Alcon july 15

VILLAGER The

Issue 40 - July 2015

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Villager Bookshop Animal Stories Visit the

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 The History of USAF in Cambs

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VILLAGER The

and Town

Issue 40 - July 2015

Life

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

Inside this issue Visit the

Villager Bookshop Animal Stories

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

Animal Stories........................................................28 Live On...................................................................31 Bats Need Friends..................................................32 Luxury In Bath........................................................35 Puzzle Page............................................................36 What’s On...............................................................38 Prize Crossword......................................................42 Russell Grant’s Horoscopes.....................................44 Book Review..........................................................46

Thorpe Hall’s Starlight Hike

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The History of USAF in Cambridgeshire....................4 When Can I Take It Back?..........................................9 Thorpe Hall’s Starlight Hike....................................10 The Villager Book Shop...........................................13 Little People UK......................................................15 Win a Family Ticket for John Bunyan Cruise............17 Ukulele or Harp......................................................20 Parents and Shared Care.........................................22 Keeping Healthy in the Sun....................................26

Deadline for August Artwork is Wednesday 15th July

Deadline for September Artwork is Thursday 23rd July

11,000 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, Ramsey, Riseley, Sawtry, Shelton, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean and Warboys (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 - Catherine Rose, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Tony Larkins, Abby Smith, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA, Andy Mydellton, Tim Saunders,Bruce Edwards and Russell Grant.

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Scott - 01767 261122 scott@villagermag.com Photography - Wavebreak Media Ltd and Darren Harbar Photography Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

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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.

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History

By Catherine Rose

The History of

USAF in Cambridgeshire With the news at the beginning of this year that the United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed it is pulling out of three UK airbases in a bid to save £320 million across Europe, Catherine Rose takes a look back at the history of two of the county’s airbases at Alconbury and Molesworth in an area that has been home to many American Servicemen and their families.

RAF Molesworth has a history that dates back to WWI in 1917 and RAF Alconbury dates back to 1938.

In 1937, RAF Bomber Command decided there was a national need for new ‘secret’ satellite aircraft bases for the swift dispersal of aircraft in the event of an air strike on their existing stations. RAF Alconbury was established as a military airfield in 1938 on Alconbury Hill next to Little Stukeley village and was used by the RAF for bombing missions during WW2.

Late in 1940/41 its facilities were upgraded to make it into a fully operational airbase rather than a satellite and a main runway was built.

Two new hangars were constructed and W & C French provided personnel accommodation to the south-west side of the A14 around Alconbury House which had already been requisitioned.

Unfortunately, the building work attracted the attention of the Luftwaffe and the airbase was bombed although damage was minor.

Subsequently, no. 40 Squadron brought its Wellington Bombers to Alconbury in February 1941 from where they took part in night raids on German industrial targets and French ports on the Atlantic coast including Brest where they were

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able to damage German battleships that were undergoing repairs in preparation for an attack on British shipping. It was the Blitz and Alconbury became a target for German bombing.

When the Squadron there was moved to RAF Worboys in 1942, Bomber Command ceased its connection with the airbase. In total, 67 bombers had been lost in RAF Bomber Command operations flown from Alconbury (eight Blenheims and 59 Wellingtons).

Following the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 and the declaration of war by Nazi Germany against US forces, the USA Eighth Air Force was activated on 28th January 1942.

Its first mission was to contain the Japanese but in April, it was decided to divert it to the United Kingdom in order to carry out combat operations against Nazi Germany and its forces in Occupied Europe. In conjunction with this, a number of East Anglian air bases were turned over to USAF command.

Alconbury Airfield still had quite basic facilities and work was started to bring the station up to Class A airfield standards, extending the runway and building new hangars. Bomb and ammunition stores were sited on the opposite side of the airfield to the personnel living quarters for safety reasons. Two underground gasoline storage facilities were also built with a capacity of 216,000 gallons. The total area of land occupied by RAF Alconbury in 1942 was about 500 acres (2 km²).

The first US Eighth Air Force unit to take up residence at RAF Alconbury was the 93rd Bombardment Group from Fort Myers in Florida,

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nicknamed ‘The Travelling Circus’. They flew consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft. A year later, the 92nd Bombardment Group known as ‘Fame’s Favorite Few’ took over with the B17 Flying Fortress. The famous B17, The Memphis Belle, subject of two feature films, came to RAF Bassingbourn in 1942 and went on to complete 25 missions with her crew intact.

The 92nd Bombardment Group was responsible for bombing many strategic targets, including shipyards at Kiel, the Wilhelmshaven submarine installation works, ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, an aircraft factory at Nantes and airfields near Paris.

On 15th September 1943, the decision was made to take Alconbury off operational bombing missions to become a Pathfinder and Radar-Guided Bombing airfield and the 92nd Bombardment Group was moved to RAF Podington.

In 1943, Operation Carpetbagger was launched, initially out of RAF Alconbury, which involved the delivery of supplies to resistance groups in occupied Europe. Agents were flown over in specially adapted B-24 Liberators leading up to D-Day by which time the mission had been moved to the more secret RAF Harrington base in Norfolk.

Operational bomber missions ceased at Alconbury at the end of April 1945.

RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth were important during WW2: it was from Molesworth that the first USAF Eighth Air Force mission was flown over Nazi-occupied territory on Independence Day, 4th July 1942. Flying was

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stopped at RAF Alconbury altogether in 1995 and since then, RAF Alconbury and Molesworth have both acted as USAF communications bases contributing about £40 million per year to the local economy.

