of Bromsgrove contact Lyndon Stokes: 07972 000843

bromsgrove@thebestof.co.uk

To feature your local stories / events / information here

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The Gift of a Good Book Struggling to find the perfect book to give as a gift? Or wondering what to add to your own wish list? Maybe we can help…

The Hidden People – Alison Littlewood Crime, fantasy and historical fiction are melded together in The Hidden People.

Albie Mirralls is every bit the sensible, upstanding gentleman that Victorian society wants him to be. When his cousin, Lizzie, is burnt as a changeling, Albie travels from ondon to her village to see justice done. But when Albie’s own wife seems so completely changed, he finds himself uestioning whether there could be some truth to the rumours about his cousin. The perfect boo for curling up with on a winter’s night.

Little Warrior – Giuseppe Catozzella nspired by a tragic true story, Little Warrior tells the story of Samia Omar. Growing up in war-torn Somalia, life is hard, and dangerous. ut Samia has big dreams she wants to follow in Mo Farah’s footsteps and compete in the Olympics.

As life grows increasingly hard for women, Samia refuses to be cowed into submission.

There are few options for Samia but to put her life into the hands of traffic ers, in the hope of escaping to a better place. A heartbrea ing read that will stay with you long past you’ve finished the last page.

The British Table – Colman Andrews and Christopher Hirsheimer For the foodie in your life, you might want to consider this recently released tome. eaturing around recipes, from the traditional to the modern, there’s plenty to tempt most taste-buds. Recipes range from long-forgotten traditional fare, to regional specialities and contemporary classics. The focus is on warming comfort food. Thin Braised Brisket followed by Whisky-Soaked-Raisin and Orange armalade.

The Girl Who Saved Christmas – Matt Haig agic is starting to fade in Victorian ngland, and Amelia might be the only one who can save the day. ather Christmas being a bit tied up with reindeers falling from the s y, angry trolls and other mishaps.)

While it’s the sequel to the children’s bestseller A Boy Called Christmas, it stands up perfectly well on its own. An ideal gift for children aged 7 and up, this is a really enjoyable read. So much so

that you may well find yourself borrowing it bac .

Buzz Books 2016: Fall/Winter Still no idea what boo to go for? Download Buzz Books for free from Amazon, and you can read excerpts from 4 of this season’s new releases. Wellknown and debut writers are included, across both fiction and non-fiction. ith a wide range of genres, there should be something to suit most tastes. Thin of it as browsing in a bookshop, only with more time to read and the chance to sample books at home.

A Christmas Kiss – Vicky Pattison 4 year old Amber dreams of designing her own fashion line. ut after a year of wor ing as a general dogsbody for the Queen of Fashion, Diana Grant, that dream is loo ing increasingly unachievable. So when an opening comes up wor ing with a leading fashion house, Amber jumps at the opportunity. With a new job and a new love, Amber’s life is loo ing up, but is she in danger of getting a bit too caught up in the glitzy world of fashion arm and funny, this is a great romantic comedy to enjoy over a glass of prosecco.

To feature your local stories / events / information here

Contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

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To promote your business here contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

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To feature your local stories / events / information here

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Health

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

Six Tips for Surviving Christmas

For many of us, Christmas is a special time to spend with loved ones, brightening the darkest days of the year. Unfortunately, though, it can be fraught with stress, family tensions and too many food or alcohol-based temptations.

So how can you survive Christmas?

1. Be Prepared Start adding a few Christmas items to each shopping list now, saving you the stress of a massive, last-minute shop. Only the freshest items need to be purchased just beforehand. Bake, prepare and freeze as much as possible in advance.

2. Go Easy on the Alcohol Alcohol is a calorie-heavy appetite stimulant linked to serious health conditions, which lowers inhibitions and affects judgment - so beware voicing long-standing gripes at Christmas and plan your drinking, ensuring you don’t exceed the recommended weekly maximum of 14 units (now applicable to men and women).

Never drink on an empty stomach and match each alcoholic drink with a soft one to help your body handle alcohol’s toxins and dehydrating effects.

Alcohol absorption depends

on several factors, so no set amount guarantees you’re under the legal drink-drive limit (and Scotland’s is much lower than the rest of the UK’s). Any amount of alcohol affects judgement and reactions.

3. Remember: Christmas Is About Everyone Try to resolve family conflicts (or agree a temporary truce) before the big day. Consider what everyone (including yourself) wants most from Christmas, but remind them compromises will be required. Try to find a few things everyone can enjoy together.

Many Christmas adverts portray the exhausted woman, rushing around while everyone else relaxes, as the norm. Don’t let it be. Ensure everyone helps.

4. Be Shrewd with Food Keep a few quick-to-prepare items in stock to feed unexpected visitors, but don’t buy huge quantities of food.

You can always top up later.

Food poisoning isn’t festive, so ensure all cooks wash and dry their hands. Frozen foods should be properly defrosted and immediately refrigerated or cooked thoroughly (particularly large poultry or joints of meat).

Keep raw foods separate from cooked food.

