Breezethe village
Letter from the Editor
Hello again and welcome…
Most of us procrastinate. Correction: all of us procrastinate.
Even the most driven of people, the ones who forge forward with their career, or make major changes to their home or their life in general, still have things they push to one side, determining that ‘there’s no rush, I’ll do that tomorrow’
Sometimes it’s not that important. You’ll save a few ££s a month cancelling a mobile phone contract, but arguing with the ‘customer retentions team’ is just too life-sapping to face and one more month won’t really matter.
Then there are the tasks with a deadline. You absolutely must pack your bag before you leave for a holiday flight, but what's the betting that it's still a last minute rush?
We find that with people who call us asking to place adverts or send in community content. Even if we give them a ‘latest date’ a month in advance, it’ll often be the last few days before the decision materialises.
I have to forgive it, though. I even put off writing this editor’s note until two days before the magazine went to print, and I do that every time!
If you are going on holiday this month, no deadlines will be one of the pleasures. Apart from the packing, it’s a bit of respite from decision-making. If you are staying at home, maybe that’s one break you could give yourself: “I’m going to give myself 24 hours of no tedious jobs”. Sounds lovely.
And the thought I will leave you with this month:“The only place success comes before work Is in the dictionary”
Until next time…
6 local business update
Cadley Caudwell celebrate!
8 gardening with caroline knight
The 'no-dig' method of gardening
12 our times
Caught on camera
14 travel with solange hando
A guide to Lake Garda
16 motoring
VW Golf : 50 years of an icon
18 a short story by murray clarke
The Patio
20 tv stars
Big Mack!
24 bake!
Summer Berry Slice
26 home repairs
On the fence
28 coffee break
Grab a cuppa and a biccie!
30 what's on!
In and around your area this month
Get in touch...
The Village Breeze is a local community magazine and business directory distributed monthly to 8,000 homes and businesses in Appleby Magna, Donisthorpe, Linton, Measham, Moira, Oakthorpe, Overseal and Snarestone.
Deadline for next issue 15th August, 2024
Editor Sheila J. Bethell
General enquiries 0753 441 3055
Advertising enquiries 01283 814214
Drop us an email info@thevillagebreeze.co.uk
Read the magazine online at www.thevillagebreeze.co.uk
Cadley Cauldwell 15th Anniversary Celebration
Many locals may remember when No 19 High Street, Swadlincote was the Halifax Building Society. Before their closure, an independent Estate agency was opened from the front desk in 2009 which, after a full refit, then took over the whole of the downstairs offices.
The estate agency needed a name and owners Kevin Smith, Shirley Billings and Kevin Naylor remember many ideas being discussed, some better than others! What the Directors did know was that the agency would be built on an ethos of ‘the client first in everything we do’. It was to be a ‘people business’, with the customer service going above and beyond what was available on the high street at that time. Acknowledging the important history & ties to the area, Cadley Cauldwell began business on August 25th 2009.
It was a tough time to be starting a business! In the middle of a national recession and at a time when online agencies where slashing fees in competition. However, Cadley Cauldwell was born
and the team were determined to look after their Vendors from start to finish of the sales process, with nothing ever being too much trouble and at a price that was right. The Team were so excited on the unveiling of their first ‘For Sale’ board that the whole staff had a trip to view it.
Cadley Cauldwell has grown in size and strength since those tentative first few days, with hundreds of clients being helped to move home in the Swadlincote and surrounding areas. At the end of 2023 and after a modern rebranding, the company was awarded the prestigious Gold Award in the British Property Awards, rewarding the hard work and dedication put in by the team over the last decade.The unique selling point of Cadley Cauldwell has remained unchanged throughout– it’s very much still a ‘people business’, looking after clients without the ‘hard sell’ but with a warmth and friendliness that ensures many return, recommend to their family members and become part of the ever growing CC family.
