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Simply go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and fill in the form on the Community Notices page. We want to especially help the all the clubs, groups, associations, schools, churches that have very little income for advertising. Please spread the word!
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Community Notices are free of charge
Please visit www.localreach.co.uk and click on Community Notices page Deadline is 29th July for the Sept issues
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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 2024.
DO YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF LOCALREACH EACH MONTH?
LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Shepton Mallet/BA4 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident and business, totalling 8,978 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 hello@localreach.co.uk with the full address of the non delivery and we will ask Royal Mail to investigate and report back.
Glastonbury Pride, Sunday 28th July
Glastonbury Pride 2024 will be the first with Glastonbury Town Hall flying the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag. On Sunday 28th July, we celebrate Unity through Diversity - a day of visibility, queer spirituality and solidarity with LGBTQi+ people.
Events include a brunch, entertainment at the Market Cross and St Ben’s Church, a fundraising raffle for local LGBTQi+ charities, a blessing from the Priest of Antinous, Pride Church Services and contemplative spaces, an afternoon picnic, and a march at 1pm from the Market Cross with the Intercom Flag and Unity Candle.
Contact: www.facebook.com/glastonburypride
Learn! Laugh! Live! with u3a
If you are no longer working full time, you may be looking around for interesting things to do, with the possibility of making new friends. So why not join u3a, a national organisation with a branch in Shepton Mallet. Our website, where you can see all the things we get up to and find out how to join, is www.sheptonmalletu3a.org.uk
The August speaker meeting is on Thursday 1st August, 10:00am - 12:00pm at the Salvation Army Hall in Shepton Mallet. The topic is Crossing the Severn; Brian Margetson’s historical look at how the River Severn has been crossed through the years, a perilous voyage of man’s attempts to secure a reliable means of crossing the Severn Estuary. Only £3 for non-members, to include refreshments.
Royal Air Forces Association MidSomerset Branch Next Meeting 2nd September
RAFA-MSB will meet next on Monday 2nd September at 11:00am in Wells Golf Club, Blackheath Lane, Wells, BA5 3DS for a presentation by Sister Anne Martin and general discussion plus Lunch & Drinks from the Club Menu & Bar. RAFA-MSB covers BS25, BS26, BS27, BS28, BA4, BA5, BA16, TA10 & TA11 postal areas. RAFA Members, Current and Ex-RAF Personnel and Reserves, Current and Ex-Commonwealth Air Forces Personnel, Members of the RAF Family and Members of the public that support RAFA aims & purpose welcome.
Contact Secretary raf.midsomerset@gmail.com or 01458 224057
Tai Chi Ashwick & Oakhill Village Hall
Classes Monday, Oakhill 2:00pm - 3:00pm. No experience necessary.
Tai Chi is a gentle exercise suitable for most people. Can be done seated. No previous experience necessary. £5 per session.
Qigong: An ancient Chinese form of exercise, originally to develop spirituality, but found to improve health and well-being. It involves mind, breath and movement to create a calm, natural balance of energy that can be used in work, recreation or self-defence. Qigong means ‘energy exercise’
For more details contact Jo Webb 07730 397396, jo.webb@mbzonline.net
Stay Strong and Steady with Age UK Somerset
Local charity, Age UK Somerset, delivers a Strength and Balance class in Ashwick and Oakhill Village Hall.
The ‘Strong and Steady’ classes are fun, friendly sessions, specially designed to follow evidencebased exercise programmes which are proven to help prevent falls. The class is held on Wednesday afternoons and you will need to complete a brief health questionnaire before joining.
If you feel less steady than you used to, contact Age UK Somerset for a chat about options in your area: 01823 345614 or email: fallsprevention@ ageuksomerset.org.uk
Come Join Us At Wells Scottish Dancers
Lots to learn, great exercise, fun and friendship, all for £3 a session with Scottish Country Dancing. We start the Autumn term in September; join any time. Classes are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at The Blue School Sports Centre, Wells. All ages (over 18) welcome. No experience necessary. No partner needed. However, a fairly good level of mobility is necessary for this lively and sociable activity.
To learn more about Scottish Dancing and our friendly, welcoming group, call Ann Filer on 01934 740065 or email ann.wellsdancers@gmail.com
Garden View
This month – The power of deadheading
Deadheading is quite simply, the removal of dead flower heads from a plant. It’s one of the most important August jobs in the garden.
