january gazette and diary 2015

2 January/February 2015 - The New Year Issue

BRYNMAWR’S ONE AND ONLY FACTORY OUTLETWhatever room you are improving we have

A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF CARPETS ANDFLOORING TO SUIT EVERY TASTE AND BUDGET

COME AND SEE ALL OUR OFFERS • 100s OF ROLLS & REMNANTS IN STOCK

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Brynmawr’sone and only

factory outlet!

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Phone for free estimate on 01495 312830 Unit 2 & 3 Noble Square Ind Est, Brynmawr

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday 9.30am to 2pm

THIS MONTH’S OFFERSPrimo Delight was £16.95 NOW £12.99 (10 year guarantee)

Tuftex Stain Free Twist £12.00 NOW £6.95Royal Palace Saxony was £16.50 NOW £12.00

Hercules Structured Loop Pile ONLY £4.50Premier Choice Elite was £16.50 NOW ONLY £12.50 sq yardYorkshire Classic Twist was £15.00 NOW ONLY £9.50 sq yard

Passion Deluxe was £17.50 NOW ONLY £11.99 sq yardStructured Berber £6.50 ONLY

under £115 for a 12x13room size eg 9x13 only £85

Loads of Vinyls in stock 2, 3 & 4m £6.009ft x 3mt ONLY £60

Goliath Vinyl was £20 now £9.95PLUS MANY MORE WITH HUGE REDUCTIONS

FITTING FROMONLY £25 PER ROOM

FREE UNDERLAYWITH ALL LAMINATE

WITH THIS ADVERTISEMENT

BRINTONS REMNANTS80% 20% WOOL

ONLY 11.99 SQ YARD

ABERGAVENNYGARDEN CENTRE LTDC O M B I N I N G N AT U R E A N D N U RT U R E Since 1957

END OF SEASON SALE NOW ON:Fantastic savings on hundreds of productsSelected lines of shrubs as much as 50% offOther selected plant material up to 25% off

Selected lines of trees up to HALF PRICESpring bulbs now available

Winter planting onion sets just inOrders now being taken for winter flowering baskets

Discounts available for bulk order on cut flowers

GAT U R EA N D N U RT U R E C O M B I N I N G N A

TDGARDEN CENTRE L LTDVENNAAVABERG

service is five star rated and our advice hints a Combined with our knowledge and expertise, our customer

years of experience.a traditional market garden centre nursery, with over 50 Abergavenny Garden Centre, we pride ourselves on being At

T U R E

TDNY

Since 1957

and tips we Combined with our knowledge and expertise, our customer

a traditional market garden centre nursery, with over 50 Abergavenny Garden Centre, we pride ourselves on being

E N D O F S EA EA ASO O N SA SA AL LE NO OW OW O ON :F a n nta ta ast st tic c sa av v vi ng g s o n h u nd d re re eds ds o of p pro ro d uSe Se le e ect cte te d l i ne e es o of s h r ru b bs as s m uc c h as as 50 50% % Ot Ot the e r se e le e ect cte te d p pla a n nt ma at ate te r ria a l u p to to 2 25% 5%

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Gazette & Diary Magazine

22 - Abergavenny Farmers Market, Market Hall, Abergavenny. Fresh localproduce.

22 – Abergavenny Local History Society , Toby Jones will talk about the latest Discoveries at the Newport Ship. Borough Theatre, 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome to join on the night.

JanuaryDATES TO

REMEMBER

Absurdity by Dorothy Baylis

Oh how odd if like a bird the animals could fly And oh how if like a cod we lived in the sea you and I

If the grass was pink and the sky was green And hedges scarlet red

If all the seas were indigo and cows laid eggs instead If kangaroos had curly beaks and elephants

climbed trees If parallel lines begun to meet and boiling

meant to freeze If this was so it seems to me how crazy life

would be For nothing would make sense at all

in a world of absurdity.

January/February 2015 - The New Year Issue 3

Nick Ramsay AMAssembly Member for Monmouth

Hospitals - Schools - Transport -Environment - Housing

Write to: Nick Ramsay AM, Constituency Office,16 Maryport Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1ABE-mail: [email protected] further information call:01291 674 898 or 029 2089 8735

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AS the shutters go up on 2014 and we open thecurtains on 2015, it’s business as usual for all theteam at the Gazette and Diary.

As always, over the course of the next 12 months, 52weeks, and 365 days, you’ll find us all perpetually strivingto provide you with the sort of quality read you’ve cometo know, expect, and love. As Oprah Winfrey once said inbetween interviewingcelebrities: “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginningbut a going on, with all the wisdom that experience caninstil in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance forus to get it right.”

So with that in mind, we’ll trust you’ll now join us in raising our glassesas we toast the new year and set sail on a brand new adventure to-gether. Bon voyage and chin chin dear readers. We trust 2015 will be amemorable one for us all. Until the next time, take care and God bless.

NEVERTOO LATE

TO PLAYTHE PIANO!

