Cambs june 15 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 74 - June 2015

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Win Tickets to see Parklife

Budapest

Queen of the Danube

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

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Contents Admit Defeat

77 Ghost Hunting in Eynesbury................................................................... 4 Three Counties Asylum........................................................................... 6 Knowing Your Consumer Rights........................................................... 10 Anyone for Tennis................................................................................. 12 Hinchingbrooke’s Macmillan Woodlands.............................................. 14 The Villager Bookshop.......................................................................... 17 Summer Solstice.................................................................................. 19 From Poldark to Pen............................................................................. 20 St. Mary’s Church.................................................................................. 22 Win Tickets to see Parklife.................................................................... 24 Kimbolton School Swimming Pool Timetable...................................... 26 Thorpe Hall Hospice............................................................................. 29 Brow Beaten........................................................................................ 30 Osteopathy and Sport.......................................................................... 32 Why Walk When You Can Run?............................................................. 35 Huntingdonshire Regional College....................................................... 37 Father’s Day.......................................................................................... 38 Fun Quiz............................................................................................... 38 Bathing Beauty - Swimsuit Guide........................................................ 41 Employment Matters........................................................................... 42 Wills for Unmarried Couples................................................................. 45 Divorce Questions & Answers............................................................... 46

VILLAGER The

Issue 74 - June 2015

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Win Tickets

to see Parklife

Budapest

Queen of the Danube

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 FR1copy

To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

Service, Service, Service....................................................................... 48 Making a Pest of Themselves................................................................ 51 Butterfly Reincarnation........................................................................ 52 The Bliss of Diss.................................................................................... 54 OuseFest is Coming.............................................................................. 57 The Hazard of Fly Strike........................................................................ 59 Animal Know-How............................................................................... 60 Top 5 Eco Cars....................................................................................... 63 Seasonal Delights................................................................................. 65 Volunteers Week.................................................................................. 66 Children’s Page..................................................................................... 68 Budapest - Queen of the Danube......................................................... 71 Care Home Conundrum........................................................................ 72 What’s On............................................................................................. 74 Admit Defeat. Call a Professional.......................................................... 77 Puzzle Page.......................................................................................... 80 Bromswold Bike Fest............................................................................ 83 Prize Crossword.................................................................................... 86 Saving for Children............................................................................... 88 Russell Grant’s Horoscopes................................................................... 92 Book Review........................................................................................ 94

Butterfly Reincarnation

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)

Editorial - Peter Ibbett, Richard Knight, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Louise Addison, Catherine Rose, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Nooshin Hassan, Centre for Complementary Health, RSPCA, Carol Scott, Leeds Day Solicitors, Fiona McLeman, Tony Larkins, Pippa Greenwood, Andy Mydellton, Tim Saunders, Cromwell Vets, James Baggott, Susan Brookes-Morris, Solange Hando, Ann Haldon, Russell Grant and Bruce Edwards

Advertising Sales/Local Editorial Scott - 01767 261122 scott@villagermag.com Photography - Darren Harbar Photography

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

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

Design in andThe Artwork Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 To advertise Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

History

By Peter Ibbett

Ghost Hunting in Eynesbury Have you seen or heard a ghost? Some older buildings convince their owners that they are haunted by people or events from times past or even into the future. Eynesbury Old Rectory (Tudor House) is tucked quietly away off busy St. Mary’s Street and has been home to a range of families since it was built in the early 17th century, probably around an earlier building. Local legend has it that Civil War soldiers were billeted here giving rise to reports from former occupants of the house of hearing strange noises including the sound of horses hooves on cobbles and voices talking and laughing and even a figure in 17th century dress in one of the bedrooms! Traditional ghosts are not something that I have ever met (or heard) but I have met folk who have seen them. But as a Local Historian I have to admit to seeing historical ghosts round nearly every corner. The Old Rectory was once surrounded by its ‘park-like glebe’ and a walk around its modern boundary will reveal many ‘ghosts’ of times past. The walk down from the church takes you past the old school where the sound of a Victorian cane might catch your historical ear and on to the old cemetery with its memorials to lives

happy, sad and tragic. A curve in the path takes you to the riverside where your mind’s eye might see a Victorian Rector, a good amateur boxer, dealing soundly with an impudent bargee who ‘didn’t see why he should not camp on the Rector’s property’. A glance through the modern school hedge will show a giants chair and your imagination could wander to James Toller, the 8ft (or so) local giant allowed the use of the Rector’s ground for privacy from prying eyes and prospective bone collectors. Over towards the Marina the gentle sounds of ghostly Edwardian oars and the sounds of socialising on the local houseboats on an idyllic summers evening come wafting through the mists of time. And so past the Bowls Green and back to modern life with its increasing store of digital life passing through the atmosphere in ghostly megabites. You may not believe in being frightened out of your wits by real ghosts but the stories, sounds and lives of our ancestors are an ever present reminder of our ghostly past. Do visit your local Ghost Centre (Museum) to do your own ghost hunting. It is free to local residents and will provide you with sounds, stories and memories to send you gently to sleep at night. If you have Ghostly memories of any type please come and add them to the archives.

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‘EUROVISION’ REVISITED

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF EUROVISION

16 AUGUST 2015 AT SHUTTLEWORTH Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP FEATURING THE ORIGINAL RECORDING ARTISTS: Bobby G’s Bucks Fizz

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TRIBUTES TO: Abba The Shadows

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Cliff Richard

Please note: These acts are tributes performing classic hits, not the actual group or performer. Disclaimer - All information is accurate at time of publishing. Any act advertised is not guaranteed, as event is subject to weather and conditions beyond our control.

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History

Three Counties Asylum By Richard Knight

In the early 1850s, the old Bedford asylum was beyond repair and overcrowded with both the living and dead. A new asylum for Herts, Beds and Hunts was proposed. George Fowler Jones drew up plans for the new Three Counties Asylum. He chose a Gothic Romantic ‘corridor’ design so that people did not have to walk through rooms when moving around. Inspired by a visit to Hatfield House, Jones designed corridors that resembled Elizabethan and Jacobean long rooms. Nevertheless, the design was the most modern of its day with hot water, indoor flushing toilets, individual beds, ventilation and views. In strict Victorian rule, the sexes had separate wards, entrances, dining rooms and ‘airing courts’. Builder William Webster of Lincolnshire began work in 1857, using Arlesey white bricks and employing local tradesmen. When the local brickworks could not keep up with demand,

Webster built his own small brickmaking plant on site. The building sub-committee was so pleased that in 1858, employees and their wives were treated to a party to ‘raise the roof’ of the new building. On 8th March 1860, the asylum received its first “inmate pauper lunatics” – six females and six males, aged from 27 to 77. The asylum officially opened on 2nd April, 1860. By 1866, overcrowding was a problem. With poor rural living conditions, people were faking mental illness to be admitted as the asylum offered three meals a day, your own bed, heating, hot water, indoor flushing toilets, free beer, a daily tobacco allowance and free fortnightly entertainment fortnight. By 1874, there were 900 patients and only 71 staff to look after them. Plans to extend were put forward; some patients moved and a chapel and 20-bed detached isolation hospital built. In 1881, the building looked much as it does

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today, apart from one feature: the clock tower. A huge ‘Jules Verne’ turret housing a massive clock with two faces (one facing north, the other south) it was dismantled in 1902 as being ‘unsightly’ and the bell re-hung in the chapel. No photos survive of the inside of Three Counties but walls would have been lime-washed with bare floorboards and scattered rugs, illuminated by gas lighting that omitted a constant hiss. Baths were made of lead encased in wood with hot water from steam boilers. Iron bedsteads were used throughout with straw mattresses and pillows during the early years. Working in the asylum was hard and a 14-hour shift not uncommon. Violent patients could not be manacled, chained or cuffed and padded cells only used in extreme circumstances. In the early 1920s, the terms “pauper lunatic” and “asylum” were changed to “patient” and “hospital”. Everything with the word ‘asylum’ was disposed of, from headed paper to crockery and attendants’ whistles. Even a street name in Arlesey was changed from Asylum Road to Hospital Road. In 1926, electric lighting and a new cinematograph was installed much to the delight of patients and staff. By the 1930s it was becoming clear that patients could be treated for mental illness. Insulin Coma Therapy (ICT) was one new treatment. Involving gradual insulin overdose until coma was induced, it was thought this caused the mind to relax and become clear. It was ceased in 1947. Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) was introduced in 1939 and TCH’s Dr Robert Russell pioneered its development for depression and schizophrenia. Unique to Three Counties, Dr Russell opened an ECT suite where people could come as out-patients. He was so successful that he set up his own business in Letchworth selling and developing ECT machines. Another radical treatment involved patients being bitten by mosquitoes carrying malaria! A high fever state was believed to cure neurosyphilis, caused by untreated syphilis. By1949, Penicillin had arrived and was proving more useful. Possibly the most barbaric and dangerous operation was introduced at TCH in 1943: the frontal lobotomy. Controversial from the start, it was used on patients with a ‘disruptive violent

nature’ and involved scraping or burning away the frontal lobes of the brain. It was quietly abandoned in the early 1950s. The late 1930s saw expansion: a nurses’ home was opened and in 1939, a new admissions block, hydrotherapy and insulin therapy unit, small operating theatre and two villa wards for convalescent patients were built. Classed as “mental defectives”, TCH admitted children as young as six, who were kept on the same wards as adults. With building work complete, the hospital was requisitioned by the war department and all children were moved to the new Bromham unit. London’s Royal Free Hospital was relocated to the site on a 25-year lease in a series of large wooden huts and huge marquee tents in the hospital grounds. Each was fitted out with wooden flooring, 100 beds, emergency operating theatres and makeshift drainage. Entertainment was still high on the agenda, the highlight being a concert by Vera Lynn! In 1947, the hospital was returned to the authority of Three Counties. The Royal Free moved back to London and, as the ministry still had 17 years of its lease, the London Chest Hospital moved in. Peacetime at TCH saw a full recreation programme including weekly games, crafts, cinema showings, dance nights, plays and variety performances. Bowls and cricket matches were a regular event, popular with staff and patients alike. By 1954, there were 1,210 in-patients and outpatients daily. It was this year that farming at TCH stopped by order of the ministry. Livestock and TCH-owned Wilbury Farm were auctioned. In the late 1950s, the NHS began taking control of mental hospitals. MP Enoch Powell proposed massive changes to mental health policy including the closure of all Victorian mental institutions within a decade, to be replaced by short-term hospitalisation and community-based care. With the arrival of the 1960s, the hospital celebrated its centenary. By 1965, the association with Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire was over. Thus ended over 100 years of the Three Counties connection. The hospital was re-named Fairfield Hospital and would be known under this banner until it closed.

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Three Counties Radio

Knowing Your

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

Consumer Rights

I am becoming increasingly fed up with dealing with retailers right across Beds, Herts, Bucks and beyond who either don’t familiarise themselves with consumer law, or who deliberately attempt to pull the wool over their customer’s eyes. That makes it so important that we all understand the law as consumers. That way, when a retailer talks rubbish, we spot it straight away. I thought this month I would take the opportunity to explain ‘Statutory Rights’. You may have seen on a receipt or contract ‘This does not affect your statutory rights’. This means that anything the retailer has offered you (in terms of returns policy etc) does not change the things you’re entitled to by law. When you purchase any brand new goods or services in the UK you are protected by your ‘statutory rights’ (sale of goods act 1979). All goods must be: a) Fit for purpose b) Of ‘reasonable’ quality (based on the cost) c) Last for a reasonable amount of time (based on the cost) Therefore, if you buy (for example) a fridge for £300, it should last for a ‘reasonable’ amount of time. I would suggest a minimum of 5 years’ worth of ‘reasonable use’ before it blows up. If it develops a manufacturing fault at any time during that period, the retailer IS LIABLE! Any attempt to fob you off, should be met with a firm, but polite explanation of your consumer rights. Bear in mind, the retailer is at liberty to take into account usage you’ve had from a product before it breaks though. For example, if your 4 year old fridge blows up, the retailer could offer to replace it, but will ask for a contribution from you for the 4 years use you had from the previous model. For the first 6 months after purchase, it’s up to the retailer to prove that the fault with the item is NOT their responsibility. After the first 6 months it’s your responsibility. Therefore, my advice when dealing with an obstructive retailer, is to obtain an independent report to confirm that the product has a manufacturing fault, then ask the retailer to not only fix the problem, but also reimburse you for the cost of the report. It is also worth noting that when you first purchase an item, during the first 4 weeks you are entitled to return faulty goods and get a full refund. After this period of time, generally you will have to permit the retailer an opportunity to repair the item if they so wish. So, remember next time the manager of a shop says ‘oh sorry, there’s nothing we can do I’m afraid’. Tell them you understand your statutory rights and if they still fail to help, then call my team on 01582 637450 and I’ll have a little ‘word’ for you!

