january 2013 magazine
DESCRIPTION
January 2013 issue of Malmesbury Connections, connecting local business with local people.TRANSCRIPT
2 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Piano tuner/
technician
Mike Felton MPTA
01454 232971 or 07747 317844
Ironing Service
Monday-Saturday
based in centre of Malmesbury
£6 per kg, shirts & bed linen charged per item
Tel: 01666 822293 / 07835467551 or e-mail [email protected]
Happy New Year!!!
And best wishes for 2013!
There are a few local businesses hav-
ing their own January Sales, so make
sure you do not miss the offers among these
pages!
We have news from Malmesbury Children’s
Centre and Malmesbury School, also a really
interesting article from Tigger’s Nursery on
sign language.
This month’s A Little About features Hannah
and Conrad of Broadbean Digital, who have
helped us develop our new look cover, website
and facebook and twitter pages. Have a look at
www.malmesburyconnections.co.uk and let us
know your thoughts. We will be posting any
what’s on events that miss print deadline on
facebook, along with advertiser news and of-
fers.
Kind Regards
Renee Tuck
3 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
4 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Some self-employed people are really organised and keep
all their receipts and invoices in a safe place and file them
properly and do their books every month and, when it’s time
to fill in their tax returns, have everything they need to hand
and can sail through it in a morning or less.
Not me. And quite possibly not you either.
Actually, I do have a system of sorts – the euphemistically-
named “dump file” system. Everything related to income tax
goes into a big box, and at the end of the year I spend days
– two or three, usually – arranging it in some sort of order
and turning it into a spreadsheet that bears at least a
passing resemblance to what I’ve actually earned and what
I’ve actually spent. Then I send it all off to my accountant,
who is the rampart that stands between me and HMRC.
We all know the quote about death and taxes (although for
the life of me I can’t remember who actually said it – Mark
Twain?), but in point of fact we very nearly didn’t have
income tax. It was invented in 1799 along with window tax
and hearth tax and clock tax and all those other weird taxes
that paid for the Napoleonic Wars. At first it was fairly mild –
10% of all incomes above £60 a year – and as soon as the
war was over it was scrapped like all the others.
Even when it was reintroduced in 1842 to recover from a
financial crisis, like how never happens nowadays – hah! –
it wasn’t expected to be permanent. But it turned out to be
one of the easiest of taxes to collect because, in the eyes of
the voters (most of whom still didn’t have to pay it), it was
the fairest, and – well, we still have it. But it was only about
100 years ago that Lloyd George’s Liberal government
really started giving it some wellie. In 1874, for instance, it
yielded less than 10% of all government income. Then in
1918 Lloyd George whacked the rate up to 30% to pay for
World War I, and even though Mrs Thatcher slashed it to
22% it’s still the mainstay of the Treasury’s revenues.
For those of us lucky enough to have a job – or unlucky
enough to be chained to a desk, depending on how you look
at it – income tax is something that can be taken for granted
because since 1944, when PAYE was invented, it’s been
docked off wages before you can take it down the bookie’s.
For the rest of us – well, it’s not something you want to get
wrong. HMRC is actually amazingly patient with
dysfunctional arithmophobics like me. They’re always very
cheery and patient on the odd occasions when I have to ring
them, and although I’m sure they wouldn’t bung me in
chokey for an error of a few quid, they do quite reasonably
expect to receive any underpayment back as quickly as they
refund overpayments (which I’ve always found to be
pleasingly quickly). And that can blow quite a hole in my
none-too-careful budgeting.
Which is why I have an accountant. She’s not all that cheap,
but she’s as comforting as a favourite armchair. No shocks,
no surprises, nothing to worry about – and occasionally you
even find a 50p stuck down the side. by Ted Bruning
Taxing Times
5 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
6 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Life Begins That Old Thing? I
Never Use It Now
Whilst clearing out during a recent house move I found something that gave me an odd shock of recognition.
There, at the back of a drawer, was a box containing a small pad of blue writing paper with matching envelopes, a fountain pen and a box of ink cartridges. The box, with its neatly arranged contents, now seemed like something out of a museum and it alarmed me that something so utterly familiar and regularly used could become redundant within the space of a few years.
I use emails all the time now when I communicate with friends and family. Any formal letter look so much better typed and printed on the A4 sized paper that fits in my printer. What use, then, for a tiny pad of ‘proper’ paper and matching envelopes?
This started me thinking about other things that are no longer part of our daily lives. For the last six months my teapot has stood, unused, on a shelf in my kitchen. I love the homeliness of a teapot but nowadays I find I actually don’t like the taste of tea that has stewed in its pot for more than five minutes, so I use teabags.
The photo album is another familiar item that has gone the way of the dinosaurs. I miss the ease with which you could simply turn its pages without having to power up, attach cables and turn on monitors. Do I sound old-fashioned? Do I care?
Don’t get me wrong, I think digital photography - and the freedom it offers to take an infinite number of photos - is fantastic, but despite all my good intentions I never seem to find the time to take my digital photos somewhere where they can be professionally printed.
Many other objects - once regarded as the stuff of everyday life - are rapidly disappearing. When did you last make a call from a phone box? Read a printed map in a book? Watch a video cassette? Light a candle that smelt of candle wax rather than ‘fresh linen’ or ‘mango’?
We tend to blame the march of technology for many of these changes but in truth new developments generally happen for two reasons: either someone’s invented a better version (remember all those sharp-edged metal tabs from drinks cans that used to litter beaches and parks?) or we have simply become bored with doing things the old way.
A desire to embrace the new is a very human quality and one that has served mankind well over the hundreds of thousands of years of human existence, but recently the rate of change has become exponential.
In the fifty or so years since the first electronic, digital computer was created, people have had to master new skills and technologies undreamed of by their parents. In particular the Baby Boomer generation of the 1950s and 60s – who were confronted with major technological advances in middle age – have demonstrated how well humans can adapt to change.
I’m happy with my current lifestyle even though I’ve had to sacrifice a few familiar objects along the way. My teapot’s status may have changed from an essential domestic item to a
nostalgic collectors’ piece, but it still has pride of place in my kitchen.
By Claudia Leaf
Even Mozart had to start
somewhere!
Have you always wanted to
learn the piano?
..it’s never too late to start learning.
Learn to play on a beautiful
Steinway grand piano in a lovely
barn in Malmesbury. Work for
exams or just play for pleasure.
Adults and children
Any level
All welcome
Contact Mrs Nicki Spicer BA Hons
01666 825670
7 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS
• General Dentistry
• Dental Implants • Invisalign (invisible braces)
• Tooth Whitening
• Crowns & Veneers
• White Fillings (metal free)
• Botox & Dermal Fillers
• 0% Finance available (subject to status. Typical 0%APR)
The Old Post Office
12 Castle Street
Cirencester
GL7 1QA
Short-listed for 2011 DENTISTRY AWARDS:
“Best Practice”, “Best Team”, “Best Young Dentist”
8 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
When it comes to skincare most of us are pretty good at
looking after our face. We’re used to cleansing, toning and
moisturising as part of our daily routine and every year we
spend a small fortune on trying products that claim to make
us look more beautiful, youthful and radiant. We think
nothing of this, but what about our body?
