Potton April 2013 by debi1977

VILLAGER The

Issue 90 - April 2013

and Town

Life

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

Bringing Local Business to local People in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay and all surrounding villages. 11,000 copies delivered to over 30 towns and villages every month

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VILLAGER

In this Issue

Issue 90 - April 2013

The

and Town

Life

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

Manor Farm Nursery Sandy

Bringing Local Business to local People in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Gamlingay and all surrounding villages. 11,000 copies delivered to over 30 towns and villages every month

Al Fresco Holidays

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Perfect for Families

Editorial Solange Hando, Sarah Fryer, Pippa Greenwood, Geoff Wharton, James Baggott, Sarah Brookes, Helen Taylor, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Alex Brown, Lee Bestall and Bruce Edwards. Advertising Sales Nigel Frost nigel@villagermag.com

Alliance Foster Care By Melanie Hulse

Jordan’s Mill

My Melanie Hulse

Gilks Fencing

By Melanie Hulse

Photography Dragan Dejanovic Adam Bent

Prize Crossword

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 www.villagermag.com

VILLAGER The

Disclaimer

and Town Life

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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The History of the Red Kite.......................................................... 4 Big Ben Cast at Whitechapel.......................................................15 Town Planning and Price of Parking...........................................16 Neighbours from Hell..................................................................18 Where Am I?............................................................................... 20 Odd Gadgets................................................................................27 Bleed Baby Bleed....................................................................... 28 Happy Birthday Sue Ryder......................................................... 32 Make Up Tricks........................................................................... 35 St. George’s Day......................................................................... 36 Here Comes the Bride................................................................ 38 Can you Dig It?.............................................................................41 Top 5 Money Saving Apps.......................................................... 43 Planning a Funeral...................................................................... 44 Grow Your Own Veg....................................................................51 Rural Ramblings......................................................................... 52 Get Composting......................................................................... 55 Animal Stories............................................................................60 Children’s Page........................................................................... 65 AWD XJ Porsche Cayenne.......................................................... 67 Fun Quiz...................................................................................... 70 Seasonal Delights....................................................................... 73 What’s On................................................................................... 74 London Marathon...................................................................... 76 Puzzle Page................................................................................80 Hong Kong Island....................................................................... 85 Continental Market Comes to Sandy........................................89 Book Review............................................................................... 92

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THE History of... The Red Kite

By SARAH FRYER

The Red Kite, a beautiful bird distinguished by its remarkable colouring and breeding habits, is a relatively large bird of prey. From the family, Accipitridae, which also includes many other nocturnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers, it has become a star in its own right. This glorious creature has an abundance of history attached to it, dating back as far as the 15th century, and if myths and rumors are to be regarded as true, we came very close to losing such a precious bird from our planet forever. In the early 15th century, United Kingdom Red Kites were ever present scavengers that lived on flesh and garbage. Shakespeare’s King Lear describes his daughter “Goneril” as a detested kite, and he wrote “when the kite builds, look to your lesser linen” in reference to them stealing washing hung out to dry in the nesting season. In the mid-15th century King James II of Scotland declared that they should be “killed wherever possible”. Under Tudor “vermin laws” many creatures were seen as a potential threat for produce and agriculture of the countryside and bounties were paid by the parish for their carcasses. Persecution meant that the bird was exterminated in England, Scotland and most of Wales by the end of the last century. Such persecution continued throughout the 17th and

18th Centuries, and at the end of this era, another devastating blow happened when increasing numbers of gamekeepers were employed on country estates, set up after the initiation of the parliamentary enclosures. These men were responsible for killing far more Red Kites and numbers dwindled massively. By the late 18th Century, Red Kites had bred for the last time in England; a similar story in Scotland was also apparent. Only in rural Mid Wales did Red Kites hang on, their numbers down to just a few pairs. At that point a few local landowners had the foresight to set up an unofficial protection programme to try to safeguard this beautiful bird. Over a period of around 100 years, efforts to maintain a fragile breeding population were made by committed generations of landowners, rural communities, dedicated individuals and organisations. Thanks to the dedication of these individuals and organisations, and despite severe threats from egg collectors, poisoning and some modern farming practices, Red Kite numbers are now gradually increasing once again. Red Kites have been targeted by egg thieves over the centuries and collectors will risk very heavy fines (over £1,000) to obtain them. This selfish activity is part of the reason why it took so long for the

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population to re-establish itself and start expanding again in Wales. Illegal use of poisoned baits, not set specifically for Red Kites, has been and continues to be another major threat to the bird. So with decree’s pronounced for their death and egg poachers a plenty, exactly how close did the Red Kite bird get to extinction? It’s hard to give exact figures, but from scientific research at Nottingham University we do know that the entire population of kites in 1977 originated from just one female bird. Today Red Kites have a limited geographical range, which, with the exception of small and isolated populations in NW Africa and West Transcaucasia, is entirely confined to Europe. Total world population estimated at around 20,000 - 23,000 breeding pairs with main centres of population in Germany, Spain and France. In recent years young red kites have been taken from nests on the continent and introduced into England and Scotland. Wales now has well over 600 breeding pairs, (data courtesy of The Welsh Kite Trust). In 1999 the Red Kite was named ‘Bird of the Century’ by the British Trust for Ornithology. A sighting of the first Red Kite in London for 150 years was reported in The Independent newspaper in January 2006 and in June of that year, the UK-based Northern Kites Project reported that kites had bred in the Derwent Valley in and around Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear for the first time since the re-introduction. In June 2010 the Forestry Commission North West England announced a three-year project to release 90 Red Kites in Grizedale Forest, Cumbria under a special license issued by Natural England. The Grizedale programme will be the ninth reintroduction of Red Kites into different regions of the UK, and the final re-introduction phase in England. Adult red kites are sedentary birds, and occupy their breeding range all year round in the United Kingdom, though many global populations are migratory (particularly the Swedish population, which winters in Spain). Each nesting territory can contain up to five nest sites. Both birds build a nest on a main fork or a limb high in a tree, 1220 meters above the ground. Types of tree are essentially hardwoods such as oaks and the nest is made of twigs and lined with grass or other vegetation. On occasion, sheep’s wool and other animal fur has also been found to make the basis of the nests. Red Kites usually breed for the first time at 2 or 3 years old. They usually pair for life, although

this is thought to be more because of a mutual attachment to the same territory and nest sites rather than any great attachment to each other, there are however, a few recorded cases of ‘divorces’ where both members of the original pair were later found breeding with different partners. For established pairs, courtship and nest-building usually start in January through to March, weather dependent, and about 2 - 4 weeks before the first egg is laid, but first-time breeders may not start until April. Eggs are normally laid at three-day intervals. Between one and four are usually laid, two being by far the most usual number. Incubation is carried out by the female, who is fed at the nest by the male. Males will incubate for very short periods (usually less than 30 minutes) while the female goes off to feed, hunt or preen. Each egg will hatch between 31 and 35 days after incubation, resulting in chicks hatching at two or three day intervals. Because of this, sibling aggression is common and the larger chick will peck vigorously at its younger nest-mates if they attempt to get food before it has had its fill. In nests where food is in short supply the size difference between the chicks will increase with the smaller one(s) ultimately dying of starvation or being killed by the larger chick(s). It is such a sad state of affairs how Mother Nature can be so cruel in situations like this, however, like with all nature and wildlife it always comes down to survival of the fittest. You may be wondering how you can spot one of these magnificent birds, and when you know what to look for, it’s both easy and beautiful. The red kite is a brownish chestnut colour, with a subtle mix of paler orange/buff and darker brown or black streaking. The main wing feathers are dark brown, which contrast with striking white patches under the wings. The pale grey head is

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streaked with black. The bright yellow legs and feet can often be seen when the bird is in flight. The hooked beak is very sharp and superbly designed for tearing meat. Its distinctive voice, an unrelenting, high pitched mewing is not dissimilar to a shepherd’s whistling and is quite distinctive once recognised. Wales has become a common breeding ground for The Red Kite, and due to this a Feeding Station has been set up and can be located in the village of Llanddeusant at the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Carmarthenshire. As natural scavengers Red Kites benefit from the food provided at these feeding stations and the way in which it is made available in limited quantities. There is no doubt that this regular feeding has helped the Red Kite breeding population maintain its stronghold in the Llanddeusant and surrounding area and, indeed, increase its numbers. In Wales 20 years ago there were less than 30 breeding pairs of Kites but now, with careful management and protection, there are now well over 300 pairs! The feeding centre is very near the charming ‘Red Kite Cafe’ (formerly the Cross Inn) where visitors may start and end their visit with food and drinks. Gifts can also be purchased here. Avid bird watchers flock here to try and catch a glimpse of these majestic birds, and it is hoped that at some point in the future, these feeding stations will be rolled out into other areas where the Red Kite is known to breed. These birds however, remain protected and should you visit a feeding station, there are incredibly strict rules which must be adhered to at all times. The welfare of the bird always comes first. The red kite is listed Schedule I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and has full legal protection, meaning the birds cannot be disturbed at any time. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb nesting kites. Red kites are extremely sensitive to human activity close to the nesting area during the nesting season, and can abandon their nest and chicks at the slightest disturbance. To attempt any of the above actions is an offence in itself and as with egg poaching, poses a very hefty fine, in some cases up to £5000, even imprisonment in severe cases. The taking of photographs at or near the nests of Red Kites requires a licence from Natural England. Anyone taking photographs in such a situation without a licence, and possibly disturbing the birds in the process, is liable for prosecution and a penalty as described above

Surveying, wing-tagging, ringing, and monitoring of nests is done by experienced fieldworkers only, under licence from the relevant organisations. With the threat of these birds once upon us, keen enthusiasts have set up not only feeding stations, but also holiday breaks to accommodate the love and passion people have for the birds. It is also a great way to abide by the above rules and regulations. Kitewatchers for example are based in the heart of “Kite Country” in mid Wales – a landscape of open heather and grass moorland, ancient hanging oak woods and traditional hill farmland with its mosaic of hedgerows and stonewalls bounding wet pastures and flower-rich hay meadows. Here the tumbling waters of the Rivers Claerwen and Elan pass through the Elan Valley, described as the Lakeland of Wales, before flowing into the spectacular River Wye. Kitewatchers Wildlife Breaks are run by a husband and wife team. They offer ideal opportunities for beginners to learn more about The Red Kite and provide excellent wildlife encounters for all birdwatchers and naturalist, looking at the richness and diversity of wildlife, observing closely the birds and other animals and plants and learning about their identification, habits and habitats. None of the excursions are arduous, the longest walks being no more than a mile or two at most and always at a leisurely pace in order to observe things along the way. So all in all another of life’s beautiful creatures was at threat from human hands and on the cusp of extinction. Thank goodness that such vile acts of hatred are in our past centuries, and let’s prey that history never repeats itself and our regal Red Kites can continue to breed and live alongside the human race in harmony.

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Manor Farm Day Nursery

Sandy

As a deeply committed attachment parent I must admit to feeling slightly conflicted when I accept an invitation to visit the new Manor Farm Day Nursery. But even I can see that there is something different about proprietor Jane, her small son Joel and her day nursery at Sandy. Jane tells me: ‘I am not trained in nursery-nursing and so I approach the need for childcare from the

prospective of a working mother and someone who really loves my own children. I want to provide the same kind of childcare for babies, toddlers and preschoolers that I would want for my own children. Although every parent wants to believe that their child is happy in day care, there are nurseries out there that are understaffed and badly organised; where the children are bored and do not get to play outside in the sunshine or eat fresh food or have much opportunity to learn or enjoy anything at all. I know that the best place for every child is at home with loving parents, but if that is not possible for any reason, then I am confident that I can provide the next best choice.’ The new nursery at Sandy certainly seems wellplanned and brimful of wonderful ideas. From language classes, yoga for little ones, Monkeynastix and music lessons to fresh, locally sourced and cooked-from-scratch by a qualified chef meals, there is plenty to make the day nursery stand out as truly different. ‘The huge benefit of this building is the lovely outdoor space. We have installed brand new wooden play equipment in the large side garden. There is also a front garden with lovely, mature trees and a small field at the back where we have dug vegetable beds which we plan to use alongside the children – they will be able to grow their own salad and vegetables here and have them for lunch!’

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As we look around I notice that the garden is surprisingly quiet and has an air of safety and seclusion for somewhere so very close to the A1 north/south link. ‘We are amazed at the peace of the place and the good atmosphere. I think the land surrounding the building, which was originally a farmhouse and dates from 1840 and the trees and birds really make it feel green and calm, but the proximity of main routes and ease of access is brilliant for any commuting parents,’ explains Jane. She continues ‘We open from 7am and close at 7pm in order to work with even the longest days and we are very flexible so that the most complicated shift patterns can be accommodated.’ I ask about staff ratios. ‘We have higher staff ratios than many nurseries and higher than we are legally obliged to. I believe that every child we care for deserves the absolute best, every day. All my staff are fully qualified and we like to train them from the apprentice stage so that we teach them our ways right from the start. The real difference in how my nurseries are run is the dedicated staff. They know each individual child in their care exceptionally well and they know the parents too. They listen and respond to the child’s personal needs and they are selected for their genuine, heartfelt love of children.’ Manor Farm Day Nursery does not charge excessive fees. ‘We are confident that all the places in our nurseries will be taken quickly and even though we do provide a service that is second to none, we do not see a need to charge huge amounts for this. We feel that all children need to be cared for the way we do it and, even though our standards are unusually high, they are what they ought to be. This does not justify inflated prices, rather, we would like all parents to choose to send their children to us so that we know those children are safe and happy, we do not want to make our service unaffordable to anyone.’ Jane enthuses. The light, airy rooms with their big windows that afford views over that enchanted garden are so numerous that Jane has been able to plan a real paradise for the children. ‘Each space has it’s own door and locking system with intercoms for absolute security. We have a perfect place for the babies in the converted barn which has its own garden - a

totally secure place for them to crawl into and play in the sunshine. There is separate space for the 2.5 to 3.5 year olds and then another space for the preschoolers. This way the needs of each age can be catered for and there will be no conflict due to too wide an age range. There are rooms for messy play and craft, and a big kitchen where all the meals – including a hot afternoon tea, will be cooked each day. This means that parents do not have to spend precious evenings with their child trying to cook a meal too.’ So, if your work takes you away from the most precious people in your life and you must look for care for your little ones, then look no further than Manor Farm Day Nursery. ‘We invite anyone searching for day care to come and visit, to see the facilities we have and how the place feels. We are confident that parents will be able to tell by instinct that this is a happy place and the children who play here are all testimony to that fact too.’

