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Home Counties Loft Ladders, Quality You Can Trust! These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Home Counties Loft Ladders come in. The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50sqft of boarding and a light - all fully fitted in less than a day from just £355! But it’s not just the affordability of the package that makes Home Counties Loft Ladders stand out, as manager Jamie Oakley explains: ‘Our
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Gardening – Plants as Air Purifiers
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The Information you need to Delete from your Facebook Right Now
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New Season at John Bunyan Museum
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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT BEDSLIFE
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community news Marston Mind Space neurodiverse garden
Sign up for updates for rental village
The initial consultation period for Mill View, a new housing development and country park at Thickthorn Farm, has now ended after residents were invited to share feedback via the online questionnaire. The site, just north of Houghton Conquest and south of the Wixams development, will include 650 homes, a primary school, and 87-acre country park, complemented by community amenities. A new community garden lead by people with autism, ADHD and learning difficulties is planned for Marston Mortaine Parish. It is hoped that residents in Marston Moretaine and neighbouring villages will join in with growing fruit and vegetables in the garden. An initial meeting took place in November when it was decided that the new garden will be called Marston Mind Space. The next online meeting will take place at 8pm on Wednesday 19 January. Anyone interested in finding out more and getting involved in this exciting new project can email Erica at marstoncommunitygarden@hotmail.com to obtain the video link and more information.
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Present Made, the UK’s first developer of purposebuilt family homes and residential communities designed for renters, will be building the development. Alan Penfold, executive director at Present Made, said: “We’re aiming for a new style of rental development, with high quality, low carbon homes designed for families, surrounded by beautiful landscaping and outdoor spaces.” The new country park will be delivered within the first phase of the scheme and will make up half of the development’s total area. Housing will include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, which will be owned and managed by Present Made for the long-term.
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The new country park will be delivered within the first phase of the scheme and will make up half of the development’s total area. The next step is for Present Made to review the feedback received before submitting their planning application in early 2022. A website has been set up for the local community, providing a way for people to stay up to date with the latest news as the site develops. Residents are invited to sign-up to the mailing list to keep informed of any future developments on the project, including Present Made’s response to the consultation, the latest plans, and future feedback opportunities. www.millviewconsultation.com
Pupil-inspired Airship sculpture unveiled
Paul said: “I was lucky enough to spend a few days with the children of Shortstown Primary School. Each word was carefully etched into the sculpture by hand, which then has the text engraved beneath in English, stating the meaning and telling us the language being illustrated. All of the words and phrases came from the children, see if you can look and find a favourite.” The sculpture is part of a wider Airship Dreams project hosted by Bedford Creative Arts. As Elaine Midgley, Director of Bedford Creative Arts explained: “One of our goals was to engage the local community in the engineering heritage of the local area, and our links to the airship industry.
“The workshop with Paul really inspired the children at Shortstown and they were thrilled to see their input in the artwork itself.” Denise Cottam, Head Teacher at Shortstown Primary School said: “The R101 now sits proudly in Adam’s garden. The opportunity to collaborate with Bedford Creative Arts and work with the artist Paul Pibworth, was so exciting. The whole R101 project was an amazing experience and to have such a significant piece of artwork, in the school, is a privilege.” The full exhibition, Airship Dreams: Escaping Gravity, took place at The Higgins Bedford between July and November 2021, and the community exhibition will run until 25th March 2022. If any other local schools are keen to get involved in the project, they can access a wealth of educational resources at: www.bedfordcreativearts.org.uk
The pupils of Shortstown Primary School in Cardington are now benefiting from a bespoke airship sculpture which they helped to inspire. Local Culture Challenge artist, Paul Pibworth, hosted a workshop with children from the school and asked then what emotions the airships would have inspired. He then used this to help create his artwork. The words the children chose were then translated into various languages, all of which are spoken by children of Shortstown Primary School.
