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Covering Beverley & Surrounding Villages Issue No.130 February 2025 BEVERLEY MINSTER VINTAGE & RETRO FAIR (includes Artisan Crafters, Artists & Up-Cycled Traders) SATURDAY 5th APRIL Open:10am-4pm • £3 Entry • Raising Funds for Beverley Minster 80 EXHIBITORS • LIVE MUSIC: MAGGIE HUSH • BOOGIE BUGLE BABES • DANCING • DJ MURRAY ROSE • VINTAGE CAFE
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Beverley St Nicholas Road, Beverley HU17 0QT Tel: 01482 870246 HULL TRADE FIREPLACES Hull 388 Holderness Road, Hull, HU9 3DL Tel: 01482 588885 www.hullfireplaces.co.uk Stove package deals Editor’s note Welcome to the February edition of the magazine. I would like to start by wishing you all a prosperous and healthy New Year. Where did 2024 go! I hope that you are all fit and healthy and life is treating you well. It is still very tough for everyone with the current economic climate and the fragile state of the planet with the weather this war torn world that we live in. I don’t ever remember things been as bad as they are now - so please continue to use the local businesses, shops, tradesmen and services that advertise in the magazine - it really does help our local economy, the local employment situation and ultimately the planet when you do. We have an interesting and varied range of topics in this edition for your enjoyment including the House and Home Feature that looks at how to create your dream kitchen extension. We also have our usual round up of all the New Books to read this month. We have lots of wonderful events for you in our What’s On Guide. We also have some great Travel Destinations for anyone planning a holiday. In Sarah Kings’ monthly Gardening column she takes a broad look at Gardening / Flowers / Vegetables. The Food & Drink section has delicious recipes for you to try at home. We also have our regular Beauty Column with Rebekah who shares her favourite make-up tricks. As usual we finish with Fiona Dwyer’s ‘Food for thought’. Until the next edition please look after yourselves. Jane Editor © Dalton Spire Limited 2025. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All information contained in this magazine is for information only and is as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. We cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. Readers are advised to contact advertisers directly with regards to the price of products and/or services, referred to in this magazine. Magazine Team Managing Director: Nic Gough. Sales Director & Editor: Jane Gough. Advertising Sales: Dutton Round. Distribution Manager: Phil Hiscott. Finance Manager: JP Kinnersley. Designers: Mervyn King, Adam Jacobs. Photography: Clash Pix. Contributors: Fiona Dwyer, Sarah King, Rebekah Robinson, Hugo G Salochin, Frances Lindley, Elliot Johnson, Chris Warkup. How To Contact Us: - T: 01964 552 470 • E: ask@daltonspire.co.uk • www.daltonspire.co.uk 4 26 16 30 3 6 28 18 32 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470
Local News February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed The recently renovated Champney Treasure House now features the brand-new museum exhibition Resurrecting Ancient Egypt: A Monumental Yorkshire Journey. This exhibition has been designed and curated by Egyptologist Professor Joann Fletcher and is touring from Barnsley Museums. The recently renovated Champney Treasure House now features the brand-new museum exhibition Resurrecting Ancient Egypt: A Monumental Yorkshire Journey. This exhibition has been designed and curated by Egyptologist Professor Joann Fletcher and is touring from Barnsley Museums. The exhibition focusses on a series of stunning black and white photographs of Yorkshire architecture with Egyptian influences as chosen by Joann. The photographs by Huddersfield- based duo Kyte Photography take the viewer on a journey through the four corners of Yorkshire: there are locations which may be familiar including the follies in the grounds of Castle Howard and the columns and carvings of Temple Mill, a former flax mill in Leeds. Photographs of lesser-known buildings can also be found throughout the exhibition, many of which are quirky and intriguing, such as a reservoir valve house in the form of an Egyptian mausoleum above Hebden Bridge. Monuments to mining disasters and pandemics, including the 1849 Hull cholera epidemic in which 1860 people died, are some of the most poignant structures. To complement the exhibition there are displays of Georgian ceramics, Art Deco jewellery, Egyptian-themed advertisements, and decorative arts kindly on loan from the Egyptomania Museum. These everyday objects demonstrate the public’s fascination with Egypt, inspired by discoveries of wonders such as the tomb of Tutankhamun, and how this was used to market goods as diverse as face powder, whisky, builders’ plaster and even motorbikes. Champney Treasure House takes its name from John Edward Champney who gave financial support to the first library, museum and art gallery which opened on Champney Road in 1906. Champney was an avid collector of fine books, many of which were on the shelves of the first library. Books he collected on Egypt, including guides to antiquities and travel, are also on display. Resurrecting Ancient Egypt runs until Saturday, 10 May so there is plenty of time to enjoy this intriguing exhibition. Exhibition talks: To complement the exhibition, Professor Joann Fletcher will be giving talks in March and April. Ancient Egypt in Yorkshire takes place on Saturday, 22 March. Discover the links between the UK’s largest county and Egypt, from the numerous Egyptian artefacts in our region’s museums to the work of Yorkshire-born Egyptologists and the fact that Yorkshire has more pyramids than any other part of the UK. Yorkshire is also home to the oldest obelisk in Britain and the only full-sized replica Egyptian temple in the country. The Yorkshire Path to Tutankhamun takes place on Saturday, 26 April. With the 1922 discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter widely considered to be the greatest archaeological discovery of all time, the impact of ‘Tutmania’ on the wider world affected everything from architecture to fashion. Rather less well-known are the crucial links between the discovery and Yorkshire, which are also covered in this talk. Booking information: Talks are £8 each. To book visit www.eastridingmuseums.co.uk/ whats-on/ or call 01482 392699 Monday to Wednesday 9am to 4.30pm. Professor Joann Fletcher of the University of York and Patron of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust said: “It’s such an honour that our ‘Resurrecting Ancient Egypt’ exhibition is the first to feature in Beverley’s beautiful new venue, which really does justice to the stunning images by Kyte Photography and the beautiful selection of objects from the Egyptomania Museum’s private collection, displayed to the public here in Beverley for the very first time. ‘’It’s also been a pleasure to work with East Riding Museum staff while researching some hidden gems, to really bring home the many connections not only between ancient Egypt and Yorkshire, but astonishing connections with Beverley stretching back almost 2,000 years!” Councillor Nick Coultish, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: ‘’This brand- new Ancient Egypt and Yorkshire exhibition brings new life the museum at Champney Treasure House. ‘’The collaborative exhibition features a stunning collection of photography and artefacts to be enjoyed by the public, curated beautifully by our team at the Champney Treasure House. The inspiring exhibition received a warm welcome during the opening and we look forward to hearing more positive feedback from future visitors.’’ To explore the new Champney Treasure House website and find out opening times, see: www.eastridingculture.co.uk/ treasurehouse New Ancient Egypt and Yorkshire exhibition at the Champney Treasure House Digital Connections Beverley TV Aerial & Satellite Installations CCTV & TV Wall Mounting Tel: 01482 863429 Mob: 07769900338 www.digitalconnectionsbeverley.co.uk FREE QUOTES
5 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 Local News dignityfunerals.co.uk/local Proud to be a Dignity Funeral Director, providing exceptional services to families across the UK. SERVING FAMILES FOR 150 YEARS Attended Funerals Unattended Funerals Memorials FRANK STEPHENSON & SON 29 Minster Moorgate, Beverley East Yorkshire HU17 8HP 01482 881367 We’re here for you anytime Whatever your wishes or budget, we can provide a funeral to suit you TAKING THE GREATEST CARE In and around Beverley SERVING FAMILIES FOR 150 YEARS East Riding of Yorkshire Council is inviting comments on two draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) on Open Space and Housing Needs. The consultations will be open from Friday, 31 January to Friday, 14 March. Supplementary Planning Documents provide more detailed advice and guidance on the application of policies in a Local Plan. These two draft SPDs will complement the upcoming East Riding Local Plan Update, which is expected to be adopted in early 2025 following receipt of the Inspector’s Final Report on the Examination of the Plan. The draft Open Space SPD will provide guidance for applicants and decision makers on the provision of open space on new residential developments, setting out a sequence of steps to follow to ensure compliance with Policy C3 of the Local Plan Update. It focuses on the provision and design of amenity green space, playgrounds and outdoor sports facilities. The draft Housing Needs SPD will cover topics such as housing mix, meeting the needs of specific groups, housing standards, and affordable housing. It adds further detail to the policies in the Local Plan Update. It will also assist in the application of Policies H1 and H2 of the Local Plan Update, which aim to ensure that the East Riding has a healthy and balanced housing market, where the housing needs of the community are met, and the right quality and type of housing is delivered. The draft documents, online surveys and accompanying documents are available to view online at www.eastriding.gov.uk/ spd from Friday 31 January. Paper copies of the consultation documents are available to view at all East Riding Customer Service Centres and Libraries during normal opening hours, throughout the consultation period. People can respond to the consultation by completing the online response forms available at www.eastriding.gov.uk/spd, or by completing the downloadable response form and returning it to forward.planning@eastriding.gov. uk. They can also send it to Forward Planning, Room AS67, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Cross Street, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU17 9BA. All responses to the consultation should be received by Friday 14 March 2025. Responses to the consultation will be made publically available to view on the council’s website in due course, after the consultation period has ended. Launch of consultation on Open Space and Housing Needs
