August 2018 - Stockton on Tees by My Local Magazine Middlesbrough & Stockton on Tees

My Local Magazine ®

Issue 87 | August 2018 | The BEST of Stockton’s Business, News, Reviews and To-Do’s

Local Stories | Local Businesses | Gardening | Car Reviews Health & Beauty | Home

Inside… Bathroom Basics Drowning in Documents Heritage Open Days History of Suffrage

distributed by GPS Leaﬂet Distribution

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 1

Keep Me for 2 Months

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

02/08/2018 11:07:47

Helping Families Cope – A guide for those caring for a loved one living with dementia While there is no cure, there is care Dementia affects over 850,000 in the UK and over 8,500 in the Cleveland area and the figure is growing at an unprecedented rate according to the Alzheimers Society.These are not just more alarming statistics: these numbers represent each one of thousands of families with loved ones who require special care and support to help them live fulfilling lives whilst living with their dementia. Dementia is progressive and is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases or strokes. There are over 100 different types of dementia, the most well-known being Alzheimers; Dementia with Lewy Bodies or maybe Vascular Dementia. It is important to know that if you suspect someone close to you has signs of having dementia, that you encourage them to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. Dementia usually progresses through stages and an early diagnosis means you can help

your loved one by understanding how their particular condition may develop. At Home Instead Senior Care, we have developed a unique dementia training programme for our Caregivers which is accredited by City & Guilds and focuses on the home care environment. The training helps our Caregivers to provide the best quality care possible for our clients. We know that living with someone with dementia can

feel stressful and challenging for the family as well as for the person with the condition and so we offer to share the key learning from our training with family members to make this difficult time an easier journey for everyone. Over the years Home Instead Senior Care has helped thousands of families to take care of loved ones who have signs, symptoms or a diagnosis of dementia. As specialists in dementia care for people who live at home (usually the best place as they are surrounded by familiarity), we are recognised as a valued and trusted solution to help your loved one maintain their independence at home for as long as they are able to. Our dementia care expertise along with our relationship-centred approach enables our Caregivers to provide personalised care that: • Helps you loved one remain safe and calm at home • Builds confidence and encourages engagement • Ensures nutritious meals and mealtime activities are encouraging healthy eating • Provides opportunities for social interaction • Prompts stimulating activities • Builds self-esteem and enhances physical strength • Supports the family to help you take a rest and enjoy some respite time from your caring duties. For further information on our services and to access the free guides on Coping with Alzheimers and Other Dementias please visit our website: www.homeinstead.co.uk/cleveland You will find plenty of information and also access to training videos in the Information and Resources section beneath the free guide on Protecting the Elderly from Fraud. Contact us on 01642 309650.

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 2

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:07:50

Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we The company, based locally, say and make sure the house offers homeowners the opis spotless when we leave, portunity to maximise their and Value in that we offer storage space with a loft our services at a price people ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding can afford. Our business and a light all fully fitted in relies on referrals and we got less than a day from just a huge amount of our calls £277 + VAT. But it’s not just from people who have been the affordability of the pack- referred to us by our existing age the company offers that customers - that simply makes Yorkshire Loft Ladwouldn’t happen if we didn’t ders stand out as manager adhere to our overriding Mark Hodson explains: principles. These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in.

‘Our watchwords are Quality, Integrity and Value.

lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’ So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however

big or small, call Mark on 0800 612 8359 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 3

02/08/2018 11:07:51

Metallic Elements Aluminium Cadmium Calcium Chromium Cobalt Copper Erbium Gallium Gold Iridium Iron Lead

Lithium Mercury Nickel Plutonium Radium Rhodium Silver

Sodium Thorium Tin Titanium Uranium Zinc

Find the words associated with metallic elements in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 4

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:07:53

EDITOR’S LETTER

August 2018 Welcome to My Local Magazines. Now that all the end of term exams are finished, and summer is finally here. We can now enjoy the months ahead. Now is the time to start thinking about all of those jobs we have been putting off, due to the recent inclement weather. Before we know it, it will be October and another year has passed us by. The back pages are full of trades and services people whom I sure will be able to help you. Many of the tradespeople in the magazine we have at some point performed work around our home. If you ever need a recommendation, please feel free to give me a call. I may be able to steer you in the right direction.

changed our editorial recently with some handy beauty tips? This month I particularly like the article on “Helping families cope with dementia”. I’m sure you will know, or someone close may have been recently diagnosed. Lastly, if you are on a staycation, check out our Heritage Open Days article. We are not short of things to do in Teesside, with these handy tips might make summers days a little better. Best Wishes

@mylocalmag /mylocalmagazine

CONTENTS

You may have noticed that we have

Features Small Spaces

Recipe

Bathroom Basics

Books

Motoring

Health

History of Suffrage

Jeremy Middleton Managing Director T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265 475 E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk W: www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk My Local Magazines Ltd, Office 4, Walker House, 3rd Floor, High Street Stockton on Tees TS18 1BG My Local Magazine does not endorse any advertisement within this publication. My Local Magazine cannot be held responsible for breach of copyright arising from publication artwork supplied. It is the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure conformity with the Trades Description Act 1975 Business Advertisement Disclosure Order 1977 and The Consumer Act 1974. Reproduction of this magazine is in any way is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use any of the advertisements or content within this publication, please contact Jeremy Middleton 01642 924847 While we, the publisher take great care to be accurate, no liability will be accepted under any circumstances should any of the contents of this publication be incorrect.

Sort out your Bathroom Storage 18 Drowning in Documents

Finance

Heritage Open Days

Technology

Short Story

Travel

Gardening

Struggling with dentures? We can help Can you eat with conﬁdence? Are you happy with how they look? Are you embarrased to smile? Chris Egan GDC 119949

will not only treat you personally in clinic, but he’ll also carefully handcraft your dentures from start to ﬁnish.

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 5

02/08/2018 11:08:05

Small spaces Making the most of kids’ bedrooms

co.uk and N&N Furniture Bargains on Facebook.

Kate Duggan: www.kateduggan.co.uk

Lots of beds are available as a ‘shorty’. These are shorter than normal beds and will usually fit a child up until age ten or eleven.

