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January 2016 | Issue 7 | £1.50 where bought

AUTOBIOGRAPHIESAllnewMazdaMX-5

January BluesFun things to do with the kids

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Twinkle, twinkleChristmas is all about family, isthe time to enjoy but also time toreflect.

I’m sure everybody would haveseen Roy and Carol Young’samazingly lit house at this time ofyear. They’ve been lighting upthe home in Locks Road, LocksHeath for many years now toraise money for the breast cancerward at Southampton GeneralHospital.

It’s their way of thanking theward for all that they did for theirdaughter Marie Dalton who sadlylost her battle with breast cancersome years ago.

It’s not just Christmas time thatRoy and Carol worked hard toraise money. They also decoratethe garden for summer and Royhas written a children’s bookcalled The Adventures ofTraveller Tim.

They are extremely grateful forthe support from all you lovelylocal people and also those whodrive by and stop. “We just lovedoing this and we’ve met somany lovely people. It’s greatwhen somebody comes walkingpast and says ‘isn’t that lovely’.Every penny goes towards savinga life.”

So if you are passing, stop andsay hi and perhaps pop a littledonation towards a very worthycause.

THIS MONTH..

HOUSE AND GARDENS7 Planning Matters......it really does. Whether you’re applying or livingin a neighbourhood, what goes on (or up or isremoved) can be important to our community.Take a look at the latest applications.

MOTORING28 AutobiographiesThe all new Mazda MX5. Smooth lines, roof off andiconic goodlooks. What did Tim make of this newroadster?

BUSINESS24 Martin LewisWinter tips from Martin this month - he asks us todust off your long johns, grab a cup of Bovril andsnuggle up with his checklist to keep your costsdown and the heat up.

COMMUNITY14 Your Special DayA step by step checklist to make sure your big daygoes off to perfection, and to budget!

ASTROLOGY16 Russell GrantWhat will the new year bring for you? Check outthe centre spread for your star sign and see whatthe stars have in store.

CHILDREN, PETS & EDUCATION22 It’s all child’s playSome lovely suggestions from Sue of things to do inthe cold weather with your little people.

january issue 2016

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“What’s your idea of success”?

This was a question that we asked our kids on one ofour longish jaunts in the car recently.

We were on our way up to see my Auntie Lynda in Derby who, according toour little people, “lives in a mansion and must have lots of money”.

Auntie Lynda, a successful children's author, is a literary genius and modestwith it. Her house décor is traditional yet homely and everything needs tohave history or a story to pass the gates and be kept treasured.

The 20ft or so Christmas tree in the stone floored hallway has the children ingasps every year and when they run up and down to the cellars or come hurt-ling around the sweeping staircase it’s no wonder they feel like they’re on theset of a classic film.

So knowing they were travelling to such a wonderful venue it got us onto thesubject of what they’d like to achieve or own when they were ‘grown up’.

Lucy is pretty easy to guess. Aged 9 she’s developed a passion for sign lan-guage and will no doubt be happy living out of a VW camper van, with a guitar(yet to learn), painting things and training hearing dogs for the deaf.

The boys quickly listed all the material possessions they would need (includinga ten bedroom mansion, Olympic size swimming pool and an Apache gunshipon the driveway) and Ava didn’t know, as long as cake featured somewhere.Although she’s only 7, Sean and I couldn’t help feeling this was actually a coverfor our wide-eyed youngest who is likely to become a Lara Croft/James Bondtype character with her Teflon skin and obsession with noticing when some-thing has changed.

Sean and I, on the other hand, have a different view of success. But it wasn’tone we wanted to share with the kids until we achieve it one day, in a ‘ta dah’sort of way. The New Year is agood time to re-evaluate whereyou are and what you might wantto achieve. Have a go as you neverknow where you might end up,Apache or no Apache.

