The Leicestershire Fox Magazine February 2022

February 2022

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Hello and Welcome to the latest issue of The Leicestershire Fox Magazine!

February 20

Book your

advert,

22

0116 497 36call 69

Visit our web site www or email Hello .theleicestershirefox.co. @theleicesters uk hirefox.co.uk

Our new look magazine now goes to 40,000 Homes & Businesses across Leicestershire rather than its predecessor which was split into 4 zones.

We still cover the same area but it is now just one magazine, The new magazine is now bursting with great editorials from well known celebrities and we have spent some time really developing the magazine as part of our aim to be one of Leicestershire’s leading publications.

Contact details for enquires Hello@theleicestershirefox.co.uk 0116 497 3669

COPY DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION FEBRUARY 25th 2022 for Final Print Ready Artwork Disclaimer - Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material in this publication The Leicestershire Fox can accept no responsibility for veracity of claims made by contributors in either editorial or advertising content.

Copyright - All text, images and design in this publication are subject to copyright, any unauthorised duplication is strictly prohibited. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given to use it in this publication.

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Contents Cover: FAB Clinics

• DM Locksmith & Leicestershire Roofing

Page 2: Daniel Picave McKenzie Friend

• Smooth Estate Agents • Oadby House • AZK Pest Control

Page 3: Welcome Page

• Gutter Pro & KM Garage Doors • Clean Energy

Page 4: Right At Home Loughborough

• The Connected Heating & DriNow • Fraser James Blinds

Page 5: Contents Page

• The Window Doctor • Phase Elec

Page 6-11: Health & Wellbeing

• Greenfingers by Alan Titchmarsh • The Leicester City Waste Removal

• Fab Clinics • Sanamente

Page 29-31: Sport

• Carisbrook Dental with Editorial

• Good Sport By Jeff Stelling

• Natural Elements, Inside Out & Premier Hearing

• Books by Barrie Pierpoint & Julian Joachim

Page 12: Dewhirst Kitchens

Page 32-39: Life, Work & Business

Page 13: Recipe of the Month Page 14: RAF Air Cadet Recruitment Poster

• Be Recruitment & Skillset editorial • Whole Logo Love editorial & One Creative advert • Pete Martin & The Leicestershire Fox • Paragon & Kangaroo

Page 15-28: Home & Gardens

• Westley Lansdowne & The Midlands Training Partnership

• Bursting the Bubble

by Phil Spencer

Back Page: Clean Energy

• Broughtons & Aspray

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Health & and Wellbeing Wellbeing

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Health & and Wellbeing Wellbeing

Don’t let your age define you Your smile and complexion are an investment not an expense Smile enhancement and facial rejuvenation Now available at Carisbrooke Specialist Centre Book your consultation

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All white on the night How to maintain typically tremendous teeth, capable of raising a smile on any occasion.

The basics Unequivocally, the best way to keep your teeth in gleaming second-glance demand, is to tend to your own regular, concerted, dedicated dental hygiene routine. It’s a basic necessity for anyone who wants to show off a smile, and while a humble toothbrush will never give you that feeling of semi-pampering you receive when going for a trip to the cosmetic dental specialist, regular brushing – with a dedicated teeth whitening toothpaste – will go a long way towards keeping your pearly whites looking their best.

Seize the power When electric toothbrushes first hit the market in the early Nineties, many people thought them a gimmick, and something for people too lazy to brush their own teeth properly.

The reality though is different – in tests, electric toothbrushes consistently clean better than

their manual counterparts, so consider investing in one if you’re serious about making your smile shine.

Floss like a boss Flossing is a great way to minimise the build-up of plaque, the off-white matter that builds up on and in between your teeth that produces that gravelly, slightly unclean sensation when you run your tongue over the top.

Flossing is the number one dental process that we fail to stick to, but doing it every day will make a huge visible difference.

Stain removal Ever wondered why some toothpastes contain baking soda? It’s because the soda content creates an alkaline environment in your mouth which, over time, will whiten your teeth.

While some baking soda toothpastes are priced highly, the reality is you don’t need to buy a fancy one as they all work in much the same way.

What’s more, you can even make your own at home. Just mix a

little baking powder with your regular toothpaste, then follow up with apple cider vinegar diluted in water to kill any remaining bacteria.