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. 10

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Time of Year

Anyone for Tennis? It’s Wimbledon fortnight A broken pony-roller belonging to the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club was the catalyst which led to the birth of the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world: Wimbledon. When the roller broke in 1877 the members decided to hold a lawn tennis competition to raise funds for repair. There were 22 male competitors who each paid a one guinea entrance fee. The champion was 27-year-old Spencer Gore who won 12 guineas and yes, it did rain on the day of the finals! In spite of the weather the competition was such a success that it became an annual event. In fact there have been only ten Wimbledon-free years since that first competition: four years during the First World War and six during the Second World War. At the start the only event was the gentlemen’s singles. Then, in 1884 the ladies’ singles and the gentlemen’s doubles were added, followed by the ladies’ doubles and the mixed doubles in 1913. Only top-ranked amateurs were allowed to play until 1968 when the tournament became ‘open’, meaning that professionals could finally enter. The British dominated The Championships, as they are known, for the first 30 years: Ernest and William Renshaw, and Laurie and Reggie Doherty were national heroes.

But our winning streak didn’t last. Until recently the last British man to win at Wimbledon was Fred Perry in 1936. He won a hat trick of titles just before the Second World War. Then, in the glorious summer of 2013 Andy Murray finally brought the title home to Britain and won the heart of the nation. He’s on a high this year having married his fiancé Kim Sears in the spring. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he made this a real fairytale year and won Wimbledon again? Wimbledon: Fascinating Facts The first black person to win Wimbledon was a woman, the American Althea Gibson, in 1957 and 1958. The first, and only, black male to win was Arthur Ashe, who beat Jimmy Connors in 1975. The last British woman to win Wimbledon was Virginia Wade in the silver Jubilee year, 1977. It is the only tennis competition where players are required to wear all or predominantly white clothing. In 2002 Anna Kournikova had to change her black shorts for white ones on court! Every year about 27,000 kilos of strawberries, 7,000 litres of cream, 60,000 pints of Pimms and 14,000 bottles of Champagne are consumed by spectators during Wimbledon.

By Louise Addison

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Local News

Appeal to raise £1.2million to build Hinchingbrooke’s new Macmillan Woodlands cancer centre Cancer care for patients served by Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust will be transformed under plans for a £2.4million new state-of-the-art extension to the hospital’s Macmillan Woodlands Centre. For the past three years, hospital staff and local fundraisers have captured local people’s imaginations with a vision of transformed cancer services at the hospital. In that time they have raised more than £600,000. A further £600,000 committed from the Trust’s Charitable Funds Committee, which includes the generous support of the Temple Bowyer legacy, means that already £1.2 million has been raised toward the new Macmillan Woodlands Centre. Macmillan Cancer Support in Huntingdon and the surrounding area has joined forces with the Trust in a fundraising appeal for the remaining £1.2 million needed to build the new centre. The new Macmillan Woodlands Centre is designed to meet the growing numbers of local cancer patients needing treatment, which is expected to double to 3,000 by 2016. Due to open in 2016, the new centre will bring an end to patients having to endure often

cramped conditions, longer waits than necessary, or having to travel to other hospitals for treatment. The spacious centre will improve the privacy and dignity available to patients during their treatment and enable loved ones to remain with them during their treatment, which currently cannot always happen. The new chemotherapy suites will be able to treat 15 people at a time, which is a significant improvement on the current over-subscribed capacity of nine, plus there will be two single treatment rooms. Patient Ruth King, (45), who was treated for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, spoke about the need for the new Macmillan Woodlands Centre: “Both the waiting area and the treatment room can be very crowded. There is no privacy because you are sitting so close to other people.” Ruth adds: “The new centre will be fantastic for the future if it means people can continue having treatment in a local hospital, rather than have to travel to Addenbrooke’s or Peterborough Hospital. I had four cycles of aggressive chemotherapy in Peterborough and it became extremely difficult for me because I couldn’t drive myself. I had to rely

on the goodwill of friends.” Lynda Hall, Macmillan Lead Nurse for Cancer and Palliative Care at Hinchingbrooke, says: “When I started working here in 1995, we would see two or three patients a day for treatment. Now it can be as many as thirty patients coming through the unit. We have been fast running out of space and I am very excited to know that we will soon be able to give the patients of Huntingdon and the surrounding area the kind of environment they deserve as they go through their cancer journey.” Jessica Levin, Fundraising Manager locally for Macmillan, urged people in Huntingdon and the surrounding area to join the fundraising effort for the new centre. She says: “We hope that as many individuals, groups of friends, families, schools and businesses, will play a part in helping us to reach the huge target we have set ourselves to make the dream of the new Macmillan Woodlands Centre a reality.” People wishing to support the £1.2 million fundraising appeal are being urged to call Macmillan on 0300 1000 200 or visit the special Macmillan Woodlands Centre appeal page www.macmillan.org. uk/hinchingbrooke

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The Unforgettable Close Up and Cabaret Magic of Steve Dean Immerse yourselves and guests in the close up magic of Steve Dean or enjoy a Cabaret Show that includes mentalism and much more. Have you ever witnessed unexplainable events or illusions so convincing that they leave you fascinated and completely spellbound? This is Cabaret, close up mix and mingle and table magic at it’s very best. Steve is a master of his craft and a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. He has had many letters of thanks and testimonials from people from all walks of life. From a small dinner party to performing on a British Cruise Liner this sort of entertainment is second to none and will give your guests unusual and fantastic entertainment that they can get involved in and will talk about for months to come. (Steve is a member of Equity with full public liability insurance).

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The Villager Book Shop

Bringing local authors and readers together The Villager and Town Life magazine is delighted to launch a new venture this month - The Villager Book Shop, aimed at promoting the work of local authors and filling the gap left by the closure of so many small independent bookshops in your area. Our first book on offer is East Anglia from the Air: Cambridge and Around by Martin Bowman published by Amberley Publishing. There are almost thirty Cambridges throughout the world but Cambridge, England is globally renowned for its magnificent university buildings which display seven centuries of architectural heritage. In this collection of aerial and ground photographs, Martin Bowman gives the reader a new perspective on the heritage of Cambridge and the local area, including Madingley, Ely, Duxford and the surrounding villages. Martin says: “I began to understand why Cambridge held such fascination for me. I had been looking for a place like this all my life.” Martin Bowman is one of Britain’s leading aviation authors with over 100 published books. He has also established an international reputation for his superb imagery and aerial photography. He has a passion for flying in military aircraft and lives in Norwich, Norfolk. To order your copy of East Anglia from the Air: Cambridge and Around, please contact The Villager Book Shop on 01767 261122 or email booksales@villagermag.com. Alternatively, fill out and return the form below to The Villager Book Shop, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP. The book is priced at £17.99 plus just £1.00 postage and packing.

I would like to order a copy of East Anglia from the Air Cambridge and Around by Martin Bowman.



Name: Address:  I enclose a cheque/cash for £18.99 made payable to Villager Publications Ltd. Publication: Paperback, 160 pages, 200 illustrations, August 2013 Price: £17.99 ISBN: 978-1-4456-1890-6 Size: 170 x 248mm Rights: World, all languages To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

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Time of Year

Summer Solstice Summer Solstice (sometimes also referred to as Midsummer) falls between June 21st-22nd, and celebrates the longest day and shortest night of the year, the sun reaching its highest point in the northern hemisphere, and the very pinnacle of summer-time. Midsummer is celebrated with a variety of different traditions and celebrations around the world â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and indeed around our own country, with parties commonly held from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to the Cornish coast, and in particular at Stonehenge, where tens of thousands gather every year for an all-day festival, watching the sun rise early on 21st June and celebrating the longest day with everything from quiet observations to full-on festivities. The lighting of bonfires often forms a big part of the culture, celebrating the burning light of the sun and mirroring it, a tradition stemming from pagan and Celtic roots.

In addition to having huge Pagan significance, the solstice is relevant too to some branches of Buddhism and those who practice Yoga, in which Sun Salutations often play an important role and the sun is something very much worthy of reverence. The solstice can be explained by the angle of the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s axis, the tilt of which is the reason we experience our four seasons each year. When the axis tilts towards the sun during the summer months we know here in the UK, winter is of course in the southern hemisphere, rotating entirely by the time we reach the opposite end of the year.

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17/03/2015 14:15

Local News

From Poldark to Pen Many will have lamented the end of the new lauded series of BBC’s Poldark. Despite playing the part of Doctor Choake, whose curmudgeonly bedside manner left a lot to be desired, in person, actor Robert Daws is warm, friendly and modest, particularly as it turns out he is also a talented writer. He is currently helping to organise the second annual Ampthill Literary Festival which takes place on 11th July at Parkside Hall with headline guest stars Barry Norman, Jenny Éclair, and actor John Challis (best known for his role as Boycie in Only Fools and Horses). Festival fringe events began at the end of April with ‘Beer & Books’ when Robert took to the stage with actor wife Amy Robbins at Ampthill Cricket Pavilion to perform an extract from local author P.J. Whiteley’s new romantic comedy, Close of Play. Robert will be acting as Master of Ceremonies at the event itself and his brotherin-law, the well-known Ted Robbins, will be coming along to award prizes for the children’s festival and writing competition which takes place in the morning. Robert, who lives in Ampthill, published his first bestselling crime novel, The Rock in 2012. He became interested in crime fiction while co-writing and presenting the detective series Trueman and Riley for Radio 4. The Rock is set on Gibraltar, a place that Robert has been visiting for 25 years and knows well. He explains: “It has the second oldest police force after the London Met and I thought it was an interesting setting for a crime novel.” The novels centre around Detective Sergeant Tamara Sullivan who finds herself knee-deep in murder mystery when she is seconded by the London Metropolitan Police Service to Gibraltar. Robert has been able to find plenty of time to write on location while acting as there is a lot of “waiting around”. He also admits: “Now that I’m older and have a young family, there are many acting jobs I would rather not do and I am lucky enough to be able to pick and choose.” Expected to be launched mid- autumn, Robert’s second novel, The Poisoned Rock, opens during WWII. “Gibraltar was a small, crucially strategic

By Catherine Rose

piece of territory during the war,” says Robert “and there was a lot of agent activity going on.” The plot is based on a wartime case that has repercussions on the present day. Despite being a writer, Robert’s own literary achievements at the festival will be kept low key. “Actually, the thing I really enjoy is the technical side: the sound, lights and stage building” he confesses. Robert is currently in the midst of having the second book in his detective series published and is already halfway through writing the third. “I have enough stories for ten books!” He laughs and adds that “things are progressing very creatively” on the television front. For more information on Ampthill Literary Festival and how to attend, please visit www.amplitfest.co.uk

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Local News

St Mary’s Church Godmanchester An organ recital will once again be taking place at the Church of St Mary Virgin, Godmanchester on Saturday 6th June 2015 in aid of the roof fund with all welcome to attend. John Dillistone will be playing an eclectic programme of music including pieces by J.S. Bach, John Stanley, Guilmant, Henry Purcell, Sweelinck and Helmut Walcha. The Godmanchester Church organ is described as a distinguished early Victorian instrument that was designed well in advance of its time by Henry Bryceson of London in 1859. Recitalist and organist John Dillistone has said that the craftmanship

of the two-manual organ is of such good quality “it is possible to interpret many different styles of music on it” hence the ability to have such a varied program. A major restoration of the organ was undertaken in 1994 at a cost of £60,000. It was subsequently completed in 2002. Today the Bryceson Organ is one of the church’s most treasured features and is listed on the National Pipe Organ Register. John Dillistone has travelled extensively as a recitalist and has had experience playing many of the largest and most eminent cathedral organs in Europe and the USA including at Ghent and Berlin Cathedrals as well as the Washington National Cathedral. The concert starts at 7.30pm and admission is £7.00 on the door which includes a programme. A free glass of wine is also offered. The church is situated in the heart of the old town in Chadley Lane.

