South Gloucestershire Direct Local September 2022

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022

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This Month..

4. School uniform grants 6. 5 interesting facts about Yate and Sodbury 8. New E bike kit to expand 10. Damp problems in buildings 16. BCRM 20. Looking beyond the CV 22. Cost of living 26. Recipe of the month 33. Laal Singh Chaddha 36. Your garden 38. Horoscopes

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. All adverts designed by Direct Local are the property of Direct Local please contact us if you wish to reprint them in other publications as a small release fee Is applied. Use of adverts designed by us will need written permission first.

Editor Michael Davies Journalist Lisa Davies Distribution coordinator Matthew Clarke 10 High Street Shirehampton Bristol BS11 0DP Email: info@directlocalonline.com Website: www.directlocalbristol.co.uk Regular editorials By: Andrea Sexton, Martin Powell Daren Bane Kayleigh Penny kierstan Lowe Corinna Ingram David Hinksman

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SCHOOL UNIFORM GRANTS WHO CAN CLAIM THEM School uniform grants could help alleviate financial pressure on household budgets as the cost of everything from energy bills to food costs continues to soar.

Back to school purchases can be expensive, with the average cost of compulsory secondary school uniform and sportswear items coming in at £101.19 per pupil, according to The School Wear Association.

WHO CAN GET A SCHOOL UNIFORM GRANT? As long as your local authority offers a school uniform grant, your child will usually qualify if they are eligible for free school meals. This means you will need to be receiving at least one of the following means-tested benefits: •

Child Tax Credit(opens in new tab)

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Income Support

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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

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Income-related Employment and Support

School uniform grants are an amount of money you can get from your local council, if you are on a low income, to put towards the cost of school uniforms and PE kits.

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Allowance(opens in new tab)

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Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

However, there is no requirement for local authorities in England to offer school uniform grants, so whether you’ll be able to get one will depend on your local council.

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The ‘guaranteed element’ of Pension Credit

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Universal Credit(opens in new tab)

You can find out whether your local authority offers the grant by using the government’s handy tool on the gov.uk website. Simply enter your postcode and click through to your local authority’s website.

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Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working

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Tax Credit

But applying for a school uniform grant could be one way to save money on back to school costs(opens in new tab) and keep your bank balance a little healthier.

WHAT ARE SCHOOL UNIFORM GRANTS?

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It’s worth noting, however, that if your child goes to a private or independently run school, you won’t be eligible for the school uniform grant.

HOW MUCH COULD YOU GET WITH A GRANT? The amount of money you’ll get with a school uniform grant - provided you qualify and your local authority offers it - will vary depending on the local authority and where you live in the UK. In England, the maximum you can get is £150 per child, but it could be as little as £25.

If you don’t qualify or cannot get a school uniform grant, the good news is there are many other ways to save money on school uniform costs.

Buying a uniform second-hand is one of the easiest ways to save money.

HOW DO YOU APPLY?

Under new guidance from the Department for Education (DfE), schools in England must now ensure that second-hand uniforms are available. They are also advised to keep branded uniform items to a minimum and encourage parents to buy cheaper supermarket(opens in new tab) alternatives, which could save parents around £50 on average.

How do you apply for a school uniform grant?

You’ll need to apply for the school uniform grant through your local council’s website. If you need help with this, the gov.uk, websites can point you in the right direction.

All the big supermarkets tend to run backto-school events during the summer months, all with various claims and money-back promises. Make sure you keep an eye out for those and look at the guarantees as well as the pricing.

Deadlines to apply for a grant in England will vary depending on the council.

It is especially worth checking out discount supermarkets like Aldi as their back-to-school events are known for bargain prices.

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£42.90 for a primary school pupil

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£61.20 for a post primary/special school pupil under 15 years old

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£67.20 for a post primary/special school pupil over 15 years old

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£26.40 for a post primary/special school pupil PE kit

When applying, you’ll need proof of address (such as a utility bill or council tax statement), proof of identity (a driver’s licence or passport), and proof of guardianship of your child (birth certificate or adoption papers)

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SECOND WIDEST HIGH STREET

Chipping Sodbury has the second widest High Street in the country. The medieval street was purposely built to accommodate animal pens for the regular agricultural markets.