Kids’ bedrooms have to tick a lot of boxes.They need to provide plenty of storage space for toys, clothes, books and games, plus a bed and enough space to play.That can be challenging when a room is roughly the size of a broom cupboard, but it can be done… Beds with storage When you don’t have much floor space, the key is to make the most of the space you have vertically. Mid and high-sleepers and cabin beds are ideal for smaller bedrooms. Sleepers tend to be bed frames with taller legs. They often come with furniture that fits underneath, or you can add your own. Cabin beds typically have more built-in storage.This Vox Nest Kids Cabin Bed is fully customisable.The frame is £695 from www.cuckooland. com, which includes some shelves, and you can add organisers, pull-out drawers, a desk, pull-out wardrobe and more. Budget-friendly cabin beds can be picked up from www.mrsflatpack.

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 6

Storage solutions Children’s clothes usually don’t need that much hanging space, so the bottom of wardrobes is often wasted or used as a dumping ground. If you’re buying new, look for a wardrobe that includes shelves or drawers. If you already have a wardrobe, see whether you can fit an extra rail, squeeze in a small cupboard or add some large storage bags or boxes. Don’t have space for a standard wardrobe? Built-in wardrobes can be expensive, but simple hanging rails can often be fitted into alcoves quite easily.They start from just a few pounds in Ikea. If you’re struggling to fit everything in, vacuum pack seasonal clothes to store in the loft until they’re needed. Try to utilise wasted space as much as possible. For a start, add a hanging organiser to the back of the bedroom

door.While they’re often designed for shoes, they’re perfect for dolls, action figures and teddies, or socks, tights, pants and vests.You could also look at fitting a shelf above the door to store games that don’t get used very often. In a small room, every item of furniture really needs to pull its weight. Look for multi-purpose furniture, such as a chair that can pull out into a bed for sleepovers, or a toy chest with a pull-out drawer (rather than a lift-up lid), so your child can use the top as a seat or for extra storage. Toy hammocks can be strung between corners to keep teddies within sight. Hanging mesh organisers can also be useful, but you need to be careful that air can circulate around the entire thing, otherwise walls and toys can get mouldy.They’re also not ideal for children who might try swinging on them, as you could end up with a ceiling that’s missing a large chunk of plaster!

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:06

Doughnuts Home-made doughnuts are easier to make than you may think! Serve warm rolled in sugar with chocolate sauce to dip for an extra-special sweet treat. They are best eaten on the day of making. Makes 16 | Ready in 1 hour (plus proving time) 175ml milk 25g butter 350g strong plain flour, plus extra for dusting and kneading ½ tsp salt 1½ tsp easy-blend dried yeast 75g caster sugar

minutes.

1 medium egg, beaten Vegetable oil for deep frying Chocolate sauce, warmed, for dipping (optional) 1 Place the milk and butter in a small saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted. Cool for 5

2 Sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the salt, yeast and 25g of the caster sugar. Pour in the milk mixture and beaten egg and mix to a soft dough. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-6 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour if needed.

3 Place the dough in a bowl, cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Line 2 large baking sheets with baking paper. 4 Knock back the dough and divide and shape into 16 balls. Place, well spaced, on the baking sheets and cover with lightly oiled cling film. Leave in a warm place for 15-20 minutes until puffy. 5 Half fill a large deep pan with vegetable oil and heat to 180°C/350°F, or until a cube of bread dropped in the hot fat browns in 30 seconds. Fry the doughnuts, 4-5 at a time, for 1-2 minutes on each side or until puffed and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. 6 Spread the rest of the sugar on a flat plate and roll each hot doughnut in the sugar to coat. Serve warm with chocolate sauce to dip. Tip For jam-filled doughnuts, place 3tbsp raspberry jam in a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle. Insert the tip of a knife into each doughnut and twist to make a hole. Push the tip of the nozzle in the hole and pipe about 1tsp of jam into each doughnut.

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 7

02/08/2018 11:08:11

Bathroom Basics Pure and simple or luxuriously ornate, your bathroom can be a practical and indulgent haven. When planning a bathroom, practicalities must come first, but with thought and inspiration from books, magazines and websites, you can create a room that reflects your style as well as being warm and welcoming, clean and calm. Think about who will use the room, how often and when, and consider the fittings you want. Sketch the room to scale on squared paper, indicating the positions of windows, doors, radiators and pipes, and allow generous space to move around in. Avoid moving pipes if possible to reduce installation costs. Plan out the electrics, marking the position of light fittings (which must be wet-rated) and perhaps a shaver socket/toothbrush charger. Shallow false walls can hide cables and pipework, while underfloor heating frees up wall space as no radiator is needed. Finally, work out what is possible given your budget and available space.

Bathroom fittings come in a multitude of styles and prices, but simplicity is often best; if on a tight budget, invest most in moving parts such as shower doors and taps. Include plenty of free-standing or built-in storage. Go to showrooms and stand in the shower, climb into the bath and sit on the loo – you’ll be using them daily for years so they must be comfortable and well made. Check products conform to British or European standards and what guarantee is on offer. Baths The more you pay, the more variety there is. A standard bath is a 1700x700mm rectangle, but there are double-ended, corner and free-standing baths. Acrylic is most common but baths made from stone, wood, copper or glass are available.

Showers The three key features are flow control, thermostatic control and easy cleaning. More costly models may include constant temperature control, a hot water safety limiter, cool housing, watersaving, adjustable sprays and easyclean functions. Basins Options include the traditional ceramic pedestal style model, winged, semi-pedestal, counter-top or wall-hung. WCs Choices include basic pan and cistern loos, the close-coupled style (where the pan and cistern are in one seamless unit), a back-to-wall WC where the cistern is hidden behind a false wall or furniture, or a contemporary, wall-hung type. Wet rooms A wet room is simply a waterproof, walk-in shower area with a drain in the floor, a drenching shower head and – sometimes – a glass screen. Spacious, stylish and luxurious, wet rooms can have pitfalls, especially if not on the ground floor. To prevent leaks, their walls and floors must be made completely watertight by covering with sheeting or sealant, and you need a suitable drainage slope (or a preformed tray), high water pressure and – to prevent condensation and mould – excellent ventilation. Words Katherine Sorrell

