Alcon may 15

VILLAGER The

Issue 38 - May 2015

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Win Tickets

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History

of Hemingford Grey

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Message from the Editor: It is hard to believe that I have now been editor of The Villager and Town Life magazine for a year. I hope you have continued to enjoy the articles and are still finding the information on local businesses useful. We have now taken on a new issue. The Great Ashby Directory based in Hertfordshire became The Villager in March, meaning that we are now your local magazine within Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Each issue is tailored for your area so please do send us your local news, features and details of community groups.

We would love to include you!

The winners of our Ska Festival tickets last month were Catherine Jenny Jefferies and John Butler. Congratulations go to them both.

Contents

The History of Hemingford Grey...............................4

Financial Claims Long After Divorce........................28

Roger Bannister - The Man Behind the Mile.............9

Dare to Dream........................................................31

Tobago - The Quieter Side of Paradise....................10

Snap the Ouse Competition....................................35

Win Tickets to see Craig Charles..............................12

Puzzle Page............................................................36

Should it be Home or Away for Grandparents.........15

What’s On...............................................................38

Inspired by the Orient............................................16

Last Month’s Puzzle Solutions................................41

The Alabama Hayriders..........................................18

Prize Crossword......................................................42

Introducing CARESCO.............................................21

Horoscopes.............................................................44

On the Run.............................................................24

Book Review..........................................................47

The Best Car Gadgets for 2015................................27

Classifieds..............................................................47

7,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Covington, Dillington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, Riseley, Shelton, Stonley, Stow Longa, Swineshead, The Stukeleys, Tillbrook, Upper Dean (We also have over 150 distribution points, including pubs, garages, most shops, post offices, Supermarket Chains in all of the above as well as in Huntingdon, Lt Staughton, Grafham Water Visitor Centre’s and Kimbolton)

Editorial - Catherine Rose, Diana Boston, Alison Runham, Solange Hando, Kate McLelland, Katherine Sorrell, Nooshin Hassan, Abby Smith, Russell Grant. Bruce Edwards & Tony Larkins Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Scott - 01767 261122 scott@villagermag.com Photography - Bernard Ormrod and Darren Harbar Photography Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

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

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History

By Diana Boston

The History of

Hemingford Grey The Manor of Hemingford Grey is famous for three reasons. Firstly, it is a rare survival of a moated twostorey Norman hall built in the twelfth century.

Secondly, it is where the Gunning sisters were born in the 1730s. Thirdly, the house and garden are imbued with the personality of previous owner, the writer Lucy Maria Boston, who recreated it as Green Knowe in her world-famous children’s book, designing the fascinating garden renowned for its collection of roses, irises and topiary.

The first written record relating to the Manor of East Hemingford Grey is dated 1041 when King Hardcnut and his mother Queen Aelfgiva gave it to Ramsey Abbey “for the salvation of their souls and the soul of King Cnut.”

The abbot was a wealthy landowner. In 1066 he leased the manor to Aluric, another large landowner who lost his life with King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. The conquest of England

by Duke William of Normandy resulted in major changes land ownership. The manor was given to Aubrey de Vere whose first known tenant was Ralf, son of Osmund. He was succeeded by his son Payne de Hemingford and the Norman block of the house built by him.

It was a turbulent time in England. King Stephen was a weak, indecisive man and there were many

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disputes so Payne built a fortified manor with a first floor entrance defended by a moat. The manor is the only secular building in the county of Huntingdon to survive from this period, the castles long being reduced to grassy mounds.

After Payne’s death, the manor was held by various family members and a later descendant married John de Grey, from whom the modern name of the village is derived. Documents show that the Grey family were lords of the manor between 1256 and 1490.

It was then leased to various nobles including Richard Williams or Cromwell, great-grandfather of Oliver Cromwell who obtained it from Henry VIII. During the sixteenth century improvements were made to the house and a great central chimney was built through the centre. Cecily Martin, widow, leased the manor between 1558 and 1602 and it is conceivable that the alterations were done in her time.

Throughout the seventeenth century the manor was owned by various people including John Newman who was fined £10 in 1630/1 for not taking up his knighthood. In 1721 it was bought by James Mitchell and it was during this time that the manor house was extended to the west and made it into a fine Georgian mansion with a fashionable

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brick frontage to the river.

It was arranged that Mitchell’s brother-in-law, John Gunning and his wife should rent the manor. Here four daughters were born. Their mother realised that her daughters were beauties so determined that they should be brought to the notice of high society in the hope that they would marry well and restore the family’s fortunes as expenditure had been exceeding their income and they were in debt. The girls’ first debut was at the Huntingdon Assembly where they aroused great curiosity and admiration. They moved to London and a tale full of entrepreneurial skills and pure romance ended with Maria marrying the Earl of Coventry and Elizabeth marrying the Duke of Hamilton.

Around 1798 there was a major fire and the new extension was destroyed. Building work done after the fire was shoddy and suggests that the family was not interested in the house as a main residence. Various Mitchells inherited the house through the years until 1846 when Mary Mitchell married Henry James Sholto Douglas who obtained ownership.

The house was rented out and we know that a Miss Herbert lived there for fifteen years writing down her memories of the house which are preserved in the Norris Museum and Library in St Ives. To her the house had “a peculiarly peaceful old world character and bygone memories”. A large well discovered in the centre of the floor explained why the water they drank always tasted sweet, compared to the water in the moat which was stagnant. Lucy Boston described how she used to pump water from this well by hand for several years. It took “two hundred swings on the handle to get a bath and visitors were expected to pump their own.”

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In Lucy Boston’s time the manor was known as the ‘Poltergeist House’. Villagers wouldn’t walk along the towpath at night and local boys would run straight past it to fish from the banks in the field rather than from the banks near the house.

In 1890/1891 Robert Winchester Fraser, staff surgeon, was a tenant in the house with his large family, many of whom were very competent artists.

In 1894 the manor was occupied by Mrs Dibden, the grandmother of the Conservative politician Michael Heseltine.

Although owning both manors, Lt Col Henry Mitchell Sholto Douglas lived at Springfields in Hemingford Abbots until the estate was broken up and sold in 1928/30. The house itself was advertised for sale for £1,200 with three and a half acres of land and bought by a Miss Worrall of Holywell. But she failed to make payments on the mortgage. The building society foreclosed and sold it in 1931 to Joseph McLeod, who later became a BBC producer. Lucy Boston bought the house in 1939 from him when she was 47.

Her arrival caused a certain amount of discussion in the village, initially because she was a woman coming to live there alone with the poltergeists.

Then, during the war she gave gramophone record recitals to the RAF twice a week. After leaving the attic light on a couple of times, alerting the blackout warden, rumours circulated that she was a spy.

She died in 1990. By this time the spy stories were forgotten and the villagers were proud of their author. Certainly people were very welcoming to me and my late husband Peter when we took over the manor.

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History

Roger Bannister:

Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

The Man behind the Mile 6th May 2015 marks the 61st anniversary of Roger Bannister’s ‘four minute mile’. But the last year’s anniversary interviews and publication of his autobiography, Twin Tracks, revealed that the man behind the mile doesn’t want to be remembered solely for his record-breaking achievement.

Testing Times - Bannister had enjoyed running at school and chose to study medicine at Oxford because of its record for “creating [runners] who managed to reach the Olympics and... lead full academic and social lives.” He ran 4:52 in the freshman’s mile and competed abroad, delaying his medical exams.

