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October 2021 Issue No. 4
COMMUNITY MAGAZINES Weston-super-Mare & ALL of BS23 postcode
CHURCH – page 4 GARDENING – page 6 HISTORY – page 8 COMMUNITY – page 9 PUZZLES – page 14 RECIPES – page 20 BOOKS – page 24 KIDS – page 26 BUSINESS A-Z – page 29
• Three and Four Wheeled Walkers • Wheelchairs • Bath Lifts • Rise and Recliner Chairs • Stairlifts • Mobility Scooters • Electric Wheelchairs • Cosyfeet Slippers and Shoes
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WELCOME TO LOCALREACH
Welcome… Hello and welcome to our October edition of LocalReach. I’m not sure where September went to be honest! We have the lovely Autumnal weather, with the changing colour of the trees and dark evenings, which I must admit, I do enjoy! Don’t forget to put your clocks back on Sunday 31st October! We will no doubt see all the ‘trick or treaters’ out at the end of the month, which is great, as was missed by many last year. There are lots of groups and charity events taking place, so have a look through the magazine and see if there is anything you would like to get involved in. I’d like to say another thank you for all the great feedback and support LocalReach Weston is getting, it really does go a long way to making the magazine fun and interesting at the same time. Please remember, if you have any local events coming up or any news that we can publish, please send them onto me at sarah@localreach.co.uk before 1st October. Take Care
Sarah
Editorial deadline for the November issue is 1st October LocalReach Community Editor: Sarah Venn
sarah@localreach.co.uk
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Disclaimer. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, we make no guarantee that the content will always be current, accurate or complete. We do not approve any of the services or products provided by advertisers in this magazine. Anyone using the products, services or advice from advertisers will need to carry out normal checks to make sure businesses are trustworthy and reliable. LocalReach Ltd 2021.
WESTON-SUPER-MARE LocalReach Community Magazines are delivered by ROYAL MAIL every month. Your local postman delivers 17,978 copies door to door to all of Weston-super-Mare/BS23 postcode area.
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CHURCH
Don’t Give Up It has been a tough 18 months, maybe longer for some. Still, I have found some solace and encouragement through some iconic sayings from the movies that have helped me and others through these challenging times. Over the next four months, I will unpack these sayings that I feel God has gifted to us. For I believe that God can speak through anything if we have ears open to hear Him. These sayings encapsulate a sense of hope and motivation that there is more to this life than just surviving but encourages a more profound level of life. The First saying is this ‘When life gets you down, you know what you got to do? just keep swimming, just keep swimming!’ (From the film Finding Nemo.) Dory, an unlikely hero who suffers from short-term memory loss, encourages Marlin, who has lost his son, to keep going despite the darkness ahead. Time and time again, I have quoted this to myself and encouraged others to keep moving forward, especially in the face of trouble. The saying
persistently but gently says, ‘don’t give up,’ which is a message echoed in the bible. One particular verse comes to mind from Galatians 6:9 ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ Often, we miss out on the reward of perseverance, it’s just too hard and we give up or give in and add another negative experience that robs us of future joys. However, I believe we can learn from Dory’s short-term memory loss and live as though the past does not define our future. God is in the business of transforming lives, redeeming past mistakes, urging us forward to make good choices to ‘just keep swimming’ and not give up doing good. God promises us a great reward, a harvest whatever that might be, whether a good conscience, self-worth, or making a difference in this world. God calls each of us to follow Him, despite the darkness in the world, do good, be love, and bring peace and wholeness through Him working in and through us. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed today and ready to give up, I urge you not to give up; just keep swimming, trust in Him, and you will make it through. Kindly provided by Revd Andy Pearce, Associate Minister at Locking Castle Church & Community Pastor for Church @ St Anne’s, West Wick.
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How To Care For Your Curtains A great pair of curtains are both functional and a thing of beauty. They add both warm and privacy as well as complementing your home decor. Everyone knows carpets need regular vacuuming and cleaning to keep them looking good but this is often not the case with curtains. Sun as well as dust and grime from hand touch points is destructive to fabrics. So regular cleaning is important to maintain their appearance and life. Top tips to keep your curtains looking their best: 1. Regular Vacuum: Vacuum the full length monthly with a soft upholstery brush, paying particular attention to the top pleats which trap dust. 2. Washing: Where possible machine or hand wash man-made fabrics (not viscous) once a year. Always follow cleaning instructions. Cool wash then allow to dry naturally. 3. Ironing: If necessary iron on the reverse side of curtains to remove creases and stretch back into shape. Although most creases will drop out when re-hung. 4. Delicate Fabrics: Some fabrics such as cotton velvet. Viscous and linen will require professional cleaning only. 5. Professional Cleaning: Where it is not possible to home clean, you may want to consider using a professional curtain cleaning company. There are two options. You can either take your curtains down, remove the hooks and take them to a dry cleaning Company. Alternatively, call in a professional curtain cleaning company who will call at your home and clean your curtains where they hang. No need to take them down and no inconvenience. Be sure to use an experienced, trained and insured professional company. For free honest advice and curtain survey call Copper Beech Cleaning Professional Curtain Cleaners. 01934 235855, www.copperbeechcleaning.com
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GARDENING
Garden View This month – Tidy up Time
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01934 312171 Leave more delicate perennials such as Penstemons with the top growth in place to provide some winter protection. You can cut them back in the spring just before new growth occurs. Herbaceous perennials can be divided now and moved around to fill gaps in the border. Perennials can become congested and tired, and flower less as they age. Dig up the clump and break it up with a sharp spade, selecting the best, newer chunks from the outside to replant. The dying centre of the plant can be composted. Most plants need to be divided every three to five years but some more vigorous varieties like Achillea require it more often and others. The exception is Peonies, which hate any kind of disturbance. Leave them alone.
By October the garden can look a little tired: perennials collapse, leaves die back, and there’s debris everywhere. It can only mean one thing, clean up time. Cut Peonies, Leucanthemum, Nepeta, Delphiniums, Hardy Geraniums, and Phlox back to ground level, but leave anything with ornamental seed heads such as poppies, Alliums, and grasses. When the first frosts hit these plants will gain a new lease of life and add some sparkly architectural beauty to the garden.
FREE OF CHARGE PUBLICITY FOR SMALL, LOCAL CLUBS, GROUPS & SOCIETIES. LocalReach Community Magazines provide FREE OF CHARGE publicity for your local events. The ROYAL MAIL delivers 17,978 copies each month to all of BS23. As you can imagine we ARE inundated each month so we try to limit the wording to 50100 words. Plus you can send a good quality photo &/or logo. So if you are organising a cake sale, jumble sale, garden fete or similar, we would like to hear from you. Email your event details for inclusion in our Whats On pages to our community editor sarah@localreach.co.uk before 1st of each month.
