focus midshires

May - June 2011Issue 1

30 Ashby Road, Axis 43 (Off Old Tiffield Road) Towcester NN12 6PG(Next Door to Silverstone Porsche)

Telephone 01327 350888 [email protected] www.chanceryhartwell.com

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Focus Midshires May-June 11 issue.indd 3 14/04/2011 16:10:34

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Welcome and Contents

3Focus Midshires – May - June 2011 www.focusmagazinegroup.co.uk

Copy deadline for the Focus MidshiresJuly - August issue is June 1st 2011

We gratefully acknowledge thesupport of businesses whoseadverts appear in the FocusMidshires, whilst every care istaken to assure accuracy,the publishers cannot acceptresponsibility for loss, damage oromission caused by error in theprinting of an advert. All artworkis accepted on strict condition thatpermission has been given for usein the publication. Adverts areaccepted on the understandingthat the descriptions of goods andservices are fair and accurate.Any reproduction of any materialis forbidden without the writtenconsent of the publishers.The publishers cannot acceptresponsibility for views expressedby contributors, or for theaccuracy of claims made by theadvertisers.

ContentsMay - June 2011 - Issue Number 1

3 Welcome4 Health, Beauty & Fitness10 Services10 Sudoku14 Equestrian15 Pets16 Homes23 Gardens30 Motors

Win two main meals atThe Navigation, Stoke Bruerne inour Sudoku competition on pg 10

MEMBERMEMBERThis magazine is printed with vegetable-based inks, and can be safely re-cycled

Welcome to the newest member of theFocus Magazine Group, the first issueof Focus Midshires, so called becausemany of the villages within the circula-

tion area form part of the 225 mile long distancewalk through middle England called Midshires Way.

It’s a new bi-monthly magazine being deliveredfree to 7,000 rural homes between Towcester andNorthampton. For ease of use we have an easyreference content section (opposite) to take you to thecategories you need efficiently and quickly.

We are sure that Focus Midshires will be a popularaddition to our stable, a handy guide for you to keepwith useful numbers you won’t want to be without.

For further information on advertising or how toinclude your events please contact the studio atFocus Magazine Group on 01327 353753 or emailus at [email protected]

Advertise from £20 a month in Focus Midshires Tel: 01327 353753Email: [email protected] Web: www.focusmagazinegroup.co.ukPublished by Focus Magazine Group, The Studio 15 Buckingham Way, Towcester, Northants NN12 6JY

Focus Midshires is distributed FREEto all these villages in the NN7 area

Don’t miss our CompetitionWin


Tel 01327 358 572www.imagesbyjoanna.co.uk [email protected]

Towcester Centre For Leisure Springfields Towcester NN12 6UW

Hairdresser's Beauticians & TherapistsHair

Precision Cutting & Creative ColouringHuman Hair Extensions

BeautySpeciality Waxing, Manicures & PedicuresMassages & Facials, Sports Therapy Massage

Spray TanningNail Extensions

Acrylic, Gel Overlay, Silk/ Fibre Glass Wraps, Minx

Health, Beauty & Fitness

4 Bringing the communities & businesses of The Midshires area closer together...

Find the time to pamper yourself

A beautiful purpose built beauty room, set in anidyllic village location, with easy parking

To book an appointment call Sirinda07725 695606 or 01327 831636Kettlebury, Suttons Walk , Astcote, NN12 8NP

TheSecret GardenBeauty Room

Approx 5 miles from WeedonOn the A5 between Towcester & Weedon

Xen-TanSpray TanFull Body £15 &course of 3 £35!


SILVERSTONE CYCLE SHOPSales

ServicingRepairs

Accessories

www.bainesracing.co.uk

01327 85851001327 858885

Unit 14Silverstone Circuit

NN12 8TL



As an Osteopath I give people advice onpain management for a variety or aches andsprains, more severe back spasms, disc problemsor sciatica and arthritic pains.

So if you want to sow your vegetable patch andbuild your new decking ready for the summerWITHOUT pulling something or really putting yourback out this Spring:

If you’re lifting heavy objects, useyour leg and stomach muscles to

help take some of the strain

Spring time is a busy time for Osteopaths!As soon as the sun starts to shine we’re all offoutdoors, bending and twisting gardening orstraining picking up large DIY projects.

Sometimes problems occur we suddenly do a lot ofnew movements in a short period of time and ourbodies aren’t used to it.

