Potton march 14

VILLAGER The

Issue 91 - March 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Happy Mothers Day Make your Mother’s Day

The History of Lincolnshire

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Contents The History of Lincoln

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The History of Lincolnshire.........................................................4 How to get the Best Car Insurance Deal....................................13 History - March 3rd 1938..........................................................17 Where Am I?............................................................................18 Sandy Cricket Club - Come and Get Involved............................22 Sandy Tourist Information Centre.............................................24 Make your Mother’s Day...........................................................26 Hypnosis - Fact or Fiction.........................................................28 Nancy - City of Stanislas...........................................................31 Designer vs. Budget Beauty Buys.............................................33 Brand New Zumbini.................................................................35 Hiatus Hernias..........................................................................37 Why Saving Doesn’t Have to be Taxing.....................................38 Gamlingay and District Writers Group......................................40 Garden of Delights...................................................................43 The Power of Play.....................................................................44 How to Save a Fortune When You Sell Your House....................47 When Did You Last Do Something Impulsive?..........................48 Fun Quiz...................................................................................49 A Touch of the Orient................................................................51 Editorial - Sarah Fryer, Jonathan Vernon-Smith, Ted Bruning, Alex Albrighton, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Solange Hando, Helen Taylor, Alison Runman, Louise Addison, Kate McLelland, Pippa Greenwood, Geoff Wharton, North Beds RSPCA, James Baggott, Sarah Davey, Katherine Sorrell, David Gentle, Derek Thompson, Susan Brookes-Morris and Bruce Edwards Advertising Sales - Nigel Frost - nigel@villagermag.com Photography - Bouvier Sandrine and Nigel Frost Design and Artwork - Design 9 Tel 07762 969460

VILLAGER The

Issue 91 - March 2014

and Town

Life

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

Inside this issue

Happy Mothers Day Make your Mother’s Day

The History of Lincolnshire

Win £25

in our Prize Crossword

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

ur Yo EE FR1copy

Rural Ramblings.......................................................................53 Fire Safety Tips.........................................................................54 Wordsearch..............................................................................56 Animal Know-How...................................................................59 Home Dog Boarding.................................................................60 Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club.................................................61 Children’s Page.........................................................................62 Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid.................................................................65 Party On Potton - Save the Date...............................................66 Take Your Tablets!.....................................................................69 Seasonal Delights.....................................................................71 10 Ways to Save on Renovating Your Home..............................73 What’s On.................................................................................74 Biggleswade Talking Newspaper..............................................78 Puzzle Page..............................................................................80 Green With Envy.......................................................................82 Take Care of Your Best Friend....................................................85 Villager Prize Crossword...........................................................86 Book Review............................................................................92 Classifieds................................................................................92

Why saving doesn’t have to be taxing

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Publishers Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP Tel: 01767 261122 nigel@villagermag.com www.villagermag.com Disclaimer - All adverts and editorial are printed in good faith, however, Villager Publications Ltd can not take any responsibility for the content of the adverts, the services provided by the advertisers or any statements given in the editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored without the express permission of the publisher.

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History

The History of Lincolnshire…

The city of Lincoln is one of historic fascination with a colourful past and a vibrant future ahead.

It’s intriguing past has preserved some stunning medieval buildings, each one telling it’s very own life story.

Lincoln has many dimensions, and makes for a great weekend destination. Apart from being steeped in history, it is surrounded by beautiful countryside, offers great arts and culture and is a haven for shoppers with both contemporary and independent boutique stores.

The city is easily walkable for visitors with good mobility, the main shopping and tourist area stretches from St Marks Shopping centre in the south, up to the Cathedral Quarter known locally as ‘Uphill’.

Steep Hill, voted Britain’s Great Street 2012, connects ‘downhill’ and ‘uphill’ Lincoln. Yes it is extremely steep as its name suggests, but well worth the walk!

The history of Lincoln really begins at Brayford Pool, a small harbour on the River Witham. There was an Iron-Age settlement here as early as 100BC, known as “Lindun”, or as some say “The place by the pool”.

When the Romans invaded England they recognised the strategic importance of the place and established a garrison. They renamed the city

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By Sarah Fryer “Lindum”, and later “Lindum Colonia”, from which derives our modern name of “Lincoln”.

