Direct Local Magazine North Bristol June 2017

North Bristol

June 2017

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June edition Community News

6.Shire Public Hall News 7. Legally Secure 8. Summer in the city 11.Port of Bristol Bowls success Business to Business

13. Young Enterprise finals 14. TSA can help 15. Are you paying double Direct Motors

18. Are you a good driver 19. continued Movies & Entertainment

21. Upcoming events 22. Wonder Woman preview 23. Competition The Directory

28. Tick season 29. How to clean your carpet

Everybody loves a good get-together; simply gather some friends, grab some grub and enjoy!

Help us get closer to a cure this Summer by hosting a coffee morning, afternoon tea, BBQ or dinner party for Brain Tumour Research. Visit: www.braintumourresearch.org/host_for_hope

Please keep this magazine close to hand you may never know when you need a local trade?

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Disclaimer The opinions expressed in Direct Local do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publisher or their agents. Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included within this publication, the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions in Direct Local. The content of Direct Local is not to be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. Please pass to a friend, recycle or compost after reading.

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SHIREHAMPTON PUBLIC HALL NEWSLETTER Welcome to the Shirehampton Public Hall June newsletter! What an exciting month we have had at the Hall. New classes starting and a public meeting to discuss possibilities and proposals for the future of the hall and library.

Huge thanks to all the Trustees/officers/residents of Shirehampton/Councillor Jo Sergeant and Mrs Wilson, Head Teacher of St Bernard’s School to name but a few, who kindly gave up their evening to attend.

The Hall was open to public viewing on the evening of Tuesday 10th May followed by a very successful and stimulating debate. Some valuable points were raised and opinions put forward, which will all be taken into consideration when the time comes for decisions to be made.

The library service is holding a consultation during May and June with a view to reaching decisions about the future of the library service in December.

Only then will the Hall know for sure in which direction it can move.

Although many more discussions need to take place and advice needs to be sought from many professionals, the Hall’s public meeting will have played a vital role in how the Association moves into the future with this beautiful building. For the present, though, don’t forget the Hall has many great social, art, dance, craft and general interest activities to stimulate all tastes! Visit our website or our Facebook page for further details and come and join the fun!

The Trustees at the Hall are always looking for new members, especially from minority groups, and would especially welcome new Trustees from the Polish community. If you are interested in being involved with the Public Hall in any way please contact the manager on 0117 9829963, email bookings@shirepubhall.org.uk or visit our Facebook page or website www.shirepubhall.org.uk for further information about us.

Why not become a Member of the Hall Association? It’s just £3 per year and gives individuals a louder voice concerning the Hall’s future.

The Public Hall has many events and regular activities, so please visit our website at: www.shirepubhall.org.uk for further details. Also check out our noticeboard. You can always email us at bookings@shirepubhall.org.uk or telephone: 0117 9829963.

6. Community News

How we look after older people requiring care is at the top of the national agenda at the moment, as the Government grapples with the care funding crisis. More people than ever before need care in their old age, with dementia a growing problem. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are now 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and that’s only set to grow.

With so many people reaching the stage where they can no longer make decisions for themselves, an increasingly useful option is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). An LPA is where you appoint someone as your ‘attorney’ to make decisions on your behalf, should you reach the stage where you can no longer do so.

The different types of LPA There are two main types of LPA. The first is the LPA for financial decisions. This will cover things like buying and selling property, paying the mortgage, investing money and arranging repairs for your property. There is also an LPA which covers health and care decisions. This allows your attorney to make decisions about things like where you should live and your medical care.

You can set up separate LPAs to cover these two areas, or a single LPA to cover them both if you wish.

Is one LPA enough?

Choosing a person to be your attorney can be difficult. You need to find someone who you trust to always act in your best interests, but who can also be relied upon to deal with the responsibility and administration that comes with the role. Generally, people will choose a loved one, like their spouse or child. However, you can also appoint a professional, like a solicitor. In fact, you can select more than one attorney - a main one, and a replacement. The replacement attorney can step in and make decisions for you if the original attorney is unable. As an example, you might name your partner as your attorney and your child as the replacement. This way, should your partner end up in a position where they are no longer able to make decisions on your behalf, perhaps because of their own health issues, your child can take over the responsibility.

Fidel Beauhill, Director of Legally Secure said: “With dementia such a significant problem across the UK, it is essential to put plans in place on how to deal with it should you develop issues. That should extend beyond an LPA and include Wills and other Estate Planning documents.”.

