ENJOY Portishead December 2023

COM MU NI T Y NOT I CE BOA R D Sp onsored b y Wrig ht- Morg a n RHYME TI ME

STROKE CLUB

Songs and stories for thoseage0-4 years.

Portishead Library, Harbour Road Freeevery Tuesday (termtimeonly) 9.30-10am& 10.30-11.30am Book via Eventbrite

Run by stroke survivors for stroke survivors and their c arers, this is a friendly drop in c offee morning offering information and advic e.

Clarenc e House, High Street, Portishead.

On the first Friday of eac h month from 10.30am-12.30pm. Contac t Lori at lorrainerowsell@btinternet.c om or 01275 818492

DANCE

JUBILEE DAY CARE

Folk Feet offers friendship, light exercise and fun with country dancing for all and a cup of tea or coffee.

Inc lusive group for anyone feeling a little lonely, inc luding those physic ally and mentally c hallenged.

Soc ial group £10 per person inc ludes a two-c ourse meal and a sing-a-long!

North Weston Hall

Transport available

Tuesdays 9.30am-11.30am Call Jill Elliot on 07515904707or email j illyelliot @gmail.com

Jubilee Hall, Slade Road Mondays 10am-2.30pm To find out more c all Mike on 01275 847857

COMMUNITY LIVING ROOMS These venues a re now op en to a ll a s wa rm a nd welc om ing sp a c es to help p eop le c op e with the c ost of living c risis throug h the winter

Portishea d Lib ra ry Hora tio House,

Portishea d Youth Centre

Ha rb our Roa d BS20 7AL

Ha rb our Roa d BS20 7DD

Extend ed Ac c ess: ( Unsta ffed ) Mon a nd Sun 8- 8p m , Tues- Sa t 8- 9:30a m , Tues- Fri 5.15- 8p m a nd Sa t 1.15- 8p m

Mond a y - Frid a y 9a m - 3p m

Sta ffed : Tues- Fri 9:30- 5p m ; Sa t 9:30- 1p m

*Power c ha rg ing p oints *Refreshm ents

Resourc es a va ila b le:

*Free WiFi *Toilets

*Power c ha rg ing p oints *Refreshm ents

For d eta ils of a ll Com m unity Living Room s in North Som erset visit :

*Ac tivities *Free WiFi *Toilets

Resourc es a va ila b le:

www.n- som erset.g ov.uk/ m y- servic es/ north- som erset- tog ether/ c om m unity- living - room s- north- som erset

If you ha ve inform a tion for the c om m unity notic eb oa rd em a il ed itor.enjoyp ortishea d @g m a il.c om

I N SI D E Dec em b er 2023

p7 Posset Chr i stmas mar ket Roll up a nd g et the sea son sta rted with our m uc h loved loc a l Christm a s m a rket. Sta lls g a lore a nd som ething for everyone .

p17 You may have thought i t...

Downsy g ives us a c huc kle with his top tip s to surviving the sea son, inc lud ing his re- g ifting sp rea d sheet!

p37 Pl anni ng your escape Tra vel exp ert Ella Pric e sha res her exc item ent a nd p a ssion for La p la nd . So m uc h m ore tha n reind eer here!

p49 Oh Chr i stmas tr ee The foc a l p oint of the festive trim m ing s, we sha re som e p ra c tic a l id ea s to keep it sim p le a nd stunning .

PL US Page 8. Are you the next British Ba ke off sta r? The hunt is on a nd we ha ve a ll the d eta ils for you.

Page 10 . When I g row up ... we join loc a l BBC c a m era m a n Da ve Clutterb uc k for a n interview a nd d isc over wha t m a kes this c a reer so rewa rd ing .

Page 15. Loc a l vets Wa tkins & Ta sker ensure our furry friend s enjoy the holid a y sea son too. Keep ing your p ets sa fe, a void ing the ha rm ful surp rises tha t m ig ht b e lurking .

Page 21. Getting into the sp irit of thing s, here a re som e festive c oc kta ils to help g et the p a rty sta rted .

Page 23. From little ones to teens Ma x Minerva ?s Bookshop in Portishea d Hig h Street ha s the p erfec t rea d c overed .

Page 29. Portishea d 's Christm a s Churc h Servic es a t a g la nc e, our p ull out g uid e to a ll your na tivity, Christing le a nd c a rol servic es for 2023.

Page 33. Da tes for your d ia ry. With so m uc h g oing on in town a t this tim e of yea r, we m a ke sure you d on't m iss your fa vourite events.

Page 42. Wha t is a c up unc ture? A d eep d ive with Dr Tong from Wa lnut Grove into the a nc ient Chinese thera p y a nd how it c a n help a rthritis sufferers in p a rtic ula r.

Page 53. Portishea d in Bloom a wa rd s.

Celeb ra ting som e hom e g rown heroes a s we tha nk the ta lented p eop le resp onsib le for som e of the town?s b est g a rd ens, p a tios a nd b a lc onies.

Page 57. Our reg ula r tea m of trusted tra d es a nd useful p eop le a ll in one p la c e, so they're ea sy to find when you need them .

Front c over & Lifestyle p hotog ra p hy c ourtesy of: istoc k.c om

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SEA SON 'S G R E ET I N G S F ROM YOU R P U B L I SH E R S By now reg ula r rea d ers will know this m a g a zine is p rod uc ed for you b y Tra c ie Fry a nd Tra c ey Fowler, two Portishea d m ed ia p rofessiona ls with a p a ssion for Portishea d .

From la unc hing Enjoy in Ma rc h a s a q ua rterly m a g , m oving to a b i- m onthly p ub lic a tion b y the sum m er

a nd now p rod uc ing a m onthly ed ition, Enjoy ha s g one from streng th to streng th tha nks to you the rea d ers a nd your enthusia sm , the sup p ort of our sp onsor Wrig ht- Morg a n, a ll our a d vertisers, our p od c a st b ud d y Ia n Downsy Downs a nd our d ed ic a ted ed itoria l c ontrib utors. Tha nk you a ll, we a re thrilled to ha ve you with us on this journey.

Our a im is to b ring you q ua lity ? a q ua lity m a g a zine, with eng a g ing c ontent, news, views a nd lifestyle fea tures while a lso p rom oting our town?s ind ep end ent b usinesses. Long m a y it c ontinue!

TO ADVERTISE Allow us to help you p rom ote your b usiness throug h p rint m ed ia ? a form of a d vertising we know p eop le trust. Rea c h your loc a l m a rket from a s little a s £35 p er m onth with ENJOY Portishea d .

GET IN TOUCH Ad vertising | Tra c ie Fry a d vertising .enjoyp ortishea d @g m a il.c om Tel: 07766207731 Ed itor | Tra c ey Fowler ed itor.enjoyp ortishea d @g m a il.c om Tel: 07368250688 Desig n ? Tra c ie Fry Crea tive Solutions

This m a g a zine ha s b een p ub lished b y T & T Pub lishing ? 2023. Every effort ha s b een m a d e to ensure the a c c ura c y of inform a tion c onta ined in this p ub lic a tion, lia b ility for a ny om issions or errors c a nnot b e a c c ep ted b y the p ub lisher.

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WELCOME

W

elc om e to the Dec em b er ed ition of ENJOY Portishea d .

While c om m unity is a t the hea rt of everything we d o, our m a g a zine is a lso a b out em b ra c ing a vib ra nt a nd fulfilling lifestyle a nd we hop e you ?enjoy?it a ll!

Every m onth we d elve into a ra ng e of top ic s from hea lth, wellness, tra vel a nd leisure, to hom e, d éc or a nd of c ourse this m onth ? Christm a s, with our a im b eing to p rovid e our rea d ers with a wea lth of id ea s, insp ira tion a nd p ra c tic a l a d vic e. In a d d ition, we a re d ed ic a ted to showc a sing the inc red ib le ind ivid ua ls, org a nisa tions a nd initia tives within our c om m unity tha t m a ke our town so truly sp ec ia l. Whether it's hig hlig hting loc a l events, sha ring tip s for susta ina b le living , d isc ussing top ic s tha t m a tter to us a ll, or exp loring loc a l shop s a nd b usinesses, throug h our m onthly p ub lic a tion we a im to insp ire, inform a nd c onnec t our rea d ers.

As we enter this joyous sea son, we a re p lea sed to

b ring you p lenty of id ea s a nd tip s to help your festive sea son run a s sm oothly a nd stress- free a s p ossib le - rem em b er it?s a b out the sp irit of g iving a nd the p ower of kind ness not just the a esthetic s a nd p a rtying !

Tha nks to everyone who ha s b een in touc h, p lea se keep your news, views, stories a nd a d vertisem ents c om ing ! We d o try to use a s m a ny story id ea s a nd inform a tion a s we c a n.

Tra c ie a nd I wish you a ll a Christm a s filled with la ug hter, love a nd unforg etta b le m em ories.

With very b est wishes

Ed itor

x Tr ac e y

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ONLINE MARKETPLACE Connec ting sm a ll b usinesses with a world of p ossib ilities Do you ha ve a sid e hustle you would like to turn in to a thriving b usiness?

As a sm a ll ind ep end ent b usiness a re you fed up with online selling fees ea ting in to your p rofits?

As a b uyer, a re you tired of sifting throug h c ountless web sites, sea rc hing for tha t p erfec t item ?

Look no further!

Loc a l b usinessm a n Ben Whitc om b e is d elig hted to a nnounc e the la unc h of a b ra nd - new online m a rketp la c e web site, d esig ned to revolutionise your shop p ing exp erienc e a nd c onnec t sm a ll b usinesses with a world of p ossib ilities.

Ben, who ha s run his own servic e ind ustry b usiness in North Som erset for m a ny yea rs, ha s b een working on Versla Online Ma rketp la c e, with his b usiness p a rtner Aa ron Moy, sinc e the b eg inning of the yea r. They a re now la unc hing hea d to hea d with the ?b ig b oys?a s they em p ower sellers a nd c rea te a uniq ue, d iverse shop p ing exp erienc e for b uyers.

Ben sa id : ?Our new online m a rketp la c e p rovid es a n id ea l op p ortunity for m a kers a nd c rea tors to g row their b usiness without losing a c hunk of their p rofits in fees. We a re p a ssiona te a b out sup p orting ind ep end ent b usinesses a nd so Versla ?s fees a re just 2% c a p p ed a t £1. There a re no set up or m onthly fees so selling a ny item m ea ns m ore p rofits for the seller.?

Versla is a p la tform for b uying a nd selling b oth new a nd used item s b ut it offers users so m uc h m ore.

Aa ron sa id : ?In these toug h ec onom ic tim es we rea lly wa nt to help ind ep end ent b usinesses b ec om e suc c essful. La unc hing a n e- c om m erc e b usiness is not a s sim p le a s just c rea ting a web site a nd p utting up p rod uc ts for sa le, so Versla offers tip s a nd a d vic e

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on the b est wa y to sta rt a suc c essful ec om m erc e b usiness throug h tried a nd tested m a rketing stra teg ies.

We a re b ig on help ing p eop le turn their sid e hustle in to a thriving online b usiness. Etsy a nd Vinted m ig ht think they ha ve it sewn up b ut we sa y ? wa tc h this sp a c e!?

The Versla web site c overs everything for users from p rod uc t m a na g em ent a nd ship p ing op tions to p rovid ing free online web shop s. While for b uyers it p rovid es a d iverse ra ng e of p rod uc ts from va rious sellers, a ll in one p la c e.

Ben a d d ed : ?We're here to sup p ort entrep reneurs in exp a nd ing their b usiness, m a inta ining low c osts a nd ensuring they keep m ore p rofits from their sa les. Our p la tform is user- friend ly a nd offers a sea m less sec ure shop p ing exp erienc e. Whether p eop le a re looking for new item s, used item s, ha nd m a d e c ra fts, vinta g e item s, or one- of- a - kind p iec es, we're c onfid ent they will find them on Versla .

We a re a lso c om m itted to p rovid ing a ll users with the b est p ossib le c ustom er exp erienc e a nd our knowled g ea b le a nd friend ly sup p ort tea m is a lwa ys a va ila b le to help with a ny q uestions.?

Disc over the w orld of p ossib ilities tha t a w a its you a nd your b usiness Welcom e to the future of e- c om m erce!

Visit us tod a y w w w .vers.la

EM BRACING THE FESTIVE SPIRIT The d elig htful exp erienc e of visiting a Christm a s m a rket

ne of the m ost c herished tra d itions for m a ny d uring the festive sea son is visiting a Christm a s m a rket where the a tm osp here c a n b e truly sp ec ia l. While the joyful sound of c a rollers fills the a ir, the la ug hter of c hild ren c a n b e hea rd a s they m a rvel a t the festive d isp la ys a nd the twinkling lig hts c rea te a m a g ic a l a m b ienc e, c a sting a wa rm g low over the b ustling c rowd s.

Portishea d is, onc e a g a in this yea r, luc ky enoug h to ha ve a Christm a s m a rket of its very own!

O

A Posset Christm a s Ma rket, org a nised b y Portishea d Christm a s lig hts volunteers, is the m od ern d a y version of the town?s form er Vic toria n Evening a nd it?s one of the m a in fund ra isers for our town?s wond erful a nnua l illum ina tions.

On 10th Dec em b er the sm ell of roa sting c hestnuts, m ulled wine, sp ic ed c id er a nd freshly b a ked g ing erb rea d will wa ft into the town c entre a s tra d ers set up their sta nd s rea d y to entic e visitors to ind ulg e in som e sea sona l d elig hts.

Exp ec t a trea sure trove of m ore tha n 70 sta lls lining the Hig h Street throug hout the a fternoon (2- 6p m ) offering a n a rra y of g ifts a nd trea ts from intric a te orna m ents a nd ha nd m a d e c ra fts to c osy knitted a c c essories a nd hom em a d e festive fa ir.

Sa nta will b e g uest of honour with his Grotto loc a ted within The Poa c her p ub a nd the town will c om e a live with fun fa ir rid es a nd live enterta inm ent c ourtesy of Portishea d Chora l Soc iety, The Posset Sing ers, The Roc k Choir a nd Portishea d Conc ert Ba nd .

The sta lls p rovid e a n op p ortunity for c ha rities a nd c om m unity g roup s to p rom ote their c a use, while loc a l a rtists a nd c ra fters will b e a b le to showc a se the fruits of their la b our. Ma ny of the shop s will sta y op en too, p resenting a n id ea l tim e for everyone to d o m ore Christm a s shop p ing with our loc a l ind ep end ent tra d ers.

