Trade Locally Issue 79

Local Business Classified

Airport Transfers

Staffs Travel

SOT 07949129609 55

Alarms, Aerials, Sat,CCTV& Security Cam-Tec Blythe Bridge 01782 396619 39

Deks Aerials Blythe Bridge 01782 396511 37

Homeguard Intruder Alarms SOT 01782 397589 23

Attractions & Events

Trentham Gardens Trentham 01782 646646

World of Wedgwood Barlaston 01782 282986

Blythe Bridge Historical Society Blythe Bridge 26 & 27

Building Trades & Allied Services

AJB Drainage Meir 01782 706391 39

Allsop Construction Ltd Tean 01538 724773 17

Bliss Bathrooms SOT 01782 626108 25

DJZ - Drives, Fencing,Building Blythe Bridge 01782 393848 14

Dan Heat - Plumbing & Heating SOT 01782 398833 39

GCT Electrical SOT 01782 944833 42

Hartley Skip Hire Cheadle 01538 753640 9

LF Home Improvements SOT 01782 692370 41

Magg Group Home Services

Penkridge 01785 711088 13

Meir Heath Digger Hire Meir Heath 07368282063 9

PM Driveways Ltd SOT 01782 478354 12

Pegasus Property Meir Park 07970790747 17

Prime Groundworks Ltd Tean 07867277811 10

Russells Derbyshire 01335 330399 16

SW Clarke - Electrician Blythe Bridge 07725415934 21

Car Sales & Servicing

DC Vehicle Repairs Weston Coyney 01782 476785 58

Smart Auto Fix SOT 07973313057 57

Caravan & Camping Sites

Sunny Side Touring Park Cheshire 10270 812520 52

Care Services

Honorable Care SOT 01782 599313 49

Carpets & Soft Furnishings

Ian Sunderland Carpets & Flooring SOT 07932 668745 45

Tailored Floors - Carpets Normacot 01782 395950 28

Cemetery`s & Memorial Gardens Garden of Remembrance Longton 01782 326083 48

Charities

Katherine House Hospice

Donna Louise 01782 654440

Douglas Macmillan Hospice Blurton 01782 344300 24

Coach Tours

Copelands Tours Meir 01782 334466 29

Cleaning Services

Stainbusters Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 07961 488893 35

