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December 2013
Issue 36
www.oddfellows.co.uk
Home & garden
Latest news
Planting seeds of change
Ethnobotanist and
broadcaster James Wong
wants to bring our
gardens into the
21st century.
As the author of Grow Your
Own Drugs prepares to
front two episodes of the
BBC's Great British Garden
Revival, he shows off his
exotic 'grow your own'
testing ground and
explains how the new
series could mark the start
of a new age of fascinating,
functional gardening.
Also featured this month
Culture club: Find out how The Beatles coped with their rise to fame in author
Kevin Howlett’s latest book on the Fab Four
Food & drink: Head Chef at Edinburgh’s The Stockbridge Restaurant shares
his delicious, winter-warming Duck Confit and Potato Gateau recipe
Latest news: A special Christmas message from Jane Nelson, CEO of
the Oddfellows
Around Britain: Ideas to keep you warm and entertained without having to
leave the UK
Travel: Active Travel Club’s autumn trip to Benalmádena in the Costa Del Sol
is reviewed
Sport & leisure: Keep fit sitting down and other ‘no-frills’ ways to get your
exercise regime going
Health & wellbeing: Keep calm and carol on – some top tips to avoid
seasonal stress
Money: We speak to Polly Courtney on how she became a successful
self-publishing author
The Oddfellows is the trading name of The Independent Order of Oddfellows
Manchester Unity Friendly Society Limited, Incorporated and registered in England
and Wales No. 223F. Registered Office 32 Booth Street, Manchester M2 4QP.
Find out about the new National Member
benefit which goes live on 1 January,
2013 – an online portfolio containing
money-saving discounts.
Get involved
Photo competition
Enter your Wonderful Wildlife-themed
snaps to our Through the lens photo
competition by emailing
[email protected]. The winning
entry will receive £30 in High
Street vouchers.
Book reviews
If you’ve read a good book
recently, why not tell us
about it. If it’s published,
we’ll send you a £20
National Book Token to
say thank you.
Find out if you are one of the three lucky
winners of our The King’s Ginger free
prize draw!
(See Culture club)
DISCLAIMER: Throughout this
ezine we provide links to third-party
websites. The links do not
constitute an endorsement by the
Oddfellows and the use of their
advertised products and services
is entirely at your own risk. The
Oddfellows does not accept
any liability or responsibility for
any third-party material on
other websites.
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“I love going to the theatre once in a while, so
when I heard my local Oddfellows Branch
was arranging a trip I couldn’t pass it up.”
Sharon – Manchester
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
Beatles book lets fans
get back to yesterday
A new book on The Beatles has
been released, chronicling the
band’s meteoric rise to fame
through recorded BBC
performances and interviews.
Spanning the Fab Four’s eightyear career, The Beatles: The
BBC Archive: 1962-1970 reveals
an alternative recording history of
cover songs, radio broadcasts
and previously unseen interview
transcripts all brought together
inside an evocative tape deckshaped box.
Kevin Howlett © Ebury Publishing
For author and lifelong fan of the group Kevin Howlett, the
book has been more than thirty years in the making.
The BBC producer first began trawling the corporation’s
archives in the early ’80s while researching a documentary
to mark the band’s 20th anniversary. The archive
recordings and interview transcripts he found then, as well
as more discovered this year, are all included.
The result, says Howlett, is a definite guide to the band’s
relationship with the BBC. It shows the group’s rise to
fame, the ‘staggering progression’ of their music and the
entertaining and opinionated personalities of the band’s
members, the likes of which were so rarely heard on radio
at the time.
The Beatles at the Beeb © Getty Images, cummings archives
Fifty years on from the release
of the band’s first single,
Love Me Do, readers could
be forgiven for thinking that
everything worth saying about
them has been said time
and again.
Howlett, though, insists this
book gives the reader
something new.
© Ebury Publishing
“There are so many things in here that people won’t have
seen or heard before. The best part for me is being able to
share the excitement that I felt when I discovered things in
the archives for the first time.
“It’s a book for people interested in social and broadcast
history, not just the story of The Beatles. It shows the
band’s story as it happened. I really hope it takes the
reader back to that time, giving them a feeling of what it
was like to be there.”
“There’s just something miraculous about the way these
four personalities came together and the chemistry they
had. The fact that their music had a beginning and an end
just adds to their enduring appeal. They didn’t become
parodies of themselves.
During his career, Howlett has interviewed the band’s
surviving former members numerous times, as well as
other musical heroes of his like David Bowie, Paul Simon
and Frank Zappa.
“They finished at their peak, but what they’d achieved in a
short space of time changed the game. I don’t think anyone
will ever be that revolutionary again.”
“Much of what I’ve done in my career has been based on
my childhood and teenage interests. All those hours of
listening to the radio and records really paid off!”
The Beatles: The BBC Archive: 1962-1970 is out
now, RRP £45, and available to buy on Amazon by
clicking here.
