wow what's on where february 2011

Complimentary Copy (£2.50 where sold) February 2011Issue 29

HappyValentinesA real smoothieWOW kids get busy

in the kitchen

MusicGig listings

Live music for February

Take it to the maxiWOW looks at late winter trendsAs we head toward Spring

THEATRE • CINEMA • COMEDY • MUSIC • FASHION • SHOPPING • ART • EVENTS • MOTORING

The essential guide to what’s on in the Midlands

LeicesterComedyFestival

WOW’s Guide to the big larf!

Win With WOW

Win tickets to: Pinnacle Climbing Centre

WOW_29_Front Cover.indd 1 3/2/11 12:29:44 am

WOW 29_IFC_R&D ad.indd 1 3/2/11 12:20:38 am

WOW What’s On Where is published by WOW Publishing Limited, 50 St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7DU. TEL: 01858 439999. Fax: 01858 469008. EMaiL:[email protected]. WEbSiTE:www.wowwhatsonwhere.co.uk

EDiTORiaL DiRECTOR: Tracy Webber. FEaTURE WRiTER: Derek Hammond. MOTORiNG EDiTOR: Tim barnes-ClayMOViES EDiTOR: Jaz Cox. CREaTiVE DiRECTOR: Reg Cox.DESiGNERS: Tracey Flaxmer. SaLES DiRECTOR: Paul Calcott. SaLES ExECUTiVE: Jane Giffard-Tiney.

© WOW Publishing Ltd 2009-11.

The essential guide to what’s on in the Midlands

This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the permission of the publishers. Liability: while every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information herein, or any consequence arising from it.

PiCTURE CREDiTS: Front Cover; iStock photo. pp07; Karla Gowlett. pp18, pp29; Dreamstime.

WOW February 2011 1

Pinnacle Climbing Centre (featured i last month’s WOW Kids) have given us a family ticket for 1 hr for 2 adults and 2 children for an introduction to rock climbing, including using all the wall

facilities, intro to ropes etc.

For your chance to win, put your name,

address, phone no. and email on a postcard and send it to ‘Pinnacle Competition’ to the address at the foot of the

page. Closing date for entries is

Fridy 4 March.

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� WOW February �011

WOW TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LATEST THEATRICAL HIGHLIGHTS

FRI 4 TO SAT �6 FEBRoyal & Derngate opens its 2011 Made in Northampton season with a play by the well-loved novelist Daphne du Maurier. The Years Between takes to the Royal stage from Friday 4 to Saturday 26 February, and is the first of a whole season of works written or inspired by classic British writers.

Set in the 1940s it follows the fortunes of MP’s wife Diana Wentworth, and her young son, after her husband is lost in action in World War II. As a single woman, Diana finds unexpected independence; she assumes her husband’s

The Years Between

seat in parliament and begins a relationship with a local farmer. As the war draws to an end and peace returns to the country, a shock revelation threatens Diana’s new existence to the core.

A u t o b i o g r a p h i c a l l y -inspired, The Years Between is one of only two original plays written by Daphne du Maurier, better known as a novelist and particularly as the author of Rebecca and Jamaica Inn. An intriguing family drama, this powerful production directed by Kate Saxon (ETT’s Far From The Madding Crowd) breathes new life into this rarely-performed gem.”

THE YEARS BETWEEN is at the Royal and Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP. For tickets call the box office on 01604 624811 or go online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Three Billy Goats Gruff

SAT 5 FEBRUARYJoin the Storyteller, on the run from those three-headed monsters, trying to bring the most fantastic tales from the Magic Land of Three. Are you really sure whathappened to the wolf and those three little pigs? What about Goldilocks? Why wasshe walking in those woods? And as for the three Billy

Goats Gruff, how did theyreally deal with that troll?

All will be revealed in this beautiful show using puppets and props. It’s full of fun and laughter and has an exciting gypsy soundtrack that you won’t be able to stop singing long after the show has finished. Suitable for everyone aged 3 and up and their pet trolls

THREE BIllY GOATS GRUFF Is at The Castle Theatre, Castle Way, Wellingborough, NN8 1XA. For tickets call the box office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

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WOW February 2011 �

Wed 9 FebRUARYThroughout her body of work, Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jasmin Vardimon has illustrated the power to grip and seduce audiences; exciting with athletic prowess, lulling through quiet beauty and tearing our emotions with a gutsy voice of intention.

Man’s inhumanity to man never ceases to stun each gen-

eration. 7734 questions the human forces and weaknesses that have manufactured hell on earth whilst illuminating both our capacity for survival and the poetry of hope.

Dramatically epic in scale and content, 7734 features stunning designs - a vast watch tower, flying bombs, a wind stormed beach – live video and a richly

77�4

diverse soundtrack ranging from Wagner and Shostakovich to Brian Eno and Deathprod.

Powerful, impassioned, mov-ing and original, Vardimon’s visceral choreography dramati-cally combines with text, music and awe-inspiring perform-ances by a nine-strong company of international performers..

Call ThE CASTLE Box Office on 01933 270 007 or online at www.thecastle.org.uk.

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� WOW February 2011

WOW FINDS OUT WHERE THE LAUGHS ARE THIS MONTH

If you only go to 30 comedy gigs this month… with DJ Fontana

Fri � SMOKESCREENS & CASTLES: RUSSELL KANE The Stables Milton Keynes CRADLE TO RAVE - A MUSICAL JOURNEY: LENNY HENRY Bedworth Civic Hall HEROES OF FUN: STAN BOARDMAN, JIMMY CRICKET Tamworth Assembly Rooms Fri � LOSING IT: RUBY WAX

Fri �-Sat 5 THE TOUR THAT DOESN’T TOUR TOUR - FAREWELL TOUR: PETER KAY Capital FM Arena Nottingham

Sun 6 MIRTH CONTROL CORBY: GERRY K Central Bar (Cafe con Leche) Corby

Tue 8-Wed 9 THE SUNSHINE TOUR: JOHN BISHOP LG Arena Birmingham

Thu 10 MK COMEDY: MITCH BENN Xscape Milton Keynes

Fri 11 THE COMEDY CLUB Lodge Park Sports Centre Corby THE PARTY ISN’T OVER YET: WENDY COPE Uppingham Theatre

Fri 11-Sat 12 RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW: RUSSELL HOWARD LG Arena Birmingham

Wed 16 SCREAMING BLUE MURDER: KENT VALENTINE,

Jungle beast

As the only woman ever to win the prestigious Perrier Award at Edinburgh, there are no new tricks required in her self-depracatingly titled new show – we want more sublime grumpiness and acute observation about the state of being 50 and female – but it’s already clear that her spell in the jungle has somewhat refreshed her audience. Deliciously honest, engagingly appalled, delightfully rude.

