Edwinstowe & Ollerton
ISSUE 117 February 2019
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Need An Activity Tracker? Activity trackers have become very popular in recent years. Fitbits are the device that everyone has heard of but there are many others. If you’re thinking of buying one, ask yourself these questions: Do you exercise regularly? Lots of people buy a Fitbit or its equivalent because they think it will help them to exercise consistently. But these devices are not magic bullets. If you make any and every excuse NOT to exercise then a Fitbit won’t change that, you will simply make excuses to avoid exercise while wearing a gadget! Would you wear it, and use it? For a fitness tracker to give you actionable data you need to wear it almost all of the time, even while asleep. Some people can’t wear watches or jewellery while they are at work, others hate the feeling of anything on their wrist, and others have sensitive skin which is irritated by straps. If you don’t wear it then it can’t do its job, so it’s not worth buying one. Will you use the app? You’ll need to download the app to your phone and use it if you want to make use of the data your activity tracker collects. Interacting with your device and the app is key to success, so if you can’t commit, don’t buy. Are you a data nerd? Some of us love to monitor our sleep, our heart rates, the number of steps we do each day. We find ourselves endlessly fascinating. The basics of losing weight and becoming healthier are simple, but the specifics for our own body can vary wildly.
If you have a medical condition or are in training for an event, or just enjoy looking at data, then having organized and detailed information at your fingertips is a great resource. Would my phone do the job instead? There are hundreds of fitness, pedometer and cycling apps on both Android and iOS. If you’re unsure about whether an activity tracker is the right purchase for you try using one or two of these apps for a month. You might find they give you all the data you need. Also, if you find you can’t be bothered to use the apps, then you are very unlikely to benefit from buying an activity tracker. Are you competitive? Some activity trackers (particularly Fitbits) are social. You can add friends, compare step counts and earn milestone badges. You can also create groups and engage in competitions and challenges. While these are good features, they aren’t for everyone. You might not need such a high-spec activity tracker if you don’t want to engage in the social side of things. Activity trackers are useful devices and many people enjoy them and benefit from using them, but they won’t turn a reluctant exerciser into a highly motivated one, and if you aren’t actually interested in all the data, they might not justify their price tag.
If you don’t care about specifics and are happy with just eating a bit less and exercising a bit more, an activity tracker might be a waste of money for you.
Hair Today No, it’s not ‘Just a haircut!’ Have you ever marked a life event by changing your hairstyle? Did you regret it, or did you feel free? Many people, most of them women, use haircuts as a marker for change. In films the main character often undergoes a makeover as a metaphor for the dramatic changes they undergo in the movie: Sandy in Grease, and Julia Roberts’ character in Pretty Woman are just two of them. Before the makeover things were bad; after the makeover things are good. Simples. Or is it? In real life hairdressers bear witness to this scenario frequently. We may not tell them directly, but often they will sense we’re on a mission to create a new improved version of ourselves; or a quick way to shed the past and move on. But dramatic hairstyle changes while in the midst of a life crisis can prove ill-advised. Sometimes we’re not really after a new hairstyle, more a whole new life. And as satisfying as it is to leave a salon with a completely new look, we need to remember that our hair might look different, but our problems will remain the same. We will still feel just as bad about our husband running off with our best friend, we’ll just be doing it with shorter hair! During a divorce, a bereavement or a health crisis we will experience a maelstrom of emotions: and oneminute chopping all our hair off will feel like the best decision in the world, but the next minute, when we look in the mirror and see a total stranger staring back at us it might feel terrifying.
Yet hair is an important aspect of how we express who we are and how we would like to be seen. Changing our hair is one of the easiest ways to send a signal to the world that we have changed. It can be a great tool to help us shed an outgrown ‘self’. My friend shed her shoulder-length blonde hair for a pixie crop shortly after she gave birth to twins. She felt she needed freedom from her hair care routine, so she could spend more time with her babies. For her it was freeing to be able to wake, shower and be ready to go in minutes. I had my tousled waist-length hair cut to a chic bob when I started my first proper job in journalism. I felt like I needed to create a bit of distance between ‘student me’ and ‘professional me’. Like the caterpillar shedding the chrysalis I was ready to be someone new and the har salon was my chrysalis of choice. So, the next time you collapse into the hairdresser’s comfy chair intent on an image overhaul, just pause for a second and ask yourself why, and whether now is the best time. By Tracey Anderson
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Valentine’s Day The Struggle is real… I don’t have a great track record with Valentine’s Day. The first year with my girlfriend we’d only been dating for two months, so I went low key, with a card and a single long-stemmed red rose…and sadly this remains my sole Valentine’s success story to date. Fast forward to year two and I pushed the boat out by cooking a romantic meal. I’m not bad in the kitchen, so prepared a full three courses. For starters I made a wild mushroom soup. My girlfriend declared it delicious, then collapsed a little way into the main course, having had a massive allergic response to one of the species of mushrooms! Being blue-lighted to hospital is not the most romantic end to a Valentine date. But Clare is made of strong stuff, and when she recovered, we resumed dating. The following Valentine’s Day I decided I’d surprise her with a weekend trip to London. I booked the full works: meal, show, hotel, and train tickets well in advance, and made sure her diary was clear.
