Across Kent March Issue 6

Across Kent is Environmentally

Friendly

& Overseas INSIDE:

INSIDE:

INSIDE:

INSIDE:

Mothers Day is on 14th March Mothering Sunday was also known as 'Refreshment Sunday', Pudding Pie Sunday (in Surrey, England) or 'Mid-Lent Sunday'. It was the one day in Lent when the fasting rules were relaxed, in honour of the 'Feeding of the Five Thousand', a story in the Christian Bible.

The more usual name was Mothering Sunday. No one is absolutely certain exactly how the name of Mothering Sunday began. However, one theory is that the celebration could have been adopted from a Roman spring festival celebrating Cybele, their Mother Goddess.

As Christianity spread, this date was adopted by Christians. The epistle in the Book of Common Prayer for this Sunday refers to the heavenly Jerusalem as "the Mother of all us all", and this may have prompted the customs we still see today. It is known on this date, about four hundred years ago, people

made a point of visiting their nearest big church (the Mother Church). The church in which each person was baptised.

Cathedrals are the 'mother church' of all other churches in an area ('diocese'). Canterbury Cathedral is pictured below.

People who visited their mother church would say they had gone "a mothering." Young British girls and boys 'in service' (maids and servants) were only allowed one day to visit their family each year. This was usually on Mothering Sunday. Often the housekeeper or cook would allow the maids to bake a cake to take home for their mother. Sometimes a gift of eggs; or flowers from the garden (or hothouse) was allowed.

Natures Remedies to Common & not

so Common Conditions Part 2

A Personal Invitation to all Car Dealers &

Car Sales Outlets!

A Personal Invitation to all Estate & Letting

Agents!

THIS ISSUE:

Own a Spectacular Home in France Properties throughout this issue

What you should know for your Theory & Driving Test!!!

For: Property ~ Vehicles ~ Food ~ Recruitment ~ Entertainment ~ Classifieds ~ Personals

Issue 6

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FIRST TIME BUYERS GUIDE TO GETTING ON THE HOUSING LADDER

First-time buyers guide part 1: Is now the time to buy a house?

Since house prices started to tumble just over a year ago, first-time buyers have anxiously been wondering whether now is the time to venture onto the property ladder.

For those with a decent deposit and a good chance of getting a mortgage, the answer is yes – providing you intend to stay in the property for at least a few years, to cushion yourself against future rises in interest rates and to make the most of capital appreciation when the tide turns for the better again.

Buying is now cheaper than renting in every region except for London and most property analysts believe the worst of the downturn is behind us.

“Affordability has returned to levels not seen for several years and interest rates are also at an all time low and are expected to stay so for some time yet, so the cost of borrowing is very attractive at present,” comments Nicholas Leeming, Commercial Director of property information portal Zoopla.co.uk.

There are also fewer buyers in the market competing for first rung properties, “so at this end of the market, where prices remain under pressure, it’s still possible to negotiate on price,” says Michael O’Flynn, director of Findaproperty.com.

Prospective buyers are hopeful too. A new Consumer Confidence survey from Rightmove.co.uk shows that 80 per cent of would-be first time buyers do not expect prices to fall further and 63 per cent feel now is a good time to buy.

There are two big sticking points for many would-be buyers, though. Finance is the key one. The stamp duty holiday, currently 0% on properties up to £175,000, is due to end on December 31st, when a 1 per cent tax will once again be payable on properties costing from £125,000 to £250,000. And if you do not have ample savings or access to the bank of mum and dad, you may be rejected by lenders who are favoring those needing lower loan to value mortgages.

And there is the issue of limited stock; a third fewer new properties are coming onto the market now than this time last year and vendors are removing properties from the market if the offers are too low.

Most first-time buyers are interested in new-build and developers are trying to help entice them by offering all manner of incentives, from paying the stamp duty or giving straight cash discounts to shared ownership schemes such as Assettrust Housing’s, where you can buy a 12.5 per cent cash share in any of their schemes and live mortgage free, upgrading your share in time when you have more money. Banks including NatWest are now offering 90 per cent loan to value mortgages again, and there are sweeteners to help newcomers every step of the way, such as NatWest’s fee-free, five-year fixed rate mortgage exclusively for first-time buyers.

Stephanie Maher, a 25-year-old public relations account manager, has just completed on her first property: a three-bedroom semi in Morecambe, which she and her boyfriend have bought for £128,000, with a £115,000 mortgage.

“We have been saving since January and didn’t think we would ever be able to get on the ladder as most mortgages required a 15 per cent deposit, but when 90 per cent mortgages became available and reports suggested house prices were rising slowly, we decided we would take the plunge,” says Stephanie. “People are still desperate to sell and first-time buyers are the best ones to target as they don’t have to worry about selling anything or being in negative equity.”

Now is not the time to take risks, agents advise. Buy now only if you can afford to, your job is secure and you are not overstretching yourself with a mortgage. But if you can tick all those boxes, then you might want to learn to haggle – as there are some great bargains to be found...