Faded, browning flowers can spoil the appearance of beds, borders and containers, especially in small gardens where each individual plant has more of a starring role. Deadheading helps keep displays looking lovelier for longer.
In addition:
Plants put more of their energy into stronger growth and more flower production, instead of producing seeds (obviously leave the flowerheads untouched if you WANT seeds).
It prevents plants from self-seeding. Some plants that self-seed readily can become a nuisance, such as sea holly (Eryngium) and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis).
It prevents petals scattering everywhere.
Deadheading is best carried out as soon as the blooms begin to look scruffy. For some plants, such as summer bedding, this might be a daily task, whereas for others it can be carried out weekly. Some plants, like lilacs might only need deadheading once, after a brief blooming period. I don’t worry about timing too much. I usually take off fading flowers as I’m pottering about in the garden of an evening.
The simplest method is to pinch or snap off the spent blooms with a finger and thumb, aiming to remove the flower with its stalk, to keep the plant looking tidy. For plants with tough or stringy stems, you use secateurs, scissors or even a knife. On most plants, trim the dead flower just above the next bud or leaf on the stem.
Plants like delphiniums and lupins produce heads of multiple flowers. In this case pinch off individual flowers and then eventually, when all the flowers have died, prune the entire head to just above a lower bud, leaf or side shoot. Some plants, like hardy geraniums, cat mint (Nepeta) and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla), will produce a second flush of
flowers if you cut them back close to ground level after flowering.
Not all plants need to be deadheaded. Fuchsias, obligingly and neatly deadhead themselves, saving you the trouble. Others don’t set much seed in the first place (e.g. bedding lobelias). Some plants, such as Deutzia and Spiraea produce so many flowers that deadheading becomes impractical, and some are simply too tall to reach!
I never deadhead rudbeckias, cornflowers, sunflowers, viburnums, Amelanchier and rambling roses because the birds love to eat the seeds, berries and hips they produce.
And finally, the other plants that don’t require deadheading are probably my favourites, those which have ornamental seedhead as attractive as their flowers, such as love-in-a-mist (Nigella) and Chinese lantern plants (Physalis alkekengi).
If you’re looking for a super simple way to increase the flowering potential of your garden this summer, try a spot of deadheading.
Happy gardening,
By Rachael Leverton
LOCALREACH COMMUNITY NOTICES
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Would you like to publicise your, news, events and information to your community free of charge?
Then simply go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and click on the Community Notices page, then fill in the form before 1st of each month. You can also upload a photo or logo. We will then publish in our LocalReach Community Magazines delivered by Royal Mail each month.
Your Community Notice will also appear on our Facebook pages.
Join our growing army of LocalReach Community Editors.
What to Do If Your A-Level Grades Are Poor
Receiving disappointing A-level results can be a stressful, disheartening experience, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world. Here are some steps to help you navigate this challenging time:
1. Stay Calm and Seek Support
First, take a deep breath. It’s crucial to remain calm and composed. Talk to family, friends, and teachers about your results. They can offer valuable support and perspective during this time.
2. Review Your Options
Visit the UCAS website to explore Clearing. Clearing allows you to apply for courses that still have vacancies. Many universities offer great courses through this system. Check the UCAS Track to see if you are eligible and browse available courses.
3. Contact Universities
If you missed your firm or insurance offers, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions departments directly. They may still accept you, particularly if
you were only marginally off the required grades or have relevant experience that could make you a valuable candidate.
4. Consider Re-marks and Resits
If you believe there’s been a mistake with your grades, speak to your school about the possibility of getting your papers re-marked. Additionally, resitting exams is another option. Though it means an extra year, it could improve your chances of getting into your desired course.
5. Explore Alternative Paths
Look into alternative qualifications, apprenticeships, or vocational courses. These can offer practical skills and experience that are highly valued in the job market. Taking a gap year to gain work experience or travel can also be beneficial and give you time to reassess your options.
Remember, many successful people faced setbacks during their education. Use this experience as an opportunity to explore new avenues and grow stronger in your career journey.
