Word Gets Around Magazine - January / February 2017

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017

TAUNTON DEANE BOROUGH COUNCIL PROJECTS UPDATE FANCY A WALK? TAUNTON DEANE RAMBLERS

WHAT’S ON PAGE 4 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY POST CHRISTMAS WITH JO MIDDLETON

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

YOU MAY BE SURPRISED AT HOW MANY THINGS HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP.

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EDITOR:

Clive Smith clive@wordgetsaround.co.uk

HELLO AND WELCOME TO WORD GETS AROUND MAGAZINE.

MAGAZINE DESIGNED BY:

I’ll start off by saying Happy New Year to all and wish you a Happy and prosperous 2017. I would also like to say thank all those who have supported us with advertising, your contributions and advice for without them we would have no magazine at all.

Word Gets Around

No.2 The Crescent, Taunton, TA1 4EA 01823 256119 info@wordgetsaround.co.uk

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TAUNTON DEANE BUSINESS AWARDS FINALIST 2016

My admiration goes out to the ‘Somerset Ladies in Business’ network group who set up ‘Secret Santa’ to help the homeless and were proud to offer our support. What started as a box of donations ended up getting a lot of Taunton businesses and people involved and becoming a very successful charity project.

Well 2016 was eventful and brought us some surprises with us leaving the EU, Mr Cameron resigning and Teresa May picking up the reins. Michael Gove pushed out in the cold and Boris Johnson brought back in the warm after defying the PM’s wishes, and ended up as Foreign Secretary for good or for worse. We just get over that when America vote rank outsider Trump to be their next president, maybe a business approach to politics might be the answer, who knows? Meanwhile we shall see how it all unfolds in 2017, have a good year.

Clive Editor

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this magazine are correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Word Gets Around hold no liability for supplied artwork from advertisers and contributors and views or advice contained within. So there!

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Plans, projects and positive progress It’s the start of a new year with plenty going on in our area. The council is revamping the Taunton Growth Programme which is our umbrella name for the wide range of projects that we are running to regenerate and enhance the town.

The first of these projects, the long awaited Firepool site, should see the resubmission of a planning application which has been revised to address the concerns raised by the planning committee when it was considered in 2016. We sincerely hope that this will have a positive reception this time round which will enable us to move the regeneration of the site forwards over the next couple of years.

The second key project that the planning committee should also be considering the outline application for the Coal Orchard site in January or February. This has created a great deal of interest and commentary in the community. To complement this application we are exploring the detailed business case for an expanded Brewhouse. It was good to hear at a recent discussion with the theatre’s Chief Executive that audience numbers are up across a whole range of activities. They still need your support, though, so take a look on their website for the year ahead where they have some great performances planned.

I am also hoping by the time you read this that you will be able to use the Free Wifi that has been provided in the centre of Taunton, Wellington and Wiveliscombe. The Wi-fi will go under the name of MoreTaunton, MoreWellington and MoreWivey.

The Wi-fi will keep you up to date with offers and events meaning you can keep connected while you are in the main streets. All you need to do is register the first time you connect to it and it will remember you the next time it sees you!

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We also hope that our more rural communities will become better connected over the next couple of years as the Connecting Devon and Somerset second phase Superfast Broadband programme begins with a planned completion at the end of 2019. So head over to their website for details.

Finally, thanks to a substantial investment during the year ahead we will be installing Variable Message Signage (VMS) across Taunton to guide drivers to seven key car parks. VMS will also advise drivers about forthcoming events and activities and provide traffic advice when then are incidents around the town. This will help drivers get around more easily and access the available car parks. The seven car parks I mentioned will be converted to pay on foot systems. This means no more rushing back to the car as your ticket runs out. You will be able to relax and pay when you are ready to leave. While we are doing this work we also aim to deliver some improvement to a number of the car parks. This work should all be completed by Christmas 2017.

It`s going to be busy year ahead which will see the Taunton growth programme taking positive steps forward.

Ian Timms Assistant Director of Business Development, Taunton Deane Borough and West Somerset Councils 01823 356577 itimms@westsomerset.gov.uk

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Chinese New Year 2017 Year of the Rooster

By Susan Brookes-Morris Chinese New Year falls on Saturday 28 January. In China many people will take a whole week off from work to mark the celebration. It is known as the Spring Festival.

On New Year’s Eve, Reunion Dinner is eaten. Many Chinese believe this is the most important meal of the year. It is usually shared by several generations and consists of fish, dumplings, spring rolls, glutinous rice cakes and sweet rice balls.

To mark New Year, red lanterns are hung in the street, red couplets are pasted on doors and images of prosperity displayed. Fireworks are lit and it’s believed that the person who launches the first firework of the New Year will have good luck. Lion and Dragon Dances take place and these are intended to scare away evil, and attract health, wealth and wisdom.

Many New Year activities have links with Chinese legends.

