LOCAL BUZZ ISS 29 - THE AWARD WINNING MAGAZINE

lo ca l

localbuzzmagazine.com

celebrating and supporting the people in our community

win months

Pick me up!

I’m FREE

6

may/jun 2016

for two at Livingwell

How to cope with

Join the Conservation Training Programme

exam stress

Healthy Meals for under ÂŁ5

Free business rent

Bring on the Biological Warfare

Check out the latest DIY conservatory

5* Cat hotel How much do you love your cat?

The Return of

ALL SAINTS

Newbury in bloom is back!

contents 4 6

Community

7 8 9 10 19 22 23 24 26 28 30

Exam Stress

33 36 40

Retirement

Conservation Training

17 all saints

Art Class Business Focus BuzzConnect Walk to School Buzz Offers Sunglasses Local Culture Food & Drink Recipes

Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

41 garden view

Property Competitions

Editor-in-Chief Jackie Osborne To the Editor: editor@localbuzzmagazine.com Website Editor Shelley Harrison Community Editor Waheeda Soomro and Gemma McCrae editor@localbuzzmagazine.com Designer Vanessa Davis studio@localbuzzmagazine.com Creative Media Damon Brown Accounts Tammy Courtenay accounts@localbuzzmagazine.com

20 fashion

best community magazine best magazine design best website/app

for a daily dose of buzz

facebook.com/ buzz.newbury

If you feel ready to help the community, I would like to highlight the Conservation Training Programme on the River Lambourn and the first of a series of Training Days start on May 19th. Please read more on page 6.

Finally, please remember that life is a lot easier when you are kind, loving and honest.

Now, relax and enjoy reading your Local Buzz!

Editor-in-Chief jackie@localbuzzmagazine.com

BEE SEEN IN

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2013 magazine publishers’ awards

To promote your event: events@localbuzzmagazine.com

Your complimentary copy or where sold £2. Thank you for the continued encouragement from our advertisers, supporters and the local community.

Our community section has increased, thus allowing more local stories to be shared amongst our readers. We are delighted to announce that our social media engagement has reached 100%! That means we are the voice of the community. Thanks for sending your news and events on a daily basis. We want to make the place that we live and work a thriving community so please get involved with your Local Buzz!

we are proud winners

Call us on 01635 200 006 www.localbuzzmagazine.com

Contact: PO Box 6248, Thatcham Berkshire RG19 9HW

National Walk to School Week is approaching and let’s remember the benefits of walking to school. As well as helping children to stay trim, it also reduces the risk of heart conditions and other diseases in later life, and means that they are more alert in the classroom on a day-today basis.

Find Buzz Bee offers, fantastic deals on our website

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BU

Advertise in Buzz! sales@localbuzzmagazine.com

F

Jackie Osborne

irst of all, I would like you to know that we have had a successful start in Basingstoke as we continue to grow our distribution and branch into new areas to deliver the Local Buzz.

ZZ

Contributors Kathy Jones

Local Buzz readers, there are lots of great information in this issue!

With school exams just around the corner, take a minute to read this informative article from a local charity Time to Talk as they explain the six steps to manage exam stress on page 7.

Food Editor Paul Milverton

Copywriter Carlie Cohen

Welcome

OF

FE

RS IN ID E S

www.localbuzzmagazine.com Download an app to read this QR code and access our site immediately

@localbuzzmags

Although every effort has been taken in compiling the contents, the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors, omissions or information supplied by the advertisers.

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soundcloud.com /local-buzzmagazine

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Do you have any news that you would like to share?

We’d love to hear from you editor@localbuzzmagazine.com

COMMUNITY News your Community. your voice.

The West Berkshire Therapy Centre

local support mro

By Waheeda Soo

Sitting in the conservatory of The Enham Trust Coffee Shop, I am talking to the very generous and active volunteer Jenny Thurgut and her husband Gerry.

I

have been a fan of Jenny for a while now, as she volunteers her time and efforts in so many local causes, from Alzheimer’s West Berkshire to Foodbank, and ACE Space to Basingstoke Hospital Male Choir and Hospital Radio.

Today we are talking about the project that Jenny has been involved in for a number of years; The West Berkshire Therapy Centre. The Centre opened its doors in 2014, providing specialised therapy with power assisted gym equipment for people with disabilities.

One of the major driving forces behind this initiative is John Holt, through West Berkshire Neurological Alliance; John has been an advocate working tirelessly to secure local neurorehabilitation facilities and resources.

The Therapy Centre is a charity relying on sponsor and private donations; they won the Greenham Common Trust Dragon’s Den style bid last year, which has allowed them to purchase more specialist equipment. Jenny says, “The

centre helps clients to build confidence and strength in their muscles, to stop them wasting away. It is more than just physio, and it supports people with any kind of impairment.” The benefits for those using the gym are vast, and include: reduction in mental health problems such as depression, stress & anxiety, stimulating the metabolic process, increased social interaction and improved independence.

There is a wonderful community atmosphere in the Centre, with great friendships and connections being forged. The clients feel a real sense of ownership and belonging, often making and selling items such as jams, pickles and greeting cards to fundraise for their Centre.

It seems quite appropriate that we should be meeting in this charity coffee shop, as the Enham Trust was established in 1918 to retrain and rehabilitate disabled servicemen after the Great War.

The Centre now has a permanent location at The Frank Hutchings Hall in Thatcham. If you would like to make a donation or find out how to access the services they offer, please visit: www.westberkshiretherapycentre.org.uk 4

There has been much discussion recently about the funding cuts faced by local government and there are still major challenges ahead which will of course affect Thatcham Vision’s plans too.

Rather than expecting already stretched public money to fund everything we do, we are talking to other organisations such as Greenham Common Trust and other national organisations for support.

In 2015 we raised over £10,000 in grants and I’m pleased that we’ve started 2016 with a grant for over £600 already. I’ve challenged our six teams of volunteers to beat last year’s figure with some amazing projects.

Another way we can raise resources for our projects is to partner with local businesses.

We are a strictly non-political group st

By David Conque of volunteers who work hard solely for the improvement of Thatcham Parish, which of course includes all the companies as well as residents.

We’re keen to partner with any local organisations who might be able to offer resources (not just money) to help our work. Finally, I need to thank all our volunteers who work so passionately for the town. If you feel you might like to join them, then please get in touch.

Thatcham Vision is calling for more volunteers to help with community projects. For more information www.thatchamvision.net and residents are encouraged to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

thatchamvision

Thatcham Vision

Chamber update

supporting skills in west berkshire

to Jamie Rusbridge, Engineering Apprentice at Xtrac. This was the fourth year of award sponsorship and reflects a Chamber commitment to supporting skills provision in West Berkshire.

The West Berks Chamber of Commerce was well represented at the Apprenticeship Awards evening at Newbury College.

The new look West Berks website was due for launch in May. In addition to being a source of information about local Chamber support and activity, it will be a business portal for all related stakeholders in West Berkshire. A new flyer from West Berkshire Council

Local President Joe Baily was delighted to present the Peter Atkinson Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement

with details of business support was being sent to all business rate payers in the Borough. Look out for local Chamber networking events at the Donnington Valley Hotel and a fabulous Corporate race-night at Chamber member Newbury Racecourse on the 7th July.

www.westberkschamber.tvchamber.co.uk For more information about the West Berks Chamber of Commerce please call 01753 870500 or email customerservices@tvchamber.co.uk

By Gary Cranford

Visiting Historic Thatcham

Newbury in bloom is back!

Our town is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the country and people have lived here for nearly 10,000 years.

Newbury Town Council is re-launching its ‘Newbury in Bloom” campaign to improve the look of our town and to make it a more pleasant place to live, visit and work.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to help make Newbury look its absolute best” said Councillor Sarah Greenall, Chairperson of the Newbury In Bloom Working Group “and we hope everyone will be as enthusiastic as the working group members in getting Newbury in Bloom off to a flying start”

basket brackets you should have already received an order form. If you are interested in having a new bracket installed please contact the Community Services team on 01635 35486.

Newbury in Bloom will include a competition with a small number of categories for 2016 with the intention of ‘growing’ the number of categories in future years. The aim is to enter the national Britain in Bloom competition in the next year or two which is judged by the Royal Horticultural Society.

The Town Council can provide beautiful red, white and blue hanging baskets for businesses for the summer at £60 each, which includes watering throughout the season. If you already have hanging

Newbury in Bloom leaflets/entry forms are available from the Town Hall in the Market Place or they can be downloaded from the Newbury Town Council website www.newbury.gov.uk Of course, encouraging better practice in our own competition can only help Newbury’s case when Newbury enters the Royal Horticultural Society’s national “Britain in Bloom” competition in future years.

Closing date for entries is 30 June 2016. For further information, entry forms and details of sponsorship opportunities, contact Joyce Lewis at Newbury Town Council on 01635 35486, email joyce.lewis@newbury.gov.uk or see our website www.newbury.gov.uk.

Newbury in Bloom is starting with five categories for 2016

Primary School Garden

Place of Worship Garden

Restaurant/ Public House

Small Business

To share your community news contact editor@localbuzzmagazine.com

Gary Cranford Business Manager West Berks Chamber of Commerce

Allotment

This information is recorded on the Millennium Obelisk at the North end of The Broadway. Although this is not the most recent commemoration, which is the placing next to the green of engraved paving stones honouring Thatcham's three Victoria Cross Heroes, perhaps another record for what was then a small village. Then next to the obelisk are some of the oldest remains in Thatcham, the 13th Century Butter Cross reflecting the importance of its market.