Leave enough room in the fridge for cold air to circulate and don’t leave buffets out for more than 4 hours.

Healthy festive food: Removing skin and avoiding butter basting removes around a third of your turkey’s calories and

half its fat.

Choose low-salt gravy mixes and hide the saltshaker.

Swap: o sausage meat for vegetarian sausage mix o goose fat for healthy oils o traditional mince pies for filo or open-top versions o brandy butter or cream for low-fat custard or crème fraiche o crisps, salted nuts and chocolate for plain popcorn, rice cakes, pretzels, unsalted nuts and homemade chocolate-covered fruit (preferably using dark chocolate) 5. Stay Festive Fit An alarming amount of Christmas hospital admissions are due to excessive or unhealthy eating. Include some ‘normal meals’, avoiding excess sugar and salt. Keep portion size sensible and stop eating just as you start to feel full.

Ensure you get a good night’s sleep whenever possible, and stay active: a walk burns calories and the daylight and fresh air will help you feel physically and mentally well.

6. Finally... Keep It in Proportion Christmas Day is only one day; most festivities are centred on just one week out of 52. If the turkey’s burnt, laugh; it’s not what matters most. Keep celebrations simple, focusing on what makes you and your loved ones happy. It’s your Christmas. Relax and enjoy it!

To feature your local stories / events / information here

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To feature your local stories / events / information here

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Oasis Flowers & Balloons 10 Hewelll Road, Barnt Green B45 8NE

T: 0121 445 5551 Designer Flowers for those Special Moments Follow us on Twitter & Facebook where our up-to-date wedding pics are posted!

View our online Wedding Flower gallery

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Christmas market page edit:Nov dec 2016

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Retail News Festive market returns to Bromsgrove this November “We are really excited to be doing this again – and this year it really is bigger and better!

Christmas crafters are being urged to put their names down for a stall to display their wares at Bromsgroveʼs festive market.

Following the success of last yearʼs Christmas Themed Market which saw nearly 30 pitches displaying locally made crafts, the event is set to be repeated.

In partnership with Bromsgrove District Council, it is being lead by the Friends of St Johnʼs Church and will be an integral part of the town centreʼs annual switch on spectacular.

And the number of days that Christmas crafts will be available has doubled from two days to four, kicking off on Thursday November 17 until Sunday November 20.

Friends of St Johnʼs Chairman Jo Slade said:

There is so much talent across the District and last year we had such a wide range of crafts for sale from woodwork and fudge to wall-art and Christmas cards.

Not only is this festive market a great place to showcase these skills but itʼs a fabulous addition to the usual market, creating the perfect place to pick up a Christmas gift.”

The market will run on the Thursday and Friday from 9am until 4pm and on the Sunday from 10am to 2pm in the High Streetʼs Events area outside Argos.

Festive Lights Switch On Saturday November 19 sees the Switch-On spectacular which includes visits from Santa, Paw Patrol, and Artrix Panto stars, live music from local singers and Team GB Paralympic gold medallist Lauren Rowles will be switching on the lights. The craft market will run till 6.30 that day.

As well as the usual market stalls, operators CJ Events will be running a week-long market in the run-up to Christmas, as well as the usual market stalls.

Bromsgrove District Councilʼs Centres Manager Cheryl Welsh, said: “Christmas across the District, and all its centres from Rubery to Hagley, promises to better than ever this year which is great news for residents and traders.

“Itʼs great to be working with partners like St Johnʼs, the Artrix and CJ Events, to name a few, who have come together to put on this extravaganza.”

How to book a festive market stall If you would like to take part in the Festive themed market, please email friends.stjohns.church@ gmail.com The application form is also available online: https://goo.gl/forms/sD6pU xG62SmeVWkB3 or at www.facebook.com/Friends StJohnsBromsgrove

To feature your local stories / events / information here

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Contact Madelene on 0780 122 9754 or mschofield-whittingham@excellolaw.co.uk Excello Law deals with all aspects of business law.

Should you have a legal query on any other aspect of your business, call us on 0845 257 9449 and we will put you through to one of our specialist lawyers to help you.

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To promote your business here contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

18.

Motoring

By James Baggott

Golf GTI Clubsport S

WHAT IS IT? It’s the fastest front-wheel-drive car around the Nürburgring, a stripped-out hardcore celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI and a limited edition collector’s piece all in one.

The Golf GTI Clubsport S is the result of asking engineers to do what they can to cement the GTI’s name in the hot hatch pantheon.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Lifting the Golf’s bonnet will reveal the same two-litre, turbocharged petrol you’ll find elsewhere in the Golf range – notably the Golf GTI and Golf R. In this application it’s been tuned up slightly, producing 306hp – broadly similar to the Golf R’s output but with a different exhaust system freeing up a couple of horsepower.

That’s paired with the six-speed manual gearbox for weight purposes, as the extra few kilos of the dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) would work against the weight-saving nature of the Clubsport S. WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? The GTI Clubsport S is a topspecification Golf and it comes with the appropriate bells and whistles.