Once the borders are cleared and plants have been relocated, it’s time to get rid of any weeds, which have flourished in the autumn sunshine. Then you can mulch using compost or leaf mould. Mulching helps to protect the more tender plants while improving the structure of the soil and generally making things look neater. Make a layer around 3-4cms deep but don’t cover the centre crown of any plants. Types of organic mulch: Compost Bark Grass cuttings Composted manure Newspaper Shredded Leaves Straw By Rachael Leverton
Top 10 jobs this month: 1 Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants 2 Cut back perennials that have died down 3 Divide herbaceous perennials 4 Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory 5 Plant out spring cabbages 6 Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts 7 Prune climbing roses 8 Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year 9 Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas 10 Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf
COMMUNITY MAGAZINES SHORT NOTICE OFTEN POSSIBLE • EVENINGS WEEKENDS ALSO AVAILABLE Tips from& www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/october
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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
ColourFence Fencing, built to last for at least 25 years! ColourFence is becoming increasingly popular across the UK with homeowners fed up of losing their garden fences to winter storms and the hassle of replacing them. Equally, timber fences decay rapidly and require regular treatment with paint and chemical cleaners. Unlike standard timber fences, ColourFence is designed to resist harsh weather conditions and will withstand wind gusts of up to 130mph! The weatherproof and durable ColourFence range has a number of core benefits that appeal to homeowners, it’s guaranteed not to warp, crack, rot, peel or colour fade for the next 25 years. When fencing maintenance costs are high, you want an option that is easy, low maintenance and costeffective; and ColourFence is all those things and more, not least the 25-year guarantee. No painting, preserving, repairs or harsh cleaning chemicals, just an occasional hose down to keep it looking as good as new. There’s a choice of colours available, green, brown, cream and blue – to harmonise and enhance your garden’s design. Choose a trellis in the same shade or contrasting colour. Both sides of the panels are the same colour meaning both you and your neighbour have a stunning fence to look at year after year, helping you build good neighbourly relations. The panels are 2.35 metres wide compared to 1.8 metres wide for standard timber panels (so you need fewer panels like for like) and can be cut on-site to custom fit your garden, whatever the size and the natural contours of your land. Our traditional metal garden gates are ideal for front gardens or driveways. With the ability to choose from simple drop bolts to key operated deadlocks we can guarantee the safety of your garden. For further information and to arrange a free no obligation survey call 01823 792029 or visit colourfencetaunton.co.uk
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LOCAL HISTORY
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Spring Forward Fall Back In the past, knowing the exact time was much less important than it is now. With increasing urbanisation and industrialisation, however, the pattern of people’s working day was becoming regularised and didn’t necessarily fit with the natural day. In 1818, the factory owner, Robert Owen, was one of the first people to see the benefit of daylight saving and put the clocks forward by half an hour at his cotton mills in New Lanark. Although clearly a move intended to improve the efficiency of the mills it’s true to say that Owen was a radical reformer and did work hard to improve the conditions of his workers. By the 18th century clocks were sufficiently accurate to record local time but this varied from place to place. With the introduction of the railways, it became increasingly clear that time needed to be standardised and in 1880 Greenwich Mean Time was recognised nationally. It was not until the 20th century, however, that the idea of a national summer time was introduced.
In 1907, an English builder called William Willett published a pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight, which advocated advancing the clocks in Spring and returning to GMT in the autumn. Although he and others lobbied parliament to adopt the idea there was considerable opposition it and although a Daylight Saving Bill was introduced in 1908 there was not enough support for it to pass. Willetts and others continued their campaign and gained support during World War I when it was seen as a way of conserving scare energy resources and thus helping the war effort. Germany began daylight saving in April 1916 and on 17th May 1916 The Summer Time Act was passed in Britain. The clocks went forward one hour on Sunday, 21st May and returned to GMT on 1st October. Those old enough to recall the days when watches and clocks were mechanical may well remember that the advice was to move the hands forward 11 hours in October to prevent the mechanism breaking. How times change – now my clock makes the changes automatically! Kindly provided by Elizabeth Friend, Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society. www.aalhs.co.uk
01749 346 900
www.suttonsstairlifts.co.uk The Works, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. BA4 5DX 8 | www.localreach.co.uk
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Worle Community Centre AGM Monday 27th September: Worle Community Centre is a community space for community use. The AGM is scheduled for Sept. 27th at 7:30pm at the centre which is based in Lawrence Road, just 200 yards from Worle High Street. Come and have your say about what you would like to see and do at the centre. The centre has a new website which can be viewed at https://worle.community There are four rooms available for hire. The Main Hall for up to 90 people and three smaller halls. For more information, please call 01934 515681.
Charity Quiz and Curry Night Saturday 9th October: Kenya Hope Charity are holding a Quiz & Curry Night on Saturday 9th October at Locking Castle Church, Jasmine Way, Weston-super-Mare BS24 7JW from 7pm-10pm. There will be a choice of 3 curries, spicy, mild and vegan. £5 per person, under 16s free. Full details of our work can be found at www.kenyahopecharity. org. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS.
COMMUNITY
New Appliance Showroom Following the success of Jeremy’s appliance repair business across North Somerset and surrounding areas, himself, step-daughter Georgia and sons Matthew and Nick celebrate the opening of their new appliance showroom in Weston-super-mare at Unit 24 Lynx Crescent, BS24 9DJ The appliance company sell new, branded appliances including integrated and freestanding. Being gas safe registered, they sell and install gas appliances. The family run team offer free local delivery on all products and same day/next day services on selected freestanding appliances. Since becoming a member of the Sirius buying group, Weston and Worle Appliances has been able offer a wider range of brands, including Bosch, Neff, Siemens, Montpellier, Hotpoint and Beko at more competitive prices. Business owner Jeremy comments: “Products are becoming easier to buy online. Becoming part of the Sirius buying group enables us to provide better deals on appliances such as matching the prices of the larger retailers. “In some cases we can be cheaper than them.” As a business their main aim is to provide a friendly, helpful service with a personal touch.