To the East of the Cross is an old coaching inn The Kings Head, established in the 18th Century traditionally laid out with wonderful wood panelling and still offering lunches for the hungry shopper!

Thatcham Chamber of Commerce c/o WestBerks Properties Ltd

By Jeremy Cottam 56B The Broadway Thatcham RG19 3HP 01635 871087 . 07768 233004

Jeremy Cottam Chairman of Thatcham Chamber of Commerce & Director of WestBerks Properties Ltd 5

independent local business

No 96 Furnishings Newbury

S

elling beautifully upcycled furniture, Frenchic chalk paint, locally sourced gifts and soft furnishings, Newbury’s newest independent retailer, No 96 Furnishings opened their doors on the 23rd March 2016. The shop is a real gem located at the top end of Pound Street and is well worth a visit to view their unique items of furniture and gifts.

Free

Conservation Training Programme

on the River Lambourn

For more bespoke requests, you can visit the shop to ask about their commission and sourcing services and as of June 2016 they will be hosting paint technique workshops in store.

The Address is 2 Pound Street, Newbury, RG14 6AA. Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday 9.00 to 5.30. Visit their website www.no-96-furnhishings.co.uk for more information. This is a fresh and welcomed addition to Newbury’s independent retailer landscape.

The RENEWAL Project, a river conservation and volunteering programme that restores a 1.5mile stretch of the River Lambourn is joining up with Action for the River Kennet (ARK) to deliver a series of exciting training opportunities.

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icked off by a launch event at the end of March, the programme of events covers practical river restoration, wildlife monitoring and family days. They are encouraging local people to learn new skills, be outside by the river and have a taste of what it feels like to be a conservation volunteer.

The RENEWAL Project started in 2009, supported by the Heritage Lottery Funded and partners such as West Berkshire Council and The Environment Agency. The River is a chalk stream and an area of Special Scientific Interest. It is a valuable place for wildlife and local members of the community to enjoy. There has been much work done on the river – the Thursday morning volunteers have been busy

keeping the area tidy through litter picking, cutting back vegetation and coppicing. Every year they host a Big River Clean-up which gets members of the community in the river to clean up the litter.

The new programme focuses on habitat restoration and invites local people to join in the effort to restore faggots and mattresses that change the flow of the river and provide a build-up of silt.

There will also be a chance to try coppicing, litter picking and other conservation activities. The first of a series of Training Days is 19th May at 10-4pm at The Riverside Community Centre in Newbury. There will also be several wildlife monitoring and spotting events in the summer, with accredited trainers from ARK.

Why not join them for some fun and to learn new skills? Bring yourself, bring a picnic, the rest is provided FREE! Contact Lauren King for more information on lauren.king@growing2gether.org or 07470 350372.

don’t miss the next Issue. . .

6

in the stands 1st july

lindsey’s top tip

Reduce the risk of having your bike stolen – follow these simple steps! l

l

l

l

Always lock your bike with a good lock (preferably hardened D-Shaped) Get your bike security marked or engraved Register your bike at www.immobilise.com Don’t park your bike in isolated or dimly-lit places

Deputy Supt Lindsey Finch Local Policing Commander West Berkshire

g. Time In - Time spend understanding yourself and how you feel. Mindfulness, yoga, meditation, etc., encourage a relaxed state of mind that enables you to explore and better understand your own thoughts and feelings about your life.

e ages Between th , tests of 11 and 25 n that have show 9.5 to we need 9 p hours slee per night.

3

Prepare for each exam

a. Generate a plan for each paper. How you will decide which questions you answer?

What order you will answer the questions? How you will allocate the time to the questions? etc.

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things I didn’t know before I read Buzz magazine

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b. Plan your day - ensure you arrive in good time for the exam feeling fresh, fed and ready to go. Allow time to visit the toilet.

Coping with

Exam Stress Annual school exams are almost upon us and this is a stressful time for young people who have a lot riding on the results they achieve.

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obody likes the sensations we feel when we are under stress and our natural reaction is to take whatever steps we can to reduce the stress. It is accepted that continued exposure to high levels of stress is bad for our long term health.

Recent research indicates that the effect of stress on us and our lives is much more dependent on our attitude towards stress.

If we adopt a positive attitude towards stress we can use this natural reaction to enhance our performance and suffer little impact on our physical health.

Six steps to managing exam stress positively.

1

Do not increase your stress unnecessarily. Plan your revision timetable and stick to it.

Also take breaks (see below).

2

Keep your body and your brain healthy. A healthy brain is as important as a healthy body as we prepare for exams.

Each day we should balance our time between seven activities,

at least one of which should be undertaken out of doors, “in nature”: a. Sleep Time - Between the ages of 11 and 25, tests have shown that we need 9 to 9.5 hours per night. b. Focus Time - Time focussed on one thing with no interruptions - this is your revision. c. Chill Time - Time spent doing nothing in particular, being rather than doing. d. Physical Time - Aerobic exercise is important to keep your brain healthy too. e. Fun Time - Doing something for the fun of it. f. Others Time - Time spent engaging with others.

4

Just before the exam It is normal to feel anxious when we face any challenge. The sensations we get, butterflies in our tummy, heart beating faster, are signs that we are becoming energised. Think of the sensations as your body confirming that it is ready for the challenge. You are energised to perform well.

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2

In the room - remember to breath!

a. Once you have set out your desk, take two or three slow breaths, focus on the sensations of your breath rather than anything that is going on around you.

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b. Recall and focus on your plan for the exam. c. Believe in your ability to succeed. d. Start by carefully reading the instructions on the front of the question paper.

6

Leaving the room. As you hand in your paper imagine yourself handing your worries about how you have done to the invigilator along with your exam paper. Once you leave the room you need to focus on preparing for the next exam or, if it is the last exam preparing to party!

Time to Talk is a local charity offering counselling to young people in need aged between 11 and 25.

For more information please go to www.t2twb.org or email office@t2twb.org

4

There is a new way to unwind locally - art classes, what a wonderful idea

by The Season Art Classes!

See page 8 There is a new business networking event held at Metro Bank organised by BuzzConnect on every 1st Thursday of the month - every local business should join, it is free.

See page 11

If the sun doesn't shine, you still can have an amazing suntan this summer

by Consol in Parkway.

See page 2

Free business rent for 6 months in Kingsclere!

Combine positive cashflow with an amazing place to work in the country.

See page 38

Go to localbuzzmagazine.com for more updates on your local area 7

ART CLASS STARTS SOON

This fun co is a gre urse at way to meet new friends and develop new skills.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS WILL LOVE THIS COURSE!

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GREAT NEWS for all our readers looking for something fun to do over the next few months! Our current class is full but we are now taking enquiries for our next part-time Art Class, which starts soon. This is a new 14 week part-time art class (once a week for 3 hours).

Absolute Beginners to blending with water colours Improvers - Just Like You! and acrylics. Step by step The course is designed to be fun for absolute beginners who have never picked up a brush before through to Improvers.

Step-by-Step Guidance

We adapt to each student’s needs and give them all the guidance and help they need to develop their artistic skills. The curriculum is fun, comprehensive and interesting. Over the course we will explore four different media; pencil drawing & sketching, oil pastel painting and techniques, painting and

S NEW LAS C ART

also a great way of meeting new friends and to have a fun tuition in the basic techniques experience you will always and secrets needed to create remember! It is open to adults beautiful pieces of art. of all ages and runs over 3 months – so we give you Still Life to Landscapes plenty of time to master your By the end of the course, new hobby. students have created a minimum of 8 pieces of their Limited Places very own original art they can To maintain a high standard enjoy forever, from simple to our classes and tuition, class still life and flower studies numbers are kept small – so to beautiful countryside places are limited! landscape scenes.

For information on dates, course Young at Heart fees and bookings, call now on This course is a brilliant way to learn new skills you will be able to enjoy forever. It is

01256 810 933

Bring out your inner artist BEGINNERS TO INTERMEDIATES

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Limited Spaces - Call now for details

Why do I need a disciplinary policy?

I

f one of your employees is not performing or behaving badly then you may have grounds for disciplining them. If you do then you must comply with current employment law and the ACAS code of practice.

Having a disciplinary policy will help make sure, in the eyes of the law, you act fairly and reasonably. A disciplinary policy tells employees what standards of performance and behaviour are expected and how disciplinary issues should be handled.

Problems often arise because people are either not aware of, or don't follow the rules. Just having a disciplinary policy is not enough you must ensure people understand the contents and their responsibilities. This means

n

failing to keep adequate records

n not

providing employees with the relevant evidence

n delays

in dealing with disciplinary issues

n not

letting employees be accompanied by a Trade Union representative or colleague

By Michelle Bailey

01635 728 728 . info@peopleessentials.co.uk www.peopleessentials.co.uk . For more tips and information on Human Resources, visit Michelle’s page at localbuzzmagazine.com - Ask the Expert.

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run faster?

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recovering lost files or transferring data to a new machine?

“Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for recovering the baby photos of our girls. Your services were recommended by a friend. . .

It was such a relief to be kept advised of progress and to know that all was not lost. Thanks.”

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Call PCBoB now 07958 473675

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Looking for a new challenge?

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Alternatively come along to the HR Network where you can share ideas and advice on all your HR and employment issues with other local employers, myself and Gardner Leader employment solicitors. Contact me on 01635 728728 or michelle@ peopleessentials to find out more.

Some of the most common errors companies make include:

n Questions about Windows 10?

n Is your PC or

For more information on handling disciplinaries take a look at the ACAS website or contact me.

educating your managers as well as your staff.

On site PC/Mac support for home and small business users n Trouble with iTunes?

