Potton aug 13

VILLAGER The

Issue 94 - August 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 The

Issue 94 - August 2013

and Town

Life

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

In this Issue

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The History of Colchester

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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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Editorial Sarah Fryer, Pippa Greenwood, Geoff Wharton, James Baggott, Helen Taylor, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Julia Faulks, Katherine Sorrell, Bruce Edwards , Solange Hando, Louise Addison, Alex Brown and Susan Brookes-Morris Advertising Sales Nigel Frost - nigel@villagermag.com

Wrest Park Concerts Competition

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The Ford Galaxy A Versatile MPV

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Prize Crossword £25 could be yours!

Why Not Be A School Governor?.................................... 10 Bedfordshire Walking Festival........................................ 15 Where Am I?.................................................................... 16 Photography Beat the BBQ Bugs.......................................................... 19 Julia Burlachenko and Adam Bent The Golden Temple of Amritsar......................................22 More History on Battersea Dogs and Cats Home..........26 Design and Artwork Looking Good..................................................................28 Design 9 Tel 07762 969460 Teens and Contact Lenses............................................. 30 Spice Up Your Life...........................................................32 Publishers Sandy Tourist Information centre..................................35 Villager Publications Ltd Avoiding The Empty Nest.............................................. 39 24 Market Square, Potton A Better Reception......................................................... 40 Bedsfordshire Self Publishing Facts.......................................................43 SG19 2NP Holiday Spending............................................................45 Tel: 01767 261122 Using Neutral Colours.................................................... 46 nigel@villagermag.com Hot Favourites................................................................ 50 www.villagermag.com Rural Ramblings..............................................................52 Electronic Cigarettes.......................................................57 Animal Know-How......................................................... 58 The Gransden Football Club.................................................. 63 Children’s Page............................................................... 65 Biggleswade Scouts....................................................... 66 and Town Life Jaguar F-Type.................................................................. 68 Disclaimer Fun Quiz...........................................................................70 All adverts and editorial are printed in Seasonal Delights............................................................72 good faith, however, Villager Publications What’s On........................................................................74 Ltd can not take any responsibility for Can You Help Raise Funds?.............................................79 the content of the adverts, the services Puzzle Page.................................................................... 80 provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part Biggleswade Sandy Lions.............................................. 83 of this publication may be reproduced or Wordsearch.................................................................... 90 stored without the express permission of Book Review....................................................................92 the publisher.

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VILLAGER

THE History of...

of Colchester

Every town has a past, every town has history attached to it, but Colchester is unique in many ways. Today, Colchester is a modern, lively and diverse place to visit with a flourishing multicultural life, but take it back a century or two and its antiquity is astounding.

It sees students from all over the world studying at The University of Essex and the English Study Centre, and it’s not just education that brings people from overseas, the town itself is very popular with tourists from all over Europe.

When visiting Colchester, it is normal to hear an array of languages spoken, including Spanish, Chinese, French and Italian.

But why is Colchester unique? How is it any different to any other town?

Well Colchester is Britain’s first Roman city, when the Roman Empire invaded Britain in AD43 they made the capture of Camulodunum (The Roman name for Colchester) one of their main priorities.

They quickly subdued the local defenders and built a fortress at the settlement. By AD49 the Romans mistakenly thought they had nothing to fear from the local tribes and the fortress became a civilian settlement populated mainly by retired soldiers and their families. It was named Colonia Claudias in honour of the Emperor, the first capital of the Roman Province Britannia.

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In AD54 Claudius died and the Romans built the Temple of Claudius to worship his memory.

However they made the mistake of heavily taxing the local Britain’s and using many of them as slaves in order to build the monument.

They also forced the locals to worship there.

This made the temple an object of great hatred amongst the local people and a symbol of the hate they felt for Rome.

In AD60 Prasutagus, the Iceni king, died without a son to succeed him. The Romans refused to recognise Boudica and his daughters as heirs and instead assaulted the women. This was to ignite a revolt which led to the destruction of the Roman town at Colchester, and also later those at St. Albans and London.

Colchester was founded on the River Colne in the county of Essex. If history had turned out differently, Colchester could have been the capital of England instead of London. Indeed, at the time of Queen Boudica in AD60, it was the capital, although its name then was still Camulodunum.

So what else do we know about the town and what makes it so special? Well Colchester has Britain’s most continental climate, a likened to the Spanish Costas with its cold winters, hot summers and all year round sunshine, not to mention it has the country’s lowest rainfall.

Due to such wonderful weather it is said that

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S po enio s ear ition r sty li se xpe avail st a rie ble nc ea mu st

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After being inside Shannon Court in Sandy for nearly 8 years Friends Five Star Hairdressing have relocated to Sandy’s Market Square into what was the old ‘Lord Roberts’ pub. This salon move has enabled us to give our clients more luxurious surroundings with more space. We strive to give our clients the best we can with top customer service and by using award winning products We offer our clients at Friends; • London trained stylists • Award winning products- Redken, Ghd & L’Oreal • The only salon in Sandy to offer Redkens colour range containing ‘ No Ammonia’ • Fantastic loyalty scheme for all clients • 3 tier price system • 2 late evenings until 9pm • Free consultations and colour clinics • Private backwash room • Wedding packages • On-going training for all stylists

SPECIAL OFFER FOR AUGUST

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Colchester is the perfect location to grow roses and strawberries and make exceptionally great English wine!

There are myths surrounding Colchester and one that is commonly spoken of is that Colchester is the home of Old King Cole, Camelot and Humpty Dumpty; however no evidence has ever been brought to light. It is a wonderful vision none the less.

The town is also influenced by its long military associations and the Colchester Garrison is one of the major bases of the British Army.

Colchester Garrison is a major garrison (A collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location) located in Colchester in the county of Essex, Southern England.

It has been an important military base since the Roman era. The first permanent military garrison in Colchester was established by Legio XX Valeria Victrix in 43AD following the Roman conquest of Britain. Colchester was an important garrison town during the Napoleonic Wars and throughout the Victorian era. During the First World War several battalions of Kitchener’s Army were trained there.

Now, 2nd Battalion and 3rd Battalion of The Parachute Regiment are based there. Today there are new and modern barracks outside the town, which free up building land in the centre and replace theVictorian buildings.

During 2004 building developments on Abbey Field, Colchester Barracks unearthed the remains of a huge Roman Chariot Racing Arena. The arena is estimated to have been built at some time after 100AD when Roman rule had been returned to Colchester following the Boudican Revolt. It may have seated up to 10,000 people and at up to 5 metres high, 400 metres long and 69 metres wide is the largest known Roman building ever to have been unearthed in Britain and the first Roman Circus to be discovered.

Another first for Colchester’s list of exclusives!

Colchester Borough also had its own coat of arms, a green cross representing the True Cross which legend says was found by St Helena, Patron Saint of Colchester. The cross is pierced by 3 nails each with a crown surrounding it to depict the 3 Wise Men or Kings. The red background represents the blood of Christ. The Arms first appeared in 1413 on a charter granted to Colchester borough by King Henry V. Moving on to current day life in Colchester and we see a pretty town centre, perfect for a

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day’s shopping or exploring. For a more family orientated day out we have one of its more famous venues, Colchester Zoo, an attraction that draws visitors in there thousands.

Colchester Zoo is now one of the finest Zoos in Europe due to a constant programme of development and has won the coveted Large Visitor Attraction of the Year” Award and the “Sustainable Tourism Award” for its efforts in recycling and green practices from the East of England Tourist Board.

With over 260 species to see, set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo is well worth a visit. There are over 40 daily displays, an undercover soft play area, 4 adventure play areas, The Lost Madagascar Express road train and much more!

2013 celebrates their 50th birthday. To mark this occasion, they have held a number of celebratory events and are hosting a campaign named Stand Tall for Giraffes!

There is signage around the Zoo with lots of information about the Zoo’s history as well as displays at the discovery centre with lots of interesting facts, fascinating pictures, memorabilia, a memory tree for you to share your memories of your visits to Colchester Zoo and much more including a timeline for you to walk through and experience the Zoo of the Past!

The Stand Tall for Giraffes campaign has taken to the streets! 2.5m giraffe sculptures will be out on the streets until the 26th August forming a large-scale public art event. This will ultimately raise money for their much loved charity, Action for the Wild.

There is so much to see and do at Colchester Zoo, including watching sea lions swimming above your heads at Playa Patagonia, and penguins swimming underwater at Penguin Shores. Visit Walking Giants to see 3 out of 4 of the world’s

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biggest tortoise species in their energy efficient enclosure!

Take a train ride on the Lost Madagascar Express and experience the first ever walk through lemur enclosure, Lost Madagascar, and walk amongst ring-tailed and red-ruffed lemurs in an exciting habitat.

You can watch the white rhino, giraffes, zebras, greater kudu and ostriches together at the Kingdom of the Wild. Opposite you can see a herd of four elephants at Elephant Kingdom.

Colchester Zoo’s Dragons of Komodo, houses two Komodo Dragons, and at Tiger Taigayou can see a pair of Amur tigers, which are one of the rarest big cat species.

You can also visit the impressive Otter Creek exhibit, housing the group of smoothcoated otters. It provides numerous viewing opportunities and an exciting and diverse habitat for them. Wilds of Asia has also been recently completed, and houses their pileated gibbons, rhinoceros hornbills and red panda species in new, spacious and naturalistic enclosures.

Also open to visitors, is phase one of Colchester Zoo’s Nature Area, accessible through the Tiger taiga viewing tunnel it encompasses a boardwalk around the scenic wetland habitat, with a specially constructed bird hide overlooking the lake and plenty of wildlife homes’ such as bug hotels and bat boxes to help encourage different species to inhabit the area.

The Amur Leopards enclosure, Leopards at Ussuri Falls provides a large home with separate enclosures for the Amur Leopards. The enclosure has been fitted with a new training wall so that you can see how Colchester Zoo’s training techniques are used to enrich animals’ lives and aid vital research that is helping conservationists to protect this animal in the wild.

Colchester Zoo is the largest private zoo in the UK. As the zoo operation is private it receives no external funding, and is liable to pay VAT at the full rate of 20% on all its income, as well as business rates and corporation tax. All funds from its retail, catering and admissions go directly to funding the zoo and its future development.

This income, along with donations helps to fund Colchester Zoo’s charity Action for the Wild which assists conservation projects all over the world including its own project, the UmPhafa Reserve is KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Colchester Zoo is, therefore, wholly sustained

by its visitors and is eternally grateful for your much needed support.

Animal welfare is one of the most important factors and includes providing the animal with a retreat from the public. Environmental enrichment plays an important role in animal welfare and may be a consideration when designing an enclosure.

For example, to include a number of items within the enclosure which can be easily rearranged will allow for changes to the environment to be made relatively easily, thus acting as a form of enrichment.

Keepers at Colchester Zoo also regularly provide enrichment for their animals. Enrichment can range from simple food-based enrichments, with food hidden in boxes or in undergrowth, to more complex designs, like puzzle feeders and meat attached to pulley systems. It is vital that captive animals are provided with enrichment in order to occupy their time and promote natural behaviours.

Different types of enrichment include food presentation, such as scatter feeding and hiding food as well as enrichment such as scent trails, furnishings moved from one enclosure to another and novel items, such as cardboard boxes and old clothes.

What a wonderful place to have housed within an already interesting and cultured town.

Residents of Colchester must be very proud to be associated with an area of not only natural outstanding beauty, but a town rich in history and famed for many things.

Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Community Minded?

Why not be a School Governor?

Village Church Schools offer a wonderful supportive atmosphere for high quality education of young children. Supporting such schools by being a School Governor, is very important and although sometimes demanding, is a very rewarding way of serving your local community.

