April-2024

£100
5 day workshop
Summer Workshop
27th August - 31st August
9am - 3pm
Come and join the Broadway Bound family
this summer for a fun filled week of
singing, dancing and acting to the
music of the hit musical movie
"The Greatest Showman"
Secure your place by cantacting kayleigh@believeinmagicuk.com
Learn to become a Broadway star,
build confidence and have
lots of fun with our Musical Theatre
singing, dancing & acting classes.
.
Be a part of our family!
Classes available for children of all ages and abiltities.
Or head over to our facebook page
www.facebook.com/broadwayboundtheatreschool
Contact Kayleigh@believeinmagicuk.com
for details.
therapy in a comfortable clinic
fusion (“he” instead of “she”)
” (aged 6+)
ries and are currently providing
py.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Thera
in Cuddingto
We can help if
• under
• poor a
• social
• poor v
• using
• using
• produ
• stamm
We also provid
input for over
Website : www
For all your doggie grooming needs from a bath
and dry to a full clip and groom, we look after
your pooch in a friendly environment to
the highest standard.
Over 6 years Grooming Salon experience to
Level 3 City & Guilds standard
K9 First Aid qualified
Fully Insured
A family run business full of true dog lovers!
Find us on Facebook or Telephone 07765862756
Groomingtails Dog Spa,
128 Bridge Lane, Frodsham, WA6 7HZ
Mon-Fri
during July
Quote:
gtds0718
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• Understanding instructions
• Poor attention and listening
• Social communication issues
• Poor vocabulary understanding and use
• Using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun
confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• Not speaking clearly
• Producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• Stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and
are currently providing input for over 16 schools in Cheshire.
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun con
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurse
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk
Email : carole@chattythera
apy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
n.
if your child has any of the following difficulties:
rstanding instructions
attention and listening
l communication issues
vocabulary understanding and use
grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
ucing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
mering/stuttering
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy
offers fun and
effective speech
and language
therapy in a
comfortable
clinic in
Cuddington.
For all your doggie grooming needs from a bath
and dry to a full clip and groom, we look after
your pooch in a friendly environment to
the highest standard.
Over 6 years Grooming Salon experience to
Level 3 City & Guilds standard
K9 First Aid qualified
Fully Insured
A family run business full of true dog lovers!
Find us on Facebook or Telephone 07765862756
Groomingtails Dog Spa,
128 Bridge Lane, Frodsham, WA6 7HZ
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• Understanding instructions
• Poor attention and listening
• Social communication issues
• Poor vocabulary understanding and use
• Using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun
confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• Not speaking clearly
• Producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• Stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and
are currently providing input for over 16 schools in Cheshire.
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language th
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confu
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurserie
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy
y offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
.
your child has any of the following difficulties:
tanding instructions
ttention and listening
ommunication issues
ocabulary understanding and use
rammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
peech sounds age-­‐appropriately
ing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
ering/stuttering
e regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
16 schools in Cheshire
.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy
offers fun and
effective speech
and language
therapy in a
comfortable
clinic in
Cuddington.
www.chattytherapy.co.uk carole@chattytherapy.co.uk 07962 073432
3
Please mention Helsby to Hand when responding to adverts
p28
£100
5 day workshop
Summer Workshop
27th August - 31st August
9am - 3pm
Come and join the Broadway Bound family
this summer for a fun filled week of
singing, dancing and acting to the
music of the hit musical movie
"The Greatest Showman"
Secure your place by cantacting kayleigh@believeinmagicuk.com
Learn to become a Broadway star,
build confidence and have
lots of fun with our Musical Theatre
singing, dancing & acting classes.
.
Be a part of our family!
Classes available for children of all ages and abiltities.
Or head over to our facebook page
www.facebook.com/broadwayboundtheatreschool
Contact Kayleigh@believeinmagicuk.com
for details.
therapy in a comfortable clinic
fusion (“he” instead of “she”)
” (aged 6+)
ries and are currently providing
py.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therap
in Cuddington
We can help if
• unders
• poor a
• social c
• poor v
• using g
• using s
• produc
• stamm
We also provid
input for over
Website : www
For all your doggie grooming needs from a bath
and dry to a full clip and groom, we look after
your pooch in a friendly environment to
the highest standard.
Over 6 years Grooming Salon experience to
Level 3 City & Guilds standard
K9 First Aid qualified
Fully Insured
A family run business full of true dog lovers!
Find us on Facebook or Telephone 07765862756
Groomingtails Dog Spa,
128 Bridge Lane, Frodsham, WA6 7HZ
Discount
Mon-Fri
during July
Quote:
gtds0718
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• Understanding instructions
• Poor attention and listening
• Social communication issues
• Poor vocabulary understanding and use
• Using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun
confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• Not speaking clearly
• Producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• Stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and
are currently providing input for over 16 schools in Cheshire.
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and languag
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun co
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “t
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurs
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk
Email : carole@chattyther
apy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
on.
if your child has any of the following difficulties:
rstanding instructions
attention and listening
l communication issues
vocabulary understanding and use
g grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
g speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
ucing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
mering/stuttering
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy
offers fun and
effective speech
and language
therapy in a
comfortable
clinic in
Cuddington.
For all your doggie grooming needs from a bath
and dry to a full clip and groom, we look after
your pooch in a friendly environment to
the highest standard.
Over 6 years Grooming Salon experience to
Level 3 City & Guilds standard
K9 First Aid qualified
Fully Insured
A family run business full of true dog lovers!
Find us on Facebook or Telephone 07765862756
Groomingtails Dog Spa,
128 Bridge Lane, Frodsham, WA6 7HZ
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• Understanding instructions
• Poor attention and listening
• Social communication issues
• Poor vocabulary understanding and use
• Using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun
confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• Not speaking clearly
• Producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• Stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and
are currently providing input for over 16 schools in Cheshire.