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 8

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:16

Books to make you think

Kate Duggan The Salt Path – Raynor Winn Raynor and her husband Moth lost their farm just days after finding out that Moth was suffering from an incurable, life-limiting illness.With no money and nowhere to live, the couple made the decision to walk the South West Coast Path – 630 miles through Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.The Salt Path is the true story of that walk – the challenges Raynor and Moth faced, the people they met and the things they learnt along the way. Once – Morris Gleitzman Morris Gleitzman’s series follows a Jewish boy called Felix in Poland during the Second World War. Felix runs away from an orphanage in search of his

parents, who disappeared several years before. Along the way, he befriends a girl called Zelda, and receives help from various people he meets. As you’d expect, the story is harrowing at times, but it’s also funny, uplifting and impossible to put down.This one will stay with you for a very long time. The Dark Between Stars: Poems – Atticus Atticus has become something of a social media sensation over the last couple of years. His latest book,The Dark Between Stars, is out this month. The poems cover themes such as living with purpose, loneliness, and the highs and lows of a life well-lived. Each poem is just a few lines long (some are a single line) and many of them are illustrated or accompanied by a photograph. Several of Atticus’s poems

are also available at www.instagram. com/atticuspoetry. Fantastically Great Women Who Made History – Kate Pankhurst A follow-on from Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, this children’s book includes stories about a diverse range of women, from Boudicca to Harriet Tubman.The tales are engaging, fun to read and brought to life with colourful illustrations. Each story only takes a few minutes to read, so this is a perfect book to read with your child at bedtime.You might just learn something new yourself. Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found – Cheryl Strayed Wild became an international bestseller back in 2013, and was made into a film adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon. If you missed both, add the book to your wish list today. After losing her mother at 22, Cheryl fell into a downward spiral that saw her cheating on her husband and taking hard drugs. She ended up packing a backpack and setting off on a 1,100 mile hike from Mexico to Canada. Along the way she both found her way ‘back to the person I used to be’ and discovered the adult she wanted to become. Papier notebook – www.papier.com Everyone needs a space to put their thoughts down, whether it’s for a simple to-do list, a gratitude diary, or ideas for a novel.Trello, Evernote and Hemingway are useful online resources, but if you prefer putting pen to paper, you can’t beat a notebook from Papier. More than 400 designs are available to choose from, each of which can be personalised with your name and the purpose of the book.

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 9

02/08/2018 11:08:17

How to make your Conservatory Feel like a Proper Room

If you’ve ever tried to use your conservatory in the winter, you’ll know that it can feel like a cold, damp and dismal part of the house. In all the glossy conservatory sales catalogues, the sun is always shining, the garden is blooming and everyone is having fun being in the bright and clean ‘new room’. The reality is that most conservatories are too hot to use in comfort in the summer, and certainly too cold to use in the winter. Condensation can be a problem in the winter, and it’s too bright to watch a tv in there in the summer. And when it rains, the noise can be deafening! Most conservatories have been built as temporary structures and usually as a less expensive alternative to an extension. This means that they don’t comply with the building regulations that an extension would have to do especially in terms of the thermal efficiency. The team at local specialists Inceil talk to homeowners every day

“no

who want to be able to use their conservatory all year round and not on the handful of days when the temperature is just right! Their cost-effective solution is to fit an insulated ceiling fitted to the existing roof structure in just 1 or 2 days. The new plastered ceiling follows the contours of the existing roof and uses the most thermally dynamic insulation available. Your conservatory will feel like a proper room with a better temperature year round. And you don’t have to do anything to the external roof. It’s important when having any works done that you are happy with the people working in your home. Customers frequently comment on how polite and friendly everyone is in the Inceil team – and that they cleaned up when they had finished! On the Inceil informative website www.inceil.co.uk you can watch

an installation video which shows exactly how the process works, and request a free survey and quote. Or give them a call on 01904 891936. In just one or two days, your conservatory can be transformed into a comfortable and usable part of your home.

Is your conservatory too HOT in the summer and too COLD in the winter? There is a solution…

Call 01904 891936 now to arrange a FREE quote and survey.

U VE P TO SA

80%

HE AT

Affordable, effective and fitted in just 2 days.

SS LO

IN WINTER

Conservatory Insulation System www.inceil.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 10

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:20

• • •

We have dry cleaned carpets & upholstery in 100’s of homes

Imagine

Dry Carpet Cleaning

“no soggy carpets or wet dog smell in your home”

You dry c will leani ng sy our stem !

Special Offer Get Main Room Cleaned

• Spills & spots - gone • Smells & odours - removed • Deep cleans & lifts carpet pile

save

50%

on all further rooms + Free Stain Guard

We also clean... Upholstery

Hard Floors with Anti Slip Coating Wooden Floors

Before

Leather & Fabric

with super fast drying

After

Tiles inc Grout • Stone Karndean & Amtico

Sandless Wooden Floor Restoration

Locally based

You can call us on

0800 6444 350 zerodrytime.com

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 11

02/08/2018 11:08:20

History’s Most Famous Hybrids Hybrids have been around since just after the Big Bang, and since then matter has been combining into hybrids – at first to form atoms, then elements and compounds and the building blocks of life. Hybrids are all around us, and even inside us – humans are 60 per cent water, itself a hybrid. Some hybrids have even changed the world… CENTAUR These half-human, halfhorse hybrids were dreamed up by the Ancient Greeks, probably as a reaction to their first encounters with nomads on horseback. PIZZLY BEAR Found in zoos since the Eighties, this cross between polar bears and grizzlies was found in the wild in 2006, with DNA tests confirming it was a hybrid: white like a polar bear but with a grizzly’s face, along with brown paws and big claws. TOYOTA PRIUS It’s over 20 years since Toyota launched the Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle and one of the most important cars of all time.When it first came along, few thought that – one day – even supercars would be fuelled by a mixture of petrol and batteries.The Prius, now in

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 12

its fourth generation, has sold over four million units. BLOODHOUND SSC The Bloodhound SSC, the 1,000mph car, combines a jet engine with a cluster of rockets. In all, it has about 135,000 thrust horsepower, more than eight times the power of all the cars on the F1 grid combined. It will need 40 litres of rocket oxidiser for every second of its top speed run in South Africa next year. WATER At 1,260 trillion million litres, water is the world’s most abundant compound (a chemical hybrid of two or more elements). Only 2.5% of this is fresh water, and in a 100-year period, a single water molecule spends 98 years in the sea, 20 months as ice, about two weeks in lakes and rivers, and less than a week in the atmosphere. CHIMERA EMBRYO In genetics, a chimera is a hybrid organism with cells from two different species, such as pigs and people. It’s controversial, but edited animal embryos can be used to host human organs for vital transplant operations, rather than having to wait for a donor. PUGGLE The Puggle – designed to fit in a handbag – is the comedy hybrid of

a Beagle and a Pug. Other designer dogs include labradoodles, horgis, cockapoos and schnoodles. TREE OF 40 FRUIT The Tree of 40 Fruit is an arboreal artwork created by American art professor Sam Van Aken, who grafts buds from various fruit trees onto a single ‘stock’ tree. The tree grows branches from its different donors, each bearing a unique fruit, including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines and cherries. LEXUS LS500h Soon every car will feature hybrid or electric technology, and already carmakers such as Lexus and Soon every car will feature hybrid or electric technology, and already carmakers such as Lexus and Toyota have a hybrid-electric version of almost every model in their showroom. 99 per cent of Lexus’s UK sales are petrolelectric hybrids, such as the new LS500h, an executive saloon with limousine-like luxury. It has the first multi-stage hybrid system, featuring a 3.5-litre V6 combined with clever electric motors.The best of both worlds? That’s what hybrids are all about.

