FR EE EE MAGAZINE
FLEA
MAGAZINES Published since
2002
Serving local communities for over 10 years
Special Edition celebrating Watford hosting the National Waterways Festival 2013 Cassiobury Park July 19th - 21st
online
For local information, event listings and the best Watford businesses at your fingertips.
www.watford.theflea.co.uk Follow us:
@TheWatfordFlea
fleamagazine
LOCAL INFORMATION WEBSITE Image Š Karolina Zieba,Kay Photography
Local Services n Events and Attractions n Money saving offers n Trusted business listings n
INTERNET MARKETING WITH THE FLEA IS EASY!
So much more than just a magazine The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent the views of flea ltd and therefore we do not accept liability.
The Watford Flea Magazine is published by flea ltd Watford Printers Building 58 Vicarage Road Watford WD18 0EW
ADVERTISING
watford@theflea.co.uk
01923 731161
EDITORS WANTED Enquire without obligation Email: ed@fleauk.com Phone: 01923 731160
@TheWatfordFlea
3
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
From the editor’s desk… What a year it’s been for Watford already — with “Watford Live” running throughout June and “Imagine Watford” providing some extraordinary outdoor experiences freely available to the 97,000 people who witnessed at least one event. If you missed Imagine, then we hope our back cover will give you a flavour of what went on. You’ll find individual event reviews and more images of many of the events on the Watford flea website. This special edition is dedicated to the National Waterways Festival, being held this year in Cassiobury Park from 19-21 July. We are delighted that the organisers have chosen our town to host their 60th festival. It promises to be a fun event for the whole family, so why not pull out our centre pages as a reminder to grab a bargain by booking your tickets in advance – entry is free for accompanied children! If you need more information, you’ll find it,with links to more detail, on our website. Finally – please vote to help local charity Playskill win a Big Lottery Fund award. Voting closes 24th July. More about this on Page 4. Please vote and help to bring yet another accolade to Watford! The Watford flea magazine is published by: Flea Ltd., 58 Vicarage Road, Watford WD18 0EW
Views expressed in this magazine are those of the respective contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of flea ltd.
Advertising: 01923 731160/1
This summer Flea magazine is being joined in an advisory capacity by former Guardian journalist Richard Doughty. For many years Richard, who lives in Croxley, has been the Guardian’s sponsored supplements editor, dealing with a wide range of commercial, government and voluntary sector clients who have seen the paper’s readers as an essential market for their services or products. But unlike straight marketing, the end result has been Guardianstandard editorial coverage forging a bridge between a sponsor’s own agenda and the all-important needs of the paper’s readers for a compelling, independent and informative read – the basic requirement of a rapidly growing activity in the UK called content marketing. Flea magazine is a direct example of this approach – providing readers with unbiased advice, information and anecdotes from sometimes the most unusual commercial sources and offering advertisers an increasingly popular means of gaining an edge over rivals by “editorialising” their marketing literature, attracting and reattracting casual visitors to an otherwise commercial environment
Cover photo Watford hosts the National Waterways Festival 2013. 4 PAGE CENTRE PULL OUT
purely by the standard of article, Q&A, online comment queues or video. It’s content not promoting a product or service but based on the actual knowledge and experience of the people behind them. Now a freelance journalist and content marketing consultant, Richard aims to help Flea expand as a major source of local entertainment/events listings and provide a “must read” for all wanting unbiased, independent copy ranging from advice to anecdotes to debates and reviews.
Richard Doughty is a content marketing, press and media specialist and journalist. Please contact him to find out more at: Rich1.doughty@gmail.com www.richarddoughty.co.uk tel: 07902 188408 or 01923 775711
4
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
Local Charity Finalist in National Award. BUT to WIN – they need YOUR HELP!
fleamagazine
Austerity measures with Troddy
The inimitable Troddy takes an irreverent look at the economies available by living on narrow boats. Readers, the editor of this eximious mag has prevailed upon me to apply the principles of austerity measures, pertaining to life on canal, river or the banks thereof. I must confide that the ideas provoked by this modus vivendi are anathema to me, but, nil desperandum, I will dispense my accustomed words of wisdom and advice.
