afrovibes -...

Slough WeSt IndIan

PeoPle’S enterPrISe

oSteoPathy WIth theo

travel: vISItIng Peru

doreen laWrence

AUTUMN/WINTER REVIEW 2014/2015 £2.00

diversity news

Afrovibesat South hIll Park

Today Magazine 3

ContentsAutumn/Winter Review 2014/2015 Issue: 9 Publisher: Keith Seville

Editor:Shirley Anstis

Features Editor:Mehrunissa Khan

Graphic Design:Today Magazine

Design Consultant:Raj KC

Admin Assistant:Alex Gittens

ReporterShanice Medford

Community PROscar Manjengwa

Illustrator:Mark Chandler

Front Cover:Tyler Dolan Photography

Today Magazine22 - 24 Mount PleasantReading BerkshireRG1 2TD

Tel: +44 (0) 870 414 5252Fax: +44 (0) 870 414 [email protected]

Today Magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Today Publishing Limited. Views expressed in Today Magazine are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Today Publishing Limited. The publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers or editorial contributions. All prices and credits are accurate at time of going to press but are subject to change. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Today Publishing Limited cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material.

ISSN 2054-8206© Copyright 2015 Today Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Printed by: Premier Print GroupBow, London, 020 7987 0604

36 Dialectby Rios Seville

38 Faith KitchenAfrican Cuisine in Reading

40 TravelHelena Deazle visits Peru

44 Osteopathywith Theo Matthews

46 Michael SprottThe story so far...

48 Puzzles Sudoku and Crossword

49 Horoscope Check out your star sign

6 Slough West Indian People’s EnterpriseRemember the times...

12 Book ReviewLean in: Women, Work and the Will to Lead

13 Vox PopYouth on looks...

14 ACREDiversity Day

16 Niquelle LaToucheOn dance and university

20 Loss of a loved oneShanice’s story

22 Devana CareFor people not for profit

23 Doreen LawrenceHer journey to the House of Lords

24 Spotlight on FashionWith Zehra Nas

32 AfrovibesAt South Hill Park Bracknell

TodaTodadiversity news

Today Magazine 5

Welcome to our Autumn/Winter edition. Afrovibes celebrates some fantastic theatre, dance and culture from South Africa and we bring you their highlights here. They select some of the best performers and stories, both historical and present day.

We also share images from the SWIPE project in Slough. For their “Remember the times” project they spoke to many older people who moved to Slough from the Caribbean in the 1960’s and 1970’s, to find out how they made a home there. It touches on their experiences of work, community and entertainment.

We have uncovered many newer talents launching their business and careers in the area. You can mend any body aches with Theo’s Osteopathy service and enjoy ‘Caribbean Crush’ dance classes with Niquelle. Local fashion designer Zehra lets us in behind the scenes and shows off some of her beautiful designs. Both Niquelle and Zehra are hard working, determined and creative young women with great self-belief. It is wonderful to see this and to encourage it.

We speak to Shanice about the sad and sudden death of her beloved boyfriend Aston. The sudden loss of a young person who was not unwell can be very hard to bear. She is very honest about the pain of losing someone you love.

With African Cuisine at Faith Kitchen restaurant and travel images from Peru you can access many cultures through the magazine. Rios’ piece on dialect reminds us that our language is also affected by many cultures. Have you stopped to wonder what influences the words you use and the way you express yourself? You might be influenced by much more than you realise. We spend an evening with local heavyweight boxer Michael Sprott as he shares his story so far and his hopes for the future.

The Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) provides a platform for celebrating our communities. We share the pictures from their successful event to give you a flavour of the day.

Enjoy!Shirley Anstis MA, B.Sc, MBACP

@shirleyanstis

Welcome to

Shirley Anstis, Editor

TodaTodadiversity news

http://www.twitter.com/Today_Magazine

Our previous edition covered various social events and community

organisations as pictured below.

Front cover - Summer Review 2014

Front cover - Spring 2014

Follow Us:

http://www.facebook.com/todaymag

6 Today Magazine Today Magazine 7

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Slough West Indian People’s Enterprise was founded to serve that community through various events and activities. Over the years it has expanded to do work with Slough young people and support various music projects. TODAY magazine attended the launch of its latest project called Remember The Times.

It is an oral history project funded by Heritage Lottery and explores how Slough’s Caribbean residents contributed to rebuilding the local economy after World War II. The documentary gives insight into the politics and economy of the community at the time. The researchers were able to interview locals with a Caribbean heritage, now aged over 50 and with strong connections to Slough. Many people had worked on the Slough Trading Estate during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The project also wanted to hear stories of how people entertained themselves after work, as many public spaces were not available to them.

Over the course of 2013 and 2014 sixteen people were interviewed about

their experiences dating back to their childhoods growing up in the Caribbean and the factors that led them to leave home for a new life in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Experienced broadcaster and journalist Louise Chandler of Soundbitemedia carried out the interviews.

They talk about the difficulties they faced settling in to a new country, finding work and accommodation. They also speak of leisure activities such as the music they listened to and played, dances they attended and excursions to the seaside. For some, music and the sound systems provided an easy form of entertainment that served the needs of the community. It provided a place to come together and celebrate life after a working week.

Many people were sustained through their relocation by their faith or

religious beliefs. Mars and Ford were the two big

employers at the time and many stories feature these companies.

Many of the interviewees look back at how young and brave they were. For some it was the first time they had left home and taken such a long journey into the unknown. Mostly they were seeking adventure and greater opportunities.

Remember the times...Slough West Indian People’s Enterprise (SWIPE)

Marish School, 1967

1960s - studying electrical engineering

1960s - in Windsor

Coaches - Trips to the sea

Legers Road Methodist Church - Wedding - 1959

1975/6 - The formation of the VIPs band


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The participants recall childhood memories of an outdoor life in the Caribbean, either in the countryside or by the sea. They remember their first days after arrival in the U.K. when the new environment felt like a shock to the system. They left the sunny Caribbean and were met by 1950s smog, rain and snow.

Finding suitable accommodation proved a challenge too: first in finding a room or a place that would rent to them and then surviving the cold with paraffin heat and no central heating. Many were

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Dan

1964 - Wedding

1959 - Linda’s Wedding

1969/70 - at Adelphi

1960s with wife and sonWedding

1973

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prepared to take the difficult jobs as a start to their working life. You may already know this but I was shocked to learn that many of the houses people were able to rent had asbestos that may have linked to health complications suffered by many in their later lives. It seems the dangers of asbestos was not public knowledge at the time.

One artistic couple remembers playing The Beatles’ songs on steel pan and performing at bar mitzvahs. For others, playing dominoes, watching western movies and listening to the radio brought great pleasure.

At the time many people decorated their homes in a similar way. Nowadays it would be a challenge to find such a consensus. The participants share stories of those who were welcoming and those who were not.

For the participants, it was an opportunity to look back on their lives and reflect on their contributions to the community. These testimonies have now been recorded as a video archive so that their stories can be told and future generations can learn about their experiences.

To close with some good advice from one of the participants “If you work hard, you can be rewarded.” SWIPE treasurer Hilton Callaghan sums it up nicely “Out of shared telling and remembering grows identity, connection and pride – binding us all to a place, time and one another.”

