Sutton Wakes Up to Spring
As we cast off the dark days of winter and emerge blinking in to the sunlight, what’s going on in Sutton Coldfield to make ending our hibernation worthwhile?
Time Travel in Sutton Park
First stop, as spring is asserting itself, is Sutton Park. A great way to explore the park is to take one of the Friends of Sutton Park Association (FOSPA) archaeology walks. Would you have known that the park (long before King Henry Viii gifted it to the town) was inhabited by our bronze-age ancestors? Or that over 800 years ago it was a prestigious deer park, owned by the earl of Warwick. Pick up the FOSPA leaflet which contains 3 different walks and charmingly weaves in these stories of old.
Springtime Arts
What to do in the evening after a bracing day out in the fresh spring air? How about a dip into a Turkish bath? At Sutton Arts Theatre, Neil Dunn’s ribald classic Steaming is running from 20th to 29th March.
The Royal opera House comes to the Empire cinema with an “as live” screening of A Winter’s Tale on 28th April and there is a great line up of other London productions following. It’s as near to the real thing as you can get, without the expense of trekking to London.
Also not to be missed, and with more of a local feel, is Swinging on a Star, a big band music night with the fabulous Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra at Sutton Town Hall on 21st March.
Made in Sutton
If your winter hibernation has left you more in a shopping frame of mind, choose Saturday 15th March to make your trip into the town centre. That’s when local arts promoters Made in Sutton take over the shopping centre, presenting a day of arts, music and dance activities to accompany your retail therapy.
This spring it’s all about getting out there and enjoying all that Sutton Coldfield has to offer, from the natural oasis of Sutton Park to the vibrant arts and culture of our Royal town. Enjoy!
This article appears in Recommended magazine, delivered free to 40,000 homes and businesses in the Sutton Coldfield and surrounding areas.
Christmas and New Year is the time for giving – but what are the tax implications?
As this is the ‘Season of Goodwill’ in this month’s tax tips we are focusing on the tax implications of Giving.
Charity Donations
Firstly let’s consider the donations you make to Charities. Many people are aware that if you make a donation to a charity via the gift aid scheme, then the charity will receive an additional payment of basic rate tax from HMRC. But what many people paying higher rates of tax may not realise is that they can also benefit from tax relief on donations. By declaring their charitable Gift Aid donations, they can claim relief equal to the difference between the higher rate of tax and the basic rate of tax at 20% on the total value of the donation. So if you donate £100 to a charity, and you are currently paying tax at 40% you can claim additional tax relief which saves £24 tax!
‘Small’ gifts
What about the gifts to family and friends? Well you can make small gifts up to the value of £250 to as many individuals as you like in any one tax year and they will all be exempt from Inheritance Tax when you die.
Annual exemption
You can give away additional gifts worth up to £3,000 in total in each tax year and these gifts will also be exempt from IHT. There is also provision to carry forward the unused part of the £3,000 exemption from last tax year.
Wedding gifts/civil partnership ceremony gifts
If you give cash or gifts or because of a Wedding or civil partnership, then this will be exempt from IHT if it is below the following limits:
Parents – each up to £5,000
grandparents and great grandparents – each up to £2,500
anyone else – up to £1,000
Regular gifts or payments that are part of your normal expenditure
If you make regular gifts out of your after-tax income, these can also be exempt from Inheritance Tax. These gifts will only qualify if you have enough income left over to maintain your normal lifestyle.
Any other gifts
Gifts in excess of the above exemptions, but which were made more than seven years before the donor dies are free of IHT. However, if you reserve any benefit from a gift – such as continuing to live in a house you have given away- “gift with reservation” rules may apply tax as though your gift had never happened…
We offer a free 30 minute consultation, so if you would like any additional information regarding the above or any other tax issues concerning you, then please contact us or visit us in our offices in Walmley Village, Sutton Coldfield.
This article appears in Walmley Pages Magazine, a local magazine delivered to homes and businesses in Sutton Coldfield, Walmley, Minworth and surrounding area’s.
Puffed up and Puffed out – from Walmley Pages Magazin
Did you remember to change your clocks? Autumn is a time to curl up and let the world pass me by. All I seem to think of is how long it will be until spring! However that feeling soon gives way to appreciating the smells and colours of the great outdoors that surround us here in Walmley. Just a walk in the Valley country park is enough to freshen even the most jaded of psyches. Jaded is how I feel after another round of the talking head hot air that are the annual party conferences. I cannot even get heated about the guff that flows from these self congratulatory and self flagellatory talking shops. What I can do instead, and I urge you to join me, is to laugh at `em. Just as they are being laughed at by the unions, by the BBC, by the illegal immigrants, by the feckless underclass, by the bankers and by the industry that surrounds political correctness and Health and Safety.
Talking of politicians (and indeed I was) I wonder whether the much heralded and derided HS2 railroad has been junked yet ?
I have no wish to pay for the construction of this folly of the future. If it such a good idea and guaranteed success why is private investment not being sought ? Has not history shown us that these grand government vanity projects don`t work , always overrun on cost and time, whereas private projects with shareholders and profits to worry about ,invariably work or don`t get built.
Last thoughts for November, enjoy a safe Bonfire Night on the 5th.
Try to make it to the War Memorial, Walmley Village on Sunday 10th for the annual Remembrance day service. Always well attended and very moving.
Jeff Gilbert – Jeff’s Useful Shop, Walmley Road, Sutton Coldfield.
This article appears in Walmley Pages Magazine, distributed free of charge to residents and businesses in the Walmley and Sutton Coldfield area.
Should you be completing a Tax Return?
