Grantchester sept 13 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 7 - September 2013

and Town

Life

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

7,000 copies delivered to Bourn, Comberton, Grantchester, Trumpington, Toft, Hardwick and surrounding villages

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VILLAGER

In this Issue

The

Issue 7 - September 2013

and Town

Life

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

The Great Fen

Restoration Project 7,000 copies delivered to Bourn, Comberton, Grantchester, Trumpington, Toft, Hardwick and surrounding villages

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Advertising Sales Christa Hallam - Tel: 07868 369257 Christa@villagermag.com Additional Editorial Fiona McLeman, Christine Donnelly, Susan Brookes-Morris and Solange Hando

Understanding Rabbits Nature Restoration Project

Prize Crossword £25 could be yours!

Back to School............................................................................4 Fly High in the Autumn Sky...................................................8

Front Cover Photo: Howard Oates

Wildlife Wanderings.............................................................. 11 Peru............................................................................................. 13

Design and Artwork Design 9 - Tel 07762 969460

Five C’s of Co-Parenting....................................................... 14

Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122

Book Review............................................................................. 21

Email: nigel@villagermag.com

Save Money.............................................................................. 30

VILLAGER

Beat the Utility Bills................................................................ 19 Seasonal Delights................................................................... 22 Puzzle Page............................................................................... 24 What’s On.................................................................................. 26

Car Parts

The

and Town Life

Disclaimer

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

Air Bag Axle Battery Body Bonnet Boot Brake Bumper Car Seat

Carburretor Child Seat Clutch Door Engine Fuse Heater Horn Indicator

Mirror Radio Roof Sat Nav Starter Tyres Wheel Rim Wheels

Find the names of the car parts in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

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Back to School

By Susan Brookes-Morris Schools are generally very keen to foster a good relationship with parents and their wider community. Often people are well-intentioned and would like to help out, but don’t know how. Here are some ideas which might appeal. You could become a member of the Parent Teachers Association. Traditionally these were developed to foster better relationships between parents and schools, but they are now generally associated with fundraising. You could be involved with activities as varied as running a stall at the summer fete, overseeing discos for the pupils, or organising quiz evenings for parents. Associations are always looking for innovative fundraising ideas, and bringing in new members can bring additional contacts and different perspectives. Why not become a parent governor? Governors get involved with the strategic decision making of schools. They attend full governor body meetings and usually sit on committees dealing with various aspects of the school, such as staffing finance and curriculum. Parent governors are voted for by the parents of pupils at the school. Core responsibilities include: ensuring accountability; acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher; monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress; budgetary allocation and control; planning for the long term future of the school; setting the school’s aims and values, and appointing senior members of staff, including the Head Teacher.

Maybe you would like to be a classroom helper. Classroom helpers volunteer to assist teachers on a regular basis, usually in primary schools. They may be in school for half an hour a week, or perhaps up to half a day. They help with tasks such as listening to pupils read. Reading practice is very labour-intensive, and helpers can make a big difference to teachers and children. It is generally recommended that you assist in a class which isn’t the one your child is in. Perhaps you could help outside the classroom by going on a school outing. This could be a regular weekly trip to the local swimming pool, occasional days out to places of interest, or helping with the football team. You may also be able to help your child’s school by sharing your experiences. Many senior schools have events where parents and local business people come into school to talk about their careers, or to discuss anecdotes about taking part in a notable event or visiting an unusual place. For all but the most fleeting of visits, you will need to undergo a police background check before you can be part of school activities. It is a standard procedure carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in England and Wales, and by Disclosure Scotland in Scotland. Many school volunteers not only benefit from a sense of pride and fulfilment at having assisted, but also find that they improve their skills and enhance their CVs.

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The Great Fen

NATURE RESTORATION Project Cambridgeshire’s Great Fen is a serene place with vast open skies and a panoramic landscape becoming increasingly rich in wildlife. It is also among the most ambitious and visionary nature restoration projects in Europe; The Wildlife Trust BCN, along with the partnership team at the Great Fen, is aiming to return 14 square miles of arable fields to wildlife-rich and people-friendly fenland - an area the size of a small city. Already some of the rarest species in Britain are returning since work began in 2004 – and with 60% of native species in decline it’s a hugely important time to give nature a helping hand. We have a fantastic opportunity to transform another 450 acres of land at the heart of the Great Fen (at Engine Farm), which would increase the area for wildlife by almost a fifth. With help, we could transform this new piece of land into a nature-rich haven, joining up a number of separate areas which we are already restoring, to become one huge swathe of habitat where wildlife can flourish. Following a recordbreaking grant of £7.2 million for the Great Fen in 2008, the Heritage Lottery Fund has now given us another generous £1.89 million grant towards this and other significant work on the Fen. We must urgently find £182,000 of match funding for this grant to do the work: to donate please visit www.wildlifebcn.org/appeals and for news about the Great Fen visit www.greatfen.org.uk For all events please see www.wildlifebcn.org/ events.

