DELIVHEORMEED S TO 6000 ALSO MONTHLY, INE! READ ONL
The
YOUR FREE & LOCAL MAGAZINE
MARCH 2015
LOOK
What’s inside this month? PETTIQUETTE – GOOD MANNERS
Dog owners, good manners and behaviour from our new Pet Advice writer
ROTARY CLUB COMPETITION
Young Photographer Competition! See all the details inside
COPING WITH... CHANGE
Are you retired and need revitalising? This article may help inspire Follow us on Twitter: @bexhillianmag or tag: #BexhillianMag
Also LOOK out for: Art, Entertainment, Finance, Parenting, Wellbeing, Events and more! Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/ groups/BexhillianMag
Photo Competition! Would you like to see your photo on next month’s cover?
CONGRATULATIONS! Paul Herbert! You are our March ‘Front Cover Photo’ Winner! Thank you for sending in your sunny photo of Egerton Park, it’s beautiful. Thanks to everyone for sending in your photos. Happy to report that we had loads of entries this month thank you all. If you would like to enter next month’s competition then send it to the email below. 6000 Readers will see it, it will also appear on our website and social media. Please ensure that you own the photo that you enter and send it to us no later than 26th March 2015. Good luck everyone! Send your entries to: samantha@bexhillianmag.co.uk
Happy days! This issue is even bigger! With new author Natalie Lagstrom talking about “Pettiquette - The Good Manners Manifesto”, another delicious recipe from Tea Beside The Sea’s Janet Bussche! More advice from our resident artist Vicky Craggs, social media expert Tracey Bartlett, health and wellbeing advice, my goodness where do you start! We have been getting more positive comments regarding the magazine, from it’s look to it’s informative content. On behalf of everyone here thank you! Thank you to all contributors, advertisers, events organisers, competition entrants. You are all part of the Bexhillian team. With more sunny days seemingly adorning the weekends, there is plenty to do and clubs to join locally. Want to raise money for a charity and meet new friends? Then take a look at the back where we have many events listed, plus there’s more on the website. We aim to help promote businesses, to raise awareness for local charities and to serve the local Bexhill community by being informative and relevant to all of our readers. As Bexhill is 20,000+ homes, it does mean that some areas will receive issues bi-monthly. Don’t worry though, we have ‘Pick up Points’ listed in the back and on our website, or email us your address and we’ll deliver a copy to you.
Scott and Samantha. Cover photo by: Paul Herbert, Facebook: Herberts Photography Published by: Director: Scott Hemsley Editor: Samantha Hallam Design, artwork and website: MediaBeetlesUK Print: DT Print Deals Distribution: MADistribution Ad sales: scott@bexhillianmag.co.uk Artwork: samantha@bexhillianmag.co.uk Twitter: @bexhillianmag or tag #bexhillianmag Facebook: groups/BexhillianMag
Scott Hemsley Director @bexhillianmag
Samantha Hallam Editor @SamanthaLuigie
YOUR gardening STORIES
gardening advice for MARCH Welcome to the March edition of our monthly gardening advice column. With the worst of the winter weather behind us, bulbs peeping through the soil and the days lengthening the welcome signs of Spring are not far away. Spring usually arrives by mid-March and the frequent sunny days provide the opportunity for an increasing range of gardening tasks. It’s time to get busy preparing seed beds, sowing seed, cutting back winter shrubs and generally carrying on with the maintenance from February.
Lawns
If it is very wet keep off the lawn as much as possible - damage to waterlogged lawns is easily inflicted and irritatingly hard to rectify. When the weather improves and the lawn has had a chance to dry out, give it a first cut with the blades on the highest setting - don’t be tempted if conditions are wet! The smell of the first grass cut is still quite wonderful. Reseed bare patches and neaten the edges with a half moon.
General Maintenance •
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• •
Protect new spring shoots from slugs; a generous application of slug killer around hostas now (even if they are not showing) will help in the uneven battle on the horizon! Plant summer flowering bulbs, like Gladioli - the corms of those spectacularly beautiful spears of colour can be planted from mid March. Plant at fortnightly intervals for a succession of blooms throughout the summer in a well drained, sunny position. Work in some compost and bonemeal, and plant 4” deep in heavy soils (with a handful of grit at the bottom of the hole). Brighten up your pots and containers with tetea-tete, pansies, violas, primroses, cyclamen and spring heathers. Cut down perennials that have been left standing over winter, including grasses – even if they are still looking good.