J K ROWLING WAS BORN HERE

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Harry Potter author JK Rowling was born at the now defunct Chipping Sodbury Maternity Hospital on Station Road, between Yate and Chipping Sodbury in 1965. She grew up in nearby Winterbourne and is widely believed to have named the Dursley family in the Potter books

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT

YATE & CHIPPING SODBURY

TAKE THAT PLAYED IN YATE

Take That once played Spirals, Yate’s former nightclub. On April 3, 1992, a young Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange performed on HTV show

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RIDGEWAY COMMUNITY CENTRE Ridgewood Community Centre, on Station Road, was built for the princely sum of £2,090 as the Chipping Sodbur y Union Workhouse in 1839.

YATE NEARLY DID NOT HAPPEN

Yate was nearly never built as. Post-war planners for Gloucestershire advised against developing the town. They felt the high water table made Yate unsuitable for building houses and preferred Sodbury Commonin Bath is so popular.

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NEW E-BIKE KIT TO EXPAND CYCLE HIRE SCHEME Bristol City Council has expanded its bike loan scheme to include an additional 20 bikes that have been converted to electric.

The Revos eBike Conversion Kits are designed and made in Bristol and are an affordable and very efficient way to convert existing bikes to electric. The kits can be fitted in around half an hour and weigh so little that you can happily ride without it being powered up.

The council will be offering residents the chance to try out the Revos eBikes in a one-month free trial, enabling them to replace trips which may otherwise have been taken by car.

Since 2016, the council’s loan bike scheme has helped over 1,500 people to borrow one of its bikes. In total, there are now 60 regular bikes, 22 eBikes, 20 Revos eBikes, and 11 folding bikes available to loan. The loan scheme is available for anyone over 18 years old and a deposit is required on collection.

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The aim of this scheme is to introduce more people to e-bike conversion kits and let them experience the benefits first-hand.

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We’re offering an opportunity to try out a new technology that is better for the environment, helping us to work towards cleaner air, and less congestion and pollution, while being an affordable option. By being able to test the Revos eBikes, it will hopefully help residents to decide whether this might be a suitable long-term transport option for them and encourage them to purchase a kit for themselves”.

The cycle expansion is part of the WECA’s wider plans to increase the number of e-bikes on roads up and down the region after last year winning £248,000 from the Government to buy e-bikes and expand e-bike loan schemes like the scheme in Bristol.

WECA Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “The £12,300 cash injection from WECA means more Bristolians will be able to reap the benefits of pedal power. If we want more people to leave their cars at home, the alternatives need to be convenient, safe and affordable. EBikes are getting more and more popular and given that Bristol is rather hilly, are a gamechanger.

“More Bristolians can try and experience the benefits of e-bikes and enjoy riding on two wheels without having to be a lycra-clad fitness fanatic!

This is important to enable us to reach our ambitious net-zero targets and let local people breathe cleaner air and lead healthier lives.”

Some residents have already embraced the new Revos eBikes and are keen to encourage others to try them out. Edana, from Totterdown who trialled a Revos eBike for four weeks, said: “I borrowed a bike to see if I could find a healthy way to exercise and get around the city, including commuting to work. I opted for a Revos eBike to make it easier on my lower body when I had to tackle Bristol’s hills.

“The trial has made me want to change the way that I get to work or travel for small errands, and I am thinking about purchasing one of the Revos eBike Conversion Kits to put on my own bike at home. I would highly recommend trying out one of the bikes, especially as the council’s Sustainable Travel Team offer a five-star service.”

The Revos eBike Conversion Kits were developed locally by Revolutionworks. They are based at Filwood Green Business Park, which is a Bristol City Council and Homes and Communities Agency initiative,

This provides space for small and medium sized business with an environmental ethos.

Mark Palmer, Director from Revolutionworks, said: “We were delighted when Bristol City Council decided to add our Revos eBike Conversion Kits to 20 of their loan scheme bikes. Bristol is a hilly city and the Revos eBikes are ideal to help people up them. As we say, with Revos – hills are history!

“We design and make Revos eBikes in the city, so it would be great if more Bristol cyclists used them as a green way to get about and keep healthy. The conversion kits are easy to fit, but we'd be happy to help anyone who brings their bike to us in our Bristol workshop”.

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DAMP PROBLEMS IN BUILDINGS The reasons for dampness in buildings are wide and not always straightforward to diagnose. Tackling a damp problem through a standalone treatment such as a damp proof course injection is rarely the answer.

A damp survey, if carried out correctly, is key to ensuring your property damp problem is treated in the right way, to save you time and money and giving your property long term protection.

