Alcon june 13

VILLAGER The

Issue 15 - June 2013

and Town

Life

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

Covering: Alconbury • Grafham • Kimbolton • Riseley The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas

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VILLAGER

In this Issue

The

and Town

Issue 15 - June 2013

Life

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

4 Wildlife Wanderings

By Christine Donnelly

Covering: Alconbury • Grafham • Kimbolton • Riseley The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas

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Advertising Sales Christa Hallam Tel: 07868 369257 Christa@villagermag.com

Join the Club

Additional Editorial Christine Donnelly, Michael Monk, Tony Larkins, Debbie Singh-Bhatti and Susan Brookes-Morris

Prize Crossword

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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£25 could be yours!

Step Forward...............................................................................6 Front Cover Photo: Maxim Shebeko

Campaign to Protect Rural England...................................8

Design and Artwork Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460

Pension Automation............................................................. 15

Kimbolton Country Fayre.................................................... 13

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email:nigel@villagermag.com

VILLAGER The

and Town Life

Disclaimer

Bottle It... Or Not..................................................................... 19 Puzzle Page............................................................................... 24 What’s On.................................................................................. 26 Brickhill Book Bug Review................................................... 30 8,000 copies delivered free of charge to all homes in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Barham, Broughton, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Coppingford, Covington, Easton, Ellington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Hargrave, Keysoe, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Melchbourne, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall,

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.

Riseley, Shelton, Spaldwick, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean, Upton, Woolley, Yelden.

(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.)

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WILDLIFE WANDERINGS

WILDLIFE TRAVEL, BY CHRISTINE DONNELLY Early summer is the best time to enjoy the wild flowers of our meadows and pastures as well as many butterflies. Although some areas have lost the wonderful flower displays of the past, there are still several places locally where they can be seen thanks to protection from the chemicals and overgrazing that can be associated with intensive agriculture.

If we are lucky to have some fine weather in June, you may find time to take a walk in one of our grassland nature reserves or to join a local wildlife organisation for one of their walks. The Wildlife Trust has a variety of local events including a walk on Sunday 9th June at Portholme Meadow, near Huntingdon and on Saturday 29th June at Roman Road, Horseheath, Cambridge. Both events are organised by the Trust’s network of Local Groups and are open to everyone. More information can be found on www.wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500.

Membership of the Trust entitles you to regular newsletters with details of all of their events.

Cornflower, once common in England Our meadows can be ablaze with an amazing mixture of blue, yellow, white and pink flowers growing among the different types of grasses, many of which are attractive themselves when in full flower. Some of the plants you may see are several members of the daisy, pea and rose families including knapweeds, vetches and meadowsweet as well as geraniums and hay rattle, which is partly parasitic on grass rather than making its own food.

The beautiful blue cornflower, another member of the daisy family, is rarely seen in England now but can still be seen in good numbers, along with lots of other grassland plants now scarce in the UK, if you travel to some of the areas in Europe that are still traditionally managed. Amongst the best places to visit in late spring are some of the greener Mediterranean islands such as Lesvos in Greece, but

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in June you need to go higher into the mountains where the flowering is later. Transylvania in Romania is a wonderful region famous for its ancient hay meadows and wild flowers as well as attractive villages and fascinating history, but no vampire bats anywhere near!

Hay meadow and haystack, Transylvania The UK is famous for its colonies of breeding seabirds, particularly in the north, where gannets, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes are amongst the species you can see. Perhaps the favourite for many people is the puffin, which nests in burrows on grassy slopes. Holidays on islands such as Mull and others in the Hebrides, the Orkneys or Shetland enable you to see the spectacle of hundreds of birds bringing food to their young and in some places, sea eagles can also be found.

Puffins, Isle of Mull More locally, there are many birds to be enjoyed over the summer. Watch out for the dramatic dives of terns as they fish in our lakes and rivers. Looking like a small, narrow-winged gull, they were once called ‘sea swallows’ due to their agile flying and forked tails.

Travel, based at Cambourne, has been running holidays to many of these destinations and others worldwide, for 25 years. Contact them on 01954 713575 or check www.wildlife-travel.co.uk.

