VILLAGER The
Issue 19 - October 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 The
In this Issue
Issue 19 - October 2013
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
4 Tired of
Trick or Treating Covering: Alconbury • Grafham • Kimbolton • Riseley The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas
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Advertising Sales Justine Miller - Tel 07905 063211 justine@villagermag.com Additional Editorial Alex Brown, Sarah Davey, Tony Larkins, Tamara Glanvill and the Brickhill Book Bug
Win Tickets
To The Festive Gift Fayre
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Prize Crossword £25 could be yours!
Front Cover Photo: Ruth Black
Living Together and Your Rights..........................................8
Design and Artwork Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460
Basic Inheritance Tax Planning.......................................... 15
Get Safe Online....................................................................... 12
Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email:nigel@villagermag.com
How to Carve a Pumpkin Lantern.................................... 21 Kimbolton School Pool Timetable.................................... 23 Puzzle Page............................................................................... 24 What’s On.................................................................................. 26 Book Review............................................................................. 30 8,000 copies delivered free of charge to all homes in the following areas:
VILLAGER The
and Town Life
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
Disclaimer
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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Tired of trick-or-treating?
By Alex Brown
Take away the worry this Halloween and try something different Halloween is on the horizon again and with it comes the trick-or-treating dilemma. For some, it is just a bit of harmless fun. However, many parents are concerned about the safety aspects of knocking on strangers’ doors, while others object to the idea of ‘begging’ for sweets. If you’re not keen, there are still plenty of ways to get into the spirit of Halloween and enjoy yourselves at home. Apple-bobbing is the traditional game for this time of year. Simply place a few fruits in a bowl of water and challenge children to grab one with their teeth – no hands allowed! Getting dressed-up is another great part of Halloween. Invite some friends round and organise a costume parade. You could give prizes for the best homemade outfit, most scary, or most unusual. To really gross out your guests, organise a touchy-feely challenge. Assemble foods that can double-up as creepy body parts – for example, cold cooked spaghetti, jelly or baked beans make great innards, sausages or gherkins can be witch’s fingers, and imagine that pickled onions are vampire’s eyeballs. Cover each bowl with a cloth and see if your guests are brave enough to put in a hand and guess what they can feel! Many party games can be adapted to suit a spooky
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celebration. Instead of a donkey, how about Pin the Nose on the Witch? Draw a witch on a large piece of paper, and ask children to cut out noses from coloured paper. They are then blindfolded and turned around three times before trying to stick their nose in the correct position. When it’s time for a dance, have yourself a Monster Mash! Play some lively tunes and when the music stops, everyone stands as still as a statue in their most terrifying pose. Finally, wind down with a game of Sleeping Zombies. You simply have to lie on the floor and stay completely still. Anyone who moves is out. It’s harder than it sounds and children love it! How to trick-or-treat safely If you do want to go trick-or-treating, you can have fun and stay safe if you follow some basic rules: • Younger children should always go out with an adult. Agree a curfew for older children and make sure you know who they are with and where they are going. Remind children never to go into the house of anyone they do not know. • If possible, agree in advance with your neighbours which houses you will visit. Do not go to homes that aren’t lit. • Dark costumes make children difficult for motorists to see. Take a torch and wear glow bands or fluorescent strips.
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COMPETITION PAGES COMPETITION PAGES CHRISTMAS IS AROUND THE CORNER!
