Category: Uncategorised

Salon owners celebrate new partnership with renowned aesthetics doctor

By on 20th November 2018in Uncategorised
The Face and Body Clinic

After the success of Auton Style Hair, Beauty and Barbering, salon owners Michelle Hall, Emma Pearson and Emma Graham decided to open a dedicated aesthetic beauty clinic to expand this branch of the business. The Face and Body Clinic by Auton has experienced a wave of interest since it opened at the beginning of June. Together the teams at Auton Style and The FAB Clinic are holding a Christmas VIP event on Sunday 2nd December to celebrate an exciting new partnership.

Since the opening of The Face and Body Clinic earlier this year, the team have had big plans for their beauty clinic. The team is now working with Dr Raphael Aethetics who are visiting the clinic once a month, offering superior augmentation treatments to their clients. From full facial rejuvenation to “liquid rhinoplasty”, altering nose shape without the need for surgery, Dr Raphael’s state-of-the-art techniques have made him the go-to doctor for both celebrities and the general public.

Dr Raphael will be giving live demos at the VIP event as well as offering expert advice. The Auton Style and FAB teams will also be joined b

The Skulpt team’s live demo at The Face and Body Clinic’s open dayy Skulpt, as featured on the Real Housewives of Cheshire! As well as the chance to watch live demos from Dr Raphael and the Skulpt team, attendees will also be treated to Christmas specials, Christmas packs, expert advice and fast track bookings.

Auton Style and The FAB Clinic are also running a competition on the day for the chance to win £1000 worth of treatments. The package can be

tailored to suit the winner and could include colour, cut and style, HD brows, a make over, a HIFU ‘no knife face lift’, a Medik8 facial, Rejuvapen and a gift bag full of essentials including Medik8 products and Revlon hair products.

The team welcomes anyone interested in their treatments to join them at their clinic in Sacriston at the Northern Integrative Health Practice on Sunday 2nd December from 3-6pm, for their Christmas VIP event. Email info@fab-clinic.com, or message their Facebook page for more details.

This month, celebrate some of our most unsung heroes of all

By on 11th June 2018in Uncategorised

We all have certain relatives, colleagues or friends who we hugely value, not least because of how they help us to get more out of life. Carers definitely fall into that category, too.

Defined as people who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with a disability, illness, mental health problem or simply the need for a little extra help to get the most out of life, carers really are among the UK’s greatest unsung heroes.

What’s more, there are around 6.5 million carers in the UK. That’s why it’s entirely right that the vital contribution carers make to the wellbeing of our country is recognised annually by Carers Week, which takes place this year from 11th to 17th June 2018.

What can you expect from this year’s festivities?

As you might expect, Carers Week places much emphasis on celebration. However, the campaign isn’t just about recognising the remarkable worth of what carers do – it’s also about individuals, groups and organisations coming together to support carers’ health and wellbeing.

If you are a carer yourself, why not attend one or more of the many events and activities set to be held across the UK over the week?

With the likes of afternoon teas, arts and crafts groups, drop-in events and various other events taking place in every corner of the country, there is sure to be something in your region for you and anyone you care for to enjoy.

But this is just something for carers, right?

Of course it isn’t! Carers Week wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the thousands of individuals and organisations who work so hard every year to make the campaign a success.

It might be that you hold your own event to mark Carers Week and to support the carers in your community – in which case, we’d urge you to make sure everyone knows, by adding your event to the database at www.carersweek.org.

It’s not just these once-a-year events that make a difference to carers’ lives, however, and there are all manner of other, simple actions you can take.

There’s so much you can do to show your support

Individuals can certainly do their bit for Carers Week, such as by running events and activities, using social media and distributing flyers to spread the word about the campaign.

However, employers can also take a variety of actions. You might not have known, for instance, that almost half of carers work alongside their caring duties, and that about one in nine employees are carers. That means there’s a good chance of there being at least one carer in your workplace.

As an employer, you may therefore signal your support for your carer employees by introducing and promoting flexible working policies, including paid care leave so that your workers aren’t forced to take annual leave for caring emergencies.

