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January 2016 | Issue 7 | £1.50 where bought

AUTOBIOGRAPHIESAllnewMazdaMX-5

January BluesFun things to do with the kids

Twinkle Twinkle in Locks Road

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

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

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

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

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

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

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COMMUNITY

3 Twinkle, twinkleThe lights behind this house in Locks Heath have apoignant story as well as raising money for localcharity.

6 Locks Heath ChurchSt Johns is far more than just a place of worship.Find out about all the local clubs and groups youcould be part of here.

HOUSE & GARDENS

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

CHILDREN, PETS & EDUCATION

26 It’s all child’s play

Some lovely suggestions from Sue of things to do inthe cold weather with your little people.

MOTORING

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

ASTROLOGY

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

january issue 2016

THIS MONTH..

SmSmalal ltalkltalk

Pearl Publishing01329 630630

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“What’s your idea of success”?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The boys quickly listed all the material possessions they would need(including a ten bedroom mansion, Olympic size swimming pool and anApache gunship on the driveway) and Ava didn’t know, as long as cakefeatured somewhere. Although she’s only 7, Sean and I couldn’t help feelingthis was actually a cover for our wide-eyed youngest who is likely to becomea Lara Croft/James Bond type character with her Teflon skin and obsessionwith noticing when something has changed.

Sean and I, on the other hand, have a different view of success. But it wasn’tone we wanted to share with the kids until we achieve it one day, in a ‘tadah’ sort of way. The New Yearis a good time to re-evaluatewhere you are and what youmight want to achieve. Have ago as you never know where youmight end up, Apache or noApache.

Stay healthy, safe and look aftereach otherMuch love

C oralie and Seanx

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St John’s Church, Locks HeathAbout St John’sOpen Mon-Fri, 09:30 - 12:30, Friday evenings 7:00pm - 8:00pm01489 578082, www.stjohnslocksheath.org.uk, 7 Church Road, Locks Heath, SO31 6LW

Christianity Explored gives youtime and space to consider thebig questions of life and toexplore the person at the heartof the Christian faith – JesusChrist.

You don’t need to knowanything about theBible.

You won’t be asked to readaloud, pray or sing.

You can ask any questionyou want, or just listen.

St John’s will be running a course,starting 13th January 2016.

Contact the Church to registeryour interest or just pop in onSunday 10th to find out more atour ‘taster session’ at 11am. Allwelcome!

St John’s Church is more thanjust a place of worship.

Every day of the week there arepeople of all ages meeting for awide variety of activities.

As we come to the end of a yearand begin to look forward, it isoften a time when we think oftrying out new things.

There are Yoga classes that meeton Wednesday and Thursdayevenings.

‘Inspiring Inking’ meet regularlyand an art group meet eachWednesday morning.

Slimming World orWeightwatchers might be whatyou are looking for?

For young parents, there is amusic group, Maracajacks, on aFriday morning or Baby Clinic1.30-3pm on Wednesdays with aHealth Visitor Advisory service.

If you have children between 5and 15 they may like to tryNotelets, a singing group, whomeet on a Tuesday from 6-7pm.

The WI meet regularly and U3Awho host a variety of activitiesfor older people, meet on the lastFriday of every month.

Rooms can be hired for privatefunctions, too.

Please call in or contact St John’sChurch on 01489 578082 forinformation about these andother activities.

St John’s Church –More than just a place ofWorship

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

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

But why does the MX-5 rock? And why is itawesome? Well, quite simply, the car is abrand icon. It is brilliant fun to drive – andthat has been the case in all of itsincarnations over the last 25 years.

Having made its British debut at the 2015Goodwood Festival of Speed, the all-newfourth-generation Mazda MX-5 has anexcellent power to weight ratio, rear-wheeldrive, perfect 50:50 weight distribution and

more comfort and tech than everbefore.

The MX-5 is offered with a choice oftwo petrol engines, and with ninemodels across five trim levels, themighty yet minute Mazda looksalready set to repeat the Japanesemotor manufacturer’s influence withinthe reasonably priced sports carsector.

Maintaining the driver-focused naturethat has made the MX-5 the best-selling two-seater sports car of alltime, it is obvious the engineeringphilosophy behind the up-to-the-minute model has allowed Mazda toretain the dexterity, enjoyment andengagement that has alwayscharacterised it.

The lightest MX-5 since thecelebrated original, the fresh car isshorter, lower and wider than theoutgoing one, with the smallestoverhangs and lowest centre ofgravity yet. These dynamicproportions combined with Mazda’sKODO: Soul of Motion design valuesensure that the model’s styling reflectsits emphasis on driving pleasure in anunmistakably contemporary andenergetic way.

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

SE-L models add LED daytime running lights,climate control air-conditioning, DAB radio,Bluetooth and cruise control, plus Mazda’sconnectivity and infotainment system withseven-inch colour touch-screen display andMultimedia Commander. SE-L models withthe 2.0-litre 160ps engine are distinguishedby 17-inch Gunmetal alloy wheels and pianoblack door mirrors, and benefit from a struttower bar and limited slip differential.

