Here Comes a Nutribullet Blender, Cookery Books, Beauty Treats and More Great Prizes Christmas Make Your Entertaining Deliciously Easy

FREE for our members

WINTER 2015/16 THE SOUTHERN CO-OPERATIVE

'Tis the season… How winter can be good for your health Time for action Why we need to stop climate change

Win! Here comes A Nutribullet blender, cookery books, beauty treats and more great prizes Christmas Make your entertaining deliciously easy

LOCAL LIVES Get more from our business Charity and community update

contents We l c o m e … ...to our latest issue. It’s good to know how much our members value this magazine for membership information, recipes, 18 community news and fundraising – as well as our giveaways (see p33 for our survey results). Over 42% of respondents to this survey also said they became a member because of the way we support local communities and the environment. This summer, colleagues embraced the Co-op Big Clean during Co-operatives Fortnight, litter-picking, weeding and beach-cleaning (p28). Read more, too, about our charity awareness week for Whizz-Kidz (p29), which helped raise enough to fund three tailored, powered 28 wheelchairs for disabled children! 10 Members also told us they like news via email, Features Regulars too, so if this is the case for you, let us know by 18 ALL YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS 5 NOW’S A GREAT TIME TO... emailing [email protected]. Simple tricks to make Yuletide really special Enjoy winter with these seasonal ideas As shown by the £86,500 donated to 21 WHY WINTER IS GOOD FOR YOU 6 WHAT’S GOING ON? Whizz-Kidz from odd pence on our 2015 Share The colder months can boost your health The Oaks open day and new store openings of the Proﬁts (p32), it’s often the little things that 23 WE MISS YOU SO MUCH 9 NEWS FROM YOUR SOCIETY make all the difference. We’ve got plenty of A time to remember loved ones Tackling retail crime together simple suggestions in ‘All you want for Christmas’ 24 YOUR CARING CO-OPERATIVE 27 OPINION (p18) on ways to make festivities extra special Together we are making things better Campaigner Tony Juniper on climate change without unwelcome stress and expense. Our 28 WE’RE GIVING BACK TO YOU 31 MY FAVOURITE THINGS recipes (p10) are easy to make and a tasty twist We’re helping local charities and groups Create & Cook champions on what they like on traditional Christmas fare. And remember, as 32 MORE FOR OUR MEMBERS a little treat to yourself, enter our free giveaways Food Fundraising news and our survey results (p35) solely for TSC members! A happy, healthy 10 CHRISTMAS IS COMING 34 PINBOARD and prosperous year ahead to you! Try our easy entertaining ideas for You have your say perfect parties 35 OUR GREAT WINTER GIVEAWAY 17 THE CAKE CRUSADER A chance to win a nifty kitchen gadget The story behind Rosco the reindeer and lots of other goodies SOPHIE BOXALL Editor

CONTACT The Co-operative Magazine, The Southern Co-operative, 1000 Lakeside, For a chance to win a Nutribullet or book (p5), or a yogurt maker, water bottle, Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3FE cookbook, beauty set or cycling jacket (p35), send a postcard or email Email [email protected] Web thesouthernco-operative.co.uk marked NUTRI, BOOK, YOGURT, WATER, COOKBOOK, BEAUTY or For membership queries phone 0800 65 20 124 or JACKET, with your name, address, phone number and your The Southern email [email protected] Co-operative (TSC) membership number, to our address (left). To enter The Southern Co-operative Limited is an industrial and provident society registered in England with registered online, click on WIN! at thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/membership. Closing number 1591R at registered ofﬁce 1000 Lakeside, date: 20 January 2016. Full T&Cs on website. Only open to TSC members. Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3FE

The Co-operative Magazine is published on behalf of The Southern Co-operative by The River Group, Garden Floor, 16 Connaught Place, London W2 2ES. Tel: 020 7420 7000. Fax: 020 7583 8598. Web: therivergroup.co.uk © The River Group 2015. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Repro by Zebra. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers, but of individual writers.

things to do

Win! Enjoy winter with these seasonal ideas

WHIZZ UP A POWER SHAKE The new year is a great time to get some healthy eating and drinking under way. Try blending 25g shredded fresh kale, 1 large apple (chopped), the juice of 1 lemon, 2cm peeled fresh ginger root (or ½ tsp ground ginger) with water to the max line in a super-powered Nutribullet blender. It makes blending a breeze, extracting the maximum nutrition from fruit, vegetables and seeds. Find more recipes at buynutribullet.co.uk. We’ve one Nutribullet up for grabs, worth £99.99. To enter, see page 3, prize code NUTRI.

MEET SANTA Get the festive season off to a BE A MEMBER great start by taking the kids Make the most of your membership with us. Use your to meet Father Christmas at a membership card in our stores National Trust site near you. and across our business. Santa and his (real) reindeer Read more about the beneﬁts will be swinging by Hinton of this on page 32. Ampner in Hampshire on 21 and 22 December, 11am-4pm. Visit the magical Christmas courtyard and meet two of Santa’s favourite reindeers, and in the Grotto Father Christmas will be taking note of present requests. Then you can follow the family trail and enjoy more Christmas fun. For more information, log onto nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats- love your leftovers on/ﬁnd-an-event. Transform wilting veg and last Tweak a festive treat night’s leftovers into simple and delicious meals with the There’s nothing like a homemade mince pie help of River Cottage Love Your (turn to page 15 for our delicious recipe). Leftovers. This But life can get hectic at this time of year, new book from so if you’re feeling rushed, drop by your Hugh Fearnley- local store and pick up some Loved By Us Whittingstall Mince Pies and give them your own twist is full of clever by sprinkling with a mix of grated chocolate and creative and orange zest. For more easy entertaining tips to make ideas, turn to page 18. PHOTOGRAPHY: NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES TRUST NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: tasty meals from all kinds of leftover GO WINTER WALKING Take part in Britain’s biggest ingredients. walking festival with the Ramblers (ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks). Running We’ve got one from 19 December 2015 to 3 January 2016, there are hundreds of signed copy to give away. Win! free group walks, open to all. Choose from festive, kid-friendly strolls, To enter, see page 3, prize walks for health, wanders for those new to walking, plus some more code BOOK. challenging treks. There’s something for everyone, so get out there!

5 WE’RE such good value for you The price of both our Co-operative own-brand semi-skimmed milk (four pints) and half-a-dozen free-range eggs remains at £1 across all our stores as part of our ‘Value. Every Day. ? Locally’ campaign. This great value for our customers does not come at the expense of our dairy farmers and egg suppliers, as it is funded wholly by The Southern Co-operative. Neither have we compromised our ethical standards, as all our eggs are free-range, and we continue What’s to purchase our milk through The Co-operative Dairy Group, British dairy farmers who are paid a premium to produce milk, going on? having met Co-operative welfare and quality standards.

We held an Oaks open day and have been opening lots of new food stores, including a very special one on the Isle of Wight. Plus, we are totally committed to Value. Every Day. Locally

Our ﬂagship Local Flavours store in Freshwater, IoW

A flagship for our future Our popular Local dedicated ‘Fresh from the Island’ energy-from-waste facility. The lighting use, and the building- Flavours range of food counter, offering locally sourced car park surface is permeable management system makes and drink sourced from meat, fish, cheese, savoury pies to absorb rainfall and minimise for more efficient refrigeration, local producers and suppliers and more. Free Local Flavours puddles, and landscaping is heating and lighting, reducing all began on the Isle of Wight tastings will be held regularly in designed to attract wildlife and energy consumption. in 2006. So it is fitting that our store, so that customers can try enhance habitat through planting All the electricity used by the purpose-built store in Freshwater products from the range and will and the inclusion of bat boxes and store comes from renewable on the Island, which opened be encouraged to support local. a nesting sparrow terrace. Inside, sources, through a green energy in September, is The Southern The new store has good water-efficient measures such as contract. And customers with Co-operative’s flagship Local green credentials, too. All store low-flow WCs, taps and showers electric vehicles can recharge Flavours store. Food and drink waste is backhauled on delivery offer up to 40 per cent water them at the store, as well as from over 35 Isle of Wight growers vehicles to be sent for recycling, saving. Low-energy LED lighting being able to take advantage and producers is stocked, with a anaerobic digestion or to an and occupancy sensors minimise of dedicated parking spaces.