Under the self-assessment system, certain taxpayers are liable to complete a Return; if they are a Director of a company, if they are self-employed, have income over £100,000, if their expenses claim exceeds £2,500, or if there is untaxed income in excess of £2,500 or capital gains. This year there is also a new category of taxpayer required to complete a return – those who are required to pay the High Income Child Benefit charge. This new tax charge is anticipated to affect approximately 1.2 million families where one or both of the couple earns more than £50,000.
If you fall into one of the above criteria, you do need to ensure that you obtain a tax reference and file a tax return for the year ended 5 April 2013 by 31 January 2014. Failure to file a return on time does create huge penalty issues; a return three months late could result in penalties in excess of £900 even if the person owes no tax!
If you have received a 2012/13 Tax Return, then you have until 31 October 2013 if you want to complete a paper version; after that date you are obliged to file electronically by 31 January 2014.
Common areas where you might need some advice regarding the entries on your Tax Return:-
· You are self-employed or a director of a limited company.
· You want to claim for expenditure incurred personally in respect of your employment. This could include your professional subscriptions or for business mileage undertaken in your own car
· You receive income from property. This could be from a ‘buy-to-let’ property, a holiday home that you let or even a lodger in your own home.
· You have a variety of investment income sources, such as a managed investment portfolio, and differing rates of tax have been deducted at source.
· You are a higher rate taxpayer and you regularly make Gift Aid donations or personal pension contributions so wish to claim additional tax relief.
We offer a free 30 minute consultation, so if you would like any additional information regarding the above or any other tax issues concerning you, then please contact us or visit us in our offices in Walmley Village
This article appears in Walmley Pages, a local magazine delivered free to homes in the B76 postcode.
Tax Tips Starting a Business – What Do You Need To Do?
Welcome to the Hill Lillis & Company Tax Tips.
One of the most challenging things you may do is to set up a new business, our primary advice is “Do what you love, love what you do”. Your business is going to be your livelihood – you should have a good time doing it, but make sure you get the ground work sorted from the outset; it helps to prevent a whole load of future problems!
Firstly you need to decide how you are going to trade; the main choices are as a sole trader; as a partnership, through a LLP or through an incorporated structure. Each has different tax and accounting consequences and needs to be registered in a different way. Once you have set up the business you will need to notify HM Revenue & Customs:
- A limited company needs to be register for Corporation tax
- A sole trader or partnership needs to register as self-employed and this will also include registration for class 2 self-employed national insurance.
- CIS registration is necessary if you intend to work within the construction industry
- If you have employees then you will need to set up a payroll system and operate PAYE, advising HMRC as you make payments to your staff.
- VAT registration is also necessary if your turnover exceeds the relevant thresholds. For certain B2B trades you might wish to consider registering for VAT even if you do not expect to reach these thresholds, particularly if there is a flat rate VAT scheme that can be used to simplify your VAT computations.
As well as notifying HMRC there are many other factors you will have to consider for your new business:
A Business plan is very useful; it enables you to set out your goals and plan how you will achieve them, particularly how your cash flow will cope.
Your business will probably need a business bank account and you may need to obtain additional start-up funding.
You will probably need to arrange business insurance, this could include public liability, employee liability, trade insurance, professional indemnity, premises or vehicle insurance.
You will need to ensure you are keeping proper business records.
We offer a free 30 minute consultation, so if you would like any additional information regarding the above or any other tax issues concerning you, then please contact us or visit us in our offices in Walmley Village, Sutton Coldfield.
This article appears in Walmley Pages Magazine, delivered free to homes in Sutton Coldfield, postcode B76
Snowflakes and Sore Losers
Sometimes February seems the longest darkest month of the year, even though we all know that it is the shortest. It is also the hardest for our native fauna to survive. Please remember the wildings outside your window and put out some feed and water for them. If at all possible feed little and often, keep feeding stations clean and provide fresh water. It`s only chicken feed but it`s always going cheep.
It seems that our battle to change the Boundary Commission proposals to merge us with Erdington was won. However, it appears that the spoilt kindergarten inmates that we elect to parliament to represent us had a fit of the sulks and will not even get to debate or discuss the proposals. All because the LibDems feel slighted over Lords reform, which WAS debated but rejected. This used to be called democracy. Can someone explain to me why we bothered. What a waste of emotion, mobilisation and demonstration of community in action, all for nothing. Baulked by a party with just 8-10 percent of the vote. They should all be ashamed.( I needed to say that !)
Imagine the cold stygian darkness of a January morning replaced by sparkly clear light. Waking to a quiet and cold morning after it snowed even I rose earlier than norm. The grim grey world became a wonderland to be enjoyed by families and friends who seemed not to mind being cold and wet but were rosy cheeked and happy out playing together. Even the publisher of this modest booklet was out with sledge and kids (yes, I saw you , Richard). Whatever the weather, get outside and enjoy our green or white world. eing cold and wet but were rosy cheeked and happy out playing together. Even the publisher of this modest booklet was out with sledge and kids (yes, I saw you , Richard). Whatever the weather, get outside and enjoy our green or white world.
This article appears in the February edition of Walmley Pages Magazine, delivered free each month to homes in the B76 postcode in Sutton Coldfield.
Article written by Jeff Gilbert or Jeff’s Useful Shop, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield.
Have a spectacular Sutton Coldfield Christmas
The festive season is upon us; the Mall is all a-twinkle, office Christmas parties are in full swing, and there seem to be carol concerts on every corner. To help you make the most of it all, here’s a roundup of some of the Sutton Coldfield Christmas highlights.
Started your Christmas Shopping?
