Henlow March 2013

VILLAGER The

Issue 52 - March 2013

and Town

Life

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

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VILLAGER

In this Issue

Issue 52 - March 2013

The

and Town

Life

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

£25

Prize Crossword See Inside

Gallery 1066

Danielle O’Connor Akiyama

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Bringing Local Business to Local People in Langford, Henlow, Shefford, Stanford, Hinxworth, Ickleford, Caldecote, Radwell, Shillington, Pirton, Upper and Lower Stondon, Gravenhurst, Holwell, Baldock, Stotfold, Arlesey, Hitchin & Letchworth

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Hi Fi Lounge Here to Listen

Editorial

Sarah Davey, Solange Hando, Alex Brown, Claudia Leaf, Geoff Wharton, James Baggott and Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Advertising Sales Nigel Frost nigel@villagermag.com

Front Cover Image Gerard Koudenburg

Design and Artwork Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

Publishers

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VILLAGER 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.

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Prize Crossword £25 could be yours!

Reshaping of Britain’s Railways.............................. 4 Time for a Spring Clean........................................... 6 Hidden Algarve........................................................ 9 Pirton Open Gardens..............................................10 How to Survive and Affair...................................... 13 Dr. Seuss Day..........................................................16 Letchworth Morris Men.........................................18 Don’t Suffer in Silence............................................ 21 All About Brows.................................................... 24 How to Holiday For Less....................................... 26 Gadgets.................................................................. 29 Preparing for that Difficult Time........................... 30 Seed Sowing on the Cheap................................... 35 Rural Ramblings.................................................... 37 Animal Stories....................................................... 38 Children’s Page.......................................................41 AWJ XJ................................................................... 43 Seasonal Delights.................................................. 44 The Life List........................................................... 46 Puzzle Page........................................................... 48 What’s On.............................................................. 58 Fun Quiz................................................................. 62

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The Reshaping of

Britain’s Railways

It must have happened to you – and it’s certainly happened to me – that you throw away something you think you don’t need any more and then some time later you find a use for it, and it’s too late.

It’s gone.

It happened to the whole country in the years 1963 to 1970, when we closed a third of our railway stations and something like 4,000 of our 18,000 miles of railway line.

The axe man always blamed for this carnage is Dr Richard Beeching, chairman of the British Railways Board from 1962 to 1965 and author of the report, ‘The Reshaping of Britain’s Railways’, published in March 1963, which started the slaughter. He died in 1985 but who was he? And was he entirely to blame?

A physicist by discipline, Beeching rose through the ranks of ICI to become an expert in production efficiency, working on the mass manufacture of new products including zips and terylene. In 1959, he was seconded to a committee of the British Transport Commission which was looking at ways of cutting the railway network’s losses. These had risen from £15.6m in 1956, just after the ambitious modernisation plan that started the replacement of steam by diesel and electric, to £42m in 1960.

Beeching was a great advocate of deep cuts in the network, clashing with committee chairman Sir Ivan Stedeford – a stance which earned him the favour of Transport Minister Ernest Marples.

Marples was an apostle of road transport – a fact entirely unconnected with his family firm’s roadbuilding contracts: he sold his shares when he took office, albeit with a clause allowing him to buy them back at the same price – and clearly, Beeching was the man for him. The good doctor was given the chair of the BRB (at a salary more than twice that of the Prime Minister’s) and in

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March 1963 came out with the required report which was duly rushed into action.

The following year Labour came to power on a promise to stop the bitterly unpopular programme – John Betjeman and the musical comedy stars Flanders & Swann were among its celebrity opponents – but, lured by the promise of easy savings, it reneged. Beeching himself returned to ICI in late 1965 after the summary rejection of a second report advising even deeper cuts; but Labour continued to implement the 1963 recommendations right up to 1970.

The promise was a cruel illusion. The 70,000 jobs, 2,600 country stations, 300,000 goods wagons, and 4,000 miles of branch line that disappeared saved nothing, and in 1970 British Rail lost not £42m but £100m.

Beeching may have been a production expert, but he had no understanding of logistics. Hideously unprofitable many lines may have been – 30% of them carried just 1% of all passengers between them, while 50% of all stations raised just 2% of overall ticket revenue – but they fed the main lines and had made them profitable. Freight carriage, too, dwindled as large factories lost the branch lines that connected their sidings to the network: the nation’s haulage industry, perforce, took to the roads.

The suspicion remains that Beeching’s recommendations were as much political as operational. Road was the coming thing, and not just because of Marples’s rumoured venality.

Powerful forces both in business and in the trade unions favoured road; and the railway, with its long record of failure (3,300 miles of branch line had already been closed in the 15 years before Beeching’s appointment), had no counterargument. Beeching did not even consider the huge efficiency savings available through slashing the horrendous over manning of the branch network: his brief was to cut, and cut he did. He later described his programme as “surgery, not mad chopping”: he was certainly not the kind of surgeon you would want operating on you.

We could do with those 4,000 miles of line now, as our roads strain and burst; and the moral of the Beeching story is – don’t ever chuck things out, because you never know when they might come in handy.

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moth n the cloth-eating larval of the clothes moth mother n a female parent; that which has produced & nurtured, the female head of the house, adjj received by birth vtt to give birth to; to acknowledge, adopt or treat as a son or daughter, to behave protectively towards

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TIME FOR A SPRING CLEAN

By Claudia Leaf

I had invited an old school friend around for coffee and was trying hard to make a good impression.

Suddenly a shaft of spring sunlight flooded my lounge, making me cringe with embarrassment.

With a growing sense of shame I watched as this unforgiving shaft of light slid across the room, showing up the grubby finger marks on the door, the ring marks on my glass table and a thick layer of dust on the mantelpiece.

When it finally landed at my friend’s feet, close to a dirty paw mark our dog had left on the carpet, I saw a look of alarm on her face.

“I’m so sorry, I’ve just noticed. Did I do that?”

I had a nanosecond to decide whether I should openly confess my domestic shortcomings or keep quiet.

“Oh, don’t worry”, I replied. “It’ll brush off when it’s dry.”

She left soon afterwards, still apologising. I took a deep breath and realised it was time for some spring cleaning.

An article in the Manufacturer and Builder magazine of 1872 (a “practical journal of industrial progress”) describes spring cleaning as “The season of general cleaning, when all the corners and closets are overturned and hidden things are brought to light”.

Whilst period dramas such as “Downton Abbey” have inspired a new generation to revive traditional kitchen skills, it’s questionable whether 21st century householders will be tempted to adopt the cleaning methods recommended by the magazine, which include black-leading grates, whitewashing walls and scalding bedsteads.

The Victorians may have excelled at spring cleaning but they certainly didn’t invent it. Some historians believe that the origins of this tradition date back to the ancient Persian New Year, the Iranian Norouz, which falls on the first day of spring. Iranians still practice “khooneh tekouni” – which literally translates as ‘shaking the house’ – at this time.

The Jewish feast of Passover is a religious festival that also hints at a possible origin for spring cleaning. During the holiday the faithful are instructed to refrain from eating any leavened foodstuffs (‘chametz’). The Bible commands that even tiny crumbs must be removed from the

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house and this results in a ritual hunt for crumbs by candlelight during the evening before the holiday begins.

Christianity has its own spring cleaning traditions.

In Greece, householders clean everything thoroughly either before or during the first week of Lent, as a physical manifestation of Lent’s message of spiritual cleansing and renewal.

For the ancient Chinese, the concept of New Year cleaning is associated with good fortune. They believed that people should sweep their floors and clean their houses to rid them of any negative influences that may have accumulated during the last twelve months. Householders then locked up the broom for a few days to prevent sweeping away any good luck that might have entered at the turn of the year.

When ancient cultures share such similar traditions it’s hard to say exactly when and where the idea of ‘spring cleaning’ originated. However, it’s obvious that the urge to clear away the cobwebs of winter and prepare for the summer months is hard-wired into human DNA. Personally I believe that our seasonal enthusiasm to get busy with a mop and broom is always motivated by the same thing: it’s that accusing beam of sunlight that shows us up in front of guests.

