Oracle Magazine Issue 83 December 2015

02 December 2015

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THE ANTI CORROSION HARDWARE

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www.oracle.uk.net Creative Director Myles Lockwood myles@oracle.uk.net

Editor's Note ...

We’ve come to the end of the year, and it’s come round incredibly fast!

On behalf of Oracle Publications I would like to congratulate Ursula Myers for winning last month’s reader response prize of a Riverford Farm cook book worth £16.99!

Editor Harriet McClure harriet@oracle.uk.net Accounts Emma-Jane Corry emma@oracle.uk.net Sales Managers Myles Lockwood myles@oracle.uk.net Beth Clarke beth@oracle.uk.net Danielle Jarvis daniellejarvisbcx@gmail.com Graphic Design Tom Coles BA (Hons) tom@oracle.uk.net Myles Lockwood Harriet McClure Editorial Harriet McClure Photography Tom Coles iStock Sister Magazine The Plympton Community Magazine www.plymptonmagazine.co.uk

Thousands of us Brits will, time and time again, leave Christmas shopping to the very last minute. Fear not – have a look at some of the best unique, easy and thoughtful gifts to buy last minute on page 10 which will certainly alleviate some of your stress later on in the month, as we’ve selected gifts that have the option of next day delivery!

This year, the Christmas festivities in Plymouth’s City Centre are bigger and better than ever before, with an abundance of special events occuring throughout the month. One event that we are particularly excited for is the Star Wars themed Feel the Force Day on Saturday 12th December. Find out more on page 20.

As avid animal lovers, we are now proud sponsors of local animal charity Gables Farm Dogs & Cats Home; read more about the charity on page 13.

Keep an eye out for the various fantastic Christmas deals and discounts our wonderful advertisers are offering you this month. I hope you have enjoyed each issue of Plymouth’s leading lifestyle magazine over the past year; have a wonderful festive holiday and I’ll catch up with you in 2016!

Harriet McClure - Editor

Harriet

Follow us on issuu and view the magazine online!

Scan here:

OM Plymouth is a proud sponsor of Gables Farm Dogs & Cats Home

Early Years

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All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publisher. We have done our utmost to ensure that all the content is correct and accurate at the time of print, but we emphasise that Oracle Publications accepts no responsibility for any mistakes or omissions in this publication. All opinions expressed in the Plymouth Oracle magazine are that of the individual contributor and are not always shared by the publication.

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CONTENTS December 2015

03

Westcountry Tile & Bathroom

06

Beacon Electrical

Adding the finishing touches this Christmas at Euronics.

Alternative Christmas Gifts

13

A Pet is For Life, Not just for Christmas

18 22 24

35 18

Browse some of the quirkiest, last minute gifts for both him and her this Christmas.

OM Plymouth is now a proud sponsor of Gable’s Farm Dogs and Cats Home. Find out more here.

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Stuck for ideas on what to do this month? Have a look at a whole host of exciting events.

ur or yo Gift f ristmaavsaila!ble from £15 t c e f Ch hamper er The Pones thomis£15 & Sugar Free fr e bl d love Hampers availa rs

Best Businesses & Entrepreneurs

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Mark Russell of Optimus Performance Marketing features this month.

Buy

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December 2015 07

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08 December 2015

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December 2015 09

Alternative Christmas Gifts Thousands of us Brits will, time and time again, leave Christmas shopping to the very last minute. Then there comes the inevitable sense of panic when the item you had thought of buying for friend or family has run out in the supermarket. Fear not – have a look at some of the best unique, easy and thoughtful gifts to buy last minute which will certainly alleviate some of your stress later on in the month, as most of these gifts have the option of next day delivery!

Photo Coasters £25 www.notonthehighstreet.com A unique personalised print designed for music lovers, featuring your favourite song in the format of visual soundwaves. This striking personalised sound waves print is a great addition to any home, it is bold in appearance and can be personalised, making it a very personal gift.

Favourite Song Soundwaves Print £25 www.notonthehighstreet.com A unique personalised print designed for music lovers, featuring your favourite song in the format of visual soundwaves. This striking sound waves print is a great addition to any home, it is bold in appearance and can be personalised, making it a very personal gift.

Scratch Map Deluxe Edition £14.99 www.findmeagift.co.uk The new glimmering gold foil covers the land areas on your map. As you make your travels, the pain of coming back again can be eased with the knowledge that you get to scratch back a new country! When you scratch the gold away, bright colours are revealed that look even more stunning against the new black backdrop. Pin the map to your wall or lay it across a desk, wherever you put this Scratch Map it’s bound to draw every eye in the room to it.

Christmas Tempter Basket £36.99 www.basketsgalore.co.uk This temptingly sweet Christmas Gift Basket will go down a treat. Featuring a selection of delicious fruit themed baked treats including; sweet mince pies and cake, scrumptious chocolates, all butter biscuits & fudge and award winning jam. Baskets Galore also offers many other basket selections.