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:23

Men, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Suicide is on the rise worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, it’s the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds and nearly 800,000 people die due to suicide every year; that’s one suicide every 40 seconds.There are also around 20 times as many failed attempts. These worrying statistics make World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th more important than ever – but there are steps we can take to tackle the problem. Suicide Risk Factors Men are at significantly higher risk than women and suicide is the leading cause of death among men under 50. Statistics from The British Psychological Society show that men aged 20-29 and 40-49 are most at risk. The Movember Foundation, which works to raise awareness of men’s health issues, has concluded that men’s reluctance to openly discuss their health and feelings or take action when they’re unwell, coupled with the stigmas still surrounding mental health, are two of the chief reasons why men’s life expectancy remains significantly lower than women’s. The damaging stereotype of the physically and mentally ‘tough’ ‘real man’ is to blame for much of men’s reluctance to express their feelings and seek help, as they fear being labelled weak. The biggest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt, but what drives people to attempt it? The WHO points out that while there are clear links between suicide and mental disorders (including alcohol use disorders), many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. A trauma, relationship break-up, financial problems or chronic pain and illness can cause high levels of stress that may suddenly overwhelm us and seem too much to cope with. Experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are also strongly associated

with suicidal behaviour, and suicide rates are also high amongst groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees, migrants, indigenous peoples, prisoners and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. So, what can we do to prevent suicide on a personal level and as a society? Suicide Prevention • We need to tackle discrimination and damaging stereotypes. The boy who is brought up to believe he mustn’t cry or admit he’s stressed; the girl who hides her true sexual orientation because she’s grown up hearing gay people ridiculed; the migrant shunned by work colleagues – they’re all at higher risk of isolation and depression, and so at higher risk of suicide. It can be tough to tackle this kind of discrimination among family, friends and colleagues, but it’s important we do so. • We need to tackle the stigmas surrounding mental health.We can do this by challenging negative attitudes and ensuring that in our words and actions, we treat mental illness as just as valid and important as physical illness, acknowledging how closely they are related. Maggie Warrell, founder of Global Courage, recently wrote for Forbes about losing her brother to suicide and the role we must all play in tackling it. “If people felt as comfortable talking about their PTSD, bipolar or anxiety as they did talking about their eczema or tennis elbow, it would markedly reduce the suffering of those with mental illness and the ability of those around them to support them.” • We need to encourage people, especially men, to express their feelings, seek help with mental health issues and be more aware of the dangers of alcohol and its misuse. Depression and alcohol-related disorders need to be identified and treated as

early as possible. “The tragedy of suicide is preventable,” states The British Psychological Society. “Early identification and effective action can get people the care they need.” • We need to pay closer attention to those around us. Many suicide victims were reportedly ‘fine’ just days or even hours before ending their lives, so we should look out for warning signs. If we fear someone we know may be contemplating suicide, we need to get help on their behalf – and take the horribly practical but essential measure of removing, as much as possible, any potential means for suicide, be that a stockpile of pills or a means to fatally injure themselves. If you are struggling with a crisis or a mental health issue, do get help. It may feel like your pain will never end, but things can get better, as bestselling author and depression sufferer Matt Haig reminds us in Reasons to Stay Alive. “Smaller than you. Always it is smaller than you, even when it feels vast. It operates within you; you do not operate within it. It may be a dark cloud passing across the sky, but… you are the sky. You were there before it. And the cloud can’t exist without the sky, but the sky can exist without the cloud.” Useful Info Samaritans: www.samaritans.org call 116 123, open 24/7 every day Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men www.thecalmzone.net 0800 58 58 58 open 5pm midnight every day Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive, Canongate Books. Many people who have suffered depression and/or contemplated suicide credit this book for helping them through crises.

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 13

02/08/2018 11:08:23

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 14

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:24

The History of Suffrage This year marks the centenary of the first Representation of the People Act. We all know something about Emmeline Pankhurst and her suffragettes but how did a movement that changed the course of history begin? After years of battle by the suffragette movement in which women were routinely arrested, assaulted and even lost their lives, in 1918, legislation was passed giving 8.4 million property-owning women aged over 30 a vote. However, many working-class women continued to be excluded. It wasn’t until 1928, with the second Representation of the People Act, that this right was extended to all women over 21. The story begins in 1865 when The Kensington Society formed a committee to head a petition for the enfranchisement of women, which MP John Stuart Mill, a champion of women’s rights, agreed to present to Parliament. By 1866 there were nearly 1,500 signatures, including Florence Nightingale, but the petition was outvoted and the whole notion ridiculed. In 1868, the first public meeting to discuss women’s suffrage took place in Manchester. Led by Dr Richard Pankhurst and others, 15-yearold Emmeline Goulder was in the audience. She went on to marry Dr Pankhurst and become the woman who would take suffrage to the next level. By 1903, women had been campaigning peacefully but unsuccessfully for the right to vote in England for 50 years, so Emmeline Pankhurst founded the militant organisation WSPU. A breakaway group from the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, originally founded by Milicent Fawcett to encourage peaceful protest, the WSPU’s motto was ‘Deeds not Words’, which

reflected their decision to turn to direct physical confrontation, even if that broke the law, to get their message across. Emmeline encouraged suffragettes to learn jiu jitsu to defend themselves in the inevitable skirmishes that occurred with the police and public. Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, coeditor of the suffrage magazine Votes for Women, came up with the three colours that went on to define the movement: violet representing loyalty, white purity and green hope. One of the first confrontations was in 1905 between Christabel Pankhurst (Emmeline’s eldest daughter) and Annie Kenney with young Liberal politicians Winston Churchill and Sir Edward Grey. The women went to prison. In prison, women who went on hunger strike were force-fed. After a public outcry, Prime Minister

Herbert Asquith introduced what became known as the ‘Cat and Mouse Act’. Force-feeding was stopped but at the point when it looked as though the women might die in prison, they were released – with the ‘bonus’ that they were too ill to take part in campaigning and demonstrations. In 1914, the year after suffragette Emily Davison was killed by the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby, World War One broke out. Emmeline decreed that there was to be no more militant activism while women helped with the war effort. The suffragettes had many supporters, including men. 5.4 million working class men also benefitted from the 1918 Representation of the People Act. Before this, men who did not own property were not allowed to vote either. By Catherine Rose

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 15

02/08/2018 11:08:25

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 16

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:29

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 17

02/08/2018 11:08:32

Sort out your bathroom storage Well-organised storage is vital to a bathroom that’s both practical and beautiful.

