Cambs july 14

VILLAGER The

and Town

Issue 63 - July 2014

Life

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

Inside this issue

Work-Life Balance Is Yours Unbalanced?

Happy Birthday Brownies

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People

20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month

ur Yo EE FRcopy

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Contents Summer Ready Feet

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Market Square Map Reveals Georgian St. Neots...............4 Happy Birthday Brownies.................................................6 Employing a Tradesman and NOT a Cowboy...................14 The Art of Breathing Underwater...................................16 Cambridgeshire Natural Burials......................................20 Become a Fund-raising Hero..........................................22 Get Your Feet Ready For Summer...................................25 Is Your Work-Life Balance a Little Uneven.......................26 The ‘Quickie Divorce’ Fact or Fiction................................28 Parenting Apart During Summer Holidays.....................31 Free Pension Advice.......................................................33 Plant of the Month.........................................................35

VILLAGER The

and Town

Issue 63 - July 2014

Life

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

Inside this issue

Work-Life Balance Is Yours Unbalanced?

Happy Birthday Brownies

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

Bringing Local Business to Local People

20,000 copies delivered to Buckden, Brampton, Cambourne, Godmanchester, The Hemingfords, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester and all surrounding villages every month

ur Yo EE FRcopy

Competition Time...........................................................36 Animal Queries...............................................................39 Travelling With Kids........................................................41 Wild Mushroom and Spinach Tagliatelle........................42 St Mary’s Church.............................................................45 Puzzle Page....................................................................48 To Hell and Back.............................................................50 Competition Winners.....................................................53 Prize Crossword..............................................................54 DASH..............................................................................56 What’s On.......................................................................58 Beer of the Month..........................................................61 Book Review..................................................................62

To Hell and Back

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20,000 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, Eaton Socon, Bourn, Grantchester, 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)

Editor - Catherine Rose Editorial - Peter Ibbett, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Catherine Rose, Melanie Ridley, Fiona McLeman, Centre for Complementary Health, Leeds Day Solicitors, Tony Larkins, Gareth Arscott, Sarah Reid, Tim Saunders, Ted Bruning, Debbie Singh-Bhatti and RSPCA North Beds Branch

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

Advertising Sales Nigel Frost - 01767 261122 - nigel@villagermag.com Photography Gennadiy Poznyakov, Darren Harbar and Catherine Rose Design and Artwork Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

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.

History

Market Square Map reveals Georgian St. Neots Once in a while a continental market offers the good folk of St. Neots the taste of French food in contrast to the ‘traditional’ fare of burgers and chips.

Not, I might add do locals and visitors to the town suffer from a lack of choice in their eating habits for St Neots is becoming noted for the quality family restaurants offering a range of cusines you would have had to travel the empire to taste back in the days of my youth! Further back in time the de Clare family from Normandy re-built the Priory to St. Neot on a field in Eynesbury now partly occupied by the Priory Centre and Waitrose sites. A market evolved outside the priory wall which prospered and caused part of Eynesbury to split off into the new parish of St. Neots around 1200. By the time Henry VIII dissolved the Priory in 1539 the market was prosperous but we have no map of the centre of town. In the Georgian era enclosure of land provided a new source of income for map-makers as estate owners such as Sir Stephen Anderson surveyed their domains and left us snapshots of their era. The c1757 map of St. Neots Market Square is now looked after by the Huntingdon Record Office and it shows a very different town centre

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to the current District Council car park and Rotary sundial.

The ‘Market Hill’ was a commercial ‘hub’ with a variety of small irregular buildings dotted about in a seemingly random fashion. A ‘Butter House’ is mentioned in documents of 1672 and 1775 and is the long narrow building, around 150 ft long, shown on the map. The map also shows the narrow roadway to the old stone bridge, hemmed in by buildings. These survived until 1821 when the Town Commissioners decided to widen the entrance to the bridge to allow better flow of traffic to and from the market. Our digital era of instant maps has lost some of the skills of the mapmakers who took a pride in the presentation of their maps with ornate borders to frame the contents. Clearly the market tolls that the Lord of the Manor received helped pay for the work put in to create a snapshot of mid 1700’s town life.

St Neots library has a collection of maps as does the record office at Huntingdon (booking necessary). You can find more information about the development of the town at the museum in New Street.

By Peter Ibbett

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History

By Catherine Rose

Happy Birthday Brownies! written by Juliana Horatia Ewing in 1870 about This year the popular worldwide activity group two children named Tommy and Betty who for girls, Brownie Guides is 100 years old. To learn the difference between being helpful mark the anniversary, Catherine Rose takes a Brownies or lazy Boggarts. In fairy folklore, look back at its history.

Brownies were kindly goblins who did chores The Brownie movement for girls aged around the house at night in return for food approximately seven to ten years was started while Boggarts were in 1914 by Lord Baden “…I can clearly remember the day I malevolent spirits who Powell following a caused mischief and demand by this age was invested into Brownies in 1970. group for something Brown Owl had placed a mirror on the mayhem and turned milk sour. A condensed similar to Girl Guides floor with a toadstool beside it. I had to version of this story which had been set up make my Brownie promise and then two appeared in Brownie in 1910. Baden Powell girls spun me around saying ‘Twist me handbooks for many gave its management years. to his sister, Agnes and turn me and show me the elf, and named them the I looked in the water and there saw…’ A change in name meant a change in Rosebuds with the at which point I had to look in the uniform and the colour intention that they mirror and complete the rhyme by became brown while would ‘blossom’ into adding ‘myself ’.” the promise badge Guides. featured an acorn.

Initially, Rosebuds wore By the 1920s this badge had evolved into a a navy blue uniform that was very much like Brownie figure on a metal bar pin which was their bigger Guiding sisters but although they worn on a brown tie over a brown cotton were happy with their uniform, they weren’t dress. The dress had chest pockets and could as keen on their name so in 1915 Baden be worn with a brown leather belt. It was Powell changed it to the Brownies after a story 6

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topped with a hat that resembled a pith helmet. In addition, it was stipulated that girls wore brown knickers and these were often checked at uniform inspection time!

When Baden Powell’s wife Lady Olave subsequently took over responsibility for Girl Guides in 1918, she also took over Brownies from Agnes and it was at this time that the Sixes were named after fairy folk, in keeping with the Brownie theme. Consequently the badges of the different Sixes were: Elf (blue), Gnome (white with a black broom), Sprite (green with a tricorn hat), Imp (yellow), Pixie (green with pointed hat), Fairy (yellow with wings), Little People (yellow and green) and Leprechaun (red) along with additional Welsh and Scottish names.

Each Six was depicted on a rectangular badge embroidered in coloured thread and led by a Sixer who had two yellow stripes on her sleeve. The Sixer was helped by her Second who was identified by one yellow stripe.

Metal service stars were issued for each year of membership and proficiency badges were triangular and worn on the sleeve.

The official opening ceremony - the Brownie Ring – would be where the girls joined hands and sang ‘We’re the Brownies, here’s our aim, lend a hand and play the game’. Each Six also had its own song. After being invested into Brownies by making their Brownie Promise, girls could only start gaining proficiency badges when they had achieved their Golden Hand and been given their Brownie Wings badge which helped them ‘fly up’ to Guides.