One of the joys of visiting a Christm a s m a rkets is the op p ortunity to c rea te la sting m em ories with loved ones.

Whether it's sip p ing hot c hoc ola te while strolling ha nd in ha nd with a p a rtner throug h the Hig h Street, wa tc hing c hild ren's eyes lig ht up a t the sig ht of Sa nta , or sim p ly sha ring la ug hter a nd c onversa tion with friend s, a trip to the Posset Christm a s Ma rket will fill your hea rt with the m a g ic of the sea son.

Plea se note the Hig h Street will b e c losed to tra ffic while the m a rket sets up a nd is in op era tion.

Find out m ore a b out Portishea d Christm a s lig hts a nd the Posset Christm a s Ma rket a t www.p ortishea d c hristm a slig hts.c o.uk

Posset

Bit es

looking for p eop le with a rea l p a ssion for b a king to a p p ly for the 2024 series.

Ha ve you g ot wha t it ta kes to b a ke in the ic onic white tent?

If you or som eone you know is a sta r b a ker in the m a king , you c a n a p p ly for a p la c e in the Grea t British Ba ke Off 2024. The c losing d a te for a p p lic a tion is 2nd Ja nua ry 2024. Visit www.a p p lyforb a keoff.c o.uk

An opportunity for Portishead cooks to apply for the Great British Bake Off 2024

And now for som ething com p letely d ifferent!

In our Posset Bites fea ture Enjoy usua lly exp lores som e of Portishea d ?s c ulina ry d elig hts b ut when we were c onta c ted b y the tea m looking for the next b a tc h of British Ba kers for the 15th series of the Grea t British Ba ke Off, we c ould n?t resist c ha lleng ing our rea d ers! So this m onth?s Posset Bites is a b out your c ulina ry d elig hts!

For those who d on?t know - the Grea t British Ba ke Off is the ultim a te b a king b a ttle where p a ssiona te a m a teur b a king fa ns c om p ete to b e c rowned the UK?s Best Am a teur Ba ker. Over the c ourse of 10 ep isod es, the Cha nnel Four series follows the tria ls a nd trib ula tions of the c om p etitors, young a nd old , from every b a c kg round a nd every c orner of Brita in, a s they a ttem p t to p rove their b a king p rowess. Ea c h week the b a kers ta c kle a d ifferent b a king skill, whic h b ec om es p rog ressively m ore d iffic ult a s the c om p etition unfold s.

The p rog ra m m e is p resented b y Alison Ha m m ond a nd Noel Field ing , while the jud g es a re Pa ul Hollywood a nd Prue Leith. Celeb rity c hef Pa ul is one of the UK?s lea d ing a rtisa n b a kers who c em ented his rep uta tion a s the lea d ing a uthority on b rea d m a king b y p ub lishing the b est- selling b ook 100 Grea t Brea d s in 10 c ountries. Prue Leith is one of the c ountry?s forem ost c ulina ry exp erts a nd her d isting uished c a reer ha s seen her a s a resta ura teur, c a terer, food tea c her, food writer, novelist, television c ook? a nd even a ra d io c ook on the Tod a y p rog ra m m e.

Resea rc hers a re now

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AN EXTRA SLI CE If you d on?t think you would m a ke it a s a c ontesta nt there a re other wa ys you c a n g et involved .

An Extra Slic e is a nother Cha nnel 4 p rog ra m m e tha t runs a long sid e Ba ke Off to g ive fa ns a nother b ite of the a c tion. Jo Bra nd c ha ts to a p a nel of c eleb s a b out the show a nd ta lks to the la test b a ker to lea ve the tent ea c h week. An Extra Slic e need s your p ic tures!

The p rog ra m m e likes to show p hotos of your b a kes from hom e, from the show stop p ing trium p hs to the d ownrig ht d isa sters a nd everything in b etween. Or if you ha ve a p et tha t loves the show ? let them know!

In a d d ition to p hotos of your b a king trium p hs a nd heroic fa ils a nd your p et stories, Extra Slic e wa nts to know how you c eleb ra te Ba ke Off. Find out m ore a t www.theg rea tb ritishb a keoff.c o.uk/ a n- extra - slic e/ or em a il extra slic e@lovep rod uc tions.c o.uk

Photos c ourtesy of Love Prod uc tions

ARRIVEDERCI Tra c ey Fowler ta lks to a n Ita lia n c oup le a s they p rep a re to retire from their Hig h Street resta ura nt a fter m ore tha n 30 yea rs serving the Portishea d c om m unity

Antonio a nd Ma ria , who ha ve b een d elig hting d iners in Portishea d with truly a uthentic Ita lia n d ishes for m ore tha n three d ec a d es, ha ve a nnounc ed their retirem ent.

I rem em b er a ttend ing the op ening nig ht of Antonio?s a t 18 Hig h Street, b a c k in the ea rly 1990s a nd in a ll honesty, a p a rt from a b it of d ec ora ting , little ha s c ha ng ed sinc e then. From the m om ent you step insid e the sm a ll, c ha rm ing resta ura nt, the a rom a of freshly b a ked p izza a nd sim m ering sa uc es envelop you, tra nsp orting you stra ig ht to the hea rt of Ita ly. For m ore tha n 30 yea rs the c oup le's d ed ic a tion to Ita lia n c uisine ha s b een unwa vering , with every d ish p rep a red with a ttention to d eta il, using a uthentic Ita lia n rec ip es b roug ht with them to the UK from their hom ela nd .

Cred it d oes not, however, g o entirely to this d elig htful c ulina ry c oup le a s their son Vinc enzo sta rted c ooking with his d a d from a n ea rly a g e a nd ha s b een the a d d itiona l c hef b ehind the p izza s a nd a num b er of the p a sta d ishes for m a ny yea rs.

As Antonio a nd Ma ria c lose the d oors to their

resta ura nt for the la st tim e on 23rd Dec em b er, they will ha nd the keys over to Vinc enzo who will reop en on 2nd Ja nua ry 2024, tra nsform ing Antonio?s Ita lia n Resta ura nt in to Antonio?s Ita lia n Ta kea wa y. From p ip ing hot p izza s to fla vourful p a sta d ishes, c ustom ers will b e a b le to enjoy the sa m e d elec ta b le Ita lia n d ishes they know a nd love, a va ila b le for c ollec tion to ea t in the c om fort of their own hom es.

And you will still b e a b le to sp ea k to Antonio a nd Ma ria a s they ha ve a g reed to ta ke the ord ers for Vinc enzo when it g ets b usy a nd so you c ould find them on the end of the p hone when you c a ll.

The new ta kea wa y will b e op en Tuesd a y to Sa turd a y from 5p m .

The tea m a t ENJOY Portishea d wishes Antonio a nd Ma ria a ll the very b est for the future - m a y your retirem ent b e filled with the d olc e vita you ha ve so kind ly b estowed up on your c ustom ers for the p a st 30 p lus yea rs. And Vinc enzo, we tha nk you for keep ing this c ulina ry g em in our c om m unity, even it if it is a new form ? we wish you every suc c ess.

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W H EN I GROW U P I WAN T TO BE? BBC c a m era m a n Da ve Clutterb uc k ta kes g rea t d elig ht in c a p turing events to sha re with others Insp ired b y wa tc hing ?too m a ny Ja m es Bond film s?, Da ve Clutterb uc k, who lives in Portishea d , knew he wa nted his future to b e in TV a nd film . When, in his teens, he a nnounc ed to his p a rents he wa nted to b e a c a m era m a n, his m um went into m elt d own a t the very thoug ht - esp ec ia lly a s no- one in the fa m ily ha d a c lue how he would a c hieve this. Luc kily Da ve?s c a reers a d visor a t sc hool took him seriously a nd a ssured Da ve?s m um tha t the TV a nd film ind ustry need ed new p eop le just a s a ny other line of work from b a nking to c onstruc tion d oes.

Som e yea rs la ter Da ve is enjoying life a s a BBC news c a m era m a n whic h ha s ta ken him to p la c es he never thoug ht he?d g o a nd working with p eop le he never

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thoug ht he?d m eet. From Her Ma jesty the Queen a nd now the King to Sir Da vid Attenb oroug h a nd Sir Ia n Mc Kellen; from Jilly Coop er to Ca te Bla nc hett a nd Da vid Ha sslehoff, no two d a ys a re ever the sa m e a nd Da ve never knows who he is g oing to b e working with.

I N TERV I EW Da ve Clutterb uc k ta lks a b out life b ehind the c a m era

How d id you m ove from school to BBC ca m era m a n?

After sixth form I hea d ed off to Brunel Colleg e of Art a nd Tec hnolog y (now City of Bristol Colleg e) to stud y Aud io Visua l Desig n a nd Photog ra p hy for two yea rs. This g a ve m e a very b roa d b a se in a ll thing s vid eo p rod uc tion a nd p hotog ra p hy a nd c onvinc ed m e further this wa s wha t I wa nted to d o.

Following tha t I went off to Sa lisb ury Colleg e for two yea rs to lea rn m ore sp ec ific s in TV a nd film p rod uc tion. Thing s were g etting m ore serious a t this p oint; we were involved in p rop er TV p rod uc tion a nd a c tua l film p rod uc tion. We ha d som e a m a zing g uest lec turers a nd som e d ec ent work p la c em ents.

As m y two yea rs were c om ing to a n end m y m um sp otted a n a d vert in the p a p er (internet a t this tim e wa s new thing b ut not a t m um s house!) for a tra inee a t BBC Bristol. I g ot the job a nd in 1998 I sta rted working a s a young tra inee a t the BBC.

Is the job a ll you thoug ht it w ould b e?

And m ore!

It?s b een a p rivileg e to b e a b le to c a p ture events in p la c es where not a ll p eop le a re a b le to g o or see, yet they a re a b le to view from the c om fort of their hom e.

Working in news ha s b een a g rea t insig ht into the world in whic h we live a nd the p eop le a round us, the troub les p eop le end ure a nd c ha lleng es p eop le fa c e. I rec ently film ed in a house where, a fter yea rs of renova ting to wha t looked a very hig h sta nd a rd , they were flood ed . The owners still welc om ed m e in to their hom e to film the d eva sta tion a nd even offered m e a tea or c offee!

I?m a m a zed a t the d ifferent p la c es I?ve worked , from the top the Severn Brid g e a nd in hot a ir b a lloons to film ing with the m ilita ry, there is so m uc h va riety.

Working a t Gla stonb ury Festiva l is a lwa ys a hig hlig ht for m e, seeing the rea c tions of p eop le who a re a rriving for their first tim e is rem a rka b le. It?s suc h a uniq ue exp erienc e for a ll involved .

Wha t d id your w ork involve in those ea rly d a ys?

As a young tra inee I wa s lea rning on the job working with som e g rea t p eop le who help ed g et m e up to sp eed , whic h wa s q uite a sp eed a s I wa s working in news. I g ot to work in a va riety of roles, TV g ra p hic s, ed iting , b roa d c a st sound , tra nsm ission a nd p la ying out the p re- rec ord ed vid eo ta p es (VTs) a nd of c ourse? c a m era work!

It w a s a g ood ca reer choic e then?

Ab solutely! I feel so luc ky tha t I g et to d o the job I love, even if the hours tend to b e unsoc ia b le a nd then I g et to g o hom e every evening , to m y fa vourite p la c e?Portishea d !

When d id you g et b ehind the c a m era full- tim e?

In 2004 a job for a full tim e c a m era op era tor working in news c a m e up a t the BBC a nd I a p p lied . The rest, sha ll we sa y, is history!

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TICKENHA M GA RA GE An a wa rd winning MOT c entre, rep a ir workshop a nd tyre c entre just a short d rive from Portishea d

Tic kenha m Ga ra g e is a n ind ep end ent sm a ll b usiness run b y Portishea d m ec ha nic Tom Ja m es. Situa ted not m uc h m ore tha n five m inutes d rive from Portishea d , the g a ra g e, whic h wa s sta rted b y Tom ?s p a rents Ric ha rd a nd Ga ye, ha s b een serving the loc a l c om m unity for m ore tha n 30 yea rs, p rid ing itself on p rovid ing a friend ly, relia b le a nd sp eed y servic e a t a fa ir p ric e.

It?s b een a rea l fa m ily a ffa ir over the yea rs with Tom ?s b rothers a nd sister a ll working a t the g a ra g e a t one tim e or a nother, b ut it wa s a lwa ys Tom who ha d the p a ssion to ta ke the b usiness on to the next level.

He sa id : ?Eng ines a nd m ec ha nic s fa sc ina ted m e from a very ea rly a g e; I wa s a lwa ys tinkering with thing s. When I wa s sm a ll d a d ra n a g a ra g e from the fa m ily hom e a nd so I wa s in m y elem ent wa tc hing him work. In m y teena g e yea rs I?d g et involved a nd lend a ha nd , then a s soon a s I wa s old enoug h I d id a n a p p rentic eship a nd worked ha rd to b e the b est m ec ha nic I c ould b e.?

Tom p ic ked up the reins a t the g a ra g e when his p a rents took a step b a c k a nd is d elig hted to ha ve not only m a inta ined the rep uta tion tha t the b usiness worked ha rd to ea rn, b ut ha s a lso exp a nd ed the tea m . He?s p roud the g a ra g e uses the m ost a d va nc ed d ia g nostic tools in the ind ustry a nd ha nd p ic ks the very b est sta ff for its tea m , while a lso offering tra ining a nd sup p orting tea m m em b ers throug h ind ustry q ua lific a tions a nd d evelop ing their exp ertise.

Tom a d d ed : ?Any b usiness is only a s g ood a s its tea m a nd we a re luc ky enoug h to ha ve the very b est.

We a lwa ys a im to offer a first c la ss servic e to a ll our c ustom ers a nd op era te with tra nsp a renc y. Our estim a tes a re b roken d own a nd c osts fully exp la ined .

Most of our b usiness c om es throug h rec om m end a tion a nd c ustom ers c om e b a c k yea r

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a fter yea r, som e of them c om ing from fa r a nd wid e b ec a use they trust us a nd wa nt to stic k with us. We a re a n AA a nd RAC Ap p roved Ga ra g e a nd a Whic h Trusted Tra d er. With our tea m of exp erienc ed a uto tec hnic ia ns, m ec ha nic s a nd d ia g nostic sp ec ia lists, c ustom ers know their vehic le is in sa fe ha nd s. ?Offering a c ollec tion servic e to b oth new a nd existing c ustom ers from nea rb y towns a nd villa g es is a lso a ll p a rt of the servic e!?

