LocalReach Portishead December 2022

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COMMUNITY MAGAZINES Issue No. 6

GARDENING – page 4 COMMUNITY – page 7 PUZZLES – page 23 KIDS – page 24 RECIPES – page 26 BOOKS – page 28 BUSINESS A-Z – page 29

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Are you looking for more visitors to your event or more customers for your business? LocalReach is an excellent way to promote your event or gain more leads for your business. Prices start from only £22+vat per month. We are the ONLY magazine delivered every month to ALL of your postcode area by the ROYAL MAIL. We now deliver 111,130 copies each and every month to ALL homes and businesses to ALL of: Westonsuper-Mare, Worle, Portishead, Burnham on Sea, Glastonbury, Street, Clevedon, Wedmore, Cheddar, Axbridge, Winscombe & Wells. A massive 95% of our advertisers rebook their adverts every month and we don’t hold anyone to a long contract. Readers say they love LocalReach and read it every month cover to cover, they keep it on their coffee table for 3-4 weeks and keep referring back to it, they then recycle LocalReach in the knowledge the new monthly issue will drop through their door. Readers tell us they love LocalReach, trust LocalReach and use the services of the businesses inside. If you are interested in gaining more visitors to your event or more customers for your business go to www.localreach.co.uk for more info or email hello@localreach.co.uk

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accurate or complete. We do not approve any of the services or products provided by advertisers in this magazine. Anyone using the products, services or advice from advertisers will need to carry out normal checks to make sure businesses are trustworthy and reliable. LocalReach Ltd 2022.

DO YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF LOCALREACH EACH MONTH? LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Portishead/BS20 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident and business, totalling 15,596 copies each month. We take non deliveries very seriously and in the event of a non delivery being reported to us we follow the Royal Mail’s complaint procedure. If you are not getting your monthly copy by the end of the first week of any month please send us an email to royalmail@localreach.co.uk with the full address of the non delivery and we will ask Royal Mail to investigate and report back.

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Garden View… This month - Magical Poinsettias If you want to try this, fertilize the plant once a month then cut back the stems in February to promote new growth. In May repot it to a larger container. From late September to 1st December cover the plant between 6pm and 8am as poinsettias need long periods of darkness in order to persuade the bracts to turn red. Around December 1st you should have a beautiful flowering poinsettia. But if this sounds too much like hard work...well, you can always buy another one!

In the UK, poinsettias have become as entwined with Christmas as holly and mistletoe. Yet poinsettias are actually sub-tropical plants, native to Central America and Mexico, requiring temperatures of between 10 and 21 degrees centigrade to survive. The bright red ‘flowers’ are really bracts, surrounding the real flowers, which are tiny and insignificant.

As it’s the festive season I thought I’d finish with a traditional Christmas story, explaining how the poinsettia came to be associated with this time of year. If you buy a poinsettia for someone this year it might be nice to tell them the story when you give them the plant: In Mexico, there once lived a little girl called Pepita who came from a very poor family.

They are notoriously difficult to persuade to flower again so it is with some pride that I tell you my current poinsettia is seven years old, huge, and flowers every year.

Every year, she and her brother Pablo looked forward to the big Christmas festival in their village. A manger scene would be set up in the church and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. On Christmas Eve the whole village would attend church and all the children would place a gift for the baby Jesus next to the manger.

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One year Pepita’s family had no money at all to buy such a gift so it was with a sad heart that Pepita walked to the church that Christmas Eve and as they drew closer she began to weep.

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“Little Pepita, why do you cry?” asked her older brother Pablo. “Because I have no gift for the Christ child,” she answered. “Oh Pepita, even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be accepted by him,” said Pablo, comforting her. Pepita considered this for a while then gathered a handful of weeds from the roadside verge and fashioned them into a small posy. But as she entered the church her heart felt heavier than before. With her head bowed she approached the altar and knelt to lay her posy before the manger. Suddenly the tiny bouquet burst into blooms of brilliant red starry flowers and all who saw them were sure they had witnessed a Christmas miracle. The flowers are known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico which translates as Flowers of the Holy Night. Happy Christmas, By Rachael Leverton

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Is Your Furniture Christmas Ready? It’s the season for getting our homes ready for family gatherings and holiday parties. Whether it’s tired-looking furniture, scratches, scuffs or dents we definitely feel the pressure mount when guests come to visit us over the festive period. Is your furniture in need of a freshen up before Christmas? Let PremTech Furniture Repairs help you as the countdown begins!

Furniture Fact: Did you know that apart from a house and a car, furniture is the third most expensive thing people buy in their lives? If you feel like there is no hope for your beloved furniture, take a look at our website or visit our facebook page to see what we can do. Our services include repairs to frames, leather, recliners and wood as well as seat, back and arm boosts, replacement interiors and much more. We can provide a free, no obligation quote to all postcodes which this magazine reaches, as well as the surrounding areas. We can also provide quotations and independent inspection reports for the purpose of insurance claims.

Furniture Fact: Sofa owners sit on their sofas for an average of four hours every day. We welcome enquiries from all customers, individual or corporate and can offer an onsite or workshop repair (with no additional cost for us collecting and delivering your furniture). We never like to see a good piece of furniture end up in landfill when all it needs is a bit of TLC from us. People tend to assume that repairing or restoring furniture will be more expensive than buying new but in reality, it can sometimes work out hundreds of pounds cheaper. PremTech Furniture Repairs want to help you save those pounds so you can get the most out of this winter! We are booking up fast for Christmas now so please get in contact with us if we can help with your furniture needs.

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Are your stairs a struggle? Enjoy independence in your home… Do I need a Stairlift? – If you have difficulty getting up and down stairs you are not alone. The decision to install a stairlift is sometimes a difficult one to take but, when compared with the alternative of moving or living on only one level of their home, many people have found a stairlift to be their preferred solution. Why choose us? – Suttons Stairlifts aim to provide a reliable and prompt service to their valued customers. Thanks to personal recommendations from satisfied customers referring us to their friends and relations Suttons Stairlifts is now a wellestablished company committed to providing expert advice with a no-pressure selling policy, guaranteed! Our Products and Services – We offer a range of new or refurbished Handicare stairlifts for either straight or curved stairs throughout the West Country, from Bath & Bristol right down to South Devon. We also offer a rental option for straight stairlifts as well as annual services and safety checks, repairs and removals. What happens next? – We will visit you to survey the staircase and conduct a user assessment leaving you the leaflets and prices so you can make the decision in your own time. Once you’ve made your decision we aim to install your lift within the week, or even the next day subject to availability. With our comprehensive 12 or 24 month warranty and 365 day coverage you can be assured of a firstclass and personal service from Suttons Stairlifts. Call us on 01749 346 900 for more information.

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Portishead Christmas Lights Switch On – Monday 28th November

Portishead Rotary Memory Café – Tuesday 6th and 20th December

Portishead Christmas Lights presents...The Big Switch on! Come and join us on Monday 28th November. The event will start at 6:15pm with the lights being turned on at 6:45pm with fireworks straight after to mark the start of the festive season! Santa will be with us with too.

