The Connection Magazine (Norwich) Oct/Nov 2022

11 Eamonn Holmes, the nationʼs TV treasure

13 20 Runs for 2020, raising money for SANDS (Still Birth & Neonatal Death Charity)

14 Interiors: Desk lamps for the home office

16 Financial advise from Wensum Financial Planning

18 The best skiing holiday destinations

20 Competition: Win a £25 Jarrold Voucher

22 Recipe: Roast beef fillet roasted garlic, tomato herb sauce

24 General knowledge

28 History: Look back in time Book reviews: Step back Can you help touretteʼs sufferer Georgia? Motoring: Best hybrid used cars Breast cancer awareness month Gardening tasks & treats for autumn High tech doorbells Beauty: Time saving wonders Best apps for saving money Index of Advertisers

Welcome…

Well didn’t we have an exceptionally warm and dry Brit ish summer this year. In true Brit style the weather was a major topic of conversation and, whilst climate change is worrying, I am really hoping for a warmer winter this year especially with the ridiculously high prices of gas and electricity.

So on to this issue...we have lots to read as always. On page 13 you can read about Old Catton resident Lewis Brooker who is running 25 races to raise money for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity. Lewis and his wife lost their daughter, Poppy, in 2011 so this charity is very special to them. Lewis’s original aim was to run 20 races in 2020 but covid put a halt to his goal. Any donation you can give, no matter how small, will be much appreciated.

As always, happy reading and have a great Autumn.

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I

loved it right from the start because it never felt like work to me.”

One of the nation’s longest-serving and most popular breakfast TV presenters, Eamonn Holmes balances family life and career to get the best of both worlds.

The bloke from Belfast has done good. Born on 3rd December 1959, Eamonn Holmes has gone on to be one of the longest-serving breakfast TV presenters in the world.

He began his broadcasting career as a farming reporter at Ulster Television and at 21 he became the youngest anchor in regional television, when he hosted Good Evening Ulster. Recalls Eamonn: “By the age of eleven, being a journalist was all I wanted. Everybody thought it was ridiculous and all a bit pie in the sky… My mother didn’t want me to do it at all – she thought I should just get a real job. If I was the assistant manager in the local Co-op, that would be the height of her dreams. But I loved it right from the start because it never felt like work to me.”

He left Ulster TV to work at the BBC in Manchester – and that’s where his love affair with Manchester United football club began, despite being arrested on his first-ever visit to Old Trafford under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Today Eamonn is a trustee at the Manchester United Foundation, the associated charity of Manchester United, which uses football to engage, inspire and unite young people.

The 63-year-old father-of-four is a dedicated family man, even though he has spent most of his working life going to bed early in order to be up early. “I have a magnificent job, but it would be more magnificent if it was at 6pm rather than having a 2.30am wake-up call. I go to bed around 10pm but it can take an hour to get to sleep and then you realise you’ve got less than four hours until the alarm clock goes off.”

Eamonn has been a co-host on GMTV, Sky News Sunrise and This Morning, with his wife Ruth Langsford. He and Ruth were engaged in March 2009 after they had been together for

twelve years, and married the following year at The Elvetham hotel in Hampshire.

Eamonn recalls: “Ruth was the missing jigsaw piece in my life. I was meant to be married – I never saw any joy in the bachelor lifestyle and when I met Ruth, not only did I fall deeply in love with her, but she had so many attributes that I admire. She’s a wonderful mummy to Jack, a fantastic partner both personally and professionally, and now, I’m proud to say, she’s my beautiful wife.”

The much-loved TV presenters live with their son Jack in a six-bedroom mansion in Weybridge, Surrey.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Eamonn has presented a vast array of programmes including game shows, panel shows, sports events, documentaries, news and current affairs.

In December last year it was revealed that Eamonn, who was made an OBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours, was to join GB News. “I’ve spent my career on broadcasting firsts and startups, and GB News is one of the most exciting yet. To me the greatest honour in journalism is to give a voice and respect to the unheard, and that’s exactly what GB News is all about.”

20 RUNS FOR 2020

In 2019 Lewis Brooker decided it would be a great idea to run 20 races throughout 2020 to raise money for Sands - the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity. Lewis and his wife lost their still born daughter, Poppy, in 2011 so the charity is particularly important to them.

Training went well and along came 2020 and Lewis managed to complete three races before Covid-19 hit and the country was locked down. The challenge had to be temporarily abandoned.

After training during lock-downs Lewis was able to resume racing in June 2021 and has, so far completed 19 races - 5k, 10k and half marathons both on and off road. As Lewis wasn’t able to achieve the 20 races in 2020 he decided to set a new target of 25 races, finishing with his first marathon in December 2022.