The runway and flight facilities at RAF Molesworth were closed much earlier than Alconbury’s in 1973 and subsequently demolished but new facilities were built to support ground-launched cruise missile operations in the early 1980s.

The US had hundreds of tanks in Europe during the Cold War although there was a brief moment after 2013 when all US tanks were withdrawn from Europe.

The USAF has had around 760 military personnel at the two Cambridgeshire bases, with a further 1,500 civilian employees and dependents.

Both operations are expected to move to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.

Currently, the Enterprise Zone is on the same site as RAF Alconbury and it is hoped this will provide thousands of jobs over the coming years to compensate for the loss of the personnel there. A scheme to build up to 5,000 homes on Alconbury airfield in Cambridgeshire has been approved by Huntingdonshire District Councillors.

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16/06/2015 15:34

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Three Counties Radio

When can I

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

take it back?

So, you go to a clothes shop, buy a shirt, get it home and decide that actually you’re not that keen on it after all. Simple! You can return it, yes? NOT NECESSARILY! Indeed one subject often up for discussion on my radio show on BBC 3 Counties Radio concerns the successful returning of goods to a retailer.

Let me make it very clear. If goods are FAULTY then of course you have the right to return them and depending on the length of time you have had them (usually only a few weeks), you should be entitled to your money back in full. If you’ve had the item for longer, then you can ask the retailer to either repair the item (if possible) or replace it. As I’ve said in previous articles, this applies long after the 12 month period, so don’t be fobbed off by cheeky shop assistants! Remember your statutory rights – all goods purchased must be a) fit for purpose b) of reasonable quality (depending on the amount spent on them) and c) should last for a reasonable amount of time (again depending on how much you have paid for the item).

Where you don’t automatically have the right to return items is when you simply change your mind.

Whilst many retailers operate a ‘good will’ returns policy and will happily take items back as long as they are in perfect condition, the law does not guarantee this. Always check the returns policy of the individual company before you make a purchase if you’re not 100% confident you’ll keep the item. Failure to do this could cause a very embarrassing scene in the shop and a may end up leaving with your tail firmly between your legs.

There is an exception to all of this though, and this exception is even more important now than ever before considering how many purchases are made online. When buying a new product from an internet or mail order company, you are covered by ‘distance selling regulations’. These dictate that because you haven’t had the opportunity to see the item you’re buying in the flesh (as it were), you have 7 working days, from receipt of the goods, to return them for a full refund. Always confirm that you are returning the items by email to obtain a date stamp and please note there are exceptions to this including CDs, DVDs, perishable goods and underwear etc.

Always check the sellers’ returns postage policy as if they don’t state who is liable for the p&p, then they automatically are!

It’s also worth noting (using the shirt example I described earlier) that if you are not given the opportunity to try clothes on in the shop (i.e. they don’t have a changing room), then you are also entitled to return goods simply because they don’t fit or you don’t like the colour after all. The best approach is that if you don’t know the returns policy in the shop, then ask before you buy.

Finally, always keep your receipts and if you don’t, remember that a bank statement or credit card bill should act as proof of purchase instead.

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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Local News

Registration now open for

Thorpe Hall’s Starlight Hike It’s time to dust off your trainers, grab a friend and get registered for this year’s Thorpe Hall Hospice Starlight Hike.

After a year’s break, the popular fundraising event is back in the calendar, on Saturday, August 8, with a new look, a new route and a lots of new reasons to get involved.

For those looking for a challenge there’s a 10km route taking in some of Peterborough’s prettiest parkland. For those keen to take the more leisurely option or maybe looking for a family challenge there’s a 5km circuit available. Both routes will start and finish at Thorpe Hall Hospice in Longthorpe, Peterborough with the start scheduled for early evening so walkers return for their triumphant finish down Thorpe Hall’s stunning drive as the sun sets.

There will be a warm up to get those feet moving before the starting pistol is fired, and entertainment along the marshalled route to keep the motivation levels high. There’ll be a barbecue in the beautiful gardens of Thorpe Hall Hospice and activities to keep the supporters busy while the walkers are on route.

All the money raised at this year’s Starlight Hike

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will help pay for the services in the new Thorpe Hall Hospice, which will welcome patients from the start of July.

Thorpe Hall’s senior event fundraiser Jo Killick said: “We’re thrilled to have the Starlight Hike back on our events calendar and delighted that, this year, we will be able to start and finish at Thorpe Hall. Walking down the drive as the sun sets to be welcomed by staff and patients will, we’re sure, make it a really memorable occasion.”

The event is open to all ages including children. It costs just £15 to enter with all entrants receiving a must-have Starlight Hike t-shirt to wear during the event. Walkers are asked to raise £100 through sponsorship. To find out more about this year’s Starlight Hike visit the website www.sueryder.org/starlighthike/thorpehall or call the fundraising team on 01733 225993.

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Only £17.99 + p&p

The Villager Book Shop The Villager Book Shop brings you a selection of interesting local books that you may not previously have been aware of.

East Anglia from the Air: Cambridge and Around by Martin Bowman gives the reader a new perspective on Cambridge and the local area, including Madingley, Ely, Duxford and the surrounding villages.

Martin is one of Britain’s leading aviation authors with over 100 published books.

He has also established an international reputation for his superb imagery and aerial photography.

The book is priced at £17.99 plus just £1.00 postage and packing.