New Year is called Guo Nian which means ‘celebrate a New Year’ or ‘overcome Nian’. Nian was an ancient sea living monster who came onto land on New Year’s Eve to eat people and livestock. One year, an old man with white hair and a ruddy complexion managed to scare away the

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monster by pasting red papers on to doors, burning bamboo which made a loud cracking sound, lighting candles in the houses and wearing red clothes.

Another monster called Sui was said to terrify children whilst they slept. Parents would stay up all night watching and lighting candles to try and keep their children safe.

One official’s family gave their child eight gold coins to play with. The child wrapped the coins in red paper and then played at unwrapping them and wrapping them back up until he got so tired he fell asleep.

The parents put the coins under the child’s pillow and legend has it that when Sui came and tried to touch the child, the eight coins omitted such a strong light that it scared the demon away. This is the basis for why elders and those who are married give children and young unmarried people red envelopes with coins in them at New Year. The red envelope is called Yasui Qian which means suppressing Sui money and the purpose is to scare away the monster and bring good luck.

According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal symbol. There is a 12 year cycle and 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. The China Highlights website says that those born in the Year of the Rooster are observant, hardworking, confident and courageous.

They are best matched with those born in the Year of the Ox or Snake.

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James WALKER - CONSUMER CHAMPION

Now is the hottest time to switch energy supplier

There’s no better moment to flick that heating and hot water switch - to change supplier for your electricity and gas. It’s easier than ever to switch providers but people still don’t bother, often just putting up with high-priced tariffs and poor customer service.

Right now though you could be sitting on a pot of money after using less power during the summer.

Research by uSwitch earlier this year showed 11 million British households are in credit to energy suppliers with 1 in 10 having more than £200 ready to be refunded.

But in my own case, I’m nearly £480 in credit and almost a month after switching, I am still waiting for this back from my old provider.

Switching doesn’t always go smoothly either. We see many users raising issues around it when readings go wrong and are noted incorrectly leading to high initial bills. Energy complaints are generally lower than other regulated sectors, which chimes with recent Ofgem research showing complaint numbers around energy providers have halved since 2014.

However, switching and billing issues are always key customer issues and I agree with Ofgem’s findings that complaints about poor complaint handling are becoming more common and are causing people to switch.

So, how can you head off issues with your energy provider and if you want to complain about a switch, or need to raise the issue formally with the Ombudsman Services, what can you do?

How to complain about a switch 1) Watch for the variable rate - If you’re coming to the end of a cheap introductory deal, make sure you know the date it finishes. Look through your bills and compare the cost of moving to the company’s variable rate, taking a new deal with them or switching entirely to a new provider. It’s important not to forget that not all variable rates are good value.

2) If you have a large credit balance - It’s your money and now thanks to a rule by the regulator, you only have to ask for it back and can do so at any time. You could do this via templated email to your provider using resolver.co.uk. The system will then allow you to track the request and if things go wrong provide a timeline of your issues as proof of when it was asked for. Remember though, if you take too much back it could lead to a higher bill in the future to make up any shortfall created over the winter months.

3) Check your bills closely - Mistakes do happen.

I’ve heard of cases where meter readings have been inputted wrongly leading to abnormal bills. Keep a regular check on your meter and take photos on your phone of the readings as proof. This is very important when switching or moving home. As soon as you notice a problem, raise it with the supplier.

It can get very messy if you allow it to drag on and while the energy provider will be able to work out all the complicated numbers, it always becomes very confusing for the customer to do the maths.

All suppliers will aim to deal with you promptly but if you do need to raise a complaint, doing it via Resolver allows you to easily and automatically escalate it all the way up to the Ombudsman Services for consideration if things do get heated.

General complaints to an energy provider Complaining to your energy supplier The most important thing to remember when you want to complain about an energy supplier is that you must first follow the company’s own complaints procedures before you consider taking your issue to the Energy Ombudsman.

Most energy suppliers offer a fairly comprehensive breakdown of their own complaints procedures on their websites, but Resolver’s app will ensure you say the right thing at the right time - and to the right person!

Helpful hints when making a complaint about an energy supplier • Get your complaint in writing - this is the easiest way of making sure it gets recorded properly • If you do need to make a phone call, Resolver can record it and store it for you in your online case file.

• Record as many details as possible - who you speak to, their job titles, the dates and times of your calls with them. Resolver can do this for you, but it’s worth making the effort to record details yourself, too.

• Be polite. You might well be really frustrated and irritated about the service you’ve received, but it’s important to keep calm, especially if you’re complaining to the Energy Ombudsman - effectively a third party that has had nothing to do with your complaint other than an intent to solve it.

James Walker is the founder of online complaint-resolution service Resolver.co.uk Follow James via @resolvercouk, or email James@resolver.co.uk

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New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Want to Keep All too often New Year’s resolutions seem to focus on doing more of what we don’t enjoy, and less of what we do enjoy. So this issue, we thought we’d give you our suggestions for resolutions you’ll actually want to keep.