Culture club
The Reader’s Review
Thank you to Fran Skinner, Oddfellow Brass Band Manager, for her two great book reviews this month. If you’ve read a
good book recently, why not tell us what you thought about it. Send in your 150-200 word reader reviews to
[email protected] and we’ll send you a £20 National Book Token if published.
Book: An apple a day: old-fashioned proverbs
and why they still work
By Caroline Taggart
A humorous introduction to the proverbs and clichés we use
every day – and the difference between the two. With references
not only back to where and when they were first used but to how
they can be viewed and updated to 21st century life!
The tone of the book is most certainly not ‘scholastic’ or
school teacher, but still manages to get the information to
stick in the reader’s memory... and gives wonderful and funny
ripostes to incorrect or inappropriate usages. Worth having
on a long journey.
Fran Skinner
Published by Michael O’Mara Books Ltd. Available in paperback RRP £5.99.
SBN: 978-1-78243-009-4
Book: The Forgotten Legion series
By Ben Kane
A book, indeed a series of three books for anyone that likes a bit of history (well
researched): a good plot (with loads of facts); superb 'living' characters and
believable dialogue.
If you're into military history, the Romans, a believable version of events and you
want a page-turner, then this is a series for you! Almost a literary 'docu-drama',
you're spirited back to times, places and events and you almost feel as though
you're a fly on the wall: but without any time lag in the story.
The story of Fabiola, her twin brother Romulus and the people they come into
contact with will intrigue you as historical events in turbulent Rome are given the
human touch. I defy the male readers not to feel the heat of battle, and women
not to 'get' Fabiola's obsession.
If you enjoyed ‘Spartacus’ and/or the TV series Rome, you'll love this!
The Forgotten Legion: ISBN-13: 978-0099556282, The Silver Eagle:
ISBN-13: 978-1848090132, The Road To Rome: ISBN-13: 978-1848090163
Win a bundle of books!
Would you like to win this bundle of four books which
includes our reviewed title An apple a day? All you need to
do is email your name and address by 1 January to
[email protected] with the subject BOOKS. The
first randomly-picked name will win. See page 4 for terms
and conditions.
Culture club
Through the lens – photography competition
The saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ definitely applied to this month’s photo competition entries. The theme was
Lasting Memories and there were some touching and also very heart-warming stories behind the images. It was a tough
decision, but the winner is Reg Wells who submitted a delightful picture of his grandchildren having a cuddle. Should you wish
to view all the entries they can be found on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oddfellowsuk. (Don’t forget to ‘like’ us
when you’re there.)
The theme of our next Through the lens competition is Wonderful Wildlife. We look forward to seeing your
entries. Send your images through to us at [email protected]. If it’s published we will send you a
£30 High Street voucher. You can also enter by posting it on our Facebook page or by tweeting it to
@OddfellowsUK. Good luck!
Congratulations to the three lucky winners of The King’s Ginger free prize draw. Six mini bottles of the zesty
and gingery liqueur are on their way to Mrs R A Davis of Congleton, Mr N Gomm of Norwich and Mr A Dimmick
of Bedford.
Friendscene competitions – terms and conditions – open to the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man
1) Entries for our Through the lens and book prize competitions can be submitted at any time. However the cut-off
date for each competition will be the first day of the month. For example, this month’s competitions close on
1 January 2014.
2) Through the Lens entries will be judged by friendscene’s editorial panel. The winners of our free prize draws
will be selected at random. If successful, you will be contacted by the Oddfellows to arrange delivery of your prize.
3) If your photograph contains an image of a person, building or private location please ensure you get permission from
the person/building owner before submitting your entry. Any competition entry, including personal views, photos,
recipes or articles, must be the work of the entrant and be entirely their own work.
4) By entering or submitting a photograph or personal view for a competition, you are confirming that you have given
permission for the Oddfellows to use your name and reproduce the entry in future publications and marketing
material, both online and printed.
5) The Oddfellows will assume your consent has been given once your entry is submitted unless you directly state
otherwise at the time of entering the competition.
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Food & drink
Dining events are some of the Society’s
most popular social gatherings.
Search for food-themed activities in your
local area at www.oddfellows.co.uk/events.
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
Duck Confit and Potato Gateau
In this month’s
Food & drink, Jason
Gallagher, Head Chef
at Edinburgh’s The
Stockbridge
Restaurant, has shared
his delicious and
popular Duck Confit
and Potato Gateau for
you to make in your
own kitchen.
Ingredients
4 duck legs
Sea salt
Garlic
Thyme
Orange zest
Ginger
Duck fat
Double cream
Milk
Potatoes
Method
For the duck confit, marinate four duck legs in sea salt
for 24 hours. Wash off salt, place in a dish with garlic,
thyme, orange zest, ginger and duck fat. Cover with tin
foil and cook in a low oven (gas mark 2/150°C) for at
least three hours or until meat falls off the bone. Let
confit cool a while and pick the meat off the bone,
shredding it at the same time.