In a d d ition to MOTs, servic ing , DPF fa ult d ia g nostic s, a lloy wheel rep a irs, tyres a nd m uc h m ore, Tic kenha m Ga ra g e ha s a p a rtner c om p a ny ? Tic kenha m Ga ra g e Ca r Sa les, whic h Tom a lso runs, a long with his p a rtner Sa m .

The forec ourt to the sid e of the g a ra g e b oa sts a n a rra y of extrem ely hig h q ua lity used c a rs for sa le.

"Our whole tea m is tha nkful for the sup p ort our c ustom ers ha ve a lwa ys g iven us, we would like to wish a ll c lients existing a nd new a fa nta stic a nd hea lthy festive sea son. " To find out m ore a b out Tic kenha m Ga ra g e visit www.tic kenha m g a ra g e.c o.uk or for c a r sa les www.tic kenha m g a ra g ec a rsa les.c o.uk

E X PECT T H E U N E X PECT E D

By Portishea d m um , a uthor, m otiva tiona l sp ea ker a nd Heid i Loug hlin ta lks a b out exp loring the w orld und erw a ter insura nc e b roker, Heid i Loug hlin None of us know exa c tly wha t lies a hea d of us in life b ut I ha ve lea rned the ha rd wa y to a lwa ys exp ec t the unexp ec ted . Reg ula r rea d ers will know I wa s d ia g nosed with sta g e four c a nc er in 2015, b ut I b elieve life?s for living so I a lwa ys try to m a ke the m ost of it a nd I?m a lwa ys looking for the next a d venture.

This m onth I ha d p la nned to write a b out m y exp erienc e sa iling with Portishea d Ya c ht a nd Sa iling Club , whic h we ha d sc hed uled ; the universe however ha d d ifferent id ea s.

So sorry folks, no exc iting sea fa ring ta les in this ed ition?

Unfortuna tely I found m yself b eing b lue lig hted to hosp ita l a fter som e surp rise interna l b leed ing a nd when the m ed ic s a nd d rug s c ould n?t stop it, m y life onc e a g a in stood p rec a riously on the ed g e for a while.

As I d rifted in a nd out of c onsc iousness I rec a ll a d oc tor sa ying : ?She m ust b e very resilient.?

Anywa y, a few p roc ed ures a nd three weeks la ter I?m hom e from hosp ita l a nd on the m end tha nkfully. I need to rest, they told m e.

Well tha t?s not ea sy when you ha ve a m ortg a g e to p a y a nd a fa m ily to look a fter.

And tha t?s why, a fter m y c a nc er d ia g nosis, I d ec id ed to retra in a s a n insura nc e b roker a nd help p eop le find the rig ht inc om e p rotec tion insura nc e a nd c ritic a l illness c over, so tha t if the unexp ec ted ha p p ens, they c a n ta ke tim e out to rec up era te, they c a n p a y their m ortg a g e while they a re ill a nd they d on?t ha ve to worry a b out their fina nc es.

When I wa s d ia g nosed with c a nc er I ha d life insura nc e b ut no c ritic a l illness c over or inc om e p rotec tion, so a fter und erg oing extensive surg ery a nd trea tm ent, when m y sic k p a y ra n out a t work I wa s up the p roverb ia l c reek without a p a d d le.

Guessing g etting a ny kind of insura nc e, onc e you?ve b een d ia g nosed with a c ritic a l illness, isn?t ea sy I c hose to sp ec ia lise in find ing this typ e of insura nc e for p eop le. I help norm a l, p erfec tly hea lthy c lients too.

I help p eop le find insura nc e to p rotec t their m ortg a g es, their c hild ren, their inc om e a nd their hea lth.

I?m d efinitely g etting b etter now a nd b y the tim e you rea d this I will b e b a c k a t work, so if you?d like to find out m ore a b out inc om e p rotec tion a nd c ritic a l illness c over p lea se g ive m e a c a ll, I?d love to help .

You c a n find out m ore a b out Heid i in her b log Storm In A Tit Cup b ut it?s not for the fa int- hea rted

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'TISTHESEASONTOBECAREFUL! 12 d a ng ers of Christm a s b y the tea m a t Wa tkins & Ta sker Vets It?s a little- known fa c t tha t Christm a s is a m ore d a ng erous tim e for our p ets b ut you should see how m a ny em erg enc ies we g et a t the p ra c tic e over the festive p eriod .

Our p et's usua l hom e environm ent is filled with trees, unusua l flowers a nd other d ec ora tions a nd c up b oa rd s a re ja m - p a c ked with lots of tem p ting b ut p otentia lly toxic food a nd d rink. With so m uc h g oing on, it is ea sy to forg et the risks p osed to our furry Photo: Alan Harrison c om p a nions a t this tim e of yea r.

Althoug h m ost of these risks exist throug hout the yea r, we d efinitely see p ea ks a t this tim e, likely d ue to the a b und a nc e of ta sty trea ts a nd their a c c essib ility.

Here a re 12 of the c om m on d a ng ers to p ets a t Christm a s tim e:

1.Chocolate With household s often full of c hoc ola te (a nd food c onta ining it) throug hout the Christm a s p eriod , it is im p orta nt to keep these out of rea c h of p ets. Even if it

is wra p p ed a nd und er a tree, d og s c a n sniff them out a nd will g la d ly help them selves. Choc ola te c onta ins the stim ula nt theob rom ine whic h c a n c a use seizures a nd hea rt rhythm a b norm a lities in p ets.

2.ChristmasPudding, CakeandMincePies Ra isins, sulta na s a nd g ra p es a re key ing red ients to m a ny fa vourite Christm a s trea ts a nd these c a n a lso b e d ea d ly if ea ten b y d og s. They c a n c a use a c ute kid ney injury, whic h c a n lea d to kid ney fa ilure.

SEASON'SGREETINGSFROM THETEAM AT WATKINS ANDTASKER VETS

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3. Nuts With nut c onsum p tion p ea king a t Christm a s, there a re a ssoc ia ted risks for p ets. The nuts a nd shells c a n b e a c hoking ha za rd a nd c a n a lso c a use intestina l p rob lem s. Ma c a d a m ia nuts c a n lea d to vom iting a nd wea kness.

4. Bones Bones from m ea t, p oultry or fish p resent a d a ng erous threa t to p ets. Cooked b ones a re b rittle a nd therefore c a n sp linter when c hewed . As well a s not feed ing sc ra p s with c ooked b ones in, ensure p ets d o not tea r op en b in b a g s or sc a veng e b ones from b ins.

Ing estion c a n lea d to the d ig estive tra c t b eing p ierc ed or a n ob struc tion.

5. Sweeteners Sug a r sub stitute sweeteners a re used in m a ny ta sty trea ts, suc h a s c a kes, b isc uits, m ints, ja m a nd p ea nut b utter. Most a re non- toxic to p ets b ut xylitol (b irc h sug a r) is one tha t is c om m only used whic h c a n b e life- threa tening to d og s. Affec ted d og s p resent with low b lood sug a r whic h c a n result in loss of c oord ina tion, c olla p se a nd seizures a nd liver fa ilure.

6.Onions Onions a nd p rod uc ts c onta ining onions, suc h a s g ra vy a nd stuffing a nd rela ted veg eta b les leeks, g a rlic a nd sp ring onions c a n c a use tum m y up sets a nd lea d to red b lood c ell d a m a g e a nd a na em ia in c a ts a nd d og s.

injuries. Fa iry lig hts c a n lea d to elec troc ution if c hewed or g etting ta ng led up in them . Ed ib le d ec ora tions a re a lwa ys g oing to b e of interest to p ets a nd would b e a d vised not to d isp la y.

10.FestivePlants There a re lots of p la nts tha t a re p resent in the house over the Christm a s p eriod , a ll these c a n c a use up set towa rd s your p et. Holly a nd ivy c a n c a use tum m y up sets, while m istletoe a nd p oinsettia c a n c a use d rooling , retc hing a nd vom iting .

11.Toys Pets c a n g et c onfused with new toys lying a round thinking they a re theirs. Keep a n eye on where c hild ren lea ve new toys a nd p ut them out of rea c h from p ets. Sm a ll p a rts c a n b e swa llowed a nd c a use d ig estive tra c t ob struc tions.

12. Batteries There m a y b e m ore b a tteries a round the hom e a t Chrsitm a s. If c hewed a nd swa llowed they c a n c a use a d ig estive tra c t ob struc tion, c hem ic a l b urns a nd hea vy m eta l p oisoning .

If you think your p et ha s ing ested a ny of the thing s m entioned a b ove, c onta c t your loc a l vet im m ed ia tely.

7.RockSalt (grit) If your p et ha s b een wa lking on g rit used to d e- ic e roa d s a nd p a vem ents, it?s a g ood id ea to wip e their feet a nd c lea n a ny exp osed fur. Ing estion of sa lt b y p ets c a n lea d to vom iting , letha rg y, seizures a nd kid ney d a m a g e.

8.Tinsel, RibbonsandWrappingPaper Tinsel a nd rib b ons c a n b e a c hoking ha za rd for p ets a nd c a n a lso c a use intestina l p rob lem s. The wra p p ing p a p er if ing ested c a n lea d to a d ig estive tra c t ob struc tion.

9. ChristmasTrees, BaublesandFairyLights It is a d visa b le to ensure trees a re sec urely b a sed so tha t they a re less likely to b e top p led over b y a c urious c a t. Lim iting a c c ess to room s c onta ining a tree when unsup ervised is a g ood id ea . Gla ss b a ub les c a n sha tter a nd lea d to c uts a nd other

15

WALK IN? THE DOG

By Ja ne Sta insb y recep tionist a t Wa lnut Grove Clinic

I ha ve two resc ue d og s from Holly Hed g e Anim a l Sa nc tua ry in Ba rrow Gurney, it?s a c ha rity c lose to m y hea rt whic h is one of the rea sons Wa lnut Grove is p lea sed to sup p ort the org a nisa tion.

Both m y b oys a re senior d og s now a nd so our wa lks tend not to b e a s leng thy a s they onc e were a nd they a re a t a m uc h slower p a c e. Bea r, a lthoug h you would n?t b elieve it, is 11yea rs young a nd loves a g ood roll a b out in som ething a fox or b a d g er ha s left! A g ood d a y is g etting b a c k into the c a r with nothing too sm elly on him . Ted d y is m ore of a stroller a nd is 10- yea rs- old . He loves nothing m ore tha n to sniff every b la d e of g ra ss a nd every fa llen lea f a nd will only m ove a t his own p a c e. The d og s were b roug ht up tog ether a nd a re b oth c hihua hua c rosses with som e c org i in the m ix.

Our fa vourite d og wa lk is q uite sim p le, it involves p a rking up on Esp la na d e Roa d b etween Wood hill Roa d a nd the sea front a nd wa lking up the step s. At the top you ha ve Ea st Wood on your rig ht a nd Ba ttery Point on your left. We turn to the left, wa lking a c ross the g ra ssla nd hea d ing towa rd s Ba ttery Point with the historic a l lid o on our left.

Onc e Ted d y ha s finished sniffing everything a round him we m a ke our wa y to the b enc hes tha t a re d otted a b out overlooking Ba ttery Point a nd sit a nd rela x for a few m inutes ta king in the sea a ir. I never tire of this view a nd a lwa ys ta ke a m om ent to soa k it in. We then like to hea d d own the step s tha t run a long sid e the lid o, p ic king up p a c e a s we wa lk on to the sea front. From here we either wa lk a long the

sea front to the end of Esp la na d e Roa d a nd then turn a round a nd g o b a c k the wa y we c a m e, or we c ross the roa d a nd wa lk a round the la ke. Our wa lks usua lly c oinc id e with the op ening hours of the Lid o Ca fé so tha t we c a n p op in. This is a g rea t volunteer- run d og friend ly c a fe tha t serves a welc om e c up of tea or c offee a nd a rea lly g ood Vic toria sp ong e! I know he should n?t ha ve a ny b ut Ted likes to snea k a little b it a nd then sc our the floor for a ny c rum b s in c a se he?s m issed a ny! Tha t wa lk is p lenty for the old b oys a nd so onc e we?ve finished in the c a fé we hea d b a c k to the c a r a nd hom e.

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL Wa lnut Grove is p lea sed to b e sup p orting the Holly Hed g e Christm a s Shoeb ox Ap p ea l this yea r.

This is a g rea t wa y to help m a ke Christm a s sp ec ia l for a nim a ls tha t d on?t ha ve a fa m ily of their own.

Just fill a shoeb ox with som e food , trea ts a nd toys suita b le for a c a t or a d og then d rop it to Wa lnut Grove Clinic in Sla d e Roa d d uring op ening hours b efore 20th Dec em b er. Wa lnut Grove will m a ke sure the a nim a ls a t Holly Hed g e rec eive them rea d y for Christm a s Da y.

Tha nk you.

If you ha ve a fa vorite d og w a lk you w ould like to sha re p lea se em a il ed itor.enjoyp ortishea d @g m a il.c om

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DOWNSY'S CHRISTMAS CHEER With tong ue firm ly in c heek? here a re five top tip s for surviving the festive sea son from loc a l ra d io, TV a nd Enjoy p od c a st p resenter Ia n Downs Christmas Cards If you?re g oing to send c a rd s send nic e ones, not the wa fer- thin ones, the rec ip ient will jud g e you.

Ma ny p eop le now use the exc use they a re ?thinking of the environm ent? or ?d ona ting to c ha rity? instea d of send ing you a c a rd . It?s a ll lies! They just c a n?t b e b othered to send you one. Oh a nd if you?re thinking of using la st yea r?s c a rd s to c ut out a s g ift ta g s, d on?t d o tha t either, no one likes it.

Tree Decorations and Lights Why b other? They a re a ll in the loft ta ng led up a nywa y a nd tha t tinsel you still ha ve from the 1980?s is p rob a b ly a fire risk. If you rea lly feel the need to ha ve a tree, d ownloa d a p ic ture of one online a nd ha ve it a s your la p top sc reen sa ver. No need les, no need to wa ter it - job d one!

Work Christmas Parties If you d rink, ensure you sit next to p eop le who d on?t d rink. This wa y

m ore free wine on the ta b le is c om ing your wa y. If you a re d rinking rem em b er, even thoug h your b osses tell you to let your ha ir d own a nd enjoy yourself, they d on?t m ea n it.