The structure of the Governing Body in a Church School includes Foundation Governors selected by the local church, Community Governors who represent the wider community, Parent and Staff Governors with the Head Teacher playing a leading role. The key role of the Governing Body is to act as a critical friend to the Head Teacher and to help provide strategic direction and accountability to the school. Governors with different areas of specialist knowledge or experience can make important contributions. For new governors, attending an induction course or on-line training is recommended. The Governing Body meets at least once a term, with sub-committees, including Finance, Curriculum, Premises, etc, meeting each

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term, as required.

Dunton and Wrestlingworth Federated Church of England Lower Schools are small village schools in Bedfordshire both with outstanding Ofsted reports. As federated schools they share a Head Teacher and Governing Body, which allows the two schools to interact more closely.

Currently the Federated Governing Body is looking for two Community Governors. Experience in human resources, finance or grant bidding would be especially welcome but not essential. If you are interested, then please contact the Head Teacher Mrs Curry (h.curry@cbc.beds.sch.uk)

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COMPETITION • COMPETITION WREST PARK SUMMER CONCERTS! English Heritage is thrilled to announce they have appointed independent concert producers Portal Events Ltd to produce two Summer Concerts at Wrest Park in Silsoe, Bedfordshire over the August Bank Holiday weekend 2013.

The festivities kick off on Saturday 24th August with legendary rock band, Status Quo, who will be performing some of their biggest hits from their catalogue of music which spans nearly 40 years with over 60 chart hits, more than any other rock group. This spectacular concert will certainly get everyone rockin’ all over Wrest Park!

On Sunday 25th August the flags will be waving for ‘Britannia Rules’ where the first half of this concert will be the world premier of a new album, Orchestral Coldplay. The second half will be a traditional ‘last night of the proms’ style concert with special guest, Lesley Garrett CBE, Britain’s most popular soprano and concert performer.

The whole evening will open with a display by The Grace Spitfire - there won’t be a dry eye in the house!

English Heritage’s General Manager at Wrest Park Jenny Mayer said: ‘We are delighted that the concerts will be returning to Wrest Park after a 15 year absence. They have been really missed and we look forward to warm summer evenings with

some great music once again filling the air on the lawns of this beautiful property.’

A spokesman for Portal Events Ltd, who will promote and manage the concerts said: “When English Heritage asked us to re-launch Wrest Park as a concert venue, we were delighted, as we had been involved when they were last staged.

We will be offering something for everyone, from Iconic Rock and Roll to an exclusive world premiere of the Orchestral Coldplay to the muchloved and iconic soprano. We’ve also got a few more surprises up our sleeve, which will be announced later on.”

Ticket Prices are just £35 (£32 for English Heritage Members) on Saturday 24th August and £32 (£30 for English Heritage Members) on Sunday 25th August. For further information and to purchase your tickets please see the website www. wrestparkconcerts.com. Alternatively you can purchase tickets from See tickets on 0844 995 0995 or Ticketmaster 0844 844 0444 (booking fees apply).

The Concerts will start at 7.30pm, but the arena will open at 5.30pm for concert-goers to enjoy Wrest Park and picnic. There will be ample food and drink stalls on site, as well as a bar and a concert shop.

WIN TICKETS We have 2 tickets for the Status Quo concert and 2 tickets for the Proms concert to give away.

Just answer the following question to be in with a chance of winning.

How many years has it been since the concert was held at Wrest Park?

Please send your answer to the address below

by Friday 16th August 2013 Wrest Park Competition, Villager Publications Ltd, 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP

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Bedfordshire

Steam & Country Fayre 13th, 14th & 15th September 2013 Old Warden Park, nr Biggleswade (SAT NAV SG18 9DX)

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

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

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

£12.00

Sat & Sun Children (5-16 years) Fri All ages

£5.00 £10.00

Coach Parties Welcome - please contact us

FREE CAR PARKING Gates Open 9am

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

Admission Prices

Caravan & Camping Area

Chartity no 291744

Contact for Booking Form

3 DAY EVENT

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

Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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BEDFORDSHIRE

WALKING FESTIVAL The fifth Bedfordshire Walking Festival takes place from 7th to 15th September and promises to better than ever. The festival is going from strength to strength and attracts interest from near and far. Organised by Bedfordshire Ramblers and supported by The National Trust, RSPB, The Greensand Trust, Bedford Borough Parks and Countryside Teams, Central Bedfordshire Rights of Way Team Members, Bedford/Milton Keynes Waterways Trust, Bedford/ Bletchley Rail Users Association, Long Distance Walkers Association, Nordic walking, Bedford Creative Arts, Walks for Health and Sandy Town Council with its recently achieved “Walkers Are Welcome” status.

The festival offers an ideal opportunity to explore and get to know Bedfordshire. From the rural “wolds” like countryside in the north to the wooded greensand ridge across the middle to the chalk hills in the south. Interesting villages, delightful views, and mostly easy walking on generally well maintained paths the nine day festival is an opportunity to get out into the countryside with a group and knowledgeable leaders or simply “Go on holiday in Bedfordshire”.

Unless stated ALL WALKS ARE FREE just turn up.

The full programme is available on the web-site www.bedswalkfest.co.uk.

What’s New for 2013 ?

More walks for walkers.... Half day walks up to 7 miles and all day walks up to 22 miles.

More Interest Walks......... Varying in length from 2 hours to half a day. These informative walks are led by knowledgeable and interesting leaders

and range from spotting wildlife to Two centuries of industrial history from Bricks to Robots. Visit a private Garden Railway. Take a ride on a Boat named John Bunyan or join us going Castle to Castle and if you dare participate in the Friday 13th walk.

Special walks...... A dog walk... Yes dogs have to bring their owners. A Mum’s & Toddler walk where toddlers have to bring their Mum’s, Nani’s or Grandmum’s and or their male equivalents.

You could try Nordic walking with taster sessions in Bedford and Ampthill followed by a short walk.

Family Walks with Children in mind... Whether its looking and listening to Bats or spotting wildlife along the river, treasure hunting with a GPS, or a nature walk at Rushmere the festival has a number of walks specially for the family including self guided walks with street art or join a procession.

More walks accessible by Public Transport.... Via London Midland, Marston Vale Line, First Capital Connect, Stagecoach and Grant Palmer.

RU4 The Challenge.... May not be new but becoming increasingly popular is the 40 mile two day challenge of the Greensand Ridge Path taking place over the weekend of 14th &15th September.

Booking is essential. As more and more people are doing the walk and raising money for charity could this be the challenge for you ?

Programmes are available in hard copy from Tourist information Centres, Libraries and many other places. Programmes can be viewed and downloaded from the festival web site www. bedswalkfest.co.uk. or viewed on www.bedslocal.co.uk, For more information or to book RU4THE CHALLENGE Email: organiser@bedswalkfest.co.uk

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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?

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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 93 - July

and Town

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Life

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TS

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 towns and villages ever y month r ou

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VILLAGER The

LOCAL NEWS •

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Issue 92 - June

and Town

S • LOCAL CHARITI

2013

Life

ES • LOCAL PRODUC

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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 •

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Issue 91 - May

and Town

S • LOCAL CHARITI

2013

Life

ES • LOCAL PRODUC

TS

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 •

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Issue 90 - April

and Town

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Life

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

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ES • LOCAL PRODUC

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 Last month’s images were taken at Willington Dovecote

2013

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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 it’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 • 01767 260671 www.stevedeanmagic.co.uk email: stevedeanmagic@aol.com

Winner of Wedding Industry Expert Awards 2013-2014 Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Beat the BBQ bugs

by Julia Faulks

If reports are to be believed summer 2013 will not be quite the washout we experienced last year, which means it’s finally time to dust off our barbecues. Here’s how to make sure you don’t fall victim to food poisoning while dining al fresco…

Once the person manning the BBQ has a bottle of beer in one hand and a fly swat in the other it can be all too easy to become complacent while trying to please hungry guests.

When it comes to cooking outdoors and maintaining good food hygiene, it’s important to remember a few basic rules to keep those bugs away - and we’re not just talking about flies and midges. Warm weather is the perfect breeding ground for bugs such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter to grow, which can lead to nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and headaches.

It’s even more important to be careful of food contamination if you’re pregnant, young, elderly, or have a chronic illness. If you’re worried about how well the food is cooking, then there’s nothing wrong with bringing your own meat to cook indoors first, to avoid it altogether, or stick to the safer food options instead.

Cooking raw meat safely When we cook raw meat on a BBQ it can be hard to tell if it’s actually cooked properly - charred may be tasty, but that doesn’t mean it’s well done. There’s also a risk to your health if you spread germs from raw meat onto food that is ready to eat.

It’s also worth remembering that just because chicken is hot on the outside, it doesn’t mean it’s safe, so make sure it’s not pink, the juices run clear and it’s steaming hot all the way through.

BBQ fans also need to be careful when it comes to food bugs in side dishes. Coleslaw, mayonnaise and rice dishes are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and are just as much of a risk when it comes to causing food poisoning.

Follow these top 10 BBQ safety rules: 1. Wash your hands before you start cooking or preparing food and thoroughly after handling raw meat.

2. Cook meat first in the oven then put it on the BBQ to add to the flavour.

3. Use separate utensils for raw and cooked meat.

4. Keep plates or raw meat separate to cooked food.

5. Make sure the coals are glowing red with a powdery grey surface before you start cooking – this means that they are hot enough to cook on. If they are still flickering then it’s not quite ready.

6. Don’t cook meat from frozen – make sure it’s properly thawed beforehand.

7. Turn the meat regularly and move it around the BBQ to make sure it cooks evenly.

8. Don’t add sauces or marinades to cooked food if it’s already been mixed with raw meat.

9. You can eat steaks and joints of beef or lamb (not cooked in the middle) as long as the outside has been properly cooked, but this does not include food made from minced meat, such as sausages and burgers.

10. Make sure that salads, dips, desserts, deli meats, sandwiches and cooked rice are not kept out of the fridge for any more than a couple of hours. Instead, keep them cool, covered, and out of the sun.

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HIDATO Starting at 1 and finishing at 34, track your way from one hexagon to another (touching) hexagon, placing consecutive numbers into the empty shapes as you go. Some numbers are already given.

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The Golden Temple of Amritsar

India

Sparkling gold leaf, glistening water, cloisters, domes and shrines, the Golden Temple is as stunning as the Taj Mahal but it is no mere mausoleum. Set in Amritsar, in north-west India, ‘Harmandir Sahib’ is a living place, beautifully mirrored in a sacred lake, a once in a lifetime pilgrimage for most Sikhs though everyone is welcome, regardless of creed.

Step through the gate and the temple takes your breath away, rising at the far end of a marble pathway followed by myriads of pilgrims from dawn to dusk. Women in colourful saris, gurus in bright blue turbans, young men with orange headscarves symbolising the Sikh flag, barefoot visitors, it’s a hive of activity yet an oasis of peace at the heart of town, just a few miles from the Pakistan border. Some meditate at the water’s edge, others sprinkle rose petals around the holy trees, men take a ritual bath in the designated area, holding on to dangling chains for safety.

Then all make their way along the causeway to the inner sanctum, quietly joining the queues clutching prayer books. Beyond the silver gates, the holy scriptures are read aloud throughout the day before being returned ceremoniously at night to the safety of the Akal Takhat.

Holy men had gathered on this spot long before Guru Nanak founded Sikhism around 1499 but Amritsar, the ‘pool of nectar’ which gave the town its name, was later extended and a temple was built on land donated by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. Centuries later, the upper floors were covered in gold leaf by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ‘Lion of Punjab’ and founder of the

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Sikh Empire.

But despite a troubled past at times, Sikhism remains true to the gurus’ teachings, a way of life based on worship, equality between all human beings and volunteering in the service of others, three principles which shine in Amritsar as brightly as the dazzling layers of gold leaf.