Curtains & Blinds

Chantelle Blinds Longton 01782 599529 22

Hillarys - Stoke SOT 07949024406 25

Domestic Appliances/ Repairs

Merv Bennett - Domestic Appliance Service Blythe Bridge: 01782 394887 15

Paul Morton Forsbrook 07970541642 23

Digger Hire

Meir Heath Digger Hire Meir Heath: 07368282063 9

Drives/Patios/Paving

PM driveways Ltd SOT 01782 478354 12

Prime Groundworks Ltd Tean 07867277811 10

DRIVEWAY CLEANING

Staybrite Driveway Cleaning SOT 01782 321672 10

Electrical Goods & Services

Hylands Stone, 01785 812019 HylandsLongton, 01782 342609 60

Estate Agents

Keys Estate Agents Blythe Bridge 01782 399911 20

Fishery

Coole Acres Fishery & Leisure Park Nantwich 07899735052 53

Food & Drink

Denstone Hall Denstone 01889 590050

Funeral Directors

Harry Dawson Longton 01782 313428

Garage Doors

Garolla Roller Shutter Doors SOT 01782 365221 57

Press & Pass - Garage Doors Stone 08000219719 55

Gardening

Ashwood Timber Products Longton 01782 599180 7

C & D Tree Services SOT 07970241085 6

Clee Brothers & Son

SOT 01782 970805 15

DB Garden Services SOT 07597589469 14

Draycott Nurseries

Draycott 01782 405355 3

Greenthumb

Lawn Treatment Services SOT 01782 824549 11

Lee`s Tree Service SOT 07578182660 12

Local Business Classified

Straightline Fencing SOT 01782 312679 6

Gas Appliances & Services

Dan Heat SOT 01782 398833 39

Milward Heating SOT 07799046839 21

S.Gas Services Blythe Bridge 01782 396297 43

Leaflet Distribution

Leaflets Ltd - Blythe Bridge 01782 392355 59

Nursing Home

Westcroft Nursing Home Hanley 01782 287121 51

Painters & Decorators

Paul Woolridge SOT 01782 331733 21

Total Decorating SOT 07767732242 37

Pest Control

David Johnson Pest Control SOT 07831458266 9

EPS Pest Control SOT 07368231054 15

Pets & Accessories

Pawsome Holidays Blythe Bridge 07970 712682 55

Plumbing & Heating

Dan Heat SOT 01782 398833 39

Milward Heating SOT 07799046839 21

Plumbing Plus SOT 07749883998 37

S. Gas Plumbing

Blythe Bridge 01782 396297 43

W.T Hagan & Son Hilderstone 07513 975664 23

Pubs and Resturants

Little Seeds Stone 01785 818925 46

Raddle Inn Hollington 01889 507278 47

Roofing

Advanced Roofing Services SOT 01782 624603 44

Homeseal Roofing SOT 01782 692860 42

LF Home Improvements SOT 01782 692370 41

Sales And Marketing

Leaflets Ltd Blythe Bridge 01782 392355 59

Solicitors Bowcock &Pursaill SOT 01782 200000 50 Swimming Classes S4Swim Birmingham 07976326954 34 Windows & Conservatories Bespoke UPVC SOT 07496183393 36

City Window Services Ltd SOT 01782 256255 38 Cloudy2Clear Windows SOT 07494549507 22 Window Wizard Window & Door Repairs SOT 01782 768982 19

GARDENING

ADD SOME ZEST TO YOUR GARDEN!

As an adopted native of my home town, Southwell, I guess the only fruit I should be extolling the virtues of is the good old Bramley apple, because as every apple aficionado knows, the first ever Bramley was grown in this very town. However, as influential as this stalwart fruit may be to western cuisine with its enviable “Pie Factor,” for me it really is lacking in the all important X Factor that would lift it beyond being simply a utilitarian tree. The same can’t be said for the trees of the citrus family – their evergreen forms are covered with frothy and beautifully scented white blossom in the spring, inevitably followed by gorgeous fruits which form an essential element of many of the nation’s favourite drinks. Their mere presence in a garden adds a dash of the exotic and they make a great talking point for visitorsabsolutely essential for every aspiring horticultural bon vivant!

When I was a lad, it was inconcievable that we would ever even consider growing lemons and oranges in this country but, just as Camellias were once only gloated over in heated greenhouses by our Victorian ancestors, citrus trees are now seen as a viable addition to the amateur gardener’s must-have plants. The stunning specimens available at garden centres these days are testament to their popularity in both the home and conservatory - generally covered in lovely flowers and fruit.

Provided you can give them some basic essentials - keeping them away from direct sources of heat such as radiators (the nemesis of virtually all houseplants), plenty of direct sunlight and, if you can, a diet of rain water with a dash of citrus liquid fertiliser during the growing season, then they should thrive in the average home. However, it is as temporary (May to November) garden additions that that these plants really come into their own, as they are so much happier in a large pot in a sheltered spot outdoors that gets plenty of sun. They look absolutely stunning in teracotta pots – and only really need bringing into an unheated greenhouse or conservatory for the winter. Another bonus is that the pots will naturally restrict the size of the plants and they are unlikely to reach more that a couple of metres tall plus, as long as you use a very free draining compost, you can give

them all the water you want during their summer sojourn.

They are such rewarding plants and I’ve been lucky enough to have kept a lovely Meyer’s Lemon tree happy and healthy for over 20 years now. This is definitely the best variety for UK conditions as it slightly hardier than most others and mine has shown how tough it is on more than one occasion. Being but a mere mortal, I have been guilty of missing a few waterings now and then and leaving it in some freezing conditions on occasion – but it has always bounced back and continued to provide a steady stream of perfect fruit for my gin and tonics and the odd drizzle cake.

If you are feeling really adventurous and have an appetite for growing your own citrus, then I highly recommend you take a look at the website for the Citrus Centre www.citruscentre.co.uk. They have over 130 varieties including grapefruits, oranges and limes – some of which are extremely rare and special such as the Buddha’s Hand Citron which is about as weird as you can get in the fruit world! They are not cheap, but as we will all be saving considerable sums of cash by taking staycations this summer, why not invest in a small lemon grove and recreate your own bit of Tuscany in your own corner of our green and pleasant land

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

ADD LIGHT AND STYLE WITH WINDOW BLINDS

Window blinds have long seemed like a poor relation to curtains, simply an inexpensive way of affording your home some privacy from passers-by. Suddenly though, blinds are making a comeback - a stylish, affordable and practical addition to your home. Let’s take another look.