Or maybe you’ve already finished it? Whichever is the case it is well worth heading for the town centre where the lights are sparkling and Christmas bargains are everywhere. On 14th December there’s the added attraction of the Christmas Farmers’ Market, where you can stock up on some special treats. Don’t forget that Sutton has many other lovely little High Streets, such as Boldmere, where you will find lots of independent shops with some fresh and unusual ideas for Christmas gifts.
Where’s Santa?
The most important question for children is “Will we see Santa?” Well, no fear, Santa’s here. He’ll be in the Mall all through December, right up to Christmas Eve – hope he’s got the reindeers primed for a quick getaway! After Santa, keep the excitement levels high with a trip to the panto; no need to schlepp into Brum, the Sutton Arts Theatre has a wonderful production of Cinderella, right here on our doorstep, from 7th to 22nd December. There are also some great Christmas films showing this year at the Empire, Sutton’s 1930s listed cinema. Try the new Hobbit film, An Unexpected Journey; or showing right now is Nativity 2 – Danger in the Manger, a funny festive follow up to the original Nativity! movie, back in 2009.
And finally…
You’ve shopped, you’ve eaten, you’ve drunk, you’ve seen Santa and visited the panto. All that remains is…. a nice cold, ice cold Christmas dip in Blackroot Pool at Sutton Park. Any knowledge of this century-old tradition is strongly denied by the park authorities, but as of last year it appeared to be still going strong! However it is really only for the brave or the foolhardy, and a cosy Christmas at home sounds much more appealing.
To all our readers and advertisers, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
This article features in Recommended Sutton Coldfield, a local magazine and business directory delivered
to 40,000 homes and businesses in Sutton Coldfield.
Ready for a Lichfield Christmas?
Lichfield is alight with Christmas cheer right now, so make the most of all that is happening; enjoy the festivities throughout December, until you finally put your feet up on Christmas afternoon with a glass of something sparkling!
Some Lichfield Christmas highlights
The Christmas Farmers’ markets are on the first Thursday in December and back again for a twinkly encore on 20th December, just in time to get some last minute goodies. Don’t miss the Lichfield Christmas Festival, on 16th -17th December, a weekend bursting with activities, music, storytelling, eating and drinking. For something a little different, how about a nostalgic afternoon, with 1940s entertainment and festive food, at the National Arboretum on the 6th December?
It’s all about the children
Keep the excitement levels at fever pitch over the next few weeks with a whole host of local Christmas activities. Kick off with Christmas crafts in Beacon Park on the 1st and 2nd December, and then go up a gear with a visit to the Garrick for this year’s Christmas panto, Alice in Wonderland. Santa will be getting about; visit him nearby at Shugborough, Conkers, or the Chasewater Railway, and don’t forget he’ll be touring the streets with the Round Table too. Yes, he’s very much in evidence in the area, so best behaviour all round!
The real spirit of Christmas
We are blessed with a beautiful cathedral and many active churches in Lichfield so there’s no excuse for missing the true spirit of Christmas this year. The Cathedral in particular has a packed agenda starting with the atmospheric, candlelit Advent Carol Services on 1st and 2nd December at 6pm
Christmas music features heavily of course. You can enjoy carols in the park, carols in the town square, carols in the Cathedral (and the many Lichfield churches), and even carols in the trenches at Whittington Barracks. If you are not singing, then stop and listen and, wherever you are in Lichfield, you will hear the strains of Once in Royal David’s City carrying on the winds….
To all our readers and advertisers, Merry Christmas and Have Fun!
This article appears in Recommended Lichfield, a local magazine and business directory delivered
to 19,000 homes and businesses in Lichfield and the surrounding areas.
A Florist with a Flourish
SHAW LANE FLOWERS
Ten years ago Joy Fielding took a step back from the day to day business of farming that had always been her life to spend more time following her true passion, floristry. Today Joy’s business, Shaw Lane Flowers, is thriving, and Joy couldn’t be happier. Says Joy “I love what I do; it is a very creative occupation which also brings me into contact with lots of lovely people” Joy isn’t a traditional high street florist; she is a floral designer, working from her rustic farmhouse on the edge of Lichfield, and she creates traditional and contemporary designs for weddings, corporate and charity events, and special occasions.
Wedding Flowers
If wedding bells are in the air for you next year, Lichfield has many hard-to-beat wedding locations such as Packington Moor, Swinfen Hall Hotel and Erasmus Darwin House, all of which Joy has worked in; she says, “The challenge, which is also a pleasure, is to create displays that delight the bride and live up to their glorious setting”. A quick look at Joy’s website http://www.shawlaneflowers.co.uk is all you need, to see that it is a challenge that she meets spectacularly well.
Christmas Flowers
Right now Joy is busy creating displays for Christmas parties and festive events. We asked her if she had any tips for those of us who don’t have her talent, but want to impress our guests this Christmas:
“For a simple, effective Christmas table decoration which doesn’t cost the earth, consider using berries, seed heads and foliage – ivy heads are particularly pretty. It’s surprising what you’ll find in the garden. Give them a delicate frosting of silver glitter, add a scented candle – the one in the photo is Cherry and burns for 80 hours – and scatter some crystals.”
If it all sounds like a bit too much effort, Joy is currently taking orders for table centres and for her welcoming, heart shaped alternatives to the traditional festive door wreath (pictured).
By Royal Appointment?
Joy’s creative skills have even been called upon by royalty. Joy was delighted to be asked to create a display for the Queen herself, when she visited Lichfield in 2011. So, if you deserve flowers fit for a queen (and who doesn’t?), you know who to call!
This article appeared in Recommended Lichfield Magazine and business directory,
delivered to 19,000 homes in Lichfield and the surrounding area’s
Printer Inks – How much??