6 all about us

the conservation work they have undertaken to protect and enhance the environment and wildlife. Visitors also saw the wildﬂower meadow, natural pond and ancient woodland. One visitor commented: ‘Having previously only been to The Oaks to attend two funerals, I visited with different eyes. The tour was interesting, the grounds are peaceful and inviting, A very and – above all – each member of your team was different pleasant, knowledgeable and friendly. I hope that the open day was as successful for you as it was day out mind-settling for me.’ The Oaks can accommodate funeral services Over 300 people came to our open day crematorium is run. This, in turn, helped to for up to 200 people from any cultural and with a difference, held earlier this year at dispel the myths surrounding cremation. We’ve ethnic background, as well as alternative forms The Oaks, Havant Crematorium in Hampshire. had some lovely feedback, and it’s encouraging of farewell. havantcrematorium.co.uk The Oaks Team Leader, Neil Fish, explains: that we have helped to reassure people.’ You are welcome to attend the memorial ‘Visitors were very interested to see behind the Our partners, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife service at The Oaks on 12 December. scenes and gain an understanding of how a Trust, led tours around the grounds, to explain Read more on p23.

Left: Noodle, Wallscourt Farm Academy’s school dog, helped open our Cheswick Village store

can use. A proper high-street store right The new Odiham on our doorstep!’ Fifteen jobs were created with the store is a hub for opening of our store in Cheswick Village, a the local community new residential development on the edge of Bristol, with a further 18 jobs created at our new Yeovil store, which was opened Feeling very welcome by Peter Littlewood, Director of The Young People’s Trust for the Environment (YPTE). Our new store openings over the past few provided by Hook & Odiham Lions Club, We’ve also opened in Cranbrook, near months have been well received locally. In sits on the store’s exterior wall. Exeter, in Alder Road, Poole, and our Local Odiham, where we replaced the old store To celebrate our store opening in Flavours ﬂagship store in Freshwater, on with one twice the size, Store Manager Banwell, near Weston-super-Mare, in the Isle of Wight (see opposite page). Tony Scott (above, third left) says: ‘There August, we donated £500 to be shared by was a real buzz from the community user groups of the village hall, including about the store opening, which is exciting the local gardening club, playgroup, WELL DONE for us. We want to be a local hub for the Guides and Brownies, Cubs and Scouts. community, and cater for all its needs.’ Nicci Freake, Bookings Secretary at WICKHAM! Big congratulations are in Odiham’s customers can also use a Banwell Village Hall, says: ‘We couldn’t order for our Wickham store Citizens Advice Bureau kiosk to access wait for the store to open! It’s brilliant in Hampshire; winners of information online at any time during for the village, turning an empty site into The News Retail & Leisure opening hours (7am–10pm). A deﬁbrillator, something everyone in the community Excellence Community Contribution of the Year Award.

all about us

TSC news TACKLING RETAIL CRIME TOGETHER

The Southern Co-operative, Sussex Police and the Sussex Business Crime Reduction Partnership are working together to improve crime reporting and prevention across Sussex, Special with support from the Report Home Ofﬁce. Business crime accounts for 21% of all recorded crime in Sussex, and crime against the retail sector accounts The Sussex Retail Crime for around 47% of that total. of a criminal individual or group. For The Southern Partnership Project is encouraging According to the British Retail This approach to intelligence Co-operative, the Sussex Consortium, business crime gathering will help identify regional Retail Crime Partnership Project shops to engage with the police costs the UK retail sector a organised criminal activity. provides a co-operative structure whopping £511 million per year. Sussex Police & Crime for the businesses to deal with app Facewatch to report and However, only one in 10 retail Commissioner Katy Bourne is crime as well as effective ‘boots record retail crime electronically crimes is reported, states the prioritising improved access to on the ground’. The Southern to Sussex Police.’ British Retail Crime Survey 2013. information and intelligence, and Co-operative’s Loss Prevention The aim is to extend the In a bid to improve things, the scheme further among the Sussex Retail Crime Partnership Business crime costs the business community and, by Project has been awarded doing so, retail stores can help £249,000 (over two years) UK retail sector a whopping protect their proﬁts and prevent through the Government’s stock losses. The data retrieved Police Innovation Fund. The £511 million each year will help the police identify repeat Southern Co-operative is offenders and determine the providing an additional £170,000 better engagement between & Security Services Manager, best police response. in resource support. police and the local business Gareth Lewis, explains: ‘The The knock-on effect is a The aim of this project is to community as part of the Sussex project launched in September, far more robust approach to encourage shops, particularly Police & Crime Plan. ‘It is vital that and business wardens are tackling serious and organised in remote communities, to local organisations and the police initially operating within set areas crime. Not surprisingly, there engage with the police. It can work together to reduce business of Sussex, which covers all The is much interest in this project often be a challenge for them to crime and help to create a safe Southern Co-operative stores in and the potential to replicate connect shop thefts carried out and secure county in which to live the county. The wardens will use it in business communities in multiple locations to the work and work,’ she says. the secure online crime-reporting across the UK.

9 Pretty nice Use a variety of glasses in different shapes and heights to add to the decorative look of these festive jellies.

Christmas is coming

Whether you want to get festive fast, cut down on cooking or tweak a traditional treat, our deliciously simple food ideas will make entertaining family and friends easy Prosecco Jellies Makes 10-12 Ready in around 20 minutes, plus setting

180g caster sugar 100ml cranberry juice 2 x (12g) sachets powdered gelatine 500ml prosecco 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice Fresh raspberries and icing sugar, to decorate

1 Place the caster sugar in a heavy-based saucepan with 300ml water. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved then increase heat slightly until simmering. Simmer for 5 minutes then remove from heat. Stir in cranberry juice. 2 Meanwhile, pour 150ml cold water into a bowl. Sprinkle over the gelatine and leave to soak for 2-3 minutes, until spongy. Dissolve in the microwave for 30-40 seconds until smooth, runny and clear. Give extra 10 second bursts if not fully dissolved. 3 Whisk the dissolved gelatine mixture into the cranberry liquid then add the prosecco and lemon juice. Mix well. Divide between 10-12 serving glasses, cover loosely with cling ﬁlm and chill for 5-6 hours or overnight, until set. To serve, decorate with fresh raspberries and dust lightly with icing sugar.

approx. per serving (serves 10) ENERGY FAT SATURATES SUGARS SALT 667kJ 0g 0g 25g 0g 158kcal LOW LOW MED LOW 7%0% 0% 27% 0% % of adult’s reference intake carbohydrates per serving: 25g

Smoked Salmon Rotolos Serves 6-8 (24-28 slices) Ready in around 15 minutes

200g mascarpone Zest and juice of ½ small lemon 1 red chilli, de-seeded and finely chopped approx. per serving (serves 6) 25g rocket, chopped ENERGY FAT SATURATES SUGARS SALT 200g The Co-operative Loved By Us 1138kJ 20g 11g 2g 1.4g 274kcal HIGH* HIGH* LOW MED smoked salmon 13%27% 55% 2% 23% Light bite 2 The Co-operative tortilla wraps % of adult’s reference intake carbohydrates per serving: 12.5g Try a little chopped Extra rocket leaves and lemon wedges, to garnish avocado in the mix. Or, for a lower-fat version, swap 1 Mix the mascarpone with the lemon zest and rocket mixture. Roll up the salmon, using the mascarpone and juice, chilli and rocket. Season. the baking paper or cling ﬁlm to help you. for ricotta. 2 Place a piece of baking paper or cling ﬁlm 3 Spread the remaining mascarpone mixture slightly larger than the size of the wrap on a over the other wrap. Top with the rest of the work surface. Arrange 100g smoked salmon smoked salmon slices, then roll up tightly. slices next to each other to cover an area the 4 Cut both rotolos into 2cm slices. Arrange size of a tortilla wrap. Place a wrap on the on a serving platter or on skewers. Garnish

*This recipe has one or more red traffic lights. It’s fine to eat occasionally or as a treat It’s *This recipe has one or more red traffic lights. salmon, then spread with half the mascarpone with rocket leaves and lemon wedges.

