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NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE | SEP/OCT 2014 | 2
Ross Noble Ross takes us back to where it all began Fashion & beauty, sport, motoring, homes, food & drink, travel and so much more…
Feel-good stories from the communities of Newcastle and Gateshead.
How to ensure you get a copy of Engage every issue with one of our exclusive subscriptions!
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BMW Economics
Lloyd Newcastle
The Ultimate Driving Machine
WHY WHYBUY BUYAN ANORDINARY ORDINARY CAR CARWHEN WHENYOU YOUCAN CAN AFFORD AFFORDAABMW? BMW? Introducing a wide range of vehicles to suit any lifestyle, ranging from the sleek, sculpted, sporty and practical BMW 1 Series to the distinct and luxurious BMW 7 Series. With low monthly payments and generous dealer deposit contributions available across the model range there is every reason to choose a BMW. Representative 4.9% APR. 5P שOE PVU NPSF PS UP BSSBOHF B UFTU ESJWF†, contact Lloyd Newcastle on 0191 261 7366 or visit www.lloydnewcastlebmw.co.uk
LLOYD NEWCASTLE
BMW ECONOMICS.
Fenham Barracks, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE2 4LE 0191 2617366 www.lloydnewcastlebmw.co.uk
Official fuel economy figures for the BMW 1 Series 5-door range: Urban 25.2-62.4mpg (11.2-4.4 l/100km). Extra Urban 45.6-83.1mpg (6.2-3.4 l/100km). Combined 35.3-74.3mpg (8.0-3.8 l/100km). CO2 emissions 188-99g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. Advertised APR available on a BMW Select agreement for new BMW 1 Series models ordered between 1 July 2014 and 30 September 2014 and registered 31 December 2014 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. Finance available subject to credit acceptance to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. ‘BMW Select’ is a form of hire-purchase agreement provided by BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. We commonly introduce customers to BMW Financial Services, for which we may receive payment if you enter into an agreement with them. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.
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Community spirit welcome
Hello The dark nights are starting to draw in and the temperatures are cooling, but that doesn’t have to be a terrible thing! Autumn is one of my favourite times of the year, and certainly one of the most vibrant. For the last couple of years we’ve also enjoyed good weather (in September and October at least), so hopefully there’ll be more of that this year. In addition to all that, autumn is also the time in which this second issue of Engage has arrived at your home (or local café, supermarket, cinema, bar etc. etc.), so it’s got to be good for that reason alone. Inside issue two we’ve got a couple of fantastic motoring articles (including a feature on the amazing new BMW i8), and more fashion advice/features from New Look, Tasha Steel and Melanie Kyles. Graham Soult is back this issue with a look at Montenegro, and Jodie Balmer writes for Engage for the first time to give us her Bali survival guide. There’s certainly not enough room here to tell you about everything that’s inside, so dive into issue two and find out for yourself. Remember to let us know if you enjoy the issue by emailing hello@engagemagazine.co.uk and, if you really enjoyed it, why not support Engage Magazine by purchasing a shiny subscription (more information on page 50).
CONTACT US: Engage Magazine, The Axis Building, Maingate, Kingsway North, Team Valley, Gateshead NE11 0NQ T: 0191 404 6857 E: hello@engagemagazine.co.uk
Before I let you go, I’d just like to mention that Engage Magazine has nominated The Percy Hedley Foundation as our charity of the year! We’re excited to have them on board and we hope we can do our part to help raise money for them, look out for further information in this and future issues. OK, you’re free to read the rest of the magazine now, enjoy!
James James Tennant, Editor
FOLLOW US: @engagemag EngageMagNE
Supporting the Percy Hedley Foundation Splash Appeal
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Community spirit contents
Inside Chief Editor
FASHION & BEAUTY
MOTORING
James Tennant Engage Magazine
06 Stay snug with New Look
28 A surprising supercar: BMW i8
09 Dressing for autumn
31 A design classic: Audi TT
Contributors
11 The model business woman
Tasha Steel Melanie Kyles Kirsty Hale David James Tate Jeff Bowron Robert Logan Martin Podevyn David Alan Graham Soult
TRAVEL FOOD & DRINK
32 A closer look at Montenegro
13 Review: Bonbar
35 The Bali survival guide
14 Recipe: Vegetable & harissa tagine with halloumi & preserved lemon
HOMES
BUSINESS
Jodie Balmer Cheryl Lumley
FEATURE INTERVIEW
Jess Clubbs
18 Ross Noble talks about where it all began
Francesca Dent Karen Marshall
Design/Art Direction Copper Blue Creative T: 0191 421 1106 www.copperbluecreative.co.uk
Print Trust Print Consultants T: 0191 603 0811 www.wearetrust.co.uk
Cover Image Thanks to NGI
40 Access training 43 Cutting out the middle man COMMUNITY
SPORT
44 What it means to shop local
20 Gateshead FC set for a good season
46 The Percy Hedley Foundation Splash appeal
23 Magpies’ new signings settle in quickly 24 Looking after your bicycle 25 Great cycle routes 26 Hub with a view
Engage Magazine T: 0191 404 6857 E: hello@engagemagazine.co.uk
38 Bathing in upcycled perfection
17 Recipe: Venison and chocolate chilli con carne
ENTERTAINMENT 48 Review: What we’ve been watching 49 Review: What we’ve been reading
COMPETITION 27 WIN: Ross Noble DVDs and a subscriber exclusive £50 Metrocentre voucher
SUBSCRIBE 50 Find out how to subscribe
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 5
fashion
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Community spirit fashion
Stay snug with New Look’s autumn range With a selection of vintage inspired knitwear and tops, you don’t need to compromise on style to stay warm. Bold floral and tartan patterns will add a subtle splash of colour to any outfit too!
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1 Pale pink crepe duster
coat £29.99 2 Red collarless zip front
coat, £49.99 3 Grey checked blazer,
£29.99 4 Green floral dress,
£22.99
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5 Black floral print
sweater, £22.99
4 6 Animal print dress,
£24.99 7 Grey jacquard leopard
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print top, £19.99 8 Floral skirt, £24.99 9 Grey checked trousers,
£19.99
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10 Tartan skort, £17.99 11 Navy and red check
trousers, £24.99 12 Pale blue snakeskin
contrast ankle strap heels, £19.99 13 Silver slingback court
shoes, £22.99 14 Pale pink colour block
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ankle strap heels, £19.99 15 Black mult-buckle strap
open toe heels, £27.99
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Creative hair salon and photographic studio launches
An old office and storage basement on one of Newcastle’s most iconic streets has been given a new lease of life as a creative hairdressing and photographic studio. The Junkyard, on Dean Street launched in August showcasing the building’s extensive refurbishment to prospective clients as well as local photographers, models, hair and make-up artists, actors and families or couples who may wish to hire the space. Toria Swales, an experienced hairstylist working most recently as an internationally published session stylist, and her business partner Kayla Wren, a Bachelor of Arts who works as a freelance photographer with clients travelling from as far afield as Los Angeles, decided to embark on this unusual venture when they struggled to find an appropriate base from which to work on collaborative projects. In order to realise this vision Toria and Kayla each borrowed £12,500 through PNE Enterprise, a delivery partner of the Government’s low cost Start-Up Loans scheme, to realise their ambition. The Junkyard was recently nominated and won the enterprising Newcastle and PNE Group business achievement award as voted for by Newcastle City Council. The scheme allows entrepreneurs aged 18 and over who have a great business idea, to borrow between £250 and £25,000 at an interest rate of just 6.17% over up to five years, whether they are in a position to start trading or just want to flesh out their idea further. Entrepreneurs will also benefit from business support and advice from a dedicated team of staff at PNE Enterprise, and each loan recipient will be given access to an experienced business mentor to help guide them through their first steps. Kayla and Toria have used their start up loan to secure, refurbish and equip their new premises and are now excitedly preparing to welcome their first clients as well as looking to recruit other experienced hairstylists. “We had extensive help from PNE Enterprise in putting our business plan together, and wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”
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START - UP LOANS
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To find out more visit www.thejunkyardstudios.co.uk To find out more about the Start-Up Loans scheme in the North East and Cumbria visit www.startuploansnortheast.co.uk
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Community spirit fashion pirit
Dressing for autumn WRITTEN BY TASHA STEEL PHOTOS BY ANDREW TAIT
Knowing what to wear for the transition from summer to autumn can be difficult. Going without a jacket could leave you feeling too cold, but wearing something too bulky can be equally uncomfortable. Let me suggest one transitional piece to you, a mac! You can wear a mac from late summer into autumn and it works perfectly. The best part is, once you’ve picked one up, you’re sorted for spring too! You might want to invest in a new winter coat too though, unless you’re savvy and layer up to keep the chill away. I picked up this mac from H&M for under £30. Not only is it a bargain, but it’s so easy to wear! Pair it with skinny jeans, boots and a striped tee for casual weekends or layer it over office attire to keep you warm on the commute to work. When it gets a bit cooler, add a light sweater like these ones from H&M and River Island. Primark’s A/W offering is really good too, stock up on some cosy knits to keep you warm when there’s a bitter chill in the air and don’t forget to pick up a good beanie. For me, the bigger that pompom, the better!
