Local Life Magazine - Issue 02 - Winter 2022

Firstly, a big “Thank You” to all our customers and readers for all your kind comments - we are really pleased you are enjoying the magazine.

In each quarterly issue you will find advertising from local companies, interesting editorial pieces, puzzles, recipes and recommendations of what to watch at the cinema or on streaming services. We have lots of ideas so watch out for exciting new features coming up in future issues.

If you are a local business and would like to advertise with us, our contact details are below.

Tracy Editor

Pork cutlets with spicy Asian slaw

Ingredients

• 1/4 white cabbage, shredded

• 1/4 red cabbage, shredded

• 1 carrot, finely shredded

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup mint leaves

• 1 cup coriander leaves

• 1 kaffir lime leaf, shredded

• 1/4 cup (60ml) rice vinegar

• 1 tbs caster sugar

• 2 tbs soy sauce

• 1 1/2 tbs lime juice

• 2 tbs fish sauce

• 2 long red chillies, seeds removed, finely chopped

• 4 x 170g pork cutlets

• 1 tbs sunflower oil

• 1 tbs honey

Method

1. To make the Asian slaw, place the cabbage, carrot, onion, mint, coriander and kaffir lime leaf in a bowl. Combine rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, fish sauce and chilli in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Toss the slaw with the dressing and set aside.

2. Drizzle the pork with the oil and season. Place a frying pan over a medium-high heat, then cook the pork for 2-3 minutes each side until golden. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then whisk the soy sauce and honey together and drizzle over the pork. Cook, turning, for a further 3-4 minutes until the pork chops are caramelised and cooked through.

3. Serve the pork cutlets with the spicy Asian slaw.

Mulled Wine Method

Ingredients

• 1 (750 ml) bottle of dry red wine

• 1 orange, sliced into rounds (also peeled, if you would like a less-bitter drink)

• 8 whole cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 2 star anise

• 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar, honey, or maple syrup to taste (or your desired sweetener)

• optional garnishes: citrus slices (orange, lemon and/or lime), extra cinnamon sticks, extra star anise

1. Combine ingredients.  Add wine,orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, 2 tablespoons sweetener, and brandy to a large saucepan. Stir briefly to combine.

2. Simmer.  Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer. (Avoid letting it bubble - you don’t want to boil off the alcohol.)  Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.

3. Strain.  Using a fine mesh strainer, remove and discard the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.  Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in extra sweetener if needed.

4. Serve. Serve warm in heatproof mugs, topped with your favorite garnishes.

Coffee break

General Knowledge Wordsearch

EASY

Find ain the grid and cross out all the words from the workd list. Ignore spaces, dashes and diacritics, if any. Words go horizontally, vertically, not diagonally, may intersect, do not bend, overlap or go backwards. There are no unused letters in the grid.

Sudoku

Please see page 16 for the answers.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are 2 main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes – where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, meaning that the body does not produce any insulin at all. Although Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, it can appear at any age, and can develop quickly, over weeks or even days. People diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections for the rest of their life.

• Type 2 diabetes - where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin. Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age. Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general. As type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, medicine may eventually be required, usually in the form of tablets.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

Causes of diabetes

The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach). When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it’s broken down to produce energy.

However, if you have diabetes, your body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin produced does not work properly.

There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes. You can help manage type 2 diabetes through healthy eating, regular exercise and achieving a healthy body

weight. Blood glucose comes from the food that you eat and is your main source of energy. Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as;

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Kidney disease

• Eye problems

• Dental problems

• Nerve damage

• Foot problems

Foot problems caused by diabetes

Having diabetes means you’re at much greater risk of developing foot problems but understanding how diabetes affects feet can help you avoid those complications.

A podiatrist is an important part of your diabetes health team. Podiatrists are specifically trained to assess the nerve damage in your feet, identify specific foot health risks and help you plan treatment and prevention.

Raised blood sugar levels can damage the sensation in your feet. This can affect your circulation and can result in a reduced blood supply to your feet. Without a good blood supply you may have problems with cuts and sores healing. You may also get cramps and pain in your legs or feet.

