COMMUNITY MAGAZINES
Weston-super-Mare & ALL of BS23 postcode
FREE • March 2022 • Issue No. 9
CHURCH – page 4 GARDENING – page 6 HISTORY – page 9 COMMUNITY – page 10 PUZZLES – page 14 KIDS – page 24 BOOKS – page 26 RECIPES – page 27 BUSINESS A-Z – page 29
• Three and Four Wheeled Walkers • Wheelchairs • Bath Lifts • Rise and Recliner Chairs • Stairlifts • Mobility Scooters • Electric Wheelchairs • Cosyfeet Slippers and Shoes
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WELCOME TO LOCALREACH
Welcome… Spring is finally here, and we celebrate St. David’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, International Women’s Day and not forgetting parents, World Book Day! Then at the end of the month British Summer Time begins with the clocks going forward on the 27th March 2022. There is also plenty going on around Weston this month, so grab a cuppa, have a sit down and take a look at what’s on and perhaps try some of the many groups that are taking place! Please remember, if you have any local events coming up or any news that we can publish, please send them onto me at sarah@localreach.co.uk before 1st March 2022. Take care
Sarah
Editorial deadline for the April issue is 1st March LocalReach Community Editor: Sarah Venn
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Disclaimer. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, we make no guarantee that the content will always be current, 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.
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CHURCH
Stepping out of the boat
There is one story that comes to mind found in Matthew 14. Jesus had sent his disciples ahead of him while he dismissed the crowds. The disciples were in a boat sailing to the other side of the lake when a storm blew up. To top it off, they were frightened out of their wits seeing Jesus walking towards them on the waves, thinking he was a ghost. Jesus drew in close enough to assure them it was him, not a ghost which prompted Peter to speak up, ‘if it is you, call me out upon the waters?’ Jesus said, ‘come on then.’ Peter stepped out of
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the boat and walked on water towards Jesus, but he realised the waves and the wind about him and started to panic. With a cry, ‘save me!’, Jesus grabbed hold of him as he began to sink, ‘oh, you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ They both got into the boat and reached the land. You may have said a prayer, a situation to change, a new job, asking for guidance, whatever it is. To your surprise, an opportunity opens, but you may be hesitant to step out; to get out of your comfort zone, it takes courage to step out of the boat. Jesus calls each of us to walk out onto the water if we are willing. He longs to change and transform us; He promises not to leave us in our mess but to lead us into new life. All we need to do is focus on Jesus, to follow Him. Don’t look at the wind and waves, those doubts, or fears. Step out onto the water of learning; learning stretches you, it might be hard, but you need it to grow. But even if you do panic, Jesus is only a cry away; he will uphold you and lift you to get through the storm. Do not doubt weary traveller; keep your eyes on Jesus, for He is the Author and finisher of your story of faith. Step out and see what happens, have faith. Kindly provided by Revd Andy Pearce, Associate Minister at Locking Castle Church & Community Pastor for Church @ St Anne’s, West Wick.
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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
Hello everyone… It’s now March and springtime is starting to show. This time of the year we look to do a spring clean at home, at work and this year; how about a spring clean of your ears? Back in January I suggested making clear ears a new year resolution. How about keeping this resolution with a spring clean this March? Having clean, clear ears not only helps with your general health wellbeing, it helps with your mental health. Having the ability to hear those spring birds singing to each other is sure to lift your spirits. One such patient who came to me in January, we’ll call them patient A, has done just that and here’s their story. Patient A picked up a head cold and immediately their ears became blocked. They struggled to hear and both ears became painful with the build-up of wax. They booked an appointment with me to try out Microsuction. After a thorough consultation and examination of both ears Patient A was indeed in need of Microsuction. I performed the procedure there and then within their hour appointment slot. Both me and Patient A were amazed at how much wax came away from both ears. “My head feels lighter”, they exclaimed! In just one hour Patient A had gone from being unable to hear properly, having a low mood and pain in both ears because of wax build up to being instantly transformed back to their happy self again. “I’m able to hear perfectly again and I’m no longer in pain”! Patient A was so pleased with the results that they have booked to see me again in 6 months’ time for a check-up. They never want to let their ears get that blocked again. They want to have biannual check-ups to keep their ears in tip top health. You too could do the same as Patient A. Book your appointment with me now using the details below. You will be able to hear the spring birds calling to each other with clarity. You may even get to experience a lighter head feeling too! On a final note, having worked as a Paramedic for 19 years I know only too well that life is not Monday to Friday 9-5. To accommodate some who may find it difficult to reach me during office hours I am now open late night every Tuesday till 8pm. As always, I look forward to seeing you and your ears soon.
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GARDENING
Garden View This month – Swiss Chard March means the start of outdoor sowing season in the UK, as the days begin to lengthen and become warmer. I discovered Swiss Chard several years ago when I was looking for something more interesting than spinach. It’s rarely found in the supermarkets for some reason and is quite delicious. It’s also easy to grow and doesn’t require much maintenance. Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens is sometimes called Rainbow Chard because of its ornamental stems. The fact it’s so decorative, with its large fleshy dark green leaves and bright stalks in shades of red, purple, gold and white make it a good choice for a small garden. It looks attractive in containers or borders. To grow it, choose a sunny (but not sun-baked) spot, prepare the soil well (or use compost in a large container), make shallow drills about 40cm apart and sow the chard seeds thinly, approximately 1.5cm deep. Cover the seeds with soil and water well. You can start sowing in March, then every few weeks you can repeat sow, until September for a continuous crop that will even see you through the
winter if you give it a little protection. I move my pots to the greenhouse. As the seedlings begin to grow, thin out the plants so that they’re 25-30cm apart. Water well after thinning. Chard is an easy vegetable to look after but keep an eye open for slugs and snails. Birds also seem to like the little seedlings (at least in my garden) so you might need to protect them. Young chard leaves can be eaten fresh so use the early thinned leaves for salads. The adult chard leaves are ready to harvest about 10-12 weeks after sowing, though later in the year it will take a little longer. It’s a wonderful cut-and-come-again plant. Cut individual leaves as you need them, and the plant will keep producing new growth. Swiss chard varieties to try: My favourite variety is ‘Bright Lights’ which has rainbow-coloured stems. It’s particularly good for autumn crops. ‘Fantasy’ has pretty red stems and is good if your garden tends to be damp as it’s resistant to mildew. As its name suggests ‘Bright Yellow’ has yellow stalks and is very striking. All three of these varieties can be over-wintered with a little protection and provide you with an early crop the following spring. Happy Gardening,
By Rachael Leverton
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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
25 Years Maintenance Free Garden Fencing*, guaranteed! There is no time like the present to start preparing your garden for the Spring months ahead. ColourFence Metal Garden Fencing has become increasingly popular across the UK with homeowners fed up of losing fences to winter storms and the hassle of replacing them. Equally, timber fence costs have rose, they decay rapidly and require regular treatment with paint and chemical cleaners. You want an option that is easy, low maintenance and cost-effective; and ColourFence is all those things and more, our fence is guaranteed not to rot, warp, peel or colour fade and guaranteed for up to 25 years. Unlike standard timber fences, ColourFence is designed to resist harsh weather conditions and will withstand wind gusts of up to 130mph! Virtually maintenance free, with an occasional wash down with water to keep it looking as good as new. Put an end to painting, an end to rotten posts and an end to constant maintenance! Our fence panels come in four colours – green, brown, blue, or cream. You can install the trellis in the same colour as your panels or a contrasting shade. The panels are eight feet wide and include the intermediate posts, unlike standard wooden panels. Whatever the shape of your garden we can step, rake, or cut your ColourFence to size, allowing your boundary to follow the natural contours of your land. The panels have no footholds and a smooth finish, you can relax knowing your new fence will deter intruders and help maintain privacy. And with both sides of the panel the same both you and your neighbour have a stunning fence to look at year after year, ensuring good neighbourly relations. 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 you can guarantee the safety of your garden. Call 01823 792029 today for a free no obligation quote or visit colourfencetaunton.co.uk for further information.