Spring into action, not pain!• Take regular breaks from bending forward doing

any task. For every hour bending forwards, have 10minutes standing up right.

• If you’re lifting heavy objects, use your leg andstomach muscles to help take some of the strain.

• Minor aches and pains after using muscles for thefirst time in a while is normal, try having a warmbath which relieves muscle tension.

• If you feel a more severe pain, either whilstdoing something or later the same evening,

try applying a cool pack onto clothedskin for 10-15 minutes and take it

easy, but keep moving the next day.• If you’re in severe pain or an ache lastslonger than 48 hrs seek professionaladvice. Most pains ease quicker whenthey are treated promptly and you getthe right advice.

Susie Burgess 07880 750 258Brooke Health Centre


W ant to lose weight, get fitter,increase your self confidenceand be the owner of a wonderfulnew body?

At Rosemary Conley Diet and FitnessClubs, members can choose fromRosemary Conley’s Amazing Inch LossPlan, or the Solo Slim® Diet. SinceSeptember 2010, members at GillButcher’s classes in Northampton North& West area have lost over 300 stonesfollowing the Plan and taking part in theexercise classes each week.

Gill, pictured here, lost ten stone withRosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubsand, after winning the 2009 Slimmerof the Year award, qualified as a Rosemary Conleyinstructor, to help others lose weight and get fit.

Rosemary Conley’s Solo Slim® Diet includes tastymeals-for-one that are hassle-free and you lose weight

Lose weight, get fitter and improve self confidencesuper-fast healthily. It is easy to follow, incrediblyeffective; 30 trialists lost 32 stone in 4 weeks – that’san average of 1st 1lb in a month. Also available at

class are Rosemary Conley’s Low GiNutrition Bars, Low-Fat (5%) MatureCheese and low-fat Hot ChocolateDrink.

Says Rosemary Conley, CBE: “Memberssee amazing results from this diet. Theyare given the Solo Slim® Diet plan, acopy of my Amazing Inch Loss Plan, aset of Portion Pots®, Introductory DVDexplaining the Amazing Inch Loss Planand a Magic Measure® RosemaryConley Diet and Fitness Clubs is the onlynational slimming organisation in

the UK offering exercise and dietary advice in thesame class, offering members excellent value formoney: for one great-value price, they receive a dietand exercise class in one! Call 01604 762510.



MALCOLM JACKSONUnisex Salon for all age groups

Tel: 01604 7527321b Woodley Chase Duston NN5 6PS



9Focus Midshires – May - June2011 www.focusmagazinegroup.co.uk

®

Copyright © 2010 Zumba Fitness, LLC Zumbathon®, Zumba®,Zumba Fitness® and the Zumba Fitness logos are registered

trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC

Terms & Conditions:This event is open to participants of all ages. HOWEVER,children participate at the discretion of their parents. Weask that you stay sun-safe as this is an outdoor event. Pleaseremember to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water.Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and non-returnable. The organisers reserve the right to cancel thisvent. Tickets cannot be refunded if this is due to circumstancesbeyond the organisers' control. If you buy your tickets onlineyou will need to print out your order confirmation and present itat the registration desk on the event day.You will exchange your order confirmation for a wrist-band, which will be required to enter the event.

®

In association withBrackley Zumba FitnessandStartech Productions

Brackley

What is Zumba®?It’s a dance fitness program which featuresexotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin andinternational beats. Before participants knowit, they’re getting fit and their energy levelsare soaring! There’s no other fitness class likea Zumba Fitness-Party. It’s easy to do, effec-tive and for every shape, size & gender!

What's a Zumbathon®?A Zumbathon® is a Zumba® charity event. Inthis case, it takes the form of a two hourZumba® party! Participants buy a ticket toattend and the profits raised at the event willgo to our charities. This Zumbathon®will seeits attendees working together to raise moneyfor four charities:

Cystic Fibrosis, MS, Down’s SyndromeThe British Heart Foundation.

All are fantastic causes doing wonderful workhere in the UK and we are very excited to beraising money for them.

Face PaintingBouncy Castle

FabulousTombola

SO COME AND BE PART OFSOMETHING SPECIAL!

£10 Adults (16 and over)£5 Children£2 Spectators

www.brackleyzumbathon.co.uk

Tickets can be purchased either in person fromthe Brackley Tourist Information Office

(Courtyard Mews) or from

BUY TICKETS!