Roller blinds are the most basic option but have their advantages. They are very cheap, even when made to measure, and are easy to install and operate. They let the maximum amount of light into the room and can add a splash of colour to a child’s bedroom or home office. Venetian blinds are ingenious, with a series of horizontal slats that can be tilted shut at the pull of a chord or raised altogether. Long gone are the flimsy aluminium slats that used to bend and rattle, today’s wooden or faux wood blinds are stylish, robust and easy to clean.

For the last word in style and luxury, consider buying Roman blinds. Made of panels of curtain fabric attached to horizontal battens, they lie flat

against the window when closed and fold up into pleats when raised. They are just as stylish as curtains but less expensive and they allow more light into the room. They aren’t really suitable for kitchens, bathrooms or children’s rooms because they don’t like moisture and are very difficult to clean.

Beyond Roman blinds we venture into the world of interior shutters, hinged wooden panels that can be folded open or latched shut. Plantation shutters are the most desirable option; they incorporate tilting horizontal slats and can be used in the same way as a Venetian blind. Usually made to measure, they are expensive and have a long lead time, but they are the final word in fashion right now and will last a lifetime.

Blinds are just as visible outside the home as they are inside, and you can take advantage of this. Fit the same blinds to all the windows at the front of the property and it will really bring together the exterior of your home.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

WINE STORAGE

Most of us buy a few bottles of wine, drink them and then buy some more but, for some people, wine is far more than just an enjoyable drink. For true wine buffs it is a passion, an obsession and, beyond that, a valuable investment or even an inheritance that can be passed down the generations. Good wine improves with age, and it also becomes more valuable, so all you need to do to make money out of it is choose the right vintage and store it for years or even decades. But what is the best way to store it?

Wine is best stored at a temperature of 10-15ºC, but it is more important that it is not subjected to sudden fluctuations in temperature. It should be stored flat so that the wine keeps the cork moist, and the storage place should be humid (again to stop the corks from drying out) but not damp, because that will cause the labels to become mildewed. The bottles shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight because that causes the wine to break

down and spoil. For all these reasons, the best place to store wine is a cool dank cellar with plenty of easily accessible wine racks.

Unfortunately, most houses don’t have wine cellars, so what are the alternatives? You can buy a temperature and humidity-controlled cabinet like a large fridge, but these are expensive to both buy and run. A better alternative is to take a small room like a utility room or pantry and convert it into a cellar. Blank off the window, turn off the radiator and line the walls with wine racks. Keep the door shut and only enter the room when you need to visit your precious vintages.

If money is no object, there are companies that will excavate a wide circular hole below ground level and install a spiral cellar; they’ve been doing this in France for years. However you store your wine, make sure you enjoy it. Remember, wine is intended to be drunk.

COMMUNICATIONS LET ME DOWN;

(PART 28) 1760-1800

With the whole country becoming energised and transformed by new ideas and innovation, a revolution of industrialisation was underway. What was holding the country back however was the outdated methods by which people and commodities were being transported to and from the port cities and the growing inland manufacturing towns and conurbations. Even by 1754, it still took a new service called the “Flying Coach”, (barring accidents!) claiming it could get you from Manchester to London in several stages in just four and a half days.

Hence the stage coach.

Simply improving the roads was just not good enough, even though the government passed a number of Turnpike Acts whereby companies could set about building new bridges and smoothing out the usual rutted bumpy roads in summer, and often waterlogged quagmires in winter. For the use of the new roads a toll could be charged. The first in our area was commissioned in 1759 by following almost the same route as the old Roman Road that connected Derby (via Uttoxeter) to Newcastle (Chesterton).

A second turnpike was established from Stone, via Blythe Marsh, Cheadle to Thorpe in Derbyshire in 1762.

All of this was well and good and laid down the current network of major roads we still have today. However, it was even said by one of the most famous, if uncomplimentary comments,

attributed to Admiral LevesonGower ((1740-1792), who said that he “would rather be in the Bay of Biscay in a storm than on one of Dilhorne’s roads in a carriage”.

To produce speedier travel, further investment needed to be made in surveying potential new and flatter routes. Mapmaking and surveying, was an art and no better example of this prior to the Ordinance Survey being formed in 1791 was the work of William Yates who produced a complete six sheet map of Staffordshire in 1775, and then republished in 1798. Although there are numerous minor faults in his final map, it does give the first and most accurate depiction of our location at that time.