10 December 2015

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Smartphone Projector £16.99 www.totally-funky.co.uk Quite simply, a cinema in a box! A self assembly, lo-fi projector that magnifies your phone’s screen up to 8x. The Smartphone Projector has been designed to create intimate screenings any time, any place for a quick and easy way to share your memories this Christmas.

Personalised Pair of Flutes and Champagne £79.99 www.findmeagift.co.uk This bottle of Baron du Beaupre Champagne comes with a pair of cut glass champagne flutes, great if you are celebrating Christmas with a loved one. The champagne flutes that come with this bottle of bubbly are cut glass and can be etched with a message of your choice.

Chocoholics Pizza £10.99 www.gettingpersonal.co.uk One for the chocolate lovers – the delicious, handmade Personalised Chocoholics Pizza is a union of 2 great heavyweights of the culinary world, Italy’s pizza and Belgium’s chocolate. They are combined effortlessly to create an exquisite, indulgent dessert. It’s a perfect treat to satisfy a sweet tooth and, who knows, they might even let you have a piece!

Name a Star Gift Box £16.99 www.gettingpersonal.co.uk Host to billions of beautiful sparkling entities, the seemingly endless sky could now house your very own star. Named specially for your lucky recipient, you can pick your favourite from the billions. A fantastic keepsake this festive holiday. Also comes with a beginner’s guide to astronomy for you to learn the basics.

Personalised 3 Bottle Luxury Wooden Wine Box £24.99 www.gettingpersonal.co.uk The stunning Luxury Wooden Wine Box makes a stylish way to present their favourite bottles! The sturdy hinged lid features a beautiful “Merry Christmas” and snowflakes motif professionally engraved as well as your family or friend’s name and the message of your choice.

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December 2015 11

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12 December 2015

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A Pet is for Life, Not Just for Christmas

E

ach Christmas, the Dog’s Trust reiterates the message that a pet should not just be a present for Christmas; they are lifelong companions that need commitment and love.

Some people may decide that after the excitement of Christmas is over, they simply do not want their “present” anymore. It is not just Christmas when this happens, however; many other reasons for giving up their pet all year round may be due to allergies, costs, health issues or moving home.

Many of these may be considered valid reasons for giving up a pet, but reasons such as behavioural problems are solely down to a lack of training and care on the owner’s part.

Some owners rightfully surrender their pets to a local rehoming shelter, but many other animals may, sadly, not be so lucky.

Between 2014 and 2015, a shocking 47,000 people heartlessly abandoned their dogs. The RSPCA rescued and collected 128,209 animals last year that had been victims of cruelty or abandonment. Sadly, many of these animals had to be put down due to sustaining terrible injuries.

“

Gables Farm takes in and cares for over 1000 dogs and cats every year

Charities and organisations urge people to think twice before considering adopting or buying a pet, to whether it is the right decision for them. People often do not consider the expenses and time they must devote to their new furry family member.

Despite the appalling number of cruelty and abandonment cases, there is rising hope and justice. The RSPCA secured 2,419 convictions by private prosecution to protect animals against those who break animal rights laws.

The majority of animals do in fact have the opportunity to start a healthier and happier life with a new owner that will love them unconditionally. Gable’s Farm at 204 Merafield Road, Plymouth, offers just that. The OM Magazine is delighted

to announce that we are now sponsoring Gables Farm each month.

euthanasia charity, they never give up on an animal.

Gables Farm Dogs' and Cats' Home was established in 1907. They care for unwanted, abandoned and stray cats and dogs, either rehoming or reuniting them with their beloved owners. They enforce a strict non-euthanasia policy, which means no healthy animal in their care is put to sleep.

Sponsorship from the general public helps Gables to provide all the love and care these special cats and dogs desperately need until they are lucky enough to find a safe, new and forever home.

Gables Farm takes in and cares for over 1000 dogs and cats every year, rehoming animals all over Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Gables makes sure that their animals are matched to your home and lifestyle; for example, they can accommodate for a pet that can live with children, can only stay indoors, can live with other animals in the house, and many more.

Alongside their rehoming service, they now offer a Dog & Cat Boarding service, in which all proceeds go straight back to the charity. Staff have access to 24-hour Veterinary cover, 7 days a week, looking after your pet in their indoor heated kennels and cattery.

In common with a lot of rehoming centres, they find that some dogs and cats stay in their care much longer than others due to past trauma, neglect or abuse, which has knocked their confidence with people.

Alongside the services they offer to ensure the welfare and safety of neglected animals, the charity also founded the Association of Cats and Dogs Homes.

When animals are in the care of their members of ACDH, they ensure all animals receive the best possible attention including exercise, enrichment and appropriate basic training.

They strive to educate the public so that those considering a new family dog or cat will take on a resuce pet or purchase through an accredited breeder.

