VILLAGER The
Issue 5 - May 2013
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
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Bringing Local Business to local people in Barton, Harlington, Ampthill, Flitwick, Westoning, Pulloxhill and all surrounding villages
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VILLAGER The
In this Issue
Issue 5 - May 2013
and Town
Life
LOCAL NEWS • LOCAL PEOPLE • LOCAL SERVICES • LOCAL CHARITIES • LOCAL PRODUCTS
16
£25
Prize Crossword See Inside
Gallery 1066
A Night With The Stars Bringing Local Business to local people in Barton, Harlington, Ampthill, Flitwick, Westoning, Pulloxhill and all surrounding villages
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Advertising Sales Mary Williams Tel: 07453 990655 mary@villagermag.com Additional Editorial Pippa Greenwood, Julia Faulks Solange Hando, Alex Brown and Kate McLelland Front Cover Photo: Ootto007 Design and Artwork Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460 Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 Email:nigel@villagermag.com
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Bringing in the May........................................................4 Study for Success.............................................................6 Tallinn Old Town..............................................................8 Perfect Posture...............................................................12 Ampthill & District Lions Club...................................15 Coping With Things You Cannot Hide....................18 Children’s Page...............................................................20 Seasonal Delights..........................................................23 Puzzle Page......................................................................24 What’s On.........................................................................26 Book Review....................................................................31 You are now able to view the Villager Magazine online at
www.villagermag.com
VILLAGER The
and Town Life
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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Bringing in the May
By Kate McLelland
One of the best indications that summer is about to arrive is when Britain’s hedgerows explode with the pink and white blossoms of the hawthorn. The hawthorn is one of those quintessentially English trees: although quietly unobtrusive for most of the year, it bursts into spectacular life in the late spring, with flowers crowded so densely together they look like snowfall. In the autumn it glows with clusters of red berries. No wonder the tree features so strongly in ancient folklore. The old name for hawthorn was “may” and the flower of the may tree has long been considered a symbol of hope. It even gave its name to The Mayflower, the famous ship that sailed from England in 1620, transporting a stalwart band of pilgrims to build a new life in America. As its alternative name suggests, hawthorn was central to ancient May Day celebrations. The old Celtic festival of May Day was known as ‘Beltane’ after the Celtic god of light, or the sun. The beginning of summer was also celebrated in Ancient Rome at the Floralia festival (dedicated to the flower goddess Flora), which took place at roughly the same time. May Day celebrations in Britain were probably a hybrid of both traditions mixed up with Druidic tree worship, and the introduction of Christianity did little to dispel these pagan traditions. On the first day of May, villagers would wake at daybreak and roam through the countryside, gathering flowers and hawthorn twigs to decorate their houses. A maypole – usually the trunk of a birch tree, stripped of its branches and decorated with ribbons and flowers - was set up in the middle of the village green. In olden times maypoles were constructed with three rings on the top - the highest and smallest was made of hawthorn. The community danced around the pole, singing traditional songs, while the men of the village performed Morris dances and the prettiest girl, dressed in floral garlands, was crowned Queen of the May. Occasionally a May King was also chosen, and the pair ruled over the festivities. In Elizabethan times, the king and queen were given the names ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Maid Marian’. These celebrations were derived from ancient
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fertility rituals and the ‘greenwood marriages’ that took place provide clear evidence of this. Often young girls came home from their country rambles with more than a garland of flowers. As one observer wrote: “I have hearde of tenne maidens whiche went to set May, and nine of them came home with childe.” May Day festivities reached their height in England during the Middle Ages but in 1644 the Puritans passed a law which made them illegal. This attempt to repress the celebrations eventually failed, mainly because they were too deeply rooted in rural culture. When the monarchy was restored some years later and Charles II came to the throne, people all over the country put up maypoles as a sign of loyalty to the crown. For the next two hundred years the old customs continued, but interest in May Day traditions began to fade. They enjoyed a brief revival in the Victorian era but any connection to fertility rites was deliberately overlooked and maypole dancing was reduced to an innocent children’s game. Sadly by this time the hawthorn – once the embodiment of hope for the coming summer – had also lost its significance, becoming just another tree in the British landscape.