Most foot problems can be prevented with good, regular footcare. But if you don’t get these problems treated, they could lead to ulcers, infections and - ultimately - amputations. Between 2017 and 2020 there were 171,759 hospital admissions for foot disease in patients with diabetes, resulting in 21,738 minor and 7,957 major amputations.

Why wait for an NHS appointment in Teesside?

Teesside Podiatry Clinic {see opposite page} can get you the help you need quickly without having to be on a long NHS waiting list.

Does your child love to dance?

Eclectic Dance Academy was established in September 2013 with 25 students and now has 125 students. Owner and principal teacher Miss Cassie Todd has over 15 years teaching experience. She began dancing at the tender age of two before deciding to make a career of dance on leaving school.

She moved to Coventry and trained professionally for 3 years at Pattison Theatre Arts under the direction of Miss Betty Pattison, founder of the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) ballet syllabus. Miss Cassie studied a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, modern jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, national, street and commercial as well as singing, drama, verse and prose technique.

As well as performing experience, Miss Cassie obtained associate level IDTA teaching qualifications in ballet, tap, modern, jazz and freestyle. After featuring in many professional shows, cabarets and pantomimes, she relocated to London to pursue her dream of becoming a top-class performer. Unfortunately, a bad back injury saw Miss Cassie return to the North East to fulfil a new dream of creating a new, dynamic dance school where she could pass on her skills, knowledge and experience.

After seven years of hiring the dance studio at a local school, Miss Cassie moved into her very own studio in early 2020. Due to COVID-19, however, the new studio couldn’t officially open until April 2021.

E C L E C T I C D A N C E A C A D E M Y

Each year, Eclectic Dance Academy perform a show at a professional theatre, where pupils showcase what they have learned and celebrate their dedication and hard work. As well as developing performance skills and confidence, this is always a memorable occasion for both parents and students.

Miss Cassie makes learning fun and helps each student achieve their highest potential, is confident, happy and has fun. Students are also encouraged to work towards ISTA qualifications, rewarding them for their progress. Miss Cassie is justifiably proud of her 100% pass rate.

Eclectic Dance Academy is accessible from most routes and has ample parking. The air-conditioned

dance studio is equipped with barres, mirrors, sprung floors as well as a reception area where refreshments are available.

Please enquire to arrange a free taster session to determine which classes might be suitable.

STUDIO TIMETABLE

4:30 5:15pm Primary Modern & Acro

5:30-6:15pm Prep Ballet & Tap

4:15 5pm Little Street 5:15-6pm Teen Street 6:15 7pm Teen Modern & Acro 7:15-7:45pm Pointe

4:15-5pm Grade 1 Ballet & Tap 5:15-6pm Jnr Modern & Acro 6:15-7pm Grade 2 Ballet & Tap 7:15-8pm Grade 5 Ballet 8-8:30pm Grade 4 Tap

4:15-5pm Little Street 5:15-6pm Jnr Street 6:15-7pm Pre-Teen Street 7:15 8pm Pre-Teen Modern & Acro

10-10:45am Baby Ballet & Tap 11-11:45am Primary Ballet & Tap 12-12:45pm Glee Club 1 1-1:45pm Glee Club 2 2-3pm Grade 2 Ballet & Tap 3:15-4pm Modern & Acro 4:15-5pm Street Dance 5-6pm Grade 3 Ballet & Tap

Ecletic Dance Academy, 1 Sedgefield Way, Stockton on Tees (Just off Portrack Lane)

T. 07850 618156

E. eclecticdanceacademy@hotmail.co.uk

Eclectic Dance Academy

Top tips for saving on energy bills

trim £135 a year from energy bills, as less heat will be lost through the roof. If you’ve got loft insulation that’s been there a while you could still save an extra £310 a year by topping it up from 120mm to the recommended 270mm.