Learn something new Whether you want to get a qualification so you can get a better job, or you just fancy trying a new hobby, make 2017 the year you try something new. www.futurelearn.com is a good place to start. It offers hundreds of free, short online courses. Many are delivered by leading UK universities. You could try writing fiction, exploring digital technologies, or learning about forensic science. If you prefer face-to-face tuition, check out the courses offered by your local college. You could improve your computer skills, take up a new craft, or find out how to delve into your family history.

Enjoy time outdoors Nature is good for you. It’s been proven to help with depression, anxiety, stress and a whole lot of other issues. It may even help you to live longer. We know the great British weather doesn’t always make it the most tempting prospect. But if the sun breaks through the clouds, wrap up warm, pull your wellies on and head for your nearest green space. You’ll likely find you feel calmer and happier as a result.

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Take time to cook Home cooked meals are usually much better for you than ready meals. They’re higher in vitamins and minerals, and lower in salt and sugar. So, try resolving to cook for yourself a few days a week. If you struggle to find the time, you could try a box scheme. Simply Cook, for example, post you the herbs, seasonings and recipes to make simple (but delicious) meals in around 20 minutes. You just add four to six items of fresh food and follow the instructions. Hello Fresh go even further. They send you everything you need to make a meal, including simple-to-follow recipes.

Appreciate the little things We’re often so busy; we don’t get time to really appreciate the little things in life. A soak in the bath, your favourite radio programme, a chat with an old friend… Taking a moment to be thankful can make us happier and calmer, and improve our relationships. You could try listing three things that you’re grateful for before you go to sleep each night, or keeping a daily gratitude journal. Or just try to give thanks to the people you love a bit more often.

Whatever your New Year’s resolution, we wish you all the luck in keeping it.

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Four ways to save money post-Christmas

By Jo Middleton, Taunton.

I had a very rock and roll moment last night.

I was overcome by the urge to sort out the kitchen food cupboards. I discovered that while I had been frantically buying those fruit yo-yo bear things on my Ocado app in a bid to get my daughter Belle to eat fruit in some form, I had actually been stockpiling them at the back of the cupboard. I transferred them to an old biscuit tin and discovered I had enough to feed a family of four for roughly eight days.

With my iPad in hand, sat on the lino, I did a spot of food shopping and menu planning and reckon I will have saved a considerable amount of cash, just by taking half an hour to actually think about meals rather than just panic buying various meats.

It got me thinking about other potential ways that I could save money post-Christmas, so here are a few of my thoughts to inspire you: Get the best deal I’m pretty good at comparing insurance deals and energy suppliers – Belle has at least four Meerkats – but I’ve never tried sites where you can save money on your monthly bills phone, TV and broadband bills. Mainly because I’m terrified that it might mean not being connecting to the internet for a period, but it’s worth considering.

Switch bank accounts This one really does fill me with dread, which I take as a sign that I am old and scared of change. I have been with my bank for 18 years now and I have just about managed to memorise my PIN number. The

thought of everything suddenly being different is perhaps a little too much to think about.

Be more organised Today I came to work with a small pot of seeds and walnuts, a banana, a nutrigrain bar and half a packet of rice cakes. (Can you tell I am trying to use up the cupboard oddments?) There is a very nice little sandwich bar just down the road from my office, but as tasty as it may be, a shop bought sandwich really should be a luxury when you’re on a budget.

Enjoy the simple pleasures The very best way of course to save money is just to spend less and get more enjoyment out of the non-financial aspects of our lives. We have gone a bit crazy over the last few decades convincing ourselves that the only way to be happy is to earn shed loads of cash in jobs that make us miserable so that we can go on holiday once a year to cheer ourselves up again. How screwed up is that?

Whatever happened to just going for a walk and having a nice cup of tea?

Reduce, reuse, recycle Yeah yeah, we’ve all been told this a bunch of times, but ultimately it’s the very best way to save money.

Ultimately, you have to stop buying stuff. End of.

THINK before you spend. Do you really need it? Do you have something at home that would serve you just as well? Having a go at my kitchen floor based meal planning will definitely help with this one, as food waste is a massive drain on finances.

Jo Middleton is the author of the award-winning blog Slummy single mummy. Jo works with businesses of all sizes who want to improve their online presence and reach new audiences.

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JAN & FEB 11th January – 29th March 5:30PM THE BREWHOUSE A DANCE APPRECIATION CLUB A club designed to increase understanding of the world of dance and learn different dance and theatre techniques, including ballet, contemporary and latin.

“Verity Taylor was put into high security prison Broadmoor during the 1970’s. Her crime, setting fire to a chair valued at six pounds.”