11 Festive Meatballs 1 tbsp olive oil (to prevent sticking). Roll spoonfuls of the Makes 28 (serves 4-6 as a main course; 2 tsp grated orange rind and chopped mixture between your hands to make around 8-10 as a party bite) Ready in around 30 minutes coriander or parsley, to garnish 28 walnut-sized meatballs. SAUCE 3 Heat the olive oil in a large, non-stick frying MEATBALLS Finely grated rind of 1 orange and 3 tbsp of the juice pan and cook the meatballs over a medium 1 onion, peeled and very finely chopped 6 tbsp The Co-operative Loved By Us heat for 6-8 minutes (in batches if necessary), 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped cranberry sauce turning frequently until browned. Remove with 500g lean minced beef, lamb or pork a slotted spoon and place on the lined baking 1 tbsp tomato purée 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/ tray. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove 1 tsp ground cumin, or to taste Gas 4. Line a baking tray with baking paper. excess oil on kitchen paper before serving. 1 tsp ground coriander, or to taste Place the onion, garlic, minced meat, tomato 4 Meanwhile, place grated orange rind and 1 tsp paprika purée, spices, breadcrumbs and coriander juice in a saucepan with cranberry sauce and 75g fresh breadcrumbs or parsley in a large bowl. Season well. Use heat gently, stirring until well combined. A small handful of freshly chopped your hands to mix together thoroughly. Add Simmer for a few minutes. Spoon sauce over coriander or parsley (optional) the beaten egg and mix again. the meatballs, garnish with orange rind and 1 medium egg, beaten 2 Wash and wet your hands herbs. Serve with rice and vegetables.

Feed a crowd Make smaller balls and serve as a party bite. Or serve the sauce with ready-made meatballs.

approx. each meatball ENERGY FAT SATURATES SUGARS SALT 210kJ 1.5g 0.5g 3g 0.1g 50kcal MED MED MED LOW 2%2% 2% 3% 1% % of adult’s reference intake carbohydrates per serving: 4.5g

12 Spicy Stuffed Squash 2 Place the squash, flesh side up, in a baking Serves 4 Ready in around 1 hour 45 minutes dish. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover 2 butternut squashes and return to the oven for 20 minutes or until 3 tbsp olive oil the flesh of the butternut squash is tender. 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 3 Meanwhile, make the filling. Heat the Winter 2-3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped remaining oil in a large non-stick frying pan. warmer 300g leeks, sliced Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook Use up Christmas 75g The Co-operative Loved By Us semi-dried for 4-5 minutes, until beginning to soften. Add leftovers like cooked tomatoes, chopped the leeks and cook for a further 6 minutes, ham and turkey in the 50g fresh breadcrumbs until the leeks are soft. Remove from the heat squash stuffing. 3 tbsp pine nuts and stir in the chopped semi-dried tomatoes, 100g The Co-operative Rich & Creamy breadcrumbs and pine nuts. Season and Blue Stilton, crumbled leave to cool. Once cool, stir in the Stilton. Freshly chopped chives or parsley, to 4 Remove the squash from the oven, scoop garnish (optional) out the flesh and fold it into the leek mixture.

Spoon the mixture back into the squash and approx. per serving (serves 4) 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/ return to the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until ENERGY FAT SATURATES SUGARS SALT 2633kJ 36g 9g 26.5g 1.1g Gas 6. Using a large, sharp knife, cut the ﬁlling is golden and the cheese is melted. 632kcal HIGH* HIGH* LOW LOW the butternut squash in half, lengthways. Ser 31%51% 44% 29% 18% ve straight away, scattered with freshly % of adult’s reference intake Scoop out the seeds and discard. chopped chives or parsley (optional). carbohydrates per serving: 52g

13 Super Healthy Salad Serves 4 Ready in around 15 minutes, plus infusing

DRESSING 3 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 garlic clove, peeled and halved 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp honey A small handful of freshly chopped parsley SALAD 1 bulb of fennel 300g The Co-operative Loved By Us peeled Brussels sprouts, trimmed and very thinly sliced 1 red pepper, de-seeded and cut into thin strips 50g walnut halves, toasted and roughly chopped 1 crisp eating apple, cored and chopped

1 Place the oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard and honey in a screwtop jar. Season and shake well to mix. Add the parsley and set aside to infuse (for at least 30 minutes). 2 Cut the feathery fronds from the fennel and ﬁnely chop. Add to the salad dressing jar. Get fruity Finely slice the fennel into ﬁne shreds. 3 Place all the salad ingredients in a bowl Instead of apple and and toss to mix. Remove the garlic from the walnuts try adding chopped dressing and shake again. Pour over the salad clementine segments and and toss again to coat. Serve straight away. toasted hazelnuts to approx. per serving (serves 4) the salad. ENERGY FAT SATURATES SUGARS SALT 1009kJ 18.5g 2.5g 9g 0.2g 244kcal MED LOW LOW LOW 12% 26% 12% 10% 3% % of adult’s reference intake carbohydrates per serving: 10g HOME ECONOMIST: SIAN DAVIES. PHOTOGRAPHY: ANT DUNCAN. PROPS AND STYLING: LUCY PARISSI 14 14 Clementine and Chocolate 3mm thick. Use a 8cm round cutter Mince Pies to stamp out 16 circles. Place the Makes 16 Ready in around 30 minutes pastry circles in the holes of the tins. 3 Divide the chocolate orange 60p 10g butter, for greasing mincemeat between the pastry 1 jar of The Co-operative Loved By Us cases, spooning it into the centre mincemeat of each. Re-roll the pastry and cut The Co-operative Loved Finely grated rind of 2 clementines, out 16 Christmas shapes, such as By Us Mincemeat 411g and the juice of ½ clementine stars, Christmas trees or bells. MAG/Mincemeat/winter15 60g The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Gently place the shapes on top of T&Cs: The voucher may only be redeemed at The Co-operative food stores operated by The Southern Co-operative Limited and must be presented at time of purchase to receive Ghanaian dark chocolate with spices the mincemeat. advertised saving. The voucher may not be used for alternative products and is not refundable and orange oil, chopped 4 Brush the mince pies with beaten nor may it be exchanged for cash. Only original vouchers are valid and no photocopies will be accepted. Valid until 6 January 2016. Flour, for dusting egg and bake for 12-15 minutes or 500g ready-made shortcrust pastry until golden. Serve warm or cold, Beaten egg, to glaze dusted with icing sugar. Icing sugar, for dusting

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas 6. Lightly grease 16 holes in 60p two non-stick patty/pie tins (or make in batches if you only have one tin). Spice it up Place the mincemeat in a bowl and The Co-operative Large add the clementine rind and juice. Mix Swap the chocolate Tortilla Wraps (8-pack) well. Stir in the chopped chocolate. and clementine for a 2 Lightly dust a surface with ﬂour. Roll little chopped stem ginger MAG/Tortilla/winter15 T&Cs: The voucher may only be redeemed at The Co-operative food stores operated by out the shortcrust pastry to around and lemon zest in the The Southern Co-operative Limited and must be presented at time of purchase to receive mincemeat mix. advertised saving. The voucher may not be used for alternative products and is not refundable approx. each mince pie nor may it be exchanged for cash. Only original vouchers are valid and no photocopies will be accepted. Valid until 6 January 2016. ENERGY FAT SATURATES SUGARS SALT 1054kJ 13g 4.5g 19g 0.2g 252kcal HIGH* HIGH* HIGH* LOW 12% 18% 23% 20% 3% % of adult’s reference intake carbohydrates per serving: 30.5g 50p The Co-operative Rich & Creamy Blue Stilton 230g MAG/Stilton/winter15 T&Cs: The voucher may only be redeemed at The Co-operative food stores operated by The Southern Co-operative Limited and must be presented at time of purchase to receive advertised saving. The voucher may not be used for alternative products and is not refundable nor may it be exchanged for cash. Only original vouchers are valid and no photocopies will be accepted. Valid until 6 January 2016. 50p

The Co-operative Lean Beef Steak Mince 500g MAG/Mince/winter15

T&Cs: The voucher may only be redeemed at The Co-operative food stores operated by The Southern Co-operative Limited and must be presented at time of purchase to receive advertised saving. The voucher may not be used for alternative products and is not refundable nor may it be exchanged for cash. Only original vouchers are valid and no photocopies will be accepted. Valid until 6 January 2016.

