Community Notices are back!
Due to popular demand we are bringing back Community Notices to LocalReach as of the April issues. So if you are a local; club, group, school, church, association etc and want to advertise your event or just make people aware of what you do, we want to hear from you. We will place this free of charge for you.
Simply go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and fill in the form on the Community page or email editor@localreach.co.uk. We want to help as much of the community as possible, especially the groups that have very little income and no budget for advertising.
Are you looking for more business?
Advertising in LocalReach is a fantastic way to reach all your existing, and potentially new customers. LocalReach is delivered by Royal Mail to all homes & businesses in your postcode area every month. It is packed with community notices, interesting articles and local businesses. A massive 98% of our advertisers rebook every month so we must be doing something right!
So, if you are looking for more business then contact us now. To advertise just go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and fill in the contact form or email hello@localreach.co.uk
Community Notices are free of charge editor@localreach.co.uk or www.localreach.co.uk
Deadline is 1st March for the April issues
Business advertising from only £18+vat pm hello@localreach.co.uk or www.localreach.co.uk
Deadline is 1st March for the April issues
Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 6:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm
DO YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF LOCALREACH EACH MONTH?
LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Wells/BA5 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident an business, totalling 10,070 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.
Get your dabbers ready. Its Easter Bingo time!!
Please join us for our Globe Carnival Clubs Easter Bingos. Lots of prizes to be won. Refreshments available. St Thomas Church Hall. Wells on Friday 24th March & Croscombe Village Hall. Wells on Monday 3rd April. Doors open 6.45pm...eyes down at 7.30pm.
We are also looking to seek new members if you are interested in being part of our carnival family then please contact us on our facebook page or our secretary Wendy at wendy30360@yahoo. co.uk. We look forward to seeing you all.
Wedmore Friends of Weston Hospicecare
Fashion show by Kukkina Boutique of Cheddar on Saturday 1st April 2023 at 2.30pm. Venue: Isle of Wedmore Bowls Club. In aid of Weston Hospicecare. Tickets £10 each to include cream tea. Tickets non-refundable. Why not come and join us and support the excellent work of Weston Hospicecare. Tickets are available from: Trish Newell 01934 713117, Liz Burton 01934 221288, Shirley Wederell 01934 712089, Dave Nicholls 01934 713483, Wedmore Paper Shop 01934 712545. We look forward to seeing you.
Glastonbury Country Market
We are open Tuesday mornings from 9.30am to 12.30pm inside the Town Hall. We have locally made, grown and created, arts and crafts, home baking, seasonal vegetables and fruit, locally made preserves and honey, plants and flowers. Come and have a chat with those who make, bake and create all the goods we have. If you can’t quite find what you are looking for it may be possible to make it for you. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram - Glastonbury Country Market.
Axbridge & District Museum opens 1st April
Axbridge & District Museum, in National Trust-owned King John’s Hunting Lodge, in Axbridge Square, displays a fascinating collection of artefacts illustrating the area’s rich history from preRoman times to World War Two. It opens Saturday, April 1st, with an official opening at 10am. We would love to see you there.
The museum will be open until the end of October, Wednesday-Sunday, 1-4pm, and from 11am-4pm on the first Saturday of each month, to coincide with the farmers’ market in the Square.
For further information, please visit www.kingjohnshuntinglodge.co.uk or on Twitter: KingJohnHuntingLodge@AxbridgeMuseum
Community Notices are back!
To advertise simply go to our web site www.localreach.co.uk and fill in the form on the Community page or email editor@localreach.co.uk
A Different Kind of Mothers’ Day Could you be a foster mother?
loving environment for them. Fostering provides opportunity to make a difference in their lives and help them reach their full potential.
Children in the care system have often experienced significant trauma or upheaval in their lives, and foster families provide children with a sense of stability and security, creating an environment in which they can heal and grow and learn to form positive relationships with others.
Sunday 19th March is Mothers’ Day. Many of us will wake up to our offspring proudly offering us a wobbly tray of breakfast. But for the 400,000 children in the social care system there may be no-one in their lives to appreciate their efforts of burned toast and soggy cereal.
This is where foster parents are invaluable. Fostering is an opportunity for individuals and families to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children who are unable to live with their biological families, by providing a safe and
There is currently a shortage of foster carers, leading to long waits to place children. The basic requirements for fostering are that you are at least 21 years old (there is no upper age limit as long as you are fit and healthy), have a spare bedroom, and have permanent leave to remain in the UK.
