Alcon jan 14

VILLAGER The

Issue 22 - January 2014

and Town

Life

LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Inside this issue

Big Garden Bird Watch 25-26th January 2014

The Best Way to buy a car

Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month

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Contents Cambridgeshire Natural Burials

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VILLAGER The

Issue 22 - January 2014

and Town

Life

LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS

Inside this issue

Big Garden Bird Watch 25-26th January 2014

The Best Way to buy a car

Win £25 in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month

r

u E Ey FRcop

Yo

Kimbolton School Swimming Pool Timetable........22 Puzzle Page............................................................24 What’s On...............................................................26 Prize Crossword......................................................28 Book Review..........................................................30

Big Garden Bird Watch

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The Best Way to Buy a Car........................................4 Big Garden Bird Watch.............................................6 The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle......................10 Cambridgeshire Natural Burials..............................13 There’s a Wee Problem...........................................15 Financial Settlement on Divorce or Separation.......19 Sowing Time..........................................................20 7,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Covington, Dillington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, Riseley, Shelton, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean (We also have over 150 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices, Supermarket Chains in all of the above as well as in Huntingdon, Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton)

Editorial - Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Tony Larkins, Tamara Glanvill, Pippa Greenwood and Bruce Edwards Advertising Sales - Justine Miller- 07905 063211 justine@villagermag.com Photography - Filmfoto Design and Artwork Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

Three Counties Radio

The Best Way to Buy a Car

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

Mobile phones, internet connections and cars are the three products I receive the most calls about on my consumer radio show. Today I’d like to help you avoid problems with the latter – cars! Buying a good, reliable car rather than a nightmare vehicle that will eat into your wallet is a good way to start.

The first important thing you must understand is that unless you buy a car from a proper retailer, you have no comeback if the car develops a fault. The minute you drive a new car away from a private seller, you’re on your own if it breaks down. I therefore always suggest buying cars from good, reputable garages, and if you can stretch to it, main dealers. They, generally (and I use that word with caution - some are awful!), offer the best after sales service.

Secondly, you must do your research. Use the internet to find the most suitable car for you. Look at reliability scores, running costs and insurance. Don’t rush into purchasing a car you know nothing about on the forecourt, just because you think you’ll look good in it. Find something that’s the right size, has a good reputation for reliability and isn’t going to cost the earth to run.

The third thing you must do is to buy LOCALLY. Please don’t make the mistake that so many people make these days. They go to a search website, enter the car of their dreams, find that the only independent garage that has one available in the colour they like is 300 miles away and travel up by train to buy it. If you have a problem with that vehicle it will be YOUR responsibility to get it back to them to repair. That’s going to be a very expensive journey on a recovery vehicle all the way to Manchester! Use the internet to research garages and the people that run them.

Fourthly, if you don’t know anything about cars, then for goodness sake, take someone with you who does! A friendly mechanic is best. If you don’t know anyone who is an expert, then I would strongly advise having an independent check on the vehicle by an organisation such as the RAC. It may cost a couple of hundred quid, but it’s worth every penny if it prevents you from buying a complete lemon. A car is normally the second most expensive thing you purchase after a house, I lose track of the number of people who spend £15,000+ on something they know and understand absolutely nothing about and then wonder why they have problems.

Please remember that when you find a car that you like, DO NOT PUT A DEPOSIT DOWN UNLESS YOU REALLY INTEND TO BUY IT. When you agree to pay a deposit, you normally enter into a legally binding contract to purchase the product. If you change your mind, you not only risk losing the deposit, you could be forced by the garage to take the car and pay the full amount owing on it. Salesmen and women often suggest the deposit in a relaxed manner. Don’t be fooled, when you change your mind, the relaxed manner will probably fly right out of the window.

Never pay the full amount requested for a vehicle. The garage will price a vehicle up with some room for negotiation. If you pay the price on the windscreen, you’re probably paying over the odds. Remember car salesmen and women are employed partly because of their ability to get as much money out of you as possible and make the company as much profit. Bear this in mind at all times when agreeing a price to pay. If you’re hopeless at doing a deal, then take someone with you who is good at it!

