NEW FUTURE FOR SOMERSTOWN REVEALED

house alk t FOR RESIDENTS AND LEASEHOLDERS Spring 2009 YOUR MAGAZINE FROM GROW YOUR OWN VEG! PM under pressure Residents put the ONEY ADVICEs M t Tips on benefi W FUTURE FOR NE WN REVEALED SOMERSTO Kids: lots of fun activities on the back page ASK GERRYr iou Anti-social behav questions answered e to your new …welcom lk magazine! se ta hou d fun e stories an f informativ ll o enjoy It’s packed fu e hope you r the kids. W activities fo reading it! out about to find een out and We’ve b Talk. We’d ink of House t residents th wha hat you ore! Tell us w les. like to hear m ideas for artic s know your ail think or let u 1531 or em on 0800 032 Call free .gov.uk. ortsmouthcc icipation@p part Springing into 2009 Get involved with House Talk! You can join the editorial panel to choose stories and plan the design and layout of the magazine. Contact the resident participation team, details below. Resident participation team 0800 032 1531 participation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Navigators Resource Centre, Freepost (SCE14360), Portsmouth, PO1 2BR Leaseholder services (call by postcode) PO1, PO2, PO7 call 023 9283 4561 PO3, PO4, PO5 call 023 9284 1486 PO6, PO9, PO8 call 023 9283 4845 Area offices: Buckland City South Landport Leigh Park Paulsgrove Portsea Wecock Farm 023 9260 6500 023 9260 6300 023 9260 6400 023 9230 6900 023 9260 6030 023 9260 6200 023 9260 6100 talk to us : what’s inside Here’s Somerstown 3 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 r New future fo r rent money p stealing ou Sto Ask Gerry uch the MiDAS to unds4U! has F wn zone Grow your o e? ining my hom Who’s mainta s Meet the rep Crossword enefits Changes to b Gazebo days r a better life Volunteer fo Kids talk We’ve got a new number! 023 9230 6900 Leigh Park Area Office 56 Stockheath Road Leigh Park Havant PO9 5HQ If you live in Leigh Park, the area office has a new telephone number. Get in touch whatever your housing query on The address has also changed. You’ll find us at: You can get this Portsmouth City Council information in large print, Braille, audio or in another language by calling 023 9283 4479. House Talk is produced by Portsmouth City Council. www.portsmouth.gov.uk 2 spring 2009 ing re xcit utu E w f for Somerstown ne New community facilities have been approved by the council for Somerstown. This will include a landmark community and youth centre, state-of-the-art health facilities, improved play areas and up to 50 quality family homes. The work will dramatically improve the area and will give residents in Somerstown improved access to essential and recreational services. The homes will be let by the council to reduce the waiting list and meet demands for larger family homes. New community hub over Winston Churchill Avenue Launce Morgan, Somerstown project manager, said: “This marks a long awaited start to regeneration in Somerstown and we will see many improvements over the years to come. “We’ve worked closely with residents to make the most of this substantial investment and will continue to do so.” For more information, contact the housing development team on 023 9283 4954 or email housing.development@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. The location Plans are welcomed by residents – we have consulted with key community and resident groups and responses have been gathered from over 800 people. Over 80% favoured an option to develop: • a structure for the community, youth and health facilities across Winston Churchill Avenue • housing and play areas near Tipton House • Wellington Street car park for housing The location of the facilities will ensure green space is preserved. The project is estimated to cost under £20m. Construction will bring new employment opportunities during a difficult economic time. The project provides a springboard for future regeneration and further phases are proposed. New adventure playground We’re also working with the Play Pathfinder scheme to develop an adventure playground next to Tipton House which will be completed by 2010. You’ll see work start on the new playground at the beginning of the summer. spring 2009 3 ght back! esidents fi R The residents’ consortium has stepped up their campaign to stop the government from taking residents’ rent money. On 24 February, they took part in a tenant campaign day, supported by councils and residents across England. They toured Portsmouth and Havant in a brightly decorated open-top bus to get more residents to join the petition. In total, they have collected over 5,000 petition postcards signed by residents. On 25 February they presented the petition postcards to the prime minister at No.10 Downing Street. Jackie Ruston said: “I’ve really enjoyed the campaign – it’s been a positive experience that’s helped us to gain much more support. “We need our money to stay in Portsmouth to be spent on improving where we live. I hope the government realise they can’t get away with taking our rent any longer.” Pat Stoddart said: “We’d like to thank everyone that has supported the campaign. The turn-out on the campaign day was great - the open-top bus caught people’s attention and residents kept coming out to find out what we were doing. “We collected 700 new postcards which meant we had over 5,000 to take to Downing Street. It was fantastic to hand them over but we still need to do more. “The government hasn’t made a decision yet about housing finance so we need to continue campaigning.”