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language th
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confus
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (a
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.
y offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
.
your child has any of the following difficulties:
tanding instructions
tention and listening
ommunication issues
cabulary understanding and use
rammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
peech sounds age-­‐appropriately
ing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
ering/stuttering
e regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
6 schools in Cheshire
.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy
offers fun and
effective speech
and language
therapy in a
comfortable
clinic in
Cuddington.
www.chattytherapy.co.uk carole@chattytherapy.co.uk 07962 073432
Please mention Helsby to Hand when responding to adverts 3
manutti River Garden sofa, £4,110, and
garden chairs, £1,720 each, all Go modern
Furniture: 020 7731 9540; gomodern.co.uk.
Home & In
Embrace The Great Outd
Make the most of summer sunshine by ensuring
your garden is a great place to relax and
entertain.
Every outside space, irrespective of size, has
the potential to become an extra ‘room’, whether
you plan to use it for tending plants, entertaining
friends or relaxing in the sun.
Spend time considering whether a few quick,
inexpensive changes or an entire redesign will
make your garden practical and beautiful.
First, sketch a scale plan of the space on
graph paper and decide what will go where.
If revamping the landscaping ensure that the
materials you use – for paving, fencing, pots,
furnishings and so on – all co-ordinate. Set the
dining area nearest the house, with space for
a barbecue or a wood-fired pizza oven nearby,
or even a complete outdoor kitchen. In a large
garden you could fit a play area at the far end,
and a peaceful area away from both the house
and the children is ideal for a hammock or swing
seat. Signal changes of function by altering
s
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a
In the southern reaches of
the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is
blessed with idyllic beaches,
but a few steps inland another
kind of paradise waits to be
discovered, stunning and lush,
as the island endeavours to
protect its wildlife and dwindling
forest.
Great swathes were lost to
timber and plantations. The
remainder covers about 18%
of the land, only 2% of it native
trees, but nestling in gorges
or climbing to mountain tops
it still harbours 670 species of
plants. Meanwhile, imported
casuarinas sway along the
shore, banyans thrive and
Chinese guava bushes spread
unhindered. There are fanshaped
traveller’s palms and
unusual trees protected in
botanical gardens, including the
hyophorbe amaricaulis palm in
Curepipe and the rare talipot in
Pamplemousse, which takes up
to 60 years to flower and then
dies.
As for the wildlife, boars and
Javanese deer live alongside
the long-tailed macaques, the
ornate rainbow-coloured geckos
and thousands of fruit bats, or
‘flying foxes’, the only native
mammals, with wings up to
a metre across. Although the
dodo is extinct, other na
birds may fare better, su
the pink pigeons and Ma
kestrels breeding once a
protected areas.
Down in the south west,
the tea plantations of Da
Wood, the road climbs t
scented pines towards t
Grand Bassin sacred lak
and Hindu shrine. Nearb
the Native Garden of Pe
displays the lovely red ‘e
or national flower, and a
of medicinal plants. But
enticing of all in the area
Black River Gorges Nati
Park, covering over 6,00
hectares of forest laced
scenic trails. Echo parak
flash emerald green alon
the Macchabee ridge, w
tropicbirds flit through th
with the grace of ballet d
On the very edge of the
the Black River viewpoin
can be easily accessed,
breathtaking place wher
below the jagged peaks
thickly-wooded slopes tu
down to the sea
More views can be enjo
along the road down to t
coast, most dramatic the
precipitous peak on Le M
peninsula where runawa
slaves jumped to their d
M
N
W
Playing games – both indoor
and outdoor – has been a
feature of British pubs for
hundreds, and possibly
thousands, of years. Here
are just some of the archaic
games still played in Britain’s
pubs:
Devil Among the Tailors
This old pub game is a form
of table or bar skittles, where
nine skittles are arranged in a
square, open-topped wooden
box usually placed on a table
top. A vertical pole rises from
one corner of the box from
which a small, wooden ball
(about the size of a golf ball)
is suspended from a chain
or string. The aim is to swing
the ball in an arc to catch the
skittles, rather than aiming
directly at them.
And the name? Legend has it
that in 1805 the game of bar
skittles was renamed after the
cavalry was called to break up
a group of tailors who were
rioting. The army’s horsemen
were said to have cleared the
streets as effectively as a ball
ploughing through skittles.
Dwile Flonking
Honestly, you couldn’t make it
up. Dwile Flonking is a game
in which two teams of twelve
players take turns to hold
hands and dance in a circle, at
the same time trying to avoid
being hit by a beer-soaked
cloth (the ‘dwile’ in question)
wielded by an opposing team
member in the middle. Losers
get to drink a chamber pot
filled with ale, in double-quick
time.
Dwile Flonking apparently
has its origins in an ancient
harvest ritual. The word ‘dwile’
is a knitted floor cloth, while
‘flonk’ is probably a corruption
of ‘flong’ (used in olden days
as the past tense for ‘fling’).
Toad in the Hole
No, it’s not a hearty helping
of sausage and batter served
up by the pub landlord. This
is a simple game where
contestants toss brass coins
onto a lead-topped table with
a hole in the middle. Players
try to land their coins (known
as ‘toads’) either on the flat
surface of the table or in the
hole, scoring one or two points
respectively.
The game is a variant of
‘Pitch-penny’ (or ‘Chuck
Farthing’), which dates back
to the 18th century or possibly
even earlier.
Ringing the Bull
The idea here is to throw a
metal ring (hung from the
ceiling on a rope) onto a metal
hook on the wall. The hook
has replaced the original
target – a bull’s horn – that
gave the game its name.
Ringing the Bull was reputedly
a game brought back by
pilgrims from Jerusalem in
medieval times, and the story
is given some weight by the
fact that the most famous pub
to host the game is an ancient
Nottingham hostelry called “Ye
Olde Trip to Jerusalem”.
These traditional pub games
have an innocent charm that
provides a welcome relief from
the beeping, flashing, coinmunching
fruit machines that
have become such a familiar
sight in Britain’s drinking
establishments. Wouldn’t it be
ironic if we entered a pub in
ten years’ time and – instead
of finding customers hunched
over their smartphones and
laptops – we discovered
a group of players happily
engaged in a game of Devil
Among the Tailors?
