Trade Locally Issue 83

north staffs

trade loca y

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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR ADVERTISERS AND READERS

When you are next looking for Goods or Services

 LOOK LOCALLY

 BUY LOCALLY

 BENEFIT LOCALLY

Did You Know That  Small Businesses account for over 50% of Private Sector Jobs ?

an integral part of the Local

Generating Local Wealth, Employment

put up to 50% of Turnover back into the Local Economy compared to as low as 5% from the

 Buying Locally minimises travel thus reducing Carbon Footprint.

TRADE LOCALLY BUSINESS PARTNERS ARE ALL LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES COMMITTED TO AND OPERATING IN THIS AREA.

HELP THEM to HELP US.

Lawns do wonders for our wellbeing. That’s why we’ve devised three programmes of year-round treatments to keep your grass a cut above.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

With the property market largely moribund thanks to rising mortgage interest rates, many people are looking to get more space and flexibility out of their existing homes. A simple and cost-effective way of doing this can be to convert an outbuilding into usable living space.

Many pre-war homes have substantial outbuildings that were used as wash houses or potting sheds. Often built of brick with a pitched roof, they are solidly constructed, although they may not have adequate levels of insulation or weatherproofing, and damp may be an issue. However, these problems are generally easily resolved.

When converting an outbuilding, you are generally starting with an empty shell. If rising damp is an issue, it can be fixed by installing a dampproof course and, if necessary, tanking the lower area of the walls. Services such as water and broadband can be easily installed; sometimes these are DIY jobs. Putting in a mains electricity supply must be done by

TRANSFORMING AN OUTBUILDING WORDSEARCH

a qualified electrician though.

Installing internal insulation in the walls and ceiling is inexpensive and will make the building warm and cosy while reducing the heating bills. Modern electric heaters are extremely efficient and cheap and easy to install. Use skylights to increase natural light and consider putting in a toilet or even a shower room. The whole conversion can be done for just a few thousand pounds and doing some of the work yourself will save a lot in labour costs.

Then it’s just a question of what you’re going to do with your newfound space. A home office is an obvious idea, but it could also be a playroom for the kids, a guest bedroom, granny annexe, gym or a multipurpose room covering several of the above. It is a good idea to decide what you’re going to use it for before you start the conversion. In that way, it can be designed for a specific purpose, and you won’t waste money installing features and services that you don’t need.

Please mention Trade Locally when responding to Adverts

Dear Sir / Madam,

Re: Would you like to sell your house this month?

Hi, our names are Gareth and Amanda Rutherford We are local property investors We are buying properties in your area and have dropped this letter through your letterbox as your house is exactly the type of property that we are keen to buy. The reason we have chosen your street is because we regularly get asked by tenants if we have more properties around here.

The differences between selling your house to us and using an estate agent:

 We specialise in buying properties very quickly, between 7 and 28 days is our normal purchase period

 We can buy with cash so that you don’t get messed around by mortgage lenders slowing things down

 We pay all your estate agent and solicitor fees - the price we pay is actually what you get

 There are no “viewings” with lots of timewasters coming for a poke around your home

 There is no board outside or advert in the paper, just a fast, smooth, relaxed confidential sale

Call us for a guaranteed offer on your property. If you accept our offer before the end of the month then we will either give you £250 cash in advance or pay your mortgage for you until we com plete the purchase of your property! This could get the mortgage company off your back immediately!

We hope that you don’t mind our direct approach but we thought that we’d write to ask you if you would like to sell your house quickly? If you are keen to sell within a month with no hassle from agents charging you fees, viewings that waste your time and buyers offering and then backing out, then we can definitely help.

We offer a guaranteed purchase of any property which means that all you have to do is give us a call and we’ll give you a price that we guarantee to buy your property at. If you decide to sell to us you could have the money in your account within a month.

If you want to sell quickly then give us a call today: 01782 218269. We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Gareth and Amanda

Gareth and Amanda Rutherford, Ethical, Local Property Investors

P.S. Call us on 01782 218269 TODAY and have the money for your property in your bank account in only 28 days! P.P.S. Don’t delay...take advantage of our special offer... accept our offer before the end of the month and we can start paying your mortgage for you IMMEDIATELY! Don’t miss out, CALL NOW on 01782 218269 RIGHT NOW!