Listings for events in Cambs: Creatures of the Night, Ely Friday 13 September 5-10pm Learn about bats and other exciting nocturnal wildlife Contact 01353 661339 Plant Sale Hinchingbrooke Country Park, Huntingdon Sunday 15 September 11am-3pm Bargain plants, good for wildlife - all money raised for the Wildlife Trust Contact 01480 469079 Great Fen Heritage Open Day, Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre Sunday 15 September 11am-4pm Learn all about the fascinating history of the fen Contact 01487 710420 Great Fen Green Woodcraft Day, Wildlife Trust Countryside Centre Saturday 21 September 10.30am-3.30pm Try green woodcraft skills using axes and knives, pole lathes and shaving horses Contact 01487 710420 Listings for events in Beds: Guided walk Houghton Regis Quarry Wednesday 4 September 10am - 12 midday A new reserve in the making, not yet open to the public, walk led by Wildlife Trust Reserve Officer, Rebecca Pitman. Contact 01234 266057 Wildlife Art over the Centuries Wednesday 11 September 7.30-9pm Illustrated talk by Nick Hammond at Priory Country Park Contact 01234 266057

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Fly High In The Autumn Sky

By Susan Brookes-Morris Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get a birds-eye view of autumn’s fabulous colours? Well that’s exactly what you get when you take a hot air balloon flight. Here’s Susan Brookes’ description of her recent trip: I joined a group of excited passengers at the launch point and listened to the pilot’s safety briefing. Behind him, the balloon’s envelope was being filled with air using an enormous fan. The pilot judged our weights and sizes and told us all where to stand ready for boarding. Once in position, we watched with awe as the material became more and more inflated. Men rushed about manoeuvring the 100ft long nylon material to hasten filling. When the shout to board came, we moved rapidly to clamber into the then vertical basket. The balloon was unsecured and we began to lift off. Rising high into the sky, we waved to the gathered well wishers who quickly became just dots in the distance. As we headed to heights of up to 3000 feet, we were treated to a bird’s eye view of the countryside below. The whole landscape stretched before us: fields, trees, livestock in the fields, streams and lakes. It was a beautiful sight. The huge balloon moved silently across the sky. The calm only interrupted by the passengers’ conversation and the periodic blast of the burners injecting the spell-binding fire into the belly of the balloon. The temperature was surprisingly similar to that at ground level, but with the added bonus of the glow from the flame. Our lovely pilot cheerfully answered all our questions, pointed out landmarks, and told us about the skill of ballooning. Satellite navigation systems are installed in the balloons, but pilots also take maps in case equipment fails. Travel is so gentle because the balloon is moving at the same speed as the wind, and even the most apprehensive passenger soon relaxed and admired the views. When it was time for our flight to end, the pilot descended slowly. I had expected a jerky landing, but the contact of the basket with the ground slowed the progress of the balloon and brought it to a halt quite gently, within a couple of bounces. The basket slowly tilted on its side as it came to rest in a field and the balloon began to deflate in the breeze. We found ourselves lying on our

backs, rather like wine bottles in a rack, laughing at the fun of it all. For safety reasons, hot air ballooning can only take place when there are suitable weather conditions. Most in our group had waited a while before we finally got the opportunity to take to the skies, but we all agreed the wait for such a thrilling experience had been worthwhile and we’d love to do it again. If you would like to book a balloon flight make sure you use an accredited member of the British Association of Balloon Operators (BABO) www.babo.org.uk

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WILDLIFE WANDERINGS

WILDLIFE TRAVEL, BY CHRISTINE DONNELLY September can be a lovely month for walking in the countryside, enjoying the last signs of summer and the start of autumn. Many birds that nest here in the warmer months have prepared for their flight south by feeding to build up their flight muscles. A highlight of the year is the gathering of swallows before they leave, particularly over water, which once led people to think they hibernated in mud under our lakes. Like the majority of our migrant birds, however, they head for Africa where food is more plentiful during our winter. The young of our ‘resident’ birds are now dispersing so listen out for tawny owls near local woods, and for robins as they sing their ‘autumn song’ whilst looking for good ‘territories’.

