Cambs dec 13

VILLAGER The

Issue 56 - December 2013

and Town

FRYour co E py E

Life

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

Inside this issue

The Ultimate

Christmas Survival Guide

How to Make a Christmas Wreath

Win

£50 in our Bumper Christmas Prize Crossword Bringing Local Business to Local People

Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords and all surrounding villages every month

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Contents Ginger Christmas Puddings

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Eat, Drink and Be Merry...........................................4 Wildlife Wanderings.................................................6 How To Purchase Safely on the Winter-Web.............8 The Ultimate Christmas Survival Guide..................10 Video Tips...............................................................13 Official Opening of Preston Bypass.........................14 Sneaky Ways to Save..............................................16 A Christmas Wreath................................................19 Kimbolton School Swimming Pool Timetable........20 Colourful Grenada..................................................22 The Great Fen.........................................................25 Protect your Property from Costs of Care Home......27 Legal Aid’s All But Gone..........................................28 Cascading Wealth...................................................31

VILLAGER The

Issue 56 - December 2013

and Town

F You coRE r py E

Life

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

Inside this issue

The Ultimate

Christmas Survival Guide

How to make a Christmas Wreath

Win

£50 in our bumper Christmas prize crossword Bringing Local Business to Local People

Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords and all surrounding villages every month

The Darker Traditions of Christmas.........................32 Biochar Soil Amendment.......................................35 In the Garden.........................................................36 Little Paxton Villager Hall May Close......................38 Day in the Life of a Vet............................................39 Children’s Page.......................................................40 Christmas Eve Countdown......................................42 Seasonal Delights...................................................45 Christmas Cheers....................................................47 Puzzle Page............................................................48 Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.................................51 Little Paxton Mile...................................................52 Bumper Christmas Prize Crossword........................54 What’s On...............................................................58 Book Review..........................................................62

Video Tips

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16,000 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Hinchingbrooke, Hinchingbrooke Park, Brampton, Buckden, Offord Cluny, Offord D’arcy, Godmanchester, Hemingford Abbots and Hemingford Grey, Cambourne, Chawston, Croxton, Duloe, Graveley, Great Paxton, Hail Weston, Honeydon, Little Barford, Little Paxton, Roxton, Southoe, Staploe, Tempsford, Toseland, Upper Staploe, Wintringham, Wyboston, Yelling.

(Further bulk drops are made to local shops and busineses in Huntingdon, St Neots, Eaton Ford, Eaton Socon and Eynesbury)

Editorial - Peter Ibbett, Christine Donnelly, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Susan Brookes-Morris, James Smith, Jasmine Birtles, Katherine Sorrell, Solange Hando, Fiona McLeman, Tony Larkins, Guy Bolton, Bartlett Tree Experts, Gareth Arscott, Aidan O’Sullivan, Nicholas Clare and Bruce Edwards

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com

Advertising Sales - Christa Hallam - 07868 369257 christa@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.

Photography - Photowitch Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

History

Eat, Drink and be Merry in St Neots!

By Peter Ibbett

The Christmas season is upon us with endless advertising by retailers anxious to squeeze the last festive pound from our credit cards. St. Neots has become a noted spot for good eating with an increasing range of restaurants covering cuisine from around the world. You could now spend a ten day holiday based in Cambridgeshire’s largest town and eat each evening as though you were in a different country!

Eating choices were much more restricted back in 1905 when the Plum family ran a business, which included dining rooms, in St. Neots High Street. They were dealers in game and poultry as well as wines and spirits with a second shop in Huntingdon. The founder was Thomas Plume, a son of a refugee from the French Revolution who had changed his name to Plum. His son John was apprenticed to a pastry cook in London and perhaps gave locals a taste of French food.

One of the Victorian Plums (do enjoy the Christmas cracker like joke!) was an expert rife shot winning seven silver cups at Bisley. One each, it was said, for his four sons and three daughters! He was also an active member of the Duke of Manchester’s Light Horse acting as Quartermaster Sergeant for 20 years. Great indignation was caused locally in 1880 when, being retired, he was prosecuted for refusing to give up his sword, to which he would have been entitled had he been allowed to serve a few more weeks.

Common sense prevailed and he was allowed to keep the sword. The St. Neots of a century ago,

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like many of our Market Towns, would have smelt very different to the one we are used to today. The aroma of two breweries would have hung in the air together with the sulphur tinged chimney smoke and the pong of horse muck rising from the dusty gravel covered streets.

Times have changed and we live in a much more antiseptic world. But human nature changes little and, like today, the natives of a century ago would have given you a cheerful smile and wished you a ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’.

St.Neots museum has a range of Christmas activities for children and a prize draw. Do drop in or check the web site and support your local museum. It also has an excellent museum shop which will provide you with local cards and gifts as well as stocking fillers for children.

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Travel

WILDLIFE WANDERINGS

By Christine Donnelly

We are lucky to live in an area that is in reach of some of Britain’s best coasts for finding spectacular wildlife. Whilst the Lincolnshire coast has some superb places to see nesting seabirds in summer, winter is the season when the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts provide some of Europe’s richest feeding grounds for large flocks of birds known as ‘waders’.

Having spent the summer in the far north of Europe or Asia, millions of small birds arrive on the shores of the North Sea and on nearby mudflats, salt marshes and estuaries. A December trip to favourite summer holiday destinations such as Heacham, Holme, Brancaster and Wells introduces you to a new world full of birds including curlew, redshank, knot, sanderling and dunlin. The Suffolk estuaries south of Aldeburgh and Orford contain internationally important wintering grounds for birds such as avocets and godwits.

Clematis cirrhosa, cultivated forms of which are both becoming popular in our gardens.

Crown anemone, Cyprus For those venturing further afield, December and January are ideal months to visit two places in the southern hemisphere that are famous for their unique natural history. New Zealand and Tasmania each have a fantastic range of habitats including rainforests containing elegant tree ferns, rich coastal waters teaming with seabirds and marine mammals and extensive grasslands with many rare plants. Tasmania’s mammals include wombat, platypus, echidna and the endangered Tasmanian devil, whilst New Zealand is the home to the highly protected kiwi and the very unusual kea, an ‘alpine’ parrot.

Black-tailed godwit. Suffolk Nearer home, you can often see other species of wader in the fields so look out for golden plover as well as the more familiar lapwings. Other large flocks are made up of fieldfares and redwings, relatives of the song thrush that are here for the colder months. For details of local talks and walks over the winter check the Events page of The Wildlife Trust www.wildlifebcn.org or phone 01954 713500. Details of local nature reserves and how to become a member of the Trust can also be found.

A Christmas break in southern Europe can be surprisingly good for early ‘spring’ flowers, many of which start to flower before the end of the year. In Cyprus, wild daffodils and crown anemone are in flower in December along with the delicate winterflowering Cyclamen cyprium and the beautiful

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Tasmanian echidna 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.

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St Neots Road, A428, Caxton Gibbet CB23 3PD Tel: 01954 715 315 Email: info@lvrest.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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Three Counties Radio

How to Purchase Safely on the Winter-Web

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

The internet has been with us since the mid 90s. Whilst it has of course brought some fantastic benefits to our lives, it has also created some absolute headaches as well.

The fact the entire world is accessible in our homes is a wonderful thing, but it is worth noting that there are lots of internet companies out there, particularly those in other countries that can provide a less than desirable service.

So how can you protect yourself against these companies, particularly when making purchases for Christmas?

The most important thing you can do, is to of course avoid buying items from dodgy internet companies in the first place. It sounds simple, but you’d be amazed how many people still find some weird company online that nobody’s ever heard of and hand over hundreds of pounds. They are then amazed when they find themselves out of pocket without the goods they’ve ordered.

