Clyde Life October/November 2017

Clyde Life October/November 2017 Issue 38

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15,000 Homes

Scotland’s Boatshow 13-15 October p16

Feed your curiosity p18 Win tickets to the Country Living Fair p15 I’m

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Autumn Menu for the

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Garden Birds ”Fools rush in“

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Ronnie Cowan MP Local Groups & Classes Win tickets to the

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Country Living Fair Scotland’s Boatshow

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Feed your curiosity Summer has gone, what next in the garden?

Finance Matters Less work can mean more gain I’ll put a spell on you – Teen Style Files Ras el Hanout Pork Loin Chop Recipe

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Style Files

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Contributors this issue: Kieran Gallagher, Robert MacDonald, Joanne Simms, Marilyn Thompson, Holly Thompson

October/November Issue 38 2017 Publisher: Life Magazines & Publications Ltd Editor Charles Briggs

Features Editor: Joanne Simms joanne@clydelife.co.uk Advertising Sales: Lisa Sanderson lisa@clydelife.co.uk

Contact Info: Editorial: 07788-923054 Advertising: 01505-871962 Email: editor@clydelife.co.uk Web: www.clydelife.co.uk Web Design: tspwebdesign.com Graphic Design: Simon Jones - Skep Design simon.jones@skepdesign.co.uk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Life Magazines and Publications Ltd does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Clyde Life Magazine

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Autumn menu now available!

We aren’t the only ones who enjoy comfort food and extra calories as the chilly weather returns and nights lengthen.

Here we are and it is autumn again, where did the summer go?

It is time to indulge in some lovely helpings of comfort food... and not just for us humans!

Feathered friends who worked hard all summer, getting rid of those aphids, snails and other nasties in the garden now need to get their diet topped up from their favourite restaurant, namely your feeders and bird table.

So what is going to be on the menu this autumn and winter? Here at Petshop Postie our online pet shop supplies all you need for your dogs, cats, small animals, wild birds, poultry and horses.

We stock bird seed, peanuts and fat balls for the birds that visit your garden and also sunflower hearts, nyger seeds and premium seeds that the songbirds and robins love.

The produce comes from some very well-respected names in the business: Johnston & Jeff, Buckton and Nature’s Feast. Look out for the Nature’s Feast Robin and Songbird food with added insects and berries – it might not sound like haute cuisine to you, but believe us they love it.

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When more severe weather with frosts comes don’t forget to put out water as well.

Birds don’t need much and by providing a supply of food, a patch of unfrozen water and somewhere to

6 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

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“Fools rush in”

Ronnie Cowan MP

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Rutger Bregman at the RSA. His topic was “Utopia for Realists”. The overall theme was for sweeping change to the accepted normality of society as it is today. He focused on the changes required to the working week and the welfare system and how they could come about. The general impression was that any political change would be slow and in some cases very slow. Not too surprising, as we have been talking about the likes of Universal Basic Income for hundreds of years.

This got me thinking, not about the theme of the lecture, but about expectations and resolutions.

When I was a kid I had a denim jacket. In those days a new denim jacket was as stiff as cardboard.

The choice of colours was limited to one. It was dark blue denim, take it or leave it. The first year was spent washing and wearing it, to break it in. The second year it was beginning to fade and you could bend your arms. By the third year it had earned pride of place in your wardrobe. It was so cool it could be worn anyplace anytime and was worn with pride. Today you can walk into a shop and buy a denim jacket in many colours and in various states of decay straight off the peg. It’s not as fulfilling (but I do own one).

It used to be that a movie got released and, after a few months or so, it would come ‘to a cinema near you’. The intervening time was a period of excitement and anticipation waiting to see the latest offering from Alfred Hitchcock or Francis Ford Coppola. The viewing was the culmination of the experience. These days I can sit on my sofa and ‘on demand’ fall asleep to thousands of movies at the click of a button.

belief that nothing is being done. I hear this all the time from political reviewers but big problems take a long time to resolve. The damage done by poor policy takes a long time to repair. Selling off social housing may have seemed like a good idea to some and no doubt many benefited from it. But nobody thought long term and realised we needed to build social housing too because the demand had not gone away.

Food used to be grown locally.

Gardens and allotments produced home grown fruit and vegetables.

Local shops had local produce.

Meals took time to prepare and cook. Now we can pierce the plastic film and microwave the taste away in 4 minutes flat. Vegetables come peeled, chopped and packaged in wee boxes. We don’t need to grind coffee beans, we can have instant.

We don’t need to make custard, we can have instant. Instant, on demand, pre-shrunk, pre-cooked, all the hard work done for you, prepared, packaged and tied up with a bow on it.

As the process to leave the European Union progresses, the time scale will restrict the opportunity to produce anything meaningful and I fear we shall end up with mishmash of borrowed legislation, conflict and confusion.