OPINION

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

I’ve never been a fan of working from home as so many self-employed people do, particularly since the pandemic. I like the camaraderie of working in a shared office, and the chance to bounce ideas off people or simply engage in a bit of banter. I like the fact that you have a place to put all your work-related stuff without it gradually taking over your home. Most of all, I like the fact that when you leave the office, you leave the world of work behind and you have the commute home, no matter how brief, to transition from work mode to normal life setting.

As a result, it was with a heavy heart that last year I packed up my desks, computers and shelves full of old magazines and moved them to our spare bedroom… not to mention under the bed in the other spare bedroom, the cupboard under the stairs and the second-floor landing – you see what I mean about work stuff encroaching on your living space. Think what it must be like if you don’t have a spare room or even a second floor!

Anyway, when we first viewed our new house last year, I was thrilled to see that it had it had a sizeable outbuilding at the end of the garden. Bizarrely, it was barely mentioned on the property details, but as soon as I saw it, my eyes lit up. The former owner of the house is an artist and had used it as a studio during the summer months; it was full of dust, cobwebs, old scraps of carpet and random pieces of junk. To me though, this was the new global headquarters of Clemmow Industries. Let me tell you about it.

First of all, it is big, easily big enough to park a car in – always assuming you’re prepared to demolish the garden gate and drive across the lawn and through the rose bushes. It is also very pretty if rather ramshackle; it looks like a little cottage hidden away in the middle of an orchard. Inside it has a pair of skylights, an electricity supply, hot and cold running water and even a kitchen sink. There is heating, courtesy of an elderly storage heater that needs upgrading, and, better still, the walls and ceiling are fully insulated, as I discovered when I set about repairing a large hole in the plaster. It is quirky and full of character and has enough built-in storage space for even the most obsessive of hoarders.

The thing that really caught my eye was the view. There are three windows and one of them is a wide floor to ceiling affair, practically a wall of glass. None of your swanky bifold doors here, this was crafted in situ by a carpenter a century ago using pieces of oak. It faces south across our gorgeous garden – no credit to me at all – and is just wide enough to put a desk in front of. Truly a room with a view!

Naturally, we’ve made transforming this dilapidated outbuilding our top priority. Thanks to my heroic efforts with a drill and a very long ethernet cable, we now have broadband. The battered plaster has been patched up and painted a soft yellow that reminds me of spring flowers. We have a rather tasteful carpet on order; as I write this it is already three weeks overdue, but that is par for the course at the moment. In honour of its history as an artist’s studio, we are going to have a mural created – Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. It turns out you can buy one made to measure on vinyl and just stick it to the wall… who knew.

I don’t think our lovely new office will win us any new customers or make me more productive, but it will make me happy. And let’s face it, how many of us can say we are truly happy at work?

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SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE

YOUR WELLBEING MATTERS TO YOUR BUSINESS

According to a recent report by the Accountancy Partnership, 43% of SME owners stated the reason they started their business was to improve their work-life balance. Yet that same report also found a quarter of SME owners find the stress of running a business to be detrimental to their mental wellbeing. So, while many people find that running their own business gives them the flexibility to take control of their lives, it’s important to also create wellness habits that sustain your health and wellbeing.

Try these ideas to support your physical and mental health and improve your energy and focus in your business.

Start your day right

What you do in the minutes after waking can set the tone for the rest of your day. Do you take some time to do something that will support your wellbeing, or do you go straight to your computer and get sucked into the world of work? Taking the time - even just 10 minutes - to do something for you, before you get stuck in, can help your mindset for the day and have a huge impact on your overall wellbeing.

Enjoy downtime

It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling guilty if you take some time out to relax. Don’t do it! Rest is not a waste of time. Taking some time out is essential for all aspects

of your wellbeing, and will help your mindset, motivation and focus in your business, helping you to perform at your best.

Get outside

Spend time in the garden or park every day. Research shows that spending time in nature helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Natural sunlight during the day is also important for good sleep. Even just small amounts of time spent in nature can give your wellbeing a boost.

Remember you don’t have to do everything at once! Building tiny habits into your daily life is the way to achieve consistency and feel the positive effects on your wellbeing.