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On the way to the train station I tripped up a kerb and banged my elbow as I fell. It smarted a bit but wasn’t a big deal. On the train however, I realised I could no longer bend my arm, which was starting to throb. By the time we arrived in London my fingers had developed a weird purple hue, so our first stop was Accident and Emergency, where I discovered I’d broken my elbow! It took so long to get assessed, X-rayed and patched up that we missed our meal and the show. We did stay in the hotel, but I don’t remember much as I was high on pain-relief! A lesser woman would have cut her losses at this point, but not Clare. She hung around for Valentine’s Day number three. We’d moved in together and I knew she wanted a kitten. I sourced the cutest little ball of grey fluff with amber eyes. I took Valentine’s Day off work and duly collected the kitten that morning, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. I took it home anticipating Clare’s delight. But by 3pm the kitten was looking a bit peaky. By 5:30pm Clare walked
through the door to find me nursing a very sick scrap of fur, on the phone to the emergency vet. When we arrived at the surgery, she told us gently that he had a sky-high temperature, probably due to a virus, and to expect the worst. We left him being fitted with a drip, then waited at home fretting until the next morning. As soon as we could we rang the surgery and discovered to our delight that he’d turned a corner made it through the night.
Valentine (or Val as we call him) is now a robust one-year-old cat with the constitution of an ox, who totally rules our home, so at least that story had a happy ending. This year for Valentine’s Day I’m cutting my losses and going with a card and a box of Maltesers. The question is do I risk popping the engagement ring at the bottom, or is that just asking for trouble? Happy Valentine’s Day. By Niles Philips
red us!
That’s The Spirit: Gin
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info@adnewspaper.co.uk Gin’s basic flavour is from juniper berries and gin making can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Today, many gins are widely available. There are different styles of gins, plus flavoured and very aromatic gins, too. Gin cocktails continue to be hugely popular, with many ‘devotees’. Warner Edwards are creators and distillers of hand-crafted, artisan gins. Their Victoria’s Rhubarb Gin is named because the original rhubarb crop, from which the current rhubarb crops are descended, was grown in the kitchen garden of Buckingham Palace, during Queen Victoria’s reign. The mouthfeel and palate enjoys the tangy sweetness. Also, prosecco makes a great mix with this gin. Other Warner Edwards handcrafted gins include their splendid Harrington Dry. www.warneredwards.com The Cotswolds Distillery, established 2014, produces an excellent quality, hand-crafted, dry gin, which is unfiltered, so as to retain all the flavour of the botanical extracts and essential oils.
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A company dedicated and committed to producing and supplying highquality drinks. www.gordonsgin.com Chase Rhubarb & Bramley Apple is a single-estate production, from the Chase Distillery Company, Chase distils from the field to the bottle and has an excellent range of drinks. This gin is carefully crafted by distilling G B gin with freshly-pressed rhubarb and bramley apple juice, which comes directly from the farm. This impressive production is perfect anytime and great for spritz cocktails. www.chasedistillery.co.uk
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I located these gins at Waitrose, the food and retail division of John Lewis Partnership. Founded during 1904, Waitrose possesses a royal warrant to supply groceries and offers food and beverages of outstanding quality, many of which are multi award-winning. www.waitrose.com
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This classic production is produced in small batches and is well-balanced, with an ‘inviting’ nose of citrus amongst the bouquet’s appeal. The mouthfeel and palate continue the enjoyment, which is clean and crisp. This exceptional gin is part of their range. www.cotswoldsdistillery.com
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The inclusion of raspberry, strawberry and redcurrant ‘natural flavourings’, make for a superbly-balanced and often-selected gin production. Another impressive gin, inspired by Gordon’s original pink gin recipe of 1880.
reaching over 38,000 homes every month in Nottinghamshire As always, Enjoy! Trevor Langley
Gordon’s is a very well-established company. Premium Pink Distilled Gin I found refreshing and aromatic.
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A Good Read Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella
If you are like me then you probably grew up on a diet of Enid Blyton and a distant world of adventure and fun, where children had far more freedom than we give our offspring these days.
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This Secret Seven adventure features all of the familiar gang, including Scamper the dog, but it is not a story that you may be familiar with. It is a short story, originally published in 1954 in one of Enid Blyton’s annuals.
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This version, published in 2016, is the first time it has been published in its own right.
Justified or not, chick lit gets a bad rap, but not everyone enjoys serious tomes, and if you’re looking for something frothy and fun to throw yourself into, then you can’t go to far wrong when it comes to Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series. Shopaholic and Baby is the fifth book in the series, and once again features everyone’s favourite shopaholic, Becky. Previous books have seen Becky try to take control of her spending habits by following the advice she frequently gives out as a journalist writing about managing personal finances; have the time of her life living in New York and shopping on Fifth Avenue; and marry her dream boyfriend Luke, whilst loving the excuse to spend more money. Now Becky has something else to spend her money on. Her baby. From designer nurseries to the coolest pram, there seems to be no limit to what she can shop for. That list includes a celebrity obstetrician, Venetia Carter. On meeting her Becky is shocked to discover that Venetia used to date Luke in college. Will Venetia want to get back together with him? Is Becky’s dream marriage under threat?
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The Secret Seven: The Humbug Adventure by Enid Blyton
Most women will be able to relate to the insecurities Becky encounters in this novel as her pregnancy progresses and her body changes. In Becky, Kinsella has created a character who is caring, charming, but at the same time, full of flaws. And that is why readers seem to love her so much.
