Alcon july 14

VILLAGER The

Issue 28 - July 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Cambridgeshire Natural Burials Happy Birthday Brownies

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 Happy Birthday Brownies

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VILLAGER The

and Town

Issue 28 - July 2014

Life

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

Inside this issue

Cambridgeshire Natural Burials Happy Birthday Brownies

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

Beer of the Month..................................................20 Cambridgeshire Natural Burials..............................23 Puzzle Page............................................................24 What’s On...............................................................26 Prize Crossword......................................................28 Competition Winners.............................................30

Cambridgeshire Natural Burials Happy Birthday Brownies!........................................4

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Employing a Tradesman and NOT a Cowboy!............9 Competition Time...................................................10 Common Law Wife - The Urban Myth.....................12 Free Pensions Advice..............................................15 10 Tips for Saving Money on your Heating Oil........18 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)

Editor - Catherine Rose Editorial - Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Catherine Rose, Tamara Glanvill, Ted Bruning and Tony Larkins Advertising Sales - Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Voltan1 and Catherine Rose 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.

History

Happy Birthday Brownies!

This year the popular worldwide activity group for girls, Brownie Guides is 100 years old.

The Brownie movement for girls aged seven to ten was started in 1914 by Lord Baden Powell, four years after Girl Guides had been set up in 1910. Initially they were called the Rosebuds and wore a navy blue uniform similar to their bigger Guiding sisters.

In 1915 Baden Powell changed the name to Brownies from an 1870 story by Juliana Horatia Ewing where two children learn the difference between being helpful Brownies (kindly goblins) or lazy Boggarts (malevolent spirits).

A condensed version of this story appeared in Brownie handbooks for many years.

The uniform became brown while the promise badge featured an acorn. By the 1920s this badge had become a Brownie figure on a metal bar pin worn on a brown tie. The brown cotton dress was sometimes topped with a hat that resembled a pith helmet. Girls also had to wear brown knickers - often checked at uniform inspection time!

Baden Powell’s wife Lady Olave took over Girl

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By Catherine Rose

Guides and Brownies in 1918 and the Sixes were named after fairy folk: Elf (blue), Gnome (white with a black broom), Sprite (green with a tricorn hat), Imp (yellow), Pixie (green with pointed hat), Fairy (yellow with wings), Little People (yellow and green) and Leprechaun (red) along with additional Welsh and Scottish names.

Each Six was embroidered onto a rectangular badge and led by a Sixer with two yellow stripes on her sleeve. The Sixer was helped by her Second who had one yellow stripe.

Metal service stars were issued for each year of membership and triangular proficiency badges worn on the sleeve.

The official opening ceremony - the Brownie Ring – would be where the girls joined hands and sang. Each Six also had its own song.

After being invested by making their Brownie Promise, girls could gain proficiency badges when they had achieved their Golden Hand and Brownie Wings badge which helped them ‘fly up’ to Guides.

In 1934, a yellow tie was introduced. Five-day

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camps would take place in village halls or rural schools with a programme of activities including simple cooking.

World War Two had a huge impact on the movement. Evacuation meant that many urban groups shut down while rural ones doubled and tripled overnight. Due to the blackout, meetings had to take place during the daytime, usually weekends.

Materials for badges, particularly metal, became difficult to obtain. Brownies were given tasks to do that helped on the home front including collecting fruit for making jam, sewing, and holding concerts for the Red Cross. It was during this time that brown felt berets started to be worn.

The 1950s and 60s saw Brownies flourish with the post-war baby boom but by 1968, it was felt the movement needed updating. The dark brown dress became chestnut brown and the pockets moved to the skirt. The yellow tie became a small crossover held in place by a new metal promise badge – a Brownie in a trefoil. Brownies no longer had to earn their ‘wings’. Instead a series of progress badges based on the Ordnance Survey map was introduced along with fabric service badges instead of metal stars. A new Brownie song was written and the Little People and Fairy Six groups were dropped. In 1971, the brown beret was replaced with a brown knitted hat topped by a pom pom.

In 1987, Rainbows was founded for girls aged five to seven and a range of more modern and practical clothing in yellow and brown that subsequently incorporated trousers and a gilet was brought out shortly after. A brown sash was introduced to display the larger diamondshaped proficiency badges, along with a more up-to-date baseball cap. The promise badge is now a small round yellow enamel one with the trefoil logo on it.

