South Gloucestershire Direct Local Magazine March 2019

South Glos March 2019

Inside this montth: Win Yate Cineworld tickets, Puppy walking volunteers needed for guide dogs.

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Your garden in March, Whats on in your area, Very veggie fingers, What every small business needs

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This month..

6. Could you look after a life changing puppy?

8. Your garden in March 10. March sees some big movies 13. very veggie fingers 14. Whats on March 17. Celtic tree astrology 20. What every small business needs

The team

PUBLISHER / EDITOR Michael Davies PROOF READER Elisabeth Davies DISTRIBUTION LEADER Matthew Clarke WEB DESIGNER Matthew Clarke ACCOUNTS Lisa Davies

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Tel: 0117 3258029 Mobile: 0750 0017236 E: info@directlocalonline.com

Regular articles by: Marie Heyward Aaron Potter Mike Davies Miles Kitching

Distribution:

Direct Local South Glos is hand delivered to selected homes and businesses in Patchway, Bradley Stoke, Thornbury, Chipping Sodbury, Yate, and surrounding areas.

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Editors words Wow! thats another month gone, here comes March then.

This month is packed with special events such as Mother’s Day, Pancake Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Starting with Pancake Day on the 5th March so get flippin those pancakes! Then on the 17th March it’s St. Patrick’s Day, so why not visit your local and raise a glass.

Then on March 31st it’s time to pamper and celebrate everything mums, yes they are awesome aren’t they! So on 31st March why not treat your mum to lunch out or a movie.

Also on March the 31st the clocks go forward an hour so we can all start enjoying the extra day light and the beginning of spring, plus for those green fingered folks, more garden time.

So this month seems to be packed with lots of things to do. Checkout our “whats on” section on page 14, Here we have put some of the best events going on in South Glos..

www.directlocalbristol.co.uk www.directlocalwebsites.co.uk Disclaimer The opinions expressed in Direct Local do not necessarily reflect Do you have any local news to share? If yes get in touch with us and we will put it in our next edition free just give Mike a call or email info@directlocalonline.com subject to space available.

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Could you look after a life-changing puppy for a year?

You may well have heard of Guide Dogs, we’re a national charity working to ensure that people with a visual impairment do not lose their independence.

There are around 2 million people in the UK living with sight loss, and all experience a different level of vision and mobility. We offer a range of mobility services to help people keep their independence, and have an amazing number of dedicated staff, volunteers, and of course, dogs who support the Guide Dogs mission.

Guide Dogs needs volunteers who can help look after and support the training of our guide dog puppies! This is a full-time volunteering role as the puppy would live with you, and you would be providing the puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog for someone living with sight loss. Training and ongoing support is provided

by Guide Dogs and your Puppy Training Supervisor, and all food and vets bills are paid for.

If you love dogs and have the time and the patience this could be the role for you.”Puppy Walking Volunteer, Chris, says “Every day is different – I could be taking the dog out on a walk, getting it used to trains, buses or the seaside! It’s great to be with Puppy Training Supervisor, Lucy, says “Puppy a dog knowing you are giving something back…

Walking is a rewarding role and we are very grateful When a guide dog owner gets in touch with me to to our wonderful volunteers who expose the pupsay thank you for puppy walking their life-changing pies to a range of daily activities before entering dog, it really feels so rewarding and it’s lovely to get into training at about 12-16 months of age. During their feedback.” this time the Puppy Walker will have full training and support from their local Puppy Training Supervisor. To find out more about puppy walking with Guide With visits and regular communication. As a puppy Dogs or any other volunteering opportunities, visit walker you will need to be able to dedicate at least www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or give the voluna year to the role. teering office a call on 0345 143 0191.

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Your Garden In March Spring is finally here! The warmer and sunnier days during March provide the opportunity for an Increasing range of gardening tasks. It’s a great time of the year as new life bursts forth and the garden begins to transform. Preparation of seed beds and borders should be well under the way this month as well as cutting back winter shrubs and generally tidying up the mess that the winter has left behind. Whether you’re preparing for shrubs and bedding plants or sowing seed for vegetables.

Once all the tidying is done you’ll be in a better position to plan the seasons planting.

It can be applied around the base of plants by Scattering straight from the box and left to be watered in the rain. Unfortunately, the warm weather will also see weeds start to grow as well. Weeding isn’t the most popular of jobs but its best to pull any that start to appear while they are young to prevent spreading.

