Henlow aug 14

VILLAGER The

Issue 69 - August 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

WWI Feature

Postcards from the Front

Summer Wedding Feature

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Message from the Editor:

Summer seems to be flying by and our best news is that The Villager and Town Life magazine won Bronze at the recent 2013 Community Magazine Awards. Run annually by Cambridge Building Society, the competition seeks to recognise outstanding local publications in the Cambridge area and we were presented with a plaque at a recent awards ceremony as third in the High Frequency category. This is the fourth award that The Villager has received since it began so clearly it is doing something right. I hope you enjoy this summer issue which commemorates the month that WWI broke out a century ago.

Contents Summer Wedding Feature

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World War I Feature - Postcards from the Front................4 How to Dedal with Debt...................................................9 Travelogue - Island Dipping...........................................10 Going to Uni? How to Manage your Money....................12 Summer Wedding Feature..............................................16 Wedding Planner Check List...........................................22 Miles of Smiles...............................................................23 Helen’s Helpful Hints......................................................24 Hindsight Parenting Tips................................................27 Turning Point.................................................................28 Early Conciliation...........................................................30

Grow your own take-away.............................................35 Beer of the Month..........................................................36 Fun Quiz.........................................................................39 Wordsearch....................................................................41 Animal Queries...............................................................42 Chilli Con Carne..............................................................44 Puzzle Page....................................................................48 Prize Crossword..............................................................54 What’s On.......................................................................58

Travelogue - Island Dipping

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9,500 copies delivered free of charge in the following areas: Henlow, Langford, Astwick, Edworth, Hinxworth, Caldecote, Newnham, Radwell, Bygrave, Shillington, Holwell, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Shefford, Ashwell End and Stanford (Further bulk drops are made to local shops and busineses in Arlesey, Upper and Lower Stondon, Shefford, Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin and Stotfold)

Editor - Catherine Rose Editorial - Catherine Rose, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Melanie Ridley, Helen Springer, Derek Thompson, Sarah Reid, Pippa Greenwood, RSPCA North Beds Branch and Culinary Masters, Advertising Sales Sarah Fryer - 01767 261122 sarah@villagermag.com Photography - Bernard Ormrod, Emma Porter, Catherine Rose, Wavebreak Media Ltd and Nigel Frost Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

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.

History

Rosina and James

World War I Feature Postcards from the Front

By Catherine Rose Described as “historically valuable war documents”, postcards sent during WW1 forged a strong link between soldiers and their families that has largely been side-lined in looking at the history of the Great War. The postcard was invented in Austria in 1869 to encourage people to write more frequently, being easier to use and cheaper than writing a letter.

However, the emerging photography industry soon saw the value of providing their clients with multiple images in a postcard format which could then be sent to friends and relatives with a short message. Thus the popularity of the postcard flourished during the Victorian era and the industry reached its peak at the beginning of the First World War. Postcard publishers were quick to see the demand there would be for soldiers to be able to keep in touch with their loved ones from the Front.

Consequently, patriotic and romantic postcards were on sale within three days of war breaking out on 4th August 1914.

Some of the best artists and card illustrators were employed with the aim of keeping up morale as well as expressing feelings of love towards sweethearts and the sadness of separation. These postcards were a characteristic of the First World War which was never to be repeated.

Ron Pickford of Wrestlingworth has a collection of First World War postcards, most of them made in France. They were written to his grandmother Rosina by her husband, Ron’s grandfather James Henry Bartle who was a private in the Bedfordshire

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Regiment, and by her two brothers Alfred James and Albert Edward during the years of the war.

(Rosina also had a sister.)

The postcards, as well as being a lovely and collectible piece of ephemera, provide a poignant reminder of those difficult days when the women were left at home wondering whether their loved ones were still alive, waiting for a few lines to arrive to allay their worst fears.

Ron’s grandfather James Henry Bartle married Rosina Medlock in 1915, a year after the war began. In a sad twist of irony, his father, also James, had died the month war broke out in August 1914 aged only 53. By strange coincidence, James and Rosina shared a birthday of 8th March.

James carried out his training at Ampthill Park and while he was waiting to be called up for active service, sent Rosina probably one of the first postcards of his dormitory - an austere row of metal beds with striped ticking mattresses and soldiers’ boots lined up below - that simply says “…

Dear, I just write to fill up the time…”

The postcards sent to Rosina from Northern France are particularly beautiful as they were mainly hand embroidered ‘envelopes’ attached to a card with embossed borders. This French

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and Belgian embroidery was typical of the region and was made to contain a small, almost hidden, card in its heart for a message. This embroidery always consisted of flowers (which in Victorian times had hidden symbolic meanings) and the flags of the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia) would be incorporated into the design. To protect the embroidery these cards would be sent in envelopes made of tissue paper.

Some of the postcards were sentimental drawings and others very patriotic. All were usually overflowing with positive thoughts and did not depict the true horror of the war.

Probably shortly after he was posted, James sent Rosina a sentimental card that shows a soldier in deep thought under the title ‘His Dream’ in which James writes: “…Note to the young lady over the water but God’s grace keeps us united although apart with love from James xxxx”.

Romantic thoughts must often have been far from James’ mind and other messages seem almost cool with formality. But it becomes more understandable when remembering the conditions the soldiers were surviving under and the patriotism that was instilled into all. Everything was for ‘King and Country’ and love had to take a back seat. One postcard sent by James to Rosina is entitled ‘Victory and Liberty’ and has the message “…May the Lord speed the time when this is accomplished from your husband on active service.”

However, James did find time to show his wife that he still loved and thought of her. Another card is slightly more sentimental with the message ‘To my dear wife’ and depicts forget-me-nots, roses and a patriotic heart.

A Christmas card to Rosina assures her “…I am quite well, with best wishes till we meet again. God be with you always from your husband J.B.” and a New Year’s card sees James sending her a very tender message on another embroidered postcard that says ‘From he who loves you’ and depicts flowers in the shape of the Alliance flags with James writing “…Forget me not. Best wishes for the New Year. Your loving husband James xxxxxx” Some of the postcards that were manufactured

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were part of a series that contained a drawing and a verse that was continued on the next card in that series. One such card shows a parting soldier with his lady and the rhyme: ‘… there’s something, dearie, that I want to say, one parting word before I go away: I’ve tried to think that someone else will do, instead of you - but that’s not true; I’ve tried to tell my heart that I don’t care, but it’s no use dear, for when you’re not there….”

The verse stops at this point presumably so the lady can wait in great anticipation for the next!

There were also postcards available for women at home to send to their soldiers. Ron has one such postcard although it is uncertain whether Rosina ever actually sent it to James. It shows a lady writing a letter and imagining her sweetheart in his uniform, and says ‘The days seem weary without you, time seems to go so slow….’

