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Many of us are eager to see the sunshine appearing through the dark clouds of
winter. It’s a welcome break when the bulbs start to sprout. However, for those who suffer from Hayfever, Spring and Summer are accompanied by the dread of sneezing, itchy and watery eyes and that awful feeling of congestion.

Hayfever is caused by the body’s immune system reacting abnormally to the pollen in grass, certain types of plants and trees. The body produces antibodies to pollen which triggers this tamine release causing the uncomfortable symptoms.

A Medical Herbalist’s approach to Hayfever is to treat the ‘whole’ person with extra focus on the immune system. So, rather than attacking the histamine release alone, the issue of why the body is reacting abnormally is the primary concern. There may be considerations such as diet, family history and other medical conditions – past and present, to take into account. The most successful Hayfever treatment is started early, around this time of year, so the body is prepared in advance of the ‘Hayfever Season.’

Some herbs can be useful in many cases of Hayfever. Both Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) and Chamomilla recutita (Chamomile) have
anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties – supporting the immune system and relieving inflammation in the eyes and nose. Euphrasia officinalis (Eyebright) relieves eye inflammation and attacks the liquid mucus which often accompanies Hayfever. Sambucus nigra (Elder) flowers have anti-allergic, anti-catarrhal and anti-inflammatory properties. Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort Plantain) is a wonderful herb for hayfever, it gently supports and restores health to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.Other allergies may contribute to the development and symptoms of Hayfever. It’s possible there are unidentified intolerances making the Hayfever worse. It’s often useful to have an allergy test to identify other sensitivities. If those are addressed on many occasions the Hayfever symptoms improve.

Folkestone Film Factory is looking for children aged 10-17 to join their new creative panel and take part in a number of exciting film activities.

The film production company is a social enterprise, using film-making to educate, inspire, engage, inform and support community-based initiatives.

Membership to the panel is free, and is open to all. Activities will take place on a monthly basis. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved with their community and take part in something fun and fulfilling. An interest in film is recommended, but not essential.

Members can enrol by calling 01303 211582 and registering their details. They will then be informed of events by invitation.

There is a small local charity in Hythe called St. Saviour’s Medical Charity. The Charity is able to fund private procedures for certain Shepway residents, who are in need of urgent medical treatment. These residents can be in extreme pain and the wait for an operation may be unbearable, there may also be loss of quality of life as a direct result of NHS waiting lists.

The level of financial assistance given towards the cost of the procedure is dependent on the circumstances of each applicant. Grants are therefore made at the discretion of the Charity’s Trustees, and are made only for treatments that involve clinical medical procedures as well as MRI Scans. There are no age restrictions for those applying.

An application form for assistance can be obtained from most surgeries and consultants as well as from St. Saviour’s Medical Charity’s office at 49 High Street, Hythe, Kent. CT21 5AD. Tel. 01303 263833. Upon receipt of the completed application form a meeting will then be arranged at the applicant’s home with one of the volunteer ‘Visitors’ to discuss the case for a grant.

Every year the Charity also makes grants to institutions that provide medical care enabling them to purchase equipment and/or support ongoing services. Some of these recipients have included the Pilgrims Hospice, Mid Kent Portage, The William Harvey Scanner Appeal and the Local Primary Care Trust.

Fancy making your own mosaic? Why don’t you try a one day course at Jo Letchford’s mosaic shop?

Located within the Old High Street, Jo’s colourful shop is a must. Exquisite mosaics fill the whole room with subjects ranging from birds to boats, from portraits to politics.
Jo says her inspiration comes from nature, from life, and from her imagination. “Very often, I start a mosaic with a design in mind but, during the process, I get lost in a
fantasy world and the result will come up completely different to what I intended and so far, for the better.” She told me.

Jo comes from a family dynasty of artists. In the early 1800, some of her ancestors were stonemasons; others were printer compositors, setting blocks for printing, arranging spaces between letters.

A devoted student in fine art, Jo’s love for textile and fascination for patterns led her to the production of her own knitwork designs.

In 1997, after visiting an exhibition by famous mosaicist Martin Cheek, Jo realised that she could use her patterns and colours with a different medium. At that point, her imagination ran wild and Jo soon found she was able to produce unique and magnificent mosaics. Thanks to her unique style, organisations like The Strode Park Foundation, The League of Friends of Kent & Canterbury Hospital and the Voyager House in Croydon have been commissioning her work.

Jo shares her love for mosaic art by teaching it, firstly at the Medway Adult & Community Learning Centre in Rochester then at the West Dean College and now in her own mosaic shop in the Old High Street in Folkestone, for classes of all levels, from beginners to advanced.

For more information about Jo’s classes , her mosaic kits and the supplies available from the shop contact:
Jo Letchford Mosaics
43 The Old High Street
T: 01303 250717
E: info@joletchfordmosaics.co.uk
www.joletchfordmosaics.co.uk

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Local lady, Jean Mozley, from Newington near Folkestone has got a bee in her bonnet about the declining bee population in the UK and is starting her own business to help stem the decline.

A self employed bee keeper for the last thirty years, Jean suffered a painful condition in 2008; acute pancreatitis causing inflammation of the pancreas and severe abdominal pain. The condition forced her to stop work while she received treatment and required a radical change to her health, diet and fitness. With the condition under control, Jean wished to return to employment, but in a new direction. She sought the help of the Royal British Legion which provides employment, training and support for people, including those with disabilities.

Jean’s idea was to start a bee keeping academy and, in her words, to teach the ‘gentle art of bee
keeping’. Jean’s course will be the first bee keeping academy in Britain. The first course kicks off across three Sunday afternoons, one per month in January, February and March 2010, where students will be able to learn how to keep bees, studying in the picturesque village hall in Jean’s home village of Newington.

‘The art of bee keeping is fascinating. Students will learn about pollination, how to keep bees safely, and understand the rudiments of bee behaviour. As a bee breeder, I’ll also be able to sell queen bees to newly qualified bee keepers’.

The decline in the number of bees all over the world, but especially in Europe, poses a major threat not just to honey production but to the pollination of plants leading to food production.

Contact Jean on 01303 273466 or mobile 07952739795 or email bees4u@tiscali.co.uk for the prospectus