Playskill, a Watford charity that helps young children with physical difficulty or delayed development, is one of seven finalists in the “Best Education” category of this year’s Big Lottery Awards, an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects, now in its tenth year. The winner will be selected by public vote – so PLEASE support your local Watford charity by voting for them. Find out more and vote on line here: http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org. uk/project/playskill
Imagine a dire scenario: those nasty banker fellows are about to foreclose on your mortgage and the bailiff is knocking at the door. Subsequently, with the few quid remaining from the forced sale of your cosy little pad, you might be tempted to invest in a wretched, elongated, leaky, old wooden tub. Instantly, you become a mole-like creature, emerging occasionally from the farty, fugfilled steamy depths of your cabin, desperately gasping for fresh air and sunshine. In appearance you will be obliged to conform to boat-people norm. Whether young or old, male or female, your hair will be long, bedraggled and unkempt, your body and togs unwashed. Considerable savings will be made on shampoos and soaps while hairdressing bills will be zero!
Muscle tightness or pain? Stressed, injured or tired? FREE Assessment !!! and 50% off your first massage
Lucas Massage Therapy Mob: 07773 902231 Tel: 01923 680964 Fax: 01923 396599 Email: karl@j3mediaproductions.com Web: www.j3mediaproductions.com
07981 396 184 The Pump Gym, Greenhill Crescent, WATFORD, WD18 8PH
w w w. l u c a s m a s s a ge t h e ra py. c o m
@TheWatfordFlea
5
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
To show commitment, you will adopt a scarecrowlike demeanour with outfits recovered from recycling bins. As for grub, and owing to your ‘old git’ appearance, you will be persona-non-grata at the supermarket: banned for ever by the security guard / camp commandant because of the noxious odours emanating from your bod.
edwin marcow
Consequently, your diet will be derived from foraging the fruits and nuts of the forest and consumption of fricassee of toadstool. Scrumping from nearby back gardens will become an essential supplement to your food supply. Occasionally, you will snare an unsuspecting squirrel or unfortunate little bunny rabbit: tiddlers will be caught using string and bent pin.
Keeping warm will present problems, but you will probably reach an accommodation with lumps of driftwood floating on the rat-infested waters. Set fire to some of that to practice self immolation. Should you be unlucky enough to be moored on a bank of the Grand Union Canal, close to Whippendell Woods, you could partake in the antics of a witches’ coven. You could caper a danse macabre in the buff, toasting your privates by the light of a raging bonfire. This will culminate in the arrival of a fire engine and a nice policeman who will escort you to a comfy Shady Lane cell. At least you’ll be warm and get a nice cup of cocoa – a better outcome than a boat-brewed watery soup of watercress purloined from the beds further along that stretch of canal. As for tax-free income, you’ll probably be able to attach a begging bowl to a mooring rope. Gawping passers-by, simultaneously fascinated and appalled by your plight, will likely donate a few coins. Readers: this may be low cost living, but there are better ways! Stand by for more comforting suggestions in the next edition.
Amazing Offer 12% Discount Book your wedding by Saturday 31st August 2013
A fusion of fine art, avante garde & reportage wedding photography
m: 07956 898 800 www.studiou.co.uk
Festival Fashion Music festivals have been associated with fashion since the mid 60’s, never simply about the music acts and drink, for us ladies, as with packing outfits to go abroad, packing for a festival is just as important.
Fabiform
Know-how for these activities can be readily obtained from a manual by Ray Mears, that balmy old backwoods bat. He can also instruct on the lighting of uncontrollable towpath fires, instigated by bashing two rocks together. Your captured animals will roast to an unpalatable frazzle.
