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ISSUE

The Enemy of Boredom

No 1

COMEDY GADGETS SPORTS NEWSFOOD BUSINESS

WUWO TALKS TO BEN FOGLE

Every Month

June 2013 Edition

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

SUNDAY 14 JULY

&

LEGENDS OF THE SUMMER

A TRIBE CALLED QUEST / WILL.I.AMNAS / A$AP ROCKY RIZZLE KICKS / JESSIE WARE / KATY B / MAGNETIC MAN 2 CHAINZ / PORTER ROBINSON / DALEY / MISHA B / DROP CITY YACHT CLUB

+ MORE ARTISTS TO BE ANNOUNCED

FAZER / WATSKY / ANGEL / MIKKY EKKO / JOEY BADA$$ / A*M*E MAT ZO / WAKA FLOCKA FLAME / B SMYTH / PHLO FINISTER / MIKILL PANE CLEAN BANDIT / JAKWOB / LOGIC / DROP CITY YACHT CLUB JOEL COMPASS / KOAN SOUND / GIGGS / JACOB PLANT / P MONEY CHARLIE BROWN / SINEAD HARNETT

YAHOO! STAGE. OVER 3 DAYS

VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE FOR ALL 3 DAYS

wirelessfestival.co.uk /WirelessFestival @WirelessFest @WirelessFest

FRIDAY & SATURDAY SOLD OUTSUNDAY TICKETS GOING FAST...

SUBJECT TO LICENCE AND PLANNING

LINE UP SUBJECT TO CHANGE

JAY Z

WUWO Magazine

ContributorsWUWO Media

Editor in ChiefSteven Godwin

Content EditorMa hew Cook

Copy EditorLaura Hester

Design & IllustrationAndrew Brown Nita Saroglou Jenny Maddock

Writers

Andy BelmontManh PhamAisling BeaMa hew CookNader KhouriStevie MartinSophia BoutiqueAlex Chiejina

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Regulars

Imagine Watford Festival 2013 Over 80 performances of open-air events of dancing, music and more fun you can shake a stick at.

Local HeroesTracey Burke CEO of the Watford Womens Centre discusses the importance of refuge organisations, and the team needed to make it happen.

Music WUWO searches the new and developing bands that Watford has to o er.

Blag it... at the Ballet In the blag it series this week we help you cross the cultural boundaries, and make you feel comfortable in the most formal of events.

Gimmicks Cheating DeathA guide to eternal life? No, not really but a good cross section of things people have tried.

Interview with Ben Fogle A well travelled fellow, and an avid lover of extreme sports, TV star Ben Fogle talks to WUWO about his love for cleaning up UK beaches.

10

14

17

20

26

38

04 Top Picks

06 Watford News

08 WUWO Connects

09 Watford in Numbers

16 Art Explorer

22 Fashion

24 Gadgets

28 Aisling Bea

31 Game Play

34 DIY

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TOP PICKS

Top Picks

Music

Theatre

Club Night

Film

Hand-picked, intriguing happenings, venues, clubs, shops and more from Watford and beyond

Professor Green Live at The Colosseum

That gobby geezer from Hackney has decided to grace Watfords Colosseum with a visit this June 25th. Stephen Manderson, who calls himself Professor Green whilst not actually owning a doctorate of any additive primary colour, is the artist beer known for releases Just Be Good To Green and Monster. Hes collaborated with the likes of The Streets, Lily Allen and Example, its high time he brought a lile of that cheeky East London lip to WD17. Currently in the studio with his third album, and a random set in Watford, perhaps hell crack out something new. So for 18.50 a ticket its worth a punt.

Tickets are on sale at www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Supersonic Vague Friday Nights @ Cameo, Watford

With recent bills boasting Chase & Status and Zane Lowe its reasonable to say Cameo are doing their fair share in pulling their socks up to entertain you Watforders. Fridays oer a mixed bag for the palate, hosting Indie, Electro, Dubstep, Commercial and Deep House split between three rooms. With the recent overhaul and renovation of the sound system and lighting you can rest assured your drunken debauchery is hosted in the nest of seings.

For more info on prices and line-up visit www.cameowatford.com

Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular Watford Colosseum, June 27th

If a taooed hostile young man rapping fervently about the grinds of metropolitan life isnt quite your cuppa, then perhaps youd be more akin to a boogie to Mr Bojangles and Mack the Knife If what you really desire is the croons and moves of ol Frank Sinatra then look no further! Heres a guy who sounds just like him, performing alongside Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. tribute acts for an evening that promises the spectacular.

With tickets ranging from 17 - 21, more info can be found at www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

World War Z

It seems our xation with the zombie genre hasnt quite been quenched yet and its Brad Pis turn to step up to the plate and behead some undead. Operating as a UN envoy, Gerry Lane (Pi) bombs about in a chopper whilst facing endless hoards of ravenous sprinting zombies with a voracious thirst for human blood. Directed by Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace, Finding Neverland) and based on the novel of the same name by Max Brooks, it might just be one of the most action-packed zombie-horror icks in years gone by. Due for release on June 21st at the Vue Cinema, Watford.

More info online at www.myvue.com

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TOP PICKS

Fair

Film/Dance/Music

Art

Festival

Bushey Village Fair June 22nd St Jamess Church

Whats more quintessentially English than a proper traditional village fete? Complete with aernoon tea, stalls, face painting, BBQ and of course the occasional rae (it isnt a fair without a rae), what beer excuse to paint your face like a tiger, drink some Pimms, hook a duck, eat some chargrilled chicken and watch the world go by in the way we Brits know best? And you never know, you might just win that hamper full of jams and preserves youll never eat. But Ill be damned if there isnt a packet of shortbread in there

Art summer exhibition 15th 23rd June Pump House, Watford.

Watfords own Art Resource Centre (ARC) is exhibiting works by its members in the Upper Rehearsal Room at the Pump House this month. ARC run a range of workshops and discussion groups every Tuesday and Wednesday in the Charles Room at the Pump House, inviting artists of all ages and skill levels to join in enjoying and sharing in the plethoric world of visual arts. With practical demonstrations, books, creative space and an open-minded approach to instilling local creativity, why not show your support by dropping by and witnessing for yourself the artistic aptitude which thrives in your community.

Watford live 1st 30th June

In its h year entertaining the people of Watford with locally sourced talent, Watford Live! is back for yet another thrilling action packed month of festivities. With plenty to get your teeth into the festival boasts exhibitions from West Herts College, artisan markets, lm showcases as well as a huge bill of music, dance and art acts hosted in several of Watfords nest venues. Why not join reggae infused rockers Late Day Breakers, winners of the 2013 Watford Bale of the Bands at the Colosseum, or take a late night stroll in the Starlight Walk charity event (last year raised 180,000 for the Peace Hospice).

