Category: Lifestyle

5 DIY Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break The Bank

By on 9th December 2015in Lifestyle

Sophie Appleton shares five DIY creations to keep Christmas crafty…

 

 

I’m a big fan of Christmas, but like most of us, I’m no stranger to opening up my purse and having a few festive moths fly out of it. The familiar “Yikes, only one more pay day before Christmas” feeling is something we can all relate to, but it can be beaten!

DIY gifts are a dangerous game to play with less than a month before the big day, but if you do it right, you can come up with something that will be as well-received as it is cheap.

So if you’re struggling with the pre-Christmas panic, check out my top five DIY Christmas gifts…

1. DIY Scrabble Art

 

Now that our smartphones have replaced most of our board games, it’s time to fish out your old Scrabble box and put those letters to good use. You can even buy sets of assorted letter tiles on eBay or Amazon for very cheap, and if you’re clever about it, you can get two or three gifts out of just one set of letters!

Combine the letters to make names and words, then glue them down in a frame along with photos or trinkets. Use scraps of wrapping paper, wall paper or magazine cuttings for a background to make the gift that extra bit special.

If you can’t get your hands on Scrabble tiles, a great alternative is to create a Word Cloud. Visit wordle.net, enter a list of words (or names), then click create. Now you have a personalised piece of art to put in a frame and wrap up!

2. The Lazy Man’s Cookbook

 

Cook books are always a great gift, and at Christmas time there are plenty to be found on shop shelves… at a premium price. But what if your loved ones just don’t cook? What if no matter how quick Jamie Oliver makes his meals, it’s still not quick enough?

If that’s the case, give them a cook book they’ll really appreciate… The Student/Bachelor Cookbook!

Buy a ring binder and decorate the front cover with their name and a funny message, then have a walk around the town to collect heaps of takeaway menus (or if you’re extra lazy and you don’t fancy tackling the busy streets and freezing weather, get them posted through the letterbox). Put them all in the ring binder and – depending on how many you have – add a contents page and dividers for different types of food.

3. DIY Kid’s Cushions

 

There’s nothing kids love more than making a mess, and with time off school they’re bound to do it at some point. So… you might as well get a gift out of it!

Find an old cushion (or pick one up for cheap online) and create a fun design using their paint-covered hands and feet. Accessorise using scraps of material from old clothing tied into bows, or stitch on some sequins and googly eyes to give it extra character. Don’t forget to sign and date it so you can embarrass the kids later in their teens!

4. Personalised Candles

 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a present for her is a candle. Nobody can have enough candles, and especially not in the winter months. Yankee jars are the obvious choice, but why burn a hole in your pocket when you can make them yourself?

That afternoon tea set you’ve been saving for a raining day for the last fifteen years is finally going to come in handy here, or alternatively you can nip to the local charity shop for a nice, pretty cup and saucer.

Place wax beads (or even just some old, half-burnt candles of your own) in a bowl over a pan of hot water, or in a slow cooker (with a non-stick insert). For colour, use a vegetable peeler to shave bits of crayon into the wax, and stir to blend. Add more shavings for darker colour. Place a wick into the centre of the cup, and pour the wax into it. Leave it over night to harden, trim the wick, and simply wrap with cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Lovely!

 

5. Bespoke Chocolate Slabs

 

On a rainy December Saturday, this is a great one to keep the kids busy… and it’s great value for money. Chocolate slabs are worth upwards of £7 in fancy chocolate shops, but can be made at home for next to nothing.

Grab a silicone cake or loaf tin (pound shops recommended), then melt two or three bars of supermarket chocolate. You can find a good selection of milk, dark, and white chocolate for around 40p each, but anything more expensive is a bit of a non-starter, cost-wise. Fill the melted chocolate with jellies, popping candy, nuts or marshmallows. Decorate it however you like – perhaps with their name or favourite treats? Pop it in the fridge to set, and then wrap it in a clear bag of cellophane and some ribbon. Yummy!

