Severn MAGAZINE
Season’s Greetings!
YOUR LOCAL
FREE MAGAZINE ISSUE # 9
For Shrewsbury
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HELLO!
THE TEAM
Welcome TO THE LATEST ISSUE OF SEVERN MAGAZINE.
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ell, its coming to the end of another year and what a year it’s been! Not only have we had the spectacles that were the Olympics and Paralympics in London (where we showed the rest of the world how to do it!) but its also been a great year right here in Shrewsbury. Our great town continues to put on such a variety of events for young and old with concerts, street festivals and the famous flower show. We are spoilt for choice and they are already planning for next year with some new additions too... I have heard such great stories in the town this year from local charities about the great work they do, new businesses have set up and thrived, college students have met with success and many, many other fabulous things have come to my attention whilst at the helm of Severn magazine. Long may it continue! I must say a big thank you to all who have helped me and worked with me on Severn Magazine this year, this includes my regular columnists such as Sam Pooley , Martin Wood, Vicky Archer and all the other wonderful people who contribute. You all know who you are! Remember to tell your friends that you can pick a copy of Severn up from the end of the self-service checkouts in Sainsburys Meole Brace. Hope you all have a great festive break and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year. Watch out for some exciting new features!
Michael Tinkler Publisher & Editor michael@severnmagazine.co.uk Sam Pooley Features Editor Curtis Femor-Dunman Design design@severnmagazine.co.uk General Enquiries info@severnmagazine.co.uk
CONTENTS Business news Town Crier Vicki Archer Panto! Opportunities & the future Christmas Tree Festival Shot in the dark Katie’s Kitchen Christmas gift ideas Avoid injury this winter Fashion & beauty Fitness A Farmer’s Daughter Woodford Foundation Wildlife Trust First class for college Throned in glory Pinboard Get the Picture Weight-loss trial
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See you soon,
Cover image: Steve Morris www.stevemorrisphotography.com Please mention ‘Severn Magazine’ when responding to all advertisements. Tel: 07522 258776 | Fax:01952 403054 | Web: www.severnmagazine.co.uk Severn magazine is published by Darwin Publishing Limited, 12 Little Meadow Close, Admaston, TF5 0DN. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form without the written permission of the copyright owner. The editorial opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Darwin Publishing Limited, its employees, agents or advertisers. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Severn magazine cannot accept responsibility for any errors in articles or advertisements.
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BUSINESS NEWS
Boots that
squeak
for tiny feet
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Shrewsbury mum has launched an adorable range of squeaky leather toddler boots for winter. Abigail Barker, who set up the online shop Tiny Squeak, is now also selling the ‘Liquorice Allsorts’ coloured footwear at Compost and Gooseberry in Shrewsbury Market Hall. Worn with or without the squeak, the boots (£26) are available in sizes up to 7. www.tinysqueak.co.uk. For further press information contact Sarah Hart (as above) or Abigail Barker on 01743 791586.
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Investing Heavily in Shropshire
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s well as re-furbishing the Newport store and moving the Oswestry store to the main entrance of the RJ & AH Orthopaedic Hospital. Ableworld have invested heavily in the largest store yet at Heathgates Bank, Ditherington in Shrewsbury.
During the last 11 years, Ableworld has grown to be one of the country’s largest retailers of products and services for the elderly and disabled, through its ever-expanding network of stores. So what can customers expect when they visit an Ableworld store? Well the first thing is that all the stores have parking facilities normally directly outside the store or close by. On entering a store customers notice a bright, clean and tidy interior filled with interesting and useful products, all clearly priced, with access and aisles designed to accommodate wheelchair users. One of Ableworld’s great strengths is the quality and commitment of its staff. Staff treat customers honestly and ethically, which is written into their contracts. They do not want to have ‘the quick sale at any cost’ – the principle is to build a business with strong foundations on ethical grounds. They are also trained to a high standard. Only this year Ableworld were presented with a ‘commitment to Training – Elite Dealer Award’, which proves how dedicated they are in providing a professional service to customers. The new Ableworld store in Shrewsbury is open 7 days a week and is situated next to Banbury Windows.
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New appointment
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e would like to welcome our BAAPS/BAPRAS Cosmetic Surgeon to the Cedar House team. Mr Hiroshi Nishikawa is a UK GMC specialist accredited Plastic Surgeon and is highly experienced in the latest procedures and techniques for Cosmetic Surgery of the Breast, Face and Body and always aims to enhance his patients’ natural look and appearance. He regularly appears on National and Regional TV and Radio, including Channel 4’s Katie, My Beautiful Friends. Mr Nishikawa graduated from Cambridge University and then continued his surgical training in London, Leeds, Adelaide and Taiwan, where he received specialist training in cosmetic craniofacial and plastic reconstructive surgery. Cedar House Clinic is proud to be performing cosmetic surgery procedures such as Breast Augmentation and Rhinoplasty under local anaesthetic with/ without sedation. The technique has
been developed by Mr Nishikawa and his team of Consultant Anaesthetists and we are one of only a few clinics in the UK to be offering this type of surgery in our onsite, state-of-the-art-theatre. Patients can naturally opt to have general anaesthetic if they so choose. If you are considering Cosmetic Surgery and Cosmetic Treatments but are confused by the many different messages and providers out there, rest assured that Mr. Nishikawa will offer you
impartial advice, ongoing support and comprehensive aftercare. Cedar House Clinic is registered and governed by the Care Quality Commission. If you would like some more information or would like to book a consultation with Mr Nishikawa, please call our friendly team on 01743 271404 or fill out our web enquiry form at www. cedarhouseclinic.co.uk. We very much look forward to welcoming you to the Cedar House Clinic soon.
