Village Life Tewin January 2012

VillageLife Lifestyle | Business | Community www.villagelifemag.com

TEWIN

FREE

ISSUE 6: JANUARY 2012

Employment Law Update for 2012

on your TraVElS ViSiTS VEnicE hertfordshire action on disability

plus LOCAL BUSINESS INFORMATION Tewin • Datchworth • Oaklands • Digswell • Woolmer Green • Watton at Stone • Bull’s Green • Burnham Green • Hammer Green

Don’t move IMPROVE! RMT Home Build Ltd are a family-run building contract firm based in Stevenage.We’ve been in the industry since 1989 and work with customers across Hertfordshire and the South East.

We cover all projects, small, medium or large and pride ourselves on offering a premium service and value for money.

Our team comprises of highly skilled and qualified tradesmen.

We specialise in • Extensions • Refurbishments • Loft Conversions • Basements • Kitchens • Painting & Decorating • Windows & Doors • Roofing • Fencing & Decking • Driveways & Patios Contact us for references or to read letters from our happy customers “In the space of 4 weeks it’s gone from being a tired, dated flat to being a fabulous modern home...” “...thanks for making our new house feel like home. It was always going to be a big project and you managed to make it happen in a short time and put up with our demands...” “...brilliant from start to finish RMT as a company have been amazing...”

For a free no obligation quotation Call: 0800 542 3122 / 01438 310063 Email: info@rmthomebuild.co.uk www.rmthomebuild.co.uk

WELCOME TO JANUARY Happy New Year to all of our readers and advertisers!

We’ve got lots of great features for you this month along with our columnists.

It is important to us to keep Village Life a local magazine, so if you have a story that you would like us to feature then please get in touch.

We are always pleased to hear feedback or any ideas on how we can improve the magazine. We’ve been asked by a few people to provide the answers to the puzzles page so you will now find the answers on our website each month – www.villagelifemag.com Don’t forget to email us with details of your local events so we can list them for you in the what’s on section.

We look forward to a great 2012!

CALL US: 01438 216950 EMAIL US: mail@villagelifemag.com VISIT US AND READ THE

Bye for now

Jose & Melanie

MAGAZINE ONLINE: www.villagelifemag.com facebook.com/villagelifemagazine

CONTENTS

MARILYN TUCK: PAGE 6

4:

Local news

6:

Wellbeing: MarilynTuck – Resolutions and self change for 2012

8:

Lifestyle: Employment Law – All Change For 2012

10:

Business: Shires Pest Control & Wildlife Management

12:

Business: MJS Events – The Wedding Disco Specialists

14-15: OnYour Travels:Venice

VENICE: PAGE 14-15

16:

Business: Zenibo Marketing

20:

Lifestyle Focus: Body Beautiful Personal Trainers

22:

What’s on in January/Take a break

23:

Charity Focus: Hertfordshire Action on Disability

Where Can You Find Village Life?

Village Life Magazine has a readership of 15,000 people and is delivered to homes and businesses across 9 villages.

Find us in Tewin, Datchworth, Oaklands, Digswell, Woolmer Green, Bull’s Green, Burnham Green, Hammer Green and Watton at Stone.

January 2012

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Melanie Saavedra 01438 216950 sales@villagelifemag.com Village Life is published monthly by MJS Publishing.

01438 216950, www.villagelifemag.com © 2012 Village Life (Tewin). Village Life (Tewin) is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or of Village Life magazine.

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

3

local neWs

Zumba for Weight loss

Zumba instructor Ellena Brooks and her followers have celebrated their first anniversary together with a birthday bash.

To mark the first year of Zumba With Elle, they enjoyed a tea party and birthday cake after one of her regular classes at Welwyn Civic Centre.

For the occasion, Ellena, who lives in Woolmer Green, invited her clients to share with her how much weight loss they had achieved since attending her weekly classes in Welwyn, Lemsford and Oaklands.

They were amazed to discover that 18 of the Zumba enthusiasts had shed no less than 27.5 stones between them since this time last year.

That’s equal to almost 175 one-kilo bags of sugar, or an average of over 21 pounds per dancer.

“I’m unbelievably proud of all my customers – they’re truly inspirational,” said Ellena. “Because they love the classes, the music

and the tempo so many of them are shedding pounds easily.”

In fact, one of Elle’s customers has lost nearly three stone coming to her classes once or twice a week since January and following a healthy eating plan.

Lisa, from Welwyn Garden City, said: “Zumba with Elle is the best thing that has happened to me – exercise that makes me smile!”

But it’s not just about losing weight. “Lots of people come simply to enjoy themselves” says Ellena.

Last month, Zumba with Elle also celebrated raising £360 for orphaned children in Chile, taking a group of her followers to Alexandra Palace for the biggest-ever Zumba Party in the fight against breast cancer.

