Henlow Sept 12 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 46 - September 2012

and Town Life

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

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In this Issue

VILLAGER The

Issue 46 - September 2012

and Town Life

£25

Prize Crossword See Inside

September Time of Year

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Caring for Elderly Pets

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Editorial

Solange Hando, Leon F. Jones, Katharine Sorell, Geoff Wharton, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Chris Russell, Sarah Davey, James Baggott, Derek Thompson and Pippa Greenwood

Advertising Sales Nigel Frost nigel@villagermag.com

Front Cover Image Simon Thomas

Design and Artwork Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

Publishers

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

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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Don’t Let Your Dream Cottage Turn into a Nightmare........ 4 Harvest Time..........................................................................9 Morocco................................................................................10 Don’t Put Up With Pests.......................................................12 Tired All the Time?.................................................................15 Lawn Movers.........................................................................17 Fun Quiz.................................................................................17 Album of the Month............................................................ 18 Naturally Beautiful............................................................... 20 Positive Parenting................................................................ 22 Home-Start Require People with Parenting Experience.... 25 Eating Cereal, lol................................................................... 27 High Tech TV......................................................................... 28 Animal Know-How............................................................... 32 The Evil Weevil...................................................................... 35 Rural Ramblings...................................................................36 Children’s Page..................................................................... 38 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG......................................................41 Seasonal Delights................................................................. 43 Wet Rooms........................................................................... 45 Working From Home............................................................46 Puzzle Page..........................................................................48 Learn a Foreign Language...................................................50 The Better Life...................................................................... 52 What’s On.............................................................................58 Flossing................................................................................. 62

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Don’t let your dream cottage

turn into a nightmare It’s the stuff of Daily Mail competitions. It’s the fantasy that drives the holiday cottage industry: when once a year we satisfy our desire for rural living by renting our own dream cottage. But what happens when – like newly retired couple Gary and Linda Speed from Basingstoke - you decide to live the dream? After years in suburbia the couple were eager to try life in a village, so they set out to buy a spacious, detached property in the West Country, with offstreet parking, original features and countryside views. With a budget of £300,000, they were confident that they would find their perfect home. Gary and Linda began with high hopes, but after several disappointing trips to Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset, they had to admit that their perfect home might be beyond their financial reach. Although house prices have slumped in recent years, there is still a strong market for period properties in popular areas such as the Lake District, Suffolk, the Cotswolds, Sussex and the West Country. Determined not to give up, the couple continued their search and some months later they came across an accessibly priced village property that seemed to tick all the right boxes. The attractive stone-built, thatched cottage had no central heating and lacked a modern kitchen and bathroom, but it did have a large garden plus all the period features they had been looking for. “We really thought we’d found our dream home,” says Linda. “We knew that it needed updating but it was absolutely beautiful and we couldn’t understand why someone else hadn’t already snapped it up.” It wasn’t long before the couple began to appreciate why the cottage had remained unsold. As the various surveys and building reports they had commissioned began to pile up, the true cost of the renovation began to emerge. The cottage had woodworm, weevil and rising damp. The picturesque climbing plant that grew across the front had loosened the pointing and the stonework needed extensive repair. A damaged portion of the thatch would cost over £10,000 to replace and the remainder of the roof would need to be re-thatched within five years. The electrical wiring had decayed and the garden fence would cost hundreds of pounds to replace. Fortunately Gary and Linda had taken advice from building industry professionals before they committed to buying the property, and they reluctantly pulled out. They had incurred costs along the way – solicitors’ fees plus the cost of the surveys and reports – but at least they had avoided the nightmare of a ‘money pit’ purchase. If Gary and Linda’s dreams didn’t match up to

reality, they were not alone. In a recent survey by AA Home Emergency Response, 2,005 people were questioned about their ideal home. 28% of the respondents fantasised about a owning a property in a rural location, with a large, open-plan kitchen/ diner and living area featuring high on their ‘musthave’ list. 48% of the sample wanted sea views while slightly more than half prioritised views of mountains or open fields. For anyone familiar with the British countryside, there appears to be an immediate disconnect between the wishes of the survey respondents and the type of property found in rural locations. Rather than enjoying expansive views, many village dwellings face directly onto a busy road. A large kitchen/diner is also a rare find – particularly if the cottage is Grade II listed and the local authority does not permit structural alterations. In fact, the competition for properties that ‘have it all’ is so intense that in sought-after areas you will need to spend £500,000 or more for a property with good internal space, enjoying excellent countryside or seaside views. Buyers on a more modest budget will inevitably have to compromise. After their experience in Dorset, Gary and Linda seriously considered giving up their dream of a West Country home, but during a weekend trip to Somerset a ‘For Sale’ sign caught their eye. Gary takes up the story: “When our Satnav broke down we took a detour and passed through a large village we’d never visited before. We stopped to buy a newspaper and that’s when we saw the house. We liked the area so we rang the estate agent straight away to request a viewing.” Linda and Gary eventually purchased a small, terraced town house facing directly onto the street - a far cry from the ‘roses round the door’ cottage with a large garden they had originally envisaged. As Linda explains: “We knew we had to compromise on our dream, but we loved the village and in the end it didn’t really feel like a compromise. It was different, but somehow the chemistry was right.”

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We are celebrating 2 years at Health Spa Throughout September we are offering many ‘Birthday treats’ including:Free blow dry lessons Free Redken shampoo A free in Salon Redken re-conditioner - shiny hair guaranteed!! For full details visit our website

www.champneyshair.co.uk

or call 01462 810750 Champneys Health Resort, Coach Road, Henlow, Beds SG16 6BT To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

September

TIME OF YEAR

It’s September, and as we move into autumn, take a moment on Saturday 15th to gaze up at a sky that has become a battlefield. Thousands of feet above you an armada of German bombers drones sluggishly towards London, while swarms of Spitfires and Messerschmitt 109s play what looks from down here like a deadly game of tag. For this is not 2012 but 1940; and the Luftwaffe, believing the RAF beaten, has turned its attention from airfields and aircraft factories to industrial cities. But the battle you see overhead is the last of its kind. More than 1,500 aircraft of both sides are engaged in thrusts and parries that will last all day. Fighter Command is strong enough to stop the bombers getting through and to inflict heavy losses. From now on the Luftwaffe will give up costly daylight raids and turn instead to night bombing. The Battle of Britain is over. The Blitz has begun. And Britain is safe from invasion. Imagine the relief people must have felt when the Battle of Britain was won and the threat was averted. Not a bit of it! Operation Sealion had only been

Heinkel HE 111 during the Battle of Britain

postponed, not cancelled. Britain had slaved all summer to strengthen its inadequate defences, and the work had to continue at the same breakneck pace. There was still, as General Brooke noted in his diary, the danger that Hitler had a surprise to spring: invasion fever had to be maintained! With hindsight it’s clear that there never was much actual danger. Hitler’s tiny navy, his landingcraft improvised from Rhine barges, his air force of tactical bombers and short-range fighters, his negligible logistical tail, could never have mounted a large-scale amphibious operation against an enemy that grew stronger by the day. But to Churchill, maintaining the fear of invasion was essential in order to head off the peace party led by his Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax. Under Chamberlain, Halifax had already approached Mussolini to act as an intermediary with Hitler; in the Cabinet meetings of May 1940, even as the Dunkirk evacuations were beginning, he proposed to try again and was only very narrowly defeated. Churchill believed that peace would mean virtual slavery. Popular enthusiasm for the war had to be kept up at all costs. He was first buoyed by a surge of 1,500,000 volunteers for the Home Guard, formed on 14th May only four days after he took office; but Dunkirk, the Italian declaration of war on 10th June, and the French armistice on 22nd June weakened his hand. His answer was to mobilise Britain and keep it mobilised. The south and east coasts were mined and wired. “Non-essential” civilians were evacuated from Kent and Essex. Romney Marsh was flooded. 28,000 concrete pill-boxes and 50,000 “fougasses” (petrol-based IEDs), were installed along 50 “stop lines” formed of hundreds of miles of anti-tank ditches 18ft deep and 11ft wide. Sockets just big enough for an anti-tank mine were dug in road surfaces. Bridges were wired and road-signs removed. The pace kept up well into 1941 when local invasion committees were formed and flame barrages were developed to defend the beaches. People watched the work going on and if the defences were real, then the threat must be too. Only in June 1941 when Hitler attacked Russia were invasion preparations scaled down. But it’s odd to reflect, all these years later, that Corporal Jones’s trusty cold steel was aimed not so much at Hitler as Lord Halifax.

