Trade Locally Issue 86

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 Small Businesses are an integral part of the Local Community Generating Local Wealth, Employment & Opportunity

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OPINION FIXING FACEBOOK (AND ITS IMITATORS)

Two events have caught my attention in the last month. A friend spent two weeks effectively locked in his house with a police car parked outside. He hadn’t done anything wrong; he was just unlucky enough to share his name with a policeman who was targeted by some particularly vicious animal rights activists. They found my friend on Facebook. Meanwhile, a riot in Cardiff led to eleven police officers being injured following the tragic death of two teenagers in a traffic accident. Posts had been put on social media claiming that the teenagers had been run off the road by a police van.

These are just two isolated incidents showing the harm being done by social media. Every day, children are groomed by sexual predators, people are hounded to the point of suicide by internet trolls and teenagers have every last vestige of self-esteem gradually stripped away from them. That’s before you consider entire populations becoming polarised, elections being rigged, and terrorists radicalised. How did we get to this? I am sure when Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook, he thought it would be a good way of bringing people together. When someone invented the Like button, they probably thought it would be ‘kinda cool’ to enable people to give a thumbs up to their friends at the tap of a phone screen. Instead, they’ve created a kind of emotional Fentanyl that hooks anyone who seeks the approval of their peers – and, let’s face it, who doesn’t?

The problems with Facebook, Instagram and the rest are plain to see. They take no responsibility for the content published on their platforms, so lies, falsehoods and unfounded accusations spread like wildfire. They grant complete anonymity to anyone who wants it so the trolls can bully and threaten, the sexual predators groom and abuse, and the terrorists radicalise and recruit with near total impunity. They also have algorithms that guide users towards likeminded people. This creates echo chambers where dissent or reasoned debate are stifled, opinions are embedded and magnified and eventually users are polarised and divided into ideological tribes.

In fact, none of this would matter so much but for one thing – people spend huge swathes of their time on social media, hours and hours every day.

It becomes their only source of news, information, opinion and interaction, literally their only window on the world outside. Think about it for a moment; if you drink a shot of vodka a week it will do you no harm. It’s when you start knocking back ten shots a day that you’ve got a problem.

If you look back, you can see the point that this happened. It is when Facebook went public, when suddenly it had millions of investors expecting a return on their money. The obvious way to deliver that return was to sell advertising. The thing is, there is no point in having a billion users if they each only spend a couple of minutes a month on the platform; you want them spending hours every day on there so you can target them with hundreds of adverts. This is the point where the people who ran Facebook stopped thinking how to make it useful and enjoyable; they started thinking how to make it addictive.

This, then, is how you fix Facebook and the other social media platforms. Forget about regulating them, fining them, forcing people to produce photo ID before they can open an account. Stop them from sending out endless notifications… your friend has just posted a picture of a burger! Stop them from making friend suggestions, limit the number of comments on a post to a sensible amount. And switch off that bloody Like button! Reducing the amount of time people spend on social media will drastically reduce the harm it does.

Doing all these things won’t stop social media from being addictive, but it at least it won’t be like someone putting a bottle of vodka in your hand each morning.

SAVE OUR HEDGEHOGS

A recent study published in the journal Biological Conservation found that more than 40% of insect species are declining and a third are endangered. We don’t need to look too hard to see this, remember as a child seeing moths around street lamps? Or bugs on the front of your parents car? Look next time you are out …

Insects rate of extinction is eight times faster than for mammals, birds and reptiles. Why does this have such an effect on our hedgehogs? The entire ecosystem on which they rely for food has been reduced that much, we are now finding our hedgehogs are quite literally starving to death. This coupled with climate change issues, for example we are now at higher risk of floods and droughts which have a huge affect on our hedgehogs.

This rapid decline will have dramatic consequences for the entire eco-system. Food chains could collapse and human beings won’t be immune to the consequences. It’s in our own interests to do our bit to help them all we can.

Hedgehogs natural food source should be predominantly made up of beetles, caterpillars, woodlice, earwigs, frogs, ground nesting birds, yet due to their stark decline and the nations obsession with sterile gardens, these creatures are now also very rare.

Gardening now a days often includes the words ‘low maintenance’ you don’t require lots of maintenance in order to have a thriving wildlife friendly garden. There are a few key principles which I have outlined in this article which can be adopted, ultimately doing less in the garden is a good thing!

Collectively our gardens could become a vast nature reserve in which insects are allowed to thrive. Private garden space in Britain cover about 728,900 hectares (1,801,151 acres) so their potential as a haven for wildlife is considerable. Importantly what can we do to help the entire eco system as well as our wonderful hedgehogs?