Heat the double cream and milk in thyme and garlic until
it thickens (coats the back of a spoon). Pass it into a
clean container. Line dish for gateau with silicone paper.
Slice the potato on a mandoline, then place it in the
cream liquid. Overlap each potato slice in the dish,
seasoning each layer. Do three layers, then add the duck
confit. Add another three layers of potatoes, then the
duck confit and another three layers of potato.
Pour over any excess cream, layer a piece of silicone
paper on top, wrap in tin foil and bake at gas mark
3/170°C for three hours or until a knife passes through
it easily.
Take it out of the oven and press on weights for 24
hours. Cut to desired shape and then reheat in the oven.
The Stockbridge Restaurant…‘a place
where all your culinary dreams come true’.
Located on St Stephen Street
Edinburgh, The Stockbridge
is a family-run eatery which
serves some of the very
best dishes Edinburgh has
to offer. Winter chills can be
chased away sitting next to
the roaring fireplace, with
beautiful prints from the
Scottish Colourists on
the walls.
Its menus leave you spoilt for choice. You can choose
from the A La Carte Menu, a set menu of two courses
for £19.95 and a three course meal for £23.95. The
restaurant caters for small intimate dinners as well as
large group bookings.
Head Chef Jason (pictured above left) and Partner
Jane (pictured above right) have created a perfect
place to dine and relax. Furthermore, an excellent
bespoke wine list has been sourced from boutique
wineries by Jane to ensure you have the perfect
bouquet to complement the dishes. If you’re in a bit of
a ‘wine rut’, Jane is also on-hand to help you find
something new that you’re sure to enjoy. With its
fantastic choice of food and wine and superb
hospitality, a visit to The Stockbridge Restaurant is
sure to keep everyone happy.
Stockbridge is now taking February bookings.
Call 0131 226 6766 or email
[email protected].
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latest Oddfellows news at facebook.com/OddfellowsUK
and twitter @OddfellowsUK.
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
‘The best feeling of happiness is when you’re
happy because you’ve made someone else happy’
I came across this statement
on one of our Branch’s social
media pages recently and it
really struck a chord with me.
In the run up to Christmas it’s
all too easy for us to get
distracted by the festive gloss
and glitter and the stresses of
shopping for presents –
fighting our way through all
the hundreds of people doing
the same thing – not to
mention the last-minute
dashes to the supermarket
where people buy so much
that you would think the shops
were to close for a month.
But feeling happy because you’ve made a positive
difference to someone’s life is something that really
resonates with me at this time of year. I am very fortunate
because each Christmas I get the chance to spend
wonderful time with my family and friends. But I know
that this is not the case for everyone.
For many people Christmas is a sad time, whether that is
because of a recently-lost loved one, an anniversary of a
passing, or that they are missing family who now live
overseas. We should always be mindful of others.
Close to home in Britain, Age UK reports how one in 10
people aged 65 plus say they are always or often lonely.
That equates to just over a million people in the UK.
Looking at what has happened during recent weeks in the
Philippines, it is hard to imagine the suffering people have
endured as a result of Typhoon Haiyan – as well as in
many other places around the world.
To me Christmas is a season for reflection, not only to
appreciate the good we have in our lives, but also to think
about what more we can do to make a real difference to
someone else’s happiness. Whether it’s making a
donation to a charity, or cooking an extra dinner to share
with a neighbour, these small gestures, if given by many,
really do result in a large force of goodwill.
Looking out for your friends, family, neighbours and those
less fortunate than yourself is what being an Oddfellow is
all about. It’s something we should never forget and I am
incredibly proud to be part of an organisation whose
members live and breathe this ethos day-in, day-out.
On behalf of myself and my colleagues on the Board of
Directors, I wish you a very happy Christmas and a
healthy and prosperous New Year.
Jane Nelson, CEO, the Oddfellows.
New central home for Oddfellows in Manchester
To mark the Oddfellows move to new offices in
Manchester’s Old Courthouse building on Deansgate and
to celebrate more than 200-years of local history, the
Society is opening its online archive free of charge for 30
days. The archive contains upwards of 180,000 scanned
documents – including magazines, record books and
photographs – telling the stories of ordinary people’s lives.
Jane Nelson, CEO of the Oddfellows, said: “The
Oddfellows has played an important role in Greater
Manchester’s rich social heritage, improving the lot of
ordinary working people and their families in and around
the city for generations. We’re incredibly proud to continue
our close relationship with the city and be part of its
exciting future. We want to reflect on this, which is why
we’re opening our archives free of charge.”
The Oddfellows will move into the Grade II-listed Old
Courthouse building in late December 2013, relocating
from premises on
Manchester’s Booth Street.
You can access the archives
for free until 2 January. Visit
www.oddfellows.co.uk/
onlinearchives and register.
Latest news
Get even more from Oddfellows membership
If you’re a National Member of the Oddfellows, from
1 January 2014 you can tap into a new benefit –
Oddfellows Extra – an online portfolio containing
money-saving discounts.
