Alconbury nov 13

Villager

Issue 20 November 2013

the

FREE

& Town Life

The Magic of Fireworks Page 4 The Poppy’s Appeal Page 6 Win £25 in our Prize Crossword Page 28

Bringing local business to local people in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month

2

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Contents

Villager

Issue 20 November 2013

the

FREE

& Town Life

The Magic of Fireworks Page 4 The Poppy’s Appeal Page 6 Win £25 in our Prize Crossword Page 28

Bringing local business to local people in Alconbury, Grafham, Kimbolton, Riseley, The Stukeleys and all surrounding areas every month

How to Make an Extra £100 ..................................19 Kimbolton School Swimming Pool Timetable........20 Winter Tyres ..........................................................23 Puzzle Page ...........................................................24 What’s On..............................................................26 Prize Crossword .....................................................28

The Magic of Fireworks

4

The Magic of Fireworks............................................4 Wildlife Wanderings ................................................6 Give It Some Welly ..................................................9

Book Review .........................................................30 Classifieds .............................................................30

The Poppy’s Appeal

10

The Poppy’s Appeal ...............................................10 A Good Divorce? ....................................................12 The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle .....................14 Financial Assistance ..............................................15 8,000 copies delivered free of charge to all homes in the following areas: Abbots Ripton, Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Barham, Broughton, Brington, Buckworth, Bythorn, Catworth, Coppingford, Covington, Easton, Ellington, Grafham, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Hargrave, Keysoe, Keyston, Kimbolton, Kings Ripton, Leighton Bromswold, Little Staughton, Lower Dean, Melchbourne, Molesworth, Old Weston, Perry, Pertenhall, 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.)

Editorial - Susan Brookes-Morris, Christine Donnelly, Louise Addison, Alex Brown, Tamara Glanvill, Tony Larkins, Sarah Davey and bruce Edwards Advertising Sales - Justine Miller- 07905 063211 justine@villagermag.com Photography - Inara Prusakova 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.

THE MAGIC OF FIREWORKS

By Susan Brookes-Morris

Fireworks date back to the 7th century and are thought to have been invented in China. The first fireworks in England were displayed at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486. Now, as well as being an integral part of Bonfire Night celebrations, fireworks can often be seen at New Year, Birthday and Wedding celebrations and frequently form the finale for major events.

Fireworks come in many shapes and sizes and new types are being created all the time. Some of the many varieties are: sparklers, cakes, firecrackers, cherry bombs, rockets, jumping jacks and Catherine wheels.

A rocket can reach speeds of 150mph and its shell can reach as high as 200 metres. A sparkler burns at a temperature over 15 times the boiling point of water.

The different effects created by fireworks have names such as ring, spider, peony, palm and horsetail. The variety of colours and noises also thrill many of us. There are now a rainbow of colours and sounds that include bangs, crackles, humming and whistles.

So what happens within a firework to cause us such excitement?

Each firework is a precisely formed assembly of chemicals and fuel, carefully calibrated to produce a particular effect.

Fireworks consist of stars, small clay or dough-like lumps or cubes 3 to 4 cm in diameter, packed into

4

cardboard compartments within the firework shell.

Stars contain a blend of oxidizing agent, reducing agent, metal salt colouring agent and binders.

When ignited, the stars produce both sound and light effects.

The power needed to lift each firework into the air is provided by the highly exothermic combustion of black powder. The key to firework success is to trap the heat and gas in the bottom of the shell, which is positioned in a launch tube or mortar, until the trapped gas pressure builds to such a force that when it escapes, it hurls the firework high into the air.

A firework is ignited by lighting the main fuse. This simultaneously starts both the fast action fuse, and the time delay fuse.

The flight of the firework is powered by a fast burning wick. Where the wick ends, it meets the high explosive components of the firework. In this second stage, there is an instantaneous detonation producing both a loud explosion and a bright flash of colour.

The black powder lift-charge is calculated to exhaust itself precisely when the slow-burning, time-delay fuse reaches the first compartment packed with light-producing stars and black powder.