Dwile Flonking
with the Devil
and his Tailors
Why Britain’s traditional pub games
may be poised to make a comeback
by Kate McLelland
Helsby to Hand - Kerrowmoar, Manley Road, Alvanley, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 9DE
Tel: 01928 727165 Email: helsbytohand@btinternet.com
“Helsby to Hand” is produced by an independent organisation; which is not connected to any other organisations, publications or groups. All material is copyright and no part of this
publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photographic or otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without written
This month in pictures...
Want to make your pennies
stretch a bit further this
summer? Keep reading…
Free local events
Install the Eventbrite app
on your phone (or check
the website www.eventbrite.
co.uk) for family-friendly
events near you, from food
and drink festivals to pop-up
art exhibitions. Most are free
and tickets can be booked
using the app.
If you can bear to brave the
crowds, shopping malls often
have free family activities on
over the summer, including
kids’ entertainers and
competitions.
Gone are the days when
libraries were silent places
reserved for studying. Now
they regularly play host to
all manner of family-friendly
events, including treasure
hunts and storytelling. Many
events are free, while others
at 10am on Saturday and
Sundays at most cinemas,
and every morning during
the summer, with tickets
priced from £2.50. The offer
is usually only valid for one
particular film.
Heading to London? The
Audience Club offers free
tickets to a host of live
shows. Membership costs
£5 and there’s a £3 (plus
VAT) admin charge for each
ticket, meaning you could
easily save £100 per show.
Most tickets are offered last
minute and you can only get
two per member. See www.
theaudienceclub.com.
My Box Office (www.
myboxoffice.biz) also runs a
similar scheme for an annual
fee of £15, which gets you
discounted tickets to a range
of shows across the UK.
Again, tickets are usually
offered last minute, and
don’t tend to be many
children’s programme
the website is well wo
a look if you have old
children.
Discount vouchers
Wowcher, Groupon a
voucher sites do hav
great deals, but they
involve signing up to
alert. Bownty (www.b
co.uk) gathers all the
together in one place
you don’t have to sig
newsletters. You can
by location and activi
when we checked the
cut-price deals on so
and kids craft session
Kids Pass gives you
discounts for a wide
range of activities an
venues, including cin
aquariums, zoos and
You also get free kids
(with a paying adult)
Summer
Fun on a
Budget
by Kate Dug
kateduggan.c
Short Story
Dolphin Watching
PLEASE NOTE COPY DATE FOR
ADVERTISING IN THE AUG EDITION
IS 18TH JULY (COMMUNITY EVENTS 16TH)
TO ADVERTISE PLEASE RING SARAH ON
01928 727165
or email:
helsbytohand@btinternet.com
If you don’t have a copy ’to hand’
check out the website:
www.helsbytohand.co.uk
TIP
Serves 4
Ready in 20 min
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5
Roast Salmon
with Tomato & Asparagus Tagliat
p4
p14 p50-51
Hello and welcome to
the July edition, here’s
a little taster of what’s
in store for us this
month...
Complete Security Service,
based in Frodsham are
celebrating 35 years in
business on the 4th July, congratulations to Jim
and Barb. You can read more about this success
story on the centre pages.
Congratulations also to staff from Rowlinsons
Solicitors who successfully walked the arduous
34 mile/55 kilometre Sandstone Trail in aid of
OPAL Services in just one day - p92.
After a 5 year gap, the Summer Ball at Alvanley
Cricket Club is back! This fabulous event will be
held on Saturday 22nd September in a marque
within the grounds, page 93 has all the details.
Forest Lodges on p9 design and build bespoke
lodges in a wide selection of layouts and designs.
They have first hand extensive experience of the
holiday lodge market and the running of lodge
parks.
If you enjoy good company, excellent food and
drink then Chester Food walking Tours will be
just the ticket. The guided walking tours offer
a unique and relaxed food tasting experience
through historic Chester. With over half a dozen
hand picked local independent food and drink
stops to feast on! Page 8.
Is your dog is struggling to keep cool during the
recent hot weather and in need of a good bath
and tidy up? Then take advantage of the offer on
p6 from Grooming Tails Dog Spa and receive
10% off during July (Mon - Fri).
As usual, have a great month,
Best Wishes,
p44
p59
p33 p76-77
Sarah x
p26
What do we mean by exotic plants?
It’s not unusual for those who love garden
yearn for something that looks tropical or e
These plants remind us of holidays and he
a contemporary feel.
Tropical gardens
Bold foliage and dazzling flower colours ca
create a lush, dramatic oasis. Tropical pla
be used to create a framework for your ga
and the spaces between can be filled with
that provide complementary shapes and c
Grasses such as carex and miscanthus w
well, as do large-leafed evergreens includ
Fatsia japonica and ferns. Hostas can pop
during spring and summer, together with s
dwelling brunneras, brightly-flowering croc
and day lilies in the sunnier areas. Japane
anemones are partial-shade lovers that fit
for some late-summer flowers combined w
interesting foliage.
It is possible to grow bananas (Musa) here
the UK, although they might need some w
protection. They can form huge statement
up to three metres high and their tropical l
can reach a length of two metres. It is rare
them to form fruit in the UK, but it is possib
Then there are the much- coveted tree fer
Dicksonia antarctica, which are said to be
of the oldest plants in the world.
Banana palm
When Oswald and Celia Weston were told that
their daughter Rosemary was unlikely to reach
her tenth birthday due to acute asthma, few
could imagine that today she would be one of
the nation’s leading health and fitness gurus,
marking 50 years in the business.
Born and bred in Leicestershire, where she
lives today with her second husband Mike
Rimmington, Rosemary Conley was brought
up in a house with an acre of garden in the
countryside. Her father was a hosiery wholesaler
and her mother invented a beauty cap to go over
ladies’ hair curlers. Both were entrepreneurial,
and they may be where Rosemary got her
business sense from.
Having launched her first slimming class just
over 50 years ago, Rosemary is also celebrating
the recent publication of her autobiography,
Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Büyük Menderes Valley
Nestled within a steep valley in south-western
Turkey, Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces
are a geological phenomenon that must
be seen to be believed. The extraordinary
spectacle is created by mineral springs that
have cascaded down the hillside for thousands
of years. The natural pools are terraced into the
hillside, overspilling with the mineral-rich spring
water, which over time dries and causes the
calcium to petrify, leaving behind that perfect
white, frozen appearance.