Stay healthy, safe and look aftereach otherMuch love

C oralie and Seanx

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P lanning MattersGOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL

REF LOCATION PROPOSAL STATUS

P/15/1181/PH 121 Brook LaneWarsash SO31 9FB

Single storey rear extension measuring 5.3metres beyond rear wall of original dwelling,maximum height of 4 metres and with eaves

Undecided

P/15/1160/TO 1 Victoria Close LocksHeath SouthamptonSO31 9NT

4 willows protected by tpo 273: re-pollardback to previous pruning points

Undecided

P/15/1161/FP Abshot Country ClubLittle Abshot RoadFareham PO14 4LN

New doors and window to south elevationand widening of fire escape landing

Undecided

P/15/1151/FP 19 Brigantine RoadWarsash Southamp-ton SO31 9AD

Single storey front extension Undecided

P/15/1140/FP 36 Rossan AvenueWarsash SO31 9JQ

Single storey side/front extension for disa-bled accommodation

Undecided

P/15/1109/FP 18 Gray CloseWarsash FarehamSO31 9TB

Single storey extension and replacement offlat roof to pitched roof

Undecided

P/15/1090/FP 26 Hornby CloseWarsash FarehamSO31 9GN

Single storey side extension Approve

A monthly round up of planning applications submitted since 1 November 2015

For more details go to:eoc.fareham.gov.uk/ocellaweb/planningsearch

7Warsash Band

Santa and Thomas Whiteland (3)turning on the lights!

A member of staff at Real Reindeer with Santa

Olaf with Ian Goodridge, Centre Manager ofLocks Heath Shopping Village and Elsa

The crowds at Locks Heath Shopping Village

LET THERE BE LIGHT!Locks Heath Shopping Village in Fareham kick startedthe festive celebrations in style on Saturday28th November at its annual Christmas Lights SwitchOn event.

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P lant of the month

PRIMROSEThe first sight of a primrose can never fail to warm the cockles of one’s heart, especially if the wintermonths have been somewhat dreary.

Growing these pretty plants is relatively easy and can be grown from seed, sown outdoors in a cold frameduring winter. Once they’ve got their second or third leaves they can be put out into the garden, either atthe front of a bed or in a container. They don’t grow overly tall and need planting in lightly shaded areasabout 6-12 inches apart. Keep an eye on slugs and snails as these can often affect the plants otherwiseenjoy the white, yellow, red and pink colours that will bloom.

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SSTTANDAND OUTOUT FROM TFROM THEHE CROWD!CROWD!

BBEE SEEN - ISEEN - IN A BIGAZIN A BIGAZINE!NE!CCALL TALL THE BIG VHE BIG VOICE TOICE TEAMEAM ON 0ON 01329 61329 63063030630

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Begin leafing through Pinterest & magazines forinspiration.

Determine how much you realistically have to spend. Pick your preferred wedding party. Start the guest list, on a spreadsheet with all relevant

contact information on, this is a fantastic tool. Do you want to bring in a wedding planner? A planner

will already have relationships with suppliers. Reserve your date and venues. Research photographers, bands, florists, and caterers. Hire the photographer and the videographer. Book the entertainment. Purchase a dress. Remember you need enough time

for three fittings

Six Months Before Select and purchase invitations. Start planning a honeymoon. Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses. Book a florist. Arrange transportation for the day. Meet your officiant.

Four Months Before Taste test, and order the cake & food Schedule hair and makeup artists. Choose your music.

Three Months Before Purchase the rings. Finalize the order of the ceremony and the reception

& send out to your suppliers. Send out the invitations.

One Month Before Get your Marriage Banns read. Have final meetings with all of your suppliers

Break in your shoes. Ensure you have a final headcount

DELEGATE all other tasks and enjoy yourself!

Getting married? Plan to perfection to avoid stress and make your dayaffordable by knowing what you want, what you need to spend & how

much you can afford!

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Picture a grey January day and kids goingcrazy from being cooped up indoors.Children it seems are immune to ‘badweather’, but without sun or snow totempt us out of our cosy centrally heatedhomes, we adults sometimes need anudge. If you’re looking for someinspiration on those cold grey Januarydays, then mother of two and author SueGascoyne is on hand with some tried andtested fun ideas for things to dooutdoors:

Make a mud pit as this is great forsplashing in; experimenting withconsistency for creating mud pictures;mixing up hearty concoctions with oldpots and pans; and of course, makingmud pies.

Make ice sculptures to hang on the trees.Simply arrange holly and other foliage orsliced citrus fruit in transparent plastictakeaway containers. Add a loop of stringfor hanging, fill with water, put the lid onand leave to freeze over night. Freezingaccentuates the colours in the leaves,berries and fruit creating a trulymesmerising display guaranteed to melteven the frostiest heart!

Use icicles as magic melt in your handpens!

Collect sheets of ice form a puddle andadd slowly drops of food colouring towatch the colour spread like fingersthrough the ice.