Ron also has postcards sent from Rosina’s brothers to ‘Rose’. One shows embroidered forget-me-nots and the Alliance flags with a small message inside saying simply “…To my dear sister. From Alfred to Rose”. Another from Albert is decorated with a cutout hand-painted paper fan that says simply “From Albert to Rose”.

Sadly, neither of Rosina’s brothers survived the war.

Albert Edward Medlock died on 14th October 1916 in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley of his wounds; and Alfred James who was fighting in the fourth Bedfordshire Regiment was killed in action on 20th April 1917 aged just 25. Ron has his ‘death penny’ which is six inches in diameter and was inscribed with the soldier’s name and the words ‘He died for Freedom and Honour’. The death penny was given to the families of those who lost men on active service.

Rosina and James endured however. James returned from the war and the pair had a long life together with Ron’s grandmother dying in 1955 and his grandfather in 1973. These beautiful heartfelt but fragile messages of card and embroidery that they left behind are a touching reminder, not only of the strength of love between two young people through the greatest adversity but also as a unique personal record of a war that was to ‘end all wars’.

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Hitchin Market Tuesday General Market

Friday General Market and Antique and Collectors Saturday General Market Sunday General Market and Car Boot Sale Last Saturday of The Month Craft & Farmers Market on the Riverside

Telephone: 01462 456 202

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Three Counties Radio

How to Deal With Debt

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

It is a sad reality that most of us are in debt these days. With the high cost of housing, it’s perhaps unsurprising that people are having to borrow more money than they really should. For many, this debt is perfectly manageable. However, it only takes a problem like losing your job, or ill health to suddenly turn manageable debt into an utter nightmare.

If you are having financial difficulty and realise that you are unable to meet your debt responsibilities, the most important thing to do is to face up to the reality. As tempting as it may be to bury your head in the sand and ignore the demand letters, it is simply going to make the problem much much worse.

When you have accepted the situation, you need to sit down and look openly and honestly at the money you have coming in, and the money going out. Even if the prospect is thoroughly depressing, you need to understand exactly what the numbers are before you go any further.

At this point, I would advise contacting the companies you owe money to and explaining the situation.

They may be able to give you a ‘payment holiday’ until you get yourself back on your feet again. They are also much more likely to be helpful if you’ve been open and honest with them rather than ignoring them and hoping they will simply go away. Remember, they want their money, so it’s in their interest to work with you as opposed to against you.

When you’ve worked out how much money you can put towards your debts, you then need to prioritise them. The most important debts are: mortgage or rent arrears, gas and electricity arrears, council tax arrears, court fines, income tax or VAT arrears and TV licence arrears. If you fail to pay these, you could lose your home, and in the most extreme circumstances, could end up in prison.

The less urgent debts include: benefits overpayments, credit cards and loans, water and sewerage bills (you can’t be cut off for water debts), student loans, loans from family and friends and parking penalties from local authorities. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t bother trying to pay them, but these should be at the bottom of the list.

Hopefully, with careful budgeting, balancing and communication, you’ll be able to manage your debts until you get back on your feet. However, if you simply cannot pay what you owe, then there are some options for you. However, be aware they do not come without costs.

Solutions such as debt consolidation, or even bankruptcy can be the only way out for some people but please look at the pros and cons before committing.

I would always advise that you contact your local citizens advice bureau or the debt charity ‘Step Change’ on 0800 138 1111 before making any further decisions about the management of your debt.

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

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Travelogue

Island Dipping After an early morning rise on Monday 7th April, we were off on our next adventure. The following three days were to be spent in a car and cooking meals with six people we had met for the first time the previous night, driving around a World Heritage listed island and sleeping in tents 100m from the beach.

You know you are living the dream when you are driving along a deserted beach in a Toyota 4x4.

Being considered the world’s largest sand island at 1,840 square kilometres, the only way to get around this spectacular island, is in a powerful 4x4 vehicle.

Our first destination was a large lake made naturally thousands of years ago by rain compressing the sand and soil into a large bowl shape which has been filled over thousands of years with fresh water. At 1,200 metres long, 930 metres wide and 16 feet deep, Lake Mackenzie is quite possibly the most breathtaking place I have been too.

On arrival at the lake it began to rain, which you may think would change our minds about wanting to take a dip but on the contrary actually made us want to get into the water quicker. It also made the water an even better temperature.

After a few drinks with some new friends on the first night we all had to be up and ready to leave

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By Melanie Ridley

at 8:00am the following morning. Surprisingly everyone was. The first stop on day two was Eli Creek.

Have you ever imagined being able to fill up your water bottle from a river and drink it without getting ill? Sounds crazy right?!

After a brisk five minute walk away from the beach along man-made decking, we arrived at the mouth of Eli Creek. The best way to travel down the creek is to jump into the water, chill out and let the current take you.

Day three included a three kilometre walk.

Lake Wabby was the destination and being the deepest lake on the island at 39 feet it made the hike 100% worth it. As you exit the forest you step onto what seem like never ending sand dunes.

For many, the urge to run down these into the water are too great to ignore. However another great way that many enjoyed the dunes was to grab a sand board and surf their way down into the water!

In 1992 Fraser Island was listed as a World Heritage Island. Situated just off the north east coast of Australia, it is in my mind is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The sights, sounds and experiences I had there will stay with me forever.

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Finance

Going to University?

Here’s How to Manage Your Money

If you are off to university in September, your head will be full of worries and excitement about living independently, studying, and how to manage life in a new city. It might be a little overwhelming at times, but with forethought and planning you can organise your money and get to grips with the financial side of life.

Managing money is often the biggest concern for new undergraduates, but the trick is to know your figures, set a basic budget where you can, and stick to it. One of the first decisions to make though, is which student bank account to open.

Student bank accounts Most of the top UK banks operate specific accounts for undergraduates. In general, they offer 24-hour online banking, mobile apps, and interestfree overdrafts subject to eligibility.

NatWest Uniproof Account • Free arranged overdraft facility of up to £500 in the first term, £750 in the second, and £1000 in the final term • Free Tastecard membership (currently worth £79.99) if you sign up for online banking and paperless statements. This entitles you to 50% off meals in a range of UK restaurants.

HSBC Student Bank Account • Free overdraft facility of £500 on signing up • Up to £3000 overdraft limit subject to eligibility • Credit interest of 1.5% AER/gross on the first £1000 in your account

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Santander Student Account • Free Santander 16-25 Railcard, valid for four years • Interest-free overdraft of up to £1500 per year if £500 is paid into your account at the start of each term • Credit interest of 1% AER/gross on balances of up to £500 Budgeting tips Budgeting is simple once you get into a routine.