We would love that family to join our anniversary celebrations in the office on the morning of Saturday August 24th. There will be giveaways, a chance to list your home during August/ September to win a new 60” TV and most importantly cake!
People are our business, so see you there!
The ‘no dig’ method of gardening
Growing for food
The allotment in August is usually a busy place, as well as a social hub for like-minded growers. There will be plenty of early-morning watering to accomplish before work or prior to the warm, drying sun turning up its heat. This is a wonderful month for harvesting fruits of the season’s labour, including runner and dwarf beans, courgettes and potatoes. Sweetcorn is ready for picking once the tassels turn brown, and beetroot can be lifted too. Apples and pears should ideally be thinned so that there are just one or two fruits on each cluster, and the same goes for grapes. There should still be raspberries for delicious desserts and even tomatoes should be ripening, depending on the weather.
This is also the perfect time to prune fruit trees that produce fruit with stones (plum, cherry, peach and apricot). It’s an important task that must be completed as soon as possible. The aim is to remove branches that rub against each other or cross over other branches. The shape to aspire to is an open structure that allows good airflow through the tree.
Check for pests and diseases on your crops, removing caterpillars, slugs and snails. Notice any problems such as blossom end rot. This affects tomatoes and aubergines and manifests as black, soggy blotches on the skin. It is generally caused by a lack of calcium and this can be prevented by keeping the soil damp. When
the soil dries out, the plant is unable to access the calcium it needs. Placing a mulch over damp soil helps to alleviate the problem, as it reduces evaporation.
The
’no-dig’ method of gardening
A communal allotment draws people together. But some folks don’t quite fit in with the traditional crowd. Take the ‘no-dig’ gardeners, for example. This is no longer viewed as being lazy and many people have abandoned their habits of digging and doubledigging. This physically demanding task is widely regarded as unnecessary and damaging. Digging tends to destroy healthy soil crumb, as does the heavy application of fertilisers and garden chemicals. Furthermore, it damages the extensive network of mycorrhizal fungi, which help plant roots to access what they need.
The most important aspects of good soil are the structure and the life within it. Air and water within the soil are vital, as is the microbial life in the form of bacteria and fungi. Old roots within the soil are immensely beneficial because they help to form structure and sustain a healthy population of bacteria, which secrete organic ‘glues’ that bind soil particles to provide a good crumb. Earthworms also fulfil a vital function, working endlessly to incorporate organic matter into the soil and gently mixing up the soil crumb.
It is easy to see why a ‘no-dig’ gardening approach might be better for the soil, plant health and the gardener too! The method is ideal in a kitchen garden and allotment, including within raised beds and generally within the flower garden.
Kitchen Garden
Allotment
How to create a ‘no-dig’ bed Preparation can commence at any time of the year:
• Mark out an area, cut down weed growth to ground level, remove the debris and put it onto the compost heap.
• Create grass-free pathways for access, using wood chippings, bark or stone mulch to prevent grass from spreading into your growing area.
• Cover the surface of your growing plot with cardboard or another biodegradable substance, to block out light and suppress weeds. It is best not to use carpets as they often contain chemical substances that leach into the soil.
• Add a deep layer of organic mulch on top of the cardboard. This needs to be at least 20cm deep. It can be homemade compost, fully-rotted manure, grass mowings, leaves, straw or a mixture of many things.
• Tread it down by walking firmly across it.
• Leave for at least six months, just removing weeds from the surface. During this time the soil organisms will work hard to create rich and friable soil underneath.
• You’re ready to go! Plant or sow directly into your new plot. When weeds appear, hoe or remove them by hand.
• Once you have harvested your crops, cut down the top growth and place it on the compost heap. Apply a generous layer of mulch and leave until you are ready for your next planting season. What could be simpler than that?
Raspberry Garden
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Dash cams – or dashboard cameras, to give them their correct title – have become increasingly popular with motorists, being a great source of evidence for any road incident.