BUILDING, BUILDING, BUST;

1848-1866 (PART32)

Late June 1866

It had been raining all night, and William Kenwright Harvey of Blythe House struggled to get any sleep, for he tossed and turned with worry whether he could go through with his plan. After an age had passed, he left his wife Ann lying in bed and decided to get dressed and leave even before his servants had got up to make their breakfast.

Light was breaking through his dressing room window when he heard her feint voice calling for him.

‘William, William it’s far too early! Where are you going? she asked. ‘Do not worry yourself my dear! I told you that we are having a very important meeting at the bank and I need to get there early so I can go through the figures. Now go back to sleep, for I shall catch the early train to Longton’, he replied.

What she did not know or saw, that he had a large case already packed and prepared for his departure. His planned destination was neither to the bank nor even Longton.

The rain eased, as he slipped out of the side gate, onto the road that led from Forsbrook, opposite the new parish Church called Saint Peter’s. There were a few people walking to work, but with the collar of his frock coat turned up and bearing the new ‘Derby bowler’ type of hat, anyone who saw him with his bag under his arm would consider him to be but someone delivering to Blythe House. He quickly took one last look at the church his father Charles had donated money

towards constructing, just less than these twenty years past. He could recall with pride, how he was told by his father that one day he would build a grand house on the land opposite the church, and he smiled at the thought, that his father always kept his promises. With his father’s passing just six years ago, he and Ann had moved to live in Blythe Bridge and found it a most pleasant and respectable place to live.

Still, he had no time to dwell on the past, and quickly rounded the corner onto the Lane End turnpike. The further he walked towards the railway station just a few hundred yards away, he thought he saw a familiar face coming towards him. It was Mr Ford who owned the Swan Inn, just across the railway lines by the bridge. Of all the bad luck to meet someone who was bound to recognise him. Fortunately for William, Mr Ford was on the opposite side of the road, and two empty coal carts were ambling in his direction after no doubt dropping off their early consignment in the Potteries. He considered standing still, but changing his mind. Instead he walked even quicker to allow the carts to pass just as the publican reached the opposite spot on the footpath. It worked!

Mr Ford carried on, clearly with matters on his mind and completely oblivious to the gentleman hurrying down the road.

With the distance shortening towards the station, he took advantage of several men coming down the lane from Caverswall and tagged onto the gaggle as they smoked a pipe whilst

crossing the road towards the platform. Obviously identified as farmers by their dress… for it was not unusual for them to catch the morning train leaving for Uttoxeter and the weekly cattle market being held there. This was excellent, William thought, ‘I can mingle into their company, for their mind will be on more important matters than a stranger amongst their midst.’

At last, he reached the safety of the down platform, and took a dark place beneath the deepmaroon painted canopy that sheltered the gathering throng from the rain. He had travelled many times on the North Staffordshire Railway to his office at the Market Square in Longton, but never at this unearthly hour, and always from the opposing platform.

Stupidly, he had forgotten that he needed a ticket of course and cursed himself for not getting one sooner. It could only be bought from the railway office on the north line and from someone who might recognise him.

Luckily, yet again he could see a small queue of silhouettes forming adjacent to the window booth, so he hurriedly crossed the line whilst the crossing gate was still open to passing traffic.

Praying that the signal man would not come down to close the gate, he joined the queue and completely forgot about being recognised. Pushing a crown through the half-arched window, he simply stated ‘Derby, First class, one way!’

A ticket was forthcoming, which William eagerly collected and rushed from the office.

‘Your change Sir!’, came an invisible voice… which William ignored, and continued with a spring in his heels. For such a big man, he got across the lines just as the signalman descended from his box to close the road gates. The distant rumble and growing noise from the approaching steam train, came closer and closer, and with it grew an increased sense of safety and relief within William’s heart.

The smoke from the engine filled the platform, and the pack of people opened the doors to take a seat. First class was at the rear of the train of carriages and being almost empty, apart from a smart young woman aged about twenty trying to maintain the order of three young children. He guessed she was a nanny, and far too young to be their mother. She gave him a wry smile in the form of an apology, and the children obediently sat still and talked quietly for the remainder of the journey. Fortunately, they alighted at the next stop in Uttoxeter along with the host that had been carried to the market in the town. William was at last totally alone to gather his thoughts!

