LocalReach Wedmore November 2022

THINKING OF SELLING?

If so, have you thought about what you are looking for from your Estate Agent??

Often the obvious answer will be, the best possible price and as quickly as possible. There are a number of factors which will help an estate agent achieve this for a seller. In the main, this will be achieved by using an estate agent who invests heavily, as well as sensibly, in marketing and advertising. Not only to ensure they expose their client’s property as much as possible, but when doing so, to create a huge database of buyers looking for a new home. This approach for you and our other clients will ensure we will always have a huge pool of buyers to turn to at all times.

Charles Barnard Estate Agents is a local family firm specialising in residential sales. We sell all types of residential property, from flats to substantial homes with land. We will even manage an auction for you, if the property warrants it. We embrace modern technology, including professional standards in photography, including drone images when appropriate, floor plans, bespoke brochures and advanced estate agency software. Everything is included at no extra cost within the service we offer. This is a ‘NO SALE NO FEE’ service.

We are committed to high levels of customer service and the traditional values you will expect of a well-

established firm of estate agents. We do not ‘rely’ on computers or technology and unlike many other estate agents, we see the value in a proactive, personal approach and a need to keep in regular contact with buyers. This ensures purchasers are properly introduced to every property which may suit their needs. Old fashioned matching people to property. In this way, we are proud to be different.

We realise how important communication is, not only when looking for the right buyer for your home, but once a sale has been agreed. Too often estate agents forget how important this is. Your solicitor will be working hard to ensure you are covered legally, whilst we are busy chasing everyone throughout the chain to find a way to help the sale get across the line as quickly and as painlessly as possible.

We are constantly thinking outside the box when looking at other options for advertising. Unlike many larger corporate type firms, our budgets and methods are not restricted. As a family firm we are able to adapt our marketing and advertising to suit a particular property, hopefully your property.

We hope you can see we are committed to doing everything possible to ensure every property is seen by the right person at the right time.

We remind you, all of this is offered on a NO SALE, NO FEE basis. If we are not successful in selling your home, we will not get paid a penny for trying.

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 £15+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.

you are interested in gaining more visitors

your event

more customers for your business go to www.localreach.co.uk

YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF LOCALREACH EACH MONTH?

LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Wedmore, Cheddar, Axbridge, Winscombe/BS28, BS27, BS26, BS25 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident and business, totalling 10,430 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.

Fruit & Nut Bark – a great gift to make for Christmas

Ingredients

75g cup walnuts

450g good white chocolate, finely chopped

75g dried cranberries

75g medium-diced dried apricot

Directions

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.

Using a pencil, draw an 8-by-10-inch rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Turn the parchment paper over so the pencil mark doesn’t get onto the chocolate and place it on a sheet pan.

Place the walnuts in one layer on another sheet pan and bake for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Place three quarters of the white chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds.

Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted.

Immediately stir in the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it’s completely smooth.

(If you need to heat it a little more, place it in the microwave for another 15 seconds.)

Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and spread it lightly to fill the drawn rectangle.

Sprinkle the top evenly with the cooled walnuts, the cranberries, and apricots. Press the nuts and fruit lightly so they will set in the chocolate.

Set aside for at least 2 hours until firm or refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Cut or break the bark in 16 pieces and serve at room temperature.

Great as Christmas presents – present in a small box or cellophane bag tied with a pretty ribbon.

Blossom Bathrooms - The very best in Design, Choice and Quality

Blossom Bathrooms is an independent, family run bathroom showroom and design studio

Based on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills in the picturesque village of Cheddar. We are a husbandand-wife team and have gained our knowledge and experience working over 40 years between us in the bathroom retail, design and manufacturing industry.

Being a small business, we offer a personal service with inspirational ideas supported with a wealth of knowledge from our business experience.

Whatever the size of your space or your budget, we are here to help with anything from product advice to a full bathroom re-design. Everything in our extensive product range is also available to buy separately.

Stop by the showroom to learn more about our services, just for a browse at your own pace or we can also make appointments, and one of us can show you around our brand-new showroom and discuss your project needs in further detail. It showcases a range of modern and traditional products selected by us, that we genuinely believe will be a great addition to your Bathrooms.

We have dedicated our time planning the Showroom providing the very best in design, choice, quality of product, price and service and look forward to welcoming you.