. 4 spring 2009 Residents get more campaign supporters The residents’ consortium at Downing Street The government’s u-turn Rent campaign facts • We’ve already paid £8.7 million to the government • 150 councils have to give rent money to the government. Some is given to the remaining 50 councils to improve their housing, but a large amount, £300 million this year, will be used to fund public services other than housing • This money should be invested in Portsmouth • Tenants and councils nationally are campaigning but changes are unlikely before 2011 s, tenants As a result of pressure from council the country, and members of parliament across uce the the government has decided to red £6 million to amount we have to pay them from £4.5 million this financial year. This decision is a step in the right direction but it came too late to prevent the 5% ren t rise that took effect on 6 April 2009. What does this mean for me? However, we are working with resi dents to agree how we will pass on the benefit of this reduction to you. We expect to reduce your rent in July 2009 once the government has fina lly notified us of our position. We welcome the government’s dec ision, but it doesn’t go far enough. They could still do much more to keep the rest of your rent money in Portsmouth to help maintain and improve your home. he in t t jo by We’ll continue to campaign to cha tha ore nge the m 1 nts housing finance system permanen tly. ide d out 2 153 s re 3 in ore be. F 800 0 .co.uk m ill 0 o e – th se w m on yaho n m@ rtiu aig r ca mp er ou conso sortiu ca the trong ents’ tscon s n oin id ill j n, the e res reside t s th il ig an u c ampa alling r ema o Y c c o spring 2009 5 ASK GERRYr iou Anti-social behav questions answered. I’ve heard that cannabis has been reclassified. What does this mean? physical and mental health as cannabis is much stronger now than it once was. Young users tend to ‘binge smoke’ and there could be a link to schizophrenia.” People in my area use their home to grow and deal cannabis. I know that’s wrong but what can I do? “If you want to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and they’ll keep your identity confidential. The council will take action against any resident using their home to cultivate or supply any illegal drugs as it breaches their tenancy agreement.” Gerry McDougall is here to answer your questions on anti-social behaviour, email asbu@ portsmouthcc.gov.uk ur area? Problems in yo ergency or Call 999 in an em for a non 0845 045 45 45 iring police emergency, requ your housing attention. Inform elpdesk officer or City H . 023 9283 4092 “Cannabis was recently reclassified from a class C drug to class B following a review by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). Anyone caught in possession of cannabis can now be imprisoned for up to five years, and for supply or cultivation, offenders can face up to 14 years. Both offences can also carry a possible unlimited fine.” Why was this done? “The review found that cannabis poses a real threat to users’ Drink less ess ucc rs fo 3 Pint of Stella If you would like advice on how to cut down on your drinking, or would just like to talk to someone who won’t judge you, there’s a new service for people who live in Portsmouth, Paulsgrove, Cosham and Wymering. You can contact the alcohol intervention team by seeing your GP, attending a walk-in clinic or by talking to your probation officer. It’s open to anyone over 16, and you can refer yourself or someone else. The service is aimed at people who have concerns about their level of drinking, and NOT at people who are alcoholic. 1.7 2 2 Bottle of Bud 175ml glass of wine To find out more call 023 9284 1753 or email AIT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk 6 spring 2009 RECOMMENDED DAILY LIMIT 3–4 UNITS 2–3 UNITS Funds4U! has touch MiDAS the Dig for victory in Wecock Farm! Would you like to win a prize for your gardening talents at the Wecock Farm gardening competition? Entry to the competition is free and there are three categories – front gardens, flower and window boxes and children’s sunflower. Mr and Mrs Boalch with Edie Myall Gardens: 1st prize is £80, 2nd prize is £20 and 3rd prize is £10 Flower and window boxe s: 1st prize is £50, 2nd prize is £20 and 3rd prize is £10 Children’s sunflower: £10 for the tallest The prizes are: A husband and wife team in Somerstown has gained their Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) driving certificate so that they can help vulnerable people have a better life. Mr and Mrs Boalch applied to the resident participation team for funding. They trained together and are now very