MORE TO SEE, TRY, TOUCH, TASTE, ENJOY … AND BUY at THE FESTIVE GIFT FAIR Join in the fun at the fabulous FESTIVE GIFT FAIR, the biggest and best Christmas Shopping Fair, returns to the NEC for four days from 21 – 24 November. Christmas means gifts for your loved ones, hanging decorations on the tree, excitement on children’s faces, party clothes, stockings hanging over the hearth, a table fit for a festive feast! The run up to Christmas Day involves lots of planning! The hardest and often most time consuming part is buying the presents. There’s no need to be stuck for ideas, Festive Gift Fair makes it so easy. From the moment you arrive, you’ll get into the Christmas spirit, and be caught up in the excitement of browsing round over 325 stalls hunting for your perfect gifts. And when your bags are full, you can drop them off at the Present Crèche and continue to shop, stop for a bite to eat and enjoy some great Christmas music by bands and choirs. It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular events at the NEC! We love the challenge of finding unusual gift
ideas – with so many to see at the Fair, selecting the best is a challenge indeed! EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY! Raise a glass! That’s the spirit! FOR THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE. Mum, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Girlfriend - There’s nothing more satisfying than finding a special thoughtful surprise they will love. …. FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE. Chaps can be notoriously difficult to buy for – you’ll find Whisky, woollies, watches, clever gadgets and silly stocking fillers at Festive Gift Fair………. KIDS STUFF. You’ve managed to keep the presents out of sight from little prying eyes for weeks, and NOW the big day is here. All smiles on Christmas Day! SET THE SCENE FOR A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS. Dressing the tree is just the start! Dressing your table, your hall, your mantle-piece can all help make Christmas Day really special. Light lots of twinkling candles, use elegant glasses, colour coordinated linen… you’ll find lots of inspiration at Festive Gift Fair.
We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away Simply send your name and address to the address below by Fri 8th Nov 2013. Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP The Winner will be drawn at random.
If you are not a lucky winner, advanced tickets are priced from just £8.50. Book now by calling NEC Ticket Hotline on 0844 581 0808/0809 or online at www.theticketfactory.com (£1.50 per booking transaction).
COMPETITION PAGES COMPETITION PAGES 6
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Living Together Does not Give You
The Same Rights As Being Married When a cohabiting, unmarried couple separate, the legal issues are somewhat different than for a couple who have the legal protection of marriage. A myth still perpetuates that a couple who have been living together for a long time or have children together are ‘common law husband and wife.’ There is no such thing. Whilst married couple have significant rights under English law relating to finances and children, cohabiting couples do not have the same legal rights. It is often much more complex (and therefore expensive) to resolve. Getting together - making it legal The legal implications of marriage include the financial ties created between two people; for those couples choosing to live together and not get married a Living Together Agreement, sometimes called a Cohabitation Agreement, can provide some legal protection by providing the framework for the couple to record their intentions and their respective contributions to the relationship. This can help set aside any fears they may have prior to living together, leaving them feeling safe in the knowledge that if the relationship was to break down, they would be protected financially. A living together agreement might be particularly important for a couple buying a house together, running a business together or planning to have children together. It might not seem very romantic but it means the dialogue is open and no one is reliant on urban myths to give them protection. With more and more people choosing to live together rather than get married living together agreements are becoming more common. If there is no living together agreement and the relationship between the couple has broken down such that they are unable to agree arrangements between themselves, there may be very little that can be done using family courts. If there is a joint property or business it may be possible to ask the courts to decide how this should be shared. The basis on which you own the property will be very important here (see How you own your property really matters *). Tamara Glanvill, Solicitor at Woolley & Co can advise on all of these issues, supporting couples to come to agreements about the division of any finances and property and make arrangements
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for the care and support of their children in the event of the breakdown of any relationship, but she has seen, time and time again, that focusing of the issues BEFORE taking the plunge is a lot less painful, emotionally and financially, than trying to use the Courts to untangle to assets of an unmarried couple. If you are already living together or thinking of it, why not take advantage of a free ½ hour consultation with Tamara by calling her on (0845) 6802136 (local rate) or emailing Tamara.glanvill@ family.law-firm.co.uk *please see article on the website www.familylawfirm for more information.
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Relationship at breaking point? Caring, confidential legal advice about: • Divorce & separation • Cohabitation
• Financial settlements • Child contact & residence
Visit www.family-lawfirm.co.uk or email tamara.glanvill@family-lawfirm.co.uk Local meetings arranged at a time and place to suit you.