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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
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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LOCAL HISTORY
North winds doth blow and we shall have snow
The Great Blizzard. Universal History Archive /Getty Images
The origins of this rhyme are unclear but are thought to possibly date back to the 16th century. Whilst our winters are relatively mild these days, the 16th century was very different. The winter of 1564-5 was the longest and worst winter for over a hundred years and heralded the beginning of a period of below average temperatures which continued until the middle of the 19th century and has been referred to as the “Little Ice Age”. Most of the really bad weather, of course, normally occurs between November and February and in the winter of 1614-15 there was one of the longest and heaviest snowfalls in England which fell in January and lay until midMarch.
Here in the west of England we do not usually see the worst of the winter weather and snow in March is rare but in 1891 the south-west experienced a snowstorm so severe that, The Times (09.03.1891) reported that “no such storm had visited the West of England within remembrance.” For five days the storm raged and snowdrifts up to fifteen feet high were reported. People were trapped in the snow, trains were stranded in snow drifts and the telegraph system was disrupted as telegraph poles collapsed. It is estimated that over 200 people were killed, 6000 sheep and cattle died and half a million trees were blown down. Conditions for those in country areas became very difficult since they were unable to go out for food or to collect wood and supplies of coal soon ran out. For those trying to clear and repair the roads and railways conditions were even worse; they were expected to work for hours in an attempt to keep transport moving and had little in the way of protective clothing, Fortunately by the 14th March, the strong winds had abated and the thaw had set in although it was not until June that the last of the snow disappeared from parts of Dartmoor. Let’s hope for a warm and spring-like March. Kindly provided by Elizabeth Friend, Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society. www.aalhs.co.uk
Helping Hands Caring since 1989
We’re hiring carers in Weston-super-Mare! Competitive rates of pay No experience necessary Flexible work patterns Apply now at helpinghands.co.uk/jobs or call 01934 315212
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COMMUNITY
Weston-super-Mare Conservative Club Forthcoming Events Friday 11th & Saturday 12th March: 113pm & 7-10pm – Committee Elections Saturday 19th March: 12.30pm – AGM
Entertainment: Saturday 5th March: 2.30-5.30pm – Andrea, one of the club’s favourites Saturday 12th March: 3-6pm – Madel, a popular proactive singer Saturday 19th March: 3-6pm – Klair, returning by popular demand Saturday 26th March: 3-6pm – Jason Lee, a well known artist Every Tuesday: 3-4pm – Bingo For more information visit www.wsmconservativeclub.co.uk
Weston-super-mare Association Football Club Fixtures For March Saturday 5th March: 15:00 - Weston Super Mare Vs Poole Town Tuesday 8th March: 19:45 - Weston Super Mare Vs Swindon Supermarine Saturday 12th March: 15:00 - Metropolitan Police Vs Weston Super Mare Saturday 19th March: 15:00 – Farnborough Vs Weston Super Mare Tuesday 22nd March: 19:30 - Wimborne Town Vs Weston Super Mare Saturday 26th March: 15:00 - Weston Super Mare Vs Hendon
NHSRF Tuesday 1st March: Our meeting for the NHSR Fellowship is Tuesday 1st March 2022 where we can all have a catch up with coffee, cake and a raffle. As usual it will be held in the Scouts Hut, Windwhistle Lane, BS23 4PR from 10.30 - 12.30. All are welcome, including family and friends whether NHS staff or working in the social care sector. Our speaker is from Secret World and we know it will be very informative and interesting. Further information on our group can be found online at ‘Branch Finder NHS Retirement Fellowship Weston super Mare’ 10 | www.localreach.co.uk
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Weston Organ and Keyboard Club Thursday 3rd March: The Club meets on the first Thursday of every month in the Somerset Suite of Weston Football Club, WSM, BS24 9AA at 7.30 -10.00pm. Top Artists entertain us using today’s state of the art instruments. They play music from shows, musicals, films the big band era, 1960’s and more. Entry fee is £7.00 at the door with free parking. During a thirty-minute interval, there is a licensed bar, food and tea & coffee available. For more information, please visit the websites www.westonorganclub.20m.com www.organfax.co.uk/clubs/weston or call Jo (Chairman) on 01934 812759. Our next Concert March 3rd Jamyma Hanson. www.organfax. co.uk/players/jamymahanson/
Friends of The Playhouse Coffee Morning Saturday 5th March: Join The Friends Of The Playhouse for their next coffee morning on Saturday 5th March and EVERY Saturday morning from 10:00am being held at The Playhouse Theatre. On sale will be a collection of hot drinks and biscuits The Friends Of The Playhouse will be continuing their fundraising efforts to add to the £260,000 that has been raised over the last 30 years. Social events for 2022 will be announced at the coffee morning for those that wish to join in. Run by a dedicated team of volunteers the coffee mornings are open to members and non-members who may wish to join the Friends.