First-time buyers guide part 2: Alternative ways to buy a house

Now may be a good time for first-time buyers to step onto the property ladder – but unless you are the lucky one in seven who is given a helping hand by the bank of mum and dad, according to recent research, what if it just still doesn’t seem financially feasible?

Do not despair as there is an ever-growing range of options designed to make home ownership more accessible to first-time buyers.

You don’t need to buy alone, for one thing. Joint mortgages are available for up to four people, which means you could take out a mortgage with family, friends or even a stranger wanting to co-invest in property.

This may enable you to move to a better property or a better area than you could afford on your own. It also means the deposit; buying costs and all your bills are shared. But it comes with risks, of course, as you need to be certain you are happy to commit to this financial responsibility with another person – and that you won’t suddenly be left in the lurch if they want to sell before you do or lose their job.

You will need watertight legal contracts drawn up, including wills, to protect your investment. See sharetobuy.com for more information on joint mortgages.

Alternatively, you may want to consider taking on a lodger to share the cost of your mortgage payments, making the most of the Government’s rent-a-room scheme which allows you to earn £4,250 a year tax free. Think about whether you are able to cover costs should the room be empty, however. The flat-sharing

website easyroommate.co.uk can advise.

More practical, perhaps, as you aren’t reliant on others, are the many shared ownership schemes that now exist. These allow you to buy a percentage of the property and pay rent, usually to a housing association, on the remaining share. As your finances improve, you can increase the share you own, sometimes up to 100 per cent, this is known as Stair casing. To find out more about shared ownership schemes please visit circleanglia-yourhome.org.

Government-backed HomeBuy schemes, previously only available to key workers, are now open to any first-time buyers earning under £60,000. See www.direct.gov.uk (type in ‘home buying schemes’). Various Property Developers nationwide qualify for this scheme, including areas in London and the South East, where you pay 70 per cent of the sales price now.

Rent-to-buy is another option. The Government’s Rent to HomeBuy scheme enables you to live in a new-build property at a reduced rent, so you can save for a deposit to buy it within five years. Private developers also offer variations on the theme, such as The Room in Preston, where the developer will refund your entire deposit if you buy your property, at today’s prices, within 18 months.

Another scheme to consider is English Partnerships’ First Time Buyers’ Initiative in which your deposit and mortgage must make up 50 per cent of the full purchase price. The Government assists with the remainder, paid to the housebuilder, not the buyer.

Private developers are also throwing in an unprecedented amount of incentives to attract first-time buyers in a tough climate. Free furniture packages, travel cards, gym membership and even food vouchers may all sound appealing, but make sure you aren’t simply paying over the odds for the property.

More valuable is genuine financial assistance such as the developer paying part or all of your deposit. Midlands housebuilder David Wilson Homes offers a Head Start shared equity deal where buyers can pay just 85 per cent of the asking price and the remaining 15 per cent is funded through a deferred David Wilson loan which is payable within 10 years.

Having returned to the family home after graduating last year, 26-year-old Rebecca Vickerman, a personal assistant at the University of Leicester, thought it would be a few years before she could afford a place of her own. But through the Head Start deal, she now owns a one-bedroom house at Kibworth Meadows in Market Harborough, paying 85 per cent of the £94,995 sales price.

“I rang around a number of mortgage lenders to see if it was as good as it sounded in principle,” she says. “It was and a few weeks later, I signed for my new home.”


First-time buyers guide part 3: How to finance your home

Finding a deposit is the biggest issue for most first-time buyers – and it’s harder than ever at present, with buyers typically needing up to 25 per cent of the sale price. That can be a considerable sum if you are newly employed; paying off student debts or, given the average first-time buyer is now nearly 35, burdened with other financial responsibilities.

So how do you do it? “Saving for a deposit will undoubtedly mean some sacrifices, but if you make a thorough list of your daily expenditure, as I have

done recently with some first-time buyers, you can soon see where cuts can be made,” advises Kate Faulkner from Designs on Property, who suggests that by immediately cutting out a twice-a-day Starbucks habit and entertaining friends at home with a few bought-in bottles rather than spending £20 a round in pubs will soon see the savings mount up.

Tough as the recession is, it has at least got many of us into the right way of thinking: working out the essentials and cutting out some of the luxuries we have come to rely on. A new report by IMG Savings shows that the economic crisis has encouraged people in their 20s to save more than any other age group.

If you work in London, do you really need to live there? Perhaps you could buy somewhere cheaper within commutable distance or compromise on area. “You can buy a two-bedroom terraced house in Peterborough, which is 45 minutes away by train, for the same price as a two-bedroom flat in London. Look at what the train fares will cost compared with the extra mortgage you will be paying to live in London,” says Faulkner.

Don’t forget the other costs involved with buying too. Stamp duty (which is set to return in the New Year to 1 per cent for properties costing more than £125,000), legal fees, survey fees...

“These all count, but the only real issue here is being able to afford repaying your mortgage,” says Ed Mead, director of Douglas & Gordon estate agency. “Assume interest rates go up to normal rates, can you afford them?”

To work out what you can comfortably afford, speak to a good mortgage broker.