The Memory Café is for anyone with dementia and memory problems, and those who care for them. It runs twice a month at Jubilee Day Centre, Slade Road, Portishead. All are welcome and it is free, with teas/coffees and biscuits served during the afternoon. There are regular professional performers to entertain and get everyone singing and laughing. A big part of Memory Café is that both the person with memory problems and their carer join in together, so everyone is involved. Join us on the first & third Tuesdays of the month from 2.15 pm – 3.45pm. For more information: email brion.knoxlittle@sky.com or phone Brian on O1275 871197 or Jacqui on 01275 845233.

Dementia Coffee & Chat Group – Friday 2nd December If you are living with Dementia or caring for someone who is, join us at Coffee and Chat. If you need information or just a chat we meet at The Poacher Inn, High st, Portishead, (in the conservatory) 11am to 1pm on the first Friday of the month. Stay for the 2 hours or just pop in for coffee and a chat, we are there to help. For more information contact Brenda on 07896633900.

Portishead Stroke Drop In Centre - Friday 2nd December A local Drop In Centre run by stroke survivors for stroke survivors, their families, friends and carers, meets on the first Friday of the month. We can offer help and support and a friendly face from someone who’s been there, done that. Or just a cuppa and a laugh! Join us at Clarence House, High Street, Portishead on the first Friday of every month 10.30 – 12.30. We don’t promise to have all the answers, but we’ll give it a good go! Just turn up or contact Matt on 07950 420833 or Lori on 01275 818492 / lorrainerowsell@btinternet.com

Pill Festival Band Christmas Concert – Monday 5th December Pill Festival Band has had a busy autumn term with a joint concert with Nailsea’s Good Afternoon Choir in October in aid of Springboard, Remembrance Sunday at Easton in Gordano and is now planning for Christmas Concerts in December. The band will be holding its regular Christmas Concert at Pill Memorial Club on Monday December 5th at 7.30pm with a selection of well-loved music and Christmas tunes. In addition the growing Beginners group members of the Band will be playing at an event at St Marys, Portbury on Saturday December 3rd at 6pm. More details at our website at www. pfb.org.uk

Portishead Jazz Club - Wednesday 7th December We are pleased to announce that our December 7th trad jazz night will be featuring not 1 but 2 jazz bands – all for the same price as always! Why not come along and support our local musicians for a pre Christmas evening of social entertainment and fun. We’re certain you will enjoy the night. First Wednesday of every month, Muskrats Dixieland Jazz Band. Clarence House. Portishead. BS20 6PY. For 8:00pm start. Ample free parking. Licensed bar. Raffle. £4.00 per person

Walk & Talk Bereavement Support – Thursday 8th December Each month weather permitting Portishead Cruse Bereavement support offers a “Walk and Talk” on the second Thursday morning of the month. this month we will meet outside Waitrose near the bicycle racks. The walks last about an hour and are an extension of the Drop-in Sessions. Please contact 0117 9264045 if interested, leaving your name and telephone number. One of the local walk leaders will get back to you with more details.

Dads & Kids Group - Saturday 10th December

LLaDs (Lads, Lasses and Dads) is a place for dads and their children (aged 0-7 years) to hang out on a Saturday morning. It is a friendly group meeting at St. Barnabas Children’s Centre on the second Saturday of each month. We offer bacon butties, good coffee plus fruit and exciting activities for the children. It is run by volunteers. We have no set cost, We are always open to new members so if you are but we do welcome donations (suggested £2 per interested in joining a band or an orchestra, or just adult and £1 per child) to cover the cost of hiring the learning an instrument, take a look at our website at hall and the food. It is an ideal place to spend time www.pfb.org.uk to see much more about us or just with your children, meet other dads and allow your come along to a rehearsal and watch. children to socialise with other children. www.localreach.co.uk | 7

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Folk Song Concert for Ukraine – Saturday 10th December A Festive Evening of Folk Songs for Ukraine Two highly acclaimed and popular singing groups Mendip Folk Choir and shanty group High & Dry are joining forces to put on an evening of seasonal folk songs and sea shanties in aid of the Ukraine War Appeal. The concert will be held on Saturday 10th December, Cheddar Baptist Church, Lower North Street. Doors open 6.30. Concert 7 - 10pm. Tickets in advance only £5. Join us for an evening of wonderful songs, and rousing choruses you’ll find impossible not to join in with. Enjoy a glass of mulled wine, or coffee and cake (donations) in this stunning venue to get you in the Christmas spirit, and raise much needed money for the people of Ukraine. For tickets and further info. contact: Issy Emeney issy@emeney.com. 01934 741551 James Barattini winscombe.folk@gmail. com 07703 538861.

Victorian Evening and Craft Fayre – Sunday 11th December Don’t miss this wonderful annual community event, a great way to get into the festive mood and pick up some seasonal goodies and treats. Portishead Victorian Evening & Craft Fayre takes place on

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Sunday 11th December from 3pm to 7pm, on the High Street under the beautiful Christmas Lights. There will be over 60 crafts stalls, foods stalls, live entertainment and a fun fair for all to enjoy.

Rotary Chocolate Tombola – Sunday 11th December Portishead Rotary club will be having their Chocolate Tombola stall at the Victorian Fayre afternoon/ evening on Sunday 11th December. Loads of chocolates with great odds 7 goes for a £1 or 50p for 3 goes. Look out for our stall by Nat West bank.

Youth Club Christmas Dinner – Monday 12th December Join us on Monday 12th December for a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings during our evening youth club session, as well as Christmas games and fun with your friends! Come along in your favourite Christmas jumper and get in the festive spirit! £4 per young person (school year 7+), please call 01275 842461 to book and pay for your child’s space.

The Gordano Civic Society – Monday 12th December The Gordano Civic Society will hold its next meeting on Monday 14th November at 7.30pm in the Somerset Hall, The Precinct. Portishead. The talk is Seasonal Festivals by Prof. Ronald Hutton. We welcome all residents of Portishead and beyond.

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If you are interested in local history, building, family history, conservation etc., or in present day planning, look at our website www.gordanosociety.org.uk where you will find details of our meetings, activities, and publications.

Redcliffe Bay WI – Monday 12th December Redcliffe Bay is a small, but friendly “young at heart” group of ladies! We meet on the second Monday of each month at Redcliffe Bay Hall at 2pm. There are an interesting variety of speakers followed by tea and refreshments. Do come along and give a try, you will be warmly welcomed. For further information contact either: Jenny IngramCotton, President on 01275 842228 or Patricia Higgins, Programme Secretary on 01275 563534.

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Managing bladder weakness: our 5 top tips Living with bladder weakness may seem challenging at first, but if you only have a light to moderate bladder weakness, some simple lifestyle adjustments can make all the difference to managing your condition. Read on for our advice and tips: Firstly, see your GP or medical practitioner: what you might think is incontinence could actually be a different condition, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), diabetes, or a kidney infection. It’s important to have a clear diagnosis, so your GP can offer the appropriate advice to help you manage your symptoms. Keep an eye on what you eat and drink: not drinking enough can lead to concentrated urine, which actually irritates the bladder and can make the problem worse. So try and drink lots of water (up to 2 litres a day unless your GP advises otherwise) and avoid fizzy drinks and too much caffeine or alcohol – all of which are known irritants. Eating a balanced diet, with plenty of non-citrus fruit, vegetables and wholegrains will help your overall health, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods, along with sugar and dairy can also be beneficial. Don’t forget to exercise: as tempting as it might be to avoid exercise, some people find lower impact activities such as cycling, yoga, pilates, swimming or even walking particularly helpful. Exercise also helps to maintain a healthy body weight, which reduces pressure on the pelvic floor, and of course exercise has a significant impact on your mental health. Use the right products: women will sometimes reach for sanitary products rather than incontinence products when dealing with mild bladder weakness. But the two products are designed quite differently, and an incontinence product will give far better protection. Be prepared: for light to moderate incontinence, you might find that discreet mattress or seat protection offers you some security and peace of mind. If you’d like some one-to-one advice on the best products to manage your condition, do drop us a line at info@arelle.com or give us a call on 0800 389 3597. We’d love to help.