There’s no sign up process or any extra charge – you
are automatically eligible to access these discounts by
virtue of your membership. The new benefit has been
designed to save you time and money in both your
personal and professional life and is managed and run
on behalf of the Oddfellows by Parliament Hill Ltd.
At a time when every penny really does count,
Oddfellows Extra has been introduced to make your
membership even more rewarding.
It is becoming increasingly easy to find 'competitive'
deals and offers through word-of-mouth, work or
the Internet. To this end, when you’re logged
on to Oddfellows Extra, you’ll notice that many
of the displayed benefits carry a stamp. These are:
National Price Promise
This stamp means that you should be
getting the best possible price/deal in
the UK for this product or service*.
Provider Price Promise
This stamp means that you should be
getting the best possible price/deal that
this company makes available*.
Here’s a small selection of current Oddfellows Extra
benefits:
Cinema discounts – Save an average of 38% on
cinema admissions. Purchase discounted vouchers to
be used at your nearest participating cinema (many of
the major cinema chains are included). You can
purchase up to five pairs of discounted tickets per
month. Tickets are valid for a
minimum of six months*.
Retail cashback – Earn 5%-15%
cashback at more than 50 major
retailers including Sainsburys,
ASDA, M&S, Debenhams, Ernest
Jones, Currys PC World and many
more. Order re-loadable cards that
can be used in-store*.
Every time you load funds on to the cards you will earn
a percentage as cashback (percentage dependent on
retailer), which can be spent in-store or allowed to
accumulate for special occasions*.
Top UK attractions – Treat yourself, friends or family to
a fantastic day out with savings from Merlin
Entertainment. Discounts range from 15%-62% on
popular attractions such as Thorpe Park, Alton Towers,
The London Dungeons, LEGOLAND and many more*.
Package holidays – By booking your holidays through
Oddfellows Extra, members can enjoy a 5% discount in
addition to any discounts or offers from the major travel
companies such as early booking discounts, last minute
deals, extra free nights, upgrades and free child places.
Plus, discounts on hotel accommodation, short-breaks,
cruises, ski holidays, cottages and foreign currency*.
Car and home insurance (these are regulated benefits and
all insurance is subject to underwriting) – You may be able
to save money on your current car and home insurance
renewal premium, respectively, (including free legal
expenses), without compromising on cover or service*.
How do you access Oddfellows Extra?
From 1 January 2014, go to the Oddfellows website
at www.oddfellows.co.uk and look for the blue
Oddfellows Extra tag on the home page. On clicking
the link, you’ll be taken to a login page to have your
National Member membership verified. You can then
access the wide array of member benefits available.
KEY FACTS
*Terms and conditions apply to all benefits – see
Oddfellows Extra website for details.
• Offers and prices subject to change without notice
• All insurance is subject to underwriting
• Some benefits are not available in Northern Ireland
or outside the United Kingdom
• Oddfellows Extra is managed and run by
Parliament Hill Ltd of 3rd Floor, 127 Cheapside,
London, EC2V 6BT
• Parliament Hill Ltd is authorised and regulated by
the Financial Conduct Authority for non-investment
insurance mediation only. Registration number
308448. Details can be checked on the Financial
Services register by visiting the FCA’s website at
www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do
• Parliament Hill operates as an introducer only;
their introduction should not be seen as a
recommendation or endorsement.
Culture club
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Around Britain
If you’re visiting different places in the UK and you’re an
Oddfellows member, don’t forget you’re welcome to attend
any Branch social events up and down the country.
Search for events at www.oddfellows.co.uk/events.
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
Enjoy Britain’s Costa del Cosy
If jetting off for some winter sun isn’t an option for you but you still want to feel some warmth in your bones, it’s time to
think creatively. Here are five inexpensive ideas to get you feeling toasty on home territory.
Get snug-room cosy
Real ale is enjoying something
of a revival in the UK. Campaign
for Real Ale (CAMRA) states
that after decades of declining
market share, it now accounts
for one in seven pints of beer
drunk in UK pubs.
© Turkish Baths and Health Spa
Add CAMRA’s Britain’s Best
Real Heritage Pubs book (RRP
£9.99) to your Christmas list and
set yourself a 2014 resolution to
tick them off one by one.
www.camra.org.uk.
Let off some steam
Detoxification, relaxation
and a boost to your
immune system are just a
few well-cited health
benefits of a spa visit. The
Royal Baths, home of
Harrogate’s Turkish Baths
© Turkish Baths and Health Spa
and Health Spa, was
established more than 100 years ago and was believed to
be the most advanced centre for hydrotherapy in the world
at the time.
Today you can still access its mix of pools, steam and
sauna rooms from as little as £15. They also sell gift
vouchers. www.turkishbathsharrogate.co.uk.
Spice things up
In the same year as the
Oddfellows inaugural
meeting, a British Bengali
entrepreneur opened the
first Indian restaurant in
1810 in London, England.
