Save time, sav
Matt Henderson
em one y, b
Matt Smith
yg oing
Motor Specialist
Local
Commercial Specialist
Call the RA Davies Team today and get all your insurance quotes sorted ! We are specialists in insurance covering: Motor • Van • Lorry • Home • Shop • Office • Fleet • And More Home
Car
Tel: 01562 751003 email: radaviesltd@btconnect.com website: www.radaviesltd.com 34 / 35 Comberton Hill, Kidderminster DY10 1QN
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Commercial
Paula Holloway, Dip. Hyp, M.H.F., M.N.C.H.,I.I.H.H.T. is a Registered Bewdley Hypnotherapist and highly recommended by Doctors.
I have 15 years experience. I can help you to ‘LOSE WEIGHT’ without surgery, using Gastric Band Hypnotic Therapy (as seen on TV)
Hypnotic Therapy can also help you to: • Gain Confidence • Enhance Sports, Golf etc • Stop Smoking • Pass your Driving Test • Pass Exams and Get Better Grades • Lower your blood pressure • Improve Sales • Get rid of Stammering, • Get rid of Fears and Phobias • Dental Fear and Flying • Relax and De-stress • Sleep More Easily • Past Life Regression • Stop Asthma, IBS and Nail Biting Do you want to lose weight? Do you wonder how celebrities stay so slim? The Answer is: ‘GASTRIC BAND - SLIMMING HYPNOTHERAPY!’ Gastric Band Hypnotherapy was launched in Spain and has been featured as a successful slimming treatment on Lorraine Kelly and Dr. Hilary Jones’s TV spot. It involves none of the risks associated with surgery. If a person wants to be slim they can be hypnotised
to believe they have had the real gastric band operation and that their stomach is only the size of a small golf ball. This takes approximately 5 sessions to take effect. Everyone is unique, so each treatment is tailor made to suit the person’s needs and some people need analytical hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy can also give you extra ‘WILLPOWER’ and can help take away cravings for fatty foods, helping you to eat more healthily. You will soon have the energy to enjoy the exercise of your choice that will get you back to the ‘real you’ the slim person inside you. What is HYPNOTHERAPY? It is a very gentle mind therapy, half way between real sleep and being awake. No one has power over you and you won’t do or say anything you do not wish to. Paula successfully ran a slimming club at Glades Leisure Centre and is qualified to help you get on track with your SLIMMING SUCCESS.
For more information or to book a treatment, please call Paula on: 01299 403309
BEWDLEY FRIENDS 50+ GROUP
Widowed, Divorced or Single? Ladies and Gentleman 50+ Would you like to enjoy interesting events, meals out, theatre, cinema, shows, music, day trips, riverside walks, lunches etc? If you do, then why not join ‘FRIENDS’. This new group has successfully started in Bewdley and members meet up once a week in
The George. Then now is the time to join FRIENDS 50+. Come and enjoy Bewdley and the switching on of the Christmas lights with a glass of punch and mince pie and enjoy the atmosphere of Beautiful Bewdley in a warm friendly group. The group is non profit making and would cost just £10.00 for the
whole 6 months membership. The group is being organised by Paula from Bewdley for the good of the community.
For more information on Friends 50+ please call Paula on: 01299 403309
Happy
Christmas everyone‌ Christmas cheer and recipe’s galore Pubs and restaurants and much more Favourite shops, Christmas cheer Shoppers heading home with food and beer Lets not forget those on their own No family, no friends, those with no home Volunteers who give up their time To bring cheers to those alone But Christmas is more than holidays and gifts Eating and drinking, or a holiday away Presents opened by kids before dawn Please remember the day when Christ was born.
From
Santa Claus
A very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year
Christmas‌
How to contact us: Editor: Tracey Edwards 08456 199 038 editor@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Contributors: Steve Gould Trevor Kirton
Advertising: Sales Team advertising@yourlocaltimes.co.uk 08456 199 038 Bob Cooper 01299 402094 Tracey Edwards 01299 402094 Studio Team studio@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Credit Control 08456 199 038 Accounts: Ken Bell accounts@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Published by Your Local Publisher Ltd Bridge House, Severn Bridge Riverside North, Bewdley DY12 1AB 08456 199 038
DEADLINE next issue:
12th December Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The publisher does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. Your Local Times is a trademark of Your Local Publisher Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical, photocopied or recorded without prior permission of the publisher.
Tracey
Ladies, do you fancy a party with a difference? Charmian from Holistic Pamper Parties can offer you just that! What could be more relaxing than an afternoon or evening of pure pampering for your friends and family in the comfort of your own home! Charmian started doing mobile pamper parties two years ago and specialises in Complementary Therapy and Wellbeing, from Holistic Massage, Indian Head Massage to Make-Up Lessons and Holistic Facials. All the treatments are practised in the comfort of your home making the experience much more relaxing. Why not hold your own pamper party? They are perfect for Birthdays, special occasions or just to spend some quality time with the girls.
Here are a couple of testimonials from Charmian’s happy clients:
I had been looking to find someone who did pamper parties for a long time. My Hen night was coming up and I wanted something more relaxing for me and my friends. I noticed Holistic Pamper Parties were advertised in September’s Local Times Magazine. I was so excited; I called Charmian and booked it! Absolute Heaven, what more can I say!
Thank you Charmian, Julie from Kidderminster
Charmian, I would like to say how lovely you made the evening for my friend and I. We were looking to book a massage to relax but didn’t really fancy going out to a salon. It was such a refreshing change to find someone who would pamper us at home!.. The scented candles and soft soothing music was so lovely, being at home made it more comfortable as we didn’t have to move afterwards. I couldn’t believe how you transformed my living room into a salon, it was brilliant !. My friend and I would like to say a big thank you for making us feel so relaxed and totally unwound. We will definitely recommend you to all our friends; we had the best night in a long time, perfect!.
Thank you, Miss Williams, Stourport On Severn
Charmian you made my lounge into a treatment room in just a few minutes. The massage table, trolley of oils, scented candles and the mp3 player playing relaxing music, helped my friends and I begin to unwind. Whist we were enjoying our evening, my friends took it in turns to have their pampering experience and one by one we all felt amazing! As you know I chose the Anti-Stress Back, Face and Scalp massage. As I lay down under the beautifully soft throws, my massage began. It was so relaxing; I could feel the pressures of everyday life floating away. The essential oils blended by you which included black pepper, made me feel really calm and cosy. My friends and I have never had a Pamper Party before and I would just like to say how happy we were to have found you!
Thank you Charmian it was pure pleasure. Ann from Bewdley
Gift vouches are available for ‘one to one’s’ and the ‘Aromatic Package’ range. For more information or to book a treatment or Pamper Party
Please call Charmian on: 07855 566 407 Email: charmian.watson@halcyonwellbeing.co.uk
Discount available for block bookings
Telesales Person Wanted! Have you got what we need? Are you bubbly, outgoing, full of enthusiasm with great communication skills? If so we need YOU! Experience in selling advertising would be an advantage. Full or part time to suit. Commission basis. High earnings are achievable.
Please call Tracey on 01299 402094 Or Email your CV to tracey@yourlocaltimes.co.uk www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
your
Local Times
5
BEWDLEY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FESTIVAL SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER FROM 2.00 P.M.
It’s the Saturday before Advent Sunday, the start of the Christmas season, and so it is the Bewdley Christmas Lights Festival again. We really hope as many of you as possible will brave the whatever the weather sends and come and join us in the town centre to take part in all the fun and do your Christmas shopping both at all the charity & trade stalls and also in the town’s shops. As well as the stalls there will also be a funfair, music, entertainment, Radio Wyvern presenters, the grand parade, Santa, and the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE PART? 1) We welcome both charity & trade stalls - please contact us as soon as possible to book yours. 2) Entertainers always welcome. 3) CHILDREN’S FANCY DRESS COMPETITION - This year’s competition theme is ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’. Please assemble by Bridge House at 4.50 p.m. to join the parade. Judging will take place at the Guildhall after the parade. 4) THE PARADE - Would your organisation like to be represented; just let us know. 5) EXHIBITION OF FESTIVE ADVENT WREATHS - To be held in St. Anne’s Church from Saturday 19th November to Sunday 27th November. If your organisation, business etc. would like to exhibit an advent wreath to depict Christmas along with your interest please let us
know as soon as possible. Please also visit St. Anne’s Church during the week to view the exhibits and for a coffee. 6) HELPERS ON THE DAY - To erect stalls, marshall the parade etc. etc. URGENTLY REQUIRED CONTACTS : Ann 01299 404226 or email lymanhughes34@aol.com Maggie 01299 404065 or email funkypidge@hotmail.com The timetable for the day is as follows :2.00 p.m. Market & entertainment starts. 4.50 p.m. Fancy Dress entries assemble at Bridge House. 5.00 p.m. All those taking part in the parade assemble at Bridge House. 5.30 p.m. Switching on of the Town’s Christmas Lights by The Mayor & St. Anne’s Bell Ringers ring the church bells to celebrate. 6.30 p.m. Close down. Unfortunately an event of this size requires some street closures and consequently there will be some inconvenience for which we apologise. Please see local signs for details. The Bewdley Christmas Lights Festival Committee would like to thank you for supporting our events this year & wish you a all a very Happy & Peaceful Christmas.