Monday Sing-a-Long Monday 7th March: On the 7th March and every other Monday, irrespective of 5-week months, from 2pm until 3.45pm, St Peters Hall, St Peters Church, Baytree Road, will be hosting a singing group for those who love to sing just for the joy of it! No musical ability whatsoever is required. A donation of £2 is requested, but shouldn’t be a deterrent to joining us, to cover the refreshment costs. Email jo.coates1@gmail.com
Weston-Super-Mare @ District Family History Society Wednesday 9th March: The next meeting will be on Wednesday 9th March 2022 at :- Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Baytree Road, Milton, W.S.M., BS22 8HQ from 2-30pm to 5pm. The speaker is Alan Bateman on the Three Villages, Colnbrook, Harmondsworth, & Longford. New members &
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visitors are welcome. Entrance fee is £1-50 for members & £2 for visitors. Coronavirus precautions will be in place.
Weston Woodturning Circle Thursday 17th March: Weston Woodturning Circle will meet on the 17th March, being the third Thursday of each month commencing at 7.00pm at: Weston AFC, Winterstoke Road, Weston super Mare. Club Chairman Peter Davis will demonstrate wood colouring techniques. Visitors who are interested in our craft are welcome to join us by just turning up on the night the first two monthly meetings being free of charge. For more information about our friendly welcoming club contact us by visiting our website www.weston-woodturning-circle.co.uk
COMMUNITY
21st March from 11am to 2.30pm at Weston-superMare Football Club, Winterstoke Road. This month we will be discussing clean energy and green technology, including the challenges we face switching to renewable energy. Come along and enjoy the conversation with a free curry. North Somerset residents and businesses all welcome. Spaces are limited so booking is essential at www. cleanercoastlines.org.uk/events or telephone/ text Debbie on 07974 190660. Funded by the Quartet Community Foundation Megawatt Community Energy Fund. Hosted by Weston Chamber of Commerce. linktr.ee/ cleanercoastlines
49 Social Club Events
Plant Fair
Saturday 18th March from 8pm see’s local favourite Joe Malik bring his popular Jilted Joe Ska and Reggae tribute back to the 49 Social Club. Non members and guests over 18 are all welcome
Saturday 26th March: Plant Fair (HPS Somerset Group) on 26th March, 10am-3pm. Held at Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Holt. 12 of the Southwest’s top nurseries and other stalls. £4 admission (free for RHS members) which includes entrance to gardens and parking. Book tickets from 1st February at www.somersethps.com. Parking is free but a parking permit must also be booked. Cafe and toilets available.
Curry & Conversation Monday 21st March: The next free Curry & Conversation lunch will take place on Monday
Kiln Dried & Seasoned Hardwood Logs Smokeless Coal Kindling & Natural Firelighters
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY
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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
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Sleek, Strong & Secure: Garolla Garage Doors For high-quality, handmade electric Garage Doors look no further than Garolla! Revolutionising the Garage Door industry, Garolla are the UK’s largest Roller Garage Door installers across the country with hundreds of garage doors being installed every single month. A company with nationwide power combined with local know-how, your local Garolla installer is right around the corner. Manufactured from strong aluminium, every electric Garage Door is made from the highest quality materials to ensure a strong, long-lasting foundation. From there, skilled craftsmen create bespoke electric Garage Doors to your home’s exact measurements. Once complete, these Garage Doors are rigorously tested and must pass a series of quality control tests before making their way to be fitted by your local installer. From measuring to installation and beyond, you will only ever work with your own local installer. They will be on hand to answer all of your questions and help guide you through the process of updating your garage door. Not only does a Garolla Garage Door improve your home’s aesthetic, it will also help to keep it safe and secure. Utilising a patented auto-locking system and twin-walled slats, Garolla Garage Doors keep the contents of your garage out of the hands of criminals and acts as a powerful deterrent for potential burglars. Gone are the days of heavy, outdated swinging doors. With Garolla, you can access your garage without taking a single step out of your car. Using one of two remotes provided you can quickly and easily open your Garage Door and park. And thanks to Garolla’s ingenious octagonal barrel system you can now park even closer to the door, allowing you to utilise every inch of your floorspace. Low-maintenance, these garage doors just need the occasional wipe down to continue looking as good as the day you bought them. Available in a stunning selection of 18-colours, you can now match your home’s exteriors with your own personal style. Whether you’re looking for Classic White or an adventurous Moss Green, Garolla has the perfect design to suit you. For an instant quote including measuring, fitting and VAT you can call Garolla’s friendly customer care team on 01934 660140 or visit their website at www.garolla.co.uk for more details.
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49 Social Club Events Sunday 27th March the 49 Social Club hosts Stephen Cesari with all his fantastic covers from the 1950s to the present day. Both top acts not to be missed. Non members and guests over 18 are all welcome.
The Lions Club of Weston-super-Mare Mud & Obstacle Course Race Sunday 3rd April: Sign up for a fun but challenging day for teams or individuals, filled with mud, water and over 20 obstacles to combat! Fun for all the family whether it be taking part or spectating. Situated in the fields that surround the popular tourist attraction, Puxton Park, all monies raised from this event will go to the chosen charities. Can you master the mud? Enter @ www. mudmaster.co.uk & follow the events Facebook page for the latest updates @ MudMasterOC
Open Weekend - Charity New Beginnings 4U events in 2022 to raise funds for their work. Saturday 9th and Sun 10th April: Come along to 12 Woodcliff Avenue, BS22 8LA from 10am to 4pm and treat yourself to homemade cakes and preserves or that one-of-akind gift from the many handmade crafts on offer.
COMMUNITY
optional, we all love an excuse to dress up! There will also be refreshments served during the interval. For tickets email nb4uevents@yahoo.com or call 07500978798.