Ellena runs classes on Mondays or Tuesdays at Welwyn Village Civic Centre (main hall opposite the library) starting 8pm; Wednesdays at Oaklands Primary School, 7.30pm; or Thursdays at St John’s Primary School, Lemsford, at 8pm.

With her experience of performing on stage and in the West End, Ellena fills her classes with an infectious international dance flavour.

“No matter your age, size or gender, you can enjoy Zumba,” she says. “Everyone is free to dance at a pace that suits them, and I am always on hand to answer questions and give exercise guidance.”

One-hour classes cost just £5 and loyalty and discount schemes are also available, so many people find Zumba more fun than the gym and more cost-effective than health club membership fees.

Contact Elle on 07949 927231 or at zumbawithelle@gmail.com.

Follow her and the Zumba crew on Facebook, at ZUMBA with Elle.

We are always looking for local stories, if you or someone you know would like to be featured in Village Life, please call Melanie on 01438 216 950 4

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

WellBeing

Resolutions & self change now for 2012

I

have always written these articles focusing on the odd symptoms I come across but never really mentioned in one place all the issues I help hundreds of people with every year. Today I am doing that. It may be a bit of a list but I am sure you may have, or would know of at least someone with one of these and may be able to point them in my direction for help.

For instance worrying would be one of the major symptoms I treat.

Worry about the family, work, health, you name it, and negative thoughts, too.

Then there is stress, the next step up. Stress comes from continual pressure; work pressure in the form of deadlines, short staffing, and office politics. Stress hangs around assignments, exams, dissertations.

Stress results from relationship difficulties, moodiness, kids, family dynamics. If you have stress come now and get some really good coping mechanisms to help.

Stress can lead on to anxiety. Acute anxiety may include panic attacks 6

or, at the other end of the spectrum, depression, where the body finds it too hard to cope. Longer-term illnesses may develop. Medication certainly helps but in order for full recovery the underlying issues need to be addressed. I help with these.

Mothers bring their children for help with bedwetting, schoolwork and bullying issues; some are unable to sleep because they have seen scarey movies or computer games.Then there’s thumb sucking, hair pulling and nail biting.We make it fun.

Parents bring their teenagers for confidence issues, motivation, learning and studying, not to mention family clashes and moods.Teens love this work and respond so well.

Stopping the smoking, overeating and drinking will save you money and let you take back control. Losing weight will give you more energy to cope better.

Relaxation is important during conception, pregnancy and for having wonderful births. It also helps your

body heal so is great for pain, IBS and illness.

Sleeping well is imperative for a focused day.This is the key to my work, when your body is relaxed success is possible. Success is good!

Self confidence is another big one.

Then there’s the sports fun we do together.Winter is the time to lay back and improve your sports mindset.

My work helps you to clear the fog out and see things better. I find out just how you want to change and together we use either the relaxing model of hypnotherapy, or the acupressure technique of emotional freedom (EFT) to achieve this.

Together we get your mindset in a better place and build your confidence and success. It is fun, it is special, people love it.

Honestly, if you have issues, don’t put up with them. Ring for a chat, do deal with them now.The results will show in a happier you and the ability to handle 2012 a great deal better.You deserve it.

Much more detail on the website www.marilyntuck.co.uk Knebworth, phone 07962 811907

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

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21/10/2010 10:46 7

Business

Employment Law – All Change For 2012 As part of its drive to cut down on the number of Employment Tribunal claims, the Government has proposed a number of changes.

This month we hear from local employment solicitor Mike Powell of Scott-Moncrieff & Associates LLP who considers the possible effects.

Compromise Agreements: These are used to settle employment disputes. The Government intends to simplify them and rename them as “settlement agreements”.

Protected Conversations: These are designed to allow employers and employees to have “full and frank discussions”. In my view there is no reason why such discussions cannot take place now, provided care is taken over what is said. My concern is that employers and employees will say things in these “conversations” which they may later regret and then find that the conversation was not as “protected” as they thought.

Early ACAS Conciliation: The Government intends to offer the services of ACAS to resolve a dispute before bringing a Tribunal claim. In theory this may be a useful idea, but ACAS will need a lot of extra resources to provide an effective service, which the Government is not providing. As a solicitor, my experience of ACAS has varied from excellent to poor.

Length of Service for Unfair Dismissal Claims: An employee usually has to have a minimum of 1 year’s service before bringing a claim for unfair dismissal.

The Government intends to increase this to 2 years. This may reduce the number of claims, but there

will still be many unfair dismissal claims that don’t need minimum service, e.g. health and safety, discrimination, whistleblowing.

Financial Penalties for Employers: Where employers have breached employment law, the Tribunal will have the discretion to impose financial penalties on an employer of up to £5000.

Fees for bringing a Tribunal Claim: The Government intends to charge fees for using the Tribunal system. How much this will reduce claims is open to question as more people have legal expenses insurance which may cover these fees. These won’t be in force until 2013 at the earliest.