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Do you have some village news to share? Email jacqui@bedslifemagazine.co.uk Copy deadline for the February issue is 12 January
Spring Term Events 2022 Working Memory Workshop
Community Activities/Short Breaks Focus Group
Parent Training from the Educational Psychology Team
Health Facilitation Service - Over 18's
Sleep Course for Parents Thursday 27th January and Thursday 3rd February 7pm
Speech and Language Therapy Team Discussion Monday 31st January 2022 - 10am
School Nurses Get Together Monday 7th February - 10am
Autism Spectrum Advisory Teachers Get Together Thursday 10th February - 10am
Eating Disorders - Focusing on ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) Monday 21st February - 10am
January is Love Your Liver Awareness Month The British Liver Trust want the nation to show their liver some love in January and take their first steps towards better liver health. January is often a time that people take stock after the Christmas period but this year it is even more important as the numbers at risk have also increased during the Covid pandemic. Many people have increased their alcohol consumption and gained weight during lockdown – the two biggest risk factors for developing liver disease.
Why you should love your liver The liver is a fascinating organ and its importance is often underrated. It’s an amazing multi-tasker and has over 500 vital jobs to do to keep you alive. It’s just as important as other organs like your heart and lungs, but they tend to steal most of the limelight. In the UK, liver disease is on the rise. The three major preventable causes are drinking alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis. When it’s damaged, the liver can repair itself, but only up to a point. Sadly, people with liver disease often don’t have any symptoms until the disease has progressed and it’s far too late for treatment. That’s why it’s so important to know the risk factors and to keep your liver happy and healthy for life - before long-lasting damage can occur. Take your first steps towards better liver health today. You can get a snapshot of your liver health with the Love Your Liver screener at britishlivertrust.org. uk/at-risk-screener/ and also download a free Diet and the Liver factsheet plus find lots more useful information at britishlivertrust.org.uk/informationand-support/
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WOODCARVING CLASSES Would you like to be able to carve like this?
Join our classes on Fridays, 1.00 – 3.30 pm. Both men and women are welcome. No experience or tools needed. Only £10 for 2 ½hours plus coffee and biscuits! In Bedford Model Engineering Society’s Clubhouse on A600 near Haynes Turn. Great company, good fun, satisfying results. Contact Barbara Beard 01234 743062 or bar.beard@btinternet.com
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Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity: Digital Champion, Bedford Borough Digital Champions are people of all ages, from all backgrounds and communities. They help others understand the benefits of using the internet and show them how to do simple things online that can make a huge difference to people’s lives. You don’t need to be an IT whizz, just have a bit of spare time, an enjoyment of being online yourself and a passion to help others.
Nu Focus CIC: Podcast Editor/Assistant
Volunteering Opportunities
Welcome to the New Year! Here is our volunteering pick of the month for January 2022. Whatever the year ahead holds, we can be sure that lots of organisations will continue to have a huge impact on our local community and they will need your help. Here is a small selection from the opportunities we hold at CVS Bedfordshire from organisations across the area. We invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at www.cvsbeds.org.uk/volunteernewsletter for monthly news of the latest opportunities and other volunteering related news.
43 Bromham Road, Bedford Call 01234 354 366 or Email: volunteering@cvsbeds.org.uk www.cvsbeds.org.uk 10
A friendly and approachable person is required for our small team to help support our What Say You podcast and media youth project. Duties will involve planning and preparing episode topics and interview questions. Editing podcast content, writing brief show notes for each episode and posting the podcast online.
Keech Hospice Care: Shop Assistant, Bedford Our volunteers are at the heart of the day to day running of our shops. The shops generate much needed income to provide nursing care for our patients. As a volunteer in our Bedford shop you will have a variety of tasks including helping to sort and clean donations, interacting with customers and promoting an understanding of the work done by Keech Hospice Care.
Bedford Credit Union: Team Member The credit union provides basic savings and lowinterest loans, encouraging regular saving and educating members in money management. You will use your skills in IT and administration, book keeping and finance to help with reporting and checking of paperwork.
Time to Talk Mental Health UK: Moderator Volunteers are wanted to help moderate the Time to Talk Mental Health UK Facebook peer support group, which is open between 9am and 10.30pm 7 days a week. The ideal candidates will have experience in a support environment and have strong communication and IT skills – in particular social media. Search for and register an interest in any of the listed roles above by adding the name of the organisation into the keyword field on our Simply Connect opportunity search at cvsbeds.org.uk/volunteer
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BedsLife Meets… Rasa Varanauskaite from The Friendly Nettle Café, Shortstown
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Where did you grow up? I grew up in Kaunas, the second biggest city in Lithuania.