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Finish pruning your roses and start spraying them with fungicide to ward against black spot and mildew. • Prune hydrangeas – do not remove stems with a bud at the top, but snip off old stems bearing deadheads to just above the topmost healthy bud and remove weak shoots altogether from the base. With established plants, remove some of the older shoots right down to the base - this will help keep it compact. • Feed acid loving plants such as camellias and rhododendrons with ericaceous feed if you are on neutral or alkaline soil. If you are not sure about your soil you can buy a soil tester very cheaply in most DIY stores. • Do keep on feeding the birds – they become accustomed to the regular food supplies, as Mother Nature can often throw a curve ball weather system towards us just when we think we are on the home run. Happy gardening!
Ian Ward.
www.jwardgardens.co.uk Facebook: J Ward Gardens Photo: taken from the Facebook page above.
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BEXHILLIAN MONEY MATTERS
what should I invest in? (Part 2) Every month, the directors at McPhersons share some useful financial tips especially for Bexhillian readers. This month, Ainsley Gill looks at investments with McPhersons Financial Solutions.
Which is the right investment vehicle for you to consider?
As each has its own features, choosing the one – or even two or three – that’s right for you could bring additional benefits to your investment strategy. Last month we looked at Shares, Investment Funds and Pension funds. This month we will finish off by looking at Investment Trusts and Venture Capital Trusts.
Investment Trusts
An investment trust is a form of collective investment, you buy shares in a company, which then uses the money raised to invest in a range of assets on your behalf. There are some key differences between trusts and funds. Trusts are more sophisticated, and therefore slightly riskier, investment than funds. Investment trusts are able to borrow money, known as gearing, which can help to increase profits but can also magnify any losses in a falling market.
Disadvantages
• Dealing charges can make this expensive for a smaller investor. • More sophisticated and potentially more risky investment than a fund.
Venture Capital Trusts
A venture capital trust (VCT) is a trust which invests in fledgling companies that are looking to develop their business. The nature of these companies means that this is a higher risk investment. Due to the risk there are a number of tax incentives to encourage investment. These include tax-free income, dividends and gains and an income tax rebate of 30% of your initial investment into new VCT shares, providing you have paid sufficient income tax that year and you hold the shares for at least five years.
Advantages
• Generous tax breaks. • Opportunity to invest in very small companies. • Income payouts make them very attractive for retired investors.
Disadvantages
Additionally they are closed-end. This means that a finite number of shares are available, so the share price will be affected by supply and demand as well as the value of the underlying assets. This means the shares can trade at a discount or a premium to the net asset value.
• Higher risk and more suited to sophisticated investors.
Advantages
Need more help? This feature aims to give some informal hints and free business advice. You can contact McPhersons below for an appointment.
• Instant diversification without a large investment. • Gearing means gains can be magnified, although the same also applies to losses. • Normally lower annual management charge than an equivalent fund. • Returns can be enhanced if you buy on a discount and it narrows as the trust becomes more popular.
The value of your investment and the income from it can go down as well as up and you may not get back the original amount invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future results.
Ainsley Gill BA (Hons) FCA www.mcphersons.co.uk Email: a.gill@mcphersons.co.uk Twitter: @McPhersonsBiz
McPhersons Financial Solutions c/o 50 Havelock Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1BE T: 01424 730000 F: 01424 457080 E: info@mcphersonfs.co.uk Registered Address: Suite 1, 4th Floor, International House, Dover Place, Ashford, Kent TN23 1HU Registered in England No 5027747 Mcphersons Financial Solutions is a trading style of Absolute Financial Management Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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LOCAL FOOD LOCAL CHARITIES
gluten free eating... BESIDE THE SEA Over the past few years , seemingly, more and more people are allergic to wheat and are asking for gluten free products. Many people when told that they or a family member must be gluten free seem confused and anxious by the ‘gluten free’ tag and yet the supermarkets and shops are full of gluten free products which you can use. Gluten free flour is available – we use Doves flour for our gluten free cakes – and (if made correctly) the finished cakes are just as good as cakes made with regular flour. Gluten free flour is slightly ‘corn flour’ like in appearance and the mixture can appear very ‘sandy’ and slightly curdled but this is normal. The main thing to remember is to add extra liquid and extra baking powder and (most important) the oven must be opened as little as possible as gluten free cakes are susceptible to sinking. In Bexhill we are fortunate that a number of local bakers offer gluten free bread / bakes; Cheese and Delicatessen in Little Common offer a wide range of gluten free products all baked onsite, Earls and Judges both offer a gluten free bread range. The main supermarkets offer ‘free from’ ranges which include pasta, biscuits and cakes and bread so by simply purchasing a gluten free alternative it’s easy to transform your families diet without most of the family even being aware of the change. Going out for dinner can also be a simple procedure, many cafes and restaurants today offer gluten free ranges - even the pizza and pasta venues. You don’t need to be embarrassed just ask it’s a question we are all asked day in day out and you will be directed towards those items on the menu which are suitable.