Today, tucking into a
Tikka Masala is as British
as Fish and Chips.
Head to one of the UK’s curry house hotbeds – London’s
Brick Lane, Manchester’s Curry Mile or Birmingham’s
Balti Triangle – and get warm from within.
Have a wee dram
Think whisky, think
Scotland. It’s been part of
the country’s heritage for
centuries. Plan a trip along
the Malt Whisky
Trail in Speyside or the
Whisky Coast. Admission
is free for many of the
distilleries, where you can join a tour and find out how
Scotland's national drink, or in the Gaelic 'uisge beatha'
(meaning water of life), is created. www.visitscotland.com.
And finally, hug
a sheep
Well, not exactly. Wrap
yourself up in some homegrown and spun wool. It’s
natural, renewable,
biodegradable, breathable
and a natural insulator.
You’ll be in royal company too, as the patron for
The Campaign for Real Wool is HRH the Prince of Wales.
www.campaignforwool.org.
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Travel
Don’t forget, any Oddfellows member can sign up to join the
Society’s ATC at no extra cost. To find out more call the Events
team on 0161 832 9361 or email [email protected].
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
(Left to right) Merille, Ann and Lionel enjoying their trip
Active Travel Club Holiday Review
– Benalmádena, Costa Del Sol, Spain
From 4-11 October 2013, Active Travel Club (ATC)
members travelled to Benalmádena in the Costa Del Sol
to enjoy some late autumn sunshine.
The holiday involved various trips and excursions including
one to Gibraltar’s famous rock where hundreds of monkeys
live and breed and St Michael’s Cave. This was the
highlight of the holiday for many members.
According to Merille from the South Yorkshire and North
Derbyshire District, the sheer height of the cave was
enormous. This was emphasized by many tiny steps
running down into its depths. She said: “The cave was
awe-inspiring, I would recommend it to anyone.”
The cave was created by soldiers during WWII who initially
dug into the rock to create a hospital. This was never
realised, however, and the cave has now become a popular
tourist attraction.
Active
Travel Club
Members stayed in the four-star Riviera Hotel which had
recently been refurbished. The hotel was situated on the
seafront and had a swimming pool, daytime activities and
evening entertainment.
Another highlight, according to Merille, was the evening’s
entertainment which included a magician, flamenco
dancing and a Lionel Ritchie tribute singer. “There was
some great audience participation, people got up and
danced and everyone had a good time.”
However, according to long-term member Paul Eyre there
was no time to take part in the hotel’s activities since
members had a full itinerary every day. “We did everything
from travelling in a mountain cable car to taking part in a
guided tour of Malaga. The only attraction we didn’t visit
was the children’s theme park!”
Travel
2014
ATC
Holida
y
D-Day Anniversary Cruise
1-8 June 2014
Prices range from £649 to £1,579 depending
on cabin type. Single cabins £1,169.
Active
Travel Club
Join us for a luxury Fred Olsen cruise to commemorate
the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the 100th
anniversary since the outbreak of the First World War.
After a stop at Zeebrugge you will return to Portsmouth in
the UK to pay respects at the tranquil war memorials. This
will be followed by a visit to the D-Day Museum.
The cruise will then move on to Cherbourg, which was
part of the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War,
before cruising on to Le Havre for an overnight stay. The
cruise ends with Dunkirk as its final port of call, before
returning to Harwich.
Highlights Include:
• Tour the Allied landing areas on the
Day of Remembrance
• Visit the Dunkirk War Museum
which tells the story of the
Allied evacuation from
the town
• Entertainment including an
onboard Big Band orchestra
To book, contact Wendy Atkins on 01473 251867
or email [email protected]
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Home & garden
Oddfellows members receive a 10% discount on any
purchase through www.suttons.co.uk. Click here to
take advantage of the offer. (You need to sign in as a
member to access the Members’ Benefits page.)
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
Plotting a change
James Wong is starting a revolution from his
front garden.
After making his name in 2010 presenting the BBC show
Grow Your Own Drugs, the ethnobotanist broadcaster
has, for the past four years, been using the plot in front
of his mum’s Croydon home as one big experiment.
Trained in horticulture at Kew Gardens, the 32-year-old is
one of a new breed of grow your own advocates muscling
in on the old guard – intent on changing the way we use
our gardens.
His aim is to bring gardening into the 21st century – to
demonstrate how it can be exciting, fascinating and
functional all at the same time.
His revolution started with just five raised beds, built where
the lawn once was. There he has been growing some of the
more exotic of the 2,000-plus varieties of fruits and
vegetables known to thrive in the UK, many of which
remain unrecognisable to most growers.
Things like the cocktail Kiwi – an olive-sized relative of the
regular kiwi that has a smooth, edible skin and tastes twice
as sweet as its larger cousin. Easier to grow than a raspberry
bush, each plant can survive temperatures as low as -35C,
producing up to four hundred fruits in a season.