Lewis says “My aim was always to raise a significant amount more money for Sands, a charity close to my heart, for all my efforts and I am grateful for all the sponsorship I have received already. The support of friends and family so far including running alongside me on occasions has been fabulous. I have enjoyed my journey immensely so far despite some times of challenging conditions”.

If you can help Lewis raise the money he has worked so hard to achieve then sponsorship can be made at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/lewis-brooker2020 or contact Lewis at lewis_brooker@hotmail.com for other ways to donate.

Completed races

Reepham Cross Country 10K, Ringland Half Marathon, Mad March Hare 10K, Mike Groves 10K, Norwich Half Marathon, Wroxham 5K, EPIC Aylsham 5K, Dinosaur Dash 10K, Great East Anglia Run 10K, Jolly Jaguars 10K, Marriott’s Way Trail Half Marathon, Spring Blickling Half Marathon, Bungay Festival of Running 10K, Thetford Night Race 10K, Norwich Inflatable 5K, Lotus Test Track Run 10K, EPIC North Walsham 5K, Run Snetterton 10K, Lucky Horseshoe 10K

Upcoming races (at time of printing) 25/9/22 Run Sandringham 10K 9/10/22 Marriott’s Way 10K 16/10/22 Autumn Blickling Half Marathon 23/10/22 Run Norwich 10K 20/11/22 EAMA Wymondham 10K 4/12/22 Running GP at Goodwood Marathon

DESK LAMPS FOR EVERY HOME OFFICE

Get your lighting right and it will make working from home more of a pleasure than a chore. Here is our guide to choosing the right desk lamp.

Illuminate your work space

• To start with, maximise natural light by placing your desk near a window, if possible. Consider glare – will the sun hit your eyes at certain times of the day and, if so, are you able to shade it with curtains, blinds or shutters?

• A desk lamp is not only necessary when working in dim light, but also a decorative feature, so ensure your choice complements the overall style of your work space, whether that is minimal and modern, rustic and natural, or elegant and traditional.

• Bear in mind that the larger your desk, the taller your lamp will need to be in order to cover it with light. It is always helpful to have a lamp that is adjustable so that you can focus its beam on different areas when necessary.

• When choosing a light bulb for your desk lamp, bear in mind not only how bright it will be (an LED bulb of 5-10 watts is usually a good choice) but also its colour ‘temperature’, from cool blue/white to warm yellow, and its colour quality. The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) measures the light given compared to natural daylight, with 100 being daylight-equivalent and above 90 a number to aim for.

Designed by Laurie Roijackers in a shape inspired by birds, this lamp has an understated, timeless aesthetic. Minimal beige iron desk lamp, £195, roseandgrey.co.uk..►

◄ With a hand-crafted marble base, this lamp features a fully adjustable brass head so that light hits all the right places. Mood Living Lucca table lamp in white marble and brass, £79, ultfurniture.com.

This compact lamp has an adjustable head and a cool, crisp style, while at the same time injecting a shot of interesting colour. Effie table lamp in pale green and white, £46.20, darlighting.co.uk.►

◄ Add some retromeets-industrial character with this quirky lamp in dramatic black and brass. Gleeson table lamp, £99, ultfurniture.com.

Perfect for a desk that’s lacking in style, the bold, bright colours of this adjustable desk lamp will add some cool, 1980s nostalgia. Jean colour-block desk lamp, £35, habitat.co.uk.►

By Katherine Sorrell

Versatile and elegant, this designer light is a contemporary classic. Bert Frank Shear table lamp, £636, nest.co.uk. ►

◄ A great mix of practicality and fun, this pretty lamp is adjustable in every way. Monda pink adjustable table lamp, £32,iconiclights.co.uk.

◄ With chrome detailing and a tilting head, this angular lamp would look great in a modern home office. Nicky desk lamp, £69.50, Tthehouseoffice.co.uk.

This eye-catching retro-style lamp blends function and fashion, and is made from robust metal. 27cm table lamp, £39.99, wayfair.co.uk.►

Tax Free Cash? the catch?

This is the last in my series of taking tax free cash from your pension, and if you recall the key question is, what is the catch? And in the majority of circumstances, there isn’t one.

This time I want to talk about taking the cash from the most common form of pension, the personal pension. This also includes most forms of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) plans as well, with one notable exception.Some AVC’s are linked to another pension which means the rules of taking cash free cash can be more advantageous than for the rest of us, so if you have an AVC its always best to ask what the rules are for taking the tax free cash.

By the way, I keep using the term tax free cash, because that is what everyone calls it but the official term is Pension Commencement Lump Sum( PCLS) so if you see that term its just tax free cash by another name.

For most forms of personal pension you can take 25% of the pension fund as tax free cash or if you want to be posh as PCLS.