Happy eating!
Pistachio and Rosewater cake • • • • • • • •
225g butter 225g Gluten free flour 225g Sugar 4 eggs teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons milk Pack of Pistachio nuts - crushed (save a large handful for the topping) teaspoon Rosewater essence
Icing • 100g Butter • 100g icing sugar • 2 drops of rosewater • Cream together butter , rosewater and sugar until light and creamy adding extra water if required Place all ingredients into food mixer and mix until the mixture is light and creamy and when you lift the blades the mixture leaves a distinctive ‘trail’ through the cake mix. Pour into two 20cm greased sandwich tins. Bake 180 degrees for 25/30 mins until a skewer comes out clean. When cool sandwich with rosewater butter cream and decorate with pistachios and rose petals.
Janet Van Den Bussche.
Find us on Facebook: TeaBesideTheSea #bexhillianmag
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ADVICE LOCALPET CHARITIES
PETTIQUETTE: THE GOOD MANNERS MANIFESTO! • •
•
Strolls in the Sussex countryside are one of the best ‘perks’ of dog ownership. But when we walk our dogs in public, we are responsible for their safety – and how their behaviour affects other members of the public . Many behaviours our dogs might naturally do – such as chase other animals, jump up to greet strangers, or fight with other dogs over territory or mates – are just not safe or appropriate in public! So what ‘public pettiquette’ should every good dog owner know? • Always keep your dog on a lead when near a road, no matter how good they may be. You never know when an urban fox might jump out from under a car! Only let him loose in places where it is safe to do so. • Be considerate – always pick up your dog’s poop, and don’t allow your dog to bark if it may disturb others. • Never let your dog run out of your sight. It’s important you can always witness his behaviour – and intervene if necessary! • You should never let your dog run up to strangers (especially children), chase
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animals, or run up to dogs on leads whose behaviour is restricted. Always ask a stranger’s permission before letting your dog approach them or their dog. Teach your dog to be polite if people want to say ‘hello’ – for example, by ‘sitting’ for a treat. Never encourage or allow your dog to place his feet on a person. If you see a dog wearing a yellow bandanna, or with a yellow ribbon on its collar/lead, do not let your dog approach – this is a signal that the dog is vulnerable and doesn’t want to be disturbed! If your dog is vulnerable (eg, recovering from surgery/ill/old & frail/fearful or anxious), use a yellow ribbon when out in public. Don’t take your bitch to the dog park if she is in season. Not only may she be ‘pestered’ by male dogs, but her smell in the park may cause male dogs to fight with each other all day! Neutering prevents unwanted sexual behaviour.
Natalie Lagstrom. BSc (hons) Behavioural Science, MSc Animal Behaviour
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The Theatre Workshop is a multi award winning independent Performing Arts school for young people aged 6-20 in across Sussex with schools in Bexhill, Eastbourne, Brighton and Chichester.
The schools offer an opportunity for access to excellence in performing arts for the South East’s most exciting young talent. The schools, established over 11 years ago, have launched the careers of many young actors. The growing list of celebrity alumni who have trained at the school include Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Hadfield from band Collabro, Soap Star Hetti Bywater, film stars Rosie Taylor Ritson (Nanny McPhee) and Jonathan Raggett (The Lady) Regular CBBC faces Oscar Lloyd (4 O’Clock Club), Madeline Holliday (Hank Zipzer) Amy Leigh Hickman (The Dumping Ground) and Toby Murray (Dani’s Castle) as well as Game of Thrones actor Brenock O’Connor. Young actor Oscar Lloyd commented, ‘Without The Theatre Workshop I wouldn’t be where I am today!’ On top of weekly triple threat training, The Theatre Workshop also offer an abundance of extra opportunities. These include Dance Academy, where students can gain ISTD grades in Ballet and Tap, Performance Choir that offers promising singers the opportunity to perform publicly
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across the country, GCSE Drama as well as the chance to audition for Hungry Wolf VYT, fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting youth theatre companies ‘Just laughed till I peed myself! The Electra Project by Hungry Wolf is now officially one of my favourite things ever! Genius!’ BAFTA member Rikki Beadle Blair. Students can also take private lessons in singing and drama, gaining qualifications and the chance to compete at local festivals, and that’s not all! The Theatre Workshop work closely with one of the UK’s leading young persons agency, offering students the chance to gain professional representation for work on stage and screen! However, professional opportunities are not just limited to those on the agency- Theatre Workshop have provided children for many of the countries top UK theatre tours including Joseph, Evita, Annie Get Your Gun and numerous Operas at some of Sussex’s premier theatre venues! With schools fully staffed by inspiring professionals located across East and West Sussex, The Theatre Workshop offers a FREE TRIAL SESSION for all budding performers. Please visit thetheatreworkshop.com or call 01424 232627 to book a trial. #bexhillianmag
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BEXHILLIAN – YOUR LOCAL FUTURECHARITIES FINANCE
Cohabiting couples III: Protect your financial interests! Recent changes to the intestacy laws, which determine who can inherit an estate if someone dies without a will, make it easier to claim more of the property of a spouse or civil partner. However, despite recommendations from the Law Commission, unmarried, cohabiting couples were not given any more rights to a partner’s estate in the event of death.