Go puddle jumping as there’s somethingirresistible about cracking the glass-likelayer of ice on a puddle. Add powderpaints for some fun welly printing!

Fill an old ice cube tray with mud andleave outside overnight to freeze. Turnthe mini bricks out for lots of building fun.Add small toy animals for firingimagination.

If you don’t fancy getting messy, makefrozen mini ice bricks instead to buildigloos with or to create a polar landscapecomplete with frozen shaving foam snow,glass cubes, a safety mirror andpolystyrene pieces.

If it’s damp and cold outdoors then whynot create a fire pit for charcoal making,toasting of marshmallows and warmingchilly fingers by the fire? Share a flask ofhot chocolate for the best snack ever!

Go on a family walk, armed with a list ofthings for you all to spot. Include a mix ofunusual as well as unexpected things thatwill add challenge and excitement.

In Winter time birds can really struggle tofind enough food to eat so why not makebird cakes and encourage an interest inbird spotting? Heat up some lard andcarefully mix with bird seed. Use thewarm mixture to fill coconut shells, smallterracotta plant pots or recycled yoghurtpots. (You will need to make a small holein the bottom of the containers and insert

and knot a loop of string to hang it.) onceset cut away the plastic containers if usedthen hang in a position where you canspot which birds it attracts. Children cancreate a tally to record and identify thewinged diners or why not get involved ina national Birdwatch campaign.

If your New Year resolution was recyclingmore why not upcycle your old deadChristmas tree into a didgeridoo? You’llneed to be patient as the wood needsseveral months to dry out, but what anawesome project to do with an adult. Ifthat’s too much machinery and time youcould craft a bird feeder instead. Simplycut the tree into smaller pieces, about 30cm long would work well. Drill out thetrunk to create a hole for the bird seedand prepare to watch the birds flock toyour garden sculpture. If these projectshave whet your creative appetite there’salways coaster making or sculptures, togive you a head start on Christmaspresents!

One of the best things about getting coldoutdoors is the pleasure of warming upafterwards with a cup of hot chocolateand a roaring fire. There’s nothing like thetingle of cold cheeks to make you feelalive, so what are you waiting for, theoutdoors awaits!

Sue GascoyneFor fun sensory play activities, Sue’s latest

research, resources and training go towww.playtoz.co.uk.

sue@playtoz.co.uk 01206 796722

It’s al l child’s playJanuary Blues

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Horse and jockey

Lucy’s Recipe C orner - Sail away jel ly boatsIINNGGREDIENTSREDIENTS per personper person4 oranges1 packet of red jelly1 packet of green jelly

Colourful and fun these make for a supertable display snack at a party.

Cut the oranges in half and scoop out theinsides.Make up the jelly as per the instructions.Whilst the jelly is setting, make some prettypaper sails with toothpicks for masts andrectangles of paper for the sails.Place the orange halves into a muffin tin andfill half with red jelly and the other half withgreen jelly. Pop in the fridge until they haveset.Once ready, slice the oranges in half again tomake quarters and place the paper sails intoeach quarter.Serve on a pretty plate, or on some blue paperfor the sea!

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@MoneySavingExpertMartin LewisDust off your long johns, grab a cup of Bovriland snuggle up with my checklist to keepyour costs down and the heat up.

Save £250+ on energy bills.

Winter is of course the highest-use energyperiod. So the key is to ensure you’re on thecheapest possible deal – that may bechanging tariff with your existing provider, itmay be switching. The move across takes 17days, so do it now to ensure you’re on theright deal before the cold snaps.

Those who worry about this, don’t – it’s thesame pipes, gas, meter and safety, and youdon’t lose supply. The only difference is priceand customer service. But savings can behuge.

About 70% are on their provider’s standardtariff – across the big six this is an average of£1,095/year based on typical usage. Yet thecheapest open market’s deal is around £830a year – that’s £260 a year saved, much ofthat in the winter months.

However, as your exact cheapest depends onwhat you use and where you live – to findout, always do a comparison. Just make sureyou select ‘all tariffs’ on a comparison site.You can use my www.CheapEnergyClub.comwhich also gives switchers up to £30cashback and then monitors you tariff afterto check no one beats it, or anyOfgem.gov.uk approved comparison site.

Switch energy now and you could get £100sback.