It can get quite busy during peak season. For
a little more peace and quiet, head to the often
overlooked ancient ruins and hot springs of the
Greco-Roman spa town Hierapolis, built at the
very top of the site.
Ephesus, Izmir
Turkey is home to a staggering
number of ancient wonders, most of
which are far less visited than the
likes of those in Italy and Greece.
Ephesus is one such site, and
arguably the most impressive of
them all.
Once housing The Temple of
Artemis, one of the original Seven
Wonders of the World, the remains
of Ephesus recount a fascinating
narrative of the 9,000-year old
settlement. After more than a
century of excavation, we now know
that it was once a vibrant city of
over 250,000 inhabitants, complete
with colonnaded streets, temples, a
huge amphitheatre and the Celsus
library, which still stands today.
Cappadocia, Central Anatolia
Set high on the Anatolian plateau, the curious
landscapes of Cappadocia will make you
feel like you’ve walked into a fantasy land.
Here, honey-coloured rocks have eroded
into otherworldly sculptures resembling
minarets, mushrooms and ‘fairy chimneys’,
while entire subterranean cities, churches and
monasteries lie hidden beneath the surface,
having been carved out by settlers since the
Bronze Age.
Take a hot-air balloon ride at sunset, or
admire the landscape from the terrace of one
of the many rooftop hotels, eateries or bars.
This is truly one of the most romantic spots in
the world!
The thought of dating again can feel
overwhelming at any stage in life, but putting
yourself out there later in life can feel particularly
intimidating. So how do you know if you’re really
ready to dip a toe back into the dating pool?
When you’re young, friends who think you’re not
settled down start trying to pair you off. This can
happen again when you’re older; friends who
are couples used to being together may think
you’ll only be happy if you are in a relationship
like them. But the first rule of dating in later life
is to do things in your own time, when you feel
it’s right, not when someone else feels it’s right
for you.
Ask yourself: “Am I ready?”
Whether you’re on your own after the loss of a
spouse, divorce or splitting up with a long-term
partner, when will you be ready to begin dating
again?
Generally speaking, the best time to start dating
is when you feel confident and happy in your
own skin, and when you aren’t seeking the
affirmation of someone else. Some people arrive
at this point more slowly than others – everyone
has their own timeline, and love isn’t something
that should be rushed.
In fact, scientists suggest it’s our relationship
with ourselves that lays the foundations for all
other interactions, and that self-love could be the
secret to a healthy, fulfilling relationship with a
significant other.
What else to consider
With a bit more age comes a bit more baggage.
And it’s highly likely that your new date/online
matches will most likely have been married before.
You and your date might have children from
other relationships and it can be difficult knowing
how to introduce a new partner to children or
loved ones. However, don’t let your former life
interrupt your new one – and hopefully any
children will be supportive and happy for you
now that you feel the time is right to move on.
Dating in your 50s and beyond inevitably
means you’ve lived and loved before and your
combined experiences will mean you’ll both have
endless stories to share!
Online dating
Online dating is bigger than ever, with around
four in ten couples now meeting this way. You
can take plenty of time getting to know someone
via phone, email, or video chat before actually
meeting up with them in person. And if you
speak to someone online and instantly realise
that they aren’t the person for you, then it’s much
easier to cut contact politely.
Like everything in life, online dating does come
with some negatives, such as trying to weed out
the good dating profiles from the bad, not being
able to form a first impression of someone based
on physical interaction and, of course, concerns
about scams.
It’s important to remember that when talking
to someone new online, you should never give
out personal information that could put you or
your finances in jeopardy. This includes, but
is not limited to, your home address and your
bank details.
Whatever happens, try to remember that
there are plenty more fish in the sea and the
right person will be out there somewhere! And
sometimes you just can’t hurry love…
p23
Please mention Helsby to Hand when responding to adverts 3
manutti River Garden sofa, £4,110, and
garden chairs, £1,720 each, all Go modern
Furniture: 020 7731 9540; gomodern.co.uk.
Home & In
Embrace The Great Outd
Make the most of summer sunshine by ensuring
your garden is a great place to relax and
entertain.
Every outside space, irrespective of size, has
the potential to become an extra ‘room’, whether
you plan to use it for tending plants, entertaining
friends or relaxing in the sun.
Spend time considering whether a few quick,
inexpensive changes or an entire redesign will
make your garden practical and beautiful.
First, sketch a scale plan of the space on
graph paper and decide what will go where.
If revamping the landscaping ensure that the
materials you use – for paving, fencing, pots,
furnishings and so on – all co-ordinate. Set the
dining area nearest the house, with space for
a barbecue or a wood-fired pizza oven nearby,
or even a complete outdoor kitchen. In a large
garden you could fit a play area at the far end,
and a peaceful area away from both the house
and the children is ideal for a hammock or swing
seat. Signal changes of function by altering
flooring materials and changes of levels.
Think about lighting early – an outdoor lighting
s
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In the southern reaches of
the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is
blessed with idyllic beaches,
but a few steps inland another
kind of paradise waits to be
discovered, stunning and lush,
as the island endeavours to
protect its wildlife and dwindling
forest.
Great swathes were lost to
timber and plantations. The
remainder covers about 18%
of the land, only 2% of it native
trees, but nestling in gorges
or climbing to mountain tops
it still harbours 670 species of
plants. Meanwhile, imported
casuarinas sway along the
shore, banyans thrive and
Chinese guava bushes spread
unhindered. There are fanshaped
traveller’s palms and
unusual trees protected in
botanical gardens, including the
hyophorbe amaricaulis palm in
Curepipe and the rare talipot in
Pamplemousse, which takes up
to 60 years to flower and then
dies.
As for the wildlife, boars and
Javanese deer live alongside
the long-tailed macaques, the
ornate rainbow-coloured geckos
and thousands of fruit bats, or
‘flying foxes’, the only native
mammals, with wings up to
a metre across. Although the
dodo is extinct, other na
birds may fare better, su
the pink pigeons and Ma
kestrels breeding once a
protected areas.