Scarify the lawn Do some lawn preparations before the growing season gets well under way. Choose a dry day and give the lawn a rake to remove the remnants of winter before cutting with the mower blades set at the highest position. Then aerate with a garden fork or aeration machine. This helps drainage and gets oxygen to the roots. Finally, apply a top dressing of spring lawn feed to add nutrients. Enjoy your garden!

Plant of the month: Pansy / Viola Why should you plant them?

3 Essential gardening jobs for March Sow seeds and plant onion sets, shallots and potatoes As the soil begins to warm you can start to sow broad beans, salads and sweet peas. If bad weather is forecast, be sure to cover seedings with cloches to protect them. March is also the time to plant out onion and shallot sets – cover with fleece or netting to protect from birds. Early varieties of potato such as ‘Rocket’ and ‘swift’ , can be planted.

If they have been kept in a light and frost-free environments, they should be ‘chitting’ (a slight sprouting from the seed potato). Chitting before planting can encourage earlier and heavier cropping.

Feed As the warmer weather promotes fresh growth, a general garden fertiliser should be applied to help boost roots, green foliage and encourage more fruits and flowers from your plants.

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One of the most popular bedding plants, pansies and violas are hardy annuals that have a stunning array of colours to choose from. Bringing the joy of spring to your garden during the colder months, they grow happily in borders or containers as well as providing great ground cover.

How should you plant them?

Plant them in moist, well-drained soil in a spot with good sunlight to encourage flowering, tough little plants that are extremely hardy, they prefer cooler temperatures and need watering regularly. They are also very versatile plant them in beds, borders, containers and hanging baskests.

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MARCH SEES SOME HUGE MOVIE RELEASES AT CINEWORLD As well as playing host to Mother’s Day, Pancake Day and St. Patrick’s Day this year, March 2019 is also a time that sees a most eclectic mix of movies release at your local Cineworld, too. Whether you’re looking to re-experience a Disney classic through a 21st century lens, witness Marvel’s first female-led film or face your internal fears, it all awaits you on the big screen.

Things get off to a flying start on 8th March, with Brie Larson taking on the role of the titular Captain Marvel. Forced to come to terms with her identity as part of an origin story set in the late ‘90s, she’ll need to test her superhuman skills and go higher, further, faster on her mission to defeat the shapeshifting race of Skrulls.

Then, two weeks later on 22nd March, acclaimed comedian turned horror director Jordan Peele follows up 2017’s Get Out with new psychological thriller Us. In it, the Wilson family arrive at a beach-side resort hoping to relax, but little do they know that alternate versions of themselves, known only as ‘The Tethered’, lurk in the darkness.

Captain Marvel

Fast forward seven days to 29th March, and if you’ve never seen an elephant fly you won’t be disappointed. Tim Burton’s Dumbo adaptation arrives almost 80 years after the 1941 original, but at over twice its running time, expect plenty of new perspective on the classic tale.

Lastly don’t forget, Cineworld Yate and Direct Local Bristol have teamed up to give readers a chance to win two free cinema tickets. Simply fill out the next page word search

The ‘March madness’ expression has never been truer this month at Cineworld, so be sure not to miss out.

Article by Aaron Potter who is a professional writer for Cineworld Bristol and places these articles in Direct Local each month to give you the public a choice of great movies to view at your local cinema.

Dumbo

Us

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Enjoy all these movies and more at

CINEWORLD YATE

Fighting With My Family

Captain Marvel

Us

1 March

8 March

15 March

What Men Want

Dumbo

Captive State

22 March

29 March

29 March

All films are subject to availability. Please check the website for further information www.cineworld.co.uk

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Minimum 12 month subscription. Exclusions apply. Uplifts payable where applicable. Higher monthly fee for West End cinemas. Full terms available at cineworld.com/terms/unlimited-card.

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Win movie tickets Marvel Captain Dumbo Circus Elephant Nickname Galactic Accompanied Traumatic Increasingly Concerned March Mothers Day

Cineworld Yate are giving away 2 tickets to any movie of your choice . All you need to do is complete the word search and either scan, take a photo on your smart phone and email it to us at: info@directlocalonline.com or send it in the post via snail mail to the address below with your address.

7 Hopewell Gardens Shirehampton Bristol BS11 0JS Competition Closes 20/3/19 Feb winner : Mrs Morgan

All the details of the entrants will be stored for 2 months securely and NOT be shared with any other third parties except for the winner of the competition in which Cineworld Yate or P.W.C will need the details to contact the winner to collect the prize.