LOOKING BEYOND THE DAMP The damp survey is not only looking at the damp problem in isolation. It must also involve looking at problems that may have been caused as a result of the damp conditions. This could involve a dry rot problem, woodworm, decay to timbers and even wall tie failure.

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL PROPERTY DAMP INSPECTION The objective of the damp survey is to build up a property profile to understand what could be causing the damp so that a decision can be made as to the right course of action.

The essential first step is carrying out an external and internal property inspection, assessing factors such as property layout, construction, and environment, vegetation, drainage, and any recent changes to the property.

A condensation survey also needs a technical approach. With air conditions constantly changing inside a property, humidity levels and dew points need to be calculated to see if condensation is taking place. Natural occurring cold spots, insulation, shape and layout of rooms, ventilation and lifestyle all need to be considered as these can all impact on condensation problems.

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FARM IN FRAMPTON COTTERELL TO BE NATURE RESERVE A farm in a village north of Bristol is set to be turned into a new nature reserve after previous fears the land was earmarked for housing.

Frampton End farm, near Frampton Cotterell, would become a river and nature reserve after 2028, writes Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter.

Locals had been concerned the farm would be given over to housing developers, after the site was included in a key South Gloucestershire Council document.

A new nature reserve would mean a boost for the local area in health, education, volunteering, biodiversity and the environment, according to council chiefs.

Planting new trees and wetlands could also act as a massive carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide emissions and tackling climate change.

Rumours about the farm being used for housing began recently after the council included the area on its call for sites, as part of the new local plan. The new plan will come into effect in 2024, setting out where major developments will take place over the next few years across South Gloucestershire.

In June, council bosses were urged by local resident Tom Howell to protect the farm as a nature reserve. Now Mr Howell and parish councillors Tim Niblett and Andy Pullen have said they are “delighted” the council has decided to back their campaign.

They said: “We’re absolutely delighted that South Gloucestershire Council has supported our campaign to turn Frampton End farm into a brand new nature reserve, saving it from the risk of unwanted housing and helping to protect nature locally.

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“Conservation is at the heart of what we want to achieve for our rural villages, and we strongly believe that this nature reserve would have ecological and environmental benefits locally, and it’s great to see the council’s leadership share this view.

We look forward to working closely with the council to progress this vision on behalf of local people.”

The 102-hectare farm is owned by the council and has been let to the same tenant since 1993, and the tenancy is due to end in 2028. It was originally used as a dairy and livestock farm, but now is mostly arable with permission for horses. Running through the site is the River Frome and the Frome Valley Walkway public footpath.

Turning the farm into a nature reserve could cost about £1 million, funded by the West of England combined authority. About £20,000 is due to be spent by the council on researching the potential options for the plans. The council is planning to create five new nature reserves in total in South Gloucestershire, to boost biodiversity and cut carbon emissions.

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NEW CHARFIELD TRAIN STATION RECEIVE STRONG SUPPORT Plans for a new train station in Charfield have received a high level of support from people living in the village and surrounding communities.

Results from a public consultation show that 78 per cent of people who took part in the survey were either very or quite supportive of the principle of reopening a station. Initial designs for the new station also received support from 73 per cent of people.

South Gloucestershire Council received more than 600 responses during a 12-week consultation held between October 2021 and January 2022.

Further analysis of the results show that 55 per cent of Charfield residents* who took part in the consultation were very or quite supportive of the principle of reopening the station.

A copy of the consultation report in full can be found on the project’s website, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/charfieldstation The council is now pushing ahead with a planning application for the new station which will include two platforms serving north and southbound journeys, a pedestrian footbridge, a public transport interchange, covered cycle parking, and car parking.

The application is expected to be submitted to the Local Planning Authority later in the summer. Once submitted the scheme will be subject to further public consultation, led by the Local Planning Authority, providing an opportunity for people to comment on the application.

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A new station in Charfield will support sustainable travel to and from the village and surrounding area. The station will also improve access to jobs, education and a wider variety of services and facilities and help mitigate some of the impacts of recent development in the area.

Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member responsible for transport at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are really pleased with the response, which demonstrates a strong level of support for a new station in Charfield.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in our consultation. The feedback given is now helping us develop our plans ready for a planning application, which we will submit very soon.

“After many years of discussion, it is exciting to see proposals for a new station finally building momentum.

“Opening a new station in Charfield will make public transport more accessible for our rural communities and help encourage more people to make the switch to sustainable travel and improve access to jobs and education.