But he wanted time for other interests. “I must be the international athlete who trained least,” admits Bannister.

He only did “the minimum amount of training [necessary] to improve,” and this attracted criticism.

Bannister found competing stressful and avoided competitions as the 1952 Olympics approached, saving himself for Helsinki. “Running was only my secondary interest and I could not afford to spend another four years jeopardising my medical future with this exciting distraction.”

However, his training hadn’t prepared him for 1500m heats, semi-finals and a final on consecutive days. His fourth place was a “shattering blow”.

The Four Minute Mile - Undeterred, Bannister focussed on the four minute mile. A 4:03.6 Britishrecord-breaking run proved “that the four-minute mile was not out of reach,” and desperate to achieve it before his chief rival, John Landy, he named the day: 6th May 1954. At the Iffley Road track Bannister ran the mile in 3:59.4 seconds, becoming an overnight sensation.

Landy broke his record 46 days later, but Bannister beat him at the Commonwealth Games. He retired on a 1500m win at the European Championships, running 3:43.8 – which would have won gold at Helsinki.

Changing Track - “My whole life was medicine. I wanted to become a specialist.” Bannister believed neurology offered the chance to demonstrate “kindness and effectiveness in dealing with patients and clinical problems.” Some fellow professionals doubted his commitment though.

“How can Bannister, a mere athlete, probably spoilt... aspire to neurology?” But he let his work speak for him.

He focussed on the autonomic nervous system, and founded the Clinical Autonomic Research Society in 1982. He and his colleagues made a host of significant discoveries in autonomic failure, identifying rare disorders, and he has said he would rather be remembered for this work than for his mile.

Giving Something Back Chairmanship of the independent Sports Council gave Bannister the chance “to use the experience of both my sports and medical careers; my twin tracks.” He campaigned for random drug-testing and arranged development of a sensitive urinary test for anabolic steroids. “That’s up there with anything I did on the track,” he insists. Meanwhile his successful ‘Sport for All’ campaign encouraged greater sporting participation and access, with the number of multipurpose sports centres rising from 4 to 400. He also chaired the International Council of Sport and Physical Education improving international sporting relations and reducing ethnic and social divisions.

A Worthy Legacy - Bannister’s work with the Sports Council laid the foundations for the successful 2012 Olympics and he is rightly proud of all his achievements, but he carried the Olympic torch at the scene of his magic mile (now Bannister Stadium) and acknowledges the fame and opportunity the achievement brought him.

So perhaps his legacy is inspiration; to not only set goals, but be prepared to adapt them, and pursue more than one. It’s rather humbling. Evening class, anyone?

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Travel

By Solange Hando

Tobago

The quieter side of paradise

At the southern end of the Caribbean, smaller than the Isle of Wight and a world away from its big sister island Trinidad, Tobago is a gem of golden beaches and pristine rainforest with low rise developments mostly confined to the airport area.

On this bucolic island, life moves at a gentle pace and little disturbs the peace but the occasional beat of a steel drum in the morning or the call of fishermen hauling their nets on the beach. Goats graze on waste land, men carve calabash into bird feeders and candle holders and on the cliff tops, old colonial forts scatter their ruins among banana and sea grape trees. Even Scarborough, the local capital, seems little more than an overgrown village, sprinkling its pastel-coloured villas on the leafy slopes framing the harbour. Only the arrival of a cruise ship brings a semblance of life on the waterfront.

Meanwhile along the coast, blue parrot fish and fire coral glow on the Buccoo Reef and the sun shines on meandering sands and crescent coves, such as the idyllic Englishman’s bay, laid back Castara, beautiful Parlatuvier or Charlotteville, draped in bougainvillaea and famous for fresh fish and ‘cow heel’ soup. Boats bob on crystal-clear water, babbling streams come down to the sea and swaying coconut palms mirror themselves in the lagoons.

The north coast is a perfect Caribbean postcard but the south is rugged and wild, sprayed by Atlantic waters, dotted with islands, a few sheltered coves and fishing villages. Just inland from Prince’s Bay, the Argyle waterfall tumbles almost 200 feet into an emerald pool where local women come to

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bathe, sitting all dressed in the water. The path is lined with bamboo and teak, mahogany and silk cotton trees rising from massive buttressed roots.

Then there’s Speyside, its near-deserted beach and verdant hills, and Little Tobago island, just 20 minutes offshore, where frigate birds hover around precipitous cliffs and in the forest red-billed tropic birds nest on the ground among fallen foliage, fanning their tail as you approach.

Tobago is a haven for wildlife, both along the shore and the Main Ridge which rises to over 1600 feet and stretches almost from coast to coast.

Prickly palms, trumpet trees, mimosa fern, wild nutmeg, tangled roots and lianas where heliconia add touches of red and gold, the forest is home to myriad creatures, from leaf cutter ants and whistling frogs to whipping spiders, the odd boa constrictor and over 400 species of birds. But what matters in this jungle is not how far you walk but how much you see, here a yellow and black sugar bird, there a white-necked thrush, a blue-backed mannekin, a noisy chacalaca, an iridescent parrot or a humming bird, or a blue-crowned motmot, the ‘king of the forest’. When a sudden breeze sweeps through the canopy, the trees burst into song as a welcome shower of ‘liquid sunshine’ washes everything clean.

Later, when the sun dips into the ocean, the pelicans wake from their slumbers, skimming the waves, wings outstretched before diving razor sharp into the deep in search of supper. In the summer months, the giant leatherback turtles return to Tobago Island, ready to nest on their favourite beaches under the starlit Caribbean skies.

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COMPETITION Win Tickets to see

Craig Charles Straight no Chaser & The Pad Presents: CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL SHOW Bedford Corn Exchange Friday 15 May 2015 Doors 9pm – 2am Live on stage: Nicky Prince & Soul Selecta!

DJ Mark Russell (Suburban Beats) Dj Gian (Magic Bus) Room 2: Hammy & Geoff (Northern Soul) Number 13 Bar from 8pm - Robbie Bryson (Too Fly) Robert Marin (Bakura) Rob Gipson (field maneuvers) Craig Charles is bringing his legendary Funk and Soul Club to Bedford for the first time for a night overflowing with groove-ridden-beats, rare-discotreats and soul-jam-shakers for all those dance-floor funksters.

Building on sell-out performances at clubs up and down the country, huge headline festival appearances and a prime time radio slot, the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club guarantees only the funkiest tunes will make it into the best party in town!

The legendary actor, host, poet and broadcaster who you will know from his roles in Red Dwarf, Robot Wars and Coronation Street just so happens to be one of the UK’s best loved Funk and Soul DJ’s with a popular primetime Saturday night BBC 6 Music radio show.

“When BBC 6Music asked me to do a radio show I only had one condition, it has to be a funk & soul show otherwise I wasn’t interested” Having been broadcasting live every Saturday Night for over 10 years Craig has garnered global support and recognition as one of the UK’s foremost Funk and Soul commentators, DJ’s and promoters of new music whilst still championing the classic golden age funk artists of the 60s and 70s.

The list of guests that have featured in The Funk And Soul Show speak for itself........ Gil Scott Heron, James Brown, Paul Weller and Amy Winehouse amongst many hundreds more in a list that just gets better and better each week!