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1 H&M mac, £29.99 2 Zara trench coat, £69.99 3 Dorothy Perkins black ‘Eden’ jeggings, £20 4 River Island paris print sweatshirt, £25 5 H&M grey applique sweater, £14.99
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6 Zara mini city bag, £39.99 7 Topshop cable knit beanie, £14 8 River Island boots, £60
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 9
fashion
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fashion Community spirit
The model business woman WRITTEN BY MELANIE KYLES
Kayleigh Falcus, the twenty-one year old designer, model and self-proclaimed ‘hustler’ with a successful jewellery line to boot. Her fiery locks match her passionate ‘go hard or go home’ attitude, and since her rewarding transition from design student to businesswoman last summer, she has already built a loyal fan base spanning several continents. Although she creates in a minimalistic yet vibrant style that is all her own, Kayleigh has branched her jewellery line into something universally appealing, now creating pieces for men and children as well as women, and has even extended her modern aesthetic to the gift market. Having blossomed seamlessly into the ‘real world’ and navigating the challenging route of setting up her own business, this was the first time I had seen Kayleigh in three years, so I felt equally anxious and excited to see her again. I was lucky to have caught her for a coffee during a particularly busy period, and my nerves diminished when she greeted me with a kind hug and offered to share her umbrella. After leaving an unexpectedly lively and crowded ‘Quilliam Brothers’ with a heavy heart, Battenburg-tea cravings still intact, we dashed through the miserable weather and managed to bag ourselves a nice quiet spot at Costa where we could finally chill. It was great to finally catch up with Kayleigh. Having being connected through social media for the past year or so, I’ve witnessed a Facebook wall full of inspirational quotes and pictures, her designs becoming more minimal and refined, yet still retaining that sentimental, illustrative quality. She describes her jewellery line as “really minimal”, a company that “specializes a lot in laser-cut jewellery”, though you’d be wrong to assume they stick religiously to their style guns. Though clean lines and fresh outlook have a consistent presence, they frequently bring out seasonal products such as photo memory books and tokens in a similar style, and also create gorgeous, paired-back opulent pieces. Having set on a similar path as myself, I was interested to hear how Kayleigh had found
her design journey so far. “It’s been a rocky road” she admits, “it hasn’t really changed because I’m still non-stop, I’ll still have crazy nights where I’m up until two o’clock in the morning” she casually states. I point out that she’s achieved a great deal in a short space of time, “erm, I’m trying to think what I’ve done!” she laughs modestly, “well, it’s gone international…” With several shoots in America under her belt and orders to Australia, showcasing at Newcastle Fashion Week with couture designer Christopher Niari, and providing bespoke bracelets for the launch of Le Beau Ideal’s ‘24ct Gold Diamond Facial’, her positive attitude and creative flair (as well as her ‘hustling’ skills) have helped her to make her mark. In addition to Kayleigh’s jewellery business, she fell into a modelling career which she admits, “just sort of happened”, though it complements her work perfectly. With her dainty petite frame, razor-sharp cheekbones and doll-like eyes, it’s easy to see why she’s a favourite amongst local designers. Collaborating is something that Kayleigh is clearly passionate about, and discussing the local creative scene, she agrees it’s “massively important to be connected”, saying “it’s one thing being a designer, but having people know who you are, it’s like ultimately, there’s no point in designing if people don’t know that you exist”.
With other work she juggles on top of her business commitments, I wondered whether she ever found time to wind down. I asked her as much and she chuckled at the concept, saying she used to be really into fitness, running and boxing, telling me, “I think I definitely have to get back into some type of sport!” Inspired by her dedication, and mildly ashamed at my comparable laziness, I press her further and she admits, “it’s important for that wind down time and sometimes I do forget. Sometimes I just go out with creative friends but we don’t do anything creative, we’ll just go for a meal or something like that, sometimes it’s really good to refresh.” Kayleigh’s continuous progressions are the resulting cocktail of her creativity, resilience and support, and the fear of not fulfilling her passion appears to override her fear of failure itself. In her own words, “if you woke up tomorrow and you were hit by a bus, or if you lost the use of your hand, or something that would stop you from doing what you wanted to do, then I think you would regret that for the rest of your life.” True to form, next in the pipeline is the launch of her New York jewellery collection, and a laser-cut collaboration with Australian designer and vlogger Kirsten Ash. I came across a quote recently by the iconic Maya Angelou which I think sums up Kayleigh perfectly. “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.” www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 11
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Community food review spirit
Bonbar REVIEWED BY JAMES TENNANT
Set within the iconic Assembly Rooms, just a stones throw from Central Station, Bonbar is an elegant and spacious bar, restaurant and late lounge.
The interior looks absolutely fantastic and you certainly get a feeling of luxury and grandeur as you walk through the doors. Complete with an impressive island bar, stocked with an awesome selection of spirits, wines and beers, Bonbar certainly makes the grade in the looks department. We arrived in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon to check out the food on offer at Bonbar, and after being sat in one of ten very stylish and comfortable booths, we were handed our menus. It took a few moments to run through the menu and make the agonising choice of picking only one starter and one main course, but we eventually managed to do it. To start, we went for the Dolcelatte Stuffed Mushrooms and the Smoked Mackerel Paté. Both were served on branded Bonbar wooden serving boards (very stylish) and looked great. As much as my companion was enjoying the paté, I find it hard to believe that it could have been better than the stuffed mushrooms as they were simply fantastic. It’s rare to eat mushrooms that have a great deal of flavour to them but Bonbar clearly knows
where to find them and how to cook them! For drinks we opted for a large glass of the house red and white, both of which were perfectly pleasant. A short while later our main course arrived. I’d decided on the Bon Burger (with added crispy bacon) and my companion went for a choice of two skewers – the Moroccan King Prawn and Halloumi and Pepper, accompanied by Moroccan Tomato Jam. For sides we went with Sweet Potato Fries and Vegetable Couscous. The burger was juicy, delicious and the beef was of an excellent quality – not too fatty, but not tough or dry either. The skewers were just as good, full of flavour and high on quality and freshness. The size of the portions were
great and I’d go back for the sweet potato fries alone, they were that good. By this point we had little room left, but we were encouraged to try a dessert or two, with the Upside Down Cheesecake with passion fruit highly recommended. I’m not the biggest cheesecake fan but I thought I’d give it a try and I’m glad I did. It was light and creamy, and the passion fruit added a refreshing tang. We sampled the Warm Chocolate Brownie and Chocolate Pots too which, if we hadn’t just eaten the world’s best cheesecake, would have certainly seen more words dedicated to them in this review. When we finally left Bonbar we did so as two thoroughly satisfied diners. It definitely won’t be long before I’m back.
Call 0191 232 8695 to book a table today Remember to mention Engage Magazine when you do. www.bonbar.co.uk twitter: @BonbarNewcastle
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 13
recipe
Riverford Organic Farms Vegetable & harissa tagine with halloumi & preserved lemon Serves 2, prep 15 mins, cook 30 mins
Ingredients
Method
• 100g wholemeal couscous
Put the couscous in a heatproof bowl and pour over just enough boiling water to cover. Add a glug of olive oil and leave to stand. Put the whole peppers on your grill tray (no oil needed) and grill on a medium high heat until they char, turning regularly so they cook evenly. After about 15 mins the skins will have burnt. Remove them from the grill and put in a plastic bag. Leave them to steam for 5 mins, then peel off the skins under cold running water. Put the peppers on your chopping board, remove the stalks and seeds and cut the flesh into thick strips. Keep to one side.
• good olive oil • 1 red pepper • 1 green pepper • 300g potatoes, scrubbed clean, skins on, cut into bite sized pieces • ¼ preserved lemon • 125g cherry tomatoes • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 1 good tsp harissa (spicy North African chilli paste) • 10 pitted black olives • 1 pack halloumi, cut into 2-3cm cubes
Parboil the potatoes in a pan of salted boiling water for 10 mins, then drain. Scoop the flesh out of the preserved lemon piece and discard (you don’t need this bit) and finely chop the rind. Gently warm 2 tbsp olive oil, the garlic, harissa and preserved lemon in a heavy-based pan for 1 min. Add the potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and olives. Season with salt and pepper. Add 100ml water, cover and cook on a medium heat for 10 mins. Add the halloumi and cook for 5 mins. Fluff up the couscous with a fork. Stir in the coriander leaves, check the seasoning and serve your tagine with the couscous. Recipe by Kirsty Hale, Riverford Cook, www.riverford.co.uk/recipes
• handful chopped coriander leaves
Enjoy more for less
Angeethi Special four-course meal deal from only
£15.95 * Available every day. Limited time only. Reservations:
INDIAN KITCHEN & LO UNGE
168 Kells Lane, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE9 5HY
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T: 0191 491 4343 / 0191 482 6494 E: eat@angeethi.co.uk W: angeethi.co.uk *Terms apply. Please check our website for offer detai details.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve at
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December opening times:
Festive Menu Available from the 1st to 31st Dec
Monday - Saturday: 5.00pm - 11.00pm*
2 Courses 14.95 per person 4 Courses 18.95 per person
Sunday: 12.00 noon - 3.00pm 6.00pm - 11.00pm
Book Now Book before the 31st of October and receive a 10% discount
INDIAN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 168 Kells Lane, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE9 5HY W: angeethi.co.uk E: eat@angeethi.co.uk
T. 0191 491 4343 / 0191 482 6494 *Restaurant will be closed on 25th December and 1st Jan
New Years Eve Spice up your New Year’s Eve. Indulge in a decadent five course dinner amidst music, dance, entertainment and laughter.