Healthcare providers can play their part, too – for example, by offering flexible appointment times and priority time slots for carers, or developing a wider practice policy with carers in mind.

For more information on everything set to take place during Carers Week, consult www.carersweek.org. This year’s running of the campaign promises to be an amazing one!

How to give your Dad the best possible Father’s Day

By on 8th June 2018in Uncategorised

People may come and go out of your life, but your Dad has been with you since the (literal) beginning. It should therefore go without saying that you will want to give your old (or not so old) man a Father’s Day he’ll remember for all of the right reasons.

When is Father’s Day 2018?

Here in the UK, Father’s Day takes place on the third Sunday in June, which means the next one falls on the 17th of this month.

It’s important to know the right date for Father’s Day, because it does vary in different parts of the world. While the UK, Ireland, US, France, Cyprus, South Africa and Saudi Arabia all celebrate their dads every June, in such territories as Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, it is actually September when the occasion is observed.

There are more than a few great ways to mark Father’s Day this year

Yes, you love your Dad, but there surely has to be a better way to celebrate this special day than simply buying him some more socks, right? Here at IN&AROUND, we’d very much agree.

That’s why you might decide to serve him breakfast in bed, for example, showing him that yes, you really did listen to him over all of those years when he was telling you about his favourite foods. Still, if you’re in any doubt about that, something as simple as a cup of tea or coffee, croissants and toast should more than meet with his appreciation.

But of course, this being June, Father’s Day this year should also (hopefully!) give us the perfect weather for going out with our Dads, planned around whatever his interests are. If he loves fishing, for instance, you could head to the local lake or river together, or if he’s more of a music fan, there might be a much-anticipated concert coming up for which you could get him tickets.

Then, there are those things that pretty much all Dads like, such as spa pamper packages, country walks or even just a break from the household chores for a day. Feel free to use your imagination as to how you spend the day together – within reason!

What about getting him a gift?

There are definitely better things that you can get for your Dad this year than socks (unless your Dad is an especially avid socks aficionado, in which case… forget we ever said anything).

Experience days have long been popular, for example, because they’re gifts that can’t be lost or broken. This makes such a package potentially the perfect gift, whether your Dad has always wanted to take to a racetrack in a certain supercar or just indulge a hobby that he’s never had the time for.

Alternatively, you could always get a quirky or personalised gift from a site like GettingPersonal.co.uk or MenKind.co.uk. Think gadgets, wallets, mugs, picture frames, engraved gifts and so many more fine ideas…

Honestly, no one father-and-son pairing’s Father’s Day is quite the same as the next, so don’t be afraid to make this year’s celebration as distinctive as you like. Your Dad deserves it!

More Foster Carers Needed In County Durham

By on 9th December 2016in Lifestyle, Uncategorised

The number of foster carers in County Durham continues to rise – but more prospective parents are needed to help provide a loving home for looked after children.

Councillors will next week hear how Durham County Council’s fostering service has seen an increase in the number of potential foster placements – but that the number of children in care continues to outstrip that supply.

A report to Cabinet, on December 14, will set out four main priorities for the service over the next year, including recruiting more foster carers to ensure that children remain in County Durham communities; and developing its Foster Xtra scheme that supports children with some of the most complex needs.

Margaret Whellans, the council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said: “The majority of our looked after children are placed within our fostering service, but it is increasingly challenging to manage the growing demand for placements.

“Our foster carers tell us that nothing gives the same feeling of love and warmth as fostering and by working with us you could make an enormous difference to a child’s life.

“We know that there are many myths that surround fostering and so we would encourage people to find out the facts before they rule themselves out.

“You don’t need any special qualifications – just a genuine interest in caring for young people, patience, understanding and a sense of humour – and we can offer you training and specialised support along the way.”

For more information about fostering with Durham County Council visit www.durham.gov.uk/fostering.

Washington Wetland Centre Welcome Newborn Otter Cubs

By on 23rd March 2016in Uncategorised

The excitement has quadrupled for the WWT Washington Wetland Centre family as four Asian short-clawed otter cubs arrived safe and sound…

The new arrivals were born on 3 March to Mimi and Musa, the award-winning wetland centre’s popular otter pair. The quadruplets arrive just 10 month after the pairs first otter cub ‘Squeak’ was born last May.