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE SALES & REPAIRS J Loveridge – Over 30 years experience
For all enquiries email brianandirene@sky.com or call/txt Brian on 07879 847657 EST. 1992
Avalon Stitchers (formerly a branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild) Saturday 9th and Tuesday 12th - Saturday 16th October: ‘Avalon Stitchers’ will be holding their first exhibition ‘Above and Beyond’ at Wells Museum on Saturday 9th and Tuesday 12th to Saturday 16th October (10am - 4pm) to showcase individual pieces and group projects that kept them connected during lockdown. This enthusiastic group enjoys all aspects of stitch and textile art and learn from each other and well-respected guest tutors. New members are always welcome, you can call Sue (01278 723644) for a chat. Meetings are held at Ashcott Village Hall on the 4th Saturday of the month (10am-4pm). For more information, please visit the website www.avalonstitchers.org
SALES AND REPAIRS OF DOMESTIC APPLIANCES INCLUDING SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF NEW APPLIANCES & PRODUCTS • Washing machines • Tumble dryers • Dishwashers • Cookers (gas and electric) • Ovens • Boilers
SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Unit 24 Lynx Crescent Weston-super-Mare BS24 9DJ
LOOKING FOR A NEW APPLIANCE?
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enquiries@westonandworleappliances.co.uk www.westonandworleappliances.co.uk
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COMMUNITY
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01934 312171
BLAW Saturday 9th October: BLAW. Just 4 letters. But who knows what they mean? For one week every October there’s a chance that you’ll know someone who knows what those letters mean. There’s a chance that person hasn’t ever indicated why they might know what those 4 letters mean as they relate to what can still be a taboo subject. For one week in October you might see the odd person wearing a pink and blue ribbon pin badge. The wearer of that pin badge will have a special reason for wearing the badge that week in October. BLAW - any ideas? Those 4 letters stand for Baby Loss Awareness Week. From 9th - 15th October every year thousands
The Stable Games Room Upcoming Events Every Wednesday: 10:00am – 3:00pm Sensory Sessions Every Thursday: 3:00pm – 10:00pm (Buy one, get one free on Pizza + kids free play Family Thursday 1st Thursday of the month: 3:00pm – 10:00pm Chess Clock Jenga Every Friday: 3:00pm – 8:00pm = Free Pizza Friday 2nd Thursday of the month: 10:00am – 1:00pm Bridge Club Last Sunday of the month: 10:00am – 10:00pm Screwball Scramble Sundaes Last Thursday of the month: 7:30pm – 10:00pm = Board Game Designer Meet up
Contact thegamesroom@thestableweston. com or call 01934 315305.
Over 600 board games for all ages Loads of great weekly events FREE Pizza Fridays
D&D Nights
Bridge Club Social Gaming Sensory Sessions 129 High St. WsM BS23 1HN Opposite The Playhouse Theatre
www.thestableweston.com @thestablegamesroom
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of people around the country will pin the badge on our shirts and on our coats and focus on the memory of our babies that are no longer with them. Our babes that were lost before, during or shortly after birth. Support is there for those affected by the loss of their babies from organisations like Sands. Sands is the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity that provides support in many ways - from a helpline to over 100 support groups all around the country. There is also another way in which support is being provided for a group of people affected by the loss of a baby. A group of people who can often feel isolated by the experience. Which group of people is that? Men. When a baby is lost, men, particularly dads can often feel isolated. The medical care will be directed at the mother and Dad can often be left feeling like they are sitting in a corner trying not to get in the way. Men also feel they must be stoic and dependable during the process. They can feel like making any arrangements has to fall to them. Men often go through this experience without feeling or realising that other men are there ready to support them in a unique way. But how many people are affected by the loss of a baby? How long does a football match last? 90 minutes, 120 with extra time. Think of all the things that could happen in that time - your football team could win a cup match. What about off the pitch? You could sit with friends and family and watch a film. Every day in the UK in that 120-minute period - the length of a football match - a family’s world will be turned upside down. Nearly every 2 hours a family is faced with the devastation of the death of their baby before, during or shortly after birth. Around the country ‘Sands United’ football teams are springing up, providing any man affected by the death of a baby, a unique avenue of support. There are currently 32 teams around the country supporting nearly 1,000 men on and off the pitch. There is a team in Bristol - Sands United Bristol FC who have been offering this support for just over 2 years now. The players in the team come from all different backgrounds but they all share a story that is the same but different. Off and on the pitch, we support each other through social events, chatting in WhatsApp groups, training and playing football. When we play we represent our babies. All players wear a shirt that carries our babies name or names under the badge - close to their hearts and a number on the back that is special to each player and chosen by each player. Every player in the team is a part of a club that nobody wants to be a part of, but a club that has the highest cost of membership.
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01934 312171 Sands United Bristol FC, as with the other Sands United teams around the country, are only interested in one thing, for anyone looking to join the team. What they aren’t interested in is your football ability, or the last time you played football or if you are fit enough to play 9 minutes or 90 minutes. They are only interested that you are looking out for support. This year Sands United Bristol are hosting a tournament on Saturday 9th October - the 1st day of Baby Loss Awareness Week. The tournament is taking place at Mendip Broadwalk Football Club and is being played between the Sands United Teams from Bristol, Cardiff, Salisbury and Exeter. We will wear our shirts that carry our babies’ names with pride, we will hold a minute’s silence to remember our babies before the start. The football will be competitive but fun and at the end of the tournament we will all get together and support each other with an arm around the shoulder or by sharing the names of their babies. For more information on the tournament please just search ‘Sands United Bristol FC’ on any form of social media and you will find us. As one of the players once wrote ‘we play for the best worst team in football’. We are Sands United Bristol FC and we look forward to seeing you at the tournament.
COMMUNITY
Live Music @ 49 Social Club
Saturday 16th October: We host local band September Son, who are an original five-piece band who are playing at the club for the first time. September Son receive great plaudits everywhere they play. Non Members and guests over 18 are all welcome to attend.
Live Music @49 Social Club Sunday 31st October: Local favourite Dave Stevens presents his Elvis Presley show, Dave is a well know local entertainer who is performing his first gig in Weston for over a year. Non Members and guests over 18 are all welcome to attend.
Total Garden Solutions We are still operating through Covid-19, taking all necessary precautions to keep our clients safe
TREE WORK
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LANDSCAPING
• Sandstone patios • Gravel • Sleepers • Hard landscaping
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COMMUNITY
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01934 312171
Weston Folk Dance Club Tuesdays: The Weston Folk Dance Club meets regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Corpus Christi Church Hall, Ellenborough Park South from 8.00pm-10pm. Dances are led by two experienced callers who welcome beginners to this friendly club. For a fun evening, come and join us! Contact Sheila on 01934 625242 for more details or email s.d@tumbleweed20.plus.com
demonstrating woodturning techniques. Our club is affiliated to the AWGB (Association of Wood Turners of Great Britain). Anyone interested can just turn up at one of our monthly meeting nights. The first two visits by non-members are completely free of cost. For more information visit our website at www. weston-woodturning-circle.co.uk
Weston Organ and Keyboard Club
Vocalise-Lite Choir Thursdays: Vocalise-Lite is a ladies’ community choir meeting on Thursdays 1.15pm to 2.45pm. No auditions, no experience necessary, no pressure! Ideal if you love singing, but dislike being out after dark or you have commitments in the evenings. We finish in time to collect children from school. The venue, Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, WSM has its own car park. A chance to make friends and socialise over a cuppa before singing a variety of songs. Contact ann.clewlow@btinternet.com, tel. 014934 627709 or find more information and sign up on our Facebook page.