With a highly respected and successful father as a banker, and privileges that made him a profitable business man, his personal reputation was beyond question. A good marriage of almost thirty years, to a woman who had always been his rock and someone he deeply loved and respected…yet by this single action their combined reputation would now I be in ruins…so why did it all go so very wrong?

Only the week before, he had stood by the Prince of Wales to make a speech on behalf of his Brother Freemasons in the position as the Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire, at the

laying of a key stone for the new Royal Staffordshire Infirmary. Yet all the while, he was planning to betray their collective trust, and save his own skin, unwilling to face up to the ignominy of being sent to gaol as a bankrupt and thief.

As the engine clanked on the rails, and the green of the countryside sped by, his deep feelings of loneliness grew. As far as Ann was concerned, he could only imagine how she would react to the letter that may arrive later today at their marital home. Meant to explain the situation, and so as not to surround her with his own shame and guilt he had concocted a story that business was taking him to America or maybe even Australia.

Either way it would be a long time before they would be together again…. if at all?

The truth of the matter was, he intended to go to neither, for the money he had taken from the safe in the bank was for a new life on the Continent. By the following day he intended to be in France, beyond the reach of the law and far from the wrath of all who knew him.

When the doors were opened at the bank later that morning to discover the safe empty, the initial thoughts were towards robbery, and the police were called in to investigate. As the hours passed, and with the doors still closed, plus the absence of the manager Mr Harvey, a growing realisation of the truth fell across all who attended.

Rumours that the bank was in trouble, led to a mob of people gathering at the door, shouting for restitution of their own funds. But this was more than just a run on the bank.

No one could believe what had

happened, it was incredible that a man at the hight of his personal standing would do such a thing, an Officer and gentleman in the local militia, who was liked by all…yet he was but a common criminal.

Over the ensuing months a search failed to locate William Kenwright Harvey…he had simply disappeared.

Newspapers of the day declared him to have absconded to America without mentioning the contents of the safe.

The Old Bank in Longton was closed, whilst Mr W. K. Harvey was censured by being simply declared a bankrupt.

The truth of the matter was, he had simply been living way beyond his means to impress others…at first, just taking a few pounds to maintain a lifestyle he could not afford, and no doubt giving himself a mental promissory note to pay it back.

However, he never did!

He did however live a relatively long and comfortable life in Switzerland, dying aged 76 at the No.2 Rue de-la Grenade, Paquis, Geneva on the 29th November 1892…. leaving over £2475 2 shillings and 2 pence to his widow Ann.

COWORKING OFFICE SPACE

Shared office space for small businesses or people who require a remote work desk

Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing with no contracts If you want a local, friendly coworking space and a great value business mailbox service – please get in touch and see how we can help

NSPC RECRUITMENT

Would you like the chance to get involved with a local organisation that promotes the rights and concerns of older folk in North Staffordshire?

Do you feel that your views are properly taken into account when decisions are made by local and national organisations?

Would you welcome the opportunity to comment on the services provided by those including the NHS, local councils, care homes, transport agencies, state pensions and entitlements?

If so please come along to one of the monthly public meetings of the NORTH STAFFS

PENSIONERS’ CONVENTION to see how we can make sure your voice is heard in these troubled times.

Currently we are supporting those trying to protect the helpful staff at Stoke and Stafford railway

stations and to prevent the closure of the ticket offices.

We believe that robotic train services without ticket office staff and guards on our trains is a very backward step. Working with others we believe together everyone achieves more.

If you are interested in joining for an annual fee of a fiver and to receive our regular newsletters or further information about how you can help us please contact:

Cliff Hathaway Vice Chair NSPC

4 Burnside Close Meir Park ST3 7XY 07828 603627

Email cliffh@hotmail.co.uk

Or call our office on 01782 201724

Please mention Trade Locally when responding to Adverts

A fusion of different dance styles, Ceroc is easy to learn, with different classes aimed towards a range of different ability levels – from nervous first timers to dance floor masters. There is no complicated footwork to worry about, and by the end of your first class you will be able to dance a routine of three moves.

Whether you turn up alone, with a partner or in a group, you will get the opportunity to dance with lots of other dancers on the night.