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COMPETITION

Win Tickets to see

Parklife

LPH Concerts and The Pad Presents... ParkLive - Happy Mondays, Ash, Stereo MCs & The Scruff Bedford Park Friday 31st July 2015 Gates open at 6pm LPH concerts, the promoters for the Bedford Park Concert series this summer have teamed up with The Pad Presents to bring PARKLIVE to town, which will include legendary band The Happy Mondays headlining the Friday night concert. The seminal Manchester band, changed musical culture forever and were one of the biggest bands of the Madchester era. They released 2 cult albums on Tony Wilson’s legendary Factory Records label ‘Squirell & Gman’ and ‘Bummed’ before rising to huge acclaim in 1990 with the release of ‘Thrills Pills & Bellyaches’ which spawned the immortal hit singles Step On, Kinky Afro, thrusting them into mainstream consciousness as they went on to tour and top festival line ups all over the world. Other classic Mondays tunes include Lazyitis, Loose Fit, Bobs Yer Uncle, W.F. L and the club anthem ’24 Hour party people’ - a track title that went on to inspire a film of the same name which recounted the Factory Records glory days and all the chaos that came with it. In recent years the band have reunited with the full original line up, including front man Shaun Ryder

alongside his maraca shaking vibes man Bez as well as backing singer Rowetta. Special guests for the evening are Belfast pop punk indie icons Ash. The Tim Wheeler fronted stalwarts of indie have been together for over 20 years and were one of the movers and shakers of the Britpop era, stacking up 5 top 10 albums and an incredible run of 18 top 40 singles including Girl From Mars, Goldfinger, Shining Light, Burn Baby Burn and the movie theme tune A Life Less Ordinary. Ash are back on tour all over the UK this year including many major music festivals but are pleased to be making the stop off to Bedford in July having sold out Bedford Corn Exchange back in July 2013. Support comes from the Stereo MC’s who emerged out of the UK indie dance scene in the late 80s early 90’s with the release of the albums 33,45,78, Supernatural and the Brit Award winning album Connected, the latter which spawned their biggest single successes with the title track Connected, Step it Up and Ground Level. Opening up the show are local boys The Scruff. Tickets are £32.50 including booking fees, and can be purchased from www.lphconcerts.co.uk and www.thepadpresents.com The Villager and Town Life has a pair of tickets to give away for the Parklife Event. To enter, simply email editor@villagermag.com with the heading ‘Parklife Entry’ and include your name, address and telephone number. A winner will be picked at random. Closing Date: 12th June 2015

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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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Local News

Thorpe Hall Hospice

Countdown to completion

The countdown is on to the completion of the brand new Thorpe Hall Hospice building. The contractors are now putting the finishing touches to the single-storey building which represents the future of palliative care for the region. The sedum roof is turning green as the lowgrowing plants shoot in the spring sunshine; the gardens are being landscaped and the rooms are being decorated. The completion of the new 20 bed inpatient unit is the final phase in a £6 million project to provide the region with a state-of-the-art hospice able to provide incredible care for generations to come. A series of open days will be held in June giving everyone who has supported the hospice the opportunity to see what they have helped create.

home for patients but also so that it allows us as a team to work as efficiently as possible. That, in turn, gives us more time to spend caring for our patients and their families. “We are now looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible to Thorpe Hall in June so we can show off our new hospice. This is a new era for Thorpe Hall and for the region and we want everyone to be a part of it.” The Thorpe Hall Capital Appeal is running until the end of June and the Appeal total hasn’t been reached yet. There is now £4.02 million in the bank and the fundraising team are busy with a final push for funds. To find out more about the new Thorpe Hall Hospice please visit the website www.thorpehall.org

Open days and evenings are being held as follows: Thursday 11 June 5pm to 8pm Saturday 20 June 10am to 4pm Sunday 21 June 10am to 4pm Tuesday 16 June 5pm to 8pm Please drop in – the Coffee Shop will be open for refreshments, there will be tours of the new hospice and a treasure hunt for the children. Allison Mann is the head of clinical services. She said: “A lot of thought has gone into the new building to make sure it feels like a home from

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Health & Beauty

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Brow Beaten? I was born with my dad’s eyebrows. Naturally thick, shapeless and unsightly, they looked like two caterpillars stuck to my forehead. At age twelve I followed the fashion of the day and plucked away until they were within a whisper of totally disappearing - and I was on the point of fainting! Today, my eyebrows are thin, shapeless and unsightly and I’m resigned to them looking that way forever. Or rather I was… Internet searches assure me that no matter how over-plucked, over-waxed or over-groomed your eyebrows may be, there is hope still for beautiful, arched, perfectly coiffed specimens. The most extreme method might be an eyebrow transplant (yes really!), but there are other less drastic options! Most of us ladies – and the odd gent too – need to lose a few hairs from the brow line. The easiest solution is tweezing away the stray hairs yourself, but the results are short-lived and the risk of creating the wrong shape is high. Better results can be achieved by a professional, with waxing and threading methods achieving hair removal lasting around 4-6 weeks. Fair or very thin eyebrows may benefit from being tinted. Like hair dye, this changes the colour and lasts 4-6 weeks. A popular look at the moment is HD (High Definition) Brows which focus on shape and design and promise to give you sleek, stylish brows like those enjoyed by the stars. A seven step process

that includes a consultation followed by tinting, waxing, threading, tweezing, trimming and finishing with a pencil or brush to fill in any gaps, is described as more than just shaping or tidying but actual eyebrow artistry! With your brows looking beautiful brows it’s time to move on to the eyelashes. There are numerous mascaras around promising volume, length and thickness, and I can vouch for some of them actually working! My daughter’s naturally long lashes were taken to another level following the application of a new mascara. But what else is on offer? Tinting is an option if your lashes are particularly fair, and it’s not just for girls. I remember the difference it made to my friend’s son after his lashes were darkened. Curling makes straight lashes appear longer, and creates the illusion of wider, brighter, more feminine eyes. Lash-perming, which is best carried out by a professional, can make the results can last for six weeks, which is great for holidays or if you have any big events lined up. Finally, how about having eyelash extensions? This is one of the UK’s fastest growing beauty treatments and involves gluing separate synthetic eyelashes to individual natural lashes to give a luscious, natural look. The amount of curl, length or thickness can vary according to your personal preference and the results last for 8-12 weeks depending on your natural lash growth cycle.

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Complementary Health

Osteopathy and Sport Over the years osteopathy has become more familiar and as a key provider in physical therapy in the field of sports injuries and rehabilitation. Osteopathy has been one of the disciplines sought after to be included in sports medical teams from those at local club level to international teams such as the Olympics What is osteopath? Osteopathy works on the basis of the structure and function of the body working integrally and that the well-being of an individual physically depends on the bony skeleton, muscles ligaments connective tissue all working in harmony, and functioning smoothly together. Distinctively, it recognises that much pain and disability stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure, as well as from damage caused to it by disease. As such osteopaths are working to restore balance and where possible with minimal use of drugs or surgery, however it fully recognizes the benefits of other disciplines and can be used effectively as a multi-disciplinary approach. “Osteopaths place much emphasis on the skilful development of palpation (feeling) techniques. They will use “hands-on” and manipulative methods to detect and correct faults in your body mechanics. They will also consider factors that may precipitate the condition in the future, and advise you accordingly” Jane Morris, owner at the Centre for Complementary Health explains. “Some people mistakenly think that Osteopathy and Physiotherapy are rival therapies which do not work well together.

On the contrary, both play important roles in the recovery and prevention of pain, injury and disease” she adds. Types of treatment There are many different types of osteopathic techniques that may be used. Your osteopath will choose from a range of techniques, including:• soft tissue massage for muscles and connective tissues (some with patient participant) • articulation techniques to improve stiffness in the joints (some with patient participants) • manipulation to improve the range of motion of joints • cranial techniques, a gentle approach to release mechanical disturbance around the joints of the skull and throughout the body • exercises to rehabilitate and re-educate postural imbalances • some osteopaths may also use acupuncture needling type techniques as an adjunct to relieve pain and stimulate healing • advice about environmental factors that disadvantage the body, and how to avoid them! One of the ways in which osteopathy differs from other forms of therapy is that following one of the original principles ‘structure governs function’ which demands that the whole body needs to be considered when treating the athlete therefore, looking not just at the physical needs but also the emotional, cognitive and spiritual aspects. The osteopaths at the Centre are highly skilled and qualified. All our osteopaths have undergone a four year full-time training in Osteopathy are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), to whose code of ethics and conduct they adhere. Only practitioners registered with GOsC may practice as osteopaths in the UK. Great athletes like Lord Sebastian Coe, etc. John McEnroe Paula Radcliff, Steve Redgrave, Fatima Whitbread, Daley Thompson, Sebastian Coe, Geoff Capes, Tim Henman, have all use osteopathy in their careers so, if you would like to know how it could help you contact the Centre on 01480 455221 or see www. centreforcomphealth.com More info: Website: www.CentreForCompHealth.com Email: info@CentreForCompHealth.com Phone: 01480 455221

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13/05/2015 10:22 33

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Counselling Service Depressed? Anxious? Relationship Issues? Low Self Esteem? Have you considered Counselling sessions? Based in Grafham village, I offer a professionally qualified Counselling Service to individuals and couples in a secure, confidential & non-judgemental atmosphere. Ample parking. Concessionary rates available. For further details: Visit: www.jilldightoncounselling.co.uk Email: j.dighton@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07925 852 985 (Voicemail available)

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Well Being

Why walk when you can run?

By Nooshin Hassan

Ok, I did it. I signed up for a running race. I only have myself to blame. Being a novice runner (and that’s a generous description) my motivation was not the love of the sport. My decision was fuelled by the desire to raise money for a charity that didn’t involve shaving my head or dousing myself in ice. A small part of me also felt it would be good to set myself a new kind of challenge. So now I am ‘in training’ (that sounds far too professional versus the reality) for the Great Yorkshire Run where I will be raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society. It’s a 10k race, which might not seem much compared to the marathon-sized efforts of many people today, but it’s the longest distance I’ve ever run. This is not just about improving my fitness or the race itself; I’ve made a commitment to support a greater cause something to remember when the going gets tough. And I’m hoping that my once-a-week yoga has helped….

Tips from a non-pro runner:

• Get some decent trainers. You don’t need expensive gait analysis (although that might be what you want). • Stretch! I suffered the consequences of not bothering and it was PAINFUL so I cannot stress stretching enough. 20 minutes. Before and after running. • Ladies I have two words for you: Sports. Bra. • Apply lip balm/Vaseline etc. before running to avoid cracked lips as you OFFER become dehydrated. 131x93 18.05.qxp_Layout 1 18/05/2015 16:34 Page 1

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Education

Let the next step of your journey begin with Huntingdonshire Regional College

Take the next step of your journey with Huntingdonshire Regional College and achieve your true potential through our career-focused Study Programmes and Apprenticeships. From Business to Beauty, Motor Vehicle to Music Technology, we have the full-time Study Programme or Apprenticeship for you. Learn new skills, acquire knowledge and gain experience in your chosen field to achieve the qualifications you need to succeed in the world of work. Our Study Programmes include an opportunity to complete work experience and enterprise projects. We have strong links with local employers and work with them to ensure that you leave with the right skills and experience. Don’t miss our June Open Event! Our next Open Event is on Wednesday 24th June from 5:30pm – 8pm which will give you a flavour of student life at the College, get involved in taster sessions, speak to staff and gather information. Our Open Event is also an invitation to explore the excellent facilities at HRC, we have a Vitality Hair & Beauty Salon, Learning Resource Centre, Refectory and Starbucks Café, Gym, Teddy Bear Nursery and our recently renovated Creative Industries Centre. Pre-register online: www.huntingdon.ac.uk/pre-register

Free College bus travel for full-time students We offer fantastic travel incentives, including a free bus service for students across the region and discounted driving lessons with RED Driving School. Have a hassle-free journey to and from College and save up to £450 per year as a full-time student with our free College bus service covering Huntingdonshire and beyond. Visit: www.huntingdon.ac.uk/freebus Part-time professional courses We offer flexible provision to suit your needs and have a range of part-time professional courses that allow you to balance your study with work, family and other commitments. Whether you are looking to enhance your professional development, interested in a career change, looking to climb the ladder or wanting to gain skills to help you land that dream job, we can help you achieve your goals. Feeling inspired? Apply now! We recommend that you apply early to ensure your place for September 2015. You can apply now via our online application system – designed to make it even easier for you! Simply head to the Study Programme you are interested in, click on the ‘Apply Online’ button and fill in the required fields. Alternatively, you can pick up a prospectus from the College and complete the form inside. If you are at school, then you can apply online through UCAS Progress.