House & Home Whether you’re looking to create a more open-plan feel to your kitchen and dining space, or simply increase the floor space of a cramped cooking environment, a kitchen extension can be the solution. But transforming your kitchen, regardless of the size or style that you choose, is a huge project. It involves a variety of trades – from builders through to kitchen fitters – and the associated costs and materials involved means it’s important to get it right at every stage of the process. From planning permission through to design and layout, these are some of the key things you need to consider. CREATE YOUR WISHLIST Is your new room to be just a kitchen diner? Will it include a living space, too? Do you want to incorporate a utility room? Is it going to be open plan or a series of smaller spaces? Will it connect to the garden, perhaps with folding-sliding doors? Planning the interior layout meticulously while considering the footprint is the key to success, especially if the new room is to How to create your dream kitchen extension From deciding where to extend to working out the layout of the space, there’s lots to consider when adding more space to your home have multiple zones. Also consider what you don’t like in your current space, particularly things that bug you on a daily basis, such as a lack of storage or worktop space. Knowing what issues you want to resolve can be just as important as having a wishlist in place. BE REALISTIC If you decide on the most desirable option of a kitchen/dining/living space that’s open to the garden, has a utility room and perhaps even a walk-in larder, consider potential downsides: are you attempting to squeeze too much into the space, to the detriment of the whole room; or building an extension so large that the garden is compromised? The solutions to these issues? If you really want to cook, dine and lounge in your new room, be clever with your space. For example, swapping a large dining table for a kitchen island with a generous, drop-down breakfast bar, or putting banquette seating around a small table, could enable you to fit in a sofa, too. Perhaps the utility room could be downsized and hidden within the kitchen in a floor-to-ceiling cupboard? Or maybe a space-efficient pull-out larder cupboard could be fitted instead of a walk-in one? Will your new, open-plan room be the only reception space in the house? In that case, it might be worth dividing the living area from the kitchen diner, perhaps with glazed doors or walls, or folding internal doors, so it remains open most of the time but can be separated when necessary. WHERE BEST TO EXTEND The size and shape of your extension’s final footprint will Continued on Page 8 February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
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House & Home Continued on Page 10 largely depend on whether you’re building under Permitted Development, applying for permission for a larger build, such as a double-storey extension, whether you are incorporating existing elements, such as an integral garage, and how much garden you have to sacrifice. Budget will, of course, also have a bearing on what kind of kitchen extension you opt for. One of the most popular ways to extend a kitchen is to add a single-storey addition to the side or rear. And big doesn’t always mean better here. Even extending by a small amount can really help open up a space, giving you options to remodel the layout so that you can get more out of it. When deciding which style of extension is right for you, it’s important to consider how the new kitchen extension will link to the existing space and the garden. Take note of where the sunlight catches the kitchen throughout the day as this will all help determine where to add your kitchen extension, how big to go and how to glaze it and shade it to prevent overheating (if it’s south facing). If your budget and outside space allow, then building a large rear extension spanning the width of the house could open up lots of possible layouts, while a side return extension can offer a small, but valuable floorplan increase for a terraced or semi-detached home. WHICH STYLE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? Research the styles of other extensions in the neighbourhood, and consider whether the materials and design of yours will complement both your interior style and your property’s architectural character. If you do decide to go for a contrasting style, bear in mind that a minimalist, glazed extension will suit the architecture of a Victorian or Edwardian property beautifully, but may not complement a post- war home that’s had a modern exterior facelift. Give careful thought to the roofline, too - will a glazed, flat or pitched roof be flattering to the shape of the one on your house, and how will the extension’s height impact on existing first-floor windows? It is always wise to research what your local council might approve before going any further. DESIGN OPTIONS Should you hire an architect and a separate contractor, a project manager, or a design-and-build company? The answer lies in your budget, in how much time you have to get involved, and how much experience you have of permission process, as long as the height and footprint meet PD criteria. There are restrictions, though: flats, maisonettes and other buildings are exempt from applying PD rights, for example. It’s always best practice to approach your local authority and ask what types of developments don’t need an application. They’ll be able to advise you and will talk you through your proposed project before you get started. Be mindful that local authorities can issue an ‘Article 4’ direction, which removes Permitted Development rights in a conservation area, for example. Even without the need for planning permission, it’s worth applying for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) from your local authority to confirm that the work was done legally, met PD requirements and didn’t need planning permission. PARTY WALLS If you are building an extension, building work involving work to boundary walls between your house and your neighbours’ homes needs to comply with the Party Wall Act. As part of the process, you’ll need to serve a Party Wall Notice to adjoining neighbours. This is notice of the work you intend to do and should be served at least two months before work begins. If they consent within 14 days to the work, then you can begin. If they don’t, you and your neighbour will need to appoint a party wall surveyor to draft up a party wall ‘award’, which describes how work will proceed. GETTING THE FLOW RIGHT The downfall of many an extension in the past is that it was a room bolted on to the rear of a home rather than feeling like part of the ground floor. To avoid this issue, planning the connection between existing and new is vital. Opting not to hang a door between the hallway and the rear extension could help. You might also consider whether you want a more openplan layout on this floor of the house, but bear in mind that a structural engineer will be required to calculate the support needed if walls are to be removed. Whatever option you choose, the aim is for your extension to feel like an always-been-there addition, with the entrance into it flowing naturally from the original house. You can achieve this with good design and architecture - but creating consistent décor can help, too. If your new space includes other rooms, such as a cloakroom or utility space, ideally these will be planned to sit in the middle of the house – in the darkest part of the new extension – while the kitchen and living areas are next to the windows or doors to the garden to make the most of the daylight. Bear in mind that to keep your extension cost-effective the location of water, waste and gas supplies, and the most convenient access for cooker hood ducting might dictate the layout and positioning of the new kitchen. STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS Whether creating an opening to the rear or side of your home, removing part of an external wall involves adding new support to the roof and wall above in the form of structural beams. If you’re aiming for a seamless finish you’ll complex building work. If you have never tackled a renovation, it’s worth getting professionals involved at an early stage to help with everything from planning issues to managing schedules. Even if you take a hands-off approach, you will be regularly called upon to make decisions – being unable, unprepared or just slow to make them will slow work down and end up costing you money – and you may not get the result you dreamt of. PLANNING PERMISSION Small additions to a property, like a single-storey extension, can often be built under Permitted Development (PD), which avoids going through the planning February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
9 House & Home To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470
House & Home Continued on Page 12 living space or dining area. And don’t forget about exterior lighting, too - there’s nothing be looking for the beam to be hidden - something that may not be possible and will depend on two things: the floor level of any rooms above and the current ceiling height of your house. Lifting the floor level above to accommodate the beam will involve more work and cost, but if you have sufficient ceiling height downstairs, you may be able to create a suspended ceiling to hide the new beam. Alternatively, some homeowners opt to use the beam as a way of visually breaking up the space. Vertical supports or pillars may also be requested by your structural engineer and can again form part of your overall design or be covered up, depending on the final look. MAXIMISING LIGHT Adding a particularly large kitchen extension can create a very deep room with the space furthest away from the rear windows and doors feeling dark. One of the easiest ways to resolve this is to include additional glazing, such as large sliding doors and roof windows. High-level clerestory windows can also be effective, bringing in extra light without impacting on your privacy levels. Do consider that although including lots of glazing in your walls will boost natural light, it will also add to your overall costs and leave you with less wall space for kitchen units, worktops and storage space. As with all things, getting a good balance is key. Good artificial lighting is just as important as natural light, particularly in a multifunctional space like a kitchen diner where there may be multiple people using the same space at the same time. You’ll want to combine effective task lighting (for cooking, food prep etc) with mood lighting to create a softer effect in areas such as your worse than having a wall of contemporary glazing and simply looking out at a sea of black at night or on winter afternoons. Simple outdoor-rated uplights that can highlight some of your favourite trees or shrubs combined with some patio or pathway lighting will ensure you’ll always have an interesting outlook, whatever the time of day. CONSIDER A BROKEN-PLAN DESIGN Although by definition an open- plan space is one where the boundaries between rooms no longer exist, this doesn’t mean you have to adhere to this too strictly in your kitchen extension. Broken-plan design doesn’t mean that you have to suddenly start adding walls to your design. Instead, in a similar way you would use a kitchen island or bank of units to divide a space, you can also use other types of furniture to define your open-plan kitchen extension and create separate, more intimate zones within a larger space. This could be something as simple as an open bookcase or shelving unit that separates a living area from the kitchen, or a built-in dining banquette that subtly divides a kitchen and dining space. If you’re going to use freestanding furniture to achieve this effect, it’s also something you can do once you’ve lived in the space for a while and feel the need for change. GARDEN AREA A rear kitchen extension is, of course, going to eat into your outdoor space. As well as considering what’s possible size- wise either under PD or with planning permission, you need to February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