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Huntingdon Farmers’ Market Love your Local Market

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

June 14th & 28th Plus Saturday 29th

July 12th & 26th August 9th, 23rd 6

Plus Saturday 31st

Fresh, Local Produce

Email: farmersmarkets@huntingdonshire.gov.uk Tel: 01480 388388 Website: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/markets @huntsfarmersmkt

Huntingdon Farmers Market

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Step Forward

By Susan Brookes-Morris

UK Volunteers week takes place between 1-7 June. It celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. The week plays a huge part in raising the profile of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to volunteer too. Organisations hold events and activities to highlight their volunteers and the volunteering that they do.

Every year, over 20 million people in the UK volunteer, donating more than 100 million hours to their communities every week. It has been estimated that the economic value of this activity is worth in excess of £40 billion to our economy.

Volunteering can take on many forms. Most of us will be familiar with people shaking tins on the High Street and those working in charity shops, but there are many more types of voluntary roles including:- room guides at National Trust properties, some lock keepers, conservation workers, Guide and Scout leaders, advice workers, voluntary bread makers at a heritage mill, counsellors answering telephone calls, those carrying out administrative work for charities, animal fosterers, and those who help organise and marshal l at sports events. The volunteer Gamesmakers at last year’s Olympics certainly received a higher profile than most sporting volunteers, but most volunteers are happy to

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remain unsung heroes.

It’s likely that however old you are (as long as you are over 18), and whatever skills and availability you have, you could voluntarily contribute in some form to the myriad of charitable and not for profit organisations that exist in the UK. These cover all manner of causes and all areas of life. Volunteering could be a regular weekly commitment for a set period of time, a one off ‘few hours’, or an annual commitment at an event.

Many people volunteer because they want to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.

Volunteering can also be a great way to gain new friendships. Most find volunteering challenging, but rewarding.

Many employees and educational establishments look favourably on voluntary work too, so you can be helping yourself as well as assisting others when you volunteer.

Some enlightened employers also give staff ‘time off’ to take part in approved voluntary activities.

To find out how to get involved, contact your preferred charity or not for profit organisation, or go to the Volunteering England website at: http:// www.volunteering.org.uk

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Campaign to Protect Rural England

CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH Introducing the Campaign to Protect Rural England CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) is one of the longest established and most respected environmental groups in England. Your local CPRE Branch, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, was set up over 80 years ago – and we been speaking up for our countryside ever since. We want to protect it from the threat it faces, and to shape its future for the better.

CPRE campaigns for a beautiful and living countryside. We work to influence how we plan our towns and cities to make them better places to live and work, to ensure the countryside is protected for all to enjoy for now and future generations.

We have a tiny office in St. Ives and a part-time administrator, but our work is largely carried out by a small band of volunteers who are committed to protecting our landscapes and rural communities.

Standing up for the countryside You may have read in the press about our concerns about the Government’s planning reforms which could leave parts of our countryside at greater threats of development. Nationally, we’ve worked to impress on MPs and Government Ministers what these reforms might lead to.

In Cambridgeshire we are lucky to have diverse, evocative and beautiful countryside. However, very little of our countryside has the official designation which would protect it from

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inappropriate development.

W i t h Cambridgeshire being one of the fastest growing parts of England, the countryside on our doorstep is under threat!

The dangers include massive new housing s c h e m e s , warehouses and wind farms.

What you can do Maybe you would like to help us in our work. We desperately need more volunteers and funds.

Joining us for just £3.00 a month would make a real difference. For more information contact our office on 01480 396698 or e-mail office@ cprecambs.org.uk.

In future articles we will let you know more about the work we are doing in Cambridgeshire. Our countryside is precious – after all, “when it’s gone, it’s gone”!!

Michael Monk Chairman CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

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Test you brainpower in our monthly pub quiz held on the first Tuesday of the month. The fun starts at 9pm.

The Three Compasses now features; » Real ales with regular guest ales » Selection of quality wines by the bottle and by the glass » Takeaway food available Tues - Sat » Mobile phone top up » Functions catered for » Meeting area

Join us for our very popular American Pancake Breakfast. Two sittings - 10am and 11am. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Appearing June 22nd at 9pm - Maurice Cannon, formerly of The Drifters. No cover!! You’ll not want to miss this!

Join us for a Night at the Races, July 6th at 9pm to benefit Wipe Away Tears childrens charity!!