Down in the south west,
the tea plantations of Da
Wood, the road climbs t
scented pines towards t
Grand Bassin sacred lak
and Hindu shrine. Nearb
the Native Garden of Pe
displays the lovely red ‘e
or national flower, and a
of medicinal plants. But
enticing of all in the area
Black River Gorges Nati
Park, covering over 6,00
hectares of forest laced
scenic trails. Echo parak
flash emerald green alon
the Macchabee ridge, w
tropicbirds flit through th
with the grace of ballet d
On the very edge of the
the Black River viewpoin
can be easily accessed,
breathtaking place wher
below the jagged peaks
thickly-wooded slopes tu
down to the sea
More views can be enjo
along the road down to t
coast, most dramatic the
precipitous peak on Le M
peninsula where runawa
slaves jumped to their d
M
N
W
Playing games – both indoor
and outdoor – has been a
feature of British pubs for
hundreds, and possibly
thousands, of years. Here
are just some of the archaic
games still played in Britain’s
pubs:
Devil Among the Tailors
This old pub game is a form
of table or bar skittles, where
nine skittles are arranged in a
square, open-topped wooden
box usually placed on a table
top. A vertical pole rises from
one corner of the box from
which a small, wooden ball
(about the size of a golf ball)
is suspended from a chain
or string. The aim is to swing
the ball in an arc to catch the
skittles, rather than aiming
directly at them.
And the name? Legend has it
that in 1805 the game of bar
skittles was renamed after the
cavalry was called to break up
a group of tailors who were
rioting. The army’s horsemen
were said to have cleared the
streets as effectively as a ball
ploughing through skittles.
Dwile Flonking
Honestly, you couldn’t make it
up. Dwile Flonking is a game
in which two teams of twelve
players take turns to hold
hands and dance in a circle, at
the same time trying to avoid
being hit by a beer-soaked
cloth (the ‘dwile’ in question)
wielded by an opposing team
member in the middle. Losers
get to drink a chamber pot
filled with ale, in double-quick
time.
Dwile Flonking apparently
has its origins in an ancient
harvest ritual. The word ‘dwile’
is a knitted floor cloth, while
‘flonk’ is probably a corruption
of ‘flong’ (used in olden days
as the past tense for ‘fling’).
Toad in the Hole
No, it’s not a hearty helping
of sausage and batter served
up by the pub landlord. This
is a simple game where
contestants toss brass coins
onto a lead-topped table with
a hole in the middle. Players
try to land their coins (known
as ‘toads’) either on the flat
surface of the table or in the
hole, scoring one or two points
respectively.
The game is a variant of
‘Pitch-penny’ (or ‘Chuck
Farthing’), which dates back
to the 18th century or possibly
even earlier.
Ringing the Bull
The idea here is to throw a
metal ring (hung from the
ceiling on a rope) onto a metal
hook on the wall. The hook
has replaced the original
target – a bull’s horn – that
gave the game its name.
Ringing the Bull was reputedly
a game brought back by
pilgrims from Jerusalem in
medieval times, and the story
is given some weight by the
fact that the most famous pub
to host the game is an ancient
Nottingham hostelry called “Ye
Olde Trip to Jerusalem”.
These traditional pub games
have an innocent charm that
provides a welcome relief from
the beeping, flashing, coinmunching
fruit machines that
have become such a familiar
sight in Britain’s drinking
establishments. Wouldn’t it be
ironic if we entered a pub in
ten years’ time and – instead
of finding customers hunched
over their smartphones and
laptops – we discovered
a group of players happily
engaged in a game of Devil
Among the Tailors?
Dwile Flonking
with the Devil
and his Tailors
Why Britain’s traditional pub games
may be poised to make a comeback
by Kate McLelland
Helsby to Hand - Kerrowmoar, Manley Road, Alvanley, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 9DE
Tel: 01928 727165 Email: helsbytohand@btinternet.com
“Helsby to Hand” is produced by an independent organisation; which is not connected to any other organisations, publications or groups. All material is copyright and no part of this
publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photographic or otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without written
permission of the copyright holder. Please note that we do not endorse any product or services of any advertisers. All advertisements and their content are accepted in good faith.
Responsibility for copyright and the accuracy of the information provided lies with the advertiser.
This month in pictures...
Want to make your pennies
stretch a bit further this
summer? Keep reading…
Free local events
Install the Eventbrite app
on your phone (or check
the website www.eventbrite.
co.uk) for family-friendly
events near you, from food
and drink festivals to pop-up
art exhibitions. Most are free
and tickets can be booked
using the app.
If you can bear to brave the
crowds, shopping malls often
have free family activities on
over the summer, including
kids’ entertainers and
competitions.
Gone are the days when
libraries were silent places
reserved for studying. Now
they regularly play host to
all manner of family-friendly
events, including treasure
hunts and storytelling. Many
events are free, while others
incur a small charge. Sign up
to your local library’s social
media pages or newsletter
at 10am on Saturday and
Sundays at most cinemas,
and every morning during
the summer, with tickets
priced from £2.50. The offer
is usually only valid for one
particular film.
Heading to London? The
Audience Club offers free
tickets to a host of live
shows. Membership costs
£5 and there’s a £3 (plus
VAT) admin charge for each
ticket, meaning you could
easily save £100 per show.
Most tickets are offered last
minute and you can only get
two per member. See www.
theaudienceclub.com.
My Box Office (www.
myboxoffice.biz) also runs a
similar scheme for an annual
fee of £15, which gets you
discounted tickets to a range
of shows across the UK.
Again, tickets are usually
offered last minute, and
there are only ever a limited
number available, so you
need to be quick!
don’t tend to be many
children’s programme
the website is well wo
a look if you have old
children.