Top Festive Tips For Looking After Your Teeth This Christmas

By on 5th December 2015in Lifestyle

A top North East dentist is giving out timely advice for the festive season to ensure that the New Year doesn’t herald problems with teeth…

The inevitable celebrations at this time of year also bring in their wake late nights, too much alcohol and too many caffeine-rich fizzy drinks to help stay awake the following day – which can be hugely detrimental to teeth, according to one of the UK’s leading cosmetic dentists.

Dr Ken Harris, who runs Riveredge Cosmetic Dentistry in Sunderland and Newcastle, believes the round-the-clock party lifestyle that many people indulge in at this time of year can really take its toll on teeth.

And now he is highlighting some useful advice to help people in the run-up to Christmas.

“It’s that time of year when people are constantly out celebrating, with late nights and more alcohol that usual,” said Dr Harris, who has almost 35 years’ experience working in general dental practice.

“This can lead to dehydration and reduce the flow of saliva, which helps protect teeth, putting people at real risk of acid damage.

“Many people then compound the problem by drinking energy drinks to stay awake.  Carbonated drinks like these, even sugar-free versions, contain significant acid in the fizz which soften the enamel on your teeth, and if you then brush softened teeth, they wear down really fast.”

Dr Harris has the following tips for anyone who is planning to party in the next few weeks:-

  • Don’t brush your teeth straight after having carbonated drinks or fruit juice. This could actually damage teeth because tooth enamel would be softened by the acid.
  • Wait four hours after having fizzy drinks before brushing your teeth – giving the enamel time to harden up again.
  • Drink plenty of water, especially if you exercise a lot.
  • If you vomit, do not brush your teeth immediately, but rinse your mouth with water.

“It’s really important not to forget to look after your teeth at this time of year,” said Dr Harris.

“And also if you have any problems with your teeth, ensure you get them looked at before the festive season rather than wait until a time of year when there may only be emergency treatment available.

“Nobody wants Christmas and New Year spoiled by toothache or any other issues which could be avoided.”

For further information visit www.riveredge.co.uk.

Dr Harris is one of the UK’s foremost cosmetic dentists and a multi-award winner. With almost 35 years of experience, he has an MSc in Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry, and is a Fellow of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

He is a member of the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) and acts as UK clinical director for California Center for Advanced Dental Studies in San Francisco along with lecturing around the globe.

Sunderland Catering Company Serve A Sneak Peek Of 2016

By on 3rd December 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

A North East catering and events company has been serving up a sneak peek of 2016…

1879 Events Management, which manages functions and food at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, Sunderland, hosted a special showcase evening to preview its plans for the coming year.

Guests at the event, including members of SAFC’s first team and business leaders from across the region, were given the chance to meet with many of the company’s top suppliers, including Bidvest Foodservice and Molson Coors, while also sampling dishes from its new set menus.

This included canapes, curries, shin of beef and spicy chicken wings, which will all be available for private and corporate events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, as well as via 1879’s external catering operations.

The showcase evening, held in a marquee at SAFC’s Academy of Light, also offered guests an early opportunity to learn more about the new Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, opening adjacent to the Stadium of Light in April 2016.

The site, which is currently under construction, will boast 141 bedrooms, a destination grill restaurant, private dining areas, meeting rooms and a 24-hour business centre.

It is expected to offer a number of packages for businesses delegates, as well as football fans and those attending events at the Stadium of Light, including a performance by music superstar, Rihanna, who returns to the venue as part of her Anti World Tour in June.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director for 1879 Events Management, said: “2016 looks set to be an amazing year for 1879 Events Management, particularly with the launch of the new Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and high profile events like the return of Rihanna.

“The VIP showcase evening was an ideal opportunity for us to give new and existing clients an opportunity to learn more about these exciting developments and to see how working with companies such as Bidvest and Molson Coors has contributed to our ongoing success.”

Since launching in 2012, 1879 Events Management has been awarded several major contracts, including taking over the catering and event operations at National Glass Centre and the Stadium of Light.