MON 6pm - 11:20pm TUES-SAT 12noon-3pm & 6pm - 11:20pm SUN 12noon - 4pm & 7pm - 10:50pm

MON-TUE 6pm-9pm WED-SAT 12noon - 2:30pm & 6pm - 9pm SUN 12noon - 3pm

WOOD GREEN...

DOG TRICK TRAINING FOR FAMILIES

ANIMAL FUN DAY Sunday 7th July, 10.00am – 4.00pm £2 Adults, children free, dogs welcome

Every Thursday in June 6.30 – 7.30pm £45 per family, restrictions apply A 4 week course exploring the building blocks of training and communicating with your dog.

Booking essential for all activities as places are limited.

Call 0844 248 8181 or email: handson@woodgreen.org.uk

We will also be joined on the day by: Fun dog show Ask the experts Pet toy making Get up close with the animals at feeding time

Shopping opportunities for you & your pets School for Dogs Bouncy castle

Shepreth Wildlife Park with some creepy crawlies South Wales Police horse & dog display – come and meet the police dogs and get a chance to visit the police horse box Hamerton Zoo and some of its residents Huntingdon Fire & Rescue – visit the fire engines & meet the crew

Animal rehoming Charity Shop Restaurant Pet & Gift Shop Children’s play area Children’s ‘hands on’ events Open 7 days a week 10.00am – 4.00pm Free entry

Call: 0844 248 8181 King’s Bush Farm, Visit: www.woodgreen.org.uk London Road, Godmanchester, Or Email: info@woodgreen.org.uk Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH Registered Charity No. 298348.

The Animals Charity

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WGAS Villager 131w x 93h Alconbury.Kimbolton.indd 1

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The kimbolton country fayre

sunday 14th july 2013 AN INVITATION YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS: THE ANNUAL KIMBOLTON COUNTRY FAYRE AND CLASSIC CAR SPECTACULAR To be held in the beautiful 60 acre grounds of Kimbolton Castle. With over 800 classic cars on show; fairground attractions; main and secondary ring events; music; dancing; stall holders selling a wide range of tempting goods.

Don’t worry if you forget your picnic, there is a large food court catering for all. Oh! Nearly forgot….of course there is a beer tent.

The Fayre opens at 11.00 with the main show ring events starting at 12.00. Tickets cost £18 family (based on two adults and their children); adults £8; concession £5 (over 65’s and children)

Tell your friends about the Fayre and come and have a great day out – well behaved dogs welcome too.

All the latest information about the attractions can be found on our website: www.kimboltoncountryfayre.com

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Brampton Chiropractic Clinic 84 High Street, Brampton PE28 4TH DR NEIL BROE, DC and Assoc Registered with the General Chiropractic Council Members of the British Chiropractic Association Over 30 years experience A gentle but specific form of manipulation.

Treating the cause of the problem ..... so often the answer • Back, Hip and Leg Pain • Headaches, Migraines • Cranial Therapy • Sinuses • Neck, Arm and Shoulder Pain • Muscle Ligament and Tendon Injuries • Paediatric Care

01480 436435

10% discount on initial visit www.brampton-chiropracticclinic.co.uk BUPA and PPP registered Also at: Manor Lodge, Barham Road, Buckworth PE28 5AQ Tel 01480 891539

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Buying and selling old Coins, Military Medals, Tokens, Banknotes and bullion ...as well as Jewellery.

52 High Street // Biggleswade // Beds // SG18 0LJ // (Opposite “The Codfather”) Open Wednesday to Saturday. 11am to 7pm

t: 01767 600 300 e: shop@cambridgecoins.co.uk 14

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Pension

Automation So what do I mean by ‘Automation’?

- It is not a spelling mistake for Auto Enrolment, which is the new Government directive to try and force everyone to save for retirement.

Automation relates to existing pension plans that you may have taken out, where you were asked whether your attitude to risk was low, medium or high, before being placed in a “lifestyle” fund; which was designed to switch from equities to bonds, the closer you came to retirement.

In the 1990’s bond prices were high – they are not now. Plus equities can be volatile.

Consider, are you really going to retire when you said you would - can you afford to; losing just a couple of % on an annual return can have a 20% impact on the final income.