Discount vouchers
Wowcher, Groupon a
voucher sites do hav
great deals, but they
involve signing up to
alert. Bownty (www.b
co.uk) gathers all the
together in one place
you don’t have to sig
newsletters. You can
by location and activi
when we checked the
cut-price deals on so
and kids craft session
Kids Pass gives you
discounts for a wide
range of activities an
venues, including cin
aquariums, zoos and
You also get free kids
(with a paying adult)
restaurants such as G
Prezzo and Bella Ital
card usually costs £3
for a year but there a
Summer
Fun on a
Budget
by Kate Dug
kateduggan.c
Short Story
Dolphin Watching
PLEASE NOTE COPY DATE FOR
ADVERTISING IN THE AUG EDITION
IS 18TH JULY (COMMUNITY EVENTS 16TH)
TO ADVERTISE PLEASE RING SARAH ON
01928 727165
or email:
helsbytohand@btinternet.com
If you don’t have a copy ’to hand’
check out the website:
www.helsbytohand.co.uk
TIP
Serves 4
Ready in 20 min
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5
Roast Salmon
with Tomato & Asparagus Tagliat
p4
p14 p50-51
Hello and welcome to
the July edition, here’s
a little taster of what’s
in store for us this
month...
Complete Security Service,
based in Frodsham are
celebrating 35 years in
business on the 4th July, congratulations to Jim
and Barb. You can read more about this success
story on the centre pages.
Congratulations also to staff from Rowlinsons
Solicitors who successfully walked the arduous
34 mile/55 kilometre Sandstone Trail in aid of
OPAL Services in just one day - p92.
After a 5 year gap, the Summer Ball at Alvanley
Cricket Club is back! This fabulous event will be
held on Saturday 22nd September in a marque
within the grounds, page 93 has all the details.
Forest Lodges on p9 design and build bespoke
lodges in a wide selection of layouts and designs.
They have first hand extensive experience of the
holiday lodge market and the running of lodge
parks.
If you enjoy good company, excellent food and
drink then Chester Food walking Tours will be
just the ticket. The guided walking tours offer
a unique and relaxed food tasting experience
through historic Chester. With over half a dozen
hand picked local independent food and drink
stops to feast on! Page 8.
Is your dog is struggling to keep cool during the
recent hot weather and in need of a good bath
and tidy up? Then take advantage of the offer on
p6 from Grooming Tails Dog Spa and receive
10% off during July (Mon - Fri).
As usual, have a great month,
Best Wishes,
p44
p59
p33 p76-77
Sarah x
p26
p60
Hello!
And a very warm
welcome as usual
to the June edition.
It was eighteen years
ago in May that the
first edition of Helsby To Hand hit the streets
and what a fantastic eighteen years it has been.
I have truly loved my job and I’ve been very
fortunate to meet many fabulous business owners
along the way, who have become great friends.
However, I now feel that the time is right to hand
over the mantel so to speak and so I would like to
introduce our eldest son, Charlie to those of you
who don’t already know him.
Charlie is taking over the day to day running of
the business and although I will still be involved
I would like to think that I will mostly be retired!
I can’t thank enough all of the wonderful
advertisers, my delivery team from over the
years, Karen and Heather for keeping on top of
accounts, my printers, David who looks after the
website, community page contributors and of
course, you the readers. Thank you. I am truly
grateful for the wonderful support that I and my
advertisers have received. I know that Charlie
will continue forward with the same passion and
enthusiasm for this little
community magazine!
So as I sign off on my 216th
publication I wish you all
well and here’s a little trip
down memory lane with a
picture of the first edition
back in May 2005.
Sarah x
p47
p47
Have a wonderful month.
My Very Best Wishes,
To advertise in Helsby To Hand
call Charlie on 07432 596 541 or email
helsbytohand@btinternet.com
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speak
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‘wrink
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be so
Cost:
Choo
If you
go to
Book
about
Furth
You ca
proced
at ww
tingly, but only while the treatment is
taking place.
Cost: from £1,800 per session.
p9
p9
p27
p27
p16
p16
p58-59
Hello!
And a very warm
welcome to the
April edition.
The 20th Anniversary of Frodsham Festival
of Walks starts at the end of April. 44 walks
will be taking place between Friday 26th
April - Monday 6th May across a variety
of different scenes and routes. With short,
medium or long walks there is something for
all ages and interests. Why not learn about the
local heritage, Frodsham’s ancient and modern
places of worship and protected geological
sites? Perhaps try a gentle wellbeing or
mindfulness walk - and there’s much more
including 20th anniversary commemorative
events and special guests.
Jacqueline Wilson Independent Funeral
Services are pleased to announce that they will
be opening a new office and chapel of rest on
Latham Avenue, Helsby. Please keep an eye
out for an official opening date which will be
confirmed in a future edition.
St. Paul’s Church, Helsby are running car boot
sales taking place 10:00am - 1:00pm, every
second Saturday of the month starting 13th
April. A full list of the confirmed dates and
more information can be found on this months
Community Pages.
Have a great month!
p48
p48
To advertise in Helsby To Hand
call Charlie on 01928 627 343 or email
helsbytohand@btinternet.com
Deadline for
the May
edition is
15th April
p10
p10
p36
p36
p18
p18
Best Wishes,
Charlie
£100
5 day workshop
Summer Workshop
27th August - 31st August
9am - 3pm
Come and join the Broadway Bound family
this summer for a fun filled week of
singing, dancing and acting to the
music of the hit musical movie
"The Greatest Showman"
Secure your place by cantacting kayleigh@believeinmagicuk.com
lots of fun with our Musical Theatre
singing, dancing & acting classes.
.
Be a part of our family!
Classes available for children of all ages and abiltities.
Or head over to our facebook page
www.facebook.com/broadwayboundtheatreschool
Contact Kayleigh@believeinmagicuk.com
for details.
herapy in a comfortable clinic
sion (“he” instead of “she”)
(aged 6+)
es and are currently providing
y.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Thera
in Cuddingto
We can help i
• unde
• poor
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We also prov
input for over
Website : ww
For all your doggie grooming needs from a bath
and dry to a full clip and groom, we look after
your pooch in a friendly environment to
the highest standard.
Over 6 years Grooming Salon experience to
Level 3 City & Guilds standard
K9 First Aid qualified
Fully Insured
A family run business full of true dog lovers!