Weston Woodturning Thursdays: Weston Woodturning Circle meet the third Thursday in each month commencing at 7.00pm at; Weston AFC, Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9AA. We provide training to members at beginner stage, through to advanced level. Our meeting programme includes both professional AWGB demonstrators along with club members
NEED A WEBSITE OR YOUR OLD WEBSITE MADE OVER? Call us now on 01934 312171 or email hello@localreach.co.uk www.localreach.co.uk COMMUNITY MAGAZINES
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Thursdays: The Club meets on the first Thursday of every month in the Somerset Suite of Weston Football Club, WSM, BS24 9AA at 7.30 10.00pm. Top Artists entertain us using today’s state of the art instruments. They play music from shows, musicals, films the big band era, 1960’s and more. Entry fee is £7.00 at the door with free parking. During a thirty-minute interval, there is a licensed bar, food and tea & coffee available. For more information, please visit the websites www.westonorganclub.20m.com www. organfax.co.uk/clubs/weston or call Jo (Chairman) on 01934 812759 Next Concert October 7th Andrew Nix, Web address: http://www.organfax.co.uk/players/ andrewnix/
Running Club for Children Saturdays: Weston Whippets are now delivering the new funetics courses in conjunction with England Athletics. Help your children to be healthy, active, confident and happy! Weston Whippets provides a safe, fun and nurturing environment for children to learn, develop and practice fundamental movement skills: running, jumping and throwing; giving them the confidence to boost their activity levels and to support them in different sports in the future. We meet every Saturday at 9am and are based at Haywood Academy School - our sessions are currently aimed at aged 4 - 11 year olds. We will soon be offering sessions for over 12s. For more information, please visit funetics.co.uk or email the team at WestonWhippetsRc@gmail.com
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LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
Browns offers you the chance to WIN* a night at the beautiful Orestone Manor, Torquay! As I write this I am sitting outside our caravan in a simple, yet beautiful field in Cornwall. The sun is shining as it has been all week, and I’m looking forward to a pleasant day on the beach with our 8 year old Grandson Freddy and our 10 year old dog Buster. Its been so special to get away after so long in lock down. But my mind is also returning home and the new season ahead. Believe it or not we do have seasons in our business; November onwards is always cooker season, even to the point of calls the week before Christmas to mend ovens that have not been working all year! October onwards and spring is always tumble drier time, and December is definitely Dishwashers, as families gather and the thought of washing up is overwhelming! Of course washing machines have no seasonality, as we need those all year round. But we all hope for an Indian summer don’t we? Warm autumn days that top up our vitamin D levels and our energy for the long winter ahead. In that vein we’d like to offer you the chance to do that later on too, with a competition to win a night at the beautiful Orestone Manor in Maidencombe, Torquay, with a three course dinner for two and breakfast*. All you need to do is send us a special photo from your summer to brownsdomesticappliances@ gmail.com and put Photo Competition in the Subject. Don’t forget to include your name and contact number and where your photo was taken. Closing date is 5th November and the lucky winner will be informed by 10th November. We will also be choosing 12 photos to include in Browns 2022 charity calendar. We look forward to receiving your entries and enjoying your memories of summer 2021. Don’t forget that we are here to meet all your domestic appliance needs, both repairs and new machines. Our charges are reasonable because we are local and we aim to give a top notch service. See you soon. *terms and conditions apply - www.orestonemanor.com
Browns Domestic Appliances
Ltd
Making things simple! Your complete local domestic appliance specialist for sales and repairs We sell and repair washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens, hobs and hoods, cookers, fridges and freezers. We are specialists in Freestanding and integrated appliances Local family business established 36 years All work insured and guaranteed No hidden extras. We keep things simple!
01934 517657
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HEALTH AND BEAUTY PUZZLES
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Crossword
Across 1 Cure, restore (4) 3 Despite, notwithstanding (8) 9 Theft, burglary (7) 10 Lizard with sticky feet! (5) 11 Fall heavily (coll.) (4,1,7) 13 Bulging belly (6) 15 Crackpot, oddball (6) 17 Fungal disease of the toes (8,4) 20 Hard outer layer (5) 21 Unblemished (7) 22 Discuss yet again (8) 23 Cut (4) Down 1 Printout (4,4) 2 Scrapbook particularly for photos (5) 4 Tiers (6) 5 Intense strain or tension (4-8) 6 Hazy (7) 7 An owl’s cry (4) 8 Does the sums again (12) 12 Pace, stride (8) 14 Lie (7) 16 Necessary, basic (6) 18 Large body of water (5) 19 Defect, disfigurement (4)
Word Search
Solutions
apparition appearance banshee daemon demon devil
eidolon haunt kelpie manes phantasm phantom
14 | www.localreach.co.uk
poltergeist revenant shade shadow soul spectre
spook vampire vision visitor wraith zombie
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Weston Sea Shanty It’s been a great year so far for Weston-super-Mare Sea Shanty band The Steepholmers. The highpoint of the year was undoubtedly the town’s inaugural Sea Shanty and Folk Music Festival 2021, which was an overwhelming success. Indeed, the band are now, already, planning next year’s festival which promises to be a truly great event. As part of this, The Steepholmers are welcoming offers of sponsorship and are also seeking more catering and food outlets to support the festival in the Italian Gardens Main Stage area. For the remainder of this year, the band’s programme of performances continues with booked appearances at Teignmouth Shanty Festival, Port Isaac, Mevagissey, Bristol Sea Shanty Festival and more local performances at Birnbeck Pier, Uphill Yacht Club as well as monthly gig nights at Fork n Ale. For further details, visit The Steepholmers website at: bit.ly/steepholmers
HEALTH COMMUNITY AND BEAUTY
Winscombe & District Bridge Club Did you know that Bridge is often considered the best card game devised by mankind? A simple trick taking game which has been played for centuries by millions around the world… • The basics are easy to learn but endlessly challenging – every hand is different. • It is a partnership game played by all ages and levels of physical fitness- everyone welcome • It can be played socially or competitively - whether at home, in a club or ‘on line’ across the world • Recommended by doctors - develops logic, reasoning, quick thinking concentration and much more • Totally absorbing – as you concentrate on the game you will definitely leave all your troubles at home Winscombe Bridge Club is affiliated to the English Bridge Union We welcome players of all abilities learners, improvers and club players Winscombe Community Centre
SSAFA Success The Armed Forces charity, SSAFA, where thrilled to be part of the very recent event, organised by Volunteer Action North Somerset, which celebrated volunteering and volunteers in North Somerset. VANS invited over 20 local volunteer organisations to run stands in the Sovereign Centre, with a view to making known to the visiting public, the many different types of volunteer roles in North Somerset. SSAFA were delighted to be surrounded by organisations as diverse as Sunshine Hospital Radio, Leonard Cheshire, Weston Museum, to name but a few. The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor James Clayton, opened the event and generously spent time with each organisation. He is seen here speaking to some of the team from SSAFA North Somerset. Our stand had dozens of interested visitors and some very promising enquiries about volunteering roles in SSAFA. All of this endeavour, from a SSAFA perspective, is to further two aims: ensure that those veterans and families, living in North Somerset and needing assistance, know that SSAFA is here for them and secondly - to recruit into our North Somerset team to improve capacity to be able to help more people. If you are in need, or are interested in joining our team, contact details are: somerset.branch@ssafa. org.uk or 02089 383633. SSAFA North Somerset would like to thank all of the staff at VANS for their hard work in organising such a successful day and thanks to the Mayor for his support.