In 1934, a yellow tie was introduced which proved more popular than the brown. Fiveday camps would take place in village halls or rural schools with a programme of activities including simple cooking.

Despite the fact that Brownies had been set up at the advent of World War One, World War Two had a huge impact on the movement.

With children being evacuated from towns, many urban groups shut down while rural ones doubled and tripled overnight. Due to the blackout however, meetings had to take place during the daytime, usually weekends.

Materials for badges were difficult to obtain 8

1st Cambridge Brow nies Hobgoblin Six 1919

Retirement of Lady Cambridge as president of coun ty guides 1976

The Hon Miss Pearl Lawson-Johnston who brought guiding to Bedfordshire

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and the metal ones became smaller and thinner as the demand for metal grew with the war effort. Brownies were given tasks to do that helped on the home front including collecting fruit for making jam, sewing and holding concerts for the Red Cross.

It was during this time that berets started to be worn.

The 1950s and 60s saw Brownies flourish again with the post-war baby boom but by 1968, it was felt the movement needed updating.

The dark brown dress was changed to a chestnut brown and the pockets, always to be filled with useful things including string and a pencil, moved to the skirt.

The traditional yellow tie was shortened and turned into a crossover one held in place by a new metal promise badge – a Brownie in a trefoil. Brownies no longer had to earn their ‘wings’ but instead a series of progress badges based on the Ordnance Survey map was introduced along with replacement fabric service badges instead of metal stars. A new Brownie song was written and the Little People and Fairy Six groups were dropped. In 1971, the brown beret was replaced with a brown knitted hat topped by a pom pom.

In 1987, Rainbows was introduced for girls aged five to seven and in 1990, the old Brownie dress was replaced with a range of more modern and practical clothing in yellow

Brownie Camp 1934 and brown that subsequently incorporated trousers and a gilet. A brown sash was introduced for badges along with a more upto-date baseball cap.

All the badges had a revamp too. Today, the proficiency badges are large and diamond shaped and the promise badge has become a small round yellow enamel one with the trefoil logo on it.

This year’s Big Brownie Birthday has ongoing challenges, badges and events for a quarter of a million Brownies in the UK.

1st Cambridge Brownies May Day parade in Ely 1920 10

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Elf (Blue) This is what we do as Elves, think of others, not ourselves Fairy (Yellow) We’re the Fairies glad and gay, helping others every day Gnome

(White with Black Broom) Here you see the laughing Gnomes, ‘helping mother’ in our homes

Imp (Yellow) We’re the ever-helpful Imps, quick and quiet as any shrimps Leprechaun (Red) We’re the Irish Leprechaun, guiding strangers when forlorn Little People (Yellow/Green Diagonal Stripes) We, though known as Little People, aim as high as any steeple Pixie (Green) Look out, we’re the jolly Pixies, helping people when in fixes Sprite (Green) Here we come, the sprightly Sprites, Brave and helpful like the knights Photos courtesy of: Mrs Ann Mitchell MBE Archivist Girlguiding Cambridgshire East Natasha Emery Paul Hunt Archivist Girlguiding Bedfordshire

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Please mention The Villager and Town St Neots Life when Eynesbury responding Brownies to adverts c.1990

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Three Counties Radio

Employing a Tradesman and NOT a cowboy!

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

Sadly over the years I have dealt with far too many cases of consumers who have employed the services of a rogue tradesman and have paid a heavy price for their mistake. But how do you find a good tradesman to carry out work in your home or garden? Here are my top tips: NEVER employ the services of someone who knocks at your door offering their services. If a builder, roofer or plumber has time to cold call people, then they’re obviously not very busy. Why are they not very busy? BECAUSE THEY’RE PROBABLY NOT VERY GOOD! A good tradesman will be busy with work for weeks in advance. I am always similarly sceptical of anybody who tells you on the phone they can do a job for you that day.

Always ask your friends and neighbours if they can recommend a good tradesman when you decide you need some work doing. It may sound simple, but the best way I have always found to employ the services of someone good, is to use your trusted contacts. Chances are if they did a good job for your best friend or next door neighbour, they’ll do a good job for you too.

Make sure you always get at least 3 quotes from different people before you decide who to use. Don’t necessarily use the cheapest, but at least if you have a range of quotes you can ensure that you are not overpaying for work to be undertaken. I generally go for the quote in the middle as long as I have a good feeling about the tradesman and feel I can communicate effectively with him/her.

Always ask for references (particularly when you’re using someone to carry out a large job). Don’t be afraid to make contact with their previous customers and ask if you can go and look at the job they did. Ask them if they had any problems and what the tradesman/company was like at resolving those problems.

It is very important that you agree a method of payment before work begins.

I personally do not pay for work until it has been completed. If the builder/electrician/plumber needs to buy parts etc for the job, then I am happy to pay for that on the basis of a receipt, however I insist on paying for labour costs on completion of the job. When you’re dealing with a large job (e.g. an extension), then I would agree a payment plan in writing. However, you should always ensure a large enough final payment is retained to act as an incentive for the job to be completed to your satisfaction.

Finally, NEVER agree work without a written quote. Verbal contracts and quotations are of course legally binding, but trying to prove what was agreed weeks down the line is normally a nightmare.

Of course, as always if you follow my advice, but still come unstuck and find yourself dealing with a cowboy, then remember you can always call my consumer programme on 01582 637450.

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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Alpha Car Airport Transfers Travel in comfort to and from London airports in 4, 6 and 8 seater luxury.

Avoid the hassle of airport parking at prices you can afford.

We regularly operate airport trips and also bespoke trips to London and all over the UK. 01954 23 23 00

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Alpha Cars, Longstanton, Cambridgeshire

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Travelogue

The Art of Breathing Underwater

By Melanie Ridley

If there was one thing in life I would recommend anyone to experience, it’s scuba diving. Having the ability to breathe underwater and for it to feel so natural, while witnessing wonderful creatures in their natural habitat seems unimaginable until you actually do it.

The first time I was baptised into this underwater world was on the beautiful island of Ko Tao, Thailand, with its turquoise transparent waters and white sandy beaches and after four days of intense training, I achieved my PADI Open Water qualification.

A year later and I had booked myself onto a twoday, one-night dive package aboard the Sea Quest, where I would explore the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

My itinerary consisted of seven dives and to say I was excited was an understatement!

My navigation above water is questionable, so underwater it’s non-existent. Embarrassingly, I did get myself and my fellow divers lost on one occasion.

During my second dive we came face to face with what has to be my favourite animal, the turtle. We were close enough to touch him and even spent a few minutes knelt beside him on the sea bed.

As we descended for dive three, we were welcomed by a peculiar looking fish, the size of a large dog, called the Maury Wrasse who have coined the nickname ‘Dog of the Sea’ because of their friendly and affectionate demeanour. This

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being a particularly inquisitive one, we felt inclined to tickle his - or her - giant lips as we were told they were partial to a bit of lip tickling!

