Set 66

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Issue 66

Page 2. South East Times. Issue 66

How to Choose a Care Home to family and friends to come to consensus of what you feel they would like in a care setting.

- Research at least five care homes in the locality you want the process of selecting a care home.

Choosing a care home is a very to look at, check the latest CQC emotional and stressful experience You will need to take into account report, the homes website, talk to of this there is no doubt. At the time the needs of your loved one, location, people who may know about the your own perceptions of what when this debate starts in families service etc. there is a realisation that the loved you think is needed, the funding - Make an appointment to visit as conundrum and of course that all one is now at a stage in their lives many homes as you can not giving where they cannot continue to care important needs assessment carried a specific time but an approximate out by the professional social care for themselves and the combined one i.e. morning, afternoon. This team. forces of family and friends is not will give you some flexibility and So at this highly charged period what sufficient to ensure that they can also a chance to see normality in a provide the level of care needed and can you do to make sure that the service choices you make are informed and - indeed deserved.

Write down the questions you Set that against the media perception in the best interest of your loved one. want to ask about the service; staff Here is what I did when we faced the portrayed on a regular basis of training, managers qualifications, same dilemma a few years ago: an industry prepared with cruel meal options, recreational activity, - make sure that you have the best and uncaring individuals who slip visiting times, what happens if possible information about your through any amount of scrutiny to there is a deterioration of the loved ones medical condition, both work in caring environments you condition, medical support from physical and mental will be faced with a life changing GP, communication and reviews - If they have capacity, make sure decision for the loved one and with family etc. ask the questions you are fully aware their wishes; yourself. Life will never be the same and make sure you have drilled if they lack capacity then talk again in your life as you go through

deep enough to satisfy yourself.

- Ask to have tea, if offered, in the lounge with residents so you can feel the atmosphere on the service. Gut instinct is always good to go with, the decor is not the most crucial thing although it is always nice to see a clean fresh environment.

- Watch the way the staff interact with the residents and how the residents interact between themselves.

- Once you have found a service you like and feel confident in, visit it again unannounced.

Just a few minutes drive from the A3 and M25, and close to the Station, this attractive Victorian house still retains many original features including stained glass windows and stripped pine woodwork.

The well planned layout provides a warm and comfortable environment for residents to enjoy life to the full.

Rooms All our rooms are singles, the majority of which are ensuite. These elegantly furnished rooms have been specifically designed to be light and spacious, but most of all, as comfortable and welcoming as your own home.

All our rooms are equipped with 24 hour nurse call system, telephone point, TV and smoke detector. Residents are welcome to bring personal items of furniture to make them feel more at home.

Activities At Springfield House, it is easy to make new friends as well as enjoying an active lifestyle.

Personal interests and hobbies are encouraged, such as embroidery and painting, to help us provide a stimulating and happy environment.

Throughout the year we hold a number of social engagements where relatives are actively encouraged to attend and enjoy the festivities. Examples include the Summer Garden party, the Xmas party and Carol Service.

Wifi is also provided at the home.

Garden The nursing home benefits from a quiet and large garden at the back of the home, and during the warmer summer months,

to their fees from the NHS. An assessment of their needs is carried out by a registered nurse and if approved by the NHS, the contribution is paid directly to the home and offset against the monthly fees. The level of this contribution is currently (until 30/3/14) ÂŁ109.79 per week.

We know that with the demographics as there are more of us will be considering these pathways. That vast majority of care services provide good care in a safe and loving environment so find one that matches your needs. There is no need to feel rushed or compromised - you owe it to your loved one and to yourself to get it right.

Springfield House is a traditional character nursing home situated within walking distance of the charming yet sophisticated village of Cobham, Surrey. we actively encourage our residents to take advantage of the fresh air.

The well stocked bushes and shrubs provide a lovely setting to peacefully pass the time, or engage in some form of activity.

Springfield House is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide nursing care for 26 residents over the age of 65 years: Â - long-term nursing care; - palliative care; - respite or short-term care; - day care. Â We can also provide care for a limited number of residents within the category of dementia.

Our staffing ratios ensure that individual nursing needs are carefully identified and personal care programmes developed by our Registered Nurses.

During this process, we fully involve client and relative participation.

A comprehensive training programme and our skilled multi-

disciplinary team maintains our high standards of care.

Fees Fees vary depending on the type of accommodation required and level of care needed.

Residents may be entitled to a contribution

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How to Choose a Care Home

Page 4. South East Times. Issue 66

Education

Harwich ferry-jump deportees ‘died trying to reach UK’

Two deportees who died after jumping from a ferry were trying to swim back to the UK shore, an inquest has heard.

Albanians Artur Doda, 24, and Leonard Isufaj, 27, leapt from the Stena Britannica, off Harwich, Essex, on 26 February last year.

The pair had tried to enter the UK hours earlier inside a lorry, the inquest into their deaths in Chelmsford heard.

Coroner Eleanor McGann recorded conclusions of accidental death.

Mr Doda and Mr Isufaj were among a group of 15 people from different countries caught in a random x-ray check at Harwich before making it into the UK. ‘Tantalisingly close’ The inquest heard Mr Doda was sliced by the “machete-like” motion of the ship’s propeller while Mr Isufaj drowned.

Both men were sucked underwater almost immediately after they jumped over the side of the ship, ten minutes into its journey back to

Zeebrugge, Belgium.

Essex coroner Ms McGann said: “The evidence suggests they were intending to swim back to England, something that they could see was tantalisingly close to them.”

Insp Christopher Willis, from Essex Police, told the hearing the sea would have appeared deceptively calm to the men.

“To swim to land with those tides and the water temperature would have been nigh-on impossible,” he said.

“An Olympic swimmer would have struggled.”

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Isufaj’s cousin, Besnik Vata, 33, from north London, said the case highlighted the plight of many immigrants.