MANOR FARM DAY NURSERY 76 London Road, Sandy, Beds SG19 1DZ Tel: 01767 691348 / 07885 980602 Website: www.manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk Email: info@manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk

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10 April 1858

Big Ben cast at Whitechapel Foundry

What could be more British than Big Ben? You hear the bong of the 13-ton bell every time you watch ITN’s evening news or listen to the 6pm and midnight news on Radio 4. And even if you very sensibly try to avoid the news you’ll have heard the Westminster Chimes – played on the four quarterbells that live with Big Ben in the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament – probably more than any other piece of music. Distantly descended from a tune in Handel’s Messiah, they’re in alarm clocks, doorbells, ice cream vans, possibly even ringtones wherever you go. When you finally arrive at the Pearly Gates and ring for admission, you’ll probably hear them then. But there’s more to Big Ben’s Britishness than mere ubiquity. Because there’s nothing more British than a right old foul-up, and Big Ben started its career with not one foul-up but two. One night in October 1834 the Houses of Parliament were burnt to the ground. Next day some fool decided to rebuild them and – shazzam! – a mere 24 years later they were rebuilt. The project was masterminded by Sir Charles Barry but the design of the Great Tower (only re-named last year to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee) was assigned to the great Gothic revivalist Augustus Pugin. Looks like stone, doesn’t it? Looks can be deceiving, though – the shaft of the tower is brick, and the bell chamber and spire are cast iron. The stone is only cladding, like Jack and Vera’s house in Coronation Street. Naturally a great bell had been commissioned. The 16-ton monster was cast in a foundry in Stockton-on-Tees and named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the worthy who supervised the rebuilding. In 1856, before the Great Tower had been topped out, Big Ben was hung up in New Palace Yard and tested. It promptly broke. Whoops! Just time to order a new one, from the Whitechapel Foundry just across the City. Smaller this time, at a mere 13 tons; but still called Big Ben. It was cast on 10 April 1858 and took 18 hours to haul the 200 feet up to the bell chamber to be tested. And guess what? Yes – it broke too. The clapper, it turned out, was twice the recommended weight. It took three years to repair and, apart from 191618 when people thought Zeppelins might hear it, it’s been bonging almost uninterrupted ever since. It didn’t even stop during the blitz, when

Photo by DAVID ILIFF License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

the Luftwaffe totalled the chamber of the House of Commons but spared the Great Tower. The Britishness doesn’t stop there, though. The design of the clock itself, a prestige project if ever there was one, was entrusted to a couple of amateurs. Edmund Denison was actually a lawyer, while George Airey was the Astronomer Royal. Theirs was a completely new and quite revolutionary design, which I’d explain to you if I understood it; but it was such a good one that the clock is accurate to a second a day and is regulated by a pile of pre-decimal pennies – adding a penny advances the clock by 0.4 of a second a day. The movement, being more than 150 years old, has been a wee bit stop-start since the 1970s, but Big Ben itself, complete with the original crack, bongs on. It did chime 30 once – but that was deliberate, to announce last year’s opening of the 30th Olympiad. Either an inspired departure from convention or a shallow piece of political gimmickry, depending on your persuasion; but at least nothing broke this time.

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Town Planning

and the price of parking Come April, the start of the new financial year, and everything goes up. Including, in many towns across the country, the price of parking. Well, you may say, these are hard times and local councils have to fund their activities somehow. But the cost of town-centre parking is more than just a nuisance: it’s slow poison for high street retailers whether they’re independent or branches of national chains. Town-centre planning is an incredibly abstruse art with an infinite number of variables and nobody, not even the professionals, really knows what works and what doesn’t. A new supermarket in a Hampshire high street – was it responsible for killing off the independent traders, or did it increase footfall and keep them on life-support, allowing them to absorb high rents for a few years longer? A new Waitrose in a Cambridgeshire town centre: yes, the butcher and the greengrocer couldn’t compete, but on the other hand an independent wine merchant set up shop directly opposite because Waitrose people are his people too, and as a specialist he feels he can do the job better. These two examples give just a hint of the complexities involved. But there’s one constant

that separates all high street retailers whether chain or independent from all out-of-town retailers: free parking. And it’s not just Tesco and B&Q that have moved out of town centres and settled in car parks the size of small farms: why are franchises like Fired Earth and Cotton Traders generally sited in garden centres and farmyard malls? Plenty of free parking! A case in point: Beers of Europe is located in an old grainstore down a track outside King’s Lynn. It has unlimited parking. Shoppers can, and do, fill the boots of their cars with beer, and Beers of Europe is thriving. But town-centre beer shops in Bury St Edmunds and Lincoln went under because the most a customer could physically carry away was five or six bottles. And it’s worth remarking that nearly all of the spectacular retail collapses of recent years – Woolworth’s, HMV, Clinton Cards – were primarily high street operators. Campaigns to ‘shop local’ are commonplace, but convenience is the order of the day. If intown parking has limited availability and means shoppers must carry loose change, but have to cut their shopping trip short for fear of a hefty fine, they will vote with their tyres and head straight to the big free car parks. Persuading local councillors who need income that providing plentiful free parking is in their interest is a very hard sell. But a high street populated with charity shops isn’t good for the council either. Charity shops don’t pay business rates and they rely on volunteers: they don’t hire unemployed people whose housing benefit is funded by the council. Surely carting all the unpopular and inconvenient pay-and-display meters off to the scrapyard is a measure that would encourage local shopping. The trouble is that so many town-centre independents have already gone to the wall that their political voice is very feeble. Many towns no longer even have a chamber of trade. One answer to that would be to persuade the high street chains – Iceland, Boots, M&S Food, Costa etc – to permit and indeed encourage their store managers to get involved. A chamber of trade that represented more than just the last independent optician and the last independent jeweller would be an energetic and influential lobby group that local councils would have to listen to.

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7 Market Square, Potton, Beds. SG19 2NP Opening Times Mon-Fri - 9.00am to 5.00pm Sat - 9.00am to 1.00pm Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Neighbours from Hell!

YOU AND YOUR RIGHTS There is nothing worse than having a dispute with your neighbour. Any such dispute must therefore be handled carefully and effectively, to stop it spiralling out of control. If you experience a dispute with your neighbour you should consider the following: 1. Try to speak to your neighbour first You must at least try and reason with your neighbour first. Explain clearly what you are unhappy about and why your complaint is reasonable. There is a good chance that this will resolve the matter. If the dispute continues, despite speaking to your neighbour: 2. Speak to your neighbour’s landlord (if they rent the property) If the dispute continues: 3. Contact your local council If your attempts to reduce the nuisance fails, contact your local Public or Environmental Health Department, or Environmental Protection Division. They are ‘obliged’ to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to deal with your complaint. The Environmental Officer will: • Visit the property to assess the nuisance • Write to your neighbour

• If your neighbour ignores the Environmental Officer - a notice will be issued requiring your neighbour to stop causing the nuisance Important Notes • It is an offence not to comply with a notice. • Some local authorities may impose restrictions on night-time noise under the Noise Act 1996. • Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1988 local authorities can apply to a magistrates court for an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO). This will prohibit your neighbour from continuing the nuisance. If this still does not resolve problem - Take action yourself You will have the following options: • Ask your neighbour if they are prepared to attend mediation • Apply direct to your local magistrates court to complain about the nuisance. However, before you do this you should write a formal letter to your neighbour setting out your complaints and giving them 14 days to remedy the situation. For more information and advice visit consumer champion and legal expert Dean Dunham’s website www.youandyourrights.com

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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 07719 261147 â&#x20AC;˘ 01767 260671 www.stevedeanmagic.co.uk email: stevedeanmagic@aol.com

Introducing The Steve Dean School of Magic Have you ever been interested in close up magic or are you a close up magician who wishes to improve to from beginner to intermediate level. The Steve Dean School of Magic is now offering Beginners and Intermediate classes. Single lessons or block bookings are available (discount for block bookings). This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the art of Close Up Magic taught by Steve who is a member of The Magic Circle and International Brotherhood of Magicians Please call 07719 261147 or 01767 260671 for details or to book your space on these very popular classes To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

WHERE ARE WE?

WHERE AM I? DO YOU KNOW?

These pictures are all taken at public houses in our distribution area. Do you know where they are?

2 3

The Villager and Town Life magazine is delivered door to door throughout:

Abbotsley Beeston Broom Caxton Cockayne Hatley Cople Croydon Dunton Eltisley Everton Everton Heath Eyeworth Gamlingay Haynes Henlow Ickwell Green Ireland Langford Lower Caldecote Moggerhanger Northill Old Warden Potton Shuttleworth Southill Stanford Sutton The Gransden’s Thorncote Green Upper Caldecote Waresley Wrestlingworth

VILLAGER The

LOCAL NEWS •

LOCAL PEOPLE

• LOCAL SERVICE

Issue 89 - March

and Town

S • LOCAL CHARITI

ES • LOCAL PRODUC

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

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VILLAGER The

LOCAL NEWS •

LOCAL PEOPLE

• LOCAL SERVICE

Issue 88 - Febru

and Town

S • LOCAL CHARITI

ary 2013

Life

ES • LOCAL PRODUC

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

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VILLAGER The

LOCAL NEWS •

LOCAL PEOPLE

Issue 87 - Janua

• LOCAL SERVICE

and Town

S • LOCAL CHARITI

ry 2013

Life

ES • LOCAL PRODUC

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

VILLAGER The

LOCAL NEWS •

LOCAL PEOPLE

• LOCAL SERVICE

Issue 86 - Decem

and Town

S • LOCAL CHARITI

ber 2012

Life

ES • LOCAL PRODUC

Bringing Loca l Business to in Bigglesw local People ade, Sandy, Potton, Gam and all surro lingay unding villag es. 11,000 copie s delivered to over 30 and villages towns every mon th

ur Yo EE FRco1 py

and can be found in most shops, pubs, garages in all of the above and more including Biggleswade and Sandy. Where Am I pictures supplied by Adam Bent Answer to last month’s Where am I competition was Broom

2013

Life

Booking your advertising space is easy just call Nigel on 01767 261122 or e-mail nigel@villagermag.com

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Al Fresco Holidays…..

perfect for families

Last month we introduced our Al Fresco Holidays to you and advised that if you need family time and love the outdoors, then this is perfect for you. With so many Parcs and so many countries to choose from, it may be extremely difficult to pick the perfect break for you and your family, so we have listed our top five parcs exclusively for your enjoyment. Al Fresco Holidays are so affordable, and so convenient, they are fast becoming the number one people’s choice for family breaks in both the UK and Europe. Esterel, Cote D’Azur Nestled close to Nice and Cannes, this holiday oasis brings you all the glamour and relaxation of the Riviera without breaking the bank. Plus, there really is something for everyone, no matter what age you may be. Whilst you soak up the rays and unwind, the little ones will enjoy the mini-club and the all new toddler Parc, plus the waterslides specially designed for young children. Older children and teens will also be spoilt for choice. On The Parc: Outdoor swimming complex with heated pool and waterslide for young children. There is also a Jungle paradise paddling pool Outdoor fun: Volleyball, Basketball, Mini-football, Various sports tournaments, Skateboard Park, Mini-golf, Tennis and Table Tennis. Nearby activities: Beach and Fishing at Agay-

three miles, Golf Esterel - one mile, Watersports - two miles and Mountain biking - 100 metres. Low season: 06/06/13 7nights Puccini Riviera £362.25 High Season: Arriving 19/07/13 for 10nights in a Puccini Riviera £1600.00 La Croix du Vieux Pont, Champagne. Having undergone a €7 million makeover, the five star holiday Parc now has a new water complex, bowling alley and laser quest, making it even more perfect for families. Kids and adults alike will love the outdoor activities on the vibrant La Croix Du Vieux Pont Parc, with a large indoor pool and waterslides and outdoor spa pools for water babies. Sporty families will love the mini golf, tennis, archery, boules, fishing, football, bicycle and canoe hire. La Croix Du Vieux Pont is located just outside Paris in the Royal Compiègne countryside. Easily reached by car or Eurostar, this Parc is also ideally located for a visit to Disneyland® Paris. Day trips can be arranged from the site, a great way to indulge in some Disney magic without staying at the theme park itself. On Parc: New indoor water games attraction, Large indoor paddling pool with small slides, Indoor Jacuzzi and two waterslides (open 30/03 – 03/11) New heated outdoor spa pools (open 01/05 – 03/11) Brand new bowling alley and laser quasar centre.