Little did I know that when I booked this dive package, dive four was to be a night dive. With this only being my eighth dive, I was petrified, even more so because the ship’s crew began throwing left over food overboard which attracted approximately 30 white tip reef sharks. Jumping in amongst these was a fearful prospect and on the way down I was in fits of panic, not only because of the lack of visibility and sharks lurking in the shadows, but due to the fact that my flipper had decided to slip off! Fortunately, my fellow divers were on hand to rescue me and my rogue flipper that was slowly descending into the black depths below. Once the dive was over and we were all safely back on board, my instructor congratulated me on how quickly I had controlled my breathing and explained that many divers would have turned around and sacrificed the dive.

The following morning we dived the same site at 6:30am and everything looked so different. The sun was rising and beaming through the water, which was surprisingly warm. Before 11:30am I had completed three more scuba dives and my time on the Sea Quest and the Great Barrier Reef was over.

With this incredible experience under my belt and a new passion in my heart, I look forward to my next scuba dive adventure...

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T

astes f summer

Dine with us on Saturday19th July to enjoy a special nine-course summer tasting menu designed by our chefs.

Flavours of gazpacho ~~~ Brixham crab salad

brown crab emulsion, crispy bonbon, cucumber, avocado, mooli

~~~ Tasting of wild rabbit

liver parfait, plum gel, rillette, pain d’épices, carrot pickle, tea-smoked loin

~~~ Beetroot soused Cornish mackerel

green apple, salt-baked young beets, horseradish potato salad

~~~ Tempsford beef ‘two ways’

seared fillet, braised cheek, Swiss chard, salsa verde, chanterelles, caramelised white onion purée, slow-cooked carrot, Cabernet Sauvignon

~~~ Chèvre

apricot, roasted hazelnuts, frisée

~~~ English strawberries

blowtorched marshmallow, strawberry gel, basil soup, meringues, lime

~~~ Peach Melba ~~~ Coach House chocolate truffles

£65 per person – Booking & £15 deposit required Seated at 7.30pm

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Market Square, Potton, Beds, SG19 2NP 01767 260221 | www.coachhousepotton.co.uk Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Stylish shutters!

Providing unrivalled quality, exceptional insulation, privacy and light control.

Call today to arrange your free home visit on 01223 460192 or 01954 211037 For every blind, curtain and Roman fold sold in July we are donating ÂŁ1 to PACT - the animal sanctuary and rescue centre

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Local News

CAMBRIDGESHIRE NATURAL BURIALS

Do You Know About Them?

Tracy O’Leary, Independent Green Funeral Director from Woodland Wishes explains more.

Apart from the ever increasing cost of funerals, have you ever considered a burial in a beautiful woodland setting - simple, natural and affordable?

In the UK there are now over 300 natural burial grounds. One of the three local grounds lies on the outskirts of Cambridge, a peaceful woodland and a serene final resting place. There are no neglected graves and no burden on family members charged with the responsibility of grave visiting and maintenance. Instead of headstones, wild flowers, meadows and trees mark the grave, providing a symbolic celebration of life. Few are aware of this or indeed of the concept of natural burials in the area.

I only made this discovery whilst promoting willow coffins for a local charity in Cambridge. Visiting natural burial grounds in England and listening to bereaved families who wanted something simple but special gave me a surprising insight into alternative funerals. The personalisation and simplicity of ‘greener’ funerals without all the fuss, environmental damage and expense of mainstream funerals often appeal to those that hear about it.

I’d like to raise awareness of alternatives to the traditional coffin; alternatives such as cardboard, woollen and willow coffins that are woven locally.

Families can get involved in weaving part of a coffin if they so wish here in Cambridge. A simple cardboard coffin can be personalised with drawings, adding photos and messages as well as decorating with favourite flowers from their own gardens. Things that can all help with the grieving process.

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For those wanting something less formal than a traditional black hearse or pall bearers dressed in black, a more subtle and practical vehicle is available and guidance can be given to families wishing to carry a coffin themselves if they so wish.

Through helping families and individuals plan their farewell I now find myself being called a ‘green funeral arranger’ rather than a traditional funeral director and I am privileged for a family or an individual to let me be part of something so personal to them.

I am passionate about helping and giving as much or as little practical guidance and a totally personal service to get exactly what you want from a funeral and am happy to offer any advice and information on natural burials, home funerals and simple cremation services at any time.

Woodland Wishes is independent, honest and ethical, founded to carry out simple and meaningful funerals in tranquil landscapes using locally made ‘earth friendly’ coffins and is also a Natural Death Centre recommended Funeral Director and is part of the Association of Green Funeral Directors.

Tracy can be reached on: 01223 651653 www.woodlandwishes.co.uk tracy@woodlandwishes.co.uk

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Local News

Become a Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice

Fundraising Hero!

Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice is appealing to local people who would like to make a difference to the community by becoming a Fundraising Hospice Hero in Bedfordshire.

If you are looking for an exciting new challenge and want to use your skills for a good cause, St John’s would love to hear from you. There are many volunteering roles on offer, from running fundraising events, organising coffee mornings, assisting with collections, or helping out at one of our flagship events.

How about being based at the hospice and having a specific role such as corporate researcher, fundraising assistant or an ambassador? These roles are flexible and you choose when and how much time you can commit.

By being part of the healthcare charity in this way, you can help to raise the vital funds we need to

continue to deliver incredible care to people with life-changing illness.

Paula Priestley, Regional Fundraising Manager, at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice said: “Volunteering with Sue Ryder is not just rewarding, you’ll get to share and develop your skills, meet new people, and you’ll have a really good time along the way.

You will also make a massive difference to the lives of those we care for.

“The role of a Fundraising Hospice Hero is really important as you will become a key part of the team and help to run some great fundraising events that will not only be a fulfilling experience, but will also help the whole community.”

If this is something that would interest you, please contact the Fundraising Team by emailing stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org or telephone 01767 642421.

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 20 minute consultation to discuss how acupuncture treatment can help you.

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Cambridgeshire Foot Clinic Podiatry/Chiropody Yvonne Siudak

BSc (Hons.) MChs, HPC Registered

Podiatrist / Chiropodist Private Podiatry / Chiropody Care in Cambridge, UK A comprehensive service for all your foot care needs

Hard Skin • Corns • Nail Cutting Ingrown Toe Nails • Fungal Nail Infections General Foot Care • Verrucae Treatment • Laser Treatment • Diabetic Assessments • Biomechanical Assessments Full details of our specialist treatments are available, call Yvonne for an appointment:

Cambridgeshire Foot Clinic

20 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 3AX. Tel: 01233 358 431 Mob: 07562 748 352 E: yvonne@yourfootclinic.co.uk

www.yourfootclinic.co.uk Also Bedfordshire Foot Clinic Tel: 01767 681 704

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

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£5 for 2 classes

New customers or those returning after 6 months only.

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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

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or call 01480 216090

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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

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Complementary Health

Get your feet ready for summer …

As we are now in the summer months we unveil our feet from our winter shoes and boots and look for our sandals. Some people head to the nearest chemist to splash out on lotions and potions to make them more presentable while others carry on with a pain or niggle they have always had. Kate, our Podiatrist explains what her job is and why you may just want to see her to get your feet summer ready!

