LocalReach Wedmore February 2023

Based in the picturesque village of Cheddar. We are a husband-and-wife team and have gained our knowledge and experience working over 40 years between us in the bathroom retail, design and manufacturing industry. Whatever the size of your space or your budget, we are here to help with anything from product advice to a full bathroom re-design. Everything in our extensive product range is also available to buy separately.

From product advice to a full bathroom re-design, we are delighted to help you with your bathroom plans. Whatever the size of your space or your budget, we’re here to help. Visit our Showroom today!

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LocalReach is an excellent way to promote your event or gain more leads for your business. Prices start from only £18+vat per month. We are the ONLY magazine delivered every month to ALL of your postcode area by the ROYAL MAIL

We now deliver 111,544 copies each and every month to ALL homes and businesses to ALL of: Westonsuper-Mare, Worle, Portishead, Burnham on Sea, Glastonbury, Street, Clevedon, Wedmore, Cheddar, Axbridge, Winscombe & Wells

A massive 95% of our advertisers rebook their adverts every month and we don’t hold anyone to a long contract. Readers say they love LocalReach and read it every month cover to cover, they keep it on their coffee table for 3-4 weeks and keep referring back to it, they then recycle LocalReach in the knowledge the new monthly issue will drop through their door. Readers tell us they love LocalReach, trust LocalReach and use the services of the businesses inside.

If you are interested in gaining more visitors to your event or more customers for your business go to www.localreach.co.uk for more info or email sales@localreach.co.uk

LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Wedmore, Cheddar, Axbridge, Winscombe/BS28, BS27, BS26, BS25 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident and business, totalling 10,544 copies each month. We take non deliveries very seriously and in the event of a non delivery being reported to us we follow the Royal Mail’s complaint procedure.

If you are not getting your monthly copy by the end of the first week of any month please send us an email to royalmail@localreach.co.uk with the full address of the non delivery and we will ask Royal Mail to investigate and report back.

A Brief History of Crisps

in Slices or Shavings”. The author advises that they are, ‘…sprinkled with a very little salt.’ Kitchiner’s book was popular and sold well on both sides of the Atlantic. His sliced, fried potato recipe was referenced in many other recipe books and Kitchiner was something of a celebrity chef in his lifetime. He was also an optician, and an amateur musician! A man of many talents.

In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Mikesell were running a small business in Dayton, Ohio, selling dried beef and sausages. They acquired some equipment for making potato crisps (called chips in the US) and the Mikesell’s Potato Chip Company was born. They still claim to be the oldest commercial potato crisp (chip) company on record.

My teenage son wandered into the kitchen and opened a bag of crisps. H sniffed the contents appreciatively. ‘Mmm…I wonder who invented crisps…’ he said before popping one into his mouth and proffering the bag in my direction.

Good question I thought.

The first reference I could find to something resembling the modern crisp was in a recipe book, The Cook’s Oracle, by William Kitchiner, which was published 1817. Recipe 104 is titled “Potatoes fried

It took a decade for the idea of crisps to reach the UK, and again it was husband-and-wife team at the forefront, running their small business out of a West London garage

Frank Smith and his wife cut, fried and package potatoes which they sold in the Cricklewood Crown pub next door, in greaseproof paper bags. Initially he provided salt shakers for the patrons to season their crisps but they were always being stolen, so Frank came up with the idea of providing a small blue sachet of salt instead, and invented Salt and Shake crisps. The crunchy salty snack proved a big hit, and the Smiths were so successful that in 1927, Frank was able to set up a factory in Brentford’s Golden mile, and expand the business.

Salt was the only seasoning available until Joe ‘Spud’ Murphy came along. He owned the Irish crisps company Tayto, and in the 1950s, his team developed the technology to add seasoning during manufacture. The very first commercial flavour was Cheese & Onion, launched in 1954. Companies worldwide quickly sought to buy the rights to Tayto’s technique and a few years later Salt & Vinegar crisps became available. Today in spite of the hundreds of flavours available, Ready Salted, Cheese and Onion and Salt and Vinegar are still the most popular flavours. In the US the first flavoured crisps to emerge were barbecue flavour, and no other flavours were available until the 1970s.