1. no pesticides/herbicide/insecticide/fungicide there is a vast array of alternatives out there. You don’t need them in your garden or in your health. They can destroy the entire eco system

2. Make your garden wildlife friendly, don’t be too neat, don’t over mow your lawn, introduce wildflowers, herbaceous perennials, plant a Uk

native tree

3. Provide year round flowering plants/ trees/shrubs so insects have that access to nectar, native plants and wildflowers are best, if not, herbaceous perennials are ideal

4. Get a bee house - place on wall that faces full sun, they’re incredible to watch and attract non aggressive solitary bees (these are endangered)

5. Put up bird boxes- they must face north/northeast and at least 3 metres from the ground to avoid predators. Once up, don’t be tempted to look inside, parent birds can abandon the nest if disturbed.

6. Create a wildlife pond (can be big or small, all life needs water) water is an essential part of any garden.

7. Get a hedgehog house. The better quality ones are more likely to be used, unfortunately the cheap ones are too small for many hogs so don’t waste your money. Situate it in a quiet, shaded, ideally shrubby area. If you get a resident don’t be tempted to interfere with it, a nesting mum will abandon her babies if she feels threatened.

8. Leave the leaves in autumn- this is natures winter blanket. They are essential for all sorts of creatures such a hibernating bees, butterflies, lady birds and a wide range of invertebrates. Throwing them in your bin means you are throwing away a food and nesting resource for birds, hedgehogs etc

9. Grow plants that are suitable for caterpillars to eat - nasturtiums, fuchsias, birdsfoot tefoil. Have a pot of nettles, they’re a huge hit with caterpillars!

10. Create a log pile- so easy to do, children will enjoy collecting a pile in the corner of the garden. This creates a habitat where beetles, woodlice and earwigs can thrive.

11. Teach others! collectively many people gardening in this fashion can be of huge benefit. Tell your neighbours or friends what you are trying to create in your garden and most importantly, why!

GARDENING SHOWING OFF

With Chelsea out of the way for another year, I have to fess up to the fact that show gardens really don’t float my horticultural boat. I have tried my best - I have even built award winning gardens at BBC Gardener’s World Live, RHS Chatsworth and Chelsea Flower Show. Yet whilst they were all interesting experiences, they are nothing compared to the pleasure of designing and creating a ‘real’ garden and having an ecstatic customer who is over the moon with their fab new plot. So why do thousands of people flock to these events? Is it to gather ideas, to catch sight of some celebrity or to simply immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a famous and well attended show?

Obviously, a show garden captures a moment in time; it is designed to wow and titivate the senses, particularly those of the judges who ultimately decide if the garden is worthy of a Gold or maybe a lesser medal. Interestingly, the process of creating and building a show garden is very similar (although with a vastly bigger budget!) to the process of designing and building any garden.

First there is the ‘scene setting’ brief, which equates to the very first meeting between designer and customer, where the scope of work is discussed, including the main elements that are going to be part of the project. It is also essential that a realistic budget is then agreed; otherwise there could be a lot of frustration when the beautiful design turns out to be impossible to build unless you are planning on winning the lottery in order to pay for it. As there are no banks left to rob if your numbers don’t come up, it makes it even more essential to set the spending limits from the outset, as this will affect the quantities and types of materials to be used in the build and, more importantly, how much labour will be involved. Normally, this a very exciting process but I have also witnessed some very emotional scenes when different priorities are vying with each other and the hot tub has to be sacrificed for an extra parking space or a compost heap. Normally a cup of tea and a few sage words are all the mediation necessary for marital cohesion to resume…!

Once the budget has been agreed and a design approved, it is then on with the excitement of getting the new garden built – working with an approved and experienced landscaping contractor. I have been using and recommending the same contractor to build all my local projects for nearly 20 years now, and have always been impressed with the end product – which just goes to show how important it is to work with someone you trust. It is vitally important that the customer and contractor establish a strong working relationship from the start. Garden builds, just like any other form of building work, seldom reach a happy conclusion without one or two revisions along the way. Normally these are confined to such curve balls as unseen drains, gas pipes and electric cables, but in the most extreme case I have encountered, an old car was completely buried in the middle of the area designated for the new lawn!

The icing on the cake in any design of a garden is the planting. While the positioning of planting areas including any trees, lawns, vegetables and flower beds should be considered at the initial design stage, the precise selection of the different species and their placing within the designated area has to be part of a separate piece of work. When designing a show garden, this can make the difference between an honorary Gold Medal or a sporting Bronze.

If you would like to achieve something beautiful in your garden, choose your contractor carefully and remember, a garden is not just for Christmas - or Chelsea!