The company, a specialist subsidiary of SAFC, has also launched its own beachside bistro, The Beach House at Roker, and worked on a number of high profile events across the North East, including multiple business awards and festivals such as Newcastle Pride.

For more information about 1879 Events Management visit www.1879events.com, call 0871 911 1269, email info@1879events.com or follow @1879Events on Twitter.

Additional details can also be found by visiting www.thestadiumoflight.com and www.nationalglasscentre.com/hire/.

Tiger Bills Kitchen: Consett Restaurant Taking Christmas Bookings

By on 30th November 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle

Consett’s most exciting new restaurant is now taking Christmas bookings. Here’s why you should book…

Tiger Bills Kitchen is a fresh, new and exciting establishment in the heart of Consett. Mixing Thai and Western, the menu is dynamic and offers something to suit everyone. We pride ourselves on being Consett’s local restaurant, sourcing our produce from within a 10 mile radius.

Our staff are all friendly and are always willing to help. Whether you require the table to be decorated for a special occasion, or are looking for advice on our menu, they will meet your every need.

We accommodate all occasions, from large tables next to a children’s play area, booths for a more intimate dining experience, or even larger areas for business and social events.

Our menu includes everything from BBQ Grills, to Thai Currys and salads. You can see the full menu here.

 

Trip Advisor: “Fantastic”
Had a fantastic night at Tiger Bills. Great food and service! Prices are very reasonable, and the steak was fantastic! Would definitely go again, and would recommend to family and friends!

Facebook:  “5*****”
Just had a fantastic meal for my birthday. Food was lovely and the staff were brilliant. Very friendly, great value, and I was even given a cocktail on the house as it was my birthday. Definitely will be going back!

To book a table with us, call us on 01207 506 002, or pop down and chat to one of our staff.

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Sunderland Beachfront Bistro Prepare Surf And Turf Night

By on 19th November 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Surf’s up at a Sunderland bistro as it prepares to serve the finest food from the land and sea…

The Beach House, at Pier Point, Roker seafront, is hosting a special Surf and Turf Night on Friday November 27th.

The event, devised by 1879 Events Management, will include a unique two-course menu, specifically designed to showcase fresh ingredients from beneath the waves and beyond.

This includes a salad of crab, prawns and salt and pepper squid, followed by a main course sharing platter, featuring minute steak with chimichurri sauce, piri piri chicken fillets, spicy chorizo sausage and a mixed garden salad.

The platter, designed for two people, will also include crab claws, king prawns and mussels, as well as patatas bravas or spicy potato wedges.

David Moses, General Manager at 1879 Events Management, which also manages catering and events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, said: “The Surf and Turf Night will pay tribute to the Beach House’s seafront location, as well as the amazing array of ingredients available from the North East coast and countryside.

 

“It also forms part of a continuing programme of events designed to make eating out more affordable and enjoyable for couples and families.”

Surf and Turf at The Beach House is priced at £30 per couple, including two courses with mixed bread and olives served on arrival. A selection of desserts will be available to purchase at an additional cost.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/thebeachhousesunderland or www.1879events.com. Bookings can be made for November 27th by calling 0191 5659473.

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Alex Nelson’s Places To Go: Darlington

By on 18th November 2015in Have Your Say, In & Around, Lifestyle, Places To Go, What's New?

Stationmaster Alex Nelson has been suggesting places to go by train every month for ten years. This month, he’s headed to Darlington…

 

 

Over the past few decades, County Durham has been getting smaller. First of all, the county lost Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Stockton and Hartlepool in 1974, followed by Darlington when it became a unitary authority in 1997.

With its population of over 100,000, Darlington is a town famous for many reasons, not least for the world’s first locomotive hauled railway service (from Stockton to Darlington) founded by Edward Pease and his business associates.

The company initially provided only the track, which was hired out to whoever wished to run a train, hauled either by horses or by steam. The transition to standard railway management was a gradual one, spurred on by frequent disputes between drivers over right of way, and by the dangers of the higher speeds of steam locomotives.

