December 2014

Please mention Community Contact when responding to adverts

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS

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To advertise call 07769 676573 or visit www.communitycontact.co.uk

DECEMBER 2014

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Welcome to the first edition of Community Contact

magazine! Community Contact is the first local magazine

for Twyford, and soon the surrounding villages, to bring

together the community both through this magazine

and online via the Community Contact website. In this

magazine you will find an abundance of interesting

articles focusing on what is happening in your village

each month.

Each month you can expect to find exciting competitions,

local entertainment and parish council news, news on

sport and education and regular features including

fashion, homes, gardening, cooking, book reviews and

even an area for your little ones.

This first issue is all about Christmas! Look out for our

exciting Christmas competition on page 35 where

we want you to post you favourite Christmas photo

to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hash tag

#CCXmasphoto. We also have an exciting game for

kids (and adults!) – you need to try and find 10 hidden

Christmas decorations throughout this magazine!

We really want to involve the local community and bring

the villages together so if you have any information you

would like to share do please get in touch and we can

make sure that it happens.

We hope you enjoy the first issue!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Neil and Laura

Welcome CONTENTS

4-5 Christmas present ideas

6 Choose your tree

8 Turkey casserole recipe

10 Events

12-13 Life saving defibrillator

14 Twyford pantomime update

16 Micro-chip your pets for free

18 Home-made Christmas presents

21 Voice Fusion

22-23 Christmas party dresses

26-27 Billion Dollar Looks

28 Try and be good this Christmas

29 Christmas Jumpers

32-33 How to Create a Christmas door swag

34 Games

35 Win a family ticket to watch MK Dons!

36 Book review

37 Win a signed copy of Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography

38-39 Kid’s corner

40 Car Care – Be prepared this winter

46 Community notice board

48 How to advertise

51 Useful Contacts



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What presents will you buy this year ??To me, there is nothing better than Christmas. It is such a special time for family and friends to get together and totally over indulge!

Have you sorted your Christmas present ideas yet? If you haven’t fear not! I will endeavor to help you with our top gifts for men, women, girls and boys this Christmas!

Call of DutyAdvanced Warfare

£40 from Tesco

Fat Face Wash Bag

£20 from Boots

Beats by DRE Headphones£99 from Currys

Slay 12 Year Old Malt Whisley - Single Bottle

£29 from M&S

Burberry Brit Rhythm

£43.50 from Boots

Map Hip Flask£24.95 from Not On The

High Street

Kath Kidson Small Leather Cinema Bag£80 from Kath Kidson

Yankee Candle - Red Apple Wreath£16.49 from Yankee.co.uk

Daisy Dream byMarc Jacobs

£39 from Debenhams

Great British Bake Off

Recipe Book

£9 from Amazon

Joules Blooming Brilliant

Weekend Bag

£45 from Joules

Nails Inc - Saville Row£11 from House of Fraser


DECEMBER 2014

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Snowflake Hot

Water Bottle

£10 from Topshop

Jack Wills Wash Bag

£18 from Boots

Smart Phone Projector£15 from Not On TheHigh Street

Ted Baker CosmeticPurse Set

£12 from Boots

Half Bad by Sally Green

£3.85 from Amazon

V-Tech Watch£29.99 from Argos

Ice Skating Elsa from Frozen

£25.49 from Amazon

My Friend Cayla£43.79 from Toys R Us

Barbie ColourChanging Handbag

£16.99 from Argos

Play Doh - Doh Vinci£12.99 from Argos

Teksta Dinosaur

£49.99 from Smyths Toys

Boom Co RapidMadness Blaster

£39.99 from Argos

Transformers 4 Power

Attackers - Scorn

£12.99 from Toys R Us

Xeno Monster£64.00 from Tesco

LEAP TV£119.59 from Tesco



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Pick the Perfect TreeThis Christmas...Choosing the right Christmas tree is a magical and memorable experience for the whole family. When you visit Claydon Christmas Tree Farm you can spend as long as you like choosing which tree is perfect for you.

Claydon Christmas Tree Farm is based in Steeple Claydon, and is managed by husband and wife team, Joseph and Ingrid Hodges. “Being a family business that is run from our home, we take a real pride in the service that we give our customers. We have a small team of dedicated staff who are always on hand to help you with absolutely anything that you may need!