If you’re unsure about what you need to do and whether you should be appointing an LPA, please talk to us today on 01173 226 322

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THE WORD ON THE STREET Summer in the city

By Eileen Means “Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter, Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here, Here comes the sun, (doo doo doo doo)” (George Harrison) “Here comes the summer sun, he burns my skin...” (Texas)

The beautiful green hills can be seen from Dundry slopes to Leigh Woods via Ashton Court, the Downs and Suspension Bridge from many of the busiest streets in the city. Next time you are stuck in Bristol’s notorious congestion, raise your eyes to appreciate the green spaces a couple of miles away; it is calming.

And let’s not forget the lovely parks and open spaces in the city, many of which are hidden and known only to local people; there is Frome Valley in Bristol East, Blaise Castle park and museum in the West, not forgetting our hidden gems in the centre of the city, Brandon Hill and Castle Park. Lots of smaller but equally valued local parks are just as nice for a picnic or barbeque like St Andrews Park in Bishopston or Dame Emily Park in Bedminster.

So, here we go everyone; a rousing chorus of

Is there anywhere better than Bristol when the sun shines? We live in a beautiful city with lots of places to enjoy and have fun in the summer. After a long cold lonely winter, let’s take a moment to appreciate the city where we live.

“Here comes the sun,

Surrounded by lovely countryside from Weston to Gloucestershire and not far from the sea, Bristol has it all.

It’s all right

Here comes the sun and I say It’s all right

(Doo do doo do doo do doo)”

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9. Community News

There is powerful evidence that truly local services are preferred by the majority of the population and it is well known that businesses which advertise on a regular basis have a higher return rate than those who only do so on a one off basis.

Contact us today to find out about our competitive rates for 3-6 months advertising and how to receive up to 40% off.

Call: 0117 3258029 Visit: www.directlocalonline.com

10. Community news

Success at the Port Of Bristol Bowls Club!

There was a notable success at the City and Port of Bristol Club on Saturday 27th May when the ladies defeated Page Park in the first round of the Inter Club Competition. This is a competition played simultaneously on both clubs greens ---one rink on each --- and City and Port came out on top on both.

The previous week saw the men move on to the second round of the Gloucester Two Rink competition without bowling a ball when Dowty Staverton conceded.

The season is now in full swing with friendly games being enjoyed on Wednesdays , Saturdays and Sundays most weeks as well as Club League on Monday evenings and both men’s and ladies Bristol and District games ---- for the more competitive on various days in the week.

13 bowlers have now qualified as markers for club competitions. Very experienced and qualified people ---- Don Nunn, Gill Razey and Pat Hayes came to the club on two successive Tuesdays in May to enable City and Port members to be certificated to mark at club level.

The Ladies League Team has made a good start to the season, most recently winning one rink and two points from table topping Portishead RBL. The men’s league team has done well after a slow start. Most recently they have taken eight points from Knowle C to add to points gained at Keynsham the week before.

A blast from the past ----- and Paul Bywater who plays on Monday evenings for The Lads --- spoke recently of the day he played at the City and Port of Bristol Green against the now legendary David Bryant. This was in the 1970s when the green was in its infancy and not at its best. Paul remembers offering an apology for the state of the green ---the answer was ---- it’s the same for both of us !!

David Bryant has been known for his generosity over the years ---- this was an example of it.

Tuesday evenings for new bowlers is still very much alive and if you would like to come and try ---- please do.

We start at 6pm ---- it is free of charge ---- all equipment provided and experienced bowler on hand to offer help and advice.

For more information about this or anything to do with the club please call David Hinksman on 0117 9082713.

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Martin Warrillow has an inspirational story to tell The human brain can only be worked so hard.

When it's had enough, it goes haywire.

I moved into freelance journalism and quickly got an annual contract editing the quarterly magazine of British Naturism. My wife and I had been naturists since 1991 so it seemed the perfect job.

I enjoyed it for three-and-a-half years. But office politics came to the fore in the autumn of 2013 and I decided not to apply for another contract. Before I could leave, the organisation decided not to renew my deal – and I was told in a two-minute phone call.

Despite being born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, I spent 23 years working on newspapers in the West Midlands, with most of them on the sports desk of a morning newspaper.

I loved it, but we worked ridiculous hours, starting at 3pm and finishing between midnight and 1am.

With my wife waking at 6am to commute to work, I wasn't getting a lot of 'proper' sleep. I was also eating 'on the run”. It was a recipe for disaster and in 2006-7, I started to suffer epileptic fits.

It took the doctors 18 months to work out what was happening. Finally, my employer paid for a private consultation with a professor of neurology.