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Hi All

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TRAVEL DISCOVER TBILISI

In recent years, the former Soviet states of Eastern Europe have become popular holiday destinations. Budapest, Prague, Lake Bled and Riga all make frequent appearances on my Instagram feed each summer. However, a little further afield, Tbilisi, Georgia is a brilliant (and slightly less commercialised) alternative. This vibrant, multicultural city was once part of the USSR, sitting on the border between Asia and Europe. Today, it is home to a thriving arts scene and has become an asylum for Russian dissidents fleeing the hostile political environment that is a product of the war in Ukraine.

Tbilisi is surprisingly easy to get to. Georgian Airlines run direct flights from Gatwick, albeit somewhat infrequently, which take just 4 hours and 50 minutes – longer than other European destinations but hardly a long-haul flight. It’s the perfect location for a week-long trip, taking in the sights and dipping a toe into a cultural melting pot. The weather is typically a few degrees warmer than it is over here, with highs of around 33C in the summer months and slightly more temperate winters than we get in the UK.

You’ll find that accommodation in Tbilisi is remarkably cheap. I’d recommend staying in an apartment near the city centre, where you can find some incredibly beautiful homes for a fraction of the price you’d pay in Europe. Options range from chic modern high rises to traditional Georgian apartments with period features. If you’re more of a hotel person, there is lots of choice and, again, it’s easy to get value for your money. Just make sure to check out the reviews before you book!

One of my favourite discoveries while visiting Tbilisi was the delights of Georgian cuisine. The most famous dish, which you’ll come across everywhere, is the khachapuri: a kind of delicious baked bread, filled with different cheeses and eggs. It’s perfect for filling you up after a long day of sightseeing. I also loved khinkali, which is a traditional dumpling filled with meat and spices, or sometimes with potato. I was impressed by how many vegan and vegetarian options were available, too. Apparently, traditionally, the orthodox church has encouraged ‘fasting periods’, during which you’re not allowed to eat any food that comes from land animals. As a result,

you’ll find most restaurants offer fasting menus, so everyone is easily catered for.

Tbilisi has a lot to offer when it comes to dining out, but my personal favourite was Restaurant Archive, where the food was delicious, and the setting (the vaulted basement of an old caravanserai) was stunning. Georgia also has a long tradition of wine making – around 8000 years to be exact – and many of the producers continue to use ancient methods that date back to before the birth of Christ. If you can, try to visit some of the nearby vineyards to see them in action!

You won’t run out of things to do in Tbilisi. Explore the old town on foot, with its cobbled streets and courtyards strung with grapevines, and stop off at a traditional café for coffee and pastries. Tbilisi has an abundance of churches dating from throughout its extensive architectural history, from the 13th-century Metekhi Cathedral to Holy Trinity Church, completed in 2004. If you’re looking for some retail therapy, Fabrika, a converted factory, now houses a vibrant collection of shops, restaurants and bars. The Dry Bridge Flea Market is another shopping stalwart, with a treasure trove of goods on offer, from local art to Soviet memorabilia. Mtsaminda Park, which is easily reached by train, looks out over the city and is home to a vintage fairground which was once the most popular attraction in the USSR. It will certainly be popular with the kids.

All in all, Tbilisi is a totally unique destination that is a very different beast to any other European city. My favourite time to visit is spring or early summer, but it’s beautiful all year-round, and definitely one for your travel bucket list.

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SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE OUTSOURCING WORK

As a small business, taking on a new employee can entail a lot of responsibility. You must pay a salary that complies with minimum wage legislation, provide paid holidays and sick pay, possibly pay into a pension scheme and much more. While employment laws are entirely fair and reasonable, sometimes a business doesn’t have enough work to justify taking on an employee, or trading conditions may be too uncertain to take the risk. In this situation, it makes sense to outsource work to a contractor. While the hourly rate for a contractor is usually considerably higher than for an employee, the overall cost to the business can be much lower.

It doesn’t make sense to

outsource functions that are key to the success of the business, such as sales or core services, but financial and administrative tasks such as bookkeeping are easy to outsource and there are plenty of people out there who specialise in this kind of work. It is also a good idea to outsource specialist tasks such as IT or digital marketing where you don’t have the expertise inhouse.

The first thing to do is to define the limits of the work you are intending to outsource. Then do some research and draw up a shortlist of potential contractors. Contact them all and explain what work you need doing. Ask what their charges are and try to establish if they are doing similar work for other clients. It can be

worthwhile asking for references. Once you have chosen a contractor, you should put together a written agreement detailing charges, the scope of the work being undertaken and so on. Then you need to develop a process for how information flows between the business and the contractor and how the tasks are performed and in what timescale. The idea is that the contractor integrates seamlessly with the business’s existing processes. Outsourcing to contractors makes your business more efficient and can help it grow. It can also serve as a transition to taking on a full-time employee. Contractors often become employees of their clients.