Mediation: The Government intends to promote mediation to settle workplace disputes. In my experience, many disputes need never have got as far as a Tribunal claim. There is a lot to be said for using the services of a mediator to resolve a workplace problem through discussion before it gets to the point of no return.

Workplace disputes can often be resolved if they are treated quickly following the correct procedures. It is essential for an employer to ensure that its staff have clear contracts of employment and internal procedures to help resolve disputes.

Whether you are an employer or an employee looking for advice, Mike offers a free initial consultation. For further information, contact Mike on 01462 418629 or visit www.hertsemploymentlaw.co.uk

Scott-Moncrieff & Associates LLP ● ● ● ●

Contracts & Handbooks Compromise Agreements Redundancy & Restructuring General Employment Law Advice

Call Mike Powell for a free consultation: 01462 418629 8

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

village life

Another successful Open House!

Mrs H of Welwyn Garden City put her property on the market with us and we arranged the ‘Open House’ to take place on the Saturday. At the event, there were several viewers, but one couple fell in love with the house, consequently the sale was agreed on the following Monday.

Mrs Hurley said “The Open House was so easy, I went out for the day and handed my house over to Wrights. All the viewings were done together and the sale was agreed. I met my buyers later on that day when they came back for a second viewing. All the awkwardness of showing potential buyers around my home was removed. It can be daunting selling your house, but Wrights took care of everything, it was a very smooth process, I am delighted.”

Warren Jones, Sales Director of Wrights in Welwyn Garden City said, ‘Selling your home can be a stressful time and the viewing process can sometimes be a little pressured for the owner. We recognise this and feel it’s much better all round for us to organise a relaxed, no appointment necessary event at the weekend when most people are available, this is why the open house works so well for us’.

If you would like to hear more about our Open House events and how we can help to get you moving, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please call Warren on 01707 332211 Email: warren.jones@wrightsof.com

January 2012

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

9

local Business focus

Do you have mole hills on the lawn, rabbits in the fields, rats in the loft, mice in the kitchen or flies in the roof?

These are all in a day’s work for local pest control expert Andrew Lasham of Shires Pest Control and Wildlife Management.

T

he company is a family run business that covers Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, South Cambridgeshire, and North London. Customer satisfaction is quintessential to them as is carrying out their work in a very discreet manner. They always use unmarked vehicles for customer confidentiality and pride themselves on their commitment to protecting the environment; in fact they have recently become accredited Wildlife Aware members of The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide.

Shires use and utilise the safest preparations currently available and provide a high standard of work, whilst offering a personal and competitive service of high quality and value for money.

Shires supply domestic premises, businesses and farms with a professional pest control and wildlife management service, utilising all modern methods of pest control, while also providing more traditional and humane environmentally friendly options. Mole trapping and rabbit control being a speciality.The service is designed to be of a high professional standard in accordance with current legislation and regulations.

10

All areas of the industry can be dealt with by Shires such as pest proofing, bird proofing and of course pest control.

Staff are highly trained individuals having undertaken all relevant training (trained to B.P.C.A. Level I & II) and hold all valid licences and certifications for this type of work.

Shires is fully insured to carry out all areas of pest control and wildlife management.

Qualified to the highest level, HACCP and Food Safety trained. Shires Pest Control & Wildlife Management is a member of National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA), the Guild of British Mole Catchers, Bedfordshire Trading Standards and a member of the BASIS Prompt Scheme which ensures their commitment to professional development and ongoing training.They are also IOSH Safety trained.

So if you have any concerns regarding pests or you have foxes around the chickens or furniture beetle in your beams then call Andrew for a no obligation free quotation.

Mobile: 07890 131174 OfďŹ ce: 01767 315101 Email: shirespestcontrol@hotmail.co.uk www.shirespestcontrol.co.uk

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

village life

RUSSELL DICKSON GARDEN LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

Stonework Paving Patios Terraces Walling Turfing Planting Water Features & Related Projects Call: 07833 591340 01438 821384 www.russelldicksonlandscape.co.uk e: russelldickson33@gmail.com

Welwyn’s brand new dental practice ‘Neel Dentistry’ is now open. We offer a wide variety of general and cosmetic dentistry – such as teeth whitening, veneers, implants and smile makeovers.

Is your routine check up due? Maybe you would like a second opinion? We are here to help.

Discover modern dentistry in our comfortable, state of the art practice in Welwyn High Street.

Call in and see for yourself – and pick up some further details. We look forward to welcoming you.

43 High Street, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9EE Telephone: 01438 712713 or visit: www.neeldentistry.co.uk

NEELDENTISTRY Neel Dentistry HP 0711.indd 1 January 2012

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

17/06/2011 08:40 11

local Business focus

MJS Events

The Wedding Disco Specialists

M

JS Events is a Mobile Disco service specialising in wedding receptions.The business is run by Jose Saavedra, a corporate professional, who has been a DJ for nearly 20 years playing at clubs and venues in the UK and overseas. Jose believes that most people’s perception of a DJ is someone who is unreliable, who will just turn up unprepared, play what they like and talk nonsense on the microphone just to earn a few extra pounds at the weekend.