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Outdoor fun: Special fishing amenities, Boules, Pedaloes and Canoes for hire, Nearby activities: Up to six times weekly coach excursions to Disneyland, Ponies - 100 metres, Golf course -19 miles Low season: 05/06/13 14nights Rossini £702.00 High Season: 13/08/13 7nights Rossini £1013.00 Yelloh! Village Le Club Beach Farret, Languedoc Al Fresco’s pitches are split between two sectors at the Beach Farret annex, a self-contained beachside quarter just 300m from the main site, with direct access to the sea. The sandy emplacements are ideal for the authentic beach experience and especially fun for tots. On the main site the units are close to the pool and kids playground. On Parc: Two heated swimming pools with children’s pool, New outdoor spa pool featuring Jacuzzis, hydro-massage beds, Farret spa, Sandy beach with direct access, Sauna, steam room, indoor Jacuzzi and beauty/wellness treatment rooms Outdoor activities: Pirate land kids club area with slides and adventure playground, Table tennis, Basketball, Beach volleyball, Dance classes and new multisport pitch Nearby activities: Tree top adventure course - ½ miles, Quad bikes and Carts, four miles, Mini golf - 500 meters, Horse Riding - one mile Low season: 11/05/13 10nights Rossini Riviera £315.00 High Season: 11/08/13 7nights Rossini £1253.00 Sanguli, Costa Dorada, Spain Palm-fringed pools or sun kissed playa, Sanguli is a Mediterranean Parc paradise – from exquisitely laid out emplacements to an enormous Roman style amphitheatre, the fitting stage for music and magic under a starlit sky and Port Aventura theme park is only minutes away. On Parc: Large Happy pool with two new waterslides , New improved fiesta pool complex with three new slides and water games, Elephants themed pool with spa area, Three children’s paddling pools, Children’s playground, Animation team and entertainment Outdoor activities: Sandy Beach - 200m, Boules, Crazy golf, 5-a-side football, Basketball and volleyball Three children’s paddling pools, Children’s

playground , Animation team and entertainment Nearby activities: Bicycle hire, pitch and putt in Cambrils - three and a half miles, Golf course Reus - eight miles, Football Salou Complex - 500m. Low season: 25/04/13 7nights Rossini £236.25 High Season: 05/08/13 7nights Vivaldi £1574.00 Altomincio, Lake Garda, Italy This Parc has been created with children’s fun in mind. Froggy’s Kingdom offers a lagoon pool, with slides and water features, whilst an indoor amusement area and multiple playgrounds mean your little ones will be spoilt for choice. There’s much more to visit outside Altomincio Family Parc too, with Gardaland theme park, enchanting Verona and Borghetto - voted Italy’s prettiest medieval village – all right on the doorstep. On Parc: Lagoon style paddling area with small water chute and three lane slide, Outdoor swimming pool, Games room, Several children’s play areas, Toddler disco and family music, Outdoor activities: Volleyball, Football pitch, Bicycle hire, Sports tournaments. Nearby activities: Windsurfing - two and a half miles, Pedaloes and Canoes - two and a half miles, Scuba Diving - four miles, Horse Riding - one and a half miles. Low season: 05/05/13 14nights Puccini £210.00 High Season: 05/08/13 14nights Puccini Riviera £2078.00 For more information or to book your Family Al Fresco Holiday call 08436 362047 or visit www.thomsonalfresco.co.uk

AL FRESCO HOLIDAYs CALL 08436 362047

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Potton & District Club NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Keeping LIVE MUSIC live! every week!

APRIL

Sat 6th - The VIPeas, are back, Female Fronted Live Band Sat 13th - MILNER: (new) all the way from North London, 5 piece Live Band, 60s RnB, Soul, Beat, Jaz, Mod/Rock/Indie Live Band, playing well known covers in their journey through 5 decades! Fri 19th - Jam Open Mic Night, join in the Jamming fun Free drink for all participants Sat 20th - Delta-Ladies (new) described as two lovely ladies of doubtful origin! Multi-instrumental Duo. They cover a wide range of covers from Country to Bluegrass, Roots to Blues, Swing to Skiffle, maybe a good old sing a long! Sat 27th - Maxwell Hammer & Smith are back fantastic experienced Rock Covers Band, the Drum kit matches the sound, MINT. MAY (ADVANCE DIARY DATES) Sat 4th - 2 TONE & MADNESS are back by demand, An Awesome, SKA & MADNESS 7 piece, Covers Band: an entry fee will apply to all. May 11th IN MEMORY OF PAT OCONNER - MASSIVE CHARITY TICKET EVENT The OReelys, (new) with the Extremely Talented Live Band. All profits to Keech Cottage Hospice Trust. Tickets On Sale Now. Fri 24th - THE SOULMAN is back. All information is provided in good faith, always check the web page pottonclub.co.uk for changes/updates.

Potton CIU Club, Charities Hall, Station Road, Potton Tel: 01767 261465 (Evenings) Website: www.pottonclub.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

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No April Fools

odd gadgets that really exist Every year, technology firms join in the April Fools fun - so for example in recent years Google announced self-driving racing cars, Toshiba pretended to make a 3D monocle and video site Animoto offered bark recognition for dogs. Not all odd-sounding technology items are fakes, though: there are some truly strange items and accessories out there. Some of the oddest items are related to smartphones and tablets, such as the iStuck mobile phone stand (£3) that looks like chewed bubblegum, the Knuckles iPhone case - designed to look like a knuckle duster - and the justannounced iPotty (£39), a child’s potty with a built-in iPad stand. The idea, apparently, is that letting children use iPads while on the potty will make toilet training a fun game. Other gadgets are more sensible, but rather odd looking - such as the iPhone SLR mount, which enables you to attach enormous SLR camera lenses to your phone. It might look like a novelty item, but the price says otherwise: at the current US exchange rate, it’s £156 plus shipping and tax, and of course that doesn’t include the lenses. The mount is available for both Nikon and Canon lenses and promises to bring SLR effects such as variable depth of field to “the camera you carry with you every day”. Another odd-looking but fairly sensible gadget is the Handspresso Auto ESE, a portable espresso coffee maker designed for in-car use. It uses the Easy Serving Espresso pods you might have seen for ordinary domestic coffee makers, and it’s particularly handy for road warriors who’d rather not pay inflated prices for motorway service station coffees. At around £130 it isn’t cheap, but if you use it regularly it’ll soon pay for itself. You can buy odd things for your house too, and

if you’re a musician or a fan of rock music you’ll appreciate the Marshall Fridge. From the outside it looks like the iconic Marshall amplifier stack, and it even uses authentic Marshall parts including the famous logo, fret cloth and brass-finished faceplate with knobs that go up to eleven, but inside it’s - yes! - a fridge. The manufacturer says it’s “the ultimate combination of rock and refrigeration”. Yours for £405. Have you ever wished your fork could nag you about your eating? Good news if you have: the Hapifork (around £70) may look like an ordinary fork, but it’s stuffed with sensors that monitor how quickly you’re eating. It measures the number of times you put the fork in your mouth, the time between each serving and the total time you’ve spent eating, and vibrates and flashes if you’re eating too quickly. The data is then sent to your smartphone. For now the line-up doesn’t extend to other cutlery, but manufacturer HAPIlabs says a spoon is in development. The HAPIfork was one of several odd gadgets shown at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but it wasn’t the oddest: we saw GPS-enabled gadgets such as the TrakDot luggage locator (around £30 plus a £10 annual subscription), Nano Nails, which turn long fingernails into styluses for touchscreens (price tbc); the iMusic BodyRhythm, a music-powered massager that makes you look like you’re wearing a toilet seat around your neck (currently accepting pre-orders for $69, around £44), and the thoroughly odd Minime, which can create a phone case or a cuddly toy that includes a 3D rendering of your child’s face (or anybody else’s face). Expect to see Minime kiosks in shopping malls later this year.

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Bleed Baby Bleed

by DEBBIE SINGH-BHATTI If your radiators feel cold at the top and warm at the bottom, it is likely that air trapped inside them â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a common problem that can be fixed quite easily by bleeding them. First, determine which radiators are affected. Switch your central heating on, and then check that each radiator is heated uniformly. Any with cold spots will need bleeding. Before bleeding, turn off the central heating to prevent more air entering the system. Bleed the radiator by inserting a bleed key (supplied with your radiator and available at DIY stores) in the bleed valve at the top of the radiator, whilst holding a cloth or small bowl underneath to catch any leaking water. With your hand wrapped in a cloth for protection, slowly turn the key anticlockwise until a hissing sound occurs. This is the trapped air escaping. Once the hissing stops and water starts to drip out (usually after a few seconds), close the valve back up. Repeat this process for all affected radiators.

Turn the central heating back on once finished, and check your radiators after a couple of hours to ensure they have a uniform temperature, and that no water is leaking from the bleed valve. Do this once a year to keep your central heating in tip-top condition.

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everything matters

Panasonic

HD smart TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s , HDD Recorders, Audio Systems, & Cameraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, trust our expertise & tradition of best after sales service

A.N.Audio 34 Huntingdon Street St. Neots

phone:- 01480 472071 e-mail sales@anaudio.co.uk Hours:- Monday-Friday 9am-6pm Tuesday 9am-1pm Saturday:- 9am-5.30 pm www.anaudio.co.uk

The Bargain Box 34 Church Street, Gamlingay www.bargain-box.co.uk email: info@bargain-box.co.uk Good quality, second hand goods across a wide range of stock - from unwanted gifts to antique fine china, from rare china and collectibles to bling beads and bangles. Opening hours Thursday 10am - 5pm, Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Alliance Foster Care

BY MELANIE HULSE

Have you ever considered fostering a child? What are the realities, rewards and reasons? I met the Bakers, a local fostering family, to chat to them about their experiences and the support they receive from their agency, Alliance Foster Care. ‘My children had grown up and were making their own way in the world when I decided that the time was right for us to begin fostering children.’ Mrs. Baker begins. ‘I had always wanted to look after children who needed the care and time I was confident that my husband and I could give. I knew we could provide a stable upbringing and stability is key to caring for children who cannot remain with their parents for any reason. ‘I cannot stress how much I love my life – and fostering is a way of life, not just a job. It is so very rewarding and the children we care for are wonderful. I really enjoy being the person who they turn to and ensuring that I remain positive with the children makes me a very happy person too. I really enjoy gaining the child’s trust which can be a very long process. We watch them develop from frightened little ones who have lost all their confidence, to children who know who they are and where they belong. We provide a sanctuary for a child in need and that is a very fulfilling and enriching experience. ‘Children need a foster carer because something has gone very wrong in their own family and 30

sadly, that usually results in trauma for the child. Children who need foster care can be withdrawn, angry, very distressed or even ill. Some have special needs such as autism or issues that need medical care immediately or long term. ‘We have taken on many kinds of foster caring – emergency care where a court has ruled that the child cannot remain with the parent for even one more day. On those occasions a child will arrive with just a small carrier bag of possessions, a baby will often have nothing at all. They have no idea where they are going or how to handle what has happened to them and we have to reassure them and make them feel at home and safe as quickly as possible. There is no magic wand of course, but genuine interest and care for children shines through, and they can recognize that. ‘Supporting Mums and babies is another type of foster care. A young Mum will come and stay with us with her newborn baby. Sometimes the Mum has to be taught how to care for the baby or just to trust her own instincts and be confident

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that she can care for her baby. Sometimes it feels impossible to reach these young women, but in my experience they can find their way in the end and it is rewarding to be a fundamental part of that. ‘One of the biggest keys to being a successful and happy foster family is the agency that you choose. None compare to the support and genuine help offered by Alliance Foster Care. They are amazing –offering guidance and support 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, without fail. Through Alliance Foster Care we have been able to meet other families with looked-after children. We go to the open days, bar-be-ques, coffee mornings and play-meets that Alliance Foster Care arrange. It is no exaggeration to say that Alliance Foster Care really is one big family. They honestly care about the children - they always know their names and who they have lived with and their background. They remember

our names and experiences and offer full training that is on-going and structured in a way that will work with a foster parent’s responsibilities. ‘I would advise anyone considering foster caring to pick up the phone. Talking to someone who is a foster carer is not a commitment. Call Alliance Foster Care and they can put you in touch with a foster carer who will tell you the realities and rewards of looking after children through foster care. Or come along to an open day and see for yourself the difference that fostering a child can make to your family. If you decide to go ahead, the Carer Recruitment Officer Mandy, will come and visit you at home provide you with all the information about becoming a foster carer and answer all your questions ’ So if you have been considering looking after a child who desperately needs the stability and care that you can offer, please contact Alliance Foster Care.

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Happy Birthday

to Incredible Care in our Community

Today, more than one in four of us in the UK is living with an incurable illness that needs specialist treatment - around eighteen million people. Sue Ryder is a national charity which for 60 years has remained passionate about working to provide incredible health and social care to those who are affected. Situated in a quiet country setting in Moggerhanger, St John’s Hospice is Sue Ryder’s local community specialist palliative care and treatment centre, helping patients and families living with serious illness to have the best quality of life possible, whether it is bringing comfort to someone’s final days or giving people with an incurable illness the opportunity to make the most their life. Originally named the Sue Ryder Foundation, the charity was set up by Lady Susan Ryder in 1953, making this year its 60th anniversary. Sue Ryder set up the charity following her work during World War 2. Her ideals were to treat seriously ill people with dignity and compassion and they remain the charity’s vision today. Lady Ryder, who died in 2000, was an inspirational figure who devoted her life to helping others. She was featured on Desert Island Discs in 1987 talking to Michael Parkinson and to mark her charity’s 60th anniversary, the BBC repeated the programme on 20 January this year. Today more than 3,000 people work for Sue Ryder and there are over 10,000 volunteers. Fundraising is an ongoing task. Although the Primary Care Trust provides approximately half of the costs towards a patient’s needs, St John’s Hospice works constantly to raise the rest. It is this vital percentage which elevates the care received by patients from ‘basic’ to ‘incredible’ and helps the hospice support the whole family during this time, even paying for coffee and tissues when needed. This year St John’s annual fundraising events, such as the family summer fete; the popular Starlight

Hike; the ball with a theme this year of ‘black tie and tiaras’; and Lights of Love (a Christmas service where loved ones are remembered) will all take on special anniversary significance. There will also be extra events including birthday tea parties and St John’s is encouraging everyone in the community to think of ways they can raise money in this significant year. Paula Priestley, St John’s fundraising manager, decided to put her head on the block by completing 50 challenges this year in honour of Sue Ryder and her own milestone birthday in November. She is inviting challenges from the community which have already started coming in, from abseiling down the control tower at Luton Airport to doing some bricklaying! She is hoping to raise at least £5,000. You can visit her fundraising page at http:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulaPriestley and can follow her antics on St John’s Hospice facebook page, as well as in the Biggleswade Chronicle and Times and Citizen newspapers. For more information please contact your Regional Fundraising Team on 01767 642412 or email stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org

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LA VIDA HAIRDRESSING

10 years of g n i s s e r d r i a h l u f s s e succ OPENING HOURS Monday - Closed, Tuesday 9.30am - 5.00pm Wednesday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Thursday 9.00am - 8.00pm Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Saturday 8.30am - 4.00pm 1 Station Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8AH

Tel: 01767 600510

APRIL OFFER

£19 Cut & blowdry until 1st May!!