The infotainment system is Volkswagen’s Discover Navigation with a 6.5-inch colour screen - but you can upgrade to the Discover Pro for £1,325, which adds a larger screen and DAB radio. You’re missing one or two things – not least of which are the rear seats, replaced with a faux strut brace and cargo net. Cruise control is absent, unusually, leading to an oddly sparse suede steering wheel.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? It drives exactly as you’d expect the car that set the fastest front-wheel-drive lap of the Nürburgring ever to drive.

It’s really very savage in a straight line, barking through the exhausts with every upshift, and scrubs off speed no less impressively. The sticky Michelin Pilot Cup tyres offer huge amounts of grip, too.

On the mixed and drying roads we used, the Clubsport S exhibited a little torque steer if you gave the car some stick, but far less than you might expect.

Otherwise, it’s a very neutral car to drive on the road.

WHAT DOES THE PRESS THINK? AutoExpress reckons that the Clubsport S has ‘even more involvement and surprising refinement’, while Autocar thinks that it’s ‘by a nose, the very best fast Golf you can buy’.

WHAT DO WE THINK? It seems odd to turn a car with such broad credentials into a

two-seater sports car, especially as the rear compartment trim is still present, but you can’t really ignore the way it drives.

The Golf R might be a safer bet for all-weather performance, but the Clubsport S makes a great case for itself on dry roads and doesn’t feel as wrung out as other front-wheel-drive offerings of similar power outputs.

Losing the rear seats makes the Clubsport S a bit of a tough sell when silhouette rivals retain the family usability and two-seat competitors are commonly less expensive, but as all of the UK’s allocation of 150 have already been sold, it’s almost a moot point.

Model: Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S Price: £33,155 Engine: Two-litre, four-cylinder petrol Power: 306hp, 380Nm Max speed: 165mph 0-60mph: 5.7s MPG (combined): 40.4mpg Emissions: 172g/km TARGET BUYERS The performance car enthusiast who loves the Golf but wants a sports car.

THE RIVALS Honda Civic Type R, Porsche Cayman, Ford Focus RS KEY SELLING POINTS 1. Limited edition cachet . Unflappable cornering manners 3. Usable real-world performance DEAL CLINCHER It’s no harder to live with than any other Volkswagen Golf

To feature your local stories / events / information here

Contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

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Crompton Ward take pride in providing great value expertise, with a friendly team who want your business to bloom. Please email or telephone for more information.

Tel: (01527) 874170 E-Mail: info@cromptonward.co.uk

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CATSHILL GARAGE - Established 1953 -

SERVICING SUSPENSION Specialist on all types of Classic & Modern cars CLUTCHES BRAKES Telephone: 01527 872236 ELECTRICS DIAGNOSTICS Stourbridge Road, AIR CONDITIONING

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Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 9LG

To promote your business here contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

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Got 2 Sing

Bromsgrove Contemporary Choirs Aston Fields M iddle School Every Thursday 7.15pm EVERYBODY W ELCOME

Dodford g Club rd a G enin day

e 2nd Mon Meets on th st) (except Augu each month pm e Hall at 7.45 Dodford Villag co.uk

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01527 914664

Art in the Village learn how to draw and paint

in Barnt Green Villa ge daytime and evening classes 07967 041446

old Em’ A ‘Texas uHrn nt o ammeon th Poker Tay ch in ea

al First Saturd Sports & Soci Alvechurch an 8pm start r from 7pm fo 5 4616 0121 44 outlook.com bluenostrils@

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b. gardeningclu www.dodford

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illage H Beoley V esday of

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French

Class Avonc and Ch roft Arts Soc es iety addesle Village y Corbett H Contac t Nic all 01527 ole Harris 87849 www.fre 3 nchwit hnicole harris.c o.uk

Bromsgrove & Redditch Badminton Club Sunday Evenings 17.40 - 19.40 More details contact: Steve Whittaker 07805 051456

Wassell Grove Car Boot Sale

On A456 Hagley Every Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays 07505 722914 or 0771 869 4099

Baby & Toddler Swimming Classes

with Turtle Tots Thursdays 9.30 - 11.30 in Barnt Green Contact Emma on: 07803909960 emma.gardner@turtletots.com

The Friday Bridge Club Burcot Village Hall Every Friday Night 7pm for a prompt 7.15 start 01527 401019

To feature your local stories / events / information here Contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

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25m Swimming Pool with 95 hours of public swimming each week.

The Dolphin Centre 60 station gym and functional training zone

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22.

Finance

By Ann Haldon

How Much Does It Really Cost To Buy A Home?

The true cost of buying a home isn’t always obvious when you start looking, and many people are unaware just how much the additional fees can mount up.

In fact, when consumer group Which? carried out a national property survey, over 25% of buyers and sellers said that moving had cost them more than expected.

So apart from your mortgage, what extra fees and expenses might you face when buying a new home?

Homebuyer SurveyS Mortgage lenders will carry out a basic valuation survey to confirm how much the property is worth. The price of this can start from around £150, but varies according to its value.

Two other types of survey are also available - a Homebuyer Report and a full structural survey.