Huntingdonshire Regional College, California Road, Huntingdon, PE29 1BL Tel: 01480 379106 • Web: huntingdon.ac.uk • Email: marketing@huntingdon.ac.uk Twitter: @HuntsCollege • Facebook: /HuntingdonshireRegionalCollege

Time of Year

Fathers Day Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide in recognition of the contribution fathers make to the lives of their children. In the UK it takes place on the third Sunday in June. There are various stories about the origins of the day. Some believe it is associated with pagan sun worship as the sun is known as the father of the universe and the June solstice occurs around the same time as Father’s Day each year. Others claim that the tradition originated in the ruins of Babylon. It is said that a young boy called Elmesu carved a father’s day message on a card made out of clay around 4,000 years ago. The UK is believed to have followed on after the USA started celebrating the annual occasion. Again there are different versions,

but most link the commencement of the modern Father’s Day with the campaign led by Sonara Smart Dodd. When she was 27, Sonara decided after listening to a Mother’s Day Sermon that there should be something similar for fathers. The local Spokane Ministerial Association and the Young Men’s Christian Association supported her and a local celebration took place in 1910. The popularity of the day spread across the USA and it became officially recognised by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.

Fun Quiz - Toys and Games 1. What toy would you need to perform tricks called walk the dog and the cat’s cradle? 2. Which game has a name that is derived from a Swahili word meaning “to build”? 3. Named toy of the year for 1998 by the British Association of Toy Retailers, which electronic toy would speak its own language initially before gradually starting to speak more and more English? 4. What colour are the hotels in a standard game of Monopoly? 5. First introduced in the 18th century, what type of puzzles were named after the tool that was used to make them? 6. In which game might you visit Lemonade Lake, Chocolate Mountains, Minty Meadow and Easter Bunny Hills? 7. Which of Andy’s toys in the Toy Story films wears a black bowler hat? 8. In a standard game of Battleship, how many ships do you have to sink to win? 9. Which American toy company was founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler? 10. What is the only non-metallic murder weapon in the game of Cluedo?

Before

After

1. A yo-yo 2. Jenga 3. The Furby 4. Red 5. Jigsaw puzzles (a jigsaw would be used to cut out the pieces) 6. Candy Crush Saga 7. Mr Potato Head 8. Five 9. Mattel (from parts of their names “mat” and “el” 10. The ropes

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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 01480 214423 Ground Floor Offices, Unit 4 Eaton Court Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon St Neots, Cambs PE19 8ER Email: office@ansteegorst.co.uk Website: www.ansteegorst.co.uk

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Time of Year

Bathing beauty

Swimsuit Guide

A friend of mine was delighted recently to win a swimming lesson with former Olympic breaststroke champion Duncan Goodhew, but her initial euphoria was soon replaced with feelings of dread as she contemplated what to wear for her big occasion. The ultimate, most terrifying stage fright – with the exception of total nudity – is the bathing suit. Thoughts about whether “my bum looks big in this” pale into insignificance as we consider exposing every bump and lump imaginable in the most revealing item next to our birthday suit! Everyone has something about their body that they think looks horrible in a swimsuit, so when looking for the ideal swimwear, the secret is to find something that creates a sense of balance and draws attention to the most flattering parts of our figure whilst masking our trouble spots. Most of us fit into three problem shapes – pear, apple and straight (or athletic). Pears are heavy around the hips and thighs, and wearing a plunging neckline or eye-catching top with ruffles or embellishments will make the bust look bigger and will also draw attention away from the heavier bottom half. Padded, push up tops make boobs look bigger and bandeau tops make the bust appear wider. High cut bottoms make the legs look longer if this is also an issue. Apples have large busts and thick waists with comparatively small hips. Boy shorts make the hips look wider and help to give balance. Tops that are cut straight

across help to minimise large busts, and for extra support bikini tops should be under-wired, and one piece suits should have higher backs. If finding the perfect fit for both top and bottom halves is a problem, don’t be afraid to buy different sized separates in complimentary designs. For example bottoms in a bright or patterned fabric and a top in a plain, darker fabric, will help draw attention away from the bust. If you need to disguise a large tummy, a one piece suit with ruched panels or shirring will hide bulges and create definition, as will a wrap over design with crossover fabric. Straight shapes need to create the illusion of more curves, and the

monokini is great for this, as is a one-piece with strategically placed cuts or slits. Bold prints, ruffles and embellishments on tops and bottoms accentuate the bust and hip lines, and skimpier bikini bottoms plus side ties will make your bottom appear curvier. Finally, before selecting your swimwear, consider how and when you plan on wearing it. Whether you intend to go swimming or scuba diving, or spend your time sunbathing will have an influence on the style, fabric and even the colour you choose.

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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Employment

Employment Matters Pension Auto-Enrolment What you Need to Know

If you employ people, the first thing you need to know is that there is no opt out of a pension! The business has to put a pension in place although employees can opt out after they have been autoenrolled. Which employers are affected? Almost all employers are affected whether you employ 1 or 1,000 people. Which employers are not affected? If you are the director and sole employee of your company, there is no requirement to auto enrol. Which workers are not affected? Self-employed contractors. Which workers are affected? All workers between age 16 and 75 who usually work in the UK. ‘Workers’ includes employees and others who are contracted to work for you, except as part of their own business. Agency workers are included, and you are likely to be responsible if you pay them directly. Workers are ‘eligible jobholders’ if they are aged 22 or over; are under state pension age (a moving target) and earn more than £10,000 p.a. This figure currently matches the income tax personal allowance. Workers are ‘non-eligible jobholders’ if they earn more than £5,772 a year and are not eligible jobholders (under 22 or over state pension age). They must be offered a pension on the same basis as eligible jobholders, but must apply to join rather than being automatically enrolled. Workers are ‘entitled workers’ if they are over 16 years but earn under £5,772 a year, and employers have to offer them access to a pension scheme,

but do not have to pay into it. National Employment Savings Trust – NEST To assist smaller employers with the cost and admin burden of auto-enrolment, the Government has established a pension scheme: National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) which operates in broadly the same way as other defined contribution occupational pension schemes but it is not for profit so the costs are lower. However NEST contributions are subject to a cap making it unattractive to those on high salaries or older employees who want to top up their pension pots. Funds cannot be transferred into or out of NEST so if a worker leaves and joins an employer with a private scheme they will be unable to transfer their pension savings. Independent Financial Planning Advisors IFAs can consult on any and all products that they think meet your auto-enrolment needs covering the whole market and the IFA cost structure tends to split into three main areas: 1) Design only: The IFA will assess the workforce and recommend an appropriate scheme; 2) Design and Implement: For employers who would like the IFA to recommend a scheme, arrange implementation and act as a first point of contact for all employees; 3) Design, Implement and Maintain: For employers who would like the IFA to design and implement the solution, and then maintain the scheme with ongoing support for the business, employees and payroll provider. Your key action is to start planning 12 months in advance of your staging date. Carol H Scott

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EBAY COLLECTIONS

WObUrN FOreST HOLIday VILLage

career OPPOrTUNITIeS

Nestled in a 365 acre forest, Woburn Forest boasts beautiful undulating woodland landscapes, the largest Subtropical Swimming Paradise, magical views over the lake and forest with modern Lodges bringing guests closer to nature. We have a variety of positions with hours to fit around your lifestyle. There are various contracts available. You will come into regular contact with our guests so you will need to have a pleasant and helpful nature. Transport is available for some of our positions in the local area. To apply please visit centerparcscareers.co.uk, click on Job Search, then choose the Woburn location or alternatively sign up to receive regular job alerts. Center Parcs, Woburn Forest Holiday Village, Millbrook, Bedford, MK45 2HZ

Local & Reliable

at center Parcs, we want our people to share in the success their hard work brings, enjoy a sense of wellbeing and a good lifestyle, and make the most of their time with us. We offer unique benefits such as: • discounted center Parcs breaks • day visitor passes • Free use of village facilities

www.centerparcs.co.uk

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Leeds Day Solicitors

Wills for Unmarried Couples Unmarried partners living together can be leaving each other unprovided for if they do not make wills. Many people believe that unmarried couples have similar legal rights to married couples, or consider themselves to be ‘common law’ spouses. However, under current legislation, unmarried couples (whether of the same or different sexes), do not have any automatic legal rights if one of them dies, regardless of the length of time that they have lived together or whether they have children together. As a result, if one party dies without a Will then his or her estate will be divided according to the Intestacy Rules. The Intestacy Rules make no provision for an unmarried partner to receive any share in an estate and the deceased’s estate will instead pass to his or her children, parents, siblings or other relatives. If you own a property (or a share of a property held in joint names) you should consider whether you want your partner to inherit your share of that property, or whether you wish it to pass to somebody else. If you have children, you may wish to provide for those children to benefit from your share in the property, whilst also enabling your partner to continue living in the house rent free until he or she has also died or moved out. Your Will can be prepared to ensure the survivor’s occupation of the property is protected, whilst also making provision for your children in the future. Difficult situations There are a number of difficult situations that can arise when someone has not made a will. The most common occur when: • You are still legally married but separated. If you are separated but not yet divorced from your husband, wife, or civil partner, they will inherit the bulk of your estate. • You have children and a partner but are not married. If you have children (and are not married, or are divorced) your whole estate will be divided between your children.

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

• • You have step-children. All your biological and adopted children are treated equally in the eyes of the law, so they will all inherit from you whether they are from a current or previous relationship. Your partner’s children (unless you have legally adopted them) will not inherit from you, no matter how much you think of them as “yours”. • You have not appointed a guardian. If you have children under the age of 18, and are the only person with Parental Responsibility for them, you need to appoint a guardian. If you don’t do this, it will be very hard for people to know what you wanted to happen. Your family and friends may not see eye to eye over what to do and your children could end up being raised by someone you wouldn’t have chosen. • You have a property and mortgage together with your partner. You and your partner are jointly and severally liable for the mortgage. If you haven’t made a Will your partner will have to pay the mortgage but your share in the property may pass to your nearest living relatives. If you want to protect your partner from having to find a new home after your death you need to make a Will. It can often be helpful to discuss the issues relevant to each individual, in order to establish the best way to make provision for all concerned. We can advise you in an appropriate and practical manner and ensure that your wishes are recorded in your Will. Please contact us on 0844 567 2222 by email at wills@leedsday.co.uk or visit our website www.leedsday.co.uk if you would like to discuss your requirements.

Our offices: 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 45

Family Law

Questions & Answers Clients often have the same anxieties about the divorce process, and come along to a first meeting with their lawyer armed with a bundle of questions that need answers. Here is a summary of those which readers may find useful. Can we both file for divorce? Only one spouse can petition for divorce. They are known as the Petitioner and the other spouse is the Respondent. Can I cite irreconcilable differences? There is no such thing. The ground for divorce is ‘Irretrievable breakdown’. How do I prove irretrievable breakdown? By proving one of five facts - adultery, behaviour, 2 years separation with the Respondent’s consent, 5 years separation, or desertion for 2 years. Can I get a quickie divorce? There is no such thing. Divorces take about 3-4 months. How long does it take? If the divorce is not contested it will take 3-4 months. How much will it cost? Court fees are £410. Solicitors’ fees are extra. Some solicitors charge a fixed fee.

Do I have to go to court? If the divorce is not contested, it is a paper exercise and no attendance at court is required. Do I have to consult a lawyer? No, it is possible to petition for divorce without legal representation. Where do I get the forms? These can be obtained online from the court service website or in person by attending at your local family court. What if my spouse will not cooperate? All steps should be taken to ensure the divorce is as amicable as possible. It is possible to progress a divorce even if the other spouse will not cooperate What should I do next? If legal advice is required, consult www.resolution.org.uk to find a Resolution approved lawyer near you.

Fiona McLeman Tel: 07894 095775 www.fmfamilylaw.co.uk

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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:

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Beacon Wealth

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

Service, Service, Service I recently went shopping for another Dinner Suit. I left my usual shop and called in at another for a comparison, and was surprised to find just what I wanted for less than I thought and the service was above and beyond expectation. They are a wellknown supplier who could benefit from telling others they exist. Some time ago it was felt that clients would benefit from high quality legal advice through a firm with the same approach to client service as our own. Knowing of only one individual, Linda Eaton, who in my opinion was head and shoulders above the norm, I approached her and after explaining my desires, was pleased to hear she too wanted the same. We therefore set-up a new law firm with a view to recruiting likeminded individuals. During this pursuit we came across Jeffrey Mills who has experience oozing from his pores. Jeffrey loved what has been achieved through Beacon and when he heard that Linda Eaton was already on board, he too wanted to be a part of the new firm. With his own business quietly trading in St Neots Market Square, as well as St Ives and Sawtry for many years (Kimboloton will provide the fourth

office), he has been there, done it and bought the T-Shirt, but has chosen a quieter life of late. With Linda’s enthusiasm further conversations took place, and we discovered he was sitting on a gold mine of untapped skill and experience, which with a few tweaks and little investment, would provide everything and more of what Linda and I wanted to offer. Terms were agreed and Beacon acquired Jeffrey Mills Solicitors (JMS) on the 1st April. Following her notice period, Linda took over the reins on 1st May. Jeffrey and all the team will remain, and indeed will be added to. Building around JMS we could be described as the new ‘old’ kids on the block. With a personal service from highly skilled solicitors and support team, and new state of the art software, we hope to become the solicitors of choice. We will not be ‘stuffy’ fee based pessimists, but honest, realistic, friendly and cost conscious. We will offer a personal service taking into account your objectives, so pop in or give us a call. Home visits can be arranged and JMS are now open lunch times. If you have a financial question, e-mail: tlarkins@beaconwealth.co.uk

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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.