What was your favourite lesson in school? At school I mostly loved arts, biology and home economics.
What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was young, I found it difficult to decide what I would like to be when I grow up. I liked so many things! I wanted to be a gardener because I like plants; I dreamed to be a fashion designer because I liked sewing and other fabric crafts such as knitting and crochet (I have a degree in fashion now).
What was your first job? My first job was serving breakfast in a hotel in central London. Funnily, the first days of my café opening reminded me of working at that hotel. Shortstown people love their cooked breakfast!
How did the Friendly Nettle Café come about? I always loved hanging out at cafés and wished they were a little like pubs. A place where local people meet. I thought I will open café one day when I have enough money, but later in life I had a thought, why wait? So, 10 years ago, I started my journey on making this dream come true. Initially I launched a blog called Friendly Nettle where I blogged about everything I loved: crafts, baking, gardening, travel, and what inspires me. When I moved to Shortstown in 2015 I was ready, and the right space opened up. Although the café is now open, it still has a long way to go to really become what I originally imagined.
What is the most popular thing on the menu? The most popular item on the menu is our Maple Sea Salt Latte. I came up with it last year when trialling out different drinks. I tried adding salt on top and I was pleasantly surprised how well that goes with coffee. A lot of customers who taste it always come back for this drink. And I am very proud of it as I must be the only café serving this.
What is your favourite thing to cook? I love trialling out new recipes, especially those that have lots of different flavours. I love when different unexpected ingredients get matched but work brilliantly!
If you ever eat out locally where is your favourite place to go? I love eating out at different cafés for inspiration. Currently my favourite café is The Pavilion in Bedford Park.
What future plans do you have for the Friendly Nettle Café? I have lots of plans for the Friendly Nettle Cafe, but the main one is to be able to open doors longer hours in the evenings and become a social place for the community where locals can learn new skills or make new friends.
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£25
Bumper Prize Crossword Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before Friday 14th January Prize Crossword, BedsLife, 17 Foxbrook, Stevington, Bedfordshire MK43 7QY Last Months Crossword Winner – Jane Williams, Wixams
For last months answers please turn to P30
Across
1 Pile, stack (4) 3 Large performing arts centre in London (8) 9 Introductions, Preambles (4-3) 10 Relationship between two numbers (5) 11 Paper fasteners (7,5) 13 Essence, personality (6) 15 Garden tool (6)
Name:
Address:
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17 Fungal disease affecting tubers (6,6) 20 Halt, break-off (5) 21 Scannable mark on merchandise (7) 22 Money or property (8) 23 European mountain range (4)
Down
1 Recklessly determined (4-4) 2 Use or benefit (5)
Tel:
4 Designate, nominate (6) 5 Intruder deterrent (7,5) 6 Feline foot or to dupe someone (4-3) 7 Alcove, crevice (4) 8 Day care centre (12) 12 Sparkles (8) 14 Before time (3, 4) 16 Times two (6) 18 Bogeyman, fiend (5) 19 Baby cow (4)
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To advertise with us, please contact christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP CLUB – FOR THE OVER 50’S EVERY THURSDAY – 2PM TO 4PM, ENTRY £1 Refreshments, raffle, bingo, games, crafts and more Also occasional meals and outings. For information call Marion on 01234 304382 Christ the King Parish Hall, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP
BEDFORD ART SOCIETY MEETING FRIDAY 7 JANUARY 7.15PM FOR 7.30PM START Bedford born artist Oliver Winconek has painted many well-known actors and members of society. He will demonstrate painting a portrait in oils and acrylics at our first actual meeting of the year. Entry is free for members, £5 for visitors. Contact Jean Paterson 01234 307210 or www.bedsartsociety.co.uk for information.
