As catering manager of the Rogers family, Sandra’s dinner-time menu left a little to be desired…

Where would we be without our Mums? Unable to eat, dress, conduct ourselves socially and with nobody to wipe our faces after dinner. 

In fact, if you were to search on our Jobs section for a Mum, you’d probably need to include quite a few keywords: caterer, housekeeper, dry cleaning services, head of entertainment, nurse, taxi-driver, counsellor, teacher, relationship therapist, accountant, personal shopper, estate manager, travel agent, animal trainer… the list goes on. Which is precisely why Mums are so great at multi-tasking (thank goodness!).

With several mums amongst the HugoFox team, we know exactly how important it is to handle your time effectively. If you are not juggling saucepans, separating whites from colours and changing nappies all at once now, you’re probably planning how to manage the growing list for tomorrow. Makes you tired just reading about it all, doesn’t it? Luckily for Mums throughout the region, HugoFox is here to help.

Here on HugoFox.com we have tried to keep this in mind as we constantly update our news, events, jobs and offers to keep your life ticking along consistently: after all, having a ‘one stop’ site where you can organise most of your ‘duties’ in one hit is a time-saving luxury.With constant updates on our many sections, we can help you find a local football club, book a birthday party, search for some great local shopping deals and much more – even better, everything is local to you, saving time, money and a whole lot of additional effort!

Whether you need a new car for your growing family (Hummer, anyone?) a part-time job to fit around your family needs or you are looking for ideas to help the finances go further, there is a category to fit the bill. HugoFox.com has great ideas for keeping the family happy on a weekend or school holiday with events from fun days to family musicals  - and if you are on a budget, it’s always worth a browse through the Offers section for discounts and savings on your doorstep.

Being a mum is the best feeling in the world… but sometimes we all need a little time-saver to help make the job a bit easier. Search HugoFox.com for ideas.

The business section has listings of the services you may need for organising a holiday, coffee shops and beauticians to unwind, to specialist food retailers if you are trying to work around your vegetarian/intolerant/generally picky brood. Need a regular babysitter or a nanny? Why not post under our Jobs section (posting costs from just £24) where local, well-known and reliable people will be looking for this type of work – after all, as events manager and head of recruitment, this is part of your role too!

School is a big part of family life so being able to read about what the local schools are up to can give an insight into the activities in which they encourage their pupils to participate. Our News site is well worth keeping tabs on – not least because we avoid the sensationalist and just generally depressing stories in favour of what’s really relevant to you – read about the Dyslexia Research Trust here to find out how this charity changes children’s lives, and of all the great charity work which is being done to help raise funds for such worthwhile causes.

And if, after all that, you still have a spare few minutes each day to run a business of your own, then the site is a fantastic way to list and promote your services: there are guides to help you use HugoFox to your advantage and develop your business, whilst still reserving precious time to wipe little Johnny’s nose and release the cat’s tail from Molly’s ‘death grip’. All in a day’s work…

Keep up to date by following us on Twitter or checking the Facebook page, where you can have your say, make suggestions and leave comments. The team are always glad to hear any thoughts and ideas, so do get in touch by emailing us at news@hugofox.com.

Small, nifty, and environmentally friendly? Now that is smart!

Want to buy a used car, but having trouble deciding which one? We understand. With HugoFox.com’s dedicated Cars section bursting with fantastic deals on second-hand vehicles, the choice seems overwhelming. But not to worry! HugoFox News is here to give you a helping hand. Just answer the questions in our fun quiz below, choosing whichever option is most true for you, to find out which motor meets your requirements. At the very least, the route you choose should help to spark some ideas as to where you should be looking for your ideal auto… So what are you waiting for? Give it a go, and see which driver’s seat you should be sitting in!

1) I’m counting my pennies.

Yes, money’s tight at the moment – go to 2.

No way! I’m splashing out on my new wheels – go to 7.

2) I like my cars compact.

Yes, I like nipping through the traffic – go to 3.

No, have you seen what I have to fit into this car? – go to 4.

3) I try to reduce my carbon footprint wherever possible.

Yes, my choice of car reflects my concern for the environment = SMART fortwo.

No, that’s not my top priority right now = Nissan Micra

4) Will you be delivering the goods, or the kids?

“Now watch out for the headlights, Bond. They’re actually laser beams capable of killing pedestrians at 100 yards. Use them responsibly, won’t you?”

The goods, I need a vehicle suitable for my business needs = Ford Transit

The kids, I do the school run every day – go to 5.

5) I’m giving the oldest a lift to university. I don’t understand why they need so much stuff!

Yes, I need a hatchback for sure! – go to 6.

No, my kids aren’t yet old enough for that, thank goodness = Volkswagen Passat Sport

6) I want a 5-door car.

Yes, we need all the doors we can get! = Renault Clio

No, a 3-door will do nicely, thanks = Vauxhall Corsa

7) Will you be speeding through cities or cruising through the country?

