Hobbies/Interests – Sun City 50 Plus Club

Pet Sitting

February 2, 2021 admin Leave a comment

Going on Holiday? Need a pet or housesitter for your dog, cat, horses or other animals? Look no further…

No more worries about leaving your beloved pet at the kennels or cattery. Leave them in their own home with trusted and experienced carers so you are confident that they are being looked after properly.

Click on the link below to find out more…

If you love pets and would like to become a pet carer, please click the link above where you can become a member and start your own pet caring journey.

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Pet sitting, dog sitting, pet care,

Category: Holidays, Holidays/Travel, Pets Tags: animal sitting, cat sitter, dog sitting, dog sitting in my home, Featured, holiday pet care, holiday property sitting, home pet sitting, house and pet sitting, house sitting services, in home dog sitting, in home pet care, look after pets, pet house sitters, pet sitting, pet sitting services

The Cider Maker’s Wife – By Evelyn Luck

February 4, 2020 admin

Evelyn Luck was a farmer’s daughter and has lived in the Kent countryside all her life, much of this in Tenterden, in Kent where she was educated, and in the surrounding villages.

She married a cider maker’s son and joined the family business – Bob Luck Cider Makers – in Biddenden until her father-in-law died in 1978 when the cider factory closed down. Bob and Evelyn then ran their own farm, raising fattening calves, sheep and poultry. This book gives her memories and reminiscences of the old ways of farming in a humorous but knowledgeable way and through her own experiences.

The Cider Maker’s Wife – Special Launch price £10.00

Category: Books, News Tags: apple cider, as luck would have it, bob luck cider, cider, cider brewery, cider maker's wife, cider making book, cider making kit, cider press, country living, country tales, crisp apple cider, easy cider making, evelyn luck, evelyn luck author, farmer's daughter, Featured, kent author, make own cider, make your own cider, making cider, the farm

My Life is Worth Living by Carol M. Creasey

February 2, 2020 admin

This often heartbreaking account by Carol, whose son, Paul, was born with disabilities including autism, is told with the honesty and sincerity necessary to portray the conflicting emotions faced by any family, and particularly a mother, in such circumstances. The feelings of guilt and failure, envy of other mothers with ‘normal’ children, and feelings of bitterness and inadequacy have to be resolved to enjoy a happy family life.

When multiple handicaps gradually begin to manifest themselves in Paul, Carol learns to deal with each predicament, painful though it may be, discovering that a sense of humour is essential as handicapped children react very differently to others in everyday situations.

Strong emotions are shown within her family. Their love in these circumstances ties the bonds between children, and mother and child, tighter than normal. There is the loyalty, the fierce feelings of protectiveness that a vulnerable person can elicit from those closest to them. There is also the feeling of fear – fear for Paul every time he is ill, fear that he might not survive all his illnesses. And when it becomes impossible to cope with the traumas of the situation there are feelings of defeat, guilt and even more heartbreak.

But right at the end of the tunnel comes the light. The bravery and courage of Paul to fight all illnesses and adversities and go on living in spite of all his handicaps, becoming a happy young man enjoying life at his own pace, make everything else seem to pale into insignificance. If he could speak, he would surely say, “My life is worth living!”

Hardback, 170pp. ISBN: 9781852000516

Price: £13.95.

www.unitedwriters.co.uk

Email: sales@unitedwriters.co.uk

About the Author:

Kent born author Carol M. Creasey wrote her first book about her autistic son entitled My Life is Worth Living! With four children to cope with, the book brilliantly reflects her struggles balancing a full family life and still giving her son the extra care he needed.

As well as looking after her family, she has had a career as a manager in various china and glass merchandising establishments and also owned her own shop. Writing has always remained an important part of Carol’s life, with many novels already published, but the story of Laura and her autistic son Matthew in The Power of Love has a particular resonance given Carol’s experiences with her own son.

Other titles by Carol M. Creasey:

The Power of Love
Not Just an Affair
Evil Woman

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Category: Books, News Tags: carol m creasey

Brandy Tea Loaf Recipe

October 10, 2019 admin

Barmbrack is a traditional Irish fruitcake which is also known as Irish Tea Cake if you add whisky to the tea mix. This recipe makes a really beautiful moist fruit loaf which is packed with flavour from the mixed spice and dried fruit, which sits overnight in cold tea and brandy (as I prefer) to soak up all the goodness. You can drop the whisky or brandy if you wish but I think it adds another flavour kick…

Ingredients:

Makes 1 x 900g loaf (serves 8)

225g Plain Flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

375g packet of fruit mix

250ml cold tea (strained)

50ml Whisky/Brandy

125g light brown sugar

l large egg

1-2 tsp Mixed Spice

Method:

Place the fruit mix in a bowl and pour over the whisky/brandy and cold strained tea. Allow to soak up the liquid overnight.