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Very veggie fingers Ingredients

1 medium sweet potato 1 large white potato 2 tbsp. sweetcorn 2 tbsp. peas 1 tbsp. parmesan or grana padano, grated Small bunch of chives or 1 spring onion, finely chopped 30g dried breadcrumbsl

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/ Fan 180C. 2. Stab the potatoes and place on a lined baking

tray for 50 minutes to 1 hr 15.

3. Once baked, scoop out the flesh from the potatoes and allow to cool.

4. Stir through the peas, sweetcorn, parmesan and chives.

5. Divide into 12-14 portions.

6. Shape each piece into a ball, roll in the breadcrumbs and the roll between the hands too create a finger.

7. If serving straight away, bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes. If freezing, use greaseproof paper between each layer of fingers. Use within 2 months of freezing.

Serving suggestions and adaptations: • • • • • • •

Add grated fresh beetroot for an earthier flavour and a beautiful pink colour! Squeeze out excess water after grating.

Add grated carrot Add ½- 1tbsps. Tomato puree Use fresh basil instead of the chives or spring onion Use rice crispies, cornflakes or oats instead of breadcrumbs Add flaked cooked salmon for a great source of omega 3 (N.B fish can only be reheated once so ensure adding to cold ingredients).

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Whats on in March Apple Grafting Workshop Date: 2nd March Description: A one-day practical course explaining why and how we graft fruit trees.

Venue: Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne, Bristol

QS meet - March Date: 10th March Description: Loads of fun for all the family! Animals, adventure playground, dog friendly! We’ve got the lot at this one! Tea, coffee and food all on site from a variety of locations. If you’d like to stay for lunch on this day then book Celebrate Pancake Day on online for the carvery and enter Toddler Tuesday code 'carmeet10' at the checkout Date: 5th March Description: Delicious fun for the to get a 10% discount.

This must be done online as they whole of Pancake Day at Old Down. We’re celebrating Pancake can’t guarantee space on the day otherwise. From 8am, £3 per car.

Day at Toddler Tuesday on 5th March. Come along and decorate Venue: Old Down Manor, Foxyour pancakes from 10.30am to holes Lane,, BS32 4PG Bristol, 3pm. Choose from a lip-smacking selection of Nutella, Sweets, Beginners Patchwork Squirty Cream, Fruit, Sugar and Date: 16th March Lemon. 2 pancakes for £3.50 or 5 Description: In this class you will pancakes for £4.95 All other learn how to use a rotary cutter Toddler Tuesday benefits still and cut all the pieces to make a apply: FREE park entry and a disappearing 9 patch block. Age FREE meal with every full paying 16 Plus. adult. So …. fresh air and fun Venue: Fabrics Plus 19 Badminand then a wholesome lunch ton Road, Downend, Bristol prepared freshly to order by our on-site Wet-Felting Workshop for Venue: Old Down Manor, Beginners Foxholes Lane, BS32 4PG Bristol, Date: 16th March Description: Learn to make felt, Battle of Britain beneath and take home your own artistic Concorde creations from this fun, friendDate: 6th March ly, two and three quarter hour Description: Following two sellout workshop. screenings of Airplane! and Top Venue: Winterbourne Medieval Gun, In Flight Entertainment Barn, Church Lane, returns with a screening of Battle Winterbourne, Bristol of Britain underneath Concorde itself. This iconic plane is the Beginners Cushion Making last of its kind to be built and the Date: 23 March last to fly; it ended its journey in Description: This is a class for Bristol and is now displayed in a custom-built hangar, and you will beginners and children over the age of 10 with an adult. You will have the opportunity to look on board prior to the film starting. learn how to make an envelope Book today to avoid missing your cushion with an appliqué “L? ve” flight! or “MUM ?” on which would be an Venue: Aerospace Bristol, Filton, ideal Mothering Sunday present.

BS34 5BZ Bristol All materials are included in the cost of this class.