With something for everyone, you can nd more info at www.watfordlive.org

Imagine Festival

Starting on the 20th and concluding on the 30th June the Watford Imagine festival will give the town over 80 performances of Open Air Moments. From comedy to dance, music to puppetry the Imagine festival is set to transform Watford into a venue of exciting and varied entertainment. With award winning artist Shaun Parker creating epic dances, and the crowd-pleasing Glisssssssssendo opus II Fanfare Le Snob, The Imagine Watford festival can only achieve success. Booking is not needed for practically all events, to book and nd out more about the events visit the festival website.

www.imaginewatford.co.uk


Watford news

Mass drug Raids Across South West Hertfordshire

Watford nightclub owner King of UK

Watford the centre of the Bilderberg world

Watford Generals NHS Trust scoops Performance Award

On May 8th a force of over 160 ocers undertook dawn raids on 13 addresses spanning North London, Bushy and Watford. The ocers arrested a total of 17 suspects, with a view to clamp down on the growing drug trade in southwest Hertfordshire.

The coordinated simultaneous raid named Operation Pagoda has been seen as an impressive response to the rise in Class A drugs across the region. Three men from Watford were amongst the suspects, two of which are on bail till July.

Oceana nightclub Manger Alex OReilly has received a pat on the back by nightclub operating giant The Luminar Group, being hailed as Manager of the year. The Luminar Group is the largest nightclub operator in Europe, boasting 55 nightclubs across the UK.

Since managing Oceana back in 2010 Alex, 37, has increased sales and improved safety issues throughout the venue. Realising that a well-run nightclub can reect throughout the town centre, Manager of the Year Alex OReilly has done Watford a great service.

Dignitaries from around the globe gather in Watford as the Grove Hotel houses a secret three-day conference. Some of the most inuential leaders in politics, nance, industry and education from Europe and North America will lecture and debate on varying issues.

With last years conference in Virginia USA covering subjects such as What Can the West Do about Iran? And Can We Feed the World? it seems that a more open coverage of this debate would be enjoyable, and most importantly educational.

The west Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust who is in charge of Watford General has been ranked amongst the top performers. The purely data driven Healthcare CHKS hospital awards were held in Middle Temple Hall in central London.

For over 24 years CHKS has been helping to develop healthcare organisations in over 20 countries and have worked with over 400 clients worldwide, while recognising the progress of top achievers. The award factors in leadership, organisational culture, mortality measurement, and readmissions.

News and analysis of events and changes from in and around the Watford area.

WATFORD NEWS


Diddy Waitrose coming to a street near you

ITV Drama Bletchley Circle making a short home in Watford

Watfords John Lewis is ge ing closer to the launch date of their 2 million mini Waitrose supermarket investment. Converting a 5,500 square foot space, the mini market will o er oven-cooked products, an impressive selection of cheeses, fresh sh and meat over the counter.

Construction has been active since April and the launch date is set on June 20th. This has been touted as one of many trial run locations of this new mini version of the larger Waitrose supermarkets around the country.

Set in the 1950s this murder mystery has just started production on its second series, lming in Gade Avenue, Watford. The series is set around four female ex World War II code-breakers, solving the seemingly unsolvable murder cases.

A er the recent US premiere raining down impressive reviews by the American press, Bletchley Circle is fast becoming a popular English export. In part depicting the struggle for woman in 1950s Britain to gain respect and equality, Bletchley Circle has arrived in Watford to re ect the past and entertain the present.

Have you been offered a Compromise Agreement?

dont sign it until youve read this!

What is a Compromise Agreement?

A Compromise Agreement (sometimes called a Settlement

Agreement or Termination Agreement) is a legally binding

document between you and your employer. It usually means

youre being asked to sign away your rights to make a claim

against your employer in an employment tribunal, in return for an

agreed payment.

Whats the next step?

Before signing away your rights, its vital that you get sound

advice from an employment law expert (not all solicitors have

specialist employment law knowledge!), so you can be sure

youre making the right decision for you and have negotiated

the best possible deal. We can also advise you about

references and any post-termination obligations you need to

think about. Contact us for a no-strings chat about what you

need to do next.

How much will it cost?

Usually you wont have to pay a penny! A compromise

agreement is not valid unless youve had advice from a

solicitor before signing, your employer will normally pay your

legal costs. If we do need to do extra work to secure the best

package for you, then we will discuss any additional costs with

you fi rst so there wont be any nasty surprises!

Author: Joanna Cowie

- If you need help or advice relating to your Compromise Agreement

contact our employment specialist Joanna Cowie on or email .

WATFORD NEWS


Why is Council Tax going up? Who is that guy constantly roller skating around Watford? Each Month WUWO Watford collects community

questions and delivers answers from businesses, councils and ocials.

WUWO Connects

Andy Roberts What is being done to make sure that money is being spent wisely to get Brits back into work?Statement from the Department for Work and Pensions: Certain parts of the country are too dependent on the public sector for employment. Were funding large projects that have the potential to create or protect long-term jobs in the private sector, and programmes where partner organisations choose smaller projects to support, which will deliver sustainable jobs.

Jamie Butler Why is there nothing for young people to do in Watford?Watford Borough council - The Council will actively encourage the provision of youth facilities. Hanging out is part of the natural process of growing up. It is an intermediate stage between the comfort and protection of the home environment and the complete independence of adult life. A sheltered place to sit and talk which could incorporate or be associated with sports faculties, such as basketball hoops/courts, or football goals/pitches with security lighting and lierbins. - Watford District Plan 2000

Reg West Some great shops have closed in the past few years, why are shop spaces so expensive to rent?Many see the reason for closures to be caused by Internet retail competition rather rising rent costs. Some do see the retail renting costs as a factor however. Wall Street Journal recently investigated the reverse UK trend of rental cost dropping as the prot margins of the businesses drop. Some retail properties have been transformed into housing so as to create a more lucrative capital base. Many reports are pointing to the trend of retail locations diminishing as this is a less productive venture for landlords.

If you have any questions, queries or concerns about Watford, send your name, location and request to [email protected]

WUWO CONNECTS


Watford in Numbers

Source: Land Registry

AVERAGE PROPERTY PRICE

OCT - DEC 2012

336,590HERTFORDSHIRE

201,427UK

Source: 2001 Census

RISE IN RESIDENT

POPULATION FROM

2001 - 2011

ANTI SOCIAL

BEHAVIOUR

-35%

TOTAL CRIME

-24%

SHOPLIFTING

-26%

DRUGS

+64%

BURGLARY

-8%

VEHICLE CRIME

-40%

WATFORD IN NUMBERS

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10

From the 20th to the 30th of June Imagine Festival is back for its third instalment of open-

air moments. Watford will be transformed into a stage with varied performances of dance,

comedy, music and devil may care activities. Since 2011 Watford has seen the Imagine festival

light up the town, this year however is set be the brightest yet.

Imagine Festival 2013

IMAGINE FESTIVAL

11

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If youve ever walked down the south bank on the Themes, then you know that an assortment of performers shoot out at you in a seemingly endless pathway of head spinning, juggling and guitar tooting entertainers. Some wow your eager need for excitement, a few may cause you to head tilt in dismay. The open-air performance of Imagine however is set to blow the mind of the Watford faithful.