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OYEZ! OYEZ! OYEZ!
A Christmas Carol
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s this will be the Christmas edition of the Severn Magazine I thought I would take a quick break from the Streets of Shrewsbury and take you back to 1985 when Hollywood came to town. Shrewsbury was chosen as the venue to film one of the greatest Christmas stories ever told. “A Christmas Carol”, this was to have George. C. Scott in the lead role as Scrooge with David Warner, Suzanna York, Michael Carter and Edward Woodward as other main characters along with Tony Walters, a local 6 year old, playing Tiny Tim and hundreds of local people taking “walk on” parts along with a young fresh faced lad, me! I was given the job as stand-in for Edward who had to wear stilts made by NASA so that he could play the Ghost of Christmas Present. The opening scenes were filmed in the Square and they had to be re-filmed on day two as someone had left a plastic cup of coffee against the wall of the Old Market Hall and someone spotted it on a couple of frames of film! Fish St. was the site of filming Bob Cratchit’s house and they used the little shop to the right of the Bear Steps. When we filmed the scene for Scrooge to visit his Nephew on The Crescent, Town Walls, the crew had laid down the salt to make it look like snow and a chap who was a bit worse for drink somehow wandered onto the set and had us all in fits of laughter as he jumped from the snow side to the clear side looking up into the sky as if he could see the snow clouds above him! The outside of the Parade Shopping Centre was the scene for the lads sliding on the ice and for Scrooge to be approached by the two gents collecting money for the poor. The ice slide was produced by putting together a load of plywood boards, and pouring gallons of
washing up liquid onto it and away the lads went sliding for all they were worth! The filming for the appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Future was done under the railway station arches, on the Monkmoor side of the river, and they had to put a chap with a radio in the signal box to warn when the next train was approaching. Dry ice was floated out over water and a little track was laid so that I could stand on a box and two chaps slowly pulled a rope so it looked like I was floating above the ground towards Scrooge, spooky or what? One set that you can still see is the grave of Ebenezer Scrooge. Enter the chuchyard of St Chads, opposite the Quarry, and walk about halfway along the path, look down on your left and there he still lies! Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol as a means of getting out of a debtors prison in London and its first public reading was done here in Shrewsbury. Dickens visited the town on a few occasions and it`s not quite certain whether the reading took place at the Music Hall or at The Lion Hotel, either way “The Carol” came home. If you have any suggestions of streets that you would like to know the history of then please contact me via the magazine and I will do my best to include them in future articles. Have a good Christmas and see you next year!
MARTIN WOOD ~ SHREWSBURY TOWN CRIER T: 07718 951902 E: TOWNCRIER.MARTIN@BTINTERNET.COM
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OUR VICKI
WINTER FAYRES & Chocolate fountains I’M A MUM OF TWO MONSTERS WHO I ADORE (BUT WOULD SWAP FOR A TIN OF BEANS ON OCCASION), MARRIED TO GAV (MIGHT SWAP FOR BEANS & MINI SAUSAGES) AND WORK SILLY HOURS DOING VOICE OVERS. YOU CAN FIND ME EACH AFTERNOON WITH ADAM GREEN ON BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE 96FM. LIFE IS BUSY, CHAOTIC AND WHEN I’M NOT TRYING TO GET TOOTHPASTE OFF MY TOP I SCRIBBLE A COLUMN. ENJOY X
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very year in the run-up to Christmas, we fill the calendar with wonderful winter fayres. I picture my family almost stepping from a Boden Catalogue; rosy-cheeked and laughing as we pass the choir going into the third verse of We Three Kings. It’s all mulled wine and children juggling red hot chestnuts from the wood burner. We are so lucky in Shropshire. You can’t move without stumbling upon a Frost/Winter/Victorian/German market or fayre promising good cheer, home produce, and a warm toasty welcome. The hope being that by the time you leave every name on your present list will be ticked off, and your larder (I’m still pretending to live in a catalogue) will be
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overflowing with rich, indulgent, hearty food. I have my list, I have my family, I have hope. It’s a good start. I’ve given my husband three relatives to buy for and a six year old helper. They make their way confidently over to the drinks stall of fruit liqueurs, sloe gins and whisky. When I turn round, Daisy, who is five, is nowhere to be seen. I’m scanning the stalls, crouching down to her level trying to see through the crowd at least six people deep. My heart sinks as I think through the possibilities: A) She’s stuck her whole head into the chocolate fountain she clocked on the way in. B) She’s sneaked her way into Santa’s grotto to have a serious talk about whether the elves are actually ‘house elves’ and deserve rights. C) She’s the one driving the mobility scooter that knocked down that tree. Actually I should give her more credit. She walks towards me grinning, her arms are brimming with everything from homemade soaps, jams, a scarf and what looks like a lovely piece of venison: ‘I’ve got the presents for everyone, Mum’ she says proudly. Hmmm. ‘That’s lovely darling, but as you have
no money and haven’t paid for them it’s called theft.’ I’m glancing around trying to identify which stalls they came from and whether I can return them without anyone noticing. Has anyone actually been asked to leave one of these fayres before? Can you be thrown out? I need help. I need my husband. ‘We three Kings of Gloucester Squaaaaaare…’ A gruff, slightly slurry tenor has joined the choir ‘. wearing women’s underwear...’ It’s my husband who obviously sampled a few of the liqueurs while deciding which ones to buy, and is now being egged on by our son who’s giggling so hard he might wet himself ‘…no elastic, quite fantastic, not very safe to wear.’ ‘Is that Dad?’ says Daisy, loud enough for everyone to hear. The lady behind us tuts. ‘No, no it’s not. Let’s go and stick our heads in the chocolate fountain shall we?’