Venue: Fabrics Plus 19 Badminton Road, Downend, Bristol

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BMYP - Half a Sixpence Date: 26th March description: award-winning Bristol Musical Youth Productions is delighted to announce their next show is Half a Sixpence and will take place from the 26th - 30th March 2019 (7.30pm each evening with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday) at the Olympus Theatre in Filton. Tickets on sale now! We hope to see you there! www.ticketsource.co.uk/bristol-musical-youth-productions Open Event - SGS College Date: 28th March Description: Join us at the SGS Filton, SGS WISE, SGS Stroud, SGS Queens Road or SGS Berkeley Green campuses and find out about South Gloucestershire & Stroud College’s wide range of study programmes, including those starting September 2019. Please note this event will take place at all of our campuses Venue: South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Filton Avenue, Bristol Peat Loaf with LIVE band!

Event Date: 29th March Description: Experience The ’One And Only’ Real Dead Ringer with his LIVE band in Chipping Sodbury for one night only!

Venue: Chipping Sodbury Town Hall PX PRODUCTIONS present THE ULTRA 90’s NIGHT OUT - BAWA Event Date: 30th March Description: A HUGE music event is coming to BAWA Leisure Club with all the best 90’s dance classics being played live.

Venue: BAWA Healthcare & Leisure 589 Southmead Road Filton Bristol

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Celtic Tree Zodiac Birth month January Try not to get yourself tied in knots.

Everybody seems to want you to help them with something, or to be involved in something. Give yourself a bit of space to find the common balance you need. It’s time to take stock of a few things, and re-shuffle both your home environment, and activities.

Birth month February Time for you to try and take control of the situation that is holding you back. Avoid arguments or negative situations if you can.

There may be some meeting or gathering that you may find useful.

Avoid conflict if possible.

Birth month March It seems that those born in the month of March, are about to venture into either new hobbies, interests or study. Remember to keep balance in your life and not to over do things. Research and collecting information seems to be things that will be taking up your time.

Birth month April Looks like time for some changes.

Has your motivation gone, and your energy levels down? Take a look at a few tweaks and changes you can make to help bring some vitality and enthusiasm back into your life. Don’t let things drag you down and don’t get yourself caught into complicated situations. This is your time of year, so it’s now time to take a look and sort some good and healthy treats for yourself.

Have a lovely birthday.

Birth month May If you have been thinking of taking up a new hobby, interest or maybe studying, now is the time to really consider doing this. A lot of things are going for you the hardest decision may be what it is you would like to learn.

Try listening to your own intuition.

Birth month June This seems to be a month for sorting a few things out, the only problem is it looks like social things could be quite important to you certainly this month Try not to take too much on at present, and seek some quiet time, to allow yourself to gain some clarity.

Birth month July This month you may need to use some of your qualities of wisdom and endurance.

There may be something that needs to be sorted that is stopping you from achieving your goals or plans. This needs to be sorted out so you can move forward, and begin to relax and enjoy yourself again

Birth month August There may be something that needs your attention. Possibly to do with paperwork. Once this has been dealt with then you can take some time out, and know that you have done the best you can and begin to unwind and relax.

Remember nothing is impossible.

Birth month September It seems to be a month for change for a lot of people, and your birth month is no different.

Don’t take everything as your responsibility, remember sometimes sharing a burden or a project can make it much more enjoyable for everybody. Your energy levels and your well-being will begin to pick up show automatically this month, so look forward to some positive and wonderful energy.

Birth month October Time to take a look at your life, or at a situation that needs some attention.

Remember friends, family or your own higher self can be there to help you in any situation. Don’t listen to any gossip, as you need to focus on sorting things out to bring the calm and clarity that would help you to sort these things out Birth month November Try to find some balance in your life. It seems very much at times you don’t know whether you’re coming or going.

It seems that you could be feeling literally a bit stuck in more ways than one. Try to take some time for yourself, and if you can, try and give yourself some you time.

Birth month December Relationships seem to be the major influence for you this month. Particularly romances close friendships, just be aware that someone around who may need some emotional support.

There may be a situation that will need you to take a good look at the situation. And then a decision maybe needed, to help someone.

Want to find out more about what’s in store for you this month!

Contact Marie to find out whats in store for you this month on: 07949 800354 Disclaimer This zodiac is for entertainment purposes only please do not take the predictions seriously Marie take no responsibility for your actions

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What every small business needs for a successful website If you are a small business in 2019 and you don’t yet have a website, or you have an outdated website, you could well be missing out.

More and more customers are turning to the internet when deciding to make a purchase or buy a service, so you need a professional website to ensure that you’re not losing out to your competitors!