CHRISTMAS story The cake crusader The Co-operative Food’s Paul Dempsey explains how the new Loved By Us Chocolate Reindeer Cake arrived in store

eet Rosco, The Co-operative Food’s new Loved By Us Reindeer Cake. His existence Mthis Christmas is all thanks to the success of 2014’s Snowman Cake, which flew off the shelves – 40,000 cakes were produced, with 95 per cent of them selling within 11 days. ‘We knew we had to bring the Snowman back,’ says Food Product Developer Paul Dempsey, who’s responsible for instore bakery items. ‘But his popularity gave us the confidence to try a new festive chocolate cake.’ These fun cakes came about following a decline in the sales of Christmas puddings. According to a survey by a UK food magazine, only 54 per cent of adults now like to eat the traditional festive dessert. ‘We wanted to create an alternative Christmas centrepiece,’ explains Paul. ‘One that could be appreciated by kids and adults alike.’ After deciding on a chocolate cake, the obvious option was to make it a reindeer. Two of The Co-operative’s regular suppliers were invited to submit their concepts for the cake. ‘Greencore, which makes our sandwiches This chocolate Reindeer Cake will put and many ready meals, got very close to what we wanted,’ Paul says. ‘They won the contract.’ a smile on everyone’s face at Christmas The Co-operative Food has a robust process for launching new products. For the Reindeer Cake, Paul worked closely with the buyer and executive before being signed off. and mark them using an app. ‘Rosco scored technical manager to make sure it could be Then the Taste Team had to give its verdict. 8.1 out of nine,’ Paul says. produced in the quantities required, and at the The team is made up of volunteers from The £6 cake got its name in a competition right price. Because the Reindeer Cake is for other sections of The Co-operative to find the perfect moniker. Rosco was picked Christmas, it went all the way up to the chief community. They take new products home with the help of celebrity judge Luis Troyano, a finalist in series five of the BBC’s The Great British Bake Off. The winner won a cake and ‘We wanted to create an alternative one for each colleague in their store. Christmas never really ends for Paul and his Christmas centrepiece – one that colleagues. ‘As soon as the mince pies come could be appreciated by kids and out in September, we start development for next year’s range,’ says Paul. ‘Christmas is adults alike’ Paul Dempsey, Food Product Developer a year-round event for me. Food-wise, not a

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANT DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY: day goes by when I don’t think about it.’

17 spend time with friends and family The best thing about Christmas is catching up with family and friends, so you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen, missing out on all the fun. Pop into your local Co-operative Food store and All stock up on time-saving foods. You’ll fi nd perfect YOU Christmas buffet and snack foods such as want for The Co-operative Loved By Us Smooth Christmas Brussels Pâté, Houmous This most wonderful time of the year isn’t Selection Pack, Baking Camembert with Pancetta about spending too much on expensive presents and Sausage Roll Pinwheels. For or wearing ourselves out cooking that meal. sweet lovers, try festive treats such It’s about all the little things that make as The Co-operative Profi teroles. You’ll also fi nd healthy it extra special for you, your seasonal fruit and veg, such as juicy clementines. family and friends…

Simple giFTS A £440 robot is topping the list of must-have high-tech toys this Christmas. Instead, why not opt for a few homemade presents as a simpler, cheaper and delicious alternative. Homemade chutneys, sweets and decorated tree biscuits all make great gifts.

An alternative tree Why not do something different this year? Find some large, twiggy branches and put them in a jug or in soil in a pot. Spray them white and add touches of gold or silver to the branch ends with spray paint. Add a string of LED lights and some simple decorations. Then leave some brown luggage labels next to it, and ask family and guests to write their own personalised messages on them to hang on the tree. You’ll have some happy memories to keep after Christmas. WORDS: JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAW. ALLSTAR, ANT DUNCAN, GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK

18 christmas at home

Fantastic festive Festive fi lms Take time out with the family playlist pre-Christmas to get in the festive mood with a classic The music sets the mood. Find seasonal fi lm. It’s a great way a song for present wrapping, A sprout or two to build up the excitement. cooking, decorating the tree – Hunker down with some warm, or working off that Christmas Make Brussels sprouts irresistible! Melt mulled wine or hot chocolate dinner – by downloading our and a plate of mince pies, and top six favourites… 50g butter. Add 2 tsp grated lemon zest, the enjoy one of our fi ve favourite festive fi lms… Christmas Song (Chestnuts juice of half a lemon, ½ tsp dried chilli fl akes, Roasting On An Open Fire) 50g brown sugar and 50g chopped walnuts. s¬ It’s a Wonderful Life – the by The King Cole Trio Cook gently until the nuts caramelise. Stir in all-time Christmas classic (pictured) Let it Snow! Let it Snow! 750g blanched Brussels sprouts. Delicious! s¬ Elf – if you haven’t seen Let it Snow! by Vaughn it already, make 2015 the Monroe/Dean Martin/Smokey year you do Robinson & The Miracles s¬Scrooge Rockin’ around the Christmas hot not toddy s¬Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Tree by Brenda Lee Someone has to do the s¬Home Alone All I want for Christmas is You driving over Christmas, by Mariah Carey so don’t leave out the Fairytale of New York teetotallers. Put a cup by The Pogues featuring each of cranberry Kirsty MacColl juice and orange juice, Christmas Lights by Coldplay 2 cloves, 1 tbsp honey, Or buy a Christmas-themed ½ tsp grated ginger, CD. We love the two-disc 1 cinnamon stick and A Family Christmas: 44 a squeeze of lemon in Christmas Classics by various a pan. Warm through. artists, including Bing Crosby, Serve as a hot toddy Judy Garland, Doris Day and with slices of orange. The Beverley Sisters, £4.99. Or for a more traditional touch, try Carols from Winchester Cathedral, £9.87. Wintry scent

Nothing beats the smell of pine, cinnamon and orange to say Christmas is here. Make your own festive pot pourri by piling a handful each of small pine cones, cinnamon sticks, star anise and dried orange slices into a bowl. (To dry the orange slices, blot with paper towels and put in the oven at 120°C/100°C Fan/Gas ½ for three hours; or leave them on top of a radiator for a few hours). Leave by the front door so you’re greeted with the scent. It makes a great gift, too – wrap in cellophane and tie with ribbon.

19 Fine festive tipples It always pays to plan ahead at Christmas time. Look out for deals in store on festive ﬁzz such as The Co-operative Prosecco to get the party started, and red and white wines to go with your roast. If you’re planning a party over the Christmas period, turn to page 11 for our recipe for Prosecco Jellies to welcome your guests. Classic board games Monopoly: Why not buy the 80th anniversary edition, featuring tokens from the 1930s to present day, as a Christmas pressie for the family? Scrabble: This word game is never out of fashion. Trivial Pursuit: Quick-ﬁre questions that will bring out your guests’ competitive streak.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS DINNER EVER Try TV chef and mum of three Rachel Allen’s top three tips for the perfect festive meal. 1 Start thinking about your Christmas menu a few weeks before. Make lists – it helps to get everything down on paper. 2 People like to contribute, so delegate. My aunt was renowned for her delicious ham and was always delighted to bring one along. 3 If things get a little overwhelming in the kitchen, go outside and take 10 deep breaths. It never fails!

Did you know...? O Just under 60 million A time for giving Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe. Christmas is a time to OChristmas pudding was think of others outside originally a soup made our own circle of friends with raisins and wine. and family. While you’re OJingle Bells was the ﬁrst song to be sung in space – doing your Christmas by astronauts Tom Stafford and food shop, perhaps you Wally Schirra on 16 December 1965. could donate an item OA quarter of the 40,000 tons of Brussels to the food bank at your sprouts we eat annually in the UK are consumed in December. local store. Or if you OIt’s thought that the Ancient Greeks may have started have a bit more time, the tradition of kissing under mistletoe, and it was later extended to wedding ceremonies. It became a tradition in how about volunteering Britain during Victorian times. Apparently, if a girl refused in your area? Getting involved with a deserving cause in a kiss while standing under the plant, she wouldn’t get your community is a great way to start the new year. any marriage proposals the following year!