By Tracey Anderson
Crossword Across
Word Search
7 Voted in, chosen (7)
9 Concepts, notions (5)
10 Affirmative response (3)
11 Outward Behaviour (9)
12 Denigrate, exploit (5)
14 Enlightened, tolerant (7)
16 Analyses, observes (7)
18 Stick, cudgel (5)
19 Mobilising troops (9)
20 Blockade, stopper (3)
21 Bamboo-eating bear-like animal (5)
22 Ice river (7)
Down
1 A decade (3,5)
2 Chaos, disarray (4)
3 Filling, cloying food (6)
4 Baking soda (abbr) (6)
5 Not a Republican! (U.S) (8)
6 Russian emperor (4)
8 Destroying, breaking (11)
13 Supplanting (8)
15 Monument, feature (8)
17 Line joining points of equal atmospheric pressure on a weather map (6)
18 Tramp, drifter (6)
19 Drug, sedate (4)
20 Trickle, plop (4)
Mindbenders
Solutions: Turn to page 19
Reluctant Readers
In 2023 a survey of 71,400 children and young people by the National Literacy Trust revealed that fewer than one in three children (28%) aged eight to 18 read daily for enjoyment.
If that’s true it’s incredibly sad. Blame is apportioned to politicians, teachers, the TV, and internet, but blame doesn’t achieve anything. Instead, as parents what can we do to encourage our children to engage with literature? Try these great tips to engage reluctant readers.
Let them see you reading! It sounds obvious but it works. Read some funny bits from your own book aloud to them or try an interesting newspaper article.
Try to schedule a small part of the day for reading. It doesn’t even have to be them reading. My ten-year-old son still loves me to read to him…especially when I put on accents and voices to suit the characters. Lose your inhibitions and have fun with reading and your children will follow suit.
Try a joke book or nonsense poetry books. Kids love jokes and rhymes, the sillier the better. They won’t even realise they are reading as they regale you with their new-found anecdotes and ditties.
Use the power of movies. My ten-year-old really engaged with reading when he saw the first Harry Potter movie. He read the book straight afterwards and realised how much richer in detail it was compared with the film. From then on he was hooked.
By Sarah Davey
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‘Companionship through socialising and sharing experiences with likeminded people’
Street Branch Royal Naval Association covers all areas of Somerset and meets monthly in the Wessex Hotel, 15 High St. Street, Somerset BA16 0EF.
Current and ex RN, RM, WRNS, RFA, Reserves and Commonwealth personnel are welcome. Associate membership is also available to relatives of current and former serving personnel, Sea/Marine Cadet staff and civilians. Monthly meetings include a raffle and end with the option of staying for lunch at the hotel.
Contact Chairman Mike Jayes, Tel: 07805 516946, Email: streetrnachair@gmail.com for details of the next meeting.
SPA Singles Social Group – South West, Est. 1979
We are a member led group, aiming to help you make new friends and improve your social life. Welcoming active, 40+ singles throughout the South West. Your local branch is Wells & Mendip.
Events include meals, walks, music, holidays, day trips, social evenings, theatre, etc. and whatever members wish to organize.
Find us on the meetup website at www.meetup. com/spa-social-group or use the meetup app and search for “SPA singles group south west”
Are You A Happy Bus User? Volunteers needed to help out
Twice a year the Local Transport Authority allows bus operators to change timetables, this usually is just before Spring and Autumn schools return from their breaks.
We need you to help man stalls handing out paper timetables to those who need them AND also help out at other events promoting bus travel, adopt a bus stop: keep an eye out for cleanliness, shelter damage, graffiti and if correct timetable is shown in the case.
We are a community group totally manned by volunteers no fees or incidental expenses are paid.
Email: somersetbuspartnership@gmail.com
Prickles Hedgehog Rescue
Prickles Hedgehog Rescue will be grateful to any business or organisation using 5 ream boxes of copy paper if they could let us have the empty boxes with lids as they are ideal for transporting hedgehogs back to their finders.
If you can help please ring 07806744772!
Volunteer Drivers Are Urgently Needed
Volunteers are desperately needed for our Community Car Service that enables vulnerable people to attend medical appointments out of their local area when they don’t have any other form of transport.
We are looking for people with their own car, a full driving licence and spare time on their hands to join our friendly team.
We would be happy to chat with anyone interested and answer any questions.