Insulating cavity walls can save up to £155 a year in a semi-detached house. Solid wall insulation, although more expensive to fit, could save you £210 in the same type of house.

Review your energy bill for small savings

• Choose paperless bills and manage your account online (some companies charge extra for paper bills)

• Pay by direct debit - this is usually cheaper than paying when you get your bill.

• Send regular meter readings to keep your bill accurate. If you have a smart meter it will do this automatically.

• Question any direct debit increases that seem too high. Your energy company should be able to explain the changes and your usage and payments should balance out over a year.

Choose energy efficient appliances

If you’re replacing an appliance, you can cut your electricity bills by choosing the most energy efficient model. For example, depending on size, washing machine running costs can vary from £15 to £70 a year. Research shows that swapping all the most power guzzling kitchen appliances for energysaving models would save you up to £425 a year on energy costs.

Add Insulation

Insulating both your loft and cavity walls can save you as much as £290 a year according to The Energy Saving Trust.

Laying loft insulation to a thickness of 270mm in a typical non-insulated three-bedroom semi could

Get your boiler serviced or replaced

For most households central heating is responsible for more than half of your energy bill each year. So replacing an old inefficient gas boiler with a modern energy efficient one could make a big difference to your payments.

If your boiler is still working, there are still savings to be made. Booking a boiler service and asking your engineer to make sure it is running as efficiently as possible can be a really quick way to make savings.

Replace Light bulbs

Energy saving light bulbs can help you to cut your energy bills easily. An LED lightbulb costs around £1.71 a year to run, compared to £8.42 for old style halogen bulb. Energy saving light bulbs last a lot longer than traditional ones, so their lifetime costs are even lower.

Install central heating controls

Installing a room thermostat and programmed thermostatic radiator valves could save a typical home £75 per year according to the Energy Saving Trust. It will also cut your home’s carbon emissions by 320kg a year.

Smart thermostats

With a smart thermostat you can operate your heating remotely via the internet using your mobile phone, tablet or computer. Coupled with smart thermostatic radiator valves you can control exactly which rooms are heated and which aren’t.

Electric Heaters

If you only need to heat one room in your home, it may be cheaper to use a portable electric heater and keep the thermostat turned down.

Draught proofing

Stopping your heating from escaping through gaps around doors and windows could help you save around £25 a year in a typical home according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Although it might not seem much it can also really help you to feel comfortable in your home and make a big difference to your quality of life.

Windows use draught proofing strips around the frame. Brush strips work better for sash windows. Doors use draught proofing strips around the edges and brush or hinged flap draught excluders at the bottom.

Loft hatches - use draught proofing foam strips to keep heat in.

Use less hot water

• Though you might only use your heating in winter, you use energy year-round to heat your water, so heating and using it wisely will impact your bills.

• Use a shower timer so you know how long you’re spending in there. Keeping your shower time to 4 minutes or swapping 1 bath a week with a 4 minute shower can save you £35 per person the Energy Saving Trust estimates.

• Don’t let the hot water run too long and wash up in the sink or a bowl.

• Insulate your hot water tank and pipes so water stays warmer for longer

If you’re pushed for time or money, have done everything on this list or simply want to get started cutting your bill straight away, try these steps.

• Know where your energy costs are coming from. A smart meter shows how much energy you use in real time and how much it costs. Use this information to work out where you can cut back.

• Get your boiler serviced or ask your landlord to do so. An engineer can make energy savings adjustments such as reducing your boiler’s flow temperature, that can cut your bills.

• Don’t leave your gadgets on standby. There are limits on standby power consumption on more recent electronics but take care with older gadgets. Turning appliances off properly could save you £55 a year, according to figures published in March 2022 by the Energy Savings Trust.

• Dry your washing outside or on a clothes horse, rather use your tumble dryer. Don’t forget to ventilate well and run a de humidifier if possible if you ae drying in doors.