If you pay by direct debit, it’s likely you’re incredit after the low-use summer. Mostproviders give it back automatically, but ifthey don’t, call and ask. If you’ve switched inthe past five years, your old supplier may stillowe you too.

Asking for it back is simple and here’s asuccess to encourage you: “The balanceowed to me from 17 months ago (which theynever got back to me about) was £1,364.22.A brilliant result but I do feel an idiot for notknowing how much I'd overpaid, so I urgeeveryone to do the same as me and check.” –Col.escargot.

Free winter car check.

Halfords.com is offering a free £15 winter carcheck, which includes checks to your battery,bulbs, wiper blades, oil and screenwashlevels. You don’t need to book in advance,

though you can online if you want, and thecheck should take about 15 minutes. There isno obligation to buy anything, but beprepared that staff might try to upsell you.The winter car check is on until spring 2016.

Are you entitled to any extra winter help?

Winter is a tough time for many as the coldsets in. But there are funds which may help…

Winter fuel payments. If you were born on orbefore 5 January 1953 (and met otherqualifying criteria throughout the weekcommencing 21 September 2015), you’reeligible for the up to £300 winter fuelpayment. If you get certain

benefits, eg, state pension, pension credit orjobseeker’s allowance, you’ll usually get itautomatically – otherwise you may have toclaim it. You do that by calling 03459 15 1515.

Cold weather payments. Anyone on certainbenefits, eg, specific income support,jobseeker’s allowance, pension credit, gets£25 for every seven days where there aresub-zero temperatures. It’s paidautomatically from 1 November 2015.

Choosing between heating and eating? Ifyou’re seriously behind, or in generalfinancial hardship, you may be eligible forspecial tariffs/help. Try theHomeHeatHelpline.org.uk on 0800 33 66 99.

Do you know where your water cock is?

Everyone should know where their mainwater off-switch is, otherwise known as astopcock. Frozen pipe bursts create anaverage of £4k of damage, worse if you can’tfind the off switch as your home floods. So ifyou don’t know, spend five minutes nowfinding out – typically it’s under the kitchensink, in the boiler cupboard, or outside.

Full service car breakdown cover £41, basicfor £16 – and if you’re renewing, haggle.

Problems are more likely in winter and theconsequences are more severe. Forbreakdown, home start and onward travelcover, AutoAidBreakdown.co.uk charges£41/year, though if it sends a truck anddriver you pay, then reclaim.

Or if you’ve got cover and are at renewal,haggle. In a recent poll I conducted, 84% ofAA and 78% of RAC customers who tried gotlower rates, like Graham did: “Thanks for the

haggling advice. Just spent five minutes onthe phone to the RAC and got my renewalslashed from £252 to £151. Just over £100for about five minutes’ work – that’ll donicely!” Full help to do this in www.mse.me/breakdown

For basic policies, buy through a cashbacksite like Topcashback.co.uk or Quidco.comand you can reduce the cost, eg, RAC basic is£27.99 a year and you get around £12cashback, AA is a little more.

Free loft/cavity wall insulation, open to all.

Energy firms face sanctions if they don’tmeet Eco quotas, so some, eg, BritishGas.co.uk, EDFEnergy.com and Npower.comgive free insulation to anyone in England,Scotland or Wales with a suitable home (youdon’t have to be their customer or on a lowincome). If you paid for this commercially, itcould cost around £700.

The savings can be huge. The Energy SavingTrust estimates you’ll see a reduction in billsof £300 a year compared with a typicaluninsulated home. On average it takes 3-4weeks to book a survey and a further twoweeks for the insulation to be fitted (thoughit can take longer).

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Windows 10 continued

Free upgrades are still rolling outfor anyone wanted to upgradefromWindows 7, 8, 8.1 and it’slooking good so far. Windows 7 inour eyes was always excellentwhereas 8 and 8.1 were bycomparison a disaster so if youhave upgraded from one of thesethen you should be pleasantlysurprised.

Anyone still wanting to takeadvantage of the free upgradethen keep an look out for it in“Windows Update” or sometimesa pop up at the lower right handside of your screen will promptyou to upgrade.

Microsoft are also looking in2016 to ban the supply of all PCsand Laptops with Windows 7 or8.1 installed even though theformer remains the world’sfavorite operating systemrunning on reportedly 54% ofPCs. Microsoft will stopmanufacturers from sellingcomputers with either 7 or 8.1around October of next year.