Many of us completely neglect the rest of our skin,
especially in the wintertime. It’s easy to become lazy when
you’re covered up under layers of clothing, but we all want
super-soft skin.
If you’re honest you probably won’t have thoroughly
scrubbed, buffed and polished your body since the summer
months just before applying your fake tan. There’s no doubt
that your skin will be looking dull and lackluster as a result.
You’ll be pleased to hear then, that there are some quick,
easy and simple steps that will have you ready to bare all in
no time. All you have to do is promise to follow them once or
twice a week. The reward? Fabulous skin all over.
The Benefits of Brushing
There’s been a lot of hype about body brushing. It has been
shown to have great results on reducing the appearance of
cellulite, toning the skin and guaranteeing a youthful glow.
Using a dry natural bristle body brush, work from your feet
upwards in long, firm, sweeping strokes. Be careful not to
press too hard - the idea is to invigorate the skin, not irritate
it.
This action has been proven to boost circulation and lift skin
-dulling impurities from the pores in one easy action.
Be Brave - Boost Your Circulation
Although this isn’t the most appealing step, it definitely does
the job. When you’re in the shower, alternate between
blasts of warm and cold water for about 30 seconds. You
only need to do it a couple of times to encourage blood
that’s rich with fresh nutrients and oxygen to travel to the
surface of your skin, leaving it looking healthy and glowing.
Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate
Exfoliators have great results when used on both face and
body. The tiny grains lift and remove impurities and dead
skin cells from the skin, leaving it looking instantly brighter.
It’s best to use an exfoliator that has fine particles, rather
than coarser varieties, because they are less abrasive on
the skin.
Use a circular motion to apply the product to damp skin and
work from your feet upwards, spending time massaging
every bit of your skin.
Rinse thoroughly, and move on to the next stage.
Gently Does It
Whether you consider your skin to be sensitive or not, it’s
always best to choose a shower
gel that’s designed for sensitive
skin and one which has natural
ingredients.
The harsh chemicals that can be
found in some products strip the
skin of essential moisture and
leave it feeling dry and irritated.
Don’t be tempted to have the
water too hot when you’re in the
shower, as it dehydrates the
skin - instead turn down the heat to pleasantly warm.
Lock-In Moisture
It’s essential to moisturise your body every time you shower.
Leave your skin damp and massage a generous amount of
product into the skin - this helps to lock-in moisture for long-
lasting hydration.
Again, try to use moisturisers that have been designed for
sensitive skin and which are free from harsh ingredients.
Try to avoid perfumed products. They smell great, but can
contain strong chemicals which have a drying effect on
delicate areas of skin. By Helen Taylor
Image Courtesy of Clinique
If you suffer from:
•sports injury •backache
•joint pain or restricted
movement •headaches
•neck or shoulder
problems•need rehabilita-
tion following surgery
•or would like to improve
your sports performance
I can offer Sports, Remedial, Deep Tissue and Holistic Massage as well as
strapping and taping (including Kenesio taping
favoured by some Olympic athletes).
To discuss your needs & book an appointment please
contact 01666 823986 or 07875096616
Charlotte English Sports and Remedial Massage
Body Beautiful Treat your body to some TLC this winter
9 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
• CACI ultimate non surgical facials
• Aromatherapy, Reflexology
• Hot Stone Massage / LAVA shell Massage
• Hopi Ear Candling
• Environ Anti-aging Facials
• Manicures / Pedicures / Waxing
• Electrolysis and Spray Tans
• Collagen Stimulation Therapy
‘Gift Vouchers available’ For more information, please call Deborah on
01666 829056
Member of Embody Complementary Therapists Association & British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology
14a High Street, Malmesbury, Above A4 Stationers
10 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Wrap Up For Winter Winter is upon us and even if you think that it can’t become any colder, the lowest temperatures are likely yet to come. Even hardy British plants will suffer in particularly miserable weather so whether your garden is already covered in snow and ice, or simply a slight frosting, it’s time to make sure that it’s wrapped up warm. Plants in containers are particularly vulnerable to winter damage as their roots are not protected beneath the soil. If the garden soil isn’t frozen solid, plunge any pot that can be plunged. If it’s too heavy to move then wrap it up well in bubble wrap polythene or old curtains. Most shrubs and trees in your garden will be ‘hardy’ in the UK, but if very harsh weather is forecast or there has been a spell of mild weather which may have encouraged the plant to produce some soft, new growth, then drape a double layer of horticultural fleece over the top growth of the plants and anchor it well. A double fleece layer can of course be used on plants in beds and borders too. Weigh down the edges of the fleece well with bricks, or use metal pegs at intervals along its length. Larger individual plants in borders can be given good, individual protection if you use four sturdy canes to create a framework, wrap with netting or chicken wire and fill the central space around the plant with dry bracken, straw or leaves. Many wall shrubs are grown there because they aren’t the hardiest of plants. To reduce risk of damage, make a similar ‘cage’ of mesh around these and again fill it with dry material so that the plant inside remains snug. Make sure you don’t use materials that can’t ‘breathe’ or the plants will deteriorate. Evergreens in containers and in open ground may suffer from drought as well as foliage or stem growth. Deep mulch applied to the soil surface on the root area before the ground becomes frosted will help immensely. Even hardy fruit trees are prone to damage. Although quite tough, the newly opened blossom and the buds themselves may be damaged, with late frosts being most harmful because the buds are further developed. A fleece cover will help here too. If you live in a particularly cold area, buy them from a local specialist nursery who know local conditions and
try to buy late flowering varieties. If your garden is windy, try investing in some fleecy jackets for your favourite shrubs. These are made from fleece and are like massive bags, complete with a drawstring at the open end. Alternatively use a double layer of ordinary fleece, wrap it around and cut to size before clipping or tying in place. Outdoor taps and pipework will need protection too or could result in burst pipes and expensive bills. I suggest turning outside taps off at the mains, but if this isn’t feasible, make sure any exposed pipework is properly insulated. Your local builder’s merchant or DIY store is worth a visit for this job - well insulated pipes and garden taps could save you a fortune. By Pippa Greenwood
All aspects of interior & exterior decorating
to a professional high quality finish
Very competitive rates to suit your budget
Free No Obligation Quotation
Professional decorating will add value to your property and enhance your working and living environment. www.wall2walldecorating.co.uk Tel:01793 435141 / 07800905006
11 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
Slippy, Unsightly
Paths & Patios?
Make your path safe
by removing the slippy algae
Using Super-Heated Water System
From £6/m2 (minimum charges apply) Tel 01666 841338 Mob 07968 105785
www.stonecleaningwiltshire.co.uk
12 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Awarded
Best Nursery in
the UK 2011
2nd year running!
