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New Year New You!
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FOOD l HEALTH & BEAUTY l MOTORING l GARDENING l PET CARE
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♥
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
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Editor’s Letter
Happy New Year to all our readers and advertisers from the Town Crier, and we hope 2015 brings you all you wish for! At this time many of us make resolutions to change our lives, so in this month’s Town Crier we look at ways that you can give yourself a New Year Makeover! There are many articles on making a change in your fitness, health and wellbeing. In our centre spread we feature the new Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Please support the many events throughout the year raising money for this vital cause, and with costs of nearly £7,000 a day they need all our help - details of how to donate can be found on page 26.
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We are always interested in receiving items of local interest from our readers for inclusion in the magazine - why not write something for the Town Crier in 2015! Until next time . . .
22
Annie
Your Local
TownCr er Magazine
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The Stables, Fishers Brook, Calne, Wilts. SN11 9HB Tel: 01249 811068 www. towncriermagazine.com Deadline for submissions for the March/April 2015 issue: 1st February 2014 Editor: contact@towncriermagazine.com Advertising: steven@towncriermagazine.com Artwork: production@towncriermagazine.com CONDITIONS OF ADVERTISING: The Editor reserves the right to refuse any copy which she feels may not be appropriate material for print. No responsibility will be taken for any damage or loss of material caused by inaccuracy or omission of any advertisement. Artwork prepared by us remains the property of The Town Crier Magazine and reproduction in any form is expressly forbidden without prior permission from the Editor.
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26 11 REGULAR FEATURES 6 12 24 40
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Puzzle Corner
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42 Book Reviews by Kath Bennet 44 Pets Greatwood Winter Appeal 48 Gardening Seeds 50 Website Kevin Sanders
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THIS ISSUE 16 Health Fitness & Wellbeing Special Get fit in 2015
Yoga Fit ‘n’ Fun Run Safe Don’t worry Be Happy! Sink or Swim To Eat or not to Eat? Olympic Legacy
• Damp Proofing & Control
• Rising Damp
• Penetrating Damp
26 Wiltshire Air Ambulance Read all about the new
• Structural Waterproofing
helicopter
• Condensation Control
28 Happy New Year! Customs from around the
• Ventilation Systems
world
30 Winter Sales Shopping 36 Pancake Day including a pancake
• Woodworm Treatment
38 Valentine’s Day Buying the perfect
• Property Renovation
• Timber Repair & Preservation • Basement Conversions
recipe!
• Specialist Surveys
present
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49 Give you the Moon Interesting facts about
the moon
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Swindon Male Voice Choir The New Year has just started and we are looking for new members. We meet on Monday evenings in the New Century Club, Gorse Hill, Swindon SN2 8BU at 7.30pm and would love to welcome you at any rehearsal, or to our Open Rehearsal Evening on Monday 19th January. You don’t need to be able to read music but if you can that would be an advantage. Full support is given to new members. For Further Information: Visit the website: swindonmalevoicechoir.co.uk Email: swindonmalevoicechoir@msn.com Telephone (Recruitment Team): 01793 822495 or 01793 486454
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♥ What’s On
Local Canal Trust Wins £50,000 for Wildlife Trail Local canal organisation, the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is celebrating after winning £50,000 in The People’s Millions, a partnership between ITV and the Big Lottery, in a recent telephone vote. The charitable trust shared their vision of creating a Wildlife Trail along the canal towpath at Studley Grange near Royal Wootton Bassett, on land bordering the Biffa landfill site which has now been leased to the trust. On the night of the vote, the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust promoted their project with a short film of local schoolchildren exploring the wildlife at Pewsham Locks site near Chippenham. Trust Secretary Chris Coyle explained the aims of the project, emphasising the community wide appeal of a wildlife trail. The canal trust was up against a Bristol based community choir Handfuls of Harmony, which won the public vote on the night, but the trust team was surprised and delighted when Studley Wildlife Trail also won £50,000 as the runner-up with the highest number of votes.
Stewart Parsons of Ellendale Environmental, who works with the Canal Trust to ensure that environmental issues are observed correctly, set up everything for the film session: he answered all the children’s questions, brought along magnifiers, trays, pooters, a wildlife trail quiz, plus bird, bat and dormouse boxes to show them. He said: “A wildlife trail along a canal is fantastic as it provides such a range of habitats and species. The creation of a trail at Studley Grange is a really exciting project as it will engage with so many members of the local community, including children. We must ensure that we create such places and preserve our natural heritage for the future.” Children from St Peter’s CE Academy Chippenham were involved with the filming and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They not only learned about the wildlife, but also found out how TV programmes are filmed. The cameraman, interviewer, and ITV and Big Lottery representatives were all very impressed with their enthusiasm. Chris Coyle said, “ We are so delighted that we were awarded this special prize. We would like to thank Stewart Parsons, St Peter’s Schoolchildren, The People’s Millions and everyone who voted for us. We are so looking forward to getting on with the project!”
by Val Melville
Fundraising Director Kath Hatton said: “It was a real challenge to think of how to make the promotional film, as there is currently no access at the site near Studley Grange - that’s part of what we need the money for! But we had to show what we intend to achieve, and so we used a section of the canal at Pewsham which has already been restored and has an abundance of wildlife. Another challenge was the timing - November is not usually the best time to find creatures as they disappear for the winter. Luckily, the mild autumn and lovely weather on the day helped, and the children were very excited to discover spiders, beetles, caterpillars and snails, as well as lots of aquatic animals.”
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♥ What’s On
Press release
Foggys Are you in pain ? Do you feel isolated and lost? Lonely and confused ? Don’t struggle alone, come along to a Foggys meeting. We hold friendly meets twice a month; the first Wednesday of the month at Liden Community Centre, Barrington Close, Liden, Swindon SN3 6HF 12–2pm & every third Monday of the month at Boundary House, 1 The Street, Moredon, Swindon SN25 3ER 12 -2pm.
Wessex Get Bronze
Wessex Male Choir who practice in Abbey Meads in Swindon, made a 4 hour journey to Llandudno Wessex Get Bronze to participate thejourney North Wales Music Wessex Male Choir madein a 4 hour to Llandudno at the weekendFestival to participate in the North Wales Music Festival against competing against 5 other male voice voice choirs. Thechoirs. competitionThe was tough and competing 5 other male the winners, Birmingham Welsh choir, deserved their win but the Wessex Male Choir from Swindon competition was tough and the winners, Birmingham pulled off a Bronze position with only 2 points between them and the winners. Welsh choir, their wina free but thein Llandudno Wessex In the afternoon, not todeserved waste their journey, they gave concert for Male the benefit of St David’s Hospice a retiring collection raised over Comments from the audience, about Choir fromand Swindon pulled off£240. a Bronze position with how much they enjoyed the concert and the best singing they had heard in a long time, raised the only 2 points between them and the winners. spirit of Wessex for the long journey home.
Barbury’s Lumps & Bumps
Wessex will be performing their Christmas concert at St Marks Church in Swindon on 19th December 2014 and ticket information is on their website www.wessexmalechoir.co.uk. The choir have an exciting year ahead of them so, if you think you have got what it takes, please come along to one of their practices in Abbeymeads. You will be very welcome.
Sunday 1 February 2015, Barbury Castle 2pm to 4pm
Note to editors: Anythe queriesIron about this presshillfort, release please to press@wessexmalechoir.co.uk Apart from Age the lumps and bumps at Barbury Castle represent some 4,000 years from the Bronze Age to WWII. Find out which are which on this 2-mile walk of discovery. Meet at Barbury Castle toilet block. Please wear clothes to suit the weather and stout shoes. Book in advance on 01793 490150 or email: swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk
We hold social events every month and due to an Awards 4 All grant, we offer free Hydrotherapy sessions (and jacuzzi) every Monday, for an hour at Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool for our paid members. We offer advice, support, a shoulder to lean on, where you can chat about anything, everything and nothing. We are dedicated to providing support, raising awareness and promoting positivity, for “invisible condition’s”, primarily for Arthritis and Rheumatic Condition’s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and M. E., Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Trigeminal Neuralgia. You can contact us 0844 887 2377 or 0844 887 2485 between 12 and 4pm. Our website is www.butyoudontlooksick.co.uk and Chairman deb.cooke@butyoudontlooksick.co.uk
WELSH MALE VOICE CHOIR
CÔR Y GYRLAIS Musical Director: Huw Parkman Accompanist: Chris Lewis
IN CONCERT WITH
COTSWOLD VOICES
AND BRIAN HASTIE (FIDDLE) SATURDAY 21st OF MARCH 2015 AT 7.30 PM At ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT
TICKETS: £8.00 PER PERSON FROM: RWB Post Office Shop, Brian Taylor Music and on the door.