Foster carers receive an allowance for each child they foster and training is available.
If you feel that you have what it takes to be a foster mother there are resources and information available at www.fosteringpeople.co.uk
By Jamie MaxfieldSpring is a time when we often get the urge to clean and declutter our homes.
If you have the urge, here are a few useful strategies:
Start small - It can be overwhelming to try to declutter a whole room or house at once. Instead, start with a small area, such as a closet or a single shelf, and work your way up to larger areas.
Follow the “one year” rule - When deciding whether to keep something, ask yourself if you
have used it or worn it in the past year. If the answer is no, consider getting rid of it.
Sort items into piles - As you declutter, sort items into piles such as “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” or “throw away” This can make it easier to decide what to do with each item.
Use storage solutions - Invest in storage solutions, such as bins or shelves. This can help you to keep your home organized and clutterfree BUT declutter first. It’s easier to organise stuff when you have less of it!
Let it go - It can be difficult to get rid of things, especially if they have sentimental value. However, it’s important to remember that keeping things that you don’t use or need can add unnecessary stress to your life.
Finally - be patient and take breaks when needed. Decluttering can be a time-consuming process, but the end result of a more organized and clutter-free home is worth the effort.
By Sarah DaveyGarlic and Herb Prawns A Light and Tasty Supper
Method:
Rinse the prawns. Use a sharp knife to slice along the back of each prawn from head end to tail and remove the thin black intestine.
Mix the lemon juice with the garlic, herbs and butter to form a paste. Season well with salt and pepper and spread the paste over the prawns. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes.
Preheat a frying pan. Fry the prawns until cooked, tossing them several times to distribute the heat evenly.
Ingredients:
12 Raw prawns in their shells
Juice of half a lemon
2 Garlic cloves - crushed
3 tbsp Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
3 tbsp softened butter
Salt and pepper
Turn out on to warm plates and drizzle with the juices from the pan.
Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread.
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 25 minutes + marinating time
Cooking time: 5-6 minutes
The Bank of Mum and Dad
If I asked you to name the top 10 banks in the UK, could you name them all, sure we’d all name HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds but would The Bank of Mum and Dad be in your top 10?
According to a recent survey 84% of parents help their children with deposits which contributes to 26% of funds to the UK housing market, this makes the bank of Mum and Dad the 9th largest bank in the UK.
One-way parents do this is by releasing equity in their own property, this can be done by a traditional mortgage, increasing the loan amount, or depending on the circumstances there are more specialist lenders who have Retirement interest only mortgages (RIO’s). This is where the mortgage balance doesn’t decrease and only the interest is repaid each month, they are aimed at customers aged 50 and over regardless of whether they are retired or still working. RIOs are similar to a standard interest only mortgage, the main difference being that there is no termthe mortgage will run indefinitely and only repaid on the customer(s) entering long term care or death. RIO mortgages can be repaid early in the same way mainstream mortgages are and there are also fixed rates available. The main benefit of them is the way affordability is assessed using assets, private and state pensions and employed/self-employed incomes.
So why use us? Ultimately, it’s our job to find the right mortgage for your needs. We do this by assessing your requirements and then making a recommendation that puts your needs first.
With access to a vast array of lenders and the ability to tap into exclusive deals that are not available on the high street we aim to make sure you never pay a lender more than you need to. Life is busy, we know that, so we will apply to the lender on your behalf and manage the whole mortgage process, leaving you free to continue with other important tasks.
Call us on 01275 244360 so that we can arrange a no obligation discussion.
Top 10 Kitchen Buying Secrets Exposed!
Weston based kitchen supplier, Better Kitchens, shares some great insights into the potential pitfalls when buying a kitchen…
1. Interest free finance isn’t free - You may find prices from outlets that offer “interest free” are much higher than a “cash” price elsewhere. Because interest free finance is not free to the retailer, they will often inflate their prices to cover their costs for including the finance.
2. Why are some sales staff so pushy? - Most Sales staff work on commission, so they’re incentivised to sell you the most profitable lines, not the best option for you. Items that you don’t need can also be included. The higher your price, the larger their commission fee!
