In this section
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Sizzle this summer
In association with Waitrose. Photography by Heather Tait.
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Mum s in business: Heather Tait
I set up Heather Tait Photography two years ago following the birth of my first son, after a lot of encouragement from my antenatal group who had all had pictures of their children taken by me at our weekly meetings.
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Go green, go local
I am not an eco-warrior but I do believe in looking after the environment and minimising the impact on nature from modern living.
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Nuts to be going green
I've decided that I need to be greener.
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Divorce: Be Prepared
Susan Davies, head of family law at Staffordshire solicitors Ansons, offers some valuable advice to anyone currently considering divorce.
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A life on the ocean wave
If you looked up the definition of 'cruising' in the dictionary, you would probably expect to read: A past time enjoyed by older generations, travelling by sea, formal evening wear, seating plans and dinner served at set times every night after a formal introduction to the captain.
Dreaming on ice.
I have long held two burning ambitions (well four actually, but upon
reaching maturity I have given up on climbing the Matterhorn and
marrying Brad Pitt) one of which is finally coming to fruition thanks
to Silver Blades
in Cannock.It's funny how coincidences just happen but for many years I
have wanted to skate in Central Park in New York but not just skate;
waltz. Then, of course, Dancing on Ice (which meant I had to stay in
every Saturday night) coinciding with the opening of Silver Blades Ice
Rink in Cannock earlier this year and finally a LARGE birthday looming
have all culminated in my husband making my dream come true. We are off
to New York in November. So, I have been enjoying private lessons each
week for half an hour. Unfortunately years of skating round in circles,
while a teenager, ensured I had developed many bad habits but Tash (my
tutor) quickly had me using my inside and outside edges both forwards
and backwards. We have even begun to put skills together into a series
of step patterns using three turns, moguls and even a drag. She said
we'd be on to jumps and spins soon, however, I do think this a little
ambitious.Her enthusiasm is infectious and the lesson flies by – so
does the next hour that I stay on the ice to practice my new skills –
usually having the whole rink to myself (in fact I don't think I want
anyone reading this because I don't want to have to share). My children
have also enjoyed a lesson and are now enrolled on the Skate UK programme
- goodness knows what this might lead to. Mandy lives in Burntwood with
her husband, Roger, and two children Emily, 6 and Thomas, 4.