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National Spa Week Open Evening

Monday 17th September 2012 6.00pm - 9:00pm

Join us for a complimentary evening of special offers, demonstrations and mini treatments to celebrate National Spa Week! The night includes: • Wine and canapés on arrival • Tours of the resort • Mini treatments and Cholesterol checks at £10 each, bookable on arrival, subject to availability • Free Blood pressure checks and blood glucose checks (diabetes), bookable on arrival and subject to availability • Demonstrations • No joining fee on Club membership and 10% discount on annual subscriptions • Discounted Champneys products • Prize draw • Special offers

www.champneys.com

No ticket necessary, please just come along and join us! (Over 16s only) For further information please contact Sandra Jeram on 01462 810707 or email sandra.jeram@champneys.com Exclusively at... Champneys Henlow Health Resort, Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG16 6DB Champneys Resorts

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@Champneys

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Harvest Time

By Sarah Davey

Take a look at a modern harvest festival and you’ll no doubt see many ‘urban’ offerings of pre-packed cakes and tins of sweet corn. It’s so easy to pop down to the supermarket these days we forget that until relatively recently in this country, people’s lives depended upon the success or failure of their crops. Harvest festivals were a way to say thank you for a good harvest while trying to guarantee the fortune of the next one. Saxon farmers offered the first cut sheaf of corn to the gods of fertility in order to please them and ensure they were kind the following year. The last sheaf was used to make a Kern baby; a doll, dressed in white and trimmed with coloured ribbons to represent spring. Most peasants were tenant farmers who farmed for a landowner. Harvest time meant weeks of back-breaking work, so it became a tradition for the landowner to host a harvest supper as a thank you to the whole community once the harvest was brought home safely. There was no set date, but the celebrations generally took place around the time of the full Moon, known as the Harvest Moon. Harvest festivals are closely associated with the church, but actually date back to Pagan times. It was 1843 before the Church became involved. The Reverend Robert Hawker invited members of his parish to a service of harvest thanksgiving at his Cornish church. The practice spread rapidly and led to the custom of decorating churches with harvest produce. The story of John Barleycorn You may never have heard of him, but John Barleycorn is a character in a medieval folksong. He represents barley, the most important cereal crop of the harvest, and also the alcoholic beverages beer and whisky which were made from it. In the song John Barleycorn suffers attacks, indignities and death which correspond to the various stages of the harvest such as reaping and malting. It begins…

There was three kings into the east, Three kings both great and high, And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn should die. They took a plough and plouh’d him down, Put clods upon his head, And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn was dead. The song has many verses and poor old John Barleycorn suffers dreadfully throughout, particularly when he’s ground between the milling stones! But the story has a neat twist as our hero, who’s finally turned to alcohol, wreaks his revenge on everyone who drank him so merrily, and they suffer for their sins the following morning with gargantuan hangovers! It is a mark of how important the harvest was that there are more versions of this song than any other in the English language!

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Oases and Kasbahs - Morocco

by solange hando

Deep in southern Morocco, the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs is a fabled land where ancient forts of mud and straw mingle their reflections in the sparkling waters of the river Dadès. Balancing on the rocks, sprinkled like sandcastles from village to village, they take on the colours of the earth, red, mauve, ochre and gold. Rainstorms and floods have long threatened their walls but they still stand, like proud sentinels from the past. In this tortured land shaped by earthquakes, the hills are bare, baked dry, but along the river are almond groves, luminous patches of young wheat and mud houses with zigzag patterns on their walls and ornate grills on their windows. Pink roses bloom in a secluded grove and in the little town of El Kelaa M’Gouna, every shop sells rose water and scented lotion. There, women cover their faces as you approach but their veils are fringed with silver trinkets. Where the roads from the valleys meet at over 3000 feet, Ouarzazate greets you with the most illustrious kasbah, once home of a wealthy lord. Inside, a forbidding maze of dark alcoves and latticed windows recalls centuries of history while storks rattle their beaks on the battlements. Follow the road and you could dine pasha-style in Tifoultout kasbah, gaze at turrets and wall tattoos in Taourirt or explore the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou where the fragrance of mint tea lingers in the air and locals speak of Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel of the Nile and other epics filmed on the spot. Suddenly, the desert wind rages through the

streets, shaking the fig and pomegranate trees. Shops close their doors and the boys fishing in the river look at the sky and pack up their gear. It’s time to escape and climb to the spectacular Ait Saouen pass in the Anti-Atlas before tackling the steep descent to the Draa valley, stopping now and then to allow an iguana to crawl across the tarmac. To many visitors who come this far, Draa is the loveliest of the oases on the kasbah trail. Green palms, red earth, blue sky, it unfolds like a tapestry along a river draped in oleander. Adobe villages and kasbahs grow out of the land in a jumble of tapering towers and passageways, courtyards and crenellations. Men in white djellabas sit under the trees, putting the world to rights, and goats and chickens roam unconcerned while in the shrine of Tamegroute, pilgrims consult holy books written on gazelle skin. After the long drive south, Zagora rises like a mirage in the hazy heat, a bustling little place with a vast palmery, as lush as velvet, and camels offering rides along the river. Bunches of dates glow like gold in trees and in the late afternoon light, the lonely Zagora hill takes on a magical purple shade. Only the brave venture to M’Hamid at end of the road where toffee-coloured houses are almost buried in the sand. No more oases, no more kasbahs, only giant dunes encroaching on the land, wave upon wave, the domain of scorpions and snakes and lonely caravans on their way to Timbuktu, 52 days across the desert.

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Don’t Put Up With Pests!

How to get rid of unwanted guests We all work hard to keep our homes clean and tidy. Sometimes it seems like a never ending battle! But what should you do if you find pests in your home? Mice, ants, fleas or wasps nests are all common pests that anyone can find themselves victim to. Depending on the severity of your particular pest problem, you can either treat it yourself, or call in the professionals. Often, DIY treatment is a lot cheaper, but if your problem is severe, it may not be effective. Turning the central heating down, washing bedding at 60 degrees and regular vacuuming will help prevent moths and fleas. For insects and bugs like ants and cockroaches, you can buy powders and sprays that you administer according to the instructions and these can be very effective for mild infestations. Look in your local supermarket in the household aisle. If you find nibbled packages, droppings or material nests, you may have mice or rats. If you see any holes or gaps in the skirting, try blocking them and check 24 hours later so see if the blockages have been moved. Many products are available for eradicating mice and rats, including humane traps that do not kill, allowing you to release the animal away from your house. It is very difficult to eradicate certain types of pests like wasps or bedbugs without professional help, and you may feel happier if a specialist is

called in. If you decide to get the professionals in, don’t overlook your local council. Some councils’ environmental health departments will help control pests, and they are often cheaper than private companies. Some councils also offer their services free to council tenants. If you hire a private company, make sure they are registered with the British Pest Control Association or are a reputable nationwide company. Ensure you describe your problem accurately, so when you receive your quote, you won’t be left with any nasty financial surprises. Protected species like bats cannot be exterminated. The best thing to do if you find animals that may be on the protected list living in your house is seek advice from your council, or national nature/countryside organisation (telephone numbers below). Of course, prevention is better than cure, but in many cases infestation can happen no matter how clean you are. If you vacuum carpets and rugs regularly, wash bedding (including pet bedding) and towels at 60 degrees, and are careful about disposing of food waste, any risk will be at a minimum. Useful Telephone Numbers British Pest Control Association: 01332 294288 Natural England: 0845 600 3078 Scottish Natural Heritage: 01463 725000 Countryside Council for Wales: 08451 306229

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The Unforgettable Close Up and Cabaret Magic of Steve Dean Immerse yourselves and guests in the close up magic of Steve Dean or enjoy a Cabaret Show that includes mentalism and much more. Have you ever witnessed unexplainable events or illusions so convincing that they leave you fascinated and completely spellbound? This is Cabaret, close up mix and mingle and table magic at itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very best. Not only enter the unbelievable world of close up professional magic that is second to none, you can now see a cabaret show that will leave you gasping, your guests enthralled and audience participation that is not only professional but will cause laughter throughout and will be something to remember for a very long time. This is ideal for any corporate or private event. Steve is a master of his craft and a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. He has had many letters of thanks and testimonials from people from all walks of life. From a small dinner party to performing on a British Cruise Liner this sort of entertainment is second to none and will give your guests unusual and fantastic entertainment that they can get involved in and will talk about for months to come. (Steve is a member of Equity with full public liability insurance). Please phone or email for details

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Bedfordshire

Steam & Country Fayre 14th, 15th & 16th September 2012 Old Warden Park, nr Biggleswade (SAT NAV SG18 9DX)