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Live the life you deserve If you thought bathing safely and stylishly wasn’t possible, think again Picture the scene, it’s the end of the day. Your body feels tired and your mind is ready for some downtime. You imagine what it would feel like to climb into a warm, soothing bath and let you cares melt away. Then a niggling doubt takes hold. Last time you had a bath you had to call your partner to help you get out. Maybe it won’t happen this time. So, you run a bath anyway thinking this time you’ll be ok. But can you enjoy your bath with those doubts in your mind? We know that going from a ‘normal’ bathroom to one with mobility aids feels like a step in a direction you don’t want to go. But it depends how you look at it. It’s very common for people only to seek help with their bathroom as a result of a fall, accident or near-miss. Should you wait that long, or are there changes you could make now? Just because you’re adding grab rails or a raised toilet in your bathroom for example, doesn’t mean it will look like a hospital bathroom. You could see it as an opportunity to refresh and update one of the most important rooms of your house. Updating your bathroom with AHM We guide you through the whole process of updating your bathroom. If you’re in immediate need of a solution, we do our best to make it happen quickly. If you prefer taking time to think through the options, that’s fine too. We’re a small, family-run firm with a background in caring and mobility, so we’re flexible and we know what it’s like. We visit customers at home, for free, to get a full understanding of their needs and there’s always a real person at the end of the phone. We don’t employ salesmen. Our experienced surveyors visit you to discuss your needs. We also pride ourselves in employing courteous and trustworthy fitters to install every bathroom. We use specialist bathing products which come with a manufacturer’s warranty, plus our own 12-month installation warranty. If you’re ready to seek help with your bathroom, call us on 01275 403188.

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Harp Concert – Tuesday 13th December Clevedon Music Club invites you to a rare opportunity to hear that most seasonal and angelic of instruments, the harp, on Tuesday 13th December at 7.30 pm in the Princes Hall which offers level access, at the Community Centre, Princes Road BS21 7YX, when Sally Jenkins makes a welcome return visit. Her programme celebrates the role that female harpists and composers have had in the history of the instrument with music dating from about 1800 right up to the modern worlds of jazz, encompassing a range of Classical and folk styles. Admission costs £10 payable at the door by cash or cheque. For more details, please phone 01275 875262 or 879099.

Gordano Probus – Wednesday 14th December Gordano Probus will meet on December 14th our Ladies to our, when our speaker will be Terry MerrettSmith showing ‘MGM Musicals with some seasonal flavouring’. New members are always welcome to join us. Gordano Probus club is for semi-/retired men. They meet monthly every 2nd Wednesday at Clarence House, High St, Portishead at 12.30 till 3pm for a drink, a chat and a hearty meal and an interesting talk. Please contact Jim Bougnague on tel 01275 842259 for more information, or visit the Gordano Probus website.

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and Christmas carols with our traditional audience participation, conducted by Jonathan Palmer, with Richard Lennox accompanying on the piano and organ. Soloists include Annie Garry (Soprano), Rosa Witts (Mezzo Soprano), Alexander Robinson (Tenor), Roger Kelly (Bass). Tickets (£12.00) are available from the Ticket Secretary (ticketinfo@portisheadchoral.co.uk), from Society Members, from Nortech in Portishead High Street and will be available on the door from 7.00pm onwards. Come and enjoy a rousing start to Christmas! For more information visit: portisheadchoral.co.uk/

Children’s Christmas Party – Tuesday 20th December Nutty Noah is back to help us celebrate Christmas! Tuesday 20th December: 10.15am, 11.30am or 12.45pm parties. £10 per child (up to 10 years) to include entertainment from Nutty Noah, lunch box and Christmas present from Santa. £5 per adult to include coffee and cake.Under 6 months free. Call 01275 842461 to book a ticket.

Bold Brass Christmas Concert – Thursday 15th December On Thursday 15th December in St. Mary’s Church, Portbury at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are £10 (pay on the door) and include mulled wine/coffee/tea and mince pies. A great way to enjoy brass band music and carols. Everyone welcome.

Christmas Concert December

– Friday 16th

Portishead Choral Society are celebrating Christmas this year with a concert on Friday 16th December 2022 at 7.30pm in Portishead Methodist Church.

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The exciting programme includes: Two celebratory choruses by Handel: ‘Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound’ (from ‘Samson’) and ‘Your Voices Tune’ (from ‘Alexander’s Feast’) Mozart: ‘Coronation Mass’ in C major, K. 317 A selection of Christmas music, from ‘Hodie’ by Vaughan Williams

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Portbury WI – Tuesday 20th December Portbury WI meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in Portbury Village Hall. If you are a woman living anywhere in the local area and you would like to join us for an evening with an interesting speaker or activity, some social time to meet and make new friends and opportunities to join in with other social activities then please come along and try us out. Our December meeting will have entertainment from Steve Pearson and friends on their ukuleles and there will be a buffet meal provided by the committee. For more information contact Helen Francis 07503 134817.

Astronomy U3A Group - Tuesday 20th December The astronomy group of the University of the third age welcomes new members who have an interest in things astronomical, such as stars, sun, planets, space, satellites, the universe and everything inbetween! We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at The Folk Hall on the High Street, Portishead. If you think this, might be for you, please contact Mr. Ken Wyatt on 01275 849428 or email: kenjwyatt@ hotmail.com for further details.

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Freemasons Christmas Carols Concert – Wednesday 21st December Gordano Freemasons Lodge was formed in Portishead over 75 years ago, and took its membership from the Gordano Valley, particularly Portishead. When the Portishead Masonic Hall was changed into the new RNLI Lifeboat Station, the lodge moved to the Clevedon Masonic Hall. Gordano Lodge is holding their annual special Christmas meeting on the evening of 21st December at the newly refurbished hall with Carols, meal and the usual party atmosphere. The event is open to all; masons, non-masons, men, women, families, friends and the curious. If you are interested in a fun evening, please contact Marshall on 07585 152570.

Bereavement Support Drop-in Session – Thursday 29th December Cruse Bereavement Support help people through one of the most painful times in life, with support, information, and campaigning. All our services are provided free of charge and are open to anyone, at any time in their grief journey. Locally we have a drop-in session at Portishead Methodist Church on the last Thursday of every month between 10am – 12pm. You can come along, seek some support, find out information or just have a cup of tea with our volunteers and other visitors. No need to book, just turn up when is convenient for you. If you are looking for support but aren’t sure what you need, visit www.cruse.org.uk/

Macular Support Group – Thursday 29th December The macular society hold a support group meeting on the last Thursday of each Month from 2pm – 4 pm at the Folk Hall, 95 High Street, Portishead. Our groups provide information and support to those with macular disease, their family and friends. Each one is a welcoming place to learn about the support available, build your confidence, and better understand your own macular disease, and, of course, it’s a chance to make new friends who really understand what sight loss is like. For further information call Hazel on 845238 or Jeff on 219657.