PROCEEDS TO: RWB TOWN ROTARY CHARITIES
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Advertorial
Buy With Confidence at The Mobility Store The owners and staff of The Mobility Store, whose head office is in Wroughton, are proud to announce that they have been accepted as an Approved Trader by Trading Standards in their “Buy With Confidence” scheme. More information can be found on the website: www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk All members of the scheme are checked by staff from Trading Standards for compliance with the letter and spirit of the law. Businesses can only display the “Buy with Confidence” logo after they pass all the stringent checks. For example, all the Mobility Store staff have been CRB/DBS checked. A percentage of their existing customers have been independently selected by Trading Standards and contacted to ensure nonprejudicial opinions on level of service and quality of product.
suit all your needs. We provide mobility scooters, wheelchairs, stairlifts, rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds or even the smallest of daily living aids to help you live your life to the full. In our fully equipped workshop we offer professional service and repair to all makes of mobility equipment, including a collection and delivery service.” In the Wroughton and Marlborough stores they also employ fully-qualified podiatrists who offer everything from a simple nail-cutting service to making and fitting a variety of orthopaedic insoles. The footcare department also stocks a wide-range of Cosyfeet widefitting shoes and slippers. Other services include continence aids and free hearing tests. They can be contacted on 01793 815083
It does not stop there. Once a business becomes a member of the scheme it is monitored to ensure there is continual commitment to customer care and compliance with consumer law. Mr Willie McIvor, Director of The Mobility Store, says “We offer high quality, affordable living aids to
MAKE LIFE EASIER Rise and recline furniture Adjustable beds
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The Mobility Store | Unit 9a Ellendune Shopping Centre | WROUGHTON | SN4 9LN NEXT TO TESCO - FREE LEVEL PARKING | Tel: 01793 815083 56 George Lane | MARLBOROUGH | SN8 4BY | Tel: 01672 511550 Lansdowne | BOURTON ON THE WATER | GL54 2AR | Tel: 01451 810088 www.thehearingandmobilitystore.co.uk The TheTown TownCrier CrierMagazine Magazine| |NOV/DEC JAN/FEB 2014 2015
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♥ What’s On
Slimming World Group launches in Royal Wootton Bassett
PUZZLE CORNER
A Slimming World group has been relaunched in Royal Wootton Bassett by Lisa Legg who is inviting others who want to face up to weight issues to join her. The mum of three lost 21lbs with Slimming World whilst suffering with an underactive thyroid. Feeling unhappy, anxious, bloated and unfit Lisa took the brave decision of joining Slimming World on New Year's day. She said: "I walked into a group in January and received a very warm welcome from consultant Heather Zych and discovered I could continue eating burgers and chips and still lose weight. "As you'd expect some weeks are not easy but you're still made to feel amazing and supported by both the consultant and other members. "I feel so much better, my chubbiness has gone and my children say that mum no longer has a 'big bum,' it's all thanks to Slimming World." Lisa didn't think her New Year's resolution would go further but in July Lisa welcomed members to her new group in North Swindon and due to the huge success is now welcoming members to the Royal Wootton Bassett Group on Wednesdays at 6:30pm, Longleaze Primary School, Byron, Avenue, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 8BA. Turn up or contact her on 07414 540866 or mail: lisalegg28@gmail.com
Across 7 Base (6) 8 Conundrum (6) 9 Clip, snip (4) 10 Dazzling, magnificent (8) 11 Tussle, scuffle (7) 13 Brew made from apples (5) 15 Extra room (5) 17 Type of bacon! (7) 20 Underground burial room (8) 21 Chomp (4) 22 Oval nut (6) 23 Shellfish (6)
Down 1 Dismay, alarm (6) 2 Minute particle (4) 3 Illegal import or export (7) 4 Confirmation (5) 5 Preservative, flavour enhancer (8) 6 Chemise, shirt (6) 12 Baby’s game (8) 14 Bristle (7) 16 Almost (6) 18 Baby cat (6) 19 Verbose (5) 21 Knock (4)
Solutions to the crossword and sudoku on page 37
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Ask AMS Advice for small businesses
Salary Sacrifice and why people do it ‘Salary Sacrifice’ is a mechanism where a formal agreement is made jointly by an employer and employee, to reduce an employee’s salary in return for some other benefit. The point of this arrangement is generally to save National Insurance – and this saving can then be divided between the employer and the employee. How to do it Firstly, one needs to seek professional advice from a Financial Advisor - as any salary sacrifice must be carefully set up in order to achieve its aims, and be safe from any HMRC challenge that the sacrifice isn’t genuine.
How savings can be made by sacrificing National Insurance Pension contributions Example: an employee can agree to sacrifice £100/month of their gross salary in return for the employer paying an extra amount into the employee’s pension fund. The National Insurance saved would typically be £25.80 (12% for the Employee and 13.8% for the Employer). Added to the sacrificed £100, it can be invested into the pension fund. Comparison: if the employee made a personal contribution into their pension fund without the salary sacrifice, there would be £25.80 less in the fund. So, there is potentially a big advantage (25.8% of the sacrificed amount) for many employees. Private health insurance (and other taxable benefits in kind) Salary can be sacrificed and the employer can pay the premiums. National Insurance would still be payable by the employer, but the Employee’s National Insurance (at 12%) is saved. Childcare vouchers An employer offering childcare vouchers can agree a salary sacrifice arrangement which saves an employee income tax, as well as National Insurance - so it’s possibly worth 32% (of the value of the vouchers) to the employee; and 13.8% to the employer.
Peter Bromiley ACA AMS Accountancy Ltd. Swindon SN5 7XF. 01793 818400 www.ams-accountancy.co.uk
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Advertorial Food & Drink
Are your passwords and data safe? D
ATA theft is not a new crime. The theft of data and passwords, both personal and corporate, for malicious use, capital gain and just for kicks is a daily pursuit for hackers and cybercriminals. Last year was a challenging year for data breaches with over 800 million records lost in 2,164 separate incidents, nearly doubling the previous highest year on record. The EU has imposed new data protection legislation, meaning severe fines for organisations that suffer data breaches in the future. SafeToGo (www.safetogo.eu) is a hardware encrypted USB3.0 memory flash drive which is being used by individuals in all sectors including schools, government and healthcare organisations to safeguard against data theft. The drive has many benefits including locking itself after a set amount of time if it has been left unattended in your computer. If lost or stolen the drive cannot be accessed without your master password and will lock down the drive after a number of failed attempts. Cardwave’s latest product is ShieldToGo, (www.shieldtogo.com), a powerful and secure mobile password manager and storage device. It enables you to securely store, manage and safeguard sensitive passwords, data and files, not in ‘The Cloud’ but in
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
a single device. The rule with passwords is simple: the more complex, the better the level of security it provides. However, expecting people to remember long, nonsensical combinations is unrealistic. A typical 25–34 year old will have in excess of 40+ online login passwords from email, ebay, paypal to bank logins (in comparison to four or five logins ten years ago). Often, users pick the same password for many different services, which is ill-advised. If you sign up for an account on a website which gets hacked your password could find its way into the hands of criminals who would then be able to access your online bank account and other important sites. ShieldToGo provides the facility to create complex encrypted passwords and then manages the task of remembering and logging in for you securely. The 8GB drive also gives you space to store your most sensitive files. Identity theft risks are greatly reduced as well as your daily frustration of trying to remember all your passwords. If you have one resolution for 2015 make sure it is to ensure your data and passwords are safe and secure. To find out more about both products and the full list of their features and benefits visit our product websites listed above or visit our company website at www.cardwave.com
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Health, Wellbeing & Fitness Make 2015 the year you get into sport. We all know the benefits of being active – getting fit, losing weight, achieving goals and meeting people. Why not try something new? by Alex Brown
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Before you begin, it’s worth asking yourself a few questions: What is your existing fitness level and what do you hope to achieve? Do you like to exercise alone, in a group or with your family? How much time and money do you want to commit? Would you prefer a creative activity, such as dance or gymnastics, a fitness regime or a competitive sport? Your local council is a good place to start your search. Leisure centres provide reasonably priced options for a wide variety of sports across all age ranges. Many offer subsidised and even free activities for people on benefits, older people, people with disabilities and students. They may run taster sessions so that you can try a new sport before you commit. Running is a great way to get fit – it’s free, doesn’t take much time and is suitable for all fitness levels.