Blimey, we can’t help wondering what would happen if this month’s Comedy Fest interviewee Mark Thomas ever got locked in a room with Mark Steel. The world, at long last, would surely be set to Marxist anti-imperialist anti-corporate comedy rights….

Who’d have ever thought, back in the early ‘90s, that Punt & Dennis would ever win out as the more successful comedy duo born out of the Mary Whitehouse Experience, especially when Rob Newman and David Baddiel were playing stadium tours, then the latter going on to star as Frank Skinner’s straight man.

But it’s happened, and

Take a punt

they’re worthy. Now a whole new audience is queuing up to see P&D thanks to his TV roles in Mock the Week and – especially – the sublimely funny sitcom Outnumbered.

Wed 9 THEY SHOULD GET OUT MORE: PUNT & DENNIS Birmingham Town HallFri 11 The Castle WellingboroughSun 13 Nottingham Playhouse

Wed 9 OLD DOG, NEW TRICKS: JENNY ECLAIR The Stables Milton KeynesTue 15 MARK STEEL Curve Leicester 1 Mar The Stables Milton Keynes

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Thu 17 ANGELOS EPITHEMIOU & FRIENDS O2 Academy Leicester Mon 28 Royal & Derngate Northampton

My big Greek alter-ego

He’s the score-keeper on Shooting Stars, and shares some of the surreal humour of his mentors Reeves and Mortimer; but make no mistake there’s a comic slickness to Renton Skinner that belies his slacker chatter about staying in to watch Crimewatch and the new copy of Death Wish that he picked up at the hospice shop.

“If it’s a bad telly night,” endearing Angelos extends his welcome, “then come and watch me mucking about for an hour and a half. I’ll be doing three jokes, two impressions and one dance.”

SUSAN MURRAY, ANDREW BIRD The Stables Milton Keynes

Thu 17 FIBBER IN THE HEAT: MILES JUPP Loughborough Town Hall IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU: JON RICHARDSON The Glee Club Nottingham

Fri 18 JONGLEURS ON THE ROAD The Castle Wellingborough SCREAMING BLUE MURDER COMEDY CLUB: STEVE BEST, IVO GRAHAM, PAUL PIRIE, DAN EVANS Royal & Derngate Northampton

Sun 20 LAUGHING BOY COMEDY CLUB The Core Theatre Corby JEREMY HARDY Warwick Arts Centre Coventry JERRY SADOWITZ The Cornerhouse Nottingham

Tue 22 CHATTERBOX: SARAH MILLICAN Royal & Derngate Northampton

Thu 24 MAGNERS FUNHOUSE COMEDY CLUB: STUART GOLDSMITH, KEITH PLATT + Walnut Tree Inn Northampton

Sat 26 COMEDY & CLUB

NIGHT: GEOFF WHITING, DANNY WARD + Highlight Comedy Leicester GRUNTLED: ANDY PARSONS Warwick Arts Centre Coventry

Sun 27 THE ‘OUT OUT’ TOUR: MICKY FLANAGAN Milton Keynes TheatreOLIVER SILLITO +THE HARLIKINGS + THE KINGSHIP Rescue Rooms Nottingham

Fri 21 JONGLEURS ON THE ROAD: GUEST COMEDIANS The Castle Wellingborough

Sat 22 COMEDY & CLUB NIGHT: SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD, DAN NIGHTINGALE, ANDY ROBINSON + Highlight Comedy Leicester

Thu 27 MAGNERS FUNHOUSE COMEDY CLUB: ROGER MONKHOUSE Walnut Tree Inn Northampton

Sat 29 CHATTERBOX: SARAH MILLICAN Warwick Arts Centre Coventry

Sun 30 NIGHTMARE DREAM WEDDING: TOM WRIGGLESWORTH Warwick Arts Centre Coventry

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ART AND CULTURE NEAR YOU...

Tue 1 FeB - Sun 1 MayNationally acclaimed as the master of tin plate art, Andy Hazell creates entertaining and exuberant artworks from what appears the least prom-ising of starting materials. No-one else before him has ever fashioned whole worlds with such humour from a single large sheet of very thin metal and several million blobs of solder.

Cartoon-like creations of cities, animals and charac-ters come alive with wacky personalities, infused with Andy’s unique worldview. Tip-poo’s Dog, a typically tongue-

in-cheek re-mastering of the V&A’s ‘Tippoo’s Tiger’ will be on display at 78 Derngate

The Tin Man

Andy is currently working on a giant sugar cube designed for Liverpool, a globe artichoke for Frodsham and a travelling illuminated hearse.

For Northampton, his exhi-bition of greatest hits is free to all.

Tue 1-Sun 1 May THE WACKY WORLD OF ANDY HAZELL AND HIS TIN CITIES The Gallery Upstairs, 78 Derngate: The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries, Northampton NNI IUHTel: 01604 603 407www.78derngate.org.uk

– along with models of Wash-ington, Rio and Montevideo!

A successful public artist,

WOW is expanding and looking for highly motivated

Account Managers. If you feel you are the right person,

please email [email protected]

and explain why!

WOW Advertising works! Call: 01858 439 999

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ilton Jones’s wife got a new job recently. It ’s hard to say what she does.. . She sells

sea shells. Milton’s material is that rare thing

in comedy: repeatable down the pub. Milton majors on wordplay, littering the stage with delicious puns that draw groans of delight time and time again.

Milt ’s school had a big problem with drugs.. . especially Class A.

When Milt ’s grandfather became ill , his grandmother greased his back. After that, he went downhill very quickly.

Trouble is, there are just so many of them, you can only remember two or three at a time, and by the end of the night you need to go and see him again.

He’s that good.

What’s your Lion Whisperer show about?

I don’t know. Its just one of the jokes. There are lots of other jokes too. Too many maybe. Not really. You can never have too many jokes.

What do you think the brown cubes are in Branston Pickle?

They are small blocks of flats for ants that they refused to live in because there were no windows.

You’ve written a novel about a comedian. To what extent is it secretly about you?

33% is me. 33% other people and 33% I made up.

After winning the Perrier Award you stopped playing Edinburgh. What is it about Leicester that just keeps you coming back?

Radio 4’s ‘Sultan of the Surreal’ talks to WOW

The Ring Road. And Leicester is not a scam festival where promoters make too much money.

Who’s your favourite person ever from Leicester, and why? Is it Engelbert Humperdinck? Sue Townsend? The Elephant Man? Somebody else?

Leicester Piggot..

What do your Radio 4 fans look like?

They all have beards and no

televisions and enjoy the game Boggle..

