Proof 3 soar valley march april 17

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Happy 5th Birthday Soar Valley Life!

Issue 60/61 March/April 2017

Your award winning

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Strength in numbers Best New Magazine 2012/13

38 ChipsAway 53 Find the Robin and win a £25 voucher for The Manor House at Quorn 61 Win! Two pairs of ckets for Brian Conley at Loughborough Town Hall

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www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Copy deadline for May/June Tuesday 25th April

p6

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Ofsted report – OUTSTANDING! p57

to a

Rothley Park Kindergarten

Local s s Busineory Direct6

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Soar Valley Life is delivered to 33,000 different homes & businesses every two months throughout Charnwood and bordering villages.

Distribu on is divided North/South with 16,500 magazines hand delivered each month.

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Contact our friendly team on 01509 813125 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Loughborough, LE12 7RU 01509 813125 steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk ­ www.soarvalleylife.co.uk

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What’s On at The GCR

Trains run every weekend of the year, bank holidays and selected week days through the summer. Most are steam hauled re­crea ng the those glorious days of yesteryear. Trains running mid week during Easter holidays ­ 11th to 13th, and 18th to 20th April.

March Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th

Spring Diesel Gala Whole Railway.

April Friday 14th ­ Monday 17th

Easter Vintage Fes val Quorn & Woodhouse Sta on Step back in me at our Country Fayre with Steam Trac on Engines, a Big Wheel and Gallopers, Cra Stalls, Vintage Cars and Commercials with Tractors. Real ale tent with live music every day.

Saturday 29th April to Monday 1st May

Meet Peppa & George

HASSALL & SON LTD EST 1963 Building & Roofing Contractors

Tel Quorn 01509 412446 • Re-roofing • Slating & Tiling (Swithland slates) • House pointing & Chimney rebuilding • Guttering • Soffits & Fascias

May Saturday 6th & 7th ­ Railways

at Work

Freight trains with plenty of shun ng at Quorn & Woodhouse as well as regular passenger and goods trains.

Saturday 13th ­ Real

Ale Train

Real Ale on the move. 2 return trips, steam hauled serving real ale from No ngham Brewery. Leaves Loughborough at 18:15.

Sat 13th & Sunday 14th • Extensions & Alterations • General building repairs • Small building work projects • Flat roof replacement Contact Chris Hassall © SVL

Mobile: 0780 3135382 www.hassallandsonltd.co.uk 17 The Pingle, Quorn Leicestershire

Page 4

Classic & Vintage Vehicle Fes val ­ Quorn & Woodhouse For updates on all events and service as they are announced keep in touch at the Great Central Railway Website.

The Great Central Railway Loughborough, Quorn, Rothley & Birstall www.gcrailway.co.uk 01509 632 323

Soar Valley Life Editors Steve & Mary Johns Adver sing Steve Johns

Adver sing Rates See page 2 Business Directory ­ pages 66 & 67 Telephone 01509 813125 Email enquiries Adver sing info@soarvalleylife.co.uk Editorial & Compe ons editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/ SoarValleyLife Address 1 Burton Road, Sileby LE12 7RU Copyright © Fantas c State Limited trading as Soar Valley Life. The Publisher reserves and controls all rights to the work presented in this magazine. Any applica on for any use of any of the work, features, adver sements, quota ons, photographs, images or other work within this publica on must be made directly to the publisher. No part of this publica on may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmi ed, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material in this publica on the publisher can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in either editorial or adver sing content, or take responsibility for services provided by the adver ser. It is the responsibility of the adver ser to ensure their advert is correct and up to date at the me of publica on.

The next lucky winner of our Find the Robin Compe on will win a £25 voucher to spend at The Manor House at Quorn.

See all prize­winners on page 63 and more compe ons on pages 53 and 61.

PSSST! The robins on this page are not the ones you need to find!

Page 6

Pippa Greenwood’s

Contents

What’s On at the GCR Quick Crossword Pre y Primroses How to Hedge Capital Allowances Pages 14 & 15 How to Hedge

by Pippa Greenwood Urban BodyFit Opens in Rothley Nicky Morgan MP Rico a Stuffed Chicken Using Hidden Talents Quiz – Drink Up Do you want a change?

Simply Autumn Page 9 Spring your Lawn Back to Life!

Looking and Feeling Cool Ouch!

They Drive Amongst Us Walking Easy & Hard Sudoku A enborough Sponsored by Nature Reserve Moles Page 58 Aging Eyes and Falls Sponsored by Ingrowing Nails Integrated Healthcare My Journey to Become a Financial Advisor And Another Thing...

Four Strange Cat Behaviours Find the Robin Explained compe on Find the Robin Compe on Spot the Difference Henry Hedgehog’s Puzzle Page Page 53 Astronomy Astronomy What’s Easter to do Be er than Outstanding? with Astronomy? Walking ­ A enborough Nature Reserve Odyssey Coach Mentor Win! Tickets for Brian Conley Page 56 Solu ons to Puzzles Sponsored by Compe on Winners Local Business Directory

Gardening advice

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4 9 11 13 14 17 18 20 25 27 28 30 34 36 38 41 42 43 44 45 47 49 50 52 53 54 55 56 57

WIN! 4 Tickets to see Brian Conley at Loughborough Town Hall

Page 61

Recipe Rico a Stuffed Chicken Page 20 Sponsored by

Drink Up Quiz Page 27

OUCH! ChipsAway of Leicester New Branch in Birstall

Page 38

58 60 Rothley Park 61 Kindergarten 63 Win Ofsted 63 Outstanding Award Page 57 66

Soar Valley Life Happy 5th Birthday to Us!

33,000 EVERY TWO MONTHS We deliver to private residences, shops offices and businesses in the villages and communi es shown on the map.

Distribu on is split 50/50 between North and South and delivered 1 month apart, meaning 16,500 magazines get delivered every month making a total of 33,000 different addresses every two months.

Visit our website to download our detailed distribu on list with maps. www.soarvalleylife.co.uk Places in italics get par al delivery and have pick up points.

LONG WHATTON SUTTON BONINGTON NORMANTON ON SOAR

North Deliveries in January, March, May, July, September, & November

REMPSTONE & WYMESWOLD

A6

A6

SHEPSHED

BURTON & WALTON ON THE WOLDS

0

HOTON, COTES STANFORD & PRESTWOLD

HATHERN

LOUGHBOROUGH 10,000

MOUNTSORREL ROTHLEY SWITHLAND CROPSTON

BIRSTALL

BARROW UPON SOAR

RIVER SOAR

QUORN

SEAGRAVE

SILEBY

COSSINGTON South Deliveries in February, April, June, August, October & December

SOUTHERN DISTRIBUTION AREA

WOODHOUSE & WOODHOUSE EAVES

NORTHERN DISTRIBUTION AREA

KEGWORTH EAST LEAKE

Issue number 1 of Soar Valley Life first hit doormats on April 11th 2012. Our first print run was 7,000 copies. This month it’s 16,500!

We were so proud of our achievement ­ from what was a good idea formed around Christmas 2011 to a full colour magazine with 33 adver sers, 32 pages, 13 ar cles, a crossword, quiz, recipes, story, a country walk and cartoons. We mustered family and friends to distribute it in our home village of Sileby and neighbouring village of Mountsorrel.

This edi on, which covers months 60 and 61, will be our largest in every respect: more pages ­ you may no ce we now have a posh new thicker cover and 68 pages ­ more adver sers, more features and more copies printed.. Steve’s regular Astronomy page is being made available na onwide, by request, to other members of the associa on we belong to ­ The Associa on of Independent Magazine Publishers.

Along the way we have picked up a Highly Commended Award as the best new magazine, and been shortlisted in 2014 and 2015 for best magazine, best front cover, best editorial and best website. We have met lots of new people ­ adver sers, distributors, suppliers, consultants and of course readers ­ who have become friends.

We can both honestly say, with hands on our hearts that it is the best and most enjoyable career move we have ever made. Actually it is very rarely that it ever feels like work. Maybe coming up to a deadline we get a bit stressed, but it soon passes when it’s off to the printer.

We’ve made a few changes along the way as we’ve learned new ways of doing things and have recently changed our printer for the first me. We are now pleased to have Automedia of Loughborough as our print supplier. It’s good to use local suppliers wherever possible, as we said in our first issue as part of our mission statement “...to promote local life and business so that we who live and work here u lise the services and buy the products we have on our own doorsteps; in this way we all thrive…”

Thrive on for the next five years!

Steve & Mary Johns Page 7

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Page 8

Adver sing prices start from £38 per month plus vat ­ see page 2 for details

Quick Crossword 1

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Across 7 Type of hat (6)

Down 1

Zero (6)

8

Assault (6)

2

Remain (4)

9

Not pre y (4)

3

Foretell (7)

4

Boring (5)

5

Evenly (8)

6

Economise (6)

10 Exci ng (8) 11

12

11 Style of wri ng (7)

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13 Cold (5)

14 15

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12 Chuckling (8) 17 Loosening (7)

19 20

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15 Freshwater fish (5)

21

20 Fruit trees are grown here (8)

14 Uncommon (7) 16 Seldom (6)

21 Legend (4)

18 Idea (6)

22 Mixes together (6)

19 Squash (5)

23 Writer (6)

21 Dumb (4)

23

Answers on page 63

“Someone is si ng in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long me ago.” Warren Buffe

Page 9

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“A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world.”