The gang have been invited to the house of an old professor to look at Jupiter through his telescope. They aren’t particularly looking forward to it and find it boring until they move the telescope around and see someone setting fire to a haystack at Wingfield Farm. Suddenly they are up against time to warn someone before the fire spreads to the nearby barn, and to find out who started it. Aimed at younger readers than the regular Secret Seven books, this is a great introduction to Enid Blyton, with excellent illustrations by Tony Ross, illustrator of the Horrid Henry books. By Willow Coby
that image.
become superheroes. In psychology this is called post-traumatic growth and it gives us hope that we too can overcome difficulties in our lives and become stronger people.
It helps that most superheroes are flawed. They are not bloodless examples of ‘goodness and virtue’ but real individuals who are prey to their emotions and environment yet who strive to overcome their foibles and triumph anyway.
There is something both empowering and uplifting about watching your favourite superhero emerge victorious at the end of a story, which is why I will be queuing at the cinema on April 26th with Mrs. Hancock and all the little Hancocks. See you there.
Some characters like Batman and Iron Man have overcome trauma to
By Tom Hancock
Why Do We Love A Superhero The Hancock household is eagerly awaiting the release of Avengers: Endgame in less than two months (current release date April 26th). It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say my entire family are hooked on the whole superhero genre. And we’re not alone. All over the country there are regular debates about whether Superman would beat Thor in a fight, or why Iron Man is two words while Batman is only one. Our kids dress up like them and carry packed lunches in plastic boxes emblazoned with their images (actually some adults do this too.) But why? According to recent research from Kyoto University in Japan, our love of superheroes starts before we can talk. In a series of experiments, infants as young as six months were shown short animations in which one figure chased and bumped into a second. Meanwhile, a third figure watched from afar. In version A, the third figure steps in and prevents the collision, while in version B it runs away without intervening.
After watching the clips, the infants were presented with replicas of both the intervening and the non-intervening third figures. They consistently preferred the one who saved the day. These results suggest that babies are capable of understanding and recognising heroism. Further experiments showed that extremely young babies couldn’t tell the difference between a saviour who was simply in the right place at the right time, and one who actively stepped in to help. They didn’t grasp the nuances.
We identify with them because often they are created in our image, albeit a larger than life version of
But by just 18 months old they did understand that difference and preferred the hero. This suggests that our concept of justice, and heroism develops very early on. As we grow up superhero stories seem to resonate with us. We identify with the themes, with the dilemmas and problems that superheroes face, and we aspire to their noble impulses and heroic acts.
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February Recipe Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon & Chives Prep: 15 mins Cook: 20 mins Serves: 4 (or 2 really hungry people!) Ingredients 4 eggs 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 2 English muffins or two bagels, halved Butter for spreading 8 slices smoked salmon Chopped chives, to serve For the hollandaise sauce 2 tsp lemon juice 2 tsp white wine vinegar 3 egg yolks 125g unsalted butter, cubed Method Hollandaise Sauce: Pour the lemon juice and vinegar into a small bowl, add the egg yolks and whisk with a balloon whisk until light and frothy. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens.
Add the butter a small amount at a time, whisking constantly until the sauce is thick.
DOUBLE SIDED LEAFLETS
If it looks like it might be splitting, remove from the heat and continue to whisk. Season with salt and pepper then and keep warm. Poached eggs: bring a large pan of water to the boil and add the vinegar. Lower the heat so that the water simmers very gently. Stir the water a little so you create a gentle whirlpool effect, then slide in the eggs one by one. Cook each for about 4 mins, then remove with a slotted spoon. Handy hint - you will see the eggs begin to rise in the water as they reach completion. Lightly toast and butter the muffins or bagels, then place a couple of slices of the smoked salmon on each half. Top each with an egg, then spoon over your Hollandaise and garnish with chopped chives.
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The Packed Lunch Problem
Get That Job
I decided to save money and eat more healthily in 2019 so I knew I would have to start packing my own lunches. It’s taken until now really get on board with this idea. Here are the problems I came up against and how I solved them. Problem 1. It takes too much time to pack a lunch. It was such a faff...or was it? Solution: I timed how long it took to walk to the deli or drive to the garage, wait in the queue to be served and get back to work. Avoid common cover letter errors. Don’t use the same cover letter for every single job. If you send identical cover letters for every single role, it may save you time, but it won’t get you the job.
your hopes and dreams and don’t explain what you’d get out of the job.
Generic phrases which offer no specificity about the company, industry, or role you’re applying for indicate lack of interest to most hiring managers.
So, talk about your achievements, skills, and experience only if they relate directly to the role and emphasise what they would get from employing you, not vice versa.
Always refer to the job by its title and description and explain how your skills could benefit the specific role and company, not just the industry as a whole.
If you lack experience in a certain area don’t focus on that, instead focus on your strong points which are a good fit for the job.
Never talk about your personal life, or share irrelevant details in a professional document, it definitely won’t improve your employability. Don’t mention the reasons for leaving your current job or give overly detailed justifications for career breaks. Keep to the point and focus on the job you’re applying for. Focus on what the employer wants, not what you want. Avoid detailing
A cover letter isn’t about being able to fulfil your objectives, it’s about proving to a recruiter than you can fulfil theirs.
Then I timed how long it took me to prepare a lunch the night before. Turns out making your own lunch is way faster! Who knew? Problem: I’m hungry again by midafternoon. The solution: Pack more food! DUH! I make sure I had a sugar-free protein bar, a banana, or a bag of nuts in reserve in case I had a mid-afternoon dip.