Your credit score is important too, something you may not even have if you have yet to have any debt, including mobile phone contracts or a credit card. Companies such as Experian or Equifax will tell you your credit score for free. If you apply too many times for a mortgage and get turned down, or pay bills late, it can affect your credit rating.

One element you, as the buyer, don’t need to pay for is the Home Information Pack (HIP). This is the vendor’s responsibility and, originally designed particularly to help first-time buyers (although it has been much criticised since its inception), the pack will contain all local authority searches, drainage and water searches and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), so you can see how expensive your home will be to run.

NatWest offers an incentive to savers, offering up to £5,000 cashback to First Home Saver account holders who then take out a NatWest mortgage. They also offer online advice on budgeting for your first home, including checklists for buying costs and outgoings.

First-time buyers guide part 4: Deciding on a type of property - new versus resale

With so many factors and costs to consider when buying a property, you may feel the issue and expense of renovation is something to avoid. For many first-time buyers, the ease of buying a new-build property that needs no improvement or adjustment is ideal. “New homes can save buyers a great deal of money in running and maintenance costs. They are protected by a 10-year warranty, usually provided by the NHBC, which covers buyers against defects and provides peace of mine,” says David Bexon, managing director of SmartNewHomes.com.

New homes are 40 per cent more energy efficient than homes built at the start of the decade, which can mean savings of around £500 a year on energy bills. They also adhere to high standards of fire safety and have new window and door locks and alarm, which will mean cheaper home and contents insurance. And they tend to come with fully-fitted bathrooms and kitchens and possibly extra facilities such as 24-hour concierges or underground parking – though you will have to pay extra for these.

Buying new also enables you to benefit from shared ownership schemes such as NewBuild Homebuy, with a housing association or private organisation, and often to negotiate deals with the developer on soft furnishings and appliances.

“Most first-time buyers love the idea of buying new – and parents and lenders LOVE that NHBC building guarantee,” says Ed Mead from Douglas & Gordon estate agents. “But,” he adds, “new-build can be a bit dull, boxy and lacking individuality.”

If that’s how you feel, that you would prefer something with a bit more individual character, then you will be in TV property guru Sarah Beeny’s camp. She feels there is no better time to tackle a property renovation than when you are young.

“The great thing about being a younger buyer is that you are prepared to put up with more, such as living among rubble and staying up all night painting, and you haven’t yet got used to a level of luxury that means you want to escape to the nearest hotel as soon as the house looks a mess,” says Beeny. “A new bathroom or kitchen costs less than you might think, giving you the opportunity to add value to the property.”

If you decide to be bold and go for old, how old should you go? There are ex-local authority properties, which come with the benefits of being cheaper than period properties and having larger rooms than most new-build properties.

“To give an idea of comparable costs in the area we deal with around Milton Keynes and Northampton, a three-bedroom older village house will carry a premium and cost up to £400,000, an average new-build three-bedroom property on an estate might cost £200,000, and a good, solid three-bedroom 1920s ex-council property will cost £150,000,” says Mark Johnson from Knight Frank estate agency.

With older properties, you are inviting more problems – though anything serious will be shown up by your survey. Heat and sound insulation will not be as good as in a new property, but you may benefit from higher ceilings and bigger windows. With a period property, you are buying something with character and intrinsic value.

“No more period properties can be built, so those where the character and period features are intact tend to hold their value better than new or nearly-new houses and flats due to lack of supply,” says Guy Meacock from Prime Purchase in London.

First-time buyers guide part 5: How to find the right property

Buying agents carve entire careers out of this. But without their experience or contacts, or if you don’t have the budget to recruit a buying agent for your house-hunt – as they will typically charge a retainer, then take a percentage of the purchase price – there are other ways to get ahead of the game.

The internet is the first place to start, with sites such as Rightmove.co.uk or Primelocation.com. On Globrix.com, you can also see how the local market is performing – average prices for properties your size, the number for sale, and how long specific properties have been listed on the site.

“A big tip to give you the best idea of realistic prices: on these sites, after you enter your postcode, tick the box that says ‘include properties under offer’. From a price perspective, seeing what has sold recently will give you the best view of the local market,” says Kate Faulkner from Designs on Property.

“Around half of properties on sale at the moment are overvalued, as vendors are trying to make the most of there being a shortage of stock,” she adds. “Only

properties that have sold are priced correctly, so then go and talk to agents who have sold those properties – not those with lists of properties still for sale.”

“Don’t just rely on websites; do register with estate agents too,” adds Martin Bikhit, MD of Kay & Co estate agency. “Agents will often contact buyers who register with them before a property goes on the websites.”

You could avoid estate agents altogether, of course, by scouring websites such as Sarah Beeny’s site, Tepilo.com. “Everyone listing their property on this site actively wants to sell as they have personally put it on there. As no one is paying estate agents fees, you might be able to buy for a little less too as you can negotiate to split the saving between you,” says Beeny.

She also believes there is much to be said for retaining control of the buying situation yourself in this way. “There’s nothing more stressful than waiting for someone, such as the estate agent, to call you back in this kind of pressurised situation. By using a site like this, you can make decisions yourself and cut out the middle man.”