PAPAS & PRESCHOOLERS SATURDAY JANUARY 8 12.30PM – 2PM Are you the only dad at the music group? Do you feel a bit lonely? It turns out, even that yellow haired rag doll is a girl! Who knew?! Or are you grandad, who thought he’d done his time so is now looking to fill the grandkids up on sugar before giving them back? Do you need to talk about stuff that the wife just doesn’t understand? Like what makes Catie’s machines so amazing or why lego instructions are the only ones you will ever follow? Do you fancy getting some lunch with other local dads and finding new friends for your children, that you can later blame for that swear word your little one copied from you in the car? Let’s have some fun....... and a sandwich! Friendly Nettle Café, Beauvais Square, Shortstown MK42 0GE
BEDFORD REPAIR CAFÉ SATURDAY 15 JANUARY 12PM After a long wait, we are finally returning to repair your loved items. The Bedpop Repair Shop is a pop-up community repair cafe. They are volunteers who want to teach you how to fix your stuff and are passionate about the right to repair and avoiding landfill. Run completely by the kindness of volunteers and sponsors.
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Booking slots dropping soon, but please save the date and take note of our NEW VENUE: The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE
THE BEDFORD KILO SUNDAY 16 JANUARY 10AM – 4PM
Come and shop TONNES of sustainable, vintage, retro & branded fashion for just £20 per kilo. You will need to choose a ticketed time slot, but there is no time limit to how long you can stay in the event, and you can come and go all day if you fancy doubling your shopping time! Please wear a face covering and bring your own bag. Fresh stock will be added to the rails throughout the day! Corn Exchange, 13 St Paul’s Square, MK40 1SL shopkilo.co.uk
THE HIGGINS KNITTING AND CROCHET GROUP EVERY THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH: 18 JANUARY, 15 FEBRUARY,15 MARCH 11AM – 1PM Get creative and join like-minded crafters to create items for charities and events. Sessions will be running both at The Higgins Bedford and online. Free Entry. Booking Essential To book, or to receive the Zoom login, please email thehiggins@bedford.gov.uk
‘FOR MEN TO TALK’ TUESDAY 18 JANUARY 6PM – 8PM For Men To Talk is a chance for men suffering with anxiety, depression and grief to talk with other fellow sufferers. St Neots Golf Club, Crosshall Road, St Neots PE19 7GE
GRIEF WELLIES DEATH CAFÉ THURSDAY 20 JANUARY 5.30PM A Death Café is an informal gathering of people (often strangers) to talk about death over a cup of tea and a piece of cake. The topic of discussion is generated by the group and there is no agenda, objective or prescribed theme. A Death Café is an open, accessible and confidential space for those interested in talking about anything in relation to death. For further information, please join the Grief Wellies group on Facebook, or visit the Death Café Website deathcafe.com The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE
BEDFORD RSPB LOCAL GROUP THURSDAY 20 JANUARY 7.30PM AIMING TO FINISH BY 9.30PM Wilf Powell – “Jewels in the Air”. Wilf, previously Chairman of the Bedfordshire Natural History Society, will describe aspects of the biology and behaviour of hummingbirds. illustrated with photos taken on trips to Ecuador, Costa Rica, Trinidad, Cuba and Brazil, with the main emphasis on Ecuador, which boasts 132 species. An amazing and entertaining evening guaranteed. Suitable for Experts and Novices, RSPB membership not essential. Entrance fee, group members £1 Guest £2 annual group membership £5 under 18s enter free. The facilities, including refreshments, are at ground level and there is secure parking. Covid restrictions may apply i.e. Masks and Sanitiser Meet at ARA club, Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF Soup & Sandwich Friday 28 January 12pm-2pm Enjoy Soup & Sandwich with tea &coffee £2.50. Together with a couple of hours of fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Park Road Methodist Church, Park Road West, Bedford MK41 7SB
PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY 1PM – 3PM Have you ever found archaeological objects whilst digging in the garden, taking the dog for a walk or
metal detecting? Would you like to find out more about them? Matt Fittock, Finds Liaison Officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, can help. Free Entry, Booking Essential. Limited timed sessions available at The Higgins Bedford, book your place by emailing Matthew. Fittock@stalbans.gov.uk
AFTERNOON VINTAGE TEA FRIDAY 28 JANUARY 2PM – 4PM Entry £3, Includes tea, home-made cake and friendship For information call Myriam on 07590 558275 Christ the King Parish Hall, Harrowden Road, Bedford, MK42 0SP
BEDFORD SINFONIA WITH JESSICA ELLIS (OBOE) SATURDAY 29 JANUARY 7.30PM The Bedford Sinfonia, conducted by Ian Smith, is thrilled to welcome eighteen-year-old oboist Jessica Ellis, a rising star, to perform Vaughan Williams’ Concerto for Oboe in A Minor. Richard Strauss’ Symphony for Winds (‘Happy Workshop’), Elgar’s dynamic and exciting Introduction and Allegro for strings complete the programme for the evening. Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square Bedford MK40 1SL bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/bedfordshireorchestral-society/
BEDFORD MUM2MUM MARKET SUNDAY 30 JANUARY 2PM – 4PM SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY 2-4PM Over 20 stalls to browse with snacks and refreshments available. £2 admission for adults. Kids go free Free parking. This is a CASH only event! Lakeview Village Hall, Brooklands Avenue, Wixams MK42 6AB
BedsLife Magazine cannot be held responsible for any event changes, amends or cancellations. Please ensure to check ahead before attending. To list an event in our February issue please email christa@bedslifemagazine.co.uk by Friday 14th January. Priority will be given to non-profit events.