proud to be MiDAS certified so they can take disabled and older residents on trips and holidays in specially adapted vehicles. Mr Boalch said: “I’m really pleased that Funds4U! was able to help. I wanted to do something for people who might otherwise not be able to go to new places and have fun days out. We offer the service free of charge and only need expenses for things like entrance fees and parking. “We are in Somerstown at the moment, but if we can get hold of an appropriate minibus we’d like to expand the service.” For more information about the minibus service, call 07970 422 676. For information about MiDAS, go to www.hants.gov.uk/midas The competition is open to ALL residents of Wecock Farm. It will be judged by Havant Borough Council councillors in July. Guinness Hermitage and Homebase have kindly donated the prize money. For more information or an application form, call Heidi Golder on 07958 579454 or visit the Wecock Farm area office or Acorn Centre. l grant for council Funds4U! is a specia apply for money dents and you can resi tivities: for these types of ac • events and outings ts • garden improvemen shops • training and work eir aspirations t one step closer to th lping young people ge • he 1531 s4U!, call 0800 032 like to apply to Fund If you’d .uk. n@portsmouthcc.gov or email participatio spring 2009 7 ur e yo on row n z G ow Arundel Street Park in Landport, also know as the Rose Garden, is being transformed in to a ‘grow your own zone’ – the first of its kind in Portsmouth. A fenced-off and secure area is now home to 15 large individual beds, which will be used by local residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables. It is a healthy towns project, initiated by residents with support from the council and the Heartlands Community Board. Nigel Selley, the council’s neighbourhood manager, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents and it’s proving to be really popular - 16 people have already joined the Heartlands gardening club.” The Hear tlands ga rdening c lub Rosemary Perrett, the council’s community gardens adviser, said: “There wasn’t enough room in the community garden for raised plots so we jumped at the chance to get involved in creating a new area. “The gardens will be used for community activities but will also give residents the chance to grow their own produce.” To find out how you can get involved or to join the Heartlands gardening club, call 023 9260 6600. Tomato sauce You can make a tasty sauce for pasta by roasting tomatoes in the oven with some oil, a sprinkling of sugar and salt. You can add balsamic vinegar and garlic cloves. Cook in a low oven (160C/ gas 4) for 1 ½ hours or until soft and caramelised. Serve straight away or sieve/blend for a smooth sauce. 8 spring 2009 , peppe and cou rs, onio rgettes. ns Place on tray, ad a roastin d oil, sa lt, pepp g lemon ju er and ice and roast fo minutes r 45 in a me dium ov Serve w en. ith a Su nday ro or with ast baked p otatoes . Roast veg etables Chop to matoes Grow it, cook it, eat it! You can grow food even if you don’t have a garden or balcony. It tastes better, can save you a packet and kids love it! Tomatoes: • buy as small plants or grow from seed - follow the instructions on the packet • remove any weak seedlings once plants are a few inches tall • keep them warm and moist and place in a sunny position • pot to larger pots when seedlings are about 15 cm (6in) tall • pot again if needed to deep pots • insert a stick for support and secure with twine, string or bag ties • once first flowers appear, feed regularly with a high potassium feed (like Tomorite) and keep moist You can also grow peppers, chillies and lettuce indoors. Aubergines and cucumbers grow well too, but it’s best to buy these as small plants. These are all grown in a similar way to tomatoes. For more information, go to your library or visit www.gardenersworld.com or www.kitchengardens.org For more information about Portsmouth’s allotments call 023 9268 8070 or email allotments@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. For allotments in Havant call 023 9244 6425 or email customer.services@havant.gov.uk Have y though ou t an allot about ment? Get y our nam e down calling by 023 928 3 4171 (Portsm outh) o r 023 924 4 6425 (Havan t). r a es over sun-doiped f z to t o Piz ma to on s Ketchup p using ripe Make ketchu ion, pepper, tomatoes, on d e, vinegar an tomato pure ok over ire sauce. Co Worcestersh eep then blend. K low heat and a ks. for two wee in the fridge to pe Slice o puree/ stry and a t t toma of puff p for eigh en es v . circl the o pizza ok in for easy co tes minu the fl atoe with s, es cr brea eam chee h and fil l dcrum se, to b few minu s and gr p with ill fo tes. ra Stuffe d tom If yo atoes u hav e larg scoo p ou e tom t spring 2009 9 Who’s maintaining my home? We employ contractors to help us deliver the repairs and maintenance services you receive. We’ve made changes to the areas each contractor works in. This is so we deliver a good service to you and can continue to maintain our