MANY GREAT ATTRACTIONS Steam, Tractors & Heavy Horses Working Demonstrations Steam Ploughing Miniature Steam Fairground Organs Flying Displays Working Crafts

Trade & Market Stalls Craft & Food Halls Working Dog Demonstrations Vintage Vehicles Old Time Fairground Morris Dancing Licensed Bar and Refreshments

Included FREE ADMISSION to The Shuttleworth Collection, Bird of Prey Centre and Swiss Garden Sat & Sun Adult

£5.00

Fri All ages

£8.00

Coach Parties Welcome - please contact us

FREE CAR PARKING

Caravan & Camping Area

Chartity no 291744

Contact for Booking Form

3 DAY EVENT

All Enquiries & Advanced Bookings to: Paul Worbey, Park Farm, Henlow, Beds. SG16 6DF Tel/Fax: 01462 851711 Mobile: 07850 195622 Email: show@bseps.org.uk

£10.00

Sat & Sun Children (5-16 years)

Gates Open 9am

Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society www.bseps.org.uk

Admission Prices

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Tired All The Time

Should you seek help? GPs are reporting that more and more patients complain of having no energy. So much so, that the syndrome now has its own name – tired all the time, or TATT. It’s 7am. The alarm goes off and your eyes snap open. You leap out of bed feeling refreshed and ready for anything. Does this sound like you? Or are you more likely to hit the snooze button, roll over and try to grab another ten minutes’ sleep before you face the day? If you often feel you’re flagging, the most important thing is not to ignore it. TATT is common, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to do something about it. There are many different causes of fatigue, and it’s always a good idea to start by speaking to your GP. If you feel overwhelming exhaustion, which gets worse with activity and does not improve with rest, you may be suffering from myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A cure has not yet been found, but there are treatments and self-help measures that can ease the symptoms. Your doctor will also be able to test for other medical problems that can cause tiredness, such as anaemia, thyroid problems, food intolerances or diabetes. Most cases of TATT are due to psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. Traumatic life events, stress and money worries can also cause fatigue. Talking about your problems may help, and your doctor could refer you to a counselling service. If you’ve ruled out these causes but are still feeling flat, there are lifestyle changes that can help. It sounds obvious, but it’s essential to make sure you’re getting enough good quality sleep. This might be easier said than done, but make it a priority for a few weeks and see how much better you feel. The Royal College of Psychologists’ advice is to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. Avoid napping, and try a soak in a warm bath before you go to bed. Reduce your stress levels by building some relaxation time into your daily schedule. This could be something as simple as listening to your favourite music or meeting friends for a chat.

Diet can also play a part in determining your energy levels. Try eating small snacks throughout the day, rather than one large meal in the evening. Avoid alcohol and drink more water. Cutting out caffeine will also help, but do it gradually to avoid getting headaches. Finally, you may not feel like it, but exercising is another proven way to fight fatigue. Even a quick 15-minute walk around the block will give you an energy boost.

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INVENTIONS - Lawn mowers

By Leon F. Jones

Whatever the weather, one thing is certain - grass grows! From town house to school playing fields to stately home green acres, every patch has been mown time after time through the summer. Now imagine that task undertaken with scythes and hand shears and we begin to appreciate an undervalued invention, the lawn mower! Formal lawns with short cropped grass first appeared in France in the early 1700s and the idea quickly spread to England, across Europe and the world. Lawns were first kept neat by animals and servant gardeners armed with scythes, sickles and shears. By the 1800s, progress in mechanical engineering produced machines with revolving blades. The first patent for a mechanical lawn mower was granted in August 1830 to engineer Edwin Budding of Stroud, Gloucestershire. Budding’s design was based on a cutting tool used for trimming carpet, with a series of blades arranged around a cylinder. An unpatented 17” grass cutter

designed to be pulled by a pony was built by Scotsman Alexander Shanks in 1841. The first chain driven mower was produced by Thomas Green in 1859 and mass production followed in the 1860s. In 1870, Ellwood McGuire of Richmond, Indiana designed a lightweight hand-pushed machine which was an instant commercial success. The basic design of the cylinder mower has changed little since the 1930’s although a light, efficient rotary mower was developed in the 1950s. Petrol driven mowers were improved with smaller more powerful engines, but the problem of maintenance and pollution remains. Electric mowers are now popular, but for limitations by cable length to the power source. Today, as we give our lawns that last autumn cut, let’s thank Mr. Budding for his foresight.

Fun Quiz - Proverbs 1. According to a well known proverb, “good” what “make good neighbours”? 2. Which proverb, which warns someone from the dangers of inquisitiveness, was also the name of a 1980s pop group? 3. The slogan “Good things come to those who wait” was used to advertise which brand of alcoholic drink in the 1990s and 2000s? 4. According to a well known proverb, what “is the mother of invention”? 5. In the Bible, is the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament or the New Testament? 6. Which proverb was the title of the only UK number one hit single by The Tremeloes? 7. Which former U.S. President is credited with popularising the phrase “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”? 8. Which play by William Shakespeare has a title that is also used as a proverb? 9. According to the well known proverb, what can’t you make from a sow’s ear? 10. “The pen is mightier than the sword” is a well known proverb, but with initial letters “A.S.L.T.W.”, which other proverb appears to contradict this? 1. Fences 2. Curiosity Killed The Cat 3. Guinness 4. Necessity 5. The Old Testament 6. Silence Is Golden 7. Harry S. Truman 8. All’s Well That Ends Well 9. A silk purse 10. Actions speak louder than words

Before

After

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Album Of The Month

Rumer - Boys Don’t Cry Welcome to this, the first of our monthly look at new albums, classic albums and those that time forgot or at least warrant another listen. Rumer is our subject this month with ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. Available on CD as a 12 track or 16 track special deluxe edition. The album features covers of generally obscure tracks from the 1970’s, many of which a better cover version couldn’t be imagined. But this is exactly what Rumer has done. She did cover David Gates’ ‘Goodbye Girl’ on her first album ‘Seasons Of My Soul’. But this time it’s a whole album including songs from the one and only Clifford T Ward - ‘Home Thoughts From Abroad’, a song with the classic lyrics ‘I could be a millionaire if I had the money’ and ‘P.F Sloan’, a song about the cult 1960’s American singer songwriter, written by another Legendary songwriter the incomparable Jimmy Webb. The first version I remember hearing was by that great American harmony group The Association.

Jimmy has recorded it at least twice himself, most recently in a duet with Jackson Browne on his last album ‘Just Across The River’. Other gems on the album include a surprising version of ‘Soulsville’ from Isaac Hayes ‘Shaft’ Soundtrack. Acknowledging the songwriting talents of Gilbert O’Sullivan with her take on ‘We Will’ plus a song from Neil Young’s ‘Harvest’ album ‘A Man Needs A Maid’. Other artists to get the nod are Richie Havens, Todd Rundgren, Paul Williams, Stephen Bishop, Hall & Oates, Towns Van Zant, Terry Reid, Tim Hardin, Bob Marley and Leon Russell. If you are hearing these songs for the first time they may well become the definitive versions to you. On BigglesFm we had great fun digging out all the original versions to form a feature on our Sunday night oldies show ‘The Jukebox DriveIn’ presented by Robbie Owen from 7-10pm. We recommend the 16 track version especially. Alan & Mike www.bigglesfm.com