• Only run your washing machine and dish washer when they’re full, reduce your use by one run per week and wash clothes at 30o where possible (unless you are washing really soiled clothes.) These steps can cut bills by £28 a year, the Energy Savings Trust estimates (figures published in March 2022)

• Defrost food in the fridge to help keep the fridge temperature down. Cool hot food before putting it into the fridge.

• Only boil as much water in the kettle as you need.

• Clean your tumble dryer and fridge’s fittings to help them running efficiently.

With thanks to the Which? website for the information in this article.

Find more balance in your life

In turbulent times many of us harness ways to feel grounded to calm anxiety and sooth stress, so it’s not surprising that alternative therapies like crystal healing have come to the fore.

Benefits

The proposed healing benefits of crystals predominantly surround areas of mental well being; including feelings of tranquility, positivity and focus, as well as enhanced immunity and pain relief. Individual crystals are also known to have their own special energies that align to different areas of your life, with their shape and colour as well as their type affecting their influence.

• Provides a sense calmness, peace and tranquility

• Releases anxiety and stress

• Increases levels of alertness and concentration

• Lifts feelings of depression, despondency and desperation

• Eases mental tiredness

• Balances Chakra energy

• Releases stagnant energy, boosting available energy on all levels

Crystal healing is an ancient therapy that utilises the natural power of crystals and gemstones to improve health and wellbeing. Crystal healing is holistic, meaning that the treatment restores health and balance at all levels, emotional, physical and spiritual.

The concept of using crystals to heal has been around for centuries. But with celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Adele speaking publicly about their belief in the practice, there has been a mainstream resurgence in recent years. Adele has been particularly open about her battle with stage fright and has frequently spoken about the use of crystals to calm her nerves.

In your session you will be fully clothed and laying on the bed. The therapist will check the flow of each of the seven main chakras and bring them back to balance. A combination of appropriate healing crystals are chosen and placed on the chakras and bring balance back to mind, body and spirit.

The treatment is suitable for everyone. Perfect for those needing a less invasive treatment to bring help during difficult times, ease stress and anxiety or physical healing for the body.

• Connects you to a place of inner peace and healing

• Helps to develop spirituality and find your true purpose in life

• Provides a general feeling of being healed

• There are many physical benefits too, helping with lots of common ailments.

w. top2toetranquility.co.uk/tranquility-rocks e. tranquilityrocksmh@gmail.com

Dog days aren’t over

Almost 45% of dogs in the UK are classed as veterans and if we respond quickly and proactively to the early signs of old age, we have the chance not only to make these latter years happy but to prolong them. Here are five ways to keep your dog alert and happy for longer.

Grooming

The feeling of contact is something every dog likes and by putting in place a regular grooming routine your dog will feel relaxed. This will also afford you time to check for lumps, bumps, insect bites or patchy areas on your dog. Effectively you’re offering a health check and a massage in one!

Water

Making sure your dog has a plentiful supply of water is one thing but encouraging your dog to drink as much as possible is important.

Adopting Exercise

Your buddy may not be able to embark on the long walks they used to, so try to adapt the strolls so that the distance is sensible, the terrain is kind on ageing paws and the excursions are perhaps shorter but more regular.

And on these walks, it’s also worth considering the fact that as dogs age their hearing and eyesight deteriorates so do try to keep them close to you at all times.

Social Contact

Typically, we find ourselves fawning over puppies and younger dogs, while our older friends have enjoyed all that pampering in their youth, the veteran pooches are these days more ignored so it’s important to reach out and connect with them.

Sure, you might not get the same bountiful response, but typically older dogs live with older owners in quieter communities so interacting with them when out is a great way to keep then connected.

It will keep them active, alert and on the move, as well as making them more likely to want to venture out into the fresh air for a toilet break.

Changing spaces

Eight small changes that can transform any room.

1. Follow The Light

Lamps are the easiest way to positively alter the entire mood and vibe of a room. They’re cheap, come in a range of styles and looks to suit your interior and the transformation is quick!

2. Go Green

Plants will bring life & colour to an otherwise drab space. They also improve your air quality, making them well worth the extra care and attention they require.