Couples need more than this.They want their wedding day to run smoothly with all the guests enjoying themselves. After all it is probably the most important day in their lives and everyone should have fun.

Jose is professional and presentable, he has the creative skills of a club DJ, but with public speaking experience and people skills gained from the corporate world. He only focuses on weddings and as a result wedding guests party to his music at local venues such as Tewinbury Farm, Fanhams Hall, Hanbury Manor, Hertford Castle, Priory Barn and also at exclusive venues in London (including The Dorchester, Fulham Palace, Stationer’s Hall and many others). Jose’s mixing skills and ability to read the crowd ensures that the dance floor is always busy!

All couples receive a pre-event meeting to discuss the entire day as well as the music.The details include; the requirements for the first and second dance, the background music throughout, how the couple will leave the venue and even the value Jose can add as a capable MC.This planning makes the day run smoothly and is an opportunity for Jose to share the expertise he has gained from hundreds of wedding receptions. He takes the time to understand the couple’s requirements and this is underpinned by a contract, which provides peace of mind that he will be there, fully prepared.

Jose’s music collection covers 16,000 songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, Motown, Soul, Funk, Disco, Rock, Punk, Ska right through to House, R&B, Dance and today’s chart music. He is always happy to take requests on the evening.

If you book MJS events you can expect a state of the art sound and lighting setup which never fails to impress.

It will create the perfect atmosphere for guests to dance the night away.

12

In addition to a great evening disco, MJS Events also offers an all day package where Jose provides background music as guests arrive at the venue, through the meal and also during the ceremony, if required. He can also act as MC introducing the couple as they arrive, making announcements throughout the day, introducing the speeches and ensuring that the day moves along smoothly.

“Your professional and personable approach put us straight at ease and gave us one less thing to worry about and you pitched your DJ skills to suit our event perfectly.” “ Jose did a great job at keeping everyone dancing until the end of the night. I highly recommend MJS events for anyone needing a wedding DJ. Jose listened carefully to our requirements and delivered on all of our requests.”

“Hi Jose, we just wanted to say a big thank you for being MC and DJ on our wedding day.We had a fantastic day, and loved the selection of music you played!”

For more information, you can contact Jose on 07734 387 478 or visit www.mjsevents.com

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

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on Your travels

Venice

Venice is a truly romantic city with elegant buildings and palaces popping up over the ancient maze of narrow streets and canals. Tourists flock to Venice all times of the year to experience this wonderful place.

V

enice lies on one of a series of 117 islands distributed throughout the Venetian lagoon at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. The historic centre is divided into six quarters; the city’s main entrance way is the Grand Canal that intersects each district as it runs the length of the city from the railway station to San Marco. An alternative to walking the streets of Venice is to cruise the waterways onboard the motorboat buses known as Vaporetti. These are the less romantic but also less expensive substitutes for the famous gondolas.

Getting to Venice is fairly easy with flights from London Gatwick and Stansted with a flight time of just over 2 hours. The airport is situated 5 miles north of Venice with regular transport links to the main city.

14

Hotels range from 2 star to 5 star deluxe so every taste is catered for.

The traditional mode of transport in Venice is by foot or boat, so enjoy the strolls and relaxed boat trips.

All visitors to Venice should buy a Venice Card, it gives you use of the main tourist services, including optional discounted airport transfers, Vaporetti services and admission to some museums and attractions.

Top attractions that you won’t want to miss are: St Marks Square, The Grand Canal, Basilica dei Frari, Rialto Bridge and the Bell Tower (Campanile di San Marco).

St Marks Square – (Piazza San Marco) has always been the centre of Venice. The first citadel and church were erected on its foundations.

Travellers and pigeons flock to the Piazza but beware you pay a hefty

price to eat or drink at the cafes that spill onto the pavements.

Great for people watching and even though you pay a high price you will definitely want to rest your feet and have a coffee or something stronger. Designer shops line the streets for a great shopping experience. Head to Vittorio Costantini for exquisite glass and original lamps, Martinuzzi for real local lace, Gaggio for fine fabrics and Attombri for sumptuous jewellery.

Try traditional dishes from the Veneto – like oca in onto (goose in its own fat) or freshwater lagoon fish done in saor at Antica Adelaide, get the best polpette (meatballs) in Venice at Ca d’Oro (Alla Vedova), and a strong selection of Venetian antipasti, including raw sea food, at Vini da Gigio. A writhing, glistening variety of sea creatures swims from

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

on Your travels

the stalls of the Rialto and Chioggia markets into local kitchens including granseola (spider crab), garusoli (sea snails) or canoce (mantis shrimps) and Venice is definitely the place to try these marine curios.