Now open in
Cirencester
13 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
To Sign or Not to Sign? Where does baby sign come from?
Although deaf people have always used simplified signs with their children, it wasn’t until the
1980s that child development expert Dr Joseph Garcia noticed that the hearing babies of his deaf
friends were communicating and expressing themselves more easily and far earlier than babies of
hearing friends and decided to study it further.
Subsequent studies have found that babies who sign have larger vocabularies, higher IQs and better social skills than those who do not. Signing with babies is
also said to have other benefits such as boosting baby’s confidence and providing a great bonding opportunity for parents and their little ones. The benefits of
signing with your baby are numerous.
Here are just a few:
Knowing what your baby is thinking about, how they are feeling or what they are wanting
Giving your baby a means to express themselves (through baby signing) months (if not a full year) ahead of words being spoken
'Tuning in' to your baby, giving them your time and attention
Allowing your baby to feel very happy, knowing that you've understood them!
Minimising tantrums that come from not understanding each other
Introducing language to your baby (via baby signing), which then gives them the confidence to speak
Giving them a great foundation in speech and language in the pre-school years - so that they start school fully prepared and not playing 'catch up'
Communicating with your baby through sign language sounds like a great idea. The theory behind using sign language is that in stead of crying, your baby
will be able to tell you that he is hungry or tired or all finished with his meal. There are many advantages to teaching your child to sign, but there are pitfalls
both for signing and in the way you may teach your child to sign.
Lack of Universal Knowledge
Sign language is similar to any other language. If you teach your child to speak French, she will be understood well only by other people who speak French.
While any method of sign language will work well within your family, your child will not be able to communicate effectively when not in your care or in
trying to communicate to other children or caregivers. This can put additional strain on your child as she tries to communica te her needs.
D e l a y e d S p e e c h
Children learn to talk to have their needs met. Children who have a large sign language vocabulary may not be as inclined to speak unless you also accompany
the signs with words and try to get them to say the words, too. Psychologist Linda Acredolo, who is co-author of "Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby
Before Your Baby Can Talk" and a proponent of baby sign language, said that parents who sign with their children must also us e spoken language, to aid the
child's verbal ability. Several of her studies have shown that while sign language is often sufficient to aid communication, children do better when parents
speak as well as gesture. If that is done, children who learn signs may have a better verbal capability than their nonsigning peers because they understand the
purpose of language at an earlier age and use that to aid them verbally when they are physically able to speak.
Tiggers currently do not teach this form of communication, due to the chance of a delay in speech and language, unless of cou rse it were for a child with a
hearing impediment; However there are some significant benefits, if taught well and It is the parent’s choice to use this with their child within their family
unit.
For more information about Sing and Sign classes in your area, contact Nic Horne on 07721 666568 or by email: [email protected] or log
onto www.singandsign.co.uk
“The use of gesture is a natural stage of early communication and the use of baby signing will inspire a baby to develop even better communication skills and
will greatly expand their vocabulary. Extensive research has shown that children become better communicators when their early attempts at communication
are understood and they are responded to, not when they are frustrated. At Sing and Sign classes the babies enjoy the musical and social aspect while their
parents learn about baby signing. We ensure parents remember to always say the word as they sign it so babies get to 'see' th e words as well as 'hearing'
them - this helps them to remember the words that motivate them and aids their communication of those words, and their understan ding of language, from an
early age” [Nic Horne, Sing and Sign Teacher, 2012].
14 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Secret Diary of a Call Girl by Belle De Jour Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
It’s a growing problem: graduate unemployment. What do
you do when university loans and soaring rent become
too much and you need to find a way to make ends
meet? Belle hits on a new and rather unorthodox get-rich
-quick-scheme that fits perfectly in with her London
lifestyle. It’s not for the faint-hearted but if it’s titillation
you’re after then there are observations and shock
events that will have you laughing your fishnets off.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and by Sue Townsend
The teenage Adrian Mole is unfailingly satirical,
tremendously funny and completely loveable. This is one
of the most memorable diaries ever and it’s oozing, like a
giant zit, with teenage angst. Will he ever discover the
delights that lie hidden under Pandora’s Janet Reager
slip? Children will read this and both look forward to and
dread adolescence in equal measures, whilst adults will
be able to reminisce over first having a girl in their
bedroom. I’d insist the door’s propped open if I were you.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Publisher: Vintage Classics.
Cassandra Mortmain’s family is poor. They live in a castle
that’s crumbling around them and this is her story, written
while she’s sat ‘at the kitchen sink’. So begins the
endearing and warming tale of the children, living under
the burden of their novelist father’s writer’s block.
Cassandra’s journal charts the change and disruption
that breaks out when heirs to the family home come to
claim it. Dream-like and highly memorable, it’s a diary to
be treasured.
Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith, Weedon
Grossmith.
Publisher: Wordsworth Editions Limited
Don’t let the fact that this book was first published in 1892
put you off. It may be a year and a half in the life of a
lower-middle class Victorian clerk but there are so many
parallels with modern life that you can’t fail to be touched
by its humour. Fundamentally flawed by his own over-
inflated sense of worth and his desire to climb the social
ladder, Charles Pooter’s observations, wit and snobbery
will have you laughing out loud.
Dear Diary... Imagine 365 blank pages: a brand new year of
opportunity stretching before you. 2013 will be full of
‘dear diary’ moments and to kick-start your new year’s
resolutions of self-improvement and examination (until
February at least) here are some of the best, and most
amusing slants on, and windows into other characters’
lives.
Decadent New Year treat
Due to popular demand Yvonne will now be offering treatments on Fridays and to celebrate Yvonne has
created a new exotic flower skin and body massage treat. Moisture Melt
A hypnotic alchemy of heavenly scent, rhythmical massage and satin soft skin.
For complete details, reservations and other available treatments please contact Yvonne at the Oxford Practice,
Malmesbury. Tel: 01666824560 or browse [email protected]
Save £5 on the Moisture Melt pre-Christmas treat booked on Fridays in December
15 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
Tel: 01454 218 263 The Major’s Retreat
THE BEST VALUE COUNTRY PUB IN THE AREA
*We like our customers so much we try to spoil them!*
Pure and simple
proper old fashioned pub!
Tormarton
Tuesday is Quiz Night- starts 9pm with free nibbles
Sunday Roast Lunches & full menu available 12-2.30pm
January 18th
All you can eat curry night.
Many dishes to choose from £13.95
The one & only Major’s Retreat
Google us and you will find us on top!
www.majorsretreat.co.uk
Trip Advisor certificate of Excellence 2012!
“The owner a real character who adds
to the pub’s ambiance”
“... A real country pub welcome...”
“... it doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t...”
“....real ale—scrumptious food...”
Come and see for yourself!