The town does have its own railway museum, but it’s been several years since I’ve visited, as opening hours are much reduced. This isn’t at the main Darlington station, sometimes known as Bank Top, but at the original station at North Road, a 20 minute walk north of the town. It’s the first stop on the branch to Bishop Auckland, which runs infrequently, but stops alongside the museum and the shed where the iconic new steam locomotive 60163 Tornado was built in 2008.

North Road Station Museum is known as the Head of Steam, and is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-3.30pm. There is an admission charge of £4.95, with reductions for concessions and children. The big problem it faces, however, is that despite being a very interesting museum and incorporating the fascinating Ken Hoole Study Centre, it is dwarfed by the National Railway Museum off-shoot at Shildon, just up the line, which is much larger and benefits from free admission.

The Shildon museum is where people tend to gravitate, but on a day trip to Darlington, it’s well worth a visit to the original.

 

The town centre contains many interesting alleyways (or vennels), particularly between the High Street and Skinnergate, which runs parallel to the west, away from the railway station. There are many independent shops and specialist cafes on these vennels.

My wife and I enjoy many of the shows at the Darlington Civic Theatre, which is a more intimate performance space than the likes of the Sunderland Empire or Theatre Royal in Newcastle. The theatre is also close to the railway station for a ride home afterwards, but requires careful planning of train times if you’re to avoid a long wait after the show.

Darlington is also an excellent place to change trains, having a flat floor plan with no bridges or subways between platforms. Watch the indicators, though! Whilst southbound trains routinely leave from Platform 1, northbound from Platform 4, and locals to Middlesbrough/Saltburn from Platform 2/3, these are prone to swap around from time to time.

I learned this the hard way when I foolishly directed a lady on her way to Whitby (via Middlesbrough) to wait with me on Platform 1 whilst her train gently slid out of Platform 4… and it was her last connection. I wrote an apology in the Whitby Gazette and it won Letter of the Week, but the memory still fills me with dread.

On the railway, I’m supposed to know what I’m doing…

Alex Nelson

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Atlantean: Volkswagen’s Smoking Gun

By on 16th November 2015in Have Your Say, In & Around, Lifestyle, What's New?

Long time In & Around contributor Atlantean takes a moment to reflect on the Volkswagen scandal…

I own a Volkswagen Golf.

Not something I am particularly proud of at the moment, as a paid up supporter of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, and a supporter of Oxfam and internet campaigning group Avaaz.

With the Paris Climate Change Summit coming up (30th November to 11th December) with the aim of trying to arrest global warming, many commentators are warning that we are at – or beyond – the tipping point when planet warming becomes irreversible.

I was surfing the Volkswagen GB website recently, finding nothing about the emissions scandal, when to my surprise I found the following message at the bottom of the page:

“Our CO2 and consumption values are provisional and are currently under review. Revised values will be published if necessary.”

But hang on… the scandal was not about CO2. It was about nitrous oxides from diesel engines. On top of 11 million vehicles worldwide (508,276 of them in the UK), we can now add a minimum of 800,000 petrol cars too.

I took my four month old Golf into my dealer, Pulman of Durham, and requested to hand the vehicle back in if it were affected by the scandal. Their immediate response was that I should contact their solicitors.

How’s that for customer service, before we even established if my car was affected?

I had said nothing about going to law. I was willing to hand back the car and cancel the finance agreement under the Sale of Goods Act. They checked, and yes, my diesel car was affected.

Five weeks later, having heard nothing, I phoned Pulman, whose receptionist had never heard of NOx emissions. Wonderful. I was told I could check on line, so I entered my car’s vehicle identification number, and was told that my car was NOT affected.

By now unsure, I was willing to hand back the keys and cancel the agreement even if the car was not affected by ‘dieselgate’. I wondered why my car wasn’t affected. Had VW had a change of heart and stopped fitting the defeat device? Why should they do that? Many people are signing up for a class action against Volkswagen being formulated by solicitors Slater and Gordon, and I think I will join them.