The Grand Canal – The famous waterway is approximately twomiles long and faced with impressive palaces that were owned by the city’s wealthy seafaring merchants. Take the Vaporetti and tour during the day and night to see the real beauty of the Grand Canal.

The Rialto Bridge provides a good land view of the Grand Canal and is the centre of commerce in modern day Venice. Look for the local markets selling vegetables and other foods.

Basilica dei Frari – This wonderful basilica is graced by several paintings by Donatello, Bellini January 2012

and Titian who is also buried here. The neighbourhood around the Basilica offers a slice of Venice as it is experienced by its residents, who are abandoning the city at a rapid rate due to the difficulty and expense of living in Venice.

Bell Tower – The original Campanile which was visited

by Galileo in the 17th century collapsed during repair work in 1902, the present structure was rebuilt in 1912.You can climb to the top for a nice view of the Piazza, St. Mark’s and the Doge’s Palace.

The Campanile is the tallest structure in Venice.

Gondola rides are a must for every tourist visiting Venice, you can expect to pay €65 to €100 for a 50 minute ride and a gondola can take 6 people. There will also be a premium for riding at night or if you would like a song from your gondolier so make sure that you have agreed on a rate before you enjoy your ride!

There is no city quite like Venice in the world of travel, why not experience it for yourself with a short break in these dull winter months or book something to look forward to later on in the year?

If you would like to help booking your next holiday or city break, call Off Broadway Travel on 01438 716200 or email enquiries@offbroadwaytravel.com.

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

15

personal development focus

Zenibo Marketing This month we met up with Russell Chard from Zenibo Marketing, a Tewin based company specialising in publishing information products in the personal development, self-help niches.

Z

enibo Marketing Publishes audio books, E books and now in 2012, video and DVD versions of a number of classic self help books – Think and Grow Rich is one of the first that they have converted. (A classic book for business people and entrepreneurs).

Arnold Bennett’s book on ‘time management’ How To Live On 24 Hours A Day is another.

The reason for this is that Napoleon Hill’s original book – which has sold over 30 million copies worldwide – is a book containing quite dated language (it was first published in 1937), so the new DVD version gives the viewer a full modern day explanation of the book and its principles together with the original book, so contrasting, comparing and actioning is much simpler and effective for 2012 and beyond.

Each DVD set whether physical or electronic when purchased gives the customer a new re-formatted manual of the book and the full audio version of the book for free – ideal for iPods, Pads or Phones or any MP3 player.

Zenibo marketing also sells self help books and videos as downloads (coming soon) for ease of use and

speed of consumption at www.selfhelpaudiolibrary.com Russell originally trained as a banker with Nat West, worked in broadcasting and has written books on Japanese gardens and football.

He started Zenibo Marketing after bumping into a contact 10 years ago, who told him about internet publishing.

As he enjoyed writing, he decided to give it a go.

His first project was publishing information on Japanese gardens and he has the following websites www.japzen. wordpress.com and www.makingajapanesegarden.com which ranked number one on their respective subjects with Google!

Around 18 months ago, Russell moved into self help and personal development publishing, taking classic self help books and turning them into modern day video versions.This has been a huge success with online retailers such as Barnes and Noble stocking his audio and video.This year, he plans to release another six online through Amazon, Amazon

Kindle, his own sites, E bay and direct marketing.

Russell is living proof that with a bit of effort and determination anyone can set up their own full time or part time job online, he told us, “Never let the grass grow under your feet is my motto – always look to better yourself and personal development and business development is a great way to do it.

You never know when somebody is going to pull the carpet from under your feet!”

You can purchase the Think and Grow Rich DVD set either from Amazon (just search for ‘Think And Grow Rich DVD Set’ or you can download it from www.thinkandgrowrichdvdset.com (Free bonuses are included).

Contact: 01438 798864 email: zeniboltd@aol.com 16

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

village life

Whether you are looking for a luxury bespoke holiday, an idyllic wedding or honeymoon, a family getaway or a short break, we can help you design your perfect vacations, find you the best possible deals & bring you exclusive offers.

Call 01438 716 200 or visit www.offbroadwaytravel.com Off Broadway Travel, 18-20 Prospect Place, Welwyn, AL6 9EN

Old Welwyn Construction Specialists in Extensions, Home Refurbishment, Landscaping, Patios and Driveways.

Call Daniel on 01438 715362 or 07748 204 818 Email: oldwelwynconstruction@hotmail.co.uk Old Welwyn 1 Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950 January 2012 Construction 0811 HP.indd Village

21/07/2011 14:0517

village life

Do you need an extra pair of hands to help you take your business to the next level?

The Office on the Net can help you by takin care of all your adinistrave tasks, freein you to build your business usin your creave skills

Contact Lia On 07718 588 482 or at lia@theofficeonthenet.co.uk www.theofficeonthenet.co.uk

Are you a local

Oven Cleaning Company looking for more business?