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Hidden Algarve

BY SOLANGE HANDO Long ago in the Algarve, says the legend, a Nordic princess pined for her frozen homeland until her husband, the King of the Moors, planted thousands of almond trees. The snow-white blossom soon brought a smile to her lips and to this day almost every house in the Algarve looks out to an almond tree.

In the lush rolling hills of the interior, the trees herald the first days of spring, flowering among vineyards, orange groves, fig and carob trees. Just a stone’s throw away from the coast, it’s a quiet land of orchards and meadows, meandering lanes and forests and red-roofed villages tucked in the greenery, their whitewashed houses topped by filigree chimney pots, in Moorish style, and rooftop terraces where laundry and fruit dry side by side.

Goats wander across the road and sometimes a donkey and cart rattle along the cobbled streets.

Up there, the cool wooded slopes of the Serra de Monchique are dotted with rivers and lakes, moors and dark forests where rosemary and oleander splash colour in the clearings. The fragrance of eucalyptus and pine follows you along the trails but you find swathes of chestnut and oak and ‘strawberry trees’ whose innocent-looking berries are eagerly collected to make the local firewater.

It’s a paradise for ramblers and birdwatchers hoping to spot goshawks and royal eagles. With a subtropical micro-climate, mountain and sea all in one, the Serra claims over 1000 species of plants but now and then a church bell chiming in the distance betrays the presence of an isolated village, perched on a terraced slope where vegetables and fruit compete for space.

The road to the top winds past the spa resort of Caldas de Monchique, once the site of Roman baths and the place where King Joao II came to take the waters in search of a cure, in the late 15th century. Now the emphasis is on beauty and well being, pampering and relaxation. In a deep wooded glen, quaint buildings gather around a shaded square and you are welcome to stroll in the park, quench your thirst and best of all, make a wish at the Fountain of Youth.

Beyond this charming watering place, you reach the rustic hill town of Monchique, once a prosperous weaving centre for wool and cloth, still famous today for a wide range of craft, linen, wicker baskets, tree sculptures, wooden spoons, dried flowers and scissor chairs, invented, some say, by the Romans and so-named because of the way they fold up. All sorts of goods spill out on the pavements but step inside and you may find the shopkeeper quietly nursing her baby while grandma is shelling peas for the family’s supper.

Then follow the lanes climbing up to the square and the whole town is at your feet, tumbling down the hillside among camellias, hydrangeas and fruit trees.

The panorama is superb but anyone with a head for heights and twisty roads will also enjoy the drive up to Foia, just five miles away and the highest point at nearly 3,000 feet. Standing on the summit, battling with the wind, you feel like the knights of yore surveying the wild rolling lands of the Algarve, from the verdant slopes of the Serra to the coastal plain and the Atlantic glistening like silver on the horizon.

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9

PIRTON OPEN GARDENS

Sunday 9th June 2013 From: prize pumpkins, history group, village shop, country pubs, myriad group activities, summer fair, sport, superb walks, parish plan and fundraising, to: Winner of the ‘Hertfordshire Village of the Year North’ competition – for the second successive year - Pirton stands proud of its achievements and community spirit.

With prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval remains within its parish Pirton has long been a place people called home. It is a buzzing close-knit community full of everyday goings on. No wonder the judges in the Village of the Year North competition, organised by the Hertfordshire branch of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) were impressed, commenting “It has exceptional wildlife sites and sporting facilities, skilfully managed by the community for the community. The village school is vibrant. The web-site is well designed, easy to navigate and informative. Children and young people are involved in village management and decision making. The elderly are not forgotten.

The greatest strength of the community is in its continuing enthusiasm and persistence in seeing longer term projects through to completion” The ‘continuing enthusiasm’ is further highlighted by The Friends of Pirton Parish Church, a registered charity who are dedicated in raising funds for the fabric renovations at the village church which still retains its original 12th century tower. Sums raised over the past few years are now earmarked for assisting with major

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masonry projects. The Friends main fund-raising activity is Open Gardens, an annual event now firmly fixed in the calendar and diary of many visitors from outside of the area. And it is not only about viewing the open gardens, because the village again comes together on the day to display a community spirit which encompasses the arranging and assisting with afternoon tea facilities, train rides for the children, plant stalls, delicious home-made jams and preserves for sale, car parking, raffle with great prizes and, not least, ensuring a great Pirton welcome. The official programme produced, with details of gardens that can be visited together with where to find the various activities, is another example of dedicated endeavours not only by the Friends committee but also by enthusiastic volunteers who are keen to ensure there is something of interest for all ages.

By visiting Pirton to enjoy this well organised event you have an opportunity to also help preserve a piece of English Heritage. For a great afternoon, you should not miss the 2013 date – Sunday, 9th June. An absolute ‘must see’ and a most enjoyable afternoon strolling around a prize-winning village.

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How to Survive an Affair

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti It’s sad but true, that more than fifty per cent of couples will experience infidelity in their relationship. A spouse’s unfaithfulness is the most painful experience that can be inflicted in marriage, but there is a way back if both parties are committed to repairing the damage and rebuilding trust.

Healing from infidelity is long, hard, painful work, and the first step is for the unfaithful spouse to stop the affair immediately. This means severing all contact and informing your spouse of all future movements and of any chance meetings or contact with your former lover. It might even be necessary to share for a time privacy controls and passwords in order to encourage a renewal of trust.

Next, you need to talk openly and honestly as a couple about the affair. Experts agree, that the adulterous spouse needs to supply all the information requested by his/her betrayed partner. This willingness to talk will help to rebuild trust and reassure the offended spouse that no more secrets are being kept. Keep your discussions down to 15-30 minutes and don’t continue them if tired, emotional or upset.

Discuss potential future challenges and threats to fidelity. The affair happened for a reason and you need to understand what went wrong in order to make changes for the future. Affairs rarely have just one cause, and they don’t always happen

because of unhappiness or dissatisfaction in a relationship.

Commit to a new future together. Unless you both do this and are prepared to work at it, it won’t happen. This may involve spending more time together in order to reconnect as friends and romantic partners. Take a greater interest in each other’s lives and feelings and resolve to be totally honest with each other in future, even if it means taking a risk.

If you are the unfaithful partner, take responsibility for what you have done. Don’t attempt to blame your spouse as this won’t heal your marriage – but showing sincere regret and remorse will. Apologise often and vow never to stray again. Your spouse needs to hear and be reassured of this regularly! Take responsibility for your future fidelity too!

Be patient, kind and empathetic with each other. Accept that forgiveness will come neither quickly nor easily. The offended spouse will need to overcome pain and anger before being able to rebuild trust. Though an affair will never be forgotten, the painful memories will fade with time and forgiveness will allow you to move past the pain and rage and to reconcile with one another.

Finally, consider some relationship counselling or joining a support group to help with feelings of isolation. Go to www.relate.org.uk for more information about help that is available.

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Gallery 1066

Danielle O’Connor Akiyama

One of the world’s leading modern impressionist artists Danielle O’Connor Akiyama is flying in from Canada to visit this stylish gallery on March 17th launching her latest collection ‘Illumination’ at a champagne reception.

This latest collection is typical in the vibrancy of palette and the loose formal structure certainly recalls Danielle’s celebrated floral, and yet we see her moving into a radiant new world of abstract interpretation. An uninhibited vigour and freedom of style combines with a luminous hand finished glaze to give these magnificent canvases an unprecedented impact and international appeal.

Danielle’s style is loose and impressionistic,

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however she has always believed in the importance of each and every brush stroke.

In order to gain a greater understanding and technical skill she studied sumi-e, Japanese brush painting. Her distinctive fusion of eastern and western artistry has led to her works being highly prized by art collectors from both sides of the Pacific.

Hayley Norman, Gallery Owner commented ‘We are absolutely delighted to welcome Danielle to the gallery this year, it is a very exciting time in the art world and people are opening their eyes not only to the investment opportunities available but also to the transformation quality art can make in the home and workplace. We are working with over 70 acclaimed artists and the demand for their work has spiralled since opening and we are thrilled that we are now recognized as a major player which helps us to welcome these acclaimed artists to the gallery. This event is open all weekend to the public and we welcome people to come to the gallery to enjoy a fine art experience.’