“We heard that they weren’t escorted on board the ship so there was always a risk this would happen - if I was in that position I would have done the same,” he said.

Border Agency official Giles Young said there was no policy of escorting deportees in place.

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 5

Education

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South East Times Job of the Week

Canterbury Cathedral statues honour Queen and Duke The Queen has unveiled statues of herself and the Duke of Edinburgh at Canterbury Cathedral to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The statues, by sculptor Nina Bilbey, are the first to be installed there during the Queen’s reign.

They complement existing statues by the cathedral’s West Door of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria - the only other monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.

The Dean of Canterbury Cathedral said they were “a splendid addition”.

The Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis added: “They will be a sign of the high respect and affection that everyone at Canterbury has for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.”

The sculptures

by Ms Bilbey, 47, from Wellsnext-the-Sea, in Norfolk, were commissioned by the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral.

Education

She did not have any formal sittings with the royal couple but instead based her work on formal portraits and “lots of pictures”.

She said the statues took six months to carve.

The Queen was accompanied on her visit to Kent by the Duke.

Earlier, they met some of the last surviving Battle of Britain pilots from World War Two during a visit to the National Memorial to the Few in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone.

However, a flypast of a Hurricane, Spitfire and Typhoon which was due to take place over the English Channel had to be cancelled due to thick fog.

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Weddings

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Weddings

If you are looking for a wedding venue in Sussex or an exquisite barn for any occasion we are sure you will think Long Furlong Barn has it all…

Long Furlong Barn is a wedding venue in Sussex which sits in the

South Downs National Park near Clapham a ten minute drive from

Worthing. The picturesque valley is between Findon & Angmering nestled in the heart of West Sussex Countryside. The stunning views and surrounding landscape make it a perfect location for all types of events.

Long Furlong Barn was built in 1880 in what is described by English Heritage… “This barn is notable for the very rare use of laminated roof timbers in an agricultural building.

It is a fine example of a few across

the country. The barn is built in the tradition of a Medieval Tithe Barn” and is now Grade 2 Listed and part of English Heritage.

The barn is now owned by the 4th generation of the Jenkin Family who have farmed in the Sussex area since 1912, and at Long Furlong Farm. The barn was used as an Army Training Camp for British Soldiers between 1933 -1935 and features heavily in local and national history books.

Present Day… The Barn after been used as a grain store for many years has transformed into a simply stunning and picturesque Sussex venue suitable for all types of events… Weddings, Parties, Family Celebrations, Conferences, Meetings and also Wakes as we are so close to Findon Church & Worthing Crematorium. A successful first year has seen the barn featured in Your Sussex Wedding and Doily Days magazine and most importantly made many couples dream day come true.

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 9

Weddings

Page 10. South East Times. Issue 66

Spring Golf

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 11

Spring Golf

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Spring Golf

Agricultural supplier Wynnstay and independent dairy consultant Owen Atkinson have teamed up to run a series of Calf Signals training days, the first of their kind in the UK. leave fresh colostrum sitting in closing over the next 48 hours. Rate again.” of closure depends on the level of Both experts agreed ideally calves the dairy, as it doubled in bacteria protein entering the gut and so the should be removed within an hour every 20 minutes, but either to feed the calf straight away or freeze it. sooner the calf is fed, the quicker of birth after it had been licked.

Many farmers agreed colostrum the gut will be stimulated to close. Ideally the cow should also be bags were a worthwhile investment, This is where difficulties occur. milked as quickly as possible Cheshire vet Owen Atkinson and “If left to suckle on the cow, the within the first few hours of birth with the colostrum defrosting Wynnstay calf specialist Rebecca calf’s gut could close before the and not to leave the cow until the quicker and being easier to store than milk bottles or ice cream tubs.

Richards guided farmers through main colostrum feed was given. It next milking, due to the dilution Putting the bag of frozen colostrum the six phases of heifer rearing, takes a calf 20 minutes of continual effect. in the dishwasher, running at with top tips and experiences being sucking to consume four litres 60degC for one hour, was a shared. of colostrum, something which Any cow giving eight to nine defrosting tip given by one farmer.

To minimise stress on both cow newborn calves can rarely do in the litres of colostrum in the first and calf and to aid colostrum first few hours of life as they are milking was likely to have poor If using colostrometers, Mr management, both Mr Atkinson and still weak. quality because of the dilution Atkinson reminded farmers Miss Richards advocated snatch effect. Milking the cow before calving.

“If removed straight away in to a calving, especially if it was leaking readings could be distorted by colostrum temperature. He said When a calf is born the gut is clean individual pen [even if this colostrum was accepted practice. ‘open’, allowing colostrum antimeans colostrum intake is delayed Miss Richard said mobile milking they were designed to work with luke warm colostrum, about bodies to quickly enter the blood slightly] giving the full four-litre units were a great piece of kit to 22degC, so could be slightly stream, but also means the calf feed when the calf’s gut is still open invest in, allowing the cow to be is susceptible to infection via the will be more beneficial. milked in the calving pen, reducing inaccurate if it was too hot or cold milk. He did not, however advise mouth.

“A four-litre colostrum feed takes stress and making the colostrum Mr Atkinson said: “The gut ‘closes’ a long time to digest, even up to harvest easier. The unit could also artificially cooling colostrum for over a period of time, usually 20 hours, so, once fed, relax and be properly cleaned and disinfected. this purpose. ‘open’ for the first six hours and wait until the calf becomes hungry She also advised farmers not to Some 15 dairy and beef farmers attended the Calf Signals training day, hosted by Geoff and John Woodhouse, Bolden Farm, Lancaster.

Equine centre on sale at £950k The Hand Equestrian Centre in Davis Lane is listed on www. jacksonequestrian.com for sale in excess of £950,000.