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Naturally Beautiful

Home vs. High Street - By Helen Taylor We all love to try the latest beauty products and if you believe what you read on the packaging, you’ll wonder how you’ve ever lived without them. There’s no doubt there are some great products out there that go a long way in making our hair shiny, keeping our skin moisturised and fighting off lines and wrinkles, and there’s certainly no doubt that we fork out a lot of money for them. If you venture away from the High Street and look for a more ‘homemade’ approach to beauty, you’ll find cheap and surprisingly effective natural solutions that don’t rely on fancy packaging and big promises. Instead, they inspire you to start reaching into your kitchen cupboard rather than your bathroom cabinet whenever you fancy a beauty treat. There’s no need to give up on your favourite products, but trying out some homemade hair, skin and body treats from time to time can leave you looking and feeling great and help with the budget too. Because they’re all created with completely natural ingredients, homemade face-masks, scrubs and treatments make use of what nature has to offer and what’s more, they smell good enough to eat. Try out our selection of the best. Fresh Faced - Peach and Honey Face-mask Reap the rewards of this totally nourishing and revitalising natural face-mask that smells good enough to eat. You’ll need: 1 peach, 3 teaspoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt It’s really easy to create the mask, simply skin the peach and mash the flesh with the honey and add the natural yoghurt. Work the ingredients in to a smooth paste and apply to a cleansed face and neck. Sit back and relax for 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Your skin should be left feeling soft, supple and nourished. Luscious Locks - The Natural Way Thanks to its natural conditioning and moisturising properties, coconut oil is the perfect treat for damaged hair. It has a soothing and softening effect on both the scalp and lengths of hair. You’ll need: A cup of coconut oil Massage the oil into the hair, paying particular attention to damaged lengths and ends. Apply

sparingly to the scalp - or not at all if your hair is in fairly good condition. Wrap the hair in clingfilm and cover with a warm towel for maximum conditioning benefit - the heat opens the hair shaft and allows the oil to penetrate. Wash out with shampoo and condition as normal. Glowing Skin - The Ultimate Homemade Exfoliator for the Body You’ll need: Sea salt, Almond oil and Grapefruit Known for its deep cleansing and therapeutic properties, sea salt is an essential part of this naturally nourishing scrub. Mix it together with grated grapefruit peel - to stimulate circulation and finish with almond oil that’s rich in essential fatty acids and the antioxidant vitamin E. After soaking in a warm bath, dry off and apply the mixture to the skin. Thoroughly exfoliate, paying attention to the areas that need it most. Rinse off and moisturise. Soften Up - Exfoliating and Moisturising Hand Treatment You’ll need: 1 ounce of ground almonds 1 teaspoon of clear honey 2 teaspoons of walnut or sunflower oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice A pair of moisturising mitts Combine all of the ingredients together to form a thick paste. Generously apply all over the hands and put on some mitts. Leave for a few minutes, then rinse off. Hands should be left feeling soft and smooth.

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Positive parenting

helps your child to feel secure and loved David Cameron’s recent launch of vouchers for parenting classes has highlighted how difficult it can be to parent well. There can often be situations - such as your young child screaming in a heap on the supermarket floor - when you feel that you have no control over their behaviour, but giving in to their demands doesn’t seem to improve things. However, dealing positively with bad behaviour in a calm, consistent way will help your child as they test you and push the boundaries. Praising good behaviour You’re probably aware of how often you tell your child off, but are you aware of how often you praise them? Parental praise is a big motivator for young children - it makes them feel happy, loved and secure and will raise their self-esteem. Little things like telling them they brushed their teeth really well, or put away their toys without being asked, are all positive affirmations which make them realise you are noticing them.

Keeping positive When your child is misbehaving it can sometimes feel easier to give in to their demands for peace and quiet rather than stick to your guns. But every time you change your mind, you are telling your child that if they are persistent enough they will eventually win. Stay calm and before you say ‘no’, give yourself a few seconds to think your way round the situation that is positive for both of you. For instance, if your child starts playing up in a shop, say that if they behave now, you will do something fun later, or give them a treat. If they carry on misbehaving, warn them of the consequence and if it continues, take calm action, for instance taking away a privilege. For small children, any consequence must happen within a couple of hours to be effective (for instance, missing a TV programme) as otherwise they won’t remember what it was related to. Be consistent: if they play up in the supermarket every time, After make sure there is always a consequence. Tackling trigger points There are often certain points in the day which can cause problems - and if you are aware of these in advance, it will be much easier to deal with them. Going out: If you know your child needs time to adjust after a nap or likes to choose their own clothes before going to nursery, make sure you factor in enough time. If they are indecisive, give a choice of two things and ask which one they would prefer. Meal times: Again, make sure your child has plenty of time to eat a meal and is not rushed. If they’re given foods they don’t like, offer an incentive to at least try it - and praise them when they do. Use this time to bond by sitting and chatting about their day. Bedtimes: Bath and bedtime is a lovely part of the day, but can sometimes be fraught. Chat about your child’s day and praise their good behaviour. Star charts for going to bed without a fight work well - with a small treat every few days for doing well. Don’t leave it a whole week as this is too long for young children. The more positive interaction you have with your child, not only praising, but giving them firm boundaries for behaviour, really will help you to form a close, positive relationship.

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people with parenting experience

required by Home-Start We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need Super Nannies! Home-Start Central Bedfordshire need people with real parenting experience to make a real difference to families struggling to cope. Being a parent with young children can be tough at any time, but in this current economic climate the pressures on families are even greater and for those already struggling to cope with illness, disability, isolation, bereavement or just the challenge of parenting, life can seem overwhelming. Home-Start Central Beds is a local family support charity that recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to provide friendship and support to families in their own homes once a week for a couple of hours. A Home-Start volunteer provides practical advice and help, emotional support and friendship in a confidential, respectful, non-judgemental way. We are currently looking for volunteers to start a new Preparation Course in Mid Beds on Thursday 20th September from 10 am to 2 pm for ten weeks. Training is free, informal, fun and informative and the course is accredited to the Open College Network

for those who would like to gain a qualification. For further information about volunteering and the forthcoming course call Linda or Chris at Home-Start Central Bedfordshire 01582 660061 or email office@ home-startcentralbeds.org.uk If you are considering a job in Health or Social Care then volunteering with Home-Start can help you to get on that career ladder. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be a super nanny to help parents with young children and with your help parents can gain confidence to manage on their own and give their children the best possible start in life. Please give us a call or send an email and make a difference to a family in your community. Home-Start Central Bedfordshire, The Annexe, Downside Neighbourhood Centre Oakwood Ave., Dunstable LU5 4AS T 01582 660061 E office@home-startcentralbeds.org.uk W www.home-startcentralbeds.org.uk Charity Registration no. 1109262

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Eating cereal, LOL

by Chris Russell

It’s official. I am a twit. By which I mean I have begun to twitter. Tweeter, that is. Twittle. Twot. Whatever it is, I’m now doing it. Last week, I joined Twitter properly. My band has had an account for quite some time, of course and actually I’m in charge of that account - but, somehow, running The Lightyears’ Twitter has always felt like a professional duty. Sufficient people have declared themselves fans of ours to at least theoretically justify posting occasional messages. Supply and demand. However, in setting up my personal account (@ sixfootpianist in case anyone was wondering), I’m officially announcing to the world that I deem my spurious personal thoughts on the largely banal things that happen to me daily to be worthy of advertisement. Obviously I’ll be carefully avoiding Twitter clichés such as posting endless photos of my cat/breakfast/hair, but still… when you think about it, isn’t the fundamental principle behind the world’s most successful social networking site just a teeny bit arrogant? Everyone, claims Twitter, has something interesting to say. Everyone deserves a voice. That’s a very nice idea, but it is of course total rubbish. Not everyone has something interesting to say; if they did, we’d all be after-dinner speakers or philosophers. Here are some genuine tweets from the last 24 hours: ‘i’m gonna go sleep again cuz i feel sleepy’ ‘forgotten how much i love toast omg’ ‘i have completely run out of pants’ I rest my case. What does this mean for society, this trend for allowing every last Tom, Dick & Harry a turn on the soapbox? An excellent documentary I recently watched entitled ‘PressPausePlay’ addresses the salient issue of the democratisation of culture

- once upon a time, you had to be a filmmaker to shoot films, or a musician to make music; now all you need is a Smartphone. One of the interviewees made a very interesting point about how this shift in mankind’s cultural development might be regarded by future generations. We’ll all look back on the last ten to fifteen years, he hypothesised, and feel really quite ashamed of ourselves. That video of the dog saying ‘I love you’ has been viewed seventy-five million times on YouTube. The Indonesian baby that smokes forty a day, he’s got twenty million. But the Moon landing? A mere seven mill. And consider this… the Tweeter in my earlier example who had ‘completely run out of pants’ has eighty-five followers. That’s eighty-five people who have consciously decided that it’s in their personal interest to monitor the underwear status of an (in all probability) complete stranger. Can that be a good thing? We could carry on arguing this forever, of course, and indeed the technology-versus-integrity debate is likely to rage indefinitely, even as Twitter eventually crumbles to make way for its inevitable multi-billion dollar successor. Either way, I’m afraid this is my final word on the matter, as I really must go now. I have, no joke, run out of pants and need to do some laundry. Perhaps I’ll make a movie about it and post it on YouTube. ‘My Pants - A Retrospective...’ Chris plays piano in South London power-pop band The Lightyears. Voted the UK’s BEST POP/ ROCK ACT at the Indy Awards, they’ve played Wembley Stadium, toured across four continents and released a record with Sting’s producer. Chris is currently working on his first novel, “Mockstars”. Read more of Chris’ blogs and tour diaries at www.TheLightyears.com.