Dorothy Baylis C.T., A.B.R.S.M., has a few vacancies for children (aged 7 years and upwards) and adults

wishing to play the Piano, either for pleasure or to take the A.B.R.S.M.

or Trinity Grade Practical Piano examinations. All aspects of these

exams are covered.Specialises in the formative years of children 7 years and upwards.

I also specialise in teaching the Aural section of either the

A.B.R.S.M. or Trinity for students already learning; strings, woodwind,

brass, percussion or organ, who wish to have extra coaching in this

section of the exam as valuable marks can be gained towards a pass

or higher mark for a successful result.

Transport can be arranged to collect children from Cross Ash

Primary school at 3.30pm, children have refreshments and are collected

by parents after the lesson at a pre-arranged time from New Inn

Farm, Cross Ash.

Please ring Dorothy on01873 821264

Freelance Church organist available for weddings, funerals (£50 per

service) and Christenings (no charge). 2 German pianos for sale. often have German pianos in stock

NEVERTEOO LA ATETTOO LA

YO PLA AYTTO PLATHE PIANO!

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... look out for ...INTO THE WOODS - Disney’s newfilm, due for release on January9, features a stellar cast in anadaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s1987 award-winning musical.The story has its roots in four ofGrimm’s fairy tales and will bringa touch of magic to the new year.Meryl Streep, pictured below,plays the witch who tasks a child-less baker and his wife withprocuring magical items fromclassic fairy tales to reverse thecurse put on their family tree.Other cast members includeJames Corden, Johnny Depp,Emily Blunt and Chris Pine.

MERYL Streep - Into the Woods

JOHNNYDepp -Intothe Woods

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcome ...


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W INTER gardens can beplaces of pure fairytale.Dusted with snow or

dense frost, the stems and skele-tons of many plants look magicalin the ice cold light.

We think of our front gardensas places to hang lights and dec-orate the house for the festiveseason, but there are manyplants that are jewel-like in theirown right and are happy in bothfront and rear gardens which willadd to the winter scene, evenwhen not strewn with fairylights, says garden designerKate Gould, three times ChelseaGold Medal winner.

"Cornus alba 'Sibirica' looks atits absolute best in the winterafter it has shed its leaves," shenotes. "From late Novemberthrough to the spring, this partic-ular cornus shows off its fieryred stems and is a real showstealer in the winter garden.

Combined with an under-plant-ing of Helleborus niger, the whiteflowered Christmas rose andsome snowdrops or Fritillariameleagris (snakeshead fritillary)and you will have something tolook at all winter long."

Ilex aquifolium 'Nellie Stevens'is a particularly good fruitingholly and will berry in the rightclimatic conditions from Novem-ber through to the spring, shecontinues.

"Although this particular hollywill produce some berries on itsown if you can provide itsfavoured pollinating partner, Ilex'Edward J. Stevens' you will havea far more prolific crop. Usuallyleft to grow into a medium-sizedtree, it can be kept small by reg-ular pruning which means thatyou will be able to reach and cutsome branches to bring inside todecorate your home at Christ-mas."

BEST OF THEBUNCH - Ivy

So many people ignore the stunning black berries produced bycertain ivies at this time of year, but

they make a dramatic addition todoor wreaths and table decorations- and they are pretty easy to grow in

the garden. Hedera helix, the common English ivy, is a rampantclimber but very useful for hiding

eyesores in the garden. Nectar-richflowers are produced from late summer until late autumn, an

important food source for bees andother insects, while the black fruitswhich ripen in winter will sustain

desperately hungry birds. Ivy is easyto grow and very hardy but preferslimy soil. Add a sprinkling of lime

when you plant - to the base of theplanting hole - and be patient because it takes a while to get

going but once established will be long lived.

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Viburnum opulus and Callicarpabodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion'are both festooned with berries,red in the case of the viburnumand metallic mauve for the calli-carpa which is possibly one of themost unusual winter plants you willsee.

"If you prefer flowers to berries,then another great viburnum (ofwhich there are many), Viburnum xbodnantense 'Dawn', has verypretty pink flowers that have awonderful sweet scent and willflower, if the temperatures are rel-atively mild, all through the winter.Although the flowers do not lastvery long once cut, they do make apretty if transient winter table dec-oration."

All these plants add to your win-ter scene and contribute to thesummer borders as backdropplanting, but for a showier andmore temporary glow in the wintergarden, there is no better effectthan fairy lights draped through

planting or on the house as theyreally do create a sense of the hol-idays, says Gould.

"Decorating deciduous trees(where possible) also looks goodand birch trees in particular looklovely with oversize decorationshung through their branches. Usesimple decorations here and per-haps stick to a single colour. Reddecorations are not only festivebut look wonderful against thebright white birch branches.

"Winter gardens and homes inthe truest sense of the pagan tra-ditions of early England wereabout creating brightness andhope in the darkest of months withevergreen foliage and brightlycoloured berries used as a re-minder of sunnier times past and aherald of brighter times to comethe following year. Fairy lights anddecorations are a modern versionof this tradition and they dobrighten up the shortest anddullest of days."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!