This year’s Big Brownie Birthday has ongoing challenges, badges and events for a quarter of a million Brownies in the UK.

Photos courtesy of: Mrs Ann Mitchell MBE Archivist Girlguiding Cambridgshire East Natasha Emery Paul Hunt Archivist Girlguiding Bedfordshire 6

The Hon Miss Pearl Lawson-Johnston who brought guiding to Bedfordshire

1st Girton Brownies

visit the London Brow nie Exhibition 1950

Alconbury Pack singin

g in Ely Cathedral 19

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Three Counties Radio

Employing a Tradesman and NOT a cowboy!

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

Sadly over the years I have dealt with far too many cases of consumers who have employed the services of a rogue tradesman and have paid a heavy price for their mistake. But how do you find a good tradesman to carry out work in your home or garden? Here are my top tips: NEVER employ the services of someone who knocks at your door offering their services. If a builder, roofer or plumber has time to cold call people, then they’re obviously not very busy. Why are they not very busy? BECAUSE THEY’RE PROBABLY NOT VERY GOOD! A good tradesman will be busy with work for weeks in advance. I am always similarly sceptical of anybody who tells you on the phone they can do a job for you that day.

Always ask your friends and neighbours if they can recommend a good tradesman when you decide you need some work doing. It may sound simple, but the best way I have always found to employ the services of someone good, is to use your trusted contacts. Chances are if they did a good job for your best friend or next door neighbour, they’ll do a good job for you too.

Make sure you always get at least 3 quotes from different people before you decide who to use. Don’t necessarily use the cheapest, but at least if you have a range of quotes you can ensure that you are not overpaying for work to be undertaken. I generally go for the quote in the middle as long as I have a good feeling about the tradesman and feel I can communicate effectively with him/her.

Always ask for references (particularly when you’re using someone to carry out a large job). Don’t be afraid to make contact with their previous customers and ask if you can go and look at the job they did. Ask them if they had any problems and what the tradesman/company was like at resolving those problems.

It is very important that you agree a method of payment before work begins.

I personally do not pay for work until it has been completed. If the builder/electrician/plumber needs to buy parts etc for the job, then I am happy to pay for that on the basis of a receipt, however I insist on paying for labour costs on completion of the job. When you’re dealing with a large job (e.g. an extension), then I would agree a payment plan in writing. However, you should always ensure a large enough final payment is retained to act as an incentive for the job to be completed to your satisfaction.

Finally, NEVER agree work without a written quote. Verbal contracts and quotations are of course legally binding, but trying to prove what was agreed weeks down the line is normally a nightmare.

Of course, as always if you follow my advice, but still come unstuck and find yourself dealing with a cowboy, then remember you can always call my consumer programme on 01582 637450.

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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Competition

Competition Time Win a signed copy of

‘The Wildlife Quiz Book’

by local author Tim Sharrock and learn more than 1,500 fascinating facts about the flora and fauna of the natural world.

Simply answer the following easy questions which appear in the book for a chance to win.

1. Which small, dog-like Chinese deer has now become established throughout much of southern England, sometimes occurring even in suburban gardens?

2. Which cat has been tamed by human beings and used for hunting, being hooded like a falconer’s hawk, since at least 2300 BC? 3. Which animal has a single tooth that grows to 8ft (2.5m) in length that has been passed off as a ‘unicorn’s horn’?

4. In what year was the killing of whales completely banned worldwide?

Send your answer by post to Catherine Rose – Editor, Wildlife Quiz Competition, he Villager Magazine, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP or by email to editor@villagermag.com.

The closing date is 16th July 2014

The winner will be the sender of the first correct set of answers selected at random by the editor on the closing date.

You can also buy a copy for £9.95 from your local bookshop (ISBN 978-1-291-81321-0) or from Wildlife Books, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Please include £1.80 p&p.

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11

Family Law

Common Law Wife – The Urban Myth

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

I spend a lot of time assisting couples who have chosen not to marry. This can be through preparing documents to regulate their ownership of a property when they have made unequal investments, or when they want to protect their respective interests. It can also be when they are separating, working to reach an amicable agreement over any joint property and settling arrangements for their children.