This should be a salutary lesson and one to be heeded prior to any change in Scotland’s relationship with the UK. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by engaging in wide reaching discussions to design and define the country we want to live in. And it should not be left solely to elected politicians to come up with the solutions. Citizen’s engagement is vital and civic society has a massive role to play but it must start now if we are to avoid the mistakes of Brexit. The change may not come around as quickly as we would like but sometimes the wait is worth it.

We have grown accustomed to an instant society. We want instant gratification and the consequences of not getting it, are often met with incredulity and frustration. I understand that procrastination can sometimes be seen as inactivity and that can fuel the

Ronnie Cowan MP, Member of Parliament for Inverclyde, 20 Crawfurd Street, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 1LJ @clydelifemag ronnie.cowan.mp@parliament.uk Telephone: 01475 721 877

8 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

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Don’t move...i

Fran and Stephen were facing a dilemma many of us have had: do we move o Thankfully they chose to stay in their beautiful flat, which now has a stunning Affo As a couple, Fran and Stephen were having that all too-familiar conversation which all home owners have at some point: ‘Do we stay and do up, or do we go?’

In the end their love of their traditional four-bedroom tenement flat in the west end of Greenock, with its high ceilings, period features and the blessing of good neighbours made them decide to stay.

So then they had to roll their sleeves up and set to work arranging building work, a new boiler, new bathroom suite and the all-important new kitchen.

‘We made the mistake of thinking, ‘If we want something special when it came to the kitchen, we’ll have to go to Glasgow’, said Stephen.

After another fruitless trip into Glasgow they decided to call into the kitchen company on their doorstep and the Affordable Luxuries magic began.

‘It was almost by chance,’ Stephen said. ‘We live just minutes away and have been travelling past for years.

We popped in on our way home and from then on it just felt right, from the minute we walked through the door – no hard sell.’

The brief for the Affordable Luxuries team was to update an 80s style kitchen by designing a modern contemporary kitchen dining space, providing practical storage solutions, along with modern functional appliances and accessories.

At the first stage of the design process Affordable Luxuries helped Fran and Stephen get a clear idea of what would work for them personally and what would not. Affordable Luxuries took their design skills and interpreted the customer’s wish list, for the look and how the kitchen would work within their family life.

10 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

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improve!

or stay put and do a big remodelling job? ordable Luxuries kitchen.

Fran and Stephen chose Pronorm kitchen furniture from the Y-line range, in gloss white and gloss cubanite, with the same colours in the wall panels. The wall shelves are part of Pronorm’s Integra rail system.

The kitchen worktop was in light Vesuvius from the Pronorm’s PP-edged laminate range. Light Vesuvius is an inspired choice, textured, off-white with grey particles which make it look like stone; this was finished off with a matching upstands and window sills which complement the gloss white glass and gloss cubanite wall panels. Together they create a remarkable combination of light and texture.

For the sink, an inset one-and-a-half bowl Blanco Metra was chosen, in Silgranit, in the colour tartufo, which fitted perfectly into the colour scheme with a Blanco Linus tap in chrome finishing the look.

The couple went for appliances from Siemens, always a popular choice with Affordable Luxuries’ customers. They chose the IQ700 series with two full-size ovens, one with microwave; an integrated

refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher and washing machine.

The Siemens 90 cm glass hob with a dedicated wok burner and a flush mounted ceiling extractor finished in stainless steel really impressed Fran and Stephen after decades of cooking on their old hob.

The flat now has a modern kitchen which is used far more than ever before as a living and social space and has wowed everyone who has seen it.

But what really impressed Stephen was the fact, that in the team at Affordable Luxuries, he met people who had standards as demanding as his own.

‘I admit, I am really pernickety about stuff and Tom was even more so than me.

‘One of the big selling points for me was the way the whole project was put together, something the big firms didn’t offer.’ The end result speaks for itself, we are truly delighted and couldn’t recommend Affordable Luxuries highly enough”.

52 - 54 Regent St, Greenock PA15 4NP | Tel: 01475 727774 | www.affordableluxuries.co.uk Clyde Life Magazine

SILESTONE

by COSENTINO

S

www.clydelife.co.uk | 11 CORIAN ©

CLASSES | GROUPS | AND LOCAL CLUBS Clyde Life publishes details of classes, groups and clubs located within the magazine distribution area.

If you are looking for new members or want to publicise an event please let us know.