“Our day to day life takes a toll on our feet.

We are not only walking upright, we are running, dancing, jumping and trying to get through the day until we will fall over at the end of the day on the sofa in front of the TV …. and then we start feeling them …. our feet. They are aching, burning, twitching, and going numb. You probably think that they are just tired so, you hope a nice warm bath and a massage will make them feel much better but what if that doesn’t happen and the pains are still there?”

There are few reasons why you can feel all those symptoms: • Overworking your feet structures (muscles, tendons and bones) • Not wearing correct shoes or trainers • Uneven redistribution of the body weight on your feet • Arthritis • Diabetes • Infection • Neuroma • Trauma, sometime even fracture • Neuropathy • Arterial deficiency Most people carry on but these conditions can be treated and monitored by a Podiatrist. A Podiatrist is a practitioner specialising in treatment and care of the lower limb related problems such as: • Heel pain • Burning pains on the ball of your foot • Shin pain • Lumps and bumps • Thick toe nails • In growing toe nails • Verrucae • Corns and callus

• Diabetes related foot problems • Foot deformities Unfortunately in some cases all those conditions can’t be treated in one appointment. It might be a long journey for the patient and the specialist but it is always good to get expert advice and not leave the problem or suffer alone. In some cases changes in your feet might indicate other problems in your body (diabetes, systemic diseases, psoriasis, heart conditions, cellulitis, bone infection and even cancer) and a Podiatrist might be the one who will suspect those changes and will alert you to see your GP. If you would like more information or to speak to our Podiatrist contact the Centre on 01480 455221 or see our website for more details www.centreforcomphealth.com

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More info: Website: www.CentreForCompHealth.com Email: info@CentreForCompHealth.com Phone: 01480 455221

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Employment

Is Your Work-Life Balance

A Little Uneven?

On 30th June 2014, the right to request ‘flexible working’ was extended to cover all UK employees with at least 26 weeks’ continuous employment, rather than just those with children under the age of 17 (18 if the child is disabled) and certain carers.

Employees now have the legal right to make one flexible working request each year (but not to demand a change). Employers have a legal obligation to consider all requests in a reasonable manner. However, they will still be able to refuse requests where they have good business reasons (or could suggest an alternative arrangement).

Flexible working requests can include: part-time working, working from home, job-sharing, termtime working, and compressed hours (fitting a five-day week into four days).

For many employees, the Flexible Working Regulations could be the catalyst to start reviewing and adjusting their work-life balance.

If a Flexible Working request triggers greater transparency and open communication between employee and employer (even if the request isn’t granted), this can only be a positive step all round.

There is some concern that the changes will bring a flood of requests, making it more difficult for those in greater need to have a request granted.

However, feedback from some of the 90% of

companies already offering flexible working has indicated a boost in productivity and profits, along with reductions in sickness absence. There have also been indications of increased morale, more commitment and stronger employee loyalty. An increase in these types of family-friendly policies being rolled out and economic growth often go hand in hand.

A recent survey from the IBM Smarter Workforce Institute, indicates clear evidence that a good work-life balance not only improves job satisfaction and employee retention, but is also linked to faster career progression! It was interesting that employers offering at least one flexible working option, not only benefitted from significantly higher levels of job satisfaction but, as a result, were retaining a greater mix of workforce talent.

Our expectations for work-life balance are actively changing, and this quiet revolution will have a long-lasting and positive impact in the workplace of the future. So, if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to address your work-life balance, it’s arrived!

By Sarah Reid

26

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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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27

Leeds Day Solicitors

The “Quickie Divorce” Fact or Fiction Simon Thomas – Leeds Day Solicitors A number of recent, high-profile celebrity separations have drawn a huge amount of attention to so-called “quickie divorces” which, according to the media, allow a couple to end their marriage just weeks after splitting up.

But ask anyone with any personal experience of the process and they are likely to tell you their own divorce took much longer, up to around six months.

So do wealthy, well-connected celebrities like Nigella Lawson, Liam Gallager and Katie Price have access to some sort of secret, fasttrack solution denied to ‘normal’ people, or are all divorcing couples subject to the same timeline and criteria, regardless of fame or fortune?

Firstly, it is important to highlight a couple of very common mistakes made by journalists reporting on these high-profile celebrity cases.

Much emphasis is placed on the fact that Court hearings when a decree nisi is issued last just a minute or so. This is normal, whoever you are and however much money you have in your bank account. A Judge simply reads out names of couples who are seeking divorce. It is as simple as that and it is unusual for either party to attend this hearing.

Huntingdon Godwin House, George Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3BD T: 01480 454301 28

Secondly, the couple in question are not actually divorced at this stage. A decree absolute, which formally ends the marriage, cannot be issued until six weeks and a day after the decree nisi.

Although the divorce of Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi was undoubtedly quicker than most, much of this can be attributed to the fact neither of them made any financial claims against the other.

The legal process of getting a divorce is fairly straightforward. What can, and often does, slow it down is working through practical considerations such as where each party will live, how assets will be divided, and what arrangements are made regarding any children.

If you are seeking advice on divorce and separation, our specialist family law team can help guide you through what is often a stressful and challenging time, ensuring you get the best possible outcome and in a reasonable amount of time. To speak to one of our family lawyers, call us on 01480 474661 or email family@leedsday.co.uk. Quote this article when making this appointment before the end of July 2014 and your first 30 minute consultation will be free.

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

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

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Fast and friendly service for Smartphone, tablet, console and general gadget repairs warranty supplied with all repairs

01480 387895 Green Tiles Close Huntingdon PE28 2NS

Dedicated support for clients in relationship breakdown:

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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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Family Law

Parenting Apart during Summer Holidays

By Fiona McLeman

The summer holidays are almost upon us and for children of school age, this will be a welcome rest. When a couple with children separate or divorce, it is quite typical for school holidays to be shared equally. Usually this can be resolved without the need for the Court to get involved, but occasionally, it may be necessary to seek assistance. However, a Court encourages cooperation and compromise between the parents and only a handful of cases end up in bitter courtroom battle.

It is quite common for the summer holidays to be divided into blocks of one week or perhaps a fortnight with each parent. With the children’s best interests being at the forefront of all considerations, here are some practical tips to help make the process as easy as possible for the parents, and for children. Firstly, try and agree your dates well in advance. This avoids any last minute uncertainty which can be stressful.

Overseas holidays also require a little thought.

If an overseas trip is planned, make sure the other parent knows about it well in advance and you have their permission. Taking a child abroad without the other parent’s permission is akin to child abduction. It’s courteous to give details about where you plan staying, before the holiday is booked. Make sure the other parent is

given a note about travel times, flight details and accommodation. Children now carry their own passport so it may be helpful to agree when the passport will be available, so that there is no last minute panic. On arrival, send a quick text to let the other parent know you have all arrived safe and sound.

Give the children as much information as possible about what is planned for them during the holidays. Perhaps think about a holiday chart or diary, so that the children know what they are going to be doing each week and how long it will be before they see the other parent again. Regular contact with the other parent is important but it’s a question of getting the balance right. Let the children keep in touch with the other parent by phone every few days. Encourage them to chat to the other parent and tell them what they have been up to. Communication is now made much easier with Skype, so perhaps set up a time for a Skype chat. If the children are going away for a holiday, encourage them to write a postcard or two to the other parent. Often this can arrive on the doormat at the very time the children are there, which is often what they find most exciting.