Windows Media Player

With the demise of WindowsMedia Player in Windows 10 youcan go to www.videolan.orgwhere you can download the VLCMedia Player. VLC is a free andopen source cross-platform

multimedia player andframework that plays mostmultimedia files as well as DVDs,Audio CDs, VCDs, and variousstreaming protocols. VLC mediaplayer is simply an excellent androbust media playback software.

We’ll be back soon with somemore topics for you in the meantime we wish you a Happy andProsperous new year.

WayneHypersonic IT 01489 582666

CC ompuomputeterr KnoKnow How How!w!

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The all-new Mazda MX-5 rocks. It reallydoes.

And it’s not just me that thinks it - theawesome sports car has already beennamed Roadster of the Year in Britain.

But why does the MX-5 rock? And whyis it awesome? Well, quite simply, thecar is a brand icon. It is brilliant fun todrive – and that has been the case in allof its incarnations over the last 25years.

Having made its British debut at the2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the

all-new fourth-generation MazdaMX-5 has an excellent power toweight ratio, rear-wheel drive,perfect 50:50 weight distributionand more comfort and tech thanever before.

The MX-5 is offered with a choiceof two petrol engines, and withnine models across five trimlevels, the mighty yet minuteMazda looks already set to repeatthe Japanese motormanufacturer’s influence withinthe reasonably priced sports carsector.

Maintaining the driver-focusednature that has made the MX-5the best-selling two-seater sportscar of all time, it is obvious theengineering philosophy behindthe up-to-the-minute model hasallowed Mazda to retain thedexterity, enjoyment andengagement that has alwayscharacterised it.

The lightest MX-5 since thecelebrated original, the fresh car isshorter, lower and wider than theoutgoing one, with the smallestoverhangs and lowest centre ofgravity yet. These dynamicproportions combined withMazda’s KODO: Soul of Motiondesign values ensure that themodel’s styling reflects itsemphasis on driving pleasure in anunmistakably contemporary and

energetic way.

Featuring Mazda’s award-winningSKYACTIV technology, the MX-5’s ultra-efficient lightweight petrol poweredengines deliver new heights ofperformance and economy. Across theline-up the MX-5 features alloy wheels,LED headlights, a leather steeringwheel, as well as a light and sleek fabrichood.

SE-L models add LED daytime runninglights, climate control air-conditioning,DAB radio, Bluetooth and cruisecontrol, plus Mazda’s connectivity and

infotainment system with seven-inch colour touch-screen displayand Multimedia Commander. SE-Lmodels with the 2.0-litre 160psengine are distinguished by 17-inchGunmetal alloy wheels and pianoblack door mirrors, and benefitfrom a strut tower bar and limitedslip differential.

Step up to Sport trim and both the1.5 and 2.0-litre cars feature rainsensing wipers, rear parkingsensors, smart keyless entry,Premium Bose Surround-Sound andheated leather seats. With the 1.5-litre engine, Sport trim MX-5’s comewith 16-inch Gunmetal alloy wheelsand piano black door mirrors. Sportmodels with the 2.0-litre 160psengine benefit from a

dynamic set-up that includes Sportssuspension featuring Bilsteindampers, a limited slip differentialand strut tower bar, while visually,they are marked out by their 17-inch Bright alloy wheels and bodycoloured mirrors.

But perhaps the most amazing aspectof the MX-5 is that when the originalmodel was launched in 1990, it cost£14,249 (equal to £31,687 in today’smoney), yet quarter of a century laterwith far more standard equipment, theall-new Mazda MX-5 costs from£18,495. This means, more than ever,the car sets the benchmark as the oneof the world’s best and most affordablesports cars.

Indeed, it seems with its lightweightdesign, cool cabin, exquisitelyengineered mechanicals and balancedhandling the all-new Mazda MX-5 isready to further boost its place in thehearts of automotive aficionados.

FAST FACTS Max speed: 133 mph

0-62 mph: 7.3 secs

Combined mpg: 40.9

Engine layout: 1998cc, 4cylinder, 16 valve petrol

Max. power (bhp): 158

Max. torque (lb.ft): 148

CO2: 161 g/km

Price: £18,495 - £23,295

PROS ‘N’ CONS

Fun √Handling √Looks √Equipment √Limited room X

Auto biographiesTim Barnes-Clay @carwriteups

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All New Mazda MX-5

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