FEBRUARY / MARCH • DUDLEY • SEDGLEY • LOWER & UPPER GORNAL • HIMLEY • SWINDON • BRIERLEY HILL • AMBLECOTE • ASHWOOD • KINGSWINFORD • WALL HEATH • WORDSLEY • STOURBRIDGE • WOLLASTON • ENVILLE • KINVER • STOURTON • HAGLEY • PEDMORE • BELBROUGHTON • KIDDERMINSTER • CHADDERSLEY CORBETT • BLAKEDOWN • COOKLEY • HARTLEBURY • WYCHAVON • HABBERLEY • BEWDLEY • ARLEY • WOLVERLEY • STOURPORT ON SEVERN • WILDEN • CLEOBURY MORTIMER • CLEE HILL • CLOWS TOP • OMBERSLEY • WYCHBOLD • BROMSGROVE • DROITWICH • DROITWICH SPA 1 www.localzest.co.uk
Contents
Home & Garden
Pages 5 - 20
Leisure & Lifestyle
Pages 21 – 38
Business & Corporate
Pages 39 - 40
Food & Drink
Pages 41 – 47
Beauty
Pages 52 -54
Health & Fitness
Pages 55 - 62
Motors
Page 63 - 67
Horoscopes
Pages 50 - 51
Just for Fun Puzzles
Pages 18 & 56
Puzzle Solutions
Page 62
All Advertising & Content Enquiries Sam Richards: sam@localzest.co.uk Local Zest Magazine Office 28 – Suite 2 28 Cleveland Street Wolverhampton WV1 3HT Tel. 01902 906020 Mob. 07738 237153 www.localzest.co.uk
The small print All competition entries for the February/March edition need to be received by 1st April 2017 and sent to sam@localzest.co.uk or posted to Office 28 – Suite 2, 28 Cleveland Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3HT. Winners will be notified by email/telephone. No cash alternative to the prize. The competitions are free to enter but in doing so you agree to the terms and conditions as detailed above. We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Local Zest magazine and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, Local Zest cannot take responsibility for loss, damage or omission in an advert or editorial. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of good and services are fair and accurate. Local Zest Ltd does not endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this magazine can be reproduced without prior consent. All rights reserved.
Welcome Note from the editor
S
o in the blink of an eye we are already into the second month of the year, how time flies!? The festivities are distant memory and the reality of getting back to it is well underway. In our household we quite quickly move away from the festivities into birthday mode with my daughter’s birthday being early January and my keenness to keep the occasions separate for her. True to my word, Lola had a wonderful eighth birthday and the spotlight was well and truly on her, quite rightly too.
Once again a big thank you to all the local businesses that continue to support Local Zest, please remember to give us a mention should you need to use one of their services!
With a New Year often comes New Year’s resolutions and I am no different only I started mine the middle of January officially. They say, it takes six weeks to form a habit and as we are now past point since we saw in the New Year, it’s probably a good indicator has to how your own resolutions are going? Whatever the aim and focus, I wish you every success in meeting your goals, I am a massive believer that you should definitely take things a step at a time. Small changes daily definitely lead to long term success!
We have lots of delicious recipes for you to try this month and are catering for the sweet and savoury fans among us with a healthy Prawn main meal and a naughty but nice Lemon Meringue Pie.
4
So as we head towards the Spring, here at Local Zest we are already looking forward to turning those clocks forward, the lighter nights, hopefully warmer weather and two of my personal highlights Pancake Day on 28th February and Mother’s Day on 26th March. Then before we know it, Easter! If you are a fan of Pancake Day and are interested in finding out a little bit of history about Shrove Tuesday check out page 45. We have lots of delicious recipes for you to try this month and are catering for the sweet and savoury fans among us with a healthy Prawn main meal and a naughty but nice
February/March
Lemon Meringue Pie. Plus check out my latest make up reviews and how to give your skin a boost during the winter months. We also take a little look around some of the UK’s favourite holiday hotspots on pages 35 & 36 as well as your usual regular favourites with the best reads this month and our household tips! Once again a big thank you to all the local businesses that continue to support Local Zest, please remember to give us a mention should you need to use one of their services! Have yourselves a flippin’ great February and a marvellous March and enjoy your read!
Sam xx
www.localzest.co.uk
5
Home & Garden
Bring Your Home to Life with KAW in 2017
2017, it’s a brand new year and over at KAW Interior Design they have embarked on some new products and projects to take your kitchen transformation to the next level. Now, if you’ve ever watched the Great British Bake Off you will have heard of Kitchen Aid appliances, now available at KAW Interior Design. The Kitchen Aid range goes way beyond the iconic products such as the kitchen mixer, they also have a wide spectrum of appliances which include coffee machines , kettles , toasters ,slow cookers and the list goes on . KAW now have the full spectrum of appliances to help you become a master chef with Neff.
Sale 2017, 25% OFF Mereway kitchens Ashley Stanley, Company Director has said “Since the Kitchen Kitchen Aid launch on December 2016, we have been inundated with sales and enquiries and to celebrate we have launched a discount of up to 20% off all small domestic appliances which will run till the end of February. KAW Interior Design carry out full kitchen makeovers in local homes, which enables the customer to take a step back and let professionals undertake all works. The reason we launched the new small appliances 6
February/March
products is to help our customers accessorise and complete the look of your brand kitchen with the latest Kitchen aid appliances which are the must have kitchen items as well as compliment our furniture and our current appliance range perfectly.”
At KAW Interior Design, we have now introduced more kitchen furniture solutions which gives the customer more options and more competitive pricing compared with the current high street national brands offerings. With plans in place to extend the current showroom and the launch of the brand new bedroom furniture, 2017 looks set to be very exciting for KAW. After much research on the hows, ifs, buts and maybe of supplying and installing bedroom furniture, KAW will be able to offer services that will be up to 45 % cheaper than the high street.
Specialists in Karndean flooring & Bedroom furniture Come down and find the hidden gem, KAW Interior Design, where there is a solution for you whatever the budget.
Home & Garden
Garden View By Rachael Leverton
Home-made compost is a thing of wonder...when all goes well! But too often it goes horribly wrong and instead of rich, sweet, crumbly stuff we end up with a putrefying heap. For a long time I believed making great compost was beyond me. There are so many methods and myths, it all seemed too complicated. Well good news...it isn’t!
Compost containers
You can make your own. It’s very easy apparently, using old floorboards, posts and wire netting. Unfortunately I am to DIY what elephants are to hang gliding so I opt for ready made bins. Check with your council as many offer cheap bins to encourage recycling. If not, garden centres stock a good variety. Size matters! A container should be 3 ft / 1m square minimum, preferably larger. This allows heat to build up inside the heap which aids the decay process.
You can’t use:
Food waste (bread, meat etc.) Cat and dog faeces Evergreen leaves Thick rooted perennial weeds
How to make compost
I’ve tried several methods, including my late grandfather’s which involved careful layers of various ingredients and sprinkling on lime at intervals. It worked, but I’m a lazy gardener really and can’t be bothered with all the faff. This my method, worked out through a combination of trial error (lots of error!) Mix all material together so there is no concentration of any one sort
Position it out of the main line of sight, behind a shed or some tall plants.
Firm it all down, Moisten it
Compost materials
Cover it with some old carpet to keep heat in and prevent evaporation If you start the process now, by Autumn you’ll be digging in your very own wonderful compost, dragged from the bottom of your heap. You’ll have done your bit for recycling and best of all...it’s free!
Fruit and veg scraps Coffee grounds and tea bags Old flowers and bedding plants Garden clippings Annual weeds
8
Crushed egg shells Small animal bedding (e.g. rabbit) Shredded cardboard, including tubes Egg cartons Lawn mowings
February/March
Home & Garden
Bigger is Better Large format tiles are a popular choice in today's interiors and can add a real sense of opulence to any setting. They are perfect for creating the illusion of space in a room and they require less maintenance than smaller tiles, ideal for those busy areas in your home. But why are they so popular and how can you recreate the look in your home? They key reason is that large format tiles offer a no-nonsense, sleek and unfussy aesthetic. This is largely due to the fact that using tiles of the size results in far fewer grout lines, allowing a clean and uninterrupted finish. It’s a myth that large format tiles shouldn’t or can’t be used in more compact rooms – in fact; these spaces were made for them. Using large format tiles in a small area tricks the eye into thinking that the room is larger than it actually is, so can help create a sense of scale where it doesn’t naturally exist. Not to mention the fact that fewer grout lines means easier cleaning! Large format tiles are the perfect floor covering for these modern glossy kitchens and sleek entertaining spaces where a more modern design scheme is needed. Their size gives them a certain sophisticated touch and gravitas that smaller tiles just can’t compete with. Many large format tiles will have rectified edges – straight polished sides – so you can lay them closer together for a seamless finish. Porcelain large format tiles are one of the most popular materials for these sizes. Considerably more affordable, these materials also benefit from advancements in technology, such as new printing techniques. This allows effects such as concrete, wood and stone to be applied to tiles for a realistic finish. Whilst genuine concrete looks great, it is susceptible to staining. In this instance, a large format concrete effect
10
February/March
porcelain tile provides you with a great alternative. Just make sure that you hire a professional to install them, as more cuts will probably be required. It’s also important to lay large format tiles onto a flat floor as their impressive scale makes them inflexible. Does this all sound a bit too good to be true? Well, we assure you it’s not. Just take a look at a few of our examples below:
Business & Finance
MARTIN LEWIS Mortgages - find the cheapest deal
By Martin Lewis moneysavingexpert The biggest single personal financial risk in 2017 is that mortgage rates will rise rapidly. This isn’t primarily about UK base rates, set by the bank of England, it’s far more about the City’s long term prediction of interest rates – which new cheap fixed and long term variable rate deals are set based upon. 1. Saving while you’ve expensive debts
Mortgage rates are near all-time historic lows and have been for a couple of years, and we’ve got used to that. Yet there is a plausible chance that 2017 is the year that will change. We’ve already seen some cheap deals such as HSBC’s 0.99% two-year fix being pulled. The five-year swap rates have increased from 0.35% back in September to 0.9% now – and we’re already seeing longer fixes start to get more expensive on the back of this. Of course, there’s no certainty here. Yet UK rates are so cheap that even if things reversed and they dropped again, the likely gain to mortgage holders would be limited. But if they did rise, the cost could be huge. The savings available right now can be huge, like Kperat’s who emailed: "Fixed at 1.24% for 2 yrs, reduced term to 13 yrs without paying much more a month. Will be saving about £20,000 even after fees. Thanks." How much could I save?
If like many people, you’re on your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) – the default rate most fixes and trackers revert to when the intro deal ends – then the savings can be huge.
Most SVRs are at 4% or higher. Yet the cheapest two-year fix is just 1.2% (you’ll need a top credit score and it’s got a big fee). Five-year fixes start at around 1.8%. All, of course, depend on how much of your home’s value you’re borrowing. So, someone moving a £150,000 mortgage from 4% SVR to a two-year fix at 1.2% would save £4,000+ over two years, even after fees. Finding a cheap deal isn’t the end – you need to get accepted The days when lenders would fling out deals to all and sundry are long gone. Getting accepted is now the challenge. There are two key elements to this: Is your credit score good enough? Your credit history is a huge part of whether you'll be accepted for any type of credit, including a mortgage. So take precautions. Avoid any applications that leave a footprint on your file – such as credit cards, contract mobile phones or monthly car insurance – in the few months before applying for your mortgage. Never withdraw cash on credit cards or take payday loans. For full help on this, join my free Credit Club www.mse.me/CreditClub, which gives your credit score, affordability score and tells you what needs improving. Are the repayments affordable? For the past couple of years, lenders haven’t just checked if you can afford the monthly repayments at the current rate, but they also stress test affordability if rates were 6% or 7%. Crucially, this doesn’t only apply to new mortgages, it’s also for re-mortgages too (which is ridiculous and, on an aside, I am campaigning against this). So, if this is a problem, it’s important to reel in your spending months before applying. Lenders will want evidence of income, big bills, expenses and even eating out. Use a mortgage broker to match your situation to a top mortgage. The information about what different
lenders are looking for isn’t available to the general public. But it’s something that most mortgage brokers have and, of course, their job is to find you the best product. So, they’re a good way to work out what the best deal available to you is. Yet do ask if the broker will check all deals available to them and not just a panel of lenders. Also, check how much it will cost and use a qualified one. Some phone-only brokers such as www.LandC.co.uk are fee-free. If you want face-to-face help, ask friends for a local recommendation or find one via www.unbiased.co.uk or www.VouchedFor.com. Fix or variable rate? A fix’s advantage is you get price and budgeting certainty that the rate won't move for a set time, whereas variable deals move with the UK interest rate (and sometimes just on the provider's whim). Generally, you pay a little more to fix, but not much. Ask yourself how much you think rates will rise over the period. If safety's what’s important to you, err on the side of fixing, and fixing for longer. Right now, with fixed deals being outrageously cheap, it’s great time to do it. Got savings? They could get you a better mortgage For this, you need to find your current loan-to-value (LTV) – the proportion of the value of your home you're borrowing, so £80k on a £100k property is 80% LTV. At every 5% LTV threshold, from 95% down to 60%, deals tend to get better, so a little extra can have a big impact on your rate. For example, if you've a £150,000 home, and want a £137,000 re-mortgage, that's a 91% LTV, and the top five-year fix is 3.98%. Yet use £2,000 of savings to reduce the borrowing, and you'd be at 90% LTV – where the top five-year fix is 2.54%, saving c. £1,100/year in payments. Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 11 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/ latesttip
www.localzest.co.uk
11
Home & Garden
Dream Doors
The kitchen is the heart of every home, from the chaos of getting the children off to school, the grabbed coffee before work, preparing the Sunday roast with family and friends round or maybe a quiet moment to yourself with a cup of tea. Is it any wonder that so many of us spend time dreaming of our perfect kitchen?
arriving back to a completely transformed kitchen. The beauty of using a professional company such as Dream Doors is that everything will be properly fitted for you and tidied up afterwards without a huge upheaval and overnight you have increased the value of your home and saved yourself £1000’s off the cost of a new kitchen. Can’t be bad!