The description states: “The Hand Equestrian Centre has been a prestigious national equine competition centre.

“It has been regularly used by the British Show Jumping Association, British Eventing and British Dressage holding a range of competitions, shows and events.

“The equestrian facilities are very impressive and we are informed that the previous vendors developed these facilities with a view to creating an Olympic-approved equestrian facility.

“Whilst this property is unquestionably a state-of-the-art equestrian centre we are informed that the site has been used to host alternative commercial activities from car boot sales, white collar boxing tournaments, livery yard, dog training events, dinner dance events and functions.

“There is clearly considerable scope for a range of

commercial opportunities subject to the relevant planning consents.”

The site offers a main building and main indoor arena, with a secondary indoor arena, extensive grandstand, 68 stables, judges boxes and viewing galleries from two restaurants and a lounge/bar area.

The 12.50-acre site also boasts onstreet parking for all vehicles as well as men’s, women’s and disabled toilets and two commercial twin kitchens.

The Hand Equestrian Centre closed in December last year when owner Nick Davies, who bought the centre in 2007, revealed he had ‘no alternative’ but to close the centre due to financial difficulties.

Adapted rotary provides life changes on family farm Spending more than 12 hours daily milking 300 cows through a dated 10:10 parlour would be unthinkable for many, and making the transition to a 40-point rotary was a life-changer for the Manning family of Bank Farm, Minsterley, Shropshire. Simon Wragg reports.

Traces of blue paint on a cow shed’s steel pillars act as the only visible reminder of where the old parlour stood at Bank Farm. Until 2011, it was the site of twice-daily milkings which deserve the term ‘epic’, if only for the perseverance of those who worked within its confined space.

The 150-hectare (370-acre) business was at the time run by Phillip Manning and his parents David and Beryl and had expanded progressively to 300 Holsteins and about 25 Jerseys with average yields of 8,600kg and 6,000kg respectively.

Phillip says: “Dad did most of the milking and I helped out when needed. I did not like the old parlour at all as it was far too cramped and, as a result, became a source of tension between us.”

As breeding progressed, a growing number of cows no longer fitted the old standings. The dated facilities, along with cows being housed in loose straw yards, also impacted on milk hygiene with rising cell counts making worrying reading.

He says: “From as early as 2002, Dad had dreamed of having a rotary parlour, and in 2011, we had decided to go ahead.”

With cow sheds occupying the upper end of the farm’s sloping yard, plans were drawn up for the new down-bank development which was closer to road access.

Phillip says: “It fitted my desire of having no outside traffic driving into the farmyard to either collect milk or deliver feed, helping improve biosecurity.

“Dad was determined a rotary was the way forward, having visited dairy units in New Zealand. We wanted a simple design with no unnecessary technology, as, for me, its prime job is to harvest milk quickly and allow cows back to feed and housing with no unnecessary standing time.”

Several dairy farms with rotaries were visited to help formulate ideas on layout.

“This was probably the best investment we made,” says Phillip. “Common advice was to make the collecting area twice as big as you would think to cope with expansion.

“We chose a Milfos parlour manufactured in New Zealand, after seeing one working near Carmarthen. The company was really the only one which had listened when I said we did not want anything fancy. It is fitted with automatic cluster removers, yield meters and a feeder.”

Groundwork for the development began in October 2011, says Phillip’s sister Jayne.

She says: “The one thing you do need is a construction and installation team which works well together or it would be chaos. We had John Hilditch, who had built a rotary parlour, and we set the team an unrealistic deadline of May 21, 2012, for the first milking, which we came very close to achieving.”

To cap costs, a simple steel portal frame shed was erected to accommodate the rotary parlour, leaving an all-weather 16,000-litre milk bulk tank to be located outside.

Helping to reduce further spending, cow flow from the existing cow housing to the new parlour needed little improvement and today is accessed via a large gently narrowing collecting yard.

Phillip says: “We do not have a backing gate, as in my opinion, you should not need it if the parlour design is right.”

The works had an unexpected beneficial impact on family life, he says. “Once we could see progress being made, tensions generated over the old parlour just went.”

As the May deadline approached, everyone pitched in to get the new parlour ready, says Jayne – who along with two other sisters, Ruth and Emma, worked away from the farm at the time.

Jayne says: “It was a real team effort, but with early starts and late nights, we were able to get the first cows milked on May 22.”

A temporary race was made using Heston bales to funnel cows to the platform. Transition was largely straight-forward and the first milking was completed in just two hours and 10 minutes – a saving of almost four hours.

A mind-shift was needed with the change in parlour design. Phillip says: “It has brought its own pressures. There has been a shift in the demand on labour in a shorter window during milking to get the cow yards cleaned out.”

This has been compounded by the shift from straw yards to the current 482 sand cubicles in a successful bid to improve milk hygiene and cow health. To date, Bactoscans for the larger 480cow herd supplying a liquid contract have fallen considerably.

He adds: “We now house cows for most of the year, as we only have 60 acres for grazing nearby, although there is access to a loafing area when conditions allow.

“We employ two local girls, Amy and Kirsty, who do the weekday milking with one wet-wiping and drawing off while the other puts on clusters.

“While it is true you do not get much time to see each cow during milking, they have more time to express themselves naturally in the yards, particularly when bulling. I tend to artificially inseminate cows on the platform during milking rather than draft them off as it is part of their normal routine.

“We will invest in an auto-shedding gate at some point to assist with drying off cows, having already installed a teat auto-sprayer for postmilking hygiene.”

The herd calves all-year-round with an emphasis on black and white genetics. Phillip had introduced Jerseys to the Etsill herd of Holsteins, but demands on time and a question mark over the financial viability has seen the decision reversed.

Focus has remained on developing a simple system around Bank Farm’s limit on the amount of forage which can be grown.