Give something different this Christmas …. … The gift of Health, Peace and Relaxation.
Holistic Gift Vouchers available from Be Harmony from £5:00. Can be used in full or part payment for:Chakra Balancing, Full Body Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Rhythm Mobility or come and take part in a 1 hour, group guided meditation session. Sue: 07887 657496 www.be-harmony.co.uk enquiries@be-harmony.co.uk Based at: Gainsborough House Hotel, Bewdley Hill, Kidderminster, DY11 6BS
Evenings 3 Courses £10.95 To start
Woodland mushroom soup with home baked horseradish profiteroles .................£4.45 (v) Home Hickory Smoked duck breast, brambly apple chutney, dressed mixed leaves............. £5.45 Potted Hereford pork, sticky apple and crackling salad crispy Crostinis and a shot of local cider ................................................. £4.95 The Ploughs Far forest mushrooms on homemade bread of the day topped with wild rocket ...............................................£4.45 (v)
To follow
England’s No.1 carvery, roasted premium joints with a host of fresh seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, garlic Dauphinoise potatoes and cauliflower cheese . .................. £9.95 Local rabbit loin wrapped in bacon, rabbit leg sausage roll, carrot chutney, crushed peas, and mustard jus .................................. £13.95 Pan fried grey mullet supreme steamed curly kale Potatoes gnocchi and a pea veloute . ... £13.95 Oven baked lasagne homemade garlic dough balls dressed salad leaves and a basket of fat chips . ....................................................... £9.95 Slowly braised wild duck sticky red cabbage, celeriac puree watercress and griottines cherry jus .................................................... £13.95 Open steak and old speckled Hen pie, crushed peas and caramisled red onion mashed potato ............................................... £9.95 Abbot ale battered cod with fat chips garden peas, dressed salad leaves and tartare sauce ........................................................... £10.95 Pan roasted venison loin Chestnut pommes foresterie roasted figs, bacon crisps and Shiraz Jus .................................................... £12.95 Pan roasted pork medallions colcannon apple tart tatin creamed leaks and sage butter ...... £13.45 Pan roasted chicken supreme stir-fry vegetables coriander potato bon bons sweet and sour sauce.............................................. £12.95 Leek and cheddar bread and butter pudding, sundried tomato pesto, and fresh rocket .£11.95 (v) Rigatoni pasta tossed in a creamy wild
BOOKING ES
SENTIAL
mushroom sauce topped with grated Parmesan ................................................£10.95 (v) Hereford Snails parsley potatoes clonakitty black pudding crumble and garlic butter ...... £4.95 Homemade mini local game pasty autumn chutney mixed leaves and chestnut dressing ....................................................£4.95 (n) Braised baby faggots, cider sauerkraut creamy mash and apple jus .................£5.45/310.95 Goats cheese and chorizo omelette slow roasted tomato rocket and a balsamic reduction ............................................. £4.45/£9.45 Hereford *oz rump steak crispy onion rings slow roast tomatoes flat mushroom and fat chips .........................................£15.95 (£2 supp) ‘Tournedos Rossini’ Hereford 8oz Fillet steak (pink) on a crouton topped with chicken liver parfait served with a mushrooms and red wine and shallot reduction ....................£18.95 (£5 supp) Sticky jack Daniels creamy pepper or Stilton sauce .................................................. £1.95
To Finish
The B.F.V. black forest gateau boozy cherries and vanilla mouse stacked in a Verrine glass .............................................................. £4.95 Chocolate lave cake Oreo cookie crumble and homemade fruits of the forest ice cream . ..... £4.95 Fresh raspberry and vanilla crème brulee with homemade flapjack fingers ................... £4.95 English plum and Frangipane tart with homemade vanilla pod ice cream . ...........£4.95 (n) Bramley Apple Crumble dinky doughnut homemade apple pie ice cream and caramel sauce ................................................ £4.95 Whit chocolate bavarols Strawberry soup and crunchy lemon pastry croutons .............. £4.95 Freshly churned ice cream topped with raspberry, caramel strawberry chocolate or passion fruit sauce Adults Ice cream ........................................... £3.95 Children’s ice cream ..................................... £2.95
TWO GREAT PUBS Carvery or Black Board Specials BOOK NOW
of one of our homemade daily specials MON-SAT Lunch Choice of 3 meats 10 Freshly prepared veg!
1 Course £5.95 2 Course £7.95 BOOK NOW
FESTI
VE Christm SEASON as Fayr e D
ec 1st 3 Cours - 23rd Lunch from £9 e Carvery .95 * E venings from £11.95
Christm
3 Cours as Day e Carve ry Adults £58 Childre n Unde r 10yea rs £25
Boxing
Da
2 Cours y and New Year e Car a sweet very includes only £1 2. Bookin gs Esse 95 ntial
The Plough Inn, Cleobury Road Far Forest, Nr Bewdley DY14 9TE
01299 266237 www.theploughinn.org
The Punch Bowl, Ludlow Road Bridgnorth, WV16 5NQ
01746 763304
www.punchbowlinn.com
E-Zines and I- Brochures The way forward.... with
An online magazine shares some features with a blog and also with online newspapers, but can usually be distinguished by its approach to editorial control. Magazines typically have editors or editorial boards who review submissions and perform a quality control function to ensure that all material meets the expectations of the publishers (those investing time or money in its production) and the readership. Online magazines that are part of the World Wide Web, that is, all or part of a website. Many large print-publishers now provide digital reproduction of their print magazine titles through various online services for a fee. These service providers also refer to their collections of these digital format products as online magazines, and sometimes as digital magazines. Online magazines representing matters of interest to specialists in or societies for academic subjects, science, trade or industry are typically referred to as online journals. Many general interest online magazines provide free access to all aspects of their online content although some publishers have opted to require a subscription fee to access premium online article and/or multi- media content. Online magazines may generate revenue based on targeted search ads to web-site visitors, banner ads (online display advertising), affiliations to retail web sites, classified advertisements, product-purchase capabilities, advertiser directory links, or alternative informational/commercial purpose. The original online magazines, e-zines and disk magazines, or diskmags, due to their low cost and initial non-mainstream targets, may be seen as a disruptive technology to traditional publishing houses. The high cost of print publication and large web readership has encouraged these publishers to embrace the World Wide Web as a marketing and content delivery system and another medium for delivering their advertisers’ messages. In the late 1990s e-zine publishers began adapting to the interactive qualities of the Internet instead of duplicating magazines on the web. Publishers of traditional print titles and entrepreneurs with an eye to a potential readership in the millions started publishing online titles. Salon.com founded in July 1995 by David Talbot was launched with considerable media exposure and today reports 5.8 million monthly unique visitors. In the 2000s, some webzines began appearing in a printed format to complement their online versions. These included Movie Insider, Slate, Synthesis and Lucire magazines. If you want to join the digital revolution and promote your business to a world wide audience then we can help you do this by producing a E-zine for your company. Call today on 08456199038 Go to these links and check out the way forward........... Don’t take my word for it! Ask ‘felix Denis’ www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HNA115Lv61&feature=related
The Gift of Touch Our sense of touch is the first sense to develop in the womb and throughout our lives we use it instinctively in the healing process. Many of us will hug another to demonstrate our love, or show compassion, whilst using touch in the form of a massage will ease knotted muscles or soothe away pain. The gentle act of massage however enables us to affect far more than just the physical body. Dr Candice Pert, an American Neuro-scientist, in her book, ‘The Molecules of Emotion’, tells us that the subconscious mind is held within every cell in the body and that through the action of massage, we are able to release deep seated emotion and trauma. This fact alone explains why many people feel the need to cry when experiencing body work regardless of its type. Dr Per Henrik Ling, the Swedish Doctor who
developed the type of massage we know refer to as ‘Swedish Massage’, said: ‘We ought not to consider the organs of the body as then lifeless forms of a mechanical mass, but as the living, active instruments of the soul.’ Carole Carlton is a writer, lecturer and author in ancient spirituality and complementary medicine. She runs workshops and courses at the Ramada Hotel, Bewdley, in all levels of Reiki and the history, folklore and legend behind our well loved annual festivals. She can be contacted via her website at www.arcanus.co.uk
Santas are coming to Stourbridge Park “It’s never too early to sign up” say the Fundraising Team at Mary Stevens Hospice as the first entries have come in at the peak of summer. Hundreds of Santas will again be making their way to the Mary Stevens Hospice fourth annual Santa Jog on Sunday 11 December, around Mary Stevens Park starting at 10.30am. Over 540 people entered the festive event in 2010, despite the snowy conditions, and the Fundraising Team have today opened entries for this year’s spectacular, with entries extended to 700 places are up for grabs, so early registration is recommended. Be part of the fun and get in the festive spirit by wearing your FREE Santa suit (including snowy beard and hat for adults) and enjoy the beauty of the winter parkland and lake whilst completing the 5k route around the popular Mary Stevens Park in central Stourbridge. Run, jog or stroll – the choice is yours! This is an ideal family event, suitable for all ages and Team entries are also welcome from schools, colleges, businesses and pubs, the Santa suits can be customised accordingly, all adding to the festive fun. Registration can be done online at www.marystevenshospice.co.uk or entry forms can be obtained from the Fundraising office by calling 01384 377778. The entry fee is £12 for adults and £5 for children under 12 years with a family entry of £30 (2 adults, 2 children), to include the FREE Santa outfits. The festive atmosphere will be enhanced with local carol singers singing from the band stand and there will be refreshments on sale with hot drinks. A special moment is when Kinver Rotary Father Christmas travels down the park mall on his sleigh, always a popular sight. At 10.20am there will be a mass warm-up by Fitness Factory instructor, Gemma Webster and her team. The Fundraising Team are hoping that sponsorship will exceed the £25,000 raised from last year’s Santa Jog. Janet Jones, Head of Fundraising said, “This is always such a popular event and it is anticipated that entries will come in really quickly, we received several requests for places during August! It is such a surreal sight to see so many people dressed in their Santa suits, particularly warming up and as they leave the park it is quite amusing to see the bewildered looks on the faces of passing motorists”.