Everything starts with a chat, so call us today on 01934 906516. We’re on hand to provide expert advice and support.

GREAT PRODUCTS, GREAT SERVICE, GREAT RELATIONSHIPS

From product advice to a full bathroom re-design, we are delighted to help you with your bathroom plans.

Whatever the size of your space or your budget, we’re here to help. Visit our Showroom today!

Grey is the New Black Going grey gracefully

A few years ago, I noticed that younger women were dying their hair grey. As a 45-year-old woman the irony was not lost on me. There I was paying to dye my hair back to its original chestnut while the 23-yearold sitting at the next basin was paying the same to achieve my silver locks. WHY was I doing this?

One of the many downsides of colouring hair is that you have to repeat the process every 3-8 weeks. I was closer to three weekly and was planning my life around my roots. Then there was the expense. Finally, I was beginning to notice that dyed hair just didn’t look authentic on me. So, I decided to embrace the grey.

There are many benefits of Pilates Classes

Increased core stability

Improves posture

Reduces back/joint pain

Increases energy

Relieves stress

Improves flexibility

Improves balance

Strengthens bones

Improves cognitive function

Meet new people

Have fun

much more….

run mixed ability Matwork classes on Monday

and Wednesday mornings and a

Based class on a Wednesday morning.

roberta@thriveandshinestudio.co.uk to book your space.

Why do we go grey anyway?

Each hair grows from a follicle which contains cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce two types of pigments: eumelanin (dark brown or black), and pheomelanin (reddish yellow). In combination they are responsible for our hair colour. As we age the melanocytes in the hair follicle start to die and the hair becomes more transparent. Gray hair still has some melanin, but not enough to give us back our youthful hue. White hair has no melanin.

The process of going grey

Lots of people opt for a shorter haircut but it’s not essential. I didn’t. I decided I’d grow mine to shoulder length and brazen it out. My hair is still fairly thick, so I wanted to make the most of it. My hairdresser recommend a textured cut to give it volume and movement. I still hated it for the first three months, as my roots came in, and I wore hats a lot. I nearly caved at one point but my wonderful hairdresser talked me off the ledge. By six months I was loving the changes.

My hairdresser recommended that I used products with a bit of shine. Grey hair loses its natural shine and can look less healthy. I love to use a hair oil from about halfway down my hair, which softens and moisturizes it. I don’t use it all the way up the roots because it does weigh the hair down a little. One bonus of being grey is that I have to wash my hair less. Grey hair is naturally drier so whereas before I was washing it every day or every other day, now I usually wash it every three or four days. Another good recommendation was a specialist ‘purple’ shampoo and conditioner. ‘Don’t freak out when you first see it,’ my hairdresser warned me. ‘It’s very purple, but it will brighten your grey hair and remove yellow tones.’ Then she added, ‘Only use it once a week though or you’ll end up lilac!’ It works like a charm. I love how silver my hair looks when I use it but I’m mindful of her warning.

My biggest concern was about looking ‘old.’ It didn’t take me long to realise that if I didn’t embrace more colour in my wardrobe that is exactly what would happen. I switched to a brighter lipstick and added some jewel-coloured tops and statement earrings to my previously all black wardrobe. I even updated my spectacles to a bright coloured frame. In addition, I keep my hair in a modern, more youthful cut and I love the fact that the colour now compliments rather than competes with my skin tone.

Four years on I’m nearly fifty but I no longer worry about my roots, and I’m saving a fortune at the hairdresser. It’s not for everyone but I’d definitely recommend going grey because of the freedom it brings.

By Charlotte Harris

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.

First Class Retirement Living At Sandford Station

Nestled at the foot of the Mendip Hills, Sandford Station is a rural retirement village set in twelve acres of beautiful North Somerset countryside.

With the former Sandford and Banwell railway station as its focal point, the beautifully landscaped site has a range of purpose-built one, two and three bedroom apartments.

Sandford Station

ST MONICA TRUST

Enjoy a full and active retirement at Sandford Station in North Somerset

Each self-contained apartment has been created to blend practicality with ease of living. Wide doorways open onto generous hallways to allow easy access to the light and airy interiors. Clever floorplans include design features that make the best use of space, such as the twin doors of a Jack and Jill bathroom to create en-suite facilities. Storage has not been overlooked with built-in wardrobes and closet space throughout.