SPANISH LESSONS
Any level, beginners to advanced
Coaching for exams
Will come to your house if required
Fiona Melville BA Hons (Oxon) Spanish
Please call 01666 840215 / 07711816839 email [email protected]
Paws for Thought Sophie Francis Professional Dog Walker
Experience in canine first aid, training and obedience.
Fully insured and references available.
Tel: 01666 840 538
Mobile: 07531057016
16 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
WOODLANE KENNELS & CATTERY Bath Road, Willesley, Glos. GL8 8QX
Tel: 01666 880314 Email [email protected]
Est. over 20years by Gill Butler, Veterinary Nurse.
Small, family run business with heated facilities and daily walks at no extra cost.
Elderly/pets on medication accepted.
Grooming and pet supplies available.
Nigel Starr Groundwork, Fencing
and Agricultural Contractor Est. 20 years
• All types of fencing
• Groundworks: Footings, underground
drainage, septic tanks etc.
• Driveways • Patios
Other work undertaken Mobile: 07976 248930
Telephone: 01666 826877 www.nigelstarr.co.uk
Maths Tuition
Fully qualified teacher available for
maths tuition including:-
Common Entrance exam preparation
GCSE exam preparation
Advanced level mathematics.
Alan Felton Bsc. PGCE
01666 575039
17 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
Don’t be the last to discover the
benefits of the fun, new fitness
craze sweeping the nation.....
JOIN IN -And have fun getting fit!
Classes only £5
Tues-Westonbirt Leisure Centre 6.15-7.15
Luckington School 7.30-8.30pm
Thurs 6.30-7.30pm at Luckington Hall
Thurs 8-9pm at Oaksey Village Hall
For all other classes and venues
Visit www.pts4u.org.uk
Or call Ruth King 07734886275
PERSONAL TRAINING: The studio offers a state of the art cardio suite, as well as a separate training room. Individually designed programmes are designed to meet your specific goals—one size doesn’t fit all! Weight loss and nutritional advice also available. POWER-PLATE TRAINING: Experience the difference with this unique training concept, the quickest way to get the toned body you have always wanted in half the time, enjoyed by elite athletes, fitness professionals and celebrities—the Power-Plate is available to you. Call today for a free introductory trial session and see for yourself! SPECIALITY PACKAGES: A range of pack-ages available to meet your requirements, call for more information.
Located in an exclusive one to one personal training and power plate studio at Pinkney Park
Call Ruth King 07734 886275 or visit www.pts4u.org.uk
18 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Finance So again we find ourselves starting the New Year on the financial back foot, following overindulgence at Christmas. While this dilemma may seem inescapable, it is certainly not without remedy. Here’s how to begin your New Year with a proactive monetary success story rather than spending Q1 worried about cash flow. This is your five-step guide to recovering from a Christmas financial hangover.
1. Personal Preparation Start by deciding whether you’re going to use a paper notepad or software. Some people prefer pen and paper, but software for personal finance management or even just a spreadsheet will give you an efficient way to keep track of your funds using an intuitive interface.
Next, you need to bolster your conviction to rectify the situation. If you’ve had good intentions in the past to tackle your finances but found yourself falling by the wayside, you’ll understand the importance of this step. A process touted by many world-renowned business coaches is to take a notepad and create two columns. On one side, put the positive things which will come from organising your money, and on the other list the downsides of what will happen and how failure will feel. This process can transform your intentions from whimsical fancy into serious conviction.
2. Assessing Your Situation Before addressing the problem at hand, you need to understand what the damage is. This means coming to terms with exactly how much you spent and involves delving into the nitty-gritty of your naughtiness, a psychologically repelling task that is tempting to avoid.
If you haven’t had your credit card statement in yet, sit down with a notepad or a spreadsheet and tally up what you spent on Christmas presents. After this, do a rough calculation of what was spent on other factors such as food, drink and travel. You can always phone your card company and ask for the current balance if you’ve lost track.
3. Laying Down Your Targets Next, make a comprehensive list of every single essential outgoing for the month including an allowance for food. Once you know what this figure is, subtract it from your income and you will know exactly how much is left to divide between your card bill/overdraft and other spending for the coming months.
4. Breaking Your Targets Down Breaking targets down into milestones is another strategy adopted by many renowned business coaches. Once you have your monthly budget, you can then break down your weekly, or even daily spending allowance. If you stick to these targets, you cannot fail and by the end of your plan, you will inevitably be free from your Christmas financial woes. Be as detailed as possible in your planning, accounting for any and all expenditures.
5. Other Steps to Take It’s common when struggling to get on top of finances to avoid contacting organisations to whom money is owed,
such as credit card or utility bill companies. Ironically, communication can gain a great deal of leeway here. If necessary, phone up and inform them you’re unable to pay the bill this month but you can pay extra at the end of February. They will often be more than happy to accommodate, allowing you get on with your day-to-day life, conscience unburdened from money issues.
If you continue to struggle to make ends meet, there are companies out there to help. Both CCCS (http://www.cccs.co.uk) and Payplan (http://www.payplan.com/) are organisations set up to offer free advice and also debt management plans for those in need. Best of luck.
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19 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
What a fabulous new year treat… get together with friends to enjoy a stunning lunch in our Michelin starred Bybrook restaurant and for every two diners, one will pay just £15!
Simply quote “Malmesbury” at the time of booking. For bookings up to a maximum of four (two pay £15). Valid January, February and March 2013.
THE MANOR HOUSE HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB
CALL US 01249 782206
EMAIL US [email protected]
The Manor House Hotel and Golf Club, Castle Combe, Nr. Bath, SN14 7HR
ENJOY A MICHELIN STARRED LUNCH FOR £15…
FIND OUT MORE manorhouse.co.uk/friends
20 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
You Can’t Do That...
5th October 2012 marked fifty years since the release of The Beatles' first single, 'Love Me Do' - a song and band that, quite simply, changed the world. This period in pop history was recently recreated in a BBC documentary, and a snippet of rare footage showing the Fab Four onstage at the Cavern reminded me of a rather hairy time in my own band's history that took place on that very same stage. It was our first appearance at the Cavern, and I recall arriving at the venue in the afternoon and suddenly feeling very… well… posh. We weren't in Berkshire any more, and I quickly decided that this would be a gig where I would try and keep my increasingly unpredictable mouth shut. More singy singy, less talky talky. By around 10.30pm we'd finished our set and, to our surprise, gone down really well. As we left the stage, the audience were shouting for an encore, but with this being relatively early in our careers we'd already played everything we knew. Behind the curtain, we huddled for a quick conference and our drummer Tony pointed out that there was one number we could do. A song we had learned recently for a friend's wedding. A Beatles song. But no. You can't do that, not in the birthplace of The Beatles. In fact, it's not just that you shouldn’t cover The Beatles at the Cavern, it's that you DON'T cover The Beatles at the Cavern, for precisely the same reason that you don't wear a cardboard Queen Elizabeth mask to Buckingham Palace. But this would be okay, Tony insisted, because the track we happened to know was 'You Can't Do That' (originally the B-side to 'Can't Buy Me Love'), and the built-in irony of this would cover us in the event of a revolt. Yeah right it would, I thought. But before I knew it, we were back onstage, standing in front of an expectant Beatle-mad crowd. 'I've got a fact about The Beatles,' said Tony suddenly, into the microphone, before I could begin the piano introduction. What was he doing? I looked out at the shadowy sea of faces. You could hear a pin drop. 'The Beatles' first gig,' continued Tony, 'wasn't in Liverpool at all.' Please don't kill us, northerners. Please don't smash us in and mail our body parts to Tunbridge Wells. 'Lennon and McCartney's first ever gig wasn’t in Liverpool, it was in Reading. Where we live.'