VICKI ARCHER TWITTER: VICKIARCHER1 WEB: WWW.VICKIARCHER.CO.UK
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Jack& the
Beanstalk CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME PROMISES TO BE A BEST-SELLER
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ollowing another record-breaking pantomime last year, Theatre Severn and Evolution Productions hope to continue the success story with GIANT family pantomime JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. The show opens on Thursday 6 December 2012 and runs until Sunday 13 January 2013. Evolution Productions is run by Telford-born Paul Hendy and his wife, Emily Wood. Paul is well-known as a TV presenter, script-writer and
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comedy novelist whilst Emily comes from a theatrical dynasty (her father is pantomime producer Kevin Wood and her grandfather the impresario Jimmy Wood). Paul and Emily formed Evolution in 2005 and the company has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. The Daily Mail recently reported three of Evolution’s shows as being in the ‘Top Ten Pantomimes in the Country’. Paul Hendy says, “As a local lad, I am absolutely thrilled to be producing
at Theatre Severn. Emily and I are very proud of our reputation for producing some of the best pantomimes in the country.” Evolution have again secured the services of a hugely talented cast of theatre and panto professionals to perform Jack and the Beanstalk at Theatre Severn. Bradd Fitt, listed as best ‘Ugly Sister’ alongside Matthew Kelly in the Sunday Telegraph’s pantomime list, returns to Shrewsbury after delighting
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audiences as Widow Twankey in Aladdin last year, and takes the role of Dame Trott. BBC Radio Shropshire’s Eric Smith will be a familiar face to audiences as the King Eric, and Adam Moss will bring plenty of comedy chaos as Billy Trott. Theatre Manager, Peter Nicholson says, “After beginning a new partnership with Evolution Productions last year, we were thrilled by the audience response which saw a record-breaking 33,000 people attend Aladdin. With advance sales already up on last year, our ambitions are to break this record again and again. Jack and the Beanstalk will open on Thursday 6 December and run until Sunday 13 January. Tickets are on sale now and available from the Box Office at Theatre Severn (telephone 01743 281281) or online at www. theatresevern.co.uk , where you can view a full schedule and choose and book seats.
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Opportunities
& the future SEVERN MAGAZINE TALKS TO STEVE WAIN, PRINCIPLE AT SHREWSBURY COLLEGE OF ARTS & TECHNOLOGY
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n August this year Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology announced the appointment of its new Principal, Steve Wain. He reflects on the opportunities that now exist within the further education sector and how Shrewsbury College can become Shropshire’s key partner for prosperity and education.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST FEW MONTHS AT SHREWSBURY COLLEGE. I was delighted to take the helm and have spent most of my first 50 days reaching out to our business and stakeholder communities to discover how our College can best meet and stimulate demand for education and training. The soundings I’ve received from outside the College are similar to those I’ve received inside. There is plenty of good feeling for us and a real appreciation of how important we are to the area. This is equally matched with a desire for us to change, improve and develop. WHY SHOULD PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CHOOSE SHREWSBURY COLLEGE? We’re a friendly and inclusive College where students feel comfortable and gain the skills and confidence to go on and succeed in their chosen career. The College teaches qualifications across a wide range of subjects, at a variety of levels. Whether you have a specific career in mind or are looking to go to university, there are lots of options available. More than a third of students
go to university via a College like ours. It’s not necessarily about getting A Levels – you can study full time for work-related qualifications or go for an Apprenticeship. You could also consider an Advanced Diploma qualification. Local degree-level courses, like those provided at Shrewsbury College, are becoming much more attractive to the discerning student seeking a relevant higher level qualification at an affordable price. With 1- 3 year courses available you can commit to higher education knowing that, unlike on some courses, you will have gained a qualification after every year and can complete your course the way you want to, including taking a break for a year or longer should you wish. We have also upgraded a lot of our facilities over the summer so we can now provide an even better learning environment for you. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE COLLEGE? We are seeking to change our curriculum so that students have much more choice. From 2013 students coming to us can combine different subjects for the first time and they will be able to combine certain subjects with GCSEs and A levels too. We are also going to ensure that our students are much more work ready than before. A student’s programme will comprise of more than qualifications. I am busy talking to local employers and groups about how our students can help them. We want our students to be involved in Actual Work projects rather
than us simulating work through an artificial environment. Internally our culture will change. Teaching and students have to come first and the best way to achieve that is through the right balance of leadership, management and trust. I am seeking to create a strong academically focussed culture where trust and leadership is the norm. WHAT DID YOU DO PRIOR TO SHREWSBURY COLLEGE? I have been teaching since 1992 and became a Principal at a Hampshire Sixth Form College in 2007. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I like to play tennis and ski and buy guitars so frequently that I’m becoming a collector. Unusually my favourite sport is American Football a love acquired as a student at New York State University in the 1980s and I’m possibly the only Buffalo Bills fan in Shropshire! For more information on full-time, part-time and higher education courses available at Shrewsbury College, visit www.shrewsbury.ac.uk.