Lincoln was a “Colonia”, or major town, and around 300AD it became the capitol of the Roman province covering eastern England.

Roman Lincoln grew into a large and prosperous town with a population of approximately 7000.

Walls surrounded the town. Inside the streets were laid out in a grid pattern with a rectangular space in the middle. This was the forum or market place. It was lined by shops and by the Basilica or Town Hall. Roman Lincoln also had public baths.

In Roman time’s people went to the baths not just to get clean but also to socialise. It was the Roman equivalent of going to the pub to meet your friends.

In Roman Lincoln rich people lived in stone houses with glass windows and even had a type of central heating. However the poor lived in simple wooden houses, sometimes without any windows or natural daylight.

Roman Lincoln was also an inland port. The Romans deepened the Witham so ships could reach the town from the sea. They also dug the Fossdyke to link the Witham with the Trent.

In the early 4th century Roman Lincoln reached a peak of prosperity, however in the later 4th century it declined. Roman civilisation was

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breaking down and the last Roman soldiers left Britain in 407 AD. By the 5th century most or all of the town’s inhabitants had fled. Afterwards the Roman buildings gradually fell into ruins.

After the Romans left, Anglo Saxons from Germany conquered Lincolnshire. At that time the town of Lincoln was almost empty. There may have been a small number of people living inside the walls and farming the land outside. However Lincoln had ceased to be a town.

Lincoln was revived when the Danes conquered the area in the late 9th century. They created a network of fortified settlements called Burghs.

Where possible they used old Roman towns as they already had sturdy walls. Each one of these burghs was made a town with a weekly market.

In the 10th century it was captured by Alfred the Great’s son but the Danish influence lingers on. The Danish word for street was gata. In time it was corrupted to gate in the street names Danesgate, Thorngate and Clasketgate.

Also during the 10th century, a suburb grew up called Wigford. (Wig is a corruption of the Danish word wick meaning creek).

Lincoln grew to be a large and important

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town with its own mint. In the town, craftsmen made things like combs out of bone. There were also potters, blacksmiths, jewellers and shoe makers.

Later, in 1068 William the Conqueror arrived and ordered the build of Lincoln Castle on the site of the Roman settlement.

The Normans acknowledged Lincoln’s natural strategic position, and just 2 years after the Conquest, William the Conqueror began the building of Lincoln Castle atop the steep hill that is the core of the city. Lincoln Castle still functions as a court, dispensing justice as it has for over 900 years. Within its walls you can see one of the original copies of the Magna Carta, signed by King John in 1215.

In 1072 the church followed suit and the magnificent structure of Lincoln Cathedral was begun.

The cathedral is the 3rd largest in Britain, with a vast nave supported by columns of limestone and marble. The stained glass windows set off a wonderful vaulted roof, and the interior is enhanced with intricate carvings in stone and wood. Look for the notorious “Lincoln Imp” carving in the Angel Choir - a stonemason’s joke that has become the official city emblem.

Nestled beside the Cathedral are the ruins of the Bishop’s Old

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Palace, reminders of a time when the Bishops of Lincoln were among the most powerful figures in the land. Former Bishops of Lincoln include Hugh of Avalon, later St. Hugh, whose tomb is in the cathedral, and Thomas Wolsey, who was Bishop in 1514 before going on to become a cardinal and advisor to Henry VIII. The medieval centre of Lincoln is blessed with an abundance of original 14th and 15th century buildings, as well as a large number of halftimbered Tudor houses.

In the late 11th century a new suburb grew up called New Port (port is an old work for market or town). Newport had its own market. In 1123 there was a fire in Lincoln, which destroyed many buildings. Fire was a constant hazard as most of the buildings in the town were made of wood with thatched roofs, although this was deemed unimportant as they could be easily rebuilt. In 1157 Lincoln was given a charter (a document granting the townspeople certain rights). The town was made independent and the rich citizens were allowed to elect a council of 24 men to rule.

From the early 13th century Lincoln had a mayor. In the 12th and 13th centuries Lincoln’s prosperity was based on wool. It was woven in the town and dyed. Much of the finished cloth was transported along the Witham then exported abroad.

The Lincoln longwool sheep is one of the rarest and most important breed’s native to Lincoln. For centuries the wool from the sheep was exported by the ton. In addition the older sheep were walked to London to provide mutton, lanolin for soap and tallow for candles.