Barn swallow This autumn may produce a bumper crop of fruit due to the recent rain and warm weather. Our hedgerows and woods should be full of berries and nuts which are an essential food source for many animals. The blackthorn’s berries are the ‘sloes’ of sloe gin so pick them quickly if you want your share. Some of the more colourful berries are those of hawthorn, guelder rose, rowan, honeysuckle, spindle and black bryony, but the last two are very poisonous, so don’t touch any berries unless you know they are safe. Dormouse Many small mammals rely on fruits and nuts in winter, storing some for harder times. Dormice love blackberries and hazelnuts and, locally, only survive in areas where enough of these grow. Unlike many animals, they do not store food but

must fatten up for hibernation. Having ‘golden’ fur, large black eyes and a fluffy tail, they are very ‘cute’ but they are very rare. You can join the Flit Vale Local group of The Wildlife Trust on the morning of Saturday 28th September at Flitwick Moor to see some small mammals that will have been caught overnight. For details of this and other events organised by The Wildlife Trust check www.wildlifebcn.org or phone the Trust office at Priory Country Park on 01234 364213. September brings spring to countries south of the tropics and those with a ‘mediterranean’ type of climate are famous for their amazing displays of wild flowers. Western Australia is a plant lover’s paradise, famous for its large number of colourful flowers and shrubs and with magnificent forests. Red Kangaroo Paw, Western Australia With a stunning coastline and exciting birds and mammals, this is a favourite destination for a wildlife holiday. Wildlife Travel will be running a trip there in September 2014.

Contact 01954 713575 or check www.wildlifetravel.co.uk for details of this and other holidays. Any profits from Wildlife Travel are donated to nature conservation through The Wildlife Trusts. Christine Donnelly

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Peru

Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca At 12,507 feet, Titicaca appears like a dream, framed by pastel-coloured hills shimmering at the water’s edge under the crisp Andean sky. Stretching for over 100 miles and into Bolivia on its eastern side, fed by five rivers and numerous streams, it’s said to be the world’s highest navigable lake. The nature reserve created in 1978 protects 60 species of native birds and in the sheltered bay of Puno, the Uros Indians live peacefully on man-made islands. They were here long before the Incas built Machu Picchu but on their flimsy abodes ignored by the Conquistadores, they have outlived them for over 400 years. Soon after dawn, the first tourist boat sets off from Puno towards the nearest of 40 islands or so sprinkled around the bay. Built with local totora reeds, they glow coppery gold in the early sun and before long, the islanders begin to stir. Smoke rises from the huts, pots and pans tinkle in the semi- darkness, a man paddles in search of fresh reeds to strengthen or extend his domain and meet growing family needs. The reeds are cut near the shore, towed back then assembled and anchored on the spot. It’s an on-going task for the ‘people of the lake’, 2000 of them, though it never feels like it. Sailing around clusters of tiny islands, you spot a few huts on this one, a shrine on that one, a school on another, a clinic or a couple of craft stalls. The islands are fully movable but if you can’t jump across to see your neighbour, there are plenty of reed boats to travel around.

Most stunning are the majestic dragon-headed vessels gliding silently on blue waters, ready to carry a handful of wide-eyed visitors. Stepping ashore on a bouncy patch of reeds may be unnerving but no one seems to mind. ‘Please come inside,’ says a man with a bright woolly hat, ‘this is my home.’ It’s just one room, no furniture, but there are rugs on the floor and a small black and white television in the corner. Outside the sun is dazzling, the air is cold but ‘Mama’ is used to it. An imposing figure in an ample skirt and traditional bowler hat, she has lit the fire on a bed of stones and proudly shows the fish caught by her man that morning. Nothing grows on the reeds but you can catch fish and ducks, for meat and eggs, chew the white root of a reed or two and head for the market in Puno to sell embroidered cloth, knitwear and trinkets and buy whatever you need. Historians believe the Uros set up home on the lake to escape trouble on land but legend says otherwise. It claims they were here before the dawn of time, protected by ‘black blood’ when the earth was ‘dark and cold’, and few today would wish to change their traditional way of life. A cell phone may ring now and then but somewhere on the edge of the water, a child plays an Andean flute as a sudden breeze sends ripples across the reeds. The tourist boat heads back to the mainland then slowly, on the ‘Black Puma’ lake, the islands vanish, floating like a mirage between water and sky.

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The Five C’s for Co Parenting

after Separation

It’s hard enough dealing with the trials and tribulations of parenting but this can be made all the harder if you are no longer in a relationship with the other parent. Here are some tips on how to make the process of co-parenting after separation easier. Children first - Always ensure that their best interests are at the heart of all the arrangements that you make. Don’t put your personal feelings or needs first, especially if the relationship breakdown has been a difficult one. Think about what is best for the children. Communication – find a way of communicating that suits you and the other parent best. The ideal forum is face to face, but in some cases, email dialogue may help take the heat out of things. Try and be open with the other parent about the children, and share information with them. Courses are available for separated parents to help them work with each other to co-parent after separation. Compromise - think about the benefit of compromise - achieving a long term outcome that is likely to work best for your children is likely to need to involve compromise on both sides. It may be better for the whole family in the long term if each of you takes a broad view, and gives or takes a little in order to reach an outcome you can both live with. Whilst it may not represent your preferred ideal choice, in most cases it is likely to be better for the children if you can both move on with a scenario that both parents can accept. Court – for some parents it may seem like there is no prospect of resolving their differences and court may seem like the only option. This choice