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High tech TV

Could the gogglebox become a Google Box? Although TV technology has changed dramatically over the years, with sets getting bigger, thinner and more detailed - and in some cases threedimensional - the way we use them has barely changed until now. Here’s how some of tech’s biggest names want to transform your television. Samsung’s awfully named UE40ES8000 TV shows where things are heading. Its bright 40-inch LED display can handle both 2D and 3D and more interestingly, can be controlled by waving at it. Your first wave gets the TV’s attention, and you can then change channels or volume with simple gestures. There’s a lot to gesture at. In addition to a Freeview HD tuner, there’s also integrated Wi-Fi wireless networking so that the TV can connect to your wireless network, enabling iPad-style apps such as the BBC iPlayer and YouTube. You can also subscribe to film-on-demand services such as Lovefilm and Netflix, or use social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. There’s even a Skype application for making voice and video calls. It’s clever stuff, but there are two problems. The first is the price. At £1,499 the UE40ES8000 is the cheapest in the range. The second is that we tend to keep our TVs for much longer than we do our computers. Will Samsung’s apps still work three years from now, or five? Will something better come along and make it obsolete? For now the smarter choice might be a box that brings similar features to your existing TV. Apple’s TV (£99) is one option, offering iTunes movie downloads and rentals as well as optional Netflix video on demand. It can also stream movies from your Mac, PC, iPad or iPhone. A similar Googlepowered set from Sony, the NSZ-GS7 (£200) goes on sale this summer, and a version that also includes a Blu-Ray disc player is expected later this year. If you’d considered an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 but dismissed them because you’re not too interested in games, it might be time to think again: both consoles have dropped in price (you can get them for less than £150) and become powerful multimedia systems. For example the Xbox has its own Zune video marketplace as well as apps for Sky TV, Lovefilm and Netflix. Nintendo’s Wii is handy here, too, with both iPlayer and Netflix available, and you can even get Lovefilm and Netflix-enabled DVD players. Just

Xbox 360

Sony NSZ-GS7

Apple TV

Samsung UE40ES8000

bear in mind that to access those services you’ll need to connect your devices to the internet, and you’ll also need to pay a subscription fee for the video on demand services. Today’s TV technology is very clever, but the big question is whether Apple TV, Google TV or any other high-tech system will take over the mainstream: many of us find Sky+ boxes and Virgin Media TiVo’s enough hassle, and adding all kinds of apps and services to the gogglebox could annoy as many people as it enthuses. There’s also the issue that technology isn’t always as good as it’s cracked up to be: despite our Xbox having both voice and gesture recognition in the shape of its Kinect sensor, we’ve often found ourselves bellowing and waggling our arms with no effect whatsoever. If your current TV set-up is doing everything you need it to do, it might be a good idea to wait a few years before upgrading. That way you’ll see what, if any, TV technology emerges triumphant.

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Caring for Elderly Pets

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti Just like us humans, our pets age, and just like humans, as they age they become susceptible to more ailments. Check your pet regularly for changes in behaviour or appearance that could indicate the onset of illness or disease. Reduced activity could be a sign that your pet is in pain, perhaps due to arthritis. This can be eased by gentle massage, but dogs also need to continue to exercise in order to keep the joints free, although too much exercise can cause more harm than good. If they’re less active, your pet might gain weight - resulting in additional health problems. This can be remedied by decreasing their calorie intake. Some elderly pets experience a loss of appetite – perhaps due to a reduction in their sense of taste or smell - that could result in weight loss. Encourage eating by offering smaller meals more regularly, by gently warming the food and by ensuring it is fresh. Your pet also needs a quiet, undisturbed place to eat. Older pets are more susceptible to heart and lung disease. Signs include coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties and general weakness. Bumps, lumps and swellings may indicate cancer and if your pet becomes incontinent or starts to urinate more frequently, this could be due to changes in the urinary tract, prostrate or other body systems. In all cases, the sooner problems are spotted, the better the chance of successful treatment, so consult your vet promptly. Of course, not all conditions are lifethreatening. Ear infections are common in dogs and signs include a discharge from the ear, persistent head shaking and pawing. If your pet is already hard of hearing, an infection could make this worse, so be sure to make allowances and speak up! If your pet starts bumping into things, tends to stay closer to the wall than usual and follows closely on your heels, their sight may be failing. Eye problems include infections, cataracts, decreased night vision and blindness. Watch out for eyes that discharge, look discoloured,

cloudy or glassy. You can help your pet cope by keeping the environment familiar – don’t move furniture around! Keep an eye on their teeth and if you notice any swelling of the gums take them to the vet as gum disease, in addition to causing tooth decay, could result in infections being passed into the blood which could cause damage to organs already less efficient and less able to resist infection. Finally, remember to keep your pet warm in winter. If you are cold, chances are they are too, so put a sweater on both of you! Having an elderly pet isn’t all doom and gloom. Ageing is part of life, and with lots of love, care, patience and regular visits to the vet, there is no reason why you and your pet shouldn’t enjoy getting old together!

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ANIMAL KNOW-HOW

Should your pet be neutered? The RSPCA says ‘YES’! Neutering can help prevent many illnesses, some unwanted behaviors and it reduces the huge number of unwanted pets in Bedfordshire. A neutered animal is no longer able to reproduce. Neutering has many benefits that apply not only to dogs and cats but also to other small animals such as rabbits and ferrets. • Neutering prevents the risk of testicular cancer in male animals and uterus infections and cancers in females. • In male dogs and cats, neutering can reduce behaviours such as urine marking and roaming. • Neutering prevents female animals coming into season, when they may attract unwanted male attention, become pregnant or have false pregnancies. • Unneutered female animals can be messy when they come into season – during this time, females can bleed for up to three weeks. • Animals don’t respect family relationships – siblings will mate. This increases the risk of offspring being born with birth defects and deformities. • If an unneutered pet becomes pregnant and there is a problem during or after the birth, vet fees can be very expensive. Offspring might need veterinary attention too.   Owners have a legal responsibility to meet all of their animal’s needs under the Animal Welfare

Act 2006 – whether that be pregnant and nursing animals or their offspring. So, neutering really is the best thing for your pet, for the health and well being of the animals in your neighbourhood, and for you, it makes financial sense too. ANIMAL KNOW-HOW is one of a series of articles brought to you by the RSPCA North Bedfordshire branch. www.rspca-bedfordshirenorth.org.uk

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The Evil Weevil

by pippa greenwood The vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) is notorious, especially for gardeners who concentrate on pots, and always feature in any gardening poll of ‘top pests’. Both the adults and their grubs do damage, but it’s the innocent looking grubs that give the vine weevil its bad reputation. They’re an immensely successful pest; there are only females and each one is capable of laying about 1,000 eggs during the summer. Now that they’re being controlled successfully commercially, they’re perhaps less of a problem to gardeners than they once were but if you have them in your garden, whether you like it or not, you probably need to get to know them better. How Do You Know You Have Vine Weevils? The adult vine weevil is just under 1cm long, matt black with tiny gingery brown flecks on its wingcases. They’re a classic weevil shape with elbowed antennae and a phenomenal ability to grip on to nearly any surface; a brilliant feature as, despite the wing-cases, these pests cannot fly, so rely on their climbing to access the foliage on which they feed. You’re likely to notice the notches around the leaf margins before you see the weevil itself. They tend to feed in the evening or at night, usually doing most damage on the lower, most accessible leaves. The young stage weevils or grubs are about 1cm long, creamy white in colour and often curled into a ‘C’ shape, with no legs but a gingery brown head. You’re likely to find them in the compost or soil, usually close to the roots or tubers that they’ve been feeding on. They eat the roots, burrow in to tubers and on woody plants may even eat the tissues at the stem base and on larger roots. Unless you’re removing a plant from its pot, or digging one up you’re unlikely to notice the grubs; it is when a plant suddenly starts to wilt or die, or you realise that something is no longer firmly rooted that alarm bells should begin to ring. What Do Vine Weevils Attack? Vine weevils will attack nearly any plant you try to grow, particularly in containers, probably because it’s easier for them to move through compost than garden soil. They’re a greater problem on perennial plants and those with fleshier roots or tubers. Alpines, cyclamen, primulas, fuchsias, hydrangeas, begonias, rhododendrons, euonymus, and strawberries seem to be particularly prone to attack. The adult beetles emerge mostly between March and May, but also at other times in greenhouses. The eggs are tiny and dark brown, each less than

1mm diameter and are placed close to a suitable host plant. The eggs hatch to produce the creamy coloured grubs which feed and grow until they reach full size. The grubs pupate in the soil or compost where they have been feeding and within the pupae, if you look carefully you can see adult features developing – the antennae, the legs and the wing pads are often clearly visible. The adults then appear, start to feed and lay eggs. What Can You Do? Try to avoid getting vine weevils in the first place. Check plants carefully for foliage damage and check the roots before you introduce anything new to your garden. Buy plants only from reputable sources. Avoid re-using compost in containers as it might contain grubs or eggs, which are impossible to spot. As vine weevils cannot fly, making barriers is relatively easy. Put a ring of non-setting glue around the rim of containers as this should prevent the female from reaching the compost surface to lay her eggs. Similarly a gritty mulch may reduce the number of eggs that are laid and hatch. Try creating miniature moats around the legs of greenhouse staging, by standing each leg in a bowl of water. Vine weevils can’t swim and won’t be able to access the plants provided the staging doesn’t touch the sides of the greenhouse. I’m a fan of the biological nematode controls. They’re available from mail order suppliers (including www.pippagreenwood.com) and some seed catalogues and are applied as a compost or soil drench. To work effectively the area must be kept constantly moist, so that the nematodes can move through the compost to attack the grubs. They enter the grubs’ bodies and produce a bacterial infection which kills them. The nematode controls need to have a soil or compost temperature of 5-21C and you’ll have the best effect if you use them during August and September.