Over 80 Performances will stream through the town centre this month, giving a taste of what Europe has to oer. The acclaimed Dutch Close-Act- street theatre company, the French Tango Sumo and the Turkish dancing Dervish Ziya Azazi is naming but a few.

Important questions like why do I have wings if I cant y will be quizzed and answered by Max Calaf, aacking your personal universe with trampolines, and dance. A merry band of robe-clad musicians, adorned with bizarre instruments, will take to the streets of Watford. Glisssssssssendo opus II Fanfare Le Snob, will shock entice and delight as they wiggle through the streets with their perfectly choreographed movements amongst the crowd.

Dinosaurs are big, I mean even bigger then Peter Crouch. Close-Act Theatre will revive these long lost beasts and let them loose amongst the people of Watford, and I dont mean a series of immense

Peter Crouches looming over you. This combination of dance, music and niy stilt manoeuvres raises a question; can Watford handle the return of the beasts?

You may have gone shopping and thought, why, my trolley is nothing but a handy mobile food container! Shaun Parker disagrees. With help from the C-12 Dance Theatre company Shaun Parker creates a unique and innovative performance that may cause you to have a lile spin when next in Sainsburys. Adorned with the Argus award for Artistic Excellence this is more then just trolley swishing down the isle when you were young.

With over 80 free performances, enough dancing to make John Travolta sell his ares on eBay, and more trampolines then my secondary school sports day, Imagine festival 2013 has come along way since its conception. Initiated in 2011 by the Watford Borough Council and Watford Palace theatre, the Imagine festival gave the Watford cultural leaders group (WCLG) its rst chance at a major collaboration.

Consisting of ten organisations, the WCLG are dedicated to enhancing and promoting the standing and progression of the Watford cultural outlook. Their ve year plan to create a cultural renaissance of the borough looks on target, as productions such as the Imagine festival are increasing in standing every year.

IMAGINE FESTIVAL

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The accusation of culture and entertainment are not the only by-products of these mass events, as almost 400,000 was generated for the local economy last year. Tens of thousands of eager folks ocked to Watford in 2012, as the imagine festival gave local businesses a reason to have a wee dance too.

Dancing shop owners and happy jiggling restaurant managers are not the only enjoyable aspect to this years festivities, we also see comedy in the shape of an ice cream van that ruled the Devonshire coast. Ackerley Addeneye utilises his loveable ice cream van to convey his comedy through puppetry, disco and romance with a ake in it.

With all these tantalising oerings of performance its dicult to pinpoint the main araction of the festival. Yet the Magical night time event with Roule Boule et les Ratatams Airvag, does seem to hint at its importance. Immense horns seemingly break from the earth in a colourful array of movement, creating a concluding scene for the second day of events.

To conclude the entire festival however the Turkish whirly dervish Ziya Azazi will whip the crowd into a frenzy. Displaying his interpretation of the traditional Su Dance, where you aain Perfection by abandoning ones self to the dance. Ziya Azazis closing performance typies the cultural, artistic and unique approach that this festival reects.

Since its conception this festival has been the perfect example of free accessible culture, a combination of comedy, music, dance and expression in as many forms as you can think of. The importance of such events can sometimes be overlooked; a free display of award winning talent should always be celebrated.

It is important for any town to receive a large inux of consumers to encourage growth and support for local business, and a vast list of activates to choose from. The importance however can be found in the younger eyes. As a child I never had the chance to see such a diverse accessible festival to view at my leisure. Who knows I could have been a dancer! Maybe the next dervish dancer could be from Watford.

IMAGINE FESTIVAL

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What are the aims of the Dragons Apprentice? The aim of the W3RT Dragons Apprentice Challenge is to build a team who can turn 100 seed capital into 1000. The teams are comprised of young people, who are paired with a local charity, and are guided by a business mentor (or Dragon) to come up with innovative (- but legal!) ways to achieve at least 1000. All the proceeds from the team activity are for the local charity the team is paired with.

Why do you think its important? We know from DWP statistics that geing work experience is crucial to geing a job - 50% of those people with work experience went on to secure a job. Dragons Apprentice enables young people to get a head start by being involved in real life business activity and being mentored by a local business entrepreneur. Last year I understand that two young people were oered apprenticeships locally following their involvement in the Challenge. You cant buy that kind of experience! In addition all the money raised goes to local charities and voluntary groups so it is also a way of investing at a practical level in local communities.

Dragons Apprentice may sound like some kind of reality TV hybrid heaven but in fact its a charity driven business activity for young entrepreneurial hopefuls. Speaking

with Jay Wheeler the Coordinator at the Watford and Three Rivers Trust. WUWO gets to grips with this interesting challenge.

Dragons Apprentice

How long has it been running? Last year was the rst year in Watford, and it was a tremendous success raising over 23,000 for local charities. It has been running in St Albans since 2009.

How do you plan to get the word out about it? Well through WUWO Watford wed like to keep readers up to date with activity. We also have a Twier feed which is www.twier.com/w3rtconnect. In addition we are presenting an overview of the scheme to business networking groups, so that the word gets out. Perhaps most importantly of all, virtually everyone who participated last year, said it was worthwhile, so we are encouraging the Watford Dragons Apprentice alumni to go out and spread the word!

For more information and to keep up to date with developments contact Jay Wheeler at [email protected] or the Twitter page www.twier.com/W3RTConnect

DRAGONS APPRENTICE

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CEO of the Watford Womens Centre Tracey Burke is amongst the Viking sta who have

been developing and sustaining the Womens Centre in Upper Mall. A vital place of refuge

and growth, the importance of The Watfords Womens Centre cannot be overstated.

Local HeroTracey Burke

Firstly could you tell me a lile bit about yourself and how you come to this position? I was a team leader in adult education. My background is counselling, many years before that I was a nursery nurse. Ive come from a real belief in the power of education, open enquiring and caring faces to help people make change in their lives. There is a huge amount of caring and kindness in the world and I see this everyday.

What struggles have you come up against in the work that you do? I think at the womens centre we see the challenges as opportunities for us to come together as a team/family and work them out. Once youve been through a personal journey I think that all those diculties and challenges can be opportunities for growth, and at the Womens Centre we have a bit of a Viking spirit.

Are their any particular moments that spring to mind that depicts how greatly important the work that you do is? I think that the most dramatic experiences we have here, are when we support a woman into refuge. Thats a quite a dramatic change that we help that person to make, to bring her to a place of safety. I oen have people approach me being physically moved and say things like I never thought I could be okay again.

How do you see the organization developing for the future?In January 2012 we had a vision event that brought together seventy trustees, sta, volunteers and clients and we knew that funding was going to be tricky so we all put our heads together and said how do we get through this? We decided what we really needed was an additional town centre venue where we could have a shop, crche and provide some more training. At the end of 2012 we were gied a building in Market Street which will help us to achieve our aim to become core sustainable.