To be included in the magazine and on the website please send details to charles@clydelife.co.uk

Health & Wellbeing Classes Class Time Location Day Teacher Yogabellies Children’s Yoga 3-12yrs Yoga & Meditation - Beginners 7pm-8:30pm Boglestone CC Mon Jacci Stoyle Yoga & Meditation - Intermediate 7pm-8:30pm Boglestone CC Wed Jacci Stoyle Yoga 2pm-3:30pm Westburn Church Mon Aileen Hughes Yoga 2pm-3:30pm Westburn Church Tue Aileen Hughes Hatha Yoga 7pm-8pm Lyle Kirk Wed Flora MacKenzie Hatha Yoga - Beginners 8pm-9pm Lyle Kirk Wed Flora MacKenzie Hatha Yoga 2pm-3pm Inverkip CC Thu Flora MacKenzie Birsay Yoga 9:30am Gourock Tue Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 7:30pm Gourock Tue Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 7:45pm Inverkip Wed Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 6:15pm Largs Mon Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 9:30am Largs Thu Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 7:30pm Largs Thu Joanna Ritchie Birsay Yoga 10:30am Largs Sat Joanna Ritchie Yoga – Mixed Ability Class 10:30am Gourock – Bath St Mon Sheena Arlow Yoga – Mixed Ability Class 10:00am Gourock – Bath St Wed Sheena Arlow Yoga – Mixed Ability Class 6:45pm Greenock – Nelson St Wed Sheena Arlow Yoga 9:30am-10:30am Kilmacolm Tue Jacqueline Gibson Yoga 9:30am-10:30am Kilmacolm Fri Jacqueline Gibson Yoga 7:45pm-9:15pm Greenock Tue Patricia Ralston Yoga 10am-11:30am Bridge of Weir Tue Sara Marijuan-Tuck Yoga 10am-11:30am Bridge of Weir Thu Sara Marijuan-Tuck Yoga 7pm:8:30pm Bridge of Weir Thu Sara Marijuan-Tuck Pilates 6:15pm-7:15pm Houston Mon Kate Black

Contact Details 01475 745552/744404 77902 62124 077902 62124 01475 801613 01475 801613 fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk 07518 373 073 07518 373 073 07518 373 073 07518 373 073 07518 373 073 07518 373 073 07518 373 073 sheenaarlow@gmail.com sheenaarlow@gmail.com sheenaarlow@gmail.com 07851 735357 07851 735357 01475 785685 07962 347950 07962 347950 07962 347950 katiescotts@hotmail.com

Dance Classes Elite Academy of Dance Ballet Greenock Silver Swans Ballet (over 50s) 11am-12pm Greenock Silver Swans Ballet (over 50s) 11am-12pm Greenock Scottish Country Dancing 8pm Greenock

Every Day www.eliteacademyofdance.co.uk Tue www.silverswansballet.co.uk Thu www.silverswansballet.co.uk Mon Jennifer Murrin 01475 633096

Camera Clubs Digital Camera Club

7:30pm

Greenock Camera Club

7:30pm

Greenock

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Heather Sinclair

07903 164227

Kilmacolm Camera Club

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Kilmacolm

Tue

David Walker

01505 873883

Inverclyde Camera Club

7:30pm

Gourock

Fri

Ann-Marie Westwood 07971 607453

Other Clubs & Groups

Langbank

2nd & 4th Mondays of the month Derrick McPherson Langbankcc1@gmail.com

MS Activities Group 11am-1pm Greenock Thu Stuart Anderson Parkinson’s Inverclyde Support Group 12:30-2:30pm Greenock Last Fri of the month Trish Maclennan Fort Matilda Bridge Club 7pm Gourock Mon Tue Fri Ann MacLeod Inverclyde Sky Watchers 3pm-5pm Greenock Mon Marion Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Games Society Bridge of Weir Every 2nd Thu Keith 12 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017 Inverclyde Ramblers Dave Souza

01475 630553 01475 743679 01475 522181 01475 634976 07789 501605 01475 @clydelifemag 631654

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WIN!ife with

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WIN TICKETS! to the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair 8 Pairs of Tickets to Be Won

To enter visit www.clydelife.co.uk

The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair is back at SECC, Glasgow from 23- 26 November 2017. This annual celebration of all things festive is a must for anyone who enjoys a great day’s shopping.

We have 8 pairs of tickets for this fabulously festive show to be won. If you don’t win you can purchase tickets saving 10% on the Advance Ticket price by visiting www.countrylivingfair. com and enter the code LIVING10 Over 300 of the UK’s finest craftsmen and women will gather to offer unique gifts, decorations, crafts, food and inspired interior ideas, to help bring that magical Christmas sparkle to every home. There’s also three informative theatres where experts will offer invaluable advice and entertaining demonstrations.

• The Country Living Kitchen will delight and inspire as top Scottish chefs demonstrate preparing tempting seasonal dishes, using delicious, fresh ingredients.

• The Country Living Corner where experts will offer advice on how to make the most of your home over the festive period, with a series of talks and demonstrations.

• Over in The Country Living Crafting Workshops there will be a varied daily hands-on programme where visitors will have the chance to create something special to take home • The Drunken Duck Champagne Bar - The perfect day out wouldn’t be complete without a relaxing glass of fizz.