Savings and Investments
Unless savings and investments are included in a cohabitation agreement and a will, a couple will have no automatic right to this wealth if they split up or their partner dies. If the savings and investments are owned jointly then each cohabitor will only be entitled to take back what they contributed at the end of a relationship, and the courts will want proof of just how much each party paid in. As with property, if one of the cohabitors dies and has not left a will, their savings and investments will go to their next of kin.
Children
The number of children living in cohabiting couple families has doubled between 1996 and 2012, from 900,000 to 1.8 million. While cohabitors can claim child maintenance from a former partner, a cohabitation agreement can be used to make other, more extensive financial provision for children and even children from former partners who are not biologically related to both cohabitors but are part of the family. We recommend updating wills to set out who a child should live with if one of the partners dies. Child arrangement and special guardianship orders can provide confirmation of who a child lives with should a parent die.
Joint Accounts
An account used jointly by a couple needs to be included in a cohabitation agreement and will to ensure both partners have equal access to the money in the account. This is particularly important in the case of death, as if the account is not put into joint names then”the money will be frozenuntil the probate is dealt with and then the funds are released”. If the accounts are not held in joint names, it may mean bills are not paid and a surviving partner could be left without any money.
Nicolae Trofin.
www.wills-trusts-powersofattorney.co.uk Facebook: Professional Will Writing & Estate Planning Twitter: @WillsTrustsLPA LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trofinnicolae
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HEALTH YOUR & WELLBEING STORIES
overcome fatigue & regenerate Overcome fatigue and re-energise yourself. Are you tired and exhausted trying to do more and more in less and less time? Are you in an energy crisis, too busy to do anything about it or too tired to even realise it? If you are, then chances are, you are one of the many over-worked, over-stressed, over-extended and potentially overwhelmed folk out there trying your best to meet unrealistic demands.
Accept that the only person who can change things is you. 1. Look at your diet, chances are that if you are overworked, exhausted and stressed you are either comfort eating and snacking, or worse still, neglecting to eat. 2. Ditch the fizzy drinks and the cups of caffeine and take on board more water. Dehydration is a real problem when you are stressed. You need to keep your cells and your brain hydrated. One of the first signs of dehydration is fatigue. 3. Get fit! If you want to increase your energy levels, engage in regular activity at least three times a week. 4. Get some sleep. Look upon sleep as nature’s way of recharging your batteries with restorative energy. Sleep allows your body to repair damage, recover from stress, rejuvenate and restore balance. 5. Step out into the great outdoors. Take time to surround yourself with natural energy. A nice walk enjoying the beauty of nature can be so invigorating. You will be
surprised how the simple act of turning your back on work can lift the spirits and restore your energy levels. 6. Be mindful. Take time to stop what you are doing and focus on your breath. Having a stretch and paying attention to your posture will help to eliminate bodily stress and prevent aches and pains. 7. Surround yourself with positive people. Isolation can be depressing and stressful, it may also contribute to exhaustion. A loving partner will stimulate your heart, a good role model will inspire you, a good friend will always be there and a loyal pet will give you so much.
Until next time.
Steve Clifford. Counsellor and CBT therapist www.stevecliffordcbt.com Follow on Facebook: yourmentalhealthmatters
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LIFE LOCAL FAMILY CHARITIES
knock, knock... who’s there? We need to help our children recognise and name their emotions, otherwise there is a tendency for all emotions to go through the “anger door.” Kids often appear angry, when actually there is another more painful emotion underneath – we need to play “Knock, knock, who’s there?”