In celebration of the positive impact of this technology on road and driver safety, global market leader Nextbase has named 5 August as National Dash Cam Day 2024. The day will mark the steps taken in this sector by organisations across the UK to improve the safety of British roads and raise awareness for initiatives and campaigns around the topic, including the National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDCSP).
The NDCSP is a free, secure platform provided by Nextbase. Drivers can upload videos of dangerous or illegal behaviour on UK roads to share with their local force. Since 2018, NDCSP has saved UK police forces more than 380,000 hours of police time and in 2023 alone, the total number of videos received via the portal increased by 30% to 33,531.
Dash cam know-how
• There are three main types: front view, front and back view and cabin view (the latter primarily used in taxis and car services).
• If you break down, a dash cam can act as a GPS tracker to help the emergency services find you.
• Different models have different features. Some contain memory cards that hold footage, while others are connected to mobile phones and allow owners to log in via an app and check in the vehicle. Others can record data when the vehicle is not running, meaning that the footage can be obtained if a car is under threat from thieves.
The
legal stuff
Dash cams are legal on UK roads, and you don’t need a licence or other requirements to use one. However, if you have an accident and it’s found that your dash cam distracted you or obscured your vision, you could be blamed for the accident. Also, you have a legal duty to let passengers know if your business vehicle is fitted with a cabin view camera. Plus, most cams record sound, and some can video-record the inside of a vehicle. If someone else using your car isn’t told they’re being recorded, you’re in breach of privacy laws.
Insurance claims
Footage from these cameras is fast becoming a fundamental way for drivers to prove that they are not at fault in an accident. All UK insurers now accept footage as evidence in a claim and use it to help determine who was at fault in an accident. Insurers favour those who use dash cams, as it shows they are safety-minded and willing to have their driving scrutinised. In the event of an accident, footage can also help protect drivers from wrongly losing their no-claims bonus. And if you suspect you’ve been a victim of a crash for cash fraud, submitting dash cam evidence could help you be adequately compensated and prevent it from happening to others.
A guide to Lake Garda
Stretching over 50 kilometres, Lake Garda is the largest of the Italian lakes. Its beautiful, glittering shoreline has attracted poets, artists, and writers for centuries—from DH Lawrence to Goethe. Nowadays, its succession of Roman remains, colourful towns, pebble beaches, and spectacular mountain views draw in visitors worldwide.
Where to stay
Lake Garda is a landscape of contrasts. Fringed by the Dolomites, the northern, almost fjord-like tip of the lake is arguably the most scenic. The mountains create a cooler climate and sweep up winds, creating the perfect conditions for water sports, including windsurfing and kitesurfing. Hillside Malcesine, cobbled Limone, northernmost Riva, and sporty Torbole are the main resorts in the north.
The lake’s southern shoreline is peppered with bustling towns, sandy coves, and gently rolling hills. The climate is generally warmer and more stable, making way for flourishing olive trees and lemon groves. Many tourists base themselves in the popular spa resort of Sirmione or the nearby towns of Desenzano, Peschiera, Lazise and Garda.
What to see and do
first popularised by the Romans. With an entrance via the centuries-old Scaligero Castle, complete with a moat and drawbridge, it won’t take you long to fall in love. Lazise is another of the south’s prettiest towns, fringed by one of the only sandy beaches in the area. For some familyfriendly fun, why not head to nearby Gardaland?
The best way to spend your days away is to hop between the gorgeous towns that fringe Lake Garda’s shoreline – whether by car, boat, bike or bus. If you’re staying in the south, Sirmione is a mustvisit. Formed around a picturesque peninsula, the town is known for its thermal baths, which were
In the north, Monte Baldo beckons. For the best views, catch the cable car from Malcesine and follow the hiking and biking trails back to the shoreline. This end of the lake is also the perfect place to get involved in some water sports. If you stay near Riva, you’re not far from the extraordinary Cascata del Varone waterfall, which falls 98m through a hollow cave.
How to get around?