Most of all, enjoy your time with the children and don’t forget the sun cream!

Fiona McLeman Tel: 07894 095775 www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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Beacon Wealth

Free Pension Advice

By Tony Larkins

Following the statement in the budget that free advice would be made available on pensions, the FCA (formally FSA) have warned of bogus calls from unauthorised firms offering this so called ‘advice’.

It warns the public to hang up as qualified advice is not free, and authorised firms are unlikely to ever make cold calls. There are genuine reasons to seek advice, but this should be from an authorised Independent Financial Adviser.

Some cold calls claim to be on behalf of the Government, but the initiative has not even been launched yet. This advice is now going to be guidance, not advice, and the purveyor of the contract for guidance has not been awarded or costed.

Pensions are often an individual’s largest asset by value, and it is important they are actively managed within a level of risk acceptable to you at an appropriate cost. Hardly anything is free and a thorough pension review takes time.

In previous issues of this magazine I have addressed the importance of regularly reviewing funds, and once again this month I have come across with-profit funds that have not paid a bonus for years. This has cost many thousands of pounds in lost growth.

There are a number of established companies that are even selling large blocks of policies to

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

consolidators. So, you can assume these are unlikely to increase in value in the future.

The best way to enjoy good growth is by contributing in the most tax efficient way, and, in the case of pensions, with the assistance of an amenable employer.

Annuities have had a hard time since the budget and are no longer required to be purchased. But the reassurance of a guaranteed income is still important for many - this means that there will always be a demand for them.

However, in terms of joint life annuities, consideration should be given to pension savings in both names, because annuity rates are around 6% for an individual aged 65, and 3% for joint plans.

As I said at the beginning, be very wary of free pension advice, steer clear and consult a pension specialist who is independent. When seeking pension advice, ask the adviser if they have the G60 or AF3 qualification. Either of these pension qualifications should mean the adviser knows what they are doing - passing the G60 certainly taught me a few things.

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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All Seasons

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Some Services We Provide

Grass/Hedge-cutting, Turfing, Patios, Fencing Ground Preparation, Sheds/Conservatory Bases Repair Work - Internal/External Painting - Internal/External Clearances, Cleaning/pressure cleaning

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Certified Waste Carriers Fully Insured. Free estimates

Please call Nick

Mob: 07896668976 / Home: 01480 383605 Email: all_seasons123@hotmail.co.uk Find us on Facebook Located:St Neots

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

www.sawgardenservice.co.uk

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In the Garden

PLANT OF THE month

Cichorium intybus - By Gareth Arscott

www.buckdenperennialplants.webs.com Each month we try to find a great plant to recommend, to fit in most gardens, that will provide a good display, return year after year and not cost a fortune. Well this month we have gone one better, this month’s recommendation could be yours for free!

Cichorium intybus is better known as Chicory.

Some cultivars of which, are grown as a vegetable and some are grown as a coffee substitute. But this is a commonly found wild flower in the Mediterranean, common in many places in the UK and is becoming established as a garden plant too.

A few years ago we collected a few seed heads from the roadside in Begwary, near St.Neots. The plants were simply growing on a verge, in relatively poor soil and were about 3-4ft high. In good garden soil it to produce spikes reaching over six foot in height with stiff, branching stems. Along

the stems you will notice small nodules that turn quickly into flower buds and later cornflower-blue flowers.

We would recommend planting it at the back of a south-facing boarder, but not too much shade. If it is in an exposed position you may have to stake the plant.

As long as it does not become waterlogged in the winter, it’s strong tap root becomes almost indestructible. We do collect seed each year just in case, but have found this perennial to be long lasting and provides an amazing show all the way through to October.

Keep your eyes peeled as you drive around, it’s blue flowers are unmistakable and make a note to collect the seeds for next year.

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

Competition

Competition Time Win a signed copy of

‘The Wildlife Quiz Book’

by local author Tim Sharrock and learn more than 1,500 fascinating facts about the flora and fauna of the natural world.

Simply answer the following easy questions which appear in the book for a chance to win.

1. Which small, dog-like Chinese deer has now become established throughout much of southern England, sometimes occurring even in suburban gardens?

2. Which cat has been tamed by human beings and used for hunting, being hooded like a falconer’s hawk, since at least 2300 BC? 3. Which animal has a single tooth that grows to 8ft (2.5m) in length that has been passed off as a ‘unicorn’s horn’?

4. In what year was the killing of whales completely banned worldwide?

Send your answer by post to Catherine Rose – Editor, Wildlife Quiz Competition, he Villager Magazine, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP or by email to editor@villagermag.com.

The closing date is 16th July 2014

The winner will be the sender of the first correct set of answers selected at random by the editor on the closing date.

You can also buy a copy for £9.95 from your local bookshop (ISBN 978-1-291-81321-0) or from Wildlife Books, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3NJ. Please include £1.80 p&p.

36 36

Please To mention advertiseThe in The Villager Villager andand Town Town LifeLife when please responding call 01767 to 261122 adverts

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.

Honeydon Road, Colmworth, Bedfordshire MK44 2LY

01234 376513 www.bri-ag.co.uk

Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm

SURECLEAN DRIVEWAY AND PATIO CLEANING SPECIALISTS ROOF MOSS REMOVAL AND GUTTER CLEANING We use a revolutionary industrial pressure rotary cleaning system to restore exterior hard surfaces to as new condition.

Block Paving, Pathways, Patios Garden Wall and Stone Ornaments Ponds and Pools Also Re-sanding and Sealing Local Company

01480 217899/07870 338074 www.surecleancarpetcleaning.co.uk

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Business gone slow?

Let us help!

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

Paddocks Boarding Cattery Peaceful location. No dogs boarded.

Spacious, individual, heated chalets with large covered runs.

Inspection welcome. Boarding from ÂŁ6.60/day.

Rabbits/guinea pigs also boarded.

64 Meadow Road, Great Gransden

Telephone 01767 677 759 www.catterybedfordshire.co.uk Open all year.

The cattery for caring owners.

Comfort and security for your pet.

38

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Pets

Animal Queries

RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch

Dear RSPCA vet, My friend is a farmer and he’s scared me by talking about something called fly-strike that can be fatal in sheep. He says I should be careful with my pet rabbits – is this true?

Hassan, Kempston Dear Hassan, I’m afraid, your friend is correct. Fly-strike (also known as Myiasis) is when flies lay their eggs on a rabbit’s skin (usually around the bottom).

The eggs quickly hatch and the maggots chew their way into the rabbit’s skin. This can happen within hours and can very quickly become fatal.

This is particularly common in the warmer summer months so it’s vital that owners always check their rabbit’s bottom twice daily, and every time you pick him up.

Any rabbit can get fly-strike but the risk is highest for rabbits with dirty bottoms, wet fur or wounds. If your rabbit often has a dirty bottom you may have to change his diet.