To learn more about village life book your place on a guided tour now by calling 0117 919 4250, or visit www.stmonicatrust.org.uk for more information and details of available properties.

Step outside your apartment and become part of a friendly and welcoming community where you’ll have the opportunity to expand your social circles and explore new interests and hobbies. Sandford Station really does offer the best of both worlds – on-site amenities and activities so you can enjoy a full and active retirement; yet peaceful enough for those days when you just want to sit back and enjoy the tranquillity of the birds singing in the nearby apple orchards.

Sandford Station is owned and operated by the St Monica Trust, a Bristol-based charity providing accommodation, care and support for older people in Bristol and the surrounding counties. Across all of the Trust’s retirement villages and care homes, our commitment to providing older people with the best experience of ageing is as important today as it was for our founders over a century ago.

To find out how you could enjoy a first class retirement at Sandford Station book your place on a guided tour now by calling 0117 919 4250. You can also visit www.stmonicatrust.org.uk for more information, to watch an aerial tour and see details of available apartments.

Sandford Station

ST MONICA TRUST

Enjoy a full and active retirement at Sandford Station in North Somerset

To learn more about village life book your place on a guided tour now by calling 0117 919 4250, or visit www.stmonicatrust.org.uk for more information and details of available properties.

fee and reinstatement fee apply

responsive service. It’s the 2nd time I have used central roofing and on both occasions they turned up on time got on with the job and kept us informed on what was being carried out. Went above and beyond and assisted me in issues around insurance. I would recommend this company to anyone with roofing issues.”

used Central Roofing to take down an old flat roof and install another on our business premises at Knight Brothers

The company was very reliable, they turned up when they said they would, the guys that did the work were very tidy and efficient. The work was completed in the time frame they set…we are more than pleased with the finished job.

Garden View

Feeling Fruity

Autumn is well advanced and following some brilliant colour, the trees and shrubs have shed most of their leaves. Many of us will have been busy tidying our plots in preparation for winter. However, if you’ve ever fancied growing your own fruit then now is the perfect time to put in a little extra effort.

From now until spring is the best window to plant fruit trees because now is the time that nurseries are selling bare-root trees. ‘Bare-root’ simply means without pots or soil. Bare root trees are cheaper than those grown in pots, but they are quick to establish providing you follow a few simple steps.

Before you plant the tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for at least two hours, so it gets a good drink.

Prepare a large enough area, at least 1 metre diameter. This means that if you are planting in a lawn you’ll need to remove an area of turf to the same diameter to stop the grass competing with the new tree for nutrients and water. Wherever you plant, make sure you dig in lots of organic matter, this could be garden compost, leaf mould, or wellrotted manure. Make sure you dig it all around the area where the hole will be, rather than just into the

Winscombe and Sandford Festival and Flags Group - What Next For 2023

Did you enjoy the Jubilee Festival in June in Winscombe? Have you ideas for next year? Please join us at our open evening. Wed 30/11/22 7:00pm The Winscombe Club, 7 Sandford Rd, BS25 1HD. A short AGM will also take place. Contact Alison 07776235435 email alisonparmj@aol.com

Make a date in your diaries:

Friday 2nd December from 5.30pm when, as usual, Cheddar will be lit up and buzzing for its much-loved Festive Night! Plenty of shops, restaurants and pubs open with live music, choirs, fairground rides and cave opening with the roads closed to vehicles.

hole itself, because this will encourage the new tree to put roots out into the surrounding soil, helping it to establish quickly.

The hole for the new tree needs to be roomy enough so that the roots will not be crammed together.

Drive a stake into the ground to a depth of at least 60cm. This will provide support for your fledgling tree.

If you are planting a grafted tree, there will be a clear join where it was grafted on to the rootstock This join should remain above the soil level when planted. It’s easier if there are two of you; one to hold the tree at the correct level, and one to backfill the hole around the roots. The person holding the tree should shake the trunk gently as the hole is filled, so that soil gets in between all the roots.

Once you’ve filled the hole, firm the soil gently with your foot. Don’t compact the soil too much. The drag more soil over the compressed area.

Use a soft rubber tie to secure the tree to the stake at a height of 60cm. Too low and the tree won’t be secure; too high and the tree won’t flex enough in the wind. Allowing the tree to flex a little encourages more root growth and results in a stronger tree.