They?ll b e jud g ing you from the m inute you a rrive. Don?t sa y a nything out loud tha t you would n?t wa nt rea d out a t a n em p loym ent trib una l.

Family and Friends For those of you enterta ining fa m ily or friend s, ensure there is a d og a t ha nd . If you d on?t ha ve a d og yourself, b orrow som eone else?s. Worst c a se sc ena rio - sa y you ha ve to let out som eone else?s d og a t va rious tim es d uring the festivities. A d og g ives you the p erfec t exc use to d isa p p ea r if you need a b rea k from the g uests, or if there is a b ig wa shing up session a b out to b eg in!

Re-gifting Set up a d eta iled sp rea d sheet a b out who g a ve you wha t g ifts this yea r, to ensure you d on?t re- g ift to them next yea r. Also rec ord wha t you g ive to other p eop le, so if they ever re- g ift it b a c k to you, you c a n sim p ly c rossc hec k it on your sp rea d sheet a nd see how m uc h you?re worth to them .

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NEW CHILDCARE FUNDING FOR 2024 Ma king outsta nd ing , q ua lity d a y c a re for c hild ren m ore a c c essib le From Ap ril 2024, working p a rents of two- yea r- old s will b e a b le to a c c ess up to 15 hours of free c hild c a re ea c h week. This a p p lies where b oth p a rents in the fa m ily a re working , or if the p a rent in a sing le p a rent fa m ily is working .

The Nursery in Portishea d ?s Com b e Roa d ha s a rep uta tion for a lwa ys g oing a b ove a nd b eyond , with its q ua lity of c a re a nd ed uc a tion a long with reg ula r a c tivities tha t inc lud e b a llet, m ind fulness, c yc le lessons, c ooking a nd exc ursions in its own m inib us.

op ening its d oors to fa m ilies on Sa turd a y 27th Ja nua ry b etween 10a m a nd noon. Visitors on the d a y will b e offered a tour of The Nursery, the tea m will b e on ha nd to a nswer a ny q uestions a nd a knowled g ea b le a d visor will b e a va ila b le to exp la in fully the new fund ing op tions a nd elig ib ility. istock.com: JacobWackerhayson

Following m a ny enq uiries from p a rents a b out the new g overnm ent fund ing b eing introd uc ed in 2024, esp ec ia lly for two- yea r- old s whic h is just a few m onths a wa y, The Nursery is

The Nursery ha s set a sid e a num b er of p la c es op en to two- yea r- old s using the g overnm ent fund ed sessions a nd will b e p lea sed to m eet a nyone with a n interest in find ing out m ore a b out wha t is on offer.

istock.com: Allevinatis

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NURSERY OPEN DAY Are you looking for outsta nd ing c hild c a re? This is a g rea t op p ortunity to look a round our ea rly yea rs setting , m eet the tea m a nd a sk a ny q uestions you m a y ha ve At The Nursery we b elieve the b est wa y to find the p erfec t c hild c a re for you a nd your fa m ily is ha ve a g ood look a round the ea rly yea rs setting s of your c hoic e b efore m a king a ny d ec isions. Tha t?s why we a re inviting fa m ilies to c om e a long to our next op en d a y on 27th Ja nua ry to see if we a re the p erfec t fit for you a nd your little one. Our g uest of honour will b e Ba b y Sha rk, a fa vourite of m a ny of the c hild ren a lrea d y in our c a re, here to m eet a ll little ones a ttend ing the op en d a y.

Pr om ot i on

The op en d a y is g ea red towa rd s two- yea r- old s b ec a use of the new g overnm ent fund ing b eing introd uc ed in Ap ril. We will ha ve tea m m em b ers a va ila b le to ta lk to p a rents a b out the new fund ing op tions a nd wha t The Nursery c a n offer. We a lso ha ve som e a m a zing d isc ounts a nd sa ving s on offer.

The Nursery is so m uc h m ore tha n a d a y c a re fa c ility, it sup p orts p a rents every step of the wa y d uring those im p orta nt first five yea rs with exp erts on ha nd to a d vise on everything from

istock.com: DariaNipot

feed ing a nd sleep ing to g rowth a nd d evelop m ent.

If you a re c onsid ering c hild c a re, c om e a long a nd ta lk to us - we look forwa rd to m eeting you.

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L ET ?S G ET T H E PA RT Y STA RT E D !

Our five fa vourite festive tip p les Here a re five of our fa vourite Christm a s d rinks g ua ra nteed to m a ke your ta ste b ud s ting le with d elig ht.

PEPPERMINT MARTINI

MULLED WINE

A d elig htful b lend of vod ka , white c hoc ola te liq ueur a nd p ep p erm int sc hna p p s. This c oc kta il c a p tures the essenc e of the holid a y sea son with its c ool a nd m inty fla vour.

A d elig htful c onc oc tion m a d e b y sim m ering red wine with sp ic es suc h a s c loves, c inna m on a nd ora ng e p eel while a lso filling your hom e with a d elig htful festive sc ent.

CRANBERRY MULE

SNOWBALL

FESTIVE GIN FIZZ

For those who p refer a lig ht, refreshing op tion, the Cra nb erry Mule is a fa nta stic c hoic e. This twist on the c la ssic Mosc ow Mule c om b ines vod ka , c ra nb erry juic e, g ing er b eer a nd a sq ueeze of lim e.

This is a c la ssic Christm a s d rink. Fill a g la ss with ic e a nd a d d up to 15m l of lim e juic e. Pour eq ua l m ea sures of a d voc a a t a nd lem ona d e over the ic e a nd stir g ently. Ga rnish with a m a ra sc hino c herry.

Fill your c oc kta il sha ker with ic e, a d d g in, c ra nb erry juic e, lim e juic e a nd a tsp of c a ster sug a r. Sha ke, stra in the liq uid off a nd a d d a little sod a wa ter to it. Dec ora te with lim e a nd c ra nb erries.

No m a tter w hic h Christm a s coc kta il you d ec id e to ind ulg e in, rem em b er to d rink resp onsib ly a nd sa vour the fla vours of the sea son. Cheers!

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Merry Christmas from

Sol eLut i on Free d ra w p rovid es a n op p ortunity to win a sp ec ta c ula r ha m p er

Enjoy Portishea d c ontinua lly p oints out g ood rea sons to shop with your loc a l ind ep end ent tra d ers a nd here?s a nother one! SoleLution is g iving its c ustom ers the c ha nc e to win this g rea t ha m p er.

For every p a ir of shoes p urc ha sed b etween 24th Novem b er a nd 15th Dec em b er, c ustom ers will b e invited to enter into a free d ra w. There will b e one luc ky winner d ra wn on 16th Dec em b er a nd they will win the ha m p er c onta ining two p a irs of Rieker shoes (one wom en?s a nd one m en?s whic h the c ustom er c a n selec t from SoleLution?s a utum n/ winter ra ng e); a La wrenc e Llewelyn Bowen um b rella , La wrenc e Llewelyn Bowen p a c k of three

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soc ks, Woly 3 x 3 shoe p rotec tor, Fa m a c o neutra l wa terp roofing shoe c rea m , Woly Com b i Clea ner a nd sp ong e, a sued e b rush a nd a shoe horn.

Rem em b er to fill in your free d ra w slip when p urc ha sing shoes a t SoleLution b etween these d a tes.

In a d d ition, SoleLution is running a ?g uess the num b er of sweets in the ja r? c om p etition to win a p a ir of Josef Seib el shoes. A g uess c osts £1with a ll p roc eed s b eing sp lit b etween Ed uc a te the Kid s c ha rity a nd a loc a l g ood c a use tha t will b e c onfirm ed b efore the c om p etition b eg ins. Just c a ll in a nd m a ke your g uess.

Fe st ive Favo u r it e s fo r L it t le One s

By Liv, m a na g er a t Ma x Minerva ?s Bookshop in Portishea d Hig h Street The Christm a s lig hts a re up , festive m usic is p la ying , Sa nta is p olishing his b oots a nd we, a t Ma x Minerva ?s, a re d rinking a lot of hot c hoc ola te! For a ny of you who a re ha ving a la st- m inute p a nic a b out wha t to b uy for the c hild ren in your life, look no further.

T he Teen A Good Girl?s Guid e to Murd er - Holly Ja c kson With the TV a d a p ta tion loom ing on the horizon, we?re not sure there is a sing le teen in Portishea d who isn?t a Holly Ja c kson fa n! Sp oil them this Christm a s with a g ifty ed ition of the story tha t sta rted it a ll. Five yea rs a fter the m urd er of And ie Bell, fellow sc hool- g irl Pip is still c onvinc ed they g ot the wrong p erson, b ut when she em b a rks on a p rojec t to unc over the rea l killer, she rea lises the d a ng er m ig ht still b e very rea l . . . ( 14+)

T he L it t le One Im p ossib le Crea tures - Ka therine Rund ell When a m ysterious g irl a p p ea rs in front of Christop her with a killer in p ursuit a nd a b a b y g riffin und er her a rm , his entire world c ha ng es. Ma g ic is rea l a nd a ll the a m a zing c rea tures he?s only d rea m ed of a re in d a ng er. Tog ether they m ust journey a c ross the Arc hip ela g o, outwitting sp hinxes, hid ing from c enta urs a nd d isc overing the true c ost of p ower a nd knowled g e. The p erfec t fa nta sy a d venture for fa ns of Ha rry Potter a nd Perc y Ja c kson. ( 9+)

T he Rea lly L it t le One The Counc il of Good Friend s - Nikesh Shukla Vina y, Musa , Inua a nd Nish a re b est friend s forever a nd ever. Nothing will c om e b etween them . However, when Vina y?s c ousin c om es to sta y a n ep ic p ra nk wa r b eg ins.

Misc hief a nd hi- jinks ensue, b ut c a n the friend s rem em b er wha t truly m a tters? Perfec t for fa ns of Dia ry of a Wim p y Kid a nd Loki, this fun- filled b ook is p erfec t for a ll the little p ra nksters out there. 6+

T he Rea lly , Rea lly L it t le One The Grea t Storm Wha le - Benji Da vies With the c oa st so c lose b y, why not trea t your tiny one to a b ook a b out the sea ? When a storm surround s Noi?s house, his g ra nd m other tells the story of a little g irl a nd a wha le. As she finishes her story of p ersevera nc e a nd b ra very, he rea lises it m ig ht just b e his story too. Bea utifully illustra ted a nd full of hea rt- wa rm ing em otion, this is a p erfec t rea d for the d a rk winter nig hts. 2+ Ma x Minerva ?s Bookshop c eleb ra ted its first b irthd a y in Sep tem b er a nd is looking forwa rd to its sec ond Christm a s on Portishea d Hig h Street. Com e on in to find your next fa vourite rea d !

Ma x Minerva ?s Bookshop c a n b e found a t 28- 30 Hig h Street, Portishea d . Drop in a nd sa y hello a nd trea t yourself to a b ook while you?re there! w w w .m a xm inerva s.co.uk

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CH RISTM AS SH OPPING Crea ting a d a y of fun while sup p orting your loc a l reta ilers Christm a s shop p ing d oesn't ha ve to b e stressful or m und a ne; b y turning it into a d a y of fun a nd a d venture you c a n ha ve a b la st while find ing the p erfec t g ifts for your loved ones.

Sta rt b y p la nning your d a y - c hoose a d a te a nd g a ther a g roup of friend s or fa m ily m em b ers tog ether.

Sta rt b y m eeting up in one of the c offee shop s to d isc uss your a im s for the d a y, m a ke a list of the loc a l shop s you wa nt to visit a nd c rea te a sc hed ule.

wond erfully sc ented c a nd les, try out the d ifferent g a d g ets, test those p erfum es a nd ta ke a d va nta g e of a ny sa m p les on offer. Brea k for a la te lunc h a nd d isc uss your p urc ha ses, then c hec k your list b efore hea d ing b a c k in to town in tim e for the wond erful Christm a s lig hts c om ing on.

Next hea d to the lovely ind ep end ent shop s we a re luc ky enoug h to ha ve in our town a nd b rowse a t your leisure. Soa k up the a tm osp here a s you wa nd er the d ec ora ted a isles, sm ell those

To m a ke your d a y even m ore sp ec ia l, p la n a la te a fternoon or evening soc ia l a c tivity b efore hea d ing hom e!

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GHDs Helios a nd g ift with p urc ha se £199 Pla tinum Plus Irons with free hea t b a g a nd b rush £239 Ava ila b le from Tonic Ha ir a nd Bea uty House w w w .tonicha ira nd b ea utyhouse.c om

C hri

GIFT G

Presents g a lore a nd a your d oo

ART SET Stud io 71 Deluxe Art Set c onta ining sup p lies for d ra wing a nd p a inting for everyone from b eg inners to serious a rtists c osting just £10. You will find it in Ca rey?s on Portishea d Hig h Street.

WINTER HATS The Sp orts Shop in Portishea d Hig h Street ha s a g rea t ra ng e of Beec hfield therm a l b ea nies in d ifferent c olours a nd styles with lush m ic rofleec e lining - £12.

MUSIC CENTRE Enjoy fa vourite tunes with Pa na sonic Hi- Fi System s.

Ava ila b le a t Freem a ns - 47 Hig h Street, Portishea d from £99. w w w .p ow erb utton.co.uk

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CRAFT BEER

stmas

Fa b ulous loc a lly p rod uc ed c ra ft b eers in a wond erful g ift b ox ? p erfec t for c ra ft b eer loving friend s a nd rela tives. Ava ila b le from your loc a l m ic rob rewery a t The Port Ba r in The Prec inc t. w w w .thep ortb a r.uk

GUIDE

a ll a va ila b le rig ht on orstep !

SCENTED CANDLE Lim e, c oc onut a nd va nilla veg a n friend ly sc ented c a nd le m a d e in the UK p ric ed £9.99 is one of m a ny c a nd les in stoc k a t Fla g ship Boutiq ue in Portishea d Hig h Street. w w w .fla g ship b outiq ue.c o.uk

GARDENING GLOVES A g rea t g ift for a ny g a rd ens ? Wrend a le p a tterned g a rd ening g loves c a n b e found in The Ca rd Shop in our Hig h Street p ric ed £15.00.

SLIPPERS Slip p ers m a ke g rea t g ifts for m en, wom en a nd c hild ren a nd SoleLution in Portishea d Hig h Street ha s a g rea t ra ng e.