20 your health

insomniacs often have a raised we use to keep warm. It dries body temperature, so if you out the air and the moist have trouble sleeping, keep your membranes of your lungs, bedroom cooler. Research also making your body less able to shows that sleeping in a cooler fight viruses and other infections. bedroom could reduce your Leaving a window open helps to chances of developing diabetes*. get air movement in the room, removing airborne viruses. Of It Helps you lose weight course, being cooped up inside You don’t have to pile on the or on public transport with pounds in winter as the cold can people sneezing over us doesn’t actually help you lose weight. help, either. So always catch We have brown and white fat in a sneeze with a hanky (not your our bodies, and the brown fat hand!), to avoid spreading bugs. burns calories more effectively than the white. Body fat stays IT Beats the blues fairly constant in the same A quick run or walk in the cold temperature, but Dutch research can be an instant mood lifter. has shown brown fat is triggered Exercise also strengthens your into action if you start to breathe immune system, reduces stress in cold air, so you burn more and increases endorphins calories. Result! (happy hormones). Winter can be a very sociable time of year, IT Boosts your and getting out and meeting brain power other people can be really YOU Did you know that your brain good for your mental health. functions better in cooler It can help alleviate symptoms temperatures? Unsurprisingly, of depression, reduce stress Here’s how the colder months can be beneficial however, the more studies and increase self-esteem. Of that are undertaken, the more course, the gift of giving – what to your health. Plus, find all you need to treat disagreement there is as to what Christmas should really be seasonal sniffles in our stores the optimum temperature is! about, with charitable thoughts and actions – can give you IT Can help prevent a boost, too. Called ‘helper’s coughs and colds high’, the simple action of doing It Boosts your immunity production. So, a cold blast It’s not the cold weather that good for others can boost brain Being exposed to cold for of the shower every morning aggravates all our coughs and endorphins. So why not get short bursts can help keep or getting out in the cold more colds but the central heating giving in your community now? your immune system strong. could actually protect you. How? Because your metabolic rate speeds up as your body IT improves sleep Flu fighters tries to warm itself when it’s Let in some cool winter air to Tackle winter chills and ills by popping into your local cold and you produce more your bedroom, or turn down Co-operative store, where you’ll find a good selection immune-protective white blood the heat on cold nights and you of remedies to help relieve the symptoms of colds and

JOURNAL IN NOVEMBER 2014 NOVEMBER IN JOURNAL cells, which help fight off bugs. should sleep better. Most of us flu. You’ll also find the ingredients for a natural cough Those brave people who take like a toasty bedroom of 21ºC and cold remedy, such as lemon and honey. This

DIABETES daily dips in freezing-cold water (70ºF) or higher, but The Sleep soothing drink is effective against seasonal have the right idea. Research Council recommends that you snifﬂes because of the antibacterial properties by Professor Vijay Kakkar of the keep your bedroom cooler – at in honey and the high vitamin-C content in lemon. Thrombosis Research Institute around 16ºC to 18ºC (60ºF to Squeeze half a lemon into a cup and ﬁll with hot in London shows that cold 65ºF) – for a good night’s sleep. water, then stir in two teaspoons of honey until water boosts your circulation Your core body temperature dissolved and drink.

WORDS: JULIA PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAW. THINKSTOCK. *RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN and stimulates immune cell is normally lowest at night, but

FUNERALCARE ‘We miss you so much’ Members share how Christmas brings bittersweet memories of loved ones lost. Plus, all are welcome to remember with us

‘Gran made this CELEBRATE THEIR LIVES time of year so We are inviting family and friends of loved ones whose funerals very special’ have been held at The Oaks Havant Crematorium and Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground to join our memorial services. These Alice is 22 and lives in Bristol. Her are on Sunday, 6 December at Clayton Wood and Saturday, 12 grandmother, Mary, died from a December at The Oaks, both from 1.30pm to 3pm. Refreshments stroke in 2012. will be served after each service. Visit havantcrematorium.co.uk or ‘My granny, Mary, loved the festive season and liked nothing better claytonwood.co.uk. than a house full of people on Christmas Day. We’re a big family, and our Christmas gatherings were always at Gran’s right up until IT’S GOOD TO TALK the year before she died. It must have been so much work, but she Our Bereavement Centre’s free monthly Coffee, Care and Cake thrived on it. And though it was busy, she always made time for me, groups are open to anyone who is coping with the loss of a loved my brother and my cousins. When we were small, she took us to one. They’re a good way to meet others who are in a similar see Santa, and making festive cards and tree decorations remained situation in an informal, relaxed environment. There’s also the a yearly tradition. opportunity to talk to a counsellor over coffee and cake or to arrange ‘Gran wasn’t just at the heart of our family but also of her local a separate, free counselling appointment. The groups are held community, so everyone was welcome on Christmas Day. She often monthly, as below, from 10.30am to 12pm, unless stated otherwise: invited elderly neighbours or anyone who might otherwise have been rä+@JD ä(RKDäNEä6HFGSämä3GDä"N NODQ@SHUDä%TMDQ@KB@QD ä on their own to join us. With a little (but not much!) help from my ä3GDä%@HQV@X äRDBNMCä3GTQRC@XäNEäSGDäLNMSG mum and her sisters, Gran cooked all our festive food from scratch rä/NQSRLNTSGämä"@QDQRä"DMSQD ä.QBG@QCä1N@C äSGHQCä,NMC@Xä – turkey, cranberry sauce, mince pies, pudding and cake. It was of the month, 1.30pm to 3pm delicious. She even made her own sloe gin – she was famous for it. rä'NUDämä"@QHMFä+@CXä%TMDQ@Kä#HQDBSNQR ä!K@SBGHMFSNMä1N@C ä My mum and I make Gran’s recipe together every year and the whole second Monday of the month family has a toast to her. I miss my gran at Christmas, but it’s also a rä4BJkDKCämä+HAQ@QX ä'HFGä2SQDDS äRDBNMCä6DCMDRC@XäNEäSGDäLNMSG time of year when I feel really close to her and that’s a good feeling!’ rä6DRSATQXämä"QNRRONHMS ä,@QJDSä/K@BD äRDBNMCä%QHC@XäNEäSGDäLNMSG rä"K@XSNMä6NNC ä6DRSä2TRRDWämä"K@XSNMä6NNCä-@STQ@Kä!TQH@Kä ‘We’ll never forget our last “Christmas” Ground, Brighton Road, last Thursday of the month with our brave little Tom’ rä%@QMANQNTFGämä3GDä"N NODQ@SHUDä%TMDQ@KB@QD ä5HBSNQH@ä1N@C ä ﬁrst Thursday of the month Rebecca, 42, from Southampton, lost her four-year-old son, Tom, For more information, visit bereavementsupportgroups.co.uk. to cancer in November 2013. ‘When it became clear that our son, Tom, was not going to survive A NEW YEAR PLAN the brain tumour he’d been diagnosed with two years previously, The New Year is a good time to think about the future and plan ahead. my husband, David, and I were devastated. By October, time was "* While no one likes to think about it, planning for your funeral can save running out. Even though Tom was so ill, he’d been desperately

123. a lot of stress and upset for your family. The Southern Co-operative’s $ looking forward to Christmas, so we decided to give him a fantastic 33 prepaid funeral plan covers all the essentials and allows for personal

'4 early “Christmas”. It was very sad, but it was also, unexpectedly, quite 2 touches. The cost is set at today’s prices and you can choose to pay a wonderful day, too – full of love. Tom’s sisters, Milly, nine, and Lexi,

/'8ä over ﬁve years, so there’s no ﬁnancial worry for your family.

1 seven, were amazing, and the memory of the three of them giggling & over their stockings will stay with me forever. We miss our son terribly, .3. TO FIND OUT MORE go to funeralcare.co.uk

/' but we have joyful memories of him at this special time of year.’