Publication: Paperback, 160 pages, 200 illustrations, August 2013 Price: £17.99 ISBN: 978-1-4456-1890-6 Size: 170 x 248mm Rights: World, all languages To order your copy of East Anglia from the Air: Cambridge and Around, please contact The Villager Book Shop on 01767 261122 or email booksales@villagermag.com Or send your cheque for £17.99 plus £1.00 P&P to Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP 13

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Local News

Little People UK was co-founded in January 2012 by actor Warwick Davis, his wife Samantha and a group of individuals with the same goal; to offer friendship and support to people with dwarfism, their families and friends, and helping build a positive future for those individuals.

Dwarfism is a condition that affects bones and cartilage, there are over 200 types, many conditions of dwarfism can have some medical complications, but most people have an average life expectancy and are productive members of society. Some types of dwarfism are simply a genetic change at conception, which happens to have very visible results. Some can be inherited genetically from one or both parents. A child with dwarfism is born 1 per 10,000 births. Very few doctors know much about the various dwarfism conditions. It is important to find a doctor

who specialises in dwarfism for ongoing care, especially if there are any medical or orthopaedic complications.

Since it’s inception, Little People UK has become a registered charity and an essential resource for the social, medical and financial needs of the little people community in the UK. Attracting over 170 members to date, along with support from highly respected medical practitioners, each with a particular interest in helping individuals with dwarfism.

Little People UK is a volunteer led organisation that relies on fundraising and generous donations, to ensuree it can provide friendship and support, whilst raising awareness of people with dwarfism and celebrating with great pride and positivity little peoples contribution to society. www.littlepeopleuk.org

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Molly & Co. Accountants

Call for free, no obligation consultation with a fully qualified mortgage and insurance specialist, available 7 days a week.

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to Small / Medium Size businesses Specialising in Sole Traders / Partnerships and Small Companies Personalised service and affordable fees

Free, confidential mortgage and insurance advice BLS Mortgage & Insurance Services is a trading style of Edwina Jayne Sleight, trading as E S Mortgage Services who is an appointed representative of HL Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Professional new facilities in a friendly home environment Wendy Gilpin, Colmworth, Beds, MK44 2NA

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N O I T I T E P M O C

Win a Family Ticket

for a Thursday or Sunday Cruise on the John Bunyan

Bedford’s Award Winning Community Boat Cruise on Bedford’s Great Ouse Get a different view of Bedford from the riverside. Take a cruise on the John Bunyan, Bedford’s Award Winning Community Boat.

There are options to suit all tastes from Thursday and Sunday Public Cruises, to Charter Hire cruises for your parties, special occasions, wedding cruises, group or work outings and school trips.

The John Bunyan Boat was launched in the summer of 2013 and by the start of the 2015 cruising season will have carried over 10,000 passengers along Bedford’s beautiful river.

The boat carries upto 50 passengers, or for school trips 60 children and 6 support staff. It is fully licensed and has catering and refreshments facilities.

There is also an access lift and a toilet suitable for people with disabilities.

Tables and chairs can be set out to meet your requirements.

For more information visit the website: www.johnbunyanboat.org or phone 0330 1239 511 or e-mail: charters@johnbunyanboat.org Follow on Twitter @JohnBunyanBoat or Facebook: JohnBunyanBoat.

The Villager and Town Life has one family ticket to give away for a cruise on the John Bunyan Boat. To enter, simply email editor@villagermag.com with the heading ‘John Bunyan Cruise’ and include your name, address and telephone number.

A winner will be picked at random.

Closing Date: 15th July 2015

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Beacon Wealth

Ukulele or Harp A client this week reminded me of the saying ‘with lots of strings to your bow you can make a harp. Then play any tune you choose’. A Ukulele has just four strings and whilst they can be played in any order the number of options are limited when compared to the infinite options on a harp.

Business is very similar in the financial world.

A client normally has a number of issues that require different solutions and whilst a tied advisor may have the best intentions, they are limited by fitting your needs, to their offerings, whilst a truly independent advisor has no such constraints. Clearly, if faced with two advisors of equal Chartered or Certified status, the Independent should be preferred.

Recently, with the acquisition of Jeffery Mills Solicitors, we are noticing this even more. I thought there was a need for more quality legal advice, but did not realise just how difficult it was to find a good solicitor, and just

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

how many people have suffered from poor service or quality. Thankfully Jeffery Mills Solicitors is a company I have not heard bad things about.

As specialists in Pensions, Mortgages and Long Term Care, and through having fund performance for ISA’s, Unit Trusts and Pensions of over 8%, even for our most cautious portfolio (for the year ending 30/04/15), We hope to have enough strings to our harp to meet most client demands.

One instant area of growth has been advice on matrimonial issues, with a financial advisor and solicitor working together, for the client’s best interest, a greater understanding is being achieved quicker.

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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21

Family Law

Parents and ‘Shared Care’ What does it really mean?

By family lawyer Abby Smith of Woolley & Co, Solicitors www.family-lawfirm.co.uk Parents who separate are always concerned about the care and welfare of their children. Recent changes mean the family courts now put a focus on ‘shared care’, but what does that really mean? I receive lots of calls from parents who have recently separated and want to know more about ‘shared care’ which they have read about in the press or heard about from a friend.

It is not surprising that clients find this phrase confusing and mistakenly assume that it means the children must spend half of their time with each parent.

Although there are some families which can accommodate a relatively equal division of time, this is not the case for every family.

Shared care does not (necessarily) mean equal time The Courts do not in any way endorse a ‘one size fits all’ approach and every family is treated as unique with consideration given to the working commitments of both parents and sometimes even the after school clubs and other activities which the children take part in.

