Herald - Issue 413

Page 16 • The HERALD • 7th October 2021 v THE HERALD - ENCOURAGING LOCAL ENTERPRISE v Wet clean or Dry clean • Carpets • Rugs • Upholstery • Cushions • Mattresses • Caravans & Motor Homes M.D.S. DIGITAL INSTALLS/SERVICE • DIGITAL AERIALS/FREEVIEW • SKY DIGITAL/FREESAT DIGITAL • EXTRA TELEVISION POINTS • TELEPHONE LINES/POINTS • TELEVISION SYSTEMS SETUP/TUNED • WALL MOUNTED TV’S QUALIFIED, FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE FREE SURVEYS/QUOTES BEAULIEU: 01590 611011 MOBILE: 07717 194441 • Re-Skimming • Rendering • Coving • Dry Lining • Tacking • Artex Covered • Floor Screeding www.tbrownplastering.co.uk Call: 07919 183989 Friendly • Reliable • Professional • Free Estimates WATERSIDE NETWORK GROUP - MEMBER FOCUS by Simon Chadwick Walbank Opticians, in Long Lane, Holbury, is the only family-owned and completely independent (not associated with a national company) opticians on the Waterside. But what does that mean for you, the customer? Being independent means there are no restrictions placed upon Walbank Opticians, on the services they provide, or with the products they use. Whatever you require from your eye care or glasses, they can access. It’s common to hear people claim they are passionate about their work, but in the case of owner and optometrist Twinkle Patel, the evidence is there to see. She strongly advocates that your eyewear is an important part of how you look, so ensures Walbank Opticians stock a wide variety of frames in a variety of colours and many with bold designs. You can even book a styling appointment, where trained sta will help you nd the glasses that suit your style personality, face shape and colouring. But there’s more to Walbank Opticians than the spectacles themselves. You can expect at least thirty minute long eye exams that are unhurried and thorough. Your eye health is incredibly important, and so they make the time to give it the attention it deserves. Walbank Opticians also o er hearing tests through e Hearing Care Partnership. e hearing tests themselves are free, as are the tinnitus consultations. eir expert audiologist will ensure you’re getting the best from your hearing. All-in-all, Walbank Opticians is a very friendly place to visit, with caring, patient sta that are happy to take the time to ensure you get exactly what you need. If you’re looking to ensure that your next pair of glasses suit you perfectly, from prescription to styling, then you now know exactly where to come. Please visit: www.walbankopticians.co.uk or, alternatively, please use the contact details, opposite. Walbank Opticians offer a full range of stylish specs Hundreds of blind and partially sighted children will be able to equally access the visual world of pictures, books and learning, thanks to a grant of £30,000 from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Freemasons to the Living Paintings charity. e Hampshire-based charity has an established project that uses raised, tactile pictures that are explored with the help of immersive audio descriptions. e charity manufactures and publishes unique ‘Touch to See’ books, which provide access to the images that colour and inform our lives and will help blind children learn to read, support students in schools and promote social interaction and positive wellbeing. ese unique multi-media books are loaned, free of charge , from their hugely varied library and bene t 1,239 blind and partially-sighted children across England and Wales. e most recent survey of blind and partially-sighted children who use Living Paintings books reveals that: • 98% have improved con dence, including 96 per cent who are more con dent in joining in class activities and discussions, • 98% have attained an increased interest in learning, • 95% noticed an improved con dence in reading, • 97% bene tted from an increase in shared experiences with sighted friends, family and peers; • 95% have improved con dence in taking part in physical activities e grant from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales. To order your books free of charge please visit: www.livingpaintings.org Blind Children will Have Access to More Books - Thanks to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons Sharing a Story - Camilla Oldland, Chief Executive Officer at Living Paintings, centre, and Peter Vosser from the Freemasons, right