Even as numerous Turnpike Trusts were being set up and the improvements that followed, the limitations as to how much heavy traffic it could accommodate were clearly obvious. Not only was it restricted by the seasonal weather, but the carriages drawn by horsepower alone placed a restrained tonnage upon what could be carried. This made it an expensive mode of transport to pay at each and every Toll gate between stages.

Therefore, even before the turn of the 18th century it was becoming a bad business investment for the Trustees and shareholders. This resulted in small parcels of the various roads being slowly auctioned off which enabled financial speculation and resulted in rising toll charges.

River improvements across Britain including part canalisation, had been undertaken as far back as Roman times. By the 16th century it became conceivable to navigate whole sections of rivers from one town to the next. The centre of England was a more difficult proposition, due to its hilly nature in parts and also due to the inconvenient direction of water flow. The answer was of course to build artificial rivers of some length, to connect those major waterways such as the Thames, Severn, Trent and Mersey that crossed the country to the key ports of London, Bristol, Hull and Liverpool.

That was the challenge! And it became the 18th century equivalent to putting a man on the moon.

It required men with a vision, plus sufficient finance to support the project and an engineering ability to overcome the physical problems they would face. History however brought together three such persons, in the form of Josiah Wedgwood, the entrepreneurial potter, Francis Egerton, the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater and James Brindley a brilliant and practical engineer. Between them they formed the company that constructed the 93-mile Trent and Mersey Canal in 1776. However, the moorlands still remained unconnected to this new passageway and given that coal and limestone lay in abundance, something had to be done.

The same trinity of business men conceived of a solution

by building a branch called the Cauldon canal that followed the line of the river Churnet towards Uttoxeter. Forever dry in summer, and with no headwater, the issue was not resolved until 1797 when an Act of Parliament allowed the building of a reservoir at Rudyard.

Not to be outdone and with the potential of similar success, John Holliday, Master of Dilhorne Hall along with his patrons the Earls Paget and Uxbridge proposed in 1795 an enterprise

to build a canal connecting Derby, Burton on Trent to the southern towns of the Potteries using the same lines as the Roman road.

A route was surveyed that included a cut branch from Upper Tean into Cheadle, Godleybrook, Forsbrook and thence re-joining the main waterway.

Remnants of the proposed headwater reservoirs can still be recognised in the fields below Stansmore hall and

Cresswellford….part of which can be traced back to being medieval fishing pools. Sadly, although the chairman and key sponsors gained some support from landowners along the proposed line, they were faced with opposition and the project came to nothing.

The enterprise simply came twenty years too late. Besides a new idea to replace the horse power was just over the horizon which would make even the canal a thing of the past.

Remnants of the proposed headwater reservoirs can still be recognised in the fields below Stansmore hall and Cresswellford….part of which can be traced back to being medieval fishing pools. Sadly, although the chairman and key sponsors gained some support from landowners along the proposed line, they were faced with oppositi on and the project came to nothing. The enterprise simply came twenty years too late. Besides a new idea to replace the horse power was just over the horizon which would make even the canal a thing of the past.

1. William Yates Map 1775 and republished 1798

CRIMESTOPPERS

Telephone: 0800-555-111

LOCAL DANCE FITNESS CLASSES.

New members welcome at our local dance and fitness classes.

Monday 7pm to 8pm Dance Fitness – St Frances Church, Meir Heath

Tuesday 10.30am to 11.30am Zumba – Blythe Bridge Village Hall

Tuesday 6.30pm to 7.30pm Zumba – St Frances Church, Meir Heath

Thursday 10.30am to 11.30am Zumba – Blythe Bridge Methodist Church For further details of any classes call Jo on 07713308667

STOKE ON TRENT SOUTH U3A ACTIVITY LIST AS AT 24/04/2022

Group Activity Day/Time Location

Group Leader Tel. No.

Walking Monday 10.00a.m. - Alternate Mondays Various To be agreed

IT Group Monday 10.00 - 12.00 Alternate Weeks STILL SUSPENDED Joe Neilson 01782 852042 Discussion Group Monday 11.30 - 12.45 - Monthly Hanley Library Bob Jones 01785 817743

Line Dancing Monday 1.00 - 3.00 - Weekly Longton Central Hall Linda Woolliscroft 07971 332348

Ukulele Group Monday 1.15 - 3.15 - Weekly Longton Central Hall Barbara Cooke 07864 353467

Indoor Bowls Monday 1.30 - 3.30pm - Weekly Longton Central Hall Dave Darby 01782 317408

Flower Arranging Monday 2.00 - 4.00 - Alternate Weeks St. Albans Centre Blurton Sandra Robson 01785 812730.