The tremendous booms heard are the result of the rapid release of energy into the air, causing the air to expand faster than the speed of sound which produces a shock wave - a sonic boom.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

5

Travel

WILDLIFE WANDERINGS

By Christine Donnelly

Late autumn is a time when you can see our local wildlife preparing to survive the cold weather ahead. Thrushes and blackbirds feed up on autumn fruits whilst finches feed on seed heads leftover from summer such as teasel and thistles.

Many species of birds gather into large flocks, with the swirling flight of starlings being one of the spectacles to look out for in the late afternoon sky. Those moving to warmer areas for the winter (what a good idea!), are still on the move and many fly along England’s coast towards the continent and then south and east. Sit on the beach in the autumn sun near Brighton and, one after another, eager travellers will fly past, overhead and out to sea, on their way to the Mediterranean or Africa.

Some of these birds stopover in the Mediterranean on ‘passage’ such as turtle dove, willow warbler and spotted flycatcher whilst others remain there for the winter. In contrast, some birds come to the UK for winter due to the abundance of their particular food. Look out for Mediterranean gulls that are similar to the very common black-headed gulls but don’t have black wing tips. They live around our southern coasts in winter but also come inland, and have also started to breed here in summer.

For opportunities to see and learn about local wildlife check the events organised by The Wildlife Trust www.wildlifebcn.org or phone 01954 713500.

Greater flamingo, Sardinia If you escape for an autumn break in the Mediterranean sun, try to visit one of the coastal wetlands where two characteristic ‘wading’ species can be seen, the elegant and colourful greater flamingo and the smaller, but equally fascinating, black-winged stilt, both a delight to watch as they

6

wander through the salt pans and lagoons looking for food.

Some areas, such as the mountains of southern Turkey, are famous for their autumn flowers, particularly ‘bulbs’ familiar to the gardener, such as crocus, colchicum, snow drop and cyclamen.

The great flower collectors of the Victorian age brought back many of these ‘exotic’ species, now commonplace in our gardens, but seeing them yourself in their natural habitat, with a background of stunning autumn tree colour, is always something special.

Colchicums, Turkey In the far south, both the highlands and lowlands of Chile are at their best in their spring, providing stunning scenery from Mediterranean type ‘chaparral’, to hot desert, temperate rainforests and, of course, the high Andes. With a multitude of bird species, iconic mammals and wonderful flowers and trees, including fuchsias, buddleias and monkey puzzle trees, the country is one of the best destinations for a wildlife holiday, and also for culture.

Alpacas, Chile Wildlife Travel has been running wildlife holidays worldwide for 25 years. Contact 01954 713575 or check www.wildlife-travel.co.uk for details of trips.

Any profits from Wildlife Travel are donated to nature conservation through The Wildlife Trusts.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Large selection of contemporary gas fires, marble & stone surrounds

NO CHIMNEY? NO PROBLEM!

We supply & install Stovax Twin Wall Flue Systems

Please contact us for a FREE survey Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday - Closed

01536 410777

Vill1023

Unit 7 Orion Way, The Constellations, Kettering Business Park, Kettering NN15 6NL Email: admin@colesforfires.co.uk www.colesforfires.co.uk

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

7

8

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Time of Year

GIVE IT SOME WELLY!

By Louise Addison

Wintry wet weather has us reaching for our wellies, but how much thought do we give them really? Hard-working wellies deserve a bit of TLC now and then.

First things first. A lot of wellies split at the heel seam, and this is because we insist on removing them using a step or our other foot to prise them off. Invest in a proper boot-remover. It will preserve the life of your wellies and make them much easier to take-off.

CLEAN THEM. Yes - really. How often do you put your boots away still clogged with mud? Take the time to rinse them with clean water then spray them with a boot protector. If your wellies are the sort with a zip, make sure the zip is clean and free-running before storing the boots. Spray the zip with a silicone spray and they’ll last for years.