3. Hang Out

Whether it’s a favourite record, childhood photo or quirky cartoon that made you smile once, art is a great way to really personalise your home.

4. Shelve It

As well as providing an excellent way to maximise storage in a room, shelves could have the ability to become a feature in their own right if you fill them with interesting books and mementos.

5. Make A Statement

A unique piece of furniture can bring to life an otherwise unremarkable space, so hunt down that vintage cocktail globe or shabby chic chaise longue!

6. Go throw

Is your sofa looking a little tired? Has your bed seen better days? Then throw a throw on it - the bolder and brighter the better.

7. Rug Doctor

A decent rug can really tie a room together, with the chance to complement colour, texture and the type of look you are going for.

8. Reflect

Mirrors will bring light and space to an otherwise gloomy room if positioned towards windows.

Coffee Break Answers

from page 5

Wordsearch Soduko

The benefits of an allotment

During World War II and immediately afterwards, almost everyone with a garden grew fruit and vegetables. Food was rationed, so people supplemented their diet with produce they’d grown in their back garden or down on their allotment.

During the 1960’s allotments began to go out of fashion and continued to decline in popularity. As a society we were more affluent, more likely to buy what produce we needed from the local supermarket.

But with food prices soaring and less produce available on the supermarket shelves and added to an increased interest in plant-based diets and locally sourced food, allotments are enjoying a popularity surge.

And the statistics in the news are scary. The number of food banks is growing rapidly as families struggle to put even the most basic provisions on the table. There are concerns about additives and pesticides on shop bought fruit & veg yet the cost of organic food puts it out of the reach of most consumers.

Is it any wonder that so many of us are taking matters into our own hands deciding to emulate our grandparents and grow our own food? But growing food requires space and modern housing often means small gardens. This is where allotments come into their own.

Allotments don’t just benefit the humans who tend them. Each plot is a complex web of plants, microorganisms, fungi, insects and animals supporting pollination and offering a refuge for wildlife. Bugs are important to the healthy functioning of an allotment. They pollinate fruit and veg control pests and improve the soil.

Many allotment gardeners will tell you that a spell on the plot nurturing plants and contemplating nature makes them feel more calmer and more hopeful and there have been recent studies that have measured this benefit.

The physical benefits of regular spells of gardening help plot holders to keep fit even if they have sedentary jobs, the physical exercise also contributes to their mental wellbeing. Gardening can also help towards good gait and balance in older gentlemen and help with cognitive decline.

If managed properly an allotment can produce enough food to supplement a family’s weekly shop, with fresh fruit & vegetables over the year.

As many new plot holders discover, growing vegetables requires acquiring new knowledge and skills and the satisfaction gained from eating their first tomato or new potato makes them taste even more delicious!

Working a plot all year round means that allotment holders experience the seasons, witness the behaviour of birds, insects and other animals.

To acquire an allotment, simply approach your council. There may be a waiting list but councils are taking allotments and community gardens much more seriously now and many are actively seeking to provide more sites in the future.

More information from Middlesbrough Council: https://tinyurl.com/yc8apvv4.

Simple winter garden jobs

There are always things to do out in the garden, even in December. A few simple gardening tasks offer some pockets of calm and relief amid the busyness of the festive season. They are also a wonderful way to get some fresh air and exercise to burn off some of those Christmas calories and winter gloominess!

First take a look at your winter containers. If we have a particularly wet spell, make sure they don’t get flooded, if it’s dry then plants will still need water regularly, just give the compost chance to dry out each time. Pick off any leaves that look yellowed or diseased.

Do you like garlic? Now is the perfect time to start your own garlic crop, especially if your soil is free-draining. Plant individual cloves of garlic, ‘Solent Wight’ is a great variety for our greyer Britich climate and forms large plump bulbs. If you have a sheltered warmer spot try Lautrec Wight which as the name suggests originates from the town of Lautrec in France, it produces particularly handsome pink/purple cloves and is widely regarded in France as the best garlic.