Ever run out of ink halfway through printing an urgent document, or an essay that’s due in yesterday, or photos you want quickly? No time to shop around on the internet and wait two days for delivery, so you nip to the stationers or supermarket and……how much?? You’ve got to be joking!
Cartridge World to the rescue!
Thankfully, there is a solution that is cheap, convenient and also environmentally friendly: Cartridge World in Lichfield city centre. Cartridge World refill your empty cartridges with inks that are carefully formulated to match the colours and the quality of branded inks –at a saving of up to 40%. Cartridge World also stock a range of branded inks, printers and computer accessories such as keyboards, mice and leads, all of which are competitively priced.
Inking in the details
Cartridge World came to Lichfield 4 years ago thanks to local lad Michael Rees. After successfully completing a design degree, Michael quickly realised that design jobs were a lot thinner on the ground than design graduates; that’s when he decided to become the master of his own destiny. He took on the local Cartridge World franchise while still in his early twenties and has built his business throughout the worst recession in living memory. What’s the key to his success? “Along with most people, I didn’t see the recession coming, but I did see a business model that made sense whatever the economic weather. People will always want convenience and value, and the need to protect the environment is only going to increase. In some ways the recession has helped, because of the savings we offer in these cash-strapped times”.
An extra 20% off for Recommended Readers!
To get you started at Cartridge World, you can enjoy an extra 20% off your refills on your first visit when you bring in a copy of Recommended Lichfield. What have you got to lose? High quality inks, fantastic savings, a genuinely local, friendly service and a 100% no-quibble money back guarantee if, for whatever reason, you are not happy with your inks.
This article appeared in Recommended Lichfield, a local magazine and business directory delived to 19,000 in
Lichfield and the surrounding area’s.
Now let’s finish that printing….
Long Memories and Short Days
Remember, remember that now the days are shorter and colder our feathered friends will appreciate a little help with some extra food and water. Only feed sparingly and keep the area around the feed station clean to reduce the risk of rodent activity. You will be rewarded with a display of our local birds and also many of our winter visitors. Look ,learn and enjoy.
Remember , remember the fifth of November goes the childrens rhyme , and so we should. We should celebrate the failure of Guy Fawlkes and his cronies to blow up Parliament all those years ago. If they had succeeded we would have no one to blame or to laugh at, although with politicians being on holiday more than in the House he would probably have to pick a different date. Funny how during the long summer recess or over the Christmas season the country seems to run well enough.
Remember, remember the eleventh of November is a date that no one should forget. Remembrance and giving thanks to those who have given up their lives to make our country what it is today. No matter that we may disagree with many of the conflicts in which lives are lost, or feel that those lives are a price that should not be paid for incomprehensible reasons. It still behoves us to add value to their sacrifice by never forgetting that the lives we remember are not those of politicians but of real men and real women that politicians use as their tools. Unfortunately this does not stop for Christmas or summer breaks.
Every year on Remembrance Sunday a service is held in Walmley Village around the War Memorial next to the library. A very moving demonstration of our strong community feeling. Join us.
Article supplied by Jeff Gilbert of Jeff’s Useful Shop, Walmley Road, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, B76
Article features in November edition of Walmley Pages Magazine, delivered to 4000 homes in Walmley and Sutton Coldfield every month
PAYE Code numbers and PAYE Reconciliations – Tax Tips
Welcome to the Hill Lillis & Company Tax Tips.
Tax and National Insurance deductions are made at source from most taxpayers in the UK through the PAYE scheme. Each employee (or pensioner) is allocated a tax code which the employer uses to calculate the deductions to be made. If your affairs are straight forward then your code is likely to be 810L which indicates you are entitled to the basic personal allowances of £ 8,105.
However if your tax affairs are more complex, you code may be very different as HMRC seek to collect the tax due on sources of untaxed income or make other adjustments. Some of the most common adjustments are for the benefits you receive from your employment (such as a company car or private medical insurance), whereas pensioners may see a restriction in respect of the State Retirement pension they receive which is never taxed at source.
Often these adjustments are estimated, based on information supplied in previous tax years, and problems can arise where someone has multiple employments or pensions, so it is understandable that on occasions the tax collected is not always correct. Therefore after each tax year HMRC issue many PAYE reconciliations (on form P800) showing how they have computed the under or over deduction of tax.
Our experience shows that there has been a great deal of distress caused by HMRC unexpectedly issuing PAYE reconciliations covering several years’ tax arrears, and we note that often there are errors on these calculations. We recommend you check them carefully, and seek advice if you think there is a problem.
We offer a free 30 minute consultation, so if you would like any additional information regarding the above or any other tax issues concerning you, then please contact us 0121 351 6777 or visit us in our offices in Walmley Village, Sutton Coldfield.
This article features in Walmley Pages Magazine, delivered to residents in
Walmey and surrounding areas of Sutton Coldfield.
Social Media Good or Evil?
It’s hard to turn on the TV nowadays without hearing about social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. All large internet based public publishing services
allowing open communication between people, companies, celebrities and more. Although still in its infancy it is the fastest growing phenomenon of the modern age. From inspiring revolutions and reuniting long lost lovers to breaking up marriages and fueling riots. With the time old balance of good and evil it stands to reason there is always going to be an argument for and against social networking, so why are some people still so fearful of it? and does the good outweigh the bad?