FLING away the paint charts, ditchdithering over bafflingly-namedcolours and embrace the future - it's

red wine and copper-coloured.Clever chaps at leading paint companiesPantone and Dulux predict Marsala, "anaturally robust and earthy wine red"shade, and Copper Blush, "an orangeycoppery tone", will rule in 2015.While fashionable way-out colours, whichstar on the catwalk, can struggle to easilytranslate into the real world, these twoeasy-on-the-eye concoctions could notonly suit most settings, but also pair welltogether.Even better, plumping for one or bothmight put an end to the curse of colourcraziness.In-your-face colour, it's true, maynot be for the faint-hearted, butthere's no better time to playwith a warmer palette, a trendwhich experts say is a reactionto a more positive general globaloutlook, and replaces those coolblues and greens.Embracing rich but subtle huescould not only give amuch-needed glow torooms, vital throughoutthe remaining chillymonths, but also conjurea seductive settingwhose style will endurefar beyond the season.Pantone's Colour Insti-tute, which has nomi-nated a 'colour of theyear' since 1990, last yearopted for Radiant Or-chid, a bright blend of

fuschia, purple and pink, whichclaimed to "encourage creativ-ity and innovation".This time around, berry-richMarsala promises, accordingto its creators, so muchmore than a differentlook to your walls.It's a shade to "en-rich our mind, bodyand soul, exuding

confidence and stability... its ground-ing red-brown roots emanate a so-

phisticated, natural earthiness",notes Leatrice Eiseman, executivedirector of the Pantone Colour In-

stitute.Dulux is also proud to lyri-cally boast of CopperBlush's powers. It's "aheart-warming shade

with real depth, which creates an easy tolive with atmosphere but with a touch ofelegance", according to RebeccaWilliamson, senior colour and contentmanager for Dulux.So if your taste is for Marsala - it took itsname from an Italian fortified wine - oryou want to bang the drum for copper(blushing or otherwise), check out theseways to colour up at home in 2015.

Join the blush rush

Oslo towels - Kingsley Home Faux fur cushion - DunelmCopper Hanging Pendant, Luma

Kartell Componibili, Design 55 Interiors


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AS we begin a new year why notthink about one or two up-grades within your home. Im-

provements to your furniture,homeware and kitchenware are easilydone and don’t need to break thebank; especially in the new year whenoffers are available for the taking!

Why not add some character andstyle to your home with some hand-crafted oak or pine furniture? Or addsome interest with framed pictures,

wallart and artificial flower arrange-ments.

The Old Railway Line Garden Centreis promoting home improvementsthis month with a range of oak andpine furniture from their furnitureshowroom, kitchenware showcased intheir farm shop and plenty of home-ware products within their extensivegift and homeware department.

To mark the company’s 25th anniver-sary in business The Old Railway Line

Garden Centre are launching a NewYear Sale offering savings of up to 50per cent until Sunday 11th December.

The family run, independent gardencentre, located between Brecon andHay-On-Wye, was established by Mark& Christina Cleary in 1990 on the siteof the old Brecon to Hereford Branchof the Midland Railway. The gardencentre has grown into one of the UK’spremier, destination garden centresbeing awarded ‘Best Garden Centre inWales & West’ by the Garden CentreAssociation in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Christina explained the businessesgrowth over the past 25 years: “In1990 my husband, Mark and I startedselling home grown bedding plantsfrom a small 8x6ft greenhouse next tothe entrance. As demand for quality

plants increased we made the deci-sion to open a small plant area andbuild a couple of poly tunnels.

“In 2001 we added a Coffee Shopand in 2009 we added our first perma-nent, insulated retail building whichtoday houses our garden care, petand wild bird care departments. In2011 the diggers moved in to buildthe biggest and most exciting projectto date, housing a new gift area,floristry counter, farm shop and a new150 cover restaurant.”

For more information about the OldRailway Line Garden Centre, upcom-ing events and this month’s saleplease contact the Old Railway Linedirectly by calling 01497 847055 orvisiting their website www.oldrail-waylinegc.co.uk.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Year Resolution –Home Improvements!


AT King Henry VIII School we provide a great varietyof opportunities: academic, social and cultural inorder to challenge our young people to succeed.

We also believe that effective partnership between theschool and parents should underpin all that we do.

We are committed that every pupil should get the bestpossible opportunities and education allowing them tosucceed and flourish. Learning is at the heart of all wedo. Through high quality teaching we ensure everypupil’s talents and abilities are catered for allowing themto excel academically but also develop skills that allow

them to become more independent in their learning andprepare them for life beyond school.

School days must be a period of enrichment and enjoy-ment and pupils are encouraged to enjoy and participatein a healthy balance of extra-curricular activities. Theschool offers many activities in Performing Arts, Sports,Curriculum enrichment, external competitions and char-ity work.

We are delighted to have recently joined forces withNewport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff City Football Clubto be the Monmouthshire hub in a High Level Sport and

Education Partnership. As from September 2015 stu-dents will have the opportunity to access a programmecombining elite coaching and triple BTEC Sport.

This is an exciting venture for the school and studentswill be able to find out more about this scheme at ourSixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 22nd January2015 from 6.30pm.