Today in the UK crisps are one of our most popular and well-loved savoury snacks, and approximately 140 000 tonnes of crisps are sold each year.

Happy munching!

By Sarah Davey

Garden View

This month – A passion for peaches

should be enriched with well-rotted manure or compost. If planted into a pot, make it as large and deep as the space will allow. When the flowers appear, cover the plant with a light fleece at night to protect the blossom. Because of the lack of natural pollinators early in the year you can help things a long by using a long dry paintbrush to dust pollen from one flower to another. Then water the plant regularly and feed with tomato food through the summer to keep it healthy. Prune any branches that grow out away from the wall, and also remove any that overcrowd the framework. Cut some old and fruited lateral shoots out each year to allow new ones to take their place.

When we rented a house in the South of France one summer, there was a peach tree in the garden and the owner invited us to help ourselves. We have never eaten so many sweet, ripe peaches. Nothing in the supermarkets here has ever compared to those fat globes of nectar.

A few years ago, I discovered that it was possible to grow peaches in this country too, with a few caveats. In the far South it’s possible to grow them against a south, or south-west-facing wall. Further up the country we need the help of a conservatory or a large greenhouse. The reasons for this are threefold: peach trees tend to flower very early, around February, when the UK can still suffer sharp frosts in the mornings; they also develop fungal diseases if the weather is too cold and damp and finally, our short summers generally don’t give enough time for the fruits to ripen. But if you have that south-facing wall or conservatory and would like to have a go at growing peaches (and who wouldn’t?) read on.

‘Peregrine’ is a white-fleshed peach quite wellsuited to the English climate (the above warnings notwithstanding) though generally best grown under cover. ‘Rochester’ is a very reliable yellow variety that gives good harvests of large fruits in August. It also has the advantage of being a late bloomer, making it less susceptible to frost damage. If space is limited, which it often is in a conservatory, choose a plant grafted on to dwarf rootstock. Peaches are best grown as a fan. Fasten horizontal wires to the wall at 30cm intervals to allow the stems to be tied in and spaced out evenly. The plant should be positioned about 25cm from the wall with branches sloped towards it, and if planted directly into the soil, this

It might take a couple of years but with a little care and attention and a smidge of luck you will be able to reap the reward of harvesting your own peaches. There are few activities quite as delightful!

Happy gardening.

By Rachael Leverton

Toad Patrols in Operation Now

Please drive carefully through Winscombe Hill, Priddy & Webbington. On warm damp evenings during Feb & March toads migrate to their breeding ponds, crossing roads to get there, hundreds get killed by traffic. These ancient routes are very specific.

Volunteers will be wearing high viz and carrying buckets and torches, assisting the toads on the roads.

The UK toad population is estimated to have suffered a 68% decline since 1990. Volunteers all over the country are trying to reduce the loss of life by patrolling the areas where toad migration routes intersect busy roads. They are supported by The Wildlife Trusts, Councils, the charity Froglife and locally, The Reptile and Amphibian Group for Somerset (RAGS).

To volunteer email: Winscombe: joytrus@hotmail.co.uk

Priddy: jdickson61@aol.com

Webbington: bindycardy@yahoo.com

National Sickie Day! Take care of your mental health

leave on mental health grounds might help to stop pressures building into something worse, necessitating more sick days later in the year.

Taking a mental health day is not about shirking or taking liberties, it’s about taking control and minimising the risk of physical illness that can be triggered by unmet mental health needs.

The first Monday of February is statistically the day that workers are most likely to call in sick, which is why it has been dubbed National Sickie Day!

Having a cold or flu are the most common excuses used for taking a day off work, but almost half of the people who take the day are actually stressed, anxious, or depressed. Physical illness is a more socially acceptable reason for taking the day off, so most people use this as their excuse, instead of telling their boss the truth.