Stain prevention Prevention is better than cure, so in the first instance, consider cutting down on black coffee and red wine. For sugar-rich soft drinks, drink them through a straw as this rather more direct process limits the time stain-happy liquids swill around in the mouth.

Also try to load up your diet in foods that are rich in calcium, while including crunchy vegetables such as apples and carrots will actually create the action of removing plaque as you chew.

A slightly leftfield method for keeping your mouth and breath fresh throughout the day is to try ‘oil pulling’. Once a day swish a tablespoon of coconut oil around your mouth – keep it there for around 15minutes.

The oil pulls all bacteria out of your mouth, and the science suggests it brightens teeth too.

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Health & and Wellbeing Wellbeing

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Top Tip Stir fruit through only three or four times, so it retains its consistency and doesn’t disintegrate. In the case of the raspberries, stir only once.

Mary Berry’s Raspberry And Apple Muffins Introduction We are lucky to live in a consumer and retail world where fruit and vegetables of every description are available to us all year round, no matter what season we are in.

That means the old rules about using summer fruits in summer months have changed somewhat; so to celebrate this I’d like to bring out a traditionally seasonal recipe – raspberry and apple muffins – in these wintry times where we would, in the past, have had rather flatter, more rustic flavours.

This bake is easy to do, really delicious, and is certain to put a smile on the faces of old and young alike.

Top Tip In order to make a light mixture, stir the wet ingredients into the dry ones quickly, gently, and briefly.

Stop stirring as soon as they are combined. The mixture should feel light and soft. Don’t over-mix, as this will result in a tough consistency.

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan / gas mark 6). Line each hollow of the muffin tin with a paper muffin case. Warm the butter in a small pan over a low heat until it melts, then set aside to cool.

2. Tip the flour, baking powder, ground almonds, cinnamon and sugar into a large bowl and stir to combine. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and stir in the yogurt, milk and cooled melted butter. Stir this mixture into the flour mixture, then add the raspberries and apple and stir briefly.

3. Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases. Bake for about 25 minutes or until well risen and firm to the touch.

Ingredients • 85g (3oz) butter • 250g (9oz) self-raising flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 45g (1½ oz) ground almonds • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon • 115g (4oz) caster sugar • 2 large eggs • 250g (9oz) plain, full-fat yogurt • 1 tbsp full-fat or semiskimmed milk • 175g (6oz) fresh raspberries • 1 eating apple, such as Cox’s, about 150g (5½ oz), peeled and chopped into 1cm (½ in) pieces For the glaze • 2 tbsp caster sugar • 1 tbsp orange juice

4. Meanwhile, make the glaze: warm the sugar and orange juice in a small pan over a low heat, just until the sugar has dissolved, then increase the heat and let the mixture bubble for about 30secs so it turns a bit syrupy – not too long, or it will get too sticky.

5. Remove the muffins from the oven. Leave them in their tin for 1-2mins, then transfer them to a wire rack. While they are still warm, brush the top of each muffin with the glaze. Leave to cool.

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Health&and Home Gardens Wellbeing

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Bursting the bubble?

Underneath the easy-going niceties (and some immaculate clobber) that make Phil Spencer such a perfect fit for light entertainment, lurks a ruthless edge. You couldn’t become a prominent property expert, nor last two decades on Channel 4 hit show Location, Location, Location without firm, singular views on the state of the housing market.

“There is often a perception in the housing market that the experts are totally clued up on what’s to come, but we’re keeping things schtum!” begins the 51-year-old presenter. “The truth is we’re as in the dark as anyone else at times; yet the task in hand is to examine the detail, listen to financial announcements and spot the trends.

“If you can do that, then you can give yourself a pretty good steer on what’s to come.”

is, the use of the word bubble implies that it can pop, and I don’t agree, even if the price rises that took place in 2021 cannot continue indefinitely.

“It will be interesting to see how 2022 plays out, but as ever in the UK, when you have a real housing shortage, to the point where I don’t remember a single year when enough houses have been built to meet the government target, prices

Certainly, in these postlockdown days, the housing market in some areas has never looked better, with accelerated growth and a buoyancy that many feel cannot sustain itself.

of the housing market and its intrinsic link with economic circumstance. His company, Garrington Home Finders Ltd, went into liquidation in 2009 as the financial crash took its toll, yet the Kent-born consultant still steadfastly believes that getting on the housing ladder is beneficial to all.