Mrs Elspeth LewisHeadteacher


Best possible opportunities for every pupil


Information Evening inAbergavennyAre you in year 11? Thinking of your nextstep? Join us at our Information Eveningfor parents and students on:

Tuesday, 27th January 20156.00pm - 8.00pm

The Priory CentreSt Mary’s PrioryMonk StreetAbergavenny NP7 5ND

Hereford Sixth Form CollegeFolly LaneHereford HR1 1LU

Tel: 01432 355166E-mail: [email protected]

www.hereford.ac.uk

sowing the seeds for your future

COLLEGE CAMPUS OPEN EVENTS:Saturday, 7th February 2015 9.30am - 12.30pm

Tuesday, 28th April 2015 5.30pm - 7.30pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Being a brilliant teenagerEVERYONE is familiar with the cliche

of the typical teenager who staysin their bedroom, communicates in

grunts and monosyllables, and appearsto hate just about everyone.

They don't appear to be happy, andtheir parents, family and teachers aredefinitely not happy.

But things don't have to be like that,and a new book, aimed at teens them-selves rather than their parents, is hereto explain why, and to, basically, tellthem how to cheer up.

The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager isno weighty self-help tome with longchapters of turtuous advice about beinga decent young person. Instead, it'spacked with cartoons and scrawled writ-ing, under chapter headings includingBouncebackability, Phone a Friend, Youare You, and Being Real.

The book, written by three experts onhappiness, psychology and being bril-liant, claims to be "for ambitious teenswho are ready to become proactive, de-termined, successful and most impor-tantly: happy! And for parents andteachers desperate to turn a down-beatteenager into a ray of positivity and de-light."

So how do you turn a teenager intothis ray of positivity and delight?

It sounds like an impossible transfor-mation for most adolescents, and thetruth is, says the book, that for it to be"Saturday morning every day in yourhead" teens need to be awesome, whichapparently takes "a tad more effort".

That extra effort involves standing outfrom the crowd by 'doing stuff ' - eventhough it's easier to do very little, choos-ing friends carefully, and making themost of your family because it's the onlyone you've got.

In a nutshell, the idea is for teens tostrive to be the best they can, ratherthan taking the easy way out and fittingin with everyone else.

One of the authors, teacher AndyCope, highlights a quote by the happi-ness expert Gretchen Rubin, who said :"Any family is only as happy as the leasthappy child."

"That's so true," Cope says. "It onlytakes one miserable teenager to ruin thewhole balance of the household."

So to get the balance right, teenagersneed to raise their game - now.

The book points out that people oftensay someone simply 'hasn't found them-selves yet,' but it then stresses: "The 'self'isn't something you find, it's somethingyou create. Create your best self and beit consistently."

One of the many ways of doing this isby simply smiling, rather than spendinga fortune on clothes, and makeup andwalking round scowling. People aremuch more likely to remember a smileyteenager than the one with the most ex-pensive trainers.

"You can order them to smile till you'reblue in the face," says Cope, "but if par-ents smile first it's the best way of get-ting teenagers to do it."

And as well as smiling, teenagerswould do well to adopt the 'four minuterule', as the authors, who also includeDarrell Woodman, who spearheads Artof Brilliance workshops in schools, and

trainer Andy Whittaker, say the first fourminutes of any interaction are the mostimportant. So, being the best, positiveand enthusiastic version of themselvesfor the first four minutes after meetingsomeone will have a significant positiveimpact.

Then there's also negative thoughtsand behaviours. The authors point outthat ingrained, negative thoughts like'I'm rubbish at that', or 'I'm not confidentenough or pretty enough' etc, and neg-ative behaviours like watching too muchTV, or eating too much junk food, stopteenagers being brilliant.

The way to get rid of negativethoughts and behaviours is firstly toidentify them, and realise they're hold-ing you back, says the book. Then in-stead of dwelling on such negativity,teens should list 10 things they alreadyhave and really appreciate, but take forgranted.

Cope, who has just completed a doc-torate thesis on the science of happinessand positivity, says: "There's hardly any-thing out there for teenagers in terms ofself-help and development.

Choosing to be your best self means"getting off your backside and beingbothered about yourself," as this createsopportunities. It can help teenagers findtheir passion, which the authors say is akey element to a happy and successfullife.

"The biggest challenge," admits Cope,"is engaging them to read the thing inthe first place - reading is not in the top10 for most teenagers to do in the mod-ern world.

"We try to tell it as it is and not be pa-tronising. We're not claiming it's the bestbook in the world, but I think it might bethe most needed book in the world."

Cope and his co-authors, who have fiveteenage children between them, andrun Art of Being Brilliant workshops foradults and in schools, advise teenagers:"Don't look at glossy mags and wish youwere that person. Only compare yourselfto yourself. Being yourself brilliantly isthe key to happiness and success."

●The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenageris published by Capstone, priced£10.99. Available now.


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LONG gone are the days when exercis-ing meant going for a jog or headingto the local aerobics class.