The team at Gables are holding two fundraising events at Sainsburies Marsh Mills this month.The first is Christmas Bingo on Tuesday 8th December, and at the second event staff will be offering a Bag Packing & Store Collection service on Sunday 13th December from 10am - 6pm.

It can take a long time to gain the trust of these animals to be able to rehabilitate them so they can start to enjoy life and look for a new home. As a non-

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December 2015 13

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December 2015 15

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Top 5 Devon New Year’s Eve Events There are so many different ways to see in the New Year it can often be tough to decide where to go as the clock strikes midnight. To help, here is Stay in Devon’s pick of the top New Year’s Eve events in Devon.

Bideford Every year the beautiful town of Bideford hosts one of the best New Year parties found in the UK and the 2015 celebrations are looking to be bigger and better than ever before. The celebrations start early with a fun fair opening at 11am before the attention turns to the Pannier Market for a Magical Moment Children’s NYE Party. As the sun goes down the party continues on The Quay with appearances from Titan the Robot and Britain’s Got Talent star Merlin, before live musical performances from local bands The Fallen State, and The Rivals.

Dartmouth A close rival to Bideford, the Dartmouth New Year celebrations are also a great carnival package. Thousands of revellers, nearly all in fancy dress, crowd the narrow streets and embankment area waiting expectantly for

16 December 2015

the Church bells to sound at midnight before partying into the early hours. Expect people to begin congregating in the streets from about 8pm.

Bovey Castle New Year Break Experience An extravagant black tie and cocktail dress event, the New Year’s Eve party at Bovey Castle is all about the champagne reception, exquisite food, and ballroom dancing in the spectacular Cathedral Room with a live band and a fireworks display over the Dartmoor estate at midnight. Bovey Castle is a beautiful place to visit for the evening and the perfect place to stay for those wishing to retreat away from the street parties and enjoy some quality time in the surrounding grounds. For further information about this fantastic event, visit the website.

Wonderland, Exeter Phoenix A place for completely silly New Year’s Eve fun, Wonderland is a must for those looking for a great fancy dress party. Starting at 8pm and finishing in the early hours, Exeter Phoenix promises a night of curiosity and wonder. The snow will be falling in the winter forest with plenty of surprises to be found across the themed rooms. You’ll be able to

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stock up for the evening at the food and drink stalls before dancing the night away.

Please visit the Exeter Phoenix website to book tickets.

Babbacombe Model Village Something for the younger members of the family. Every Christmas, Babbacombe Model Village is converted into a tranquil winter scene with a dusting of snow. Visit the village after dusk and you’ll be treated to magical illuminations which are sure to delight both young and old.

Whichever event in Devon you choose to visit, have a fantastic time and remember to celebrate responsibly.

Written by Dan at www.stayindevon.co.uk

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December 2015 17

Feel the Force Day Plymouth In partnership with Plymouth City Market and coinciding with the much anticipated release of the 7th Star Wars film, Ross Symons, Andy Gardner and Louisa Gardner are bringing ‘Feel the Force Day’ to Plymouth in aid of the First Sensory Legion.

F

irst Sensory Legion is the brain child of Jonathan Lucia-Wright, aka JJ. Together with his friend Simon Howard, they founded 1st Sensory Legion as part of Extreme Clowning CIC in August 2013.

First organised three years ago in Peterborough by the First Sensory Legion, their mission was to open the world of film and media to disabled children and adults and people with sensory impairments.

Often conventions are extremely busy with limited access for disabled guests and have a strict policy on touching costumes.

Feel the Force Day is a Christmas fundraiser special which will create an alternative, fun and relaxed environment where guests can take photos and spend time with the various costume

characters, with an atmosphere focussed upon experiencing the sensory side of costumes via touch and smell.

The event has been heavily supported by patron Warwick Davis and none other than Harrison Ford himself.

Each year the convention grows with 2,000 people turning up to the event 2 years ago and a spectacular 4,000 people last year. For the first time ever, the main event will be held in Plymouth on 2016; see plymouth.feeltheforceday. com for more information. All profits each year go to the next year’s event.

Last year, the theme of the Plymouth City Market was based upon the film ‘Frozen’; this year the theme is based upon the Star Wars film franchise.

Feel the Force Day will not just focus on Star Wars, however; the unconventional convention is based upon film and TV in general.

As a member of a local costume group and an avid Star Wars fan from the age of 5, Ross Symons, owner of Jollie’s Sweets Crownhill, was thrilled when Andy and Louisa Gardner had the idea to take him on due to his costume expertise.

“

Their mission was to open the world of film and media to disabled children and adults and people with sensory impairments

Special guests - 6 original cast members from the film - will be travelling down to Plymouth. On Saturday the 5th, Trevor Butterfield, who played three different roles in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, will be making an appearance.

A week later, on Saturday the 12th, Alan Flyng will be present; he played the role of Bridge Officer in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and a Stormtrooper in The Empire Strikes Back.

