Win Tickets To Barton Under Needwood Steam Rally And Festival

The committee of the Barton Under Needwood Steam Rally and Family Festival were proud to present The Midlands Air Ambulance with a cheque for £5,000, the proceeds of the 2015 event held at Needwood Rise Farm near Barton Under Needwood. We'd like to thank everyone who attended last year's event for their support and hope they will join us in 2016 when we will, once again, be raising money for The Midlands Air Ambulance.
This year's event will take place on 16th and 17th July at Needwood Rise Farm DE13 8AP, near Barton Under Needwood just a few minutes off the A38. All profits will, again, be donated to The Midlands Air Ambulance. All the organisers are volunteers who spend their valuable time putting the event on. Please see our website for details.
http://www.bartonsteam.co.uk/
Two years ago, to help families, we decided to introduce free tickets to the event for accompanied children. This has proved such an overwhelming success we are very happy to announce that children will, again, be able to come along with adults and be admitted completely free of charge. In line with this we have increased the number of attractions for families as well as retaining all the aspects of our steam and transport heritage which the enthusiasts love. More good news is that we have managed to hold last year's adult admission price to a very reasonable £6 with free parking. Fees are payable for certain other attractions. Those who enjoy camping or caravanning can stay with us the whole weekend at a cost of £25 for up to two adults and their children under 16. Should you wish to camp for just one night the fee is £15. Camping charges include pitch fees and admission to the rally and can be booked online.

This year we have some brand new attractions and some of your favourites from past events. The Air Ambulance will be bringing its "pod" on both days so that you can view it and hear about their vital fundraising. On Saturday only you can meet a meerkat , Oreo, and his friends. Due to their popularity the fabulous live falconry display will take place in the main arena on both days. The rope agility course, suitable for all, will be attending for the third year. For the children we have the ever popular miniature steam engine rides and model railway rides. We are pleased to welcome back the Nuneaton Dog Training Club with their displays of dog agility over a specially designed course, bring your dog along for them to have a go. Also returning is the amazing demonstration of chain-saw sculpture. Marvel at our magician, watch the brilliant balloon modelling and laugh at the clown. New this year is a gun dog display which will be taking place in the arena on both days. You can relax with a drink in our fully licensed marquee while enjoying our live bands. Pop into the craft marquee where you will find stalls, exhibitions and working craftspeople. Visit the trade stands for an opportunity to seek out some bargains, collectables and antique tools. Children will love the kiddies fairground area with rides and the opportunity to visit the ice cream van or old fashioned sweet stall. Hot and cold foods are available all day with extra catering stands attending this year.

Once again we welcome a variety of large steam engines and miniature steam, some old favourites and some of which will be visiting the rally for the first time. You may even have the opportunity to try your hand at steering one of these magnificent machines. We have an excellent variety of vintage tractors, classic cars, motorcycles and bicycles of yesteryear. You will also be able to see a fine collection of historic commercial vehicles and stationary engines many of which well be working to illustrate how they were used in days gone by.

A full programme of arena events will take place both days including parades of all of the classes of vintage vehicles mentioned with tractor balancing and adult steering. Gates open at 10 am each day. The event finishes at  5pm. Our arena events start at 11am each day. Programme of arena events will be weather dependant. Exhibits in attendance are correct at time of printing.

There is the opportunity to win of of two pairs of tickets for the steam rally which I will send out when the 2 winners are picked.

Barton Under Need Wood Steam Rally Competition

Happy #NationalBikeWeek

Riding a bike is great for your mind body and soul , the environment and your community !!

I really really love my bicycle with the basket I amble to and from school on it ding dinging my bell when ever possible , it really doesn't matter the over familiarity with my route it matters I'm using my bicycle . Yes it is a rather expensive bicycle and yes you could have a small weekend away in Paris with what I paid for it but I care not. On occasion I do take my bicycle called Myfawney further afield and I've even been out in the rain in it < oh get me.

Upon my cycling journies I'll see 

Mr T has a shiny new mountain bike and all the gear you can shake a stick at , inevitably I've been gifted the old mountain bike which I will take for a Spin.

Spare mountain bike update it needs adjusting as one I walked into the pedals and two the seat is too high.