Store them properly in a cool dry place. Don’t dry kid’s wellies on a radiator as they will become brittle and perish. Don’t leave them in a freezing

greenhouse or shed either. A boot rack is great, because it lets you store them upside down (less chance of spiders or mice taking up residence!) and allows the air to circulate – meaning they won’t smell.

Finally, there are some terrific, colourful and fashionable wellies on the market today, so there’s no excuse not to take the kids puddlejumping. Go on, give it some welly!

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

9

Time of Year

THE POPPY’S APPEAL

By Alex Brown

How the poppy came to symbolise remembrance and raise millions to help war veterans.

2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. More than nine million soldiers were killed during the four-year conflict.

Much of the worst fighting took place in Flanders, the western part of Belgium. The whole area was completely devastated, with homes, farms, roads and trees all completely destroyed. The land became a bleak, muddy graveyard for the thousands of soldiers who fell there.

One plant, however, thrived in the disturbed soil and that, of course, was the poppy. Year after year, as the warm weather arrived, the poppies bloomed and turned the bare ground into a sea of red. Nowadays, we are all familiar with the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and a way to raise funds to support veterans. But how did the iconic flower make the journey from the fields to our lapels?

It all began with Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician who fought in Flanders. In May 1915, his friend, a fellow soldier, was killed in action. Looking at the poppies growing alongside his grave moved McCrae to write the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which was later published in Punch magazine.

The idea to use the poppy as a symbol of remembrance came from an American professor

10

and YWCA worker, Moina Michael, in 1918. She wrote a poem in reply to McCrae’s called ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’ and started to sell silk poppies. The idea was adopted by the American Legion in 1920 and she became known as ‘The Poppy Lady’.

In 1921, Anna E Guerin started making artificial poppies in France and gained the support of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, founder of the Royal British Legion.

The first poppy appeal was held on Armistice Day 1921. It was hugely popular and, despite a recommended selling price of threepence per poppy, single petals sold for £5. In all, the appeal raised £106,000 – that’s nearly £30 million in today’s terms!

Some people choose to wear a white poppy, either instead of or alongside a traditional red one. This symbolises pacifism and remembers the civilians killed in war, as well as the soldiers. The idea was initially put forward in 1926 by the No More War Movement, and the first white poppies were sold by the Cooperative Women’s Guild in 1933. They are now distributed by the Peace Pledge Union, a British pacifist non-governmental organisation that works for a world without war.

And finally, did you know that there is also a purple poppy? It commemorates the animals that have been victims of war and raises money for Animal Aid.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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

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

01480 436435

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

Jill Dighton

BSc (Hons) MBACP, UKCP Reg.

Counselling Service

®

safelocaltrades.com Recommended & Appro ed

Not sure who to trust?

Need a recommendation?

...see our recommended list, with local feedback WINNER

The award-winning Best New Business Idea www.safelocaltrades.com 2008 is your trusted local website, providing you with a register of highly recommended tried and tested tradesmen in your area. All members are interviewed, criminal record checked, vetted and approved, have agreed to abide by a Service Charter and are monitored on an on-going basis, giving you complete peace of mind. of

Our aim is to protect YOU from cowboy and rogue traders. in association with …

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

Peterborough Neighbourhood and Home Watch Looking out for the community

Just go to …

www.safelocaltrades.com or phone 0800 014 1832

The safest way to source a local tradesman 11

Family Law

A GOOD DIVORCE?

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

The concept of a good divorce may at first seem contradictory. Surely a divorce is not a good thing for anyone. It is the culmination of a relationship breakdown that is likely to involve moving house, starting a new life and relationships with children, family and friends changing dramatically.

For many it can be one of the worst experiences of their life, compounded by the stress of the whole thing. It is well known that divorce can be as stressful as bereavement, redundancy and moving house so the concept of “good” is a relative one. It really means trying to make it as painless as possible by positively influencing whatever areas you can. Here are my top five tips on getting a “good” divorce.