For further information or to book tickets call 0844 581 1385 or visit www.countrylivingfair.com/ticket-prices

Help is at Hand as your Life changes Woodside Care Home is a 19 bedroom Residential Home situated in the beautiful conservation village of Quarriers, just outside Bridge of Weir. Visitors are always made welcome.

The Home is registered with The Care Inspectorate for the regulation of care.

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Residential Elderly Long Stay Short Stay Convalescent Respite

To request a brochure or to arrange a visit please contact the manager

Fiona Summers ~ 01505 613370 Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 15

Get more out of life with Oc1t3o- 15 10am ber Scotland's Kip Ma-5pm rina Boat Show It is time for one of nation’s favourite events enjoyed by everyone who loves life afloat and ashore.

Come to Inverkip and experience the best lifestyle by land and sea that the Clyde and Scotland can offer at the 31st Scotland’s Boat Show.

Alongside the dazzling maritime world, our Clyde LifeStyle pavilion hosts everything from food and drink to fashion and furniture, with celebrity chef Nick Nairn presenting daily cooking displays aided by the West College Scotland students. Nick’s demonstrations take place at 12noon, 2pm and 3.30pm each day; admission is free with a donation to local charities.

Alongside Nick will be the Scottish food and drink producers indoor

16 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

@clydelifemag

‘street market’ with amazing food to eat there and then or take home to fill your fridge and pantry with the best that Scotland can offer – from cheese, to wine, bread, sweets, chocolate, seafood, meat, delicatessen goodies and unique kitchen equipment. It is a real foodies’ paradise and it does your heart proud to look across the vast tented area crammed full of quality produce and think that this is all from Scotland.

Expect a bigger, better and even more exciting Scotland’s Boat Show in 2017, the largest event of this kind in Scotland and the largest brokerage show in the UK. • Last year’s big success was ‘Get on the Water’ to encourage more people to get involved in boats and boating for the first time. This part of the show has grown in size with three days of free lectures and presentations in association with Practical Boat Owner; get expert advice from buying a second-hand boat to the Met Office explaining how to read the skies.

Dare we say it, but Christmas is on the horizon so get some fresh ideas and enjoy all the tasting sessions the stall holders are offering!

Speaking of Christmas... the pavilion is also packed with artists, jewellers, craftsmen and women who all create exquisite and temping pieces; plus shop owners who pride themselves on tracking down gifts and home accessories that you won’t find anywhere else.

There is so much to see and admire and so many boat show regulars start off their Christmas gift preparations with a visit to the Clyde Lifestyle pavilions.

Clyde Life Magazine

• For mobility impaired visitors, Clyde Muirshiel will again feature sailing taster sessions in the accessible Hansa 303 dinghies and Able2sail, who offer voyages for individuals both able-bodied or with disabilities.

• Another new visitor to SBS17 is the 60 foot Taeping, the first Clipper round the world race yacht and the replacement vessel for Clyde Challenger.

• If something a little faster appeals, then you can take a ride in an F1 Powerboat, with Gordon Cook Racing, or a helicopter flight over Kip Marina to see the stunning Firth of Clyde with the team from Heli Scot - advance bookings for flights and the F1 Powerboats will be available on scotlandsboatshow.co.uk.

• If you fancy speed on land, look out for cars from Porsche, Morgan and Tesla.

Gavin McDonagh, managing director of Holt Leisure said: ‘As we have now established SBS as the major event on the Scottish marine calendar it is the perfect opportunity to combine the success of the show with a gateway to get visitors afloat and encourage them to enjoy Scotland’s world class sailing waters.’

www.clydelife.co.uk | 17

Feed your curiosity this Autumn at an evening class “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious”. Albert Einstein Yes, whisper it: it will soon be autumn, and soon be the time for all those lovely evening class prospectuses to appear; hopefully as you devour them they will give you an appetite for more knowledge.

some good to get out and socialise with other owners and dogs.

If Einstein was curious enough to theorise that E=MC2 there must be plenty of things you are curious about too!

Curious enough to want to know how to read and order from a menu when you are on holiday in Spain?

Check out the classes – you will find everything from school exam level to conversational skills in so many different languages.

Curious to want to know how those gorgeous dim sum you ate at a restaurant are made?

Once the nights lengthen and the temperature drops it can be very tempting to head for the sofa armed only with the TV remote – so many box sets and so little time; but think again. Instead of just sitting passively watching you could be out there doing and learning.

Even if you cannot commit to a lengthy course you will often find a host of one-off lectures, day-courses or sample-sessions. Are you curious about the history of where you live? Chances are someone will be giving a talk this autumn or winter about just that.

Curious to find out what makes your car engine tick (over)?

Even curious enough to try and discover why your dog decides to ignore you every time you tell it ‘sit’ and get it to actually obey you? It might do the pair of you

And after watching so many different sports on television are you not curious to have a go for yourself or see if you can still do it? So many leisure centres are running courses for beginners or improvers or taster sessions.