Lunch Group Tuesday - 2nd Week of Month Various Maureen Cumming 01782 331797

Local History Tuesday 10.30 - 12.15 - Alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall Phil Rowley 07421 734200 Longton Allsorts Tuesday 10.30 - 12.00 - 1st Week of Month Longton Central Hall Val Greatbatch 07881 367509

Beading Tuesday 11.30 - 1.30pm Weekly Red House Joan Crozier 01782 213459 Book Club 1 Tuesday 2.00 - 3.30 - last Week of Month Longton Library Val Towey 01782 322115 Book Club 2 Tuesday 2.00 - 3.30 - 2nd Week of Month Longton Library Christine Voyle-Morgan 01538 756155

Badminton

Tuesday usually 2.00 to 3.00 Weekly Fenton Manor Dave Darby 01782 317408

Tenpin Bowling Tuesday Evenings variable dates. 7pm start. Tenpin Stoke Festival Site Michelle Tittle-Wang 01782 657564 Sewing Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00 - 2nd & 4th Weeks STILL SUSPENDED Carol Davies 01782 620323

Art Lovers

Wednesday 10.00-12.00 - Alternate Weeks Blurton Community Centre Lynette Bell 01782 238712

Bridge Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00 Weekly Longton Central Hall John Anderson 07794 175481

Mexican Train Dominoes Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00 alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall Pauline Murray 01782 392817

Table Tennis Wednesday 10.00 - 11.00 alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall Fay Howell 01782 658659

Indoor Kurling Wednesday 10.00-12.00 Alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall Val Greatbatch 07881 367509

Outdoor Bowling Wednesday 1.30 - 3.30 pm Weekly Fenton Bowling Club

Photography

Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 2nd & 4th Week of Month Longton Central Hall

Scrabble/Board Games Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 2nd & 4th Week of Month Longton Central Hall

Dave Darby 01782 317408

Fran Knowles 01782 417799

Mike Smith 01782 501318

Joan Crozier 01782 213459 Parchment Craft Thursday 11.30 - 1.30 1st & 3rd Week of Month Red House

Open Craft Thursday 11.30 - 1.30 2nd & 4th Week of Month Red House

Joan Crozier 01782 213459 Monthly Meeting Last Thursday in Month 2.00 p.m.

Longton Central Hall - From June Committee Meeting Second Thursday in Month 2.00 p.m. Longton Central Hall Arts Friday 10.00 - 12.00 - Weekly Longton Central Hall

Jepson

658659

WHAT’S ON

Hanliensian Rambling Club Recruitment Walks.

Sunday 19th June 2022.

Interested in joining a great walking club? Join us for our introductory walks in the Dilhorne area where we can offer a choice of either a 8 mile or 11 mile walk. This is your chance to try walking as a hobby and meet other people new to walking along with our friendly club members. The 11 mile starts at 9am the 8 mile starts at 10 am both from Dilhorne Recreation Ground. Dilhorne rec is situated on the road between Charlie Bassets and The Royal Oak pub. For the lunch break both walks will call at Moorville Hall

The Hanliensian Rambling Club is a long established walking group in Stoke on Trent with a wealth of experience in our 180+ members. We offer up to 200 walks a year to suit all abilities ranging from evening and half day walks to longer distances and more challenging mountain terrain. The club has a busy social programme and an annual photography competition. Our members have long enjoyed club holidays both abroad and in the UK and this year we will be visiting Switzerland, Aberystwyth and the Lake District. In June 12th we are travelling by coach to the Malvern Hills where our club members will be leading 4 grades of walks to suit all.

For more information on HRC take a look at our website at http://hrcwalks.org.uk/ and find us on Facebook under Stoke on Trent HRC walks.

Take advantage of this great opportunity and join us on June 19th for our taster walks. For more information on the walks please contact Peter Johnson on 01782 311822

The club does have a policy of no dogs on our walks because of the nature of the areas we visit.

UTTOXETER RACECOURSE – 22nd July.