These a re c hild ren?s Mini Mouse slip p ers p ric ed a t £10 w w w .solelution.c o.uk

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Willia m Morris a t hom e g ift set

A sm a ll independent sho p f ull o f beau t if ul gif t s and it em s fo r t he ho m e Set b a c k from the m a in Hig h Street in the Old Ba kehouse Courtya rd , Eb b & Flo Gift Boutiq ue offers p lenty of c hoic e when it c om es to looking for the p erfec t p resent for friend s a nd fa m ily, a s well a s p rovid ing tem p ting trea ts just for you!

Hea t h c ot e & Ivory

Owner Cla ire c hooses her stoc k c a refully with thoug ht for her c ustom ers a nd for the environm ent.

You will find b ra nd s tha t a re a va ila b le in som e of the la rg er d ep a rtm ent stores a long sid e uniq ue p iec es from loc a l m a kers a nd c rea tors. This shop a lso p rom otes a 'm a ker of the m onth' sec tion whic h fea tures work from a d ifferent loc a l a rtist every m onth. Whether you a re looking for the p erfec t p iec e of jewellery, a q uirky or uniq ue g ift, or som ething loc a l in fla vour, you're sure to find it here. Follow them on Fa c eb ook a nd Insta g ra m or a t w w w .eb b flo.uk

Love Reviva l ( Hip p ie Pow er) veg a n frien d ly , c om m it t ed t o su st a in a b ilit y : h a n d c rea m s, lip b a lm s, b od y w a sh a n d m ore

ROKA Ba g s Wea r it over your should er on the front, over your should er on the b a c k, or sc runc h in your ha nd s, Roka Ba g ?s ha lf- m oon sha p ed Fa rring d on is sup er versa tile.

Ma d e from su p er soft w ea t h er- resist a n t Ta slon t o g ive t h a t slou c h y feel, t h e Fa rrin g d on h a s m u lt ip le in sid e p oc ket s so y ou h a ve room for y ou r m ob ile, key s, w a llet , w a t er b ot t le a n d m ore! Th e a d ju st a b le st ra p a n d slou c h y sh a p e p rovid es versa t ilit y so t h a t t h e b a g fit s p erfec t ly in t o y ou r b od y w h a t ever w a y y ou w ea r it . Veg a n frien d ly .

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St Eva l Ca nd les Ora ng e & c inna m on - wa rm a nd ta ng y with hints of sp ic e Winter Thym e - rosem a ry a nd thym e with ea rthy wood notes Insp iritus - a n up lifting b lend of a rom a tic sp ic es

Portishea d Chu rches Tog ether Ch ristm a s Services 2023 At this tim e of yea r a s we c eleb ra te the b irth of Jesus, b orn for us a ll, we would love you to join us a t one of the m a ny servic es d eta iled overlea f.

Whic hever c hurc h or servic e you a ttend , you a re g ua ra nteed to rec eive a very wa rm welc om e.

THE CHURCHES IN PORTISHEAD WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS.

Portishea d Ch ristm a s Serv ices 2023 Portishea d M ethod ist Chu rch

Red cli ffe Ba y M ethod ist Chu rch

Hig h Street

Queens Roa d

Sund a y 17th Dec em b er

Sund a y 17th Decem b er

10a m - Na tivity Servic e ( c om e d ressed a s your fa vourite na tivity c ha ra c ter)

4p m - Ca rol Servic e ( Coffee & m inc e p ies a fterwa rd s)

6.30p m - Ca rol Servic e ( c offee & m inc e p ies a fterwa rd s)

Christm a s Eve

Christm a s Eve

7p m - Christm a s Eve Com m union

5p m - Christing le Servic e

Christm a s Da y

11.30p m - Mid nig ht Com m union

9.30a m - Morning Celeb ra tion

Christm a s Da y

www.red c liffeb a ym ethod istc hurc h.org .uk

10.30a m - Morning Celeb ra tion for a ll a g es w w w .p ortishea d m ethod istc hurc h.c o.uk

St Josep h?s Ca tholic Chu rch

Enjoy Chu rch

West Hill

Som erset Ha ll, The Prec inct

Thursd a y 21st Dec em b er

Sund a y 10th Decem b er

7p m - Ca rol Servic e a t St Fra nc is of Assisi, Na ilsea

10.30a m - Ca rols a nd Child ren?s Na tivity

Christm a s Eve

Sund a y 17th Decem b er

6.30p m - Christm a s Eve Ma ss ( c a rol sing ing 6p m ) , St Josep h?s

5p m - Christm a s Ca rols Sp ec ta c ula r

11p m - Mid nig ht Ma ss ( c a rol sing ing 10.30p m ) , St Fra nc is, Na ilsea

Christm a s Eve 10.30a m - Christm a s Eve Servic e w w w .enjoychurc h.c o.uk

Christm a s Da y 9a m - Christm a s Morning Ma ss, St Josep h?s w w w .josep hfra nc is.org

Portishea d Qua kers

Sa lt House Chu rch

Meeting House, St Ma ry?s Roa d

Portishea d Ba p tist Group ( new )

Sund a y Meeting for Worship

Christm a s Eve

10.30a m - 1st Sund a y of the m onth on Zoom

4p m - Christm a s Eve Servic e a t the Folk Ha ll ( with m inc e p ies & m ulled a p p le juic e)

2nd , 3rd & 4th Sund a ys a t the Meeting House ( inc lud ing Christm a s Eve) www.b ristolq ua kers.org .uk/ p ortishea d

Portishea d URC St Nic hola s Churc h, Nore Roa d Sund a y Worship 11.15a m - 1st & 3rd Sund a y of the m onth a t St Nic hola s w w w .p ortishea d urc .org .uk

lind sa y.ca p len@w eb netw ork.org .uk

Gord a no Va lley Chu rch Gord a no School, St Ma ry?s Roa d Sund a y 3rd Dec em b er 10.30a m - The Cha ra c ters of Christm a s: Ma ry Sund a y 10th Dec em b er 10.30a m - Na tivity for All ( sta rting with b rea kfa st) Sund a y 17th Dec em b er 10.30a m - Christm a s Worship ( with c offee & m inc e p ies) 3p m - Tra d itiona l Ca rol Servic e for Senior Citizens ( followed b y tea & c a ke) Christm a s Da y 10.30a m - All Ag e Servic e w w w .g vc .org .uk

Portishea d Chu rch of Eng la nd St Nic hola s ? Nore Roa d St Peter?s ? Church Roa d South Sund a y 3rd Dec em b er 3p m - Christing le a t St Peter?s 4p m - Christing le a t St Nic hola s 5p m - Christing le a t St Peter?s Sund a y 17th Dec em b er 9.45a m - Na tivity Servic e a t St Peter?s 4p m - Com m unity Ca rol Servic e a t St Nic hola s 6p m - Tra d itiona l Ca rol Servic e a t St Peter?s Frid a y 22nd Dec em b er 12 noon - Ca rols a t Lunc htim e a t St Peter?s Christm a s Eve 2p m - Crib a nd Gift Servic e a t St Peter?s 3p m - Crib a nd Gift Servic e a t St Nic hola s 4p m - Crib a nd Gift Servic e a t St Peter?s 5p m - Crib a nd Gift Servic e a t St Nic hola s 11.15p m - Mid nig ht Com m union a t St Peter?s Christm a s Da y 8a m - Com m union Servic e a t St Peter?s 9.30a m - Christm a s Da y Com m union a t St Nic hola s 10.30a m - All Ag e Christm a s Com m union a t St Peter?s w w w .p ortishea d p a rish.c o.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Events and activities happening in our town 2nd Decem b er CHRISTMAS FAIR Shop for uniq ue a nd ha nd m a d e Christm a s g ifts - from c a nd les to b ooks, c rysta ls, jewellery, ha nd m a d e c ra fts, a nd so m uc h m ore. In a d d ition there will b e a n op p ortunity to m eet Sa nta a nd his hea d elf Jing les a nd a lso Ana a nd Elsa from Frozen. With fa c e p a inting , g litter ta ttoos a nd refreshm ents too, there c erta inly will b e som ething for everyone a t this Christm a s event ta king p la c e a t Gord a no Sc hool 10a m - 3p m . istock.com: william87

2nd Decem b er CHRISTMAS CONCERT Portishea d Chora l Soc iety invites you to Music a Sa c ra d a ll'Ita lia a t the Portishea d Method ist Churc h in the Hig h Street a t 7.30, when they will b e p erform ing works b y Verd i, Puc c ini a nd Viva ld i, with other short m usic a l p iec es b y Tc ha ikovsky, Rutter a nd Va ug ha n Willia m s. After a n interva l they will b e sing ing Christm a s c a rols for c hoir a nd a ud ienc e. The soc iety m em b ers will b e a c c om p a nied b y Ric ha rd Lennox on the org a n a nd the Newla nd Ensem b le, a ll c ond uc ted b y Jona tha n Pa lm er.

Ad m ission is £12.50 or a d va nc e tic kets a re a va ila b le from Nortec h Com p uters a t 10 Hig h Street.

3rd Dec em b er

MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS Sa nta is looking forwa rd to seeing everyone a t the RNLI Portishea d Lifeb oa t Sta tion just off Pier Roa d from 10a m - 2.30p m . Hot food will b e a va ila b le inc lud ing b urg ers a nd sa usa g es, there will hot d rinks a nd c a kes, a ll a t va rious p ric es. No b ooking is req uired , just g o a long , join the fun a nd sa y hello to the lifeb oa t c rew volunteers a s well! Ca sh is p referred p lea se with a ll m onies g oing stra ig ht to the RNLI in Portishea d , help ing to sa ve lives a t sea s. istock.com: Hasloo

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8th Decem b er ENRICO TOMASSO AND THE CRAIG MILVERTON TRIO Sp ea kea sy Ja zz Club is kic king off this Christm a s in true New Orlea ns style with interna tiona l m a estro a nd five tim es winner of British Ja zz Awa rd s Enric o Tom a sso, c eleb ra ting the m usic of his lifelong friend a nd m entor Louis Arm strong !

Enric o Tom a sso?s exc iting sta g e p resenc e a nd lively p ersona lity c om b ined with his inc red ib le c om m a nd of the instrum ent m a ke him one of tod a y?s finest trum p eters. With a n interna tiona l rep uta tion, Enric o is one of the m a jor p la yers on the British ja zz sc ene a nd his c olla b ora tions inc lud e those with Sc ott Ha m ilton, Ken Pep lowski, John Ba rnes, Ac ker Bilk a nd The Pizza Exp ress Allsta rs.

In Portishea d Enric o is b a c ked b y one of the UK?s finest trios: Cra ig Milverton - p ia no, Ashley John Long - d oub le b a ss, Ma rk Whitla m d rum s.

This will b e a n evening of first- c la ss enterta inm ent with a n a uthentic ?Sp ea kea sy?vib e! Look forwa rd to a evening of p ure nosta lg ia a t Cla renc e House in Portishea d Hig h Streer with d oors op en from 7p m for the show a t 8p m . Ad m ission is £20 with no m em b ership req uired . For a d va nc ed tic ket sa les (rec om m end ed ) c a ll Ka te on 01275 848391or em a il ka tesp ea kea sy@hotm a il.c o.uk

6- 9th Decem b er HANSEL AND GRETEL - THE PANTOMIME A g ing erb rea d house, ta lking owls a nd a c irc us - wha t m ore c ould you wa nt?

Portishea d Pla yers p resent a m od ern ta ke on the c la ssic fa iryta le Ha nsel a nd Gretel, with their p a ntom im e written b y Ala n P Fra yn, d irec ted a nd p rod uc ed b y Ka rley Hug hes.

Ca n Blueb ell, the Fa iry of the Forest, m a na g e to resc ue Ha nsel a nd Gretel b efore they a re ea ten b y Nig htsha d e, the Wic ked Witc h of the Wood s, who is d eterm ined to turn the ta b les this tim e a nd fina lly g et her wa y? Mea nwhile, the c om ic twosom e, Nut- Meg a nd Ba sil, a d d to the turm oil when they try to sell a ll sorts of foolish food a nd fa ke fa re fora g ed from the forest.

Perform a nc es ta ke p la c e Wed nesd a y to Sa turd a y a t the Som erset Ha ll in Portishea d Hig h Street with evening shows Wed s- Fri a t 7.30p m , a Sa turd a y m a tinee a t 1p m a nd a Sa turd a y evening p erform a nc e a t 6p m .

Plea se note the d ifferent ?c hild - friend ly?show tim es for the Sa turd a y p erform a nc es.

Tic kets c ost £15 for a d ults a nd £8 for und er 18s.

Ca ll 0333 666 3366 or b ook online via www.tic ketsourc e.c o.uk/ p ortishea d p la yers (a sm a ll c ha rg e is m a d e for online a nd telep hone b ooking s). Tic kets a re a lso a va ila b le from Nortec h a t 10 Hig h Street. For m ore inform a tion follow Portishea d Pla yers on Fa c eb ook, Insta g ra m or visit w w w .p ortishea d - p la yers.org .uk

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9th Decem b er BANDS ON Ba nd s on in Portishea d is hold ing its one yea r a nniversa ry p a rty with live m usic a t the Poa c her in Portishea d Hig h Street from 9p m .

14th Dec em b er BOLD BRASS CHRISTMAS CONCERT Bold Bra ss will b e p erform ing its a nnua l Christm a s c onc ert in St Ma ry's Churc h, Portb ury, a t 7.30p m . Ad m ission is £12 whic h inc lud es m ulled c id er, tea / c offee a nd m inc e p ies. Everyone is welc om e.

28th Decem b er TOY & TRAIN COLLECTORS FAIR A p ost- Christm a s toy a nd tra in c ollec tors fa ir with d ozens of sta lls fea turing Dinky, Corg i, Sp ot On, Hornb y, Ma inline, a nd m a ny m ore, p lus c ollec ta b le toys, fig ures a nd a c c essories ta kes p la c e in the d ining ha ll a t Gord a no Sc hool 10.30a m - 2p m . There is a m p le free p a rking on site a nd refreshm ents will b e a va ila b le. Ad m ission c osts £3 with p roc eed s g oing to loc a l c ha rities.

Va rious d a tes in Decem b er PHOENIX BAR IN VICTORIA SQUARE 9th Decem b er - LAURA K Live m usic with this up b ea t c overs sing er from 9p m .