could mean battling months of your life away arguing about the children in court. In some cases it could take years. A court will give you a decision but will it be the right one for the children? Is a Judge the best placed person to make decisions that will have significance for the rest of the children’s lives? Possibly, but probably not. Look at ways of avoiding court such as Mediation, collaborative law, arbitration. Cost - Litigation means significant cost, in financial, emotional and psychological terms. The legal fees are likely to be a significant drain on resources. The emotional impact of dealing with court proceedings cannot be under estimated. There is also the possibility your child or children would need to speak to an officer of the Court (and in some cases the Judge) about their wishes and feelings. This can be a traumatic experience for some children. If you can come to an arrangement direct with the other parent, this cost can be mitigated. That’s got to be worth thinking about. If you would like to know more about separation matters where children are concerned, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

After 14

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Cambridgeshire Foot Clinic Podiatry/Chiropody Yvonne Siudak

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Understanding Rabbits

by the Rabbit Residence Rescue

Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the UK, yet there are many misunderstandings about their needs. The traditional view of one rabbit living in a hutch still prevails amongst many in the UK. Yet this is in strong contrast with their actual needs when we consider how wild rabbits live. The latter live in social groups not alone, they cover a considerable area in a day, and their survival instincts strongly affect their behaviours and those of their domestic cousins. The problem of rabbits being abandoned or given up in the UK is massive and growing. A recent survey by the Rabbit Welfare Association found that around 67,000 rabbits entered rescues in 2010, about double the estimate previously quoted. And these are the lucky ones that the rescues could accommodate. This is a significant problem placing considerable strain on rescues.

In some cases, rabbits arrive at rescue centres for unpreventable and unpredictable reasons, such as a change in the life circumstances of the owners, for example, a sudden illness or home eviction. However, the main reason for the scale of the problem is the common public perception that rabbits are low maintenance pets, good pets for children, and that all they need is a hutch and food. Many rabbits come through the doors of rescues, such as the Rabbit Residence Rescue, because owners were not aware of the commitment involved when they bought the rabbit from a pet shop or breeder, or because the rabbit is later perceived to be boring or aggressive. The latter can often be because the rabbit is bored due to insufficient space, lack of a rabbit companion, or due to fear caused by an ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inappropriate expectations of how to interact with the rabbit. Kept in a small hutch with little space to move and no environmental enrichment a single rabbit may well appear inactive and uninteresting. Another common reason for rabbits coming into rescues is accidental litters. Some pet shops and breeders now make customers more aware that a rabbit needs company of their own kind, but sexing young rabbits can be difficult and errors result in accidental litters that the owners cannot accommodate. Rabbits can breed from four months old and a female can get pregnant again straight after giving birth. The Rabbit Residence Rescue (registered charity number 1148016), based near Royston in

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Hertfordshire, takes in, rehabilitates, and rehomes neglected and unwanted rabbits. The Rabbit Residence Rescue is dedicated to providing the best possible care and to encouraging others with rabbits or wanting to adopt to do the same. The Rabbit Residence Rescue won Best Small Furry Rescue at the 2013 Wetnose Awards. Things everyone should know about rabbits • They are naturally sociable animals in the wild and a pet rabbit needs the company of another rabbit. Opposite-sex pairs, both neutered, usually works best. • They live around 10 years. • They need lots of space - a big hutch (or a shed) with a big predator proof run attached. The Rabbit Welfare Association recommends a minimum of a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft hutch attached to a predator proof run of minimum 8ft x 4ft x 4ft – preferably bigger! (Different rescues have slightly varying recommendations so check with them first if you are looking to adopt.) • They need to eat hay and lots of it! They should also be fed some leafy greens each day (not lettuce, and only a small amount of carrot, if any) and a small handful of pellets, not mix (which will lead to obesity). • They are instinctively scared of being picked up because to them it is like being picked up by a predator. Most will either panic and struggle, or freeze in fear. Thus, rabbits are not an ideal ‘cuddly’ pet for children. They trust us more if we interact with them at ground level. • They are not cheap pets. They can cost around £1000 a year to care for.