Laurie Goode, famously known as the actor of the Stormtrooper who bumped his head in the first film, will be landing in Plymouth on the 12th alongside Marilyn

20 December 2015

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Turk and Chris Bunn.

Saturday the 19th will see the arrival of Michael Henbury, famous for playing ‘Taboo’ the Ewok and one of the Goblins in Harry Potter.

Plymouth City Market are also hosting a Panto Day on the 5th and a Family Fun Day on the 19th, opening for extended hours throughout December.

On the 12th, the fundraising event will be running a competition to win tickets to see the new Star Wars film with the one and only Michael Henbury himself!

Ross gives great gratitude to all the people that have helped, including Reel Cinema, the Theatre Royal, who will be helping with the backdrop and props, Platters Restaurant, the Imperial Hotel for accommodating the guests travelling down over the month and finally the Plymouth City Market for kindly allowing them to be part of their Christmas.

The Plymouth City Market will be open to the general public, accommodating for those in need of easy access. The Feel the Force Day fundraising events will occur from 11am - 4pm on the 5th, 12th and 19th of December.

The enthusiastic team are looking forward to the main event next year in which the event will be held in partnership with the Holiday Inn and Plymouth Hoe on Saturday July 23rd. They wish to spread nationally what was started by JJ and Simon, eventually hoping to reach across the waters to the USA.

Feel the Force Day Plymouth Christmas Special with Plymouth City Market

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December 2015 21

PLYMOUTH’S BEST BUSINESSES

ark Russell is a busy man. Very busy. He is CEO at Optimus Performance Marketing in Plymouth and has additional business interests with Marshall Motors and Jollies Sweets in Crownhill. He even has his own football club, Bar Sol Ona, at the aptly named Optimus Park in Plymouth.

company’s driving force is a man with both zeal and focus.

And today he is meeting with OM at his offices in Derriford, Plymouth.

And it is in France, some 19 years ago, where Mark’s story really begins.

He was born and bred in Plymouth and is still fiercely proud of his hometown.

M

Walking through reception, we’re aware of his team busying themselves, behind the scenes, as they continue to live and breathe digital marketing for their impressive range of national clients.

It’s a young team with an average office age of 25 (Mark is 36) which means that the offices have a youthful “buzz” about them – the staff rest area has a full kitchen, pool table, leather sofas and even an X-box to help keep their creative drive at its peak.

A key element to Mark’s success is the focus on his team and making sure they are happy and fulfilled – not hard to achieve when the

It means the company provides life and critical illness cover for employees who manage campaigns in 12 different countries – from Ireland to Spain and Poland to France.

But it was at the age of just 17, with a BTEC in catering, that Mark ventured to France (just north of Lyon) where he worked as a waiter before he transferred into the kitchens and started working with chefs.

It was a hectic environment and one, he says, which saw him mature very quickly as work in a foreign country, where he had to speak French, led him to become his own person. Returning to the UK, Mark quickly left home and, just a few days after turning 20, he found himself tying the knot

with the love of his life before beginning work in a mobile phone store. It was two years later when he entered the world of door to door market research.

The maturity and confidence which Mark gained from his time in France had continued to develop and soon he found that not only did he enjoy the work, but, he was so good at doing it, that he quickly achieved one of the best success rates for door to door research in the country!

With his talent for talking (and listening) Mark soon moved into the world of internet marketing via an old boss.

With confidence and communication as key leadership qualities, it was a natural step for Mark to find his entrepreneurial streak, and so, in October 2006, he launched an affiliate management company.

Its success meant it turned a profit each year since its inception and, in 2010, Mark sold a small percentage of the company which finally led him to launch Optimus Performance Marketing in August, 2010.

It was a bitter sweet moment in Mark’s life.

He had invited 80 guests to its launch night on one Friday night. They came from all over the country.

His father passed away on Saturday morning.

“I was buzzing at the new company branding and its look,” recalls Mark. “Then it was the complete opposite when my father passed away. He never understood what I did but he was always my ‘go to’ person as we were more like friends than father and son.”

“It hit me hard as I didn’t expect to lose my Dad at 31 as he was only in his sixties. It was a point which I could have let it get to me but it drove me forward and pushed me to be as successful as we possibly can be.”

From just eight members of staff at its

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AND ENTREPRENEURS rebranding through to 25 today, the company has experienced tremendous success in just five years.

Plymouth and sees the city as great place to work and a good environment for his staff.

Mark says they are now recognised as one of the leading agencies of its kind in Europe and, in 2014 alone, they generated an incredible £60 million in sales for clients.

Part of the good environment has been his leasing of a football park at Ernesettle Lane which saw the creation of Bar Sol Ona (he is Chairman). A number of his colleagues don boots and head onto the field at the weekend.

It’s a wide array of marketing specialities that the company can provide for the client.