The expression tax free cash is a pretty descriptive one in that for the vast majority of people it means that is you have a pension you can take 25% of the value as a tax free lump sum. The main exceptions are that if the total value of all your pensions (except the State Pension) are over £1million the amount you can take tax free might be restricted.

As you can imagine this is a very complex area, and even the £1Million is a gross simplification, so sorry for the advert, one that is well worth taking advice on. Also some older (mainly pre 2006) pensions may have an entitlement to tax free cash above 25% , this is pretty rare and usually only worth very little and there are often some catches but it is worth checking.

By Trevor Goodbun

You don’t have to take the tax free cash but even if you don’t need or want the lump sum, usually taking it will usually be the right thing to do , why? Because if you don’t you will be liable to pay tax on 100% not 75%. This even applies if you want the very low risk option of taking an annuity , as you can buy a different type of annuity to the one you usually buy with pension money that can give you a higher income.

This is the last in my series of taking tax free cash from your pension, and if you recall the key question is, what is the catch, and in the majority of circumstances, there isn’t one.

This time I want to talk about taking the cash from the most common form of pension the personal pension. This also includes most forms of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) plans as well, with one notable exception.

Some AVC’s are linked to another pension which means the rules of taking cash free cash can be more advantageous than for the rest of us, so if you have an AVC its always best to ask what the rules are for taking the tax free cash.

So, are there any exceptions to this? I have mentioned if the value of your pensions exceed £1 million there might be restrictions, but the main case where taking tax free cash might not represent the best value is if you have a pension with a guaranteed annuity rate.

By the way, I keep using the term tax free cash, because that is what everyone calls it but the official term is Pension Commencement Lump Sum( PCLS) so if you see that term its just tax free cash by another name.

For most forms of personal pension you can tak e 25% of the pension fund as tax free cash or if you want to be posh as PCLS.

A guaranteed annuity rate can vary from being gold dust to have very little if any value but if you have such a benefit the pension company is obliged to tell you when you take the pension, so if this applies to you, you need to weigh up which is best for you.

The expression tax free cash is a pretty descriptive one in that for the vast majority of people it means that is you have a pension you can take 25% of the value as a tax free lump sum

The main exceptions are that if the total value of all your pensions(except the State Pension) are over £1million the amount you can take tax free might be restricted

Trevor Goodbun

Trevor Goodbun, is the author of Plan A Secure Retirement, Financial Planning

Canada

A bucket-list destination for skiers and snowboarders alike, Canada’s world-class slopes are famed for their knee-deep powder, immaculate tree-lined runs and unrivalled hospitality – not to mention their spectacular scenery and wildlife.

Repeatedly rated as North America’s top ski resort, Whistler is Canada’s pride and joy. With over 200 trails spread between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, linked by the famous Peak2Peak gondola, the resort sits at the higher end of the price scale – but it’s worth every penny. After a day on the slopes, kick back in the town’s mountain bars, indulge in some holiday shopping or soothe your aching muscles in a top-notch spa.

Japan

Japan is an underrated skiing destination, but one thing its 600 resorts are renowned for are their abundance of super light and extraordinarily dry snow.

The most popular ski areas are split across two regions – Hakuba on the southern main island and Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano in the northern island of Hokkaido. The resorts in Japan are worlds apart from European and North American resorts. Sample incredible food, from sushi and ramen to fried chicken and potatoes, and hop between Japanese onsens, natural hot springs that offer a traditional après-ski experience. However you look at it, Japan offers a skiing holiday that you just won’t find anywhere else.

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Roast Beef Fillet with Roasted Garlic, Tomato and Herb Sauce

1. Mix all the marinade ingredients together and rub all over the fillet. Leave to marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas mark 4.

3. Slice off the top quarter of the garlic bulb. Put the bulb on a piece of foil, drizzle over a little oil and season. Wrap up in the foil and roast for 40 minutes. Cool slightly then squeeze out the garlic bulb into a food processor.

4. For the sauce, heat the oil and sauté the shallot, tomatoes, anchovy fillets with the caster sugar and vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes. Add to the food processor with the remaining sauce ingredients except the herbs and blend to form a thick sauce. Add a little water, if needed, to thin the sauce slightly. Place in a pan and add the parsley.

5. Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas mark 6.

6. Remove the beef from the marinade. Heat the oil in a heavy based frying pan and sear the beef on all sides. Place in an ovenproof roasting tin and roast for 20 minutes until cooked through. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

7. Heat the sauce and spoon over the beef to serve. Accompany with spinach and basil leaves.

Succulent beef served with a delicious rich and tangy garlic and herb sauce makes a sensational feast. Any leftover meat can be served cold with salad the following day.