Village Life is looking for a reliable Oven Cleaning business to advertise in the magazine.

If you would like to come on board and promote your company to 15,000 readers each month, we will offer low advertising rates.

The Peony Florist & Gift Shop Creative Contemporary and Traditional Floristry for all occasions.

Wide selection of unusual gifts, plants, cut �lowers and handmade cards

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Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

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Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

More than just great ideas...

19

health focus

Body Beautiful Personal Trainers Based in W.G.C, Body Beautiful are female Personal Trainers specialising in helping women aged 25 to 60 achieve their fitness and weight loss goals. As not everyone is comfortable training in gyms, training sessions are held in the comfort of your home, park or place of work. Equipment is provided to cater for people with varying levels of ability, and you can expect a friendly, motivational and professional service with great results!

The business was founded by Tanya Shaw who has been a dancer for most of her life working in the UK and abroad, dancing in the West End, music videos and television work. Becoming a Personal Trainer seemed like a natural progression for Tanya who had always loved being fit and healthy. After having three children, she got out of the habit, piled on the weight and lost confidence. Tanya started to get back into shape and felt that she wanted to do the same for other people so she started the business.

Services available include Personal Training, Weight Management and Weight Loss, Lifestyle Coaching and Boot Camp Classes. Tanya has also designed a bespoke Body Guard Boot Camp which she runs with celebrity personal trainer Maria Fenn; they spend between 4-24 hours with clients helping prepare healthy food and snacks and training at least twice a day.

Clients can expect a drastic change in body shape (providing they don’t cheat) and a huge boost in confidence.

Tanya understands that it can be a big decision to invest in a personal trainer so Village Life readers can get a free consultation and £5.00 off the first personal training session.

“I wanted a Personal Trainer so that it would motivate me to stay fit and healthy and boy do I get this from Tanya!!

Our sessions are never the same and my whole body gets a good workout. I would highly recommend Tanya Shaw.”

Colleen Webb, HR Advisor, North Hertfordshire College.

For further information call Tanya on 01707 330194, 07791 111 209 or visit www.bodybeautifulpt.co.uk

Body Beautiful Personal Trainers

Our service is ideal for anyone who wants to lose weight and get fit in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

• Personal Training • Weight loss/Weight Management • Lifestyle Coaching • Boot camp classes • Private “Body Guard” Boot Camp

Call now to book your free consultation

www.bodybeautifulpt.co.uk

07791 111209 20

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

village life

S T U D I O C A R C H I T E C T S L T D Professional mobile Nail Technician

Providing architectural design services that respond to your needs

VTCT / NVQ Level 2 Qualified

     

Acrylics (pink & white, glitter & colour) Shellac gel (14 day manicure) Minx foils (toes last 4+ weeks) Freehand nail art Manicure Pedicure

 

Minx pamper parties Princess pamper parties (Party bags, glitter tattoos, nail art & stickers) Ladies pamper nights (nails, hair & beauty)



All prices include nail art, 3D designs, flowers & bows etc.

Special Offer Full sets £20 Infill£15 Minx toes £13 Shellac gel £15

Check out my Facebook page for up to date offers & examples of my work. www.facebook.com/clairesclaws or www.clairesclaws.vpweb.co.uk

     

FREE CONSULTATION PROFESSIONAL & PERSONABLE APPROACH PLANNING & BUILDING REG. APPLICATIONS TENDER & CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION NEW BUILDS & EXTENSIONS ALTERATION, RENOVATION & REFURBISHMENT

Sarah Coughlan BA(Hons)Arch Pg.Dip(Plym) RIBA

(E) sarahcoughlan@studio‐c‐architects.com (W)www.studio‐c‐architects. com (T) 01920 413 302

S T U D I O C A R C H I T E C T S

RIBA

ANTIQUES RESTORATION Over 30Years Experience All Repairs, Inc. Modern, Polishing Fully Insured, Free Estimates, No V.A.T.

Tel: 01920 821973

e.mail. peter.worby@tesco.net www.peterworby.co.uk January 2012

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

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village life

Saturday 21st Jan 1pm - 3pm

Take a Break…

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

What’s on in JANUARY First Aid Course for Parents at Fleetville Community Centre, Royal Road, Fleetville, St Albans, 72 AL1 4QL ABC Life Support provides First Aid Courses primarily for Parents, Carers and People in the Childcare profession. Cost; £20 per student with accompanying first aid booklet and Certification. Contact Danielle Bruce on 01438 726666 or Info@abclifesupport.co.uk, www.abclifesupport.co.uk

Tuesday 24 January 7.30pm Brendan Cole – LIVE AND UNJUDGED at the Alban Arena St Albans Brendan’s mischievous personality will host you, while onstage his 14 piece band will captivate you with their song renditions. Don’t miss your chance to see some of the Ballroom magic created on Strictly first hand by one of its most charismatic choreographers and performers.