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Study for Success
By Alex Brown
Get the results you want with our top tips Preparation is the key to revising effectively. Make sure you know what type of exams you will have – short questions, multiple-choice or essays – and what topics they will cover. Organise your course notes and textbooks so that everything is easy to find. Work out how much time you have for each subject and don’t avoid the ones that you find particularly difficult – or easy. Make a timetable, but don’t spend so long making it look beautiful that you’re behind before you start! Remember to include your other commitments and try to maintain your normal routine of mealtimes, exercise and so on. Think about the time of day that you work best – some people are night owls while others get more done in the early morning. Plan a ten-minute break in every hour and don’t work for more than three hours at a time. Now divide the topics you need to learn into manageable chunks. To help memorise information, make notes and put as much as you can into your own words. Summarise key points and write them on index cards or sticky notes that you can put around the house. You may find that making a spider diagram or mind map is helpful. Try inventing your own mnemonics, such as
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Never Eat Shredded Wheat for the points of the compass. You can also visualise a scene that includes details you need to remember – a battlefield or mountain habitat, for example. Make the most of revision classes offered by your school or college. You could also revise with a friend – practice explaining difficult concepts and ask each other challenging questions. Get hold of as many old exam papers and example questions as you can. Familiarise yourself with the way questions are worded and make sure you understand exactly what they are asking you to do. Prepare draft answers to questions that come up frequently. When the exam gets close, complete a paper within the time limit to get an idea of how quickly you need to work. To keep motivated, reward yourself with a weekly treat such as a trip to the cinema or a favourite meal. But if it’s not going so well, don’t give up! Adjust your timetable and focus on the areas you find most difficult, or common questions. Keep thinking about what a good grade will bring – a university place or that dream job. The night before the exam, have a quick look through your notes, but don’t cram. Get an early night so you wake up refreshed and ready to go. Good luck!
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Tallinn Old Town - Estonia
By Solange Hando
Long ago on Toompea Hill, the noble families of Tallinn enjoyed fresh air and stunning views while at their feet, artisans and traders earned their living in dark mysterious lanes. Nowadays, in Estonia’s capital, the hill top welcomes everyone with its lovely esplanades looking down on red gabled roofs, cobbled alleyways, lofty spires and the remains of the city wall. The Baltic Sea glistens in the distance and the chiming of bells mingles with bird song. Up there, two cathedrals beckon, the old Lutheran church with tombs and coats of arms and the modern Russian Orthodox with golden mosaics and onion-shaped domes. Girls in Estonian dress sell roasted almonds on a quiet square and the Old Town, now a World Heritage site, tumbles down the picturesque streets, known as ‘Tallinn’s two legs’. In the humble Danish King’s Garden, they say, Valdemar II rested on his way to Toompea and inspired by a vision of what would become the Danish flag, he led his troops to victory. All around, flowering plants and medieval Guild signs line the meandering steps and alleyways where small art galleries and craft shops mingle with outdoor cafés and secluded courtyards. Look out for St Nicholas church, famous for its silver and dancing skeletons and St Olav’s which, when it was built in 1500, claimed the world’s tallest spire. The House of the Black Heads Brotherhood was for young unmarried merchants, protected by an African saint, and the ‘Fat Margaret’ tower, named after a cook, is now the Maritime Museum. Now and then, you catch a glimpse of the limestone city wall, dating back to the 13th century, over a mile long altogether and dotted with fairy tale towers, including the ivy-draped Viru Gate, the city’s icon, and the strangelynamed ‘Maidens’ Tower’ where prostitutes were sent to jail. St Catherine’s Passage and the Masters’ Courtyard are awash with ceramics, quilts and hand-painted silk, sheer delight for photographers, but gems await on every corner, here a Dominican Priory, there a flour mill, a Great Guildhall and on the Town Hall Square, the oldest pharmacy in Europe. This colourful square has been the heart of town for 800 years. The Gothic Town Hall is a 15th century masterpiece, some say the best of its
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kind in Northern Europe, with dragons spouting water from the façade and Old Thomas, the local mascot, perched atop the tower. Pink, red, white or cream, tall merchant houses rise all around, bearing witness to the wealth of the Hanseatic League, a medieval guild which traded from the Baltic to the North Sea. Visitors gaze at the compass rose on the round stone and the great cauldrons of elk soup bubbling under the arcades where traditional restaurants beckon with furcovered chairs. Some seek out the Bishops’ House festooned in apostles’ niches, others make their way to the City’s Museum and its scale model of Tallinn but sooner or later, the bakeries beckon with tempting displays of hand-made chocolates and marzipan, invented right here, in the old pharmacy. According to legend, the pharmacist was ill and the astute apprentice, who had to test all remedies, replaced the bitter herbs with sweet ingredients. Everyone loved it, especially the patients. So in Old Tallinn today, you’ll find marzipan in all shapes and colours and you can even try making your own in a local workshop.