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Garden By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com

Making a pest They might be small but aphids - widely known as greenfly and blackfly - are one of the most common and widespread garden pests, with more than five hundred different species found in the United Kingdom alone. Greenfly and blackfly vary in colour, from green or black to grey, yellow, pink, brown or kaki. The majority are about 2mm long Most damage is done throughout spring and summer but there are aphids feeding somewhere pretty well throughout the year. In sheltered parts of your garden or in greenhouses and conservatories, some can be found even during the cooler winter months. They can breed rapidly and this is often done asexually or without need of a male. For much of the year females are predominant and give birth to huge numbers of genetically identical offspring. The symptoms they cause include leaf yellowing or other brightly coloured discolouration, puckering, poor growth and stunting. The plant sap on which the aphids feed has an extremely high sugar content; in fact it is so sugary that the aphids cannot digest it all, so their excreta is very sticky and sugary. This is called ‘honeydew’ and you may have noticed it beneath aphid-infested plants. Because it is so sugary, honeydew attracts harmless but unattractive black ‘sooty moulds’. On roses there are several species of aphid which may attack, often forming dense colonies on shoot tips, new leaf growth and flower buds. These aphids are mostly green, pinkish or yellowish in colour and up to 3mm long. If vegetables are more your thing then you may see the black bean aphid as it forms dense colonies especially at the shoot tips and beneath the leaves of broad beans in the spring. If you pinch out the aphid-encrusted shoot tips on beans the problem is often solved. Another common one is the woolly aphid which

of themselves

attacks apple trees and is also often seen on ornamental Malus such as crab apples, pyracantha and cotoneaster. Colonies of the aphid covered with white, waxy, fluffy fibres develop on the bark, especially near pruning cuts on older stems, or on younger stems where they also cause swellings on the stem. It is pretty well impossible to garden without aphids causing some grief – the best you can do is to reduce their numbers. Encouraging naturally occurring predators such as blue tits, ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings will all help. In some situations it is also worth introducing biological controls and these work especially well in an enclosed area such as a greenhouse or conservatory. Aphid predators such as the larva of the midge Aphidoletes and even ladybirds, can all be purchased, as can the tiny parasitic wasp Aphidius. Ladybirds (available from my website, www.pippagreenwood.com) are perfect for using on aphid outbreaks anywhere in the garden from pots and borders to hanging baskets and hedges. The great thing with these is that, once established they will start to breed and add to the natural ladybird population. There are a number of different chemicals (including organic or ‘green’ ones such as those based on fatty acids or plant oils) available for controlling aphid pests too, but not all are suitable for use on every plant, so check the label carefully before buying or using, and always follow the instructions carefully. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for ladybirds and other biocontrols to control greenfly, Nemaslug, brilliant weeders, pop-up crop covers, copper tape and lots more besides.

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Wildlife Meadow Brown New Denham Butterfly

Butterfly Reincarnation By Andy Mydellton Butterflies are fragile and dainty creatures that begin their four-stage life cycle as a tiny white egg which is laid on carefully selected plants during warmer months. Most butterflies instinctively lay their eggs on the types of plant that the caterpillars have specifically evolved to eat. Synchronicity has evolved hand-in-hand so that the caterpillar emerges to feed at the same time as their selected flowers are in leaf. A caterpillar is little more than an eating device. They hatch in fantastic numbers to survive great onslaughts of predation and feed unquenchably throughout their existence, outgrowing their expandable skins four times before they are ready to develop into the third stage. After successfully growing to its largest size possible, the caterpillar closes down this stage of its life to imprison itself into a chrysalis. It begins its transformation by instinctively finding a sheltered spot from predators, spinning a thread of silk to dangle from, splitting its skin and forming a discoloured outer shell. The chrysalis stage appears to be a lifeless, hard sheath that doesn’t do anything. But the exciting miracle is happening inside these protective outer layers where metamorphosis takes place. When I was a child I was taught that a caterpillar metamorphosed into some type of coagulated soup before completely re-assembling itself. Now biological scientists have discovered that they

Small White Ringshill Farm Butterfly

keep their major organs intact. So when the adult butterfly emerges to complete the fourth stage of its life cycle, it inherits the caterpillar’s knowledge and instincts (referred to as genetic epistemology). This innate information directs the butterfly to seek the same flowers, the same territories and shun the same dangers as the caterpillar did so successfully. The more common species I see at Millstream Fork are the cabbage white, peacock, lesser tortoiseshell and red admiral. However others also arrive in the summer months, attracted by the plants we have chosen to grow. Many garden butterflies are generalists which allow them to become more ubiquitous, while others are specialists, needing particular conditions to complete their lifecycles. Britain has 59 butterfly species, many of which are magnetised to plants such as buddleia that offer the nectar they need. Stinging nettles, although classified as ‘weeds’ by many gardeners, attract the peacock butterfly. For the wildlife enthusiast, a little research can go a long way in attracting specific butterflies. Nowadays butterfly habitats such as wild flower meadows are rare because of intensive farming. Fortunately wildlife gardening is helping to solve this problem as it gives butterflies a mosaic of alternative habitats. Many wildlife gardens are separated from each another by large distances, but butterflies can fly over ‘dead land’ such as roads, car parks and large buildings - a huge advantage over land-based animals which find these physical boundaries too difficult to overcome. At a time when many butterfly populations are reducing, every wildlife garden can make an immediate and strong impact with little cost. Andy Mydellton is CEO of the Foundation for Endangered Species (FES) & Wildlife Zone.

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All Seasons

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Travel

The Bliss of Diss By Tim Saunders “Yes, it will be bliss, to go with you by train to Diss.” – A Mind’s Journey by Sir John Betjeman Norfolk is full of success stories. During our stay at Fritton Lake Lodges in North Norfolk, we discover Lord Somerleyton’s estate was purchased by carpet manufacturer Sir Francis Crossley in 1863 and has been in the family ever since, partly made possible through funding from 80 self-catering lodges set in 250 acres, some available for purchase. We stay in a three-bed lodge with views of the lake. There is also an outdoor centre, a pub and hotel and it is possible to visit Somerleyton Hall, a wedding venue. The lodges certainly provide a good base for becoming better acquainted with Nelson’s county - born on 29th September 1758 to a prosperous family in Burnham Thorpe near Great Yarmouth. At Diss, we meet artist John Atkinson at his studio with little dog Treacle. “You get a lot for your money here,” says John, who relocated from London eight years ago. “It’s only about an hour and half from the capital.” This has allowed him to hire a London chef for his latest venture, a restaurant at The Boilerhouse in Cobbs Yard to complement the delicatessen he already runs. John will be exhibiting his industrial themed paintings there. We can see why Norfolk appeals to the artist, not least because of the large skies and flat landscape. The magical compositions of Nicholas Simington, another artist from Old Buckenham, focus on people. He studied at Glasgow School of Art and we drop in on him and his wife Barbara to see his latest picture.

Fish and Chips at The Bell Inn At Norwich, we visit the castle, which dates back to 1096 and is constructed of flint and mortar faced with a cream coloured Caen limestone. The cathedral was eventually completed in 1145. We also spend a day at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens in Great Yarmouth where we are all mesmerised by the crocodiles in the swamp house. It is pleasing to see that the animals are given room to roam and the Sumatran Tiger truly captures our daughters’ attentions. Mazes provide yet more entertainment and the Chinese Willow Pattern Garden, complete with suspended wooden bridges, is a joy to walk around. At Hoveton, Wroxham - the gateway to the Norfolk Broads - we find Wroxham Miniature World: an award winning attraction which really does reinvigorate the model train enthusiast in us all. Our favourite exhibit is the Japanese railway complete with cuttings from Japanese newspapers. Aside from the beautiful dolls houses are toy collections of yesteryear including Sooty, Smurfs, the Magic Roundabout, roller skates and Sindy. On the way back, we stop off at the National Trust’s Wimpole Estate to enjoy a walk around historic Wimpole Hall, which dates back to 1640, and some of its 3,000 acres of land and gardens. Harriett and Heidi practise milking at Home Farm, sit on a tractor and see pigs, cows, lambs and Shire horses. What more could you fit into a week? Crocodiles at Thrigby Hall

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GARDEN MACHINERY AND TRAILER CENTRE

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Artificial Grass & Paving Specialist

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OuseFest is coming

and it’s going to be BIG! From Monday 20th July to Sunday 2nd August 2015, come and take part in OuseFest, a whole fortnight of over 50 local events celebrating the Ouse Washes Landscape and Communities! There’s plenty happening at a variety of venues right on our doorsteps, spanning from St Ives to Downham Market. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn more about the history of our fascinating Ouse Washes area, local wildlife and habitats and traditional Fenland life. OuseFest is sure to be lots of fun and a great way to reminisce about the old days, think about the Ouse Washes of the future and enjoy everything our beautiful local area has to offer. Organised by the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership, OuseFest is a celebration of everything that makes the Ouse Washes Landscape and surrounding Fenland area great! Have incredible wildlife encounters on a Wetland Safari; explore our local history on a Museums Trail; uncover ancient life on a Community Archaeology Dig; explore the landscape with the Ouse Washes Experience Roadshow; let off some steam at one of the Family Fun Days happening across the area. There is sure to be something for all ages! On Saturday 25th July, discover the story of the River Great Ouse, once a major inland waterway in England, at The Old Riverport St Ives Discovery Day. The day will include children’s activities, craft sessions, talks, exhibitions, poetry, music, film and river trips. More information here: www.theoldriverportstives.co.uk.

The OuseFest programme also includes a North Swavesey History Walk, a talk about the Drainage of The Fens at Earith Rectory Hall, a Mike Petty History Talk in Fen Drayton as well as wildlife activities at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes. Throughout the festival there will also be lots of opportunities to learn about our fantastic cultural heritage with a variety of events including talks with local authors at Cambridgeshire Libraries and Topping Books, an art installation by Littleport’s Field Theatre Group and the Isle of Ely Churches Trail. Sara Marshall, Countryside Engagement & Marketing Officer at the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership says “we’re so incredibly excited about the amazing OuseFest programme, there’s something for everyone to help connect with the local area, have some fun and meet new people in their communities”. This only gives a taster of what’s happening during OuseFest! To find out more and to see the full programme, please visit www.ousewashes. org.uk/ousefest, or follow us on Twitter (https:// twitter.com/OuseFest) or Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/ousewashes). If you have any other questions or would like to volunteer at an OuseFest event, please contact Sara Marshall on sara.marshall@cambsacre.org.uk.

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Pets

If you go down to the hutch today…. The hazard of Fly Strike If you go down to your hutch today you may have a big surprise If you check on your rabbit today there may be lots of flies For every bunny that ever there was, there’s many more dangerous bugs ‘Cos Spring’s the time they come out and cause them sick-ness If you’re an owner of bunny rabbits we urge you do not delay! Prevention is always the very best thing, it’s truly the only way Our healthcare plan will meet all your needs, keeping them healthy, safe and pleased So today’s the day your bunny will feel terri-fic! The warmer weather brings with it those nuisance flying insects and a big danger for your rabbit are flies. Attracted by faeces and urine, the flies lay their eggs on the rabbit’s bottom and the maggots produced cause severe pain as they destroy the skin and muscle of their host. Ensure you clean out hutches regularly and check your rabbit for signs of eggs or maggots. You may also wish to apply ‘Rearguard’ to your rabbit which repels flies - all Cromwell Vet surgeries stock this product.

Blood-sucking insects also spread the deadly diseases Myxomatosis and Haemorrhagic Viral Disease. These viruses are highly contagious and sadly few rabbits recover, even with intensive treatment. Your pet rabbit can be protected with a simple annual vaccination with your vet. If you have any questions about your rabbit or our Pet Healthcare Plan please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can book an appointment with Cromwell Vets simply by calling 01480 52601.