“It’s hurt”
Sadness is a normal and unavoidable part of growing up – in fact not one of us can avoid being hurt at some time or other! And hurting on our own makes for even more pain, bringing feelings of loneliness as well. Learning to deal with sadness and grief is an essential part of growing up, and yet children are seldom taught what to do with their sadness.
Children need to know:
• Does anyone know that I feel sad? • Does anyone else ever feel sad? • Will I feel sad forever? These questions need to be answered, but not with correction “If you hadn’t.....”, or advice “It’s not the end of the world....” or pep talks “Let’s focus on the positives” – in other words, don’t just try to make the sadness go away. 1. Give them permission to feel sad – children shouldn’t have to cover up their sadness so as to make life more convenient and hassle-free for adults. Allow them to cry and talk about their sadness – don’t “There, there” them, but enter their world, feel with them, and end their aloneness. 2. Let them know you feel sad for them because you love and care for them – don’t assume they already know you care. I really like the story of 5yr Emily late home from school, who when questioned by her anxious mother explained that she was late as her best friend had dropped and broken
her go-everywhere doll. Her mother asked if she’d stopped to help mend the doll, and Emily indignantly disclaimed, “No, I had to be sad with her!” 3. After giving them lots of comfort (see October ‘14 edition) then share appropriate times when you’ve felt sad, for example “I remember feeling sad when my best friend moved away. I felt sad because I was really going to miss her. We were special friends.” 4. Acknowledge that their sadness is painful now, but that better days will come. For example, a couple of days on say “How would you like to write to your friend? Even though she’s moved, we can still invite her to come and stay for a few days in the Summer holidays”
Think... Try to work through these stages in this order. Let’s communicate to our children that we know life can be tough, but that we’re there to help them.
Susie Marriott. Susie is a grandmother and a retired relationship trainer.
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bexhill - an artist’s view
ARTSCHARITIES & CRAFTS LOCAL
see them buzzing in and out of the blossom leaves providing essential pollination. Once they start to bloom and open their delicate petals that appear almost translucent at times. If painting them onto a new sheet of watercolour paper I would start with a rough pencil sketch of the flowers and foliage then lightly put a wash of maybe ultramarine to be the backdrop of the blue sky. Adding detail to the blossom I would use a mixture of rose and white to provide the different shades of pink. By the time the trees are in full bloom they are ready with their branches full of natures confetti ready to fall and sprinkle everywhere. The tiny bright green leaves appear so pure and untouched as the traffic of people and cars of Bexhill drive all around them. The plants and flowers in the beds around them come into their own now as well. In my eyes March is Spring. There may be cold wintery feeling days but fingers crossed, lovely bright crisp sunny days. By the end of March these warmer sunny days seem more and by then definitely longing for Spring in Bexhill. The signs I look for mainly features through flowers – crocuses, the ever popular bright and breezy daffodils and of course the beautiful spring blossom. Around Bexhills’ town hall square there are beautiful blossom trees, hopefully this month they are starting to flower. We may be lucky enough to see early blossom starting to grow at the beginning of the month. The branches on the trees slowly burst into tiny buds making a welcome burst of colour on the chocolatey brown branches. Bees are eager to draw nectar from the blossom trees as a valuable source of food. If you stand and look for a while you can
Of course another popular and welcome spring plant are daffodils. I love painting daffodils – the way the brush flows through the wash – giving me a great excuse to use lovely bright yellows – such as lemon yellow hue. Painting the leaves and trumpets of the flower is a joy. Depicting the double blooms of some species can be fun as they appear slightly ruffled. Whilst my two dogs and I are on our walks many daffodils can be spotted in public places as well as in gardens, window boxes and woods around Bexhill. They certainly cheer up these sometimes cold days. Next month – The spring tides of Bexhill-on-Sea.
Vicky Craggs.
Find me on Facebook: Artby.VickyCraggs #bexhillianmag
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SOCIAL MEDIA ADVICE LOCAL CHARITIES
Your business has a social media strategy, right? “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” Benjamin Franklin. Until you know your objective (your goal) for using social media, you won’t know what to do to get to that destination, not effectively anyway. Be clear about what you wish to achieve; what social media platforms will assist with that; what messages you want to give out; and how you are going to measure the effectiveness of your efforts. Here are some of the things you should be considering to add to your social media strategy: • objectives • platforms • responsibility • budget • audience • optimisation • competitors • post types • voice • scheduling • reach • engagement • measurement • analysis Let’s concentrate on one. Competitors! You should know who your competitors are, if you don’t, you should. Use Google to find them and go to their website to see which social media platforms they use.