“We are committed to lowering our carbon emissions across South Gloucestershire and investment like this in public transport will help us work towards our Climate Emergency goal of net zero emissions by 2030.”

Information about the scheme can be found by visiting www.southglos.gov.uk/ charfieldstation

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INVITATION TO FREE FERTILITY FAIR FROM BCRM An open invitation has been issued by the team at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) to anyone seeking fertility advice to attend a free Fertility Fair taking place from 10am-5pm on Saturday 10 September at their state-of-the-art clinic at 135 Aztec West, Bristol.

The programme for the day will enable guests to meet leading fertility experts, attend presentations, browse exhibitor stalls, take a tour of the Centre and have a mini consultation, all free of charge. Places can be reserved by calling BCRM on 0117 259 1159.

The event will feature some of the UK’s leading fertility experts giving insights into many aspects of fertility issues and treatments, with a dedicated session aimed at people interested in egg donation treatment and another on treatment options for female couples and single women about using donor sperm services.

BCRM’s medical director and lead consultant, Valentine Akande, said: “This is the first time we have held a public event at the purpose-built new centre we moved to in January this year, and we’re delighted by the initial response from the trying-to-conceive community.

“We already know there’s a lot of interest in the free-of-charge mini consultations being offered by our consultants on the day which will, of course, take place in absolute privacy as always.

“I would urge anyone hoping for a one-to-one appointment to reserve their place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment because obviously we can only offer a limited number on the day.”

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The general programme for the fair includes sessions of interest to would-be fathers, illustrating the unintrusive techniques now used to test sperm and male fertility including oxidative stress testing and DNA fragmentation.

Fertility counsellors will be also available to discuss the support BCRM provides to patients before, during and after treatment, as well as the Women’s Wellbeing programmes provided by a local therapist.

Tours being offered inside the clinic will give visitors a fascinating insight into the high-tech work done in the embryology lab, including techniques such as timelapse microincubation and preimplantation genetic testing. And the world’s first IVF baby, Louise Brown, will present a lively account of the history of IVF. Throughout the clinic building, the exhibitor stalls available for visitors to browse include: •

BCRM Laboratory

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BCRM Patient Support and Counselling Team

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BCRM Finance

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Access Fertility – IVF finance programme

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Logix Pharma: MiOXSYS – Sperm oxidative stress testing

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Examen – Sperm DNA fragmentation testing

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Cooper Genomics – RI Witness system and Preimplantation genetic testing

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Pharmasure – Impryl and Inofolic fertility supplements

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BRIST-IVF study – University of Bristol /BCRM collaborative research programme to improve IVF outcomes

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Victoria Gazzard – Women’s Wellbeing and Fertility Therapies

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Cryos – Sperm Bank

Although this is a free event, capacity is limited so anyone wishing to attend is advised to reserve their place as soon as possible by calling BCRM on 0117 259 1159. Registered visitors will be sent an information pack to help them plan their day.

Why not read our other publications online!

South Bristol North Somerset North Bristol South Gloucestershire www.directlocalbristol.co.uk

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CHURCHILL’S HEARSE FOR BRISTOL FUNERALS

The hearse used to carry Winston Churchill to his final resting place is to be used for Bristol funerals after being painstakingly restored.

“The hearse was used for the short part of his final journey between the boat and the train. At every stage of the journey people stood in tribute to the country’s wartime leader.”

The Austin Princess, registration number BLE 704B carried Churchill’s body from Festival Pier in London to Waterloo Station through crowds of mourners at the State Funeral in January 1965.

Bristol Memorial Woodlands is creating a 100-acre wood that is held in Trust for future generations to visit. Those conveyed to their final resting place in the restored hearse will rest amidst English woodland where only native trees and flowers are planted.

Now the historic vehicle is being put to work once again by Bristol Memorial Woodlands funeral directors making it available for the final journey of Bristol people to its chapel and green burial ground in its nature reserve near Alveston, Bristol.

The hearse was restored by Jo Burge of Classic Marine Engineers in Suffolk. He said: “It was a comprehensive overhaul that took us three years as we wanted everything to stay as authentic as possible and source all the correct parts.

The hearse played a vital role in the State Funeral of the British Prime Minister, who led the country through the Second World War.

“It was an interesting project as the hearse bodywork was by Vanden Plas so we had a vehicle that had steel bolt on wings of the type used on some of the earliest vehicles, aluminium on the front doors and fibreglass at the back.