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House & Home think about whether you’re left with sufficient garden to enjoy. Consider, too, how future buyers will look on the arrangement, especially if you live in a city where green space is so valuable. On the upside, the project could present an opportunity to redesign the garden so, even though there’s less, it becomes more usable through creating a connection between indoors and out and re-landscaping. GREAT GLAZING One of the biggest pros of adding a rear extension is the possibility of improving the connection between house and garden by boosting views. Bifold doors can optimise the merging of interior and exterior because they concertina out of the way when fully open, while sliding doors offer the largest expanse of glazing. Don’t forget fixed glazing, though, particularly for a kitchen area where you don’t want to create a pathway for traffic to the outside - it will still optimiseviews. Oriel windows that protrude from the rear façade of the extension give you the opportunity to create a cosy window seat and reading nook where you can sit and feel part of the outside space while inside your home. SPACE HEATING Consider how you’re going to heat your kitchen extension. You’ll inevitably add new flooring, which presents the opportunity to lay underfloor heating, which can be a neat solution avoiding the need to plan in wall-hung radiators when the space is required for tall glazing and kitchen cabinetry. Budget won’t stretch? Think vertical radiators to improve furniture placement options. You’ll need to check with a heating engineer to ensure your boiler is up to the job with more home to heat, and budget for a new model, if necessary. APPLIANCE NOISE Think about how you will minimise appliance noise and smells in an open-plan room. A utility room or cupboard that integrates a washing machine, a super-quiet dishwasher and a boiling-water tap, plus effective ventilation and extraction, are all good options, but even introducing soft furnishings, rugs and curtains will deaden background noise - and allow you to create defined zones with colour, texture and pattern. BUILD SAFELY Remember that Building Regulations apply to your project whether or not you need to gain planning permission. These standards ensure your safety as well as the energy efficiencies of the new addition, and it will also be necessary to show that your extension complied when eventually you come to sell your home. You can use your local authority’s building control department or a private building control firm but, either way, it’s a stage you shouldn’t and mustn’t swerve. February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
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Literature far, far worse than she imagined? Or is it Nicki herself, who never wanted a baby shower anyway? In the aftermath, the police put together the facts - but the truth will shock everyone. Even you. Confessions by Catherine Airey It is late September in 2001 and the walls of New York are papered over with photos of the missing. Cora Brady’s father is there, the poster she made taped to columns and bridges. Her mother died long ago and now, orphaned on the cusp of adulthood, Cora is adrift and alone. Soon, a letter will arrive with the offer of a new life: far out on the ragged edge of Ireland, in the town where her parents were young, an estranged aunt can provide a home and fulfil a long-forgotten promise. There the story of Cora’s family is hidden, and in her presence will begin to unspool… An essential, immersive debut from an astonishing new voice, Confessions traces the arc of three generations of women as they experience in their own time the irresistible gravity of the past: its love and tragedy, its mystery and redemption, and, in all things intended and accidental, the beauty and terrible shade of the things we do. The Quick and the Dead by Emma Hinds It matters not who you are born to but where you are made. It is 1597 and Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin have just robbed the wrong grave. The two are unusual criminals in the pocket of a gang Lord named Will Twentyman, the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Mariner is the best cutpurse around, a strange Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy and is partner in crime to Kit Skevy, Southwark’s best brawler who carries a secret: he cannot feel pain. When caught out in their unfortunate larceny, Kit is kidnapped by the threatening alchemist Lord Isherwood (a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his hopes for the Red Lion elixir) and his studious son, Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell On a bright spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara Fay makes a split- second decision that will change everything. Grabbing an armful of clothes from the washing line, Ciara straps her two young daughters into her car and drives away. Head spinning, all she knows for certain is that home is no longer safe. This was meant to be an escape. But with dwindling savings, no job, and her family across the sea, Ciara finds herself adrift, facing a broken housing system and the voice of her own demons. As summer passes and winter closes in, she must navigate raising her children in a hotel room, searching for a new home and dealing with her husband Ryan’s relentless campaign to get her to come back. Because leaving is one thing, but staying away is another. What will it take for Ciara to reinvent her life? Can she ever truly break away from Ryan’s control – and what will be the cost? Tense, beautiful, and underpinned by an unassailable love, hope and resilience, this is the story of one woman’s bid to start over. So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne A terrible heatwave. A very tense baby shower. It will all end in tears... Nicki, Lauren, Charlotte and Steffi have been friends since university. Now in their thirties, life is pulling them in different directions - but when Charlotte organises the baby shower of hell for pregnant Nicki, the girls are reunited. Under a sweltering hot summer day, tensions rise - and by the end of the evening, nothing will ever be the same. Someone started a fire at the house - and everyone’s a suspect... Is it Steffi, happily child-free but feeling judged by her friends? Is it Charlotte, desperate to conceive and jealous of those who have? Is it Lauren, who is finding motherhood Lazarus Isherwood, with whom Kit develops a complicated intrigue. When Mariner enlists the help of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, Mariner and Kit are thrust into the shadowed, political world of Tudor alchemy. Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan Max is thirty, a published poet and grossly overpaid legal counsel for a tech company. She’s living her best life! Or is she? The debris of years of dysphoria and failed relationships rattle around in her head. When she tumbles down the stairs at a New Year’s Eve party and wakes up in hospital alone, she decides to make some changes. First things first: a stab at good old-fashioned heteronormativity. Enter Vincent, corporate lawyer and hobby baker. His trad friendship group may as well speak a different language to Max, and his Chinese parents never pictured their son dating a trans woman. It’s uncertain terrain, but Vincent cares for Max in a way she’d long given up on as a foolish fantasy. Yet Vincent is carrying his own baggage. On his gap year in Thailand a decade prior, he vies for the attention of a gorgeous traveller, Alex, with secrets of her own. Is Vincent really the new face of the Enlightened Man, or will the ghosts of his past sabotage his and Max’s happiness? Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle From the author of The Murder Game and A Fatal Crossing comes another unputdownable slice of cosy crime as foul play stalks an airship bound for the North Pole. A frozen wilderness. A killer in the skies. When aspiring travel writer Chloé Campbell is invited aboard a luxury airship flying to the North Pole, she thinks she’s bagged the opportunity of a lifetime. But she hasn’t had long to admire the dazzling icy views before a fellow passenger is found dead in their cabin. Trapped at the top of the world, the group agrees a tragic accident has occurred. But as the hours tick by, fear turns to doubt. It seems everyone’s a suspect. And it isn’t long before the passengers begin to turn on each other . . What’s Your Dream?: Find Your Passion. Love Your Work. Build a Richer Life by Simon Squibb. What’s your dream? It’s a simple question, but one which very few of us ever really think about. From early on, we are taught that there’s only one path to getting ahead: do well at school, get a certain kind of job, and avoid failure at all costs. We’re so busy trying to follow these rules that we never stop and ask ourselves: What’s my purpose? What do I really want? Do I have the power to make it happen? Simon Squibb is on a mission to change people’s lives for the better. Here, he shares the hard- won life lessons from his years in the business world plus his own personal life, from facing homelessness as a teenager to selling a multi-million pound business, and now inspiring a new generation of budding entrepreneurs. Simon will empower readers to identify their own meaningful goals, to remove the barriers that stand in the way, and ultimately to build a richer life. Sometimes, it just takes one person to believe in you... Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon by Chris Evans Written by FourFourTwo journalist Chris Evans, this is a comprehensive look at Lineker’s career. While he’s better known as a TV personality and philanthropist nowadays, Lineker’s football career marks him out as one of England’s best ever players. But he wasn’t always destined for greatness. After helping on his dad’s market as a youngster and being told he’d never make it by a school teacher, Lineker was a late bloomer, making his England debut at 24 and going on to play for a host of top clubs. New Reads For February February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
15 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 Health & Wellbeing