SHREWSBURY COLLEGE OF ARTS & TECHNOLOGY LONDON ROAD SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE SY2 6PR T: 01743 342342 W: WWW.SHREWSBURY.AC.UK
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Christmas Tree 15TH – 19TH DECEMBER ST. CHAD’S CHURCH
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t Chad’s Church is hosting its first Christmas Tree Festival between 15th and 19th December. Over 30 Christmas trees will be decorated and illuminated and will follow the unique circular shape of the church both downstairs and round the edge of the gallery for a spectacular display. David Tudor, Development Director said, “We are inviting local businesses, charities and volunteer groups to sponsor a tree which they can decorate and illuminate in their own style and help to promote their business or charity enterprise. School choirs, brass bands, the organ and other Christmas music will fill the church with seasonal sounds throughout the Festival. St Chad’s welcomes everyone to enjoy this occasion and the wonderful Christmas atmosphere whenever they come into Shrewsbury over this period for shopping or other events. We are delighted that The Right Reverend Mark Rylands, Bishop of Shrewsbury, will open the five day festival with a special event on Friday 14th for all sponsors and participating groups with seasonal drinks and festive fayre.” Christmas music on this occasion will be performed by the renowned choir, Sine Nomine. For further information contact: David Tudor or Marianne Brown on 01743 368121. Email: info@ stchadscampaign.org.uk
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A shot in the dark IMAGES AND STORY BY RICHARD HAMMERTON
‘FILM NOIR’ PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE LONG WINTER EVENINGS
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he clocks have gone back, the days are getting shorter with alarming speed, and bright sunlight is likely to be in short supply until April. All of this, you might think, means that from now until April the prospects for photography are almost as bleak as the weather forecast, and that once the last leaves have fallen off the trees the only thing to hold out for is a really hard frost or better yet some snow. In fact though this time of year offers some great opportunities for photography beyond colourful autumn leaves and frost. Late autumn and
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winter are very good for low light and night time street photography, a technique that with a little practise and a bit of luck can create some amazingly atmospheric images. When everything works well this technique can make corners of Shrewsbury that aren’t obviously photogenic by daylight look quite unfamiliar and a lot more interesting. The ideal conditions for this type of photography are dark, rainy evenings. If you can time it to get out just after the rain has stopped, so much the better, but the streets and pavements dry up fairly quickly and I often find I get the
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best results when it is still raining. I hope the advice about taking an umbrella isn’t really necessary – it will keep the rain off the camera as well as keeping you dry. In terms of locations we are spoilt for choice in Shrewsbury but the main thing is to find a place where the lighting is strong enough to reflect off the wet road or pavement and create a good silhouette, and of course ideally somewhere where the buildings and even the texture of the pavement lend themselves to an interesting composition. Wyle Cop, Mardol, the Square, and the railway station are good examples but there are plenty more to discover. Another advantage of this time of year (besides the prevalence of rain) is that as it now gets dark at about half past four you have at least a couple of hours when there are still plenty of people out shopping or going home from work, which is helpful of them since having a person or people in your night time shot will make it a lot more interesting. This type of photography doesn’t need a DSLR in order to get good results and can be done to good effect with a reasonably good compact camera, assuming you can get to grips with the manual settings. For these night shots I usually set the ISO fairly high – I suggest starting out on ISO 400 and going higher if the results are still too dark. The aperture setting (f/stop) needs to be as wide open as possible, which means a low number (f3.5 or lower) if you’re not sure. Since there isn’t much light the shutter speed needs to be as low (slow) as possible – with steady hands 1/60th of a second is usually ok. Find a suitable location, wait for an interesting moment (people with umbrellas make for good silhouettes) and hold the camera steady (or rest it on some suitable flat surface and use the timer). After that it is down to luck and a good eye for composition. If the images look a bit too dark on the camera remember that it is possible to increase the exposure (brightness) of the image afterwards using Photoshop or a free program such as Picasa, which includes some useful options for tweaking the image when you get home. RICHARD HAMMERTON PHOTOGRAPHY W: WWW.HAMMERTONPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK
Masterclass
■ Find a location with enough light from streetlamps, shop windows, car headlights, etc, and where the pavement and buildings work to reflect the light well and create a good composition. ■ Use a fairly high ISO setting – 400 or above is about right ■ Keep the aperture setting (f/stop) as low as possible to allow as much light as possible into the camera ■ Use the slowest shutter speed you can manage for a handheld shot, or rest the camera on a tripod or a level surface and use the timer. ■ Take a few practise shots to see if you have the right settings for the scene. ■ Look out for a interesting subject in the scene, such as a person with an umbrella, that will add an interesting focal point. ■ Remember that images can be brightened up afterwards, especially if you can take the photo in RAW format at the time.