BOX: GET SAVVY WITH STORAGE • Commission a joiner to make floor and wall cabinets that fit perfectly into your space – a great solution for storing toiletries, spare towels, cleaning products and so on, keeping surfaces completely clear. Add shelves in convenient places for objects you’re happy to display. • Alternatively, consider free-standing options such as cupboards, chests, towel ladders and wheeled racks. Slimline pieces are ideal for smaller rooms. All sorts of furnishings from other areas of the house can be made use of, provided they won’t suffer from a damp atmosphere. • A vanity unit below the washbasin is an excellent choice to hide belongings from view. Designs range from sleek and minimal to charmingly rustic; opt for a style that both suits your room and offers the largest amount of storage space. • If you are redesigning the whole room, adding shallow false walls will allow you to conceal runs of pipes, but is also incredibly useful for building in shelves or slim cupboards. This is also possible when erecting a new shower wall, allowing you to create handy niches in which to store shampoos and soaps. • Finally, choose small storage items, from wicker baskets to crackleglazed pots or bright plastic tubs, with care, so that they co-ordinate and create impact with colour, pattern and texture. 1. Mezza round oak caddy, £144, Abode Living. 2. L Cube furniture collection, price varies, Duravit. 3. 400mm shelf with chrome hangers, 18

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 18

from £115, Frontline Bathrooms. 4. First Aid wall cabinet, £55, Grace & Glory. 5. Umbra Cubiko wall mirror/storage unit, £80, Hurn & Hurn. 6. Izola Apothecary soap dish, £20, Henry Tibbs Ltd. 7. Raw oak towel ladder, £95, The Farthing. 8. Wash It laundry bag, £11.25, The Farthing. 9. D450 Gull Wing 600 unit with basin, £698, The Pure Bathroom Collection from Smiths Briten.

abodeliving.co.uk Duravit: 0845 5007 787; duravit.co.uk The Farthing: 07789 707 579; thefarthing.co.uk Frontline Bathrooms: 0845 470 2427; frontlinebathrooms.co.uk Grace & Glory: 01271 370 095; graceandgloryhome.co.uk Henry Tibbs Ltd: 028 9188 9121; henrytibbs.com Hurn & Hurn: 01603 559 250; hurnandhurn.com

STOCKISTS

The Pure Bathroom Collection from Smiths Briten: 0845 634 4321; purebathroomcollection.co.uk

Abode Living: 01273 621 116;

Katherine Sorrell

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:39

Drowning in documents? It’s time to free up your files Overstuffed filing drawers, bulging boxes of payslips, tax records and invoices that go back years. Sounds familiar? We’re all guilty of hoarding personal documents, many of them kept just in case we need to refer to them again in future. However, in many cases the paperwork we hold is probably so outdated that it’s not worth keeping. It’s hard to know exactly how long we’re supposed to keep our documents, and – when they are out of date – how to dispose of them safely. Here are some essential tips for handling and processing your personal documentation. Which documents should I keep, and for how long? The tips below are based on guidance provided by trusted organisations such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and HMRC, but there are no hard and fast rules. For instance, if you are self-employed and claiming expenses, you might need to keep some of your documents for a longer period. Bank, credit card and loan statements: according to moneysaving guru Martin Lewis, these should be retained for at least six years. However, he recommends keeping them as long as possible just in case there’s another mis-selling scandal, like the recent PPI affair. Utility bills: it’s probably worth holding on to these for 12 months, as this allows you to keep track of what you actually use. Receipts and warranties: you should keep hold of important receipts for six years, but warranties can be disposed of after the date they expire. Insurance documents: don’t throw old policy documents away if there’s a chance someone may make a retrospective claim against you. Alternatively, if your policy insured you against injury at work, you may

be able to claim after the policy has elapsed, provided you can prove your medical issue relates to the time in question. P45s and payslips: HMRC recommends that individuals keep tax-related paperwork such as payslips and P45s for at least twenty-two months from the end of the relevant tax year. Medical records: any documents you hold relating to your medical history should be kept indefinitely. Your GP will also hold this information but there may be times (for example, if you’re applying for travel insurance) when you’ll need dates and details of medical treatments. Personal documents: these include birth and marriage certificates, National Insurance certificates, court orders and decrees, deeds, copies of wills, share certificates, motor vehicle documents and mortgage papers. Such documents should be stored securely and kept forever. Don’t throw your identity out with the rubbish Earlier this year a concerned neighbour on the Doddington Estate in Wandsworth, London, stopped to film three people rifling through a refuse bin that contained letters and other paperwork. She reported this activity anonymously to the Daily Mail, warning: “I’ve seen people of all kinds going through the bins before, so I’ve become more and more concerned about this ... I want my friends and neighbours to be aware that this goes on and take the time to destroy any personal information from the letters they are throwing away.” Many criminals are prepared to scavenge through bins and even landfill sites to obtain personal data. Identity theft and incidents involving stolen bank details have become big business for fraudsters, and just one document with one person’s financial information can earn them thousands of pounds.

So what’s the best way to dispose of financial documents such as bank statements? Shredding: if you tear up a document by hand, the chances are that a criminal could still put it together like a jigsaw. Shredding is a much safer option and you can buy a cheap, hand-operated shredder from around £10.99 upwards. The safest types of shredder are the ‘cross-cut’ or ‘micro-cut’ varieties, which cut in two directions rather than one, but they are more expensive. If you have literally hundreds of documents to destroy, you could consider using a commercial shredding service, but be aware that most charge a minimum fee of around £80. Burning: incinerating your documents is a simple solution, but do bear in mind any local authority restrictions if you are planning to light a bonfire. Consider the fire risk and make sure your smoke doesn’t cause nuisance to neighbours. Soaking: you can destroy paper by mulching it in a bucket of water. When it dissolves it should be easy to tear it up, but make sure it’s reduced to an unreadable pulp before throwing it away. It’s ironic that in this digital age, when the ‘paperfree office’ should be a reality, we’re actually using more paper than ever, so by recycling your paper waste you are ultimately helping the environment. Tackling those piles of outdated paperwork will also create more space in your home, as well as ticking off another task on your ‘to do’ list. So what are you waiting for? Don’t delay, start sorting!