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CASH & CARRY MEMBERSHIP WAREHOUSE CLUB
Join the Millions
who are already saving! Costco is a membership warehouse club that sells a wide selection of top quality brand named merchandise at the lowest possible price. Alongside our everyday and speciality departments such as meat, bakery, optical and our tyre fitting centre, you can Spring into the new season with items such as; bedding plants and fruit trees, garden sheds and green houses, spas and gazebos, garden chemicals and watering aids, lawnmowers and power tools. TRADE MEMBERSHIP* The annual membership fee for Standard Trade Membership is £20 (plus VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP* The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £25 (plus VAT),which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. For further information, please contact our Membership Team at Costco Milton Keynes on
01908 285 020
MENTION THE VILLAGER MAGAZINE WHEN JOINING AND RECEIVE A
FREE GIFT!
Our garden furniture has arrived and many items are unique to Costco and certainly have the WOW factor! We are confident in the quality and value of our products, and we stand behind them with our guarantee of satisfaction.
Join in the warehouse or online: www.costco.co.uk/membership
Costco Milton Keynes, Manderville Drive, Kingston, Milton Keynes, MK10 ODB T: 01908 285 020 • E: marketing117@costco.co.uk • Central Membership: 01923 830 477 • www.costco.co.uk * Membership Criteria applies. Accepted methods of payment: cash, debit card, cheque or American Express. Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made.
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The Unforgettable Close Up and Cabaret Magic of Steve Dean
Immerse yourselves and guests in the close up magic of Steve Dean or enjoy a Cabaret Show that includes mentalism and much more.
Have you ever witnessed unexplainable events or illusions so convincing that they leave you fascinated and completely spellbound? This is Cabaret, close up mix and mingle and table magic at it’s very best. Not only enter the unbelievable world of close up professional magic that is second to none, you can now see a cabaret show that will leave you gasping, your guests enthralled and audience participation that is not only professional but will cause laughter throughout and will be something to remember for a very long time. This is ideal for any corporate or private event. Steve is a master of his craft and a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. He has had many letters of thanks and testimonials from people from all walks of life. From a small dinner party to performing on a British Cruise Liner this sort of entertainment is second to none and will give your guests unusual and fantastic entertainment that they can get involved in and will talk about for months to come. (Steve is a member of Equity with full public liability insurance). Please phone or email for details 07719 261147 • 01767 260671 www.stevedeanmagic.co.uk email: stevedeanmagic@aol.com
Introducing The Steve Dean School of Magic Have you ever been interested in close up magic or are you a close up magician who wishes to improve from beginner to intermediate level. The Steve Dean School of Magic is now offering Beginners and Intermediate classes. Single lessons or block bookings are available (discount for block bookings). This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the art of Close Up Magic taught by Steve who is a member of The Magic Circle and International Brotherhood of Magicians Please call 07719 261147 or 01767 260671 for details or to book your space on these very popular classes To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122
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Perfect Posture
by Julia Faulks
Slumping at our desks and hunching our shoulders as we walk are hard habits to break, especially as we age and there’s no one there to tell us to ‘stand up straight!’ Here’s how to perfect your posture… As a nation we spend hours on our phones, laptops and in front of the TV, so it’s fair to say that posture is often the last thing on our mind. However, years of bending, twisting, slumping on the sofa or hauling heavy bags around, could take their toll and end up damaging your spine. Posture isn’t just about how you sit, but also affects the way you stand, lie down or move around. Bad posture can lead to back pain, repetitive strain injuries and may even worsen existing medical conditions. If you’re having a baby you need to be even more careful as pregnancy hormones will temporarily loosen your ligaments. Many of us will just sit back and accept the nagging aches and pains we feel throughout the day, whether we’re at our desks or on our feet for long periods. But making vital changes to the way you look after your posture could save you problems further down the line. Ergonomics (the posh name for posture) doesn’t have to be as complicated as it sounds - it’s just about supporting your back and reducing the strain that comes from aligning your body incorrectly. When sitting at a desk you can avoid bending awkwardly and straining muscles simply by readjusting your chair or positioning your keyboard and mouse in the right position. Invest in some posture-friendly props, such as wrist or foot rests, as well as an ergonomic chair.