Also be aware of automatic rebalancing, because this means continually reducing holdings in well performing funds, in favour of lesser performing ones. Structured timely rebalancing is good because it stops a portfolio increasing its risk profile.

Even worse than lifestyle funds are many ‘with

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

profit’ funds. These are the ones where you receive an annual statement and bonus notice.

This month I reviewed a pension where the bonus had dropped to just 1.5% for the year, when for the same level of risk, our portfolio had grown by 14%.

Why, because they can. Automation Most people do not change their bank account even though they know interest is poor; and most people don’t change or review their pensions or investments either.

Most of us suffer from Automation.

We receive the statement in the post… look at it… and file it. But a simple call to your IFA (independent financial adviser) will tell you if it is any good. Better still your IFA should contact you.

You may have been in the right funds when you took out the plan, but don’t rely on automation… become proactive.

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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UB

CL

W AT E

R

WARTB TE

Y

S

Stewartby Water Sports Club

S P O RT

S

OPEN DAY SUNDAY 9TH JUNE FREE ENTRY

We are a friendly Water Sports Club which caters for a full range of Sailing, Water Skiing, Power Boating and Fishing.

FREE Sailing Boat Experience FREE Echo Sounding Boat Trips Power Boat Display Water Skiing Demonstration Fishing Display Bouncy Castle Bar-B-Que and refreshments available

www.swsc.org.uk

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Bottle it…or not

By Debbie Singh Bhatti The average Brit knocks back around 33 litres of bottled water per year! The UK bottled water industry is worth over £1.5bn per annum. Most consumers say they drink it because it tastes better and they believe it to be purer than tap water. However, this is not necessarily the case.

Though both mineral and spring water are bottled fresh at their underground source, bottled table water may well be nothing more than filtered tap water - and some spring water is treated before bottling.

Water from UK taps is the most stringently tested in the world and is quite possibly safer to drink than bottled water which can easily become contaminated, but the presence of chemicals can make the taste unpalatable. Fitting a filter to the water supply solves this problem. Water filters vary according to the amount and type of contaminants they remove, but a popular choice is an under sink unit which will remove a wide selection of chemicals. Costing anything from

£100-£250, cartridges need replacing every six months and cost around £15-25. A cheaper, but less effective alternative is a jug filter priced at around £40.

You might want to consider that tonnes of plastic are used each year in the manufacture of water bottles. So consider fitting a filter, and if you really prefer bottled, remember to recycle.

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

Paddocks Boarding Cattery Peaceful location. No dogs boarded.

Spacious, individual, heated chalets with large covered runs.

Inspection welcome. Boarding from £6.60/day.

Rabbits/guinea pigs also boarded.

64 Meadow Road, Great Gransden

Telephone 01767 677 759 www.catterybedfordshire.co.uk Open all year.

The cattery for caring owners.

Comfort and security for your pet.

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The Smart choice for body repairs

body shop Vehicle repairs * Express * Alloy wheel refurbishment Same day repair * Free estimates Insurance*claims * *

Call us now on: 01480 407969 / 07734 145062 9 Chester Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs PE19 8YT

web: www.getsmartexpress.co.uk / email: info@getsmartexpress.co.uk

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Join the club

By Alex Brown

The six-week school holiday looms. Up and down the country you can hear collective groans from working parents beginning to stress about securing holiday care for their children.

Whether you need childcare while you’re at work, or a way to keep your energetic offspring entertained, holiday clubs can be a lifesaver.

There is such a wide variety available that you are sure to be able to find something that suits both you and your child.

Some clubs are run by local authorities and are based at schools, nurseries or community centres.

You’ll find that places offering ‘before and after school’ clubs often have holiday clubs too. Others are linked to clubs offering specific activities, such as a sport or performance art. There are also some big companies offering schemes throughout the UK, such as Kings Camps (www.kingscamps.org) and Super Camps (www.supercamps.co.uk).

Visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk/nafis to find details of your local Family Information Service.

They will have details of childcare in your area, including holiday clubs.

Most clubs will be registered with Ofsted and you can find details of their latest inspection at www. ofsted.gov.uk .

It’s a good idea to visit the venue and speak to the manager. Make sure you are happy with the child/adult ratios and the qualifications of the staff – they should all have been CRB checked.

If you don’t know anyone else who has used the club, ask the manager to provide you with some recent testimonials.