FREE
half hour telephone appointment
Call locally based family and divorce specialist Tamara Glanvill on 0845 680 2136 (local rate) Woolley & Co is a member of the Law Society and authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
Head office: Warwick Enterprise Park, Wellesbourne, Warwick. CV35 9EF
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®
Grafham Village Fireworks Display At Grafham Village Hall and Playing Field Sunday November 3rd Food from 6:30 Hotdogs, jacket potatoes, fresh soup as well as mulled wine and soft drinks. Fireworks going off at 7:15 Supplied by Kimbolton Fireworks. Entry: Adults £4 kids £2 And remember to follow us on twitter and Facebook @GrafhamFireWorks
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Get Safe Online WEEK
21 – 25 October
Last week I was out for coffee with a friend and our conversation turned to computers. “I’m actually a bit scared of mine,” she admitted. “I’m wary of online banking and of buying things online, and I’m terrified to let my eleven-year-old use it because of all the media publicity about paedophiles.” She’s not alone. A good many of us are worried about online security, but there are real steps we can take to improve our safety. Use the latest OS (Operating System). The most recent OS is generally the safest. Microsoft’s Windows 8 is their most up-to-date OS and anything earlier should really be upgraded. Don’t forget that free software updates are issued all the time. Take advantage of these and update regularly. Install security software. The main threats to your online security are hackers, viruses and spyware, (this last one is a programme that may be used to log your credit card details). Ideally you should have a firewall, plus antivirus and anti-spyware software as an absolute minimum. You really need all three, because individually they won’t protect you against every attack. Be sure to update them regularly. Ditch the SPAM! As far as possible don’t open anything you think is SPAM. Use ‘disposable’ email addresses for registrations on sites with which you’re unfamiliar, and use SPAM filter
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software. Wi-Fi Wisdom! Wireless networks can offer an easy way for people to eavesdrop on your PC. Because they use radio waves, anyone within range can pick up the signal, making them a target for hackers who could be after your financial details, as well as freeloading unauthorised users who might piggyback your signal to access your broadband connection. Use an up-to-date router. Make sure you rename your network to make it more difficult to find, create a unique password and always turn on the encryption. Backup! Backup! Backup! Just in case. Back all your data up regularly, and from time to time check the backups. Don’t Forget... Never give out User IDs, Pins or Passwords. No legitimate corporation will EVER ask for them. Never give out financial or personal information unless you initiated the contact, and you are sure about who you’re dealing with. For children and teens. Use an appropriate browser and buy or download software which monitors their online activity, limits the amount of time they can spend online, and blocks their ability to send out personal information. Most importantly SUPERVISE THEM! Visit www.getsafeonline.org.uk for more information about National Get Safe Online week. By Sarah Davey
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Jill Dighton
BSc (Hons) MBACP, UKCP Reg.
Counselling Service Depressed? Anxious? Stressed out? Struggling to cope? Have you considered Counselling sessions? Based in the tranquil village of Grafham, I offer a professionally qualified Counselling Service in a secure, confidential and non-judgemental atmosphere. Ample parking. Concessionary rates available. For further details: Visit: www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk Email: j.dighton@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07925 852 985 (Voicemail available)
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Basic Inheritance
Tax Planning
It was George Bernard Shaw who said a “lack of money is the root of all evil”, but having what the Government calls ‘a lot’ can mean Inheritance Tax (IHT). In summary, everyone has an allowance of £325K and not only is there no IHT between UK husbands and wives, but unused allowances are also transferable between the two. For many with not much more than a normal house and a few thousand in the bank IHT will never be an issue, and as long as their Will is clear, the final estate should be simple to sort. But, what about those that live in a higher priced home, have good pension funds, death in service or life cover and may be also own a business? With the aid of various trusts and allowances there should be no IHT liability on the first to die, but suddenly all that value would now appear in the estate of the second to die. Wills can sometimes be changed for the deceased even after they have passed on to the next world, but imagine how much easier it would be to address this earlier, rather than at a time of high emotional stress. Arranging such matters as estates and beneficiaries is called “estate planning”. Unfortunately, it is one area that is often overlooked or deliberately ignored, for fear of tempting fate. Many things such as using trusts and a carefully worded Will can avoid IHT altogether. Changing the way the home is owned as well as property portfolios and shares can also help. Unfortunately, finding a solicitor or accountant who fully understands trusts and tax is not as easy as you might think. Most IFA’s have not studied both