Please ask them to give us a call here at Mendip Community Transport on 01749 880613 or via email at Faith.stevens@mendipct.co.uk
Donate For Defib Weston-super-Mare Project - Ongoing Work Update
The Donate For Defib WsM Project promotes the need for publicly accessible defibrillators in the community and the importance of learning of CPR / Defibs.
For any venues that would like to fundraise for or buy a defibrillator please contact the team for further information, visit: www. donatefordefibwsm.co.uk for more information.
If any venues / members would like to learn CPR / use of a Defibrillator please contact the project team.
CPR awareness sessions could help to save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest!
For further information please email, donatefordefib.wsm@gmail.com
Refresh your kitchen
Joe’s Doors can simply transform your kitchen by replacing the doors, panels and trims.
With a huge range of kitchen styles to choose from, this cost effective, fuss free service, can be completed in under two days and best of all you don’t even need to empty the cupboards!
Call now to take advantage of a free survey, free quote and free design service....with no pressure selling.
Transform your worktops with Quartzize stone overlays
Why replace your worktops when this unique quartz overlay simply fits over your existing surface. Here are some of the amazing benefits:
•Timeless - Looks clean and modern.
•Hygienic - A perfectly smooth surface.
•Easy care - Wipe with a neutral cleaner.
•Durable - Tough and scratch resistant.
•Easily Installed - Fitted in less than a day.
Do you have selective hearing?
By Simon Swindells, Director and Clinical Lead Audiologist at South West Hearing Care
A lot of people dismiss hearing loss as something funny. Often when we see customers for the first time, they joke that they ‘don’t have hearing loss’, but simply they just have ‘selective hearing’.
From conveniently not hearing when you ask your partner to do a favour, to just appearing to ignore you when you are talking to them, a UK study found that seven in ten people believe their partner has ‘selective hearing’. Most see this as an excuse to get out of helping around the house, but actually it could be more genuine than you think!
Of the 2,000 adults surveyed more than half admitted they are concerned their partner’s ‘selective hearing’ could be a result of genuine hearing difficulties. Around four in ten even went as far as to say they ‘know with certainty’ their other half struggles to hear.
While humour can be an effective way of addressing or making light of serious issues, if your partner is genuinely struggling to hear what you are saying then this is something that needs to be addressed. Left ignored, hearing loss can eventually lead to depression, isolation, cognitive decline.
To be sure that your ‘selective hearing’ is not something more untoward, the safest and easiest thing to do is book a hearing assessment. This will determine your current hearing levels and provide you with personalised recommendations to make sure that you are hearing to your full potential. (And if you are hearing at a normal level then you have great written evidence to show your partner!)
If you’d like to speak myself or the team for further advice or to book a FREE hearing assessment, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Street: 01458 555533 | Westbury: 01373 823076
www.swhearingcare.co.uk
Study details: Sound Insight Report, UK
Work from Home Like a Pro
How to design an efficient home office space
In a home office, everything you interact with - from your desk to your chair to the lighting –should maximise comfort and productivity. Start by ensuring your work surface is at the right height. Sit in your chair, with your feet firmly planted, and take a look at where your natural elbow height falls. Ideally the height of your desk will be aligned with your natural elbow height. A good chair promotes movement. The back and forth, the act of reclining and changing positions is important because you’re actually lubricating the discs of the spine.
Work on balancing the overall light in the room with task light. Bad lighting has many consequences, including eye strain and irritable eyes. A sevenwatt LED should provide more than enough task light for most workers. The ambient light - the overall light in the room - should be no more than 270 lux, (the measure of light intensity).
And careful if you favour a laptop. Using the keyboard and mouse integrated into a laptop has postural implications. You’re more likely to lean forward, break contact with the backrest, and engage in what’s called trunk flexion, which is a postural problem when you lean forward that results in higher disc compression, muscle fatigue and discomfort.
With the office set up correctly, it’s time to organise. There is a concept in interior design called ‘prime real estate.’ These are spaces that are most visible and easiest to access. You want to get those spaces working for you.
Vertical file holders that sit on top of a desk, or boxes that you can fill with hanging files are good for these areas. They function like a mini filing cabinet for current projects. For less pressing documents, try bankers’ boxes - they have covers, they’re stackable, and inexpensive.
The key to ensuring that you don’t end up drowning under a mountain of papers is daily
desk hygiene - routinely clearing things out of your office. You might find it easier to let go of extra paperwork when you learn that 80-90% of filed papers are never referred to again!