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78–82 Bromham Road, Bedford MK40 2QH
Home Help Service
Tel: 01234 360 510 www.ageukbedfordshire.org.uk
edfordshire
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Cleaning, ironing, laundry and shopping, all done with care and a warm smile!
We put your safety first at ALL times Fully trained and supervised Home Helps. Thorough vetting and DBS checks on all workers. Regular daily or weekly visits to suit your needs. A variety of payment methods including monthly invoicing. During the Corona Virus pandemic, we have continued to provide all of our services. We carry out 1000 hours of home visits per week, without any Covid 19 incidents. This is due to the diligence of our team in following the additional safety measures we introduced at the beginning of March 2020.
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The new season at the John Bunyan Museum and Library has begun! Can’t visit in person? Check out our YouTube Channel to see our Bunyan’s Hidden Highlights series! Help support the John Bunyan Museum and Library You can support the museum in many ways, by making a purchase or donation during your visit, following us on social media or through joining the Friends of the John Bunyan Museum. You can also help by joining our brilliant team of volunteers. We really couldn’t do with out them and we’d love to hear from you if you think you could help us continue to share and celebrate the life and legacy of John Bunyan. For more information, visit: www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/get-involved
Our museum takes you on a journey through the remarkable life of Bedford’s most famous son, John Bunyan. Explore his story through scenes of his life, from a 17th century childhood to his imprisonment for refusing to change his faith; spot objects he owned, used and even made; and learn more about the books his experiences inspired him to write, including his most famous work: The Pilgrim’s Progress. We’ve got an exciting year ahead of us as we continue our anniversary celebrations in 2022. The museum turned 75 last year and this year is the 350th Anniversary of the purchase of the land on which Bunyan Meeting stands. Look out for our special celebratory exhibition and our Crafty Thursday family activities throughout the year. We’re open 11am-4pm, for Saturdays only from 15th January until February Half-Term, when we’ll be open Tuesday- Saturday from 15th February. To plan your visit, go to: www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/planning-your-visit
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Bedford Daycare Hospice Supporting patients living with life limiting conditions
Job Vacancy
Part time Assistant Shop Manager position, Kempston, Bedford Due to promotion an exciting opportunity has become available for an Assistant Shop Manager to join our friendly team 30 hours a week based at 211 Bedford Rd Kempston Beds MK42 8DD. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary in addition to a company pension and 28 days holiday pro rata, including Bank holidays. If you have experience of working in a retail shop environment and helping to lead a team of salespeople including volunteers, then this is a perfect opportunity to grow your career and help to support a local community Hospice.
Role Requirements • Experience in a retail shop supervisor role. • Experience of working in a Charity shop environment would be useful.
• Able to use their own initiative • Excellent customer service • Good level of IT understanding
Attitudes Key Relationships • • • • • •
Shop staff Volunteers Senior managers Board directors Members of the public Community groups
Role Responsibilities • Managing the sales process from start to finish • Driving Profit and Gift Aid sales • Managing a team of salespeople including volunteers • Stock generation • Organising van delivery and collections
Skills • • • •
Safeguarding of vulnerable adults Health and Safety awareness Good understanding of Equality and Diversity Possess good communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work as part of a team • Able to work flexibly • Have a self-awareness of their own competencies and limitations
Company + Benefits About Bedford Daycare Hospice We are an award-winning Daycare Hospice offering help and support to patients suffering with lifelimiting conditions. Plus, we are a major service provider in Bedford with 5 shops and over 80 employees including volunteers. We are dedicated to providing an exemplary level of service to patients and customers alike and believe that hard works pays off, whilst we always have the support of the Hospice at heart in everything we do.