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BROTHERS IN ARMS

WORLD WAR 1; 1914 TO1915 (PART 35)

His father had always told him, ‘Family always comes first.’

However, Sterndale, ‘Sterny’ to his friends, had his own thoughts on that particular matter. It was not because his family did not matter to him, they certainly did…but he somehow felt so much closer to his own circle rather than his immediate, two years his junior, brother Frank. He trusted each and every one of those seven boys who had grown up together, shared the same school and played always as a team. Inevitably there had been some disagreements between the group, but George had always managed to hold them together through his natural charm and a key and sympathetic understanding of their social standing.

For their part, they saw George William Sterndale Sherratt as their natural leader.

Born in 1894, George was a tall, extremely handsome blonde Viking, who was the most popular boy in the National Endowed school that sat alongside the Methodist Church on Uttoxeter Road in Blythe Bridge. The girls simply adored him and would hang on his every word if they could corner him in the school playground, or better still accompany him on the short walk to his nearby home at the school House.

His own family held a most respected position in the village, for his father William was a China manufacturer in Longton close to the Town Hall. Little did George realise that when war was declared on the 4th August 1914 his life and also that of at least some of his school friends, would

change forever.

Whoever made the decision to catch the train to Hanley on Thursday 13th August to accept the ‘King’s shilling’ we will never know, but the list of those who went with George to attest are. They include Albert John Moore, Frederick John Moss, Edmund Ball, Alfred Charles Bond, Robert Tonkinson and Albert Smith. Although their ages varied, from 17 to 20, they were so close knit, they almost thought as one, and whatever George had in mind was good enough for them all. Their discussion that day spoke about the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire regiment who marched through Blythe Bridge just two days earlier and any such adventures they might have to fight on the continent in France or Belgium. The excitement of this quest to save the empire was tempered by the realisation that once they got back home, they had to break the news to their parents. This did put a slight damper onto their collective enthusiasm.

A strategy had to be devised!

It was concluded that as the 5th North Staffs were a ‘Home Defence Battalion’ they were at no risk of being sent abroad and the worst that could happen would be they would be drafted to a nice seaside town on the south or east coast. A young man of their age could do nothing less than their patriotic duty.

All satisfied and with this purposeful explanation, they were united in agreement that their fathers, mothers and sisters would be universally proud of them, even though George knew his father would have to do

without him during his absence from the company.

Isn’t his honour and loyalty to the country at stake here and of course that is also like a family too.

What they did not know at the time, was that Colonel John Knight, a Solicitor and the Territorial Commanding Officer of the Battalion had offered his men for Foreign Service and was awaiting a response from the War Department in Whitehall as they marched towards Uttoxeter.

Just a week later, the magnificent seven were joined by the two Emery brothers Wilfred and Hubert who lived at Albert House in Blythe Bridge. Although rather late incomers to the school and village they had been accepted into the group partly because they had joined the Church Lads Brigade and had attended many of the adventure camps the CLB was well known for. George got on extremely well with Wilfred being contemporaries and Hubert one year younger.

They didn’t have to wait for their ‘call up’ too long, for a rudimentary medical test followed shortly afterwards and one week later the young soldiers each received a telegram in the middle of September and told to report to the Battalion Headquarters adjacent to Shelton church. (The building still survives in 2022)

With just one set of ‘civvies’ being worn and a few light weight necessities packed into a small travel bag, the latest recruits were formed ‘up’ first into one long line with the tallest man on the left, who was George.

A rather gangly youth stood next

and to the left of George in the line, who was later nicknamed ‘Daddy’ (due to his extremely long legs and small torso. The snake of men wound around the cavern of the room, ending with the smallest man bringing up the tail. Instinctively the boy looked up at George and smiled politely. George thought him so tiny he could not have been much more than a schoolboy, and later heard he was called Averill J.J. 2467, age 14.

They were then detailed into four ranks with the second tallest Daddy standing directly behind George and so on leaving the fourth tallest placed in the rear rank.

The rest of the men then made up each file corresponding to height standing to the left of each placed marker.

George saw that his companionship had been already broken up even before their ‘war’ had begun, for a moustachioed gentleman officer who introduced himself as Colonel Blizzard told the men ‘Welcome to ‘G’ Company of the 5th Reserve North Staffordshire Regiment. Each rank was hereafter to

Platoons’ etc. and that they should always stand in the same position whenever they were called to ‘fall in.’

Turning towards a giant of a man who wore a large badge on his arm Colonel Blizzard said ‘Carry on Sgt. Major.’ The Warrant officer provided a smart salute and with a swagger stick tucked under his left armpit turned slowly towards the men. His manner was clear and commanding and who was demonstrably an ex regular soldier of long standing. The officer returned the salute offered and without further ceremony or direction handed over the charge of the assembled company. Their names were dutifully recorded as present and George learnt who he had become, Pte. G. W. Sherratt, Number 2610, G Coy, ‘A’ Platoon. The order to ‘stand at ease!’ barked across the drill hall and the men relaxed…some too much and were told to ‘Stand upright! Do not slouch!’