It just needs commitment, and an awareness of how much you are spending. The first thing to do is calculate the total of your maintenance loan and any grants, wages if you intend to work, and any money from your parents.

Then make a list of regular bills, such as food, electricity, insurance and books. Also factor in birthday and Christmas expenses, and the cost of running a car if you have one. The money left over is disposable income, but you need to make sure you don’t overspend.

The main objective is to live within your means rather than splurging all your money at the start of term. Divide the maintenance loan over three months to budget for living costs, and you are halfway there.

Knowing the difference between ‘good debt’ and ‘bad debt’ Knowing how to use credit cards effectively is an important part of managing your money at university, as the temptation to spend without thinking can be overwhelming at times.

The important thing to note is that only paying the minimum amount off a credit card each month allows the interest to build up, and makes it increasingly difficult to pay off what was originally a manageable amount.

Paying off the total amount owed at the end of each billing period gives you interest-free credit for a very limited time, but go beyond this timescale and you could be hit with huge rates of interest.

Paying for higher education is an investment, and remains a popular choice even with the recent increase in tuition fees. You don’t need to be cashstrapped at university or debt-ridden when you leave – just make sure it’s memorable for all the right reasons.

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Happy Ever After

By Catherine Rose

The days when couples eloped to Gretna Green or had a simple ‘make do and mend’ marriage at their local registry office seem long gone. Today’s weddings are usually planned at least 18 months in advance and driven by a huge multi-million pound industry with more and more companies supplying everything you need, and didn’t realise you needed, for the Big Day. We take a look at what’s on offer.

Once the heady excitement of a marriage proposal has finally happened, a ‘happy ever after’ is on the horizon and that sparkling diamond is nestling on your ring finger, suddenly the time to plan ahead for your wedding becomes the most pressing activity in your life.

The first thing you need to do is set a budget. You may have dreams of marrying in Highclere Castle with a full piece orchestra at your reception, but reality is key. How much can you really afford to spend? Will either of your parents or other family members help out? Will you need to borrow money and can you afford the repayments after the excitement has worn off? These days people are also increasingly taking out wedding insurance as the investment is so huge.

If money is no object, you could always employ a wedding planner to take the headache out for you, but if not, the good news is that there are lots of bargains to be had if you shop around. Local

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wedding fayres have become very popular and are a good source of information. And from 3rd to 5th October 2014, the Brides Show takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

Make sure you research and don’t be pressured into signing up for goods and services until you have done your homework and are happy it is what you really want. Sit down and talk to your fiancé to agree on your ideas which will minimise friction later. Make a checklist together that you can refer and add to.

Save the Date Depending on where you choose to marry will probably help dictate the date. You will usually need to book at least a year in advance to get the venue you want, and it is probably wise to look at between 18 months to two years ahead if you can.

Vital Venue Decide whether you want a traditional church wedding or would prefer a registry office. Perhaps you would like to marry abroad – an increasingly popular option. There are now lots of beautiful venues licenced to hold weddings. The options are endless. Make a guest list and try and decide which type of wedding appeals to you – small and informal, or big and impressive – and opt for a venue to suit.

Depending where you choose, you may be able to have the marriage ceremony and reception at

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the same place, but if you are marrying in a church, then you will need to check out alternative venues for the reception. Most couples opt to have a wedding breakfast immediately after the ceremony for close family and friends and an evening reception later where they can invite more guests.

Remember, if you choose to have a marquee for your reception, costs can mount up once you have factored in a lining, lighting, heating (if necessary), flooring, tables and chairs, toilets and decorations.

Book a caterer if one isn’t included. Look at menu options and go by recommendation if at all possible as the food industry can be very varied.

Don’t forget to ensure your caterers can serve guests who are vegetarian or have allergies such as coeliac disease.

Delightful Décor There is an array of table decorations and centrepieces available now. If not included in the wedding package, it is worth researching and shopping online as it will give you creative ideas for venue and table décor.

Let Me Entertain You! Decide on the entertainment you want at the evening reception. Live band? Disco? Magicians?

Fire eaters? Anything goes providing it’s in budget!

It’s your wedding.

Go on recommendation where at all possible and don’t be afraid to ask friends and family if they would help out - you may discover Uncle Clive is a bit of a conjurer!

Be my Guest There are lots of options for invitations. You can buy some lovely wedding invitations cheaply from any good stationer or at the other end of

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the spectrum, you could design and have them printed yourself.

If your guest list is not too exhaustive and you are crafty, you could even make them. Allow one invitation per couple or family.

The Honeymoon It may seem a bit early to be thinking about it but the honeymoon needs to dovetail with your wedding date and should be booked now. Lots of hotels offer fantastic honeymoon packages. And if you are marrying abroad then the honeymoon is sorted.

Picture Perfect Book your photographer. Most photographers have websites with examples of their work so go for a photographer’s style you like. You will probably want a professional recording of the day but sometimes friends or relatives will be more than happy to video for you. Explore the options.

If marrying in a church, ensure that the vicar is happy for you to video record inside. Some vicars also forbid the use of confetti so if you dream of being showered in coloured paper or rice as you exit the church, make sure you check first.

Ring Ring Organise a romantic day out with your other half to choose your wedding rings. Have a rough idea in both your minds before you go so that you don’t waste time or get involved in an argument.

If you are passionate about white gold and he only likes 18 carat yellow, you need to come to a compromise.

Remember they will have to be ordered in your sizes and this can take a couple of weeks.

While shopping, why not decide on your wedding present list? Most big department stores will hold one for you and you can just direct people there.

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Boutique that is Exclusively for the Bride Brides and Bustles Wedding Boutique opened its doors in February 2013 and is located at the Olde Watermill Shopping Village in Barton Le Clay. We are a mother and daughter team that is passionate about helping you find the perfect dress whilst having a special, relaxed and fun experience. Our boutique is exclusively for the bride so from the minute you step foot through our door it really is all about the bride and finding you the dress and accessories of your dreams.

We have personally selected beautiful gowns from our chosen designers and are pleased to offer gowns from some of the biggest designers in the industry, such as Sottero & Midgley, Ellis Bridal, Jasmine Collection and Couture, Ivory & Co, Victoria Kay and Callista.

With the cost of gowns ranging from £700 to just over £2000,there really is something for everyone whatever the budget or size as we stock up to a UK size 30. We also have gowns to sell “off the peg” if your short on time, so it is always worth a visit to see what we have!

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The boutique has a spacious private viewing suite with floor to ceiling mirrors enabling the bride to see the gowns from all angle’s. This is especially important as many of the gowns have a lot of detail and embellishment down the back and on to the train.