properties. From April, the following contractors will be working in each area: • 3Cs Asset Management • Comserv (UK) Ltd • EPS Maintenance Ltd • Mountjoy City South Leigh Park Landport, Buckland and Portsea Paulsgrove and Wecock Farm We’ve worked closely with the contractors to ensure they have a smooth changeover. They all have a good working knowledge of providing the repairs and maintenance service that you require – this will help them to make an easy move to their new areas. If you would like more information, contact your area office. Green and clean We recently introduced the new cleaning and gardening service to Paulsgrove. The next phase is to bring the service to Leigh Park and Wecock Farm. We’ve improved the repairs service to mak e sure you receive the rig ht repair at the right time. We’re working closely with our contractors to make sure you receive a hig h standard of service. The service Service you should expect to receive To report a repair, cont act your area office. Yo u can do this in person, telephone, email or let ter, or you can tell housing staff out and about in your area. As soon as you report a repair, we’ll inform the contractor. They’ll co ntact you again to fin d out more about the repair and arrange an appointment to fix it. • Let us know when you are free – your appointment should be convenient for you • Let us know if ther e is anything else that needs to be fixed • Report a repair as soon as you can • Be present at the pr operty for your appoint ment 10 spring 2009 Meet the reps! Fred and Chrissie Monck are the new resident street representatives for Waterlooville Street, Waterlooville. They’ve been working to improve their community since October and feel well supported by neighbours. Fred and Chrissie said: “We’ve been working with councillors in Havant, the housing service and Guinness Hermitage housing association. So far we have produced newsletters, organised successful events and helped to solve several housing queries. Fred Monck “We’re now looking at larger community issues that affect all of us living in our area. For example, clearing out and tidying up the wooded area. As well as this we also meet with other residents every month for a coffee and chat.” Fred and Chrissie have extended their area to include Crookhorn. They’ve also become members of the consortium link group so that they can help more residents. Heidi Golder, resident participation officer said: “Fred and Chrissie are willing to help out in all aspects of work and are an inspiration to us all. They work so hard in their area to help residents have a better place to live.” Chrissie Mon ck New CLG representatives ) representatives. There are two new consortium link group (CLG sentative and Fiona Bob Eckstein is the new sheltered housing repre le and Portsea. Kirkwood is the representative for young peop There are vacancies on the CLG. If you’re interested, give us a call on 023 9284 1935 or email residentsconsortium@yahoo.co.uk Bob Eckstein Fiona Kirkwo od Free facilities Come to the Navigators Resource Centre, Isambard Brunel Road, near the Portsmouth and Southsea station. It's friendly and bright and fully accessible. There's help, advice, fun and freebies waiting for you. You can: • • • • • • • find out how to get involved in housing decisions receive free training to increase your skills and knowledge use computers and access the internet for free hire meeting rooms and equipment like laptops use stationery and the photocopier for free find out how we can fund your community initiative or event meet new people and find out about free trips Pop in to see us – we’re looking forward to meeting you. To contact us, call 0800 032 1531 or email participation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. spring 2009 11 C RO S S WO R D 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 1 3 11 Jackie Ruston, Mrs Clarke and The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth receiving the prize. 13 14 15 16 New scheme takes shape in Milton Residents of Avocet House are getting involved with the development of the new sheltered scheme being built next door. The new building is part of the Milton Village project which will be managed by Housing 21. The Avocet House residents’ panel has played an active role in monitoring the project, and Mansells, the building project managers, have been regularly updating residents. A competition to name the new scheme was won by Mrs Clark of Avocet House. Crane Court is in keeping with the other bird themed names in the area. She won a £10 shopping voucher donated by the social care projects team, and a hamper donated by the resident participation team. The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and Jackie Ruston, resident volunteer, presented the prizes. Across 2. Children’s film about a flying car (6, 6, 4, 4) 5. Easter eggs are made from this sweet treat (9) 6. Football match won by Pompey on 17 May 2008 (1, 1, 3) 8. Bjorn _____, famous male tennis player in 1970's (4) 12. Building where King Henry 8th watched the