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Avoid holding your phone between your neck and shoulder, carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder, slumping forward in your chair, or slouching and hunching your shoulders over. It’s worth remembering that good posture doesn’t just bring physical benefits - you will look and feel more confident and attractive when you stand up straight and proud. Some people even claim that good posture can knock pounds off (sadly, this is just a visual illusion, but hey, it’s far easier than dieting). It’s also important to regularly exercise – walking and swimming are two easy activities that will help keep your spine healthy and your muscles in good shape. Forget walking around the house with a book balancing on your head - the next time you feel yourself drooping, remember these basic tips: 1. Keep both of your feet flat on the floor when sitting – if you can’t reach the floor, use a footrest. 2. Make sure your back is resting against the back of the chair and avoid leaning forward. 3. As you walk, keep the weight on the balls of your feet, not your heels. 4. Don’t lock your knees and wear supportive footwear. 5. Stand up, have a stretch or go for a walk. If you’re experiencing back ache or any other aches and pains that won’t go away it’s always a good idea to have it checked out by your doctor. You may also decide to search for a local osteopath who can decide what treatment you may need and give you some exercises that you can carry out at home.
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Katie’s Attic 1 Bedford Road, Henlow Camp SG16 6DR 01462 339660 bevmackereth@yahoo.co.uk
Second hand furniture and interesting items bought and sold. Come in a take a look we may have just what you are looking for. New stock weekly. Also house clearances wanted Ring Eric on 07906641241
of Maulden
Hot stone and Swedish massage Manicures & pedicures (Shellac gels available) Waxing Eye treatments Facials Affordably priced… all with the convenience and comfort of being in your own home Gift vouchers available For more information and to make an appointment please contact: Elizabeth Warfield (member of BABTAC) Tel: 07816 789071 Email: lizziewarfield@hotmail.co.uk
Offers Bio Sculpture which is a permanent nail colour that lasts for weeks without wearing or chipping. Strengthens and promotes the growth of your natural nail. Gel overlay £25 Extensions £35 Gel on toes £15
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AMPTHILL & DISTRICT
LIONS CLUB
Santa Sleigh. The weather caused havoc with our Christmas Santa Sleigh programme and we were unable to visit some of the planned venues. We do apologise to those we did not get to see. Our thanks go to all those who helped “run” with the Sleigh. Teams involved were: Ampthill Rugby Club, Randy’s Runners, Orchid Lawns, St John Ambulance, ATC Cranfield, Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets, Midshires Search and Rescue, ATC Henlow. Parcel Packing. We spent an enjoyable evening packing over 100 parcels before Christmas which were then distributed to senior citizens in the local area. Moonraker Sponsored Night Walk for MS Trust. The presentation evening for the teams raising the most sponsorship money for this walk was held in January. We were pleased to welcome the Barclays Bank Flitwick team who, with the full support of Barclays Bank Flitwick, took the 1st Prize and the Phil Davies Shield. In a very close
2nd place was a team from Flitwick British Legion who were giving 50% of their money raised to the Poppy Appeal. Other organisations taking part in this annual event were: Cranfield British Legion, Orchid Lawns, Cranfield ATC (3 teams), Harlington Carnival, Flitwick and Ampthill Sea Cadets (2 teams), Bedford Hospital Stroke Unit (2 teams), Flitwick ATC (2 teams). The Lions Moonraker Walk is now a wellestablished nightwalk around Flitwick Moor. This is run on a 50/50 basis and teams give 50% to our stated charity and can keep 50% for their own organisation or specified charity if they so wish. This year’s successful walk raised £4,158. Information about our next walk, which will be in October, will be on our website. Since the walk started 8 years ago approximately £40,000 has been raised for charities. Lions work within the community, would you like to get involved? Call 0845 8332 883 or visit www. ampthilllions.btck.com for more information.