Leo Buscaglia

Pre y Primroses The Primrose is one of our most familiar and a rac ve wild owers.

Well known as one of the ďŹ rst owers of the year it is a symbol both of spring and Easter. It is a plant of cool shaded loca ons and is found not only in woodlands, with which it is normally associated, but also hedgerows and north facing banks. It prefers dampish sites unusually on heavy clay soils. It has been used medicinally for centuries to treat many dierent ailments and is s ll used in modern herbal medicine today. The word “Primrose" is from Old French "primerose" or Medieval La n "prima rosa", meaning

First Rose or Flower. The ďŹ ve petals of the ower represent birth, ini a on, consumma on, repose and death, whilst a rare primrose with 6 petals is said to bring luck in love and marriage.

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Page 12

Capital Allowances Are you taking full advantage of the allowances available to you? Are you thinking of purchasing a new motor van or do you need to invest in some plant and machinery? If your year end is 5 April then me is running out for you to take full advantage of the capital allowances available for 2016/17...

The Annual Investment Allowance was set at a permanent rate of £200,000 from 1 January 2016.

This means 100% of the first £200,000 of investment in qualifying assets is allowed against taxable profits.

Annual Investment Allowance is available to all sole­ traders, partnerships and companies with qualifying items including commercial vehicles and plant and machinery.

100% first year allowances are also available for cars with low CO2 emissions of 75g/km or less or if the car is electric.

Book an appointment with your accountant now to discuss any tax planning op ons available to you.

Caroline Dinsmore 01162 303 973

01509 414 169

Expert in your field? Have your own column. Contact editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 13

Seasoned Hardwood Logs Established 1976

supplied in bags or by the tipper load

Silver medal award winners at 2012 Chelsea flower show

Turf, landscaping materials, bark chippings and lots more

Extensive range of Gardening products including: Seeds, Bug and Pest Control, Fertilisers and Plant foods, Gardening Gloves and Protective Clothing and lots more.

How To Hedge

By Pippa Greenwood

T

here is nothing be er than a living boundary around or within your garden, and it is difficult to beat a hedge.

Hedges can be smart or informal, neat and compact or thicker and sturdier, evergreen or deciduous and can even have pre y flowers ­ and now is an ideal me to plant a new hedge.

First, prepare the area by forking the soil over thoroughly and remove large stones, debris and pernicious weeds. This also helps to break up any compac on and to aerate the soil, making it a be er place for plant roots. You should fork in well­ro ed garden compost, manure or proprietary compost if the soil is either very sandy and light or very heavy with clay, and at the same me incorporate a complete fer lizer. Don’t plant right up against an exis ng fence, as the plants won’t grow well.

At this me of year you can create a hedge very effec vely using ‘bare­root’ plants, but if you want to

Page 14

plant a hedge at any other me you will need containergrown plants. If using potgrown plants, water them thoroughly and then carefully remove each plant from its pot. If the roots are ghtly packed, tease them out firmly before plan ng. If you’re using bare­root plants, plant them immediately.

It is essen al to plant and space the plants correctly, to both achieve the desired effect and ensure the plants establish well. Once out of the pot, posi on the plant in the prepared soil at the same depth as it was in the pot; for bare­root plants only the roots should be beneath the soil. Firm the soil around each so that it is in good contact with the roots.

Hedging plants should generally be spaced about 30­ 45cm apart.

For a thicker or denser hedge, plant two parallel rows, each with a 45cm spacing between the plants, but posi oned so that the plan ng is staggered like bricks in a wall. Once the whole hedge is planted, water the soil thoroughly to help se le the soil around the roots and so allow the plants to establish.

On windy sites or with larger plants use small, temporary stakes such as bamboo canes to stabilise

Spring me roses OFFER OF THE SEASON Hybrid and Floribunda Roses Numerous varieties were £9.95

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Open 7 days a week

the plants. Keep the hedge well watered, especially during dry or windy weather. The first 18 months is the most vital period.

• Blackthorn ­ deciduous and very thorny, with pre y white flowers followed by sloes – but can easily get too vigorous!

Some great hedging plants:

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com

• Yew ­ a formal, evergreen hedge.

• Thuja ­ a stunning conifer hedge for year round colour.

• Beech ­ a deciduous plant that gives a good effect for much of the year. Both purple and green­ leafed forms.

• Hornbeam ­ great as a neatly clipped hedge, but more prone to mildew than beech.

• Cypress – excellent if kept well clipped and cut back regularly.

• Pyracantha ­ spiny evergreen with pre y creamy white flowers and red­orange or yellow berries.

• Privet ­ the classic town hedge.

• Euonymus ­ evergreen, some variegated green and cream, others green and yellow.

• Hawthorn ­ deciduous and poten ally thorny, good for wildlife.

Page 15

Do’s and Don’ts when selling or renting from Homelet Howse Estate Agents: KERB APPEAL

DE CLUTTER

Your front door is often the first thing viewers see; paint it a tasteful colour, update any outside lighting and add pots or shrubs to add to the kerb appeal of your home.

Make sure any hedges are trimmed and pathways cleared.

Make rooms as spacious and airy as possible, remove unnecessary items, tidy up kids toys and loose clothes.

If you’ve started to outgrow you home then make the most of storage.

GARDEN The garden is one of the most important areas for a lot of people. Make sure yours is tidy and presentable; if needed you can buy inexpensive outdoor furniture which will appeal to buyers or renters - they will imagine themselves enjoying the outdoor space on a warm sunny day.

PETS We love them but not everyone does; ask a friend or relative to look after your furry friend when viewings occur.

Also, remove food bowls and hoover up that excess fur.

Renting or selling in the Soar Valley?

Homelet Howse Can Help Howse Estate Agents

Homelet Rentals

Sell your home for only £650

Properties urgently wanted in the area

Quality photographs, floor plans as standard Rightmove, Zoopla and local web advertising A service you deserve at a price you don’t expect

We’ve had a record January and tenants are waiting Rightmove, Zoopla and local web advertising Shouldn’t we be letting your property too?

Contact us now for a free, no obligation valuation of your home. info@howsesales.com www.howsesales.com 01509 672328

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Contact us for a no obligation valuation info@homeletrentals.com www.homeletrentals.com 01509 672328

Homelet Howse, 4 Derby Road, Kegworth, Leicestershire DE74 2EN info@homeletrentals.com • www.homeletrentals.com

Adver sing Feature

Urban BodyFit Opens in Rothley New training and fitness studio opens in April!

A no frills, no nonsense, no mirrors approach to fitness. If you want to get fit but can’t find anywhere locally, then this is the place ­ Urban BodyFit in Rothley.

Have you always wanted to get fi er, tone up, get stronger and generally improve your health and fitness?

Maybe you are body conscious wan ng to get in shape but can’t be doing with a regular gym?

We offer personal training on a 1­2­1 basis, as well as small groups of up to 3 or 4, and will hold regular Boxercise sessions for adults and children.

There will be small group Ke lebell Circuit & Strength training offering Bootcamps & Bridal Bootcamps.

All are welcome and we promise excellent results whatever your goals and aims.

We can help beginners as well as occasional and experienced keep fi ers! Both morning and evening

sessions will be available ­ so if you have just dropped the kids off in the morning or are finishing work for the day later on, we will have a session for you!

For the over 60’s, everything we offer is half price, with sessions in the day me for the semi­re red.

A regular strength training program helps you reduce body fat and burn calories more efficiently, which can result in healthy weight loss.

Strength training helps preserve and enhance your muscle and bone mass, regardless of your age. It can also increase bone density and help you to have a stronger heart, which can reduce your res ng blood pressure and improve blood flow.

Other benefits can include: Preven ng muscle loss, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as improving your balance and coordina on.

For more informa on on pricing, metable and booking your place (as places are limited) please either call Sco on 0116 355 2680/07821 107526 or Email: info@urbanbodyfit.co.uk Check out our website: www.urbanbodyfit.co.uk

Would you like to lose weight, tone up and be able to sustain it?

We can offer: • 1-2-1 personal training • Train when it’s convenient for you • Train with a friend/small group • Help you get fitter and reduce body fat Get trained by a qualified personal trainer who can show you how to use weights/kettlebells correctly, devise circuit sessions specifically for you and help motivate you into achieving your goals.

All you need to do is call 0782 110 7526 to book your free home visit consultation to discuss your options. info@urbanbodyfit.co.uk Covering the midlands.

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Page 17

Nicky Morgan MP I have been pleased in recent weeks to be able to ask ques ons in the House of Commons on behalf of local cons tuents – whether about working tax credit, issues with pensions, the importance of respec ng neighbourhood plans or asking Ministers to support and approve the applica on by Charnwood Campus to become the country’s’ first Life Science Opportunity Zone.