5.00pm to 8.00pm £21.95 per person 8.30pm to midnight and later £34.95 per person (Includes live entertainment from 9.00pm and glass of Champagne at midnight) A non-refundable deposit of £5.00 per person is required at time of booking.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 15
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Get engaged Alongside the launch of Engage Magazine, we’re also launching our daily blog website – Engage Tyneside. It’s attractive, responsive and easy-to-navigate (for all you technophobes out there). Just like the magazine, Engage Tyneside will highlight local stories from Newcastle and Gateshead as well as take a look at general lifestyle articles too. We’ll have some handy widgets on the website too such as an events calendar, so you can see what’s on in your area, and a weather widget, so you know if it’s safe to leave the house or not!
Log on to
The website will be updated on a daily basis so there’ll always be something new to read about whenever you log on. Additionally, if you want to win any of the prizes from the competitions we run, the only way to enter them is through Engage Tyneside! If you’re a budding blogger or writer we’ll be giving you the chance to contribute to the website. Businesses will also have ample opportunities to promote their messages, products and special offers too.
Together Engage Magazine and Engage Tyneside make the most comprehensive source for all goings on in Newcastle and Gateshead, so make sure you log on to www.engagetyneside.co.uk today and check us out!
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Community spirit recipe
Our resident Masterchef:
David James Tate Venison and chocolate chilli con carne As the nights begin to get a little darker and a little colder, here’s a recipe that is designed to warm you up, whatever the weather.
Obviously it has a hint of a chilli kick, but the chocolate, far from being just a gimmicky ingredient, gives the dish a smoothness and richness that is otherwise lacking. The added lime juice then makes sure it still has that
sharpness that you need to balance out all of the flavours. It’s a really beautiful dish, but don’t be put off by the venison – I happened to get some at a good price from the supermarket!
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
Method
• 1 tbsp olive oil
In a large pan or stockpot, heat the oil over a low/medium heat and then cook the diced onions and garlic with a pinch of salt until soft. Turn up the heat, add the diced venison and brown all over. Add the tomato purée and cook for 1-2mins (in order to cook the bitter flavour out). Add the wine, cook this off for 1-2mins again, and then add the chocolate and allow to melt into the mix.
• 1 red onion, finely diced • 2 garlic cloves, finely diced • 500g venison haunch, diced • 1 tbsp tomato purée • 125ml red wine • 50g good quality dark chocolate, finely chopped • 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 1 large red chilli – finely sliced • 2 tsp ground cumin • 2 tsp ground coriander • 1 stick cinnamon • Worcestershire sauce • 1 beef stock cube • 1 lime • 400g tin red kidney beans, rinsed and drained • 1 large bunch coriander leaves, roughly chopped
This can just as easily be made using beef, and while it traditionally uses mince, try it with a cheap cut like shin or flank and let it cook all day – you won’t regret it.
When you’re ready to serve add lime juice to taste – you want to give it a sharpness to offset the richness of the venison and chocolate. Stir in the chopped coriander at the last minute. Serve with fluffy white rice, a slice of crusty bread and a wedge of lime!
Add this point, add the chopped tomatoes, chilli, spices, Worcestershire sauce and stock cube, then stir all together and bring up to the boil. At this point, you can proceed a few different ways. You can either turn down the heat on the hob to the bare minimum and then cook for 3-4 hours, or you can put it into a very low oven, around 120°C for 2-3 hours (minimum), or, and this is my preference, put it into a slow cooker for 6-8 hours, or overnight. What you want to see is the meat breaking down without any effort at all. Whichever way you cook it, with around an hour to go before you eat, add the kidney beans and then finish cooking for an hour.
twitter: @davidjamestate
Angeethi Sunday Lunch
blog: ne9food.blogspot.co.uk
Two courses £6.95, three courses £9.95 plus kids eat free * Available 12.00pm to 3.00pm Reservations:
INDIAN KITCHEN & LO UNGE
168 Kells Lane, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE9 5HY
T: 0191 491 4343 / 0191 482 6494 E: eat@angeethi.co.uk W: angeethi.co.uk *Terms apply. Please check our website for offer detai details.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 17
feature interview
Ross Noble
WRITTEN BY JAMES TENNANT
Northern funny-man Ross Noble has had a long career in stand-up comedy and is one of the North East’s best loved celebs. We managed to catch up with him for a quick chat about how it all got started.
Let’s start at the beginning, Ross. How did you enjoy growing up in Newcastle? Well actually I was born in Newcastle but grew up in Cramlington. I once had an “argument” with Cheryl Cole about who was the more authentic Geordie. She was born in Walker and then grew up in Heaton, so arguably she was closer to the town than me, but I was actually born in Newcastle at St. Mary’s, which isn’t there anymore of course, so technically I think I’m the more authentic Geordie... not that it really matters! Oh, it matters! So what was it like growing up in Cramlington then? Look, the thing about Cramlington is; if you’re bringing up a young family, there’s everything you might need. There’s a leisure centre, parks, cycle tracks, shops etc. etc. But when you’re a kid and you want a bit of excitement, there’s not a whole lot going on. I was always looking for adventures I guess. So is that thirst for adventure what led you into doing stand-up comedy? Yeah, I guess. Really I was just rubbish at school, so I needed to find a job that didn’t rely on me having to write anything down. At first I thought I’d join the circus, or be a stuntman. But then I thought, well stand-up is just people talking, so that seemed a good fit. I did my first gig when I was 15 and by 19 I’d moved down to London and it became my job. People were giving me money to do it so I thought, ‘this is alright!’ It definitely sounds alright! Do you think it’s harder for someone to get into the comedy scene these days? I think it’s quite different now. At the time, down in London in the 90s, there were hundreds of people trying to be comedians
18 | ENGAGE
and there was some competition. Now it’s crazy! There are thousands of people trying to be comedians and there’s a huge amount of competition, so maybe I got into it at the right time.
Why did you go to London to pursue your career? That’s where you needed to go really. When I first started there was a club in Newcastle, a weekly comedy club, but alternative comedy
Community feature interview spirit
I did my first gig when I was 15 and by 19 I’d moved down to London and it became my job. People were giving me money to do it so I thought, ‘this is alright!’
hadn’t really taken off. It wasn’t mainstream like it is now. It was all pretty much rooms in pubs. Now it’s taken off in a big way and people go out in Newcastle to see comedians at bigger venues, so it’s different and there are more local opportunities now.
Your style is quite surreal and your shows are full of improvisation, which makes your stand-up quite unique. Is that a style you’ve purposefully cultivated or is it more of a natural style? Oh it’s definitely a natural style. You know, people say my style is ‘surreal’, but I don’t see it like that. I think it’s more heightened logic. I don’t say something and think ‘that’s a bit weird’, because to me it makes sense! I always find that funny. When it comes to the improv, that came about when I first started. I was playing to regular crowds and I’d see the same people coming back, so you needed to improvise to keep the material fresh and the crowd entertained. It also came from the fact that I used to do a lot of warm-ups for TV shows where you’d have to go out and entertain the crowd. You’d be on for hours, so if you only had written material you’d burn through it quite quickly. Improvisation was key and it didn’t really matter what you were doing as long as they were laughing. A big moment for me in my career was when I stopped trying to do what I thought the audience wanted me to do, like the formulaic style of comedy with lots of prepared jokes, and just started being myself. It sounds a bit cliché, but that’s what happened! Is there one gig you can remember as being your best? No, not really. It’s more the moments throughout my career that I remember as being fantastic. The first time I did my solo show up in Edinburgh, the first time I played Theatre Royal or City Hall, the first time I did a run in the West End, or the first time I played in an arena. There are gigs like that where you take stock and realise how far you’ve come, but really I’ve always been about the actual show rather than the occasion.
Having been on Top Gear and QI, can you give us an insight into what it’s like appearing on some of the most popular shows on TV? Well, QI is different to something like ‘Have I got News For You?’ because you don’t have to really prepare for it. For QI you literally just turn up, put a shirt on, walk into the studio and Stephen Fry asks you questions which, even if you’d read the encyclopaedia from cover to cover, you’d never know all the answers to. You get a chance to have fun with the questions and the answers too. Top Gear is an insane amount of fun! You turn up at the airfield where they film it, and the Stig (who’s got his own room with about 50 padlocks on it) comes out, and they put you in a car that isn’t yours so you can thrash it round, which is great! He’s telling you what to do all the way round the track and all the while you’re trying to sneak a look at him through his helmet. Then they set up the cameras and you go out to put in a lap time. After that they give you a bit of food and then take you into the studio which was funny because I always thought it was a TV studio they made to look like a tin shed when actually it is just a tin shed... and it’s really hot too. You were faster than Tom Cruise weren’t you? I was! I quite like mentioning that every time Tom Cruise is on the television actually. So you should! ‘Freewheeling’ is something you’re spending a lot of time doing these days isn’t it? Can you let us know about the new series before you go? Yeah, no problem. We’ve just finished filming it and I’m very excited! I think in the first series people didn’t really know what I was doing as it’s a bit random and we kind of make it up on the spot. But now people have seen it and they know I’m not there to stitch them up! They’ve gotten in touch over twitter and we’ve got some really great stuff filmed! www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 19
sport
Gateshead set for a good season on and off the pitch Gateshead manager Gary Mills believes he has assembled a squad capable of getting the club back into the Football League. WRITTEN BY JEFF BOWRON
The Tynesiders ended the last campaign with an unbeaten run of 14 games before they lost the Conference play-off final at Wembley 2-1 against Cambridge United. Mills’ men opened the 2014/15 campaign with an impressive 3-1 win over Torquay United, relegated from League Two, in front of a 1,765 crowd at the International Stadium. Former York City boss Mills allowed 11 players to leave at the end of last season and
brought in nine new faces as he looks to go one better this time around.
but scored ten goals in the second half of the campaign.