Bresbet Ladies Day Ft Live DJ Set from Howard Donald

Join us for Ladies Day and relax with friends whilst drinking Fizz in the summer sunshine. Get glammed up and come together with friends and family for a gorgeously fun filled day out. Watch exciting horse racing and then dance the afternoon away to live DJ set from Take That’s Howard Donald!

For further details go to: Uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk

CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY

Rail Ale Trail Staffordshire 2022 Staffordshire Beer Train 23-24 July

Join the celebrations at the Churnet Valley Railway and climb on board their Rail Ale Train, where you can enjoy some beer while moving through the countryside pulled by a traditional heritage locomotive. The train will also be making stops at Consall, where you can visit the Black Lion pub, and at Cheddleton with our smaller bar, which is the perfect place to join the train with easy access for taxi collection/ drop off, before traveling on to the main event at Froghall.

Run in collaboration with the local Lymestone Brewery from Stone North Staffordshire, start the day off with our bar at Froghall Station, experience the buzzing atmosphere and live music and tasty treats in our Signals Tearoom before climbing onboard our train.

For further details go to: churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk

At S4 Swim School we provide clear effective progression for our swimmers. Children experience a high level of swim teaching, with opportunities to progress to advanced technique & elementary coaching sessions. Our fully qualified, DBS checked instructors are able to deliver quality swimming lessons and advanced coaching sessions. S4 is affiliated to Swim England and follows the Swim England Award Scheme. Our swimmers are regularly assessed and monitored by a swim coordinator and instructors at every lesson. m: 07903857471 finnenau@s4swimschool.co.uk

SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE

USING FACEBOOK TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

I regularly get told that Facebook doesn’t work for businesses, but just look at the numbers. The site has over 2.8 billion monthly active users and there are 80 million small-medium sized businesses on there, with 6 million of these choosing to advertise on the platform. Facebook should definitely be one of your marketing channels.

So how can we maximise our presence? Here’s some advice:

1. Be Yourself – Keep it social. If people in your network know and like you, they will be more inclined to buy from you.

2. Use Video – Video has a 135% higher organic reach than photo and FB live brings the biggest engagement from your audience,

with 3 times more watch time than its pre-recorded counterpart.

3. Keep Posts Specific to your Audience – Facebook’s algorithm is designed to show your content more to people if they take an action on a post. Keep you posts relevant.

4. Monitor What Works – Look at what types of posts engage with your audience and do more of them.

5. Be Consistent – Your audience become used to seeing your posts. Stay true to your values and post regularly.

6. Show Some Love – Reply to their comments, and they will be more inclined to comment on future posts.

SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE MANAGING STRESS

AS A BUSINESS OWNER

Running a business, whatever the size, is a significant undertaking. The never-ending list of things to do can soon cause feelings of stress to build up. So how can you reduce stress when there’s so much going on?

Firstly, it’s worth remembering that stress isn’t all bad. Stress can motivate us and focus our energies. It helps us to grow and thrive. The problems arise when we’re in a constant state of stress - an easy pattern to get into, especially when you’re running a business. Try these ideas to reduce your feelings of stress.

Write everything down A list, a brain dump, whatever you want to call it - just the act of getting everything out of your head and

onto paper can be helpful in itself. Once you’ve got everything written down, you can then prioritise what is genuinely urgent, what’s important, and maybe let go of some things that are neither. Staying focused on just one or two things at a time and utilising the support available to you can help to avoid being overwhelmed. Get outside every day Ideally, take a walk every day. If that doesn’t feel possible, just stepping outside to take some deep breaths can have a big impact on how you feel. Spending time in nature has been shown to help lower the levels of stress hormones. If you can, get outside in the morning. Research shows that getting morning sunlight can

Remember, if this sounds like gobbledygook or you haven’t the time to manage a Facebook campaign, there are experts like me who can do it all for you. We will take the time to understand your business and design a campaign that should meet your objectives while keeping within your budget. Then we’ll work with you to monitor the campaign, feed back the response or lack of it and then tweak your ads and posts so that they generate the maximum interest.

A Facebook campaign takes time to deliver results, so it’s important to manage your expectations. Get it wrong and you’ll waste a lot of money but get it right and you can really grow your business for a reasonable outlay.

help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, improving the quality of your sleep. Things can feel easier to manage when you’re wellrested.

Don’t forget the basics Taking good care of yourself is essential to staying healthy and well, so that you can run your business as you want to.