The cost of these surveys can vary depending on your location and the size of the property, but expect to pay from around £250 for a Homebuyer Report and upwards of £600 for a structural survey.

ConveyanCing and SoliCitor’S FeeS Solicitors tend to charge a fixed fee for their time, and then add on the costs of local authority and land/water searches separately, along with other searches that you might want to

carry out.

More than 60 different searches are available, but many are specialised and only relevant to a small number of properties.

These are the searches most commonly used by homebuyers: local authority Local authority searches include the Local Land Charges Register. Your solicitor will also find out about any issues such as new roads that are being planned near the property, any parking restrictions or tree preservation orders, for example. land registry This will confirm who holds the legal title to the land, and whether there are any charges on the property, such as a mortgage. drainage and Water The water company will confirm whether the property is connected to the mains water supply, drainage and surface water drainage. This search also reveals whether any public drains are located on the land. environmental An environmental search utilises historical information about how the land on which the property was built, and the land nearby, was used in the past – industrial or commercial uses, for example – and indicates whether contamination might be an issue. Any ris of flooding is also highlighted using data from the Environment Agency.

Stamp duty Stamp Duty affects the purchasers of residential freehold or leasehold properties sold forover £125,000, with rates currently standing at¹:

£125,001 to £250,000: 2% £250,001 to £925,000: 5% £925,001 to £1.5 million: 10% Over £1.5 million: 12% As a buyer, you must send a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return along with your payment within 30 days of completion. removalS Using a removals firm can seem like a large expense if you don’t have a lot of possessions, and many people choose to hire a van instead. Removals firms generally charge from £300 for a small move, but may charge more for weekend work.

Home inSuranCe Buildings insurance is an important aspect of buying a property, and will be a requirement by your lender if you’ve taken out a mortgage.

Contents insurance also protects your belongings in the event of fire, flood, or other disaster.

It’s a good idea to factor in these extra costs before you start looking for a property. ou’ll be more confident that your budget will stretch far enough, and won’t have to suffer any nasty surprises later on. http://www.which.co.uk/money/ Guest Independent mortgages-and-property/guides/ buying-a-house/the-cost-ofMortgage Advice Ltd buying-a-house/ T: 01527 306 425 https://www.

E: hello@guestindependent.com moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ Stoke Road, Bromsgrove, B60 3EQ articles/estimate-your-overallbuying-and-moving-costs http://land-data.org.uk/ John Clapham IFA getdownload.aspx?did=15 T: 01527 306217 M: 07830 254 899 ¹ https://www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ AFH Wealth Management articles/everything-you-need-to129 Wychall Road, Northfield know-about-stamp-duty Birmingham, B31 3AP

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23.

44.

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24.

Beauty I Need A Hero

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Skin saviours to see you through the winter months Skin feeling dry, tight and dehydrated? Try Dr. Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief, £27.50-£40. It’s very light, almost like a toner, but incredibly hydrating and leaves skin feeling plumped and soft. Apply with a soft cloth or cotton wool pads. Key ingredients include mushroom extracts and a blend of essential oils. It’s currently on sale in a rather lovely limited edition bottle printed in a seabuckthorn pattern. Available from www.origins.co.uk and some branches of Boots and House of Fraser.

Another brand to recognise the potential of mushrooms is Janjira. They’ve included mushroom extract in their Pomegranate & Acai Facial Mask, £20. Thankfully, you wouldn’t know that by the smell, as it has a gorgeous, almost tropical scent. Lovely and light, this mask helps to hydrate, plump and brighten skin in just 10 minutes.

(Which is about all the time I get to relax in the bath before one of the kids barges in.) Janjira is a Thai brand and focuses on natural ingredients that have been proven to work. The mask costs £20 and can be ordered from www.janjira.co.uk. ou may find that your s in craves a richer moisturiser in the colder months. I’ve been using Ishga’s Anti-oxidant Marine Face Cream, £70, for a few weeks now, and highly recommend it.

Ingredients include seaweed extract, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, macadamia nut oil and aloe vera. It’s very hydrating and soothing, and rich without being too heavy or greasy.

Ishga is a Scottish luxury skincare brand and is available through some spas and online at www.ishga.co.uk.

Rosehip oil has long been revered for its skin healing properties. Amongst other benefits it can help with fine lines, scarring, blemishes and dry patches. If you want to try it for yourself, Pai’s Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, £22, is a good choice. A powerful blend of concentrated rosehip fruit and seed oils, it’s 100% natural and packed with antioxidants and Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. 87% of users reported a significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines after using it. Visit www.pais incare. com to order online or to find your nearest stockist.

Weleda’s Skin Food is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Beloved by people the world over, Skin Food works miracles on dry, rough patches.

Use it as an intensive hand-cream, or to spot-treat patches of dry skin.

Alternatively, hand it to a partner and demand a foot massage. It’s packed with rich natural ingredients, including sweet almond oil and beeswax, and fragranced with essential oils. Skin Food is usually £9.95, but www.biggreensmile.com was offering 20% off at the time of writing.