E: R.M.HAMMERTON@GMAIL.COM
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KATIE’S KITCHEN
Yule logs PERFECT FOR SANTA & HIS LITTLE ELVES
KATIES KITCHEN FOR KIDS T: 07971 499 359 E: KATIEWELLINGTON@TISCALI.CO.UK
Makes 8 INGREDIENTS 6 oz Butter 6 oz Flour 6 oz Sugar 3 Eggs Cocoa Powder Butter cream 8 oz Icing Sugar Tbsp Cocoa 3 oz Butter
Holly Leaves Ready Rolled Icing Green, Red Food Colouring Holly Cutter Small Rectangle tins! Mini loaf tins or mini loaf card cases
Who says “Oh, oh oh?” Santa going backwards! Secret ingredient ... ns, 16 chocolate butto l tel t shhhhhhhh don’ the grown ups!
Instructions ■ Soften
Butter then add sugar eggs and add to bowl ■ Sieve flour add cocoa ■ Mix together ■Grease cases then add 2 chocolate buttons to each tin ...shhhhhhhhhh... pour over buttons with mixture ■ Cook for 10 minutes until springy to touch at 180 degrees. ■ Beat
Icing ■ Mix
butter with cocoa and icing sugar add more icing to taste if a little runny ■ Spread icing thickly over cooled cake, ■ Run the back of the fork over the cakes to leave lines in the icing. ■ Separate the rolled out icing into two pieces ■ Add green colouring to one and red colouring to the other ■ Make a holly leaf with green rolled out icing and add two red balls. ■ Put holly leaf onto each cake and dust with icing sugar. Merry Christmas, have lots of fun. See you soon!
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Katie xxx
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Gift ideas ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PERFECT SOMETHING FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE? LOOK NO FURTHER...
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Label M Christmas sets
Their greatest collaboration yet, fashion forward designer Giles Deacon has collaborated once again with Industry leaders Label M to produce the perfect stocking fillers and Tote Bags with desirable print.
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Struggling to buy for the men in your life, then this is the perfect way to spoil him with the Exclusive LabelM Grooming Kit. With each purchase of their best selling product, Matte Paste (Large) you get a complimentary Grooming Kit and Toiletry Bag. Perfect for taking on those weekends away ;)
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≤ Twisted Fairytale Gift Voucher
Women rarely put themselves first, and even if they did they wouldn’t have the time. Do something different this Christmas and treat a loved one or friend to a Tutorial or Makeup Consultation with a Fashion Certified Mac Makeup Artist. Vouchers available in any denomination – come on ladies, it’s about time we put ourselves first.
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Limited Edition GHD’s
The perfect present size for Santa to fit down the chimney, these will never fail to please. Coming up trumps every year in the “top 10 christmas presents wanted by women”, these are sure to gain brownie points. Available in Metallic Gold, Silver and Bronze.
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Dermalogica Gift Sets
Worldwide Industry Leaders in Skincare, Dermalogica have done it again and produced the perfect skin sets, with something for everyone from Shave Sets (for your Festive Fancy) to Moisture Sets to beat the winter chill.
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Avoid injury this winter A
void slips, falls & achy bodies this Christmas season with some helpful tips from Dr Glen Fredericksen, your local Shrewsbury Chiropractor. Around Christmas time, when the streets become icy, I see a lot of people who have fallen over or nearly slipped causing unwelcome back pain for the Christmas season. By changing some simple habits you can help prevent yourself being the invalid at Christmas. Remember good balance is important to staying upright, you can improve your balance by evenly distributing your shopping bags over both shoulders or
better yet take a back pack with you if you’re picking up a lot of things. Try to avoid using the phone or drinking while on the move as this will not only alter your balance but it will also stop you from concentrating on iced footpaths. The best solution would be to plan a break in your day to enjoy a moment at one of the many cafes or your favourite spot. It will give you time to relax and make your day even more enjoyable. More helpful information and tips to make Christmas more enjoyable for your body are available at www. shrewsburyfamilychiropractic.co.uk
Top tips
1
Balance is key to staying upright. Carry shopping evenly or better yet take a backpack style bag with you to carry your shopping.
2 3 SHREWSBURY FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC T: 01743 455 245 W: WWW.SHREWSBURYFAMILYCHIROPRACTIC.CO.UK
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Wear good, non-slip footwear.
Avoid saving time by drinking and eating on the run and therefore taking your eyes of the footpath. Treat yourself to a break at a local coffee shop!
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Cali cool
Achieve glam, boho locks. Loose texturized waves, pulled into a side parting and pinned into a loose chignon. Create effortless, off-duty cool.
Retro roll
Inspired by the updos at London fashion week, this style features a vintage roll either side of the head, joining at the nape to create a chic chignon.
Festive Style CHRISTMAS PARTY SEASON IS NEARLY UPON US!
H
ere are some runwayworthy hair-styles to wow your fellow party goers.
Glam garland
A middle parting offset by two side French braids which join at the nape of the neck for a romantic look .
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Twisted Fairytale
Classic red lips were everywhere on the autumn/winter 2012 catwalks. The same bold reds, (be it post-box, tomato or crimson,) roll around every time the weather cools and the nights draw in. It’s such a key trend for the new season that if you have never dared before, why not embrace this classic lip colour now? (There’s no time like the present, so we’ve heard). It was such a prevalent look that we can’t possibly list all the shows
that featured the scarlet hue on lips. Take inspiration from Victoria Beckham, Jonathan Saunders or Nina Ricci where a darker wine red was blended on the inner part of the lip for a tougher effect. For help picking the perfect shade of lipstick for this coming season to suit your colouring, contact your Fairy Godmother (Jules Condie) at www. twistedfairytale.co.uk or call 07813 129 784 for a consultation.