The Lincoln is also well known for its unique genetics, not only producing spectacular lustre wool but also showing resistance to several footrot causing organisms.

In the 12th and 13th centuries there was a Jewish community in Lincoln. The houses built by 2 of them still survive. In 1255 the Jews of Lincoln were falsely accused to murdering a boy called Hugh. Afterwards 18 innocent people were taken to London and hanged. All the Jews in England were forced to leave in 1290.

In the 14th century Lincoln’s affluence declined.

For one thing its wool trade faced increasing competition from abroad and also from other parts of England. Secondly it faced increasing competition from Boston and from the new port of Hull. In 1369 the wool staple was moved to Boston which was a severe blow to Lincoln.

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By 1700’s the population of Lincoln had probably grown to about 4,000, still considerably less than it had been in the Middle Ages. Lincoln remained a small and quiet market town.

For the well off in Lincoln, life grew more comfortable in the 18th century. A theatre was built in 1732. In 1744 assembly rooms were built for hosting card games and balls.

From the mid-18th century Lincoln was helped by improving infrastructures. From the middle of the century turnpikes were built. These were privately owned and maintained roads. You had to pay a toll to use them.

During the 20th century the population of Lincoln grew more slowly than in the previous one, However at the end of the century it began to grow rapidly once again.

Sanitation during the 20th century was not all it should have been, although there were sewers, people still obtained their water from pumps.

However in 1905 a typhoid epidemic broke out and killed 130 people. That finally convinced people of the need for a pure water supply. A piped water supply was turned on in 1911.

Things seemed to go from strength to strength and after 1905 the horse drawn trams in Lincoln

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were replaced with electric trams. The first buses ran in 1920. They soon replaced the trams. The last tram ran in 1929.

Although Lincoln’s main source of income was engineering, it suffered severely during the depression of the 1930s but full employment returned in the Second World War. During that war, 11 people were killed by German bombing.

As time rolled by, council houses started popping up all over Lincoln and by 1945 many private houses started to be built, bringing more wealth to the city.

In 1958 Pelham Bridge was built, and on Friday 27th June 1958, the Queen visited Lincoln to officially open it. The bridge is one of the main routes south of the City Centre and is a main route for entering and exiting the High Street.

Fast forwarding to modern day times, Lincoln has something on offer for everyone. Apart from its outstanding beauty, shopping and architecture there is also a plethora of restaurants, bars, hotels and B&B’s.

For those looking for its legacy, a Heritage Trail links many of the historic attractions in the city centre, and a leaflet describing the trail is available at the

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Tourist Information Centre on Castle Hill.

Lincolnshire is not just about drudging round a city centre in order to find a piece of history, there is a variety of fascinating tours of the city, including guided walking tours, open top bus tours, ghost walks, river trips, and horse and carriage rides, perfect for that romantic weekend.

The sprawling countryside and masses of historical interest really does combine for a perfect location to visit.

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Three Counties Radio

How to Get the Best Car Insurance Deal

By Jonathan Vernon-Smith

If you’re like me, you will find car insurance renewal time one of the most irritating experiences. With every passing year I get a little older, a little more mature, a little more experienced behind the wheel, I NEVER make a claim and yet my insurance company feel it’s perfectly acceptable to ask me to pay a little more. Why? Well they hope that most customers are too busy with their lives to quibble over an additional £30. They hope we’ll just put the letter to one side and allow it to renew automatically. Oh how they misjudge some of us!

The fact is if you haven’t made a claim or changed your circumstances, you should expect your insurance to go DOWN not UP at renewal time. Therefore it’s very important that the savvy consumer ensures this happens. Let me explain how I do it.

When I receive my renewal notice, I instantly go online and use some of the comparison websites (‘Go Compare’ and ‘Money supermarket’ being just two). I put in my details and see if I can beat the renewal price I’ve been offered by my existing insurance company. Please only compare with good, reputable insurance companies.

There are always some (that no-one’s ever heard of ) that come back with a price that’s very reasonable. Life is too short to have car insurance from a useless company though, so don’t make this mistake. I then get quotes from some of the companies that are NOT on price comparison websites, e.g. ‘Direct Line’ & ‘Privilege’.