A new kitchen is also said to add between 2-5% to the value of your home but with new kitchens costing above £10,000+ for a bespoke solution, you may need to re-mortgage just to afford one. Not to mention living off takeaways for weeks and the dust, noise and disruption of the builders. Fortunately a new and growing trend is to avoid the mess, disruption and huge costs by having a kitchen makeover and it is not hard to understand why.
If you are looking at a makeover purely to increase the sale value of your home then pick a neutral colour and use less expensive accessories to bring the look together. The current fashion is creams for doors and marble look laminate worktops finish and if you look around any show home at the moment there are reflective surfaces everywhere so steal their ideas and go light, bright and shiny to increase your chances of a quick sale.
Most kitchens have already maximised the space available and all that’s needed is a facelift. Replacement kitchen doors and perhaps a new sink and worktops can transform a kitchen in 1-2 days. Imagine staying away for a day and
For ideas and inspiration book your FREE consultation today with Gary at Dream Doors, Stourbridge on 01384 375224.
www.localzest.co.uk
13
Home & Garden
CONSUMER CHAMPION
JAMES WALKER – “FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS” Consumer Champion – the man who helps you resolve your consumer complaints!
Why you need to ensure you’re insured – and why you need to protect yourself against premium increases Protecting your possessions, your home, your car, your holiday, your technology or even your life and the lives of your family, is a crucial part of our actual everyday life. However, the news recently in the Autumn Statement that Chancellor Philip Hammond is to raise Insurance Premium Tax from 10% to 12% from June 2017 raises the spectre of more costly policies and premiums for all of us. And that's difficult for those who right now struggle to pay for even the most basic cover to get them out of problems if the worst ever happens. So, what can you do to insure yourself against the impact of these price increases. Here are my five top tips. Understand your policy... Choosing your cover more carefully sounds simple but shamefully it isn't. Insurance is a minefield and most of us don't understand it or take enough time to do so. But we should. I set up Resolver after a bad experience with boiler repair insurance and I wish I had read all the terms and conditions more closely or pushed to have them made plainer to me. So many of us are caught in a fear trap of paying out our hard-earned cash each month on policies that don’t meet our needs. Read the small print. Ask lots of questions. Ask the people on the phone to explain in full your rights under a policy in various circumstances. Don't just think 'it'll be ok, they'll pay up' because usually, it won't. And they won't. Don't pay for extras you don't need So many insurance policies feature optional extras for additional costs that you get sweet-talked into because you fear a doomsday scenario and so rightly you want to be covered for every eventuality. But usually these items, for everything from hire cars to personal injury, will never be needed. Even if they are, they might not match up to the promise. Consult your policy and strip these back. If you've had them for years and never used them, chances are you never will. Write it all down 14
February/March
with the associated costs and tot them up. When you see the headline figure you're paying, you'll be very surprised at the financial waste. You don't have to accept mis-selling It's not your fault if you are sold an insurance policy or cover that doesn't meet your needs, unless you fully understood the policy. If mis-sold, then you should complain. We see huge amounts of successful cases around Packaged Bank Accounts that often have insurance elements within them that aren't correct for the person taking out the PBA. This means they are entitled to money back for being missold. It's the same with any type of insurance. If there's an exclusion or a caveat and no-one has checked whether you meet the relevant criteria, you could have a case to raise and if you don't get satisfaction from the insurer, creating a case on resolver.co.uk means you can escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service for an independent assessment after eight weeks or after an agreed impasse between you. There's no need to accept a renewal quote 'I don't have time.' 'I can't be bothered.' 'It's too much hassle.' All reasons we tell ourselves for not comparing quotes when our insurance renewals are due. But when you realise you could save hundreds of pounds, you might want to change that approach. What's also key is to go back to your insurer and ask for further discounts for years of loyalty. Speak to the customer retention team whose job it is to keep you as a customer and give you the best deal. I've heard from so many car insurance customers who ring up their insurer with a lesser quote from elsewhere (sometimes even from the same company) and then have both of those costs beaten over the phone when the initial renewal letter quoted a price that was hundreds of pounds higher. If you don't ask... Product cover sometimes isn't worth the paper How much are you paying over the year for insurance to protect your tumble dryer or washing machine or fridge? Look at the figures over 12 months, you might be surprised that it's nearly enough to pay for a whole new machine. So what's the point? It might not even cover you for parts and labour and often the latter is the biggest element of the total bill. Remember, these days many household appliances come with a two-year or even five-year free warranty from the manufacturer or even from some stores. So, when you're shopping around to replace white goods, seek out these deals. Just remember to always register for the free guarantee when you get the product delivered and unpacked. So many of us just throw away the little leaflet that comes with the instructions we also ignore. Follow James via @resolvercouk, or email James@ resolver.co.uk
WETROOMS AND WALK-INS
Wetroom Screens from
£165
Concrete effect tiles only
£40.80 m2
KEEP ME SAFE EXTRA
10% OFF
HUGE RANGE OF TILES
USE PROMO CODE: ZEST16
ONLY WITH THIS VOUCHER
Freestanding Baths from £399
Free click & collect in store
Interest free credit available * T&Cs apply
Bring this voucher to your local showroom and claim an EXTRA 10% off all bathrooms and tiles. Voucher expires 31.03.17. Cannot be used in conjunction with other vouchers.
Free home measure & 3D design service
Free delivery On orders over £500
Nordic Wood Effect Tiles from £27m2
Over 100 bathroom & tile displays
EXCELLENT
The Stourbridge Estate, Mill Race Lane, Stourbridge, DY8 1JN T: 01384 394505 W: easybathrooms.com Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Offer ends 31.03.17. Voucher cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. E & OE
16
February/March
Home & Garden
Welcome to your local Bathroom Expert Easy Bathrooms Stourbridge Showroom has had an early makeover and now offers visitors an even bigger choice of bathrooms thanks to a doubling of its displays now showing over 100 bathroom and tile settings for you to see in person. Featuring all the best-selling ranges in addition to Easy Bathroom’s newest choice of bathroom suites and tiles, visitors will be blown away by the huge amount of choice and the fantastic prices – with full bathroom suites starting from under £300. Offering high quality for less, Easy Bathrooms extensive catalogue contains over 200 pages of products all available for next day delivery nationwide in a huge choice of styles, so no matter what your décor you can find the perfect bathroom for you.
A family business with over 25 years of retailing experience and 11 showrooms across the country, Easy Bathrooms is a trusted name that knows all about quality products and great customer service. Not only do they offer a warm and welcoming environment with highly trained sales advisors on-hand to guide you through the selection process, the Stourbridge showroom provides free 3D design and home measurement service – which is why Easy Bathrooms is trusted not only by members of the public but by local traders. The perfect place to come for bathroom inspiration, if you want to rejuvenate your bathroom for spring then there’s no better place to visit. Speaking about the new extension, Branch Manager, John Singh, said: “We are really pleased with the doubling of our showroom and recent visitors have been very impressed with the improvements. If you’re looking at improving your bathroom you want to see as many styles and options as
possible to really get a feel for what you want in your home and thanks to us offering such a huge range of products
it makes perfect sense to make Easy Bathrooms the only place to visit. “Because we stock just about every style of bathroom imaginable, with showers, baths, toilets and basins in every shape and size this is the only place to visit in the Stourbridge area. We also offer brands too – and you won’t believe how affordable all our products are, especially after you see the quality of the ranges we sell. Like for like, you won’t find any companies that offer the same quality as Easy Bathrooms for less. We also offer tiles – so you can get your complete bathroom in one place.” Easy Bathrooms Stourbridge showroom is located on Mill Race lane (DY8 1JN) and has free parking for all visitors. Visit www.easybathrooms.com for more details. www.localzest.co.uk
17
Home & Garden
18
February/March
Home & Garden
Pet Health
Winter Warmers for Safer Pet Ownership With the New Year behind us we are truly in the depths of the winter months. We have already been dealing with the shorter day lengths and by using reflective collars, halters and leads we are ensuring visibility to motorists and the like. But what else can we do to improve our pets lot during this cold season? It may not be obvious that slim dogs with short hair can, and do, feel the cold. Without the dense undercoat that many breeds have, for example huskies, they can be susceptible to hypothermia. Maybe you have a very young cat or dog? Maybe they are older? Like children and older people, pets will feel the cold, doubly so if they suffer from arthritis. Indeed, the cold will aggravate conditions like these. Rather than curtail their walks consider getting them a coat; fleecy lined for warmth with a wax outer to help keep them dry. Most dogs will be fine running around exercising but do consider those who just like to mooch around; they can chill easily. With the arthritic cat or dog consider providing a padded bed with a heat pad, hottie or hot water bottle for them to snuggle into; they will thank you for it in the long run! All cats love a warm spot, we have one that used to sleep on a ledge up our chimney (remnants of an oven from days gone by) so do be careful of open fireplaces, wood stoves and radiators as burns are a reality. Worth checking puss's paws if you suspect she has been too close for comfort! The further north you live, the more likely your winters will involve hard frosts and snow. Did you know it is not unusual to see ears, noses and paws with frostbite? Consider the paws of dogs and be aware that snow and ice can ball up between the toes and become quite uncomfortable to walk on. If walking on gritted surfaces be aware that the chemicals and salt added can irritate pads grazed by the grit; and be sure to wash off from underbellies as well as paws when you get home otherwise poisoning can become a reality when your pooch cleans himself after walkies.
the winter months... And this goes for our cats and dogs too! Without a doubt the shorter day lengths, colder and wetter weather mean we do not get out as often or for as long or as regularly as we do in the finer summer months. It is a good idea to monitor your pets weight and food intake and adjust accordingly. We regularly have clients popping in for a quick weight check and we will even put it on your pets record to monitor for you. Antifreeze poisoning, the dreaded ethylene glycol, is a real and serious threat to our pets (and children) and not uncommonly treated in the winter months. Puddles under cars from over filled radiators or drips left to run down bottles in garages are accessed by both cats and dogs. Sweet tasting and palatable even small amounts cause serious kidney failure and can be fatal. If you suspect ethylene glycol is the cause of your pet’s lethargy do contact your vet, as with all poisoning, the quicker the treatment is started the better the outcome. Finally, please ensure rabbits and guinea pigs hutches are well insulated and out of prevailing winds; ensure they have sufficient bedding to snuggle down into. As with all animals check water supplies are topped up and not frozen. Time to stretch those legs and get out on that walk... happy hiking folks. Danielle Giles, Heathside Veterinary Surgery www. heathsidevets.co.uk
It is all too easy as we know to pile on the pounds during
www.localzest.co.uk
19
Home & Garden
A Good Read
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Naughty Amelia Jane! by Enid Blyton
We all know what happened when Dorothy arrived in the Land of Oz courtesy of a cyclone. She killed the Wicked Witch of the East and magically acquired her ruby slippers. Helped by Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, she travelled to the Emerald City with three friends and asked the Wizard to send her back to Kansas. And of course, we know about her green enemy: The Wicked Witch of the West.
Some books never fail to entertain generation after generation and the Amelia Jane books by Enid Blyton are no exception. At some point in childhood we all wonder what would happen if our toys were alive. Well in this nursery they are. Amelia Jane is a big ragdoll and she is not just big, she is bad. And the other toys are generally scared of her. Hardly surprising when she does things like throwing pints of milk over other toys on a regular basis!
But do we really know the rest of the story? What DID happen in Oz before this little girl from Kansas carelessly ‘dropped’ in?
These short chapters almost work as individual short stories which makes it a nice transition for readers to proper ‘chapter books’. Each chapter sees Amelia Jane getting into trouble and being naughty but ultimately learning a lesson: one that she seems destined to forget despite her protestations that she ‘will be good from now’. Lessons that demonstrate to the reader why it is important to be kind and considerate towards others.