These things still exist of course, but notquite in the same way - aerobics nowmeans a long list of pump-it/dance-it/blast-it/shake-it-to-the-beat variations,there are all sorts of fancy gizmos and dis-ciplines for strengthening up and, whilejogging might still essentially be the same,look at how many people are now 'train-ing' for an event, monitoring progress onsmartphones and investing in the latestgravity-defying trainers.

Certainly, we're spoilt for choice thesedays when it comes to how we exercise.2014 saw high-intensity interval training[HIIT] become mainstream, 'personalbests' are something everybody - not justpro athletes - think about, and getting-my-sweat-on overtook pouting-on-a-night-out as the social media selfie of choice.

According to the trend forecasters,there's more to come in 2015.

"We've all become more serious aboutsports and recognised that we might actu-ally improve our performance if we trainedspecifically for the event," says leading per-sonal trainer Matt Roberts. "It's taken awhile, but following advice experts havegiven for years is now on-trend and set tocontinue. Blame/thank the rise of triathlonand cycling, and their physical and techni-cal demands..."

Indeed, 'fit not thin' was the mantra for2014, with toned, healthy and strong over-taking catwalk-skinny as the most bandiedbody ideal (hurrah!). But how we look isn'tthe only fitness reward we cherish; how itmakes us feel is important too.

"Working out now isn't just for the sake

LET’S GET FIT!of it, and it's not just for aesthetics," addsRoberts. "A trek, mountain climb, triathlon,duathlon or any of the other events avail-able are becoming the norm. Find a newgoal, make it big, the world is your oysterand nothing is going to stop you in 2015!"

Personal fulfilment, improved mental andphysical health, camaraderie and support-ing charity campaigns all feature on our listof motivations for pursuing challenges too.On a day-to-day scale, against a backdrop

of obesity epidemic headlines and risingrates of stress and depression, each andevery one of us can benefit from being ac-tive.

Here's a snapshot of the fitness vibe pre-dicted for the year ahead...

TIME AND CONVENIENCE TOP THE LIST“We're increasingly time poor," says DaveKyle, head trainer for Les Mills UK. "We'reworking longer hours than ever, so finding

time to work out can be increasingly diffi-cult."

So as time is at a premium, the industry'scatering to our needs by increasing shortyet effective workouts.

"A huge trend for 2015 will be conven-ience and time efficiency," adds Kyle."Whereas previous years we've heardabout extreme and tough workouts, 2015will see more classes and workouts beingoffered that fit in and complement our


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"HIIT isn't brand-new but it's certainly atrend that will continue and grow in 2015.HIIT classes like Les Mills GRIT are typically30 minutes and the feedback we've had isphenomenal. Participants love the fastand furious approach, and the fact it deliv-ers results and fits into their schedule."

ANY TIME, ANY PLACEFancy pumping iron at 2am? Hitting thattreadmill at midnight? No problem - it'sgetting easier to work out around theclock, and PureGym, the UK's leading 24/7gym, now sees 20% of its members train-ing at night, so those working shifts, for in-stance, can still benefit.

Despite the common advise not to exer-cise too closely to bedtime, PureGym gen-eral manager Lee Greenall says somepeople might find nocturnal workoutshelpful: "A lot of people complain aboutnot being able to sleep at night; this is be-cause people store too much energy atthe end of a normal working day. Theireyes might feel heavy, but their body isready to release more energy.

"If you listen to your body, it will makeyou feel a lot happier and replenished,helping you to close down and sleep bet-ter."

Les Mills are also predicting their VIR-TUAL workouts - where classes are playedon screens - will be big in 2015. Eliminat-ing the need to turn up at a prescribedtime, virtual classes can be accessed anytime.

LET'S GET FUNCTIONALIn 2014, you might well have found your-self scuttling across the floor like a lobsteror leaping around like an ape - primal

movement-based exercise might soundlike child's play but it sure does burn upthose quads!

In 2015, the trend's set to develop fur-ther, with functional training putting a bigemphasis on widening our range of move-ment and offsetting the damage of seden-tary lifestyles.

"Functional training is a term that de-scribes training the body in the way it wasdesigned to move, and also to make exer-cise support an individual's goals," saysGillian Reeves, national group exercisemanager at Virgin Active. "A lot of ourmovement these days is in the sagittal

plane, movement that goes forwards andback, like walking, cycling, sitting at a desk.Our joints are designed to move three-di-mensionally, but we typically put our bod-ies into positions that are sitting downwith flexed hips and internally-rotated androunded shoulders. Doing this without in-cluding any functional exercise into yourweek can give you movement dysfunc-tions and injuries over time, and will re-duce your range as you age."

In 2015, Virgin Active will focus not onlyon getting us moving more, but 'workingup a sweat with a purpose'. The Grid, theirexciting new addition, will see us "beingmore mindful of our movement and recov-ery", says Andy Birch, the brand's head ofexercise and wellbeing.

In four formats - Lean, Fit, Strong and Ac-tive - the classes are an evolution of theHIIT/crossfit/circuits philosophy, incorpo-rating numerous apparatus and engagingthe whole body. "Grid classes are the ulti-mate in 30-minute tough workouts," addsBirch.