Problem: Formulaic lunches. When I was at primary school my mum packed me a ham sandwich, an apple, some carrot sticks and a wagon wheel, pretty much every day. When I started making my own lunches, I used the same formula (minus the wagon wheel). Solution: What did I enjoy eating? I like leftover casseroles and risottos, so I made extra. I like open sandwiches, Danish style, on Rye bread so I bought the ingredients, and I arranged lunch swaps with a friend, so she caters Thursday and I do Friday. A little creative thinking keeps things interesting and I haven’t missed nipping to the deli. In fact, we walk round the park instead so we’re getting some exercise too.
Desperation is different to enthusiasm! Begging for the job isn’t going to add anything to your selling potential. Keep over-the-top adjectives and hyperbole to a minimum because there’s a fine line between showing a genuine interest and trying too hard. Don’t forget to proofread and check for grammatical errors. By Hilary Bennett
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That way I don’t head for the bakery or start mainlining chocolates from the ever-present boxes around our office.
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My Gardening Valentine In the run-up to Valentine’s Day someone always asks me what they should buy for the gardener in their life. It’s a tricky question to answer. Many people think we must like cut flowers, but actually I’m not keen and most gardeners I know aren’t either. We have gardens full of the things after all, and we tend to prefer our plants living and breathing in their natural environment, rather than imported from abroad and wrapped in cellophane. Unless you know a bit about gardening, and the tastes of your own particular gardener you’re probably best-off avoiding plants too. The non-green-fingered venture into dangerous territory when they try to buy plants because there are so many variables. Will it suit the soil? Is it too invasive? Will it poison the gardener’s dog…or children…eek? It’s a thorny issue (pardon the pun) so here is my go-to gift list guaranteed to make you the Valentine hero of your gardening amour. Don’t buy a sweatshirt which declares ‘head-gardener. They are naff, and most gardeners prefer old, comfy clothes which do the job better.
However, if you present your gardener with a tough tunic or gardening apron, which is thorn-proof, and which has lots of deep pockets to house secateurs and trowels, they will love you forever. Then there are wellies. Who knew wellies could be romantic? But gardening folk drool over wellies the way Supermodels drool over Jimmy Choos. And there’s so much wellie-choice now. We all prefer something with a thick sole but there are bright and colourful wellies and traditional ones. For the ultimate in warmth and breathability I can recommend a proper Gore-Tex pair...sheer luxury. Mine remain the favourite Valentine gift my husband ever bought me. He knows how to romance a woman! A proper long-necked watering can, with a brass rose will also earn you Valentine brownie points. Bigger isn’t necessarily better though unless your Valentine boasts big biceps! Watering cans are heavy when full. I find 3-4 litres is about the right size. A bunch of long-stemmed red roses will set you back at least £40 and they
might last a few days. For a similar price you can buy the gardener in your life Felco secateurs (with Valentine red handles) and they’ll last forever. I know which I’d prefer.
And insulated mug or a good flask will always warm the heart of your Valentine because hot drinks don’t remain hot for long outside, even on a warm day.
Garden trugs are so practical. Most gardeners I know would be delighted to receive one. The trug is a great gift but even better when filled with a few gardening goodies such as packets of seed, water retaining granules, plant food etc.
Finally, don’t forget gardening vouchers. Often us gardeners spot the perfect plant or gardening accessory when we’re strapped for cash, so vouchers are a perfect gift to save for a rainy day...and gardeners love rainy days, Valentine’s or not.
You could add some hand tools too, such as a trowel and a fork. Make sure they are stainless steel and have long handles for ease of use.
Happy Gardening. By Rachael Leverton
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Are You Sweet Enough? From 2008 the first Sunday in February has been designated National Yorkshire Pudding Day! The traditional Yorkshire Pudding first got its name in 1747 according to local legend, when Hannah Glasse wrote a cookery book titled The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Simple. She included a Yorkshire Pudding recipe; but no-one really knows how far back the original recipe goes as some form of batter or dripping pudding, as it was previously named, has been cooked for centuries. Early puddings were flatter than today’s version and were cooked in a tin beneath the meat, which was roasted on a spit over a fire. The pudding was positioned to catch all the drippings from the meat. Dripping was an important part of the diet in those days because the human body actually needs some fat to enable it to absorb certain vitamins, but unlike today sources of fat were more difficult to obtain as meat was
expensive so was only cooked on special occasions. Extra drippings from any meat added a welcome and much-needed supplement. The Yorkshire pudding was usually made in a large tray, and was often served with gravy before the main meal as a filler, so less meat was required for the main course. The recipe is pretty simple, just eggs, milk and plain flour. A Yorkshire-born aunty once warned me never to use self-raising flour, or any kind of raising agent because doing so will mean your puds will be spongy and soggy. Also the batter has to be the right consistency, a little thicker then unwhipped double cream, and as smooth as possible. To achieve the best, most crispy Yorshire puds trickle about 3mm / 1/8 inch of very hot fat in the bottom of the tin, then heat it up. As the fat begins to smoke, add the batter. Enjoy!
Fairtrade Fortnight What did you have for breakfast this morning? Maybe you enjoyed coffee from Kenya , bananas from Colombia , cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire, tea from India, sugar from Malawi or juice from Brazilian oranges. Millions of farmers and workers in developing countries work hard every day to grow the food we take for granted, but ironically they don’t always earn enough to feed their own families. In other words, they do not have food security. Fairtrade is about changing that. Its aim is to secure better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. By being paid a fair price, they can have more control over their lives and less worry about how they will feed their families. Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to fulfil a basic human need – to put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round. When you buy products with the FAIRTRADE Mark, it means that the Fairtrade ingredients they contain have been produced by small-scale farmer organisations or plantations that meet Fairtrade social, economic and environmental standards. These standards include protection of workers’ rights and the environment, payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in schools, transport, health care, sanitation, an improved environment and better business equipment and practices.
