Page 4 - Town & Around - September 2022
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4 Town & Around September 2022 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
The reality of being a refugee
Chris Bishop
'm fighting back the tears as Nick and Nataliya tell their story in a
noisy cafe filled with shoppers and holidaymakers on the High
IStreet.
On a summer's day in Sunny Hunny, they've shared the horrors that
drove them from their war-torn homeland to our shores.
It started off with a missile hitting the block of flats next to the one
they lived in at 4.30am on the day the Russian invasion began.
Neighbours were killed and maimed in their beds, as the couple saw
the skies over Kyiv turn fiery red and knew they had to get out for the
sake of their children.
After more than 30 years in journalism, I'm rarely lost for words.
But I've run out of questions even quicker than they've run out of
answers as the horror of what they've been through sinks in.
A kind sponsor has given them somewhere to stay on the edge of
Hunstanton. Nataliya shrugs when I ask if they think they'll ever be
able to return home.
"You don't know if this life you've worked for all this time will still
exist, or whether it's been blown to pieces," she says as the tears well Photo: Chris Bishop
up. for the first time. It's cod all-round for the rest of us.
Nick adds: "We had a lot of plans, we had perspective. Then all of The mood lightens as we tuck into some proper seaside food. Plaice
a sudden everything was finished, everything was broken and we have are what we call a flatfish, because they're flat and live at the bottom
to start out life from the beginning again." of the sea, I explain.
A hiss of steam breaks the silence and the barista shouts: "Two lattes, Nick starts trying to describe a fish they eat at home. It's like a big
cappuccino coming up." Ukrainian trout by the sound of things, before the conversation stalls
I can see it's time to go. I've put them through enough for one again.
afternoon. They ate those back at home. The home they had to flee, like
People are queuing as we head outside. I wonder if any of them have countless thousands, as their country was torn apart by a war in which
any idea what the couple walking past them have been through before God only knows how many have died.
they ended up in our town. I wonder if the people spilling in from the beach and those sitting
A few days later, we meet up to get a picture or two on the beach around us have any idea about the reality of what's happened in
with the couple and their two children Roman, 14 and three-year-old Ukraine, the human cost I've seen through the eyes of one family
sister Miriam, to go with a story I'm filing. who've seen their hopes and dreams shattered before they wound up
They don't know whether to smile or not. I wouldn't if I'd lost here with little more than the clothes on their back.
everything. If you think you're going to struggle over the next few months, spare
"Shall we go and find some fish and chips," I ask. a thought for Nick and Nataliya, who've found themselves facing an
The seafront eatery we plump for does us proud. Nick tries plaice uncertain future here.
Why it’s important a garage is ‘female-friendly’
Abigail Brown
ou are not alone if you're a woman reception is the right staff. A warm smile, You may have heard horror stories about
who has dreaded taking your car to a friendly demeanour, and understanding garages taking advantage of women, perhaps
Ygarage. A whopping nine in ten approach go a long way to building trust and overcharging them, or doing more work on
women believe they are treated differently at calming nerves. their car than was discussed and still being
auto-repair shops than men. And with 31% Confused.com states that over a third of charged for it. In fact, according to a study
confused by jargon and 28% nervous about women motorists worry a mechanic will rip performed by The Times, women are much
asking technical questions, it's no wonder them off. This is a scary statistic, but it's more likely to be quoted higher prices for car
women view a trip to the dentist more understandable given that some technicians repairs than men for the same services. It's
favourably than getting a car serviced, use jargon and fail to explain what the car important to note that this isn't always the
according to AutoMD. Yet, shockingly, needs and any work completed. Then there's case, however.
despite the statistics above, many auto-repair the fear that you'll be laughed at if you A handful of garages make providing a
garages are not making an effort to be 'female misunderstand anything. On the other hand, safe, welcoming environment and services to
appropriate.' an honest garage would go through everything people of all genders a priority. With our all-
First impressions count, and if women, in detail and layman's terms without female receptions and knowledgeable, helpful
men, or people of any gender walk into a patronising. The reception/admin team and technicians, we at K Brown Auto Repairs are
dirty, uninviting reception area, they are likely mechanics should treat each customer with dedicated to treating all our customers with
to feel uneasy from the off. Even things that respect and compassion. the same courtesy and care, no matter their
may seem insignificant, like old, faded No garage should conduct work before gender.
calendars on the wall and insufficient lighting, getting prior approval from the customer, Visit www.kbrownautoskingslynn.co.uk for
can impact how comfortable someone feels. regardless of gender. This may seem like a more information. Or call our friendly
On the contrary, a light, airy space with plenty given, but you'd be surprised how many reception teams on 01485 533786 for
of seating and tasteful decor will have the garages aren't so forthcoming when it comes Hunstanton or 01553763763 for King's Lynn.
opposite effect. Another essential aspect of a to communicating effectively with customers.