Carolyn has 8 years salon experience in cutting hair and to help our newest team member build a clientele she is offering discounted cut & blowdrys on Wed’s and Thur’s.

Please mention this advert when booking

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Make-Up Tricks for Kissable Lips

By Helen Taylor

Soft, plump, kissable lips are guaranteed to get you noticed - but if mother nature hasn’t blessed you with them, don’t despair, because we’ve compiled a clever guide that will help you to fake a full-on pout. Soften Up Before you even think about applying lipstick to your lips, it’s essential to spend a bit of time creating the right base for your product. Exfoliation is key in keeping your lips looking luscious as well as smooth and free of flakes, so it’s important to do this once a week. Start by applying a generous amount of lip balm to your lips to soften them, and then gently remove the top layer of skin using a soft wash cloth or toothbrush, in circular motions. Smother your lips in balm every night so that they are super soft for the next morning, when you apply your make-up. Line Up Although lip pencil probably isn’t high up on your shopping list of beauty must-haves, when used correctly it can be an essential tool. It allows you to shape and define your lips, and helps to stop your lipstick from ‘bleeding’. Choosing a neutral and natural shade of lip liner is key for creating a modern look. Lining just outside the coloured part of your lips provides the fullest effect. Many women don’t do this, and tend to line inside the lip line, but this makes your lips appear thinner because the natural lip line generally extends further than the coloured part of your lips. Be sure to choose a soft lip liner and ‘round off’

the tip by smudging it on the back of your hand a few times - a sharpened point will look unnatural and harsh - before you apply. Define your ‘cupid’s bow’ by drawing a V in the centre curve of your top lip, bring the line round and down using soft feathery strokes. Line the curve of the bottom lip with the same light movements, and soften by lightly blending with your finger. Complete with Colour It’s best to choose a natural shade of lip colour for two reasons: firstly, light and bright hues look youthful and secondly they make the lips appear fuller, unlike dark shades which have the opposite effect. Use a lip brush to paint the product onto your lips for a neat and even application - ensure that you take the colour right up to your lip liner line. Get The Gloss Lip gloss is every girl’s best friend because it offers a lovely finish to otherwise dull lipsticks and can modernise your entire make-up look. Apply a shimmery gloss to the centre of your lips and blend gradually outwards to make your lips look really full. And, if you really want to make an impression with your pout, try one of the plumping glosses that are on the market. Using menthol, cinnamon or even chilli as active ingredients, these lip glosses create a mild irritation on contact with the lips causing them to temporarily increase in size. The tingling sensation lets you know it’s working and the results last for a few hours, so to keep the look you’ll need to re-apply regularly.

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St George’s Day

by DEBBIE SINGH-BHATTI He’s most famous for slaying a dragon, but how much do we know about St George, the patron saint of England? Born in Eastern Turkey in AD 270 to Christian parents, George later moved to Palestine where he became a soldier in the Roman army. He subsequently rebelled against the Roman Emperor for his persecution of Christians. Imprisonment and torture followed, but George refused to denounce his Christian faith. Enraged at this, the Emperor had George dragged through the streets, and beheaded him on 23rd April AD 303. George’s alleged encounter with the dragon occurred in Libya. The dragon is said to have built its nest by a fresh water spring and was offered sheep by townsfolk to distract him whilst collecting water. With all the sheep gone, they decided to offer a maiden instead. The lot fell on the poor crown princess, but at the moment of offering, George supposedly came by on his white

stallion, dismounted and slew the beast with his sword. George is identified with English ideals of charity, chivalry and courage, and thus symbolises the very essence of ‘Englishness’. Campaigners are currently working to get St George’s Day recognised as a national holiday, but for now, it is traditionally celebrated by flying the English flag, wearing a red rose and singing ‘Jerusalem’ on the Sunday nearest the 23rd April!

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Here Comes the Bride

By Susan Brookes-Morris Every bride wants to look beautiful on their wedding day and this means that as well as choosing the perfect dress, you need to pay attention to hair and make-up. These should reflect your personality and be worn with ease. A bride who rarely wears makeup is unlikely to be comfortable with a heavy application, and if you are used to a neat hairstyle a looser style may irritate. Go for make-up and hair trials. These will allow you to try out a number of ideas. Take along images of hairstyles and make up looks that you like, and take their professional advice as they will know what will work best. Specialists will also understand photographers’ requirements Weddings are often long events, so it is important that your make up has staying power. Some professionals use special fixing sprays. Creating the perfect base is an important element for longevity. The right shade of foundation is essential, especially when wearing a strapless gown. Matching foundation to your collarbone rather than your face provides consistent colour on body, face and neck. It’s probably best to highlight either your eyes, or your lips. Highlighting both can look too heavy. Eyebrows need definition and you should choose waterproof mascara. Flash photography

can annihilate your blusher and make you look washed out, so take test shots before your wedding day to find out what works best. Your choice of hairstyle will be affected by your dress shape, and the length and texture of your hair. If you are worried about appearing taller than your groom, you may prefer not to choose a style that’s too high on top. A good hairdresser will want to know about your dress style, colour, and any accessories that you wish to wear in your hair in order to get a look that is totally complimentary. In addition to traditional veils and tiaras, sparkly clips and bands are available, or you may choose flowers to decorate your hair. If your hair is coloured, try your dress on with it to make sure the contrast is not too stark, unless you are seeking a dramatic look. Your final colour should be applied one to two weeks before. Conditioner is not recommended for your wedding day as it can make hair unmanageable. Products can be used to fix the style and add shine. Finally, when booking a hairdresser or a make-up artist, you should consider their personality. You may be feeling quite stressed or excitable during your preparations, so choose someone who can help create a relaxing, calm and fun atmosphere, so that you enjoy getting ready for your big day.

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Bedfordshire Foot Clinic

Hair by Amanda

Podiatry/Chiropody Yvonne Siudak

BSc (Hons.) MChs, HPC Registered

Podiatrist / Chiropodist Private Podiatry / Chiropody Care in Sandy, Bedfordshire, UK A comprehensive service for all your foot care needs

Hard Skin • Corns • Nail Cutting Ingrown Toe Nails • Fungal Nail Infections General Foot Care • Verrucae Treatment • Laser Treatment • Diabetic Assessments • Biomechanical Assessments Full details of our specialist treatments are available, call Yvonne for an appointment:

Bedfordshire Foot Clinic

17 Georgetown Cottages, Tempsford Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2AE T: 01767 681 704 M: 07562 748 352 E: yourfootclinic.co.uk

www.yourfootclinic.co.uk Also Cambridge Foot Clinic Tel: 01223 358 431

Professional, Affordable, Reliable Mobile Hairdresser

Beautiful hair by city and guilds qualified stylist Cut & Blowdry, Colours, Highlights, Lowlights, Permanent Wave, Sets, Conditioning Treatments, All Hairdressing Services Special Senior Citizen Discounts Mob: 07974 281933 Tel: 01767 262143

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Shannon Court, High Street, Sandy Shops from 992 sq ft Offices from 173 sq ft in prime town centre location on flexible terms.

Please contact Natalie Bassett 01954 234200 or natalie@whitfield-group.co.uk

Anstee Gorst

Chartered Certified Accountants

- Accounts preparation for Sole traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies - Self assessment tax returns - Cash Flow Forecasting - Vat, Payroll & Bookkeeping - Business Start Up

Free Initial Consultation Phone: Antoinette Gorst ACCA or Sally Anstee FCCA 01767 650700 Ground Floor Offices, Unit 30, Green End, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds, SG19 3LF Email: office@ansteegorst.co.uk Website: www.ansteegorst.co.uk 40

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Can You Dig It?

BY LEE BESTALL

Soil, mud, dirt or muck, call it what you will, but is yours any good and can you dig it? One of the most common ‘moans’ I get from gardeners is that “my soil is rubbish”. We’ll presume they mean it’s not great quality, but I’m never quite sure what people expect from their soil. Probably a soft, stone free, sifted loam or maybe a dark, rich organic compost such as that found in a grow bag. The reality is soil, like man, is never perfect. Sometimes too wet, too squidgy, too crumbly, or too firm, and, just like humans, the perfect soil takes hard work to maintain. Now I realise that some people were just born perfect, just as some loamy soils are too. But if you’re not one of the lucky ones, and your soil is more arm pit than Brad Pitt, here’s what to do about it. Like all things in life, there are extremes. I (being a horticultural extremist) had to go the whole hog and excavate the clay from my borders, replacing it with 40cm of topsoil, but unless you’re starting a garden from scratch, and have access to a digger, I’d recommend working with what you already have.

Whether you have easy-to-dig sandy soil or moisture retentive clay, the addition of a few ingredients will help create a beautiful growing medium. If you are a novice gardener it’s simple, just add well-rotted (not smelly) manure, weedfree and lots of it. For those with clay soil, and more stamina, add horticultural grit to the soil and dig in well, then dig in manure and top off with a 5cm layer of manure to act as mulch. And for those who really can’t be bothered with digging, just add a layer of manure to the soil surface after feeding with a pelleted fertilizer. It’s not ideal, but the worms will drag it down into the soil, and it’s much better than nothing at all. You’ll also have more success in the future if you choose the right types of plants for your soil pH. Testing kits are available online and in garden centres. If you want to grow acid loving plants in a strongly alkaline soil, you can try the addition of sulphur chips, coffee grinds, pine based composts, or planting in tubs of ericaceous compost, but failing that, my advice is to move house!

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Absolutely ... Positively ... NO pressure to sell! We give you FREE VALUATIONS .... YOU DECIDE !

WE PAY

CASH Cambridge Coins and Jewellery Coins, Medals, Banknotes, Tokens, Postcards.

Anything GOLD any SILVER....even broken jewellery!

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t: 01767 600 300 e: shop@cambridgecoins.co.uk

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Call for a free valuation from our Biggleswade Office on: Sales: 01767 313256 Email: biggleswade@satchells.co.uk Letting: 01767 313488 Email: lettings@satchells.co.uk

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Our network works for us - let it work for you! * Mention where you saw this advert’ 42

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Your Top 5

Money Saving Apps The mobile application market represents a cultural shift for the human race. Smartphones are now the ultimate universal digital Swiss Army Knife for every possible facet of our lives and a broad cross section of money-saving utility is now in your pocket. We’re going to take a look at some of the best money-saving apps available for both Apple and Android devices. Skype | www.skype.com | Free These days, Skype is practically a household name but many overlook the mobile version of this brilliant Internet telephony software as a supremely useful money-saving tool. Encourage everybody you know to download Skype on their mobile device and you have suddenly significantly reduced the chances of ever using up all of your free minutes. For those of you who find yourselves with £10-£50 (or more) in excess fees, this simple app could save you hundreds in the long run. Voucher Cloud http://www.vouchercloud.com | Free Most people are familiar with the idea that we’re now in a digital era of cutting coupons. Voucher Cloud is an app for all of the best digital offers. Firing it up will find you everything from free five-day passes to your local gym to discounts on driving lessons and reduced prices in restaurants. It’s worth taking the time to sit down and check the T&Cs so you know exactly what it is you’re signing up for. Spending a little time being thorough on the small print however will save you hundreds of pounds per year. RedLaser Barcode Scanner http://redlaser.com | Free Ever found yourself in a shop whereby the little voice in your head is asking you whether you might find the item cheaper on the Internet or just round the corner? All that’s needed to answer the question is your smartphone device and a Wi-Fi or mobile Internet connection. Photograph the barcode using the on-board camera and it will recognise the item and then cross reference prices with department stores, a vast array of websites, including Ebay, and even local stores. It’s worth noting that the latter feature works best in larger towns and cities. It’s practically impossible to scan a barcode which is not recognised by this incredible app so scout for bargains and save money.

Direct Debit Control Centre http://www.directdebit.co.uk | Free There’s nothing worse than trying to stay on top of your finances, thinking you’re almost there and subsequently getting stung with excess overdraft fees for an unexpected direct debit. The Direct Debit Control Centre helps you keep on top of when your direct debits are leaving your account via its early warning system. It will save you money and give you peace of mind. iXpenseIt http://www.fyimobileware.com | £2.99 So, what will you do with all this money saved? One small but wise investment would be to buy an app that helps you stay on top of your expenditure and few are better than iXpenseIt. There’s a lite version which can be downloaded for free so you can try before you buy. This is as good as mobile money management software gets and the app has won several awards including one from CNN Money Magazine. You’ll receive pocket-sized help with managing all the different budgets in your life whether business or personal and all that’s required is a little patience adding incomes and expenditures as they occur.

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Three Essential Steps

Towards Planning a Funeral As we grow older it becomes inevitable that sooner or later we will face the prospect of arranging a loved one’s funeral. Whether that person was a member of the family or a close friend with no family of their own, you may face a steep learning curve. Your first step should be to check if the deceased has written a letter or put a note in their will stating their funeral wishes. Even if they have left instructions there may be gaps in the information, particularly when it comes to key questions such as ‘Who is responsible for organising the funeral?’ UK law states that if an individual has written a will and appointed executors, the executors should arrange the funeral. However it is often family members or friends who take on this role, with the executors’ authority. Your second step should be to appoint a funeral director, but do check that they belong to an accredited body such as the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (www. saif.org.uk) or the National Association of Funeral Directors (www.nafd.org.uk). Be aware that the person who makes the arrangements is responsible for paying the bills, so if there are insufficient funds in the deceased’s estate you should ask about financial help at your local Jobcentre Plus (provided that you are eligible to receive government benefits). Step three involves consulting friends and family in order to meet their needs. If your guests have far to travel then an afternoon service may be better. Don’t feel you have to opt for the nearest crematorium, church or other religious centre if it doesn’t seem appropriate. A little research may result in a more positive experience for everyone. If you have family members arriving late from farflung locations who want to view the deceased in an open coffin, your funeral director can offer an embalming service (at additional cost) to preserve the body. Perhaps the hardest decision of all - if you don’t know what the deceased would have wanted - is whether to opt for burial or cremation. You may find it helps to ask friends or relatives or consult a faith leader. When a Church of England funeral is required, your local C of E church is obliged to provide a burial plot if the person died within the parish and if there is

space in the churchyard. If the deceased was not particularly religious, then the funeral director can recommend a Community Pastor or member of the British Humanist Association to compose a suitable, non-religious tribute and officiate. Planning a funeral may seem a daunting task but there is help at hand. The funeral director will guide you through the many small decisions you will need to make, such as who will carry the coffin, what clothes the deceased person should wear and what possessions can be placed in the coffin. They will advise you on catering, printing the order of service and the hire of vehicles as well as acting as a collection point for donations. Meanwhile a fact sheet from Age UK (www.ageuk. org.uk) comes with a handy form for you to write down your own instructions. It’s worth taking a few minutes to set down your wishes as one day it will make someone else’s planning so much easier to do.

