Clevedon Living March/April 2021

Clevedon &Yatton

March/April Issue 2021

THE LOCAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE DELIVERED DOOR TO DOOR

HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Spring flowers and a fasterthan-anticipated vaccine rollout have combined to create a tangible feeling of - dare I say it optimism. A big well done to everyone who’s added to Mother Nature’s efforts and brought welcome splashes of colour to the town, and also to the army of people helping to ensure the vaccination programme maintains momentum. If you want to discover more about what it’s like to be involved firsthand in this unprecedented project, don’t miss our interview with two young St John Ambulance volunteers who’ve been doing their bit down at the Ashton Gate hub.

Pampering opportunities have been in short supply of late, but fingers crossed,

that could be changing soon. On that note, we’re delighted to be able to offer one lucky reader and guest the chance to get ahead of the game by winning a fantastic spa treatment day.

Thanks to thespa at Cadbury House for very generously offering this brilliant competition prize. You’ll find more details on how to take part inside.

Meantime, the community has continued to do itself proud, with creative fundraising efforts for worthy causes, generous donations, amazing achievements and touching acts of neighbourliness reaffirming what we already knew and are proud to share – that Clevedon is a town like no other.

Until next month

Miriam Cover photo by Alan Harrison

Gordano Media Limited, PO BOX 221, Bristol, BS20 1EA. To advertise call our team on 01275 849369 Email: miriam@gordanomedia.co.uk // Website: www.livingmagazines.online Copy deadline for the next issue is 20th March.

This magazine can and should be recycled after use to help protect the environment

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community news Clevedon pair’s fundraising efforts are a runaway success

A brother and sister team from Clevedon have put their best foot forward and raised over £9000 for three fantastic charities in the latest lockdown, while also spurring on other members of the community to enjoy outdoor exercise safely for a good cause.

With the traditional local Boxing Day race inevitably cancelled in 2020 and the country back in lockdown after Christmas, Chris Wall decided to run the well-known

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4.1-mile route every day in January to raise money for Cancer Research, Children’s Hospice South West and the British Heart Foundation. Battling at times against freezing temperatures and even snow, Chris was ably supported by his sister, Sarah Dunn, who walked the route four times a week and also helped organise the fundraising side of things.

To their delight, as news of their efforts spread, and with gyms closed and sporting activities cancelled, the pair’s enthusiasm began rubbing off on others, with relatives, friends and members of the wider community deciding to tackle the route themselves, either walking, running or cycling, in a Covid-safe way. Participants, aged six to 73, included representatives of organisations such as Clevedon United

Football Club and their families, who teamed up to cover the route in pairs or in their bubbles at staggered times throughout the day. Volunteers, led by Sarah, also helped with marshalling along the route, giving the initiative a real community feel, while the decision of some to don fancy dress, reminiscent of the Boxing Day run, helped to lighten the mood. Chris and Sarah are thrilled to have raised such an impressive amount which will now be distributed between the trio of charities.

Top left: Chris Wall and Sarah Dunn have raised an impressive £9117 for for three charities Left and above: members of the community decided to join in and tackle the route themselves

community news first

Hayley steps up for local blood bike charity A trainee nursing associate who lives and works in Clevedon is running 70 miles over a month to raise money for Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service, the local blood bike charity.

As part of her challenge, Hayley Bosley, a member of Sirona Care & Health’s Community Rapid Response team, will cover 2.5 miles on a daily basis - the equivalent of running the length of Clevedon Pier 363 times.

To date, she has raised an impressive £1260.

Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service provides a free, out-of-hours motorcycle courier service using volunteers to deliver blood and other vital equipment to hospitals across the South West. During the first coronavirus pandemic, they operated a 24-hour service transporting Covid tests, PPE and medical kit in addition to their normal service.

Hayley said: “Without these riders, people in the community would not be able to be treated quickly and appropriately. They help reduce

eat:Portishead up for award eat:Portishead Food and Drink Festival has made it on to the list of finalists in the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year category of the 2020/21 Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.

Held around the marina, in keeping with Covid guidelines, the Portishead festival was one of only a few live events that took place across the region in 2020.

Hayley’s challenge involves running the equivalent of the length of Clevedon Pier 363 times hospital admissions which, at the current time, is the best result. I would love to raise as much money as possible to ensure our teams can continue to work together and provide the best care across our communities.”