Or Alpine strawberries, which have a better yield and a
stronger flavour, and also come in a white variety that birds
won’t want to eat. Produce like this is expensive to buy and
only available from exclusive shops, so to Wong it makes
perfect sense that people should grow it themselves.
He has written a book called Homegrown Revolution that
explains why people should give it a go, and has released a
range of exotic seeds to help them get started. But it is by
changing the way we see gardening on our TV screens that
Wong wants to make a lasting impact.
In his view TV shows should be teaching people exciting new
ways of doing things and weird and wonderful plants to grow
like food programmes do now with recipes, instead of
showcasing only a tiny percentage of the possibilities.
“You wouldn’t catch Nigella or Heston teaching you how to
boil an egg. Instead they’re saying: ‘Get your mates together
and make amazing dishes that are cheap and tasty and
look amazing’.
“Gardening meanwhile, is stuck in this time warp. These
shows can’t keep doing what’s always been done and just
expect people to be interested. Who really cares about ‘how
to dig a hole’ or ‘how to plant sweet peas’ – every book
on my shelf tells me that already. It’s like some sort
of horticultural times table we’re expected to memorise.
“They should be focusing on the reward not the process,
getting people to buy into the idea rather than just telling
them how. The reason I dig on a cold December day is the
thought of early, multi-coloured tomatoes next July, not
because I like digging. Neither do I go outside in autumn
because someone talks about it in a poetic way. Telling
someone to experience something doesn’t work. Telling them
what they can get out of it – now that gets people excited.”
Current programmes, he says, simply don’t do this, and risk
putting off a whole generation of young people. They base
everything on the same out-of-date, cyclical techniques and
crops, the Victorian walled gardens and vegetables that “a
few posh Brits used 200 years ago” but no one has time,
space or the appetite for anymore.
(Continued on next page)
Home & garden
Is it not something of a paradox then, that someone as
critical of the old ways as Wong has signed up to front two
episodes of the BBC’s Great British Garden Revival – a
series of TV shows airing this month based on reviving oldschool growing techniques and being presented by a host
of familiar green-fingered faces. Not so, he says.
“It’s nostalgic, certainly, but the two areas I’m looking at –
roof gardens and tropical gardens – allow me to get
nostalgic about the spirit and excitement for the future that
people had back in the ‘30s and ‘40s when roofs covered in
plants and cantilevered walkways full of greenery were
being dreamed about on top of every building.
“I won’t be saying: ‘Once upon a time we were great in the
UK but now we’re rubbish’. I’m imagining what we could
have in the future if we can rediscover that old way of
thinking, looking at huge, inspirational projects that can be
replicated on tiny roof terraces everywhere.
“It’s the first gardening series in a long time that I’m really
excited about. Each presenter has been allowed to talk
about things they’re really passionate about so every
episode is personal and campaign-focused, and designed
to stir up debate.
Ask George
“That’s a great thing I think. It shows gardening can be
practical, that it can actually change things for the better.”
The Great British Garden Revival will be shown on BBC
Two at 7pm every night between 9-13 December and
6-10 January.
James Wong’s Homegrown Revolution is out now, RRP
£20, and available to buy on Amazon by clicking here.
James Wong has kindly
given us a signed copy of
Homegrown Revolution
to give away to one
lucky reader.
To enter our free prize draw,
simply email your name and
address by 1 January to
[email protected] with
the subject WONG. The first
randomly-picked name will
win. See page 4 for terms
and conditions.
George Hill, a professional gardener by trade, answers two
readers’ questions. For every question we publish, we send
the reader a free pair of Joe’s Garden gloves worth £5.99.
Q: Why is my red acer not red? The tips of
the new leaves are the only bits that are.
Candice, Manchester
A: That’s how it should be. Only new plant
growth of around a year old is red – the rest
of the leaves stay green.
You could lightly prune it around March to
encourage new growth and therefore a
greater coverage of red leaves.
Q: Should I leave my gladioli bulbs
in the ground or lift and store them
for the winter?
Tony, Chesterfield
A: I tend to leave mine in. You can lift them
and place them on trays, providing you’ve a
dry, frost-free building to store them in.
However, if the soil tends to get waterlogged
then do lift them. When you replant them, place
about half an eggcup of sand under each bulb
to help with the drainage.
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“I’ve never really been ‘sporty’, but I try to keep fit. My local
Oddfellows Branch now hosts a walking club. It’s great to get
some fresh air, and we always have a good time.”
Diana – Essex
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
No-frills fitness, by guest expert Barbara Sharp
Based in Sheffield, Barbara
has been an exercise expert
for more than 15 years. She
is trained in promoting
fitness and mobility for
people of all ages,
especially those who need
gentle encouragement.
She currently teaches a
popular ‘Chairobics’
session for members at the
Society’s South Yorkshire
and North Derbyshire
District. We invited Barbara
to share her top tips for
effortlessly building exercise into your day...