Wicked, is the story of the witches of Oz as imagined by Gregory Maguire. Familiar to many people these days through the hit West End musical of the same name, this novel is very different in tone to the musical with much more adult themes. It addresses politics, animal rights, outcasts, fate, friendships, and the philosophical question of what makes us bad: are people born wicked or do they become wicked purely by living up to people’s expectations of them? Elphaba Thropp was born with an unfortunate colour skin tone and right from the start felt rejected like an outcast. She feels as if she has no place in the world but all that is set to change when she arrives at Shiz University. Here she meets her total opposite, Glinda, and despite an initial hatred of each other they do become best friends. But where will that friendship take them? They are destined to follow separate paths: one of good and one of evil. The Good Witch and The Wicked Witch. It is how that happens and how they discover their true purpose and destiny that forms the heart of this immersive fantasy novel. Clearly Oz is not just for children. 20
February/March
In the words of Enid Blyton: “I do somehow feel perfectly certain that she can’t be good for long.”
By Willow Coby
Leisure & Lifestyle
Why do we change the clocks? It’s time to turn the clocks forward an hour at 1 am on 26th March. This time when sunrise and sunset are one hour later on the clock is known as British Summer Time, or Daylight Saving Time. It is believed that the concept was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 in an essay entitled; ‘An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light.’ Ancient civilisations had already been adopting similar concepts however by adjusting their routines in accordance with the sun’s schedules. The first official modern use of Daylight Saving Time was in Ontario in 1908, and several other Canadian cities followed. At around the same time MP Robert Pearce proposed a bill in the House of Commons based on work done by British Builder William Willett around moving the clocks eight times a year to achieve similar results. This was rejected. Germany became the first European country to introduce Daylight Saving Time in April 1916. Its rationale was that the use of artificial light would be reduced and thus there would be more fuel for the war effort. Britain followed shortly after in May 1916. Daylight Saving Time is now utilised in over 70 countries world wide although dates of implementation and clock adjustments vary. The main benefits of Daylight Saving Time are said to be: • The opportunity to make better use of natural daylight • The ability to conserve energy that would otherwise be used on artificial light • A decrease in road accidents because roads are naturally lit during the time when most vehicles are using them
22
February/March
Some studies such as one carried out by the Belfast Telegraph also claim that the extra hour of daylight means that tourists stay out longer and spend more money - an extra £6.34 million in Northern Ireland alone. Some are not in favour though. For example, traditional dairy farmers claim Daylight Saving Time disrupts milking routines. This mainly affects developing countries as elsewhere milking is automated. Some research has also shown that there is a greater risk of people having accidents or being the victims of crime because they leave their houses in the morning when it’s still dark. Some studies have suggested that in the first few days after the clocks go forward there are more heart attacks too. Finally for those of us who struggle to remember when we turn the clocks forward and when they go back, this little phrase may help: ‘Spring Forward, Fall Back,’ as the time when clocks go back always happens in the Autumn. This year in the UK, the date when Greenwich Mean Time will begin again is 29th October.
By Susan Brookes-Morris
Leisure & Lifestyle
IT’S ALL CHILDS PLAY Marvellous March
As a teenager, I loved the Crowded House classic, ‘Four Seasons in One Day’. But it was only as an adult, that I understood just what this meant emotionally and meteorologically! March is the month for literally experiencing all four seasons in a day. From biting cold to sunshine, chilling wind to balmy temperatures and possibly a smattering of snow and sleet in between, it is no coincidence that according to a 17th century saying March ‘comes in like a lion and out like a lamb’. With Winter feeling like it’s dragging its feet and Spring never going to get here, March can be a frustrating time for us adults. For children, though there really is no such thing as bad weather so what better time to don coats and wellies and enjoy our abundant weather? If you need some inspiration here’s some ideas for fun things to do, whatever the weather!
If it’s Windy...
•If safe to do so, sit huddled up outdoors listening to the sound of the wind and rustling leaves. •Listen to or make up a story with the wind as the main character. •Create wind chimes from old CD’s and shells to hang in the trees and listen and watch them move. • Create simple windmills for exploring wind direction.
If it’s Rainy...
•Find some puddles to splash and jump in. •Sit in a tent or snuggled under an umbrella outdoors and simply listen to the sound of the rain on the canvas. •Trace the lines of rain drops with fingers on the window panes. •Play rain drop races as you see whose rain drop trail will reach the bottom of the pane first. •Create rivers and dams with left over guttering and have mini boat races.
If it’s Cloudy
• Lie on the floor looking at the clouds to play a spot the shape or animal game. • Have a hunt outdoors to spot the first shoots and talk about which plants they think they will grow into.
If it’s Sunny...
• Go on a shadow hunt. • Make shadow animals. • Lay some sugar paper in the sun with some objects arranged on top. After an hour or more check what patterns have been left and use to play a matching game with the objects. • Make a simple sundial to explore time. • Have fun writing or painting on the floor with water and watching the writing and pictures disappear as the sun dries the water.
If it’s Cold….
Sprouting seeds and beans is one of my favourite spring time memories from primary school. The simplicity of equipment needed for growing cress heads and the speed at which the cress grows makes this a perfect spring time task for small children. Use a small glass or clear plastic pot filled with damp cotton wool for children to sprinkle with seeds or beans. Then simply leave on a window sill to grow. With their developing roots and stems easily visible to watching eyes and signs of growth quick to appear, children’s interest will be captured.
If it’s four seasons in one day…
Why not go on a springtime sensory walk? The senses will come alive with a walk in the woods, to the park or even in the garden. Search for the bright green signs of new shoots springing up; catch the heavy bunches of Spring blossom bouncing in the breeze; listen to the cheery sound of bird song; and enjoy the abundant weather, be it wind, rain or snow! Whatever the weather, this is a great time for captivating, exciting and enlightening children about the world around us. If we adults can take the time to look at our world with child-like eyes, then maybe we too can appreciate the joys of March.
By Sue Gascoyne
www.localzest.co.uk
23
Leisure & Lifestyle Sir Jack’s Restaurant is situated in the heart of Molineux Stadium, occupying a central pitch-facing position in the Billy Wright Stand, it has an enviable reputation for fine dining and excellent service with award winning chefs servicing its customers. Sir Jack's is the ideal place to celebrate any event, whether a small family gathering, a romantic meal for two or a lavish feast for 50. Diners can enjoy an unforgettable evening with a selection of delectable dishes. Starters include poached salmon and game pate, followed by main courses of pheasant or turbot, as well as medallions of turkey to give a new twist to an old favourite. Delicious desserts or a cheeseboard mean there's something for everyone before relaxing with coffee and petit fours. As well as offering a mouthwatering array of dishes, on both a la carte and table d'hote menu's, the restaurant is building quite a following for it's excellent five course gourmet evenings held every month. These events enable diners to feast on flavours from around the world, and each course is served with complimentary wines and liqueurs.
24
Whether looking for somewhere to entertain clients, celebrate a family affair or simply enjoy a romantic meal, Sir Jack's caters for every occasion and provides an unequalled standard of service. With the finest ingredients freshly prepared and served with pride, there is a setting and menu to meet every need, whether business or pleasure, intimate or extravagant. Sir Jack's is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm, and Sunday lunchtimes from 12 noon till 2 pm. The Restaurant can also be opened for private parties, please call to enquire.
To book a table, call 0871 222 0010
February/March
Competition Time!
If you would like to win dinner for 2 in Sir Jack’s answer the simple question below... Which of these is not a stand at Molineux? a) Steve Bull stand b) Steve Staunton stand c) The North Bank All competition entries for Feb/Mar edition need to be received by 1st April and sent to sam@localzest.co.uk. One winner will be chosen at random from the correct entries and notified in the February/March edition of Local Zest. No cash alternative to the prize, terms apply. The competition is free to enter but in doing so you agree to the terms and conditions as detailed above.
Leisure & Lifestyle
Mother’s Day This year we celebrate Mother’s Day on 26 March. You may not realise, but Mother’s Day happens on the fourth Sunday of Lent and originally had religious traditions attached to it. In the sixteenth century, it was a celebration of the ‘mother church’ and people would return to the church in which they were baptised or where they attended as a child. Thus families would be reunited. This was known as going ‘a mothering ‘or Mothering Sunday. It was commonplace for the Lent fast which prohibited sweet, rich foods and meat to be lifted a little and for a Simnel cake to be shared. Years later, youngsters working as servants were given an annual day off to visit their mothers and would take gifts. This was called ‘Mothers Day.’ The celebrations of Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day have generally combined into one annual occasion. The first official Mother’s Day was organised by Ann Jarvis in 19 in West Virginia as a memorial to her mum. By the 1920’s however Ann had become disillusioned by the commercialism of the day and especially the common use of printed greetings cards. Celebrating the day became less popular. It wasn’t until the second World War when soldiers wanted to acknowledge their distant mothers, that the day grew in popularity once more. By Susan Brookes- Morris
26
February/March
Without a doubt the hardest but most rewarding role and job in the world is being a Mom. With two very demanding little ladies myself I truly concur with that statement. They light up my life and slowly drive me insane too but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel like a glorified taxi driver and servant most days but when those little faces smile at me and throw their arms around me for cuddles, every second of the rushing around and battling feels worthwhile. Growing up I was a true Daddy’s girl but probably only when I had my own two daughters did I truly realise and appreciate fully the emotions and strength my own mom has shown me over the years. Mothering Sunday is just one day a year but mothers, grandmothers, step mothers or any female role model to us deserves recognition the whole year through. Whatever you are doing on 26th March, make sure the special ladies in your life know how loved and appreciated they are.
Discover the styles that suit you
with help and expertise from our friendly personal shoppers We've all experienced that moment of sheer panic: standing in front of our bedroom mirror surrounded by every item of clothing we own, but still having nothing to wear. Meanwhile, deep in the depths of our wardrobes, countless jackets, dresses and shoes lurk with their labels and tags still fully intact. But shopping for the right clothes doesn’t have to be such a minefield; a secret army is out there equipped with the know-how and expertise to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you’re preparing for a special occasion, looking for some new seasonal updates or a complete wardrobe overhaul, the Personal Shopper team at Debenhams are always on hand. We caught up with Deanna, part of the Personal Shopper team at Debenhams intu Merry Hill, to find out how it’s all done:
Can you start by describing the average day of a Personal Shopper at Debenhams? We always start the day with a walk around to see what exciting new pieces have come into store
overnight, and then prepare for any appointments. We also help customers on the shop floor who are looking for advice or a second opinion. What do you love about your role? Customer satisfaction is key; it’s the greatest feeling to dress someone. I have actually had happy tears, which is lovely! Can you give us an overview of what a customer can expect during the Personal Shopper experience at Debenhams? We greet our customers with some refreshments and have a chat about what they are looking for, then we get down to the serious business of shopping. We bring in pieces to suit the customer’s body shape and style, as well as trying something different. We can cover everything from accessories to underwear, and provide a bra fitting service too. What trends and new ranges should we be looking out for this spring/summer at Debenhams? Athleisure is a massive focus for Debenhams and a key trend on the high street for Spring/Summer. Savannah Miller has launched a ‘Nine Active’ range, which has been designed to be worn inside and outside of the gym. There’s
also the ‘Redherring Active’ range, which has a relaxed but stylish look. Embroidered floral patterns will be everywhere too, and expect to see a lot of ruffled sleeves, blush pink and red. Any favourite pieces in store at the moment? My favourite has to be our pink collarless belted Jasper Conran coat, which is a perfect example of how athleisure can be worked into your everyday wardrobe. This coat also looks timeless paired with skinny jeans and heels, making it a really versatile piece. And finally, what is your favourite piece of fashion advice? It’s always worth taking a risk and stepping out of your comfort zone. Oh, and the right underwear makes all the difference! Book your appointment with the Personal Shopper team at Debenhams intu Merry Hill by visiting www.debenhams.com/personalshopper, or call the team on 03445 616161.
www.localzest.co.uk
27
Leisure & Lifestyle
Out and About
Whether you are planning a well earned night out with the other half or something with friends we have scoured the area to find out what’s happening and where during February & March. January has been and gone and we all need something to look forward to. The Rose Theatre Kiss Me Kate - 9th-18th March KISS ME KATE Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Bella and Samuel Spewack Kidderminster Operatic Society – Main House (A) For KODS it’s another op’nin’ of another show as they present the classic musical Kiss Me Kate. 1940s Baltimore. And it’s the first night of a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew. Rehearsals are over, costumes donned and there’s a 10 minute curtain call. Leading lady and superstar Lilli Vanessi is the ex-wife of the show’s charming leading man, Fred Graham. Fred has a fondness for flirtatious fresh-face, Lois Lane. Meanwhile, Lois’ boyfriend Bill is getting himself into debt (under Fred’s name) which leads to hairy encounters with a pair of foolhardy gangsters. The stories unfold on and off-stage, comically intertwined in Cole Porter’s classic musical. Full of wit, dance, show business and hit songs including ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show’, ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’ and ‘Always True to You in My Fashion’, Kiss Me, Kate will leave any Tom, Dick or Harry grinning from ear to ear. By arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Limited of New York.