Saturday 2nd JulyMagdalen College SchoolHigh Street Brackley

2pm - 4pm

Please allow enough time for registration(which will begin at 12.30pm) and to warm up!

®


Services


SUDOKU

Cut out and send completed entries along with yourname, address and phone number to: The Studio,15 Buckingham Way, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6JY

WIN!2 main m

eals from

the 2 for£12 Menu

at The Navigation

Stoke Bruerne

Mon-Fri 12-10pm

This issue’s prize has been kindly donated by:This issue’s prize has been kindly donated by:

Pit your wits against ourSudoku Puzzle and win twomain meals from the 2 for£12 Menu at the canal-side

Navigation at Stoke Bruerne.We'll announce the lucky

winner in our July - August issue!

Bridge RoadStoke Bruerne01604 864988

CHATTELSPROPERTY

CLEARANCESERVICES

Properties cleared at short notice

Just phone John on07521 275247any reasonable time

FULL ORPART HOUSECLEARANCESERVICE

Free House Clearance Service

Houses FlatsBungalows FactoriesFarms Schools OfficesGarages Barns Sheds

Cellars LoftsFast, Discreet and Efficient.

THE NAVIGATION NowServingfood 'til10pm


WeddingsChristeningsAnniversariesBirthdaysBusiness LunchesFuneralsNaming DaysEngagementParties

Outside CateringBy Towcester Tea Rooms

169 Watling Street Towcester01327 358200

07792 189022 (call or text)[email protected]

Freshly Prepared Buffets To Suit AllBudgets, Delivered To Your Door

Services


Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every3x3 box contains the digits 1 through to 9, with no repetition.That’s all there is to it! You solve the puzzle with reasoningand logic - there’s no maths involved and no adding up.

Alternatively scan/email your solution to:[email protected] date for entries: May 27th 2011

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through to 9, with no repetition.

That’s all there is to it! You solve the puzzle with reasoningand logic - there’s no maths involved and no adding up.

2 34 6

7 5 3 66 1 8 9

7 2 15 4 8 7

2 9 7 63 8

8 9


Services



Services


Businesses can advertise with us fromjust £20 a month, call us on 01327 353753or email [email protected]

W e know how important it is toknow what’s going on in thelocal area. That’s why weare asking you to

help us. We want to know what you havegot planned for the forthcoming months -particularly July and August, so we can letthe community know what’s going on inand around where they live by promoting it inour next issue.

Tell us about your event and we’ll tell everyone else

Since the circulation of our Focus Towcester and FocusBrackley magazines, We’re happy to say that overthe last two and a half years, we have been ableto increase awareness to various associations andorganisations and in turn helped to raise attendanceand in some cases money for these events / clubs.

Email us at: [email protected] to us at: The Studio, 15 Buckingham Way,Towcester, Northants NN12 6JYor even try using the good old fashionedtelephone on: 01327 353753 as we love tohear from you all, and if we have the spacewe will print it. The best news of all is that it’sabsolutely FREE! Copy deadline is 25th May.

I’m absolutely sure that someof you will be organisingfund raising events of yourown, what with church fetes,summer fares or maybe somekind of production to wrap up

another hard year at school.

So, if you fancy telling 7,000home owners in this area about your

news and would like us to help by promotingit in our next issue all you have to do is either:


Welcome a friendly ferret as a family pet

Equestrian


We wash, reproof &repair your Horses rugs & dog

beds to a high standardwith the availability of

free collection& delivery

For all enquiries contact RachelTel: 01604 858818Fax: 01604 858511

Email: [email protected] 26, JBJ Business Park,

Blisworth, Northants, NN7 3DW

If you are contemplating getting a ferret this year, hereare a few points to consider-

• Ferrets are susceptible to Canine DistemperVirus, and so should be vaccinatedannually

• Jills not intended for breeding should bekept either with a vasectomised male, bespayed or given a yearly jill jab in orderto bring them out of season to preventdangerous health problems

Finally, ferrets qualify for the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS),so if you are considering taking your pet abroad andwould like to find out moreinformation pleasecontact the surgery.

For more informationcontact TowcesterVeterinary Centreon 01327 350239

Ferrets can make fantastic pets but thereare some important facts to consider before

you welcome them into your home

It is quite wide known that ferretsare great working animalsbut they can also makefantastic pets.