Are you curious to know what the view is like from the top of a climbing wall, if you can pull a bow back and hit the gold or what it’s like to breathe while sitting on the floor of the local swimming pool during a scubadiving class?

So don’t just sit there wondering idly – get out here and go where your curiosity leads you; you never know what you might discover.

By Joanne Simms

18 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

@clydelifemag

Four singers and a pianist coming to a venue near you BEACON ARTS CENTRE

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THU 26 OCT, 7.30PM Box Office: 01475 723 723 | beaconartscentre.co.uk

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From £12/£5 (u26s)

Touring Scotland

Sep 21 – Oct 28

Supported by The Friends of Scottish Opera & JTH Charitable Trust

www.clydelife.co.uk | 19

Summer has gone, what next in the garden?

By Kieran Gallacher, Cardwell Garden Centre

As autumn approaches I find myself reflecting on what has been yet another disappointing summer.

A short spell of warm and dry weather in May was followed by what is best described as the ‘mixed’ months of June, July and August. This year has been especially wet in Gourock and it has been difficult to think of many occasions where we had more than one or two consecutive days without rain.

Having said all that, the season has been and gone, and it is time to think about what comes next.

As early as mid September I began to notice the leaves on chestnut trees turning, signalling the onset of autumn and harvest time.

This is the time to buy your spring flowering bulbs at the garden centre, although it is still early to think about planting anything right now.

I always recommend buying the bulbs you want now and storing them until November or so, when they can be planted in the ground or in containers. The reason for this is that bulbs are grown seasonally, there is a limited supply of all types. This is especially true of the favourite varieties, which always sell out first. Snowdrops and certain varieties of daffodils and crocus are usually the first to become unavailble.

When you get your bulbs home, take them out of their packaging and lay them out evenly on layers of old newpaper in an area that is quite dark and cool. This will ensure that they do not start growing

or become diseased before you are ready to use them. It is worth remembering that bulbs are a nice meal for mice and vermin, and they need to be stored accordingly. Likewise when you plant them, watch out for curious squirrels digging them back up!

Bulbs are a great source of colour for the first signs of spring and are easy to grow and cheap to buy. They can also be planted in containers using an appropriate compost and will benefit from being layered when planting.

The idea is that you plant several different varieties of bulbs in one tub, utilising varieties that will flower slightly apart and can be planted at different depths. This ensures that your containers will have constant and different flowers over a longer period than if you stick to just daffodils, for instance.

The exception to the usual handling rules are Hyacinths.

Hyacinths come in two types, prepared and unprepared.

Prepared Hyacinths are treated with cold to force them to flower earlier and it is this kind that will flower for Christmas. Hyacinths have a strong perfumed smell that is very distinct and a small bowl of Hyacinths is ideal as an air freshener.

Unprepared Hyacinths will flower nearer spring.

Bear in mind Hyacinths can be irritable to some people, so use the gloves provided by the garden centre when handling. Personally,

20 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

I only need to be near Hyacinths and I start to itch!

Autumn is a wonderful and beautiful time of year, so take the time to stop and look around you at natures final display of the year.

@clydelifemag

XMAS PREVIEW NIGHT AT CARDWELL 2nd of November 6pm - 10pm • • • • • • •

Santa’s Grotto and Xmas Carnival Elf Hunt (prize draw) 10% off all Christmas goods* Exclusive open night special offers Seasonal food and drink tasting The Salvation Army Brass Band The Woopie Singers Free entry at the door.

Come early so you don’t miss out!

Lunderston Bay, Gourock, Inverclyde, PA19 1BB 01475 521 536 www.cardwellgardencentre.co.uk Clyde Life Magazine

*Excluding any already discounted goods

www.clydelife.co.uk | 21

See St Columba’s in Action Open Morning Sat 7th October 10am-1pm

of St Columba’s School than to come and see it for yourself. Our Open Morning on Saturday 7th October provides the perfect opportunity to see our Early Years, Junior and Senior Schools in action. Please do come along from 10am-1pm and let our pupils show you what makes St Columba’s so special.

St Columba’s School is a coeducational independent day school for pupils aged 3–18, located in Kilmacolm.

As one of Scotland’s highest achieving schools, the results obtained by our pupils are consistently among the highest pass rates and percentage As in the country.

Our size is also our strength. Each child is known by name and recognised as an individual. Our beautiful countryside location and excellent educational experience create a school environment which is challenging and vibrant. This allows pupils to achieve consistently outstanding examinations results and national success out with the classroom.

We offer wraparound care from 7.30am-6pm, financial assistance and an extensive coach service is available.

Our new Rector, Mrs Andrea Angus will be there to welcome parents and pupils and says about the School, “I look forward to building upon all that has been achieved to date and to leading the School to further success in the future.”

There is no better way to experience the true atmosphere

www.st-columbas.org

Clyde Life Did you know that we also deliver flyers?