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 15 minutes

Marinate: 2-3 hours or overnight Cooking time: 65 minutes

Ingredients

• 500g beef fillet (one piece)

• 1 tbsp oil, for searing

Marinade

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tbsp oil

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

Herb Sauce

• 1 bulb garlic

• 1 tbsp olive oil and a little for drizzling

• 1 shallot, diced

• 250g cherry tomatoes, halved

• 4 anchovy fillets

• 1 tsp caster sugar

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 25g sultanas

• 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed

• 50g blanched almonds

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 100ml passata

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

• Small bunch of parsley, chopped

• Small bunch basil, leaves picked, to garnish

• Bag of baby spinach leaves, to serve

Nutrition per serving: 442kcal, fat 31g (of which saturates 6.4g), carbohydrate 9.6g (of which sugars 8.6g), protein 31.3g.

150 YEARS

In Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in Eighty Days, Phileas Fogg sets off from London on 1st October to begin his round-the-world journey. He must return by 21st December to win his £20,000 bet.

100 YEARS

The BBC was officially founded as the British Broadcasting Company (now the British Broadcasting Corporation).

British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen. On 26th November he reached a second sealed doorway and discovered the famous treasures.

75 YEARS

The marriage of Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in London.

60 YEARS

The UK premiere of the first James Bond film Dr. No.

The Beatles’ first hit song Love Me Do was released in the UK British weather forecasts switched from Fahrenheit to Celsius

The Big Freeze in Britain – one of the coldest winters on record. On 29th – 30th December the south-west of England and Wales were hit by a blizzard, with snow drifts more than 20 feet deep.

50 YEARS

Access credit cards were launched in the UK as a rival to Barclaycard (launched in 1966). Access was taken over by MasterCard in 1996.

40 YEARS

30 YEARS

The British Government announced that 31 of the country’s 50 remaining deep coal mines would close by March 1993, putting 31,000 miners out of work. Six mines were closed immediately.

Windsor Castle fire, UK. A fire broke out in a private chapel and spread to a large part of the building. Damage was extensive and took five years to repair, at a cost of £40 million.

The world’s first SMS text message was sent. Engineer Neil Papworth, who was working for Anglo-French company Sema Group, sent the message from a personal computer to Vodafone director Richard Jarvis’s mobile phone. The message said: ‘Merry Christmas’.

15 YEARS

Amazon released its first Kindle e-book reader.

10 YEARS

Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner jumped from a helium balloon at an altitude of 24 miles and became the first person to break the sound barrier while skydiving. American computer scientist Alan Eustace broke his altitude record (but not his speed record) in October 2014 when he jumped from 25.7 miles.

American cyclist Lance Armstrong was banned from competitive cycling for life, stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, and stripped of most other titles won since 1998, for using illicit performanceenhancing drugs. He denied the allegations, but in January 2013 he admitted he had used the drugs throughout most of his career. He said his success was ‘one big lie’.

Channel 4 Television launched in the UK.

By Scared Poet, CC BY-SA 2.5

Journey to the River Sea – Eva Ibbotson

It’s been 21 years since Journey to the River Sea was published, but it still captivates readers (old and young alike) across the globe. The main character, Maia, is an orphan who is sent to live with distant relatives in Brazil in the early twentieth century. The relatives are interested in little but Maia’s money. However, Maia finds loyal companions in her governess, a young actor and a local boy.

The Key in The Lock – Beth Underdown Secrets, lies and deception abound in this gothic thriller. Ivy Boscawen is mourning the death of her son in the Great War. She’s also still haunted by memories of a child’s death 30 years before. Ivy believes the boy was murdered and now she needs to find out what really happened. But will anyone be prepared to let the full truth come to light, even Ivy herself?

Take My Hand – Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Civil Townsend embarks on a career in family planning. It’s 1973 and she has high hopes of helping women to take control of their lives. But amongst her first patients are two young girls – eleven and thirteen. The girls live in virtual squalor and Civil does what she can to help them. Soon it becomes clear that people in power are intent are making life-changing decisions for girls like these two. A saddening insight into a dark period of American history.

Shrines of Gaiety – Kate Atkinson

You know you’re in for a treat when Kate Atkinson releases a new novel and Shrines of Gaiety doesn’t disappoint. Told from the viewpoint of several connected characters living in London in 1926, Shrines of Gaiety follows the fortunes of Nellie Coker – a nightclub owner – and her children. There’s also Freda, who’s come to London in the hope of becoming a star. And Detective Chief Inspector Frobisher, who’s on a mission to bring down Mrs Coker’s infamous clubs, which he believes are behind a spate of missing girls. Gripping.