After hundreds of successful DJ appearances

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at summer festivals across the UK including Glastonbury and Big Chill, club residences in Brighton, London, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds, Craig ‘King of Funk’ Charles has packed up his ‘trunk of funk’ and is heading down the M6 to Bedford to tear the Corn Exchange roof off!!

Support on the main stage comes from Bedford’s finest DJ Gian (Magic Bus) and Mark Russell (Suburban Beats) as well a live band Nicki Prince & the Soul Selecta! Further more there are an additional 2 rooms of music with Hammy & Geoff who will be spinning Northern Soul in room 2, and in the Number 13 Pre-show Bar from 8pm onwards the underground ‘Too Fly’ team takeover with dj’s Robbie Bryson, Rob Marin & Rob Gipson.

Over 18’s. Craig Charles Set Time is 12-2am Ticket Info: Tickets are £13 advance Outlets: Bedford Corn Exchange 01234 718112 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk www.undergroundtickets.net www.seetickets.com www.onionheart.co.uk (no booking fee) Boutique Planet, Bedford (no booking fee) Mario’s Hair Design, Kempston (no booking fee) www.thepadpresents.com The Villager and Town Life has a pair of tickets to give away for the Craig Charles Event.

To enter, simply email editor@villagermag.com with the heading ‘Craig Charles Entry’ and include your name, address and telephone no.

A winner will be picked at random.

Closing Date: 12th May 2015

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At Center Parcs, we want our people to share in the success their hard work brings, enjoy a sense of wellbeing and a good lifestyle, and make the most of their time with us.

We offer unique benefits such as: • Discounted Center Parcs breaks • Day visitor passes • Free use of village facilities Along with more classic benefits such as profit share and management bonus schemes, life insurance cover, 30 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) and company sick pay.

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Time of Life

Should it be home or away for grandparents?

If you’ve ever watched TV programmes such as “Escape to the Country” or “A Place in the Sun: Home or Away”, you’ll appreciate the dilemma. Each week these shows focus on couples who dream of making a new start in life, either by moving to a different part of Britain or emigrating to a new country altogether.

In many cases the show’s subjects are older couples. The show takes them to their dream location and follows them as they seek advice on property from a real estate professional. At the start of each programme we learn something about their lives then eavesdrop as they explore various houses.

But as soon as the door closes on the final viewing, the TV presenter’s expression changes from light-hearted to deadly serious: it’s decision time.

This is often a moment of mixed emotions, particularly if the couple is concerned about leaving grandchildren behind. For all their excitement and anticipation there’s often a trace of regret even guilt - behind the smiles.

It’s a tough dilemma that many of today’s grandparents face: should they move, or stay?

Having been through parenthood themselves, grandparents understand how quickly children grow up. While you can always come back for important events such as sports days and the Christmas nativity play, missing out on the small, everyday things may be difficult.

It’s also possible that your children

depend on you to provide regular, unpaid childcare services while they work. In those circumstances your move away may have significant economic implications for the family.

But is it right that grandparents, who may have struggled to bring up their own children, should now feel trapped by a sense of obligation to the next generation?

Jules and Gareth Bowman from Essex were faced with that difficult question when they retired.

“We had always dreamed of living in the country but my job kept us in town,” says Gareth. “Retirement brought the chance to move but our daughter Ellie worked full time and relied on us for childcare. Although we didn’t want to let the family down, Jules suffers from ill-health and we felt we only had a few good years left.”

The Bowmans finally confided their feelings to their daughter and son-in-law.

“I don’t think they’d ever considered that we might want to live somewhere else. Ellie spoke to her boss, who let her work flexi-time, and she found a good créche for the holidays. The move has been good for us and the family enjoy coming to visit.”

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The Bowmans were lucky that their family could adapt to changing circumstances, but what works for one family may not work for another: other grandparents have felt there is no alternative but to continue offering support.

It seems counter-intuitive, but sometimes relocation can work better for everyone involved.

Without the stresses and strains of close-up living, family visits become more like holidays, celebrated with lots of outings and treats, while Skype calls via a webcam help to bridge the gaps between visits.

Although it may help to discuss future plans with your children, ultimately it’s up to you to decide on the best long-term solution for your health and happiness.

But however you choose to go forward, one thing is certain: real life decisions are more complex and challenging than they appear on those reality TV shows!

By Kate McLelland 15

Home Interiors

Inspired

by the Orient Furnishings and accessories from the Far East seemed wonderfully exotic when they first arrived here centuries ago. Now silk and lacquer, blue-and-white china and bamboo have become a highlight of our interiors, says Katherine Sorrell.

Exciting, mysterious, irresistible… rumours of the treasures of the East encouraged 16th century Western explorers to push back the boundaries of the known world, but it was not until the late 17th century that the English East India Company secured its trading post in Taiwan and began to trade regularly with China. Tea was the first import of significance, and raw silk, too; while buying and displaying costly furnishings from afar became a way for the higher echelons of society to show off their wealth and importance. The ‘Chinese room’ was a feature of many a stately home, from Chatsworth to the Prince Regent’s Royal Pavilion in Brighton, the latter an extraordinary Orientalstyle palace, crammed with objects and furniture from China. As time went on, not only did Chinese factories begin to fuse European and native styles to suit their buyers’ tastes, but also English designers and craftspeople began to imitate Oriental designs. Thomas Chippendale was one well-known example, employing latticework and lacquer in his influential furniture pattern books.

And then came another enormous shift in style when, in 1854, Japan resumed trade with the West after a break of more than two centuries.

Europe was flooded with imports: everything from bronzes and silks to kimonos, lacquers, fans and woodblock prints (the latter a huge influence on Impressionist painting and the Art Nouveau movement). Christopher Dresser was the first European designer to visit Japan after 1854, and both his book on the country’s art, design and architecture and his own designs for textiles, wall coverings, ceramics, glassware and metalware helped perpetuate the fashion for Japonisme at the end of the 19th century.

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The fashion for Eastern objects and designs had taken firm hold, and eventually percolated down from the piles of the aristocracy to reach ordinary people’s homes. Take the almost ubiquitous Willow Pattern, for example, which has been found in households up and down the country since the early 19th century. And who these days does not own a piece of blue and white porcelain, a ginger jar, a Chinese rug, a ‘coolie’ style lampshade or a rattan side table, for example? Oriental-inspired fabrics, wallpapers, furniture and accessories can be used to make a statement in any room, or can blend gently into an eclectic interior, while the colours – rich, warm red, gorgeous blues, yellows and greens, touches of black and highlight of gold – are highly appealing and can be employed as subtle touches or all-over schemes. Whether it be a precious, hand-made antique, an item specially mass-produced for the European market or a Western item that has been influenced by Oriental designs, we love to incorporate beautiful pieces that demonstrate the craftsmanship, the materials and the styles that have become symbolic of Eastern cultures… just like the aristocrats of the 17th and 18th centuries. Fashions may come and go, but Oriental style has become a timeless staple.

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17

The

Alabama Hayriders Still making hay while the sun shines!

Legendary country swing band of the sixties and seventies, the Alabama Hayriders has recently reformed after 36 years and is about to embark on a string of gigs in the local area.

Catherine Rose went to meet the five members of the band, who joke that between them, they are now over 300 years old.