Finally, if you follow all of my advice and you STILL have a problem with it or the garage, then you can contact me at BBC Three Counties Radio and I’ll do my best to try and help you.

Jonathan Vernon-Smith not only offers you his consumer advice here but you can listen to The JVS Show tackling your consumer problems every weekday morning from 9am.

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RSPB

Big Garden Bird Watch

25 and 26 January 2014

As the New Year gets underway, we inevitably start thinking about changing our habits and embarking upon new endeavours for the coming 12 months.

For many of us, that includes contemplating which new fangled diet we will embrace to lose those sneaky extra pounds that crept upon us over the festive period!

But why not give yourself a break this year and rather than considering your own food intake, take a look out into your gardens and think about the calorific needs of your garden visitors?

As the temperature continues to drop, and the countryside cupboards grow bare, our gardens and parks become a crucial source of food, water and shelter for our favourite garden wildlife. Unlike us, this is the perfect time of year for wildlife to be foraging for fat and stocking up on stodge.

There are some really simple things you can do to look out for your garden wildlife at this time of year, and the more you attract to you garden, the more you’ll be able to see during the RSPB’s national Big Garden Birdwatch taking place in January!

Special feeding tips for winter At this time of year, put out food and water on a regular basis. In severe weather, feed twice daily if you can: in the morning and in the early afternoon.

Birds require high energy (high fat) foods during the cold winter weather to maintain their fat reserves to survive the frosty nights. Use only good quality food and scraps.

Always adjust the quantity given to the demand, and never allow uneaten foods to accumulate around the feeders. Once you establish a feeding routine, try not to change it as the birds will

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become used to it and time their visits to your garden accordingly.

Gardeners have a vital role to play in supporting garden birds and wildlife. For advice on how to make a few simple changes to your garden, in order to attract a greater number of birds and wildlife, see the RSPB’s Give Nature a Home www.rspb. co.uk/homes.

Counting the birds that are counting on you RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 25 - 26 January 2014 On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2014, the nation takes part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch.

The activity is the biggest garden wildlife survey in the world and last year almost 600,000 people counted the birds in their garden.

Big Garden Birdwatch provides the RSPB with masses of information about changes in numbers of garden birds in winter, and helps to alert conservationists to significant declines in UK garden species like house sparrows and starlings.

And this year, for the first time, participants are being asked to log some of the other wildlife they see in their gardens too.

The RSPB wants to know whether people ever see deer, squirrels, badgers, hedgehogs frogs and toads in their gardens, to help build an overall picture of how important our gardens are for giving all types of wildlife a home.

The charity will gather useful information about these other species and share them with its conservation partners after the survey.

For more information and to take part visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.

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Huntingdon Farmers’ Market Seasonal Fayre

Fortnightly on Fridays Market Square, Huntingdon 8am - 2pm

January 3rd, 17th and 31st February 14th and 28th March 14th, 28th and Saturday 29th 6

Fresh, Local Produce

Email: farmersmarkets@huntingdonshire.gov.uk Tel: 01480 388388 Website: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/markets @huntsfarmersmkt Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle

Rotary fund raising brings hope to the Philippines Aid created and supported by Rotarians is starting to reach the Philippines which was devastated on 8 November by Typhoon Haiyan.

The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle has so far sent to the worst affected areas (with your aid and support), 5 Rotary Shelter boxes.

Each box costs just under £600 and contains survival equipment to help communities get through the coming months; providing water purification, a tent, clothing, blankets and cooking utensils.

Now you might think that this small number of boxes is just a ‘drop in a vast ocean’.

However, we are but one club amongst 1,845 Rotary clubs from within the UK funding boxes. In addition, Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) has set up a disaster fund which will be used by Rotarians, working together with Rotary clubs in the Philippines, to help rebuild schools, hospitals, roads and other essential parts of the country’s infrastructure in the long term.

The success of these projects relies solely on the fundraising efforts of all Rotary clubs and the generosity of the public. As the boxes are sent out, more are being packed creating a need for new boxes and further funding.