Find us on Facebook or Telephone 07765862756
Groomingtails Dog Spa,
128 Bridge Lane, Frodsham, WA6 7HZ
gtds0718
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• Understanding instructions
• Poor attention and listening
• Social communication issues
• Poor vocabulary understanding and use
• Using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun
confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• Not speaking clearly
• Producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• Stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and
are currently providing input for over 16 schools in Cheshire.
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun conf
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th”
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurser
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk
Email : carole@chattytherap
py offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
n.
f your child has any of the following difficulties:
standing instructions
ttention and listening
communication issues
ocabulary understanding and use
grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
cing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
ering/stuttering
de regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
16 schools in Cheshire
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy
offers fun and
effective speech
and language
therapy in a
comfortable
clinic in
Cuddington.
www.chattytherapy.co.uk carole@chattytherapy.co.uk 07962 073432
the highest standard.
Over 6 years Grooming Salon experience to
Level 3 City & Guilds standard
K9 First Aid qualified
Fully Insured
A family run business full of true dog lovers!
Find us on Facebook or Telephone 07765862756
Groomingtails Dog Spa,
128 Bridge Lane, Frodsham, WA6 7HZ
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• Understanding instructions
• Poor attention and listening
• Social communication issues
• Poor vocabulary understanding and use
• Using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun
confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• Not speaking clearly
• Producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• Stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and
are currently providing input for over 16 schools in Cheshire.
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun conf
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th”
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurser
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherap
py offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
n.
f your child has any of the following difficulties:
standing instructions
ttention and listening
communication issues
ocabulary understanding and use
grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
cing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
ering/stuttering
de regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
16 schools in Cheshire
w.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy offers fun and effective speech and language therapy in a comfortable clinic
in Cuddington.
We can help if your child has any of the following difficulties:
• understanding instructions
• poor attention and listening
• social communication issues
• poor vocabulary understanding and use
• using grammar – issues such as “me do it” or pronoun confusion (“he” instead of “she”)
• using speech sounds age-­‐appropriately
• producing the harder speech sounds such as “r”, “l” or “th” (aged 6+)
• stammering/stuttering
We also provide regular services and training in schools and nurseries and are currently providing
input for over 16 schools in Cheshire
Website : www.chattytherapy.co.uk Email : carole@chattytherapy.co.uk Mobile : 07962 073432
Chatty Therapy
offers fun and
effective speech
and language
therapy in a
comfortable
clinic in
Cuddington.
www.chattytherapy.co.uk carole@chattytherapy.co.uk 07962 073432
Please mention Helsby to Hand when responding to adverts 3
Please mention Helsby to Hand when responding to adverts 3
S
c
T
b
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
manutti River Garden sofa, £4,110, and
garden chairs, £1,720 each, all Go modern
Furniture: 020 7731 9540; gomodern.co.uk.
Home & In
Embrace The Great Outdo
Make the most of summer sunshine by ensuring
your garden is a great place to relax and
entertain.
Every outside space, irrespective of size, has
the potential to become an extra ‘room’, whether
you plan to use it for tending plants, entertaining
friends or relaxing in the sun.
Spend time considering whether a few quick,
inexpensive changes or an entire redesign will
make your garden practical and beautiful.
First, sketch a scale plan of the space on
graph paper and decide what will go where.
If revamping the landscaping ensure that the
materials you use – for paving, fencing, pots,
furnishings and so on – all co-ordinate. Set the
dining area nearest the house, with space for
a barbecue or a wood-fired pizza oven nearby,
or even a complete outdoor kitchen. In a large
garden you could fit a play area at the far end,
and a peaceful area away from both the house
and the children is ideal for a hammock or swing
seat. Signal changes of function by altering
flooring materials and changes of levels.
Think about lighting early – an outdoor lighting
circuit (installed by a qualified electrician) allows
for flexible, effective garden lighting. Consider
what features would benefit from illumination
and add general lighting for the evening. Wall
str
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se
an
In the southern reaches of
the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is
blessed with idyllic beaches,
but a few steps inland another
kind of paradise waits to be
discovered, stunning and lush,
as the island endeavours to
protect its wildlife and dwindling
forest.
Great swathes were lost to
timber and plantations. The
remainder covers about 18%
of the land, only 2% of it native
trees, but nestling in gorges
or climbing to mountain tops
it still harbours 670 species of
plants. Meanwhile, imported
casuarinas sway along the
shore, banyans thrive and
Chinese guava bushes spread
unhindered. There are fanshaped
traveller’s palms and
unusual trees protected in
botanical gardens, including the
hyophorbe amaricaulis palm in
Curepipe and the rare talipot in
Pamplemousse, which takes up
to 60 years to flower and then
dies.
As for the wildlife, boars and
Javanese deer live alongside
the long-tailed macaques, the
ornate rainbow-coloured geckos
and thousands of fruit bats, or
‘flying foxes’, the only native
mammals, with wings up to
a metre across. Although the
dodo is extinct, other native
birds may fare better, such
the pink pigeons and Maur
kestrels breeding once aga
protected areas.
Down in the south west, be
the tea plantations of Darlin
Wood, the road climbs thro
scented pines towards the
Grand Bassin sacred lake
and Hindu shrine. Nearby,
the Native Garden of Petrin
displays the lovely red ‘ear
or national flower, and an a
of medicinal plants. But mo
enticing of all in the area is
Black River Gorges Nation
Park, covering over 6,000
hectares of forest laced wit
scenic trails. Echo parakee
flash emerald green along
the Macchabee ridge, white
tropicbirds flit through the a
with the grace of ballet dan
On the very edge of the go
the Black River viewpoint
can be easily accessed, a
breathtaking place where,
below the jagged peaks, th
thickly-wooded slopes tum
down to the sea
More views can be enjoyed
along the road down to the
coast, most dramatic the
precipitous peak on Le Mo
peninsula where runaway
slaves jumped to their deat
M
N
W
Playing games – both indoor
and outdoor – has been a
feature of British pubs for
hundreds, and possibly
thousands, of years. Here
are just some of the archaic
games still played in Britain’s
pubs:
Devil Among the Tailors
This old pub game is a form
of table or bar skittles, where
nine skittles are arranged in a
square, open-topped wooden
box usually placed on a table
top. A vertical pole rises from
one corner of the box from
which a small, wooden ball
(about the size of a golf ball)
is suspended from a chain
or string. The aim is to swing
the ball in an arc to catch the
skittles, rather than aiming
directly at them.