He says: “Our land is heavy clay and first cut is not possible until late May or early June. But we grow a good crop of whole-crop wheat, yielding 15 tonnes/acre, and have introduced it as a third forage to the TMR diet.

“It complements 130 acres of maize grown locally on contract, which is layered in two new clamps with either first cut grass silage or whole-crop.

John Allcock of NWF helps formulate the ration based on my belief that if it is simple, it gets done.”

The TMR is 10 per cent grass silage, 40 per cent whole-crop, 50 per cent maize forage mixed with 5kg/head of a protein blend, 1.5kg/head molasses and a tailored mineral mix aimed at providing for maintenance, plus 29 litres of milk, says Mr Allcock.

He says: “It is about the top-end without running into acidosis. A walk around the yards looking at consistency of manure suggests the physical structure of the diet suits the cows.”

With average yield improving from 7,672 litres/ cow in January 2013, after a very difficult forage year in 2012, to 9,668 litres/cow in January 2014, the herd has room to improve further, he suggests.

Butterfat has risen from 3.6 per cent to 4.3 per cent over the past six months, with an in-parlour feeder topping up each cow feed according to milk yield.

With some high yielders taking longer to milk out, Phillip says a 50-point rotary may have stood the farm better in the longer term if cost had not been a limiting factor at the time.

But the achievement of financing and constructing the parlour has a deeper resonance for the family. After only a week of seeing it in action, Phillip’s dad David passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.

Beryl, who remains at the heart of the farm, says: “It was his ambition to have the first rotary along this road and he achieved it.”

Life in the first few days after the rotary was installed had seen a marked change in family life. David was no longer anchored in the old parlour for long hours allowing for daytime meals together. Since the tragedy, Jayne has returned home to help with farm administration, while Phillip remains hands-on with the herd.

The parlour has brought a revolution to family life and Phillip sees a possible opportunity to introduce a second Milfos rotary in the next decade – albeit this time to milk goats.

“You can keep a lot more goats to the acre than cows,” he says.

SJ Stanberry & Sons Ltd – Two sides of a coin SJ Stanberry & Sons Ltd was established in 1983, founded

by Stephen Stanberry and now working closely with his three sons to further establish and build up business. Our head office is based in Cambridgeshire, and we offer two nationwide services to the public sector, industrial, agricultural and commercial markets.

Many years ago SJ Stanberry began with the delivery and installation of modular and portable buildings to schools and colleges across the UK, and still does today. Over time we began to include installation of

foundations and service connections for the buildings, and soon clients began to request hard landscaping i.e. drives, patio’s, car parks etc. to give their project a complete finish.

This enabled us to provide a full package to our clients, from setting up on site, forming foundations and installing the services, to supply and delivery of the portable or modular building, undertaking any hard landscaping and testing all services and signing the project off. We are proud to say that SJ Stanberry & Sons Ltd have built a good reputation and working relationship

Total Dairy Conference: Learning to manage staff is key, says show judge Expanding staff numbers is one of the most difficult challenges a dairy farmer will face, but learning to become a people manager is key to successful expansion.

staff. Show them the way, back it up with written protocols and let them work through it.

“Farmers are hands on and people and are used to doing everything themselves, often charging in when That was the message from something goes wrong – this is bad Californian dairy farmer, Hank Van for business.

Exel, who spoke at the conference and later judged the UK Dairy Expo. “It can also be useful to have your Mr Van Exel’s father started milking vet or nutritionist speak to your 40 cows after the Second World War team about what is working well – the business has since expanded to and how things can be improved, more than 2,100 cows across three as employees often take their units on 867 hectares (2,360 acres). comments on board a lot better.

Acknowledging expansion “I spend most of my time problems, Mr Van Exel said business monitoring, walking around the owners must make sure they share farm, talking to staff and observing.” common financial goals with the rest Bonuses did have their advantages, of their family and managers. but remember they could also be “Do you share the same one, five detrimental, warned Mr Van Exel. and 10-year plan?” he asked.

“We do not give bonuses to Identify the talents of your staff and employees, instead I pay them well learn how to manage them, he also and give group bonuses,” he said. advised.

“A bonus system can lead to friction, “Many farmers walk around the infighting and corners being cut to farm and see things automatically meet targets. I prefer to motivate the because they have been trained, but team to do a good job and reward it is important to remember this does them with dinner at a restaurant or not always come naturally to your an extra day off.”

into account the use of the finished floor and are able to discuss the best materials and methods to achieve the desired results, whether this is for grain silo’s, animal housing, grain stores or general storage buildings.

We have also become involved with Anaerobic digestion bases, with many schools, colleges and knowing that many of our clients intend to carry this forward for the are interested in these environmental foreseeable future. energy saving methods, and we On the other side of the coin is are happy to work with them on our concrete flooring service and this forward thinking aspect of we have gained a good strong producing renewable power. reputation for industrial and We offer a professional service agricultural concrete services and when dealing with all our clients pride ourselves on providing another (public and private sectors) and full turnkey service by utilising are approachable and versatile professional working methods allowing us to meet all our clients’ and continuous improvement. On requirements. projects for our smaller clients, we work closely with them to take

the WELTEC system ensures optimum Green Vegetables Gas Up feeder, shredding WELTEC BIOPOWER Builds 500-kW Biogas Plant for Vegetable Producer In January 2015, WELTEC BIOPOWER started building an anaerobic digestion plant in Loughgall, Northern Ireland. The customer and operator of the 500-kW plant is the vegetable producer Gilfresh Produce. The enterprise produces numerous fieldgrown products and processes them into food. „For WELTEC, this is the third plant in Northern Ireland and thus the eleventh in the UK“, says Kevin Monson, sales manager of WELTEC BIOPOWER UK Ltd., in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

Thanks to Northern Ireland‘s mild Gulf Stream climate, the products of Gilfresh grow well on an agricultural area of 1,000 ha. The product portfolio of the growth-oriented family enterprise includes root vegetables, salad crops and numerous cabbage varieties. The company – which was established more than 50 years ago and has almost 130 employees – also grows trend products like pak choi.