1. Get the best advice you can as early as you can. Make sure you speak to a specialist family lawyer. Ask them how many cases like yours they deal with each day and how long they’ve been doing this kind of work. Knowing your legal position early on will give you confidence, avoid you making mistakes in the way you handle things and take away some of the burden and worry.

2. Try to avoid intransigent positions. You will need to compromise and negotiate to reach an agreement.

3. Surround yourself with a good support network. True friends and supportive family will not encourage you to “take them for all they have got”. Instead they will support you

12

and your wellbeing. If you feel things are getting too much, seek specialist help, whether to tackle the money side of things or the emotional strain. It is normal to feel overwhelmed. If you need help, ask for it. A good family lawyer will know who to recommend.

4. If your other half is ‘nasty’, don’t rise to the bait. Going head-to-head with a soon-to-beex will only cause you anxiety and cost. Be the better person and look to the end you want to achieve, choosing the most sensible route to get there. Keep focussed on that and do not be tempted to engage in a battle of nerves. A really good family lawyer can come into their own here to diffuse situations and, if necessary, act as the go-between.

5. Put the children first. They can be a massive support – but they need to be looked after first. Do not assume that they don’t know what is happening, they are far better at reading body language than you might care to think, but be careful how much you share with them.

They don’t need to know everything.

It is possible, with the right guidance to have a ‘good divorce’; if you are focussed on the right things and have a specialist solicitor.

For a free half hour consultation call Tamara Glanvill , Solicitor on 0845 680 2136 or visit the website www.family-lawfirm.co.uk for more information.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife1 please call 01767 261122 W&Co_TamaraAd131.93mm07.13.indd

13 15/07/2013 14:57

Local

THE ROTARY CLUB

of Kimbolton Castle

Club News: Since the Country Fayre in July, our profit from the event has now been awarded to this year’s nominated charities.

Subsequently, we were pleased to pass on our donations to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices £4,000; East Anglia Air Ambulance £1,000; Cancer Research UK £2,000; Hemi-help £2,000; Samuel Pepys School £3,000 and The Burns Unit £1,000.

The Country Fayre Committee members have already started preparations for next year’s Fayre which will be held on Sunday 13th July.

14

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Beacon Wealth

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

By Tony Larkins

How often have you driven to somewhere you know, been caught in traďŹƒc and said I should have gone the other way? For short journeys we know, we drive almost on auto pilot.

However, if we had taken advice by putting the journey in the Sat Nav it would have told us to avoid the traďŹƒc jam.

Financial planning is probably similar, we know where we want to be and do the usual thing expecting to achieve the results we want; although we realise a little bit of assistance can make a huge difference.

Tiger Woods can win a tournament by a ball rolling one inch more; Chris Hoy won gold by fifteen centimetres; Mohammed Ali by one punch, and Mo Farah by under one second. All these individuals were naturally very gifted, but each used another to assist them in their goal often not realising just what could be achieved.

My son is a personal trainer and some of his clients are very fit individuals, but they use his services as a way of keeping them focussed and doing what they know they should do. Most of my clients are intelligent and wealthy, but seek assistance to keep on track to a financial goal, to achieve a better return or pay less tax.

Our involvement, like that of the trainer, helps individuals achieve just that bit extra by providing focus and additional expertise.

As an example, our most cautious ethical portfolio

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

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

is ranked top over one year against funds of the same risk.

This does not make us the best, but it certainly improves the investment returns for most of our clients, above the returns they would have received on their own.

To achieve the best you can you need to start with what you want to achieve, and record where you are starting from. An analysis of your existing finances will probably highlight that your savings, pensions and investments are not growing as much as they need to.

The analysis will probably also show you that you have been in the same accounts, policies and/or funds for many years and missed out on considerable growth during that time.

You may also discover yourself in a With Profit Plan that is paying a zero bonus, and has done for years.

Knowing this will help you decide your goals. A little help from an adviser can make the route to achievement clearer and easier.

The year is nearly over, but we are only half way through the tax year, so I urge you to consider your objectives and speak to your adviser. They may just be able to achieve more than you thought.