Make time for the things you enjoy and spend time with family and friends. Eat well, stay hydrated, move your body every day and make time for sleep. Your wellbeing is key to the success of your business, so allocate a little time each day to look after yourself.

RECIPE

BARBECUE SHELL-ON PRAWNS, GREEN CHILLI, GARLIC & PARSLEY, SMOKED SEA SALT & SAFFRON AIOLI

(Serves 4)

This delicious starter is perfect for a sit-down barbeque or, if the weather lets you down, you can cook the prawns under the grill.

20 raw shell-on Tiger Prawns

2 Green Chillies

8 cloves Garlic, peeled 800ml Rapeseed Oil Smoked Sea salt 1 small bunch Parsley 1 Lemon, quartered 3 Egg Yolks

½ tsp English Mustard

½g Saffron Threads

White Wine Vinegar Salt, Pepper

The first job is to make the aioli, so the flavours have time to infuse. Place the egg yolks

into a blender along with 3 cloves of garlic, the English mustard and a splash of white wine vinegar. Blend until the garlic has emulsified with the other ingredients. Turn down the blender to half and slowly add the rapeseed oil until it achieves a thick consistency. Add the saffron and a squeeze of lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, scrape out of the blender and place in the fridge until needed.

Now make the dressing for the prawns. Gently heat the remaining oil until just hot to the touch. Slice the green chillies and the remaining garlic nice and thinly, place into the oil, turn off the heat and leave to stand

for at least 2 hours.

Get your barbecue ready to cook (the charcoal should just be turning grey) and place the tiger Prawns on the grill. Cook the prawns on both sides until the shells start to char, then remove from the barbecue and place in a mixing bowl. Spoon over a nice amount of the green chilli and garlic marinade. Toss with the chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice and a good pinch of smoked sea salt. Serve on warmed plates with a healthy dollop of saffron aioli.

Garden of Remembrance Limited

Garden of Remembrance

Spring Garden Road, Longton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. ST3 2QN

Spring Garden Road, Longton,

E: gardenofremembrance@hotmail.co.uk Telephone Number: 01782 326083 www.gardenofremembranceltd

The Garden of Remembrance Limited is a Unique Independently owned cemetery, established in 2005.

We pride ourselves in delivering the best possible service, and our core policies are of paramount importance to us.

The cemetery sits on the edge of the potteries in Staffordshire and is set in a very quiet and tranquil location, enabling you to visit your loved ones in peace.

The cemetery is monitored 24/7 and open 365 days a year.

Westcroft is a 28 bedded Nursing Home and is registered with the Care Quality Commission. It stands in a convenient location in Hanley, close to Hanley Park. Our Philosophy is to promote a homely atmosphere, encompassing a safe, relaxed environment in which a high standard of care can be achieved. To treat residents with dignity and respect, appreciating their individual, physical, emotional, social and cultural needs.

TRAVEL

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

As a special treat for my 40th birthday, I relinquished my duties as a husband and father and spent six fantastic days with a friend from university, Rob, on a road trip around Italy. We flew into Turin on a glorious day in late June and picked up a BMW from Hertz – you don’t want to do a road trip around one of the most beautiful countries on earth in a poverty spec Nissan Micra! We checked into the Travelodge and went out for dinner. The splendour of Turin is looking decidedly shabby these days, but la dolce vita is alive and well – we went to a packed pavement restaurant and had four fantastic courses washed down by far too much Amarone, a promising start to our trip.

The next day we headed south to the Italian Riviera and the “fishing village” of Portofino. Portofino was famous as a destination for the rich and beautiful long before it made a cameo appearance in The Wolf of Wall Street. It is almost indecently pretty; the harbour is full of yachts and the quayside is thronged with Ferraris. We wandered around ogling the yachts before paying an obscene amount for lunch at a harbourside restaurant. A quick stroll to the old fort on top of the hill and that was Portofino done. We headed back up the coast, stopped at the beach and went on to Genoa, our next port of call. Genoa is a working port, and no doubt has its seedier areas, but the Old Town is charming with lots of bars and restaurants.

The next day had been assigned

to a beach just outside Livorno two hours down the coast, a bit rocky but the water was crystal clear, and the beach was lined with bars and cafes. We spent the night at this lively resort too, quite family orientated but lots of fun. The following morning, we made a diversion to Pisa for ice cream and a picture of the tower – it really does lean at a remarkable angle. We headed over to Florence next with its stunning architecture and wealth of Renaissance treasures. We did the culture vulture bit with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery before heading out to sample the city’s surprisingly lively nightlife.