We have a beautiful team of Father Christmas’ real reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Cupid and Vixen for you to meet when you buy a Christmas tree.

Our Scandinavian log cabin Christmas shop is full of beautiful decorations and ornaments, including a large range by designer, ‘Gisela Graham’. We have a wide range of products to suit every style and budget. Children and adults alike enjoy hunting for the complimentary chocolate which is hidden amongst the decorations in the shop.

Children will love having fun in the pedal tractor area and may get a surprise when they hear the ‘gobble, gobble’ of the turkey’s.

Santa’s Grotto is open on the 6th, 7th & 14th Dec 2014 from 12pm – 3pm. Only £4 per child and includes a present and a unique experience with real reindeer!

We sell a variety of beautiful fresh cut and pot grown British Christmas trees, to include Nordman fir, Norway spruce and Fraser Fir Christmas trees, ranging in height from 3ft to 14ft.

Larger trees or a quantity of trees can be ordered on request.

We aim to supply beautiful, freshly cut trees at sensible prices. We are only open for four weeks of the year, opening on Saturday 29th November 2014 until midday on Christmas Eve.

We planted our own trees in April 2010 and continue to plant Christmas trees every year. Our first crop of trees will be ready to sell in 2015. The trees that we currently sell have been carefully selected from a farm in the Welsh Mountains.

This year, for charity, each weekend we are providing free fun activities for the whole family. Please see our website for more details www.claydonchristmastreefarm.co.uk.


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2 onions, finely chopped1 eating apple, cored and chopped2 tbsp olive oil1 tsp dried sage, or 5 sage leaves, chopped2 tbsp plain flour300ml vegetable or chicken stock2 tbsp wholegrain mustard2 tbsp runny honey

400g-500g leftover turkey, shredded

350g leftover roasted vegetables like roast potatoes, parsnips, celeriacs and carrots, chunkily diced.

Leftover Turkey CasseroleThis one pot stew uses up all your roast dinner leftovers in one go and has a great honey mustard tang.

Ingredients

1. Fry the onion and apple in the oil until softened in a casserole or deep pan. Stir in the sage for 1 min, then stir in the flour. Gradually stir in the stock followed by the mustard and honey.

2. Bring up to a simmer and stir in the turkey and roast veg. Cover and gently simmer for 15 mins until turkey is piping hot. Season and eat with mash or jacket potatoes.

What do you do withyour Christmas leftovers ??

Share your ideas with the community by sending them to:

[email protected]

Method


DECEMBER 2014

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6th December - SaturdayFather Christmas comes to Buckingham Town Centre, Old Gaol. 11am – 2.30pm

Voice Fusion concert, St Mary’s Church, Twyford

6th & 7th DecemberDay out with Thomas at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Booking is essential. 01296 655720 (weekdays 9.30 - 4.30) or book online.

Oxford Arts Market on Broad Street. This Street Market features local artists, designers and craft makers supporting small scale creative industries from Oxfordshire. www.boffyartsandevents.com

7th December - SundayTwilight Tour ‘Christmas in the country Manor’ Stowe School 7.30pm.

The Annual Christmas Fayre, Twyford Village hall, 2pm. Mulled Wine and mince pies will be served.

11th - 21st December from 10am to 7pmOxford Christmas Market on Broad Street, will have nearly 50 vendors selling Christmas gifts, seasonal treats, and entertainment, giving the city centre an atmosphere of

Christmas.www.oxfordchristmasmarket.co.uk

13th December - SaturdayBuckingham Christmas Parade at 10.45am

Community fair at Buckingham Community Centre 11.30am - 2.00pm

Father Christmas comes to Buckingham Town Centre, Old Gaol. 11am - 2.30pm

18th December - ThursdayCoca Cola Trucks at ASDA, Milton Keynes between 12 - 8pm

20th and 22nd December Father Christmas comes to Buckingham Town Centre, Old Gaol. 11am – 2.30pm

New Years EveThe Crown, Twyford: Movies and cartoon themed fancy dress NYE Party.