Why should you apply? • • • • • •
Competitive Salary Good Location Generous Holidays Company pension Car parking space Giving back to the community
HOW TO APPLY To apply for the Assistant Shop Manager role based in Bedford, please send a copy of your CV and a short cover letter either by email to jinny.shoosmith@bdc-hospice.org.uk or by using the apply button provided on the our web page. We will aim to get back to you within 2-5 working days, thank you for your application. Closing date for this advert will be as soon as we have had enough successful applicants.
Bedford Daycare Hospice Caring for people with life-limiting illnesses
URGENTLY NEEDED!
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Winter wildlifewatching discover animal tracks A first sight, winter might not seem like the most fruitful time for wildlifewatching – but in fact the season does offer many opportunities for the keen nature lover. A snow-covered landscape offers a pristine canvas for discovering the hidden movements of a host of wild creatures. Head out early into a woodland following a recent snowfall, for example, and you could gain a real insight into the wildlife that lives there. Look carefully on the ground as you walk and you’re likely to come across a variety of animal tracks as you explore.
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Badger tracks
Foxes are especially active in mid winter, so they’re a good starting point on your animal tracking expedition. During December and January, males travel widely outside their usual ranges to find vixens to mate with. Fox pawprints are similar in appearance to a dog’s, consisting of a roughly triangular-shaped heel pad below four toe pads. Claw marks can sometimes be seen above each toe too. Fox and dog prints can be differentiated by their shape – fox prints are narrower – and also by their distribution. Fox tracks tend to go in largely straight, purposeful lines, whereas dog tracks are usually more erratic and scattered. During the breeding season, foxes become a lot more vocal too, and you may be woken in the middle of a wintry night by the sounds of their courtship! Their loud calls are thought to help them to locate each other. Females indicate that they are ready to mate by making loud shrieking noises, and males respond with a triple bark. Badgers are much less active during winter, but will still venture out occasionally to forage for food, so if you’re lucky you may come across their prints. Look for their distinctive tracks around setts and you can see where they’ve been during their nocturnal wanderings. Pawprints have a large rear pad topped with five toe pads. Claw marks above each toe are visible too. During very cold weather, the black and white mammals often go into a state of torpor – a kind of short-term hibernation to conserve energy stores. During this time, badgers remain
Fox tracks
in their setts and experience a fall in body temperature and metabolic rate. Squirrels also do this, and can spend days at a time in their nest, only emerging to seek out the food they stored during autumn. Squirrels are expert at preparing for the cold season. As well as burying caches of highenergy nuts to feast on when natural food is scarce, they also winter-proof their homes. Squirrels have a summer home and a winter home. During the the warmer months, they live in a round, football-sized nest made from interwoven twigs and leaves, and lined with mosses. As the temperature falls, this nest is either abandoned or modified, and given a much tighter, thicker structure, to protect its inhabitants from the elements. Unsurprisingly, squirrel tracks usually start and finish at the base of a tree. Back paw prints are about 45 mm long and consist of a narrow heel and five long and narrow toes. Front paws are smaller – about 35 mm long – with four toes. Another common track to look out for in woodlands or across fields are those of a rabbit. Rabbit tracks consist of two long prints side by side (the hind paws, which strike the ground first as they move) and two smaller prints behind them. You can even find out which animals are visiting your garden – usually when you’re fast asleep – by creating a footprint ‘trap’ to collect imprints. Fill a large tray with fine, moist sand and leave a bowl of meat-based pet food in the middle. Any creatures visiting for a snack will leave their prints in the sand, ready for you to identify! 23
FACE WIPE
The information you need to delete from your Facebook right now. While the likes of Instagram, Twitter and YouTube all act as platforms on which our exposure is high, it is Facebook that has attracted the most attention, after the platform wilfully and repeatedly breached data protection laws. The subsequent multi-billion dollar fine may have led Mark Zuckerberg to arrest his company’s careless approach to data integrity, but the bigger picture for everyday users was to question more closely what they share, and with who. Here are four quick fixes that will tighten up your online profile:
Preferences Much of the data Facebook gathers from users is there so that they can be targeted for products and services linked to lifestyle choices. You can limit the information used by visiting the Ad Preferences page and, in turn, clicking Your Interests and Your Information tabs. This won’t reduce advertising you see, nor erase data already stored, though it will stop specific targeting.