Finally, consider aesthetics. If your home office is a depressing beige windowless room, you probably won’t enjoy spending time there. Find a room with a view you like. If you don’t have a view, use a piece of artwork that you love instead. Think about the colour palette. Some people prefer soft neutrals while others prefer a brighter scheme. And working from home means you may have to take Zoom calls, so consider creating a Zoom wall which reflects your interests. For example, if you like travel, position a beautiful large map behind you. If you’re a keen gardener you can use plants or cut flowers. An avid reader might create a book display. Keep it simple though; it should be a hint of who you are, but you want the caller to focus on your face, and what you’re saying.
Once you’re set up, all that’s left to do is take the business world by storm!
By Sarah Davey
LOCALREACH COMMUNITY NOTICES
Are you a local, club, group, association, charity, school or church?
Would you like to publicise your, news, events and information to your community free of charge?
Then simply go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and click on the Community Notices page, then fill in the form before 1st of each month. You can also upload a photo or logo. We will then publish in our LocalReach Community Magazines delivered by Royal Mail each month.
Your Community Notice will also appear on our Facebook pages. Join our growing army of LocalReach Community Editors.
A Good Read
Queenie
By Candice Carty-Williams
Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old British-Jamaican journalist in London, faces a life-altering change when her white boyfriend, Tom, suggests a break. She is forced to reassess her life, questioning her actions and identity.
Queenie could be ‘just another chick lit novel’ about a twenty-something navigating her career and relationships. She has been called the Black Bridget Jones, but if this is the case then it’s Bridget Jones without the cushion of middle-class white privilege. Throughout the novel, Queenie confronts and challenges various forms of microoppressions and injustice. Carty-Williams tackles societal issues head-on; the depiction of casual systemic racism is eye-opening, and handled with a deftness and inside humour of one who has experienced all of it. Queenie and her friend Kyazike are compelling in their struggles and resilience, offering a portrayal of young Black women just living their lives, which is often missing in books and media.
Queenie’s experiences as a woman are relatable for the majority of young women, evoking laughter one moment and discomfort the next. It’s an honest depiction of life as a twentysomething in a big city. Despite covering many important topics, it’s an easy read. The humour is sharp, and the storytelling fosters a deep empathy with the characters. The reader will care about Queenie as she battles her demons.
Carty-Williams has managed to strike a balance between light and dark, reinventing the romcom to include significant issues. This blending of tones makes this a cut above the usual romantic holiday read.
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
By Nizrana Farook
This is an exhilarating adventure set in a lush, fictional part of Sri Lanka. Chaya is a spirited and courageous young girl who quietly champions the poor, the injured, and the widowed. The way she funds these charitable deeds is a little questionable, but readers will love her anyway. Chaya’s attempt to help an injured villager lands her, her best friend, and a new girl in town in a LOT of trouble. What starts out as a robbery of the Queen’s jewels ends up in a wild chase as she steals the king’s elephant and unwittingly sets off a thrilling chain of events.
Farook’s narrative is full of fast-paced action, which young readers will love. The lush tropical setting of Serendib is full of details that transport the reader to the exotic land. Chaya is an engaging hero, whose bravery and sense of justice are matched by her loyalty to her friends.
The book tackles themes of friendship, loyalty, and the fight against injustice, making these concepts accessible to young readers through the dynamic plot and relatable characters. Neel and Nour, add depth and diversity to the story, each bringing their own strengths and challenges to the group dynamics.
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant is a thrilling ride that manages to subtly explore issues of social inequality and the implications of rebelling against it. Farook skilfully balances moral questions with exciting escapades, making this a thoughtful yet fun story for young readers.
By Tash Donovan
The best care for your eyes with Eyeplan
The importance of preventative screening isn’t emphasized enough. We all know, that a blood test, a mammogram or a dental check-up is really important, although can be uncomfortable. Most people also know that they should get their eyes tested every other year, or more frequently if they wear spectacles or have “complicated eyes”.
But do we put off checks if we have to pay for them? After all, we are going through a cost of living crisis.
What if you could access eyecare that is of the highest standard and quality and you didn’t have to pay a hefty eye test fee?
This is the exact idea behind Eyeplan.
Eyeplan is a care-plan which provides you with unlimited eye examinations, significant discounts on spectacles, contact lenses and accessories for a small monthly fee.