Using social media is getting harder and harder to succeed at. Algorithms (especially on Facebook) change often, what once worked effectively, might not anymore. It’s even more reason to be a step ahead of your competitors. A quarter of the world’s population is on social media, I would be hard pushed to think of someone I know who isn’t on one. Your business needs to tap into this. Connect and communicate with your audience socially and respond quickly to their needs and wants. Social media is also great customer service platform, if monitored and managed well. Use social media as an opportunity to show your expertise, personality, ethos and customer care. Give what a potential customer wants, before your competitor does, and who do you think they will purchase future products or services from?!
Tracey Bartlett
Facebook: businesshelpers Twitter: _businesshelper LinkedIn: traceybartlett
Are those social media accounts currently active? Are they getting a high level of engagement? What are they posting? If your business doesn’t have a planned approach to your social media, including watching your competitors, how are you going be efficient with your online presence and have a competitive advantage?
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The Home Improvement Specialists for Sussex, Surrey & Kent 0800 008 7652 info@platinumhomeimprovements.net www.platinumhomeimprovements.net
All aspects of roofing undertaken from a slipped tile to a complete new roof covering.
Your local, Firestone approved, rubber flat roofing specialist. We also undertake flat roofs in fibreglass, both types of roofing carry a 20 year manufacturer’s warranty. Both rubber and fibre glass flat roofs are seamless, unlike traditional flat roofing, so no seams means that there are no weak points. Many traditional flat roofs have splits in them and usually you wont know about these splits until it’s too late, so call us today for a free survey and estimate before the winter weather catches you out.
Coping with... CHANGE I have been a local Teacher and then Head Teacher working in Primary Schools and Sixth Form College for the last 40 years. I retired last year and needed revitalising.
STORIES HEALTH YOUR & WELLBEING
changes you are going through, whether it is retirement from a busy job, moving to Bexhill and wanting to make new friends, changes in the home such as your family moving away to university, or coping with bereavement, art as therapy is a wonderful and fulfilling activity. Indeed, it opens many opportunities for creativity and a new era in your life. I have studied art to Masters Degree level and appreciate its place in all our lives. I love working with people to develop their ideas and imagination through Arts and Crafts. Our workshops cover a range of activities to suit the interests and creativity of everyone and include working with colour, materials, paper, fabric, calligraphy, nature and digital resources. How often do we stop, think and recharge our batteries? When we do stop, do we relax and really enjoy creating, imagining and appreciating the skills we have and carry on developing them? These dreams are achievable! As children we were creative, we played and it was fun and rewarding developing all our senses, helping us find out about the world and our place in it. As adults I feel we all need to find that fun for creating again, to really fulfil our lives.
Pat Strickson MA. Since then I have attended different art classes, revisiting some old skills and learning new ones, which have energised me. Whatever
Pat Strickson
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MA Creativity Co-ordinator (pictured). Visit www.youniquewellbeing.co.uk and follow on Twitter @YouNiqueWBS
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CHARITY EVENts
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Bexhill rotary club NEWS BEXHILL Rotary Club calls for Young Snappers Bexhill Rotary Club continues to promote activities for young people. This time it is an opportunity to support and encourage development of photographic skills. The Young Photographer Competition aims to encourage young people to experiment with different techniques and express their ideas through the medium of photography.
YOUR localSTORIES news
Closing date for entries is 31st March. District competition winners will be asked for a digital copy in jpeg format on disc and ideally 5Mb for an A4 sized print as part of the national final submission.
The theme for this year’s competition is “Light up the Community“. It is a national competition organised by Rotary International in Britain and Ireland (RIBI) and local heat winners will be entered into the District competition and the winner then into the National final. It is up to individual competitors to show their interpretation of their chosen topic within the theme and there are many ways to do so. It could be based on a community project, fundraising, displays, activities or events which raise money or offer help to local communities. Alternatively, it could be about a volunteer or group of volunteers who help to Light up the Community with their hard work and time. A portfolio of three photographs should be submitted. These can either be colour or black and white, no larger than A4 on photographic paper. Applicants must also write, in no more than 50 words, a description of the inspiration for their photographs, and how they reflect the theme. The competition is for students in full-time education and is free to enter. There are three age categories: Junior, 7–10 years, Intermediate, 11–13 years and Senior, 14–17 years.