To name but a few: from pay per click searches to search engine optimization and social media marketing then Optimus PM is certainly leading the way.

“

Talking is crucial. It’s the secret key to being a successful entrepreneur in London as the industry is based in the capital.

One of the key areas for the company’s success and growth has been in customer satisfaction which has led to recommendations and its work being praised by happy clients – all providing “word of mouth” referrals to fellow business contacts.

“Networking is really important,” explains Mark who spreads the word at various conferences and meetings (which also includes recently inviting 80 people to a pub where the relaxed surroundings help to create an informal atmosphere).

“Talking is crucial. It’s the secret key to being a successful entrepreneur in London as the industry is based in the capital.”

The capital may be perceived to be a vital place for any high tech company to base itself but Mark is proud of his roots in

It’s a great bonding experience and continues his belief in having a strong and positive working relationship with staff. “We call it The Optimus Family. I get texts from staff at weekends if they have questions about situations at work.”

And it’s not just football which has captured Mark’s heart. He has also focused on developing Marshall Motors, which has become a RAC approved garage, and has received huge positive feedback on its website from satisfied customers.

If the motor trade, football and, of course, his key business of Optimus PM weren’t enough then Mark also invested in Jollies Sweets (where he rebranded the logo and ran a large scale marketing campaign).

He’s also invested in a scaffolding company where he was able to bring in new equipment, lorries and vans. It’s a varied business portfolio and one to be proud about.

As Mark says, “Looking back on life, I think ‘Wow!’ I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The majority of the time, I get up and I think, ‘I’m going to work and I like it a lot.’”

“I have been lucky and successful through hard work and by being in the right place at the right time but you do have to work hard.

When I started I would work from seven in the morning to two to three the following morning.”

One question that OM wants to know is what would his 17 year old self, a teenager working in France, make of the man who has gone onto to create such a successful company? Mark pauses and looks deep in thought and contemplation.

Eventually, he

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looks up at OM and says, “That person would have been really impressed and surprised and shocked as I was never the cleverest at school.”

“My grades were C / D and everything in business has been self taught. My wife refers to me as ‘The Sponge’ as I never stop absorbing information and am always learning.”

Earlier this year, the team launched Type the Hype, a publisher network that makes blogger outreach simple, powerful and measurable. A blog post is an evergreen piece of marketing and is an authentic brand ambassador, there to endorse a product every single time a potential customer searches for the brand.

Optimus are offering brands the chance to work with their database of great creative talent who are experts in what they write about; who write credible and unique content with real value to their brands: www.typethehype.com With so much achieved for this Plymouth entrepreneur then it looks like Mark Russell is the name to keep an eye on as his businesses continue to expand and grow.

Optimus Performance Marketing Unit 4 Brest Road Derriford Business Park Plymouth, Devon PL6 5QZ

01752 775751 December 2015 23

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Christmas Party Creamy Tartiflette Ingredients • • • • • • • • •

Serves 4

1.2kg potatoes, peeled and cut into thick slices 1 tbsp sunflower or rapeseed oil 50g butter 200g smoked streaky bacon, diced 2 large onions, diced 2 large garlic cloves, crushed or grated 250ml double cream 300g Camembert or Brie Salt and black pepper

Method

Recipe sponsored by Riverford Image: the-crispy-crouton.blogspot.com

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1. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, until just tender. Drain in a colander and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil and half the butter in a frying pan.

Add the bacon and fry on a medium heat until browned and starting to crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate.

3. Add the remaining butter and the onion to the same pan and fry on a low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent. If it looks like catching, add a splash of water, stir well and turn the heat down.

4. Add the garlic and bacon and cook for a further 2 minutes.

Preheat the grill to a medium heat. Add the drained potatoes to the frying pan and pour in the cream. Season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture bubble gently for a couple of minutes, just enough to thicken the cream slightly.

5. Cut the cheese into 0.5cm slices and arrange it over the potato mixture. Grill until the cheese has just started to melt.

December 2015 27

28 December 2015

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The Riverford Companion Book Review Good farming, good business and, above all, good food is what Riverford is all about.

The expert cooks at Riverford Organic Farm have published an excellent guide to cooking with their Spring and Summer Veg box written by Guy Watson, twice voted BBC Radio 4’s Farmer of the Year.

R

iverford packs and delivers veg boxes across the country. With their intention being to “make veg box cooking easy and pleasurable”, the book contains plentiful quick and easy recipes containing wholesome food that’s good, seasonal and in budget.

Riverford’s veg boxes contain seasonal recipes each week, grown by the local team on site. They will deliver, for free, whichever box you choose to pick; whether it be a small or large veg box, a fruit & veg box or a salad box, Riverford has it all covered.