The Deli and Gingerella’s Coffee Shop at Hodgehill
07773004992 and 07742664367
Worley’s Strings ‘n’ Things s eal s d thing of a tm very ole ris h Ch off e he w d n t a % 10 re for ber r m e o e b t ins Nov ecem D
Second hand and new instruments, lessons, all repairs, rehearsal room and recording studio
New and second hand guitar packages from £99 Vouchers for lessons or general purchases Free lesson with every guitar, bass guitar, banjo, ukelele or mandolin brought Buy 3 get 1 free on selected guitar string sets
Worley’s Strings ‘n’ Things,
15 Lombard Street, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs, DY13 8DP
Phone - 01299 879151 * Mobile - 07951 782592 e-mail - worleysstringsandthings@xln.co.uk website - www.worleysshop.com Proprietor - Mat Worley
Severn Stitches Family-run business focussed on customer satisfaction. Purveyors of Wool, Haberdashery, Home Accessories, Fabrics, Curtain Hardware and Blinds Opening hours: Mon 9-5, Tues 9-5, Wed 9-2, Thurs 9-5, Fri 9-5, Sat 9-4 For more information call
01299 827779
Merry Christmas from all at Severn Stitches
The Quay Gallery provides a bespoke framing service, including the specialist framing of objects and textiles. Call in for a free quotation. Demonstrations and exhibits. Chat to the artists to find out more about the art of sculpting.
www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
your
Local Times
47
www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
your
Local Times
15
14
your
Local Times
www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Christmas at
THE
PARK ROYAL
Situated in the heart of Bewdley, The Park Royal Collection is an eclectic and ever changing fusion of old meets new, marrying genuine antiques with superb reproduction items including home and garden furniture, lighting, vintage clothing, antique and costume jewellery and much more besides! Such an extensive range is achieved by dividing the shop in two, the fore focusing on the home and garden, whilst rear is devoted to over 30 display cabinets, carefully stocked by private cabinet holders. Each cabinet is, in essence, a self contained shop of its own including antique pocket watches, collectable china and high quality silver and gold jewellery.
There really is something for everyone and for every occasion, so pop in soon and start your christmas shopping!
...for that something special you wont want to give away!
62a Load Street Bewdley Worcestershire DY12 2AP
01299 405636 www.theparkroyalcollection.com
Look and feel amazing this Christmas! With a choice of Beauty Packages & Gifts to suit everyone! Simply having a Wonderful Christmas Time! £25.00 Full body spray tan, shape & polish of hands & Feet... Let Us Glow, Let Us Glow, Let Us Glow! £35.00 Body polish, peel & plump facial & full body spray tan or shape & polish of hands & feet.... Jack Frost nipping at your toes! £40.00 Tension releasing back & shoulder massage & warming spa pedicure.... (Ideal to relieve the aches & pains from the Christmas shopping Rush!) Oh rest ye Merry Gentlemen! £45.00 Back & shoulder massage, mandate facial & Gentleman’s hand treatment.. (Perfect for the Man in your life!) Sleigh Bells ring are you glistening! £45.00 Full body spray tan, minx or shellac manicure & fast semi permanent lashes... (A must have for all party girls!) Rocking around the Christmas tree! £75.00 Universal Contour inch loss bodywrap + one of the following: Full body spray tan, minx or shellac manicure, minx or shellac pedicure, semi permanent natural look lash extentions.... (Perfect feel good treats before that Christmas Party!) Baby it’s cold outside! £85.00 Total body meltdown, one hour facial, spa manicure or warming pedicure... (Ideal Christmas Gift for your loved one or an escape before the Christmas rush!)
Gift Vouchers & Gift Boxes Available... Come and Visit MU the Beauty Rooms for that pure pampering experience! When booking any of the above Christmas packages, quote ‘Your Local Times’ and receive a £10.00 voucher to use in the New Year!!!
Celebrate New Years Eve " ' " #' # at WhartonPark
LIMITE D C ES L EFT F OR
A PL S, NIG H T X M A S P AR TY ERS INN LUN CH ES & D R IN DE C E M B E
Champagne Reception " #' #
"', '# (
" #' # ( # ) 5 Course Gala Dinner Dance # * Dancing
"# ) " Until The Early Hours " #' # ÂŁ65.95 , per + person , ( (Wharton Park Members & Greens " Restaurant& $! VIP Card Holders receive 10% off)
" # # ( '# " "' #
FREE Bottle Of Wine Or Round Of With Every Booking* ) " Golf ( ",! " # '" ( # % " % # " # '" ( # % " % #
( ) & & ( ) & &
' " # ( "% " ' ((( ( "% " ' ' " # ( "% " ' ((( ( "% " '
* & * &&& * & * &&& !# ) !# )
3 courses for the price of 2 Monday-Saturday throughout January* New menu launching on Wednesday 11th January see our website of facebook page for more details
Become a Nail
Tech with EzFlow Nail Systems As an Official EzFlow Academy, Nails and Co are offering Complete Beginners Courses in Acrylic Enhancements.
All courses are fully certified and we offer Free Support after your course as well. Already a Nail Tech? Stretch your skills and join one of our EzFlow Classes, from Conversions to Master Classes, including 3D and Design.
“My Beginners course was an exciting and inspiring course with excellent tuition, geared for anyone who wants to start a career as a successful nail technician.” Beth, Sassy Nails. Kidderminster.
Our EzFlow Educators are National Nail Competition Winners and Celebrity Nail Tech’s. Why not Train with the Best to become the Best!
For more information see our Website www.nailsand.co.uk 01299 841009 rebecca.orme@nailsand.co.uk
How to create the perfect Christmas cheeseboard As Christmas Day approaches, cooks planning the perfect festive lunch should not forget a key part of the meal - the cheese course.
