Bedslocal

Your town, your business, your stories

Prize Crossword ÂŁ25 up for grabs Meet the ancestors Who were they?

Chilli chicken stew Fireworks night warmer

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Issue 8 November 2013 To advertise please call 01767 261122 or email christa@villagermag.com

20,000 copies delivered to Bedford and the surrounding villages

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In this issue 6 10

Meet the Ancestors

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Tamara Glanvill – A Good Divorce

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MP Alistair Burt – Make A will this November

23 26

Prize crossword

26 33

Bartlett Tree Experts – A time to plant

Christmas Tree Festival

What’s on

Sudoku

37 42 47 50

Book review

52 53 57 58 59

Molyneux Jones – 2 year anniversary

Texture for interiors Bedford Poppy Appeal 2013 Chilli chicken stew

Remembrance Day 2013 Classifieds Colourful Grenada Directory

Read us online at www.beds-local.co.uk Editorial

Guy Bolton, Tamara Glanvill, Alistair Burt, Pippa Greenwood, Angela Parker, Malcom Jones, Bob Colman and Solange Hando.

Editor

Front Cover Image 123rf.com

Sue Metcalf 01234 708941

Advertising Director

Design and Artwork

Doug Dawson www.dougdawson.co.uk

Publishing and Marketing Nigel Frost Local Media Publishing Ltd 24 Market Square Potton SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com

Christa Hallam Tel: 07868 369257 christa@villagermag.com

Disclaimer

All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take and responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of the publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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Meet the Ancestors FEATURE

Have you ever wondered where you came from? No, I’m not doing the birds and bees talk on behalf of your parents here. I mean have you ever wondered about your ancestors?

You might know who your parents and grandparents are, but have you ever delved further back? Did your people arrive with the Vikings? Or the Normans? Always been here? Here’s a rough guide to how you can begin to find out…

It’s an increasingly popular pastime to try and find your roots so we decided to give it a go.

There are many websites out there to help you, but two that I looked into were findmypast. com and ancestry.co.uk, and it was the latter that I opted to try. They

offer a 14-day free trial, and although you do have to register with your credit card, as long as you close the account before the 2 weeks are up, there is no charge at all.

First of all, speak to your family. Find out as much as possible from them, and start to draft out a family tree. If you can ask your grandparents about their grandparents you have a good start. The past hundred years are actually the hardest to find on the website.

The more details you can get on names, dates and places the better and it is often surprising how far you can get back, just over a few cups of tea and a bit of cake with the family elders.

Now you can start to scour the Internet.

Once you log on, you enter what you know about an individual like their name, when they were born, married, died, etc. The search engine will trawl through the database (in seconds) and offer you a list of matches from census records, births, marriages and deaths, parish records and many others.

Census records are one of the best sources of information but are the reason why the first hundred years can be tricky. This information is protected for 100 years so you need to trace your family back until they feature on the 1911 Census. This has loads of detail about where people lived, who lived there, their ages, occupations and birthplaces. The next century, back through the 1800’s, is where you really learn a lot.

Once you have found the old gang in 1911, you have the details of parents, then you can find them on the 1901 Census. You know it’s the same bunch, as everyone who was over ten in 1911 will still be here but a decade younger. They may have moved in between, but you know it’s them as you often find Christian names passed down the

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generations. Daughters named after mothers and so on. A pattern emerges and you can happily skip back down several branches of your tree to the first Census in 1841. This will give you people born before 1840 and before you know where, or indeed who, the next 200 years is in the bag!

From this information alone, we managed to assemble a multitude of over two-hundred souls into our tree, including grocers, fishmongers, bag makers, carriers, labourers, and cab drivers, all striving to keep the bloodline going.

Now, alas, it gets a little bit sticky again. The earliest Census was 1841.

In 1837 the national records of births, marriages and deaths were first kept in a single archive. Before this, local Parish Records were kept, and these are on the database too.

At this stage, the easiest lines are often people you have traced back to rural communities where two unrelated people with the same name were rare. Parish records only give basic details like names, christening dates and parents but, this is enough to keep going in an unbroken line. Some people annoyingly disappear, but you can sometimes find them in nearby villages. People moved around less in those days so they must be somewhere near otherwise you wouldn’t be here now to moan about it. We managed to get one line back to 1576 by this method and this is where we stopped. For now…

You can arrange to visit the Public Records Office in London to view some records, and we also visited a few local churchyards, finding gravestones of distant ancestors and it certainly sets the mind churning – imagining their lives, and it strikes you when you see recent graves that there are probably distant relatives still living there.

The further you venture into the gloomy mists of time, the wider the top of the tree becomes (everyone has parents, so it

doubles with each generation) until most of us have probably shared an ancestor somewhere back. We may all have a bit of Shakespeare in us, or a splash of royal blood. We may have invaded, crusaded, and farmed. William the Conqueror may have left Norman blood in your veins. Your folks may have piled ashore with a heavily armed boatload of Saxons, six hundred years earlier. Many of us are possibly distant limbs of the same immense tree so, my long lost brethren, I raise my cup of tea to you all and wish you the best of luck with your search. I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t find yourself extending your trial into at least one month of extra time, just to get back a bit further…

Guy Bolton

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Bedford Allergy Support Group

We offer support to families and individuals who have allergies/sensitivities. BASG was formed in 1986 to enable people to share experiences and to look at the various treatments available.