Happy New Year and Happy New You! January for Jan Marini OUR SKIN CARE PHILOSOPHY:
The Run England website (www.runengland.org) has pointers on how to begin. You can find details of your nearest club via UK Athletics (www.uka.org.uk). Another sport that gets you out and about is cycling. You can either use it simply as a practical way to travel, or head for an off-road route. The Sustrans website (www.sustrans.org.uk) has a regional guide to beautiful places to ride. If you never learned to swim or want to improve your technique, or if you want to support your child to learn, www.swimming.org is full of tips, inspirational stories and guidance, such as what to do if you’re nervous in water. For animal lovers, horse riding might be the perfect choice. Whether you fancy a relaxing ride in the countryside or the challenge of show-jumping or polo, there are lots of opportunities. For details, contact the British Horse Society (www.bhs.org.uk) or the Association of British Riding Schools. Whatever you choose, make sure you prepare carefully and stay safe. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun!
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Advertorial
Make 2015 a time for change in your life by Simeon Vellani MBACP (Reg), Psychotherapeutic Counsellor As I look back over the last year in private practice as a Counsellor I am drawn to wonder about all those calls I had from people seeking help who either made appointments and then did not go through with it or perhaps just hung up at the last moment through either fear or anxiety about who might answer the phone, or how therapy might be for the first time. Naturally the unknown is scary to all of us, and if we are already feeling challenged and fearful perhaps the very last thing on our minds is the idea of contacting an apparently complete stranger. Fears of being labeled as mentally ill are prominent and we wonder perhaps what colleagues, friends and family might say. While some people experience real difficulty
Simeon Vellani Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
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Tel: 01672 556141 simeon@marlborough-counselling.co.uk www. marlborough-counselling.co.uk Registered member of the BACP (MBACP) Reg No 086869
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
relatively few clients are ill in the conventional sense, they are normal ordinary people with normal life’s with the normal fears and uncertainties that we all experience from time to time, they just may need help to make sense of some those experiences, and often just someone to hear and to see them in a way they may never have been seen or heard before. I know this because I have seen this for myself in my own psychotherapeutic journey, as I believe have most good therapists. Fear of being judged can hold us back from seeking the help we so much need and deserve. By doing nothing we fail to be true to ourselves, and embrace the change we desire so much, but far from signifying illness, counselling is a positive practical step we can make which can help facilitate change. Many of us enter the New Year with a desire for that change, driven by a shift in energy the holidays have given us to reflect, and perhaps act. Sadly, all to often these positive thoughts get swiftly driven away by our return to work or our daily routine, while negative ones can become deepened and entrenched by the thought that we cannot change and perhaps the belief that life is hard and happiness unattainable, all to often we settle for another year of regret, unhappiness and disappointment. Just as we might care for our bodies our minds also need to be cared for and as a professionally trained and qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor I believe I can help. To learn more call me on 01672 556141, email me on: simeon@marlborough-counselling.co.uk or fill in a simple enquiry form on contact page of my website and I will call or email you by return using were possible your preferred time and method of contact. An initial meeting is completely free and without any further obligation.
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Yoga Is there anyone left on earth who doesn’t know that if we want to be healthy we need to exercise? Exercise strengthens our heart, lungs and bones; increases our mobility and flexibility; burns calories, improves mood, sleep and memory and infuses us with energy. So after the excesses of Christmas, put exercise at the top of your New Year’s resolution’s list. Remember exercise should be fun! Forget slogging away in a gym (unless that’s your thing). Why not try something completely different in 2015, like yoga? Developed more than 5000 years ago in India, Hatha Yoga is the most common form in the west. It involves physical posture work (asanas) and deep breathing (pranayamas), in preparation for meditation (dhyana), when the mind is quiet and focused on a single object, sound or chant. The exercises stretch and flex the spine and the joints, strengthen muscles and bones, tone up the internal organs and stimulate circulation, digestion and the nervous system. In the Sanskrit language yoga means union, harmony and balance. It results in body-awareness, because it calms the mind, while bringing vitality, strength, and flexibility to the body. After practising yoga you will become more aware of how you stand, sit and walk and how you cope in stressful situations.
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
Yoga is a safe and relaxing form of exercise that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age or ability. It is gentle and non-competitive. Don’t think you have to be a contortionist and tie yourself up into impossible positions like some super fit celebrities. Once you’re in a posture, you breathe and relax into it and only do as much as your body will let you. Yoga is suitable for almost anyone, though if you have health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, a back or neck injury or have undergone recent surgery, then you should consult your doctor before embarking on any new exercise regime. There are many forms of Hatha Yoga to suit all levels of fitness. Ananda and Iyengar Yoga are good types to start with, but there are more vigorous forms like Ashtanga and Bikram Yoga for those who like a challenge. You’ll find information about your nearest beginner’s yoga class from The British Wheel of Yoga, a registered charity and the largest yoga organisation in the country. Loose clothing and a non-slip mat are all you need to get started. If you want to improve your stamina, strength, flexibility, posture, and cope better with stress, enrol in a yoga class and you’ll have taken the first step into an activity you can enjoy for many years.
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19
Advertorial
England Football medic relocates healthcare clinic to South Marston Park Carl Todd, osteopath to the England football team and Chelsea FC, has three well-established multidisciplinary practices in the South West, which have built up an excellent reputation over the past 12 years. His clinics provide a wide range of services, aimed at helping people take care of their bodies and lifestyles, including osteopathy, physiotherapy, sports medicine, Pilates and sports massage, to name but a few. His Swindon clinic, previously located on Windsor Road, Lawn has recently expanded into larger, purpose built premises in South Marston Park, where they now have state of the art treatment rooms and a bright, modern rehabilitation and Pilates studio. This expansion means that his Swindon clinic is now able to provide a wider range of healthcare services, similar to those already being offered at his clinic in Corsham. In addition to osteopathy, he has now integrated a physiotherapy service, which includes pre and post operative rehabilitation programmes, Pilates courses (including one to one sessions and group studio classes), sports massage therapy, a bike set-up service, which aims to correct poor posture and prevent
consequent bad backs, when cycling and a podiatry service. Together these disciplines are intended to help treat and prevent both acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues that may have resulted from a variety of reasons or factors such as lifestyle, age, pre and post pregnancy, work-related or sporting injuries. All practitionners at his clinics make every effort to provide each patient with a prompt, professional and friendly service, whilst maintaining the highest standard of patient-focused care. They understand that each patient is different, therefore all treatment programmes are designed to suit individual needs. Speaking about his new clinic, Carl says, “We are really looking forward to welcoming both new and existing patients to the Swindon clinic. I feel that combining these additional therapies, alongside the osteopathy, really complements the professional service that we already provide, in the hope that we can offer patients more comprehensive advice when helping them to improve their lifestyle and prevent chronic pain.� The patient base at his clinics is extremely varied ranging from babies, children and the elderly right through to international athletes and Premiership
OSTEOPATHY PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION PILATES SPORTS MASSAGE PODIATRY While working with Carl as part of the England team's medical staff my back was always pain free. I'd have no hesitation recommending him as an excellent osteopath and true professional.