Ferrets are carnivores andrequire a good quality highprotein diet. Life expectancyis generally between 8-10years (max. 15 years).Males (Hobs) on average weigh 1200g, whereasfemales (Jills) on average weigh 600g.

Ferret breeding season in the UK extends from Feb/March through until September. Pregnancy lasts for41-42 days and an average litter contains 8 kittens(‘kits’), so playful young stock will soon be available!


Pets


Shirley was first introduced to Barking Madwhen she was looking to make arrangementsfor her own dog Deefer. “I was searchingfor an alternative to kennels and was really

pleased to find a service which provided one to onecare, when I was given the opportunity to becomeinvolved with Barking Mad” said Shirley.

Before joining Barking Mad, Shirley worked as aBranch Manager for a large high street bank. “I amnow able to combine my love of dogs with runningmy own business. I really enjoy meeting like-minded

From banking to barking! people and being able to solve their pet caredilemmas, it gives me a tremendous amount of jobsatisfaction.Our customers have complete peace of mind knowingtheir pets are being cared for in a home environmentsimilar to their own, whilst our host families are ableto enjoy all of the benefits of owning a dog but on apart time basis” says Shirley.“The response so far hasbeen amazing, I’ve been overwhelmed by the numberof people who have enquired about our uniqueservice,”Barking Mad arranges accommodation for dogs in agenuinely caring environment with select host families,where their existing routines are maintained. Manyhosts are retired dog lovers who, having owned petsall their lives, do not wish to commit again to the fulltime responsibility of owning their own dog but missthe companionship.If you would like to enquire about becoming a hostor would like to discuss using our service for your pet,please call straight away.Shirley Rands can be contacted directly on 01280700110 or [email protected]

R

For more information,please contactShirley RandsTel: 01280 700110www.barkingmad.uk.com

Thenation’s favouritealternative tohouse-sitting &kennels

The revolutionarypet care concept that everyone’stalking about

We find the perfecthome environment for your dog, in yourlocal area

We handle everything -you enjoy completepeace of mindeverytime


Homes


W hen you notice an annoying drippingtap or that one of your radiators isobstinately refusing to heat up, is yourfirst reaction to call for a plumber?

You could yourself savetime and money with acouple of our handy tips...

• Dripping taps?

Quite often you can justreverse the washer in thetap fixing the problem. Turnoff the water to the tap fromeither in the airing cupboardor from under the tap.Operate the tap to make surethe water is off, then using anadjustable spanner remove the top of the tap. Removethe washer and replace facing the other way, reversethe procedure to reassemble the tap and hey presto,no dripping tap.

Handy hints for dripping

terry barnes tiling ltdtel: 01604 833 423mob: 07970 733 994

Local Specialist TilerEst 1983

walls& floorsfrom period homes to

new build.

CERAMICMARBLESLATEFRENCHRECLAIMEDTERRACOTTA

FREEQUOTES

Tel: 01604 862379Mob: 07894 [email protected]

www.installdigitalnow.co.uk

FAST RELIABLE SERVICEFREE ESTIMATES • NO CALL OUT FEE

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

AerialsHome of Digital TV

Freesat Freesat HD FreeviewAerials DAB Aerials

Local

toTowcester

Flat Screen TV Wall Brackets Supplied andInstalled at very competitive prices


Homes


• Cold radiators?

When cold radiators develop onthe heating system people canbe forgiven for worrying that it isgoing to take an expensive systemflush to fix the issue. Well that isnot necessarily the case. Sometimes it is just a matter of systembalancing, this means transferringheat from a radiator that gets too hot too quick to theradiator that doesn't. This is achieved by restricting theflow to the “quick” radiator and increasing the flowto the “slow” radiator, to do this you need to turn theradiator valve clockwise on one side of the “quickradiator” a few times and turn the valve anti clockwiseon the “slow radiator” the same amount. This shouldremedy the problem and you will be able to repeatthis procedure throughout the house.

Should your problem persist, try any of thePlumbers in this issue!

taps and cold radiators

Our initial consultation is FREE

Specialising in the design of homedevelopment & improvements that

will make you love your home again:

We love what we do and so will you!So contact us today on

01327 858261 or 07598 96 72 21

Email: i

Extension, remodel, attic conversion,

Building Plans - Planning and Building Control approvals


Homes




Homes

We can replace doorsto existing wardrobes orformulate completely newstorage spaces. Includingsloping ceilings.