He’ll have you dancing in your seat and bursting with the excitement of dance that is gripping the nation! Box Office: 01727 844 488

Saturday 28th Jan 7.45pm “Blake” at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage Superstar vocalists ‘BLAKE’ return with their spectacular 2012 show featuring the most uplifting and romantic love songs of all time, plus exclusive new material from their hugely anticipated 4th album, all mixed together with their famously humorous observations on life, love and music. Prepare to laugh, cry and be amazed by BLAKE. Box Office – 01438 894540

Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd January 2012, 11am-5 pm

across 1. between the seats in a theatre (5) 4. young fowl (5) 7. may be exposed at low tide (8) 8. in sheep’s clothing? (4) 9. these are left at the end (8) 11. ready for harvesting (4) 12. shun (6) 14. items of ownership (6) 16. deep natural hollow (4) 18. liver map (anag) (8) 20. glimpse (4) 21. manner of speaking (8) 23. on strike in 1984? (5) 24. swim (5)

doWn 1. flowering shrub of the rhododendron genus (7) 2. portable, enclosed chair mounted on poles (5) 3. 7th letter of the Greek alphabet (3) 4. someone from Karachi (9) 5. spud row (anag) (7) 6. spring flower (5) 10. read on the train? (9) 13. joyful, carefree (7) 15. instalment (7) 17. racecourse (5) 19. praise (5) 22. tease (3)

SUDOKU SUDOKU

Big garden Birdwatch at rye Meads nature reserve, rye road, Stanstead abbots, Sg12 8JS Big Garden Bird watch. From 2pm - 3pm each there will be a talk showing you some of the birds that you might see, answering any questions, looking at feeders and doing a test birdwatch! Booking is required (£1 for RSPB members, £3 for non-members, tea and coffee is included).

The trail will be available all weekend during opening hours; you do not need to book and you can pop along any time during the weekend!

Sat 4th Feb 7.30pm isabel Hospice Big Band night In aid of Isabel Hospice. to be held at Chancellors School, Pine Grove, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7BN. More information to follow. get Your event listed for free here, email: mail@villagelifemag.com or call us on 01438 216 950 22

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

health focus

Hertfordshire Action on Disability (HAD) Delivering a Helping Hand to Older and Disabled People

H

AD is a Charity and Social Enterprise based in Welwyn Garden City which has been helping disabled and older people throughout Hertfordshire for more than fifty years. They believe that disabled people have an absolute right to an independent life, with freedom to pursue whatever lifestyle they have chosen.

All Services provided by HAD are designed to maintain dignity and enhance independence and are based on discussions with disabled people on what helps them maintain a normal life.

There is An Equipment Assessment Centre offering impartial assessments on almost any product from cutlery to chairs, beds to bath lifts; ensuring no one buys products that are unsuitable, unhelpful and most importantly unsafe to use. 12,000 people visited the Equipment Centre last year!

HAD understand that getting to them may not always be an option so they have recently launched a brand new website www.hadnet.org.uk with an online shop to make things easier. Do take a look and make use of the comprehensive buying guides and advice. HAD is now selling disability products from the south coast to the Shetland Islands!

A 24 hour Accessible Transport Service provides one-off and regular journeys for work, doctor’s appointments, shopping and leisure trips.They will quote for any journey, any where at any time. Just one call ensures people are January 2012

not alone and isolated. Last year this service made 11,500 passenger journeys! There is also a Self-Drive hire service offering the use of a vehicle for longer periods.

For most people being able to drive is a given, but for many older and disabled people it means personal freedom and independence. HAD has a Driving Centre in Welwyn Garden City, providing driving assessments, tuition, transfer assessments as well as a vehicle appraisals and conversion advice. So if you have never been on the road or perhaps wish to return to driving, their friendly team of assessors will be able to help. Earlier this year a Driving Centre customer Craig Hazle, from Inverness in Scotland, made a 1,000 mile round trip for a driving assessment at the Welwyn Garden City HQ! If you find yourself not knowing where to turn for help and advice you can contact HAD, if their Information and Advice service doesn’t have the answer, they will help you find it. Last year they answered 30,000 telephone queries!

There has been much publicity about the Government cuts and how they are affecting us all. HAD has received a 100% funding cut over the next 2 years. But fear not they are working hard to secure their future so that they can continue to help people.There is also another large group of people we must not forget‌.the family, friends and carers.These individuals sometimes dedicate their whole lives to caring for others. So, if you are this person they are also there to help you too.

If you wish to find out more or support HAD in their work, please contact them on 01707 324581, email info@hadnet.org.uk, write to The Woodside Centre, The Commons, Welwyn Garden City Herts, AL7 4DD. Or better still go and visit them and have a cup of tea!