I will never forget the day I sat in that consultant’s office and he said: "You don't know how close you've come to killing yourself. Your eating and sleeping patterns are wrecked; your body clock's shot to bits."

That took away 90 per cent of my income and over the next two weeks, I panicked. I took my brain and body to their limits and beyond. Then, while I was crossing a road on Monday December 16 2013, I collapsed without warning.

I lay helpless with a bus coming towards me. I'd had a stroke. At the age of 49, my body and brain had cried 'Enough!'

The stroke could have killed me. The bus should have killed me. But somehow the bus missed me and I survived the stroke.

I spent a month in hospital, I was in a wheelchair for four months and on sticks for 18 months. I have memory loss and balance issues. But I'm alive.

The company quickly took me off those shifts and things calmed down. I haven't had a fit since February 2010. But at the end of 2009, my job was made redundant.

I've been retired since December 2015 because of the brain damage but I blog at www.askthewarrior.com and I do talks about stroke education as ‘The Warrior’ –emphasising the need for people to take care of their brains and bodies. I also point out that people should prepare financially for the life-changing event "which will never happen to me."

Well, I'm proof that it can - if you work your brain and body too hard. If I can help one person to avoid what I've been through, I see that as creating a massive positive out of a massive negative.

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More than 80 secondary school pupils, made up of nine teams, took part in the Young Enterprise (West of England) Area Finals held at Kingsweston House on May 3rd.

The Young Enterprise program helps young people develop their business and personal skills by creating their own company and products. The pupils showcased their products on trade stands before delivering their pitch for their business idea.

Chair of Young Enterprise (West of England), Rob Carter, adds: “It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant and capable students are when they are given the opportunity to express themselves and do things they never thought possible.

The atmosphere on the day was electric and was a fitting finale to a year that has seen Young Enterprise help even more students equip themselves for the world of work. It was an event that reassures us all of a positive future ahead.”

The overall winner was Connected, a social enterprise company from Colstons Girls School.

They produced Jigsaw Coasters which connect together, symbolizing how they wish to help homeless people reconnect with society.

Our runner up were team Ignite from St. Bedes Catholic College who designed individual henna candles.

The regional finals are being held at Reinshaw on June 14th, we welcome all to come and see Connected compete for their place in the national finals.

We are always keen to work with new businesses or individuals, and there are so many ways you can get involved in sharing your knowledge and expertise with the workforce of the future.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Caroline Tarbuck, Young Enterprise Manager West of England – caroline.tarbuck@y-e.org.uk

13. Business to Business

TSA Accountants can help you if you are self employed If you are Self-Employed then you are probably only too aware that time is money and time spent doing Self-Assessment Returns is time not earning money. It can also be time consuming dealing with H.M. Revenue & Customs and deciding which allowances and expenses you can claim. It’s tempting to try and do this work yourself as a way to save money. However, getting it wrong can be a very expensive lesson to learn.

Many accounting services are tax deductible meaning hiring an Accountant may not be as expensive as you think. We have a competitive fee structure and the guarantee of a fixed fee, combined with the convenience of a monthly direct debit, so why not let us take the pain out of SelfAssessment for you?

For a fixed monthly fee starting at just £40 per month you will receive these services as standard: 

Preparation of Annual Trading Accounts



Preparation and submission of SelfAssessment Return



Unlimited telephone and e-mail support in relation to these services

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Annual consultation and business review, including a free Business and Financial Health Check

We also offer a range of additional services at fixed fees such as: 

VAT Returns



Payroll



Credit Control/Debt Recovery Assistance



Book Keeping

So for all your accountancy needs call us today because with us you can spend more time on growing your business and less time doing your tax returns.

Book Your Advert Today

Call: 0117 325 8029 www.directlocalonline.com

Visit : www.tsabusinessadvisors.co.uk

14. Business to Business

Are you paying double?

If you have a bank account with a Credit Card, your card may be offering you several facilities that you are already paying for. Two years ago, I took a look at what my bank and credit card provided. I was horrified what I had been missing out on and what I had been paying for twice.

This may not sound like an exciting task but it is worth an hour or so of your time as it may save you over £1,000 every year. How better could you spend that money? How long does it take you to earn £1,000?

Most Banks publish this information in the booklet you may have received with your card.

Alternatively go online and check to see what benefits are available. You may be pleasantly surprised.

These included – holiday insurance, mobile phone insurance, car and roadside assistance, access to airport lounges, and a raft of other things associated with the account itself. In all I reckon I saved around £1,200 each year on all of the various items which I was effectively paying double for!