Failing to follow your disciplinary procedure may leave you vulnerable to claims for unfair dismissal or discrimination. Saying you don't know or understand your disciplinary procedure, or the ACAS code of practice is not an acceptable excuse!

business focus

If one of your employees is not performing or behaving badly then you may have grounds for disciplining them. If you do then you must comply with current employment law and the ACAS code of practice.

Local Job Offers with Buzz online Visit our website today to apply for a new job locally.

If you have a position that you would like to advertise, please contact us asap.

news@localbuzzmagazine.com 01635 200006 9

BUZZCONNECT

Local Buzz interviews Daren Bowyer about "The Newbury Show" and BuzzConnect.

Royal County of Berkshire Show You are best known for the Berkshire Show but what else do you do?

Newbury and District Agricultural Society’s best known event is the Royal County of Berkshire Show (still known locally as ‘The Newbury Show’), one of the region’s best family days out. But that is only part of what we do to meet our charitable purposes of promoting and educating the public about farming, horticulture and country life.

Throughout the farming year we run local on-farm competitions to promote and celebrate best practice and social events to bring together our members. Every October we run a ploughing match that includes modern and vintage tractor and traditional horse ploughing competitions A date for your diary! and even vintage steam ploughing BuzzConnect is holding displays. We a business networking also deliver event on schools Thursday 15th September educational at the Newbury Show programmes across the you can register via county and into www.buzz-connect.co.uk Oxfordshire and Hampshire, too.

Our Education officer, Jan, and her fabulous team of volunteers are in schools almost every day

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of the school year. Usually accompanied by their wooden animals Buttercup the cow, Clover the goat and Rasher the pig, they teach children where their food really comes from.

What are your plans and priorities for the next 12-18 months?

Our main priority is to complete our new building - a £1 million investment to improve presentation of the cattle at the Show. This will be a great new facility for our education programmes and a venue we can let commercially for a range of events, to give us an important income stream for supporting our charitable activities. I also aim to increase sponsorship, in order to make sure we keep our position as one of Britain’s top ten agricultural shows and ensure the Show remains a value for money day out for the whole family (£16 for an adult ticket and £5 for a child!)

It is another great resource for bringing people into the area to support local businesses.

Why did you join BuzzConnect?

I joined BuzzConnect to meet more local businesses, tell them what we can do for them and how they can get involved.

We’re hosting BuzzConnect Networking at the Showground on the evening of

Thursday 15th September so businesses can see us in the final stages of setting up and experience first-hand some of what we do!

What are your top marketing tips for local businesses?

I think my tip would be first to understand your audience(s!) and then use channels that will work best for them. For us this means pretty much a bit of everything but carefully analysing the response so we can tailor what we do in future. Don’t be afraid to try something new but be clear about how you will measure its impact.

And network, network, network making sure you are giving as well as seeking to take!

D G Bowyer PhD FCMI Chief Executive Newbury & District Agricultural Society

B uzz C onnect S ponsors

berkshirebusinesshub.co.uk

Sponsored by West Berkshire Council and the Business Growth Hub, BuzzConnect aim is to support, connect and represent businesses and employers across the region.

To help meet this objective and in response to your feedback we have developed an exciting agenda of DON’T MISS events for the next few months including :

for startups, micro business and scale ups sponsored by Parkway Shopping.

Thursday 15 September Networking at the Royal Berkshire Show with guest speakers from Metro Bank and the opportunity to take a tour of the showground!

Thursday 5 May Launch of our regular morning (8.30 - 10.00) monthly networking event at Metro Bank.

Thursday 19 May Formal networking including business insights from guest speakers Johanna Heuren, Store Manager at IKEA Calcot and Jonathan Hopson from Camp Hopson Group.

Thursday 23 June Drop in Business Advice clinic

For more details on these events, to reserve your place and find out about membership go to www.buzz-connect.co.uk BuzzConnect offers three types of membership; Sponsor, Ambassador and Member enabling us to cater for the differing needs and objectives of the various size businesses, educational establishments and third sector organisations in the area.

Jackie Osborne & Michelle Bailey

For more information, please call 01635 200006 or email info@buzz-connect.co.uk Join BuzzConnect on these forthcoming events:

WORKSHOPS DATES Connect 4 Better Business

workshop dates

may

BuzzConnect Morning Monthly Networking Thu 5th May 8:30 - 10:00 Metro Bank, Newbury BuzzConnect Drop-In Clinic for advice on Employment Matters Fri 13th May 9:00 - 12:00 West Berks Council Offices People Essentials BuzzConnect Monthly Networking Event Guest Speaker: Johanna Heuren - IKEA Thu 19th May 17:30 - 19:00 Donnington Grove Country Club Newbury RG14 2LA

www.buzz-connect.co.uk

Performance Fri 20th May 8:30 - 10:30 Donnington Grove Hotel People Essentials & Loving Monday

Business Financial Advice Tue 24th May 9:00 - 11:00 Venue: TBC Andrew Street Wealth Management june Drop-In Clinic for advice on Employment Matters Fri 10th Jun 9:00 - 12:00 West Berks Council Offices People Essentials

UKBuzzConnect

BuzzConnect Monthly Networking Event Thu 16th Jun 17:30 - 19:00 Donnington Grove Country Club Newbury RG14 2LA BuzzConnect ADVERTISING HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THE AUDIENCE? Thu 23rd Jun 9:30am - 11:00 Donnington Grove Hotel Local Buzz and Dudleigh Films Online software demo session: Xero, Sage One, Kashflow Tue 28th Jun 10:00 - 11:00 Ross Brooke Ltd Newbury RG14 1QL Ross Brooke Ltd

UKBuzzConnect

westberks.gov.uk

B uzz C onnect A mbassadors

localbuzzmagazine.com

peopleessentials.co.uk

biggerbrighterbolder.co.uk

dudleighfilms.com

rosemarybooks.co.uk/newbury

verbatim-cc.co.uk

ross-brooke.co.uk

loving-monday.com

openingz.com

clmlaw.co.uk

metrobankonline.co.uk

donnington-grove.com

www.andrewstreetwm.co.uk

BUZZCONNECT Do you risk your school’s reputation if you post on social media?

Are you frustrated that your social media presence has brought your school no real benefit?

Do you struggle to resource your social media marketing activities?

LOCALBUZZMAGAZINE.COM

How can you protect and promote your school on social media?

M

aking the decision to promote your school through social media is a huge step. With the protection and safeguarding of students at the forefront, many school leaders worry about the risks.

However, the benefits of using social media to promote your school and engage with stakeholders – parents, students, teachers, governors and the local community – can far outweigh the risks. In many instances, these risks can be easily mitigated with effective forward planning.

Discover the latest ‘hot’ social media platforms and how they may impact on you and your pupils.

Here are some key issues that will help you protect and promote your school.

How to Protect Your School

How To Promote Your School

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Ensuring your social media profiles are optimised and fully branded.

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Find 3 key ways to generate new enquiries through Facebook.

Establishing social media guidelines to ensure your social media campaign is both effective, appropriate and safe for your school.

l Effectively

handle negative publicity as well as minimise risks from unwelcome users.

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Discover the latest ‘hot’ social media platforms and how they may impact on you and your pupils.

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Invest on a monitoring tool – how Twitter can be your very own ‘periscope’ to map what parents, stakeholders and other schools are doing, thinking and saying!

l Utilise

the most effective methods for engaging with parents.

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Establish the 5 essential steps to reach out to influencers on Twitter – and convert them into advocates who will champion your school.

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Manage your campaign successfully so you achieve considerable results without taking up a lot of staff time

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Setting KPIs and review the effectiveness of your social media campaign so you hit your targets.

Jackie Osborne Local Buzz will be running a workshop to help local businesses utilise social media effectively. If you are a BuzzConnect member you are entitled to attend free of charge.

However, if you are not yet a member and would like to attend, please email info@localbuzzmagazine.com for further information.

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BUZZCONNECT What defines a successful career?

Why is it that, by conventional definitions, only the few people at the top of the ladder have successful careers?

LOVING-MONDAY.COM

What does success at work really mean?

T

he usual understanding of success revolves around two basic assumptions.

The first: the hero of the workplace is the person who climbs all the way to the top.

The second: getting to the top - winning promotion after promotion – is therefore the only thing that matters.

This mindset leads us to endlessly climb the corporate ladder, adhering to the cult of physical and mental endurance to finally attain the status of corporate hero.

Does this really make sense?

Let’s challenge the first assumption. Who is the hero?

In my opinion, the hero is the middle-aged man who loses his job and then his identity, but has the strength to bounce back and start from scratch. The hero is the single mother who does not give up, as she wants to offer a better future for her children.

Heroes are the doctors, the teachers, the judges, the nurses and the police officers that help people in their communities.

I think it’s time to change our out-dated ideas of corporate heroism. To become a hero is not a magic process reserved for the few, but

something that is open to all of us. Now let’s challenge the second assumption, that only climbing the corporate ladder matters. We should replace the question "How can I get to the top?" with "What really matters?" How do you measure personal and professional success, and who does the measuring?

It is time to move from the idea of success as defined by an organisation or even society, to significance defined by us.

Relentlessly pursuing the next rung of the ladder doesn’t work, for the following three reasons:

1

If we only value those who have reached the top of the hierarchy, then by definition we’re writing off the other 99%. We create a cruel assembly line that produces myriad people who are frustrated and unhappy

2

By seeing our careers as a race, we enter a state of constant struggle: "us" against everyone else. An organisational climate of “dog eats dog” downgrades our relationships, so they become only transactional, utilitarian, losing any trace of connection between people.

3

Ultimately, we all end up taking part in a rat race.