This is it, I thought. This is, without a single shadow of a doubt, how I’m going to die. Darkness fell. For a moment, nobody uttered a sound. Then, as I opened my tightly scrunched eyes, I found to my surprise a room full of people sagely nodding their heads in agreement. It would appear that not only was Tony's fact watertight, but of course the kind of musos who hang out at the Cavern Club are so knowledgeable about The Beatles that they knew this to be true. And the rest is history. We threw out a spirited rendition of 'You Can't Do That', and it went down a storm. So here's to you, John, Paul, George & Ringo. Thanks for starting a band, and for changing the world. (And thank you to the good people of Liverpool for sparing our lives.) Chris Russell
"The Lightyears - lucky to be alive..."
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22 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Chocolate Pecan Pie Ready in 1½ hours plus chilling Serves 8
If you have a bowlful of nuts left over from Christmas
then why not make this classic American favourite
with a British twist – simply replace half the pecan
nuts with walnuts, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts. Serve
with a dollop of thick Greek yoghurt or whipped
cream.
For the pastry:
• 225g plain flour
• 100g butter, diced
• 1 medium egg, beaten with 2 tbsp cold water
For the filling:
• 100g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
• 50g butter, diced
• 75g golden syrup
• 4 tbsp maple syrup
• 75g caster sugar
• 4 medium eggs, beaten
• 175g pecan nuts (or a mixture of pecans, walnuts,
hazelnuts and Brazil nuts)
To make the pastry, sift the flour into a bowl and add the
diced butter. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into
the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Stir in the egg and water and mix to a crumbly dough.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until
smooth. Wrap and chill the pastry for 20 minutes.
Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface and use
to line a 25cm round deep metal pie tin (or a loose-
based fluted flan tin). Crimp the pastry edge with your
fingers and prick the base all over with a fork. Chill for
30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and place a
baking sheet in the oven to heat. To make the filling,
melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set
over a pan of simmering water. Remove from the heat
and stir in the golden syrup, maple syrup and sugar
then whisk in the beaten eggs. Chop half the nuts and
stir into the mixture.
Gently pour the mixture into the pastry case and
sprinkle over the rest of the nuts (roughly chopping the
hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, if using). Slide the pie tin onto
the preheated baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/350F/Gas 4 and
bake for a further 25-30 minutes until the filling has set
and the pastry is crisp and golden. Serve warm or cold.
Foot Health Care www.foot-health-care.co.uk
Sina Ohms MCFHP MAFHP
Foot Health Practitioner
Corns-Nail Trimming-Verrucae-Hard Skin-
Athlete’s Foot-Ingrown Toenails-Nail Infections-
Cracked Heels (Fissures)-Nail Cutting
The Chippenham Natural Therapy Centre
T:01249 443390
The Oxford Practice, Malmesbury
T:01666 824 560
Corsham Chiropractic Clinic T: 01249 716683
Home Visits T: 01666 838683 M:07593324128
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Helen Breward Hypnotherapist BA (Hons), DipCAH, HPD
01793 854242 or 07561 544511
Need help with-Weight management Anxiety/stress Stop smoking Phobias Confidence
Stop smoking now £100 for a single
session -was £120 NEW - stop smoking
£130, for initial stop-smoking +
a follow up session.
23 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
Call in today for a free tyre check with our tyres at Low Low prices
PITSTOP TYRES All makes of servicing available
Wide range of tyres in stock
Four wheel laser alignment
MOT by appointment
TEL: 01666 824084 MOBILE: 07501 464821 We are a family run business and our aim is to keep you
safe on the road, offering you a friendly and professional
service with competitive prices. Unit 1, Whitewall Ind Est, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wilts, SN16 0RD.
Free pick up and drop off within the Malmesbury area
Tyres Exhausts
Brakes Batteries
MOT Car Recovery
Lumley Garden & Pet Supplies
Stainsbridge Mill,
Gloucester Road,
Malmesbury,
Wiltshire,
SN16 0AJ
Tel: 01666 822325
E-mail: [email protected]
www.lumleypetsupplies.com
Top Leading Brands of Food & Treats
Own Label Premium Dog Food
Bowls, Toys & Accessories
Beds & Cushions
Wild Bird Food & Products inc .Live
Food
“For you and your pet’s every need.”
Delivery service Available.
24 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
After yet another winter of record-breaking energy prices it’s
clear that the cost of lighting, heating and powering our
homes isn’t going to drop any time soon - so it’s a smart
idea to invest in energy saving technology to reduce the
amount of energy we use. You’ve probably already double-
glazed the windows, filled the cavity walls and insulated the
roof, but there are still plenty of ways that technology can
reduce your energy bills further.
Some of the best ideas are the simplest ones, such as the
Enviroplug (£9.99). As the name suggests it’s an
environmentally friendly plug that’s been designed to switch
off phone and gadget charges when the device is fully
charged or no longer connected. Enviroplug reckons it can
save you 13.14KWh of energy per year, equivalent to 76
hours of TV watching, per plug.
Another simple idea is an automatic radiator bleeder
(£13.99), an easy-to-fit device that ejects air from your
radiators to keep them running at maximum efficiency. You
can do the same job yourself with a £1 radiator key, of
course, but air can easily build up without you noticing it.
Changing your light bulbs can reduce your bills too, even if
you already use energy-saving CFL (Compact Fluorescent)
bulbs. LED bulbs are improving in leaps and bounds, and a
typical LED bulb will use half the energy of the equivalent
CFL. To our eyes they’re better looking, too.
Another good energy saver is the Standby Buster plug
socket and its many imitators. It’s a remote control system
that switches off devices completely instead of leaving them
in standby mode. Expect to pay around £17.99 for three plug
adapters or about £8 for a single plug socket.
If you’re a tea or coffee drinker the Energy Savings Trust
reckons you should change your kettle: its recommended
product, the Wahl ECO Kettle, achieves energy savings of
up to 60%. You fill it like a normal kettle but use the ECO
control knob to tell the kettle how much water you need; it
then only boils that amount.
If you have computers at home, you may well be wasting
energy there too: computers left running while you make a
cup of tea or attend to a family crisis can consume
surprisingly large amounts of energy: if you can see the
screen saver, you’re paying for unnecessary energy use.