Off-Facebook activity After two years of development, in 2020 the site finally launched a tool that ceased the sharing of Facebook data with third-party marketing firms and ad networks. This chain-breaker can be accessed through the Your Information page, and will immediately stop the site replicating your activity
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elsewhere. For instance, when you search for a pair of shoes elsewhere on the web, then immediately are bombarded with the same brand through the social network.
App and mobile When you use Facebook on your mobile, it will track various things such as location, wi-fi network you are connected to and your location, and this is additional information you can ‘untick’ to a large extent, though never fully.
Lifestyle While unconscious presentation of information through online habits is something most of us are keen to address, what we give out voluntarily is much more profound. Everything from birthdays to checkins at locations, right through to fun quizzes that log our preferences (to football or Disney or the Amalfi Coast, or anything!), are all used to gather information. Likewise, when we enrich our profile with information about our friends, families and hobbies, we are potentially exposing our habits and preferences to everyone, so consider checking your basic Facebook settings – is your profile open just to friends, or to the entire community? Likewise, how relevant is it to list your kids’ birthdays or places of work? The bad news is that while if you decide you want a clean sweep entirely from Facebook, you can deactivate your account, the company owns What’s App and Instagram, so you have further privacy decisions to make!
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Plants as air purifiers A friend recently asked me whether there are any plants which might help with the humidity and mould problem in the bathroom and back bedroom of her Victorian house. It’s a problem that actually affects many British households. Many of our homes are old, and in our damp climate humidity can rise pretty quickly in the winter when all the windows are closed, and the radiators are on. With increased humidity comes the increased risk of mould and associated respiratory problems. Obviously, we can install a dehumidifier or an extractor fan, but nature also provides her own dehumidifiers and air purifiers in the form of certain house plants. The best houseplants for mould-prone areas are those which are efficient at absorbing moisture through their leaves. Not all plants are equally efficient at this task so I’ve selected four of the best. Each offers a different aesthetic so there should be one that’s perfect for you. English ivy is a native plant and it’s a low-cost option. It removes airborne mould, but also other toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. It grows best in bright, indirect sunlight so is perfect for north-facing rooms. You need to keep it out of reach of toddlers and pets because the leaves are toxic. Peace Lilies remind me of the film Hot Fuzz. Sergeant Angel, played by Sean Pegg loved his Peace Lily, and he had good reason. Not only are they elegant plants with stunning white flowers, but research conducted by NASA found the Peace Lily to be one of the top indoor plants for air purification. This tropical plant breaks down and neutralizes benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. One of the advantages of a Peace Lily is that it tells you when its thirsty by drooping and that it’s getting too much light by turning yellow. They love high humidity areas with indirect sunlight like most bathrooms and are great at preventing mould. Like English ivy the leaves and flowers are toxic.
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Palms add a tropical touch to a room and will efficiently reduce humidity. There are many varieties and some of the best are the lady palm, dwarf palm and reed palm. Indirect light is best and keep the surface of the soil moist but not wet. The Snake Plant is a wonderfully architectural succulent. Its evergreen sword-shaped leaves grow upright, and almost resemble artificial foliage. It’s great at air purification and is one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. This quality makes it particularly good for use in a bedroom as it can help regulate healthy airflow. Snake plants can absorb cancer-causing pollutants, including CO2, benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene and act as an effective defence against airborne allergies. Plants can’t solve a full-on damp problem and they won’t replace a built-in humidifier or extractor fan. But plants are a great way to improve the quality of the air in your home and they look beautiful too. Happy indoor gardening By Rachael Leverton
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USEFUL RESOURCES
BEDFORDSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITIES CHARITY Delivering a wide range of rural development and community projects.
