Limitless is one of those films that lives up to the trailer and beyond. With this role Bradley Cooper is proving his credentials as a leading actor and of course it helps that I don’t think he hit any branches on the ugly tree.

Always a plus if you want to be a leading man in Hollywood. He is well supported by Abbie Cornish best know for Candy with the late Heath Ledger and new film Suckerpunch. Also you cannot say anything about this film without mentioning the wonder that is Robert De Niro. Is there any role this man cannot do? Cooper does well to hold his own against such a Hollywood Legend.

Cooper plays writer Eddie Morra who has chronic writers block but a chance meeting with an old friend introduces him to the world of the drug known as NZT. This drug allows him to access the full potential of his mind. Within days of taking NZT he has completed his book, Learns languages overnight and manages to predict the stock market which takes Wall Street by storm.

This rise of fame brings Morra to the attention of Carl Van Loon played by De Niro. Van loon puts Morra in charge of a massive multi billion dollar merger the largest in commercial history and
it unleashes all kinds of situations for Morra. One namely being the fight for his life! This film deals with drug addiction but deals with it in a way I have not seen before. I personally thought the way it shows that not all drug addicts are bad people is clever.

I must admit I got a little confused halfway through but managed to catch up and this is one of the downfalls of the film. It moves at a very fast pace and can be tricky to keep up with but at the same time I didn’t find it too hard to catch back on to what was happening.

Red Riding Hood: Catherine

Hardwicke Catherine Hardwicke of Twilight Fame presents us with a modern version of the classic fairytale Red Riding Hood. Amanda Seyfried plays the leading role of Red Riding Hood (I shall from here on in refer to this role as Red) with a supporting cast of near unknowns. The 3 most notable cast members are Gary Oldman playing Father Solomon, the one who claims he can rid the town of the wolf, Billy Burke playing Red’s Father and Julie Christie as her Grandmother.

I was really looking forward to this film as I loved Catherine Hardwicke’s work in Twilight and the trailer looked really good and that for me apart from the twist is when my enjoyment of this film finishes. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing majorly wrong with this film but for me it was a regurgitation of Twilight with a few tweaks. This being there are no vampires and the story is set in amedieval looking town rather than an all American sleepy town and again there for me the tweaks end. The script is awful. I sat there at one point thinking to myself this is just word for word Twilight but set so it fits the storyline. The wolves we see are carbon copies of the werewolves we see in twilight and this annoyed me intensely especially after rumours that she didn’t direct the 2nd Twilight movie to avoid being pigeon holed.

The thing I will praise the film for is the twists!!! You do not expect the twists that come through out this film one of them is totally unexpected and for this I gave the film an extra flyer. If you want to see a good adaptation of the Red Riding Hood story may I be so bold as to recommend a film called Hard Candy by David Slade (another of the Twilight directors). This is an 18 rated film as the main theme of this film is paedophilia. Patrick Wilson plays Jeff an assumed sexual predator (the Wolf) and Ellen Page plays Hayley a 14 year old (Red Riding Hood) who meet online and the story unfolds from there. This film is an excellent adaption of the classic Red Riding Hood Story which is one of my personal favourite films as well as having one of my favourite modern actresses in.

The SNT is made up of Police officers and Police Community supports officers (PCSO) and our aim is to work with local councils, residents and organisations to improve quality of life. Did you know there is a website where you can see who is on the team?

At www.onesuffolk.co.uk/SaferSuffolk/stowmarket/ you can meet the team and see what we have been doing. Each quarter priorities are identified through public meetings for the SNT and partner agencies to look at in addition to our commitments to tackle Anti-social behaviour (ASB). The website gives information on how you can be a part of these meetings, and also where we will be.

As the colder weather reaches us a timely reminder to motorists, be wary of the black ice! Have you the fuel for your journey?, is your journey essential? Is your mobile phone fully charged? A warm jacket or jumper is always a good idea to have in your car in case of a breakdown. (Maybe a prime place to store that Christmas jumper!!)

You can contact your local officers at Stowmarket.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or on 01473 613500. Alternatively why not come and see us on a Saturday where each week a member of the SNT is in Ipswich Street near the United reformed church between 1130am and 1pm.

We hope you have a safe Christmas and a prosperous new year. On Sunday 28th November 2010, Suffolk Police took to the playing surface for a charity football match at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre taking on residents from Cherrytree Road, Stowmarket.