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Pets

Animal Know-How Warning to Bedfordshire’s dog owners The RSPCA urges dog owners across the county to take extra precautions when out walking their pets this spring and summer. This is to help prevent the spread of the deadly disease, Alabama Rot (CRGV). Many pet owners may not have heard of this mysterious illness. It first appeared in the late 1980s affecting greyhounds in America and has, unfortunately, now spread to at least 18 counties in England. 46 cases have been confirmed since December 2013 – which is an increase of 460 per cent compared to the period from November 2012 to November 2013. One case has been found in Bedford to date. Vets4Pets has launched an interactive guide to provide dog owners with information on the disease, including confirmed locations and tips on how to reduce the risk of dogs becoming infected (www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabamarot/). Unfortunately, if not spotted early, Alabama Rot can lead to sudden and potentially fatal kidney failure. Knowing the warning signs is key to treating the disease. If caught early your vet can

evaluate if your dog has contracted this dangerous condition. It is thought that the disease is picked up on the paws and legs on muddy walks, so always: • wash off woodland mud • check for signs (a skin lesion – which appears as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin, or open and ulcer like) • if in doubt, call your vet. The cause of CRGV is still unknown, so there is no known way to prevent your dog from contracting the disease. In addition, there have been cases of closely associated dogs becoming affected – so the RSPCA warns pet owners to be vigilant.

ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA Bedfordshire North branch www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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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

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Garage Door Problems?

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

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Motoring

Top 5 Eco Cars By James Baggott, editor of Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMag.co.uk)

As the costs to run our beloved petrol- and diesel-powered cars increase, it’s no wonder we’re all on the hunt for an alternative solution.

With electric and hybrid powertrains driving some of the industry’s most esteemed supercars – the new Honda NSX and BMW i8 – it would appear that there is another way forward. But if eco is at the forefront of your mind, which car should you have on your driveway? Here are our choices. Ford Fiesta The Fiesta is the best selling car on the market – and not without good reason. Although it’s not labelled an official ‘eco’ car, its low running costs make it the ideal cost-effective solution for most buyers. Choose the 1.4-litre TDCi, priced from £13,065, and you can expect an average mileage of 68mpg and emissions of 107g/km. Fiat 500 The Fiat 500 completes the ‘Thee Musketeers’ line-up, alongside the Mini and VW Beetle, as one of today’s most stylish cars. Running a 1.2-litre engine, the 500 TwinAir can achieve 49.6 urban mpg and dodges road tax by emitting just 95g/km of CO2. The TwinAir is priced from £12,715 and is the perfect city run around. BMW i3 BMW’s futuristic i3 is one of just a few cars that has revolutionised the way we view the future of motoring. Not only does it combine ecofriendly driving with premium qualities, it can also reach 93mph, can go from 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds and has a driving range of 106 miles, thanks to its on-board petrol motor, which works alongside a 127kW electric unit. Sadly, its £29,130 price means we don’t see many of them on the road. Volkswagen E-Up! The E-Up! is one of the most practical and reasonably-priced electric cars on the market, with five doors and an estimated driving range of 93 miles. It takes six hours to recharge and has a comfortable top speed of 81mph. The price isn’t so attractive at £19,525, but this electric motor is close to feeling more like the average supermini. Renault Twizy Renault’s Twizy is just as fun as it looks. It may be the slowest of the pack, with a top speed of just 56mph, but it’s guaranteed to provide you with the most entertainment. Priced at £7,795, its 15kW battery takes four hours to charge, it has a driving range of 62 miles and emits zero emissions. And just look at its styling!

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Food and Drink

Seasonal Delights Barbecued Rack of Ribs

Serves: 4 Ready in: 1 hour Pre-cooking ribs in a pan of simmering water before placing them on the barbecue will ensure meltingly tender meat every time. This method also saves space on the barbecue as the final cooking time with the sauce is much shorter. Serve with a spicy chunky tomato salsa, if liked. INGREDIENTS 2-3 racks of pork ribs (see Tip) 6 tbsp tomato ketchup 3 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp sunflower oil 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1-2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 1. Place the ribs in a large pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil then skim off any scum from the surface of the water. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place the rest of the ingredients in a pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Leave to cool. 3. Remove the racks from the pan and drain on a board lined with kitchen paper. Leave to cool for 5 minutes then brush each rack liberally with some of the sauce. 4. Cook the ribs on the edge of a hot barbecue for 10-15 minutes, turning and basting with any remaining sauce until the ribs are lightly charred in places. Alternatively, the ribs can be cooked under a medium preheated grill. TIP Most large supermarkets sell racks of ribs or ask your local butcher to prepare them for you. Single ribs will work just as well (youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need about 2kg in weight), just reduce the simmering time to about 25 minutes.

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Time of Year

Volunteers Week 1st -7th June 2015 Volunteers’ week is a fantastic annual celebration of the amazing work that millions of volunteers do across the UK. It’s been running for over thirty years and aims to showcase volunteering work and its benefits. Volunteers now work in many different types of organisations. Last year in my immediate local area I interviewed a small sample and they included: dog-walkers for the Retired Greyhound Trust, a lady who was part of the costume team at a theatre, a school governor and a volunteer baker at one of the oldest watermills in Birmingham. There are a vast array of options for all ages and abilities. You can volunteer in your local neighbourhood, online or even abroad. Close to home, you could for instance, work in a charity shop, run a scout group, take part in conservation work at your local canal, help do the administrative tasks for a charity, be a Guide at a National Trust Stately Home or befriend those in hospital for instance Some employers give staff paid time off to do occasional volunteering and some have employersupported volunteering schemes To find out about opportunities, you can contact charities and organisations directly or get in touch with your local Volunteer Centre. One of the main online resources is the National Council

of Voluntary Organisation website: - https:// www.ncvo.org.uk . On there, you can find links to thousands of positions as well as lots of valuable information. They suggest that if you are looking for a voluntary role, you firstly need to consider what type of cause you want to work for and then seek out relevant organisations. When you have selected some preferred organisations, you should research them thoroughly and try to speak to some of those who currently volunteer for them to find out what it’s really like. You should also consider the skills you have to offer or want to acquire and the time you have available so that you can select the most suitable type of role. It’s also a good idea to undertake a trial period or shadowing so that both parties can see if it will be a good fit. There are many potential benefits to volunteering including: a sense of pride at having given something back to your community, making new friends, a chance to gain new skills and work in an environment or for a cause that you are passionate about. If you’d like to add travelling to your outcomes, you could also consider volunteering abroad. Take a look at the websites such as Volunteer Services Overseas, http://www.vsointernational.org, Tourist Concern http://tourismconcern.org.uk/volunteer and UN Volunteers http://www.unv.org to find out more. By Susan Brookes-Morris

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Travel

Budapest ‘Queen of the Danube’ Set in the Carpathian basin, Hungary’s capital is said to rank among the most beautiful cities in Europe. Here, the legendary Danube flows through the heart of town, meandering romantically around green islands and under iconic bridges. On the west bank, the wooded hills of Buda climb to 527 metres while to the east, the plain of Pest rises gently into the distance. Stroll along the promenade or sail on the Danube and as you gaze at the elegant façades, the domes and spires glistening with mosaics, it’s easy to see why the river banks form an integral part of the city’s World Heritage. On the eastern side, beyond the superb Chain Bridge guarded by lion statues, pride of place goes to the grandiose Parliament Building, bristling with pinnacles and turrets and topped by a splendid red dome. Stretching 268 metres along the river, with 27 gates, 691 rooms and a stunning 20kms of stairways, it was inaugurated in 1896 for the Millennium which marked 1000 years of Hungarian history. It is home to the Crown Jewels and affectionately known as the ‘Mother of the Country’. On the Buda side, the Royal Palace rises on Castle Hill, one of the prettiest districts around with cobbled squares and traditional buildings. There are imposing statues and wrought iron gates, stylish colonnades and archways, a lofty church with neo-Gothic ornaments and the must-see Fisherman’s Bastion, named after the Guild once responsible for its upkeep, now a top attraction for its unrivalled views over the river and city.

Beyond its historical complex, Buda is a select residential area while down town, Pest is all hustle and bustle, its streets lined with gleaming shops and architectural gems, ranging from neo-Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque, Ottoman and Art Nouveau. Andrassy Avenue, the 2.5 km long commercial hub, is protected by UNESCO, alongside the Millennium Underground Railway which follows the same route, starting a few steps from St Stephen’s Basilica and stretching all the way to the city park. Among the many notable sights are the State Opera House, the nearby Franz Liszt Academy of Music and at the entrance to the park, the Museum of Fine Arts and Heroes’ Square where the semi-circular memorial is described as ‘a history book made of stone’. With a lake which is an ice rink in winter, Botanical Gardens and medicinal baths boasting 18 pools in and outdoors, the park is a favourite haunt of city folks, just one of many venues where you can relax in this ‘land of 1000 hot springs.’ There are over 100 of them in and around town, including those on Gellert Hill prized since Roman times. The hill offers sweeping vistas over the city. But sooner or later, the Danube calls you back with waterside restaurants, panoramic cruises and bridges revealing ever changing views and architectural styles, from the contemporary Elizabeth Bridge to the iron Liberty Bridge where the last silver rivet was put in place by Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Budapest suffered much destruction in the past, but with its beautifully restored buildings, the ‘Queen of the Danube’ truly deserves its place among Europe’s finest cities.

By Solange Hando

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Time of Life By Kate McLelland

Care Home Conundrum: Responding to a relative’s complaints When I visited my 92-year-old mother at her residential care home recently, she wasn’t in a good mood. Her purse was missing and she was convinced that the cleaners were to blame: “They’ve stolen it! And I had thirty pounds in there.” It wasn’t until she stood up, ready to accompany me to the manager’s office, that I realised she had been sitting on it all the time. It’s often hard to know what to do when someone who may be suffering from mild dementia or confusion complains about a care issue. Should you take their concern seriously or just put it down to their age and mental condition? Better safe than sorry Moira Wilson from Cumbria was worried when her elderly aunt kept insisting that a young male, carer – Jack - was bothering her. “The home had a good reputation so I didn’t like to complain,” says Moira. “But to my great relief the manager told me that they had no male carers currently working there.” Moira’s decision to check out her aunt’s complaint – no matter how far-fetched it sounded – was undoubtedly the right course of action. Confusion in elderly people can lead them to make false accusations but the same confusion also makes it easy for care workers to get away with poor standards of care and sometimes, actual abuse.

Sending out a signal My mother – who is almost blind and has limited mobility – gets help with showering twice a week at her nursing home. When, on a number of occasions, she told me that she hadn’t been washed “Because the shower isn’t working”, I began to be suspicious. On some days it mysteriously refused to work, particularly when a certain carer was on duty. All it took was a friendly email followed by a brief chat with the manager to sort out the problem. Sometimes the very act of making an enquiry can signal to staff who are not pulling their weight that their actions are being monitored. New legislation to combat abuse Recently new legislation has been introduced in response to the Mid-Staffs and Winterbourne View abuse cases. The Care Act 2014 comes into force in two stages, between April 2015 and April 2016, providing a new statutory basis for safeguarding vulnerable adults and making it easier to prosecute managers who have allowed an abusive culture to exist in their organisations. The Act also introduces a new, lower threshold for lodging a complaint with a local authority where abuse is suspected. An official enquiry can now be triggered if there is a “reasonable cause to suspect” abuse and this means that problems can be reported much earlier. The right time to complain Your elderly relative will inevitably have minor niggles about the care they are receiving but it’s important to keep listening. If you detect that an issue is causing real anxiety or distress, then you must act. If they are able to explain the problem, you should encourage and support them as they speak to the care supervisor or manager. If not, don’t be afraid to approach these people yourself: a good care home should welcome your feedback. Making a complaint is never easy, but it’s a small price to pay if it means that someone you love will receive better care and attention in future.

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n O s ’ t Wha In June

Deadline for What’s On entries is the 12th of the previous month.