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Give us a kiss for Christmas… So goes the vintage Pinky and Perky song. A kiss under a sprig of mistletoe is a wellknown festive tradition. But why? Mistletoe is a parasitic plant which attaches itself to a tree by means of something called a haustorium, and through this it extracts water and nutrients from the host plant. So how did it become associated with romance? Mistletoe’s medicinal uses can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where they used it as a cure for everything from menstrual cramps to spleen disorders, and the Romans used as for epilepsy, ulcers and as a poison. No obvious romantic overtones there! Enter the Celtic Druids around 1st century A.D. Mistletoe thrives during the coldest winters, so the Druids adopted it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and used it in both humans and animals in the hope of restoring fertility. Then there is the Norse myth of Odin’s son Baldur, who was prophesied to die, so his mother Frigg,

Christmas Jumper Day! Thursday 8th December 2022 is Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day!

The charity Save the Children started Christmas Jumper Day in 2012. Every year since then, millions of people don gaudy festive knitwear in their school or office and donate £2 to a good cause. The Christmas jumper has grown in popularity, going from ‘hideously misjudged gift’ status to a desirable festive fashion statement. Some 12 million Christmas jumpers are sold in the UK in the run up to Christmas every year. With the rise of consumer advertising in the fifties and sixties, jumpers had always featured heavily in Christmas adverts. The models’ usual suits

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the goddess of love, went to all the animals and plants of the natural world to secure an oath that they would not harm him. But she forgot to ask the humble mistletoe, so the god Loki cunningly made an arrow from the plant and used it to kill the otherwise invincible Baldur. But the gods were able to resurrect him, so (somewhat counterintuitively perhaps) Frigg declared mistletoe a symbol of love and vowed to plant a kiss on all those who passed beneath it. Mistletoe’s associations with fertility and health continued through the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century it had become entwined with Christmas celebrations. Unusually the kissing tradition spread upwards from the lower classes of servants to the middle classes. The old custom was that men were allowed to steal a kiss from any woman caught standing under the mistletoe, and refusing was viewed as bad luck. Some versions have the men pluck a single berry from the mistletoe with each kiss, and to cease their amorous intents when the mistletoe was bare. Do you love or hate the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe? By Tom Hancock

and dresses were replaced with cosy knitwear to encourage consumers to buy seasonal goods. These were more conventional woollies though. As Christmas became ever more commercial, ‘novelty’ jumpers appeared decorated with snowmen, snowflakes, Santas, and popular cartoon characters dressed in festive attire. In the film Bridget Jones’s Diary, Colin Firth’s character sported a classic ‘ugly’ Christmas jumper with a giant reindeer’s head emblazoned on the front, and the ugly Christmas jumper entered British consciousness. Almost everyone from celebrities to politicians own at least one item of silly feastive knitwear. There’s a Christmas jumper to suit every taste, from ‘techno-knits’ covered in fairy lights, which connect to your phone and play musical clips, to jumpers bearing whimsical dachshunds in Santa hats, through to elegantly beautiful sparkly numbers that wouldn’t look out of place at a cocktail event. Pull on your Christmas pullover on December 8th and help raise money for a good cause. By Sarah Davey

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Gingerbread Run, run, fast as you can, You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!

Ginger root originally came to Europe via the Silk Road, which was an ancient trade route, and in the Middle Ages it was used for medicinal purposes and in the preserving of meats. By the late Middle Ages, Europeans had begun to bake sweet gingerbread biscuits. These were shaped like animals, kings, and queens, and were sometimes gilded with gold leaf. They were a staple at Medieval fairs across Europe, particularly in England, France, Holland, and Germany. Queen Elizabeth I is even said to have had some made to resemble the dignitaries visiting her court. So popular was gingerbread that the fairs became known as Gingerbread Fairs, and the gingerbread biscuits were named ‘fairings.’ As the fairs took place throughout the year the shapes of the gingerbread changed with the seasons: flowers in the spring and leaves in the autumn.

Who hasn’t eaten a festive gingerbread man? You may even have attempted to make a gingerbread house. Gingerbread is strongly associated with Christmas but how did that happen?

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The gingerbread houses we know today originated in Germany during the 16th century. Bakers created elaborate buildings were decorated with foil and white icing in addition to gold leaf. The Brothers Grimm penned the story of Hansel and Gretel, who discover a house made entirely of sweet treats, deep in the forest, but it’s unclear whether the popularity of gingerbread houses were a result of the fairy tale, or whether the fairy tale borrowed from an already established tradition. Quite why gingerbread became associated with Christmas is also unclear but is probably due to a number of factors. Christmas markets were big ‘whole town’ events, and gingerbread is easy to make, and keeps well, so it’s ideal for selling on a stall. It’s likely that the combination of white icing and foil decoration was easily adaptable to create miniature snow-covered dwellings which provided pretty centrepieces for the festive dinner tables of middle-class households. The longevity and structural integrity of gingerbread also lends itself well to creating edible decorations for hanging on trees or giving as gifts. Historically diets of ordinary people were simple and bland because sugar was an expensive luxury. People could only afford to splash out on ingredients for cakes, biscuits, and sweets occasionally, and Christmas was the time when even less well-off people spent a little extra on fancy food and drink. Whatever its history, gingerbread is now firmly entwined with the festive season, from sweet little gingerbread reindeer to gingerbread lattes, the sight, smell, and taste of gingerbread is synonymous with Christmas. By Sarah Davey

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Dancing into the New Year – Saturday 31st December Portishead LeRoc will be dancing in the New Year with a free style dance at the Somerset Hall from 8.00 pm to 1.00 am. Tickets are £15 each and can be purchased via the website www.portisheadleroc. com. This is a chance to bring in the New Year in style by dressing up dancing on a great floor to great music. To find out more visit the website or contact one of the leaders. LeRoc – or modern jive as it is also known draws on different dance styles and the mix of moves means that you can adapt the dance to virtually any music, from current chart hits to big band swing, rock and roll, jazz, blues and Latin. Regular dance classes are held at Portishead Primary School which has a great floor for dancing. Classes for beginners start at 8.00 pm followed by a freestyle session and an intermediate class. Come along with a partner or friend or even on your own. In any event you will be made welcome and comfortable and wonder why you never did it before. Why not give it a try? For more information contact:

COMMUNITY

Have you got your Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs”) in place yet? You need to consider making these important documents whilst you are able and have capacity to do so to ensure you are protected. We do not know what our future holds for us and you should consider making the LPAs sooner rather than later to put your affairs in order. LPAs need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”) before they can be used and at the moment, the OPG is taking nearly five months to turn the LPAs around - not days as shown in a recent episode of Emmerdale! This could be a problem for your family should you need assistance during that period and is another reason why you need to consider making them. With Grove Wills we do everything for you. Our fees are very competitive too. Please contact us to arrange a free “no obligation” appointment to discuss further.