Christopher Baker, founder of the Memorial Woodlands said: “We believe the history of the hearse makes it appropriate for military families or for anyone who has a sense of history.

“Churchill’s funeral was a magnificent event that saw the largest gathering of world leaders during the 1960s. His body was conveyed on a gun carriage, down the Thames on board the MV Havengore and then on to a train named in his honour to Oxfordshire where he was buried.

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“We also found that some of the interior that looked like wood was in fact Formica wood effect, and we had never worked on restoring Formica before. Apart from a small change to the fuel delivery system, which weas necessary for safety, it is restored to how it was in the 1960s.”

The historic vehicle is available for funerals through Bristol Memorial Woodlands

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LOOKING BEYOND THE CV

We are in the process of hiring staff at the moment and, one of the positions is, arguably, and, in my humble opinion, one of the most pivotal roles in the Agency.

It’s the Viewings role. So often underestimated but so important – why? Because it’s the first point of contact and, as such, the face of KPA; this person will (after lots of training) be charged with choosing tenants for our properties and for our landlords’ properties (and it’s well known how important we think this process is) and they will be liaising with the team, the tenants and making value judgements along every step of the way.

Now, there are some things we can teach and some things we can’t and lots of the attributes required for the viewing’s role are things you cannot teach, so it’s crucial that we are able to really get a sense of the person in these interviews. Common sense and the ability to read people are right at the top of the wish list on this one and it’s hard to see this on a CV. We opt for a two staged interview process, and we psychometrically profile the candidates too. This may well sound very 1960s – but it is so that we can get a sense of whether they are a process driven person, a sales driven person or a people’s person and how this mix looks.

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This isn’t just so that we choose the right candidate, but because we want them to be happy, content, working in their excellence and to stay. There is nothing more disheartening, than putting lots of training effort in, only for someone to leave in 6 months’ time. We are not after a quick fix, we are after a solid team member, who is going to be with us for many years to come.

Recruiting in this current market sounds easy, as there are some fabulous candidates out there and we have definitely seen a rise in the number of applications, since our last hire but when you are looking for things like enthusiasm, personality, work ethic and people skills as job requirements it’s hard to see where these fit on a CV – a CV won’t tell you whether someone is a natural communicator! So, you need to do the legwork! Everyone loves a little quick fix these days don’t they – but this is one of those times where you need to get involved and, I’ve said it so many times, and I’ll say it again, people will tell you so much about themselves, if you will only listen!

HERE ARE MY TOP 5 TIPS FOR LOOKING BEYOND THE CV, AND THIS APPLIES TO ANY POSITION:

1. Adaptable and transferrable skills. With

the right amount of training and time, even without any experience, a great candidate can turn out to be a really valuable member of the team.

2. Think about industries (like hospitality) that have been decimated by the pandemic.

Candidates may have been out of work for a while. See beyond this. They may give you 110% effort, be super grateful for the opportunity and worth their weight in gold.

3. Think about the things you can’t gauge

from a CV – energy, enthusiasm, work ethic, common sense, people skills and, whether they will be working in their excellence and happy in the position, which means they will stay, and you won’t be caught in that cycle of re-hiring and training every 6 months, which is soul destroying, especially when you are busy!

5. Someone from a different business background can bring new ideas, new ways of thinking and great diversity to your team and, may even be able to think of things that you have never considered! A new team member, fresh to the role, with experience from other industries, who feels excited about the position and empowered to speak their minds because they know that they will be heard, is a wonderful thing.

Watching the team grow with the business is one of the most rewarding things and, undoubtedly my favourite part of growing a business!

So, wish us luck. These next few weeks are going to be busy, as we are interviewing for several new members of staff. The viewings’ role is one where the successful candidate will need to fill big shoes, as our last team member was absolutely fantastic! She left us to go travelling around Europe, working on the way (which obviously didn’t lend itself well to viewings). We were so excited for her that we couldn’t even be mad that she left us!

She was much loved by tenants, landlords and the rest of the team alike. We are hoping for the same this time around and will definitely be looking beyond the CV for these attributes!

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COST OF LIVING: DISABLED PEOPLE TO GET £150 PAYMENT NEXT MONTH Millions of households will receive a £150 cost-of-living payment from the end of next month, the Government has said.

The one-off payment, announced in May, will be paid automatically to people who receive certain disability benefits from September 20, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said.

