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56 The pros and cons of buy now, pay later In recent years, a new form of credit has appeared that’s used by millions of people every year. Buy now, pay later deals are a way to pay for things in chunks, often without interest, allowing you to spend money without using traditional loans. But my inbox is currently filled with enquiries and complaints about these deals and what happens if you miss payments. Here’s my guide to how buy now, pay later (BNPL) credit works and your rights if things go wrong. What is buy now, pay later credit? BNPL works by giving you a short-term loan, with or without interest, so you can buy goods or services at the till when you don’t have the full balance to hand, or money is tight. Retailers love BNPL credit and almost all of them have at least one lender offering the credit at their online checkouts. That’s because these loans allow people to buy more than they can afford with just a few clicks. The credit deals generally fall into the following categories: Try before you buy This is where you have a short period of time – usually 30 days but sometimes as low as 14 days – to try goods before committing to buy them. Of course, you can’t pop on a nice frock, hit the disco and send it back, no matter what you might read on social media. These deals allow you to try things on, check goods out and see if they work for you before committing to buy. However, if you don’t return the goods on time, you could find you’ve bought them. Bear in mind the 14 days just mirrors your existing online shopping rights – it’s not the lender being generous! Limited instalments The most well-known form of BNPL deal works by letting you pay in a limited number of instalments interest-free – usually in three payments. This means you can buy things up front that you may not have the money for in full at point of purchase. However, you have committed to buy. Credit agreements These deals are closer to the older credit deals in that you pay in instalments over a longer period and pay interest. This isn’t as high as some retailers charged in the past – it’s usually less than credit card interest, for example - but is still higher than a standard bank loan. What’s the problem? No interest doesn’t seem that bad, does it? Well, what happens if you can’t pay? This is where BNPL lenders get cagey. While BNPL firms may not charge debt interest, loads of readers have reported that businesses are quick to pass on debts to debt collectors who have a whole range of penalties and pressure tactics they can apply – and they can register financial debts with credit reference agencies. Worryingly, this can happen for relatively small sums, reportedly even for under £100. Some BNPL are now saying that they will include details of existing arrangements on your credit file – ostensibly to show to lenders that you are paying off your credit deal and improve your score. However, this might be counterproductive for some lenders if you have too many deals (or even one), as it suggests you don’t have much cash to play with. Can I afford it? The desire to treat yourself or friends and family can sometimes overrule logic. So if you’re thinking about using BNPL loans, then don’t click to buy at the till without taking a moment to consider a few things. Make a basic budget and have a look at how much money you have left over each month when you’ve paid all the essentials. If that money isn’t enough to cover an emergency, like a car or fridge breaking down, you should avoid BNPL credit. That’s because you’re simply moving the problem further down the line – where more could go wrong. If you’ve already taken out credit, don’t panic! There are free organisations like StepChange are there to help you if you are struggling to pay the bills. Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist. Consumer Rights
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64 Across 1. Accumulate (5) 4. Salary (7) 8. Delight (7) 9. Squeeze (5) 10. Frank (4) 11. Cape (8) 13. Dash (4) 14. Advance payment (4) 16. Exactness (8) 17. Saucy (4) 20. Unsuitable (5) 21. Ruin (7) 22. Innate (7) 23. Lock of hair (5) Down 1. Cluster (13) 2. Proverb (5) 3. Team (4) 4. Vocalist (6) 5. Cheeky (8) 6. Raise (7) 7. Drawbacks (13) 12. Story-teller (8) 13. Charm (7) 15. Real (6) 18. Banish (5) 19. Revise (4) CROSSWORD SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