23 ‘We’re on first-name terms with our customers’

Customer Services Assistant, Emily Palmer, 27, explains why keeping her regulars happy makes her job so worthwhile. ollowing a stint as an estate agent, I started working at The ‘F Southern Co-operative in 2009. I disliked the hard sell aspect of working in property, so my mum suggested I join The Southern Co-operative family – she works here, too. ‘My responsibilities vary from day to day. If I’m not on the till, I’m doing many different things, from dealing with store deliveries to sorting out shopping queries. ‘However, my favourite part of the job is dealing with customers. A lot of elderly residents live in the community local to our store. For many, shopping at The Southern Co-operative is their only option. It’s important that our customers know we appreciate them. ‘I see my role as more than just zapping things on the till. If necessary, I’ll help customers take their shopping out to their cars. Even if they’re just popping in for a pint of milk, I want them to know the store is accessible and that we’re approachable. I work hard to be friendly and welcoming, and I’ve lost count of the times our older customers have told us that if it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t be able to remain in their own homes. We’re helping them keep their independence. ‘We’re on ﬁrst-name terms with many customers, and they often send letters and cards to thank us. Occasionally, your caring they’ll write to head ofﬁce to report on the good service they’ve received. One of our customers collects postcards, so when colleagues go on holiday, they’ll invariably send him one. Co-operative ‘As well as working as an estate agent, I’ve tried other jobs since joining The Southern Co-operative, including Whether on a global scale or in your local store, working as cabin crew with British Airways, but I always end up returning The Southern Co-operative is making the world a better place here. It’s a fantastic job. There’s no workplace quite like it!’

24 WORDS: DANIELLE WRATE. PHOTOGRAPHY: THINKSTOCK that helptheenvironment.DrSueKinsey, we’re whollybehind. (excluding VAT) goestogoodcauses,which reduction inbaguse.Incomefromthelevy Ireland, whichhasledtoan80percent place inScotland,Wales andNorthern each. Similar5pchargeswerealreadyin getting throughasmany60bagsamonth cent ofcoastalwastecomesfromcarrierbags. Infact,70per litter ourtownsandcountryside. long timetodegrade,canharmwildlifeand invest in‘bagsforlife’. encourages shopperstore-usebagsor Introduced on5October, thisinitiative retailers tochargethisamountforbags. This isduetoanewlawrequiringalllarge Strategy Manager. ‘We’re aiming stores,’ saidBradHill,Fairtrade food asthepeoplewholivenear about thepeoplewhosupplyour choice impactspeople’s lives. about howmakingtheFairtrade to thedemandforinformation Fairtrade. Nowwe’re responding many own-brandproducts are Cafédirect coffee in1992,and supermarket tosellfairlytraded producers across theworld. and memberswithFairtrade connects Co-operativecustomers Fairtrade Foundation,theinitiative a globalscale. to changethatbyexpandingiton Share Fairtradecampaignhopes Co-operative’s OneCommunity live andworkaround us.ButThe Y W

The movehasbeenwelcomedbycharities Until thelawwasintroduced,peoplewere Plastic bagsareconvenientbuttheytakea ‘Our communitiesare asmuch The Co-operativewasthefirst Set upinpartnershipwiththe PLAYING fair bag the in It’s bags atTheSouthernCo-operative. charged 5pforsingle-useplasticcarrier ou mayhavenoticedyou’renow think ofthepeoplewho ‘community’, wetendto hen wethinkofthe £1,000 toequip themselves gave participatingproducers producers neededhelp.‘We the Westernworld,butsome supports communities. to findouthowFairtrade ‘chat’ viasocialmediaand members andproducersto to actasthecommunityhubfor a website,growingstories.coop, as Colombia,KenyaandIndia.’ lives ofpeopleincountriessuch how Fairtradeimpactsonthe to showcustomersfirst-hand Social mediaisthenormin The Co-operativehascreated community programmetobelaunched income fromthislevytosupportournew similar totheirnaturalprey,very jellyfish. particularly turtles,asinthewatertheylook bags areeasilyeatenbymarineanimals, extremely supportiveofthesecharges.Plastic Society(MCS),says:‘We’reConservation Senior PollutionPolicyOfficerfortheMarine ‘The SouthernCo-operativewillbeusing amazing wildlife we have inEngland’ step towards asafer future for the ‘This plasticbagcharge isapositive

Fairtrade Strategy

Brad Hill

Manager videos andstories.Thesewill food producers, includingphotos, see regular postsfrom Fairtrade online andneededatranslator.’ with ITandresources toget Members cannowexpectto to the internet andspeak to theinternet ﬂuent English,othersweren’t started,’ explainsBrad. ‘While somehaveaccess amazing wildlifewehaveinEngland.’ a positivesteptowardssaferfutureforthe suffocate, orchokefromeatingthem.Thisis animals cangetcaughtinplasticbagsand Spokeswoman KatePrewettsays:‘Birdsand southern England. on alocallevelandregionallyacross in 2016–throughcashdonationstocharities ‘The RSPBalsosupportsthenewlaw. communities beyondFairtrade. in future projects tobeneﬁt put £1intoafundtobeinvested a prizeandTheCo-operativewill will beinwithachanceofwinning coop andcreate amessage,you items inyourweeklyshop. the peopleresponsible forthe provide apeekintothelivesof

When youvisitgrowingstories. Banana farmer Maria Genao Maria farmer Banana xxxx

OPINION

story in reducing our emissions quite We talk to sustainability advisor, environmentalist, dramatically – I think we’re about 30 per cent below the 1990s, which is campaigner and writer Tony Juniper. He is good. What’s happened in recent hoping that the forthcoming United Nations months, however, with the UK Government policy turnaround on eco Climate Change Conference in Paris will be an energies, I think is disastrous for our important milestone in the global battle against long-term performance on this.

the effects of climate change... Q What are other countries doing? Since the climate change treaty was signed in 1992, the single country that has done the most is Brazil, by cutting Climate change is a wicked and unique forest loss in the Amazon in particular. The Chinese are not averse to seeing the problem in terms of co-ordinated action need for action on this and are putting more into renewable energy than pretty much any other country on Earth, and Q How long has climate change been of the biggest issues when trying to find action in all those sectors. I think the have adopted quite a strong target that an issue of real concern? solutions is that countries have very future could be an optimistic one, but they’ll be taking to the Paris summit. The modern understanding of climate divergent interests when approaching the there is no room for complacency and Then you have America, which used to change goes back to the 1980s, when challenge of tackling climate change. the science is there to tell us why. be the poster child for inaction and people were beginning to make a If you look at the Maldives and Russia, intransigence and support for fossil fuels. connection with greenhouse gases being for example – with just modest warming, Q Global warming apart, are there But now you see President Obama released from fossil fuel combustion, and the Maldives is set to disappear; while also health implications connected putting forward his clean energy plan, also the effects of deforestation. The the Russians, who are sitting on a large with climate change? which I think puts the United States in a concerns are around those gases amount of oil and gas and coal, believe There is a very strong link to low-carbon leadership position. Some countries in building up in the atmosphere, (in my opinion wrongly) that some level choices and health. Some 29,000 the European region are also showing temperatures increasing and climate of warming will be good for their country. people per year in the UK are estimated real leadership. The Danes are regularly change following that. For example, that it would open up to die prematurely because of air pollution. getting more than half of their electricity Siberia to agriculture. And that’s mostly coming from vehicles from renewables, mostly from wind. Q Where do we stand regarding – from diesel engines and petrol exhausts. climate change at the moment? Q So, reaching decisions that will suit Q How do you think our younger We are at the very beginning of the everybody is going to be a challenge? Q How can we combat this? generation feels about the dangers climate-change process, in some ways, Yes. Put those two countries together One of the things we can do is clean up of climate change? the transport system – encourage more They’re certainly taking it more seriously Young people realise they’re going active transport, like walking and cycling, than many of the people who are in to be the ones picking up the pieces as an alternative to cars. positions of power, who tend to be older. Another big part of global climate- Young people realise that actually they’re and we expect a lot more pollution to be into an international negotiation with all changing emissions is coming from the going to be the ones picking up the released in the coming decades. We the other members of the United Nations, livestock sector, so reducing dairy and pieces. If you’re under 40, I think you’ve know that we need to limit global try to reach some kind of agreement that meat consumption, and going towards got a real stake in all of this. warming to below two degrees. And the will suit everybody and you realise how a more plant-based diet is another world is not on course to do that. We’re difficult this is. Although all countries will positive way forward. Q Do you think the Paris conference looking at four or five degrees. feel an impact from climate change, and Regeneration of natural systems will be a watershed? It’s taken a long time to begin taking that impact will be disastrous for some, would be another beneficial action. Trees This is the 21st of these meetings and some serious action. In most countries, each country has a very different set of are, of course, one of the ways in which we still don’t have an agreement that is we are very far from where we need to concerns. It is a wicked and unique you remove carbon from the atmosphere up to the job. But, hopefully, Paris will be going towards a low-carbon future. problem in terms of how you get and we know, too, that exposure to take us a long way closer to being able So the Paris meeting is a further co-ordinated action on it. green space – trees and natural areas to build a global campaign on this. The opportunity for the international – is enormously beneficial for people’s Paris meeting will be a watershed in that community to get onto the right road. Q Are there real solutions? psychological wellbeing. respect, because a lot of people do think There are solutions and they relate to we will come out with commitments and Q Is climate change a global problem? energy, transport, agriculture, land use Q Are we doing enough in the UK to action that will at least begin to bend This is a truly global problem and every and waste management, and we can combat the effects of climate change? the curve. But it will be the beginning

PHOTOGRAPH: REX FEATURES PHOTOGRAPH: country will feel the consequences. One drastically reduce emissions through No, we’re not. We have had a positive rather than the end.