Steve.wonnacott@hotmail.com dave@portisheadleroc.com www.portisheadleroc.com

Walking Group – Various December Dates The Gordano Footpath Group are a local footpaths group based in the Gordano Valley area of North Somerset. Catering for all abilities with walks of varying lengths. Below are the walks they have planned for December Thursday 1st - Walton in Gordano 5 mls. 9.30am. Tuesday 6th - Failand (packed lunch) 8 mls 9.00am. Thursday 15th - Xmas walk and lunch (pre-booked Xmas lunch) 4 mls. 9.00am. Wednesday 21st - Chew Magna (packed lunch) 6 mls. 9.00am. Thursday 29th - Apres Xmas walk 5.5mls 9.30am. Further details can be found on their website www. gordano-footpath-group.org.uk/ or call Mr. Ian Donovan (Chairman) - 01275 848024 or Mrs Christine Scruby (Secretary) - 01275 817139.

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COMMUNITY

Portishead Camera Club – Various dates On December 1st the life journey of Philip Dunn, from tea boy to photojournalist for the Sunday Times will be a Zoom meeting. December 8th sees the final meeting before Christmas, the Christmas Social, at Redcliffe Bay Hall. Meetings resume at the Hall in 2023 with Cate Barrow’s “Underwater Worlds” on January 12th. Club members Nigel Power and Paul Ruddock will entertain everyone with their very different pictures on January 19th. Incredible Natural History pictures from Paul contrast with Nigel’s landscapes, monochrome and evocative train scenes. The next Open meeting, free to all visitors is on January 26th, otherwise £3 includes refreshments. Expert speakers, regular competitions and outings provide great learning opportunities for those wanting to improve their photography. www.portisheadcameraclub.co.uk

Portishead Quaker Meeting House – December Worship Sunday worship times for December are as follows: Sunday 4th via Zoom 10.30am. Sunday 11th at the Meeting House 10.30am. Sunday 18th at the Meeting House 10.30am. Wednesday 21st 7.30pm via Zoom. Sunday 25th 10.30am via Zoom. For zoom joining details please email the clerk portishead.clerk@bristolquakers.org.uk All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. The meeting House is at 11, St. Mary’s Rd, Portishead, BS20 6QP

U3A Groups – Various Days A steady flow of new u3a interest groups are being set up across all the towns and villages of Woodspring. Portishead Book Group started in November and is looking for a few more members. ‘Music for Fun’ is a very friendly group. They believe in the motto ‘the more the merrier’ and happily welcome new members. Other ideas for groups which just need some people to help start them are Quilting, May Jong and Day Trippers. All fun ways to meet people, make new friends and have fun. For further information please visit the u3a website u3asites.org.uk/woodspring/ home

Gym Academy PAYG Sessions – Various days We run a number of fun filled PAYG Drop-In Sessions throughout the week, an opportunity for you and your child to explore our fun gymnasium with age appropriate soft play, foam pits and trampolines! 16 | www.localreach.co.uk

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More information below, advance bookings necessary: Toddling Tigers: 0-3.5-year-olds - Tuesday/ Thursday/Friday/Sunday mornings. Sunday Funday: 4–8-year-olds - Sunday Mornings 10.30-11.30am Bookings can be made via our Customer Portal app.iclasspro.com/portal/academy

Jubilee Day Care offers a Helping Hand - Mondays This voluntary group has been providing a once a week (Mondays) day care meeting at Jubilee Hall for more than 40 years. If you are housebound, or just lonely and would like to get out and share a day with others, then we would love to help you. We pick up in private cars at 10am. , enjoy various activities throughout the morning, share a hot two course meal together and then depart for home at 2.30pm. All this for a modest £10 (If you live more than two miles from the hall you may have to provide your own transport). If you are a Carer and would value a break once a week, then we will look after the person you are caring for to allow you some free time.If you are unsure about coming, give us a try to see how you like it. Ring Mike Burt on 01275 847857 for a chat.

Singing is good for you! - Mondays/ Wednesdays/Thursdays Wendy Sergeant runs choirs for people of all ages who love to sing. No need to read music; learn songs in unaccompanied harmony by ear. Wendy is an inspiring and upbeat teacher – each session involves as much laughing as singing. Very friendly groups – great for meeting new people. Beautiful songs from around the world from jazz to pop, world music to folk and beyond. Clevedon A Cappella (women only) Mondays 2 – 3.30pm St Andrew’s Church Centre, Old Church Road, Clevedon BS21 7UF Portishead Sound, Wednesdays 7.30 – 9pm Portishead Methodist Church, Portishead High Street BS20 6EN Vibe Pop/Rock Choir Thursdays 7.30 – 9.30pm (Co-run with Catherine Smith; contact vibepopchoir@ gmail.com) St Joseph’s School, Bristol Road, Portishead BS20 6QB Contact Wendy to arrange a free taster session. Tel 07899 044606 or 01275 814220, Email sergeant. wendy@gmail.com More information at www.wendysergeant.com

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LOCAL EXPERT COMMUNITY PAGE

Step into 2023 without painful feet Healthy feet = staying fit and mobile Unhealthy feet = missing out on the daily things you enjoy doing Healthy feet are essential to leading a full and active life. But foot problems are common. Fact! Your feet face many challenges; dry cracked skin, fungal nails, ingrown toenails, Athlete’s foot, calluses and corns. And if you have diabetes, it can be even harder for your feet to stay healthy. All this can be incredibly debilitating and lead to a slew of problems including difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, and even doing basic everyday tasks. And as you grow older, there are only two things you want to be – mobile and independent. You don’t want to be stuck anywhere, and you don’t want to rely on anyone. That’s where I come in. I’m Helen and I help you maintain healthy feet by identifying your individual needs and treating issues accordingly. This will allow you to remain mobile and independent, so you can enjoy the things in life that are important to you. All appointments are carried out in clinic at Kestrel Court. A full medical history and foot health assessment is carried out at the first appointment before answering your questions, discussing general foot health management and what treatments are necessary. As a fully qualified and insured foot health care practitioner, I’m here to alleviate your foot pain and discomfort, by providing a bespoke foot care service that identifies your individual needs, treatments and on-going maintenance. I trained at the SMAE Institute in Maidenhead, one of the most highly respected foot care training clinics in the country, and I offer in-clinic appointments at Kestrel Court.

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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE

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The Twelve Days of Gleaming! On the first day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the second day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Two Clean Roasting Tins and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the third day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: 3 New Oven Liners, Two Clean Roasting Tins and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the fourth day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Four Gleaming Glass Doors, 3 New Oven Liners…and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the fifth day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Five Sparkling Racks, Four Gleaming Glass Doors…and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the sixth day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Six Shiny New Bulbs, Five Sparkling Racks… and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the seventh day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Seven Seals Degreased, Six Shiny New Bulbs …. and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers

18 | www.localreach.co.uk

On the eighth day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Eight Hinges Gliding, Seven Seals Degreased ...and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the ninth day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Nine Fan Blades Spinning, Eight Hinges Gliding…and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the tenth day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Ten Shiny Oven Walls, Nine Fan Blades Spinning …and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the eleventh day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: Eleven Cooker Knobs Turning, Ten Shiny Oven Walls …and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers On the twelfth day of Gleaming my true love sent to me: 12 HOURS CLEANING SAVED, Eleven Cooker Knobs Turning …and A Gleaming Cooker cleaned by OvenGleamers!!