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16. Direct Motors

17. Direct Motors

Everyone thinks they’re a good driver Or at least no one will admit they’re a bad driver.

We all like to think we follow the rules (more or less) and never make any mistakes.

However, we all also know that that isn’t quite true.

We do make mistakes and sometimes, we aren’t the best drivers.

But is there any way to know if you are actually a good driver?

In this article, we look at the signs you are a good driver, and the signs that mean you are actually a bad driver.

How to tell if you are a good driver Aside from abiding by the rules, there are other ways to tell if you are a good driver. So we are going to look at the ways you can tell if you are a good driver;

You move over after passing If you move into the left lane to pass and then move back again, the chances are you are a good driver.

You know the speed limit Sometimes the speed limit for a road isn’t always clear. However, a good driver will always know what the speed limit is regardless of whether it is obvious or not. Not only does this mean that they are attentive but they also care about their safety and the safety of others. Not to mention they are abiding by the law.

You are focused on the road Using your mobile phone when driving comes with significant penalties as of this year. So good drivers are ones that do not use their mobile phones. But good drivers are also those that are not distracted by Sat-Navs, radios or other music devices such as choosing a song on your iPod. Good drivers aren’t distracted and stay focused on the road at all times.

You take regular breaks If you are on a long journey, a good driver will know when to take breaks. You should take a break every two hours, yet one in 20 admit that they don’t take breaks at all. This is extremely risky as it can seriously affect your concentration. It also makes you more prone to nodding off at the wheel, which one in 10 of us have done.

A good driver knows when to take breaks, and knows when they are losing focus If you are on a long journey, a good driver will know when to take breaks. You should take a break every two hours, yet one in 20 admit that they don’t take breaks at all. This is extremely risky as it can seriously affect your concentration. It also makes you more prone to nodding off at the wheel, which one in 10 of us have done.

18. Direct Motors

A good driver knows when to take breaks, and knows when they are losing focus.

You know your vehicle Good drivers know what their car is and isn’t capable of. They know whether they will be able to overtake that car or how hard they have to step on the brakes to stop in time. If you know your vehicle well, and know what it can and can’t do then the chances are you’re a pretty good driver.

You have the right attitude when it comes to driving Attitude is key when it comes to driving. You can be highly skilled, but if you approach driving with the wrong attitude then you won’t come across as a very good driver. If you are calm and tolerant in all situations and are confident, but not overly confident, then you come across as a very good driver.

Good drivers approach driving with a positive attitude and rarely lose their temper.

You exercise skill at all times Just like you should know your vehicle, a good driver knows their abilities too. To be a good driver you need to recognise potential dangers and react accordingly. A good driver is vigilant and proactive.

So there are some of the ways you can tell if you are a good driver. A good driver is focused, does not get distracted, knows their vehicle and they are proactive in their driving.

How to tell if you’re a bad driver Okay, so we know how to tell if you’re a good driver, but what about if you’re a bad driver?

Here are some of the ways you can tell if you are a bad driver (or one of your friends);

 You drive too close to the car in front of you A surefire way to make you look like a terrible driver and irritate the person in front of you  You don’t indicate We don’t need to tell you why this is a sign of a bad driver  You get distracted Constantly changing radio stations or songs on your iPod shows that you aren’t fully focused on the road like a good driver should be  You break the speed limit Okay, so there are quite a few of us who probably break the speed limit from time to time, but constantly speeding or completely ignoring speed limits is the sign of an irresponsible and bad driver.  You don’t share the road Everyone who is on the road has a right to be there.

That includes cyclists and horse riders. A bad driver will disregard them or make their lives difficult when on the road. Not only is this dangerous, it’s not a nice thing to do. Good drivers acknowledge that they aren’t the only ones on the road.  You are over-confident Being an over-confident driver can put you and other drivers at risk. Overestimating what your car is capable of or what you as a driver are capable of can cause accidents and is dangerous and irresponsible.

Hopefully this has given you a bit of a lighthearted look as to whether you are a good driver or not. A good driver is focused, exercises precaution but is also a proactive driver.

They also know the extent of what their car can and can’t do. A bad driver, on the other hand, is overly confident, doesn’t abide by the law and gets distracted easily. They also succumb to road rage or don’t share the road with the likes of cyclists or horse riders.