Passenger ferries are a popular way to get around, with many journeys taking under an hour. Public buses are also cheap and regular, but hiring a car is another option if you want to cover a lot of ground over a short period. Cycle lanes also run parallel to the lake, and there are plenty of options for bike rental (including electric bikes) all over.
When should you visit?
Weather-wise, the best time to visit is between June and September, when temperatures stay around the mid to late 20s. However, visiting during the shoulder seasons of AprilMay and early October can be a sensible way to avoid the crowds. Temperatures will be slightly cooler, and you might see a little rain, but you’ll have plenty of room to roam!
VW Golf : 50 years of an icon
As the Golf celebrates half a century of production, we take a look back at its impressive history.
With more than 37 million produced, the Volkswagen Golf is the third most popular car ever made.
This year marks an impressive 50 years since the Volkswagen Golf was introduced, with a history spanning eight generations. To mark the occasion, Volkswagen is introducing a new version, bringing a redesigned look, technology improvements and a much-improved plug-in hybrid model.
The first Golf tees off – 1974
The first Volkswagen Golf was produced in March 1974. Penned by legendary car designer Giorgetto Giugaro, it was designed as a successor to the original Beetle.
With its more modern front-wheel-drive and front-engine layout, it was a far more practical car than the Beetle and became an instant hit. In 1976, Volkswagen expanded the line-up with the famed Golf GTI hot hatch, an integral part of the line-up ever since.
Second time around – 1983
Volkswagen introduced its second-generation Golf in 1983. The overall design wasn’t significantly changed, though the second Golf was larger and introduced various modern technologies, including power steering, anti-lock brakes and 16-valve engines.
The Golf’s overall design had also evolved, and with 6.3 million produced, overall sales were just shy of the first-generation car that amassed just under seven million units.
Bigger engines and an estate for the third outing – 1991
The third-generation Golf is one of the more unloved models in the Golf history, though sales still reached 4.8 million overall. Launched in 1991, it was available in the broadest range of versions yet, including a three- and five-door hatchback, convertible and also a spacious estate car for the first time.
Alongside the GTI models, Volkswagen introduced a flagship VR6 model with a 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine, the largest to be fitted to a Golf yet.
The first Golf tees off – 1974
Second time around – 1983
An estate for the third outing – 1991
Its fourth iteration – 1997
The Golf goes upmarket in its fourth iteration – 1997
The fourth generation of this family car represented a significant step up in quality, though this is now the cheapest used Golf, with usable examples available for just a few hundred pounds.
Renowned for its bulletproof diesel engines, this generation of Golf is also known for introducing Volkswagen’s first racing-derived ‘R’ model with the Golf R32 in 2002. Packing a 3.2-litre V6 VR6 engine, it was the first production car to use a dual-clutch automatic gearbox (known as DSG), now commonplace across the Volkswagen line-up. Nearly five million were produced over seven years.
A return to brilliance with the Golf 5 – 2004
A high point is the fifth-generation Golf, introduced in 2004. It’s a far more modern-looking car than its predecessor and was much better to drive, courtesy of an advanced suspension setup and stiffer construction.
The Mk5 Golf GTI with its 197bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine is a future classic, as is the GTI 30th Anniversary Edition, introduced in 2006. An additional body style arrived with the Golf Plus MPV, with 3.4 million examples of the Golf produced in this generation, though its production run was fairly short.
The short-lived Golf 6 – 2008
The sixth-generation Golf, introduced in 2008, was a highly applauded facelift of the previous model, winning the 2009 World Car of the Year.
A range of safety and technology advancements made it a superb family car. The Golf R32 became the R, though with a smallercapacity turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine. The Cabriolet also made a brief return. Just shy of three million were produced, though it was fairly short-lived compared to previous models.
The
sensational Golf 7 – 2012
The seventh-generation Golf is still regarded as one of the best all-round cars ever made. New underpinnings made it lighter and advanced features such as LED lighting and autonomous emergency braking were introduced.