To avoid this horrible problem, keep your rabbit’s living quarters clean and dry: flies are

attracted by damp, smelly conditions.

If any rabbit becomes quiet and listless, or appears restless and shows signs of discomfort, pick them up immediately and check for eggs or maggots. If you do find maggots, don’t just try and clean him yourself – telephone your veterinary practice IMMEDIATELY. Fly-strike is a true emergency – day or night – and treatment cannot wait. As long as it doesn’t delay your trip to the vet, pick off any visible maggots with tweezers. Do not dunk the rabbit in water as fur in the affected area may need to be shaved and wet fur clogs the clippers. Fly-strike is a very serious condition and is, sadly, often fatal.

However, rabbits can make a full recovery if the condition if found and treated quickly.

Fly-blown rabbits are usually in pain and severe shock, and need skilled veterinary and nursing care.

ANIMAL QUERIES is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch www.rspca.org.uk/local/bedfordshire-northbranch

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39

CD

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

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01480 459 721

High Street, Brampton

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Travelling With Kids

Keep family holidays a trouble-free, happy experience by following these tips!

Keep Entertained Pack plenty for kids to do during long, tedious journeys. A device loaded with apps is nice and compact, but also consider hand held puzzles, colouring books, plasticine, puppets, stickers, reading books and cards.

Keep Safe Use a child locator if you are visiting busy airports or crowded tourist attractions. Your child wears a small unit strapped to a belt or shoe and you keep the transmitter. If you lose your child, set off the alarm and follow the sound to find them. For older kids, write your mobile phone number on their arm.

Keep Healthy Young children often get ill on holiday. Keep bugs at bay by having a supply of antibacterial wipes to clean restaurant tables, cutlery and toilet seats and hand sanitiser for when there are no washing facilities nearby. A basic first aid kit is also a must! Pack pain killers or an easy to swallow medicine like Calpol, along with antiseptic wipes, plasters, anti-histamines and a thermometer.

Keep Memories Give smaller children a robust, child-friendly camera to record what’s important and interesting to them, and encourage older kids to keep a travel journal on postcards by writing messages to themselves - they make great memories for adulthood!

Happy Holidays!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

41

Food and Drink

by Culinary Masters

Wild Mushroom and Spinach Tagliatelle INGREDIENTS 150g wild mushrooms (e.g. porcini, chestnut, oyster) 50g baby spinach 50g parmesan cheese (and some parmesan shavings to serve) 100ml double cream Onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 100ml white wine Tagliatelle Salt and pepper 1. Put on a saucepan of water to heat, with a teaspoon of oil and salt added, and bring to boil.

2. Meanwhile, sweat off the onions, garlic and wild mushrooms in a pan.

3. When the water has come to the boil, add the tagliatelle and cook for 10 minutes or until soft.

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4. Add the white wine to the pan with the onion, garlic and mushrooms and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.

5. Stir in the double cream and continue to simmer for a minute.

6. Add the parmesan cheese and seasoning to taste.

7. Stir in the baby spinach and cooked tagliatelle and serve with rocket and parmesan shavings.

Based in Bedfordshire, Culinary Masters can supply a professional chef to cater for you in your home, whether it is a romantic meal for two or a dinner party for friends and family, you can enjoy the luxury of a meal out with all the shopping, cooking and clearing up done for you. Call 07872391726 for competitive quotes, menu options and more details.

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43

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

K J Property GENERAL BUILDERS • Extensions • Conversions • Home Improvements/ Alterations

• Patios • Driveways • Hard Landscaping

01480 534 033 Mob: 07812 758 188 Email: kj_builder@live.co.uk www.propertykj.co.uk

Tel:

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Local News

St Mary’s Church Eynesbury Eynesbury is the ancient parish church of the town having been recorded in the Domesday Book, although the present church was built in c1250.

A claim to fame of the church is that it is the burial place of the ‘Eynesbury Giant’, James Toller.

The church would have been one of the few buildings that James could have entered without bowing his head. His height at the time of his death in 1818 was reported to be eight foot, one and a half inches. He was buried within the church for fear that body snatchers would remove his mortal remains.

Some of the ancient pews inside are approximately 500 years old. They are referred to as the ‘Eynesbury Zoo’ because of the carved animals on

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top of the pew ends: a physical representation of the Benedicite.

As a local curiosity they have led to much questioning as to what kind of creatures they are.

As for more recent history, parishioner Debora Depledge has created a website about the men and women who died in the First and Second World Wars and are listed on the Eynesbury War Memorial at http:// eynesburywarmemorialproject. weebly.com. If you know any of the names listed, she would like to hear from you. She has also created a memorial book in honour of those named which is on display in the church. You can email her at: stmaryswm@aol.com or visit the website at http:// eynesburywarmemorialproject.weebly.com.

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Melodramatics 25-Year Anniversary Celebrations Have you been part of the cast or crew of Melodramatics or the Spaldwick School Pantomime Group during the past 25 years?

We will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary in Summer 2015 and would like to invite as many past cast and crew as possible.

If you would like to be informed of the event details or be involved in the performance then please send your contact information (email and/or phone number) to:

anne.lea@dsl.pipex.com 01480 812030

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BUSINESS SPACE TO LET 250 to 600sqft, full office spec but other uses possible.

Available now on flexible terms with ample parking.

Quiet location at Woodwalton, 2 miles off jct 15 A1, 6 miles north of Huntingdon.

Tel: 07941 049843 Email: s_parsley@totalise.co.uk

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Codeword 1

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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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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

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49

Travel

To Hell and Back…

By Tim Saunders

“It’s not a place where travellers first think of staying,” smiles Shige Takezoe who, with his wife Diana, owns Hell Barn Cottages in North Chideock, Dorset. “Basically nobody knows why it is called Hell but it’s a beautiful place.”

Shige purchased the holiday business with its three cottages in 1996. “It’s very much an international business - holidaymakers come from as far away as India.”

I have driven through Chideock on the way to Devon many times and never really given it a second glance until now. And it is a beautiful revelation with country lanes that at times are so narrow it is scary, especially when driving a large Range Rover Evoque which seems to create its own lay-bys.

What brings a Japanese man to this remote part of Dorset? Shige explains: “Diana was an English teacher in Tokyo and we moved back to the UK. I haven’t visited Japan since.”

He worked for a Japanese company in Newcastle.

“It’s only when you’re making money that you have the luxury to reflect. Realising that I wanted a better quality of life we moved to Dorset and found Hell.

We’ve never looked back.”

It’s an idyllic location where there is almost continual bird song, no road noise and children are well catered for with a large garden, slide and swings, an enormous games room and Wendy house.

We stay in Rosemary Cottage, which has two extremely comfortable bedrooms and a downstairs bathroom. Shige cooks Japanese cuisine and

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delivers it to the cottages. He’ll even take away the plates so there’s no washing up which enables tired parents to enjoy the restaurant experience at home without worrying about the children disrupting fellow diners.

We try the salmon and chicken teriyaki, which comes with rice, miso soup and salad with Japanese dressing.