• In the wild rabbits spend much of their time digging and foraging. Pet rabbits need enrichment such as a digging tray, tunnels, and toys to chew to help keep them busy. • They must be vaccinated once a year against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. How you can help • If you have a few hours to spare regularly or occasionally, you could make a real difference by volunteering your time to assist with animal care or DIY. Please email us to apply (rabbit_ residence@hotmail.com). • If you are considering rabbits as pets, please do some research first. There is good information on the Rabbit Welfare Association’s website (www. rabbitwelfare.co.uk) or the Rabbit Residence Rescue’s website (www.rabbitresidence.org.uk). If you decide to go ahead, please contact us or another rescue. We have many wonderful rabbits, including youngsters, waiting for a second chance in life. • Join our ‘Sponsor-The-Bunnies’ scheme to help us look after the rabbits in our care. For details email SponsorRabbitResidence@gmail.com or see www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/sponsor-thebunnies.html

Website: www.rabbitresidence.org.uk Tel. 07904 397378 Email: rabbit_residence@hotmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/rabbitresidence Blog: www.bunniestotherescue.blogspot.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

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Beat the utility bills

The gadgets that’ll save you cash With summer already a distant memory, energy companies are rubbing their hands with glee. Cooler weather means bigger energy bills. Time to review a few energy saving devices then. You don’t need to spend a fortune: some of the most effective changes are the simplest. For example, one of the best bill-busters is to replace existing bulbs with low-energy ones. Halogen bulbs are better than incandescent ones, but LED bulbs are better still: for example in a typical 6-light kitchen spotlight, you can replace six 50W halogen bulbs with six 3W LEDs - so the total energy use would drop from 300W to just 18W. Look for “warm white” LEDs if you want a natural light: some LEDs have a bluish light, an effect not everybody likes. Note if you want dimmable lights you’ll need dimmable bulbs and LED-friendly dimmer switches. While the bulbs do cost more than traditional ones the price is coming down, and they last much, much longer than even halogens, so they’ll pay for themselves quickly and save you money over a long period of time. If you have an outdoor security light, consider swapping that too: while halogen security lights can use 400W or more, LED ones can be surprisingly bright with bulbs rated at just 10W. Turning things off can slash your energy usage too, and computers are particular offenders. Investing in the Ecobutton, which costs around £15, can pay for itself very quickly: press it when you take a break and it’ll put your PC into the most energy efficient standby mode. For TVs, a TV standby saver can put all your home

entertainment kit to sleep when you put the TV into standby mode, and there’s an equivalent for PCs. Expect to pay £21 for a TV standby saver and around £16 for a PC one. The Energy Saving Trust also recommends the WAHL Eco Kettle, which uses 60% less energy than a normal kettle - but don’t spoil the savings by boiling more water than you actually need. Don’t forget about batteries either: swapping from normal batteries to rechargeable ones can save you hundreds of pounds in a relatively short space of time: according to Which? magazine, you could save as much as £500 over 100 charges. Cutting down your gas usage isn’t quite as simple, but it’s still possible. Fitting a flow regulator such as the £5 Showersave to your shower slashes the amount of hot water your showers use, and the £25 Radiator BOOster can reduce the time it takes to heat a room, cutting energy usage in the process. Shower flow reducers can reduce your bills if you’re on a water meter too, as can the Hippo water saver, which reduces the amount of water used to flush your toilet. For really big savings on gas, give some thought to a new boiler: by replacing a D-rated boiler with an A-rated one, you could save around £181 per year in a typical detached house. If that’s a step too far, don’t forget the obvious, affordable options: you’ll save a fortune by insulating your house if its current insulation isn’t up to scratch and by turning the thermostat down a notch. You’ll find that energy efficiency work is often subsidised by government grants, and you might even be able to have it done for free.

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BRICKHILL

BOOK BUG REVIEWS... The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway Bee Ridgwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first novel is an amazing mix of Science Fiction/Fantasy and Historical Romance. Faced with death at the Battle of Salamanca Nicholas Falcott, Marquess of Blackdown, has somehow thrown himself forward 200 years to the 21st Century. With the help of the mysterious Guild, he has adjusted to this strange new world and settled in Vermont. Told that he can never return to his own time, he has accepted that everyone he once knew is gone. Now the Guild has decided to send him back to 1815, to the family who thought he was dead and to Julia Percy, the beautiful young woman he never thought he would see again. What does the Guild want him to do? Who are the Guildâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shadowy adversaries, the Ofan? What does Julia know about them? And does he want to be the Marquess of Blackdown or just plain Nick Davenant? Bee Ridgway contrasts the worlds of the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries in this fun, well written debut. Time will be travelled and bodices will be ripped, but will Nick and Julia find out what the Guild and the Ofan are up to so they can have a future together? For more information about books and reading, visit the Virtual Library at www.bedford.gov.uk/ libraries. The Book Bug has worked for the library service in Bedfordshire for over 20 years. She lives in Brickhill with far too many books!