One of the most interesting solutions is the multi-award-
winning Ecobutton Halo (£12.99), which plugs into a spare
USB port and puts your PC into its lowest-energy standby
mode with a single button press. It comes with software that
tells you how much you’ve saved that week and since you
installed the Ecobutton. Ecobutton reckons you can save
around £50 per year with the device, although sadly it isn’t
compatible with Apple machines.
In addition to your computer, it’s worth looking at its
accessories too: wireless mice and keyboards, games
console controllers and other peripherals often use lots of
batteries, and swapping Duracells for rechargeable ones
can save you money as well as reduce your environmental
impact. Even the biggest chargers are very cheap -
Duracell’s CEF22-UK is around £12, while the batteries
themselves are relatively inexpensive too, with AAAs at
around £6 for four and D-sized batteries weighing in at £3
apiece. You don’t need to recharge your batteries too many
times before they start paying for themselves.
Beat The Bills
How tech can reduce your energy usage
For all your building needs including:-
*Repair and Maintenance, Renovation and Conversion, Extensions, Roofing, Decoration *Complete installation of kitchens, bathrooms
and wet rooms *Historic Buildings, Listed Buildings,
Conservation or New Builds *An established local builder
with 38 years experience
Call 07979 533310 for free quotation Quality work at realistic prices
Need A Website? Starter Packages Available
£250 for 5 pages including email
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Tel: 01666 841338
Mob:07968 872757 www.stonemillmarketing.com
25 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
26 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Dutch and British settlers left a fair heritage, from the star-
shaped castle of Good Hope to the Houses of Parliament, the
Anglican Cathedral, once the diocese of Desmund Tutu, and the
Company’s Gardens. The modern town has tree-lined avenues
and upmarket stores but in the midst of it all are quaint colonial
buildings and colourful alleyways, especially in the Malay
district, a favourite location for film producers and still home to
descendants of Asian slaves.
Seapoint is a leisurely place to picnic on the lawns, stroll on the
promenade to enjoy the ocean breeze or gaze at fur seals
basking on the rocks. Meanwhile beyond the lively Greenmarket
at the heart of town, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront bustles
from morning to night. There are fishing boats along the quay,
English pubs and al fresco restaurants, Zulu dancers, Jazz
musicians and people of all ages having a good time. It’s a
great place to sample fresh seafood or a mega ice cream, hunt
for the finest African craft or sail around the harbour feeling at
home as you gaze at the bright red Victorian clock tower. A
dainty pedestrian bridge swings now and then to let the boats
go through and Table Mountain looks down on the scene in
quiet splendour.
Silhouetted against the blue sky or lost in the mist at over 1000
metres, the mountain has a mind of its own so it’s best to check
the forecast and choose a good day to head for the top. Some
visitors walk up the steep trails, three hours or so by the easiest
route, most queue for the cable car to be whizzed up to the
summit in just six minutes.
It’s a great place to sample fresh seafood or ice cream, hunt for tAfrican craft or sail around the harbour
The platform revolves so everyone has a turn to look at the
view, more vertiginous as you climb until you near the top,
hanging just metres from the sheer cliff face.
Up there, the panorama takes your breath away, from the
glistening city and harbour to Robben Island, where Nelson
Mandela was held in captivity, now a sanctuary for seabirds and
penguins, from the verdant Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head to the
Cape peninsula and the Twelve Apostles stretching into the
ocean. Myriad footpaths crisscross the vast rocky plateau,
sprinkled with 1500 species of plants, among them flowering
protea and golden fynbos. There are Cape canaries and orange
sunbirds, goat antelopes and elands, baboons and rock
hyraxes, resembling oversized guinea pigs, who have wisely set
up home near the coffee shop.
Suddenly the fog horn blows, sending everyone rushing back to
the cable car. Mist rolls across the mountain tops, the
temperature drops, the view disappears and you can’t see the
edge of the cliff. It’s a relief to head back down into the sunshine
where the ocean rolls as far as you can see and the beat of
African drums and dancers echoes along the waterfront. Table
Mountain has vanished like a dream but on the eastern slopes
of the National Park, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
release their most exotic fragrance in the setting sun.
Draped like a silver necklace around the
green slopes of Signal Hill, Cape Town, the
‘Mother City’, is an intriguing mix of pastel-
coloured walls, red roofs and mighty
skyscrapers lapped by the Atlantic surf.
Cape Town
Foxley Plumbing & Heating
Oil Boiler Installation, Servicing & Repairs Oil Tank Replacement
Heating Installation & Repairs Bathroom Installations
Unvented Cylinder Systems NO JOB TOO SMALL
Tim Hibbard
Email [email protected]
(01666) 822863 or 07966462202
•Small and medium sized
business specialists
•Free initial meeting
•Fixed fees available
•Free fact sheets and
monthly e-news (see our website)
Griffon House Seagry Heath
Great Somerford Wiltshire SN15 5EN
Tel: 01249 720341 Fax: 01249 470560
[email protected] www.bowenaccounts.co.uk
BOWEN ACCOUNTANTS LTD
Chartered Accountants and Tax Consultants
27 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
28 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
News from Malmesbury School Students bake cakes for local flood victims Students in years 10, 12 & 13 at Malmesbury School baked cakes for the victims of the recent floods in Malmesbury. They produced approximately 14 plates with 9 cakes on each plate. Each plate was decorated with a handmade label saying “Sorry to hear you have been flooded from students at Malmesbury School.”
Year 7 students then walked with teachers into Malmes-bury and delivered them to houses in the St Johns Street area with sandbags outside. Some of the students talked to flood victims.
In the photograph, the students in school uniform deliv-ered the cakes and the older sixth formers (in their own clothes) baked or packaged or did the washing up!
The Big Fair Bake? 24 students from Y7 & 8 (aged 11 to 13) took part. The brief was to choose a Fair Trade Product to bake (most of them chose cakes and biscuits) and they had to nominate someone to receive the finished product once it had been made. The product was presented with a flag in it containing information that will spread the Fair Trade message. One of the judges was Deborah Gray (Chair of Governors). In 1st place was Dominic Evans. In joint 2nd place were Saoirse Maher & Orla Garrihy In 3rd place was Celina Sutton
In addition, every month, a Fair Trade Recipe is published at school for staff and students to try making. They are encour-aged to send photos of their efforts. These recipes will be published in a book at the end of the year. Miss Doyle is the teacher in charge of this.
There are plans for another bake off during Fair Trade Fortnight next year (end of Feb/beginning of March).