Snip off any wispy end or the birds will pull the cloves from the soil. The bulbs will be ready to harvest when the leaves start to die off and turn yellow which is usually around June or July.

Tidy established perennials by cutting back those that have become pulpy. Simply cut back the decaying material, chop it up and add to the compost heap.

If you have an unheated greenhouse, a summer house or conservatory you can sow some sweet peas and leave them to germinate. Sow the seeds in deep pots or root trainers filled with multi-purpose compost then cover the pots with a transparent plastic bag, once seeds have germinated remove the plastic.

If the soil isn’t frozen you can plant bare-root fruit bushes such as gooseberries, raspberries and blackberries. Make sure you dig a hole that can take the plants roots comfortably without squashing them.

Label clearly because it’s easy to forget which varieties you’re growing.

What’s on TV

Manifest Netflix

Whilst travelling from Jamaica to New York City, Montego Air flight 828 experiences a brief period of severe turbulence.

When they land at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, the planes 191 passengers and crew learn from NSA deputy director Robert Vance that over five and a half years have passed while they were in the air during which time, they were presumed dead.

As they re-join society, the passengers begin to face the fact that their lives and loved ones are not the same as they were, while they also begin to experience guiding voices and visions representing events yet to occur referred to as ‘Callings’.

The Devil’s Hour Amazon Prime

Lucy is a social worker dealing with family and relationship woes.

She wakes every night at exactly 3:33 after experiencing terrifying visions during so called Devil’s hour between 3am and 4am.

Her eight-year-old son is withdrawn and emotionless. Her mother speaks to empty chairs. Her house is haunted by the echoes of a life that is not her own.

Lucy’s name is inexplicably connected to a string of brutal murders in the area and she is drawn into the hunt for the serial killer.

Spirited Apple TV+

Each Christmas Eve the Ghost of Christmas present (Will Ferrell) selects one dark soul to be reformed by a visit from three spirits but this season he picked the wrong Scrooge.

Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds) turns the tables on his ghostly host until Present finds himself re-examining his own past, present and future.

For the first time ‘A Christmas Carol is told from the perspective of the ghosts in this hilarious musical twist on the classic Dickens tale.

The modern retelling is a sweet & spicy holiday treat.

The Outlaws

Amazon Prime

The Outlaws is about a group of misfits brought together by community service.

Every character is struggling with their lives but it is the shared feeling of rejection that they faced from the society that brought them together.

The Outlaws is funny, emotional and at the same time thrilling to watch. Christopher Walken, Stephen Merchant star.

Wednesday Netflix

Wednesday is an American coming of age supernatural comedy/horror series based on the character Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family.

Smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday investigates a murder spree while making new friends and foes at Nevermore Academy.

The Santa Clauses Disney +

The Santa Clauses is a spin off series which picks up where the movie franchise left off.

Fans of the 1994 movie The Santa Clause and its sequels will be delighted to see Tim Allen reprise his role of Scott Calvin, an ordinary man who was forced to step into Santa’s shoes to save Christmas, but now Scott has realised he is rapidly approaching retirement and must find a worthy successor.

Bad Sisters

Apple TV+

After their brother in law John Paul dies under unexpected circumstances, The Garvey sisters, Eva, Grace, Ursula, Bibi and Becka find themselves at the centre of a life insurance investigation.

The series flips between timelines, one before John Paul’s death in which Eva, Ursula, Bibi and Becka plot to murder John Paul for his treatment of grace and one after John Paul’s death in which a determined insurance agent tries to prove the sister’s malicious involvement to save his struggling business.

Winter driving tips

The roads can be dangerous in winter when there’s snow, ice or sleet. Our top tip is to take it slow. Stopping distances can be 10 times longer when it’s icy. Gentle manoeuvres and slow speeds are the key to safe driving in ice and snow.

Before you set off:

• Allow extra time for winter journeys.

• Plan routes around major roads, which are more likely to be cleared and gritted.

