Over the next four weeks, I will be presenting to you, through Marks and Spencer a selection of delicious, healthy meals in the form of recipe cards. Each recipe card will outline how to make the meal, the ingredients you need and a reference guide to determine how this meal affects your recommended daily allowance. Moreover, these recipes are suitable for of you on the 5-2 diet as they are all under 400 calories!
This week I present Fish Provencal The Bristol Hippodrome is about to celebrate its 200th Assisted Performance since records began, during the run of this year’s pantomime, Cinderella. The theatre currently offers three types of Assisted performance: Sign Language Interpreted for deaf patrons who use sign language, Captioned performances for patrons who are hearing impaired, and Audio Described for visually impaired patrons.
Trish Hodson, the Access Officer, and now Group Sales Manager, took on the access role in 1994. At that time, only Sign Language Interpreted performances were offered, but they were booked for as many shows as possible, as even then, before the Disability Discrimination Act (now known as the Equality Act) the Hippodrome took very seriously its role in offering as much access for its patrons as possible. “We worked for many years with Paul Whittaker’s organisation, Music and the Deaf, as well as our own local interpreters, Debbie Jones and Sherry Eugene. We now mainly work with Andy Higgins’ company BSL Tickets and his interpreters come to us from all over the country. Being on the stage, interpreters have to deal with a wide range of interruptions or distractions, as they are often placed directly in front of speaker systems and lighting rigs, having to face whatever special effects are going on onstage – on some occasions, it’s hard to fit them on stage at all. On one notable evening, Debbie was eight months pregnant and had to put up with standing on a box in the orchestra pit for two and a half hours!” comments Trish. Trish was approached by a regular visually-impaired customer, Alan Brown, who told her about a new facility that was being offered mainly in Scotland called audio description. Apparently originating from football terraces, this system involved a sighted person describing the action on the pitch to a gathered crowd of visually impaired football fans; Alan had heard that this was now on offer in a more formal way in theatres. Alan and Trish investigated, and it quickly became clear that this would involve a lot of expense due to the equipment needed, but it would be possible to hire the equipment for one-off performances – which is exactly what was done for the first audio-described performance, of ‘Annie’, at the Hippodrome in 1999 as a temporary solution. Fortune was smiling on the venue though as a grant became available allowing the theatre to spend money on access improvements. So, as well as a new accessible loo, the Hippodrome was able to purchase the equipment required for providing Audio Description. As chance would have it, at that time Trish was also approached by a local actress, Irene Richards, who was interested in becoming an audio describer. Although it took another year to get this set up, Irene has worked with the theatre on a regular basis ever since. Visually impaired patrons with guide dogs often leave their dogs with Trish for dog-sitting during the performance. On one occasion Trish was bringing upstairs two guide dogs at the same time – they were faster than Trish on the stairs and she was dragged through the Grand Circle Bar into the path of the then CEO of the company who was enjoying a quiet interval drink with the Theatre Manager. Asked over to say hello Trish recalls being red faced and panting, and covered in golden retriever hair, and trying to conduct a professional conversation whilst not looking too flustered! In the early 2000s, we were approached by a new company, Stagetext, to talk about captioned performances for hearing-impaired customers. Captioned performances use two screens, one either side of the stage, which show the dialogue and sound effects of the production, just like sub-titles on tv. Like audio description, this is delivered live by, in this case, a captioner. It’s a key skill of the captioner to get the timing right, so that everybody laughs at the joke or gasps at the reveal, all at the same time! Our first captioned performance was ‘Miss Saigon’ in 2003, with 127 patrons. The Stagetext captioners were a little nervous – not only was it our first performance, but Cameron Mackintosh would be in the audience that night as well…but everything went off without a hitch. As with all new technologies, captioned performances were initially very expensive, but in order to offer them more regularly, we managed to find a more local freelance Captioner - Cardiff-based screenwriter, Chris Lambert, who had been trained by Stage Text. Our company purchased the caption boards for cross-venue use but luckily for the Hippodrome, we tend to use them regularly enough to be their main keepers! Technology has been the key in lots of ways to the success of these performances and it has only been with the invaluable help of the Hippodrome’s long serving Chief Electrician Pete Loft that we’ve been able to make them work as well as they do. He is always on hand to re-wire, re-connect and re-positon any of the bit and bobs involved at a moment’s notice (sometimes even as the audience are taking their seats!). We now try to offer all three assisted performances on our longer-running shows. Over 6,500 patrons have benefited from these performances, many of whom have become regular and familiar faces to us – including Alan Brown, who originally suggested audio description! Customers like Alan have, over the years, helped us to develop our access facilities so that we are able to offer the very best in customer service for all of our patrons. We have a dedicated Groups and Access team based in the venue with a direct telephone and email contact, and we will always endeavour to offer our customers the very best seating for their access requirements. But ensuring the best possible access is always a work-in-progress: and we are delighted to say that we can now offer a brand-new type of assisted performance - the Hippodrome’s very first Relaxed Performance will be during next year’s pantomime ‘Dick Whittington’ in December 2014. Relaxed Performances are provided for patrons who are on the autistic spectrum, have sensory and communication disorders, a learning disability or for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. They offer a more relaxed attitude to noise in the auditorium, in order to reduce anxiety and ensure a safe, enjoyable theatre visit. Prior to the performance itself bookers will be sent a visual story (detailed information and photos), be invited to attend a familiarisation meeting in the theatre and there will be a designated ‘chill-out’ area for use during the performance.* And a final comment from Trish - “The Bristol Hippodrome’s commitment and passion for access will always remain a key focus – there’s always something new to learn. We look forward to welcoming and working with our access patrons for many more years to come”. * http://www.atgtickets.com/news/atg-announces-relaxed-performance-pilot-scheme/ All I want for Christmas is a make-over on my make-up bag!!How many of you still have old bits of make-up in the bottom of your make up bags? Here at Beauty Time we run workshops on make-up and skin care and we ask you girlies to bring in your current selection of make up How often we see, broken, old, dried out or just pretty tatty make-up, brushes and bags! It time to do a make-over on your make-up bags! Here's our top Beauty Time make-up bag tipsDo you just keep everything you’ve ever bought in this one chaotic bag? YES ……? I think quite a few of you are nodding your heads !!!! Let's start with the bag........