Of course, these aren’t the only qualities that make someone a good or bad driver, but they are a pretty good indication of their driving skill. That said, we all have bad days and we all slip up from time to time, so next time you see someone making a mistake remember that they might just be having a bad day, and aren’t actually a bad drive Article by Andy Lane Managing Director Lane Pearson Automotive Group Ltd

19. Direct Motors

20. Direct Motors

UP COMING EVENTS St Brendan’s Community Arts Picnic and Open Day Event Date: 10th June Description: A free community festival for the whole family and College Open Day for students thinking about post-16 education.

Venue: St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, Broomhill Road, Avon, Bristol Bin Lorry Racing At Weston-super-Mare!

Event Date: 10th June Description: For families who are looking for free activities to keep the kids happy this half term, or day-trippers looking for something a bit different, an unusual event is taking place at Weston-super-Mare seafront on Saturday 10 June as the town hosts the National Refuse Championships!

Venue: Weston Super Mare Seafront Medieval Fayre at Winterbourne Medieval Barn Event Date: 11th June Description: What better place to hold a Medieval Fayre than in and around a medieval barn! Living history group The Company of Chivalry presents a vivid display of life in a medieval encampment during the 100 Years war.

Venue: Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Church Lane, Winterbourne Little Cooks (June) at Windmill Hill City Farm Event Date: 16th June Description: Monthly cooking classes for preschoolers and their carers. Messy foody fun!

Venue: Windmill Hill City Farm Philip Street Bedminster Bristol BATH FESTIVAL OF MOTORING Event Date: 17th June - 18th June Description: Bath Festival of Motoring will be held on 17th and 18th June 2017 at Walcot Rugby Ground, Bath. Featuring an eclectic display of classic and vintage cars and motorcycles, the event will be a fun-filled weekend for all the family.

Venue: Walcot Rugby Ground, Bath

Brisca F2 Stock Cars British Championship, sponsored by Mills Engineering in association with Polleysport and Yokohama tyres Event Date: 24th June Description: Junior Rods, Back to Basics Unlimited Bangers 4pm Venue: Mendip Raceways Shipham Somerse Story of Early Music Event Date: 25th June Description: Enjoy music played on period instruments in the atmospheric setting of the medieval barn, and hear a story of how music has changed over the centuries.

Venue: Winterbourne Medieval Barn Berkeley Square Poetry Revue Event Date: 27th June Description: Bristol’s very own poetry revue invites the region’s wordsmiths to perform in our quirky cocktail bar.

Venue: 15 Berkeley Square West Indies Band at The Huntsman Event Date: 29th June Description: Bristol’s premier Indie and Britpop tribute act.

Venue: The Huntsman Pub Generous George Westerleigh Road Downend Bristo he Bristol Book Fair Event Date: 30th June– 1st July Description: Old, rare and vintage books, maps, prints, manuscripts and ephemera, from the dawn of printing to modern first editions. Prices range from a few pounds to many thousands...

Venue: The Passenger Shed The Wurzels Event Date: 30th June Description: The Somerset-based band return to the Grand Pier entertaining you with many classics including their 1976 number one hit “Combine Harvester”, and “I Am A Cider Drinker” Venue: Grand Pier Weston Super Mare Marine Parade Weston-super-Mare Somerset

Open Day - Horseworld Event Date: 24th June Description: This Open Day is a great opportunity to see what goes on at HorseWorld’s Welfare Department and talk to the grooms and trainers who rescue, nurse back to health, train and then find suitable homes for these wonderful animals.

20. Up Coming Events

IN CINEMAS Review by Aaron Potter

WONDER WOMAN So it’s safe to say that the Summer movie period has finally arrived, and what good’s a Summer without a wealth of blockbuster movies hitting cinema screens? Thankfully the Hollywood gods have graced us with lots to look forward to starting this June, from Amazonian superheroes, the return of squat yellow henchmen, and more Tom Cruise hastily running.

Hot off the heels of her screen-saving appearance in last year’s Batman Vs Superman, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman kicks us off in a big way this summer with a WWI-set origin story that tells the story of the Amazon princess turned superhero warrior. Leaving her home island of Themyscira and making way for London, the movie looks set to show us a battle of the gods with Wonder woman facing off against Ares and Doctor Poison.

Rounding out June’s jam-packed schedule is the return of Gru and friends in Despicable Me 3, so prepare for cuteness and hilarity overload when a certain sibling arrives for a fun team-up.

The fun doesn’t stop there as Cineworld Bristol and Direct Local Magazines are teaming up once again to give viewers a chance to win movie merchandise just visit www.facebook.com/ directlocal to see the latest completion.