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There are over 4,500 Fairtrade products available in the UK: from coffee, tea and chocolate to beauty products, flowers and gold. One in three bananas bought is Fairtrade, and British consumers
choosing Fairtrade sugar sent more than £5 million in Fairtrade premium back to sugar cane smallholders last year. Choosing to buy food with the FAIRTRADE Mark really does make a huge difference to thousands of farmers, workers and their families. From 25 February until 10 March 2016 is Fairtrade Fortnight, during which ordinary people like you and me are encouraged to inspire a multitude of Fairtrade breakfasts in our communities – and wake others up to the challenges facing farmers and workers. There are three simple steps to get involved: Organise your own Big Fairtrade Breakfast Inspire others to host a breakfast (for example, in a school, workplace, town hall or individuals at home) Register your breakfast on the Big Fairtrade Breakfast totaliser to make sure it gets counted. You can find everything you need at fairtrade.org.uk/breakfast. No one person can do everything to tackle the injustices that exist in the world, but harnessing the power of a Fairtrade breakfast is something we can all do. So, sit down for breakfast and stand up for farmers!
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Puzzle Page Quick Crossword
Across 7 Gambling emporium (6) 8 Char, sear (6) 9 Wind instrument (4) 10 Backpackers, hikers (8) 11 Large houseplant (6,5) 14 Matching pants and jacket set (7,4) 18 Without penalty, got off ____ ____ (4-4) 19 Animal prized for its fur (4) 20 Tear-inducing vegetables (6) 21 Incorrect, false (6)
Down 1 Sheltered place to moor boats (7) 2 Climb, ascend (4) 3 Medic (6) 4 In addition, also (2,4) 5 Props to keep paperbacks tidy (4-4) 6 Frightening (5) 12 Pub seating (3,5) 13 Junior king of beasts (4,3) 15 Civil disorder (6) 16 To make equal, balance (4,2) 17 Perfume, fragrance (5) 19 Nocturnal insect (4)
Wordsearch Clues Alien Alive Anvil Eaten Elate Elite Enliven Entail Event Inane Inlet Innate Invent Latin Leant
Leaven Lenient Lenten Linen Linnet Naevi NaĂŻve Naivete Native Navel Valet Venal Venetian Venial Vital
You can find the answers to the puzzles on Page 17
The Language Of Flowers
Scents Appeal Buying perfume for a loved one this Valentine’s, but don’t have a clue where to start? Read on... We tend to think of perfume as French, but there are some fantastic British fragrance houses. Take Deco London. Launched in 2015, Deco London has created a select range of six fragrances, three for her and three for him.
Every Valentine’s Day millions of people will be rushing out to buy or send flowers. Traditionally this will be red roses of course. Others may choose their purchases on the basis of colour, smell or even price but there’s a whole language and meaning to flowers too which is called Floriography. Roses: - Red Roses as most will know symbolise Love and Desire but changing the colour of the flower leads to different connotations. For example, Yellow is for friendship, Pink for perfect happiness and Orange for fascination. There are different meanings for specific types of rose too, such as Tea Roses meaning ‘I’ll remember always’ and Dog Roses connecting to pain and pleasure. Formations also have an impact.
are many mythological and religious connections to the number also. The use of 12 across the natural and spiritual world means that 12 or a dozen, has taken on a universal quality which enhances the significance of a dozen roses. Turning now to other flowers we frequently buy in the UK:Carnations:Pink carnations mean ‘I’ll never forget you,’ whilst red symbolise admiration and yellow rejection and disappointment, so probably best to avoid those! Lilies: Calla Lilies represent beauty and Tiger Lilies wealth so the latter is perhaps a good choice if you are looking to impress. Tulips: -
Thinking back to the traditional dozen red roses, a bunch of a single bloom, means I love you or I still love you, whilst an assortment of colours represents the sentiment ‘you’re everything to me.’
apparently show love and passion too. Yellow ones which are my daughter’s favourite, mean ‘there’s sunshine in your smile,’ whereas red tulips are a declaration of love and white ones say ‘I’m worthy of you.’
A dozen red roses has become the norm, because of the significance of the number twelve within nature, philosophy and religion.