We have monthly meetings and telephone support.

Our members use traditional medicine via GP and local hospital and allergy specialists.

For further information please contact: Franca 01234 360941 or Cynthia on 01234 354499 See our website www.bedfordallergy.co.uk

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COMMUNITY

The

Bedford Hospitals Charity

Christmas Tree Festival

Wednesday 4th December (10am-5pm) to Sunday 8th December (2pm-4.30pm) 2013

The Festival will be opened at 10am on Wednesday 4th December by the High Sheriff of Bedford. Bedford Girls’ Junior School will sing.

Entry £2.50 children under the age of 16yrs FREE

A recent and popular addition to the Festival is the informal carol concerts performed by children from local schools:-

There will be a group discount of 6 or more for £1.50 per head The first festival was held in 2001 it being the idea of Jeanette Hanling, Committee Member of Bedford Hospitals Charity (BHC), to raise funds for the then Primrose Appeal. She approached The Rev. Canon John Pedlar, Vicar of St Paul’s Church, Bedford and the church became and has continued to be a splendid venue for the Festival.

The Festival will feature comprise of 62 x 5ft trees All decorated by voluntary services, organisations, local businesses and schools to the theme of ‘Christmas Carols & Songs’ .

There will also be 2 Trees of Remembrance which have proved to be extremely popular since they were initiated in 2008. They are decorated by members of the public, who write a message to a departed loved one and then hang it on one of the trees. The Trees of Remembrance will be positioned either side of the Nativity Scene. Admission to the Festival is £2.50, but free to children under the age of 16.

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Admission £2.50. Children under the age of 16 free. We have the choir called Fusion singing at 2pm on the Saturday Organisation of the festival continues to be a partnership between BHC and St Paul’s Church. Early on Monday 2rd December a working party will prepare the church; trees are put into buckets of sand (donated by Meadway Construction Ltd) and stood on tables covered with blue/red cloths; electricity cables are checked and put into place ready for groups to arrive on the Tuesday to decorate their trees.

Trees will be available to buy 11am-12pm Monday 9th December for £10. The trees are of excellent quality with needles that don’t drop which were retailing last year for £35-40.

The festival has given enormous pleasure to thousands of people as well as raising over £96,000 since it began in 2001. The money is shared equally between BHC and St Paul’s Church. Many now view a trip to the Christmas Tree Festival as the start of Christmas.

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BUSINESS

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

A Good Divorce?

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 16

they have got”. Instead they will support you 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-tobe-ex 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.

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MP COLUMN

Make a will

this November As the MP for NE Bedfordshire I have had constituents come to see me when they have found themselves in a difficult position financially following the death of a partner, when there has been no formal legal will, due to the preconception that a ‘common law marriage’ exists: it does not. Many people believe that just because they have lived together for many years gives them rights when their partner passes away, unfortunately it is not as simple as this.

Unless you are formally married or have a registered civil partnership, or have a legally drawn up agreement, problems in intestacy can and will occur, leaving loved ones in a financial mess.

Around 29.5 million people – 60% of UK adults – are currently without a will, so writing your own will could be seen as a daunting task, full of complicated legal terminology with expensive solicitor’s fees, but that just is not the case. Having a will can ultimately avoid a whole host of issues behind after you’re gone if you do not have one. The ability to write your own will is available to everyone and using a solicitor is not necessary needed.

However, caution must be paid as it is easy to make mistakes and any errors in your will can cause problems after your death. The outcome for any misunderstandings and disputes after your death may result in considerable legal

costs, which will reduce the amount of money in your estate.

I know the last thing on many people’s minds are wills – however Will Aid are celebrating their 25th anniversary this November, and with local solicitors waiving their will writing fees in place of a charitable donation, now is the time to get your will sorted!

Over 250,000 people have written their will through Will Aid since its launch, and unlike other charity will schemes, Will Aid is open to will-makers of any age.

More information on this November’s free wills month and which local firms are participating can be found online at: www.willaid.org.uk or at www.freewillsmonth.org.uk.

I hope that my constituents in NE Bedfordshire will take advantage of the options on offer – Will Aid solicitors are booking up fast so remember to contact your chosen solicitor as soon as possible to book your appointment for November .

Alsitair Burt

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SIX PORTS SIX CHEESES

7pm Sunday 8

th

December

WHAT BETTER WAY TO

FINISH THE WEEKEND

£25 PER PERSON

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r e g a l l i d V r o e h w s T s o r c Prize

ÂŁ25

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 16th November 2013.

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

Last months winner was Mrs P Aldwick from Shefford 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) 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)

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First Night in aid of

Monday 18th November 7.30pm Company Words and Music by Stephen Sondheim Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Tickets ÂŁ12 including a welcome drink available from Bedford Box Office, Sharnbrook Post Office or John on 01234 313620 To advertise please call 01767 261122 or email christa@villagermag.com 25

EVENTS

1 November Bar open 7pm, quiz starts 7.30pm Community Quiz Night Great Barford Village Hall £7 per person including fish & chip supper Teams of 4. Everyone welcome. Further information and to book your team call Noreen 871919.