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Ash Tree Financial Services Independent Financial Advisers For friendly and expert advice in your financial planning including: Mortgages and Home Insurance Life assurance Critical Illness Cover Income Protection Pensions and Annuities Investments and Savings Contact Christopher Goodwin Ash Tree House, 48 Sutton Mill Road, Potton, SG19 2QB Tel: 01767 262760 goodwin@ashtree.uk.com www.ashtree.uk.com

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.

LOCAL STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 30 YEARS SPECIALISING IN COMPLETE SOLUTIONS TO YOUR PROBLEMS AMONG THE SERVICES WE OFFER ARE:• Structural surveys on domestic or commercial properties. • All aspects of structural design for domestic alterations. • Subsidence investigations and surveys. • CCTV inspections and drainage repairs. Our Office Hours are: Tuesday to Friday 8.00am – 4.00pm. Tel: 01234 272772 Email: leigh@hace-consultancy.co.uk www.hace-consultancy.co.uk 15 St. Cuthbert’s Street, Bedford, MK40 3JB Please quote reference: VIL/HACE/01 To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Country Life 63x100_Layout 1 18/01/2013 14:19 Page 1

Thinking of Letting? The Cromwell Club your local pay & play golf course affordable golf for all the family â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and so much more! 18 hole pay & play 9 hole pitch and putt floodlit driving range coaching â&#x20AC;&#x201C; free get into golf lessons! gym & squash membership also available coming soon FootGolf

Call the experts

..get a kick out of golf! Cromwell Club, Potton Road, St Neots, PE19 6XN www.abbotsley.com 01480 408900

01462 713713

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Computer Supply & Repair Fast, friendly and local support for all your computer and technology needs. Repairs, Upgrades, Custom Builds etc. Virus and Spyware Removal, PC Health Checks, Software/Hardware Sales, Networking and Wireless

No Call Out Fee Why pay shop prices when you can have a faster, cheaper and more personal service to your door available? With work guaranteed and a No Fix, No Fee motto, why shop anywhere else for your Computer needs?

The Gadget Guy Phone: 01767 641680 Mobile: 07776 497004 Email: sales@thegadgetguy.co.uk Web: www.thegadgetguy.co.uk To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Jordans Mill

BY MELANIE HULSE

Exciting restoration and forward-looking plans have overtaken Jordans Mill, near the village of Broom. Echoing their innovative past, the Jordan family have decided to move the mill into a new phase of its influential presence in the area with the building of the Mill Store, Riverside CafĂŠ, a brand new shop stocking local produce and an education centre which will enable visitors to explore and learn all about the mill, as well as visit the glorious wild flower, formal and vegetable gardens. Jordans Mill is a distinctive and well-loved local landmark which has also formed part of an internationally recognised brand for several decades. Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, at one time the mill, home of the Jordan

family for 150 years, formed the hub of the working village. At that time the River Ivel was peppered with mills, most of which were left to ruin when industrialised technology made their methods obsolete. But Jordans Mill has always been different. Suffering two fires just five years apart in 1894 and 1899, the forward thinking Jordan family seized the opportunity to re-build and modernise the mill, first exchanging the old stones for a metal roller grinding system and then replacing the undershot waterwheel with a water turbine. Revolutionary advancements employing technology that could be compared to the dawning of the Internet age today. The recent renovations are very much in keeping with the millâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pioneering past. The magnificent Mill Store, free to enter, has been designed and built incorporating huge, structural oak beams pegged together using artisan methods that honour the co-mingling of this fresh direction with the archaic structure of the old mill; a cleverly drawn shape which mirrors the elevations of the mill itself and reflects the lines of the historic grain hoppers within and a panoramic deck which will enable visitors to the Riverside CafĂŠ to eat a delicious, freshly prepared meal or take afternoon tea overlooking the ancient mill and lovely river, all within earshot of the water, making music over the old wheels.

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The solid oak floors continue upstairs and through a first floor where a meeting room and a larger function room with a long, private balcony, huge windows over the water and the same ingenious lines, offers wonderful space - perfect for an unforgettable party, a unique wedding reception or ideal as a fully equipped conference area. A complete catering service is available from the kitchens of the Mill Store upon request, where the finest locally sourced produce is skilfully prepared by the resident chef in open plan kitchens which are entirely visible to all visitors - another insightful nod to the mill of the past where the workings of the massive machinery were a source of pride to all who worked her. The future for Jordans Mill is once more assured as modern technology and renovation have collaborated to produce a visiting experience that can be enjoyed by all. Passing through the updated shop which still offers local and Jordan’s produce and gifts to the public, the visitor to the mill is guided into the grand building itself. Polished and painted, the drive wheels are poised for action and brought to life by audio-

visual, graphic and touch-screen experience. The mill has been divided floor-to-ceiling by a huge window – the workings of the mill on one side, the visitor’s experience with full explanations and hands on activities on the other. Floor-by-floor, the lively and interactive display ensures that young and old get a full picture of the important work, impressive technology and inspiring enterprise of the old mill and the Jordan family. Visitors are given the choice of how they see the mill – general admission covers the contemporary interpretation side while regular guided tours will also be available to anyone who wishes to get really close to the workings of the machinery itself. The intriguing story of the Jordan family is given real colour in The Barn, a second oak-framed building which has been constructed to link to the mill and provide a space for educational groups and activities. Here the history of milling is also given a greater depth along with a look at conservation of land and ancient working buildings. Local people are invited, young and old, to visit the newly re-opened Jordans Mill. Experience the history of your area with a tour of this influential building, wander the gardens and honour the past while enjoying the spring sunshine and the rhythm of rushing water alongside tea and scones or a slice of mouth-watering homemade cake on the magnificent terrace. Jordans Mill is open from 9am to 5pm daily. More information can be seen on the website www. jordansmill.com.

JORDANS MILL

Langford Road, Broom, Nr Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 9JY Tel: 01767 316503 Website: www.jordansmill.com To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Pottons Specialist Welding and Fabricating Company

For further information please call Trevor on Tel: 01767 261845 Mobile: 07941 187689 Email: Gemmaton@hotmail.co.uk

ton for a ll yo Wrought iron work, ur w elding needs made to order, including

ma m e G • • • •

stairs benches individual beds furniture

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Suppliers of manual and automated gates Security doors and grills Fire escapes All welding projects

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Grow Your Own Veg

By PIPPA GREENWOOD As the new gardening year is upon us, why not have a go at growing your own veg because it doesn’t need to be difficult and has the potential to be one of the most productive and fun things you’ve ever done. Home grown food tastes better, uses little if any air miles, can save you a packet and is enormously rewarding because you’re getting the top end of the market produce. Remember to grow what you like and what your garden can grow well this may take some experimenting, but don’t be afraid to admit that some things are trickier than others in your plot. If you’re an organic gardener or you simply want to produce pesticide free vegetables, you might need to spend more time thinking about what to grow and how you can best nurture it so that pests, diseases and other problems take a back seat. * Seed and plant catalogues are now more likely to let you know which varieties are relatively pest or disease resistant. * You can also encourage some of the naturally occurring insects that parasite or predate upon the garden pests, or bigger animals such as frogs, toads, hedgehogs and many birds. Insects include: Ladybirds: The larvae and the adults both consume huge numbers of aphids. Lacewings: The young or larvae are brilliant predators, eating mainly aphids, but also eating other pests such as thrips and eggs of moths. Hoverflies: The soft-bodied yellowy grey larvae are great aphid eaters, a single one eating up to fifty in a day, nearing 1,000 in its lifetime. Ground beetles: Often seen scuttling off at speed when you move pots, low-growing plants or loose slabs, they are mostly black and often shiny and are brilliant predators of many pests including slugs, vineweevils and some insect eggs. Solitary wasps: Some feed their larvae on aphids, weevils and other insects. Some of these may already be in your garden, but by growing some suitable plants you can really build up their numbers. On the whole the simple, non-double varieties are the most insect friendly, so try some of these: * Phacelia: A hardy annual with bluish perfumed flowers, perfect for direct sowing.

* Limnanthes douglasii (the poached egg plant): This yellow and white flowered hardy annual is loved by hoverflies. * Eschscholzia (the Californian poppy): This pretty yellow, orange and cream flowered plant can be direct sown and thrives in sunny well-drained sites. * Iberis (candytufts): One of the easiest hardy annuals, it has readily available pollen and nectar, perfect for many beneficial insects. The rewards are plentiful - a regular supply of superbly tasty vegetables, picked when ripened to perfection (not just to make them last longer on the supermarket shelf), gathered as and when you need them and in the quantities you need (cutting down on wastage) plus you can choose the varieties you find tastiest. Why not grow some great vegetables in 2013? Go to www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ – choose from a fantastic selection of vegetables sent to you at just the right time for planting and each week you receive an email from her telling you all you need to know to ensure great results. You can also sign up for Pippa’s newsletter and receive a free e-book on organic gardening, and buy a hand-picked selection of garden products.

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Rural Ramblings BY GEOFF WHARTON

Being Sensible

As Spring is soon to arrive and the birds are just beginning to start to sing again, it is an added bonus in any garden to have our feathered friends impress us again with their melodies. It must be so frustrating to loose the keenness of our senses as the years pass by. In order to fully appreciate our environment our senses must be finely tuned. I remember being impressed by the contrast between a fox and a cat filmed together. The fox was wide alert depending for survival on it’s sensitivity to any changes in it’s surroundings such as the rustle of dry leaves, the faint smell of a dead bird or the dim glow of torchlight in the woodland at night. The well-fed cat on the other hand was still aware but the degree of sensitivity was the significant difference between the two animals. Gardens specifically planted for stimulating a sensory response, were fashionable some years ago but of course all gardens rely on the senses for their full appreciation especially when time and attention to detail are exercised. The colour and texture of the bark of a tree can be almost mesmerizing when closely viewed. The horizontal banding of deep red of a tree such as Prunus serrula is more than just attractive. Sight is probably the most used sense and I will include colour, form and foliage in this category. The orchid family has some of the most interesting and diverse flower forms of any plant. And the colours are always spectacular. For those of us who don’t have the time needed to cultivate these indoor plants, we can grow Pansies, Iris, Tulips and Dahlias all of which may be relatively common, but nevertheless can be visually stunning. For an easily grown indoor plant which has highly decorative foliage, Coleus is difficult to beat and for shrubs, the intense blue of Ceanothus rarely fails to impress. Many plants have the added advantage of being highly scented as well as visually attractive. The almost overpowering sweet scent from some Lilies and Roses makes them top favourites and for shrubs, Buddleia, Philadelphus and Daphne are welcome inclusions in any garden. For indoors, I love the scent from crushed leaves of some Pelargoniums and Gardenias, although

difficult to grow , are one of the best for scent. We must not forget to include Sweet Williams, Hyacinths and Carnations in this category. The fruit garden provides us with a whole range of healthy ,tasty and refreshing temptations and a sun-warmed strawberry must be one of the main contenders for top of the tastes. The blend of sweetness and acidity would be appreciated by any chef worth his or her salt! The heat of the Chilli would be included just for fun! Now we come to the difficult categories of touch and hearing. The, aptly named Lamb’s Ears(Stachys)is so delicate and smooth and the rustle of Bamboo or other tall grasses would complete the list of my favourite sensory plants. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I know of one person who is captivated by the intricate appearance of such “lowly” plants as mosses. I suppose everything has it’s own attraction if we only spent the time looking ?

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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J.R. Bibby Turf Supplies GARDEN MACHINERY AND TRAILER CENTRE

 Personal customer service, collection and delivery available.  Assessment of individual requirements.  Full after sales backup and parts service.  NEW Oregon, the world's only unique battery operated, self-sharpening s In stock. chain saw.  Ride-on and pedestrian mowers, chainsaws, strimmers, hedge trimmers, cultivators, estate and equestrian equipment. Trailers - sales, hire, service.  Accessories, oils, Aspen fuel, batteries, spares, security locks for garden/ horticultural machinery and trailers. horticultu

Appointed dealers for:

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Quality Turf with a Quality Service

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For your Free Estimate call Joe on:

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Get composting this spring

and save a little more As spring approaches and our thoughts turn to our gardens, make sure you take advantage of a limited offer to get a discounted compost bin. Central Bedfordshire Council has teamed up with www.getcomposting.com to help you beat the price increase at the start of April. Composting is a great way to help our gardens bloom and more than a third of household waste is made up of organic material which can be composted at home. Grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, unwanted plants, fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and even the contents of the vacuum bag are all ideal for composting. Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services at the council said, “We want to encourage you to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. Composting selected kitchen and garden waste is an easy and effective way of recycling some of the waste we produce every day, while putting nutrients back into our gardens and the wider environment. It is simple

to get started and you may be surprised at how empty your black bin is when you compost at home and use all the recycling services. “While the new deal will still offer superb value, I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting into composting to buy a bin before the end of March to save that little bit extra!” Prices for compost bins start at only £9 with a £5 delivery charge and a range of accessories to choose from. There is also a ‘Buy one get one half price’ offer for residents with larger gardens. For further information about these products, call 0844 571 444 and quote reference CBC01L. Alternatively, you can order your home compost bin and composting accessories online: www.cbc. getcomposting.com