Try to see a timetable and photos of a typical day at the club. Activities can range from sports, crafts and cooking to quad biking, archery or trampolining. Many clubs will plan a theme for the day or week, and some may let the children choose what to do.

Find out what children need to bring with them – aprons, trainers or drinks, for example. They probably won’t need any money unless they are going out for a day trip.

Make sure you know the arrangements for dropping off and collecting children, and what happens in an emergency.

You will need to book your child’s place in advance. Check the session times carefully – some clubs may be half days, some will run within school hours, while others may be open from 8am until 5 or 6pm.

Ask what is included in the price. Is lunch provided, or will children need to bring their own?

Paying for a week is usually cheaper than paying per day. You may also get a discount for more than one child. Some clubs will accept childcare vouchers, and you can claim back some of the cost of Ofsted-registered clubs if you qualify for Family Tax Credits.

Happy holidays!

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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

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CODEWORD

1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

9 X 9 PUZZLE

How to play It’s simple! 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 puzzle.

Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

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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 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

Established since 1984

www.gsn.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

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what’S ON?

IN JUNE

1 June Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts at very reasonable prices. Held on the first Saturday of each month. Charity tombola and free entry. www.saintscrafters.blogspot.com 2 June Dean Dog Day 12.00 noon The Dalton Hall Playing Field, Upper Dean Entry fee £1 per class All dogs welcome. Classes for everyone. Lovely rosettes and goodies. Homemade refreshments available throughout the show. All entry fees to The Dogs Trust.

Tel: Jo 01480 869486 for schedule or more details 2 June St Neots Astronomy Association 7.30pm The Visitors Centre Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton Images of the Universe by Paul Money. This will be a fun informative meeting with visual displays using pictures and videos of our Universe; looking deep into the depths of it.

Everyone welcome. Web: www.snaa.co.uk Tel: David Roberts 01480 212960 Email: david@snaa.co.uk 4, 11, 18 & 25 June Bridge Club 7.30-9.30pm Roxton Village Hall Cost £3 Every Tuesday. Beginners welcome. Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk 5 June Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Annual subscription £6. Meetings with speakers £1 and £2 for visitors. Refreshments included. Plants on sale.

7 June St Neots Library Knitting Group 1-3pm St Neots Library Do you like knitting? Ann Smith from Buckden Library will be joining us for a talk on knitting and setting up the St Neots Library Knitting Group. Please speak to Jan or Deryl at the Library for more details.

7 June Our Hospitality Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start Corn Exchange, St Ives Tickets £5 Screen St Ives. (1923) Our Hospitality is set in the American Deep South where Willie (Keaton) unwittingly stumbles into a long-standing family feud and finds that his beloved’s father and brothers are far from hospitable when they realise who he is.

Featuring jaw dropping stunts, this is a rom-com with a difference. 50 tickets available – first come, first served.

Web: www.screenstives.org.uk 8 June Open Garden - Hunts Community Nursery 1.30-5pm Park Lane, Godmanchester Free admission Come and explore this 4 acre site which has a variety of garden and conservation areas. Weather permitting you can watch our beehives being opened at 2pm and 3pm.

Teas and plants for sale.

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Entries into our What’s On sections are free. If you have an event you would like us to publicise please email the details to whatson@villagermag.com 8 June Great Staughton Meet for Veteran Vintage & Classic Cars Participants to arrive 11.30am-12 midday Meet next to post Office & Blades Lawnmowers Free entry. Visitors to purchase £2.00 raffle ticket for food hampers and other prizes.

All contributions to go to charity - Camtad and West Hunts Friendship Club. We will be lighting the gas lights on The Mistress (1912 Sunbeam) about 12.30pm.

Tim the Hawk will be present with some of his raptors.

Paul the Bee Man will be displaying some of his bees.

Also Open Gardens at Old Vicarage with National Garden Scheme. £3.00 entry. Tea and cakes available. Plant sale.

4.30pm raffle at Blades Lawnmower.

9 June “High summer holds the earth...” A summer music concert 7.30pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Tickets £14 including pre-concert glass of bubbly on the lawn of The Manor House and refreshments in the interval Returning to Offord, we welcome back Morag McLaren, Theresa Goble, Michael Dore, Brian Parsons and new to Offord Darcy, pianist Nathan Martin. Well known artists from the opera, musical and concert stage, BBC Radio 2’s “Friday Night is music night” and London’s West End. Tickets sell out quickly. Free parking on the archery field adjacent to the Church and the Manor House.