Therefore, although a separated couple may agree ‘shared care’ arrangements, this does not necessarily mean the children will spend equal amounts of time with both parents week in, week out.

The Court can make an order saying that the children will live with both parents and the order then goes on to set out the specific days and times the children will spend with each parent.

The reasoning behind this is to ensure that both parents remain equal both in the eyes of the law, the children and most importantly each other.

When I began practice in the late 1990’s it was not uncommon for the Court to make an order that the children should live with one parent and only have contact to the other parent on certain days and times. Unfortunately, in some cases, this lead to a feeling of one parent having more ‘power’ or ‘control’ over the children with lots of disputes and tension.

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What’s in the best interests of the child?

The family courts have come a long way since then by trying to ensure both parents are treated equally and fairly, regardless of gender. The old ‘contact and residence orders’ have been replaced with Child Arrangements Orders, which is when ‘shared care’ came to the fore. This approach puts further emphasis on what is in the best interests of the child, which has always been the focus of the law.

If you are concerned about the care of your children once you separate do take advice before making any final decisions. That’s why we offer a free initial chat with an experienced lawyer so that you can get all the facts about the legal issues, rather than relying on myths or “google” advice.

Abby Smith of Woolley & Co is an experienced family lawyer and will work hard to assist clients to find an amicable solution wherever possible.

For advice on any amily law issue contact Abby Smith for a FREE initial telephone consultation.

Call 01480 270499 or email abby.smith@family-lawfirm.co.uk.

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Your local divorce & family law specialists Caring, confidential legal advice 3 Divorce and separation 3 Getting a fair financial settlement 3 Seeing your children after you split 3 Legal arrangements before you marry or live together

FREE telephone appointment Call locally based divorce & family lawyer Abby Smith on 01480 270499 or email abby.smith@family-lawfirm.co.uk

6 FREE downloadable guides available on our website

Local meetings arranged at a time and place to suit you www.family-lawfirm.co.uk

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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Mano 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 • Cage and Aviary Bird Food and requisites • Wild bird Food Food and requisites

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• Animal bedding Straw hay Shavings small packs and large bales

• Great selection of countryside greeting cards.

• Country side calendars • 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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Garden

By Pippa Greenwood

Keeping healthy This part of the summer is lovely. The veg plot will be in overdrive and there are some delicious fruits cropping too. But sometimes your beloved flower beds and borders, pots and planters can have a distinct mid-summer-flop. How can you keep them looking on top form for as long as possible?

Regular feeding is essential, particularly for anything growing in a container. Often crammed into a fairly small space and with compost whose fertiliser content is pretty well used up after a few weeks, by July plants in pots can be close to starving if you’ve not fed them regularly. I would still feed herbaceous perennials and annuals growing in open ground too, but don’t feed shrubs as these could be encouraged to put on new growth which will not be toughened up enough by the time winter comes. A tomato feed with a high potash level works well for anything that you grow primarily for the flowers.

Deadhead regularly, both the faded flowers and if necessary remove the flower stem too. A pair of sharp scissors makes for the quickest and neatest job. Do this as soon as the flower starts to deteriorate so that no energy whatsoever is used to form seed heads. Give perennials a trim using scissors or shears as soon as their flowering period is over. Follow it with a good feed and you can often encourage a second, later flush of flowers.

If plants have become a little too tall or there has been a lot of rainfall they can flop over, clogging up the lawn on borders next to the grass, and generally looking a real mess. Check that stakes and other supports are still doing their job and re-position them if necessary. You may even find that you need to add a bit of extra support or tie

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in the sun

in a few of the taller or more wayward stems – the foam-covered wire works really well for this.

At this time of year many flowers succumb to common diseases. This is how to deal with them: Powdery mildew: keep the plant well watered at the base but avoid wetting the leaves and spray with a fungicide Aphids: remove with a strong jet of water, introduce ladybirds or spray with an insecticide Leaf spots: just pick off the worst affected leaves Rusts: pick off the worst affected leaves, try to keep the foliage dry and spray with a suitable insecticide Caterpillars: pick off by hand or spray with a biological or chemical control Weeds compete for water, food and even light.

Pulling them out or hoeing them off when they are still fairly small is a much easier and more efficient way to deal with them than trying to pull out a massive, long-rooted triffid that has already done a lot of damage.

If the weather is dry, regular watering is essential.

To minimise water wastage and the risk of those delicate petals becoming scorched, only water in the evening or, if this is not possible, very early in the morning. A less frequent but thorough drenching is a lot more beneficial than very frequent but light waterings.

So, with a little extra TLC everything in the garden can still look gorgeous for a long while yet!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com ladybirds & other biocontrols, Nemaslug, SoftTie, weeders, pop-up crop covers, copper tape and lots more besides.

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Plant Hire 3 ton and 13 ton operated excavator hire Can be fitted with hydraulic grab Low loader hire available for transport of excavators increasing accessibility and reducing costs Groundworks, Landscaping, Demolition Waterscapes, Ditching, Drainage Sand Blasting Fencing, Timber Decking, Tree Surgery Fully insured and qualified.

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27

Pets

American actor Groucho Marx, with his trademark moustache, glasses and cigar

Animal Stories Little Groucho is shunned because of his “moustache” Can you help this unwanted kitten and give him a purr-fect home? The public seems to be discriminating against him because of his moustache.

Little Groucho had been repeatedly rejected by would-be adopters because of his “unfortunate” facial fur.

“We need to persuade the public that there is nothing wrong with cats with moustaches,” said the RSPCA’s Bedfordshire North branch manager, Caroline Williams.