WWT Washington’s aviculture and captive animal manager Kristian Purchase said: “Our staff and volunteers are very excited to announce the safe arrival of 4 otter cubs.

“It’s still early days for them – they currently weigh 140g on average, have no teeth and won’t open their eyes until they reach about 40 days old so it will be a few weeks before Musa and Mimi bring them outside. Once again, they’re proving to be fantastic parents so we will be as hands-off as possible to let them bond and grow as a family.

“It’s been fantastic to see Musa and Squeak taking care of Mimi, bringing her food and bedding. We’ve even witnessed Musa collecting water to pass to Mimi in what looks like a ‘kissing’ action – something I’ve never heard of in Asian short-clawed otters which is incredible. Musa has also been teaching Squeak how to be a brilliant big sister and she’s certainly stepped up to the mark.

“Our wardens are closely monitoring all four cubs and visitors can hear all about their progress and what their arrival means for our team during the daily talks at 11.30am and 3pm.”

This is the second litter for Mimi and Musa who were first introduced at WWT Washington on Valentine’s Day 2013.

Musa was born at WWT Martin Mere in Lancashire on 3 October 2009, while Mimi began life at Chessington World of Adventures on 20 July 2011.

WWT Washington’s centre manager Gill Pipes said: “This is another fantastic conservation in action success story for both the WWT Washington team and of course, Mimi and Musa.

“Asian short-clawed otters are a vulnerable species on the IUCN red list and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) works alongside the IUCN otter working group to maintain a healthy captive reserve of bloodlines.

“WWT’s international work includes projects in areas that are home to wild Asian short-clawed otters such as That Luang Marsh in Laos and the Cambodian Lower Mekong Wetlands.

“We’d also like to thank our members and visitors for their valuable support.  This allows us to carry out such vital conservation work, as well as keeping our own otters well looked after and healthy – and as a result they have gone on to successfully breed for a second time.”

Asian short-clawed otters form a bond for life and can have two litters of up to six young per year, with gestation lasting about 60 days. In the wild they live in extended family groups, with only the alpha pair breeding. Older offspring help raise their younger siblings and will stay with their parents for a long time.

Kristian added: “Asian short-clawed otters are very sociable and often play group games, while helping younger generations to develop hunting and swimming skills. The young cubs will learn a lot from big sister Squeak and we know she’ll be excited to have some playmates at her first birthday party in May!

“Our visitors and members will get some fantastic opportunities to witness this incredible behavior up close in the coming weeks once the family is out in the enclosure, with great views from our accessible platform.  For now, the holt itself will be temporarily cordoned off, to give them the privacy and quiet time that they need.

“We look forward to sharing the cubs’ story in the coming months and can’t wait for you to meet them.  In the mean time, please join us in congratulating Mimi and Musa on their new arrivals!”

Did you know?

  • Otters are part of the mustelid family, which roughly translates as ‘smelly animal’.
  • Asian short-clawed otters are the smallest of all 13 otter species, weighing less than 5kg.
  • They are found in the mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands of Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, southern China, Taiwan, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Their most distinctive feature is their claws, which don’t extend beyond the fleshy end pads of their partially webbed fingers and toes – hence their name!
  • Their sensitive finger pads mean they’re very dexterous and use their paws, rather than their mouths, to hunt prey including molluscs, crabs and other small aquatic animals.
  • They communicate through at least 12 different calls.
  • Their life span is anywhere from 11-16 years.
  • The main threats to their survival are habitat destruction, pollution and direct persecution from hunting and trapping.

Alex Nelson’s Places To Go: Bradford

By on 27th October 2015in Have Your Say, Lifestyle, Local Biz, Places To Go, Uncategorised, 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 Bradford…

Chester-le-Track has been promoting Bradford as a fascinating city to visit since 1999. It’s a large (population 528,155), vibrant City in West Yorkshire, reached from the north-east via Leeds on the TransPennine route.