It must first be noted that social media is only a reflection of individuals freedom of speech. If an individual spray paints his thoughts on a wall, would we blame the individual or the wall? A common perception is that people do not want everyone knowing what they are doing, however this usually stems from a lack of understanding. It is your choice to publish social media, if you don’t want people to know something then simply don’t post it. Problems occur however if a friend uploads a picture telling the world he is at the zoo with you, which is fine unless you are having a ‘sick day’ and your boss then finds a photo of your fun day out at the zoo. Far fetched
as it may sound many people have already lost their jobs due to cases such as this. But is this social media’s fault? Or does it stem from the the individual’s choice to be dishonest?
A recent advancement in social networking is Geo Targeting, this allows a user to tag themselves at a specific location (via gps) and is quickly being adopted by many companies for advertising. Word of mouth has always been the best form of promotion so when a girl tags herself at a hair salon for her 500+ friends to see this is priceless marketing. For this reason many high street companies are now offering discounts and offers for tagging in at their location. Although if the same girl then mentions what a terrible haircut she received at the salon then this could clearly have an adverse effect. So is it worth the risk? Through experience in providing social media solutions to a number of companies the same question is always raised ‘Do we really want users talking about us online? My response is always the same “Those users are talking about you anyway, maybe even geo tagging themselves there as we speak.” A quick search of a company name often proves this. Social media simply provides the means to engage with these people allowing you to reward the good comments and even turn around negative views. Monitoring social media is usually a better option than ignoring it.
Social media is less than a decade old and has not shown us all it has to offer just yet but its effects on companies and individuals cannot go on being ignored. There are many arguments both for and against social media each right in their own way, but whatever the correct answer there is no stopping its growth and no way
of predicting what it will evolve into next.
This article appeared in Recommended Lichfield Magazine
Europey and Tears dopey
It is only July as I put pen to paper so the Euro footie and Whinebledon have been endured, with the expected results…..
Are the Olympics over yet , how did we fare on track, field, water or bike. Did we do well in some obscure discipline that we are now all experts in (remember Curling last time ? Anyone watched any since? ) Was the opening show or the closing show a success of world beating proportion? Can we have our twelve billion pounds back now please ? Bet you we could win a World Cup for crying Losers tears or even occasionally Winners wet eyes, what`s that all about ?
Let us now start to give our politicians some real stick over a Referendum about our relationship with Europe. Can we please be consulted as to whether we want to stay as part of the Union or just be a peripheral trading partner or balanced somewhere in between?
If any party is brave enough to give us a straight Yes or No vote on whether to pull out or to stay in, then they get my support. If our rulers were that brave then whatever the result they would have a clear and incredibly strong bargaining chip to take to Brussels for , at the very least, an advantageous renegotiation of our terms of membership. If we did vote to withdraw from the Union are we strong enough to prosper outside ? Of course we are !
And while on that subject , let`s give the Scots and Welsh the same choice about being part of a Great Britain or not. My guess is that our Union will endure and given a fair chance we can build a strong and prosperous future for our children to be proud of. Let`s go for it !
Jeff Gilbert
Jeff’s Useful Shop, Walmley
This article featured in Walmley Pages Magazine
Clay and Play
Clay and Play is a great place to visit and its not just for children. Why not discover your creative side, there are a large selection of items for you to paint, vases, mugs, plates, piggy banks to name just a few. Either decorate an item as a gift for someone or a gift to yourself. So how does it work? Firstly A Studio fee of £2.50 per painter is charged this covers the use of paints, glazing and the firing, secondly choose an item from the extensive range of bisque products.. Next, think of a design and get painting. There are a selection of books and stencils to help if you need it or you can ask a member of staff to help. You don’t need to be an artist to achieve great results. Finally your item will be glazed with a food safe glaze then fired in the kiln and be ready to collect in 5-7 days time.
As well as items to decorate, Clay and Play offer a moulding service for baby hand and foot prints and other keepsake items for example siblings handprints as a gift on Fathers Day as shown in the photo on the left. Something to keep and treasure forever. These are ideal gifts for grandparents or a unique gift for , Mothers Day, Birthdays and Christmas.
Clay and Play also specialise in Birthday Party’s. Packages are available for up to 20 people. If you’re bringing your child, you can relax as tea, coffee and homemade cakes are available to purchase whilst your child is busy creating their artwork. Packages start at £9 per head and include 2 bisque items. Party food is also available to order.
Why not drop in and take a look for yourself or visit the website – http://www.clayandplay.co.uk
During the Summer there are several workshops available:-
Monday – July 30th – Olympic Pottery workshop
Wednesday – August 1st -Glass painting Workshop
Friday- August 3rd -Fabric painting workshop
Monday- August 6th –Olympic pottery workshop
Wednesday -August 8th –Birdhouse painting
Thursday -August 9th –Name plaque painting
Monday -August 13th –Fabric painting workshop
Wednesday – August 15th- Olympic pottery workshop
Friday – August 17th -Glass painting workshop
Monday – August 20th –Birdhouse painting workshop
Wednesday – August 22nd –Fabric painting workshop
Friday – August 24th –Glass painting workshop
Wednesday – August 29th –Glass painting workshop
Friday – August 31st Fabric painting workshop
Prices Olympic pottery workshop £12.50 per head (everyone paints upto 2 pieces from our olympic range)
Glass painting Workshop £10 per head (everyone paints some glass ornamental pieces)
Birdhouse painting £10 per head (everyone paints a birdhouse)
Fabric painting workshop £8 per head (you can paint a fabric shopping bag or pencil case)
Name plaque painting workshop £8 per head (everyone paints a wooden name plaque)
Booking in advance needed – Only 12 places per available workshop – Workshops last around 1 and half hours
This article appeared in Walmley Pages Magazine
I Love The Cake
We are a local, Walmley based company who specialise in making cakes in all shapes and sizes, and teaching the world the art of cupcake decorating through workshops! Our chief cake baker and decorator has always had a passion for baking cakes, since being a wee small girl. She dreamt that one day she’d be able to offer delicious cakes of all shapes and sizes – the likes of which she’d only seen in glossy magazines – to anyone who wanted one! It started with cakes for family and friends birthdays and anniversaries, and soon people started to want to give her money for her cakes…I Love the Cake was born in October 2011, and has gone from strength to strength since.