10th Decem b er - MIKE BESS Sea sona l fa vourites from the world of roc k a nd p op song s p erform ed b y this energ etic sing er will ha ve you toe ta p p ing a nd d a nc ing to the b ea t.

4.30p m .

Look out for the Pill Ow ls The Owls Of Pill a re a g roup of a ll- m a le sing ers, g a rb ed in Dic kensia n c ostum e of top ha ts, fa nc y weskits a nd flowing c loa ks. Ca roling their wa y throug h a n a c tion- p a c ked p rog ra m m e a round towns in Bristol a nd North Som erset a nd tha t inc lud es the luc ky resid ents of Portishea d ! More tha n £300,000 ha s b een ra ised b y the Owls sing ing c a rols to the b enefit of a va riety of c ha rities. "Ta in't Christm a s' til yu'v hea rd the Owls" To find out where they will b e this Christm a s visit w w w .p illow ls.co.uk

13th Decem b er - PILL OWLS Tra d itiona l Christm a s song s from the ic onic Pill Owls from 8.30p m

22nd Decem b er - STATION2STATION This g rea t voc a l/ g uita r d uo will p erform fa vourite roc k a nd p op c overs. 9p m .

29th Decem b er - JOE WHELAN Form er X- Fa c tor c ontesta nt Joe will d elig ht m usic lovers with his roc k a nd g uita r p erform a nc es. from 8.30p m .

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BANDSONINPORTISHEAD Glenn Step hens reflec ts on his first yea r p rom oting the live m usic sc ene

p erform ers or venues tha t wa nt to a d vertise their loc a l events.

When I m oved to Portishea d in Novem b er 2022 I sta rted the Fa c eb ook g roup ?Ba nd s on in Portishea d ?b efore I?d even finished unp a c king the b oxes from m oving house. I ha ve a rea l p a ssion for live m usic a nd found it d iffic ult to see who wa s p la ying where or when, so I took it up on m yself to g et som e c la rity on the m a tter. I q uic kly found there is a hea lthy live m usic sc ene in Portishea d b ut a d vertising for the events wa s inc onsistent.

Pub lishing a 'g ig list for the week? on the Fa c eb ook p a g e help s m em b ers p la n their nig hts out m ore ea sily.

Desp ite the referenc e to Portishea d in the na m e, I a lso inc lud e the surround ing a rea s suc h a s Cleved on, Pill a nd Cla p ton- in- Gord a no, a s there a re reg ula r g ig s in these p la c es a nd it?s not fa r to tra vel.

We a lrea d y ha ve m ore tha n 1300 m em b ers in the Ba nd s on in Portishea d g roup a nd a lwa ys welc om e new m em b ers a nd a ny

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To help b a nd s a nd venues inc rea se their exp osure I ha ve p rovid ed tip s on the g roup p a g e on how to a d d g ig s onto Goog le events listing s a nd other wa ys to p rom ote them selves.

When I ha ve som e free tim e I try a nd wa tc h a s m a ny g ig s a s p ossib le. I ta ke vid eos a nd up loa d to the g roup to p rom ote the b a nd a nd venue, whic h they c a n a lso use on their own soc ia l m ed ia .

Due to m y involvem ent in the loc a l live m usic sc ene I wa s honoured to b e a sked to b e a g uest on the ArtPort Portishea d Arts Festiva l c om m ittee to help org a nise a nd run som e of the live m usic a c ross the Sep tem b er weekend . We hop e to c ontinue exp a nd ing the live m usic sc hed ule a t the 2024 ArtPort festiva l, whic h we will sta rt

p la nning ea rly next yea r. If you wa nt to p erform in this event in 2024 let m e know!

I a m a lso looking a t sta rting a new op en m ic / ja m nig ht ea rly next yea r c a lled the 'BOP Club ? sessions. The id ea is to offer a n environm ent where p eop le of a ll a g es a nd exp erienc e levels c a n join in, whether this is sing ing , p la ying g uita r, d rum s or a nything other instrum ent you c a re to b ring a long . More news on this will follow when the a rra ng em ents ha ve b een fina lised so keep a look out on the Ba nd s on in Portishea d Fa c eb ook p a g e for up d a tes!

In the m ea ntim e Ba nd s on in Portishea d is c eleb ra ting its first b irthd a y with a p a rty on Sa turd a y 9th Dec em b er a t The Poa c her with m y own b a nd Sonic Alert p rovid ing a g rea t nig ht of live m usic from 9p m , c overing a ll the b est song s a c ross the d ec a d es.

I?ve rea lly enjoyed m y first yea r in Portishea d a nd ha ve m a d e a lot of new friend s throug h this g roup .

Moving to a new c ounty c a n b e q uite d a unting b ut I ha ve found the live m usic sc ene to b e very welc om ing . Com e to the event on 9th Dec em b er a nd sa y hello - I will b e the one b ehind the d rum s m a king a ll the noise.

DISCOVERING THE M AGIC OF LAPLAND From reind eer rid es to enc ounters with Sa nta Cla us, Tra vel Counsellor Ella Pric e op ens the d oor on a whole host of winter exp erienc es

Whether you a re a na ture enthusia st, thrill seeker or snowm a n b uild er, a La p la nd holid a y rea lly d oes ha ve it a ll.

La p la nd , loc a ted in the northernm ost reg ion of Finla nd , is a p la c e stra ig ht out of a fa iryta le. With its p ic turesq ue la nd sc a p es, snow- c overed forests a nd enc ha nting winter a c tivities, La p la nd offers visitors a truly m a g ic a l exp erienc e. From reind eer rid es to enc ounters with Sa nta Cla us a nd thrilling husky sa fa ris to exhila ra ting snowm ob iling a d ventures, La p la nd ha s som ething for everyone seeking a winter wond erla nd esc a p e.

With La p la nd b eing known a s the offic ia l hom e of Sa nta Cla us, a visit to Sa nta 's Villa g e is a n a b solute m ust. Step into a world of Christm a s m a g ic a s you exp lore Sa nta 's workshop , m eet his c heerful elves a nd ha ve a hea rt wa rm ing enc ounter with the b ig m a n him self. Whether you a re young or young a t hea rt, this exp erienc e will m a ke you b elieve in the m a g ic of Christm a s a ll over a g a in.

For those seeking a m ore a d venturous exp erienc e, a husky sa fa ri is the p erfec t c hoic e, or if sp eed a nd a d rena line a re wha t you're a fter, snowm ob iling c ould b e the a c tivity for you. In a d d ition you m ig ht like to try your ha nd a t ic e fishing , or snowshoeing a nd for those seeking rela xa tion, a visit to one of La p la nd 's tra d itiona l sa una s is a m ust.

As a Tra vel Counsellor I offer a p ersona lised p la nning exp erienc e to m a ke sure you g et the m ost out of your tra vels. I ta ke the tim e to und ersta nd wha t you wa nt from your trip , sha re a d vic e a nd

itinera ry sug g estions a nd m a ke sure every d eta il is just rig ht for you. Then when it?s tim e to tra vel, a ll you ha ve to d o is p a c k a nd g o, sa fe in the knowled g e tha t from ta keoff to a rriving b a c k hom e a nd b eyond , your Tra vel Counsellor is on ha nd if a nd when you need m e.

I c a n't wa it to tell you m ore, from c osy log c a b ins to snow hotels.

We?re a lrea d y ta king b ooking s for 2024 a nd 2025, so why wa it? Sta rt p la nning now!

La p la nd truly is a m a g ic a l d estina tion a nd is the p erfec t winter wond erla nd , so em b ra c e the sp irit of a d venture a nd g et rea d y to m a ke unforg etta b le m em ories.

To find out m ore a b out holid a ys to the enc ha nting la nd of La p la nd a nd a whole ra ng e of other d estina tions, p lea se c onta c t m e without a ny ob lig a tion wha tsoever, I?ll b e p lea sed to hea r from you.

Em a il: ella .p rice@tra velcounsellors.com Tel: 01452 290029 Mob ile: 07823 407620 Ella Pric e - Tra vel Counsellor thetra velg uruella

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H APPY CH RISTM AS Trina Ga zza rd looks a t w a ys to red uc e stress d uring the festive sea son

hristm a s is a tim e of joy, love a nd c eleb ra tion, however it c a n a lso b e a tim e of stress a nd overwhelm a s we try to jug g le num erous resp onsib ilities a nd exp ec ta tions. This Christm a s, why not m a ke a c onsc ious effort to ha ve a stress- free holid a y? As a loc a l p rofessiona l c og nitive hyp nothera p ist, c ounsellor a nd NLP p ra c titioner, I help m a ny c lients m a na g e stress a nd a nxiety.

C

Here a re som e tip s to help you a c hieve a c a lm a nd enjoya b le festive sea son:

a c tivities tha t rela x a nd rejuvena te you.

SIMPLIFY TRADITIONS Foc us on m ea ning ful tra d itions a nd c onsid er sim p lifying or skip p ing ones tha t c a use stress.

LEARN TO SAY NO Prioritise your own well- b eing b y p olitely d ec lining invita tions or req uests tha t m a y overwhelm you.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS Sha re your feeling s with friend s or fa m ily; you?re not a lone in exp erienc ing holid a y stress.

MINDFULNESS

istock.com: lulliaZavalishina

Pra c tic e d eep b rea thing or m ind fulness to m a na g e stress in the m om ent.

PLAN AHEAD Crea te a sc hed ule a nd p la n a c tivities in a d va nc e to a void la st- m inute c ha os.

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS Set rea listic exp ec ta tions, d on?t strive for p erfec tion; a c c ep t tha t som e thing s m a y not g o a s p la nned .

DELEGATE Sha re resp onsib ilities with other fa m ily m em b ers or friend s to lig hten the loa d .

BUDGET WISELY Esta b lish a b ud g et for g ifts a nd festivities to a void fina nc ia l stress.

PRACTICE SELF-CARE Ta ke b rea ks, g et enoug h sleep a nd eng a g e in

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CELEBRATE IMPERFECTIONS Em b ra c e the im p erfec t m om ents; they often m a ke the b est m em ories.

My a im is to g ive c lients the sup p ort a nd und ersta nd ing they need to help them im p rove their m enta l a nd em otiona l wellb eing .

As a n exp erienc ed thera p ist, I c a n sup p ort you to find p ositive wa ys to resp ond to life. A c om b ina tion of p syc hothera p y a nd hyp nothera p y c a n b e tra nsform ing a nd help c lients to rea lise new p ersp ec tives a nd horizons. Whether it?s c op ing with a nxiety, overc om ing p hob ia s, b rea king ha b its or just find ing your ?ha p p y?, I will b e p lea sed to help .

I wish you a ll a very ha p p y a nd stress- free Christm a s!

Mob ile: 07872 925289 Tel: 01275 316655 Em a il: trina .g a zza rd @sky.c om www.trina g a zza rd .c o.uk

IT'S THE PARTY SEASON The la test news from Tonic Ha ir a nd Bea uty House As we hea d in to the p a rty sea son Tea m Tonic is rea lly exc ited to b e welc om ing three g rea t new m em b ers in to the fold . We a re d elig hted tha t senior stylist Ka te, who ha s so m uc h exp erienc e b ehind her, ha s returned to the sa lon. Ka te is c onfid ent in a ll a rea s of ha ir b ut loves a b a la ya g e c olour servic e a nd c rea ting the p erfec t finish for her c lients.

Da rc ie ha s joined us a s a new ta lent stylist, a fter c om p leting her NVQ she is exc ited to b e in the sa lon foc using on her skills.

Da rc ie, who loves to p rovid e a first c la ss b low d ry, c ontinues her tra ining within the sa lon to now exp a nd her skills a nd knowled g e.

Ga b riella is our new b ea uty thera p ist. After c om p leting her q ua lific a tions with exc ellenc e Ga b riella is keen to show of her skills in the sa lon.

to m a ke tim e to c a re for yourself so rem em b er, a t Tonic , looking a fter you is a t the hea rt of everything we d o.

We a re a ll looking forwa rd to the festive sea son a nd still ha ve som e a va ila b ility, so d on't forg et to b ook your Christm a s a p p ointm ents now to a void d isa p p ointm ent.

We ha ve som e g rea t g ift id ea s a t Tonic a s well a s offering g ift vouc hers whic h a llow you to trea t som eone sp ec ia l to som e rela xa tion a nd p a m p ering .

Conta c t us tod a y!

Dec em b er is suc h a b usy m onth for m ost p eop le it?s ea sy to forg et

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TALK CLUB Steve Ba rna rd ta lks a b out the m enta l fitness g roup for m en How a re you? Out of 10?

This is the q uestion we a sk every Wed nesd a y evening a t Ta lk Club a t the Bea c on Hub in Portishea d Hig h Street, where I a m a Ta lk Club c a p ta in.

Men a re known for not ta lking a b out thing s tha t a re on their m ind a nd we know the im p a c t this c a n ha ve on life, from rela tionship s a nd hom e life to work, d iet, sleep a nd exerc ise. Ta lk Club is a UK m a le m enta l hea lth c ha rity a im ed a t help ing m en im p rove their m enta l fitness. Ea c h week we hold a friend ly m eeting where I a nd other loc a l m en listen without jud g em ent in a sa fe, c onfid entia l free p la c e.

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istock.com:AnnaStills

La st yea r in North Som erset 526 m en a ttend ed a Ta lk Club . Their a vera g e c hec k in sc ore out of 10 wa s 5.9; the a vera g e c hec k out sc ore wa s 7.1.

The m en who a ttend a re from 18 yea rs old to 80+ a nd a re from a ll wa lks of life. They a re invited to sha re their situa tion or stories without q uestions or a d vic e. There a re m a ny oc c a sions where situa tions a nd stories a re rec og nised b y the other m en in the g roup with nod s of a g reem ent, hig hlig hting a nd c onfirm ing they a re not a lone.We m eet b etween 6.30- 8.30p m a nd a ny m a le over 18 is welc om e to a ttend , just turn up or to find out m ore visit w w w .ta lkc lub .org

LIFE CHANGING! Lim e Tree Denta l Pra c tic e introd uc es d ig ita l d enta l im p la nts Ha ve you lost c onfid enc e d ue to m issing teeth? Do you ha ve a d enture tha t is unc om forta b le? Are you strug g ling to c hew food ? At Lim e Tree Denta l Pra c tic e we p rovid e d enta l im p la nts tha t c ould c ha ng e your life.