Caroline Barlow School Of Dance Adult classes book a slot: 927709 carolinebarlow76@sky.com
please 07899
Monday: Tap 9.30 - 10.15 Tap 10.15 - 11.00 Dance fit 11.00 - 11.45 Beginners Tap 11.45 - 12.30 Thursday Over 50’s/Beginners Ballet 9.30 - 10.15 Over 50’s Dance Fit 10.30 - 11.30 Friday Over 50’s Dance Fit 12.00 - 1pm Children’s Classes Ballet RAD, Tap, Modern and Jazz ISTD. Dance for fun, for a career, competitions, exams and shows with no hidden costs for costumes. New students welcome all year round. Wednesday - Saturday, 2.5 years to - 18yrs
Vocalise ladies choir
Richard Lennox in Concert – Sat 23rd April 2022 at Milton Baptist Church, an evening of exceptional music by Richard Lennox. Tickets £10. Email nb4uevents@yahoo.com for ticket reservations. All proceeds go to the work of the charity. Find out more on Facebook: New Beginnings 4U
Richard Lennox in Concert Saturday 23rd April: On Saturday 23rd April 2022 at the Milton Baptist Church. Tickets are £10 per person and all proceeds will go to New Beginnings 4U CIO. Black Tie
Mondays: Since restarting in September Vocalise continues to grow. Why not join us for a fun evening with a variety of songs in a warm, welcoming atmosphere? No auditions, no experience needed. 7.30pm to 9.30pm at St Georges Community Centre. Your first session is free. Contact ann.clewlow@ btinternet.com or ring 01934 627709 for more details or find us on Facebook. Please ring or register before coming as we have strict Covid measures in place. www.localreach.co.uk | 13
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HEALTH AND BEAUTY PUZZLES
Crossword
Across 1 Disaster (11) 9 Assistance, cheer (13) 10 Hastening, hurrying (8) 12 Tresses (4) 14 Bridle, harness (5) 15 Extravagant, ornamental (5) 19 Boundary, margin (4) 20 1024000 bytes (8) 22 Speculatively (13) 24 Clever, brainy (11) Down 2 Bow, crescent (3) 3 Plentiful (8) 4 Locomotive (6) 5 Stove, kiln (4) 6 Pecking order (9) 7 Impression (5) 8 Tale (5) 11 Plant that retains leaves in winter (9) 13 Harmful (8) 16 Lure, entice (5) 17 Friend with whom you exchange letters (6) 18 East African country (5) 21 3D geometric shape with six faces (4) 23 Very long period of time (3)
Word Search
Mindbenders
Almond Apple Apricot Banana Blackberry Brazil Cashew
Cherry Chestnut Date Fig Grape Guava Hazelnut
14 | www.localreach.co.uk
Lemon Lime Mango Melon Olive Orange Papaya
Raspberry Peach Satsuma Peanut Strawberry Pear Tangerine Pecan Walnut Pistachio Plum Pomegranate
Solutions: Turn to page 28
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HEALTH LOCAL EXPERT AND BEAUTY PAGE
Browns…March Spring cleaning tips! Washing machines - Every month put your washing machine through a maintenance wash. You can do this by putting a handful of soda crystals (you can buy these in supermarkets) straight into the drum and run the machine on a hot programme with nothing in it. This will clean through the machine. If your machine has a filter, check it for any coins, clips or debris. Be careful to put a towel underneath before you remove the filter as there will always be a little water. Wipe the door seal round with some mild detergent and dry. If you use the soaps draw remove it and give it a good scrub in the sink. Tumble Dryers - Give your tumble dryer the once over. Take out the filters and thoroughly clean. Get a long brush and clean out the area the filters sit in, removing any stray fluff. For vented dryer’s check the vent hose is fluff free . For condenser dryers, take out the condenser unit and run under the tap, making sure any fluff is removed. For Heat Pump dryers make sure to clean the filters in the machine and behind the heat pump door you will find a foam filter. This can be taken out and washed and then dried thoroughly before replacing. Dishwashers - a great tip is to use a dishwasher cleaner, which can be bought in supermarkets every couple of months. This cleans through the machine and keeps everything debris free. However we all have a tendency to drop a little food in occasionally, so make sure the filter in the base is kept clean. Don’t forget to check the spray arms for any debris, which can usually be easily removed. Most dishwashers have detachable spray arms which can be rinsed through under the tap. Although many dishwasher tabs contain rinse aid, it is still important to add dishwasher salt to your dishwasher. This goes in the salt container in the base of the dishwasher. Call us on 01934 517657 for repairs and sale, our aim to keep things simple!
Browns Domestic Appliances Ltd Making things simple! Your complete local domestic appliance specialist for sales and repairs We sell and repair washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens, hobs and hoods, cookers, fridges and freezers. We are specialists in Freestanding and integrated appliances Local family business established 36 years All work insured and guaranteed No hidden extras. We keep things simple!
01934 517657
www.brownsdomestics.co.uk www.localreach.co.uk | 15
COMMUNITY
Weston Quilters Mondays: Patchwork makers, quilters and visitors are welcome to our new venue, Winterstoke Hundred Academy, Beaufighter Road, Westonsuper-Mare BS24 8EE. We meet every first Monday of the month, second if it’s a Bank Holiday. Start 7.30 pm. Please contact Lorna by email lhmason@me.com or Weston Quilters page on Facebook to check our exciting programme of speakers.
St Mark’s Community Café Tuesdays: Mark’s Community Café opened in 2018. It’s built steadily until forced to close in March 2020 due to lockdown. We reopened in July and are so pleased to see people coming back. We meet Tuesday afternoons 2.30 to 4.30pm. We offer tea, coffee, cakes, and a listening ear. There is no charge, but a donation cup is on each table. We take all precautions to keep you safe – hand sanitisers are readily available, masks are not mandatory, the choice is yours. Please join us, you will be sure of a warm welcome from Gill, Denise, Brenda, and Chris. St Mark’s church, Worle,BS22 7PW
Respite Care Day Centre Tuesdays: Our Day Centre provides respite care for people who need time out from looking after a loved one or just companionship for lone people. We now have some great entertainment coming back in which is great. We have a Ukulele band and a singer coming along soon to entertain. Each session will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Milton on Tuesdays 10.30-1.30pm. For more information call Nikki on 07879018384/01934 429519 or email nikkidight@ gmail.com
Community Choir Tuesdays: Caprione Community Choir re-started mid-November. We meet Tuesdays at Clarence 16 | www.localreach.co.uk
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Park Baptist Church in the rear hall at 7.30 till 9pm. We operate within covid Government Guidelines. The choir took part in Carols around the Christmas tree at Clarence Park Baptist Church in December. We also prepared a selection of readings and Christmas music for Weston General Hospital, which was much appreciated by staff, patients (through opened windows) and passers-by. All are welcome, no fees, no audition, just come and enjoy a variety of music.