Talon 2017 – 30th March Back in 2009, Jonny Miller, Chris Lloyd, Peter Anderson and Keith Buck began a labour of love. Now in 2017 with the release of their critically acclaimed studio and 'LIVE' acoustic albums, 'Talon - The Acoustic Collection', has to their amazement, taken on a life of its own. This year the show will once again be touring, and if you have not seen this show before then you are in for a real treat. Sat on bar stools and armed with no more than their trademark four part vocal harmony, acoustic instruments and
28
laid back banter, Talon will leave you spellbound. Come and experience the other side of Talon as they perform a wide and varied selection of their own arrangements of contemporary acoustic classics.
Humpty, Granny Humpty and many more of your favourite Chris & Pui characters will be dropping in along with the toys – Tom, Momo, Teddington, Stuffy and Miss Mouse.
For more information and to buy tickets visit www.rosetheatre.co.uk
Bring your character toy along too but please look after it!
The Palace Theatre, Redditch
Catch the ‘Gingerbread Man’, marvel at the ‘Ugly Duckling’ becoming a beautiful swan and oooh and aaah as Miss Mouse attempts to zoom zoom zoom to the cheesy moon in her rocket.
Jenny Eclair - 21st February Following a complete sell out Spring tour professional grumpy old woman, Splash survivor, amateur soup maker and novice knitter Jenny Eclair extends her hit tour into the spring. Following a complete sell-out autumn tour professional grumpy old woman, Splash survivor, amateur soup maker, and novice knitter Jenny Eclair extends her hit tour into the spring. Jenny is younger than Madonna but eats crisps and likes wine. Semi-bearded and suffering from outbreaks of gout and hysteria, Eclair puts middle age under the microscope and decides whether to laugh, cry or buy a dachshund! You are most welcome to join her, just button your cardi up properly and wipe that lipstick off your teeth.
Chris & Pui 2017 – 22nd February See Chris & Pui from “Show Me Show Me” in their new stage show with the toys and characters from their hit TV programme. Incy Wincy, Twinkle, Old MacDonald,
February/March
With songs, comedy sketches, a dash of magic and heaps of joining in, his is a family show for children aged two to a hundred and two. Get a groovy move on and book today to see the freshest family show in town, ‘The Chris & Pui Show’.
Lesley Garrett – 23rd February Join Britain’s most popular soprano for a
delightful evening of song, reminiscences and chat. Her behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes will give audiences a unique insight into her life on the stage. As well as performing on the opera and concert stage both in the UK and internationally, Lesley has recently starred in Carousel and The Sound of Music and appeared on television shows including Strictly Come Dancing and Loose Women. She has also performed with artists as diverse as Michael Ball, Renee Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Bryn Terfel and Lily Savage.
Leisure & Lifestyle Evening of Mediumship with Craig Morris, Live for Now – 3rd March Following on from the success of Craig's 2016 Legacy Tour, 2017 is going to see Craig travel further on what is set to be his most exciting tour yet. Come and join Craig on his 2017 "Live For Now" Tour and be in the presence of your loved ones as they walk that bridge of light to share their messages of hope, upliftment and excitement from the other side. This tour isn't just about making the connection to your loved ones in the spirit but learning to "embrace who you've got, what you've got, whilst you've got them because you simply don't know what's around the corner.
Lee Nelson, Serious Joker – 16th March After getting into trouble for sneaking into places he shouldn’t be, Lee Nelson is back where he most definitely should: live on stage with his brand new, laugh-outloud, best ever stand-up show.
The Searchers in Concert – 18th March The Searchers remarkable career continues. With such classic hits as, Sweets For My Sweet; Needles and Pins; Don’t Throw Your Love Away; Sugar and Spice and When You Walk In The Room, they have contributed enormously in establishing the UK as the world’s leading nation in the music industry. There is no doubt that the decade that gave us The Beatles as well as The Searchers and many others was very special and will go down in history as being the most imaginative period of music creativity and expression. With total record sales well in excess of 50 million, The Searchers still have great appeal to audiences of all ages. They tour the globe as much today as they have done throughout a fantastic career spanning 5 decades. Their special ‘solo’ concert is a highly entertaining show and has been enthusiastically and warmly received throughout
the world. Combined with anecdotes and reminiscences, this fully self-contained concert includes all their famous hits, plus many album recordings, B-sides and a selection of other collector and well known favourites.
The West End Jerseys – 25th March Come and enjoy the iconic sound of one of the most successful bands of the last 50 years. Marvels at the unmistakeable falsetto voice of Frankie Valli, lovingly recreated by some of the nation’s best vocalists. A Night of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons performed by stars of London’s West End. Come and enjoy the iconic sound of one of the most successful bands of the last 50 years. Marvel at the unmistakable falsetto voice of Frankie Valli, lovingly recreated by some of the nation’s best vocalists. The West End Jerseys are one of the UK’s most successful tribute bands to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Having performed to more than 25,000 people over the last two years, at home and abroad, the band are excited to be bringing their show to a theatre audience in 2017. All four members of the West End Jerseys are West End professionals, bringing with them unrivalled talent, experience and showmanship, creating a show that is guaranteed to have you on your feet. The West End Jerseys are joined on stage by their house musicians adding some extra special magic to this already hugely popular show.
The Bon Jovi Experience – 31st March Bon Jovi …. the greatest stadium rock band of all time is now re-created in theatres by the sensational Bon Jovi Experience.
of emulating the legendary namesake of the band Jon Bon Jovi and he does so with ease and panache. The only tribute band in the World to have shared the stage with the real McCoy. This show includes all the hits, Living On A Prayer, You Give Love A Bad Name, Keep The Faith, Bed of Roses, Always, Bad Medicine, It’s My Life and many many more. “The best tribute I have ever seen” ….Jon Bon Jovi
For more information and to buy tickets visit www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk
Kidderminster Town Hall Chris Dean’s Syd Lawrence Orchestra – 25th February SWING – The Ultimate Big Band After a sell out tour in 2016, Chris Dean and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra return with another dose of the best entertainment in town! As well as musical spontaneity you can guarantee a laugh or two and Chris is really hitting the mark with a full spectrum swing extravaganza, all of which is delivered with Chris’ trademark mischievous humour. In short, it’s another cracking show from the current King of Swing! Featuring the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Quincy Jones, Billy May, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and many more. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.kidderminstertownhall.org.uk
Lead singer and World’s leading look-alike, Tony Pearce, takes on the noteworthy task
www.localzest.co.uk
29
Got some Juicy News? Tell us
Call Sam on 01902 906020 or email sam@localzest.co.uk Get Involved - We want local residents and businesses to get involved and help shape future editions of Local Zest Limited. Tell us your good news, exciting news and send us the pics to go with it. If you are organising a local event or something big is happening in the area, we want to know about it! Keep us in the know by emailing sam@localzest.co.uk
Leisure & Lifestyle
St Patrick’s Day: an American invention? Shamrocks, leprechauns and gallons of Guinness – St Patrick’s Day is nearly here. But why has this saint’s day become so popular? And who was Saint Patrick? Well, it may surprise you to hear that Saint Patrick (or Padraig to use the Irish spelling) wasn’t actually Irish. He’s believed to have been born to Roman parents, in Scotland or Wales, in the fifth century AD. At the age of 16, Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland to live as a slave. For six years, he herded sheep on Slemish Mountain, until he managed to escape and flee Ireland. A dream led Patrick to dedicate his life to converting people to Christianity. He returned to Ireland and began to spread his message. Today, St Patrick is regarded as the founder of Christianity in Ireland. It’s believed that St Patrick’s Day was first celebrated back in the 17th century. Held to mark St Patrick’s death, it was a humble, religious celebration up until the 1920s. An annual military parade started in Dublin in 1931, but the day remained mainly a time for religious reflection, rather than painting oneself green and donning a funny hat. Bars were even closed on St Patrick’s Day, as a mark of respect, right up until the 1960s. Across the pond, in America, it was a different matter. There St Patrick’s Day became a day for Irish immigrants to celebrate their heritage. By the mid-19th century, parades and festivities were being held in major cities across the US. According to author and university professor Mike Cronin, ‘St. Patrick’s Day was a public declaration of a hybrid identity—a belief in the future of Ireland as a nation free from British rule, and a strict adherence to the values and liberties that the U.S. offered them.’
As with most American exports, some of these products have now become popular in the UK (though not, thankfully, green milkshakes), and in other countries across the globe. St Patrick’s Day is now celebrated in pubs, shops and student halls across the world. This year, Greening the City will see iconic landmarks across Ireland, from Trinity College, to Donegal Castle, go green on 17th March. If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day this year, you’ll certainly have plenty of choices for where to celebrate. Beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Phádraig daoibh go léir – Happy St Patrick’s Day!
By Kate Duggan
In the 20th century, corporations started to pay attention, and figure out how to take advantage of the celebrations. Pretty soon, T-shirts with embroidered shamrocks, inflatable bottles of Guinness, and even green McDonald’s milkshakes, started to become synonymous with St Patrick’s Day, at least in America.
www.localzest.co.uk
31
32
February/March
Leisure & Lifestyle
Palace Theatre, Redditch Come and Join in the fun For a great evening of music don’t miss OPERA BOYS on Friday 17th March, featuring leading men from London’s West End who combine in a powerhouse of vocal harmony to deliver a stunning blend of music ranging from Opera to Pop, and everything in between. Operatic arias and classical favourites from ‘Nessun Dorma’ to ‘Time to say goodbye’ are mixed with showstoppers from ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ right through to ‘Jersey Boys’. The show also features brand new classical arrangements of modern day pop hits, all performed in The Opera Boys inimitable style.
Join us for half term holiday fun with CHRIS & PUI on Wednesday 22nd February for two shows at 11am and 2pm CBeebies’ favourite double act is coming to town! See Chris & Pui from ‘Show Me Show Me’ in their new stage show with the toys & characters from their hit TV programme.
With beautiful vocal arrangements, spectacular close part harmony and a great line in humour, The Opera Boys have been delighting audiences all over the world with their unique show combining beautiful, powerful and emotional music with funny, engaging and light-hearted entertainment.
Incy Wincy, Twinkle, Old MacDonald, Humpty, Granny Humpty and many more of your favourite Chris & Pui characters will be dropping in along with the toys – Tom, Momo, Teddington, Stuffy and Miss Mouse. Bring your character toy along too but please look after it! Catch the ‘Gingerbread Man’, marvel at the ‘Ugly Duckling’ becoming a beautiful swan and oooh and aaah as Miss Mouse attempts to zoom zoom zoom to the cheesy moon in her rocket. With songs, comedy sketches, a dash of magic and heaps of joining in, this is a family show for children aged two to a hundred and two. Get a groovy move on and book today to see the freshest family show in town, ‘The Chris & Pui Show’.