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Gilks Fencing

BY MELANIE HULSE

APRIL OFFER

Get the spring off to a great start in your garden and buy a garden spade or fork at the special price of just £6.50 each. Good quality garden fencing is a necessity for most people. A tidy boundary can make all the difference to the appearance of your garden and ensuring that children are able to safely play outside can ease your mind considerably and help to prize them away from the tv too. But there are other considerations that make choosing a fence and finding the right supplier and installer something worth giving some thought. Planning, cost, delivery and style all need to be well considered which is where Gilks Fencing of Gamlingay comes in. I went along to

meet Colin and his team and talk to them about the service they can offer to tradespersons and families too. ‘We are an established company, but just under a year ago we moved premises – from Sandy to Gamlingay, so that we had room to expand and to open a comprehensive display area.’ explains Colin. ‘It can be difficult to choose the right fence by looking at panels or railing laid flat or packaged, or just contemplating a photograph in a brochure. Many people who came to us before wanted a certain style because they had seen it at a friend’s home or while they were out. We decided that a full display area where customers can see fences installed and walk amongst them would help them to have a full and clear picture of exactly how each style appears and so help them to choose the right one for their garden.’ It is a truly inspired idea. Despite the cold, I can’t resist a wander around and soon find out that all Colin has told me is true. There is nothing quite like a railing, fence or gate in position as a railing, fence or gate - and the selection at Gilks Fencing is quite remarkable. ‘We have a few more advantages over the big

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DIY stores. Whereas all they stock comes in standard, fixed sizes, we can make adjustments to any fence or gate that a customer requires. We have the machines and the skills to make a gate that really fits your garden or a fence that is the perfect size. We send out our own surveyor to make sure we get the measurements absolutely correct and we can bring our experience and best advice to the job too’ ‘All our customers are welcome to ask anything they need to know. We are a friendly and welcoming local company with a wealth of knowledge. We can offer the fencing you need at the best prices, as well as full guidance and experience in making a choice. From our new sales counter we sell all the tools and equipment you will need to install your fence or gate and we deliver too. We offer an installation service and no job is too big or too small. We have been contracted to install high security fencing, railings that stretch for miles as well as white picket fencing for the smallest garden. We are always happy to help, no matter what the customer needs.’ Anyone buying from or contracting Gilks can rest assured that they are making a sensible decision too. ‘We are fully insured and all the team are qualified as installers through the Construction

Skills Certification Scheme. We are trained in the use of Cable Avoidance Tools so we can promise not to cause any problems with pipes or electricity cables when we dig and we are fully approved by the Central Bedfordshire Trading Standards Association.’ Gilks Fencing is open to the public from 7am until 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am until 12 noon on Saturdays. So whether you are contemplating a new fence, gate, railing, hand rail or a rather beautiful woven willow screen, why not call in at Gilks and see what real value looks like?

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Wide variety of Top Quality •Seed & Meadow Hay• •Haylage• •Wheat & Barley Straw• Various Bale Sizes

•All types of Fencing• Also stock

• Equine Services - including Muck Heap Removal • Shavings • 360 Digger Hire with Driver

Call Mark: 07711 376 287 or Jenny: 01462 892 253 www.oakleyfarming.co.uk 58

Professional Dog & Cat Grooming Hydro Massage Bathing Bespoke Dog & Cat Grooming Handstripping Specialists De-shedding Treatments Open Plan Grooming 38 Shortmead St Biggleswade www.hollywooddogs.co.uk 01767 600 212 Find us on Facebook

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ANIMAL STORIES

Is a bunny the perfect Easter present? Although traditionally thought of as good pets for children, this isn’t the case as they’re not easy to look after well. The RSPCA stresses that there’s an enormous difference between giving an Easter egg and giving a bunny. Chocolate eggs are delicious and their use is simple – finish them in one session, or if you have the discipline, make them last a few days. Owning a rabbit is much more complex. • Rabbits are sociable, playful and inquisitive – and normally prefer to live with another rabbit. Handled every day, from an early age, your rabbits will learn to see you as a friend and companion. Typically, rabbits live for 8-12 years, but some may live for longer. • Rabbits are active animals so they need to be able to hop, run, jump, dig, stand fully upright on their back legs, and stretch out fully when lying down. A hutch must never be their sole home. They also require a large, escape-proof run in which they can exercise and play. • A rabbits’ digestive system must have hay and/or grass in order to function properly. This also wears their teeth down – preventing dental problems because their teeth grow continuously. • Rabbits are intelligent and need to have lots to do. Toys allow them to perform normal behaviours such as digging, chewing, chin marking and investigating.

• Rabbits should be vaccinated regularly – take them for a routine health check with your vet at least once a year. In warm weather check them twice daily. Urine staining or stuck droppings will attract flies, which can lay eggs and cause ‘flystrike’. This is often fatal. Also treat for external and internal parasites (eg fleas and worms) as advised by your vet. There’s loads more to learn about rabbits on the RSPCA website, so make sure you visit www. rspca.org.uk/rabbits So, if you still want a rabbit, you’ve researched their welfare needs and you’re committed to taking care of them for the whole of their lives (not just for Easter), please think about giving a home to some of the many rescue rabbits available for adoption from the RSPCA North Bedfordshire branch. 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 Andrews

DANCE CENTRE CHILDRENS DANCE CLASSES Held at:

Potton & Biggleswade We specialise in teaching children from the age of 3yrs & above in:

• Disco/Street • Ballet • Tap Dancing Our classes are lively and enjoyable and most importantly lots of fun !! Teachers CRB Checked & qualified with the I.S.T.D and N.A.T.D

01462 643 384

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

Paddocks Boarding Cattery Peaceful location. No dogs boarded. Spacious, individual, heated chalets with large covered runs. Inspection welcome. Boarding from £6.00/day. Rabbits/guinea pigs also boarded. 64 Meadow Road, Great Gransden

Telephone 01767 677 759 www.catterybedfordshire.co.uk Open all year.

The cattery for caring owners. Comfort and security for your pet. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Private Tuition

Maths & Science Teacher of the Sciences, with over 30 years experience, currently based in a Bedfordshire school who is available for private tutoring during the week and at weekends.

• Biology

• A Levels/GCSE

• Chemistry • Key Stage 2 • Maths

• Crash Courses

Swimming Lessons • • • • • •

Private pool - Tadlow ASA qualified teachers Beginners & stroke technique classes 1-3 pupils per class 10 week courses (term time only) Mother and Toddler classes

For a friendly chat call Anne on:

07776 021 611 or 01767 651 190 Email: anniethehut@fsmail.net

www.annehutson.co.uk

annehutson

C a l l He ather on Tel: 01767 631053 Mob: 07885 516561

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Mats Cars Potton Based Local and Long Distance Private Hire Airport/Stations/Nights Out etc Can now carry up to 7 passengers + luggage in our new Luxury MPV. 4 Passenger car also available.

Mini Bus Hire For All Occasions Contact Tony on 01767 631475 or 07739 864228 Email: tonycharter@aol.com

Airport Transfers From Luton £40, Stansted £65, Heathrow £80, Gatwick £130 Tel: 01767 261871 Mob: 07983 218367 www.mats-cars.co.uk All major credit/debit cards accepted

Gamlingay Tyre Centre

* * * * *

All Major Brands Budget & Part Worn Puncture Repair Available Servicing - All Makes & Models Batteries, Exhaust and Shock Absorbers * All Work Guaranteed Phone for Cheapest Quote

01767 448 729 / 07801 082 261 Unit 48 Green End Trading Estate, Gamlingay, Beds, SG19 3LB

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AWD XJ

PORSCHE CAYENNE You want a 911, but need more space and would rather have the commanding view of the road a 4x4 offers. Is the Porsche Cayenne the answer? We find out… What is it? It’s a Cayenne – Porsche’s roughty toughty offroader – but one that’s had a dose of steroids and some glitter liberally applied to its bodywork. Slotting into the range between the V8 S and the Turbo, the GTS comes with more focus and power and some distinctive styling options. What’s under the bonnet? A rather raucous 4.8-litre V8 that’s been uprated from 394bhp to 414bhp and boasts 515Nm of torque. Performance is far from the Turbo’s though; the GTS will hit 60mph in 5.7s and go on to 162mph. It sounds pretty special getting there though! Everything else has been on the sharpening block – the steering is crisper, the eightspeed gearbox shifts quicker, and the lowered ride height gives it an added edge on the road. What’s the kit like? Pretty impressive, but like all Porsches you’ll soon rack up Ford Fiesta-sized bills on the options. A communications pack costs £2,157, 21-inch black alloys are £1,513 and even the red paint will set you back £1,619. Our test car had a total of £13,760 worth of goodies…ouch. Any rivals? The ageing Range Rover Sport puts up a pretty good fight, but we’ve never tried a Rangie that

sounds as good as this GTS. Audi will soon be at the party with its SQ models, but that’s yet to be applied to its Q7. For a left field there’s always the Infiniti Vettel Edition, but that’s very expensive in comparison. So, not much choice out there at the moment. Is it any good? Although it’s incredibly quick and sounds tremendous, it can feel a little bit stressed out at times. By that we mean it feels on edge, twitchy even – perhaps the added sharpness has given it a little too much bite. However, there’s no doubting it has real presence on the road – it’s just the styling might not suit all tastes. The verdict We like the GTS treatment given to most Porsches. The 997 911 really benefitted from the work over, and the Panamera GTS we tried after this Cayenne worked fantastically well too. However, the offroader doesn’t feel quite right in this guise. It’s quick and sounds incredible, but feels like it’s pretending to be something that it’s not. The knowledge Model: Porsche Cayenne GTS Price: From £67,147 Engine: 4.8-litre, petrol Power: 414bhp, 515Nm Max speed: 162mph 0-60mph: 5.7s MPG (comb’d): 26.4 Emissions: 251g/km

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MG Couriers

15/2/13

11:55

Page 1

MG MGCOURIERS COURIERS Collections & Deliveries Clean Mercedes Sprinter Van FULL LOADS OR SINGLE ITEMS ★ COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC a 7 days t s week fa e s n o resp

Reliable and friendly service Call Mike Garner for a competitive quote:

Goods in trans insuran it ce

07769 710711 Mg-couriers@hotmail.co.uk ★ High Street, Sandy, Beds. To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

Fun Quiz - Brand Names 1. Which brand of Champagne by Moët & Chandon is named after the Benedictine monk who is often mistakenly credited as having invented Champagne? 2. What is the oldest four-wheel drive car brand in the world? 3. Technika is a brand name for electronic products that are exclusively sold by which retailer? 4. Which brand name was derived from the words “durability”, “reliability” and “excellence”? 5. Which brand of soaps, shower gels and bath products originated in 1768 when a Russian nobleman asked for a perfume to be created that embodied the distinctive aroma of the Russian court? 6. Which brand of spread by Dairy Crest has a two word rhyming name? 7. What six letter name is the best known brand name of polytetrafluoroethylene? 8. What was the mobile network operator One 2 One rebranded as in 2002? 9. Which brand of chocolate bar has been advertised with the slogan “it’s not for girls”? 10. Which brand name is derived from the German word for “type” and the Latin word for “no more”?

Before

After

1. Dom Perignon 2. Jeep 3. Tesco 4. Durex (by putting together the first parts of each word) 5. Imperial Leather 6. Utterly Butterly 7. Teflon 8. T-Mobile 9. Yorkie 10. Tipp-ex

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ABOVE ALL Autocentre Unit 1, Sand Road Ind. Est., Great Gransden SG19 3AH

10% discount with this advert

Tel: 01767 679000

MOT TESTING For class 4 or 7 vehicles Class IV Cars and vans up to 3000kg Class VII Vans over 3000kg up to 3500kg

SERVICING Good Garage Scheme Industry Standard Service Or to manufacturer specification

AIR CONDITIONING â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Recharging of system. DIAGNOSTICS - SNAP ON Diagnostic fault finding centre. EXHAUSTS - Supplied and fitted to all makes of cars and vans. BATTERIES - Supplied and fitted two and three year guarantee. BRAKES - Discs Pads Shoes. Cylinders etc supplied and fitted. CODE READING - Trace & rectify those alarming red dashboard warning lights. TYRES - All makes inc. Budget Avon, Dunlop, Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli.

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Oven Cleaning! - It’s a dirty job! Why do it yourself?

For all your oven cleaning needs, using a Non-toxic, Non-caustic cleaning solution

Prices

s/oven (all inc.)...£40.00 d/oven (all inc.)...£52.00 extractors from...£16.00 microwaves.....£16.00 hobs from....£12.00 BBQs, Agas and Ranges individually priced.

We cover Beds - Herts - South Cambs Contact us now

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

Tel: 01767 681 667 Mob: 07817 011 957 email: enquiries@ovenmaestro.co.uk www.ovenmaestro.co.uk

Eve 'n' Stitches Sewing Services •Clothing Alteration & Repairs •Curtains & Blind making up service

Sew much more... Call Eve on:

07599 539 636 (Located in Baldock)

www.evenstitches.vpweb.co.uk 72

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parent company est. 1998

SEASONAL DELIGHTS

SPICED RACK OF LAMB WITH FRAGRANT RICE

Perfect for a spring Sunday lunch or stylish supper this quick and easy lamb dish is full of flavor. Choose a couple of meaty racks of lamb from a good butcher and score the layers of fat before spreading with the harissa paste. Serve with a cooling garlic and mint yoghurt sauce. INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp harissa paste (see Tip) 2 trimmed racks of lamb, each with 6 bones 2 red onions, peeled and cut into slim wedges 50g butter 225g basmati rice, rinsed and drained 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 750ml vegetable stock Generous pinch saffron strands 50g sultanas 40g flaked almonds, lightly toasted 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds Tip Harissa paste is a fiery hot North African blend of red chilli peppers and spices – just a little goes a long way so use sparingly. You’ll find it in small jars near the dried herb and spice sections in most large supermarkets.

Serves 4 Ready in 1 hour 1 Preheat the oven to 200C, 400F, Gas 6. Spread the harissa paste over the lamb racks. Place the racks in an oiled roasting tin and add the onion wedges. 2 Roast in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes depending on how pink you like your lamb. Remove from the oven. Cover with foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes – the lamb will be juicier and easier to carve. 3 Meanwhile, heat the butter in a heavy-based pan until melted and foaming. Add the rice and garlic. Fry gently for 1-2 minutes, stirring until the rice is translucent. Pour in the stock. Add the saffron and bring to the boil, stirring. 4 Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for 15-20 minutes without removing the lid until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat. Fork through to separate the grains. Add the sultanas, flaked almonds and pomegranate seeds. 5 Carve the lamb racks into individual cutlets and serve immediately with the fragrant rice and roast onion wedges.