The boutique stocks a large range of shoes, tiaras, veils and other accessories to go with every dress, we regularly change and update the accessories we carry to keep up with the changing bridal trends so there is always something new to see.

We have come to know what brides are looking for when shopping for their dress and without doubt there will be a glass of bubbles or two waiting for each bride and their party.

We are open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.30pm and Sundays 10am - 6pm, closed on a Monday except bank holidays.

So whatever the style, size or colour gown you are looking for, pop in and see our range!!

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Dress to Impress A wedding dress can cost anything from a few pounds second-hand to thousands of pounds worth of designer frock. If having a dress made to measure, remember you should allow around six months for it to arrive. If choosing a dress from a bridal shop, you may need several fittings. Do take a trusted friend or relative when selecting what is probably the most important garment of your life.

Decide on your veil. Do you want a long or a short one? What about the headpiece? Would flowers (fresh or silk) or a tiara suit the dress style better?

Some brides also buy a short wedding dress to change into for the evening reception.

Once you are settled on a wedding dress, you need to decide on the bridesmaid’s dresses. Again an outing and possibly several fittings may be needed. This is a good time to settle on a colour scheme or theme for the wedding.

Once the dress is decided, shop for shoes and underwear. You may want to honour the bridal tradition of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Many brides opt for a blue garter!

The groom also needs to decide what he would like to wear, from top hat and tails to tartan! Most men hire their suits as this works out a lot cheaper than buying something he and his best man are unlikely to wear again. Don’t forget the ushers!

Bouquets and Buttonholes You will need to choose and order your flowers including all bouquets and buttonholes, as well as any floral displays for the church or wedding venue and reception. Most florists are very helpful and will have lots of ideas if you’re stuck. If there is more than one wedding on at the church the day you marry, it may be possible to liaise with the other bride and share the cost of church flowers.

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Arriving in Style How will you get to your wedding venue and reception? These days you can arrive in anything from a Mercedes to a pony and trap. What would fit in with your wedding style? You will usually need three lots of transport: for the groom and best man, the bride’s mother and bridesmaids, and the bride and her father.

Order of Service Now is the time to discuss the type of readings and music that you want for the ceremony. Who will do your readings for you? If you are marrying in a church, you can usually pay for the services of the organist and/or church choir, and bell ringers may be available for an extra fee. You could also hire a professional singer or musician for when you are signing the register. You will need to get orders of service printed.

Make sure you have enough for the choir if applicable and anyone else who will need one.

Let Them Eat Cake Choosing your cake should be one of the most enjoyable experiences. There are lots of beautiful designs out there and wedding cake creation has become an art form.

Don’t forget, it has become popular now to give wedding favours (gifts) to those taking part in the ceremony such as the bridesmaids, as a keepsake.

Table Planning If you haven’t already done so finalise your menu now and if you want to make sure Aunt Gladys isn’t sitting next to Cousin May when they haven’t spoken for twenty years, draw up a table plan and order place cards and menus if desired.

Be Beautiful If you are a bride, now is the time to decide on how you would like your hair and make up to look on the day. Book a trial session at the hairdresser of your choice and don’t forget to take your headpiece with you. Plan when you are going to have your hair and make-up done on the actual day and book.

Hens and Stags If you haven’t done so already (and many people like to go abroad these days which means booking earlier) organise your hen/stag do, or better still, get a friend to do it for you. How about organising a spa do for you and your girlfriends at somewhere like Champneys?

Bann-ed If you are marrying in church, from three months until your wedding day you will need to attend the reading of the banns at the Sunday service. You will also have a rehearsal before the day.

Check!

Go through your original checklist. Have you remembered everything? Now have a well-deserved massage or a spa session – relax, breathe and above all enjoy your magical day.

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Wedding Photography

Miles of Smiles Professional Wedding Photographers Now that you have planned your wedding and booked your reception venue it’s time to carefully consider your wedding day photographers to capture stunning images of the most memorable day of your life.

Miles of Smiles are established, qualified professional photographers based in Stotfold, located in the heart of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire borders.

We invite you to meet with our photographers at your wedding reception venue, relax over a glass of wine and tell us about your wedding day plans. Miles of Smiles offer a bespoke wedding photography service which is priced to suit all budgets and tailormade to suit your exact requirements.

Every wedding day photography experience includes full coverage with 2 professional photographers who will capture stunning images as your fairytale unfolds, from bridal preparation right up to the first dance and evening celebrations. We prefer to work unobtrusively and sensitively, in a relaxed documentary style, capturing the emotion

and each memorable moment you will share with your loved ones.

We produce individually designed, bespoke wedding albums in a variety of sizes and finishes, lovingly crafted by some of the world’s leading suppliers. From parent albums, gift prints and image folios to luxury bespoke wall-art, there’s an abundance of quality products on offer to keep those memories alive.

Wedding day photography is priceless and a huge responsibility. Miles of Smiles have the passion, expertise and many years experience in creating beautiful images, leaving you to concentrate on the finer details.

With a payment plan to spread costs and help ease your budget, plus a discounted rate for early settlement, you can be assured of a fabulous, fullyguaranteed wedding photography experience.

To discuss your wedding day photography requirements and to arrange an informal meeting please call Darren Miles on 07914 417069 or email us at milesofsmiles@btinternet.com Receive 10% discount on all wedding photography when booking before 30th September 2014.

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23

Couples Counsellor

Helen’s Helpful Hints No. 3 - Stages of a relationship Your relationship will change over time. If you acknowledge these changes and talk to each other, you can work through any issues and lay the foundations for a more secure and satisfying relationship in the future.

Romance - In the beginning there was the romantic stage when attraction to each other was paramount.

What can be forgotten is the understanding of each others’ core beliefs. If these beliefs are very different, the relationship can be very difficult to sustain.

Power struggle - Everyone comes to a new relationship with expectations which evolved from their primary family. If these expectations are very different, negotiating a set of agreed values for your new family can be stressful and frustrating. Couples need to discuss and compromise to reach their way of living together.

Stability - In this stage the couple has developed a common way of life and has a system for dealing with any new issues on which they disagree.

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Commitment - After a while life might become dull and routine. This is the time to review your relationship, add some excitement and commit to the long term support of each other.

If you are having difficulty in working through any of these stages you could be helped by seeking counselling.

I am a couple counsellor who trained with Relate and have 28 years experience. You will receive a half hour free counselling on the telephone or on Skype so that we can assess if counselling might help you.

Call me, Helen Springer for an appointment.

I can fix a fee to suit your pocket.

Tel. 01462 713685. I am located in Pirton, Herts. , www.counsellorsandcounselling.co.uk (soon to be launched).