Dr Sc ott Jones BDS MFDS RCS(Ed ), who ha s tra ined with lea d ing exp erts a t the University of Bristol, in the UK a nd interna tiona lly, p rovid es a ll form s of d enta l im p la nt trea tm ents inc lud ing sing le or m ultip le im p la nts, a d va nc ed b one, sinus a nd g um g ra fting a nd the trea tm ent of fa iling im p la nts.

Sc ott ha s em b ra c ed the la test tec hnolog ies a nd innova tions in the field s of im p la nt a nd d ig ita l d entistry, to p rovid e the b est p ossib le outc om es for his p a tients. All his c a ses a re d esig ned m etic ulously using c om p uter g uid ed im p la nt p la nning , c om b ining his exp ertise with the la test d ig ita l tec hnolog ies to p la n the p erfec t p osition for the d enta l im p la nt. Sc ott

c a n c a lc ula te if extra work will b e need ed p rior to the surg ery a nd fa b ric a tes a 3D- p rinted surg ic a l tem p la te to p la c e the im p la nt in the p re- p la nned p osition, ra ther tha n using a freeha nd a p p roa c h.

The Proc ess 1. Intra - ora l sc a n ? our 3Sha p e Trios® 4 intra - ora l sc a nner ta kes m ultip le im a g es a nd ?stitc hes?them into 3D d ig ita l m od els of your teeth on the c om p uter sc reen. This p revents the need for sta nd a rd im p ressions tha t often m a ke p a tients g a g .

2. Cone b ea m CT sc a n (CBCT*) ? this hig hly a c c ura te, x- ra y system p rod uc es 3D im a g es of the insid e of your g um s & ja ws, to fully a nd a c c ura tely a ssess the b one volum e a nd a na tom y.

3. Dig ita l m oc k- up - our d enta l la b ora tory d ig ita lly d esig ns teeth to fill the sp a c e of the m issing tooth or teeth on the intra - ora l sc a n.

4. THE VERY CLEVER BIT - Im p la nt p la nning ? c oDia g nostiX® softwa re is used to c om b ine the inform a tion the CBCT* sc a n, overla ying it with the d ig ita l m oc k- up to p la n the id ea l im p la nt p osition.

This tec hniq ue c onsid ers the d esired tooth p osition, a va ila b le b one a nd loc a l a na tom y.

5. Surg ic a l g uid e fa b ric a tion ? a 3D p rinted surg ic a l g uid e is d esig ned a nd fa b ric a ted . On the d a y of im p la nt surg ery, the g uid e is used to p la c e the Stra um a nn® im p la nt into the p re- p la nned p osition.

If you would like to know m ore a b out how Sc ott Jones c a n help you rep la c e your m issing tooth/ teeth using these fa nta stic , d ig ita l d enta l im p la nt tec hniq ues, then p lea se c a ll us on 01275 840234 or see our web site w w w .lim etreed enta l.c o.uk/ im p la nts.htm l

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istock.com: StepheneNoiret

ACUPUNCTURE FOR ARTHRITIS Enjoy ta lks to Dr Tong from Wa lnut Grove Clinic to find out m ore a b out the b enefits of this a nc ient Chinese m ed ic a l thera p y Around 10 m illion p eop le in the UK a re thoug ht to ha ve a rthritis, with osteoa rthritis - wea r a nd tea r b eing the m ost c om m on in the UK. This is followed b y rheum a toid a rthritis, whic h is a n infla m m a tory a rthritic c ond ition.

Althoug h the und erlying c a uses m a y b e q uite d ifferent for these two c ond itions, b oth a re a c hronic long term c ond ition.

Ac up unc ture for a rthritis is a c om m on p ra c tic e in Tra d itiona l Chinese Med ic ine (TCM), often relieving p a in a nd red uc ing the swelling of joints.

Severa l rec ently p ub lished m ed ic a l rep orts c onfirm the b enefic ia l effec ts of a c up unc ture for osteoa rthritis.

Enjoy a sked Dr Tong wha t a c up unc ture is a nd how it c a n help a rthritis sufferers. This is wha t he told us. ?Ac up unc ture m ea ns need le thera p y a nd is a m ed ic a l tec hniq ue d evelop ed in China m ore tha n 2,000 yea rs a g o. It involves stim ula ting sensory nerves und er the skin a nd in the m usc les using need les, whic h c a uses the b od y to p rod uc e na tura l

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sub sta nc es suc h a s p a in- relieving end orp hins.

It is now used b y m a ny m ed ic a l hea lthc a re p rofessiona ls a s well a s TCM p ra c titioners. ?Working a t Wa lnut Grove Clinic over the p a st 25 yea rs I ha ve seen m a ny p eop le with a rthritis resp ond very well to a c up unc ture. Ac up unc ture ha s b een used to red uc e the p a in a nd swelling joints; red uc e or stop the p rog ression of infla m m a tion; help the rec overy p roc ess a fter joint rep la c em ent surg ery a nd a lso red uc e tired ness a nd im p rove g enera l well- b eing , whic h often ha p p ens to the p eop le with a rthritis. As well a s osteoa rthritis a nd rheum a toid a rthritis showing p ositive resp onse to a c up unc ture, other typ es of infla m m a tory joint c ond itions a lso resp ond well to the trea tm ent.

Pr om ot i on

?As the c a use(s) of m ost a rthritis a re not c lea r, trying to find out p otentia l risk fa c tors is im p orta nt in the p revention of further d a m a g e to the joints. Working tog ether with p a tients to id entify p otentia l risk fa c tors, a n a c up unc turist often d isc usses with p a tients a b out their lifestyle, d iet, exerc ise a nd how b est to ta ke c a re of our b ones a nd joints. Bec a use of the c om p lexities of a rthritis, a n integ ra tive a p p roa c h, involving other sp ec ia list hea lth p rofessiona ls if often a d visa b le to trea t a nd m a na g e the c ond ition a nd g et the b est outc om e.?

Tea mw o r k at Wa l n u t Gr o v e As a c om m unity b a sed la rg e p riva te hea lthc a re c linic , Wa lnut Grove ha s a strong m ultid isc ip lina ry tea m of hea lthc a re p rofessiona ls. The c linic offers a g ood ra ng e of thera p ies for p eop le with a rthritis, like osteop a thy, p hysiothera p y, Chinese m ed ic ine, hom eop a thy, reflexolog y a nd exerc ise thera p ies. The p ra c titioners often work a long sid e ea c h other where a p p rop ria te a nd nec essa ry to a id the p a tient's rec overy a nd reha b ilita tion, for exa m p le a long sid e a c up unc ture a p a tient m a y b enefit from p hysiothera p y for exerc ises to streng then the a rea .

The tea m a t Wa lnut Grove trea t a whole ra ng e of c ond itions a nd b elieve too m a ny p eop le think they ha ve to a c c ep t a c hes a nd p a ins a s they g et old er b ut in m a ny c a ses tha t is not so a t a ll. The hea lthc a re p rofessiona ls work tog ether with a p a ssion for c om p lete wellness for their p a tients. You d on?t need a referra l from your GP to see a ny of the p ra c titioners a nd you will typ ic a lly b e a b le to see som eone q uic kly, a t a tim e tha t suits you, without the long wa iting tim es tha t often oc c ur with m ed ic a l trea tm ent op tions.

To a rra ng e a n a p p ointm ent or to find out m ore c a ll 01275 818303 or visit w w w .w a lnutg rovec linic .c om

If you a re living with a rthritis the hea lthc a re p rofessiona ls a t Wa lnut Grove will b e ha p p y to a d vise a nd g uid e you on the m ost a p p rop ria te wa y forwa rd to red uc e p a in a nd im p rove m ovem ent.

SEASON?S GREETINGS The Walnut Grove family would like t o wish each and everyone one of you a very M erry Christ mas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you all for your ongoing support and for bringing t he love and laught er int o t he clinic. We look forward t o cont inuing t o help you in 20 24.

GIFT VOUCHERS Treat someone you love - we have gift vouchers available t o use against any of our t herapies and/ or product s

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IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED FOR WINTER? lnsura nc e p rofessiona l Jerem y Mountford , from Asp ec t Insura nc e Ma na g em ent in Portishea d , ta lks a b out m a king sure your b usiness is c overed for every eventua lity Wha tever winter throws a t us this yea r, it is im p orta nt your b usiness is p rotec ted a nd p rep a red . Asp ec t Insura nc e Ma na g em ent is a n ind ep end ent insura nc e b roker sp ec ia lising in c om m erc ia l insura nc e a nd risk m a na g em ent. As well a s help ing b usinesses m a ke sure they ha ve a d eq ua te insura nc e c over in p la c e, Asp ec t c a n help a b usiness p rep a re for the p otentia l c ha lleng es of winter a nd look a t wha t further step s a re need ed to m a ke sure your b usiness isn?t left out in the c old this sea son.

Ha ving the rig ht insura nc e p olic y in p la c e is im p orta nt a t a ny tim e of the yea r b ut in winter, when risks of wea ther- rela ted issues c om e into p la y, it?s c ruc ia l to ensure tha t not only d o you ha ve a p olic y b ut tha t your c over is va lid a nd up to d a te.

A p roa c tive b usiness winter hea lth c hec k c a n id entify a nd a llow you to a d d ress a ny p otentia l risks a nd m a ke nec essa ry a d justm ents so tha t you a nd your b usiness c a n fa c e the sea son with c onfid enc e.

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Store va lua b le item s a nd a ny im p orta nt d oc um ents on hig h- m ounted shelves Prep a re a flood p la n

SNOW As with storm s c hec k your p rop erty is in g ood c ond ition a nd rem em b er when tem p era tures d rop the risk of p ip es b ursting inc rea ses a nd c a n lea d to wa ter d a m a g e, while m elting snow c a n c a use flood ing .

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Grit p a thwa ys to p revent slip p ing Provid e a d eq ua te hea ting a nd ensure your hea ting system is servic ed .

Ma ke sure a ny p orta b le hea ters ha ve b een tested a nd a re switc hed off when una ttend ed

WINTER DRIVING -

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS: STORMS Hig h wind s a nd loose d eb ris c a n c a use d a m a g e to p rop erties, to m inim ise d a m a g e, see tha t your b uild ing is in g ood , working c ond ition.

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Chec k your roof for loose tiles a ny holes Ensure g utters a nd d ra ins a re not b loc ked Chec k nea rb y trees for wea kness or hea vy b ra nc hes whic h m a y fa ll

FLOOD -

Sig n up for flood wa rning s ? Environm enta l Flood line 0345988 1188 Ra ise soc kets, fuse b oxes, wiring a nd a ny elec tric a l d evic es to a t lea st 1.5m a b ove the floor

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Com p letely d e- ic e your vehic le b efore setting off Where p ossib le use b usy roa d s tha t will b e thoroug hly g ritted In b a d wea ther d rive only when nec essa ry Ha ve a n em erg enc y kit in the vehic le in c a se you g et stra nd ed Insta lling a Da sh Ca m c a n p rovid e va lua b le evid enc e for settling insura nc e c la im s

Conta c t the insura nc e p rofessiona ls a t Asp ec t Insura nc e Ma na g em ent on 01275 843619 for m ore inform a tion on a ll a sp ec ts of b usiness insura nc e p rotec tion a nd risk m a na g em ent a d vic e.

58 Hig h Street, Portishea d , North Som erset, BS20 6EL

Tel: 01275 843619 Asp ec t Insura nc e Ma na g em ent is a tra d ing style of Portishea d Insura nc e Servic es Ltd (Com p a ny No. 8792781) whic h is a uthorised a nd reg ula ted b y the Fina nc ia l Cond uc t Authority No. 627717

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CH RISTM AS ? A TIM E W H EN D REAM S REAL LY CAN COM E TRUE! Chris Collins from CC Mortg a g es ta lks a b out b uying a new hom e a t this tim e of yea r The holid a y sea son is a tim e of joy, c eleb ra tion a nd g a thering with loved ones, b ut a m id st the hustle a nd b ustle there a re p lenty of p eop le who, in 2023, ha ve b een d rea m ing of b uying their own hom e or m oving to a new p rop erty. So, is Christm a s the rig ht tim e to b e sta rting the journey of find ing a nd b uying a p rop erty?

While it's true tha t the housing m a rket tend s to slow d own d uring this p eriod , it d oesn't m ea n there a ren't op p ortunities to find your d rea m hom e. In fa c t, there m a y b e fewer b uyers a c tively sea rc hing , whic h c ould p otentia lly g ive you a n a d va nta g e. And if you ha ve tim e off work for the festive p eriod , it c ould g ive you m ore tim e to g et p rep a red a nd view p rop erties.

Buying a p rop erty d oesn?t ha p p en overnig ht b ut there is a lot you c a n d o b eforeha nd to m a ke the p roc ess run sm oothly, like ensuring you ha ve a ll your fina nc ia l d oc um ents in ord er a nd visiting a m ortg a g e a d visor to g et a p re- a p p roved m ortg a g e in p la c e.

At CC Mortg a g es, we a re here to help , a d vise a nd na vig a te our c lients throug h a ny tric ky wa ters, no m a tter wha t tim e of yea r, to help them find the rig ht m ortg a g e tha t is a fford a b le to them a nd their c irc um sta nc es.

To b ook a free no ob lig a tion c onsulta tion, p lea se g et in touc h b y em a iling info@c c- m ortg a g es.c o.uk or ca ll Chris on 07855954667.

CC Mortg a g es is a n ind ep end ent m ortg a g e b roker with a c c ess to m ore tha n 90 d ifferent lend ers from a c ross the m a rket whic h a llows us to m a ke sure we find the rig ht m ortg a g e for ea c h ind ivid ua l c lient.

Whether you?re a first tim e b uyer, a sea soned m over, p rop erty d evelop er, or som eone looking to up or d own- size in p rop erty, we a re here to help .

With lend ers a g a in red uc ing interest ra tes a nd infla tion a lso c om ing d own, now c erta inly is the tim e to b e sp ea king to us a b out your hom e b uying g oa ls a nd there is a b solutely no rea son why you should not sta rt the b a ll rolling now so tha t 2024 is the yea r you m ove hom e a nd m a ke your d rea m s c om e true!

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Pr om ot i on

H OM E

s a m t s i r Ch

Top tip s for tree d ec ora tions b y Tra c ie Fry

For m e, the m ost exc iting p a rt of trim m ing up for Christm a s is d ec ora ting the tree. Hub b y d rop s d own b a g s a nd b oxes from the loft, while I p our m yself a la rg e Ba ileys a nd p op on som e Mic ha el Bub lé...