EVENTS


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Life Saving Changes in TwyfordTwyford Village now has a life saving defibrillator installed and its thanks to each and everyone of you that donated money that the village has access to this life saving equipment.

It may seem scary, but after a cardiac arrest every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces someone’s chances of survival by 10 percent – so a defibrillator is imperative to any remote village.

They are simple and safe. The machine gives clear spoken instructions. You don’t need training to use one. Once in position, the defibrillator detects the heart’s rhythm. It won’t deliver a shock unless one is needed.

I recently interviewed, Loo Blackburn, who helped to get the defibrillator installed in the village...

Where did the idea to get the defibrillator come from?Friends in village had mentioned the Defibrillator when they had completed a first aid course a while ago. We felt it was something that just needed doing!

Why is it so important to have a defibrillator in the village?It is important because the only intervention that has any affect on the survival rates is early access to a defibrillator. Living in the village, medical assistance is always going to take longer to arrive and literally every minute counts.


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How was the money raised for the defibrillator?The money was raised by an appeal to every household in Twyford and there was also a door-to-door collection. There was a donation pot in the village stores and the remaining shortfall was a very generous donation from the Rotary Via Gary. All in all, the entire village donated almost £1,700!

Where is the defibrillator stored?The defibrillator is now housed and working on the wall outside the village hall. Steve Elcock kindly sorted the electrical requirements and has placed a light above to ensure visibility at night.

How do you get access to the defibrillator?The defibrillator is in a coded locked heated box. To access the defibrillator simply dial 999 and the ambulance control will give out the code in order to retrieve it. The most important action is dialing 999.

Is there anything else people should know about using the defibrillator?The most important message to everyone is that the defibrillator does not require any medical knowledge, know how or interpretation whatsoever to use it. It will not harm or kill anyone, as it will not discharge a shock unless it is beneficial, but it could just save that persons life.

Just call 999, get the code, and ensure help is on its way.

These devices can help save lives in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest and before an ambulance or community first responder can arrive.

They will then stay on the line to help you use the device and direct you how to conduct hands-only CPR while the ambulance and community first responders are still on the way.

The machine, which can be operated by anyone, delivers an electric shock that can restart the heart of someone having a cardiac arrest.

If you come across someone who is not breathing or breathing erratically, the most important thing is to call 999 and start CPR. If you’re on your own, don’t interrupt the CPR to go and fetch a defibrillator. When you can, send someone else to find one. Once the defibrillator is open, all you have to do is follow the spoken instructions.



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Twyford Pantomimeis back!The Twyford Amateur Dramatics Society (TADS) are pleasedto announce that this season’s pantomime is… drum roll please… Babes in the Wood!

Directed by Royston Cyster, co-directed by Guy Horwood and produced by Tina Shortland, TADs are busy rehearsing for their parts in this season’s spectacular pantomime!

Starring Robin Hood, Maid Marion, drop dead gorgeous dames, Silly Villans and a nasty Sheriff of Nottingham, this year’s pantomime is ram-packed full of laughter, dance, suspense, double crossings, evil plans and a rocking sound track! There will be something for everyone!!

Tickets go on sale from the 13th of December and will be available from Denise Wade. Call 01296 738585 or email [email protected]

Adults: £5| £6 last night Children and concessions £3| £4 last night

Pay on collection of tickets from the village store within two weeks of ordering.Cheques are made payable to TADS.

Friday13th FebruaryOpening night

Saturday 14th FebruaryMatineeEvening

Friday 20th February Evening

Saturday 21st FebruaryMatineeEvening


DECEMBER 2014

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Free micro-chipping for all dogs, courtesy of the Dog’s Trust

Having your pet micro-chipped is one of the best ways to increase your pet’s chances of getting home. Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, micro-chipping is a more permanent form of identifying your dog. But don’t forget the law says all dogs must wear a collar and tag, with their owner’s name, address and telephone number on it.

Dogs Trust are currently offering FREE micro-chipping across the country. Contact Winslow Vets for more information.