“I have always been a firm believer in home ownership.

There is no greater cementing of security than in bricks and mortar.”

“I hear the words ‘property bubble’ used a lot; I have done for years,” he smiles. “The thing will increase.”

Phil Spencer’s caution when it comes to making bold statements is perhaps reflective of the fact the expert has, in the past, been a victim of the vagaries

For people already with mortgages, Spencer also has some guidance. “I’d encourage them to look for opportunities to add value to their properties,” he says. “Don’t rely on the market doing that for you. I believe the market will continue to rise in the long-term, but in order to generate equity and to help fund a second move you need to beat the market, to outperform the market, and the only way of adding value to a house is making it bigger or better.”

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Health&and Home Gardens Wellbeing

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Greenfingers… the Alan Titchmarsh column He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh talks about how our gardens can move us to a place of peace.

While gardens mean different things to all of us, it’s when I venture into these tranquil spaces that I truly get a sense of their calming and healing power, and I find that hugely enriching. Most gardens and landscapes naturally come with a real feeling of gentleness – from the choice of flowers and plants, to gentle sweeps and curves that guide the eye onwards, to a softness and subtlety that may be a world away from some of the physical or emotional struggles we are going through; and I feel it is this dramatic contrast that really transports someone back to a place of comfort, even if just for a little while.

What is also really important for me when I visit gardens at hospices and hospitals, is the reminder that these spaces are not just for those who are residents. They also give hope, clarity, peace and a sense of calm to visiting families and, most importantly, the people who work there. Certainly, with everything that has happened over the past couple of years with Covid, and the realisation that we need to consider and protect workers and staff who look after us, I would like to think those on the frontline can wrestle back their own sense of contentment when soaking up the fresh air and

beauty of a garden, where they can move away from a job that’s very hard and emotionally draining.

I would like to see more attention given to gardens and outdoor spaces in our health institutions, and in workspaces in general.

They are more important than we imagine.

Simple sweeps of flowers, plants and foliage are inspiring; the sight of an olive tree can move our minds to far-off places; and we all know how calming a cascade of water can be. It’s all very peaceful and there’s nothing complicated or frenetic.

Gardens are evolving, living things that are always changing – in fact they’re much like us in that respect! For me, on those days where I feel everything’s a bit fraught and frantic, and when I just can’t get to grips with anything, I go to sit in the garden or potter about to find myself, and it really works!

Life is a compromise, and you can’t always be on top of things, but gardens truly prove to me the healing qualities that exist within nature, and we’re so fortunate to have them.

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Sport Health and Wellbeing

EFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING •

Good Sport

Good Sport Jeff Stelling, and the Saturday afternoon ritual that will soon be coming to an end.

Hartlepool-born Soccer “My ritual first big break came not Jeff Stelling, and the Saturday afternoon presenter that willSaturday soon be comingJeff toStelling an end. long after receiving a set of is arguably the face of Sky Sports. A powder keg of football

Hartlepool-born knowledgeSoccer in an era where Saturday Jeff Stelling bigpresenter money dominates the face is arguably face Sky of thethe sport, hisof grounded means Saturday Sports. approach A powder keg of football afternoons knowledge in an just era wouldn’t where be the same without him. And yet big money dominates the face that’s something we’ll have to of the sport, histogrounded get used at the end of this approach means season afterSaturday the 66-year-old afternoons just wouldn’t be announced his three-decadelong relationship the same without him.with Andthe yet broadcasterwe’ll was coming that’s something have toto an end. get used to at the end of this seasonFrom afterhis the 66-year-old early days attending announced his three-decadeHartlepool’s Rift House Primary long relationship School and with West the Hartlepool Grammar for Boys, broadcaster wasSchool coming to an end. Robert Jeffrey Stelling’s main interests were always football and journalism. Little has

for presenting Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports – a role GCSE results which, by my own he has held for over 25 years.

The show has seen him work admission, were indifferent, for presenting Gillette Soccer “My fi rst big break came not alongside football legends such to say the least,” Jeff begins. “I Saturday on Sky Sports long after receiving a set of as Rodney Marsh, George Best,– a role was offered two journalist posts heLehas heldPaul for Merson over 25 years.