Tony Larkins CFP APFS Managing Director / IFA Chartered and Certified Financial Planner
or either of these areas above the basic diploma level. I do not think I have ever met a Will writer who understands much more than how to sell extras to a Will following a sales training course. For many individuals planning can be basic, but sometimes what appears a simple solution can lead to even greater and unintended consequences. So, how do you find the right person to advise you on whether you need to take any action, and if so what action should you take? We work all our lives to build up value and when we die we want to choose the beneficiary, giving a large political donation on death is not usually our main priority. If you recognise that IHT is 40% above the Nil Rate Band (taxed at £325K until 2018), an estate valued at £870K with three beneficiaries, could see the Government receive a higher amount than each of the beneficiaries. This figure drops to £750K with four beneficiaries e.g. grandchildren. It can cost far less to plan in advance than to pay the actual tax. You will then ensure that the right people benefit and your estate is much easier to sort. I suggest you start with the professionals you already know. Ask your solicitor if they fully understand the area and check with your IFA that they have either advanced qualifications in trusts and tax or are a member of the society of trusts and estate planners (STEP), but by qualification not just by paying a fee. 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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Be part of the challenge Stoptober is back. All over the country people will take the 28 day challenge to stop smoking during October. Last year over 160,000 people successfully quit smoking for Stoptober, thanks to the wide range of quitting support on offer. For more information search ‘Stoptober’ online or visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober Alternatively, speak to your local stop smoking service or pharmacist.
219641_Stoptober_A4_Double_Sided_Poster_AW.indd 1
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09/08/2013 15:00
WOOD GREEN... After dark Halloween fun Monday 28 October 5.00pm – 6.30pm Godmanchester Centre £5 per child Meet some of our nocturnal animals, face your fears in the rodent room, feed our animals some Halloween treats and join us for spooky story time. Prize for the best Halloween costume. Suitable for 5 year olds and over and booking essential.
Halloween Fun
Animal rehoming
26th October – 3rd November, 10.00am – 3pm Godmanchester Centre FREE
Charity Shop
Bring the kids to Wood Green this October half term and let them take part in our Halloween Fun Trail. Find the 12 spooky clues around Wood Green to win a prize.
Children’s play area
Why not stop for a coffee or lunch in our spooky themed coffee shop.
Open 7 days a week
To book for all events call the Hands On team on 0844 248 8181 or email for further information handson@woodgreen.org.uk
Restaurant Pet & Gift Shop Children’s ‘hands on’ events 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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How to Carve a Pumpkin Lantern
By Sarah Davey
You will need Pumpkins, Night lights Small sharp knife (a craft knife works well) Spoon You can now buy specialist pumpkin-carving sets which contain plastic serrated saws, scrapers and scoops. Cooking Oil, Felt-tip Pens Newspaper for working on Instructions 1. Draw a circle or hexagon on top of the pumpkin (where the stem is). This will be the lid which you remove so you can insert your hand. 2. Cut through the pumpkin-top with the knife. Use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin. Remove the cap, scrape off any pulp and seeds and add a couple of slit vents to allow heat to escape. 3. Scoop out the seeds and pulp using the spoon. 4. Draw a pattern for the face on to the pumpkin with a felt-tip pen. Make the eyes, nose and
mouth larger than you think you need, because you will have a hard time cutting out tiny features from the tough skin. 5. Follow your pattern as you cut all the way through the pumpkin. Push the cut-out features gently from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pieces. 6. Place a night-light inside the pumpkin to create an eerie glow. Tip Coat the cut pumpkin-edges with cooking oil to keep the lantern fresh longer.
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CODEWORD
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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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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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what’S ON?