Transform dull and lifelessinteriors with an exclusiveinstallation from theHarmony Design team.

Looking for stylish,simple and cost-effective

solutions? We’ve got it covered! Call us to view ourunique products in the comfort of your own home.Telephone 01327 857580.

We are based in Whittlebury, Northants, but currentlyhave displays of our wardrobes at Wyvale GardenCentre, Wooton, Northampton And Wyvale GardenCentre, Bicester, Oxon. Where you will be able toview full doors from our glass and wood finishes.Or visit www.glasswardrobes.co.uk

Keith and Audrey Goddard have run asuccessful family business for over 25 years.As well as fitted bedrooms we also supplyand install traditional and contemporary

wood flooring, including re surfacing and sealing ofexisting wood floors.Allowing you to give your home a makeover withHarmony Design’s, wood and stylish glass wardrobes,room dividers and bespoke home furniture. Reflect yourpersonal style, be it modern chic or classic elegance,with a vast range of styles, colours and designs.Fashionable glass styling can really enhance the sizeof your room and our designers can customise allfurniture and wardrobes to your exact requirements –making the most of your space.A combination of 50 glass and wood finishes providea focal point for any modern living environment.

Whether you’re looking to create a beautiful newbedroom, lounge, kitchen or bathroom our glassdesigns radiate style and elegance.

Complete Bedroom and Storage Solutions

HarmonyDesign

In a combination of 50 glass and wood finishes ?

Replacement doors to existing wardrobes or formulatenew storage spaces.Including sloping ceilings.Feature cabinets to enhance lounge and living areas

Looking for stylish, simple cost efective solutions

Complete bedrooms and storage solutionsfor all the home

Visit our website www.glasswardrobes.co.ukWe will be happy to discuss your individual requirements,

and provide you with a free design and quotation.TEL: - 01327 - 857580


Homes


If you have a love of the great indoors, then a visitto Káren Jane Interiors shop in Towcester is anabsolute must, for this truly is a home furnishingsshop with a difference.

Situated in a lovely convertedbarn, within the grounds of theBell Plantation Garden Centrein Towcester, it really does havesomething for everyone. It is full,not only with all that you mightneed to furnish your home but aselect range of ladies clothing,handbags, scarves and gloves byNess, a large selection of giftware and inexpensivemodern jewellery.

As soon as you enter the shop you get a sense ofthe wow factor with a lovely vaulted entrance hall,sparkling chandelier and fine wooden staircaseleading to the 1st floor showrooms. Beautifully laidout in room sets, the showrooms display sofas by the

Get the ‘Wow’ factor with Káren Jane Interiorsrenowned British manufacturer Wade Upholstery, adiverse range of lounge, dining and bedroom furnitureand a great range of unusual and quirky mirrors.

You can also find a good selectionof indoor and outdoor lighting ondisplay in every room and in theirextensive catalogues.This is a shop that allows you tobrowse unhurried, in a relaxedatmosphere, with the knowledgethat should you need to ask aquestion, someone will be there tooffer you help, advice and a level

of service and attention that you rarely see nowadays.That is why they call it “the personal touch”.Whatever you are looking for, even if it is justinspiration, then Káren Jane Interiors is definitely theplace for you, a truly delightful experience.Visit the showrooms at The Bell Plantation orcall on 01327 354707


Homes


Quality and price are two things thatall customers should receive, we also

guarantee reliability

Have you ever suffered from plumbers notturning up on time or not turning up at all?Well, it is a common problem and one thatI decided to tackle head on.

My name is Justin Carlin and I own and operateNorthampton H2o. The company was only formedin November 2010, but already is providing much ofthe public in Northampton with reliable and capableplumbing solutions.

Local and reliable plumbing services from H2ofrom us and does nothave to wait aroundunnecessarily.

After carrying outcustomer satisfactionsurveys it becameapparent thatalongside qualityand price, reliabilityis the key thing thatpeople look for in atradesman.Quality and priceare two things that

When I started I didn’t want to be just anotherplumbing & heating company, I wanted the companyto be unique so I guaranteed our punctuality. If, onthe odd occasion an issue arises that we are unablemake the agreed time, then at least an hour beforethe appointment the customer will receive a phone call

all customers should receive, we also guaranteereliability. Now we are extending our services to thevillages in and around Northamptonshire, so if youfeel we can help you then please don’t hesitate tocall us.