Gilfresh used to deliver the vegetable waste that accumulates in the sorting, washing and packaging processes to farmers as cattle feed. From July 2015, the waste and the vegetable washing water will be loaded into the bioreactor. To maintain an optimum stock level, an underground pre-storage tank is located before the two 2,625-m³ stainless-steel digesters; a 6,000-m³ tank is planned for gas-tight digestate storage. In addition to vegetable waste, cattle manure, chicken litter as well as whole crop, grass and maize silage will be used.

Especially in view of the different properties of the substances to be used, the investors were impressed by the WELTEC solution for uninterrupted entry of the input material: The robust MULTIMix system guarantees continuous utilisation and homogenisation of the substrates and stable plant operation. In combination with an 80-m³ solid matter dosing

and intensive mixing of the vegetable waste and long-fibre silage. The efficient pre-processing of the substances ensures, not only biological decomposition and efficient gas yield, but also low energy consumption of the plant. „The biogas plant will enable us to pursue our growth course on the one hand and our ecological goals on the other hand“, explains Thomas Gilpin, founder of Gilfresh. „WELTEC has designed the plant precisely for our specific production conditions. What ultimately conviced us was the fact that WELTEC was able to offer this flexible design with high-quality technologies at excellent conditions“, says Thomas. Another reason why he is pleased with the plant layout is that his company advocates the determined protection of resources.

In line with the goal to constantly improve the ecological footprint, the decision-makers decided to supply their own energy: About 40 percent of the power generated by the 500-kW CHP plant can be utilised in the company‘s own production process.

In the near future, the efficiency will increase even more due to the upcoming expansion of the cold storage. The excess power is fed into the public grid, and the process heat is made use of for heating the company buildings and for the production processes.

Biomass Heating does not have to be expensive or complicated AFS Biomass offers end-to-end solution for renewable or green energy systems to businesses, institutions and homes.

From initial design and planning, right through to installation and on going maintenance, our service is truly holistic.

We design, supply, install and maintain complete biomass boiler systems for commercial, domestic and district heating applications (where several buildings are heated by a single boiler).

We pride ourselves on good advice, on our service, and the efficient, no nonsense installation of the right system for the job. We can provide everything you need from retro-fit systems to bespoke energy centres, from fuel stores to fuel supply.

Our biomass boilers will integrate with any existing heating systems, including under floor heating, domestic hot water and with other renewables such as solar.

Why Biomass?

In a heating context, "Biomass" is the name given to organic material that can be used as fuel.

The new generation of "multi-fuel" biomass boilers supplied by AFS are up to 96% efficient and can burn wood logs, wood pellets, wood chips, cereals and miscanthus.

There are many good reasons for using Biomass Fuel

Biomass is sustainable, renewable, virtually carbon neutral and offers CO2 savings of up to 96%, compared to heating oil. (Source; Biomass Energy Centre) Biomass is cheaper than fossil fuel.

Wood pellets are 25-30% cheaper than

heating oil and wood chip is 40-50% cheaper. (Source; Biomass Energy Centre) Buying biomass fuel locally reduces the environmental impact of transport, helps your local economy, provides local business opportunities and rural jobs.

Excellent return on investment, especially if replacing electricity, heating oil or LPG. "Thinning" - the selective harvesting

Will the sun shine on the solar industry in 2015?

Will solar remain a dominant force on farms in 2015 or are dwindling Government incentives and a loack of electrical grid availability putting farmers off? Olivia Midgley asks the experts.

With uncertainty over the larger scale sector still clouding the solar industry it is no surprise farmers and potential investors have remained cautious.

According to the latest Government figures, there are currently 907 solar farms either in operation or in the planning pipeline in the UK. This amounts to a capacity of about 8,171MWp (megawatts-peak) - enough electricity to power 2.7 million homes.

However, from April 1 this year, new solar farms with an installed capacity larger than 5MWp, which translates to about 10 hectares (25 acres) of land, will no longer be eligible to receive money under the Government’s Renewable Obligation Certificates scheme.

While there are predictions the change will cause a shift towards smaller developments, some experts are confident there remains plenty of opportunity for those with land - no matter the size.

Conor McGuigan, business development director at Lightsource Renewable

Energy, says: “There is a real chance for farmers and landowners to unlock their green energy potential - whatever sized sites they have. They can be assured solar farms are still an attractive proposition but choices need to be made wisely.

“Our advice is, in order to make the most of the current political landscape and avoid being left disappointed by missing the deadlines, you need to move quickly and choose a partner which has the capability, sound financial backing and track record of delivering on time.”

smaller scale ground-mount solar projects - between one and two acres and up to 250kW - providing a real investment opportunity and a good solution when there is not the ability to meet electricity usage requirements from rooftop solar alone. It is, therefore, not hard to see why many farmers have overlooked solar power. The agricultural sector faces uncertainty from a number of factors so, understandably, stability is critical if investment is to be made. For this to happen, Government policy must be consistent.”

of a forest's annual growth - not only provides biomass fuel, but is necessary to improve the growth rate of trees and to support biodiversity.

Woodland, forestry and agriculture provide the population with leisure and recreation opportunities.

Less woody biomass going to landfill means less methane and reduced CO2 emissions.

Biomass ash is full of nutrients, so makes great compost for your garden. industry on its toes of late, but there are still many opportunities available for farmers and landowners.

“The biggest news in the solar industry last year was the 5MW cap which the Department of Energy and Climate Change will impose on solar farms from April 1, 2015,” Mr Taylor says.