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

15

16

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

17

18

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Finance

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRA £100

A Week From Home

Stuck at home and need to make some extra cash?

There are lots of ways you can do it. Here are just a few of them.

Be a Virtual Assistant A Virtual Assistant (VA) is someone who works as a secretary outside the office from their computer at home. It can involve a wide range of tasks, however the more specialised your skills are, the more you’ll be able to charge.

To be a successful VA, you’ll definitely need to be computer-savvy and have experience of admin work already.

Agencies like VA4U.com charge up to £150 per client per day, but typically you would charge between £15 – £25 per hour for routine admin work done by phone or email.

Giving your opinions Make £50-100 a time in cash for giving your opinions in focus groups. Companies like Sarosresearch.com need people of all ages and in various parts of the country to join a focus group every now and then to give opinions on anything from shampoo to high-end cars.

If you have the time and don’t mind answering questions you could do online surveys. The work is fairly sporadic but it requires minimal effort and you have nothing to lose, not to mention the fact that it’s all done from the comfort of your own home.

You can earn up to £50 a month. Websites such as www.opinionoutpost.co.uk, www.uk.mysurvey. co.uk and www.valuedopinions.co.uk offer free paid surveys (N.B. you should never pay to join up or hand over your credit card details).

Then there are online competitions. For example, Freepostcodelottery.com is free to enter and gives away £20 every day at noon to one of the postcodes on their list. There’s no catch, but you will have to check each day to see if your number has come up. Check our competitions page on Moneymagpie.com.

Set up an online buying and selling business Do you collect dolls or electronic gadgets or some other low-priced collectible? If you’re a little knowledgeable about a particular niche area you could make money by buying and selling items online.

Scour car boot sales, charity shops and jumble sales for cheap items that you could sell for a profit. Then set up a seller’s account on eBay or eBid and start selling.

Make sure you keep a squeaky-clean rating as buyers are much more likely to buy from you if you have 100% approval.

Of course you can make money online purely by selling your junk on a regular basis.

In fact, once you are used to that you can sell on behalf of other people. Take a 30% cut of the profit (once you have taken out your advertising, postage and packing costs).

Propagate seedlings If you have green fingers and a decent-sized greenhouse (or somewhere else to place plant pots) you could make around £600 a week between February and October by propagating seedlings.

Grow plants that you then sell at car boot sales and at local garages and shops or to friends and neighbours.

To make a profit you need to choose carefully the type of plants you are going to grow. Some seeds cost £2.99 for six and some cost £2.99 for 1,500.

You do the maths.

Try to do a deal with your local garden centre to buy the pots that you’ll need and they would usually throw away. Also go online and bulk-buy compost.

Fun fact: More than two thirds of people in the UK have sold something second-hand. The average amount raised per person in the last 12 months is £106.15. CDs and DVDs are the most popular second-hand item, followed by books and clothes.

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

19

20

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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

21

HIDATO Starting at 1 and finishing at 34, track your way from one hexagon to another (touching) hexagon, placing consecutive numbers into the empty shapes as you go. Some numbers are already given.

ŠPuzzlepress.co.uk ŠPuzzlepress.co.uk

22

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Motoring

WINTER TYRES

By Sarah Davey

I drive a lot and dread icy winter roads, but somehow the thought of parting with hardearned cash for something as dull as tyres was a bit of a turn-off.

Then last November I had to hire a car in Switzerland, and I was amazed at the handling of the little vehicle and the confidence I felt behind the wheel, in what can only be described as lessthan-ideal weather conditions - for that read snow, snow and more snow. I mentioned it to the Swiss friend I was visiting. She looked astonished, ‘It’s the winter tyres,’ she said matterof-factly. ‘We always wonder why British people don’t use them.’

I was sold. On my return I

called in at my local tyre salesman and asked for his advice.

He suggested buying a set of cheap steel rims for my car and putting the winter tyres on those, storing the originals in my garage.