Preheat the oven to 170°C/327°/Gas Mark 3 and grease and line a 900g loaf tin. Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and mixed spice in a mixing bowl.

Make a well and break in the egg(s), using a wooden spoon, mix the egg(s) with the dry ingredients. Add a little bit of the liquid the fruit mix is sitting in and mix it through. You may not need all the liquid. You are looking for a wet dough. Then stir through the fruit mix until everything is thoroughly combined.

Spoon the wet dough into the lined loaf tin(s) and place in the oven on the middle shelf and bake for 1 hour, or a little longer. Remove from the oven and test if cooked. No wet mix should show on the knife. Allow to cool slightly before removing the loaf from the tin and placing on wire rack.

Cover in cling wrap and tin foil when cool and preferably allow to sit for 1-2 days before cutting into it. Serve in slices spread with a little butter (if you like) and a good cuppa! This cake freezes well. I make them in batches of 3 and they are very popular. Sorry there’s only half a loaf in the picture – once tasted everyone comes back for more!

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Category: Cooking/Recipes Tags: brandy tea loaf recipe, tea loaf

How Would You Like To Write a Book?

July 4, 2019 admin

It may sound daunting, but once you have completed this Amazon No.1 Best Selling Author System, presented and taught by a best selling author who knows what he is talking about and teaches you the exact steps, you will see that actually it’s very easy.

This is a step-by-step course made up of 6 parts, designed to take you through the process of writing a best-selling book, even with no prior experience. It teaches you everything you need to know in order to write your book, what does and doesn’t sell, bits to outsource such as cover design, how to publish and the most important step which is how to market and have customers crying out to buy it.

Self-Publishing is now a profitable reality and this course includes a detailed blueprint for publishing the book yourself. This means you don’t have to go through the struggle of finding a traditional publishing house if you don’t want to and it also means you get to keep 100% of the profits!

Ready to start your publishing journey? Then Click here to find out more.

The course content includes:

Course content includes:

Step-by-step instructions on how to write a best-selling book
The key stages you must follow when writing your own books
How to choose the right genre and topic for your book
How to determine whether your book will sell before you write it
What subjects and chapters to include in your book, and why
The step-by-step proven blueprint for self-publishing
How to make your book stand out from the crowd
A step-by-step book marketing campaign
How to set up your very own book publishing company
The proven strategy for getting any book into Waterstones
How to publish your book on Amazon Kindle
How to generate massive levels of traffic from Social Media for free
How to create fast and easy videos to promote your books
How to get lots of sales through LinkedIn for free
How to promote your book on FaceBook for pennies per click
How to use Youtube to promote your books
Pricing options for your books
The secrets of how you can get your book to become a No.1 best seller on Amazon

Ready to start your publishing journey? Then Click here to find out more.

Category: Books, Members Stories, News Tags: become an author, becoming a writer, book writer, book writing, finding a publisher, how to become an author, how to self publish a book, how to start writing, how to write a book, how to write a novel, i want to write a book, print on demand, publish own book, publishing a novel, self publishing, short story writing, write your book, write your own book, writing a book

Antonio’s Quick Paella

June 11, 2019 admin

Ingredients

For 4 people:

½ Cup Olive Oil
2 Medium Onions – chopped
2 Red Pepper – sliced
3 Ripe Tomatoes – chopped
3 Cloves Garlic – chopped
300 grm. Squid – sliced
750 grm. Chicken pieces – chopped/sliced
750 grm. King Prawns
150 grm. Frozen Peas
2 ½ cups Uncle Ben’s Wholegrain Rice
5 ½ cups of stock, already bubbling hot
10 Strands of Saffron / Yellow food coloring, taste
150ml (1/4 pint) dry white wine
Salt to Taste

Method

STEP 1: Heat the oil in a large pan and place the chicken, tomatoes, onion, pepper, the squid and chopped garlic. Fry until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are softened.

STEP 2: Add the chicken stock, rice, peas, King Prawns, white wine and saffron / coloring, salt to taste.

STEP 3: Cook for 15 – 20 minutes until most of the water has been absorbed and the rice cooked and tender. Turn off heat and rest for three more minutes before serving.

Good appetite!!