Focused “Until now, developers have been focused almost exclusively on significantly larger sites of up to 50MW - the bigger the better - and as such they have prospected for large areas with corresponding grid availability.

When searching for these prize finds, they invariably overlooked the ‘diamonds in the dust’ which are the viable 2-5MW grid/land opportunities.

“The buoyant market for these smaller sites has led to healthy competition between the integrated developer/owner/ Future Success operators - the result being offers of Mr McGuigan says there is still a ‘huge Recent signals from Government have future’ for solar farms beyond April 1 been encouraging and in December last solid ground rents and lease terms for although installations are likely to be on year, Westminster underlined its support landowners.”

Mr Taylor says saturation of areas of a smaller scale. He says: for solar, labelling it ‘a huge success the grid by solar generation schemes “Solar farms are not dead. Opportunities story for the renewable industry which will still be available for installations has an important role to play in the UK’s has brought about programmes of grid upgrade works by the Distribution below 5MWp and they are still an diverse energy mix’.

Network Operators - such as Northern attractive option for many farmers or “This gives a strong indication there Power Grid and Western Power landowners looking to diversify their is Government backing for solar, Distribution - which will increase grid income. The UK has made a legal regardless of the outcome of the next capacity over the coming years. commitment to reduce its carbon general election,” Mr Hanglin says.

“This provides opportunities for footprint and solar remains an important Hugh Taylor, director of part of the mix.”

EnergyMyWay’s large-scale renewables landowners in areas affected by these grid improvements, and can bring land into Giles Hanglin, director of Savills arm, agrees the shifting sands of play which has previously been rejected Energy, says: Government incentives and electrical “For many businesses, we are seeing grid availability has kept the renewables by developers,” he adds.

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 13

Retirement

Page 14 South East Times. Issue 66

Retirement

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 15

Radio-controlled aircraft trial extended in Sussex and Surrey Sussex and Surrey police forces have aircraft with a portable console from up to 500m (546 yds) away. been given £250,000 to expand a Five UAVs will be bought to explore trial of radio-controlled aircraft.

The trial of unmanned aerial vehicles how they could benefit forces (UAVs) at Gatwick Airport showed nationally.

UAVs are used to gather evidence they could provide a quicker alternative to officer patrols, Sussex from the air and could help with searches for missing or wanted Police said. people, a Sussex Police spokesman The drones can send high-quality pictures to police who can control the said.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry said: “Some of the benefits of the UAV system have already been demonstrated during the relatively short period that we have had the equipment for.

“They can go to places where it is unsafe for officers and can gather evidence quickly that could be vital in an investigation or that could help

us deploy officers to the right places at the right time, potentially allowing us to make life-saving decisions.”

The Home Office has awarded the forces the money from the Police Innovation Fund.

In May 2014, the force said drones could have helped the force assist people affected by the winter floods.

Man repeatedly hit in St Leonards hammer attack

A man suffered a head injury after being attacked by a suspected thief who jumped out of bushes and hit him repeatedly with a hammer.

The 26-year-old was injured during a suspected attempted theft in Gillman’s Hill, St Leonards, at about 17:00 GMT on Tuesday, police said.

A Sussex Police spokesman said it was an unprovoked and random attack which left the man with a cut to his head.

The attacker was a white man aged about 40, wearing John Lennon style glasses.

Retirement

Page 16 South East Times. Issue 66

Great British Holidays

Restored Margate’s Dreamland funfair to reopen A 1920s fun fair which closed in 2003 and fell into disrepair is to reopen after an £18m restoration.

Dreamland theme park in Margate home to a Grade II* listed wooden Scenic Railway roller coaster - was restored after an arson attack in 2008.

The funfair, once home to Europe’s largest big wheel, was bought by Thanet council through a compulsory purchase order in 2013.

Tickets have gone on sale and the park is due to reopen on 19 June.

Dreamland was one of the country’s oldest amusement parks.

At one time, the 16-acre site held a zoo and miniature railway, a cinema, cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and a 2,000-capacity ballroom.

Vintage fairground Work on the restoration of the Grade II*

Family Matters

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 17

listed Scenic Railway ride began in September to replace all the wooden parts.

Most of the funding was granted by the Department for Culture Media and Sport’s Sea Change programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Thanet District council.

Vintage fairground rides from around the UK have been restored and recreated for the new fun park, which will be run by the Dreamland Trust.

Classic sideshows, vintage cafes, restaurants and gardens have also been installed at the site.

BIRTH VISION and Pregnancy Dance workshops

Dance is one of those things that Dance workshops in the South East since 2006. many of us love to do but which we might not prioritise regularly For more information about her in our lives because other things may just inevitably come first. In Birth Vision Courses, Pregnancy Dance sessions and 1-to-1 birthpregnancy though, it is essential to set aside time for relaxation and preparation support, visit www. to prepare the mind and body for rigaforbes.co.uk or contact her on 07748 765 949 birth, and the “feel-good factor” we can experience through dance makes it a great tool to do this.

Through listening and gently moving to music we have an opportunity to engage with our physical awareness and our feelings, letting go of stress, tension and worry in the process.

This can support our general wellbeing throughout pregnancy and also help us to get into a good space for labour itself.

If you love to dance or you find that music relaxes you then why not take this into your pregnancy as you journey towards giving birth and beyond?

Riga Forbes is a doula and mother of two and she has been facilitating BIRTH VISION and Pregnancy

Page 18 South East Times. Issue 66

John Terry: Chelsea captain extends Jack Collison: Ex-West Ham player vows to make comeback contract with club Former West Ham midfielder Jack Collison his 16 Wales caps.

Chelsea captain John Terry has extended his contract at the club until the end of the 2015-16 season.