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68 Keeping up with the latest gadgets can result in cable clutter and drawers full of unused devices. Use our simple guide to help you tidy up your tech, categorize your cables, and purge outdated gadgets. Every home has one…a box or drawer full of random cables. Many of us are so terrified of throwing out any cable that we even transport this tangled mess with us when we move house! It's time to accept that you'll probably never use your old Nokia charger or the cable from a long-gone printer. First consolidate. Organize your cables by type. This allows you to see how many of each you have. Keep three or four of each maximum. Neatly coil them and secure with cable ties or rubber bands. Use labelled containers for easy identification and storage – anything from takeout containers to Ziploc bags will work. There will be at least two or three unidentifiable cables so apply the rule: if you don't know what it is, discard it. Label the remaining ones for easy identification later. Gadgets often come with boxes containing accessories and manuals. If space allows, keep these original boxes as they increase the gadget's resale value and make life easier for the next owner. If you are tight for space, store contents in smaller labelled containers. Photograph the box and any important codes for easy reference later. Before discarding any gadget back up any important data and wipe the device. This means both deleting data and cleaning the gadget. Factory reset the device and remove it from associated apps. This step not only protects your privacy but also simplifies future handovers. Organize stored gadgets by category and store them in designated zones, preferably with their original boxes and accessories. This organization makes it easier to locate specific devices when needed. Periodically search for gadgets to purge, checking under TVs, in nightstands, and kitchen cupboards. Decluttering frees up space and makes it easier to access frequently used items. Identify gadgets and accessories you no longer use and sell, donate, or dispose of them responsibly. Remember, gadgets depreciate over time, so it’s best to pass them on while they still hold some value. By following these steps, you can organize your technology, manage cables, and get rid of unnecessary gadgets. This process not only declutters your space but also ensures that your tech collection remains up -to-date and manageable. Responsible disposal of electronics is also key, as many devices can be sold, refurbished, or donated, extending their life and usefulness. By Tom Hancock How to declutter and organise your electronics
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72 CROSSWORD PUZZLE ST. PATRICK’S DAY Find all the listed words. The words may go horizontally, vertically, diagonally, but not backwards. The remaining letters will reveal a secret word.
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74 We hear the terms ‘equinox’ and ‘solstice’ bandied about, but what do they actually mean? These terms both relate to the Earth's orbit around the sun and its axial tilt, but they refer to different phenomena and occur at different times of the year. Equinox: This occurs when the sun is exactly above the Equator, causing day and night to be of approximately equal length. This happens twice a year, around March 20-21 (the vernal or spring equinox) and September 22 -23 (the autumnal or fall equinox). These dates can vary slightly each year. During an equinox, the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun. As a result, both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience roughly equal amounts of daylight and darkness. Equinoxes are often associated with the transition of seasons: the vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring, and the autumnal equinox signifies the start of fall in the respective hemispheres. Solstice: This occurs when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marked