Finally, water in well and apply a 5cm layer of organic mulch over the area but NOT touching the trunk, because it might rot. The mulch helps to suppress weeds, provide insulation, and retain moisture.

Your tree should now be fine until spring when we’ll talk about ongoing care.

Happy Gardening,

By Rachael Leverton

FF

Folly Framing

Bespoke framing for paintings, photos, fabrics, memorabilia and everything in between

6 The Terrace, Folly Lane, Shipham. BS25 1TE info@follyframing.co.uk www.follyframing.co.uk

Take the correct steps now to protect against data loss

Have you ever lost irreplaceable data without any means of getting it back? The question “Why didn’t I back up?” taunts your every moment until eventually you count your losses and move on. Whether it be family photos, work documents, or music, most computers store sentimental or important data. The problem is the data can suddenly become inaccessible due to a plethora of reasons, some unprovoked, occurring entirely at random. Data is stored on the hard drive, a component which can stop working at any moment. When data is not backed up, the drive must be sent off for expensive repairs, with results not guaranteed.

Fortunately there are steps anyone can take to lessen the blow and keep the mind at ease. First off, do not place all your eggs in one basket. Ensure a routine backup is configured, whereby your data is backed up to an external destination, whether it be off-site (online) or a USB backup drive.

Even absent of hardware issues, data is still at risk. Some computer viruses will steal or encrypt your data, usually to be ransomed back to you. Without decent antivirus protection, computer data, and sometimes even your backup, is infected and lost due to these viruses. It is crucial to run decent, paid for antivirus software.

A final tip is to spot and replace failing hardware early on, before problems arise. This is best achieved with an annual computer service carried out by an experienced engineer who can ensure you have a routine backup in-place, get your software up-to-date, ensure that you are running top-rated antivirus protection, and help with upgrades when necessary.

Please see our advert on this page and get in touch if you feel that we can help protect your important data.

Buzzard,

Mortgages What is happening?

Mortgages – What is happening?

Well what a week it have been since the mini budget, with mortgage rates and changing by the hour and lender and consumer confidence low we thought we would just try and help explain what is actually happening in the market.

Well what a week it has been since the mini budget, with mortgage rates and products changing by the hour and lender and consumer confidence low we thought we would just try and help explain what is actually happening in the market.

Over the last week 40% of all mortgage products have been withdrawn and I hear there will be more, those left have started to increase their rates, this is all due to the ‘SWAPS’ rate, this is basically the interbank lending rate in which lenders trade/swap with each other. The rate in September had a highest rate of 5.670% if you compare that to Jan 22 with a rate of 1.275% and highs of less than 1% in 2021. If a lender has a fixed rate of 3.5% but is being charged 5.670% you can see why they started to pull those products quickly as it costs them to give you that mortgage of 3.5%.

Over the last week 40% of all mortgage products have been withdrawn and I hear there will be more, those left have started to increase their rates, this is all due to the ‘SWAPS’ rate, this is basically the interbank lending rate in which lenders trade/swap with each other. The rate in September had a highest rate of 5.670% if you compare that to Jan 22 with a rate of 1.275% and highs of less than 1% in 2021. If a lender has a fixed rate of 3.5% but is being charged 5.670% you can see why they started to pull those products quickly as it costs them to give you that mortgage of 3.5%.

Having spoken to lots of lenders this week things will settle down and in the first part of October, products will start coming back but all predictions show the rates will be higher, so what does that mean for you? To give you an idea of what monthly payments could look like if we follow the Bank of England rate and look at some projections;

Having spoken to lots of lenders this week things will settle down and in the first part of October, products will start coming back but all predictions show the rates will be higher, so what does that mean for you? To give you an idea of what monthly payments could look like if we follow the Bank of England rate and look at some projections;

Bank of England rate:

Current

Expected Dec 22.

Expected Jun 23. 2.25% 4.5% 5.75%

Monthly Repayments £200,000 mortgage, 25 year term £872 £1,111 £1,258

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Bloomberg

This means if you are on a lenders Standard Variable Rate (SVR) by Jun next year your monthly payment on a £200,000 mortgage over 25 years could increase by £386 per month. So, what can you do? If you are on a SVR you can look to switch to a fixed rate now, that will ensure your monthly payments do not move during the initial fixed period, there are other considerations you need to think of when switching to a fixed rate, how long you will stay in your current home? will you need to move during the fixed period? do you have any changes to your circumstances coming up? If you move to a fixed rate then you will be tied in to early repayment charges.