Without fail, I always find an insurance company that wants my business and is prepared to offer a reduced price to the one I’ve been quoted already. The whole job takes about an hour, but it’s an hour well spent if you’ve saved yourself £50 or more. At this point, you also need to consider cashback sites like ‘Quidco’ to see if you can save further money by taking insurance out through them.

Armed with all the information, I then go back to my existing insurance company and let the negotiations begin.

I opt for the “if you’re thinking of leaving us” number on the automated phone system and explain that I’ve been a customer of theirs for some time and am rather disappointed that they are expecting me to pay more for my insurance. I tell them I’ve done some shopping around and have found another insurance company that will beat their price. I ask them to have a look at their system to see what’s the best price they can offer me (I never make the mistake of showing my hand at this point). 9 times out of 10 they come back with a price that’s even better than the best price you’ve found from the alternative company, but if not, you’ve then got that up your sleeve.

I have literally saved myself hundreds and hundreds of pounds by using this method every renewal time. The funny thing is, I’m still with the same insurance company I’ve been with for 12 years now. They just keep beating those prices. Funny that! The truth is though that if they didn’t, I would simply switch and save myself the money.

While I’m on the subject of car insurance, there are a couple of other pointers I would suggest: 1. Always add another responsible driver to your policy. Insurance companies consider you to be a lower risk if you’re married or in a partnership and can put your other half on the policy. If not, it’s worth trying to add a friend with a good driving history. You may just save yourself a few quid.

2. Consider protecting your no claims bonus. If you are unfortunate enough to have to make a claim, this will prevent the policy from soaring.

3. Take the motor legal protection cover. In a dispute situation it can be invaluable.

Probably the best £25 you’ll ever spend.

4. Try to accurately predict your annual mileage. There’s no point in you being insured for the risk of driving 20,000 miles a year if in fact you only drive 2,000.

5. Be honest with your insurance company. Lying may save you money initially, but if you get caught out (which you probably will), your insurance will be invalidated and you’ll face a MASSIVE bill!

Happy motoring!

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

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History

March 3rd 1938 Mallard enters service with LNER

To many people, the story of the 1930s is dominated by images of The Road to Wigan Pier, the Jarrow Crusade, closed factories, crumbling back-to-backs, hungry children and the means test. But while all that is undeniably and horribly true, to most Britons life didn’t feel like that at the time.

Britain in 1938 was the richest and technologically the most sophisticated country on earth, and by a long chalk at that. It had the world’s first national grid. It had the world’s first TV station. It teemed with brand-new factories turning out aeroplanes, cars, buses, tractors, lorries, radios, washing machines and vacuum cleaners surrounded by brand-new suburbs of convenient modern housing where well-dressed, well-fed families gathered round the wireless in a comforting fug of dad’s pipesmoke.

That was the South. In the North there were still mills, mines, steelworks, and shipyards but wages were low, unemployment was high, much of the housing was shocking, and the infant mortality rate was a national embarrassment.

In Jarrow, where the shipyard had closed in 1933, unemployment stood at 73% by late 1935.

To the southern technocrats the north must have seemed a frightening morass of decay, desperation, and red politics: even though the Jarrow hunger marchers of October 1936 wouldn’t let communists join them, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin still refused to meet their leaders and the handing in of their petition to Parliament earned a single line in Hansard.

It was into this context that Mallard – the most advanced of the LNER’s new fleet of 35 A4 locos – bravely puffed in its bright blue livery on March 3rd 1938. Exactly four months later it clambered up a slight incline near Grantham, cresting the rise at 75mph, and accelerated down the long, gentle slope of Stoke Bank, reaching 125.88mph 9½ miles later, when it had to decelerate for Essendine junction. It had comfortably beaten the 114mph set the previous year by its closest British rival – LMS’s Coronation – but it had also trumped the 124.5mph achieved by the German 05 002 in 1936.

Beating the LMS was probably more important than beating the Germans to the Mallard’s designer, Sir Nigel Gresley. But the reporting of

Mallard at the National Railway Museum, copyright Adrian Jones. the Mallard’s feat had a strongly nationalistic and patriotic tone because everybody knew that war was coming, and Britain’s technical and material superiority over Germany was the main element in the Government’s strategy. No bloody battle of attrition in the mud this time: the world’s most powerful navy would strangle Germany’s trade while the RAF’s strategic bombers would destroy its industry. Mallard’s speed record emphasised sensationally that Britain was better than Germany at everything – even trains – and would win.