Is there anything you would like to say to those people who are looking for help?If there is something in your life that youd like to change or something youd like to develop then phone the womens centre, make an appointment and come in for a cup of tea. Were a friendly organisation and were very down to earth. 01923 816229 [email protected]

LOCAL HERO

The 2013 Dragons Apprentice raised more than 23,320 for local charities

Each team consisted of a school, charity and business (Dragon)

The aim of the challenge is for the school teams to come up with business ideas to grow their 100 seed capital into 1000

The Challenge ran from Sept 2012 and concluded with award ceremony at Watford Colosseum in March 2013

Activities ranged from cake stalls, charity gigs, car washes and donut sales.

For more information: www.twitter.com/w3rtconnect

Involved 12 teams from local schools

23,320

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Art ExplorerPaul Crook is an internationally recognised artist and is contributing

to Space2, a programme of exhibitions launched since 2006.

The aim of Space2 is to promote visual art and further the careers of local and national artists, as well as displaying Watfords prole as a town that supports the visual arts.

Pauls work represents bland, functional and mundane locations and questions the way we understand and engage with various aspects of the urban landscape.

ART EXPLORER

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WUWO Watfords music man Andy Belmont delves into the underworld of the Watford music scene to oer up the new talent that are set to take the word by storm.

Music

LOST IN THE RIOTS lostintheriots.bandcamp.com

PHILIP BRIDLE soundcloud.com/philipbridle

MATT CHURCHILL - machurchill.bandcamp.com

CHASING GRACE www.chasinggrace.co.uk

Local lads Lost In The Riots have taken the staple Watford hardcore foundations and underpinned it with the kind of melodic intricacies that incite gluts of emotional exploration. Debut album Strangers In The Alps carves through loud-quiet soundscapes, simmering in cascading reverb-laden phrases before launching into an onslaught of hey overdriven crescendos. A four-piece instrumental outt whose song-writing capabilities make for a truly rousing experience for any Post-Rock acionados, if this doesnt mine the pits of your soul than its unlikely anything ever will. Check out lostintheriots.bandcamp.com for releases and live dates.

Churchills so indie-folk follows in a similar vein to Frank Turners tongue in cheek bravado, only soer on the palate with a penchant for the poetic. Cause/Aect, released May this year, is a testament to Churchills singer-songwriter capabilities with pleasantly harmonious vocals dressed in nonintrusive acoustic backing. At times upliing, oen introspective, Churchills music is consistently poignant, a well suited appendage to a cuppa and a rainy day spent indoors. With more EPs pencilled for release this year, each with a limited run of hand craed, personalised CDs priced at a modest 4, what beer excuse to support your local music scene?

With exceptional nger-picking ability, Philip Bridles guitar playing has a mesmeric quality. Couple this with his nonchalant vocals and youre le with a mature, enthralling folk sound with an archetypal English disposition. The Days Dri On By is delectably delivered in Bridles soothing expression, conveying a sentimental tale of the meandering stream of lifes passing with eortless tenderness. Bridle, no stranger to the Watford folk scene, boasts a rened quality and established ripeness and personality that radiates out of his songs making for a charming anity with the music he creates.

Singer-songwriters Phil Plested and Grace Ackerman combine to make up a soothing, pop-infused duo. Two highly charismatic voices fuse to deliver awless harmonies on own song Bullet, as well as deconstructing chart favourites Dont You Worry Child (Swedish House Maa) and Let Me Love You (Ne-Yo) with delicate subtleties and impassioned duets that exude an enigmatic power, leaving you wondering how these two arent already ruling the British radio waves. With a show conrmed on June 15th at The Flag, Watford, as well as being picked up by various UK festivals and tours, youd be mad to miss these two in action before their eventual rise to the bigger and beer.

MUSIC

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Quite a Collection

The concept is simple: individuals from within the community with dierent backgrounds and skillsets combine to form one strong team, intent on helping each other and local charities on various projects. Its volunteering at its collaborative best.

In return for each hour of time donated, Timebank members get an hour of time from someone else within the group, learning a new skill from them; thus completing the cycle of mutual, feel good back-scratching.

Members meet regularly, as they did recently for the special Aernoon Tea. It provided the perfect opportunity for existing members to discuss forthcoming projects, and for new members to be introduced to the group.

A large circle of 35 volunteers introduced themselves, and put forward their skills and experience that was broad and varied: photographers, surfers, gardeners, designers, language teachers, crasmen/women, baker. You name it; they were there.

Interestingly, it seems there is no stereotypical Timebank member; no typical age, sex, cultural background, beliefs. There is simply a group of people united in oering their services, to the benet of their community.

Members mingled, chaed and even networked a bit. Everyones cholesterol took a bit of hit, through the vast array of cakes and chocolate goodies available. Fruit was an option too.

Wonderful opportunity to network with other groups and instigate opportunities of working together Groups gave feedback aer the event, the general consensus was positive. Very, very informative event and great meeting other groups and listening to what they did and how they were managing

Aer a suitable amount of mingling, all members sat down to enjoy a play by the recently formed Timebank Drama Group that struck just the right chord with its self-deprecating humour.

There followed applause and shouts of encore, before members returned to mingling again; discussing what they were currently working on, and whether there was a chance to work with one another, both inside and outside of Timebank. By Nick Kira

Together Timebank is a rather niy idea, a project by the Watford and Three Rivers Trust, coordinated by the amiable Cheryl Horton.

QUITE A COLLECTION

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19

WUWO Likes

Somewhere between Parks and Recreation and The Thick of It lies HBOs VEEP.The series follows a ctional face crushingly embarrassing US Vice Presidents PR team and their daily disappointments. Armando Lannucis mean streak runs hot through the rst series which is out now on DVD and Blu-ray. The cast includes Julia Louis Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm), Anna Chlumsky (My Girl, In the Loop), Ma Walsh ( Ted, The Hangover) and Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Stranger than Fiction). While set stateside, the sharp wit, political gymnastics and monumental cock-ups will ring a bell with anyone who keeps an eye on the news.

A QOTSA follow up to Era Vulgaris has been in the pipeline since 2008, but until last August there was lile action. 10 months, one single and a load of creepy music videos later, their self-produced album is out and has been heralded as a return to common ground as Dave Grohl returns on drums with the same sludgy sound as their early releases. The most curious feature is the range of special guests on the record which includes Sir Elton John, Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Brody Dalle (Distillers), Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters), James Lavelle and more.

While every bit as cheesy as youd expect from a comic titled Soul-Reaper, this scroll activated digital comic book is the rst of its kind and a brilliant showcase of what a web page can do. Combining text, graphics, animation, sound eects and speech, this site is shows how still images can be just as powerful as moving ones. With beer writers and voice over artists, the applications of this medium reach from comic artist portfolios to lm trailer sites to cross-platform TV content.

The Rapture is coming to a cinema near you! No, god hasnt decided to punish those who break the 11th commandment (thou shall not charge thy heavens for thus corn that doth popeth). June brings two rapture lm to our screens, This is The End and Rapture-Palooza, were going with This is The End for its massive all-star meta cast where the actors play themselves. As the world collapses, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogan, Emma Watson, Michael Cera, Aziz Ansari, Rihanna, The Backstreet Boys and many more ght to survive at badly scheduled party.