WHICH CHEESE TO CHOOSE There are so many varieties of cheese to choose from - hard, soft, cow’s, goat’s or ewe’s milk, pasteurised and unpasteurised - that the choice can be confusing. Choose between three and five cheeses - any more will overwhelm the palate. As a minimum, you’ll need a firm cheese, such as cheddar, a soft cheese and a blue-veined cheese to give a variety of tastes and textures. You need to allow 100g - of cheese per person. There are so many varieties of cheese that the choice can be confusing. Choose between three and five cheeses - any more will overwhelm the palate. CHEDDAR Wookey Hole Cheddar is a real favourite of mine. This cheese has a rich and spicy taste, with a deliciously crumbly texture. Good salt quantity gives it a satisfying crunch in the mouth. It’s a pasteurised cheese that can stand alongside some of the finest cheddars that Britain produces. In fact, it won Best Mature Cheddar at this year’s International Cheese Awards. SHROPSHIRE BLUE This is an unpasteurised cheese. Colston Basset is a great maker from Nottingham, near Sherwood Forest. The first Shropshire Blue was made in Scotland!! Shame we don’t do more protecting of our names and are food. The tiny quantity of rennet used and an incredibly small amount of starter means the curd is delicate and must be ladled by hand into a trolley, where it is milled and salted the morning after the milk is set. Its orange colour makes a real change on your festive cheese board. VACHERIN This cheese - which comes from France and Switzerland - continues to ripen after it’s been wrapped in its spruce band box, the flavour of which permeates the cheese. It’s a seasonal cheese, sold only between September 10 and May 10 each year. Meltingly soft and pungent, Vacherin is an unpasteurised cow’s milk cheese. It should be served from the box at room temperature or, for a really indulgent treat, warmed in its wooden container and eaten straight from the oven like a melted fondue. A clove or 3 of garlic and fresh rosemary also make this a real treat. An alternative would be calvados camembert
a stunning cheese, a camembert coated in bread crumbs that have been soaked in apple brandy. HOW TO SERVE CHEESE Take the cheese out of the fridge three hours before serving to allow it to come up to room temperature and the flavours to develop. If cheese is too cold, its flavour is inhibited. Remove all wrapping before serving, but leave on the rinds to preserve the shape of the cheese and make it look its best. A cheese’s flavour develops from the outside in, so the rind is also needed to develop this fully. WHAT TO SERVE IT WITH I would serve these cheeses with warm walnut toast and chutney - I like pear or quince and LOVE onion marmalade. Ensure you have a large wooden cheese board and one knife for each cheese. On your cheeseboard, you can add grapes, apple, celery - not only does these look decorative, but they bring out the flavours of cheese perfectly. As well as the toast, have a selection of cheese biscuits. Oatcakes work particularly well with Wookey Hole cheddar WHAT TO DRINK WITH CHEESE Cheeses go down well accompanied by a tawny or vintage port. Contrary to popular belief, white wine makes a better accompaniment to cheese than red wine, because the acidity cuts through the creaminess of the cheese. So try my favorite which is Roquefort and Sauternes, sweet biscuits. Phil The Deli@Bewdley
The Best Kept
in
From the High Street to the canal basin and along the river, Severn Stourport on Severn has a lot to offer the visitor or holidaymaker. Barratt Developments are now putting the finishing touches to a complex of new apartments around the canal basin area and with the building of a Tesco store in the same area Stourport can boast as being the up and coming place to visit. Windless cafĂŠ, nestled adjacent to the basin
32
your
Local Times
in a period building is probably Stourport’s best kept secret. A modern interior spotlessly decorated and having a Victorian theme with the waitress dressed in period costume, has a full time chef who produces the best home made cakes and snacks to tempt any appetite. Customers can enjoy delicious meals and snacks from jacket potatoes, toasties www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Secret
Stourport-on-Severn
Finding the Windless cafĂŠ on Severn side is a short walk from the high Street, either via the path along side the river and park or down York Street and turn right into the basin area. It is well worth finding, whether you just require tea, coffee and cake, or something a little more adventurous. Follow the signs to the basin and you will find the cafĂŠ.
Contact the very friendly staff on 01299 871742 to book your Sunday lunch or Christmas lunch.
and homemade soups to heart warming hotpots and traditional Sunday roasts. This Family owned and run establishment has a restaurant upstairs catering for up to forty diners, where this year you can book and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner served with all the trimmings. Booking is essential for this as it is getting a reputation for its quality locally sourced produce. www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
your
Local Times
33
Candy Carousel
TM
Hire the Candy Carousel for your Wedding Day and other Special Occasions Candy Carousel is a unique display unit Pick and Mix sweets and chocolates We deliver and set up the Carousel and you have it all day.
Call 08456 199 038 or email: sales@candycarousel.co for more details.
www.candycarousel.co
A sweet treat for your guests
Candy Carousel
TM
Wedding - Anniversary - Prom Birthday party - Conference Event Whether it’s a corporate event, wedding, fund raiser, family fun day, child’s birthday or any celebration. You can be sure your Candy Carousel will delight your guests young or old. Standing at over 7 feet high and filled with the most delicious candy and sweets in a pick and mix style you can imagine. It’s a fabulous talking point and gives a big WOW factor at any event. The display unit is delivered to your venue where it is erected and your sweets and chocolates put into the display containers on the table ready for your guests to enjoy. It is unattended and therefore is available all day so you can enjoy sweets at any time. It’s a great hit with children but we all like to indulge ourselves and your guests will love the way you have supplied treats for them.
It is unique and offers an alternative to the Chocolate Fountains that we see at many weddings and functions. The unit does not need to be attended, requires no electrical point, and conforms to all health and safety, which your venue would demand. The hire cost is very competitive and you get to take home any confectionary, which is left, as we never re-use it for any other function. You get to choose a variety of sweets from our range which you will find on our web site. There are a generous twenty four kilos included in the price, and this will supply up to one hundred and fifty guests. A deposit of £25 is required to secure your date but this is proving very popular so to avoid disappointment please book as early as possible.
Call 08456 199 038 or email: sales@candycarousel.co for more details.
arden Sa G e lo n h T 01299
Bewdley Blooms For all your Christmas floral needs
403188
H ai r Design
A Professional Service for all aspects of Ladies and Gents Hairdressing We would like to welcome new clients to see our Junior Stylist ‘Claire’ at a special offer price! 4 Load Street Bewdley
Wishing all our Customers a Merry Christmas
Specialising in Unique Handmade Designs 10 Load Street Bewdley Tel: 01299 403340 DY12 2AF
★ Party Season is almost here be sure to book your appointment NOW for your Christmas Party Hair
The finalists – the cream of the UK’s professional cupcake makers – will battle it out for the crown of National Cupcake Champion at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London on 15 August. This prestigious event, to be featured on Food Network UK, will be judged by some of the country’s finest bakers and patisserie chefs, including TV baker Eric Lanlard, Peggy Porschen, who’s cakes sell from Fortnum & Mason in London, and Tarek Malouf, founder of Hummingbird Bakery.
Kimmy Loves Cake is delighted to announce that they have been named as a finalist in the National Cupcake Championships for the second year running. The event, organised by British Baker Magazine, pits the best cupcake makers in the country against one another and marks the first milestone in the run-up to National Cupcake Week, which takes place 12-18 September 2011.
Carol Smith Art Workshops
now open
Needlecraft and papercraft activities for all ages and abilities! Join Carol for fun textile sessions, or cardmaking & scrapbooking get-togethers.
in
*Take your favourite photos off that computer, and learn how to display them as they deserve! *Get that embroidery kit out of your cupboard and let’s get it done together! *Learn how to design & stitch your own family sampler!
Load-
Street
Regular sessions or ‘one-off’ events. Workshops run at a variety of venues.
Photo taken at Hazlewell Lodge, Ilminster
Residential Homes a Speciality!
Bewdley
Call for details, or to arrange an event of your own! 07792 202798 carol.csaw@hotmail.co.uk
8
your
Local Times
The accolade marks an amazing 12 months for the Bewdley based company. Owner Kimberley Bennett, 25, who gave up her full time job as a forensic analyst just prior to the 2010 event, has seen orders for her cupcakes and occasion cakes flood in, and demand for her Cupcake Decorating Workshops, where she shares some of the secrets to her success with other cake lovers, soar. This year’s entry, called Elvis: All Shook UP, has been selected in the Best Decorated category, where judges will be looking for the WOW factor that makes customer want to buy. Kimmy’s trademark mix of American indulgent flavours and British elegant styling is evident in this cupcake design that takes inspiration from Elvis’ favourite sandwich; banana and peanut butter. Kim, who bakes all her creations from her Worcestershire home, said “I’m thrilled to be in the finals for a second year, it’s such an honour to be seen as one of the best cupcake bakers in the UK. Baking is a real passion, and the judges are some of my baking idols so for the chance to show them my work is really exciting!”
All Enquiries: Kimberley Bennett 07894 052360 kimmylovescake@hotmail.co.uk www.kimmylovescake.co.uk British Baker contacts: http://www.bakeryinfo.co.uk/ http://www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk/ www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Come along to...