Minister for disabled people, health and work Chloe Smith said in a statement online: “We know disabled people can face additional costs, which is why we are acting to help reduce the financial pressures on the most vulnerable.

“This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low-income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support The majority of eligible people will receive targeted at disabled people, including help their payment within a couple of weeks of this with transport and prescription costs. date, it added.

“We know it’s a worrying time for some people The payment is intended to help disabled and I’d urge them to check they are getting people with the rising cost of living and the all the support on offer by searching Help for higher costs they face, such as for care and Households.” mobility needs.

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said in an online It comes on top of other cost-of-living statement: “We know that rising prices faced payments totalling £650 for disabled people by many countries around the world are a on low incomes. significant worry for many people here in the UK, especially those most vulnerable to All households will receive £400 to help additional costs. towards energy bills and an extra £150 for properties in council tax bands A-D in “Today’s announcement that disabled people England. will begin to receive an additional £150 payment from the end of September reinforcOverall, the Government has announced a es our commitment to help UK households £37 billion package of support to help people through the challenging times ahead.” with rising costs.

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DRINKING TWO CUPS OF TEA A DAY MAY HELP YOU LIVE LONGER

When compared with those who do not drink tea, people who consumed two or more cups each day had between a 9% and 13% lower risk of mortality, researchers said. This research shows that there could be significant health benefits associated with drinking tea.

The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggested the result was the same no matter whether the person also drank coffee, added milk or sugar to their tea, what their preferred tea temperature was, or whether there were genetic variants involved affecting the rate at which people metabolise caffeine. In other words, tea is good for you no matter how you take it!

The researchers, from the National Institutes of Health, used data from the UK Biobank, which saw 85% of the half a million men and women, aged 40 to 69, report that they regularly drink tea. Of those, 89% said they drank black tea.

The study was conducted with a questionnaire answered from 2006 to 2010 and followed up over more than a decade.

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A professor of preventive medicine and public health at the Autonomous University of Madrid, described the research as representing “a substantial advance in the field”.

He said in a statement online: Most studies had been done in Asia, where green tea is the most widely consumed, and the few outside Asia were “small in size and inconclusive in their results”. He added: “This article shows that regular consumption of black tea (the most widely consumed tea in Europe) is associated with a modest reduction in total and, especially, cardiovascular disease mortality over 10 years in a middle-aged, mostly white, adult general population.”

He said: “the study does not definitively establish that tea is the cause of the lower mortality of tea drinkers, because it cannot exclude that this is down to other health factors associated with tea consumption.

Another question which remains unanswered is whether people who do not drink tea should start doing so to improve their health”.

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Banana, cinnamon and oat shake

Ingredients

Method

400ml Semi-skimmed milk

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blitz on high until combined and frothy

2 Bananas, roughly chopped 3 Tbsp oats 2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for sprinkling 26

Pour into 2 glasses and chill in the fridge Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top

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Salsa verde salmon with toasted hazelnuts

e h c o i r b y r r e b e Blu g n i d d u p r e m m su Ingredients 750g Blueberries 100g Caster sugar 2 oranges, zest of 1, juice of both Vegetable oil, for greasing 4 Brioche buns Small handful mint leaves, torn 8 tbsp Crème fraîche

Meanwhile, grease a pudding basin (about 800ml) and line with multiple layers of cling film, making sure there’s plenty of overhang Trim the tops and bottoms from each brioche bun, then slice in half widthways Dip a slice into the drained blueberry juice, then press into the lined mould Repeat, overlapping slightly and trimming where needed to cover the sides of the bowl completely (make sure you reserve two slices for the top) Fill the lined bowl with the stewed blueberries, then cover with the remaining brioche, pouring over any leftover juice as well

Method

Fold over the excess cling film and chill, weighted down with plates or jars, for at least

Heat the blueberries in a medium saucepan with the sugar, orange zest and juice, until just releasing their juices (2-3 mins), then sieve the liquid into a bowl and leave to cool

4 hours, or overnight

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Turn the pudding onto a plate, decorate with the mint and serve with the crème fraîche on the side

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HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SUCCESSFUL WALL PAPER HANGING There are some tasks that you may need to do before hanging your wallpaper. Check our list to ensure your walls are fully ready for wallpaper. With this guide you will get the best finish possible and avoid any nasty surprises further into the project.

Have you removed any existing wallpaper?

Doing this will give you a smooth finish and avoid air bubbles and creases appearing when you hang the new wallpaper

Have you bought enough wallpaper?