The Alabama Hayriders were a big name on the country music scene for many years, particularly during the seventies, and in their time, they played the Albert Hall and knew and performed alongside many well-known names in the music and show business industry including Tommy Steele, Charlie Drake, Marty Wilde, Kiki Dee, Peter Noon, Herman’s Hermits and the New Seekers. Their version of ‘Rocky Top’ with its B-side of ‘Easy Loving’ topped the country music charts for weeks.

The band’s roots began in the 1950s, formed

by US servicemen on the local American bases under the name Johnny and the Hayriders.

Then as the members completed their tours of duty and returned home, they were gradually

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replaced by country music-loving British musicians including George Brown (who took over the group) and the late Gordon Huntley who left in 1976 and became a respected session player and member of Matthew’s Southern Comfort that had a number one UK record chart hit with ‘Woodstock’.

Today, the Alabama Hayriders remains the same line up as in 1976 with John Lindsay on rhythm and vocals (he is also their manager), Mick MacKay on lead guitar, Bryn Sharpe on base and vocals, John Davis on the pedal steel guitar and Terry Vials on drums. All are ‘local lads’ with John Lindsay hailing from Hitchin, Mick from Dunstable, Bryn from Hemel Hempstead, and both John Davis and Terry originally coming from St Neots.

Throughout the sixties, the band regularly made live broadcasts with the BBC at the Nashville Rooms in Kensington, later moving to the BBC’s studios at Maida Vale. “We were a household name during the 60s and 70s” says John Lindsay. “We played on BBC Radio Two

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regularly with Wally Whyton’s Country Club produced by Bill Bebb. We also did quite a bit on TV.” John’s wife Iris looked after their wardrobe which included some impressive sequined suits.

“We were the smartest band around” says John.

The group reckon they must have performed thousands of live gigs over the decades before they went their separate ways at the end of the 70s with a final appearance on Anglia TV. They got a lot of their work through the same agency as the Barron Knights and used to play regularly at Caesars Palace in Luton and Blazer’s Nightclub in Windsor, as well as many other venues and music festivals. They were also on the ‘Fuller’s Circuit’ of pubs. One of their most notable concerts was at Wormwood Scrubs in the early seventies, where Ronnie Biggs and the rest of the ‘great train robbers’ were in the front row.

“We never stopped working” says John Lindsay.

“We would have ten gigs on the trot.” By 1980 they decided they had had “a good run” and needed a break. Each had other projects they wanted to follow so the members parted ways.

John Lindsay went on to run The Chequers pub at Wrestlingworth.

It was John Davis who instigated the Alabama Hayriders’ reformation around two to three years ago, setting out to search for all the former band members. Bryn proved the most elusive. They looked for him for ages, eventually tracking him down to a small village outside Swafham.

Although sadly, as the group points out, a lot

of their fan base is now gone, their music still appeals to everyone of all ages and they can perform many well-known and loved country tracks. They are also very respected on the music scene: “There are so many musicians who claim to have worked with us” says Terry.

“A lot of groups are making comebacks these days” he adds. “During the seventies we were so busy we didn’t know what day it was. Now we can go back to it, relax and enjoy it.” However, they have found that the music industry has changed a lot in their absence, and not necessarily for the better.

“It’s hard to get into the country circuit now” says John Lindsay. “Venues are booked up for a year in advance with someone on a guitar and a few backing tracks.”

There is no doubt that the amiable five-piece are traditional and experienced musicians and live performing is clearly in their blood. “We are not going to go away quietly” says Terry. John Davis agrees, saying: “We come alive at a gig”.

The Alabama Hayriders will be performing free at the following venues: 7th June - The Oddfellows Arms, Apsley, 4.30pm 27th June - The Plough at Langford, 8.30pm 4th July - Opening Langford Fete at 1pm 13th September - Goodwill Day to raise money for local causes at The Chequers in Wrestlingworth, 12pm The group is also available for charity performances. You can check them out on www.youtube.com.

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Are you in pain?

Chiropractic 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

Brampton Chiropractic Clinic 84 High Street, Brampton PE28 4TH DR NEIL BROE, DC and Assoc

01480 436435

10% discount on initial visit www.neilbroechiropractor.co.uk BUPA and PPP registered Also at: Manor Lodge, Barham Road, Buckworth PE28 5AQ Tel 01480 891539 Registered with the General Chiropractic Council Members of the British Chiropractic Association Over 30 years experience

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07711 201050 www.shrmedispa.co.uk 6 Croft Close, Brampton, PE28 4TJ 20

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Introducing

Local News

CARESCO Sawtry based charity CARESCO was started back in the early 1980s in response to needs within the local community. Originally adopting a pre-existing lunch club and day centre for the elderly both threatened with closure, the charity has gone from strength to strength over the years. Based at first in an old cookery classroom, the organisation is now homed in a lottery funded building behind the Old School Hall on Green End Road.

Over the years activities have come and gone, but our current list of services provided within Sawtry and the surrounding villages includes our Friendship Club, Sawtry Day Centre, Alconbury Thursday Club,

Printshop, Sawtry Eye magazine, Coffee Shop, Christmas Day Party, Sawtry Car Scheme, Good Neighbours, Sounds Good, our Charity Shop (of more elsewhere) and most recently Sawtry Foodbank in partnership with the Sawtry Churches.

From the beginning CARESCO has been heavily dependent on volunteers who help with each activity and is also overseen by a team of trustees. Do you have time you could offer? We can always use new skills and fresh input so please get in touch.

Our funding comes from a variety of sources including local council grants, attendance fees, service

costs, fundraising and donations from both individuals and organisations. All monies received go towards supporting the work of CARESCO. If you would like to know more, please contact us or visit our website: Contact Details The CARESCO Centre, Green End Road, Sawtry, Cambs PE28 5TP 01487 830345 office@caresco.org.uk www.caresco.org.uk

Support Your Local Charity Opened in April 2013, the CARESCO Charity Shop in Sawtry has been serving the community while raising funds for our wellknown local charity ever since.

If you have not visited yet, why not pop in next time you are passing and see what treasure you can find within. Our stock is changing daily so you will never know what you might find.

Having a spring clear out? The shop is accepting clean saleable items in good condition, seasonal

donations are particularly welcome, during opening hours.

Our storage space is very limited so please call ahead if you have bulky items or a large amount to donate.

Do you have time on your hands?

Would you enjoy getting involved helping out on a regular basis?

Please get in touch to find out more about volunteering with our shop team.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

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Opening Hours Monday – Friday 9am – 4.30pm Saturday 9am – 12.30pm Sunday CLOSED Contact details: 7 Greenways, Sawtry 01487 208026 shop@caresco.org.uk www.caresco.org.uk 21

classic

I WAS A

YO-YO DIETER

“I was a classic yo-yo dieter. I have always struggled with my weight ever since I can remember. From my adolescence into adulthood, I’d let myself get to a point where I was just so embarrassed about myself.

I hated having photos taken and it would actually make me upset. I was desperate to be more confident and less camera shy, especially as I had my 30th birthday coming up. That was the last push I needed to lose weight.

I started on Sole Source and loved it! It was so motivating seeing the weight drop off and it kept me going until I reached my target. I was just starting to maintain it when I found out I was pregnant, but I restarted after my daughter was born to help shift the baby weight. The support from my

Consultant was the key to my success and I consider her to be a special friend now. The products are great and with the variety, it’s hard to get bored.