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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footballers. Both their clinics are associate members of the CircleBath hospital, on the southern outskirts of Bath, and they are recognised by all major insurance providers including Bupa and AXA PPP. In January, his new clinic will be holding a launch event in South Marston Park, where everyone is invited to come along and find out how Carl and his team may be able to assist with any aches or pains you may be suffering from. The launch of a brand new Pilates programme is also taking place in January at the Swindon clinic where Carl’s Pilates instructors are running drop-in Pilates classes on Monday evenings @ 7pm, Wednesday evenings @ 6.15pm and Friday lunchtimes @ 12.30pm. If you are interested in trying a class please feel free to come along and take part in a complimentary session to see how Pilates can help strengthen and lengthen your muscles and improve your posture. To book a place on one of our classes, please call the Swindon clinic on 0845 899 0230 or 01793 978270. For further updates on the clinic launch date or to find out how Pilates may benefit you, please take a look Carl’s website: www.thecarltoddclinic.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarlToddClinic Twitter: twitter.com/carltoddclinic
Sink or Swim Learning to swim as an adult How did it happen? You’ve reached and exceeded the age at which you are legally regarded as an adult. You can drink, vote, drive, get married, pay taxes and get called to war. You have a job, own a home and lead a fulfilling life in lots of ways, but there is just one blot on the horizon – you still can’t swim! The inability to swim is a cause of embarrassment for many adults, and some are reluctant and even ashamed to admit to it. But though you may feel that there is a stigma attached, the first thing to understand is that you are not alone. There are many others just like you, and if you really want to, there is no reason in the world why you can’t master the art! People fail to learn to swim for a number of reasons. Some may have had a traumatic experience – almost drowning for example, after falling into deep water, or being the victim of a prank that got out of hand – whilst others simply may not have had the opportunity. Regardless of the cause, most non-swimming adults are afraid of water, and need to acknowledge the psychological as well as the physical barriers. Fear can keep us safe, but it can also prevent us from moving forward. Many non-swimmers are afraid of putting their face in the water and are scared that they won’t be able to float, yet more or less everyone floats. What sometimes gets in the way is fear and tension that causes you to hold yourself stiffly, hunch your head and shoulders, and push your feet towards the bottom of the pool. Most non-swimmers are afraid to take their feet off the bottom and become panic-stricken if there is nothing to hold onto, but learning to trust that the water will hold you up rather than the reverse, is key to mastering the art of swimming.
Swimming Lessons with Liz Near Calne and Lyneham Small classes, warm pool, parking, friendly environment.
Children’s Half Hour Lessons Age 4+ New 6 week Block commencing 2015
Adult 1:1 lessons on request For further details contact Liz on
07833 701066
swimwithliz@hotmail.com The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
Though some people may opt to enlist the help of a friend or relative to teach them to swim, the best course is probably to turn to a professional with the correct training. But there are things you can do yourself to help boost confidence: Walk around in chest-deep water to get used to how it feels and maintain balance; Repeatedly dip your face and body in and out of the water, holding on to the side for support; Practice floating on your stomach with your face in the water; With the help of a float, lie on your back, gradually introducing kicking movements with your legs. However you decide to proceed, please remember there is no shame in not being able to swim!
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
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21
Fit and Fun! by Sarah Davey
If you’ve tried aerobics, spinning and swimming and still can’t get into your exercise groove, what about these more unusual ways to get fit and burn fat? Bounce Baby! While a trampoline gives you some bounce and helps you to become airborne, you need to use your muscles to push yourself into the air and to control your movements so you stay upright. If you’ve ever spent time on a trampoline with your kids, you know it’s a great workout! Invest in a good trampoline for your garden and use it regularly. It’s fun and will get you outdoors into the fresh air, as well as help you to build muscle and burn calories. Dance like there’s no-one watching! Salsa dancing is a great way to get your legs and bum toned and firm, and it’s also a fun way to spend time with someone you love! You can dance on your own or visit a dance club and join the group. You’ll make friends and have the most fun you’ve ever had getting into shape! Be the daring young man or woman on the flying trapeze! When you use a trapeze you need to control all your muscles for proper balance and stretching, and it’s a great way to burn calories at the same time. More gyms are offering classes now. Look for a beginner class near you and don’t worry about heights. Initially you start very close to the ground as you learn how to get comfortable in the harnesses and about the mechanics of swinging. Only then will you move on to more advanced moves. Pole is good for the soul! Pole dancers need to be in great shape, since they swing themselves around a pole to get into a variety of positions for the best routine. It’s a fun and effective way to get into shape, and can also be very sexy! Remember that there is a HUGE difference between pole dancing and stripping, so don’t be shy about checking out a class near you. You may find it’s one of the most enjoyable ways to burn calories, trim your waistline, and build long, lean muscles. Surfing USA...but indoors! Surfers usually have great leg muscles toned bottoms, since they’re using all these muscles to keep themselves on their boards and to guide and direct themselves in the water. Today, indoor surfing classes are popping up in gyms everywhere because this is such a fun way to stay in shape. These classes use short boards that work much like surfboards and which tone all the lower body muscles. They’re a fun and inventive way to work out and may even turn you into a serious surfer!
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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Don’t Worry, Be Happy When the weather is bleak and grey, how can we lift our mood? Exercise - When we exercise our brain releases feelgood endorphins, making us happier. Even a short 5 minute stroll round the block can boost your mood. Think how you might add just a little more movement into your daily life: Maybe a few morning yoga poses, or an evening walk. Get Immersed - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, renowned psychologist found that immersing ourselves in an activity we love, which also requires skill, makes us happy. Try reading, playing the guitar, writing a blog, or cooking, immerse yourself in a hobby and your mood will brighten.
Run Safe As the nights get darker you may feel a little worried about venturing out. Here are some ideas to keep you safe: Wear white clothing with reflective panels and have reflective strips on your shoes to help you be seen. You could also wear a head torch. Face oncoming traffic when running on a road with no pavement, except on a blind corner when you should move to the opposite side. Or avoid roads with no pavements completely. Vary your route as always running in the same place at the same time can make you vulnerable to assailants, and note road names as you pass. Choose a well lit route with an even surface.
Laugh - Laughter changes the energy of a situation immediately and lightens our mood. Try watching a DVD of your favourite comedian. Better still, visit a comedy club and give yourself permission to laugh-outloud. Meditate - Scientific studies have proved that emotions, and happiness in particular, can be trained. Even a few minutes of meditation per day have a positive impact our brain and sense of well-being. Be part of a community - Research shows that people involved in their community are happier. Communities foster emotional support and a connection with others, which leads to a greater sense of well-being. The community could be a group of like-minded people such as a choir, or art-group.
By Sarah Davey
Consider running with a friend or friends, this will keep you motivated and help you to stay safer. Always tell someone where you are going and approximately what time you will be back. Consider taking a mobile phone and personal alarm. You could also try free apps such as Glympse which allow you to share your location with people so they can track you. Don’t listen to music while you are running as you need to be able to hear oncoming cars, bikes and dogs. Or if you have one locally, you could try running on a floodlit athletics track.
By Susan Brookes-Morris
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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23
Health & Fitness
Olympic legacy delivering health improvements Wiltshire Council is in top band of local authorities creating a lasting legacy of fitness, physical activity and healthy living, according to a new report. People living in the county also live longer than most other local authorities, and Wiltshire is also classed as one of the least deprived places in the UK. The new study was carried out by UK Active, a national not-for-profit body working to improve fitness levels. It found that Wiltshire has one of the lowest rates of people who are inactive – those getting less than 30 minutes of moderate exercise every week, such as cycling or fast walking. Fewer than 25% of people living in Wiltshire were ranked as inactive, compared with the national average of nearly a third (29%). Overall, in a table of 150 local authorities which UK Active included in the study, called ‘Turning the Tide of Inactivity’, Wiltshire was ranked 22nd. The council has been building a sporting legacy in the county since the success of the London Olympics in 2012. The Legacy for Wiltshire initiative aims to help bring communities together, encourage people to keep active and healthy, and support future Olympians and Paralympians.