For more information, to view the film or order the book, please visit www.rememberthetimes2014.com

Shirley Anstis

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I GEORGE

G JOHNSON

W HYLTON

R RICHARDSON

V LESLIE

H EASY

D CARTY

CG PETERS

E RICHARDSON

C CALLAGHAN

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FACEBOOK’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg has received a lot of criticism for her book ‘LEAN IN’. It offers advice for working women who are expecting to have children, whether they return to work or not. In many ways it is about having choices. She is also keen on fathers having a choice so that each set of parents make career/home decisions based on their desires and resources.

Whilst running the online sales and operations groups at Google in 2004 Sandberg became pregnant. With continuous nausea she wanted to be able to move swiftly from the car park to the office but would find herself at the far end of the car park. As a senior woman at Google it never occurred to her that pregnant women might need designated parking but now it had and she could use her power to improve it for herself and those who come after.

She shares another memory of a residential team meeting where a colleague, who had recently become a mother, was continuously staring at her phone. The colleague said nothing but she was obviously distracted. On enquiry they found out that her mother and baby were accompanying her on trip and she was needed to settle her child. Once she shared this she was immediately released from the meeting. Part of the book is about

communicating important information to the right people. Unfortunately, not all leaders or organisations know how to work with expectant or new mothers.

Sandberg quotes various studies

where the men are much more ambitious and expectant of success than the women. In her experience women tend to have more self-doubt and need encouragement to ‘lean in’. A 2003 Colombia Business School study looked at the likeability of successful

women. They found that for the same person description, when the successful person was called Heidi she was not liked or trusted but when he was named Howard all was fine. The participants’

gender bias meant it was acceptable for a man, Howard, to be decisive and driven but not for a woman (Heidi). Women are expected to be caregiving and sensitive.

The central advice is for women to not mentally exit the workplace before they physically leave. She refers to women not taking opportunities in the present because they hope to be a mother in the future. In her mind this is the time to ‘lean in’ and make progress. This leads her to talk about partnerships in parenting. She quotes various studies showing the benefits for all when fathers are involved in even basic childcare. On the theme of partnership she quotes a Fortune 500 study on CEO’s; of 28 women, 26 were married, 1 divorced and 1 never married.

Sandberg is honest about ‘the myth of having it all’ as she shares her parental failings and the guilt she feels when travelling for work and missing her family. Lean In seeks to advise women seeking career success and those with the power to make the workplace more flexible. In her opinion it’s not a career ladder but a “jungle gym”. Eventually she hopes

that by “using the talents of the entire population, our institutions will be more productive, our homes will be happier, and the children growing up in those homes will no longer be held back by narrow stereotypes”.

Shirley Anstis

Lean in: Women, Work and the Will to Lead

by Sheryl Sandberg

1.Because society has an image and big/muscly is that!

1. Because in the media the image of a perfect male body is muscular and

defined.

1.Men are influenced by the image portrayed in the media. Everyone is

expected to look a certain way.

1. To feel better and look good. 1. To keep fit and stay in shape.

1. It helps them look good.

Shaih; Age: 21 Kimberly; Age: 22

Jannine; Age: 20 Hilton; Age: 23

Catherine; Age: 19Aaliyah; Age: 20

Vox Pop1. Why do men feel the need to spend so much time in the gym?

2. Why do you think women wear hair extensions?

2. The image of the perfect woman is long hair and men want women to be more attractive to the people of today.

2. To look good and feel more confident. As a girl/women the media pressures you

to have long locks.

2. It looks nicer.

2. Again the media has a huge impact on how you dress and how you look, I certainly

wear mine to follow fashion and fit in.

2. It helps keep their hair in style and some women may have shorter hair

so extensions help them make it look longer.

2. Because society tells us that long straight hair makes you beautiful.

Youth on looks...

BBBA welcoming and inspiring

business community

Please join our dinner

event on Friday 31st July in Reading!

For more information and to

register, see

We look forward to seeing you!

www.3bs.org.uk

www.3bs.org.uk

ACRE - Diversity Day

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The alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality presented Diversity Day 2014.

On Saturday 15th November 2014, at Penta Hotel, Reading, RG1 7RH.

ACRE works with a range of organisations representing the nine protected strands as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (age, disability, gender/sex, marriage/civil partnership, maternity and pregnancy, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, and trans-gender/gender re-assignment). On 18th October 2014, ACRE partnered with SupportU Reading to host the 2014

Hate Crime Vigil to commemorate the Tower Hamlet bombings and the memory of all victims of hate crime.

ACRE has developed the Equalities Alliance with a participatory membership of 41 equality support organisations, and the work is led by Victoria Hunter, Community Engagement Officer ([email protected]) Empowerment

The community empowerment aspect of our work includes supporting

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community organisations, and forming partnerships with statutory, voluntary and community organisations to enable a better understanding of priority needs, and in developing strategies on how to meet these needs. For example, on 26th November 2014, ACRE partnered with Utulivu Women’s Group to deliver the first Female Genital Mutilation awareness conference in Reading.

Victor Koromais the lead officer for community empowerment and can be contacted by email: [email protected]

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What do you do for a living?I am a student studying BA Fine Art and English literature.

Can you tell me a bit about the dance that you do?I run my own company called Niquelle LaTouche Arts and a part of NLA has been facilitating various dance projects for the last 2 years. I have trained in London in Hip Hop and several Street Dance styles and have been brought up in the Afro-Caribbean culture so have trained in Dancehall, Soca and several African styles.

Niquelle LaTouche

How long do you have left at University? I have completed my third year now and have got one more year because it’s a 4- year course.

What inspired you to do dance? Did you start dance from a young age? I never studied dance in school or college as I was raised in a typically Caribbean household and was always about the Maths and Science in school but I always went to dance classes at after school clubs. I was always surrounded by music, my mum was a

DJ and my family were always playing music so that played a huge part. Also I attended Notting Hill Carnival every year so Soca, Calypso, Zouk and many Caribbean genres of music were always in my life. Toward the end of secondary school I was in a dance group with a few friends called EscenTrick. While it lasted we did quite well performing at several theatres such as The Hackney

Empire, Indigo O2, Barking Broadway Theatre, Fairfield Halls and we also had a TV/Web mini-series with MTV. Then in November 2011 I joined a mixed platform company called The London Collective and although created by friends we had to audition to join. I performed for the main company and the female only group TLC who trained for a year before showcasing. We had all come to the company with previous experience and the majority were already working dancers. I had been performing and teaching for a while and began to push my solo projects outside the company and after completing The Future Innovators of East London Dance (FIELD) project in 2013 I started to teach my choreography more frequently. Moving to Reading pushed me to start a regular class as by comparison, there was nothing here.

What do you think is one of your strengths and one of your weaknesses within dance?Performance is my main thing, I would emphasise the importance of stage presence to everybody. You could be the most technical dancer in the world but if you can’t perform and give yourself, you can’t make the audience feel anything and that’s what makes dance relatable to me. Performance and musicality, are things I love about the dancers I look up to and those are things I choose to strengthen in my own work. My weakness is that I’m my biggest critic. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. For me no work is a finished product, there is always room to grow, so I’ve always got to tweak things.