No sooner had they regained their dignity, the four ranks were turned to the left and marched from the hall and onto the road towards the local railway station

grew, believing that they were off towards a new existence but his feelings were soon dashed and downcast as they turned onto the road towards Newcastle and ascended the bank past the Big House Infirmary at Hartshill.

For the next two months after arriving at Butterton Hall, near to Keele, they marched, dug trenches and marched again. In late November the call came for George and a select number to parade in front of the Colonel and he faced the men with a choice to join the 1/5th Battalion North Staffs in Saffron Walden. If they so decided they were to become volunteers to go overseas like regular soldiers and be the first of ‘his boys’ to be selected as fit and ready to fight.

Without question the universal response was ‘Yes Sir!’.

Just before Christmas 1914 George and several of his ‘Brothers in Arms’ were given special leave to come home, say farewell to their family and get their photograph taken in the village. *George is extreme left. They landed in France on the 5th

WOULD

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.

YOUR COMMUNITY PAGES TEA & TOAST

Every Wednesday 10am – 12pm at St. Francis Church, Sandon Road, Meir Heath, ST3 7LH

Walk Talk Action helps to support people back to a better state of mind. You can access support, services & programs and enjoy some company.

We can help people who struggle with:

Isolation & Loneliness

PTSD

Anxiety & Depression (Postnatal Depression)

Mid-life Crisis

Veterans

We also want to help and bring the community together.

For more information please email: Teri Elder @ info@walktalkaction.co.uk or take a look at our website www.walktalkaction.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

Wildlife Cruise at Trentham Gardens.

Every Wednesday 11am – 12pm from Wednesday 12th April to Wednesday 25th October.

Take a guided cruise on our electric catamaran Miss Elizabeth around the scenic Capability Brown Lake and discover the stunning landscape and wildlife at Trentham, including the recent arrivals of Water Voles and Eurasian Beavers.

See the island Heronry and Cormorant nesting sites from the water, spot signs of the range of wildlife that has made the lake their home and learn about the food web and life cycles of amphibians. This cruise is a spectacular way to experience impressive nature with your on-board expert Wildlife Ranger well equipped to help you understand our conservation commitment and answer your questions. Collect a spotter sheet to record your sightings, plus, pre-book binocular hire from the Visitor Centre to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

Activity Information go to www.trentham.co.uk

SUMMER EVENING RACING at UTTOXETER RACECOURSE

Wednesday 30th August 2023

Join us for a Wednesday evening of Jumps Racing here at Uttoxeter Racecourse.

We are pleased to confirm that we have acquired an additional fixture on Wednesday 30th August due to this fixture being transferred from Sedgefield Racecourse.

This Wednesday Evening Jumps fixture will be an addition to our standard 25 fixtures in the calendar. These transfers will allow the Sedgefield track to recover and re-establish from the ongoing extensive bend realignment works.

Tickets are just £10 and under 18s are FREE, making this a great value day out for everyone! For more details go to www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk

SANDON HALL LITERATURE FESTIVAL

We are happy to announce that Sandon Hall Literature Festival is returning on the 23rd & 24th of September 2023!

We have released a limited amount of Early Bird tickets for full day access on Saturday or Sunday, book them now!

Tickets for each event are now on Sale via Eventbrite and subject to their booking fees. Author Line up:

Ronnie Archer-Morgan

Professor Lucy Easthope

Loyd Grossman

Sarah Hilary

Dinah Jefferies

Jackie Kabler

Caroline Montague

Matthew Parris

Amanda Reynolds

Rebecca Struthers

To buy tickets go to: www.sandonhall.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

TATTON PARK

Luna Outdoor Cinema

25th – 28th August 2023

The Luna Cinema returns this summer for outdoor movie nights you couldn’t script any better. Welcome to a summer to remember at Tatton Park.

As day turns to night, soak up the atmosphere, pop the bubbly and get ready for cinema under the stars. It's time for summer and the UK’s No.1 outdoor cinema experience has everything perfectly scripted to make this a summer to remember. We'll be screening: Top Gun: Maverick, Mamma Mia!, Pretty Woman, and The Great Gatsby.

More details: www.tattonpark.org.uk

Outdoor Yoga at Trentham Gardens

9am till 10am

In the heart of the Gardens on every Sunday until 3 September, enjoy a short mediation and be guided with breathing techniques to help you to ground into the practice before moving into the physical part of the class.

You’ll move through a flow, supporting us in developing strength, mobility, and flexibility, before grounding into a relaxation that will set you up for the day & week ahead.