Waves of Harmony - female a cappella group Tuesdays: Now celebrating their 11th year, Weston-based ladies chorus Waves of Harmony are always keen to welcome new members. The latest recruit - thanks to ‘LocalReach’ magazine! - is Jan, who will be a great asset to the tenor section. If you love singing why not come along to one of our rehearsals on a Tuesday evening to see what we do - Phone Sue on 01934 642806 or Stephen on 07889 015681. Alternatively go to www.wavesofharmony. co.uk or check out our Facebook page.
U3a Coffee Morning Tuesdays: Retired with nothing to do? Come along to our u3a coffee morning each Tuesday morning 10.00 – 11.15 in the Friends Meeting House at the corner of High Street and Oxford Street in Weston town centre and see what fantastic opportunities there are to learn, laugh, live and meet new friends. Membership costs just £12 per year. We have a wide variety of interest groups, and you can join as many as you can find time for. Come and try it – you’ll be made very welcome.
Lynne Castell’s Adult Art Groups Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Always wanted to learn to draw and paint; develop your skill; or start using that set of paints you were given? (All in a friendly environment!) Lynne teaches a wide range of subjects in Watercolours 1.00pm to 4.00pm on Tuesdays and Oils, Acrylics and Pastels from 10.00am to 1.00pm on Wednesdays.
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All at Greenways Farm, 2 Lyefield Road (behind the Crematorium), Worle BS22 9NX . Plus, seasonal outdoor painting and indoor Workshops. All relevant Covid-prevention precautions are in place. For more details contact Lynne on 01934 628760 / 07519 109002 or online at www.lynnecastell.co.uk
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pressure. Just a fun afternoon doing something for your physical and mental wellbeing. Your first session is free. Contact ann.clewlow@btinternet.com or ring 01934 627709 for more details or find us on Facebook. Please ring or register before coming as we have strict Covid measures in place.
MTH Dancing
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Wednesdays: If you enjoy dancing, join us on Wednesday evenings from 8pm-10.15pm at The Grand Atlantic Hotel Ballroom, Weston super Mare, for a social evening of Ballroom, Latin & Social Sequence dancing at a price of £5.00pp. Our club has been established for over 30 years, dancing to `Mark’s Music’
A Trusted daily phone call or text service giving you peace of mind
We pride ourselves on offering a friendly welcoming atmosphere and are pleased to welcome dancers of all abilities. For more information check our website www.mthdancing.com or Our Facebook page MTH Dancing
Civil Service Retirement Fellowship
Living on your own can be scary and TRUST BY PHONE is here for you offering you a personalised call and text service tailored to your needs. • Daily phone call/text to check-in with you • Non automated, your always talking direct to an actual person who cares • Fail-Safe service • Tailored to your needs • Can be altered at anytime • Simple and easy to sign up either by post or via our website • No complicated contracts Here at TRUST BY PHONE conversations with you mean something just the same as if you were our own family.
Thursdays: Everyone is welcome for our coffee mornings & coach outings. We are a small friendly Social Group who meet in central, W.s.M. on the 1st & 3rd Thursday morning of each Month, for tea/ coffee and a chat. We also have coach outings each month. Just turn up for our social mornings for £1 (incl. Tea/Coffee & biscuit). The outings can be booked/paid in advance at our coffee mornings. All tours are operated by Bakers Dolphin using a luxury coach with toilet facilities on board. (Typical cost £22. Pickups in W.s.M/Clevedon area)
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Our service also includes a “FAIL-SAFE” where if you cant be contacted or do not reply within your specified time scale then your emergency contact will be notified or the emergency services will be notified to check on you. For only £10 per month TRUST BY PHONE offers a simple solution to put your mind at rest and make living alone feel less lonely.
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Vocalise-Lite Thursdays: Come and join our growing group of ladies who like to socialise and sing. 1.15pm to 2.45pm at Our Lady of Lourdes church hall, Baytree Road. No need for any experience, no auditions, no
Join our daily check-up call or text service
Call Lara on 07399
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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
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More availability for full fibre broadband… but can you get it? For many years, the BT spin off, Openreach has been quite slow to offer full fibre broadband in the area. Full fibre means that a fibre optic cable is run to the property, rather than a copper based solution. This can support speeds of up to 1000 mbps (megabits per second) download. Most people can receive up to 80 on the common part fibre – part copper system that Openreach typically provide. Over the last few weeks, we have noticed many customers in the area now having the ability to upgrade their internet to full fibre, at little or no extra cost. It is worth noting that not all providers offer full fibre, so it is worth checking to see if other options are available. Providers that may be available to offer full fibre are: Truespeed, Gigaclear (both have their own network independent of Openreach), BT, Sky and TalkTalk. If you are still on standard broadband, but not a customer of these, it might be worth checking if these providers are able to offer a better speed compared to your current supplier. The product to ask for is “Fibre to the Premises” which is the best option, followed by “Fibre to the Cabinet”. For those of you that live in a more rural setting, and cannot get good internet, it is worth looking at 4G or 5G internet which is provided via the mobile networks. If you need any help with the above, we do offer an on or off-site survey which will work out who is the best provider and give you guidance on things like Wi-Fi coverage. Please see our advert on this page for our contact details.
Neil Buzzard, Director, Computer Problem Solutions Ltd, Tel: 07973 536299
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SHORT NOTICE VISITS OFTEN POSSIBLE • EVENINGS & WEEKENDS ALSO AVAILABLE 18 | www.localreach.co.uk
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The Wee Cannae Dance Club Fridays: Held at St Georges Community Centre, BS23 1HS on Fridays from 1pm-3pm. A weekly session of chat, music, dance, fun and refreshments. People with 2 left feet especially welcome! With a wide range of music to enjoy with a mix of social dance types. Fee per member for a 2 hour session is £3 and includes tea, coffee and biscuits. You don’t have to dance; you can just enjoy the music and chat! You also don’t need to bring a partner. This is not a dance school, it’s social, just for fun! Contact Tony on 01934 260347
Weston Super Mare Bridge Club Saturdays: Weston Super Mare Bridge Club is a long established club offering friendly bridge to players of all levels of experience. The Club is based at the Haywood Village Academy, 20 Whitney Crescent, BS24 8ES on Saturday afternoons at 1.30pm arrival with play starting at 1.45pm. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Further details contact Daphne 01278 555897 or email daphnegreat@sky.com or view Club website.