Club session: Thursday 2pm - 5pm from September 2nd 2021 Social session with supported play: Tuesday 1.30pm - 4pm from September 7th 2021 Visit bridegwebs.com/winscombe or contact Janet O’Brien 01934 253889
LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE
Courses suitable for complete beginners or improvers Starting October 2021 EBU affiliated tutors For more information contact Janet O’Brien:
01934 253889
or obrien-jm@outlook.com www.localreach.co.uk | 15
COMMUNITY
Petanque Play Petanque at the Clarence Park Bowling Club. We are a small friendly group who meet all year round. Use of Clubhouse and boules are included in your annual subscription. For more information contact Steve on 01934 429563
Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion is currently in the middle of its centenary year. As a consequence, the County of Somerset has decided to hold a photographic exhibition showcasing events and activities from the last 100 years. The county is split into 9 groups and the North Mendip Group, covering the area from Banwell and Hutton northwards to the edge of Bristol, is hosting the event from the afternoon of Friday 5th of November to Sunday 7th of November in the Sovereign Shopping Centre, Weston-superMare. You do not have to be an ex-service person to join the Royal British Legion and you would be made very welcome at any branch. We also welcome anyone who could spare some time to sell poppies in November. For further information, please contact Kate Hurley, Membership Support Officer - Somerset at KHurley@britishlegion.org.uk
Affordable Housing in Weston As I write this, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick today promises to deliver 119,000 affordable homes. But how many in Weston? In Weston town centre half of the residents live in private rent, a third considered “non-decent”. Those residents would give their eye-teeth for an affordable home. Weston Housing AcTion, besides assisting tenants daily on disrepair or threat of eviction, actively lobbies North Somerset Council to provide genuinely affordable homes. If you need our assistance or you wish to join us in our affordable housing campaign, please contact our Facebook Page. Alan Rice, Weston Housing AcTion
NSPCWT Press Release August 2021 40% of Parent Carers rated services/provision in North Somerset for children and young people (aged 0-25 years) with additional needs and/or disabilities as Poor/Very Poor (NSPCWT Annual Survey 2020-2021) 16 | www.localreach.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01934 312171 North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together (NSPCWT) is the parent carer forum for North Somerset and aims to make everyday life better for families with children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. Their Annual Survey highlighted the need for improvement within the local area. You can view this document at www.nspcwt.org/surveysreports. NSPCWT want to hear your experiences as Parent Carers to effect change through representing concerns to policy makers and service providers paving the way to brighter futures and realistic adjustments across health, education and social care. The Parent Carer Forum is there to provide a network of support through signposting to appropriate providers, offering free Training, free Events, free Coffee mornings plus free Wellbeing sessions. Recently they provided over 100 slots of Spa Sessions, Craft&Cake Relaxation Days, hands on Horse Care/Bee Keeping and Gardening Days plus a Twilight relax in the woods with marshmallows and a campfire. Excitingly, 200 surprise summer holiday parcels are currently on their way to local Parent Carers! North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together want to say a huge thank you to the Quartet Express Grant for providing the opportunity to fund the Wellbeing days and a Thank you to Quartet for awarding NSPCWT the North Somerset Community Partnership Grant towards parent carer training. This has enabled NSPCWT to recruit Laura Shaw as Training Co-ordinator bringing her many skills to the team. Laura has planned many training opportunities for parent carers and staff who work with children or young people with additional needs and disabilities. These cover topics such as ADHD, Support for siblings, Behaviour management and Autism in girls which are now available to book. For the full list of what is coming up, take a look at the NSPCWT social media channels and website. NSPCWT have also organised an exciting Local Offer event which will be held at the Winter Gardens on Wednesday 29th September 2021. This will showcase the local help available to parent carers in North Somerset through face to face stalls, meeting professionals and organisations that can provide support to you and your young person. The first 100 people to sign up and visit the NSPCWT stall on the day receive a free Goody Bag! Search NSPCWT Local Offer Event on Eventbrite to book. Parent Carers can sign up for regular updates via the website: www.nspcwt.org Professionals can also sign up to the associate member mailing list for updates. Any organisations keen to support the work of NSPCWT can email admin@nspcwt.org for further information.
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Hallowe’en Howlers…or Not?
LOCAL EXPERT PAGE 1
A bit of fun this month from OvenGleamers – do you know which of these are true or which are not, ie Howlers?! 1. The hydrochloric acid of the human digestive process is so strong a corrosive that it easily can eat its way through a cotton handkerchief and even through iron. But it does not endanger the walls of the stomach, which are protected by a film of sticky mucus (yuk!). Howler? No this is true!
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2. One of the first things we learn in a Chemistry lab is how to light a Bunsen burner, a gas burner used to heat solutions of chemicals. The eminent German chemist Robert W. Bunsen invented the Bunsen burner. Howler? Yes…Robert W Bunsen did not invent it, he merely popularized its use. 3. Most plant pollen is highly inflammable. It will ignite and explode when placed on an extremely hot surface. In the early days of modern theatre, artificial lightning was produced by throwing pollen grains of the club moss onto a hot shovel. Howler? No it’s not. 4. Human skulls have been used as drinking cups throughout history. CroMagnon (the first early modern) man scraped away muscles and flesh and hacked off and smooth the lower portion of the skull. (It is not known whether these skulls belonged to revered ancestors or hated enemies.) In the Middle Ages, the skulls of saints were used as dinking cups on ceremonial occasions. Lord Byron served wine to his visitors in Newstead Abbey in a human skull that he found in the cloisters there. A Howler or Not? Not.