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Category: Cooking/Recipes Tags: cooking/recipes, paella, spanish recipes

Learn all your gardening tips from members of your local Gardening Club

June 9, 2019 admin

You may know nothing about gardening, you may be fairly knowledgeable or you could be an expert, but whatever stage you’re at, you can always learn something new and the best place to start would be your local gardening club. They are also great places to make new friends with similar interests.

Throughout the UK most villages have a gardening club. They generally meet in the local village hall and usually have a variety of members who are willing to give anyone starting out the benefit of their knowledge. You may find that some of the members have an allotment and this maybe something you might consider yourself at some time, especially if you don’t have much space for a garden at home. Some clubs encourage their members to join in on local projects such as for their local school or village green.

Most gardening clubs have regular talks and discussions with guest speakers on many different garden related subjects as members are usually interested in many aspects of gardening whether it be growing plants, flowers or shrubs or planting a vegetable garden and producing your own fruit and veg. There’s usually the opportunity to join in on trips to gardens open to the public – both large and small local gardens as well as other famous gardens such as those operated by the National Trust.

Sometimes there is the opportunity to buy seeds or plants from your gardening club at very good prices as they can often buy in bulk and members receive the benefits.

Local club members are usually keen to show off their produce and many clubs arrange one or two produce shows each year with classes for everyone. These can be great social occasions as well as giving members a sense of pride.

Is there a local Gardening Club in your area?

Why not include the details on this page for others to see such as Name of Club, contact details and where meetings take place, dates and times. There’s no charge!

KENT

Biddenden Horticultural Society
Sec: Irene Orsborne. Email: Steve Orsborne steve-orsborne@supanet.com.
Chairman: David Stiles 01580 291350.
Treasurer: Leslie Lidgett 291931 Email:
Website: www.biddendenhorticulturalsociety.co.uk
Venue: Biddenden Village Hall. 4th Wednesday of the month. 7.15pm.

Tenterden & District Horticultural Society
Chairman: Jan Page Tel: 07752 914419
Vice Chairman: Sylvia Elsey Tel: 01580 763003
Secretary: Lindy Bates: e-mail alanandlindybates@yahoo.co.uk
Meetings: St Mildred’s Church Hall, Church Road, Tenterden

Horsham & District Horticultural Society
Membership Sec: Carolyn Smith Tel: 01403 261737
Website: http://www.horshamhorticulturalsociety.co.uk
Meetings held alternate Tuesdays starting at 7.30pm, at the Brighton Road Baptist Church, Brighton Road , Horsham, RH13 5BD. The venue has disabled access

Lindfield Horticultural Society
Chairman: Chris Gurr. Email: cjgurr@aol.com
Membership Secretary: Joyce Gladwell
Treasurer: Michael Elliott. Email: michaelelliott6@googlemail.com
Meetings held at King Edward Hall, Lindfield, (opposite the pond)

Shoreham Horticultural Society

Membership Sec: Ron Yetman – 01903 535991

Website: http://www.shorehamhorticulturalsociety.org/

Meetings held 1st Friday of each month (except January) at St Peter’s Church Hall, West Street, Shoreham, starting at 7:30pm. New members always welcome.

Bridport & District Gardening Club
Membership: Mrs W Thorogood – enquiries@bridportgardeningclub.co.uk
Meetings are in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport – contact Mrs W Thorogood for details

Orleton & District Gardening Club
Chairman: Nick Russell – 01568 780678 – nick@nickrussell.co.uk
Secretary: Monica Todd – 01568 613861 – monica.todd@btinternet.com
Treasurer: Eddie Clanzy-Hodge – 07827 536884 – eddie@tweedies.biz
Website: http://www.orletongardeningclub.co.uk

Richmond Garden Club
Chairman: Anna Jackson – 01748 821343 – anna@freeform.plus.com
Secretary: Tina McDonald
Treasurer: Rachel Walker
Meetings are in Richmond Town Hall, DL10 4QL on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm.
Website:http://www.richmondgardenclub.co.uk

Melmerby & District Gardening Club`
Chairman: Sheila Ripper – 01768 881348 – sheilaripper@icloud.com
Secretary: Sue Littlewood – 01768 88205 – riggside97@gmail.com
Treasurer: Jennifer Baker – 01768 881653 – BAKERJ2@sky.com
Website: http://www.melmerbyanddistrictgardeningclub.btck.co.uk/http://www.melmerbyanddistrictgardeningclub.btck.co.uk/
During the ‘winter season’, usually between September and the following May, we hold evening meetings in the New Village Hall, Melmerby on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm.