Daffodils: -
The number 12 often represents a full cycle, so 12 months of the year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 hours on a clock for instance. From ancient times, cultures around the world have developed calendars based on cycles of twelve, and there
show regard. Freesias: demonstrate trust. Of course there are many more wonderful flowers to choose from, so if you really want to be sure of making the right impression, it’s worth asking your florist about their meaning. By Susan Brookes-Morris
Each one is a real delight, with multiple, complex layers. At £75 a bottle, they’re pricey, but if you’re looking to splash out this Valentine’s, they’re well worth it. Perfume can be split into several ‘types’, although many fragrances cross categories. The main types are: Floral Feminine and unashamedly romantic, floral perfumes range from ‘sugar and spice’ sweetness to grown-up sophistication. If she likes Beautiful by Estee Lauder, try Kukui by Connock London – a delicious, grown-up blend of gardenia, bergamot and white flowers, that’s warmed by notes of sandalwood, vetiver and white amber. (You may have guessed that it has pride of place on my bedside table.) Citrus Fresh, vibrant and invigorating, citrus based fragrances are fun and light-hearted. Think scents of lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, and other refreshing notes. If she likes Happy by Clinique, she’ll love Miller Harris’s Citron Citron. Fruity Similar to citrus scents, fruity fragrances are uplifting and cheerful. If she has a bottle of DKNY’s Be Delicious at hand, try
surprising her with Jo Malone’s English Pear and Freesia cologne. Oriental Exotic, sensual scents that demand attention, oriental fragrances are warm and rich, with notes of musk, vanilla and amber. They were all the rage in the 80s, but these days tend to be softened slightly with other scents, such as floral notes. If she’s a fan of Angel by Thierry Mugler, try Deco London’s Constance. Woody/chypre Warm and musky, with hints of sandalwood, cedar, vetiver and moss, these fragrances conjure up images of walking through a forest at sunset. If she loves spritzing on Miss Dior, treat her to Vanilla and Cedarwood by Kiehl’s. Oceanic Invigorating, refreshing and easy to wear, ‘oceanic’ covers a wide range of ‘clean smelling’ fragrances, from crisp white linen to ocean spray. If she’s a fan of Cool Water Woman by Davidoff , treat her to Inis by Fragrances of Ireland. People have been dabbing on fragrances for thousands of years. In Cyprus, evidence has been unearthed that perfume was being manufactured at least 4,000 years ago. It’s played an important role in cultures and religious occasions across the world, so it’s no surprise that one of the gifts the three wise men chose was myrrh – an essential oil used predominately for its scent. What gift will you choose to bestow this Valentine’s?
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Feather Their Nest It’s National Nest Box week this month. Did you know that there is a National Nest Box Week? This year it takes place from 14th-21st February. The event is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology. The idea started in 1997 following fears about birds losing their natural nest sites because of lots of trees being cut down, old buildings disappearing, gardens being ‘tidied’ and old houses being repaired. The Trust wants us to put up nest boxes so that we can protect the wildlife we have, and encourage even more birds to come into our gardens. It is estimated that there are now over 5 million nest boxes in the UK designed to help everything from Robins to Owls. Different types of nesting box attract different birds. So in a box with small holes, you might get Blue Tit’s, Nuthatches, Redstarts or House Sparrows. Boxes with larger holes may encourage Starlings, Spotted Woodpeckers and perhaps even Little Owls; and in very big boxes you might see Kestrels, Jackdaws, Stock Doves and Tawny Owls. There are also open fronted boxes which appeal to Robins, Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Wagtails.
The Food Of Love
some nest boxes from your local pet store or garden centre, or make some.
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so why not experiment with some tempting titbits this Valentine’s Day?
Instructions for building boxes are available on many internet sites including http://www.bto.org/ the British Trust for Ornithology site.
In Japan feeling flirty can become – quite literally – a matter of life or death! Puffer fish is considered to be a great delicacy and an aphrodisiac, but it contains a poisonous gland that is deadly and must be removed before eating!
Here are some handy hints for siting your nest boxes: Do not put nest boxes of the same type close to each other Open fronted boxes should be hidden from view Make sure cats cannot get into the boxes Consider putting a metal plate around the hole to deter squirrels Boxes should be sheltered from the weather Keep the boxes away from bird feeders Place between 1 and 5 metres high Use screws that will not rust
A safer seafood option is the oyster. A favourite with the Romans some oysters are able to change sex repeatedly and so are said to give you the ability to experience the male and female sides of love.
If you want to count the eggs, observe in the early morning and wait until the female bird flies off for a quick meal.
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You can choose to buy
But I reckon the ultimate palate pleaser has got to be chocolate. Described by the Aztecs as ‘nourishment of the Gods’, it contains both a relaxing sedative that lowers inhibitions and a stimulant to perk you up. Even better is the news that it is more effective when combined with that other antioxidant, red wine – but don’t have too much, or your suitor may become a snorer!
For a sophisticated saucy snack you can’t go wrong with asparagus. Served with hollandaise sauce and washed down with champagne it’s sure to pep things up.
February is an ideal time to put boxes up, because pairs of small birds prosper towards the end of the month. You are also helping however if you put boxes up at any time of year, although 1 August to the 31 January is the time under Bird Protection Law when nests can be cleaned out, and any dead eggs found destroyed.
By Alex Brown
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Imagine how lovely it would be to watch the birds going in and out of your boxes and hopefully some young ones hatching there. If you are careful and quiet, you can even peek inside the box from time to time when the eggs are incubating, as most birds will sit tight.
And do you know where the term ‘honeymoon’ comes from? In Medieval times newlyweds drank mead – a fermented drink made with honey – to sweeten their marriage.
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It lists the vehicles just in front And all those to the rear, And taking this into account It specifies my gear.
It sits there in my car. A Satnav is a driver’s friend, It tells you where you are. I have a little Satnav, I’ve had it all my life. It isn’t like the normal ones My Satnav is my wife. It gives me full instructions, Especially how to drive “It’s thirty miles an hour”, it says, “You’re doing thirty five.” It tells me when to stop and start And when to use the brake, And tells me that it’s never ever Safe to overtake.
I’m sure no other driver Has so helpful a device, For when we leave and lock the car It still gives its advice! It fills me up with soundbites Each journey’s pretty fraught, So why don’t I exchange it And get a quieter sort?
Ah well, you see, it cleans the house, Makes sure I’m properly fed, It washes all my shirts and things And - keeps me warm in bed!
It tells me when a light is red And when it goes to green It seems to know instinctively Just when to intervene.