WUWO REGULAR | WUWO LIKES

Every month the WUWO team trawls the internet, hangs around in music shops, goes to the cinema and sits in front of the telly. We compress a months worth of

intensive procrastination into WUWO Likes, a brief guide to this month in media.

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DVD VEEP: The Complete First Season

AlbumQueens of the Stone Age Like Clockwork

FilmThis is The End

Onlinewww.soul-reaper.com

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Blag it...At the Ballet

Some still see the Royal Opera House as home turf for the wealthy, but with no dress code and 5 tickets, is this still a fair comment? Royal Ballet principle dancer and

Mayerling star, Mara Galeazzi talks us through what to expect.

Expect an intricate and dramatic storyMany pieces are historic or at least relative to when they are set, Mara says: Mayerling is the story of Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Rudolph who was very ill so he was taking lots of drugs, his relationship with his father was not that great and very peculiar with his mother. he has an obsession about a suicide pact so he was looking for a partner to end his life with.

Theres lots of drama, sexuality, guns and characters including whores, politicians and royalty.

Dont expect it to be eeminateFamous ballet dancers include: Tupac Shakur, Ronald Reagan, Christian Bale, Jean Claude Van-Damme and Rio Ferdinand.

Dont mention Black SwanConstant hallucinations, murder and biting your boss arent that common at the Royal Opera House.

The Royal Ballets Mayerling will broadcast free and live to Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets | Walthamstow Town Square, Waltham Forest | General Gordon Square, Woolwich | Trafalgar Square W1 as part of the BP Big Screens on June 13 at 7.30pm. For more information visit www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens

The ve positionsAll Classical ballet moves are categorized into ve sections by foot positioning which are:

1. Feet aligned and touching heel to heel, making as nearly a straight alignment as possible. The knees are also touching with legs straightened. Looks a bit like a mermaid with legs.

2. The feet are aligned as in rst position, but with heels spaced approximately twelve inches apart, like a man with broken legs at a urinal.

3. One foot is placed parallel infront of the other so that the heel of the front foot is near the arch of the back foot. Looks like how the man at the urinal broke his legs.

4. One foot is placed approximately twelve inches in front of the other. In open position the heels are aligned, while in closed position the heel of the front foot is aligned with the toe of the back foot. Looks like someone put a prosthetic leg on backwards.

5. One foot is placed in front of, and in contact with the other, with the heel of each foot aligned with the toe of the other foot. Looks like someone desperate for the loo.

BLAG IT | WUWO REGULAR

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WUWO Magazine has two exclusive 50 vouchers available for use at all Spitaleld Market stalls to give away. Old Spitalelds Market has one of the largest and most varied markets in London and oers vintage fashion, modern trends, international cuisine, gadgets, old school tech, analogue photography, records, art, jewellery, antiques and much more.

Send your full address to [email protected] with Spitalelds as the subject.

T&Cs by entering, readers agree to receive an exclusive weekly newsleer from

WUWOMagazine.com. Competition data may be shared with Spitalelds market.

Winners are chosen at the discretion of WUWO Media.

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Fashion

monvatoo.co.uk

www.martinabohn.com

labourandwait.co.uk

Established in 2012, MONVATOO London is a contemporary jewellery designer o ering quirky yet sophisticated collections by mixing European, Asian and fantasy elements. From June 1-16 WUWO readers can get 10% o online.

Martina Bohn gives us an insight to the Ascot tradition of quirky hats.

Tell us something we dont know about hat making?Milliners Ive met include ex-architects, philosophers and engineers.

Where do you nd you inspiration for your designs?Colour and the people I meet. I design the shape around the colour.

What do hats have that no other accessory can give?Hats can dress you in an instant. If Im going somewhere straight from work I o en carry a small cocktail hat with me.

With a keen eye for simple, honest and utilitarian design throughout, Labour and Waits goods range from clothing to hardware. The green-tiled store is a celebration functional design.

Hours Tuesday to Sunday: 11.00am to 6.00pm

FASHION | WUWO REGULAR

WUWO's new fashion section seeks out the best, the bold and the fresh in fashion, presented in digestible chunks alongside exclusive item giveaways.

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Competition

To enter, simply send your full address to [email protected] with the subject title Eastpak.

This new range from Eastpak combines durable yet lightweight materials with a bright and bold take on animal, oral and graphic prints.

T&C by entering this competition, entries agree to receive WUWOs weekly newsle er featuring exclusive content.

WUWO has one stylish suitcase from Easpaks new Spins collection to giveaway this month.

Years ago it would have been an una ainable dream, but with the constant evolution of ecommerce, Shoes of Prey have created customisable shoe heaven for women. WUWO spoke to co-founder, Jodie Fox for an insight to the world of shoes.

Shoes of Prey has reached a global status, was this always your dream? I didnt always dream of making shoes, I was solving a problem of my own as I could never nd exactly what I had in mind. I started commissioning custom shoes and my friends asked me where I was ge ing them from and if I could create theirs. My business partners Mike and Michael worked at Google and were really excited about e-commerce. We all came together and Shoes of Prey was born.

Talk us through how it works.Shoes of Preys greatest feature is the design section and the sheer range we o er in terms of styles, leathers and colours. We provide women with a blank canvas, upon which they can create their dream shoe.

Do you think high street retailers will o er a designer process to compete with you?Larger retailers face an innovators dilemma because customisable products are not as pro table in the short term whilst companies like us devote ourselves to revolutionising the space.

On what scale does Shoes of Prey operate?People have spent over 50 million minutes, designing tens of millions of shoes.

How do you come up with new designs? I sketch and then sample shapes and materials to suit the inspiration or collaboration. For the Romance Was Born collection Mushroom Magic I was inspired by the vivid colours and bold shapes while the Carla Zampa i shoes have a distinctly S&M feel.

Whats the most popular selling shoe?Black ballet ats. Everyone wants a pair that ts perfectly.

Has online shopping given new retailers a global reach? Yes. Our site allows customers access from anywhere in the world. Our free delivery and 365 day returns policy gives them peace of mind.

What are the up and coming trends for this year?Gators will be really popular this summer in Europe and well see a lot of emerald green, the pantone colour of the year.

INTERVIEWED BY SOPHIA BOUTIQUE

Shoes of Prey

WUWO REGULAR | FASHION

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While Tokyo-style pod hotel rooms have yet to arrive in London, those invigorated by the idea of living in a giant test tube can now buy their own.

These 210cm stackable pods feature a luxury maress, plug sockets, LED lighting, storage shelves, TV/DVD combos, alarm clocks and secure luggage compartments as an extra perk.

If youre not put o by the size then the nal hurdle is the price. Those lacking capital may want to consider lobbying their boss by arguing the benets of naps that dont occupy stationery cupboards.

A keyboard cat, some singing goats and a horn playing walrus - all welcome a new member to their animal band via the Cat Scratch. This deck-styled kitty scratch pad (complete with adjustable tone arm) allows undercover photo opportunities to capture photographic evidence of your feline scratching it out on the decks.