27 Community andEWS charity

It’s been a busy few months of fundraising for our charity partner, Whizz-Kidz, and cleaning up – TSC-style! Teamwork helped clean up part of the River Itchen in Southampton

River Itchen in Southampton. A further Cleaner means greener 29 colleagues helped children’s charity Second Chance, weeding and clearing a pond area at their new site in Titchfield The Southern Co-operative Our leadership team, including (Hampshire). And that’s not all – five colleagues swapped the shop floor Chief Executive Mark Smith, filled five Portsmouth store managers litter-picked and office desk for their local streets, large bin bags with rubbish in just two at the Portsmouth Summer Show and parks and beaches during this summer’s hours during a litter pick in Wickham three cleaning sessions were also held Co-operatives Fortnight, holding a host (Hampshire). Director of Sustainability by the Bradford on Avon (Wiltshire) store of volunteer litter picks as part of the and Communications, Gemma Lacey, team in the local area. Big Co-op Clean. who also mucked in, says: ‘Cigarette Gemma adds: ‘The Big Co-op Clean Co-operatives Fortnight, organised litter was the most common item we isn’t just about picking up litter; it’s by Co-operatives UK, is an annual event picked up, along with disposable cups about achieving more by working where co-operatives come together to and food packaging.’ together. It might sound obvious, but show the power of co-operation. This Fourteen colleagues from our central co-operating is central to our success year, the Big Co-op Clean included support office in Portsmouth joined as a co-operative – and we are part everything from cleaning up parks to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife of something much bigger happening clearing out old clothes for charity. Trust to do a beach clean along the across the UK.’

Colleagues get stuck into

the Big Co-op Clean during

Co-operatives Fortnight Our CHARITY Charity community partner

Community care What a difference a weeK makes your way A week of cakes sales, raffles, TSC has a reputation for competitions, fancy dress and green We REALLY enjoy raising funds caring about our local theme dress down days across our stores Area Operations Manager for The Southern communities. Last year we put the fun into fundraising this summer, Co-operative, Gavin Hallam, says: ‘Charity invested more than £630,000 back raising over £15,230 for our charity partner Awareness Week was a great opportunity into our communities across the Whizz-Kidz. Each year, colleagues and to raise awareness for Whizz-Kidz and the South of England. Having digested customers pull out all the stops for our great work it does to help disabled children. the feedback from more than charity awareness week; this year our goal Store teams dressed up in Whizz-Kidz 4,800 members, who replied to was to raise enough to provide a bespoke green, decorated stores, held raffles, guess our community investment strategy wheelchair for one of Whizz-Kidz’s disabled the teddy’s name and sweets in the jar survey, we’re developing a new children, which costs on average £5,000. competitions, and organised cake sales, approach, tailoring this to what Heather Ridley, Whizz-Kidz’ Corporate which raised more than £15,230!’ you told us is most important. Top Account Manager, says: ‘Colleagues across issues members would like us to the store and branch network worked hard address include supporting the to put on a range of creative and ambitious local and rural economy, improving fundraising activities and we are very grateful the quality of the local environment, and helping the ageing society and to everyone who got involved.’ young people. We’re piloting our Heather adds: ‘Sadly, many disabled new strategy, which will launch fully children and young people are unable to in the New Year, and will keep you get equipment that meets their needs posted in our stores and online. from the NHS. Trapped in unsuitable wheelchairs, they are forced to rely on others for help and can become isolated, missing out on opportunities. treasure seekers ‘The £15,230 raised by TSC’s Charity Our Bosham store (West Sussex) was Awareness Week could provide tailored invaded by pirates for a fun weekend powered wheelchairs for three local disabled of fundraising, which included a cake children, giving them the freedom and and quiche sale, raffle, games and independence they need to live full and Local Flavours tastings. Customers and active lives.’ Visit whizz-kidz.org.uk to find colleagues raised a generous £1,630.87 out more about the charity. for Whizz-Kidz.

plus the PERFECT present Ideal for Christmas stockings, our KitKat tins are also raising money for Whizz-Kidz. For every tin purchased (priced at £5 each), we’ll donate 50p to Whizz-Kidz as a seasonal treat. The tins contain four each of KitKat Chunky bars and four-ﬁnger KitKats.

Keep up to date Join our members’ Facebook group to keep up to date with our news, what’s on and photos. Search ‘The Southern members Co-operative members’ Fundraising news, meet your new Directors and survey results. to join the group. Plus, get in touch for how to make the most of your membership

This year, profits of more than £1.63 million were shared with members, paid We’ve out as 2p in every £1 of qualifying member spend for the fifth successive year. been We’re Our charity partner, Whizz-Kidz, also benefited. The charity received more than listening £86,500 as a result of the donation of odd pence accrued at year end on members’ share of the profits (SoP) statements and the generosity of more than 2,500 members, who Looking after giving elected to donate their entire SoP to the charity! our customers’ With our sales figures for 2014 growing by £23.8 million to more than £350 million, needs is our communities across southern England also benefited. In 2014, we invested more than top priority and back £630,000 back into our communities through financial, volunteering and charity fundraising you have been support. This is in addition to the £282,000 you’ve helped us raise for Whizz-Kidz so far! telling us that we need to improve your choice of food and drink in our stores. In response, we’re revamping our whole product range in all our stores (nearly 200 across southern England) over the coming year to give you the right products at the right price.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Our 2016 AGM and members’ convention will be on Thursday, 9 June at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. As a member of The Southern Co-operative (TSC), the AGM is your chance to consider the annual report and accounts, vote on share of the proﬁts and community distributions, raise questions with our Board of Directors and leadership team, as well as learn more about the business, and meet our partners and your fellow members. It’s open to TSC members of at least six months who are over 16. More information will be available nearer the time in store and at thesouthernco-operative.co.uk.

32 MEMBERSHIP NEWS

THE RESULTS ARE IN! GET MORE FROM MEMBERSHIP Thank you to our members who We’re changing the way we run events for answered the survey about our our members, as we want to give you more communications with you. We had insight into our business. We also want nearly 1,000 replies – 70% of which said to make events more relevant, as well as we keep them fully or fairly well informed appeal to more of our growing membership and that they receive most information across southern England. For example, about The Southern Co-operative via given the popularity of our Local Flavours email, reading this magazine and in range, we’re planning to organise visits to store. Email is the preferred method of local producers, inviting members from the keeping you informed (53%) – this has surrounding area to meet the people behind the added beneﬁt of helping to keep our the product and see how local food on the printing and postage costs down, so shelves of your local store is produced. For that we can invest more back into our more information and to keep up to date, see business and communities. However, thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/membership. the survey highlighted the need for us to be smarter about our communication If you’d like to receive email updates with our with you – online and in more traditional latest news, opportunities to get involved with and events in your area, please send your full ways – to keep you better informed name, email, postal address and postcode and about different aspects of the business We’re planning your membership number for The Southern member visits to and opportunities to get more involved Co-operative to membersupport@southerncoops. meet local producers co.uk. Don’t worry, we won’t bombard you! if you want to. Meet your new representatives… Members elected Gareth Lewis and Andy Cast onto our Board of Directors ahead of our 2015 AGM. Here they tell us a little about their role and what’s important to them