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 June Comrades Chess Club 7.30pm Comrades Club, Godmanchester Keep your mind active and play chess. Over 18s only as it’s a licensed premises. Every Monday except Bank Holidays. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 June Scottish Country Dancing 8-10pm Queen Elizabeth School, Godmanchester Huntingdon & District Caledonian Society weekly Scottish Country Dancing for fun, friendship and fitness. You don’t have to be Scottish and you don’t need a partner. May-Sept is at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Godmanchester and Sept-May is at Little Stukeley Village Hall. Come along and give it a try! Tel: Mrs Pat Crowe 01480 453774 email: pat@patcrowe.plus.com 3 June The British Infrantryman’s War by Taff Gillingham 7pm for 7.30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester Non WFA members most welcome. A small donation is encouraged at the door. Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 4, 11, 18 & 25 June Bingo - Doors open 7.30pm, Eyes down 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Every Thursday night. Raffle and refreshments at interval. Sorry only 18+ can play. Tel: Eddie 01480 475265 for more information 5 June Cambridge Touring Theatre ‘Robin Hood The Musical’ 6pm National Trust Dovecote & Stables, Willington Adults £10, Concessions £8, Family £36 Open air production for all the family. Tel: Bookings 01805 624624 Web: www.cambridgetouringtheatre.co.uk 5 June “The Jazz Workshop” in Concert 7-9pm St Andrew’s Church, Great Staughton Free admission Great Staughton Surgery Patient Group proudly presents “The Jazz Workshop” in Concert. FREE tickets available from Gt Staughton Surgery, Gilberts Butchers and Perry Village Store.

5, 12, 19 & 26 June Tai Chi 4-5pm Wimpole Hall £6 per session Every Friday from 6 March. Tel: Mike Tabrett 01223 503390 to book Email: mike@gret-heron.com 6 June Art & Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm Free Church, St Ives Free admission Quality handmade art and craft stalls and tombola. 6 June Car Boot/Table Top Sale 10am-1pm Stuart Memorial Hall, Church Street, Tempsford Pitches £5, Buyers free. Refreshments served all morning. Tel: Meryl 01767 640873 to book 6 June Gamlingay Festival of Choirs Summer Concert 4pm St Mary’s Church, Gamlingay Adults £5, Children free Featuring choirs from the First School, the Village College, a Barbershop Quartet, the Choir from the Benefice of St Mary’s and Everton and The Gamlingay Community Choir. Web: www.gamlingaychurch.co.uk 6 June Cambridge Touring Theatre ‘Robin Hood The Musical’ 6pm Houghton Mill, Near Huntingdon Adults £12, Concessions £9, Family £38 Open air production for all the family. Tel: Bookings 01805 624624 Web: www.cambridgetouringtheatre.co.uk 6 June ‘Music Through the Ages’ 7.30pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Tickets £8 including complimentary drink A concert performed by Tapestry; a well-known local unaccompanied chamber choir. Tel: 01480 811126 or 812795 6, 13, 20 & 27 June Parkrun 9am Wimpole Estate Weekly free 5k timed run. Web: parkrun.org.uk/wimpoleestate

6 & 7 June Teddy Bear Festival Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 2-5pm St James Church, Little Paxton Adults £2, Children and Teddy free Wonderful event including Teddy tableaux and also a thrilling treat for your Teddy to ride on a flying Fox zip line. A certificate of bravery will be awarded to each Teddy. All Teddies that are ‘dressed in their best’ and come to the festival and become part of our ‘congregation’ will receive a sweet treat. Stalls, raffles, refreshments and much more. 7 June Open Gardens at Alconbury and Alconbury Weston 12-6pm Adults £4, Children free Over 15 gardens open across both villages. Start at Alconbury Church (PE28 4DX) or the Green at Alconbury Weston (PE28 4JR). Plants for sale, cakes and tea in the Church, children’s quiz and raffle. 7 June Buckden Open Gardens 1-5.30pm Admission by Garden Passport Adults £4, Children free Including ‘Nature Detectives’ children’s trail. Garden Passports available from St. Mary’s Church, Buckden and all Open Gardens. Also includes Buckden Primary School Art & Poetry Exhibition, Plant Stalls, Floral Exhibits, Tombola, Cream Teas and an opportunity to see bees at work. 7 June Edible Ornamentals 1.30-5pm Cherwood Nurseries, Blue Bells, Chawston, MK44 3BL. Adults £4.50 per adult, Concessions and under 12s free British Red Cross Bedfordshire Summer Open Gardens. In Chawston, market gardens are abundant and growing peppers is a way of life! This is an opportunity to take a guided tour of these very pretty and vibrant chilli plants. The passionate chilli growers will tell you stunning facts about the plant’s origin, growing and uses. Tours at 2, 3 and 4pm. 7, 14, 21 & 28 June Kingfisher Church 10.30am Little Paxton Primary School Every Sunday – all welcome! Services include children’s groups and a crèche. Refreshments served. Tel: 01480 700434 Web: www.kingfisherchurch.co.uk

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n O s ’ t Wha 10 June Little Paxton Village Hall - Annual General Meeting 7.45pm Little Paxton Village Hall Open to all local residents. We would welcome volunteers from the village to join the new committee. If you would to nominate yourself as a member of the committee please contact Trevor Herbert, Chair (trevorherbert32@gmail.com) 11 June St Neots & District Gardening Club 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St Neots Trip to the garden of Mr & Mrs Bunnage at Perry Road, Buckden. 12 June Race Night with Supper 7pm Eaton Socon Ex Service Club Tickets £7.50 including chicken/fish & chips or veggie option. Cash bar with reasonable prices. Own and name a horse (£2) or simply place a bet. All profits to Friends of St Neots Library. Tickets in advance only from St Neots Library. 12 & 13 June St Neots Folk Festival Fri 8pm, Sat 10.30am and 7.30pm Friday evening - Ceilidh & music and song session at The Great Hall, The Priory Centre. Saturday - day of dance starting at 10.30am at Market Square Piazza, The Pig N Falcon, Chequers (Eynesbury) and the Ambience Café in the Riverside car park. Saturday evening concert - Faustus and Les Barker. Unreserved seating. Tickets available in advance from St Neots Folk Club on Tuesdays at The Priory Centre, telephone or on the door. Tel: Tickets 01234 376278 Web: www.stneotsfolkclub.co.uk 13 June Bromswold Charity Bike Fest Green Man, Leighton Bromswold Entry £5-15 donation depending on length of route A cycling festival for families, occasional and keen cyclists alike. Six signed cycle routes of 2, 7, 15, 25, 50 and 75 miles along the quiet country lanes of west Cambridgeshire and east Northamptonshire, all starting and finishing at The Green Man in Leighton Bromswold. All proceeds to The New Macmillan Woodlands Centre Appeal and Shine. Web: www.bromswoldbikefest.uk or www.justgiving.com/bromswoldbikefest

13 June The Aragon Singers of Buckden 7.30pm St. Mary’s, The Parish Church of Buckden Adults £10, Concessions £8 to include a drink A Summer concert of great variety, including sacred and secular music. Tickets available in advance or on the door. Proceeds towards upkeep of St. Mary’s Church. Tel: Tickets 01480 812777 14 June Craft and Gift Fair 9am-2pm United Reformed Church, St Neots Held in aid of The Coffee Pot Memory Cafe’; 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 Email: maryjdcruz@gmail.com

16 June Kimbolton Flower Club Outing 8.15am £34 or £25 for National Trust members Visiting Hidcote Gardens in the morning and Kiftsgate in the afternoon. The Club will leave Kimbolton at 8.15am and leave Kiftsgate after 4pm. Non-club members welcome. Tel: 01832 731601 16 June The Hemingford Grey Flower Club 10am Hemingford Grey Reading Rooms, High Street, Hemingford Grey £3 including refreshments Demonstration by Joyce Svensson. All welcome. 17 June The Story of St Neots 7pm St Neots Museum £4 per person, Concessions £3 Step back in time to discover the people and places that shaped the town. The new monthly walk will reveal how the town got its name, why a local man assassinated the country’s Prime Minister, where the first people lived in our area and how the town became world famous in the 1930s. Walk lasts approximately 80 minutes. Come along to the Museum for 7pm and pay on the day or telephone/ email to book. Tel: 01480 214163 Email: curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk 17 June Huntingdonshire Family History Society 7.20-9.30pm WI HQ, 6a Walden Rd, Huntingdon, PE29 3AZ Non-members £1 donation “The Battle of Waterloo” with Paul Chamberlain. Talk on a subject related to family history research and a bookstall or help desk.

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In June

19 June Pride Doors open 7.30pm, film starts 8pm Screen St Ives, Corn Exchange, St Ives 120mins Cert 15. Pride wittily tells the story of an unusual episode in the 1984 Miner’s Strike. A group of gay Londoners travel to a mining village in Wales to show their support. Thus begins the remarkable story of two seemingly alien communities who form an unexpectedly positive partnership. Web: www.screenstives.org.uk 20 June Sawtry Village Academy MAD Day! Sawtry Village Academy A chance for members of the local community and college staff to “Make A Difference”. We are looking for willing volunteers to work some magic on the Geography and Tech areas of the college. If you can attend our next MAD event please email to: pete.evens@sawtrycc.org.uk 27 June Quiz Evening 6.30pm for 7pm The Sacred Heart Church Hall, Needingworth Rd, St Ives Tickets £10, Children under 12 £5 including two course supper. Teams of up to 8 people. Bring your own drinks. Fundraising event for the people of the Holy Land. Tel: Tickets Kathy Bishop 01480 214524 27 June Summer Concert The Priory Centre, St Neots Joint Summer Concert with St Neots Choral Society and St Neots Sinfonia. Tickets £10, Concessions £8 ‘Last Night of the Proms’ . Tickets are available in advance or on the door. Tel: 01480 392322 (for tickets) Web: www.stneotschoral.org.uk 27 & 28 June Hemingford Abbots Flower Festival 12 noon-6pm Day programme £7.50, Weekend programme £12 Over 20 open gardens, of all shapes and sizes. Proceeds towards the conservation and repair of St Margaret’s Church. Tel: Erika Brown 01480 465138 www.flowerfestival.hemingford-abbots.org.uk/ 28 June Huntingdonshire Music School 2-4pm The George Hotel, Huntingdon HUMS Big Band, Senior Concert Band, Folk Group, Sax Ensemble and Flute Group. Tel: 07595 279349 Email: rebecca-norman@huntingdon.ac.uk

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Feature Article

Admit Defeat

Call a professional Not so many years ago, women gave up work as soon as they were married. Even before they had children, their duty was to run the house, and it was a full time job.

With the advent of labour saving devices such as the vacuum cleaner, washing machine, tumble dryer and electric iron, much of the work could be carried out in a fraction of the time. In theory then, everything in our homes is spick and span, because we have so much more time. In practice it’s quite a different story. For women particularly, few have the luxury of not working at all just because they are married. Even if children come along, once they start school Mum will be looking for something part time. Furthermore, outside of working hours, both men and women want to spend their spare time doing something interesting and enjoyable, spending time with each other and with their family. Household and garden chores rarely appear on the ‘let’s have fun’ list.

So the little jobs pile up. You notice it, it nags away at you, you are going to get round to doing it… but you don’t. It’s time to call The Professionals. Oven Cleaning When you’ve cooked a delicious family roast dinner, or made a bubbling apple crumble, what you are supposed to do is thoroughly wipe down the oven afterwards. However, having eaten a big meal and naturally preferring to sit down with your family or just relax and let your food digest, it’s a chore enough just to do the post-meal clear up. Cleaning the oven is often at best a superficial wipe over. Still the time comes when it needs to be done thoroughly so off you trot to buy caustic and toxic sprays and gels, rubber gloves and then dedicate an afternoon to doing it. It’s really boring and generally the result is ‘okay’ but not great. The Professionals: An oven cleaning company will do the job in a couple of hours and it’s no exaggeration to say your oven will look like it’s brand new. Every aspect – the sides, top and bottom, and those tricky wire racks will be

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gleaming. You’ll want to leave the oven door open just so everyone can see how immaculate and shiny it is! You can also ask for the hob and the extractor hood to be cleaned too. Small Clothes Repairs Those trousers that were always too long, that favourite skirt that needs taking in (or letting out!), the nearly new jumper with loose buttons, or that seam that has mysteriously ripped. Admit it, you have a little pile of clothes needing some TLC and you are going to mend them as soon as you can find your reading glasses/the right colour thread/a needle with a hole big enough to be seen without a microscope. The Professionals: Most dry cleaners do repairs, and there are often people who do small repairs like this from home, for a very reasonable price. It’s such a relief to hand little jobs like that over to someone else (who can usually do a neater job anyway) and it’s really not expensive work. Bin Cleaning Many councils have now moved to an arrangement whereby collection of household waste is on a weekly alternating schedule with recycling. You might not like it, but you have no choice. If you very carefully bag everything that goes in your bin, and nothing is ever split, your bins will stay clean. In reality, after a while they start to pong, particularly in the warmer months. The Professionals: A bin cleaning company follows the council truck, and as soon as the bin is empty uses a jet washer to clean any remaining spillages. It’s usually only once every four weeks and is just a couple of £s – you’ve probably lost more down the back of the sofa. Gardening Gardening is a really popular pastime, but it’s the creative stuff that people really enjoy, planting flowers, a bit of deadheading, and standing back and admiring their handiwork. Unfortunately most of the other less interesting garden jobs don’t just sit there waiting to be done; they grow while you are procrastinating about it. Weeds, lawn mowing, leaf clearing, patio washing - eventually they become a bank holiday weekend spoiler, with the back-breaking effects being felt for the whole of the week after. The Professionals: If you’ve let it get a bit out of hand, it’s going to cost you a bit to bring your garden up to scratch. But if you keep your (younger and fitter) professional coming in every few weeks, it’ll be kept under control. The trick with this is to set up a regular arrangement – even the smallest garden will have work needed every month so just look on it as a bill like any other.