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 19

02/08/2018 11:08:42

How to Save and Make Money at University One of the trickiest but most important parts of university life is managing your money. Budgeting for food, clothes, nights out, books and study materials can be overwhelming at first, but there are ways you can help yourself. Here are a few tips to help you spend less, save more, and earn money at university, so you can stop worrying about finances and make the most of this precious time in your life. Ways to save money at university Make use of technology All you need is your mobile phone to save money as a university student. There are apps to help you save on food, that show you how to budget, and that keep an eye on your data usage. Keep your food costs down by making a list of your favourite ingredients, and an app will let you know the cheapest places to buy them locally.You can also track your expenses with a budgeting app. Just type in how much you spend

each day, and what you’ve bought – at the end of the month, a report gives you a round-up of where your money is going, so you can adjust your spending if necessary. Learn how to cook Learning how to cook from scratch is a valuable skill for life, but as food is one of the highest student expenditures, it’s also a vital part of saving money. Apart from the extra cash in your pocket, you can still be sociable without the expense of eating out, impressing your friends with a few gastronomic delights. It’s a good idea to plan your meals ahead and only buy what you need each week, avoiding ready meals if possible, as although they’re convenient, they’re generally bad for your health. Also, stick to buying own-brand products that can usually be found on the lower shelves in supermarkets, where you might not normally look. Ways to make money at university Get a part-time job Retail, catering, and hospitality are just three areas where you could

pick up a part-time job with fixed hours that fits in with your studies. Although you may need to forsake some evenings and weekends, payday could make it worthwhile to miss out on a few social occasions. Another idea for part-time work, and one that’s a little more flexible, is mystery shopping.You sign up with a mystery shopping agency, or directly with an independent company, and get paid for checking the level of service provided in their outlets. Promotion work and ﬂyers Handing out flyers around campus and promoting club nights or events on the streets of your university town can earn you some extra money, but be sure to find out whether you’re working on a commission or a ‘per hour’ basis. If you’re sociable and good at marketing, you could even apply to become an on-campus ‘brand ambassador’ for a household brand name.You might be able to organise your own promotions and events for the brand, and make a name for yourself in marketing. www.blackbullion.com/studentblog/2018/05/08/5-tips-to-make-yourloan-last-longer/ www.blackbullion.com/studentblog/2017/11/30/how-to-make-moneywhile-at-university/ www.blackbullion.com/studentblog/2017/09/28/how-technology-canhelp-you-budget-and-save/ www.savethestudent.org/make-money/ best-paid-online-survey-sites.html www.oncampuspromotions.co.uk/forstudents/

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 20

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:46

Heritage Open Days: 6th - 9th and 13th 16th September In 1991, the Council of Europe and the European Commission set up European Heritage Days to encourage the appreciation and protection of Europe’s diverse cultural assets. They wanted to throw open the doors to historic monuments and buildings, particularly those normally closed to the public. Today, Heritage Open Days are held in September in 50 countries. England’s Heritage Open Days have grown into England’s largest heritage festival, with over 5,000 events held annually, including exclusive openings and family-friendly activities. This year, for the first time, the festival will take place on two consecutive weekends. It will also mark the centenary of the Universal Suffrage Act with ‘Extraordinary Women’ events, celebrating well-known and lesser-known remarkable women. To find a suitable event or

open day near you, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk. Do you fancy visiting somewhere exclusive – somewhere normally closed to the public, even on Heritage Days? Then you’re in luck. Places open exclusively this year are: The Banqueting House, Gateshead: an 18th century Gothic folly offering a stunning view of the Derwent Valley, open 10am - 4pm on 8th and 9th September. The Nuclear Bunker, Whitstable: climb down the 15ft vertical ladder to learn more about this bunker, built in 1966 to monitor possible Cold War attacks, open 12pm - 3pm on 15th September. The Wavertree Lock-Up, Liverpool: a jail built in 1796, since used to isolate cholera victims and house destitute Irish families, open 12pm 4pm on 9th September.

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 21

02/08/2018 11:08:50

New term tech Get your child’s next computer for less From clothes to computers, the cost of sending your offspring to school, college or university seems to increase every day. So how can you be sure you’re not spending more on technology than you need to? The trick is to get the maximum bang for every buck – and sometimes that means avoiding false economies. A cheap laptop may save you a few pounds now, but it might not be able to cope with everything your child needs it to do; for example, a Chromebook laptop may be ultracheap but if your child’s going to be using it instead of a TV its small screen isn’t going to be a lot of fun. The sweet spot for budget laptops is around the £300 mark, and if you go much below that you’ll be cutting corners. It’s often a better idea to shop around for a second hand laptop on Gumtree or eBay (if you’re careful: stick to reputable sellers and make sure you follow the buyer protection policy so you’re protected

against any shenanigans) – a powerful laptop that’s been well looked after for a year or two may be a better buy than a brand new, super-cheap laptop.

good discounts even on fairly new computers.

That’s particularly true of Apple laptops. The cheapest Apple laptop, the MacBook Air, is currently £949 and isn’t particularly powerful. If you’re considering any Apple device, the first thing to do is to investigate whether your child qualifies for an education discount (www.apple.com/ uk-edu/shop/go/education). If you or your child qualify, the discounts can be significant.

It’s important to understand the key differences between new and refurbished computers. They ship without faults but may have damaged or missing packaging, and they may have light cosmetic damage on their case. The warranty is much shorter, and any AppleCare insurance you take out will run out on the anniversary of the date the Mac was first sold, not the date you acquired it – so for example you won’t be able to buy AppleCare for a refurbished Mac that’s three years old.

Another option is to consider a refurbished Mac. Refurbished computers are computers that have been sold and then returned. Sometimes that’s because of a fault that has since been corrected or because a customer simply changed their mind; sometimes it’s because the laptop was leased to a company and returned after the lease period is up. Whatever the reason, it can’t be sold as new. That can mean

As you’d expect, the older the Mac the bigger the discount – and if you’re a confident eBay buyer you can save even more. For example, at the time of writing a reputable eBay seller is offering a refurbished late 2014 MacBook Pro with 13” Retina display for £650. That’s a lot of money, of course. But the current 13” MacBook Pro starts at £1,249 and the refurbished one is good for several years yet.