The tyres improve handling on greasy roads, but will really come into their own in snowy and icy conditions, or wet conditions where the temperature is below 7 degrees. Braking and traction are improved immeasurably on winter tyres.

If your car is rear wheel drive I’d say winter tyres are essential. If your car is front-wheel drive I’d still say they’re essential. Although the improvement in performance isn’t as great, it is still very noticeable.

My friendly tyre-fitter suggests changing them over in November and running with them until February/March depending on the weather.

This year try some winter tyres. You will never regret it. They may even save your life!

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

23

Codeword 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

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.

24

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

25

n O s ’ t a h W

2 November Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts. Held on first Saturday of each month. For details visit www.saintscrafters.blogspot.com 2 November Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Small charge for visitors Cambs and Beds Hardy Plant Society present a talk by Gail Summerfield on ‘Crew yard to courtyard - How we converted a cattle yard into our private Mediterranean style garden’. All welcome - small charge applies. Tel: Winifred 01234 721720 Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk

2 November Kimbolton Fireworks Comes to The Offords Gates open 6pm Millennium Green, Offord Darcy Organised by The Offords Millennium Green Trust. Refreshments, burgers, glow sticks, etc. and a guy competition.

3 November Christmas Gift Fair Admission £2 10.30am-4.30pm Comberton Village Hall, Green End, Comberton In aid of East Anglia Air Ambulance. Large selection of gifts.

Food hall. Refreshments available.

3 November Kimbolton Castle Open 1-4 pm Last residence of Katherine of Aragon.

Tel: 01480 860505 for further details 3, 10, 17 & 24 November Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday – all welcome. Services include children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served. Tel: 01480 394321 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk 5, 12 & 19 November Line Dancing for the absolute beginner 1.45-2.45pm Buckden Village Hall £4 per session including tea/coffee & biscuit Line dancing taster sessions for the absolute beginner. Bring a cold drink and wear comfortable shoes.

Tel: Lorraine 01480 494367 or Dawn 01487 824143 5, 12, 19 & 26 November Bridge Club 7.30-9.30pm Roxton Village Hall Cost £3 Every Tuesday. Beginners welcome.

Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk

26

6 November Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Annual subscription £6.

Meetings with speakers £1 and £2 for visitors Guest speaker will be Marilyn Bond who will give a talk on the restoration of the gardens at Shortmead House, her Georgian Manor House in Biggleswade. Refreshments included.

8 November She’koyokh All Saints’ Church, Haslingfield Tickets £13, Concessions £11, Children/students £6 Jewish, Gypsy and Balkan music. Tickets from The Village Shop or the Corn Exchange Box Office Tel: 01223 357851.

9 November Christmas Fayre 10am-2pm Free admission St Mary’s Church on the Green, Eaton Socon Crafts, cakes, cards, gifts and more for sale. Refreshments available. Tel: Church Office 01480 352154 for more information 9 November World War II Memorabilia Exhibition 1.30-4pm St Peter’s Church, High Street, Offord Darcy Display of family wartime possessions, medals, items of uniform, photos, log books, letters, demob papers, citations. There will be an interesting display by the Pathfinder Force Museum based at RAF Wyton. Refreshments available. Free parking.

Tel: Jenny Griffiths 01480 811126 Email: griffaljen@aol.com Web: www.stpetersofforddarcy.co.uk 9 November A Choral and Orchestral Concert 7.30pm Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon Tickets £12, Students £6 Musical Director - Adrian Brown. Beethoven - Symphony No. 5, Mozart - Mass in C minor with Soloists Natalie Montakhab, Esther Brazil, Panos Ntourntoufis and John Woods.

Tickets available by telephone, email or on the door.

Tel: Anabel Capon 01832 274834 Email: huntsphiltickets@btinternet.com 12 November Coffee Morning 10am-12 noon Berkeley Street Methodist Church, Eynesbury, St Neots St Neots Inner Wheel Coffee Morning with book and jigsaw sale.

In aid of The Tilinanu Children’s Orphanage, Malawi.