Genghis: Birth of an Empire – Conn Iggulden Temujin falls into poverty after his father is murdered. In this fictionalised account of Temujin’s life, Conn Iggulden starts to explore how a boy on the brink of starvation became the ruthless warrior Genghis Khan, whose story still captivates us almost 1,000 years later.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting – Sophie Irwin Kitty and her younger sisters are about to be made homeless. Their parents are dead. The house will need selling to repay their debts. Her fiancé has broken off their engagement. It’s 1818 so Kitty has little hope of supporting herself. That means she needs a wealthy husband, and quickly. Kitty soon sets her sights on a suitor, but his brother sees her for the fortune hunter she really is. Witty and lively, A Lady’s Guide to FortuneHunting is a whole heap of fun.

Who needs a time machine when you have historical fiction?

CAN YOU HELP GEORGIA?

Can you help Georgia?

Norwich girl Georgia King was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at the age of 11. Georgia is 19 now and living at a care home in Dereham, where she is on daily medication to try to control the horrific tics which rack her body and can last anything from a few minutes to five hours.

Norwich girl Georgia King was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at the age of 11. Georgia is 19 now and living at a care home in Dereham, where she is on daily medication to try to control the horrific tics which rack her body and can last anything from a few minutes to five hours.

Georgia’s Mum Jane King is hoping to raise awareness of this debilitating condition, and wants more people to be made aware of the physical and mental torment sufferers of Tourette’s go through. Georgia will pull her own hair, punch herself and the tics can leave her on the floor and not in control of her body.

Georgia’s Mum Jane King is hoping to raise awareness of this debilitating condition, and wants more people to be made aware of the physical and mental torment sufferers of Tourette’s go through. Georgia will pull her own hair, punch herself and the tics can leave her on the floor and not in control of her body.

The family are fundraising to try and raise £70,000 for deep-brain stimulation, a four-hour operation which involves placing electrodes on the brain, and can improve the condition.

available on the NHS for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

The family are fundraising to try and raise £70,000 for deep-brain stimulation, a four-hour operation which involves placing electrodes on the brain, and can improve the condition. The operation is only available privately to Tourette’s sufferers in the UK, though it is available on the NHS for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Ms King said of the operation “We know it isn’t a cure but it could help improve Georgia’s quality of life”.

Ms King said of the operation “We know it isn’t a cure but it could help improve Georgia’s quality of life”.

The operation is only available privately to Tourette’s sufferers in the UK, though it is

If you would like to help with a donation please visit their GoFundMe page at https://just4children.org/georgias-brain-surgery/

If you would like to help with a donation please visit their GoFundMe page at https://just4children.org/georgias-brain-surgery/

Georgia King with little brother Hector Turner and Mum Jane King

Georgia King with little brother Hector Turner and Mum Jane King.

Though there’s a real push toward full-electric vehicles, for many people a hybrid vehicle is a great fit. Combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery means a traditional engine to fall back on, but with the opportunity to benefit from the lower running costs that electrification brings.

Fortunately, hybrids have been on sale for a little while now, so there is a reasonable number available in the used market. Let’s take a look.

Lexus CT

Honda CR-Z

The CR-Z arrived in 2010 as a sporty hybrid and thus featured an eye-catching exterior design and a relatively compact body. It combined a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery and, strangely for a hybrid, had a six-speed manual gearbox. But today, with prices hovering around £5,000, the CR-Z makes for an inexpensive left-field hybrid choice. It’ll return over 52mpg and cost just £20 to tax.

Lexus has been using electrical assistance in its cars for quite some time now and has the technology down to a fine art. The CT, a slightly elongated hatchback with a typically sharp Lexus design, is a ‘regular’ hybrid with a 1.8-litre engine and an electric motor and battery.

It’s exempt from London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone charge, too. Early, high-mileage examples can be had for around £5,500, but reasonablemileage versions with plenty of equipment are around the £10,000 mark.

Toyota Prius

There are few better-known names in the hybrid world than Prius and it’s now a very tried-and-tested option. There are plenty of used examples, too, with prices starting from around £2,000 – though these will be earlier models with seriously high mileage. Later models use a 1.8-litre engine – compared with the older 1.5-litre version – but you’ll still get a very respectable 70.6mpg combined, so it’s ideal for reducing fuel bills.

Mitsubishi Outlander

The Outlander was one of the groundbreaking hybrid models, and the plug-in hybrid is the go-to choice as it offers super-efficient motoring and the chance of seeing up to 156mpg providing you keep it topped up with electricity. Prices are competitive, with second-generation cars built around 2015 standing at around £17,000. It’s a big, practical car for the money.

Volkswagen Golf GTE Fancy something a little sportier? The Golf GTE aimed to combine Golf GTi driver involvement with the efficient running of a hybrid. With a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor with a battery, this plug-in hybrid can slot into everyday life easily.

First-generation cars – built around 2015 – can be had for as little as £12,000, though expect to pay slightly more for lower-mileage, higher-spec versions.