Acer Aspire budget laptop

Apple MacBook Air laptop

2014 Apple MacBook Pro

HP Chromebook 11” laptop

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 22

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:52

The Best-Dressed Window Cleaners in Town “Look lively,” Dave whispered to Barry as he climbed off the last rung of the ladder, “here comes trouble.” “Hey you!” The man striding towards them was Mr Byard, who considered himself a very important person at Maxspeed Sportswear. “I need a word with you both.” Dave winked at Barry and gave the sill one last cursory wipe with his chamois. “Everything alright with the windows, sir?” he asked. “Pigeons have been busy.” “Certainly.” Mr Byard seemed flustered. “Great job.” “That’s because we’re the best window cleaners for miles,” Barry smiled. “We’ve done all your office windows, and now we’re going round the front to give your reception a good going over.” “Indeed.” Mr Byard ran his hand through his thinning hair. “I’m afraid we have a small problem.” “Why’s that?” Dave frowned. “I saw them reception windows when we pulled up in the van, proper smeary.” Barry nodded in emphatic agreement. “I don’t suppose you noticed,” Mr Byard coughed, “but we’ve got a lot of very expensive vehicles in the car park today.” “I didn’t spot that,” Dave said. “Did you Barry?” “Posh cars?” Barry scratched his head. “I wasn’t looking.” “It’s our Annual General Meeting,” Mr Byard explained. “We’ve got our most important shareholders arriving in reception.” “Business must be booming,” Dave said.

“It’s a little awkward,” Mr Byard flushed, “but would you gentlemen mind awfully removing your sweatshirts?” It seemed for a moment that even the pigeons fell silent. “Mary in Marketing noticed you’re both wearing Burn-Sure sweatshirts, and the problem is they’re our main competitors,” Mr Byard stuttered. There wasn’t a single person in town who didn’t know that Maxspeed and neighbouring Burn-Sure were bitter rivals in the luxury sportswear industry. “Fair point.” Dave nudged Barry. “We’ll whip these right off.” Each man began pulling his sweatshirt over his head. “Whoa!” Mr Byard cried, as it became clear from the flash of two hairy bellies that both men were naked underneath. “That’s actually worse!” “Sorry, sir,” Dave said. “I don’t know what else to do? We don’t carry spare clothes in the van, do we Barry?” Barry shook his head. “We don’t – it’s a right conundrum.”

“It does have the potential to go boom,” Mr Byard grimaced. “And that’s the problem.”

“I have a solution.” Mr Byard was used to taking control in a garment crisis. He brusquely rapped on the office window. “Mary, pass me out two of our latest sweatshirts – large size.”

“Anything we can help with?” Dave said, folding up his chamois.

He turned back to Dave and Barry. “Would you mind wearing

our product while you’re on our property?” “Window cleaning’s a dirty business.” Dave held up his hands. “We wouldn’t want to borrow your clobber and give it back all filthy.” “Good point.” Mr Byard’s exasperation was reaching its peak. “You know what, just keep them.” “Only if you’re sure?” Dave said. “Mine’s an extra-large.” The window slid open and a hand, presumably belonging to Mary, passed two sweatshirts out towards them. “Proper quality garments these,” Dave said, changing into his new sweatshirt, “not like that Burn-Sure rubbish.” “It’s an honour to wear it, sir.” Barry bowed as though he’d just been given a medal. “You’re welcome,” Mr Byard nodded. “I really must be going, can’t keep the shareholders waiting.” The men waited until he’d disappeared back inside the building. “You were right, that worked like a charm,” Barry laughed. “This top is worth a few bob.” “Remember to wear it next time we clean Burn-Sure’s windows,” Dave chuckled. “I’ve never had to pay for my sweatshirts once.” By Jackie Brewster

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 23

02/08/2018 11:08:52

Luxembourg ‘Expect the unexpected,’ they say, and compact as it is, this is a truly surprising city, looping around its natural and man-made wonders on many different levels. Carved by the deep gorges of the Pétrusse and Alzette rivers, it teeters on the edge of precipitous cliffs, spanned by myriad bridges and viaducts. In this dramatic setting a good place to start is Constitution Square, where above the valley of the Pétrusse the iconic statue of the ‘Golden Lady’ holds out a crown of laurel leaves as a national emblem for pride and peace. Just steps away the mighty Aldolphe bridge towers above the ravine, where the tiny rivulet meanders among flowering trees, pocket-sized allotments, dainty footbridges and deserted trails. Wandering through this lush countrylike oasis you can hardly believe you are in the city centre, but back on the top the cathedral beckons, a three-spired pilgrimage site in flamboyant Gothic style with a touch of Renaissance, guarding the tombs of the Grand Ducal family. It’s only a stroll to the Parliament House, the Grand Ducal Palace and the bourgeois

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 24

dwellings and picturesque lanes of the Old Town, listed by Unesco. There are spacious parks and pleasant town squares, most popular the Place d’Armes surrounded by pedestrian shopping lanes. Named after military parades held under the Sun King, the locals call it ‘the city’s living room’, a place to meet friends on a café terrace, relax under the trees, browse the market stalls or dance on festival days. Along Holy Spirit Street, the square by the same name has some stunning views across the lower town, close to Quirinus, the 11th century chapel with a miraculous spring, and the hidden confluence of the Pétrusse and the lovely Alzette which curls around the eastern edge of the city. There, above the Alzette, the Chemin de la Corniche was described by a local writer as ‘the most beautiful balcony in Europe’ lined with some of the finest aristocratic buildings, following the old ramparts all the way to the Bock, the rocky outcrop where history began in 963.Towers, citadel, gates, fortified bridge, casemates with 23 km of tunnels hewn into the cliffs: lords and masters left their marks over the centuries but today, on the banks

of the Alzette, the Lower Grund is the most enticing district with its quiet lanes, half-timbered houses and at the heart of it all the striking Neumünster Abbey, now turned into a cultural centre.There are some delightful walks along the river, all shimmering reflections as weeping willows whisper below the garden terraces and a mini vineyard. But close to the airport, the Kirchberg plateau is a totally different world, a 21st century celebration dedicated to business, finance, European institutions and art in dazzling architectural styles.Top of the list are the Modern Art Museum (MUDAM) and the Philharmonie Concert Hall which claims three auditoriums. Luxembourg is indeed a city of many faces, the enduring capital of the last Grand Duchy in the world, traditional, vibrant and truly unique. Solange Hando