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NEW to Faye’s Beauty Hut HOT STONE MASSAGE

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Gift of Hindsight

Hindsight Parenting Tips

by Derek Thompson

Parenthood and grandparenthood may make us revise our opinions of how we were brought up.

Thanks to the gift of hindsight, you can now see both sides of the coin.

- It’s not about being right all the time; it’s about being there.

- There are two ears and one mouth, because you need to listen twice as much as you need to speak.

- You’re never too old to play and should never be too proud to lose from time to time.

- The question, ‘Why?’ can be answered, after the seventh time with, ‘Why do you think?’

- Even stories from long ago have to be relevant.

- Toast is not a meal, unless it has beans or cheese on it (in which case it’s a light meal, requiring a dessert afterwards).

- Don’t spend money that you haven’t got. It sends out all the wrong messages and sets

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

- - - - - -

expectations that are sure to be disappointed - for both of you. Love is priceless and costs nothing (even if they might not appreciate its value for a few years).

A little creativity goes a long way, as does a ready supply of old newspapers.

Only dance when you’re invited to.

Every child, even if you embarrass them, secretly delights in hearing their friends say that you’re pretty cool for an oldie.

Not every problem has to be solved right away and there may be more than one solution.

It’s okay to disagree some times.

Your list may differ!

27

Local News

Turning Point

A Carers Support Service in Hertfordshire Supporting carers with their health and wellbeing and turning lives around Turning Point provides emotional and practical support to carers and service users with mental health difficulties.

It supports: • Carers of service users aged 18+ who are already known to mental health services.

• Carers and service users living in Hertfordshire.

The service offers outreach support of up to two hours per week, visiting people in their own home or at community locations. A team of project workers and recovery workers offer goal orientated support, helping individuals to improve the quality of their lives and face the future with confidence.

Consequently, the service can: • Provide support for a wide range of real life problems such as housing, finance and debt issues, access to other services, building social

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networks and more.

• Work with service users who have mental health needs to support them through recovery and build their confidence, independence, resilience and aspirations.

• Provide informal, goal-orientated family support.

• Offer carers regular short breaks from their caring role.

• Support people so that they can take control, learn new skills and make the most of the opportunities within their local community.

We support people to build upon their own strengths, knowledge and understanding of their personal circumstances in order to move forward with their own recovery.

For more information, please visit the website at www.turning-point.co.uk or telephone: 01438 724995; email hcmhs@turning-point.co.uk

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29

Employment

Early Conciliation

By Sarah Reid ACAS has launched a new Early Conciliation service - one of a number of recent UK legislative changes, and it is anticipated to transform the employment landscape.

What is it? - Early Conciliation (EC) is a free service provided by ACAS from April 6th 2014 to encourage resolution of differences between employee and employer, and avoid the cost (emotionally and financially) of an employment tribunal.

When can it be used? - Usually once all internal workplace procedures have been exhausted.

Does an employee have to use this service? - Yes (unless an exemption applies) for claims lodged on or after May 6th 2014. Tribunal claims will not be accepted unless the employee has submitted an Early Conciliation Form and an Early Conciliation Certificate issued.

Are there time limits? - An employee will, in most cases, have up to three months (less one day from date of dismissal) to bring a tribunal claim.

Contacting ACAS pauses the time limit for up to one calendar month, plus a further 14 days if required. The time limit will start again once the Early Conciliation Certificate has been issued.

But hasn’t ACAS always offered conciliation?

Yes but the new process encourages employees to contact ACAS before a claim is submitted to a tribunal. An employer can also contact ACAS to start EC if they think an employee is likely to make a tribunal claim. So it can be helpful to both parties to introduce external, unbiased conciliation to settle a dispute.

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What type of issues will it help resolve? - Those that may lead to an employment tribunal claim: - unfair dismissal - workplace discrimination and equal pay - redundancy payments / selection procedure disputes - deductions from wages or unpaid notice/ holiday pay - rights to time off or flexible working How does the process work? - An employee (or appointed solicitor) completes an Individual Claimant Notification Form on the new ACAS web portal (https://ec.acas.org.uk) with a response from ACAS within two working days. Employers can use the same web portal, but with no extension to the time limit for submitting a claim. ACAS also has a helpline number 0300 1231100.

What if either party refuses EC? - If an ACAS conciliator is unable to contact the employee, either party refuses to conciliate, conciliation fails or the conciliation period expires without settlement, ACAS will issue a certificate confirming that the employee has complied with the rules.

Early Conciliation by ACAS is entirely voluntary and employees who don’t want to settle a dispute before a tribunal can decline EC and move on to the tribunal to submit their claim.

Drawn out workplace disputes can have a crippling effect on employees and businesses alike. As the EC service is free to use, neither party has anything to lose by actively seeking an agreement via the new ACAS Early Conciliation service.

For further guidance about this or any HR related issue, whether an employee or employer, contact Sarah Reid via email – sarah.reid@solashr.com or visit her website at www.solashr.com.

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TEMPLARS CROSS LODGE

ARE YOU A BUSY BUSINESS OWNER?

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Let us help. We take the burden away and help you manage your business by providing; Bookkeeping Payroll Credit control Services are flexible, provided on a monthly, quarterly or ‘one off’ basis.

Contact us for a free no obligation bookkeeping review/consultation.

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We are so confident in our people and treatments that we will guarantee each and every treatment.

If you are not completely satisfied with the results of a treatment, we will re-treat your lawn free of charge.

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Garden

Grow your own take-away

By Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com We all know that home-cooked food is better for us than a stream of takeaways, but then we all deserve a little self-indulgence from time to time.

So why not save yourself the guilt (and some cash) and grow your own Chinese takeaway right here in your own garden?

No I haven’t turned cookery writer, but you can easily grow some of those tasty and crunchy vegetables that make the backbone of many a Chinese stir-fry... and the great thing is that oriental vegetables do well from late summer sowings, so it’s off to the garden centre (not the takeaway) you go!

Bean sprouts are so easy to grow you could almost do it with your eyes shut. The common types are sprouted mung-beans, and you can either buy packets of seed or a small packet of the beans themselves from your local health food store.

They’ll come with easy cultivation instructions and before you know it you’ll have the beginnings of a stir-fry.

Mizuna has got to be one of the most attractive leafy vegetables you can grow. Its green leaves appear soon after sowing the seed in a pot or in open ground, and they add a great spicy flavour to your stir-fry and also add a zing to salads.

And where would your Chinese meal be without that delicious Oriental veg, pak-choi. It’s another easy vegetable to grow late in the summer: just sow the seeds in a well-forked soil, water, and wait.

Thin out as per the instructions of the seed packet (you can eat the thinnings too), then just pinch off the roots and pop the plants into the wok. Pak-choi also grows well in a container of multi-purpose compost.