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Gallery 1066
A NIGHT WITH THE STARS
Put on your glad rags and join Gallery 1066 on the red carpet for A Night with the Stars. A VIP preview will be held on Friday 17th May, 6-9pm with the exhibition continuing on Saturday 18th, 10 – 6pm and Sunday 19th, 114pm. Be dazzled and inspired by paintings from some of the world’s most iconic figures from past to present. In this unique exhibition Gallery 1066 have brought together a spectacular collection from a selected group of award winning and world acclaimed artists, such as Paul Normansell, Jen Allen and Zinsky for a night amongst the stars. Gallery 1066 will also be introducing their new summer collection in the next coming months. This includes some incredible talent from up and coming artists as well as new collections from their existing world acclaimed artists. 16
This is certainly a gallery with a difference, for a truly fine art experience then take a trip to this Hertfordshire jewel, a warm welcome always awaits along with a complimentary coffee or glass of wine. Enjoy fabulous works in a relaxed and informal atmosphere where their experienced team are on hand to help guide you from up and coming new talent to the most acclaimed artists. They offer home consultancy, gift vouchers, wedding lists and events throughout the year. Whether you are a first time buyer or an avid collector this is certainly a venue not to be missed. Invest in your home and enjoy beautiful works that you can enjoy every day and take a visit to this stunning gallery. To find out more and to reserve your place at this exciting VIP preview event please contact the Gallery on 01462 622233 or email info@gallery1066fineart.com. To view their range of artists please visit www.gallery1066fineart.com
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coping with thngs you cannot hide
By PIPPA GREENWOOD However much effort you make with your garden, you can be sure that there will still be a few things that look awful. You may have made (or hope to make) beautiful borders, sensational shrubbery and lots more besides, but how do you cope with those things you just cannot seem to hide? A washing line may be essential but rarely adds to the appeal of the garden. If yours consists of two large poles with a line in between, try growing a pretty climber up the poles. If you use a self-clinging plant such as variegated ivy it won’t need any additional support. Alternatively make a chicken wire, trellis ‘box’ or frame around the posts and then allow the climber to scramble up, using plant ties if necessary. Summer flowering clematis or sweet pea will look great too. If you do use a more vigorous climber then be prepared to do some intermittent pruning. Decrepit sheds or moth-eaten garages can be a real eyesore. Sometimes a thorough scrub of the walls will do the trick, or why not make a feature out of the shed or garage and re-paint it. Consider erecting a trellis on one or more of the vertical surfaces and grow a selection of favourite climbers up it to make an even more attractive feature. If the garden can be a little gloomy then it helps if you paint any surfaces such as garage or shed walls with a paler colour. If your heating is fuelled by gas from an unattractive and enormous cylinder or oil from a large green tank, you will know that they have to be sited in an accessible position. You can use hazel wattle hurdles to hide them which are perfect as they also match with the adjacent boundary fence. Try using standard fence panels in the same way and again planting them with
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climbers or scramblers will help. Whatever you do, make sure that you check on it from time to time and remove excessive climber growth so that the tank remains accessible. Is it the neighbouring garden that harbours the eye sore which makes you want to retreat back into your house? Something nasty next door is of course even harder to conceal but why not add a layer of trellis to the top of your existing fence and then use climbers once it is in position. Hold the trellis in position using batons of wood attached to the existing fence posts or special post-joining metal sleeves that you can buy from your fencing supplier or garden centre. Trellis is available in a range of shapes and need not be straight edged so you can create a range of different looks to suit your gardening style. Another option is to erect a pergola or arch to obscure or break up an unsightly view or the eyesore in the neighbour’s garden and adding plants will help to add a bit more height and soften the outline. If you combine some of your favourite flowering climbers with some evergreen planting too, you should even achieve good effects during the seasons when the leaves have fallen from many plants. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for Pippa’s free newsletter packed full of gardening hints, happenings, advice and offers and you will also receive a free ebook on organic gardening. Don’t forget that you can buy Nemaslug and other biological controls, anti-slug matting and tape, Enviromesh and signed books, autumn vegetable packs and a hand-picked selection of garden products from the website too.