What would you do if you were invisible for the day?

I’d go to a Weightwatchers meeting and warn them not to overdo it like me!

Sun 6 THE LION WHISPERER: MILTON JONES Warwick Arts Centre Coventry Thu 10 The Glee Club Nottingham Sat 12 Curve Leicester Fri 25 The Stables Milton Keynes

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The gigs, The groups, The goss...

Saturday on my mind

After Sheffield Wednesday and Kibworth Tuesday, the Happy Mondays and the Sun-days comes the irrepressible, out-on-the-town, just-got-paid vibe of the Saturdays.

‘Forever Is Over’, reckon

our Frankie, Mollie, Una, Va-nessa and Rochelle, but we reckon there’s still time to shuffle down the de Mont and make your definitive choice of fave Satdeh. The gurlz won Best Group at 2010’s

Mon 21 THE SATURDAYS De Montfort Hall Leicester . For tickets call the box office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

Virgin Media Music Awards, where Frankie Sandford also scooped, ahem, Hottest Fe-male… but what’s not to like about Una?

Ahhh, every Day’s a happy daze…

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If you only go to 30 gigs this month… with DJ Fontana

Wed 2 THE WATERBOYS Warwick Arts Centre Coventry

Thu 3 JIMMY WEBB The Y Theatre Leicester WIRE The Rescue Rooms Nottingham

Fri 4 ROB HALLIGAN + GARETH DAVIES-JONES The Stables Milton Keynes

Sat 5 THE MIGHTY JAH SHAKA SOUND SYSTEM The Auditorium Leicester GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS Tamworth Assembly Rooms

Tue 8 COLIN BLUNSTONE The Stables Milton Keynes

Fri 11 MICHAEL GARRICK + DOMINIC ASHWORTH Embrace Arts Leicester THE FEELING Roadmender Northampton

Sun 13 BARB JUNGR & FRIENDS The Core Theatre Corby MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE LG Arena Birmingham

Tue 15 STEVE KNIGHTLEY + JIM CAUSLEY Guildhall Leicester SCHOOL OF LIFE CELEBRATION Royal & Derngate Northampton EMILY SMITH The Stables Milton Keynes

Thu 17 SWR: SHAUN RYDER + THE TWANG Rock City Nottingham

Fri 18 JAKE & ELWOOD Royal & Derngate Northampton SHOWADDYWADDY The Stables Milton Keynes

Sat 1� THE HAMSTERS The Musician Leicester BOB BROLLY Bedworth Civic Hall

Sat1�-Sun 20 LIVE TOUR 2011: X FACTOR LIVE LG Arena

Boogie by me

Two truly iconic performers share a bill in what could be one of the great soul double-headers of all time.

Back in 1963 Gary US Bonds toured Europe headlining above the Beatles with his infectious, bluesy R&B – and the influence is there for anyone to hear in Bruce Springsteen’s rootsy canon. As kingpin of the Drifters and as a solo act, Ben E King gave the world more ‘60s jukebox classics than anyone you’re likely to see live on stage this year or any other. Stand By Me. Save The Last Dance For Me. Must see. Must hear. .

Tue 1 THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUL BOOK: GARY U.S. BONDS + BEN E KING The Stables Milton Keynes Wed 23 Royal & Derngate Northampton Wed 2 Mar De Montfort Hall Leicester


10 WOW February 2011

Birmingham

Sun 20 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR: SHAKIN’ STEVENS The Assembly Leamington Spa

Mon 21 JAMES BLUNT The Royal Centre Nottingham

Tue 22 10CCThe Assembly Leamington Spa

Thu 24 DAVID MCALMONT The Stables Milton Keynes

Fri 25 THE CHRISTIANS The Musician Leicester THE IMAGINED VILLAGE Royal & Derngate Northampton

Sat 26 PAULINE BLACK (THE SELECTER) The Venue Corby THE GO! TEAM O2 Academy Leicester MARY WILSON + THE CHI-LITES De Montfort Hall Leicester BARBARA DICKSON Royal & Derngate Northampton ABBA THE SHOW Melton Theatre Melton Mowbray THE STREETS Rock City Nottingham

Mon 28 KT TUNSTALL The Assembly Leamington Spa

JAzz & CLASSICAL

Wed 2 DANISH QUARTET The Stables Milton Keynes

Fri 4 VIENNA TONKUNSTLER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA + NATASHA PAREMSKI Royal Centre Nottingham

Tue 8 KATE WILLIAMS QUARTET The Stables Milton Keynes

Thu 10 MY GYPSY WALTzTOUR: EDUARDO NIEBLA The Castle Wellingborough ACKER BILK & HIS PARAMOUNT JAzz BAND The Stables Milton Keynes

The survivors

You know what they say about remembering the ‘60s vibe and being there: well, here are two legendary acts who stormed the barricades and survived to tell the tale – this month in Leamington. Bonzo Dog Doo Dah originator Neil Innes is an arch surrealist and an unparalleled pop parodist, but what a fantastic songwriter. Shout for the Rutles alternate-universe smashes, the Innes Book of Record twinklers, and ‘Urban Spaceman’.

And British folk-rock revolutionaries the Fairports return to play selections from their new album alongside the complete 1971 concept album ‘Babbacombe Lee’. “The Assembly has become one of our favourite venues, says Simon Nicol, “and we particularly look forward to playing there again.”

Sun 6 FAIRPORT CONVENTION Fri 11 NEIL INNES The Assembly Leamington Spa

Back to the future

It isn’t every venue that offers you a choice of decade to revisit along with the more usual ‘circle or stalls’, but the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough is getting a big reputation for these high-quality retro packages, this month zeroing in the rockin’ ‘50s and the groovesome ‘70s.

Having taken the sub-half-hour trip from Harborough to see the excellent Mark Little play Caveman, we were impressed by the whole Castle set-up – the auditorium and the roster of shows, the ambience, the free parking; but perhaps most of all the crowds flocking in from all points of the compass. .

Sat 12 ABBA THE SHOW Fri 25 ROCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR The Castle Wellingborough


WOW February 2011 11

Cube of fire

Pass the dutchie

We’ve heard nothing but good things about Leicester’s new gig on the block, The Auditorium in the Market Place – and we’ll get back with a full report once we’ve been along to see the Buzzcocks at the end of January.

Meanwhile, here’s another cracker to look forward to: the high-school reggae sound of 1982 all grown up and hardly a mention of bikesheds; Jamaican Dawn Penn who laid down her first

recordings for Prince Buster back in the ‘60s; and fusion groover Maxi Priest, whose easy-going ‘Wild World’ will make you yearn all the harder for summer sunshine – and whose ‘That Girl’ 45 with Shaggy will bring back more memories of – gulp – is 1993 really already 18 years ago?