13 November Wildlife Camera Traps 7.30pm Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton Suggested donation Members £2.00, Non-members £2.50 Arnold Cooke has studied local deer populations since the 1970s, recording colonization, ecology, impact and management. His talk tonight will illustrate wildlife activity that is revealing and sometimes surprising and amusing. Tel: Phil 01487 822835 Web: www.wildlifetrust-huntsareagroup.org.uk

14 November Toy Sale 9am-1pm Huntingdon Nursery School, Ambury Road, Huntingdon Buy and sell good quality second hand toys and books.

Tel: 01480 375216 for more details 16 November Charity Fair 11am-2.30pm Haslingfield Methodist Church, High Street, Haslingfield A wide selection of national and local charities will be taking part in this annual event, selling a range of items, including Christmas cards. Refreshments, including light lunches available.

16 November Hardwick Christmas Bazaar 11am-3 pm Hardwick School Handmade crafts made by local people, lots of ideas for Christmas. Visit Santa’s grotto and hear the school choir perform. Tea, coffee and cake available. Proceeds to support the Hardwick Scout and Guide Community building. hardwickscoutandguidebuilding@gmail.com or telephone 01954 210570 or 01954 210072 16 & 17 November Art Exhibition 10.30am-4pm Hemingford Abbots Village Hall Cards featuring original work and also hand painted cards will be on sale. Refreshments on sale. Web: www.cambridgeshire.net 19 November Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Admission £8 including refreshments Christmas demonstration by Janine Hall. Wine and mince pies and a raffle of the arrangements. Visitors most welcome.

19 November Buckden Gardeners Association 8pm Buckden Village Hall Members free, guests £2 Talk entitled “An English Country Garden” by Ann Scott. Tea and biscuits served afterwards. Tel: Pam 01480 811680 or Lesley 01480 351547 Web: http://www.buckdengardeners.info/ 23 November Little Paxton Village Fayre 11am-2pm Little Paxton Village Hall Admission 30p, children free Father Christmas, stalls, sideshows, Christmas goodies, BBQ and Tea room with delicious cakes. Stalls still available please contact Peter Hagger 01480 477978.

23 November Christmas Bazaar 11am-3pm St Neots Parish Church, The Church Rooms, Church walk Stalls include The Bunting and Candle Lady, Create 68, knitted toys, handmade cards for charity, Christmas cakes, Christmas table decorations and much more. Refreshments available.

23 & 24 November Lomax Antiques Fairs 10am-4pm Admission £3 Hinchingbrooke House, Huntingdon 50 quality dealers in fine furniture, paintings, ceramics, glass, clocks, silver, jewellery and much more. Ample free car parking.

Refreshments available. Tel: 01379 586134 or 07906 716158 Web: www.lomaxfairs.com 24 November Autumn Craft Bazaar 11am-4pm Free admission Hemingford Abbots Village Hall Supporting Help for Heroes. Refreshments available.

Tel: Ruth Moore 01480 464266 Email: johnruth@talktalk.net 24 November Festive Shopping and Fun Day 11am-4pm RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy. Santa visit £3 Come along to get your gifts in the RSPB shop and enjoy festive face painting, make a super natural Christmas card, sample some delicious chocolate and fudge and try your luck on the tombola.

Tasty mince pies mulled wine and hot soup for sale to warm you up. Small charges for activities. Tel: 01767 680541 28 November St Neots & District Gardening Club Social Evening 8pm St. Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St. Neots Non-Members £2.50 includes refreshments and a raffle ticket 29 November Hinchingbrooke Bösendorfer Piano Concert 7.30pm Adults £10, Pupils and students under 21 £5 Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon Roy Howat, piano; Helen Habershon, clarinet; Jillian Skerry, piano.