Did you undertake any training to teach dance?No and yes. Classical training no, in hindsight I wish I had as it puts you in a nice position for many dance styles but

I have trained in classes all over London and in the social/underground scene too. I also have put myself out there teaching since I was young so I have tonnes of experience. I have seen many people go through the whole “I’ve done it since school, I’ve done it since I was 3 years old”, they dedicate their whole lives to it but end up working a 9-5 that they hate just to eat. It is all about how much you want it to happen and no paper will make it happen for you. For me it’s all about what you do and what you experience: train hard with the best people and you will be as qualified as the people with the bit of paper.

Do you have a favourite age you like to teach?I definitely enjoy teaching adults because they have lived more life so it’s easier to make them understand the quality of movement or the feeling behind it and it’s slightly easier to contextualise the movement. Children without a doubt are my favourite group to teach just because they have no inhibitions, no sort of reins on what they should be comfortable to do because they aren’t embarrassed yet and they really don’t care, plus they have this freedom of doing what they want to do because they just feel it, I absolutely love that about kids. Adults have to be put into a situation where they drop their guard, then we can get the freedom. Although I love that challenge, I’d say children win.

What type of style do you teach?My main style at the moment is Dancehall and Afro-fusion which my Caribbean Crush class is focused on but I also teach Hip Hop, Street and Commercial. I also teach Heels classes which are more of a performance based class and for those who dance wearing heels. Hip Hop has been my base but when I move my body speaks Dancehall and the dance styles from my cultural background are what I am pushing at the moment.

Where did you get the name Caribbean Crush from for your class?Okay, so it is the name of a drink but that is not where I got it, I realised that after. My family are from Dominica so

the Caribbean influences growing up, and obviously the Caribbean is mixed

up due to colonisation and slavery and I can’t ignore that element of our

history in the dance styles. The crush bit because it’s a blend of different bits

and bobs of Afro-Caribbean goodness, like a drink.

What is the next step for you?Well the next step for me at the

moment is moving back to London. I am going to finish my degree then set

up a class in London. I am also aiming to get a venue where I’ll be set up in.

What do you hope to get from your degree and is it directly

linked to your dancing?When I first came to do my degree I

was a painting artist, that was my main style and since starting my degree

I haven’t picked up a paint brush because I tried to explore more

of my craft. I’ve been doing a lot more interactive stuff. I use

the arts to bring people who usually don’t cross paths to

come into a collaborative setting. Visual arts are

another part of my company and another

route to access different people.

Do you think dance can be taught to anyone or

do you think some people are just too stiff?

No, everyone can dance but not everyone listens to music properly.

You can even dance to silence if you understand rhythms and timing and

then when you understand your body you have a vocabulary

to build on. It comes with

practice;

“It’s not about trying to dance like the person next to you or you trying to be them, it’s about you being you and being comfortable in what your movement is.”

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it’s just getting out of your own head and your own restrictions of mind. It’s not about trying to dance like the person next to you or you trying to be them, it’s about you being you and being comfortable in what your movement is and what your restrictions are but also allowing that to be your vocabulary and expanding on that with training.

What does dance do for you that fine arts can’t?Fine art is not necessarily an extension of the body it’s an extension of the mind, that’s what I see visual arts as. Dance is an extension of your physical limits, thoughts and feeling. Even though art is that too, dance is more of a physical realisation than a mental interpretation. So I think that’s where dance is separated but they are both art as they express individualised feeling and individuality is important in all my work.

How would you describe fine art?The strict disciplines are painting, drawing, sculpture, but then installation, video, photography and performance I would include too, the line is so blurred now so we could add or take away a few disciplines. Within these we have subgenres such as conceptual art which could be a pebble on a plinth and its not necessarily the item that makes it an art object it’s the concept, so you can see why it’s difficult to summarise. Some are more classical some less so, contemporary art is always changing.

Is there any official dance organisation or dance network out there that people who want to take it to the next stage can get involved in?The list is never ending but there are many annual shows and events that happen and they are open to everyone. If you’re a freestyle dancer trying to build, or a dancer trying to grow or just someone trying to get into it, then you

can always get training through the underground scene at Charing Cross Station. There are also training classes at studios like 68, Huskies and Infinity Arts. Has Reading Got Talent happens every year; obviously my classes happen here and I also try to get my classes involved in performances if they are happy to get on stage. I recently had a few members assist me to teach a gig in Reading so I always want my classes to have the opportunity in Reading or anywhere my company are working on projects and often do NLA open calls so those will let you know if you follow my page. People want to perform; it’s a good way of learning.

You sound quite advanced for your age, is that a hindrance or an asset?I’ve heard so many people say this to me, “I didn’t think you were this young” or whatever but I’ve never seen it as a hindrance; I don’t feel like a proper adult so this makes me laugh but maybe it is what little people expect of young people that is wrong, why can’t we be advanced? In some aspects people that are around my age might feel like we are taking on a lot but I surround myself with people who are on a similar page so I doubt that it would be anything other than an asset. It’s more mind set, it’s not necessarily an age thing. I hate to use a cliché but you’re only as old as you feel or as old as you act.

What would you say to anyone, whether they are in their teens or whether they are pensioners, if they want to get into dance?There are enough classes out there or they can contact me and I will sort them out. If you really want to find dance there is dance everywhere, it might not be the best quality, so be cautious do your research and find quality. It isn’t something where you have to go digging anymore, dance is so popular at the moment and fit is sexy. It is fashionable: everyone is trying to be fit right now so you would find a class somewhere. Contact: Niquelle La ToucheFacebook- Niquelle LaTouche Arts Twitter and Instagram - Niquelle_LYoutube- Niquelle LaTouche Email: [email protected]

Shanice Medford

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A girlfriend’s harrowing experience when her boyfriend was killed whilst taking a late night walk. Today Magazine speaks to Shanice Medford.

Can you tell me how you first heard about your boyfriend Aston’s accident? I had a phone call from one of Aston’s brothers saying that I need to get to his mums now! Although I was at work it sounded really serious, I said, “OK I’ll be there in 10 minutes.” When I arrived I saw 3 police cars, a few police officers, two of Aston’s brothers and Aston’s mum was sat on a wall outside the house. I got out of my car and his mum came up to me and just hugged me saying, “he’s gone”. I was confused saying who’s gone, where, like what has happened? I still did not know this was about Aston! Then his mum said, “Aston’s gone, he’s dead!” I was so confused and in such denial and shock I just didn’t want to believe it. His brother then came up to me and said “they killed him, the police ran him over”. One of the police officers came over to me and said “sorry to say but Aston died in the early hours of this morning in a collision with a police car”. I then started shouting saying, “How? Why? Where? What happened?” And the police just left us sat there outside the house.

What did you do straight after you had this information?Aston’s mum asked me to go upstairs to her room as she didn’t want to go up by herself. We went up to the room and we just sat on her bed for 5-10 minutes in silence. Still in shock, she said “I’m just going to get in the shower” but I said to her “I feel faint and sick, I have to go, I can’t breathe, I’m going to go home and clean myself up and I’ll be back soon.” As I walked out his brothers were still sat on the wall in silence. I rang my manager to let him know what had happened and that I couldn’t make

it back into work. I got in my car and started driving but didn’t know where I was driving to because at the time I didn’t have anyone around me. My mum, dad and little sister were on holiday whilst my aunts, uncles, granddads and friends were all at work so I just kept driving down the main road. I was thinking, crying and trying to take it all in but, also trying to believe that it was not true. I ended up driving to my Nan’s house but her car wasn’t there so I thought she was out. I got out my car anyway as I had to stop driving because I just felt sick and faint. I went in and my Nan was there. I just collapsed into my Nan’s arms screaming and crying saying “Aston is dead! He’s not here, he’s gone.” A while after I left and went home because I just felt that I needed to clean myself up; I felt dirty after being told that information. I ended up at home on my own.