“Losing weight has changed the person I am. I’m more confident now and it’s lovely being able to enjoy having my photo taken with my little girl and getting compliments from my husband. I am a full time working mother so time is precious.

“Being on Cambridge Weight Plan has helped me to look at the way I see food and how choices I made contributed to me being overweight.

It’s taught me that small changes like portion size, drinking plenty of water and ensuring you eat fresh fruit and vegetables really do make a difference.

a

Get in touch:

Sue Hunt Contact me for more information M: 07766410544 E: SueHunt77@yahoo.com

Previous: size 16

Current: size 8–10

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23

Well Being

On The Run

By Nooshin Hassan

What is it with this running malarky? Everyone seems to be at it, or talking about it. It’s impossible to wander through your local park or residential area without seeing at least a couple of Lycra-clad people, gadgets strapped on to their arms, and a determined look on their face as they dash past in their fluoro-gait-analysis-approved trainers. In the office people can be seen excitedly talking about the training regime they’re doing ahead of the next half-marathon, or exchanging information on the latest protein shakes. Even on the social scene there’s no escape; who’s been out for dinner and heard someone (A Runner) utter:

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“it’s got to be an early night for me I’m afraid - I’m doing a race tomorrow…” as they wolf down their meal selected purely based on nutritional content and with complete disregard for flavour (unlike me as I tuck in to my steak, fries and salad).

What about those of us for whom the concept of base layers only ever related to nail polish? And who never realised the importance of left and right support socks? What of those of us who see going out for dinner as a treat? Well I’ll tell you. They get to you in the end. It might take time, and you might fool yourself in to thinking you’re just doing a little ‘fast walk’ to

the supermarket and that there’s nothing wrong with doing that in your old jogging bottoms, but before you know it you’re signing up for a 10k and wrestling yourself in to the tightest leggings in the world.

Of course I jest a little with these extreme descriptions of runners, although we probably all have one friend who is fairly close. We all know that running, jogging or even a brisk walk can be very good exercise when done at the appropriate levels and in the correct way (don’t forget to stretch!). With obesity now a major problem in the UK it’s clear that too many of us are consuming more calories than we are burning off. Since obesity can increase the risk of further health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and certain types of cancer, we should be taking action, and how much easier could it be than stepping outside for twenty minutes?

It can be daunting to a nonexerciser to start up running or walking, but just smile at the guys and girls sprinting past wearing all the expensive sportswear and checking their bpm, and focus on your own goal - namely getting some exercise. The pressure to do more and get faster can be high but actually the beauty of running is that it’s all about you; you choose when and where, and you choose your pace. Be warned though; if you start to use phrases such as ‘carb-ing up’, or find you’ve accumulated more running clothes than normal clothes, then you have become ‘A Runner’.

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Technology

The best car gadgets for 2015 How to hang onto your licence and keep the kids happy too We’ve come a long way from the days when the most interesting accessory you could get for your car was a set of fluffy dice. There are all kinds of useful accessories for in-car entertainment, navigation and safety, and you can even get gadgets that can help you hang on to your driving licence.

If you’ve ever worried that you might be over the drink driving limit (which has just been lowered in Scotland), a portable breathalyser is a good investment. The well regarded Alcosense range starts at £25 and rises to £60 for the Elite model, which knows about the lower limits in Scotland, Ireland and much of Europe. If that’s too pricey Alcosense makes disposable tubes at £4.99 for two.

Garmin’s £120 Dash Cam 10HD also has safety on its mind. It is a video camera that sits on your windscreen and continually records what’s in front of you, eliminating any doubt about who’s to blame in the event of an accident. The camera uses microSD memory cards and it does everything automatically so you don’t even need to remember to turn it on. If you’re worried about damage occurring when you’re parked,

such as people shunting you in a supermarket and fleeing the scene while you’re still shopping, look for one with a Park Mode to catch the culprits.

If entertainment is your thing you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can pick up an in-car DVD player for £70 or a twin pack for £120, or you could invest in a cheap Android tablet and let the kids watch movies on that: headrest holders are widely available.

If your car stereo is showing its age, you can replace it with an all-singing, all-dancing model for as little as £43, although if you want the ultimate in audio you’ll pay a bit more than that: for example, Pioneer’s SPHDA120 car stereo, which uses Apple’s CarPlay technology to work with an iPhone, is currently £339. You don’t need to spend that much for a smartphone connection, though: there is a wide range of good quality

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car stereos for around £50 to £70 with connections for smartphones and/or USB flash drives.

If you’d rather go wireless, gadgets can help with that too.

Parrot’s MKi9200 adds Bluetooth wireless technology to your existing car stereo, enabling you to stream music (or audiobooks, or podcasts) from your phone.

It also adds hands-free calling and voice control, meaning you can navigate your music library without taking your eyes off the road. It’s currently £139.99, and (optional) installation is around £50.

One of the most useful in-car gadgets may be EE’s Buzzard 2, which provides a Wi-Fi hotspot in your car via the magic of 4G mobile broadband. That’s brilliant if you tend to have a carful of smartphone or tabletwielding children, or if you need to get online with your laptop when you’re out and about. You can pick one up for free if you sign up for a two-year, £10 per month contract, but keep an eye on the data limits: that £10 gets you 1GB of data transfer per month, so it’s not a great idea to let the kids stream endless Netflix programs when you’re on the road.

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Family Law

Financial Claims

Long after divorce

By family lawyer Abby Smith of Woolley & Co, Solicitors www.family-lawfirm.co.uk When thinking about divorce it is common to think about the proceedings as a whole and many people believe that “divorce proceedings” mean bringing an end to a marriage, dealing with the arrangements for the children and separating the financial ties they have with their former spouse.

However whilst the divorce itself does bring an end to the marriage and does mean that either party is free to remarry if they wish, it does not bring an automatic end to any financial obligations they have to each other. This could result in financial claims being brought by one party against the other some time after the divorce has concluded.

The recently reported case of Wyatt v Vince has brought this issue to public attention. The parties were divorced over 20 years ago but at that time never obtained an Order resolving financial issues between them. Mr Vince, at the time of divorce is reported to have had no assets and a limited income. Having then gone on to found the green energy company Ecotricity he is now a multi-millionaire with an OBE. Mrs Wyatt has recently made an application to the court seeking permission to claim against Mr Vince’s assets reported to be in excess of £107m. Five Supreme Court Judges have ruled that Mrs Wyatt, even 20 years after they divorced, has the legal right to proceed with her application for financial support and/or a share of Mr Vince’s capital assets. Lord Wilson is reported to have said her claim was “legally recognisable” and not an “abuse of process”.

Whether Mrs Wyatt will be successful in her claim is yet unknown but lengthy court proceedings are now likely to take place which will be stressful and costly to both parties.

This case highlights the fact that there is no time restraint to making such an application in family law cases and that couples who divorce must always consider finances and where possible obtain an Order from the court at the time of the divorce itself.

In many cases the parties can be assisted by

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solicitors to negotiate a settlement that is fair and reasonable and this can be recorded in a consent order, signed by them both and submitted to the court for approval of a Judge. Even if the parties have no assets to speak of at the time of divorce it is important to have a financial Order to protect future assets. A financial Order approved by the courts within divorce proceedings can bring about a clean break meaning neither party can make further financial claims against the other in the future or upon the other’s death, thereby protecting any further assets that may be earned, inherited or of course that greatly hoped for lottery win.