Health & Beauty Rebekah’s Beauty Box My All-Time Favourite Make-Up Tricks I know a thing or two about good make-up – which is why I am sharing some of my all-time favourite tips and tricks. From different mascara techniques to why adding blusher to the bridge of your nose can transform your entire look, these are the hacks that I have picked up after years in the beauty business. Adjust Your Lashes I’d never given much thought to my mascara technique until I started covering beauty backstage at the shows. Among the many tricks I picked up was how to use your mascara wand to create different eye looks. Want your lashes to emphasise a feline flick? Swipe your wand through the hairs at a horizontal angle, gently pulling them out sideways. Want a wider, rounded effect to complement a soft halo of shadow? Use your mascara wand to pull the lashes upwards and finish by accentuating the very ends of your lashes with the tip of the brush. If I’m going big on liquid liner, I quite often only add mascara to my bottom lashes. It somehow balances out the drama that’s happening up top. When it comes to formula, I like something that has more of a gel-like consistency as opposed to anything too creamy. The Rubberlash mascara from make-up artist Isamaya French’s debut line has a real vinyl quality making it easy to use in different ways. Apply Blush To Your Nose If I could only implore you to try just one of these tricks it would be my failsafe blusher tip, which is to always add blusher to the bridge of your nose as well as your cheeks. I can’t emphasise what a difference it makes, brightening everything up, pulling it all together and just giving you an imperceptible glow of health. Any formula will work, so stick with what you love, but if you are in the market to try something new, I keep Glossier’s Cloud Paint in ‘Dusk’, Monika Blunder’s Liquid Flush in ‘Rome’ and Pacifica’s Fluffy Blush in ‘Bloom’ on rotation. Rethink Your Lip Liner Lip liner is one of those products that, despite being tricky to perfect, is essential if you want your lipstick to look crisp and the colour to stay put. If, like me, you struggle to line your lips convincingly, start at the corners and gently glide the pencil up to the cupid’s bow. Going in this direction is somehow more fool proof and produces fewer wobbles – and, because the way pencil naturally glides outside your natural lip line, it’ll give the effect of a fuller shape. Even if I’m not wearing lipstick, I use the liner end of something neutral like Sculpted by Aimee’s Undressed Lip Duo in ‘Nude’ to create the shape, then blur the edges of the line inwards with a little lip balm. Use Highlighter First Although I prefer lighter coverage and a more natural-looking base, I often find myself applying foundation all over my face, whether it’s needed or not. Recently, however, I’ve taken to applying a highlighter before my foundation and concealer instead of afterwards. This easy switch means that because my skin already has a lovely luminosity to it, I only apply base make-up to the areas that really need it, like around my nose and on any areas of hyperpigmentation. I’m hooked on Fenty’s Eaze Drop’Lit in ‘Taffy Topaz’, which is a champagne-flecked liquid highlighter that makes you look like you’ve had the best facial of your life. Powder formulas will work if they’re your thing, but I’d advise using a damp beauty blender to pat on your foundation and avoid dragging the pigment. Red + Blue = White Hands up who doesn’t want whiter teeth? Thought so. While you can obviously go down the whitening route, applying a slick of red lipstick is a faster (not to mention cheaper) way to cheat a brighter smile. The key to getting it right is to pick the right shade of red. Steer clear of orange-based options and instead look for blue-based reds. Because blue sits opposite yellow on the colour wheel, anything with a blue undertone will cancel out any yellow tones in your teeth. Lisa Eldridge’s True Velvet Lip Colour in ‘Velvet Ribbon’ glides on like a dream but L’Oréal’s Color Riche Satin in ‘Lipstick is Not a Yes’ is a more affordable option. Trick Of The Eye Although I love the look of liquid liner, my application technique is shaky at best. One way I get around this is my ‘tail tips’ technique. Instead of drawing a whole line across your lash line and out to the corners (which requires a steadier hand) I create small tails at the outer corners of each eye. Not only are they much easier to do, they also give the illusion of elongating the eyes. To create them, I like to gently hold my eyelids taut (looser lids courtesy of a recent 40th birthday) and, working from the outside in, I draw a little tail that connects to the edge of my top lash line. The end of the tip should roughly start where you can feel your brow bone. If you need some definition along your top lash line, a pencil liner smudged into the lashes is a quick and infinitely easier solution. A liquid liner I really rate is Pat McGrath’s Perma Precision Liquid Liner in ‘Extreme Black’. Lighten Up If you’re only using your concealer to hide dark circles and spots then you’re missing a trick. One of my favourite tips is to use my concealer to trick the eye into thinking my face looks a lot brighter and more lifted than it really is. Quite often it’s enough to forgo my foundation altogether. The way I do it is by drawing on four lines with my product of choice, which at the moment is Vieve’s excellent Modern Radiance Concealer. Line number one is from brow tip to hairline; line two sweeps under the eye and out to the temple; line three hugs the cheekbone and goes out towards the ear; and line four hovers above the jawline and goes out to the ear. For maximum impact you want to just buff and blend enough for the lines to disappear but not so much sthat you lose them altogether. For this it has to be a damp beauty blender. Work into your skin gently, then sit back and marvel at your mini facelift. February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
17 Health & Beauty To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 Celebrating our 2nd Anniversary Don't wait until it's too late. Early detection of hearing loss can lead to better treatment outcomes. Schedule your hearing screening today and take the first step towards better hearing health. Celebrating Six Successful Years: Hair & Beauty Excellence in Beverley ENJOY 20% OFF with this voucher for new clients before 1st April *not in conjunction with other offers * 01482 886236 | www.flourishhairdressing.co.uk 8a Wednesday Market, Beverley, HU17 0DG info@flourishhairdressing.co.uk @flourishhair&beauty @flourishhairdressing @weddings.flourishhairdressing @flourish.beautytherapy November 2024 marked six fantastic years of serving the Beverley community with exceptional hair and beauty services. Our journey has been one of growth, creativity, and dedication, and we couldn’t have done it without our loyal clients and amazing team. To celebrate this milestone, we’re excited to announce the addition of two talented new stylists joining our team in February. With fresh ideas, innovative techniques, and a passion for enhancing your natural beauty, Heidi & Catherine will bring even more flair to our already expert team. Whether you’re looking for a stylish new cut, a relaxing beauty treatment, or expert hair colouring, our team is committed to making you feel your absolute best. Here’s to another six years of fabulous transformations! Book your appointment today and join the celebration! - services only -
Food & Drink A fabulous Valentines celebratory twist on the classic chicken dish – although any sparkling wine will work. Ingredients 2tbsp olive oil 4 chicken breasts, skin on 2 sticks celery, finely chopped 300g pearl shallots, peeled 2 carrots, roughly chopped 350g small chestnut mushrooms or larger ones, quartered 2 sprigs thyme 350ml Champagne 125ml chicken stock Few sprigs tarragon leaves, chopped 3tbsp créme fraiche Lemon wedges, to serve Method Step 1: Heat half the oil in a large, lidded frying pan and fry the chicken skin side down. Season the top of the chicken and leave it to cook until the skin is crisp and golden. Turn it over, season the skin and cook for a further 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Step 2: Add the remaining oil to the pan along with the celery, shallots and carrots. Cook on a low heat for 8-10 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Turn the heat up a little, add the mushrooms and the thyme, and cook for a further 5-10 minutes, until the mushrooms start to brown. Step 3: Pour in the champagne and allow the alcohol to cook off for a few minutes before adding the stock. Bring to a rolling simmer, nestle the chicken breasts back into the pan and cook with the lid on for 10 minutes. Remove the lid for a final 10 minutes, adding 1tbsp of water if it gets too thick. Remove from the heat. Step 4: Stir through the tarragon leaves and crème fraîche. Serve with boiled potatoes or rice, and fresh greens. Our easy American style pancakes are light, fluffy and perfect for an indulgent breakfast or as a dessert to celebrate Pancake Day. Whip them up in 10 minutes, stack them and serve with syrup, bacon or fresh fruits. What’s the main difference between British and American pancakes? The difference between British and American pancakes is a raising agent. The British-style pancakes don’t use one, whereas the Amer- ican-style pancakes do – typically baking powder, or whipped egg white, or both. We’ve used both in our recipe below. Ingredients 225g Plain White Flour 4 tsp Baking powder 2 tsp Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar 1 tsp Salt 2 Egg(s) (free range) 300ml Milk (whole) 50g Butter (unsalted) Drizzle Maple syrup Method Step 1: Sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl and stir in the sugar and salt. Step 2: Make a well in the centre and add the eggs and milk. Whisk to a smooth batter and ideally leave for 30 minutes. Step 3: Lightly grease a pan with butter and spoon the mixture on to the hot pan. Cook on each side for a couple of minutes. Step 4: Transfer to a plate and keep warm while you cook the remaining batter. Use the remaining butter in between to re-grease the pan. Step 5: Enjoy drizzled with syrup or stack and serve with fresh fruits. Valentines Coq au Champagne American Style Pancakes February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
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FEBRUARY FRUIT Start your 2019 off with some of nature’s sweets. Bananas are ideal for a refreshing smoothie or can be enjoyed in numerous desserts, including banoffee pie or a banana split. A rich source of vitamin C is the kiwi. Also known as the Chinese gooseberry, this furry fruit is at its most flavoursome when raw, but goes well in a pie, crum ble, fruit salad, Pavlova or jam. Similarly ideal for desserts is pineapple. The delightful zing of this tropical option makes for a classic pineapple upside down cake, or can be enjoyed raw in salsas and sweet or savoury salads. It can also be griddled, fried or baked and served with a variety of meats or as part of a stir-fry . VEGETABLES Translated as ‘cabbage turnip’, kohlrabi is a two in one vegetable with a unique look and crunchy texture. Mild and sweet, its leaves and main body are equally tasty and can be rustled up into a stirfry, soup or stew, as well as fried in batter as fritters or served cold in a light salad. Leeks are back in business this month as well and make for some tremendous sauces, soufflés and gratins. Plus, purple sprouting broccoli goes down a treat in a sauce with pasta or simply tossed in butter and oil and served as a starter. If you’re a connoisseur of French cuisine, you’ll no doubt already be familiar with shallots. These hearty vegetables are a must for any beef bourguignon or can be roasted and served whole. And let’s not forget truffles. By weight, this indulgent fungus is one of the most expensive foods in the world and is particularly appetising when shaved over pasta or added to scrambled eggs, omelettes or risottos. FISH Similar in appearance to plaice, dab is a cheaper, more sustainable alternative. The smallest of the flatfish, it has soft, sweet meat and can be grilled, pan-fried or baked whole with lemon and mint. You should also be on the lookout for Dover sole this month. Another member of the flatfish family, this is a more versatile option that can be grilled, fried or poached and is simply divine in French dishes like Sole Véronique or Sole à la meunière. Distinctive in appearance and firm in texture, gurnard holds together well in the cooking process, so is well suited to soups and stews in particular. MEAT This is the month to turn your attention to partridge. Tender and full of flavour, it’s best when hung for a few days and kept simple. Richer flavours can likewise be found in venison, which will be at its best this month. Another gamey option to consider is hare. With darker, richer and more flavoursome meat than rabbit, it’s perfect for roasting when young and can be slow cooked to perfection thereafter. Food & Drink February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