2 November 9am-2pm Bedford Crafts, Produce & A Cuppa!

Church Lane Community Centre, Church Lane, Bedford First Saturday of the month.

2 November 9.30am-12 noon Jumble Sale Clapham Village Hall Admission Adults 30p, Children Free Tel: 01234 356397 2 November 10am-4pm Model Railway Exhibition & Art Exhibition & Sale Kempston East Methodist Church, entrance Foster Road Adults £2.50, under 16 £1.00, under 5’s free. All day refreshments.

2 November Gates open 6pm, Bonfire lit 6.30pm, Fireworks Display Fireworks 7pm Blunham Playing Field Adults £5, Under 16s free (max. 2 children per adult).

BBQ, Bar and hot refreshments. Come along and have a great night with us!!

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tel: Jane 01767640880 Web: www.blunhampfa.co.uk 3, 10, 17 & 24 November 10.30am Petanque Great Barford Bowls Club, School Lane/ Woodpecker Close, Great Barford Cost £2 per session. Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk 6, 13, 20 & 27 November 7.30pm Whist Club Great Barford Bowls Club, School Lane/ Woodpecker Close, Great Barford Cost £1.50. Every Wednesday.

Beginners welcome. Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk 6 November 8pm Irish Ceilidh/Set Dancing Reading Room, Barkers Lane, Bedford £2 per person Enjoy Irish dancing every Wednesday.

No partner required.

Tel: Tim 01234 317847 9 November Craft Fayre Renhold Village Hall, Renhold

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Nove Admission £1, Children under 13 free There will be over 20 stalls including Jewellery, Books, Toys, Cakes, Knitwear, Raffles, Tombola, etc. Refreshments available. Tel: S. Day 01234 771328 for further details 9 November 3pm WW2 Public Concert Marston Village Hall Tickets £5, Concessions £3 Andy Collier Singer/Entertainer & Writer of musicals now available for hire at realistic rates! Check this out for the newest musical ‘war on the cut’ now a grade one musical with a whole 20 songs! Tel: Tickets 07786 308460 Web: http://andymusicals.co.uk 12 November 10am Flower Arranging Demonstration Oakley Village Hall Tickets £10 Flower arranging demonstration

by Jo Poulter of Bespoke Buds of Peterborough. Coffee will be served.

Stalls and Raffle. Proceeds will be split between the James Kingham Project and the Bedford C.A.B. Tel: 01234 823499 for tickets and enquiries or Email: bedfordcabevents@gmail.com 13 November 7-9pm Christmas Shopping Evening Blunham Village Hall In aid of Teddybears Playgroup. Lots of stall ranging from cakes, wooden craft, cards, handmade items and toys.

Refreshments available including mulled wine.

13 November 7.30pm Bedford Architectural, Archaeological, & Local History Society Putnoe Heights Church & Community Centre (MK41 8EB) Members free, visitors £2 Illustrated talk on “Dora Carrington (18931932) – Bedford’s Most Renowned Artist”

by Margaret Badley. Visitors welcome.

Tel: 01234 365095 Web: http://www.baalhs.org.uk/ 13 November 7.30pm Green Woodworking Priory Park Visitors Centre, Barkers Lane, Bedford £2 suggested voluntary contribution Bedford Local Group of the Wildlife Trust. An interactive talk by Ed Burnett, Countryside Sites Officer, on ‘Green Woodworking’ with a chance to ‘have a go’. All welcome. Tel: 01234 266057 Web: www.wildlifebcn.org.

14 November 8-10pm Xmas Shopping Evening at Thurleigh Farm Centre In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Tickets £5 to include supper and refreshment. An evening to socialise with friends and partake of some retail therapy with stalls such as Phoenix cards, Pure Heart Clothing & Jewellery, Little Sparrows, Lollipop Frocks, Body Shop & more! Tickets on sale in the Café of the farm or call 01234 771597 for further details.

15 November 8.00pm Italian Society of Bedford Chapter House, St. Peter’s Church, De Parys Avenue Robert McDowell will give an illustrated talk on De Sica and Neo-Realism.

16 November 10am-4pm Christmas Fair Erskine May Hall, Bedford School Admission £3.50, Children under 14 free Many fine gifts ready for Christmas including Handmade Jewellery, Chocolates, Toys, Fashion & Outdoor Wear and lots more. Drinks and Cakes available.

16 November 11.30am-3pm Autumn Fete St Mary’ Church, Goldington Many stalls and refreshments.

16 November 7-10.30pm Bedford Folk Dance Club Autumn Dance Putnoe Heights Church Bedford Tickets £8. Dance Band – Occasional Few. Caller – Lynne Render. Bring your own drinks and a plate of food to share.

Tel: Ron Law 01234 825574 16-23 November Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm Art Exhibition The Eagle Gallery, 101 Castle Road, Bedford Solo show of work by Su Kiteley – an Exhibition of paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolour, plus linocuts and drawings.

Su will be at the gallery most days throughout that week to meet visitors.