I am also delighted that, a er months of lobbying Ministers, the Government has announced Loughborough and Leicester’s new Enterprise Zone.

This is very posi ve news for our area given that both Charnwood Campus and the Loughborough University Science Park are part of the Enterprise Zone and is expected to generate over 6000 jobs.

The House of Commons has also been busy deba ng and approving the EU (No fica on of Withdrawal) Bill. Whatever our views on the referendum result now is the me to focus on ge ng the best possible EU exit deal for the UK. As Loughborough’s MP I hear from hundreds of cons tuents who struggle with the challenges faced in older age. Whether it is caring for our loved ones or worrying about health or finances, my office frequently comes into contact with people who are faced with difficult situa ons which o en arise in later life.

Almost a quarter of us will be 65 or over in just 20 years’ me, which means we need to be open to discussing some of these challenges. Yet we know that difficult conversa ons are o en avoided, par cularly amongst families.

So Charnwood MP Ed Argar, and I are launching our plan to get these conversa ons going at a “Later Life” event in Loughborough this spring. We want to encourage our cons tuents to talk about later life and to plan for the future. If this is something you would like to follow up and help us to develop then please get in touch with me or Simon in my office.

He can be contacted on 01509 234 533 or simon.whelband@parliament.uk.

Finally, I’ve launched an updated mental health ques onnaire. Since my first survey in 2012 we have seen the launch locally of the Loughborough Wellbeing Project Café and the move of local mental health services to Loughborough Hospital. I am keen to see how well supported local people feel. Please contact me for a copy of the survey or you can fill it on online here: h ps://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G8YXNBG

Page 18

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Page 19

Recipe This month’s recipe sponsored by

Appliance City

Rico a Stuffed Chicken

Serves 4 Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes

This recipe is a great way to turn chicken fillets into something special. You can prepare them a couple of hours in advance and keep covered in the fridge, then simply cook when needed.

1

Use a sharp knife to make a deep pocket in each chicken fillet, making sure not to cut right the way through. Place the rico a cheese in a bowl and s r in the thyme leaves and the lemon zest. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

2

Place one­quarter of the rico a mixture in the pocket of each chicken fillet. Use the back of a knife to stretch the bacon rashers. Wrap 3 rashers around each chicken fillet and secure with a metal skewer. Preheat the oven to 180C, 160C Fan, Gas Mark 4.

3

Heat 1tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken fillets over high heat for 2­3 minutes un l the bacon is browned, turning once.

Transfer to a roas ng n and cook for 35­40 minutes un l the chicken is cooked through.

Cover and leave in a warm place to rest for 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

To make the dressing, whisk the remaining oil with the vinegar, mustard and sugar in a small jug and season to taste. Slice each chicken fillet into 6 pieces and arrange on the salad leaves.

Sca er over the toasted pine nuts and spoon over the dressing. Serve immediately.

• 12 thin­cut rashers streaky bacon

Instead of rico a you could use low­fat so cheese such as Philadelphia or a mild and creamy goats’ cheese.

• 100g baby spinach leaves

4

Tip

Page 20

• 75g rico a cheese • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest • 4 large skinless chicken breast fillets • 5 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • Pinch of sugar • 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted

Recipe sponsored by Appliance City See their full range of fabulous cooking appliances at www.appliancecity.co.uk

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Page 22

Jump on our Brand Wagon for £38 + vat per month

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Using Hidden Talents Do you ever feel overwhelmed, thinking you have too much to do and wonder why other people seem to have it easier than you?

Luckily, using your strengths to combat your weaknesses, you can find the means within yourself to make a huge difference...

This seems all well and good, but how do you do that? Let me

assure you, it is such a relief when you discover that you can transfer skills from one area of your life to another. If there’s something that is hard for you, see what you can find in other areas of your life and work out what skills you already

have which you can focus on or use in different situa ons.

Some mes it is the li le things that make the greatest difference! As a life coach I o en find people have hidden assets that they are totally unaware of; when we shine a light on our hidden gems, talents and strengths then life changes for the be er!

Life coaching ­ giving you some answers. Call Sue Ricks on 01509 214 373.

Providing skilled professionals so you can focus on what really matters We’ll get you organised - whatever your business - and free you up to concentrate on what really matters. We are a friendly team who will collect any work from your office and then work virtually for you ensuring everything is complete.

Our flexible and cost effective solutions are perfect for private individuals, start-ups and small business owners who need an extra pair of hands.

julia@starfishadminservices.com • Telephone: 07514 780025 Based in Loughborough and Hampshire © SVL

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Expert in your field? Have your own column. Contact editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 25

Quiz ­ Drink Up 1.

What drink was first produced in Somerset in the 1930s and was named a er the scien fic name for the blackcurrant?

2. The Coca­Cola Company is headquartered in which American state?

3. How many units of alcohol are there in total in a bo le of wine that has an alcohol volume of 12%?

4. What liqueur shares its name with the Dutch word for “lawyer”?

5. What drink is some me's referred to as “Adam's ale”?

6. What drinks brand originated in the 19th century when the owner of an oyster bar in London began offering a gin­based drink with a mixture of herbs and liqueurs as an aid to diges on, serving it in a small tankard known as a “number one cup”?

7. In the first chapter of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, what happens to Alice when she drinks from a bo le labelled “drink me”?

8. What are the four types of alcoholic drink men oned in the lyrics of the 1997 hit single Tubthumping by Chumbawumba?

9. Best known for their machines that allow people to make their own carbonated drinks at home, what company reintroduced their slogan “get busy with the fizzy” in 2010?

10. Which cocktail is reportedly named a er a surfer who, a er losing a contest, had too many drinks and kept bumping into furniture?

Answers on page 63

“Candy is Dandy but liquor is quicker.”

Ogden Nash

Page 27

Do you want a change?

Have people ever cri cised you for making a change?

Have you tried to make a change for the sake of someone else but your heart just wasn’t in it?

I think we are all guilty of resis ng change, finding it easier to s ck with the status quo. When we look closer it turns out that we don’t actually mind some changes in our lives, such as moving home, ge ng married, taking a new job, leaving college or university, etc. These are all big changes that might be difficult yet we seek them out because we know they will be er our lives in some way.

Changes we o en resist are ones we “think” are for the worse or where we feel we have no choice. We can only make these changes when we are ready and when we acknowledge that the change needs to happen for ourselves rather than for others.

If you are struggling with anxiety or stress because of this and worry that talking will make things worse, or that no one will understand, then maybe counselling is for you. So why not take a risk, put yourself first and try something different?

Call Helen Tunnicliffe on 07496 135 742 or email: helen.counsellingservice@gmail.com

www.helentunnicliffecounsellingservice.co.uk

Reg MBACP, UKCP Accred In Barrow Upon Soar and Nottingham 07496 135 742

Stress Anxiety Depression Bereavement Mental Health Diagnosis and other related difficulties

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Page 29

Simply Autumn Now we head into what we hope will be be er weather, and hopefully some great summer ac vi es, including ge ng the barbecue fired up again. However it is not too soon to think about booking a trip to North America to see the fabulous autumn colours.

Many people are under the impression that New England is the only place to see the majes c range and depth of colours.

But given the poor current value of the UK Pound against the US Dollar, and the unpredictable comments from Mr Trump, many feel that the USA is perhaps for another day.

However, are you aware that many would argue that Canada has equally as good, if not at mes be er, colour than the USA? The pound is currently much stronger against the Canadian Dollar and the Canadians like us as well!

Autumn colour is caused by the reac on between the first frosts and the sugar content in the maple leaf trees. The brightest colours are produced when dry, sunny days are followed by cool, dry nights.

These condi ons are found right across the NE region of North America.

So the hot spots for colour are New England and in Canada Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Sco a. If you are looking for value for money with good colour in 2017 then take a look at Canada.

The Independent Traveller is a leading expert in what Canada offers and many of our staff have travelled in the area. Why not pop in and have a chat and a coffee when next in town? We are right next to Home Bargains and ready to offer you a Canadian bargain!

The Independent Traveller, Devonshire House, Devonshire Lane, Loughborough. LE11 3DF t: 01509 618 800 | e: holidays@uni­travel.co.uk www.i ssouthafrica.co.uk | www.i scanada.co.uk

Page 30

“The World is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

St Augus ne

01509 268208 movingmadecheaper.co.uk

Our landlords deserve the best… ...our trades people ensure they get it!