It helps to estimate the amount of wallpaper you’ll need for your project. When you measure the height and length of the walls you want to wallpaper, also measure the windows and doors. Allow extra for wastage. We recommend 10% extra, and any unopened rolls can be returned to the store you bought them from. Also, allow for extra when using paper with a large repeat pattern – the pattern repeat is usually stated on the roll label or product information.

Are all the rolls of wallpaper the same batch number?

Make sure all the rolls have the same batch number printed on the label, as the colours and in some instances, the finish, can vary between batches.

Have you planned how you’re going to hang the wallpaper?

We recommend hanging wallpaper vertically Are your walls freshly plastered? unless the pattern requires it to be hung If so, have you sealed them with wall sealer? horizontally. If hanging over lining paper, Applying wall sealer, also known as wall size, hanging it in the opposite direction to the lining seals the porous surface of the wall and impaper means that the seams won’t fall in the proves the adhesion of the wallpaper paste. same place and create ridges.

It also aids the slide of the wallpaper, useful when you’re matching patterns or hanging it Does the walls have any fixing on them? in awkward areas like window recesses.

If so, unscrew the fixings before papering, leaving the wall plugs in place. Mark the Have you lined the walls with lining position of each one by pushing a matchstick paper? (with the head broken off) into the plug. Leave Hanging lining paper prevents the new it slightly proud so you can find the hole and wallpaper from shrinking when it’s hung, reuse it later. Also its recommended that the which leads to gaps between the lengths first piece of paper you hang starts from the of paper. You may also want to hang lining corner that the window or door is in so any paper if your walls have any stains or small joins are hidden from view. imperfections in the surface, as it will help to disguise this.

Happy hanging folks!

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LAAL SINGH CHADDHA A life-affirming story chronicling the extraordinary life of an ordinary man, ‘Laal Singh Chaddha,’ is a retelling of the Academy Award®-winning motion picture ‘Forrest Gump,’ through the lens of India’s modern history and culture.

The film brings together Aamir Khan, star of the Academy Award®- nominated Lagaan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan to deliver audiences heart, humor and optimism. With a childhood marked by a unique bond between Laal and his single mother, tempered with strong values, the story follows Laal’s journey of love, innocence and destiny as he triumphs over life’s many challenges.

As he wins the hearts of those he meets along the way, he reminds us that everyone, even the most unlikely of people, has a story.

Sign up to our newsletter https:// scottcinemas.co.uk/ newsletter

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MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

WHERE THE CRAW DAS SING 33

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Take a break and try to solve theses puzzles Here are this months puzzles designed to test your mental skills during your lunch break or after tea.

SUDOKU

EASY

HARD

MEDIUM

EXTREME

Good luck!

Subscribe to Bristol Weekly Magazine via this QR code To enter our cash prize draw each week

ESCAPE THE MAZE Can you find your way through this difficult maze?

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YOUR GARDEN IN SEPTEMBER Summer is coming to an end with the month of September generally being a cooler month than August. The days are becoming noticeably shorter, but the weather is, however usually warm and calm, giving us the ideal conditions to plant trees and shrubs. It’s a great time of the year to appreciate those long lasting plants that flower into autumn and if you have a fruit or vegetable patch you’ll be busy reaping the rewards of a hopefully successful harvest.

Don’t forget - if you look forward to a great spring display of colour then now is the time to buy and plant your bulbs. Whatever you’re doing in your garden this month, be sure to make the most of the remaining warmth while you can.

DIVIDE HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

September is a good month to lift and divide summer-flowering herbaceous perennials.

Most perennials need to be divided every three to five years as the plant can become too big for the border and become congested. Dividing will invigorate the plant and help to improve flowering and overall shape next year. Gently dig out the plant you want to divide, being careful not to damage the roots. Use a garden fork to separate the plant into two then shake of any excess soil and replant in your chosen spot as soon as possible.

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TAKE PERENNIAL CUTTINGS

Take cuttings of perennials such as fuchsia, salvia, verbena, penstemon and chrysanthemum. It’s a great way to increase the number of plants you have for your summer display and there’s something really satisfying about seeing plants grow that you’ve created yourself. Find some strong growth that hasn’t flowered this year and cut a 5 - 10 cm stem just below a leaf joint.

Strip the leaves from the lower stem and leave one or two pairs at the top. Dip the end in hormone rooting powder and plant in pots of compost mixed with grit. Leave the pots somewhere bright and warm until rooted then re-pot into larger containers. Over winter in the greenhouse or conservatory.