Here, in the world’s largest communal kitchen, up to 100,000 visitors a day receive free meals prepared by volunteers. Chopping, cooking, serving or cleaning, everyone can help, though there is no pressure, and in the dining hall, people of all castes, men, women and children, sit together to eat in silence. Beggar or Head of State, all are equal and even the great Akbar pushed aside the rich rugs laid out for him to sit on the floor like everyone else. Food is donated and volunteers may be visitors or locals happy to give a few hours of their time, the latter often on a daily basis.

Outside, the midday sun blazes down on the steps, the shrines, the lake, a flock of parakeets screeches high up in the sky while half way along the path, volunteers hand out cold water to the never ending flow of pilgrims. Many come to celebrate a special occasion, birthday, wedding or the birth of a child, hoping for auspicious times, but festivals draw the largest crowds, be it a Guru’s birthday, Diwali or the anniversary of the Holy Book. There are prayers and prostrations, tinsel garlands and marigolds and when the sun sets, the Golden Temple comes into its own, garlanded in festive lights, resplendent in the moonlight.

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A bit more history of...

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Following on from our History article in the April Issue of The Villager Magazine, I am delighted that so many readers wrote in to let us know that Mary Tealby, founder of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is in fact buried in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

Mary Tealby, along with her brother Reverend Edward Bates, has a headstone in a quiet corner of St Andrews churchyard, which is located behind The Chapter House in Shortmead Street, Biggleswade and simply reads ‘Mary Tealby, widow born December 30th 1801 – Died October 3rd 1865’ Mary and her brother share a grave, and rumour has it, on an annual basis cleaning and maintenance is carried out graveside to help preserve the area and pay respect to such a treasured lady.

Recently we saw the celebration of 150 years of Battersea and a clean-up operation of the memorials began, so staff from current day Battersea could come and lay flowers and pay tribute to Mary Tealby.

Born in 1801, Mary Tealby was 59 when she divorced her husband, Robert Chapman Tealby

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who was a timber merchant from Hull, and with little financial backing, she came to live in London in 1860.

She was horrified by the number of stray and starving animals she saw on the streets and took in an emaciated dog which her friend Mrs Major had found roving the streets of Islington. When, despite her loving care, it died, she vowed to set up a ‘canine refuge’.

She initially formed a group of like-minded individuals and with the help of her brother Rev Edward Bates, a retired clergyman, found a mews stable between the Caledonian and Holloway Roads and used it as her ‘temporary home for lost and starving dogs’.

At the time, Mary and Edward’s cousin Mrs Robert Weale lived with her husband at The Elms in Biggleswade (now demolished). It was a large Victorian House in extensive grounds at the corner of Dells Lane and London Road.

Robert Weale was a poor law inspector but by all accounts they lived a comfortable life with five servants and two gardeners.

Mary eventually became ill with cancer and came to Biggleswade to live at The Elms. She died in

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1865 so did not survive to see the home’s move to its now famous location in Battersea in 1871.

Unfortunately her brother Edward died in 1876 aged 72. By then he was living with another cousin, Mrs Elizabeth Jefferies and her daughter Eleanor in Carradale, Bedford Road, Sandy.

Her Brother Edward was the first treasurer of Battersea Dogs Home and when Mary died, she had left everything to her darling brother.

It is humbling to think that such an iconic and dedicated lady could have ended up buried in our very own town of Biggleswade. An honor in fact, when you reflect on the years she has spent founding Battersea Dogs &Cats Home and created what it is today.

Ultimately, Biggleswade is a small market town, rich in history and a civil parish located on the River Ivel.

Traditionally, known as a vegetable and produce growing area, with trains often taking daily loads of vegetables to London’s produce markets.

Even though much of this has now stopped, Bedfordshire Growers, based on the outskirts of the town, still supplies major supermarkets with UK-grown potatoes and onions

The town centre features the Market Square where a general market is held each Saturday.

It is surrounded by shops and cafes, many in attractive converted buildings such as the old Market house. The current population of Biggleswade is said to be in the region of 16,550, based on a demographic census in 2011.

You may also know Biggleswade as being the home of the Jordan’s cereal business that produce their own brand of breakfast muesli, Country Crisp and Crunchy Oats and Frusli cereal bars which are sold across Europe as well as in Canada. There used to be a Felix cat food factory located on Potton Road. However, this moved away in 1970. There also used to be a glass bottle factory on Brunts Lane which was destroyed by fire in 2000.

It seems nearly every town or village of Central Bedfordshire has some kind of heritage or interesting story or personality attached to it, which makes for interesting living.

It creates intrigue as to whom or what has ever graced our streets in years gone by before our time.

I for one will certainly keep my ears and eyes open for further stories in our wonderful County.

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Looking Good

How to look great in every photograph Let’s face it, we’ve all seen less-than-flattering pictures of ourselves turn-up on a friend’s Facebook page at some point and cringed.

Nowadays it’s more important than ever to look good in your photos, because you don’t know who’ll be seeing them.

So, to guarantee that you’ll always look gorgeous whenever there’s a camera pointed in your direction, follow our tips, tricks and make-up hints and never have to worry about a bad photo again.

The Perfect Profile Pic Okay, so you want to impress your friends with a pretty profile picture that doesn’t look too ‘posy’ but which captures you looking your best.

Firstly, you’ll need to take a lot of ‘test shots’ so that you can find the most flattering angle for your individual face shape. Generally it’s a good idea to focus your eyes onto the camera, move your face forward a bit, and tilt your chin downwards.

Take inspiration from how celebrities and models pose, because they have looking gorgeous down to a fine art.

Great hair and well applied make-up are essential for looking your best on camera. Choose a lightreflecting foundation, in a full coverage variety to even-out your skin tone and to create a flawless look.

Sweep bronzer over your entire face and neck

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to avoid looking washed-out. Sculpt your cheekbones by using a pinky blusher - make sure you apply it in the right place by leaving the width of two fingers either side of your nose.

Define your eyes by using three shades of eyeshadow to contour your eyelids. Use the lightest shade on your brow bone and on the inner part of your eye, then sweep the medium colour on the natural crease, to add depth, before using the darkest shade on the outer part of the eye and extending it across your lash line to add definition.

Using black eyeliner, line the eyes. Use a white eyeliner on the inner rim to create a wide-eyed look. Curl lashes and apply a coat of mascara.

Apply a pair of ‘natural-looking’ false eyelashes and finish with another coat of mascara to blend them seamlessly with your natural lashes.

You’ll be amazed at the difference the false eyelashes make to your photo - they immediately open-up your eyes and draw attention to them, whilst making you appear younger and more youthful.

If you dye your hair, make sure that your eyebrows match your hair colour. Poorly defined eyebrows which are too light compared to your hair will make your facial features look unbalanced, but don’t be tempted to make them too dark either, as that can result in you looking bad-tempered.

To make your teeth appear whiter, choose a lipstick shade which has a blue undertone to the colour - this could be a pink or red hue. A lot of cosmetic brands have lip products now on sale which have been designed with this in mind.

Use lip liner to create a perfect cupid’s bow. Line your lips with a shade which matches the lipstick you’ll be using. Keep to feather-like strokes as you apply and gently ‘fill-in’ the lips with your pencil, so that there are no visible unnatural lines. Using a lip brush, coat your lips with your lipstick and finish by applying a dab of lip gloss to the centre of your lips for a fuller look.

For a perfect smile, put your tongue behind your teeth - this relaxes the whole face and results in a completely natural smile being captured on camera.

Most importantly, be confident and enjoy creating some fantastic photographs.

By Helen Taylor

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LEARN DANCE Ballroom & Latin American Social Dance Classes for Adult Beginners Conservative Club, Bedford Rd, Sandy SG19 1EL Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.30 Commencing 17th September 2013

J i ve ro t a n d t x o F l s te p Socia d Q u ic k n a ha z t l Wa d Ch a C n a a b R um ÂŁ7 per person per evening Improvers and Sequence classes available Private lessons by appointment Contact: Les Durham AIDTA 07748 917170 fivestarents@hotmail.co.uk

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29

Teens and Contact Lenses

By Louise Addison

As a child I wore thick spectacles. My eyesight was and is appalling. During PE I used to remove my specs for fear of breaking them, which meant I could see nothing beyond arm’s length and made me something of a liability on the hockey pitch, both to myself and others.

One day my optometrist suggested I try contact lenses and my parents agreed. In those days contact lenses were hard and took a lot of getting used to, but I persevered and was soon wearing them all day. The difference it made was astonishing. I was never a hockey star, but at least I didn’t keep colliding with the other players. I developed a talent for netball and even made the county team, thanks mainly to the fact I could now see the goal posts!

Contact lenses had other benefits too. My peripheral vision had been very restricted, due to a combination of my spectacle lenses and the frames which held them, so my spatial awareness increased, and I became more able and confident in all activities from dancing to bike riding. I also felt prettier. Now that’s quite a shallow response to contact lens wear and I know many teens who love their specs, but in all honesty as a teenage girl, that’s how I felt.

So I was amazed when my optometrist told me that very few children and teens wear contact lenses, even though one in five children aged between five and fifteen, and one in three 16-19-year-olds need vision correction. That’s a lot of youngsters who would potentially benefit from contact lens wear.

There’s no minimum age for contact lens wear.

Many children, even the very young would benefit from the improved vision and freedomfrom-specs which contact lenses can provide.

Age is much less important than how responsible they are. Your optometrist will make sure that you and your child are instructed properly in the safe insertion and removal of the lenses, how to look after them and what to do in an emergency e.g. if the eye becomes red or sore.

Properly fitted and monitored contact lenses are a safe form of vision correction. Modern lens materials are very breathable so ensure the eye stays healthy. Contact lenses should be fitted by an optometrist experienced in fitting youngsters, and reviewed every three to six months,

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depending on the age of the child.

Hygiene is everything. Washing hands before handling the lenses and the eye area is very important. The eye is a moist, warm environment and is therefore a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Some lenses are replaced monthly, so need to be cleaned properly every night. Modern solutions make this very easy, though there can be an inclination to become a bit slap-dash, so parental supervision is recommended. Daily disposable lenses on the other hand are ideal for children and teens because they are thrown away each night and a fresh pair inserted the next day, so the risk of infection is minimal.

Even astigmatism and quite complex prescriptions can be corrected with contact lenses nowadays.

Make sure you choose a practitioner who is really knowledgeable about contact lenses and who keeps up to date with the latest developments in the field.

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31

Spice up your life!

By Alex Brown

Spices have been around for thousands of years.

They were first imported to Europe in the Middle Ages, selling for huge amounts of money and making the merchants who sold them very rich.

They are used to colour, flavour and preserve food.

Many are thought to have medicinal properties and some are used in traditional and religious ceremonies.

There are hundreds of different kinds of spices and they can be seeds, roots, bark or vegetative substances. Most are bought as dried powders.

Whole seeds will keep longer, but they need to be ground before use.

Chilli peppers can be eaten fresh, or used dry as a powder or flakes. They are used to add heat to curries, chilli con carne, pasta dishes, dips and even chocolate desserts. Generally, the smaller the chilli, the hotter it is. The capsaicin found in chilli gives it its heat and has been said to relieve pain and prevent stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

Ginger is another versatile spice. The fresh root is added to many Asian and Indian dishes, and the powder is used to flavour cakes, biscuits and desserts. The spice can decrease nausea and motion sickness, and ease digestive problems.

Turmeric is the spice that gives curry powder and mustard their deep yellow colour. It is also used as a dye and food colouring. In India, it is highly

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regarded and is used in wedding ceremonies.

Turmeric is from the same family as ginger.

Although normally used as a powder, fresh chunks can be used in pickles.

Both ginger and turmeric are anti-inflammatories and can help people suffering from arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. They are also high in antioxidants that can help protect against disease.