The 34-year-old, whose previous deal ran out at the end of the current campaign, has made over 550 appearances for the Premier League leaders.

Chelsea have a six-point advantage with a game in hand on their rivals and boss Jose Mourinho said: “This new contract is not to say ‘thank you very much’.

“It is because John continues to perform. He is a top defender.”

Mourinho recently said he could “guarantee” Terry would be offered a new deal, which is in line with Chelsea’s policy of offering those over the age of 30 only one-year deals.

Terry has won 13 major honours with the Stamford Bridge club since making his debut in 1998, winning the Champions League, Europa

League, three Premier League titles, has vowed to return to football and has not five FA Cup trophies and three League given up on his international career with Cup victories.

Wales.

He captained Chelsea to two topThe 26-year-old is without a club after flight titles in Mourinho’s first spell at struggling with a knee injury, and has not Chelsea but was not always selected played a game since May. by interim boss Rafael Benitez during “I’ve decided to take a bit of time out to make sure I’ve recovered from injuries,” he an injury-troubled 2012-13 season. said.

“I am happy that he completely “I’m going to wait until pre-season and try deserves this new contract after a and get back into it at the start of next year.” season where he has already played Collison, who played 121 times for the Hammers over eight years, signed a short40 matches,” added Mourinho. term deal with Ipswich Town in September, He skippered the Blues to a 2-0 did not make an appearance for the victory over Spurs in the Capital One but Suffolk club.

Cup final earlier this month, but they His career has been hampered by a were knocked out of the Champions persistent knee problem, which restricts League by Paris St-Germain and the the amount of training he can do between games.

FA Cup by League One Bradford.

“If I can get back performing to a good level, I don’t see any reason why I can’t try and force my way back in,” he said.

“It might take a year. it might take two years. I love playing for Wales. Who wouldn’t want to play international football?”

Collison said he had received offers from clubs to play until the end of the season, but will consider his options in the summer.

Teams such as MK Dons or Peterborough United could be possibilities, with the Bedfordshire-raised midfielder keen to stay in the area.

Meanwhile, Collison is spending time coaching youngsters in Bedford and Peterborough, and says it is a viable alternative to playing.

“It’s giving me a lot of joy. I’m looking to Collison’s career give something back to the communities, Played youth football for Peterborough and particularly at grassroots level,” he added.

Cambridge United “I get more enjoyment out of working with Joined West Ham in 2007, and played 121 the kids than I have with almost anything times over the last few months.”

Finished last season on loan at Wigan Played in Wigan’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal in April, missing a penalty in the shootout Made 16 appearances for Wales Last competitive Wales game was 2-1 loss to Macedonia in September 2013 But the Cambridge United youth product has not ruled out the possibility of adding to

International Property Guide

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Issue 66. South East Times. Page 19

International Property Guide

Page 20 South East Times. Issue 66

England manager Roy Hodgson could give Tottenham striker Harry Kane his debut in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at sold-out Wembley Stadium. wait and see.”

Manchester United striker Rooney has been equally captivated by Kane’s performances for Tottenham this season.

“First of all, the season Harry Kane has had is incredible. The goals he has scored and his performances mean he has deserved his call-up,” added the England skipper.

“He is a finisher, as we saw against Leicester. It is great for English football to have someone performing like he is.”

Manchester United’s Michael Carrick has been widely tipped to start in midfield in place of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, who Kane, 21, is in contention to partner season, would definitely start the has been out since England captain Wayne Rooney in match. attack.

“We are very happy with Harry Kane. November with an ankle injury.

Hodgson has no other injury concerns He has done well all week and has in his 23-man squad after several not in any way damaged his chances England head into the match players withdrew earlier in the week. of playing in the full senior team,” against Igoris Lithuania will be without striker Lukas Hodgson said.

Pankratjevas’s side Spalvis, who has a knee problem, but “I’m pretty sure over the course of with four wins midfielder Fedor Cernych is available these two games he will make his after he recovered from a foot injury. full debut. He’s rightly getting lot of from four matches in Group E and a Hodgson would not be drawn on plaudits. six-point cushion whether Kane, who has scored 29 “But I’m not prepared to give my over Slovenia, times in 43 games for Spurs this selection away - people will have to who sit second.

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Lithuania, currently ranked 94th in the world, won their first two qualifying games, against San Marino and Estonia, but have since lost 2-0 at home to Slovenia and 4-0 away to Switzerland.

Hodgson added: “We have been through Lithuania’s style of play and we think we know enough about them.

“People know more about Premier League players, but I hope we know enough. I hope the players are prepared to do what we want to do and cause them problems.”

Diafra Sakho: West Ham striker says FA proposals are ‘an excuse’ English football’s failings should not be blamed on the number of foreign players in the Premier League, says West Ham’s Diafra Sakho.

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has outlined plans to restrict non-EU players coming into the English game.

And England defender Phil Jagielka has backed the quality of English players coming through the system.

But Senegal striker Sakho said “Everyone can make their own excuses to defend their own interests.”

The former Ligue 1 player added: “France won the World Cup in 1998 and the French league was full of foreigners, same with Spain who won the World Cup and Euros, and Germany too.

“I don’t see why we should shut the door on new talent coming over.”

Sakho, 25, joined West Ham from Metz on a four-year deal in the summer and has become an integral part of Sam Allardyce’s side, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.

He has followed a rich tradition of African players succeeding in the Premier League, with the likes of Ivorians Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure both winning several trophies with Chelsea and Manchester City.

“We have seen many African players do well here so it would make things difficult for them,” Sakho said.

“The Premier League is one of the

best leagues in the world, one which all young players dream of playing in.”

Defender Winston Reid moved to Upton Park from Danish side Midtjylland in 2010 and won West Ham’s player of the year award in 2012-13.

The New Zealander suggests the pressure for clubs to succeed force them to look for players away from these shores.

