LocalReach Weston March 2023

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

DO YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF LOCALREACH EACH MONTH?

Business advertising from only £34+vat pm hello@localreach.co.uk or www.localreach.co.uk

Deadline is 1st March for the April issues

LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Weston-super-Mare/BS23 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident and business, totalling 18,186 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.

Clarence Bowling Club Open Days and Events

Whilst it is still very cold outside, it will not be long before the summer season kicks in and we are all looking forward to it. Once again Clarence Bowling Club will be holding 2 open days to welcome anyone who wants to try the game and hopefully join us for the summer season. We have a packed season ahead with plenty of visitors coming to Clarence for some fun games together with the league matches. New rules mean the age limit to play in one of the leagues we enter has fallen, so please, no matter what age you are, feel free to pop along. We are fortunate enough to be able to once again offer 25% discount for new members. Plus, if you join now, the rest of the winter season this will be free as well. We do not have a booking system, you can just turn up and play. Contact Jon on 07710 608835 for more information.

OPEN DAYS - COME AND TRY BOWLS AT CLARENCE PARK: 1st/2nd & 8th/9th April, 10am until 4pm.

And it is not just bowls we play at the Pavillion, some of the social events coming up include:

Rogers Race Night: 25th February, 6pm start

Ladies Coffee Meets: 7th March and 4th April

Weston Ukulele Night: 17th March, 6pm start

Pre-season Meeting: 18th March

Season Opener (Presidents Day): 15th April

Mens Chat Room: every Wednesday Lunchtime

Art and Craft Fair: 1st April, 5th August and 25th November, 10am until 4pm. For more information contact Ken Southern on 07836 713190. FREE ADMISSION.

More events will be added throughout the season… do come and join us.

Want to get to know about woodturning?

Weston Woodturning Circle will meet on the 16th of March being the third Thursday of each month commencing at 7.00pm at: Weston AFC, Winterstoke Road, Weston super Mare. Members will partake in a turning exhibition. Anyone interested can attend our meeting which is free of charge for the first two meetings. For more information about our friendly welcoming club contact us by visiting our website www.weston-woodturning-circle. co.uk

Weston-Super-Mare Music Appreciation Society

Our next meeting is on Wednesday March 8th when the Welsh composer Geraint Lewis will be giving a presentation. This will be followed by meetings on April 12th & 26th, May 10th & 24th and throughout the year. Meetings start at 2.15pm. We meet at Milton Methodist Church, 2 Milton Hill, Weston-Super-Mare BS22 9RA (hall behind the church). For full details please email simonrawlings9@gmail.com or call/text Simon on 07971474968 or phone the Secretary on 01934 814752. Come and join a friendly group of people with a shared interest in music.

Worle Community Centre Craft Fayre

Worle Community Association will be holding a Craft Fayre on Sunday 12th March between 11am and 3pm. Tea, coffee, and cake available. Come along and see if you can find something special to buy for a special Mum, Mother-in-Law or Gran for Mothers’ Day, the following Sunday. Worle Community Centre, Lawrence Road, Worle BS22 6TS.

NSPCWT - the local parent carer forum

We are the local forum for parents and carers to children/young people with additional needs and disabilities (no diagnosis needed). We have a range of fully funded training this month and coffee meet ups. You can see the upcoming plans on our calendar at: www.nspcwt.org/calendar. Our next large event is the popular ‘Social Communication and Autism Fayre’ held at The Tropicana on Weds 22nd of March 9.30am-2.30pm. It is free entry &

includes topical presentations alongside stalls to help visitors discover the support available from local networks, professionals and charities.

Coffee Mornings and Market

Worle Community Association holds a Coffee Morning every Friday from 9am to 12noon. Come and meet new friends whilst enjoying a tea or coffee and toasted tea cake. Everyone is welcome. Worle Community Centre, Lawrence Road, Worle BS22 6TS.

Worle Community Centre

Worle Community Centre is a community space for community use. Based in Lawrence Road, just 200 yards from Worle High Street. Various rooms are available to hire for groups, birthday parties etc. The office is open 9am to 12noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visitors are welcome at the office, or you can contact Liz, the Administrator, by phone: 01934 515681 or email: worlecommunity@ outlook.com. Trustees are available on Friday mornings at the Coffee Morning.