‘I don’t have time for exercise,’ ‘I’m busy doing other things,’
‘I’m not well enough,’ ‘It takes ages for me to even stand
up to make a cup of tea!’ Are these some of the excuses
you make to avoid exercise? Or do you fall somewhere
in between?
These are, of course, valid reasons if you think of keeping fit
only in terms of attending classes or a gym. However, all it
takes is a rethink of what you’re doing and where you’re
doing it.
If you’re the ‘I’m too busy’ type, then may I ask – what are
you busy doing? We all have to do housework and cooking,
so let’s try the ‘rethink what and where’ approach to
these situations.
First, put on some upbeat music that you love. Use both
hands when cleaning and swap the cloth/vacuum cleaner.
Bend your knees (not your back) and do lunges –
remembering to do them on both legs. Vary the speed so
some moves are fast, then slow, then more controlled. You
use more of the muscle that way.
Now let’s look at cooking. When you’re stood preparing food,
move the lower part of your body. Move your hips forward,
backward, sideways and round. Remember to keep your
knees soft and loose. Try rising up on to the balls of your feet
and then slowly lower them down. Tap your feet from side to
side and front to back.
By simply putting on some music and moving to it, you’re
exercising. Housework and cooking will never feel like a
chore again!
How about shopping or fetching the children from school?
Walk with purpose when you’re doing the rounds and you’ll
be giving yourself a cardio workout. Aim to be breathing a
little heavier so you can feel your heart beating a bit faster.
Don’t push it so much that you can’t speak though.
(Continued on next page)
Sport & leisure
“
“
By simply putting on some music
and moving to it, you’re exercising.
housework and cooking will never
feel like a chore again!
Why not go on a regular walk with a friend round the block?
You will feel so much better and you will have spent quality
time with someone that matters to you.
I appreciate that this is all well and good for ‘the fit’, but if
you’re not, what can you do? Again put on some upbeat
music and sit in a chair. You can move all your muscles
even when sat down.
Try not to sit in sofa type chairs as they don’t give you
enough support and they are much more difficult to get out
of. They encourage bad posture and also lack of
movement. So, find a comfortable upright chair and tap
your toes as you sing along to your favourite tracks.
Move your arms up and down as well – together,
alternatively and then side to side. Whether easily mobile or
not, as you are sat on a comfortable, supporting chair try
raising your heels and stretching your legs out.
If you’re confident you can also kick them up to feel the
muscle at the back of thigh (see picture right). Scrunch your
bottom and release. Your gluteus maximus is the largest
muscle in your body, so just think how many calories it
takes to move it.
Pull your tummy in while slowly breathing out and then
release it as you breathe in. It’s easier to say than do!
Loosen your shoulders by moving them up and down
and round.
A clip from Barbara’s DVD ‘Sit Down, Shape Up’
Remember, exercise is best done little and often, rather
than in one large session per week. Aim for regular 10
minute workouts.
A word of caution – don’t get too carried away. Feel
what each move does to your muscles and if it hurts,
don’t do it. Your body should feel like you’ve worked
out or ache a little, but pain means damage which
defeats your object of getting fitter.
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“Thank you so much for your help and support [with
care]. The Oddfellows has made a difference to my
father particularly over the past ten years…”
Angela – Cheltenham
Not already a member? Click here to join now!
Keeping calm at Christmas
Overexcited children, a sitting room packed with family tension and supermarket-aisle anarchy. It’s no surprise that
Christmas can leave you feeling more frazzled than festive. In this month’s Health & wellbeing we share some simple
tips and techniques to help you keep calm and carol on.
• If there has been a family row during the year, try and get
issues resolved before you get together. One tip is to tell
the person that you’re looking forward to seeing them.
This starts to diffuse tension and opens up
communication. Try to get everyone to agree not to
disagree on the day.
• It’s easy to overspend at this time of year. Sit down and
work out your budget against items such as presents,
entertaining and shopping – then try to stick to it.
• Don’t feel obliged to go to everything you’ve been invited
to. Say no if you feel you can’t cope with another social
engagement or if you can’t afford it.
• Appreciate that you’re likely to get stressed and work out
how you can keep calm – this could be taking a walk,
controlling your breathing, speaking to a friend or going
to the gym. Be sensitive to spotting your stress signals,
such as changes to breathing, feelings of anxiety or
snapping at people, and take immediate action when
they show.
(Continued on the next page...)
Health & wellbeing
• Plan your Christmas day and share your ideas with
those attending. They may have suggestions on how
you can all make the day extra special. Focus on the
events that matter and not what you feel you ‘should’ be
doing. Ask yourself, ‘if I don’t do this, will it really make
a difference?’
• Delegate tasks on the day such as laying the table,
serving drinks, washing up or simply making the gravy.
Recognise that people want to play their part.
• If you overindulge on rich foods and alcohol, don’t be
surprised if you feel tired, irritable, bloated and run
down. Eat and drink in moderation and keep
yourself hydrated.
• Stick to your regular exercise routine. It will give you
some ‘me time’ and it’s a great stress reliever.