Prices start from £40/thousand.

Email editor@clydelife.co.uk to see how we can help your business.

The costs of this advert have been met from Parliamentary resources.

22 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

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Academic E xc e l l e n c e W E L C O M E T O ST C O L U M B A ’ S

OPEN MORNING Sat 7th Oct

82% As at National 5 in 2017 One of Scotland’s highest achieving schools where exam results are consistently among the highest in the country.

Call 01505 872238 now to arrange a visit.

Dedicated coach service and financial assistance available

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 23

Less work can mean more gain

By Robert MacDonald

if you follow the steps‌ Newspapers and the financial media at large would have you believe that a successful investment experience comes from picking stocks, timing when you buy and sell, making accurate predictions & assumptions and outguessing the market. Some including many academics, argue there is a better way?

It’s true that some people do get lucky by making bets on certain stocks and sectors or getting in or out at the right time or correctly guessing movements. But depending on luck is simply not a sustainable strategy.

The alternative approach to investment may not sound nearly as exciting, but is a lot less work! It essentially means reducing as far as possible the influence of

24 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

fortune, taking a long-term view and starting with your own needs and risk appetite.

Of course, risk can never be completely eliminated and there are no guarantees about anything in life.

But you can increase your chances of a successful investment experience if you keep these 10 investment tips in mind: 1. Let the market work for you. Prices in competitive financial markets represent the collective judgment of millions of investors based on current information who trade in the market. So, instead of second guessing the market, work with it.

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2. Investment is not speculation. What is promoted in the media as investment is often just speculation. It’s about making short-term and concentrated bets. Few people succeed this way, particularly after you take fees into account.

3. Take a long-term view. Over time, capital markets provide a positive rate of return. As an investor risking your capital, you have a right to the share of that wealth. But keep in mind, the return is not there every day, month or year.

4. Consider the drivers of returns. Differences in returns are explained by certain dimensions identified by academic research as pervasive, persistent and robust.

So it makes sense to build portfolios around these.

5. Practise smart diversification. A sound portfolio doesn’t just capture reliable sources of expected return. It reduces unnecessary risks like holding too few stocks, sectors or countries. Diversification helps to overcome that.

cost, diversified portfolio that matches your needs and risk tolerance.

Investment is really not that complicated, people including the media make it so. In fact, the more complicated that people make it sound the more you should be sceptical.

The truth is markets are so competitive that you can save yourself much time, trouble and expense by letting them work for you. That means structuring a portfolio across the broad dimensions of return, being mindful of cost and focusing on your own needs and circumstances, not what the media is trying to sell you.

Simply by following the Top 10 Investment Guidelines above will massively increase your chances of a successful investment experience.

6. Avoid market timing. You never know which markets will be the best performers from year to year. Being well diversified means you’re positioned to capture the returns whenever and wherever they appear.

7. Manage your emotions. People who let their emotions dictate their decisions can end up buying at the top when greed is dominant and selling at the bottom when fear takes over. The alternative is to remain realistic.

8. Look beyond the headlines. The media is by necessity focused on the short term. This can give you a distorted impression of the market. Keep up with the news by all means, but you don’t have to act on it.

9. Keep costs low. Day to day moves in the market are temporary, but costs are permanent. Over time, they can put a real dent in your wealth plans. That’s why it makes sense to be mindful of fees and expenses.

10. Focus on what you can control. You have no control over the markets, but in consultation with an advisor acting in your interests you can create a lowThe views in this article are personal and provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as recommendation by the publisher or investment advice by the contributor as laid down by the Financial Conduct authority.

T: 01475 638100 | www.macdonaldandco.com

“Bespoke Financial Planning for your Future” MacDonald & Co is a trading style of MacDonald & Co (Wealth Management) Ltd which is authortised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 25

A beautiful winter venue for your special occasion.

Winter wedding package

£2,950

40 Day Guests 60 Evening Guests

Your ceremony and meal will take place in the stunning surrounds of the Mackintosh Suite, with your evening reception to follow in the Art Lovers Café Bar. • Venue hire

• Full table linen

• Ceremony charge • Master of ceremonies

• Glass of House sparkling for arrival

• Cake stand and cake knife

• Half bottle of House wine for meal

• Table plan, place cards, menu and table names

• Glass of House wine for toast

• Choice of two centre pieces

• Full evening buffet for 60 guest

• 3-course menu

• Dance floor Add additional day guests at £50pp.

New bookings only.

Please get in touch to find out more about dates and availability.

T: 0141 353 4770 E: WEDDINGS@HOUSEFORANARTLOVER.CO.UK W: WWW.HOUSEFORANARTLOVER.CO.UK

26 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

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Exclusive Gift Shop, Bridge of Weir The Lion’s Paw Gift shop in Bridge of Weir has a large selection of interesting and unusual gifts for your family or friends or a little treat for yourself - Birthdays, Anniversaries, new babies, holidays, house warmings - we will have something for you!