Web: www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Facebook: The Eagle Gallery 17 November 1-3.30pm Christmas Fayre Great Barford Village Hall R.A.T.S. (Re-homing Animal Telephone Service). Stalls include Gifts, Tombola, Christmas Hamper raffle, Home-made refreshments plus details of our animals looking for loving homes. All money raised will be used for the animals in our

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ember care. Tel: 01234 871174 Web: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk

18 November 7.30pm Company Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Tickets £12 including a welcome drink Words and Music by Stephen Sondheim.

First Night in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Tickets available from Bedford Box Office, Sharnbrook Post Office or John on 01234 313620

19-23 November 7.30pm Acorn Antiques The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford Tickets £12, Concessions £10 on 19 November ShowCo Bedford presents “Acorn Antiques”- The Musical. An extremely funny show written by Victoria Wood and starred Julie Walters and Celia Imrie – 2 of a very talented cast. Although we don’t have these stars – our performers are very talented and our Mrs Overall will have you laughing till your sides ache!

Tel: 07951 424574 Web: www.theplacebedford.org.uk 21 November 7.30pm Bedford RSPB Local Group meeting.

A.R.A. Social Club, Manton Lane, Bedford Tony Glover presents ‘Birding in Sri Lanka’. All very welcome.

Tel: 01234 822035 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford 23 November 10.30am-3.30pm 19th Annual Christmas Craft Fayre St Mark’s Church & Community Centre, Calder Rise/Avon Drive Bedford Grand Prize Draw - 1st prize TV/ DVD Combi freeview digital television & various other prizes. Over 25 professional craft stalls. Refreshments including Ploughman’s Lunches, Father Christmas, Hands on Wood Turning, Homemade Cake Stall etc.

Get your Christmas presents early. Great Day Out. Tel: St Mark’s Church Office on 01234 342613 for more information 23 November 11am-2.30pm Christmas Fair Ravensden Village Hall Ravensden W.I. Santa Claus is coming to town! Well Ravensden actually!

Bring your little ones along to meet Father Christmas in his very own grotto.

Stalls: Craft, Christmas decorations, preserves, books, toys, cakes, divine trash (an eclectic mix of pre loved treasures). Competitions, raffles and a special area for children’s art and

EVENTS

craft. Refreshments including soup and cakes will be available. To sample home baking at its best and buy some original Christmas presents come and join us as we celebrate Christmas 2013. Tel: Alison 01234 771919 Email: alisonbaggott@btinternet.com

27 November 8-10.30pm Bedford Organ and Keyboard Club Addison Centre, Kempston Members £4, Non-members £5 – pay at door. Organ Concert with Tony Stace.

Tel: 01234 344423 Web: www.organfax.co.uk/clubs/bedford

23 November 11am-3pm Christmas Fayre Happy Dogs, Woodlands Park, Clapham Entrance 50p In aid of Canine Partners. Refreshments, Tombola, Raffle, crafts, Pet supplies, Santa Paws and much more. All dogs and their owners welcome!

28 November 2pm-4pm Tea Dance Clapham Village Hall, High St, Clapham £3 including refreshments with homemade cakes. Tel: 01234 356397

23 November 7pm for 7.30pm Kempston Town Mayor’s Charity Fun Quiz Centenary Hall, Kempston £7.50 per person including fish & chip supper Teams of up to 6. There will be a pay bar and raffle. All proceeds to the Mayor’s Charity 2013/14 which is supporting Barnardos and Victim Support. Tel: 01234 851005 for tickets 24 November 11am-4pm Festive Shopping and Fun Day RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy Santa visit £3 Santa and his helper will be visiting The Lodge. 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 24 November 2.30pm Christmas Bazaar Great Barford Village Hall, Fishers Close, Green End Road, Gt Barford Admission 50p, children free Organised by Bedford Biggleswade Cats Protection. Many Stalls, Grand Raffle, Games. Refreshments and much more.

25 November-24 December Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm Christmas Cracker: exhibition of work from all our members The Eagle Gallery, 101 Castle Road, Bedford Open Day, Saturday 30 November and Private View after 5.30pm Open Sunday 22 December.

Charity Sale of Christmas Tree decorations in aid Leukaemia Research.

Web: www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk Facebook: The Eagle Gallery

30 November 10.00am-12 noon Christmas Fayre Clapham Methodist Church, High Street, Clapham Many stalls including Cake Stall, Christmas Tree Stall (chose a number and get a prize), Tombola, Christmas Gifts, Raffle, Homemade Pickles and Preserves, Books and CDs, Bathroom, Groceries, Delicious Refreshments, etc.

30 November 11am-3pm Victorian Bazaar Village Hall, The Moor, MK43 7LP Adults £1, Children free. St Mary’s Church, Carlton is holding a Victorian Bazaar. Fun and shopping for all the family. Lunches from 12 noon. Grand draw at 2.3pm with £100 first prize.

30 November 7.30-11.30pm Barn Dance Addison Centre, Kempston Tickets £9 Barn Dance with light supper. Dancing to Ivel Valley Band with caller Joan Rutt.