I make no judgment on why they chose not to marry: it is absolutely their choice after all.

I cannot help but spare a thought for another relationship which has run its course in the same way I do married couples who feel they need to divorce but many people in their position don’t know the impact of being an ‘unmarried couple’ and the consequences of choosing to cohabit rather than formally tying the knot.

Most of the time, people do know they don’t have the same rights as married couples but every now and again someone is genuinely shocked when I point this out to them. This means they cannot claim a share of their partner’s pension, even if they have ‘lived as husband and wife’ and raised their children together for 10, 15, or even 20-plus years. They may not have an automatic right to the home if their partner owns it and they have not made contributions to it in some direct way.

Neither can they claim maintenance support

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from their partner’s income, except to support any dependant children.

I appreciate I’ve been doing this job for longer than I sometimes care to admit, but it still surprises me when people don’t know the protection that they are not afforded if they choose not to marry. It is not helped by the media sensationalising celebrity split stories or highlighting one-off cases about unmarried couples who have large capital disputes and can afford to continue with litigation to get a “slice of the pie”; this is not the norm and it distorts people’s understanding.

I do think that there must be more publicity to make people aware o the consequences of their choices. Just as I have welcomed that finally that there is now gay marriage, as well as civil partnership, there is a groundswell of opinion that there should be civil partnerships for heterosexual couples who don’t wish to marry but wish to regulate their finances. This can help formalise what they intend when they enter the relationship, cohabit and share their lives and they will not be left unprotected if things go wrong because they relied upon a myth that won’t die.

If you would like further advice about this issue, please take advantage of our half hour free interview, either in person or over the phone.

Tamara.glanvill@family-lawfirm.co.uk T: 0845 680 2136.

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Hill House Grade II listed building Rooms with beamed ceilings Close to Grafham Water

High Street Ellington Huntingdon PE28 0AB Tel: 01480 890324d

We are all living longer but, unless blessed with good health, there comes a time when many people have to accept they need a little looking after.

At ADR Care Homes we pride ourselves in providing a home from home.

Long & short term stays Day care available Dignity & privacy respected Spacious lounges Large, well maintained gardens Professional 24 hour care Nutritious meals Regular activities provided

Bethany Francis House Charm & character of a Stately home Cinema room Short walk from St Neots High Street

106 Cambridge Street St Neots Cambs PE19 1PL Tel: 01480 476868d

Please visit our website, www.adrcare.co.uk

You are welcome to come and see for yourselves by contacting our Home Manager or just pop in.

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.

FREE

half hour telephone appointment

Call locally based family and divorce specialist Tamara Glanvill on 0845 680 2136 (local rate) Woolley & Co is a member of the Law Society and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Head office: Warwick Enterprise Park, Wellesbourne, Warwick. CV35 9EF

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Beacon Wealth

Free Pension Advice

By Tony Larkins

Following the statement in the budget that free advice would be made available on pensions, the FCA (formally FSA) have warned of bogus calls from unauthorised firms offering this so called ‘advice’.

It warns the public to hang up as qualified advice is not free, and authorised firms are unlikely to ever make cold calls. There are genuine reasons to seek advice, but this should be from an authorised Independent Financial Adviser.

Some cold calls claim to be on behalf of the Government, but the initiative has not even been launched yet. This advice is now going to be guidance, not advice, and the purveyor of the contract for guidance has not been awarded or costed.

Pensions are often an individual’s largest asset by value, and it is important they are actively managed within a level of risk acceptable to you at an appropriate cost. Hardly anything is free and a thorough pension review takes time.

In previous issues of this magazine I have addressed the importance of regularly reviewing funds, and once again this month I have come across with-profit funds that have not paid a bonus for years. This has cost many thousands of pounds in lost growth.

There are a number of established companies that are even selling large blocks of policies to

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

consolidators. So, you can assume these are unlikely to increase in value in the future.

The best way to enjoy good growth is by contributing in the most tax efficient way, and, in the case of pensions, with the assistance of an amenable employer.

Annuities have had a hard time since the budget and are no longer required to be purchased. But the reassurance of a guaranteed income is still important for many - this means that there will always be a demand for them.