Garlic is another essential ingredient. It’s not really the right time of year to plant garlic, but for an unexpected little extra take a few spare cloves and

pot them in trays of compost. Keep the compost slightly moist and in a week or two the cloves will start to sprout. What you’re after here aren’t the sprouts though, but the bright green foliage which adds a definitely garlicy flavour to stir-fries and a touch of colour as well.

Radishes add heat as well as crunch, and there are some lovely oriental varieties such as Mantanhong, which is a British-bred Chinese variety with a superbly crunchy bright red-to-pink inner flesh and spherical white roots – great for colour and texture and with a sweet almost nutty flavour. Sow in open ground or pots from now until early September for cropping in a few weeks’ time.

Spring onions are another classic stir-fry component. You won’t get a fully mature crop for harvesting this year unless you’re extremely lucky; but what you will get is a super-young onion that will add both colour and intense flavour to the contents of your wok.

And finally, mushrooms will add a meaty texture to your home-grown vegetable stir-fry. Kits for growing both oyster and field mushrooms are available in many garden centres or by mail order.

It’s not always easy to get right, I know, but the challenge is definitely worth it when you have exotic mushrooms growing in your cellar, garden frame, greenhouse, or shed.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for her “Winter thru Spring” vegetable collection, plants for September, regular advice emails from Pippa, and a range of gardening products including Nemasys caterpillar, slug, ant and other biological controls, Enviromesh & Envirofleece.

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35

Food & Drink

Beer of the Month by Ted Bruning By the law of averages, there have to be some days in August that are warm. But just because it’s sunny, your tipple doesn’t have to be lager.

It could be a nicely-chilled sauvignon blanc, or it could be... cider. And there are three sorts of cider. There are the big brands, which are fizzed up to within an inch of their lives, have precious little apple in them and, frankly, aren’t much like cider. Then there’s still (or flat) farm cider, which can be absolute nectar or can be undrinkably oxidised and unbearably sour.

Then there’s the crossovers – all-apple ciders made on the farm but well-balanced, not too tannic, and acceptable to “real” cider nuts and ordinary human beings alike.

Henney’s Dry from Herefordshire is a nice straw gold with a lot of bubbles. The aroma is very

apple-y, with a slight hint of caramel. The flavour, again, is very apple-y, which is not as obvious as it might sound as ciders (like wines) don’t generally taste of the fruit they’re made from. It’s a light cider which, served cold, is a good accompaniment to a nice day.

Sheppy’s Dabinett from Somerset is made from a single apple variety (most ciders are blends). It’s paler than Henney’s, and less fizzy. The aroma is fresh but not especially fruity while the flavour is earthier, creamier, and a little more acidic.

It finishes sharply, with dry tannin developing. A bit more authentic, perhaps.

Beware, though – Henney’s is 6% abv and Sheppy’s is a whopping 7.3%.

Sip, don’t glug!

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BRANCHING OUT FA M

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Tree Surgery/Felling Tree Pruning/reductions Hedge trimming Tree stump removal Grass cutting & strimming Rotavating and turfing Fencing Patio & driveway cleaning Scarification Garden clearance

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Fun Quiz - Robots 1. Derived from Greek words that roughly translate as “man of the species”, what word is used to describe a robot that has been designed to look and act like a human?

2. Which line of toys have been advertised using the slogan “robots in disguise”?

3. Which rock group named themselves after a robot in the comic The Dandy, but added the letter “h” after the first letter and changed an occurrence of “ie” to “y”?

4. Since the summer of 2013, a robot called Brian has regularly featured on TV adverts for which price comparison website?

5. Who acquires a robotic dog called K-9 in a 1977 episode of a famous TV series?

6. According to Isaac Asimov’s “three laws of robotics”, which of the following rules must a robot obey without exception?... a) it must obey all orders given to it by a human being; b) it must always protect its own existence; or c) it must not injure a human being or allow a human being to come to harm?

7. A robot called Cubestormer 3 has broken the world record for doing what in the fastest ever time, a time that was recorded at 3.253 seconds?

8. A robot called Mr Chips is the mascot on which TV gameshow?

9. Coined in 1960, what word is used to refer to a being that has biological and robotic parts, such as the Six Million Dollar Man, the Terminator or RoboCop? 10. Which well known TV presenter 1. Android 2. Transformers 3. Thin Lizzy (named after Tin Lizzie) 4. Confused.com 5. The Doctor (from Doctor Who; accept Doctor Who) 6. a) it must obey all orders given to it by a human being; b) it must always protect its own existence; or c) it must not injure a human being or allow a human being to come to harm? c) it must not injure a human being or allow a human being to come to harm (note that “a” can be ignored if the orders conflict with rule “c”, and “b” can be ignored if it conflicts with “a” or “c”) 7. Solving a Rubik’s cube 8. Catchphrase 9. Cyborg 10. Jeremy Clarkson

Before

After

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It’s quick cost effective & looks great!

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GARDEN CONSTRUCTION & FENCING Complete Patio Design • Landscaping Fencing & Gates • Ponds • Turfing & Seeding • Walls Hedging • Driveways • Block Paving • Rockeries Gardening • Lawn Mowing • Tree Pruning

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41

Pets

Animal Queries RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch

Many dog owners are unaware of the dangers of leaving their pets in parked cars, even for a few minutes. Here are a few sobering facts: • We are a nation of pet lovers, yet are far more likely to leave our dog in a car alone for a few minutes than our phone.

• Almost half of us mistakenly believe it is ok to leave a dog in a car if we leave a window partially open or park in the shade.

Unfortunately, these are myths. In reality, neither action has any significant effect on the temperature inside a parked car.

• Dogs can die within 20 minutes of been left in a car. That’s much quicker than it takes for you to queue up at Costa and eat your lunch.

On a warm day, you just have to touch the dashboard, steering wheel or seats to know how hot the inside of a car can get. But it’s not just on warm days when dogs are at risk – vehicles can be death-traps even in cooler temperatures.

Under 20 minutes in a hot car can prove fatal to a dog should its body temperature exceed 41°C. As the temperature inside the car rises, in just a matter of minutes, the dog’s suffering will become evident through excessive panting, whimpering or barking. This will develop into a loss of muscle control and ultimately the kidneys will cease to function, the brain will become irreversibly damaged and the heart will stop.

Sadly, many of the dogs that will die in cars this year will be beloved family pets. The owners simply don’t realise how quickly the temperature in their car can reach the same as an oven.

The message is simple: don’t leave your dog in a parked car. If you see a dog in distress in a parked car call the Police Service (999) or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

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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James Cullip

TYNEHILL Boarding Kennels and Cattery

Painting & Decorating

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Shillington Road, Lower Stondon, Beds, SG16 6JX

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Food and Drink

by Culinary Masters

Chilli con Carne If you prepare this delicious chilli the day before you plan to eat it, the spices will develop making it even tastier.