Therefore, always make sure you research the internet company you are planning to buy from. Find out where they’re based, look for a UK telephone number, check reviews and complaints about them so you know exactly who you’re dealing with. Ensure that their delivery timeframe will ensure your gifts will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.

Make sure you’re paying a sensible price. If a company is selling an item at a ridiculously low price compared to all other companies, there’s usually a reason why. Often the items are fake. Over the years I’ve dealt with my fair share of customers who thought they were getting a great deal with ‘Ugg boots’ or ‘GHD hair straighteners’, only to find they’ve bought fakes from a company abroad.

You should always pay for goods by credit card but particularly when buying over the internet. It is worth noting that you are not protected by the consumer credit act unless you’re paying over £100, but you’re still more likely to get your money back using a credit card rather than debit card, cheque or bank transfer. I would go so far as to say you should NEVER buy goods from a company that asks you to transfer money directly into their account.

If you decide you’re going to buy Christmas presents from an online auction site like ebay, it is worth familiarising yourself with their safety advice. You generally have fewer rights when buying goods in this way, particularly if they are second hand. Paying by paypal and ensuring that you NEVER collect items in person will go some way to protecting yourself. Only buy from highly rated sellers, based in the UK. It is worth remembering that when you buy brand new items over the internet, you are protected by the distance selling regulations. Because you haven’t had the chance to see the item in the flesh, you have 7 days from delivery to change your mind and send it back for a full refund. Unless the company specifies their returns postage policy, then they are liable for the postage too. Make sure you order things online in plenty of time to allow for this, after all, you don’t want unhappy friends and relatives whose presents are NOT under the tree.

Jonathan Vernon-Smith not only offers you his consumer advice here but you can listen to The JVS Show tackling your consumer problems every weekday morning from 9am.

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Time of Year

By Susan Brookes-Morris

The Ultimate Christmas Survival Guide Christmas can be a time of stress and worry. What could you do to make things more enjoyable? Ask yourself - What is most important to me about Christmas? Then, keep focussed on that and let go of the rest. Don’t overburden yourself by believing everything has to be just like the ‘ideal version of a perfect family Christmas.’ Your Christmas is just that, the one that fits you and your circumstances.

It can be however you want it to be.

For most people being with friends and family is important at Christmas, but it’s not necessary to force everyone to be together just because it’s Christmas. If people haven’t got on for years, it’s very

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unlikely that some turkey and a spot of tinsel will heal the rift. Why risk a big row and be anxious all day? Choose to see small groups of people separately instead.

Whatever type of Christmas you want, you probably wouldn’t choose to burn the dinner or to forget anything. Try to avoid this by planning, and accepting help.

Find out about the closing times of shops you know you will need to visit, and about delivery times if ordering online. If posting cards and presents, ask about the latest posting dates. It’s also useful to keep details handy for pharmacies that will be open, and have medical numbers such as NHS Direct close by, and the vet too if you have pets. If travelling by car, find out which petrol stations will be open and check tyres, oil and water before you go. Revised bus and train timetables are usually published well in advance, so hunt these out too.

You are not alone. Sharing with friends, family and neighbours is part of the Christmas spirit. Let go of needing to do everything yourself. Some families split the meal duties: One part of the family brings a starter, the host household do the main and other guests bring along a pudding for example. Perhaps you know that your friend works right next to that shop on the other side of town that you can just never find time to get to - ask them to pop in and get what you need, you’d do the same for them wouldn’t you?

If things don’t go quite to plan- ask yourself will this matter in 5 years time? Chances are it won’t be significant at all. Many things that seem disastrous at the time are laughed at later.

However Christmas turns out, and however much you have or don’t have, choose to be grateful. No matter how difficult things are notice what you have rather than what you don’t have, and you will find plenty of Christmas joy.

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Tips and Tricks

Video Tips

by James Smith

Here are some straightforward tips to make your holiday and home movies sparkle. You don’t even need the latest HD camera wizardry, just a little technique and patience.

Common Myths Some suggest that expensive film and video cameras will produce captivating films but the real skill is in how you use the equipment you own, to create an informative or interesting film. Even camera phones and small consumer video camcorders can produce impressive results if you work within their limitations. Your aim should be to obtain a video camera and start practicing.

Basics Let’s leap ahead to the final result, and the most common sin: making your film too long.

If you shoot a five-minute video and make your friends wait for the ‘good bit’ at four minutes in, you will have lost your audience after minute one.

So, above all other rules, cut out the superfluous footage and ensure your film is just a collection of those ‘good bits’ and nothing else.

Story Your holiday video or home movie might have a simple goal - to show granddad putting up the Christmas decorations – but you should think ahead about the story you wish to put across.

Consider that old classic: the beginning, middle and end. Perhaps granddad could be approaching the house with a big carrier bag (the beginning); then see him at work decorating the tree with the contents of the bag (the middle); and finally, a shot of him standing proudly beside the decorated tree (the end). The addition of a simple storyline will encourage more interest from your audience than a series of abstract shots.

Composition The great thing about working with video is that many of the principles of stills

photography apply. So pick up any book on the subject and think about framing and composition.

Keep the horizon level, try not to cut people’s heads off in the frame, keep distracting details (‘clutter’) out of the shot if possible, and keep the camera at eye level.

Light Harsh light is a videographer’s nightmare, so shooting at midday with the sun bearing down from directly above will cast unflattering shadows under the eyes of your subjects. Try to move people into softer light, perhaps in a leafy area or under some other shade. Similarly inside, be sure that people’s faces are gently lit, but also be careful that they are not silhouetted by strong backlight, such as standing against a window.

Audio Many wonderful videos are ruined by unintelligible audio; the Best Man’s speech that’s inaudible because the cameraman was seated next to a child rustling sweet papers. The answer to this is to move closer to the subject, or even buy an external microphone that can be positioned very near to the subject with a cable back to the camera.

Editing Editing the footage is a great way to eliminate all of those boring shots that we mentioned before. Some cameras provide an editing facility, but this can be rather fiddly, so you might want to load the footage onto a computer and edit it with a program such as Movie Maker.

Try to keep it simple - rely on simple titles, a great story with straight ‘cuts’ (rather than swirling patterns and fancy graphics), and finish off with ‘THE END’ to wind things up.

Remember, follow these simple rules and practice as much as possible, and you’ll be surprised by how impressed your audience will be.

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History

Official opening of Preston Bypass

December 5th 1958

What’s the most wretched thing about Christmas?

For many people, it’s the stop-start crawl up some sclerotic motorway in the murky winter night to reach whoever they’re staying with. The ordeal is worst for young couples with kids who still feel obligated to visit family for the festive season.

For them, it’s a misery sundae – the incessant noise from the back, guilt at being the cause of it, and a journey that’s twice as long as usual. Any roadworks they might encounter are just the crushed nut sprinkle on the top.

So it’s perhaps appropriate that Motorway Hell’s birthday falls this month. On December 5th 1958 Prime Minister Harold McMillan and Transport Minister Harold Atkinson officially cut the ribbon on the Preston Bypass, an 8¼-mile stretch of dual carriageway in Lancashire that was destined to become a section of the M6. This was Britain’s first bit of motorway – we had to wait another 11 months before the Watford-Crick section of the M1 was opened – and it was a very typically British achievement.

For a start, it was late – 21 years late, actually, having first been proposed by Lancashire County Council in 1937. Since the delay was caused by World War II and the consequent decade of austerity it can perhaps be forgiven, but it was still late: work started in June 1956 and it shouldn’t really have taken 2½ years to build eight miles of road and 22 bridges. And a month later, it had to close again due to frost damage because the designers hadn’t considered that water really ought to be allowed to run off the surface...