The Golf was available as a plug-in hybrid for the first time, while an electric e-Golf was also offered. Performance versions included the acclaimed 300bhp Golf R and limited-run GTI Clubsport S, with a stripped-out interior and just two seats. It’s still regarded as one of the best hot hatches ever made. Around six million Golf 7s were produced.
The digital Golf 8 – 2020
The 2020 Golf 8 wasn’t as well-received as it should have been. It was quite the departure from its predecessor, especially with the large touchscreen that replaced nearly all traditional interior buttons. Usability issues prompted the latest mid-life update, known as the Golf 8.5.
With a more user-friendly touchscreen, fewer digital buttons and an impressive new plug-in hybrid model capable of more than 60 miles on a charge, it should get Volkswagen back on the right track.
The digital Golf 8 – 2020
The sensational Golf 7 – 2012
The short-lived Golf 6 – 2008
A return to brilliance – 2004
a short story
by
murray clarke
THE PATIO
Maggie gazed with admiration at her patio. If she said so herself, she’d done a pretty good job! Her ex-husband would have been proud of her. Such a pity Jason wasn’t around to see it! Okay – so, the small patio was far from perfect. If you looked really closely, the surface wasn’t exactly level in places. The odd slab stuck up like a sore thumb, but at least, it had been all her own work. She’d completed it without help from anyone . . . especially men (although several had offered to lend a hand!)
It was almost ten years now since Jason had disappeared. The word on the street was that he’d run off with one of his many floosies. But no one knew where. He’d just vanished –never to be seen again.
Maggie had always enjoyed a great passion for gardening. Oh how she’d fallen for Jason, the first time they’d met! He certainly was a blue-eyed charmer – blessed with the gift of the gab, tall and so very handsome! Every girl’s dream! And his zany sense of humour! She’d never laughed so much! Within six months, they became engaged, and were married shortly after.
However, the honeymoon period hadn’t lasted for long. A year later, Jason appeared increasingly moody, distracted, and began to pay her less and less attention. An Area Sales Manager for a computer company in the city, he worked long hours – or so he told her! The job often took him away from home for the odd night or two, even the occasional weekend.
‘Don’t worry, darling,’ he would say. ‘It’s all for our future together.’ And he’d smile and kiss her lightly on the cheek. But soon, Maggie became suspicious and disillusioned. It was then she began to throw herself into her gardening. They had a good-sized garden, and single-handedly, she cut away parts of the lawn, creating meandering gravelled pathways, and gently curving borders in which she planted an array of colourful flowering plants and shrubs. And there was the wooden pergola she built – looked absolutely
stunning with red and pink climbing roses. Digging out the ornamental fishpond had been hard work, but she’d persevered, hauling heavy sandstone rocks into place to form the edges, and planting attractive water lilies. With the spare soil dug out from the pool, she built a magnificent rockery. Even Monty Don, the presenter on Gardeners’ World, would have been impressed!
But not so, Jason!
‘Yeah! Looks very nice!’ he would say, casting a perfunctory glance out of the living room window, before returning to his mobile phone without further comment.
Life went on in this way for about three years. Their relationship became more and more strained; her husband’s overnights more frequent. To take her mind off the worsening situation, Maggie spent all her spare time tending to the garden . . . Her neighbours were really impressed, and laughingly suggested she should set her sights on the Chelsea Flower Show! It was then that the idea of building a patio occurred to her.
At the bottom of the garden, where the lawn ended, there was a secluded sunny corner, hidden away from the prying eyes of her nosey neighbours. An ideal spot crying out for a paved patio – a private place where she could relax at the end of the day with a good book and a glass of chilled white wine. So Maggie ordered some paving stones and begun laying them on a course of sand and concrete, following the advice from a DIY mag.
When the patio was finished, she stepped back to admire her handy work. Yes, Jason would have been proud of her. Today, reclined in a deckchair, relaxing on the patio, Maggie sipped her wine, thinking of her late husband – and his body lying six feet under her in the grave she’d dug.