RBL Touchpoint open to Veterans, Armed Forces and their families

We support veterans, armed forces personnel and their families at the Touchpoint which is open on a Tuesday and Thursday between 10am and 2pm. We can support with finances and welfare or just a coffee and chat. We offer a warm, clean space. A computer and telephone is available for free use. We support local events such as Weston Bike Night, Armed Forces Day and obviously Remembrance. We are always looking for volunteers to help with the Touchpoint and Poppy Appeal.

We are at 77 Meadow Street. WsM BS23 1QL

Lynne Castell’s Adult Art Groups

Lynne teaches a wide range of subjects in Watercolours

1.00 - 4.00pm on Tuesdays

Oils, Acrylics, Pastels 10.00 - 1.00pm on Wednesdays at Greenways Farm, 2 Lyefield Road (behind the Crem), Worle BS22 9NX.

Lynne’s and Students’ Art Exhibition

17 March to 20 April, Old Town Quarry

For more details, contact Lynne on 01934 628760 / 07519 109002 or online at www.lynnecastell.co.uk

What is a parable?

We can be so quick to think salvation is a binary yes or no, but discovering faith can be a gradual process or journey. We need to learn from Jesus, especially concerning a person’s faith journey. It’s not about converting someone but listening to them and the Holy Spirit, being open to spending time with those enquiring about faith. When Jesus was asked questions, he would often ask what they thought; perhaps we should do that more than try to have the correct answer.

I was listening to Bishop Michael at a conference, and he happened to be talking about what a parable was and why Jesus used them. He said the word Parable descends from the Greek parabole, from the prefix para-, “beside,” plus ballein, “to throw.” The sense of comparing, or throwing an idea beside another, is at the heart of the word.

Jesus used parables to illustrate the Kingdom of God (heaven). Jesus was inviting people to encounter God by throwing alongside a person’s reality what God’s reality was. It wasn’t a case about being right but allowing people to explore and grow in faith. It was an open-handed offering of Jesus to enter into a conversation or discussion, drawing people to think and engage.

The old saying comes to mind we have two ears and one mouth, so we must listen twice as much as we speak. Let us become good listeners to the people we meet, let us not rush to speak or correct. Ecclesiastes 5:2 says a similar thing ‘Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.’ So, this March, let us be slow to speak and quick to listen, allowing space to discuss and learn about them. Then we need trust in the Spirit who may drop a story or thought to throw alongside and see what happens, you may be surprised.

By Revd Andy Pearce

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!

Happy Balance… Supporting your busy life

We are passionate about re-cycling, re-housing and re-using items, working with many local charities we distribute your unwanted items on your behalf. We always offer a FREE 1hour consultation to introduce ourselves and to discuss how we can help you.

Our clients know that allocating time to work alongside Happy Balance provides the impetus they need to make a start. Through experience we understand the importance of working with you at your pace, listening to you and helping you put into action what you want to achieve.

These are all scenarios from clients we have worked with:

• ‘I don’t want to leave it for the kids to sort’ – Feeling mindful that you need to get your home in order? You don’t want the family having to sort through everything when you are gone? We will work with you to streamline your home, recycle unwanted items and organise belongings you may wish to distribute to family and friends

• My partner/parent has died – You’re not only dealing with grief but also thinking about how you clear the house? We are NOT house clearance. We work with you sensitively, practically and confidentially to organise their affairs and clear the house for sale or other

• I am embarrassed – It’s all got on top of me and I just feel overwhelmed – Are you buying too many items, storing them away and feeling like you may be hoarding? Claire and SJ are non judgemental and through experience can help you declutter and regain control

• I’m moving and need to downsize – I can’t physically or emotionally cope with my move and I need help. We are hands-on in preparing your belongings ensuring that when your removal firm comes to move you that you have already sorted through, de-cluttered and made sure all your items, big and small will fit into your new home giving you peace of mind.

• ‘Our family space isn’t working for us’ –Who can help us? Happy Balance will give you guidance, ideas and hands on support to make the changes to make your home a living space and not a storage space

Garlic 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

A Good Read

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 Donovan

Laura’s Mobile Hair & Beauty

“Amazing hairdresser, absolutely love my highlights!! Would definitely recommend” facebook review

07866 601575

welcome@laurashairandbeauty.com

“Laura did a beautiful job on my nails tonight. Plus a very relaxing hand massage. I would highly recommend her and will book again.” facebook review

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.