PCSO 3098 David Harvey and Cherrytree Road, resident Mark Oakley jointly arranged the event, with the support from the Mid Suffolk leisure centre who donated the main hall free of charge. Stowmarket Town Football Club supplied the kits and match ball.

A total £39:51 was handed over to the Leisure Centre Duty Manager Julie Last; from contributions made by players and supporters for the leisure centres supported charity, Cancer Research.

In a closely contested match, the score remained even at 1-1after 30 minutes. With legs beginning to tire, the police strolled in to a 4-1 lead. Undeterred by the scoreline, enthusiasm from youngsters Shannon Jarrold and Jermaine Jones helped to spur on the residents back to 4-4. With around 10 minutes remaining both teams now appeared top be locked in to a 6-6 draw. As the countdown clock ticked away, Resident Gary Jarrold popped up to deliver a smash a grab raid on the police goal and seal a well deserved victory for the residents.

PCSO Harvey Said, “I am really pleased Mark (Oakley) suggested this game. All had a great time. A worthy cause to support and I would like to thank all those who contributed to the event from the Kit, Venue, to players and spectators” Police played in red and Residents of Cherry Tree Road in Stripes.

September
Wednesday 8th September
Conservation Volunteers

Today we will be cutting the orchid meadows around the lake. Volunteer days are every two weeks from this date until the 15th of December.

10am-4pm. Meet at Needham
Lake, IP6 8NU. Adult Event.
For more information and to book
call: 01449 724640

Friday 10th September
Bat Explorers

Join us for an evening of adventure and discovery searching for these night time mammals, the hunters of the sky. Find out more about bats and use detectors to identify the bats present at the lake.

Meet at 7pm, will finish approx 8.30pm.
Needham Lake, IP6 8NU.
Children £3.00 (accompanying adults free), Suitable for 7-14yrs Booking essential, places limited: 01449 724633.Children £3.00

• VAT will go up to 20% – it is fast and would raise lots of money. At the Treasury press conference, prime minister David Cameron said it was “not something we plan to do” but added that taxpayers would have to “wait for the first Budget” to find out if it would happen
• The main rate of Corporation Tax will be cut, possibly with the abolition of the small companies’ rate and of the annual investment allowance to pay for it. This will impact significantly on small businesses as the Corporation Tax rate could rise to 25%.
• Increase in the rate of CGT on non-business assets – possibly from the day of the Budget to 50% from the current 18%
• Employees’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will go up, but not employers’ NIC
• The personal income tax allowance will increase in the general direction of £10,000 but it is anticipated that it will take several years (probably five years) to reach this level
• The increase in the Inheritance Tax Rate nil-rate band won’t happen

The new Government has inherited a large budget deficit and will need to reduce this significantly over the life of the parliament. As a result tax payers will potentially face higher tax bills. Tax payers and small business owners will need to review their current tax position and take advantage where possible of tax reliefs still available and look to reduce costs within the business and maximise productivity. We provide a full service reviewing yours and your business’ tax affairs advising of favourable elections and assisting in avoiding potential pitfalls. For small businesses we recommend a sound accounting system providing an up to date statement of the profitability and cashflow of the business and an on-going estimate of potential tax liabilities, nobody likes nasty surprises in January. If you would like to speak to us for a free initial consultation and review, please contact us on 01449 798285 or email on info@keithwoodassociates.com

Improve the way you invoice

Make sure that you invoice your customers as soon as possible. It’s surprising how many small businesses wait until they need money before they send out their invoices.The sooner your send your invoice the sooner you will receive your money.

A couple of days after the invoice is sent give your customer a friendly phone call to ensure that they received the invoice and that they are aware of when the payment is due. There’s nothing worse than chasing payment for an invoice 28 days after it’s issued only to be told (truthfully or otherwise) that it wasn’t received.

Dealing with bad payers and late payments

Make sure you are aware of all unpaid invoices and know as soon as they become overdue. User friendly bookkeeping programs will warn you as soon as an invoice becomes overdue and provide template reminder letters. In general there are three letters of increasing severity – starting with a friendly reminder through to a formal Final Notice of Demand.

If you let your customers give you the run around you are unlikely to get paid from them on time in the future. Be assertive about collecting what’s owed to you, after all it is your money. Make notes of what is agreed and stick to it.