Movies don’t get bigger or more epic than this, so be sure to strap into your cinema seat!

Cineworld Rating

Closely sprinting onto the scene soon after is Tom Cruise’s The Mummy, a globe-trotting horror adventure film that looks to mix sand and scares, with the titular mummy played by Kingsman’s Sofia Boutella aiming to give Cruise a tougher time than Brendan Fraser originally had in 1999.

22. Up coming events

Wonder Woman The Mummy Despicable Me 3

Competition Time

Welcome to our monthly word search.

Direct Local have teamed up with the totally awesome Pro Wrestling Chaos and are giving away 2 tickets to the next show.

All you need to do is complete the word search above and either scan and email it to us with your details at: info@directlocalonline.com.

Draw will take place on the 20th June with the traditional names in a hat and one lucky Tickets will be sent by post to your address People must be 16 years or over to enter the Competition. Unless parents consent in writing

Or cut out the word search add your name and address Telephone or email and send it to us at: Direct Local Magazines 7 Hopewell Gardens Shirehampton BS11 0JS

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Awareness Season at Rowe Vet Group, Filton Ticks are bad news, and bad news spreads quickly! 

The largest ever veterinary study of ticks was conducted by the University of Bristol.

They found that almost 1 in 3 dogs had ticks.

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Ticks spread infectious diseases that are harmful to both pets and humans, such as Lyme disease (which can be fatal). Not all tick bites result in disease, however it is important to avoid them; often you do not realise you or your dog have been bitten.

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All dogs are at risk of ticks, regardless of their breed, age or sex.

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There is a rise in tick activity during Spring, but they are active all year round, requiring year-round vigilance. Ticks are most commonly found in grass/moor/wood/ heathland as well as in urban parks and gardens. Walking your dog amongst sheep and deer is one of the highest risk factors.

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Ticks don’t fly, but rather attach when an animal brushes by. Once attached, the tick begins its blood meal, which can take several days to complete, before dropping off. It is during the blood meal that dangerous diseases are transferred.

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In 2016, scientists confirmed cases of a new tick-borne disease in dogs, thought to have come over from Europe. Using tick prevention on your pet when you take them abroad is vital to help prevent further spread of these exotic diseases.

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If removed from your dog incorrectly, the head of the tick can remain in your pet, so always use a specific tick remover, available from your Vet.

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Bristol and the rest of the South West fall into one of the greatest risk areas of tick exposure in the whole of the UK.

Prevention is better than cure. We strongly encourage you to get in touch with your Vet, to discuss the range of effective tick prevention options available to you and your pet, get your pet seen and checked for ticks if you are worried and learn more about ticks.

For further information go to www.rowevetgroup.com or www.bigtickproject.co.uk 28. The Directory

Professional carpet & upholstery cleaning advice from Grimebusters.

As professional carpet & upholstery cleaners, we encounter a diverse range of spots and stains.

Success in stain removal is dependent on a number of factors, in particular: • • • •

Carpet type Composition of the stain Length of time the stain has dwelt within the carpet Methods used by our customers to try and tackle the stain before giving us a call (!)

Amongst professional carpet cleaners, stain removal is sometimes referred to as a dark art. I don’t know about it being necessarily dark, but art is relevant as it relies very much on creative thinking.

If you are treating stains at home, we would recommend this technique…

We will often begin with a tamping brush, a stain removal product and a terry towel.

1. Begin at the outside margin of the stain and work inwards, this limits the extent to which the stain can spread.

2. Apply a very small amount of the stain treatment to the terry towel, then press it against the stain and begin the process of tamping. You can use anything you like instead of a tamping brush - essentially, it is just used to softly whack the towel!

This is an indirect method of applying any stain removal product and has the benefit of limiting the extent to which it can leech into the wider area of carpet, as well as providing some lift through the absorbent action of the towel.

3. (The final rinse) Mix one-part white vinegar and four-parts water and spray over the stained area. Blot damp area with a dry towel. Spread another dry towel over affected area and weigh down with a heavy object (e.g. telephone directory). Leave overnight, repeat if needed.

If a particular product fails to encourage the stain to detach from the fibres, we will work through the small arsenal of solutions at our disposal, beginning with the safest first.

It’s important to recognise that there are often times when stains will not budge. This is a sad fact of life, and one that we endeavour to inform our customers of prior to working. Some stains are just permanent due to their constitution or that of the carpet or upholstery in which they lie. We can sometimes lighten these types of stains, but they are a regular source of frustration.

If you have any questions regarding stain treatment, please feel free to get in touch

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