Fully Managed Service 7% + VAT for 1-2 proper es • 6% + VAT for 3+ proper es 5% + VAT for 5+ proper es

We support local businesses Phil Edwards - Handyman

Sam Sharpe - Inspira on Flooring

Paul Jex - Jex Surveyors Ltd

Paul Rawsthorne - Thorne Woodworking

John Hubbard - Gas Safe Engineer

Gary Taylor - G Taylor Electrical Ltd

Dave Lloyd - D Lloyd Windows and Doors

Dave Moody - D M Locksmiths

Andrew Biffin and Stephanie McKeown Independent Inventory Services

Darren Edwardes Edwardes Garden and Home Maintenance

Dan Cashmore - DJC Energy

Amanda Edwardes Edwardes Garden and Home Maintenance

© SVL

David Shanks and Toby Shanks - D Shanks Plumbing and Hea ng Ltd

Looking and Feeling Cool If you depend on your car and want to be comfortable in all seasons then having your car windows nted will serve to keep you feeling and looking cool as you travel...

Last year we wanted to upgrade our car as we were ge ng ever more busy with Soar Valley Life and, because our circula on was growing, we needed more carrying space to help with distribu on. The model we wanted happened to have nted windows, which I’m not sure we actually no ced at first. It’s one of those things that you don’t really appreciate un l you try it out I suppose. But we soon found the benefits to be quite considerable.

When the sun is facing you its glare is much reduced ­ we have a sun strip at the top of the windscreen which is invaluable. The car stays cooler in the sun so you don’t need the air condi oning so much.

Headlights and sunshine from the rear are also reduced in intensity, making driving at night or when the sun is low, more comfortable and much safer. It’s also difficult to see what’s inside the car so thieves aren’t tempted to break in.

Most new cars have nted windows as an op onal extra and, a er a bit of research, I discovered that prices range from £225 up to £1500.

So, how much does it cost and what’s involved if you decide you want window n ng a er you have bought your car?

Enter Smashgard Window Films.

Darren Bo erill contacted us a couple of years ago, wan ng to promote his company through Soar Valley Life. Back then he was based in Daventry, but wanted to expand into the Midlands with a view to having a showroom in our area. In Autumn of last year a unit became available on the Cumberland Trading Estate,

Darren Bo erill fits window n ng to a BMW 4 X 4

Page 36

Sarah Moore and Darren Bo erill at their new workshop and showroom in Loughborough

off Ashby Road in Loughborough. Early this year, a er two months of hard work, the unit was ready for Smashgard to open up.

At the end of January, as Darren and Sarah showed me around, the first thing I wanted to know about was the cost and I was pleasantly surprised to find that, depending on the car, it was between £100 and £190.

While he worked on a BMW X5, carefully removing the inside panels from the back door, so that the film could be adhered to the window below the panel out of sight, Darren talked me through the process.

“There are other benefits too, the clue is in the name: ‘Smashgard’. Window films are available in a variety of grades, nts and thicknesses. Some of them are even bomb blast proof! Our customers include major drinks companies, emergency services and na onal courier and haulage companies.”

As I watched Darren at work, it became clear that there was a good deal of experience, skill, care and a en on to detail involved. Each window being different in size, the nted film has to be individually cut to shape using the outside of the window as the template and then fi ng it on the inside.

“It takes between 1 to 4 hours to complete, vehicle depending. We offer a life me warranty and you’ll get no bubbles, film creases, dirt or contamina on in our installs. And, if you have a damaged nt, we can replace it and match it perfectly using our nt meters to save you having the whole car re­done. Oh yes, don’t forget, we provide a whole range of window n ng films for homes too. Get in touch and we’ll come along and give you a quote.

Or pop in and see me or Sarah ­ just give us a call first: 01509 416267.”

Do you have a success story about your business? Tell us and we’ll tell 33,000 homes all about it. Call Steve on 01509 813125

Page 37

Ouch!

If you’re a driver, it’s likely you have suffered the agony of a scuff like the one pictured here.

When I look at this photo, my subconscious makes me flinch and a voice in my head says, “Ouch!”

The last me it happened to me I was delivering magazines to a new “Disty” (those brilliant people who distribute your Soar Valley Life).

To access his door I had to drive down a narrow entry with a wall either side, the gap being just about wide enough to get the car down. I had to reverse out onto the busy Barrow High Street and turn sharply to straighten up. And there it was, that rasping, gra ng sound as the front bumper scraped the wall!

With a deep, sinking feeling pound signs flashed in front of my eyes and “Ouch” was only one of the four le er words I spat out in the heat of the moment.

In the four decades (and a bit) that I have been a car owner, I’ve learned that to fix anything car wise usually amounts to more than pocket money and when it comes to bodywork more than a day or two without the car.

But not any longer it seems.

Human ingenuity, fuelled by enterprise and innova on, constantly discovers new and be er ways to deal with problems in life.

And, about twenty years ago, a car repair worker in the United States discovered a method to match a paint colour on a small area of an automobile’s body work. He patented the process and quickly grew a franchise business which

Page 38

covered all of North America. Then it was only natural that the business would cross the Atlan c to the UK. The brand is ChipsAway and the process has the acronym S.M.A.R.T. Small, Medium Area Repair Technology is the process of repairing a car using specialised tools, paint and materials to give a 'good as new' finish on a localised damaged area ­ and not the whole panel.

There was a me when cars would have to be taken in to body repair shops, and o en for days, even for rela vely minor damage. But these technological advances mean damaged areas can be put right in a ma er of hours instead of days, which in turn drama cally reduces the cost incurred by customers who use tradi onal body­shop repair processes.

to; it was clean, airy, bright and ordered. I asked them how they got into this business. Jason told me, “Barry was a transport manager and was in the armed forces and I was a print manager. We were good friends and wanted to start our own business, so, a couple of years ago, we began carrying out mobile repairs with a ChipsAway van. Then a year ago we moved into these brand new premises and we really haven’t looked back. Now, we can es mate for a repair, either here or at the customer’s home or work.

Then we’ll pick up the car on an arranged date, repair it and return it ­ usually on the same day. Most repairs cost in the region of £75 up to £195.”

Well, there you are! Because I didn’t know about ChipsAway, my old car was sold with the scuffed bumper, for less than it was worth no doubt.

So, if there’s a next me, by being S.M.A.R.T. I’ll be taking some of the Ow! out of Ouch!

Now it is possible to repair a whole range of minor damage with a lot less pain, me or cost: scratches, dents, kerb scuffs on alloys, wheel refurbishment as well as most exterior trim repairs and bumper scuffs like the one I had in Barrow.

When I met with Barry and Jason, who own the Leicester franchise, they showed me around their state of the art repair shop. It wasn’t a bit like the garage workshops I was used

Barry Peck and Jason Kirk owners of ChipsAway Leicester at the national conference in 2016

Have a full page feature about your business in the next issue – call Steve on 01509 813125

Everyday minor damage to car bodywork can mean a great deal of inconvenience and expense, taking several days to repair in a body shop.

All this has changed with your local ChipsAway CarCare Centre.

ChipsAway CarCare combines all the advantages of the AquaClear system with the convenience of a local one-stop shop. ChipsAway's repair technology enables our trained specialists to work specifically on the damaged area of your car, providing a fully-guaranteed, high quality repair.

ChipsAway's system is capable of repairing everyday wear and tear to your car bodywork including:

✔ Bumper scuffs

✔ Paintwork scratches

ChipsAway CarCare:-

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Convenient - repairs are normally completed within a few hours Cost effective - save up to 50% on car body shops

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One-stop - everything you need with a local CarCare Centre or a mobile service High quality - only the damaged area is repaired, the original finish is upheld Can increase resale value when selling your car

✔ Minor dents

Same day, high quality repairs at your convenience

0800 028 7878 - 07932 654 138 www.chipsaway.co.uk © SVL

Birstall Interchange, Unit 2, Meer End, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 3EH

Charnwood Builders The Complete Building Service Plumbing Boiler Swaps Central Heating Systems Bathroom Installations & Limited Mobility Adaptations Gas Installations & Repairs Landlord Certificates

New Build • Extensions Renovations and Plastering Family Business with over twenty years experience T: 01509 215445 M: 07940 296020 Newstead Way, Loughborough, LE11 2UA © SVL

www.charnwoodbuilders.co.uk

• Sockets and rewires • PAT testing • Smoke and heat detection

• Lighting and power • Landlords certificates • Energy saving

No Job Too Big or Too Small No VAT • 24 Hr callout • Free Quotations

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• Periodic inspection and testing • Maintenance contracts

Richard Watson Professional Painter and Decorator All aspects of decorating work carried out from internal to external Thirty years experience in the trade - Sileby based

Better value by far!

Free Estimates • No VAT For a full personal service call

T: 01509 815753 M: 07880 754011 Page 40

Jump on our Brand Wagon for £38 + vat per month

© SVL

They Drive Amongst Us...

This piece was inspired by a video of a driver doing something earth­sha eringly stupid ­ and the internet is full of this stuff. Though worth a chuckle, they serve as a reminder to avoid such people.

My top 5: 5. The car trailing a pump nozzle and 3m of hose from its filler cap. Like you didn’t hear some sort of bang as it snapped off the pump?

4. The 4 x 4 driver who exits, via a ght le hander, a car­wash set on a bank. They floor it, shoot off the road and roll over­and­over down the bank. Pity you wasted your money on that premium wash eh?