But as the motorway network began to spread throughout the 1960s – the M6 was officially completed in 1971, although the five-mile

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“Cumberland Gap” linking it to the A74(M) at Gretna had to wait until 2008 to be closed – people didn’t complain about its shortcomings. That was because they remembered what long-distance road travel had been like before.

Ever driven north up the A1? It seems inconceivable now, but as recently as the 1970s it ran straight through the heart of places like Baldock, Eaton Socon, and Buckden where it was no wider than a village street. The rows of old coaching inns and posting houses lining it are witness to the kind of traffic it was meant to bear; when two lorries met in a place like Buckden they must have had to climb the pavement to pass each other.

Hardly surprising that in the late 1950s there were well over 5,000 road deaths every year, despite there being only 12 million vehicles on the road. The respective figures today are fewer than 3,000 deaths to about 40 million vehicles. And things were even worse in the mid-1930s when the M6 was first mooted: 2.3 million vehicles on the country’s roads in 1936 and 6,477 deaths. My father was a travelling salesman at the time, with a territory that took in Manchester and Sheffield. He was full of hair-raising stories of paper-thin tires that burst at random, dynamo-driven windscreen wipers that slowed down when the car did, feeble headlights no stronger than torches that failed dismally to illuminate the tiny finger-post road-signs, and trunkroads piling through scarcely-lit town centres where children, old codgers, and horse-drawn carts and drays were all just begging to be hit.

So if you’re heading off anywhere this Christmas and you’re dreading the jams and delays, take a thermos and some sandwiches and don’t complain.

Because as the man who performed that opening ceremony on 5th December 1958 is supposed to have said: “You’ve never had it so good”.

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Finance

Sneaky Ways To Save

By Jasmine Birtles, moneymagpie.com

Let’s face it, saving money is hard, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are a few ways to save money without even realising it.

Pay yourself first Set up a standing order from your current account to a savings account on the day after your wages are paid. That way it’s like you never had the money in the first place, so now it’s tucked away earning interest in your savings account and you won’t miss it.

Get cash back If you use a cashback credit card or do your shopping through cashback websites, make sure that you put it straight in your savings account.

The best cashback credit card at the moment is the American Express Platinum Cashback card (bear in mind, you need a decent credit rating to be given this card).

When it comes to the best cashback sites, try ECashback for instant rewards of up to 35%.

Spend one pay rise behind If you are fortunate enough to receive a pay rise, you might be tempted to increase your spending.

Don’t. Instead, try and stick to the smaller budget you’re used to, and put the extra pay into your savings account. In fact, change your monthly standing order.

Set up a bad habits box It could be a swear box or a chocolate, fast food or crisps box. Whatever your secret, or not so secret, naughtiness is, fine yourself something when you indulge.

Come up with an amount that suits you – 10p or £1 – and stick it in the bad habits box. Putting the money in the box each time you succumb will help you kick the habit so you can save money and help yourself lose weight at the same time.

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Start your own in-house Laundromat Put a jar next to your washing machine (and dryer if you have one) and ‘charge’ yourself every time you use it. Again, it’s up to you how much you charge but after a few months you should have a decent amount to pour into your savings account.

Travel smart If you drive or take public transport to work, that costs money. Find a cheaper - or free - alternative and then you can put the savings away.

If you have to take the train try to get cash back on your journeys. TrainDelays (www.traindelays.co.uk ) is a website that does all the leg work for you and completes the claims process so all you have to do is register with your journey details for free.

Be the agent for your friends Be the one to book group holidays – you could be given a discount or even a whole holiday for free for yourself.

If you go out for a meal with your friends regularly, book it. If you use a site like Toptable.com you’ll receive better deals at fantastic restaurants anyway, and you earn points every time you book.

Plus if you have a car, join up to car-sharing websites like Liftshare or National Carshare or just arrange to give friends lifts. Once again, any money they give you for petrol should go straight into your savings pot.

Keep an eye on coins Spare change can be annoying especially if coins are rattling around in the bottom of your bag or worse, the washing machine - but they do all add up.

Pull all the cushions from the sofa; check in pots in the back of cupboards, on shelves and under the bed and who knows how much you could discover.

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SeeNe ew Year

th

in with style.

We love celebrating, and we love celebrating with you even more. So put on your posh frocks & dinner jackets and join Chris, Belle and staff at The Coach House this New Year’s Eve. Dine from our á la carte menu, drink fine wines, sip cold beers and dance until the early hours...

www.coachhousepotton.co.uk • 01767 260221 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122 17

Everyone at The Villager would like to wish all our readers and advertisers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Would you like to make a difference to the life of a child or young person with learning disabilities in your area?

Cambridgeshire Mencap is looking for volunteers for its Befriending & Family Support Schemes.

Our Befriending scheme matches volunteers young people with learning disabilities, to enable them to socialise, doing fun things like bowling or going to the cinema. t only takes a few hours of your time and it really does change lives.

Our Family Support scheme provides extra help for parents and carers when and where they need it most by providing a trained volunteer to regularly visit the child or young person and provide practical help to the family.

We think our volunteers are exceptional and you could be too!

We give training and support, but it’s the young people who make it all worthwhile.

Rob said “I’m so glad I got in touch about volunteering. If you’re thinking about volunteering; just do it, you’ll never regret it.”

Like to know more? Contact Marika Newman on 01223 883 141 or email volunteer@cambridgeshiremencap.co.uk 18

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Home and Interiors

A Christmas Wreath

By Katherine Sorrell

24 inch wreath with fruit, £20 from Tesco (0800 505555; www.tesco.com)

You know that Christmas is coming when you hang a festive wreath on your front door, says Katherine Sorrell.

Christmas is undoubtedly a time of traditions: perhaps midnight mass, roast turkey and the Queen’s Speech, followed by a snooze in front of the TV and a few board games. But some traditions are older than others. The custom of making wreaths goes all the way back to ancient Greece.

It was here that wearing a laurel wreath came to represent status, achievement and victory.

For the Romans, it was the supreme ruler who wore a wreath embellished with gold and jewels.

Meanwhile, in Celtic Germany and Scandinavia, wreaths were employed for a different purpose: sun worship. In the long, dark days of winter people prayed for the onset of spring, and to give extra power to their prayers they used a wreath, hung from the roof or placed on an altar or a table.

The wreath was woven with evergreens, a symbol of everlasting life, and decorated with candles, which represented the light of the sun.

As Christianity spread through Europe, the pagan evergreen wreath was reinterpreted. Its circular shape stood for God’s eternity, the immortality of the soul and the everlasting life found in Christ.

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Evergreens, as before, symbolised eternal life, while holly represented the crown of thorns. It is possible that using a wreath to count down the four weeks of advent became a Christian custom in 16th century Germany, and it is likely that the modern advent wreath was invented by a German pastor called Johann Hinrich Wichern. Asked by the children at his mission school how long it was until Christmas, Wichern took an old cartwheel and stuck 19 small candles into it as well as four large candles, then lit one small candle each weekday and one large candle every Sunday until Christmas arrived.

Christmas wreaths are still a powerful symbol of celebration. For some families, Christmas starts with the making of a natural wreath using leaves, flowers and seed heads from the garden; for others, tinsel, glitter or ribbon provide a chance to experiment. But Christmas wreaths don’t have to be home-made: there are endless varieties of ready-made styles, from traditional to modern, large or tiny, simple or extravagant. Whatever their style and wherever you display them, wreaths are a decorative essential for the Christmas season.

How to make your own Christmas wreath 1 If you don’t want to buy a ready-made base, you can easily make your own. Either shape a wire coat hanger into a circle (keeping the hook for hanging) or use bundles of twiggy growth from your garden (willow or honeysuckle vine work well) bound firmly with garden string, raffia, florist wire or climber stems.