How does it work?A tiny microchip about the size of a grain of rice is inserted under your dog’s loose skin, on the back of the neck. This gives the dog their own unique code. If your dog becomes lost or stolen and is picked up by the dog warden or turns up at a shelter or vet’s office, the microchip can be scanned and matched to your contact de-tails, which are kept on a database.

Now remember - Register the chip and keep your details updated in the future.

Source: Dogs Trust


DECEMBER 2014

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Country EquestrianHorse and Pet Food Store

Horse, Pet and Poultry Feed, Pet Accessories, Gifts, Cards and

much more! Own brand Horse Feed, Spillers, Baileys, Dodson & Horrell, Allen & Page, Haygates and Chudleys. Woodshavings, Equibright, Quality Haylage, Hay and Straw, Stable Equipment, Rug Cleaning and Leather

Repairs.

Open 8.30 to 5.00 Monday to Saturday Ample customer parking

HOME FARM, POUNDON, BICESTER, OX27 9AY

(Between Marsh Gibbon and Twyford) Tel: 01869 277742

[email protected] www.countryequestrianltd.co.uk

Christmas gifts now in



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Nigella’s SaltedCaramel Sauce

Salted caramel sauce can be rustled up in a matter of moments but making caramel requires patience, dexterity

and a sugar-thermometer.

Ingredients75 grams best-quality unsalted butter

50 grams soft light brown sugar50 grams caster sugar50 grams golden syrup125 ml double cream

1 teaspoon fleur de sel salt

MethodMelt butter, sugars and syrup and but-ter in a small heavy based pan and let simmer for 3 minutes, swirling every now

and again.Add cream and half a teaspoon of

fleur de sel salt (not table salt!) and swirl again, give a stir with a wooden spoon and taste – go cautiously so that you don’t burn your tongue – to see if you

want more salt before letting it cook for another minute on the stove, then pour

into your jars.

Nigella’s Mince Pies

GingerbreadMary Berry’s

Christmas Chutney

Home Made Christmas Gifts

Find these recipes on our website www.communitycontact.co.uk/recipes

For those last minute home made Christmas Presents look no further! I have some yummy treats lined up that you can give your friends as delicious Christmas presents…


DECEMBER 2014

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DECEMBER 2014

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The VoiceFusion adults choir are busy preparing for this terms performance on 6th December at 7pm in Twyford church. This year we are joined by Brill Brass Quintet and VoiceFusion childrens choir to perform a varied programme from Mozart to The Carpenters and Christmas carols.

All are welcome and entry is free on the evening with donations being encouraged to raise money for Sobel House.

VoiceFusion offers you the chance to take part in a community style choir where you can have fun and enjoy the many benefits of singing in a group. The aim is to have fun singing together whilst learning a range of songs and enjoying music.

Sessions are held on weekday evenings in term time and all are welcome.

Previously choir members have particularly enjoyed learning a wide selection of music, ensuring something for everyone. We especially are keen that all are able to develop through the sessions, whether singing for the first time in a group and gaining confidence in singing with others, or perhaps for the more experienced the chance to shine with a solo spot!

If you’ve not been before - come along and try a free taster session. No previous experience required, just join in and have fun.

VoiceFusion contact details

Jane - 01296 730751Email - [email protected] http://tinyurl.com/voicefusionWeb – www.voicefusion.org.uk



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Christmas is full of sparkle and magic and it’s the best excuse to buy your-self a new, sparkly outfit for your Christmas party! Take a look at our top picks on the high street this Christmas season…

Anais Dress | Monsoon | £169

This beautiful dress from Monsoon includes intricate hand-embellishment and clusters of silver beads over metallic lace to catch the light of any Christmas party this year.

Sequened dress | Topshop | £68

Dress to impress with this classic style party dress in flocked black sequins.

Glittery Jumpsuit | H&M | £69.99

This gorgeous glittery jumpsuit is a real showstopper. Featuring bead and sequin embroidery, a v-neck at the back, sealed at the waist and concealed zip at the back.

Gold sequined tunic dress | M&S | £79

This gold tunic dress from M&S is perfect for any Christmas party. Pair with black heels and statement

earrings for a beautiful Christmas look.

Look amazing at this years office party


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Sequined body-con dress | Miss Selfridge | £69.30

This Miss Selfridge petit sequined paneled body-con dress is on-trend and perfect for an understated Christmassy look.