However, many businesses often find that the process of setting up their ideal website is not quite as straightforward as it ought to be, so here are some key considerations when planning your website: Professionally designed websites vs. DIY sites Once upon a time, when websites were in their infancy and the height of gaming sophistication was two lines playing tennis with a dot, nobody cared how your website looked – they were just impressed you were there at all.

However, times have changed and people now make split second judgements about you and your company, and they will decide whether to spend their money with you depending on your website.

Understand the costs Asking how much a website costs is like asking how much a car costs, or how long is a piece of string. The price will depend on whether you need a basic website with simple functionality, an ecommerce website, or a bespoke database driven website with advanced functionality.

To make it easier, choose a website designer who is clear and transparent in their costs and make sure that you know what you are paying for and what is and is not included in the price.

You should know what functionality you will get and whether what you are paying covers: * Website hosting * Domain name renewal * Website editing * A CMS (content management system) * An SSL security certificate If in doubt, ask “Are there any other costs associated with my website that I will need to take into consideration?”

Responsive design

It might be tempting to go for a DIY website and save money to start with, but it could cost you dearly in the long run, and there are plenty of cost-effective alternatives to DIY sites available.

All new websites should now be responsive – in other words, your website should adapt to any screen size so that it is as easy to use on a mobile or tablet as it is on a desktop.

Are you happy with your web design company?

If your existing website is not responsive, it could be losing you valuable customers.

According to Google, 60% of people will abandon your site if it is not responsive, which is why Google now ranks mobile friendly websites above non-mobile friendly websites in the search results.

You are going to be working with your website designer on an ongoing basis – make sure that you meet them and they are interested in you and your business.

Avoid companies that just send out a sales rep who talks to you about what you can afford!

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We’ve worked with many small businesses whose old websites did not let them make basic edits, including changes to contact details or product prices – this can be a disaster for your business.

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SEO Once you have your website up and running, you need to make sure that it can be found by the search engines.

Website design for small business should include at least basic SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).

It is important to find a good SEO-friendly CMS to build and maintain your website.

Next steps To find out more about how you can create an online presence for your business, call website consultant Suzy Perry from it’seeze Web Design Bristol on 07837 003937 or 0117 214 0024.

Alternatively, email suzy.perry@itseeze.com or visit www.itseeze-bristol.co.uk

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Caught by the pension tax trap?

Avoiding the charge

Those looking to cash in part, or all, of their personal pension need to check they don’t pay too much tax.

The emergency tax code is still applied, but this triggers HMRC to adjust your tax code and send an updated version to your pension provider. Once the new code has been issued, any further, larger withdrawals are taxed correctly.

Pension freedom rules allow anyone aged 55 or over to access their personal pension funds, there are complex rules on how withdrawals are taxed.

Problems can occur if you take a one-off lump sum – an ‘uncrystallised fund pension lump sum withdrawal’ (UFPLS) – perhaps to reinvest or to pay off debts.

This differs from using a personal pension to provide a regular income, through a drawdown plan or annuity.

Your pension provider will apply an emergency tax code, which assumes you are withdrawing the UFPLS on a monthly basis, unless it has an up-to date tax code for you.

As emergency tax codes are generally only applied the first-time people access their pension funds, one option is to make your first withdrawal a nominal amount, say £100.

You may be able to claim a rebate, either through your tax return at the end of the tax year, or HMRC if you need the rebate more quickly.

If you are planning to withdraw a lump sum from your pension contact Bristol & West financial services. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax advice.

Levels and bases of taxation and tax reliefs are subject to change and their value depends on individual circumstances.

Tax laws can change.

For example, if you take a UFPLS of £10,000 at the start of the tax year, HMRC may assume you will take an income of £120,000 across the year from your pension and tax you accordingly. If it is a one-off withdrawal, you are likely to pay too much tax.

Home Protection trusts PrePaid Funeral Plans lasting Power oF attorney

Your Pension Review Our professional advice service includes: 4 Explain your pension options in plain English 4 Reviewing your existing pension plans in line with your needs and objectives 4 Managing your pension funds within your attitude to risk.

4 Ongoing professional pension advice

For an initial no obligation chat call: 0117 9596503 Email: enquiries@bristolandwestfs.co.uk Bristol & West Financial Services Ltd is an appointed representative of Sandringham Financial Partners Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Registration number 581304. Registered Office: 5th Floor, 30 Market Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 2HG. Registered in England and Wales No: 08022795. VAT Registered:153 0427 42

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