2 Attach evergreen sprigs such as conifer, holly, laurel or ivy. Bind them at the bottom, then overlap the next sprig or group of sprigs in the same direction. Keep going until the base is completely covered.

3 Finish as you like, choosing from a variety of interesting decorations, such as fresh, dried or artificial flowers, ribbons, berries, raffia, moss, fir cones, seed heads, nuts, dried fruit, poppy heads, tinsel, glitter, baubles, sweets, feathers, buttons and beads.

4 Attach a strong loop of wire or string and hang where you wish, or simply prop your wreath on a shelf or mantelpiece.

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Travel

Colourful Grenada

By Solange Hando

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 Englishspeaking 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, 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

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and wildlife sanctuaries, where copper-coloured 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, wideeyed 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.

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Shires Mobile Footcare ...because feet matter

Treatment of common foot disorders in the comfort of your own home Professional treatment includes: • Callus reduction • Corn removal • Toe nail trimming • Fungal/thickened toe nail treatment • Cracked heel reduction • Athletes foot treatment

For further enquiries call Sam on:

01480 819 453 M. 07715 085 131 T.

Samantha Craig BA Hons, SAC Dip FHPT, SAC Dip FHPP, MRFHP

Judy Lenton B.A. (Hons) Lic,Ac. MBAcC

located at

Headz Up 65 High Street Brampton Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE28 4TQ

Traditional acupuncture for

telephone

01480 229029

mobile

07557 282617

email

info@judylentonacupuncture.co.uk or visit

www.judylentonacupuncture.co.uk

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health & wellbeing

Acupuncture FOR WELL-BEING

Judy obtained her Licentiate in Acupuncture, and B.A (Hons) degree in Traditional Acupuncture, from the College of Traditional Acupuncture, Warwickshire. Judy is a passionate believer in the positive benefits, on both physical and emotional levels, that may be obtained from receiving acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture originated in China and other far eastern cultures where it still features in mainstream healthcare, both as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with conventional western medicine. Judy has been trained as a classical Five Element Acupuncturist; treatment is aimed at the root cause of your condition as well as your main symptoms. This approach helps with resolving your problem and enhancing your feelings of wellbeing. You may notice other niggling problems resolve as your main health complaint improves. Judy continues to pursue her belief in excellence of care for her patients in her role as a dedicated acupuncture practitioner, and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.

Please contact Judy for a free 20minute consultation to discuss how acupuncture treatment can help you.

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Local

The Great Fen Where We Are Today

The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust is pleased to present an illustrated talk entitled The Great Fen – Where We Are Today, on Wednesday 8th January at 7.30pm at Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton.

Our speaker, Louise Rackham, has worked at The Great Fen since 2009 and is currently The Great Fen Education and Community Manager.

Louise has been involved in environmental education since 1997, taking her from Thetford

Forest to the Botanic Gardens in Perth, Western Australia.

Tonight’s talk will start with a brief overview of the Great Fen project and progress on to show how we are currently restoring the land and our plans for the future.

Anyone interested in wildlife is most welcome to attend. Suggested donation: £2.00 members; £2.50 non-members. Please contact Phil on 01487 822835 for further information.

Jazzercise got me back in my dress size. It fuels my mind and spirit while toning every inch of my body.

- Bo 44

£5 for 2 classes

New customers or those returning after 6 months only.

Other restrictions may apply.

Bring this Ad with you.

St Neots

Priory Jr School, Longsands Road Mon & Wed 6.45pm & 8pm, Sat 9am Express (30 min) Mon & Fri 6pm No need to book • Classes also in Cambourne, Sandy, St Ives, Cambridge, Longstanton & other areas. For further info go to

www.jazzfitness.co.uk

or call 01480 216090

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25

Anstee Gorst

Chartered Certified Accountants

- Accounts preparation for Sole traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies - Self assessment tax returns - Cash Flow Forecasting - Vat, Payroll & Bookkeeping - Business Start Up

Free Initial Consultation Phone: Antoinette Gorst ACCA or Sally Anstee FCCA 01767 650700 Ground Floor Offices, Unit 30, Green End, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds, SG19 3LF Email: office@ansteegorst.co.uk Website: www.ansteegorst.co.uk

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Leeds Day Solicitors

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY FROM THE COST OF CARE HOME FEES With the cost of residential care currently being as much as £1,000 per week for any person with assets of more than £23,250,it is not surprising that people are keen to protect their property to pass on to their family.

When it becomes necessary for a person to move into residential care, a financial assessment is undertaken and any assets in that person’s sole name will normally be used to pay for their care.

A share of joint assets will also normally be taken into account. However, the value of a home will be disregarded while a spouse (or certain other relatives) continues to live in the property.

However, if one spouse dies and the surviving spouse requires residential care, the full value of the house will be available and will be taken into account in assessing the funding of residential care fees.

An effective way to protect a share of a jointly owned property is for a couple to make Wills which include Life Interest Trusts. Trusts of this type allow a share of a jointly owned property to be held for the surviving spouse to have full use of it during a specified period (often for the whole of the survivor’s lifetime).

In practice, this enables the surviving joint owner to benefit from the whole property during his or her lifetime, whilst preserving a share of the capital

value to pass to other named beneficiaries (often the couple’s children) following the death of the surviving joint owner.

The trust protects the surviving joint owner, giving him or her the right to live in and make use of the property for as long as they wish to do so. If the survivor wishes to downsize, he or she will usually be free to do so. Similarly, if the survivor is not able to continue living in the property, he or she may receive any income (after expenses) generated from the share of the property held in the trust.

The surviving joint owner does not own the share of the property held in the trust but has the right to occupy it or receive an income from it. As such, the share of the property held within the trust will be protected for the ultimate beneficiaries and will not be taken into account if the surviving joint owner requires residential care.

Changes are proposed to the amount people will have to pay for their care in the future. From 2017, this will be capped at £75,000 but this will not apply to the costs of food and accommodation.

The potential benefits of using a Life Interest Trust will therefore remain.

If you would be interested in discussing Wills with one of our lawyers, please contact us on 01480 454301, by email at wills@leedsday. co.uk or visit our website www.leedsday.co.uk

www.leedsday.co.uk

Our offices: Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301

St. Ives 11 Station Road, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5BH T: 01480 464600

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St. Neots 1A South Street, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2BW T: 01480 474661

27

Family Law Legal Aid‘s all but gone but not for Mediation

By Fiona McLeman

On 1st April 2013 the Legal Aid landscape radically changed for clients seeking legal support during relationship breakdown. Legal Aid was withdrawn for most types of family law disputes. Importantly however Legal Aid is available for some clients who wish to resolve their arrangements in Mediation. Mediation is one of the constructive approaches to resolving family disputes away from Court. As NationalFamilyDRweek on 25-29 November 2013 is approaching (www. nationalfamilydrweek.org.uk), we thought this would be a good opportunity to review whether Legal Aid might be available for Mediation.

How do I know if I qualify for legal aid for mediation?

If you are in receipt of Income Support, Job Seeker’s allowance (income based), Employment and Support Allowance (income based), Pension credit or Universal credit then you should qualify for legal aid for mediation. In addition to this if you have dependent children and earn less than £2,657 gross per month (if you have 5 children or more this increases slightly) then you may qualify.

This is provided that you don’t have more than £8,000 in savings (you can ignore the first £100,000 of equity in your home but after that any equity applies towards this capital limit).

So how does this help me?

Mediation can be a quicker and more amicable way of resolving disputes that arise when a couple separate. Both parties discuss the things they need to sort out with help from a mediator.

The mediator provides information to help the parties’ discussions - but does not offer advice.