So I took my beautiful Pashley out instead !

I Was A Stranger And you Took Me In

Appreciating things even the little things in life is what matters and that is very much grounding me at the moment , at times I still feel like part of my jigsaw fit is missing . It is nearly 2 years since I had my breakdown and I think I will and won't be ok ( possibly ambilvance) I will and always be an introvert and I like being an introvert as it gives me breathing space in making sense of my feelings.

I am a wonderful person and I have empathy for others , what I dislike is people not having empathy for others I wish more people had had it for me at the time of my breakdown 2 years ago. And I don't have any contact with y Father for various reasons and that can bother me at times but I know I am better off without that hassle in my life.

So the little things it can be from spotting the tractor as I cycle home on my beloved bicycle with a basket, to my son tidying his room ( as he was bored ) to me actually doing something that needs doing round the house as I do tend to struggle with certain tasks in hand.

And I'm reminded in this life I arrived as a stranger and was welcomed in various ways.

" I was a stranger and you took me in "

That's a beautiful phrase in a stained glass window I came across last week in Sudbury Hall church . The window pays homage to the evacuees of the Second World War .

So you can be a stranger to life but someone , somehow will take you in some capacity.

Barefoot Malbec New addition To The Family

The other day I was sent a rather nice bottle of Californian wine which brought the Californian weather with it as it has been glorious ever since ! The Malbec from Barefoot wines is new to the family and it is certainly making a impact

"Big juicy flavours of blackberry and currant set sail on a gorgeous of vanilla , caramel and toasted oak"

Wine descriptions do have the tenancy to make me giggle somewhat as sometimes they can sound ever so presumptuous but not in this case , when I was discussing the wine description I had a friend say


"I would love to set sail with that wine "


Barefoot Malbec goes great with barbecued steak,pulled pork or a caramelised-onion pizza, making a fantastic wine to enjoy during the warm summer months such as we are currently enjoying now. If it rains tomorrow please however do not blame me ! I am not a weather reporter though my cat can predict the weather !


Barefoot Malbec is available from all good stockist nationwide with a rap of £6.99

Coping With The Fear Of The Dentist

I have a real genuine fear of the dentist so much so I haven't been in 5 years but today is T (teeth) day I have so much trouble in the past right from childhood with a mad old dentist that just seemed to be around forever . I come from a long line of false teeth owners starting with my Nan and I remember her false teeth looking a the from a class in her bathroom ) not quite sure if false teeth can look at you )

One in 4 of us has a fear of the dentist and being afraid of the dentist means different thing to different people to be honest I am not sure where mine came from but I suspect it might of been the mad old dentist from my childhood who resembled a character from the Yellow submarine. Right now I can hear the old dentist drills whizzing in my ears and I feel like doing a Forest Gump and just running for the hills and not coming back.


The good news is that there are more and more dentists that understand the pain of this ( please excuse the pun but humour helps me cope in stressful situations )

I did tried to search for a dentist before but have bottled it for such reasons as I didn't like the sound of the receptionists or if my husband like his dentist then I was not bound to like what he likes ( pie in the sky excuses maybe?!)

But thanks to various work colleagues who have suggested a certain dentist then I took the plunge and rand the dentist moths ago and made an appointment ( a huge step forward for me ) and I like the sound of the receptionist too !


And with dentists understanding the needs of patients fears there is a lot that they can do stress free with gentleness and gentleness.


Dealing with the fear 

• Dentists are more bearable nowadays ( I know it sounds rather like a oxymoron )
• Make an appointment that you'll stick to preferably early morning * this isn't an option for me as I don't drive so mine is at 5.05 on the other side of town and will encounter heavy traffic ( so I Do need to stick to it otherwise I won't be popular!
• The environment of dentists now seem to be very luxurious and relaxing resembling a coffee shop etc
• Equipment is out of sight and have music playing nowadays.
• The first appointment will be just a check up so don't worry they'll launch into treatment straight away.
• Take a friend with you  ( I know my friend did offer and it gives me courage just knowing that ) 
• agree a signal with you dentist so they can stop if you don't feel comfortable .
• Take some music and headphones with you .

There are all sorts of dental treatment available on the NHS for those who have fear just ask a dentist or your local NHS.