Tickets are available for all show by calling the Box Office on 01527 65203 or by booking online at www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk.
www.localzest.co.uk
33
Leisure & Lifestyle
What to do with your winter getaway JAMES WALKER – “FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS” Consumer Champion – the man who helps you resolve your consumer complaints! Planning a getaway this winter? Then there's plenty you need to know and must remember when it comes to travelling at this time of the year. Maybe you are eyeing up a sunshine break to escape the chilly UK temperatures, looking for a skiing or snowboarding trip with friends or planning when and how you're going to get to see family over the festive season? Whatever your travel needs, bear this in mind. During the winter months, things can and do go wrong. Sometimes they are no-one's fault and could not have been foreseen. But at other times they will be the responsibility of the holiday company, the airline, the train operator or maybe a public body if there's an issue on the roads. We hear from huge numbers of Resolver users towards the end of the year who've had issues with their getaways whether that's flight delays, trains running slow, accommodation cancelled or disputes over claims for luggage or personal items going missing. So, what can you do when things go awry? And what ways are there for you to avoid problems in the first place? Here are my top tips to get you off to flying start. Plan in case things fail You can't complain to yourself if something goes wrong that you caused. So, make a start with a thorough checklist of what you need to book, when everything needs to be booked by to take advantage of any cheaper prices or discounts and if you're travelling between a few destinations, ensure you've worked out to leave enough time for flight connections or hotel check-ins in case of delays. It won't stop issues arising but it will set you up sensibly from the start. And search out the best rates for holiday money, because you won't find them at the airport at the last minute. Next up, use your credit card to pay I mention this time and again because it is one of the most important pieces of consumer law there is. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act is crucial when you are booking a holiday or travel. After all, it's a big expense and you can't afford to be left out of pocket should the worst happen such as a hotel being unable to put you up, rooms or apartments not looking like they were in the ad, a hire car booking that you thought was made and it wasn’t, or, 34
February/March
and this is the worst of all, an airline going bust meaning you are unable to getaway in the first place. That's where Section 75 comes in. What's important to remember is even if you just pay your deposit using your credit card, as long as the total amount is £100 or more excluding any fees, you will be covered for the whole total of your holiday or travel booking if things go wrong. It doesn't even matter if you have paid the balance in cash. What's important is your credit card provider has exactly the same liability because of Section 75 as the company booking your trip. You can even contact them before the company, or at the same time. You don't need to speak to the travel firm first. Safeguard your possessions when you travel We often see complaints raised via resolver.co.uk from people with issues around their insurance policies. Whether you're claiming for lost luggage, stolen possessions or gadgets and technology that gets broken along the way, it's important to know every exclusion in your policy. Some travel insurance for example, puts a limit on the number of electronic items you can claim for or the total monetary amount you will be covered for. In these days of travelling with a family-sized bag of smartphones, tablets and computers, it's crucial you understand what you are covered for, and more importantly, what you're not covered for. One other tip is to take photos of all the expensive items you are taking, including clothes, and keep these along with the receipt and serial numbers noted down. This is one simple way to prove to the insurance company that you were the owner should you need to make a claim. Just remember to email yourself the pictures or store them in the cloud in case your mobile is one of the items stolen. Don't forget you have a right to claim for any delays Under EU law, there is a helpful piece of assistance that can get you lots of money back. If a flight you are taking is delayed for three hours or more and is EU-regulated or travelling from or to an EU airport, then this is your right. It's not an optional extra, the airline has a duty to pay you some money based on the length of the delay and cost of your ticket if the delay was within their control. So, claim it. So many people don't, despite thousands of resolver. co.uk users doing so each month. Many of them get a cheque back or a bank transfer for the money within a few weeks. It's so simple and quick to do with our template emails. And if you're taking a train in the UK and are delayed for 30 minutes or more you're also due to get back some of the cash you have paid. However, there are many exclusions - more than for flights - so check what is said to be within a train operator's control and what isn't. You'll find this in the operator's own terms of service. Always keep your tickets too just in case you need to claim and always note down any personal issues or monetary costs a delay causes you so you can make a claim for what you are entitled to. For example, if it is late at night and the station authorises it, you may be able to claim for onward travel such as a taxi home. Follow James via @resolvercouk, or email James@ resolver.co.uk
Leisure & Lifestyle
West Bay, Dorset Peace and quiet at night. Our two main requirements for an enjoyable family holiday. You’d be surprised how difficult it is to meet these criteria. But I am delighted to report that we have four blissful nights of quality sleep on comfortable beds in our static caravan at West Bay Holiday Park on the Dorset coast. The only sound to be heard - and this is in the early morning - is the distant squawk of seagulls. The park lies on the site of a former shipyard destroyed in the Great Storm of 1836 and is owned by Parkdean Resorts, which operates 73 holiday parks throughout the UK. Therefore, it is well placed to know what families want - that tired parents need a break and their children need entertaining. These two demands are satisfied by friendly and approachable staff such as Seagull Sid and Lizzie the Lizard, who run the entertainments programme between March and November. During our time at the site, activities are run every day at 10am for children accompanied by their parents. Harriett (5) and Heidi (3) go to Garden Tots where they produce a sunflower picture, go on a bug hunt and grow watercress. It’s a great way of introducing children to the wonders of the garden, something educational and fun to be enjoyed on holiday. Yet to our surprise Harriett and Heidi are the only children taking part in this activity. They thoroughly enjoy it. The following day at the same time Rainbow Tots provides more fun activities for our daughters as does Toy Tots on another occasion. This combined with the on-site swimming pool and park really means that there is no need to venture elsewhere. If you do venture out, you really only need to walk into West Bay, which really comes into its own when the sun shines.
the harbour and along the seafront. He only finally drifts off at the end of our walk, the sea air eventually sending him off to the land of nod. At the resort, there is a small and a large swimming pool. Caroline and I have to take it in turns to manage our three children because little Henry still needs feeding at regular intervals so he cannot stay in the pool for any longer than 15 minutes. Harriett and Heidi grow in confidence and Heidi starts to swim unaccompanied. The static caravan complete with gas cooker and fridge/ freezer provides comfortable self-catering accommodation. It is really helpful to find that there is a shower room at either end, which means that our girls can get ready using one while we use the other. They can both operate the shower without our help. And the washing machine is great for drying those wet towels. We break up the journey home by stopping off in Dorchester to visit the Dinosaur Museum housed in a Victorian property crammed full of interesting exhibits including life-size model dinosaurs such as a Tyrannosaurus Rex. There is much information about evolution which always baffles me. And there’s a film in the cinema that details how dinosaurs became extinct. But for me the most interesting aspect of my visit was finding out about Mary Anning (1799 to 1847), an amateur fossil collector from Lyme Regis, who is now considered to be an extremely influential palaeontologist. Her portrait hangs in the Natural History Museum in London. Tim Saunders is an author, journalist and businessman. He meets celebrities, goes on holiday and road tests cars
On the first night, little Henry (7mths) just will not go to sleep so I pop him in his pushchair and we walk around www.localzest.co.uk
35
Leisure & Lifestyle
The New Forest Is that you, Tim?” asks a former work colleague as my wife, baby daughter and I trek through the New Forest on a sunny autumn day.
to sit on daddy’s lap. And then she has to try some of the lemon tart and melon sorbet, too. No, not Daddy’s Peroni, Harriett!
It’s a surreal situation because we’re in the middle of nowhere and not expecting to see anyone when we bump into Debbie and her husband, sub-editor and photographer respectively. The last time we saw each other was over two years ago, during my time as Business and Motoring Editor at the Bournemouth Echo.
Fit for bed, we head back to our cosy and blissfully quiet beech lodge in time for Harriett’s bath after which she insists on pulling Bernard the Bee, her yellow trunki suitcase. Her feet, not quite touching the floor means she can’t actually ride it, yet. Still too young to sleep in a grown-up bed, her travel cot is ideal and there is room for it in the second bedroom. We’re in the comfortable master bedroom complete with flat screen television. Each night we all sleep well on the comfy beds apart from the first night when Harriett falls out of hers. Our lodge copes well with the winter weather, the combination boiler keeping it warm and cosy.
That’s what I love about holidays, the unexpected. We’re staying at Sandy Balls, the holiday resort at Fordingbridge, and are taking one of their recommended trails. I’m riding one of their bicycles and towing Harriett in a trailer. She loves it. Caroline, in the final months of pregnancy and quite fragile, opts to walk. We make slow progress over the 10-mile round trip from Fordingbridge to Fritham but the weather is good and we stop for a picnic at picturesque Hampton Ridge. Harriett has plenty of opportunity to try out her new wellies in a variety of puddles. We enjoy watching the wildlife; a surprising number of dragon flies, birds, donkeys and New Forest ponies - in fact we count 17 ponies at one point as you can see in the video at www.travelwriter.biz. After our day out in the wilds of the forest, we arrive back at Sandy Balls for a well-deserved meal in Pizza on the Piazza. After a delicious bruschetta starter Caroline tucks into minted lamb shanks while Harriett enjoys a child’s portion of beef lasagne and I have duck breast and roasted new potatoes. While Harriett is generally well behaved, it proves hard for her to sit still and soon she is out of her highchair entertaining fellow diners. Our friendly waitress distracts her with a pack of colouring pencils, which are soon used colouring in a Mickey Mouse cartoon. It’s not long before boredom sets in again though, and the pencils land on the floor. But it’s fun to post them back in the box. When the tiramisu arrives, Harriett is only too happy
36
February/March
The accommodation includes a well-appointed bathroom and a kitchen equipped with all the appliances you could require including a dishwasher, making for easy self-catering. Sandy Balls has its own leisure centre with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. We all enjoy a daily swim and Harriett likes the indoor soft play area, too – especially going down the slides but Daddy gets tired. It’s a very family friendly resort, offering plenty of relaxation for parents and fun and games for children all year round. The onsite cycle centre has a host of bicycles available for hire. We opt for a couple of comfort bikes providing upright riding and I tow the trailer with Harriett inside. Watch the videos at www.travelwriter.biz Tim Saunders is an author, journalist and businessman. He meets celebrities, goes on holiday and road tests cars
SUCCESSFULDATING Attracting The Right Partner
By Sophie Personne - www.successful-dating.com Ask anyone currently going through the dating process and most of them will admit to having a ‘type’ of person that they like. There are certain physical and mental traits that we will actively and consciously seek in a partner. What people often don’t realise is that we also go for other elements of someone’s personality on an unconscious level. In fact, the relationships that we attract and choose to have are actually the direct reflection of the relationship we have with ourselves. For instance, someone struggling with their own self-worth will most probably attract those who will not make them feel so good about themselves. That person will unconsciously look for their partner to fill that gap and satisfy that need, where really, they are the only ones who can address the issue and will need to look within. In the same way that you shouldn’t want to change someone to fit what you would want them to be, you are only responsible for yourself. Any change that you should wish to go through will have to come from you. Nobody can make you happy or complete you, you complete yourself. Realising that, and more importantly accepting it, is probably the most important step forward to finding the right person for you. We don’t often allow ourselves to question our deepest needs and address them. We also sometimes
need a little help in recognising what exactly it is we are all about or want before we can acknowledge and change our habits. It sounds a bit mad really, we all think we know what we want but very few of us really do, which is why most people in settled relationships are often the first ones to be surprised as their partner is so different from what they were originally looking for. Time is of the essence here and before embarking on the emotional rollercoaster of dating, it is important to reflect on what you need to learn about yourself in order to stop repeating the mistakes of the past. People often repeat the same patterns of behaviours relationship after relationship, wondering why things don’t work out. A close friend of mine did exactly that and it has taken him 12 years to realise that the reason is purely himself. Up to that point, he would explain it with grand theories on timing, that he deserved better and generally blame the world and
everyone else but him. Once he was actually honest with himself and realised that the reasons for finishing were always the same and down to him, it dawned on him that he was the only person that could remedy that and started to work on himself. As a result, he is now in charge of his own destiny as it were, happy within himself and in a relationship that is perfect for him. It is sometimes difficult to assess what we do ‘wrong’ and how we could improve as no-one likes to point the finger at themselves. This isn’t about being overly critical about yourself but more about asking the right questions. For example, if one of your main complaints is that you attract people who neglect you, ask yourself how you could be more attentive to your own needs instead of wanting someone else to do it for you. One of the secrets to attracting the right partner is to know yourself and be happy in your own company, only looking to someone else to add to your life as opposed to expecting them to complete it.
www.localzest.co.uk
37
Leisure & Lifestyle
SUCCESSFULDATING The Four Most Common Issues in a Marriage By Sophie Personne - www.successful-dating.com There can be times of struggle in a marriage and there are several reasons for this, which are often interlinked. Problems very rarely happen overnight but need to be recognised and acknowledged. It is all too easy sometimes to not confront an issue where it should be nipped in the bud quickly, to prevent devastating consequences. Here are the 4 most usual hitches couples are likely to experience.
Boundaries
Once the ring is on the finger, it is common for one of the spouses to start wanting to change the other. Whether it’s their beliefs, dress sense or opinions, they feel that they should mould them to their own image. The truth is that the only person you can change is yourself, so it is extremely unhealthy to attempt to make someone different. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and resentment in the long term. Accepting each other’s flaws and differences as well as celebrating them, is a sign of mutual respect and love.
Poor Communication
It is worth remembering that talking doesn’t mean communicating. A real conversation should be true, deep and honest, however difficult certain conversations can be. Saying exactly what you mean and feel is vital in any relationship, but that’s especially true in a marriage. Often, once the kids have flown the nest is the time when couples look at each other and realise they don’t know who the person looking back at them really is. It is essential to make an effort to
38
communicate properly rather than routinely.
Time Management
With the ever-increasing pressure of family, work and all the things that people feel they should be doing, couples often forget to allow to make time for each other. This isn’t about organising complicated and extravagant ‘date nights’, but spending real quality time together instead of watching TV whilst both are on their separate phones or tablets. Technology can interfere in marriages and come between the two partners.
Intimacy
Because of poor communication and/ or little quality time spent together, comes the lack of emotional and physical intimacy. Both are crucial for a marriage to last, as they deepen the bond between both people. Insufficient affection and sexual fulfilment often leads to each person seeking something that will give them the pleasure and appreciation that they are lacking at home. This can lead to having separate lives and becoming more like housemates.