Funetics Running Club Our funetics Team meet every Saturday morning and is open to all aged 4 to 11 years. Our club is supported by 3 UKA Qualified and Insured Run Coaches and over 25 UKA Qualified and Insured Run Leads. If you are interested in joining any of our sessions, please get in touch with us at WestonWhippetsrc@gmail.com
Petanque at Clarence Bowling Club Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Patanque has its roots in ancient history and like all ball games was banned in England during the middle ages when the rulers wanted Bowmen. Pictures Stephen Steer-Smith. of Sir Francis Drake tossing rather than rolling small metal cannon balls is similar to modern Petanque. Modern Petanque started in France in the early twentieth century when Arthritis stopped a player running to bowl and a new game was invented which included throwing from a drawn circle in which a player had
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to keep within. Then came World War 1 many returning soldiers came home damaged and this game became very popular with them. Today it is played all over the world especially in Europe and former French areas of influence. Petanque can be played on any surface using hollow steel balls known as boules that are aimed at a small wooden target ball called a jack. Points are scored by being closest to the jack at the end of a round of play. Petanquests play as singles with three boules each or doubles, two teams of two players with three balls each or triples where two teams have three players each with two balls. Games are played over a distance of between six and ten meters and the first player or team to thirteen points is the winner. Petanque boules come in various sizes and weights to suit all types of players. It is a game for all including persons with disabilities. Clarence Petanque currently play on Sunday at 10.30 and Wednesday and Thursday at 1pm.
At Home Care Call me anytime for support or advice for arranging care or respite in your home. I offer Respite Care, PA Services and Home help. Call Nikki on 01934 429519
WOULD YOU LIKE MORE BUSINESS IN 2022? LocalReach is delivered every month by ROYAL Mail to 83,000 homes & businesses. You can advertise in LocalReach Community Magazines from only £3+vat per week! 100% guaranteed delivery by ROYAL MAIL 95% of our advertisers rebook every month 30% of our pages given free to the community Call us now on 01934 312171 or email hello@localreach.co.uk
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WsM Fibromylagia Support Group Weston-super-Mare Fibromyalgia Support Group is a group of people who are living with Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions such as CFS/ME and Long Covid who meet regularly to support each other. Each month we meet on the 3rd Monday afternoon for coffee, in Weston on the second Friday morning and in Worle on the 4th Tuesday afternoon. We are currently running a trial evening meeting 6:00pm - 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the month. Meetings are a mix of speakers, chat and information. We have a weekly hydrotherapy group and organize trips and meals out plus a craft group and interest groups as required. For more information, call Val 07411989478 or Jules 07840189641; email wsmfibro@gmail.com
Weston Whippets Running Club Weston Whippets has had a busy month as some of our team prepare for various races, including Weston Super Half and Forest of Dean Half Marathon. We’ve been supporting 30 runners with Half Marathon coached sessions, and we wish them all luck with their chosen Half Marathon races through March. We offer daily sessions to all of our members from aged 4 up. Adult only sessions are delivered daily except Wednesday and are bookable on our online booking system: groups.runtogether.co.uk/ WestonWhippets. Our Youth Team meets on a Wednesday evening and Saturday morning and we welcome all aged 12 to 17 to come along and join in.
Adopt a Street Around 30 million tonnes of litter are collected from UK streets every year! Often, we support behaviour that becomes the norm, even if we know that it’s wrong. For example, if there is rubbish on the street, it increases the likelihood that other people will throw more rubbish on that spot. However, if an area is clean and tidy, it is more likely that people will follow example and choose to keep it litter free. It’s time to change behaviour about littering. Everyone should be responsible for their own waste. Be part of the solution and not the pollution 20 | www.localreach.co.uk
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– Join Adopt-a-Street North Somerset, this way we can all work together to keep our local area clean and litter free. The council will provide litter picking equipment, look for more details online: www.n-somerset. gov.uk/my-services/parking-travel-roads/streetcleaning/adopt-street
The Steepholmers – March diary The Steepholmers will be performing at Fork n Ale on Walliscote Road on 16th March at 8pm for their usual monthly gig night at the venue, which also includes a performance by guest band The Severn Whalers from North Bristol. It should be a great evening as usual so do please come along. Also on Saturday, March 19th, The Steepholmers have organised an even more special event as a fundraiser for this year’s Weston-super-Mare Sea Shanty and Folk Music Festival. Starting at 5pm, this event will feature seven bands for a very reasonable admission fee of just £6. Come and dress like a pirate and get yer ARRRRRRRS in gear for this packed evening of Shanty and Folk Music. For further information on the fundraising event: www.tickettailor.com/events/ thesteepholmersshantyband/
Olympic prospect Izzy is the fastest 14-year-old female swimmer in Britain Izzy of Worle Community School Academy (WCSA) in Westonsuper-Mare, Somerset is the fastest 14 year old female swimmer in Britain. The sensational swimmer is on track to compete for Great Britain in the Olympic Games in 2024 after years of sensational race times and winning gold medals. The former Worlebury Primary School pupil has been winning races and achieving times a year ahead of her age. She is Under 15s junior southwest champion for 100m and 200m Freestyle events. In 2020 she brilliantly qualified for the Olympic trials, but had to pull out because of COVID-19 restrictions, and is now eager to make the. 2024 Olympic Games. She has now received another award – the prestigious WCSA Sports Captain badge - for outstanding attitude, hard work, and enthusiasm both academically and in sports. Izzy said: “I would absolutely love to be an Olympic champion. Principal Jacqui Scott said: “Izzy is an exceptionally high attaining student both academically and with her swimming pursuits.” WCSA is part of The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT).
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OvenGleamers Recipe of The Month - Meringue Kisses With Mother’s Day coming up, we’ve got a delicious recipe for you this month that are perfect to treat the ones you love. Ingredients (serves four) 3 large egg whites About 200g caster sugar Pink food colouring 50g white chocolate, chopped For the filling: 300ml double cream 1tbsp icing sugar, plus extra for sprinkling About 4tbsp cherry jam To serve: 8 fresh ripe cherries Method 1: Preheat the oven to 110C. Drawing freehand or using a 6.5cm heart-shaped cutter as a template, draw eight hearts on to two sheets of baking parchment. Turn them over and lay on to two baking sheets. Don’t grease the paper as meringue will be used to secure the corners. Weigh a spotlessly clean bowl, then weigh the egg whites in it. Calculate their weight, double it and weigh that quantity of caster sugar into a separate bowl.