21st January 11.00am & 2.00pm THE BREWHOUSE FROZEN (SING-A-LONG)

Sun 15th Jan 13:30 TAUNTON RAMBLERS ST303487 Burnham on Sea to Berrow Golf Club approx 5 miles, easy, sand & track walking Meet at Burnham-on-Sea seafront, opposite Pier St CP (free parking on seafront in winter) Val & Andy N 01823 282282 17th – 19th January TACCHI MORRIS ARTS CENTRE 01823 414141 The Machine Gunners: Heathfield Community School

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Bossington Hill & Selworthy Woods 4 ¾ miles, moderate/hilly, but with great views Meet at viewpoint CP at end of North Hill Road (near Selworthy Beacon) John O 01984 624477 17th February THE BREWHOUSE SOUND OF THE SIRENS

January 14th TAUNTON MUSEUM THE RPS INTERNATIONAL PRINT EXHIBITION 159 - Opens 14th January to 11 March 2017 - Features work from 75 international photographers - Free entry

Sun 12 th February 14:00 TAUNTON RAMBLERS

A full screening of Disney’s FROZEN with lyrics on screen to help you sing along with Anna and Elsa during the film.

Sat January 21st 1 – 3 pm WELLINGTON SCHOOL Baby & Child pre-loved Sale South St, TA21 8NT

Exeter-based Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood are Sound of the Sirens – a foot-stomping, crowdengaging female folk/rock duo.

These girls know how to rock a stage, and make you believe in every word they sing.

18th February THE BREWHOUSE BURLESQUE CABERET Over 18s. 01823 283244

January 28th MUM 2 MUM MARKET 2pm. West Monkton VH www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Tuesday 31st January 7.30pm.

CICCIC PAUL ST. TAUNTON Johnny Mars- A Musical Journey Creative Innovation Centre CIC presents an intimate illustrated talk and musical performance

by Johnny Mars, the worlds No.1 harmonica player. A musical journey, early life and musical journey. Tickets £6 online of £7 on the door.

Exeter-based Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood are Sound of the Sirens – a foot-stomping, crowdengaging female folk/rock duo.

These girls know how to rock a stage, and make you believe in every word they sing.

18th February OAKE MANOR GOLF CLUB SPANDAU BALLET TRIBUTE NIGHT Tickets £12.00

Sat 18th Feb ST MICHAELS PARISH CHURCH MILVERTON SOMERSET TA4 1JS The Vienna Piano Trio Mozart piano Trio in G K496; Schoenburg Verklarte Nacht Op4; Schubert Piano Trio in B flat major Op 99.

Celebrated for its finesse, infectious exuberance as well as irresistible panache.

21st February THE BREWHOUSE MARK THOMAS : RED SHED A story of strikes, fights, dinner ladies and commies. Crap beer, great beer, burgers and burger slingers. Pickets, placards, friendship, love, history, dreams and above all remembering.

21st February 7.30pm CICCIC PAUL ST. TAUNTON HULLABALOO Tues 21st Feb 7.30pm, and 3rd Tuesday of every month. £5pp.

23rd – 24th February THE BREWHOUSE HEAVEN EYES Three youngsters run away from their children’s home and sail down the River Tyne on a makeshift raft. Stuck on the mudflats, they meet a strange girl who lives with an old man,

Grampa. The girl has a secret only Grampa knows …. and he’s not telling.

25th February TACCHI MORRIS ARTS CENTRE HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL Join best-selling authors Chris Ewan and Clare Donoghue for a one-off workshop perfect for anyone looking to write a novel.

Please email your March/ April charity events to: clive@wordgetsaround.co.uk

Taunton’s centre for mindfulness based physical and mental health and wellbeing Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Tui Na, Yoga, Pilates, mindfulness, meditation, Holistic therapies, energy work and counselling Tower Street, Taunton www.thesanghahouse.co.uk

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Martin LEWIS @moneysavingexpert

Car Insurance Everybody, everybody, everybody should be checking if they can slash the cost of car insurance right now. Okay, I accept not having a car is a good excuse, but don’t ignore this just because you’re ‘not at renewal’ - even then big savings may be possible.

The reason for this warning is that car insurance costs have rocketed by 16% over the last year, according to the AA, and it’s saying it “can’t see an immediate end” to the rises. Yet when you get car insurance the price is fixed for the year, so by locking into a policy now you effectively future proof against rises.

So here are my 10 need-to-knows, though for far more help in every scenario, see my mammoth www.mse.me/carinsurance guide.

1. To find the cheapest price at speed – combine comparison sites then add those they miss. There’s no one cheapest insurer, as prices are set individually. So, the aim is to check as many quotes as possible, quickly and easily.