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SEASONAL DELIGHTS
CHEESE, BACON AND ONION PIE Tip Serve simply with a fresh tomato salad made by thickly slicing ripe vine tomatoes and layering with finely chopped spring onions and a few fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with freshly ground black pepper. 1 To make the pastry, sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the mustard powder and salt. Add the diced butter and rub into the flour between your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. 2 Stir in enough of the iced water with a round bladed knife to mix to a crumbly dough. Knead very lightly until just smooth then flatten into a disc and wrap in cling film. Chill for 20-25 minutes.
Perfect for a simple lunch or for an early summer picnic this savoury pie has a really rich and buttery crisp pastry and a tasty smoked bacon and onion filling. It tastes just as delicious warm or cold. Look for packs of smoked bacon pieces near the bacon rashers in the supermarket or use flavoursome Italian diced pancetta instead. FOR THE PASTRY 225g plain flour 1 tsp mustard powder Pinch of salt 115g butter, chilled and diced 4-5 tbsp iced water FOR THE FILLING 175g smoked bacon pieces 4 onions, peeled and thinly sliced 1 tbsp sunflower oil 200g mature Cheddar cheese, grated Beaten egg, to glaze Tomato salad, to serve (see Tip) Makes 8 slices Ready in 1½ hours, plus chilling
3 Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Dry-fry the bacon pieces in a large non-stick frying pan for 4-5 minutes until just golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the oil and sliced onions to the pan and fry gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until the onions are very tender and pale golden. Leave to cool. Preheat the oven to 190°C, 375°F, Gas Mark 5. Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. 4 Roll out just over half the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 20x30cm loose-based fluted flan tin. Layer the bacon, onions and grated cheese in the pastry case and season between the layers with freshly ground black pepper. 5 Roll out the rest of the pastry and use to cover the filling. Seal the edges of the pastry with water then pinch them tightly together with fingertips. Trim off any excess pastry. 6 Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and pierce 3-4 holes in the top of the pie to allow the steam to escape. Bake on the hot baking sheet for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Serve warm or cold with tomato salad, if liked.
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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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what’S ON?
IN MAY
18 April-10 May Art Exhibition Free admission Rhodes Theatre, 1-3 South Road, Bishops Stortford Rhodes is pleased to welcome back five artists from Furneux Pelham who are exhibiting for a second year running. Paula Cherry, Nikki Simms, Tanya Roberts and Sally Anne-Latham will be joined by a fifth artist Shelley Mason. Shelly Mason will be donating 10% of any sales during the show to Brain Tumour UK. Web: www.rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk 4 May Shuttleworth Collection Flying Evening Gates open 12 noon, flying starts 6.15pm Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Online Adults in advance £15, Adults on the gate £20, Accompanied under 16s free Web: www.shuttleworth.org 5 May Dawn Chorus Guided Walk 4.30-6am Chiltern Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable £2 per person, car parking £2 Listen to the Songbirds singing at the start of a new day. International Dawn Chorus Day is an annual celebration of the world’s oldest wake-up call - the dawn chorus- and the beauty of bird song. Join us on the Dunstable Downs and listen to the song birds singing at the start of a new day. You could enjoy a breakfast bap and coffee or tea in the cafe as well after the walk. Booking essential. Tel: Chilterns Gateway Centre 01582 500920 Email: dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunstabledowns 7, 14, 21 & 28 May Tuesday Morning Walkers 9.30-11.30am RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Adults £3, RSPB Members free. Admission £4 per vehicle to non-RSPB members Weekly walks around the reserve with a leader, looking for birds, wildlife and enjoying the site. Everyone welcome. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge
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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 9 May Floral Demonstration 7.45pm Flitwick Village Hall Visitors welcome £5 Mid Beds. Floral Society demonstration by Kathy Stanguaard entitled “All the Worlds a Stage”. Tel: Marion Tucker 01234 742396 for more details 11 May Meet the Goldsmiths 9.45am-4pm Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, nr Weston Free event Pop into our Hertfordshire based jewellery centre and meet our talented goldsmiths! They will be available to answer your questions and you can go into the workshop and watch them crafting some beautiful bespoke jewellery. Tel: 01462 790565 Web: www.hkjewellery.co.uk 12 May Ashwell at Home 12-6pm Entry by programme: £6 adults (under 14s free) Entertainment for all the family with open gardens, exhibitions, guided walks, veteran cycles, garden music concerts, Morris dancing, funfair, lunches & teas and much more. Programme available to purchase on the day. Free parking. 12 May Open Garden - Great Farm House, Maulden 1.30-5pm Great Farm House, Maulden, MK45 2AZ £4 per person, Under 16s free and must be accompanied at all times Part of British Red Cross Open Gardens in Bedfordshire. The 4 acre garden is a mixture of formal gardens with Parkland, including mature trees and flowering shrubs. The garden is one of the highest viewpoints in Bedfordshire overlooking Ampthill and the surrounding countryside. Great Farm House was built in 1815 as a substantial Georgian farm for the Duke of Bedford. Teas will be served from the house. Situated off the Silsoe Rd, between A507 and Clophill Rd.