Pre Booking Essential at www.trentham.co.uk

Adventure Playground – Trentham Gardens

Can you conquer the adventure playground? Children can swing into action at the adventure playground, where there are activities for everyone from tots to teens, all made from naturalistic materials. Tackle the Altitude Tower or conquer the climbing wall and enjoy an exhilarating slide back down to earth. Have fun on the agility course, fly high on the swings or have a go at tightrope walking. For older children there are the challenges of the Viking Rope Swing, the whirling roundabout aptly-named ‘The Whirlwind’ and the boisterous ‘Queen of Swings’. Then race down our new twin zip-lines beside the Barefoot Walk.

www.trentham.co.uk

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

SHOP SUSTAINABLY WITH MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY

Over the last year, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has prevented 31,053kg of textiles going into landfill due to local supporters donating their pre-loved goods to the charity’s seven regional charity shops.

According to The Carbon Literacy Project, 10 per cent of annual global emissions comes from the consumption of fast fashion, with 300,000 tonnes going into landfill each year in the UK. It is also reported that fast fashion records 52 micro-seasons every year, releasing new collections weekly. As we enter the summer months, it is predicted that there will be a rise of material waste as people clear out their wardrobes and buy in the seasonal trends.

The charity is appealing for members of the public in Staffordshire to shop sustainably this summer by donating their old items and shopping in store at its Newcastle-under-Lyme store.

Charity shop purchases support the funding of the charity’s vital pre-hospital emergency service, saving countless lives.

Anil Gupta, head of retail at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity said: “Our charity shop in Newcastle offer a sustainable alternative

for people who are looking to buy their summer wardrobe but are conscious about the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion. Our charity shops are also a great way for shoppers to find high quality products at an affordable price, while generating funds to continue our future lifesaving missions.”

“Our growing high street presence highlights how consumers are becoming increasingly savvy when their shop, seeing the benefits of shopping pre-loved and recycling their old clothing, furniture and electrical goods.

“With to new shops opening in Hereford and Stoke-on-Trent, our shops have become an integral part of our community, leaving a lasting legacy for both the health of our planet, and those who may need our critical care service.”

To find out more about how to donate items, contact your local shop by visiting midlandsairambulance.com/charityshops

Find out more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com and follow the organisation on social media.

MEDIUM SUDOKU

Full Central Heating Systems

Full Central Heating Systems

Full Central Heating Systems

Boiler Only Jobs

Boiler Only Jobs

Boiler Only Jobs

Electrics

Electrics

Electrics

Plastering

Plastering

Plastering

Tiling

Tiling

Tiling

Full Bathrroms

Full Bathrroms

Full Bathrroms

Boiler Servicing £35

Boiler Servicing £35

Boiler Servicing £35

10 year boiler

10 year boiler

10 year boiler

manufacturer`s warranty available on all boilers

manufacturer`s warranty available on all boilers

manufacturer`s warranty available on all boilers

RECIPE SEARED TUNA LOIN WITH TOMATO AND VANILLA DRESSING

This is another great summer recipe, easy to prepare and perfect for a light lunch in the garden.

4 Fresh Tuna Steaks

3 Plum Vine Tomatoes

1 Banana Shallot

1 tbsp Mini Capers

1 Vanilla Pod

1 Sprig Tarragon

150 ml Olive Oil

1tsp Balsamic Vinegar

1 Lemon

Start with the dressing. Finely chop the shallot and gently heat in the olive oil, then set aside to cool. Bring a saucepanful of salted water to the boil, score the skin of the tomatoes, place them in the boiling water until the skins start to split, then plunge them in some iced water. Remove them, peel off the skins and place on a paper towel. Use a sharp knife to quarter and de-seed them, then dice the flesh and toss it in with the shallots. Cut the vanilla pod in half lengthways, scrape out the seeds and add to the other ingredients. Chop The tarragon, stir into the tomatoes and season with the vinegar and a little sea salt. Pop the dressing into the fridge until needed.

Now for the tuna. Heat a non-stick frying pan so that it’s good and hot and pour in a little olive oil. Cook the steaks for 1 minute on each side; tuna is best served rare or medium rare. Once cooked, add a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sea salt to each steak, place them on a serving plate and add plenty of the vanilla dressing. Serve with green vegetables such as asparagus or sprouting broccoli.

TEESDALE HEALTHCARE CARE AT HOME, LIVE-IN & COMPANIONSHIP CARE SERVICES

At Teasdale Healthcare, we understand that finding care for a loved is such an important decision and choice to make, and as such we operate in a completely transparent way. From your initial phone call with us, we take the time to get to know exactly what you are looking for, find out about the care your loved one is looking for and of course we like to get to know about them too. Our services are explained to you, we provide our fees for our care and all the other important bits of information you need for assurance of our quality, enabling an informed decision, so you know our dedicated, tailored care services are the right choice for you.