I’m not the best for remembering to exfoliate, particularly when I can hide away under jeans and winter woollies. However, Odylique’s Coconut Candy Scrub, £25, makes it a treat. Formulated with Fairtrade sugar, coconut oil, cocoa butter, poppy seeds and other skin enriching ingredients, it feels lovely to massage in and moisturises while it exfoliates. (Plus it smells rather nice.) Skin feels softer and smoother. Heaven.

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25.

TAX RETURN ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS THE ACCOUNTANCY SERVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

TAX RETURN DEADLINE 31st JANUARY AVOID THE STRESS AND PENALTIES The clock is ticking!

Don’t leave it too late and incur a £100 penalty!

We can do it for you - leaving you free to run your business and enjoy Christmas.

Filing early doesn’t mean you have to pay any tax due early.

If you are due a refund, the sooner you file, the sooner you get the money back.

The clock is ticking! Don’t

We will review your affairs to ensure you don’t pay tax miss the January 31st tax you don’t need to.

return deadline and incur a penalty, speak to us today.

There’s no charge to talk to us about how we can help.

Please call Sandra Kansy on 01527 or visit us at

402958 www.taxassist.co.uk/redditch

We can help you with: ● Self Assessment We can help you with: Tax Returns and CIS ● Self Assessment ● Business Accounts Tax Returns ● Corporation Taxand CIS Business Accounts ● ●Bookkeeping & VAT ●● Payroll and Real Time Information Corporation Tax ● Company Formations ● Bookkeeping & VAT ● Business Start-ups Payroll ● ●Help with Finance Raising ●...and Company Formations much more.

● Business Start-ups ● Help with Finance Raising ...and much more.

MasonHouse, House,96 96Evesham EveshamRoad, Road,Headless HeadlessCross, Cross,Redditch RedditchB97 B975ES 5ESTel: Tel:01527 01527402958 402958 Mason Website: www.taxassist.co.uk/redditch E-Mail: redditch@taxassist.co.uk Website: www.taxassist.co.uk/redditch E-Mail: redditch@taxassist.co.uk

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Lifestyle page edit:Nov dec 2016

14/10/16

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Lifestyle News What is mindset? How can it affect our health?

Families are secretly filmed and most are shocked at what they are eating and the amounts!

The mind is very clever at ignoring what it doesnʼt want to face. We need to face reality. Do you constantly participate in negative self talk? - "I will always be fat", "No one likes me", "It is all my fault".

Lindsey Allen, an awardwinning fitness instructor, explores the benefits of a more positive mindset.

Mindset is, in essence, how we think. Thatʼs it!

Not really that complicated but as a personal trainer I get the opportunity to help people develop a positive or negative mindset. Never underestimate the power of a positive mindset. It can completely transform a person.

I could have called this positive thinking but mindset covers all bases so mindset it is!

If a client comes to me and asks for help I would bet £50 that their comments are negative.

Letʼs assume they are wanting to lose weight: "Iʼve tried everything", "Nothing ever works for me", "I exercise loads", "I eat well", "I donʼt drink", "My body just wonʼt lose weight". Ring any bells?

It is only on closer conversations and clever questions (and sometimes sneaky checking on social media) that I discover what they have said and what they are actually doing are two totally separate things!

This isnʼt to say that the client has deliberately lied to me. They may genuinely think they are doing everything right. Ever watched that Secret Eaters programme?

If you are constantly talking like that to yourself then until you tackle that, nothing will change. Why do you think slimming clubs donʼt work? They donʼt want their clients feeling positive and happy, they donʼt want them to feel good about themselves.

Why would they? They would lose their clients.

They need their clients to lose weight, gain weight, low self esteem - it is a vicious cycle that goes round and round and round. You, yes YOU have the power to change all that - how incredible is that?

Part 2 of Lindsey Allen’s Mindset advice will follow in the next issue.

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27.

Down: 1 Startled, 2 Ultimate, 3 Apathy, 5 Veto, 6 Renegade, 7 Erodes, 8 Radish, 11 Amnesia, 14 Hostile, 17 Indecent, 18 Bargains, 19 Contract, 22 Clotho, 23 Pirate, 24 Orwell, 27 Tsar.

SOLUTION

Lindsey offers a variety of classes at the Ryland Centre, Bromsgrove, including high energy, fat-burning and body conditioning - as well as Personal Training.

HOUR OF POWER | BOXERCISE PUMP FX | SPIN | SPIN & ABS

Passionate about your fitness For more information call:

T I B E T A N S

H R E I S P H E C O T S

A S E T R A S P H E T P A N N G I U B L B E

H

P R O S C K N S A T A N I N N E D T

O S T O U R I G E O O N P P B R O A N T B O

P E G R G N N O G N E N I N A S T N E I R N

C T A E S S R E L

Across: 1 Squeal, 4 Overseer, 9 Astray, 10 Stanford, 12 Tom Thumb, 13 Egrets, 15 Efts, 16 Seconds, 20 Anxiety, 21 Iago, 25 Loiter, 26 All right, 28 Traverse, 29 Retina, 30 Overturn, 31 Closet.

Award winning Personal Trainer and Studio Instructor.