INGREDIENTS 500g of lean minced beef 1 x large white Spanish onion diced 6 x cloves of garlic peeled and diced 3 x chillis chopped 1/4 of a bottle of red wine 100 ml beef stock or 2 Oxo cubes 100g or half a 200g tube of tomato puree 2 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp hot chilli powder (or to taste) 3 tsp ground cumin 3 tsp dried oregano 2 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp fennel seed 1 tsp unsweetened coco powder 400g tin of red kidney beans, drained and washed 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes Splash of Lea & Perrins sauce

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1. Gently sweat off your onion and garlic.

2. Add the minced beef and cook until brown.

3. Add the chilli powder, cumin, coriander and tomato puree then cook on a low heat for 10 minutes.

4. Pour in the red wine and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.

5. Add the stock, chopped tomatoes and the remaining herbs.

6. Simmer on a low heat with the lid on for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

7. Add the kidney beans and coco powder and simmer for another 30 minutes.

8. Serve with jacket potatoes or rice.

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

Call 07872391726 for competitive quotes, menu options and more details.

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Lambourn MOT and Service Centre Ltd Your LOCAL MoT, tyre and service centre in Shefford

01462 811333 Pay us a visit – we’re near Morrisons!

Lambourn MoT & Service Centre Unit 10, Old Bridge Way, Shefford, SG17 5HQ

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Alan George Painter & Decorator SEMI RETIRED

Interior and Exterior Work Wallpapering and Coving Reliable and Local Specialist

BRICK LAYER For those smaller jobs 40 years in the trade

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Answer-phone on both numbers and will return all calls.

21/07/2014 11:08

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IAN SIMPSON Carpentry and Joinery All aspects of carpentry work undertaken Kitchens, Bedrooms, Doors, Windows 25 years experience Free estimates Please call 01462 851695 or 07967162448 E-mail ij_simpson@hotmail.com

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47

Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

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Fully qualiFied — 25 years experienCe

PlumbinG & heatinG ltd

gas

Gas installer Boiler installation with 5 year warranty Boiler breakdown & power flushing Frozen condense pipe rectified Boiler service and landlord certification

water PlumbinG and heatinG

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Solar thermal for hot water Solar PV installation by MCS approved installers Solar cylinder upgrades & breakdowns

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14 Pear Tree Close, Lower Stondon, Bedfordshire SG16 6ND Email: dave@dhplumb.co.uk Website: www.dhplumb.co.uk

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51

Reassurance when you need it most

Neville Funeral Service

Neville Funeral Service

24 Clifton Road Sheord SG17 5AE t: 01462 813258 e: sheord@nevillefuneralservice.com

96 Walsworth Road Hitchin SG4 9SU t: 01462 444910 e: hitchin@nevillefuneralservice.com

(inc George Squire & Son since 1976)

(inc David J. Binks since 2005)

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Crossword Solution for The Villager July Edition

July’s Crossword Winner Ms M Read from Toft, Cambs

Advertising in The Villager is easy.

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

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Prize

ÂŁ25

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

15th August 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

Down 1 Private (6) 2 Allow to enter (5) 3 Krakatoa (7) 5 Beginning (5) 6 Sea mammal (7) 7 Not youngest (6) 8 Test (11) 14 Young dogs (7) 15 Hideous beast (7) 16 Fools (6) 17 Speaks (6) 19 Kind of turnip (5) 21 Increases in size (5)



Across 1 Deprive of food (6) 4 Scribble (6) 9 Complicated (7) 10 Meal of raw vegetables (5) 11 Additional (5) 12 Exactly alike (7) 13 Meeting (11) 18 Down-payment (7) 20 End of day (5) 22 Type of oil (5) 23 Result (7) 24 Process (6) 25 Holds firmly (6)

Name: Tel: Address:

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To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261122

55

1st Glass Window Repairs 30

years experience

FULLY INSURED! Local company who can fix all types of problems with your double glazing, call us now for a free quotation.

Steamed Up Glass Faulty Window or Door Locks & Hinges Draughty Windows and Doors Leaking Conservatory Roofs Fascias and Gutters New Conservatory Roofs

DISCOUNTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE

07511 906161

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KPC Property Services • • • • • •

Kitchens & Bathrooms Plumbing & Heating Painting & Decorating Carpentry Tiling & Flooring General Maintenance

Highly recommended, well established, professional services.

Superior workmanship at a fair price

Kieron Chapple 07900 887156 kpcmaintenance@googlemail.com Member of BESCA

providing Competent Person and Energy Assessor Certification Schemes for the building services industry

Safe Contractor approved/accredited

For all your Air Conditioning & Solar solutions

Reduce your carbon emissions with our high efficiency systems Small enough to care, big enough to cope

01462 815756

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

www.mjd-air-conditioning.co.uk www.mjd-solarsolutions.co.uk www.epc-assessments.com

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n O s ’ t a h W 12 July-6 September Summer Reading Challenges Bedford Borough Libraries Looking for ways to entertain your children throughout the holidays? Bedford Borough libraries have come to your rescue with two fantastic summer reading activities: ‘Mythical Maze’ Summer Reading Challenge and ‘imagiNation’ (11-16 years). Both challenges start Saturday 12th July and finish on Saturday 6th September.

Tel: Sue Shead, at Bedford Central Library 01234 718178 for more information on summer reading activities Web: www.mythical-maze.org.uk and http:// imaginationeast.org.uk 2 August Garden Square Craft Market 8.30am-4.30pm Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth Garden City The market specialises in the sale of genuine, high quality, hand made goods and offers local artisans and craft workers the opportunity to show case their work.

2 August The Signals Museum 10am-4pm The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is open to the public. Entry is free but official photo ID such as a driving licence, passport or over 60s Bus Pass is required to get an entry permit from the Guardroom. See website for full information.

Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 2 August Craft Club 2-5pm Stondon Village Hall, Hillside Road Monthly craft club.

Email: mycraftypottingshed@gmail.com for more information

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3 August Summer Jazz 7.30-11pm Cockayne Hatley Church Adults £15 including first drink free, Children £7.50 The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band will give a concert at Cockayne Hatley Church as a part of their extensive tour of Eastern England.

The Eagle Band was formed 54 years ago and has since been joined by the Millennium Band to form one of the best known Jazz bands in the country playing music from the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. Tickets available from Camerons Newsagents, Potton.

Tel: Tony Crossley 01767 260527 for information & tickets 5 August The Virtuoso Flute 8pm Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Tickets £12 including programme, free offers for under 25s Philippa Davies - Flute, Jan Willem Nelleke - Piano. Tickets also available from Hitchin Town Centre Initiative.