Feast your eyes on our pick of the best produce to enjoy over the coming months MARCH FRUIT See in spring with a zing as lemons begin to flourish this month. These sharp, acidic citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C with a low sugar content and can be used for sauces, soups and chickens, as well as grated over an array of sweet and savoury dishes. Blood oranges are ideal for soufflés, puddings and sauces, as well as jellies and cocktails, but have a very short shelf life throughout late winter, so be sure to take advantage while they’re still around. And with spring upon us, it’s never too early for a fruit salad, which is where passion fruit comes into its own. VEGETABLES As one of the most versatile and inexpensive options in your veggie arsenal, cauliflower is well suited to curries, soups and, of course, cauliflower cheese. For a more hardy option, kale won’t let you down. It’s a delightful accompaniment to game meats such as partridge, pheasant, guinea fowl and duck. Similarly hearty is spinach, which can be enjoyed raw or cooked. When choosing the latter option, it’s worth bearing in mind that it dramatically reduces in size when blanched, so be sure to serve plenty of it. Experiment with your root vegetables by giving salsify a go. It’s also called oyster plant due to its flavour and can be mashed or added to salads, soups and stews. A more popular type is swede. Otherwise known as rutabaga or ‘neeps’ in Scotland, it is similar in app earance to a turnip and best served mashed. Fans of oriental dishes will want to snap up some spring onions, which can be sprinkled over a variety of meals, particularly steamed fish. FISH If you relish dissecting your seafood, langoustine is just the ticket. A close relation to lobster, it’s also known as scampi or the Dublin Bay prawn and can be enjoyed simply with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise or garlic butter. Lobster itself is also up for grabs. Whether it’s the American or European variety, it can be used to the same effect in an abundance of recipes, including the classic lobster thermidor, which is grilled lobster halves served with a mustard cheese sauce. Despite not being a sole or tasting of lemon (it’s actually a member of the flounder family), lemon sole’s delicate and sweet white flesh is best when simply grilled or fried and served up with a light sauce. For lovers of shellfish, there will be plenty of mussels and oysters around. With their succulent texture and seawater flavour, oysters can be eaten raw or steamed, grilled or poached and enjoyed as a canapé. Mussels, meanwhile, are cheap and plentiful and can be steamed in white wine or cooked with more exotic flavours such as coconut, ginger, lemongrass and chilli. MEAT With the start of a new spring, lamb will of course be back on the menu this month. In addition to the traditional Sunday lunch, this juicy meat is perfect for slow cooked stews and casseroles. Lamb is much more tender than mutton and a lean cut will be delicious when rubbed with spices such as cumin or stuffed with rosemary and garlic before cooking. As always, we would encourage you all to shop local and support Beverley businesses, markets and farmers when and wherever possible when sourcing any ingredients for your cooking. Cream of the Crop 21 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470
Food & Drink Bengal B R A S S E R I E Booking now for Valentines Day The Finest Bengali Cuisine Opening Times: Tues/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat: 5pm to 10pm Sunday: 5pm to 9pm • Closed Mondays (Except Bank Holidays) Telephone: 01430 876767 Facebook:The Bengal Brasserie Market Weighton The Bengal Brasserie • 4 High Street, Market Weighton YO43 3AH East Yorkshire nutritionist Karen Mann shares seven of turmeric’s most impressive benefits - and the easiest ways to consume it… 1. Reduces Inflammation In The Body The most-researched beneficial substance in turmeric root is curcumin. It can impact inflammatory pathways in the body, giving turmeric its powerful anti- inflammatory properties. Research has shown turmeric supplements reducing inflammation caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis, while reducing abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers. We can all benefit from turmeric as it also counterbalances inflammation coming from western-style diets. 2. Protects Against Daily Aggressors Turmeric is a source of potent antioxidants, which work to protect our cells and counteract the free radical damage incurred daily by our bodies. Cellular damage may occur due to environmental toxins, smoking and pollution. Turmeric has been found to relieve coughs and irritation in the lungs caused by air pollution. 3. Boosts Bone Health Turmeric is also a source of minerals including manganese, phosphorous and potassium, which play a key role in bone, muscle and heart health. Adding turmeric to Seven Proven Benefits of Turmeric With powerful anti-inflammatory properties and natural energy-boosting qualities, turmeric is one of the healthiest spices on the market. Whether you’re in need of a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or something to boost your overall wellbeing, adding some to your diet can help you in a variety of ways. your diet regularly can increase your intake of these minerals that are essential for daily bodily functions. 4. Helps To Alleviate Pain Turmeric can elicit effects upon certain pain receptors within the body, with research showing effectiveness for abdominal pain, chest pain and menstrual cramps. For the latter, research showed a turmeric extract taken daily for seven days prior to a period made a significant impact on improving pain, mood and behaviour in women with PMS. Turmeric can also reduce swelling and fatigue. 5. Improves Blood Flow Turmeric has been shown to improve blood flow to the heart and reduce risk of plaque build-up in the arteries, thereby reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis – a major cause of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. The only caution with turmeric is: at higher doses, it can have a blood-thinning effect, so make sure you consult your GP or pharmacist if you’re taking other blood-thinning medications or agents. 6. Encourages A Lifted Mood There is some evidence to show turmeric can have an antidepressant effect, so it could be a worthwhile compound to incorporate into the diet alongside medication and other behavioural therapies. 7. Rids Unwanted Bacteria While more research needs to be done, some studies have shown turmeric may suppress the growth of bacteria. It’s known for being a great antiseptic for healing wounds and cuts, but can also keep internal systems clean. Adding it to your diet daily is a great, easy way to bolster your immunity. KEEN TO TRY TUMERIC? The easiest ways to include it in your the diet is by sprinkling some into savoury dishes such as curries, soups, salads, rice dishes and sauces/marinades. You can add freshly grated or ground turmeric into the saucepan along with onions, garlic and olive oil as the base to soups and curries, cook for a few minutes, then add in your vegetables and stock of choice. Made with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, coconut oil, and almond milk, this is an easy Ayurvedic drink recipe that offers a range of healing properties. Whether you are trying to reduce inflammation, get some relief from a terrible cough, or get some glow on your skin, this soothing drink is guaranteed to offer you the comfort you need. Ingredients • 2 ½ cups unsweetened and full fat almond or coconut milk • 1 stick cinnamon or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, more as garnish at the end • 2 inches fresh turmeric (sliced) or 1 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric spice • 1 inch fresh ginger (sliced) or ½ teaspoon ground ginger • 1 tablespoon coconut oil • Pinch of black pepper • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (or more to taste) Method 1. Place milk, cinnamon stick, turmeric, ginger, coconut oil, and black pepper in a small saucepan. 2. Cook, stirring frequently, until warm but not boiling. 3. Give it a taste and add in your sweetener. 4. If you used fresh turmeric and ginger, strain it to your cups. If not, divide it in two mugs. 5. If preferred, sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Serve. Turmeric Golden Milk February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
Guided by the latest academic evidence, our dementia specialists support each resident to live every day to the full. If you’re considering a care home, call 01482 243 202 or visit careuk.com/chapter-house Now part of Care UK Trusted to care Chapter House care home Keldgate Expert dementia care 23
SUNDAY AFTERNOON MUSIC ● Historic Public House Local Cask Ales Lagers Beers Wines Spirits Tea Coffee Hot Chocolate Extra Seating Area Upstairs & Outside Tuesday QUIZ Wednesday FOLK Music Early Evening Friday & Saturday Everyday Drinks & Chatter ● ● ● ● ● ● WELCOME TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS There will be a fundraiser for Mind Hull and East Yorkshire on Saturday March 15th at the Back Room in Cottingham. This is another gig organised by local promoter Chris Warkup (Quiet Riot/ Culture Train) and follows in the footsteps of a similar successful event that he promoted for Emmaus in November of 2024. This concert will feature four established local acts who perform across the country and at the local Hull and East Riding music festivals. Martin Clappison of Mighty and the Moon, Goole band Sandra’s Wedding, singer songwriter Carrie Martin and very popular local band Jackson D. Tickets for the event will be £5 and will be available in advance from Eventbrite. Please keep a look out for publicity on all the local music Facebook pages and Quiet Riot Facebook page and Twitter pages for the ticket release date. A great night of music is anticipated with the show beginning at 7.30pm. Local musicians back fund raising gig in support of Mind Sandra’s Wedding Jackson D Martin Clappison Carrie Martin February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed What’s On
25 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 What’s On
Travel With the onset of freezing temperatures and dreary grey skies why wait for the summer? Grab your shades and start planning your warming rays now. 1 Lanzarote, The Canaries The island of Lanzarote is part of a clutch of islands called The Canaries – that make up the Spanish archipelago and is ideal for beach lovers. Peurto Del Carmen is notorious for its heady nightlife, and those that prefer a bit more quiet and elegance should head for the beautiful beaches at Famara and Papagayo. Putting aside the beaches, the volcanic island of Lanzarote puts on quite a show away from the coastline too. The stretches of black volcanic rock landscape is trimmed by a chain of multi-hued mountains only broken by the green of the odd cactus plant that has managed to flourish. The dark shades of the landscape offer a sensational contrast with the low-rise white-washed towns that have sprouted up along the coastline. There is the odd dash of colour courtesy of painted window panes usually, green or brown but overall the island has been protected by the kind of tourism that demands high rise architecture. This is thanks to the initiative taken by celebrated artist and designer Cesar Manrique who insisted on maintaining the island’s natural beauty. Often his architecture works with it and he created some amazing homes by integrating them into the rock face of a volcano. Famously, Hollywood actor Omar Sherif had one built for him in Nazaret which he lost to the developer during a game of bridge. 2 Tenerife, The Canaries Tenerife, the largest of the seven Canary Islands, has a year-round spring-like climate and an impressive mountainous landscape that makes for an ideal getaway especially if you like to ramble. But the island has a surprising secret. Best known for its debauched night life, it’s worth raising an eyebrow at what naturalist Alexander von Humboldt said when he climbed Mount Teide, the largest peak in Spain: “I have never beheld a prospect more varied, more attractive, more harmonious in the distribution of the masses of verdure and rocks, than the western coast of Tenerife.” Teide National Park has been named a Starlight Tourist Destination, which means low pollution and a pristine night- sky superb for star-gazing. 