According to latest estimates, it looks like I may have to wait until well into next year to have my car fixed. But what will VW do? Will the fix affect performance of the engine and/or fuel consumption? Will there be any compensation, as there is in the United States?

If their car performs as well as before, and doesn’t use any more fuel, many people won’t be bothered so long as their car is fixed. However, I’m bothered about emissions, and chose a VW on the grounds of its better emissions performance. Even if my own car is unaffected – and I have had conflicting advice, remember– I do not wish to be associated with the brand.

They’ve finally got over the disgrace of building the People’s Car for Adolf Hitler, and now this!

Pulman of Durham, pay attention. You need to up your game with regard to customer service and make some communication with your customers, and if you do not have the answers from VW that you need, I suggest you find yourselves a different motor franchise or face the consequences within a year.

Have you been affected by this scandal? I’d like to know your thoughts. Write to atlantean247@yahoo.co.uk.

Atlantean

Durham County Record Office Offer History Courses For New Year

By on 16th November 2015in Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Looking for an unusual Christmas gift for the amateur historian in your family?

 

Durham County Record Office is now offering gift vouchers for history courses and taster sessions running in the New Year.

Two Palaeography Taster Sessions in January will give people the chance to pick up hints and tips on reading old handwriting and understanding historic documents.

Taking place from 10am to noon on Friday 29th January and Saturday 30th January, the sessions will cover how letter forms have changed and how documents are structured.

There will also be the opportunity to try reading Medieval Latin. Sessions cost £10.

The popular Beginners’ Family History course also returns in January, with advice on how to trace your family tree and how to use the record office and its archives to support your quest.

Sessions run on the following dates from 10am to noon and 6pm to 8pm, and the course costs £30:

  • Thursday, 21 January – Parish registers and civil registration
  • Thursday, 28 January – The census
  • Thursday, 4 February – Military records

For those who have already mastered the basics, the record office also runs Branching Out sessions. Each is an hour-long talk followed by time to browse the records and take advantage of one-to-one advice.

Sessions, cost £10 each and take place on the following dates:

Education

  • Tuesday, 17 November – 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday, 19 November – 10am to noon

The workhouse

  • Monday, 22 February – 6pm – 8pm
  • Thursday, 25 February – 10am to noon

Criminal ancestors

  • Tuesday, 15 March – 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday, 17 March – 10am to noon

Hospitals (including asylums)

  • Tuesday, 26 April – 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday, 28 April – 10am to noon

For more information or to book a place, call 03000 267 619 or email record.office@durham.gov.uk.

15 Ways To Stay Positive At Work

By on 13th November 2015in Have Your Say, Lifestyle, What's New?

Andy Knowles, MD of Jak Inc, shares his top tips for keeping smiling…

 

I’ve had an interesting journey over the last ten years.

Starting a family business wasn’t part of my career plan, and things were going nicely for me at Coca-Cola enterprises. I had a great boss, loved the brand, and there was bags of opportunity for career progression.

But somehow, here I am with a portfolio brand business, sporting an annual turnover of £1m plus.

Interestingly, one of the challenges many entrepreneurs face is burnout or fatigue. I’ve attended many personal development seminars over the years, including a three-day trip to Kentucky, where I met a handful of truly inspirational mentors. I even found myself finishing their sentences, as I’ve read their books repetitively!

Because of this, I’ve learned an awful lot over the years about how to fight the fatigue. Below are my top 15 tips to help you stay focused, and be more positive at work…

1. Utilise Your Commute
Don’t write off your time in the car as ‘wasted time’. Listen to audio books, podcasts or inspirational music on your commute, and use that time to learn something new, or get fired up.

2. Get Places Early
Arrive early and focus on the tasks ahead. Even if you’re only ten minutes ahead of schedule, use that ten minutes to wake up and get your head straight. You’ll be grateful for it later in the day.