3. Trade prices are not always the cheapest - Always look at the bottom line price. Retailers who advertise themselves as “Trade Suppliers” like to give the impression that “Trade Prices” mean cheap prices. This may have been the case in the past, but now large Trade sheds use this “common knowledge” to their advantage and have raised their prices hoping you won’t realise.
4. Kitchen fitting shouldn’t cost as much as your kitchen - Bundled prices for fitting through a retailer can be inflated to include a margin for the supplier. The price could also include VAT, whereas a private installer may not be VAT registered, saving you 20% on the fitting.
5. You don’t have to sign up on the day!High pressure sales tactics include things like making you put a deposit down on the day of visiting the showroom. If you do this, you’re locked in to that supplier, stopping you from shopping around to find a better price.
6. Trade supplier prices are not always what they seem - Your local trade supplier’s prices are determined by the tradesman who’s buying the kitchen. The price they share with you may not always be the price they get charged by the supplier!
7. Why can’t some appliances be price matched? - Larger retailers will often negotiate specific models of appliances with their suppliers. These are often the exact same model as the ones available elsewhere, just with minor or inconsequential differences. But because they’re an exclusive model, they can no longer be price matched!
8. Half price sales are a myth - If you see a 50% reduction on a kitchen, ask yourself whether you think anyone has ever paid “full” price. Don’t assume that a “50% reduction” can’t be beaten elsewhere, they often can! Don’t be taken in.
9. Some suppliers use tricks to make shopping around difficult - If you buy into the wrong supplier’s kitchens, you can run the risk of locking yourself into their ecosystem, often for the life of the kitchen. Common tricks include using non-industry standard sizes, forcing you to buy their matching components. This can mean re-facing doors or worktops later in your kitchen’s life forces you to return to that same supplier again.
10. Organising the purchase and installation of your own kitchen can save you a small fortune - Buying online has never been easier. By measuring up yourself, then selecting and buying your own kitchen units, you can save yourself much of the additional costs associated with a full kitchen purchase like commission for sales staff, time for measure-ups and design. Even if you source your own fitter rather than doing it yourself, thousands can be saved!
A company like Better Kitchens can help you bring together all aspects of buying your own kitchenmeasuring, designing, planning and buying. Feel free to ask us for help at every step.
If you’re looking at a new kitchen, give Better Kitchens in Weston-s-Mare a look. We’re the largest independent online kitchen supplier in the South West. Go to betterkitchens.co.uk/get-a-quote today, or visit our 28 display showroom in Weston to find out how much you could save on your existing kitchen quote from any other supplier!
Sofa So Good
So, you want a new sofa. What are the factors you need to consider?
might fall in love with a sleek ultra-modern purple number, but if you live in a cottage with original period décor, you have to consider whether you love it enough to change your entire interior scheme. If you want something to fit into your existing home, consider how the colour, fabric, and design will complement it. Then consider any additional features you might want, such as reclining seats or a pull-out guest bed.
Comfort - Sounds obvious but sit on the sofa in the store to get a feel for it. Consider the depth of the seat, the height of the back, the angle of the backrest, and the density of the cushions.
Durability - Look for a sofa that is well-constructed and made of durable materials. Check the frame, springs, and legs to ensure they are sturdy.
Size matters - Measure the space where the sofa will go, including doorways and stairways, to make sure the sofa will fit. It sounds obvious but it’s an incredibly common oversight! Also consider the scale of the room and the other furniture in it, and choose a sofa that is appropriately sized.
Style - Think about the overall decor of the room and choose a sofa that complements it. You
Maintenance - Consider the ease of cleaning and care the sofa might need. Some materials, such as leather, are easier to care for than others.
Budget - Work out your budget and stick to it. Keep in mind that a higher price does not always equate to better quality. Look for sales and discounts. You can also get a great deal if you’re prepared to buy a used sofa.
By Gemma Peters
Eat well to protect your hearing
A recent study suggests that women who eat healthily may reduce the risk of them suffering hearing loss in later life. Researchers at a major hospital in the United States discovered that women whose diet was considered healthy had a substantially lower risk of needing hearing aids.