With a wry smile on her face, Maggie raised her fluted glass in a toast.
‘Cheers, Jason!’
Big Mack!
We Brits love a game show – from The Price Is Right and Supermarket Sweep to The Chase and The Weakest Link, to name a few. But there’s a relative newcomer to our TV screens that has won the heart of the nation almost as much as its host, comedian, actor, podcaster and presenter Lee Mack.
In April this year, it was announced that The 1% Club became the biggest game show on UK television in 2023, with the third series having averaged 5.8 million viewers in consolidated figures to date.
The show’s format sees 100 contestants begin every episode, but to make it to the end and win the top prize of up to £100,000, contestants must correctly answer a question only 1% of the country would get right.
Since first airing on ITV in 2022, it has proved popular Saturday night viewing for all ages. Said Lee Mack, the show’s host: “I am delighted to cause household arguments, as kids mock their parents for being not as bright as them. But us grown-ups can stay out as late as we want, so we get the last laugh.”
Keep it in the family
Lee first came to prominence by winning So You Think You’re Funny? at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Would I Lie To You? star, who has appeared as a team captain opposite David Mitchell on the awardwinning comedy panel show since 2007, has been with his wife Tara McKillop since they met at Brunel University in 1996, from where Lee graduated with a
degree in drama. The pair tied the knot in 2005 and have three children together, Arlie, Louie and Millie. He keeps his private life relatively quiet but has spoken about why he stopped drinking, having been alcohol-free since 2016.
Long having an interest in Buddhism, mindfulness and the possibility of leading a more spiritual life, Lee hosts a podcast on Buddhism and mindfulness with Neil Webster called I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buddha. It was here that he opened up about drinking.
“I read a book (by famous author Allen Carr) that changed my whole attitude to alcohol," he explained. “Now, I wasn’t waking up in a skip. I was just reading this book out of interest. I’ve had a long relationship with booze because I grew up in a pub.” Lee realised the author was encouraging readers to kick booze altogether and he took the advice on board.
Could he make a comeback?
A 14th series of the long-running sitcom he created in 2006, Not Going Out, is yet to be commissioned after having aired a milestone 100th episode with a Christmas special last December. Lee has revealed that he’s a bigger hit with audiences than with his family. “They’re not really bothered whether it’s on or not. My wife doesn’t really watch it and the only feedback I get from my eldest is the occasional slightly arched eyebrow if he likes one of my character’s jokes. That’s high praise in my house!”
Photograph
Summer Berry Slice
Easy to make, this layered frozen yoghurt dessert makes a great cooler on a hot day. For a vegan option, use plant-based yoghurt and vegan maple syrup instead of honey.
Detail...
Serves 8
Preparation time 30 minutes, plus freezing
You will need...
• 200g strawberries, rinsed and hulled
• 300g low-fat Greek yoghurt
• ½ tsp grated orange zest
• 100g runny honey
• 200g blackberries
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 200g raspberries
• 200g blueberries
• 5 fresh mint leaves, plus extra sprigs to serve
• Extra mixed berries to serve
Method...
1. Line a 900g loaf tin with clingfilm.
2. Place the strawberries in a blender or food processor or use a hand-held stick blender to blend to a pulp. If you don’t have either, then mash to a rough paste. Stir in 75g yoghurt, the orange zest, 25g honey and pour into the base of the prepared loaf tin. Freeze for 2 hours, until almost solid.
3. Blend the blackberries with the vanilla extract until smooth. If you like you can sieve this mixture to remove the pips. Stir in 75g yoghurt and 25g honey, then pour over the strawberry layer and freeze for 2 hours.
4. Repeat with the raspberries, sieve to remove pips if preferred and stir in the yoghurt and honey. Pour it over the blackberries and freeze for 2 hours.
5. For the final layer, blend the blueberries with the mint, stir in the remaining yoghurt and honey and pour over the raspberry layer. Freeze for 2 hours.