Licensed Bar until 11.00pm. All Proceeds to The Addison Centre. Registered Charity 1109049.

Tel: 01234 851877 OR 01234 340997 1 December 2-4pm Charity Fayre Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square, Bedford £5 voluntary contribution appreciated Join us for yoga and martial arts to raise money for two charities – Unique Home for Girls and Doctors without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres). Unique Home for Girls is an orphanage that takes in girls, dumped on the streets of Punjab.

The orphanage relies solely on donations from fundraising events like these.

Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) is a charity from which doctors go around the world, no matter where, to provide medical care for those in urgent need. Free drinks and canapés.

Email: anoopkhinder@hotmail.com

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GARDENING

Plant A Time to

Winter is a good time to think about planting new trees in your garden. This can be to replace a tree lost or just to enhance your garden. A new tree can be a great asset to your property as long as the right selection is made and the correct care is taken of the tree during it s early years. Many trees have differing attributes to take into account,

Watering – Water regularly if the weather is dry, normally from April onwards throughout the growing season. A standard 12-14foot high tree needs at least 20litres of water on a weekly basis to encourage good establishment.

For more advice visit: www.bartlett.com or contact Bartlett Tree Experts on 01234 354 673 Visit us on Facebook at Bartlett Tree Experts – Bedford UK

Flowering: Prunus Shirofugen – Flowering Cherry Makes a small tree with a rounded crown which is rather spreading, mature height 5-10 metres.

Foliage is copper coloured when young which contrasts well with its large, double white flowers which finish pink.

Bark Interest: Betula utilis Jacquemontii – Himalayan Birch Makes a medium sized tree with a mature height of 15-20metres. Bears oval, dark green leaves which turn golden yellow in autumn. Its white bark is accentuated by lenticels lines and peels routinely each year.

Autumn colour: Fraxinus angustifolia Raywood – Raywood Ash Medium sized tree with a dense, upright, oval and relatively compact habit. Mature height 10-15 metres. Its green leaves turn a wine red in autumn.

Berries: Sorbus aucuparia Joseph Rock-Mountain Ash Small tree with ascending branches, mature height 5-10metres. Bunches of small white flowers appear in spring and in autumn creamy yellow berries appear when the leaves turn a lovely red.

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Sudoku EASY

HARD

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BOOK REVIEW

The Brickhill Book Bug reviews…

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

by Neil Gaiman

On the way to a family funeral our narrator – possibly Neil himself – is drawn to a house near where he grew up, a house with a duckpond that his friend Lettie Hempstock once said was an ocean.

He begins to remember when he was seven, when his parents started having money worries and took in lodgers, and when one of the lodgers stole the family car and committed suicide in it. He also remembers the evil from another world the act disturbed, how he and Lettie helped it to cross over into our world by accident, and how it tried to destroy his home and his happiness.

Sitting by the pond he remembers the terrible events that followed and how the only way to deal with the evil was eventually more terrifying that the creature itself. Finally he remembers why his friend had to go away.

Fans of Neil Gaiman will know there is more than a dash of autobiography in this novel and childhood memories mix with some very scary moments. But it’s maybe not surprising that as Neil deals with his own demons he gives the rest of us nightmares!

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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Bromham Windows & Home Improvements UPVC Windows & Doors, Conservatories, Fascia, Soffit & Guttering All double glazing repairs including:Broken & misty sealed units, hinges, faulty doors and locks, handles and much more.

For a free no obligation quotation call:-

01234 306662 or 07960 109429

Email: nightingale12@ntlworld.com

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The way a space feels is just as important as the way it looks. Interiors expert Katherine Sorrell reveals how an imaginative use of different surfaces can make an impact in your home.

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Colours and patterns may be the first things you notice when you walk into a room, but spend any time in it and the textures become increasingly important. From the polish of smooth ceramic to the soft give of cashmere, the nubbly weave of wicker to the homely warmth of felted wool, not only is the right surface in the right area a functional necessity, but an appreciation of texture also enables us to relate to our surroundings in a direct and sensual way, making us feel comfortably and securely at home. Textures, in short, bring a room to life and make a house a home.

Underpinning every design scheme, textures

relate to just about every aspect of a room, from size and lighting to colour schemes and style.

Consider this aspect of room design as layering one texture with another (floor, walls, upholstery and window treatments are the basics), then adding touches of one or two more (cushions, lamps, vases, rugs and so on). At first the concept may sound challenging, but it will soon come entirely naturally.

Start with key areas – upholstery or loose covers in a fabric that’s neither so shiny and slippery that you slide off it the moment you sit down, nor so rough that it’s uncomfortable and snags instantly. Curtains that draw easily, worktops that are tough and durable, floorboards that can be cleaned easily. A ‘quiet’, fairly smooth texture is likely to be the backbone of most schemes, but the interest is all in how it is combined and contrasted with other elements. If you wanted to bring out the cosiness of a small bedroom, say, you could combine a fluffy rug, matt-painted walls, velvet curtains and chintzy quilts. Or, to emphasise a bright and airy living room, the main features might be varnished floorboards, glossy white woodwork, sheer curtains and glass or chrome lamp bases. The aim is to achieve pleasing contrasts rather than clashes, so avoid too many unusual, eye-catching textures in one

space – think trims and accents such as a woollen throw with an edging of silk satin, or a plain cotton sofa piled with embroidered and appliquéd cushions, for example.