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
The council runs an annual sports awards, and supports local athletes through the Funding Future Olympians Scholarship, and the Elite Athletes Grant. In October athletes, sports clubs, volunteers and coaches across Wiltshire were recognised for their exceptional achievements at the fifth Wiltshire Sports Awards. Jointly hosted by Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Health Improvement Panel, and Wiltshire and Swindon Sport and sponsored by Landmarc, 12 awards were handed out, and ten Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians Sports Scholarship grants of £500 were presented to talented young sports stars aged between eight and 16 years old. Jonathon Seed, cabinet member for leisure, said: “We welcome the UK Active report which identifies what we already knew, that Wiltshire is one of the healthiest places to live in the UK. “I would encourage people to find out more about the exciting intiatives happening at their local leisure centres.” Hundreds of people have pledged their support into this year’s Wiltshire Challenge by choosing to walk, cycle and swim their way to fitness. This year the Wiltshire Challenge also formed part of the council’s Big Pledge which encouraged individuals, communities and businesses to make a lifestyle change, or support an improvement in their local area.
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To Eat, or not to Eat! Should we diet?
T
HE United Kingdom has the third highest level of obese and overweight people in Western Europe, with nearly a third of adults and more than a quarter of children fitting into this category. The statistics are worrying, especially as obesity increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and other diseases. So, what is making us fat and what can we do about it? Put simply, we put weight on when we consume more calories than we use. This could be due to portion size or the type of food we eat. Foods rich in sugar or fat contain the most calories and are most likely to make us gain weight. It’s New Year, and many of us will make the decision to lose weight, but what is the best way to tackle it? There are numerous diets, aids, supplements and slimming clubs out there, some promising amazing results. You’ve seen the adverts about people who have lost six stones in as many months and are feeling great! It’s tempting to want to shift the excess pounds as quickly as possible, to get the business of dieting over with, and get back to normal life again. The sad fact is that the vast majority of people who lose weight put it back on again, and this is because once the weight is lost, they do return to ‘normal’ by reverting back to the habits that caused them to gain weight in the first place. This is particularly true for people who lose weight quickly.
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
No doubt just about any diet can help you lose weight, but the real test is: which one can help you keep it off? Over the years there have been various diets - the high fibre, high protein, high carb, grapefruit, cabbage soup and meal replacement diets to name a few. But increasingly, evidence suggests that the most effective way to lose and maintain weight loss is not to follow a ‘diet’ at all, but to simply make changes to eating habits that can be sustained for life. Diets don’t generally work because they demand more of us than we can realistically give for a prolonged period. Eating regimes that deny us all the things we enjoy, that leave us feeling hungry and a social outcast on nights out, will inevitably cause us to revolt at some point and turn back to old ways. Becoming better educated, learning new habits, taking responsibility for our choices, continuing to live a normal life and losing weight gradually at around 1-2 lbs per week will, in the long run, produce the best chances of permanent success at the scales. Good luck as you take the first step to becoming a slimmer and healthier you!
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
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by Jill Crooks, Media Coordinator Wiltshire Air Ambulance JANUARY 2015 heralds a new milestone for Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) as the charity starts operating its own helicopter. The partnership with Wiltshire Police for the shared helicopter/air ambulance comes to an end in December 2014 after 24 years due to the police joining the National Police Air Service. The new air ambulance is a state of the art helicopter and is the first Bell 429 to operate as an air ambulance in the UK. It is more powerful, faster and is bigger inside than the joint helicopter.
As a consequence of operating its own helicopter, the charity will have to raise £2.5 million a year (£6,850 a day).
Last year (2013) WAA attended 703 incidents and conveyed 309 patients to hospital. Since it started operating in 1990 it has attended almost 15,000 missions. As a consequence of operating its own helicopter, the charity will have to raise £2.5 million a year (£6,850 a day). The charity receives no Government funding and relies entirely on public donations. Mandy Clarke, chairman of Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust, said: “The Bell 429 is an excellent helicopter and we are taking on a helicopter that is not just fit for purpose for today but is future proof for us. “The people of Wiltshire are very generous in their support for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and we still need their support and to raise vital funds for us. Even a little bit makes a difference. It’s down to the people of Wiltshire that we are still here and flying for them.” The colours of the new helicopter are yellow and the distinctive Wiltshire green and the charity has a new logo. The new air ambulance will be based at Police headquarters in Devizes until the charity has found a new home.
Our New
The air ambulance will operate up to 19 hours a day. Initially it will operate in the day time with night flying commencing in Spring 2015.
If you would like to support the work of WAA by making a donation or volunteering your time visit: www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call 01380 739453. Main photo, bottom centre and bottom right: Chris Watkins Media. Bottom left: Matt Sudol Photography 26
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Air Ambulance The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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27
New Year
A Happy New Year! New Year traditions from around the Globe Amazing firework displays from around the world have become a familiar sight on New Year’s news programmes. Many countries also have traditional forms of celebration dating back hundreds of years. In the UK many people observe first-footing. This is traditionally done by a young, healthy, good looking male with dark hair. He carries gifts which include a piece of coal, money, bread and salt, and should be the first person through the front door after the New Year begins. This is believed to bring good luck. Auld Lang Syne is the familiar tune that many of us sing. This represents remembrance of old friends and times spent with them. Generally credited to Robert Burns, he actually said he was merely noting the words of an ‘old man’s singing.’ He set these words to the tune of a traditional Scottish ditty ‘Can Ye Labour Lea.’ In Denmark traditions involve smashing plates. People throw broken plates on to friends’ doorsteps. This symbolises good wishes for the year ahead. Another tradition involves leaping from chairs on the strike of midnight. In Austria, New Years Eve is called Sylvesterabend which means Eve of Saint Sylvester. Suckling pig and peppermint ice cream are traditional food for New Year celebrations. Tables are often decorated with marzipan pigs, and good luck symbols made out of chocolate or marzipan in shapes such as chimney sweeps, coins, or horseshoes are exchanged. Lead is considered to be auspicious in Germany so at New Year, they pour molten lead into cold water and see what shape develops. It is believed that this predicts the future, so: heart shapes symbolize marriage, round shapes denote good luck, and a ship means a journey. People also leave a bit of every food eaten on New Year’s Eve on their plate until after Midnight, as a way of ensuring a wellstocked larder. Carp is also included, as it is thought to bring wealth. Whereas in Brazil, lentils are seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity and thus are traditionally part of a New Year’s meal. Other customs include priestesses of the local macumba voodoo cult, dressing up in blue and white for a ceremony dedicated to the god of water Yemanja. In addition, a sacrificial boat laden with jewellery, candles and flowers is pushed out from Ipenama beach in a bid to bring health, wealth and happiness. In Greece, 1st January is also St Basil’s Day. He is remembered for his kindness and generosity to the poor. Vassilopitta, or St Basil’s cake, is one of the special dishes that is prepared and contains a silver or gold coin. Whoever finds the coin will be lucky for the next year.
By Susan Brookes-Morris
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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29
SALE!
Shopping
Make the most of the winter sales Everyone loves a bargain, and at this time of year there are plenty of them around, but it can be easy to get carried away. Here are some tips on how to stay in control of what ends up in your shopping basket! Decide what you need first. Go through your wardrobe to check for gaps, scout through your cupboards, and think about what you actually use. There’s no point filling up with stuff just because there’s 70% off! Do your research. Take a stroll down the high street or browse on line to see what catches your eye. Try on where appropriate and make a list of everything you really want , so that when the doors open you can make a beeline for it.
Go early – or late. To be sure of getting what you really want, visit the sale in the first couple of days, but if you want the cheapest prices, wait until the end. Stick to a budget. It’s easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment and compromise on what you are willing to pay. If you are too weak to say no in the face of temptation, take cash and only spend what you have. Take a sale buddy. They could be the head of reason when you choose to ignore all the above advice! Happy shopping!
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
Return that faulty gift If you receive a Christmas Gift that turns out to be faulty, then under the Sale Of Goods Act the purchaser will be entitled to a refund (usually limited to a few weeks), a repair, or replacement (within a 6 months period, but often 12 month due to product warranties). Legally the contract is between the purchaser and the seller, so it is usually best if the person who bought you the gift goes back to the vendor with the receipt. If the item was bought online, you have the same rights under the Sale of Goods Act. However, there are also a new set of Regulations which give further protection: the Consumer Contracts Regulations. These mean that from the moment you place an order, you have 14 days after you receive the goods to legally cancel it. Of course with both sets of regulations there may be exclusions. The good news is that many stores and suppliers go beyond the statutory requirements. Some refund or exchange goods all year round, even when they are not faulty and you have simply changed your mind. Many are even more generous around Christmas and offer a longer returns period with the opportunity to have a gift receipt which you can pass on to the recipient, so that they can change the item if required.
