Come to our summer charity BBQ in aid of New Beginnings 4U at 11 Clifton Road, WsM BS23 1BJ. Friday 2nd August 18.00-21.00. Tickets £5, Su: 0791 646 1442 / email sweeks313@gmail.com
Includes one visit to BBQ table. Additional food, and soft drinks, available to purchase. BYO alcohol. Fundraising for ‘New Beginnings 4U’. www.newbeginnings4u.org
August Events Agenda!!
The Friends Of The Playhouse hold their regular Saturday Coffee Mornings 10:00am to 11:30am at The High Street venue. Hot And Cold Drinks and Biscuits are available.
Saturday 3rd August: The Monthly Raffle to win 2 tickets to a show of your choice (subject to availability to be taken within 3 months).
Community Notices are free of charge
Please visit www.localreach.co.uk and click on Community Notices page Deadline is 29th July for the Sept issues
Disclaimer.
Thursday 15th August: 2:00pm, West End Musicals Afternoon: CHRYSTAL BLISS. £6.50 (Members), £8.50 (Non Members) including tea and cake. Tickets strictly limited.
Saturday 17th August: Music Quiz. Only £1 per person to enter.
Next meeting Monday 5th August. Hard of Hearing Social Group
The North Somerset Hard of Hearing Social Group meets generally on the 1st Monday of each month 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Vision North Somerset Neva Road Weston-super-Mare BS231YD. If you have a hearing impairment come along and socialise, swop tips and strategies, attend day trips and activities. Replacement hearing aid batteries available. Cost £4 including tea coffee cake / biscuits. Come along. We look forward seeing you.
For Business Advertising call 01934 312171 or visit our website www.localreach.co.uk Deadline is 29th July for the Sept issues
DO YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF LOCALREACH EACH MONTH?
LocalReach is delivered each month by ROYAL MAIL to ALL of the Worle/BS22 postcode areas, including all towns and villages within the postcode areas, to every resident and business, totalling 17,655 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.
Garden View – The power of deadheading
Deadheading is quite simply, the removal of dead flower heads from a plant. It’s one of the most important August jobs in the garden. Faded, browning flowers can spoil the appearance of beds, borders and containers, especially in small gardens where each individual plant has more of a starring role. Deadheading helps keep displays looking lovelier for longer.
In addition: Plants put more of their energy into stronger growth and more flower production, instead of producing seeds (obviously leave the flowerheads untouched if you WANT seeds); It prevents plants from self-seeding and it prevents petals scattering everywhere.
Deadheading is best carried out as soon as the blooms begin to look scruffy. The simplest method is to pinch or snap off the spent blooms with a finger and thumb, aiming to remove the flower with its stalk, to keep the plant looking tidy. For plants with tough or stringy stems, you
use secateurs, scissors or even a knife. On most plants, trim the dead flower just above the next bud or leaf on the stem.
Plants like delphiniums and lupins produce heads of multiple flowers. In this case pinch off individual flowers and then eventually, when all the flowers have died, prune the entire head to just above a lower bud, leaf or side shoot. Some plants, like hardy geraniums, cat mint (Nepeta) and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla), will produce a second flush of flowers if you cut them back close to ground level after flowering.
Not all plants need to be deadheaded. Fuchsias, obligingly and neatly deadhead themselves, saving you the trouble. Others don’t set much seed in the first place (e.g. bedding lobelias). Some plants, such as Deutzia and Spiraea produce so many flowers that deadheading becomes impractical, and some are simply too tall to reach!
And finally, the other plants that don’t require deadheading are probably my favourites, those which have ornamental seedhead as attractive as their flowers, such as love-in-a-mist (Nigella) and Chinese lantern plants (Physalis alkekengi).
Happy gardening,
By Rachael Leverton
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
Say Goodbye to Dry Eyes: Visit Our New Specialist Clinic
Seeing clearly is important, but so is feeling comfortable.
That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our specialist Dry Eye Clinic, dedicated to addressing the discomfort and challenges associated with this common yet often misunderstood condition. Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is compromised. Tears are crucial for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing comfortable, clear vision. Common causes of dry eye include ageing, hormonal changes, dry or windy environments, prolonged screen time, certain medications, and health conditions like autoimmune diseases. These factors can disrupt the balance needed for healthy tear production. Healthy tears are vital for eye health and without them, you can experience a range of irritating symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye:
1. Stinging or burning sensation: You may experience a gritty, scratchy feeling in your eyes, as if there’s something foreign in them.