Live from The Core at Corby Cube, the man who strode the line, stared down Folsom Prison, named A Boy Named Sue, and ended up Hurt. It’s the one and only – well, he’s certainly been voted the most authentic Man in Black tribute act – Johnny Cash.

With his full, imperious, rockin’ country combo behind him, along with some

Thu 10 JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Core Theatre Corby

atmospheric visuals on big screen, Clive John does more than perform all the Johnny Cash hits. He steps right into the cowboy boots, right into the rumpled, bow-legged Cash strides, and makes you believe…

Fri 25 MAXI PRIEST + DAWN PENN + MUSICAL YOUTH The Auditorium Leicester


With Valentines day in mind WOW kids create a genuine smoothie, full of nutrition and maybe laced with just a little chocolate!


Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. Known as the “Latin Lover”, he was one of the most popular international stars of the 1920s, and one of the most recognized stars of the silent film era. He is best known for his work in The Sheik and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

OW kids choose to combine strawberries, mango, and bananas and have fun naming

their creation Valentino!

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75g sliced fresh strawberries1 mango, peeled and stoned1 banana, peeled and sliced150ml milk1 tbsp honey10 to 12 ice cubes

You will need a blender or liquidizer (adult supervision required).

To set the scene for your valentine smoothie, why not decorate a serviette or serve with a skewer full of fruit or simply a chocolate like WOW kids did and maybe a heart shaped biscuit!

Blend the strawberries, mango, banana, milk, honey, and ice cubes until smooth.Pour into a glass and use your imagination to present your smoothie with extra fruit or even that old devil called... chocolate!

For milky smoothies, blend 1/2 pint (300ml) of milk, a handful of ice cubes, and about 200g of each of your chosen fruits (peeled, cored or stoned as necessary).For yoghurt based smoothies, blend 1/4 pint (150 ml) of fruit juice and 1/4 (150ml) pint of natural yoghurt with 200g of each of your chosen fruits, and a handful of ice cubes.

All ingredients available at your local

Bananas that are beginning to turn black can be popped into the freezer and can be used directly from the freezer in future smoothies!

WOW_29_pp12_13_WOW Kids.indd 13 2/2/11 9:51:38 pm


NeW Films this mONth...

Friday 4th FeBrUaryJames Cameron’s sanctumFighterthe rite

Friday 11th FeBrUarydrive angryGnomeo and Julietthe debtyogi Bear

Friday 18th FeBrUaryi am number Four.Justin Bieber 3d

Friday 25th FeBrUaryhall PassJust Go with it

WOW’S JAZ COX LOOKS AT SOME OF THE NEWEST CINEMA RELEASES

drive angry

direCtOr: Patrick LussierGeNre: Action adventureCast:Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard, William Fichtner, Billy BurkeCertiFiCate: TBCrUNtime: TBC

Friday 11th FeBrUaryIn the newest 3D action-adventure from the director of MY BLOODY VALENTINE, DRIVE ANGRY stars Nicolas Cage as Milton, a hardened felon who has broken out of hell for one last chance at redemption. Intent on stopping a vicious cult who murdered his daughter,

he has three days to stop them before they sacrifice her baby beneath a full moon. He’s joined by Piper (Amber Heard) - a young, attractive waitress who liberates her ex-boyfriend’s cherry-red muscle car in order to help Milton. Now, the two of them are hot on the trail of the deadly

leader of the cult, Jonah King (Billy Burke), who believes it is his destiny to use the baby to unleash hell on earth. But the bloodthirsty cult is the least of Milton’s problems. The police are after him too. And worse, an enigmatic killer known only as “The Accountant” - who has been sent by the Devil to retrieve Milton and deliver him back to hell. With wicked cunning and hypnotic savagery, the Accountant will relentlessly pursue Milton at high speed across the country until his mission is accomplished. Fueled by high octane and pure rage, Milton must use his anger to go beyond all human limits to avenge his daughter’s murder, before his last chance at redemption is revoked.

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FRIDAy 25th FebRuARyIn 140 AD, two men - master and slave - venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism...The Roman epic adventure THE EAGLE stars Channing

the eagle

Tatum and Jamie Bell and is directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald.

20 years earlier, Rome’s 5,000-strong Ninth Legion, under the command of Flavius Aquila, marched north carrying their treasured golden Eagle emblem. They never returned; Legion and Eagle simply vanished into the mists. Hearing a rumor that

DIRectOR: Kevin MacDonaldGenRe: Action adventurecAst: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Tahar RahimceRtIFIcAte: TBCRuntIme: 114 minutes

Live Comedy in Green

Tue 1Black Swan (15) 4pm, 6.20pm, 8.30pm127 Hours (15) 4.15pm, 8.45pm The King’s Speech (12A) 6.15pm

Wed 2Black Swan (15) 4pm, 6.20pm, 8.30pm127 Hours (15) 4.15pm, 8.45pmThe King’s Speech (12A) 6.15pm

Thu 3Black Swan (15) 4pm, 6.20pm, 8.30pm127 Hours (15) 8.45pm The King’s Speech (12A) 4pm Girl, Interrupted (15)6.30pm

Fri 4 Biutiful (15) 3pm, 6pm, 9pm Gulliver’s Travels 3D (PG) 4pm 127 Hours (15) 6.30pm, 8.30pm

Sat 5 Biutiful (15) 2.30pm, 9pm The Blues Brothers – Charity Screening (15) 6.30pm Gulliver’s Travels 3D (PG) 1pm, 3.30pm 127 Hours (15) 6.45pm, 9.45pm

Sun 6 Biutiful (15) 1pm, 4pm, 7pm Gulliver’s Travels 3D (PG) 12pm, 4pm Up (PG) 2pm 127 Hours (15) 6pm, 8pm

Mon 7 Biutiful (15) 1pm, 4pm, 7.30pm127 Hours (15) 1.15pm, 4.15pm, 6.15pmA Night at the Opera (U) 8.15pm

Tue 8 Biutiful (15) 4pm, 7.30pm

127 Hours (15) 4.15pm, 6.15pm Brief Encounter (PG) 8.15pm

Wed 9 Biutiful (15) 4pm, 7.30pm 127 Hours (15) 4.15pm, 6.15pm Jaws (PG) 8.15pm

Thu 10 Biutiful (15) 4pm, 7.30pm127 Hours (15) 2pm, 4pmThe Workshop 6pmIdiots of Ants 8pm