Competitors will receive a certificate of participation. The national winners will receive appropriate awards. For further information please contact Richard Harrison on 01424 444316 or look on our website www.bexhill.rotaryweb.org. #bexhillianmag #bexhillianmag #bexhillianmag
BEXHILL NEWS UPDATE LOCAL CHARITIES
bexhill town forum NEWS Bexhill Town Forum is looking at who is shaping Bexhill’s future The third in the series of meetings about potential local governance for Bexhill is all set for 13 March. A panel of six experts will be there to answer questions from the audience, Any Questions style. The experts bring knowledge and experience of working with the various models that are under consideration – parish councils, town council, area committee, as well as knowledge of caring for Bexhill today. This promises to be a very interesting and informative evening. In addition to the local council there are many other people and organisations working hard to improve our town, but not everyone is aware of all that is going on. In May the forum will look into what is in the pipeline for Bexhill: some of the people and organisations involved in proposals and plans will be there to share their ideas and talk about how they will benefit our town. And of course the public will be able to quiz the speakers on what they are doing.
This will be a great opportunity to get involved and share your views on Bexhill’s future.
Next forum dates: • Friday March 13th: 6pm refreshments and informal chat for 6:30pm formal start. • Friday May 22nd: 6:30pm refreshments and informal chat for 7pm formal start. • Friday October 2nd: 6:30pm refreshments and informal chat for 7pm formal start. Please note that the May and October meetings will start half an hour later than usual. All meetings will be at: St Peter’s Community Centre, Bexhill Old Town. TN40 2HE.
bexhill library Little Common Library has got off to a good start with Saturday opening. In the first two weeks we had 12 & 18 visitors, not all new but interest has been shown by the working population of the village. We look forward to seeing more people in the coming weeks. The library is run
by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to call in and see the good range of books we keep. Our opening times are: Tuesdays 9.30 – 16.00 Fridays 9.30 – 12.30 Saturdays 9.30 – 12.00 noon
CHARITY EVENts
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What’s on in and around Bexhill? Check out the variety of events going on in and around your area
Little Common Horticultural Society | fri 13TH MARCH | 7.15pm | £2 Now that Spring has arrived with the promise of Summer around the corner, John Buckingham will brighten the evening by talking to the Little Common Horticultural Society on ‘Flowers of the Mediterranean’. It will be held at the Community Hall, Shepherds Close, visitors very welcome (£2). www.lchs.co.uk craft fair | sat 14th March | free entry | 10AM-3PM Arts, Crafts and Gifts Fair with delicious preserves and home-baked items too. St. Barnabas Church, Sea Road, Bexhill, TN40 1JG (halfway between the station and the sea). Full disabled access, parking and toilet facilities. Refreshments available all day. Organised by Cantelupe Community Assoc. BEXHILL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY | Spring Show | Sat 21st March | 2-4.15pm Pebsham Community Centre, Seabourne Road, Pebsham, TN40 2SW. Ample free parking, refreshments available. Why not exhibit this year? For further details call 01424 210770. Crafts, Hobbies & Talents Day | Sat 28th March | 10-4pm | free entry Christchurch Methodist Church, Springfield Road, TN40 2BX, All in memory of Alan Malpass who died last year. There will be stalls, talks and demonstrations, and tea, coffee and cake. Details from Steve Roberts 07741284332 or steve1roberts@btinternet.com Visit our website for MORE FEBRUARY events: www.bexhillianmag.co.uk/bexhill-events ADVERTS/EDITORIALS DEADLINE FOR APRIL ISSUE: 26TH MARCH 2015 DEADLINE FOR DESIGN/ARTWORK & COMPETITION ENTRIES: 22ND MARCH 2015
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The Bexhillian Important Information
Don’t forget to mention the Bexhillian when contacting the business advertised Don’t want to miss out on any regular editorials? Haven’t received your copy this month? Please email us your address and we’ll deliver a copy to your door. scott@bexhillianmag.co.uk Or collect from a useful Pickup Point: Bexhill Farmer’s Market Devonshire Square Bexhill Museum Egerton Rd De La Warr Pavilion G & R Metals 64 London Rd New Foundations Devonshire Rd No.48 Café Devonshire Rd Post Office 1-3 Windmill Drive Sara Lee Trust Western Road Starlings Gifts 13 Sackville Rd DISCLAIMER: We have done our best to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, however we cannot accept any responsibility for any subsequent alterations or for any error, omission or mis-statement in any material published herein. The views expressed by individuals in any letter or editorial within the magazine are not necessarily those of the editors, and while we’re at it; the inclusion of the advertisers does not mean that we recommend them, we certainly hope they give good service and we would like to hear from you if they don’t. Please respect the advertisers and contributors rights, please assume that all content herein is protected under copyright law, if you want to reproduce anything please contact the respective parties or us, editorials are the views of their respective authors, we’re sure they are very nice and to our knowledge they don’t bite. Now tuck this into your bag until you’re ready to sit and enjoy it during a quiet break.