A highlight of this holiday is our trip on the historic Seaton Tramway. We board at Colyton and enjoy a 30 minute ride, able to fit our tandem pushchair on board in the open part of the tram. It’s a delightful way to travel to Seaton with breathtaking views of the River Exe estuary and we spot rabbits and pheasants. Seaton suffers from a seagull problem but bird control comes in the form of a 246mph peregrine falcon named Morgan - a television celebrity. Our return journey is more relaxing than driving and having to look for a parking space.

There are many attractions and places to visit along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A la Ronde, a National Trust property at Exmouth is a spectacular 16-sided house built by two wealthy cousins who wanted to make the most of daylight.

Venture down the road to Golden Cap and you will be richly rewarded with magnificent coastal views.

From seaside destinations such as West Bay to Lyme Regis and Bridport and just over the borders to Sidmouth in Devon and Chard, Somerset there is never a dull moment. www.hellbarn.co.uk

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FLOORED

By Ian

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

Best prices and quality with a friendly service.

Enquiries to 01480 475486 or (Mobile) 07876 238308 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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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 • Local company

NICEIC Approved Domestic Installer Safety inspections Fuse board upgrades Replacements lights Additional power points Extensions For your free quote contact Rob Ambrose on 07553 922005 Or e-mail info@paxtonelectricaltesting.co.uk

01480 217899 or 07870 338074

Panasonic

everything matters

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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Crossword Solution for The Villager June Edition

May’s Crossword Winner Mrs D Driver from Wrestlingworth

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

To find out more call Sarah on 01767 261122 or email sarah@villagermag.com Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

53

The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Unable to hear (4) 3 Previously (8) 9 A lawn game (7) 10 Tease (5) 11 Produced (12) 14 Period of time (3) 16 Stop (5) 17 Feminine pronoun (3) 18 In spite of (12) 21 Shoreline (5) 22 Placing (7) 23 Daily (8) 24 Requests (4)

18th July 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP



Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page and send to the address below before

Down 1 Twelfth month (8) 2 Embellish (5) 4 Not in (3) 5 Dimensions (12) 6 Entrants in a race (7) 7 A toy (2-2) 8 Adequately (12) 12 Map or diagram (5) 13 Communications (8) 15 Mean (7) 19 Departs (5) 20 Land measurement (4) 22 Small vegetable (3)

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Local News With summer soon approaching, staff from the Sport and Active Lifestyles team at Huntingdonshire District Council are attending village festivals and events to provide a range of sporting activities for everyone to try. All of the activities are run, free of charge, as part of the DASH Phase II Project (Delivering Activity and Sport in Huntingdonshire).

The team will be attending village festivals on:

DASH Supporting Local Village Festivals

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Saturday 14th June - Brampton Village Fete - 1pm – 5pm Sunday 15th June - Huntingdon 10k Event (Alconbury) - 8am – 12pm Saturday 21st June - Somersham Carnival - 12pm – 4pm Sunday 29th June - Needingworth Music Festival - 1pm – 4pm Thursday 10th July - Houghton Village Festival - 6pm – 8pm Saturday 12th July - Paxfest (Little Paxton) - 12pm – 5pm Sunday 13th July - St Ives Music Festival - 12pm – 6pm Monday 21st July - Abbotsley Village Festival - 6pm – 8.30pm Saturday 26th July - Houghton & Wyton Music Festival - 1pm – 6pm Sunday 3rd August - Ramsey Family Fun Day - 12pm – 4pm Sunday 17th August - Hinchingbrooke Park Festival - 1pm – 4pm Saturday 13th September - Great Paxton Festival - 2.30pm – 4.30pm Activities will include a wide variety of sports, team games and use of play equipment for the younger participants.

For more information visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/dash or contact Johnny Pool, Sports Activator, on 01480 387098.

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

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n O s ’ t Wha 29 June-6 July Spaldwick Scarecrow Week Appearing in Spaldwick gardens They spring up here and there and then all of a sudden they are everywhere! Fascinating characters are populating our gardens again this year. The theme is ‘100 years of Spaldwick’. Take a tour around the village then vote for your favourite scarecrow on-line.

Web: www.spaldwick.com 2 July German and English spies in WW1 7pm for 7.30pm Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk by Roger Negus on different aspects of spying during the Great War. Non-members most welcome.

Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 2 July Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Members £1, Visitors £2 Carol Adams will be talking to us about Clematis Tips on how to grow. Plants will be on sale too.

Refreshments.

2, 9, 16 & 23 July Tots, Tea & Chat 10.50am-12 noon St James’ Church, Little Paxton Drop-in session for children and their carers. Tots group meets during term time.

Tel: Justyna Slemp 01480 214827 for further details 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 July Open Church 10.30am-12 noon St James’ Church, Little Paxton Drop-in session for children and their carers. Tots group meets during term time.

Tel: Justyna Slemp (Co-ordinator ) 01480 214827 for further details 4 July Great Paxton Annual School Fete 2014 4-7.30pm Great Paxton Primary School, Mount Pleasant, Great Paxton Adults £1, Children free Vintage tea room, barbecue, pony rides, quad bikes, brightly coloured maze, bouncy castle, home produce, tombola, raffle, children’s games and fun / craft zone, plus many stalls. Everyone welcome.

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5 July Summer Fair 11am-2pm Brampton Village Primary School Games, activities, entertainment, stalls, refreshments and fun for all the family. Ice cream & cakes, BBQ, Days Out prizes to be won.

5 July Annual Fête 3pm Village Hall, Keysoe Hog Roast Adults £7.50, Children 10 and under £3.50 St Mary’s Church annual fete. In addition to all the usual stalls, fun and games there will be the famous Hog Roast at 5pm (ticket only event). There will be a bar serving Pimms during the whole event.

Tel: Tickets 01234 378878

5 July Verdi Requiem - Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Concert 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre, off Brampton Road, Huntingdon, PE29 3BN Tickets £15, Students £7.50 Zoe South - Soprano, Janet Shell - Alto, John Upperton - Tenor, Oliver Gibbs – Bass.

Verdi’s dramatic setting of the Messa da Requiem was initially criticised for being too operatic. Today it is those very qualities which lead us to admire it. We are very fortunate to be joined by these internationally known singers for this performance of one of Verdi’s best-loved works. This is a joint performance with members of St Ives Choral Society.

Tickets: Anabel Capon 01832 274834, email huntsphiltickets@btinternet.com or on the door 5, 12 & 17 July Mill Lane Road Petition Little Paxton Full Council has agreed to start a Council petition for improvements to the Mill Lane Road to prevent closures due to flooding. The more signatures on the petition the stronger our voice will be. The petition will be available for signature at the following venues: Sat 5th July - Little Paxton Village Hall 9.30am-4pm Sat 12th July - Paxfest, QEII Playing Field, Little Paxton 1pm-4pm Thurs 17th July - St Neots Market 10am-3.30pm.

6, 13, 20 & 27 July Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday - all welcome. Services include children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served.

Tel: 01480 214894 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk

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6 July Concert St Mary’s Church, Eynesbury Advance tickets £10, on the door £8 St. Neots Concert Band will be playing a selection of toe-tapping band music. We hope they will also be joined by the Eynesbury Junior Church Band.