We know that there are investigations going on in regards to the exact cause of death, but what impact has it left in your personal life?It’s left me feeling empty and broken! Nothing feels the same without him; from being with someone every day and living together to not being with them at all and knowing that I will never see him again is killing me slowly! When he was alive I would miss him throughout the day but know that he will be coming home to me, but now I know that I’m going to be missing him forever. My life at the moment is so sad: I’m so anti-social. I really can’t socialise with anyone as I’m still trying to come to terms with it all. At the moment it is work and home, I can’t do anything else. Losing the person you love isn’t something you can just get over or get better from because it changes you in every way possible. I know I will never be the same - the heartache, tears and pain has just become routine now.

Is there any specific thing that you miss most about Aston not being here? His gentle, caring and loving self! He worshipped the ground I walked on. Just being with him made me feel warm and safe. He never took anything for granted; he appreciated everything and anything. He would put everyone before himself. He just had the biggest heart! His funniness, I miss so much because he was such a clown, he would always make me laugh without fail whether I was having a good day or bad day. He could walk into a room full of moody people and make everyone laugh. He was always “busting” joke and making everyone laugh, even if he didn’t mean to be funny it would still be funny. Always putting a smile on my face.

How long were you together? We were together one year and it was one of the best years of my life.

Shanice’s Story...

What do you do to keep his memory alive? Well everyday there is not a minute that goes by when he isn’t on my mind, I’m always thinking about him. In our room I’ve still got a few special things like his dressing gown, shorts, tops, birthday cards and Valentine’s cards that he’s given me. I also have presents from him to me, a chocolate heart that he gave me and I promised I’d keep forever. Even driving around reminds me of him. I could drive past a restaurant where we ate or go past a river that we took a walk down or someone could be talking about something and I’ll just end up saying “Oh! That was Aston’s favourite”, or “Aston liked that.” Literally everything is a memory of him.

What support are you, his family and his mum getting and from whom? We have all been getting support from family and friends. Aston’s mum is getting support from her work and I

am also getting the best support from my work and managers, they are being so supportive and helpful, I couldn’t ask for more. My mum and dad came home early from holiday to be with me and I couldn’t ask for better parents! I really don’t know what I would have done without them or my best friend that has been there for me every step of the way. I’ve had support from the doctors too but didn’t want to take the anti-depressant tablets because I just thought I could fight this without being on any drug or medicine. We have been getting support from organisations such as Inquest in London. They have been very helpful so far, plus I’ve met a few families from London that have lost their son, brother and husband. It’s been good but very sad to hear and see that other families have been through a similar situation as Aston’s family and I are going through. The more support the better because it really does help if you have the right support.

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Aston and Shanice


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Baroness Doreen Lawrence is a name known by many due to the tragic experience her family went through twenty-one years ago when her son Stephen Lawrence was murdered. She received her OBE in 2003, had an important symbolic role in the 2012 London Olympic ceremony and became Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon in 2013.

In conversation with Paul Greengrass, Baroness Lawrence spoke of her life from a childhood in Jamaica to sitting in the House of Lords. She shared memories of a loving childhood spent with her grandmother in Jamaica. The sudden loss of her grandmother saw the nine-year old Doreen join her siblings in 1960’s England.

The terrible murder of Stephen Lawrence changed her life forever and

she has had to struggle to find justice publicly, whilst finding places to grieve privately. She shared how relieved and yet shocked she was that two of the accused were eventually convicted in 2012. She hopes others will eventually be convicted.

For me she embodies gentleness, self-awareness, clarity of thought and a quiet determination to seek justice for herself and others. Together with her legal team she has changed the law on double jeopardy, influenced the way police officers are trained and helped to bring to attention the way many ordinary Black people experience the criminal justice system.

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust was set up to support Black young people to become architects because Stephen wanted to follow this career

Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon in conversation with BAFTA award winning director Paul Greengrass at The Henley Literary Festival

Doreen Lawrence Devana Care

path. Her team are also working with partners to bring more diversity into journalism and law.

Baroness Lawrence’s autobiography is entitled ‘And Still I Rise’ taken from a Maya Angelou poem. The room stood still when Paul Greengrass invited her to read this poem.

The attentive audience asked her to share her reflections on racism, gender, politics and policing over the period. She gave intelligent and honest answers without setting herself up as the expert on Black young people.

I left feeling moved and inspired. She believes it is for us to “think about the community we live in, bridge the gap and make a difference”. She did not choose politics but can see its power to make changes for a more just and accountable society.

Shirley Anstis

Today Magazine went to meet Mehrunissa Khan, the Registered Manager to find out more about Devana Care.

What is Devana Care?Devana Care Ltd is an independent provider of supported living and domiciliary care for people of all ages. We are CQC registered for personal care. Our services are offered primarily to people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

What is your role and what does it involve?I have two roles within Devana Care, my first role is Registered Manager with the Care Quality Commission which means I oversee the running of the organisation and deal with compliance in terms of the CQC. The second role I take on is that of Service Manager which deals with the day to day running of the organisation including support plans for service users and other aspects of the business such as finances.

Why the name Devana Care?Devana Care was an organisation that was set up many years ago as a voluntary group and it hasn’t been doing much over the last few years. As it was already set up we decided to turn it into a social enterprise. This keeps it in the voluntary sector, so it’s a not-for-profit organisation. Devana also means ‘Divine’ in English and French.

What have you enjoyed the most so far working for Devana Care?The things that I enjoy the most are seeing the service users happy with the care that they are receiving and knowing that they are receiving the best care they can possibly receive.

What are your least preferred aspects of your role?My least enjoyable aspect would be waiting on documentation and other

paperwork. For example, I would have to wait for information to come from different people and that can sometimes hinder my work so that I can’t progress onto the next stage of things, but apart from that everything else is enjoyable.

Is there anything you would like to improve in Devana Care?There is always room for improvement and we have an annual quality assurance questionnaire that we give out to our service users, that enables us to look forward to ways in which we can then improve our services. We are always looking to strive to a better service where we can.

Do you offer any training or courses?All of our staff have some training in order to fulfil their roles; most of our training is done through Reading Borough Council’s Workforce Development team, mainly mandatory training that has to be completed so that our members of staff are fully competent in order to deal with our service users.

Name a challenge that a member of your staff could face while working at Devana Care?If someone came into our work place

and hasn’t done a moving and handling course then that could be a challenge for them. They might not know what they are doing, for example hoisting, and that could cause some problems.

Where do you see the company in the next few years? Hopefully we are aiming to take on some more service users and growing the business so that we are able to support more people with our excellent service. We are working on marketing and taking on more service users at the moment.

Where can people find you or contact you?We can be contacted via our website at www.devanacare.org.uk, you can telephone us on 0118 380 0822, email us at: [email protected] or you can find us where we are based at the MAPP Centre in Reading on Mount Pleasant.