By Susan Brookes-Morris 30
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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HAYNES CONSTRUCTION
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31
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The Fairways Care Home is simply beautiful, described by many as looking more like a 5 star hotel and is surrounded by attractive and well-maintained gardens. The dedicated and well trained care team are only too happy to help and nothing is too much trouble. The Fairways has an impressive range of facilities offering residents the opportunity to live a fulfilled and active life and receive full and expert care when needed.
Communal Facilities: • Swimming Pool • Gym & Jacuzzi • Cinema • Snooker room • Library/IT area • Hair and Beauty Salon • Assisted bathroom • Conventional bathroom • Resident’s Lounges 32
• Bistro Café • Stunning Atrium - with activity and sitting areas • En suite guest room • Shop • Superbly located, close to the town centre • Fitted kitchens
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• Indoor and outdoor communal areas for shared use and socialising • Landscaped grounds and gardens • Car parking • Lift and wheel chair access throughout
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v Brand New State of the Art Care Home v Dementia Care Specialists v Superb Facilities
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33
Food & Drink
Spaghetti alle Vongole
Serves: 4
Remove the clam flesh from the shells (you can leave a few in their shells for garnish) and dip them quickly into their cooking water to rinse off any sand. Strain the juices from the pan through a sieve lined with muslin or a sheet of kitchen paper and reserve the liquid.
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients 500g/1lb very small fresh clams, or a small jar of clams in brine 3 tbsp olive oil 1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tsp anchovy paste (optional) 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley 400g/14oz canned chopped tomatoes Salt and freshly ground black pepper 450g/1lb dried spaghetti
Method
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Clams are a good buy in January and make a terrific healthy supper with an Italian flavour.
Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and fry until it begins to turn pale gold in colour, then add the anchovy paste (if using) and parsley and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the chopped tomatoes and the strained clam juices (if you are using a jar of clams, you can use some or all of the brine from the jar, but be careful it doesn’t make the sauce too salty). Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
If using fresh clams tap each one sharply and discard any which stay open. Scrub the remaining clams.
Cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions and drain.
Add the clams to 2-3 tbsps water in a heavybottomed pan. Cover with a lid and cook over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or until all the shells have opened. If using fresh clams discard any which have not opened after five minutes.
Mix the sauce into the cooked spaghetti. Serve garnished with parsley and any remaining clams in their shells.
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
Just before serving add the clam flesh to the sauce and stir well.
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Healthy Asian-style Chicken Wings
Makes about 8-16 chicken wings depending on size. Preparation time: 10 minutes plus 30 minutes marinating time Cooking time: 45 minutes Ingredients 1 kg/2 pounds chicken wings 2.5cm/1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and sliced 4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped 8 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons sake or dry sherry 2 tablespoons sugar 225g/8oz plain all purpose flour
Method First make the marinade. Mix the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sugar and sake or cooking sherry in a bowl. Marinate the chicken wings in this sauce for at least 30 minutes. Make sure all wings are coated and turn a couple of times during the marinating process. Preheat oven to 200C / Gas Mark 6. Cover a large tray with baking parchment. Place the flour into a shallow bowl then drain the wings of the marinade. Dip each wing carefully into the flour, shake off any excess then place the wings on the prepared tray. Bake skin side up for 15 minutes. Then turn the wings over so that the skin side is down and bake for another 15 minutes. Finally turn skin side up again and bake for a final 15 minutes to make sure they are crispy. Serve with salad on a bed of lettuce leaves.
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Food & Drink Over the years I’ve tried my pancakes with fruit, maple syrup, and a variety of savoury fillings, but I keep coming back to fresh lemon juice and a sprinkling of sugar...irresistible. Here is my own recipe for perfect pancakes.
Ingredients
115g (4oz) plain flour Pinch salt 1 large egg 285ml (half a pint of milk) 115g (4oz) butter, melted Juice from 2 lemons, strained Caster or Demerara sugar to taste.
Don’t Forget Pancake Day February 17
To make the batter: sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Beat in the egg and a little of the milk until smooth. Gradually beat in the remaining milk and add 4 tablespoons of the melted butter. Cover the bowl and leave to stand for one hour. In a small non-stick frying pan heat some of the butter until sizzling, but taking care not to let it burn. Pour enough batter into the pan to coat the base evenly. Cook over a moderate heat until the pancake is light golden brown underneath and looks dry on top. Flip over (try to do this with style!) and cook the other side until golden. Continue until all the batter is used. The recipe should make 10-12 pancakes. You can keep the pancakes warm in the oven (Gas mark 1 / 140C) until they are all cooked, but in our house they’re barely out the frying pan before they’re scoffed. Serve with the lemon juice and sugar – Enjoy!
Flipping Pancakes! How do you eat yours? 36
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SEPTEMBER COMPETITION Castle Combe Racing Experience was won by Steve Greatley, Purton
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♥ Valentine’s Day
Gifts that say ‘I Love You.’ What to buy the one you love on Valentine’s Day.
T
HE YEAR WAS 1969 AND THEY WERE hopelessly in love. As two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and arguably the most famous couple in the world, Richard Burton decided to prove his undying passion for his wife Elizabeth Taylor by purchasing a huge 69.42 carat pear shaped diamond with a £1m price tag to match. Though this extravagant act hit the headlines, it is by no means unique. In 1648 emperor Shah Juhan built the Taj Mahal, the “crown of palaces”, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. At the other end of the spectrum, the less rich and famous have earned themselves a place on the Internet if not in the history books, by presenting their loved ones with less salubrious offerings. An empty suitcase, with not a hint of surprise tickets to a romantic destination, a deep fat fryer with left over Christmas chocolate hidden inside, and divorce papers delivered while dining out, are just a sample of these gift-giving gaffes. With Valentine’s Day almost upon us, you may be wondering what to buy your loved one. Apart from the usual flowers, chocolates and jewellery, is there anything else out there a little more unusual that will keep you in their good books, whilst avoiding one of ‘those’ looks?
If adrenalin rushes are your lover’s thing, why not consider indoor sky diving, flying lessons, dumper truck racing, and a super car thrill experience where you get to drive a real sports car? Cricket, snooker and other sports coaching lessons can also be purchased for around £150 a time. If pampering is more palatable, how about a spa package, or a make-over followed by a photo shoot, or for around £25 a “design your own perfume” set? If food is the way to a man’s heart, then chocolate is definitely the entry to a woman’s! For something different, why not get her a pizza made entirely of chocolate, or chocolate-shaped spoons that melt in hot milk making a deliciously smooth drink? Finally, what could be more romantic than naming a star after your loved one, or giving them the chance to name one themselves? You can purchase this privilege for around £20. If you haven’t found an idea here to suit your taste or your pocket, try searching some for yourself. The following websites are a good place to start:
If togetherness is your thing, you can buy a pair of love gloves for around £20, but if you fancy something more thrilling, how about a lovers leap bungee jump at around £120? That will certainly add some excitement to a relationship!
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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39
Health & Beauty
or booties on top, after which the wax is peeled or rubbed away. This treatment softens rough skin and leaves hands and feet feeling beautifully silky smooth.