Tel: 01480 811126 Email: ticketoffice.stpeters@gmail.com 10 & 24 June Line dancing for Beginners 7-8pm Tilbrook Village Hall £2 per person, no partner necessary Please wear flat or low heeled shoes, NOT trainers or anything with rubber soles.

Tel: Pauline or Terry 01480 861767 for more information 15 & 16 June Flower Festival ‘Celebrating Village Life’ 11am-4pm St James’ Church, Little Paxton Admission £2, Children free, Weekend passes £2 Refreshments, cakes, bookstall, plants, craft items, raffle.

Tower Open 11 am to 2 pm each day. Community Hymn Singing on Sunday at 4 pm.

Weekend passes available from Alison Rogers 01480 215607 17 June NSPCC Cambridge Dining Club 12.00 noon La Mimosa Restaurant, Cambridge £16.50 for 2-course meal and coffee Friendly Dining Club welcomes both men and women.

Speaker will be author and presenter Liz Frazer.

All funds raised go towards projects in this region to help support vulnerable children and young people.

Tel: 01954 719745 Email: cfm.armstrong@gmail.com 19 June Land Drainage 7.30pm W.I. Headquarters, Walden Road, Huntingdon Non-members welcome - £1 donation appreciated Huntingdonshire Family History Society talk on Land Drainage by June Barton. Web: www.huntsfhs.org.uk

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what’S ON? IN JUNE

20 June Toy Sale 9am-1pm Huntingdon Nursery School, Ambury Road, Huntingdon Buy and sell good quality second hand toys and books Tel: 01480 375216 for more details

27 June St Neots & District Gardening Club 8pm St. Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St. Neots Non-Members £2.50 which includes refreshments and a raffle ticket. Bulbs for every season by Hilary Thomas.

20 June Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” 7.30pm Knot Garden, Buckden Towers, High Street, Buckden Tickets £12, Concessions £10 The Festival Players Theatre Company return to perform in the Knot Garden. Performance continues regardless of weather. Tel: 01480 810344

28 – 30 June Great Paxton Feast Weekend Holy Trinity Church 28 June - Wine & Cheese evening – 7.30pm Tickets £8 each Presentation by The Smiling Grape Company. Wine tasting, fun quiz and audience participation.

Tickets: Jill Peters 01480 217559 29 June - Summer Flower Festival - 10.30am-4pm Stalls, light lunches and afternoon teas.

30 June- Church open - 2 to 4pm Teas served.

21 June Ladies Garden Party 7-9pm The Pym, Spring Hill, Little Staughton Tickets £10 including wine/soft drink on arrival and pudding Shopping event including Tracey Jane Fashion of Biggleswade and Heart Jewellery.

In aid of Primrose Cancer Care Unit, Bedford and Kymbrook Pre-School, Keysoe. Entry by ticket only so book now to avoid disappointment. Tickets available from Rebecca Brightman, Rebecca Squirrell or Kymbrook Pre-School 01234 376100. Tel: Tickets: 01234 378839 Email: ladiesgardenparty@yahoo.com 22 June Pennyless 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Buckden Tickets £10, Concessions £8 Pennyless - Folk music with three lively musicians. In aid of Buckden’s Living Stones & Church Funds. Tickets from Costcutter and Que Sera, Buckden.

Tel: Ron Ingamells 01480 811608 for tickets or email: rjingamells@btinternet.com Tel: Ron Ingamells 01480 811608 for more info or email events@stmarysbuckden.org.uk 22 & 23 June Antiques Showroom Open Weekend 10am-4pm College Farmhouse Workshops, Chawston Lane, Chawston J Moore Restoration, Ralph Moss Antiques & Copperplate Maps. Come along to see fabulous antique furniture, glassware, pictures, maps, silver and collectables. Tea room open on both days.

Web: www.jmooreantiques.co.uk 22 & 23 June The Porch Museum 2-5pm The Porch Museum, Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Come and find out about what’s being dug up in Godmanchester.