Ceroc teachers are not only friendly, approachable and passionately dedicated to helping you to learn to dance, they also specialise in people with two left feet! Alongside them, you’ll also meet Taxi Dancers, accomplished volunteers who provide friendly help and assistance to beginners.

Ceroc DJs play a range of music to suit all tastes, from 50’s Swing, 60’s Motown, 70’s Disco and 80’s Rock through to current chart favourites, so there will always be music you enjoy. They are also open to requests so let them know your favourite track.

So, if you fancy having a go, there’s no need to book, just turn up at one of Ceroc Addiction’s venues across Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands, where you will receive a very warm welcome.

For more information, call 07983 703166, email dance@cerocaddiction.com, find Ceroc Addiction on facebook or visit the national Ceroc website www.ceroc.com.

WHAT’S ON

CRIMESTOPPERS

Telephone: 0800-555-111

This telephone number can be used to pass specific information about crime or criminals without fear of reprisals or direct contact with the police. Calls are FREE from land lines and most mobile phones. The service is anonymous and rewards of up to £1000 are available for information which leads to an arrest and charge.

TIDDLERS at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Meir Heath

Parent, Babies & Toddler Group

01782 393189

We invite you to come along to our Parent and Toddler group (Tiddlers), which is held on Tuesday morning (during term time) 9.30 to 11.00 am at St Francis Church, Meir Heath.

During the morning a variety of activities can take place including story, art and craft, song, actions and these will, at times, be linked to our Christian roots especially at Christmas and Easter.

Please mention Trade Locally when responding to Adverts

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

Careers at

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PRICKLY PRESENTS

As I write this, it is early December but by the time you read this latest missive, we will probably be into 2023. As one of the World’s most dedicated gardeners, my shed will doubtless be inundated with very kind offerings such as gardening gloves, balls of string and extremely witty mugs announcing that I am “Doing it in the Garden.” Of course, Christmas isn’t the only time that you receive presents and, personally, when it comes to gifts, I would rather be given something that will grow and be a nice reminder of the person who gave it to me, rather than a load of “stuff” that will end up in my work bench drawer. So, when it is the birthday of a gardening minded friend or even if you just want to show your appreciation, what is the ideal gift?

First up is the nation’s most popular garden flower – the rose (also perfect for Valentine’s Day!) Not only is it the right time to plant one, but garden centres are now well stocked with an amazing selection, and all reasonably priced. It can also be a bit of fun to watch the prickly process of unwrapping it!

Of course, there are a million and one great plants that would make the ideal gift, but you really can’t go wrong with a rose and most gardens have room to squeeze at least one or two in – either growing up a wall or fence or even in a pot if space is an issue. The thing with roses at this time of the year is that you can either buy them ready potted so they look more substantial, or you can buy them online in which case they will arrive bare rooted ready for you to plant straight into the garden. I think the latter is the best option as you will be able to browse through a better selection and they will arrive ready wrapped to save your fingers from the dreaded thorns….

The biggest problem with giving a rose as a present is which one to choose. There are literally hundreds available in virtually every colour of the rainbow and in every shape or size that a gardener could wish for. There are dwarf carpeting roses, huge ramblers and climbers, old historic varieties and the new English Roses produced by David Austin. This last group are now incredibly popular, and rightly so, as they are resistant to most of the diseases and problems that made roses drop

off the gardening radar a few years ago, when whole swathes of them were dug up by frustrated gardeners and replaced with less demanding and more attractive plants. However, the David Austin varieties are long-blooming beauties and the majority are packed with that essential feature of any good rose – an incredible scent. If scent is important, then it’s pretty easy to select the right ones because they are generally called something like ‘Scent from Heaven’ or even ‘Scentimental’ –pretty naff names but they do what it says on the tin, and they do it really well!

My personal favourites include ‘Felicia’ which is a stunning light pink coloured hybrid with a very graceful habit, ‘Hot Chocolate’ - a delicious chocolate coloured flower with a rich scent and ‘Gertrude Jeckyl’ another rich pink bloom with perfectly shaped flowers. Any of these would make a fine present, but if you really want to spoil someone, then double up the present to include a companion Clematis to complete the display. The photo shows Gertrude Jeckyl with a double purple flowered clematis growing through it – an amazing display right through the summer. It was an accidental planting as I was looking for a white flowered clematis at the time. Just shows you that sometimes things are meant to be!