Unlike the divorce petition these Orders are not standard forms and do need to be drafted from scratch setting out the particular circumstances of the individual case. As a family & divorce lawyer I have prepared many of these Orders from very straight forward ones where there are no assets but ensuring there is a clean break, to very complex orders dealing with multiple properties, savings, assets or family businesses. My advice would be to always discuss with your lawyer the effect of financial claims not only now but also in the future and ask your lawyer to prepare an Order in your case including, wherever possible, a clean break.

For advice on any family law issue contact Abby Smith for a FREE initial telephone consultation. Call 01480 270499 or email abby. smith@family-lawfirm. co.uk.

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

28 28 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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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29 04/12/2014 14:22

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Dare To Dream

If the mighty Oak tree had a brain do you think it would have thought it possible to grow so big from an acorn? Or that Jack Cohen who used his de-mob money to buy the first day’s stock would start a business called Tesco?

Who knows what lies within us or what is possible?

I believe many do not live up to their full potential.

Sometimes it is about being in the right place at the right time, but usually it is about having an idea and creating an opportunity.

Being rich and famous may appeal to some, but being happy and wealthy is surely more appealing.

You don’t have to be clever to be successful, EQ (Emotional Quotient) can be more important than IQ (Intelligent Quotient) in some cases.

My role as a Financial Planner is to help individuals achieve their financial goals. This may mean finding the right investment vehicle and funds, or tweaking their existing arrangements for improved returns or tax savings, but this is only part of what a good planner can do.

We can help with business guidance and creating a plan as well as helping to sort out what is important. Very often this can be a task of simplification and preservation of finances.

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

Our most cautious returns have produced 8.26%, 19.64% and 34.88% in our 1, 3 and 5 years portfolios (31st March 2015). Therefore we do not just focus on high risk investments to receive significant returns.

The changes announced in the recent budget will require more people to seek advice to understand the new rules. Most of the changes have centered round Pensions and specifically Annuities. It is believed that compulsory advice will be attached to the terms of taking any tax free cash in the future, to avoid a miss-selling scandal or retirees out living their retirement pots.

Therefore, the rule changes will mean a new approach to planning for many, and with few advisers holding the relevant exams, demand could out-strip supply. So, why not take advantage early and become in charge of your future and dare to dream.

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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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 9.00 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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Snap the Ouse

Win fantastic prizes and showcase your talent in the Snap the Ouse Photography Competition!

In the lead up to the fantastic summer OuseFest celebrations (20th July to 2nd August), the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership have just launched an exciting Snap the Ouse Photography Competition.

The competition is open to any photographs that define the character and feel of the Ouse Washes and surrounding areas, and that depict what makes our area great. Whether your photographs include landscapes, wildlife, people, buildings or water, you are encouraged to enter.

The Ouse Washes Landscape is entirely distinctive and also happens to be immensely

beautiful. The huge open skies, expansive views, strongly linear landscape features and isolated settlements, as well as the sense of mystery and tranquillity means endless photographic opportunities. The Ouse Washes Landscape is also rich with distinctive Fenland customs, traditions, folklore and arts, which provide limitless inspiration.

Sara Marshall, Countryside Engagement & Marketing Officer at the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership says “we hope the Snap the Ouse Competition will be a fun opportunity for people to see their local environment through different eyes, discover

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Competition

new aspects not seen before and capture what their local area means to them”.

A shortlisted 12 photographs will be posted on the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership’s website for public voting and will also be exhibited at the OuseFest Fun Day on Saturday 25th July at Mepal Outdoor Centre.

Three winners, one from each entrance category (age 12 or under; 13 – 18; 19 or over), will receive a fantastic basket of prizes worth £50. To participate, please send your photographs taken in the Ouse Washes or surrounding area to sara.marshall@cambsacre. org.uk by Sunday 31st May 2015.

More information can be found at www.ousewashes.org.uk. Good luck and happy snapping!

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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 May

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

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 May 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 2 May Craft Fair Set up from 8am, doors open 12 noon Offord Village Hall, High Street, Offord Cluny Tables £10. Tel: Helen Ellis 01480 811974 or email Swimhelen134@gmail.com to book a table 2 May Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church, St Ives Free admission Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola.

2 May BIG Family History Fair 10am-4pm Burgess Hall, St Ives, PE27 6WU Free Admission. Displays and sales by family history societies from around the country and local history groups/museums/archives. Help and advice with your research. Bring your old photos for assistance with dating. WW1 - Western Front Assoc. & Hunts.

Cyclists Experts available to discuss your photos, medals, documents etc. Commercial stalls – books, maps, archival storage, software. Programme of local/family history lectures throughout the day. Book on the day. £2 per lecture. Hosted by Huntingdonshire Family History Society.

Tel: 01480 390476 Email: secretary@huntsfhs.org.uk Web: www.huntsfhs.org.uk for full details 2 & 3 May Hinchingbrooke School 450th Anniversary 11am-5pm. Hinchingbrooke House, Brampton Road, Huntingdon Hinchingbrooke School, formerly Huntingdon Grammar School is celebrating its 450th anniversary in 2015. Exhibition of items from Huntingdon Archive about the history of Hinchingbrooke School/Huntingdon Grammar School. Flower Festival “Education through the ages” by Brampton Flower Club. Exhibition of artwork by Hinchingbrooke School students.

2-5pm Tours and Teas with guided tours of the House £5/£4. 2-5pm Performances by Hinchingbrooke School student music groups.

Tel: 01480 375700

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2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May Parkrun 9am Wimpole Estate Weekly free 5k timed run.

Web: parkrun.org.uk/wimpoleestate 3 & 4 May Vintage & Fashion Emporium Abington Pigotts We are seeking quality used vintage and fashion clothing, furniture and household objects for our upcoming Emporium. The event will give you the opportunity to turn unwanted designer and high value items into cash. Contact us for details of our terms and conditions and to arrange for drop-off of donated and consignment items. Proceeds are in support of the Abington Pigotts Village Hall Refurbishment Fund. Text: Shane Hancock on 07738 227000 Email: shane.hancock10@gmail.com 4 May May Day Celebrations 12 noon-4.30pm Eaton Socon Green Join us for our traditional May Day celebrations!

Highlights of the afternoon are the Crowning of the May Queen at 2pm followed by maypole dancing, presenting the Community Cup to an unsuspecting local hero at 3pm, and our grand raffle draw at 4pm. There will be music and dancing, craft stalls and games, fairground rides, and a barbeque. All the money we raise will be ploughed back into projects and good causes in the Eatons.

Tel: Julia Hayward 07773 918223 Email: eatonsca@gmail.com 5 & 7 May Nightingale walks for all 7.30pm Visitors Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 per person; pay on day Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.

Refreshments available in Visitors Centre at the end of the walks. Web: www.paxton-pits.org.uk 6 May 2015 Liners and passenger ships sunk by U-boats in the First World War 7pm for 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk by David Gray. 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

6 May Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Guests £2 payable at the door Rodney Tibbs will be talking about Vegetables for Value; all about growing your own.