It was also important that Mallard was built in Doncaster and was a product of the northern heavy industry that so many had written off. When Mallard entered service Jarrow already had a new ship-breaking yard and engineering works; shortly it was to have a steelworks as well. Mallard was a powerful and dramatic symbol that heavy industry had regained its rightful place, that North and South were one again, and that we would face the foe together.

Mallard was retired in 1963 and restored in the 1980s. Its resting place is the National Railway Museum in York. If you’re making the pilgrimage to see the world’s fastest-ever steam engine, remember – you’re looking at a whole lot more than just a train.

By Ted Bruning

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Where AM I?

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Answer Name Address

Send your answer to WAI, Villager Publications Ltd. 24 Market Square, Potton, Bedfordshire SG19 2NP

Last month’s photos were taken in Cardington

Where Are we?

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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 Gransdens, Thorncote Green, Upper Caldecote, Waresley and Wrestlingworth

and can be found in most shops, pubs, garages in all of the above and more including Biggleswade and Sandy.

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

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LOCAL NEWS •

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KEEP DRY AND PLAY ON ABBOTSLEY, CROMWELL & CAMBRIDGE MERIDIAN THE COURSES THAT KEEP ON PLAYING Take a break at Abbotsley Golf Hotel – 42 rooms and the golf is open when all around are closed.

Contact Josh Muir for further details or to make a booking 01480 474000 or sales@abbotsley.com Abbotsley Golf Hotel, Potton Road, St Neots PE19 6XN, 01480 474000 www.abbotsley.com

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HARPERS

BARBERS

25 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP 01767 260256

Jennifer, Donna and Suzy would like to remind customers we have moved to the property next door.

Senior Citizens days are now Tuesday and Wednesday until 3pm.

Our opening times are:Tues 9am-7pm Wed 9am-5pm Thur 11am-8pm Friday 9am-6pm Sat 8.30am-3pm Prices

Mens cut/blow dry £12.00 Mens cut £9.50 Boys under 16yrs £7.50 Students under 18 years £8.50 Senior Citizens £6.00 To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Local News

Sandy Cricket Club

Sandy Colts Team – 2013

Season

Senior or Junior, Come and Get Involved!

Sandy CC has been playing in Bedfordshire for many decades and is based at Sunderland Road Recreation Ground. The playing surface is regarded as one of the best in the area.

The Club is located in the excellent Jenkins Pavillion, which boasts six team changing rooms, two changing rooms for match officials as well as a much envied electronic scoreboard.

Sandy CC has worked hard to achieve the ECB’s Clubmark status and this status confirms the Club’s commitment “to being a safe, effective and childfriendly cricket club”. Within our Club, we have a major focus on youth development and in 2014 we will have teams competing at under 12 and under 16 level in the Bedfordshire Youth League as well as providing cricket for under 10 and under 14’s via friendlies. The main emphasis is for children’s participation within a fun and safe environment, rather than a result driven atmosphere.

Within the Junior section, we have a number of ECB Qualified Coaches, all of whom are CRB checked and have attended 1st aid and child safeguarding courses. The club also has a dedicated Child Welfare Officer and adheres to the ECB’s Safe Hands guidelines.

Junior Cricket Coaching runs all year round. In winter, sessions are held at Sandy Upper School.

From April to September, the sessions are moved outside to the nets, again at Sandy Upper School.

ning Indoor Coaching Sessions – Run 4 201 il Apr – y uar Jan throughout

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Is my son/daughter old enough?

A We take children from school Year 2. Remember we offer trial weeks for free so come and give it a go!

Q Should I practice before coming down?

A Simple throwing and catching with a tennis ball.

If you have a bat, get used to the feel and weight.

This will all help when you start but whatever your standard, the thing is that you enjoy the experience and you are enthusiastic!

Q What should we bring and wear?

A Normal, comfortable sports clothing and trainers plus a water bottle. During summer, bring sun block and a hat!

Q Where do you play?

A During summer we are based at the Outdoor nets, behind the Toybox nursery. During winter, we are indoors at Sandy Upper School.

Q How much does it cost?

A We charge just £20 for 6 months play. This covers all coaching and match fees.