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SEASONAL DELIGHTS

Mediterranean fish bake This is a great one-pan dish full of fresh flavour. Monkfish is quite pricey but the meaty flesh is delicious and bakes really well, however you can replace it with cod loin, salmon steaks or thick pieces of haddock fillet if you prefer. Serve with a green salad and warmed ciabatta bread to mop up all the lovely herb and lemon flavoured pan juices. INGREDIENTS 2 tbsp olive oil (choose a good quality fruity one) 350g small new potatoes, halved 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks 1 green pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks 225g small plum tomatoes, halved 4 monkfish fillets (each weighing about 150g) 50g butter, softened Pared rind and juice from 1 small lemon, plus extra wedges to serve 1 tbsp fresh chopped oregano Salt and freshly ground black pepper Serves: 4 Ready in: 50 minutes

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6. Place the oil in a large non-stick roasting tin and heat in the oven for 5 minutes. Add the potatoes to the tin and toss to coat in the hot oil. Roast for 20 minutes, turning once. 2 Add the peppers and tomatoes to the roasting tin and toss to coat in the hot oil. Make a space in the tin and add the monkfish fillets. Return the roasting tin to the oven for 10 minutes. 3 Dot the butter over the fish fillets and sprinkle over the lemon rind, juice and oregano. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and roast for a further 5-10 minutes until the fish is just cooked through and the potatoes and peppers are tender. 4 Slice each monkfish fillet and arrange with the potatoes, peppers and tomatoes on four warmed serving plates. Spoon over the pan juices and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Tip Replace the peppers with sliced courgettes, chunks of celery and baby button mushrooms, if liked.

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what’S ON?

IN SEPTEMBER

30-31 August & 1 September Teddy Bear Festival St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Adults £2.50, Children under 16 free Come along and see bears of all shapes and sizes taking part in this fun weekend which includes: Flower Festival (Bears Galore), competitions for adults and children, Teddy Bears Picnic, Raffle, The Bear Shop, and Refreshments. There will be a competition on Saturday afternoon for the oldest bear so do bring yours along and join in. Rushden Town Band will be playing on Saturday afternoon and Hearts Ease dancers will be giving a display on Sunday afternoon. In aid of St Andrew’s Church Charity. 1 September Craft Fair 9.30am-4pm St Ives Free Church Local people selling hand-made crafts at very reasonable prices. Held on the first Saturday of each month. Charity tombola and free entry. www.saintscrafters.blogspot.com 1 September Cream Tea 3-5.30pm Haslingfield Dovecote, CB23 1JW £5 A traditional cream tea with freshly baked scones, jam and cream will be served in the informal woodland garden and orchard at the 17th Century circular Dovecote in Haslingfield. In aid of Parkinson’s UK. Tel: 01223 871788 for further details 2 September St Neots Astronomy Association 7.30pm The Visitors Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton Historical Nova by Gary Poyner. This will be a fun informative meeting with visual displays. Everyone welcome. We are a very friendly small club, new members welcome, whether you’re a complete beginner or a veteran; we have something to offer you. Tel: Nick Maudlin 01767 315678 Email: nick@snaa.co.uk Web: www.snaa.co.uk 3, 10, 17 & 24 September Bridge Club 7.30-9.30pm Roxton Village Hall Cost £3 Every Tuesday. Beginners welcome. Tel: 01767 448526 Web: www.greatbarfordbowlsclub.org.uk 4, 14, & 18 September Hamlets, Hahas & Bowling Greens 11.30am-12.30pm Wimpole Estate A 1.2 mile walk learning about Wimpole’s history. All walks are free; just turn up on the day and meet outside the stable block. Please wear walking shoes or boots. Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate/ 4 September Little Paxton Gardening Club 8pm Little Paxton Village Hall Speaker will be Ann Godfrey of Daisy Roots who will share her expertise of plants to give your garden a long season of interest. Refreshments included. Plants on sale. New members and visitors always welcome.

Entries into our What’s On sections are free. If you have an event you would like us to publicise please email the details to whatson@villagermag.com 6 September Deep Blue Sea Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start Corn Exchange, St Ives Tickets £5 2011. Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston and Simon Russell Beale star in a beautifully observed love triangle, adapted from a Terence Rattigan play, so expect a subtle, quiet drama that packs a massive emotional punch. Web: www.screenstives.org.uk 6-8 September Toft Social Club’s Ninth Annual Beer and Cider Festival Fri 6am-11pm, Sat 12 noon-11pm, Sun 12 noon-10.30pm Free entry Prices held at £2.00 pint! Thirteen real ales; mostly from brewers in a 25 mile radius, and three ‘real’ local ciders. Meals available early evening on Saturday and at Sunday lunchtime. Live music Saturday and Sunday evenings. Web: www.toftsocialclub.org.uk for up-to-date information 7 September Pidley International Teddy Bear Freefall Competition 10am-12pm Rookery Farm, Pidley Free admission and parking Dare-devil professional parachuting teddies, sponsored by local companies, jump one-by-one from a Cambridge Aero Club plane into the skies over Pidley village; each one focused on landing the nearest to the winning pot of honey. Please support this Pidley Mountain Rescue Team fundraising event to provide specialist equipment to adults and children in Huntingdonshire who have mobility or disability issues. Web www.pidleymountainrescue.org.uk 7 September Big Green Saturday 12.30pm Offord Millennium Green Fun dog show, stalls, food and drink and fun for all. 7 September Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Small charge for visitors Cambs and Beds Hardy Plant Society present a talk by Howard Drury on ‘Cornwall – the unknown gardens’. Howard is a horticultural Broadcaster, Speaker, Lecturer, Writer, and Consultant. He has 12 years of experience presenting T.V. programmes. Tel: Winifred 01234 721720 Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 8 September Woodland & Folly Guided Walk 1.30pm-3pm Wimpole Estate All walks are free; just turn up on the day and meet outside the stable block. Please wear walking shoes or boots. Web: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate/ 8 September Bourn Windmill Open Day 2-4.30pm Caxton Road Bourn CB23 2SU Adults £5, Children £2.50, Under 5s free In aid of Riding for Disabled Iceni Group. Home-made teas, raffle & games. Last windmill tour 4pm.