Sirona’s Community Rapid Response teams in North Somerset and Bristol provide adult community healthcare across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, working closely with Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service.

Bev Milner Simonds, Head of Spreadsheets at eat:Festivals, said: “2020 was a challenging time for everyone in the events industry and we are proud of the adaptations our producers and production partners made at short notice. We send our thanks to the officers and council members at North Somerset Council who worked alongside us to make the event happen, our production partners and sponsors, whose support enables our work, and the visitors who came along, followed the guidance and had a safe, happy visit.”

The team will discover on March 18, which is Online Awards Day, whether they’ve won Gold, Silver, Bronze or a Special award.

The fourth edition of eat:Portishead is due to take place on Saturday August 14.

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STORIES FROM THE FRONTLINE When the first aid charity St John Ambulance was asked to mobilise its members to support the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, Charlie Moss from Portishead and Millie Walsh from Clevedon were among the many thousands who volunteered to play their part. Here they share their initial experiences from the Ashton Gate NHS vaccination centre Charlie: Millie and I are both members of the St John Ambulance Portishead and Pill Unit. St John Ambulance is leading the voluntary sector’s response by supporting the NHS with the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. I’m planning to study Paramedic Science so was really keen to apply for one of the roles available.

Millie: Neither of us was old enough to apply to be a vaccinator, but we were able to apply for both the other patient advocate and care volunteer roles available. The first involves providing one-to-one support for people in need of extra help at the centre, while the second consists of staying with people for the required 15 minutes

after they’ve been vaccinated to make sure they’re OK and don’t have an adverse reaction.

Charlie: We covered a variety of topics in our training, which was both online and practical, ranging from infection prevention control to dealing with emergencies such as anaphylaxis. Some of it, like giving CPR, had already been covered in our cadet training, but it was definitely important to go over it again.

Millie: As part of the training, we learnt about how the vaccines work so we’d be able to share this information with people arriving for their vaccination who might have questions or need some reassurance. This was something I was particularly interested in, since I hope to become a nurse.

Charlie: Millie and I did our first shift at the Ashton Gate NHS vaccination centre on February 7. The site is a major centre, containing numerous pods, meaning plenty of people can be vaccinated at the same time.

Millie: The centre was well ventilated, which was important, and the process

smooth. We were asked to help maintain a one-way system and the people did their bit by staying socially distanced while queuing.

I’ve since been back for a second shift, when I spent time talking to people at the back of the queue and answering their questions. A few were understandably nervous but everyone I chatted to was pleased to be getting vaccinated.

Charlie: In fact, most people left with a smile and thanked us for what we’re doing. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience and very satisfying to feel that the St John Ambulance is really making a difference with the vaccination process.

For more information on the St John Ambulance, go to www.sja.org.uk.

Pictured: Charlie (above) and Millie (left) are volunteering as patient advocates and care volunteers at the Ashton Gate NHS vaccination centre

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community news first

Clevedon artists make picture-perfect donation to local hospital Artists based at Studio 3 in Clevedon have collectively donated a painting to North Somerset Community Hospital as a token of appreciation for the work undertaken by staff there and across the broader NHS during the pandemic.

Titled Golden Treescape, the work is a woodland scene by local artist Joan Hudson, who takes her inspiration from Clevedon’s picturesque scenery. The painting, which stands out for the artist’s use of 24-carat gold leaf, is now hanging in the upstairs waiting room of the outpatient’s department.

Heartless individuals remove popular Clevedon landmark Emotions have been stirred in recent weeks by the theft of a much-loved Clevedon landmark. Situated at the entrance to the town, the large wooden boat planter had recently been replaced by the local Rotary club following a kind donation of a fibreglass boat from a local family. After the replacement boat had been filled with topsoil in preparation for planting, it was removed the same day by several individuals with a small truck. Despite some dashcam footage of the event, it was of insufficient quality for the police to take the investigation further.

A Club spokesperson said: “The family who donated the boat are justifiably upset, as we are, having invested considerable time and effort into getting it looking pristine.”

Following a groundswell of community support throughout the town, however, numerous offers of help were received, with a replacement fibreglass boat now having been secured.