Over the yea rs I ha ve p la yed with lots of them es tra d itiona l red s a nd g old s, vinta g e c ollec tions from b yg one d a ys a nd p la yful c olours to enc om p a ss the offering s from nursery a nd sc hool p rojec ts when the

c hild ren were sm a ll. Yea rs la ter, d a re I sa y it, d ec a d es la ter, m y little help ers a re a ll d one with help ing a nd this is a tim e I c a n now enjoy b eing c rea tive, I keep it sim p le so the ta sk rem a ins fun a nd ha ve fina lly settled on m y fa vourite c olour p a lette whic h a lso m a kes life ea sier a nd we a ll need a b it of tha t in Dec em b er!

Here a re just a few tip s I?ve p ic ked up over tim e:

First thing s first, the tree lig hts. There a re a few tones to c hoose from , c oloured , (these were b ig in the 70's a nd a re m a king a c om e b a c k!) c ool white a nd wa rm white. As a rule if your d ec ora tions a re a n ec lec tic m ix of c olours use a n a rra y of b rig ht, c olourful lig hts. I would op t for c ool white lig hts to c om p lim ent silver a nd b lue tones, while wa rm white lig hts g ive a g low tha t rea lly shows off those g old a nd red s. How m a ny is a p ersona l c hoic e, b ut a s a g uid e try to use a t lea st 100 b ulb s p er foot. Led 's a re sa fe to ha ng while lit a nd this will help you see where you ha ve thin p a tc hes a s you g o.

1 istock.com: Vaidans

I still use m y trusty old a rtific ia l tree, whic h is looking a b it sp a rse a nd one wa y to g et over this is to visit your loc a l florist, they often ha ve g reenery or even b ra nc h trim m ing s whic h will slip nic ely into the tree a nd a d d a va ria tion of tones a s well a s b ushing up your thin b ra nc hes.

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istock.com: Christening

Stic k to one c olour a nd use va rious sha d es to g ive your tree d ep th.

My c olour is p ink whic h inc lud es p owd er p ink, ra sp b erry a nd d eep b urg und y ? I sta rted this them e a few yea rs b a c k b y b uying a b uc ket of c hea p b a ub les to g et the job d one, now every yea r I b uy a c oup le of rea lly nic e d ec ora tions a nd m y c ollec tion is c om ing a long nic ely. Don?t b e a fra id to p a int wha t you ha ve; white c ha lk p a int g ives a lovely soft finish a nd will g o with everything else you c hoose.

3 istock.com: Santje09

It's no long er fa shiona b le to use tinsel on your tree, its non- rec yc la b le p la stic whic h end s up in la nd fill a nd c a n b e d a ng erous to p ets too so, instea d , I p op to the loc a l c ra ft shop a nd b uy 100 white fea thers for less tha n a fiver, whic h I sim p le sc a tter onto the b ra nc hes g iving the tree a soft frosted effec t ? a d d ing rib b ons help s m a ke the tree look fuller a nd m ore finished . If you ha ve little ones a t hom e they c ould m a ke som e p retty p a p er c ha ins or string tog ether p op c orn or d ried fruit a nd c inna m on stic ks - oh a nd I a lwa ys a d d a sta c k of c a nd y c a nes!

Now it rea lly d oes feel like Christm a s is here!

Tx

4 istock.com: JNemchinova

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G o o d man & L i l l ey Th e Co ac h H o u se | Bat t er y Lan e, Po r t i sh ead | BS20 7JD A ra re op p ortunity to a c q uire a stone b uilt c oa c h house set on the hig hly reg a rd ed Ba ttery La ne. The p rop erty is nestled c onveniently c lose to the La ke Ground s, Ba ttery Point a nd within wa lking d ista nc e of Portishea d 's tra d itiona l Hig h Street.

This c ha rm ing p eriod c oa c h house offers a wea lth of c ha ra c ter a nd is offered to the m a rket a fter a full sym p a thetic refurb ishm ent. Construc ted from na tura l stone eleva tions und er a p itc hed tiled roof, d orm er wind ows to b oth the front a nd rea r, this hom e b oa sts a p p roxim a tely 2000 sq ft of living a c c om m od a tion, nea tly a rra ng ed over two floors In b rief, the p rop erty c om p rises?entra nc e ha ll, living room , d ining room , c loa kroom a nd kitc hen. The first floor fea tures a four p iec e fa m ily b a throom , shower room a nd four b ed room s. The m a ster b ed room suite a lso b enefits from ha ving a d ressing room . The hom e is b lessed with a g enerous d rive- in g a ra g e a nd on- street p a rking .

With hom es of this na ture ra rely a va ila b le, c oup led with the c ontem p ora ry finish a nd uniq ue loc a tion, Good m a n & Lilley a ntic ip a tes a g ood d eg ree of interest.

Po r t i sh ead 01275 430440 Sal es@g o o d m an l i l l ey.c o .u k w w w .g o o d m an l i l l ey.c o .u k

PENSIONS SORTED It p a ys to a sk the exp erts sa ys Enjoy's Tra c ie Fry With m a ny of us c ha ng ing job s a num b er of tim es in our lives, it's not surp rising som e p ensions g et lost a long the wa y, so when I rea d the Pensions Polic y Institute estim a ted there were g etting on for 3 m illion lost p ension p ots in the UK, worth m ore tha n £26 b illion in 2022, it g ot m e thinking . I knew I ha d a few sm a ll p ensions from p revious em p loyers out there som ewhere - som e I ha d ta b s on, som e I d id n't ? b ut were they working for m e?

I d ec id ed to c a ll Ric h Powell who ha s b een a d vertising in Enjoy for a while now. Ric h c a m e over to m y p la c e for a c up of c offee a nd p resented m e with the b est op tions a va ila b le to help m e d ec id e if I wa nted to c om b ine som e or a ll of m y p ensions. We a lso ta lked a b out how to g et the m ost out of m y m oney to ensure a hea lthy p ot when I d o d ec id e to slow d own a b it. Our c onversa tion wa s ja rg on- free, p la in Eng lish a nd Ric h took the tim e to exp la in everything to m e with p a tienc e!

I ha ve now m a d e som e c ha ng es a nd a m left feeling c onfid ent m y p ensions a re now p erform ing a t their

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b est. I know exa c tly wha t I've g ot a nd where m y p olic ies a re. I will g et reg ula r up d a tes from Powell & Assoc ia tes, a nd now I ha ve a fa m ilia r exp ert to c a ll on if I ha ve a ny q uestions. When it c om es to m y p ensions, it's g ood to ha ve c om p lete p ea c e of m ind ; I wish I'd sorted them sooner!

P ORT I SH EA D GA R DE N AWA R D S A round - up of this yea r?s hortic ultura l suc c esses Ind erjit Ed yvea n, Sue a nd Chris Brig ht a nd Ja c ky King Silver Gilt Fred a Whea t, Ga vin Fulleylove, Ma rie Hic ks, Ra c hel a nd And rew Stitfa ll, Va nessa Fry Silver Ann Hug hes, Ha zel Miers, Pa m ela Ford , Rob Pa rsons a nd Tra c ey Pa rr As Portishea d in Bloom ( PiB) c eleb ra ted m ore a w a rd s in the South West in Bloom c ontest this a utum n, the org a nisa tion m a d e its ow n a w a rd s to som e of the tow n?s b est g a rd ens, p a tios a nd b a lc onies.

Here?s a look a t som e of the results of a g rea t d ea l of ha rd w ork b y the g reen fing ered m em b ers of our com m unity.

REAR GARDENS Gold a nd Overa ll Winner Lind a Ric e Gold Hea ther a nd Roy Stud ley, Peter Cha p lin, Sue a nd Chris Brig ht a nd Sue King Silver Gilt

RHS SOUTH WEST IN BLOOM

Fred a Whea t, Jill Coop er a nd Ma rie Hic ks

Gold a wa rd for Portishea d

PiB CUPS

RHS SOUTH WEST IN BLOOM IT'S YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD AWARDS

Posset Cup for Best Pub lic House

Outsta nd ing

Best Com m una l Ga rd ens

The Ship

Portishea d Youth Centre, Peg a sus Court, Gra ng e Lod g e, Nore Pa rk Drive, The Dea ns Allotm ents, Hig h Down Sc hool, St Georg e's Flowerb a nk a nd Gertie Ga les Allotm ents Thriving Bea c h Hill Allotm ents, St Peter's Lod g e, Prid e in Portishea d , Willow Com m unity Ga rd ens a nd Ha rb oursid e WI SOUTH WEST IN BLOOM BUSINESS AWARDS Gold Sa ra h Tyna n Flowers, The Ship a nd Posset Cup Silver Gilt Phoenix Ba r a nd The Port Brewing Com p a ny PORTISHEAD IN BLOOM GARDEN AWARDS FRONT GARDENS Gold a nd Overa ll Winner - Peter Cha p lin

Gra ng e Lod g e Enjoy ed itor Tra c ey Fowler wa s invited to join the g a rd ening enthusia sts a t Gra ng e Lod g e to see the c up they won for Best Com m una l Ga rd en a nd rec eive a g uid ed tour of the wra p - a round g a rd en tha t wa s still b oa sting p lenty of c olour d esp ite the Novem b er ra in.

Gold Hea ther a nd Roy Stud ley, Lind a Ric e, Ric ha rd a nd

To find out m ore a b out Portishea d in Bloom a nd the g a rd en a wa rd s, visit www.p ortishea d inb loom .org .uk

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FIRST AID FOR BROWNIES Mem b ers of a loc a l b rownie p a c k showed off their em erg enc y skills a fter a ttend ing a first a id c ourse a t GTE Tra ining Ac a d em y in Portishea d . During the tra ining the young sters were shown how to d eliver CPR a nd how to use a p ub lic a c c ess d efib rilla tor. They then d em onstra ted these skills with c onfid enc e.

The p a c k went hom e, ea c h with a m ini first a id kit a nd a b ook on life sa ving skills, p rovid ed b y GTE m a na g ing d irec tor, Kevin Browning .

GTE Tra ining Ac a d em y runs a wid e ra ng e of a c c red ited tra ining c ourses for ind ivid ua ls a nd b usinesses in a d d ition to first a id , inc lud ing Hea lth a nd Sa fety a t Work, Site Sup ervision a nd Ma na g em ent Tra ining a nd m uc h m ore. The tra ining a c a d em y room s a re a lso a va ila b le for hire, a long with the la test tec hnolog y a nd eq uip m ent. To find out m ore visit w w w .GTETA.com

TOW N TALK OPEN AIR POOL In addition to cold warer swimming sessions at times throughout the winter, Portishead Open Air Pool is holding its Posicle on 9th December. The Popsicle is a cold-water swimming gala where the emphasis is on putting the fun in fundraising. All profits from the event will help to support this community run open air pool. Christmas swims and New Year swims are also on the cards so check out Portishead Open Air Pool?s Facebook page for more details

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE Portishead Preschool has been an important pillar of the local community for more than 60 years, providing childcare to local children at its Brampton Way and Hilltop sites.

As a charity the preschool is supported by fundraising by a committee which currently includes a Christmas raffle with prizes such as a £50 voucher for the Royal Inn, £25 Poacher voucher, some beautiful children?s books from Max Minerva?s and many more items. The draw will take place on 6th December so buy your tickets now to support this brilliant facility. Tickets are available from the preschool in Brampton Way or by emailing fundraising@portisheadpreschool.co.uk

CHRISTMAS MUSIC Advent Carols and Readings will be presented

by organist Philip Baldwin and the Rev Nick Moxon on 6th December and on Wednesday 20th December Philip will present Carols and Christmas music followed by mince pies. Both events start at 2.30pm and are open to all, taking place at Redcliffe Bay Methodist Church in Queens Road. The events have been organised by the Wednesday Focus group that meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the church. Everyone is welcome at all meetings.

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SPONSOR APPEAL Tanya Marriott, owner of SoleLution shoe shop in Portishead High Street, is seeking sponsors for children in a vulnerable community in Africa.

In the New Year, Tanya and a number of local volunteers will visit Jolaurabi School in Mombasa to deliver and fit hundreds of pairs of second hand shoes donated by customers and local residents over the past year. Tanya first travelled to Jolaurabi School with donated shoes in January 2018. She fell in love with the children and their families there and vowed to continue to support them. There are still a number of children hoping to start school in January who need sponsors before they can attend.

Tanya said: ?Educate the Kids is a charity that helps these children out of poverty by giving them a hand up not a handout. Sponsors pay just £11 a month to support a child through school, giving them an education and hope for the future.?.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a child can do so at www.educatethekids.com/ product/ support-a-child-11/ or pop in to SoleLution and talk to Tanya to find out more.

BARN DANCE

FLORAL ART

This is a date to put in your new 2024 diary!

Port ishead Floral Art Societ y?s 50 t h anniversary celebrat ions cont inued wit h lunch at Clevedon Golf Club and a wonderful anniversary cake!

Portishead Rotary Club is holding its annual New Year Barn Dance at Somerset Hall on Saturday 20th January starting at 7.30pm. Live music will be provided by local band Highly Strung with caller, the ever popular, Jill Elliot. Tickets cost £12.50 each, which includes a ploughman?s supper, available from Max Minerva?s Bookshop and Nortech Computers, both on Portishead High Street.

Proceeds from the event will support projects and activities in the local community.

M embers meet at Somerset Hall in Port ishead High St reet at 7.30 pm, on t he t hird Wednesday of each mont h for demonst rat ions, while pract ice classes t ake place on t he first Wednesday of each mont h. For more informat ion about t he club, visit or cost s, t icket s and fut ure event s, call Nancy on 0 7968348116 or Alison on 0 1275 845322.

SANTA FLOAT Portishead Lions?Santa float will be even more magical this year as Santa goes Eco by powering his float with green solar energy.

Santa will visit streets in the lower part of Portishead in his float throughout December until 22nd. He will also visit Sainsbury?s, Aldi and the High Street Precinct.

Full details of the Santa float schedule can be found on the Lions website and social media pages. www.portisheadlions.club

PUB QUIZ Clarenc e House in Portishead High Street invites you to test your general knowledge at its Sunday night quiz that takes plac e in the bar eac h week starting at 8pm. There?s a c ash prize every week, a round of drinks up for grabs and the event raises money for Portishead Christmas lights.

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