Cinnamon is a warming, fragrant spice that is taken from the dried inner bark of a tropical tree.

It is used in cakes and desserts and many savoury dishes. Research shows that it may lower blood sugar levels and so can be beneficial for sufferers of Type 2 diabetes. It is also thought to help with toothache and bad breath. Some studies have found that smelling cinnamon can increase alertness and brain function.

And finally, the queen of spices. Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice. It was first cultivated in Greece and is derived from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus. It takes 250,000 stigmas to make just half a kilogram of the spice.

Saffron gives food a beautiful yellow-orange colour. It is used in Middle Eastern cookery, rice dishes and also desserts and sweets, including marzipan. It has a long history in traditional medicine, and has been used to treat epilepsy, depression, menstrual disorders and fatigue.

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SANDY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

AUGUST 2013

‘Food and River Walk’ Friday, 13th September.

Have you tried a Bedfordshire Clanger? Would you like to join in a delightful walk along the water meadows and woodlands of the River Ivel in Sandy, view the picturesque village green in Beeston and discover the wildlife in The Riddy Nature Reserve?

Then come on the Sandy Tourist Information Centre Guided Walk called the ‘Food and River Walk’ on Friday, 13th September.

It is British Food Fortnight 2013 (21 September – 6 October) when local food is celebrated. Therefore as the date of the Food and River Walk is close to this date we will start the Walk by paying a visit to Sandy’s local Baker – Gunns of Sandy. Here we will meet David Gunns who will tell us a little about the Clanger. The bakery in Sandy has been making Bedfordshire Clangers for over 50 years.

The Clanger was originally the food of farm labourers, a suet pudding with a meat filling, portable cold or eaten hot on returning home.

They were considered affordable, filling and very calorific. For centuries hungry fieldworkers all over the county have tucked into their Bedfordshire Clangers as their lunchtime snack.

We will be able to purchase a Clanger and try a little taste of Bedfordshire history.

We will then walk along the High street and Ivel Road to the Sandcast bridleway with its water meadows, usually grazed by rare breed sheep and cattle and with its willow and alder woodland.

We will then continue to the village of Beeston (crossing the A1 footbridge) and take a walk around the perimeter of the delightful Green with its mixture of different styles of buildings.

We will return to the TIC via The Riddy Nature Reserve. The name comes from the stream on the eastern side of the reserve. It is a surviving waterside meadow of the Ivel flood plain. The ditches, pond and stream are good for aquatic plants such as celery leaved buttercup, water plantain and arrowhead. Many birds feed on the meadow including lapwing, fieldfare and redwings. Sparrowhawks patrol the hedgerows, Common tern and heron hunt along the river bank and kestrel and green woodpecker also use the site. We may also see a water vole along the banks or within the river itself.

This walk is part of the annual Bedfordshire Walking Festival ( 7th – 15th September). This is a Countywide Event and the programme will include walks for all abilities from 1-2 mile health walks, 3-4 mile ambles and interest walks as well as ½ day and whole day walks. The highlight of the Festival will be the 40-mile challenge walk along the Greensand Ridge over the weekend of the 14th/15th September. Pick up a copy of the Festival leaflet in the TIC. The ‘Food and River’ Walk is free. Meet at the Tourist Information Centre at 2.30pm.

To book your place please call into the TIC or contact us by telephone or email (see details below) Other TIC Guided Walks for 2013 include the following:Sandy – Everton Walk Saturday, 5th October 2.30pm This Walk explores the countryside between Sandy and the village of Everton, following part of the Greensand Ridge Walk. From the TIC we will go over The Pinnacle and follow the narrow wooded path of Sand Lane. We will then walk across meadowland, part of the Park of Hazells Hall and then join the route of the Roman Road along a bridleway called ‘Hasells Hedge’. We will then climb the hills to the village of Everton and then return to Sandy via The Heath, The Ridings and part of the RSPB Lodge reserve.

Meet at the Tourist Information Centre at 2.30pm. The Cost is £5 per person (Payable on booking please) See next month’s edition for further details.

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The Sandy Warren Christmas Walk Details to follow AUTUMN and WINTER TALKS The Tourist information centre has organised three AUTUMN and WINTER TALKS for this year. All of the following Talks will be given in the Council Chamber of Sandy Town Council,10 Cambridge Road, Sandy. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL AS NUMBERS ARE LIMITED Roman Sandy Thursday, 3rd October This fascinating Talk will be given AOC Archaeology who recently completed a seven week excavation in advance of the new Tesco store. AOC will tell us about Roman Sandy in general and about the discoveries found during the dig earlier this year.

You will also be able to see the Roman Sandy display in the Chamber. This Talk will take place on Thursday, 3rd October at 7.30pm. The Cost will be £5 per person. Refreshments will be served The Rise and Fall of the Cardington Airships Wednesday, 6th November. This Talk will be given by local historian David Fowler, who will speak about the history of airships and Cardington through two World Wars to the present day. The massive hangars at Cardington

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were built during World War 1 to accommodate the construction of airships by Shorts. David will speak about this industry and the famous Airships including the R31, R100 and the R101, bringing the story to modern times. This Talk will take place on Wednesday, 6th November at 7.30pm. The cost will be £5 per person. Refreshments will be served The Bedford to Cambridge Railway Wednesday, 4th December 2013. This Talk will be given by local historian, George Howe (who last year spoke about the Sandy to Potton line). The Bedford to Cambridge line opened in 1862, passing through such places as Blunham, Sandy, Potton, etc. and last year celebrations were held to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of its opening. The Talk will include a railway trip over the years via slides from Bedford to Cambridge. This Talk will take place on Wednesday, 4th December at 7.30pm.

The cost will be £5 per person. Refreshments will be served Obtain further information about the above from The Tourist Information Centre, rear of 10 Cambridge Road, Sandy Telephone 01767 682728 Email - tourism@sandytowncouncil.gov.uk

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Avoiding the Empty Nest

By Susan Brookes-Morris Many of us will drop our child off at university for the first time this year. Or maybe they’re moving to another part of the country...or world. Along with the justifiable pride and excitement we feel at their achievement a few negative emotions will undoubtedly creep in: sadness, loss, fear and anxiety. We’ll wonder how our baby grew up so quickly and worry about how they will cope with being away from home, and how we will cope with their absence. These feelings are sometimes called ‘Empty Nest Syndrome.’

Statistics show that some parents find this time so difficult that they become depressed, and marriages may even break down as a result of the change.

You should share any concerns, ideally with your partner if you have one as they may also be experiencing mixed emotions. Or you could speak to a close friend, or seek support from a counselling service. Sometimes just hearing someone else say that your reaction is perfectly normal and talking things through really helps.

When a child leaves home we may have more than half of our life left to live. It’s a perfect time to take stock and create a wish list of things to do or try. Focussing attention on these will help manage the transition to a new lifestyle more

easily and highlight the opportunities it brings.

It can be good to put more energy into nurturing a relationship. Find new activities to share together; take time to sit and talk, or to do the things you used to love to do before children came along.

Find a hobby or sport to fill the extra time.

Perhaps something you’ve longed to do but felt family commitments prevented, be that yoga, fishing or painting.

You could even follow your child’s lead and study something new. This could be taking language or woodwork lessons at the local college, or enrolling on an Open University course, taking a professional qualification or undertaking a degree yourself.

If you’ve let your career stall whilst bringing up the children now may be the chance to re -ignite it. Or you could use your increased time and energies to start a new business, or volunteer.

When we look for the positive in a situation it opens up a whole new range of opportunities which will help us shine as an individuals, build our confidence and increase our sense of wellbeing - exactly the same things in fact that we wish for our children embarking on their new life at university.

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39

A better reception

upgrades that can feed your high-tech TV TV’s been around for a long time and we’re all familiar with the standard roof aerial’s coaxial cable. But what happens when an old-style aerial isn’t enough? It might be because your Freeview reception isn’t up to scratch, or because you want to upgrade to Freesat - or it might be because you have a Smart TV that’s just begging to be connected to your broadband, or because you want to have TVs in multiple rooms.

Freeview boxes can be particularly prone to reception problems, especially if they’re the fairly cheap ones you can buy in supermarkets.

If the signal isn’t strong enough you’ll encounter picture freezes and the picture degrading into a series of large blocks. Upgrading your aerial to a better one can help address this: the better the signal going in, the better the experience you’re going to get from your TV. Remember too that aerials can benefit more than just your TV: you can also buy dedicated aerials for FM radio and DAB radio.

If the signal’s good enough, you can run the aerial to multiple rooms and install extra points without having to install a new aerial. The process is fairly straightforward - your aerial has a box called a splitter, which provides multiple connections for the cables to your new points – but it’s important to use the right cable: cheap cables can suffer from interference and poor signal quality. If in doubt, ask a professional installer.

Another popular option is Freesat, which offers all the benefits of satellite TV without the expensive monthly subscriptions. With over 150 channels including six free HD ones it’s a great service, but of course you’ll also need a satellite dish so you can receive it. You’ll need a dedicated Freesat SD or Freesat HD box, too, although if you’re an

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ex-Sky customer you should be able to use your existing dish with your new Freesat box.

Freesat isn’t the only satellite service you can access. Many European channels are broadcast by satellites, and while many are scrambled plenty aren’t; in most cases, accessing them requires a slightly different kind of satellite dish to the one you’d use for Sky. If you’ve bought a TV in the last few years there’s a very good chance it’s a smart TV with some kind of internet features: even relatively affordable sets such as Finlux’s £269 32F8030-T comes with internet services including BBC iPlayer, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. While some such TVs include wireless network connections, including the Finlux we’ve just mentioned, home wireless networks aren’t usually up to the job of streaming HD TV - especially if other family members are using the same network for their laptops, tablets or smartphones. For best results we’d recommend a wired broadband connection, which connects to your TV via an Ethernet cable - and we’d make the same recommendation for smart Blu-Ray players with internet features as well as games consoles such as PlayStations and Xboxes.

The problem for many households is that the TV, games console or smart Blu-Ray player is nowhere near the internet router, and while you can run Ethernet cabling over door frames and around skirting boards to connect your device to the router the results can be rather unsightly.

A professional installer can run the cabling and make it invisible, and we think it’s well worth doing: not only will you have the best possible speeds from your internet connection, but you won’t have to look at any unsightly cabling.

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ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS AND BUILDING DESIGN SERVICES Professional and affordable architectural design services provided for all types of private residential building projects including extensions, loft/garage conversions, garages and outbuildings through to new build dwellings with all necessary council approvals obtained.

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Specialists in Country Homes, Rural and Commercial Property Lettings in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

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Self-Publishing Facts

what’s involved in self-publishing?

You’re packing your bags after two weeks in the sun, and with a few hours to spare before leaving for the airport, you finish the last few pages of that 500-page novel. It called itself a ‘thriller’, but it was more of a yawn than a page-turner, so you discretely leave it on the bedside dresser for the next holidaymaker to battle through. And a little later on the aircraft, you wonder: can I do better?

Indeed, there are many writers doing better via the process of self-publishing. Some literary agents and publishers baulk at the notion of this disruptive new kid on the block stirring up trouble. But like the digital revolution in music, these intermediaries must adapt and innovate, or simply go out of business.

Literary agents are no longer necessarily the gatekeepers to publishing success. The doors have opened for everyday people to reach the masses with their writing and recent established successes have proved that self-publishing is credible and here to stay.

To start, you need access to a computer and the Internet and be able to format your book for upload to a publishing website. This may sound quite technical, but there is plenty of information and help available, and you can always ask friends, relatives or even freelancers to do the job for you.

Good material No matter how wonderful or ground-breaking

your idea, you must present it as a well-written story with a good structure in order to give you the best chance of success. Hone the craft of writing to your best ability; this will afford you respect amongst your readership. As with all creative endeavours, you will be open to the critics, so at least tackle the technical side of writing to deter them from attacking you on a basic level.