We became so self-absorbed and busy trying to win this race that we forget that even by winning it, we will still remain rats.

So how do we redefine what it means to succeed at work? For me it’s nice and simple:

1 2

Are you doing something your enjoying doing?

Are you doing something that allows you to live your values rather than someone else’s or your organisation’s?

3

Are you delivering ‘integrity’; is what you’re doing, who you are?

Given my professional role I’ve observed and followed hundreds of people and their careers and helped many redefine and redirect theirs.

I’m convinced that we’re all too often missing what really matters: not the destination of some far-off career pinnacle, but the journey.

Albert Einstein once said ‘try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value’.

Albert Einstein once said ‘try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value’.

He knew a few things about the world didn’t he. . .

Peter Wakefield

13

BUZZCONNECT

You may have decided to finally take the plunge and produce a video for your website to tantalise your customers and get them flocking to buy your products or services.

DUDLEIGHFILMS.COM

Good video – The simple winning formula T

Make it memorable or amusing. People are more likely to share the video with their friends and ultimately drive more traffic to your website.

Think about what you would like to accomplish as a result of people seeing your video.

Presumably you would like to improve customer engagement, increase sales and ultimately stand out from your competition.

When I deliver presentations to business people about website video I always show them the Dollar Shave Club video (https://youtu.be/ ZUG9qYTJMsI). It is a brilliantly conceived piece of work and in my opinion contains all the elements that go into making a winning video.

When planning your video consider the following guidelines.

1

Make it memorable or amusing. People are more likely to share the video with their friends and ultimately drive more traffic to your website.

Remember - People buy benefits, not features. Tell them how your product or service can change or improve their lives.

2

Grab their attention in the first four seconds and then keep them watching.

3

Keep the duration of your video to less than 90 seconds if possible.

14

4

his is definitely a good idea but first I want you to sit down and think about how you are going to go about it.

A good idea deserves good planning and execution.

Dollar Shave Club sales rocketed to $65 million as a result of producing this video which now has over 22 million views on YouTube.

It cost them $4500 to produce in 2012.

It is well worth remembering that good video doesn’t have to be expensive to produce.

It’s the concept and planning that’s important.

Peter Cooke

BUZZCONNECT

www.peopleessentials.co.uk

Customer loyalty is vital to every business. Loyal customers spend money with you over time, they won’t leave you just because of price and 78% of them will promote your business by telling others about it.

Customer loyalty Here’s 3 tips to help keep your customers loyal.

1

Ask your customers what they think

We used to say you should treat your customers how you would like to be treated yourself but that’s not enough. You shouldn’t make assumptions about what your customers want or what they think about the service you give them.

Survey your current, previous and potential customers -ask them what they want and importantly if they think they (can) get it from you.

2

Show them you have listened

Great companies ask for feedback all the time. But if you don't demonstrate how important their feedback is to you they will soon stop giving it.

At the very least feedback the findings of any survey you do and include details of any relevant actions you have planned. And if you need another reason to get in touch you can update them on the progress you have made.

3

Of course you should say sorry when things go wrong but on its own sorry isn’t enough. Customers want a solution and to trust that you will stop that problem from occurring again. How good are you at showing you are sorry? l

l

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”

Bill Gates

Stop saying sorry

Is your service proposition based on more than just saying sorry?

Are your employees allowed to do more than say sorry?

l

How and with who are customer complaints and problems shared?

l

How are employees told about fixes for common complaints and problems?

Survey your current, previous and potential customers -ask them what they want and importantly if they think they (can) get it from you.

Michelle Bailey

People Essentials run events on customer and employee engagement which BuzzConnect members can attend free of charge. For more information contact michelle@peopleessentials.co.uk.

21 15

Simply an amazing venue in Newbury, Berkshire

l

l

l

l

l l l l l

Championship 18 hole golf course, membership available Conference and banqueting facilities

Unique wedding venue licensed for ceremonies

18th Century manor house set in over 500 acres Bar and restaurant open daily Non-members welcome

Driving range open 7 days

Fishing on the river or the lake Hotel accommodation in the manor or lodges on the estate

Donnington Grove Country Club, Grove Road, Newbury RG14 2LA Tel: 01635 581000 - Fax: 01635 552259 enquiries@donnington-grove.com www.donnington-grove.com

LOCAL BUZZ MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING COME TO BASINGSTOKE

If you are a business based in Basingstoke and surrounding areas, this is your best opportunity to promote your business!

You can now connect with potential clients through our exclusive BuzzPower Multimedia Marketing Solution!

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16

L to R : Melanie Blatt, Natalie Appleton, Shaznay Lewis and Nicole Appleton.

You are the band I wish I was a member of.

Both: Oh thank you!

You started out as an unmanufactured band. Did that just happen?

Mel: Yes it did. We’d been going for years under different set ups and stuff like that. By the time the public were aware of us and we had ‘You Know Where It’s At’ out, we already felt like we’d been doing this for years.

Are you enjoying being back together?

Nat: We’re having so much fun. We spend more time laughing than anything.

For me this reunion came a bit out of the blue. Who was the one who put in all the calls?

Mel: Shaz always begged us to come back (laughs). She actually got a call from Backstreet Boys asking whether we would support them on their UK tour a couple of years back and we all said yes. She was inspired, started writing for us, and we all thought what she was doing was amazing. We got in the studio and had the best time ever. It’s a bit daunting that we’ve only got ourselves to blame!

Do you feel that? Do you feel nervous with such a gap between your last work?

Nat: It’s not even about that. It’s about enjoying what we have - there’s no point

All Saints Fans of the nineties band All Saints, are celebrating their return – with a new single and album. Melanie and Natalie, who make up half of the group, caught up with The Breeze’s Lucy Ambache.

worrying. Enjoy the moment, have fun and whatever happens, happens! Either way we’re happy and proud with what we’ve done.

good – and that was pretty much all we spoke about. Shaz picked the producers she wanted to work with and the feedback has been great.

Are you getting on well as a band?

Is the single a good example of what the rest of the album sounds like?

Mel: People are really annoyed that we’re getting on so well!

But four girls, that’s the thing. When four girls go on holiday, there has to be someone who’s always late, another one who’s really keen to do something and one who can’t be bothered. Has it been like that?

Mel: At our nice ripe old age, we know what our weaknesses and strengths are, we know who we are as people and we know and appreciate the love we have for each other as well.

Let’s talk about the new song ‘One Strike’. For me, it’s All Saints but All Saints 2016. Is that what you intended because it works!

Mel: I think it was just done naturally.

There was no plan and no agenda – not even what style of music we should do for the album. We had one meeting at the beginning saying it just had to be

Mel: Definitely. I think if you’re a fan of us, you will love this album as much as we do.

Was it all recorded in England?

Nat: Yes all here. Local!

Are you getting on the road with the album? Because you guys are internationally successful. Do you want to do the whole global thing again?

Mel: If someone goes “hey guys do you want to perform over here” and we can be bothered, because we’re really lazy (laughs), then we’ll go!

Hear more celebrity interviews with Lucy Ambache on The Evening Breeze, Sunday to Thursday 7-10pm. Find out more at www.thebreeze.com.

17

a d ok un Bo wro ay o d sh to

The natural choice for your child

“Children have exciting opportunities to explore and learn about the natural world around them in the woodland and farm areas.” (Ofsted Report, 2015)

Open 51 weeks of the year 7.30am-6pm Highly regarded outdoor learning facility set in 53 acres FREE Entitlement funding for three and four year-olds Nutritious home-cooked food A caring and highly skilled team

10%

discount for 3 months

For children under 2 booking a place for 4 full days or more a week.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer Voucher must be shown at time of registration Offer due to expire on 30th September 2016

“learning from an early age, sets children up for their future” Get in touch to find out more or arrange a visit 01635 44184 info@littlebearsdaynursery.co.uk . www.littlebearsdaynursery.co.uk Like us on Facebook facebook.com/Littlebearsnurserynewbury

Call us today for a prospectus or to visit

6 Northcroft Lane Newbury RG14 1BU

0118 970 1600 An independent Nursery for boys and girls aged 3 months to 5 years

Email: info@jubileedaynursery.co.uk www.jubileedaynursery.co.uk | Rectory Road, Padworth Common, RG7 4JD.

l ry ia To £70 Ec uc ly Sp od on Tr r in ffE o

Free Birds Montessori Pre-School Free Birds Montessori Pre-School is a new setting that follows the AMI Montessori Educational System for children aged two and half to five years.

“Montessori is an education for independence, preparing not just for school, but for life.”

Maria Montessori

The Montessori Prepared Environment is one that has been tailored to support the young child and community, where children have the freedom to self-construct so they may function as part of a society. The Montessori method focusing on five areas of development: Practical Life, Sensorial, Maths, Language and Culture.

Please call or email us to arrange a visit.

18

Which direction would you choose?

Seem like a silly question?

Well unfortunately, too many of us don’t recognise that we have this choice and fall head first into a panic when a tricky situation presents itself. Gain control of your life today with practical, everyday skills.

Book your space today at either of these great workshops Thursday 7 June 2016 From 6.15pm to 8.45pm

The Burdwood Community Centre, Wheelers Green Way, Thatcham RG19 4YA

Thursday 21 June 2016 From 6.15pm to 8.45pm

T: 07464 106147 . E: freebirdsmontessori@gmail.com www.freebirdsmontessori.co.uk free.birds.montessori.school

E: esther@gymforthemind.co.uk Tel: 07766 741116

Get in contact to take action!

National Walk to School Week takes place from 16th -20th May. The week is promoted by Living Streets who provide classroom packs and ideas for activities to encourage more children to safely walk to school.