by the longest and shortest days. It happens twice a year, around June 20-21 (the summer solstice) and December 21-22 (the winter solstice). During a solstice, the Earth's axis is tilted maximally toward (summer solstice) or away (winter solstice) from the sun. This results in the longest day of the year during the summer solstice and the shortest day of the year during the winter solstice in the respective hemispheres. Solstices are significant in many cultures and are often associated with festivals and rituals. The summer solstice is typically seen as the start of summer, while the winter solstice is commonly considered the beginning of winter. By Tom Hancock March 20th By Tom Hancock
Education Primary Schools Cartwright & Kelsey C of E Primary School, School Road, Ash 01304 812539 Eastry C of E Primary School, Cooks Lea, Eastry 01304 611360 Goodnestone Church of England Primary School, The Street, Goodnestone 01304 840329 Hornbeam Primary School Mongeham Rd, Gt Mongeham 01304 374033 Northbourne Primary School, Coldharbour Lane, Northbourne 01304 611376 Preston Primary School, Mill Lane, Preston. 01227 722235 Sandwich Infant School, School Road, Sandwich 01304 612228 Sandwich Junior School, St Barts Rd, Sandwich 01304 612227 Wingham Primary School, School Lane, Wingham 01227 720277 Worth County Primary,The Street, Worth 01304 612148 St Bart’s Out of School Centre, Sandwich Junior School, St Bart’s Rd, Sandwich [4-11yrs] 01304 619800 Secondary Schools Sandwich Technology School, Deal Rd, Sandwich,CT13 0FA 01304 613071 [email protected] Sir Roger Manwood’s Grammar School, Manwood Rd, Sandwich, CT13 9JX [email protected] 01304 613286 Independent Schools Kent College, Canterbury Senior School 01227 763231 Junior School 01227 762436 www.kentcollege.com Northbourne Park School, Bettshanger, Deal 01304 611215 / 611218 www.northbournepark.com St Lawrence College Ramsgate, Kent CT11 7AE Junior School 01843 572912 Senior School 01843 572931 www.slcuk.com St Faith’s at Ash Prep School, The Street, Ash CT3 2HH, 01304 813409 www.stfaithsprep.com [email protected] Wellesley House, Broadstairs , CT10 2DG, 01843 862991 www.wellesleyhouse.org Dover College Infants / Juniors Effingham Crescent, Dover, 01304 244506 Dover College [11-18 years] 01304 205969 Nursery & Pre School Bubbles Nursery,Wilmott Place, Eastry 01304 615487 Busy Bees Pre - School, Worth Village Hall, Worth,CT14 0DE 07912 555537 www.busybeesworth.co.uk Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith’s Prep School The Street, Ash CT3 2HH 01304 813409 www.stfaithsprep.com [email protected] St Bart’s Day Nurseries, 17 Dover Rd, Sandwich CT13 OBS 1304 1304 615129 [email protected] See Saw Pre-School, Wingham Village Hall,School Lane, Wingham 07851057213 Staple Pre - School, Village Hall, Mill Lane, Staple 07816 841429 Parent & Toddler Preston Tots Preston Village Hall, Mill Lane, Preston CT3 IHB Fridays 10-11.30am @PrestonTots 07799356817 Mums & Toddlers, Ash Village Hall Mondays 10.00 -11.30am 01304 813249 Toddler Group, Church Hall, Parish Church of St Clement, Sandwich Tuesdays 1.30-3.00pm Staple P & T Staple Village Hall Wednesday 1.15 - 2.45pm Humpty Dumpty, Eastry Village Hall Thursdays 10 -12 [term time only] Contact Lisa / Karen 01304 613238 Tiny Tots, Sandcastles Nursery at St Faith’s Prep School, 5, The Street Ash CT3 2HH Free session-open to everyone. Further Education Canterbury College, New Dover Rd, Canterbury 01227 811188 www.canterburycollege.ac.uk Canterbury Christchurch University, North Holmes Rd, Canterbury 01227 767700 Adult Education WEA. Adult Education across East Kent www.weaeastkent.org Kent Adult Education Service, College Rd, Sittingbourne 0846 6065600 The Sandwich Times 75