3 Paphos (Pafos), Cyprus This ancient harbour is a town of two halves. Here’s why: its lower part, Kato Pafos, has neon lights, bars and heady clubs and its upper part Ktima, is calmer, where locals live and work. Yet Pafos is where you will find the island’s most fascinating archaeological sites and is famed for being the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love at Petra tou Romiou. The town’s forest has probably the most spectacular scenery on the island and the Pafos Mosaics, a compelling meze of intricate and colourful mosaics, is a pleasure. It tells of all sorts of hedonistic stories including the famous tale of Narcissus. The main attraction is the Tomb of the King’s, a Unesco World Heritage site around two kilometers from Kato Pafos. It’s a bit of a misnomer, as these tombs do not have a single royal resident but they do look grand therefore where dubbed so. There are several museums in Pafos, but if you only have time for one then make it the Byzantine Museum in Ktima’s main square. The oldest icon on the island, the Agia Marina, is housed here and dates back to the ninth century. And as for the sun, it may not be exactly T-shirt wearing weather but it is most certainly an agreeable 14°C in February. 4 Bodrum, Turkey It may have long been held in the traveller’s mind as a sleepy fishing port, but behind the pretty white-washed facade of this natural harbour there’s lots to entice the style conscious holiday-maker. And it seems it has always attracted sophisticates. Way back in the the 1st century BC, star-crossed lovers Mark Antony and Cleopatra would enjoy time here on their way to Egypt. Several cafes huddle along the front and the promenade where tea is served in curved glass tea cups and ornate rugs add a dash of authenticity. And there are plenty of bars and restaurants to entertain as the evening draws in. It’s most popular tourist site is inside the 15th century castle. This is where you will find the Museum of Underwater Archaeology though the display of shipwrecks is interesting enough, from its heights you get to see peaceful views over the town and the Aegean Sea. At the foot of the castle is a wonderfully colourful bazaar. There’s plenty of traditional gear to buy, but like Donna Karan and Mick Jagger, don’t leave without a pair of typical sandals. This is a beach destination and some of its best stretches of sand and bays within this peninsula are accessed by boat—choose between chartering a dinghy or catch gulet (a typical Turkish wooden boat) from the harbour. 5 Antalya, Turkey Around 2,000 years ago King Attalos II of Pergamon came across a glorious ribbon of coast that trimmed the deep blue sea where the waters met with spectacular cliffs. The backdrop was the Taurus Mountains. This was the Turquoise coast and this is where ie founded Antalya, the largest Turkish city in the Western Mediterranean coast. He thought he had found “heaven on earth”. The natural scenery hasn’t changed much and over the years Greek, Roman and Byzantine antiquities were left here and there to be stumbled upon by today’s holiday- maker. It’s old centre, Kaleici, is where most people stay. It sits just above the marina on an the site of an old Roman port. Mainly car-free it has a swathe of old Ottoman houses and quaint souvenir shops within a maze of narrow cobbled streets and for some light-touch touring, there’s a pleasant tram ride that runs along the sea front to the beach at Konyalti. Five easy to get to winter sun destinations It may be winter outside, but within hours you could be sunbathing in one of these five winter sun destinations. So why wait for the summer? Antalya, Turkey. La Gomera, Tenerife. Lanzarote Pafos February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
27 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 A taste of our exclusive escorted departures 09 May - Albania Classic tour £1185 7 nights B&B, by air from Manchester 22 May, Norway 5 nights from £1049 Sailing with Fred Olsen all meals & entertainment 01 June - ABBA VOYAGE £225 1 nights B&B & seated tickets for the show. 17 Nov, South African Safari £2899 An all inclusive adventure - 2 rooms only Non flying River Cruising via overnight ferry from Hull to Europort. 30 June - 11 days - River Oder from £1750 06 Sept - 10 days the Moselle & Saar 2026 NEW opportunities! 28 April 26 Sail the Caledonian Canal 7 nights from £2495 15 May 26 Uzbekistan 11 nights £2995 22 Sep 26 India’s Sikhs & Exiles a quirky itinerary 11 nights £2995 We have superb River Cruise offers Luxury & All Inclusive Exclusive sailings flying from Humberside All meals, drinks, excursions & Gratuities eg Dutch & Belgium Waterways a fabulous itinerary 9th April 25 from £1875 Portugal’s River Duoro 28 June 2025 - 7 nights from £2765 MARIONOWEN TRAVEL For all your travel needs We are a full travel agency we book ALL tour Operators & Cruise Lines. You don’t pay extra, our advice & service is included whilst you sit back and look forward to your holiday. REMEMBER we are a FULL Travel agency & book Jet2 & all package holidays Plus we tailor any holiday of your choice. E.g. Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand Escorted touring, self drive, trains etc to suit your requirements. Call to book your place today Tel : 01482 212525 Monday - Saturday TEL 9am - 5pm or call in person Mon-Fri 9am to 4pm to 23 Portland Street, HULL More departures can be viewed on the web www.marionowentravel.com BOOK LOCAL & KNOW WHO YOU ARE BOOKING WITH ! Prices quoted are per person, subject to availability on booking. Solos welcome please ask for prices Jersey from your door Saturdays 7 nights Various hotels available Fly from Humberside May to Sept. Book now for 2025 deposit £100 pp Where to in 25? … What plans have you for travelling in 2025? Firstly may I urge you to check the validation of your passport and that your European Health card is not due for renewal. You can still arrange a holiday without a passport but, will be restricted to the British Isles which has lots on offer for you, from amazing history, stunning scenery, fabulous museums and much for you to explore! With Winter upon us, for us skiers, after a poor season in 2024, the snow slopes are amazing this year. Larger ski areas aim to keep there slopes open throughout the season using their snowmaking technology, however with smaller resorts often not able to offer this facility they reflect this in the ski pass price. Les Arcs with a cost of over £50 a day would be hard to justify if the slopes were not open! If you thinking about skiing for the first time, Bulgaria is reasonably priced, (my team have all been here) Ski packages with instuctors are ideal for the beginner. Winter sunshine may be more suitable, if are you wanting to bask in the sun!! Thailand, Bali, Cape Verde, Sri Lanka, India, the Caribbean, Maldives or with a shorter flight the Canary Islands, Malta or Cyprus. I love an out of season cultural city break, being less crowded and not so hot. Italy has the most amazing cities to explore and you can visit more than one city travelling by rail which is both easy & convenient. We have a number of clients who during the summer love to travel around in their touring caravan, then during the winter continue this touring theme on a cruise ship unpacking just the once and enjoying multiple destinations. Longer cruises are available in the winter including full world cruises sailing the high seas for 3 months and they have just started booking for 2027! As Spring evolves a paradise of colour starts to explode in not only our UK Gardens, but also Europe and further afield. If garden, trees and flowers are your passion, there are various holidays & cruises that can incorporate these, stately homes and much more. The photo opposite shows one of my favourite places, Buchart Gardens, Vancouver Island, Canada. Being already February, Summer will be here before you know it! Mediterranean islands that hibernate for winter will once again be waiting for you to visit, from Menorca, Ibiza, Croatia, Bulgaria and the Greek islands to name just a few. With holiday options to fly and flop, hotels with kids clubs or adventure holidays with sailing, rock climbing, cycling and walking available. Ocean and River Cruises visiting different places each day yet unpacking once or off the beaten track visiting one of the lesser know places for a yoga course or retreat in the hills! Escorted touring is in trend for 2025 and 2026, you do not always have to move from one hotel to another, often the itinerary is day outings in different directions from one hotel. Tour guides can make all the difference in getting to see amazing hidden gems you would never have found on your own or spent days to find trailing through destination information. Some tours will change hotels due to the travelling distances involved making sure you get the most out of your destination. However, travel may be by road, air or train, the latter being a magical or unique experience. Have you a travel bucket list? On mine I tick off Heritage sights, Countries, USA States and even my lifetime of loving travel & 45 years as a travel agent, I am still adding more than I am ticking off! On retiring a client bought a book “100 places you must visit in a lifetime”, they came in, picked a random page and said we would like to go here. Why not make 2025 your year to visit somewhere different? We are looking forward to enjoying new experiences & making many new memories for everyone that choses to book with us. We look forward to hearing from you best wishes� Northern Lights 1st Feb 2026 5 day full board package, packed with activities fly from Humberside £1279 Travel