Titled Golden Treescape, the painting is a woodland scene by local artist Joan Hudson Photo by Sirona Care & Health

Joan said she was delighted and honoured that her painting was chosen by the group of local artists. “The idea behind my treescapes is that when one walks through a woodland or forest the light changes as one goes along,” she explained. “The 24-carat gilding has a similar effect because as you look at these paintings from different positions the light changes there too.”

Managed by Sirona Care & Health, North Somerset Community Hospital has provided local care and support for people throughout the pandemic.

John Pope, from Studio 3, which is based at Clevedon Craft Centre, said the group felt the donation was a way of saying thank you and marking the many decades of care provided by the hospital locally. “Art has the potential to calm, intrigue, comfort, distract and lift the spirits,” he said. “All these qualities are clearly an advantage in any potentially stressful hospital setting at any time, but especially so during a pandemic.”

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community news Fundraising is a walk in the park for Helen For many, retirement is the time to reflect on a life of hard work while taking it easy. Not so for Hawthorns resident Helen Hughes, who spent 28 days recently walking the equivalent of three marathons in laps round the Hawthorns garden, raising money for charity in the process. “I normally do five circuits daily,” said Helen, who increased the number every day to meet, and eventually exceed, her target of 100km. Now well into her 80s, Helen has led a fascinating life of service as a children’s nurse and later head teacher. Despite having endured heart failure, minor strokes, a fractured spine and two knee replacements, Helen completed her walk, come rain or shine, unaided. “I enjoyed it,” she said, “but I am paying the price for it now!” To date, Helen has raised over £550, including a donation from Tesco Clevedon, for her two chosen charities, Children’s Hospice South West and Acorns Children’s Hospice in Birmingham.

Helen walked the equivalent of three marathons in laps round the Hawthorns garden

Clevedon Aid launch

eggciting competition Group has benefited from ‘life saver’ £26,000 grant

Under-16-year-olds are being urged to get creative ahead of Easter and enter a competition to design a seasonal card for a good cause, organised by Clevedon Aid. The Easter/Spring Card Competition is open to all children in the age group, with the winning design to be printed and distributed to many of the residents supported by the group as a seasonal pick-me-up. Cards should be designed on an A5 piece of paper and entries must be submitted by 4pm Wednesday March 17. More details can be found on the group’s Facebook page.

Clevedon Aid was recently awarded £26,000 of National Lottery funding to continue its work – a sum of money described by Team Lead and Director Lizzie Harvey as a “life saver”. Previously the group had survived mainly on community donations and much smaller grants, she explained.

Jane de Budé, Deputy Team Lead of Clevedon Aid, added that the funding boost would enable the group to begin planning and working towards new goals for supporting the local community, while continuing with ongoing projects.

“Having a chunk of capital in the bank has meant that our worry about futureproofing the work Clevedon Aid has

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been doing is alleviated in the medium term,” she said.

Clevedon Aid was formed in the first lockdown out of a growing awareness among members of the community to offer help and support to neighbours and other elderly or vulnerable residents. The group quickly formalised into a not-for-profit organisation, coordinating hundreds of volunteers across the town for activities that ranged from shopping for isolated residents and well-being calls to prescription runs, PPE distribution and cooking and delivering hot meals. “Lots of the need we are seeing in the community isn’t Covid-19 caused, more Covid-19 exacerbated,” Lizzie said.

“Clevedon Aid has found a space in which we are looking to continue to operate in when Covid-19 is a distant memory.” More information about Clevedon Aid can be found at www.clevedonaid.org.uk Pictured: The group coordinates hundreds of volunteers to offer a range of support across the town

community news first

Cynthia prepares to hit the road having to go in the school holidays, which will be a novelty!” Cynthia said with a smile.

A fantastic send-off from students and staff at Clevedon School went some way to compensating for the fact that longstanding dinner lady Cynthia Cooper’s plans to celebrate her retirement

To say Cynthia holds an impressive track record in her line of work is something of an understatement; she has served meals to more than Retiree Cynthia 40,000 students, Cooper has seen including her plenty of changes to own children school meals over the and some of her years grandchildren, in a career that by heading off on the open spanned almost 30 years. road with husband Mike in their touring van have been “I put my name down on the temporarily scuppered. waiting list for kitchen assistant roles when my youngest child “We were lucky enough to get started school and began by away when we could, but now working at a local primary we’re looking forward to not

school before moving to Clevedon,” she said. “I thought I’d leave once my own children finished school, but then they all went off to university so I thought I might as well stay on.”