February/March
Ultimately, emotional or physical infidelity becomes a real danger because deep down, we all need to feel wanted and appreciated. It may not be a conscious realisation but being emotionally deprived in a relationship is very unhealthy and damaging, for both parties. The main problem is that life and routine get in the way. If we don’t remind ourselves regularly and if these things aren’t tackled properly, we face the chance of both changing and going in different directions. as opposed to carrying on looking at the future in the same way together. We are all probably guilty of this at times. Marriage and the vows we took should be renewed regularly, we should remind our spouses why we are grateful to have them in our lives and why we love them. Unfortunately, taking someone for granted is more common than we like to admit. It might be a bit cliché but we need to treat our partners as we wish to be treated. Sophie Personne is a Relationships Expert and Author. Her first book ‘Your Other Half – The Guide to Better Relationships with Others & Yourself’ is available from the end of November. If you want to find out more, visit www. sophiepersonne.com.
more out of your marketing with
Call Marie on 01902 906020 or email marie@localzest.co.uk
Business & Finance
L SPECIA E BUNDL S OFFER
Looking for a ... Serviced Office Provider Meeting Room Hire Virtual Office & PA?
H
ere at Office 28 we have 32 serviced offices suitable for businesses of varying sizes from 1 person, up to 20 people with several suites interlinked.
“One client has moved through 5 different offices as their business needs evolved”
The simple inclusive price is enabling businesses to be nurtured and grow whilst on a budget but giving their clients a professional and quality impression. Our city centre location means we are easy accessible by public transport and have the convenience of local amenities. Many new companies can struggle and fail, because going it alone can make it easier to give up. However, the environment of Office 28 and the like minded business people based here, can be that extra support to keep a business going. 40
The atmosphere is truly unique here at Office 28 and wrapping up each week at the end of the day with Wine Friday has been a perfect way for the businesses based here to network and share their successes and challenges amongst like minded professional people. It’s a small gesture but then this just one of the small ways Office 28 helps create a professional, friendly and successful business environment.
Get In Touch
www.office28.co.uk 28 Cleveland Street Wolverhampton WV1 3HT T: 01902 271000 / 07539 122076 E: info@office28.co.uk
“Two clients have already said the support from Office 28 was the difference in keeping them going.”
February/March
Virtual Office - Registered Address & 2 Hours Meeting Room Hire only £40.00 plus vat pm Give your business a professional start come to Office 28
Virtual Office Here at Office 28 we offer MAIL SERVICES City centre address for your company Mail collection or forwarding TELEPHONE Local number personalised Professionally answered calls Call forwarding MEETING ROOM HIRE Selection of meeting rooms Catering & hospitality services
Food & Drink
Lucy’s recipe corner INGREDIENTS Makes approx. 12 pancakes 100g (4oz) plain flour A pinch of salt 1 egg Sunflower oil 300ml (1/2 pint) milk (Eat straight away after cooking)
Tasty Pancakes 1. Sieve the flour and salt over a large bowl 2. Break the egg into a cup. Make a deep well in the flour mix and pour in the egg. 3. Add a tablespoon of oil and two tablespoons of milk and beat the mix together with a whisk. 4. Add more milk, beating the mix well and carry on adding slowly until the mix turns into a smooth batter without lumps. 5. Ask an adult to heat a frying pan, add some oil to grease the pan, and quickly add about 3 tablespoons of batter, swirling to fill the pan evenly. 6. Cook the batter until pale golden, loosen the edge of pancake with a spatula and flip, cooking it until both sides are cooked. Place on plate. Repeat with remaining batter mix. 7.Serve with your choice of lemon juice, caster sugar, maple syrup or fruit. Delicious!
INGREDIENTS 175g (6oz) margarine 175g (6oz) soft brown sugar 2 tablespoons of golden syrup 225g (8oz) porridge oats
Use a 18 x 27cm (7 x 11in) shallow tin
Oaty Flapjacks 1. Grease and line the baking tin and preheat the oven to 160C, 325F, Gas Mark 3. 2. Place the margarine into a pan and add the sugar, and then the syrup. Heat gently until all the margarine has melted but do not boil. 3. Remove pan from heat, stir in oats so that they’re all covered. 4. Spoon the mixture evenly into the tin, making sure that you cover all the corners of the tin with flapjack mixture and then smooth with the back of a spoon. 5. Use oven gloves, or ask an adult, to put tin on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes until golden brown. 6. Remove from oven and leave to cool slightly in the tin before slicing into squares.
www.localzest.co.uk
41
Food & Drink
42
February/March
Food & Drink
www.localzest.co.uk
43
Food & Drink
44
February/March
Food & Drink
PANCAKE DAY This year Pancake Day is Tuesday 28th February. More traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, this is the Christian feast day before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent. Lent is a time of sacrifice, so Pancake Day historically was the perfect time to use up ingredients such as eggs and fats which are intrinsic to pancakes.
Historically Christians went to Church Shrove Tuesday to seek absolution, otherwise known as shriving for their sins. So Shrove is taken from the word Shrive. A bell would ring to call people to confession and this became known as the Pancake or Shriven Bell.
The date of Shrove Tuesday varies because it occurs 47 days before Easter Sunday which also alters year on year based on cycles of the moon. In the UK there are various traditions associated with this day in addition to the eating of pancakes. These include: Pancake Races: - One of the most famous races takes place in Olney in Buckinghamshire where is it believed the idea of the contest originated. It is said to be based on the story of a local woman who whilst she was making pancakes, heard the Shriven Bell and ran to church still wearing her apron and tossing her pancake in a frying pan to prevent it from burning. For this reason in Olney, racers must be local housewives or men dressed as such and wear an
apron and a hat or scarf. During the 415 yard race they have to toss their hot pancake at least three times and the winner has to serve their pancake to the bell ringer and be kissed by him. Other variations of the race include the one held at Westminster School, where the cook tosses a huge pancake over a five metre bar in the playground and boys try to catch the largest piece in order to get a cash prize from the Dean. From the twelfth century onwards, Shrove Tuesday Football Games were played out in the streets and often referred to as mob football. Nowadays only a few games take place as highways legislation has prohibited playing football on the road since 1835.
In Scarborough on Shrove Tuesday, it is customary for a large skipping rope to be in place and for up to ten people to be skipping at a time. In some other countries, this date is known as Mardi Gras and is marked by carnivals. These are still linked to the concept of celebrating the last day of 'fat eating' or 'gorging' before the commencement of Lent. The French translation of Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday. By Susan Brookes-Morris
www.localzest.co.uk
45
Food & Drink
Pension Doctor
How a Healthy Gut Can Help You Lose Weight, Reduce Illness and Live Longer Healthy eating is an ongoing debate. It seems that every week ‘experts’ contradict themselves by telling us that last week’s superfood is this week’s no-go. But one constant remains in their advice: their recommendations are always aimed at boosting the health of our hearts and brains. But what about our guts? Poor gastrointestinal health has huge implications on our weight, mood and immune systems, so surely it’s crucial to have a tip-top tummy? The good news is that achieving a happy, healthy and trim stomach is done through food. That’s right; eating can help you lose weight! But not just that, consuming the correct food will also boost your immunity and help you stave off a plethora of fatal illnesses. The crux of it all is that the food you consume needs to aid digestion and promote the growth and development of ‘friendly bacteria’ in the gut. By doing these two things, you can boost your metabolism (leading to weight loss), reduce inflammation of the gut and fight diseases more effectively. There are two types of food that you will need to achieve a healthy gut: ‘Prebiotic’ and ‘Probiotic’. Both effectively ‘feed’ the friendly bacteria in our gut,
46
but probiotics go one step further by delivering our resident gut bacteria a fresh ‘shipment’ of transient bacteria. All of this creates a healthy and diverse ‘ecology’ in our gastric systems, which promotes health and wellbeing. Katherine Tallmadge, author of Simple Diet states that ‘Research is finding that a healthy microbiome may play a role in reducing inflammation, a risk factor involved in illnesses ranging from colds to cancer, heart disease, arthritis and cognitive decline. In addition, the bacteria may help to burn body fat and reduce insulin resistance.’ (http://www. livescience.com/484 54-weight-lossssuperfoods-for-the-gut.html). In order to stay slim and healthy, you may want to consider more prebiotic and probiotic foods in your diet. The list is not extensive, but we will show you a few to start you on the right path. The foods we will recommend here have been collated through our own research. As non-medical professionals, we would like to emphasise that these suggestions are merely a reflection of our findings. For tailored health advice, specific to your needs, we would always recommend that you speak to your doctor or a certified nutritionist. 1. Yoghurt When you first read the words ‘friendly bacteria’ in this article, we would hazard a guess that a large percentage of you automatically thought of probiotic yoghurt. In recent years, the health benefits of live yoghurt cultures have been, thankfully, extolled. The general public are now savvy with the concept of drinking or eating live cultures in order to boost their health. Whichever type of yoghurt you opt for, make sure that the label does say ‘live active cultures’.
February/March
If you are lactose intolerant, certain soy yoghurts and soy milks also boast live active cultures. Many of these products are fortified with calcium and vitamin D and are alternative sources of good bacteria for vegans. For even more variety, you could try almond milk or coconut milk, which are also rich in probiotics. 2. Kefir Whilst some yoghurt with live cultures is better than none, more than often shop-bought yoghurts are not ideal. Many are high in sugar and fats. The bacteria in these yoghurts are often heat-killed too and then some bacteria is added back in, so the yoghurt is actually weaker in friendly bacteria content. But there is a solution to this: Make the yoghurt yourself! ‘Kefir’, as it is known, is easy to make (watch this video to find out how: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=aHJp J23iaSc) and is far richer in bacteria. It’s also 99% lactose free, so is kinder for intolerant tummies to consume. You can of course buy kefir from most supermarkets, in the form of probiotic drinks. 3. Miso Did you know that the average age expectancy in Japan is 83? Their western counterparts, namely the UK and USA, have age expectancy rates of 81 and 78 respectively, so what are the Japanese doing differently? Although it’s not completely proven, many experts agree that diet is the key difference and suggests that a gut-healthy diet will not only help you lose weight, it can also prolong your life. There are several ‘Asian flavours’ on our list, but the first we will tackle is ‘miso’. Made from fermented soybeans, miso paste is bursting with probiotics. There are a variety of different types of miso
available, all differing in taste, which are low in fat and calories and can be used in soups, stir-fry’s and as glazes for simple fish and chicken dishes. Miso is also rich in protein, fibre and vitamin K- so all in all it’s a winner! You can buy miso online or from most Asian supermarkets. Some larger, mainstream, supermarkets are starting to stock it too, so keep your eyes peeled in the ‘International’ section. Sharon Palmer, author of Plant-Powered Life says that ‘While we need to do more research about how these types of fermented foods contribute to health, it’s a good idea to start to introduce more of them into your diet.’ (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/foodsgut-health/story?id=30855530). One
warning though: Miso is high in sodium, so be careful not to exceed your daily limits and be extra careful if you suffer from high blood pressure. 4. Kimchi Sticking with the Asian theme, we move slightly west to Korea and to one of our favourite dishes: Kimchi. This spiced cabbage is a Korean staple and is packed full of vitamin C. The lactic acid based fermentation process makes this dish a gut-boosting must. It’s also delicious and can be used in soups, a flavoursome addition to bland rice and vegetables or even as an accompaniment to meat. You can make your own, but we would recommend sourcing pre-maid kimchi at your local Asian supermarket or Korean restaurant.
5. Sauerkraut They may be over 5,000 miles apart, but evidently the Germans had the same idea as the Koreans when it came to cabbage. Normally found atop of a not-so-healthy hotdog, sauerkraut is fermented in the same way as kimchi and can be great for boosting the friendly bacteria in your gut. However, there is a huge difference between fresh sauerkraut and the pre-packed product found in a vinegar solution. For the most probiotic power go for the fresh option. 6. Tempeh and Natto Back to Asia, but this time to Indonesia. Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans and grains and then moulded into a cake like shape and inoculated with beneficial bacteria, which gives it a slightly mushroom/meaty taste. This can then be cut into slices and eaten in a variety of ways. It’s rich in protein and iron and is, of course, great for your gut! An alternative to this is the Japanese ‘Natto’, which is similar but does not have the added bacteria and is slightly gooey in texture. The medical benefits for both these fermented soy products has become widely recognised, and include the prevention of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, osteoporosis and digestive disorders. 7. Gherkins Back to something recognisable on the list! Gherkins (known as a ‘pickles’ in North America) are simply pickled cucumbers. In their own right, the crunchy cucumber is a generally regarded as a healthy food, but pickling it ramps up its effectiveness. Pickling cucumbers, and many other vegetables, such as carrots, beetroot and green beans, encourages good bacteria to develop. I would recommend pickling your own veggies though, so that you know exactly what is going into the pickling solution. It’s easy enough to do: Simply use water, salt and spices to naturally culture your chosen vegetable. Delicious as a side dish, or a beneficial addition to a homemade burger (for those treat days!). However, once again, go easy on the salt intake, especially if you have high blood pressure.