Cities, I’m an urban driver – go to 9.

Country, I live out in the sticks – go to 8.

8) Big or VERY BIG?

Big is big enough: = Land Rover Freelander

Very big – size matters, you know! = Land Rover Discovery

9) There’s nothing like a Bond movie to liven up a Sunday afternoon.

Yes! I admit, I’m a bit of a Bond wannabe – go to 10.

No, that spy’s far too suave for my liking – go to 11.

10) I prefer Goldfinger to Moonraker.

Yes, Sean Connery made a great Bond, and you can’t go wrong with Oddjob as a villain = Aston Martin Vantage

No! What about Roger Moore and Jaws? Come on, Moonraker was the best! = Bentley Continental

11) I may not be keen on Bond, but I’d prefer a British-made car.

Yes, I’m feeling the Jubilee spirit = Jaguar XF

No, I couldn’t care less, just give me something fast = Porsche Carrera

Which car did you arrive at? Of course, you don’t have to take our word for it; there are plenty more motors for you to browse in our Cars listings. However, we hope that our little quiz has helped point you in the right direction… Consider HugoFox News your own personal ‘sat nav’!

You don’t need to sit behind the box or venture down to your local pub to watch a great match… local mini sporting heroes, The Rustington Otters’ U10s have proven that local sports teams are just as much fun to support with their spate of recent wins putting them top of the pile. Here they are celebrating winning the Wick Tournament.

If you thought last week’s Premier League final was good, you’d better get on side for local team, the Rustington Otters. Sponsored by HugoFox.con, the club’s star team players may only be under ten years of age, but they certainly know how to score a goal or two…

Fresh from their recent success of winning the league and cup double, the U10FC team at Rustington Otters have had a fantastic start to the tournament season.

At the Wick Dynamos Tournament on Saturday 12th May, at The Littlehampton Academy, the Under 10FC side carried on their brilliant league and cup form, running out winners of the tournament with an excellent record across their 7 games: winning 6, drawing 1, scoring 12 goals and conceding none!

The quality of football on the day from all teams involved was amazing, and it was great to see the boys enjoying themselves in the much shorter tournament style matches after such a long, hard season.

But it’s not just the littlies who are on top form: On Friday, 11th May, at the Worthing United Tournament, the U11FC team from Rustington Otters played brilliantly to finish as runners up. They lost narrowly in the final, 2-1, to Hangleton Rovers, after a hard-fought tournament under the floodlights at Worthing United’s home ground. Well, you can’t win ‘em all.

HugoFox News team send their congratulations to the teams and their coaches. We are proud to have our Fox backing the Rustington Otters and look forward to hearing more winning results this season.

How do you untangle this thing? Fear not, those behind the scenes at many of our listed film events across the region know what they’re doing. You just need to buy the tickets. And the popcorn.

As followers of film will no doubt be aware, 16th May saw the opening of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Cinema fans and impresarios from all over the world flock to this prestigious event which, through screenings and awards, promotes accessible arthouse films by sharing them with wider, passionate audiences. This is all extremely laudable, of course – but what about those of us who are languishing on the wrong side of the channel?

Luckily, HugoFox.com is just the place to find local events that will satisfy your cinematic needs. As our Events listings show, it’s not necessary to travel all the way to Cannes when there are plenty of opportunities right on your doorstop. What’s more, in the spirit of Cannes, HugoFox.com can help you to sniff out the less commercial options. If you’re tired of the glare and blare of big-chain cinemas, HugoFox Events has a number of artsy alternatives.

The classic approach: film screenings

Movie lovers can help to support local arts venues by checking out their film programmes. There are some real cinematic gems to be found at fantastic locations in and around the South. For example…

Carnage (2011) – Farnham Maltings, Surrey (23rd May)

Directed by Roman Polanski, this modern comedy of manners has a simple premise: two sets of parents hold a civilised meeting after their sons are involved in a playground scuffle. But the façade of middle-class politeness soon breaks, as the couples’ behaviour soon escalates to truly juvenile levels! Starring Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, and John C. Reilly.

This mischievous movie is showing at Farnham Maltings, a venue in the heart of Farnham which, in their own words “provides a place in which people can imagine, create and discover.” Hosting craft workshops, theatre, and festivals besides films, the Maltings is a place for creative types to keep an eye on!

If you want a taster, why not also go along to the Future Shorts Festival, a pop-up film festival that the Maltings is hosting on 22nd May? Showcasing the most exciting short films from around the world, it will introduce you not only to the venue, but to the works of seven fantastic film-makers too!