The only player he wanted to keep that left the club was last season’s top scorer James Marwood who joined SPFL club St. Mirren.
He then scored two beauties from outside the box during the opening day win over Torquay and The Heed will do well to hold on to their prize asset.
Crucially, Mills managed to hold on to winger Marcus Maddison, the former Magpie tipped for a big future in the game. The 20-year-old hardly featured in the first half of last season, his first at Gateshead,
“The lad has got something special. He is a special player, one that has grown up and he’s come back a man. “It has been a lot of hard work with him to get him where he is now. He’s still got a lot to learn but he’s a match-winner and is now a team player. “He’s a major asset for us and is set for a big season. The lad has pace to burn, two good feet and can score goals.” While Maddison can be the jewel in the crown, The Heed are by no means a one man band. The spine of the team is strong and several new signings have already impressed, including another wide player, Alex Rodman. The former Grimsby Town player was one of The Heed’s key summer signings after a move to Hibernian on a two year contract fell through. Fan favourite Jon Shaw, scorer of 56 goals in 96 games during his previous spell at Gateshead, is also back in the fold after two years at Luton Town.
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Community spirit sport
2014-2015 FIXTURES SEPTEMBER Tue 9 AFC Telford Utd Sat 13 Dartford Sat 27 Aldershot Town OCTOBER Sat 4 Braintree Town Tue 7 Alfreton Town Sat 18 Barnet NOVEMBER Tue 11 Lincoln City Sat 29 Dover Athletic
“I’m pleased with the squad that has been assembled and I believe we are equipped for the challenges ahead.”
“It’s also the perfect fit because not only are we both based in Gateshead but also because supporting and working with the community is an important objective for both of us.
Off the field the club has secured a prestigious sponsorship deal with intu Metrocentre.
Four-figure crowds are expected to be the norm rather than the exception this season, assuming another promotion push is mounted.
The Metrocentre is well known both locally and nationally and their decision to become home shirt sponsors is a coup for the club. “We are absolutely delighted to have intu Metrocentre on board,” said Gateshead chairman Graham Wood. “To be supported by such a high profile organisation and one of the region’s biggest employers is fantastic for us.
“We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership as we look to get Gateshead Football Club back into the Football League.”
To that end, the link up with Newcastle United has now been extended to Gateshead’s other Premier League neighbours, Sunderland. Season Ticket holders from both clubs will get a 33% discount at the gate on production of their Season Tickets, paying £10 instead of £15, with all under 16s admitted for £2.
DECEMBER Sat 6 Woking Tue 9 Southport Fri 26 Halifax Town JANUARY Sun 4 Wrexham Sat 24 Welling United FEBRUARY Sat 7 Kidderminster Harriers Sat 14 Nuneaton Town Sat 28 Bristol Rovers MARCH Sat 14 Macclesfield Town Sat 28 Eastleigh APRIL Mon 6 Altrincham Sat 18 Forest Green Rovers
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 21
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Community spirit header sport
Magpies’ new signings settle in quickly WRITTEN BY ROBERT LOGAN
Newcastle were one of the busiest teams during this summer’s transfer window, adding nine players to the squad (although Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow have returned to former club Nottingham Forest on loan as part of the transfer agreement). New transfer supremo Lee Charnley has certainly impressed fans with his ability to sign quality players for reasonable prices. De Jong and Colback were first through the door in early July and both have settled into the squad well, especially de Jong who scored a stunning volley on his debut against Oldham. The Dutchman also impressed on the tour of New Zealand, linking the play between midfield and attack with his clever movement and incisive passing, and his height makes him a threat when arriving late into the box for crosses and set pieces. Youngster Perez, who arrived from Tenerife, has also been bright, making a number of
excellent cameos from the bench in most of the Magpies’ friendly games and so far in the Premier League. £6 million man Emmanuel Riviere, signed from Monaco, took virtually no time to open his Newcastle goal scoring account, notching on his debut against Sydney. He also found the net against Schalke and Huddersfield. He has impressed fans with his speed and strength, and his ability to lead the line. Arguably the most exciting new boy is the
man tipped to replace Yohan Cabaye, and that is his fellow Frenchman Remy Cabella. The former Montpellier midfielder has looked sharp and creative in pre-season and provided the only real spark against Manchester City in the opening game of the Premier League too. Daryl Janmaat looks to have settled into life at Newcastle quickly. Against Huddersfield, Real Sociedad and Manchester City, the right-back looked solid and comfortable on the ball, giving Newcastle’s back line some muchneeded reliability in the wide area. Argentine striker Facundo Ferreyra arrived on a season long loan from Shaktar Donestk and despite lacking match fitness looks like he could be a good option upfront for Alan Pardew. However, the one man that has impressed fans and pundits the most is teenage winger Rolando Aarons. The 18-year-old was given his chance in the first friendly against Oldham and did well, before stealing the show in Newcastle’s impressive 3-1 win over Schalke 04. The youth team graduate brings serious pace to the Geordies’ flanks and also has the end product to match. A sign of how much Pardew likes the youngster came when the squad numbers were announced for the new season: Aarons has been awarded the number 16 shirt, formerly worn by Ryan Taylor. With a new look side quickly gelling together, and a few decent performances already under their belts, Newcastle fans have every right to be a little more optimistic about this season than they were at the end of the last one!
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 23
sport
It’s all about the bike
WRITTEN BY MARTIN PODEVYN
Five top tips for embracing your bike A knackered, high maintenance bike can be one of the biggest barriers to getting back on the saddle. These misbehaving, ‘broken’ bikes are a big reason why so many of them are left gathering dust in the garage. Looking after your bike can either be seen as a pleasure or a chore. If you are in the latter group follow these handy tips to keep your wheels rolling: 1 Do it yourself – you learn by doing. Tinkering with a bike is good for you; it’s good for the soul, relaxing and satisfying. Caveat: make sure everything is safely working before you hit the roads again, which may involve a trip to a bike shop or a knowledgeable friend. 2 Get set up correctly – make sure you are comfortable sitting and pedalling on the bike. The biggest complaints are a sore backside or running out of steam while riding, which is usually a sign that your saddle is too low. Make small adjustments to your saddle and handlebars so that you can get them just right.
3 Before EVERY ride, get into the habit of checking your wheel pressure (nice and firm!), brakes and a quick glance over the moving parts. As soon as you step into the saddle apply the brakes to make sure they are working ok and everything is tight! 4 When you get home, a bit of chain lube or gt85 will help keep the gears and chain clean. 5 And finally… don’t get carried away with Lycra and Hi Vis. These are in no way, shape or form essential or important for riding a bike. There is no correct gear to wear on your bike apart from what you feel comfortable, cool and dry in.
You may think there’s a lot to look out for, but maintaining your bike requires about 10 seconds of your time a day. Sure, a bit of a wipe down every once in a while wouldn’t go amiss, but be practical about it – in winter months you could be fighting a losing battle, so do it periodically.
Don’t leave home without: • Puncture repair kit • Tyre levers • Mini pump • Duct tape (use a 2” section of hose pipe to wrap round some tape for quick and dirty repairs) • Lights – there are many to choose from. If your route is mainly on road, lots of flashing lights is more important than expensive full on headlights. (Personally, I choose to be lit up like a very camp Christmas decoration with lots of flashing lights). • Bike lock • Waterproof jacket • Multitool
Happy pedalling!
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Community spirit sport
Great cycle routes:
The Derwent Walk
Cycle to work or just for fun; get fit, save money and save the planet. There is no excuse not to cycle when local cycle routes can get you safely from a to b. The National Cycle Network is a national treasure, one which is available on just about everybody’s doorstep. It’s a mixture of paths, tracks and bike lanes that are tagged together by a string of blue signs and once you know where you are going, it’s worth it for the hidden gems that lie within. It has often been argued that one of the best ways to see the country is by train, whether meandering through the rolling countryside, dramatic coastlines or soaring through a valley. Sadly, many of our most enchanting railway lines were abandoned almost 50 years ago, but in many ways we live in a wonderful
age where we can still enjoy all the routes have to offer without having to fork out for a train ticket. The Derwent Walk is one such route, linking Consett to the Metrocentre, via Hamsterly Mill, Rowlands Gill, Winlaton Mill and Swalwell. This is an incredibly scenic route that is well used by walkers and cyclists as its as much a destination in itself as a route to walk or cycle. As much of the route makes use of the old Derwent Valley Railway, the gradient of the track is very forgiving and direct. Whether this is part of your commute or a leisurely
ride, you’ll be amazed at how high you climb (over 700ft!) along the route with very little effort. That said, hills are best appreciated when you’re going downwards. Along the way there are a number of bridges including the Nine Arches Viaduct, which spans the river below in pretty spectacular fashion. Not into scenery? There is no other way between Consett and Swalwell that is more direct or uninterrupted by traffic lights, roundabouts or junctions.