Texture has an important part to play in the overall style of a room. Modern rooms tend to be feature harder, shinier surfaces, whereas a vintage or ethnic look is more rustic and varied in texture. You only have to think of the contrast between a contemporary room that features lots of stainless steel, chrome and mirror, with a more nostalgic room that contains quilts, knitting, embroidery and lace, to understand how important texture is in setting a scene.

Using understated colour schemes and simple patterns allows textures to speak for themselves.

This is where a palette of neutrals comes to the fore – just think of the beautiful, natural hues of sisal, shell, stone or wicker. A dash of brightness may add a focal point, but the subtlety is in the surfaces themselves. The contrasting finishes of different types of paint can add to your textural scheme, from ultra-matt emulsion to the shiniest gloss – even if they are all exactly the same shade. Lastly, remember that good lighting shows off textures to their best advantage. Try to pick out interesting features and highlight them with uplighters, spotlights or angled lamps placed appropriately.

Once you have grasped the basic principles of using texture, you can incorporate all sorts of different elements: distressed or varnished wood, woven willow, worn stone, foxed mirror, distressed leather, fake fur, buttons, raffia and crochet, to name but a few. Look for interesting combinations and there are even more exciting and delightful opportunities – a feather trim around a plain fabric lampshade, perhaps, or something as simple as a set of monogrammed napkins contrasted with pearl-handled cutlery. Textural possibilities are endless and, with just a little effort, you can achieve a look that is individual, intriguing and truly remarkable.

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COMMUNITY

Bedford Poppy Appeal

2013

The Bedford Poppy appeal again raised approximately £50,000 last year!

“The Bedford Poppy shop” in its present form was created nine years ago to be of public interest and to give opportunity for the Royal British Legion to answer questions, give advice in regard to the services and the Welfare of Service personnel and to socialise!

The shop holds a large stock of wreaths, crosses badges etc. and there is often a display of models in uniform and photographs and other items on display.

street selling poppy’s, the most rewarding moments often are those few words saying “Thank you for helping me / my parents”. This means a great deals for those working on behalf of the Poppy Appeal.

This year the Poppy Shop will be officially opened on Saturday 26 October at 10 AM in the Harpur Centre, Bedford by a dignitary to be announced.

Angela Parker

Poppy Shop Manager.

Please request Wreaths or other items from Angela directly on (01234) 214222

Many people draw on the shop for items sold in the shop to put on colleagues and relative’s graves tour operators have contacted Bedford Poppy shop to supply the same when they organised trips to war graves abroad.

Schools are keen to increase their contribution by holding fundraising events and numerous classes have visited the shop. Visits can be arranged in advance. Incidentally members of the Legion will visit schools and give a talk on the legion and in some cases talk about World War II and evacuees from a young person’s perspective during the war.

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FOOD

Chilli chicken With Fireworks night at the end of the month, why not plan to serve up this hot and spicy chicken stew? Perfect for warming up after the show.

Serves 6-8 Ready in 1 hour 45 minutes • 1-2 tbsp sunflower oil • 1 large onion, peeled and cut into chunks • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed • 1 small red chilli pepper, deseeded and finely chopped (optional) • 6 large skinless chicken fillets, cut into pieces

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• 2 x 400g can chopped tomatoes • 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato puree • 2 tsp dried oregano • 1 x 400g can kidney beans in chilli sauce • 1 red, 1 green and 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and diced • Salt and freshly ground black pepper Warm crusty bread, to serve

stew 11

Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, deep flameproof casserole and fry the onion and garlic for 5 minutes until softened and golden. Add the chilli pepper (if using) and chicken pieces and cook over a medium heat, stirring all the time, until the chicken pieces are lightly browned all over, adding a little extra oil if needed.

22 Stir in the tomatoes, tomato puree, oregano and 200ml water and bring to the boil. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper then reduce the heat, partially cover and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

33 Add the kidney beans and diced peppers to the casserole and simmer, uncovered, for a further 20-25 mins until the peppers are tender and some of the liquid has reduced. Serve in mugs or bowls with chunks of warm crusty bread.

TIP

For a hot non-alcoholic punch to serve with the stew, pour a large carton of apple juice into a saucepan. Core and slice 2 small apples and add to the pan with one thinly sliced lemon and a couple of cinnamon sticks. Heat gently for about 10 minutes, then pour in 1 litre of ginger ale. Heat through for a further minute then serve in heatproof glasses or tumblers.

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Year Anniversary

November marks two years since Molyneux Jones Family Funeral Directors opened its’ office on St Cuthberts Street in Bedford.

Owner, Malcolm Jones has been in Funeral Management for over 15 years in other areas of the country, but decided to return to Bedford to open his own independent family business. He is very encouraged by the response he has received from the families he has helped and feedback has been positive with many commenting on how reassuring they have found having a single point of contact. Malcolm confirmed “Having moved back to Bedford to be closer to my family, I have been very pleased to assist so many people so far. By arranging and conducting

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the funerals myself, it enables me to gather a better understanding of the families wishes and offer a range of options. I have been surprised how many people are unaware of the vast variations in price and service, even in a comparatively small town like Bedford and the surrounding villages” he continues “Being fully qualified and as an independent business I am able to provide a very personal service which is fundamental at such a difficult time, I am available 24 hours a day on the phone if they have any questions.”