To find out more please contact either Hayley or Sophie at the Gallery on 01462 622233 or email info@gallery1066fineart.com.

To view their range of artists please visit www.gallery1066fineart.com

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15

Dr. Seuss Day!

By SARAH DAVEY

You’re never too old, too wacky or wild, to pick up a book and read to a child…

This is taken from the US website for ‘Read Across America’ Day, which takes place on March 2nd - the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s death.

The slogan caught my eye when I was looking for something else entirely because it was so unmistakeably Seuss-ish, and in our family Dr.

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Seuss is worshipped across the generations.

In spite of being born in Kent, I was brought up on the works of Dr, Seuss. My mother was a trainee English teacher who wrote her dissertation on him. She adored the way he played with language. My own children could recite The Cat in the Hat word-for-word before they could ever read it for themselves.

Like all the best young-children’s authors, Seuss never talked down to them. His work is playful, silly, and anarchic, something which appeals to children the world over, yet he never had any children of his own.

He was born Theodore Seuss Geisel. He started using Seuss while at university and added the ‘Dr.’ as a joke; because his father always said he wanted him to be a professor!

He loved to write and draw cartoons, yet his first book, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, was rejected by 27 publishers - a lesson to aspiring authors everywhere.

It’s no understatement to say that he revolutionized children’s literature. Prior to Seuss, US children had been taught to read using the rather sterile Dick and Jane books. I can remember in the UK, aged five, being taught using the English equivalent, Peter and Jane. I remember my mother rolling her eyes and saying, ‘I’m sure we can find something more fun than this darling,’ before presenting me with The Cat in the Hat. I was hooked.

Seuss published more than 40 books during his lifetime and they’ve sold over half a billion copies, more even than JK Rowling.

We don’t celebrate Dr. Seuss in this country as they do in the US, but perhaps we should.

Without him we might not have the marvellous works of Julia Donaldson, Lynley Dodd or Lauren Child. So Happy Seuss Day! Fascinating Fact One of Seuss’s most popular books, Green Eggs and Ham, was written as the result of a bet that he could not write a book using only 50 words.

The words are, in order of appearance: I am Sam; that; do not like; you green eggs and ham; them; would here or there; anywhere; in a house with mouse; eat box fox; car they; could; may will see tree; let me be; train on; say the dark; rain; goat; boat; so try may; if; good; thank.

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Fancy a new hobby?

letchworth morris men Do you fancy a new hobby? Something that involves fresh air and exercise, beer drinking, camaraderie and loads of fun? Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

Can I introduce you to morris dancing? It is a dance form that can be documented as far back as the 15th century but has roots going much further back than that. It is one of those quintessentially English pastimes that forms part of many summer fairs and fetes. I am sure that many of us have stood with a pie or a pint (or both) in hand on a summers afternoon watching a morris side demonstrating their skills with sticks, hankies and bells. This is your chance to give it a go. Letchworth Morris Men are recruiting new members to their side as either dancers or musicians.

We practice every Thursday between September and May at Radwell village hall. We dance for a couple of hours and then adjourn to the pub for a pint and sometimes a bit of music. Between May and September we then dance out every Thursday at pubs across the width and breadth of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. In addition to this we also dance at a number of summer fairs and events. There are enough men in the side that you don’t need to dance at every event, but the more you attend, the more fun you have!

You don’t need to have any experience as a dancer to join Letchworth Morris Men as a dancer. All instruction will be provided by our foreman and squire. All that we ask is that you bring along

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enthusiasm and a sense of humour. We all do this for fun and that is one of the most important parts of morris dancing. We have dancers of all abilities and all levels of experience but you will find that everyone will be welcoming and willing to help new members fit in and learn our dances.

Letchworth Morris Men was founded in 1920 on the wave of the folk revival that followed the interest in folk activities headed by people such as Cecil. In 1924 Letchworth Morris Men become one of the founders of the Morris Ring, a national organisation that is still going strong today providing support to morris sides across the country and promoting morris dancing activities. We have close links with other morris sides and we often get together with sides at ales and feasts where, as the names suggest, we drink and eat and also dance. These events are great opportunities to meet new people and to learn new dances or variations of dances that we already know.

If you would like to talk to someone about coming along to see what morris dancing is all about, please give either Simon Bailes (01767 310 424) or Theo Thomas (01582 882 831) a call or drop Theo an e mail at bagman@letchworthmorris.org.uk. Also have a look at our website (www.letchworthmorris.org. uk) and our Facebook page.

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HEALTH

Don’t suffer in silence Being able to hear is fundamental to our ability to communicate. If we can’t hear, we can’t respond to others nor speak clearly or judge our pitch – try talking to someone with headphones and they’ll shout back at you. But like most of our senses we take our hearing for-granted and only notice it if it starts failing.

Most age related hearing loss is not noticeable until later life, but deterioration begins much earlier. You start to lose some of your range as early as in your twenties.

Age related hearing loss is much the same as other types of “wear and tear” on the body. Just as hips and knees wear out so does our hearing.

Constant exposure to the noisy world we live in gradually wears away at the “nerves” in our ears, reducing their number and the range of sounds that can be picked up.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Even if you already have some loss, looking after what’s left is imperative. Be aware of situations and environments that can damage your hearing such as:

• Playing loud music through headphones and earphones • Attending loud live music concerts - even some classical concerts • Using simple DIY equipment such as hammers and power tools • Day to day activities such as riding a motorcycle (wind noise – not the engine noise as you might think) or even driving in a car with the window down (some truck and taxi drivers have more pronounced hearing loss in their right ear, nearest the open window) • Recreational activities such as shooting So first off, be aware when there may be damaging levels of noise present and if there is, protect your ears.

Inexpensive foam earplugs can be purchased from DIY stores and some high street chemists.

Most concert venues have free earplugs available, and whilst they rarely offer them to you on arrival, there’s usually a good supply behind the bar.

Keep a few pairs in a drawer for use around the house when tackling your latest DIY project too.

What if you already have hearing loss?

It’s not usually that you can’t hear at all but just that it’s not clear. Often it’s the high frequency sounds that fade first, such as bleeps and bells.

Then it becomes difficult to hear what people are saying when there is background noise such as in crowds or when the television is on.

If left undiagnosed or treated, a hearing loss can lead to other problems. Because it’s unclear what has been said, socialising in groups becomes awkward. Sufferers find themselves pretending to laugh at jokes when they didn’t hear the punch-line, or just nodding and smiling and then being embarrassed because the person talking is awaiting an answer. This in turn leads to loss of confidence and feelings of social exclusion.

What can be done?

It’s really not necessary to – literally – suffer in silence. A simple trip to your GP to arrange a hearing test or to a specialist hearing centre or audiologist will mean your hearing is tested and assessed, usually free of charge.

Discrete and almost invisible the latest aids can make such a difference and vastly improve your hearing. You’ll never regain what has gone, but you can make the best of what you have left.

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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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23

All About Brows

How To Pluck Like a Professional There’s a quick, simple and easy way to look years younger and all you’ll need is a pair of tweezers.

Eyebrows serve as a frame for your eyes and by creating the right shape you can instantly lift your face, draw attention to your eyes and look altogether more beautiful.

The wrong shape, size or even colour eyebrows can have a dramatically different effect however and leave you looking permanently surprised, confused or angry so it’s very important to think before you pluck.

Work With What You Have The key is to work with your natural brow shape - whatever that may be. Some people are lucky enough to have brows that naturally sweep up to an arch, whereas others are born with much straighter eyebrows and need to do a little more work to create the desired look.

Trimming You might not think it, but eyebrow hair is often quite long. A little trimming is essential for allowing the hair to lie nicely and fall into shape easily.

Remove any hair that grows beyond your upper brow line - do this by brushing your eyebrows up - with a brow brush - and snipping off the long ends.

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Next, brush the hair downwards in the opposite direction and cut the hairs that extend past the lower brow line. To finish, brush the hair into place. Your eyebrows should already be looking much better.