The mediator will try to help move things forward

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if the parties get stuck. If the parties are able to find common ground in mediation then they can take this away and ask a lawyer to turn it into a formal agreement for them. Ideally each party will have their own lawyer (no lawyer can act for both people because there would be a conflict of interest) and one client’s lawyer will draft the agreement for the other client’s lawyer to check.

Can I get legal aid for the solicitor to help me with this agreement?

You may potentially be entitled to limited help from a lawyer to complement the mediation process. You will need to check with a solicitor who offers legal aid as to whether you might be entitled .

How can Fiona McLeman Family Law help?

Whilst we do not have a Legal Aid franchise, we are able to offer fixed fees or a Pay-As-You-Go service to support you through the Mediation process. We can be flexible and will work with you to ensure that the work we do for you is tailored to how much you can afford.

In NationalfamilyDRweek 25-29 November we are pleased to be offering 30 no cost minute consultations to explain more about Mediation and other forms of dispute resolution.

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Dedicated support for clients in relationship breakdown:

• • • • •

Separation Financial Settlements Change of Name Prenuptial Agreements Mediation

• • • • •

Divorce Living together agreements Adoption Children issues Collaborative family law

Fiona McLeman Family Law is accredited by Resolution and the Solicitors Regulation Authority as a Specialist in Family Law. For a free initial consultation contact Fiona:

fiona@fmfamilylaw.co.uk, 07894095775, www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk Regus House, 1010 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne CB23 6DP

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

Cascading Wealth

By Tony Larkins

Many individuals who have accumulated wealth are keen to preserve it, so as to ensure they have sufficient in old age and enough to meet any long term care costs should they occur.

However, at the same time many parents and grandparents of independent means want to pass some wealth down to their offspring.

We have often heard comments of “I wouldn’t want to be starting out today.” Jobs are difficult to find, houses cost a lot of money, mortgage deposits are high and rents expensive. But as a 60s baby our generation had their own issues and my parents’ generation had theirs.

The advantage for us, let’s say the ‘older’ generation, is that they were brought up learning to save if they wanted something and never bought into the modern ‘must have’ culture of today. How did we survive without cable TV, mobile phones and the internet? It is, however, a different world and as someone who today was made a grandad for the first time, my own thoughts (after I hope mother and baby are well and to be honest quite a few other things) are what part will we be able to play to help.

Certainly I feel far too young to be wanting to pass on any wealth I am accumulating, but there will be certain things as a financial planner that I will be considering over the years to come. The obvious is a savings plan, but there is also the option of a pension. A couple of thousand invested now for 70

years should be a great help, especially if I can add to it over the years ahead.

There is also the use of Wills and Trusts. A couple of months ago I wrote a remark about Will Writers and immediately received an email from one I know; whilst he agreed with most of my comments, I have to accept he actually is quite good.

Intergenerational planning is usually thought of as being relevant to the large landowners and aristocracy, but everything is relevant. Keeping money in the bank brings security, but if the interest rate is less than inflation it is actually losing money.

Over the last twelve months our best portfolio grew by 23.15% and our most cautious by 10.34%, the three year corresponding performance is 29.87% and 15.76%. The usual warning must follow that past performance is no guarantee of future performance, but if the trade figures continue to improve as they are, I would expect our performance to remain strong.

At Beacon we have won awards this year for our results, but also for our business plan. This means we practice what we preach, so if you have been fortunate to accumulate wealth you wish to consider for cascading down the generations, or simply want a better return, contact me.

You should always seek qualified advice from an IFA, preferably a Certified (CFP) or Chartered Financial PlannerCM (APFS). If you have a financial question, e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk

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33

SURECLEAN Gutter Cleaning Gutters cleaned safely from the ground using our ladderless gutter cleaning system.

Powerful vacuum will remove leaves, moss and all debris and make no mess.

We can clean up to the height of 40ft.

Call us for a free quote

01480 630612/07870 338074 www.surecleancarpetcleaning.co.uk

SAW GARDEN SERVICES

‘At The Cutting Edge’

Providing Fencing, Decking Lawn & Hedge Services • All types of Fencing & Gates supplied & erected • Decking installed/repaired • Turfing & Lawn Seeding • Hedge Cutting • Fully Licensed Waste Carrier • Full Liability Insurance

Call for a FREE estimate:

01767 651 962 / 07762 096 089

E: simon@sawgardenservice.co.uk

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Garden

Biochar Soil Amendment

By Bartlett Tree Experts

What is Biochar?

Biochar is a purified form of charcoal that is specifically produced for soil application to improve plant growth and health. Biochar differs from “cooking” charcoal because its components are specially formulated and optimally balanced to improve soil structure and drainage. Current interest in Biochar has been inspired by the historical use of charcoal to amend “terra preta” and “terra mulata” soils in the Amazon Basin. These soils were high in crop productivity in an otherwise unproductive soil type, and were the result of the use of charred materials by the area’s inhabitants.

How does Biochar benefit soils?

Many benefits to soil characteristics have been

demonstrated by the incorporation of Biochar.

Increases in water retention, microbial activity and plant yields have been documented, in addition to reduced nutrient leaching and fertilizer inputs.

How does Biochar benefit plants?

Studies show improved plant/root growth and soil fertility increases when soil quality is improved by Biochar. Numbers of lantenhancing microorganisms, such as Trichoderma, are boosted in soils amended with Biochar.

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

Bartlett Tree Experts A Complete and Comprehensive Tree Careand Service since 1907 A Complete Comprehensive Tree Care Service Since 1907 For over 100 years, Bartlett Tree Experts has led both the science and services that make your landscape thrive. No matter the size or scope of your needs, our arborists bring a rare mix of groundbreaking research, global resources and a local service approach to every task at hand. Trees add so much value to our lives; Bartlett adds even more value to your trees.

Tree & Shrub Pruning | Planting | Tree Removal Hedge Cutting | Stump Grinding Woodland Management | Disease & Inseact Control For a free quote please contact your local arborist Tim Brown

01234 354 673 bedford@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

35

Garden

In The Garden

By Gareth Arscott www.buckdenperennialplants.webs.com This month I thought that we could share some of the jobs we do each year that improve our gardens and save us money.

There are some very nice seeds boxes that we have seen for sale online and in the high street.

They look very retro, but they are not airtight and I’d rather spend this money on seeds and bulbs. So how do we store our seeds? We put them in small brown envelopes.

Actually they are dinner

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money envelopes and cost just over £5 for 100 including postage, from ebay. Put them in an airtight container like a fridge food box, pop a silica gel bag in there just in case there is any moisture, and put away in the cupboard until Spring. We keep all our seeds like this and never have any problems.

We have been cropping herbs for drying. Sage, mint and rosemary are cut back and each of them put into their own A4 size envelope. 4 or 5 days in the airing cupboard and they are dry. A quick blast in a blender and into an airtight jar.

Dig up your perennial plants (like Geraniums), get 2 forks and simply pull it apart and replant each part. You might need to use a sharp knife if the roots are really thick. An easy way to increase the impact of your borders.

Last but not least. We’d like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas.

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37

Local

Committee Needed

Little Paxton Village Hall may close Public Meeting - Sat 7th December 10.30am To remain open, there needs to be a Village Hall Management Committee with members who are committed to run and manage the hall.

The Village Hall will only remain open if people come along to the Public Meeting on Saturday 7th December 10.30am– 11.30am in the village hall and join a new Management Committee.

The Village Hall Management Committee requires twelve members. The main roles are Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

Committee meetings are held in the village hall on the second Wednesday of the month, and last for approx 1.5 hours.

The remaining three members of the current Committee are now standing down but have agreed to provide a three month hand over period.