GCSE which, byMail my own Matt Tissier, – oneresults at the Hartlepool and another at the Sunderland andThe Charlie Nicholas, and while show has seen him work admission, were indifferent, cohorts have been replaced Well, sufficeJeff to say, for “I his alongside football legends such to Echo. say the least,” begins. years, Stelling’s raw the dedicated Hartlepool United Rodney Marsh, George Best, was offered two journalist posts overasthe supporter, there was only one enthusiasm for the game Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson – one at the Hartlepool Mail remains, even if his role at the choice, and this was the perfect and Charlie and another at the weekendNicholas, marathon and is while start to working life.Sunderland six-hour his cohorts have been replaced Echo. Well, suffice to say, for coming to an end. was and still is a great over the years, Stelling’s raw the“There dedicated Hartlepool United Soccer Saturday asgame atmosphere in regional press supporter, there was only one “I love enthusiasm for the much now as even I did inifthat rst at the and, of course, I was able to remains, his firole choice, and this was the perfect develop my writing style and year. I work with great people six-hour weekend marathon is start to working life. land qualifications. I also picked and it’s lots of fun,” he smiles. coming end.is about “The footballto wean cover up shorthand – not that I ever “There was and still a great giving all levels the coverage need it nowadays!

Toiswrite they ThereSaturday is so muchas stories, amongst other things, “I deserve. love Soccer atmosphere in regional press about our now football about Hartlepool United, and much aspyramid I did inthat that first and, of course, I was able to get paidmy forwriting it, certainly wasn’t remains and people develop style and year.utterly I workunique, with great a bad job for a council house kid British football is truly the best and it’s lots of fun,” he smiles. land qualifications. I also picked in the world. from the town who lived and “The football we cover is about updreamt shorthand – not that I ever the club.” need it nowadays! To write giving levels coverage “It will be aall shame to the go, but we Wind forward to 2021, move onThere eventually.” they to deserve. is so much stories, amongst other and things, all need Jeff isHartlepool of course best knownand about our football pyramid that about United,

From his early days attending changed over the years, except Hartlepool’s Rift House he now conveys hisPrimary passion School for and‘the West Hartlepool Pools’ (Hartlepool United) to a for considerably Grammar School Boys, wider Robert audience.

Jeffrey Stelling’s main interests were always football remains utterly unique, and get paid for it, certainly wasn’t and journalism. Little hasSTELLING a bad job forSTELLING a council house kid STELLING British football is trulySTELLING the best JEFF STELLING • JEFF • JEFF • JEFF • JEFF • changed over the years, except in the world. from the town who lived and he now conveys his passion dreamt the club.” for ‘the Pools’ (Hartlepool “It will be a shame to go, but we United) to a considerably wider Wind forward to 2021, and all need to move on eventually.” audience.

Jeff is of course best known

EFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING • JEFF STELLING 29

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BE Recruitment Ltd launched back in 2018 opening a Tamworth branch supplying Drivers & Industrial temporary and permanent staff. Personally I have spent over 10 years supporting clients around the county and planned to open our Leicester branch a year previously in 2020 however Covid put our plans on hold.

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Skill: Set

The key things prospective employers look for in 2022.

Lockdown has made the mechanics by which we go about our jobs different to anything we knew previously. Whether working reduced hours, remotely, or perhaps having considered work in a different sector, the rulebook has largely been ripped up.

With that in mind, here are seven main qualities prospective employers are looking for in their staff in 2022: 1. Teamwork Good teamwork in 2022 means more than working together to get a job finished – it’s about ideas generation, empathy, structure. It’s also about understanding the limitations, as well as the talents, of those around you.

2. Communication On a similar ebb, the ability for employees to be able to communicate with people across different mediums – face-to-face, email, phone, video messaging – has become a real asset, and one that can make the difference between a project starting and stalling.

3. Confidence Any successful team needs positive forces to move to the front if there’s a chance of success.

Employers love confidence and charisma as they are qualities that permeate through a business, resonating not just in its people, but its products and services too.

However, prospective employees need to realise there’s sometimes a thin line between confidence and arrogance, and true assertiveness should always come with a whisper of humility.