Comparison sites do that, but they don’t all cover the same insurers or even give the same price for the same insurer. So… a) Use two or three of the biggies: www.moneysupermarket. com, www.gocompare.com, www.confused.com and www. comparethemarket.com. (Open all the windows at the same time, then cut and paste your info across.) b) A couple of the big insurers like www.DirectLine.com and www.Aviva.co.uk aren’t on them. Yet they can be competitive, especially if you’ve no convictions and a clean licence, so check these separately too, as they can lead to big savings.

Also, there can be special promo deals not included - there’s a list at www.mse.me/insurancedeals.

And remember always check that the policy has the right level of cover for you.

2. Not at renewal? What you can do. If the predictions are correct and prices keep moving up, today’s prices will soon look cheap. Plus, many are overpaying already, especially those who just auto-renew each year.

RENEWAL WITHIN 60 DAYS? Some firms such as www.Aviva. co.uk, www.LV.com and www.Nationwide.co.uk give quotes valid for 60 days so get one now, then check against quotes at renewal time.

MIDWAY THROUGH A POLICY? Many wrongly think you can only switch at renewal, but you can do it at any stage. Check if you can get a cheaper policy now. If so, provided you’ve not claimed, for a £50ish admin fee (factor that in), you can usually cancel and get the rest of the year refunded. You won’t earn the year’s no-claims bonus, but if it means you save now and prevent future price rises, it can be a big winner.

The impact of this can be big, as @mubzymalone tweeted me: “Just HALVED my car insurance, saving £543 by changing mid-policy. HUGE thanks to @MartinSLewis for the tip.” Not

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only is he saving now, he’s locked in the price for a year. So, the sooner you act, the more you’re likely to save.

3. Check multi-car policies if you’ve more than one car in the home. A few insurers offer special discounts if you have more than one car in the home – but comparison sites can’t include these deals, so do it manually. www.Admiral.com Multicar gives discounts of up to 25%, depending on how many cars you insure. You can also get discounts by linking the household standalone policies with Churchill, Direct Line and Privilege. The savings here could be huge. Equally, they can be a rip off; it’s about trial and error.

4. Comprehensive cover may be cheaper than third party.

Bizarrely, merely selecting comprehensive means some insurers see you as a lower risk, and it lowers the price, so always check comprehensive too if you want the cheapest.

5. Adding an extra driver could cost less. Again, counterintuitively adding another person to the policy can bring down your premium, as the average risk is reduced. It’s especially strong if you’re a young driver adding a responsible older driver, but can work for others too as Bouncybubbles told me: “Quoted £900 from £500 previous year. By comparing then adding my husband I got it down to £298.”

6. Legitimately tweak your job title. You can’t claim to be the Chancellor if you’re a pole dancer (or vice-versa), but many people have wide ranging roles. So by tweaking your job description you might find your quote is lower. Like @ RPJ_Webster93 who tweeted: “@martinslewis Thanks to your ‘reword job title’ tip my car insurance quote reduced by £500.” He legitimately changed his job title from ‘council worker’ to ‘civil servant - cleric’.

7. Don’t ‘pay monthly’ – it doesn’t exist. Insurers may call it paying monthly, but actually they loan you the year’s cost and while a few are interest free, most charge often hideous interest. The worst offender I’ve seen charges up-to-93% APR interest. So, check and if it’s costly, pay upfront if you can. If not, try to get one of the many year-long-plus 0% credit cards.

Just ensure you pay it off over the year, then there’s no cost.

8. Consider installing a ‘black box’. This device is the tech (officially called ‘telematics’) insurers put inside your car to monitor how you drive and when. It’s especially useful for younger drivers facing hefty costs via other means, though if your mileage is limited and you don’t drive at peak times or late at night, it can work well too.

9. Got special circumstances and struggling? Speak to a broker. If your circumstances aren’t normal, getting insurance can be tough. Often getting an insurance broker to find a bespoke policy for you can beat comparison sites. See www. biba.org.uk/find-insurance/ 10.Can you get cashback. Once you’ve found your cheapest policy check cashback websites like Quidco.com and TopCashback.co.uk to see if you can get any money back on the policy you’ve chosen if you buy it via them - this can be over £50, so is often worth it. Yet don’t let the cashback tail wag the dog. Choose the right policy first, then see cashback as an added extra (as it isn’t 100% guaranteed).

Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 11 million people who get his Martin’s Money

SPECIAL OFFER FOR WORD GETS AROUND READERS AT HOWARDS CITROËN TAUNTON. Experience Business Class travel at Economy rates with Citroën’s amazing van range, where every model is noted for its high-flying specification and jumbo carrying capacity. It’s little wonder that the fleet has picked up so many awards. Citroën Vans, welcome on board.