For further information contact : Liz Timms - 01480 394051 Jennifer Martin - email: Jennifer.vhall@gmail.com

GARDEN MACHINERY AND TRAILER CENTRE

 Personal customer service, collection and delivery available.  Assessment of individual requirements.  Full after sales backup and parts service.  NEW Oregon, the world's only unique battery operated, self-sharpening s In stock. chain saw.  Ride-on and pedestrian mowers, chainsaws, strimmers, hedge trimmers, cultivators, estate and equestrian equipment. Trailers - sales, hire, service.  Accessories, oils, Aspen fuel, batteries, spares, security locks for garden/ horticultural machinery and trailers. horticultu

Appointed dealers for:

 Main dealer for Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kohler, Kawasaki & Mountfield engines.

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Unique Landscape

& Driveways We specialise in

Patios, Fencing, Clear Ups Turf Laying, Hedge Trimming Tree Cutting, Tree Felling, Planting, Pruning, Driveways, Printed concrete, Stencil Concrete, Decking ...and much more

Free Quotations Reliable Friendly Service Mob: 07717 760851 Office: 01480 434401

www.uniquedrivewaylandscapes.com

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Pets

A day in the life of a vet

By Aidin O’Sullivan BVM MRCVS, Cambridge Veterinary Group From dealing with bouncy boxers to chirping canaries and everything in between, daily life for a vet is never dull. They may not be able to talk but our amazing pets communicate with us in many ways and as a vet I spend my days trying to translate those signals while trying not to get too covered in slobber and hair!

8.30am – The morning starts with rounds to check each of the in-patients making sure they are content and have had a comfortable night.

The poorly kitten on a drip is much happier today and no longer has a temperature, while the anorexic tortoise decided overnight that actually dandelions and cucumbers are pretty tasty!

9am – The first consult brings a waggy-tailed pup in for vaccinations and a microchip. Next up is a nervous cat that is urinating more frequently than normal. His owners have helpfully brought in a urine sample which I examine in the lab and find that he has cystitis, probably caused by stress.

After grabbing a quick cuppa, I call in my next, this time, feathered visitor. It is an African Grey parrot that has a bit of a cough while the owners have noticed that she isn’t talking as much recently. When I listen

to her air sacs there is a lot of unusual noise.

An x-ray of her chest shows evidence of a fungal infection and one of the nurses starts nebulising her with a special solution. Within minutes we can see her breathing ease.

12pm - It’s time to start operating and we have just heard that there’s an emergency c-section on its way. The nurses prepare the theatre and set up a nice warm area for the puppies.

A very tired mumto-be arrives and is whisked off to surgery immediately. Shortly we have 7 beautiful, healthy puppies crying impatiently for mum to wake up so they can be fed!

Next up is a rabbit dental whose molars have become overgrown and have caused sores in his mouth. We burr them to the correct levels and he obviously feels much better when he starts trying to nibble one of the nurse’s hands while she is feeding him!

3pm - Back to the consulting room and my patient is an 8 year old bunny that has stopped grooming properly and seems to be getting stiffer. On clinical examination I find that he is very sore around his pelvis and hips. I suspect arthritis and he is given a session of acupuncture which allows his muscles to relax and makes him feel much better.

5pm - Through the door comes a vomiting cat who is feeling very sorry for herself. She is dehydrated and has a sore abdomen. She is admitted for blood sampling and to start on fluids. The nurses run the bloods in-house and we diagnose her with pancreatitis. Pain relief and medication on board, she should be feeling much better soon.

7pm- Time to return some calls, fill in insurance forms and tuck the in-patients in for the night again while wondering what tomorrow has in store for us!

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A flexible day nursery for children from 6 weeks to 5 years with extensive and well resourced grounds. ur o y f f o Excellent links to s onth’ 1st m es the A1, St Neots and fe Sandy railway station.

30%

To find out more call us today

01767 681805 76 London Road, Sandy Beds. SG19 1DZ e: info@manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk w: www.manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk

WE NEED YOU‌ to make a difference Foster with Cambridgeshire County Council We offer generous allowances including a start up package, 24hr support and full training.

CALL US TODAY ON FREEPHONE

0800 052 0078 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

41

Time of Year

Christmas Eve Countdown

By Susan Brookes-Morris

The big day is nearly here! So what can you do on Christmas Eve to make things easier on Christmas Day? Many top chefs support the idea of preparing much of the Christmas dinner well in advance.

Christmas puddings are often made months ahead, and many elements of a traditional Christmas dinner can be prepared the day before.

Commonly, vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, sprouts and potatoes are all peeled and left in saucepans of cold water.

It’s also a good idea to prepare the turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing and any sauces. If you have bought a frozen turkey, you will almost certainly need to start the defrosting on Christmas Eve. If you have baked batches of mince pies or other goodies in advance and frozen them, do remember to check the freezer and take out anything that’s required.

Depending on your choice, some starters can also be made and stored in the fridge.

You might also want to lay your table. This job can easily end up rushed if left to Christmas Day, so why not take the time now to get it exactly how you want.

Finally, try to get to bed at a sensible time. That way you’ll be on top form for a fabulous Christmas!

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15% DISCOUNT ON ALL WORK CARRIED OUT OVER £50 WITH THIS ADVERT

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43

Oven Cleaning! - It’s a dirty job!

Why do it yourself?

We clean ovens using non-caustic, non-toxic products in your home.

Ovens • Ranges • Hobs • Extractors Agas • Microwaves • Barbecues (May - Sept) Single Oven (all racks/pans inc) .......................£40 Single Oven & Grill Oven (all racks/pans inc) ....£50 Single Separate Grill Oven (racks/pans inc) .....£15 Microwaves & Combination Ovens ...................£20 Extractor Fan (free filter for next clean)............£15 Hob .................................................................£15 Bulbs ............................................................£2.50 Agas and Ranges priced accordingly V.A.T free

Contact James on: 01767 260188 or Mobile: 07812 666081 email: ovenmen@live.co.uk You can also book at www.ovenmen.com

parent company est. 1998

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Recipe

SEASONAL DELIGHTS

Ginger Christmas Puddings

Makes 6 Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes These fruity mini puds flavoured with stem ginger are much lighter than a traditional rich Christmas pudding and don’t need to be made weeks in advance.

INGREDIENTS 175g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 175g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 175g light muscovado sugar 1 tsp each ground mixed spice and ground ginger 3 large eggs 100g dried mixed fruit 50g glace cherries, chopped 50g stem ginger, finely chopped 4 tbsp stem ginger syrup Softly whipped cream or brandy butter, to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas Mark 5.

Butter six small pudding basins (each about 200ml capacity) and line the bases with circles of baking parchment.

2 Place the butter, flour, baking powder, sugar,

spices and eggs in a large mixing bowl and beat together with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes until pale and creamy. Fold in the dried mixed fruit and two-thirds of the cherries and stem ginger.

3 Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared pudding basins then cover each basin with a circle of greased and pleated baking parchment and secure with string. Cover each basin with pleated foil.

4 Stand the basins in a roasting tin and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the basins. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until risen, firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into a pudding comes out clean.

5 Leave the puddings to stand for 10 minutes then turn out onto serving plates. Mix the remaining cherries and ginger with the stem ginger syrup and spoon over the puddings.

Serve with cream or brandy butter.

Tip - For a boozy flavour, gently heat the stem ginger syrup with 1-2 tbsp of rum or brandy then pour over the hot puds just before serving.

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45

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

01480 495408 OR 07887887319

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General

Christmas Cheers!

So it’s that time of year again when the weather is cold, the fire is blazing and there are twinkling lights in every window, it’s CHRISTMAS!!