M M O R A Y R S C H E E L U M

O

B I A L P L A R S T E F E R E R E D

J N A L K A P X E N E O

07899 686263 www.lindseyallenfitness.co.uk

Qualified Plumber and Gas Engineer Boiler Repairs and Servicing Full Bathroom Fitting Service Available Free Quotations - Fixed Prices 12 Months Warranty on all work carried out

Telephone: 07885 403609 Email: help@helpfulplumber.co.uk 550020 www.helpfulplumber.co.uk To promote your business here contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

28.

Bromsgrove Chef cooks with The Hairy Bikers

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29.

Volunteering can change lives!

Inspire people and change lives by volunteering in your local community.

Weather Guard Roofing Professionals

Train as an Onside volunteer advocate, mentor, befriender.

Or volunteer in our NEW Cafe/Bakery?

Please get in touch to find out more & get your application pack today.

Onside Independent Advocacy

T: 01905 27525

Inspiring change

Williamson House

F: 01905 28554

in people

14 Charles Street

E: info@onside-advocacy.org.uk

Worcester WR1 2AQ

W: www.onside-advocacy.org.uk

/OnsideIndependentAdvocacy /company/onside-advocacy

and communities

@OnsideAdvocacy Charity No. 1102022

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30.

Business News

Two family businesses become awards finalists Entrepreneur of the Year category.

[L-R] Lisa Childs (Broad Street DIY) with Åsa Cupitt

Two businesses from Bromsgrove have secured a place in the final stage of the prestigious 2016 Midlands Family Business Awards - which celebrate the work and achievements of family businesses across the region.

Broad Street DIY Ltd, which was established by Tony Warren in 1979, has been named as one of six businesses in the running for the Service Excellence award.

Three generations of the Warren family now work at the Bromsgrove shop and they attribute their large, loyal customer base to a high level of personal customer service – which includes professional advice on all aspects of home and garden improvement projects.

Bromsgrove based Cupitt Jeweller has also been selected as a finalist in the awards, with its owner Åsa Cupitt shortlisted in the

Åsa took over the running of the family business in 2013 and decided the time was right to move forward with a fresh, new focus.

She embarked on a major refurbishment project which included re-opening the onsite workshop and re-assessing the product range to include contemporary jewellery with an emphasis on British designers. Despite its new look and feel, Åsa has ensured the shop retains the strong business values associated with the Cupitt family name.

Charlotte Perkins, managing director of the awards, said: “This yearʼs entries demonstrate the exceptional pedigree of the Midlandsʼ family businesses. The 51 finalists together prove the family business sectorʼs vital contribution to the regionʼs economy.

We wish all finalists the very best in the final round.”

The winners will be announced at a black tie dinner in Birmingham on Thursday November 17.

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31.

B&R Pages Nov Dec 2016:Broad Street DIY

16/10/16

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STOCK UP ON ALL THE WINTER ESSENTIALS AWARD-WINNING FAMILY RUN BUSINESS SINCE

1979

SNOW SHOVELS AND ICE SCRAPERS • COAL, LOGS AND KINDLING • PARAFFIN AND CALOR GAS • HEATERS AND OIL FILLED RADIATORS • SANDBAGS AND ROCK SALT • ANTI FREEZE Store: 01527

873555 | Yard: 01527 870205

Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm | Sat: 8am - 6pm | Sun: 10am - 4pm Please see local press or our facebook page for festive opening hours.

128 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove B61 7AG

Daily Deliveries - Pay by phone for quick delivery.

www.broadstreetdiy.co.uk

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32.

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33.

Taylor Made Services Midlands Ltd Gas / Central Heating Services l

92 Edgewood Road Rednal Birmingham B45 8SG

l l

l

l

Tel : 0121 453 8514

l l l

sales@taylormadeservices.co.uk www.taylormadeservicesmidlands.co.uk

0 2

0

2 5

· Boiler Service / Maintenance · Boiler upgrades changes andlords Certificates ower ushing · Radiators · Breakdowns · 10 Years Warrantee available · Free Quotes

194191

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Artrix NYE event page edit:Nov dec 2016

34.

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Events News The beat goes on ... at Artrix on New Year’s Eve

After the success of last yearʼs New Yearʼs Eve party, Artrix is planning a follow-up event and is inviting residents from Bromsgrove and further afield to join its end of year celebrations.

The Beat Brothers are a stunning four piece band, consisting of highly professional musicians.

The Birmingham band will be playing a great mix of classic soul, funk, rhythm and blues as well as more up to date tunes to keep you dancing all night long.

Alongside the usual Artrix bar, there will be a special Prosecco bar to keep the fizz flowing. Both bars will be open until 1 am so there will be plenty of opportunity to toast the New Year.

There will also be pizza available to enjoy on the night and guests can take a spin on the roulette table and play for fun.

Hannah Phillips, Artrixʼs Director said: “2016 has been a wonderful year for Artrix with some new and exciting events for everyone to enjoy. So we hope that local residents and their friends will come along and celebrate New Yearʼs Eve with us”.