Topshop, River Island and Asos all have collections dedicated to getting the festival ‘look’. This is typically made up of paisley printed dresses, denim shirt and mini shorts, biker boots and whichever hat is most in fashion (right now a beanie thanks to model Cara Delevingne) or a traditional flower embellished head band then finish off your outfit with plenty of charm bracelets and a long feather necklace.
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
Being Vegan
Need a special cake?
The word ‘vegan’ conjures up a mass of clichés about hippies, dreadlocks and rabbit-food, but it is quickly becoming a popular way of eating especially in these health and cost conscious times.
Denise McKenzie of Lily’s Cakes offers her expert advice on our website: www.watford.theflea.co.uk Let Denise help you specify a cake for your special occasion. Call her: 07549 433853 or email contactlilyscakes@gmail.com
Veganism – no meat, fish, eggs or dairy – was first termed in 1944. Now in the 21st century vegetarianism and vegan are becoming more and more popular. Eliminating all types of animal derived products, it can cut down on the weekly food bill! But many people worry about where they then will get certain vitamins (such as iron and calcium) that are typically found in meat, eggs and milk. These essential vitamins are, thankfully, also found in dark green vegetables, sesame seeds, seaweed (a great reason to eat sushi) and vitamin supplements are readily available.
Read more on-line at: www.watford.theflea.co.uk
fleamagazine
Lily’s Cakes Need a special cake? Denise Mckenzie contactlilyscakes@gmail.com www.sites.google.com/site/trylilyscakes 07549433853
For details of menus, options and prices, call Matthew Bashford-Hayes on 01923 351421 or 07789 620825 or Email: matthew@mjtcatering.co.uk
www.mjtcateringwatford.co.uk
6
-B
E E PR AT .W W W W
K OO T EA IN NL
SO ET S.O AY RW
CK TI
K .U
RG
FESTIVAL SPECIAL - PULL OUT AND KEEP! General Enquiries: 03333 445260
chandlery delicious catering
400 boats family fun
IWA’s ‘The Waterways Festival’ is organised by Inland Waterways Enterprises Ltd. (a private limited company registered in England no: 4305322) which is wholly owned by the Inland Waterways Association to whom all profits are given. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham. HP5 1WA. *Must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Friday & Saturday 10-6pm Sunday 10-5pm
Float Along to Britain’s Biggest Waterways Festival
The annual celebration of the nation’s inland waterways is coming to Watford this summer with hundreds of beautiful boats and attractions for all the family to enjoy. It will be a great day out for all the family when The Waterways Festival is staged at Cassiobury Park, Watford from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July 2013. Run by volunteer supporters of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA), the three day Festival expects to attract thousands of people and promises family fun and entertainment beside the Grand Union Canal and beautiful open park land.
Beautiful Boats Around 400 boats, many decorated, will line the water’s edge, with a number of historic working boats on display.
Entertainment Galore There’s plenty to see at our two stage areas with live performances from a variety of acts. Entertainments will include a fly-past by a *subject to weather and availability
World War II Spitfire* and two traditional boat trips will be available. The kids will love our fun boating pool and Sheridan the robotic sheep dog.
Fun for Children Children are well catered for with Wild over Waterways (WOW) activities including bricklaying, diggers and a chance to complete their own WOW Passport at the event. A Victorian Fairground will offer traditional rides for children. Vibrant Craft Workshops From painting traditional roses and castles to making your own rag rug, the festival has a vibrant mix of heritage and modern day crafts to try. Places are limited so early booking is essential.
Opening Times Friday 19th July 10am to 6pm Saturday 20th Jul y 10am – 6pm Sunday 21st Jul y 10am – 5pm
Shop ‘til You Drop! A great range of exhibitors are anticipated so whether you’re interested in boats and chandlery or just wish to browse the many speciality stalls, including clothing, crafts, jewellery and food and drink, the choice is extensive.
Event Information
Tasty Food and Drink A range
All ticket purchasers will be entitled to apply for a year’s free e-membership to IWA*.
of sweet and savoury foods are on offer to satisfy every taste and dietary requirement. Take the time to relax and enjoy a traditional pint from one of our two Real Ale Bars. The Waterways Festival is a great day out for all the family, so come on down to meet the people who are passionate about our wonderful waterways.