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Rural Ramblings BY GEOFF WHARTON

Don’t Get Fooled Again Imagine the horror of waking up in hospital after an operation to find that an extra arm from an unknown stranger had somehow been attached to part of your body. The shock of finding that this had been done was exacerbated the following day when you realised that this was the only limb remaining on your body as your original ones had been removed!! Later you found that this limb was taking control, but you fought back as you developed a secondary growth of replacement arms!! You may think that this scenario is far removed from reality but don’t be too complacent as you may have an example lurking in YOUR back-garden already in the process of spreading it’s spikey tentacles like a malevolent triffid. What on earth am I talking about?? The technical horticultural term given to this situation is suckering, which describes the production of vigorous shoots originating from below ground and originating from the parent plant such as roses and fruit trees. Many years ago some whizz- kid of a gardener thought it would be interesting to see if he/she could take a bud or a short length of stem from a particularly pleasant variety of rose they had and splice it onto a knobbly stem of wild rose. By carefully binding the bud or graft (scion) onto this rootstock, they managed to develop a method of propagation which was much more successful than from cuttings which had a poor rooting percentage. This system produced the same variety of plant, which was not the case when growing from seed. To propagate fruit trees, the same procedure was followed, but this time one from a range of different rootstocks was chosen in order to control how large the tree would grow and how quickly it would start to produce fruit. Everything was great both in the rose and fruit garden, but then the dreaded suckers started to appear. Not a problem if the grower could recognise it and remove it by cutting it below ground from where it originated from the 36

rootstock (If it was cut above ground it would simply respond by producing more unwanted suckers) However if they were left , they would slowly start to take over from the original plant as they tended to be more vigorous. Suckers from hybrid tea roses tend to produce leaves with seven or more leaflets and have more spines. They will only produce small flowers (dog-roses) Suckers from fruit trees have leaves of different shapes to those of the cultivated variety. It is a good idea to check all of your fruit trees and roses for these unwelcome shoots and spend some time carefully removing them even if this is a bit difficult. Don’t worry about your fruit bushes! They are not propagated by budding or grafting and are grown on their OWN root system and therefore never produce suckers. Phew!

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Mercedes Benz E63 AMG

BY JAMES BAGGOTT

If you asked a bloke to build a car – the sort that drinks real ale, has a hairy chest, likes football (maybe rugby) and ‘birds’ – you could probably guess what you would end up with. It would have a big engine. Actually, scrap that. It would have a MASSIVE engine. It would need to be rear wheel drive. It would have lots of toys to impress his mates and confuse his wife/bird/life partner. And it would need to look flash. Oh, and probably be German. Let us introduce you, then, to the car that Dave Down The Duck built - the Mercedes E63 AMG must have been built by someone with more testosterone than an end of school prom. Let’s talk numbers first. Under the bonnet you will find a 5.5 litre V8 with two turbos. It produces a frankly ridiculous 557bhp and, with the AMG pack (£6,495) fitted to our test car, 800Nm of torque. This is about the same as a Harrier Jump Jet. Probably. It will hit 60mph in just four seconds and is limited (quite heavily) to 155 mph. Oh, and it has seven gears. Even the price tag is whopping – off the shelf it’s £74,695, but our test car with what appears to be every optional extra box ticked, weighed in at £91,245. And what does all that mean? It means this is one scary super saloon. Not only does it sound like a Spitfire at full chat, but it’s football hooligan lairy. At 70 mph on a wet road it has the grunt to spin up the rear wheels. In fact at any speed, on pretty much any road, it has the power to spin up the rear wheels. Which is scary and smile inducing

in equal measures. On the road, traction control fully engaged, it flickers its warning lights on the exit of even supermarket car parks. On the track, with the safety nets disengaged it is weapons grade bonkers. But bloody brilliant. Inside, the switchgear – and the fact there’s a Boeing-load of it – takes a while to get used to, but it’s incredibly comfortable. That’s probably something to do with the heated, cooling and massaging seats. The seats are so clever that they even inflate the side bolsters to hold you in place when you go around corners. And talking of clever, that’s one thing that gets up my nose a little about the Merc. It’s all a little bit too smart. No one wants their car to be cleverer than they are and at times the Merc certainly feels a bit too Skynet for my liking. However, as super saloons go, this Merc certainly has the right ingredients. It’s stupidly fast, sounds amazing and is long-haul comfortable. It’s just a little tougher to get to grips with than its biggest rival, the BMW M5, which is why we’d go for the Beemer instead. Model: Mercedes E63 AMG Price: £91,245 (as tested) Engine: 5.5-litre, V8 Power: 557bhp, 800Nm Max speed: 155mph 0-60mph: 4.0s MPG (comb’d): 28.8 Emissions: 230g/km Verdict: Bonkers fast, bonkers sound and bonkers price tag.

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SEASONAL DELIGHTS

LAMB AND AUBERGINE CURRY

This quick curry is so easy to make and much cheaper than a take away. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used lean lamb steaks but you could replace the lamb with pork fillet, chicken or turkey. Serves 4 Ready in 50 minutes INGREDIENTS 3 tbsp sunflower oil 650g lean lamb steaks, cut into chunks 1 onion, peeled and chopped 1 large aubergine, cut into cubes 2tbsp Rogan Josh curry paste 400g sieved tomatoes Salt and freshly ground black pepper Fresh coriander leaves, to garnish Chapattis, sliced tomatoes, cucumber and onion, to serve 1 Heat 1tbsp of the oil in a large deep frying pan. Add the lamb chunks and fry over a high heat until browned all over. Remove the lamb from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.

2 Add the rest of the oil to the pan and fry the onion and aubergine for 7-8 minutes, stirring all the time until golden. Stir in the curry paste and cook for 1 minute then pour in the sieved tomatoes and bring to the boil. 3 Return to the lamb to the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook gently for 25-30 minutes until the lamb is tender. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if needed. 3 Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve the curry in warmed bowls garnished with coriander and with chapattis, sliced tomatoes, cucumber and onions. TIP Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find jars of curry pastes in most supermarkets and they certainly take all the hassle out of making an authentic tasting curry at home. Rogan josh is a medium-hot paste but for a really mild flavour use a korma paste or go for a vindaloo paste if you prefer a curry with a little more heat.