6. Remove from the freezer 5 minutes before serving to make slicing easier. Serve in slices with extra berries and mint sprigs.
For more recipes featuring seasonal fresh berries, visit www.lovefreshberries.co.uk
ON THE FENCE
A fence in your garden gives you privacy and personal space, shelter from the wind, and protection of delicate plants. Furthermore, this boundary provides a sense of security, deterring trespassers and containing pets and young children, making your garden a safe haven.
REPLACING If you already have posts in place that you don’t want to move, you’ll need standard panels. For wooden fences at least, these will have a standard width of 1.83m (6ft). There are more choices for height but if you are separating your back garden from your neighbours, the maximum height is two metres (6.5 feet), and this includes any trellis topper.
Metal fences offer durability and security, particularly for back gardens. They offer almost unlimited colour options, and when properly maintained can last 20-30 years in most environments.
Who gets the good side?
If you’ve paid for a new fence, surely you should benefit from the smoother more attractive side? Yet many people believe you are supposed to give the good side to your neighbour. In fact, the UK has no hard and fast laws about this in most cases. If you are paying for the fence and it’s on your boundary, it can face any direction you like. Of course, if you need to access your neighbour’s garden to undertake maintenance in years to come, you might realise it wasn’t worth falling out about.
FENCING TYPES Traditional wooden panels offer a readymade solution. Lap panels have slats running horizontally and are usually a good budget choice. Closeboard panels have vertical slats and are typically stronger and more durable. Picket fences have vertical pickets (slats) with spaces between them. Due to the gaps, these are mainly used for delineation or aesthetic reasons. There are a few other decorative styles too, including tongue and groove, hit and miss, slatted and lattice.
THE PORTAL TO YOUR SPACE Where fencing choices are often limited due to availability and budget, garden gates are another story: there are hundreds of choices. You can choose from timber, metal, vinyl, uPVC and more.
If you’re replacing an existing gate, you could also change the size. This might mean buying made-to-measure, but if it’s a fairly standard size or even a brand-new build, you won’t be short of options.
If you need privacy and security, a solid gate will be your preference. But decorative metalwork will undoubtedly be more attractive. If your fencing is timber, manufacturers often sell gates to match their panels, to create a continuous run.
DOING THE JOB A fence is such a big, visible construction in your garden that a level and durable installation is very important. As a DIY job, it’s ambitious, will require tools and you may need to hire equipment. A professional company can offer you advice – and that in itself can save money – and get the job done quickly and built to last.
LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE
Ashby Leisure Centre, 10am start
Ashby Bridge Club will be running a beginners course, starting with a free taster session on Wed 10th Sept, followed by a 12 week course commencing 17th Sept. The sessions last for 2 hours. The course costs £85 and includes a course book, membership of Ashby Bridge Club, and 6 free follow-on supervised sessions. For more details contact Robert Killip (07865 398468 or email: robkil@sky.com)
MONDAY COFFEE MORNINGS
Every Monday at The Brickroom, Main Street, Linton, DE12 6PZ
Fortnightly, commencing Wednesday14th August a brand new group for anyone interested in craft, boardgames or just a friendly chat.
Call Angela 07938 200308 for more details
ASHBY u3a
AGM / AUGUST MEETING
As we will be holding our Annual General Meeting this month, members please come along and take part in the process and listen to the reports from committee members. Consequently, there won't be time for our usual guest speaker slot this month.
The AGM will take place at the usual venue: The Congregational Church, Kilwardby St, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 2FQ [Look out for our flag on the pavement outside] on
TUESDAY 27TH AUGUST
Doors open at 1.30pm for 2.00pm start. Tea, coffee and biscuits and a Summer Special Treat along with a warm welcome will be on offer.
For more information go to ashbyu3a.co.uk email:- members@ashbyu3a.co.uk or visit us on facebook.com/Ashby u3a