Lights, camera, action! Film fans are in for a treat with events such as Summer Screens’s outdoor showing of The Dark Night in Forbury Park. Visit HugoFox.com’s Events page for more of what’s on near you

Albert Nobbs (2011) – The Corn Exchange, Newbury (1st-7th June)

Earning an Oscar nomination for her role, Glenn Close co-directs, produces and stars in Rodrigo Garcia’s sophisticated film. The actress dazzles as Albert Nobbs, a character that has fascinated her for over 30 years, ever since she first played her in a 1982 stage show. The story of a woman’s struggle for independence in the strongly patriarchal society of 19th Century Ireland, the film tells how Close’s character is forced to disguise herself as a man in order to gain a job in a fancy Dublin hotel. For more details of the Corn Exchange’s showing, click here.

The Corn Exchange is Newbury’s premier arts venue. With a main house for theatre and films, a studio space, as well as a gallery and artist studios, it helps foster creativity of all kinds.

For quirky customers: cinema with a difference

For those looking to spice up their viewing experience, HugoFox.com has some further recommendations…

The Dark Knight (2010) – Forbury Gardens, Berkshire (8th June)

With better weather (hopefully) approaching, even the most ardent film fans may encounter a dilemma: you want to watch that movie, but you don’t want to be cooped up in a stuffy cinema for two hours. If this sounds familiar, then Summer Screens might be the solution for you! Bringing great films to unusual locations, this cinema events company is behind the screening of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight in Forbury Gardens. Watch this adrenaline-pumping blockbuster while lounging in a deckchair, or even from the comfort of a giant beanbag! This also means that you’ll be ready for the release of sequel The Dark Night Rises in July.

Rip-roaring blockbusters not your thing? That’s no problem, for Forbury Gardens is also hosting Summer Screens’s showing of the charming French film Amelie on Saturday 26th May.

Sing-a-Long Grease – Camberley Theatre, Surrey (13th July)

You all know who you are: when you sit down to watch Grease with your family, you’re the one who gets repeatedly told off for singing every number under your breath. However, with Camberley Theatre’s Sing-a-Long Grease this behaviour will be positively encouraged – in fact, you’ll be able to belt out ‘Greased Lightning’ and ‘Beauty School Dropout’ at the top of your lungs with no fear of reparation! Not only that, but you’ll be treated to a vocal warm-up and some lessons in hand-jiving before the movie begins. Repeat after me: “Summer lovin’, had me a bla-ast!

Behind the screens: the making of…

Of course, there’s much more to movies than what viewers see in the finished product, and the stories of the stars are often just as fascinating as their on-screen roles…

‘And Furthermore’ with Judi Dench – Winchester Guild Hall, Hampshire (9th June)

As part of Winchester’s Best of British Festival, national treasure Dame Judi Dench will be speaking at the Guild Hall. In conversation with her biographer, John Miller, Judi will be discussing the projects she’s been involved in since her last visit to Winchester in 2009. These include J.Edgar directed by Clint Eastwood, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel directed by John Madden, with whom she has previously worked when filming Mrs Brown and Shakespeare in Love. Book tickets for the talk through The Theatre Royal.

Information about all of these great events – and many more – can be found over in HugoFox.com’s Events pages. But make sure to keep checking back, for there are fabulous new local happenings being added every day!

We couldn’t wait to see Anton’s face when he received his new tablet…

HugoFox.com is delighted to announce that Anton Rigg is the winner of February’s monthly draw, taking home a swanky iPad2.

In a competition launched at the end of last year, the local listings website is giving away an iPad2 every month, with winners randomly selected from those who have posted on the website during that time. Anton is the third person to nab one of these nifty gadgets.

As the owner of Camelot Gates and Automation, a Reading-based company that designs, builds, and installs gates and gate-automation systems, Anton told HugoFox News that the iPad2 will be a great help to his business; he plans to use it to upload pictures and videos, thus creating a portable, electronic portfolio that he can take to his customers. HugoFox.com thinks this is a fantastic idea; Anton’s portfolio will now be as slick as the gates he designs!

HugoFox.com was recommended to Anton by Wayne Sangwell of Calcot Hawks

Anton’s listing helped Calcot Hawks win the race to £1000, courtesy of HugoFox.com

football club – one of 23 sports teams sponsored by HugoFox.com. If you’re a regular of our site, you will know about our fab competition which closed just last month, where the Hawks fought off stiff competition to win £1000 by encouraging local businesses to post their services online. By listing Camelot Gates and Automation, Anton earned precious points for the Calcot Hawks by selecting them as his chosen team.

But the listing has not only been of benefit to the Hawks; it has also helped Anton to advertise his business and draw in more customers. In particular, since listing on the site Anton has received many more enquiries from the Reading area, where his company is based: “Before, I would get most of my enquiries from further off, but now I get more people contacting me from Reading itself, which is great. They’ve obviously searched on HugoFox for a local service, and found my business that way,” he told HugoFox News. This is good news for Anton and his customers alike, making it easier for Anton to respond to breakdown and service requests that require speedy attention.

Since being pointed in the direction of HugoFox.com, Anton hasn’t looked back. “It’s a great resource,” Anton says. “It’s very easy to use, and it covers such a broad spectrum – jobs, cars, events, etc. It’s always my first choice.

 

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