A mental health day should be an acceptable reason to take a day off because one day of sick

We don’t hesitate to take a day off to rest and recover from physical illnesses such as the flu, yet we don’t feel its right to take time off for mental illness. Physical health and mental health are equally important in the workplace and a good employer will ensure line managers are trained to be able spot signs that their staff might be struggling. Once a problem has been identified it is important that employees are able to discuss the issue without fear of discrimination, and that employers are able to offer the right support and opportunities for self-care. This may be as simple as being flexible with working hours or encouraging employees to take their full lunch break away from their desk, or as complex as providing in house counselling. Recognising that mental problems are often invisible and that employees may need support is a great start.

By Gemma Peters

Aquatic Harmony - New classes starting in February

Hello my name is Hayleigh I have been running the swim school Aquatic Harmony since 2011. Aquatic Harmony hold baby to pre-classes, classes for school age children, beginner adults and we also specialise in pregnancy aqua natal classes. We teach in the Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire areas and have taught thousands of children and pregnant ladies through the years. We are super excited to be starting our classes at Ridgemoore pool in Blackford at the end of February 2023 (BS28).

Why start swimming with your child?

When babies swim it strengthens their heart and lungs as well as their arm, leg and neck muscles. Bouncing and splashing in the water stimulates the vestibular system, aiding balance and coordination. Baby swimming is proven to help with little one’s eating and sleeping patterns which is always a bonus! Introducing your children to swimming is a great way to establish a healthy lifestyle and one of the biggest advantages of swimming is that it allows children to be naturally adventurous and have fun. As well as a life skill, one major benefit of swimming is that it triggers the release of endorphins, famously known as the ‘happy hormones’.

Our pregnancy water-based Aquanatal Yoga classes is one of the best things you can do for your body, mind and baby whilst pregnant. Our classes provide you with a gentle and easily accessible way to exercise, relax and prepare for the birth of your baby. Our classes offer a relaxed environment allowing you to enjoy each stage of your pregnancy, learn beneficial breathing practices, meet other expectant mums and find time for you and your unborn baby. Or join us for our postnatal aqua classes which is suitable for all woman in all walks of life.

Our classes are held in warm pools, our instructors are handpicked for not only their qualifications and technical knowledge, but also their ability to make lessons fun. Our classes are small with just four or five in each group so we can dedicate more time to you and your child. We also teach in other pools in Somerset, Bristol and Wiltshire. For more information please contact hayleigh@aquatic-harmony.com or go to our website www.aquatic-harmony.com

Managing incontinence and dementia: our top tips

Incontinence is not uncommon in people who have dementia; it is thought that around 60 to 70% of people with Alzheimer’s will develop incontinence in the later stages of dementia. If you live with someone who has this condition, it can be useful to know what you can do to help. Read on for our advice:

Understand why it happens: People with dementia face many challenges, ranging from loss of spatial awareness (meaning that they can get lost in their own home and not recognise where or what the bathroom is) to mobility issues, making it tricky to get to the bathroom in time. With advanced dementia, communication becomes more difficult, and the ability to react and remember things is greatly reduced, meaning someone might not be able to communicate that they need to use the toilet.

Get support from health professionals: It might be your GP, community nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist – the NHS also has specialist continence advisers, and while their availability varies, they exist to create bespoke continence care plans and provide follow up plans and next steps.

Seek advice from professional organisations: The Alzheimer’s Society has some highly practical support on a whole range of related topics – from maintaining a healthy bladder and bowels, to reducing and dealing with accidents. They also have some very thoughtful advice on how to communicate better with a person who has dementia – do have a read.

Identify the right continence aids: This is where specialist suppliers like Arelle can help, ensuring you find the right products for comfort and care, which will also protect clothing, furniture and bedding. These can include incontinence pants and pads, as well as incontinence bed and seat protection such as bed and chair pads, mattress covers, duvet and pillow covers and even waterproof duvets, pillows and mattresses.