STRONGER THAN YESTERDAYMore women than ever have started in-cluding weight training into their fitnessregime; could our 'I'll look like a body-builder' fears finally be gone for good? Abeautifully honed bicep and sculptedquads are now the most envied curves intown, it seems, and industry insiders cer-tainly think more and more of us will bemuscling in on this trend in 2015, with old-school equipment like gymnast rings, forpull-ups and dips, and monkey bars a keyfeature for Fitness First. They're also pre-dicting their Freestyle Strength Trainingclass and FGT (freestyle group training)HIIT class to be popular.

● Outdoor training - getting out-doors to exercise means vitamin Dtop-ups, fresh air in your lungs andan extra sharp endorphin rush if it'scool, plus best of all, it's entirelyfree.

● Make a splash - swimming's theUK's most popular sport, in terms ofparticipation, with around 2.9 mil-lion of us taking a dip at least once aweek. It's a fantastic, low-impact,whole-body workout.

● Tech me as I am - apps, gizmos andgadgets galore now play a key rolein our fitness habits, and in 2015, itlooks likely that tech will continue tohelp us monitor progress and smashthose goals.

● Regeneration - a growing buzz-word, that token 60-second warm-down won't cut it in 2015; anybodyworth their moisture-wickingthreads knows that helping thosemuscles heal is just as vital as howmany reps you managed.

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Your initial free 30 minute Consultation: Even from this initial session, youmight find that you’re already thinking about the habit in a very different way.

Your Coaching Session: To help you prepare for becoming a non-smoker, bysupporting and encouraging you through the process. Research has shown that

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Your 2 Hour Hypnotherapy Session: A pleasant and relaxing experience similarto daydreaming. Much more importantly, this dissolves those strong

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● ANNA MAGEE, women's health ex-pert - I'll be sprinkling cinnamon on myporridge in 2015. Research published in Di-abetes Care found as little as a quarter of ateaspoon of cinnamon a day could helpcontrol blood sugar in people with Type 2diabetes.

● DR UCHENNA OKOYE, celebrity cos-metic dentist - My resolution would be tovamp up your toothbrush or have anamnesty of throwing away your manualtoothbrush and upgrading to an electricone. Brands like Oral B have a huge range.There are so many on the market todayand they don't have to be hugely expen-sive. Plaque is the new 21st centuryplague, so we need to tackle it for healthreasons. Brushing your really can have animpact on your health.

● DR CHIDI NGWABA, director of theEuropean Society of Lifestyle Medicine- As a resolution, nothing can beat learningto forgive. Stress is at the heart of so manychronic illnesses, such as cancer, hyperten-sion, depression and obesity; one of bestways to permanently overcome stress is topractise forgiveness. It has also beenshown that even thinking about forgivingsomeone can lower our blood pressure.

● DR MIKE KNAPTON, British HeartFoundation associate medical direc-tor - Quitting smoking is the single bestthing you can do to protect your heart.Research shows that a smoker whogives up on January 1 will see their risk ofcoronary heart disease cut in half by theend of the year.

● DR FIONA PIENAAR, director of clini-cal services at school-based mentalhealth charity Place2Be - Stress in ourdaily lives can have an impact on our emo-

tions, thoughts andbehaviours. How wecope is critical toour mental healthand to the mentalhealth of childrenand young people.As adults, we allhave our own cop-ing strategies, butfrequently we dothis unconsciously.Think about yourrange of coping

strategies, including who you turn to forsupport when you're struggling on yourown. Secondly, sit down with your familyfor dinner. Turn off all electronic devices,pass the food around and ask them all totell you about how they cope when they'refinding life tough and, critically, who thepeople are that they can talk to whenthey're struggling. Discussing what we findstressful, how we cope and who we canturn to for support (including beyond thefamily) increases trust and connection infamilies. It makes it normal [but doesn'tminimise] that everyone experiencesstress. Everyone needs a range of con-scious coping strategies and a supportstructure."

● SIONED QUIRKE, dietician and pro-fessional manager of adult weight man-agement service, Aneurin BevanUniversity Health Board - Become ahealthy weight. Obesity is nearly at epi-

● DR JOHN CHISHOLM, chair oftrustees at the Men's Health Forum -Lots of men could look after themselvesmore. Good health is not just about physi-cal health, but mental health too, so menshould do more to look after their relation-ships and mental wellbeing. Also, we knowmen don't always get help when thingsmight be wrong. Get advice as soon as youthink there might be a problem; you're notwasting the health professional's time. Ifyou're offered a free NHS Health Check thisyear, take it."

What resolutionswould the experts

prescribe?demic level in the UK, and we need to dosomething about it. I want to see peopletaking responsibility over their own healthand future health by becoming a healthyweight - it's one of the only modifiablethings we can do to actively become morehealthy. The most common mistakes I seeare people trying to lose weight too fast.Set yourself a realistic goal of 1-2lbs a weekand no 'diets'; you need to make a lifestylechange in order to lose weight and, moreimportantly, maintain that weight loss.Portion control is key, so half fill your platewith veg/salad and divide the other halfbetween protein [meat, fish, beans...] andcarbohydrates [rice, pasta, potatoes orbread]."

