My hair looked like I had been dragged through the proverbial hedge backwards. For some strange reason I had decided not to have it it cut for more than six months to see what it would look like longer - added to that I had also decided on a whim to ask my partner to cut it in a straight line whilst it was wet (I was in the shower) just to take off the endy bits. The end result was not a good look!

Looking in the mirror one morning (I try not to do this too much) I had a revalation - looking back at me was some strange woman who had clearly lost her reason as well as her sense of style - and I decided immediately that a trip to the hairdresser was overdue and I quickly made an appointment.

During my non hair cut months I had noted a new hairdresser in the Golden Valley (Sandgate) - it was still being fitted out then but was up and running now so I made my appointment. Going into Suzanne Charles hairdressing salon was reassuring - lots of space, very comfortable leather seating, big mirrors on the wall (lovely mirrors, but dont you just hate them) - very comfortable, light and contemporary. I was offered a cup of tea or coffee whilst I waited - and I flicked through the mags.

Suzanne Charles (owner) asked me about my hair; was I good with hair, did I just give it a burst with the hairdryer in the morning, how much did I want off? It took her seconds to realise that I hadn’t a clue and she suggested I have a style similar to her own because her hair was also wavey/curly like mine and it would be easy to look after. I had noted Suzanne’s hair style and approved lots - so was happy to go with this suggestion.

There followed a washing hair session (I always like this bit) and then the cutting began - apart from the sitting in front of a mirror bit I liked seeing long bits of my hair fall to the floor.

The final result - is so different from the unkempt windswept mess that had previously graced my head (what was I thinking of?) - I like it lots.

My conclusion - I like this hairdresser - charming local and knowledgeable owner, smart and attentive staff, very nice environment (quite plush but not ott) and not exhorbitant charges. I wish this new business well - and at the time of my going there Suzanne was feeling quietly confident that business was building nicely. I will visit Suzanne Charles hairdressing again in 8 weeks - or sooner if I should need my fringe cutting before that (Suzanne does free fringe cuts whenever needed for her customers).

Suzanne Charles Hairdressing

91/95 Enbrook Valley

Folkestone Kent

CT20 3NE

tel: 01303 850661

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My big Leonberger badly needed a hair cut - I used to take him a great dog grooming place in Folkestone which alas is no longer there. So looking around I found ‘Barkers Barber - dog and cat grooming’ and I booked my dog in for his half yearly grooming session.

You might not find this shop unless you use the Broomfield Road car park - because that is where you access it - but it is worth finding.

I took my dog along and Jo Lusher (owner) took him away on his lead without any fuss. Jo asked me if I wanted to keep his mane and feathers - quite nice to be asked this as folk do not often know what a Leonberger looks like let alone about them having a mane and feathers.

I picked him up 4 hours later and he looked great. As well as a shampooing - his mane was tidied up but still evident, his feet looked really neat (before he looked like he was wearing furry boots), and his feathers were also tidied up and looking good (despite me having tried to do this myself a month or so ago with a pretty bad result). Jo had also trimmed him very short under his belly because he had gotten a bit knotted there but because of the line of his fur it wasn’t noticeable and hopefully it will stop more knots occuring.

This dog grooming cost me £45 which is pretty good value I think, given he is a giant breed. And my dog was pretty untroubled by the experience and looks great.

Barkers Barber

Broomfield Road Car Park

Rear of Risbrough Lane

Cheriton, Folkestone, CT15 4AR

Tel: 01303 278178

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EDF were coming to switch on the electrics in my new office premises - but after some questioning it was realised that the meter had been taken our many months ago - so a new one had to be fitted - fair enough! But that meant that I also needed to get an independent Electrician to check the office wiring to ensure that it was safe to switch back on. I needed to get a Dead Test (or some other such name certificate).

EDF were coming in 7 days and I called a local electrician and he said he would be there a few days before the EDF visit. We waited and waited - but he didn’t turn up and he didn’t ring either. So that only left a few days to find an electrician who would turn up.

A friend recommended Matthew Southwell - of MKS Electrical Contractors. I called him and he said he would be there early the next day before his other jobs. And despite parking problems he was true to his word and right on time.

Matthew completed the job in under an hour - and said if we had any problems with EDF we should call him and he would pop back to help us out. That wasn’t necessary thank goodness - but it was nice to have the fallback plan if needed. Matthew was polite, courteous, helpful and did what he said he would do - in my book that makes him a good guy and one I would certainly recommend to others.

www.mks-electrical.co.uk

Tel 0800 043 6573

eMail info@mks-electrical.co.uk

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As usual I had left the MOT for my Freelander till the last minute, not deliberately you understand, but I just plain forgot again! I rang around several garages but nobody could fit my car in. Eventually I rang Geraldine Motors, referred to me by my neighbour when I told him that I hadn’t found a garage who could do this work at short notice.

Geraldine Motors Ltd. 1-2 Park Road, Cheriton, Folkestone, CT19 4DG. Tel 01303 275114

I rang Geraldine Motors and was told to bring my motor in straight away and they would fit it in - this was music to my ears.

Park Road is mostly residential road and parking is tight, but after efficiently checking my motor in they took my car onto their premises.

After a couple of hours I was called to collect my car which had passed the MOT.

When I collected my car the mechanic explained that my headlights had been out of alignment sufficient to fail the MOT, but they had adjusted them to save me having to get a re test.

All in all I was extremely pleased with the service I received. Geraldine Motors were polite, helpful and efficient and I would definitely go back there again. They know what they are doing and you get a feeling that you are dealing with good guys who can be trusted and do not BS you. And even better -  next year they will send me an MOT reminder too.

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