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what’S ON? IN SEPTEMBER

11 September Doormice 7.30pm Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton Suggested donation Members £2.00, Non-members £2.50 Wildlife Trust – Huntingdonshire Local Group is pleased to welcome Henry Stanier, who is Ecology Groups Officer for the Wildlife Trust, who will use his wealth of experience and knowledge to reveal some of the secrets of these tiny, shy animals. Tel: Phil 01487 822835 Web: www.wildlifetrust-huntsareagroup.org.uk 14 September Hail Weston Village Fete & Companion Dog Show 1-5pm Dog registrations from 11.30. All welcome - pedigree and novelty classes. Tombola, books, cake stalls, craft stalls, cancer research donation station, plants, refreshments, children’s races, BBQ and bar. Come and join in the fun! 14 September Huntingdonshire Concert Band presents Dam Busters 7.30pm St Ives Free Church Adults £9, Concessions £8 In aid of the RAF Association “Wings Appeal”. Music to include: The Dam Busters March, Aces High, Eagle Squadron, Where Eagles Dare, On Parade, Big Band Salute, Missing Man, Dartmoor 1912. Tickets available by telephone or from “Just Sharing” at the Free Church 01480 496570. Tel: Tickets 01480 450 656 or 01480 383898 Web: www.huntingdonshireconcertband.com 15 September Battle of Britain Sunday Sunset Ceremony 6pm Huntingdon Market Square RAF Wyton area voluntary band and local ATC Squadrons. Lowering of the RAF Ensign at the Town Hall followed by Battle of Britain Service at 6.30pm at All Saints Church. Collection for RAF Association “Wings Appeal”. 17 September How Does Your Garden Grow 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Kimbolton Flower Club. Demonstration by Sharon Badger with the title “How Does Your Garden Grow”. Visitors welcome - admission £6. Raffle of the arrangement and plant and accessories sales table. 20 September Quiz Night 7.30pm Little Paxton Village Hall Tickets £6 including refreshments. Raffle. Tel: Lee Duncan 07931 315648 for tickets Email: lm.duncan@ntlworld.com 20 September The Great Gatsby Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton Adults £4, Concessions £3, Children under 16 £2 Licensed bar and refreshments. Tickets available from Dixie’s Deli, Watson’s, or Bytes Café or on the door. Tel: 01480 860297 for further information 21 September The Gamlingay Show 1-5pm Gamlingay Village College, Station Road Adults £3, Concessions £1.50

Annual Village Show complete with competition entries, craft marquee, stalls and side-shows, wide variety of refreshments, arena events, funfair, displays and demonstrations, classic cars, motor-cycles and tractors. All profits go to village clubs and societies. Tel: 07519 921126 Web: www.gamlingayshow.co.uk 21 September Bourn Beer and Cider Festival 12 noon-11pm Manor Farm, 14 Alms Hill, Bourn, Cambridge Adults £3, under 18 years free Come and join us for Bourn’s first beer and cider festival raising money for the NSPCC. BBQ in the afternoon and a hog roast in the evening and live music all day. With face painting, bouncy castle, kids crafts, and farm animals. Tel: 01954 713971 Email: joproud@manorfarmbourn.co.uk 21 September Clarinet Concert 7.30pm St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy Tickets £8 including complimentary glass of bubbly The Phoenix Players of St Ives, featuring Beverley Budd on clarinet, Naomi Laredo and Graham Bush on violins, Simon Watkin on viola and Felicity Horsford on cello, will be playing the Mozart Clarinet Quintet. Interval refreshments available. Free parking accessible on the adjacent archery field. Tel: Jenny Griffiths 01480 811126 for tickets Email: ticketoffice.stpeters@gmail.com 21-29 September Royston Arts Festival Various events taking place including Meera Syal talk followed by Q&A session and book-signing, performance by renowned pianist Clare Hammond, Gromit or Shaun the Sheep model making with a model-maker from Aardman and free workshops including poetry, batik, theatre, music and flower arranging. See website for full details. Web: www.roystonartsfestival.org 26 September St Neots & District Gardening Club AGM 8pm St. Mary’s Church Hall, Brook Street, St. Neots Non-Members £2.50 includes refreshments and raffle ticket 29 September St Ives Scale Model Show 10am-4pm Burgess Civic Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives Adults £1.50, Concessions 50p Hosted by Brampton Scale Model Club and IPMS Brampton. The largest one day show in East Anglia! Trade stands, 50+ model displays, refreshments and charity tombola in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance. Free parking. Tel: Alec Smith 01480 896949 for more information Email: bramptonshow@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.bramptonscalemodelclub.fsnet.co.uk 29 September Croydon cum Clopton Monthly Village Market 10.30am-1pm High Street, Croydon Refreshments. Local businesses displaying and selling their produce and products. In support of Croydon Village Hall & All Saints Church. Web: www.stallsinthevillagehall.co.uk