Halterneck dress | Next | £95

This Floaty black halterneck dress from Next is so elegant and features mixed sequin, bead and diamante embellishments, a thigh high slit and intricate strap detailing falling to the lower back into a v-shape.

Gold Metallic skater dress | Next | £56

This classic skater dress is sure to turn heads, team with a glittery clutch and killer heels for an all over look.

Blush midi skirt | Monsoon | £69

I just love the length of this skirt. It will look stunning paired with a cashmere sweater, statement

necklace, and faux fur coat to keep you warmon those cold winter evenings.



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BeautyOsteopathyChiropody

Call now 01296 [email protected]

20% OffFirst Beauty Treatment

SMILE CONFIDENTLY WITH INVISALIGN• Beautiful Straight TeethComfortable, removable, nearly invisible.

01296 730 260We are a leading practice for providing Invisalign10 Chaloners Hill, Steeple Claydon, Buckingham, MK18 2PEwww.claydondental.co.uk

£1000Plus Free Tooth Whitening & Receive aVoucher To Use In Our Wellness Spa

SAVING


DECEMBER 2014

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Arthurs Radio first came into business in 1989.

We are proud to be able to offer our clients a first class service in cutting, colouring and

treatments. We build great client-stylist relationships as we want to get to know

you, not just your hair!

We always welcome new clients and very much appreciate our existing clientele.

We currently have a NEW ongoing offer valid every

Tuesday!

TREAT ME TUESDAYS

50% OFFAny colour service on a Tuesday with

Charlotte and Sofie**When booked with a Cut & blow dry with Charlotte or Sofie.

*Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

24 West Street Buckingham

MK18 1HE Tel: 01280 817116

www.arthursradiosalon.co.uk



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AT LAST! The importance of eyebrows is finally being recognised by the nation. Long gone is the fashion of over-plucked, pencil thin brows. Instead, it is being acknowledged that eyebrows are essential in framing your face and shaping your features. Not to mention a fuller, thicker set of eyebrows are proven to create a more glamorous and youthful appearance.

Although few of us naturally have ‘perfect eyebrows,’ a few adjustments can make a huge difference:

Shape: Ideally, your brow should start a little past the inner corner of your eye. This should lead to a gentle arch, which should peak above the outer rim of your iris (the coloured part) and lie on the brow bone. The end of the brow should align with the edge of your nostril and the outer corner of the eye itself.

Regrowth: Leaving your brows to grow can make a huge difference. Too much tweezing can lead to a permanent facial expression of surprise, anger, bewilderment – to name a few. It takes three to four months to notice a real change, and up to a year for brows to grow back entirely. Clever makeup can help hide the unruly brows that you may be conscious of – but persevere – those little random hairs will eventually form a full brow. If you need a little helping hand, there are lots of brow growth serums on the market. Billion Dollar Brow Boost Serum, is a deep conditioning treatment designed to strengthen and condition thin, over-tweezed brows.

Makeup: Brows, like all hair, go through growth cycles. At times it may leave you with patchy areas. Or if you are struggling to perfect your shape, then brow makeup is your saviour! Fill in sparse areas with a brow pencil and try to replicate hair strokes. Eyeliners are too creamy and heavily pigmented. Pencil can be softened gently with a brow powder

BILLIONDOLLAR LOOKS


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07921 504 296

expert eyebrow treatmentWe offer regrowth and maintenance programmes to assist in creating perfect eyebrows that totally transform your face.

We measure your face and features to expertly create the perfect brow for you.

luxury french waxesLuxury French waxes are used in premium intimate waxing. We use world famous techniques that contribute to a more

comfortable, closer and quicker wax. Together it will totally transform any waxing experience you've had in the past.

Located in Buckingham.

Full treatment list available at:www.tweakbeauty.co.uk or email [email protected]

and an angled brush in the direction of your hair growth. Billion Dollar Brow Universal Brow Pencil andBrow Powder are professional brow products designed to last all day and are best in helping to achieve your desired look.