More information about our campaign for shelter boxes with detailed photographs can be found at www.shelterbox.org 10

Rotary is for communities too Many members say they join Rotary because it gives them a chance to give something back to their community. In local communities alone, each club raises tens of thousands of pounds for community projects and local charities, often more. Members also volunteer their time - supervising and organising community events, running projects to promote the achievements of young people, coordinating educational programmes and supporting local businesses.

We are always looking for new members and encourage you to visit our website www. kimboltoncastle.rotaryweb.org and contact one of our members for further information.

Why not join our community efforts, even if only in an associate or limited capacity?

Rotary clubs are open to men and women of all ages who want to use their experience for the benefit of others.

The Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club has planned several fund raising events scheduled to take place before Christmas and at the moment, one major event in the New Year on 14th February. So, something to look forward to and a date for the diary - it will be a Valentine’s dinner dance to be held in the Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton. Apart from what promises to be a wonderful evening out, you will also be helping others who are less fortunate.

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Local

CAMBRIDGESHIRE NATURAL BURIALS

Do You Know About Them?

Tracy O’Leary, Independent Green Funeral Director from Woodland Wishes explains more.

Apart from the ever increasing cost of funerals, have you ever considered a burial in a beautiful woodland setting - simple, natural and affordable?

In the UK there are now over 300 natural burial grounds. One of the three local grounds lies on the outskirts of Huntingdon, a peaceful woodland and a serene final resting place. There are no neglected graves and no burden on family members charged with the responsibility of grave visiting and maintenance. Instead of headstones, wild flowers, meadows and trees mark the grave, providing a symbolic celebration of life. Few are aware of this or indeed of the concept of natural burials in the area.

I only made this discovery whilst promoting willow coffins for a local charity in Cambridge. Visiting natural burial grounds in England and listening to bereaved families who wanted something simple but special gave me a surprising insight into alternative funerals. The personalisation and simplicity of ‘greener’ funerals without all the fuss, environmental damage and expense of mainstream funerals often appeal to those that hear about it.

I’d like to raise awareness of alternatives to the traditional coffin; alternatives such as cardboard, woollen and willow coffins that are woven locally.

Families can get involved in weaving part of a coffin if they so wish here in Cambridge. A simple cardboard coffin can be personalised with drawings, adding photos and messages as well as decorating with favourite flowers from their own gardens. Things that can all help with the grieving process.

For those wanting something less formal than a traditional black hearse or pall bearers dressed in black, a more subtle and practical vehicle is available and guidance can be given to families wishing to carry a coffin themselves if they so wish.

Through helping families and individuals plan their farewell I now find myself being called a ‘green funeral arranger’ rather than a traditional funeral director and I am privileged for a family or an individual to let me be part of something so personal to them.

I am passionate about helping and giving as much or as little practical guidance and a totally personal service to get exactly what you want from a funeral and am happy to offer any advice and information on natural burials, home funerals and simple cremation services at any time.

Woodland Wishes is independent, honest and ethical, founded to carry out simple and meaningful funerals in tranquil landscapes using locally made ‘earth friendly’ coffins and is also a Natural Death Centre recommended Funeral Director and is part of the Association of Green Funeral Directors.

Tracy has now set up new premises in a stunning location in Woodwalton. Please telephone Tracy if you would like to visit for an informal chat.

Tracy can be reached on: 01223 651653 www.woodlandwishes.co.uk tracy@woodlandwishes.co.uk

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Beacon Wealth

There’s A Wee Problem

By Tony Larkins

How often has someone said to you, why did you not do something about it? And you answer that you did not realise there was a problem. The answer is probably not often, but I bet it has happened.

In my role as a Financial Planner these questions would relate to either; why someone did not have life cover (or not enough) after they have died, or why their pension pot was not sufficient enough to support a better retirement.

It is so easy to either ignore financial planning or to put it off, but we never know when our lives will change. Age creeps up on us and pay days slip past.

How many more do you expect or hope to have?

The Government has changed the law to enable individuals to obtain tax relief on certain life cover, knowing most employer death in service schemes are insufficient. They have also brought in a new pension at work scheme, albeit a delusional one.