If you have a fixed rate coming to an end in the next few months, speak to your lender and see if you can secure a product transfer and also speak to a mortgage advisor to see if there are any better deals available to you, remember Mortgage Advisors who offer whole of market mortgage advise will have access to more products than your current lender so could get you a better deal, call Liberty Money on 01275 244360 for a no obligation chat.

This means if you are on a lenders Standard Variable Rate (SVR) by Jun next year your monthly payment on a £200,000 mortgage over 25 years could increase by £386 per month. So , what can you do? If you are on a SVR you can look to switch to a fixed rate now, that will ensure your monthly payments do not move during the initial fixed period, there are other considerations you need to think of when switching to a fixed rate, how long you will stay in your current home? will you need to move during the fixed period? do you have any changes to your circumstances coming up ? If you move to a fixed rate then you will be tied in to early repayment charges. If you have a fixed rate coming to an end in the next few months, speak to your lender and see if you can secure a product transfer and also speak to a mortgage advisor to see if there are any better deals available to you, remember Mortgage Advisors who offer whole of market mortgage advise will have access to more products than your current lender so could get you a better deal, call Liberty Money on 01275 244360 for a no obligation chat.

Oh yes, one more thing!!

We have had a rebrand!! From HMC Funding to Liberty Money, HMC was founded to help customers access the financial products that they need to help support their lives. We focus on helping people use their assets to get the best possible financial products for their needs. We use the best people and technology to provide a service that is designed around you to make the journey easier and ensure our customers understand the products we provide.

We are proud of the service and customers we are helping and we are excited to see Liberty Money grow further.

Oh yes, one more thing!!………..We have had a rebrand!! From HMC Funding to Liberty Money, HMC was founded to help customers access the financial products that they need to help support their lives. We focus on helping people use their assets to get the best possible financial products for their needs. We use the best people and technology to provide a service that is designed around you to make the journey easier and ensure our customers understand the products we provide. We are proud of the service and customers we are helping and we are excited to see Liberty Money grow further

Last Month’s crossword solutions: Across (6) Financial Conduct Authority (10) Loan to Value (11) Rent (12) Offer Letter (14) Andrew Bailey (15) Annual Percentage Rate (16) Bank of England Down (1) Interest Only (2) Buildings Insurance (3) Debt (4) Liability (5) Whole of Market (7) Assets (8) Inheritance (9) Mortgage (13) Fixed Rate

Space Invaders

How technology developed for space has appeared on Earth

Space has been in the news a lot recently. From the Mars Rover to the James Webb telescope, we’ve marvelled at amazing images. In the 50th year since man last walked on the moon NASA is once again preparing a Lunar mission. It all seems far removed from our everyday lives, but did you know that some 2000 or more inventions that we use on Earth every day were actually invented by NASA? Here are my favourites:

Memory foam - Oh how I love my memory foam mattress and bike seat, and development of the ‘Tempur’ material used was NASA-funded. Engineers wanted to create better shock-absorbing aircraft seats for test pilots.

Infrared thermometers - Ubiquitous throughout the first COVID outbreak, the technology was developed by the space agency, to gauge the temperature of distant cosmic objects.

Mobile phone cameras - The image sensors used in just about every modern digital camera come directly from NASA. They were looking for better, cheaper, more efficient cameras for spacecraft, but the technology was quickly licensed and harnessed by camera and phone companies and is now used all over the world.

Scratch resistant lens coatings – These were around before NASA got involved, but they were a bit ‘meh’. NASA developed a diamond-like carbon coating and used it to improve the scratchresistance of sensitive instruments by as much as 10 times. RayBan then decided to apply the technology to their lenses to create tough and super cool sunspecs.

Comfortable running shoes - After inventing a rubber moulding process for astronaut helmets, NASA engineers applied the same technology to shoes. It allowed for the creation of shock absorbers in the soles, and these have now become a common feature in running shoes.

By Matthew Carter

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our expert local

your new door and they’ll take away the old one too,

there’s

Live the life you deserve

you thought bathing safely

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 01934 318438.