Proofreading and editing Ask people outside of your circle of friends and family to read and comment on your work. It’s not easy to invite opinion, but just watch how views differ. You may, however, discover a consistent thread within their comments from which you can learn and adjust the prose accordingly.

One of the wisest investments is to hire an experienced proofreader to check for grammatical and typing errors, and to provide editing suggestions on style. There are many freelance services available on the Internet, so do some research and obtain a number of estimates from the professionals.

Formatting Once you have the manuscript on your computer in a program such as Microsoft Word, you will need to have it formatted for upload to a site like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Smashwords.

There are guidelines on these websites, and free books that you can download, explaining the step-by-step process. It’s very important that the formatting is correct and there are freelance professionals that will oblige for a small fee.

Designing the cover Unless you are a graphic designer and have a talent for this type of work, then hire someone who can represent your work professionally.

Often the cover is the first thing people will see on the Internet, so it must shine above the abundant competition.

Publishing The KDP and Smashwords sites enable you to prepare your material in the form of a draft via a ‘dashboard’, and when you’re ready, you can the set your price for various territories around the globe and submit it for publication.

People of all backgrounds and ages are selfpublishing, so if you have a great story, be sure to put it out to the world.

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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

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14:57

Holiday spending

making your money go further Affording a family holiday isn’t easy in these cashstrapped times. According to recent research by the Office for National Statistics, nearly a third of Britons don’t have the money to afford a weeklong break.

So, if you’ve managed to stretch your finances and save up for a holiday this summer, you want to make sure your hard-earned cash goes as far as possible. After all, you want your money to be spent on creating memorable moments rather than paying out for avoidable charges: Think ahead Don’t buy your currency at the airport or you’ll be stung with poor rates and big commission fees. A Which? investigation looking at rates on changing £500 in 10 places across the country found a difference of 13 euros. That could easily buy you a lunchtime menu du jour or a couple of Tequila Sunrises.

The best idea is to order your money online in advance. You usually have to exchange a minimum of £100 to avoid delivery fees, but that’s a lot less than you’d need on your family holiday anyway. ICE, Travelex, the Post Office and The Currency Club consistently have good rates and you can order and pick up at the airport. If you’re changing a small amount, the high street can still be a good option. Try the Post Office or M&S for 0% deals.

Card or cash?

If you’re just nipping out of the country for a long weekend, you might like to rely on hard cash alone but most people don’t want to carry wads of money around with them. That’s where plastic comes in. But it’s important to make sure you have the right card otherwise you could be hit with hefty withdrawal and transaction fees.

Pre-paid cards can help you to budget more effectively as you load them with money before you go. There are various types available, so make sure you choose one that doesn’t charge you fees to load, spend or withdraw cash. ICE and My Travel Cash often have extra incentives like free Hi-Life diner cards or cashback on purchases too.

If you’d rather take a debit or credit card, then check the charges with your bank before you travel. It might pay you to switch. Spend on most credit cards and you face an exchange or commission fee on transactions you make

abroad, usually around three per cent of your purchase. The Halifax Clarity Credit Card is widely recommended as it doesn’t charge for overseas use and you can withdraw up to £500 a day without incurring ATM charges.

Remember that for debit cards, most banks charge a foreign exchange fee of around three per cent, just like credit cards. Then, add on withdrawal fees of around two per cent and extra charges every time you use your card and you could soon end up spending a small fortune.

When in Rome…

Do what the locals do and eat out at lunch time rather than going to a restaurant for dinner. You can usually enjoy a three-course meal, including local wine for a snip. Shop in the local markets, rather than supermarkets designed for tourists, and you’ll pick up fresh produce at bargain prices.

And, if you’re planning any excursions during your trip, whether that’s a day out at a waterpark or a visit to the zoo, then search for web vouchers before you go. Once you arrive, pick up free leaflets and newspapers to find money-off coupons.

With a bit of forward planning, you can make sure your euros, dollars or lira go the extra mile.

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Using neutral colours

BY KATHERINE SORRELL With an almost infinite range of colours from pure white to earthy tones of grey and beige, neutrals are timelessly fashionable.

Experts agree that you should always paint walls a neutral colour. Unless a potential buyer shares your exact taste, they will be put off by rooms painted in vibrant colours. But what if you’re building or renovating a home that you plan to stay in? Aren’t neutrals just a little boring?

Only when you get it wrong. A well-planned neutral scheme is good-looking yet understated, harmonious, calm and inviting. Neutrals work well in both old and new houses, small or large spaces and are brilliant at providing cohesion between rooms.

Let’s start with white. Rooms painted pure white can appear bigger and brighter, thanks to the way the colour reflects light around. A clean white wall is a great background for vibrant paintings, for the coloured spines of books, or simply for a jug of flowers. On the other hand, though, white can appear cold, stark and unwelcoming, especially when a room is north- or east-facing and doesn’t have the benefit of direct sunlight. A white with an added touch of yellow or pink can warm up such a space. White can also look odd in period homes. Slightly muddier off-whites are often a better choice for an old cottage, Georgian terrace or a barn conversion. The lesson is to use pure white with care.

Beyond white, neutrals vary in hue from cream to sand, through beige to stone. How do you choose?

The best advice is to eliminate neutrals that you

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don’t like and those that won’t suit the architecture of your house or colours of your furniture.

Next, paint at least two coats on a large piece of white card, or better still, on several pieces of card, and stick them on every wall around the room. Observe the colours at different times of day and with your lights both on and off.

Having chosen your favourite colour, avoid using it everywhere. Even the nicest neutral can be boring if used indiscriminately. Be careful, however, when combining neutrals: another big mistake is to use different hues that are all of the same tone (slightly different colours but the same degree of lightness or darkness). The solution to both these problems is to take a colour chart and go up or down (dark to light) within the same colour family, rather than working across from colour to colour. Use darker tones for woodwork, with lighter ones for walls or, if you have features such as cornices and dadoes, you may wish to vary the wall tones with lighter ones above and darker ones below the divisions. You can also use different neutrals to provide a gentle visual link from room to room.

Finally, bear in mind that the plainer the colours, the more important texture becomes, so choose your finishes with as much care as you do your colours. The shinier the finish, the paler the colour will appear, so you may need to compensate by choosing a slightly darker shade.

The results should be stylish and easy to live with, as well as adding value to your property. Now who said neutrals were boring?

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The Ford Galaxy…

A versatile MPV

With the current economic climate forcing families to holiday on a budget, it is proving more popular than ever to pack up the car and motor to a British or European destination.

The Ford Galaxy makes this process one of ease and practicality, especially if packing up a small family. This versatile MPV combines firstclass driving quality with the highest levels of space, comfort and innovative features.

Simply put, it’s accommodating and delivers an exhilarating experience. Its advanced driving technologies are designed to help make every journey both safer and more engaging, plus, the Galaxy has a range of features that perfectly suit you and your family’s practical needs.

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So what do we want from a car when travelling to Europe? We want plenty of space in order to accommodate the cases, the children’s toys and of course the extras like bedding and even the family dog! But ultimately, we want all of this with comfort in mind too.

The Ford Galaxy range can offer this and much more, for example with 24 stowage compartments the spacious interior of the Galaxy remains clutter-free, no matter how many extra items the family brings along.

They’ve also added some stowage under the front seats, so there’s less chance of finding things under your feet, which on a long journey can sometimes prove uncomfortable.

You could need space to carry camping equipment, or your families’ mountain bikes or maybe you’ve been asked to pack everything but the kitchen sink!. Whatever you and your family need to carry, Galaxy is flexible enough to cope. FFS means each rear seat folds down flush with the floor, plus the second-row seats can also slide and tilt. In total, there are an astonishing 32 possible seating combinations.

The interior is comfortable and offers every bit of technology you would need to make a journey run smoothly. The windscreen for example has been specially designed so that

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it blocks more of the sun’s heat than standard glass. This means the interior has less heat build-up on warm days, which provides a more comfortable driving environment for you and your passengers, perfect when travelling to hotter destinations.

Enjoy a powerful, in-car audio experience, incorporating crystal clear DAB radio reception. The screen on the digital audio system can also display information on the programme you’re listening to, such as the plot summary of a radio play.

Individual seat comfort is a must when travelling on long journeys and as such is controlled by the occupant in a Ford Galaxy, improving driving comfort, particularly on longer distances. With a choice of five heating and ventilation levels, the seats feature builtin heating elements to provide the desired temperature while the perforated seat trim and fans inside the seats allow cool air from within the car to circulate between the seats and their occupants.

Running a vehicle these days is not cheap and with the continuing rise in petrol prices, we all need a car that offers value for money.

The ford Galaxy offers more than this, the innovative Ford Eco Mode system continually assesses the effects of your driving behaviour

on your fuel consumption. It reads your speed, gear changing, braking and anticipation levels, plus the proportion of short to long trips. Its smart software then advises you on how to improve your fuel economy, according to your unique driving style.

So with comfort, space, efficiency and of course technology available at the push of an ignition button, why look for anything else.

The Ford Galaxy has it all and will certainly make a difference to your journey, making a family holiday start from the minute you climb in your car.

Should you require further information on The Galaxy Range, contact your local Ford Dealership for help, advice or to book a test drive.

The Ford Galaxy range Should you require further information on The Galaxy Range, contact your local Ford Dealership for help, advice or to book a test drive.

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49

HOT FAVOURITES

By PIPPA GREENWOOD Our summer weather isn’t usually unbearably warm; in fact it is often pretty cool and a little bit of extra heat would be very welcome. With a little bit of planning and some careful planting, you could turn your garden into the hottest site out, regardless of the real weather. You can plant to create a mass of hot colours. All you have to do is plant beds, borders or containers full of hot reds, screaming yellows and glowing oranges. True, most of the planting is best done in the autumn, but a visit to a garden centre at this time of year will reveal a fabulous display of plants which can be put to good use in your garden now.

For real energy and vibrancy, choose plenty of yellows and golds, including some of the golden rods (Solidago), which should be flowering well into September.

I am a great fan of coreopsis, including the various forms of Coreopsis verticillata, which flowers well into the autumn and is unlikely to need staking.

If you like to see flat looking flower heads in your garden then take a closer peep at some of the achilleas, including ‘Coronation Gold’.

No late summer border is complete without the cone flowers or rudbekias with their deliciously bright, daisy-like flowers - these should last you through October.

For some screaming scarlets and other shades of red, consider growing the dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Lychnis chalcedonica.

In damper areas you could use Lobelia ‘Queen Victoria’ or many of the other moisture-loving types of lobelia which produce huge spires of red flowers, so different from those tiny blue, pink and white bedding lobelias which are more widely grown.

To make sure that your summer time plantings do well, take heed of the following tips: • If it’s a hot day, try to plant in early evening or at least late afternoon when the main heat of the sun has died down.

• Always make sure that plants are really well watered before you put them in the ground.

• Soak the compost thoroughly and make sure that it’s wetted right to the base before you begin.

• Incorporate plenty of bulky organic matter, such as garden compost, well-rotted manure or

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some proprietary compost from your garden centre, as this will help to retain moisture.

• Once the plants are in position, water them in thoroughly - the water needs to go right down to where the plant needs it, at its roots.

• Once the soil is moist, apply a good, deep mulch of 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm), all around the soil surface. This will help to keep moisture in, protect the plant roots from the heat of the sun and at the same time keep weeds at bay.

Don’t forget to tend to your hot border again in the autumn, when you will find small versions of many of these plants readily available in garden centres, often at only a couple of pounds per pot and when you will also be able to plant some more warming oranges and reds using bulbs and corms.

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

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Rid your lawn of moss & weeds. Start today!