Cynthia has seen plenty of changes to school meals over the years, including greater importance being attached to nutrition and healthy eating.

“I’ve also had a lot of fun and banter with the children, especially being teased over my northern accent!” she said.

“Luckily one of the teachers was from Middlesbrough, so he used to defend my corner!”

Commenting at a special presentation to thank Cynthia, Clevedon School’s Headteacher Jim Smith said: “Cynthia is a truly special member of staff.

We will miss her incredibly and wish her well in her retirement.”

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community news Foodbank grateful for Clevedon Yeo Rotary helps Yatton support with vaccine rollout

Clevedon and District Foodbank has issued a heartfelt thank you to volunteers in Yatton and the surrounding area. The foodbank has had an outpost in Yatton for almost a year now, thanks to the generosity of the Rock Road Youth Club, its Youth Worker Niccy Hook and a team of willing volunteers, ably supported by the Yeo Valley Lions who have donated equipment and provided transport, for donations. As well as transporting donations to the central warehouse, bringing pre-packed parcels back and making home deliveries, the Lions have played an essential role helping the foodbank’s team to transfer heavy crates of stock to and from their Clevedon stores.

The Yatton outpost is open on Thursday mornings, 9.30am to noon, at the Rock Road Youth Club, while the main Clevedon foodbank is currently operating from St Andrew’s Church Centre, Old Church Road on Mondays and Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am. Vouchers can be obtained from schools, doctors and other support agencies.

For more information, go to www. clevedondistrict. foodbank.org.uk.

Beginning on February 13, Clevedon Yeo Rotary has been helping the Clevedon medical team with the national Covid-19 vaccination rollout. On the first day, at Clevedon Rugby Club, almost 1000 members of the public were vaccinated. Amid freezing cold weather, members of Clevedon Yeo Rotary spent the day helping with organising the queues and car parking.

Clevedon Yeo Rotary President Helen Riley said: “Our members were there from 8.30 in the morning until the finish. It was rather cold, but spirits were high, and we were glad to be able to support the fantastic Clevedon Medical Centre team deliver a large amount of vaccinations during the day.”

Light up to remember, respect and reflect

Clevedon School launch pop-up fruit and veg shop

On Sunday March 14, North Somerset Council is calling on residents to light a candle in their window at 7pm to remember everyone who has lost their lives to Covid-19 over the past year and all those we’ve not been able to say goodbye to in the usual ways. The date has been selected to mark the first anniversary of the first North Somerset resident to lose their life to coronavirus.

Since then, local communities have lost 334 people to the disease.

A pop-up shop initiative by Clevedon School to support families in receipt of free school meals has received a huge and heartwarming community response, with shops and businesses donating generously. Headteacher Jim Smith said: “At Clevedon School we are constantly looking to help students and families in every way possible. It was in this spirit that we came up with the idea of helping to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for families.”

Cllr Don Davies, Leader of the Council said: “The past year has been hard for everyone, but especially for those of us who have lost someone and not been able to mourn or pay our respects in the usual way. We have all lost someone, or know someone who has lost someone.

This is an opportunity to unite across North Somerset and pay our respects. Let us use Sunday March 14 as an opportunity to remember, to reflect and to come together and to hope for brighter days for all of us in North Somerset.”

Amid continuing lockdown restrictions, residents are asked to share their candle pictures on social media using #NSTogether to create a virtual moment of remembrance.

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To date, community donations approaching £2000 in value have been received, including fresh produce from EW Jenkins, a longterm supporter of the school, and goods from Clevedon Italian food importer Nanona.

The initiative, which will also see free sanitary products made available in school, takes a zero-waste approach, with any surplus perishable stock diverted to Clevedon Aid for use in meals distributed in the community. Additionally, a link with Clevedon Foodbank has been made to supply tinned food, cereal, pasta and biscuits.

Mr Smith added: “There has been an incredible community response and we are now looking at sustainable options to maintain this much needed provision.”

To date, community donations approaching £2000 in value have been received

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community news

Clevedon mum completes epic rowing challenge Local mum Gemma Best, from Clevedon Coastal Rowing, together with the rest of her South West-based rowing crew, celebrated completing the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge recently, marking the end of a gruelling, 3000mile voyage that included facing 15-foot sharks, waves of more than 30 feet and electrical faults on board.