Q Do you play matches?

A During the summer, we play against other local clubs. All children who take part are invited to play.

Q How can I get more information?

A Please contact Coaching Co-ordinator, Ian Hurst on 07941 876292 or email ianmark.hurst@ ntlworld.com or Club Secretary, James Harding on 07445 848926 or email james.harding@hotmail. co.uk.

As you would expect, we also run Saturday and Sunday senior teams, so if you are a local cricketer, we would like to hear from you! We have a strong structure and we are looking to win promotion this year into the Premier Division of the Bedfordshire Saturday League!

We also offer Indoor Cricket during the winter months and we would love you to come down and get involved!

For more information – Ian, 07941 876292 or James, 07445 848926.

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Local News

SANDY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

March 2014

GUIDED WALKS 2014 The first of Sandy Tourist Information Centre’s Guided Walks to be held this year is a guided tour of Sandye Place in Sandy and this will take place on Thursday, 24th April.

We have held this tour on a number of occasions in previous years and it has always been oversubscribed so this will give the opportunity for those who have not yet undertaken it to view this mid-18th century mansion, once one of the manor houses of Sandy and now part of Sandye Place Academy.

The Tour will start from the Tourist Information Centre at 7pm. We will then walk to the Fire Station in Ivel Road, the site of the very attractive thatched archway and cottage, which was the main carriage entrance to the mansion and which was sadly demolished in the early 1950’s. We will then walk across the former parklands to see and hear about the entrance front of this historic house where at its base one can see the remains of the former medieval ironstone mansion.

On this rare occasion we will be able to tour the interior of this Georgian house with its panelled rooms, including the Justice Room (where once local court cases were decided), the barrelled staircase, the Jacobean Gallery and the Powder Room where men and ladies had their hair powdered in the 18th century. Also we shall look at the warren of servant’s rooms in the service wing and descend into the basements, once home of the kitchens, servant’s hall, wine cellars, etc. In the basement we shall be able to see further remains of the medieval stone house and the unusual hinged banister on the

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secondary staircase which could be lifted across the stairs to stop shooting and hunting dogs going up the stairs and entering the main reception rooms.

In the delightful grounds, which retain much of their charm as when it was a 35 acre wooded park, we will see the circular ironstone dovecote, the home of fantailed doves and which stands on the banks of the River Ivel which runs through the grounds.

The dovecote is the only remaining building of the Edwardian re -landscaping of the park when it was laid out in a willow pattern plate style. We will hear about the famous families who lived at Sandye Place and of the Sandy Show, once the largest one day horticultural show in the midlands and which started here in 1869.

This walk, and other Walks throughout the year (other than the Potton-Sutton Walk) will cost £5.50 per person. Please note that there are limited numbers on this walk and so please call in or contact the Tourist Information Centre to book your place.

Other guided Walks for the year are being arranged and include the following:MAY - The Everton Walk This will take on Saturday, 24th May at 2.30pm. A Walk through the Parklands of Woodbury Hall, walking along the Roman Road and parts of the famous Tempsford Airfield JUNE – A Guided Tour of The Lodge, Sandy This will take place on Thursday, 5th June at 7pm A Guided Tour of the interior of this beautiful Tudor style mansion and the Italianate Gardens

Please To advertise mention The in The Villager Villager andand Town Town LifeLife when please responding call 01767 to 261122 adverts

JULY - The Tempsford Walk Date and time to be arranged. A Guided walk through this historic village.

AUGUST – A Guided Walk Through Southill Park This will take place on Sunday, 10th August at 2.30pm. A Guided Walk through this ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped park, home of the Whitbread family.

SEPTEMBER - Willington Guided Walk Date and time to be arranged. A Guided Walk with Willington History Group through this historic riverside village.

SEPTEMBER - Potton - Sutton Walk Part of the Bedfordshire Walking Festival This will take place on Friday, 12th September at 2.45pm - A delightful Walk betwen Potton, Sutton and Deepdale. This walk is free Look out for further details .

gift, they make an ideal present for any special occasion.

But why are Theatre Tokens a perfect gift? They can be used at over 240 venues, including London’s West End, they have no expiry date so there’s no pressure to choose straight away.

The Tokens come in values of £5, £10 and £20, so you can give a little theatre, or a lot.