I say delusional because it starts at a 1% salary matched contribution rising over several years to a total of 8%.

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Tony Larkins CFP APFS Managing Director IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner

The reality is that 8% will not provide a decent pension, so why do they not mention this? Is it because they cannot see the problem or they think people will not believe the real solution?

It is the New Year, so out with the old way and in with the new. If you have not sat down with a financial planner, why not make this the year you do. They may just have a solution to the problem you did not realise you had. Who knows, they may just tell you all is well, and keep doing what you are doing.

However, I urge you to seek the assistance of a planner rather than just an adviser; they usually approach things differently. If you are unsure of how to spot a financial planner rather than an adviser, look for CFP after their name.

Seeking qualified advice from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is preferable or a Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). If you have a financial question, e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk

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Relationship at breaking point?

Caring, confidential legal advice about: • Divorce & separation • Cohabitation

• Financial settlements • Child contact & residence

Visit www.family-lawfirm.co.uk or email tamara.glanvill@family-lawfirm.co.uk Local meetings arranged at a time and place to suit you.

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Family Law

Financial settlement on Divorce or Separation

By Tamara Glanvill Solicitor at Woolley & Co, Bedford www.family-lawfirm.co.uk

If you are going through a divorce or separation you will need to come to an agreement about your finances. You can do this with, or without the help of solicitors, although you may wish to take advice on your options and make sure any agreement you reach without the help of a family solicitor is confirmed in writing and, if advised, made into a court order.

Agreeing a divorce settlement without solicitors If you are divorcing or separating you do not have to appoint solicitors to come to an agreement on the division of the family assets. This is something you may be able to agree between yourselves. It is however very important to consider the following: • Is the proposed settlement fair?

• Does it take into account the needs of any children?

• Does the settlement take into account all assets held by both parties, including property, pensions, shares, business interests, savings and investments?

• Have you, or should you, obtain proper valuations for significant assets before agreeing the division between you. Pensions should not be overlooked.

• Do you need a second opinion?

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Having come to a mutually agreed settlement it is important to have an agreement drawn up to reflect your decision. This is done in the form of a Consent Order which, once approved and sealed by the Court, is a legally binding document. If it is a clean break order, this means that no further financial claims can be made by either party. You do not have to go to Court to do this but you will need a Solicitor to draw it up.

Why you need a Consent Order Without a consent order dealing with financial claims, it would be possible for your spouse or ex-spouse to make a claim in the future. So, for example, if you won the lottery or received an inheritance your ex might be able to claim a share.

Tamara Glanvill and Lisa Smith are highly experienced family lawyers who can assist with guidance and drawing up Consent Orders. They both offer a free 30 minute consultation. Please call 0845 6802136 or email tamara.glanvill@ family-lawfirm.co.uk to discuss your options or arrange an appointment.

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Garden

Sowing Time

By Pippa Greenwood

Now that January is here it’s a perfect time to start sowing seeds in trays and pots. But how do you make sure that yours germinate and produce seedlings and then plants which thrive and grow well?

A shopping list for first time sowers should be: • Good quality seed and cuttings compost.

• Some seed half-trays, which are about 5” x 8”.

• A heated propagator, a clear propagator lid to go over the trays or a small unheated propagator.

• A dibber to make it easy to transplant the seedlings into a new home.

• Some small pots into which you can transplant the seedlings.

If you buy seed and cuttings compost it’s rarely necessary to sieve it as it has a very fine and even texture. However, if you’re using multi-purpose compost, you’ll need to either break up any lumps carefully with your hands or sieve it.

Depending on the types of seeds you have chosen, you will need to sow them at different depths.

Some seeds are tiny and are best scattered over the surface. Other seeds are best sown in drills.

Once they are in place, in most cases you need to cover them with compost to the required depth.

However others germinate best if allowed access to daylight and should be sown on the surface.

With these it’s advisable to cover the surface of the tray with cling film to stop it drying out too rapidly. I like to put the seeds in place and then moisten the compost. Place the seed trays in a sink or tray containing about 1cm of water and allow the compost to soak up the water. Once the

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compost is just moist you should stand the trays in a position where any excess water can drain off. Then, if necessary, put the trays in a heated propagator.