The Force Genesis team, which also included Will Cogley of Portishead Pilot Gig Club, rowed non-stop from the Canary Isles to Antigua in 50 days and 22 hours, raising money for Devon Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service in the process. Also known as the Devon Blood Bikes, the freewheelers support the NHS by delivering blood and other essential items to hospitals.

Harry Lewis, Gemma’s son and a student at Clevedon School, was there to witness his mum’s success as the team arrived at their destination in their eight-metre boat, the Jasmine Anne, finishing an impressive 12th out of 21 participants.

Recognised as the world’s toughest rowing race, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge brings together teams from all walks of life in an attempt to cross an ocean in a rowing boat. The Force Genesis team each rowed for two hours straight and constantly survived on just two hours’ sleep during their epic voyage, which they began on December 12.

Gemma explained that she only took up rowing four

years ago, after moving to Clevedon. “Spending 50 days at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean has been the most aweinspiring moment of my life; the beauty of the skies and the sea is something I can’t explain, but will stay with me forever,” she said.

Above: the Force Genesis team arriving at their destination after completing the epic Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge Photo courtesy of Portishead Pilot Gig Club

win with thespa!

Superb spring competition Fed up of lockdowns? Want a treat for you and a friend or family member to look forward to?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then read on!

Gordano Living is giving readers the chance to win a superb spa day for two at the region’s leading health club and spa.

Set within the grounds of DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House in Congresbury thespa offers the very latest in spa treatments, relaxing spa days, hen parties and overnight breaks, with a treatment menu packed with everything from facials and massages to spray tans and gel nails.

Attractions include a 20-metre swimming pool,

kids’ free relaxation room, outdoor hot tub and terrace, plus a Marco Pierre White Italianinspired restaurant, meaning guests can really put their feet up and relax, while overlooking the beautiful North Somerset countryside.

What the lucky winner will receive: A spa treatment day for two, plus a meal at Bardolino and full access to the pool and outdoor terrace.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the question below and send your answer to miriam@gordanomedia. co.uk. Clue - you’ll need to take a look at thespa’s website to find the answer!

What brand of spa products does thespa at Cadbury House use?

Closing date for entries is March 26, so you’ve got plenty of time to enter. Good luck!

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For further information on thespa please visit http://www.theclubandspabristol. co.uk/the-spa Terms and conditions Editor’s decision is final The prize is non-transferable The prize cannot be used by anyone else other than the winners The winner(s) must reside within the circulation area of Gordano Living The winners will be required to take part in some media activity

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home and garden

Giving you the lift you need!

Based in Clevedon, Dolphin Lifts Western has over 35 years of experience helping their customers find the perfect lift for them. Not only is it one of the south west’s largest independent suppliers of stairlifts, hoists and wheelchair lifts, but it combines this impressive offering Dolphin Lifts Western is a family-run with being a familybusiness and independent supplier run business, led by brothers Tom and Nick kinds of properties and Wakefield, and with Nick’s staircases,” said Nick. wife Stacy also onboard to Customers are further handle the accounts. reassured by the quotation process, which is free and Nick points out the always takes place under importance of being absolutely no obligation. completely independent “We never expect a suppliers, saying that decision there and then,” it makes them flexible said Nick, “and since we in terms of catering to don’t work on commission, customers’ needs. “We have there is never any hard sell.” access to a wide range of lifts to suit all different

Smooth your worries away!

Too busy to iron? Maybe you are juggling working from home, home schooling the kids, and don’t have enough time to fit in all those household chores? Give Bernadette a call on 07960 220265 or 01275 859328 to take away your ironing woes! She offers a friendly, fast and efficient domestic ironing service, with free collection/delivery in Nailsea and Backwell, or a small charge applicable for further afield.

As well as supplying and installing, Dolphin Lifts Western maintains and services all types of domestic lifting equipment – from stairlifts, wheelchair lifts and ceiling track hoists through to home lifts, bath lifts, pool hoists and more.

To learn more, visit www. dolphinliftswestern.co.uk or call 01275 870226.

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home and garden

Better than new

PremTech Furniture Repairs delivers an uplifting experience for lived-in items Tired and worn round the edges, or deflated and lacking in oomph? When this is a descriptor of your favourite furniture (rather than of your lockdown self ), then local Clevedon business PremTech Furniture Repairs has the solution.