&
Manicures Pedicures
T
HE hands and feet probably get used more than any other part of the body, and consequently hands often become dry, rough and chapped and feet calloused and tough. As they serve us so well, they deserve a bit of pampering and tender loving care to keep them in tip-top shape. As a rule of thumb, whatever is done to your hands can be done to your feet, and a good starting point is to have a regular manicure or pedicure. Typically, a spa manicure or pedicure will start with a soak to soften the nails and skin, but if you want to give your hands and feet a real treat, why not try a paraffin wax treatment? Hands or feet are submerged for a few seconds in a warm mixture of melted paraffin and mineral oil. As they are removed the wax hardens slightly, and they are then dipped in the mixture again and the process repeated three to six times. A thick layer of wax eventually forms which is left to dry for 10-15 minutes, often with mittens
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
Exfoliation follows next. Glycolic exfoliation, which involves the application of glycolic acid in cream or gel form, dissolves and removes dead and damaged skin cells. In the case of feet, you may also get the soles pumiced, particularly on the heels and ball of the foot, to remove dead or hard skin. A nourishing massage of the hand, wrist and lower arm or the foot, ankle and lower leg, brings this stage of the manicure or pedicure to an end. As a finishing touch the nails are then shaped, the cuticles trimmed, and nail polish applied. In recent years, gel polish has grown in popularity. Manufacturers boast that the finish can remain flawless and chip-free for up to 14 days and with a zero drying time and no damage to the nail, it’s easy to understand why it’s often the first choice. Nail art is on the increase and is high profile in the fashion world and amongst celebrities. It’s a great way to express individuality, fashion savvy, creativity and humour. Nail art involves painting and gluing designs and jewels onto nails to create a myriad of exciting and fun looks, but it does require skill and a lot of time. An easier and quicker option is to have nail wraps. Made from vinyl adhesive, a detailed design can be applied in a fraction of the time – and looks almost as good.
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
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41
Books
by Kath Bennet
Kept – DJ Taylor Billed as a Victorian Mystery, this novel by DJ Taylor is a true page turner in the style of Dickens, Wilkie Collins and the like. With multiple narratives and a range of perspectives, Taylor weaves a web of intrigue around the life and death of Mr Henry Ireland and his wife, which surprises and delights the reader.
For those who don’t know the work, every manner of moving machinery is riotously depicted in a story which sees the pig family head to the beach for a picnic. On their journey they encounter every vehicle known, from the forklift to the locomotive, and many vehicles that are not known, from the pumpkin car to the broom-o-cycle. Each detailed spread provides the opportunity to make up stories and describe situations. Will Officer Flossy catch Dingo? Will Rollo Rabbit catch his runaway steamroller?
The novel begins with an arresting episode in which two men find themselves by a Scottish loch undergoing a series of challenges to steal rare birds’ eggs. This links them to the strange but eminent naturalist James Dixey, who in turn becomes the guardian of a strangely disturbed young woman. At times the narrative thread is truly puzzling, and the reader must connect and theorize for themselves – but this is no bad thing, and at least we can read on at our own pace rather than having to wait, in the Victorian manner, for the next instalment. There are plenty of potential heroes and heroines, and a smattering of particularly villainous villains, for us to engage with too. One for those dark winter nights in front of the fire – abandon the television and curl up with a good book instead. Although be warned – you may stay up later than you had intended, reading on to the finish!
Cars and Trucks and Things that Go! Millions of children have grown up with picture books written and illustrated by Richard Scarry. By the time he died in 1994 he’d sold more than 100 million copies around the world. One of the best known is Cars and Trucks and Things that Go! To celebrate its 40th birthday recently, the Designer Paul Smith – a huge Scarry fan himself - was asked to redesign the work while retaining the charm of Scarry’s original drawings. There was also a boxed set which was limited to just 1000 copies and is already re-selling for hundreds of pounds a copy. While most of us will never get the chance to own the boxed set, the new-look book is well worth seeking out. It has certainly impressed Scarry’s son Huck, also a children’s writer and illustrator, who said: “Paul Smith and his team have amazed me. It’s Richard Scarry seen with Paul Smith’s eyes.” 42
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
There’s a national awareness day for Winnie the Pooh on 18th January, which commemorates the birth in 1882 of British author and playwright Alan Alexander Milne, the creator of Pooh and his friends Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. The book Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in print in 1926 and was followed two years later by The House at Pooh Corner. Though Milne only wrote two Pooh books, his characters have become popular worldwide. The characters are based on toys owned by Milne’s son, who also appears in the books as his namesake Christopher Robin. They were written in Hatfield, East Sussex and locations such as Hundred Acre Wood, Galleon’s Leap and The Enchanted Place are linked with real places in and around nearby Ashdown Forest. The books contain some wonderful lines that are simple and innocent but also wise: ‘Weeds are flowers, too, until you get to know them.’ ‘If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.’ Though there are no official events to mark Winnie the Pooh Day, here are some ideas for your own celebration: create some Winnie the Pooh artwork, dress up as a favourite character or play Pooh sticks!
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
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Kitchen Makeover
Are your kitchen cabinets OK, but the doors and drawer fronts are looking a little tired? Why not consider replacing them?
For more information please call Liz on 0844 8000219 www.tumbletots.com/swindon
With a new worktop to match, you could achieve the look of a new stylish kitchen, saving you time, money and a lot of upheaval Complete Kitchens & Bedrooms also available.
Call Peter on: 01793 741234 www.petergalbraith.co.uk
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Pets Greatwood Winter Appeal 2015 Yet another long winter lies ahead
‘not long until we are in, out of the rain . . . where we can feed with faithful friends in the warm and dry’ All Greatwood Thoroughbreds come into their snug stables over the winter, daily haylage and feed is required.
Greatwood Needs You Please help us to keep our equine friends comfortable and well fed by sending a donation –
Greatwood Charity WinterRainscombe Appeal 2014 Hill Farm, Clench Common, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 4DT www.greatwoodcharity.org info@greatwoodcharity.org T: 01672 514535 Registered Charity No: 1117322
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
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Belly Busters! Welcome to our FREE weight clinics, each specifically tailored to meet you and your pets needs. At Thameswood Vets we want your companion to be as happy and healthy as possible and extra weight increases the risk of conditions such as Joint problems, diabetes, Heart and Respiratory disorders. With tailored advice to suit you and your pets lifestyle our nurses will help to make that NewYear’s resolution a reality.
39B Station Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7ED Tel: 01793 230266 Open: Monday to Friday 9am-6.30pm Saturday 9am-12noon
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An amazing 6 months for Wagging Tails in Swindon Wagging Tails was established in Swindon in April 2014 and already the owner Hilary Coates has been named as the Franchisee of the Year! Hilary wants to pass on special thanks to her wonderful team of carers. ‘I have found some dedicated people who will go the extra mile for the dogs staying with them. Owners can clearly see how much affection the carers have for their dog, which is their priority.’ She added ‘I try my best to ensure that becoming a carer is easy, by taking care of all the paperwork involved in licensing and insuring people, as well as being there should a carer need advice. Barbara, a carer since May, likes the fact that Hilary is ‘so supportive and ensures that everything is going well’. One of the nicest parts is summed up by Niki – ‘being greeted by a waggy tail in the morning’. If there are people out there with a doggy sized hole in their life, then get in touch with Hilary to find out more about becoming a valued carer. Please see the advert below to contact Hilary.
Dog lovers wanted: Welcome a dog into your home for his holiday! While owners are away you will give their dogs love,exercise and companionship within your family home. If you are at home all day, have no children under the age of six, have no more than one dog of your own and would like to enjoy the companionship of guest dogs please get in touch AWARD WINNING HOME DOG BOARDING
Give a dog a holiday! Where happy dogs holiday
Hilary Coates Phone: 01793 874 777 / 07436 796 115 Email: sn@waggingtailsuk.co.uk
www.waggingtailsuk.co.uk/sn/carers A franchise owned and operated under licence by Hilary Coates Ltd like us facebook.com/WaggingTailsUK
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follow us twitter.com/WaggingTailsUK
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Photo: Cotswold Wildlife Park
Cotswold Wildlife Park wins prestigious national award Voted entirely by the public, Cotswold Wildlife Park won the Kennel Club’s Be Dog Friendly Award for Most Dog Friendly Day Out in the UK, an award the Park are thrilled to receive. The Park has been dog friendly from the day it first opened in 1970. Reggie Heyworth, Managing Director of Cotswold Wildlife Park, said: “In the early days of the Wildlife Park we were alone in the zoo community for allowing dogs on the premises, even though it meant that we were therefore barred from being members of the UK Zoo Federation! In those days, we were under a lot of pressure to ban dogs, but my father, the founder of the park, was never without his dogs trotting along behind him so it was out of the question that we would ban dogs!” Many of the staff are devoted dog owners. One of the newest members of the canine family include Finance Director Nichola Waddicor’s rescue dog Freddie (Photo above). When he is at the Park, Freddie goes everywhere with Nichola, riding in the basket of her bike around the Park. His start in life was a tragic one. He was abandoned (along with his brother) at the bottom of a farm track in Carmarthen back in August 2013. The two dogs were taken in by a lady who nursed them back to health when they were around six weeks old. Six more puppies were found further down the lane by someone who handed them into the RSPCA. Freddie has been with Nichola and her family since October 2013 and a family friend gave Freddie’s brother (named Timmy) a home and they see each other regularly.