Time To Tweeze Tweezing can be a little painful at first, so it’s a good idea to open up your pores before you start by holding a warm facecloth over your brows.

Ensure that you’re working in good natural light and determine where to begin.

It’s good to start by holding a pencil vertically against the side of your nose and observe where it meets the brow - this gives a guide to where your eyebrows should begin.

Pluck any hair away that grows before this point.

Take a few hairs at a time and do the same on your other brow.

Looking straight ahead, hold the pencil against your nostril and move it diagonally across the outer half of the iris of your eye - the point at which the pencil is lying is where the arch of your brow should peak.

To create the best shape for your brow, gradually tweeze a line that tapers when you reach the peak of your arch. Concentrate on keeping them looking even.

To finish, place your pencil back against your nostril and this time extend it diagonally to the outer corner of your eye. This is where your brow should be at its thinnest. Pluck from the arch to this point, tapering the line gradually, so that it is at its thinnest at the far corner.

Remember that the fuller your brows are, the more youthful you’ll look so work slowly and steadily, tweezing one hair at a time. Stand back from the mirror regularly to check how the shape is progressing.

Define Your New Shape You can enhance your new shape by applying a little colour to make your eyebrows really stand out.

If your hair is fair, choose either a brow powder or pencil that’s a shade lighter than your hair colour. For dark hair, choose one that’s a shade darker. Gently sweep the product over the brow hair and set using a clear eyebrow gel.

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25

How to Holiday for Less

in 2013

As winter draws to a close, conversations about where to go for summer holidays are on the increase and the difference between what we can afford and what we would ideally like often represents something of a discrepancy. However, there are steps which can be taken to bridge the gap and help us afford a summer holiday which may otherwise be financially out of reach.

Book Early or Book Late As far as saving money is concerned, there are two choices on the table and they are booking either late or early. Whether you book far ahead using low-cost airlines and advance bookings for accommodation or snag a last-minute bargain from a package holiday company, either of these approaches can work wonders for your budget.

The key is to decide which suits you best and to plan your holiday around that. Indecisiveness will cost you money, so take the time to make a clean decision on your strategy.

For advance accommodation bookings, websites such as holidaylettings.co.uk are fantastic and when booking flights, try skyscanner.net or travel.kelkoo.co.uk to track down the cheapest ones. If you’re flexible about both when and where to go and are just looking to find a great deal, then companies such as markwarner. co.uk, kuoni.co.uk and wandotravel.com all offer fantastic higher-end packages for less money when you book at the last minute.

Plan Your Budget While it’s a nice idea to lounge around in the luxury of a five-star hotel, your accommodation is really only a place to sleep and store your

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luggage. This is a good example of how stripping some aspects down to the bare necessities can save you money. Do some research into the restaurants and other holiday expenditures in the area you’re visiting to track down ways to eat, sleep, drink and sightsee for less money rather than just turning up and paying for what you find.

Travel Light Airlines these days charge a great deal for excess baggage. This is especially true for the low-cost airlines and this represents another area where some advance planning can save you cash. Take some time to put together a packing list which will make the most efficient and effective use of space so you don’t have to take any extra or unnecessary items that will bump up your budget.

Be Prepared to Travel Out Of Season While summer may be a mere figment of our imagination here in the UK, other countries do see sunny weather in May and June as well as into September and October. July and August are peak seasons for UK holidaymakers so if you’re not bound by school holidays, travel either earlier or later in the year to avoid peak season and its associated costs.

Consider a House Exchange A house exchange is a great way to get some decent accommodation at a very minimal cost.

This is especially true if you have a family as exchanging a nice home in the UK can go a long way when travelling to countries where things are a bit more affordable. Websites such as homeexchange.com are trusted, reputable and have been running for a great deal of time.

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ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS AND BUILDING DESIGN SERVICES Professional and affordable architectural design services provided for all types of private residential building projects with all necessary council approvals obtained.

For free estimates and advice, contact Jason Dixon on:01767 677540 or 07908 004816 e-mail: JTDixon101@aol.com No VAT payable for design and drawing services on residential projects Jason Dixon, 101 Meadow Road, Great Gransden, Sandy, SG19 3BB.

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The gadgets that make

the outdoors even greater Technology isn’t just something you use at home - it can be handy when you’re out and about too, even if your idea of out and about means going far off the beaten track.

One of the most useful kinds of outdoor technology is GPS, the satellite system that can work out where we are and help us find where we want to go. There are all kinds of dedicated GPS receivers, ranging from cheaper devices such as Garmin’s £100 eTrex 10 to more expensive navigators such as Magellan’s Explorist 710, which currently costs around £350.

You don’t necessarily need to invest in standalone GPS kit, however, especially now that smartphones and tablets can run very accurate mapping apps - although if you’re taking a phone or tablet into the wilds, onto a boat or anywhere else nature can destroy it, it’s a very good idea to invest in some protection. You can spend ridiculous sums on all-weather protection, but cases such as Griffin’s Survivor (around £25 for phones, £29 for tablets) - something Griffin admits is “ridiculously over-engineered” - wraps your device in military-spec protection for a very reasonable price. It isn’t pretty, but it’s tough and that’s what really matters here.

Technology has even made its way into the humble torch, which these days boasts LED illumination and innovative designs. Nite Ize’s BugLit LED (around £13) has low, high and strobe modes, is visible from a mile away and has rubber feet that you can twist to attach to almost anything, while head-mounted LED lights range in price from around £35 to well over £100.

Petzl’s Nao Headtorch (£135) is a bit over the top for the odd walk in the woods, but for serious

running and other sports its sensor ensures a uniform level of brightness irrespective of how light or dark conditions become.

The most famous outdoors gadget is probably the Swiss Army Knife with its array of tools, but these days you’re more likely to carry a Leatherman or one of its many imitators. With prices ranging from around £30 to £100 for originals and considerably less for clones, the range offers all-in-one devices with tools such as pliers, knives, saws, bottle and can openers, wire cutters, screwdrivers and even scissors.

If you’re planning to be outside for a long time, you’ll need to eat - and gadgets can help you with that too. Jetboil’s Zip Stove (£75) is a gas stove given a high-tech twist: its heat exchanger means it can boil half a litre in just over two minutes, and its neoprene jacket keeps things warmer for longer. Meanwhile the BioLite CampStove (£150) takes the humble campfire into the 21st century: as it burns twigs, bark or pinecones it generates electricity, which powers a fan, which fans the flames for better heat efficiency and less smoke - and there’s enough power left over to recharge your lights, phone or MP3 player.

If you need to recharge gadgets but don’t fancy lugging a stove around, no matter how portable, you might be better off with a monkey - and by monkey we mean a Powermonkey, such as the Powermonkey Discovery. Charge it before you go, and when your phone or other digital device runs out of puff the Powermonkey can recharge it twice if it’s an iPhone and three to four times if it’s a standard mobile phone. Expect to pay around £45.

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Preparing for that difficult time

By Claudia Leaf

When Jeanette Palfry visited her local Registrar’s Office to register the death of her mother, she thought she was well prepared.

As required by law, she had made an appointment within five days of her mum’s passing and had brought a copy of the doctor’s death certificate.

However, she found that when the Registrar asked basic questions about her mother’s life, grief made her mind go blank.

“When mum finally died after a long illness, it felt like the end of a journey,” explains Jeanette. “I was totally unprepared for the new challenges that lay ahead.”

The visit was the first of many practical arrangements that would be required, including notifying others of her death. Most people inform friends and family as soon as possible, but they must also consider the deceased person’s official contacts, such as banks, building societies, the Inland Revenue and utilities. Some areas offer a “Tell Us Once” scheme which allows the Local Authority to notify other government departments and authorities about a death, but otherwise it will require individual notifications.

The Registrar will issue a certificate for burial or cremation together with a certificate of registration of death. You will need to purchase copies of this certificate (costing £4 each) in order to inform the relevant organisations, but it may be several weeks before each document is returned.

You should therefore buy as many copies as you can afford: the cost increases from £4 to £7 if you have to return to buy more, aside from the inconvenience of having to make another trip.