Solutions To Mind Benders 1. There’s Something About Mary 2. Shakespeare In Love 3. Pretty Woman
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Safer Internet Day The annual Safer Internet Day takes place on 5th February, and is designed to help everyone use the internet and other new technologies safely and responsibly. Passwords are the first line of defence against cyber criminals. Long passwords that use numbers, symbols and mixed-case letters, are the most secure. Use different passwords for each of your important accounts and change them regularly. Malware is a type of computer programme that can be installed on your machine without your knowledge. It can be used to try to access your personal information, or to force your computer to visit websites, send spam email, or perform other actions without your knowledge. To protect against malware, install at least one good quality anti-virus product and scan regularly. You should also upgrade your operating system and software to the latest versions and, if possible, turn on automatic updates. Be careful about what you click and download. If you’re not sure about an unfamiliar site, leave it and research the software before installing it. If malware prevents you from leaving the page, for example by repeatedly opening a download prompt, use your computer’s task manager to close your browser –
generally accessed by pressing ‘ctrl’, ‘alt’ and ‘delete’ at the same time . Do not trust anything within an email that looks suspicious – even if it’s from people you know – and visit websites by entering the address directly in your browser instead of using links in emails. Do not trust pop-up windows that ask you to download software to make your computer safe because it has been infected. Close the window and don’t click inside it. There are tools and controls available to help you manage your online experience. Google SafeSearch excludes sites with sexually explicit content from search results, and Safety Mode on YouTube means that videos with mature or age-restricted content will not show up in searches. Take an interest in your child’s internet activity and talk to them about their experience. Better still, spend time with them working online so that you know how they are using the internet. Children need to know that the internet can be a dangerous place and that not everyone online can be trusted. They should not share personal
information like their name, age, school, phone number, email address or photos and should always use a nickname as their screen name. To register on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, they should be at least 13. If your child wants to meet someone they have met online, make them aware of the potential dangers, encourage them always to inform you of their plans and insist that you go along too, especially for the first meeting. With these systems and procedures in place, using the internet should be a safer experience for us all! By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
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Pothole Damage Drivers have been warned to be on their guard against the current ‘pothole epidemic’, after a sharp rise in the number of related claims. The number of insurance claims for pothole-related damage to cars has jumped sharply, according to AA Insurance. It warns that the severe winter weather has resulted in a huge number of potholes on Britain’s roads. Recently, £47 million was paid out in pothole-related compensation claims. “With the average repair cost for pothole damage amounting to £240 and some bills as high as £2,710, it is vital that drivers are increasingly vigilant on the roads and take the necessary precautions to avoid being left out in the cold financially,” says Mark Monteiro, insurance expert at uSwitch.com. What to do if you hit a pothole Pothole damage to cars is usually confined to tyres and wheels, steering and suspension.
“If you hit a pothole and afterwards you notice vibration, the steering wheel doesn’t ‘centre’ properly or it pulls to one side, get the car checked immediately, as faults such as tracking or steering damage can lead to later expense or even an accident,” says Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance. He also advises people to keep an eye on their tyres, as damage may not be immediately obvious. “Watch for development of tell-tale bulges on the tyre walls, indicating serious internal damage. If you see such a defect, change the tyre immediately as a bulge is likely to result in a blow-out which could be catastrophic if you’re travelling at speed.” Cars with alloy wheels and low-profile tyres are particularly prone to damage, as are motorcyclists and cyclists. Potholes are a major cause of axle and suspension failure, which account for a third of all mechanical issues on UK roads and cost British motorists an estimated £2.8 billion in repairs every year.
And some potholes are so huge they cause damage to valances and sills, rupture suspension and steering and even rip off exhaust systems. The local authority’s highways department may be liable for damage caused by potholes, as long as it is aware of them – so it’s important to report such hazards. Take a photo of the pothole itself, the damage sustained to the car and the surrounding area to prove the absence of warning signs or cones. If there were any witnesses, then ask for their contact details. Can you claim compensation? According to Douglas, although many pothole incidents cause damage, the cost of repair doesn’t always justify a claim. If you do claim on your insurance, then you will also have to pay an excess and risk losing any no claims bonus.
Claiming compensation from the local highways authority might be a better way of re-couping the cash for repairs. Highways authorities can’t be held liable for defects they don’t know about – which is why it’s so important that drivers report potholes when they spot them. However, they do keep inspection records and they may be liable if they haven’t acted after receiving a defect report. If you suffer pothole damage, then notify the authorities immediately. You should be prepared to supply the exact location of the incident, as well as the shape, size and depth – it’s best to take a photo as evidence of this. You’ll also need to get quotes for the necessary repairs. Make sure you keep these quotes, as well as the bill and receipts.
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partially decomposed which add to the aroma. When you get up close and personal with plants in this way it really gives you a chance to appreciate their beauty. Lift up the little nodding head and see the loveliness within.