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Wet rooms

By KATHeRINE SORELL They’re hip, they’re hot and they’re wet, wet, wet – and no, we’re not talking about an Eighties pop band, but the aspirational trend for bathrooms. Katherine Sorrell looks at what you need to know before installing a wet room or walk-in shower. Just what is a wet room anyway? - In a conventional wet room, the whole bathroom is, potentially, the shower area. There’s no step up into the shower cubicle – in fact, there’s no shower cubicle; instead, the room is tanked (treated to make it completely waterproof) and given a floor drain and a decent-sized shower head. Add a conventional loo and basin, and bingo, you have a wet room. Why would I want one? - Wet rooms done well are stylish, contemporary and seen as the last word in luxury, and some say they add value to a property – though it must be added that this seems to apply mainly to high-end, urban homes rather than your average suburban semi or country cottage. If you enjoy an indulgent shower then a wet room gives you an unparalleled sense of freedom and space (you can even design it so you have a view); and if your bathroom is on the small side then removing the bath will give you loads more room. Wet rooms should be easier to keep clean, too – no fiddling around the screen or tray, just a mop over as necessary, which is especially easy if you fit a wall-mounted basin and WC. Finally, wet rooms can be better for older people or anyone with impaired mobility, as there’s no step up into the shower to negotiate. What can go wrong? - It’s not advisable to convert your only bathroom into a wet room – potential buyers tend to want at least one bath and, what’s more, you do need access to a dry loo and basin, especially if there’s more than one of you in the household. In a family bathroom a wet floor may create problems for small children. As with all home improvements, adding an inappropriately over-the-top wet room to an otherwise ordinary house is not a good idea. Without good ventilation a wet room can all too quickly become musty and mouldy. And, last but by no means least, there’s every wet room owner’s nightmare – a failure in the tanking resulting in leaks and damp patches. Can I have a wet-room without the potential problems? - Absolutely. You can create a walk-in shower, which is larger than usual, at floor level

for ease of access, and just as streamlined and chic. The advantage is that it has its own belowfloor drainage area and is enclosed by a goodlooking glass panel: thus the water is contained in one area (so no soaked loo roll), and the room won’t need such extensive preparation with regard to drainage and tanking. The risk of leaks is reduced – though there are no guarantees. The disadvantage is that a walk-in will take up more space than a standard shower cubicle. What are the technicalities? - Wet rooms are often recommended for ground floors and basements, where the sub-floor is more likely to be solid. In a first-floor installation it’s more tricky. You may need to strengthen joists in order to bear the load of heavy stone tiles; you’ll certainly need to ensure that the floor is stable, as wooden joists that flex could create cracks in tiles or waterproofing. In all cases you need to create a suitable drainage slope, either with a ‘former’ and suitable levelling compound, or a pre-formed tray set into the floor. To accommodate waste fittings, you may need to raise the entire floor level of the room, which could mean having to re-size the doorway. Really good tanking is vital. It may be in the form of impermeable sheeting or a trowelledon sealant, and should be applied to the entire floor of the wet room or walk-in, the walls that are likely to become wet, and extend beyond by 50cm each side. Another option for walls is to use prefabricated water-resistant boarding. In both cases it is necessary to seal vulnerable areas (corner joints and pipework penetrations) using a special sealing strip. Then there’s your water supply. If you have low water pressure or a small tank, for example, you may need to fit a bigger tank or add a pump. Finally, ventilation. Fit a really good extractor fan, following building regulations religiously (ask advice from your local planning authority), and avoid condensation by also having some form of heating in the room, whether underfloor or radiators.

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Working from home

The house considered as a gym Well, I’ve had my heart attack – fortunately minor, and much to nobody’s very great surprise. The temptation to conflate “working from home” with “housebound” gradually crept up on me, and for the last few years the only exercise I’ve taken has been walking the dog in the morning and ambling to the pub two or three evenings a week. In fact I was on my way home from a beer festival when it happened, which I suppose is justice of a sort. When I think about it (and a heart attack, however minor, does prompt a certain amount of reflection) it’s astonishing how lazy I’ve become. I do actually possess a bike, but it’s so long since I’ve ridden it that the wheels are now anchored to the ground by thick coils of bindweed. I walk to town most days, but as town is three minutes stroll away it’s not exactly a vigorous cardiovascular workout. Even walking the dog doesn’t raise a sweat – I pooter along gently while she runs frantic rings around me.

Couple this epic lack of activity with a fondness for beer and pork scratchings and it’s a heart attack waiting to happen – and mine thought it had waited quite long enough. I’ve actually gone on a diet, which is showing early promise at the cost of quite some personal sacrifice. I’ve replaced butter, which I love, with cholesterol-busting low-fat spread, which I hate. On my (wholemeal) toast I’ve replaced marmalade, which I adore, with Marmite, which happily I also adore. I’ve given up cheese (almost), and I take the skin off my roast chicken. I’ve also given up beer and scratchings, but this has the downside of curtailing my exercise regime – ie the regular stroll to the pub and back. And exercise is just as important as diet. I know what I should be doing. I should be cycling, swimming, jogging, doing Nordic walking in the park with a couple of ski poles – that sort of malarkey. But my working day is already quite fragmented enough what with laundry, washing up, straightening the cushions on the sofa and all the other myriad household chores that take the working out of working from home. Instead, therefore, I intend to reinvent my house as a gym. Here’s how I plan to do it. Stretching: I’m moving all the kitchen items I frequently use – coffee, the tin-opener, that sort of thing – from the bottom shelf of the dresser to the top and all the items I never use – the teapot, mainly – from the top shelf to the bottom. The extra stretching this entails will provide a good warm-up for the day’s exertions. Step exercises: henceforth I’ll use the upstairs loo rather than the downstairs one – 14 steps five times a day, or thereabouts, should soon trim those unsightly pounds. The treadmill: I propose to take the empty milkbottles out to the crate one at a time instead of all at once. The crate is at the far end of the garden, all of 10 yards from the back door, and I might even be quite brisk about it. The rowing machine: I’m putting all the condiments at the far end of the kitchen table from the place where I usually sit. I am confident that these measures will supply all the exercise I need to pre-empt any further cardiovascular interruptions. But not very confident...

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CODEWORD

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9 X 9 PUZZLE

How to play Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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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Five Good Reasons to...

Learn a Foreign Language College evening classes start up again this month. Take the plunge and learn a new language. Here are five good reasons to enrol right now. Make new friends - Languages require practice! It’s easier to talk to new people if you’re both concentrating on something other than how shy you are. Chatting in a foreign language is a good way to break the ice and get to know your classmates. Improve your English! - Learning a new language helps us understand tenses, prepositions, and all the other parts of speech we normally take for granted. As a result we speak and write more precisely. Many great writers were / are polyglots! Enrich your travel experiences -Connecting with the locals is the best way to get the most out of travelling. People are more welcoming if you make an effort to speak their language. It can turn an ordinary trip into the holiday of a lifetime. Join the global community – Most of the rest of the world does not speak English! As the world

becomes smaller and more interconnected it’s easy to see that we’ll come into contact with more and more non-English speakers. A foreign language puts you at an advantage in business and personal relationships. Sense of accomplishment - Wouldn’t it be cool to tell people that you speak two or more languages? Not many people in this country can, so if you can pull it off you have a reason to be really proud of yourself.

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The Better Life

by Derek Thompson The Better Life is the tales and observations of a London townie, who downshifted to Cornwall. A bit like the Good Life, but with the internet. It all started one morning in the kitchen, when Anne asked, “How would you feel about keeping chickens?” I didn’t answer right away. In the time we’ve been together I’ve learned the language of subtext. I finished my breakfast and replied, “When are we picking them up?” I wasn’t entirely averse to the idea of a little selfsufficiency. Who doesn’t have fond memories of The Good Life - and especially Felicity Kendal? Plus it’d be a chance to shed my townie upbringing and dispel that grim story my dad used to tell - the one about dispatching a chicken for the first and only time, where the head came off in his hands and the headless chicken ran up the path. Stage one in Operation Chickadee was researching coops and chicken feed and, well, chickens really. There’s a lot to learn about chicken behaviour, the different breeds and their foibles. Having taken advice, we decided on hybrids, as they’re more reliable for eggs and point-of-lay birds for immediate production. We went upmarket with the coop, choosing an easy care metal and plastic affair from Omlet (yes, really!). Now all we needed to do was find the right chickens - and Anne was already on the case. The day after the chicken coop and run were installed in the front garden, we entered the mysterious world of farm supplies. Layers pellets, grit (for strong shells), straw and worming treatment - check. However, my suggestion that we buy jodhpurs as well fell on stony ground. Having located a poultry supplier, we headed out with an empty cat box and a pile of newspaper. The farmer led us to a densely populated barn and said, “Take your pick.” I don’t know exactly how Anne chose the chickens - which the farmer insisted were hens - but we went home with Sweet Pea (a Plymouth Rock / Maran) and Pepperami (a Plymouth Rock / Rhode Island). The chickens were confined to barracks for a few days, to allow them to settle in and retrain the cat. Once they emerged, we noted the following: 1. At least an egg a day! 2. A huge reduction in the snail population. 3. Sweet Pea failed to live up to her name, went broody and took it out on the cat (luckily it’s a

very fast cat). 4. The garden quickly came to resemble The Somme. Something had to be done because, unlike me, Anne is a passionate gardener. Plus, the round up in the evenings was time consuming. We fenced off one half of the garden and, after a few ‘great escapes’, augmented the fencing with extra bamboo canes in leaf, whereupon the chickens looked as if they were starring in their own episode of Tenko. Sweet Pea and Pepperami were both restful to watch and very entertaining. They performed chicken yoga wing stretching exercises. They played tug-of-war with snails and ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ tussles over worms, morning porridge and, on one unfortunate occasion, a wood mouse. Our neighbours relish the availability of fresh, local eggs and they enjoy the egg-laying serenade every morning. And the poultry poop makes great compost. No chickens were harmed in the making of this feature. My dad would be proud. Derek Thompson is a writer and humourist based in the West Country. His writing blog can be found at www. alongthewritelines.blogspot.com and he is also a regular at www.strictlywriting.blogspot.com