While you are dealing with the practicalities of registration and notification, you will also need

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to think about the funeral arrangements. If your loved one did not leave clear instructions, you may be confronted by a number of bewildering choices. Cremation or burial?

Flowers or donations? Hymns or classical anthems? Making decisions can be difficult at a time when the family is in mourning, but the funeral director will be on hand to offer guidance and advice.

If there is a funeral plan in place then the scale of the ceremony will be established in advance.

Without pre-payment the funeral plans will inevitably be dictated by the budget available.

In their ninth annual report on the expenses associated with dying, leading insurers Sun Life Direct say that the cost of a basic funeral in 2012 was £3,284.

Jeanette Palfry believes that a visit to the funeral director when death is expected but not imminent can help relatives get the best out of a limited budget and alleviate distress when the time comes.

“I didn’t want to see the funeral director before mum passed away because it felt as though we were being mercenary,” says Jeanette. “On reflection it would have helped us to find out what we needed to do at a time when our minds weren’t preoccupied by her loss.”

While Jeanette acknowledges that it is difficult to make preparations that anticipate a person’s death, she feels it is important to have key information to hand in the event of a bereavement. This includes a detailed note of the individual’s funeral wishes.

“I’ve learned from experience that information and forward planning can make all the difference at a time when a family is coping with grief”.

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Thinking of Letting?

Call the experts

01462 713713 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

31

Hifi Lounge

Here to listen…

Based near the village of Dunton, in the heart of rural Central Bedfordshire is an unparalleled Hifi business offering something very different from that of its competitors.

Set in a beautiful converted granary building and with spectacular countryside views, Hifi lounge is certainly an eye opener. With ample parking and easy access from the A1, it is the nicest and most convenient way to shop for that extra special piece of audio equipment.

The ethos behind Hifi Lounge is to only stock a reasonably small portfolio of brands, but brands that Husband and wife team Paul and Wendy

32

Clark are passionate about, thus creating a shared enthusiasm with their clients and a genuine passion about the brands they supply.

Hifi Lounge has lovingly created a listening environment within their showroom, where they have emulated an atmosphere like you would have at home. Paul and Wendy never wanted to create a retail shop with just demo rooms. “We believe when demoing Hifi, you should have the opportunity to hear the equipment as close as you would at home. We understand that all rooms are different but hopefully we have fulfilled our original goal as best we can”.

When purchasing something as important as quality hi-fi equipment, you need time, demonstrations and most importantly, a member of staff on hand when required to answer those all important questions about the latest goings on in the world of Hi-Fi. There are no pressured sales here, you can stay as long as you want, listen to whatever you like and never feel rushed.

Hifi Lounge have never tried to portray a business that will stock every brand on the market to suit every budget and taste, on the contrary, but to

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specialise in a few key brands and offer a very friendly, personable service. They are almost trying to turn the clock back to a time when the customer always came first, to a time before retail parks and the internet. OK they can’t do anything about the dreaded MP3 but Hifi Lounge can guarantee that they will always return your call, answer your e-mails and will always be available to speak to you personally.

Brands you can expect to see at Hifi lounge include PMC Speakers, Naim, Rega, Bryston, Spendor and JVC to name but a few. They are all products that Paul has been a long-time advocate of, especially PMC and Bryston which he first encountered when working for another Hi-Fi retailer.

Commenting on the above Paul says “As a PMC and Bryston owner for the last few years it was an easy decision to offer these amazing brands to our customers, to be honest if it wasn’t for my love of both PMC and Bryston I don’t think there would be a Hifi lounge as together they re-ignited my passion for hifi and music in general and that inspired both my wife and I to start our own hifi Shop.

Having Naim on board was the icing on the cake though as Naim make fantastic equipment that just sounds so musical and involving, they offer a range that covers all bases and budgets that will appeal to most music lovers, whether that be an all in one unit, a streamer, a CD player or a big separates system, and better still, Naim sounds just beautiful with PMC speakers.

But at HiFi Lounge our real love is Vinyl, you can’t beat the convenience of streaming music but for really sitting down and enjoying your music we still feel that vinyl offers the most realistic and natural sound around and that is where Rega come in, offering a great range of turntables as well as speakers, amps, CD players etc., Rega always offer fantastic value for money as well as extremely musical equipment”.

Hifi Lounge will be running music evenings and events so visit the website regularly to see what they are planning next.

Should you be interested in streaming, vinyl, headphones or even the occasional movie, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

For more information or to experience what Hifi Lounge has to offer, please feel free to call us on 01767 448 121 or even better, come in and say hello.

Don’t forget to check our website regularly on www.hifilounge.co.uk.

HiFi Lounge, 4 The Granary Buildings, Millow Hall Farm, Millow, Dunton, Bedfordshire, SG18 8RH Tel: 01767 448 121 Website: www.hifilounge.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

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Seed Sowing on the Cheap

GARDENING

If you want your garden full of colour, interest, perfume and perhaps even tasty crops, there’s no doubt that the least expensive way to do it is to raise your plants from seed. But what can be done to ensure the results in the garden are just as impressive?

Start with a little self-restraint. It’s all too easy to buy enough seed to fill a tennis court when you have an average-sized garden. Make a list of what you actually need and put a limit on how many unplanned purchases you’ll allow yourself.

Think about sharing. Each packet of seed often contains tens or even hundreds of seeds, so why not agree to swap a few with friends and relatives. This will not only save you money, but will also maximise the range of plants you can grow without increasing your outlay.

Don’t be tempted to sow too many seeds at one time. By sowing little and often you’ll maximise flower time of annual flowers and cropping time for vegetables and herbs. It also means that if the conditions are not right for germination on one occasion, all is not lost.

You may not need to buy what you want. Collect seed from your garden or from gardens of friends and neighbours, making sure that the plants are healthy and that they’re ready and ripe or they won’t germinate. Seeds labelled as ‘F1’ will produce flowers whose seeds will not ‘come true’, meaning that the offspring will not be the same as the original plant and will often be less productive. Try to harvest the seed when the plants and the weather are dry, remove any bits of plant debris and allow them to dry off naturally, not becoming too warm or cold. If you

can’t sow the seeds immediately, make sure you store them, well labelled, in a cool, dry place.

A small heated or even un-heated propagator can help you reliably raise a far wider range of plants from seed. Choose one which is sturdily built and has proper ventilation in the clear plastic lid, otherwise seedlings may die on hot days.

We stock some of the lovely UK-made Stewart propagators at www.pippagreenwood.com.

Seeds do best if not sown too closely, and by sowing thinly you’ll also save yourself time and money. Wider spacing makes for less thinning out but if you do have to thin out a bit, remember that most seedlings will perform well if looked after properly.

Many herbaceous perennials can successfully be divided into several new plants. Indeed most herbaceous plants do better when occasionally divided as the plant does not become so congested and you can dispose of the grotty bits and plant the good sections into fresh soil.

Many plants are also easily propagated from cuttings, and over the next few weeks, you could get some great cuttings from summer favourites such as fuchsias for virtually no cost at all. They’ll be flowering later this year too.

Visit www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ where you can choose from a fantastic selection of vegetables for planting AND receive an email each week telling you all you need to know to ensure great results – from just £29. You can also sign up for Pippa’s newsletter and receive a free ebook on organic gardening, and buy Nemaslug and other garden products.

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35

Gardening a Pain?

Let us take the Strain!

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Call 01462 896427 for your FREE quoation BOOK EARLY – Last few weeks available

For more details or for a free quotation call 01462 896427 or email: david.sunshinegardensbaldock@mail.com 20 Years in Herts & Beds (1992-2012)

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Rural Ramblings BY GEOFF WHARTON

Simple Soils

Yet another pile of soil to get rid of! That pesky underground furry miner has been at it again and has targeted the lawn of all places to deposit a line of earthy monuments showing where he has been during the night chasing for delicious juicy worms for an evening snack.

Never seems to appear during the day, although I believe he does some roaming then with the aim of finding pastures new. I feel rather sorry for him having to spend most of his life forcing through sticky wet soil of varying heaviness in his search for a slithery meal. It must be ever so difficult in heavy clay soils rather than softer and lighter sands, although I think that the chances of finding food may be higher with the clays and even better in the loams.