It may take some time until your pet manages to put together its rst mix, but the resulting photographs/videos are a piece of art in their own right.

For the ultimate experience, bang on Wu-Tang-Clan, supply your cat with a bag of nest catnip, sit back and enjoy the show.

Beer tastes good; boles are a good container, but what about caps? Apart from acting as an alternative currency in the event of a nuclear apocalypse, there arent many uses for them once you pop them o.

With the Cap Zappa, at least a few seconds of enjoyment are had out of them as you ping them across the room at an unsuspecting drinking buddy. Simply open, aim and re the bole cap up to ve metres thanks to the spring loaded mechanism inside.

While great fun, be sensible(ish) with this device. Nobody wants a beer cap for an eye patch.

2. Cap Zappa Bole Opening Cap Launcher 7.99

3. Podtime Sleeping Pods1,375

1. Cat Scratch19.95

www.red5.co.uk www.iwantoneohose.com www.rebox.com

GadgetsSome gadgets will save you time, bring you amusement or make life easier, others

will do the opposite. Each month WUWO separates the two and brings you practical, fun and occasionally absurd gadgets.

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Aention spans are falling and the price of food is increasing. When these factors combine, scrubbing burnt beans from the bottom of the pan becomes all the more an infuriating and common experience.

Look, dont take it personally; we know you are a good cook! All this gadget does is strip away the boredom of tedious stirring and sanctions more productive activities, like watching TV or siing for hours using Facebook. When you return to the kitchen, your sauce/soup/porridge/meal will be perfectly stirred and waiting for you.

With strong enough baeries, this is essentially an extra set of hands in the kitchen

www.boysstu.co.uk www.uutensil.com www.lazyboneuk.com

5. Stirr Automatic Sauce Stirrer15.00

6. Flying Alarm Clock 14.99

4. Outdoor Hammock 9.95

When asked, people tend to assume that pirates joined the profession due to its similarity of living on a cruise ship with less wrinkles and more pillaging. While this may be true, the main reason was probably the hammocks.

These cheap and cheerful hammocks will see you through the brief UK summer. Simply aach it tightly between two sturdy objects, then clamber in with beer in hand.

Packing away into a tiny case, it can be taken it absolutely anywhere. String it between two parking metres on Oxford Street, or more exotically, two palm trees in the Caribbean.

This gadget is frustrating, annoying and will have you half-awake and screaming, jumping around the room to shut it up, which could be exactly why you want it.

No snooze buon, no hiding under the pillow or throwing the phone out of the room. This alarm will not stop until you get up, catch this airborne bastard and install it back on its launch pad.

Your only solace when it lis o at 7am is that the evil genius who invented it is utilizing his time devising alarm clocks as opposed to secret moon bases or his way to world domination (we hope).

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WUWO REGULAR | GADGETS

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GimmicksDeath is a natural and currently inevitable phenomena but some try to ght it anyway.

Heres a mix of successful, failed and still in progress aempts at cheating death.

Elizabeth Bathory bathing in virgin blood 1560 to 1614

Cryonics - FM-2030 1930 to 2000(?)

Cloning Insung Hwang Started: 2005 to present Mind uploading - Dmitry Itskov ETA: 2045

Known as the Bloody Countess, she reigned ercely in early 17th century Hungary and was responsible for over 600 murders.

A mix of truth, folklore, confessions and testimonies during trials of her accomplices show that Bathory tortured, killed and bathed in the blood of her victims. She believed the blood of servants, peasant girls and virgins would keep her young. Bathory was walled into her room until her death in 1614.

Cryonics is a process for preserving humans in low temperatures so future medicine can resuscitate them. Fereidoun M Esfandiary (aka FM 2030) was an author, athlete and transhumanist philosopher. He changed his name to reect his goal of living to 100 (in 2030) but died in 2000.

While not the rst cryogenically frozen person, he was the rst to be vitried; a method negating organ damage caused by ice.

This South Korean researcher can bring back your pet for the sum of 66,000. His cloning process takes sample tissue of your dog alive or soon aer death, replaces the original DNA in another dogs embryo, injects your pets DNA and then inserts the embryo into a living dog.

Hwang sees the UK as a potential market and has an essay competition where the winner gets a 50% discount.

Russian Billionaire Dmitry Itskov aims to allow humans to upload their minds into robots to be able to live longer, beer and in harsher environments. This is called Disembodied Intelligent Existence.

The idea has been discussed previously by specialists in Bioethics, Medicine, Information Technology and Writers, but Dmitry is pushing it forward to individuals with what could be the most likely form of immortality in the age of information.

Cheating Death

GIMMICKS | WUWO REGULAR

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An afternoon of inspiring,

thought-provoking and

entertaining talks

23 September 2013Book now

royalalberthall.com

Find out more at TEDxAlbertopolis.com

Box ofce 0845 401 5034

EXPLORING HOW ART AND SCIENCE FIT TOGETHER IN THE MODERN WORLD

#TEDxAlb/TEDxAlbertopolis @TEDxAlbrtopolis

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Aisling Bea

Weve all been stuck with someone youd rather be drowning, heres a guide to making it as productive as possible.

1. Ask them about themselves Go straight in for the kill with negative questions:

God, you must be tired from all of the opportunities that life has given you?

Is work very dicult at the moment? Out of work people dont realise how lucky they are to be able to nap during the day.

Who do you blame for your current biggest problem?

How have other peoples problems aected you of late?

This works particularly well if they grew up in a white, middle-class home. Make sure you have something great to think about while they talk and a notepad to jot down your shopping list. They will think youre writing a book about them.

2. Go to a museum Nobody actually likes museums, but everyone knows that they should like them and by god if they ever bloody tried to take away my museums, Id rebomb parliament! So go to a museum with them, two boring birds with a stone!

3. Get them drunk

4. Get drunk

5. go out with them May I please underline that this is not an appropriate activity if they are:

- Your parent- Your siblings/ friends child

(I know, but clearly some people need telling)- In fact, any relative in general

(t cousins, twice removed - an exception)

This works great if they are:

- Your partner- On a summer exchange and dont speak much

english.- Working at your job- Your enemy- The partner of your enemy

6. Use them as an aide for boring things youve meant to get round to Example: cleaning and dusting, especially with children. You also feel less guilty when its a child because you dont have to pay them. Their tiny ngers can get into those nooks and crannies fat adult hands cant. Thats right lisa, straight up that chimney with the brush. See if you can nd that magpie nest and give it a whack.

7. Eat something unhealthy and fattening (The food that you reserve for a lonely sad day) this works particularly well if you are stuck in a relationship. Sit staring at each other or the television and play take-away roulee

Every time you feel you should address the terribly frightening truth, have another fork of chow-mein.

8. Sit for a painting You dont have to talk to each other, you can fall asleep and at the end you get a giant painting of yourself with someone you dont like too much.