“The Premier League now is a massive business for football clubs,” he said at an event for Lycamobile and the West Ham Foundation.

“They might not be playing young players but buying better players from abroad.

“It would be unfortunate if some of my peers weren’t given the chance to do the same as me. There are a lot of good foreign players here.”

In Europe this season, no Premier League side progressed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League or Europa League.

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 21

Harry Kane: Alan Shearer on England’s newest striking call-up He wants the chance to prove himself. I was the same, and I can understand why he has been compared to me.

Harry Kane and Alan Shearer I am a huge fan of his and what I love about him is that he scores all types of goals and does not care about the reputations of whoever is marking him.

He has got a great touch, heading ability, can mix it physically and his finishing is top class.

There is a bit of everything to his game and he is happy to run in behind defenders or come short looking for the ball.

He is still raw but, if you put all of that together, then it suggests he can be very, very good.

Shearer v Kane Harry Kane has already shown he has the ability Games Goals Goals/game ave to be a top Premier League striker, but it is his League records only - games and goals up to attitude that will help him make it at international England debut, assuming Kane plays against level too.

Lithuania I spoke about him recently to one of his former My advice to Harry? Enjoy every minute coaches at Tottenham, my old Newcastle team- There are a few reasons why it sometimes takes mate Les Ferdinand, and he says Harry always players time to adjust to international football. wants to learn and improve.

When you are called up for the first time, you He is not the kind of player who will stop probably don’t know a lot of people and it is not working hard just because he has been called like joining a new club where you can settle in up to the senior squad for the first time by Roy quickly because you are with your team-mates Hodgson. every minute of the day.

Yes, there was an arrogance about what Kane With England you get maybe five to 10 days said over the weekend about him wanting to together, sometimes not for a few months. You play for England now, and not just be part of the cannot form relationships until you have spent squad. But it was a good arrogance. time with people and it takes a while to get used Even before Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge to that. pulled out because of injury, I said that Kane On the pitch, it is different too. It is described should start against Lithuania in Friday’s Euro as a step-up is because in the main you are up 2016 qualifier. against better players than you are most weeks at One of the reasons I think that is because he has club level. got the confidence to go into the England set-up That will not be the case against Lithuania, and straightaway believe that he belongs at that though. Again, that is why Hodgson should level. chuck Kane in for that game.

Theo Walcott denies bust-up with Arsene Wenger Arsenal winger Theo Walcott says he has not had a row with manager Arsene Wenger and revealed he has yet to open contract talks with the club.

Walcott’s current deal expires in summer 2016 and Wenger said he expects protracted talks over a new contract.

“Reports about contract demands and bust-ups with the boss are complete nonsense,” said 26-year-old Walcott.

“There have been no contract talks as yet and my current focus is on doing my best for Arsenal.”

The England international’s

claim that talks have yet to begin contradicts that of Wenger, who stated that Arsenal had “started very early with him” about extending his stay at the club as Walcott “is very quick on the pitch, but off the pitch not always”.

Walcott only signed his last Arsenal deal in January 2013, six months before he could have left on a free transfer.

He has made just 13 appearances this season following his return from nearly 10 months out with a knee injury, which ruled him out of the 2014 World Cup.

It is a game we will win anyway and, if he waits until the friendly against Italy on Tuesday, then there will be a lot of changes and it will be difficult to look at Kane properly.

He has scored 29 goals already this season and is clearly in brilliant form, so Friday would be a great chance for him to make a flying start to his England career with a goal on his debut.

Kane is certainly capable of it and I know how extra special it would be for him because it happened to me.

Graham Taylor gave me my England debut at Wembley in February 1992 in a friendly against France, who at the time had not been beaten for 20-odd games.

I was thrown in, like I think Kane should be, and started up front.

Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst was my partner in the England attack, with Gary Lineker on the bench.

The moment I had lived for all my life Beforehand, I was determined to enjoy every minute of that game because I did not know whether I would get another chance, and my advice to Kane would be to approach his debut the same way.

Just before half-time came the moment I had lived for all my life. Nigel Clough took a corner, Mark Wright headed it down inside the area and I turned to fire the ball into the net.

I scored hundreds of goals in my career but I will never forget my first one for my country.

It was an amazing feeling, and I really hope Kane gets to experience it this week too.

There was more - Lineker came on for the second half and I set him up to score our second goal in a 2-0 win.

I was voted man of the match and my prize was two flights to New York. I never quite made it there, though - I gave the tickets to my sister

Whats On

instead.

For me it was pretty much a perfect debut, apart from the fact my mum and dad were not there to see it because I only found out a few hours before kick-off that I was playing and it was impossible for them to get down from Newcastle to Wembley in time.

But it did not stop me being dropped to the B team for England’s next game, a friendly against Czechoslovakia a month later.

That was a big disappointment but I had to deal with it, and at some stage Kane will have to face a setback too, whether it be an injury or some bad luck.

His attitude will also help him deal with when something goes wrong, but for now I just want him to keep going. He deserves this chance.

Competition up front is a good thing When I broke into the England team, I was fighting for a place alongside Lineker with Paul Merson, Nigel Clough, Alan Smith and Hirst. It was quite intense.

It has been a long time since there has been any sort of competition up front and I think it is a positive that Hodgson might have a problem about who to pick up front when everybody is fit.

He has got Raheem Sterling, Sturridge, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck as well as Kane so, at some stage, someone is going to be disappointed. That’s not a bad thing.

They already have Kane saying ‘I’m here, I’ve arrived and I want my chance’ and it will be even better if they start pushing each other as they fight for their place.

At the moment we don’t know how Kane will fit into the team but I believe he will be an excellent foil for Rooney, and there is only one way to find out.

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Health & Beauty

Issue 66. South East Times. Page 23

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