It’s the time of year when you are expected to go to that party, buy the presents, food, drink, have family round and visit that relative. You are also expected to cook a banquet, serve delicious drinks and do it all whilst looking like Nigella (or Nigel) gliding seductively and effortlessly across the kitchen in a ball gown. When in reality you are more likely to look like Waynetta than Nigella!

Well I can help you with the last thing, no not Nigella, the drinks!

Here are two simple yet impressive recipes to tantalise your guests and make you the star mixologist of the village.

The first cocktail is for all those people who love a glass of bubble on Christmas day but feel as its Christmas it should be extra special!

Poinsettia

½ a shot of Cointreau/triple sec 1 shot of cranberry juice Top up with champagne Add the Cointreau and cranberry to a champagne flute or coupe and then top with champagne.

by Nicholas Clare

The second drink is …

The Kings Ginger mulled wine!

The king’s ginger is a deliciously ginger, zesty liquor that dates back 1903 when it was formulated for King Edward the VII. 750ml red wine 250ml The King’s Ginger 50g caster sugar 2 lemons zested (plus flesh of 1 lemon) 1 orange zested 1 stick of cinnamon A dash of nutmeg 1 star anise Add all the ingredients to a pan and heat gently to infuse all the flavours for 1-3hrs or to taste and decant into red wine glasses or a mulled wine glass.

If you would like to book a cocktail barman for an event or if you want to know more about cocktails please contact me.

Nicholas Clare nick@mixedupbars.co.uk www.mixedupbars.co.uk

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition. Use your logic to solve the puzzles.

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CGF Painting & Decorating 01480 391460 07544 207577 cgfpainting@gmail.com

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Local

Can You Help?

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People The Cambridge branch of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was established in 2008, with the purpose of fundraising and promoting awareness of the charity. Hearing Dogs change lives for the better by alerting their deaf companions to household sounds such as the telephone, doorbell, smoke alarm etc. The training can take up to 18 months, including socialising and basic obedience classes for the first year, followed by sound work in designated residential training centres designed to suit the individual deaf person’s life style.

There is no direct government support for the charity; we therefore rely heavily on donations from individuals and companies. It costs in excess of ÂŁ40,000 to train and support just one Hearing Dog throughout its life.

This is why our local group is vital in helping the charity. If you think you could spare a little time and would be interested in

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occasionally helping at fundraising events, or feel you could help in any other way please contact our Branch Organiser, Debora Carter, by e-mail: debora. carter@yahoo.co.uk For more information about hearing dogs please visit www. hearingdogs.org.uk

Garage Door Problems?

Garage Doors All leading Makes of Doors Supplied, Fitted & Repaired Manual & Automatic Over 20 Years Experience

Phone Chris Day On:

07899 903973 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

01480 459 721

High Street, Brampton 51

Local

Little Paxton Mile Sunday 23rd March 2014

Little Paxton Parish Council invites you to do the Sainsbury s Sport Relief Mile with hundreds of other like-minded Milers.

The Mile starts on Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, Little Paxton and heads out towards the back of the playing field into the Nature Reserve.

Run along part of the stunning sailing lake and take in the sights and sounds of this wildlife haven.

You may see a kingfisher, a heron and if you’re really lucky, an otter! Get your place at The Little Paxton Mile today!

1 mile route goes along part of the sailing lake Start time 10.45am & 11am 3 mile route heads towards the ski-ing lake Start time 10.30am 6 mile route is a circular route around the ski-ing lake. Start time 10.30am

All routes finish at the Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Visitors Centre.

Refreshments will be on sale.

You can register by logging onto the Sport Relief website http://my.sportrelief.com/search/event/ result/id/1839 Reduced registration fees for a limited period.

Adult £3.00 [normally £6] Child £1.50 [normally £3.00] Family £7.50 [normally £15.00] Residents can register on the day at the Community Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, High Street, Little Paxton

New Decorations Interior and Exterior Painting Wallpapering

Mark Newman

Painting & Decorating m.a.newman@virgin.net

01954212342 07969650344 164 Limes Road, Hardwick Cambridge CB23 7XX 52

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everything matters

Panasonic

HD smart TV’s , HDD Recorders, Audio Systems, & Camera’s, trust our expertise & tradition of best after sales service

A.N.Audio 34 Huntingdon Street St. Neots

phone:- 01480 472071 e-mail sales@anaudio.co.uk Hours:- Monday-Friday 9am-6pm Tuesday 9am-1pm Saturday:- 9am-5.30 pm www.anaudio.co.uk

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Bumper Christmas Prize Crossword

Complete the crossword, fill in your details

Prize

£50

below, cut out this page and send to the address below before

16th December 2013 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Name:

Down 1 Imagining (8) 2 Wash (5) 4 Frozen water (3) 5 Sizes (12) 6 Créche (7) 7 Vomit (4) 8 Adequately (12) 12 Enumerate (5) 13 Pest (8) 15 Make ready (7) 19 All (5) 20 Imitation (4) 22 Vegetable (3)

Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mrs P Myers from St Neots For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com 54

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Across 1 Harbour (4) 3 Precious stones (8) 9 Implement (7) 10 Concur (5) 11 Produced (12) 14 Short sleep (3) 16 Coarse (5) 17 Pronoun (3) 18 Despite (12) 21 Modify (5) 22 Design (7) 23 Daily (8) 24 Musical instrument (4)

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n O s ’ t a h W

1 December Craft Show 12 noon-4pm Catworth Village Hall, Church Street, Catworth Craft stalls selling unusual Christmas gifts. Refreshments available. Tel: Joan 01832 710296

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 December 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 4 December Christmas Coffee Morning 10-11.30am Millard Suite, Buckden Village Hall Admission £2 to include coffee and mince pies Buckden St. Mary’s Church Fundraisers. Cake stall, Gifts and Raffle. All welcome.

4 December Little Paxton Gardening Club AGM & Christmas Social 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall. Annual subscription £6 Members only meeting as it’s the Club AGM. The Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month, excluding January and August. New members and visitors always welcome.

Web: www.little-paxton.org.uk 6-7 December An Evening of One Act Plays Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm, Orwell Village Hall Tickets: Thursday £8, Friday & Saturday £10 The Orwell Players present two comedies. “Happy Birthday Me!” by Simon Williams, and “Strictly Sex Factor” on Ice by David Tristram. Tickets available from Orwell Post Office. Bar. www.theorwellplayers.co.uk 6-8 December Christmas Tree Festival Fri & Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12 noon-3pm St Neots United Reformed Church. Programmes £1 More than 40 trees. Raffle and Tombola plus Christmas craft stalls and children’s lucky dip. Refreshments. All welcome 6-8 December Christmas Tree Festival Fri 7pm, Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun £12 noon-5pm St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Friday tickets £3.50 including mince pies and mulled wine Saturday & Sunday admission £2.50 Refreshments on sale throughout the festival.

Tickets from Truffles & Twine.

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7 December Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts at very reasonable prices.

Held on the first Saturday of each month. Charity tombola and free entry. For details visit www.saintscrafters.blogspot.com 7 December Christmas Craft and Produce Fair 11am-4pm Manor Farm, 14 Alms Hill, Bourn, Cambridge, CB23 2SH Free Entry Wide range of stalls including jewellery & accessories, needlecraft, home ware, homemade jams and confectionary.

Christmas trees and wreaths also for sale. Hot and cold food available. Mulled wine and cider. Tel: 01954 713971 Email: joproud@manorfarmbourn.co.uk 7 December Christmas Fayre 11am-5pm Grafham Village Hall Local Produce, Arts and Crafts. Children’s Lucky dip, Raffle and More. Mince Pies, Coffee, Mulled Wine. All welcome. In aid of Grafham Church. Web: www.grafham.org.uk 7 December Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Small charge for visitors Cambs and Beds Hardy Plant Society present a talk by Andrew Sankey on ‘Rethinking your garden’. Andrew is a garden designer, plant fair organiser, and Nurseryman. Plants will be available for sale. All welcome - small charge applies.