2: Whisk the egg whites until they stand in soft peaks and the fluffy mixture doesn’t slip around in the bowl. You should be able to turn it upside down over your head
LOCAL EXPERT PAGE without the mixture falling out. Whisk in the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, making sure each spoonful dissolves before adding the next. Dip a cocktail stick into the food colouring and add it to the meringue until you reach the depth of colour you want. Dot a little of the meringue under the corners of each piece of parchment to secure it to the baking sheet. 3: Spoon the rest of the meringue into a piping bag with a 1cm round nozzle and pipe inside the heart templates. Bake for about 1.5 hours, until they come away easily from the paper. Leave to cool in the oven. 4: Set a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Melt the white chocolate in the bowl, then spoon it over the base of each meringue and leave to set. Whip the cream and icing sugar in a bowl until thick and glossy. Swirl in the cherry jam. Take two meringue hearts and sandwich them together with the sweet jam cream. Serve dusted with a little extra icing sugar and a couple of ripe cherries. Meringue is renowned for being difficult to make, and we would love to see a great selection of success and fail photos! If you can, please post a photo on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ OvenGleamersWestonSuperMare
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5,000 students and 750 staff launch their charity of the year The eight Somerset schools of The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT) are supporting Brain Tumour Research as their official charity of the year. The charity was chosen after a good friend of TPLT, Jim Murray, sadly died of the disease in December 2020, aged 53. Jim was the community police officer for Priory Community School Academy for many years, helping hundreds of people and serving the town in so many ways. The much-loved community beat manager who was awarded a medal for long service and good conduct in November 2018, passed away on 26 December 2020. Jim left behind his wife Ally, three sons Callum, Simon and Richard, four grandchildren and close family friend, and unofficially adopted son Wayne, who, along with Jim’s children set up a fundraising group called Canoeing for a Cure under the umbrella of Brain Tumour Research, to help find a cure. Neville Coles, CEO of TPLT, said: “Jim was a superb gentleman and community policeman. “He is so incredibly missed by all of us. We are delighted to partner with Brain Tumour Research.”
D Durnan
Student who told Jill Dando reporters of his big global Elvis dream achieves it within five years Emilio Santoro has been crowned Europe’s top Elvis impersonator after telling Jill Dando reporters of his big world dream five years ago. Emilio has been named European Elvis Tribute Artist Champion and will soon start a world tour. Remarkably, Emilio told Jill Dando news reporters aged 9 and 10 of his dream five years ago at his old school, Worle Community School Academy (WCSA), Weston-super-Mare where he performed in school shows. The Jill Dando reporters from Ashcombe Primary School first interviewed him in 2017 during a visit to WCSA. He explained that his favourite Elvis songs were gospels song and that he would like to do his singing full-time across the world. Now he is one of the world’s best, just a few years after first competing in a European competition at 14. At the time he told Jill Dando reporters how he started at age 4 and was supported in his dream by WCSA: He said: “My school has really supported me in my passion and have been brilliant. I am eager to do this for a living across the world.”
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This week he said: “Everyone always says life’s too short; follow your dreams, and it couldn’t be more true really. “To be crowned their champion is just amazing. I had a jumpsuit that my nan and auntie put together for me and ever since then I’ve wanted to pursue this as a career.”
Hutton Moor 50+ Sports Club We are a group of people over the age of 50 who like to exercise and socialise with likeminded people. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning frm 9am to 1pm at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre to play a variety of sports; all equipment is provided. The annual club subscription is £5.00 and you pay £4.50 to the Centre per visit. Just drop in to reception, ask to speak to a member of the 50+ committee who will welcome you, show you around and give you all the information you’ll need to get started and to have fun.
North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together have recruited five new employees! Their roles cover Training Co-ordination, Peer Support plus Grant Co-
ordination. Based in their new Parent Carer Resource Hub in Weston-super-Mare, families to children & young people aged 0-25 years with an additional need or disability can access a base for signposting, support, coffee mornings, events & training. In February the training covered Autism&Food, Sibling Support, Challenging Behaviour, Autism in Children & Young People plus Demand Avoidance. Booked for March is Toilet training with ERIC & a face to face ADHD workshop! More will follow so please do regularly check their calendar at nspcwt.org NSPCWT can arrange a coffee morning at your child/young person’s setting to meet parent carers, provide information, discuss supporting your family, build peer community & can bring along relevant professionals that offer support. NSPCWT also have a private Facebook group where you can ask any questions, share interesting local SEN sessions plus support each other on the learning path of additional needs & disabilities. Look out for their Social Communication and Autism Fayre held at The Tropicana on Wednesday the 6th April 9.30am-2.30pm. To enquire about any of the above please email admin@nspcwt.org , follow NSPCWT on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You could also consider joining their Steering Group to help direct the forum! Please visit NSPCWT.org to sign up to their mailing list & be kept up to date.
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LOCALREACH
Make your Mother’s Day
Your life changes forever the day you bring home your little bundle of joy. Whether you give birth naturally, adopt or foster, this little person now depends on you for everything. From now on they come first, you come second, and a poor second at that. Being a mother is fabulous, and funny, and frightening. It’s the best and worst of jobs. There are cuddles and giggles, sports days and parents’ evenings, Nativities, and music recitals…there are also blazing rows with slammed doors, sleepless nights and more vomit than you ever realised one small human could produce. Mums are multi-tasking maestros. Carer, teacher, agony aunt, tour guide, drill sergeant, PA, and chauffeur… Even when they leave home it doesn’t stop. I still rely on my mother for advice, help with childcare, and a shoulder to cry on when things go pear-shaped. It’s only now as with children of my own, that I realise what my own mother went through – why she made me do my homework, go to bed early, stop beating my sister up, eat my broccoli, save my pocket money, don’t talk to strangers, and say please and thank you. Mother’s Day might have become a cliché, but it does give us the perfect opportunity to say thank you to our mums for everything they have done and still do for us. Anna Jarvis, who founded Mothers’ Day in the US said she came to regret campaigning to get the day recognised, because it became commercialised. She hated that people sent cards with a pre-printed message rather than writing a letter. So, although it’s a nice gesture to buy a card and give flowers and chocolates, it’s even nicer to do something
special to show you care – maybe valet her car or treat her to a pamper session, or just visit and spend the afternoon chatting. Time is the most precious gift of all. And go beyond the message in the card. Write a few personal lines of your own to tell your mother what she means to you. Make sure she knows that she’s loved and appreciated all year round.
Mother’s Day in Brief Mother’s Day is celebrated all around the world, usually in March or in May. In the UK, it is a mixture of a Christian tradition, and the celebration of motherhood that began in the USA in the early 20th century. During the 16th century, people in service would return to their home or ‘mother’ church on the fourth Sunday in Lent – Mothering Sunday. The modern version of Mothers’ Day we know today became a regular event in the 1950s, largely thanks to businesses keen to exploit its commercial potential!