8. Leafy Greens I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, but leafy greens are good for you! Aside from the iron and vitamins they provide, they are also excellent at growing the micro-biome within your gut and encouraging increased metabolism. All leafs have different benefits, but all are generally beneficial to your gut. So listen to your mother and eat your greens! 9. Berries and Fruit According to Dr. Gerard Mullin, ‘The Food MD’, ‘When you think about foods that are good for your gut, you think about foods that are fibrous.’ one of his top choices are berries. He says ‘They’re loaded with fibre, so help to feed the good bacteria.’ (http:// www.Rodale wellness.com/food/ healthy-foods-gut). They also contain anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, which
are disease fighters. Different berries have different benefits, for example, blueberries have been linked to heart health whereas strawberries have been reported to help protect against Alzheimer’s disease. But it’s not just berries that pack a gut-boosting punch; other fruits are beneficial to your health too, for example Dr. Mullin recommends seedless red grapes. He states that ‘Some people have intolerances to apples because they are high in fructose, but if you bake it, it’s full of pectin and pectin is great for your gut bacteria.’ (http://www.rodale wellness.com/ food/healthy-foods-gut). Grapefruits are also another surprising source of pectin, as well as being rich in anti-oxidants, folic acid and vitamin C. There are of course many schools of thought that suggest you shouldn’t eat too much fruit, owing to the sugar content. I would recommend that if you wish to start introducing fruit into your diet you consult an expert first, or, as a general piece of guidance, keep everything in moderation. 10. Nuts Nuts are high in fat content, but don’t let that completely put you off. The fats found in nuts are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, so are good for your gut. They have also been associated with a reduction in the rates of colon cancer. Whilst nuts should be consumed in moderation, the best way of introducing them into your diet is by swapping them with unhealthy, saturated fats. Instead of snacking on crisps, try replacing these with a handful of nuts instead. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or boost your overall health, looking after your gut should be a top priority. By Charlie Reading If you’d like to know more about how to boost your health, wealth or welling in retirement, please call Charlie on 01572 898060 or email charlie@efficientportfolio.co.uk. Alternatively, you can read more of Charlie’s articles and guides at www.dream-retirment.com/blog
Food & Drink
Still the same old Island Pool we have all come to know and love only as you have never seen it before. After a busy few days for the team at the Island Pool, the doors re opened to it’s customers with a beautifully refurbished restaurant for 2017. Keen to keep the balance of traditional décor combined with modern and contemporary finishing touches, the guys at The Island Pool have not disappointed. With gorgeous twinkling lights, shabby chic accessories and just the right amount of restoration this renown Kidderminster eatery has transformed it’s look in just five days and is even more welcoming than ever before.
Pool for their delicious £3.95 buffet breakfast every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 8.30am and 11:00am.
The Island Pool is a classic country pub serving not only a high standard of food and great traditional ales. Seven days a week you find a carvery with a choice freshly roasted meats accompanied by a wide variety of fresh locally sourced vegetables. Alongside the carvery there is also an extensive menu with a range of foods to suit any and every palate. Including exquisite beef steaks, also sourced locally, and cooked to perfection. With carveries starting from just £4.99 Monday – Friday, what more reason do you need for a mid-week treat. Get a good wholesome meal for the little ones too with a children’s carvery just £2.95. Half price Monday’s are also back, where you can enjoy a main meal (excludes carvery) between 5pm and 8pm for half the usual price! What a perfect way to start the week! Plus, join the guys at The Island 48
February/March
If you have visited before, be sure to get back down there and see the transformation and if you have never been before then why not? If Fantastic homemade food, great value for money, superb customer service and a beautiful refurbishment! Sound too good to be true? Think again, visit The Island Pool, on the A449, Kidderminster. We are sure you won’t be disappointed.
www.localzest.co.uk
49
Horoscopes
50
February/March
Horoscopes
www.localzest.co.uk
51
Health & Beauty
FACE FIX ME UPS It would be fair to say that I am an absolute make up junkie, if there is a new range of lipstick shades or formulas to try, I am there, if there is a new array of skincare launched, I’m all over it and if there is a new mascara to try, I am first in the queue! Whilst, I appreciate it isn’t for everyone and makes no difference to the person we are inside, it does form an everyday occurrence in my routine. As I have got older I have become less adventurous and can be guilty of sticking to my comfort zone however I thought I would share a few of my staple products with you that feature as part of my regular make up picks.
and have since become a makeup bag necessity for me. A good base has always been essential for me, at the age of seventeen I developed skin problems which lasted for twelve years and made me super self conscious. I spent far too much money and time searching for the perfect foundation and it wasn’t until I discovered Estee Lauder Double Wear, I felt I had met my match. I personally prefer a liquid foundation as the overall finish is more dewy than matte although powder has its place for long lasting wear and especially in that T Zone area.
I absolutely love sampling products from different ranges whether that’s high end brands or more affordable ranges available in most supermarkets and chemists. A few years ago, it would be fair to say I could be a bit of a makeup snob and would never dream of buying anything unless it was from those lovely stands in the gorgeous department stores. However, as I have got older and probably more sensible, I have realised that there are actually some great products out there for a fraction of the cost
52
February/March
Estee Lauder, Double Wear is definitely not one of the cheaper foundations on the market but for me is definitely worth the extra pennies. It advertises that it will stay in place for 16 hours and I cannot argue with that. My makeup is applied around 6am each morning and I never have the need to reapply or top up throughout the day. Coverage was always a major issue for me and this provided me with the appearance of flawless skin and helped my confidence immensely over the years. Since the correction of my skin condition, coverage has been less of a priority for me and I tend to turn to my Double Wear for nights out and when I am anticipating a long day. Although I do not use every day now, you can guarantee that this little gem can always be found in my make up bag. With that in mind, a fairly recent addition to my foundation faves, is the L’Oreal True Match range, again the liquid version. The range of colours available is second to none and matches skin tone beautifully. Although, not quite as long lasting as the Double Wear, this really
Health & Beauty
is a solid contender when it comes to foundation purchases. Good coverage, smooth finish and excellent value for money. Definitely worth a try if you are having foundation struggles. Bronzer is a must have in any make up case and I have tried a million. Again, it is all personal preference but I much prefer a matte bronzer compared with too much shimmer and shine. I only stumbled across this particular product by mistake when I got chatting to one of the lovely assistants in a local department store. I completely bought into the logic of the bronzers colour palettes which are arranged by hair, eye and skin tone. Guerlain, Terracotta Bronzing Powder has become a firm favourite of mine as the colour is much richer without a hint of orange in sight! I personally use the Natural Brunettes shade but there are eight to choose from to suit all skin tones. Now with the weather so cold and grey, a bit of sparkle and shimmer really gives your finished look a lift. The key to using highlighters is definitely placement and less is more! Always build your highlighter bit by bit as it’s much easier to add to it than take away if you have got a little heavy handed. My personal favourite and has been for some time now, is the No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter. It comes in a really easy to
use stick and a choice of two colours. When applied to cheekbones, underneath your eyebrows on the eye socket and down the centre of your nose, this product really does give you that extra lift and added brightness even on the greyest of days. Finally, last but by no means least is the most recent addition to my make up favourites and probably the product I have the most of. Lipstick! Now this is probably the most adventurous I get with my make up now, I love trying new
Always build your highlighter bit by bit as it’s much easier to add to it than take away if you have got a little heavy handed colours and formulas however over the last few months I have been partial to a matte finish which is very popular across all ranges right now. This was another little gem that I stumbled across when I got chatting with one of the moms at gymnastics, Marie, and is now my current favourite lip product! You may be aware of a range called Younique, launched in 2012, sold online and via social media and well known for their 3D fiber lashes. I have actually tried quite a few Younique products over the last twelve months which I have loved but the Splash Liquid Lipstick is one of the most recent product launches. It is currently available in ten shades and really does deliver on its promise to last for hours whilst keeping your lips hydrated. Matte lipstick can often leave your lips feeling dry due to the formula and finish
however the Splash Liquid Lipstick has a very unique mousse type application as well as added vitamin C and E which keeps your lips hydrated and smooth. My personal favourite at the minute is a shade called Sentimental although I will be expanding my collection over the coming weeks with some Spring/ Summer tones.
Sentimental is a dusky pink toned colour but has so much depth and a really intense colour that looks polished for hours! Well worth a try! Marie’s Younique Bag of Tricks on Facebook is always full of offers and helpful hints on how to make the most of your products!
www.localzest.co.uk
53
Health & Beauty
BEAUTY EXPERTISE Get your Skin Glowing for Spring I don’t know about you, but I spend most of winter looking forward to spring. The start of lighter evenings and warmer temperatures all appeal to me far more than central heating, woolly sweaters and warm boots. The only problem can be remembering to start prepping skin that’s been hidden away for so many months in time for clear, glowing and bright skin when you finally take off all those layers. The skin on your face and body gets thoroughly abused by cold, wet and windy weather in winter, as well as heating in your home, and constantly going from cold to warm environments. This is a good time to re-visit the products you are using at home and target dry, flaky or itchy skin so that it is back in tip top condition as we move into spring. Look after your skin - it’s the largest organ of your body and often the most neglected, yet with some easy steps and a little tlc you will have that all important healthy glow in no time. I always start with a 'double cleanse': this consists of washing your face twice in the morning and twice in the evening. Why do I recommend this? The first cleanse will remove makeup, SPF, oils, sweat and impurities whilst the second cleanse will get into the pores and clean your skin. I also begin a targeted regime of exfoliation and moisturisation in spring so my face is repaired, hydrated and looking fantastic by summer. The added bonus is that make-up goes on much better, and lasts far longer on exfoliated skin, so you’ll be doing yourself a favour now too.
54
Finally, make sure you are using an SPF30 or higher every day, as the sun’s harmful UVA ray that ages our skin is as strong on a winter’s day as it is in summer. It’s a habit you need to form to look after your skin now and help minimise wrinkles and brown spots appearing later in life! Don’t forget the rest of your body! How many of us stop our skincare routine at our neckline, yet the décolleté is a problem area for so many of us. Take your facial products down onto the chest and then invest some time into looking after your body too. I’m a big fan of dry body brushing as it has multiple benefits. It will stimulate the body’s lymphatic system to drain toxins away, it exfoliates the skin to remove dead cells, and the stimulation of your cell renewal will help the skin to hydrate itself from within. It takes just seconds before you jump in the shower and then finish with a body cream to seal in moisture. I like to use a cream that contains hydroxy acids so that it actually helps to gently exfoliate as well as nourish my skin. Time to change foundation? Move away from heavier foundations and powders that could clog pores and could make your skin look worse. With the right skin care routine, as detailed above, you could get away with a tinted moisturiser or a lighter foundation. It’s also the perfect time to review your
February/March
make-up and give it a bit of a spring clean. Throw away anything that you haven’t used for the past year – these products have an expiry date so look through and be ruthless! I recommend giving yourself a small beauty treat once a week, often it’s the small indulgences that make a dramatic difference in how you look and feel. After all, you can’t look after everyone else if you don’t take care of yourself too! With over 20 years’ experience as a beauty therapist, Kelly Shaw's passion and dedication to the industry has enabled her to achieve professional success as Spa Director for some of the world's most exclusive global resorts.
Founder of Kelly Shaw Consultancy Ltd and Hampshire's multi award- winning boutique salon k:SPA, Kelly also sits on the board for both CIBTAC and BABTAC - British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology
Health & Fitness
56
February/March
What does a Physiotherapist do? Physiotherapy can be defined as the use of physical methods such as massage, heat treatment and exercise to treat those affected by illness, injury or disease, rather than the use of surgery or drugs. It can also be used to help reduce risk of injury or illness in the future.
Physiotherapists take a science-based approach and look at the whole person including their lifestyle and general wellbeing. They educate patients so they can become involved in their own care and often give advice about posture, lifting techniques and the correct ways to carry objects. They frequently recommend exercises to strengthen specific parts of the body and improve overall health and mobility. These may be exercises which are done at home or they may suggest exercises which are done in warm, shallow water known as hydrotherapy, or general activities such as swimming and walking. They also use manual therapy. This may be the aforementioned massage or other forms of manipulation. Some physiotherapists also use specialist methods such as acupuncture, ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (where mild electric currents are passed through the skin). Physiotherapy is commonly used to treat back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and sports injuries as well as movement problems following a stroke or resulting from multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. It can also assist with rehabilitation after a heart attack, and lung and breathing difficulties such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. Some also use it in preparation for child birth.