The lead author of the study, Dr Sharon Curhan, said although it was a common perception that hearing loss was an inevitable part of getting older, the research suggested that changing diet and having a healthy lifestyle could prevent hearing loss or delay its progression. Diets intended to reduce high blood pressure, or the so-called Mediterranean diet were suggested by the study which involved 19 testing sites over 20 years. Their findings seem to confirm earlier research which suggests that a higher intake of specific nutrients and certain foods such as squash, carrots, oranges, legumes, leafy greens, seafood and fish, was associated with lower risk of hearing loss.
The latest study found that the odds of a decline in mid-frequency hearing sensitivities were almost 30% lower among those whose diets most closely resembled these healthful dietary
patterns, compared with women whose diets least resembled the healthful dietary patterns. In the higher frequencies, the odds were up to 25% lower.
South West Hearing Care Managing Director
Simon Swindells explained that the connection between diet and the decline in hearing sensitivity encompassed frequencies that were critical for speech understanding. This causes issues for understanding speech especially in noisy places.
“The researchers were surprised to find that so many women demonstrated hearing decline over such a relatively short period of time,” said Simon. “It seems most of the participants were in their 50s and early 60s - a younger age than when many people think about having their hearing checked and after only three years, 19% had hearing loss in the low frequencies, 38% had hearing loss in the mid-frequencies and almost half had hearing loss in the higher frequencies,” he said, pointing out the value of not just of eating healthily but also to have regular hearing checks so that any hearing loss could be detected and dealt with early.
Simon’s mantra continues for 2023, please have your hearing checked regularly.
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 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/OvenGleamersSheptonMallet
Word Search
1 Nightclub entertainment (7)
4 Strange and frightening (5)
7 System for detecting aircraft (5)
9 Vertical, erect (7)
10 Passivity, paralysis (7)
11 Emperor, king, monarch (5)
12 Tyrannical dictator (6)
14 Priest or religious leader (6)
18 Plentiful (5)
20 Gaunt, exhausted (7)
22 Scottish pouch worn with a kilt (7)
23 Ceremonial headdress (5)
24 Item in a diary, or notebook (5)
25 Spiny Australian egg-laying mammal! (7)
Down
1 Supported, sustained (7)
2 Decorative breast pin (5)
3 Tropical bird with large colourful beak (6)
4 Mistake (5)
5 Constant, uniform (7)
6 Go inside (5)
8 Relative size of two values (5)
13 Assist financially (7)
15 Strict reason (5)
16 Intricate musical solo (7)
17 Become different (6)
18 Passage in supermarket (5)
19 Before the expected time (5)
21 Keep away from (5)
Mindbenders
Solutions: Turn to page 19
Sewing classes in Cheddar
Bring out your sewing machine and dust it off because at Pretty Sitting we are running new sewing classes. Simple sewing projects for the home is a programme of classes throughout the spring/summer months designed to give everyone confidence to make soft furnishings using their own sewing machines. Scatter cushions, bench seats, roman blinds and more…but starting us off is a class designed to simply get to know your sewing machine. All our tutors are experienced professionals and our class sizes small. It is a fun way to get making lovely pieces for your own home and suitable for the complete beginner. All our sewing classes are held at our workshop at Barrows House, Tweentown, Cheddar BS27 3HU.
If you’d like some inspiration with a whole room project, then our Creative Interiors Masterclasses might just be the thing for you. Held on Sundays at our Bath Street showroom, Cheddar BS27 3AA, they are designed to get you thinking creatively and bring out your own inner interior designer! Further details of all our classes and courses in sewing, upholstery, soft furnishings and interiors can be found on our website www.prettysittingvintage.co.uk. You can also find us on Instagram at Pretty Sitting_Somerset and on our Facebook page.
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
It’s Mothers’ Day this month and in spite of all the saccharine cards in the shops we know that mother and daughter relationships are often not straightforward. Lucy Barton is both a mother and a daughter. She has a floundering marriage and is in hospital with complications following what should have been a routine operation. Her husband who dislikes hospitals and declines to visit, arranges instead for her estranged mother to sit with her.
Strout’s novel is about a mother and daughter relationship steeped in sadness. Lucy spent her childhood craving maternal love, while her mother seemed incapable of providing it.
This poignant and deeply moving novel explores the complexities of family, love, and forgiveness. Told from Lucy’s viewpoint, the story takes us on a journey through her childhood and into adult life, as she reflects on events in her past and her relationship with her mother.