Jessica Nails:
Be fashion forward this Christmas with the new Jessica Christmas Varnish, with something available for everyone from Sparkle to Deep Classic Reds. Don’t just decorate your tree, make sure to keep beauty at your fingertips by applying a slick coat of the new Jessica Glamarama Collection... we hear sleigh bells!
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Performance enhancing
EVALUATION TIME!
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Daz says
ust as the dark nights start to draw in so does mine and Gavin’s time together on his, let’s call it… “Fitness journey” and so it presents me with a perfect opportunity to provide a short sign off piece on the success of the last several months. As most, Gav’s main objectives boiled down to weight-loss & improved fitness in simple terms, not unlike many of us out there. So over the last 3 months we’ve met twice a week to take him through a specific workout plan to obtain the realistic & achievable targets we set out on our first meeting together over a quick coffee in Easter. It’s safe to say we’ve experimented into what brings the best out of Gavin from group exercise such as the clubs “boot camp” sessions, to the use of the clubs latest functional space area which includes some amazing tools such as TRX & ViPR (for more information check these out at the Shrewsbury club). Over the course of three months Gavin has “knocked it out of the park” as they say, ticking all of the boxes and far more along the way. He’s looking far trimmer from the metabolic workout progressively devised for him, showing some great inch reductions around waist, hips & thighs. His anaerobic threshold has shown dramatic improvements but
more importantly from my point of view, Gavin is enjoying it! So I hope from reading this you can tell not only how Gavin has done and the results he’s now seeing but how enjoyable it’s been to see this transformation in Gavin. We’ve given him the tools and education to continue this indefinitely.
“...without it I doubt I would have managed the 3 Peaks Challenge this year (twice!)”
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Gavin says
rom my perspective I’ve found the whole experience really positive - I had no idea what to expect from a 1-2-1 personal trainer but Darren was great, really patient, happy to listen to what I enjoy most from sessions and full of good humour which is what you need at 6.30am. I enjoyed running particularly, especially the feeling of improving - being able to do that bit more each time. Altogether, I’ve really had a great experience and without it I doubt whether I would have managed the 3 Peaks Challenge this year (twice!)
THE SHREWSBURY CLUB SUNDORNE ROAD, SHREWSBURY, SY1 4RG T: 01743 467755 W: WWW.THESHREWSBURYCLUB.CO.UK E: ENQUIRIES@THESHREWSBURYCLUB.CO.UK
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A Farmer’s Daughter SAM POOLEY SPEAKS TO ARTIST HELEN THOMPSTONE
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y favorite Sundays include a walk with the dog, a roast and a visit to a Shropshire farm shop. It’s on these shop visits that I keep coming across the charming brand ‘A Farmer’s Daughter”. A selection of cards, mugs, prints, tea towels and aprons have been created by artist Helen Thompstone all inspired by the dairy farm where she grew up on the Shropshire/Staffordshire borders. The farm has been in her family for three generations: herself and her brother being the fourth. “The farm has always given me ideas and inspiration, I feel very lucky to have grown up with so much space to be creative, surrounded by nature and the activity of the farm. “ says Helen. Having completed a foundation year in Art and Design, she was offered a place on the Fine Art course at Chelsea college of Art and moved to London in 2002. “The work I made during my degree was very different to how I work now, but was always inspired by the environment, nature and space.” She graduated with a first class degree in 2005 and returned to the farm at the end of 2006. Being back at home Helen became more involved in working on the farm
and at the same time was drawing more and thinking of ways that she could combine her creative skills with the farm. She began designing a range of cards and set up a workspace. The artist has not looked back, after three years she
It’s always nice to work with other family run businesses and I’ve been lucky to have been supported by many lovely local retailers who have continued to stock the designs
now has stockists throughout the country from Orkney to Cornwall. Most of the stockists are independent shops, “It’s always nice to work with other family run businesses and I’ve been lucky to have been supported by many lovely local retailers who have continued to stock the designs.” This year has been incredibly exciting, A Farmer’s Daughter has doubled the number of retailers she is supplying to. A range is being stocked by a large garden centre chain and by Paperchase’s flagship store in London and she’s just sent her first order off to San Francisco. The collection make fabulous Christmas presents – especially for any Shropshire farmers you may know! Locally you can find her cards in Write Here on the High Street and at Compost & Gooseberry in The indoor Market Hall, Shrewsbury.
A FARMERS DAUGHTER: 01260 224741 W: WWW.AFARMERSDAUGHTER.CO.UK
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DEAF CHILDREN LIVING IN POOR COUNTRIES ARE SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE OFTEN ISOLATED, REJECTED AND ABUSED. WOODFORD IS THE SHREWSBURY BASED CHARITY DEDICATED TO HELPING THEM.
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heir office is hidden away behind Shrewsbury’s Music Hall, but from there Woodford is transforming the lives of “hidden” children in Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. In these countries hearing aids are not an option as families cannot afford batteries. There are, though, more disturbing reasons for their isolation. So little is known about deafness that people believe these children are cursed. Families hide them away. Very few go to school and even when they do go their teachers cannot communicate. Woodford works to change this. Project Manager Karen Goodman-Jones said, “parents and teachers are so relieved to know that they do not have to fear deaf children. Once valued and supported these children can grow up to support themselves and contribute to their communities.” She gives the example of Tom, who was adopted by neighbours when his parents died of AIDS. When they discovered he was deaf they made him live outside with the animals for six years. A Woodford project found him and brought him into a loving home. He now goes to school and learns sign language. Woodford has seen many such successes. In Uganda a pre-school for young deaf children ensures they get the best start in life. In Tanzania the first Vocational Training Centre for deaf young people is about to see its first students graduate with skills in carpentry and tailoring. And in Malawi thousands of families, teachers and community leaders have been trained in awareness and communication. You can go to Woodford’s website or contact them for more information about what they do, how they work, and how you can help.