If you want all of this done for you, then take yourselfto a brow expert. Professionals are trained to help design you the perfect brow for YOUR face shape and individual features. They can even help you with a regrowth programme. In addition, the treatments are a lesson in re-creating your perfect brow at home.

For more information or to book in for perfect brows, contact Kate at Tweak Beauty Buckingham.

Billion Dollar Brow Growth Serum £25Billion Dollar Brow Universal Brow Pencil £17 Billion Dollar Brow Powders £18

All available from Tweak Beautywww.tweakbeauty.co.uk



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How to try and be good this Christmas..Yep it’s Christmas!! The time of year where we all over indulge in all the delicious foods that the festive season has to offer, but whilst Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the hardest time to stick with a healthy routine. Snacking on leftover turkey and eating chocolate for breakfast, Guilty. Another glass of bubbly? Yes, please!

We work so hard all year round to stick to a healthy routine that as soon as Christmas comes… boom… the diet goes straight out of the window!! I thought I would put together a list of tips to help us all stay on track as best we can this Christmas without piling on the pounds and making January perhaps, a tiny bit more bearable!

Fuel up before you head out to parties

Being prepared is the best way to make it through this Christmas without sacrificing your figure. We’ve all been there: going to dinner or Christmas party with an empty stomach, and indulging in one too many helpings of something we normally don’t even eat because our hanger (hunger + anger) has set in. Our advice? Have a snack before you head out the door this Christmas!

Stick to your fitness routine

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but during festive period it’s easy to become extremely busy and put your fitness routine on the backburner. However, if you can, try to keep up with your workouts. Not only will working out keep your metabolism fired up, but it will also help you make better decisions when it comes to Christmas food and drink. After a really hard run or an exhausting yoga class, you’ll think twice before overindulging in that second slice of Christmas pudding!

Up your water intake

Not only does upping your water intake help you slim down, but it also makes your skin smoother, your eyes brighter, and can give you that overall healthy glow.

During Christmas, when we tend to overindulge in those not-so-healthy foods, it’s important to drink even more water than you normally do. It will help flush out the party food and drinks. Plus it will also keep you full so that you don’t end up thinking you’re hungry when you’re really just thirsty.


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Have yourself a merry little knitmas with our top picks of festive jumpers this Christmas.

Christmas Jumpers..An Essential Purchase

Festive Bird JumperJoules£49.95

Reindeer Spot Jumper

John Lewis£49

RobinJumper

Warehouse£42

Bell JumperTopshop

£42

Penguin Jumper

White Stuff| £55

Cable CarJumper

Next£28

Grey Polar Bear Jumper

River Island£28

Reindeer Jumper

John Lewis£45

Red FairisleReindeerJumper

Sainsburys£20

For the girls

For the boysFairisle

French NavyJumperJoules£69.95



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What you will need to make your Christmas door swag

SecateursWire cutters/old scissorsThick stub wires (available from your local florist)Ball of string

Big bunch of foliage. Blue spruce, holly and ivy are traditional but why not try to raid the hedgerows for any evergreen you can find. Laurel, eucalyptus, dried sedum and hydrangea, rosehips. Anything wild and wonderful.

Decorations of your choice. Dried fruits, pinecones, baubles, sparky twigs or even fresh roses.

Long piece of thick ribbon

How to make a Christmas door swagby Jessica RoseDecorating our front doors is a great way to welcome guests at Christmas time. I love welcoming my friends and family with something I have created myself. Whether you prefer a wreath or swag or something sparkly, why not try to create something yourself this year. Make it reflect your style, neat and natural or wild and colourful. I’ll leave that bit up to you. Here is my little guide:

1

3

FoliageStart with a big piece of foliage in the centre. Lay your next stem to the left hand side with the stem over and the third piece on the right with the stem under. Repeat this with all of your foliage. One stem under and the next over with your foliage pieces getting smaller each time. It won’t be neat, as you add foliage you can place them where they need to go for your design.

Hold foliage in placeOnce you have used your foliage and created the shape and size you require, tie your bunchsecurely with string. Bind it tightly to avoid pieces falling out when hung up.

2

DecorationTake the pieces of stub wire and wire up your decorations. Wrap it around cones or through pieces of dried fruits or through baubles loops. There is no right or wrong way to do this. As long as you leave one long end and the other end is securely attached to the decoration.