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what’S ON?

IN APRIL

1 April Easter Hunt Trail 10am-3pm RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Trail sheet £2. Admission £4 per vehicle to non-RSPB members 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 2, 9, 16, 3 & 30 April Tuesday Morning Walkers 9.30-11.30am RSPB The Lodge, Sandy Adults £3, RSPB Members free. Admission £4 per vehicle to non-RSPB members Weekly walks around the reserve with a leader, looking for birds, wildlife and enjoying the site. Everyone welcome. Tel: 01767 680541 Web: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge 3 April Folk Social Evening 6pm Moggerhanger Village Hall First Wednesday every month. The Bar is open for a drink and a chat. Invited musicians. Also open the box. Tel: Carolyn on 01767 640727 5 & 19 April Whist Drive 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Fortnightly Friday Whist Drive. Refreshments included. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 for more information 6 April 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 6 April Natwest CricketForce The Hollow, Biggleswade Road, Potton Potton Town Cricket Club are again involved the Natwest CricketForce event. This is a major community volunteer event, last year involving nearly 2000 local cricket clubs throughout the country. The aim is to utilise the skill, enthusiasm and support of all willing local people and organisations to rejuvenate and develop facilities at cricket grounds. Our main aim this year is maintenance and preparation for our planned pavilion extension – a much wanted upgrade for our facilities. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, from helping on the day, to promoting, catering, organising, donating, delivering, etc. Get involved if you can. Tel: Phill Banks on 07801 344688 for more details.

Entries into our What’s On sections are free. If you have an event you would like us to publicise please email the details to whatson@villagermag.com 6 April Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Small charge for visitors Cambs and Beds Hardy Plant Society present a talk by Des Martin on ‘Woodland treasures - features a selection of mostly herbaceous plants.’ Des is the proprietor of a specialist nursery. He uses live plants which provide a hand’s on and practical introduction to the subject. Des will also bring plants for sale at the meeting. All welcome small charge applies. Tel: Winifred 01234 721720 Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 11 April Isla St Clair - “Eyes Front!” 7.30 pm Little Gransden Village Hall Tickets £9/£8 An unusual and entertaining evening from popular folksinger, actress and television presenter. Tickets from P Jaquest 01767 677313 or Great Gransden Village Stores. 11 April Wrestlingworth Road Bike Riding 8.00pm The Chequers, Wrestlingworth With the Spring weather arriving some of us are contemplating starting up a weekend or evening cycling group. Nothing too difficult to start with - maybe 15-20 miles, increasing to 30 miles+ as we get fitter. If it sounds interesting and you would like more details come and meet us. Time to get out the Lycra, get fit and have some fun! Tel: Richard 01767 631382 or Simon 01767 631152 12 April Bingo Night 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Monthly Bingo Friday night with cash prizes, raffle and licensed bar. Also open the box. All proceeds to support the Village Hall. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 12 & 13 April Allo Allo Doors open 7.15pm, performance starts 7.45pm Gamlingay Eco Hub Tickets £8.50/£7 in advance or £9/£7.50 on the door including complimentary cup of French Onion Soup Gamlingay Players present Allo Allo. Licensed bar. Tickets available at The Cutting Mill, The Bargain Box, The Eco Hub or online at www.gamlingayplayers.co.uk.

13 April HUGO (PG) Doors open 2.30pm, film starts 3pm Space for Sports & Arts, Holmemead School, Mead End, Biggleswade Tickets £3.50 Starring Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee and Emily Mortimer. HUGO is the astonishing adventure of an orphaned boy, sent to live with his drunken uncle, where he learns how to wind theresponding station clocks.to When he disappears, Hugo Please mention The Villager and Town Life when adverts

what’S ON? IN APRIL

maintains the clocks on his own, becoming a squatter in the station. His aptitude for engineering leads him to steal pieces to rebuild a mechanical man, his father’s project. Avoiding the station’s lone police officer and the orphanage, Hugo strikes up a friendship with Isabelle, who unknowingly possesses the last item Hugo needs to make his father’s mechanical man work again. Web: www.ivelflix.org.uk

21 April R.A.T.S. Open Day 1.00-3.30pm Great Barford Village Hall, Green End Road, Great Barford Re-Homing Animal Telephone Service. Details of animals needing new homes. Stalls, tombola, plants and homemade refreshments. All proceeds are used for the animals in our care. Tel: 01234 871174 Web: www.rats-animalrescue.co.uk

17 April Sandy & District Horticultural Association 7.30pm Quince Court, Sandy Members £2.50, Visitors £3.50 Talk by Joe Sharman entitled ‘Finding Plants in the Wild’. Plants for sale.

22 April Biggleswade Cancer Support Group 1-3pm The Meeting Room, Biggleswade Baptist Church, 24 London Road, Biggleswade Sessions are free but donations are welcome First meeting of the support group which has been set up for Cancer patients, families and friends in the Biggleswade area. It is a place to meet with others and provide mutual support. Come and have a cup of tea or coffee in a friendly confidential environment. Tel: Gina 07812 796581 Email: csgbiggleswade@gmail.com

20 April NCT Nearly New Sale 2.15-3.30pm Stratton Upper School, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Admission £1 (in aid of NCT) Biggleswade, Sandy & District Branch Spring Nearly New Sale. Early entry at 2pm for NCT members, with a valid membership card. Items for sale include: children’s clothes from 0-8, toys, nursery equipment and buggies. For more information email: nearlynewsale@biggleswadenct.org.uk or see our Facebook Page (Biggleswade NCT). 20 April Cabaret Evening 7pm Tickets £5 An evening with Regina Dwight. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 for tickets 20 April A Concert for St George’s Day 7.30pm Beeston Methodist Church, the Baulk, off The Limes Admission £4 including light refreshments - pay at the door A fun concert celebrating our Patron Saint with Soloists Eileen Tomlinson, Dave Lester, Helen Rotchell, Double Take Men’s Barbershop Quartet, Sandye Singers and Beeston Ladies Choir. Large car park at rear of church. Tel: Angela 01767 220175 or Vivien 01767 682034 21 April 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

25 April Potton History Society 8.00pm The Community Centre, Brook End, Potton ‘Biggleswade in the Bedfordshire Magazine’. This monthly publication ran from 1947 to 1999 painting a fascinating picture of towns and villages in Bedfordshire. Peter Ibbett looks at our close neighbour, Biggleswade. Visitors welcome. Light refreshments provided. Web: www.pottonhistortysociety.com 26 April Ceilidh Doors open 7.30pm, last dance 11.30pm Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Adults £10, Children (under 18) £6, Seniors (over 65) £9, Students / unwaged (with SU card/UB40) £7, First 6 Students Before 8pm FREE, Family (2 Adults + 3 Children) £28 Ceilidh dances are fast-paced, easy to learn, great fun and addictive! Clear instructions from the caller before and during the set, allow anyone to join in and enjoy the dancing. Dances are held on the last Friday of the month. The combination of the finest live bands, top callers, local real ale and splendid venue, guarantees an excellent, funfilled evening for all. Web: www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk 27 April Auction of Promises 7pm Trinity Methodist Church, Shortmead Street Biggleswade. Entry £5 including programme and a Ploughman’s supper. Auctioneer: Alan Porter. 11 May Quiz Evening 7.30pm The Stuart Memorial Hall, Tempsford £5 per person including Ploughman’s supper With Quiz Master Chris Ebeling. Teams of up to 6 people. Tel: Meryl 01767 640873 for tickets

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London Marathon

By Susan Brookes-Morris This year’s London Marathon will be held on April 21st. This iconic event first took place over 30 years ago, in 1981. It was the brainchild of John Disley and Chris Brasher who after taking part in the New York Marathon, wondered if London could stage such a festival. 7,747 runners took part in the first London Marathon, whilst in 2012 there were over 37,000 participants. The Marathon is now a calendar highlight for competitors, spectators and charities alike. Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich will take part this year and is expected to complete the 26.2 mile course in just over 2 hours For most of us a marathon would prove too gruelling, but there are half marathons, 10k and 5k runs or sub 5k events which anyone can enter. There are running events nearly every weekend somewhere in Britain. Running has many benefits, firstly it’s free. Once you have your basic kit, it costs nothing to simply ‘go out for a run.’ As you are not tied to a specific class or opening times, you can go running whenever you please. Studies extol the health benefits. Runners tend to be stronger and live longer. Regular exercise, along with a healthy balanced diet, can also reduce your risk of cancer. So how does a fledgling runner get started? Most beginners’ guides suggest doing a combination

of run/walk/run on your first outings and building up your distance gradually. You should always stretch, warm up and cool down and ensure you are hydrated. You should not run too fast. You should always be able to maintain a conversation and not breathe too heavily. Training programmes suggest that subject to satisfactory health, beginners could train to complete a 5k run within six weeks, training three times a week. Someone preparing for a marathon would probably have a training plan of at least 16 weeks. It’s important to have the correct equipment and in particular the right shoes. Specialists will use biomechanics, your weight, the surfaces you wish to run on and the shape of your feet as influencing factors when determining which shoes to recommend for you. Serious runners will alternate between two pairs of shoes during training, and shoes should be replaced after around 500 miles. Other items to consider include running socks, tights leggings or shorts, a stop watch, technical t shirt, a heart monitor, training log, drinks carrier, energy drinks and a lightweight jacket. Ladies will also require a high impact sports bra. Many find they are more committed to running if they have a training partner, and some join local running clubs for increased support and guidance.

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Comet Cleaning Services Commercial & Residential Cleaners • Commercial and Domestic Cleaners • Builders/Landlord Cleans • Experienced and Personal Service

All types of roofing work undertaken. Friendly, reliable and professional service.

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

• Regular, Weekly/Spring Clean • Fully Insured/Ref's Available • No up front fee's/contracts

01767 631402 Mob: 07762 462866 Tel:

Email: comet.services@virgin.net

www.cometcleaningservices.co.uk

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

CALL FREE 0800 7317988 To discuss your requirements or to make an appointment

ALLBAND AERIALS

22 Bedford Road Lower Stondon, Beds SG16 6EA

Mark Dilley Electrical

DRIFTWOOD JOINERY LTD Specialists in Bespoke Joinery

Part P Registered Company 22386 Extra sockets - Lighting Extensions - Re-wires Security Lighting - Showers Inspections No job too small Free estimates All work to BS7671 regulations City and Guilds qualified

Tel: 01767 261008 Mob: 07990 895430

mark@markdilleyelectrical.co.uk 78

Conservatories • Doors • Windows Staircases Handmade Kitchens Handmade Bedroom Furniture

Unit 8, Gracious Farm, Southill, Beds SG18 9JB T: 01462 816695 F: 01462 850915 E: info @driftwoodjoinery.com

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Biggleswade Sandy Lions

AFK

Action For Kids is a registered charity set up by Sally Bishop in 1991 to support young people with physical and learning difficulties, supported by Lions Clubs, including Biggleswade Sandy Lions. Sally realised such a charity was needed when she became aware of a young boy who needed a wheelchair which the NHS was unable to supply. Since inception the charity has continued to grow. The aim is to give children with physical and learning difficulties opportunities to be as independent as possible. This charity provides and maintains appropriate mobility aids as well as giving friendly and personal support for disabled young people and their families, making a real difference to their quality of life and self confidence. Life skills are taught and the young are helped to use services such as libraries, doctor’s surgeries and public transport. It was realised that disabled young people were being excluded from work experience opportunities. Therefore a work related learning programme was introduced, originally in-house

but now extended to schools and colleges. Now students gain valuable and life changing experience in the world of work. All in all, they help these young people look forward to living as independent adults one day. To find out more about Action For Kids, visit their website www.actionforkids.org. All the money needed for Lions to do their community service work comes from our fundraising events not out of our own pockets. All we ask of members is for some of their time and not the exclusion of their other interests. We have a social life as well. Biggleswade Sandy Lions meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at Biggleswade Conservative Club, but I would stress we are a non-political and non-religious organisation –the Club just has a super meeting room. To find out more telephone 0845 833 9749 or visit www. biggleswadesandylions.org.uk or call 01462 814967 for a Club leaflet. LIONS PROUD TO SERVE

Enjoy a taste of our varied music! Concerts are always in aid of humanitarian charities. Peregrine's forthcoming concerts will be: Saturday April 20th - Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford MK41 9QJ, at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5 Saturday June 29th - Henlow Theatre, RAF Henlow

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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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T&R Roofing Ltd

Family Business Est. 1985

• Felt Roofing Specialists (10 year & 15 year guarantee on high performance felts) • Tiling, Slating, Guttering • UPVC Facia/Soffits • Chimney Work

All NEW work guaranteed Fully insured for employer & Public Liability Call Tony Simpson for a FREE estimate on:

01767 314847 mob. 07831849847

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Fooled you!

by ALEX BROWN It’s always fun to watch the news on April Fools’ Day, trying to spot the fake story. Sometimes it’s not that easy! Here is a reminder of some classic pranks from years gone by: The most memorable has got to be the BBC’s 1957 Panorama report on the bumper spaghetti crop. Huge numbers of viewers were fooled by the footage of Swiss peasants gathering long strands of pasta from the trees! In 1962, Swedish television viewers were duped into thinking that they could transform their black-and-white TV sets into colour by stretching a nylon stocking over the screen. Australians were confused in 1975 when they were told they were converting to metric time, with 100 seconds to the minute, 100 minutes to the hour and 20-hour days. More recently in 2008, we were stunned to see a BBC film of Adélie penguins flying across the Antarctic on their way to spend the winter in the

rainforests of South America. This became one of the most viewed videos on the internet. And finally, do you remember the whistling carrot? Tesco published an advert in 2002 publicising the genetically modified vegetable. The advert said it had air holes in the side and that it whistled when it was fully cooked!