3. Your Emails Aren’t Always A Priority
Avoid checking emails first thing. Instead, focus on the tasks that can’t be put off. Check your emails periodically throughout the day, which will stop you from getting bogged down in them.

4. Stop Procrastinating
Are you making the most of your time? It’s easy to put things off until later, but those things will pile up, and when you finally have to face them, you’ll wish they were done earlier. Schedule your day in advance, and stick to it.

5. Take A Break
Plan breaks into your day to allow for recovery. Trying to do too much all at once will wear you out, and you’ll lose sight of the end. Take a moment to re-focus on your tasks, and come back to them shortly.

6. Take Something From Your Meetings
Take notes from your meetings, and leave them with clear and achievable objectives. Write down your action points, and share them with the involved parties.

7. Don’t Neglect Your Health
Exercise is proven to reduce stress, and the resulting feel-good factor can boost your productivity.

8. Pace Yourself
Rushing tasks will only create more errors, which you’ll inevitably have to fix. Take your time, and get it right.

9. Support Your Colleagues
Share your achievements with the people around you, but don’t forget to support them too. Be there for your colleagues when they need a little positivity boost, and they’ll be there for you when you need one yourself.

10. Stay Compassionate
Negative colleagues can get you down, but try to remain compassionate towards them. People are usually negative for a reason, but don’t let it affect you too.

11. Collaborate
Never be afraid to ask for help. Collaborate with others to achieve mutual goals, and be aware that sharing the load of some of your tasks can help you get through them.

12. Accept That Some Things Are Boring
Unfortunately, not everything at work is fun, but those things still need to be done. Bite the bullet and face the mind-numbing tasks head on. The sooner they’re tackled, the sooner they’re done and out of the way.

13. Accept Criticism
Don’t be offended by negativity, and instead try to understand any criticism aimed at you. Take that feedback constructively, use it to improve yourself and your work.

14. Relish Your Days Off
Sometimes it’s okay to spend your days off in bed, but try a few different activities too. Variety is the spice of life, and leaves you in a more positive mood.

15. Adapt
Businesses have to change to survive. Make sure that you’re open and adaptable when it’s important, and do your best not to resist it.

Looking for more great business tips? Visit the Jak Inc Blog.

Jak Inc are the North East’s finest print, design, and marketing agency. Keen to reinvent your brand? Visit www.jakinc.uk and find out exactly how to do it.

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Wynyard Hall Unveils Autumn Brasserie Menu

By on 11th November 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Local Biz, What's New?

An autumn menu of smoked, steamed and spiced dishes has been unveiled at one of the North East’s leading hotels…

Diners at Wynyard Hall Hotel and Spa, Tees Valley, can enjoy some of the season’s most popular ingredients with a new Brasserie menu, served at the informal, outdoor Terrace, overlooking the grounds.

In the coming weeks, a choice of starters, main courses, lighter options and desserts will be on offer, alongside an extensive drinks menu, including punch bowls of warming drinks, such as Daniel’s Swedish Glögg – created to a family recipe – and Winter Pimm’s Punch.

Starters will include venison and pork Scotch egg with Cumberland sauce, cured duck salad with baby pears and smoked salmon with boiled quail’s eggs, shaved fennel and wild radish.

Diners can then choose a main dish – such as steamed Shetland mussels in a Thai broth, spiced lamb massaman curry with coconut and roasted peanuts or a Wynyard burger with Applewood cheddar, pancetta and chunky chips.

Lighter options include an open, free range chicken and avocado club sandwich or roasted Mediterranean vegetable wrap with hummus and vegetable crisps.

These can be rounded off with desserts such as lemon meringue tart with raspberry sorbet, passion fruit and ginger panna cotta and plum and grenadine burnt crème with honeycomb and jam.

The Brasserie menu will be served daily from midday until 2.30pm, and from 5.30pm until 9.30pm. Starters are priced from £6, main courses from £13 and desserts from £5.

For further information call 01740 665406 or email events@wynyardhall.co.uk.

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