“Facial hair is really trendy at the moment.

Everywhere you look we see men sporting great big beards. We think Groucho is bang on trend and can’t understand why nobody wants him.”

Groucho was one of a litter of kittens born to a stray cat who was recently taken into the care of the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch.

His foster carer, Sally Neal said: “He is an adorable kitten. He loves people and runs up eagerly to whoever comes to view him.

“But they take one look, make a comment about his markings and then choose one of his un-moustached siblings. You can see his little moustache droop with disappointment.”

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The branch sees similar discrimination almost daily with black cats and kittens.

Said Caroline: “We’re currently bottle feeding four tiny abandoned kittens that were handed into our Thurlow Street charity shop in a yellow plastic bucket.

“They’re all beautiful – but we know we will struggle to find them homes because they are black.”

RSPCA Beds volunteers are currently struggling to rehome many other cats and kittens.

Recently they removed 17 from one house, many of whom were sick or neglected.

We are appealing urgently for people to adopt, volunteer or donate – or all three. People can email adopt@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk, volunteer@bedsnorth.org.uk or donate@rspcabedsnorth.org.uk

ANIMAL STORIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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Local News

Live On

The Royal British Legion helps the whole Armed Forces community through welfare, comradeship and representation as well as being the Nation’s custodian of Remembrance.

We help serving members of the Armed Forces, exService men and women and their families, now and for the rest of their lives.

We provide practical care, advice and support to the Armed Forces family all year round. Welfare is at the heart of everything we do.

We are one of the UK’s largest membership organisation; Over 300,000 members show their support for the work we do.

We work with all political parties, campaigning to improve the lives of all Service people – past, present and future.

We safeguard the memory of those who have given their lives for our freedom through Remembrance, education and events.

We organise the annual Poppy Appeal; remembering those who have made the ultimate

sacrifice and raising money to help those in need today.

Our Pop In Centres, online support and free phone number 0808 802 8080, all provide help and advice for serving and ex-Service personnel, their families and dependents on: • Compensation Claims • Financial problems • Inquests and bereavement • Returning to civilian life • Care homes • Providing breaks for carers, families and children • Help around the house • Dementia care If you would like to support the Royal British Legion and become a member of the Sawtry & District Branch it costs as little as £14 per year, please contact either myself Carol Stobbs on 01487 834338 or email: carolsonoma@gmail.com or Sawtry Branch Membership Secretary Louise Sullivan: 07855253818 or email:sawtry-rbl-sec@hotmail.co.uk

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16/04/2015 11:12 31

Wildlife

By Andy Mydellton

Bats Need Friends When I was a child, my mother told me about a shocking experience she had with a school friend one dusky evening in the 1920s.

They were playing out in the fields when bats emerged to feed. Somehow, one of them got caught in her friend’s long hair. The two horrified schoolgirls eventually overcame the task of freeing the entangled but harmless little bat. It must have been a rare event, and one that became etched in their young, impressionable minds.

Despite this, it is not true stories but the occult, witchcraft and superstition that have amalgamated to create the awful reputation for these enduring little creatures. Because I have an independent mind, my admiration is based on bats’ natural attributes.

Firstly, they are the world’s biggest group of flying mammals. Secondly, like most cetaceans (such as whales and dolphins) bats use echolocation to detect their prey. These mammals have evolved this natural ability because they are unable to see and locate their miniature prey with eyesight.

Bats use sonar in the same way that humans see things at night by using a torch. Producing sonic sounds from their nasal systems, they send out a blanket of sound waves into their intended flight path. When they locate something, they emit further signals to specify the object’s size and what type of prey it could be. The ‘echoing’ data is converted into pictures in the bats’ brain.

For over two and a half decades I have attracted many bat species into the wildlife garden, making bat roosting boxes from disused pallets sited securely under the eaves. As soon as they emerge

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from their roost, bats are immediately at their usual flying height of about 12 to 20 feet.

By monitoring bats over the years, we have found different species share boxes at the same time, the most common being the pipistrelle. Gnats and other nocturnal delicacies congregate where the millstream forks from the river, and well into the summer nights, bats swoop down near me while I sit on the patio.

The pipistrelle is one of Britain’s smallest, most gregarious bats, measuring about one and a half inches long with a wingspan of eight and a half inches. Hibernating from October to March, throughout the summer months, they feed to prepare for mating, producing a single offspring after a gestation of 35 to 44 days.

While I can differentiate between bats such as pipistrelles and daubentons, I need help for more specific identification. An electronic bat detector listens to the bats’ sonar - inaudible to the human ear - and transforms it into a series of clicks that we can hear, like tuning into a radio station. To make identification of Britain’s 13 species, we must analyse the clicks as a sequence that some people liken to Morse code.

In the past, many people in the western world have been biased against bats. Today we are more educated and better informed but how many of us go out of our way to appreciate, find and enjoy such amazing creatures?

Andy Mydellton is CEO of the Foundation for Endangered Species (FES) & Wildlife Zone.

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K. Cooper Motors MOT'S REPAIRS SERVICING TYRES EXHAUSTS BATTERIES

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Sunday 12th July 2015 at Kimbolton Castle New Show Ring Events • Food Court Largest Gathering of Classic Cars in Eastern England Attractions include: Sealed Knot Re-enactment ‘Lord Robartes Regiment’ Fire Queen Motorcycle Stunt Show • Millers Ark Petting Zoo Bob Hogg Sheep Dog Display • Royston – children’s entertainer Lindy Hop Dancers • Morris and Irish Dancers • Galaxy Swing Band Tea and Beer Tents • 800 Classic Cars on Display Cups & Saucers children’s ride • Mega slide Dream Rides in Classic and Sports Cars and much more...