2. Redness: Dry eyes can appear bloodshot or irritated.
3. Blurry vision: Your vision may intermittently blur, affecting your ability to focus.
4. Sensitivity to light: Bright lights may become uncomfortable, causing glare or excessive watering.
5. Eye fatigue: Especially after prolonged activities like reading or using digital devices.
6. Excessive watering: Paradoxically, some people with dry eye may experience watery eyes as the body attempts to compensate for the lack of moisture.
If these symptoms sound familiar, a Dry Eye Consultation with our expert optometrists can help. We’ll assess your tear film with advanced diagnostics and create a personalised treatment plan.
We offer various effective treatments to alleviate symptoms and improve eye health from specialist drops and masks to professional treatments. Based on your needs, we may recommend a combination of therapies.
Consultations are £60 or included in our Eyecare Payment Plan.
Independent Opticians celebrates 30
Experience the difference of award-winning service and explore a world of clarity and style at your local independent opticians. Care. Quality. Excellence. Since 1994.
• Award Winning customer care
• Private & NHS patients welcome
• Comprehensive eye examinations for all age groups
• Highly trained, experienced staff
• The latest technology including OCT
• Hand selected quality eyewear
• Eyecare payment plan
• Frames & lenses for all budgets, including flexible payment options
• Personalised visual solutions
• Audiology service from THCP
St Georges Community Summer Fete
The St Georges Players are hosting a community fete to bring everyone together for a day of activities and fun. Saturday 10th August from 10:00am till 5:00pm with 2 fire engines and a police stand there until 1pm. Free entry for all at the St Georges community centre BS227XF. There will be live music, BBQ, bar, inflatables, cakes, children’s craft activities and games and stalls to enjoy, including a coconut shy, hook-a-duck, face painting and more... Limited street parking. Please contact us for further info: thestgeorgesplayers@gmail.com or Dan: 07867426505
Great music in a rural setting, tea and cake!
We invite you to join us to celebrate St. Lawrence Day with a wonderful concert by Miscellany, with musical arrangements by Rachel Hamilton. In the delightful rural setting of Wick St. Lawrence Church, Miscellany singers will give us a rich programme of traditional tunes and close harmonies, all followed by tea and cake. This is
a joint fundraising concert and promises to be a super event. Saturday 10th August at 3:00pm, Wick St. Lawrence Church, Wick Road, BS22 7YP. Tickets on the door: £10 to include refreshments.
Agatha Christie’s Doctors
We are delighted that local historian, Raye Green is going to come along to our meeting at the Ebdon Arms, Lilac Way, Wick St Lawrence at 2:00pm on Monday 12th August to talk about her publication Agatha Christie’s Doctors. Entry is free so do come along to this and other forthcoming talks which are normally held on the second Monday of each month. For more details contact Maxine on 07967 344766
Coffee Mornings at Milton Methodist
The Tuesday coffee mornings at Milton Methodist Church in August will be on the 13th and 27th, and continue on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Everyone is welcome to call in for coffee or tea, homemade cake(s), and a chat with friends old or new.
West End Musicals Afternoon
Thursday 15th August, 2:00pm. The Friends Of The Playhouse present the superb female vocalist CHRYSTAL BLISS who will be performing all your favourite songs from West End Musicals in the Upstairs Bar. This is always a popular event so please book early as there is limited seating. Tickets £6.50 (Members), £8.50 (Non Members) to include tea and cake and can be purchased at The Saturday Coffee Morning or by emailing playhousefriendswsm@hotmail.com
Here’s your chance to try your hand at Woodturning
We are Weston Woodturning Circle and we meet on the third Thursday of each month in the Football club on Winterstoke Road BS24 9AA, 7:00pm until 9:30pm. At our August meeting we are holding an Open Lathe evening and we invite you to come and have a go! We are a very friendly group and welcome all abilities experienced or not, once you decide to become a member we can offer free tuition sessions and the loan of some woodturning equipment. Look forward to seeing you on the 15th.