9. Pretend that you are a street performer who stands still and says nothing until they put money into your hat

10. Walk around the shops

11. Walk around the shops again

12. Tell them about yourself They will just have to sit there while you air all of your grievances. You can tell them, without any guilt, how hard life is or all the opportunities it has given. Talk about who is to blame for your current situation, how it always happens to me, how Im always the one who and how it just seems like its always down to me to

AISLING BEA | WUWO REGULAR

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1. Tell them about yourself You can change their minds if you tell them enough things. If it looks like they are fading, throw in something to make them feel sorry for you, like a sick relative or an abusive home.

2. Buy their love People will do anything for a free ticket to a sporting event.

3. go out with them Put all of your energy into it. This is about them.

4. Get drunk and sing to them

5. Hoover under their bed for them

6. Get them pregnant/ get pregnant Just try geing out of that one. Cha-ching!

7. Give them a job Then they are tied to you.

8. Get a job with them What are they going to do? Quit their job?

9. Tell them they won a car But that you come with it.

10. Tell them that you will jump off a building if they dont go for lunch with you (Especially eective if you are a parent trying to spend time with your kids.)

AISLING BEA | WUWO REGULAR

How to pass time with people who you want to pass time with but who dont want to pass time with you

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60%

Chicken

ScienceWere More Alike Than You Think

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), is a structure found in cells containing strings of codes carrying information which determines the traits of all organisms. Like how the arrangement of leers in a sentence aects the meaning, the arrangement of codes in the nucleotides of the DNA denes an organism. By understanding the arrangements, scientists can understand how each organism came to be and what gives them their unique features.

Each individuals similarity to blood relatives (and other humans) extends to other species and organisms. A well popularised fact is that we share around 98% of our DNA code with chimpanzees and 50% with bananas. This doesnt mean we are 98% chimp but that we have 98% of the contents that make up a chimps genetic signature.

Complete mapping of DNA could make science ction become non-ction. Overtime, scientists have studied DNA in order to understand evolution, genetic engineering, diseases and genetic disorders with a view of treating them and eradicating their potential to be passed on. Other possibilities include cloning organisms and the creation of new species of organisms; chimeras through recombinant DNA technology.

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Roundworm

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SCIENCE | WUWO REGULAR

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GameplayHeres a list of some June games for all your black mirrors.

This game is set to be one that adds extra sense of realism to the post-apocalyptic-themed games rocking our screens in the past few years (Fallout, Metro: 2033, Borderlands, all zombie games!). You play as Joel, a man accompanied by a lile girl named Ellie who has to protect and take uninfected to a safe haven as they bale against deranged survivors and mutants who suer the perils of a fungus that brought about the destruction of U.S.A.

With over 20 awards under its name, The Last of Us is a very emotional experience set to be a keeper for PS3 owners.

The last of Us June 14 PS3 Exclusive

Third-person action adventure

Dubbed the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool as comic fans may know is a bad a** mercenary who cant keep his mouth shut while he slashes and guns his way through hordes of baddies in a humorous way carried out ever so eortlessly. His ability to talk non-stop about anything and everything sips out of his conscious state as he breaks the fourth wall and becomes aware of his existence in the comic book world. This trait is coming to the video game too and since he cant be killed, the only way to get him to shut his mouth is to switch the game o and hope hes not already turned on in your head.

Deadpool is bringing along some friends and familiar faces from the Marvel universe: Domino, Psylocke, Mister Sinister and his favourite buddy who he likes annoying - Cable.

Deadpool June 25 Xbox 360 & PS3

Third-person action adventure

The world renowned Sims gets another update with this super simulation that puts players and their avatars in a world beautied by blue shores and glistening water. If youd rather your Sim be in water than on land they can explore the depths of the sea by snorkelling or scuba-diving to nd secret treasures and anything else that could be buried underneath the simulated utopia.

The limited edition includes an Island Survival pack equips your Sim with the necessities to scrape together an existence on a deserted island, fashion a makeshi home on a oating barge, build and escape to a minimalist retreat in the middle of the oceanor enjoy these back-to-basic pieces in the comfort of civilization!

The Sims 3 Expansion pack: Island Paradise June 27 PC & Mac

Platform

WUWO REGULAR | GAMEPLAY

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CompetitionWin tickets to see Professor Green

at the Watford Colosseum

For your chance to win a pair of standing tickets to see Professor Green perform live at the Watford Colosseum on Tuesday 25 June at 7.30pm please email [email protected] with Professor Green in the subject line.

Brit rap superstar Professor Green is coming to Watford Colosseum for one night only. With huge hits such as Read All Shout It, Monster and Just Be Good To Green and collaborations with artists as varied as Example, Emeli Sand, Labrinth and Lily Allen, Professor Green has rmly established himself as one of the UKs freshest and most exciting new talents.

To purchase tickets visit www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk or call 0845 075 3993.

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DIY | WUWO REGULAR

DIYPlaying with living materials is exciting, especially when it occurs outside of

pharmaceutical and academic laboratories. The notion of genetically manipulating organisms for art may seem far fetched, but it is a lot easier than it sounds.

You Will NeedA palm sized and

well-balancing stone

Bendable wire/ coat hanger

A photo

Paint (optional)

Method

Rock photo holdersInstead of buying a picture frame or making a wooden one yourself, try this very simple technique that

takes your photo out of the frame and into your natural environment.

Wrap the wire around the

rock, allowing the excess to

extend upwards.

Coil the top of the wire into penny sized coils and press the coils together.

Paint the stone and wire to your desired colour.

Place the photo into the coiled top end.

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WUWO REGULAR | DIY

Some album art is too good to leave in a dusty box in the shed. Heres a tip for getting the record

cases on your walls.

Record Hall of Frame

You Will NeedA Vinyl album case

Rigid card

A pencil

Scissors

A coat hangerAdhesive tape

Method

Cut the card to a square

measuring 40x40cm

Place the album case on the middle of the cardboard and mark the card 6cm in from the corners on each edge (8 in total)

Make four diagonal cuts in the card joining the two marks closest to each corner.. Bend the top of the coat hanger into a small loop.

Flip the card and tape the hanger across the back of the frame with only the loop showing out of the top. (be careful not to tape the slits up)

Paint or decorate the card.

Slip the album into the slits to hold it in place and hang.

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@wuwowatfordwuwowatford.com facebook.com/wuwowatford

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ComedyStand up isnt all sell out gigs at the Apollo, most of it is being heckled by fat drunken idiotsand living o petrol station sandwiches on tours of near empty bars, so why do it? WUWO spoke to Comedians whove done the rounds to nd out why they did it?

Why Stand Up?

Tania Edwards: I got into comedy when instead of writing between temping jobs I was temping between writing jobs. At one temp job I was working in a really boring bank and was googling stu when I saw that someone I used to know was nominated for a Perrier Award (now the Edinburgh Comedy Awards). I was a bit jealous and aer the show I decided thats what I wanted to do.

Mark Restuccia: Why did I get into Comedy? Hmmm Because I didnt want to work a real job!