3. Those classic instances of tail­ga ng over a rising bollard, which is designed to stop such an act and has signs saying so. S ll, some drivers think it doesn’t

apply to them, un l their transport is li ed three feet off the ground.

2. How difficult can it be to drive into a workshop with an inspec on pit? Line the car up and drive slowly in. Alterna vely, speed in at a crazy angle and jam the car sideways down the pit.

1. Top place must go to the video that prompted this piece. Taken by the dashcam of a car wai ng to fill­up at a petrol sta on, it shows a driver using a cigare e lighter to see how much fuel is in the tank, with predictable results. The dashcam driver, seeing the conflagra on unfolding before their eyes, drove off before things really got out of hand, but presumably it didn’t turn out well.

You have been warned: they drive amongst us.

By Iain Betson

Double A Automotives Ltd Trusted for more than 50 years in the motor trade

© SVL

Pop in and see the two Andy’s - Proprietors of Double A Automotives – Andy Farrands and Andy Hurd

ad B an ver ring 1 Unit 15 Hanford Way 0% d r t w th Loughborough LE11 1LS di ece ith is sc iv yo ou e a u nt *

01509 214028

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• Personal Service • Quality Workmanship • Value for Money

*Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

Join us on Facebook for regular updates, offers, views from around the region Page 41 Anything of interest you’d likenews to seeand in the next issue? www.facebbok/soarvalleylife.co.uk Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

KATHRYN DOWDING AT Full range of legal services provided including: • • • •

Wills and Probate Lasting Power of Attorney Divorce and Separation Buying and Selling Property

Home visits available

Call

01509 410388

Email: kathryn@garrettlongsolicitors.co.uk © SVL

35-37 High Street, Barrow-upon-Soar, Leicestershire LE12 8PY

Easy Sudoku

Hard Sudoku

Answers on page 63

Each row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once.

This can be done by applying logic – you don’t have to guess!

Page 42

“Forever is composed of nows.”

Emily Dickinson

Moles The word “mole” is o en used to describe a wide variety of pigmented lesions. However, some pigmented lesions are not moles and some moles are non­ pigmented (flesh coloured).

There are several types of harmless mole (naevus) and these can be safely treated using Advanced Electrolysis following examina on by a medical prac oner. Although technically they are not removed,

Non­pigmented mole

Fully healed a er treatment using advanced electrolysis

as this normally requires excision, their appearance can be so reduced that when the area is completely

healed it can be difficult to see where they once were.

Pennie Blatchford

Pennie Blatchford - Advanced Cosmetic Procedures Effective removal of benign skin blemishes for men and women

Pennie Blatchford B.Sc.(Hons), ITEC, IBSD, BABTAC

Skin tags, blood spots, warts, seborrhoeic keratosis, age spots, thread veins, spider naevi, milia, and other benign skin defects and blemishes can be removed using advanced electrolysis.

This is an inexpensive, quick and safe procedure. Free initial consultation by fully qualified, insured and licenced practitioner.

Please see website:

www.pennieblatchford.co.uk Email: pennieblatchford@hotmail.co.uk or phone on:

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Seborrhoeic Keratosis before and after treatment

01509 646506 or 07887 865419 Hailey Avenue, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 4QW

Epidermoid cyst before and after treatment

J. Gardiner Plasterer and Lime Plastering Specialist Modern Plastering

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Page 43

Ageing Eyes and Falls As we get older we are more likely to fall and poor eyesight has been linked to falling.

We are more likely to develop eye disease the older we get; common eye diseases are cataracts, age­related macular degenera on (AMD) and glaucoma, all of which have been discussed in previous issues.

What can you do to try and maintain good eyesight?

• Regular eye examina ons will allow your optometrist to spot early signs of eye disease, when it is easier to treat.

• Stop smoking as it has been linked to AMD (the leading cause of blindness in the UK) and cataracts.

• Eat a diet rich in leafy greens and coloured fruit and

vegetables – this may reduce your risk of developing AMD. • Be aware of your vision in each eye separately as many condi ons appear in one eye first. Things to look out for include a sudden reduc on of vision in one eye, straight lines appearing distorted, and seeing black or blurry spots.

• Wear UV absorbing sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight as this may reduce your risk of developing cataracts and AMD. Not all sunglasses absorb the UV, so it is important to check this with your optometrist.

You are more at risk if: • You are aged over 75 • You have fallen before

• You have Parkinson’s disease, arthri s, diabetes or demen a • You are taking seda ves, an depressants or more than 4 prescrip on medicines a day What can you do to reduce the chance of falling?

• Try to keep your eyes healthy.

• Have good ligh ng; make sure you turn lights on at home when it is dark, so you can see where you are going.

• If you wear bifocals or varifocals, you may be more likely to fall, even if you are used to them.

• If your optometrist has told you to wear your glasses for distance, you should keep them on when you are walking outside your home.

Rothley House Prac ce Quality Vision Care – taking the me to treat you properly ‐ Established for over 20 years we provide the very highest quality eye care in a welcoming house prac ce.

Designer Frames – we stock a wide selec on of spectacles for men, women and children, including fashionable designer brands.

Relaxing Environment – we give you the me and exper se in the privacy of our house prac ce. Our bespoke eye care service and

frame/lens fi ng exper se tailoring perfectly with your individual requirements.

Contact Lenses – stylish alterna ve to spectacles.

Consulta ons from simple prescrip ons to complicated as gma c varifocal designs.

Laser Eye Consulta ons – completely independent and impar al advice following a thorough, no obliga on examina on to discuss with you all the op ons.

Inter Eyecare Op cians 95 Swithland Lane, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7SH Freephone: 0800 093 3486 Telephone: 0116 319 2800 Email: info@intereyecareop cians.co.uk © SVL www.intereyecareop cians.co.uk

Page 44

Vinesh and Tanni Patel Principals of Inter Eyecare

Expert in your field? Then have a regular feature.

Email editor@soarvalleylife .co.uk

Foot Care Services Modern Surgeries: easy access & parking

Alan Postlethwaite BSc (Hons) Podiatry, DipBMec, FSPract.

Maxime Postlethwite BSc (Hons) Podiatry Specialists in Ingrowing Nail Care and Nail Surgery

Tel: 0116 210 6413 Mobile: 0797 660 8913 34A Halstead Rd., Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7HF 29 Halstead Rd., Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7HF

Website: www.hsfcs.co.uk email: alanp@hsfcs.co.uk © SVL

Ingrowing Nails An ingrowing toenail is a common condi on which may cause discomfort or become infected. This is where the side of the nail cuts into the skin next to the nail…

Causes: Not trimming your nails correctly, hereditary nail shape, wearing poorly­fi ng shoes and swea ng a lot. (e.g. during exercise) Symptoms: the skin around the ingrowing nail may become reddened and feel slightly tender. If it progresses and becomes inflamed, it may become more swollen, red and painful.

Caught early, when the ingrowing part of the nail is small, it may be prevented from becoming worse and possibly cured by a trained professional. In worst cases nail surgery may be required by a qualified Podiatrist.

Self help: • Cut the nail straight across or follow the shape of the end of the toe, be very careful not to cut too low at the sides.

• Gently file any sharp edges with a nail file.

• If in doubt see a Podiatrist!

There’s something for every season down at The Waterside – Sunny days by the water, cosy nights by the fireside

Down by the

THE

WAT E R S I D E INN Great Food, Great Beer, Great Company

Mothering Sunday 26th March 3 sittings 12 noon, 2.30 and 4.30 Booking essential as we limit place settings for each sitting

Easter Sunday Lunch 16th April serving food 12 ‘til 4

PUB QUIZZZZ Every other Sunday – 5th & 19th March and 2nd, 16th & 30th April starting at 6.30pm Cash rollover prize – Free chicken wings for competing teams – up to 6 people per team.

Our ever popular Steak Nights every Tuesday Example; 2 sirloins and a bottle of house red - £28.95 And of Course Wednesday night is Pie Night - £9.95 to include a drink With a choice of fillings and pastry – all proper shortcrust top and bottom pies plus veggie option.

Sileby Road, Mountsorrel, LE12 7BB 0116 230 2758 www.watersidemountsorrel.co.uk Muddy bikers, small humans, thirsty cyclists, furry friends and all manner of real happy people all welcome!

© SVL

“What have youyou’d beenissue doing in my absinthe?”

Have your business Anything featured of interest in the next like to– see contact in the steve@soarvalleylife.co.uk next issue?

Dick Vosburgh Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 45

Mobile Beautician across Leicestershire Monday - Sunday 8am-9pm Monthly special offers also on my facebook page and website

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your first t eat ent for a new customer with this adver (over £10 in value).

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Education - Coaching Rehabilitation - Pain Relief Co-ordination - Mobility Stress Relief Cheryl Lee Back Pain Exercise Specialist Somatics Yoga Pilates

Would you like to learn to: Classes running and workshops COMING SOON • move without pain?

Body MOT package offer • ease tight, aching muscles?

Upgrade body and • feel relaxed? mind in 2017!

• regain mobility and flexibility?