Dangerous new Microsoft scams on the rise – keep informed, stay alert!

Although we have written about this recently, we are still getting a large number of calls from customers who are reporting being scammed or telling us that “Microsoft” recently cleaned their computer. This new wave of scams imitates Microsoft support and is catching people off-guard at a higher rate than normal, and tricks victims into spending hundreds, sometimes thousands, on fake protection software which serves no purpose. The scammers also gain full control over the computer, putting user data and passwords at risk.

Unlike traditional scams, this can pop up whenever it pleases, even when all programs are closed, and after computer restarts. As a result, these pop-ups seem like legitimate messages from Microsoft, explaining the increasing number of new victims. Traditional scams take the form of malicious emails or dangerous websites, which most remain vigilant against, but these deceptive pop-ups utilise the Windows notifications system, slotting themselves in amongst genuine notifications, so keep alert. These emerge from the bottom right corner. The user often clicks “allow” to “notifications” from a dangerous website, which starts off this process. The popup messages claim to be security alerts from Microsoft and provide a number to call. Those who fall for it wind up giving the scammers full control over the computer and making one or more online payments for fake protection services.

For those who fall victim to this scam, first power off the computer, and if you have paid for services or given payment details, call your bank immediately to inform them of this. Your bank should refund any money stolen from you as a result of fraud. Remember that when making payments either online or over the phone, credit cards have fraud protection, while debit payments offer less protections. We specialise in resolving issues caused on the computer by such scams, so if either recently or in the past you have paid somebody to “fix” your computer after a pop-up message, please get in touch, as we can visit to ensure that your computer is secure.

Neil Buzzard, Director, Computer Problem Solutions Ltd. Tel: 07973 536299 or email sales@e-cps.co.uk

• Problem Solving & Repairs

• Virus/Spyware Removal

• New PC Systems

• Broadband/WIFI Problems

• Performance Improvement

• Wireless Networking

• iPhone/iPad help

• Upgrades

• Websites

• Help & Tuition

We have Mobile Engineers in your area or with your permission we can access your computer remotely.

YOUR LOCAL, TRUSTED COMPANY

Engineer: 07973 536299

Office: 01934 853107

E-mail: sales@e-cps.co.uk

www.e-cps.co.uk

Crossword Across

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)

Word Search

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 20

Browns… at your service

Its been a tough old winter for sure, but spring is just around the corner and hopefully it will bring some brighter times. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting us all hard, and we haven’t spoken to anyone who hasn’t been affected in some way! So, all the more important for us to do all we can to help each other and as we walk this tricky path as a business, it will remain our aim to provide a good service at a good price. The good news is that most new machines are much more energy efficient and to save extra energy the economy programmes on most machines will really help save those pennies and sometimes pounds. So do look for these and if you can’t find your instruction books they are quite often easily available on the internet or through your manufacturers customer service. Tumble driers are probably the most expensive appliance to run, but they do not seem to be declining in popularity. There are lots of things you can do to maintain the efficiency of your dryer.

• Clean your filters after every use. DON’T let fluff build up.

• Regularly remove and clean the condenser unit in your condenser dryer. Just run it under the tap to remove and build-up of fluff.

• Heat pump dryers have a sponge filter that needs to be kept clean - follow the manufacturers instruction carefully.

• Make sure that you do not overload your dryer, there should be plenty of room for the clothes to tumble.

• Use the correct programme for the clothes you are drying. Not all clothes need the cotton drying programme.

• As the weather gets better line drying, if possible, is great and you could just finish off in the tumble dryer if the clothes are damp or a bit stiff. And remember, whether it’s a repair to your appliance or if you are thinking of replacing it, we can help. We have experienced engineers and great product knowledge. Ring us on 01934 517657 or contact us through our website. We look forward to being of service.

Browns Domestic Appliances Ltd

Making things simple!

Your complete local domestic appliance specialist for sales and repairs

We sell and repair washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens, hobs and hoods, cookers, fridges and freezers. We are specialists in Freestanding and integrated appliances

Local family business established 38 years

All work insured and guaranteed

No hidden extras. We keep things simple!

www.brownsdomestics.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 Maxfield

Garden View

This month – Delightful dahlias

their glorious blooms. Deadhead by removing the 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

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 Leverton

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/OvenGleamersWestonSuperMare

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