If you would prefer some tailored advice on finding the right product for you or the person you are caring for, that’s what we are here for. Don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0800 389 3597.

The Food of Love

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach right? So I decided to cook up some culinary love magic for my boyfriend this Valentine’s day, but what to choose?

He loves Japanese food so I consulted my Japanese food-loving friend Yui. She informed me that in Japan the puffer fish is considered to be a great delicacy and an aphrodisiac, but the kicker is that it contains a poisonous gland so deadly it must be removed before eating! One mistake by the carefully trained chef and the food of love can become quite literally, a matter of life or death!

I thought a safer seafood option might be the oyster. A favourite with the Romans some oysters

are able to change sex repeatedly and so are said to give you the ability to experience the male and female sides of love. Yui cheerfully imparted the ‘fun fact’ that at least 12000 people a year in the UK develop food poisoning after consuming oysters, which kind of put me off a bit.

What about asparagus? The high levels of vitamin E are supposed to increase blood and oxygen flow to the genitals. It’s also full of potassium — which is linked to sex hormone production, and as a bonus it even has a somewhat phallic shape. Asparagus and hollandaise sauce was a winner surely. Yui (who I suspect does not care much for Valentine’s Day) tilted her head to one side. “You do know that the asparagusic acid in asparagus, breaks down into sulphur compounds, which make your urine smell revolting?’ Uh-oh, she was right.

In the end I settled on making chocolate mousse. Dark chocolate contains both a relaxing sedative that lowers inhibitions plus a stimulant to perk you up. My boyfriend is a chocoholic so I’m backing a winner and better still Yui didn’t point out any pitfalls…because I didn’t tell her what I was making!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

By Lucy Perkins

Inexpensive (5)

Attached to a mast (5)

Ill-fated ship (7)

Subside, wane (5)

Merriment (5)

Luke warm (5)

Anxieties (7)

Weaken, drain (3)

Reed instrument (4)

Coax, wheedle (6)

Earlier (5)

Blood vessel (6)

Thin fog (4)

Formerly known as (3)

Infers (7)

Volatile, liquid (5)

Style of car (5)

Pontoons (5)

Display (7)

French hat (5)

Liquifies (5)

Oaty chocolate biscuit (6)

Clothes, garments (6)

Could be pork, apple or steak! (3)

Loathes (5)

Alike (7)

Could be citric, hydrochloric or sulphuric! (4)

Deadly (6)

_____ Wogan, radio presenter (5)

Adult female (5)

Journey, itinerary (5)

Hedgehog, hero of a video game (5)

Destructive insects or small animals (5)

Mask, disguise (5)

Ploy, ruse (7)

Far away (6)

Change, alter (6)

Group of seven things (6)

Beelzebub (5)

Blunt-ended sword used for fencing (4)

Outer edge (3)

Homeowner Loans?

While the festive period feels a long time ago for some people the real festive hangover begins. 61% of people surveyed by YouGov prior to the run up to Christmas were planning to purchase festive items by using a credit card, over a third expected to use their overdraft and 40% of borrowers intended to use Buy Now, Pay Later finance.

With household budgets more stretched than ever, Liberty Money have been looking at what this means for people looking to consolidate loans and credit cards to make monthly outgoings more manageable but currently have a fixed-rate mortgage with redemption charges. Homeowner loans, known as second charge mortgages are often used to re-organise personal finances and can allow customers to consolidate debt into easy-to-manage monthly payments. The most common method is to take out a debt consolidation loan. Another way to consolidate debt is to remortgage and borrow extra to pay off other debts but if you are tied into a product a second charge mortgage may be a better option.

Case Study; Customer A was spending £945pm on a car loan and three credit cards totalled £35,000 they also wanted £5000 cash out for some home improvements.

Loan amount £40,000; Monthly repayment £348.44; Interest Rate 6.5% Variable Rate (fixed options available); Term 15 years This saved the customer £596.56pm in outgoings.