We were finalists in The Mall Retail Factor 2012 – you may even have bought a tasty treat from our time in The Mall over the Easter period this year – and you may have sampled our delights at the Sutton Carnival this year! We make cakepops, cupcakes, celebration cakes, cake truffles and most recently, cookies – nothing sweet is safe from our oven!
We also run a number of workshops each month for adults and children on weekends, evenings and weekdays for people like you (yes, you!) to learn the basics like how to create beautiful swirls, decorations and co-ordinate your colours. Will your friends and family believe you created them yourself? Probably not – depends how trusting they are!! BUT you will go home with 6 cupcakes you have lovingly decorated with your own hard-working hands, in a presentation box and some helpful guides and recipes to help you at home. All you need to bring is 2.5 hours of your precious time, an apron and a sense of humour – we’ll provide the rest. Including copious amounts of tea!!
If you are in a cake pickle, and would like to swing by and have a cuppa, a cake and a chat about how to get out of said pickle, drop us a line – we can help you!
Maria Higginson
Chief Baker and Tester
I Love the Cake – 07793 131918
This article featured in Walmley Pages Magazine
Trust and Rust
Is there any one left that has earned or deserves our trust ? All of our major institutions have recently been tested and all have been found seriously wanting. Politicians on the fiddle and not listening, Journalists with the ethics of the playground, Bankers without any ethics at all . Even Doctors and Police trying to hang on to unrealistic pension rewards that you and I could only dream of. Do these people think that they are entitled to have so much more than “ordinary” folk ? On what basis and at what level do they disconnect from real life to attain their “superstatus” of entitlement that the rest of us have to contribute to? Unfortunately the only checks and levers of control are held in their own hands and in the hands of their peers . They aint going to change it any time soon! On the brighter side of life , I cannot tell you how relieved I am that the boffins under the Alps have found the Higgs boson. Just like the car keys or my spectacles , I knew we had put it somewhere safe and can now relax. Can the Cern collider now put in a no win , no fee claim for whiplash ? Butterflies . Could there be any more cheerful or colourful sign of summertime than the sight of butterflies floating over a wildflower meadow? Down in the Valley we must be doing something right. In 1999 there were recorded just 9 varieties of butterfly. So far this year , up to mid July, our hardy if rain rusted recorders, Bob and Steve have clocked up a magnificent 14 species. If the weather decides to improve sometime this year maybe this total can be surpassed. Keep looking fellers.
Jeff Gilbert
Jeff’s Useful Shop, Walmley
This article appeared in Walmley Pages Magazine
Sutton Coldfield man to undertake End 2 End Cycling Challenge
Local Supporter to undertake End 2 End Cycling Challenge
Local man Derek Wilson, of Sutton Coldfield, will be undertaking a mammoth 1,100 mile cycling challenge in May 2012 in order to raise funds for the Cancer Support Centre.
Derek will be setting off from Lands End, Cornwall on May 5th and will then cycle an average of 74 miles a day aiming to reach John O’Groats, Scotland 15 days later.
Derek said. “This is the ultimate bike challenge for any cyclist in Britain and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. However there is another reason for me doing this. In August 2009, my wife Sue was diagnosed with bowl cancer, it has been a long and hard battle and it’s not quite over yet. “
“Along the way Sue and I have had great support from family and friends but sometimes you need outside support. This came from customers of my business and the Cancer Support Centre in Lindridge Road, Sutton Coldfield. The therapists, staff and volunteers were a tremendous source of help, support and advice at a very difficult time. So to give something back I want to raise £1,100 which is £1 for every mile I will be travelling.”
Ann Mckeown, Fundraiser of The Cancer Support Centre, Sutton Coldfield said: “Derek is undertaking an amazing challenge and we really are grateful for all that he is doing for us. I can’t imagine cycling just 74 miles in one day let alone doing the same distance every day for 15 days.”
“The money that Derek is hoping to raise for us will make a huge difference to the Centre. We are completely independent and receive no government funding and rely entirely on the goodwill and support of local people like Derek.”
The Cancer Support Centre has a whole host of activities and events that people can join in with and is in particular looking for runners for the Great Midlands Fun Run to support the Centre. For more information about how you can help The Cancer Support Centre and local people living with cancer call Ann Mckeown on 0121 378 6296 or email fundraising@suttoncancersupport.co.uk for details of the latest activities.
Recipe – Curry Roast Scallops
Unusual recipe for readers of Recommended Sutton Coldfield and Walmley Pages
Serves 4
Ingredients
16 scallops
1 tsp salt
2 tsp mild curry powder
50g butter
1 lemon
100g peeled & chopped parsnips
1 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp coriander seed
1 tsp fenugreek seed
100ml cream
100ml milk
2 granny smith apples
Method Start by making the parsnip puree; toast the cumin, fenugreek and coriander seeds in a pan, then add the chopped parsnip, milk & cream. Cook this mix until tender, then puree in a food processor until it is smooth and lump free. For the apple salad, just grate the apple on the coarse part of a grater, or cut into match stick sized strips.