However, in terms of joint life annuities, consideration should be given to pension savings in both names, because annuity rates are around 6% for an individual aged 65, and 3% for joint plans.

As I said at the beginning, be very wary of free pension advice, steer clear and consult a pension specialist who is independent. When seeking pension advice, ask the adviser if they have the G60 or AF3 qualification. Either of these pension qualifications should mean the adviser knows what they are doing - passing the G60 certainly taught me a few things.

You should always seek qualified advice from an IFA, preferably a Certified (CFP) or Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). If you have a financial question, e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk

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Man Bird seed & Established for over 50 years Family run business Arguably the best selection of wild bird products in 3 counties Committed to Quality Products and Service Easy to find – Brington is just 1 mile away from Junction 16 on A14 Large car parking space One UK’s best known bird food suppliers Manor Farm Granaries Brand Bird Food manufactured on site.

• Chicken food pellets mash scratching mix mixed corn and large selection requisites

• Dog foods • Cat foods • Small pets Food

• Insect and wildlife habitats

• Pond food

• Insect study kits

• Pigeon Food and requisites

• Great selection of countryside greeting cards.

• Cage and Aviary Bird Food and requisites

• Country side calendars

• Wild bird Food Food and requisites • Animal bedding Straw hay Shavings small packs and large bales

• Selection of local honey and Very yummy jams & pickles very yummy I have tried most of them.

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nor Farm Country Store

Open

Saturday Monday through pm 00 5. to am 00 9. y 4.00pm on Sunda and 10.00am to

• Rolls of Wire for aviaries chickens etc • Great prices on a good selection of Coal, logs kindling. Best prices for miles.

• Bird tables • Bird houses • Confectionary/sweets & soft Drinks • Potatoes various bag sizes and onions

Brington, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 5AF Tel : 01832 710235 Email:sales@manorfarmbirdseed.co.uk

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17

Boiler Juice

Top 10 Tips for Saving Money

on your Heating Oil With fuel poverty on the rise and energy bills rocketing, heating oil users across the country are feeling the strain. If you’re looking to make a difference to your bank balance, check out our useful tips for smart, simple ways to save money on your next heating oil order.

Watch the weather Oil prices typically decline during the spring and summer months, when temperatures are high and demand is low. By topping-up your tank this summer, you can take advantage of these great prices and stay warm in winter for less.

Compare prices You might have a regular supplier, but are they offering you the best price? By shopping around, or using an instant, impartial comparison service such as BoilerJuice, you’ll always get the best quote for your oil.

Buy in bulk Did you know that several small orders of heating oil will generally cost you more than one large order? Instead of topping-up your oil levels on a regular basis, fill-up in one go to cut-down on delivery costs and get a great bulk-buy price.

Keep an eye on the news Political issues in oil-producing countries, civil unrest and fluctuations in currency exchange rates can all affect the price of heating oil. By keeping an eye on the news and watching how international issues impact oil prices, you can often work out when the best time to buy is.

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Order early Set a regular reminder, mark it on your calendar or simply plan ahead of time to beat the rush, avoid costly emergency deliveries and take advantage of cheaper delivery options.

Add an additive An inexpensive way to upgrade your fuel, oil additives prevent tank sludge build-up, improve overall efficiency and save you money by reducing expensive maintenance costs, operating problems and boiler breakdowns.

Sign up for email alerts The web is full of special offers, vouchers and codes. By signing up to newsletters and email bulletins with independent sites such as BoilerJuice, you’ll be the first to know about any seasonal offers, vouchers or price drops.

Check the price charts If you’re not a keen news-watcher, online oil price charts give you an accurate, up-to-date report of current prices, as well as helping you to predict seasonal increases and decreases.

Group buy Buying as a group is the best way to get a discount on your oil, but did you know that you can also do it online? Websites like BoilerJuice automatically group your delivery with others in your area, to help you qualify for group discounts every day of the week.

Spread the cost with a payment plan While payment schemes often mean an expensive contract with a specific supplier, signing up for a monthly payment plan with an impartial site such as BoilerJuice gives you the ability to spread your oil costs, while guaranteeing you the best quote from a range of suppliers across the UK.