Justin Carlin Northampton H2o on 01604 708971

Justin CarlinNorthampton H2o

If You Have Any Of TheseProblems, We Can Help !

Northampton H2oPlumbing & Heating Services

Tel : 01604 708971Mob : 07796 958868

[email protected]

No Call Out Charge

Dripping Taps No Hot WaterNo Central Heating Cold Radiators

Boiler Or System Noise

www.northamptonh2o.co.uk

Call Us TodayFor Your Free

No Obligation Estimate

524334

Local Fully Qualified ElectricianFor all your Electrical Needs

Don't Be Left In the Dark,Call a Bright Spark!

Rewiring

New Sockets

Lights

Fault Finding

Outside Power

Part P Registered

Landlord Certificates

P.A.T Testing

Has Your Electrical SystemBeen Tested Recently?

New Builds / Extensions

BS767117th EditionCity & Guilds2382, 2377, 2392

Free Advice & Estimate

Call Paul on: 07970812522e:[email protected]

Bright Spark Electrical


Homes


Trevor believes his success is down to charginga fair price for a personal, no pressure service

that leads to satisfied customers

Cloudy2Clear Northampton continues to gofrom strength to strength. As most peopleknow the early years in business aresome of the toughest when trying to getestablished.

Local Manager Trevor Skidmore has guided hisfranchised business through these difficult times, andnow entering his 5th year has just won Franchisee ofthe Year for the 3rd year in succession, beating 18other Franchisees.

Trevor wins “Franchisee of the Year” again!

business actually saves people money. Just changingthe panes saves the customer hundreds of pounds,compared to having the frames replaced, and if youupgrade to our C2C Insulating Glass, the savings onyour fuel bills can be huge.”

If you would like a Free no obligation quotecall Trevor, 0800 61 21 118 or visitwww.cloudy2clear.co.uk

Trevor believes his success is down to charging a fairprice for a personal, no pressure service that leads tosatisfied customers, thus generating repeat businessand recommendations. “Considering the currentclimate, I am really pleased with the way the businessis going. We are not recession proof, but our

Trevor Skidmoreof Cloudy2Clear

STEAMED UPDOUBLE GLAZING?

Broken or Damaged Windows?Faulty Hinges, Handles or Locks?

Want the latest energy saving glass?5 year guarantee on new double glazing.

Call Freephone 0800 61 21 118www.cloudy2clear.com

Don’t replace the Frames ……. Just the Panes!Don’t replace the Frames ……. Just the Panes!

We make saving money perfectly clear…..We make saving money perfectly clear…..


Homes


Professional Installations of uPVC,Timber & Aluminium - All work guaranteed

For domestic, commercial & new build market

Call Colin 07811 842613or Andy 07855 473499 email [email protected]

WINDOWS DOORS& CONSERVATORIES

We Supply & Fit Windows Doors & ConservatoriesReplacement Units. Repairs & Leaks a speciality

WEWORK AROUND YOUR WORK HOURS

It’s said we are a nation of sweet lovers. But can you get your head around these cryptic clues to discover some of our favourite sweets? It’s just for fun

and we’ve given some picture clues!

1. Infants that wobble about 2. Where refined people live3. Edible fasteners4. 9, 10, 11, 125. An occult6. Home for alcoholic’s teeth7. Mothers Local8. Sport for Princes9. Nearly between

10. Tartan granite11. Royal Herb12. Fallen Fruit13. For being good children14. Wise Guys15. Belly Dancer16. Black & White17. All sorts of Girls18. Current Affairs19. No shouting allowed20. Two tiers on a wheel21. Animal king not allowed22. Party in the park23. Brownies go on these24. Move quickly around in a dance25. Used to quieten the never ending talker


Gardens


Do you Strictly wish the

Is it just me or do you find that television at themoment is really awful? There are so manyprogrammes or more often so called ‘celebrities’,that make me grab for the remote for completely

the wrong reason.

Just about every other programme on prime timetelevision is a ‘talent’ show for theritual humiliation of the deluded, or anopportunity for ‘D’ list ‘celebrities’ to get on the tellyand make a complete pranny of themselves.I don’t know about you, but I just don’t get it.