Contents of a new bag.....
This should form the basis of your collection, only keep in your bag what you use, this saves time, money and makes making up a truly girlie indulgence ….. Enjoy! It is the season to be glamorous......For more advice on make-up , make-up workshops ( a fun 2 hours evening or afternoon with friends ) log onto our website www.beautytimemariamason.co.uk
We have 5 fake bake make-up bags to give away worth £50.00 each , when you book and pay for a make-up lesson in the month of December Don't forget to share your creations through Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest and Instagram with the hashtag: #msautumnfood13
Loyal to the LBD? This season, mix things up with the BLD… BLACK LACE DRESS. This seductive look will have you feeling and looking a million dollars as soon as you slip it on. Add colour pop jewellery and accessories for a modern and dramatic take on this classic look. Prices and Stockists: Dress: NEXT Clearance, £35 This season’s CONTEMPORARY HERITAGE look is comfortable, yet stylish. Combine chic tailoring with cutting edge colour pops and textures. A chic hat is the perfect way to top off your look, so be brave and add a bold accent like a brightly coloured trilby. Prices and Stockists: Cape: Coast, Was £195, Now £130 Trousers: Phase Eight, Was £59, Now £41.30 Top: Phase Eight, Was £59, Now £41.30 Shoes: Clarks Factory Shopping, Was £59.99, Now £39.99 Hat: M&S Outlet, Was £19.50, Now £11.50 Gloves: M&S Outlet, £10.50 Visit www.clarksvillage.co.uk, follow @clarksvillageuk or like www.facebook.com/clarksvillageuk.
All images captured on location at Langford Fivehead, Lower Swell, by photographer Jon Hurst. Shoot styled by Claire Wacey at CW-Style. Sam's Thoughts: We all need staple items in our wardrobe that we can revert to time and time again and the new take on the LBD with the BLD is just what we need to keep it fresh. Like our LBD, our new BLD can be a back up for any occasion. I particularly like this one from Next and is a price I love. 5 weeks flies by and I hope you've enjoyed this seasons run down of affordable fashion presented by Clarks Village. We look forward to welcoming them back for the Spring Summer run down in 2014, it's been a pleasure and a great insight. Sam x Stir up Sunday is fast approaching (24th November), if you don't know what this is, it is the traditional day in which to make your Christmas pudding for, well Christmas! (are you as excited as I am?) If you are going to be making your first Christmas pudding like me, below is a simple recipe from M&S. Ingredients: 225g/8oz Caster sugar (£1.29, 500g) 340g/12oz Sultanas (£1.99, 500g) 340g/12oz Raisins (£1.99, 500g) 225g/8oz Currants (£1.79, 375g) 50g/2oz Glace cherries (£1.99, 200g) 110g/4oz Plain flour (£1.10, 1.5kg) 1 lemon, zest only (39p) 5 Free Range eggs, beaten (£1.40, 6 medium eggs) 1 level tsp Ground cinnamon (£1.49, 39g) 1 level tsp Mixed spice (£1.49, 50g) 5g/1 level tsp Ground nutmeg (£1.49, 44g) Pinch of salt (29p, 400g) 150ml/5fl oz French Brandy (£13.29, 70cl) 55g/2oz Flaked almonds (£1.49, 100g) Method: Soak fruit in brandy overnight. Mix together the ingredients and spoon the mix into a pudding basin. Put a circle of baking parchment and foil over the top and make a string handle. Steam the pudding for 6-7 hours. Remove pudding from steamer and store in a cool, dry place until Christmas day. On Christmas day reheat the pudding by steaming again for 1-2 hours. Serve with brandy butter, rum sauce or custard. If you don't fancy making your own, how about one of their unique puddings; Collection Sugar Plum Pudding (£14, 907g) Featuring our festive signature flavour, this sugar plum pudding is rich and fruity with a hidden centre of mulled plum sauce and Armagnac soaked plums. Hand decorated with sun dried Angelino plums and ready to finish with a sprinkling of golden fairy dust you can add at home. Collection Black Forest Christmas Pudding (£14, 907g)