Our shop is opposite Gibb Stuart and is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm. From October open Sundays from 12-4pm. Come in and see us!

Be

Newcomst er Th

e Grea Gif t Reta ts iler Awards 2017

1 Morrison Place, Main Street, Bridge of Weir PA11 3NU T: 01505 614 699 | E: alison@thelionspaw.co.uk | www.thelionspaw.co.uk

Join us

Handbags and Gladrags

Ladies Lunch, Sunday 19 November 2017 Fabulous Fundraising at the Grand Central Hotel

Contact: 0344 225 3781 scotlandfundraising@parkinsons.org.uk parkinsons.org.uk/ladieslunchglasgow Parkinson’s UK is the operating name of the Parkinson’s Disease Society of the United Kingdom. A charity registered in England and Wales (258197) and in Scotland (SC037554). © Parkinson’s UK 05/17 (CS2222)

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 27

theStyle files

I’ll put a spell on you... by Marilyn Thompson

It’s Autumn - a time of change, cosy nights and Halloween surely no better time to introduce a little spellbinding fashion into the proceedings? The shops are full of mystical themed clothes and accessories, filtered down from an array of top designers who all featured ‘Magick’ in their collections.

Many designers like Rodarte, Thornton Bregazzi and Edward Meacham (previously of Meacham Kirchoff) have always looked to the dark side for inspiration and the late Alexander McQueen, whose designs were seriously influenced by the mysterious (his iconic skull print was heavily copied by the high street) traced his family tree back to the Salem Witch Trials, when a distant relation named Elizabeth Howe was hanged for witchcraft in 1692 - perhaps his ancestors magicked some 17th century inspiration to him!

Fashion supremo Christian Dior was apparently very superstitious and had his cards read for him before each fashion show. Fast forward to 2017 and the designer in charge now at Dior - Maria Grazia Chiuri has designed some stunningly beautiful dresses featuring hand embroidered tarot cards as a

Carry your life in style!

Handcrafted leather handbags, made in Kilmacolm.

VVA Visit: www.vva.co.uk for a full selection of handbags from £49.99 - £500

Quote CLYDE20 for a 10% discount!

28 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

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tribute to the man himself, the founder - Christian Dior.

Black is of course a classic and always in fashion, so step one of the fashionable ‘Witch’ look is complete!

That was easy - It’s now up to you just how far you want to indulge in your witchcraft fashion fantasy. The beautiful dress (shown on the right of the previous page) is from M&S and features a charming celestial print and statement wine velvet cumberband is the perfect purchase for this trend.

Want to take it further( then how about a beautifully dramatic embroidered cape (also shown on previous page) - it’s so perfect for autumn and winter and in keeping with the theme, team it up with a white puritanical, corseted shirt, (like this one from Debenhams) black jeans and leather boots.

The teen STYLE Files

Happy Halloween!

There’s a spellbinding look for everyone this All Hallows’ Eve. Get yourself a killer Autumn wardrobe with all the tempting new season clothes on offer - there’s everything you could wish for - from leather and lace, in dramatic black, (of course) but also blood reds and rich jewel colours to sequins and sparkles for that extra touch of magic. Get your freak on this October 31st and trick or treat yourself to a new look that will enchant all!

Fashion & Beauty

Try painting your nails black, with white tips. This bold style looks like a magic wand and is a spooky take on the chic french manicure. Top with a clear coat for results that will last past the witching hour! faux leather cat ears with a pointed HAIR These front from Claire’s make for an easy halloween hair accessory - perfect for that late minute halloween party when you don’t have the time to go all out - you just need to grab and go!

If you are going to a party at Halloween, then this stunning dress from Top Shop will guarantee all eyes are on you with just the right amount of gothic glamour and no spell required!

If you prefer, you could restrict this magical trend purely to accessories, and treat yourself to a tarot card inspired bag or some pretty, celestial style jewellery.

Alternatively, you could just focus on your feet by wearing shoes adorned with glittery stars and moons!

You can be a fashionable kind of witch - modern, glamorous, powerful, confident and kind.

I’m now in the mood for a couple of spooky movies ‘Hocus Pocus’ and Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ should do the trick. (Don’t judge -that’s as scary as it gets for me!)

Clyde Life Magazine

GADGET Skull lights

Primark

Halloween Do’s & Dont’s Do keep it fashionable.

Do wear with confidence.

Do have lots of fun.

Don’t forget to accessorise.

Don’t dress up as a giant cheesy wotsit!

Your Fashion Questions Answered?

Do - Gigi Hadid Don’t - Katy Perry

Q - Hey Holly, I’ve been invited to a Halloween party but I don’t want to spend a lot on a dressing up outfit. Any ideas? Beth 14.