Hull City are currently fighting to survive in the Championship. Twelve months ago we were aiming for the stars and our owner wanted to sign extra attacking quality to turn draws into victories and make home games more exciting for us. Alas this wasn’t to be and the rest is history. Lots of money was spent last year to push the club into the playoffs but failure to achieve this led to the loanees going home and both Greaves and Philogene sold to reduce the debts and avoid Financial Fair Play punishments. This year something like twenty players have departed and comparable numbers signed since July and even now we still are unsure on some these signings. The quality of signings was not as high as the previous year but the emphasis was on contracted players rather than loans as more or less the entire forward line left during the summer, most through the end of the loan period. Most are probably on lower wages as City have spent a fortune on these since 2022 with many of the players brought over from Turkey for instance being on upwards of £20,000 a week and the wage bill with these contacts and contributions to last season’s loanees being un manageable for a Championship club. The question is whether these signings have the quality or were they just demoralised by three months of Walterball. We really hope that the man management and encouragement of Ruben Selles (above) will develop some of these players but the jury is still out on many. Some players may not be up to regular Championship football and others particularly Kamara are completely lacking in confidence. He was one of the outstanding players in Division 1 when on loan at Portsmouth but looks scared to even be on the pitch most weeks. It can be argued that many of the The Hull City Column - by Woody Mellor players inherited by Selles are not the same players who ended the previous season at Hull City or previous clubs. We can only hope that it finally clicks with several of these players or further recruitment is made during the current transfer window. There is no cutting edge at all. Around £10 Million was spent on Kamara, Belloumi (bottom right) and Miller during the summer but one of the wingers is out of form or out of their depth and the others are out for the season through injury Chris Bedia was not up the job as centre forward, Mason Burstow is another inexperienced forward and our biggest danger is Pedro, a 32 year old free agent without pace but has International experience. We can only hope that some of the squad weaknesses are addressed over the coming weeks. Joe Gelhardt has joined from Leeds as a striker, a player of high potential but limited appearances at Elland Road and other attackers are being linked including a Blackpool striker. As for wingers, an experienced championship winger has been linked for a fortnight and two more obscure signings are being made. Nordin Amrabat a 37 year old winger from AEK Athens until the end of the season and probably Lincoln, a Brazilian surplus to requirements at Fenerbahce. Ryan Giles is finally getting his wish and moving to Middlesbrough so a better left back should be recruited. This was a really daft deal, almost £5 million spent on a left-back who didn’t really wish to join us but we A time of changes, hopefully for the better! he kept them in Division One despite Administration and points deductions then he built a team challenging for the playoffs from free transfers or academy products. He is used to battling against adversity so a survival battle at City is not beyond him and already we appear to be harder to beat compared to the ill-fated weeks under Tim Walter. The majority of the home games are against sides in the bottom half of the table so we can only hope that finally the home game hoodoo is finally ended and enough points can be accumulated to keep City in the Championship. Relegation is not something to contemplate with the club being £50 million in debt and an owner now heavily involved in Turkish football. UTT were contractually obliged to sign him as part of the loan deal twelve months ago. The City midfield should be strengthened by Matt Crooks - the giant former Middlesbrough player - should add much needed goals and physical presence. A defensive midfielder from France has been linked - as has an unnamed experienced centre half. Carl Rushworth coming into the side we also have strengthened the goalkeeping position too - though arguably Ivor Pandur was potentially our player of the season. There are around twenty games to keep Hull City in the Championship. Ruben Selles came here as a reputation as a miracle worker at Reading. First City picked 3 vital points away at Millwall with Jake Cooper’s own goal proving the difference in an instantly forgettable Championship fixture! February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
29 Crossword Advertise here for as little as £40p/mth Tel: 01964 552470 to book your advert. To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 Make all the difference Help Young People Step Up Volunteer Today Volunteering is easier than you think. We have hundreds of opportunities both behind the scenes and directly supporting young people. With full support and training, you can volunteer on a flexible basis. Not only is it incredibly rewarding and great fun, you’ll learn some brilliant skills transferable to the workplace and further education. Volunteer today and help us prepare more young people with Skills for Life. Want to find out more? Visit bandhscouts.org.uk/volunteer Scan Me info@BandHScouts.org.uk - @BandHScouts - www.BandHScouts.org.uk FEBRUARY CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1. Danger (5) 4. Percussion instrument (7) 8. Deliberated (7) 9. Molten rock (5) 10. Marine mollusks (7) 12. Similar (5) 13. Martial art (4,2) 15. Rigorous (6) 18. Assumed name (5) 19. Accumulated (7) 21. Similar to a giraffe (5) 22. Dizziness (7) 24. Perpetual (7) 25. Book of maps (5) Down 1. Security device (7) 2. Bone (3) 3. Supple (5) 4. Plain (6) 5. Fortification (7) 6. Enlarges (9) 7. Astound (5) 11. Consortium (9) 14. Mode (7) 16. Irksome (7) 17. Wonder (6) 18. Repent (5) 20. Artery (5) 23. Unwell (3) Answers on Page 35
Motoring The UK is now the largest electric car market in Europe, with more than 380,000 new electric cars sold in 2024. A big reason for the UK’s 21.4% annual rise in EV Sales, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, was the scrap between car makers as they strove to get as close as possible to the UK’s zero-emission vehicles mandate target by adding their own incentives and throttling ICE car sales at the end of the year. Surprisingly, the UK outsold Germany, a key market for electric cars in Europe that has experienced years of growth. However, the momentum of EV sales in Germany faltered for two main reasons: its government withdrew incentives midway through the year and there was the arrival of the European Union’s import tariff of up to 35% on Chinese-made EVs, such as the MG 4, one of the market’s best-sellers. As a result, EV sales in Germany fell 27.4% to 380,609 – 1350 short of the UK’s 381,959. Last year ended with EVs commanding a UK market share of 19.6%. Although that is below the ZEV mandate’s sales mix target of 22%, it is still EVs’ biggest slice of the car parc to date. Electric remained the UK’s second- most-popular powertrain behind petrol (52.2%), sales of which fell by around 40,000 cars to 1.02 million in 2024. However, the figures also reveal that 80.2% (306,451) of all EV sales were made by fleets. More significantly, private buyers accounted for just 38.2% of all new cars sold, at 746,000 units. That is 1000 fewer than Covid-hit 2020, when car buying was temporarily halted by lockdowns. This is problematic for the car industry, SMMT boss Mike Hawes told reporters, because the market’s dependency on fleet sales is growing to an unsustainable level. In 2022, for instance, private sales outstripped fleets (50.7% market share versus 46.5%), showing how the landscape is changing. Hawes attributed the drop in private sales to “the confusion for buyers of which vehicle to buy”, a comment aimed at mixed messaging from the UK government in recent years. This, he said, was a key reason for many car makers not hitting the government’s ZEV mandate target, with just one in 10 new cars sold to private buyers being battery- powered. “If we did not have the [ZEV] mandate, we would say that this was a good year,” he said. Hawes added that The 2024 sales figures were evidence that the government needs to bring back EV buying incentives, which were dropped in 2022. The SMMT wants lowered VAT on new EV purchases and VAT parity between public and home charging. “Incentives make a big difference, as they help people into these vehicles while also sending the right messages,” said Hawes. He added that an equivalent alternative to current fleet incentives – delivered via benefit- in-kind tax breaks – should be offered to private buyers. Hawes claimed car makers are already shelling out billions of pounds in lowered car prices to entice buyers in their bid to hit the ZEV mandate target, but “manufacturer incentives show an unhealthy market”. One such manufacturer is Fiat, which last week slashed £4000 off the price of its Abarth 500e and Fiat 600e in an attempt to attract more buyers, especially from the burgeoning fleet market. There are indications of an appetite for change from the new Labour government, which has launched a consultationon potentially amending the ZEV mandate. However,Hawes warned that any changes – expected at the end of 2025 at the earliest – might be too late, as “a number of car makers have warned me they won’t hit mandate targets this year”. For 2025, car makers must, in real terms, increase their EV sales by 46% in order to hit the mandate’s new 28% sales-mix target – goals that increase each year to 80% by 2030. The SMMT claims this won’t be achieved. Of the 1.97 million new cars that it predicts will be sold this year, just 23.3% are expected to be EVs. The UK is the biggest EV market in Europe Fleet sales propel the UK past Germany to top Europe’s EV charts February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
31 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 Motoring Stellantis announce advance in EV Battery technology Lairgate Motors Ltd. CROWN WORKS • LAIRGATE • BEVERLEY • HU17 8EX Telephone: 01482 881406 l MOT’s l SERVICING l DIAGNOSTICS l ALL MAKES & MODELS Claims of revolutionary breakthroughs in EV battery technology come and go on a frequent basis. But it looks as though Stellantis has turned a corner with lithium-sulphur technology, which promises to halve the cost per kWh, improve rapid-charging speed by 50% and weigh significantly less. Stellantis says the new batteries are “targeted” to power its vehicles by 2030. The technology is being developed in collaboration with Texas-based Zeta Energy, which was founded to develop lithium-sulphur batteries in 2014 and has been working on them ever since. The key thing with the new battery is the amount of energy it can store for its weight, known as the gravimetric energy density. Energy density figures for lithium ion batteries vary depending on the type of battery and the ingredients used in them. The choice of ingredients also has a bearing on its environmental credentials and sustainability. Two of the most common types of battery today are lithium-iron- phosphate and nickel-manganese- cobalt. The advantage of an NMC battery is higher energy density while LFP batteries are considered to be intrinsically safer and longer- lasting and use cheaper, less environmentally harmful elements. Lithium-sulphur promises the best of both worlds and requires no nickel, manganese, cobalt or graphite. The main differences lie in the chemistry of the cathode (positive electrode) and anode (negative electrode) in each cell. All existing lithium ion EV batteries have graphite-based anodes, with cathodes consisting of the materials that give each different type its name. The Zeta Energy cathode is based on sulphurised carbon materials. The company says it is stable and gives better performance than existing metal-based cathodes. The other major part is the anode. One of the earliest prototype lithium batteries had a lithium metal anode that in theory allows ultra-fast charging and high energy density. One of the problems is that lithium metal anodes grow dendrites, which are like tentacles that reach out towards the cathode. Eventually these deadly structures penetrate the separator membrane between the two electrodes, causing a short circuit and destroying the battery. The lithium-sulphur battery has metallic anodes but they consist of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (imagine microscopic carbon drinking straws standing on end and packed with lithium ions), which don’t produce dendrites. Given that a battery pack can be 40% of the cost of an EV, the new battery has the potential to make EVs substantially cheaper. Meanwhile, Stellantis has just announced a £3.4 billion joint venture with CATL to build an LFP factory in Zaragoza, Spain. The new plant will help underpin its existing “dual chemistry” approach of using both LFP and NMC batteries in its cars. Tune in now: 107.8FM or www.BeverleyFM.com PLAYING GREAT MUSIC WHERE EVER YOU LISTEN