Oh, and the best bit, when you buy a complete pair of specs or sunspecs, they’ll automatically come with a two year Accidental Damage Cover, which will cover your new eyewear for two years against accidental damages. Rest assured, your glasses will be repaired or replaced for a small fee. Eyeplan membership starts at £11.50 a month.
For full details and T&Cs come and speak to the friendly team at Eyetech Opticians.
The Dynamic Duo of Doctors take the ultimate plunge for charity
Husband and wife team, Doctor Adam Baker and Doctor Charlie Fleury relish a challenge in the name of charity.
The pair previously completed a gruelling 3,000mile row across the Atlantic and a 1683-mile partial circumnavigation row around Great Britain. This year the pair will undertake the formidable Archipelago Yachts Polar Swim challenge.
This challenge entails swimming a kilometre in the freezing waters of both the Arctic Circle & Antarctica, in nothing more than a conventional swimsuit and cap where water temperatures are likely to range between -1°C and 4°C.
To date this feat has only been achieved by 12 people, such are the challenges of cold-water shock, hypothermia and not to mention the everpresent threat of Orcas, Leopard Seals and Polar Bears!
With their minds and bodies already adapted to stress and sleep deprivation, they wanted to push themselves further physiologically and
A Bit Batty
International Bat Night 24th-25th August
Thanks to Count Dracula, bats get a bad rap. International Bat Night hopes to change our perception. During this annual celebration, public events such as bat walks, take place across the country.
Bats make up just over a quarter of the UK’s mammal population and they are the only ones that can fly. There are 18 native species plus occasional migrant visitors, and populations are under threat from predation, crime and habitat loss, so UK bats and their roosts are protected by law.
Pipistrelles are our commonest bats, weighing in at just 5 grams (less than a £1 coin). Noctules are our largest bat but still measure less than 5cm long!
Bat wings are wonderful examples of biomechanical engineering. They are constructed in a similar way to human hands,
psychologically to the absolute limits and achieve seemingly impossible goals.
Doctor Adam Baker who works as a Palliative Care Doctor at Weston Hospicecare commented, ‘I’m passionate about helping people overcome the enormous challenges they may face, and I am immensely proud to be part of the team here at Weston Hospicecare which does such an exceptional job supporting people with life limiting conditions and their families across North Somerset and Somerset.
“That’s why we have chosen them as one of the benefitting charities. We are also passionate about ocean conservation so are also raising funds for the Ocean Conservation Trust, with an overall target of £20,000.”
The challenge will begin in September with the first swim in the Arctic Circle just off Svalbard, Norway, followed by the second swim in Antarctica in November. The pair will literally battle the elements swimming in the harshest environments on the planet, but they can’t do it all on their own, they need your help.
‘We would be delighted if people would help by donating via our website: www.emergenseaduo.com’
only with membrane of skin stretched between the elongated, delicate fingers. Bat bones are very slender and flexible, and because their wings are much thinner than bird wings bats can manoeuvre more easily at speed.
Bats fly and feed in the dark, and all UK bats live on insects, which they find using echolocation - producing a stream of high-pitched calls and listening to the returning echo. They ‘see’ best using sound but contrary to popular belief they are not blind.
The saying about having ‘bats in the belfry’ is not accurate because they rarely roost in church towers, preferring somewhere quieter, and less draughty. They prefer houses, and cause very few problems as they are neither noisy nor smelly and most householders are usually unaware of their presence. If bats do set up home in your roof, their access must not be impeded. If you’d like to encourage these interesting little creatures to your garden you can buy or make bat boxes to fix to outside of your home. Help, advice and general information on Britain’s bats is available at www.bats.org.uk
By Gemma Pearson-Brown
Super Satay Skewers
Brilliant barbecue food
Preparation time: 20 minutes plus 30 minutes
marinading time
Cooking time: Satay 10 minutes. Grilled Chicken
20-25 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients: Marinade
1 tbsp coriander seeds
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
2.5cm piece of ginger, finely chopped
3 tbsp finely chopped lemongrass
2 kaffir lime leaves, shredded
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
500g skinless, boneless chicken thighs
For the sauce
2 bird’s eye chillies seeded and finely chopped
5 shallots, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 tsp shrimp paste
1 tbsp vegetable oil
150ml coconut milk
2 tbsp brown sugar
150g unsalted peanuts, roasted and roughly chopped (or finely ground if you prefer a smoother sauce)
Juice of 1 lime
Method:
Toast the coriander seeds in a dry pan until fragrant, and then grind to a powder in a pestle and mortar. Add the garlic, ginger, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves and pound to a rough paste along with a generous grinding of black pepper. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the oil, soy sauce and sugar.