WOODFORD FOUNDATION 9 COLLEGE HILL, SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE SY1 1LZ, UNITED KINGDOM W: WWW.WOODFORDFOUNDATION.ORG.UK T: +44 1743 364644 E: ALEX@WOODFORDFOUNDATION.ORG.UK
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adopt a barn owl, dormouse or holly with Shropshire WildlifeTrust
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ou can support wildlife conservation this Christmas as a gift for friends or family.
A dormouse
With their black eyes and golden brown fur, dormice are gorgeous creatures, but they are very rare. Your gift will enable us to give them nest boxes on woodland nature reserves, ideal places to raise their young.
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A barn owl
Barn owl numbers plummeted across the UK in the last half of the 20th century. Through the barn owl adoption scheme we would install nest boxes on suitable nature reserves.
A holly
The oldest surviving holly grove in Europe is on the Stiperstones. Cracked, gnarled and windswept, some are thought to be three or four centuries old. Your
adoption will help us look after the Hollies nature reserve.
For £20 you will receive:
A personalised gift certificate A double-sided illustrated A4 factsheet A photograph of a barn owl or dormouse or a Christmas card of a Stiperstones holly Gift adoptions can be purchased at www. shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/adopt or from our shop in Abbey Foregate.
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Graduating students at St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury
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hrewsbury College are celebrating the outstanding achievement of their Business course, after a record number of students were awarded first class honours degrees. Three out of the 11 students studying the BA (Hons) Business Management degree, which is accredited by Staffordshire University, were awarded with the highest possible result. Student Dean Thomas, who studied at the College’s Radbrook campus, said “After a successful career as a Managing Director I decided to return to education so I could back up my knowledge with a formal qualification.” Living in Telford, Shrewsbury College was a convenient place to study and the facilities are great. I’d recommend the course to anyone who is motivated to succeed in Business. I’m now studying a Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Warwickshire. Dr Philip Bentley, Head of Quality & Curriculum at Shrewsbury College, added “This level of success is a great testament to the high level of teaching and learning that goes on within the College. Every year over 200 Shrewsbury College students graduate with a foundation or degreelevel qualification, proving that we are helping to set the standard of study within
Shropshire.” As a founder member of the SURF Consortium (Staffordshire University Regional Federation) the College provides students with the opportunity to receive a first class education locally and these outstanding results illustrate how hard our students and staff have worked this year. The College are encouraging those interested in Higher Education programmes, such as the BA (Hons) in Business Management, to attend one of two Advice Events Wednesday 24 October. The events will run from 4.30 - 7.30pm at the London Road and Radbrook campuses with staff on hand to offer guidance on courses.
SHREWSBURY COLLEGE OF ARTS & TECHNOLOGY LONDON ROAD SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE SY2 6PR T: 01743 342342
For more information on Higher Education courses at Shrewsbury College, please visit www.shrewsbury.ac.uk/higher_education.
First class performance for college programme
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Throned in glory STUNNING PAINTING BY LOCAL ARTIST AIDAN HART UNVEILED AT SHREWSBURY ORTHODOX CHURCH IN SUTTON
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t is the first major religious wall painting of its kind to be unveiled in a Shropshire church in hundreds of years. The 10ft high by 20ft wide painting, depicting Christ ‘throned in glory’, situated above the altar of the Shrewsbury Orthodox Church, in Sutton, Shrewsbury, is the work of the renowned liturgical artist Aidan Hart. Drawing on Romanesque and Byzantine stylistic influences, it has been painted using fresco and secco painting techniques that are thousands of years old. It took the artist, who is based in Shropshire, two weeks to complete, often working late into the night, with the fulltime assistance of one of his students, Alex Echeandria, a Peruvian Benedictine monk currently studying at Oxford. The 13th century church, dedicated to the Holy Fathers of Nicea and St John the Baptist, is already well known for its unique set of medieval wall paintings dating from around 1380. The most significant is a depiction of the Aidan hard at work
Martyrdom of Thomas Becket. Parish priest Father Stephen Maxfield said the new wall painting was an exciting addition to the church. “It has greatly enhanced the decoration of the church and is in empathy with the Medieval wall paintings that were discovered here in 1996,” he said. “It’s based on two visions of Christ in Glory from the books of Isaiah and Ezekiel. Standing before the painting one feels very much in the presence of God.” The 9ft-high figure of Christ is shown within a mandorla, surrounded by winged creatures that traditionally symbolize the Four Evangelists, and flanked by two six-winged seraphim. The wall painting was made possible with the help of grants totalling £4,000 from The Cottam Will Trust, administered by the historic church preservation group The Friends of Friendless Churches, and The Owen Trust. Mr Hart, 55, who lives in Pontesbury, near Shrewsbury, and is a member of the church congregation, is regarded as one of the UK’s leading painters of religious art. “The overall scheme of Christ in a mandorla with ‘the four living creatures’ is a theme commonly depicted in Romanesque wall paintings in France and Spain during the 11th and 12th centuries,” he explained. “I adapted the four living creatures from the Bury St Edmunds Bible, created
around 1135 AD, and Christ’s tunic from the stained glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral (1180-1207 AD).” Fresco, which predates the Romans, is notoriously time pressured and involves painting natural earth pigments mixed with water straight onto fresh lime plaster. As it dries the image becomes part of the wall. Secco, meanwhile, involves painting onto dry plaster using ground earth pigments mixed with a binder. In this case egg yolk and lime water. Mr Hart’s work is to be found all over Britain and in over 25 countries of the world, including cathedrals, monasteries, churches and private art collections. The Prince of Wales has commissioned him many times to produce paintings and sculpture for Highgrove and Clarence House. Mr Hart has appeared in many different radio and TV programmes all over the world, one of the most recent being the BBC documentary series A History of Art in Three Colours. He also teaches a part-time diploma course in sacred icon and fresco painting for the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts at The Trinity Centre, in Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, which attracts students from all over the UK. Most of the wall painting was executed using natural earth pigments, primarily yellow and red ochres, raw sienna and terre verte.