Refreshments provided.

Tel: Tony Hopwood 01480 382834 or email tonyhopwood@sky.com 10 July A Sing-a-long to Mamma Mia Doors open 6.45pm, film starts 7.15pm Admission £3 Proceeds to charity to be divided between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Village Hall Upgrade.

12 July Craft and Gift Fair 9am-2pm United Reformed Church, St. Neots Free admission Held in aid of The Coffee Pot Memory Café; a local charity in St. Neots for those with memory loss and their carers, run by volunteers and support from local Rotarians.

Tel: Mary 07717 158549 for details and stall hire Email: maryjdcruz@gmail.com 12 July Paxfest & Fun Dog Show 12noon-5pm Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field, Little Paxton Free admission Come along for an afternoon of family fun- display of vintage vehicles and cycles, celebration cake competition, Fun Dog Show, lots of stalls, beer tent, refreshments, BBQ, Connections Youth Bus, Magic Show, Children’s activities. Peterborough Highland Pipe Band, Little Paxton School Choir, Porterhouse Jazz 6 and Soham Comrades Brass Band.

12 & 13 July Hemingford Grey Art Exhibition 10am-4pm Reading Rooms, Hemingford Grey Free admission Framed and unframed work. Also cards for sale. All donations to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

13 July Wildlife Trust Huntingdonshire Group 10.30am The Elms, Hollow Road, Ramsey Forty Foot, PE26 2YA, GR TL309879 We will be visiting ‘The Elms’ as part of the Wildlife Trust’s ‘Our Garden Wildlife’. This unique garden is owned by our host, Richard Shotbolt, and is planted with a wide range of shrubs, perennials, an arid garden, vegetable plot and small meadow, plus bog and aquatic plants in and around three large ponds that teem with wildlife. Please park carefully on the verge on the north side of Hollow Road.

Tel: Tim Fryer 01480 457795 or George Cottam 01480 450809 for more information

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13 July Pet Service 3pm St Mary’s Church, Gamlingay A special service of celebration and thanks for all pets and other animals. As well as bringing your animals to church, write a poem, draw or paint a picture or create a piece of artwork about your favourite pet or animal.

Scan and email your poems or artwork to phil@a-b-s. biz and you will see them up on the big screen in church at the Pet Service or you can take your entries to church, 43 Green End or 2 Charnocks Close. All entries in by Sunday 6th July. Don’t forget to put your name and age on your entries as you and your pet will receive a certificate. All animals are welcome but owners must accept full responsibility.

13 July Eltisley History Society Tribute to our Tommies 6pm Eltisley Church Tickets £5 including refreshments The concert is in memory of the 14 men from Eltisley who died in WWI. Tickets: 01480 880268 15 July Kimbolton Flower Club 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Visitors £6 including light refreshments Summer Garden Workshop. Please bring garden flowers and foliage for your arrangements. There will be a sales table for other requirements. Visitors most welcome: come and see what you can do!

19 & 20 July ‘Wedding Traditions – Gowns and Mementos’ 1-5 pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Entry by donation in aid of the preservation and maintenance of St Peter’s Church Over 20 wedding dresses will be on display, ranging in age from the Second World War to the most recent time, representing over 70 years of fashion history.

Other memorabilia and mementos on display will include brides’ veils, Orders of Marriage Service, Marriage Certificates, wedding photos etc.

Teas and refreshments will be available, courtesy of Mr & Mrs Gillbanks, in the beautiful garden of The Limes, which is immediately adjacent to the church.

Parking will be available on the adjacent archery field for Sunday only from 1.00 pm.

27 July Wildlife Trust Huntingdonshire Group Walk 10.30am Brampton Wood, Grafham Road, Brampton Guided walk to look at the Butterflies and Dragonflies at Brampton Wood. The walk will be led by the Warden of Brampton Wood, George Cottam, plus other local experts. In July we will expect to see butterflies such as White Admiral, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, and the Silver Washed Fritillary. We also hope to see dragonflies such as the Broad Bodied Chaser and several of the large Hawkers coursing up and down the main rides. Please meet at Brampton Wood car park (GR TL 184698). Park in the Trust car park.

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

07842 195152 01480 811629 60

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Food & Drink

Beer of the Month

by Ted Bruning

It’s July, and July means Independence Day in the USA when they have cook-outs and parades and fireworks and... beer!

American beer used to be bland.

The malt was padded out with rice, and the hops were introduced only briefly to the brewing-kettle. They were served so cold and gassy that whatever character they did possess was obliterated. Thirty years ago a friend of mine used to take a phial of hop oil and a swizzle-stick with him on trips to the States to add flavour to his beer and dissipate the CO2.

Thankfully, things have changed since microbrewing started in earnest, and here are two beers that don’t need dosing and stirring.

Sierra Nevada was founded in 1980 in Chico, California, and the 5.6% abv Pale Ale was its

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firstborn brew. It’s bottled with yeast, so the fine mousse and deep head are natural. Its aroma has the piney freshness characteristic of the American Cascade hop, but there’s also toffee in both aroma and flavour. The finish is only slightly bitter (which is how Americans like it), and gives way to more toffee sweetness.

From Goose island Brewery in Chicago (founded 1988) comes the 5.9% India Pale Ale. IPAs were brewed strong and hoppy to survive the long sea-voyage to India in the days of the Raj; but here the hops are American rather than British so don’t have the aggressive bitterness we would expect. The beer is light for its strength, and the dominant note throughout is fresh hay. It smells and tastes like a stable with a short, fresh, tangy finish.

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Books

BOOK REVIEW

By Catherine Rose Top Ten for Men

by Nick Harper

Described by the Daily Mail as ‘a must have for fact fans’, national journalist Nick Harper’s book aims to bring together men’s favourite subjects – sport, cars, women, gadgets, beer and meat – in a catalogue of Guinness World Record-style top tens to fire the imagination and “feed a manly desire for knowledge and trivia”.

This is not a book to challenge the intellect but it may help with some male bonding if you can quote the top ten sexiest female characters of all time or the ten greatest footballers ever.

The lists are categorized under chapters that include Film, TV, Music, Celebrities, Technology, Sex, Life and Death, Food and Drink, Transport, Sport, History and The World amongst others.

Want to appear clever? Memorise the ten words that will make you sound more intelligent.

Another fuzzy head the morning after one too many? The ten most unconventional hangover cures will soon come to your rescue.

The lists go from the sublime (ten great opening lines of British classics) to the ridiculous (the top 10 places at risk of alien invasion in the UK). And in between, there are fascinating gems such as ten songs with bizarre hidden messages, ten delicious insects and spiders, and the top ten UK places where men live longest (and die soonest). There are also such poignant facts as the ten ‘last meal’ requests and the top ten TV themes played at funerals.

This book may not qualify you for Mastermind but it will certainly pique your interest, surprise you, make you laugh (the eighth most memorable country music song title - ‘You’re the Reason our Kids are Ugly’) and it may even ensure you are on the winning team for your next community quiz.

Top Ten for Men by Nick Harper (ISBN 978-0-60062916-0) is published by Hamlyn, a division of Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, and is available from Amazon priced £10 in hardback.

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