National Walk to School Week I t is estimated that only half of 7-10 year olds do the recommended one hour exercise per day and studies suggest that many children are obese or overweight when they leave primary school.

Encouraging children to walk to school not only helps them to stay trim, but also

reduces the risk of heart conditions and other diseases in later life, and means that they are more alert in the classroom on a day-today basis.

Walking is also better for the environment as it reduces congestion and pollution. Fewer cars and parking outside schools also means there is a reduced chance of accidents and injuries.

Many children find it fun to walk to school with their parents or friends and look out for particular things along their route.

Observation sheets are available which provide an opportunity to tick off things seen along the way, such as a church, shop, or petrol station.

National Walk to School Week 16 -20 May

For those who can’t walk to school with a relative, being part of a walking-bus may offer

a solution. Children walk with volunteers in a group along a designated route, dropping off passengers at schools along the way.

Obesity Obesity can have a significant impact on a child’s day-today life. Obese children are more likely to suffer bullying, discrimination, low self-esteem and poor body image. This sort of psychological stress can hinder children’s progress at school, damage their friendships and in some cases cause depression.

Getting plenty of exercise and eating a balanced diet is the best way to control weight. Add walking to school as part of their daily exercise - it is also good for parents!

The ClOTHeS SHOP The Clothes Shop, your local supplier of wedding outfits, hats, accessories and much more. Pop in to see a range of unique stock that will make you stand out from the crowd!

Odette Dress NEW for the season, spring into life with colourful florals.

Satin dress and jacket from a range by Izabella designed in Ireland.

Hat hire service available - over 900 hats in stock.

Hat by Failsworth

£24 Outfits for Ascot

01635 47832 www.theclothesshopnewbury.co.uk Opening hours : 9.15am – 5pm (Tues to Sat) 12 Pound Street, Newbury RG14 6AA

Brigitte Bardot top

£39

Tilly Stripe Skirt

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Melody Multi Stripe Dress A bright addition to your everyday wardrobe, our Melody cottonknit midi dress is patterned with variegated stripes.

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Maaya Print Top Our Maaya top is printed with graphic florals and variegated stripes, and designed with a flattering round neckline and cap sleeves. Wear yours with tapered trousers.

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Crafted from soft, stretchy jersey, our Maaya maxi dress is printed with graphic florals and a variegated striped panel down the front to elongate the silhouette.

The v-shaped neckline flatters the bust, while softly-ruched cap sleeves offer the perfect amount of coverage.

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Official Xbox One Wireless Controller With 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack Mpow® Magneto Wearable Stereo Wireless Bluetooth)

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£19.99 Features a 3.5 millimeter stereo headset jack that lets you plug your favourite gaming headset right into the controller.

£16.79

Time-saving: inflates a car tyre from flat in just 3.5 minutes.

The Gro Company Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind

£16.50 Gro anywhere blackout blind can be put in place in minutes.

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Magnetic Control: Using Honeywell Switch Sensor, it allows you to play/pause the music on your device or answer/end phone calls by attaching and separating the earbuds. No bother of pressing any button.

Ring Automotive RAC600 12V Digital Air Compressor Including Storage Bag

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localbuzzmagazine.com and click on Buzz Loves AnySharp Global World's Best Knife Sharpener (Silver)

Black + Decker KA161BC Mouse Detail Sander with Accessories

£10.98

£20.00 Detail base is designed to give better results when sanding intricate areas.

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Sharpens hardened knives (e.g. Global, Sabatier).

Even sharpens serrated knives (e.g. bread knives, hunting knives).

Sony PlayStation VR

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Fitbit Charge HR Heart Rate and Activity Wristband

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Kidde 7DCO Carbon Monoxide Alarm (replaceable batteries) Digital Display 10 Year Sensor and Warranty

£19.12

Two LED’s Red:Illuminates when in alarm mode,Green:DC power is present, normal operation.

Test/Reset Button tests CO alarm circuit operation and allows you to immediately silence the alarm.

Head Radical Tennis Balls - Triple Pack (12 Balls)

£10.05 Tripack with 3 tubes of 4 balls. An all round performance and durable pressurized tennis ball.

It’s really important to wear sunglasses, to protect your eyes against harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. UV rays can cause damage to your eyes which could lead to cataracts.

These cause clouding of the lens, reduced vision and even blindness if left untreated.

Sunglasses T

here is a vast array of sunglasses to choose from including prescription sunglasses. There may be a few styles that aren‘t suitable for your prescription but an expert can advise on this.

Which sunglasses will suit me?

It is important to think about the shape of your face to determine which sunglasses may suit you best. Decide whether your face is heart shaped, round, oval or square, as this will help you work out whether square frames, cat’s eye shape, aviator style, shield, oversized or sport may work best for you. Those with heart-shaped faces will generally find that frames that are wider at the top than the bottom will

look best, whilst oversized, rectangular and angular frames will counterbalance a round face and shallow rectangular frames will visually shorten a long face.

Think about your colouring too. What frame colours will suit your skin tone and hair colouring? Those who are fair may find pastel shades or transparent frames most complimentary. Of course you may want to make a statement and choose a bolder frame. lenses Sunglass lenses are usually plastic for increased durability and versatility.

Some opticians offer a range of different colour lenses from the more traditional browns and greys

to yellows, blues and green.

Different tints suit particular circumstances such as green for enhancing contrast and thus being really helpful for those who play sports like golf.

There are a variety of tints too.

Dark tints are best for mountains and sea and lightly-tinted for more urban and general environments.

All sunglasses reduce brightness, but to reduce glare as well, you need polarized lenses. They are particularly effective when driving, skiing or fishing as they block glare increase contrast.

It’s always helpful to seek the assistance of a store professional to help you select the most suitable sunglasses, particularly to check that the specification will offer you the correct protection but also to advise on aesthetics.

designers As with all spectacles you have the choice of designer brands such as Ray Ban, Ted Baker and Oakley or nondesigner. There is an element of fashion and celebrity endorsement too. Iconic images of Tom Cruise wearing L.G.R. Tangeri and Cosmoros sunglasses in last years Mission Impossible 5 film had a huge influence and led to other brands copying the trend. Check out the latest looks at your local optician or fashion chain.

Most sunglasses now filter out both UVA and UVB rays.

23

cham’s That Family Fun Day

ice cream

and

Sunday 26th June 11am til 4pm at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground

TSN Fun run Visit www.thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk or call T: 01635 863592

Books

Cloudberry Castle: Ballet School Secrets Janey Louise Jones This is the second book in the Cloudberry Castle series. Following the death of their elderly neighbour the Mackenzie family find themselves the owners of Cloudberry Castle.

The crumbling building could be beautiful and the book follows Katie and her family as they raise enough money to turn it into a new ballet boarding school.

Katie’s mother was a dancer and has spent the last few months planning classes and holding auditions, whilst her dad has been hard at work transforming the rooms into ballet studios and dormitories.

24

Reading in the Great War 1914 - 1916 David Bilton Reading author David Bilton is a retired teacher who has written numerous books about the British Army, the Home Front and the German Army.

Being a county town, Reading experienced both industrial and agrarian pressures that deeply affected its population. On the surface it was a clam town that got on with its business, but its poverty impacted on industrial relations leading to strikes and it also had a darker side, with child cruelty and death. This is a telling account of the human tragedies and triumphs of a nation at war and the day-to-day preoccupations of a community attempting to find normality.

The Ice Twins SK Tremayne Tremayne successfully plays on the greatest fear of every parent: losing their child.

This is exactly what happened to Angus and Sarah Moorcroft. They lived the perfect life in London with their twin daughters, Kirstie and Lydia but a holiday to Sarah’s parents’ in Devon turned into tragedy when Lydia fell from a balcony and died.

Or did she?

Two girls, physically identical in every way but with very different personalities.

The novel starts slowly but builds to a chilling climax that will haunt the reader long after the final paragraph has been digested.

You can Self-Heal Anthony Wright I am a brain tumour survivor. Nine operations, two radio-therapies, a week in a coma and a month in a wheelchair. I died once, was brain damaged, nearly blinded, crippled and my face collapsed. I lost 75% hearing, my job, career, identity, and my future.

This book outlines the positive steps I took in my recovery and will enable you to revitalize your natural healing powers. You will be able to encourage and motivate all the resources of your mind and body to heal. The book is a map or guide that will offer a structured, selfmanaged approach for your own healing.

The message from the book is you can get your life back. anthonywrightrecovery.com

The Philanthropist's Tale Laurie Marsh an incredibly inspiring true life story of a man at the top of his career, who became "revolted" at the greed and hunger for personal wealth within the business world, and took a path to giving away a bigger proportion of his wealth than the likes of Bill Gates and many other well-known philanthropists. What led Laurie to leave his high-flying corporate career and embark on philanthropy? This unique memoir looks back on a long career and uses his breadth of experience to expose some rather uncomfortable truths about the state of the public and leisure sectors, and the NHS.

Freedom of the Town Parade & Concert

Cinema May

Angry Birds 13.05

The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds - or almost entirely.

X-Men: Apocalypse

19.05

Local Culture Theatre

Upon awakening after thousands of years, Apocalypse is disillusioned with the world as he finds it.

Watership Down

Adapted by Rona Munro. Intimately linked to the nearby countryside, the staging of Richard Adams' best-selling book in atmospheric warren-like surroundings will make for a very special theatrical experience. This stirring tale of courage and survival against the odds has become one of the best-loved adventures of all time.

Suitable for age eight or over. Parental guidance is advised.