Anything you would like to add?Anyone that is interested in working for us or that has a client or knows someone that needs care and support then please contact us and we will arrange to carry out an assessment.

Shanice Medford

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Why did you enter the fashion industry and what inspires you?I guess it’s been through my family members, such as my Nan, mum and granddad. My mum is a headstrong woman, she is ahead of her time when it comes to fashion and she is the first person who inspired me. My mum is very confident at what she does and it’s amazing! I would love to be just like her one day, she is my idol. At a young age when I was 8 or 9 I was introduced to my first Singer sewing machine by my Nan who taught me how to do the basics and I just started from there. I would take a few scrap pieces from my Nan and would make pillowcases, a cover for a bed, throws and small things for dolls. My granddad was a shoemaker and I would sit there at my little table and start making things because watching him made me want to do it. My aunt had a massive influence on me too because she was a tailor/designer back in the 1970s/80s, and she used to make clothes for my mum. I admired the clothes she made and it made me want to be able to make clothes as good as her. These people have had a massive influence on my life. I normally carry a note pad with me so if I see something interesting I could jot it down. I can get inspiration from the smallest thing like the pattern on

a butterfly’s wing or the colours on a leaf. I try to make sure that every day is different and exciting. Throughout school I realised my strengths lied in textiles. I won awards. I was the best textiles student and my teachers always encouraged me. I then completed a BTEC fashion design course in college and followed that up by going to university and doing further studies.

What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far? The biggest highlight would be graduating with a BA honours last June. I am also really happy with the collection that I have made and was very happy with the feedback that I received. I have also showcased four fashion shows with my own creations. Another highlight would be university; I was really pleased with my course and the work I produced.

What have you enjoyed the most so far? I’ve been doing textiles and fashion throughout my school life and at college but I enjoyed it most at university in my final year. I loved designing my own garments, turning things from 2D to 3D as my designs came to life. I also got to meet a few designers. I love fashion shows, just seeing the models wearing

my designs, picking the music, and being very involved in the whole thing. Really, I’ve enjoyed the whole of my final year.

Tell me one of your strengths and one of your weaknesses? My strength would be that I’m really creative. I don’t like to watch a lot of telly because I believe that it blunts your imagination and you get readymade images into your head - I’d rather generate them myself. My weakness however is knowledge. If I don’t know something I would go far and beyond to make sure I find out and turn my weakness into a strength.

Describe your ideal job in the next 5 years or so?My ideal job would be to have my own boutique with all my designs, to run my own business and I would still love to do the whole design side as well. I would like to have a few tailors working for me and have a limited edition of whatever I make.

What do you do in your spare time? I want to become very successful with my own designs. But I see it more as a passion and hobby than a job. I want my clothes to be exquisite for exquisite customers.

Spotlight on Fashion with

ZEHRAZehra Nas is setting out on a fashion career;

Today Magazine went to meet her to find out more about her fashion journey so far.

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What are you doing at the moment?I am working towards a new collection for an upcoming fashion event in London. It is a busy time for me at the moment as I am currently moving to London. London is a key place for the fashion industry. This will help me progress with my label and my knowledge.

What skills have you developed over the past few years?I have always been good at illustration but I never knew the whole technical side like pattern cutting. I’ve developed a lot in that area and also understand a lot more now. I am developing in many different areas. I have a good knowledge of fabrics and which fabrics go together. Over the past few years I have been designing and making so many pieces that I am quicker and more efficient. I now understand how to manufacture the whole piece and how to put patterns together.

Name me three of your favourite fashion designers?They are Valentino, Stella McCartney and Chanel. These are three designers that are successful in the fashion

industry and have inspired me to do even better with my fashion career. Their style is very feminine but very strong and edgy. When you see their designs it’s power dressing for strong working women. I just love the way they put their outfits together.

Are you currently wearing your own design?Yes, of course.

What is your favourite piece?My favourite piece from my designs would be my quilted leather and suede dress. This is because it enhances your curves and the top has been sewn in such a way that it pushes and enhances your assets. The way it fits is perfect and it is one of my favourites as it achieves the “dream figure.” This piece also has a leather jacket made out of suede and leather, adding an edgy twist to the sexy dress. It’s a mixture of feminine with an edgy look.

How do you decide on the price for your designs?It’s really hard for me to actually put a price on my outfits. My designs come from a good understanding of

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the different fabrics. The pieces are all handmade (they really don’t make handmade clothes as much anymore); it takes a lot of time and effort to make my designs. Plus it’s my first collection so this would all make it expensive but still affordable.

What is the name of your collection?It’s called Deception.

If you could choose one celebrity to model your clothing who would it be?It would be Lana Del Rey, because she has got this feminine Hollywood style about her but again with that little twist of edgy. She’s got the dark side to her, and the innocence. She could definitely pull off the Deception look.

What does the future hold for you?It’s a little too early to say right now, but I strongly believe in destiny. Therefore what is meant to happen will, but I will focus my time and energy into making my ambitions a reality by exhausting all avenues with my efforts. Eventually I will like to become an established fashion designer, where my designs, clothes and accessories inspire others and make an impact in the market.

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The festival aims to bring an experience of South Africa to this part of Berkshire. Shirley Anstis interviews Mark David Hooper, Head of Creative Learning to find out more.

How did the festival come about?Afrovibes is a biennial festival of contemporary South African theatre,dance and music, which is being presented this year at 17 venues throughout the UK. The festival programs topical African performing arts productions, promoting the exchange of knowledge and practice between European and African artists and theatre makers. Afrovibes presents not only dance, theatre and music, but also creates an atmosphere and context which complements the incoming South African productions. Since the festival began in The Netherlands in 1999, Afrovibes has developed into a multidisciplinary arts festival.The first UK edition of Afrovibes (London, Birmingham, Manchester) took place in 2010. The second much larger festival in 2012 added Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool, Lancaster and

Hereford to the three original cities. In 2014, we added Newcastle, Swansea, Bracknell, Edinburgh and Glasgow to the list. The Artistic Director of the Afrovibes festival is currently the South African director and actor James Ngcobo. He is also an award-winning stage, television and film actor both in South Africa and internationally.

What are you hoping the audience will take away from their experience?The Afrovibes festival is going to take over the entire building from the restaurant where we are creating a Township Cafe right the way through to our cinema, main house and studio spaces. There will be workshops and informal performance happening throughout the week as well as lectures, post show discussions and performances through the day and late evening. We want audiences to be able to experience the exuberance of South African culture. We hope that the festival will be an immersive experience unlike any festival you have been to before with a fusion of local artists and artists from South Africa. We hope

the various performances and artistic presentations afford our audiences the opportunity to reflect on apartheid and think about how far South Africa has walked down the road to democracy and how far may be left to travel.