Now for the scallops; mix the curry powder with the salt and season the scallops well, heat a pan until very hot, then add a little olive oil and allow this to come up to temperature. Add the scallops and cook for just one minute each side, then remove from the heat and allow to cool a little – 2 minutes should be long enough. Add the butter and lemon juice; shake the pan to emulsify the butter with the lemon juice. Serve with a little of the pan sauce and fresh coriander sprouts.
Daniel Jimminson Restaurateur
Recipe featured in Walmley Pages Magazine,
delivered to 8000 home in Sutton Coldfield
Motoring – Convertibles You Can Use Everyday
The appeal of a convertible is plain to see – good looks, especially with the top down, and the joys of wind in your hair motoring. Most of us need to use our cars all the time, though, and need practicality too – space for four passengers and their luggage, good build quality and reliability and, most importantly in this day and age, low running costs. Here are four ways to have your cake and eat it.
Volvo C70 (2006 to present) Based on the S40, the C70 is undoubtedly the 
best looking Volvo you can buy. It has an all singing, all dancing folding metal roof, all the safety features you could wish for and the ride, handling and refinement of a luxury saloon. There are some hugely powerful Turbos in the engine line up but I’d go for Volvo’s excellent 2.4 litre D5 diesel; it delivers all the performance you could wish for but still manages 40mpg around town. Better still, there’s plenty of room for 4 adults and a commodious boot. A 2007 model with 75k on the clock can be yours for a very reasonable £8,500. For: Looks, quality, refinement, performance Against: Antique dealer connotations
BMW 320d Convertible (2000 to 2005) I still maintain that the last generation 3 series was the best that BMW has ever made and the convertible version totally proves my point. It is a stunning looker, particularly with the top down, and still sets the benchmark today as an all-round dynamic package. The silky smooth 3.0 litre straight six is hard to resist but I’ve gone for the most excellent 2.0 litre diesel which will punt you up to 62mph in 9.7 seconds but still give better than 50 mpg on a run. They are surprisingly expensive; £8000 puts you in a 05 plate with a hefty 85,000 miles under its belt. For: Lovely looks, great to drive, very economical Against: Last year’s model
Audi A4 Cabriolet (2000 to 2005) Ever since Princess Di bought one, the A4 Cabriolet has been an Audi icon. Underneath the celebrity glamour it is actually a very good car. It combines timelessly elegant looks with peerless build quality and precise handling. Audi makes the best diesel engines in the business and the 2.5 V6 is one of their finest. This is a car that will hit 140 yet still average 39mpg in mixed motoring. The Diana effect is still noticeable in the prices; you will need to stump up £8k for a 2004 version that has covered 60,000 miles. For: Style, build quality, performance. Against: Pricey, overly firm ride
Saab 9-3 Convertible (2003 to 
present) Saab has had its ups and downs over recent years but the 9-3 soft top has been a consistent success story. The styling is still crisp 8 years down the line and it retains several of the quirky features that Saab loyalists cherish so dearly. Mechanically it has been left behind though; the 150bhp 1.9 diesel takes a painful 11.2 seconds to drag it up to 62 and the scuttle shake and under steer are relics of yesteryear. On the plus side, it is a reasonably well built old bruiser and there is plenty of room in the cabin. It’s relatively cheap too, a four year old with a mere 45,000 miles on it will cost you £7,500.
For: A handsome old brute, Saab individuality, value for money Against: Poor performance and economy, handling
Have you been persuaded? Perhaps we will be seeing more convertibles in Sutton Coldfield soon.
This motoring feature appeared in Walmley Pages Magazine,
delivered to 8000 home in Sutton Coldfield
Walmley Pages – IT and Media – Is the internet losing its sting?
The latest internet scam to affect Sutton Coldfield residents comes in the form of Android apps that contain illegal malware. What happens is this; you download a popular App such as Angry Birds from Android Market, which is Google’s version of Apple’s App Store. The download appears to fail but that’s okay as you haven’t been charged for it. What has actually happened is that you have just given your phone “permission” to send a text message that will add £3 to your phone bill. This is a fairly widespread problem; a security consultancy identified 27 apps on Android Market that contained this malware, its name is RuFraud, and estimated that they had been downloaded some 140,000 times. Google has now removed all the infected apps.
It was glaringly obvious that this problem was going to occur. Google has never vetted any of the apps that are listed on Android Market and even made a big deal of it, claiming they wanted to create an “open” marketplace. They may now have to rethink this strategy, particularly when you consider that Amazon has put its financial weight behind its own app market where every app is vetted before it can be listed.
Let’s put this latest scam in perspective though; admittedly, 140,000 people have each lost £3 and that is annoying, particularly for Google, but it is hardly the end of the world. Compare that to some of the other plagues that have stalked the internet over the years and it pales into insignificance. The most prolific internet scam that has generated the greatest losses has to be phishing which has been around for an astonishing 15 years. This is where you receive an email purporting to be from your bank or credit card company asking you to enter your account details, user id and password. These details are then used to transfer money out of your account or buy things on your credit card. Countless people have lost thousands of pounds through phishing scams; globally losses are estimated in the billions of dollars.
Then there are computer viruses, normally transmitted by email, that do anything from slowing down your operating system to wiping your entire hard disk, many of which seem to have been created simply for the malicious pleasure of causing the maximum amount of inconvenience to as many people as possible. Or what about malware – spybots, worms and Trojans that can hijack your computer and use it to send spam emails, or record your keystrokes, or enable someone to spy on every email you send or website you visit.