Happy New Year to you all – may 2023 be a good year for the roses.

BOOK REVIEW

THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT BY MAGGIE O’FARRELL

If you studied GCSE English around the same time that I did, you might be familiar with Robert Browning’s poem, ‘My Last Duchess.’ In it, Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara (a real-life figure from the 16th century) shows off a portrait of his last duchess, who is recently deceased. Over the course of the poem, it becomes apparent that he had her killed because he was intensely jealous of her (seemingly innocent) interactions with other men. The poem is certainly critical of Ferrara, but it treats the duchess’s murder as a kind of punchline – unsurprising I suppose when you consider it was written in the 19th century. O’Farrell’s novel takes the story of the murder and runs with it, offering us an intense portrait of the duchess, Lucrezia de Medici’s, inner life.

O’Farrell had her break-out moment when she published Hamnet in 2020, although it wasn’t her first novel. The book, which is an account of the life of Shakespeare’s son, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, among other awards. The Marriage Portrait is her first book following that success. Clearly, O’Farrell is carving out a niche as a writer whose fiction fills in the gaps in the historical record. But The Marriage Portrait is so much more than a feminist appropriation of a voiceless woman from the past. O’Farrell’s novel is, emphatically, fiction. Over the last couple of decades, there has been an intense concern over accuracy in historical fiction, which often ends up making the ethics of fictionalising history much thornier. The most recent series of The Crown, for example, is in many ways more problematic than the stylised Diana biopic, Spencer. Despite the historical research that authors like Hilary Mantel put into their novels, the fact remains that fiction is never true. Besides, there simply isn’t enough information available to produce a properly accurate story if you’re setting it 500 years ago. O’Farrell knows this and abandons any pretence of factual writing. Her Lucrezia diverges to quite an extent from the real-life figure, and some of the scenes at the book’s centre are evidently fictional. This doesn’t divert from the story’s beauty or value.

At the core of the novel is the complex marriage between Lucrezia and Alfonso. In real life, Lucrezia was married at thirteen, though she didn’t live with her husband for two years. In the novel,

she marries him and moves to Ferrara at fifteen. O’Farrell refuses to shy away from the horror of child marriage but, unlike other authors in the genre, she is not gratuitous in her portrayal of marital rape. She never allows her reader to forget that Lucrezia’s marriage is, essentially, a transfer of ownership from father to husband. We see Lucrezia grappling with the bargains she must make with herself if she wants to enjoy certain kinds of freedom: if she submits to her husband, she can have free run of his country home; if she doesn’t ask too many questions, she can ensure her own safety. Ultimately, O’Farrell shows that noblewomen in 16th-century Italy may have had a degree of power, but they were never truly free.

As one might expect, painting is also a key theme in The Marriage Portrait. However, O’Farrell’s Lucrezia is a talented painter herself, fascinated with underpainting other scenes beneath the visible surface of her pictures. While there is absolutely no historical evidence that the real duchess painted, it provides the reader with an interesting thought experiment: if the real Lucrezia had been a gifted artist, would there be any evidence of it? In this way, O’Farrell deftly questions the legitimacy of fiction that ties itself too closely to the historical record, where women are so rarely fully fleshed out characters. Her inventiveness brings to life a young woman who died before she could ever leave her mark on the history books and, in doing so, produces a novel that is a joy to read.

DRY

DRY

NE

FL

RIDGE

VALLE

SOFFITS

BIRD

CHIMNE

ALL

MOSS

LEAD

NE

FIT &

FELT

TRAVEL

JUST BE-KOS

I’m not generally a sucker for advertising slogans, and I tend to be sceptical of anyone who is. However, various operators in the travel industry have chanced upon my weak spot; they send me emails with the subject “you deserve a holiday.” I’m not saying I actually read those emails, but they certainly get me planning a trip.

Desperate for a last dip in the Mediterranean and a bit of sunshine before winter set in, the focus fell on Greece (I’ve already been to Spain, Portugal and Italy this year). I decided to head to Kos.

My first destination was Kos town. The centre is flat and cycling is the most popular way of getting around, with bike hire places plentiful and reasonably priced. Although not as outstanding as its Dodecanese sister Rhodes Town, it certainly balances being a working town and tourist destination. For those interested in history, there’s plenty here to see in the town centre. The Roman ruins (the Odeon and Casa Romana) are worth a visit, but my favourite was Neratzia Castle, the 14th century fortress standing guard next to the harbour looking across the Aegean towards Bodrum.