Tickets £26.50 to £15.00 Book online watermill.org.uk or call the box office on 01635 46044

June

03.06

The Turtles return to save the city from a dangerous threat.

Independence Days: Resurgence 24.06

Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

The Secret Life of Pets

24.06

Max's life as a favourite pet is turned upside down, when his owner brings home a sloppy mongrel named Duke.

For full details go to our website www.localbuzzmagazine.com

Thur 16 June to Sat 23 July

the watermill theatre

Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

al u Sc yS hoo l of Militar

Looking for an interesting read, gripping movie or a wonderful theatre experience. . .

Alice Through the Looking Glass 27.05

y Ro

The Royal School of Military Survey will parade at 1pm from Brownsfield Road to The Broadway, Thatcham. Ceremony to commence at 1.45pm at The Broadway.

Open Air Concert by the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers at 4pm at the Cricket Ground, Brownsfield Road bring a chair/blanket.

rv ey

Thursday, 7th July 2016 from 1pm

The Railway Children

The Best Thing

The Haymarket in Basingstoke

Corn Exchange, Newbury

Join Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis on their adventure as they tell the story of how they became ‘The Railway Children’ in this wonderful new musical adaptation based on the novel by E. Nesbit.

Wed 22 - Sat 25 June Wed – Thu £21, Fri – Sat £23 2pm performances £18 Over 65s £2 off; Under 16s and f/t students £10 any performance.

Groups discount available (Suitable for ages 5 and over) Ticket prices include £1 booking fee

Set in the 1960s, the show tells the story of seventeen year old Susan, growing up during the changing times of the decade. A bittersweet story of mistaken morals and broken hearts, 45s and beehives, the production looks at what the sexual revolution really meant for young people living through it.

For more information, call 01256 844244 to book or visit anvilarts.org.uk

Suitable for ages 12+ Tickets £15

Upload your events free

Thursday 26 May, 7.45pm

(£13 concessions, £8 Under-25s) www.cornexchangenew.com

www.localbuzzmagazine.com Some details may be subject to change so please check www.localbuzzmagazine.com before you book or travel for an event ://entertainment.askbuzz.co.uk

bullfest – 29th May froM 3pM Real Ale, Cider & Music Festival in the Meadow

new season Menu A La Carte Dishes, Pub Classic, Bar Snacks and Sandwiches – something for everyone!

Indigo Bay

offers a unique cuisine based on contemporary Indian food with a taste of the Orient. Known for its quality service and food, Indigo Bay is one of Newbury’s hottest restaurants.

outside space Stunning village location perfect stop off for walkers and those enjoying the countryside.

www.thebullinnstanforddingley.co.uk The Bull Inn, Stanford Dingley RG7 6LS Follow us on Facebook!

01 ca 18 ll to 9 7 us bo 44 on o 58 k 2

01635 35000 54-55 Bartholomew St Newbury RG14 5QA www.indigobayrestaurant.co.uk

The home of America in the heart of Newbury BooBars smokehouse deli, the home of authentic American BBQ. All our meats are slow cooked over wood for for up to 15 hours for that smokey BBQ melt in the mouth taste. All our sauces and slaw are lovingly prepared fresh on site every day by our master chefs.

5 Market Place, Newbury 01635 226856 www.facebook.com/boobarsbbq

food and drink

The weather’s warming up, so why not get outside and go for a picnic?

National Picnic Week N

ational Picnic Week is a celebration of picnicking that’s been happening in the UK for over a decade.

Some see picnics as a romantic affair to be shared with a loved one, fine foods and a bottle of champagne. For others it’s an inexpensive family day out and often a reminder of childhood days. Or it could be a chance to spend time with friends, choosing to meet at a given location and each bringing along their favourite food and drinks to share.

Whilst many do choose a countryside spot for their picnic there are many other options including local parks, the grounds of stately homes, the seaside and riverside settings.

11-19 June

You can find recommendations for places to enjoy your picnic on the National Picnic Week website: www.nationalpicnicweek.co.uk or you could try asking friends for their preferences.

The Oxford Dictionary describes a picnic as ‘an occasion when a packed meal is eaten outdoors, especially during an outing to the countryside.’

new spring menu id m week curry pie & pizza nights

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Fantastic Job Enjoy a variety of classic English and Italian dishes at The Spotted Dog in Cold Ash. These are complemented with a great selection of Real Ales and Fine Wines.

With a Lava Rock grill, Chef John Cowan and his team provide a top quality grill menu with all meat being supplied by Vickers and vegetables from Covent Garden.

Congratulations to Matt Crane new appointment as sous chef alongside head chef John Cowan.

NEW to our menu Home-made ice creams & desserts.

01635 862458

MONDAY ITALIAN NIGHT Homemade pasta and sauces plus chicken and steak dishes made on the premises

by Porko Grasso Italian Restaurant Head Chef.

Food served all day Mon-Sat - 12pm - 9pm Sunday - 12pm - 6pm 01635 862458 or see us on spotteddogcoldash.co.uk

Opportunity We are currently recruiting for full/part time experienced bar/waiting staff must be over 18 please apply in writing to info@theredhousepub.com or call and speak to Johnny on 01635 582017.

To book and reserve your table please Call 01635 582017 www.theredhousepub.com Marsh Benham, Newbury, West Berkshire RG20 8LY ‘like us’ on facebook The Red House Marsh Benham

Healthy Recipes

£5

Teriyaki Chicken Salad

Serves 2 For best results marinade chicken up to 24 hours ahead

Ingredients

Veggie Chilli Serves 2 (freeze the leftovers)

Ingredients 1 tbsp. coconut oil 1 onion Clove of garlic minced 1 carrot 1 celery stick 1 sweet potato 1 green pepper 1 red pepper 1 can kidney beans in chilli sauce 1 carton chopped tomatoes 1 tsp. chilli powder (adjust to taste) 1 tbsp. ground cumin 1 tbsp. dried oregano 1 tsp dried basil Seasoning

1 vanilla pod (scraped)

2. Add kidney beans, chopped tomatoes and spices. Stir.

Bring to boil.

4. Season with salt and pepper. Taste.

5. Serve with brown rice and plain yoghurt.

2 chicken breasts 200g rice noodles 1 carrot thinly chopped lengthways 1 red onion Bean sprouts

method 1. Mix teriyaki, garlic, ginger and honey.

2. Chop chicken into slices and place in bowl. Cover with half of teriyaki sauce. Cover. Refrigerate.

3. Cook chicken in a griddle pan over medium heat. Turning every minute until cooked through.

4. Cook noodles according to packet instructions. Drain and run under cold water.

5. Toss the cooked noodles, carrot, cucumber, bean sprouts and other half of teriyaki mix (can heat if desired).

6. Place the marinated chicken on top.

250ml double cream 75ml full-fat milk

Clove garlic minced

1 cucumber chopped lengthways

Ingredients

1. Heat oil and add onion, garlic, carrot, celery, sweet potato and peppers. Stir. Put lid on and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes until veg has softened.

100 ml teriyaki marinade

1 tbsp. honey

Serves 4

method

3. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Stir occasionally.

1 tsp grated ginger

Crème Brûlée

Salmon Salad Tinned salmon 3 spring onions chopped 1 tomato chopped 1 clove crushed garlic 1 tsp chilli sauce (adjust to taste)

4 egg yolks 3 tbsp caster sugar (plus 3 - 4 tbsp for topping)

Method 1. Add the milk, cream and vanilla in to a pot and slowly bring to a boil.

2. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together, then pour in the milk & cream mixture to chill overnight.

3. Pass mixture through a fine sieve and pour into moulds. Heat at 100°C for one hour until cooked (they should have a slight wobble).

4. Leave to cool at room temperature and then chill right down in the fridge.

5. Pour a 3 - 4 tbsp of sugar on top to cover the surface, and burn carefully with a blow torch, or under a hot grill.

Juice quarter of a lemon Sweet Potato Salad leaves Olive oil Bunch fresh coriander chopped

method 1. Mix salmon with spring onions, tomato, garlic, chilli sauce and lemon juice. Taste. Add more chilli or lemon to suit palette. Season.

2. Sprinkle coriander on top.

3. Serve with a baked Sweet potato and salad leaves tossed in olive oil.

Salmon is an excellent source of highquality protein, vitamins and minerals (including potassium, selenium and vitamin B12) but it is their content of omega-3 fatty acids that receives the most attention.

health . beauty . wellbeing

Jo Waterford

Mindfulness with

ITEC, MFHT, SAC dip, RFHP

Holistic Therapist and Foot Health practitioner Offering Aromatherapy Massage, Natural Facelift Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Head, Neck and Shoulder massage and Foot Health Care treatments.

Do you feel Stressed?

Do you have pain or other health problems? l

At Neal’s Yard, Marsh Lane, Newbury. All day on Wednesday’s. For appointments please call 01635 580323

Mindfulness reduces stress

l Helps

with pain management

l Improves l Reduces

New business in Newbury

sleep

anxiety

l Improves

happiness

At the forefront of the tanning industry, Consol operate 41 tanning studios throughout the UK offering world class sunbeds, state of the art tanning facilities and revolutionary equipment.

With fingerprint recognition allowing access throughout the UK, Consol has brought over its Danish self-service concept and put emphasis on a no appointment necessary, hassle free, convenient way to tan 7 days a week from 7am until 10pm.

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ealth

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Treat your nails with our durable non chip Gel for fingers and toes only £60 If you buy a course of 10 CACI you also receive free the Ionic Sonic Cleansing Kit worth £79. CACI is the closest you can get with a non surgical face lift, working on lifting muscles in the face and neck, especially good for Jowls and lifting the eyes.