• get back to the activities you love? See website for details “Changed my life in 6 weeks.”

“An amazing (and lasting) improvement.”

07949 895170 • cheryljustinelee@gmail.com www.mind-body-movement.co.uk © SVL

@mindbodymoveuk mindbodymovementuk

Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre Ltd Lynne Leeming, MSc RHAD MSHAA

Your local hearing specialist 5 Stadon Road, Anstey Leicester, LE7 7AY Existing hearing aid users welcome

Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic

Hearing protection for both children and adults

26 High Street, Barrow Upon Soar

Friendly and professional service

Over 13 years’ experience in Adult and Children’s NHS, Private Practice, Post Operative Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Management.

Joint Pain and Stiffness Back and Neck Pain Repetitive Strain Injury

Claire Lidstone Chartered Physiotherapist Health Professions Council Registered

Muscle Spasm Sporting Niggles Bad Posture

There is no need to be in pain.

Call: 01509 414 581 for advice or an appointment. www.Activity4all.co.uk email: physio@Activity4all.co.uk

Page 46

Telephone: 0116 236 6633 Email: charnwoodhearing@btconnect.com www.charnwoodhearing.co.uk

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Integrated Healthcare Healthcare in the UK is stretched to the limit and with people living longer and an increased popula on things are only going to get worse…

Coupled with the highest rates of chronic disease this is driving the general popula on to take more responsibility for its own health. It is es mated that over 40% of people in the UK are currently using some form of “complementary” or “alterna ve” therapy. As a result a growing number of doctors and healthcare prac oners are referring pa ents to use mind/body approaches – in part because more and more people are demanding it.

Using a holis c approach is based on the fundamental principles of healing which promote health rather than focusing on illness. Most enhance the body’s self­healing ability and address the underlying causes of illness. They also advocate self­ care, promote a lifestyle of natural healthy foods and exercise and emphasize communica on between pa ent and therapist.

We will know that a new paradigm of healthcare has truly emerged when we no longer need to use the terms “complementary“ and “alterna ve” and these approaches are integrated with the best of conven onal health care to become standard.

Paula Reed

Anything of interest you’d like to see in the next issue?

Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 47

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My Journey to Become a Financial Advisor

by Helen Gadsby Where it all began I’ve always worked to help people with their money.

When I was aged 15 I started working behind a post office counter helping people cash in their state pension. Now I help them to make sure that’s not their only re rement income!

I le college at 18 and went straight to work at Alliance & Leicester in Derby. Back then TESSA accounts paid 10% interest, which is unheard of now.

I worked as a savings adviser and mortgage adviser. I also took exams in my own me (and with my own money) to qualify as a financial adviser.

I’ve seen a lot of change. TESSAs gave way to PEPs and savings rates were s ll above 6%. Current accounts came with free life cover for the over 50s.

Then the banking crisis hit and everything changed.

The banking crisis Times changed drama cally in 2008 when the banking crisis hit. News reports told me that the bank I worked for was being ‘saved’ by Santander. I was expec ng my son and worried whether I’d have a job a er my maternity leave.

Interest rates fell to an all­ me low. Bills soared and property prices crashed. Northern Rock went into liquida on and branches closed at short no ce. Folk queued to withdraw their savings, worried that the banks weren’t safe.

Thankfully, I was able to return to my job in 2009 with my son at nursery. My husband and I s ll felt the impact. Santander had taken over Abbey and Bradford & Bingley; unfortunately this meant losing our shares in B&B. There were so many Santander branches that I was covering 3 at one point. Then, in 2010, I was told that I’d have to retrain if I wanted to keep my job.

or lose their jobs. I worked part me and spent my evenings and weekends studying. It was tough but I passed the exams and kept my authorisa on to work as an adviser.

I saw many colleagues fail. The number of financial advisers in the UK fell from 1100 to around 400.

Bank branches closed and made way for telephone and online banking.

Everything had to change

In 2013 many banks and building socie es were fined for incorrect procedures. We were retrained but then all 750 Santander advisers were made redundant. My clients were livid; where would they go?

I had an 18 month old son; I hadn’t expected to find myself doing more exams. The retail distribu on review overhauled financial regula on. Financial advisers had 2 years to gain addi onal qualifica ons

A er some me to reflect I decided to become an independent financial adviser. I now help clients from my banking days that have ac vely made contact with me as well as lots of new ones!

Expert your field? a regular feature.

Have your business Anything featured ofininterest in the you’d nextThen issue like have to– see contact in thesteve@soarvalleylife.co.uk next issue?

Email .co.uk Call 01509 813 125editor@soarvalleylife or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 49

And Another Thing... Tom Has A Spring Clean

by Tom Hughes

Follow Tom on Twi er @groomsdaybook

“Tom look at the state of the house, it’s a disgrace.”

Placing my copy of Vauxhall Insignia Monthly onto the coffee table (a er pushing the empty tea mugs to one side) I tossed yesterday’s paper onto the floor and bid my dearly beloved to snuggle down next to me on the sofa. “Now, my Li le Chickadee, what seems to be the problem?”

“It’s ge ng beyond a joke. This place needs a good going over. It needs bo oming!”

Blanching slightly, I pressed Sarah to elucidate.

“When you say...”

“What I mean Tom, is that we need to spring clean the house.” Sensing my rendezvous with Nigel in the Old Paraffin Lamp suddenly under threat I made a gallant a empt to head the cleaning cavalry off at the pass. “No problem, just name the day darling.”

“The day Tom, is today, and the me is now. Here.” A pair of bright yellow gloves landed in my lap. And so, it came to pass that my Saturday a ernoon, just like my very first car (a red Renault 5), was wri en off.

“Right Tom, first job is the spare room upstairs. It’s like an Aladdin’s cave up there. Start with the skir ng boards ­ yes the skir ng boards. And Tom? Please don’t start rummaging.”

“Well it looks like rummaging to me.”

ac on ­ and quick. I Googled cleaning services near our post code. But there was no me for delega on.

Taking a deep breath I dropped to my hands and knees and a acked the woodwork. And do you know something? In scrubbing away, I felt a pride and dignity in honest physical labour I hadn’t experienced since snoozing away the night shi at the Sunblest bakery during my student summers.

A er an hour of toiling the room was cleaned to within two inches of its life. What next? Of course ­ our own bedroom. Replenishing my pail with hot water I a acked our bedroom woodwork. It was then I saw it ­ and life would never be the same again. It was my damascene moment. On Sarah’s bedside cabinet was a copy of Spark Joy, The Art of Tidying by Marie Kondo. Eventually Sarah reappeared with two mugs of tea to find Yours Truly sat cross­legged, Spark Joy in one hand and a rolled up t­shirt in the other.

Shamefully, I stuck out my tongue at the back of the slammed door. My rummaging ­ sorry, organising con nued. Old concert ckets, football programmes, all manner of nostalgia collected over half a life me all snuggled together in plas c bags. The bucket of soapy water sat cooling at my feet. But Sarah was right, this room wouldn’t clean itself, I had to take

“Tom, what on earth are you doing? And why are all the drawers open?” Folding some pyjamas, I gently enquired of my wife, “Why have you never men oned this book before? It’s a revela on ­ look at my sock drawer.” Proudly I pulled the handle to reveal my socks laid out like li le fat soldiers. “Well that’s fine, but that pair is odd and those are mine.

My school report from 1983. English ­ Tom is an inquisi ve boy who unfortunately is easily distracted, he...”

“Tom what are you doing?”

My yellowing report slipped from my grasp.

“Nothing.”

“Exactly, nothing. You haven’t even made a start on the skir ng boards. You’re rummaging.”

“Im not rummaging, I’m organising.”

Page 50

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And what have you done in my wardrobe?” Sarah’s face told me my a empts at reorganising had not achieved the desired effect. Tu ng and mu ering, Sarah began the task of undoing all my good work.

Opening another drawer she closed her eyes and hissed ­”Tom, just, just leave everything to me and go and clean the bathroom. You can’t do much damage in there surely!”

An hour later I limped gingerly downstairs to find Sarah sipping coffee whilst flicking through Good

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Housekeeping. “Tom are you ok ? Have you been crying?”

“No. By the way, have you ever mistaken Flash disposable bathroom cleaning cloths for Andrex moist toilet ssues?”

“No. Why?” “Oh, no reason.”

“Well you’ve done very well today. Come and snuggle down next to me.”

“If it’s all the same to you dear, I’ll stand.”

“I don’t know why I should have to learn Algebra...

I’m never likely to go there.” Billy Connolly

Page 51

Pets Page Four Strange Cat Behaviours Explained Cats are amusing and fun to be around, but some mes their behaviour just seems downright bizarre. If you’ve ever wondered why your cat behaves in a certain way, from kneading its paws to ea ng plas c bags, we might be able to offer a li le insight.

Head bu s ­ When your cat bumps its head against you, it means they’re trying to bond and is an expression of affec on.

They’re also demonstra ng trust in you and marking you out as a ‘member of their club’.