Next meeting Wednesday 21st August
Weston-super-Mare local Macular Society group
The Weston-super-Mare Macular Society Group covering Weston, Clevedon, Winscombe and surrounding areas meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month 10:30am to 12:30pm at St Peter’s Church Hall, Baytree Road, Weston-super-Mare BS22 8HG. The meetings are for anyone affected by central vision loss AMD wet or dry. Come to share experiences with others. Swap tips and strategies. There are talks by professionals offering advice on appliances to help, useful organisations such as Vision North Somerset. Friends and carers most welcome. Cost £3. Further information contact Jo 07947 373 244.
Live music venue in Winscombe
On 4th Tuesday each month at the upstairs room Winscombe Club (The Legion), 7 Sandford Road BS25 1HD. Winscombe Folk Club is an acoustic club welcoming music, song, poetry of all kinds from accomplished performers and anyone just
starting out. Only £2 towards the room hire. For more info, call Nigel on 07551 197 685 or email winscombefolkclub@gmail.com. The next few dates are 27th August, 24th September etc. Doors open 7:30pm and music will start around 8:00pm.
Weston Hospicecare’s Moonlight Beach Walk
confirmed for Saturday
14th September
The annual Moonlight Beach Walk, sponsored by Howards and the Grand Pier, will return once again this September and it’s going to be even bigger and better than before! Register to walk a choice of 5km or 10km along Weston-super-Mare seafront for Weston Hospicecare, and receive a branded t-shirt plus candle bag to decorate, a glass of prosecco to celebrate, plus a great atmosphere along the way. Get ready to glow along the beach! Find out more about Moonlight Beach Walk and all Weston Hospicecare’s fundraising events at www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/event/
Has someone died? Carrying the pain of grief is hard
Grieving the death of a loved one can be painful, confusing and sometimes a long-term struggle. This seven-session course, gently guides bereaved people through the most common aspects of grief, enabling them to process the implications for themselves. People find learning together, in an openly caring space, helps them come to terms with loss and discern next steps. The course will be running for seven Tuesday evenings (19:15 to 21:30), at Christchurch Clevedon, and starting on 17th September. For more information, please visit the Christchurch website or email: bereavementsupport@christchurch-clevedon. org.uk
Weston-super-Mare u3a is 30 years old
Weston-super-Mare u3a was formed in 1984, so we are celebrating our 30th anniversary on Friday 27th September at the Royal Hotel from 2:00pm - 4:30pm. All 859 members are invited. We will be having sandwich tea with John Penrose MP, Mayor John Crockford-Hawley, Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council and Susan Parker, TAT Regional trustee. Please contact Mike Lynham to let us know you’re coming and any dietary needs. 07949585293 or mikelynham@yahoo.co.uk
Three Top Summer Kitchen Tips from Matt Reilly, OvenGleamers
1. Tear basil rather than cutting it?
Chefs often say that you must tear basil, rather than cut it with a knife, to get the best flavour. Nope. The flavours in basil are primarily contained within the cells of the leaf. If you tear it, it tends to come apart between the cells but if you cut the leaf, you will break open the cells releasing the flavour. This makes the most difference when you are using the basil raw eg in a tomato salad.
Best to wash the basil, pat dry with paper towels, and remove the leaves from the stem. Stack several leaves together and roll into a cylinder, then cut crossways into thin strips.
2. Should I use foil on the base of my Oven?
Many people line their grill pan or the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil to keep their cookers cleaner. This becomes heavily coated in grease and smells revolting! But it actually damages the enamel in the grill pan and on the base of the oven. The foil creates a superheating effect by reflecting the heat back onto the base of the oven or grill pan which then causes enamel damage. I recommend using an oven liner made from PTFE with a non-stick coating. This will catch any food drips keeping the bottom of the oven/grill pan clean. Remember to take the oven liner out regularly and wash it in warm soapy water.
3 “Hot pan - cold oil - prevents sticking”
Is this mantra really the best way to prevent food from sticking to the pan when sautéing or stirfrying. The idea is that you heat up the pan first then add the cold oil and almost immediately add the food and that will stop it sticking. What you really want is a “hot pan, hot oil”. When you add cold oil, it heats up almost instantly when added to the hot pan – giving you “hot pan, hot oil”. You get the same results if you heat the oil along with the pan so take your pick – they both work!
Matt Reilly is your local OvenGleamer and can be contacted on 01934 440032 or go to www.ovengleamers.com for more details.