Refreshments provided. Annual club subscription is £6 then £1 for members at each meeting. No meetings in June and July as visits arranged (tickets only). Tel: Sian Fox 01480 395084 or Jane Hill 01480 218805 for more details 7, 14, 21 & 28 May Bingo Doors open 7.30pm, Eyes down 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall 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 8 May Music in Quiet Places - The FB Pocket Orchestra 7.30pm St Mary and St Andrew’s Church, Whittlesford Adults £14, Concessions £12, Students £5, Under 18s £5 Working backwards from the 1930s, the FB Pocket Orchestra explores repertoire that marked the beginnings of what is now regarded as popular music – the funky sounds of blues, ragtime, hot jazz, songs and dances from long ago.

Tel: Box Office 01223 357851 Web: www.cambridgesummermusic.com 9 May Table Top Sale 10am-3pm St Mary The Virgin Parish Church, Eynesbury Plus bouncy castle and tombola. Tea, coffee and cake served in the church.

9 May Huntingdonshire Philharmonic 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon. Tickets: £14/£12, S tudent concession £7/£6 Hunts Phil orchestra perform Copland’s lively concert suite from the ballet, Appalachian Spring; Liszt’s thrillingly virtuosic Piano Concerto No.1 with exceptional young pianist Masayuki Tayama; and Brahms’ powerful First Symphony. Tickets available by telephone, email or on the door.

Tel: 01480 861591 Email: tickets@huntsphil.org.uk Web: www.huntsphil.org.uk

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n O s ’ t Wha In May 11 & 18 May Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Huntingdon & District Caledonian Society weekly Scottish Country Dancing for fun, friendship and fitness. May-Sept is at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Godmanchester and Sept-May is at Little Stukeley Village Hall.

Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com 12 May The Little Paxton Community Pavilion AGM 7.30pm We are looking to appoint a new Treasurer and Booking Secretary. If you think you would like to join the LPCP Committee, please contact Anita 01480 215671. For Pavilion Bookings please contact Paul 01480 211544.

14-16 May Offord Players present Funny Money Doors open 7pm, curtain up 7.30pm Offord Village Hall, High Street, Offord Cluny Thurs £7, Fri & Sat £8 A comedy by Ray Cooney. Preparations for a quiet birthday dinner for two couples degenerate into a riot of assumed identities, visits from various members of the Metropolitan’s finest, threats from Messrs ‘Big’ and ‘Nasty’ and the increasingly cheeky intrusions of a “damn taxi driver”. All because of a mysterious “brerfcurse” containing £735000!!!

Tel: Tickets 01480 811798 or 01480 810049 Web: www.theoffordplayers.org.uk 15 May STRIVE Young Adult Carers Group Drop In: 5:30pm-6:30pm, Session: 6:30pm-8:30pm Huntingdon Tesco Community Space 3rd Friday of the month. Are you aged 16-21 and caring for a family member? Come along and meet others in a similar situation. We provide regular groups; support in school/ college/university; information, advice and guidance, 1:1 support; Online peer support; Life skills; Training, education and employment.

Please contact Carers Trust Cambridgeshire to find out more. Tel: 01480 499048 Email: tracy.hyland@carerstrustcambridgeshire. org

15 May Violette Doors open 7.30pm, film starts 8pm Screen St Ives, Corn Exchange, St Ives 138 mins Cert 15. Set in post-war Saint-Germain des-Pres, Violette is the fascinating story of charismatic, penniless author Violette le Duc, who seeks the advice and love of Simone de Beauvoir, icon of feminist literature. De Beauvoir realises what a talent Violette has, perhaps greater than her own. Web: www.screenstives.org.uk 16 May Little Paxton Scarecrow Festival 10.30am-4pm Little Paxton Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field & Village Hall 16 May Specialist Plant Sale 11am-3pm Buckden Towers Adults £2,50, Children free On-site parking. Refreshments available.

17 May Hoohaah 10K Series Multi-Terrain Run 8am-1.30pm Wimpole Hall In aid of NSPCC & ChildLine. Volunteers required to help marshal. Please call/email Kate if you can help. Tel: 01954 719745 Web: www.hoohaah.co.uk Email: cfm.armstrong@gmail.com 17 May Car Boot Sale 10am-1pm Buckworth Cricket Club, PE28 5AL Free entry. £5 per pitch for sellers Non-members welcome. Refreshments available.

Tel: Yvonne 01480 890058 Email: secretary@buckworthcricketclub.co.uk 18 May Gamlingay St Mary’s Church Ladies Guild 7.30pm Gamlingay Church Hall Visitors £3 Speaker will be Helen Gibson on Timber Frame Buildings. All ladies welcome.

Tel: 07749 676426 for more details 19 May Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Visitors £6 Flower arranging demonstration by Jean Crane entitled “A Backward Glance”. There will be a raffle of the arrangements and a sales and plant table.

All welcome.

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

19 May Spring Concerts - Winterreise 7.30pm Emmanuel United Reformed Church, Trumpington Street, Cambridge Adults £14, Concessions £12, Students £5, Under 18s £5 Schubert Die Winterreise. Tenor Ben Johnson.

Piano Tom Primrose. Tel: Box Office 01223 357851 Web: www.cambridgesummermusic.com for tickets 20 May Huntingdonshire Family History Society 7.20-9.30pm WI Headquarters, 6a Walden Rd, Huntingdon, PE29 3AZ Non-members £1 donation. AGM and “Time Flies at Old Warden” with Alan Reed. Talk on a subject related to family history research.

21 May Guided Nature Walk 10.30am-12.30pm Paxton Pits Nature Reserve £2.50 Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Third Thursday of the month. Booking not necessary.

22 May Spring Concerts - Richard Goode 7.30pm West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge Mozart Adagio in B minor, K.540. Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 24. Brahms Eight Piano Pieces, Op. 76.

Debussy Children’s Corner. Schumann Humoresque.

Piano Richard Goode. Tel: Box Office 01223 357851 Web: www.cambridgesummermusic.com for tickets 28 May St Neots & District Gardening Club 8pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Members £2, Non-members £2.50 Talk will be “Houseplant Care” with Geoff Hodge.

Competition is One stem of a foliage plant.

Admission includes refreshments and a raffle ticket.

31 May The Flora of Huntingdon Racecourse 10.30am Huntingdon Racecourse, Brampton A walk, led by Pat Doody, Chairman of our local group who has a particular interest in wildflower meadows. Unimproved grasslands of this type are rare and we are lucky to have this opportunity to visit this site. The racecourse is renowned for the Green-Winged Orchid. GR TL 208719. There is no need to book and no charge, but donations are welcome. Tel: Tim Fryer 01480 457795

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TELEVISION MOBILE SERVICE ST NEOTS, ST IVES, HUNTINGDON AREA REPAIR TV,VCR, DVD, FREEVIEW DIGITAL BOXES TUNING & DEMONSTRATION OF EQUIPMENT DIGITAL LOFT AERIALS SUPPLIED & FITTED Extension Aerial Points DAY OR EVENING CALL OUTS 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE PHONE JOHN FABISZ FOR ESTIMATE

01480 495408 OR 07887887319

40

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Crossword Solution for The Villager April Edition Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mr P Colt from Hitchin