As it happens, Bradford was chosen by Northern Rail for its annual “thank you” event for stakeholders, which I was unable to attend this year. That offered a visit to the Bradford Industrial Museum, lunch in the Abundant Life Centre, and a visit either to the National Media Museum or the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Lister Park.

The National Media Museum is a favourite of mine (formerly known as the National Museum of Film, Television and Photography, until the internet came along and threatened an even longer title). They wisely decided to go for National Media Museum, where I saw an excellent Robert Zemeckis film a few weeks ago called The Walk, about the tightrope walker who walked between the twin towers of the World Trade Center on 7th August 1974. It’s on general release now, but looked its best in 3D on a giant IMAX screen.

Bradford rose to prominence during the 19th century as an international centre of textile manufacture, particularly wool. It was a boomtown of the Industrial Revolution, and amongst the earliest industrialised settlements, rapidly becoming the “wool capital of the world”. The area’s access to a supply of coal, iron ore and soft water facilitated the growth of Bradford’s manufacturing base, which – as textile manufacture grew – led to an explosion in population, and was a stimulus to civic investment. Bradford has much listed Victorian architecture, including the grand Italianate City Hall.

A major London company ran a textiles conference in Bradford during mid-October, bringing students into Bradford from many colleges and universities. Chester-le-Track was pleased to provide rail tickets for the participants, which was done by getting each institution to ring us with their ticket orders, and the transactions were all billed to the London company’s credit card. Not only did they get the best fares, but it saved all the invoices flying around from the various colleges.

We’re equipped to handle travel to large conferences and events by rail, so just ask us what we can do.

 

There are two good hotels to use for an overnight stay, next to Bradford’s two rail stations. The Interchange station has the Victoria hotel opposite, while the Midland Hotel is close to the other station at Bradford Forster Square. Both stations have direct services to London, with an electric service from Bradford Forster Square (more trains are available from Leeds), and a diesel service from Bradford Interchange four times a day. Trains from Leeds, with connections from the north-east, run into both stations frequently.

As stationmaster, I spend some of my time travelling around the network, frequently accompanied by our apprentices. I also speak to clubs and societies about rail ticketing, most recently at Marton near Middlesbrough, and at Alnwick. I have a particularly good knowledge of London, which is important since 70% of our tickets on the National Rail network are issued to, from, or via London.

I can speak on several railway subjects (including history, time, my adventures in Bradford, and most particularly railway fares), and if you would like to speak to an association of any sort, you are welcome to email me.

Alex Nelson

5 Animals You Need At Your Kids Party

By on 3rd October 2015in Local Biz, Uncategorised, What's New?

Keeping guests at a kids party entertained is never an easy task, but Pet Parties North East are making it a lot simpler…

At Pet Parties North East, and we bring a host of mammals, insects, and reptiles to parties and events. Our animals range from scorpions to bunnies, and mice to snakes.

Wondering which animals will always go down a treat at your kids party? Here are our top five…

1. Chameleon

The Chameleon’s colour changes with its environment and mood, and is renowned for its beauty. Its tongue is the length of its body, and its can look forwards and backwards… at the same time!

2. Tarantula

Love them or hate them, spiders are always a talking point when they turn up at an event. Funnily enough, we find it’s usually the three year old girls who like to hold them, and the six foot blokes who run from the room screaming!

3. Rat

Rats get a bad press, but they make great pets. Each one has its own personality, and you can even teach them their names and a few tricks. Did you know that they’re cleaner than household cats?

4. Frog

 

I’ve yet to see a frog turn into a prince, but our White Tree Frog always goes down a storm at parties. He’s called Squidge, and is usually to be found hopping from hand to hand. 

5. Millipede

Ours is of the Giant African variety, and hundreds of little legs running up your arm is certainly an experience you’ll remember. Don’t be scared, though; these creatures are as friendly as they are placid.

Interested in booking Pet Parties for you next party or event? You can visit their website, or email them at petpartiesnortheast@hotmail.com.

You can also pop in to see them on Saturday 17th October, and stay for a cuppa at their Macmillan Coffee Morning, taking place at Middlestone Moor WMC!

ADVERTISERS