Call Graham at OvenGleamers TODAY on 01275 370571 and get yours gleamed!

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Pill Festival Band – Mondays Pill Festival Band is a lively, friendly, well-established orchestra serving North Somerset and the surrounding area. It is the only band or orchestra in the area that welcomes players of all ages and all abilities. We rehearse most Monday evenings at Pill Memorial Club. If you are interested in joining a band or an orchestra, look at our website at www.pfb.org.uk to see much more about us or just come along to a rehearsal and watch.

COMMUNITY

Senior Citizen’s Social Sessions – Mondays and Wednesdays Portishead Youth Centre is not just for the young you know?! On Monday’s Seniors can call in for coffee, cake, and companionship between 1.30pm and 3pm. Go along relax and meet some new faces - all are welcome. Wednesdays there is a lunch and activity club between 1pm and 2.30pm. You can enjoy lunch and optional weekly activities, such as card games, bingo, board games and more. £2 per week for activities. For more information call 01275 842461.

Little Stars Toddler Group – Mondays Have fun with your pre-schoolers at Little Stars Toddler Group at Redcliffe Bay Methodist Church Hall, Queens Road, Portishead. We meet term time from 9.30-11.30am, cost is £2.00 plus 50p for each additional child. Booking isn’t required. For more information you can contact Sue Mason on 07523 190179 or email samason15@aol.com.

Ageing Well Exercise Class – Seated Yoga - Mondays

New Dance Fusion & Sass Class – Mondays & Wednesdays Due to the huge popularity of our new Dance Fusion and Sass classes, we will be putting on an extra class on Wednesdays at 8pm, so these classes are now available twice a week! This is on top of our already popular class programme, including Pilates, Circuits, Zumba and HIIT. £6.50 per class or included in all memberships from £14.99pcm. Email sportcentre@gordanosportscentre.org.uk or visit their website.

Join a seated Yoga Class. Breath, Stretch and Flex with Age UK Somerset– Mondays at 09:45. St George’s Church Hall, Easton Gordano. £5 per class, bookings are advised but drop ins are welcome too. Call 01823 345626.

Keep Active in Portishead with Age UK Somerset – Mondays & Tuesdays Keep active this winter with our Movement to Music and Tai Chi sessions in Portishead. Specially designed for people over 60, there’s something for everyone with these fun sessions. Movement to Music is a lively class, ideal for your general fitness, held Monday and Tuesday mornings at Wesley Methodist Church Hall, Portishead. Tai Chi QiGong is a programme of 18 mindful movements for your physical and mental wellbeing, held at Portishead Methodist Church on Wednesday afternoons.

To advertise your community event or notice, email

hello@localreach.co.uk

Please note this is a paid service and prices start from only £22+vat per month.

Bookings advised. For more information or to book your place contact 01823 345624. Email: ageingwell@ageuksomerset.org.uk Visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/activities-andevents/ageing-well-classes-timetable/

COMMUNITY MAGAZINES

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COMMUNITY

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Portishead’s Ladies’ Walking Netball Team - Tuesdays The Posset Netters (aka The Posset Nutters) - formed in March of this year, entered their first Walking Netball (WN) Festival in October and will be taking part in The Trailblazers Christmas WN Festival on 11th December in Hutton Moor. There’s another WN Festival in March and The Posset Netters would really like to have more ladies join their ranks. The Netters are primarily drawn from the three Portishead Women’s Institute (WI) Groups but it is not an exclusive group and all interested ladies are welcomed at the sessions. They play at Parish Wharf once a week under the eagle eye of their England Netball coach so do come along for some fun (Tuesdays at 10:45) and if you need more details contact Claire on 07910 770422.

Portishead Concert Band - Tuesdays Portishead Concert Band meets every Tuesday 7:30pm until 9pm in St Nicholas Church on Nore Road, Portishead BS20 8EN. We would welcome Clarinet Flute and all woodwind and brass players. No audition, if you like us, stay

and play, if not no problem. Do come along to any rehearsal and meet us behind the scenes, so to speak. If you would like to contact us, email our secretary Chris at cdpearce@btinternet.com

Tai Chi Classes For Beginners – Tuesdays Always wanted to try Tai Chi? For centuries, the Chinese have practised Tai Chi as simple but powerful form of exercise for strength, balance and mindfulness. The Bristol School of Tai Chi has a Tuesday evening class at Flax Bourton Primary School, Station Road. Any questions contact Ben Milton 0117 9493955 taichi@bristoltaichi.com, www.bristoltaichi.com

Portishead LeRoc – Tuesdays Portishead LeRoc meet at Portishead Primary School on Tuesday nights at 8pm. LeRoc or modern jive as it is also known draws on different dance styles and the mix of moves means that you can adapt the dance to virtually any music. After the classes there is a free-style session to enable people to practice their moves, meet new people and enjoy the atmosphere. Come along with a partner or friend or even on your own. You will be made welcome and comfortable. For more information contact: Steve.wonnacott@ hotmail.com, dave@portisheadleroc.com or visit www.portisheadleroc.com

To advertise your community event or notice, email

hello@localreach.co.uk

Please note this is a paid service and prices start from only £22+vat per month.

COMMUNITY MAGAZINES

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Rhyme Times at Portishead Library – Tuesdays (term-time) Come along to fun, free sessions sharing nursery rhymes, action rhymes and musical instruments at Portishead Library every Tuesday during term time 9.30-10am and 10.30-11am. Places are limited. Please book online at n-somersetlibraries. eventbrite.com or through library staff.

Rotary Club - Tuesdays Portishead Rotary Club meets Tuesdays at the Albion Pub on Bristol Road 7pm for 7.15pm. Everyone is welcome to join – We are a club where we support the local community in various ways. We also look to help with international projects/ disasters through Rotary founded Shelterbox which organises emergency shelter and aid for those in

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need. We are an informal club and have at least two visiting speakers each month to address the club. We have social events and enjoy sports such as skittles and boules. We are always looking for like-minded people to come and join us – interested please contact Paul Darling 07985 016673 email pauldarling321@icloud.com

Café Mamma – Tuesdays Café Mamma is a weekly drop-in café for local families, providing support, encouragement, and information to breastfeeding mums. It is a place where mums can meet with other mums, as well as with trained peer supporters, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We are open every Tuesday morning, from 10am to 11.30am at: Portishead Children’s Centre, St Barnabas Centre (the old St Barnabas School) West Hill, Portishead.

Baby & Me - Wednesdays A weekly term time group for parents & little ones. We provide a space to socialise & find support if you need it, while you enjoy bottomless hot drinks & snacks. Find us at Portishead Children’s Centre,

COMMUNITY

Wednesdays 9.30 till 11am. Drop in or book a space at: calendly.com/mammaknows

Spiritualist Meetings - Wednesdays Portishead Spiritualist Association meet at Brampton Way Preschool Hall, Brampton Way, Portishead, every Wednesday night, barring Christmas and New Year, for a Clairvoyant Evening starting at 7.30pm through to 9pm with a different Medium each week. We charge £5 at the door but we are all volunteers so any net profits go to various charities.