When it comes to watering the seeds, use mains water as water butts may harbour some of the disease-causing organisms which cause damping off, the fatal condition where the seedlings appear to suddenly flop and keel over.

Always watch the seed trays carefully and check them regularly to ensure that the compost is adequately moist. Once the majority of the seedlings have appeared, it’s usually not long before you need to prick them out. Generally this is carried out when the first true leaves appear.

When the seedling first comes above ground you will see the ‘seed leaves’ which are relatively sturdy looking and rounded in shape. Then above this come the first true leaves which are typical of that particular plant.

When pricking out, handle the seedlings very carefully, never by their stems or true leaves, but always by the seed leaves. Before you start to ease them out, make sure that the compost is adequately moist, so that the roots move readily without damage and that you have already prepared pots for transfer. To avoid rotting, always transplant seedlings so that they are at the same depth as they were in the seed tray.

If you find that your seedlings have become rather leggy and drawn, this is usually because they’re not receiving enough natural light; move the trays onto a south or west facing windowsill.

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Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.

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FLOORED

By Ian

Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean Free visits to estimate or advise.

Best prices and quality with a friendly service.

Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

Business gone slow?

Let us help!

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Justine on 07905 063211 or email justine@villagermag.com 25

n O s ’ t Wha 4 January Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts at very reasonable prices. Held on the first Saturday of each month. Charity tombola and free entry. For more details visit http://www.saintscrafters.blogspot.com 4 January Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Small charge for visitors Cambs and Beds Hardy Plant Society present a talk by Simon White on ‘The A-Z of Roses’. Simon is the Manager of Peter Beales Roses. Plants for sale. All welcome.

Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 5, 12, 19 & 26 January Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday – all welcome. Services include children’s groups and a crèche.

Refreshments served.

Tel: 01480 394321 for further details Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk

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8 January The Great Fen - Where We Are Today 7.30pm Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton Suggested donation Members £2.00, Non-members £2.50 The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust is pleased to present an illustrated talk by Louise Rackham. Louise has worked at The Great Fen since 2009 and is currently The Great Fen Education and Community Manager. Louise has been involved in environmental education since 1997, taking her from Thetford Forest to the Botanic Gardens in Perth, Western Australia. Tel: Phil 01487 822835 Web: www.wildlifetrust-huntsareagroup. org.uk 14 January The World of the Documentary Film 10.30am The Labour Hall, Crab Lane, Biggleswade Course fee £55, concessions available The Workers Education Association course - 10 sessions of 1½ hours. Tutor Laurence Staig presents ‘An introduction to the world of the documentary film maker’.

Tel: Clive Bandy 01462 730147 biggleswade.wea@virginmedia.com

15 January Huntingdonshire Family History Society 7.30-9pm Women’s Institute Centre, Waldon Road, Huntingdon Non-members welcome - £1 donation appreciated at the door Web: www.huntsfhs.org.uk 16 January Evolution: The story of the last four billion years 10am St Andrews Church Hall, Church Street, Langford Course fee £55, concessions available The Workers Education Association course - 10 sessions of 1½ hours. Tutor Keith Triton presents ‘Evolution: The story of the last four billion years’. The story of the Earth and the life that inhabits it, and how the two have evolved together through nearly four billion years.

Tel: Jean Chapman 01462 700306

21 January Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Admission £6, including light refreshments Demonstration entitled “Floral Moments”

by Barbara Collins.

Arrangements will be raffled.

Visitors most welcome.

24 January Third of the Hinchingbrooke Bösendorfer Piano Concerts 2013-14 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Adults £10, Pupils & students under 21 (concessions) £5 Caroline Dale, cello; Paul Turner, piano.

Caroline won the string section of the BBC ‘Young Musician of the Year’ competition at the age of thirteen making her Queen Elizabeth Hall debut only two years later; recordings, recitals and concerto performances with leading international orchestras have followed.

Paul is highly valued as ensemble partner by eminent musicians both here and abroad for his fine pianism and ‘sensitive and alert’ accompaniments.