They don’t just do fruit & veg; don’t miss the Montezuma milk & white chocolate advent calendar currently on sale on their website. The team also sells meats, oils, condiments, pastas, preserves and sweet treats that are simply essential for the Christmas period. If you want to get more good stuff into your diet, this cookbook

is certainly for you. Spring and Summer Veg, the first in the Riverford Companion series, will help you get to grips with your greens, tackle a cardoon and tame your vegetables once and for all.

Just a few fresh vegetables to mention that feature in this handy-sized, lightweight cookbook include kohlrabi, aubergines, fennel, artichokes, peppers and green beans. Each vegetable featured offers practical advice about its storage, its prep, eating it raw and of course the tastiest recipe ideas in which to include it.

The recipes range from simple salads and soups, to curries and roasted dishes involving a huge range of healthy vegetables and condiments that can be purchased from the Riverford Farms.

This cookbook is suitable for men and women of all ages; for young budding farmers, experienced gardeners with their own plots or someone simply looking to shape up their diet after an indulgent festive holiday.

The other publication in the series is the Autumn and Winter Veg book which focuses on vegetables such as cabbages, carrots, beetroot and squash, however all the vegetables listed are largely available all year round.

With an excellent range of abundant advice about flavourings, what works well together, storage of your veg, tips and tricks for prep and cooking through the season this is one cookbook that will never see the back of a dusty shelf!

Here’s Riverford’s five key points to healthy eating:

1.

Cram your meals full of good wholesome veggies – especially when cooking for the kids, it amazing what you can get in! Try finely chopping some spinach into a lasagne or bolognese sauce, or adding in courgettes, carrots, peas and sweetcorn to any meal. Getting a veggie box delivered will increase your family’s veggie intake and its delivered free, what could be easier!

ribbons of courgettes instead of pasta spaghetti or you may like to try layered leeks as the pasta in a lasagne.

3.

Cooking from scratch – Getting back to basics, is by far the best way to eat, you know what’s going in your food and are able to monitor much more closely the amounts of salt and sugar in the family meals.

4.

Eat with the seasons – there is nothing better than the taste of homegrown veggies rather than produce artificially ripened or transported thousands of miles. Eating seasonally promotes fresh, often UK grown produce, picked when it’s at its best with minimal artificial involvement.

5.

Involve your children – This can be a little time consuming and they do make mess, buts it’s important. What you teach them now will build them firm foundations for their future. Let them chop, grate, slice, spread, touch food, sample it and talk about where veggies and fruit come from. You are the adult, in charge of what they eat and ultimately their view of food for the future – so use this time wisely!

2.

Going Carb Free? (or Gluten Intolerant) - For those who are looking for an alternative to rice, try using grated cauliflower as the rice in any meal, slightly toasted with a pinch of herbs, garlic and pepper! Or if you are gluten intolerant, try courgettey spaghetti, using

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Eating & Drinking Local Directory Chinese Restaurants Buffet City China Wok Crystal Dragon Fortune Hakka Jasmin Restaurant Jasmine Chinese Ming Dynasty New China Garden Noodle Lounge Ocean Palace Seow’s The Hoe Cantonese The Wet Wok View Pan Asia Wah Tin

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56-58 Notte Street, The Barbican Barbican Theatre, Plymouth 8 The Parade, The Barbican Barbican Leisure Park, Plymouth 1 William Prance Rd, Crownhill 162 Exeter Street, Plymouth 17 Derrys Cross, Plymouth 101 Mayflower St, Plymouth Royal William Yard, Plymouth 15 Old Town Street, Plymouth Royal William Yard, Plymouth 111 Mayflower St, Plymouth 4 Royal William Rd, Plymouth 15 Derrys Cross, Plymouth King Point Marina, Brunel Way Sir John Hawkins Square, Plymouth 51 Notte Street, Plymouth 97 Mayflower Street, Plymouth Royal William Yard, Plymouth

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Indian Restaurants Cafe Indiya Ganges and Gurkha Himalayan Spice Lackys Balti House Mombay Brasserie Nibana Sanjida Shapla Balti Cusine Spice Empire The Curry Corner The Eastern Eye The Spice Well The Taste of India

1 The Barbican, Plymouth 300 Plymouth Road, Plymouth Market Street, Yealmpton Old George St, Plymouth 1 Wolseley Road, Stoke, Plymouth Boringdon Rd, Plympton Dousland, Yelverton 100 Glen Road, Plympton 221 Elburton Road, Plymstock 31 Lambhay St, Plymouth 8-9 Howeston Road, Plymouth Hemerdon, Plympton Meavy, Yelverton Noss Mayo, South Devon Quay Road, Plymouth Vauxhall Street, Plymouth