Tickets: Tickets are discounted
if booked in advance via www. waterways.org.uk. Accompanied children under 16 are free to enter. Dogs on a lead are welcomed.
Venue: Cassiobury Park, Cassiobury Avenue, Watford, WD18 7HY Getting there: Parking is limited. On site disabled parking is available. Please use public transport - Watford Metropolitan Tube is 5 mins and Watford Junction 15 mins walk. General Enquiries: For
general enquiries or to book craft workshops contact the Festival Hotline on 03333 445260.
*Terms and conditions apply
About IWA
The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a registered charity, founded in 1946, which advocates the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways for public benefit. IWA members’ interests include boating, towpath walking, industrial archaeology, nature conservation and many other activities associated with the inland waterways. IWA works closely with navigation authorities, other waterway bodies, a wide range of national and local authorities, voluntary, private and public sector organisations. We campaign and lobby for support and encourage public participation in the inland waterways. IWA actively supports waterway restoration and through its volunteering organisation, Waterway Recovery Group, organises and subsidises over 20 week-long
waterway restoration holiday schemes for volunteers around the country each year, as well as conducting multiple work parties around the country on most weekends. These schemes allow young people to participate in the preservation and restoration of our heritage, and in doing so learn restoration and heritage skills. More than 500 miles of canals and navigable rivers have been re-opened to public use since the Association was founded in 1946. Currently another 500 miles of derelict inland waterways are the subject of restoration plans. IWA is organised into 33 local branches covering geographical areas of the country, through which volunteers coordinate activities as diverse as policing planning applications likely to be detrimental to the waterway corridor, providing engineering expertise to local waterway societies, raising money for restoration schemes and educating the public on the value and benefits of their local waterways.
Join Today! Go online www.waterways.org.uk or call us on 01494 783453
Campaigning for the use, maintenance and restoration of Britain’s inland waterways
@TheWatfordFlea
11
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
The stress of new beginnings... September is the new start for many school-leavers, university-starters and job-seekers. Sleep problems, anxiety and mild depression are natural consequences of uncertainty. Autogenics can certainly help, and set you up for the future. So while the summer has found us at last, maybe the shops, full of new stationery and school gear, have got it right – preparing for what comes next.
www.autogenic-therapist.co.uk jane@autogenic-therapist.co.uk
01923 675501
www.blueskyyoga.co.uk
Autogenic Training
brilliant short-term therapy for long-term well-being Jane Bird has 30 years’ experience
helping people help themselves
Phobia?
No need to Panic!
Hypnotherapist, Cognitive Trainer and Coach, Tania Clarke says:
As a result they, and often their families too, fail to enjoy many activities that others take for granted.
Surveys indicate that three quarters of all adults admit to being afraid of something. Many fears are well-founded, but an irrational fear that causes high levels of anxiety and panic, is a phobia. When faced with the situation giving rise to their panic, the phobic will suffer physical symptoms that may be very severe and debilitating. These can include a high pulse rate, chest pain, raised blood pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling or even loss of control over bodily functions.
Fortunately, most phobias are easily overcome with a little professional help.
Famous people that had to overcome an irrational fear of water (aquaphobia) include Carmen Electra (for “Baywatch”), Winona Ryder (for the underwater scene in “Alien: Resurrection”) and Michelle Pfeiffer (for the undersea scene at the end of “What Lies Beneath”). Many people suffer their phobias for a lifetime.
So don’t be afraid to take the plunge and seek that help! Just imagine how different things will be when you’re once more enjoying a full and phobia-free life.
HELPING YOU ACHIEVE THE CHANGES YOU WANT
07717 410 910 www.thrivewatford.co.uk hello@taniaclarke.co.uk
12
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
fleamagazine
Employment Tribunals to charge fees!
Keeping the hive alive
Charging starts at the end of July 2013. If you’ve just lost your job, you may be concerned.