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Yours sincerely, SIMON JONES Howards Citroën Taunton Priorswood Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8DN 01823 230616 www.howardstaunton.citroen.co.uk

Offers apply to qualifying new Citroën models ordered & delivered 01/10-31/12/14 for business users only, exclu per month on a 2 year agreement of 10,000 miles per annum. Contract Hire rentals shown apply to New Citroën C miles per annum. Contract Hire rental includes delivery to dealership, Citroën Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Excise D exceeded. Contract Hire rental rates have been calculated with the appropriate manufacturer’s support applied to th Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Over 18s only. Written quotations available on request from UK only. Offers & specification correct at time of going to press from participating Dealers. Terms & conditions app

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Contract Hire rentals shown apply to Citroën Berlingo HDi 75 manual L1 625 Enterprise & require an advance rental of £834 followed by 23 monthly Highest:New Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech 110 S&S manual Feel rentals on a 2 year agreement of 10,000 miles per annum. For business users only excluding National Fleet customers as defined by Citroën & Touch 3.5/80.7, 2.9/97.4, 3.1/91.1, 82. exclude VAT. Howard Garages (Weston) Ltd is acting as a credit broker and is not a lender.manual To finance your purchase/lease we may introduce you to MPG figures ar a limited number of lenders. Terms and conditions apply. For general details please give purposes us a call. only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving cond

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The Diaries Of

Ginger

George I was a good cat over the Christmas period. I didn’t attempt to climb up the play tree with the shiny things, although all the needles fell out after two weeks and I’d not even sniffed the turkey. In all I’ve been a well-behaved cat.

Okay, I did attack the toilet roll again. Well they should hang it the right way. Once it unfolds it just keeps rolling on its own. Oh! and I went to sleep in the bath leaving footprints everywhere but apart from that, I have been a good cat.

So why have I been fed budget food again and no crunchy biscuits? It’s punishment for something.

But what I have done? I have no idea. All I know is this means retribution. I need to come up with a plan and make sure I leave no incriminating evidence. I mean the toilet roll could have been anyone but they knew it was me somehow.

A few days past and as I’m strolling down the stairs the ideal opportunity arises. My Daddy carer had gone off to work, the kids have gone to school and this just leaves Mummy carer in the house. She’s not long got out of bed and still wearing her thing, a onesie they call it. It’s pink and it makes her look like a pig with two pink ears and a wiggly tail at the back.

It’s just breaking light outside and she made a quick dash to the car to retrieve something from the car, yes dressed as a pig. She grabs the car keys and makes a quick attempt to dash inside.

Now I happen to know that the bunch with the car keys on does not have a front door key on them and as I came down the stairs I just happened to accidently nudge the door shut and proceed to the settee for a snooze. In less than a minute there is banging at the door. Then her troubled face is looking through the window, “Hello Mummy-kins”. Two minutes later I see her again scaling the back fence as I also know the back gate is locked also.

20.

To see an 11 stone pink pig trying to negotiate a six-foot fence is not something you see everyday. Just to rub it in I exit through the cat flap and take a few sniffs of fresh air and went back in again. I desperation she has a ladder propped up against the back of the house and hoping at least one window is open, but to no avail. To make things worse, the woman who lives to our adjoining garden is filming her on her phone from her bedroom window.

It appears that she went to get her phone from the car and rang Daddy carer who had to drive all the way back from work to let her in after taking shelter in the freezing cold shed for the past three-quarters of an hour.

The trouble was, she was so flustered when she did get in she forgot to feed me at all. I had to nip down to Mrs Harris’s, (old lady lives on her own) and caught her putting out her washing. A quick nudge against her elasticated stockings and loads of purring and I’m in her arms and taken in the kitchen for a plate of tuna.

STONEAGE ORGANICS Local organic vegetable boxes From our farm to your door

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Premier Partner

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Puppy Puckers and Kitty Kisses Oh, how I love kitty kisses with their scratchy tongues scraping my chin and those puppy puckers leaving slobber drips down my cheek; and with Valentine’s Day shortly upon us I am sure I will not be the only owner to indulge my pets with lots of cuddles.

But what I can’t hack is the dog/kitty breath that can make you gag at five, ten, nay twenty paces!

So why can our fur babies’ breath smell so badly?

Simples peeps, it’s the lack of short and long term oral hygiene!

It is well known that good oral hygiene is linked to long term health benefits. Scientific research shows that poor oral care significantly increases the risk in contracting various ailments and I am not just talking about caries, periodontal disease and tooth loss.

Bacteria that originates in the mouth will travel around the body and can cause a host of health problems. Heart disease and stroke risks increase significantly in pets with insufficient oral health care. There can be an increase of dementia (yes cats and dogs can get dementia), respiratory problems, diabetes, infertility, these areas have been recognised as having a direct link to a lack of oral hygiene. Most scarily, some cancers that have been scientifically studied show the increase rate in those with poor oral care to be as much as 54%! This does not just apply to our cats and dogs it applies to us as well.

Would it shock you to know that 85% of all cats and dogs have periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years of age? Shocked me...

What is Periodontal Disease? These are bacterial infections of the gums and the structures around the teeth. The earliest stage being Gingivitis which only affects the gums, often causing discomfort.