Fayre opens at 11.00am. Main Show Ring Events from 12.00pm Entrance: Adult £10, Family £25, Children £5 (Under 5s Free) All proceeds to charity. This year supporting HemiHelp, The Burns Camp, Sailability, EACH, The Samuel Pepys School and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Organisers: Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club and Sporting Bears

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Travel

Luxury inByBath Tim Saunders It was a significant birthday for my wife Caroline so when her parents kindly offered to look after our daughters for the night, I whisked her away.

Celebrities seeking a luxurious haven from the crowds go to The Queensberry: the award winning boutique hotel, originally a residential home for its namesake, the 8th Marquess of Queensberry.

As soon as we arrived, a valet took care of the car and luggage and from the moment we set foot in the restored Georgian property, we relaxed, attended to by the friendly staff.

Each room is individually designed and owners Laurence and Helen Beere have paid great attention to detail. Our sophisticated bedroom was in keeping with the period but there were also modern day features such as a flat screen television and Roberts DAB radio tuned in to Classic FM. With its acclaimed three AA rosette restaurant, The Olive Tree - recognised in the Good Hotel Guide - dining is an occasion. While savouring expertly crafted food, advice is on hand from staff on which wine compliments each dish. A crisp Jordanian white wine that I would not have considered was a perfect choice to accompany my crab lasagne.

Bath is the only city in the UK designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Renowned for its natural thermal waters, there are three hot springs in the city centre: the Cross Spring, Hetling Spring and King’s Spring, which supplies the Roman baths. We visited Thermae Bath Spa where you can swim in

them – just a 10 minute stroll from the hotel and described as “the only hot water spa in Britain”.

Magnificent architectural symmetries are another major attraction. At No. 1 Royal Crescent, housekeeper Glenys Hale provided insight into how the city was created. Three men were responsible for making Bath: Richard Beau Nash, a socialite; Ralph Allen, who quarried Bath stone; and John Wood, architect, whose success came through rich Londoners buying properties. The grand Royal Crescent terrace, a backdrop to many period dramas, was built like a theatre set with purchasers employing their own builders to finish off the interior.

These owners, who spent about £1,700 on each house in 1767, threw lavish dinner parties and promoted their wealth by the number of expensive beeswax candles they displayed; how much sugar was provided; and whether there was an £80 pineapple on the table!

The magnificent residences fell out of favour in the 1960s and when Glenys arrived in 1967, the buildings were black. Ship owner Bernard Cayzer bought No.1 Royal Crescent in 1968 for £11,000 and it was opened as a museum in 1970. It is now owned by the Bath Preservation Trust.

The Royal Crescent Hotel, in the middle of this curve of Georgian terrace houses, is the only property in the row to boast a large garden. Its Dower House serves the ‘Duke of York Afternoon Tea’ accompanied

by Tattinger champagne - a fantastic way to spend an afternoon with a loved one.

Needless to say Caroline was very pleased with her birthday treat.

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35

Codeword 1

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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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n O s ’ t Wha In July

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

1 July The Battle of Loos by Colin Ellender 7pm for 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk by Colin Ellender. Non WFA members most welcome. A small donation is encouraged at the door to pay for the running of the branch.

Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 2 July Going to bed with a good Trollope!

1.30-3pm Huntingdon Library Michael Williamson, Chairman of the Anthony Trollope Society, in this Trollope’s bicentenary year for a talk on all things Trollope! Places are limited, please see library staff or call 0345 045 5225 to reserve a FREE ticket.

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July Bingo - Little Paxton Village Hall Doors open 7.30pm, Eyes down 8pm Do you enjoy a game of bingo? If so come along to Lt Paxton Village Hall Cash Bingo. Every Thursday night. Raffle and refreshments at interval. Sorry only 18+ can play.

Tel: Eddie 01480 475265 for more information 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 July Tai Chi 4-5pm Wimpole Hall £6 per session Every Friday from 6 March.

Tel: Mike Tabrett 01223 503390 to book Email: mike@gret-heron.com 4 July Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church, St Ives Free admission Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola.

4 July Buckden Village Parade & Festival 11.45am-5pm Buckden Playing Fields Free admission Parade starts at 11.45am at Buckden Towers to the Village Hall. The fete is fun for all the family with arena performances, 60+ stalls, games, refreshments.

Web: www.buckdenvillagefestival.co.uk

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4 July Armed Forces Day 12 noon-6pm Regatta Meadow, St Neots Free admission “The Sights and Sounds of the 1940s”. With Military flypast, Galaxy Big Band, Luna Nightingale, kids Craft, fun fair, live music, Lindy Hop, military vehicles, Cambridge Classic Car Show, themed boat parade plus stallholders, food concessions, Mess Tea Tent, performance stage, dance groups, licensed bar, charity stalls and much more!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ StNeotsArmedForcesDay 4 July Huntingdonshire Philharmonic: Music for a Summer Evening 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Tickets: £14/£12, Student concession £7/£6 Hunts Phil orchestra and choir perform Tchaikovsky’s delightful Second Symphony, “Little Russian”, and John Rutter’s glorious Latin-flavoured Magnificat with outstanding young local soprano soloist, Natalie Davies. Conductor: Adrian Brown.

Tickets available by telephone, email or on the door.

Tel: 01480 861591 Email: tickets@huntsphil.org.uk Web: www.huntsphil.org.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 July Parkrun 9am Wimpole Estate Weekly free 5k timed run.