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The Villager Prize Crossword

Last Month’s Crossword Winners Congratulations to: 1st - Paul James from Letchworth 2nd - Mrs. A Wallace from Bedford For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com

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Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 19th September 2012 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

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Across 1 Demand (6) 4 Smaller (6) 9 Hair cleanser (7) 10 Spin (5) 11 Freight (5) 12 Advantage (7) 13 Always (11) 18 Tolerant (7) 20 Arrive at (5) 22 Expel (5) 23 Apparent (7) 24 Dismal (6) 25 Floats (6) Down 1 Bug (6) 2 Step (5) 3 Prop up (7) 5 Consumed (5) 6 Accomplished (7) 7 Tell (6) 8 Mixture (11) 14 Exterior (7) 15 Appearance (7) 16 Scatter (6) 17 Phantoms (6) 19 Insert (5) 21 Bypass (5)

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Painting & Decorating Property Maintenance

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what’S ON?

IN SEPTEMBER

10 June-30 September Tea at Radwell Every Sunday afternoon 3-5pm Radwell Village Hall Selection of home-made cakes, tea, coffee, soft drinks. Typical price: tea & piece of cake £1.60. Supporting Radwell Village Hall. 1 September The Signals Museum Open 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 www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk for full information. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 1 September Old Warden Grand Village Fete 2pm Free entry Village Hall & Garden Traditional stalls. Free children’s entertainment. eas and cakes, produce stall and Tombola. Tel: Stall bookings Debbie 01767 627756 Tel: Rod 01767 627756 or Dawn 01767 627753 1 September Whitney Houston Tribute Tickets £10 Arlesey Town Football Club presents a Whitney Houston Tribute plus support disco Tickets from Lesley at the club or call Lesley on 07717 462393. 2 September ‘Time Explorers’ History and Archaeology Day 10am-5pm RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Adults £2, Children £1 Free parking A full day of activities for all the family! Archaeologists and experts will be on hand with demonstrations, hands on fun and informative walks, discovering the important Iron Age hillfort on the site. Watch as the smelter casts a bronze dagger. Children can turn into an ancient Britain warrior with a woad face paint, design and paint cave art, throw a spear and join in with lots of other great activities. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge

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

5 September R.H.S. Hyde Hall Members £11.50, Non-Members £13.50 including entry to the garden Letchworth District Gardeners Association trip to Hyde Hall, Chelmsford, with sweeping panoramas and big open skies this garden inspires all visitors. Coach will depart from the Bus Stop opposite Barclays Bank at 9am and will leave Hyde Hall at 4pm. If paying by cheque please make it payable to L.D.G.A. Tel: Thelma Colman 01462 674696. 14 Crabtree Dell, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 2TJ. 6-9 September Heritage Open Days Properties open free and guided walks, co-ordinated by Bedford Borough. Web: www.heritageopendays.org.uk or www. bedford.gov.uk/heritageopendays 8-16 September Spoilt for Choice Exhibition 10am-5pm daily Russell Room, Woburn Abbey, Woburn Organised by Bedfordshire Artist’s network showcasing Bedfordshire’s rich seam of artistic talent. Work from 14 professional artists offering a wide and diverse range of dazzling, fine art work. There will be a mixture of contemporary and traditional paintings, mixed media, wire drawings (yes, come and see!), sculptural handmade hats and exclusive art postcards from each artist, giving something for everyone to experience and enjoy. There will be artists to welcome you and give you the opportunity to ask questions about the art work. You really will be spoilt for choice! This is the perfect recipe for exploring Art at its best. Tel: 0844 357 5420 Web: www.artsnetbeds.org.uk 8 September Heritage Open Day at Willington Dovecote & Stables: More Heritage Fashions and Fabrics 1-5pm Willington Dovecote and Stables, Church End, Willington Free admission Special Tudor buildings; demonstrations of Tudor and Stuart Blackwork and Stumpwork embroidery, people dressed in Tudor costume. Why not join in with dressing up and children’s activities with a Tudor theme? You could also explore the church next door and enjoy some tea and cake. Some advertised attractions may be subject to alteration or cancellation. Tel: 01234 404879

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what’S ON? IN SEPTEMBER

9 September Companion Dog Show - Pedigree and Novelty Classes Registration from 9.30am. Pedigree Classes commence 11.00am /Novelty classes commence 11.30am G & M Growers, Upper Caldecote, SG18 9BU R.A.T.S. (Re-homing Animal Telephone Service). Stalls, home-made refreshments available. All proceeds go directly to helping the animals in our care. Tel: 01234 871174 Web: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk 13 September Quiz Night 7pm for 7.30pm Ickleford Village Hall £6 including fish & chips Beds & Bucks Oddfellows Quiz Night. Teams or individuals welcome. Please book by calling Sue on 07971 853881 or visit www.oddfellowsbedsandbucks.co.uk 21 September Celebrating International Peace Day 2-8pm Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Rosehill, Hitchin Road, Letchworth Take time out from your busy day and drop in for as long as you wish. Just come to sit, listen or join in. You can bring a picnic and sit in the beautiful grounds or eat in the café. Peace Mantras, guided Meditations, breathing practices to still the mind, hands on healing, to encourage a little bit of calm in a crazy world. Take some time out to cultivate a state of peace within yourself. Open to all babes in arms, toddlers, teenagers, adults of all ages. All monies raised will be donated to CPI charity www. internationaldayofpeace.org. Tel: Jacqui 01462 678804 Email: jaqui@letchworthcentre.org Web: www.letchworthcentre.org 22 September Silent Walk 11am-12.30pm RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Adults £4, RSPB Members £3, Children £3 (not suitable for under 16s) A sensory, silent walk to experience stillness and silence through the body, using meditation, breathing and awareness to connect with nature. The walk, led by Josa Pepper, starts with an introduction and ends with a discussion and feedback session. Booking essential – limited numbers. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge

30 September The Lodge House and its gardens Phone to book a tour time RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Adults £5, RSPB Members £4, Children £3, under 12s and RSPB Wildlife Explorers free Ever wondered what it’s like inside the large old house at The Lodge? We’ll be opening the doors to show you around today, with local historians Derek Niemann and Barry Groom giving tours around the old mansion, now the RSPB’s working Headquarters. We’ll also have experts on hand to show the special trees and plants that fill the organic gardens. Booking essential. Please pay in advance. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge 6 October The Signals Museum Open 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 www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk for full information. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 18 October Windsor Castle Trip Local pick up points £32 Members, £42 Non-members Coach trip to Windsor Castle with a behind the scenes tour of the Kitchens. Limited tickets available for this very special trip, so please book soon to avoid disappointment. Phone Sue on 07971 853881 or visit www.oddfellowsbedsandbucks.co.uk 20 October Singing Day with Peter Phillips 10am-3.30pm St Mary’s Church, Hitchin £24, full time students free Singing Day with Peter Phillips, world-renowned as the Director of the Tallis Scholars and now also Director of Music at Merton College, Oxford. The day will be devoted to preparing and singing Tallis’s famous motet in forty parts, Spem in Alium, at the beautiful Parish Church of St Mary in Hitchin. Tel: Box Office 01462 459446 Email: info@benslowmusic.org Web: www.benslowmusic.org

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Flossing

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between teeth and under the gum line, which could cause gum disease and tooth decay. Recent research shows that diseased gums are responsible for the release of inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, which can then contribute to heart disease. Flossing should form part of our daily dental hygiene routine, but to be effective needs to be done properly. Here’s how! Choose your floss. If your teeth are close together, try a waxed version which slides easier between the teeth. Break off about 18 inches of floss, wind around the middle finger of each hand until 1-2 inches remain and pull tightly between the thumb and index finger. Using a gentle ‘rocking’ motion, guide the floss between the teeth until it reaches the gum line, then gently guide the floss up and down against the side of the tooth and under the gum line. Using a clean section of floss, repeat for the next

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tooth and continue the process until all teeth have been treated, not forgetting to floss the side of the teeth at the back of your mouth! The jury is still out on whether it is best to floss before or after brushing, but the most important thing is to do it. It isn’t just good for fresh breath, it’s good for the health of your entire body!

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