What more could you want? www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 25
sport
Hub with a view Brought to you from the people behind Saddle Skedaddle Cycling Holidays and The Cycle Centre, Byker – The Cycle Hub is a social enterprise that promotes and facilitates cycling, complete with bike hire facilities, cafe, bike shop and repair workshop. The Cycle Hub will provide cyclists in Newcastle with a place to meet and chat over cake and coffee. Whether mountain biker or BMXer, single speed aficionado or road purist, everyone is welcome. It’s also an information centre for all cycling related things in and around Newcastle, from guided rides, cycle training, transfer services and local clubs. It’s a great place for a pre-cycling caffeine kick or the perfect post-pedalling pit stop, or a venue where you can drop by to get your bike serviced or give it a tweak. With The Hub situated beside the River Tyne, you’ll be cycling pretty much on the flat in both directions on traffic-free routes, so it is a superb starting and / or finishing point for families or those after some mellow pedalling.
26 | ENGAGE
Community spirit competition
Win a copy of Ross Noble DVDs Three DVDs up for grabs for one lucky winner. Ross Noble: Mindblender Ross Noble: Nonsensory Overload Ross Noble’s Things – Live All you need to do to enter is go to www.engagetyneside.co.uk and click on the ‘Competitions’ link, then fill in the form. Easy!
A big WELL DONE to our previous competition winners Winner of the Asian Adventure Cookbooks: Lynsey Watson & Julia Vince Winner of the £50 Eldon Square Gift Card (Subscribers only): Mike Delaney We will be in touch via email soon.
EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER COMPETITION*
Win a £50 Gift Card for intu Metrocentre Add to your summer collection with this £50 Gift Card for use in intu Metrocentre. This competition is only open to Engage Magazine subscribers. If you’re a subscriber there’s no need to do anything – you’ve already been entered! Just look out for the announcement of the winner in our next issue! *Subscriber Only Competition: If you’re not a subscriber then turn to page 50 and find out more about the benefits of becoming one!
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 27
motoring
A surprising supercar WRITTEN BY DAVID ALAN
When Toyota launched the Prius, die-hard motoring fans were left fearful. Was this really the future of driving?
As well as weird angles, the Prius was as exciting as a wet weekend in Blackpool.
So what is this £95,000 work of art that’s also a user-friendly and powerful sports car?
Even the most enthusiastic motorist would never have expected a hybrid could ever look as stunning as the BMW i8. Not even in their wildest dreams.
The BMW i8 uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit from the new Mini that delivers power to the rear wheels via a six-speed auto box.
But here it is. The most exciting hybrid yet to grace our lanes and motorways – and it’s gorgeous.
It is tuned to produce a staggering 231bhp, but when the front-mounted electric motor – which powers the front wheels – kicks in, it gives the i8 a whopping total of 357bhp.
Those batmobile-style edges and the fierce and purposeful looking nose of the i8 makes it unmistakable. In fact it’s such a stand out car that within a couple of weeks of its launch, there was a 10-month waiting list.
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As the reinforced central tub is made from carbon-fibre, the i8 is light – and BMW reckon that the i8 will hit 62mph in just 4.4 seconds, matching the Porsche 911 Carrera!
motoring
With four wheel drive, and a low ride height, handling is superb and offers lots of fun. But is it easy to live with, bearing in mind the i8 is a ‘plug-in’ hybrid? Well, the answer to that is yes. Because while you charge the car via a household power socket or a charging station, it also uses the starter generator that starts the three-cylinder engine to charge the battery. And that means you always have enough energy to power the electric drive system.
The i8 is said to be the first ever car to be “born electric” rather than having a system shoehorned into a traditional body style. With a range of 373 miles, BMW claim you’ll get about 135mpg and it produces just 49g/ km of CO2 – less than a Prius. And I know which one I’d prefer! So much innovation is poured into the i8 that the price tag seems quite reasonable, because BMW must have spent fortunes on getting the i8 right. And I’m so glad they have!
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 29
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30 | ENGAGE
Community spirit motoring
A design classic
WRITTEN BY DAVID ALAN
Audi’s TT became an instant design classic when launched in 1998. Previously, Audi was known for its bombproof saloons and estates and the bonkers Quattro. But the TT was as much about style as it was substance. It was a sports coupe with a quality badge for the masses – showing you didn’t need Premier League footballer’s pockets to drive a stylish motor. Audi is now taking orders for its third generation TT – and while its predecessor merely evolved from the first model, the new car looks dramatically different. It retains the familiar teardrop shape and rounded rear so that you can see it’s clearly an Audi TT. But the angular nose and rear light clusters make for a contemporary look, if not an altogether perfect fit! As well as a dramatic new look, the TT – available in S and S line specifications – now has a longer chassis, but the overall length of the car is the same as previously. It results in shorter overhangs; so expect more grip on corners, which should make this a very engaging car to drive along country lanes.
With 227bhp, it should be more than enough for most drivers, but if you need more power, wait till early next year when the five-cylinder TT RS comes along offering 400bhp.
All driver information sits where you normally expect the instrument panel, rather than split with a central screen. The result is a much cleaner dashboard.
For those needing a more frugal drive, the 2.0-litre diesel will continue, but it will be more efficient. With 184bhp on tap, it also delivers a low emission of 110g/km of CO2.
Coupled with a fantastic futuristic-looking steering wheel and new sports seats, the TT really is raising the bar.
Inside, Audi have really brought the TT into the 21st century. A stunning all-digital virtual cockpit sets the TT apart from its rivals.
Whether you like the new squared off front or not, there’s no doubt that the new TT – which will appear on our roads from December – is going to be an unmistakable sight!
Audi is now taking orders for its third generation TT – and while its predecessor merely evolved from the first model, the new car looks dramatically different.
The engines will, by and large, be carried over from the last model: there’s the 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol that comes with a six-speed manual S-tronic gearbox.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 31
Travel travel
Montenegro Both exotic and mysterious, the name Montenegro – meaning ‘black mountain’ – sounds like something from an Enid Blyton adventure novel, conjuring up images of a tiny, forested European statelet where plucky Philip, Jack, Dinah and Lucy-Ann outwit the evil baddies in their mountain lair. WRITTEN BY GRAHAM SOULT
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Community spirit travel
Baddies aside, the reality isn’t so different from the fantasy – Montenegro is indeed a small country (roughly the size of Yorkshire), almost half of it is covered in forest, and it’s only been an independent nation since it finally emerged from neighbour Serbia’s shadow in 2006. However, if your only exposure to Montenegro to date has been through your imagination (or ‘Casino Royale’, where scenes purporting to be Montenegro were actually filmed in the Czech Republic), then it’s certainly time to look again. Montenegro’s compact capital of Podgorica (pronounced pod-go-REET-sa) – known as Titograd in the days when it was part of Yugoslavia – is typically where you’ll touch down first, with Ryanair operating the only regular flights to the city from the UK (from London Stansted). Tynesiders may enjoy checking out one of Podgorica’s newest landmarks – its own Millennium Bridge (Most Milenijum) – but most of Montenegro’s charms lie beyond the capital. One must-do is the hair-raising train ride from Podgorica to Kolašin (ko-LASH-een) where you wind your way up alongside the precipitous Morača gorge to a height of over 1,000 metres – but the views are breathtaking. Kolašin itself is a charming, lively tourist
centre, and a handy base for exploring the surrounding area, focused on the mountains, lakes and forests of the Biogradska Gora National Park. If hiking’s your thing, a week-long stay in Kolašin will soon fly by.
Montenegro is indeed a small country (roughly the size of Yorkshire), almost half of it is covered in forest, and it’s only been an independent nation since it finally emerged from neighbour Serbia’s shadow in 2006. Montenegro’s other big attraction is its 293 kilometres of Adriatic coastline, peppered with gorgeous white beaches and higgledypiggledy Venetian towns. One of the most famous old towns is medieval Kotor – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an increasingly popular cruise stop – straddling the edge of a remarkable, fjord-like bay. The walled town’s narrow streets and alleys – typically awash with sunbathing cats – are a delight to explore.