Representative Example:

Borrowing of £40,000, plus £1,095 lender fee, totalling £41,095, over 200 months on a variable product with an initial borrowing rate of 7.3%. There would be 200 monthly instalments of £377.77. Total amount payable £71,249, made up of: Mortgage Amount £40,000, Interest £30,059, Lender fee £1,095, Exit Fee £95. Overall cost for comparison purposes 8.0% APRC. Please be advised that any interest rate fluctuations, during the life of the mortgage contract, will affect the total amount repayable.

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Call us on 01275 244360 so that we can arrange a no obligation discussion.

Breakthrough treatment for osteoarthritis

“It’s important to stay active as you get older”, declares Marylyn of Wells. “But when osteoarthritis set into my feet two or three years ago, I could hardly walk 50 yards down the road without real pain and discomfort. I used to work as a gardener and I honestly think it was a result of all that digging.

“A friend showed me an advertisement for osteopath Matthew Jackson. When he took an ultrasound scan, he was frankly shocked at how bad it was, but suggested trying K-laser therapy. Now, I remembered watching Wimbledon on TV and hearing that tennis hero Rafael Nadal’s top ranking and fitness have been maintained through the use of K-laser –and that the American Olympic team had also used it – so I thought well, that’s good enough for me!

“So I had laser treatments weekly initially and my foot improved each time. Matthew offers a wonderful range of treatments and he also gave me a cream to rub on my feet and a herbal formula to take. Now I really enjoy being able to take a regular walk into and around town – it’s such a big improvement.

“I feel lucky that the clinic in Westhay is so close to Wells, I don’t know anywhere else like it – but then I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else! Matthew is not only knowledgeable, proficient and professional, he and clinic

partner Becky are so very kind and supportive.”

Matthew explains, “When I scanned Marylyn’s feet and saw the advanced level of osteoarthritis present, even I wasn’t sure how much laser therapy could help to prompt natural healing, but – partly thanks to her persistence with regular sessions – I’m really pleased with the successful effects.”

Exclusive offer

Somerset Health Practice is making a special, exclusive offer to LocalReach readers – free ultrasound scan worth £130.

*Offer open to the first 5 readers to book shockwave sessions, quoting the offer code FANTASTIC FEB!

Call 01458 860392 before 28th February.

About Matthew Jackson…

Matthew Jackson of the Somerset Health Practice is well known locally as a trusted osteopath and acupuncturist who is truly dedicated to helping and healing people through modern natural medicine. He is also an expert herbalist and registered practitioner, having trained in London and China with world class professionals. Matthew is always studying new ways and gaining new qualifications to help his clients, taking a holistic approach. These include Shockwave and Laser therapy for pain, injury and wounds alongside hyperbaric oxygen therapy for longevity, chronic disease healing and enhanced performance. Look online for Somerset Shockwave and Origin Oxygen and read informative e-books.

For more information and claim your free assessment * call 01458 860392

Treatments are private and easy payment plans can be arranged to suit your budget Follow us ‘Somerset Health Practice’ on Facebook and Instagram, or ‘@glastoosteo’ on Twitter

Matthew Jackson - BSc (Hons) Ost, Dip Ac/CHM (China), Pg Dip CHM (OB/GYN), Pg Cert US (MSK) MRCHM, BMUS

“Laser therapy helped a tennis hero, so it was good enough for me!”

Raspberry Tartlets

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 1-2 hours

Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins

Ingredients: Pastry

175g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 2 tbsp icing sugar

100g butter, chilled, cut into small pieces

1 egg, beaten Crème Pâtissière

150ml whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

25g caster sugar

25g plain flour

1 free-range egg 75ml double cream

Raspberry Topping 4 tbsp raspberry jam 450g raspberries

You will need 8 small 10cm loose-bottomed metal tart tins and some baking beans.

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.

To make the pastry, rub the flour, icing sugar and butter together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Or place the flour, icing sugar and butter in a food processor and pulse. Then add the egg and combine until the mixture forms a ball.