Across the world the honeybee is under threat along with the bumblebee and butterflies due to loss sridhar babu58 of habitat and use of pesticides on farmland. As a result, the price of honey has soared - a good reason to start your own hive?
For an unfair dismissal or discrimination claim, your fee could be over £1000 although there is a “low income fee remission scheme”. Last year the median award across all the types of such claims was nearly £12,000. With such serious amounts at stake and given the strict time limits allowed to start proceedings, it is essential to take expert advice early. Moore Solicitors provide professional and practical advice as well as legal representation at Employment and Employment Appeal Tribunals. FREE initial advice. Call Harsha Moore today to talk through your work problems.
Bee keeping is becoming a popular hobby especially with allotment owners eager to produce their own honey and perhaps cash in on the trend. I met Debbie King, who is a keen forager and grower, making her own chutneys and wine. In the past couple of years she has ventured into bee keeping. Her hives are situated at the edge of the allotments near her home in Mill End. Beginning with one small hive, she has a second planned. She now gives presentations on how hives function at markets, where she also sells her honey.
Solving work related problems
You can start your own hive for only a couple of hundred pounds. But you’ll need to catch a swarm of bees - or buy one from Craigslist or beekeepingforum.co.uk
01923 238 427 or 07930 968 788 Meridien House, 69-71 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1DS harsha@mooresolicitors.co.uk
www.mooresolicitors.co.uk
Where there’s a Will, there’s an (inland water) way! Thomas Telford designed many canals, bridges and aqueducts leaving a lasting legacy that is enjoyed and admired by users of Great Britain’s inland waterways today. Despite being largely self-taught, he became the first President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and was buried in Westminster Abbey. He made a Will and included a gift of many of his papers and thousands of pounds to the Institution. We might not all be able to leave such a lasting legacy as Thomas Telford but by making a Will and including a legacy for a charity or organisation that you
care about, you can pass on your love to future generations. For more information about how to leave a legacy in a Will contact Shirley Batten-Smith of Planet Wills Ltd.
Looking for help and advice you can trust on Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney? Want an experienced, professionally qualified Adviser? Don’t want to pay extra for a home visit? Want fixed cost with no hidden extras?
Planet Wills ticks all the right boxes
PLANET Wills 01923 www.planetwills.co.uk 01923460011 460011 www.planetwills.co.uk
@TheWatfordFlea
13
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
Sink or Swim Only a tiny fraction of the British population live on boats. These worthies know that keeping their craft well maintained – “ship shape and Bristol fashion” – is the only way to ensure they can enjoy their life on Britain’s waterways. Making sure that water is kept out is essential unless one is happy to wake up one night wet and with that “sinking feeling”. By contrast, the vast majority of us live in houses and many assume that the fabric of their homes will not deteriorate. Although most are not in danger of finding their house submerged, deterioration over time is inevitable. A small leak, if not repaired promptly and properly will, without doubt, lead to serious and potentially very expensive problems later.