• Finally, remember there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect
Christmas’. Just relax and enjoy having time out with
your friends and family.
Mindfulness is a buzz word of today. It’s a mind-body approach that can help you change the way you think
about experiences and reduce stress and anxiety. Despite its roots in Buddhism, many mindfulness practices
are independent of religion. Here are a few resources on the market:
Web and App
Meditation for
modern life – the
Headspace team is
on a mission to get
as many people in
the world to take 10
minutes out of their
day to meditate.
Its web and app-based guided mindfulness sessions are
easy to follow and fun to do. Even better is that you get 10
daily 10-minute sessions completely free on sign up.
www.getsomeheadspace.com
Book and Audio book
Wherever You Go, There You
Are: Mindfulness Meditation
In Everyday Life by Jon
Kabat-Zinn. First published
in 1994, this book continues
to be a best-selling
introduction to Mindfulness.
The author blends stories,
anecdotes, poems, images,
and scientific observations
with easily to follow instructions on how you can live
fully in the moment and achieve inner peace.
Organisation
Be Mindful is a campaign coordinated by the Mental Health
Foundation. Its information-rich website offers a free stress test and
online courses, as well as details of their face-to-face sessions held
across the UK.
They point out that anyone can learn mindfulness – ‘it’s simple, you can
practise it anywhere, and the results can be life-changing’.
www.bemindful.co.uk.
Making a difference to children’s lives
Did you know that the Society’s Orphan Gift Fund was established after the First
World War to help children from Oddfellows families who had lost one or both
parents in the war? The fund currently supports 81 children and young people with
financial support in the form of gifts and by funding the cost of items such as school
uniforms, travel cards, books, musical instruments and school trips.
The Society is happy to report how Laura and Sarah Mundy, two of the fund’s
recipients, are making great strides in their chosen careers. Sarah, who wants to
become a chef, has recently achieved a Level 3 NVQ in Professional Cookery. Laura,
meanwhile, is now working as a Radiographer at St George’s Hospital, London, after (Left to right) Laura and Sarah Mundy
graduating from City University in 2012. Ali Hollroyd of the Oddfellows Care and
Welfare Department said: “The Orphan Gift Fund is close to many of our members’ hearts. It’s wonderful to hear how well
Sarah and Laura are doing. Children are our future and giving them the best start in life is the least we can do.”
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“When I had money worries the Oddfellows put me
in touch with the right people who could help. They
were with me every step of the way.”
Pam - Cambridgeshire
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1) Take your time
Even though you can press ‘publish’ on an e-book
overnight now, the whole self-publishing process will
take at least six months, so don’t try to rush it.
2) Edit
Do this again and again. Collaborating with an editor
is definitely worthwhile to get the structure and
content right.
3) Find a cover designer
For my first book I didn’t have the time to find a good
cover designer who really understood what I was trying
to do. This is so important – it is one of the biggest things
I’ve learned and I’ve since launched a second edition
that looks much slicker.
Self-publishing – turning
your lines into loot
As a growing number of aspiring
authors are discovering, cutting
out traditional publishers and
releasing a book by themselves is
easier now than ever.
Polly Courtney’s career to date
has been a self-publishing
success story. Here she shares
her advice for anyone looking
to do it…
4) Network
In many ways promoting a book is harder than writing it,
but just try to speak to as many people as you can and
get yourself out there. I started by contacting everyone I
knew, asking them for help with contacts. From this, a
journalist at The Observer newspaper heard what I was
doing and wanted to write a full page spread on the
subject of my first book – that it wasn’t all glamour and
gold in the City. That really helped me get started.
There are so many online media outlets now to target
you don’t even have to put yourself on television if you
really don’t want to. You can build a loyal readership
from home.
5) Be brave
Polly Courtney © Hannah Palmer
Back in 2006, the big publishers told me I should change what I
was writing about. I didn’t want to so I decided to self-publish
instead. This meant doing everything a traditional publisher
would do for a book launch by myself.
Don’t be afraid to share the idea with people from the
start, even if you think you know everything about the
subject. Telling relevant people as you go will help with
promotion later. Say yes to everything too – you never
know where something might lead.
That included getting my book edited, first by friends and family
and then by a professional editor. I also had to come up with
the ‘package’, which is basically the title and cover design.
There is still a stigma surrounding selfpublishing but 25% of the top 100 e-books
in the US are now self-published titles. It is
definitely the way things are going.
For the production I chose a publishing company called
Troubadour – they have self-published authors who are serious
about becoming commercial. They did the printing and
distribution for me, which basically involved getting it on
Amazon and all the other online stores for me as well as
physically stocked in stores.
I signed with a publisher a few years ago but
walked away from them when they
tried to turn my books into ‘chick-lit’. My sixth
book Feral Youth came out in August and has had the
best reception yet. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to
traditional publishing.
There was a lot of muddling through, so here are the main
lessons I’ve learned.
Feral Youth is out now and available to buy on Amazon
by clicking here.