Mary Rose sink (8, 6) 13. The Fab Four (3, 7) 16. Arnold Schwarzenegger's robotic character from 1991 film of same name (10) Down 1. The Isle of Wight car ferry leaves from this dock in Portsmouth (6) 3. Horse and car racing location near Chichester (8) 4. Cheery yellow spring flower (8) 7. Pompey ________. The bells of Portsmouth Guildhall (6) 10. Small rodent or device used to move a cursor on a computer (5) 11. Chain of high street shops which closed in January 2009 (10) 14. River which flows through London (6) 15. unit of currency in Europe (4) Answers on page 15 9. Popular TV talent show (1, 6) 12 spring 2009 benefits Changes to may help! that Health in pregnancy grant Information is correct upon date of printing and may vary depending on your circumstances. k of pregnancy £190 is payable after the 25th wee midwife or if you receive health advice from a or after 6 doctor and your expected date is on tor or midwife. April. Forms available from your doc This now disregards full child ma intance payments. For income support and job seekers allowance, the disregard is £20 a week. In April 2010 there will be a full disreg ard rather than the £40 originally mentioned. Housing and council tax bene Backdating cut fit s been reduced Backdating pension credit ha o applies to from 12 to 3 months. This als l tax benefit for housing benefit and counci der 60, it is cut to 6 those over 60. For those un months. Winter fuel payments Income support No longer available for lone parents when the youngest child reaches : 12 years from Novemb 10 years from October er 2008 2009 7 years from October 20 10 You will need to claim job seekers allowance unless you claim incom e support for another reason, for example he alth problems. nts will go For this year only, winter fuel payme over 60’s and up to £250 per household for the winter fuel up to £400 for the over 80’s. The . payments helpline is 08459 151515 This goes up to £25 if there is a period of seve n consecutive days when the average temperatur e is equal to or less than 0°C. To qualify, you mu st receive pension credit, income support, ibJSA or ibESA and a disability or pensioner premium for that particular benefit, be responsible for a ch ild under five or receive ch ild tax credit which includes a disability ele ment. Cold weather paymen t Child benefit m the 29th week of From April, available fro d ek for your first child an pregnancy, £20 per we children. £13.20 for subsequent If you would like more information about benefits and what you are entitled to, contact the money advice team on 023 9284 1538. Free debt advice Portsmouth Community Legal Advice Centre 1-3a London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 0BQ Telephone 023 9265 6300 www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/portsmouth Consumer Credit Counselling Service Wade House, Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8NG Telephone 0800 138 1111 www.cccs.co.uk National Debtline Tricorn House, 51-53 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8TP Telephone 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk Payplan Kempton House, Kempton Way, Dysart Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7LE Telephone 0800 917 7823 www.payplan.com spring 2009 13 Gazebo days Portsea orning Wed 3 June, m Millgate House Grenville and afternoon Wed 10 June, ouse Codrington H ternoon Wed 1 July, af d Privett House Cumberland an ternoon Wed 15 July, af n House Sarah Robinso Join us at the gazebo and take part in fun activities while you find out about housing services and volunteering opportunities. Buckland Fri 19 June, afte rnoon Arundel Court School Sat 27 June, afte rnoon The Mall (outside Somerfield, on London Road ) Wed 1 July, even ing Landport advent ure playground Fri 3 July, aftern oon Flying Bull Scho ol Wed 8 July, even ing Buckland Park pl ay centre Landport and Tues 23 Jun e, afternoon Hawthorn C rescent Tues 30 Jun e, afternoon Ashurst Roa d Wed 8 July, morning Tesco, Cosh am Wed 22 July , morning A llaway Avenue Gre en Tue 28 July, afternoon Midway Roa d Green Thurs 30 Ju ly, afternoo n Tunstall Park Paulsgrove City South orning Thurs 4 June, m Tipton House Edgebaston and day Fri 19 June, all ad Commercial Ro For more information, call the resident participation team for free on 0800 032 1531 or email participation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Fri 19 June, morning Wecock Farm Tues 30 June, morning Havant Market Mon 6 July, afternoon Strouden Court Fri 17 July, morning Park Parade post office Wed 22 July, afternoon Crookhorn post office Mon 3 August, afternoon Wecock Farm Fri 5 June, morning Waterlooville Market Wecock Farm and Leigh Pa rk Home Contents insurance Are your household contents insured? How would you feel if your belongings were stolen or damaged? Crossword answers With our no fuss, pay-as-you-go contents insurance you can relax knowing that your precious possessions are protected. This has already proved popular with many residents. What to know more? Simply contact your area office to take advantage of this exciting opportunity. 