A love for this line of business has been in the family for generations. “It runs in the blood,” says owner Graham, who himself has 15 years of experience in upholstery repair. Along with partner Becki, he spent years overseeing a large team of over 30 workers at DFS. “We felt we’re good at what we do, so why not do it for ourselves?” the duo said of the decision to launch PremTech.

“It’s a real shame we’re in a throwaway society,” said Graham of the modern trend to replace worn items with new, although he agrees that the tide is finally turning, with growing numbers of customers appreciating the value of repairing or revamping items. “If it’s furniture we do it,” he added. This can mean anything, from wooden cabinet repairs to reupholstering

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manual or electric recliners or painting furniture, and plenty more besides. Other services PremTech offers include furniture delivery and furniture access solutions.

The latter, Graham explained, is for when a customer has ordered an item of furniture for their home that is too large to fit through the doorway. Rather than remove a window, PremTech’s solution involves removing the upholstery, cutting the frame, and then putting it back together in situ.

PremTech always gives free quotes and there is flexibility as to how the work takes place. “I come from a background of doing things in customer homes,” explained Graham, “but we also have a workshop base. At the moment, we recommend the latter and will arrange to pick up the item in the morning and deliver it back in the afternoon.”

To check out PremTech’s five-star reviews and learn more about their services, visit www.ptfr.co.uk or call 01275 219936 or 07497 391973.

Before

After

Before

After

Premtech’s transformations breathe new life into much-loved furniture

home and garden

Time to streamline

Nigel Hammond reminds us that less can be more when it comes to making good use of our indoor space More time spent inside, shuttered charity shops and partially open tips and recycling centres may well mean we’ve amassed more clutter than usual in the past 12 months. However, with light at the end of the lockdown tunnel, streamlining our stuff is a fantastic way of preparing for post-pandemic life.

While we may be tempted to put off decluttering, getting rid of extraneous stuff is actually very therapeutic and good for our mental health. Think of it as decluttering the mind and then start envisaging what you can do with all the wonderful space you’ve made!

Decluttering

Start with small steps. Clear out a drawer or shelf with a plan to move on to a second another day, rather than trying to blitz an entire room.

Medicine cabinets and food cupboards are among the biggest offenders. Empty them and get rid of expired items or anything that looks like it’s seen better days.

Do the dust test. If something’s gathering

dust somewhere, the chances are you aren’t using it and don’t need it, meaning it’s time to think long and hard about whether to keep it.

It can be a struggle to throw some stuff out. Compromise by creating a ‘return to’ drawer for things you’re undecided over.

Revisit it in six months’ time and make that date D (decision) day.

Keep it up!

Try to not let clutter amass again.

Allocate a box or tray for incoming post and paperwork which, as we all know, quickly builds up.

Get the entire family on board with your plans to keep the home tidier, especially the younger members.

Make a buy-goodbye pledge with yourself. Whenever you buy a new item, dispense of something you know is no longer serving a useful purpose.

Remember, there’s a chance someone else will be happy to give it a new home!

If you’re looking to declutter or planning a house clearance and need some help, call Nigel, Man with a Van, on 01275 852 971.

Nigel and co-worker Ben Gould were underwhelmed with what they hoped would be a failsafe find A safe bet House clearances can often turn up fascinating objects and curiosities, but it’s not every day you come across a Victorian safe, complete with authentic detailing, gathering dust in a house that has long been left derelict. That was the sight that greeted us recently, though!

After eventually managing to open it with a sledgehammer no less, our hopes of finding treasure quickly evaporated when confronted with just a few humble figures, including a Father Christmas that certainly wasn’t on our wish list! Ah well, there’s always a next time…

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business Every month McManus Williams Limited answers some of your business and accountancy related questions.

Working from home?

Here’s what you need to know

If you are an employee, then it is very likely that at some point during the pandemic you have been required to work from home, either because your workplace has been closed or because you have been asked to self-isolate. Happily, there are some tax reliefs being offered by HMRC, depending on your particular circumstances.

The general rule is that tax relief can be obtained directly from HMRC in the event that you have incurred additional costs that have not been reimbursed by your employer. Of course, if your employer has already met these additional costs for you, then there is no additional relief. Additional costs are those that relate to home-working only and are deductible by employees that have been required to work from home by their employers. Workers that voluntarily choose to work from home are not eligible for relief.