Much of the next day was spent in the car. We continued south for five hours, bypassing Rome and stopping off to see the remarkable ruins of Pompeii. Then we looped inland and enjoyed an afternoon drive along the stunning Amalfi coast, ending up in Sorrento where we stayed the night. Feeling jaded after all that driving, we spent a quiet night at the casino where I won enough to pay for the hotel – something of a first!

At last, we headed to Rome,

three hours back the way we had come the day before. Rather than wander around on foot, we plunged into the city’s notorious traffic and did a guided tour by car, not a bad way to see the sights. At least we got to visit the Trevi Fountain when we went out for a meal in the evening. Our adventure was drawing to an end now, but there was one last place we had to see – Venice. Forget all the films, paintings and photos, nothing prepares you for the reality of this incredible city. The colours are so vivid, the architecture so varied and the canals so enchanting, it transcends words. With only an afternoon to explore, we couldn’t hope to do it justice; we just wandered around drinking it all in. Lunch in a restaurant on one of the minor canals was very good and surprisingly affordable; our one luxury was a vaporetto ride back up the Grand Canal.

In six days we covered over 1500 miles, drove on some of the most stunning roads in Europe and saw some of the most beautiful cities in the world. I’ll be back for more when I turn 50.

CLASSIC CARS

TRIUMPH SPITFIRE

The Triumph Spitfire is a classic car that is often overlooked, with serious enthusiasts opting instead for its big brother, the TR6. It is widely viewed as an entry level classic, the kind of thing you buy to get your foot on the ladder before moving on to something better. In fact, it is a nice little sports car, pretty to look at and a lot of fun to drive. It stayed in production for 18 years with over 300,000 produced, so it must have had something going for it.

Launched in 1962 as a rival to the MG Midget and AustinHealey Sprite, it was a classic 2-seater, front engine, rear wheel drive roadster. Styled by Italian legend Michelotti, it was a bit of a looker with raised front wings curving into a low waistline and an elegant rear. The overly complex fabric hood spoiled the effect somewhat as it looked like something off a pram, but most of them were used strictly for open top motoring. It was an entry level sports car, and the interior was spartan even by the standards of the day, though it had wind up windows and a full range of instruments mounted in a central binnacle.

Early versions used a twincarburettor 1150cc engine with 63bhp, enough for acceptable performance – it could top 90mph. Compact and very light, it handled well and actually achieved considerable success in rallying in the mid-60s. Its Achilles heel was a tendency to oversteer at the drop of a hat, something that caught out many an unwary driver. In 1967 the engine was replaced with a

more powerful 1300cc unit, and it received a minor facelift.

In 1970 it was heavily restyled to become the car that most people recognise as a Triumph Spitfire today. Wider and lower, it had a sloping bonnet and that distinctive broad flat boot. This, the Mark IV, really was a very good-looking car. The instruments were moved in front of the driver, and it had a simplified but more effective soft top. The final development was the addition of a 1500cc engine in 1974, designated the Mark V; with more torque, it endowed the Spitfire with 100mph performance, impressive stuff in the 1970s.

Although prices are rising now, the Spitfire is still an entry level classic. You can pick up a scruffy high mileage example for four grand, although tidier cars with reasonable mileage start at £7,500. Low mileage, properly restored cars are fetching £16k and above, though for that kind of money I’d buy something else, maybe a TR6. There are plenty of Spitfires on the market, the majority of them Mark Vs. These cars were built during the darkest days of British Leyland

and almost all of them will have been restored. Check when the restoration was done and make sure a proper job was done of it – ideally the car should have had a full respray and had the engine modified so it can run on unleaded petrol.

Cars from the 60s (mainly Mark IIIs) are rarer, but not particularly expensive; in many cases they are cheaper than a Mark V. However, they require a lot of work just to keep them on the road and offer a more antiquated driving experience. Owning one requires a great deal of commitment and that isn’t what having a classic car should be all about. Nonetheless, if you can find a tidy Mark I or II, it could make for a shrewd investment.

There are a few desirable extras to look out for on your Spitfire –period alloy wheels, a wooden dash and overdrive on third and fourth gears will all add value and can improve the driving experience. The Triumph Spitfire remains what it always was, an affordable small sports car. Buy one, enjoy it for a few years and then pass it on to someone else to have fun in.