● SIMON CABOT, Nuffield Health clini-cal lead physiotherapist - I see so manypeople, especially those who spend hourssitting down, suffering with postural painas a result of inactivity. Various studies havehighlighted the health risks associatedwith sedentary lifestyles, many of whichshow direct links to chronic diseases. Tohelp prevent this, I would encourageeverybody to move more in 2015!

● JOHN NEWLANDS, Macmillan CancerSupport nurse - Get to know your rightsas a patient. Going to hospital can be in-timidating, but I hear from too many can-cer patients that they didn't know exactlywhat was going to happen to them in hos-pital, or that hospital staff left them feelingconfused or vulnerable. This shouldn't hap-pen. Everyone has the right to be fully in-formed about their care and treated withrespect. Next year, get to know the rightsyou're entitled to by reading Macmillan'stips, and then make sure you ask questions,speak up and get the care you deserve."


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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1. If you want some-thing less fussy thannet curtains - andthese days most ofus do - how aboutfrosted windowfilm? This film issticky on one sideand gives a smart,contemporary finishboth inside and out.The effect is thesame in daylightand at night whenthe light's on in theroom, giving youtotal privacy. Theonly real disadvan-tage is that youcan't see throughthe film, so whilepeople outside can'tsee in, you can'tlook out either.

2. Frosted filmworks well on sashwindows when con-fined to the lowerwindow, but if youdon't have sashes,you can just frost the lower part of theglass, leaving some unobscured. Anotheroption is having a design, such as rows ofcut-out circles or squares, incorporatedinto the film, which makes it more inter-esting and allows you to see out (and peo-ple outside to see in) just a little. However,patterned film is more expensive andharder to fit.

3. Blinds are another popular and obvioussolution to privacy problems. Althoughquite costly, bottom-up blinds are thebest ones to use. These are roller blindsthat go up from the window sill, ratherthan down from the top of the window, soyou can cover as much of the glass as youwant. Go for a sheer fabric and you'll beable to see out, but not the other way

round (unlessthe light's on).4. Some peoplelike Venetianblinds becausethey give privacyduring the day(providing theslats are angledthe right way)and at night(providing theslats are closed).That said, planta-tion shutters,which are similarbut look more el-egant and up-to-date, havebecome morepopular than Ve-netian blinds inrecent years.

5. Plantationshutters, pic-tured, are fittedto the windowand this meansthey block outmore light thanblinds when theslats are closed

(providing the shutters cover the wholewindow). However, they let in less lightwhen the slats are open because theyhave frames around them. These shutterscome in panels, so you can fold them backout of the way, and are made of wood orfaux wood in different designs. Althoughnot cheap, plantation shutters will en-hance the room and can even add value.

IF you haven't already done them,exterior repairs should be prioritisedbefore winter really sets in. U-Can products are perfect forsmallish repairs because they're designed to be mixed in the bag ortub supplied - simply add water tothe U-Can powder and stir or kneadthe two together. There's a productfor just about every exterior repair(and some interior ones), includingBrick & Wall Repair Mortar (£7.38,B&Q), High Strength Concrete Repair (£7.38, B&Q) and Pothole &Drive Repair (£12.08, B&Q). This really is DIY made easy!

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JAGUAR Land Rover has launched a re-search project to develop clever newtech that will offer drivers a 360-de-

gree view out of their vehicle, uninter-rupted by windscreen pillars.

According to the firm, a screen would beembedded in the surface of each pillar in-side the car and would take a live videofeed from cameras covering the anglesoutside the car usually obscured in theblind spots.

Pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicleswould be visible all around the car. And bycombining the transparent pillars with aheads-up display, the movement of otherroad users could be highlighted to thedriver with an on-screen 'halo' movingacross the car's virtual windscreen.

When the driver indicates to change di-rection, when they move their head to

look over their shoulder during an over-take manoeuvre, or as the vehicle ap-proaches a junction, the system wouldautomatically make the left or right-handside pillars transparent.

Commenting on the technology, DrWolfgang Epple, director of research andtechnology, Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Ourultimate aim is to reduce road accidentsand enhance the urban driving experi-ence. The Jaguar Land Rover researchteam is developing this technology to im-prove visibility and to give the driver theright information at the right time.

"If we can keep the driver's eyes on theroad ahead and present information in anon-distracting way, we can help driversmake better decisions in the most de-manding and congested driving environ-ments."WHEELS & DEALS

All around vision

UK car production falls

THE number of cars produced inthe UK fell fractionally in No-vember but the motor industry

expects manufacturing to pick up in2015.

A total of 137,347 cars were made inthe UK in November - a 0.2 per centreduction on the figure for the samemonth in 2013, the Society of MotorManufacturers and Traders (SMMT)said.

Production totalled just under 1.42million in the first 11 months of thisyear - a 0.3 per cent fall on the Janu-ary - November 2013 figure.

Commenting on the figures, SMMTchief executive Mike Hawes said:

"Model changes and economic uncer-tainty in export markets have flat-tened UK car production, but theindustry remains in a strong position,with growth expected to return nextyear.