The novel is written in a simple and straightforward style that somehow belies the emotional depth of the story. Strout’s writing is evocative and powerful; she’s a master of capturing the nuances of human emotion. The characters and their relationships are richly drawn, and relatable. Lucy’s relationship with her mother is at the core of the novel, and Strout explores its dynamics with sensitivity and insight.
Themes of family, love, and forgiveness are woven throughout and Strout’s writing reflects on the passage of time, the power of memory and the strength of the human spirit. There is much in this novel that is not stated explicitly. The reader is left to do some work and the result is a wise, thought-provoking book.
By Tash DonovanModern therapy transforms swim champion’s chances
“A great range of holistic treatments to support his athletic ambition”
Josh, aged 15, of Somerton is a champion swimmer whose ability and dedication have earned him the support of the Swim England national talent programme, wins at the English Swimming Championships and Olympic ambitions.
Having loved to swim from the age of eight, Josh started getting serious at just ten years old with 5.30am training sessions in the pool several days a week. These days, he swims for 14 hours a week across six days. Like many athletes –especially when still growing – he has found that this routine brings challenges for the body.
“When Josh first came to me”, explains Matthew Jackson, “he had pains in his arm and shoulder through so much repetitive movement and was missing training sessions. I have experience in helping professional and serious athletes and started treating him with laser therapy, which is fast, non-invasive and can be used frequently.
“With regular treatments, Josh’s pain responded well to the Laser’s ability to promote regeneration and repair, as well as reducing inflammation and lessening stress. Laser therapy is a great option for athletesand is really effective for tendon and muscle pain in any individual, regardless of age and activity level.”
Laser treatment has allowed Josh to continue to swim without pain whilst training and
growing and so keep up his fitness and competitiveness. Matthew has also helped him with orthotics to prevent knee pain caused by flat feet and with sessions in the Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber to support his lungs after swimming frequently in chlorinated water. “I really appreciate the friendly, convenient set up at the clinic and the range of holistic treatments,” says Josh’s mother. “Matthew has gone out of his way to ensure that Josh can safely continue in his athletic ambition.”
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 MARCH TO VICTORY!
Call 01458 860392 before 31st March.
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
Creating Calm
If you know a child or young person struggling with big feelings, stressful situations, or other life challenges, then therapy, or counselling, can really help them. There are lots of reasons they might come for therapy and generally, the answer is, ‘Yes, I can help.’ I work with children and young people experiencing a huge range of concerns including:
• abuse
• anger and frustration
• anxiety
• ASD, ADHD and PANDAS
• attachment
• bereavement
• family issues
• fears and phobias
• OCD, TS, ODD and PDA
• school issues and school
refusal
• self-esteem and self-image
• self-harm and ED
• trauma and PTSD
• and more…
I support children and young people, aged 5 to 18, with Creative Arts Therapy and Counselling, Play Therapy and TraumaPlay. I generally work 1:1 with clients, but I will often work supporting the family too.
I offer parents, carers, and other professionals individualised support, Parents as Partners sessions, and Lego Serious Play. I also run courses for parents and carers, so if you might be interested, please get in touch.
I am a Clinical Supervisor who works creatively, and I have availability to supervise other therapists, teachers, social workers, medical staff, and other professionals face to face at my studio and also over Zoom.
Do you need help for a child or young person that you know?
You can find me, along with Orca my therapy dog, in my private studio based in Wells. It’s within easy access of the town centre and has plenty of parking. If I can help someone you know, or you would like to know more about how I work, please get in touch by sending me an email to hello@creatingcalm.co.uk. You can also find out more at www.creatingcalm.co.uk.
I'm a local therapist, based in Wells, who supports children, young people and their families to help them manage big feelings, stressful situations and other life challenges.
Do you need help for a child or young person that you know?
Do you need help for a child or young person that you know?
Supporting children and young people to help them manage big feelings, stressful situations and other life challenges
Elaine Hutchinson
Working together with families and those who support children to look after themselves as well as others
www.creatingcalm.co.uk
hello@creatingcalm co uk
01749 599066
I'm a local therapist, based in Wells, who supports children, young people and their families to help them manage big feelings, stressful situations and other life challenges.