June l Have two areas waxed and have the third free of charge (cheapest free) l Try out our new and exclusive to this area Derma Roller for just £200 for 3 treatments. With this offer it would be recommended download the to have the treatments every two weeks to get the laurabella app best results. a convenient and easy way to make Spa offer for May and June appointments. l Enjoy a glass of prosecco 1 hour in the Hot tub book online and then 1/2 hour face and scalp massage or back www.laurabella.co.uk massage. This is ideal for small groups or a treat with your best friend. l l

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Mel Harrison

sitting down How this effects your spine How many hours a day do you sit down? Ever wondered what this is doing to our spine?

“I suffered severe sciatic pain in my right leg and lower back making it impossible for me to work.

From the first visit, Mel eased my pain and have since made a full recovery.” ANDY

Providing a professional and personalised osteopathic approach to give you pain relief

07727 666312 www.melharrisonosteopath.co.uk melharrison156@yahoo.com Melanie Harrison Osteopathy @OsteoMel

F

irst of all, barely any of us sit correctly. We tend to forward flex our necks towards a screen, slump into the chair or cradle a phone between or head and shoulders as we type.

This posture is causing massive compression between our spinal joints and spinal discs for long periods of time causing long term problems. Discs are meant to expand and contract as we move to absorb nutrients from the blood, therefore when we sit, the discs compress, they harden and they lose flexibility which may cause disc herniation’s.

Sitting also causes major muscular imbalances.

Sitting posture means some muscles are overused, overstretched and therefore tighten, whereas some simply aren’t being used, so they become weak and switch off. The ones that weaken are usually our core muscles which are vital for stabilising your spine and maintaining optimal spinal function.

So if you ache while you are sitting. . . I can help.

On my way!

BuzzConnect supports businesses in West Berkshire and North Hampshire. Our aim is to build a stronger business community by providing members with opportunities to connect, collaborate, develop and support each other.

Come and join our Free networking event on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Donnington Grove Hotel

07727 666312 www.melharrisonosteopath.co.uk melharrison156@yahoo.com Ask mel - Buzz Osteopathy Expert

Go to www.buzz-connect.co.uk to see our events, workshops and information on joining.

31

health . beauty . wellbeing

Top Tips

It’s spring and the clocks have changed, meaning longer days and brighter sun! It’s time to get outside and there are so many benefits to being outdoors that are good for mind, body and soul!

The benefits of fresh air Mind

Body

Soul

S

F

F

erotonin is a chemical found in the human body which is linked to a persons wellbeing and happiness. The amount of serotonin in your body is affect by the amount of oxygen you inhale, so breathing clean fresh air can help you feel refreshed and relaxed.

Shakira Akabusi www.stronglikemum.com

resh air has also been proven to strengthen your immune system and aid better digestion. White blood cells require oxygen to function efficiently, meaning fresh air will help your body to better fight bacteria, viruses, and germs. Oxygen also aids the efficiency of your digestive system, which is great if you are looking to shed a few pounds.

T: @shakiraakabusi

I: @shakira.akabusi

resh air can also boost your energy levels! Breathe in deeply and exhale out any unwanted toxins. Add any form of moderate intensity exercise (e.g. walking) and you’ll get those endorphins flowing through your system, creating positivity and a sense of happiness and health.

www.facebook.com/shakiraakabusifitness

Father’s Day

Learn a new skill together Take the time to bond while learning something new.

Depending on your dad’s interests you could start a cookery course, learn beekeeping, try your hand at archery, fishing or take up horse riding.

Dads are often harder to buy for than mums.

Rather than plump for a new book, shirt or plant again, why not give him the gift of time instead? You could. . .

Go for a walk Check out www.ramblers.org.uk and www.walkingbritain.co.uk for ideas for routes, from a gentle stroll to a full on hike.

You could even make a weekend of it by taking up the challenge of a long-distance route, stopping at B&Bs, cafes and pubs along the way. Take a look at www.nationaltrail.co.uk for details of long-distance walks, such as the Cotswold Way, which meanders through picturesque villages, beautiful countryside and ancient landmarks.

32

Get adventurous

Take an interest

If your dad is up for a spot of adventure, you could book in to go abseiling, skydiving, flying, or rock climbing together.

Whether he’s happiest digging in the allotment or playing guitar, join him for an afternoon or evening and let him show you his world.

With pensions forcing people to work longer, do we really want to arrive at our golden years in poor health? Unable to spend our retirement relaxing and indulging in our favourite pass times instead on a treadmill of outpatient appointments and blood tests?

Currently more than 40% of people aged 45 to 64 are living with an illness or disability in England.

Are you heading

for a healthy retirement?

W e now know that by making simple daily changes to the way we live our day-to-day lives we can increase our chances of a retirement we’ve always dreamed of. Simply reducing our sedentary lifestyles can have significant effects on our long-term wellbeing. And the earlier we begin, the greater and longer-lasting the impact.

So wouldn’t it have been great if someone had told us all this a bit earlier? Alongside learning our ABCs and Pythagoras’ Theorem, to have been taught that our quality of life as adults is down to the behavioural choices we make when we are young.

London Hospital. The programme supports teachers in educating children how to integrate simple and achievable activity into their lifestyle that can set them up for a healthier future and reduce the risk of suffering from diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimer’s and some forms of cancer.

But it’s never too late to change behaviour. Sitting down for just 20 minutes sends our body into standby mode.

Our heart rate and The programme supports teachers in educating children how to integrate simple and achievable activity into their lifestyle. . .

lung performance decreases and we burn fewer calories. Yet simple measures such as standing up each time you make a phone call, walking to a bathroom slightly further away, or taking a bus from the next stop can make a huge difference.

Such small changes break up the time we spend sitting each day, bypassing this standby mode leading to big differences to the quality of our health over a lifetime.

It’s exactly this message that is being given to students at two West Berkshire Schools.

Park House School and The Winchcombe School in Newbury are rolling out an Active Movement programme designed by a leading consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine at University College 33

10th June - 10th July

Footie Mad! FA Cup l

Euro 2016 The championships begin on the 10th June - 10th July.

The FA Cup kicked off in 1871, making it the world's oldest football cup competition.

England are in Group B and play. . .

The only club still in existence to win three FA Cup finals in a row is Blackburn Rovers (1884 to 1886). They had 24 consecutive match wins in that time. l

In 1888, a match was held on Christmas Day, between Linfield Athletic and Cliftonville.

Arsenal hold the current record for most FA Cup wins (12).

l

England v Russia : Saturday 11th June England v Wales : Thursday 16th June Slovakia v England : Monday 20th June

FA CUP final

y Sat 21st Ma

l

For the first time there will be 24 teams.

l

France will host the tournament for a record 3rd time.

l

The most expensive ticket for the Final will cost â‚Ź895.

l

UEFA will also donate 20,000 tickets to deprived children all over France.

The first FA Women's Cup winner (in 1972) was Southampton.

The current cup itself is a replica of one created in 1911, by Fattorini & Sons in Bradford.

Have you considered Support Work?

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We offer Collect & Deliver from the local area

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Are you looking for a new challenge?

Have you considered support work?

Home Helpers Care is a dynamic and forward thinking company who greatly value the people who work for us.

We now have a range of opportunities including senior level, for Support Workers, caring for and supporting people with a range of needs in their own homes, in Newbury and the surrounding towns and villages.

We are looking for people both with previous experience and also with limited or no experience who feel they have a lot to offer.

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(Driving licence is preferred) To find out more about the opportunities available and how to apply for a position please get in touch.

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Boutique Luxury Cat Care in Hampshire

Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel Pamber Heath It was whilst looking for a new career that Lia first discovered Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel.

After seeing the opportunity on Channel 4 programme ‘Compare your Life’ she was absolutely blown away by the concept and knew she had to be part of this business.

N

ow all she had to do was to persuade her husband and family to move house for the larger garden necessary and to raise the funds to make her dream come true. That week Lia contacted the team at Longcroft and the journey began. . .

In September 2014, after moving home gaining planning permission and a lot of hard work Longcroft Luxury Cat Hotel Pamber Heath was born. As you would expect at any 5 star hotel, everything from the wrought iron designer cat beds with soft pillows and individually decorated bedroom suites to gourmet menus served on bone china, is designed around the feline guest’s well being and their owner’s peace of mind.

The key to Lia’s success lies in her friendly warm approach

and meticulous attention to detail.

‘It’s really important I offer a tailored approach with bespoke care for every guest as they are all so different. I love to get to know what my guests enjoy before they arrive. I take pride in caring for everyone myself so I get to know them and their different personalities.’

Lia’s boutique hotel offers just 6 very spacious thermostatically controlled suites each complete with a private bedroom and safe garden play area.

She offers her customer’s peace of mind, knowing they can be away from their beloved cats without having to worry about their wellbeing.

‘As a cat owner and lover I understand how important it is to leave your cat knowing they will be well looked after and cared for. It’s so important to me that they feel secure in my presence and are therefore able to relax and enjoy the facilities, exactly as they would at home.

To book a suite or take a look at Longcroft Pamber Heath contact Lia on 0118 970 1297 or email pamberheath@longcroftcathotel.co.uk

property

Would you like to add a new dimension to your home?

You can now choose an array of conservatory and window designs from a local company. And you don’t need to deal with an army of builders!

We also offer a ‘ready to build’ option to fit with your own timetable. The conservatory is delivered to you, thus giving you the choice to build it yourself or hire professionals to help.