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Quality PVC-U Windows & Doors MANUFACTURERS & INSTALLERS

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

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC • Verticle Sliding Sash Windows • Casement Windows • Residential & French Doors • Patio Doors • Pivot Windows • 10 Year Insurance Backed Guarantee • Discount for Pensioners • FENSA Certification

Unit 2-6 Shannon Place, Potton, Sandy, Beds SG19 2SP T. 01767 260 626 E. sales@pottonwindows.co.uk

www.pottonwindows.co.uk

Tel: 01767 261622 Mob: 07947 732883 Email: dialporter01@tiscali.co.uk Potton Windows Limited was established in 1987

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Hong Kong Island

High Rise and Dragons Sail on the old Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, just an eight minute ride from the peninsula, and Hong Kong Island greets you with its 21st century skyline, here the zigzag patterns of the Bank of China Tower, there the sensuous curves of the Convention and Exhibition Centre or the Central Plaza rising to 78 floors, framed by verdant hills. Above these monoliths of concrete and glass, Victoria Peak looms undisturbed, like a grand old lady smiling at a mob of unruly children. At a cool, often misty, 1810 feet, the Peak has long attracted the elite who built luxury dwellings on its upper slopes laced with gardens and wooded trails. For most visitors, the Peak begins with a steep thrilling ride on the funicular, hauled up to Victoria Gap by a single cable. The summit is out of bounds, topped with telecom masts, but weather permitting, there are unrivalled views across the harbour to Kowloon, the New Territories and a few of the 260 outlying islands which are part of Hong Kong. At night, the city below is an ocean of lights. With a density approaching 16,000 inhabitants per square mile, the main island is an eclectic mass of humanity. Executives in pin-striped suits, fortune tellers, revellers, manicured store assistants, families on their way to the Ocean Theme Park, shoppers, tourists, the city is for ever on the move, flooding every pavement and elevated walkway, buses, trams, ferries, taxis, underground and the mid-level stairs where a string of 20 escalators carry commuters down in the morning then switch uphill for the rest of the day. The aptly named ‘Central’ district on the north coast is the glittering seat of government,

finance and upmarket shopping, its new architectural wonders jostling for space above the last colonial buildings. There are swanky boutiques and antique shops but affordable goods in the lanes and the Chinese Emporiums brimming with handicraft. Tai Chi enthusiasts gather in Victoria Park, locals bargain for dried fish, snake bile and chopsticks and around the temples festooned in red lanterns and dragons, clouds of incense fill the air as they did long ago, giving Hong Kong its name of ‘fragrant harbour.’ Once dotted with its own incense mills, Aberdeen on the south coast has sprouted into high rise but retains a frenzied wet market and harbour where tyre-draped sampans weave past the ageing fishing fleet and the last houseboats strung with laundry. On the quayside, seafood lovers wait for the free ferry which will take them to glitzy floating restaurants, anchored on the edge of the typhoon shelter. Beyond Aberdeen, life moves at a gentler pace as week-enders relax on the lovely beaches of Deep Water or Repulse Bay or venture to the sleepy village of Shek O in the east. Cooled by sea breezes, Shek O marks the end of the Dragon Back’s Trail, a pleasant trek along a ridge with stunning vistas of the interior country parks and South China Sea. True, Hong Kong Island thrives on banking and business but the old China survives, more discreet than on the peninsula, but coming into its own at festival time when brightly-decorated dragon boats compete in the traditional Stanley race, spurred on by drums and cheering crowds. Solange Hando

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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 19th April 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 - Mrs Edwards from Bedford and 2nd prize - Claire Curzen from Langford For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com Across 1 Jewels (4) 3 Allowed in (8) 9 Worried (7) 10 Annoy (5) 11 Fading away (12) 13 Deny (6) 15 Interfere (6) 17 Directions (12) 20 Ships load (5) 21 Vital part of healthy diet (7) 22 Enjoyed (8) 23 Repair (4) Down 1 Protecting (8) 2 Blends (5) 4 Dismiss (6) 5 Crossroad (12) 6 Taught (7) 7 Deceased (4) 8 Contests (12) 12 Flavoured (8) 14 Army rank (7) 16 Flexible (6) 18 Overweight (5) 19 Mark left by wound (4)

Pleasemention mentionThe TheVillager Villagerand andTown TownLife Lifewhen whenresponding respondingtotoadverts adverts Please

KEMP GARAGE DOORS SALES • INSTALLATION • REPAIRS • Family Run Business • 25 Years Experience • Up and Over • Sectional and Roller Doors www.kempgaragedoors.co.uk • Security Shutters

• Remote Control Door

SANDY • POTTON • All Major Brands

Supplied and Serviced

BIGGLESWADE • Call for a Free AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Quotation

• OAP Rates Available

01767 260165 Sandy

01480 210410 Eaton Socon

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Sureclean DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

• Spot stain and odour removal • Anti-stain protection • The very latest equipment used • All work guaranteed • Fully insured • Established for 22 years • Leather suites cleaned and reconditioned

01767 652971 or 07870 338074

P.E.JAMES • Boiler Breakdown Repairs • New Boilers & Radiators • Heating / Flushing Cleaning

Domestic Plumbing, Heating & Gas

• Complete Bathroom Installs • Showers/Wet Rooms/Cloak Rooms • Water Main Replacement

25 YEARS IN THE TRADE CITY & GUILDS CERTIFIED COVERING HERTS, BEDS, BUCKS & CAMBS NO VAT

Call Pete Now for a Quote:

01767 317 356 or 07816 586 777 88

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Reg No. 193542

Continental Market

comes to Sandy

Sandy Town Team are pleased to announce that Sandy is hosting a continental market on Friday 12th April and Saturday 13th April. The market will have the sights and flavours of the best continental foods from all around Europe. The Traditional Gourmet Market will set up for trading from 9 o’clock in the morning in Sandy car park and you will be able to sample saucisson from the Auvergne, French cheeses - both the well-known varieties and those much more rare - Spanish paella and French traditional recipes, Greek olives, tapenades, dried nuts and fruit, Turkish sweets and pastries. You can treat yourselves to delicious Italian cakes and biscuits, as well as traditional Italian soft nougat. Visit the bakery stall with its huge selection of breads. Choose from original presents including hand-crafted wooden toys and roses, artisanal pottery and Spanish crafts. And don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of

the great selection of French country wines - red, white and rosé - at very reasonable prices. Phillip Wingfield, Co-Chair of the Sandy Town Team, says “this Traditional Gourmet Market is a free, entertaining, colourful, enchanting and original event. We invite you to come along and enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere and tasty produce.” The continental market will be at Sandy car park, Sandy SG19 1GH and will be open from 9am to 5pm both days. This Continental market is an exciting new development for the Sandy Town Team, who have been working with Sandy Town Council to bring new life and vitality to Sandy markets. The Sandy Town Team members are all local volunteers and would love to hear from anyone who would like to join in to make Sandy a better place to live, work, study and play. Find us on our website www.sandytownteam.org.uk .

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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 w w w. a c o l i n e s o f t e n e r s . c o . u k 90

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ÂŠ VP/TP

104 Ampthill Road, Shefford, Beds, SG17 5BB

G & H SEAMER Funeral Directors

Family owned and managed business. Established 100 years.

24hr Service Pre-paid Funeral Plan Available Private Rest Chapel

47 High Street, Sandy

Telephone: 01767 680519 www.ghseamer.co.uk

Paul Hodson

Now Installing V Phase Units

Electrical Contractor Electrical Maintenance Commercial & Domestic Installations Rewires Fuse Board Upgrades Electric Heating Systems Underfloor Heating BT Points Periodic Testing Portable Appliance Testing Showers Free Estimates ELECSA Part P Approved All work carried out to IEE wiring regulations 17th edition Call to discuss your requirements

Tel: 01767 691668 Mob: 07887 776980 paul@hodson-electrical.co.uk

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BOOK Review

by Bruce Edwards The Gilded Fan Christina Courtenay Published by Choc Lit Ltd in paperback at £7.99 It takes a goodly amount of courage to spin a romantic fantasy with historic settings as diverse as the characters, but Christina Courtenay is not one to shirk her responsibilities at the challenge. Midori, an intelligent young girl, half Japanese, half English, has to leave her birth country in the 1600’s to avoid the routinely applied death meted out to anyone of an ‘impure’ race. The understandably reluctant Captain of the ship on which she chooses to escape to England battles with his conscience, his duties and his inclinations to become the likable male protagonist (of course!) and the story then takes on the irritating (for some) ‘push-pull’ romance with an ultimately predictable ending. There’s a horrible lecher amongst the crew to deal with during the voyage and his punishment is not for the squeamish though our girl takes it in her stride, grateful for the unbiased support of another veteran crew member who serves her well in later months. Ultimately taking the English Civil War as backdrop, our feisty and rather too militarily efficient girl’s conversion to Puritanism and with the odd skirmish or two skilfully included for good measure, the tale has an enjoyable golden thread clearly discernable amongst some intriguingly random distractions. Full of detail, an admirable mixed collection of personae and an obvious though understandable aim, this, the latest from a Romantic Novelist Association vice-chairman could well appeal to many.

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Class i fi e d s Domestic Repairs

Art Classes

JB Domestic Guaranteed Repairs To: Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Electric Ovens/Cookers Dishwashers No Call Out Charge! Tel: 01767 680621 Mobile: 07778 891490

Builders

Domestic Repairs

“YOUNG’S BUILDERS” “YOUR LOCAL PROFESSIONAL MASTER BUILDERS” “QUALITY AND VALUE FROM START TO FINISH”

Garage conversions from £5.9K

Extension - Sunrooms

Call 07811 985568 or 01767 261803 www.youngsbuilders.co.uk “Free quotes • Excellent references”

• • • • •

Extensions & Sunrooms Garage & Loft Conversions Walls, Patios & Decking General Building Work Property Maintenance

J. Jenkins

Building Services Extensions New Build Renovations Garage Conversions Loft Conversions Kitchen Fitting Driveways and Patios

For all your building needs Call John on 01767 222219 or 07831 283296 Email: chippyjenkins@gmail.com References available on request

Domestic Appliance Repairs Washing Machines • Cookers Fridges • Vacs • Dryers

Bill Tangye

Beds Tel By or appointment only - 4 Stratford Road, Sandy, Mob 01767 650750Tel: 07711 07802 393331 257105

Electricians dennischandler@hotmail.co.uk friendly reliable & insured d. chandler electrical services niceic part p registered domestic & commercial 23 the lawns everton, sandy, beds 07966 296304 or 01767 680929

Entertainers

JS-ENTERTAINMENT Children's Discos, parties, face painting & more!

07789485579 Class i fi e d s

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Classifieds Fancy Dress

Handyman

Chesterfield Fancy Dress Hire 100’s of costumes for all occasions Adults from £15 • Childrens from £7.50 Wigs and accessories Range includes 60’s, 70’s, Superheroes, Medieval, Halloween, and many more ....

MIKE NEIGHBOUR Carpenter and Joiner Glass Splashbacks for Kitchens Cupboards, Fitted Wardrobes, Loft Ladders etc 30 Years Experience

By appointment only - 4 Stratford Road, Sandy, Beds

Tel: 07711 257105

Garden Specialist

01767 677898 or 07711 311956 Kitchen and Bathroom Fitter

M. Philmore (Phil) - Kitchen and Bathroom Fitter Disabled showers supplied and fitted. General plumbing. Now semi retired. 57 Green Acres, Gamlingay, Beds. SG19 3LR

Local, honest, professional service

Garden Specialists

Tel: 01767 650619 Mobile: 07870366414 Painting Services

Hatley Garden Services Reliable Trustworthy Service Fully Insured

Border Care/Shrub Pruning, Hedge Trimming, Fence repair/Painting, Lawn Care, Turf laying Long Term Garden Maintenance, One Off Garden Tidy

Please call me (Kevin) for a free estimate: Tel: 01767 631174 Mobile: 07742 832810 Handyman

Pet Services

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Classifieds Property Improvements

Plastering Services

Steve Swain

Plastering Contractor All aspects Plastering, Pebble Dashing Rendering, Screeding

Mob: 07887 861881 Tel: 01767 226404 Private Car Hire

Removals & Storage

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

01767 313230

enquiries@stephensremovals.com

Property Improvements

Property Improvements by

A professional property maintenance service

Gary Hare Carpentry • Kitchens • Bedrooms Decorating • Flooring Bathrooms •Tiling • and more...

Stephens Storage Dinky ad_03.indd 1

K.D. Secure Container Storage 20’ x 8’ x 8’ containers Electronic Secure Locked & Gated Area Domestic and Commercial Storage Short and Long Term Rates

Please call Gamlingay 01767 650777

Tel: 01767 651821 Mob: 07773 973420 Property Improvements

3/12/12 11:45:18

Tiling

GARY BERRIDGE Plasterer & General Maintenance Including UPVC Doors and Windows Tiling, Painting and Decorating Free Quotes

T: 01767 316485 M: 07582 485155 E: garyberridge@ymail.com

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IS MOVING From Tuesday 2nd April we will be opening the doors to our new premises in the town centre of Sandy. We are taking over the old ‘Lord Roberts’ in the Market Square enabling us to give our clients more of a relaxing, spacious environment . Our professional team at Friends offer; • The highest standard of hairdressing • London trained stylists • Redken’s ‘ No Ammonia’ range called Chromatics • Free consultations • Colour clinics • Wedding packages available • Award winning products Redken, L’oreal and Ghd • Excellent loyalty scheme for all clients • Two late evenings until 9pm • Complimentary refreshments and latest magazines to read • Unisex salon

Open afternoon Saturday 20th April 3pm -5pm Come and look around our new salon and for those two hours only we will be offering: • Welcome drinks • Complimentary Blow drys* • Special discount of Redken products** • A gift for you to take away • Special discount when booking an appointment that afternoon • Free consultations / colour clinics (* blow drys are limited numbers and will be on a first come, first serve basis.) (** Discounts on Redken products is only available between 3-5pm) Opening Hours: Mon, Tues & Fri 9.30 - 6.00pm, Wed & Thurs 9.30 - 9.00pm, Sat 8.30 - 4.00pm www.friendsfivestarhairdressing.com facebook.com/friendshair Friends Five Star Hairdressing 1 Market Square, Sandy, Beds SG19 1HT Large car park at rear of salon. Tel. 01767 682 789