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Name:

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 17th September 2013 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel:

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Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Paul Lovett from Henlow For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com Across 1 Entrance (6) 4 Be owned by (6) 9 Hold (7) 10 Previous (5) 11 Brush (5) 12 Conversing (7) 13 Promises (11) 18 Sediment (7) 20 Undressed (5) 22 Avoid (5) 23 In the open air (7) 24 Guard (6) 25 Grown-ups (6) Down 1 Blame (6) 2 Type of light boat (5) 3 Soap (7) 5 Banish (5) 6 Belief (7) 7 Car repair centre (6) 8 Directive (11) 14 Make clear (7) 15 Caught fire (7) 16 Snakes (6) 17 Worships (6) 19 Curse (5) 21 Small hill (5)

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Save money

by doing winter things now Winter might seem like some time away but you can save money by preparing for it now; plumbers are cheaper while the weather is warmer and there are still offers on insulation and boilers so start work now before winter arrives and the prices go up. Switch your bills now - It’s a great time to switch to a cheaper provider as the major providers typically start to increase their prices any day now, just in time for winter. Find a copy of your last gas and electricity bills, go to the energyswitching page on Moneymagpie.com and find a cheaper deal for yourself. It’s often worth considering one of the smaller suppliers however if you want to stick to a major supplier you may be eligible for discounted bills through the government’s ECO (Energy Company Obligation) scheme which offers heating and insulation improvements for low-income and means tested households. Visit www.gov.uk/ energy-company-obligation or call the Energy Saving Trust on 0300 123 1234 for details. Boilers - If your boiler is coming to the end of its life, now is a good time to have it replaced. Most boilers over 15 years old can be repaired to keep them working, but they will be less efficient than modern ones. Even factoring in the cost of a new boiler you could save money by replacing it now. Also, you could receive up to £270 cashback for updating your boiler through the new government energy improvement scheme, The Green Deal Cashback Scheme, which gives you money back if you make energy efficiency improvements in your home. The Green Deal is available to households in England and Wales and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, even if you are renting privately or in social housing. Firstly, have a Green Deal assessment carried out on your property which will provide you with a report of what could be improved. Then agree to a quote or Green Deal plan with a Green Deal Provider. You can find them online at www.greendealorb.co.uk/ consumersearch. Apply for the Green Deal Cashback Voucher at www.gdcashback.decc. gov.uk. Make sure you have the work completed before the voucher expires and you’ll receive your cashback within 30 days. Insulation Now is a great time to get up-to-date

insulation as it’s a quiet period for installers. Insulation materials are also much cheaper to buy in the summer and early autumn. Efficient insulation can cut the cost of heating and cooling by 40%, while loft insulations save an average 20% on your energy bills annually. Don’t forget you can also find loft insulation vouchers on websites like Groupon as well as applying for the Green Deal. Draught-proofing - Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to save energy in your home. The Energy Saving Trust claims you can save £55 a year. You could save more money by taking the DIY route but remember some older properties with single glazing will be more difficult to draughtproof and if you are not comfortable with your DIY skills, hiring a professional could save you money in the long run. Check your home insurance policy before carrying out work yourself to ensure that you’re covered for DIY. Plumbers - Summer and early autumn is a slower time of year for plumbers so you could find the rates more favourable, and you’ll also be able to get the work completed quickly. Have any pipe repairs or radiator work done now to eliminate cold spots and fix wasteful dripping taps. It’s also worth having the plumbers in just to check everything is ship shape for winter. Moneymagpie.com has up to date information on hundreds of ways to earn a bit on the side and boost your income – and more are being added every week. There is also a wealth of information on best-buy financial products, plus heaps of articles to help you be a clever consumer and make the most of your money. Did you know? Boilers account for around 55% of what you spend in a year on energy bills. You can save as much as £310 a year by replacing it.

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