As I write this article in January for a February 1st publication, it is a time to reflect upon the past year in the garden, read a little more about plant life, and pick up a few unusual facts. Sometimes these come from unlikely sources. One such was the Antiques Roadshow. The programme came from Colchester, a city renowned for a sweetmeat delicacy called Candied Eryngoes, crystalised Sea Holly roots. These candies were made there from the 17th to the 19th century - until about 175 years ago. Traditionally the roots were gently cooked, then soaked in strong sugar syrup for a week or more and dried. The plant Eryngium maritimum is also known as ‘Shakespeare’s Eryngo’, as it is mentioned by Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor. It is our native sea holly and it makes a good clump-forming garden plant suitable for a gravel garden, but beware for it has viscous spiny leaves! There are many varieties for the garden, E.‘Blue Steel’ having the brightest blue. There is always the annual debate as to when to take down the Christmas tree. Is Twelfth Night January 5th or 6th? In Sweden they take theirs down on 13th January, the twentieth day after Christmas, St Knut’s Day. It is a day when they end the holiday with festivities called ‘Dancing Out Christmas’ or ‘Throw out the tree day’. We kept our tree up until 13th to enjoy the sparkle during the bitterly cold snap that we had. In medieval times people kept greenery in their homes until 2nd February, which is the mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In the Christian church this day is called Candlemas, when the candles for the year would be blessed. Sometimes discarded trees were kept to make the bonfires for Valpurgis Night at the end of April, a pagan festival celebrated in northern European countries; but rather than burn our old Christmas trees they are a good source of vitamin C and anti- oxidants. Animals in captivity such as elephants and giraffes enjoy them as I mentioned last year. Berlin zoo welcomes unwanted Christmas trees, but nearer to home the Ings Park Alpaca Farm near North Cave has put out a request for them. Last year the park received about 300 donations which lasted their llamas and alpacas three months. So, if yours is still hanging around it will not be too late to donate. IN THE GARDEN I have been cheered up throughout December and January by my two Mahonia ‘Charity’ bushes with their clusters of yellow buds opening up into star-bursts of bright little bells amongst their armoured foliage. It was like a firework display going on in the back of the garden. On a walk in Hertford on December 27th, much to my surprise and delight, I saw snowdrops, primroses, aconites, winter jasmine and a white-flowered camellia bush in full flower. It made me think that spring was underway, and on the journey home to Yorkshire we passed hazel catkins fully open. No doubt they have been stalled in their tracks following the recent very cold snap. The Christmas roses in my tubs have flowered well, looking so clean and pure. Well-established hellebore plants in my borders are benefiting from the removal of last year’s leaves and giving a good display of new flowers emerging at ground level. Jobs in the garden in February are not always inviting, but some fine days may tempt us away from our seed catalogues. Some gentle pruning of roses can be done, but I shall leave the hydrangeas with their dried out, buff-coloured flower heads as I have noticed that during the very cold snap the birds were busy taking advantage of the protection that the flower heads provided. Some grasses will need cutting back to ground level in early spring so that in summer they will give you a handsome display of fine leaves and flower stalks waving in the wind. Stipa (feather grass), Calamagrostis (foxtail grass) and Deschampsia (tufted hairgrass) will respond to this treatment. Winter pansies will continue to flower if you remove the dead heads, as will outdoor cyclamen. Sweet peas can be sown and put in a cold frame or even on a window sill. Wisteria can be pruned now by cutting back the side shoots, which you shortened in the summer pruning, to two or three buds. The late summer and autumn clematis should be cut back to the lowest pair of strong buds. ON THE PLOT We have had to make some trips to the plot to reconstruct the pigeon- barriers over our kale plants. Storm Darragh whipped off the whole cage, exposing our precious crop to the hungry birds. I am trying to force some of my rhubarb for some beautiful soft pink stems which always have such a delicate flavour, making a lovely desert with something like a creamy vanilla parfait. There is a picture in the ‘i’ newspaper of a lady picking the fresh new crop in the tunnels in the rhubarb triangle near Wakefield. The city of Wakefield is holding its rhubarb festival this year on 21st to 23rd February, where all things rhubarb will be celebrated. It is staggering how many varieties of potato there are to choose from these days. The time has come to make our decisions and get chitting. Old egg boxes make perfect receptacles for this as they separate the potatoes, giving good ventilation and thus preventing disease. Listening to GQT (Gardeners’ Question Time) I heard a lady who was being adventurous in her choice of potato, but rated it a failure. She chose to grow a German speciality called Heiderot (Heidi Red), but she did not in any way like the resulting red mashed potato. I have seen a suggestion for growing potatoes in straw bales in a raised bed, which might be worth a try. It will be easier to harvest the crop than digging it up from the ground. We must hurry to get our parsnip seeds and broad beans sown as soon as there is some sign of the soil drying out a little. Gardeners can be very inventive with things such as old windows, sheets of hard plastic and bricks to make cold frames which are so useful at this time of the year for protection and a little warmth. However, you do have to be careful to keep an eye on your young seedlings in a frame and ensure good ventilation while keeping out the cold. OUT AND ABOUT Galanthophiles! It is time to get out in the fresh air and find some snowdrop walks. They always cheer you up. Happy Gardening, Sarah x All About Plants, Gardens & Vegetable Patches Gardening - with Sarah King Primroses Aconites February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
33 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 Gardening Set in a beautiful picturesque riverside setting where you can feed the ducks and swans Skerne Road, Driffield YO25 6XL Tel: 01377 254043 Open: Monday - Sunday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Minimum spend of £20 qualifies for FREE delivery within 10 miles. £5 charge over 10 mile radius for delivery. Proud to be dog friendly! Everything you need for your garden and more GRANARY CAFÉ Take-away and outside seating available Serving home-cooked food Enquires Tel: 01377 250912 Great savings to be made on ornaments, pots, planters. Gorgeous range of gifts for every occasion. Gifts galore and introducing a range of products including foldable bags, scarves, caps, bottles etc from Eco Chic
The Last Word FIONA’S FOOD FOR THOUGHT By Fiona Dwyer - Journalist, PR Consultant, DIY Your Biz PR Course Creator, Wife and Mum to two teenagers! HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR RESOLUTIONS? Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? And if you did, are you sticking to them? One of mine was to have a good declutter at home. It’s a work in progress! But that’s OK, because even if it’s clearing out a single drawer in a week, every little thing I do is one step forward to achieving what I want! Don’t get me wrong, I get really cross with myself for not doing it all quicker, but working full-time, having a home and family to look after as well as other commitments, there’s only so much you can do. So, while I have my eyes firmly set on my goal, I’m aware I shouldn’t beat myself up if I’m going slower than expected. What are your goals this year? EASTER EGGS IN THE SHOPS Why, oh why, are there Easter Eggs in the shops already? I know it happens every year but it’s getting earlier and earlier. I’m pretty sure I saw some on the shelves of one supermarket before we’d even seen the New Year in! Insane! I mean this month we’ve got Valentine’s Day for starters – so surely we can deal with that before moving on to Easter Eggs? Shrove Tuesday isn’t until next month – and Easter Sunday is late this year – not until April 20th, so there’s plenty of time to buy eggs. I’m not trying to be a misery (honestly!) but can we have seasonal aisles that are actually seasonal please? A MONTH FOR LOVE…. Talking of Valentine’s Day, did you know that 40 million people in the UK celebrate it and last year they spent a whopping £2.1 billion? That’s great for businesses and restaurants but maybe not so great for our pockets! It’s one of those days you either love or hate. My husband hates it – he says he can tell me he loves me any day of the year! I’m a romantic but I don’t like that prices are inflated as much as they are. You’re better off waiting a week if you want to go out for a meal! I think it’s a shame that a day that is all about love becomes all about money. I’d rather make a nice meal at home, get a bottle of wine and watch a good film (I’m such a cheap date! Ha!) And if you haven’t got a partner, Valentine’s Day can be downright depressing. I love the emergence of Galentine’s Day. I’m not sure there’s a version for blokes, but there should be! Whatever you do, I wish you lots of love.. Have a great February everyone. Fiona x Twitter: @fionadwyer • Facebook: Fiona Dwyer PR I T S E R V I C E S CATALYST CORE LTD SUPPORT WHETHER THAT BE REMOTE OR ONSITE FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE DISASTER RECOVERY SOLUTIONS SAGE 50 TRAINING & CONSULTANCY IT CONSULTANCY EVEN IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN IT DEPARTMENT BUT WANT SOME OUTSIDE ADVICE, SOLUTIONS OR OPTIONS SECURITY SOLUTIONS FROM MALWARE, ANTI-VIRUS, VPN & FIREWALLS TELEPHONE: 01482 244701 EMAIL: SALES@CATALYSTCORE.CO.UK February 2025 Get Your Business Noticed
35 To Advertise Please Telephone 01964 552 470 Find It In BeverleyMag l Chimneys Swept from £50 l Log Burner Sweep & Service £80 l Log Burner Servicing & Repairs l HETAS Approved Sweep l Open Fires l Chimney Surveys l Stove Fittings Arranged l Bird Nests Removed l Cowls Fitted l Safe Systems of Work Implemented on All Jobs Chimney Sweep Est. 2014 Paul Dobson Tel: 07961 708 669 Email: crosssolutions@yahoo.co.uk Cross Solutions 17 Springfield Avenue • Brough • HU15 1BU We will beat any genuine like-for-like quote After sales service second to none. Free no-obligation quotation. We are North Yorkshire's leading home improvement company where quality needn't cost the earth Buy today with NOTHING to pay for a whole 12 months After the 12 months you could pay in full or spread the cost at 11.9% representative. See website for details. 01757 249950 / 08000 436 005 Eliments, Bell Farm, Ricall Road (A19), Estrick, York YO19 6ED (5 miles from Designer Outlet) Credit is subject to application and status. Eliments Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority HURRY! WE HAVE STARTED OUR Winter Event Visit our website and design your own composite door. See what it looks like on your own house. DID YOU KNOW? The fear of long words is called: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. The 36 letter word was first used by the Roman poet Horace in the first century. It is impossible to play in Scrabble! Shaping your ideas! GET NOTICED! We offer FREE Advert Design to our Magazine Advertisers. To book an advert please call the Marketing Team on: 07502 456 979
BEVERLEY MINSTER Includes: Handmade • Arts & Crafts • Upcycled VINTAGE & RETRO FAIR Saturday 5th April 10pm - 4pm • Inside Beverley Minster Exhibitor Booking: ask@daltonspire.co.uk
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