SHARPES
Property Maintenance Limited
01666 840042 07720717902
Casement Windows
Bay Windows
Tilt and Turn
Sliding Sash
Shaped Windows
•Window and Door repairs
•Locks • Hinges • Handles
•Replacement glass units
•Roof line products available
Fascias Soffits
Guttering
•Replaced or Repaired
A - Rated Energy Efficient Double Glazing
Composite doors
Entrance doors
French doors
Stable doors
Patio doors
29 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
30 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Ingleburn Trefoil Guild The Trefoil Guild is part of Girlguiding UK, so it and has the same principles and supports Guiding locally, but you don’t need to have been a Brownie or Guide to belong. Anybody over 18 is welcome – even men! We aim to have a varied programme, chosen by the members, and since starting after the summer, we have heard about driving VIPs at the Olym-pics and being a Tiller Girl in the 50s, seen ‘Charley’s Aunt’ at Bath and hosted an Autumn Ramble for Trefoil Guilds from all over Gloucestershire at Westonbirt. At the time of writing, we’re looking forward to a 4-day break at The Manor House, Okehampton where we can pursue our artistic hobbies and outdoor interests, and sharing a Christmas meal at The Horse Guards, Brokenborough. We’re also running a tombola at Tetbury’s Christmas Late Night Shopping evening, to raise money for Holiday at Home. We meet on the 3rd Monday of the month, usually at St. Mary’s Hall, Malmesbury. Members come from Tetbury, Malmes-bury and the surrounding area and we are usually able to offer lifts to people without transport. This is what we have planned for the rest of the session:- January 21st: Making cards February 18th: An international evening for Thinking Day – food from other countries and a talk about visiting Antarctica March 20th: The AGM, when we shall be celebrating our 10th anniversary and enjoying light refreshments April 15th : A musical evening May 20th :A talk on ‘Safer Driving with Age’ June 17th : Canal trip July 5th : Summer picnic September 6th: Barbecue We also enjoy activities organised by Glos. And Wilts. North Trefoil Guilds and try to go for a walk and pub lunch every month or so. If this sounds your sort of thing, contact Margaret Palmer (01666 826390, [email protected]) or Helen Price (01666 503187, [email protected]
31 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
32 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
The Better Life Confessions of an Eco-Worrier As soon as we adopted our new
way of life – in the countryside
and living off the land – it became apparent that being
‘green’ came with the territory.
We’re novices really though, but
I think I’m doing my bit… In these times of global
warming, arctic winters, unpredictable weather and failing
crops, many people are asking: “What has the environment
ever done for me?” Well, it’s put up with us human beings, for one thing. And it
spends more time in the garden than I do. But I do worry that
some of my efforts may backfire. The more I look into it, the
less being green seems to be black and white. I think I have the basics covered. I recycle, I compost; I even
Freegle and Freecycle. My paper, cardboard, tins and glass
(but not the broken glass, apparently) can all be put out for local council collection. But they won’t take plastics.
So, to make the journey economically viable, I drive everything
over to my nearest recycling bank – in the out-of-town
supermarket car park. Which makes sense, when you think about it, as supermarkets have recycled many of our local
shops. I also take unwanted clothing there for the charity
containers. Then I hide and watch other people filch the items
out again, which I suppose is double recycling. I try to do my bit in other ways too. I use the most energy
efficient light bulbs, although the only way I can afford to kit
out the whole house, and have spares, is by using cheap UK
internal flights rather than expensive trains. Okay, so I have to drive to the airport as well, but the café there sells organic
coffee so I’m really supporting the planet in two ways at once.
I opt for organic food wherever possible and I go for minimal
packaging. Like the flat-packed mange-tout flown in from Kenya and the still-to-be-ripened apples from New Zealand.
Of course, I’d eat more British organic apples if they grew
when I actually wanted to eat them. So much for global warming extending our summers.
I run a two-seater sports car, to discourage other people from
travelling by road – in my car. And I always put my foot down
to minimise the time spent pumping out exhaust gases. Obviously, I’m tempted to put a wind turbine on my roof, but
apparently it’s a 25-year payback and it earns me less putting
electricity back into the national grid than I pay per unit to use
it, which is a bit of a swizz. I'd buy an inverter to use my own
electricity off the vine, but I’m not sure the throughput from the
turbine could power my dishwasher and Jacuzzi. All in all
though, I feel like I’m doing my bit. So, as I raise a glass of organic Australian Merlot, I feel confident that my lifestyle choices will inspire others. Oh yes, nearly forgot – I know the Scouts appreciate my stamp donations, saved from the hate mail that keeps coming my way. by Derek Thompson
07979363224 or 07736326269
Email: [email protected]
Local, friendly, quality finish every time
PAINTING & DECORATING
ALL FEMALE TEAM •All exterior & interior work undertaken
•Advice on colours and soft furnishings
•Suppliers of fabric, flooring & accessories
PRACTICAL, AFFORDABLE, INTERIOR SOLUTIONS
www.inside-outdecorating.co.uk
RMN Personal Training Making Fitness Fun
1-2-1 sessions
Personal and friendly
Very effective
www.rmn121.co.uk
Contact: 07979 084558
33 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
IAN NURDEN LTD BUILDING & ROOFING CONTRACTORS
Complete Building & Roofing Services
New Builds Extensions Renovations Conversions Maintenance
All aspects of Roofing Works including Cotswold Stone Tiling and
Fibreglass Roofing
Listed Building Approved Local Authority Approved
Free Estimates
MALMESBURY 01666 823051
www.iannurden.co.uk
34 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Money Matters Changes to benefits with the introduction of universal credit will affect many families in 2013 especially families with under 5’s.From April 2013 if you receive housing benefit and your house is under occupied you may receive a reduction in benefit paid to you. A child aged 15 or under will be expected to share with one child of the same gender A child age 9 or under will be expected to share with one other child also aged 9 or under regardless of gender Housing benefit will also be paid monthly directly to you instead of directly to your landlord. This means you will need to budget and make sure you pay your rent on time. For more information, support and ad-vice book onto our ‘Countdown to Benefit Change’ session delivered by ‘The Citizen’s Advice Bureau’ in the New Year or sign up for support with our Family Support Worker
Want to Save Money on Fuel Costs? By being more efficient-Changing your supplier (find out how to do this)-What help is available through benefits Information on what grants are available to improve energy efficiency in your home Information session with crèche on Wednesday 12th December 1.45 – 2.45pm booking essential. Session in the New Year too please call to book Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? If you are trying to get back into work, this may be an ideal stepping stone for you to gain confidence and experience. As well as volunteers to help in groups we also need a volunteer to help with admin tasks. Are you dad or granddad who could spare a few hours to do some odd jobs? In return we offer full support and training. Give Deb Skilton a call to have a chat or pop into one of our volunteer coffee & cake mornings to meet other volunteers and find out more. Malmesbury Children’s Centre, Malmesbury Primary School Grounds, Tetbury Hill, Malmesbury, SN16 9JR Tel: 01666 825566 Email:[email protected]
35 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
36 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
Specialist framer of memorabilia, cross-stitches,
football shirts, jigsaws, pictures, prints etc.