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Pottons Specialist Welding and Fabricating Company

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51

Rural Ramblings BY GEOFF WHARTON

The French Have a Word For Them One of the most beautiful of all trees, in my opinion, is the yellowleaved Robinia ‘frisia’. It is not a particularly large tree, which is an advantage for most gardens, but apart from the lovely foliage, it has a very pleasing form. Unfortunately many of the specimens I have seen recently have shown signs of die-back and I am concerned that they may be suffering from some disease. I am not aware of what the problem is or if it is widespread. It may be that the trees are not being affected by a disease but by some other factor. I don’t know.

However, like ash die-back, the first signs are worrying.

Robinia and wisteria are both examples of a highly significant group of plants called legumes and they are important for agriculture and horticulture because they are nitrogen fixers, that is they have a clever way of making their own fertiliser from the air. They have in their roots little bumpy bits which contain lots of special bacteria and these bacteria live off the plant.

However they do pay their way and their “rent” to the host legume plant is a small but significant payment of nitrate fertilizer enabling the legume to grow fast compared to non- legumes(usually!).

The great advantage for us humans, the soil, and other plants and animals, is that when the legume dies, it decomposes and releases all that extra nitrate into the soil where it acts as a free fertilizer. For any future crops. The grower does not have to spend so much money on expensive nitrogenous fertiliser, the production of which consumes significant quantities of fossil fuels. Another advantage of these super plants is that they produce seeds which have a high protein content and are especially useful

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to supplement low protein diets throughout the world, peas, beans, peanuts and soyabeans to name a few. Growers have known for a long time the benefits of growing legumes and are included in crop rotation cycles being grown the year before a high nitrogen-demanding crop is to be planted. Some whole civilizations have been based on crops such as rice and beans- the rice to provide carbohydrate and the beans for this plus extra protein. Farmers often include clover in their grass seed mixtures when sowing a new pasture. The clover is included to give a free fertilizer boost for the newly establishing grass.

Ornamental plants apart from trees such as lupins are legumes and some lupins are also grown as green –manure, to be worked in to the soil when they have died back. So, the future certainly looks bright for the humble bean! and let us hope that the Robinias keep flourishing together with their beany cousins as I just can’t imagine a life without peanut butter!!

Geoff Wharton Gardening Services Reliable, experienced, well qualified.

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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 Quality Turf with a Quality Service

• Professional Turf Laying Service • Weed Treated & Fertilized • Fast Delivery • Commercial and Domestic • Free Estimates • All Areas Covered • Hard Landscaping Large or Small Jobs Undertaken

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GILKS FENCING LTD Suppliers of all types of gates and fencing to trade and public

• New Products in Stock •

• Closeboard Fencing • TGV Gates • Trellis made to Customers Design • Lap Panel Fencing • Railings • Chain Link • Knee Rail Fencing • Concrete Slotted Posts Great Value Tools New Display & Sales Area Now Open Full Installation Service

Drove Road, Gamlingay, Sandy, Beds SG19 2HX Tel: 01767 650 615 Fax: 01767 654 944

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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:

 Main dealer for Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kohler, Kawasaki & Mountfield engines.

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Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm

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Joe is the best

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55

ACE PEST CONTROL

Fast, efficient, friendly service with very competitive rates Available - 7 days a week Local company established 25 years We specialise in all pest problems especially WASPS

Phone: 01767 627417

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

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• 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 56

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Electronic Cigarettes

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti They taste, feel and in some cases look like the real thing, but that’s where the similarity ends.

Electronic cigarettes don’t contain tobacco and tar which can turn conventional cigarettes into killers, and by the year end around 1 million UK smokers will have switched to e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative.

So, what are they and how do they work? A typical cigarette is composed of three parts – a cartridge, an atomiser and a rechargeable battery. Liquid nicotine (which can come in a variety of flavours) is stored in the cartridge and converts into vapour as it passes through the atomiser when the user sucks. It is then absorbed through the mouth.

Though it looks like smoke is being produced, what you see is largely water vapour. Electronic cigarettes produce no smoke, no smell and no ash.

Although e-cigarettes are less toxic than conventional cigarettes, they are not totally innocuous. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug and can raise blood pressure and accelerate heart

disease. At present, there are no regulations on the purity or amount of nicotine contained in e-cigarettes, but it is generally accepted that the levels are lower than in conventional cigarettes.

As yet there are no studies reporting on the safety of e-cigarettes, but some experts claim that if all smokers in Britain made the switch, 5 million deaths could be prevented in people alive today.

If you’re a smoker and are concerned about your health, then maybe you should consider using electronic cigarettes. But if you are a non-smoker, do not be tempted into trying them thinking that they are a safe way to smoke. The only sure way to avoid the effects of smoking is to avoid it completely!

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ANIMAL KNOW HOW

ANIMAL QUERIES

Dear RSPCA vet, My Labrador is 7 months old and is still nipping and nibbling my hand when I arrive home. This was sweet when he was a tiny puppy but it’s beginning to become a real problem, as he gets bigger. I’m worried he will really hurt a visitor one day. What should I do?

Isaac, Stevington Dear Isaac, All puppies should be taught to be careful where they put their teeth. Mouthing, nibbling or taking a human hand, handbag or skirt hem, should not be tolerated, because it has the potential to be harmful.

As soon as your puppy’s teeth touch any part of your body, pretend that it hurts and say: “Ow!” Then praise the dog when he draws back. You can also use treats as a reward when he behaves well.

Most Labs are very food orientated!

Use the same method to teach your young dog not to grab skirts, shoelaces and so on.

Putting something in their mouth is what Labradors are bred to do, because gun dogs have a need to carry. So use this as a positive behaviour to encourage. If you have a rope, a soft toy or even a small piece of soft cloth then your puppy can “give” it to you when you come downstairs in

58

the morning, or come home in the evening. Praise him when he does this.

With a bit of patience, and a lot of consistency, you can turn this situation around. If you have access to the Internet have a look at some puppy training videos for further ideas. Make training fun and your puppy will be a fast learner.

Good luck!

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

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Thursday 15th August 11am - 3pm Deepdale & RSPCA Rabbit Fun Day

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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

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

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GRANSDEN FOOTBALL CLUB

A THRIVING FOOTBALL CLUB Gransden FC is a thriving football club which meets at the Sports Field, Great Gransden on Saturday mornings. Players can join the club as soon as they are in Reception year at school in our very popular Fox Cubs section, and in the coming season we will be running teams at Under 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 levels.

The club has been awarded the Huntingdonshire FA “Charter Standard Club of the Year” Award 2 years in a row so you can be sure that your child is getting coached by fully FA Qualified Coaches and the club ethos is about having fun and developing players rather than having a “win at all costs” mentality.

There are limited spaces available in all teams for next season, so if you are interested in your child playing for Gransden then please register your interest early by emailing the Secretary, David Gwilliam, at secretary@gransdenfc.co.uk The club relies on volunteers to administrate it as well as to coach teams and new volunteers

are always welcome. Again, please contact the secretary to register an interest.

The club also runs 2 Saturday and a Sunday adult teams which are also FA Charter Standard recognised. Again, spaces are limited so please get in touch to register your interest.

WOOD GREEN...

Pet activity days Friday 2 & 9 August, 9.30am – 3.30pm Godmanchester Centre £40 per child including goody bag & certificate Join the Hands On team for a fun filled day and leave the grown ups at home! Suitable for 7 - 11 year olds, participants will spend the day getting hands on preparing feeds, visiting behind the scenes, meeting staff in different job roles and having a go at dog training. Booking essential.

Dance and drama day – hip hop bunnies!

Wednesday 28 August, 9.30am – 4pm Godmanchester Centre £25 per child In our action packed dance and drama day 7 - 11 year olds can leave grown ups at home and find out all about rabbit care through learning playscript lines, rehearsing dance moves, preparing costumes and props and preparing for an end of day performance! Booking essential.

To book for all events call the Hands On team on 0844 248 8181 or email for further information handson@woodgreen.org.uk

Godmanchester Centre King’s Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH

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

Heydon Centre Highway Cottage, Chishill Road, Heydon Hertfordshire, SG8 8PN

Call: 0844 248 8181 Visit: www.woodgreen.org.uk Or Email: info@woodgreen.org.uk Registered Charity No. 298348.

The Animals Charity

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WGAS Villager 131w x 93h Potton 7.13.indd 1

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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

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

T: 64

01462 643 384 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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65

Biggleswade Scouts salute

Sainsbury’s charity partnership Sainsbury’s have just announced that Biggleswade Scout Group is to be their new charity partner and they will receive a year’s worth of fundraising and support from the store. “This is fantastic news for the group,” said Development Committee Chairman Martin Williamson a leader and the parent of Beaver Scouts. He added, “We have plans to put Scouting firmly on the town map with colleagues from the store. The group is looking to expand its membership of 188 so that we can cater for the growing population of the town. This partnership has come at just the right time for us.”

The group started life on June 2nd 1909 with a Scout Troop of 14 teenagers and one leader when Biggleswade was a hamlet of 2,750 folk on the River Ivel alongside the Great North Road. In 104 years the town has grown to six times its earlier size while the Scout Group has increased over 10-fold. In that time over 5,000 young people have enjoyed all the adventures and challenges Scouting offers and many still live in the town.

One veteran is Eric Lund, 86 who has been with the group since the 1930s.

Already Sainsbury’s have donated paint, kitchen equipment and a decorating team to improve the group’s headquarters in London Road. There are plans to hold various events in and around the store including a Christmas celebration in December.

The Sainsbury’s scheme began in 2009 and has raised more than £5 million to support local communities in the last four years. The Biggleswade store has had great success helping local charities. Last year they raised over £5,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust which they will

Two young Scouts make a start planting a wood of 100 trees in Biggleswade.

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Delighted Scouts salute Sainsbury’s use to fund various activities and building projects.

Sainsbury’s Biggleswade store manager Claire Fielder said, “We’ve had a great response from our customers who voted overwhelmingly for the Scouts. We’re thrilled to have a youth charity which many of our customers and colleagues can associate with. We will now work closely with the Scouts to make sure they really benefit from the local charity partnership.”

Scout Leader Nick Gurney said, “This is great news for the town’s 200 Scouts. We look forward to working with Sainsbury’s to give our partnership a high profile. We have some of the most enthusiastic and energetic young people in the area and they are just itching to get started.”

The group is abuzz with ideas to make Scouting a high profile activity over the coming months.

Mr Williamson has already discussed ideas with Sainsbury’s management and has met with staff to explain what the Scouts do in the town and how the partnership may work. The Scout movement is the biggest co-ed organisation in the UK and helps young people have fun and adventure in safety while teaching them essential life skills such as team spirit and self awareness.

It’s also a vibrant environment where adult volunteers can learn leadership skills which they can add to their CV. For further information contact: Peter M Sutherst (Beds Scouts Media Manager) Tel: 01582 731498 Mob: 07702 910 773 Or Daisymae Carter (PR Ambassador for Sainsbury’s Biggleswade) Tel: 01767 317 587 E: prl.biggleswade@sainsburys.co.uk

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A flexible day nursery for children from 6 weeks to 5 years with extensive and well resourced grounds. ur o y f f o Excellent links to s onth’ 1st m es the A1, St Neots and fe Sandy railway station.

30%

To find out more call us today

01767 681805 76 London Road, Sandy Beds. SG19 1DZ e: info@manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk w: www.manorfarm-day-nursery.co.uk

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67

Jaguar F-Type

by James Baggott Renault’s mad electric car turns heads everywhere it goes, but what’s it like to live with?

Let me make some formal introductions to our newest long-term test fleet member – the Renault Twizy.

This full EV can do around 60 miles on a charge, which takes about four hours and costs less than £1. It’ll do 50mph, doors are optional extras and it looks like a turbo-charged mobility scooter.

I’ve been driving the bonkers Renault for a month now, to and from the office, which is about two miles away, and I absolutely love it.