Outside the Castle stands the Plane Tree of Hippocrates under which, according to legend, the island’s most famous son would occasionally educate his pupils. The nearby Café Neratzia is a perfect place to take the weight off your feet (or saddle if you’ve cycled) while watching the world go by (and in good company with the local officials from the government buildings opposite).

For food, Elia offers authentic Greek cooking: mixed souvlaki and my new favourite Tyrokasteri (spicy mashed feta dip). If you only have time for one restaurant, however, the highlight has to be “Nick the Fisherman” right on the seafront at Lambi Beach, north of the town centre. A choice of freshly caught fish cooked on the barbeque and served simply with onions and a lemon dressing was superb and the seafood pasta, sumptuously bathed in a dulce de leche style creamy sauce, was outstanding.

For late night entertainment, the locals congregate at the Sitarbar set just back from the harbour for music and drinks. If you want a more lively

experience, the small strip of bars and clubs are based around Plotarchu Blesa at the southern end of the harbour.

Just out of town, and easily reached by public bus from the stop near the fortress, is Kos’ most important historical site. This ancient medical centre and place of worship at Asclepieion lies two miles south-west of Kos Town up on a hill. Built on three terraces, you can explore it in less than a couple of hours and immerse yourself in the establishment where Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, taught and practiced.

Unless you’ve hired a car, the way to explore the rest of the island is by public bus (which is ridiculously good value for money). There are various routes, but the destination I chose for my last night was the small and underdeveloped port town of Kefalos at the western end of the island, just beyond the island’s airport. It sports a small number of bars and restaurants along the seafront, and a few stores. If you’re heading down to the beach for a morning dip, do grab a takeaway coffee from Kefalos market which you can drink on their terrace listening to the waves gently hitting the shore, and if you’re keen to enjoy some traditional Greek entertainment, the Sydney Bar and Grill offers Greek dancing nights which were great fun.

The highlight though is nearby Agios Theologos. At the most westerly point of the island, and untouched apart from the excellent restaurant of the same name (fresh fish and Greek specialties), you will need to organise a tour or a taxi to get there without a car.

I can’t remember a more serene place to watch the sun set on another day (and yet another holiday) with a glass of local ouzo.

RECIPE

BEETROOT TARTLET, ASH ROLLED GOATS CHEESE, WALNUTS AND WATERCRESS

(Serves 4)

3 sheets Filo Pastry

30g Unsalted Butter

60g Ash Roll Goats Cheese

3 large Beetroots (boiled)

1 Shallot

2 cloves Garlic

100ml Olive Oil

Sea Salt/ Cracked Pepper

4-5 Basil Leaves

40g Roasted Walnuts

Baby Watercress

Start by making the tart cases. Warm the butter in a saucepan until it is just melted. Stretch out the sheets of filo pastry on a work surface, then use a pastry brush to brush the first sheet with a thin layer of butter. Place a second sheet on top and carefully push out any air pockets, then repeat the process with the third sheet. Use a small saucer as a template to cut four disks of pastry. Place the pastry disks inside four tart cases, press in firmly and add a little rice to stop the pastry from lifting when cooking. Put in an oven pre-heated to 175ºC and bake until golden brown. Remove from the oven to cool.

Now for the beetroot filling. Dice the shallot and garlic and place in a saucepan with the oil. Bring the oil up to temperature and remove from the heat, then dice the beetroot and add to the pan. Chop the basil leaves, toss in with the beetroot and season with a little sea salt.

To serve, fill the tart cases with the beetroot mixture. Crush the walnuts and divide between the tartlets. Use a warm knife to cut the goats cheese into four equal slices, then use a blow torch to gently scorch the cheese until blistered. Place the slices of cheese on the tarts, garnish with watercress and serve.

Mark Osborne

• FOOT & NAIL CARE

• REMOVAL OF CORNS, CALLOUS & VERRUCAE

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QUINTON PLUM HAIR

Helen has work in London, Paris, Stone and now works on her own in her beautiful, private boutique salon in Uttoxeter.