But don’t forget to tear yourself away from your computer. There’s no substitute for driving or walking past a property you are interested in to see what’s next to it and what the area’s like at different times of day. Estate agents’ photos will always crop out the undesirable bits they’d rather you didn’t see.

Auctions might be an appealing way to find a bargain, if you are lucky, and you can see a list of what’s coming up – and tips for bidding – on propertyauctions.com. But they are only for the brave, says Sarah Beeny. “You can’t do a lot of research, which you would usually do as buyer, especially a irst-time buyer,” she says. “Auctions are how people get rid of properties they don’t want and are difficult to sell in other ways, so you can get stuck as an inexperienced buyer.”

For new-build properties, look at sites such as Smartnewhomes.com, which represents 85 per cent of all new homes being sold by all the main developers, also providing details of special offers and incentives. Also look at adverts in local papers, which can be a far more useful source of information than websites that often leave off postcodes for new developments (as they haven’t been assigned yet) or mention of the developer.

To find out more about the area you want to live in, from schools and hospitals to pubs and leisure, search Nestoria.com. This guide was first written by property writer Zoe Dare Hall

This 12 part guide will continue in our next issue...


ARE YOU ON

A STANDARD

VARIABLE

RATE?

Clare Gedge from Mortgage Advice Bureau

comments on whether remortgaging would

be the right thing to do.

“In the past remortgaging was a sure-fire way to save money – and it was easy to make big savings. Today however, it is not so simple as most lenders have increased the fees and penalties they apply to customers who switch to a different provider. As a result homeowners need to take more care when remortgaging and look out for the pitfalls. The good news is there could still be healthy savings to be made for those prepared to put in groundwork and seek out the best value deals.

You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage. Unless a borrower is already on a low rate mortgage deal or they are planning to clear their mortgage in the near future, looking at the option of remortgaging should be their number one resolution. Borrowers paying their lender’s standard variable rate should be considering the other options available to them; they could save money elsewhere as many lenders have already started to increase their SVRs. If your current lender will offer you a better deal it might be worthwhile but you should also compare this to the rest of the market before you make your choice. Borrowers should resist the temptation to extend their mortgage term when they remortgage. If you do not begin to reduce the term of your loan you may still be paying the mortgage after you retire and this could be a considerable financial strain. If you are able to afford it, try reducing the term of your mortgage. This way you will pay off your mortgage sooner at the current low rate and save money in the long term. Top tips • Read the small print . Check that your existing mortgage does not have an early repayment charge if you switch. These charges need to be taken into account when weighing up the advantages of remortgaging. • Seek independent advice from a mortgage broker. The internet can be helpful for those who want to do their own research and seek out

best buy deals but a broker can also save time and search out the most suitable rate for you. • Speak to your existing lender . Speak to your lender and tell them that you are considering remortgaging and ask what deals it can offer. Some banks and building societies will offer good deals to get customers to stay rather than switching away. Retention mortgage products can be good value when the extra costs associated with remortgaging to another lender are taken into account. Fee-free deals may not be as attractive as they first seem. Often with fee-free mortgage offers the fees have simply been factored into the interest rate you pay, so over the term of the deal they may not work out any cheaper. Do your sums before you switch. If you would like to consider your options and

find out whether remortgaging would be the right

thing to do, please contact Clare Gedge from

Mortgage Advice Bureau for more information.

Call: 01634 868000, Email:

[email protected] and Visit:

www.mortgageadvicebureau.com/claregedge

Your home may be repossessed if you do not

keep up repayments on your mortgage.

A fee of up to 1% of the mortgage amount may

be charged depending on individual

circumstances. A typical fee is £95.











Medway 01634 420029 & Sittingbourne: 01795 570007

Bank of England holds base rate again

Clare Gedge from Mortgage Advice Bureau

comments on the latest base rate decision.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) once

again surprised no-one retaining the Bank Base

Rate (BBR) at 0.5% for February resulting in the

BBR remaining unchanged for the 11th

consecutive month and also as expected

announcing that they have ended the

Quantitative Easing programme for the time

being.

The wider UK economy has recently reported a

modest return to growth in the final quarter of

2009 but the 0.1% rise in the nation’s gross

domestic product was short of most forecaster’s

expectations and suggests that the recovery will

be slow and difficult for the foreseeable future.

With the growth figures below par it is more likely

that the MPC will be reluctant to raise interest

rates in the short term for fear of derailing the

economy and tipping it back into negative

territory but most expectations are that rates will

have to rise and many economists suggest a

bank base rate rise during 2010.

January and early February has continued to see

the major mortgage lenders competing for

business and this is evidenced by the rise in the

number of mortgage products typically available

to intermediaries rising to a 12 month high of

more 3,500 deals.

Not only have the number of products increased

quite significantly but many lenders have been

re-pricing and cutting rates weekly and some

twice weekly demonstrating that they are

increasingly looking for business and this is

resulting in some great deals out there for buyers

and those looking to refinance their current

arrangements.