Teasdale Healthcare is a family run business, owned and operated by Anthony Teasdale and Nichola Pemberton, the highest levels of quality and client care are the foundations of the Company, our ethos of the utmost highest standards of quality, along with transparency in all that we do, are the underpinnings of the fantastic care service we deliver; with our Teasdale Healthcare family providing the right care and support for you and your family.

Whether you are looking to arrange care and set up a care package, as you know now is the right time for your loved one, or you would just like to talk about care options available, we welcome your phone call/ enquiry, and can discuss all options we are available to support with.

OUR SERVICES:

• Live-In Care

Live-in care is our bespoke, tailor-made option for care in the comfort and familiar surroundings of your own home. It is an alternate option to a Care or Nursing Home, with our expertly trained, hand selected, Live-In Care Worker living in your home, 24/7, being available and on hand for all your care, support and companionship needs.

• Homecare (visits throughout the day)

Our Homecare services offer a custom package of care to meet your care needs and wishes, to help and support you to carry on living as independently as you like to, in your own home, with care visits throughout the day, at your agreed times, providing the support you need, when you need it. In brief, we support with personal care, washing, dressing, cooking and mealtimes, medication, and all mobility support.

• Companionship & Sitting Services

We have many years of experience, and with this experience comes the knowledge and understanding that sometimes you don’t need our full care provision; all you need may be social interaction to help with your day, which can be supportive for you or a loved one with loneliness, or maybe someone just to help with those little everyday tasks or chores that seem to mount up to an unmanageable hassle.

Our Care Workers are there for you, to provide that emotionally supportive presence, someone who is always there to keep you company, to chat, and listen to you with kindness and empathy. Our companionship services are growing increasingly popular, with day sits, to help with loneliness, shopping support, assistance with medication collections, household domestic support and help and support to attend medical or hospital appointments, accompany you on day trips, visit relatives, access your community, attend groups or social events with you, provide company whilst you partake in your hobbies and drive you to places you may wish to visit.

Teasdale Healthcare are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and hold a ‘Good’ rating. Every one of our Care Workers are expertly trained and mentored, so you can be assured of quality, and that they will meet your requirements.

If you would like further information on how we can help and support you and your loved ones, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for a friendly chat and discussion.

FITNESS PILATES FOR BACK CARE

Pilates has become well known as a type of exercise helpful for people suffering with back problems; often it is a go-to recommendation for doctors, physios, osteopaths and other health care professionals to complement their own treatment plans - yet not all Pilates classes are made equal!

There are many levels to Pilates; think of it as having multiple layers of technique and application, which are added to as you progress with your practice. If the wrong level is attempted without proper preparation, there can be a negative effect, especially when dealing with existing back issues.

There are also many Pilates based exercises that aren’t necessarily designed for

FASHION

managing back problems. They are aimed at the generally fit and well, and the last thing you want is to go to a class thinking it will be doing you some good when in fact it could be detrimental to your existing injury. This is why you need to be considering the type of Pilates you intend to practice! A class that is designed to manage problems associated with the back is most appropriate, certainly initially. Once you are on top of the back issue or feel recovered from injury, you may wish to move on to more challenging movements. Until then, seek out a gentle, aligning movement which gradually strengthens the core, building a protective layer of muscle around the spine and lengthening muscle

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT…

Earlier this season, Vogue announced that we are entering the era of ‘Grunge 2.0.’ I’m not so sure…

Did grunge ever really go away?

In the 2000s and 2010s, grunge maintained a pretty heavy influence over the teenage population – look at Effy from the popular TV series Skins from the mid-noughties, or the Tumblr girls who held sway over many a teenager in the 2010s, and you’ll find that grunge was always a pretty major influence on fashion. What Vogue really means is that grunge is back for grown-ups. The question is, how to avoid looking like an overgrown adolescent?

If you’re looking for a grown-up grunge icon, look no further than Kate Moss. Her ‘90s and ‘00s style managed to steer clear of the greasy-hair-and-a-flannel look that might come to mind, but still exuded an edgy, rock chick energy. To avoid looking like Kurt Cobain (brilliant musician, terrible stylist), opt for polished accessories and sleek, clean hairstyles. Pair distressed jeans with smart heels, chunky knits and delicate jewellery. Steer clear of heavy eye makeup – instead, try to keep your skin dewy and fresh, and finish with a dark lipstick.

Finally, a word to the wise: if you don’t want to look like a manic pixie dream girl, avoid tulle.

fibres and vertebrae which have become compressed over time. The practice is better done slowly yet consistently to gain real lasting change and true long term injury management.