April’s Codeword and Suduko Solutions

Easy

Hard

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

41

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Small tunnel (6) 4 Rubbed out (6) 9 Stretchy (7) 10 Young females (5) 11 Type of music (5) 12 External (7) 13 Translated (11) 18 Window covering (7) 20 Nip (5) 22 Smell (5) 23 Passion (7) 24 Female relation (6) 25 Harsh (6) Down 2 Highways (5) 3 Result (7) 5 Correct (5) 6 Outlive (7)

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

15th May 2015 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP



1 Combines (6)

7 Bowls (6) 8 Escorted (11) 14 Becomes thinner (7) 15 Blow up (7) 16 Reverberates (6) 17 Alter (6) 19 Consent (5) 21 Innocent (5)

Name: Tel: Address:

42

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Welcome

£4

PRICES START

FROM ONLY

,999

FULLY INSTALLED INCLUDING THE BASE AND VAT ry of your ato The conserv ally designed choice individu ur home! yo

by GSN to suit

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

www.gsn.co.uk

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

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

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

GSN

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

CONSERVATORIES

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

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

Sean Bellamy

Carpentry & Glazing Services

Kitchens – Bespoke cabinets Bedrooms Flooring New Internal and External doors Gates

GLAZING

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t:01487 710807 m:07834 038704 e:seanbellamy70@gmail.com Window Filming We can replace your uPVC Hinges steamed up windows for Window & Door new clear ones Repairs Steamed up Unit Replacements

Bellamy page.indd To Sean advertise in1/2 The Villager1 and Townlife please call 01767 261122

16/04/2015 11:12 43

Russell Grant’s

Horoscopes

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th

LEO July 24th - August 23rd

PISCES February 20th - March 20th

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd

The Full Moon on the 4th brings an aggravating situation at work. Money becomes available on the 6th. The New Moon on the 18th is ideal for buying a home, signing a lease, or expanding your current abode.

The Full Moon on the 4th forces you to cancel a trip or settle a lawsuit. The 16th will prove wonderfully romantic. The New Moon on the 18th will be equally gratifying.

You’ll feel pressured to spend money on home improvements during the second half of May.

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

The Full Moon on the 4th forces you to juggle your finances but the New Moon on the 18th brings more money. Organisation won’t be your strongest suit around the end of the month.

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st

The Full Moon on the 4th forces you to make some radical changes to a close relationship. The New Moon on the 18th is perfect for improving your appearance.

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st

The Full Moon on the 4th brings an end to a difficult work assignment. It will be difficult to make a logical decision on the 9th; choose your heart over your head. The New Moon on the 18th invites you to relax and rejuvenate.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd

Don’t discuss your private life at work in early May. The Full Moon on the 4th marks a turning point in a romantic relationship. The New Moon on the 18th is ideal for social pursuits.

44

The Full Moon on the 4th forces you to take care of some domestic problems. Your boss will have high praise for you. If you’re unemployed, take this opportunity to apply for work.

Juggling your personal and professional lives will be a source of strain. Don’t neglect your family. The New Moon on the 18th is ideal for scheduling an overseas trip.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd

The Full Moon on the 4th brings disappointing news about money. A good job is within your grasp. It will be necessary to get additional training as May turns to June.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd

Take the opportunity to ask for a favour, apply for a grant, or go on a first date on the 6th.

The New Moon on the 18th finds you celebrating an engagement, wedding, commitment ceremony or business partnership.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st

The Full Moon on the 4th brings an embarrassing secret to light. The New Moon on the 18th is perfect for landing a steady job. Be more attentive to your best friend or lover as May draws to a close.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th

May finds you in a rather gloomy mood.

The Full Moon on the 4th prompts you to leave an organisation. Fortunately, your love life will shimmer with excitement on the 5th.

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Prevent crimes before they happen

Intelligent Property Protection We design, install, maintain intelligent security systems that work for you.

Protect24 intellegent security systems enable you to take charge of your security and safety.

Intruder and Panic Attack Alarms, CCTV Surveillance Systems, Access Control Systems, Protect24 Intelligent Security, Monitoring and Response, Service and Maintenance.

t: 01733 808909 e: support@protect24.net www.protect24.net

• Wood Burning Stoves • Multi Fuel Stoves • Chimney Lining • Twin Wall Flue Systems • Installation and Supply • Fireplace Renovations • Stove Accessories • Trade Sales

SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Friday, Saturday & Monday – 10am—5pm Other Days/Out of hours by prior arrangement

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www.cromwellstoves.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

45

FLOORED

By Ian

DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR EXISTING DOUBLE GLAZING

All Repairs Carried Out On UPVC, Aluminium Or Timber Windows and Doors, Including: Glass Misted Up Or Broken, Handles Or Hinges, Door or Window Locks, Cat Flaps, Letter Plates and Door Panels Fitted.

Conservatories also repaired/cleaned.

Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean

all No Ct u O e Charg

Free visits to estimate or advise.

Tel: 01480 462948 Mobile: 07973 682562

Best prices and quality with a friendly service.

Email: cst.dgrepairs@googlemail.com www.cstupvcrepair.co.uk

Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308

Light Haulage & Removals House & Office Removals Collections/Deliveries Free Quotes Luton Tail-lift Van Covering all of the UK Fully Insured Service No Extra Charge for Evenings/Weekends

Call Trevor

Tel: 07782 359050 Email: trevor_trs@yahoo.co.uk

46

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Books

Book Review

By Bruce Edwards

Pet Services

There Will Be Better Days Elizabeth Waite Pub: Sphere p/b £7 .99 ISBN: 978-0-75155690-2

Better days indeed, for Chloe; for whether seen as protagonist or heroine, she’s a lucky, lucky girl. From a back street childhood where life can be appalling, she vows not to succumb to the grot and becomes the ‘P.A’ to a charmer of a boss who’s charmed by her youthful innocence.

She ends up with a small fortune as a reward for her ‘indiscretions’ (euphemism!) when he decides to end his invalid wife’s suffering and commits suicide thereafter. A twist of fate provides her with yes, another lover of influence. You’ll perhaps know (if from hearsay rather than actuality) something of how “fifty somethings of an indeterminate colour” works - well, our Chloe (a far nicer girl) goes through a wardrobe of dresses and undies which seem to fall off or get removed without the trauma. Perhaps the intriguing aspect to this tale is working out what she’ll wear next, or the constant worry that something dreadful will happen to the girl, as it all sounds too good to be true. Fear not, for she becomes proper mum to two children and acting as occasional foster mum to another. It’s a relationship tale of a rather sickly sweet nature, but then, if you try, girls, you might get lucky and find the wellheeled man of your dreams. And guys, you can read and dream-on too, for she comes across as a rather too lovable gal. All this said, it’s a nice read from a veteran lady story-teller.

Removals, Delivery & Storage For All Your Storage, Delivery and Removal Requirements Based in Alconbury Weston Freephone - 0800 689 0894

Use your local removal company

Tony Webb - 07850 293540 Lee Eastlake - 07906 072096 www.move-plus-safe.co.uk

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.”

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

47

The art of the perfectly balanced valuation Discover how to move when you want, at the price you want...

Set the price of your home too high and it will take longer to sell – too low and you risk losing out on rising values.

Getting it right requires an estate agent with sound judgement, integrity and specialised local knowledge.

Kimbolton office T: 01480 860 600 www.simpsonandpartners.co.uk

Part of the Simpsons Estate Agency Group