Mercure Kidderminster
Live and Let’s Party It’s a licence to thrill at these fun evenings! Enjoy a delicious meal, party novelties, and great music in the themed event room.
es
im al T
c
Lo
Christmas Day lunch Curio Bridal Boutique
Sit back, relax and enjoy good company, Presents Birmingham’s finest with a Bridal fashion Show to tempt your sumptuous 4 course feast designed Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th November 10.30am-5.00pm taste buds. See Pages 18-19 for more details
Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd, Thursday 15th, Monday 19th, Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd December £25.95 per person or £32.95 per person including ½ bottle of red or white house wine
r you
Sunday 25th December
£63.00 per adult including Bucks Fizz on arrival £31.50 per child under 12
e
fre
New Year’s Eve www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Friday 9th, Saturday 10th, Friday 16th, Saturday 17th December
Live and Let’s Party like never before! Bring your friends to enjoy a fabulous meal, fun novelties, and dancing the night away. You only live once, so it’s time for a great evening as we countdown to the New Year.
£32.00 per person or £39.00 per person including ½ bottle of red or white house wine
Saturday 31st December
Tribute nights
£66.00 per adult
Enjoy a fabulous night with live entertainment, a delicious meal and dancing the night away. Sunday 11th December ABBA/Night Fever tribute
Part y and stay
Sunday 18th December Michel Bublé tribute act with Bogus Buble
with rooms from only
Thursday 29th December Live band Spy Candy £29.50 per person or £36.50 per person including ½ bottle of red or white house wine
Friday 23rd December Lee Lard is Peter Kay £12.50 per person show only meals available if required at additional cost
To book call
£69.00
Savee time and moneyy
ourr ask about ou Festive Offeers today!
0844 815 5 9033
Email: events.mercurekidderminster@jupiterhotels.co.uk uk Mercure Kidderminster Habberley Road, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY12 1LA Terms and Conditions are available on request.
your
Local Times
Bespoke Venue Styling for any occasion Christmas dressing is now available for weddings, parties and personal home decoration.
With the high costs of holding your wedding reception or anniversary at hotels your guests can now enjoy a personal theme styled venue anywhere of your choice. Many of my clients use the local village hall or marquee to hold a wedding reception or anniversary celebration and I tailor the style and theme to each client’s instructions. It is bespoke and individual but very affordable. Each wedding is different and very special and I offer this room transformation using specialist fabrics, lighting, and colour pallets to make that stunning unforgettable day. Table decorations include fresh florals to combine elegance or a contemporary look. Every makeover is unique and instructions from the client are sympathetic to the occasion.
After twenty-seven years in the fashion industry I like to design and dress the venue to delight your guests.
The roomdresser has had a hugely successful year and we would like to thank all of our clients. As the new wedding season is approaching we are now taking bookings for 2012. “ WOW WOW WOW !! The hall looked absoloutely amazing . A truley talented & proffessional service.” Elle & Will Pearson
Stunning room dressing and creative theming. Everything comes together to sparkle your special event… weddings • parties • corporate village halls • hotels • homes • marquees
Claire Whitelaw • The Room Dresser 07969 984 023 • 01562 631 608 www.theroomdresser.co.uk
we design… we dress… we delight
Santa’s Great Safari The annual Santa Safari event at West Midland Safari Park starts five days earlier than in previous years, on 26th November and runs right up to Christmas Eve. During this time, the Parks’ Discovery Trail will be decked in festive spendour and the most delightful elves make this event even more special. Santa Safari is a unique and unusual seasonal experience that incorporates the call of the wild. Now in its seventh year, the event combines with the four mile all-weather self drive safari; Discovery Trail which incorporates Seal Island, Twilight Cave, Creepy Crawlies, Seaquarium, Mark O’Shea’s Reptile World, Sealion Show, Friendly Animal and Reptile Encounters and Santa’s Reindeer – Rudolph, Blitzen, Donner and youngster, Prancer.
Whilst Santa’s Grotto is every child’s dream come true, complete with a gloriously festive sleigh ride to imaginary Safari Lapland. Children can choose their own gift and have a photo taken with Santa to take home. Also included in the ticket price is a free return ticket to visit the animals again during the winter. Santa Safari is an exceptionally popular seasonal event and it is essential that visitors pre-book. Ticket hotline: 01299 400700 Online www.santasafari.com Adults: £11.99 includes Mulled Wine or Hot Chocolate and Mince Pie, with admission to the Animal reserves and all Discovery Trail attractions. Children (1-15 years): £14.99 that includes meeting Santa, photo to take home, own choice present, admission to the Animal Reserves and all Discovery Trail attractions. Babies (up to 12 months): £7.50 that includes meeting Santa, photo to take home, own choice present, admission to the Animal Reserves and all Discovery Trail attractions.
Further information is available by phone 01299 402114 or from the dedicated Santa Safari website www.santasafari.com
Lucky 7’s Snack Wagon **** 4-star rated **** We specialise in
Fine Dining and Weddings Informal Events ● Corporate Catering BBQs ● Show Catering Tel: 0121 604 7437 or 07968 830 755
www.caterforme.co.uk liam@caterforme.co.uk 5 Bourlay Close, Rubery, Rednal, Birmingham B45 0LR
The Sun & Slipper Inn Mamble, Worcs, DY14 9JL Off A456 between Clows Top and Newnham Bridge
Traditional Pub and Restaurant
For Reservations 01299 832018
Hot snacks – Cold snacks – Chips – Tea – Coffee Where to find us in Kiddy: Howdens car park, Worcester Road Monday to Friday 8:00am till 2:30pm
Orders: 07528 798 210
Puzzle Corner
Oil Paintings Commission your own unique artwork today Phone Colin on 01905 428 252
Answers to puzzles on page 38‌
Lickhill Road North, Stourport DY13 8RU (100 yards from Burlish Crossing)
01299 828988 AGGREGATES
All different types available in tonne bags, 1/2 tonne bags, kg bags or loose e.g.
1 TONNE BAG 25KG BAG Cotswold............................£54.00.........................£2.20 Plum...................................£63.00.........................£4.00 Forest of Dean ...................£63.00.........................£4.00 Building Sand.....................£35.00.........................£1.90 Golden Shingle ..................£63.00.........................£4.00 Greenstone ........................£63.00.........................£4.00 Building sand 25kg bag..........................................£1.95
WINTER CHRISTMAS HANGING BASKET ORDERS BEING TAKEN TREES
NEW 15000 Christmas 16 New Wire...................................................£15 to choose 16 Newtrees Rattan................................................£12 14 Newfrom. Wire...................................................£13 Come and 14 New Rattan................................................£10 select your tree. Coconut Cones ..............................................£12 1/2 Tonne Bag Prices Available on Application 12NORWAY New Wire...................................................£11 SPRUCE 12 New Rattan..................................................£8 £3.50REFILLS per foot. l Wire..............................................£13.50 Top Soil per 25kg bag ...................................£1.80 16 Refi NON DROP £5.00 16 Refi l Rattan..........................................£10.50 Turf Fresh Cut 7ft long x 17in wide...£2.60 per roll per foot. l Wire..............................................£11.50 Compost 3 bags............................................£9.50 1414 Refi Refil Rattan............................................£8.50 Choice of Wreathes 12 Refil Wire................................................£9.50 and Crosses. ALL CALOR GAS BOTTLE SIZES AVAILABLE 12 Refil Rattan............................................£6.50
COMPOST
Eg Gas 15kg £30
Portable Calor Gas Heaters £80
1 tonne of logs....................................................£150.00 Dumpy bags of logs................................£55.00 per bag Single net of logs....................................................£3.49 5 nets of logs........................................................£16.00 Household coal 20kg bag .......................................£6.90 Household coal single 10kg bag.............................£3.45 Household coas 5 10kg bags................................£16.00 Smokeless coal 20kg bag.......................................£9.75 Smokeless coal 3 10kg bags ................................£15.00 5 bags coal and 5 nets of logs..............................£32.00
Burns dog food 15kg £39.99 per bag James Wellbeloved and Royal Canin pet food All bag sizes available
Winter Bedding and Basket Plants Available NOW Single/mixed colour tray of Violas £1.00 per tray of 6 Single/mixed tray of Pansies £1.30 per tray of 6 Small Cyclamen £1.30 each Large Cyclamen £2.30 each Primrose 75p each Ivy's 75p Small basket conifers £2.25 Wide variety of heathers £1.80 each Ideal gift planters full colour from £8.00 Chrysanthemum £5.50 each
Large selection of David Austi n Roses available now
FENCING AND LAP PANELS
6 x 6.............................................................£15.00 6 x 5.............................................................£14.50 6 x 4.............................................................£13.50 6 x 3.............................................................£12.50
FEATHER EDGE
6 x 5.............................................................£21.00 6 x 4.............................................................£20.00 6 x 3.............................................................£19.00 Post Mix.........................................................£5.00 Cement............................................£3.25 per bag
All other types of fencing available inc. Wicket and Trellis
FENCING INSTALLATION SERVICE AVAILABLE 6 x 6 Square Trellis ......................................£15.10 Concrete Posts 8ft.........................................£8.60 Gravel Board 12 inch.....................................£8.60 Concrete Blocks..............................82p per block Wide variety of Slabs and Circles Patio Packs 6.4 sq m...............................£117.00 Patio Circles 6ft.........................................£110.00
BE PREPARED FOR WINTER Rock Salt 25kg bag £4.85 Kindling Starter Wood Small £2 Large Bag £4 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon-Fri 9am - 6 pm Sat & Sun 9am - 4pm
Solutions to Puzzle Corner page 36
Bewdley Gallery
Trevor Price established Bewdley Gallery in 1980 and has a range of original paintings, limited and open edition prints all at competitive prices. The Gallery also has a picture framing service with hundreds of designs to choose from and with 25 years of experience. All work carries a lifetime guarantee.