If you still don’t get paid after sending reminder letters and the customer is avoiding paying what they owe without a valid reason then don’t ignore it, speak to a reputable debt collection agency.

New Life Mobility is a local company with national ambitions. Local Suffolk businessman Steve Cackett is the owner and founder of the mobility business. The business which is located in the Tower Ramparts Shopping centre in Ipswich supplies a wide range of mobility products which help older people or people with mobility difficulties to live their life to the full and not miss out on activates and the day to day tasks other people take for granted. The company has been so successful and is gaining such a good reputation branches could soon be opening nationwide.

From Scooters to tin openers

New Life Mobility stock a wide range of products from mobility scooters to can openers, all of which are designed and tested to help people. They stock products from the world’s leading supplier’s mobility products such as Days Healthcare, Pride Mobility, RMA, Z-Tec, Sheerlines and Promedics. Apart from one of Suffolk’s largest range of mobility scooters, New Life Mobility also stock a range of Electric Rise and Recline Chairs, Bath lifts, three and four wheeled walkers, wheelchairs, walking aids, rainwear, shower stools and a wide range of everyday items.

A great difference in quality of life

I met up with Steve and he said; “We are dedicated and experienced in working with the elderly and disabled and we have first hand experience that helps us advise y on products to suit the customers’ needs” Steve continued; “Understanding the needs of people and understanding that the small things in life can make a great difference in quality of life is what makes us stand out. “We understand the elderly are sometimes vulnerable and that they can occasionally get confused and that is why we do not employ or use high pressure sales people in the store or to visit you at home.” If you purchase a large item from New Life Mobility, it will be delivered to you free of charge within Suffolk, Norfolk and North East Essex. Deliveries can be arranged for other destinations, please phone Steve for details.

Shopmobility Service

New Life Mobility funds the Shopmobility service operated from The Tower Ramparts and ensures that equipment lent to users is well maintained and insured at no cost to the members of the scheme.

This is a vital service to many shoppers with mobility issues who otherwise would not be able to support their local shops or enjoy a meal with friends in Ipswich Town Centre.

New Life Mobility is located in the heart of Ipswich Town centreright by the bus terminus and rear entrance of the Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre.

Along with the retail side of the business, they also have a dedicated service department that carries out repairs and servicing, so if your scooter or other mobility products need a repair or service please give them a call for a competitive quote.

For more information you can visit The Shopmobility Centre at their showroom in The Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre in Ipswich or call 01473 286000 for further advice. They understand that because of illness or lack or mobility some of our existing or potential customers cannot get in to the store and with this in mind a FREE “NO OBLIGATION” in home demonstration of any of the larger products and aids is available.

Tel: 01473 286000

Unit 22a, Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre, Tavern Strret, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3BB

Have you heard of Polymyalgia Rheumatica or the connected condition Giant Cell Arteritis? Not many people have – unless they are suffering from them! However, the doctors say that PMR is quite a common occurrence amongst the elderly, although GCA is rarer.

In some people PMR comes on suddenly, with debilitating pain across the shoulders and lower back. Other people experience a more gradual onset which seems harder to diagnose, but which is just as painful and restricting. GCA is a more serious illness, as if undiagnosed and untreated it can lead to serious visual loss or even blindness. GCA can be as a result of PMR, or a condition in its own right.

With PMR, symptoms of stiffness are often worse in the mornings, with people experiencing improved mobility and less pain in the afternoon. It can be diagnosed after a blood test, and appropriately adjusted steroid treatment can offer speedy and dramatic relief. In GCA, the symptoms are the onset of severe or unusual headaches, with stiffness of the jaw and swollen temples, and medical help should be sought urgently, as a high dose of steroids is necessary to bring the inflammation down and safeguard vision

 Gradually patients feel less debilitated and although relapses occur, life can adjust more or less to normal. the conditions usually last for two or three years.

We have a very thriving PMR-GCA Support Group which has been established now for six years, based in Needham Market. We run a telephone help line, and send out information and newsletters to our many contacts. We hold twice yearly meetings in Needham Market Community Centre, and people come from all over Suffolk and beyond. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 21st April at 10-30am, and it offers the opportunity for people with either PMR or GCA to meet and compare notes. There is a short AGM, followed by a talk on Relaxation Techniques by Hazel Bradshaw. Please phone Jennifer on 01449 720 545, or John on 01449 672 592 or email Jennifer.pmrgca@btinternet.com for further details or help.