The programme will include works by Beethoven and Brahms.

Tel: Box Office 01480 375678 25 January Great Paxton Village Show Preparation 11am-1pm The Bell, Great Paxton Prepare for this year’s Village Show - a browse through Thompson & Morgan’s seed and bulb catalogue.

Refreshments available.

Entries into our What’s On sections are free. If you have an event you would like us to publicise please email the details to whatson@villagermag.com

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Prize

The Villager Prize Crossword

£25

Across 1 King’s title (7) 5 Herb (5) 8 Sprays water (9) 9 Curved line (3) 10 Sword (5) 12 Remote military camp (7) 13 Incendiary guns (13) 15 Highest noble rank (7) 17 Tests (5) 19 Concerned with the environment (3) 20 Raised area (9) 22 Give up (5) 23 Wandered (7)

and send to the address below before

17th January 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name:

Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs P Moore from Bedford For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com 28



Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page

Down 1 Disguises (5) 2 Glass container (3) 3 Genuine, honest (7) 4 Colourful small birds (13) 5 Hat (5) 6 E.g. EastEnders (4,5) 7 Finds (7) 11 Region in space (5,4) 13 Nervous (7) 14 Outside (4-3) 16 Fear (5) 18 Church council (5) 21 Climbing plant (3)

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With over 20 styles of conservatories on display at our head office and 10 models on show at Wilstead we think you will be spoilt for choice!

All our conservatories are made-to-measure from modern, low maintenance materials so you can be sure that which ever conservatory you choose, it will continue to look as good as new in years to come.

Your home deserves the best...You deserve the best that money can buy!

GSN CONSERVATORIES

Pertenhall Road (1 mile from Gt Staughton) Gt Staughton, Nr St Neots Cambs PE19 5BE Telephone 01480 860000 Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Sat & Sun 10am - 4pm Established since 1984

Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

The family firm with NO commission paid reps and NO sub-contractors

Also at: Season’s Garden Centre Wilstead (main Road - A6) Bedford Beds MK45 3HU Telephone 01234 740011 Open Mon - Sat 10am to 4pm Sun 11am to 4pm

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Books Design Consultancy

BOOK REVIEW

By Bruce Edwards

Mistletoe Interiors Emma Rees 07885 135478 info@mistletoeinteriors.co.uk www.mistletoeinteriors.co.uk

Calling Mrs Christmas Carole Matthews Sphere p/b £7.99 At this time of the year the book world has to deal with publishers’ traditional offerings; the ‘misery memoirs’, cookbook ad nauseum, the Guinness Book of Records. There’s a sameness, as routine as holly, the tree and the endless carols, not that we mind them, do we? Well, perhaps sometimes. Can Christmas be a chore, having to go through the motions?

What if someone could do it all for you? Write the cards (or send the e-mails!), put up the decorations, work their way through the present list and not bother you with any of the trivia save paying the bill? You wouldn’t dream of it? No? What, not call in Mrs Christmas?

Cassie draws on her innate sense of design and love of Christmas to fulfil all these demands, Helping those who can’t or won’t, and making a business out of it as well as gathering a lovely sense of satisfaction. Husband Jim also gathers his own personal achievement when able to nudge his prison charges into a better way of life.

But this isn’t a straight line story. It has twists and a turn to worry us all. Does it fall apart, as close proximity to loved ones at this time of year can produce concerns? A trip to Lapland - does it cause grief rather than joy?

Out of a dozen ‘Christmas sparkle’ books seen on a table in Waterstones, this is as good a tale as any. Unfortunately, Cassie doesn’t leave us with her telephone number . . .

ISBN: 9780751545586

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Interior and exterior design consultancy, home staging, soft furnishings, lighting, accessories, paints, wallpaper

Garden Services

Kim Walker

• Patios • Block Paving • Decking • Shed Bases • Fencing • Ponds & Water • Turfing Features Complete Garden Service • Driveways

Landscaping

30 years experience in both private & commercial enterprises

Office:

01480 214 664

www.kimwalkerlandscaping.co.uk

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