The apartheid era was such a terrible experience for South Africa and the world, will the festival help people to understand what it was really like?Yes, the people who attend Afrovibes festival will have the opportunity to see what the apartheid era was like and how it affected different people. For example, Steve Biko was one of the most significant anti-apartheid activists in the 1960’s and 1970’s. His story will be told in Biko’s Quest.Rainbow Scars examines the problems of identity caused by well-meaning attempts to heal the divisions caused by apartheid. The audience will also be able to listen to a group of women sharing their experiences, opinions and aspirations for the “born free” generation who were born just as the apartheid era ended, in Mamela. These and other performances are sure to give

Afrovibes

The festival does well to cover stories from the apartheid era such as the performance ‘Biko’s Quest’ and the film ‘Come Back Africa’ whilst covering more contemporary

experiences through production’s like ‘Rainbow Scars’

Festivalat South Hill Park, Bracknell

Tyler Dolan Photography


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people an understanding of long-term issues post apartheid.

Did you decide to put it on in half-term so that families and young people could get a chance to see it and be part of it?Absolutely. There are so many events happening throughout the festival, especially from Thursday 30th October to 1st November that we want people of all ages to be able to access this fantastic and unique festival. That could be utilising the chance to take part in an Afrovibes art factory workshop, watching an informal live-music performance in the Township café while tucking into some traditional South African cuisine or it could be watching one of the main performances in the Wilde Theatre or StudioTheatre.

There really is something for everyone and all of the theatrical performances are family friendly.

You’ve got lots of great ideas coming together with films and theatre for those who want to be in the audience alongside workshops and discussions for those who want to be active - was it a challenge to create the program?We are lucky; the fantastic team at Afrovibes UK provides each venue with a tremendous set of resources and performances for us to program. We have devised an exciting schedule for the festival and have made connections with local artists to ensure there is always something happening, be it a film, music event or workshop.There is such diversity in the programme and it will be fantastic to see local performers from Bracknell and the surrounding area performingalongside artists from South Africa. The experience is going to be really special for everyone it reaches.

The festival does well to cover stories from the apartheid era such as the performance ‘Biko’s Quest’ and the film ‘Come Back Africa’ whilst covering more contemporary experiences such as the one in the production ‘Rainbow Scars’ - did you feel it was necessary to balance yesterday with today?I believe it is important to balance yesterday with today. The festivalmarks 20 years of democracy in South Africa; this is a theme that underpins all material presented within the festival.

The festival gently interrogates the meaning of democracy and should provoke thoughts and conversations about to what extent it can be said Nelson Mandela’s vision has been realised. Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech was the inspiration for the Global Choir piece: ‘No easy road to Freedom’. Perhaps democracy is more of a process than an arrival?

The program also has straightforward entertainment too with the Acapella music from ‘The Soil’, and the film ‘The Silver Fez’ which follows rival choirmasters. Was it easy to decide the mix of educate and entertain or do all shows cover both?I think all shows, to some extent, will cover both bases. But you are quite right, The Soil will be a fantastic night of entertainment and everything in the Township café is designed to be pure entertainment. It’s worth mentioning that The Soil will be giving a beat-boxing workshop during their time with us at South Hill Park and many of the other visiting artists will be offering workshops related to their performances. More details

on workshops and events happening throughout the festival can be found at www.southhillpark.org.uk and searching for Afrovibes.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about the Festival?The Afrovibes Festival runs between 27 October 2014 - 01 November 2014

with the main events happening on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Price: £24 for a Festival Pass, £12 per show, Members £10.For more information call box office on 01344 484123 or [email protected]

Shirley Anstis

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Rainbow Scars - Nov 2014

The Soil left to right Phindo Ngxanga, Buhle Mda, Ntsika Ngxanga coming

to the UK with Afrovibes 2014

Biko’s Quest

Prize winning pupil Rios Seville explores dialect,

TOWIE and identityDialect or die- elect? Is dialect

dying out? That is the question. The definition of dialect is the accent or voice you have acquired over an extensive period of time that connects you with a particular

place or community, for example a “brummy” accent links you to

Birmingham. Dialects can be killed off because of the effects of popular media, immigration, migration and education. The younger generation are naïve and easily

influenced by things such as music, American sitcoms and the World Wide

Web. Television shows like The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) was shown to

hold the most impact on our youth last year with an average 1.7 million viewers in it’s six month peak.

Young people and social media also influence older traditions.

Expressions such as LOL and reem were added to the Oxford English dictionary because they were so frequently used in the

UK. The TOWIE cast have a very distinctive dialect

and the more viewers they have the

larger numbers of people they influence. This consequently leads to a larger amount of dialect being diminished.

Slang is an increasingly popular form of language too. In social situations, just over 90% of people feel awkward and copy others to decrease anxiety. This has a colossal effect on dialect as the vast majority of people feel the need to do this. Heritage can influence you as well so if your parents come from a different place then you may have a mixed accent. For example, my drama teacher, whose mother comes from Bolton and his dad comes from Slough. This is a perfect example of how dialects disappear and identities can be confused. People from Bolton and people from Slough have very different dialects.

California slang is the most impacting form of slang in the world at the moment. In most TV shows you can hear phrases like “Yo bro”, “seem legit”, “real talk” and “I’m hella dope.” Almost 80% of American TV output is viewed in China and as China is such a vast and populated country their whole dialect is being affected.

The issue isn’t just that dialects are disappearing but that new ones are being created due to an increase in immigration. One well-known new dialect is called M.L.E. which stands for Multicultural London English and is

made up of influences from the Caribbean (my family are

from Jamaica), South Asian, African American and London/Essex.

Across the world, 82% of people over 15 are educated and as we all know teachers are extremely pedantic when it comes to reading in class. If you make a mistake when reading and your mates mimic you, this may change your dialect because you will feel the need to speak as they do.

Caribbean dialects such as the Jamaican dialect, is a very popular form of speech today. Everyone who visits the island brings in a part of their dialect and leaves with a part of the Jamaican dialect. This can have an amazing affect on both Jamaica and the visitor’s country.

Although dialects are losing their individuality it is not necessarily a bad thing because there are new dialects that are being created. Overall we believe that when dialects are dying out then a piece of our identity is lost. Your dialect made you, don’t let it die out.

Rios SevilleAge 14

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Faith Kitchen is owned by Dr. Elizabeth Omolo who is married to Reverend John Omolo. The husband and wife team are also involved in Christian ministry and Dr. Omolo is a university lecturer.

The restaurant is perfectly situated on a busy street in the centre of Reading, with people from all parts of the world. As you approach the restaurant, you will notice the warm colours of red, green and yellow in its décor.

Each of my three visits has been different. I first attended the buffet night some months ago, with a friendly clientele and tasty food. My next visit was to taste some dishes for this review and my fried fish dish was clean tasting and full of flavour. It was served with a vegetable combination of spinach, red bell peppers, scotch bonnet, onions and mellow but impactful spices. It was a slow afternoon and I hadn’t phoned ahead so was really impressed that the dish was cooked and presented beautifully.

Generally the meat dishes of chicken, lamb, and goat are roasted, grilled or marinated in Suya spices. Suya spices include onions, salt, ginger, pepper and nuts. They make regular

trips to London to stock up on essential spices they cannot source locally. They also have several imported drinks to maintain the tastes of “back home”.

Many customers are Reading locals who fancy a taste of Africa. On another visit I tasted the flavoursome pilau rice cooked in cardamom, cinnamon, peppers and black peppercorns. You can also order the very popular jollof rice of Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. Other favourites include Boli (grilled plantain), Fish Pepper Soup, Dodo and Pounded Yam. The East African menu includes Nyama Choma, Ugali and chapatti. Vegetarians will experience the same flavours but with the meat replaced by beans, vegetables or salad.

