The Local Reach Feb 2024

FREE Community Mag West Midlands Feb 24 page 24

www.nationwidemedialtd.co.uk thelocalreach@nationwidemedia.co.uk

also in this issue

uk breaks- building & construction- weddings- arts & crafts alternative therapy & coping with bereavement

CHICKENSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL STOCKBURY - KENT

THURSDAY 1ST TO SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2024 https://www.chickenstockfestival.co.uk/tickets-2024

We are looking for local events to advertise for our issue out in May Also in our this issue: • Arts & Cra�s guide • Travel & Tourism • �e Wedding Directory • Home & Garden guide.

• Half term activities with the kids

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coping with bereavement

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As you try to cope with the emotional upheaval of a death, the following may be helpful.

Take your time You may feel numb, or find it difficult to believe what’s happened. You may feel relief that the person is no longer suffering. You might find yourself feeling sad, angry or guilty. You may also feel panicky about what needs to be done, or about what lies ahead.

It’s important, especially in the first few days, that you allow yourself time to: take in what has happened talk about the person who has died feel the pain and the loneliness for yourself Do it your way We’re all different, and we react to death in different ways. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve. Just try to do what feels right for you.

Take care of yourself It’s important to look after yourself. For example, you should try to eat well, and avoid drinking too much alcohol. It’s also important to know that it’s normal to feel afraid, have nightmares or struggle to see the point of life. But, if you’re worried about your feelings, you can speak to your doctor.

Remember, grief: is normal – it’s part of what it is to be human and to have feelings is a journey – it’s often hard, but it’ll get easier takes time – often much longer than you and many people around you expect can be scary can lead to depressing thoughts or even thoughts of suicide – while it’s normal to think this way it’s good to talk to someone about these feelings it’s normal both to grieve and live – remember it’s alright to find yourself not thinking about the person who has died Finally, it’s important not to expect too much of yourself, and to know when to ask for help. The death of someone close is a major event in anybody’s life and there are no quick ways of adjusting.

It can be helpful to find someone you trust that you can to talk to. For example a friend, your doctor, or a religious leader. If after a while you feel you’re still not coping, you may want to speak with your doctor.

Telephone 01455888699 Mobile 07857105900/07889092045 info@willowsnaturalburialgrounds.co.uk www.willowsnaturalburialgrounds.co.uk

We are recruiting...

Sales based job, Must have confidence to talk to clients on the telephone, Commision paid weekly so must be money driven.

10am until 2pm Mon-Fri No experience needed as full training is provided.

Contacting clients regarding new and exsisting advertising, Fast paced enviroment A range of national digital and printed magazines.

Email your full CV along with a contact number: thelocalreach@nationwidemedia.co.uk thelocalreach@nationwidemedia.co.uk

Half term...

Keeping the kids entertained

Tried and tested by our team with their very own little people ...

• National Space Centre

*Book online to save money, guarantee entry AND automatically upgrade to a Free Annual Pass.

• Warwick Castle

Loads of family fun and activities.

• Twycross Zoo

100 acre charity zoo with plenty to do indoors and exploring the outdoors.

*all current at the time of publishing jan 2024

Ingredients 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 onion, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced 3 tbsp Indian medium curry paste, such as tikka masala or rogan josh 2 tbsp plain flour 500g/1lb 2oz butternut squash, peeled and cut into roughly 2cm/¾in chunks 1 carrot, peeled, halved lengthways and cut into roughly 1cm/½in slices 400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes 400g/14oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 200g/7oz frozen spinach 1 tsp so� light brown sugar 400ml/14fl oz hot vegetable stock (made with 1 stock cube) freshly cooked basmati rice, plain or soya yoghurt and assorted chutneys and pickles Method Heat the oil in a large frying pan and gently fry the onion for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and curry paste and cook for 30 seconds more, stirring constantly.

Transfer to the slow cooker and add the butternut squash and carrot. Sprinkle over the flour and toss together. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, frozen spinach, sugar and stock.

Stir well, cover with the lid and cook on low for 9–11 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and the spices have mellowed. Stir well before serving with freshly cooked basmati rice, yoghurt and assorted chutneys and pickles BBC food guide https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/veggie_slow-cooker_curry_48226

Flowers have long been my passion, so to be working with them every day, creating di�erent styles and designs, is very rewarding. I pride myself on my ability to provide a personalised bespoke service where I can express each customer’s specific requirements with flowers.

Whether contemporary or traditional, simple or complex, a hand tied or an elaborate celebration, I am able to meet all budgets and requests. If you would like to discuss a design or event, or have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I will look forward to hearing from you!

Lisa xx

Address: Lodge Road, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 0HG 07900 881867 lisaflowersdesign@icloud.com

Currently we are working on �e Wedding Directory... �is is a digital magazine that goes directly to people planning their big day.

No matter how small your budget may be we aim to help with local suppliers. handmade ideas and reccommended retailers

We are looking for one lucky couple to feature in our March publication, We would love to publish some of your wedding photos along with some top tips to planning the perfect day, a list of local suppliers you used and any budgeting system you found helpful.

To enter please email theweddingdirectory@nationwidemedia.co.uk with a brief description of yourselves and the date of your wedding.

I will be in touch with everyone who enters with a chance to have a few of you in the publications during 2024.

home & garden guide

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. Mobile showroom • Commercial • Residential

+ s r a e y 5 3 e c n e i r e p Ex • Supply & fit carpets • Carpet tiles • Luxury vinyl tiles

thelocalreach@nationwidemedia.co.uk www.nationwidemedialtd.co.uk

Advertise here...