Cut the chicken into long strips about 3cm wide and stir into the marinade, mixing well. Cover,
refrigerate and leave to marinade for at least 30 minutes. While the chicken is marinating soak eight wooden skewers in water until ready to use.
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Put the chillies, shallots, garlic, and shrimp paste into a pestle and mortar, or the small bowl of a food processor, and pound or blitz to a paste. Heat the oil in a wok or wide frying pan, and then fry the paste for a couple of minutes or until it smells cooked. Add the coconut milk and brown sugar and simmer for a couple more minutes, then add the peanuts and simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in the soy sauce and lime juice, add a little water or coconut milk if it’s too thick, then taste to check the balance of flavours; add more lime juice, sugar, or soy sauce to your own taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Thread the strips of meat onto the skewers in an “S” shape. Pushing them down so they all touch. Cook the skewers on a barbecue, or a griddle pan over a medium-high heat, for about 20 minutes until cooked through, turning regularly. Serve with the sauce, crispy fried shallots, and a green salad.
Puzzle Solutions
Mindbender:
1: The dark side of the moon 2: Forty winks
3: Too much, too young
Wheels and Wipeouts
A brief history of skateboarding in the UK
Growing up in the Midlands my friend Rory was the first kid on the block to own a proper bona fide shopbought skateboard. The rest of us made do with homemade Heath Robinson affairs cobbled together by our dads.
Skateboarding came to the UK in the early 1970s, primarily through American magazines and the growing influence of the Californian surf culture, so our little gang early adopters. We were inspired by images of our American counterparts gliding effortlessly through urban landscapes. In stubbornly suburban Stratford on Avon, we were hampered by a lack of proper equipment and facilities. Our parents (with the exception of Rory’s impossibly cool mum and dad) were largely dismissive, viewing our passion as a fleeting fad.
As the popularity of skateboarding surged in the mid-1970s, the UK’s first purpose-built skate park, Skate City, opened in 1977 in London. This indoor park featured a variety of ramps and
bowls, allowing skaters to practice and innovate safely. Skate City set a precedent, and soon other cities, including Brighton, Southsea, and Harrow, followed suit with their own parks. The home of the Bard, to our dismay, did not.
Southsea Skatepark, opened in 1978, remains one of the oldest surviving skate parks in the world. It became a crucial hub for the UK skateboarding community. Stratford had to wait another 20 years!
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a decline in skateboarding’s popularity. Many parks closed or fell into disrepair due to lack of funding, insurance issues, and declining participation. However, the underground skate scene kept the spirit alive, with skateboarders continuing to innovate and adapt urban spaces for their use. Street skating became the dominant style during this period, transforming staircases, handrails, and plazas into makeshift skate spots.
The late 1990s marked a revival, fuelled by the rise of skateboarding brands, professional skaters, and media exposure. The X Games, launched in 1995, played a significant role in bringing skateboarding back into the mainstream. This resurgence led to renewed interest and investment in skate parks though by then my knees were no longer up to the challenge!
Today, the UK boasts a vibrant skateboarding scene with numerous world-class skate parks. Facilities such as BaySixty6 in London, Dean Lane Skatepark in Bristol, and The House Skatepark in Sheffield have become central to the community. The design and construction of these parks have evolved, with an emphasis on sustainability and community engagement.
Skateboarding is now an Olympic sport, having debuted in Tokyo in 2020 (postponed till 2021 due to the pandemic). The Olympics is a perfect vehicle to showcase the sport’s global appeal and competitive spirit. British skaters like Sky Brown, who won a bronze medal in Tokyo, will be hoping to build on their past success and inspire a new generation of skateboarders.
Rory became a physiotherapist, probably inspired by the number of his friends who sprained, broke and otherwise damaged various bits of ourselves while perfecting our ollies and kickflips!
Wherever he is I hope he’s never lost touch with his inner skater!
By Si Mansfield
Consumer
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