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Barbican Steak House 61 Notte Street, Plymouth Barbican Kitchen 60 Southside St, Plymouth Boringdon Park 55 Plymbridge Rd, Plympton Chambers 60 Notte Street, Plymouth Grosvenor Casino 15 Derrys Cross, Plymouth Innfusion Restaurant Jurys Inn, Exeter Street, Plymouth Jolly Jacks Mayflower Marina, Richmond Walk Kitley House Kitley Estate, Yealmpton Langdon Court Down Thomas, Plymouth Lord Louis Glen Road, Plympton Moorland Garden Hotel Yeoland Down, Yelverton Moorland Hotel Wotter, Shaugh Prior, Plymouth Quay 33 33 Southside St, Plymouth Rhodes at The Dome The Hoe, Plymouth Rock Salt Cafe & Brasserie 31 Stonehouse St, Plymouth Steak and Omelette 116-118 Cornwall St, Plymouth The Artillery Tower Durnford Street, Plymouth The Bridge Shaw Way, Mount Batten The China House Sutton Harbour, Plymouth The Dock King Point Marina, Plymouth The Foxhound Inn Kingsbridge Road, Brixton The Quayside Quay Road, Plymouth The Treasury Catherine St, Plymouth The Treby Arms Sparkwell, Plympton

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December 2015 31

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December 2015 33

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Health Benefits For Your Pets Records of the beneficial Aloe Barbadensis plant were found on Sumerian clay tablets from as early as 1750 BC. Its medicinal properties have been used by veterinary practices for over 200 years.

S

cientists discovered the most potent part of the Aloe Vera plant within the inner leaf, identifying 75 known nutrients divided into vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The plant is famously known as the Miracle Plant, the Silent Healer, the Burn Plant or even the Medicine Plant.

Aloe Vera, in gel form, is anti-inflammatory and provides the 7 out of 8 essential amino acids your body needs to create protein, required also by animals. It works by promoting cell growth and healing in damaged areas of tissue and immune system functionality.

100% natural true aloe (gel must contain at least 85% certified Aloe Vera to class as true aloe) has powerful healing benefits, helping to alleviate skin problems, the digestive system and the respiratory system. Other benefits of the plant include helping your body with weight management, boosting immunity and reducing inflammation.

Forever Living stocks a whole range of Aloe products ranging from heat gel, shampoos and essential oils through to vitamins, drinks and dermatologically tested cosmetics.

Forever’s specialist range is certified by the International Aloe Science Council. With the renowned healing properties and gentle formula, Aloe Vera products can further be used to help alleviate your pet’s condition as a first aid treatment if a veterinary surgeon is not immediately available.

34 December 2015

The gel and spray solutions can benefit your pets in the following ways: ◊ Allergies - the most common immunological system problems are asthma, arthritis, hay fever and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. True aloe can be given to pets, in its gel form, through oral administration in their food. ◊ Skin problems - your pet may have a certain type of dermatitis such as eczema, an abscess or a fungal infection. Applying a topical preparation of the gel directly to the skin 4-6 times daily initially, then twice daily as the condition improves, will dramatically reduce itching and discharge. Take care not to over-wash areas of skin and always consult a veterinary surgeon first, as self diagnosis may be dangerous. ◊ Wounds, Minor Burns and Abrasions responding particularly well to Aloe Vera, the gel encourages wounds to heal quicker. Ensure to keep the wound or burn clean and moist; in the case of a minor burn, run cold water over the affected area first. ◊ Digestive system problems - the most useful preparations for use in the mouth are Aloe Vera spray solutions. Conditions such as gingivitis and oral ulceration can be helped using these solutions.

Vomiting and diarrhoea also respond positively to oral administration of the gel.

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◊ Ear and Eye Conditions - an ear infection caused by bacteria, fungi or yeasts can be treated with an Aloe Vera solution, Gelly and Bee Propolis.

Make sure to contact a veterinary surgeon first to examine the underlying issue.

Aloe Vera gel, when applied frequently, can also aid in fading scar tissue. It is suitable for the general daily care of many domesticated pets’ and farm animals’ skin and fur.

If you would like to know more information and would like to purchase these products yourself, please contact Katie Silvermore: t: 07887 497146 e: thealoegoddess@gmail.com f: www.facebook.com/aloelol w: www.katiesilvermore.myforever.biz/store

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Plymouth’s Santa Fun Run Could you be one of the thousands of Santas taking to the streets of Plymouth this December?

On Sunday the 6th of December at 11am, the sponsored Plymouth Santa Fun Run, in association with the Herald, will once again be taking place.

For the sixth year running, The Rotary Club of Saltram will be running this incredibly festive & popular event on Sunday 6th December at 11am and Jeremiah’s Journey are delighted to be their chosen charity along with Hannah’s the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust.

The Fun Run is just that - fun! It promotes fitness but is not just about experienced runners so you can choose to jog or walk.

There are two distances to choose from, the Main Route and the Mini Route and both will be held within the City Centre in a completely traffic-free environment.

Starting at the top of Cornwall Street, between Drake Circus Mall and the Central Hall, the Main Route then follows a circular course through Cornwall Street, New George Street, Armada Way, through the Mall and finishes in Frankfurt Gate.