Lax Lane, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2DZ 01299 400 918
BODY & SOUL Beauty & Holistic Salon
Pamper or preen yourself in a relaxed & friendly atmosphere. You will be given one on one personal care & advice to ensure you look & feel your best. Rachel & Gemma are proud to offer The Green People organic skin care, Jessica natural nail care system, Pukka Herb products and top quality essential oils to name just a few. Treatments available include waxing, tinting, semi-permanent individual eyelash extensions, manicures, pedicures, Dashing Diva nails, Aromatherapy, Ear Candles, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, facials, body treatments, massage & spray tanning.
Opening Times: Monday by appointment only Tuesday 9.30am – 4.00pm Wednesday 9.30am – 4.00pm Thursday 9.30am – 7.00pm Friday 9.30am – 7.00pm Saturday 9.30am – 4.00pm
Hours may vary. A flexible work approach can be adopted to suit client requirements Gift Vouchers & Packages available Little Miss, Teenage & Ladies Pamper Parties Wedding Services Wide range of retail products
11 Lombard Street, Stourport-on-Severn Worcestershire, DY13 8DP 01299 821323
Jargon Busters Part 3: ‘Plug it in’ Welcome to the festive season, a time when excitement is in the air (well, the kids maybe?) and the sounds of Cliff Richard and Slade once again blast from every sound system in every store around the nation, but you could always do the unthinkable when it starts to get rather more than irritating – unplug the speakers !! I dare-say the store wouldn’t be too happy, but at least you could go about your business in peace ‘n quiet, until you enter the next store !! It is on the subject of plugging and unplugging things that I would like to elaborate on in this issue and the “pseudo-sexual” nature of it all, ooh vicar... So, despite the fact I said at the end of last month’s feature that we would be going internal, I thought it would be more beneficial if we took a look at the many plugs and sockets associated with yer average computer and the (wait for it) interconnectivity between them. Now, for very obvious reasons (and I will elaborate no further) the end of a cable usually houses a plug, which is referred to as “male” and the corresponding socket, “female”. The plug on the end of the cable you use to connect your monitor, that is a 15-pin vga male connector. There are 15 pins which line up with 15 holes in the vga socket on the back of the monitor, they are designed to fit together perfectly. If you tried to plug any other lead into that socket, beside the physical incompatibility, there is a high possibility you could damage both or either of the two elements involved in this bonding. Take a look at any plug, a mains plug for example. It has three pins for the live, neutral and earth connections. The design of the plug and especially the layout of the three brass pins are universal across the UK. You KNOW that if you take a toaster from Wales to Scotland, when you plug it into a mains socket, the device will work absolutely fine. It’s only when you go abroad, where the design of the mains socket is different, that you will have to use a suitable adapter. In fact, there are so many different ways to connect to a power socket around the World, if you decided to go on a World tour, you would probably need a separate suitcase just for the different adapters !!
In the computing world, you will be pleased to know there is, to a certain degree, a level of uniformity across the globe and the one standard you may be aware of is USB, which stand for “Universal Serial Bus”. The goal was to make it fundamentally easier to connect external devices to PCs by replacing the multitude of connectors at the back of PCs, addressing the usability issues of existing interfaces, and simplifying software configuration of all devices connected to USB, as well as permitting greater data rates for external devices. The first silicon for USB was made by Intel in 1995. Since then we have seen the introduction of USB 2 (cue “Jaws” theme - “Just when you thought it was safe to connect your new printer”) and now USB3... The plug design hasn’t changed, but the electronics behind it have. USB3 will allow the transfer of data between two devices 400 times faster than the original USB, wow...!! When digital video cameras were introduced, to connect them to a computer, it was found that USB wasn’t fast enough to cope with the amount of data being sent from the camera, so a new connection was invented called “FIREWIRE” (ten times the speed of USB folks and not to be confused with FIREWALL, which is a piece of software you can install to help block hackers) and for a while, this became the new standard for hooking up your Sony vidcam (or indeed any other make) – until USB2 came along which could handle 4 times the data flow of Firewire (basically, 40 times faster than USB). USB3 is currently the new standard – until Firewire 2 comes out eh ?? USB has become the new standard for hooking things up together, but connecting to a screen or TV is another matter. We currently have a number of options available to us – VGA (Video Graphics Adapter), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), S-Video (Separate Video), SCART (Syndicat des Constructeurs d’Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs – French standard, no less), HDMI ( High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and the humble Phono (composite video). Hmmmmm, it would appear the concept of plugs and sockets in today’s society is bigger than we think and may form part of a future series, meanwhile have a great Christmas and New Year and we’ll meet again in 2012, have a good one. Steve Gould
Your Local Publisher
your
Local Times
A great time to start a business… In a recession Since leaving my job in the print industry and starting this magazine I’ve been fortunate to meet business people who are passionate about their products and services. Many of them, like me, started with an idea, and then expanded it into a successful venture. We all have one thing in common; we need to promote our business. No matter how good we are, we need to be visible and credible.
Sales earn money
Finding new customers is paramount in this consumer-led society. Reputation and longevity does not guarantee success. Some people employ sales staff that visit customers whilst others rely on the customer coming to visit us. Whichever route we employ we still have to promote our business.
household names. They realize that without promoting their products with tempting offers, we would visit their competition and their sales revenue would fall.
So why was “Your Local Times” magazine started when the market is already pretty full The Internet Even if you have a web site, unless you have of similar publications? a well-known domain, searching for your product or company can be time consuming. The answer is simple. There was a gap in the market for a local publication, which Plus, you are competing against a lot of similar businesses so unless your product is targeted the consumer where businesses could promote their products and services at unique it may never be found. a competitive rate. I ask myself why ‘Go Compare’ and Show me a publication which covers such similar web sites spend millions of pounds a large area, delivers to most households in promoting themselves on television when it’s own town, offers to promote businesses they have a very successful presence with features and editorials free of any on the Internet and can easily be found. cost, when they advertise with us, and in a The same can be said for Tesco’s, Asda publication which is four colour. and Morrison’s, which have all become
18
…continued on page 20…
• Carpets • Vinyl & Vinyl Tiles • Laminate • Real Engineered & Solid Wood • Ceramic Floor & Wall Tiles
• Beautiful Real Slate & Stone Flooring • Entrance Matting • Safety Flooring • Domestic & Commercial • Specialist in Underfloor Heating
High Quality Workmanship Guaranteed. All Jobs Left Clean, Tidy & Vaccuumed. Supply & Fit or Fitting Only Service Available.
Mike Green Flooring Office: 01299 266421 Mobile: 07889 248946
Heat loss through the roof
can be as much as 25% if your home is not insulated properly. Attic Access are offering a free insulation upgrade survey.
up-to-date eco-friendly insulation options available on the market today. Beat the rising fuel costs and upgrade your current insulation.
Our surveyor can talk you through the most
Visit www.accessyourattic.co.uk.
GRM Web Systems deliver a range of services designed to ensure your website seriously contributes to your business. As well as all the traditional web design services, what makes us different is that we specialise in building and maintaining your website to be consistently up to date.
Website Design - Website Build - Website Maintenance Site Management - SEO - eCommerce Call Us Now on 01905 863 988 | Email Us: info@grm-websystems.com
Kashflow On-Line Accounting with KBBS
Serving the LOCAL business community
• On-line bookkeeping • Year end accounts • Tax returns • VAT • Payroll • Business advice • Budgets & Cashflow Forecasting
Integrated Accounting & Bookkeeping Service Call Ken Bell
07904 205 149
email kenneth@kbbsaccounting.co.uk
www.srcaccountants.co.uk
www.kbbsaccounting.co.uk
BELL’S FARM SHOP & P.Y.O.