"Global demand for UK automotiveengineering continues to be at a highlevel, and manufacturing plants areseeing the benefits of significant re-cent investments.

"UK-built cars offer a vast range oftechnologies to lower carbon emis-sions and improve air quality, under-lining the country's important role inthe continuing drive to reduce allemissions."

THE revolution at Lexus is set to gaineven more momentum. Forget thecomfy old barges of yesteryear - Lexuswill reveal a successor to what one Je-remy Clarkson called: "the best car I'veever driven."

The Japanese firm, which used tofocus on comfortable, reliable luxurycars like the famously sturdy LS400 ofthe 1990s, is lining up a 'track-ready'performance car to follow in the foot-steps of the incredible LFA supercar.

In a short statement, the firm said:"Lexus has announced it is to add asecond vehicle to its growing stable ofhigh performance models.

"The new F-designated car will begiven its world première at the Detroitmotor show on January 13 and willjoin the recently launched RC F highperformance coupe in the Lexusrange."

Two teaser photos, right, have beenrevealed so far.

Teasers from Lexus


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I’d like to pass on my New Year congrat-ulations to the pet owners in Mon-mouthshire and Powys. Do you know I

think your pets are the fittest I have comeacross on my veterinary travels acrossBritain in my (cough*ahem) many years ofwork?

As I may have mentioned before, my ca-reer has followed a long trajectory beforehappily landing me in Wales. With my firstjob I endured isolation in the Arctic-liketundra of Thetford, Norfolk (please don’tmake me go back), then on to the twee,middle-England beauty of Stroud in theCotswolds to the wonderful, welcomingScots (second only in hospitality to your-selves, of course).

However, in each of these places I havefaced sadly year upon year of an increas-ing pet obesity epidemic. Well, creditwhere credit is due to the Welsh, your petsare actually pretty fit. Perhaps this oasis offitness is unsurprising when you live in anarea where cats have the freedom to ex-plore, hunt and roam and dogs have onlyto step outside to visit not just a park buta National Park!

Each New Year and with advancing age,

I reset my own personal fitness goals andhave a chat with Freddie, our Spanielabout his. Dogs are natural athletes and itis one of the greatest joys of dog owner-ship to watch your pet demonstrate theirenergetic prowess. If I happen to remarkon your pets body condition in a consul-tation then I promise it is only to helpthem get even fitter, faster and live longerlives; perhaps even avoiding conditionslike arthritis that obesity can make manytimes worse.

So Happy New Year and enjoy this winterwonderland, and congratulations onceagain on your achievement of owning (inmy opinion, at least) Britain’s fittest bestfriends!

Owning some of Britain’s fittest best friends

FARMING

MORE than 80 younger Gwentfarmers turned up to a packedmeeting organised by the county

branch of the FUW recently to help explainthe various schemes and grants availableto assist farmers under 40.

During the meeting at the King of Prussiapublic house in Abergavenny farm liaisonofficers Steve Meredith and Jane Waltersgave a presentation on the Young EntrantSupport Scheme and the young farmertop-up under the new Basic PaymentScheme.

They also explained the requirements forapplying to the National Reserve underthe New Entrant, Young Farmer and Proofof Production criteria.

Following the presentation, FUW countychairman Chris Lewis conducted a ques-tion and answer session with the union’svoice for younger farmers committeechairman Darren Williams and deputyagricultural policy director Rhian Nowell-Phillips.

FUW county executive officer GlynDavies said a brief questionnaire com-pleted by the attendees highlighted theneed for such meetings, with the com-ments proving the enthusiasm that existsamongst the younger farmers of Gwent.

The intention is to hold a further meet-ing specifically for this group of membersin February, he added.

“It was extremely pleasing to see such afantastic turn-out for this meeting whichhighlights the need to involve the futurefarmers of the county in the work of theunion,” said Mr Davies.

“These young farmers will be the custo-dians of our industry for many years tocome and it is vital that they are involvedin shaping the industry in order to meetthe huge challenge of feeding a growingpopulation whilst complying with themyriad of rules and regulations whichexist.”

Great enthusiasm among Gwent’s younger farmers

WELSH Wildlife Heroes is a nationalcampaign run by Wildlife Trusts Walesand funded entirely by the moneycollected from the single-use carrierbag charge in The Co-operative foodstores in Wales.

The focus of the campaign is sup-porting native species and improvinghabitats for some of Wales’ rarest andmost endangered wildlife, and em-powering the people of Wales to be-come wildlife heroes themselves bytaking small steps in their gardens orlocal communities.

The Co-operative Membership Man-ager for Wales, Ashley Drake, said:“The Welsh Wildlife Heroes project isa fantastic opportunity to engage ourmembers and local communities withthe wonderful wildlife that existsacross Wales. By encouraging localpeople to get involved with a host ofexciting projects and volunteer tohelp the work of Wildlife Trusts Wales,The Co-operative shows how the 5plevy can benefit Welsh communitiesand their natural environment.”

Helping wildlife with 5p on your carrier bag



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january gazette and diary 2015

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