There is no other car available anywhere in the world that attracts so much attention yet costs so little. Starting at £7k, and with a monthly rental charge for the batteries (which facilitates replacement if they go wrong) that starts from £45 a month, it’s an absolute magnet for attention.

I’m not sure people would be so excited about a Leaf or Zoe – because it’s the Twizy’s mad looks that really has people interested. I still can’t quite believe that Renault built it. I’m sure glad they did, though.

So, what’s it like to live with? Well, surprisingly easy. I can commute for 10 days before I need to run a cable out of our office window and charge it up. The plug is in the front and only reaches about three metres so it’s a bit of a faff to recharge. It

involves security guard bothering extension cables and a dry day, but in a month I’ve only had to do it three times.

Inside, space is best described as cosy. For the driver it’s not too bad, although the seat could do with the ability to tilt the back-rest. The passenger, who sits pillion style behind the driver, is a little more cramped and in wet weather becomes a bit damp. The Twizy doesn’t come with doors or windows, although we do have both.

Renault sent a man to fit some windows for us a week after the car arrived. These are made from plastic with metal edges that slot into two brackets on the doors, a bit like putting up a tent.

To be honest I prefer the Twizy without them.

On the road it’s great fun. It’s comfortably quick enough to keep up with town traffic, it handles well and although the suspension crashes a little, it’s bearable. Our car has a retro-fit Bluetooth system fitted with two speakers in the roof.

The scissor style doors look seriously smart when you throw them open, and the fact you can get out either side has meant I can park within inches of my colleagues’ drivers side doors, so they have to climb in the passenger side. I don’t think that joke will ever grow old – for me at least.

I think part of my love for the Twizy comes from being a biker. It has some of the fun of being out in the open, but you don’t get wet and there’s no time wasted putting on a load of protective equipment.

I have another 6 months to look forward to in the Twizy and I’m already seriously considering buying one at the end.

Model: Renault Twizy Colour Price: £8,810 as tested Engine: Asynchronous electric motor Power: 17bhp Max speed: 50mph 0-28mph: 6.1s MPG: N/A Emissions: Zero Costs this month: 99p (cloth to wipe the seats when it rains) James Baggott is managing director of BlackballMedia.co.uk, an automotive services specilaist

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Gamlingay Tyre Centre

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

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

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MOT £39.95 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 – 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.

Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Fun Quiz - Title Characters 1. What word from the NATO phonetic alphabet is also the first name of the title character from the novel Frankenstein?

2. Which title characters “danced by the light of the moon” at the end of a famous poem?

3. The title character in which 2004 film at one point asks for a White Russian with no vodka, no ice and no Kahlúa?

4. Who provided the voice of the title character in the Disney film Dumbo?

5. First published in a book by the Brothers Grimm, in which fairy tale does a queen have to guess the name of the title character within three days to be allowed to keep her child?

6. The local Reverend in the TV show The Simpsons has the same surname as the title character from a BBC TV show that ran from 1986 to 1994. What is it?

7. In Shakespeare’s famous play, what was the name of The Merchant Of Venice?

8. In which 1970s TV series did the title characters travel in a twodoor Ford Torino that was nicknamed the “striped tomato”?

9. In the Beatrix Potter novel The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, what type of animal was the title character?

10. In which 1960s film does the title character fly to a fictional European region called Vulgaria?

1. Victor 2. The Owl and the Pussycat 3. Catwoman (taking out these ingredients, she is left with a glass of milk) 4. No-one (Dumbo doesn’t speak) 5. Rumpelstiltskin 6. Lovejoy 7. Antonio 8. Starsky and Hutch 9. A hedgehog 10. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Before

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71

Peach Melba Shortcakes

SAGE AND PANCETTA ROAST CHICKEN These shortcakes are perfect for a speedy summer dessert. They take just minutes to make and bake and can be filled with whatever seasonal fruit you have to hand. Here they are filled with a rich and sweet mascarpone cream with juicy peaches and fresh raspberries but a simple dollop of extra thick cream and some sliced strawberries will be just as impressive.

INGREDIENTS 175g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 75g butter, chilled and diced 55g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 1 large egg, beaten 1 tbsp milk FOR THE FILLING 125g mascarpone cheese 2 tbsp icing sugar 6 tbsp single cream 175g fresh raspberries 2 ripe peaches, stoned and sliced Serves: 8 Ready in: 35 minutes, plus cooling 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.

Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

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2 Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the diced butter and rub into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar then add the beaten egg and milk and mix to a soft dough.

3 Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface and roll out to a 1cm thickness. Using an 8cm round cookie cutter stamp out 8 rounds, gently re-rolling the trimmings as necessary.

Place on the prepared baking sheet, prick the top of each round lightly with a fork then sprinkle with a little caster sugar.

4 Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until risen and pale golden. Carefully transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

5 To make the filling, beat the mascarpone cheese with the icing sugar and cream until smooth. Push half the raspberries through a fine-holed sieve to make a puree.

6 Slice each shortcake in half horizontally and top the bottom halves with the cream mixture, peach slices and remaining raspberries.

Drizzle over the raspberry puree and top with remaining shortcake halves.

Tip - The shortcakes can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. Fill with the cream and fruit 1-2 hours before serving.

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

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s/oven (all inc.)...£40.00

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hobs from....£12.00 BBQs, Agas and Ranges individually priced.

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Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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what’S ON?

IN AUGUST

2 August 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 3 August Annual Coffee Morning 10am-12 noon 2 Leeds Smith Drive, Sandy The Sandy Branch of The Leprosy Mission will be holding its Annual Coffee Morning at the home of Colin & Diane Osborne. The morning will include Bring & Buy, Plant and Book Stalls as well as various competitions. All welcome.

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

Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk 3 August Blooming Great Tea Party 10.30am-3.30pm Tysoe’s, 18 Market Square, Potton On behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Join us for Cakes, Scones, Bring and Buy, Crafts, Raffle, Face Painting and much more.

5 August St Neots Astronomy Association 7.30pm The Visitors Centre, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton The Story of Star Name by Mark Hurn. This will be a fun informative meeting with visual displays. Everyone welcome. We are a very friendly small club and new members are very welcome. We look forward to meeting you whether you’re a complete beginner or a veteran; we have something to offer you.

Tel: David Roberts 01480 212960 Email: david@snaa.co.uk Tel: Nick Maudlin 01767 315678 Email: nick@snaa.co.uk Web: www.snaa.co.uk

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 7 August Folk Evening 7pm Moggerhanger Village Hall First Wednesday every month. Open floor folk session evening. Also open the box.

Tel: Carolyn on 01767 640727 9 & 23 August Whist Drive 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Fortnightly Friday Whist Drive. Refreshments included.

Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 for more information 10 August Gresley Mail Voice Choir Concert 7pm Trinity Methodist Church Shortmead Street, Biggleswade Tickets: £7 in advance, £8 on the door Concert by Gresley Male Voice Choir based in Derbyshire.

Tickets available from Biggleswade Express, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade.

12 August Biggleswade Cancer Support Group 1-3pm Meeting Rooms, Baptist Church, London Road Biggleswade A new support group for anyone one with cancer, friends and family. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month (except Bank Holidays). Gina and Karen look forward to meeting you.

Tel: Gina 07812 796581 Email: csgbiggleswade@gmail.com 13 August Social Evening 7pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Second Tuesday every month. The Bar is open for a drink and a chat. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 13 August Music on Summer Tuesdays – Celebrating Britten in Song 8pm Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Adults £12, Free admission for students and young people Sarah Leonard (Soprano) and Stephen Gutman (Piano).

Tickets also available from Hitchin Town Centre Initiative, Hitchin Tel: Box Office 01462 459446 Web: www.benslowmusic.org

20 August 6 August Music on Summer Tuesdays – A Bach Evening Music on Summer Tuesdays - The Virtuoso Flute 8pm 8pm Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Hitchin Adults £12, Free admission for students and young people Adults £12, Free admission for students and young people Philippa Davies (Flute) and Jan Willem Nilleke (Piano).

Julian Perkins (Harpsicord) and Stephen Preston (Baroque Tickets also available from Hitchin Town Centre Initiative, Flute). Tickets also available from Hitchin Town Centre Hitchin Initiative, Hitchin Tel: Box Office 01462 459446 Tel: Box Office 01462 459446 Web: www.benslowmusic.org Web: www.benslowmusic.org Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 74

what’S ON? IN AUGUST

20 August Gamlingay W I 7.30pm W I Hall Speaker Jan Cooper on “Researching Family History”.

Visitors welcome.

22 August Archive Evening - The Patricia Yates Collection 8.00pm The Community Centre, Brook End, Potton Potton History Society. Mrs Patricia Yates, founder secretary, has donated her collection of material and notes to the Society. Come along as they provide a fascinating insight into our past. Visitors always welcome. Light refreshments provided.

Web: www.pottonhistorysociety.com 25 August Croydon cum Clopton Monthly Village Market 10.30am-1pm High Street, Croydon Free entry Refreshments. Local businesses displaying and selling their produce and products. In support of Croydon Village Hall & All Saints Church.

Web: www.stallsinthevillagehall.co.uk 31 August Shepreth Village Hall Market 10am-12.30pm Shepreth Village Hall Free entrance and ample parking at the rear of the hall There will be all the usual fresh produce stalls including Cornish made Pasties baked in Shepreth, “The Village Toy Shop” stall, Vintage jewellery, organic essential oils and many lovely craft stalls. Come along and grab yourself a bargain. Refreshments by Shepreth W.I. Web: www.stallsinthevillagehall.co.uk 31 August Old Warden Grand Village Fete 2pm Cricket Field (opposite Church Lane) Free entry Free children’s entertainment. Traditional fete activities, Teas and Cakes, BBQ, Tombola, cake and produce stall, bumper Raffle, Treasure hunt PLUS Team games, Tug of War, It’s a Knockout games with great prizes. Plenty of room for stall holders, Only £10 a pitch.

Tel: Rod 01767 627569 or Julie 01767 627702

1 September Broom Quarry Sponsored Stroll 12.30pm Water Lane Farm, Upper Caldecote Adults £5, Under 16s free Bring the whole family (dogs welcome) and join us for a BBQ lunch before setting off on a wonderful afternoon sponsored stroll around Broom Quarry Lakes (up to 5 miles), followed by tea and cakes.

Organised by Cllr Caroline Maudlin in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Tel: 0300 300 8544 Email: iwanttowalk@gmail.com 1 September Treasure Hunt 2pm Moggerhanger Village Hall £2 per person Approximately 12 miles by car. Refreshments included.

Bar open for your return.

Tel: Chris 01767 640242 1 September Cream Tea 3-5.30pm £5 Haslingfield Dovecote, CB23 1JW A traditional cream tea with freshly baked scones, jam and cream will be served in the informal woodland garden and orchard at the 17th Century circular Dovecote in Haslingfield.

In aid of Parkinson’s UK. Tel: 01223 871788 for further details 10 September Working Lives 10.30am Labour Hall, Crab Lane, Biggleswade Fee: £55 - Concessions are available Biggleswade Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) Branch course. Ten 1½ hour sessions.

An exploration of how our ancestors made a living in the last five centuries, and the impact on their circumstances.

Tutor: Honor Ridout.

Free parking Tel: Clive Bandy 01462 730147 Email: lizandclive37@gmail.com 21-29 September Royston Arts Festival Various events taking place including Meera Syal talk followed by Q&A session and book-signing, performance by renowned pianist Clare Hammond, Gromit or Shaun the Sheep model making with a model-maker from Aardman and free workshops including poetry, batik, theatre, music and flower arranging.

See website for full details.

Web: www.roystonartsfestival.org

31 August Elizabeth Bass Concert 7.30pm St Owen’s Church, Bromham Adults £10m Concessions £8, Children under 16 free Elizabeth Bass Harpist with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain plays Music from the heart & harp.