Full of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Locally produced Milk, Bread, Cheeses Cakes, Free Range Beef, Lamb, Pork, Bacon and Sausages from Buttercross Meats plus Chicken from Springfield Poultry
Open All Year 9-5 Everyday on the A4025 nr Stourporton-Severn
WINDOW CLEANERS WINDOWS CLEANED TO A HIGH STANDARD FRAMES AND SILLS INCLUDED HARD TO REACH WINDOWS NO PROBLEM WE ALSO CLEAN SOLAR PANELS FULLY INSURED
as m t s i Chr r y pp o Ou Ha t ers m to Cus
Visit our website www.bellsfarmshop.co.uk for information and directions
01299 251364
CALL RUSS g-forcecleaningservices.com 01299 404435 / 07899 726707
Richard Wilks Animal Bedding & Landscape Material Merchants
We Supply
Top Soil & Compost Coal, Fire Wood & Calor Gas Hay, Straw, Wood shavings & Sawdust Sand & Gravel Rockery & Walling Stone Decorative Gravels & Slate Woodchips & Bark for Landscaping & Play Areas
Open 7 days a week 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm Saturdays 10.00am - 2.00pm Sundays
Telephone / Fax: 01299 402992 Mobile: 07813 093803
Whartons Park Farm, Cleobury Road, Bewdley, DY12 2QJ (Situated 200 yards from the top of Bewdley by-pass)
E. tony@ovenbrite.com
W. www.ovenbrite.com
Dizzy Dollys Laundrette Self Service • Service Washes Ironing Service Football Kits • Curtains etc Free Collection Delivery Whole Wyre Forest
01299 828 386 Opening Times 7:30am - 8:30pm 7 DAYS A WEEK Last Wash 8:30pm 9 Lombard Street, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8DP
& PEST CONT N I RO M R L WILDLIFE VE
MANAGEMENT
Rats, Mice, Moles, Ants, Fleas, Bedbugs, Cockroaches, Wasps, Squirrels, Rabbits,
Foxes, Corvids, Feral Pigeons, textile moths and all other vermin and pests dealt with.
BUILDER Roofer and General Builder Fencing, Patios, Gutterings, Fascia Boards, Garden Walls etc Call Jeff for a Free Quote
Telephone 01299 878630 Mobile 07810 706600
Phone: 01299 266447 Mob: 07955 124317
ANNUAL CONTRACTS A SPECIALITY
7 DAYS A WEEK B.A.C.S MEMBER
Established 30 years
www.njkheating.co.uk
Keeping Hens – Equimix Feeds at
Stourport on Severn offer a trouble-shooting guide Many of us are now keeping hens in our back gardens – it’s quite simply a great way to reap the benefits of daily fresh eggs which have travelled no further than the garden. I think many of us starting with a few hens however, don’t foresee how addictive this hobby can become or what wonderful characters our hens are. They provide endless amusement to the whole family and give our small children valuable lessons in pet care and where our food comes from. Sometimes however, we all run into problems from time to time and here are my tips on some typical and worrying issues.
Bullying and feather pecking hens
Bullying, fighting and pecking can occur if hens are cooped up. The more space you can give your hens, the better they will behave together. Hens need space to flap their wings, preen, have dust baths and for scratching and foraging in the earth. If hens are
confined and are short of room, they will get bored and are more likely to peck at each other, which may also lead to feather pecking. Hens can get a taste for the feathers, which are protein rich. Some say birds lacking in protein and mineral-rich foods will eat feathers but I think it is more likely to be boredom from lack of space and less opportunity to forage naturally. If you do have hens losing feathers, there are antipecking sprays available (the purple spray is designed to cover any redness and also to taste bad, preventing further pecking). Equimix Feeds at Stourport stock a very good range of poultry health products along with a large selection of chicken feeds. As a last resort, you may have to isolate any persistent bullies or re-house them. Smaller hens can get bullied too, so if your chickens are enclosed, try to go for hens of roughly the same size. Of course, there are bantams that enjoy taking control over larger hens!
Egg-laying
Hens start to lay at around 20 – 25 weeks old and this is known as “point of lay”(POL). Hybrids, bred specifically to be good egg layers, will start at POL regardless of the time of year. Pure breeds will not start laying if the days are shortening with decreasing day light because the hen’s natural laying cycle is dependent on the day length. Sometimes people worry that their new hybrids have not started laying Layers Pellets straight away but they will take a bit of time to settle in to their new homes, be patient. Mixed Corn
Feeds & Needs for Chickens eds Equimix for Chickens eeds for Chickens Feeds Feeds & Needs for Chickens Equimix Feeds
eds ds
Layers Pellets Mixed Corn Poultry & Water Feeders Chicken House Layers Pellets Feed Advice Mixed Corn Hen Care Products
Layers Pellets Mixed Corn Poultry Feeders Poultry&&Water Water Feeders Chicken House Chicken House Feed Advice Feed Advice Hen Care Products Hen Care Products
Poultry & Water Pointers to a POL hen willFeeders be the colour of her face Chickencomb, House and well-developed which should be bright red. The tailFeed shouldAdvice be erect and the hen should look alert and healthy. A day or so before laying, she will Hen Care start checking out theProducts nest boxes and testing them for comfort and fit. Many of us start with hybrids or rescue some ex-battery hens. Subsequently, eggs Layers Pellets can have problems Mixed Corn – most common are thin shells or soft-shelled eggs (these have no shell, just the Poultry & Water Feeders membrane covering the egg). In this case, the birds Chicken House may be lacking calcium and you should make sure Feed Advice they are eating oystershell or mixed grit which you Hen Products will findCare at Equimix.
Feeds & Needs for Chickens Equimix Feeds
Bumble Bee Bargains is Stourporton-Severn’s newest independent discount shop The shop is co-owned by Anna and Sue, neither of whom has ever worked in retail before; Anna was a police officer and Sue ran the financial department of a local family business.
cleaning products and toiletries all at very affordable prices. The stock is constantly changing; Bumble Bee Bargains has even recently added Fair-trade African art to its range of items.
Both ladies were looking to start something new and as they were such good friends, they decided to open a shop together.
With Christmas only around the corner Bumble Bee Bargains offers different and exciting stocking fillers, gifts, cards and even discounted crackers. so pop down for a friendly chat to Bumble Bee Bargains, we promise you won’t get stung.
Mindful of the credit-crunch Bumble Bee Bargains stocks a wide range of gifts, jewellery, perfumes, hardware, confectionary, toys,
A wide range of gifts, jewellery, perfumes, hardware, confectionary, toys, cleaning products and toiletries all at very affordable prices. 1a Bridge St, Stourport-on-Severn
01299 823221
Fair-trade African Art.
A Local family run business at Dog Lane, Bewdley DY12 2EF
Established 1989
Be Inspired, Be Unique
• CARPETS • KARNDEAN • RUGS • WOOD FLOORS Professional, Reliable & Friendly Team TEL: Alison or Justin 01299 404014 : 07767 206433
www.justin2carpetsrugs.co.uk
Norwegian Wood Travel Ltd Norwegian Wood Travel is an independent tour operator that has been taking skiers to Norway for over a decade. Our first hand knowledge of Norway’s best resorts makes our tours and holidays second to none. Winter or summer, our team of experts will assist in every aspect of your tailormade trip...from accommodation, travel and transfers, to extra activities, day trips and guided expeditions.
are just the start... With dog sledding, the Olympic 4-man bob sled, Winter Parks, Ice Hotels and much more, we offer more than just a holiday, we offer the complete winter experience!
Norway has a snow record that could turn its European counterparts green with envy. It truly is a winter wonderland, with our first ski days in November and our last in May we are truly blessed. Let Norwegian Wood Travel help you discover the magic of skiing and boarding in Norway. Beautiful dry powder snow, wide uncluttered tree-lined pistes and non-existent lift queues
Check out their website at: www.nwtltd.co.uk
+44(0)1562 67707
Local Business
your
Local Times
Notions “Well – I didn’t know this was here.” “Are you new?” “I didn’t know you sold all this”… all exclamations often heard- so let us tell you more. ‘Notions’ have been there behind the Church for over 14 years (previously in Welch Gate) selling everything for needle crafters from pins through to curtain fabrics, feathers, fancy goods and frippery – and claim that if they don’t stock it they can usually get it for you.