Faith Kitchen boasts several chefs as they try to provide meals from Nigeria and Sierra Leone, East Africa and Barbados. On my most recent visit I enjoyed curried goat with rice and peas as served in the Caribbean. Goat is also popular in East African cuisine.

I enjoyed the seasoning in their crispy samosas even though I am more used to having them soft. I did not like the starter of deep fried flour, water, sugar, butter and eggs known as chin chin. With starters for just under £3.00 and main courses ranging from £8.00 to

£10.00 Faith Kitchen offers good value with a lot of flavour.

Ugali is made using corn flour for some and semolina for others depending on their preference. I like that the restaurant knows its customers well. The chefs are popular with the customers too and many return regularly because they know the taste and quality of what they’re going to eat.

On each occasion service has been great and the atmosphere welcoming whether I have been on my own or with friends. If you are after a taste of “back home” or a new experience, Faith Kitchen is worth a visit, bringing some more heat and spice into your eating out options. For a full menu and more information check out www.faithkitchen.co.uk

Shirley Anstis

Faith Kitchen is a new restaurant operating on the Oxford Road in Reading and specialising

in African cuisine. It includes favourite dishes from different parts of the continent

and is very popular with a range of customers.

Faith Kitchen


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What made you choose to holiday in Peru?I have always wanted to visit South America. Countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina and Peru always appealed to me because of the diversity of people, culture and ecology. These differences create something unique which I have always wanted to see and experience first hand.

I was invited to visit Peru by a Peruvian friend who lives with her English husband and their two children in Berkshire. I was excited by the prospect of visiting this historical Inca Empire which is rich in history and contains many famous historical sites, like Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the

town of Cuzco, as well as the great Andes mountain range.

What time of year did you take your trip and how does that fit into their seasons?I travelled to Peru in November and stayed for 2.5 weeks. November to January is the best season to travel, as there is little rainfall and its not too cold.

Given your expectations for the weather, terrain and accommodation, how did you prepare for your trip? The temperature and terrain varied according to the location, so in the capital city Lima the altitude is 100 to 1,500 metres above sea level. The weather was on average 21 to

VISITING PERUReed islands, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca – Shirley Anstis interviews

Helena Deazle on her recent trip to Peru

during the day and night. I made sure that I had sufficient warm clothes for the night and lighter spring weather clothes for the day. I also invested in some walking sandals and durable outdoor clothes.

Tell us about the places you explored – what were the top ones you’d recommend and why?Peru is dimensionally a long country, which stretches along the Pacific Coast from Ecuador in the north to Bolivia and Chile in south, and Brazil in the east. To maximise my time, I only visited some of the main towns south of the capital city Lima. My first journey within Peru was a

2-hour flight from Lima to Cuzco. Cuzco is a city in the Andes mountain range, which was the historic capital of the Inca Empire. I stayed in this beautiful cobbled stone town for 6 days. The first two days were to acclimatise to the high altitude of 3,400m. I used Cuzco as my base to travel to nearby sites like Machu Picchu and temples situated in the sacred valley.After leaving Cuzco I took a train to Puno which is a town on the shore of lake Titicaca. The train journey was approximately 9 hours but the time went quickly as I absorbed the great views of the Andes Mountains, villages and llama alpaca farms.

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23 degrees centigrade during the day, however after sunset the temperature dropped to 15 or 16 degrees centigrade. In towns like Cuzco and Puno, south of the country, the terrain elevates to over 3000 metres above sea level resulting in temperatures being 5 to 6 degrees lower

Photographs: © Helena Deazle

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I think of Peru as a place full of colour, flavourful food, lively music and beautiful scenes set amongst economic challenges – what is it really like?I think of Peru as a richly diverse country in terms of food, culture, people, climate and topography. The country is going through economic growth and many of the young adults have secured good jobs with global organisations.

Did you have any special experiences you can share?One of the best experiences was visiting Machu Picchu. Although it gets very busy on the mountain with tourists and guides competing to walk on very narrow pathways, when you pause and absorb the panoramic view it really is breathtakingly beautiful.Another highlight was a boat trip on Lake Titicaca where I visited two islands inhabited by people from a minority ethnic group. One of the islands was

made purely from the reeds of the lake. It was great to learn how as a community they made the reed island and how it functions and is managed. The island chief was a tall witty man who made me feel welcome on his home island. This small island contained 4 reed houses, an open kitchen area, and in the centre of the island was a fish pond.

Did you get a chance to meet many locals and what was that like?I interacted with many locals; it was nice to share with them and learn about their history and experiences growing up in Peru.

Was it what you hoped it would be?Peru was much more than I had hoped.

It is a richly diverse country with four distinct ethnicities (Amerindians plus those with European, African and Asian ancestry) each with their own history and cultural expression through food and dance.

If you were to visit again what else is there to see/experience?I will definitely visit Peru again. The places I would like to see would be the Amazon jungle as well as the famous Nazca Lines. They’re a series of ancient drawings in the Nazca Desert and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Shirley Anstis

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What is Osteopathy? It is a form of complementary medicine that focuses on the muscles, joints and is well known for the treatment of the spine. It uses manual therapy with techniques such as manipulations and mobilisations. It also involves soft tissue massaging and stretching of the joints. It is regulated in the U.K. by The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). By law, osteopaths must be registered with the GOsC in order to practise in the UK.It is used for a variety of different things but many people are first introduced to osteopathy with regard to back pain. We also treat joint pain in other parts of the body. Because we have a holistic view we try to not only focus on where the injury is but to look behind that and find out what is causing it. Our main principle in osteopathy is that the artery is supreme so blood flow is the key and as this improves healing begins. What training did you have to undertake? I had to go to university to get a Degree and did this at the British College of

Osteopathy Medicine. This is one of the oldest and most established universities doing Osteopathy. It took me 4 years to complete and was worth it.

What have you enjoyed the most so far? Probably the hands-on experience and working with the patients. I found learning very difficult but once I started applying what I was learning I started seeing results or seeing what I’m actually learning and how it works. That is the most enjoyable part because I feel comfortable and confident.

You have your own business, how did you manage to set this up? Before this I was working as an associate in a clinic in Twickenham and then there was a good opportunity for me to set up my own business. I was looking for a room in Reading to open up a treatment clinic because this is where I am from, and thankfully I found a clinic room inside a pharmacy. I spoke to them and they said that it was fine.

Why did you choose to do this as a career? With osteopathy I kind of landed into it by chance because at first I was looking into medicine but I didn’t have the brains for that. Then I looked into physiotherapy but there were a lot of people trying to get in to do that. Just by chance I stumbled across a university prospectus describing their osteopathy course and it ticked everything I wanted to do in terms of studying and career. So just by looking through the prospectus I found it and by reading more about it, I realised that is what I really wanted to do.

What would be one of your fears in your role? One of my biggest fears would be if someone came in and they were desperate for help but I couldn’t help them; or if a patient felt like the help I gave them didn’t really help them; or if they felt the help made them worse. And if anyone had a bad opinion of osteopathy that would probably be my worst fear.

Today Magazine spoke to Theo Matthews – An osteopath based on Oxford Road, Reading to find out more about him and osteopathy.