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Call Graeme Robertson at OvenGleamers on 01934 440032
www.localreach.co.uk | 17
LOCAL EXPERT PAGE
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The UK’s PSTN landline network is being switched off in 2025 What does this mean? The PSTN is the classic analogue telephone system which, even today, is used for landline calls in most homes and small businesses. Alongside the rapid growth of the internet, the old analogue phone lines have been preserved as an independent network to handle our landline calls. However, due to complications involved in maintaining such old equipment, it is now confirmed the analogue network will be phased out over the coming years, then switched off in 2025. Will our landline numbers be lost? Fortunately, we can keep our numbers and continue to make and receive calls. Because of the rollout of fibre-optic broadband, we can now perform our landline calls over the internet, using VoIP (Voice over IP). All analogue phone lines will need migrating to a digital VoIP solution within the next few years, a process which involves installation of new handset equipment, or at minimum an adapter fitted to make existing handsets compatible with digital services. What steps must be taken? In due time, your landline provider will reach out and assist with the transition away from analogue onto a VoIP solution, including on-site fitting of new VoIP equipment. Your fibre broadband connection will then take care of your phone calls. Typically, this can mean plugging your phone into the back of your internet router, instead of the traditional phone wall socket. Being a modern internet-based alternative to analogue services, moving to VoIP offers some benefits to homes and businesses, including clearer sounding calls, smart features such as call waiting, and online management. VoIP calls are also safe from common problems facing traditional analogue lines such as crackles and background noise. As well as fixing computer problems, we can help with a wide range of technology difficulties, such as home phone problems so please get in touch if you would like a visit.
Neil Buzzard, Director, Computer Problem Solutions Ltd, Tel: 07973 536299
Computer Problems?
We come to you or remote appointments available! Services include:
• Problem Solving & Repairs • Virus/Spyware Removal • New PC Systems • Broadband/WIFI Problems
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We have Mobile Engineers in your area or with your permission we can access your computer remotely.
Engineer: 07973 536299 Office: 01934 853107 E-mail: sales@e-cps.co.uk www.e-cps.co.uk
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Paul Completes Marathon Walk Paul Hobbs, 72, made history on the anniversary day he had lifesaving open heart surgery two years ago, when he completed a 26.2 marathon walk around the Grand Pier during August. Paul became the first ever person to walk a Marathon on a UK pier. A remarkable story as Paul sent out a strong awareness message to help save lives from his own experience, in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Glastonbury owner Michael Eavis was a special supporter, local sporting stars Tom Tainton, Nick Fenton Wells, Paul Randall, Glenn Catley, Chris Sanigar, Lucas Vowles and Support from Bristol Bears, City/Rovers WSM AFC. Entertainment by Tony Billiterri. The town was strongly represented by Town Mayor Councillor James Clayton, John Penrose MP, Graham Paine, Somerset CCG, several North Somerset Councillors included.
COMMUNITY Paul is nearing his target and a small auction to come. Paul can reflect on a memorable and historic event for himself, the Grand Pier and the town. Paul said I would like to especially thank The Grand Pier, Elite Decor SW, Nigel Turner Productions, all fantastic! To everyone who supported, joined me, donated, you all helped make it a memorable occasion, a real team performance.
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COMMUNITY MAGAZINES
Draw a Bee Competition Winner Congratulations to 5 year old Albie Mellish for winning the draw a bee competition. Marie said “I chose Albie’s drawing as the bee was a big happy looking bee and I liked the bright colourful flowers in the back ground” Albie will receive a signed copy of “The Adventures of Eco Eddy: Eddy talks to the bee”. Marie said “I hope Albie enjoys reading about Eddy’s adventures, learning about bees and why they are so important for us”. Marie Glover Glover, from Locking, had an idea for a children’s story buzzing around in her head for years. During some quiet time during Lock Down last year she finally made the dream a reality. ‘The Adventures of Eco Eddy: Eddy talks to the bee’ was written, illustrated and self-published on Amazon. Eddy is a 10 year old boy who gets transported into deepest space to meet some friendly aliens. They give him special powers to be able to talk with animals. His mission is to talk to the animals to get their perspective on living with Climate Change. The book was written from Marie’s experience of being a beekeeper and reflects her love of nature. www.localreach.co.uk | 19
RECIPE
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Pumpkin Pie Perfect for Halloween
Preparation time: 40 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 40 minutes + chilling time Serves: 8 Ingredients: 750g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded, and cut into chunks 350g sweet shortcrust pastry (make your own or buy ready-made) 140g caster sugar ½ tsp salt ½ tsp fresh nutmeg, grated
filling will depend on the colour of the squash you choose. Some have a more yellow flesh, like butternut squash and others like the winter squash have a much more orange flesh. They will both taste equally good! Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed flan tin. Chill for 15 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and parchment, then bake for a further 10 mins until the base is pale golden and biscuity. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Method:
Increase oven temperature to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl to make a puree. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Lightly beat together the eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée and mix well. Pour the mixture into the tart shell and bake for 10 minutes, Reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and continue to bake for 35-40 mins until the filling has just set.
Place the chopped pumpkin into a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain and allow to cool. The final colour of your pumpkin
Remove from the oven and allow to cool before removing the pie from the tin. You can Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the pie or decorate in a suitably spooky style..