Thinking about the effort required to force a tunnel underground - putting our plants and cuttings into a mass of heavy material and expecting them to develop a fine network of delicate root hairs is almost an impossibility and no wonder there are various materials now available to enable us to produce ideal growing conditions at these sensitive times.

Peat and it’s alternatives are relatively light and have the advantage of being able to retain water. However too much of a good thing can be catastrophic for root development and a waterlogged growing medium will be cold and more importantly, be missing a critical component for the growth of roots, and this is air or more correctly oxygen. Without oxygen the roots cannot “breathe” and will consequently start to die and rot if they are in a waterlogged soil for a prolonged period.

One of the worst things you can do to plants, especially in winter when they are growing slowly and not taking up a lot of water from their compost, is to leave them standing in water . After a week or two, the leaves will start to droop and the plant slowly dies. It is often not possible to resuscitate them by reducing the water, as now the damage has been done and the roots won’t grow back. Years ago,

sand was used to help improve aeration as the particles are relatively large and irregular and so the air spaces are also large and the roots can get plenty of oxygen. Even better materials to mix with peat include perlite which is a bit like rice crispies in structure – hollow and large particles. Perlite is ideal for both holding a lot of air and holding warmth.

So now in a 50-50 mix of peat and perlite we have an ideal combination of water warmth and oxygen, which is what are required for good root growth and because peat and perlite have a low nutrient level (which could harm developing root hairs) our baby cuttings are in heaven! (especially if a little heat is applied to their bottoms!)

So, now you don’t have any excuses, get the secateurs out and find some shoots to cut to make even more plants to fill those empty places or swap them with your friends.

Geoff Wharton Gardening Services Reliable, experienced, well qualified.

General and specialist garden work: Jungle clearing, Pruning, Hedge and grass cutting, Regular maintenance, Licensed waste disposal.

Full public liability cover.

Geoff Wharton - BSC honours Hort.Science Email:geoffwharton@hotmail.com

Tel: 01767 261727

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37

ANIMAL STORIES

The power of love In Bedfordshire there are still too many cats that, through no fault of their own, have been abandoned and are in the care of the RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch. If you’re thinking about buying a cat, the RSPCA would like you to consider getting one from them if you can.

Grant is a fantastic example of the enormous difference a little bit of love and care can make.

Grant was a very nervous boy when he came into our care. His previous owner had neglected him as they had too many animals to look after. He was initially terrified and skulked behind furniture avoiding all contact with humans. He was thin, poorly and a desperately unhappy boy.

The RSPCA Bedfordshire North Branch has a small team of volunteers dedicated to caring for abandoned animals and preparing them for rehoming. Grant was lucky enough to be given a foster home by Linda, an experienced cat foster mum who has volunteered with us for the past six years.

Before

After

With time, patience and understanding Grant has been transformed into a handsome, laid back cat that oozes charisma. Now, the perfect ending for him would be to find a new home, so that he can finally relax. Linda can then work her magic on another cat in need – and there are many.

If you think you can give Grant a permanent, loving home please look on our website for information about how to adopt. It also shows a selection of cats (and other animals) in our care. We’re also looking for more volunteer foster carers who want to make a difference to an animal’s life.

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

Activities include:

easter egg hunt!

Saturday 30th / Sunday 31st March, 10.00am-3.00pm Godmanchester Centre, Free!

Wood Green

Family behind the scenes tour Tuesday 2nd April, 10.00am-12.00pm / 1.00pm-3.00pm, Godmanchester Centre Join the Hands On team and go behind the scenes at our Godmanchester site.*

Family fun workshop

Thursday 4th April, 10.00am-11.30am, Heydon Centre Come along to our family fun session at Heydon and get hands on with activities for toddlers up to 7 year olds. £4 per child, spaces limited.

Family behind the scenes tour

Animal rehoming Charity Shop Restaurant Pet and Gift Shop Children’s play area Children’s ‘hands on’ events Open 7 days a week, 10.00am – 4.00pm FRee entry

Thursday 4th April, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Heydon Centre

Join the Hands On team and go behind the scenes at our Heydon site.*

NeW! Drama Day – Hip Hop Bunnies Monday 8th April, 9.30am-4.00pm, Godmanchester Centre

Come along to our drama and dance workshop for 7-11 year olds and create a ‘play in a day.’ Parents and carers are invited back at the end to watch the performance! £25 per child.

For further information on these events contact the Hands On Team Call: 0844 248 8181 Or email: handson@woodgreen.org.uk *Minimum age 5 years. £5 per person.

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Godmanchester Centre (HQ) King’s Bush Farm London Road Godmanchester Cambridgeshire PE29 2NH

Heydon Centre

Highway Cottage Heydon Hertfordshire SG8 8PN

Call: 0844 248 8181 Visit: www.woodgreen.org.uk Or email: info@woodgreen.org.uk Wood Green, The Animals Charity is the Registered Trademark of Wood Green Animal Shelters, Registered Charity No. 298348.

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39

Become a foster carer As a foster carer you can help create memories that will last a lifetime. Get in touch with us now to start a journey you’ll never forget.

If you have a spare bedroom and are committed to making a difference we’d love to talk to you.

0800 023 4561 iwanttofoster.com

Room to spare?

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QUALITY CARE IN A FAMILY SETTING

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41

Find your ideal car today!

01462 457070 / 07595 875414 25 High Street, Shillington, Herts, SG5 3LL www.johncoxcars.co.uk john@johncoxcars.co.uk

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AWD XJ

BY JAMES BAGGOTT Jaguar has introduced a clever all-wheel drive setup for its luxury XJ - we head to Canada to try it out Jaguar’s star is rising fast. Sales across the world are booming, especially in growth markets like China where sales are up a staggering 84 per cent this year. It’s a similar pretty picture in the US and even in the troubled European markets the prestige brand is still up 20 per cent.

Jaguar Land Rover’s global brand director John Edwards attributes the success to the Indian company Tata taking over the company in 2008.

“I look back to the days of BMW and Ford ownership and think of them as foster parents,” he said. “They had their own parameters of what we could and couldn’t do and we had to live by those rules.”

But since Tata took over, the manufacturer has been able to set its own rules once again – and Edwards thinks it’s this that has helped the Jaguar and Land Rover brands flourish.

“When Tata took over it was like we became 18 – we could make up our own rules. We have a careful guardian watching over us but we can come up with our own plans and go our own way. That’s liberating. It’s opened our eyes to the long term.”

What is the AWD XJ? It’s an all-wheel drive version of Jaguar’s luxury limo, the XJ. Using a part mechanical, part electric set-up Jaguar’s engineers have created a clever four-wheel drive system for markets where cold weather is the norm, like the car’s launch location, Canada. The system allows 100 per cent of the power to go to the front or rear wheels, depending on where the grip is needed. The good news is that no driving characteristics are lost during normal conditions as just five per cent of the power is sent to the front wheels.

What’s under the bonnet?

The highlight is the new 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V6. Producing 335bhp and 450Nm of torque it hits 60mph in 6.1 seconds, achieves a top speed of 155mph and returns 28.8mpg. It’s a corker of a unit and mated to the eight-seed automatic it’s incredibly smooth.

What’s the kit like?

It’s plentiful. Leather upholstery, a frankly sensational Meridian sound system, Bluetooth, cruise control; in fact pretty much everything you’d want and more comes as standard.

Any rivals?

The biggest rivals come with four-ringed badges on the bonnet. Audi has always made a big deal about its Quattro models, as the firm’s four-wheel drive system is one of their biggest selling points.

With that in mind the Audi S8 would be the Jag’s biggest rival.

Is it any good?

It’s brilliant. Jaguar took us to Canada to test the system in the snow and I’ve never felt as safe on the slippery stuff. However, it’s worth noting that these AWD Jaguars aren’t due to come to the UK. Sales of four wheel drive saloons are small, says the manufacturer, and it doesn’t warrant the development costs, but a spokesman did tell AOL Cars that it hasn’t been ruled out completely.