Artrixʼs New Yearʼs Eve Party is on Saturday 31December from 8.30 pm.

Tickets cost £30.00 per person or £28.50 per person for parties of 6 or more. The event is suitable for ages 13 years +. No entry after 10.30 pm. Dress smart casual.

The venue offers free car parking and is a short walk from Bromsgroveʼs town centre.

Tickets (pre-booking only) are available at the Box Office on 01527 577330 or at www.artrix.co.uk.

Find us on Facebook – Artrix Arts Centre or follow us on Twitter - @ArtrixArts

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35.

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36.

Mindfulness M editation Yoga & Deep Relaxation Classes & Day Retreats at Blackwell Fi rst School & The Ark, Alv echurch 0790 366 3085

ches Sunday Lunrved at se Now being furbished the newly re or Hotel Grafton Man 79 007 Tel: 01527 5

www.MyYogaM

ind.co.uk

rish Stoke Pa lub Youth C ay

Cliffon T.Ward TRIBUTE at the Artrix Saturday 19th November at 7.30pm Tickets £16.00

ednesd Every W 6.00pm

40719 07702 3

igong Tai Chi / Chs e ss Cla inning

asses beg Weekley cl ishing Well W e at Th B61 8QY Bromsgrovem - 7pm p Fridays 6 3rd June t Classes star 71470 07713 8

cial Badminton So g in en Ev n Ope en Social Club

Barnt Gre each Thursday 8pm - 11pm 0121 445 1978 www.barntgree

nsportsclub.co.u

- 8.00pm

k

Aw

CROWeekly qui z N INN Withy bed G Alvec reen h urch Every T

Shorthill Car Boot HARTLEBURY Open every Sunday at 6.00am 01562 829695

www.shorthillcarboots.com

Salsa Dance Classes

hursd Star ay Entry - ting at 9.00 p £1 per team m m ember

at the Hungry Horse 174 Worcester Road, Bromsgrove B61 7AY 7.30pm Beginners £5 Main Class - £6 www.newsalsa-salsa.co.uk

Catshill FC

Craft Market

Youth Coaching sessions Saturday mornings at Catshill Middle School 07462 118920 www.catshillfc.co.uk

at

Milward Square, Kingfisher Centre 2nd Saturday every month

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37.

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38.

Coughton Court

Festive cheer for all the family awaits at Coughton this winter season.

Dates for your diary:

Open 11am—5pm (last admission 4.30pm) For more information and details on how to volunteer with us please visit the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

Twitter @NTCoughton www.facebook.com/CoughonCourt

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39.

NEW Lifeline is a telecare service available 24 hours,365 days a year to any vulnerable people living within the Redditch and Bromsgrove districts as well as surrounding areas.

It allows residents such as the elderly, disabled or those with serious health problems to continue to live independently in their own homes.

A Lifeline unit installed in the home and a portable pendant allow the user to call for help in an emergency at any time of day or night.

Our Monitoring Centre Operators will receive the call and assist the user with their emergency.

New Starts half page advert:Nov Dec 2016

You give so we ca

18/10/16

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n give

Sh e wa s in M ary ha d lost all ho pe. a flat wit h fin an cia l cri sis, livi ng in r 6 children virtu ally no furnit ure - he or. flo the sle pt on cu shion s on natio ns of Th rou gh the ge ne rou s do to pro vid e ble a local pe ople, we we re es an d lin en. he r wit h beds, mattress oy He r children ca n no w enj ep. sle ’ a good nig hts int o He r de spa ir ha s tu rned do e opl pe t rea lisatio n tha ca re an d the re is ho pe.

You can be part of the work we do by dona!ng household items in good condi!on. 3-piece suites, wardrobes, white goods, beds, sofas etc... as well as non-perishable food for our food bank and computers / laptops for our I.T. outreach work.

Call Margaret on:

01527 882410 Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm Saturday: 10.00am - 2.00pm

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40.

Cryptic Crossword 1

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41.

With Power Back Up systems for extra peace of mind

Tel: 01527 306154

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42.

Cake and Bake Mincemeat & Apple Mini Strudels These delicious sweet and buttery mini fruity strudels make great festive puds over Christmas. You can prepare them a few hours in advance, cover and chill in the fridge and bake just before serving.

Ingredients:

1.

reheat the oven to C, an 8 C, Gas ar . ix together the mincemeat and grated apple.

Ta e one sheet of filo pastry and brush with some of the melted butter.

2.

lace a spoonful of the mincemeat mixture along one short end of the sheet of buttered pastry. old in a little of the pastry along each long side then roll up to enclose the filling. lace seam side down on a large greased ba ing tray.

8 tbsp luxury mincemeat small coo ing apple, peeled and coarsely grated 8 sheets filo pastry, each measuring 8x cm g unsalted butter, melted ilo pastry stars, to decorate see Tip cing sugar, to dust hipped cream or brandy butter, to serve

Makes 8 Ready in 35 minutes

3. Repeat with the rest of the pastry sheets and mincemeat mixture to ma e 8 mini strudels in total. rush with any remaining melted butter.