BMW 530e

The BMW 530e could be a great more-refined option. It’s as comfortable and spacious as the regular 5, but has that efficient petrol-electric hybrid setup to help reduce fuel bills.

Early 2018 models of the spacious 530e can be had for under £20,000, so it’s definitely at the top end of our price list. Push that budget higher and you’ll find lower-mileage versions, of course.

This October, to raise awareness about breast cancer, we’re taking a look at the risk factors, symptoms and the ways in which we can support those living with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, with around 55,500 women and 370 men diagnosed each year. This means that one in seven women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. The statistics are scary, but the more we understand about breast cancer, the better our chances are of early diagnosis and successful treatment.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast tissue, when cells begin to divide and grow in an unusual and uncontrolled way. It most commonly starts in the ducts, which are the tubes that carry breast milk to the nipple, but it can also begin in the lobules – the glands in the breast that produce milk.

One of the dangers of breast cancer is how easily it can be spread to other parts of the body. This is due to the network of lymph glands close to the breast, which are part of the lymphatic system that runs throughout the body. Cancer cells that have broken away from the breast tissue can be carried by lymph fluid to nearby lymph nodes.

What are the causes of breast cancer? Unfortunately, no one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. There are, however, certain risk factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing breast cancer. Some risk factors, such as drinking alcohol, can be avoided, whereas others, such as having a family history of breast cancer, cannot.

Some examples of avoidable risk factors include lack of physical activity, poor diet, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol and undergoing combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). You’re also more likely to develop breast cancer if you’re a white female, over the age of 55 or if your mother, sister or child has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Other unavoidable risks include starting menstruation before the age of twelve, reaching the menopause after the age of 55, having children at an older age or never having given birth.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

The signs and symptoms of breast cancer vary from person to person. The most common symptoms include:

• A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit

• A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling

• A change in the colour of the breast

• A nipple change, for example an inversion

• Rash or crusting around the nipple

• Unusual discharge from either nipple

• Changes in size or shape of the breast

It’s important to get to know your breasts or chest area to help you recognise any changes. Book an appointment with your GP if you notice a change to your breast that’s new or unusual for you.

How can I check my breasts?

Everyone should get into the habit of checking their breasts once a month. The process should only take a couple of minutes – it’s easy, simply follow the instructions below.

Start by looking in the mirror to see what your breasts look like and so you can spot any changes

Either in the shower or lying on your bed, lift your arm above your head, to spread your breast tissue

Use the pads of your fingertips with shower gel or moisturiser

Imagine your breast is a clock face

Gently press and move around the breast tissue in small circular motions across the entire breast

Feel all around the breast, including under your arm and underneath where the underwire of your bra would sit

Make sure you check higher up, above your breast (as the ‘tail’ of the breast reaches up here as well)

IT IS A TWO MINUTE JOB!

Credit: Prevent Breast Cancer Limited.

Is breast cancer curable?

The survival rate for breast cancer is reasonably high, especially if you are diagnosed early. Statistically, around 75 out of every 100 women (around 75%) will survive their breast cancer for ten or more years after diagnosis. However, survival rates will vary depending on the stage of breast cancer when it was first diagnosed.

Fortunately, there are several different treatment options to tackle breast cancer, most of which include a combination of surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Your doctor will take many different factors into account when deciding which treatment is best for you, including how big the cancer is, whether it has spread and your general health and fitness level.

What can I do to help?

Whether you’re suffering from breast cancer yourself, supporting a loved one through their treatment or looking to raise awareness in your community, there are many ways in which you can seek and provide support in the face of breast cancer.

Charities such as Prevent Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Now, Breast Cancer UK, Against Breast Cancer and the Pink Ribbon Foundation offer care packages, support groups, expert guidance and more to help people battling with breast cancer. You can also get involved in sports challenges, fundraising and volunteering initiatives, or donate to a breast cancer charity that resonates with you.

GARDEN TASKS AND TREATS FOR AUTUMN

As we dip into the mellow days of autumn, it’s a good time to reach for the camera. The light levels are often perfect for photography in the garden. Capture those glistening spiders’ webs and moisture droplets that decorate leaves. Soak up every moment of the golden times when long shadows make great shots. There is generally less pollution in autumn due to cooler weather, and skies tend to be clearer.

October can catch you out. There are days that feel like an Indian summer, with bright blue skies and sun that warms, but also unexpected frosts. Protect vulnerable plants by moving them to sheltered sites, or cover them in horticultural fleece.

During this magical month, don’t miss the petrichor! It’s a real treat, and is the scent of rain that arises from damp earth after it falls on dry soil. This is a time to savour the daylight, knowing it will be seeping gradually away. But rather than mourn the loss of longer days, there’s work to be done outdoors as you need to get your garden in order to make it winter-ready.

