Dear Readers,
I’ve been emptying out my piggy bank and counting my pennies, to see if I’ve got enough money to afford a holiday this year. With the weather being so unpredictable and erratic, I feel as though I need to escape to somewhere warm. The trouble is, that in these tough economic times, it’s difficult to plan ahead for luxury expenses like getaway holidays, when there are so many other more pressing and expensive financial obligations to prioritise. The eagle-eyed among you will waggle your finger and admonish me for using a piggy bank in favour of a savings account, where I could earn interest…and you’d be quite right. Fear not, my piggy bank is of the metaphorical variety only! Nevertheless, using what money we have available to its best advantage is a savvy thing to do, even when the recession and austerity rainclouds don’t darken our skies. That’s why June’s issue of the Focus looks at Money Matters. There are some invaluable tips and sound advice to be found in our feature section, as well as some quirkier ideas about ways to invest your cash, if you happen to have some going spare!
Of course, we have our usual medley of articles for your enjoyment, including another walk this month. It has been a real pleasure for Pete and I to meet those of you who have completed the Skirrid Tea Shop walk from last month’s magazine, and popped in at our Tea Garden for a bite afterwards. Not only is it nice to know that you’re enjoying our walks, but also delightful to meet our readers!
All that’s left for me to do is wish you a pleasant read and a good month ahead. To my Dad and those of you who are Dads yourselves, have a Happy Father’s Day on June 16th
Happy Reading!
Hannah (Editor)
P.S We’re going camping in France.
In this month’s Issue
REGULARS
Editorial
Abergavenny Events Calendar
June’s Weather
Pets: June is ‘National Microchip Month’
Puzzles
COMMUNITY HUB
2nd Great Abergavenny Bake Off
Cantref Open Gardens
Skirrid Toddler Challenge
North Gwent & South Powys Breast Cancer Support
Borderline Writing
Recognition for Monmouthshire Detectives
Two’s Company
Abergavenny Museum & Castle
Community Contacts
FOOD
Recipe: Bavette of local Beef
Nana’s Kitchen: Summer Fruit Pavlova
LOCAL BUSINESS
Cake & Jam Designs
Surehomes: Safe as Houses
H. Shackleton
LEISURE
Ysgyryd Fach (Little Skirrid) Walk
ARTS
Chapel Cottage Studio Gallery
Film Review: The Great Gatsby
Book Review: Dear Lumpy by Roger Mortimer
Story: New Beginnings Part 4 by Queenie Young
FEATURE: MONEY MATTERS
Financial Hints & Tips
Loadsa Money?
HISTORY
History: This Town’s got Talent
Contributions:
Emma Corfield-Walters – Book Review
Jim Hamiliton: – Recipe
Pete Hill – Little Skirrid Walk
Ben Hynes – Pets
Ian Janes – Money Matters
Pauline Mardell – Nana’s Kitchen
Helen Morgan – History
Patty Papageorgiou-Axford – Film Review
Jonathan Powell – Weather
Queenie Young – New Beginnings
Photography Contributions:
Simon Powell
Contributing Organisations:
Gwent Police