Place the dough on to a floured surface. Roll it out with a rolling pin. Cut eight rounds big enough to line the base and sides of the tins. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.

To bake blind, prick the pastry bases, line the tins

with baking parchment, fill with baking beans and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the beans and paper and return the bases to the oven for 5 minutes, until cooked and a pale golden-brown. Leave to cool.

To make the crème pâtissière, place the milk and vanilla in a saucepan. Heat until the milk it is just scalded (just on the point of boiling).

Place the sugar, flour and egg in a mixing bowl and whisk. Pour in half the hot milk and whisk until smooth. Pour in the remaining hot milk.

Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring all the time, until the custard becomes very thick.

Pour into a bowl, allow to cool then cover with cling film and chill in the fridge until cold. Once cold, pour in the double cream, whisking constantly. Spoon this crème pâtissière into the tart cases and return to the fridge to chill.

To make the glaze, heat the jam in a saucepan with a tablespoon of water and whisk to combine. Strain the liquid through a sieve into a small bowl.

Arrange the raspberries to stand upright on the crème pâtissière then brush the warm glaze over the top.

Why Bra-rchitecture is Worth Paying For

I was 12 when I had my first bra fitting. The condescending assistant whipped out her tape measure, pronounced I was a ‘36C’, adding, ‘That’s large,’ produced two orthopaedic-looking white bras, decided they were a ‘good enough fit’ and that was that. She never told me that my breasts would change, with every growth spurt, with monthly hormones, with the contraceptive pill, during pregnancy and childbirth…no, my bra size was set in stone at age 12 and 25 years later I was still wearing a 36C. I suffered from upper back pain and often had deep red marks on my shoulders but it was only when I visited a specialist bra shop in my thirties looking

for a sports bra that a wonderful fitting assistant advised me I was wearing the wrong size. My back size needed to go down to a 30 and my cup size up to an F! The moment I donned the pretty bra she’d selected my shoulder pain all but disappeared. I also visibly shed at least half a stone in the mirror and marvelled at my new slim waist. She advised me on bra care, bra lifespan and how to recheck my size every six-12 months. I left a good deal poorer because as I learned, a good, well-fitting, supportive bra involves a lot of sophisticated engineering and workmanship and thus costs considerably more than I was used to paying.

Breasts, especially full breasts, are heavy, and we are taught to carry a heavy item by holding it close to our body, because it puts less pressure on our back. A bra should do that for your breasts. This is why the band is the most important part, because it provides 80% of the support. As the cup size increases the band needs to be wider, and the straps thicker, to redistribute the weight across your torso. If the band is too thin, it will fold and dig into your sides, while the shoulders will take too much of the weight, causing those deep red marks.

Once we have a well-fitted band, we can look at the cup. A cup formed from one solid piece of material will stretch gradually, no matter how well made. The exception to this is heat moulded lace, which some manufacturers are beginning to use because it fits well without stretching. Most cups though are seamed. They provide support via a side panel placed in such a way that it doesn’t stretch plus and a bottom panel (sometimes two panels) that provide support to the underside of the breast. The decorative top panel may or may not have some stretch to it. In addition many possess an inner sling for extra support. All brands differ slightly, and some might suit your breast shape better than others. For example, my narrow rib cage and shoulders mean I prefer a bra where the cups are situated close together and the straps are also close set at the back. I find Fantasie full cup bras fit me best, my best friend prefers the shape Panache bras give her, and her daughter is fan of Freya balconettes, with wider set straps.

Hopefully, you now understand how much design and engineering go into a well-constructed bra, to produce lift, shape and support, as well as something beautiful to look at.

By Gemma Peters

Designing and fitting kitchens in North Somerset for over 13 years

Have you been thinking of a new kitchen?

Save 50% on a new kitchen by simply replacing doors, drawers and worktops.

Dream Doors North Somerset would like to thank past and current customers for their support and referrals.

