The Doctor Writes

Winter wellness

Winter is approaching, with the days becoming shorter and colder. The temptation to hibernate may be appealing, so here are some tips about how to stay healthy and happy during winter time. Keep protected against ‘flu and Covid Viruses are more prevalent in the winter time and spread more easily as people spend more time indoors. Everyone over 50 who does not have a long term medical condition can now book an appointment for a free ‘flu jab. If you have been contacted about you Covid vaccination please get vaccinated!

Keep eating well

Vitamins and minerals have a vital role in keeping your immune system on fighting form through the winter months. Eat the rainbow: • Orange and yellow produce such as squash and pumpkin provide vitamin A. • Dark green vegetables including kale, chard, spinach, rocket, brussels sprouts and sprouting broccoli are a good source of B vitamins, as well as vitamins C, E and K, iron, calcium and folate. • Sustainable, plant-based sources of protein like beans and pulses are packed with gut-friendly fibre and so important of our immune response. • Omega-3 fats, which you can find in oily fish and algae-based supplements, are also key for immune function, as well as mental health. • Make root vegetables, which are high in potassium, into tasty, warm stews. • Take a vitamin D supplement. You get no vitamin D from sunshine during winter. Boost your level and keep your bones,

Keep warm

Older people and children under five are more vulnerable to the cold. Many of us are worried about keeping warm this winter. If possible, aim to keep your home between 18C and 21C (64F and 70F degrees) and wear your winter woollies and jumpers if you are not already. Hot drinks and food will give you a warming sensation and tea especially is full of antioxidants which are beneficial in preventing premature ageing and cancer.

Keep active

Continue to do the activities you enjoy. Get out in the garden, wrap up warm and go for a walk, exercise and socialise. Parkrun on Marlborough Common on Saturday morning in the wind and rain is no fun, but warming up afterwards with a cup of coffee and a chat with friends is fun. If you are less mobile you could try chair based exercise, like chair yoga.

Don’t get SAD!

Lack of daylight can have a big impact on mood during the winter with many of us experiencing the winter blues and around 3% developing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The brain produces less serotonin without sunlight, which can cause depression, and less sunlight can also increase melatonin, which can cause feelings of sleepiness. So try to get as much natural light as possible. A walk, preferably at midday or, if you are less mobile, sit by the window. Some people find it helps to use a light box or lamp which gives off a strong white or blue light. Exposing yourself to natural light will also support your body’s natural circadian rhythms and help you have a better night’s sleep - crucial for mood and immune health. Eating well, keeping warm and active will also help to beat the winter blues and SAD. Keep healthy, happy and warm and enjoy wintertime. Best wishes,

Dr Angela Paddon and the team at The Old School Surgery

The Church Room Back Lane, Ramsbury Available for Church and Community use, Hire for parties, functions etc

£10.00 per hour, including Heating in Winter. Seating for up to 80 with large kitchen and crockery. For bookings contact the Team Office on 01672 520963. (If leaving a message, please provide a landline number whenever possible.)

Providing a stimulating and nurturing environment for all children aged 2.5-4 years, 5 days a week. Led by a qualified teacher and experienced childcare professionals, Ramsbury Pre-School is the perfect place to start your child’s learning adventure.

Breakfast Club (Mon to Fri 8-9am) and Afterschool Club (Tues, Wed and Thurs 3-6pm) also available. Call now to arrange a visit:

01672 520901 www.ramsburypreschool.org.uk

Back Lane, Ramsbury, Marlborough SN8 2QH

Kevin W Nunn

Interior and Exterior Painter and Decorator

High standard of work 01488 646204 07979 481 181 liverpoolfc.kn@gmail.com 35 Laylands Green, Kintbury, Hungerford, Berks RG17 9UB

BROWN & CLEMENS

Domestic appliance repairs Washing machines, dishwashers, cookers.

Established in 1972 - 40 years of local service

Please call: 01672 511077 or 01635 528058

Ramsbury’s Drama Group

New Members always welcome including Actors, Backstage and Front of House Contact Chris Perkins Phone: 01672 520515 Email: cfp4176@gmail.com @RavensburyPlayers

AREA SWEEP

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Fascinating finale to WI Centenary Celebrations

We drew our Centenary Celebrations to a close in fine style in November, welcoming 26 friends from neighbouring WIs to our monthly meeting. Our speaker was Malcolm Wells MBE, who told us something about his varied and fascinating life. Leaving school at 16 his only talent lay in music, where he had achieved grade 8 in the cello. A friend suggested that he joined the army, which at the time had the oldest full-size symphony orchestra in the world. (Sadly this no longer exists.) Running alongside his career as an army musician, Malcolm has always been involved in charity work, first with assistance dogs and latterly with encouraging literacy in developing countries. Malcolm had a fund of stories to entertain us, whether inadvertently playing “The king is in the altogether” at a reception at Buckingham Palace, playing the theme from BBC’s “Grandstand” before a World Cup final at Wembley, when the match was actually being televised on ITV, or treating an unexploded SCUD missile with much less than the respect that it deserved. And then there was the time he went to Buckingham Palace to be awarded his MBE and was wearing such an elaborate uniform that June Whitfield mistook him for a footman and asked him where the ladies room was — he is a very warm hearted man and great fun as a speaker. Our next monthly meeting is on Thursday 1 December at 7.30pm in the Church Rooms, Back Lane. Froxfield Pelicans Morris Dancers are coming to entertain us, and I am sure there will be an opportunity to join in the dancing at some point. Visitors are welcome to join us. There will be a competition for a spray of autumn foliage in a small vase. Tickets will be on sale at the meeting for our New Year Party, which will be on Friday 13 January - we defy augury! The party will be in Ramsbury Memorial Hall as usual, with a catered 2-course meal and all drinks included. Tickets are £15 for members and £35 for guests. After 1 December the tickets will be on sale in Ramsbury Post Office. Can members please note that they must purchase their tickets before the end of December, as we have to give final numbers to our caterer. If anyone would like a lift to the Memorial Hall (and home again!) please speak to Mary

or Rosalie. On Monday 5 December Ramsbury is hosting the annual Carol Concert at 7.30pm in the Church Rooms. We shall welcome friends from Aldbourne and Chilton Foliat to an evening of carols and readings followed by tea, coffee and mince pies. The theme this year is “friendship”, and the collection will be in aid of Swindon Women’s Refuge. Any enquiries to (01672) 520908. On Wednesday 14 December we shall be going to The Crown and Anchor for a Christmas Lunch. Two and three course options will be available and by the time you read this all the arrangements will be in place. There will be the usual coffee morning on Thursday 15 December in Poppies Cafe at the Royal British Legion Club from 10.30am onwards. And so, it only remains for me to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and we look forward to plenty more fun and friendship with the WI in 2023. Please contact WI@ramsbury.org or ring (01672) 520908 or 520261 if you would like any more information about Ramsbury WI.