What I find really troubling though, is that it’sbeginning to turn me into even more of a socialoutcast than ever. Here’s a typical conversation withmy friends. “What about Cheryl voting off Rachael lastnight?” Which is greeted with a blank expression andan almost embarrassed confession that I don’t watchthe X Factor/Strictly/I’m A Celebrity (don’t delete allare appropriate). I then sit there like a lemon whilethe finer points of the programme are discussed

01327 354422Silverstone Fields Farm, Silverstone NN12 8BTSilverstone Fields Farm, Silverstone NN12 8BT

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Gardens


like a Question Time debate.

At the risk of sounding like my Dad oreven my Granddad. Why can’t theymake television programmes like theyused to? When I was a teenager therewere all sorts of great programmes…

The Sweeney and TheProfessionals to name just

two. Which incidentally, I wasn’tallowed to watch “because it’s after 9

o’clock”. Thanks, Dad!

I think I might have to give in to theinevitable… Did you watch Dancing

on Ice? That Phillip Schofield does havea nice line in suits, what about that Jason

Gardiner’s caustic comments, and Torvilleand Dean are still amazing to watch.

Come to think of it, I would actually paygood money to see Simon Cowell

dance on ice!

X Factor was put on Ice?

39 Kingsley Road, Silverstone, Towcester Northants NN12 8UEwww.alanmuxlow.co.uk

Tel: 01327 855957Tel: 01327 855957

Spring is the perfect time to plan any changes toyour garden. For a free consultation please contact

Alan Muxlow


Gardens


Free Bag of WestlandCompost Name

Address

Email(Applies to 20L peat free multipurposecompost. No other offers or discounts apply)

worth £2.99 when youspend £10 or more inthe Garden Centre.

Watling Street,Towcester. NN12 6GX T: 01327 354126

Please complete and hand in at the pay point to qualify

www.bellplantation.co.ukFor the Love

They’re a fertile ground for both collectorsof particular items and casual shoppers

Although at Car Boot sales a smallproportion of sellers are professionaltraders selling new goods or seconds,the goods on sale are often used but nolonger wanted personal possessions.

Car booting is a way of focusing a large group ofpeople in one place to recycle still useful but unwanteddomestic items that previously would have been thrownaway.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

you’ll stumble upon at a car boot sale and that isperhaps their biggest draw, plus the opportunity tohaggle and bag yourself a real bargain!

These sales generally take place within the summermonths, however a growing trend of indoor boot salesand all year hard-standing outdoor boot sales are nowappearing in some parts of the UK.

With customers flocking to them you’ll have to competewith lots of other buyers for the best things at the rightprice. But shopping at them can also be so satisfying -you can buy great items at a fraction of the shop price.Look local now and turn up at one near you.

For the uninitiated, it’s a way to have fun make a fewquid be sociable and a way to buy or sell second-hand (and sometimes) new goods, from a pastingtable laid out in front of your car. Many sellers load uptheir cars with goods and pitch up at the designatedsite, usually paying a small fee to the organisers.They’re a fertile ground for both collectors of particularitems and casual shoppers - you never know what


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Tasks in your garden during May and June

May is an ideal time for pruning evergreens,so if it’s something you haven’t yet thoughtof there is still time, so if you have aJuniper, Cypress or conifer that need

shearing or pruning this is a good time to accomplishthis task not forgetting the Forsythia after it finishesflowering.

Plant outdoors annual seeds such as asters, cosmos,marigolds, zinnias and when all frost danger haspassed you can move your stored fuchsias andgeraniums outdoors. Trim them back, feed and re-pot ifnecessary but water well.

Divide perennials like Daylilies,Delphiniums, iris, chrysanthemums,Daisies, and Phlox. The additionalplants you create can be traded,given to friends, or moved to anew area of the garden. Plantnew rosebushes before growthstarts and buds swell.

Plant perennial vegetables like asparagus, rhubarb,etc. and plant peas, carrots, beets, spinach,cauliflower, cabbage, alongwith root crops like potatoes,radishes, parsnips andonions. In late April plantbeans and corn.Wait until May toplant tomatoes; squash,cucumbers and peppers.

Lawn spring fertilizer shouldperk up the lawn andimprove its over-all colorand appearance.Use a spring lawnfertilizer that has themoss-killer included, soyou can do both jobsin one easy application.


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