Staring ­ Staring is a common trait in cats, if a li le unnerving when you’re on the receiving end. They generally stare at their prey before pouncing, but in your case it could be a determined request for food or entertainment.

You should also check for any poten al medical reasons if their pupils are constantly dilated ­ it could be the result of an eye or other health issue.

Ea ng plas c ­ Ea ng non­food items such as plas c, paper, wool or even electrical cords may be a sign of ‘pica’. This is an ea ng

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Page 52

disorder that can be caused by dietary deficiency, stress, boredom or in some cases an underlying health problem.

Kneading ­ When your cat sits on your knee and starts to knead, it’s a sign of contentment and is usually accompanied by a loud purring.

They also have scent glands on the bo om of their paw pads, and may be kneading to leave their scent behind – effec vely claiming you as their own. h p://www.pethealthnetwork.com/ cat­health/catbehavior/6­strange­cat­ behaviors­finally­explained h p://www.vetstreet.com/our­pet­ experts/10­strange­catbehaviors­ explained h p://www.sheknows.com/pets­and­ animals/ar cles/994845/25­random­ cat­behaviors­finallyexplained/ page:2

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Keeping your Property looking good all year round Find the Robin and win a £25 voucher to spend at The Manor House at Quorn See pages 33 and 59

Some where in the magazine we’ve hidden a little robin – he may not be as big as this one though.

If you can find him, let us know where he is and the first correct answer out of the hat after the closing date of 25th April will win.

Send your answer, together with your name, address and telephone number to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU See page 63 for our latest winners!

Psst - it’s not those on page 6!

Join us on FacebookAnything for regular updates,you’d offers, and from around the region of interest likenews to see inviews the next issue? www.facebbok/soarvalleylife.co.uk Call 01509 813 125 or email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 53

Spot Ten Dierences

Answers on page 63

Page 54

Sponsor our kid’s pages with your branding Contact: editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Answers on page 63

Go Everywhere under the Sun with Kia Easter?

What’s that got to do with Astronomy?

The moveable feast of chocolate eggs wrapped in foil falls late this spring although not as late as it can be. Why, you might ask, are we men oning this on our Astronomy page?

The date of Easter has everything to do with Astronomy. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified at the Passover, which was fixed by the Jewish Lunar calendar. So you can tell when it’s Easter just by looking at the sky. First, wait un l you see the Sun rising due east and se ng due west ­ that’s the Spring (Vernal) equinox. Now, follow the moon un l it’s full, and Easter will be the next Sunday.

As a result, our chocolates eggs may be given any me from 22nd March to 25th April!

Sunrise & Sunset Times Date

Sunrise

Sunset

Hours of Daylight

13 Mar 2017 06:19 18:02 11h 42m 20 Mar 2017 06:03 18:14 12h 10m Clocks move forward 1 hr as BST begins at 1 am 26th March 2017 27 Mar 2017 06:47 19:26 12h 38m 03 April 2017 06:31 19:37 13h 06m 10 April 2017 06:16 19:49 13h 33m 17th April 2017 06:00 20:01 14h 01m 24th April 2017 05:46 20:12 14h 26m 01 May 2017 05:32 20:24 14h 51m Apparent brightness of some objects in the magnitude system

Special Events GMT = Greenwich Mean Time and is the me used by astronomers all over the world.

1⁰ is approximately equal to the width of your li le fingernail when your arm is outstretched in front of you.

Calendar for March 2017 5th ­ Star Aldebaran is occulted by the first quarter moon.

Venus starts March as an evening star at mag ­ 4.4 but by the month’s end has become a morning star rising shortly before the Sun at about 05:30.

Jupiter lies in the constella on of Virgo throughout the month and shines at a constant ­ 2.2 magnitude rising about 20:30 each evening.

Saturn rises around 02:00 and shines at + 0.5 in the constella on of Sagi arius.

20th ­ The Vernal Equinox. Day and night are of equal length as our astronomical spring begins.

Calendar for April 2017 Look out with your binoculars between Ursa Major ­ The Plough and Ursa Minor whose brightest star is the Pole Star and you may see Comet Tu le­Giacobini­ Kresak which towards the end of April is joined by Comet Johnson, both too faint for the naked eye but no ceable through binoculars.

1st ­ Mercury is at greatest elonga on ­ it’s furthest angular distance from the Sun ­ se ng low in the south western sky two hours a er sunset, shining at magnitude zero.

7th ­ Jupiter is at opposi on ­ the point on its orbit at which it is directly opposite the Sun in the sky ­ and shines resplendent at mag ­ 2.3 in the constella on of Virgo.

21st/22nd sees the maximum of The Lyrid meteor shower. Although only es mated at about 18 meteors per hour, viewing condi ons are favourable with the Moon fading as a waning crescent.

Last Quarter

Full Moon

First Quarter

New Moon

20th March

12th March

5th March

28th March

19th April

11th April

3rd April

26th April

Sponsored by Loughborough Kia See back cover

Be er than Outstanding?

I first met Narinder, Director of Childcare at Rothley Park Kindergarten, in the summer of 2013. I wrote an ar cle about them giving it the tle, “The Rolls Royce of Kindergartens”.

This was a play on words, as their premises used to house the social club for the staff of Rolls Royce.

What I saw back then prompted me to use that comparison ­ for it was the best kindergarten I had ever seen. And the inspectors at Ofsted must be thinking the same, judging by their report dated 23rd January 2017.

They gave them an Outstanding finding in all the categories they inspected upon. That’s a first in Effec veness of the leadership and management ­ Quality of teaching. learning and assessment ­ Personal development, behaviour and welfare and Outcomes for children.

The first line of the report sums it all up really: “The inspira onal manager and highly dedicated staff set uncompromising high standards in everything they do.”

As awards go, this must rank at the very top. Ofsted inspectors are la crème de la crème of judges.

There’s no compromise, they tell it how they see it, with no bias or agenda other than their mission to improve the futures of our children by the educa on they receive.

But this level of proficiency doesn’t just happen; look at the creden als of the staff ­ 28 of them holding childcare qualifica ons at level 3 or above and 6 of them with a degree.

Narinder’s dedica on to the children’s care, educa on and development is a con nuing mission. She says, “Working closely in partnership with all the

children’s parents and carers is essen al when understanding their needs.

Employing dedicated nursery prac oners is compulsory at Rothley Park Kindergarten to deliver all­encompassing care tailored for the individual needs of each child.”

Rothley Park Kindergarten senior staff from le to right Georgina, Sarah, Samantha, Louise, Tony, Kirsty and Narinder

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri 51 Weeks of the year Now in our 15th year, Rothley Park Kindergarten is one of the most modern children's nurseries in Leicestershire perfectly equipped to provide your child with the best care and development in Leicestershire. And that’s not just us saying that. We were inspected on 23rd January 2017 by Ofsted and were judged outstanding in all categories.

Nursery manager Narinder Kaur and her team of professional nursery practitioners deliver a second-to-none childcare service tailored to your child’s individual requirements.

Limited Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year-olds. We also offer full or part-time sessions as required, depending on availability, for all children under the age of 5 years throughout the year and during school holidays.

A warm welcome awaits you – no appointments are necessary as all new and prospective parents are invited to visit us at their own convenience.

Rothley Park Kindergarten, Loughborough Road, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NL T: 0116 230 3888 M: 07813 021410 info@rothleyparkkindergarten.co.uk www.rothleyparkkindergarten.co.uk

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Walking ­ A enborough Nature Reserve

Walk instruc ons

This page sponsored by

31/2 Miles 11/2 Hours

Postcode NG9 6D Use the car park at A enborough Nature Reserve, south west of No ngham, reached from the A6005 between Beeston and Long Eaton. Pay and display, all other facili es at the visitor centre.

1 From the roundabout, take the narrow tarmac track past the ‘No Entry’ signs, cross over the bridge and fork le at the signpost to the river.

2 Take the path le with the River Trent to the right for one and three quarter miles to the second Meadow Lane signpost, close to the landing stages on this side of the river.

3 Turn le and follow this path through the nature reserve all the way to the railway.

4 The track runs le , parallel to the railway, then veers le and slowly right, with the lake to the right. Carry on over a humped back girder bridge and along the path between walls, keep direc on up the road ahead between hedges to the corner.

5 Follow the road right to the junc on with Church Lane and turn le , heading right again in front of the church. Take this wide path le and keep on this track, through trees again, back to the car park to find your vehicle. © Clive Brown All our walks are compiled by Clive Brown You can order any of his walking close to guides from www.walkingcloseto.com See his new book from Bradwell Books Walking for all Ages in Leicestershire & Rutland www.bradwellbooks.co.uk/walks­for­all­ages­leicestershire­­rutland­581­p.asp

Soar Valley Walk sponsor this month is

Absolute Care Agency of Barrow upon Soar see page 47

Odyssey Coach Mentor Bringing out the best in you Hi, my name is Steve Wilkinson, I’m an accredited life coach and mentor, with over 30 years experience in professional sports and 17 years in educa on. I help individuals by providing them with the necessary tools to develop a posi ve mind set, confidence and direc on, enabling them to discover their true poten al.