The verdict It’s a shame they aren’t coming to the UK as they are very accomplished and with the weather we’ve been having recently, they’d make wise buys. However, there is a slim chance we’ll see the technology here and it’s always nice to see a success story for British car manufacturing elsewhere around the globe.

The knowledge Model: Jaguar XJ AWD Price: £68,000 (est) Engine: 3.0-litre, petrol supercharged Power: 335bhp, 450Nm Max speed: 155mph 0-60mph: 6.1s MPG (comb’d): 28.8 Emissions: 229g/km

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SEASONAL DELIGHTS

LEMON CHICKEN WITH TABBOULEH

This is a great way to turn simple and very economical chicken portions into a delicious Mediterranean-style supper. If you have time, make the tabbouleh a few hours in advance to let the flavours fully develop.

Serves 4 Ready in 45 minutes INGREDIENTS 1 lemon, thinly sliced 4 large chicken thigh portions (or 8 small thigh portions) 4 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp clear honey, warmed 225g bulgar wheat (see tip) ½ cucumber, finely diced 4 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh chopped mint 2 tbsp fresh chopped coriander Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 190C, 375F, Gas 5. Push a lemon slice under the skin of each chicken thigh. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan 44

and fry the chicken over a medium-high heat until golden brown all over. Transfer to a shallow roasting tin and arrange the rest of the lemon slices around the chicken.

2 Mix together 1 tbsp of the lemon juice with the honey and pour over the chicken. Roast for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.

3 Meanwhile, place the bulgar wheat into a bowl and pour over enough boiling water to cover. Leave for 30 minutes until grains are soft. Stir well and drain off any excess water.

4 Stir in the rest of the olive oil and lemon juice and season with plenty of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the cucumber, spring onions, mint and coriander and mix well. Serve the hot roast chicken on the tabbouleh with any juices from the roasting tin poured over.

Tip Bulgar wheat is a type of wheat grain that has been parboiled, dried then finely crushed. It is similar to couscous but has more texture and bite. You’ll find it in most large supermarkets or health food shops.

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Oven Cleaning! - It’s a dirty job!

Why do it yourself?

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

Ovens • Ranges • Hobs • Extractors Agas • Microwaves • Barbecues (May - Sept) Single Oven (all racks/pans inc)........................£35 Single Oven & Grill Oven (all racks/pans inc).....£45 Single Separate Grill Oven (racks/pans inc)......£15 Microwaves & Combination Ovens....................£20 Extractor Fan (free filter for next clean).............£12 Hob..................................................................£12 Agas and Ranges priced accordingly Oven Bulbs replaced for free in all jobs V.A.T free

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

parent company est. 1998

ACOLINE WATER SOFTENERS LTD Non Electric Block Salt Softeners Uses up to 60% Less Salt 10 Year Guarantee Purchase or Lease Rental FREE Salt Delivery We Repair ALL Makes of Water Softener

01462 811487 104 Ampthill Road, Shefford, Beds, SG17 5BB

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THE LIFE LIST

The best things about being retired Society has it all wrong. At eighteen, you’re given the key to the door; and when you retire, they give you a clock. But when you’re eighteen you need help getting up. And when you retire, the door leads to a whole new life...

- Being able to spend a whole day shopping with no need to buy anything.

- Taking your work clothes to a charity shop to help those less fortunate – i.e. people still working.

- Seeing your grandchildren when they want to see you and not just when you can fit them in.

- Enjoying new hobbies, such as glamping or extreme ironing.

- Driving in rush-hour traffic, while listening to a decent audio book, just to offer commuters a smile.

- Feeling liberated when you compare

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yourself with your next-door neighbours.

- The novelty of actually being home when a parcel is delivered or abandoned on your doorstep.

- Turning up to your local Neighbourhood Watch meeting in body armour, a balaclava and night-vision goggles, to show them that you’re serious.

- Focusing on your abilities and aspirations, instead of just your responsibilities.

- Giving something back to the community, like eccentricity.

- Starting the business you’ve always dreamed of and buying that drum kit.

- A second adolescence with lie-ins, spontaneous sex, junk food for breakfast and all-day bike rides.

- Having the time to make sure your financial advisor is really earning their fee.

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Lots of Choice Immediate Availability

The Carpet Trade Centre •

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Over 10,000sq ft of warehouse to choose from 100’s of designs, stock always changing Vinyl/cushion floor stock Large choice of rugs

Delivery and fitting service in days rather than weeks Low, low prices, high quality stock

Tel: 01462 851637 Units 5A-6, Henlow Industrial Estate Henlow SG16 6DS

1st Glass Window Repairs 30

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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

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We’re a small outfit that relies mainly on our excellent reputation. We have 22 years of experience and prompt reliable service and always go the extra mile for our customers.

Please visit us at www.asbathrooms.co.uk to see our previous work and the standards we offer.

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CODEWORD

1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

9 X 9 PUZZLE

How to play It’s simple! 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 puzzle.

Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

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50

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James Cullip

Painting & Decorating

• interior/exterior - all aspects • wallpaper hanging • coving All types of roofing work undertaken.

Friendly, reliable and professional service.

Tel: 07989 423449 or 01767 317121 www.baroofing.co.uk

• general household maintenance • plastering services available • free estimates • fully insured

References available t: 01462 817 122 m: 07899 888 e: go_on_james@hotmail.com

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10 Mill Lane, Campton, Shefford, Beds

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Ty Interiors Prize Crossword

1st Prize £25 Name:

Sponsored by Ty Interiors, The Olde Watermill Shopping Village, Faldo Road, Barton Le Clay, MK45 4RF

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 15th March 2013.

Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel:

Address:

Please enter me into the prize draw to be drawn at end of 3 months for £1000 off a fully fitted kitchen. T&C’s apply. (Please tick) Last Month’s Crossword Winners. Congratulations to: 1st prize - Mr T Hopton from Gamlingay and 2nd prize - Lisa Brown from Bedford For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com Across 1 Outermost (7) 5 Six sided objects (5) 8 Turn (5) 9 Woman’s holdall (7) 10 Media notice (13) 11 Relaxed (6) 12 Idiotic (6) 15 Exhibition (13) 18 Not quietest (7) 19 Very angry (5) 20 Perfume (5) 21 Meals (7) Down 1 Additional (5) 2 Robbers (7) 3 Amusement (13) 4 Racial group (6) 5 Deep thought (13) 6 Religious text (5) 7 Seen (7) 11 Hugs (7) 13 Not public (7) 14 Commented (6) 16 Small rodent (5) 17 Requirements (5)

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Pleasemention mentionThe TheVillager Villagerand andTown TownLife Lifewhen whenresponding respondingtotoadverts adverts Please

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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

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Painting & Decorating

Simon Johnston 36 Vicarage Close Langford, Beds SG18 9QS

Tel: 07778 861115 simon.johnston57@ntlworld.com

Tel: 07507 963008 or 01462 850928 Boiler replacements and breakdowns Power flushing, Blocked drains General plumbing & heating Radiators, cylinders and tanks.

Gas safe registered.

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ARBAR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LTD       

EXTENSIONS LOFT CONVERSIONS BRICKWORK CARPENTRY/JOINERY KITCHEN/BATHROOMS PLASTERING PAINTING/DECORATING

FREE ESTIMATES ALL QUALIFIED TRADESMAN

Contact no: 01462 639103, 07814 719295, 07824 805377 Company Reg No: 8178547 Company address: 6 Lymans Road, Arlesey, Bedfordshire, SG15 6TE To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

57

what’S ON?

IN MARCH

1 March (4 week programme) Relaxation for Carers 2-3.30pm The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Rosehill, Hitchin Road, Letchworth £2.50 per person per session Do you care for someone with mild to moderate dementia?

A unique programme for Carers and those they care for - to come together; separately but at the same time! Carers can participate in activities which can give support and teach ways of relaxing and reducing stress and worry? Carers are able to enjoy singing popular songs around the piano.

Each session is followed by refreshments and time to chat! Call or email for further information and bookings. Tel: Jaqui Derrick 01462 678804 Email: jaqui@letchworthcentre.org Web: www.letchworthcentre.org 2 March Garden Square Craft Market 8.30am-4.30pm Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth Garden City First Saturday of every month. Our 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 March 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, 9, 16 & 23 March Lent Lunch 12.30-1.30pm Shefford Community Hall Organised by Shefford Churches Together.