Browns… The convenience of shopping from your home with the personal service everyone enjoys
Well summer has almost arrived as I write this, Glastonbury has just finished, and the tennis is about to begin. We have seen some sunshine and had some tears over the Euros and the best thing of all is that we can watch it all again on the streaming services on our TV’s. How the world has changed!
The way we shop has changed too. Online shopping is overtaking physical shops, and our high streets are dying. However, we know that lots of people really like the personal service you used to get in shops and so we aim to give you the convenience of shopping from your home with the personal service everyone enjoys.
You can ring us (or email us and we will get back to you) and then we can discuss your requirements over the phone, or even visit you if you prefer. We have an extensive product knowledge and keep a great choice of machines in stock, or if not in stock can be sourced quickly from our excellent suppliers. Then we deliver and install your new appliance and remove and recycle the old one. We will give you a demonstration and are easily contactable if you have any queries or problems.
Of course, we are always thinking of the environment and so if you have a domestic appliance that you want repaired, we will do our very best to get it up and running for you. We will always give you our honest opinion and advice.
So next time you need a new washing machine, dishwasher, oven or any other domestic appliance give us a call or drop us an email from our website. We look forward to hearing from you.
sell and repair washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens, hobs and hoods, cookers, fridges and freezers.
are specialists in Freestanding and integrated appliances Local family business established 39 years
work insured and guaranteed
Crossword Across
Word Search
7 Voted in, chosen (7)
9 Concepts, notions (5)
10 Affirmative response (3)
11 Outward Behaviour (9)
12 Denigrate, exploit (5)
14 Enlightened, tolerant (7)
16 Analyses, observes (7)
18 Stick, cudgel (5)
19 Mobilising troops (9)
20 Blockade, stopper (3)
21 Bamboo-eating bear-like animal (5)
22 Ice river (7)
Down
1 A decade (3,5)
2 Chaos, disarray (4)
3 Filling, cloying food (6)
4 Baking soda (abbr) (6)
5 Not a Republican! (U.S) (8)
6 Russian emperor (4)
8 Destroying, breaking (11)
13 Supplanting (8)
15 Monument, feature (8)
17 Line joining points of equal atmospheric pressure on a weather map (6)
18 Tramp, drifter (6)
19 Drug, sedate (4)
20 Trickle, plop (4)
Puzzle Solutions
Springboard Opportunity Group release tickets for their Biannual Charity Ball
We are excited to announce that our Charity Ball is being held at The Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 9th November 2024. Tickets, priced £60 each, can be purchased online; buytickets. at/springboardopportunitygroup/1168326 or contact Springboard on 01275 341113.
Springboard is a unique charity based in North Somerset providing a nurturing and secure environment where children, aged 0-5 with additional needs and disabilities, can thrive and flourish while offering their families the essential support they need.
After almost 40 years, it is still the only charity offering this service in North Somerset.
Are you interested in Patchwork and Quilting
We are Weston Quilters a lively group of people of all abilities who enjoy patchwork and quilting. We usually meet on the first Monday of each month at
the Hundred Academy, Beaufighter Road, Weston super Mare BS24 8EE. Doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start. There are guest speakers during the year and the opportunity to buy from our invited traders.
Guest entrance £5.
Please go to our Facebook for more information.
Fibromyalgia Support Group
We are a group of people who are living with Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions who meet regularly to support each other. We meet on Monday afternoons for Tai Chi and Crafts, plus for coffee in Nuffield (Weston) on Thursday mornings.
Meetings are a mix of speakers, chat and information.
We have a weekly hydrotherapy group and organize trips and meals out plus interest groups as required.
For more information, call Val 07411989478 or Jules 07840189641; email wsmfibro@gmail.com
QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS
by simply replacing the doors and worktops
› Up to 50% less than a new fully fitted kitchen
› Replacement kitchen doors
› Cost effective made to measure solution
› Worktops and appliances
› Quick installation in 2-3 days by local professionals
5 The Precinct, Brinsea Road, Congresbury, BS49 5JG Call us now for a free estimate: 01934 832361 or 01275 562031 9.8/10
A Bit Batty
International Bat Night 24th-25th August
Thanks to Count Dracula, bats get a bad rap. International Bat Night hopes to change our perception. During this annual celebration, public events such as bat walks, take place across the country.
Bats make up just over a quarter of the UK’s mammal population and they are the only ones that can fly. There are 18 native species plus occasional migrant visitors, and populations are under threat from predation, crime and habitat loss, so UK bats and their roosts are protected by law.