With the Skipton B.S recently announcing their

decision to raise their standard variable rate

(SVR) from 3.5% to 4.95% and several other

lenders following close on their heels (and using

the negative press that this generated to deflect

their own announcements) many borrowers will

now be looking more closely at their re-mortgage

options available to them. This decision by the

Skipton and others demonstrates that even

though we have had no change in BBR lenders

have to make commercial decisions concerning

interest rates and these can be applied without

warning and can prove costly for borrowers.

In the last month we have seen a small increase

in the proportion of business that is re-mortgage

and we would expect to see this continue for the

following reason.

Most mortgage borrowers will want to have an

element of certainty regarding their monthly

repayments. They can do this by fixing their

mortgage (generally for a finite period, 2, 3 or 5

years) or by linking their mortgage to an indices

like the BBR via a tracker mortgage. In the case

of a tracker deal this means that their

repayments will change but only by the amount

of increase (or decrease) in the BBR.

Several lenders do have SVR’s where the rate of

interest charged is linked to a specific margin

differential over the BBR as in the case of C&G

where their SVR is currently no more than 2%

over and above the BBR. Where a lenders SVR

has no guaranteed linkage to the BBR borrowers

are very much at the mercy of the lender as

demonstrated by the recent Skipton decision and

as a consequence we would expect and

encourage more borrowers look to investigate

the re-mortgage options that are potentially open

to them. With Nationwide recently reporting that

average house prices have risen by more than

8% in the last twelve months many more

borrowers will have seen their equity levels

restored allowing them to take advantage of

some very competitive re-mortgage deals now

available.

For further information to see how the latest

base rate decision affects you, contact Clare

Gedge from Mortgage Advice Bureau

Call: 01634 868000, Email:

[email protected] and Visit:

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Your home may be repossessed if you do not

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Despite the recent launch of this final phase of homes at Bishop’s Field,

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leading to an enticing patio and communal gardens.

Bishop’s Field stands in an enviable location, just south of Maidstone

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One bedroom apartments at Bishop’s Field are priced from £134,950,

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We are looking for very modest investment only so we can speed up our capture of the market place , however the returns look to certainly be substantial in com parison to the investment required.

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Fables: The Crimson Candle

A man lying at the point of death called his wife to his bedside and said: "I am about to leave you forever; give me, therefore, one last proof of your affection and fidelity, for, according to our holy religion, a married man seeking admittance at the gate of Heaven is required to swear that he has never defiled himself with an unworthy woman. In my desk you will find a crimson candle, which has been blessed by the High Priest and has a peculiar mystical significance. Swear to me that while it is in existence you will not remarry." The Woman swore and the Man died. At the funeral the Woman stood at the head of the bier, holding a lighted crimson candle till it was wasted entirely away.

ROTARY CLUBS OF THANET & KENT

MUSIC PRESENT A SCHOOLS PROM

Students from Kent Music’s Thanet Community Music Centre will be playing at this year’s Rotary Clubs of Thanet Schools Prom on Thursday 11th March from 6.30pm until 9.30pm at The Winter Gardens, Margate.

Four of Thanet Centre’s ensembles will be taking part in the event including the Steel Pans, the String Ensemble, the Prelude Strings and the Youth Orchestra. Along with groups from the Thanet Centre there will also be 10 local schools taking part. Each group will perform for around 10 minutes and the highlight of the event will be the finale when all groups will come together to perform Reach .

This is the fifth year that Rotary and Kent Music have joined forces to present the Schools Prom and each year gets better and better with over 300 children due to take part this year.

Richard Davenport, Thanet

Community Music Centre’s spokesman said of the event: ‘The Schools Prom offers a fantastic opportunity for young musicians in Thanet to come together to play and sing in a unique venue. The sheer delight I have seen on performers faces over the past five years when they receive the plaudits of parents and friends for their musical contributions is a real joy to experience and is what music making with young people should be about. The people of Thanet should be very proud to have such talent in its community and the fact that the event is also free thanks to Rotary is a huge bonus and reflects their generosity towards local arts and culture! Please join us all in supporting this worthy and inspirational local event.’

Tickets are free and are available from the Winter Gardens in person on the night.


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THE New Marlowe Theatre Development Trust has raised £2 million for the new theatre.

Less than a year since the old theatre closed,

the Development Trust, set up to help finance this ambitious theatre project for East Kent, continues to make strong progress. Chairman Peter Williams, (pictured), is delighted. He said: “We’re well on schedule and this is excellent news, particularly in the current economic climate. We’ve had a remarkable response to the approaches we’ve made and the support for this landmark project both locally and further afield has been terrific. We now just need to raise a further £2.5 million to hit our fundraising target. So, of a total project cost of £25.7 million, nine-tenths of the funds that are needed have already been raised.”

The fundraising has been secured from a combination of donations from charitable trusts and foundations or from individuals who are committed to seeing this visionary project become a reality.

The new theatre is starting to take shape as visitors to the site or the webcam are able to see. Work on the steel frame began just before Christmas and should be completed by March. This is a significant milestone and shows the outline of the building, so for the first time people are able to get an idea of the size and shape of their new theatre. It is expected that topping out will take place in early summer with the new theatre expected to be ready to reopen in autumn 2011.