IN OCTOBER
1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 October Bridge Club 7.30-9.30pm Roxton Village Hall Cost £3 Every Tuesday. Beginners welcome. Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk 2 October Flower Arranging Demonstration Doors open 6.30pm for 7.30pm Buckden Millennium Centre, Burberry Road, Buckden Tickets £9 includes glass of wine and light refreshments Brampton Flower Club invite guests to their annual Open Demonstration. Demonstrating this year will be Sarah Horne, an International Demonstrator, winner of the Interflora Florist of the Year Bridal Design 2011 and three times Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner, with ‘Never underestimate the Power of the Flower’. Trade stalls, sales table and raffle of flowers. Tickets are available by post from Mrs J. Burnley, 35 High Street, Brampton, Huntingdon PE28 4TG. Please make cheques payable to: ‘Brampton Flower Club’, and include a SAE or see website for downloadable ticket application form and more information. Sorry no tickets available on the door. Tel: Jacqui 01480 370996 for enquiries Web: www.bramptonflowerclub.com 2 October Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Annual subscription £6. Meetings with speakers £1 and £2 for visitors Speaker will be Peter Jackson offering advice on how to grow your own fruit and veg. Suitable for all levels of expertise. Refreshments included. New members and visitors always welcome. 5 October Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts at very reasonable prices. Held on the first Saturday of each month. Charity tombola and free entry. For more details visit http://www.saintscrafters. blogspot.com
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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 5 October Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Small charge for visitors Cambs and Beds Hardy Plant Society present a talk by Donald Everitt on ‘plants worthy of being grown more often’. Donald is a lecturer and grower of plants. He was trained at RHS Wisley. He will bring plants and bulbs for sale at the meeting. All welcome - small charge applies. Tel: Winifred 01234 721720 Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 6 October Celebration of Harvest 11am St James’ Church, Little Paxton A service for all. Gifts of dry goods/toiletries and cash welcome in aid of Jimmy’s Night Shelter in Cambridge. Refreshments available from 10.30 am. After the service, join us for a bring and share lunch. 7 & 19 October St Neots Astronomy Association 7.30pm The Visitors Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton Observing evenings. Everyone welcome. We are a very friendly small club and new members are very welcome. We look forward to meeting you whether you’re a complete beginner or a veteran; we have something to offer you. Tel: David Roberts 01480 212960 Email: david@snaa.co.uk Tel: Nick Maudlin 01767 315678 Email: nick@snaa.co.uk Web: www.snaa.co.uk 9 October Kingfishers 7.30pm Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton Suggested donation Members £2.00, Non-members £2.50 The fascinating lives of kingfishers will be the focus of an illustrated talk to be given to the Wildlife Trust, Huntingdonshire Local Group. The beautiful bank-nesting birds are well known to the public, but are seen only rarely. They are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. We are delighted to welcome Jeff Harrison, who has been studying, monitoring and photographing Kingfishers at their nest sites for many years. Jeff is licensed by Natural England and the BTO and this has enabled him to get close enough to observe
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what’S ON? IN OCTOBER
those behaviours that remain a mystery to many of us. We are delighted that Jeff will unveil their secret lives tonight. Anyone interested in wildlife is most welcome to attend. Tel: Phil 01487 822835 Web: www.wildlifetrust-huntsareagroup.org.uk 10 October Hunts Art Group 7.30-9.30pm Members £6, Non-members £8.50 Ink and watercolour painting demonstration by Caroline Furlong, anyone interested in joining our art group is welcome to attend. Please book by telephone or email. Tel: 01480 468952 Email: huntsartgroup@aol.com 11 October Bedford Brass in concert 7.30 pm Little Paxton School Hall Tickets £7 including refreshments Available also from The Anchor, Little Paxton. Tickets: Jenny Gellatly 01480 219022 12 & 13 October Arts, Crafts, Food & Drink Fair 10am-4pm Wood Green Animal Shelter, Godmanchester Adults £3, Concessions £2.50, Accompanied children under 5 free Whatever the weather you can visit the indoor arena and sample and buy from a wide range of arts, crafts and gift stalls as well as food and drink. Web: www.oakleighfairs.co.uk 13 October Beacon Antiques Fair 10am-4.30pm The Sharnbrook Hotel, Sharnbrook Admission £3 This antiques fair offers a diverse range of quality antiques so whether you are a professional dealer, an avid collector or just looking for something special, this unique fair is the place to visit. Refreshments including tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks served throughout the day. Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 14 & 28 October Line Dancing for Beginners 7-8pm Tilbrook Village Hall No partner necessary. Please wear flat/low heeled shoes (or cowboy boots). Tel: Pauline or Terry 01480 861767