Is It Spring Yet? As we progress through the year our thoughts are drawn to spring. The days are gradually getting longer, though it’s hardly noticeable because the temperatures are still very cold. People think of February as ‘nearly spring’ but in fact it can be a much colder month than December or January at times. That said, the cold weather is just the stimulus some bulbs need in order for them to burst into bloom. Take the snowdrop for example: this tiny flower with its delicate head looks its best this month, especially when planted in large drifts. Galanthus (snowdrops) naturalise and spread quite rapidly when happy, and over 5-10 years will form the most beautiful carpet of white. Try and visit an open garden this month and you’ll see what I mean. Choose a clear day when the sky is an intense blue. Take a waterproof rug to lie down on and see the world from the woodland floor, just like a snowdrop would. It’s a beautiful place to be (and to take photographs from). If it’s not frozen solid, the earthy smell of the humus rich soil is wonderful and there will often be a layer of crunchy leaves still remaining from autumn,
If you are inspired by these wonderful scenes, now is the perfect time to buy and plant snowdrops, so why not add some to a tub, or plant a swathe by the front door? That way even when it’s icy outside you’ll be welcoming guests with a less frosty reception.
pretty awful until it re grows (in about 2 years) but it will be worth the wait. Compost all the waste you create in the garden, but remember to chop it up well. Consider investing in a shredder if you create a lot of bulky waste. You’ll be impressed with the quality of compost you can produce. Use last year’s compost to lay on the top of the soil around shrubs and roses (known as mulch) Until next time, Happy gardening,
Other jobs to do this month include: Lee Cutting down – I’m not talking about the post Christmas calorie intake, but about the herbaceous perennials. Chop them down now, as far as you can go so that the new shoots will be free to grow next month. Hedge your bets – overgrown evergreen hedges can be cut at the end of the month. Do one side this year and one in a couple of years time.
It will look
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Cashew Chicken Celebrate Chinese New Year in style with this tasty dish. Ingredients For the chicken 450g boneless chicken breasts, skinned 1 egg white 1 tsp salt 2 tsp corn flour 310ml groundnut (or peanut) oil or water 2 tsp groundnut (or peanut) oil 55g cashew nuts 1 tbsp shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 1 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tbsp spring onions, finely chopped, for garnish For the vegetables 225g bean sprouts 1 red pepper 1 green pepper Red or green chilli 225g water chestnuts, peeled if fresh, rinsed if canned 2 tbsp groundnut oil 1½ tbsp garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped 6 spring onions, shredded 1 tsp salt ½ tsp freshly ground white pepper 2 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
Heat a wok or large frying pan until very hot. Add the oil and when it is very hot and slightly smoking remove the wok from the heat. Immediately add the chicken, stirring vigorously to prevent it from sticking. The chicken will turn white after a couple of minutes. Drain off the excess oil and reserve the chicken on a plate
Wipe the wok or pan clean with kitchen roll. Heat it until it is very hot, add 2 tbsp oil and the cashew nuts and stir-fry them for 1 minute. Add the rest of the ingredients. Return the chicken to the wok and stirfry the mixture for another 2 minutes. Return the chicken to a plate again. Make the vegetables: trim the bean sprouts at both ends. Chop the peppers into bit-size pieces and finely shred the chillies and the water chestnuts. Heat a wok or large frying pan until it is very hot. Add the oil and when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add the garlic, ginger and spring onions and stir fry for 15 seconds. Then add the bean sprouts, shredded chilli, peppers and shredded water chestnuts and stir fry for about 1 minute.
2 tsp whole yellow bean sauce 2 tbsp shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry 5 tbsp chicken stock or water Method Cut the chicken into 1cm cubes. Mix with the egg white, salt and corn flour in a small bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Dining Out
Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until it is well mixed and heated through. Return the chicken to the pan for a final stir. Serve at once with some steamed rice, garnished with spring onions.
THE CASTLE INN RESTAURANT AND BAR The Castle Inn is located in Castle Donington. East Midlands Airport and also Donington Park Race and Events Venue are both located approx 3 miles from the Castle Inn. The interesting history of Castle Donington and surrounding area is well documented. The Castle Inn dates from the 18th Century and now houses a hand built authentic Italian wood-fired pizza oven, where their freshly, made-to-order, stone-baked pizzas are produced. The Smoked Mackerel, beetroot and horseradish snow with pickled cucumber starter, makes an excellent impression. The attractive presentation and complementing flavours are perfect. Pan-Fried Seabass, crab and chive mash, pea purée and saffron cream proved to be an excellent choice for the main course, from an impressive menu. Succulent, flavoursome and perfectly cooked, it is definitely ‘Compliments to Chef’. A side of Roasted Carrots with white wine and honey finished with chives, accompanied, splendidly. Desserts – wonderfully light is the Rose Water Crème Brûlée, pistachio biscotti and glazed figs. Balanced flavours and good texture make this a popular dessert. If chocolate is a passion, then Dark Chocolate Tart, mango and chilli gel, freeze-dried raspberries, pepper and honey granita, will satisfy-for sure! Breakfasts are also very popular here and include choices from Waffles with Berries, vanilla gelato and honey, through Eggs Benedict, to a small or large Full English, which have regular ‘followers’.
Sunday lunches attract many ‘regulars’. Head Chef Alex Shatford ensures, with his other very talented chefs and kitchen personnel, that all cuisine is cooked and presented to perfection. Suggestions: Make time to watch the skills of the pizza creators. Pizzas can also be served in ‘classic calzone style’, if you wish. A list of excellent wines/drinks is available, with something for everyone. All dietary requirements can be catered for. Parties and occasions are arranged and easily accommodated. Music and entertainment happen regularly. Other attractive rooms include a private function suite. Very much worthy of a visit (or several) for the dining and whole experience. Thank you to Amy (Assistant Manager), for providing excellent service throughout and advising on the various dishes of cuisine. Booking is (very) advisable, particularly during popular times. The Castle Inn 2 High Street, Castle Donington DE74 2PP Tel: 44(0)1332 391 296 Email: info@the-castle-inn.co.uk www.the-castle-inn.co.uk
As always, Enjoy! Trevor Langley
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