ACCESS BEDFORD Works with the D/deaf and hard of hearing community to make Bedford Borough more accessible. They also have a facebook social group for Deaf people living in and around Bedford Tel 07376 262 873 www.accessbedford.org.uk
AGE UK BEDFORDSHIRE Local organisation solely devoted to the welfare of the over 50’s in Bedfordshire. Tel 01234 360510 www.ageuk.org.uk/bedfordshire
AUTISM BEDFORDSHIRE Independent charity dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people and their families across Bedfordshire.
Tel 01234 838771 www.bedsrcc.org.uk
BEDFORDSHIRE WELLBEING SERVICE Offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better. Tel 01234 880400 www.bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk
BEDFORD WOMEN’S CENTRE Supporting women in the community who may have experienced Domestic Abuse or want more information about healthy relationships. Tel 01234 316801 www.bedfordwomenscentre.org.uk
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Tel 01234 350704 www.autismbedfordshire.net
BEDFORD BOROUGH LOCAL OFFER A place where parents and young people with Special Educational Needs and or disabilities can find clubs, activities and services to support them and their families Here you will find details of upcoming events, clubs and services available in the Borough of Bedford. www.localoffer.bedford.gov.uk
Supporting and advocating for people with a learning disability and challenging behaviours. Tel 01234 352899 www.bo4ld.org.uk
CARERS IN BEDFORDSHIRE Local charity helping unpaid carers of all ages and backgrounds to cope with the stresses of their caring role. Tel 0300 111 1919 www.carersinbeds.org.uk
CATS PROTECTION BEDFORD DAYCARE HOSPICE Provides individualised holistic care to patients suffering with a life-limiting condition from the point of diagnosis through treatment to remission or palliative care. Tel 01234 352 015 www.bedforddaycarehospice.org.uk
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Tel 0345 260 2505 www.cats.org.uk/bedford
CHUMS Mental health and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people 01525 863924 www.chumscharity.org
CITIZENS ADVICE
MINDBLMK
An independent charitable organisation that helps people resolve their problems by providing information and advice.
Supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.
Tel 01234 867944 www.bedfordcab.org.uk
COMMUNITY VOLUNTARY SERVICE BEDFORDSHIRE (CVS ) Support for voluntary and community sector organisations in Bedfordshire. Tel 01234 354366 www.cvsbeds.org.uk
Tel 0300 330 0648 www.mind-blmk.org.uk
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THERAPY CENTRE BEDS & NORTHANTS Provides help, support and therapy for those with MS in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. Tel 01234 325781 www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com
FACES (FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S EARLY-HELP SERVICES) local independent charity offering practical and emotional support to families under stress. 01234 270601 www.facesbedford.org
OPEN DOOR Charity providing FREE and confidential counselling to young people aged 13 – 25. Tel 01234 360388 www.bedfordopendoor.org.uk
ROAD VICTIMS TRUST FAMILIES FIRST BEDFORDSHIRE 01234 341977 www.familiesfirstbedfordshire.org.uk
Offers a range of free support services to residents of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire who have been affected by fatal road collisions.
Tel 01234 843345 www.rvtrust.org.uk
FRIENDS FOR LIFE A local charity working to address the social isolation of residents in Bedford’s care homes
Tel 07460 575410 www.friendsforlifebedford.org.uk
MEN AS VICTIMS Group support is provided for men who have experienced domestic abuse in a safe, therapeutic environment. This service is for male victims living in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire or Luton.
Tel 01234 341977 www.bedsdv.org.uk/get-help/men-as-victims/
SMILEY CLUB (PART OF BEDFORD MENCAP) Provides a fun social club for boys and girls from 9 to 18 who have learning disabilities.
Tel 07798 762 808
SUE RYDER ST JOHN’S HOSPICE A specialist palliative care and treatment centre providing hospice care for people facing a frightening, life-changing diagnosis. Tel 01767 642412 | www.sueryder.org
THE JOBS HUB MENCAP (BEDFORD) A voluntary organisation operating in Bedford and surrounding areas supporting individuals with a learning disability and their families.
Provides an all age careers advice and employment support service for people that live in and around Bedford. Tel 01234 223510 www.bedfordjobshub.co.uk
Tel 07973 859940 www.bedfordmencap.org.uk 29
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