There is always a good selection of leading brands of ribbons, buttons and haberdashery, cross-stitch, tapestry, embroidery, quilting and knitting accessories – but for those who don’t sew for themselves ‘Notions’ can do it for you with their in-house alterations and curtain making services. They have a good array of samples but will also make up your own fabrics. They can even supply tracks & poles at prices often cheaper than D.I.Y. stores. If you need seats or chairs re-filling they can either accommodate you from in-house supplies or send your covers away for re-filling. In the current economic climate it is a good idea to make-do-and-mend and Notions often have very useful suggestions for ways of doing just that; it could be as simple as re-dying a favourite item using one of their full range of ‘Dylon dyes’. It is well worth taking the time to visit and browse so that you know where to go in future for those small items you thought you could no longer buy but have ‘been on your doorstep’ all this time. If all that isn’t enough they are agents for a specialist Dry Cleaners and expert shoe repairers – it really is a one-stop shop. Well I never…
www.notionsbewdley.co.uk 22
Stockists of DMC, Anchor, Gutermann, Daylight Lamps, Sirdar, Stylecraft etc. 01299 404510. www.notionsbewdley.co.uk
www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
your
Local Times
17
Your Local Publisher
your
Local Times
…continued from page 18…
“Your Local Publisher Ltd”, who owns a number of magazine titles, has a number of creative projects, which we are introducing. For example; we plan to add presenters to your advertisements which will appear in the digital magazine on our website. Video creation of your products and businesses, which you can use to upload on to social networking sites and You Tube as well as our printing facility. It is also able to offer competitive quotes for any printing you may require and has a creative design studio team able to put your ideas into print and on the Internet. Small towns need the High Street, and without its shops (which make up the diversity of a town) the high street wouldn’t exist. It would become a centre for curry houses and charity shops! Yes we do need our curries and charity shops but a town needs to keep its identity by having a good mix of businesses! Therefore, what does your town have to offer over other locations and how do we get the visitor to keep coming back? Bewdley and similar towns are lucky to have holiday parks, a museum, restaurants, pubs and It’s socially responsible, employing local guesthouses where visitors can stay and people from each magazine region ensuring spend their money in the town. local news; those who have the desire to keep it Local cover advertising and events. By expanding “Your Local Times” to cover other regions, businesses that advertise So why the title Your Local benefit from the exposure, increasing trade I wanted a magazine that the local residents and revenue. We encourage many of our and businesses can use to promote their advertisers to supply us with Features, town. It’s Your magazine. Use it before Editorials and competitions. (For example it ends up like the diminishing High Street, Ray’s Farm, The Kidderminster Harriers and consigned to history. many local award-winning Chefs). Readers Bob Cooper like it and the advertiser benefits from it as it Publisher is, after all, for the local community. 20
The harriers
Holly Bond
Sports and Remedial Massage Therapy Holly can help your body relax and give your hard working muscles the attention they deserve Specialises in:
• Sport Strain and Relief • Occupational Injuries • Everyday Aches and Pains • Poor Posture • Stress Recovery Treatments also available:
• Hopi Ear Candling (Thermo Auricular Therapy) • Indian Head Massage • Swedish Massage www.hollybond.co.uk info@hollybond.co.uk
07889 418069 Member of the FHT
Hypnotherapy Steve Millership DMH, DHyp, CPNLP
Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP
your guide to the solution you seek Treatments available:
Be Slimmer - Feel sexier Stop Smoking - feel healthier Fears and Phobias Plus many many more www.stevemillership.co.uk
info@stevemillership.co.uk
Call today for your free consultation 07934 788998 Member of the GHR
www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
your
Local Times
21
Your Local Times supporting local business Business network continues to grow with new venue Business networking group ‘Milk No Sugar?’ (MNS) which launched in Bewdley in 2009, is continuing to attract interest and create new business opportunities, so much so that they’ve had to move to a much larger venue. Held every second-Wednesday of the month from 11am to 12:30pm, their next meeting will be Wednesday 14th December, with all future meetings to be held at The Cock and Magpie on Severnside North, next to Bewdley bridge. Organised and hosted by local businessman, Nigel Tinsdale of Tinsdale Investment Management on Load Street in Bewdley, stated: “The origins of the group was to collectively bring business people and their ideas to the table, learning from each other; what can and what has worked, and how it can be used and adapted to other business models. The result new business opportunities.” By providing a positive platform for businesspeople from across the region to share, learn and connect with each other and to do business, has and continues to help keep local business thriving. Said Nigel: “Recession or no recession, doing business locally provides a number of positive business benefits including reduced road miles and increased customer loyalty, and with smaller companies tending to do better precisely because of their size and their capacity to adapt to changing circumstances, the result is many of them become far more profitable.” Businesses attending the monthly event come from across the region and including Wolverhampton, Worcester, Clee Hill, Tenbury, Kidderminster, Halesowen, Shrawley, Bridgnorth, Malvern, Bromsgrove and of course Bewdley.
Open to all, meetings are free with no subscription or meeting fees payable. For more information and for a friendly chat over a cup cuppa, please contact Nigel Tinsdale on 01299 405631 or email: milknosugar@tinsdale.co.uk
Local Speaking Plan, Prepare & Practise Last month we looked at ways to generate ideas for a speech or presentation.
by David Wike
Now we’ll look at how we turn this list of thoughts into a polished performance. First question we must ask ourselves is what are we trying to achieve? What is the purpose of our presentation? If we now take a look at all the thoughts we’ve generated we can eliminate any that aren’t relevant to our task. While we are doing this pruning it is worth keeping in mind how much time we have to speak. People new to speaking in public are often aghast at the thought of having to speak for ten minutes. The reality is that if it’s a subject that we know – and why are we speaking if it isn’t? – we will find it easier to put together a 20 minute presentation than one for ten minutes. Once we have our list of relevant information, we must think about structuring it so that it has a logical flow. Then break it into sections – a bit like chapters in a book. If we have a few minutes only to speak, three sections will be about all we can include. Even if we have more time I’d suggest a maximum of five, otherwise we risk overpowering our audience with information. It is generally reckoned that an odd number e.g. three or five works best, but don’t force it if that isn’t a good fit. Two or four sections is fine. Have you ever sat through a speech or presentation and wondered when the speaker was going to finish? It’s a bit like setting out on a journey without knowing the route or destination. So what we need is an introduction with a brief summary of any relevant (that word again) background information, then an explanation that we are going to talk about A, B and C, i.e. our ‘chapters’. Now the audience will know where we are going and they’ll be able to follow progress along the route. This will make them feel more comfortable.
At the end of the presentation we should summarise, again briefly, the key points of A, B and C. Think about it like the news on TV or radio. We get the headlines, then the stories, and finally a summary of the main points. If we are looking for a decision from the audience or a call to action, now is the time to bring it in, although it might be wise to warn them during the introduction if we are planning to ask them for a decision at the end. This should ensure that they pay attention! Now all we need to do is to put together a few notes as aide-memoirs on the key points and start practising. It is best to do this out loud because we speak at a different speed from that at which we read. If we have just a few notes we will say slightly different things each time. That’s fine. It makes our presentation feel alive rather than dull and scripted. It will allow us to respond to the audience reactions. Each time we practise we should time it. It may vary by quite a bit with each run through. But after several runs, we should have a good idea of how it will fit into the time allocated. If there is too much material, DON’T talk faster. Have another look at what is really relevant and critical to the success of the speech. Ruthlessly prune out the excesses. Next time we’ll look at the actual delivery of the speech. David Wike runs workshops that specialize in helping people who are nervous, or even terrified, of speaking in public:
www.SuccessfulSpeaking.co.uk He is also Communications Officer for Stourbridge Speakers Club:
www.StourbridgeSpeakers.org.uk
OZONE Electrical Services
For all your electrical requirements Fault Finding • New fuse boards • Outdoor lights Rewires • Additional sockets • Inspection and testing All work approved • No job too small
01562 823825 • 07814266970 GLYN MORGAN
Glynm21@hotmail.com www.ozone-electrical.co.uk
Trust the Professionals SLATING TILING FELT ROOFING LEADWORK GUTTERING
RMG Roofing Services have been serving customers in Kidderminster for over 20 years and has grown to cover the whole of Worcestershire and surrounding area.
GARAGE
Doors
SHOWROOM NOW OPEN IN KIDDERMINSTER
• Over 80 doors in stock • We supply and fit • We repair all types of doors
Sales - Ring David on 01562 952682 Repairs - Ring Paul on 01562 959008
24 Hour Emergency Call Out
Call us now on 07837 939382
for a free no obligation estimate
www.rmg-roofing.co.uk
Wishing all our readers and advertisers a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year your
Local Times