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Gardening
by Lee Bestall
Seeds of change How many seeds have you eaten today? Probably more than you realise. As a nation, we consume tons of them every day and whether they are ground to make our bread, mushed to accompany our chips or sprinkled on our burger bun, seeds play an important role in our diet … as well as in our garden!
really was a miracle. They germinated! It was hard to believe that the old seed, uneven layer of compost, wardrobe location and over watered soil, produced a rash of new seedlings. It wasn’t long before they had grown to around 2 inches high and bent towards the light, narrowly avoiding the artex ceiling!
Most of the seed heads that were left over from autumn have now fallen over, disintegrated, or been eaten by hungry birds, so as part of my ‘outdoor housework’ I’m cutting them down to ground level before the new growth begins to emerge next month. The stately seed heads of Stipa gigantea looked fantastic for such a long period of time, as did the erect stems of Calamagrostis ‘Karl Forester’, but even these have been defeated by the wind.
I potted them on and they produced the most beautiful range of colours all summer long, and that was the moment I became hooked on gardening.
It may be cold outside, but now is the perfect time for planning what to grow this year, from seed of course! Over recent years the popularity of growing your own vegetables has meant that veg seed sales have overtaken those of traditional flowers, but you really can’t beat the satisfaction of plants from seed. The first plants I ever grew were Snap Dragons. I was fifteen, and I found the packet in the back of a drawer (presumably they had been stuck to a box of cereal at some stage). I diligently followed the instructions for sowing and placed them on top of my wardrobe (I’m not quite sure why I did that). What happened next
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The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
It wasn’t really a surprise that they germinated, as that’s what seeds are designed to do. They can survive in their dormant state for years, and because there are often more seeds per packet than you know what to do with, I always sow just a few more than I need and return the rest to a sealed container in the fridge. Stored like this they keep for years. To give them the best start in life, most seeds require just a tray of compost and some warmth. Large seeds should be covered over with compost, but small seeds left uncovered as they often don’t have enough energy to push new leaves through the soil. Prick out singly once large enough to handle and grow on somewhere frost-free, before gradually hardening off ready for life outdoors.
!
Happy winter gardening
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I’ll Give You the Moon By Tom Hancock
I
T’S inspired songs, controls our tides and is Earth’s nearest neighbour, but how often do you actually look up at moon? Dark, clear, frosty winter nights might be the perfect time to start. Binoculars are a better place to start than telescopes because they are easier to handle for beginners. An ordinary pair of binoculars – available very cheaply – will do just fine initially. Astronomy at its most basic is about magnification and light-gathering power. Even a moderate form of power, like those provided by a pair of 7×50 binoculars, reveals 7 times as much information as the unaided eye can see. The moon is a great place to start for budding astronomers. If ultimately you want to see deep-sky objects inside our own Milky Way galaxy – or even outside the galaxy – you’ll want to avoid the full moon because its brightness interferes with our view of fainter objects. So you’ll need to watch the phases of the moon carefully. But the moon itself is a terrifically interesting target in its own right, and well worth studying properly before moving on. The best time to observe the moon is in twilight, when the glare of the moon is not so great and more detail is visible. It’s best to start moon-gazing when the moon is just past new (waxing), and visible as a slender crescent in the western sky after sunset. At such times you’ll have a beautiful view of earthshine on the moon. This eerie glow on the moon’s darkened portion is really
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
light reflected from Earth on to the moon’s surface. Each month, as the moon goes through its regular phases, you can see the line of sunrise and sunset on the moon as it progresses across the moon’s face. This is the line between the day and night sides of the moon and is called the terminator line. The best place to study the moon from Earth is along this terminator line. The sun angle is very low in this twilight zone and this means the lunar features cast long shadows in sharp relief. You will also see grey areas on the moon. These are called maria, so named because early astronomers thought they were seas. In fact they are now thought to have formed 3.5 billion years ago when asteroidsized rocks hit the moon so hard that lava percolated up through cracks in the lunar crust and flooded the impact basins. These lava plains cooled and eventually formed the grey areas we see today. The white highlands, nestled between the maria, are older and they are pockmarked by thousands of craters that have formed over millions of years. Some of the larger craters are visible through binoculars. One of them, Tycho, at the six o’clock position on the moon, emanates long swatches of white rays for hundreds of miles over the adjacent highlands. This is material kicked out during the Tycho impact 2.5 million years ago. So this winter, why not wrap up warm, get out and gaze up at the moon. It’s well worth the effort.
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Advertorial
5 Tips to get your Website into Shape This New Year why not take the opportunity to get your website into shape, and make sure it’s ready for the next 12 months. Here are 5 quick things you can do to make sure your website is in good health and ready to serve your business. 1. Change the copyright date
Many websites have a copyright date in the footer. To make sure you look current and up to date don’t forget to update it. You can just list the current years date, or a time span such as ‘copyright 2014-2015’.
3. Update any advice or policies
2. Add a news item or blog post
A high level of activity on a website can make all the difference to a new customer. If it looks like the website is no longer in use they may get the impression you’re no longer in business and decide to shop elsewhere. A great way to show you’re still active is to add a blog post or a news article. As these usually carry a date on them it’s the perfect visual indicator that you’re still around - even if what you post doesn’t get read. If you don’t have a blog on your site how about posting a little ‘Happy New Year’ message on your homepage, or a special offer for the first 20 customers in 2015.
Many professional sites dispense policies or other advice. Take a look through all your documents or articles and make sure the information is still correct. If there is any new legislation or there’s been a change to industry standards make sure your site falls in line with these.
4. Re-read your content
It’s not just policies or advice that go out of date. Take the opportunity to give your whole site a thorough proof-read. Try to take a step back and look at it from a customer’s point of view. Are you giving enough information, do things make sense and has anything changed that’s not been updated on the website? If you have too many pages to trawl through pick some of the top visited pages and start with them. Regularly updated websites are likely to rank higher in search engines too, so it’s a good idea to keep things fresh throughout the year.
5. Double check your images
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Get in touch with me today: Kevin Sanders – Based in Royal Wootton Bassett 07526 159 596 – www.ks-webdesigner.com 50
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
Often overlooked, the imagery used on a website is usually what a readers first impressions are based on. It can quickly help them decide if the page they’re looking at is relevant to what they’re after. Make sure your images reflect the subject of the page, and where possible try to use images of your company rather than stock photo’s. It might be that you decided to use a generic image when setting up the website, thinking that you’d replace it later down the line. If that’ something that has been forgotten now’s the time to sort it out.
These tips are good to keep in mind and run through every now and then. The more often you do the less work you’ll have to do each time. Keeping your website fresh is great for your customers, good for Google and is never time wasted. Happy New Year!
Kevin Sanders, www.ks-webdesigner.com
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01249 811068
WWW. TOWNCRIERMAGAZINE.COM
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01249 811068
WWW. TOWNCRIERMAGAZINE.COM
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Thinking of SELLING or RENTING your Property Call your local office now for some FANTASTIC New Year Offers*
Call us Now or pop into one of our offices: High Street CRICKLADE 01793 751044
Wood Street SWINDON 01793 611841
High Street WROUGHTON 01793 812546
*All new clients who sell or let their property with McFarlane Sales & Lettings during January & February 2015 will receive an exclusive discount
www.mcfarlaneproperty.com 52
The Town Crier Magazine | JAN/FEB 2015
TO ADVERTISE CALL 01249 811068
WWW. TOWNCRIERMAGAZINE.COM