Basins, Baths & Bogs Sinking money into the “watery areas” of your home, the kitchen and bathroom, will probably add more value to your house than the cost and will certainly help its saleability. Choosing a local tradesman over the “big” companies with fancy showrooms can often save you money – or let you choose higher quality fitments while staying within the same budget. It pays to decide what you want and then get quotes from both big and small suppliers. Over 30 yrs experience
The Complete Property Service
The best bathrooms and kitchens with the best products at the best prices Bathroom & Kitchen Fitting Specialists n
Painting Decorating Carpentry Plumbing n
n
07968 054915
n
kginsideout@aol.com
01923 662183 Innovative telecoms solutions Specialists in the provision of advanced communication services for business
IP Telephony/ VoIP and Broadband To future proof your telephone systems, call:
SRP Property Survey Solutions T.01923 680570 M. 07985 534483 E. help@srps.co www.srp-propertysurveysolutions.com
020 8827 0722
www.pen-telecom.co.uk jon.pentel@pen-telecom.co.uk TELECOMS
•
IP TELEPHONY
•
BROADBAND
Pen TelecomLTD Registered Office: 28 Church Road, Stanmore, Middx. HA7 4XR Registered in England no. 8201447
14
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
fleamagazine
Soduku 5
9
2
3
4 1 6
9
1 9
8 5
5
5
7
6
6
2
1 9
7
5
7
4
3 8
5
3 8
6 1
9
1
1 4
9
2
9
3 4
2 3 4
3
7 3 7 9
www.glowormautocentre.co.uk
15
www.watford.theflea.co.uk
Promote your business for just ÂŁ15/issue *minimum of 3 issues
Accountant AKS Accounting Services Ltd 01727 827 222
Design & Project Management NPMC 07956 828590
Pet Sitting Different Strokes Pet Sitting 07506 429 631
Alterations and Repairs Jenny Young 01923 443740
Electrical Appliance Testing Day & Night Pat Testing 07804 865894
Photography Studiou 07956 898 800
Book Keeping & Admin ArborVS 01923 537970
Electrician Brett Electrical Services Ltd 01923 270071
Plumbing & Heating Services Taylor Made Services Ltd 07973 542618, 01923 270998
Business Marketing Go! Publicity.Me 07804 038570
Golf Clubs Phil Gomme 0773 405 2392
Printing Watford Printers Ltd 01923 223885
Catering - any occasion MJT Catering 01923 351421
Hypnotherapist Cynthia Marsh, DCH 0777 051 5377
Signs & Vehicle Lettering Signwise 01923 250 850
Chartered Accountants Derek Skinner FCA 01923 777338
IT Support & Repair Nixuss Computer Repair Ctr 01923 350255
Tyres, Brakes & Exhausts Gloworm Autocentre 01923 240599
Coaching, Hypnotherapy Tania Clarke 07717 410910
Keyholding & Security Watford Keyholding 01923 801476
Wedding Dresses Dream Dresses of Watford 07818 004070
achen sunnassee@hotmail.com
jen.wren31@gmail.com
www.arborvs.co.uk
charlie@gopublicity.me
www.mjtcateringwatford.co.uk
www.skinnerandcompany.co.uk
www.thrivewatford.co.uk
www.imaginativeprojectmanagement.com
www.daynightpat-testing.co.uk
Mbrett1166@aol.com
dontaylormade@gmail.com
www.signwise.info
www.cmhypnotherapy.co.uk
www.nixuss.co.uk
Call 01923 731161
www.studiou.co.uk
www.watford-printers.co.uk
www.perfectfitgolf.co.uk
www.watfordkeyholding.com
www.differentstrokespetsitting.co.uk
www.glowormautocentre.co.uk
www.weddingdresseswatford.co.uk
watford@theflea.co.uk
Official Launch of the Luxurious Hotel Boat
Kailani
at the Waterways Festival 2013 Cassiobury Park,Watford 19-21 July This is a wide beam narrowboat, 65ft long x 12ft wide (20 x 3.7m). That’s a full 5ft (1.5m) wider than a traditional narrowboat. It provides first class accommodation with full board for up to 4 guests in 2 cabins, each with private en-suite, cruising the canals and rivers of southern England on 3 to 7 day holiday breaks.
To find out more about Hotel Boat Kailani please call Gordon or Dorenda on 07447 051 558 or email info@hotelboatkailani.com or log onto www.hotelboatkailani.com
Even though the weather was not ideal every day, nothing could dampen the excitement around this year’s Imagine Watford Festival which has now drawn to a close. What a year it has been! We’ve had men dancing with beds, a Charlie Chaplin-esque character on a trampoline, out-of-control trolleys, some transvestites dressed as 1950’s air stewardesses and dinosaurs walking down the high street of Watford. If you missed it, where have you been!? But fear not, The Watford Flea on-line has a multitude of pictures taken by Finlay Wade to immortalise this year’s festival. www.watford.theflea.co.uk/magazine/304