14 spring 2009 Across: 2. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 5. Chocolate, 6. FA Cup, 8. Borg, 12. Southsea Castle, 13. The Beatles, 16. Terminator. Down: 1. Camber, 3. Goodwood, 4. Daffodil, 7. Chimes, 9. X-Factor, 10. Mouse, 11. Woolworths, 14. Thames, 15. Euro Volunteer for a better life Pat Backhouse, resident of Landport, knows what it’s like to need someone to talk to his wife was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. Pat told us: “Volunteers from FORT helped us to get through the difficult times. Now I help families through the same thing - it’s incredibly rewarding.” Pat volunteers for FORT (Friends of Oncology and Radiotherapy Cancer Charity) which is a Portsmouth charity that supports people with cancer and their friends and family. FORT raises money for essential equipment for local hospitals as well as helping people with cancer realise lifelong dreams. The charity also raises awareness of both the charity and the issues surrounding cancer. Pat continued: “We are raising money for a new piece of equipment that treats people with bowel cancer. We need to raise £130,000 and it’s going make a huge difference. “Volunteering has added something special to my life. I know the work I do makes a real difference to people who are often at their lowest, and I know that they really do appreciate what we volunteers do.” For more information about FORT call 023 9279 6515 or go to www.fort-cancer.org.uk For information about volunteering opportunities, call 023 9284 1451 or 023 9282 7110 or email voluntary.sector@portsmouthcc.gov.uk The resident participation team also offer a number of volunteering opportunities. Call us on 0800 032 1531 or email participation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Win a family ticket to the Spinnaker Tower! For your chance to win a family ticket to the Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays simply answer the following question: Is a jib? A. a lively dance popular among sailors B. the foremost sail on a boat, triangular in shape C. to fish from a slowly moving boat D. a special room on a boat to keep prisoners If you know the answer, send it on a postcard, with your name, address and contact number to: House talk competition, Navigators Resource Centre, FREEPOST (SCE 14360), Portsmouth PO1 2BR. Or email the answer to participation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Remember to write ‘House talk competition’ in the subject heading. The closing date for entries is Friday 29 May 2009. Good luck! spring 2009 15 kids talk AR O U N Aussie fill-in the gaps Ask a friend or relative to answer these questions and fill in the gaps below with their answers. Read back your funny story - the less sense it makes, the funnier it will be! 1 Relative 2 Female name 3 Country in Southern hemisphere 4 Type of movement (past tense) 5 Type of transport 6 Place where you catch a type of transport 7 Type of transport 8 Type of wild animals 9 Temperature 10 Something you can see in the sky 11 Type of wild animals 12 Something that keeps you warm 13 Type of insects 14 Not nice 15 Very large 16 Really good 17 Movement (past tense) 18 People you love the most RL O EW D TH ello rd for H ) wo Spanish unced o-la The no ola (pro is H W Make a Japanese hy is Al abama t smartest he state in Because the USA it has 4 ? A’s and one B! D origami dog 2 4 6 1 3 5 One day I received a letter from my 1... Bruce and Auntie 2... in 3... They wanted me to go and visit them. I 4... at the chance and caught a 5... straight away. Uncle Bruce and Auntie Sheila met me at the 6... We got in their 7... and headed for the Outback. 8... were bouncing around all over the place, and it was really 9... That night we camped by a huge 10... We heard 11... howling all around us but our camp 12... kept all the animals away. We ate roasted 13... on sticks, they were 14... The next day we went to the 15... Barrier Reef It was 16... Fish of all colours, shapes and sizes 17... around us. I had a fabulous time but I missed my 18... and was happy to finally get back home. Mexican recipe: Guacamole A delicious, healthy Mexican dip. Ingredients • Juice of 1 lime • ½ chilli, seeded and chopped, or to taste • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander • 3 ripe avocados • Salt & black pepper Method Make sure an adult helps to chop the ingredients. Wash your hands after handling the chilli. Put the lime juice in a bowl with the chilli, garlic and coriander. Halve, stone and peel the avocados. Chop roughly and add to the bowl. Mash with a fork or potato masher, season with salt and black pepper. Try with crisps or vegetable sticks. 1 2 3 Fold your square in half diagonally and crease to make a triangle. Fold it in half again and crease. Open it back out again. Turn the triangle so the long side is at the top. Fold one corner down, to form an ear. 4 5 6 Do the same to the other corner. Fold the bottom point up, to form the dog’s nose. Use stick-on googly eyes and a black pen to make the dog’s features.