Fri 11 Never Let Me Go (12A)1.30pm, 4pm, 6.15pm, 8.30pm Blue Valentine (15) 4pm, 6.30pm Neds (18) 8.45pmLaurence Clark 8pm

Sat 12 Never Let Me Go (12A)1.30pm, 4pm, 6.15pm, 8.30pm Blue Valentine (15) 6pm Neds (18) 3.30pmPopcorn Comedy 9.30pm

Sun 13 Never Let Me Go (12A)12pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm Blue Valentine (15) 3pm, 5.30pm Neds (18) 8pm

Mon 14 Never Let Me Go (12A)1pm, 4pm, 6.15pm, 8.30pm Blue Valentine (15) 10pm Neds (18) 1.15pm, 5.45pm This is Spinal Tap (15) 8.15pm

Tue 15 Never Let Me Go (12A)4pm, 6.15pm, 8.30pm Blue Valentine (15) 3.30pm, 6pm Neds (18) 10.30pm Get Carter (18) 8.15pm

Wed 16 Never Let Me Go (12A) 4pm, 6.15pm, 8.30pm

Blue Valentine (15) 3.45pm Neds (18) 6.05pm Midnight Run (18) 8.30pm

Thu 17 Never Let Me Go (12A)4pm, 6.15pm, 8.45pm Blue Valentine (15) 3.45pm Neds (18) 8.45pm Rain Man (15) 6pm

Fri 18 Never Let Me Go (12A)12.30pm, 3pm, 10pmTangled 3D (PG) 1.45pm Brighton Rock (15) 4pm The Fighter (15) 9pmHenning Wehn 8.45pmAdam Buxton: BUG 6pm, 8.30pm

Sat 19 Never Let Me Go (12A)1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm Tangled 3D (PG) 12pm, 2.15pm, 4.20pm Brighton Rock (15)6.30pm The Fighter (15) 8.45pmHenning Wehn 8pm

Sun 20 Never Let Me Go (12A) 1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm Tangled 3D (PG) 12pm, 2pm Brighton Rock (15) 4pm The Fighter (15) 6.20pm, 8.45pm

Mon 21 Never Let Me Go (12A)1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm Tangled 3D (PG) 12pm, 2.15pm, 4.20pm Brighton Rock (15) 6.30pm The Fighter (15) 8.45pm

Tue 22 Never Let Me Go (12A)1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm Tangled 3D (PG) 12pm,

2.15pm, 4.20pm Brighton Rock (15) 8.45pm The Fighter (15) 6.30pm

Wed 23 Never Let Me Go (12A)1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm Tangled 3D (PG) 12pm, 2.15pm, 4.20pm Brighton Rock (15) 6.30pm The Fighter (15) 8.45pm

Thu 24 Never Let Me Go (12A)1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm Tangled 3D (PG) 12pm, 2.15pm, 4.20pm Brighton Rock (15) 8.45pm The Fighter (15) 6.30pm

Fri 25 True Grit (15) 1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm The Green Hornet 3D (12A) 1.15pm, 4pm Brighton Rock (15) 6.30pm Rabbit Hole (12A) 8.45pm

Sat 26 True Grit (15) 1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pm The Green Hornet 3D (12A) 12.30pm, 3pm Rabbit Hole (12A) 6.30pm Brighton Rock (15) 8.45pm

Sun 27True Grit (15) 12pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.15pmThe Green Hornet 3D (12A) 12.30pm, 3pmBrighton Rock (15) 6pmRabbit Hole (12A) 8.15pm

Mon 28True Grit (15) 1pm, 3.30pm, 6.30pm, 8.45pmBrighton Rock (15) 1.30pm, 8.45pmRabbit Hole (12A) 4pm, 6.30pm

the Eagle has been seen in a tribal temple in the far north, Flavius’ son Marcus (Tatum), determined to restore the tarnished reputation of his father, is galvanised into action. Accompanied only by his slave Esca (Bell), Marcus sets out into the vast and dangerous highlands of Scotland - to

confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father’s memory, and retrieve the hallowed Eagle. Along the way Marcus realizes that the mystery of his father’s disappearance may well be linked to the secret of his own slave’s identity and loyalty - a secret all the more pressing when the two come face-to-face with the warriors of the fearsome Seal Prince (Tahar Rahim).

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Floor-length and fabulous– that’s the way to wearyour frocks this season.

0W looks for late winter trends that are going to carry you through to the spring

without falling out of fashion. Meet the perfect winter/spring wardrobe staple – the maxi dress.

For those who fell in love with the light and airy maxis of summer, think of this as that trend’s older, more sophisticated, sibling. We’re talking longer sleeves, sleeker curves and more luxurious fabrics..

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1 Long Tall Sally. Showstopping printed crinkle satin maxi dress with cap sleeve, £75, knitted longline button through cardigan, £34, slip-on pump with ribbon trim, £30.2 Simply Be. Blackchiffon maxi dress, £50.3 asos. Plated sleeveless maxi, £65Archive:4 A|wear. Maxi dress, £50. 5 Mint Velvet. Double twist jersey maxi dress, £59. 6 Tesco Clothing. F&F Velvet maxi dress, £30.7 Very.co.uk. Fearne cotton velvet maxi dress, £79. 8 Rare. Vintage look knit maxi, £49. 9 Lipsy. Angel-sleeve maxi, £38.

10 Next. Stripe maxi dress, £28.11 Monsoon. Garroway navymaxi dress, £180. 12 Monsoon. Flora Maxi Dress, £60.13 Monsoon. Crochet white maxi dress 833062 £160. 14 boohoo.com. 70s maxidress.15 Marks & Spencer, Hat £45, per una Jumper £49.50, Dress £110, Bangle £8

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MAKE SURE YOU’RE BEAUTY, NOT THE BEAST...

With Spring on it’s way and hopefully the last of the snow, what a great way to start the year with Decleors Aroma White C+.

Developed in partnership with Shiseido, Decleor are launching a new range of High Performance Brightening Prod-ucts to illuminate your skin.

The expert care products re-spond to the needs of dull, pig-mented skins to recover the ra-diance and translucence. That’s what every women wants!

Beauty ManOr is above Browns Hairdressing, Manor House, High Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7NL. To book an appointment telephone 0844 999 4365www.thebeautymanor.co.uk

Step into Spring...

Brightening Active Ingredi-ents act on the size and intensi-ty of pigment spots and to offer radiance to tired skin.

62% of women say they are worried about their dark spots. Pigment spots are the 3rd wor-ry after wrinkles and sagging of the skin.

Aroma White C+ works in two ways-

Regulates the pigmentation development

Prevents the appearance of brown spots

Lightens PigmentationRepairs pigment irregularities Results in shine, translucence and an even complexion.