PLANT SPRING FLOWERING BULBS

Bulbs make a fine display planted in containers and borders, especially Tulips, Snowdrops and Daffodils. They are one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow and are great for adding colour to spring borders.

Tulips come in a huge variety of colours and bloom at a time of year when there is very little colour in the garden. snowdrops, appearing before the tulips, are one of the earliest flowering plants in the garden. When the snowdrops begin to fade, the daffodil begins to appear, with its cheery shades of yellow brightening the borders.

LOOKING GOOD THIS MONTH Hebe ‘Bowles’s Variety’

WHY SHOULD YOU PLANT THEM?

Hebe ‘Bowles’s Variety’ is an evergreen, rounded shrub with ovate, glossy green leaves that make a very attractive plant for borders and containers. Easy to care for, this Hebe is drought tolerant and flowers prolifically in summer.

HOW SHOULD YOU PLANT THEM ?

The variety of Hebe flowers best when planted in full sun. the addition of a good quality compost when planting is essential to prevent the roots becoming too dry. After flowering, sheer back dead flower stems to keep the plant looking full.

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HOROSCOPES 38

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20

You may be feeling restless, a short break or an activity that involves being active may help.

Your social life should be quite busy, so remember not to get swept along and follow your intuition, slow down and chill out when you feel you really need to relax.

Keywords. Have fun, seek balance.

It looks like this could be a good time to do some real clearing of physical environment, and possibly within yourself. If you had a feeling that people are having a go at you lately then be assured that if you follow your intuition, you should come through this okay.

And try not to listen to negatives of gossip. It does look very much like there could be some opportunities coming your way for something that you have been hoping to achieve.

Key words. Clearing, opportunities.

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

Gemini May 21 - June 20

Some changes look very likely, some of these may bring minor difficulties. Towards the end of September, if your energy levels have been feeling a bit low you should notice a bit of an improvement especially around the 20th to the 25th as this coincides with the 25th being the full moon. if you have been trying to improve your life with food and exercise, this will bring about improvement at this time also.

Key words. Sociability and changes

It does look like there could be some issue that really does need sorting out at this time. It could be something that maybe helped by discussing the situation. A problem with either someone close to you, or someone who has knowledge of your particular issue. There is a possibility that something maybe to do with Communication. Whatever the situation is it could be a problem. You will have people around you who will help you to get through this.

Key words. Communication and support.s.

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19 A meeting or social gathering maybe cancelled, where it would be wise to listen carefully to what is being said. There maybe some useful information that will come to you through this situation. It does look like there could be some changes that need to be gone through, and this should be to your advantage in the long run.

Key words. Listen and changes.

Cancer June 21 - July 22 It seems as though it could be a good time now for you to follow your intuition and also to let things flow rather than worry about them. it seems as though it could be a good time now for you to follow your intuition.

Key words relationships, change and relax.

Leo July 23 - Aug 22

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21

It looks as though you may have communication issues, try not to get involved in negative conversations or situations. It may be wise to just listen and not say much, as things could be misunderstood. There could be some obstacle or challenge; things should be better in the long run.

Key words. Communication and wisdo

Relationships may need a bit of attention at this time. There maybe a few things that need to be changed, and a few things sorted out. It maybe clear within yourself.

Listen to your inner voice. Don’t take everything on yourself, seek advice if you need to, the important thing is to bring balance back into your life and your relationships.

Key words. Change and balance.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21

This could be a good time to do an overview and decide on what things you would like to achieve.

It maybe that you will decide to take up a new interest, or rekindle an old one. So take time out and have some you time. Some research or study looks likely in the near future.

Key words. Decisions, reflection

Libra Sept 23 - Oct 22 Relationships and romance are well starred at this time. If you have been thinking of changing bits of decor, or furniture, try not to make the decision on your own. Communication is highlighted, so try and be clear in what you wish to convey to others.

Key words. Relationships and communication

If it feels like there have been a few obstacles or hold-ups, it maybe that you need to carefully look in to some situations that maybe causing them. Although it is nice to get advice from others, trust your own intuition at this time.

Key words. Trust your intuition

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Your energy and vitality seem to be at a good level at this time. So maybe those things you have been putting off could be dealt with more easily.Someone who is close to you may seem a little overprotective. Be firm but tolerant as they mean well.

Key words. Tolerance and action.

Forecasted by Marie Hayward 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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