By Faye Carter
www.localreach.co.uk | 25
BOOK REVIEW
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A Good Read
The Coronation
By Justin Newland The Coronation by Justin Newland is a historical fantasy steeped in paranormal elements of visions, ceremonies, and miracles. It plays out in East Prussia, the now-defunct Baltic state between Poland and Lithuania and is set in 1761 during the Seven Years’ War when Prussia fought against Austria and Russia. The novel features the Prussian Countess Marion Grafin von Adler and Russian Lieutenant Ian Fermor. Marion tries to stop a Russian captain from requisitioning her estate’s harvest. When he strikes her for her defiance, Fermor defends Marion’s honour. The captain stabs Fermor and leaves him for dead. Despite her people’s protests, Marion cares for Fermor. Fighting for his life, he has a vision of an eagle (aka the Adler), and pledges to stay on the estate. For Marion, the loss of the harvest means her people face the spectre of starvation during the bitter winter. Superstitions of demons possessing a person with an incurable disease or life-debilitating condition are fascinating and true to the beliefs of the time. The Coronation is a strangely compelling tale as the meaning of various symbols and themes are illuminated, and is a surreal, thought-providing read. Various storylines of political intrigue, forbidden love, treachery, faith, and superstition culminate in a moving ending with hope of enlightenment. The Coronation is a unique historical drama enhanced by supernatural elements that capture 26 | www.localreach.co.uk
the essence of 18th Century Europe at the dawn of its transformation to the Age of Enlightenment, globalization, and industrialization. Abridged Review of Justin Newland’s novel The Coronation by Linnea Tanner
A Secret of Birds & Bone
By Kiran Millwood Hargrave Sofia’s mother is a bone builder, crafting exquisite creations from bones – fine furniture, complex locks, and even their entire house. One day though, Sofia’s mother receives an unexpected and seemingly unwelcome guest, and after the visit neither Sofia nor her brother Ermin are allowed into her mother’s workshop to see what their mother is working on. On Sofia’s twelfth birthday her mother travels into the town but before she leaves she promises to explain everything to the children when she returns. But their mother is arrested and Sofia and Ermin end up in the care of the nuns at the orphanage, where children disappear in the middle of the night. When Sofia witnesses something first hand, she makes an unlikely ally and sets off to save her mother. The author has created a dark fantasy world of lost catacombs, secret tunnels and pools through which Sofia and her friends have to hunt for clues to her mother’s true talents, and through their adventure discover the power of family and friendship. By Tash Donovan
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RECIPE
Beef in Guinness St Patrick’s Day is on 17th March. Celebrate with a casserole cooked in Guinness Method: Heat the oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. Heat a little of the oil in a large oven-proof pan. Lightly flour the pieces of braising steak and fry in small batches until well browned. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate. Ingredients: For the stew 2 tbsp oil 1kg braising steak, cut into large pieces 2 tbsp plain flour, well-seasoned 3 onions, sliced 500ml Guinness 2 sprigs thyme For the dumplings 75g butter, frozen and grated, or 75g suet 150g self-raising flour 1 small onion, grated 2 sprigs of thyme, leaves stripped and chopped Water for mixing
Add the onions to the pan and fry on a fairly high heat until they soften and tinge brown at the edges. Pour the Guinness into the pan, letting it bubble up, then return the meat to the pan along with the thyme. Cover the pan and transfer to the oven for 2-2 1/2 hours or until tender. The sauce will sweeten and thicken during the cooking time. Make the dumplings towards the end of the cooking time by mixing the grated butter or suet, flour, onion, and thyme together and season well. Gradually add water to the dry ingredients until you have a soft dough. Divide into 12 balls. Place the dumplings on top of the casserole and return it to the oven, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Serve with shredded cabbage or spring greens.
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So, You Want to Change Career
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the right position in a new career. Those who had started their own business explained that the emotional and financial stakes are higher day-today, which can lead to its own stress. If you still feel you’d like to change career the next question is ‘What?’ What would you like to do? Research is key. The more research you do, the better position you’ll be in to make the right decision. Set a time limit on your research so you don’t get stuck in ‘analysis paralysis.’
As we emerge blinking into the (almost) postpandemic world of work, many of us are finding that we’ve changed as people, which is not surprising, and our job no longer seems like such a good fit for us. Changing career is a decision which can’t be made lightly, and the prospect can be daunting, but sometimes it can be best way forward. The first thing you need to as is ‘What’s my why?’ Why do I want to change? Do you want more money? Or maybe you’d like more flexible hours and less stress. You might dream of running your own business or turning your hobby into your career. The next thing to ask is ‘When?’ When is the right time? It’s probably the right time to consider a career change (or at least a job change) if your workplace is toxic and grinding you down. Toxic workplaces impact on your mental and physical health and are rarely worth the pay cheque long term. It’s also time to re-evaluate if you’re only in it for the money. A career change might give you the chance to find more personal and professional satisfaction but still pay all the bills. If you get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach every Sunday evening, it could be a good time to consider a change. Likewise, if you’re bored all the time and feel like you’re sleepwalking towards retirement, it’s a good sign that you might benefit from a change.
Then start at the end point e.g. ‘I want to become a hairdresser / plumber / chartered accountant’ and work backwards, breaking down what you have to do to achieve each step. Then aim to take a small action towards your big goal every day. For example, contacting someone who already works in the industry; contacting a careers adviser; signing up for a course. For many people, their biggest obstacle is inertia. They want to change but they’re scared or overwhelmed or worried about what others might think. So, take the time to go through the above process step-by-step manner to help to clarify things in your mind. When you feel confident, other people are more likely to be supportive. Good luck. By Tracey Anderson
Puzzle Solutions
Various surveys have been carried out on careerchangers. And overwhelmingly the responses are mostly positive. Respondents reported feeling happier, more fulfilled, and less stressed. Around 80% of people who have changed careers say that they wish they had done it sooner. Very few of them regretted their decision. Of those that did have regrets the main one was financial insecurity. Changing careers can incur costs such as having to pay for further education or an initial drop in salary. Even those who were mostly happy with their decision cautioned that it can take time to find 28 | www.localreach.co.uk
Mindbender: 1: The ball is in your court 2: Last but not Least 3: Long time no see
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