Local businesses we want you

Roofing & Guttering Repairs We cover all roofing needs, from a completely new roof to a repair.

Guttering cleaned and repaired.

Call Tim on: 07443 741116 0800 046 3523

timallen2000@icloud.com

building & construction GUIDE

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travel & tourism

uk breaks thelocalreach@nationwidemedia.co.uk

Pinn Barton farm is a four star establishment situated just 2 miles west of the charming Regency town of Sidmouth with far reaching views over the rolling hills of East Devon towards the sea.

Guests may be charmed by the picture-perfect villages of East Budleigh and Otterton nearby. Popular attractions also include the Donkey Sanctuary, Seaton Tramway, award winning beaches and the traditional seaside towns of Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton.

This area of outstanding natural beauty has excellent walking opportunities with the South-West Coast Path bordering the farm. View the stunning red cliffs of the Jurassic coast and enjoy the winding lanes and hedgerows typical of the area.

Yellowrush Lodge offers Luxurious Self catering accommodation on the outskirts of York at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Our stunningly designed 5 bedroom house sleeps 10 people, featuring 2 master bedrooms and 3 other gorgeous and homely bedrooms.

Not only will you sleep in comfort, but our lodge also hosts two comfortable living rooms and a beautiful warming fireplace.

Each lodge is fully equipped with everything you will need.

If you want to take your break outside, then our outside courtyard is complete with a bbq area and your own private hot tub to soak your troubles away, and take in the stunning views of the Yorkshire Countryside.

Perfect for families, friends or couples to have a break from reality enabling you to rest and relax.

People seeking to arrange a holistic retreat, or workshops may find Yellowrush lodge much to their liking too.

01430 860461 www.yellowrushlodge.co.uk and email yellcentral@gmail.com

motoring guide

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Here are some tips to keep your car safe during winter: Prepare your car: Before the winter season, it’s important to ensure that your car is in good condition. Check the battery, brakes, tires, and windshield wipers. Make sure that the antifreeze is at the correct level and that the oil is changed regularly.

Drive safely: During winter, the roads can be slippery and dangerous. To stay safe, it’s important to drive slowly and carefully. Keep a safe distance from other cars and avoid sudden movements. If you need to brake, do so gently. If you start to skid, steer into the skid and avoid slamming on the brakes.

Be prepared: It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit in your car. �is should include a blanket, flashlight, first aid kit, and some food and water. You should also have a shovel, ice scraper, and some sand or kitty litter to help you get out of snowdri�s.

health & fitness

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alternative therapy

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the arts & crafts guide

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Dawn’s botanical and insect sachets reflect a fascination with the natural world. She has a particular passion for bumblebees native to the British Isles and the wild and garden flowers which are essential for their survival.

Dawn has an appreciation for the beauty and history of the materials which she searches out and uses to make her sachets. These mainly include traditionally-made antique linen, old woollen blankets and vintage threads.

She is guided by these materials as a backdrop to the needlework techniques incorporated into her work , including machine and hand embroidery, stump work and appliqué.

Through her work Dawn hopes to encourage others to observe the details and wonder of nature In particular, her work aims to highlight the awesomeness of those ‘voluble, velvety, vehement fellows.’ (‘Bees’ by Norman Rowland Gale.)

Dawn’s work can be found at The Hay Makers Gallery in Hay on Wye, she has been a member of this cooperative of designer makers for 20 years, she can be contacted through instagram @ #dawn.cripps1 or email dawn.cripps1@btinternet.com

�e Arts and Cra�s movement was a design movement that originated in Britain in the late 19th century. It was a reaction to the damaging e�ects of industrialization and the relatively low status of the decorative arts. �e movement aimed to reform the design and manufacture of everything from buildings to jewelry, and to develop products that not only had more integrity but which were also made in a less dehumanizing way1. �e movement was comprised of a number of di�erent artistic societies, such as the Exhibition Society, the Arts Workers Guild, and other cra�speople in both small workshops and large manufacturing companies1. �e movement’s leaders wanted to create products that were both beautiful and functional, and that were made by hand rather than by machines1. �e movement’s influence can still be seen today in the popularity of handmade cra�s and the use of natural materials in design.

parenting focus

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activity pages

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1. Print me 2. Colour me in 3. Get an adult to email us a copy to run in our next issue.

4. Add you name and age and where you are from to thelocalreach@nationwidemedia.co.uk

Basic pancake recipe Recipe by Sainsbury's magazine Follow our step-by-step guide for how to make simple pancakes for Pancake Day on Shrove Tuesday. �ese are best served topped with lemon and sugar MAKES: 10-12 PANCAKES timePREP TIME: 5 MINS timeTOTAL TIME: 25 MINS Ingredients 100g plain flour 2 large eggs 1 tbsp caster sugar 250ml milk 2 tbsp melted butter, cooled a knob of butter, for frying Share: Step by step GET AHEAD Make the batter a few hours ahead, cover and chill.

Si� the flour into a bowl with a pinch of salt and make a well in the centre. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar, milk and melted butter, to combine, then pour into the well.

Using an electric hand whisk (or balloon whisk), whisk the liquid into the flour until you have a smooth batter.

To cook the pancakes, heat a teaspoon or so of butter in a small frying pan until hot and foaming, a 16-18cm pan is ideal. Add 2-3 tablespoons of batter for each pancake, swirling it around the pan as you add it. �e batter should make 10-12 pancakes in total.

Cook each pancake for 1-1½ minutes, then flip over for a final minute on the other side. As the pancakes are ready, layer them between sheets of nonstick baking paper.

TIP If you're making pancakes for a savoury dish simply omit the caster sugar.

farming & agriculture

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