Our Checkatrade rating 9.8/10 is thriving and we believe it’s down to the authenticity of your local Dream Doors Kitchen experts based in Congresbury.

We cater for all sizes of kitchens and budgets, including apartments. A recent installation gained fantastic feedback from Mrs Ware “I love my little flat and what we’ve done with the kitchen is the icing on the cake. Ed and Carl, what a lovely pair of lads; I’m over the moon.”

Covering the whole of North Somerset, we have delighted over 1000 homeowners, and we love making a difference to our customers’ lives, by refurbishing their now sociable areas within their home.

Often a chat or a drink or two can be held in your kitchen and it creates a lovely social area for your friends and family.

Dream Doors North Somerset can talk through what your vision is and ensure that a cost-effective solution is available. Our locally based project & fitting teams are always on hand to ensure 100% satisfaction is achieved.

Call Kay and the team at the showroom on 01934 832361 or email n.som@dreamdoors.co.uk to realise your kitchen vision.

The Magic of Slimming World

Picture the scene: You decided as your New Year’s resolution you want to lose weight, your clothes are feeling tight and you feel lethargic. It was what you had planned to do for a while but just didn’t quite get round to it! However, you found the diet you chose to follow restrictive, rather boring and you constantly felt pangs of hunger - none of your favourite meals or snacks could be enjoyed! A few weeks in and you have had enough, it’s not for you and you are now wishing there was a magic wand to help you lose weight and feel healthier!

Cathy and Mary are waiting to welcome you into their warm and friendly Slimming World groups where they will show you the way to a healthy eating lifestyle that puts you in control. Embracing the full package that Slimming World offers you will lose weight beautifully and enjoy your journey to target! With a few changes to the way you shop, cook and eat, you can lose weight whilst enjoying all your favorite food and drink without ever feeling hungry again. Quite simply, there are hundreds of everyday foods you can eat without restriction, no foods are banned, no calorie counting and no need to cook or eat separately to the rest of the family either. Still enjoy social events and eating out too! And when you are ready, you will find we have an activity programme that, no matter what your starting point, will help you to build in a more active lifestyle and get fit for life. Now that’s magic and no wand in sight!

At Cathy and Mary’s Slimming World groups in Cheddar and Churchill, members are achieving their 1 stone award in their first 6 weeks of getting the support that only Slimming World groups offer.

If you are looking for a new healthier lifestyle, why wait? Come along and join one of our warm, friendly groups, where the magic happens, to start your amazing slimming journey and you could be picking up your first award in no time – ‘Yes you can with Slimming World’.

New, re-joining and visiting members all very welcome.

The Midwife of Auschwitz

by Anna Stuart

Ana Kaminski is a midwife who is taken to Auschwitz with her young friend Ester Pasternak. As they pass through the iron gates and reach

the front of the processing line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares her profession, saying Ester is her assistant. Their arms are tattooed, and they’re ordered to the maternity hut. There Ana vows to do everything she can to save the lives of mothers and their infants.

But she soon learns that the SS snatch the blondhaired babies from their mothers to place with German families. In spite of her horror Ana realises that for these children there is at least the hope of survival. With rumours of the war ending Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo the newborns with their mother’s numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.

The novel is fiction, but it’s based on a true story and many of the characters are based on real people at Birkenau (the largest camp in the Auschwitz complex). Ana is a Catholic, Ester is Jewish and Ana was the midwife who delivered her. Ana’s family were part of the Resistance helping Jewish people escape the Nazi enforced Ghetto until Ana was arrested along with two of her sons. Her husband and other son were not home at the time, so Ana does not know what happened to them at the time she arrives in Auschwitz. She and Ester cling to their friendship and each other through the horror and evil around them. When Liberation comes will they find a way to get home together? And what awaits them there?

The voice of women is often absent from history, even quite recent history. Anna Stuart’s sensitive, beautiful novel showcases one woman’s incredible story which is a tribute to those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis.

By Tash Donovan

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

Cat Lady

Karen Anderson