The Range is made up of 5 Face Care Products-

Brightening Cleansing Foam, which eliminates impurities and refines the skin’s texture.

Aromessence White Bright-ening Serum, evens and visibly glowing, your complexion’s del-icate translucence is restored.

Protective Brightening Day Emulsion SPF 15, your complex-ion is more even and incredibly radiant.

Recovery Brightening Night Cream, in the morning the skin is clearer, fresher and more radiant. Facial Features are re-laxed.

Brightening Spot Corrector, works on the individual spots. 66% reduction on dark spots size.

By using: Aromessence White

Brightening Serum + Protec-tive Brightening Day Emulsion SPF 15

=IMPROVED EFFECTIVENESS

Brightening Effect for 88% of women.

This exciting new range will be launched in salon from Feb-ruary.

I am very pleased to an-nounce we are the Winners for the 2nd year running of the Most Progressive Salon for De-cleor, over 6 regions.

Happy Spring!Kara x

If you have any beauty questions you would like to ask our expert, please write to: Kara @ Beauty Manor, C/O WOW, 50 St. Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7DU.

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WOW PREVIEWS THE BIGGEST COMEDY EVENT OF THE YEAR

Must see! Will larf!

This year’s Leicester Comedy Festival is not only the biggest in Britain, but significantly big-ger than last year’s record breaker, with tons more gigs crammed into an incredible 17 days.

First held in 1994, it’s the longest-running comedy fes-tival in Europe. Ooyer, there are 50 venues involved. There

are more than 350 gigs and events in total, averaging out at, let’s see, something like, er, 20.5882 gigs and events every single day. Not to mention eve-ry single night.

We should be proud. We’re certainly spoiled for choice. The pantheon of marquee names headlining the bigger venues in-clude the likes of Lenny Henry,

Jimmy Carr, Stephen K Amos, Arabella Weir, Jo Caulfield, Greg Davies, Phil Cool and Chris Ad-dison. Special events include the Leicester Mercury Come-dian of the Year Competition, Comedy Heaven, Comedy in the Dark and the Absolute Radio Live Show.

But what we’d like to do here is pick out a few hot tips to whet

Sat 5 MAX DICKINS AND NAZ OSMANOGLU Belmont HotelAn hour of stand-up shared between two comedians on the rise – Max a Sony Award nominated radio presenter on Absolute Radio, and Naz a multi award-winner, Edinburgh hit and dangerously charismatic wit. Highly rated in the industry. Sun 6 ISY SUTTIE: LOVE LOST IN THE BRITISH RETAIL INDUSTRY Firebug Best known for playing the role of Dobby in the sitcom ‘Peep Show’, (fairly) local Derbyshire lass Isy Suttie is in real life an acclaimed musical comic, all hung up on love and lust in the yoghurt aisle. Tue 8 JOE BOR: IN SEARCH OF THE SIX PACK The Criterion

your comedy wotsit around a spread of venues – acts that aren’t all yet household names but will probably be sidling on to your TV before too long.

Let’s get along and have a proper larf! Meanwhile, full details of events, acts, times, dates and large, amusing ba-nanas are at www.comedy-festival.co.uk.

Winner of Best Value Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2010 (with the magnificently titled A Study Of Embarrassment By A Guy With Two Bumholes) and finalist in the LCR Comedian of The Year the previous year.Wed 9 DAVID MORGAN: TRIPLE THREAT The Crumblin CookieCamp young comic who ‘sails into the show on a cloud of confidence’ according to Radio Leicester. Whether his Triple Threat is being a hugely talented wit, singer and dancer or gay/dyslexic/speccy, he reckons that’s for you to decide!Thu 10 IDIOTS OF ANTS Phoenix SquareThe lads’ ‘Facebook in real life’ and ‘Wii Breakfast’ sketches have become two of the most viewed UK comedy sketches on YouTube. ‘Rock ‘n’ roll hysteria meets sharp and brilliant

comedy,’ says the man with five glittery stars at Time Out. Fri 11 DOC BROWN: UNFAMOUS The Crumblin Cookie‘Comedian, rapper and bloody good entertainer,’ boasts Doc’s website, comically leveraging on the disastrous fact that he used to play to 40,000 with Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, and now ends up talking to 50 people in a room.Sat 12 ALFIE BROWN: THE LOVE YOU TAKE Belmont HotelA taggle-haired, beautiful boy

with a goatee. But don’t let the fact that Alfie is obsessed with morality and the search for a common truth fool you. Nor that he uses evocative and fantastic language to condemn the demise of culture. He’s also dead funny.

Sun 13 JAMES DOWDESWELL Kayal restaurant A quirky impressionist and imaginative, storytelling comedian. Sought-after star of the UK comedy circuit (and, ironically, an extra in Extras) whose absurd observations have carried him as far as Shanghai, Dubai, Oz, Bangkok and Phuket. Mon 14 JO CAULFIELD’S VALENTINE SHOW The Little TheatreOkay, so you already know Jo and most likely lust after

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her foibles and failings and Ramones T-shirt. But, Lordie, we’d never dare call her ‘Wonderfully sharp and bitchy’, like those Observer bods. ‘One of the finest female comics at work’ is more us.Wed 16 DJ DANNY Belmont Hotel DJ Danny is the comic creation of comedian, presenter and writer Danny Robins – a nerdy English teacher who isn’t quite as street smart and cool as

he imagines. One day, Danny, you’ll be able to quit that day job and achieve global superstar status. Wed 16 SIMON DONALD IS COMPLETELY HATSTAND The Crumblin CookieViz co-founder shifts from the comic page to comedy stage in this five-character one-man show, telling the history of the Geordie institution in-between his new and outrageous creations. Let’s hope he brings Biffa Bacon, though but. Thu 17 ZOE LYONS Embrace ArtsZoe was part of the Leicester Com Fest showcase in London, which gives a hint of how highly she’s rated. She’s already appeared on Michael McIntyre’s

Roadshow, although there’s no need to hold that against her. Going places. Get in quick.

Sat 19 PAUL SINHA Embrace ArtsWonderfully wordy, repressed and confused, the Indian ex-GP who came out as gay and a pub quiz addict is slowly building a

big rep. You might remember our interview with Paul, when we caught his class act at last year’s Comedy Festival. Sun 20 PAUL KERENSA: TOILET HUMOUR Kayal restaurant Paul’s ‘Borderline Racist’ show isn’t racist, it’s about what every country thinks of its neighbours. But his ‘Toilet Humour’ routine certainly is packed with lavatorial anecdotes. A brilliant writer with projectors, laptops and multimedia props.

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WOW LOOKS AT WHAT’S GOING ON...