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

23

village life

PAH Tiling & Property Services

Wedding Disco Specialists Tailored Wedding Discos providing the perfect end to your day.

• Pre-event meeting • Large Music Collection • State-of-the-Art Sound & Light Show • Background Music throughout the day • Ceremony Music • Can act as your MC • Wireless Mircophones for Speeches • Not an agency

l

All types of tiling undertaken

l

Laminate flooring fitted

l

Supply & fit or fit only

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Floors repaired

l

Property Maintenance

Professional, Reliable Service

Call Jose on 01438 220 558 07734 387 478 www.mjsevents.com

Call Paul on 07944 126 207 pahtilingltd@hotmail.com

JS Events 0511 QP.indd 1

13/04/2011 15:01

Isabella’s Beauty Beauty at affordable prices

I&B Electrical

Waxing, Massage, Manicures & Pedicures

Free Quotes & Competitive Prices Periodic Inspections (Landlord Certificate) PAT Testing Additional Lights & Sockets Rewires & Fuse Boxes Security Lighting

Special occasions, hen parties, birthdays, weddings & pamper parties!

Testimonials available on our website All work tested by our registered NAPIT Engineer

Gift vouchers also available on request Home visits at “yours or mine”

Call now Day Time: 07861 398288 Evening: 01707 262771 Email: info@ib-electrical.co.uk

WWW.ib-electrical.co.uk 24

Call Jo Manzo: 07960 980317 or email: isabellasbeauty@hotmail.com for further information and prices

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950 Isabellas Beauty QP 1010.indd 1

January 2012

27/09/2010 11:23

hints & tips

Dog Training Tips

Photography Tips flash

Socialising your puppy

I

n the early weeks ensure that your puppy has pleasant encounters with a wide range of adults, children and other animals. Make sure that you control the situations and do not overwhelm the young pup. Keep sessions short and always finish on a good note.When introducing your puppy to other dogs it is important to be selective, please do remember that dogs do not have any concept of size until it hits them. It is important that your puppy experiences as many different types of dogs as possible but under the owners control in order to prevent dangerous situations from occurring. Dogs that spend time with other dogs usually make good socialisation candidates, but do remember we are bringing packs together, something that does not happen daily in a natural setting.

If you are unsure on socialising your puppy with other dogs then book on to a professional socialisation session.

Ask your breeder or the previous owners what exactly your puppy has been exposed to previously.

Then get to work, you do not have to wait until the pup has had its second vaccination.You may carry your puppy to the school gates, friends house’s (without other dogs until vaccinated), on short journeys etc. A puppy must enjoy human contact, be comfortable with a wide range of people and within a variety of environments.

The puppy must also learn that he/she is not the unit but rather part of it.The owner must lead the way, control situations and show the puppy the world.

For further information call Adem Fehmi at Dog Ease on 07957 284 406 or visit www.dog-ease.co.uk January 2012

U

sing flash especially with compact cameras is a bad, bad thing and should be outlawed by the EU.All joking aside, the problem with flash is that light coming from a few centimeters from the lens, leads to the ever-dreaded red eye which is light bouncing back from the eyeball.

The photo can also look flat and lifeless, with all those unflattering features being revealed to the world due to lack of shadows. If you’ve got fair skin you’re in real trouble, as direct flash, especially if the camera is close to you, can make you look even fairer, sometimes white as the shot can become overexposed.

Granted compact cameras are perfect if you’re out with your friends and fancy taking some cheeky photos of the evening, but it doesn’t all have to be flat, lifeless, overexposed nastiness.

One tip is to stand further back and zoom in, increasing the distance between the flash and subject.

This can reduce the harshness of the direct flash and give the light a chance to bounce off walls and ceilings, which can bring some shadows back into play.This can also reduce red eye as the light isn’t so direct.

The example shown was taken in a bedroom using flash, granted it wasn’t taken with a compact camera, but the flash used was bounced off the wall to the left.This is a good example of how flash can be a lovely thing when given the chance to bounce or given distance to diffuse.

You can also try to put some opaque tape over the flash making the light softer and more diffuse that way.

For more information contact David Horder on 07786 616 022 or visit www.lensflairdigital.co.uk

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

25

shoWcase

garDEn MainTEnancE

£15 Hourly

COMPUTER PROBLEMS

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Codicote Online 0610.indd 1

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GOT YOU

10/05/2010 18:41

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Looking for a business opportunity with a low start up cost?

Go to: www.workwithjose.com Leaflet Delivery Available Would you like your leaflet to be delivered with Village Life to Tewin, Oaklands, Datchworth, Woolmer Green, Digswell, Watton at Stone, Burnham Green, Bulls Green & Harmer Green?

Cost £40 per 1,000 or £175 for 5,000

Call Melanie on 01438 216 950 26

Village Life | www.villagelifemag.com | tel: 01438 216950

January 2012

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