A rich and fruity Christmas pudding laced with port and brandy and melting chunks of Madagascan chocolate. Topped with Kirsch-soaked glace and sour cherries and glazed with a rich cherry sauce. In June, 2013, BBC Three ran a mental health awareness season called “It's a Mad World.” There were many amazing programmes that showed what mental health disorders are really like, from the people who lived with them. Many people tuned into shows such as “Don't Call Me Crazy”, “OCD Camp” and “Diaries of a Broken Mind.” Where it all began One of the contributors who took part in Diaries of a Broken Mind was 23 year old Bex Walton, from Kent. She lives with agoraphobia (a fear of leaving the house) amongst several other mental health disorders. When the show aired, Bex couldn't believe the positive response she was getting from people via social networks. People she had never spoken to before in her life. It gave her an idea... What if everyone could have this positive reinforcement? Three days later, a very basic website was made. The name Minds Like Ours was the original working title of “Diaries of a Broken Mind” and so that was used, to connect the two together. Secret groups were set up on Facebook and Google, inviting people to come and talk about their disorders without the judgement of others. A week later, several members got the confidence together to make their very own video. The Minds Like Ours introduction video went viral and people such as Derren Brown and Jo Elvin (editor of Glamour magazine) were tweeting about it. That same buzz that Bex felt from Diaries of a Broken Mind, was now being felt by many more people. Within a month, Minds Like Ours became a non-profit organisation with a board of directors. Enter Callum Carson, Mia Gahan and Bex. Their aim? To raise mental health awareness on a global scale, whilst providing support at the same time. Every decision would be made by the members, meaning it is truly run by those with mental health disorders. A forum was set up for people to share their ideas, as well as giving and receiving support. That forum now has over 200 members, all of whom have contributed something to the growth of Minds Like Ours (affectionately known as MiLO). Members are encouraged to share their stories, to help raise awareness, either on our YouTube channel or via the blog. Those stories can be private (just for other members to see) or public. Every person then reaps the rewards of that positive reassurance; which in turn builds up confidence. So where from here? Now, our tiny idea is becoming a big one. We're a quarter of the way to becoming a registered charity (you need to raise £5,000 to apply). Our forum is bustling with ideas and we hold a Google Hangout every Monday, to discuss those ideas. Everyone gets the option to help make decisions on every aspect of the organisation. We have had our very first event, a Mad Hatter's Tea party and are planning several more across the country. We're hosting a 24 hour sponsored talk on the 22nd November (yep, 24 hours talking about mental health) which will be streamed live to YouTube. We've also got a 24 hour football match coming up in 2014!
However big we grow and whatever difference we make, will always be down to our members. All those who take their time to volunteer; whether it be a second to retweet something or an hour to write a blog, are making a huge difference. And because of them, Minds Like Ours will continue to be able to provide support to those who may otherwise feel alone. Modernise a classic dress silhouette by choosing a POWER PRINT. Kate Middleton has shown us time and time again that this look is fit for a Princess! Team with classic accessories, a strong bag and high heels, for the ultimate in regal elegance. Prices and Stockists: Dress: Coast, Was £95, Now £35 Bag: OSPREY London Was £285, Now £195 Shoes: Clarks Factory Shopping, Was £44.99, Now £30.99 Alexa Chung would fall in love with this modern take on POLKA DOTS. Keep the look monochrome and play with androgynous shapes for understated sex appeal. To ensure you turn heads for all the right reasons, accessorize with a pretty statement necklace, a slick of bold red lipstick and killer heels. Prices and Stockists: Jacket: M&S Outlet, Was £55, Now £33 Shirt: Henri Lloyd, Was £75, Now £53 Trousers: NEXT Clearance, £24 Necklace: Coast, Was £40, Now £22 Shoes: Clarks Factory Shopping, £29.99 Visit www.clarksvillage.co.uk, follow @clarksvillageuk or like www.facebook.com/clarksvillageuk.
All images captured on location at Langford Fivehead, Lower Swell, by photographer Jon Hurst. Shoot styled by Claire Wacey at CW-Style. Sam's Thoughts: Polka dots are cute and timeless, a trend that should be embraced- whether a new blouse for work or making a statement in some polka dot trousers (as above). |