UNTIL 3RD JULyAn intriguing exhibition that traces the history of the train-ing shoe from the earliest pair to the iconic brands we know today is to open at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery in the New Year.

‘Sport to Street’ follows the lifespan of the training shoe, from

Sport to Street

its early beginnings as a soft-soled tennis shoe worn by Henry VIII to the iconic footwear of choice that it has become today.

Northampton is home to one of the world’s most famous shoe collections and has the old-est known running shoe worn in the early 1860s by the then Lord Spencer.

Sport to Street looks at the rise of rubber-soled footwear for sports in the 19th century and the early sneakers manu-factured by legendary US com-panies Converse and Keds. By the 1970s trainers were still predominantly worn by sports-men and women for their com-fort and performance-enhanc-ing design. This only started to change with the craze for aero-bics, health and fitness and im-proved trainer technology that helped move them away from being simply practical items to footwear that makes a fashion statement.

The exhibition, which fea-tures leading brands including Adidas, Nike, Puma, Reebok and New Balance, delves into the re-lationship between brands and sub cultures as well as brands and celebrities.

It is part of a wider trainer project paid for by the Heritage Lottery Collecting Cultures fund to enhance collections in a spe-cific field.

SPoRT To STReeT will be showing at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery from 15 January to 3 July 2011. opening times are Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free.

Rebecca Shawcross, North-ampton Borough Council mu-seum’s resident shoe expert, said: “The story of the rise of the trainer from its humble begin-nings as a simple sports shoe to its status today as one of the coolest items of footwear is fas-cinating. We are lucky to have what is fast becoming the best trainer collection in the world, and this is the first time we have ever showcased so many in one place at one time.

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DON’T JUST STICK TO YOUR USUAL HAUNTS, TRY SOMEWHERE NEW TO EAT!

Restaurant of the Month

Situated just off the A5 in Watford, the Mango Lounge attracts customers from miles around to enjoy its unique ambience and pan-Asian flavours, uniquely offering authentic Thai and Indian cuisine under one roof. Customers from Northampton, Daventry and Lutterworth joined those from Weedon and the surrounding villages when we visited (all the way from Harborough!) on a Saturday night.

There’s something of the atmosphere of a Thai temple throughout the Mango Lounge, with wooden carvings, sundry goddesses and beautiful detail in the interior design. Together with a sumptuous choice of cui-sines, it’s responsible for the resturant’s fast-spreading rep-utation - though there’s even an additional Valentine’s Night

HOW tO Find itThe Mango Lounge, Station Road, Watford Gap, Northants NN6 7UL Tel: 01327 703621www.mango-lounge.co.uk

promise of a complementary glass of wine and a romantic flower!

When in Watford, do as the Indians or the Thai do. Hav-ing drunk in the exotic aromas from a neighbouring table, we opted for a Thai veg platter for starters (£9.95), with deep-fried sweetcorn patties and beancurd and mushroom toast the star of a rich and varied show.

Spoilt for choice, we then decided to share main dishes, mixing and matching Goong

Ob Gratiem – a speciality king prawn dish baked with garlic, chilli and basil leaves (£12.95) – with something more familiar, a dry, hot, green-peppery chicken xacutti curry (£7.95). Oodles of fresh noodles, shared rice and fresh-baked breads perfectly complemented a five-star meal at a restaurant where it really is possible to savour the best of both worlds!.

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WOW TAKES A LOOK AT THE LATEST DEALS ON WHEELS

Impressive all rounder

The new Kia Sportage crosso-ver is a far more attractive car than its predecessor. It now looks expensive, but is actually very affordable, and comes with an unbelievably long warranty. What more could you ask for if you’re in the market for a chic family car?

The Sportage line-up now includes four engines, including brand-new highly efficient 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol and 1.7-litre turbodiesel units; manual and automatic transmissions; and the choice of front-wheel drive or active all-wheel drive. My test car was the 1.7 CRDi 3 Sat Nav 2WD with Kia’s Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG) technology, which shuts down the engine when the car is stationary to help save fuel and reduce emissions. The system restarts instantly as soon as you’re ready to move off again. Together, these measures ensure the new Sportage is as environmentally sound as it is

stylish and fun to drive. The car is extremely well

specified. For example it features a fully integrated 7-inch touch screen satellite navigation with built in reversing camera and up-graded audio sound system. But forget all the gadgetry for a mo-ment because, probably more importantly to most private buy-ers, the Sportage comes with a seven-year warranty that can be transferred to subsequent owners as long as the 100,000-mile limit has not been reached. If that’s not a selling point, I don’t know what is.

Looks-wise, the new Kia Sportage is a radical departure from the dull 2004 model it re-places. It is longer, lower and wider and now incorporates the key features of an SUV in a more athletic and muscular package. The high shoulder and low roof lines meet in striking reverse-an-gle C-pillars that improve the view out for rear passengers. And the

KIa SpOrtage 1.7 CrDI ‘3 Sat Nav’ 2WDMax SpeeD: 107 mph0-62 mph: 11.9 secsCOMbINeD Mpg: 52.3eNgINe layOut: 1685cc 4 cylinder 16v turbodieselMax. pOWer (bhp): 114 at 4000 rpmMax. tOrque (lb.Ft): 192 at 1250 - 2750 rpm CO2: 143 g/kmprICe: £23,065 on the road

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ribbed roof, chunky door handles, LED day-time running lights and large wing mirrors make the car appear more street-wise than competitors such as the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008, Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan.

Inside, the spacious five-seat cabin is as dynamic as the exte-rior and is dominated by a multi-tier dashboard that narrows as it sweeps in from the sides towards the middle, leading into an eye-catching centre console. When it comes to loading up,

boot space is adequate, not mas-sive, but the flagship Sportage 3 model makes up for that with full leather upholstery, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, Xenon headlights with washers, auto light control, front wiper de-icer, premium vision instrument clus-ter, auto-dimming rear view mir-ror and 18-inch alloy wheels.

For a big car the Sportage is surprisingly easy to drive and park. This is down to a revised power-assisted steering system that ensures light, easy manoeu-

vrability at low speeds but with enough weightiness and feed-back to make the car agile and stable at motorway speeds. The Kia also delivers an absorbent and comfortable ride on pretty much any road surface thanks to its all-independent suspension. And despite the rather ‘bling’ 18 inch alloys on my demo, the 1.7-litre turbodiesel propelled Kia, with the fuel-saving assistance of ISG, is capable of returning 52.3 mpg, yet it is still a sprightly performer thanks to a slick six-

POSITIVE• Space • Looks• Low CO2• Fun

NEgaTIVE• Boot isn’t the largest

speed gearbox and a maximum power output of 114bhp.