A - Just use things you already have - Black dress, fishnet tights, high heels and a pointed witches hat! Easy and effective. Team up with really glamorous hair and make up for the perfect witchy look. Enjoy the party! Holly x Get in touch - To learn more about The FASHION Class for teens & children, the courses, camps and Birthday parties, or to tell me what you think and ask any questions, contact: www.clydelife.co.uk holly@thefashionclass.co.uk or www.thefashionclass.co.uk

| 29

RAS EL HANOUT PORK LOIN served with sesame stir fried vegetables and cajun charlotte potatoes

Ingredients For the pork • x4 Pork Chops - on the bone preferably • Passata - small bottle • Ras El Hanout seasoning (Tesco/Morrisons) • One Bay leaf • One finely diced onion • Tablespoon of cooking oil or knob of butter • 100ml chicken stock • Teaspoon cous cous For the Veg • Toasted sesame oil • Stir Fry Veg -bought in any supermarket in the vegetable aisle • Dash Soy sauce • Teaspoon of cooking oil For the Potatoes • Charlotte potatoes • Knob of butter • Cajun Seasoning • Dash of Lemon Juice • Handful of chopped coriander

Brrr...its getting cold. This versatile dish can be made with either pork, chicken, beef or even fish. You can even make the pork in a slow cooker or on the cooker! Best results is on the bone to get that extra flavour. Anyway here we go.

Prepare your potatoes by slicing down the middle lengthways and place them into a pot and cover with boiling water from the kettle and boil. About 15 mins in stick a small knife through one to check, once the potatoes start to fall off the knife with ease, drain and set aside.

In a pan, melt the oil/butter and cook the finely diced onion until it has started to turn golden brown - scoop it out into a bowl and put the pan back onto a high heat with the remaining oil. Sear the pork golden brown - careful not to burn it and quickly turn the heat down and add the onions back in.

After a minute add the seasoning to just cover and turn and repeat. Add the stock, passatta and bay leaf and stir and allow the pan to simmer for about 10-15 mins or until the pork is fully cooked. Add the cous cous

for the last minute, stir and leave.

Please do not allow the pan to boil as this will make your pork quite rubbery.

Whilst the pork is cooking, in a separate frying pan - heat the pan and add the butter to melt, fling the potatoes in sprinkle the cajun seasoning over the top, toss and add the dash of lemon juice to stop it burning.

To cook the vegetables, heat the pan until it smokes, add the oil, then the vegetables, add the soy sauce and stir until caramelised, set aside and drizzle over the sesame oil and chopped coriander. Serve by putting the potatoes and vegetables first, than the pork with a little drizzle of the sauce just over.

Smell and enjoy!

The Chefs Eye is a new small and intimate brasserie style restaurant based in Nelson Street, Largs.

With an explosion of flavours and spices the cuisine ranges from your traditional Scottish Fayre to the Far East. The menus change regularly keeping things fresh, seasonal and exciting.

The fully licensed restaurant is open for select hours which can be viewed online or on Facebook. It is also available for private dining events and functions.

Visit www.chefseye.co.uk to sign up for the online newsletter or call 01475 673215 or email: reservations@chefseye.co.uk to book a table.

30 | Clyde Life – October/November 2017

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West Coast DISABILITY CENTRE

We offer free home visits to discuss your needs for everyday living, such as rise and recliner chairs, adjustable beds, bathroom and kitchen aids. Also we offer walk-in baths, showers and wet rooms by Companion bathrooms.

Keeping the Community Mobile

We are in partnership with Acorn stairlifts for a free home survey or demostration contact Acorn freephone 0800 016 9248.

Just some of the products we supply

Folding Tricycles

Mobility Scooters

Electric Bicycles

Powerchairs

We stock a wide range of disability aids for sale or hire.

Mobility aid hire available from ÂŁ4 an hour (wheelchairs, walking aids & scooters)

ON!

COMING SO

23 Bath Street, Largs KA30 8BL Tel: 01475 673190

108 Main Road, Fairlie KA29 0AD Tel: 01475 568955

OPEN: Monday-Saturday 9.30am - 6pm Sunday 12-4pm

OPEN: Monday-Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday Closed

www.clydelife.co.uk | 31 www.westcoastdisabilitycentre.com

Clyde Life Magazine

checkout our

new menu @the chartroom Brand new dishes & old favourites serving food 7 days from 12.00 to late

thechartroom.co.uk

CHRISTMAS 2017

Christmas Party Nights from ÂŁ26, Festive Lunches, Retro Mid-Winter Ball 28th December, Hogmanay Gala Dinner Dance.

There is something for everyone this Christmas @ The Chartroom Call us, visit www.thechartroom.co.uk or email info@thechartroom.co.uk for a copy of our Christmas Brochure 2017 Kip Marina, Inverkip, Inverclyde, 32 | ClydePA16 Life 0AW – October/November 2017

01475 520919 thechartroom.co.uk

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