Peter Williams paid tribute to the many people who have been involved in the campaign to date: “This great achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment and dedication of the Trust’s Campaign Board nor the enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteer fundraising groups such as the Friends of the Marlowe Action Group.”

The Trust is now asking the people of Kent to get involved in helping them reach their final fundraising target. Mr Williams said: “This will be a fabulous new theatre that belongs to our whole community bringing us great productions and supporting the development of local talent. We’d like everyone to feel that they can get involved and play their own role in our new production. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to take part in fundraising events over the coming months or better still, why not organise your own event? Whether you take part in a sponsored event, organise a coffee morning, hold a talent show or stage a community production, all donations will make such a difference.”

The fundraising team has put together a pack containing all sorts of ideas for fundraising activities which can be obtained by calling: Jo Pearson on 01227 456448 or visiting www.newmarlowetheatre.org.uk

For further information about the fundraising campaign, visit www.newmarlowetheatre.org.uk. Alternatively, send an email to: [email protected]

NEW MARLOWE THEATRE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN REACHES £2 MILLION




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This issue we continue our 3 part article on how to get help from nature with common, (and not so common), conditions. We hope they help but of course if any condition persists or you feel unsure you should always seek proper medical advice.

17 Dry Eyes You'll need to shed a few tears to remedy a case of dry eyes. And the easiest way to stimulate your tearing action is to apply moist heat to your eyelids. Dip a small towel or washcloth in warm water, wring it out, lie down, close your eyes, and put the cloth over your lids for 15 minutes. Do this two or three times a day or as needed.

18 Dry Skin Almond and grapeseed oil are the quickest fixes for dry skin. They soak into your skin faster than creamy moisturizers. If your skin is extra dry and rough, opt for thicker oils like castor and avocado. If you're prone to breakouts, try filtered jojoba oil. Spread a thin coat of whichever oil you choose to the dry areas twice a day.

19 Earache Ease the pain and pressure of an ear infection with a store-bought blend of mullein (Verbascum densiflorum) and garlic (Allium sativum) infused oils, advises Tukwila, Wash.-based naturopath Eric Yarnell, N.D. These oils kill pain and fight bacteria. Before bed, warm the drops. One way to do that is by placing the bottle in your armpit for 45 seconds. Tilt your head and squeeze 5 drops into the infected ear and then place a cotton ball in your ear for a few minutes to keep the drops from running out. You should experience immediate relief.

20 Eye Strain To revitalize tired eyes, treat yourself to a soothing chamomile (Matricaria recutita) compress twice a day. The chamomile soaks through your eyelids, soothing eye tissue and reducing swelling in the capillaries, Candee explains. Make the compress by steeping 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers or 1 chamomile tea bag in 1 cup boiling hot water for 20 minutes. Strain. Allow the tea to cool, soak a washcloth in it, wring it out, lie down, and place it over your closed eyes for 15 to 20 minutes.

21 Fatigue Sleep is what you need if you're overtired. But for a quick pick-me-up, drink a mug of mate (Ilex paraguariensis). This tea contains caffeine, but in lower doses than coffee. It also contains theobromine, an energizing compound. Steep a mate tea bag or 1 teaspoon dried mate in boiling hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, strain, and drink. This earthy-tasting tea is good black or with milk and sugar.

22 Fever Maintaining your fever, rather than breaking it right away, can fight the virus that's making you sick. If you have a mild fever (up to 100 degrees), wrap yourself in a blanket and drink a cup of yarrow tea (Achillea millefolium). Make the tea by steeping 2 yarrow tea bags or 2 teaspoons dried yarrow in 1 cup boiling hot water for 15 minutes. Reheat it until it's piping hot, and sip it slowly. Your temperature may rise or fall a degree as you start to sweat. If your starting temperature is 101 to 103, drink the tea but skip the blanket. Check your temperature every 30 minutes throughout this process. Eventually your temperature will drop. If your starting temperature is 104 or more, or if the tea-drinking

brings your temperature to 104 or more, call your doctor. Don't do this with babies or children, or if you're pregnant; consult your doctor instead.

23 Foot Odor Chlorophyll, the same plant compound that gives plants their green color, can also sweeten your feet. Pour 2 to 3 teaspoons liquid chlorophyll into a bucket filled with a gallon of warm water, and soak your feet for 15 minutes. Dry your feet completely afterward, and wear cotton socks which let your feet breathe.

24 Gas Chew on a small handful of anise, dill, or fennel seeds when you feel bloated. The compounds in these seeds relax the muscles in your digestive tract, which allows trapped gas to pass. You can buy the seeds in the spice aisle of grocery stores or the bulk section of natural food stores. Bonus: They freshen your breath, too.

25 Headache Dull a tension headache by massaging a few drops of peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) into your temples. Peppermint works as well as 1,000 mg of acetaminophen, the main ingredient in aspirin, according to one German study. Herb experts don't know exactly how it works, says Yarnell, but the peppermint appears to prevent your body from sending pain signals to your central nervous system.