The new Kia Sportage is an impressive all-rounder. On one hand it’s perfect for young fami-lies who want a fashionable, so-phisticated, fuel-efficient crosso-ver. On the other hand the 1.7-litre turbodiesel front-wheel-drive model will be very appealing to business users because the Sportage has all the space and versatility of a compact SUV with the low CO2 and tax benefits of a smaller hatchback.. .


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The French have all the fun!

It’s great to feel 17 years old again. That’s how I felt driv-ing the Citroën DS3 – and it’s no bad thing because it shows that the French offering is a fun, funky and lively motor. All good things as far as I’m concerned.

The 1.6i 16v 150 sport ver-sion, on test here, was a blast to drive. It rips up the black stuff with aggression and grips corners with ease. Its 17 inch al-loy wheels let some road rum-ble into the cabin at speed and the interior is a bit cramped, but it’s no big deal, because the DS3 delivers such an engaging drive that you forget all about the niggles.

However, the DS3 isn’t all about being a boy-racer. The car delivers a sophisticated and comfortable ride, and quality is evident inside and out. On the ever important safety front,

the Citroën DS3 has a five star Euro NCAP rating for occupant protection; high levels of stand-ard safety equipment include six airbags, a reinforced body structure and two IsoFix child seat anchorage points.

One of the best aspects of the compact Citroën is that it re-defines ‘bespoke’ motoring with an unrivalled choice of person-alisation options - to reflect each driver’s individual performance, style and technology prefer-ences. That means no DS3 need ever be the same, thanks to the array of different option com-binations available. Customers can specify exterior and inte-rior colour variations, materials, finishes, trims and equipment - even the key fob is tailored to the driver’s chosen body or roof colour. So, the Citroën can be masculine and sporty or

feminine and chic. My test car was in sport red and onyx black with ‘urban-tribe’ roof graphics, white wheels and a personal-ised number plate spelling out ‘BOY’. That was enough to satis-fy me that I was in a more male oriented car!

The DS3 is also packed with technology to further entertain and assist the driver. For port-able music players, the car can be kitted out with auxiliary, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. My-Way, Citroën’s integrated wi-descreen colour satellite navi-gation system, can be specified - and for excellent acoustic per-formance, a new eight-speaker Hi-Fi system creates a rich au-dio experience in the cabin.

The Citroën DS3 is a great alternative to other ‘premium’ small cars like the Mini, Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo MiTo. It

is also competitively priced, starting at just £12,100 for the petrol VTi 95hp DSign, rising to £16,300 for the top-of-the-range petrol THP 150hp and diesel HDi 110hp DSport models. The DS3 certainly doesn’t look like any other car on the road today – so if you’re in the mar-ket for a supermini, and being noticed is on the agenda, then this charismatic Citroën could be for you!

POSITIVE• Fun • Performance• Grip

NEGaTIVE• Road noise intrudes

CITROëN DS3 DSPORT 1.6I 16V 150 Max SPEED: 133 mph0-62 MPh: 7.3 secsCOMbINED MPG: 42.2ENGINE layOuT: 1598cc 4 cylinder 16v petrolMax. POWER (bhP): 155 at 6000 rpmMax. TORquE (lb.FT): 177 at 1400 rpm CO2: 155 g/kmPRICE: £16,300 OTR

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WOW HAS A LOOK AT REGIONAL BUSINESS EVENTS

NEW!

PC Pit Stop

The company name leaves little doubt what they’re all about: if you’re in the Harborough area and have problems with a PC or laptop, there’s no-one more expert, experienced or competitively priced than HCR.

Better still, if you rely on your computer for work, communication and vital internet access, it might pay to give David a call before your

machine gets stuck on the dreaded ‘blue screen’ or goes ominously silent…

HCR offers a full range Harborough Computer RepairsTel: 01858 469019 Email: [email protected] www.harboroughcomputerrepairs.co.uk

broadband speed checker to ensure you’re receiving all the bandwidth you pay for! .

of PC and laptop support, maintenance and repair services to residential, small business and educational customers – and perhaps most valuable of all is the peace of mind provided by an annual, comprehensive PC plan to ensure your computers work to their optimum potential.

See the website for a fixed price guide – and an invaluable

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WOW CLASSIFIEDS... BIG ONES AND SMALL ONES!

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WOW is expanding and looking for highly

motivatedAccount Managers.

If you feel you are the right person, please email

[email protected] explain why!

WOW Advertising works! Call: 01858 439 999

email: [email protected]

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Derek Hammond visits the deserted medieval village of (Not So) Great Stretton

SOme mOre OFLeiceSterShire’S SAmS And dmVS!

hAmiLtOnBetween Barkby thorpe and Scraptoft, north-east of Leicester. Just in case you’ve got a motorised hang-glider, this is what you can look forward to seeing…

ingArSBySome of the most spectacular, pronounced trackways and house platforms near houghton-on-the-hill. Like great Stretton, ingarsby is spookily survived by its Old hall.

gumLeycloser to harborough, look out for the medieval rabbit warrens off the gumley-Saddington road, which survive as a series of rectangular mounds.

eicestershire and Northamptonshire are both blessed with an

abundance of those scattered archaeological remains, open for all to explore, which serve to remind of us of distant times less fulsomely blessed. We refer to the region’s many deserted medieval villages, now traceable only as hills and hummocks in lonely fields, yet before 14th-century plague or 16th-century enclosure drove the rural population off the land, these were thriving communities.

Great Stretton, south of Leicester, is one of our most striking DMVs, as not quite all of the settlement was swept away by depopulation. Along with a traceable medieval pattern of thoroughfares and raised housing platforms in a single field, the tiny church of

St. Giles remains, now falling into a dangerous state of repair as it oversees its parish gravestones, its long-lost streets to the west and just a couple of cottages down on the road to the east.

Prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and post-medieval finds

hint at a rich, forgotten history. In the 14th century, none other than the Black Prince’s chaplain, Robert de Stretton, was baptised at St Giles’s traceried font. When Robert died a powerful Bishop, the Prince set up a fund for the priests to sing for soul in perpetuity for the village’s most famous soul.

Stretton Magna, as we should properly call the village, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument; though standing on tiptoe to look into the empty church, it isn’t quite clear what it’s a monument to. Slap bang in

the middle of the proposed site for the region’s controversially vast ‘eco-town’ housing estate, no plans have mentioned the protection of the site. It’s a romantic spot for a Sunday afternoon walk as the first signs of spring show, but a forbidding and gloomy place when the sun isn’t shining, and you’re driven to whistle a cheerful tune for old Robert.

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wow what's on where february 2011

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