Head south and you hit Budva, a bustling resort town that combines yet another well-preserved historic centre with many of Montenegro’s most popular beaches, hotels and nightlife. If you’re feeling energetic, the scenic 6km coastal walk to Sveti Stefan rewards you with a view of one of Montenegro’s most iconic landmarks – the fortified island, attached to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, that’s now the country’s swankiest resort. You can’t blame Novak Djokovic for choosing Sveti Stefan as the venue for his wedding earlier this year, as it really is a magical spot. For those of us without tennis-star spending power, the relaxed resort of Petrovac (PET-ro-vats) is just the ticket. Centred on a pretty, sandy bay, its colourful restaurants, bars and foodie stalls line a leafy promenade that comes to life after dark as locals and tourists enjoy an evening stroll. Just don’t be too disappointed when you can’t locate Petrovac’s famous – but fictional – Casino Royale. Graham Soult is the owner of Gatesheadbased CannySites.com, which runs the Holiday & Travel Directory at www.holidayandtraveldirectory.co.uk
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 33
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Community spirit travel
The Bali survival guide… WRITTEN BY JODIE BALMER
Bali; “The Island of the Gods”, paradise island, perfect for falling in love, perfect for a wedding, perfect for a honeymoon, perfect for yoga, perfect for surfing...this is what we have been told, but is it really so perfect? Having been to Bali twice in the past six months and off again in October , I feel it is my duty to let you in on perhaps the sides of Bali that you don’t hear about. Anyone who has been will no doubt be able to relate. Kuta Square, for example, is like a sticky hot Newcastle with a Starbucks on many corners, a huge shopping mall not unlike Eldon Square, with Topshop/Topman, Miss Selfridge, Costa Coffee, Guess, Billabong, Levi’s and not to mention the fast food ‘restaurants’. If you’re expecting white sandy beaches and turquoise waters then please do not step foot in Kuta. Even its once pristine beach is now heavily crowded and sadly polluted. Now, if you do love shopping but are craving something more traditional, don’t fret, there are still markets to visit. If you are staying in or near Kuta, there’s the Kuta Art Market, which sells your typical Balinese souvenirs: Bintang vests, Buddha’s, crockery, wind chimes and the like. Being in the city it is a tad on the pricey side, but you can always haggle. Into vintage? Head North to Tabanen where you will find the ‘Frog Market’, almost two blocks of stalls filled with second-hand clothes and trinkets. It’s definitely worth a trip if you like a rummage and a bargain. It’s particularly good for denim. Is it perfect for surfing and yoga? In my opinion, yes, but you have to know where to
go and ‘perfect’ will depend on your abilities. Most experienced surfer’s head to the Bukit (South West Bali) - Padang Padang, Bingin, Dreamland and the legendary Uluwatu all offer up decent breaks. If you’re new to surfing you will want to stick to the baby waves, which happen to be in Kuta, or you could find some at Dreamland or Balangan. For Yoga, the major place to practice is Ubud, surrounded by paddy fields. Whilst in Ubud, you should check out the Sacred Monkey Forest, it’s breathtaking but at times scary, you are invading their home at the end of the day. There are also cute arts and crafts stalls where you can buy jewellery, prints, silk clothing and linens as well as the usual souvenir type
gifts. If you prefer to hear the waves rather than the rainforest when practicing yoga, Bingin does sunrise and sunset sessions everyday at a similar price. Planning to marry or honeymoon in Bali? Great. It is stunning. Nusa Dua or Dreamland are the main locations for honeymooners but with that of course comes Westernisation. If you want something more traditional there’s Villa Botanica in Ubud, which is set in a sacred temple, you can’t really get more traditional than that. Again, beach weddings occur daily and since ‘Eat. Pray. Love’, Padang Padang beach is a big hit. If you are planning to get married abroad, it is recommended that you use a Western company unless you speak Bahasa. >>>
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 35
Travel travel
My favourite island off the mainland is Nusa Lembongan, the expats tell me it’s what Bali, even Kuta, used to be like 10-20 years ago. Small warungs (eateries) line the beach, along with salt-water infinity pools, massage parlours, beds and bean bags – ideal for watching the giant sunsets. It really is beautiful and the best thing about Lembongan is what lies in its waters. Daily snorkelling and diving trips will set you back around £5 - £12 (for four hours) and if you are lucky you could stumble upon giant manta rays, along with schools of squid, clown fish (yes, Nemo) and many, many more varieties. It’s a magical experience. Getting around in Bali was probably my biggest shock when I first visited the picturesque Indonesian island. Everyone, and I mean everyone, travels by scooter. If you can’t drive one and you don’t have a lovely friend out there to drive you around, then be prepared to walk huge distances in the blistering heat, or hire a car. If you don’t drive or you fancy a cocktail or two, you can pay a local driver to take you to spots you wish to visit like temples, beaches etc.
MY TOP 10 TIPS FOR SURVIVING BALI:
TOP 5 EXPERIENCES:
1 Learn to drive a scooter before you leave
1 Swim with manta rays in Nusa Lembongan
2 Buy travel insurance – there are many scooter/climbing/surfing accidents 3 Eat in the local warungs (the busier the better), it’s the best food and the cheapest 4 Get off the beaten track – check out airbnb and look at homestays rather than 5* resorts to experience more of the real Bali 5 There is a visa entry and departure fee, it’s currently $35 or £23, take cash, it’s far easier 6 Don’t forget your vaccinations and stay away from stray cats and dogs 7 Beware, monkeys will try and steal anything loose 8 If you hear cars beeping their horns don’t be alarmed, it’s just to let you know they are there 9 Snakes do exist, be cautious when walking around and if you are walking do not accept a lift from a stranger (you will be offered as somebody using their legs is a rare sight) 10 Be open-minded, things may not be as perfect as you may have pictured but that is all part of the experience. The more open you are to new and exciting adventures the better your trip will be
36 | ENGAGE
2 Practice yoga in Ubud 3 Learn to surf in the Bukit 4 Visit the Frog Market for some vintage finds 5 Watch the sunset at Uluwatu temple and enjoy a Bintang at the nearby Single Fin late night bar And a miscellaneous one, socialise with everyone, you’ll be amazed at the friendships you can make.
There really is something so special about this island, I just hope it can retain its charisma and spirituality and not become another paradise island turned bad.
Community spirit
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 37
homes
Bathing perfection WRITTEN BY CHERYL LUMLEY
In a tree-lined street overlooking Saltwell Park, I did not expect to ďŹ nd this amazing upcycled home. Every inch of space and every feature has been carefully designed, recycled and styled to perfection. Leanne Pearce is the creator behind this home, and lives here with her partner and two young daughters.
In 2012, after peering through the letterbox, they knew it was the project they were looking for. It took 13 skips to clear the house before they could start on the renovations and after four days of clearing they found a piano! They were fortunate enough to find original features and bags of upcycling potential in the furniture the previous owners left behind. With 2 receptions, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a large kitchen diner, an office and a sun room in the making, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to concentrate on one of the bathrooms in this issue and keep you waiting for more.
38 | ENGAGE
Community spirit homes
From two dark and dingy rooms with too many patterns to one warm, relaxing bathroom.
After knocking through a small toilet and large bathroom, Leanne has created a warm and relaxing space. The exposed brick feature wall was added with storage shelves behind one side, while a walk in shower was created on the other. The ornate Victorian toilet cistern was salvaged and now sits perfectly with the existing roll top bath.
the small details that make this bathroom so different to your typical stark white bathroom. My favourite feature in the room has to be the ladder shelves. Painted and fixed to the walls, they not only provide some great storage but they are a great inspiration to any of you who want to upcycle but don’t know where to start.
With painted vintage chairs, upcycled ceiling light made from a glass plate, school radiator and sage green walls that complement the exposed brick and beautiful stone floor, it’s
If you want to start upcycling, think about the space you have and the style you’d like and just go for it. It might take a while to find what you’re looking for, but I think rooms should
evolve over time to reflect your personality. Search places like charity shops, second-hand stores, ebay, freegle, freecycle and preloved for one-off pieces you can paint, recover or even change the use of an object. Keep the measurements for your rooms handy so when you find something you’ll know if it will fit as you have to act fast when you find the perfect piece and always carry a tape measure. There’ll be more of Leanne’s genius upcycling ideas in the next issue of ENGAGE, so watch this space.
Cheryl Lumley is the co-owner of www. copperbluecreative.co.uk and can also be found blogging about all things creative on www.allroundcreativejunkie.wordpress.com www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 39
business
Access Training Supporting employers in the North East to develop their people and grow their businesses. WRITTEN BY FRANCESCA DENT
For over twenty years, Access Training has helped thousands of young people into work through apprenticeships. An award-winning Gateshead-based agency Access Training provides companies with quality apprentices and trainees that make a real difference to their business whilst supporting local people in developing their skills and careers. Francesca Dent talks to Managing Director Malcolm Armstrong, who believes that it is Access Training’s ability to adapt to the needs of local businesses and a changing economy that has played a part in the company’s success. Malcolm says, “We have our core business which is apprenticeships and getting young people started in careers, but we also respond to the changing needs of the local economy. In boom time we help employers to train and recruit high-quality staff and when things are tougher, we know we need to place more emphasis on helping unemployed people improve their skills and get back into work.”
40 | ENGAGE
Not only have Access Training helped hundreds of local employers to recruit and train their staff, but they have supported thousands of young people in Gateshead in developing careers through apprenticeships and they are one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships to Gateshead school leavers, developing close links with many Gateshead schools. Malcolm offered this advice to local businesses: “Offer apprenticeships or work experience if you can. Invest in young people and show them the value of developing vocational skills. Young people can bring a real vibrancy to the workplace, fresh ideas, enthusiasm and confidence with new technology. They can be a real asset to your business.” Access Training is going from strength to strength, recently acquiring the training arm of Durham Business Group. This expansion has allowed Access Training to increase their apprenticeship programme to offer courses
including Hair and Beauty, Social Media and Digital Technology and plans are in place to develop more new programmes and branch out to new areas, although Malcolm stresses: “One thing’s for certain – we won’t be leaving Gateshead.”
“Offer apprenticeships or work experience if you can. Invest in young people and show them the value of developing vocational skills. Young people can bring a real vibrancy to the workplace, fresh ideas, enthusiasm and confidence with new technology. They can be a real asset to your business.”
Community spirit sport
Ad 2XU 'DGG\ 6HOOV 3URPLVHV Do you value insurance and the role an insurance broker can play in protecting your home, family, possessions and business? Richard Talbot-Jones, Director of Gateshead based insurance broker, NC Insurance, and former President of the Insurance Institute of Newcastle upon Tyne had this to say in response to this important question.
What do I mean by that?