16 October Researching Ancestors in British India 7.30-9pm Women’s Institute Centre, Waldon Road, Huntingdon Non-members welcome - £1 donation appreciated Huntingdonshire Family History Society talk by Penny Tipper on ‘Researching Ancestors in British India’. Web: www.huntsfhs.org.uk/ 18 October Man of Steel Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Concessions £3, Children under 16 £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema. Licensed bar and refreshments. Tickets available from Dixie’s Deli, Watson’s or Bytes Café or on the door. Limited tickets so book early. Tel: 01480 860297 for further information 24 October 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 Climbers for all aspects with Nick Hamilton. 26 October Cambridgeshire Family History Society – Family History Fair 10am-4pm Girton Glebe Primary School, Girton, Cambridge Free admission. Lectures £2 per person. Free internet research room run by CFHS researchers. Free parking. 26 October Shepreth Village Hall Market 10am-12.30pm Lots of lovely craft stalls to give you ideas for early Christmas present shopping and the usual fresh, local produce from around the area. Tim and Lisa’s Basket and Apple juice gazebo will be outside at the opening to the hall welcoming you in! Refreshments and hot sausages in rolls by Shepreth W.I. Tel: Jane. 07554207580 Web: www.stallsinthevillagehall.co.uk 16 November Christmas Gifts and Craft Market 11am-3pm Shepreth Village Hall
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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize
£25
Name:
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 18th September 2013 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel:
Address:
Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs Cook from Godmanchester For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com Across 1 Employed (4) 3 Loyal (8) 9 Whirlwind (7) 10 Big (5) 11 Ceremonial leader (5) 12 Save (6) 14 Twist together (6) 16 Thick oil (6) 19 Steps (6) 21 Friends (5) 24 Not dead (5) 25 Beginning (7) 26 In company (8) 27 Small insect (4) Down 1 Utmost (8) 2 Not late (5) 4 On a ship (6) 5 Relates (5) 6 List of ingredients (7) 7 Vegetable (4) 8 Round container (6) 13 Communications (8) 15 Zero (7) 17 Wealthier (6) 18 On land (6) 20 Distinguished (5) 22 Alliance (5) 23 Silly (4)
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Please Life when when responding responding to to adverts adverts Please mention mention The The Villager and Town Life
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Classifieds
BRICKHILL
Garden Services
BOOK BUG REVIEWS...
Kim Walker
The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
• Patios • Block Paving • Decking • Shed Bases • Fencing • Ponds & Water • Turfing Features Complete Garden Service • Driveways
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Gatsby has been an enigma since he was first introduced to readers nearly 90 years ago. Is he a self made man or a shyster, an obsessive or a spurned lover? It’s 1922 and the Jazz Age is in full swing in New York when Nick Carraway rents a modest house next to Jay Gatsby’s Long Island mansion. It’s not long before he’s invited to one of Gatsby’s lavish parties and becomes friends with his popular neighbour. However, all is not quite what it seems with Mr Gatsby, and his involvement with Nick’s friends and family will have unforeseen and devastating consequences for all of them. Fitzgerald shows us post-war, pre-crash America in all its hedonistic glory, burning all the more brightly for us as we know how soon it will be over. He shows us how superficial relationships forged by money can be, and how sometimes fantasy can be mistaken for real life. Whether you’re reading an old paperback copy or the beautiful new Vintage Classics hardback edition (pictured), it’s likely you’ll feel as disillusioned with the decadence of Gatsby’s set as Nick does by the end of this iconic novel. 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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