The thing is, all of these threats are receding and I put this down to three developments. The first is the creation of anti-spam software that is selective, effective and inexpensive. Computer viruses and phishing scams operate via email so anti-spam software greatly reduces the threat from them. Secondly, anti-virus software is now highly developed and free versions are available online, from AVG for instance. This means that even if a virus should evade your anti-spam software or arrive on a memory stick, it will be detected and quarantined before it can do any damage. Finally, anti-malware software is now extremely sophisticated and is usually incorporated in anti-virus software; Windows 7 and the latest version of Internet Explorer also have malware protection built in. Malware is not transmitted via email but rather via the internet – you can pick up a Trojan Horse simply by going on the wrong website – so this is a major development.
I admit that there are issues around social media these days but these are more to do with privacy than internet security. There’s a simple solution, don’t post information online that you wouldn’t be happy for anyone to see.
The Wild West was eventually tamed. It is my firm belief that one day the internet will be to.
Graham Iek – IT Consultant
Article featured in Walmley Pages Magazine, Sutton Coldfield
Smoking Cessation
Smokers in Sutton Coldfield don’t worry – this article is not going to be another lecture about stopping smoking! You have to want to give up the cigarettes yourself; without a strong desire and determination to stop, you won’t achieve it, however much your partner would like you to. These days, we are all aware of the health risks that come with cigarette smoking; if and when you decide to quit, smoking cessation can occur with or without assistance from health care professionals or the use of medication, but there are a few things that can make life a bit easier:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), in the form of patches, inhalers, gum, nasal spray, lozenges or microtabs can be really helpful. Your GP, pharmacist or your local NHS Stop Smoking Service can help you choose the treatment that will be most effective for you. This is dependent on many factors, such as how many cigarettes you smoke or whether you light up first thing in the morning. NRTs are a temporary aid to help you through the tough initial withdrawal period. Some smoking cessations treatments, such as Bupropion Hydrochloride are available on prescription only.
Cigarette withdrawal can also be aided with complementary therapies such as acupuncture, hypnosis and meditation. These can be used alone or in conjunction with NRT or other smoking cessation medications. Hypnosis has become known for its ability to change behaviours quickly by relaxing the mind enough to identify unconscious triggers. Acupuncture is a technique derived from traditional Chinese medicine that uses tiny needles to stimulate certain points on the body; for smokers, the idea is to help reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms throughout the body. Meditation is intended to relax the body and refocus thoughts; it is claimed that meditation releases dopamine in the brain, a process similar to nicotine triggering, the relaxing feeling that smokers crave.
If you are ready to quit, well done to you! Keep strong and motivated and enjoy a healthier and wealthier 2012!
Phoebe Hodge
For further information see www.smokefree.nhs.uk
Article featured in Walmley Pages Magazine, Sutton Coldfield
Style Envy in Sutton Coldfield
There are few of us who don’t look forward to having our hair cut and styled, a perfect manicure or a spray tan. A little pampering makes everyone feel wonderful and is worth its weight in gold.
However, people lead such busy lives it is not always possible to visit a salon when you work until late or have small children. There are also many people with limited personal mobility or without transport.
After four years working as a hair stylist in a salon and spa, Siân Bridges of Sutton Coldfield, decided that eve
ryone deserves an ‘elite’ experience.
She explains: “Style Envy was created for busy people and those who aren’t able to travel or arrange childcare. Our client base includes executives who work long hours, older people who are unable to leave their homes, and small children whose parents work full time.
“I believe everyone deserves to be pampered and think of us as inclusive – not exclusive. We offer everything you would expect from a luxury salon in the convenience and comfort of your home.”
Although the variety of services and products is extensive, Style Envy pride itself on a full range of pamper packages for weddings, proms, and special occasions. The Sutton Coldfield team will even travel to wedding venues to ensure brides look perfect throughout the day.
Hair Style Envy Aveda-trained stylists use only Aveda hair products, which are made from plant and flower extracts and completely natural. They specialise in ‘hair up’ for special occasions and offer an impressive range of styles for all lengths of hair.
Nails Style Envy manicures include Shellac varnish, which is applied like a polish, set under a UV lamp, and lasts for up to two weeks. Most importantly, it doesn’t dull, smudge, chip or damage the nail and can be removed easily.
Body Style Envy use Sienna X, which is the leading tanning system in the UK. It contains moisturising ingredients that nourish the skin and is available in varying strengths.
To make an appointment or find out more about Style Envy packages: call 0121 308 4196 or 07712 671161 email sian@styleenvyuk.com or visit www.styleenvyuk.com
Style Envy also feature in Recommended Magazine Sutton Coldfield
OLYMPIC SWIMMER URGES SYNCHRONISED SUPPORT FOR 2012 ST GILES HOSPICE SOLSTICE WALK
A 2012 Olympics hopeful from the Sutton Coldfield is encouraging women across the region to grab some glory of their own this summer by taking part in the St Giles Hospice Solstice Walk. Synchronised swimmer Yvette Baker has begun the official countdown to St Giles’ biggest single fundraising event of the year by calling on women to sign up now – and help raise thousands of pounds for the care of local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses. The 2012 Solstice Walk, sponsored by Lichfield-based Florette, the UK’s leading prepared salad specialist, is a high-spirited night-time 9-mile stroll through the streets of Lichfield taking place on Saturday 23rd June. Yvette (20), who is from Sutton Coldfield, says: “Coming from the local area, I’m well aware of the superb work that St Giles Hospice does for people in need – and the Solstice Walk is a fantastic opportunity for women to get together, have a great time and raise money for a really worthy cause.”
The Solstice Walk is open to women aged 16 and over, and entry is £15. To sign up, visit http://www.stgileshospice.com/solsticewalk, calling Jenni Dawson on 01543 432542, email jenni.dawson@st-giles-hospice.org.uk.
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