Roy is renowned worldwide as a talented and exceptionally visionary scholar, broadcaster and solo pianist. Today he makes a very welcome return visit. Helen enjoys an international career with solo, orchestral, radio and TV performances and is known for her fine and sensitive playing. They will be joined by Jillian, an experienced and successful performer on the international stage and co-founder/artistic director of this series. Their programme will include music by Debussy, Chabrier, Joseph Horovitz and more. Tel: Box office 01480 375678 30 November Crackers for Christmas 10.30am-12 noon St James’ Church Little Paxton Free activity workshop for children up to age of 11.

Tel Shelia Flavell 01480 405511 for further information 30 November Race Night with Fish ’n’ Chips Supper Tickets £7.50 7.30pm Buckden Village Hall, Burberry Road, Buckden Join us for a fun evening of horse racing with supper. Licensed Bar. Tickets available from Buckden Village Hall.

Tel: 01480 811101 Email: admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk

27

Prize

The Villager Prize Crossword

£25

Across 1 Nearest (7) 5 Inexpensive (5) 8 Type of cattle (7) 9 A slight fever (5) 10 Sweet, thick liquid (5) 11 Flat area of high land (7) 12 Form of dance (6) 14 In good condition (6) 17 Family member (7) 19 Trimmed (5) 22 Enclosed within (5) 23 Non-professional (7) 24 Dizzy (5) 25 Painters (7)

cut out this page and send to the address below before

18th November 2013

Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name:

Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs P Aldwick from Shefford For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com 28



Complete the crossword, fill in your details below,

Down 1 3D squares (5) 2 To give or volunteer (5) 3 Prototype (7) 4 Soldiers (6) 5 Bedtime drink (5) 6 Obvious (7) 7 Contaminate (7) 12 Imploring (7) 13 Highly intelligent (7) 15 Graceful (7) 16 Type of fruit (6) 18 Unclean (5) 20 Conjecture (5) 21 Risks (5)

Welcome

ÂŁ4

LY

FROM ON PRICES START

,999

FULLY INSTALLED INCLUDING THE BASE AND VAT

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

by GSN to suit

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

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 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

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

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

Also at: Season’s Garden Centre Wilstead (main Road - A6) Bedford Beds MK45 3HU Telephone 01234 740011 Open Mon - Sat 10am to 4pm Sun 11am to 4pm

29

Books

BOOK REVIEW

By Bruce Edwards

Betrayal in Burgundy Harold Shaw Matador p/b £8.99 ISBN 978 178088 4882 Coming close to the November days when remembrance allied with an odd twinge of acidic nostalgia in the older generation causes the majority to stand silent for a brief period in time, this choice is apposite, a fictional story of a Lancaster bomber pilot “Perfectly captures the conflicts and choices brought about by war.” says the back cover. When

your reviewer undertook the copy edit of the original manuscript, the first thought was ‘not another war story’. However, as the red pen hovered over each page with an editor’s selfsame conflict and choices, clearly an exploration of emotion lay below the expressed grittiness of the young aircrew’s transient lives. Imagine the violent swings in sensation; the delights of ‘drinking with a girl in the sanctuary of an English country pub’ then not hours later, suffering the throbbing roar in the close confines of a bomb delivery machine. Inevitably, disaster strikes our hero and then there’s a different girl . . .

If given the opportunity to visit Monet’s Garden at Givenchy, spare time to wander up to the church. There’s a relic and a memorial to the crew of just such a bomber as portrayed in this book who lie there together ‘in foreign soil’. The poignancy of youthful desires, the atmosphere and tension of war so well portrayed in this novel can be felt in just such surroundings. This is more than a war story, it is an echo and a tribute to the tragedies of its time.

Design Consultancy Mistletoe Interiors Emma Rees 07885 135478 info@mistletoeinteriors.co.uk www.mistletoeinteriors.co.uk

Interior and exterior design consultancy, home staging, soft furnishings, lighting, accessories, paints, wallpaper

Garden Services

Kim Walker

• Patios • Block Paving • Decking • Shed Bases • Fencing • Ponds & Water • Turfing Features Complete Garden Service • Driveways

Landscaping

30 years experience in both private & commercial enterprises

Office:

01480 214 664

www.kimwalkerlandscaping.co.uk 30

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

31