Bathing a problem?

can

Browns…Your local family business at your service

Being a family business, we know what is important when it comes to your domestic appliances and taking care of them. And at this time of flux we want you to know that you can trust us to be here when something happens. We have been in business for 38 years and have seen a lot of changes. But one thing we know has not changed is that we all want good customer service and businesses we can trust. So, for us each customer is special and unique. We believe that is why customers come back to us again and again and recommend us to friends and family.

We don’t all need the same size drum in our washing machine, but we all want something reliable and economical to run. With our expert knowledge you know that we will be honest about the reliability and performance. We will make sure you know how to use your new machine before we leave you, and we are always on the phone if you get stuck. The same will apply to any other appliance you buy from us – washer dryer, tumble dryer, dishwasher, oven, cooker, hob, freezer, fridge, or fridge freezer.

When you call us for a repair, after diagnosing the fault, we will discuss the repair with you. Apart from the obvious instant repairs like clearing a blockage, the decision is all yours, and you can trust us to be honest in our advice. Whilst we do hold some popular spares in stock, we generally order any spare parts once you have given us the go ahead. This cuts down on waste and helps us maintain our aim to be as eco friendly as possible, whilst guaranteeing you get the right spare first time.

our fireworks this November will spell out - honesty, reliability and value for your money. Give us a call on

- don’t forget to say you saw us in LocalReach.

Football Crazy

Get your World Cup footie facts here

to play soccer. So as part of their winning bid for hosting the World Cup, Qatar agreed to stage the tournament in November and December, where typical temperatures are a more comfortable 21-26 degrees.

It can’t have escaped your notice that we are in the midst of the World Cup Fever! So here are a few World Cup facts for footie novices and experts alike.

The first World Cup took place back in 1930. Jules Rimet, a French football administrator who was the third and longest serving President of FIFA, wanted to create an international competition between men’s football teams. The first World Cup tournament consisted of thirteen invited teams and took place in Uruguay, who won the competition.

The World Cup has been played every 4 years since this inaugural tournament except in 1942 and 1946 when it was suspended because of World War II. Hence it has been held 21 times and 2022 will coincidentally be the 22nd World cup.

In 2018 Russia automatically qualified as the host country, with the remaining 210 nations competing for the remaining 31 places during 872 matches.

Following the international condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russians were banned from the 2022 World Cup. Their scheduled opponents in the playoffs at the time of the ban were Poland, who were given a bye through to the final — where they beat Sweden to book their ticket to Qatar 2022.

The Russian football authorities did appeal the decision, but their case was thrown out by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Brazil has won the most World Cups with five, while Italy and Germany are close behind with four each.

The World Cup is usually held in June and July but the host this year are Qatar. The subtropical desert climate there results in extremely hot summers, with highs averaging between 32-27 degrees. As the temperature often exceeds these averages, the authorities felt it would be too dangerous

The winning team is awarded the World Cup Trophy. Although team gets to enjoy celebrating and being photographed with the trophy after the final, they don’t get to take it away with them. They are sent home with a replica. The current Jules Rimet trophy has been presented to winning teams since 1970. It is made of 18-carat gold and weighs in at 13.5 pounds (just over 6Kg). At the inception of the tournament in 1930 FIFA decided that if any nation won three finals, they would be given the trophy to keep. In 1970 Brazil achieved this feat when they defeated Italy in the final in Mexico, so the trophy was presented to the Brazilian Sports Confederation. It was placed on display on the third floor of the CBF offices in Rio. 13 years later on the night of 19th of December, the security guard was overpowered by a group of thieves and the trophy disappeared. It has never been found.

By Nicky Gray

The Repair Shop

As upholsterers we can turn our hands to many “odd jobs”. In our workshop this week we have several interesting items including a treasured wooden sewing box made by a customer’s father, now deceased, with a damaged leather pad; a handmade blanket box upholstered by a customer’s mother year’s ago, that has seen better days; bar stool seats, mismatched footstools and a broken car door handle for a customer’s pride and joy. All these items have real sentimental value to our customers, and they don’t want to lose them.

Our curtain making team also turn their hands to repairs and alterations. Customers moving house often ask us to alter their old curtains and blinds to fit new windows, thus saving them some money. We also inter-line curtains to increase insulation and cut down on customer’s energy bills.