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SEVERNBUSINESS ■ CRB checked ■ CHAS compliant contractor ■ Shropshire Telford & Wrekin
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Get The Picture
at Christmas & beyond...
N
eed something printed and/or framed for Christmas? Come and visit us at 52 Longden Coleham, to choose from our great variety of options. We are always happy to discuss individual requirements. This year we are featuring 2 portrait artists:- Cherie Jerrard - a fashion designer/graphic artist who produces gorgeous digital portraits of children and Caroline Bucknall, a talented artist and animal lover who is offering her charming pet portraits from just £40 for an original, mounted and wrapped. Cherie’s portraits are available as a great package - 1 x A4 print on quality paper, mounted and wrapped, plus 2 x A6 for £100. We just need a decent photo supplied to the shop (via dropbox, or
memory stick or photo to scan). Vouchers are also available for both artists work. We also have in stock our usual eclectic mix of prints (from £7.50) including the works of several local artists :- Gwendda the Witch photographer, back by popular demand, his fabulous landscapes and shots of Shrewsbury are endlessly fascinating, Linda Edwards’ wonderful Shrewsbury and Darwin prints and many more. Other Christmas gift ideas? We have an offer of 2 Shrewsbury Rail prints for £12 (normally £15) and a super selection of small frames (from £5), which teamed with our beautiful range of art greeting cards make an original way of having great small works of art ready to hang on your walls for an extremely reasonable price.
GET THE PICTURE T: 01743 249966 W: WWW.GETTHEPICTURESHREWSBURY.CO.UK
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Could the Sit & Slim programme be for you? To find out call Becky on 01743 600581 and book an appointment!
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iruji Health & Wellbeing, the company behind the successful Beach Spa in Shrewsbury, are looking for 50 volunteers to take part in a 6 month Sit & Slim weight loss programme, which they have previously tested on staff at a hospital in Norwich. The results of that trial were very positive with most people losing weight and even recording a lowering of blood pressure. Almost 90% of the participants taking part in the trial also said they felt better. Other benefits participants reported was a reduction in levels of stress, less aches and pains, better quality sleep, more energy and a feeling of wellbeing. Dr Nick Richards, an independent Consultant Occupational Physician and ex GP, will oversee a clinical audit of the 6 month Miruji Sit & Slim programme, which is due to start in January 2013. Dr Richards says “the goal is to provide evidence on whether or not the Miruji
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There are many fabulous treatments on offer at Miruji Beach Spa.
NEEDED FOR
LOSS TRIAL therapy can provide significant help in reducing weight in the long term, with a preliminary clinical audit followed by a clinical trial. At the same time participants will be asked about the other alleged benefits; namely, its ability to relieve stress, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression.” Alan Sharrock, the owner of Miruji Health & Wellbeing who went on Dragons’ Den last year with his massaging weight loss chairs says ‘’’Ibis is an exciting opportunity for local
...so you don’t automatically reach for the junk food when you’re stressed or feeling low.
people who are frustrated or worried about their weight issues. There are many people who have tried all the traditional ways to lose weight and maintain weight loss, only to feel demoralised when the weight creeps back on again. What’s needed is a fresh approach; changing one’s lifestyle once and for all. “Our unique weight loss programme focuses on reducing stress, relaxing and re-programming one’s mind so you don’t automatically reach for the junk food when you’re stressed or feeling low. When we are stressed we are more likely to choose fatty or sugary food so the Sit & Slim Programme starts by reducing one’s stress levels; making you feel more relaxed and happier. What is also unique about this approach is the fact that it is a pleasurable experience, unlike some of the complicated restrictive diet plans which become difficult to sustain in the longer term.” If you are struggling to lose weight
and keep it off, then why not commit to having 2 hours treatment a week? This will consist of sitting on a state of the art wellbeing massage chair and listening to our exclusive audio programmes that will help you to stop comfort eating, over eating and stress eating; whilst at the same time increasing your self-esteem and confidence. If you’re interested, call Becky on 01743 600581 to arrange a 45 minute consultation to see if the Sit & Slim programme is suitable for you. There will be no charge for the people selected to take part in this exciting trial.
MIRUJI BEACH SPA T: 01743 600581 A: 9 ROUSHILL, SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE, SY1 1PQ
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