And the name? Legend has it
that in 1805 the game of bar
skittles was renamed after the
cavalry was called to break up
a group of tailors who were
rioting. The army’s horsemen
were said to have cleared the
streets as effectively as a ball
ploughing through skittles.
Dwile Flonking
Honestly, you couldn’t make it
up. Dwile Flonking is a game
in which two teams of twelve
players take turns to hold
hands and dance in a circle, at
the same time trying to avoid
being hit by a beer-soaked
cloth (the ‘dwile’ in question)
wielded by an opposing team
member in the middle. Losers
get to drink a chamber pot
filled with ale, in double-quick
time.
Dwile Flonking apparently
has its origins in an ancient
harvest ritual. The word ‘dwile’
is a knitted floor cloth, while
‘flonk’ is probably a corruption
of ‘flong’ (used in olden days
as the past tense for ‘fling’).
Toad in the Hole
No, it’s not a hearty helping
of sausage and batter served
up by the pub landlord. This
is a simple game where
contestants toss brass coins
onto a lead-topped table with
a hole in the middle. Players
try to land their coins (known
as ‘toads’) either on the flat
surface of the table or in the
hole, scoring one or two points
respectively.
The game is a variant of
‘Pitch-penny’ (or ‘Chuck
Farthing’), which dates back
to the 18th century or possibly
even earlier.
Ringing the Bull
The idea here is to throw a
metal ring (hung from the
ceiling on a rope) onto a metal
hook on the wall. The hook
has replaced the original
target – a bull’s horn – that
gave the game its name.
Ringing the Bull was reputedly
a game brought back by
pilgrims from Jerusalem in
medieval times, and the story
is given some weight by the
fact that the most famous pub
to host the game is an ancient
Nottingham hostelry called “Ye
Olde Trip to Jerusalem”.
These traditional pub games
have an innocent charm that
provides a welcome relief from
the beeping, flashing, coinmunching
fruit machines that
have become such a familiar
sight in Britain’s drinking
establishments. Wouldn’t it be
ironic if we entered a pub in
ten years’ time and – instead
of finding customers hunched
over their smartphones and
laptops – we discovered
a group of players happily
engaged in a game of Devil
Among the Tailors?
Dwile Flonking
with the Devil
and his Tailors
Why Britain’s traditional pub games
may be poised to make a comeback
by Kate McLelland
Helsby to Hand - Kerrowmoar, Manley Road, Alvanley, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 9DE
Tel: 01928 727165 Email: helsbytohand@btinternet.com
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This month in pictures...
Want to make your pennies
stretch a bit further this
summer? Keep reading…
Free local events
Install the Eventbrite app
on your phone (or check
the website www.eventbrite.
co.uk) for family-friendly
events near you, from food
and drink festivals to pop-up
art exhibitions. Most are free
and tickets can be booked
using the app.
If you can bear to brave the
crowds, shopping malls often
have free family activities on
over the summer, including
kids’ entertainers and
competitions.
Gone are the days when
libraries were silent places
reserved for studying. Now
they regularly play host to
all manner of family-friendly
events, including treasure
hunts and storytelling. Many
events are free, while others
incur a small charge. Sign up
to your local library’s social
media pages or newsletter
to be the first to hear what’s
coming up.
Cut-price shows
at 10am on Saturday and
Sundays at most cinemas,
and every morning during
the summer, with tickets
priced from £2.50. The offer
is usually only valid for one
particular film.
Heading to London? The
Audience Club offers free
tickets to a host of live
shows. Membership costs
£5 and there’s a £3 (plus
VAT) admin charge for each
ticket, meaning you could
easily save £100 per show.
Most tickets are offered last
minute and you can only get
two per member. See www.
theaudienceclub.com.
My Box Office (www.
myboxoffice.biz) also runs a
similar scheme for an annual
fee of £15, which gets you
discounted tickets to a range
of shows across the UK.
Again, tickets are usually
offered last minute, and
there are only ever a limited
number available, so you
need to be quick!
TV companies offer free
audience tickets for many
of their programmes, from
don’t tend to be many
children’s programmes
the website is well wort
a look if you have older
children.
Discount vouchers
Wowcher, Groupon and
voucher sites do have s
great deals, but they us
involve signing up to a
alert. Bownty (www.bow
co.uk) gathers all the o
together in one place, a
you don’t have to sign u
newsletters. You can se
by location and activity,
when we checked there
cut-price deals on soft p
and kids craft sessions
Kids Pass gives you
discounts for a wide
range of activities and
venues, including cinem
aquariums, zoos and m
You also get free kids’ m
(with a paying adult) at
restaurants such as Gir
Prezzo and Bella Italia.
card usually costs £39.
for a year but there are
offers available, includi
for a 30 day trial (you’ll
to make sure you cance
within the trial period). T
Summer
Fun on a
Budget
by Kate Dugg
kateduggan.co.
Short Story
Dolphin Watching
PLEASE NOTE COPY DATE FOR
ADVERTISING IN THE AUG EDITION
IS 18TH JULY (COMMUNITY EVENTS 16TH)
TO ADVERTISE PLEASE RING SARAH ON
01928 727165
or email:
helsbytohand@btinternet.com
If you don’t have a copy ’to hand’
check out the website:
www.helsbytohand.co.uk
TIP
Serves 4
Ready in 20 minu
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5
Roast Salmon
with Tomato & Asparagus Tagliate
p4
p14 p50-51
Hello and welcome to
the July edition, here’s
a little taster of what’s
in store for us this
month...
Complete Security Service,
based in Frodsham are
celebrating 35 years in
business on the 4th July, congratulations to Jim
and Barb. You can read more about this success
story on the centre pages.
Congratulations also to staff from Rowlinsons
Solicitors who successfully walked the arduous
34 mile/55 kilometre Sandstone Trail in aid