Elaine Hutchinson
www.creatingcalm.co.uk
Elaine Hutchinson
hello@creatingcalm.co.uk creative art and Play therapy | Autplay | trauma play sand tray therapy | emotional Logic coaching | tele-therapy
Garden View This month – Delightful dahlias
faded blooms regularly to encourage even more flowers. Cut the stem back to just above the next pair of leaves.
Unfortunately, Dahlias are not frost-hardy, so it’s important to lift the tubers in the fall before the first frost and store them in a cool, dry place. Leave the stems and foliage to die back, then carefully lift the tubers, brushing off any soil, and let them dry out for a few days. Store them in a frost-free place, such as a shed or garage, until the spring when you can plant them out again.
I’m a fairly recent convert to the delights of the Dahlia. When I first began gardening seriously, I considered them a bit vulgar and blousy…not to mention needy. Then I saw a fantastic display in my friend’s garden and in a Damascene moment I suddenly saw the light, and I’ve been growing them ever since. With just a little know-how, they are actually easy to grow and care for.
When choosing Dahlias consider the size and type of flower head you want, as well as the height of the plant. Dwarf varieties are great for patio pots, but there are also varieties tall enough be used as a centrepiece in a border. They are planted as tubers right about now. Look for strong, healthy tubers and check the labels carefully to make sure they are suitable for your climate and soil type. They should be planted after the last frost, in a well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. By well-drained I mean soil which allows water to percolate through it reasonably quickly and not pool. If your soil is too heavy, or alternatively too free draining (so nutrients wash away), the best remedy is to dig in lots of organic matter such as compost, well-rotted farm manure, or shredded leaves This will condition the soil so it maintains the right amounts of water and air for better plant growth and increased biological activity
Dig a hole about 10-15cm deep and position the tuber, with the eye (the little dip) facing upward, then cover with soil. Water well and mulch around the base of the plant to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Dahlias are quite thirsty plants so require regular watering, especially during dry spells, and they should be fed every two weeks with a highpotash fertilizer. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Stake tall varieties to prevent them from falling over in windy weather. This sounds needy but they will repay this attention handsomely with their glorious blooms. Deadhead by removing the
My absolute favourite is Dahlia ‘Chimborazo’ which is a pretty collarette dahlia, bearing deep crimson-red outer petals around an inner collar of pale yellow. It is about a metre tall so will need to be staked and is suited to growing in a mixed, herbaceous border. It also makes an excellent cut flower.
If you are after a dwarf plant try ‘Figaro’ which is a dwarf “landscape” dahlia with semi-double flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. It works well as bedding and in containers, and blooms from planting time until the first frosts. Happy gardening,
By Rachael LevertonKey April 2023 tax changes
At the time of writing there are a number of key changes to the National Living Wage and tax allowances that take effect from April 2023. We say at the time of writing given last year’s challenges with the Mini Budget and Autumn Statement, and the Budget to be announced on 15 March 2023.
National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage
The rates from 1 April 2023 are:
23 years old and over (NLW) - £10.42
21 to 22 years old rate (NMW) - £10.18
18 to 20 years old rate (NMW) - £7.49
Under 18 (NMW) - £5.28
Apprentice rate* - £5.28
*Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they are either aged under 19, or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Income Tax
• The Income Tax additional rate threshold will be lowered from £150,000 to £125,140, the income level at which an individual will not have any Personal Allowance, because £1 of the Personal Allowance is withdrawn for every £2 of income above £100,000 from 6 April 2023.
• The income tax bands for the 2023/2024 tax year are being kept the same as the previous tax year
before and again are currently meant to be in place until 2026.
• After the £12,570 personal allowance threshold you will pay income tax at the following rates:
• Basic rate of 20% on earnings between £12,571 and £50,270.
• Higher Rate of 40% on earnings between £50,271 and £125,139.
• Additional Rate of 45% on earnings from £125,140.
Capital Gains Tax
• The tax-free allowance was £12,300 for 2022-23, but from April this will be dramatically cut to £6,000. From April 2024, it will be reduced again to just £3,000.
Corporation Tax
• The rate at which corporation tax is charged is scheduled to increase from 1 April 2023. The rate will increase to 25% for companies whose taxable profits exceed £250,000. For companies with profits of less than £50,000, the current 19% rate will still apply.
• Companies with taxable profits between £50,000 and £250,000 will pay tax at the 25% rate reduced by a marginal relief such that overall, they will pay on a sliding scale between 19% and 25%.
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