Tel: Steve 01462 812 564

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 8 March An Illustrated History of RAE Bedford 7pm for 7.30pm RAF Henlow Station Theatre Tickets £5 on the door Barry Tomlinson presents a lecture on the history of the former Royal Aircraft Establishment Bedford airfield. Covering the development of the site and the unique aircraft that flew there.

8 March Ampthill Festival and Gala Launches 2013 with Fun Quiz!

8pm Ampthill Rugby Club £5 each including light supper The first fundraising event of 2013 gets off to a flying start. The bar is open (Rugby Club bargain prices!), the Quiz is guaranteed ‘FUN’, the winners get a trophy to be treasured and the losers a special wooden spoon!

Get there nice and early in plenty of time to have a relaxing drink and soak up the atmosphere.

Advance tickets from Dunstable Street The Cottage Bakery or just turn up on the night!

Tel: Jill on 07840 932930 or Belinda on 07880 734148 14 March Mid Beds. Flower Club 7.45 pm Flitwick Village Hall Visitors £5 Come and see how the popular local demonstrator, Doug Howard, interprets his title “Wake up Call “.

Visitors very welcome.

Tel: 01234 742396 for more details 16 March Men’s Breakfast 8.30am Shefford Community Hall Tel: Steve 01462 812 564 16 March The Roderick Swanston Lectures 2pm Benslow Music, Hitchin Tickets £10, free for young people and students The Roderick Swanston Lectures ii: Dowland, Campion and the world of the Lute Song. Devoted to the refined, often deliciously melancholic music and poetry of the Elizabethan and Jacobean Lute song. Tel: 01462 459446 Email: info@benslowmusic.org Web: www.benslowmusic.org

5, 12, 19 & 26 March Morris Dancing 8-10pm Redborne Upper School (South Gymnasium), Flitwick Road, Ampthill, MK45 2NU Every Tuesday. Morris Dancing for women and girls, and male or female musicians. Please wear running shoes. Closed in school holidays – check website for information.

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what’S ON? IN MARCH

16 March A Musical Banquet 8pm Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Hitchin Tickets £10, free for young people and students Michael Chance (countertenor) and Nigel North (lute).

A Musical Banquet: Songs and lute pieces

by Dowland, Danyel, Frescobaldi, Luzzaschi, Monteverdi, Palestrina and de Rore.

Tel: 01462 459446 Email: info@benslowmusic.org Web: www.benslowmusic.org 17 March Biggleswade Antiques Fair 9.30am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Entrance £1.50 This antiques fair offers a diverse range of antiques and collectables so whether you are a professional dealer, an avid collector or just looking for something special, this monthly fair is the place to visit. Cafe serving breakfast, lunches and afternoon tea.

Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk 22 March Maggini String Quartet 8pm Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Hitchin Tickets £10, free for 8-5 year olds Programme includes works by Schubert, Bridge and Britten Tel: 01462 459446 Email: info@benslowmusic.org Web: www.benslowmusic.org 23 March Indoor Car Boot/Table Top Sale 10am-12.30pm St. Mary’s Church Hall, Stotfold To book a stall please contact Lyn Hayes on 01462 834165.

23, 24, 29, 30, 31 March & 1 April Easter Egghead Hunt 10.30am-4.30pm Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable Tickets £2 (for trail and prize) plus normal admission Join us for an exciting egg hunt with our sponsors Cadburys. Complete our trail exploring the Downs and win a yummy Cadburys chocolate egg! There will be lots of family Easter fun happening too, all in the glorious surroundings of Dunstable Downs.

Booking advisable.

Tel: Chilterns Gateway Centre Shop 01582 500925 Email: dunstabledowns@nationaltrust.org.uk Web: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunstabledowns/ 24 March Fundraising Danceathon 12 noon-2.25pm Knights Templar Sports Centre, Baldock Classes are £6 for 1, £11 for 2 or £15 for 3 Come along and enjoy 3 x dance lead fitness classes whilst raising vital funds for a very worthy cause Herts Community Foundation. Bring your friends and family. There are 75 places to fill, 25 per class.

Web: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Latinercise/441980462504732 29, 30, 31 March & 1 April Easter Hunt Trail 10am-3pm RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Trail sheet £2. Admission £4 per vehicle Follow the Easter trail and spot all of the pictures hidden in the woodland with a crème egg to collect when you finish!

Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge 30 & 31 March Easter Weekend for Children Sat 10am-1pm (last entry 12 noon) Saturday 30th March 10am-1pm (last entry 12 noon) Sun 2-5pm (last entry 4 pm) British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin Adults £4.50, Children £2, Under 5s free, Family £12 Be an “Egg Head” and eggsplore the British Schools museum by following our Easter Egg trail, and take part in our Design your own “Egg Head” competition. Normal admission prices apply.

Tel: 01462 420144 Web: www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk

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59

Alan George Painter & Decorator

T. Jordan Carpentry & Joinery Made to Measure Quality Timber Products Doors, Windows, Stairs, Gates, Cabinets & Mouldings

Please call Tim on 01462 850363 22 Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow SG16 6JP

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Interior and Exterior Work Wallpapering and Coving Reliable and Local Specialist City & Guilds trained with 30 years experience Sole trader No VAT Free estimates Call Alan on 01582 454604 Mob:07760198256 or E-Mail: george-a6@sky.com

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61

Quality PVC-U Windows & Doors MANUFACTURERS & INSTALLERS

Windows, Doors, Conservatories, Bi-Folding Doors & Composite Doors

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC • Verticle Sliding Sash Windows • Casement Windows

TV AERIAL & SATELLITE SPECIALIST See our website for a comprehensive list of our services www.allbandaerials.co.uk

• Residential & French Doors • Patio Doors • Pivot Windows • 10 Year Insurance Backed Guarantee • Discount for Pensioners • FENSA Certification

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ALLBAND AERIALS

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Fun Quiz - Days Of The Week 1. According to the popular nursery rhyme, if Monday’s child is fair of face, then what is Friday’s child?

2. Which literary character frees a captive who he names Friday and who becomes his companion?

3. Which annual health awareness day first took place on Ash Wednesday in 1984?

4. “Cyber Monday” is a term used in the UK to refer to the busiest internet shopping day of the year. Does this normally fall on the first, second or third Monday in December?

5. On which day of the week is Thanksgiving Day celebrated in the U.S.A.?

6. Which series of celebrations has a name that translates as “fat Tuesday”?

7. According to the famous poem, what happened to Solomon Grundy on a Thursday?

8. What is the only day of the week not mentioned in the lyrics of the Beatles song Lady Madonna?

9. What name is given to the Christian feast that falls one week before Easter?

10. What was the first UK number one hit single to feature a day of the week in the title?

Before

After

1. Loving and giving 2. Robinson Crusoe 3. No Smoking Day 4. First 5. Thursday 6. Mardi Gras 7. He took ill 8. Saturday 9. Palm Sunday 10. Sunday Girl (by Blondie)

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Classifieds Aerials and Satellites

Clock Repair

Brian R Bulley

AERIALS & SATELLITES T/A Broadband Communications

C.M.B.H.I Horologist

Established 1993

Repairing: Antique & Modern Clocks

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

All clocks are collected & examined in my workshop and then you are contacted with cost for repair. On agreement the clock will be repaired, Tested & Delivered.

If you decide not to go ahead with repair the clock will still be delivered free of charge.

• Over 50 years Experience •

Tel: 07521 442 050 • Email: brian@brianbulley.co.uk

Tel: 01462 732 628 • Mob: 07860 436 217

Book-keeping

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 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Removals & Storage

01462 732632

removals, storage, archive and shipping

sales@steam2clean.co.uk www.steam2clean.co.uk

• House and office moves • Large and small vehicles • Local/long distance and overseas removals • Containerised storage • Extremely high quality customer service

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Chimney Sweep Sweeping Certificate Issued ICS Registered Please call Brian on 07968 275888 sweepmychimneynow@gmail.com

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