If you´re finding it tricky to come up with a special present, unusual birthday gift, memorable anniversary gift or unique wedding present Theatre Tokens may be just the ticket!

NEW BROCHURES FOR 2014 continue to come into the Centre daily.

We look forward to seeing you and helping you with any of your questions concerning holidays, walks, cycling, local attractions, events, etc, etc.

WALKING 4 HEALTH Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) is the leading community development agency working across Bedfordshire with a proven track record built up over 60 years. The Charity is based in the Old School at Cardington.

RCC was at the forefront of setting up the county healthy walking initiative, Walk 4 Health in Bedfordshire, which has delivered a programme of regular, volunteer-led walks aimed at those who want to walk on a regular basis in company, together with training for the volunteer walk leaders.

BRCC co-ordinates a range of W4H walk programmes throughout Central Bedfordshire. These individual programmes are in turn led by trained volunteer Health Walk Leaders.

In Sandy fortnightly short led walk are held in and around the town. If you are not very active this could be just the thing for you. The walks last around 40 – 80 minutes. There’s no need to book - just turn up.

The walks are very good for you, it’s a great social activity and it’s all free.

The walks start from outside the Opticians in the centre of Sandy’s Market Square at 10am and the next walks are on Wednesday, 5th March, 19th March and fortnightly thereafter.

For more information phone Roy on 01767 681930 or Mike Fayers (Health Walks Manager) on 01234 832619 or by email at mikef@bedsrcc.org.uk

Sandy Tourist Information Centre Rear of 10 Cambridge Road, Sandy Telephone 01767 682728 email tourism@sandytowncouncil.gov.uk OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm Saturday 10am-2pm Sundays and Bank Holidays - Closed

THEATRE TOKENS Stop Press…. Stop Press……… Sandy Tourist Information Centre sell Theatre Tokens and over the last Christmas period we had record sales of this unique gift.

But, Theatre Tokens are not just an ideal Christmas To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Time of Year

Make your Mother’s day

By Alex Albrighton

From the day you have a baby or adopt a child, your life changes forever. People tell you this when you’re pregnant, but it’s only when it happens that you really understand what they mean. Suddenly there’s someone who depends on you entirely. Every decision you make from now on will be based on their needs or desires.

Being a mother can be the best of jobs and the worst of jobs. For every heart-warming moment of pride and loveliness, there’s a blazing row or slammed door (but hopefully with a hug and a sorry afterwards).

Mums have to take on every role in the family – carer, teacher, agony aunt, sergeant major, personal assistant, taxi driver… And it doesn’t stop when the children leave home. Now approaching 40, I still rely on my mum for advice, friendship, help with childcare, emergency loans and the occasional kick up the backside to get things done.

It’s only as you get older, especially if you have children of your own, that you realise how your

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parents felt as you grew up – why they made you do your homework, go to bed, stop fighting with your brother, eat properly, save money and above all, be careful!

Mother’s Day gives us the perfect opportunity to say thank you to our mums for everything they have done and still do for us.

The founder of Mother’s Day in the US, Anna Jarvis, eventually regretted campaigning to get the day recognised because it became so commercialised.

She hated the fact that people would buy a card with a printed message rather than writing a letter.

It’s lovely to buy or make a card and give flowers and chocolates. You can also do something special to show you care – maybe take on a job that she hates or treat her to a day of pampering.

But this year, why not go beyond the message in the card and write a few personal lines of your own to tell your mother how much you love her. Make sure she knows that she really is the best mum in the world (like mine).

Mother’s Day is celebrated all around the world, usually in March or in May. In the UK, it is a mixture of a Christian tradition, and the celebration of motherhood that began in the USA in the early 20th century. During the 16th century, people in service would return to their home or ‘mother’ church on the fourth Sunday in Lent – Mothering Sunday.

Mother’s Day as we know it became a regular event in the 1950s, largely thanks to businesses to exploit commercial Please mentionkeen The Villager and its Town Life when potential. responding to adverts

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Hypnotism

Hypnosis Fact and Fiction

We’ve all seen them. Old horror movies where someone is put into a hypnotic trance, adopts a zombie like state and performs all kinds of terrible acts they would never dream of in normal life. This image of hypnosis might put some of us off, but in reality hypnotherapy (hypnosis used to promote healing or positive development) works very differently.