I have been running specialist back care Pilates classes for a while now, and find they provide an excellent foundation level practice for beginners. They consist of careful exercises aimed at managing non-specific lower back pain, spinal injuries and post-natal recovery. There is plenty of guidance on how to strengthen the core and improve posture. If you have a persistent back problem, seek out your local Pilates practitioner and see if they offer classes aimed at resolving back injuries.

Instead, lean into the slip dress trend which is still going strong. The slip is so classic because it exudes an adult sex appeal, without being too obvious. Invest in the right one, and it will always be in style while creating a flattering silhouette and skimming your curves, whatever your shape. The silken variety is also heatwave-friendly. You can dress a slip up or down, but if you’re aiming to look truly grunge, you’ll want to pair it with some edgier accessories. Pull out your old Doc Martens or a chunky pair of heels and combine with a distressed leather jacket.

Perhaps grunge really has outgrown its teenage years at last.

• FOOT & NAIL CARE

• REMOVAL OF CORNS, CALLOUS & VERRUCAE

• NAIL SURGERY & LOCAL ANAESTHESIA

• TREATMENT OF FOOT & LEG PAIN

• DIABETIC FOOT HEALTH SCREENING

• PRESCRIPTION ORTHOSES

• GP REFERRAL UNNECESSARY

• MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF CHIROPODISTS & PODIATRISTS

• HCPC REGISTERED

• DBS CHECKED TO WORK WITH CHILDREN & VULNERABLE ADULTS

• FIVE PODIATRISTS WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THEM, WORKING WITHIN THE NHS & PRIVATE PRACTICE

SEE

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.

www.gardenofremembranceltd

A UNIQUE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED CEMETERY

CLASSIC CAR BENTLEY CONTINENTAL R

In 1968, Bentley, the iconic British luxury car manufacturer, effectively ceased to exist as a brand. The few models it offered were simply a rebadged Rolls Royce, identical in every way apart from the grill. Then in the early 80s, the MD of Rolls Royce decided it was time to revive the marque. The process started with the launch of the Turbo R, based on the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit but with a much more powerful engine and uprated suspension. Yet, from the outset, Bentley wanted to produce a glamorous, ultraluxurious coupé that would hark back to the golden age of the brand. It would take almost a decade to do it, but I think it was worth the wait – the Bentley Continental R was that car, and it was launched in 1992.

Get this, at launch the Continental R cost £178,000, making it the most expensive production car in the world, yet demand outstripped supply. The graceless, slab-sided styling of the Turbo R on which it was based was just a distant memory. Instead, here was an elegant coupé that looked perfect from every angle. Of particular note are the slender roof pillars, the frameless door windows and the tapered boot. The front end is classic imposing Bentley. Inside, it is a veritable palace with only the finest quality materials and every conceivable luxury. There is also more room in the rear seats than in most modern executive saloons. While this is a huge car, a foot longer than a Mercedes S-Class, the styling disguises its bulk, making it appear sleek and shapely.

Beneath the bonnet lay Bentley’s massive 6.8 litre turbocharged V8. Initially it produced 325bhp but this was upped to 360bhp in 1994, then 385 in 1996, and some of the later cars produced 420bhp. The 4-speed automatic gearbox had to be specially designed to handle all the torque. Depending on the version, this 3-ton behemoth could hit 60 in under 6 seconds and go on to 170mph. The self-levelling hydraulic suspension delivered an unbelievably subtle ride, yet the handling was remarkably composed, hardly a B-road hustler but capable

of handling high speed corners with poise and aplomb. The Continental R is supremely refined with effortless performance, a sledgehammer sheathed in velvet.

This is a very special car that is a privilege to own, yet for some reason it is largely overlooked by most classic car enthusiasts. It could be the high running costs, but I suspect it is because a convertible version of the Continental R, badged as the Bentley Azure, was introduced in 1995. In today’s money, a new Continental R would cost £470,000, yet you can pick up a very tidy low mileage example for around £35,000, although the more prestigious main dealers are asking £10k on top of that. Interestingly, that is about twice the price of an entry level Continental GT, Bentley’s current big coupé. There are a lot more Azures on the market, but they fetch much stronger money. I found one for £45k, but very low mileage examples of the rarer derivatives are selling for well north of £100,000.

On top of its many other charms, the Continental R is a hand-built car. There are very few modern cars put together to the same exacting standards and they are extremely durable and very reliable. Most of them have lived very cosseted existences too. More than that, they are a little a little piece of history. This is the car that heralded the revival of Bentley as a manufacturer in its own right; there is no Rolls Royce equivalent to the Continental R. Who knows, without this car Bentley might have joined the band of extinct British manufacturers, instead of going its own way under VW ownership in 1998.