The insurance industry picks up the pieces after events go awry- whether flood, fire, theft or perhaps bereavement. Crucially, an insurance contract promises to pick up the Like me, you may have been asked by pieces, in exchange for a premium. a pre-schooler: “What's your job?” My 4 year old son Alex is excited and An underwriter sets the price of the intrigued that daddy goes to work promise, a broker arranges the during the week and my 2 year old promise between the customer and daughter, Eva, urges me to “work the insurance company, a claim hard!” with a cheerful wave. handler ensures the promise is kept and the loss adjuster works out the I wondered; how to explain a job in cost of fulfilling that promise. insurance to my children. This is a simplified view, but if it After some thought I settled on the works for Alex and Eva (pictured above), it can work for all of us! following explanation:
Why is this important? Well, I believe that when creating your “Plan B” for when things go wrong, you have to be able to trust the promises made to you by your insurers. You have to trust that they will pay the claim. This means that as a buyer of insurance it's really important that you are sure that all your needs are covered, you know what you've been promised and you know who is making that promise. At NC Insurance we have been helping people and businesses in Gateshead and throughout the North East for over 85 years. We keep our promises by being dedicated, ethical and professional. And we can help you make sure you buy the promises you need.
0191 543 8441 www.ncinsurance.co.uk
Business Insurance
Charity Insurance
Engineering Insurance
Insurance for your Home & Family
Motor Trade Insurance @_ncinsurance NCinsurance.Brokers
NC Insurance is a trading name of Northern Counties LLP Limited Liability Partnership. Northern Counties LLP Limited Partnership is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 41
It all begins with pencil and paper
Graphic Design | Corporate Identity | Branding | Corporate Literature Pencil in a meeting Telephone 0191 421 1106 or email chrislumley@blueyonder.co.uk www.copperbluecreative.co.uk 42 | ENGAGE
@copperblueuk
Community spirit business
Cutting out the middle man gives carpet retailer the edge “Since opening our new huge Gateshead outlet, our buying power has been boosted significantly. We are now able to buy most of our stock directly from the manufacturers and cut out the middle man. We have passed these savings directly to our customers.” These are the words of Joel Dickinson, Operations Director of Karpet Mills, the North East’s biggest stockist of quality carpets. He adds, “Our customers now have a bigger choice than ever before at a price which is lower than any of our competition. All of our carpet depots are bursting at the seams with carpets at genuinely wholesale prices that any customer can buy.” Joel is the sixth generation to join the company, which has been selling carpets for over 100 years, and explains the success of the business since it was founded in 1878, “We have a very simple philosophy – sell quality carpets at low, low prices – backed up by first rate customer service.” He adds, “We have buyers across Europe sourcing products at crazy prices. The demand from our 3 branches allows us access to products in high volumes at heavily discounted prices. We pass these savings directly to our customers. We will not be beaten on price. We offer the lowest prices and the best service. For customers who haven’t visited us before, we invite them to see why we have been successfully selling carpets for over a century – old fashioned service and modern day, competitive prices.” The previous Durham Pine site in Gateshead offers two floors of showroom space which houses over 100 rolls and 1000 remnants of carpet and vinyl. All parking charges for the large pay and display car park will be refunded to all customers who visit Karpet Mills. There are prices to suit everyone from £2 per sqm to £45 per sqm. “Our prices are very, very competitive. We sell carpets at prices that other carpet shops buy them at. We have heavy weight wool twists priced as low as £7.99 per sqm or Axminster at £17.99 per sqm and can offer fitting within two days by one of our 15 teams of professional, time-served carpet fitters”. “We understand what our customers want and try to provide that in a simple and efficient way. Our prices are the most competitive around and with a free estimating service, professional fitting and complete aftercare guarantee, we make buying a carpet a stress-free, reliable and easy process”. Karpet Mills combines the experience gleaned from over a century trading with the modern day expectations of quality and service to provide the full package for every customer. The new Gateshead branch will follow the pattern set by the Kingston Park and HettonLe-Hole branch and trade 7 days a week.
Visit Karpet Mills, with ample, free parking at either Market Street, Hetton-Le-Hole (only 10 minutes from Sunderland and Durham), Airport Industrial Estate, Kingston Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Tyne Bridge Retail Park Gateshead (next to Matalan). 1-5 Market Street, Hetton-Le-Hole, Near Durham/ Sunderland 0191 526 1770
Unit 8b Airport Ind Est, Kingston Park, Newcastle Upo n Tyne 0191 2716576
Unit 2 Tyne Bridge Retail Park High West Street Gateshead, 0191 478 3049
www.karpetmills.co.uk www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 43
community
44 | ENGAGE
Community spirit community
What it means to shop local
WRITTEN BY KAREN MARSHALL
The musings of a mum, wife and entrepreneur. When the phrase ‘shop local’ pops up I think of a row of three little independent stores situated between my home and the school – a butcher, a bakery and a greengrocer. The top purchases of the moment are currently: two gingerbread men, cheese scones, strawberries and leek and pork sausages. I had a happy experience not that long ago in the fruit and veg shop. There I was on a busy Saturday with a basketful of items. When I checked my wallet my last £10 had been ‘borrowed’, argh! Instead of scuttling off home to find cash, the items were carefully packed into my shopping basket with a nod. ‘Pop in next week and settle up, not a problem.’ How nice to be trusted. This experience resulted in me sharing the story, having a rather positive day and vowing to spend my money with small independent shops whenever I could. I spent the greengrocer’s money on wine by the way – no not really, I did return and settle my bill, honest! Many moons ago, before the kids arrived, my husband and I thought little of meal planning and having the necessities in the house. We got by not having breakfast, hunting out a stale cracker or calling on our local takeaway. We would do a big supermarket shop when the mood took us, filling the fridge with leafy veg, fresh meat, real herbs, pate and cheese. We’d have a few good meals then we’d get busy with work, with going out and generally not bothering to make an effort. I’d not throw the out-of-date food in the bin straight away mind, as that would be a dreadful waste, I’d wait until it was fully off. My husband would
peer into the fridge and ask, ‘Are you trying to grow a new friend?’ before I could bear to throw it away. But throw it away I did. Packets of unopened noodles, fresh salads, tropical fruit and yes, I’d feel guilty.
It is said that for every pound we spend in a local shop, 63p remains in the community. Things are different now. I plan and have thoughts about what meals to have on what days (did you notice that this has all of a sudden turned from a ‘we’ to an ‘I’, another thing that happened when we had children). The kids need feeding and it’s easier to know what meals I have the ingredients for, instead of scratching around. Oh they regularly have fish fingers and super noodles (and yes, sometimes together) but they have fresh vegetables too. I’m really careful not to overspend, I think longer and harder about the value, I check the sell by dates and think carefully about the buy 1 get 1 free offers. I shop differently, as do a lot of people. Here’s why: • Food prices have gone up, and for many of us, our wages haven’t budged • We’re bored to the back teeth of hitting the big supermarkets • Our overspending ways have changed, individuals are rallying against the throw-away society
• A weekly shop can result in items being thrown away • Generally we have more interest in where our food is coming from • We no longer choose just one supermarket. From Lidl, Aldi, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, we move between them depending on what we need. It used to be that you positioned yourself for your type of supermarket and pretty much stayed with them So, what are we doing? We still head to the supermarket as it’s simply more convenient, but we’re going less often and we’re using our local amenities to top up and buy fresh produce. So our once dying high-streets have a glimmer of hope again. We’re not spending our hard earned cash in one big go, we’re spreading it around a little, and making it go further. It is said that for every pound we spend in a local shop, 63p remains in the community. I think there’s still more to be done around opening times, but some of the smaller independents are doing it right and catering for us around our hectic lives. Things are a-changing and that’s got to be a good thing. Our communities are getting stronger and surely that’ll grow into something more sustainable. Karen Marshall is the Managing Director of Canny Marshall Ltd. A Gateshead based marketing company. www.cannymarshall.co.uk twitter: @cannymarshall
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 45
community
The Percy Hedley Foundation
Splash Appeal Every day we read about the amazing challenges people take on to support local charities. The Percy Hedley Foundation, the region’s largest disability charity, recently launched its latest fundraising appeal to the
public and already it is gathering momentum as the people of the North East get behind this fantastic cause.
and residential unit for the disabled children and young people who go to Percy Hedley School.
The Splash Appeal is hoping to raise £1million to build a hydrotherapy pool
Here, three people tell their own stories about what they are doing and why.
John O’Groats to Lands’ End 2014
“I am hoping that we can raise £10,000 for the Splash Appeal”, said David.
Ever thought about travelling from John O’Groats to Lands’ End? Many people do; even Comic Relief celebrities took up the challenge of this gruelling trek, but local businessman and Trustee at The Percy Hedley Foundation David Burdus has organised JOGLE 14. John O’Groats to Lands’ End 2014 (JOGLE14) is the brain child of David as he thought of ways to raise money for the charity that is close to his heart and also how he could use his beloved specialised para- trike which can reach speeds of up to 115mph. September sees David, and his friend and fellow para-trike enthusiast Carl Brunning, taking part in the 1100 mile challenge Carl and David first met in Hexham Spinal
46 | ENGAGE
Injuries unit back in 1983 following horrific accidents which left them both disabled. They were recently reunited through their monster 1150cc wheelchair trikes, the world’s first high performance production motorcycle for wheelchair users. On their journey together, the two petrol heads will be raising the profile of the Department of Work and Pensions Disability Confident Campaign on the employment of disabled people and The Percy Hedley Foundation’s #SplashAppeal for a new Hydrotherapy Pool. A film crew will be following the 12-day trip calling in at Inverness, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Hull and London along the way, hooking up
with Mark Harper, Minister for Disabled People on 10th September at Westminster. “During the road trip we hope to draw the Minster’s attention to the great work that the Percy Hedley Foundation do in the field of employment and I am hoping that we can raise £10,000 for the Splash Appeal”, said David. You can support David and Carl with their challenge and help raise funds for the #SplashAppeal, get in touch david@burdus. com, text SPLASH to 70500 to donate £5.00 to the appeal or donate directly at www. justgiving.com/jogle-2014.