Pipistrelles are our commonest bats, weighing in at just 5 grams (less than a £1 coin). Noctules are our largest bat but still measure less than 5cm long!
Bat wings are wonderful examples of biomechanical engineering. They are constructed
in a similar way to human hands, only with membrane of skin stretched between the elongated, delicate fingers. Bat bones are very slender and flexible, and because their wings are much thinner than bird wings bats can manoeuvre more easily at speed.
Bats fly and feed in the dark, and all UK bats live on insects, which they find using echolocationproducing a stream of high-pitched calls and listening to the returning echo. They ‘see’ best using sound but contrary to popular belief they are not blind.
The saying about having ‘bats in the belfry’ is not accurate because they rarely roost in church towers, preferring somewhere quieter, and less draughty. They prefer houses, and cause very few problems as they are neither noisy nor smelly and most householders are usually unaware of their presence. If bats do set up home in your roof, their access must not be impeded. If you’d like to encourage these interesting little creatures to your garden you can buy or make bat boxes to fix to outside of your home. Help, advice and general information on Britain’s bats is available at www.bats.org.uk
By Gemma Pearson-Brown
Tuesday Retirement Group. First Tuesday In The Month, 10:30am12:00pm
1ST UPHILL SCOUTS HALL, WINDWHISTLE LANE, WESTON-SUPER-MARE BS23 4PE. Our group is open to all so come along to see what’s on offeryou’ll be made very welcome! There is an annual fee which is pro rata depending on time of year you join. No speaker in August, we are having a picnic and quiz which is always fun! Homemade cakes tea/coffee/squash and raffle too. In June we welcomed back Barry Hamblin who gave a very interesting talk on Lavender and enjoyed by all. Why not give us a try.
Day Centre Every Tuesday In Milton Respite Care
Day centre every Tuesday in Milton. 10:00am - 1:30pm. Perfect respite care for carers or companionship for lone people. Dementia care. Entertainment. Games. Newspapers. Fully insured qualified staff. Dbs checked. Please contact NIKKI on 07879018384 for further information and costs.
Worle Lions Club
Lions are ordinary people who are dedicated to
the welfare of those in the local community and give their time freely to help others. We would be happy to assist at charitable events in the Worle area. Why not meet us on a Wednesday morning, we alternate a Knit and Knatter in the Lamb Inn at 11:00am (and would also be glad to use unwanted knitting items) with a local Litter Pick at different locations in Worle at 10:00am. Or join us at our monthly Pub Quiz at the Windsor Castle, Upper Bristol Road, WSM, BS22 8DP on the first Sunday of the month at 7:45pm. Please call 0345 833 9862 or text 07796 270721 for more details.
Tai Chi returns to Kewstoke with Age UK Somerset
Local charity, Age UK Somerset, has brought back their Tai Chi class to Kewstoke. Now held every Thursday at 2:30pm, at Kewstoke Village Hall, Crookes Lane, BS22 9XB, you can join this friendly class - £6/week. Specially designed for people over 55, the sessions are fun and can improve your balance, strength and flexibility. QiGong, pronounced ‘chee gung’, is a form of Tai Chi that is beneficial to both physical and mental wellbeing, consisting of 18 easy-to-learn gentle movements Contact 01823 345624 / ageingwell@ ageuksomerset.org.uk for more information.
Basin & WC with every bathroom order*
our qualified & friendly team help you decide Walk-in Shower or Wetroom? • Specialists in accessible bathing
Free home visits and quotations • Full design and installation service • VAT free for those with a long-term illness or disability
• Reduced costs for over 60s & less abled clients
• From walk-in showers, easy clean wall panelling to toilet lifters & bidets
• DFG and SSAFA Grant work undertaken
• Helping people regain independence since 1999
and C’s apply, see website
Joe’s Doors can simply transform your kitchen by replacing the doors, panels and trims.
With a huge range of kitchen styles to choose from, this cost effective, fuss free service, can be completed in under two days and best of all you don’t even need to empty the cupboards!
Call now to take advantage of a free survey, free quote and free design service....with no pressure selling.
Transform your worktops with Quartzize stone overlays
Why replace your worktops when this unique quartz overlay simply fits over your existing surface. Here are some of the amazing benefits:
•Timeless - Looks clean and modern.
•Hygienic - A perfectly smooth surface.