After moving from Cornwall she expanded to the South East of England, working for a large company which included working within Harrods and other prestigious salons. She then went to Central London as a senior technical trainer for L'Oreal in Kensington and Europe wide. This gave her the opportunity to work with some of the greats: Antony Mascola, Charles Worthington and Stephen Way including other great people within the hairdressing industry. Helen brought this experience to the Midlands and ran a very successful business for over 20 years in Stone. Helen devoted a lot of time to Catherine House Hospice with voluntary work, which gave her a great insight into the depth of emotion associated with hair.

Wanting to offer a more private boutique

experience to clients, she now has her business in Uttoxeter, opposite Waitrose. This unique boutique service is appointments only, to enable a private confidential environment, resulting in the best outcomes for your individual needs, considering face shapes, skin tones and hair colour.

Do text, call or visit our Facebook page for a complimentary consultation.

Open four days a week Mondays and Tuesdays from 10am and late-night appointments.

Appointments available form 8am on Friday and Saturday.

Working closely with my suppliers I have no predicted price increases in 2023.

FITNESS LET’S DANCE!

It’s January, it is cold and dark and the festive season is but a distant memory. No doubt the festivities included plenty of food and drink and the healthy eating plan was put well and truly on hold for the duration, but to balance out all that indulgence, maybe there was also the opportunity to throw some shapes on the dance floor or twerk around the kitchen island - depending on where you did your festive partying.

Dancing has so many benefits, even if it’s done with little coordination and finesse. The calories burned still count, the release of stress is priceless and the muscle toning benefits can often be felt for several days after a good night out, reminding you

FITNESS IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL

Recently, while out on a walk, I came across a client from one of my classes. As we stood chatting about various things, she casually slipped into the conversation that I had a reputation for, as she put it, being ‘particular.’ I wondered for a moment what her true sentiment might be, as it could have gone either way. As she elaborated, it became clear my client was referring to my style of teaching Pilates and, fortunately, meant it as compliment.

Knowing that I am a bit of a stickler for correct technique gave her and others the confidence that they were doing the exercises safely first and foremost. The added benefit was that the exercises will ultimately be more

that you actually did a workout whilst enjoying yourself - even if you can’t fully remember all the details!

Dancing doesn’t have to be saved just for special occasions, either - I regularly have a good ‘shock out’ in my living room, singing along with my favourite tunes. Having a good skip about the house is great for releasing endorphins and, personally, I find it far more fun than pounding the pavement running. It’s unlikely that you’ll suddenly start punching the air whilst jogging through the park (unless you’re Rocky!) without getting a few curious looks, yet you can do that with absolute abandon when listening to ‘The eye of the tiger’

in your own hallway. And, hey, who hasn’t fancied themselves doing the Paso Doble around the lounge after watching Strictly on a Saturday night?

If you’d prefer a more structured dance class, there are so many styles to choose from, anything from salsa to street dance, adult ballet to Capoeira (A traditional Brazilian martial art disguised as dance) or you could join one of the many dance-inspired fitness classes, such as clubbercise or Zumba.

However you choose to dance, whether it’s at a party, in the club, your front room, fitness studio or dance class - do it like nobody’s watching!

effective when done right and that my attention to detail was indeed appropriate. Phew!

Having experienced many different forms of exercise, it’s fair to say there are different attitudes that can go along with each of them at the time of execution. For example, when someone is running a marathon, participating in a triathlon or part of a football team playing a match, supporters will yell words of praise and encouragement to motivate their team. Alternatively, imagine a tennis coach signaling tactical manoeuvres with subtle gestures to their player. There are countless other scenarios where different types of communication are needed to get the desired

outcome, yet in all of these scenarios there will have been a period of training and preparation where the details about technique have been discussed and practised many times over.

So, when it comes to your own training in whatever discipline you do, having someone to suggest a subtle change here or a slight shift there can make all the difference to your practice, performance and progress. A good coach, trainer or teacher will constantly be looking for ways to enhance, improve and challenge the way their client works, or looking to correct them to avoid injury. The details make all the difference.

Garden of Remembrance Limited

Garden of Remembrance

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

E: gardenofremembrance@hotmail.co.uk

Spring Garden Road, Longton, Email:

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.

www.gardenofremembranceltd