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4

5

With your swag in front of you, feed the long wire up through your tie point. Place as many decorations as you like and as they are on wire you can fiddle with them to get correct positioning. Tie once more with wire or string to make sure all wires are secure.

HangHang you door swag on your front door for all to see and enjoy.

RibbonCut all long stems and wire to create a neat end.Tie your ribbon into a long loop and then wrap theends around the stems and tie a lovely big bow.

If you are feeling more adventurous and fancy making a door wreath please contact me. I sell a kit with everything you need and instructions too.

Alternatively I can make you one!

Good luck and have fun.Happy Christmas!

Love, Jessica Rose



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1 6 2 3 5 9

8 3

7 5 2

4 1 3 6 2

4 7

6 5 1 3

4 2 7 1 8

5 3 6

1 5 4 6

SUDOKUEvery row, column and 3x3 square must contain one of each digit 1 to 9. S H M

I A R

T S C

NONAGRAMHow many words of four letters or more can you nake from this Nonagram ? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may only be used once per word. One word will use all 9 letters... Can you get that one ?

Guidelines24 words - Good29 words - Very Good34 words - Excellent

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10

11

12 13 14

15 16

17 18 19 20 21

22

23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

32 33

34 35 36

Across

1. Santa _____ (5)4. Colour of Rudolph’s nose (3)6. Another reindeer employed by 1 Across (6)9. Changed (7)10. Christmas fair (5,3)12. What you’ll be eating for days after Christmas dinner (9)13. Crazy (3)14. The frozen North Pole has plenty of this (3)15. Good fortune, prosperity (7)16. She has a royal Christmas message (9)17. Mary rode one to the manger (3)18. Wait, stay (4)19. Improvised jazz singing (4)21. Ruminant (3)23. First Course (9)25. Answer (7)28. Lyric poem (3)29. Traditionally burn in the fire at Christmas (3)31. Ovenproof dish (9)32. Equine marine creature? (8)33. Powerful businessman (7)34. Treads heavily (6)35. Distress signal (3)36. Lolly

Down

1. ________ Dickens, writer of a Christmas Carol (7)2. Items of archeological interest (9)3. Miserly character in one down (7)4. Set rights (9)5. Large bin (8)6. Jeans fabric (5)7. Resolute (9)8. Building (7)

11. Male relative (6)17. Warrior woman18. Town where Jesus was born (9)20. and 24 down Yuletide gift (9, 7)21. Kind of money you might find in your stocking (9)22. They go off with a bang at Christmas dinner (8)24. (see 20 down)26. Santa and you can use them for riding (7)27. Furthest down (7)30. Micro-organisms (5)

Christmas Crossword


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IT’S COMPETITION TIME!WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR 4TO WATCH THE MK DONS!

This competition is so easy! Simply upload your best Christmas photo using Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #CCxmasphoto but don’t forget to tag Community Contact into your post!

Alternatively email your photos to [email protected] and we will post on your behalf. The photo can be of anything festive, a decorated tree, a snowy scene, amazing house lights or even your pets dressed up in xmas outfits!

The prize is a family four ticket for 2 adults and 2 children to attend the home game at Stadium MK on Sunday, December 28th versus Walsall.

The winner will be announced on our website on December 20th - Good Luck!

www.communitycontact.co.uk

@commcontact commcontactcommunitycontact



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From the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com, hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask.

Millions visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe’s iconic web-comic. Fans ask him a lot of strange questions: How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? When (if ever) did the sun go down on the British Empire? When will Facebook contain more profiles of dead people than living? How many humans would a T Rex rampaging through New York need to eat a day? In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations and consults nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by comics.

If you’ve got teenagers who you’d love to get off a ‘screen’ and get them doing something else, then this could be the perfect book - just the thing for a Christmas gift.

BOOK REVIEW

What If?Each issue we will be publishing book reviews on behalf of Cole’s Book Store.