Ash Library Ash Village Hall 01304 812440 Sandwich Library 13 Market St, Sandwich 03000 41 31 31 [email protected] Tuesday,Thursday, Friday 9.30 am-5.00 pm Saturday 9.30am -3pm PCs and Wi-Fi need to be booked in advance Citizens Advice Bureau, Dover, Deal & District -Sandwich 01304 612811 Thurs 10.00 -15.00 www.doverdealadvice.co.uk Citizens Rights for Older People 01227 789777 Department of Social Security / Benefits Agency 01304 868000 Social Services 01304 204915 The Pension Service 0845 606265 White Cliffs Housing Association 01304 829152 Alcoholics Anonymous 01227 455557 www.eastkentaa.org Carer’s Support Dover District & Thanet 80 Middle St, Deal,CT14 6HL 01304 364637 [email protected] www.carers-doverdistrictandthanet.org Families Anonymous 08451 200 660 www.famanon.org.uk Narcotics Anonymous 07071 501 260 www.ukna.org Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 0888 www.al-anon.org.uk JobcentrePlus, Dover 01304 866100 Kent Highways 03000 418181 www.kent.gov.uk/ roads_and_transport.aspx Sandwich Town Council Town Clerk’s Office, Guildhall Sandwich, CT13 9AH 01304 617197 Dover District Council 01304 821199 Dover District Council Sandwich Area Office Guildhall - Tuesday/Thursday 9am -12.30, 1.30 - 4.30pm 01304 821199 Kent County Council County Hall, Maidstone 03000 414141 Tourist Information The Guildhall, Sandwich 01304 613565 The Phoenix Centre Jubilee Rd, Sandwich CT13 0QP 01304 611106 / 07727 165307 www.thephoenixcentre.org Sandwich Fire Station Ash Rd, Sandwich 01304 617774 Eastry Fire Station 01304 717799 National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 Port of Dover 01304 240400 Stagecoach East Kent 0870 2433711 P & 0 Ferries 08716 642121 DFDS 08715747235 KENT POLICE 101 [non- emergencies] 999 [in emergencies] [email protected] Churches Canterbury Cathedral 01227 762862 www.canterbury-cathedral.org The Carpenters Arms, Sandwich 07855 366589 01304 721627 Deal Salvation Army, West Street, Deal CT14 6AZ 01304 375398 www.dealsalvationarmy.org.uk St Nicholas Church The Street, Ash 01304 812296 St Mary the Virgin Church St, Eastry 01304 611323 St Mary the Virgin, Wingham The church is currently in vacancy Contact Churchwarden 01227 720734 St Clements C of E The Rectory, Knightrider Street, Sandwich 01304 613138 Sandwich United Reformed Church, Cattle Market, Sandwich 01304 617834 www.sandwich-urc.co.uk St Andrews Roman Catholic St Georges Rd, Sandwich 01304 374870 St Richards & St Nicholas Sholden 01304 374076 St James the Great, Staple 01304 612586 St Mary the Blessed Virgin Woodnesborough 01304 612586 St Peter & St Paul, Worth 01304 613138 Church Community & The Sandwich Times 76
Doctors Sandwich Medical Practice 01304 619790 www.sandwichmedicalpractice.co.uk The Surgery Chilton Place, Ash 01304 812227 Wingham Surgery 2 North Court Road, Wingham 01227 720205 Hospitals NHS Victoria Hospital, London Road, Deal 01304 865400 QEQM Ramsgate Road, Margate CT9 4AN 01843 225544 Kent & Canterbury, Ethelbert Rd, Canterbury 01227 766877 Buckland Hospital, Coombe Valley Rd, Dover CT17 0HD 01304 222510 William Harvey Hospital Kennington Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0LZ 01233 633331 Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust 01227 795050 [email protected] Patient Advice & Liaison Service [PALS] 0800 0856606 [email protected] Dentists New Street Dental Practice, Sandwich, CT13 9BB 01304 806513 www.newstreetdentalpractice.co.uk Preston House Dental Practice 29 High St, Sandwich 01304 612075 Wingham Dental Practice 66 High St, Wingham 01227 720284 Healthcare The Sandwich Times Your Local Member of Parliament Craig Mackinlay MP South Thanet Tel 01843 603242 [email protected] Private Medical Services BMI Chaucer Nackington Rd,Canterbury 01227 825100 Spencer Wing, QEQM Ramsgate Road, Margate 01843 234555 Chemists Boots Pharmacy 22, The Street, Ash 01304 812242 Eastry Pharmacy The Cross, Eastry 01304 611362 Boots Pharmacy 12 Market St, Sandwich 01304 612047 Urgent 999 Tibetan Buddhist group jhampa.org.uk Zoom meetings Thursday 7.30 pm 77
Cinemas Empire Cinema Delf Street, Sandwich 01304 620480 Silver Screen Cinema Castle Street, Dover 01304 228000 Odeon Cinema Canterbury 08712 244 007 Vue Westwood Cross, Thanet 08712 240 240 Cineworld, Ashford Eureka Entertainment Centre Ashford 0871 200 2000 Theatres Marlow Theatre, Canterbury 01227 787787 www.marlowtheatre.com Theatre Royal, Margate 0845 1301786 Art Galleries Turner Contemporary, Margate, Kent CT9 1HG 01843 233000 www.turnercontemporary.org www.theatreroyalmargate.com St Mary’s Arts Centre Sandwich 0794 1982455 www.stmarysartscentre.org.uk St Peters Church, Sandwich 01304 617295 www.visitchurches.org.uk/ sandwich Castles Deal Castle, Marine Rd, Deal, CT14 