Tel: Box Office 01462 459446 Web: www.benslowmusic.org 7 August A Meeting of Classic and Vintage Vehicles 4pm onwards Pirton Recreation Ground, Walnut Tree Road, Pirton Free entry Display of Veteran Cycles; music, tombola and RNLI souvenirs; licensed bar and refreshments. All veteran, vintage and classic cars, motor cycles, small vans and other interesting machines welcome. Free entry with donations please to The Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Please come along and support the work of the RNLI. Picnics permitted!

Tel: Mike Frisby 01462 433716 Email: frisby1963@hotmail.co.uk

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7 August Baldock Floral Society 7.30pm Community Centre, Baldock Members free, visitors £6 Demonstration by Wendy Munnion “A Very British Summer”. All welcome.

7, 14, 21 & 28 August Sapphire Social & Singles Club 8.30pm Meet in Hitchin Run purely by the members, this social group caters for unattached people over 45 and organizes a variety of events throughout the year. No joining fee for the first two weeks.

Tel: Joyce 07960 440417 for information Web: www.sapphiresocialsinglesclub.co.uk 12 August Settings of Words by Shakespeare and his Contemporaries 8pm Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Tickets £12 including programme, free offers for under 25s Songs by Schubert, Strauss Quilter and Gurney. Sarah Leonard - Soprano, Stephen Gutman - Piano. Tickets also available from Hitchin Town Centre Initiative.

Tel: Box Office 01462 459446 Web: www.benslowmusic.org 13 August Henlow Branch of the Royal Naval Association 7.30pm Aragon Housing Association Hall, The Gardens, Henlow, SG16 6DG The Henlow Branch of the Royal Naval Association meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Ex services or not all are welcome.

Tel: Les Dessent 01767 223212 for further information

31 August Old Warden Grand Village Fête 2pm Old Warden Cricket field Free admission and car park Traditional village Fête with games, stalls, tombola, raffle and teas and cakes; Tug O’ War competition. Bumper prizes.

Stalls phone Rebecca 01767 627055/email bexquenby@hotmail.co.uk Sponsorship/advertising in Fête handout phone Simon 07971167522/email simon@ oldwarden.com General enquiries and to enter Tug O’ War competition phone Luke 01767 627055/ email lukequenby@hotmail.co.uk 5 September Bedfordshire Family History Society 7.15pm Mark Rutherford School Drama Hall, Bedford, MK42 9RX Members free, Visitors £2 Illustrated talk is “Daily Life in Tudor Times”

by Martin Sirot-Smith. Bedfordshire Family History Society welcomes new members to its talks. Library and bookstall are available at meetings. Next meeting is 3 October.

Web: www.bfhs.org.uk 6 September Starlight Walk 10pm £15 North Herts Leisure Centre 6 or 10 mile Starlight Walk in aid of Garden House Hospice. A fun night supported by fabulous people for a tremendous cause.

Open to ladies and gentlemen. Over 14s only. Closing date for entries 30 August.

Tel: 01462 679540 Web: www.ghhospice.co.uk for online registrations

n O s ’ t Wha

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59

Painting & Decorating Property Maintenance Quality Workmanship Papering, Coving etc.

Interior and Exterior Work Free Quotations Call W Firkins & Partners Ltd 01462 814117 or 07939 267083 Est 1981 20 Clifton Road, Shefford, Beds

A TOUCH OF GLASS Quality UPVC Windows, Doors & Conservatories ALL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN Broken locks, handles, hinges, replacement misted glass units, catflaps, draughty windows EMERGENCY 24HR CALL OUT SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT For free advice call Dave today

01462 619651 Web: atouchofglasswindowsanddoors.co.uk 60

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ROOFLINE PRODUCTS INSTALLED

BY THE PROFESSIONALS

PVC-U soffits, fascia, guttering and cladding in flat and woodgrain effects and a choice of colour

10 year guarantee Very low maintenance Quality approved zinc-free plastics to eliminate rusting Seamless colour-matched products across the entire range For a free quotation please call Langford Windows

01462 701828

www.langfordwindows.com langfordwindows@hotmail.co.uk Langford Windows advert.indd 1

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24/01/2014 14:19

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Aerials and Satellites AERIALS & SATELLITES T/A Broadband Communications Established 1993

Aerials & Satellites • Digital Aerials Freesat & Satellite Installations Commercial IRS Systems All Work Guaranteed • CAI Approved C.1616 Based in Stotfold www.broadbandcommunications.co.uk

Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217

Drum Lessons DRUM LESSONS

Fun and inspirational lessons in the art of drumming.

Grades taught.

20 years experience as a professional musician and teacher.

References available.

Current CRB Disclore.

Based in Clifton but able to travel to surrounding towns and villages.

Contact Jasper Morrissey on 01462819256 / 07773764536 or email jasper_morrissey@yahoo.com

Visit our beautiful

Bathroom Showroom ...With more than 50 displays of bathrooms, furniture & fittings Free in-house 3D design service Quality products from leading manufacturers Experienced staff offering impartial advice Free delivery within a 20 mile radius of our showroom

01438 725309

bathrooms@stevenageplumbing.co.uk www.stevenageplumbing.co.uk

Caxton House, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 2XS 62

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Classifieds Electricians

Removals, Delivery & Storage For All Your Storage, Delivery and Removal Requirements Use your local removal company

Based in Alconbury Weston Freephone - 0800 689 0894 Tony Webb - 07850 293540 Lee Eastlake - 07906 072096 www.move-plus-safe.co.uk

Flatpack Assembly If your furniture needs assembly we can do it.

Home, garden or office just call Helen 07531236869 www.ladyf latpack.co.uk

Pet Services

Removals and Storage removals, storage, archive and shipping • House and office moves • Large and small vehicles • Local/long distance and overseas removals • Containerised storage • Extremely high quality customer service Call for a no obligation quotation

01582 572967

enquiries@stephensremovals.com

Stephens Dinky ad_02.indd 1

3/12/12 11:44:54

Slimming World love

Slimming World Join a warm and friendly group near you today…

Monday Evenings: 7.30 pm Langford Group

Ivy Leaf Club Station Road Consultant: Debbi For more information contact Debbi on her mobile: 07875228272 slimmingworld.com 0844 897 8000

Property Maintenance R. CHAPMAN

Home & Garden Services

Patio’s Driveways Fencing Brickwork Painting & Decorating Tiling 20 Years Experience - No Job Too Small!

01462 850575 or 07950 311881

Van Hire

Chris’ Man & Van

For hire

Collections, Deliveries, Light Haulage...anything considered.

Cheap rates Please call for further details

07747 828259 / 01525 754218

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