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:54

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 25

02/08/2018 11:08:56

Wonderful Window Boxes As late summer fades imperceptibly into early autumn, it can be sad to see much-loved and once fantastic-looking beds, borders, pots and planters start to look a little worse for wear. It may be all part of the natural part of gardening, but it certainly makes me feel a bit gloomy. If it is having the same effect on you, why not treat yourself to some late summer and early autumn colour in a pot, planter or, better still, a window box? That protected spot close to the house should help to ensure that everything keeps on and on performing for as long as possible… There are many different sizes and styles to choose from, from woven

willow to classic hardwood and urban chic aluminium, and in just about every conceivable colour too. But whatever you go for make sure it’ll fit easily on to the window sill and won’t be too heavy! Take time to choose one that will suit the style of your house, fit all the plants you’d like to include, not weigh too much and is within budget. There are lots of plants that’ll work – some of my favourites are hardy Gerberas (these do need a good warm, sunny spot), variegated ivies and the wacky, compact Crassula with fleshy foliage and stems studded with dusky pink flowers. But take time perusing the local garden centres or nurseries for the combination that makes YOUR heart sing. Some window boxes have impermeable liners, so if this is the case add an inch or so of horticultural grit or gravel to provide drainage – then if you do overwater (or it rains too much) the excess water will be less likely to sit around the roots and cause

the plants to suffer or even die off completely. If you’re trying to keep weight to a minimum then use broken up polystyrene from bedding plants or the packaging around household appliances – this lightweight recycled material is a good alternative to the grit or gravel. A good quality multi-purpose compost is perfect for a temporary planting like this, but if you intend to remove any shorter lived or non-hardy plants such as the gerberas and replace them with other hardy, seasonal stunners later in the year then you may be better off using a 50:50 mixture of a loam-based compost and a multipurpose one. I find that this 50:50 mix allows for better stability from the weight and texture of the loam, combined with better aeration and drainage from the multi-purpose compost. Just fill the window box about half full with compost, gently firming it, but make sure you don’t compact it or else the plants won’t get their roots down so well. Next it’s the fun and inventive bit as you get the plants into position. If you are including trailing plants like variegated ivies, place them where you can enjoy their full glory by cascading them over the edges of the window box – this looks fantastic and adds to the apparent size of the display without adding significantly to the weight of the container. A larger plant like the Crassula gives a good focal point, and then why not add some dizzy colour like the ever-smiling gerberas to flank the central plant? Gently move the plants about until you’re happy with how they look, then fill in gaps between the root balls with more compost, firming gently with your fingers to ensure there’s no subsidence later on. Once you’re totally happy, water the box well using a watering can with the rose in place, so imitating rainfall. A stunning window box along these

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 26

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:56

lines can be created in well under half an hour. Make sure it is secured properly on the window sill – and remember that you’ll need to be able to open the window (or access the box from outside) in order to keep it adequately watered during drier weather. As well as regular watering (often all the more

necessary due to the ‘rain shadow’ effect from the roof or eaves), the window box will benefit from occasional feeding with high-potash feed and of course will need to be regularly dead-headed! Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com and you’ll

ﬁnd some great gardening items: Nemaslug, green controls for leatherjackets, chafer grubs, ants and greenﬂy, plus garden plant supports, raised bed kits, EasyTunnels, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk?

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 27

02/08/2018 11:08:58

Pictograms

PICTOGRAMS

4 words PIECE PIECE PIECE

3 words

UNORHO 5 words

WORDWHEEL Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

A P

T S

E C

TARGET Excellent: 57 or more words Good: 50 words Fair: 40 words

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 28

QUIZ FLYING

LOUDUMBONGE

SUDOKU

Puzzle Page

1. What were the first names of the Wright brothers, who are generally regarded as having invented the world’s first successful aeroplane? 2. What three consecutive letters in the alphabet give the name of the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands? 3. What was the intended destination in the 1982 film Airplane 2: The Sequel? 4. On a plane he nicknamed Glamorous Glennis, who was the first pilot confirmed to have exceeded the speed of sound in level flight? 5. What is the air traffic control call sign held by any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the US Vice President, but not the US President? 6. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made the first nonstop trans-Atlantic flight on a plane called the Spirit of St. Louis. In which city did he take-off and in which city did he land? 7. Making its only flight on November 2nd 1947, what was the two-word rhyming nickname of the Hughes H-4 Hercules, which was the largest flying boat ever built and has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in history? 8. If you flew due east from Edinburgh airport, what would be the first country you would fly over after leaving Scotland? 9. Is the airline Cathay Pacific the flag carrier ofâ€¦ a) Hong Kong; b) Singapore; or c) Malaysia? 10. In which 1960s film does the title character fly to a fictional European region called Vulgaria?

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:08:59

Advertise Here only ÂŁ16 Call 01642 924847 or 07533 265475

ng e? et e

ne ff

Local Middlesbrough Builder Based in Acklam | No Sales Nonsense

fly ?

www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 29

02/08/2018 11:09:03

ADVERTISERS INDEX

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 30

To advertise call Jeremy T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265475

02/08/2018 11:09:05

ALLEN PLANT AND TOOL HIRE

...Setting standards in reliability, value for money and service DIY

ACCESS

BUILDING

GARDENING

01642 604999 | www.allenplanthire.co.uk ALLEN PLANT AND TOOL HIRE, BOWESFIELD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, BOWESFIELD LANE, STOCKTON ON TEES, TS18 3BL

AUTHORISED SALES & SERVICE AGENT

Advertise Here only Â£16 Call 01642 924847 or 07533 265475 www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk | E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 31

02/08/2018 11:09:08



  



Installation Servicing Breakdown Repair Hot Water Systems Heating Alterations & Upgrades Gas Safe & OFTEC Registered Finance Available Local Company Monitored & Vetted by:

1 ar te st rs ll ) e Ye ran rce oil n A ilers O o ua o B e B G ll W as ante Oil A G ar ch n h u s O sc ar G r-Bo Bo Ye ste (7 rce o W



01642 651677 07773 786865

www.mattgrange.co.uk sales@mattgrange.co.uk

My Local Stockton 2018-08.indd 32

02/08/2018 11:09:09