• Try to get up at least 10 minutes early to give you time to de-ice the car.

• Wear comfortable, dry shoes for driving so your feet don’t slip on the pedals.

• Check fuel levels – have at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delays.

• Clear all windows using a scraper and de-icer and wait until the windscreen is fully demisted.

• If you drive an automatic, check the handbook –some have a winter mode or recommend selecting ‘2’ in slippery conditions.

Driving on winter roads:

• Pull away in second gear, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

• If you have to use your brakes, apply them gently.

• Driving uphill – leave plenty of room between other cars or wait until it’s clear so you don’t have

to stop part way up. Keep a constant speed and try to avoid having to change gear on the hill.

• Driving downhill – slow down before the hill, use a low gear and try to avoid braking. Leave as much room as you can after the car in front.

If you get stuck in snow or ice:

• If you get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels.

• Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip.

Clear your windows of snow, ice and mist. Don’t drive like a tank driver with just a tiny patch of windscreen to see out of. Make sure all your windows are clear of ice, snow and condensation before you set off:

• Keep the windscreen and other windows clear of dirt and snow to avoid a fine.

• Clear snow from the roof – it can fall onto the windscreen and block your view.

• Air-con demists the screen faster and reduces condensation.

• Replace worn or damaged wiper blades.

• Don’t leave your wipers on auto when you park up if there’s a risk of frost. If the blades freeze to the screen, you could damage the blades or wiper motor when you turn the ignition on.

• Use a suitable additive in your screenwash to reduce the chance of it freezing.

Make your car visible in poor winter weather. With shorter days and more chance of rain, sleet and snow, there can often be poor visibility when driving in winter.

• Make sure all car lights are working and the lenses are clean.

• If the roads are really mucky, you might have to clean your lights after every trip.

• Keep number plates clean, to avoid fines.

• If you have to clear snow, don’t forget the lights – front and back.

• You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. If you use fog lights, remember to switch them off when visibility improves so they don’t dazzle other drivers or obscure your brake lights.

Choose the right winter tyres:

• We recommend at least 3mm of tread for the winter.

• Don’t let air out of your tyres to get more grip – it doesn’t work, and it’s unsafe.Think about getting winter tyres or all-season tyres – these are made from a special rubber that gives better grip in cold, wet conditions.

Avoid a breakdown in winter and look after batteries and electrics. Car batteries rarely last longer than 5 years. There are extra demands on them in the winter thanks to lights, heating and wipers. Here are some tips to prevent a flat battery in winter:

• Turn off electrical loads like lights, heated rear window and wipers before trying to start the engine.

• Use the starter in short 5-second bursts.

• If the engine doesn’t start quickly, wait 30 seconds between attempts.

• If you don’t use your car often, give it a regular overnight trickle charge.

Top up your antifreeze in cold weather

Antifreeze only costs a few pounds, but a frozen and cracked engine costs hundreds to repair. You

need a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water for the winter – this protects your engine down to -34C. Most modern cars use long-life antifreeze but some types of antifreeze need changing after only 2 years. Make sure you use the right type and check your service schedule.

What do you need in your car for winter driving?

There are a few essentials you should keep in your car when you’re driving in winter. These will help you deal with ice, snow and dark winter nights. Here are things to keep in your car:

• Ice scraper

• De-icer Torch and spare batteries

• First aid kit

You should also keep a fully-charged mobile phone and power bank. That way you can let friends or relatives know if your journey’s taking longer than usual or call for help in an emergency.

What should be in a winter car survival kit?

No matter how safely you drive, there’s still a chance you could get stuck somewhere in poor weather. Pack a winter emergency kit, just in case. That way you’ll be prepared for a long wait in the cold. Here’s what to include:

• Warm clothes, waterproofs and high-vis jackets

• Sturdy footwear

• Hot drinks and snacks

• Shovel

• Jump leads

• Warning triangles

STAY SAFE

With thanks to the AA website for the information in this article.