•Easy care - Wipe with a neutral cleaner.
•Durable - Tough and scratch resistant.
•Easily Installed - Fitted in less than a day.
The fence that repairs itself
If you scratch or cut Colourfence, the ingenious zinc element in the Zincalume steel reacts with moisture to form a protective barrier to prevent any corrosion with no action needed from you.
STRONG, SECURE & BUILT TO LAST!
Colourfence are transforming gardens across Somerset!
It may do “exactly what it says on the tin” but let’s face it, treating a timber fence can never be called fun! In fact, owning a timber fence isn’t much fun either with costly, time consuming maintenance and repairs almost every year.
Finally, the alternative to timber fencing…our fence goes up and stays up, resisting wind gusts of up to 130mph!
Colourfence fencing solutions are made from innovative Colorbond steel, virtually maintenance free with an occasional wash down with water to keep it looking as good as new - so you never need to pick up that paintbrush again!, Guaranteed not to rot, warp, chip or peel for 25 years.
Available in a variety of heights and colours with or without trellis, our skilled installation team will make short work of transforming your garden.
The best news is the pricing is just as attractive, starting costs are in line with comparable traditional systems but offer the ongoing peace of mind that your investment will continue to save time and money year after year.
For those of us who want a low maintenance garden, Colourfence promises a lifetime of hassle-free enjoyment.
Understanding Hearing Loss: We’re Here To Help You!
‘Hello’ to our dear friends, from your local Audiologists Claire, Emma, Sam, Toby, and our furry companion, Charlie.
Have you ever found yourself hearing muffled words, ashamed to ask friends and family to repeat themselves? Do you complain that everyone seems to mumble nowadays?
This is, in fact, very common, especially as we grow older. Our hearing wears out at different rates and frequencies. Higher frequency sounds are usually the first to wear out and can be significantly different from low frequencies. This type of hearing loss means that we hear different aspects of speech in different ways. We hear vowel sounds well, but struggle with high frequency consonants such as ‘sss’, ‘sh’ and ‘kk’.
Imagine talking to someone through a window opening. With good hearing, we would hear the person clearly. However, if the window were closed, the person would sound muffled and unclear but still able to be heard. This is a representation of what living with even a modest hearing loss is like.
The great thing is that there is something you can do about it! If you or a loved one recognise the issues highlighted above, then please call today and take care of your hearing, starting with a hearing assessment.
We are here for you in North Somerset’s only full time and fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment centre. See our various locations in North Somerset and contact us using the details below.
Are you losing speed through your Wi-Fi?
With more and more customers taking advantage of full fibre internet with speeds up to 1000mbps, we often find that people are using their old Wi-Fi equipment to boost the signal.
Most Wi-Fi boosters over 5 years old will not allow the full speed to travel through them, due to older technology. For example, if you have 300mbps coming into the property, but are using older equipment to boost the signal, it is quite possible that you will only achieve a maximum of around 80mbps when boosted.
Another common issue is that people have upgraded their internet speed but comment that they haven’t noticed any difference on their equipment. Reasons for this include older equipment not being able to keep up with the faster speed, Wi-Fi aerials not accepting the newer speed plus anywhere with a deteriorating Wi-Fi signal due to poor boosting can also affect performance. Recently, we visited a customer who had five Wi-Fi boosters around the house but was only getting a fraction of the speed when tested at the router, around the house. We replaced the Wi-Fi boosters with modern equipment and immediately speed was around 90% of the incoming speed at the furthest destination tested.
It is also not necessary to have an ethernet cable fitted around the house as modern Wi-Fi equipment uses a system called MESH which allows equipment to daisy chain to itself with only mains power needed.
Another customer had paid for the fastest speed possible, but could not see any improvement. This turned up to be his dated laptop, which we replaced for a modern fast unit, whilst keeping all his software and data intact. This immediately showed the full potential of his fast internet connection. If you are suffering from any of the issues mentioned above, please get in touch as we can come and visit your home or place or work to suggest improvements. We have a number of solutions that can improve speed to all devices around the house, depending on requirements.
Neil Buzzard, Director, Computer
Problem Solutions Ltd. Tel: 07973 536299 or sales@e-cps.co.uk
Computer Problems?
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.
TRUSTED
Sprichst du Deutsch? Do you know any German speakers?