For a free quotation, please call 01635 246768 Unit 53 Unity House, Greenham Business Park, Thatcham RG19 6HU

www.premierlc.co.uk

property 1310 Theale Business Park

By Richard Deal

Property Expert From Deal Varney www.dealvarney.co.uk

Deal Varney report a quiet but sound market in terms of demand but with some serious concerns regarding supply of both industrial and office premises.

New and refurbished space will come through the pipeline at the end of 2016.

Property Roundup O n the industrial front 14a Colthrop Business Park has been let to Chromis UK Limited for a new 10 year lease, the company have taken 12,300 sq ft and the letting represents continued activity in the busy industrial sector.

The agent also reports the letting of 3b Transigo at Thatcham to Blackburn Metals Limited, taking 18,690 sq ft for 10 years. The office market continues to prove frustrating with extremely low supply and barely a single building on the market above 5,000 sq ft.

However, new and refurbished space will come through the pipeline at the end of 2016, early 2017 with 32,000 sq ft becoming available at Lambourn Square on the Newbury Business Park, 50,000 sq ft of new build also at the Business Park and 11,000 sq ft of existing space shortly to come onto the market.

The retail market continues to stall and whilst there have been some recent lettings in Northbrook Street the secondary and tertiary locations have oversupply as the secondary market continues to

adjust to the changing economic environment.

Whilst we have no evidence it appears decisions may be shelved or postponed until after the June vote.

New to the market is 1310 Theale Business Park, offering first class office space ready to occupy of 8,500 sq ft together with 42 car parking spaces.

Above : 14a Colthrop Business Park Left : 3b Transigo at Thatcham

property

6

Adaptable business unit set within attractive, modern business park.

MONTHS

FREE RENTAL

Are you looking to relocate or start a new business?

Queen Eleanor House is situated in semi-rural location, over looking stunning countryside. The offices are available immediately and comprises superbly fitted partially glazed demountable partitioning, generous on site parking, air conditioned with heat pumps and managed on site security. The building is set over two floors (each floor approx 1,200sqft).

Within 10mins walk you will be in the centre of the charming village of Kingsclere with excellent eating, shopping and leisure amenities.

The location has excellent communication links with easy access to the M3 and M4. Situated just off the A339 between Newbury and Basingstoke, you will also have the benefits of both towns within twenty minutes by car.

For viewings, please contact Catherine Smith on 07785 778899 1,000sq ft to 2,000 sq ft (5 to 20 staff)

My list of ‘must haves’ is short, but essential for most types of DIY:

I co-own a website which revolves around making crafts and upcycling or renovating furniture, but I have been involved with DIY for over 20 years.

l

Ask sarah Buzz interior design Expert

Large sturdy toolbox

l Pencil l Hammer l Screwdrivers

(Philips and Slot heads various sizes)

l Tape

measure

l Spirit

level

l Adjustable

DIY

l Retractable l Duct

he reason that I’m so passionate about recycling furniture and crafting is that I can never replicate the feeling of accomplishment that I get when I finish a project for my own home. I have a husband and two small children, and when you have a young family, it’s much more fun to recycle furniture and use the money saved to create happy memories with the children.

10 1. Do one big tidy over a weekend and then maintain. The results will be more rewarding and if organised, you will be amazed as to how much you can do.

2.

A fresh pair of eyes is the best trick, so ask a friend or family member to help. Without emotional attachment they will be more effective and help you with the tip runs. If you can afford it, pay for a Professional Decluttering Expert to help you.

3.

Clever storage solutions can make all the difference: double hang in the wardrobe, shelf risers, tension rods, drawer dividers, shelves.

Gemma McCrae Prosperity Kitchen

knife

tape

These items will certainly get you off and running for most little household jobs.

The very basics T

spanner

l Pliers

For doing crafts or upcycling, a hot glue gun can save time and effort, and is quite a cheap and easy way to overhaul or make items quickly.

If your hobbies lead you in more diverse directions, do your research before purchasing tools. Check out the ratings and feedback about the manufacturers or models on different websites first.

If you are an absolute beginner in the DIY department, I can certainly help you with the basics, but you will need tools. A toolbox will grow with you over the years, and you will tailor your tool choices to reflect the types of projects that you enjoy the most. My toolbox includes a tack hammer and staple remover, which you wouldn’t necessarily need otherwise.

If you have a question about DIY, upholstery or upcycling, please direct it to me at sarah@lovelyonabudget.co.uk and I may address it in the next issue!

ultimate declutter tips Less stress? Sleep better? Feel calmer? Follow our expert tips and kick start your summer with a burst of tidying to achieve inner Zen.

4. Be ruthless. If you don’t use or

like something, get rid of it. End of.

If it’s expensive then sell on or give to a worthy new home.

5. Clothes are the

biggest culprit for cluttering your home, so we recommend if you buy something new, give away something old.

Simple. And remember if you don’t wear something for 6 months, give it away.

6. Pack away clothes that

are out of season into your loft. This includes coats, shoes and hats.

7. Multiple item review. It’s easy to collect 30 mugs, 50 dinner plates, 10 saucepans but unless you have a household of 50 you won’t need all this. Keep the good stuff and give away the rest.

8.

Create a filing system and deal with paperwork straight away.

Either file, destroy or recycle. If something needs attention, file and then add to your To Do list.

9. Join the local library or get an e-reader to save on book storage and get an online magazine subscription to avoid the piles of magazines you collect.

10. Lastly, remember a vigorous

declutter for 2 hours can burn over 500 kcals. So really throw yourself into it and enjoy the process.

Win a copy of the following books by David Bilton. . .

Reading in the Great War

competitions

Reading was home to a large number of refugees during the Great War. Many of them came from which of the following countries?

Go to our website to enter today

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a. Japan

Win THE Win Puressentiel Respiratory Range The Puressentiel Respiratory Range helps to stop symptoms of which condition? b. Hayfever, colds and flu

When the war began many said it would be over by when? a. Christmas b. Easter c. Halloween

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The Home Front: Deepening Conflict What colour feathers did women give to men who they thought should be away fighting, as a sign of cowardice?

c. Sunburn and windburn

a. Black

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b. Blue

c. White

Win two tickets to see The enemy live on their last orders tour What year did The Enemy's Double platinum selling Number 1 album 'We'll live & die in these towns' come out? a. 2007

b. 2008

c. 2009

A glass of prosecco, 1 hour in the hot tub and 1/2 hour face and scalp or back massage. (for one person)

Livingwell Membership for two for six months

What treatment does Laurabella offer that makes it exclusive in this area?

What year did Conrad open his first hotel?

a. Microdermabrasion

a. 1919

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b. 1924

c. 1928

prizes worth over ÂŁ300!

b. CACI

Win a Petsafe Scoop-Free

self-cleaning litter box with replacement litter trays (4 months worth of litter use), a Staywell Petpod automatic feeder, an Igloo 2-in-1 loo and carrier with 10kg of Snow litter.

What is owner of Longcroft Pamber Heath Lia's own cat called? winner collects

40

c. Cuba

Call to Arms

Respiratory Balm, Respiratory Air Spray & Nasal Spray

a. Atopic skin conditions such as Eczema

Win

b. Belgium

a. Molly

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Win A COPY OF Buggy Friendly Walks by Catherine Gregory How many circular walks appear in the book? a. 45

b. 7

c. 20

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garden view

I'm a huge fan of biological warfare and Ladybirds are my favourite biological control. They feast on aphids (greenfly) and during their year long lifespan they can scoff 5000 of them! Ladybird larvae are long and black with orange spots. They look a bit mean but don't be tempted to squish them as they are also voracious aphid-eaters.

Buzz Gardener Fergus Green

Bring on the

biological warfare!

L

acewing larvae eat 300 aphids each before turning into adult lacewings and guzzling down even more, and even the much maligned wasp has a taste for greenfly so don’t be too quick to swat it with your gardening glove; it’s actually protecting your roses.

Frogs and toads Great slug-eaters, as are hedgehogs. The former can be encouraged by providing them with a tiny pond: it really doesn’t have to be much bigger than a bucket sunk into the ground.

hedgehogs Hedgehogs prefer a pile of logs to hide under, or you could invest in a hedgehog house. There are many handsome ones about, though if you’re a bit of a handyman you could probably make one yourself.

The big new thing in biological pest control in recent years

song thrush The beautiful song thrush is in decline, but it loves to eat slugs and snails. Thrushes were very susceptible to slug-bait poison based on methiocarb and this was banned by the EU in 2014. The most common ingredient now is metaldehyde which is still very toxic to many garden beasts (as well as domestic animals). And slug bait is a very inefficient way to dispose of your slug population anyway, reducing it on average by just 10%.

was the arrival of pre-packed nematodes and mites. Nematodes are tiny parasites which are watered on to a problem area when the soil temperature is 10C or greater. The nematodes enter the pest and reproduce inside it, killing it in the process. When the pest dies they are then released back into the soil, ready to infect new pests. There are nematodes to target slugs, vine weevils and ants.

Predatory mites are also available to target red spider mite and thrips.

All of these methods have the advantage of targeting a particular pest very specifically without causing damage to the environment.

Of course with organic gardening you’re unlikely to get a pristine plot but don’t despair about the odd blemish. See it as a positive sign that you care about the environment and the wildlife in your garden.

8

Hand Car Wash Map Data ©2013 Google

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Car wash from £6

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don’t miss the next Issue. . .

Afternoon tea at Donnington Grove

OVER 2.4 MILLION WEBSITE HITS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

We are delighted to share our tweets with over 2,000 Twitter followers

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As well as our door-to-door distribution, you can pick up Buzz at various locations across West Berkshire and North Hampshire. Call to enquire

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Spring

into Summer at Parkway Shopping, Newbury