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(Local call rates apply, other mobile services may vary) To book advertising space email: scott@bexhillianmag.co.uk Email approved *adverts and editorials: samantha@bexhillianmag.co.uk Please visit our website: www.bexhillianmag.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @bexhillianmag Join our Facebook group and share information about your local business and your pages, events and photos: www.facebook.com/groups/ BexhillianMag IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
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“Advert Prices and Sizes” page of our website, (above) or you can email us (above) for our sizes and price chart, we will send it to you. Artwork needs to be supplied as high resolution (300 dpi), CMYK, pdf, tif or eps format only. If you have difficulty Samantha will help convert files from RGB to CMYK for print, artwork must be high resolution for visual quality. If you need an advert created we can also design it for you with your supplied text and branding, (advert design and artwork is chargeable, pdf proofs of created ads are emailed for approval). Deadline for supplied artwork is 26th business day of each month. Payments MUST BE PAID prior to deadline.
Really Useful Telephone Numbers
A short directory of emergency numbers, helplines and local service numbers
EMERGENCY NUMBERS Multiple Sclerosis Society
0808 800 8000 NSPCC 0800 800 5000 (24 hour) ParentLine Plus 0808 800 2222 Red Cross Medical Loan 01424 213583 Samaritans (*24hr) 01424 436666/*08457 909090 Women’s Refuge 0808 2000 247 CHEMISTS Little Common Pharmacy 01424 843575 Lloyds Pharmacy 01424 220424 Marsh Pharmacy 01424 219516 Pebsham Pharmacy 01424 736135 HELPLINES Trackside Pharmacy Age UK 01424 212555 01424 426162 CHIROPODISTS/FOOT HEALTH Bexhill Caring Community Naomi Creasey MChS BSc(Hons) Podiatry 01424 215116 01424 215300 Bexhill Information Centre Philip Hurst MCFHP MAFHP 01424 773721 01323 724298 Rother District Citizens Advice Talbot Associates 01424 215055 and 01424 734549 01424 216488 Childline CHURCHES 0800 1111 All Saint’s Church (Anglican) East Sussex Cruse 01424 221071 01323 642942 Beulah Baptist Church Direct Debt Line 01424 730001 0800 587 0875 Bexhill/Hastings Jewish Society Domestic Abuse Project 07743 992295 01424 716629 Christchurch Methodist Church Hastings and Rother Mediation 01424 422350 Service St Augustine’s Church 01424 446808 Home Call - In and around Bexhill 01424 210785 St Peter’s Church 01424 214458 01424 734438 Home-Start St Stephen’s Church 01424 443636 01424 211186 Kidscape DENTISTS >>> 08451 205204
Police, Fire, Ambulance and Coastguard 999 Bexhill-on-Sea Police Station 101 - non emergency calls Freephone Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Conquest Hospital: A&E Dept. 01424 755255 Eastbourne District General Hospital 01323 411188 National Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999 South East Water Company 0845 278 0845 Garage Door Emergency Repair 07730 5570119 Little’s Locksmiths 07702 849828
Eversley Road Dental Practice 01424 210610 Little Common Dental Practice 01424 845530 Precision Oral Design Ltd 01424 223293 Sussex Dental Design 01424 210777 DOCTORS Collington Surgery 01424 217465 Little Common Surgery 01424 847575 Old Town Surgery 01424 739420 Pebsham Surgery 01424 230399 Sidley Medical Practice 01424 230025 OPTICIANS & EAR HEALTH Green & Elliott 01424 212544 The Spectacle Hut 01424 213326 Bexhill Hearing Centre 01424 733030 PHYSIOTHERAPISTS & OSTEOPATHS Peter Butcher MMACP, Mcsp, Grad Dip Physiotherapist Rebecca Lunn MCSP BSc (Hons) Tracey Butcher MCSP, Grad, Dip, Phys
01424 224164 Clare Kersley BSc (Hons) Osteopath 07954 327614 TV & SATELLITE REPAIR Dannie Herbert 07525 793203 VETS Chase Veterinary Centre 01424 224818 Claremont Veterinary Group 01424 222835 Greenleaves Veterinary Centre 01424 212225