Tai Chi QiGong with Age UK Somerset Wednesdays Pronounced “Chee Gung”, this gentle form of Tai Chi is suitable for anyone as you can participate seated or standing. It combines breathing and relaxation movements to balance the mind and improve flexibility. This friendly class is designed for people over 60 and is held at Portishead Methodist Church on Wednesdays at 2pm. To book your place or for more information contact Age UK Somerset on 01823 345626 or email ageingwell@ ageuksomerset.org.uk

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COMMUNITY

Story Times at Portishead Library – Wednesdays (term-time) Come along to fun, free sessions sharing stories and rhymes at Portishead Library. Story times are held every Wednesday during term time 1111.30am. Places are limited. Please book online at n-somersetlibraries.eventbrite.com or through library staff.

Parent Support Coffee and Catch up Thursdays An informal support session is held on Thursdays, 9am – 10.30am at Portishead Youth Centre. Meet other parents with children up to 12 months old and have fun with sensory play, coffee and chat. Monthly visits from Bristol Sling Library on the first Thursday of each month. £2 entry per week, 1.30pm-3pm. Email amanda@portisheadyouthcentre.co.uk for more information.

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rhymes, action rhymes and musical instruments at Pill Library every Friday during term time 9.3010am. Places are limited. Please book online at n-somersetlibraries.eventbrite.com or through library staff.

Daylight Plus Club – Fridays Daylight Plus is a club for people who are blind or visually impaired, which meets 10.15 - 2pm every Friday in Clevedon. Transport provided from Clevedon and surrounding areas (Backwell, Nailsea, Pill and Portishead). Our relaxed programme provides the opportunity for those with visual impairment to meet with similar interests and includes refreshments on arrival and a light lunch. All for under £10 a session! Please Call Vision North Somerset 01934 419393 or email support@visionns.org.uk. Or if you would like to offer your support, please call for a chat about our range of volunteering opportunities.

The Lighthouse Cafe – Thursdays The Lighthouse Café is open every Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm at St. Nicholas’ Church, Nore Road, Portishead, BS20 8EN. Teas, coffee, and homemade cakes are always available, along with a very warm welcome. We do not charge but invite donations which support local charities. Please come and join us! Call 01275 846230 for more information.

Portishead Choral Society – Thursdays Portishead Choral Society is a friendly, choral society with close links to the community. They are dedicated to singing and providing performances of mostly classical music in four voice parts (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass). They rehearse at Portishead Methodist Church, on Thursday evenings, starting at 7.30pm. The society is always keen to welcome singers of all voices: sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Prospective younger members are especially welcome. There are no formal auditions, and previous experience of choral singing isn’t required, although the ability to sing in tune, and to read music, even if only at a basic level, are helpful! If you are thinking about joining, please do go along to a rehearsal to see what it is like. You will be warmly welcomed. Please let them know in advance that you are coming by emailing chairman@portisheadchoral.co.uk Rhyme Times at Pill Library – Fridays (term-time) Come along to fun, free sessions sharing nursery 22 | www.localreach.co.uk

Free family history advice sessions Fridays Would you like to discover more about your family history? With free access to Ancestry.com and knowledgeable family history volunteers, Portishead Library is a great place to research your ancestors. Bring some basic information about your family and our friendly volunteers will assist you to find out more. The sessions are relaxed and informal and will be tailored to individual needs. Bookable appointments are available between 10am and 1pm every Friday. Book a session with our family history volunteers on 01934 426040 or email portishead.library@nsomerset.gov.uk. Alternatively, pop in to see us at Portishead Library, Horatio House, Harbour Road, Portishead, BS20 7AL.

Disco Babies classes. – Fridays & Saturdays These fun parents and me classes are for children who are confident walking to the end of preschool. We run classes in Portishead on Fridays at 9:45am in the Methodist Church, High Street and Saturdays at 9:15am at The Youth Centre. All classes are pay as you go £5 cash on the day.

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Crossword

Word Search

PUZZLES

Across 2 Santa’s helpers (5) 5 _____ Christmas! (5) 6 _____ ____ fairy (5,4) 8 Frozen rain (4) 9 Circular decoration (6) 12 Santa’s means of entry (7) 13 Tree decoration (6) 16 Striped sweet (5,4) 19 Tree topper (4) 20 Film starring Martin Freeman (8) 21 Santa’s lead reindeer (7) 22 Kris _______ (7) 23 Dr Seuss’s green Christmas villain (6) 24 Little _______ Boy (7) Down 1 ______ Bells (6) 2 Traditional dairy drink (6) 3 Charles Dickens’ anti-hero (7) 4 The Holly and the ___ (3) 5 You might get a kiss under this (9) 7 Three Kings Day (8) 10 A girl’s festive name (5) 11 The Christmas ballet (10) 14 Used to build festive houses (11) 15 Famous snowman (6) 16 Christmas song (5) 17 Where Santa lives (5,4) 18 Santa’s transport system (6) 19 Hung over the fireplace or at the end of the bed (8)

Mindbenders

stuffing olives crisps apples tangerines parsnips grapes brie trifle red cabbage gravy broccoli roast potatoes turkey ham carrots sausage rolls mince pies cheddar sprouts mints chocolates Solutions: Turn to page 26 stilton nut roast crackers www.localreach.co.uk | 23

KIDS’ PAGE

24 | www.localreach.co.uk

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LOCALREACH

Sock it to Them

Socks are actually the perfect Christmas gift. They are great for stocking fillers, brilliant for Secret Santa, and just the thing for those awkward relatives and friends. Everyone needs a pair of socks in the winter, particularly now we’re all trying to use the heating less. Bed socks and Hygge-style lounge socks are making a big comeback this year as we all try to keep warm. And socks wear out, they also have a propensity for disappearing. It’s a rare person who can claim to have too many socks! They are affordable too. Even if you have a friend who favours designer brands, a pair of socks is usually within budget. Admittedly cashmere socks are super-expensive, but the recipient will love you forever.

As a child growing up in the Seventies, I thought socks were the most boring Christmas gift possible until the year my Aunty Glenda bought me a rainbow-striped over-the-knee pair with individual toes. She was the coolest aunt and they were the coolest socks. I was the envy of my friends and my obsession with socks began.

And there’s a sock for everyone: witty, pretty, glittery, bright, pastel, practical, and luxurious. The choice is endless. And every time the recipient wears your gift, they’ll think fondly of you. So, sock it to everyone this Christmas. By Kate McCarthy

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RECIPE

Festive Terrine A delicious and easy terrine that looks impressive but is easy to adapt to ingredients you have available

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Ingredients: 1 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra to brush 1 onion, finely chopped 2 tbsp. brandy, (optional) 12 rashers smoked streaky bacon (optional) 2 skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces (about 1cm) 500g minced pork or turkey. 50g frozen peas OR 50g roughly chopped pistachios OR 50g chopped walnuts 50g dried cranberries OR 50g chopped dried apricots OR 50g chopped dried prunes ¾ tsp freshly grated nutmeg leaves from two sprigs of fresh thyme. Plenty of seasoning. Method:

Serves: 8 Preparation time: 30 mins Cooking time: 2 hours plus chilling time

Puzzle Solutions

Cook the onion gently for 10 minutes until softened and translucent. Pour in the brandy if using and cook for 30 seconds. Empty the onions into a large bowl and allow to cool. Preheat oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / Gas mark 4. If using the bacon, line a 2lb loaf tin with 10 of the rashers making sure you leave part of the rashers hanging over the edge of the tin. To the cooled onion in the bowl, add the chopped chicken, minced pork or turkey, and the rest of the chosen ingredients, with the thyme leaves, nutmeg, and a generous amount of seasoning. Mix thoroughly. Press the resulting mixture into the loaf tin, levelling off the surface. If you’re using bacon fold the overhanging rashers over the filling. Fold any overhanging bacon over the filling and cover with the remaining rashers. Press down again. Cover the top with a lightly oiled sheet of cooking foil and press this down on top of the loaf tin. Then wrap the tin securely in a double layer of foil and place put into a roasting tin. Boil the kettle then half-fill the roasting tin with boiling water and carefully transfer to the oven. Cook for 90 minutes until the terrine feels solid when the top is pressed. Lift tin out of the water, remove the outer layers of foil, leaving only the greased foil layer in place. Then carefully pour out any liquid from the terrine to prevent it setting as jelly. Leave to cool. Place a weight on top of the foil layer (tins of beans or even a house brick will do) and chill overnight.

Mindbender: 1: Three wise men 2: Holy night 3: Naughty list 26 | www.localreach.co.uk

Remove the terrine from the fridge and release it from the tin a couple of hours before serving, to allow it to come to room temperature. Slice and serve with chutneys, and warm crusty bread.

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COMMUNITY

Water Safety

Pre-natal support course

The RNLI has been saving Lives at Sea since 1824 - more than 100,000 so far. The volunteers are at Stand-by 24/7. However, the organization is not limited to launching a lifeboat or providing lifeguards to save lives. The RNLI is increasingly taking a more proactive approach to the prevention and education of marine and coastal casualties. Safety teams develop and deliver key safety messages, playing an important part in preventing accidents on and in the water.

A 2-day support course led by registered midwife Nikki Hennigan on all aspects of pregnancy, including becoming a new parent and caring for your new-born baby.

RNLI Portishead operates from their new purposebuilt state of art Lifeboat station which was opened in 2015. Since March 2022 a new volunteer role has been added to their organization – the RNLI Water Safety Officer. Bernd Langheim who started as a shore crew member and a Water Safety Adviser has now taken on this pivotal role. The first thing on his to-do list was to design and implement the Water Safety and Lifesaving Plan. This is designed to identify “at risk” groups to reduce fatalities and serious incidents by working with partners to develop specifically targeted interventions. Since the completion of the Community Lifesaving Plan which includes a specific action plan, several activities have been taken place. The latest was a comprehensive presentation including a lifejacket talk to the Clevedon Canoe Club which took place at the RNLI Portishead station. If your organization is interested in a Water Safety presentation, please contact Bernd by email: bernd_langheim@rnli.org.uk

Interested in becoming a Health Walk Leader? Could you spare an hour or so on a weekly, fortnightly, or even monthly basis to help people in your community to walk a little more to improve their health? By joining one of the existing groups alongside other experienced volunteer walk leaders you will meet, chat and support others become more active. You certainly do not need to be a fanatical walker, just have a positive attitude in motivating others to reap the benefits of getting out in the fresh air.

Suitable to attend from 25 weeks pregnant for both mum and partner. £25 per person, per 2-day course. Upcoming dates include: 7th and 8th January, 4th February (longer day to cover all topics over 1 day), 4th and 5th March. Email amanda@portisheadyouthcentre.co.uk to book and for more information.

Gordano Breakfast Rotary We are delighted to announce that at a recent charity fund raising concert featuring the band MAGENTA, we raised £720 that goes forward to our charities and good causes including The Jessie May Trust, The Nicola Corry Support Foundation and The Ebenezer Clinic. Our thanks go to all who attended and your donations. For further information ring John on 07976 280 149 or visit our website. www.gordanobreakfastrotary. org

Portishead Horticultural Society – Looking Forward The Portishead Horticultural Society held the last meeting for the 2022 programme on the 8 November. We will resume monthly meetings on the 8 February 2023. We will be hosting a Spring Show on Saturday 11th March and welcome entries from non-members, so if you have some pots of Spring bulbs why not enter. For details of the classes please email info@ portisheadsummershow.com. We have a coach trip to Kapunda Plants, a hellebore nursery in Bath with a two-acre garden pm the 15 March. The visit will be followed by lunch at the Cross Keys.

The trip is open to non-members so if you are interested please ring Daphne Dennis on 01275 You may also discover some of the hidden paths 265455. and open spaces in your immediate area that you did not know existed. If you would like to volunteer For more information on the Society please see our or would like more information, please either websites www.portisheadhorticultural.org.uk and email getactive@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01275 www.portisheadsummershow.com 882731. www.localreach.co.uk | 27

BOOK REVIEW

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A Good Read

A Boy Called Christmas One Day in December by Josie Silver

It’s the time of year for a feel-good romantic novel, one that can be enjoyed curled up under a blanket with a nutmeg-spiced hot chocolate. Laurie is unlucky in love and stuck in a career rut. One day she is sitting on a bus when she spots a man reading at the bus stop. He looks up, their eyes meet and somewhere there is a spark. Laurie can’t stop thinking about him, wondering if they will ever meet. Her best friend and roommate Sarah is Laurie’s opposite. She introduces Jack, her new boyfriend to Laurie, anxious that they will hit it off except... her boyfriend is the man from the bus, the guy that Laurie has been dreaming about. No surprises here...classic romantic chick-lit so far. Cue heartbreak and hiccups, and the quest not to hurt a friend while pursuing your own ‘happily ever after’. But this novel actually spans a decade (unusual for a romance) of friendship, fate, unrequited feelings, forgiveness, heartache, and love. It’s not a typical love story...there’s good character development. It’s told both from Laurie and Jack’s perspectives, with the reader privy to their thoughts and feelings. It has all the nostalgia (and a few of the cliches) of a Richard Curtis film, but the trio of central characters clearly care deeply about each other. Their friendship feels genuine, which in turn makes us care about them and gives the story its heart. If this book doesn’t get made into a film at some point, I’ll be surprised. 28 | www.localreach.co.uk

by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould This enthralling tale tells the story of Father Christmas as a boy. It’s touching, funny and packed with memorable characters Nikolas and his lumberjack father Joel are poor. Miika (a mouse) is his Nikolas’ only friend. In his whole life Nikolas has only received two Christmas presents: a sleigh and a turnip doll. Then Anders the Hunter comes to recruit Joel to work on a mission for the King. If they can prove the existence of Elves they will be rewarded handsomely. Keen to improve their circumstances, Joel heads off, leaving Nikolas to be looked after by his horrible Aunt Carlotta. When Joel doesn’t return Nikolas begins to worry and eventually sets out with Miika on the long and treacherous journey to find his father. Along the way there is Elf Village, a kidnapped elf, a naughty Truth Pixie that likes to watch people’s heads explode, and an unpleasant Troll named Sebastian. There is also of course, a flying reindeer. Haig does not disappoint with the ending, explaining how Nikolas finally finds his purpose, by becoming Father Christmas. A Boy Called Christmas is the perfect festive story to read to children on the run-up to Christmas. As a bonus it is beautifully illustrated by Chris Mould. One you will return to each Christmas. By Tash Donovan

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