Web: parkrun.org.uk/wimpoleestate 5 July Strawberry Cream Tea 2.30-4.30 pm Visitors’ Centre, Paxton Pits Tickets £4.50 Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Missed Wimbledon? Do not worry come along and try our special cream tea to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Friends. Admission by ticket only - available from Visitors’ Centre until 3 July.

Tel: 01480 406795 6, 13, 20 & 27 July Comrades Chess Club 7.30pm Comrades Club, Godmanchester Keep your mind active and play chess. Over 18s only as it’s a licensed premises.

Every Monday except Bank Holidays.

6, 13, 20 & 27 July Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Huntingdon & District Caledonian Society weekly Scottish Country Dancing for fun, friendship and fitness. You don’t have to be Scottish and you don’t need a partner as we take turns to dance with each other. May-Sept is at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Godmanchester and Sept-May is at Little Stukeley Village Hall. Come along and give it a try!

Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com Tel: Mr Hedley Goodman 01733 350185 hedley@goodman2.plus.com 8 July Cambridgeshire Rural M.E. Tea & Chat Monthly meet-up for adults with M.E. (and partners/friends). The group meets on the second Wednesday of the month. All details including latest meeting information can be found on the website. Web: www.crMEtea.org 11 July Summer Fair 11am-2pm Brampton Village Primary School Free admission Fun for all the family. Games, activities, entertainment, stalls and refreshments.

11 July Paxfest & Fun Dog Show 12 noon-4.30pm Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, Little Paxton Free admission Remembering Wartime - Celebrating Peace. Lots of stalls, games, BBQ, beer tent, refreshments - indoor street party, live music from Peterborough Highland Pipe Band, Porterhouse Jazz 6, CSD Brass and Little Paxton School Choir. Music from the 40s era. Fun Dog Show with 18 classes - registration on the day.

11 July Alconbury Village Fete 2pm Village Green Organised by Alconbury Neighbourhood Watch.

Various activities including Maypole Dancing, Have a go Archery, Coconut Shy, WI Teas and much more.

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n O s ’ t Wha In July 12 July Kimbolton Country Fayre & Classic Car Spectacular Opens 11am, Main show ring events from 12 noon Kimbolton Castle Adults £10, Children 5-16 years £5, Under 5 free, Family (2 adults & their children) £25 More than 700 classic cars on show to the public.

Lord Robartes Sealed Knot regiment, horses and lots of soldiers, The amazing Fire Queen (new this year), Millers Ark pet zoo, Dog agility displays, Astro Glide, Inflatables, Tea Cup ride, Children’s entertainer, The Galaxy Big Band and Lindyhop dancers. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypast. Over 80 stalls, food court, beer and tea marques.

Web: www.kimboltoncountryfayre.com 16 July Guided Nature Walk 10.30am-12.30pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. No need to book - pay on the day.

Tel: 01480 406795 17 July The Second Best Marigold Hotel Doors open 7pm, film starts promptly at 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Concessions £3, Under 16 £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema presents “The Second Best Marigold Hotel”. Tickets from Watson’s, Yellowbird (was Dixie’s Deli), Bytes Café or on the door. Tel: 01480 860297 Web: http://e-voice.org.uk/ themandevillehallkimbolton/community-cinema/ 17 July Ida Doors open 7.30pm, film starts 8pm Screen St Ives, Corn Exchange, St Ives 82 minutes. Cert 12A. Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. Many critics voted Ida one of the top films of 2014. The film explores truth, hidden histories, love, guilt and atonement. A young novice nun must meet a mysterious aunt, her only surviving relative. The story the aunt reveals about the past sets the unlikely pair on a journey that will change them both.

Web: www.screenstives.org.uk

17 July-1 August Cambridge Summer Music Festival The city’s annual festival of classical music offering outstanding musical performances in some of the city’s most historic buildings. See website for details of concerts.

Tel: Bookings 01223 357851 Email: info@cambridgesummermusic.com Web: www.cambridgesummermusic.com 18 July Swing into Summer with the Cam Sax Quartet 7.30pm All Saints’ Church, Haslingfield Tickets £10 An evening of lighter music. In aid of charity.

Tickets from Haslingfield Village Shop.

Tel: 01223 872190 18-19 July Hemingford Grey Art Exhibition 10am-4pm Reading Rooms, Hemingford Grey Free admission Framed and unframed original paintings. Also cards for sale. All donations to East Anglia Children’s Hospice.

21 July Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Visitors £6 inc. refreshments Lorena Dyer presents ‘A Touch of Romance’. Sales table, plant stall and a raffle of the designs. Visitors most welcome. Please note there will not be a meeting in August.

23 July St Neots & District Gardening Club 8ppm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 Topical Presentations - A variety of speakers giving short presentations. Competition is One pot plant.

Admission includes refreshments and raffle ticket.

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

23-25 July ‘Breaking the Code’ Huntingdon Drama Club presents ‘Breaking the Code’ which tells the story of WW2 code breaker and pioneer of modern computing, Alan Turing.

The work carried out at Bletchley Park by Turing and his colleagues was thought to have shortened the war by several years, saving millions of lives.

This ‘poignant and powerful play’ (NY Times) tells Turing’s fascinating & ultimately tragic story.