1 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs, beaten 25g butter, melted 175ml milk 1 tbsp icing sugar
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Clean Your Greens! Food hygiene is important When we think about food poisoning, most of us think about undercooked chicken or dodgy seafood, but some of the most notable outbreaks, have been tied to vegetables like Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and soft fruit. Public Health England advises people to remove any loose soil before storing vegetables and wash all veg and salads thoroughly that will be eaten raw unless they have been pre-prepared and are specifically labelled “ready to eat”. It’s important to bear in mind that no method of cleaning is guaranteed to remove all bacteria when it comes to raw food – but you can significantly reduce risk. So, what is the best way to wash veg? Wash your hands and clean all preparation surfaces first! Then wash produce just before you use it because dampness encourages bacteria growth. Let things soak – For anything that grows in the ground, submerge it in cold water and leave it there for up to 20 minutes to let the soil particles come
LOCALREACH loose, then take it out and rinse under running water. Lettuce leaves should be broken off before washing. Chops leeks before washing, because it makes it easier for the soil particles to flush out from between the layers. Even organic food needs to be washed. Old fashioned salad spinners are great to ‘desoggify’ (as my teen puts it) salad leaves, but you can shake them outside and leave to dry on kitchen paper. Treat mushrooms differently – Mushrooms can be dirty, but they are like sponges and soaking will make them soggy. Brush the soil off and rinse them. If you’re sauteing them the heat will kill any bacteria. Fresh herbs – store them in a sealed plastic bag with a piece of kitchen paper to prolong their life. It really works! Wash them before use. Pre-packed salads - These are often washed in a low-chlorine solution to kill off bacteria, so in theory they should be fine to eat straight from the bag. This comes down to personal choice. Store all salad and vegetables, and berries in a cold environment because it slows down the rate at which bacteria multiply. Many modern fridges have a super cold salad drawer. By Louise Addison
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LOCALREACH
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Fun with Fungi October 2nd is UK Fungus Day
At this time of year in the UK wild mushrooms are in plentiful supply and many varieties are much tastier than those you can buy in a supermarket. It’s tempting to pick them, but you need to exercise caution. Some mushrooms can be deadly, and others, while they may not kill you can cause a seriously upset tum, so unless you’re an expert, in which case you need no advice from me, the best and most fun way to learn about and pick your own mushrooms is to go on a specialist foraging course. Some species of mushrooms do grow all year around, but September to November is generally the best time for foraging, and the day or so after period of rain can be especially rewarding. Different species prefer different habitats. Some like open fields, others, the woodland floor, or on tree bark. You don’t need any specialist equipment for mushroom foraging, just a sharp knife, a container or basket, and clothes you can get a bit dirty. It’s a good idea to have a smaller lidded container in which you can keep any mushrooms you’re not sure about until they can be properly identified. And don’t forget hand wipes or sanitiser so you don’t risk accidental contamination or skin irritation. When it comes to identifying any mushrooms that you find, deferring to an expert is your best bet. If you go alone you’ll need a good reference book, and a magnifying lens. Identification relies on the 22 | www.localreach.co.uk
shape of the cap, the colour, texture, gills, stem, and habitat. Some mushrooms are fairly easy to identify, others less so. If in any doubt, don’t risk it! In the UK, we have about 4500 species. Of these, around 200 are edible, and 50 are poisonous. The rest are inedible or tasteless. Most mushroom poisonings are not fatal. One of the safest mushrooms for beginner foragers is the giant puffball, as it’s pretty easy to identify. The clue is in the name, as the giant puffball resembles a foot wide ball. Young Puffballs in the edible stage have undifferentiated white flesh within. Hedgehog fungus is also quite easy to identify, as it has hedgehog like white spikes underneath the cap. Remember, until you are confident, the safest way to forage is with an expert. Useful sites: www.ukfungusday.co.uk www.wildfooduk.com Wild Food UK organise foraging events and courses across the country: www.mushroomdiary.co.uk Everything you ever wanted to know about mushrooms, including the laws around picking them. www.abfg.org The Fungus Conservation Trust site has even more mushroomy info. By Tracey Anderson
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BOOK REVIEWS
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A Good Read
Fatal Trade
Ghost Story
Weston author Brian Price’s novel, Fatal Trade, has just been published. It features DC Mel Cotton, her less-than-competent boss DI Gale and Martina Baranska, a woman plotting revenge on the man who trafficked her. It begins with the discovery of a man’s head in a box on his ex-wife’s doorstep and leads on to kidnapping, drug trafficking and murder. Who is behind the grim parcel? Who is targeting police officers? And where is the sinister gang getting most of its illegal income? Mel Cotton must find out before it’s too late. Here’s what one reviewer thought about Fatal Trade.
Although Straub had written a couple of novels before this, this was the book that made his name. It was written in the late seventies, and is an epic creeping horror that has influenced many other writers, including Stephen King.
by Brian Price
For a debut novel, this was an excellent read. The police procedural was good, the characters worked well together, and it was a gripping tale. The author had obviously done his research into crime writing and forensics, as it flowed along with a satisfactory conclusion. It is one of those books that you think you know what is going on, but then the rug is pulled out from underneath you, and it’s something different! I did feel for DI Gale, as she seemed to get no support from the hierarchy and Mel was so determined to make her mark after her promotion, she was sometimes a bit of a loose cannon. I liked Martina too, she’s had it tough through her life, but had managed to get through using whatever skills she could! As they say, revenge is a dish best eaten cold. I hope that the author will continue with these characters, as we’ve seen them develop and it would be interesting to see what happens to them all in future books. By Carole Gourlay
24 | www.localreach.co.uk
by Peter Straub
It is set in a small fictional town, where the elderly members of The Chowder Society meet regularly to tell each other spooky stories over a few drinks. The book opens with a seemingly unconnected tale and then the death of one of the group members. Each of the remaining members begins to experience similar, nightmarish, dreams. Contacting the nephew of their dead friend, they find he also has something to contribute to their shared nocturnal visions, forcing them to explore people and events from their collective past—a past they’d much rather forget. The novel, although good in its own right, is also a tribute to ghost stories in general. Straub obviously set out to pay his respects to the genre and there are nods to Nathaniel Hawthorne and M.R James among others. There’s a main overarching plot that incorporates a few shorter stories. Straub was clearly having fun, and he includes most of the ingredients for a classic scary story. It’s not fast paced but the tension builds nicely, and a real sense of menace develops as Straub draws all the threads together for the climax. It’s a must for fans of all things scary. The storytelling is superb and it’s definitely good read for Halloween. By Willow Coby
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Keep Pets Safe on Bonfire Night
My Jack Russell terrier Pippa takes Bonfire Night in her stride. but Tess, my mixed breed rescue, transforms into a quivering wreck, who snaps, snarls and once drew actual blood when I tried to fish her out of the tumble drier where she had retreated among the yet-to-be sorted bed sheets. Studies suggest that almost half of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. Tess is at the extreme end of the scale and action was clearly required. There are a few simple things we can do to help a pet deal with fireworks. Some basic preparation will make Bonfire night a less stressful experience for everyone. For dogs, walk them earlier in the day to avoid times when fireworks are likely to be set off. Close