Theo Matthews What is the next step for you? Where I am on Oxford Road in Reading is a community area so I want to be well established here and be part of the community. I want to be the person you go to see if you get an injury. After that I would like to own a property because at the moment I only have a room. I would like to get a property where I can have different therapists working under the same umbrella so we are giving the full treatment to anyone that comes in. With different treatments involved anyone that comes into the clinic should be able to get something from any of us. That is the goal really.

What makes you think that people should come to you instead of other osteopaths? What makes you different? I come from a background of people that don’t use osteopathy so I understand what it’s like to be an outsider looking in. For example, I can see that it might seem a bit pricy or someone may feel they’re not sure if they want this person touching them and things like that. I understand these things so with me you’re getting someone that is looking at it the same way as you, a first timer. I understand that you’re in pain and just want the help. My care doesn’t just stop when the session finishes, I’ll send you an email or keep in touch with you. I will always try to make myself available and always give you some advice that you can carry on at home. I’m always very conscious about cost too.

Are you doing anything for people to be aware that you are about or know about osteopathy?I have recently done a website www.the-osteo.co.uk so I am trying to push that a bit, trying to get it up in the Google ranks and things like that. I have also done flyers and offering discounts, handing them around to many businesses. I am always speaking to people in the community, spreading the word about osteopathy.

Is there anything else you would like to add?All I’d suggest is that if you don’t know about me or osteopathy then you’re always welcome to contact me or visit www.the-osteo.co.uk has all my details including my mobile number 0777 5641732. By all means if you want to know more then just get in contact with me and I’ll be happy to explain. You are more than welcome to come in and have a look and I will be more than happy to give you tasters.

Interview by Shanice Medford

Michael SprottBlack History Month October 2014 saw a unique event in Reading where professional boxing referee Jeff Hinds interviewed heavyweight boxer Michael Sprott. The subject matter touched on Michael Sprott’s British Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles and also his future prospects of becoming a world heavyweight champion. The room was full of excited fans and there were many questions that Michael was happy to answer. Today Magazine brings you images capturing the atmosphere from the event.

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Sudoku Rules: Each column, row and block must contain all of the numbers 1 through 9 and no two numbers in the same column, row or block of a Sudoku puzzle can be the same.

For solutions, please visit our website: http://www.todaymag.co.uk/puzzle-solutions-autumn-winter-2014-review

Puzzles Sudoku

Across

1. Deep wound5. Keyboardist John9. Disassembled14. “The Godfather” villain Brasi15. UN nuclear watchdog16. Cobbler or pie fruit17. Lamb and potatoes bowlful19. Insurgent

20. ___ profundo21. Cremona violin-maker23. Tel Aviv suburb25. Innocent young actress30. Renovation33. Appropriate35. Pop36. The shin bone37. M. Clouseau, e.g.

39. State frankly42. Small cluster43. Cuts into little pieces45. Coastal raptors47. River in France48. Charleston’s state52. Brigadier general decoration53. Pro’s vote54. Writer Medeleine L’___57. Chews (at)61. Cut of beef65. “Yes!”67. Play backer68. Old Milan moolah69. Sister of Ares70. Truck ____71. Those, to Tomas72. They come before Octs.

Down

1. Like a smooth talker2. Subtle quality3. Biol. and astr.4. Annoying ordeal5. “My country, ____ of thee...”6. “____ Bowl of Tea” (1989 film)7. Look (like)8. 50th state9. Honest10. Formerly called11. A tiny bit12. Skating surface

13. FedEx alternative18. Tap-dances22. Heavy wts.24. Couples26. Spew27. Interstellar cloud28. Bring together29. French political divisions30. Hero’s feat31. Vitamin stat.32. Early name in aspirin33. Playground comeback34. Lincoln’s side38. Vets’ visitors40. “Sold out,” at a theater (abbr.)41. Sole44. Jewish villages46. Prolonged assault49. Soup container50. Diamond-shaped pattern51. City on the Loire55. Lane of “Superman”56. French franc successor58. Part of a plot59. Flog60. Mouth off to61. Dorm heads, for short62. Can. province63. Before now64. Mo. when autumn starts66. Wanna-___ (poseurs)

Crossword

Horo

scop

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LIBRA: (23 September - 22 October)Butting into a friend’s business will only lead to resentment. Some people need to learn by their own mistakes. Plans may be cancelled at the last minute. Perhaps there’s something you’ve been wanting to try. Go for it. Now is a good time to call old friends.

SCORPIO: (23 October - 21 November)Discipline will get you through a busy work schedule. Procrastination, on the other hand, will only get you into trouble. A break from routine will provide a pleasant diversion. A Libra from your past will come to mind later in the season. Maybe it’s time to get back in touch.

SAGITTARIUS: (22 November - 21 December)A problem now will be history by next season, so don’t let it get to you. A friendship with an Aquarius may be under some strain. Do your best to clear the air as soon as possible. Why do you hide from lasting love when it’s beating down your door? Take a chance and you will be better for it.

CAPRICORN: (22 December - 19 January)It will take a lot of convincing to get what you want in a business deal. Think creatively and you may get your way. Someone you thought of as a friend will do something to disappoint you. Before you get too upset, try to identify the root of the problem. It may be deeper than you think.

AQUARIUS: (20 January - 18 February)A difference of opinion with family could cause a great deal of tension. With some diplomacy on your part, you can keep the peace while still holding your argument. An adventurous mood could lead you to an interesting place this season. Don’t be afraid to go exploring.

PISCES: (19 February - 20 March)Step back from a problem and you’ll be better able to handle it. Time to yourself is the key to peace of mind this season. Good news regarding a recent financial investment will brighten your budget. Something you’ve been wanting will now seem much more affordable. Enjoy!

ARIES: (21 March - 19 April)If you’re looking to change jobs – or even careers- – this could be your lucky season. A meeting could open new doors for you. Just make sure you know what you want. Relish any free time you get – it won’t last. A new associate makes an impression.

TAURUS: (20 April - 20 May)Pay attention to details or you could make a big mistake. Schedule important meetings later in the season when your energy level will be higher. A heart-to-heart conversation will get problems out in the open in a troubled friendship. Express your feelings!

GEMINI: (21 May - 20 June)A little white lie now and then isn’t such a bad thing – especially if it means sparing someone’s feelings. A sudden change at work could be a sign of things to come. Be aware of upcoming opportunities. Listen carefully for Libra’s hidden message. A special treat comes this season.

CANCER: (21 June - 22 July)Is something troubling you lately, Cancer? If you’ve been feeling crabbier than usual, it may be something you’re not totally aware of. Take some time to get in touch with your feelings. Meditation could be a helpful and relaxing way. A Libra of the opposite sex has a surprise.

LEO: (23 July - 22 August)It’s time to give up on a failing romance. If you’re putting forth all the emotional effort and getting nothing in return, you owe it to yourself to hit the road. A realistic look at finances helps you plan a smart budget. Exercise helps to relieve stress. A Scorpio offers good advice.

VIRGO: (23 August - 22 September)Don’t break promises you made to yourself last season. You’ll only beat yourself up for it later on. Could it be a fear of failure that’s holding you back? The answers can be found within yourself. If traveling is on your agenda for the season’s end, be sure to get an early start.

Horoscope - Autumn/Winter 2015

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