As well as being delighted by the feedback from the families he has helped, Malcolm at Molyneux Jones has also received recognition of his work from two independent funeral charities: The Good Funeral Guide and the Natural Death Centre, both of whom have awarded ‘Recommended’ status to the business. “I was delighted to have approval from both of these organisations who work tirelessly to inform families of their rights and choices. For me it is a privilege to help at a sensitive time.”

COMMUNITY

Remembrance Day The Royal British Legion Bedford branch is preparing for Remembrance Day. This is as usual on the 11th November 2013, the original Armistice Day date (the eleventh hour the eleventh day the eleventh month) unlike last year this means that Bedford will hold two parades. The big parade on Sunday the 10th of November along the embankment and a smaller parade on Monday the 11th at Boots corner Bedford.

It is important that we remember these past conflicts from the 1914 – 18 conflict, 1939- 1945 conflict and all the conflicts up till the present day!

It has been said and I feel that it is true that a Nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat its mistakes and it seems to me that we do a lot of forgetting!

We have also to remember the troubles of Korea, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Somalia, the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan and the smaller conflicts in various places like Aden, Malaya, Belize etc.

2013

However it is essential that the legion continues to support our service men and woman in the future, because the government doesn’t!

Remember we do not only help those who have been injured in action but also bereaved service families, helping to provide education for children and also looking after the older generations who have grown old and become infirm. There dependants also in some circumstances are also looked after. Many of these people also are able to convalesce after injuries, illness and post operations at RBL Convalescent homes such as Weston Super Mere.

But it all has to be paid for.

Our service men and woman who are serving today and the recent past, may well need our help over the next thirty or more years. It is my fervent hope that there will still be a Royal British Legion Organisation to help them and that it is well supported by the British public.

You do not need to have served in the Armed Forces, in order to join the Royal British Legion.

Provided you are of good character and support the aims of the legion you will be welcome!

So finally, please give generously this coming Remembrance-tide, we can only continue with your support!

The Royal British Legion is probably at its lowest ebb since it first started and unfortunately Bedford Branch RBL numbers have decreased alarmingly over the last two years.

Bob Colman

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ELECTRICIAN

HYPNOTHERAPY

GARDENING SERVICES

PEST CONTROL SERVICES

PET SERVICES

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PET SERVICES

PROPERTY SERVICES

UPHOLSTERY

Colour Glowing like an emerald in the southern Caribbean, Grenada is small enough to drive around in a day but amazingly diverse, from the sheltered Caribbean coast in the west, fringed with white powdery sand, to the Atlantic shore on the eastern side and its sprinkling of volcanic beaches battered by Trade Winds. There are quiet bays, forests and mountains, blessed by blue skies and the occasional shower of ‘liquid sunshine’. The air smells of flowers and spice and the picturesque capital of St George’s comes straight out of a fairy tale.

Basking on the west coast of this exotic English-speaking island, the town is laced with pastel-hued houses and quaint colonial dwellings clinging to luxuriant slopes. Fort George keeps watch on a rocky promontory, its old cannons pointing out to sea, an arduous climb on a sunny day but when you reach the windswept battlements festooned in valerian, the view takes your breath away, stretching over the hills, town and harbour, and along the coast meandering far into the distance. The capital has three harbours, none prettier than the horseshoe-shaped Carenage glinting with sails and water taxis waiting to ferry beach lovers to the sweeping sands of Grand Anse across the bay.

Later, there will be time to explore the West Indian market selling palm leaf hats, batik,

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TRAVEL

rful Grenada sweet potatoes and spices along the shore or feast on fresh fish and traditional spinach-like callaloo soup in a cool waterside restaurant. Sweetcorn sizzles on roadside barbecues and church bells chime crystal clear as the last cruise ship sails into the sunset. You couldn’t dream of a better place to relax on a balmy evening, lulled by the beat of steel drums somewhere in the hills.

One sixth of Grenada is preserved as nature parks and wildlife sanctuaries, where coppercoloured monkeys swing in the trees and the call of tropical birds echoes all around. At over 2000 feet, the vast crater lake of Grand Etang glistens right at the heart of the National Park, a land of deep gorges and lush mountains with flamboyant and rainbow trees, bamboo groves, babbling streams and spectacular waterfalls tumbling through tangled rainforest. Below these steamy highlands, mangos, oranges and papaya grow on fertile slopes and nutmeg, the ‘black gold’ introduced by the British, leaves its scent wherever you go. It drifts around the hairpin bends, the telegraph poles painted red and green, the hamlets and their rickety wooden huts on stilts and the nostalgic plantation houses peeping through the trees among old sugar mills and sulphurous springs.