22.

Left unchecked not only do we put our pets’ future health in jeopardy, the long and the short of it is they will have an unsightly mouth, lose teeth, experience pain and have breath to die for!

So, what can we do to promote our pets overall oral health? You’ve guessed it...brush their teeth. Start to brush young pets’ teeth to prevent the build-up of plaque and decrease the chance of developing gingivitis and tartar.

So, what if your pet is not a puppy or kitten? Go see your vet- it is never too late to start oral care, however brushing on top of tartar will be of little use. A veterinary tooth clean is the only way to remove tartar above and below the gum line.

Gingivitis is reversible, Periodontal Disease is not.

But it can be slowed significantly if home dental care is then followed routinely. There are other aids that will keep plaque at bay like certain ‘chews’ and particular diets that are recommended alongside regular brushing.

This will not be for everyone; but it is for a lot of people just another part of owning a dog or cat.

I place the same values on my pet’s oral care as I do my children’s and my own. Long before my husband opened his surgery he said that he didn’t want a waiting room full of sick and smelly pets. I understand him and get what he means. He has always practiced preventative medicine and after all the mouth is the gateway to the body.

Did I mention earlier how much I loved puppy puckers and kitty kisses? Even more so because I just love their sweet-smelling breath knowing I am looking after their teeth like I do mine. Every day is Valentine’s Day in our house - is it in yours?

Danielle Giles, Heathside Veterinary Surgery www.heathsidevets.co.uk

“I love being self employed, but all that paperwork drives me mad! But now we have it all sorted, after we went to see Ken”

“Ken can help you too. He looks after my bookkeeping, tax and payroll.

We like Ken, he’s friendly and full of advice” You’ll find Ken here:

Welch & Co. Accountants

2 Drake House, Cook Way, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6BJ. Tel: 01823 321954 Email: info@welchaccountants.com www.facebook.com/welchaccountants BOOKKEEPING, VAT, PAYROLL, ACCOUNTS, COMPANY SECRETARIAL, TAXATION PLANNING AND FORECASTING.

www.welchaccountants.com

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Crossword

Across 7 Type of poison (7) 9 Mushrooms and toadstools (5) 10 Female deer (3) 11 Scene, vista (9) 12 African river (5) 14 Dumbfound, flabbergast (7) 16 Art of paper-folding (7) 18 Young armed services trainee (5) 19 Eclair or Choux bun (9) 20 Express an opinion publicly (3) 21 Grieve (5) 22 Incurred cost (7) Down 1 Lively Spanish dance (8) 2 Small island (4) 3 Fisherman (6) 4 Place out of line (6) 5 Not considered important (8) 6 Unpleasant, odious (4) 8 Infect, pollute (11) 13 Cunning, deceitful (8) 15 Discouraged (8) 17 Type of nut (6) 18 Scary, macabre (6) 19 Temporary outdoor shelter (4) 20 Skin condition which causes spots (4)

Word search

24.

Adams Arthur Buchanan Bush Carter Clinton Coolidge Eisenhower Ford Garfield Grant Harding Harrison Hoover Jackson Johnson Kennedy Lincoln Madison Monroe Nixon

Obama Pierce Polk Reagan Roosevelt Taft Taylor Truman Trump Tyler Washington Wilson Missing presidents Cleveland Fillmore Hayes Jefferson Mckinley Vanburen

Names which should appear twice Adams Bush Cleveland Harrison Johnson

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Join us for a walk Taunton Deane Ramblers Do you wish you could get more regular exercise but don’t much like the idea of belonging to a gym?

Taunton Deane Ramblers may be able to offer you a solution , and, at less than the cost of a gym membership !

The group now in its twenty-fourth year, offers up to four walks a week, including a Friday evening pub excursion. This is much more than any other Somerset group offers. Walks are all around Taunton Deane and well beyond, and at a pace to suit you.

Positive benefits are :

• • • •

Fresh air and exercise.

The opportunity to meet new people and make friends.

A unique opportunity to explore your county and beyond.

That your membership is helping to ensure that paths and Rights of Way are kept open in the countryside.

You can come along on up to three of our programmed walks to see if its suits you before you need join Ramblers, so why not try one or more of these selected walks during January and February ?

Wed 4th Jan Out from Trull-4 miles easy but some mud likely ! Lynda 272405 13.30 Park at Trull Hall CP. Possible tea option.

Fri 6th Jan Taunton Urban Walk 3-3 ½ miles easy.

Gill 331474 18.30 Meet at Vivary Golf Course CP,Fons George (Bring a torch)

26.