Bookkeeping It would seem that the world is divided into two camps. Those that like numbers and those that loathe them. It’s nothing to do with intelligence or education and often it’s the more creative or practical people that suffer from numerophobia. And if you really don’t like a job, you’ll do anything to avoid starting it. The Professionals: Forget your long held belief that you should be able to do your own paperwork. You could, but you really have better things to do with your time. The relief of employing a professional bookkeeper can’t be understated. The ‘List’ We all have one. A list – in our heads or written down – of those little jobs you are going to get round to doing. The door that squeaks or doesn’t shut; the tap that drips; the picture which cost a small fortune yet is still sitting on the floor; the wobbly paving slab outside; the stain on the ceiling where the shower leaked…running a house is an endless series of maintenance work. It’s also a source of conflict waiting for someone else in the family to take responsibility. The Professionals: Get that list on paper, and call a man-who-can. Even if you just book someone for half a day, those nagging little tasks will be done in a jiffy, and peace will reign at home. Carpet Cleaning Although hard floors are very popular these days, with our cooler climate, most UK homes still have carpets in some rooms. In the living room it helps to deaden sound; in the bedroom to keep it warm. Unlike hard floors they can’t just be washed though, so over time they start to become grubby. You can buy carpet cleaning machines. They’re nothing like as good as professional models. You can hire professional machines of course, but in either case you’d better have had some fitness training before you start using them. It’s really taxing work, and if you didn’t have a bad back before, you probably will afterwards. The Professionals: The industrial strength cleaning equipment they’ll use is a good enough reason to employ a carpet cleaning company in itself, as the end result will be better than anything you can do yourself. The hard graft that is the DIY option is the clincher though – this is not a job for the faint hearted. Summary - If you recognise any of these areas as jobs you have been putting off, the worst thing you can do now is to turn the page of this magazine without having acted. Free your mind of the guilt about outstanding chores – even making the call will make you feel better!

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Local News

Bromswold Bike Fest

Supporting the new Macmillan Woodlands Centre Bromswold Bike Fest on Saturday 13th June is a cycling festival for everyone and aims to attract families, occasional and keen cyclists alike. Six signed cycle routes of 2, 7, 15, 25, 50 and 75 miles along the quiet country lanes of west Cambridgeshire and east Northamptonshire all start and finish at The Green Man in Leighton Bromswold. Start times vary depending on the route chosen, but it is planned that cyclists will finish from 2pm to enjoy plenty of well-earned rest and entertainment at the pub. Entry is by donation made on the day (£5-£15 depending on route) with all proceeds going to two charities - The New Macmillan Woodlands Centre Appeal at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Shine. In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, the event has a 1940’s theme. During the afternoon, you can swing to music from the HuMS Big Band (Huntingdon Music School), dress in

1940s clothing and learn to jive. There is also a mini-fete and post-ride refreshments including a real ale and Pimms tent, BBQ, tea, cakes and home-made ice cream. This event ran for the first time last year and raised over £4,600 for Macmillan Cancer Support, Dreamdrops and Samuel Pepys School. Organisers are providing a Cycle MoT Workshop in Leighton Bromswold on Saturday 6th June. Parts used will be charged at cost and labour covered by a suggested donation to the event charities. Visit www.bromswoldbikefest.uk or www.justgiving.com/bromswoldbikefest

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Welcome

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With over 20 styles of conservatories on display at our head office and 10 models on show at Wilstead we think you will be spoilt for choice!

All our conservatories are made-to-measure from modern, low maintenance materials so you can be sure that which ever conservatory you choose, it will continue to look as good as new in years to come. Your home deserves the best...You deserve the best that money can buy!

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Crossword Solution for The Villager May Edition Last Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword Winner - Mr Keating from Letchworth

Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Codeword and Suduko Solutions

Easy

Hard

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

Across 1 Well ventilated (4) 3 Keeps you dry (8) 9 Hauled (7) 10 Brawl (5) 11 Mixtures (12) 13 Paper handkerchief (6) 15 Small stoat (6) 17 Books of words (12) 20 Not outer (5) 21 Bishopric (7) 22 Bulge (8) 23 Beers (4) Down 1 Fearlessness (8) 4 12:00pm (6)

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2 Kingdom (5) 5 Used for cold storage (12) 6 Folk tales (7)

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

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7 Opposed to (4) 8 Agrarian (12) 12 Shines (8) 14 Chemistry, biology, physics for example (7) 16 Barrier (6) 18 Perfect (5) 19 Assists (4)

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Finance

Saving for Children

What are the Best Options?

Children’s savings accounts provide a great way to build a nest egg for later life, perhaps for driving lessons or to fund a gap year, and are a good way to introduce the subject of money management. We look at three savings options below that could be ideal for your child. These are products that incorporate a range of features and benefits, including tax-free status, instant access, and longer savings terms. So let’s start with a product that was first introduced in 2011: Junior ISAs Junior ISAs are available to children under the age of 18 who don’t already have a Child Trust Fund. New legislation has recently been introduced to allow the transfer of monies from a Child Trust Fund into a Junior ISA, however, and this change took effect from April 2015. The contribution limit for a Junior ISA is £4,080 for the 2015-16 tax year, and there are two types of account available: • Cash Junior ISA: offering tax-free interest and instant access • Stocks and Shares Junior ISA: cash is invested in stocks and shares, with no tax paid on dividends or capital growth Children are entitled to open one of each of these accounts, and although parents or guardians can open and manage them, the money belongs to the child. Withdrawals by children are not allowed until they turn 18, but they can manage their own accounts when they reach 16 years of age. The Junior ISA will be in the child’s name, but parents and guardians opening the account are the ‘registered contacts’ as far as the bank or building society is concerned. NS&I Children’s Bonds These are tax-free investments that run for a 5-year term. They can be purchased by a parent, guardian, grandparent or great grandparent on behalf of a child, and each ‘issue’ has its own guaranteed rate of interest which is paid at the end of the term.

The minimum investment amount for these Bonds is £25, with £3,000 being the maximum amount allowed per issue. Interest is calculated daily and added to the account each year, so that the child also benefits from compound interest. Children’s savings accounts These types of account can be opened with as little as £1, with most bank and building societies offering at least one savings account for children. In most cases money can be withdrawn with no notice. Once a child reaches the age of seven they may be able to manage the account themselves, which is a great way for them to learn how to deal with their money. There are two different types of children’s savings accounts, and you can open more than one: • Easy access: the interest rate will probably be lower with an easy or instant access account, but money can be withdrawn or deposited with no restrictions. These accounts are popular with children as many of them offer free gifts, including piggy banks and toys. • Regular savings: interest rates will be slightly higher for this type of account, but money is not accessible and you need to make regular monthly deposits into the account. If any payments are missed you may suffer a reduction of interest. Which savings account you choose for your child depends on your own circumstances. The Junior ISA has proven to be very popular, and the new legislation regarding transfer of monies from a Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA opens up the product to more people. www.gov.uk/junior-individualsavings-accounts/open-anaccount www.nsandi.com/childrens-bonds

By Ann Haldon

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Sureclean DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

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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

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Travel

Have You Ever Fancied a

Home Swap Holiday? BBC One’s Home Away from Home is back! And we’re looking for people who want to try out a home swap holiday in the UK. Do you live in a home you’d be happy to swap with someone elsewhere in the UK for a short break? Would you like the chance to have a new experience and discover local cuisine, sight-seeing that goes beyond the guide book, and an authentic place to stay? With Home Away from Home you could be enjoying a unique holiday experience in a stunning part of the UK... For an application form or an initial chat, please get in touch right away! Email: homeawayfromhome@bbc.co.uk Phone: 0208 008 1468

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Russell Grant’s

Horoscopes

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th

The Full Moon on 2nd forces you to stop what you’re doing and come to a friend’s rescue. You’ll be brimming with energy throughout the first half of June. Take this opportunity to get more exercise. The New Moon on 16th is suffused with romance.

PISCES February 20th - March 20th

The Full Moon on 2nd prompts you to question certain career choices. Fortunately, a rewarding job that allows you to work from home is on the horizon. Your artistic talent will generate lots more income during the second half of June.

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

LEO July 24th - August 23rd

The Full Moon on 2nd forces you to put your foot down with demanding people. Take this opportunity to go on holiday or buy yourself some luxuries.

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd

The Full Moon on 2nd makes family life stressful. Your relatives aren’t happy with certain choices you’ve made. You’ll realise a career ambition at mid-month, causing everyone to envy and admire you.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd

Travel plans will be cancelled in early June thanks to a stressful Full Moon. Breathe deep and know the Universe has bigger and better plans for you.

The Full Moon on 2nd piles more work on your plate. Family proves wonderfully understanding and will do their best to make life easier in early June. A platonic relationship could turn into a passionate romance during the closing days of June.

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd

The early days of June bring an end to a source of unearned income. Pooling your resources will help you overcome this temporary shortfall. The New Moon on 16th is ideal for landing a good job.

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st

Opportunities related to art, fashion, cosmetics and entertainment are strongly featured. The New Moon on 16th allows you to pay off a long- standing debt.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st

The Full Moon on 2nd marks the final phase of an intimate relationship. June is a great time to show off your expertise while updating your skill set. Taking a class will prove enjoyable.

The Full Moon on 2nd finds you facing off with a pushy partner. Look for good deals on holiday packages on 8th. The New Moon on 16th is perfect for signing a contract or embarking on a serious romance.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th

The Full Moon on 2nd reveals a health problem. Ask friends for doctor recommendations. It may be necessary to cancel some holiday plans. Don’t despair. You’ll be able to reschedule a much nicer trip later in the season.

The Full Moon on 2nd brings an embarrassing secret to light. People will seek your professional advice during the first half of June, which is gratifying. If you’re not in a relationship, you will meet someone special.

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DR SOOT CHIMNEY SWEEP

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14/04/2015 16:21

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Books

Book Review By Bruce Edwards Nora Webster Colm Tóibín

Pub: Penguin p/b £7.99 ISBN: 978-0-141-04175-9 Some paper-back novels commonly found on the ‘buy one, get one at half price’ tables in the central arena of your local chain bookstore can often be seen as quick-fire revelations of someone else’s world without too much reality or depth, and possibly even written ‘against the clock’ in response to a publisher’s insistent demand that a sellable writer fulfils his/ her contract signed after the first successful title. Do you choose a title purely by the cover? What logic or attraction works best from the commercial sales point of view? There’s no such thing as the ‘best cover design’ despite marketeer’s best efforts, for we’re all individuals and as such, choose subjectively. Literary content may come second to the girl - or crime scene - on the cover So, would you choose Nora, appearing as a not particularly sexy woman standing alone on a sea-shore who - according to the revealing back cover blurb - has just been widowed, something that may otherwise take you a fair few pages to discover? Quick-fire reading this is not. There’s a wealth of splendid detail here, couched in neat everyday language, of an almost hour by hour revelation of her thoughts, how she discovers her new self in the reflection of others and how the turn of life’s journey affects her husband-less future. Its very intimacy absorbs one into her world; Tóibín’s revelation of a world well worth exploring. You’ll find more than you bargained for and therefore may never read a chick-lit title again. Suggestion and queries to: writerselect@gmail. com. We’re always happy to consider specific titles for review, though without obligation.

Can’t find a title? E-mail your details and we’ll try to help.” 94

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Classifieds Garden Machinery Service/Repair

Alterations

Garden Machinery & Mowers Expert Service and Repair Collection & delivery available Unit 12a Whites Farm, Great North Road, Biggleswade SG18 9BE Tel: 01767 600085 Mob: 07593 553581

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Heating and Plumbing Services

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Electrician

Tai Chi

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