Far below, the fishing fleet bobs at anchor in Gouyave and Levada beach awaits the return of breeding turtles. On the glass-bottom boats, wide-eyed visitors marvel at urchins, buttercup fish gleaming like gold, giant starfish, brightly-striped parrot fish and great clusters of underwater fern swaying in slow motion. On the secluded beach of La Sagesse, palms rustle in the breeze while the sun lights up Coral Cove and the lovely fjords indenting the south eastern shore. But most enticing of all are the tropical blooms, orchids, ginger lily, heliconia and many more splashing myriad scents and colours from shore to shore.

It’s little wonder that in the past 15 years, Grenada has claimed as many medals, including ten gold, at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Solange Hando

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INDEX

INDEX Aquatic & Reptile Centre

Electrician

Destinations Aquatics..................................... 36

Chris Birks...................................................... 38 Craddock Electrical........................................ 44 Down to Earth................................ Classified-57 SBG Electrical................................................ 54

Architect Architectural Drawings & Building Design Services............................... 39

Builder Chris Dunne.................................................... 53

Fostering Services Pride............................................................... 35

Funeral Services

DC Carpentry................................................. 48

Arnolds............................................ Inside Back Molyneux Jones.............................................. 62

Carpets/Flooring

Furniture Restoration/Repair

Carpentry

A & A Carpets................................................ 12 Mounter & Turners Carpets.............................. 4

KD Furniture................................................... 54 M&S Upholstery............................ Classified-58

Cleaning Services

Garage Doors

AromaClean.................................................... 13 Black Horse Chimney Sweep......................... 55 Oven Maestro................................................. 18 Oven Men....................................................... 45 Sureclean Carpets......................................... 48 Sureclean Gutter............................................ 30

Coin Collecting Cambridge Coins........................................... 24

Computer Repair/Maintenance PC Fixers........................................................ 18 PC Problem Solver......................................... 18

Cosmetic Dentistry Chrysalis......................................................... 31

Dog Grooming/Walking Curly Tails...................................... Classified-57 Oakley Dog Walking...................... Classified-57

Education Bedford Girls School...................................... 37 Learn IT with Laura......................................... 18

Electrical Goods/Repairs Burns Domestic.............................................. 45

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Almond Garage Doors................................... 56

Garden Services Bartlett Tree Experts....................................... 28 Beaver Sheds................................................. 30 Bryan Johnson.............................. Classified-57 Driveway Doctor............................................. 30 Gardens By Carter........................ Classified-57 Gilks Fencing.................................................. 28 Home Works................................................... 44 LWS................................................................ 30 MJ Nicholson................................. Classified-57 MPS Gardening.............................................. 29 Whites............................................................. 28

Golf Equipment The Swing Studio............................................ 19

Health/Hair & Beauty Lexia Allman.................................. Classified-57 Mo’s Toes.......................................................... 8 Paula Whiffin..................................................... 8 Pulse Health Screening ................................. 46

Kids Entertainment/Entertainers Chachar Chimps............................................ 34 Jungle Jims Playland...................................... 34 Thurleigh Farm Centre.................................... 35

INDEX

Kitchens/Bathrooms

Public House/Restaurant

Acoline Softeners Ltd..................................... 15 F & D Kitchens................................................ 46 Home Works................................................... 44 Optimum Glass................................................. 5 Peter Crisp...................................................... 25 QP Interiors...................................................... 9

The Crown...................................................... 11 The Sharnbrook Hotel & Vesuvio.................... 11

Motor Repairs

Roofing Bucks Roofing................................................ 40 The Workx....................................................... 19

Autotread........................................................ 25

Security

Painter & Decorator

Alarm Doctor.................................................. 56 J Dean Security.............................................. 56

Craig Johnson................................................ 48

Solicitors

Pest Control

Woolley & Co, Solicitors.................................. 17

Pest Gone...................................... Classified-57

Tiling/Supplies Dave Moore Tiling........................................... 49 Elstow Ceramics............................................. 49

Photographer Jim Birch Photography..................................... 4

TV/Satellite Services J Dean Security.............................................. 56

Plasterer CP Ceilings..................................................... 48 Craig Johnson................................................ 48

Plumbers Aquasure Plumbing........................................ 45 C M Plumbing................................................. 44 Drain Doctor................................................... 39 The Bedford Plumbers................................... 38 Unique............................................................ 55

Property Maintenance

Windows/Conservatories/Doors Bedford Doors................................................ 56 Bromham Windows........................................ 40 Conservatory Conversions.............. Inside Front Cloudy 2 Clear...................................Back Page Emperor Blinds............................................... 41 Kempston Windows........................................ 24 Optimum Glass................................................. 5 P.C.D Services................................................ 41 The Workx....................................................... 19 Window Geeks............................................... 40

Bob Livesey................................... Classified-58 Chris Dunne.................................................... 53 Conservatory Conversions.............. Inside Front CP Ceilings..................................................... 48 Cromwell Stoves............................................. 45 Drain Doctor................................................... 39 Homeworks Property Maintenance................ 44 Just So Property Maintenance....................... 54 Mr Fix Property Maintenance......................... 54 S Clarke.......................................................... 41 The Workx....................................................... 19 To advertise please call 01767 261122 or email christa@villagermag.com 61

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