Gardening things you’ll love

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Category: Gardening Tags: flowers, gardening, gardening clubs, gardening tips, plants, vegetables

Flapjacks with Black Treacle

April 4, 2019 admin

This is an adaption of an old recipe I have used for years. If you don’t like black treacle you can leave plain or add raisins or chopped cherries etc. The black treacle version smells delicious and is moist and sticky.

8oz Porridge Oaks
6 oz margarine or butter
4 oz Sugar – preferably half demerara half golden granulated.
1 dessertspoons Black Treacle.
Pinch salt

Prepare oven 375-400°F (190-200°C) . Melt the margarine slowly in a saucepan. Place the oats, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Spoon the black treacle into the melted margarine and stir to combine. Pour into the oat mixture and stir until well coated. Press the ingredients into a greased sandwich tin or similar and place in middle of oven for about 15 mins. The mixture does not look cooked but believe me, it is! If you leave it until it browns, it will become hard. Cut into slices whilst hot and leave to cool before removing from tin.

I always double up on the mixture and bake in a flat metal baking pan so it becomes a tray bake.

Recipe from Shirley Reeves

: Press mixture into tin.

: Cut into squares whilst hot

: Delicious!

Category: Cooking/Recipes Tags: cakes, Featured, flapjacks, recipes

Wildlife Artist and Photographer Amanda Ferras

February 5, 2018 admin

My name is Amanda Ferras and I am a wildlife artist and photographer based in Ashford, Kent. I am an illustrator by profession and I love to work in various types of media including oil, watercolour, pastels and charcoal. I specialise in animals but I am equally at ease with portraits of people, often using charcoal to get the best effect.

After graduating from the University of Kent with a First Class Hons degree in Illustration, I decided to gain practical experience in the industry and initially worked for a sculpting company, which created theatre sets and props for movie premiers out of polystyrene, including building Thunder Bird 3! Thereafter, I undertook a PGCE teacher training course at Canterbury Christ Church University and taught Art & Design, along with Graphics & Photography, at Invicta Grammar School in Maidstone.

However, whilst working I continued to produce my own art work (undertaking private commissions) and develop my interest in photography. I gave up teaching in 2008 and now concentrate on art and photography full-time. This enables me to combine my two great passions: wildlife and travel.

I have been very fortunate to travel to some fantastic locations to sketch and photograph all manner of wildlife in its natural environment. To date my source material has come from the world famous Masai Mara in Kenya (where I spent time photographing with Jonathan Scott and his wife Angie); the Serengeti in Tanzania; the Okavango Delta in Botswana; South Luangwa National Park in Zambia; the Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda; a number of national parks in India including Bandhavgarh & Kanha ; and most recently I managed to visit my first polar region, completing a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen in the High Arctic, on a twenty-man schooner, as part of a 16-day expedition.

Closer to home I like to spend time chasing our own British wildlife, which I find is every bit as interesting and photogenic as those I have seen in more exotic locations. In fact, in many ways, it is much more pleasing to capture images of British wildlife, as you have to work much harder, given it is so shy and not habituated to jeeps or visitors. I have a number of locations that I visit regularly locally including Knole Park, Challock, the Romney Marshes and any garden that I see a butterfly land in!

I have to admit that one of my favourite destinations is the stunning Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. February usually provides great opportunities to view some iconic British wildlife such as the endangered red squirrel; the endearing crested tit and the elegant red deer.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.amandaferras-wildlifegallery.co.uk or come along to one of my exhibitions, which are generally held locally and you can find details of future dates and venues on my website in the events section.

: One Tusk

: Barn Owl

: A Dusting of Snow

: Dormouse

: Hedgehog

: Red Squirrel

: Fox

: Pet Portrait – Commission

: Crested Tit

: Red Deer

Category: Photography Tags: foxes, hedgehogs, owls, photographs, photography, wildlife photography

Latest Films on DVD

January 9, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Check out the latest films available on DVD….

You can order today and receive them within just a few days, by clicking on the links below. Why not leave a comment once you have watched a film or suggest something that you really enjoyed. This is helpful for other visitors.

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Category: Films Tags: cinema, DVDs, films, movies

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Category: Hobbies/Interests

Going on Holiday? Need a pet or housesitter for your dog, cat, horses or other animals? Look no further…

The Cider Maker’s Wife – Special Launch price £10.00

Method

Is there a local Gardening Club in your area?

KENT

Gardening things you’ll love

Check out the latest films available on DVD….