Repairing old and treasured items is kind to our hearts and kind to our planet. So, before you decide that you need to buy new, think about repairing, restoring and reloving!

To find out more about what we can do for you, visit www.prettysittingvintage.co.uk, email info@ prettysittingvintage.co.uk, phone 01934 752725 or drop by our Tweentown Workshop or Bath Street Showroom, Cheddar.

Pretty Sitting

Parkin for the Win

Perfect for Bonfire Night

Serves 12

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

225g / 8oz Plain flour

2 level tsps Ground ginger

1 level tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

½ level tsp salt

225g /8oz Medium oatmeal

115g / 4oz Black treacle

115g / 4oz Golden syrup

115g / 4oz Soft light-brown sugar

115g /4 oz Unsalted butter

150ml / 5floz Milk

1 Egg - beaten

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas mk 4. Grease and line a 30 x 25 x 5 cm (12 x 10 x 2 inch) roasting tin with grease-proof paper.

Place the treacle, golden syrup, sugar and butter into a heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool a little then beat in the milk and the egg.

Sift the flour, ginger, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the oatmeal and make a well in the centre.

Pour the liquid mixture into the well and beat thoroughly.

Pour into the roasting tin and bake in the centre of the oven until firm and springy.

Leave to cool in the tin. When cold wrap in greaseproof paper and leave for a couple of days in an airtight tin, because the flavour of Parkin improves with keeping.

We are doing it together!

As Christmas fast approaches there is great excitement in the Slimming World groups in Cheddar and Churchill. Cathy and Mary are welcoming new and rejoining members every week. Members that want to get healthier, fitter and make changes to their eating habits for life! At Slimming World we help members understand that Food Optimising is fully flexible and tailorable to every member, so whether you want simple and speedy meal ideas, dishes to suit particular dietary needs or low cost recipes that everyone in your family will love, at Slimming World we tick every box.

At Slimming World you get:

• A room full of like-minded people who support each other all the way to their own personal target.

• A room full of support, encouragement, motivation and inspiration at one of our 40 minute sessions each week.

• A slimming program like no other, with over 53 years experience in the psychology of slimming based on science loved by millions.

• A fabulous Slimming World pack that will set you up with all the knowledge of over 350 FREE FOODS you can enjoy unlimited amounts of, plus the knowledge and belief that no foods are banned.

• You will have access to hundreds of Slimming World meals, at the touch of a button, along side a barcode scanner to help you shop more easily.

• You will get access to hundreds of free activity videos that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home and at all levels.

And so much more!…There is a fabulous new Soup book to go along side a wide range of recipe books that will help and inspire you in the kitchen whatever your fav meals are. A Slimming World magazine, 7 days planned and inspiration for only £1.95 (special members price).

Dont delay, join one of our groups today. Would you like to to be 1 stone lighter or more by Christmas??? We’ve got the power together!

Cheddar

Tuesday & Thursday

5:00pm & 6:30pm

The Catholic Hall

Tweentown BS27 3HU

Call Cathy 07971 575158

Cheddar Wednesday 9:00am & 10:30am

The Catholic Hall

Tweentown BS27 3HU

Call Cathy 07971 575158

slimmingworld.co.uk

Churchill Thursday 5:30pm

Churchill Memorial Hall Ladymead Lane BS25 5NH

Call Mary 07811 709184

The Poignant Poppy

Why do we wear the poppy? - Scarlet poppies grow wild all over western Europe wherever the soil has been disturbed. The battles of the First World War churned up such vast areas of earth that millions of poppies germinated and bloomed, often around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

A Canadian surgeon called John McRae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields, which many of us study in school. The poem is a haunting memorial to those soldiers who have died in any war and the imagery

of the poppies is used to symbolise the deaths of those who fought.

Why do we hold a two-minute silence? - On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the guns of World War I fell silent. Four years of fighting and devastation finally ended. The following year ceremonies of remembrance took place on what was known as Armistice Day. An armistice is an agreement for the cessation of active hostilities between two sides in a war.

An Australian journalist, Edward George Honey first proposed a respectful silence to remember the dead. He wrote a letter to the London Evening News which was brought to the attention of King George V. The king issued a proclamation which called for a two-minute silence.

These days Armistice Day is more usually known as Remembrance Sunday and is a chance to honour the fallen soldiers of all conflicts.