Wed 11th Jan Hankridge to Creech St. Michael 3 ½ miles, easy. Liz 490828 13.30 Meet in Sainsbury’s CP. Sun 15th Jan Burnham to Berrow along new Coast path 5 ½ miles easy Andy 282282 13.30 Meet at Burnham sea front opposite Pier St.CP (free in Winter) Sun 29 th Jan A walk around Taunton Environs 4 miles easy . Robert 288373 13.30 Meet at Taunton Visitor Centre (Market House) Tea option later Sun 5th Feb Out from Wellington 5 miles, moderate. Shirley 277234 14.00 Meet at Wellington Sport’s Centre (Coram’s Lane) Sun 5th Selworthy, Hurlestone Point & Rugged Coast Path. Peter 07762 919883 10.00am 10 miles, hilly. Meet at Selworthy Church overflow cp.

Sun 19 th Exploring Taunton(with questions to answer! Colin & Heather 288588 14.00 About 3 miles easy. Meet at Enfield CP (middle cp. off Castle St.) For more details and a list of all our Winter walks visit our website www.tauntonramblers.org.uk www.facebook.com/TauntonDeaneRamblers Do give us a try. You’d be most welcome !

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT HYPNOSIS With Trevor Hoskisson of the Harley Street Hypnotherapy Clinic.

Use Hypnosis and NLP to reduce your weight and easily maintain your ideal weight for the rest of your life.

“Thank you, Trevor. I am very happy to be able to report that I have not touched Diet Coke, biscuits or chocolate since our session, and have no desire to do so! Many thanks”. Emma

Hypnosis also helps... Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Pain Management, Confidence, Self Esteem, Phobias & much more.

Phone Trevor to find out how hypnosis can help you.

Tel: 01823 729556

Email: Trevor.Hoskisson@HarleyStreetHypnotherapyClinic.com No.2 The Crescent, Taunton, TA1 4EA www.HarleyStreetHypnotherapyClinic.com

Trevor Hoskisson BSc MPNLP CHt MAPHP MAC

FREE Metabolism Booster CD with first session (Value £37) All sessions recorded for you – No need to keep coming back.

FOR YOUR PROPERTY VALUATION CALL US TODAY:

01823 332121

Email: taunton@wilkie.co.uk www.wilkie.co.uk Town & Country Residential Sales | Land & New Homes | Commercial & Development Surveyors | Independent Mortgage Advice

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Oven-Roasted cauliflower cheese Roasting the cauliflower imparts a lovely sweetness to the dish and the mustard means you need less cheese so it’s better for that post-Christmas waistline!

Ingredients 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets Salt and freshly ground black pepper For the sauce 20g/¾oz unsalted butter 20g/¾oz plain flour Grated nutmeg to taste 250ml/9fl oz skimmed milk 40g/1½oz mature cheddar, finely grated 2 tsp Dijon or wholegrain mustard 15g/½oz parmesan, or similar hard cheese, finely grated

28.

Method Preheat the oven to 200C / Gas 6. Place the cauliflower florets into an oven proof dish and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and starting to brown.

Meanwhile, make the sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan, then adding the flour and cooking for 1-2 minutes, or until a light golden colour. Gradually add the milk until smooth, and then cook over a gentle heat for 3-4 minutes stirring constantly until thickened.

Add the grated nutmeg. Reduce the heat then add the mustard and cheddar cheese. Put the roasted cauliflower into the sauce and mix so that all the florets are coated. Pour the cheese and cauliflower mixture back into the roasting dish, sprinkle over the parmesan and return to the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden-brown and the sauce is bubbling. Serve as a supper dish with a green salad.

Nutritious and delicious.

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Petals Active Living Centre This is Somerset Care’s new dementia active living service which takes place at Lavender Court in Taunton. It provides activities and support for people with dementia.

When is the Petals Centre open?

Monday – Saturday 10am – 3pm How do you book?

Please call our Taunton Community Services team on: 01823 447 120

www.somersetcare.co.uk .29

30.

Taunton Christadelphians We are a friendly Bible based community who meet regularly at Winchester Street, Taunton.

We invite you to join us for a buffet meal followed by a topical talk each Sunday evening starting at 5.30pm or to our coffee morning on the first Friday of the Month 10.30-11.30.

For further details please ring 01278 431389 or check out our website www.tauntonchristadelphians.com for upcoming events.

The Christadelphian Hall, 72 Winchester Street, Taunton, TA1 1QF. Registered Charity Number: 1167346.

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TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR MAR/APR EDITION AND REACH 14,000 HOMES & BUSINESSES CALL...

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.31

Newton King would like to invite you to accept our offer of a FREE sales or lettings valuation of your home.

To arrange an appointment call us on 01823 259753

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 7.00, Saturday 9.00-5.00

YOUR PROPERTY DESERVES AN AGENT WHO THINKS DIFFERENTLY If you have instructed another agent on a sole agency and/or sole selling rights basis, the terms of those instructions must be considered to avoid a possible liability to pay two commissions.

53 East Street, Taunton, Somerset,TA1 3NA. 01823 259753 taunton@newtonking.co.uk www.newtonking.co.uk