Luke Benson: I got into comedy because I got sick of all the free booze and easy women in accounting

Luke Toulson: I got into comedy because I failed at everything else. If you make enough bad decisions in life you eventually end up as a stand up comedian

Jim Smallman: Ive allegedly been making people laugh for seven years now. Its my seven year anniversary from when I allegedly started doing this for a living. Hahaha it isnt a job! I got into comedy because I used to be a buyer for Next and I had to do a lot of presentations but Ive got really bad nerves. A friend of mine said why dont you go do a comedy course to get over it? I did but had no intention of doing the gig at the end of the course, but I fell in love with it. So I quit my job, though I tried to get red so Id get three months wages but I couldnt.

Holly Walsh: Before I did comedy I was an art gallery assistant. I got into comedy via a night course in comedy because Im too middle class to commit to anything unless I have a piece of paper which tells me Im qualied to do it. The class was really good not because I learnt anything but because it gave me the condence to go out and humiliate myself in front of four people in a pub for the next two years. It was mainly trying to make people laugh who really couldnt care less, squaddies, stag nights and drunk people.

If you want to survive in comedy you have to be prepared to die onstage a thousand times over

Sean Hughes: I knew from the age of 14 that I was going to be stand-up driven so I was always training and driven towards that. I never thought of doing anything else.

Sarah Kendall: I started in a very friendly and warm environment, with my friends geing drunk with everyone knowing each-other. Then I started writing for someone in radio and then more standup. I always really enjoyed holding a microphone in my hand.

Tom Rosenthal: I went to a sort of posh school where we used to do public speaking competitions. They took us around the world to compete in Canada and Cyprus so I got quite a lot of condence in myself. At university I was a precocious, arrogant lile child and I would go and talk to drunk people every night. I le university thinking I dont want to get a real job, I want to sleep So I just get doing what I was doing before, talking to drunk people.

Jason Acuna (Weeman): I was working in skateboard videos for a magazine called Big Brother and we just realised Jackass stu was selling good so we tried it out and it worked. The worst thing I had to do was bungee jump o a bridge super glued to Preston in the 69 position. It lasted two minutes and it was horrible, I just ripped myself o him. He was screaming the whole time.

WUWO REGULAR | COMEDY

Conan OBrien Tap Dancer

Ken Jeong Doctor

Frankie Boyle Teacher

Aziz Ansari Onion Intern

Dara Obriain Childrens TV Presenter

Ricky Gervais Pop Singer

Bill Bailey Crematorium Organist

Jo Brand Psychiatric Nurse

THEY WERECOMEDIANS

BEFORE

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TV StarSince appearing in Castaway 2000, Ben has travelled the world as a presenter and an

extreme sports devotee. For the last two years hes spent time cleaning the UKs beaches.

Why did you get involved with the Barefoot Wine Beach Campaign?Aer spending so many years near the ocean, Ive seen what rubbish does to it. Last year we removed four tonnes of rubbish and it was extremely satisfying.

What impact does beach lier have?A lot of that rubbish doesnt come straight from our hands, pockets and bags, a lot of it has been washed to sea through the sewage network through our loos.

There is obviously the visual eect of boles and bags on the beaches, but rubbish also gets into marine life and ultimately goes back into us, were eating our own rubbish!

Youve taken part in a lot weirder UK activities, what tops that list?Over the years Ive seen all sorts and Ive enjoyed taking part in some of the unusual events that go on whether it be the world stinging nele eating championships in Dorset, the world oyster eating championships in Weymouth, Lawnmower racing, or tin bath racing on the isle of man. The weirdest still has to be the sting nele eating championships.

Has reality TV changed since Castaway 2000?I think it has changed a lot, Castaway was the rst of its kind, there wasnt really reality TV before then and Castaway led the charge I suppose. Then Big brother came along and changed the face of it. Most people who go on reality shows now go on for slightly ulterior motives, thats not rude, its the truth, they go on to become famous, rich and in the papers.

Aer trying to start an autonomous community in Castaway, what is it like to visit real examples?Its prey extreme and Ive been lucky to see all sides over the years including visiting real communities like Tristan Da Cuhna and St Helena who did what

I did but for real. Having done it myself I have a huge admiration for people who live in these truly remote places, but its what they have always known.

I think we all have a romantic notion of wild remote, isolated living. On one hand it is very romantic, pure and healthy but its also incredibly hard. Its a tough life.

Have you eaten anything worse than neles?I think putreed shark meat in its own urine in Iceland was a particular low point. I had to throw my gloves away because I couldnt get the stench o.

What was contracting Leimaniasis like?You dont really feel anything; its just unpleasant to know theres something eating away at your skin.

Youve got a drunken taoo, how drunk would we need to get you to have another one?Not very, it has grown on me in every sense and I can see how people could become slightly addicted and add to it, but I think my wife might divorce me if I did.

How important are groups like the National Trust?The National Trust is incredibly important because we have so many historic buildings and estates. Without them we would loose a huge part of our heritage. I think they are absolutely integral in maintaining our heritage and our environment.

What have you found washed up on beaches?Part of a sawn-o shotgun and unexploded shells and a few years before that I found a bomb. I seem to nd a lot of explosives; maybe I should be a snier dog.

How can people get involved?A list of dates and locations for the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue project are available at: www.barefootwine.co.uk/our-events

Interview with Ben Fogle

TV STAR

39


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WELCOME TO WATFORD FOR YOU

We are proud to welcome you to our growing, prosperous town.With our diverse population we think everyone will feel at home.

Watford has activities and attractions to suit all tastes : parks, museums, leisure centres and sporting events for the whole family. Theres a wide range of shopping and dining opportunities as well as theatres, cinemas, pubs, music venues and nightclubs for after-hours entertainment.

SHOPPINGIntu Watford is Hertfordshires largest shopping centre. It opens seven days a week and has over 140 shops and restaurants under its roof including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Apple, Karen Millen, Primark, Disney Store, Lakeland and Zara, to name just a few.

EATINGWatford has recently seen the opening of the new Met Quarter eating area located in the town centre, opposite the southern entrance of Intu Watford. New restaurants here include, Zizzi, Wagamama, Carluccios, Chimichanga, Nandos and Jimmys World Bar & Grill along with Costa Coffee shop. The extended pavements allow the restaurants

to offer al fresco dining, creating a lively cafe culture feel to this part of town.

ENTERTAININGFancy a night at the theatre? Watford can offer anything from a show at the theatre to a night out dancing! Watford Palace offers a vast array of theatre, dance, films and more, and many of its productions have enjoyed critical acclaim. It also boasts a 3D cinema screen showing the best new releases and classic favorites. Watford Colosseum is a 1392 seat venue in the heart of Watford, which is home to the best live music and entertainment outside London with recent acts including One Direction, Level 42 and Jimmy Carr.

Oceana Watford opened its doors in September 2008. Since then it has cemented its status as being one of the best clubs in the South East, and Watfords only Super Duper Club. So far Oceana Watford has hosted some of the biggest acts in the music industry from Calvin Harris to Annie Mac.

Whatever youre in the mood for why not give Watford a try?

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