The Mini Route’s start is in the same place but a few minutes later than the main run and will cover the same route but about half the distance and also finishes in Frankfurt Gate.

100% of the sponsorship monies raised goes directly to two local charities of amazing causes. Jeremiah’s Journey believes that no child or family should feel alone in their grief, aiming to ensure that children, young people and their parents/ carers in Plymouth have support at a sad and difficult time.

The Dame Hannah Rogers Trust is one of the UK’s oldest charities, dedicated to empowering, advocating and enriching the lives of children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities.

adult and £7.50 per child. Your entry fee includes donation to the charities and covers the cost of the provided santa suit, road closure fees and medical cover.

If you are unable to attend this year’s run, don’t worry; you can still make a donation and help support the charities online by going to MyDonate.com.

Contact:

Registrations are now open at £12.50 per

c/o Plymouth Golf Centre, Haye Road, Elburton, Plymouth PL9 8AT info@plymouthsantafunrun.co.uk

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December 2015 35

Christmas is supposed to be FUN!

By Barbara Burgess

It’s that time of year again. Yes, Christmas is coming and any thoughts of a healthy lifestyle are put on hold until New Year’s resolutions bring us back down to earth.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas and yet it is probably the most stressful time in our annual calendar.

Spending money like it’s going out of fashion, eating too many rich foods, drinking more than we are used to, a busy social calendar, or even worse the prospect of being alone at Christmas time. Is it any wonder that it puts a huge strain on us and plans for that wonderful family Christmas turn into a nightmare of exhaustion, arguments and disappointment?

So what is to be done to make this is Christmas the best yet? Well, being organised is always a good start but I’m not here to give you the usual list of ways to have a stress free Christmas, just to remind you to be playful and have fun!

My first stress busting tip would be to remember it’s only a couple of days and, if you keep a sense of humour about you, they don’t have to be “perfect”.

One of the best Christmas dinners we’ve had, came about because I’d had flu in the two weeks before Christmas and crawled out my sickbed too late to collect the Christmas goose. On Christmas 36 December 2015

Eve and Christmas morning family and friends turned up with; a brace of pheasants, some wild rabbit, a couple of pigeons and a partridge (without the pear tree!). Not only an amazing Christmas dinner but also lots of family and friends to share it with.

What about the expense of all those presents? Some people are really organised, buying their presents in the January sales for the next Christmas.

I do admire these people for their organisation, spreading the cost of Christmas throughout the year, but I’ve found that what someone asks for in January they may not still want in December.

My mother used to do this but, slightly less organised, she would forget who she’d bought presents for and where she’d hidden them, making Boxing Day a sort of treasure hunt day as she’d vaguely remember having bought certain something for someone.

One Christmas, when my children were younger and we didn’t have lot of money, I set the challenge that no one was to pay money for

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any present they gave. They were allowed to make it, find it or barter for it; my best present that year was collection of tokens from my daughter that included ‘a free hug’, ‘do the washing up’ and ‘go to bed NOW!’ Just remember you’re not the first one to have burnt the Christmas dinner, not bought a present for that unexpected arrival, dropped Christmas cake or forgotten to buy the cranberry sauce.

Contrary to the beautifully presented Christmas dinners you see in magazines and the imagined ideas of all your family turning into saints on Christmas Day, truly the best Christmases are those when you try to be less perfect and not have unrealistic expectations. Perhaps a traditional English Christmas should bring with it the traditional English wry sense of humour?

Merry Christmas!

Barbara Burgess Hypnotherapist and Coach Deja-View Telephone: 07858 355915 e-mail: info@deja-view.org.uk

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December 2015 37

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What makes us different Award winning firm which doesn’t charge for calls, emails or visits.

Zero risk We operate a strict policy.

If you aren’t happy with our service you don’t pay.

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" H.M. Williams have looked after my affairs over the last fourteen years, nothing however small is too much trouble if you are seeking a caring, sensitive and totally professional advisor look no further."

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We also write a range of business books on tax, companies and running a business which are free to our clients.

Call: 01752 334950 | Web: www.hmwilliams.co.uk | Valley House, 53 Valley Road, Plymouth, Devon PL7 1RF

Protecting Your Assets Free Home Calls for over 60’s

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Free consultations: Our Office - Your Home

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RLS sponsors THE ALL STARS THEATRE GROUP for adults with learning difficulties

40 December 2015

Over 6 Speci 0’s alist SPECIALIST IN:

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Where families matter

We would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all of our clients

Merry Christmas

Free initial appointment • 01752 548171 • www.thefamilylawco.co.uk

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December 2015 41

42 December 2015

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December 2015 43

MOTS ONLY £20

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42 December 2015

* Surcharge may apply for specialist oils or specialist filters. ** Excludes cost of MOT and Services, but covers all repairs from any repair work required on MOT or Service.