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After 19

Food & Drink

Beer of the Month

by Ted Bruning

It’s July, and July means Independence Day in the USA when they have cook-outs and parades and fireworks and... beer!

American beer used to be bland.

The malt was padded out with rice, and the hops were introduced only briefly to the brewing-kettle. They were served so cold and gassy that whatever character they did possess was obliterated. Thirty years ago a friend of mine used to take a phial of hop oil and a swizzle-stick with him on trips to the States to add flavour to his beer and dissipate the CO2.

Thankfully, things have changed since microbrewing started in earnest, and here are two beers that don’t need dosing and stirring.

Sierra Nevada was founded in 1980 in Chico, California, and the 5.6% abv Pale Ale was its

firstborn brew. It’s bottled with yeast, so the fine mousse and deep head are natural. Its aroma has the piney freshness characteristic of the American Cascade hop, but there’s also toffee in both aroma and flavour. The finish is only slightly bitter (which is how Americans like it), and gives way to more toffee sweetness.

From Goose island Brewery in Chicago (founded 1988) comes the 5.9% India Pale Ale. IPAs were brewed strong and hoppy to survive the long sea-voyage to India in the days of the Raj; but here the hops are American rather than British so don’t have the aggressive bitterness we would expect. The beer is light for its strength, and the dominant note throughout is fresh hay. It smells and tastes like a stable with a short, fresh, tangy finish.

Business gone a bit slow?

Let us help!

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Local News

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 Cambridge, 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.

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

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

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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

Welcome

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LY

FROM ON PRICES START

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FULLY INSTALLED INCLUDING THE BASE AND VAT

ry of your The conservato designed ally choice individu ur home! yo

by GSN to suit

to the world of GSN Conservatories... home of probably the largest outdoor display area you will ever see!

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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

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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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n O s ’ t Wha 29 June-6 July Spaldwick Scarecrow Week Appearing in Spaldwick gardens They spring up here and there and then all of a sudden they are everywhere! Fascinating characters are populating our gardens again this year. The theme is ‘100 years of Spaldwick’. Take a tour around the village then vote for your favourite scarecrow on-line.

Web: www.spaldwick.com 2 July German and English spies in WW1 7pm for 7.30pm Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk by Roger Negus on different aspects of spying during the Great War. Non-members most welcome.

Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 2 July Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Visitors £2 Carol Adams will be talking to us about Clematis Tips on how to grow. Plants will be on sale too.

Refreshments.

2, 9, 16 & 23 July Tots, Tea & Chat 10.50am-12 noon St James’ Church, Little Paxton Drop-in session for children and their carers. Tots group meets during term time.

Tel: Justyna Slemp 01480 214827 for further details 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July Open Church 10.30am-12 noon St James’ Church, Little Paxton Drop-in session for children and their carers. Tots group meets during term time.

Tel: Justyna Slemp (Co-ordinator ) 01480 214827 for further details 4 July Great Paxton Annual School Fete 2014 4-7.30pm Great Paxton Primary School, Mount Pleasant, Great Paxton Adults £1, Children free Vintage tea room, barbecue, pony rides, quad bikes, brightly coloured maze, bouncy castle, home produce, tombola, raffle, children’s games and fun / craft zone, plus many stalls. Everyone welcome.

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5 July Summer Fair 11am-2pm Brampton Village Primary School Games, activities, entertainment, stalls, refreshments and fun for all the family. Ice cream & cakes, BBQ, Days Out prizes to be won.

5 July Annual Fête 3pm Village Hall, Keysoe Hog Roast Adults £7.50, Children 10 and under £3.50 St Mary’s Church annual fete. In addition to all the usual stalls, fun and games there will be the famous Hog Roast at 5pm (ticket only event). There will be a bar serving Pimms during the whole event.

Tel: Tickets 01234 378878

5 July Verdi Requiem - Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Concert 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, off Brampton Road, Huntingdon, PE29 3BN Tickets £15, Students £7.50 Zoe South - Soprano, Janet Shell - Alto, John Upperton - Tenor, Oliver Gibbs – Bass.

Verdi’s dramatic setting of the Messa da Requiem was initially criticised for being too operatic. Today it is those very qualities which lead us to admire it. We are very fortunate to be joined by these internationally known singers for this performance of one of Verdi’s best-loved works. This is a joint performance with members of St Ives Choral Society.