GARETH LEWIS ANDY CAST ‘As Loss Prevention and Security Services ‘TSC is much more than just a shop; it’s Manager, I’m responsible for identifying and about being part of the community and giving reducing operational cash and stock losses something back. It’s about the members, not and for delivering security measures and just making the maximum for shareholders, services – including business wardens, and this resonates with me. guarding, CCTV and police liaison. This is ‘In my role as Head of HR Business to ensure the safety and protection of our Partnering at the University of Southampton, colleagues, customers and assets. I work with senior business leaders to ‘I believe that our co-operative principles support, advise and coach them on are more relevant now than ever. Our approach their business strategies. It is my belief ensures that The Southern Co-operative that businesses are successful because (TSC) remains a positive community brand and gives us a key point of of the people who work for them. Having previously held various difference from other retailers. One personal objective as a Director is management roles at John Lewis Partnership for 18 years, I also have for us to address how we make TSC relevant to future generations. an excellent understanding of the retail sector and am passionate ‘Outside of work, I have a keen interest in battleﬁeld history. I have about customer service. researched the stories and background of TSC colleagues we lost ‘Equality and fairness are important issues to me; I established and to enemy action in both World Wars and, with TSC’s support, have am Director of the charity Holding Hands 4 Equality (hh4e.org). As a obtained planning permission from Portsmouth City Council to erect volunteer bereavement counsellor for Cruse Bereavement Care, I offer a memorial to them within the cenotaph area at Portsmouth Guildhall.’ support to people struggling with grief.’

Register your interest to vote for our Board of Directors in the 2016 election to ensure you can cast your vote; email membersupport@ southerncoops.co.uk or call our membership and customer service team on 0800 652 0124. thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/membership PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOGRAPHY:

33 get in touch

We’d love to hear what you have to say, so please get in touch. Send a letter or email to the addresses on page 3, and see below for joining us online

we greatly appreciate the team for both health and leisure!’ giving up their time to keep Ashley Oliver-Catt, Head of Wickham tidy.’ School, Cliffdale Primary Wickham Parish Clerk, Nicki Academy, Portsmouth Oliver, on The Co-op Big Clean Summer reading Wheely good ‘I recently picked up the summer ‘Thank you for your kind donation issue of your free magazine from of a £30 Co-op voucher. We my local Co-op in Priddy’s Hard, A new look used it as a raffle prize at our Gosport, and wanted to say A clean sweep summer fayre. This was a huge how much I enjoyed it. It’s very All our refurbishments and new ‘Litter is an ongoing problem for success and raised over £1,500, interesting to read what’s going stores have i-viewer magnifiers to local councils and we rely on which we plan to spend on two- on locally, particularly as they are help visually impaired shoppers volunteers to help out. The visit and three-wheeler bikes. We such positive and community- read product labels more easily. from The Southern Co-operative are determined to get as many minded stories.’ Lucy Kibria visited our new has made a big difference and children as we can riding bikes Elaine Wood, TSC member Cheswick Village store and tells us: ‘My 14-year-old son, Darin (pictured), is visually impaired, Star bakers Tessa and Jessica so I’m always on the lookout to see what businesses are doing with Rachel Khoo Enjoying their new celebrity status, our 2015 Create to help. It’s really good that The & Cook Competition champions, Tessa Crosbie and Southern Co-operative is thinking Jessica Case, rubbed shoulders with renowned chef, food of the needs of others as well as writer and TV presenter, Rachel Khoo, cooking on stage at the mainstream population.’ the Isle of Wight’s Garlic Festival in August! Read about the girls’ favourite things on page 31. Well done winners! Congratulations to our summer Tessa’s magic mug cake magazine competition winners. Celebrating our support for this 3 tbsp plain flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder; ½ tsp baking powder; 2 tbsp year’s Hampshire Food Festival, caster sugar; 3 tbsp milk; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; a few drops vanilla Anthony Rana from Bristol won an extract; 1 tbsp chocolate hazelnut spread (or peanut butter or jam) overnight stay for two at Winchester’s Wykeham Arms, dinner at the Chesil 1 Combine all dry ingredients in a medium-sized mug. Mix with a Rectory, plus a hamper of Local fork to make sure there are no lumps. 2 Add the milk, oil and vanilla Flavours goodies. Our spa break extract slowly and stir until it forms a cake batter consistency. The at The Hampshire Court Hotel in mixture should be quite thick, but still be able to run off the fork. Basingstoke went to Joyce Mannell from Portsmouth. Turn to pages 5 3 Take a large tbsp of spread of choice and add into the mug. Try and 35 or go online at thesouthernco- to centre it in the middle of the batter and operative.co.uk/membership for more keep it separate. Gently cover the spoonful giveaways. You need to be a TSC of hazelnut spread with a little mug cake member to enter – your membership card number begins with 633174 98. mixture. 4 Wipe any stray mixture away from the side of the cup to stop uneven Join our online community cooking. Cook in the microwave on We’d love to hear from you on our Facebook page, which is exclusively for full power for 1¼-2 minutes, or until members of The Southern Co-operative (TSC) to share news, give feedback, the cake has risen and set in the find out about upcoming members’ events and suggest ideas for future centre. 5 Serve on its own, or with events. Search ‘The Southern Co-operative members’ to join. vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy! MUG CAKE PHOTO: LUCY PARISSI

34 IT’S competition time Exclusively for TSC members Our big winter giveaway

Your chance to win a kitchen gadget, water bottle, recipe book, beauty treat and a cycling jacket

Guilt-free treat Lotta bottle! Just

Transform frozen fruit into a Staying healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing yummy ‘soft-serve’ texture of taste. Embrace the natural flavours of all desserts ice cream in seconds! The your favourite fruits and vegetables while Free-From Desserts Yonanas Frozen Dessert refreshing and hydrating your body with by Julia Thomas Maker whips a healthy, 100 Infruition – 100 per cent natural, fruit- (£20, Quadrille) is per cent fruit treat every time. infusing water bottles! There are five packed with over 100 Worth £49.99 each, we have Infruition water bottles up for grabs, worth tasty dessert recipes two to give away. Visit £15.99 each. For more information, visit that are all free from yonanas.com. infruition.co.uk. wheat, gluten and dairy. Prize code: Prize code: WATER From Raspberry Crème YOGURT Pâtissière Tartlets to Gingerbread Soufflés and Banana and Coconut Ice Cream, these delicious and healthier desserts are so good that no one will ever guess they don’t contain lashings of butter, cream and wheat flour. This book ensures that you can bake your cake and eat it too! We have five copies to be won. Find out more about Quadrille’s books at quadrille.co.uk. Prize code: COOKBOOK

HOW TO ENTER Glow girls ONLINE Log onto: thesouthernco-operative. co.uk/membership to enter, and submit your Bee Good harnesses the power of British details. BY POST Send your name, contact beehives to create an award-winning number, address, membership number for The skincare range. The Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Southern Co-operative (TSC) and the relevant Cream Cleanser (£11.50 for 100ml) contains prize code, on a stamped postcard, to: moisturising British wildflower honey and Giveaways, The Southern Co-operative, 1000 antiseptic British propolis, to remove dirt and Lakeside, Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire make-up gently but effectively. The Honey & PO6 3FE. Only one entry per TSC member for Wild Flax Daily Moisturiser (£19.50 for 50ml) each offer. Closing date is 20 January 2016. also contains British wildflower honey – a natural source of vitamin E – plus other Home and dry TERMS & CONDITIONS natural ingredients You must be a member of The Southern to help make a real Stay dry as you ride out in the colder, wetter Co-operative to enter (check your difference to your months with the stylish new Ridge Water- membership card). All prizes are subject to skin. We’ve got five Resistant Cycling Jacket (£24, Halfords). availability. No cash alternatives. Standard sets up for grabs. Made from waterproof fabric, the unisex terms and conditions for giveaways, offers Visit beegood.co.uk. jacket features a mesh lining to keep you and competitions that appear in The Prize code: BEAUTY cool on your more energetic adventures on Co-operative Magazine can be found within two wheels. Thanks to a reflective logo and thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/membership. trim, you’ll also be easy to spot on those long, dark nights. We have one to give away. Visit halfords.com. Prize code: JACKET