Before leaves are filling up every crevice and corner, remember to cover ponds using fine mesh. It will stop the debris from falling to the bottom of the water where it will rot. Stop and think before you cut things back during autumn pruning. Many plants have high feed value for garden birds. The seeds provide food and the leaves and stems offer shelter for birds, small mammals and mini-beasts. Leave them in situ if you can.

Collect seeds for propagation. Many of them can be sown right away, but some can be scattered later. Check the preferences of each type of seed, as some require ‘cold stratification’, where they need to undergo a cold period before they are likely to germinate. They include many acer trees, most shrubs such as cornus (dogwood) and forsythia, clematis and perennials including lavender, nepeta, sedum and rudbeckia.

This is a perfect pruning time for certain climbers and shrubs. Beware of cutting into old wood on lavender and rosemary, however. You can prune shrub roses and soft fruit bushes. Cut hedges without too much fear of disturbing bird nests and consider giving your hedge a mulch around the base. Always check before adding fresh wood chippings, however. Some newly shredded wood can change the pH value of the soil and others might deplete nitrogen levels in the ground underneath.

Lawn lovers will be in their element during October, as this is a good time to rake out the thatch and apply autumn lawn fertiliser. Trim the lawn edges to give it a crisp shape that should last until spring.

It’s time to plant some underground flower power while there is still warmth in the soil. This is the best bulb-planting month for springflowering beauties such as daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, alliums and hyacinths. Tulips can wait until November, or even later if the weather is mild. This helps to avoid the dreaded tulip fire virus.

Doorbell technology was never particularly exciting: from time to time a manufacturer would come up with a slightly different set of dingdong sounds and that was pretty much it. But that’s changed: the same tiny cameras that we have in our phones have made their way to our front doors too, enabling us to see and even communicate with whoever comes to the door.

One of the best known video doorbell makers is the Amazon-owned Ring, whose range includes options that work with your existing wiring or battery-powered ones that last for months. While the specification improves the more you spend, with higher quality cameras, better night vision and so on, the core features are much the same: you can be alerted when someone approaches the door either by a chime or a notification on your phone or smart home hub, and you can decide whether to answer the door or pretend you’re not in. They’re useful when you’re away from home too, enabling you to instruct couriers if you don’t happen to be in when an unexpected delivery arrives.

Where Amazon has Ring, Google has Nest. It has just two models, though: the Nest Doorbell

(battery) and the Nest Doorbell (wired). Both stream live video over Wi-Fi 24 hours a day, both can distinguish between parcels, pets and people, and both have HDR for great contrast in the day and night vision to see in the dark.

When you’re considering a video doorbell it’s worth considering two things: what it’s compatible with – Amazon Alexa? Apple HomeKit? Google Home? – to ensure that it’ll work with either the smart home system you have or the one you want to get. And the second thing to look at is whether all its features are free. As with wireless security cameras you’ll often find that to get all the security features, such as long-term video storage or custom alerts, you may need to take out a security subscription. They aren’t hugely expensive – for example Google’s Nest Aware is £5 a month for unlimited cameras – but it’s still an extra cost.

Google Nest Doorbell (battery) £192.41, nest.com

Google’s Nest doorbells look very similar but the battery model has more features and better recognition of different kinds of object. It works with the Google Home app and in a clever touch the camera will keep recording for an hour if it detects your Wi-Fi network going down or losing power.

Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell £97.99, amazon.co.uk

Arlo is well known for its wireless security cameras and its doorbells are part of the same tradition. There’s high-resolution video, two-way audio, motion detection and customisable activity zones; the only real negative is that you’ll need to recharge the battery every month.

EZViz DB2 Battery Video Doorbell Kit £99.99, very.co.uk

This isn’t the best video doorbell but it may be the best value: the price includes not just the doorbell but a fitting kit and an indoor chime so you can hear when someone’s at the door. The camera has 2K resolution and black and white night vision.

Ring Video Doorbell 4 £169.99, amazon.co.uk

The most advanced doorbell in the Ring range has dual-band 5GHz Wi-Fi, constant recording and an improved camera sensor and lens. It also includes useful wedge mounts to help you fix your doorbell for the best viewing angle.

How high-tech doorbells can make your life easier

Sometimes, you want to spend an hour soaking in the bath with a face mask or take your time perfecting your make-up. But most days, you’re lucky to have five minutes to spend on your morning make-up, and a fifteen-minute face mask would need booking into your calendar.

Time-saving, multi-tasking products are your friend. When time is of the essence, you need easy to apply make-up that won’t smudge and stays put. Kosas 10-Second Eye Gel Watercolor Eyeshadow (£16) ticks all those boxes and more. Just swipe the applicator over your lid, wait ten seconds and then tap to blend. You can do both eyes in under two minutes. There are six neutral shades to choose from. Visit www.cultbeauty.co.uk to see how each one would look on your skin tone.