4. Proactivity Having someone on board who can bring proactivity to the table is a real win for a business.

In 2022, the phrase “don’t wait for me” has never rung truer, and the empowering of those to take their own initiative forward is real.

5. Resilience Having a group of battle-hardened staff who are happy to confront incoming threats and dangers is a huge and valuable resource. To show resilience to trouble is to prove a desire to walk through walls to get the right result.

6. Adaptability Adaptability in business ranges from adopting new resources or software, to managing unforeseen circumstances, to taking on new roles and responsibilities, as well as changing shift patterns or staying behind late in order to get a job finished.

7. Decision-making skills It pays to have people on the ground who will grab hold of and ride through an idea, and companies love to see staff who have the courage of their convictions, even if that means making mistakes along the way.

--In summing up, while employers will always look for qualifications and talent on its staff, so-called ‘soft skills’ have really come to the fore in light of the pandemic; and while the job market might not have the structure and security perhaps of the past, it remains abundant with opportunity for those willing to seize it.

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Life, Work & Business

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Whole Logo Love Like the changing of the tide, the trend for logos and brand visibility seems to ebb and flow as the years go on, and this winter they are really having a moment.

At revered Italian fashion house Balmain, Olivier Rousteing paid homage to founder Pierre Balmain with a very modern update on the brand’s iconic labyrinth logo as darling minidresses, jackets and handbags were printed mosaic-like in a seventies inspired palette. Meanwhile, the usually brand-forward Versace dialled back on their ubiquitous Medusa head emblem with a new design called La Greca – less brash perhaps, but no less luxurious.

Even bright young upstart Marine Serre has become synonymous with her celestial moon motif which bedecks shoes, shirts and even leggings; proving that the power of the logo is such that names or initials are not a requisite for brand familiarity.

Iconography has long been a sign of status, right back to when Coco Chanel revived her fashion brand in 1925 by putting her own name (in the

form of two interlocking Cs) on the outside of her garments rather than tucked away inside on the label. It appealed to her patrons’ loyalty, prestige and sense of belonging, as well as ensuring the Parisian fashion house’s longevity with what

is arguably one of the most recognisable sartorial motifs of all time.

By the 1980s, logomania was a fully-fledged social movement whereby if you had it, you flaunted it.

From head-to-toe Burberry tartan, Gucci emblem handbags, belts, and key fobs along with more accessible (and affordable) clothing such as Giorgio Armani motif sweatshirts and tees. This branding boom continued through the Nineties

where sportswear giants like Adidas and Nike churned out distinguishable clothing like it was literally going out of fashion. In fact it was only after the 2008 economic crash that aggressive label-wearing became passé along with many other manifestations of outward opulence.

Understandable then, that the latest incarnation of logomania is more subtle and understated.

In the same why that it is deemed socially inappropriate to use disposable plastic water bottles (naturally, Louis Vuitton and Chanel boast luxurious reusable bottle holders) ‘fast fashion’ – cheap, sweatshopled products churned out with questionable provenance and social responsibility – is an equally distasteful tag.

Motifs no longer signify just wealth; instead consumers additionally seek brands which align with their social and moral values.

In short, it’s okay to flaunt whichever label your heart desires, and 2022 is set to display this mode of thinking more than any previous year - just ensure it is done with contentment and confidence.

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Life, Work & Business

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If you want to get your brand out there at Leicestershire Fox we have the answer with our magazine offering the opportunity of exposure into 40,000 residential properties across Leicestershire and if you prefer leaflets delivered either with the magazine or elsewhere in Leicestershire we can arrange this for you.

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We offer an extensive range of services, from audits to planning, assessments and reporting. Safety is our number one priority. We work safely and strive to create a safe environment for every client. We never cut corners or take shortcuts. Your satisfaction is our only priority.

Some of the work we specialise in: • Occupational Safety Planning • General Occupational Risk Assessment • Fire Risk Assessment • Fire Safety Engineering • Working at Height Compliance • Control of Hazardous Substances Compliance • Occupational Safety Policy and Procedure Creation • Safety Audits • Incident and Accident Investigations • Expert Witnessing for Civil Personal Injury Claims See our wesbite for full listings.

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