Step up to Sport trim and both the 1.5 and2.0-litre cars feature rain sensing wipers,rear parking sensors, smart keyless entry,Premium Bose Surround-Sound and heatedleather seats. With the 1.5-litre engine,Sport trim MX-5’s come with 16-inchGunmetal alloy wheels and piano black doormirrors. Sport models with the 2.0-litre160ps engine benefit from a

dynamic set-up that includes Sportssuspension featuring Bilstein dampers, alimited slip differential and strut tower bar,while visually, they are marked out by their17-inch Bright alloy wheels and bodycoloured mirrors.

But perhaps the most amazing aspect of theMX-5 is that when the original model waslaunched in 1990, it cost £14,249 (equal to£31,687 in today’s money), yet quarter of acentury later with far more standardequipment, the all-new Mazda MX-5 costsfrom £18,495. This means, more than ever,the car sets the benchmark as the one of theworld’s best and most affordable sports cars.

Indeed, it seems with its lightweight design,cool cabin, exquisitely engineeredmechanicals and balanced handling the all-new Mazda MX-5 is ready to further boostits place in the hearts of automotiveaficionados.

FAST FACTS

Max speed: 133 mph

0-62 mph: 7.3 secs

Combined mpg: 40.9

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

Max. power (bhp): 158

Max. torque (lb.ft): 148

CO2: 161 g/km

Price: £18,495 - £23,295

PROS ‘N’ CONS

Fun √Handling √Looks √Equipment √Limited room X

Auto biographies All New Mazda MX-5Tim Barnes-Clay @carwriteups

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Begin leafing throughPinterest & magazines forinspiration.

Determine how much yourealistically have to spend.

Pick your preferredwedding party.

Start the guest list, on aspreadsheet with allrelevant contactinformation on, this is afantastic tool.

Do you want to bring in awedding planner? Aplanner will already haverelationships withsuppliers.

Reserve your date andvenues.

Research photographers,bands, florists, andcaterers.

Hire the photographer andthe videographer.

Book the entertainment. Purchase a dress.

Remember you needenough time for threefittings

Six Months Before Select and purchase

invitations. Start planning a

honeymoon. Shop for bridesmaids’

dresses. Book a florist. Arrange transportation

for the day. Meet your officiant.

Four Months Before Taste test, and order the

cake & food Schedule hair and

makeup artists. Choose your music.

Three Months Before Purchase the rings. Finalize the order of the

ceremony and thereception & send out toyour suppliers.

Send out the invitations.

One Month Before Get your Marriage Banns

read. Have final meetings with

all of your suppliers

Break in your shoes. Ensure you have a final

headcount

DELEGATE all other tasks andenjoy yourself!

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

much you can afford!

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Windows 10 continued

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

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

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

Windows Media Player

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

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

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

WayneHypersonic IT 01489 582666

CC ompuomputeterr KnoKnow How How!w!

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Lucy’s Recipe C orner - Sail away jel ly boatsIINNGGREDIENTSREDIENTS per personper person

4 oranges1 packet of red jelly1 packet of green jelly

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

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

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7. Polite mechanic (5,8)8. A pepper (8)9. End of a prayer (4)10. Prince William was one (7)12. A flavouring for pasta (5)14. Greeting (5)16. Beach (7)19. Anon (4)20. Recruit (8)22. Jumped up judiciary? (8,5)

1. Music player (4)2. Birds Wing (6)3. Casual Seating? (7)4. Ice Hut (5)5. Connect (6)6. Down (8)11. Taken the pledge? (8)13. A café (7)15. Cheap advertising (6)17. Sickly colour (6)18. Crave (5)21. Noble (4)

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P lanning MattersGOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL

REF LOCATION PROPOSAL STATUS

P/15/1133/FP 55 Raley Road Locks HeathFareham SO31 6PB

Erection of Garage & Single Storey Rear Extension Undecided

P/15/1136/FP 38 Raley Road Locks HeathSouthampton SO31 6PD

Single storey side/rear extension, raising of roof anddormer windows to front and rear to ceate first floor

Undecided

P/15/1084/FP 29 Pershore Close LocksHeath Southampton SO31

Single storey rear extension, part garage conversionand provide additional parking space

Approve

P/15/1061/FP 91 Raley Road Locks HeathFareham SO31 6PB

Two storey and single storey rear extension, two storeyand first floor extension to front, first floor side window

Approve

P/15/1053/FP 45 Church Road LocksHeath Southampton SO31

Single storey rear/side extension to replace existingconservatory and linking to existing garage to be con-

Approve

P/15/1040/FP 3 Daisy Lane Locks HeathSouthampton SO31 6RA

Erection of a three bed detached dwelling with parkingfollowing demolition of single storey side extension

Undecided

P/15/1038/FP 14 Danehurst Place LocksHeath Fareham SO31 6PP

First floor front extension Approve

P/15/1029/FP 69 Heath Road Locks HeathSouthampton SO31 6PG

Single storey side extension Invalid

P/15/0998/FP 5 St Cuthberts Lane LocksHeath Fareham SO31 6QR

Development of two pairs of semi-detached bungalows Undecided

P/15/0982/FP 11 Danehurst Place LocksHeath Southampton SO31

Single storey rear extension & raised terrace Approve

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

25Warsash Band

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

A member of staff at Real Reindeer with Santa

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

The crowds at Locks Heath Shopping Village

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

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

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

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

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

Use icicles as magic melt in your handpens!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sue GascoyneFor fun sensory play activities, Sue’s latest

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

sue@playtoz.co.uk 01206 796722

It’s al l child’s playJanuary Blues

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