4.

a e in the preheated oven for - minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Cool for minutes then halve and serve with filo pastry stars and dust liberally with icing sugar. Serve with whipped cream or brandy butter.

TIP To ma e the stars, fold a spare sheet of filo pastry into three. Stamp out tiny stars using a small star-shaped coo ie cutter and brush with a little melted butter. a e as above but for only 4minutes until crisp and golden.

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43.

Jennys

Do you love music?

MASTER BUTCHER

Constantly in pursuit of excellence

PIANO LESSONS

In your own home.

All ages and abilities are welcome.

We do our best to source the best quality produce from farmers and suppliers who care!

Join us....

Tel: 01527 874526 149 Golden Cross Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcs. B61 0JZ

Contact Jenny

07842 910879 LicMus (degree France) LmusTCL ARCM ABSM

EDWARDS Car Repairs Your Local Car Repair & Servicing Specialist We are a Family run Business which has been established since 1988 Repairs & Servicing MOT Work Welding to MOT standard All makes of Vehicles ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Tel: 0121 445 5414

Email: enquiries@edwardscarrepairs.co.uk Website: www. edwardscarrepairs.co.uk Rear of, 8 Hewell Road, Barnt Green, B45 8NE

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44.

For more information contact: Singleton Nurseries 0121 457 9977 600 Birmingham Road Lydiate Ash Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 0HT Willowbrook Garden Centre 01527 835084 Stourbridge Road Catshill Bromsgrove B61 0BW

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B&R Pages v 2 May 2016:Singletons nurseries

9.

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Established in 1947, Singletons is a specialist, award-winning horticultural nursery, open to the public.

With a strong local reputation, Singletons offers quality, home grown plants and professional advice on all aspects of growing and plant maintenance.

Nursery Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 8.00am - 5.00pm Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm

Enjoy rustic charm and delicious food at The Potting Shed CafĂŠ and Restaurant, NOW OPEN at Singletons Nurseries.

For opening times & reservations call 0121 453 1562

The Potting Shed CafĂŠ and Restaurant

600 Birmingham Road, Lydiate Ash, Bromsgrove, B61 0HT

www.singletonsnurseries.co.uk

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46.

Tech Trends For 2017 Virtual worlds, super smartphones and home hub hype

In 2016 we saw all kinds of bright ideas in technology: duallens cameras in smartphones, virtual reality headsets, new versions of Windows and the end of the headphone socket in iPhones. Here are the key trends we think will be driving the technology you buy, use or crave in 2017.

Online TV Getting TV over the internet isn’t new, of course, but it’s changing. In October, it emerged that Netflix is now offering half the amount of titles it offered in 2012. That’s because it - and its rival Amazon - is more interested in making its own programmes than in buying other people’s.

From Amazon’s Jeremy Clarkson vehicle The Grand Tour to Netflix’s The Crown, some of the most exciting TV isn’t being broadcast anywhere but online. That trend’s going to accelerate in 2017. The days when online TV services resembled a particularly bad video shop’s bargain bin are disappearing fast.

4K HDR TV Television manufacturers persuaded us to upgrade from CRT TVs to flat screens, and then from standard definition TVs to high definition TVs. They tried again with 3D, without much success, and the next big home entertainment hype is

over 4K and HDR televisions.

4K, also known as Ultra HD or UHD for short, has four times the number of pixels than full HD, so it delivers really sharp images - provided you have a 4K source. There aren’t many of those around just now: Netflix has a little bit of 4K content, but most broadcasters are still on HD rather than 4K. The most recent PlayStation and Xbox One offer 4K gaming, although once again that depends on having games optimised for the resolution. It might be worth waiting to see whether 4K succeeds or if it’s another 3DTV. While 4K offers more detailed images, HDR offers more drama. It’s short for High Dynamic Range, and you might have encountered it in your smartphone’s camera: HDR delivers deeper shadows and brighter highlights than normal photography, and it’s the same with HDR TV. Virtual Reality 2017 will decide whether virtual reality is the next big thing.

VR headsets from Facebookowned Oculus, Google and Sony hit the virtual shelves in late 2016, but it’s what happens this year that will seal the format’s fate: without compelling games to play or experiences to experience, those headsets could turn

out to be very expensive paperweights. The technology is really impressive, but so was 3D TV. Super smartphones After a minor revamp in 2016, the 2017 iPhone is rumoured to be a dramatic upgrade with new screen technology and the same great cameras currently limited to the big and expensive iPhone 7 Plus. We might even see wireless charging too, something Apple’s rivals have offered for some time.

Apple isn’t the only phone firm out there, of course. Samsung’s Galaxy S8 should be impressive too, and hopefully less prone to battery explosions than this year’s Galaxy Note 7.

Home Automation Whether it’s Microsoft’s Cortana, Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa, this may be the year when we spend more time talking to our tech than tapping on its screens.

Virtual digital assistants in our phones and in home hubs have the potential to automate everything - assuming they can finally understand non-US accents, that is.

Images L to R: Netflix online video; Sony HDR TV; iPhone 7 Plus; Amazon Echo Dot home hub

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