Also dry mounting and laminating
SUE’S GALLERY & FRAMING
29A High Street, Cricklade SN6 6AB
01793 759016
Unit 23 Blackworth Industrial Estate, Highworth,
Swindon SN6 7NA 01793 764929
www.suesgallery.co.uk
Fine Art Trade Guild Commended Framer
Frame Visualisation System See your picture framed before buying
For your solution call Troy on 07523 366945 or email [email protected]
Experts in natural wood flooring
Visit J M Forss Opticians 57 High St, Malmesbury,
Wiltshire, SN16 9AG
Tel 01666 822444 [email protected]
50%
Off
Selected Frames
January Sale
J M Forss
pticians
37 Please mention Malmesbury Connections when responding to adverts
L.P. Electrical Reliable & Friendly service
Free Estimates for all your electrical needs Domestic, Industrial and Commercial
Safety checks, Rewires, Extensions, Extra lighting and sockets, Fault finding, Test and Inspecting, Fuse board replacements, etc Fully insured and guaranteed Over 11 years experience
Call Les on
07890 541492
A LITTLE ABOUT.....
Conrad & Hannah at Broadbean 1. When did you start your business and why?
After meeting at a website development company, we would often talk of the day
we could work for ourselves. We finally decided that day dreaming was not
enough and took the plunge in August. We have a very similar attitude to work,
always putting in the time and effort to do the job to the best of our abilities.
Often it would feel like that effort went unnoticed so we decided not to rely on
someone else to be the judge! Combining our skills and experience we realised we
could offer a compelling service to small businesses at very reasonable rates.
2. Describe the events in your typical day.
Starts at about 8am with a hearty (cereal!) breakfast. About 20 minutes later (and
for the majority of the day) we’re at the computer; working on a design, develop-
ing a website etc. with a short break for lunch and sometimes a crossword. We
tend to finish up about 10pm. A client visit is a welcome chang
3. What is your favourite local shop? Why?
We’re definitely fans of the exotic treats of The Wild Food Company of Malmes-
bury. The huge range of food in there is amazing. Whether it’s Morrocan, Japenese, Lebonese, they’re likely to stock it.
Having searched high and low for some unusual ingredients for a Thai dish, I was delighted to find them right on my doorstep - and at very reasonable prices
too.
4. What is your favourite local venue?
A close call between The Smoking Dog and the Rajah curry house – depends what mood we’re in!
5. What is your all time favourite song?
Louis Armstrong - La Vie En Rose
A song we both agree on at least!
6. If you didn't live here, where would you like to live and why?
Somewhere very similar! Both of us have always wanted to settle in the country and while we’re not exactly what one would cal l patriotic we like to think
we’re proud to be British.
7. We set up our own business because.......
We both worked really hard at our day jobs, and knew that the only way to truly recognise our efforts would be to do it for ourselves and not for the ‘fat cat’!
8. Best thing that's happened to you recently
Sounds corny, but definitely starting broadbean. It’s hard work, especially when you’re used to the security of a regular pay packet every month, but the
feeling of liberation is quite incredible!
9. Favourite one liner or silliest thing you've heard.
A family member pointed me in the direction of some hilarious church announcements years ago, and they still bring on a smile whenever I read them. Here’s
one of my favourites;
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice .
10. Your future goal?
To grow broadbean and have fun doing it!
38 To advertise call 07919288977 or 01666 818143 or email [email protected]
WHAT’S ON ? Every Sunday (7.30pm) and Thursday (2.30pm) Crudwell Short Mat Bowls - bring flat shoes and we have the woods - at Crudwell Village Hall
Every Monday 1.00 - 3.30pm Malmesbury Physically Handicapped Club. The club is run for the benefit of physi-cally handicapped, and elderly, residents of Malmesbury. We provide a forum where people can meet in a relaxed and friendly environment and enjoy a range of interesting speakers and recreational pursuits. Transport can be arranged in the immediate Malmesbury area. For further info please contact 01666 824351
Every Monday—Malmesbury Arts Society meet at St Mary’s Hall at 7.30pm to paint and draw. All ages welcome.
Every Monday Fortnight 1.30-3pm at the Town Hall Malmesbury. Singing for the Brain for carers and people with dementia. Please call the Alzheimer's Society on 01249 443469 for further information.
Every Monday from 7:30 -9:30pm during term time Malmesbury Singers meet in Malmesbury Abbey. For further information visit www.malmesburysingers.co.uk
‘Every Monday & Thursday – Malmesbury Bridge Club meets for friendly duplicate bridge at Athelstan House, Burton Hill Primary Care Centre complex, at 7 p.m. For details or if you need a partner, contact Richard or Syd Gwyer 01453 860512
Every 2nd Tuesday-7.30pm Lea WI meet at Lea Village Hall
Every Tuesday and Thursday- I am the Chairman of the Athelstan Players, a local drama group. We meet in our Club Room (behind the Co-op) (adults only) 7.30 - 10 pm. If you can sing, dance, act or help back stage, new members are always welcome. Please contact 01666 822691 for more information.
Most Tuesdays in The Activity Zone from 12.30 to15.30. Malmesbury Tuesday Club -A sandwich lunch (£3) is fol-lowed by board games, a quiz or puzzle or a talk from a visiting speaker. From time to time we travel to enjoy a meal out or to visit a local point of interest. Transport to and from the club can usually be arranged. For further details ring Bob Turner on 01666823620.
Every Wednesday—Members (aged 60 and over) meet at noon in the Wesleyan Room of the Town Hall to see friends and enjoy a 2 course lunch. Details from Helen Churchill 01666 840080
Every Wednesday– Malmesbury Arts Society meet at Malmesbury Town Hall 2-4pm to paint and draw. All Wel-come. Please bring a table covering. Cost £1.
Every 4th Wednesday of month—Wiltshire Family History Society meet at La Flambe, Birdcage Walk. All welcome, no Wiltshire ancestry necessary! Free. Contact 01666823507
Monday January 14th In Charlton Village Hall at 7.30pm. A talk by Mr. Andrew Tolman. Titled “On Our Door Step” New comers welcome Graham Rees 01666 823093
BT Fault line 0800 800 151 Gas 0800 111999 Malmesbury Town Council 01666 822 143 Malmesbury Youth Centre 01666 823747 Malmesbury Activity Zone 01666 822533 Library 01666 823611
DOCTORS SURGERIES Malmesbury PCC 01666 825825 Tolsey Surgery Sherston 01666 840270 Emergency 999 Police 101
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Local Information and Useful Numbers
MALMESBURY CHILDREN CENTRE Mondays– Play together for under 5’s 10-11.30am at the Children’s Centre in Malmesbury Primary School
Tuesdays– Parenting Support group 11-12noon then Baby Time Group 1.30 to 3pm with occasional visits from the dental and first aid advisors
Thursdays– Bumps and Breastfed Babies support group 10.30 to 12noon with visits from the dental and first aid advisors Also many pre booked courses available , from cooking to counselling! Call 01666 825566 or email [email protected] for details
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