Typically, additional costs include: • Light, heat and power (homerunning costs) over and above normal usage • Broadband connection (but only if a connection wasn’t previously available and has been installed specially to allow you to work from home) • Purchase of home office equipment (computer equipment etc) When it comes to home-running costs, these can be calculated based on actual expenses incurred, though since this may be complicated or impractical, employees can instead claim HMRC’s home working allowance of £6 per calendar week for 2020/21. HMRC have also indicated that a full year’s allowance will be made available where an employee has had to work from home at some time in the 2020/21 tax year and that this will not be restricted, should

employees return to work before April 5, 2021 or if they only work part-time.

Applications for the homeworking relief can be made online here: https://www.gov.uk/ tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home If your business needs support at this time, please contact us at www. mcmanuswilliams.co.uk and we’ll do everything we can to help.

The Somerset Sash Window Company

Draught Proofing / Renovations Replacement Windows Rot Repairs/ Servicing /Double Glazing For a free quote - contact us

01275 845215 or 07972 592885

info@thesomersetsashwindowcompany.com www.thesomersetsashwindowcompany.com

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Local Services Plumbing and Heating

Builder

Furniture Repairs

FOXALL BUILDING

EXTENSIONS, ALTERATIONS, CONVERSIONS, BRICKWORK ALL INDOOR & OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE Incl. Guttering, painting, patios, walls, fencing

01275 847594 07802 365951 sfoxallbuilding@aol.com CITY & GUILDS QUALIFIED

Carpentry

Aerials & Satellites

Richmond Carpentry

DTV Aerials & Satellites

Services

• Kitchens • Doors & Skirting • Flooring Domestic and commercial work Fully insured Over 25 years experience

Call Andy:

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E: rcsportishead@gmail.com www.richmondcarpentryservices.co.uk

*We accept debit & credit cards*

Painters & Decorators

STEVE BAILEY ELECTRICAL

Bayroad Painters and decorators David Caddy & Jo Curtis

• All electrical installation work • Re-wires, sockets, repairs etc.

• Inspection & testing • Reliable, friendly local service • All work fully insured

Office: 01275 844094 Mob: 07834 772046 Email: info@tcarpentry.co.uk Website: www.tcarpentry.co.uk

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T: 01275 843548 M: 07722 959708

• Part P Reg

For a free no-obligation quotation, contact us:

• Digital Aerials • Sky & Foreign Sat • BBC Freesat 80+ Channels • HD • TV Setups • Telephone Points

Electrician

Carpentry

•Kitchen Design and Installation •Flooring – Supply & Fit •Bespoke Fitted Wardrobes •Skirting Boards & Architrave •Door Linings & Door Hanging •Renovations and more…..

Your local registered digital installer

01275 848785 07759 218871

Drains

• • • •

Professional, friendly service Exterior & interior Fascia painting available Free quotes. No job too small

Mob: 07473 240540 Mob: 07760 446464 Tel: 01275 341344 Bathrooms

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Local Services Electrician

Tree Surgery

Plumbing & Heating

Decorating & Handyman

Tree Surgery

swifttreesurgery.co.uk • All aspects of tree surgery • Hedge & Shrub Maintenance • Free no-obligation quote • Over 10 years specialist experience • Fully qualified & insured tree surgeons

07802 480881 01275 463301 ben@swifttreesurgery.co.uk

Plumbing & Heating

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Tel: 01275 568 145 or 01275 878 000

Local Services Plumbing

Man & Van

Roofing

Joe Hayman Roofing PLEASE CALL NOW, DON’T LET ANOTHER ROOF SUFFER!

All aspects of roof work Flat roofs All repair work Gutters / Fascias Lead work Velux windows

For a free quotation please call Joe on 07554 006861

Home and Garden Services

Cleaning

KEV’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD Friendly team of reliable and trustworthy staff

FAMILY RUN BUSINESS

Window Cleaner

• We clean all windows inside and outside and always include window sills & frames.

• Skylights / solar panels / conservatories and any type of roof.

• We offer regular and one off cleans.

JJK GUTTERING SERVICES LTD

• We empty, unblock and clean gutters, fascias, soffits, downpipes, conservatories & roofs.

• We can fix and replace any leaking guttering.

PLEASE CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION

01823 272260 07885 451628

www.kevscleaningservices.co.uk Email: kevscleaning@btinternet.com 23