There’s no denying that disposable make-up wipes are convenient, but they’re terrible for the environment. Ogato’s Reusable Makeup Wipes (£9.99 for five at www.amazon.co.uk) are just as quick to use but can be washed and reused hundreds of times. You don’t even need a separate cleanser, so they’ll save you money as well as time.

Most of us know we should be applying sunscreen every day, all year around. That doesn’t mean we actually do it though. So, look for a moisturiser with SPF. Even better, make it a tinted one. My new favourite product is Morphe’s Glowstunner Hydrating Tinted Moisturiser (£18 from uk.morphe.com). It’s SPF30, available in fifteen shades, easy to apply and stays put all day. SPF, moisturiser and foundation in one, what’s not to like?

Want a higher SPF? Go for Sunny Daze Mineral Moisturiser SPF50 by Bondi Sands (£12.99, www.bondisands.co.uk).

Sometimes, you need to spend time to save time. A professional gel polish, for example, might take a bit longer to apply, but it should stay chip-free for around three weeks. Likewise, an eyelash and eyebrow tint could shave minutes off your make-up routine.

Is your hair in desperate need of a deep conditioning treatment but you just don’t have the time? Try amika’s Flash Instant Shine Mask (£20 from www.loveamika.co.uk). In just 60 seconds, it smooths the cuticles to boost shine and leaves hair feeling softer and less frizzy. Late for work and don’t have time to wash your hair? Try a dry shampoo. Spray it on your roots, run it through with your fingers and watch the oil disappear. In the evening, wash your hair and plait it while it’s wet for effortless waves the following day.

You’ve finally made it to the gym. You even made it into the shower. But you’re hot, sweaty and pretty sure your skin is going to rebel with a breakout tomorrow. You need Faace Sweaty Face Mask (£24). It’s designed to tackle postworkout spots, while soothing skin and replenishing moisture. Plus, it’s a leave-on mask, so there’s no need to hang around the changing room a moment longer.

The best apps for saving money

Honey

Honey is a plugin or extension for your web browser that enables you to get the best deal from sites: it has a huge database of discount codes that it can try automatically. It also has a useful price tracker feature that can tell you if a deal is too good to be true.

TopCashback

One of the most popular UK cashback apps – it has eleven million users – TopCashback can earn you cash back from over 5,000 well known retailers. All you need to do is sign up and shop via the app, or visit topcashback.co.uk in your web browser. Rival Quidco is very good too.

Your banking app

Many online banking apps have dedicated cashback sections, so for example, the Halifax / Bank of Scotland apps, the NatWest app and many others enable you to earn rewards when you shop at certain retailers or subscribe to TV services – although the offers tend to be tucked away at the bottom of the screen.

Index of Advertisers

D r y C l e a n e r

Bee Smart Dry Cleaners

E l e c t r i c a l R e t a i l e r B A Yeomans Electrical

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Brown & Payne Electrical Engineers

New Electric Solutions

Roland Chapman Electrical Ltd Yare Electrical Services Ltd

E s t a t e A g e n t s Property Ladder Winkworth

E v e n t s & A c t i v i t i e s BugzUk

F e n c i n g & P a v i n g Rackheath Paving & Fencing

F i n a n c i a l S e r v i c e s Wensum Financial Planning

F o o t C a r e

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G a r d e n S e r v i c e s Gary Groom Tree Surgeon

G u t t e r i n g & F a s c i a s Canary Guttering

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J o b V a c a n c i e s Courtesy Taxis

P a i n t i n g & D e c o r a t i n g AJM Painting & Decorating Peter Wright Painting & Decorating

P l u m b i n g , H e a t i n g & B o i l e r S e r v i c e s ABC Heating Ltd Gary Smith Property Solutions William Carter Plumb, Heat & Gas

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S k i p H i r e & W a s t e R e m o v a l Norman Wenn Skip Hire

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Arthur Tyrrell Chiropodist Healing Feet Professional Footcare Tonia's Mobile Foot Health Clinic

F u n e r a l D i r e c t o r John Brown Funeral Services

F u r n i t u r e & C a r p e t s Dovetail Carpets Ltd

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W i l l & P r o b a t e S e r v i c e s Broadland Probate Services Ltd LB Wills & Probate

W i n d o w C l e a n i n g Gavin Grant Window Cleaning

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The next edition will be December/January and the deadline for bookings is 28 October 2022 Contact us on 01603 466829 or email the on 01603 466829

The next edition will be December/January and the deadline for bookings is 28 October 2022. Contact us on 01603 466929 or email the-connetion@outlook.com