7BA 01304 372762 www.english-heritage.org.uk/deal Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover CT16 1HU www.english-heritage.org.uk/dover Richborough Castle, Sandwich CT13 9JW, 01304 612013 www.english-heritage.org.uk/ richborough Walmer Castle, Kingsdown Rd, Deal, CT14 7LJ www.english-heritage.org.uk/walmer Sports Facilities Sandwich Leisure Centre Deal Rd, Sandwich, 01304 614947 The Fitness Connection, High Street, Sandwich 01304 614000 Ash Bowls Club, Moat Lane, Ash 01304 813629 [email protected] Ash RFC [Youth Section] Ash Recreation Ground, Queens Rd, www.pitchero.com/clubs/ashrfc/ 07889 519800 Sandwich Lawn Tennis Club Sandown Rd, Sandwich www.sandwichtennis.net Sandwich Town Cricket Club The Butts & Gazen Salts Recreation Grounds. 01304 617 357 www.sandwichtown.play-cricket.com Wingham Tennis Club Wingham Recreation Ground 07956 354990 [email protected] Jelly Legs Running Club Canterbury, Whitstable & Deal 01227 830984 www.jelly-legs.co.uk Local sights & walks White Mill Rural Heritage Centre, The Causeway, Ash Rd, Sandwich 07754 147496 Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust, Guildford Rd, Sandwich Bay 01304 617341 www.sbbot.co.uk Betteshanger Park [email protected] 01304 619227 Gazen Salts Nature Reserve, Strand St. Sandwich 07889866959 Monk’s Wall Nature Reserve 01304 617197 [Contact Town Clerk -Guildhall] Stodmarsh Nature Reserve Stodmarsh, Canterbury 07767 321053 www.naturalengland.org.uk Stour Valley Walk www.kent.gov.uk/leisure Saxon Shore Way www.kent.gov.uk/leisure Sandwich River Bus & Seal Spotting 07958376183 www.sandwichriverbus.co.uk www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk www.visitthanet.co.uk www.visitkent.co.uk Sport & Leisure The Sandwich Times 78
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81 WORDSEARCH SOLUTION Crossword solutions Sudoku solution Across: 1 Amass; 4 Stipend; 8 Gladden; 9 Press; 10 Open; 11 Headland; 13 Elan; 14 Ante; 16 Accuracy; 17 Pert; 20 Inapt 21 Undoing; 22 Natural; 23 Tress. Down: 1 Agglomeration; 2 Adage; 3 Side; 4 Singer; 5 Impudent; 6 Elevate; 7 Disadvantages; 12 Narrator; 13 Enchant; 15 Actual; 18 Exile; 19 Edit. SOLUTIONS SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: ANSWER: SEVENTEENTH MARCH SUDOKU:
82 A & S Self Storage Age Concern Amanda’s Workroom Appliances For You B & H Fireplaces Bell Hotel Blaxland Breaks Buckland Chimney Sweeps Bumper 2 Bumper Carinya Landscapes Carpenter - John Lazenby Castles Cat’s Eye Carving Chiropodist - Caroline du Toit Citizen’s Advice, Sandwich Class Cars Computer Repairs -Jason Burt Connections4You Deal Bed & Suite Centre Deal Mobility Dermaluxe Skin & Body DJ Plumbing Services Dover College Eastry Pharmacy Effie McLean Elite Blinds Fitness Connection Foundry Clinic Fox Tyres Friperie à 15 Gibsons Farm Shop Giles Watt - Carpenter Guilton Forge Garage Handford Prop.Maintenance Haywain Highway Motors Hogwood House Hugh Cooke - Builder Hutson Electrical Services J. A .Kaye Building Services J. Dilnot Smith & Son Kent Aerials Kent Elevators and Platforms Kent Mowing Kim Wood KM Roofing Konect Electrical Lady Elegance & Chaps Malibu Grains Mobile Foot Clinic Mr. R. Crick Northbourne Park School Ossies Fish & Chips Owen Hearing PHT- Painting / Decorating Pilgrims Hospice Plumber - Bill Ray Poppy’s Play Park Preston Butchers Princes Golf Club Quayside Bar & Grill River Runner RK Brickwork Robinson Motors Sandwich Animal Feeds Sandwich Cars Sandwich Decorating Services Sandwich Events Sandwich Glass Sandwich Honfleur Association Sandwich in Bloom Sandwich Window Cleaners Seniors Helping Seniors Sovereign Upholstery States of Walmer Stellina Kitchens Su Shades The Hunt Gallery The Victorian House Tree Surgeon - Matt McKay Trevor Laker Engineering 12 Potter Street Hair Salon Walmer Tiles WS Cole White Mill Veterinary Centre Whitemills Wake Worth Tool Hire Wright & Shadwell THE SANDWICH TIMES INDEX 13 71,73 21 21 24 83 4 24 63 47 63 34 10 35 31 63 24 49 27 36 6 53 2 39 5 13 11 37 58 4 84 24 31 42 19 59 29 24 54 55 36,62 57 35 45 4 54 31 5 54 38 47 6 21 36 57 80 63 53 23 7,15 19 10 53 58 53 63 45 66,67 25 65 79 57 34 27 27 25 22 4 43 45 45 10 22 35 55 41 47 42
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