25 June Hemingford Grey Flower Club 10am Reading Room, High Street, Hemingford Grey Admission £3, including refreshment Flower arranging demonstration by Tim Meakin.

28 June Flower Festival Concert ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ 7.30pm St Mary’s Parish Church, St Neots Tickets £5 Featuring three choirs - Parish Church Choir, Riverside Theatre Group and Huntingdon Barber Shop Choir.

29 June Shepreth Village Hall Market 2-5pm Green behind the Village Hall Free admission Organised by a group of local small enterprises who want to put village shopping back into villages.

Shepreth W.I. will be providing the refreshments or you could have a light lunch at our local cafe The Teacake just along the road.

There will be a wide variety of stalls including Trach Chic, a Vintage clothing stall, a Village Blacksmith, local, fresh produce and plants, organic essential oils, Posh doggie treats, wicker baskets and apple juice, Indian Snacks, handmade crafts and lots more! Something for everyone, really worth a visit! Ample parking at the rear of the hall.

29 June Covington Barn Dance 6pm-midnight Bottom Farm, Covington Adults £15, Children (under 12) £6 Dancing to live music from ‘Knitters Jig’ with instruction from their Caller, Norma. Bring friends and family.

Licensed Bar with Real Ale, Wine and Pimms. Raffle including many great prizes. Ticket includes Hog Roast with home-made salads followed by strawberries and cream. In aid of local charities including Covington Village Hall. Tel: Tickets: Carole 01480 869224 29 June Flower Festival Concert ‘Music for a Summer Evening’ 7.30pm St Mary’s Parish Church, St Neots Tickets £5 Featuring soloist Emily Compson; just returned from a tour in Budapest. Supported by Caroline Foster. Cheese & wine.

29 & 30 June Hemingford Abbots Flower Festival 12 noon-6pm £7.50 per day programme and £12.00 for weekend programme. Under 18s.

26 June The proceeds from this event will be put towards the Friends of the Queen Elizabeth School AGM maintenance and restoration of St Margaret’s Church, 6pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Hemingford Abbots. Free parking.

Web: www.hemingfordabbots.org.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122 27

The Villager Prize Crossword 1st Prize £25 Name:

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 19th June 2013 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner. Congratulations to Mr J Clements from Potton For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com Across 1 Seats (6) 4 Burst (6) 9 Reduce in length (7) 10 Moves rapidly (5) 11 After sunset (5) 12 Before (7) 13 Marvellously (11) 18 Cultivate (7) 20 Hurry (5) 22 Arrogant (5) 23 Terminates (7) 24 Sibling (6) 25 A sign (6) Down 1 Place for gambling (6) 2 In the midst of (5) 3 Turned (7) 5 Senior (5) 6 Incomplete (7) 7 Large arid area (6) 8 Halted (11) 14 Apparent (7) 15 Sad (7) 16 Adjusts (6) 17 Container (6) 19 Narrow shelf (5) 21 Rub hard (5)

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BRICKHILL

BOOK BUG REVIEW The Goddess Chronicle by Natsuo Kirino Kamikuu and Namima are sisters, but while Kamikuu has been born to become the new Oracle of their island home and live a favoured life, Namima has been born to serve Izanami, the goddess of darkness and is expected to live in the graveyard with the dead. Unhappy with her lot, Namima rebels against her fate, but the consequences are disastrous, and she discovers that even in death she is expected to serve the dark goddess.

Bitter from her death in childbirth and angry with her husband Izanagi for seeing her in her corrupted form, the goddess Izanami decides who will die, while Izanagi tries to make up for their deaths by fathering ever more children.

Izanami thinks Namima will sympathise with her, but Namima is not finished with life and she will do anything to return to the island and see what has become of her daughter Yayoi.

Natsuo Kirino combines the story of mortal Namima with the Japanese myth of Izanami and Izanagi, introducing us to the stories her culture tells about the creation of the world. We discover that while the stories may be very different from our own, the desire to explain life and death is universal.

For more information about books and reading, visit the Virtual Library at www.bedford.gov.uk/ libraries.

The Book Bug has worked for the library service in Bedfordshire for over 20 years. She lives in Brickhill with far too many books!

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“The Property Experts”

a g n i d l o h e r t A n e v e e d i u g price your area in ! k e e w s i th PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL OFFICE ON

01480 860 600

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