Tel: Winifred 01234 721720 Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 7 December Christmas Handbell Concert 3.00pm St. Mary’s Church, Eaton Socon Adults £10, Concessions £8, Children under 12 £3 East Anglian Handbell Team. Your chance to hear over 100 bells and handchimes in an amazing concert that will include Christmas carols to help you start your Christmas off on the right note. Mince pies and hot drinks. Tickets available from Church Office. Tel: 01234 823811 Web: www. ear.hrgb.org.uk 7 December Masked Christmas Dinner Dance 7 for 7.30pm till midnight. Great Stukeley Village Hall Tickets £20 including 3 course meal Entertainment by local vocalist Steve Lake.

Tickets: Jan Sly 01480 450197 7 December Haslingfield Choir and Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah 7.30pm All Saints’ Church, Haslingfield Tickets: £10, Concessions £8 Tickets from The Village Shop or on the door.

Tel: Kate Dickens 01223 872088 Web: http://haslingfieldvillage.co.uk/choir/

7 December Sawtry Chorale in Concert 7.30pm All Saints Church, Sawtry Seasonal songs for all ages. Proceeds in aid of church funds.

Web: www.sawtrychorale.co.uk for further details 7 & 8 December Art Exhibition 11am-4pm St James’ Church, Little Paxton Art Exhibition by Little Paxton Art Club. Refreshments, Christmas craft, cakes, books, preserves etc..

8 December Carols by Candlelight 3pm Little Barford Church The church looks quite magical with all the candles (in excess of 100) so it is well worth seeing and with other floral decorations looks very Christmassy. There is no heating so wrap up warm!

10 December Buckden Gardeners Association 8pm Buckden Village Hall Members free, guests £2 Christmas Social. Bring/share food festival. Tel: Pam 01480 811680. Web: www.buckdengardeners.info 11 December Wildlife Landscapes of the Hebrides 7.30pm Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton A talk by Barrie Mason. Barrie is an experienced speaker and has enthralled many people with both his talks and inspirational wildlife photography. Anyone interested in wildlife is most welcome to attend. Tel: Phil 01487 822835 Web: www.wildlifetrust-huntsareagroup.org.uk 11 December Thirsty Godmanchester – Pubs Past & Present 7.30-9pm Women’s Institute Centre, Waldon Road, Huntingdon Non-members welcome - £1 donation appreciated at the door Huntingdonshire Family History Society talk by Ken Sneath.

Web: www.huntsfhs.org.uk/ 13 December White Christmas. 7 for 7.30pm. Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Concessions £3, Under 16s £2 Kimbolton Community Cinema presents White Christmas.

Licensed Bar. Free Popcorn. Tickets available from Watson’s, Dixi’s Deli, Bytes Café, or on the door.

13 December Christmas Concert by Huntingdon Male Voice Choir 7.30pm Great Stukeley Village Hall Tickets £10.00 including light refreshments Tickets: Jan Sly 01480 450197 14 December Christmas Market. 10.30am-12.30pm Shepreth Village Hall Lovely festive items for sale, along with fresh, local produce.

Refreshments by Shepreth WI. Ample parking at rear of hall.

Tel: Jane 07554 207580

14 December An Orchestral Concert 7.30pm Adults £12, Students £6 Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, Huntingdon Handel - Messiah Part 1, with Mozart’s orchestration, Strauss - Waltz of the Spheres, Lumbye - Champagne Galop, BerliozHungarian March. Carols by Christopher Brown and Margaret Stokes and traditional carols for all to sing. Tel: Tickets Anabel Capon 01832 274834 Email: huntsphiltickets@btinternet.com 14 December Sawtry Chorale in Concert 7.30pm St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Proceeds in aid of Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club charities.

Web: www.sawtrychorale.co.uk for further details 15 December Christmas Songs of Praise 4pm Godmanchester Baptist Church Carols, readings, a great message and a traditional Christmas tea.

Tel: 01480 458565 - call us if you need transport www.godmanchesterbaptist.org/christmas 15 December Christmas Music with Carols by Tapestry Singers 5pm Tickets £5 including refreshments In aid of CHUFT. Tickets from Alison Rogers 01480 215607.

17 December Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Admission £6 Christmas Workshop and Social Evening. If you wish to make an arrangement please bring your own materials. Some accessories will be on sale. Please bring a sharing plate of finger food. Tea and coffee provided. Visitors most welcome.

22 December Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Family Carol Service. Refreshments served.

Tel: 01480 394321 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk 22 December Traditional Christingle Service 4pm St James’ Church, Little Paxton Collection in aid of The Children’s Society.

24 December - Christmas Eve Christingle Service with Carols 2.30 pm St James’ Church, Little Paxton Christmas Crib. Collection in aid of The Children’s Society.

24 December - Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight 6.30pm Godmanchester Baptist Church An hour of popular carols, readings and special items. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Suitable for all ages. www.godmanchesterbaptist.org/christmas

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GDC HEATING

Plumbing, Gas and Oil Heating Engineers

36 Rookery Road, Wyboston, Bedfordshire MK44 3AX

Tel: 01480 215821 01582 867152 www.gdcheating.com Email: enquiries@gdcheating.com Boiler Repairs/Servicing/Installation Full Heating Installations Efficiency Upgrades Bathroom Design and Installation Specialist Powercleaning Service 30 Years in Business

Reg No. 112425

FLOORED

By Ian

Your local supplier of fitted floors in carpet, vinyl, laminate or Karndean Free visits to estimate or advise.

Best prices and quality with a friendly service.

Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308

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LESTER O’DRISCOLL CARPENTRY Door Hanging, Skirting, Flooring, Fitted Kitchens, Fencing, Decking, General Carpentry, Extensions

07842 195152 01480 811629

Sureclean DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

• Spot stain and odour removal • Anti-stain protection • Leather suites cleaned and reconditioned • Tile and grout cleaning • The very latest equipment used • All work guaranteed • Fully insured • Established for 22 years

01480 630612 or 07870 338074 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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Books

BOOK REVIEW

By Bruce Edwards Step Back in Time Ali McNamara Sphere p/b £6.99

Commercial fiction can have the same swings of fashion as skirts. All manner of trends move up and down under strangely designed covers though some do not sit as well as they should. One current fashion appears to be in time travel, perhaps a hang over from ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife’. Is this an escapism read, the need to forget the woes and worries of today’s uncertainties? Whether trade writers run out of ideas and suffer from lack of stimulation when a publisher reminds them of deadlines and contracts, who knows. It must be demoralising to suffer from writer’s block if the phone rings and ‘we need your typescript by Friday’ sounds the ‘knell of doom’, hence the ability to skip off to another decade sounds like a very good idea and could even be fun. Our heroine actions the title in an involuntary fashion; she’s day dreaming and collides with a car on a zebra crossing.

Magically she survives without a scratch, (power of literary licence!), but is catapulted into another time zone. Ah, to leave all the uncertainties behind you! But no, different problems arise; life becomes complicated, again and again. Same crossing, same car, same effect though I’m not sure we ever find out why. In this fascinating fictional insight and creative treatise on twentieth century music and fashion, Jo-Jo is as good a companion as any, taking us into territory where we may even wish we could stay.

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Classifieds Decorating and Property Services

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

Electricians

Frank Plater Electrical Extra sockets - Lighting - Extensions - Re-wires Security Lighting - Showers - Inspections No job too small. Free estimates Established 13 years Tel: 01480 432154 Mob: 07976 797111

Security Services

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