Tickets: Anabel Capon 01832 274834, email huntsphiltickets@btinternet.com or on the door 5, 12 & 17 July Mill Lane Road Petition Little Paxton Full Council has agreed to start a Council petition for improvements to the Mill Lane Road to prevent closures due to flooding. The more signatures on the petition the stronger our voice will be. The petition will be available for signature at the following venues: Sat 5th July - Little Paxton Village Hall 9.30am-4pm Sat 12th July - Paxfest, QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton 1pm-4pm Thurs 17th July - St Neots Market 10am-3.30pm.

6, 13, 20 & 27 July Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday - all welcome. Services include children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served.

Tel: 01480 214894 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk

6 July Concert St Mary’s Church, Eynesbury Advance tickets £10, on the door £8 St. Neots Concert Band will be playing a selection of toe-tapping band music. We hope they will also be joined by the Eynesbury Junior Church Band.

Refreshments provided.

Tel: Tony Hopwood 01480 382834 or email tonyhopwood@sky.com 10 July A Sing-a-long to Mamma Mia Doors open 6.45pm, film starts 7.15pm Admission £3 Proceeds to charity to be divided between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Village Hall Upgrade.

19 & 20 July ‘Wedding Traditions – Gowns and Mementos’ 1-5 pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Entry by donation in aid of the preservation and maintenance of St Peter’s Church Over 20 wedding dresses will be on display, ranging in age from the Second World War to the most recent time, representing over 70 years of fashion history.

Other memorabilia and mementos on display will include brides’ veils, Orders of Marriage Service, Marriage Certificates, wedding photos etc.

Teas and refreshments will be available, courtesy of Mr & Mrs Gillbanks, in the beautiful garden of The Limes, which is immediately adjacent to the church.

Parking will be available on the adjacent archery field for Sunday only from 1.00 pm.

12 July Paxfest & Fun Dog Show 12noon-5pm Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, Little Paxton Free admission Come along for an afternoon of family fun- display of vintage vehicles and cycles, celebration cake competition, Fun Dog Show, lots of stalls, beer tent, refreshments, BBQ, Connections Youth Bus, Magic Show, Children’s activities. Peterborough Highland Pipe Band, Little Paxton School Choir, Porterhouse Jazz 6 and Soham Comrades Brass Band.

12 & 13 July Hemingford Grey Art Exhibition 10am-4pm Reading Rooms, Hemingford Grey Free admission Framed and unframed work. Also cards for sale. All donations to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

13 July Wildlife Trust Huntingdonshire Group 10.30am The Elms, Hollow Road, Ramsey Forty Foot, PE26 2YA, GR TL309879 We will be visiting ‘The Elms’ as part of the Wildlife Trust’s ‘Our Garden Wildlife’. This unique garden is owned by our host, Richard Shotbolt, and is planted with a wide range of shrubs, perennials, an arid garden, vegetable plot and small meadow, plus bog and aquatic plants in and around three large ponds that teem with wildlife. Please park carefully on the verge on the north side of Hollow Road.

Tel: Tim Fryer 01480 457795 or George Cottam 01480 450809 for more information 15 July Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Visitors £6 including light refreshments Summer Garden Workshop. Please bring garden flowers and foliage for your arrangements. There will be a sales table for other requirements. Visitors most welcome: come and see what you can do!

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Unable to hear (4) 3 Previously (8) 9 A lawn game (7) 10 Tease (5) 11 Produced (12) 14 Period of time (3) 16 Stop (5) 17 Feminine pronoun (3) 18 In spite of (12) 21 Shoreline (5) 22 Placing (7) 23 Daily (8) 24 Requests (4)

18th July 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Name: Tel: Address:

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Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before

Down 1 Twelfth month (8) 2 Embellish (5) 4 Not in (3) 5 Dimensions (12) 6 Entrants in a race (7) 7 A toy (2-2) 8 Adequately (12) 12 Map or diagram (5) 13 Communications (8) 15 Mean (7) 19 Departs (5) 20 Land measurement (4) 22 Small vegetable (3)

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Crossword Solution for The Villager June Edition

May’s Crossword Winner Mrs D Driver from Wrestlingworth

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