26 Heartburn You'll need to find a carpeted area for this heartburn remedy called a heel drop. This sounds strange, but it works, says Yarnell. Roll up onto your toes as high as you can, and then allow your heels to quickly drop down onto the ground. Repeat this 20 to 30 times, holding onto the back of a chair for balance if you need to. The downward motion pulls the acid that causes heartburn back into your stomach.

27 Hemorrhoids The tannins in witch hazel tighten the weak veins that trigger painful hemorrhoids. Apply witch hazel cream (be sure to buy the cream and not the clear liquid) three times daily, says Yarnell.

28 Hiccups Think you've tried every hiccup remedy in the book? Candee swears by this one: Put a straw in a 6-ounce glass of water, press the tips of your index fingers into the indentations behind your earlobes where your neck and jawbone meet, and drink through the straw. Drink as much as you can while keeping pressure on those points. When the glass is empty, your hiccups should be gone.

29 Hives The moment you feel yourself start to break out in hives, take 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 500 mg of pantothenic acid, advises Orlarsch. The combination of these supplements helps your body produce antihistamines, which fight hives, he explains. If the hives don't disappear after the first dose, take another dose every 10 minutes, up to three doses. The high vitamin C dose may cause diarrhoea. Reduce your dose if this occurs.

30 Indigestion If your tummy's in turmoil, drink a mug of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita). The essential oils in this herb ease muscle spasms in your gastrointestinal tract and may also decrease your body's production of pepsin, a digestive enzyme that exacerbates indigestion. Brew your tea using loose chamomile flowers rather than the less-potent tea bags. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried flowers in boiling hot

water for 20 minutes, strain, and sip slowly.

31 Inflamed Gums When your gums feel tender, mix a drop of myrrh liquid extract (Commiphora myrrha) in 1/4 cup of water, swish it around in your mouth, and spit it out, instructs Rosemary Gladstar, an herbalist in East Barre, Vt. Myrrh soothes sore, swollen gums. Do this twice a day.

32 Insect Bites Relieve the itch from bug bites with an onion. The sulphur in onions neutralizes the chemicals that cause the itch, explains Candee. Simply slice a yellow onion in half and rub one of the cut sides on the bite. The itching should stop immediately. Refrigerate the onion in a sealed container to use again if the itching resumes. Make a fresh slice before reapplying it.

33 Insomnia On nights when you can't get to sleep, a gentle herbal extract can do the trick. Take 2 teaspoons of valerian liquid extract (Valeriana officinalis) mixed in 1/4 cup warm water. As you wait for the herb to take effect, read a book. You can safely take two more doses of valerian throughout the night if you wake up again. Be aware that valerian makes some people jittery. If

you have that reaction, try skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) or passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) instead.

34 Joint Pain Capsaicin ointment, made from fiery cayenne peppers, can make your joints feel as good as new by interrupting pain signals. Rub the ointment into your joints every few hours. You may feel a mild burning sensation in your skin when you first apply it, but any discomfort will subside in a few minutes. Be sure to keep your hands away from your eyes until you've washed them thoroughly.

Continued Next Issue

GET HELP FROM

NATURE

SIMPLE NATURAL REMEDIES

Part 2





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Preparing for your Theory Test. The DSA introduced the Theory Test in the 1990's. The idea was to give every learner a basic knowledge about driving. It also brought us into line with the rest of the EU. Most of the members of the EU at the time had a theory element to their driving tests. Since its introduction, the Theory Test has gone through a number of changes. They added the hazard perception test. Now you use a touch screen computer to take the test. The number of questions has increased. Learning Styles We need to look at how you learn before we can discuss different ways of preparing for your theory test. You should prepare for the test in a way that best suits you. We all learn in different ways. This is our learning style. There are three main learning styles: Auditory, Visual and Kinaesthetic . Most people are a mix of two or three styles - say kinaesthetic with a bit of visual. Here are some questions to help you decide your learning style. • Do you remember the plots of films and TV programmes? • If someone shows you how to do something, do you remember what they did? Then you are a visual learner. • Do you remember songs and conversations? • Do you learn better when some one you

through the task? Then you are an auditory learner. • Do you remember things once you have

had a go at them? Then you are a kinaesthetic learner. Your reasons for learning affect your learning style. Are you learning just to pass the test? Are you learning so you can be a better driver? Preparing for your Theory Test There are a number of ways to prepare for your theory test. You should choose the mix that best suits your learning style and motivation. Rote learning aids The DSA in its wisdom decided that they had to publish the theory test questions and answers. This makes it the only public examination where you know the answers before you sit the test. As a result, you can learn the answers off by heart. This is learning by rote. If you want to learn by rote, there are a number of CD ROMs