We are a friendly group of German speakers who meet up once a month. We usually meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Stable Games room at 7:00pm (this date could change though, so please check our Facebook Group “German speaking group (Stammtisch) in Weston”). It’s not a lesson as such, but all levels are welcome - we chat about all kinds of things in German. Hoffentlich bis bald! Sarah.
Why not Come and Enjoy your Friday Afternoon’s with Friends
We meet every Friday from 1:45pm till 4:00pm. We have entertainers every week and enjoy a tea or coffee with biscuits.
We run weekly and monthly raffles and enjoy days out plus weekly holidays. We are looking forward to a trip to Sidmouth festival also a day out to Weymouth. We have skittles with buffet lunch also Christmas lunch and tea party.
We are situated in the hall behind the Night Jar in Mead Vale, on the No 6 bus route.
Any queries contact Shaun on 07719176499
Saveupto 10%when mentioning LocalReach
Free play sessions for the whole community, every Saturday!!
ParkPlay is 90 minutes of free community play, every Saturday, for everyone. Make friends, have fun, get moving!
10:30am at Cherry Avenue Playground in Clevedon, BS21 6DX
Look out for the ParkPlay flag, we’ll be there – rain or shine.
If you can, please register before you come along: park-play.com/register/ (you only need to this once).
Find out more about ParkPlay here: www. betterhealthns.co.uk/information/parkplay/
Worle Community Centre, Lawrence Road
There will be no craft group on Sunday afternoons in August.
Dates to be confirmed for September.
WMUK MOBILITY
Weston Fifty plus Social Singles group
Weston Fifty plus Social Singles group were once again back into action –This year members of our group decided we hold an event to support Prostate Cancer UK.
So on the 16th June (Father’s Day) members (aged between 65 and 79) Abseiled down the 150ft sheer cliff face of Uphill Quarry.
Taking part were two members of the group currently undergoing treatment for Prostate Cancer.
At this event we managed to raise an amazing £2,000 – Last year a Skydive, this year an AbseilWhat will this group be doing next year? – Watch this space.
Call Margaret 07887883251 to find out more about Weston Fifty plus Social Singles group.
Join a free and friendly Health Walk!
30 to 60 minute Health Walks are available in Churchill and Cheddar, Clevedon, Long Ashton, Nailsea, Portishead, Westonsuper-Mare, Winscombe, Worle and Yatton.
No need to book, just come along!
Please see our website for the dates, times and meeting places: www.betterhealthns.co.uk/getactive/walking/
Or contact us at: getactive@n-somerset.gov.uk / 01275 882 730.
Prickles Hedgehog Rescue
Prickles Hedgehog Rescue will be grateful to any business or organisation using 5 ream boxes of copy paper if they could let us have the empty boxes with lids as they are ideal for transporting hedgehogs back to their finders. If you can help please ring 07806744772!
Donate For Defib Weston-super-Mare Project - Ongoing Work Update
The Donate For Defib WsM Project promotes the need for publicly accessible defibrillators in the community and the importance of
learning of CPR / Defibs. For any venues that would like to fundraise for or buy a defibrillator please contact the team for further information, visit: www.donatefordefibwsm.co.uk for more information.
If any venues / members would like to learn CPR / use of a Defibrillator please contact the project team.
CPR awareness sessions could help to save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest!
For further information please email, donatefordefib.wsm@gmail.com
DAVID FORD AERIALS
• All types of Aerials, plus extra TV points
• TV’s wall mounted
• Satellite Installations, including Starlink
• Free call out, established 30 years
lady sweep, based in Winscombe. Covering North Somerset, Mendips and surrounding areas.
TOTAL GARDEN SOLUTIONS
• Cosyfeet Slippers and Shoes
•
•
•
MindEmpowerTherapy.com
Hendrina@mindempowertherapy.com
Accompanying to appointments, clubs & outings
Help with shopping
“
“Fantastic responsive service. It’s the 2nd time I have used central roofing and on both occasions they turned up on time got on with the job and kept us informed on what was being carried out. Went above and beyond and assisted me in issues around insurance. I would recommend this company to anyone with roofing issues.”
Cat Lady
We used Central Roofing to take down an old flat roof and install another on our business premises at Knight Brothers Garage. The company was very reliable, they turned up when they said they would, the guys that did the work were very tidy and efficient. The work was completed in the time frame they set…we are more than pleased with the finished job. Karen