Physiotherapy is available on the NHS and via private therapists. To become a qualified physiotherapist in the UK, you must pass an approved degree. This will take three years if you study full time and around six years if you study part time. You will need three A Levels to get onto most courses and these will usually need to include a biological Science and possibly PE, as well as at least five GCSE’s including Maths, English and one Science. There are also some accelerated MSc’s available for those with non-cognate degrees. To be successful therapists need to show an aptitude for caring as well as knowledge of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists need to be good listeners, motivators and able to explain treatments clearly and calmly. In addition they should also have good manual skills and be physically fit themselves as the work can often be strenuous. To practice in the UK, physiotherapists must register with the Health and Care Professions Council and have professional liability insurance. They have to keep their knowledge and skills up to date and pay an annual retention fee. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists is the professional, education and trade union body for around 56,000 physiotherapists in the UK. By Susan Brookes-Morris
www.localzest.co.uk
57
Speed Things Up By Paying For Your Own Treatment At West Midlands Hospital Pay for treatments including: • Spine and neck surgery • Foot and ankle surgery • Cosmetic surgery • Eye surgery about all our treatments and prices or visit www.westmidlandshospital.co.uk West Midlands Hospital, Colman Hill, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 2AH
• Urology • Hip and knee surgery • Hand and wrist surgery • Physiotherapy And much more
West Midlands Hospital
Health & Fitness
Football Fanatic John Is On Song After Hospital Knee Operation Football fanatic John Fradgley is back on song after his knee replacement at West Midlands Hospital. The 83-year-old Kidderminster Harriers supporter has plenty to cheer about after undergoing surgery at the Halesowen-based hospital which has transformed his quality of life. Years of playing competitive football finally took their toll for the former police officer and as the pain in his knee intensified through arthritis in recent years he consulted Mr Sohail Quraishi for treatment. Mr Quraishi is an expert in hip and knee replacements and specialises in total knee replacements at West Midlands Hospital. During the diagnosis, John was told he needed a total knee replacement on his left knee and was booked in for the surgery. He spent five days recovering on the hospital ward after the operation and is now proud to be walking with a spring in his step again. Father-of-two John, of Halesowen, said: “I was in quite a bad way with my knee which was affecting my mobility and it was also getting me down a bit.
John, who has been a season ticket holder at his beloved Kidderminster Harriers for over 30 years, was thrilled with his surgery and can enjoy life on the terraces again. He said: “I am so glad that I’ve had the surgery done because at my age an operation is quite a big thing to go through but it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. “I just don’t feel the same pain anymore and I can get about much easier now which is great.” Hip and knee surgery are just some of the many treatments at West Midlands Hospital. Other surgeries include cosmetic surgery, foot and ankle surgery, spine and neck surgery and eye surgery.
“I played football until I was 40 and I’ve had one or two knee injuries over the years but as time has gone on my left knee has deteriorated and the pain has worsened due to arthritis.
Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is an operation that involves replacing a damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint.
“I couldn’t go on the way I was so I approached Mr Quraishi at West Midlands Hospital which is on my doorstep. It was the perfect match for me.”
Mr Quraishi said: “John was in a lot of pain with his knee so a total knee replacement was the best option for him. “We are very pleased that he is now much more mobile as a result of the operation and he is pain free John added: “I can’t praise the team at West Midlands Hospital highly enough. Mr Quraishi was wonderful, as were all the staff who looked after me. I’d like to say a big thank-you to them all. “My message to people in the same situation as me is to have the operation done at West Midlands Hospital because I’m thrilled with the surgery."
www.localzest.co.uk
59
Health & Fitness
Save Your Sight! Most people don’t think about their eyes much until something goes wrong. It’s important to understand what happens to our eyes as we age. Your optometrist does so much more than provide spectacles. The following conditions are all detectable by optometrists during a routine eye examination.
Cataracts These are caused by clouding of the lens inside the eye. They are not painful but vision may be smudged or blurry. Diabetics and those taking certain medications are more at risk, but in most cases they are caused by old age. Most cataracts may be treated successfully by surgical removal then replacing the cloudy lens with a clear, artificial one. Glaucoma This is a condition in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is damaged. It is usually though not always, caused by raised pressure inside the eyeball. 99% of Glaucoma sufferers experience no symptoms until significant damage to their sight has occurred. The risk becomes more significant once you are over 40 and it increases with age. Anyone with a family history of the disease is more at risk, along with diabetics, very short-sighted people and anyone from an Afro-Caribbean background. If detected early Glaucoma can be controlled with eye-drops, and in some cases surgery. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) happens when the delicate ‘seeing-cells’ at the back of the eye stop working. It usually affects both eyes.
60
February/March
The risk of getting it increases with age but poor diet, too much sun-exposure and smoking are all contributory factors. You are also more at risk if there is a family history of the condition. There are two types: Wet AMD is rarer and can be treated if caught early, and dry AMD, which is currently untreatable. The progress of dry AMD may be slowed by increasing the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables consumed and by stopping smoking. Diabetes is not an eye disease but eye problems are among its most significant complications. An optometrist will check for signs that the blood vessels of the eye are leaking or not working properly. If problems are discovered then you will be referred for laser treatment at your local hospital. Even if you are not Diabetic and your eyesight seems fine it is important to have the health of your eyes checked at least once every two years, as changes may happen without you realising. Remember… Unlike teeth, eyes do not usually hurt when there is something wrong. Generally, the earlier an eye problem is detected, the easier it is to treat. If you drive, it is your responsibility to make sure you satisfy the legal visual requirements. Book an eye examination today. You have just one pair of eyes, and they have to last you a lifetime, so take care of them.
www.localzest.co.uk
61
Health & Fitness
62
February/March
Motoring The all-new Kia Niro will seat four-adults comfortably, or five at a squeeze. The load area is a decent size – certainly large enough for a regular sized family’s needs. The steering wheel is pleasingly thick to grasp and the switchgear and dials are intuitive and clear to use. The only difference between the Niro and a conventionally powered car is an energy flow meter replacing the rev counter. There’s also a drivetrain pictorial showing the energy stream between the Kia Niro’s engine, battery and wheels.
AUTOBIOGRAPHIES All-New Kia Niro
By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist -@carwriteups Hybrid vehicles are in vogue these days – or so it appears. Will this technology take over the conventional power plants we know one day? I don’t have the psychic wherewithal to tell you. But a lot of automakers seem to be following this trend – and now it’s Kia’s turn. The all-new Kia Niro hybrid is propelled by an orthodox 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine, paired up with a 32kW electric motor. There’s also a lithium-ion polymer battery where energy is saved. This layout is like with the one in Toyota’s Prius, and manages an official combined mpg of up to 74.3mpg, alongside CO2 emissions starting from 88g/km. The Niro is larger than its relative, the Cee’d, yet more pocket-sized than its other relation – the attractive and admired Sportage. The all-new Kia Niro is the South Korean car company’s first attempt at a hybrid crossover type of vehicle, but you wouldn’t know. Sure, there are copied elements, such as white plastic adornments inside the cabin, especially around the inner door handles. These are, undoubtedly, inspired by Toyota, but you can let Kia off because every car manufacturer ‘makes use of’ ideas. It’s a fashion thing and, by its very nature, fashion is all about making certain you’re ‘down with the kids’ on the hottest style. The new Kia Niro’s body is rectangular, but it’s not at all disagreeable. The Niro has a simple, fetching form, that has hints of Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) about it. At the front, the Sportage’s genetic material comes through – most markedly around the headlights. What’s more, the rump of the all-new Niro is easy-on-the-eye, with a conventional tailgate decorated with touches of silver trim.
On start-up, the all-new Kia Niro sounds like it’s not turned on. That’s because, as with all hybrids, the engine under the bonnet doesn’t cut in instantly. Instead of any tick-over sounds, you hear a chime, signifying that the Niro is running. It’s not long before the 105PS petrol powered unit makes its presence known, though. On the road, the Niro delivers even-tempered performance, thanks to a six-cog automatic gearbox. And, while the Kia Niro is no out and out performer, the additional power the petrol engine receives from the electric motor is appreciable. The all-new Kia Niro also feels planted and deals with the straights contentedly. It’s only on more blemished B-road surfaces that the Niro’s firm suspension results in a bit of jitteriness. The Kia Niro has to have a stiff set-up, though, to cope with the extra heft of the hybrid assembly. Luckily, there’s a silver lining to every cloud and this firmness means that body lean is hardly noticeable in corners. The all-new Kia Niro hybrid comes in four levels of trim, categorised ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘First Edition’. All are well-appointed with driver assistance, comfort, and connectivity features. Every Kia Niro has a lane-keep assist system, hill-start assist control, cruise control and a speed limiter. The new car also comes factory-fitted with support smartphone connectivity, music streaming and a DAB radio. Pros ‘n’ Cons • Efficiency √ • Handling √ • Practicality √ • Kit √ • Unhurried Pace X Fast Facts (Kia Niro ‘First Edition’ tested) • Max speed: 101 mph • 0-62 mph: 11.1 secs • Combined mpg: 64.2 Engine layout: 1580cc 4-cylinder petrol + 32kW electric motor • Max. power (PS): 141 (combined engine + electric) • CO2: 101 g/km Price: £26,995
64
February/March
Motoring
AUTOBIOGRAPHIES All-New Audi Q2 Review
By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist -tweeting -@carwriteups First impressions when approaching the new Audi Q2 are good. Like all Audis, it manages to stand out, even if it doesn’t try anything spectacular design-wise. In the more daring ‘Vegas Yellow’, it makes quite a visual impact though, and is unmistakeably Audi in appearance. The large grill and muscular body are complimented by a sloping roof line and contrast C-pillar which -in S-Line trim at least –is nicely offset in metallic silver. Sadly, on the smallest alloy wheels it looks puny, so bigger is better there. The interior is more of the same, being almost identical to that which you’d find in the A3 hatchback. That’s no bad thing though, as Audi makes some of the most pleasant interior spaces on the market today, and feels decidedly upmarket if it’s kitted out with a range of technology options, such as the virtual cockpit. We tested the Audi Q2 in 150PS 1.4-litre petrol guise. It provides plenty enough power for all types of road, being capable of overtaking on motorways and A-roads, yet remaining suitably quiet when pottering through towns and villages. If your annual mileage is quite low, this is a fine engine to go for, as you’re unlikely to need anything more than this. While the engine is quiet, the S-Tronic automatic gearbox is a little jumpy at low speeds, and tends to put too much torque through the wheels when trying to move off. This results in some minor wheel-spin. The S-Tronic unit has never quite been up to the high level of BMW’s eightspeed unit, but it is far from a bad gearbox, and, when up to speed, works quickly and seamlessly. Our petrol test car was the S-Line, fitted with sports suspension and larger alloy wheels, and we found it to be slightly too firm for our liking. Being a ‘Q’, you get into it expecting a smooth ride, but you get something more like a firm hatchback than a compact SUV. We suspect Audi’s excellent seating helps offset this a little.
66
February/March
If the trade-off was entertaining cornering and impressive dynamics, we’d be content, but it isn’t exactly fun to drive either. The steering is rather numb and it doesn’t feel particularly settled going quicker around corners, though it doesn’t feel out of its comfort zone either. Audi was keen to point out that it doesn’t skimp on technology with the new Q2; it uses the same tech in the fresh compact SUV as it does in its higher-end products, like the TT sports car or Q7 SUV. The stunning virtual cockpit is an option once again, and you can also get such goodies, such as adaptive cruise control, heated seats, a power operated boot, and Audi’s parking assistance system. The problem is, almost these luxuries cost extra. Audi has made a big deal about the new Q2 starting at under £20,000, yet it also points out that it expects only 10 per cent of people to buy the lowest ‘SE’ trim level. The petrol model we tested came in at £5 over £34,000, and, even for a test car, that’s an astonishing amount of money. Look to spend between £25,000 and £30,000 and you’re probably on the right track with the new Audi Q2. It’s a high-quality product and looks great, but it doesn’t inspire us to spend more on it than a normal Audi A3, and the Q3 SUV isn’t far off price-wise. It doesn’t matter one bit what we think, because wealthy people love something a little bit different with a respected badge on its nose. It might not be perfect, but it will sell, and sell well. The new Q2 is going to be another Audi success
Pros ‘n’ Cons • Stylish √ • Upmarket √ • Quiet √ • Tech √ • Pricey X Fast Facts (S line 1.4 TFSI CoD tronic) • Max speed: 132 mph • 0-62 mph: 8.5 secs • Combined mpg: 52.3 • Engine layout: 1395cc 4-cylinder turbo petrol • Max. power (PS): 150 • CO2: 123g/km
Price: £27,730
THE LARGEST SELECTION OF WALL & FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT THE UK
ROCKWOOD BEIGE Porcelain tile Size: 60.5x30.5 cm SKU Code - 022715
If you are looking for an up to the minute design for your kitchen, bathroom or en-suite, traditional style or a modern and contemporary design for your lounge, hallway or conservatory. Tile Choice can meet your every requirement at exceptional prices. KIDDERMINSTER
Unit 6 Easter Park Worcester Road (Opp. Hoo Farm) DY11 7AR
01562 825720
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
BROMSGROVE
WOLVERHAMPTON
01527 882333
01902 715482
Unit 8a Aston Fields Ind. Est. Sherwood Road B60 3DR
Carvers Littles Lane Wolverhampton WV1 1JY
for you nearest store
BILSTON
7 Millfields Road Bilston Wolverhampton WV14 0QJ
01902 405526
- www.tilechoice.co.uk