Web: www.huntingdondramaclub.org.uk 26 July Dragonfly Walk 10.30am Godmanchester Nature Reserve Amy Robinson, who is the Wildlife Trust’s Education and Community Officer for the Ouse Valley, will be leading a walk at Godmanchester Nature Reserve at Cow Lane, Godmanchester, Huntingdon. This is an area of flooded gravel pits, reed lands, flood meadows and scrub, which provides a haven for wildlife. At this time of year, we hope to see a good variety of dragonfly such as broad bodied and scarce chasers, common and ruddy darters, large hawkers and damselflies. Among the birds likely to be seen are reed bunting, common tern, lapwing, yellow hammer, and whitethroat and many duck such as tufted, shoveler and pochard. The grassland also supports many species including great burnet, lady’s bedstraw and bird’s foot trefoil. Everyone is very welcome to attend. Please meet at 10.30am in the car park at the end of Cow Lane, Godmanchester, grid ref TL26397149.

Tel: Tim 01480 457795 for more information 29 July Damsels and Dragons 2-4.30pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 - pay at the door Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. An introduction to this exciting group of insects by John McDonough. A short talk in the Visitors’ Centre followed by a walk.

29 July Brave New Reads - Final Event 3-4pm Huntingdon Library Conclusion of the Brave New Reads Events series.

Places are limited, please see library staff or call 0345 045 5225 to reserve a FREE ticket.

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June’s Crossword, Codeword and Suduko Solutions Last Month’s Crossword Winner Mrs Woodward from Alconbury

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The Villager Prize Crossword

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Across 1 Automatons (6) 4 Racket sport (6) 9 Female grandparent (7) 10 Two times (5) 11 Recorded sound (5) 12 Defrosting (7) 13 Not needed (11) 18 Spun by spiders (7) 20 Afterwards (5) 22 Monarch (5) 23 Copy (7) 24 Long for (6) 25 Concurred (6) Down 2 Insipid (5) 3 Immature frog (7) 5 Additional (5) 6 Louder (7)

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

17th July 2015 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

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1 Disorganised (6)

7 Toboggan (6) 8 Alliance (11) 14 Takes small bites (7) 15 Working out (7) 16 Frightened (6) 17 Buddy (6) 19 Mistake (5) 21 Torment (5)

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Russell Grant’s

Horoscopes

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th

Early July promises to be a very romantic time. The New Moon on the 16th is ideal for embarking on a fitness routine. A friend’s sarcasm is too much to bear on the 19th. You need to be honest.

PISCES February 20th - March 20th

The opening days of July are perfect for going on a shopping spree. Favourable publicity for a creative project arrives on or around the 8th.

An intellectually stimulating class will fill your time during the second half of July.

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

Fame, acclaim and rewards come your way in early July, thanks to a supportive Full Moon. Striking a healthy balance between home and work will be challenging mid-month.

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st

Early July is ideal for finding beautiful artwork and furniture for your home. A former lover may make their way back into your life in late July. Revisiting old times will be fun, but beware of renewing your commitment.

The early days of July are ideal for settling debts and obligations. The New Moon on the 16th is ideal for finding a better job, getting a raise, or finding another source of income.

Your creative talent will be emphasised in the early days of July. The Full Moon on the 2nd marks an exciting turning point in a relationship.

Be wary of subverting your needs for the sake of your partner. The New Moon on the 16th is perfect for changing your look.

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Your warmth, generosity and charm draw legions of admirers in the beginning of July. You have a sexy glow that is impossible to resist. Beware of getting involved in secret deals at mid-month, or your professional relationships will suffer.

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd

Spending time on solitary pursuits will give July a wonderfully dreamy quality.

Take this time to catch up on your reading, commune with nature and connect with your spiritual side.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd

Your social life sparkles throughout early July. If you’re out of work, the New Moon on the 16th is an ideal time to find a prestigious position.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd

You’ll be given a reward for a job well done in early July; get ready for your close up. The New Moon on the 16th brings an exciting opportunity to travel, study, or write.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd

LEO July 24th - August 23rd

A wonderful teaching or writing opportunity will fall in your lap at the beginning of July. The New Moon on the 16th is perfect for expanding your lovemaking repertoire. Ask your partner for suggestions.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th

The early days of July promise to be a delight to the senses. If you have a romantic partner, spend as much time locked in each other’s arms as possible.

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Books

FLOORED Book Review

By Bruce Edwards

By Ian

The Wedding Cake Tree Melanie Hudson

Pub: Choc Lit p/b £7.99 ISBN: 978-1-781-89224-4 The loss of anyone near and dear will affect us in different ways and may, as a consequence, bring life-style changes we don’t initially appreciate.

Grace - seen sitting here, calmly poised in a cover-designer’s concept of ‘quiet reflection’ - has lost her beloved mother and the subsequent reading of the Will brings both opportunities and hurdles she’d not expected let alone understood. There’s an appetizingly new concept of a potential romance here, reluctantly taking the girl out of her fashionable photographer’s job and into a well-scripted journey back over her mother’s undiscovered former life, hidden away from her daughter’s pre-knowledge. Aware that her daughter would try and side-step the Will’s requirements as, in Grace’s eyes, it all seems inconsequential, her mother pre-designed a complicated series of challenges and provided her with a mentor to ensure they were carried out. Guess what, he’s a straightforward, efficient, knowledgeable and very likable male with problems of his own. A predictable ending? Maybe - but you’ve got to travel many miles and into fascinating places alongside the pair to appreciate exactly how it is achieved. This is a refreshingly different and believable lovely tale written without the treacly smoochiness so beloved of some chicklit authors. Don’t expect the girl to be too ‘easy’ - there’s a trace of good old-fashioned ethics here, thank goodness.

Suggestion and queries to: writerselect@gmail. com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation.

Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try to help.”

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