I am a former professional footballer, having played for Leicester City, Mansfield, Preston and Chesterfield. So, rest assured, I know what it’s like to feel the pressure and discipline of being an elite athlete. Using the skills I have acquired over my 30 year career, I can help you to improve your

levels of confidence and clarity to bring out the best in you.

Having re red from football, I have spent the last 14 years at Loughborough College as Lead Tutor and Welfare Officer, developing individuals and helping them to overcome personal challenges through empowerment and mo va on.

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Page 60

“Life is something to do when you can’t get to sleep.”

Fran Lebowitz

WIN!

One of two pairs of ckets to see Brian Conley – The Greatest Entertainer (in his price range) Sunday 7th May 2017 – 7.30pm Venue ­ Loughborough Town Hall

The mul ­talented and irrepressible Brian Conley returns to the stage in this all­new show. Brian will perform brand­new comedy, sketches and songs, alongside some of his best­known and loved retrospec ve material from the screen and on stage.

Box Office: 01509 231914 www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk HOW TO ENTER Complete our Spring me Wordsearch below and send your answer, which is a six word related phrase, together with your name, address and telephone number, to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk or by post to Soar Valley Life, 1 Burton Road, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RU The first two correct answers out of the hat a er the closing date of 25th April will each win a pair of ckets worth £47.

Editor’s decision is final. Terms and condi ons apply.

Could your business sponsor our monthly compe on? You provide the prize we provide the rest ­ email editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 61

Wide range of Luxury Vinyl Tiles Supplied and fitted.

follow us at Carpets of Choice on

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Drink Up Quiz Answers 1. Ribena 2. Georgia ­ in the city of Atlanta 3.9 (calculated as the volume in litres, 0.75, mul plied by the alcohol volume) 4. Advocaat 5. Water 6. Pimm's (Pimm's Number One Cup is the most popular Pimm's drink) 8. Whiskey, lager, cider and vodka 9. Soda Stream 10. Harvey Wallbanger (a er Tom Harvey)

Henry Hedgehog Solu on Column One: Bu erfly, rabbit, lamb, chick Column Two: Chick, lamb, rabbit, bu erfly Column Three: lamb, chick, bu erfly, rabbit Column Four: rabbit, bu erfly, chick, lamb You pick up 6 Easter eggs in the maze The unjumbled word is 'Spring'

Quick Crossword Solu on

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Paul Winson Prize Draw Mr Anant Ghelani of Loughborough was the lucky winner of the £50 gi voucher to use against any Paul Winson day trip or holiday.

Congratula ons!

Wine Cooler Winner

Find the Robin Winner

Congratula ons to Mrs J Osbourne of Loughborough whose entry in our Robert Charles Interiors Wordsearch was the first correct answer to be drawn a er the closing date. The phrase was “Everything plus the kitchen sink” Mrs Osbourne wins a free­standing, slimline wine cooler by CDA worth £346 See page 24 for details of Robert Charles Interiors and pages 53 and 61 for more compe ons!

Congratula ons to Rachel Po er of Quorn who spo ed our li le robin on page 53 si ng on the end of the word VOUCHER in the Paul Winson Coach Travel compe on Rachel wins a £25 voucher to use at The Manor House at Quorn.

See details on pages 32 & 59 and more compe ons on pages 53 & 61

Found the robin yet? Email us your answer to editor@soarvalleylife.co.uk

Page 63

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Soffits, Facias and Gutterings

Windows and Doors

Specialists in all types of roofing, tile replacement, roof repairs and ridgework 200A Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston LE4 8HH

07525 536 754 • 0116 431 4117 darrenhart69@iccloud.com weloveyourproperty.com

3 local building trades experts with over 6 decades of experience between them have teamed up to form Hart Property Services Contractors to: © SVL

BUILDERS MERCHANTS

Main Branch/Stockyard: Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1AG Tel: 0115 941 2861 Satellite Branch: 45 ~ 55, Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford NG2 5FX Tel: 0115 981 4313

The widest range of hard landscaping products from the East Midlands leading independent builders’ merchant Choose from: Marshalls (the UK’s leading landscape product supplier) and Stonemarket (arguably the trendsetters for innovative hard landscape products) Next day delivery for most popular products – large fleet of 20+ vehicles for prompt delivery Professional design and layout guides free to download from our website

www.johnastephens.co.uk Page 65

Soar Valley Life Local Business Directory Green Thumb Lawn Treatment Service .............. 35

Arts and Cra s

Harrison Landscaping ........................................... 8 LU Arts .................................................................. 4 JMB Garden & Property Maintenance ............... 53 Pure Arts Therapists ........................................... 19 JSB Tree Surgery .................................................10 Sco Signs Ltd .................................................... 27 Outwoods Tree Services .......................................8

Beauty

Health and Wellbeing

Amy Louise ­ Mobile Beau cian ......................... 46

Building and Roofing Charnwood Builders ........................................... 40 Charnwood Oaks Roofing & Building.................... 9 Hassall & Son Ltd .................................................. 4 Jonathan Reeves Architecture............................ 11 RSJ Roofing ......................................................... 54

Ac vity 4all .........................................................46 Charnwood Hearing Aid Centre ..........................46 Urban Body Fit Personal Training .......................17 Gareth Hudson – Foot Health Professional ........ 46 Helen Tunnicliffe Counselling .............................28 HS Foot Care Services .........................................45 Inter Eyecare Op cians Ltd .................................44 Mind Body Movement .......................................46

Child Care and Educa on Rothley Park Kindergarten.................................. 57

Food, Drink and Venues

Odyssey Life Coach and Mentor ......................... 60 Pennie Blatchford ­ Advanced Electrolysis .........43 Reed Wellbeing ­ Complementary Health .......... 47 Sue Ricks Life Coaching .......................................25

Pure Arts Venue Hire .......................................... 19 Special Occasions (Midlands) Ltd ....................... 11

Urban Bodyfit .....................................................17

Home

The Manor House at Quorn.................... 32 and 59 The Waterside Inn .............................................. 45

Absolute Window Solu ons Ltd .........................26

The White Horse Inn ...........................................51

Ancient & Modern Furniture Restora on ..........12 Carpets of Choice ...............................................62

Garden

Custom Conservatories & Windows ...................48

Canopy Tree Services.......................................... 22

DCI Kitchens .......................................................10

Charnwood Tree Services ................................... 13

Dave Mi on Electrical Ltd. .................................40

Claire Jones Gardens .......................................... 11

Delta Aerials .......................................................48

Derry's Nurseries ................................................ 14

Dream Doors Leicestershire ...............................23

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“The most powerful element in adver sing is the truth.”

William Bernbach

Ecoclean Dry Carpet Cleaning ............................52

Sileby Car Vale ng Indoor Car Wash ..................51

Fab Plumbing ......................................................48

Smashgard Car Window Tin ng .........................37

Gas­Servwell (Charnwood) Ltd ...........................29

Loughborough Kia ..............................................68

H & A Wardrobes ................................................48

Pet Care

Hart Property Services ........................................65 Hassall Aerials .......................................................9

Posh Dogs Canine Grooming .............................. 53

Hollydan Plumbing & Hea ng ............................40

The Mountsorrel Groom Room .......................... 53

Inter i­care Gas & Electrical Services ..................18 JDG Joinery & Carpentry .................................... 12

Prin ng Services Automedia.......................................................... 29

J Gardiner ­ Plasterer ..........................................43 JS Plastering ........................................................48

Professional Services

Keith Urry & Son ­ High Class Decorators ...........18

Anstey Computers .............................................. 40

Lined So Furnishings ........................................12

Baker & Co Accountants ..................................... 64

Richard Watson Painter and Decorator ..............40

CP Accountancy Ltd ............................................ 13

Robert Charles Interiors .....................................24

Elvin Moore & Partners Solicitors....................... 28

SJS The Professional Carpet Cleaner .................. 27

Garre ­Long Solicitors ....................................... 42

SJS Leather Cleaning and Restora on ................12

Helen Gadsby ­ Financial Advisor ....................... 49

Smashgard Window Films .................................. 37 Soar Valley Aerials .............................................. 53 Whelband Windows .............................................3

Home Carers Absolute Care Agency .........................................47

Merchants

Homelet Howse Estate Agents ........................... 16 Moss Solicitors ................................................... 19 Moving Made Cheaper....................................... 33 Open House Estate Agents ................................. 10 Starfish Admin Services Ltd ................................ 25

Shopping & Retail

John A Stephens Ltd ........................................... 65

Appliance City ­ Appliance Exper se .................. 21

NS Plumbing & Hea ng Supplies Ltd .................. 22

Filigree Heart Limited ......................................... 12

Motoring

Travel and Leisure

ChipsAway Small/Medium Car Repairs ..............39

Great Central Railway ........................................... 5

Double A Automo ves Ltd ..................................41

The Independent Traveller ................................. 31

and goodnight!

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