Community spirit community
The Metro 60 Challenge Many people in the region know or have heard of Steve Wilkinson also known as Wheelchair Steve. He is renowned for organising our local contribution to International Wheelchair Day which he founded in 2008, and now he is channelling his energy into supporting The Percy Hedley Foundation Splash Appeal. Steve met with Danny Mitchell, the recently appointed Splash Appeal Manager, and shared his thoughts on a fundraising challenge that would involve Steve, his wheelchair, the general public and the Tyne and Wear Metro. Wheelchair Steve’s Metro 60 Challenge in aid of the Percy Hedley Foundation’s Splash Appeal has been made possible due to the continued support from DB Regio, the operators of the Tyne and Wear Metro, who have supported Percy Hedley Foundation since 2010. On Thursday October 23rd, Steve and his trusty wheelchair will travel on the Metro visiting each of the 60 stations on the network in one day. This involves getting off at each station, waiting on average about 12 minutes and boarding the next train before continuing the journey to the next station. He will alight there and repeat this entire process until all stations have been visited. The challenge will start at Newcastle Airport at 6.00am in the morning and end at St James in the evening at around 9.00pm. By then he’ll have visited Sunderland and the end of line at both South Hylton & South Shields. He’ll then head back to Gateshead & Newcastle before taking the circular route via Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Wallsend and back to Newcastle. Steve said, “It’ll be a long day, given it will take around 15 hours to complete, allowing for the odd short break, but that’s the challenge. It’s interesting to note that only about a quarter of the time will be travelling on trains, the rest involving waiting time at stations for the next train to arrive.” He continued, “The aim is to raise awareness of the Splash Appeal but more importantly to raise the much needed funds so that the children can have their own hydrotherapy pool. I know the public will support me and I really appreciate the support I am getting from DB Regio and Tyne and Wear Metro.” To support Steve in his challenge you can visit www.justgiving. com/metro60splash. There are other opportunities to get involved such as sponsoring a station visit. To find out more about this contact danny.mitchell@percyhedley.org.uk
Percy Hedley Foundation is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, operating on several sites in the North East of England. The Foundation is recognised nationally and internationally as leading the way in the provision of specialist, high quality and innovative services for disabled people with cerebral palsy, communication impairments, sensory impairments and complex learning and therapeutic needs. Each year the Foundation supports over 1000 disabled children, adults and their families through practical, much needed services and activities. Hydrotherapy provides invaluable benefits for disabled children and adults who struggle with the challenges of everyday life. In warm water some of these restrictions are reduced, giving a change of exercise, free movement and relaxation in a multi-sensory and fun environment.
Donate via www.justgiving.com/splashappeal or Text SPLASH to 70500 to donate £5.00 Follow us on Twitter: @percyhedley Like us on Facebook: percy.hedley
www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 47
entertainment
Review: DVDs What we’ve been watching
Tron: Legacy
Life of Pi
Serenity
One of the best looking films of recent times, Tron: Legacy (sequel to the 1982 film, Tron) falls somewhat short in the ‘substance’ department, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying it!
I first saw this film in the cinema a couple of years ago and it blew me away. I had no idea what it was about so I went in with an open mind. What I saw was a deeply moving, thought provoking, and visually stunning piece of cinema that I thought would win the 2013 Oscar for sure (it didn’t, but it should have).
Serenity is the 2005 movie that followed Joss Whedon’s short-lived, but much-loved, sci-fi TV show, Firefly.
The story follows Sam (Garrett Hedlund), who responds to a page from his missing father, Kevin Flynn (played once more by Jeff Bridges), and is transported into a virtual reality called the Grid. Cue an amazing soundtrack (written by Daft Punk), fantastic set & costume design, and stunning visuals, as Sam, his father and Quorra (Olivia Wilde) fight to stop a malevolent program from invading the human world. Yes this film has its problems, but I find myself not caring about them. Tron: Legacy isn’t going to be remembered as an important piece of cinema, but it was never meant to be.
3/5
The plot follows Pi Patel as he recalls his life story to a writer. A major part of the story is his survival at sea for 227 days after a shipwreck, while stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Upon further viewings of this movie my opinion has not changed. This is one of those rare films that has the capacity to make you feel the same way every time you watch it. It’s become a firm favourite of mine and will be a regular in the DVD rota for sure.
5/5 48 | ENGAGE
Set in 2517, Serenity is the story of the Captain and crew of Serenity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. Things take a dark turn for the crew when they find out they’re being hunted by a government assassin because one of their passengers, River Tam, harbours a dangerous secret. Regardless of whether you’ve seen Firefly or not, Serenity is a highly enjoyable, swashbuckling space adventure with some of the best dialogue and on-screen chemistry I’ve seen in a film. The CGI and special effects aren’t mesmerising (the film only had a budget of $39 million), but special effects don’t make a movie (just look at the recent Star Wars prequels – blurgh). Serenity will charm you and leave you with a smile on your face – it’s great fun.
4.5/5
Community spirit entertainment
Review: Books
Ad
The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie Book I: The Blade Itself Book II: Before They Are Hanged Book III: Last Argument of Kings
REVIEWED BY JAMES TENNANT
Joe Abercrombie is a relative newcomer to the world of published novels. His first book, The Blade Itself, was only published back in 2006 as the first book of three in his First Law trilogy. Don’t let that fool you into thinking that these books are unrefined or “good for a first try” though, it’s quite the opposite. The First Law is set against a backdrop of war (as fantasy novels often are) and concerns the fate of three ‘factions’ or nations – the Northmen, the Union and the Gurkish Empire. We follow the war as it’s played out through the eyes of several characters, tackling themes such as betrayal, revenge and unflinching ambition. Despite this story being a work of fantasy, the clash of the various cultures and the motives and arcs of the characters are very believable, which is certainly worthy of praise.
What we’ve been reading
Some authors could write for decades and not come up with a story as exciting, well written and well paced as Abercrombie’s. And I struggle to think of a collection of characters
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
as memorable and three dimensional as the likes of Logen Ninefingers, Inquisitor Glokta, and Colonel West, among others, too. There are no good guys here, nor are there any bad guys as far as the traditional stereotypes go. These characters do things because it’s in their best interests to do them, or because they’re fighting for a particular side. They’re not motivated by good or evil which makes for some very interesting, unexpected and powerful moments indeed. While the story does dip a little in the middle, the trilogy is certainly amongst the best I’ve ever read. Action packed, witty and devilishly dark, The First Law is well worth the investment of your time.
REVIEWED BY JESS CLUBBS
The Silkworm is the second of JK Rowling’s novels featuring detective Cormoran Strike, and her second writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Through The Silkworm, Rowling shows that she can write as engagingly for adults as for children, creating a compelling and original storyline, and an intriguing whodunnit. Cormoran Strike, the one-legged ex-military detective, is approached by a woman looking for her errant husband, writer Owen Quine. When Quine is discovered ruthlessly slaughtered in a manner matching a scene in his last controversial and libellous book, Strike is drawn into a world of egos and back-stabbing where no one is as they seem in order to prove his client’s innocence.
In Strike, Rowling has created a likeable and realistic character, adding dimensions to the plot and characters by building on a possible ‘will they won’t they’ relationship between Strike and his intelligent and efficient assistant Robin Ellacott. With The Silkworm, Rowling has once again proven her ability as a great author and this is a must read for all detective novel fans. www.engagemagazine.co.uk | 49
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YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO LIFE IN NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD | SEP/OCT 2014 | 2
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Michelle Taylor talks on underwear, Vogue and Tom Ford INSIDE
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New motors, interiors, food and drink, business, travel, entertainment…
The hunger is still there
Entrepreneur goes undercover
Hairy Biker, Simon King, talks about his food journey People, places, festivals, events, sport, everything we love about Newcastle and Gateshead.
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO LIFE IN NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD | NOV/DEC 2014 | 3
People, places, festivals, events, sport, everything we love about Newcastle and Gateshead.
New motors, interiors, food and drink, business, travel, entertainment…
Where to eat, read, sing, play, walk – all you need to know about where you live.
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Graham Onions on his Durham goals and England hopes in 2014
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YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO LIFE IN NEWCASTLE AND GATESHEAD | JUL/AUG 2014 | 1
People, places, festivals, events, sport, everything we love about Newcastle and Gateshead.
New motors, interiors, food and drink, business, travel, entertainment…
Where to eat, read, sing, play, walk – all you need to know about where you live.
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Community spirit header
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NEW BRANCH
8b Airport Ind Est, Kingston Park (Up from Tesco & Screwfix)
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2EF Telephone: 0191 271 6576
Unit 2, Tyne Bridge Retail Park (Next to Matalan)
1-5 Market Street, Hetton-le-Hole
High West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1EJ Telephone: 0191 478 3049
Houghton-le-Spring, DH5 9DZ Telephone: 0191 526 1770
www.karpetmills.co.uk 52 | ENGAGE
(10 mins from Sunderland or Durham)