In the light of the atrocities going on Ukraine this year, I hope you’ll think even more about your poppy and all it stands for.

By Nicky Gray

A Good Read

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

This is the most beautiful and unusual book I have read for a while. With themes of love, family, grief, mental health, and substance abuse it sounds heavy, but be assured that though the book is heavy at 548 pages, the story is not.

Benny Oh is a 14-year-old boy whose father dies in an unfortunate accident. Benny and his mother Annabelle grieve in their different ways. Annabelle begins to hoard while Benny starts to hear the voices of the objects in his home speak to him; the socks which want to be with their partner and books which want to be organised on the shelf. Benny find this constant noise unsettling and intrusive and retreats to the library where all the things use their quiet voices, and where he meets some wonderful off-grid characters who provide a moving insight into mental ill-health.

The Book actually narrates the novel. The Book is a character in its own right and interacts with Benny directing him to be the hero of his own story. They even disagree over how to tell the family’s back story, particularly when it comes to his mother’s sex life.

Ozeki blurs the line between Benny’s hallucinations and the reality of The Book. Do the objects really talk to him?

Infused with warmth and wisdom the novel has some great characters, like the landlady’s evil son who is hell bent on evicting Benny and Annabelle, and a Marie Kondo character who Anabelle appeals to for help, shining a light on how our relationships are impacted by the importance we give to material belongings and the clutter we allow in our lives.

This is an enchanting and highly original novel. I read it then listened to the audio book, narrated by Kerry Shale, which I have to say was even better!

By Tash Donovan

ColourFence Fencing, built to last for at least 25 years!

ColourFence is becoming increasingly popular across the UK with homeowners fed up of losing their garden fences to winter storms and the hassle of replacing them. Equally, timber fences decay rapidly and require regular treatment with paint and chemical cleaners.

Unlike standard timber fences, ColourFence is designed to resist harsh weather conditions and will withstand wind gusts of up to 130mph!

The weatherproof and durable ColourFence range has a number of core benefits that appeal to homeowners, it’s guaranteed not to warp, crack, rot, peel or colour fade for the next 25 years.

When fencing maintenance costs are high, you want an option that is easy, low maintenance and cost-effective; and ColourFence is all those things and more, not least the 25-year guarantee. No painting, preserving, repairs or harsh cleaning chemicals, just an occasional hose down to keep it looking as good as new.

There’s a choice of colours available, green, brown, cream and blue – to harmonise and enhance your garden’s design. Choose a trellis in the same shade or contrasting colour.

Both sides of the panels are the same colour meaning both you and your neighbour have a stunning fence to look at year after year, helping you build good neighbourly relations.

The panels are 2.35 metres wide compared to 1.8 metres wide for standard timber panels (so you need fewer panels like for like) and can be cut on-site to custom fit your garden, whatever the size and the natural contours of your land. Our traditional metal garden gates are ideal for front gardens or driveways. With the ability to choose from simple drop bolts to key operated deadlocks we can guarantee the safety of your garden.

Call Jordan or Courtney on 01823

a free no obligation visit or for further information visit colourfencetaunton.co.uk

Royal Air Forces Association Mid-somerset Branch – Future Programme

Royal Air Forces Mid-Somerset Branch held a General Branch Meeting on 3rd October at the Street Inn when members discussed the forward programme for 2023 and the Branch responses and inputs to the Association Annual Conference held on 21 – 23 October; this was followed by a Pub Lunch. The future programme will continue as follows:.

Monday 7th November - General Branch Meeting 11:00am for 11:15am at the Street Inn, 1 - 3 Somerton Road,Street, BA16 0DR. There will be a Branch Meeting followed by a presentation “An Ordinary Wartime Airman 1942 to 1945” and then an optional Pub Lunch.

Saturday 17th December – Branch Christmas Lunch 12:15pm for 12:45pm at Wells Golf Club, Blackheath Lane, Wells, BA5 3DS. Members will assemble for drinks in the bar prior to a traditional Christmas two-course lunch; full details, menu and costs will be available soon and published in the December edition.

All events are open to Branch Members, RAFA Members from other Branches, Current and ExRAF Service Personnel (Including RAF Reserves), and Members of the “RAF Family”. Please contact the Branch via e-mail rafa.midsomerset@gmail. com or tel to Secretary 01458-224057 for further information.