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what’S ON? IN MAY
18 & 19 May Kite Competition 10.30am-5pm Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable Competitions take place each morning. Afternoons set aside for the public to have a go and receive advice and coaching. A family fun weekend with craft stalls, fun fair and more. Tel: Chilterns Gateway Centre 01582 500920 Email: dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunstabledowns
19 May Open Garden - Tofte Manor, Sharnbrook 1.30-5pm Tofte Manor, Sharnbrook , MK44 1HH £4 per person, Under 16s free and must be accompanied at all times Part of British Red Cross Open Gardens in Bedfordshire. A mature five acre garden beautifully restored and modernised to blend with the 17th century manor house. Teas will be available from the house. Situated 9 miles north of Bedford off the A6, through Sharnbrook village, ¼ mile along the Souldrop Road.
18 & 25 May Butterfly Walks 11am-1pm Chiltern Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable £2 per person, car parking £2 Join us on this fun, informative guided walk to look for the butterflies that thrive on the rare chalk grassland of Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade. We might be lucky enough to see the beautiful Chalkhill Blue butterfly flying in the spectacular setting of the Downs. Meet at the Chiltern Gateway Centre. Booking advisable. Tel: Chilterns Gateway Centre 01582 500920 Email: dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunstabledowns
8 June Summer Barn Dance 8pm til late Adults £6, Under 18s £5 English Barn Dance with live band The Coproliters. Callers Mary Rutherford and Andy Rouse. Real Ale bar and raffle. Tickets available in advance or on the door). Tel: 01582 882831 or 07702 339702 for info & tickets Web: www.coproliters co.uk or Facebook
19 May Flying Day & Light Aircraft Association Party in the Park. Gates open 9am, Flying starts 2pm Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Adults £20, Children free Content subject to weather, availability and serviceability. Tickets available online. Web: www.shuttleworth.org
8 & 9 June Bedfordshire Chilli Cook-off 11am-3pm Mansion House, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade Up to 20 teams will compete to become the Bedfordshire Chilli Cook-off Champion and qualify for the UK Final later in the year. Teams will have 4 hours to cook a gallon of chilli from scratch. Each team’s Chilli will be judged by our panel of Chilli experts. Entry fee is £10 per team (teams can be made up of any number of people). First prize is £250!! All money raised from the Bedfordshire Chilli Cook-off will be donated to Clic Sargent. Tel: Shelley 01767 626208 Web: www.ukchillicookoff.co.uk
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Ty Interiors Prize Crossword 1st Prize £25 Name:
Sponsored by Ty Interiors, The Olde Watermill Shopping Village, Faldo Road, Barton Le Clay, MK45 4RF
Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 17th May 2013. Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel:
Address:
Please enter me into the prize draw to be drawn at end of 3 months for £1000 off a fully fitted kitchen. T&C’s apply. (Please tick) Last Month’s Crossword Winners. Congratulations to: 1st prize - Ms Forster – Kempston Hardwick and 2nd prize - Mr Giles – St Neots For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com Across 1 Choose (6) 4 Bends (6) 9 Latest style (7) 10 Work out (5) 11 Scour (5) 12 Remove (7) 13 Arguing (11) 18 Changed (7) 20 Used to steer a car (5) 22 Attempted (5) 23 Kindergarten (7) 24 Area, district (6) 25 Head of newspaper (6) Down 1 Least risk (6) 2 Not the winner (5) 3 Type of plant (7) 5 Overturn (5) 6 Rogue (7) 7 Bedding (6) 8 Unconnected (11) 14 Loosening (7) 15 Taken down (7) 16 Haggle (6) 17 Participant (6) 19 Wireless (5) 21 Expel (5)
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