LOCALREACH windows and curtains at night so loud bangs are muffled, and play music or put the TV on to further mask firework sounds Make a doggy den. This is a quiet space where a dog can feel in control. My dogs are crate-trained but the crate wasn’t cutting it for Tess who wanted a proper bolthole, so the following firework season I cleared out a space among the shoes in the little cupboard under the stairs and added blankets and chew toys. She dived in headfirst, and we didn’t see her till the following morning, when she re-appeared as though nothing was out of the ordinary! Cats also need hiding places too, though they are pretty good at finding their own! Try to bring cats inside, even if they normally go out at night, because they can become stressed and disorientated if they’re caught outside during a fireworks display. If you have small animals, covering outside cages and pens with blankets so an area is soundproofed and hidden is a good idea. And provide bedding they can burrow into. If you have a cool room where they can be undisturbed it can be good to move the hutch or cage temporarily inside. And remember that all pets should be microchipped in case they panic and escape outside. By Tracey Anderson
Boost your immune system As the flu season rolls around again, and we are now dealing with the additional threat of COVID-19, we need to take care of our immune systems. There are two main parts to the immune system: the innate immune system is the one you are born with, and it is the body’s rapid response system, working to attack antigens or invaders, while the adaptive or acquired immune system builds antibodies to protect your body from certain microbes, or germs, it encounters in the environment. Our immune system keeps track of every germ it has ever defeated, so it’s primed to be more effective if it encounters the same one again. Vaccines are great at priming the immune system giving our bodies a head start when it comes to fighting certain diseases, so if you are able to receive the flu or COVID vaccines it’s a no-brainer. But even if you can have the vaccine, not everybody produces the same immune response so is there anything else we can do to pep up
our beleaguered immune system at this time of year? Yes, you can support and improve the effectiveness of your immune system by eating healthily, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, keeping alcohol intake moderate, and getting adequate sleep. Some vitamins and supplements are particularly useful additions at this time of year. Elderberry - Sambucus nigra consists of many vitamins and minerals which boost immune health. Vitamin C - Vitamin C is required for white-cell production. The body can’t make vitamin C, so a supplement is very useful. Zinc – Helps produce new immune system cells in your body. Vitamin D - Helps to regulate the immune system. By Louise Addison
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KIDS’ PAGE
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LOCALREACH
Why We Love Ghosts
Recent studies show that between 30-40% of people in the UK are believe in ghosts, with those aged between 18 and 34 most likely to believe in paranormal activity. In the US figures are much higher. Unlikely as it seems, ghosts and hauntings are a mainstream area of belief, and this belief is global, with most cultures around the world having some widely accepted types of ghosts. But why are people so keen to believe when the existence of a ghost as a disembodied soul or spirit of a dead person directly contradicts the laws of science? In literature ghosts address some basic human needs, including the desire for justice. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his murdered father seeking revenge on Claudius, his murderer; and in Macbeth the murdered Banquo appears at a banquet both as a reminder of Macbeth’s guilt and to foreshadow more deaths to come. In Kenya, a murdered person may become a ngoma, a spirit who pursues their murderer, sometimes causing them to give themself up to the police. In Russia the rusalka is the spirit of a dead woman who died by drowning and then lures men to their death. But ghosts are not always vengeful, they can also be friends and protectors. In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is helped by
three ghosts to mend his cruel and hard-hearted ways before it’s too late. In the film Sixth Sense, a ghost helps a young boy to come to terms with his ability to see dead people. Many people like to believe that death is not the end of existence. They are comforted by thinking that their deceased loved ones are watching over them. It can also help them face the idea of our own mortality. Most of us believe that our physical being is separate from our consciousness which means it’s not a huge leap for us to entertain the idea that our mind could have an existence separate from our body and thus that our mind or consciousness could survive death. Some people even believe that the dead can communicate with the living through mediums and spiritualism. It seems our love of the paranormal runs deep and Halloween is the perfect time to indulge. Perfect Halloween Films: Ghost Films Casper Sixth Sense The Woman in Black The Legend of Hell House The Ghost of Mrs Muir ParaNorman By Jess Miller
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LOCALREACH
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Gone Fishin’ Getting started with fishing
The staff were very knowledgeable and talked us through the equipment choice for a good quality, but reasonably priced starter set. This consisted of a nice rod suitable for float fishing and spinning, a good quality reel to go with it (don’t forget to get some fishing line and ask if the staff can fit it for you!), some floats and hooks for maggot fishing and some lures for going after pike and perch. A few other bits and bobs and we were ready to catch our first whoppers for under £100. By this time the staff knew we were novices, so they weren’t surprised when we answered their, “Have you got your licences?” question with a puzzled look. It turns out there are a number of rules and regulations you need to obey if you want to go fishing and stay on the right side of the law.
My son loves to be outdoors spending time in the countryside. I told him how my dad and I used to have fantastic fun on our fishing trips to the various rivers and lakes around the area where we lived. This caught his interest and he asked if we could go fishing. Sounded great me! Luckily we have a small angling-supply shop in our village, so we popped in to look around and get some advice.
FREE OF CHARGE PUBLICITY FOR SMALL, LOCAL CLUBS, GROUPS & SOCIETIES. LocalReach Community Magazines provide FREE OF CHARGE publicity for your local events. The ROYAL MAIL delivers 16,771 copies each month to all of BS22. As you can imagine we ARE inundated each month so we try to limit the wording to 50100 words. Plus you can send a good quality photo &/or logo. So if you are organising a cake sale, jumble sale, garden fete or similar, we would like to hear from you. Email your event details for inclusion in our Whats On pages to our community editor sarah@localreach.co.uk before 1st of each month.
In England and Wales anyone aged over 13 needs a rod fishing licence. It’s free if you’re 16 or under and about £30 per year for an adult. In Scotland you just need permission for the place you want to fish from the landowner or angling club. In Northern Ireland you’ll need a licence and a permit for the stretch of water. In Scotland and Northern Ireland some rivers and lakes are controlled by angling clubs, so you’ll need to check before you head off to the river. It’s also turns out that you can’t just fish whenever you want. Rivers in England and Wales have a close season from 15th March to 15th June. Scotland and Ireland also have close seasons with most being controlled by the angling clubs that own the fishing rights, so again make sure you check with them. Some rules do get a bit complicated with different fish having close seasons, and certain types of bait being allowed only in certain locations and at certain times, but don’t be discouraged. Check out the gov.uk website or have a chat with your local angling club. They will be more than happy to help. If you’re fishing for pleasure you’ll most likely put any fish you catch back into the water - obviously taking loads of photos before you do! But if you do plan on keeping some fish for eating there are a number of regulations on your catch sizes. These cover both the minimum size of the fish and the number. It varies from region to region so make sure you check out the rules for the place you want to fish. With a little research you can feel reassured that your fishing trip won’t end in a fine. As for our first trip out; no luck with the bigger pike and perch but some great fun with the smaller fish using a float and maggot. Not exactly whoppers, but we can always try again next time.
COMMUNITY MAGAZINES
By Tony Carter
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