and websites available. Make sure that the CD ROMs or website is using the current question bank. Active Learning aids These learning aids actually help you to understand the Theory of Driving. People who use active learning aids tend to understand the theory of driving. Those who learn by rote can struggle to apply the theory of driving to real driving. There are three good quality active learning aids. 1. The CD Rom by GSP is the best active learn-ing CD Rom. GSP are part of Learning Driver Centres. 2. The BTEC in Driving Skills takes you from core knowledge to the toughest mock theory tests around. 3. The BTEC in Driving Science also has an active learning programme Preparing for the Hazard Perception Stage one - Your driving instructor may be able to spend a couple of lessons on hazard awareness. Stage two - Practice spotting the hazards every time you are in the front seat of a car. Stage three - Find a free hazard perception website and practice the test no more than three times Booking your Theory Test The DSA prefer you to book your theory test online. You can go to the DSA website or through Direct.gov. They will take you to the booking service. Just follow the instructions on the booking service website. Be warned - at certain times of year the online theory test booking service can be very slow. You can ring the DSA and book the theory test over the phone. You will be on the phone for a long time though. When you book your theory test, make sure that you tell them if you have any special needs. You might need a reader because you struggle with reading.

The Day of the Test Arrive at the test centre five minutes early. Make sure that you have your confirmation letter from the DSA and both parts of your driving licence. You will not take your test if you do not have these documents. If you are late arriving for your test, you will not take it. They have too many people taking the test to wait for you. The Test. The theory test is in two parts. The first part is the actual theory test. You must answer 43 out of 50 multiple-choice questions correctly. You answer them by touching the appropriate answer on the screen. Try reading the question with each of the available answers. That usually makes it clear which is the correct answer. After the theory test, you face the hazard perception test. This is 14 short films shot from a car as it was driven about. 13 of these films have one scoring hazard. One film has two scoring hazard. You should click your mouse when you see the scoring hazard. You can score up to five points for each hazard. If you score more than 44 you will pass. The problem is that the films contain more than one hazard - which one is the scoring hazard. You cannot fail if you click the wrong hazard. You can fail if you click all the time or with a rhythm. Give a little commentary in your head as you are watching the films. Say what you see happening on the screen. Every time you mention a hazard click. Click when you see the hazard and click every time it changes. The End of the Theory Test After the hazard perception, the DSA may ask you to complete a survey. It is up to you if you do the survey. When you are done, go back to the receptionist and collect the result.


Show Me, Tell Me Time!

The Actual Test!!! When you take your driving test the examiner will ask you two questions about car care and maintenance. These are called the show me tell me questions. Every driving school will teach you these questions. Ask your driving instructor to spend part of a driving lesson taking you through them. Although the questions are common sense, it is learning them off by heart that is important to pass. So below are the questions and answers to help you. Q1. Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level. A1. Identify the coolant tank and check the min/max markings. If the coolant is below the min mark then more coolant will need to be added. To do this, unscrew the cap and pour in coolant until the max mark is reached. Q2. Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid. A2. Identify the brake fluid reservoir and check the fluid level against the min/max levels. Q3. Show me/explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey. A3. If the steering becomes heavy the steering may be faulty. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. 1) Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained whilst the engine is started, should result in slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. 2) Turning the steering wheel after just moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assisted steering is functioning correctly. Q4. Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the

windscreen washer level. A4. Identify the reservoir and explain how to check the level. Q5. Open the bonnet identify, where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has enough oil. A5. Identify the dipstick, pull it out and check the oil level against the min/max markings. Q6. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only). A6. Press the horn and listen (turn on ignition if necessary). Q7. Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (I can assist you, if you need to switch the ignition on, please don't start the engine). A7. Operate brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows, garage doors, etc, or ask someone to help. (may need to switch ignition on, prompt not to start engine) Q8. Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey. A8. As you move off check the brakes. They should not feel spongy and the car should not pull to one side. Q9. Tell me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working. A9. Turn on lights (turn ignition if necessary), walk around car and check that the lights are on. Q10. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working correctly. A10. Activate the indicators or hazard warning lights and walk around the car to see if all the indicators are working correctly. Q11. Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked. A11. Information will be found using the car manufacturer's manual. Check the tyre pressures by using a reliable pressure gauge when the tyres are cold. Don't forget the spare and remember to refit the valve caps. Q12. Tell me how you would check the tyres to show that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road. A12. A safe tyre will have no cuts or bulges. The tread depth should be at least 1.6mm across the central 3/4s of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference. Q13. Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear. A13. Apply the parking brake. When it is fully applied it should secure itself. Q14. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash. A14. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. N.B. Some restraints might not be adjustable. Q15. Show me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washer and wipers . A15. Operate control to wash and wipe windscreen (turn ignition on if necessary.

Q16. Show me how you would set the demister controls to clear all the windows effectively, this should include both front and rear screens. A16. Set all relevant controls including; fan, temperature, air direction / source and heated screen to clear windscreen and windows. Engine does not have to be started for this demonstration. Q17. Tell me how you would know if there was a problem with your anti lock braking system. A17. Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti lock braking system. Q18. Show me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you would know the main beam is on whilst inside the car. A18. Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light. Q19. Show me how you would switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you would use it/them. (No need to exit vehicle). A19. Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use. Above all do not panic, the examiner is not out to catch you or to make you fail on purpose. They are examining to test that you have a basic un-derstanding of how and what to do with certain situations.

So good luck!


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Documents

Across Kent March Issue 6