This issue’s review is What If?By Randall Munroe

Title: What If?Author: Randall Munroe Publisher: John Murray / HachetteISBN: 9781848549579Hardback: £14.99


DECEMBER 2014

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WIN A SIGNED COPY OF KEVIN PIETERSEN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN OUR COMMUNITY

CONTACT FACEBACK COMPETITION.KINDLY DONATED BY COLE’S BOOKS



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FIND THE CHRISTMAS WORDS IN THIS PUZZLEC N L E F W T C Q H P K O D P B U G

F A P I D J G N U P P T L U N K I U

R W N V G A P W N C S H A L I S I D

W E M D W H A W R S T N E S E R P A

N R B B Y I T E O H C A R O L S H O

A U K M D C I S G O A K Z L E E R I

M D F V E N A I S A N T A C L A U S

W O Z Y D C N N G M C J T V Z Y Y D

O L W E L T E K E L C X E L A L X X

N F E P N L P D I S H S A I I N B P

S R O E B T X S V I R V J M V R E K

Q S L E T W D S I L I H A S L F C H

T I H E E R F D Z Z S F F B C O Y M

S X A I H R B D R Q T D Z D K J Q B

S L L E B A T U Y Q M B N J Y R H K

C U K Z T U S J U L A A C D A N E G

R U U I D V W B M G S D R M B O A T

J P E N M F Z P E R C H M Y C A F E

BELLSCANDYCANES

CAROLSCHRISTMASDECEMBER

ELVESFAMILYLIGHTS

PRESENTSREINDEER

RUDOLFSANTACLAUSSILENTNIGHTSNOWMAN

TREE

KIDS CORNER


DECEMBER 2014

39

COLOUR ME INCOLOUR

IN FATHER CHRISTMAS AND MAKE

HIM COME TO LIFE :)

CAN YOU FIND THE TEN SNOWFLAKE BAUBLESWE HAVE HIDDEN IN THE MAGAZINE ?

JOINTHE

DOTSON

THESE XMAS PICS



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Take a look at our easy steps to ensure both you and your car are prepared for the winter conditions:

• Antifreeze – check coolant level regularly and, if required, top-up with a mix-ture of the correct type of antifreeze. Your garage should check concentration to ensure adequate cold temperature protection.

• Battery – the most common cause of winter breakdowns. A battery more than five years old may struggle in the cold - get it checked and replaced if neces-sary to avoid the inconvenience of an unplanned failure.

• Fuel – keep at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delay.• Lights – check and clean all lights regularly to make sure you can see and be

seen clearly. Carry spare bulbs.• Tyres – should have at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring. Consider winter

tyres for improved safety. Check pressures at least every fortnight.• Windscreen – reduce dazzle from the low sun by keeping the screen clean

inside and out. Now is a good time to renew worn wiper blades.• Screen wash – use a 50% mix of a good quality screen wash to reduce the

chance of freezing in frosty weather.• Locks and door seals – stop doors freezing shut with a thin coat of polish or

Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant (WD-40) in locks will help stop them freezing.

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. As well as the things you should be carrying on every journey regardless of the weather, you should make up a winter emergency kit to keep in the boot – hopefully you won’t need it but you will be very glad it’s there if you do.

Blanket, rug or sleeping bagShovelBits of carpet or thick cardboard to place under driven wheels to help re-gain traction on ice or snowSalt, sand or cat litter – to help clear snow and iceReflective jacket(s)Ice scraper and de-icer

Torch and batteriesTow ropeSnow chains (if you live in a remote or rural area)Battery jump leadsBottled waterSnacks – chocolate or cereal barsExtra screen wash

Be Prepared This Winter

Winter Emergency Kit


DECEMBER 2014

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OVING

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DECEMBER 2014

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How to advertiseTo advertise is easy! Simply email [email protected].

The copy deadline for our February issue will be 14th January 2015.

The February issue will be delivered to the full area on or before the 1st of February 2015.

Contact us

By phone: 07769 676573 or 07882 194830By email: [email protected] our website: www.communitycontact.co.uk

Look out for us on facebook, twitter and instagram.

All of the rates and advertising options for our bi-monthly issue are published on our website. Please call us to discuss package deals and requirements.


DECEMBER 2014

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Hey, you know that great idea you had for an app?

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DECEMBER 2014

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December 2014

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Transcript of December 2014