Tel: Reservations 01234 825454 (mornings) or 01234 826551 (pm/evening) To advertise in The Villager and Townlife please call 01767 261 122

75

Oven Cleaning! - It’s a dirty job!

Why do it yourself?

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

Ovens • Ranges • Hobs • Extractors Agas • Microwaves • Barbecues (May - Sept) Single Oven (all racks/pans inc)........................£35 Single Oven & Grill Oven (all racks/pans inc).....£45 Single Separate Grill Oven (racks/pans inc)......£15 Microwaves & Combination Ovens....................£20 Extractor Fan (free filter for next clean).............£12 Hob..................................................................£12 . . .

Agas and Ranges priced accordingly Oven Bulbs replaced for free in all jobs V.A.T free

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

parent company est. 1998

CODERED

Engine Diagnostics

Engine Managements Faults Cleared SERVICE ENGINE SOON

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Service lights turned off & more!!

Contact Simon on: m: 07741 498 305 T: 01767 448 721 Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 1TA 76

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Quality PVC-U Windows & Doors MANUFACTURERS & INSTALLERS Windows, Doors, Conservatories, Bi-Folding Doors & Composite Doors

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC • Vertical Sliding Sash Windows • Casement Windows • Residential & French Doors • Patio Doors • Pivot Windows • 10 Year Insurance Backed Guarantee • Discount for Pensioners • FENSA Certification Potton Windows is the only local company to be awarded the Secure By Design accreditation, to all products manufactured at its Potton Factory, this is a Police Preferred specification for greater security.

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T. 01767 260 626 E. sales@pottonwindows.co.uk www.pottonwindows.co.uk

Potton Windows Limited was established in 1987 Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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PK Cleaning Services Est. since 1988

z Professional

Carpet and Upholstery cleaning z Window cleaning z UPVC Fascia cleaning z Patio and Driveway cleaning z Gutter and Soffit cleaning Free Estimates.

Friendly and reliable service.

Paul Kaiser

Home 01767 222822 Mobile 07812 335860 Visit us on www.pkcleaningservices.net

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

1st Glass Window Repairs 30

years experience

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

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07511 906161 78

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Can you help raise funds

for Sue Ryder - St John’s Hospice?

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.

St John’s Hospice is your local branch of Sue Ryder, giving palliative care to patients and families in the local area. Over the years, we have become known for our compassion and support to those families who have to go through the difficulties of living with serious illness.

However, in order to continue providing this special and much-needed care we need to raise £1.4 million annually through the community. In a nutshell, we need you!

We are looking for willing volunteers within each village in the vicinity to get together and form a fundraising group. This group would then organise various activities over the year to raise

money for St John’s Hospice.

There is no pressure to organise a large number of events. We are simply looking for ongoing support – however much or little you can offer.

Examples of events could include anything from a cake sale or a quiz night at your local pub, to sports competitions, an auction of services or even hosting a ball! And the benefits of forming a fundraising group are that you can meet new people, make friends, have a lot of fun and at the same time give help to a much loved local charity.

St John’s Hospice fundraising team will be on hand to give you all the support, help and advice you need.

Please contact Jessica Wilson on 01767 642422 or email Jessica.wilson@sueryder.org for more information.

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CODEWORD

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

9 X 9 PUZZLE

How to play It’s simple! Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

Use your logic to solve the puzzle.

Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

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81

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

Iceberg Hand Car Wash

Under New Management

• Friendly, y Professional y, Hand Car wash • Open 7 days a week 9am-7pm • 10 Y Years of Experien Experience ce • Free W Wash with loyalty Card

Get your Loyalty Card stamped each visit & get your 5th Wash absolutely FREE !

29 Great North Road, Lower Caldecote Beds SG18 9BA 07760 403 883 Tel: T 82

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Biggleswade Sandy Lions

PURSE OR WALLET

Four friends were on holiday in Turkey when one of them fell down a long flight of stone steps.

Badly hurt she was taken to hospital. When seen by a consultant she was asked about her medical history but understandably, she was in no condition to remember all this. However, she was carrying a trump card – her Message in a Wallet giving all her medical details. This enabled the doctor to take her straight through for treatment and onto the hospital ward. This is a true story.

The need to be taken to hospital following as accident or sudden illness can happen anytime you are on holiday at home or abroad or perhaps just on a day trip. Could you remember all your medical history and medication and allergies at what could be a traumatic time? The hospital needs this vital information to ensure you get the right treatment.

This is why Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club has introduced to this area the credit card size MESSAGE IN A WALLET contained in a clear plastic wallet so you can carry it in your purse or wallet.

This highly successful scheme is already in use in North Wales and the Midlands. The fold out card in the plastic wallet contains the same information as is found in Message in a Bottle, introduced into Bedfordshire by Biggleswade Sandy Lions in 2002.

MESSAGE IN A WALLET is available free of charge at CAB, doctors surgeries, libraries and council offices for anyone with a medical condition or an allergy. The Lions have also given details to the emergency services and air ambulances. So get your MESSAGE IN A WALLET today and go on your travels with confidence.

For more information about Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club call 0845 833 9749 or visit www.biggleswadesandylions.org.uk.

GOT THE MESSAGE?

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83

Mark Dilley Electrical 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

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DRIFTWOOD JOINERY LTD Specialists in Bespoke Joinery

Friendly, Independent, expert advice on your personal and business financial planning

Retirement Planning

Annuities • Open-Market-Options • Pensions

Savings & Investments ISAs • OEICs • Bonds

Protection

Life • Critical Illness • Income

Existing Plans & Portfolios Review Needs & Objectives

To arrange an appointment please contact:

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

Wayne Bacon DipFA MIFS a truly Independent Financial Adviser T: 01767 650 477 M: 07738 120 127 E: wayne.bacon@2plan.com

www.waynebacon.2plan.com 2plan wealth management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is entered on the FCA register (www.fca.org.uk) under reference 461598.

Registered office: 2plan wealth management Ltd. Bridgewater Place, Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 5BZ. Registered in England Number: 05998270 VAT Registered: 894679251

The

Ironing Fairy Do you hate ironing, or just don’t have time to do it?... ...Then let me do it for you!

• Friendly, reliable 1 to 1 service from a business that cares!

• Affordable prices, and can pick up and drop off to your door.

• Non Smoking home with plenty of references from happy customers.

Call Sue for more information on:

M: 07963 031 538 H: 01767 261 899 Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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The Villager Prize Crossword Prize

£25

Name:

Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this section and send to the address below before 16th August 2013 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Mr Peter Williams from Bedford For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com Across 7 Take away (6) 8 Irish lochs (6) 9 Couch (4) 10 Wraps around (8) 11 Disregarded (7) 13 Hard, strong alloy (5) 15 Hints (5) 17 Supply (7) 20 Easy going (8) 21 Ashen (4) 23 Heavy mass (6) 24 Woken up (6) Down 1 Nothing (4) 2 Vegetable (6) 3 Umpire (7) 4 Drudge (5) 5 Type of fish (6) 6 Tends sheep (8) 12 Ran very fast (8) 14 Authors (7) 16 Power, stamina (6) 18 Gas (6) 19 Prickly plants (5) 22 Untruths (4)

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Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

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

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

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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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LEt US aSK yOU ONE qUEStION HaS LIfE bECOmE tOO HECtIC? maybE wE CaN HELP... fULLy INSUREd, HIGHLy PROfESSIONaL, dISCREEt, COmPEtItIVE RatES‌ fOR fURtHER INfORmatION CONtaCt RaCHaEL OR SCOtt ON:

ID Y

Electrical Maintenance Commercial & Domestic Installations

AN DT

Electrical Contractor

HOUSEKEEPING & CONCIERGE SERVICES

CL EA N

Paul Hodson

tEL: 01767 631755

EmaIL: CLEaNaNdtIdyGROUP@GmaIL.COm

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Tel: 01767 261622 Mob: 07947 732883 Email: dialporter01@tiscali.co.uk Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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All Aspects Plastering & Property Maintenance • Skimming • Dry Lining • Tape & Jointing • Stud Walling • Plaster Boarding Also other Building works undertaken from Drainage to Conversions For an Estimate or Advice on whatever job you need please call

Alf Fisher M.

07788 299 836

For a Friendly and Reliable Service

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

© VP/TP

104 Ampthill Road, Shefford, Beds, SG17 5BB

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

G & H SEAMER Funeral Directors

Family owned and managed business.

Established 100 years.

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

BOOK REVIEW

BY Bruce Edwards Already Dead Author: Stephen Booth Published by: Sphere H/B £17.99 ISBN: 978-0-7515-5171-6 Published on June 20th There might be a few ‘Villager’ readers who take recreational breaks in the Peak District; after all, it is only a hundred miles or three hours from Bedfordshire, has much to recommend it in the way of scenery, places to visit and has plenty of character, even ‘atmosphere’.

Stephen Booth, this month’s author, has a special affinity for the area and it shows. In ‘Already Dead’, the atmosphere grabs one from the start - it’s raining, it’s dark, there’s lots of water on the road - appropriate for the discovery of a body blocking a drainage channel. Booth’s strength is in both character and accurate place description, together with an intense, taut storyline. The police team are personalities with human foibles that surface as in any realistic drama. We know the scenario; emotional conflict at every level interposed between a gradual unravelling of ‘why’ and ‘how’.

There’s excessive and damaging rain; an unforgivable fraud, an out-ofcontrol car and the inevitable spurned wife who wasn’t surprised. We might not be surprised either, at the actions of the essential ‘copper on sick leave’ or one of his - female - colleagues, but within reach of a weekend away? Bedfordshire doesn’t have too many steep hills or abandoned quarries, and though we may have heavy rain and despondent policemen, we may not have an author like Booth with the same eye for the local country. Go to Wirksworth when next in Derbyshire and try to unravel the story . . .

47 High Street, Sandy

Telephone: 01767 680519 www.ghseamer.co.uk 92

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Classifieds

Builders

Domestic Repairs

JB Domestic

“YOUNG’S BUILDERS”

Guaranteed Repairs To: Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Electric Ovens/Cookers Dishwashers

“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

Decorating Services

No Call Out Charge!

Tel: 01767 680621 Mobile: 07778 891490

Domestic Repairs

Domestic Appliance Repairs DECORATING SERVICES

• Over 25 years experience • No job too big or too small • Free estimates T: 01767

222 028

M: 07887

618 832

email: topcoat@ntlworld.com

T&R Roofing Ltd

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

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

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

Class i fi e d s

Our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

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Classifieds

Garden Specialist

Painting Services

Local, honest, professional service

Handyman

Pet Services

Handyman

Plastering Services

Steve Swain

Plastering Contractor All aspects Plastering, Pebble Dashing Rendering, Screeding

Mob: 07887 861881 Tel: 01767 226404 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 Tel: 01767 650619 Mobile: 07870366414

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Plastering

James Geekie Plastering All types of plastering - big or small Interior/Exterior Work Undertaken Re-skim Rooms, Walls, Artex & Ceilings Dry Lining and Screeding Tel: 07792 415356 or 01767 317161 Email: james.geekie@hotmail.co.uk

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Classifieds Property Improvements

Private Car Hire

Mats Cars Private Hire Potton Based

4+7 Seater Cars Available

Airport/Stations/Nights Out etc Local and Long Distance Tel: 01767 261871 Mob: 07983 218367 www.mats-cars.co.uk All major credit/debit cards accepted

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

GB

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

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

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Ho d ou ood k th an ille er m B st a ch mm u t g u Au e go he s r e t ’v ov , we in t u a s we plan p yo s n’t nd kee o D eke to we e-up lin

Market Square Potton • 01767 260221 www.coachhousepotton.co.uk

Check our website or our front window for more details.