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep and patients cannot be made to do anything they would not ordinarily do. Totally safe, patients stay in control and can terminate the hypnotic state at any time. In fact, most people can’t tell the difference between a hypnotised and ‘waking’ state. Different for everybody, a hypnotic trance may feel like daydreaming for some, whilst others may simply experience feelings of relaxation or lethargy.

Weightlessness and a tingling sensation in fingers are other possibilities.

During hypnosis, the analytical left-hand side of the brain is turned off, whilst the nonanalytical right-hand side is made more alert.

The conscious mind becomes suppressed, and the sub-conscious mind more aware. In this altered state, positive suggestions for change are accepted readily. As the subconscious mind is deeper-seated and more instinctive than the conscious mind, this is the part which has to change for a person’s behaviour and physical state to alter.

During a hypnotherapy session, the patient remains alert, but experiences a sense of deep relaxation as they focus on the hypnotist’s voice suggesting ideas, concepts and lifestyle changes. Hypnotherapy aims to re-programme patterns of behaviour within the mind, thus enabling irrational fears, phobias, negative thoughts and suppressed emotions to be overcome. Amongst other things, it can be used to help people lose weight, overcome addictions, conquer stammers, improve sleep, deal with pain, and release repressed events from the past. Hypnotherapy is not about being made to do things, in fact it is the opposite - it is about empowerment.

In order for hypnosis to work, the patient must

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want to change some behaviour or habit and be highly motivated to do so. The readiness and ability of patients to be hypnotised varies considerably, and hypnotherapy generally requires several sessions in order to achieve meaningful results. However, the patient can learn the technique of self-hypnosis which can be practised at home, to reinforce the usefulness of formal sessions with the therapist. In fact, it is common for patients to be given a recording of their hypnotherapy session to listen to at home. It is generally accepted that all hypnosis is ultimately self-hypnosis and that a hypnotist merely helps to facilitate the experience.

So, forget all those myths and remember that hypnosis could be your single most effective tool for change!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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Travel

Nancy - City of Stanislas

By Solange Hando

Just over an hour east of Paris by high speed rail, Nancy, the ancient capital of Lorraine, is one of the finest cities in France, all thanks to a deposed Polish King. In 1737, sixty year old Stanislas sought refuge at the French Court where his son in law, Louis XV, placed the newly-acquired Duchy of Lorraine in his care. Overwhelmed by gratitude, Stanislas devoted his personal fortune and the rest of his life to his new subjects, feeding the poor, encouraging the arts and planning an architectural showcase, a “royal town”, on former wasteland. He died aged 89 after falling in his fireplace. On that day, 23rd February 1766, the Duchy of Lorraine was returned to the French king.

Today, Nancy owes to Stanislas one of Europe’s most dazzling squares, aptly named after him, lined with classical buildings, fountains and wrought iron gates covered in gold leaf. Relax on a café-terrace under the kindly gaze of the “Benefactor” and the view takes your breath away, the elegant City Hall, the Theatre-Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Triumphal Arch bearing a medallion of Louis XV. Yet this is just one of three world heritage sites in the heart of the town. Walk through the Arch and you are greeted by the lovely Place Carrière with its fountains and statues, antique gods and leafy avenue leading to the colonnaded crescent of the former Governor’s Palace. Alliance, the third UNESCO square, is a quiet little place tucked in the back streets around a gurgling Italian-style fountain and trees twittering with birds.

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But just steps away from the 18th century city, the old medieval district leads you through a jumble of winding lanes, old-fashioned shops, flower stalls and private mansions festooned in sculpted balustrades and stone staircases. The old ducal palace now houses the Lorraine Museum while the ‘Rue Gourmande’ beckons with the aroma of quiche Lorraine or traditional Mirabelle plum tart. King Stanislas would be pleased for he loved his food and is widely acclaimed for introducing the popular volau-vent and rum baba.

Beyond its historical centre, Nancy is a modern city of broad avenues and pedestrian lanes, colourful markets, pavement cafés, bright department stores and exclusive boutiques gleaming with designer fashion, jewellery and highly prized local crystal. In the early 1900s, this vibrant town gave birth to a new art movement, covering every discipline from painting and sculpture to craft and architecture.

It began as Art Nouveau with soft flowing lines symbolising a return to nature and later evolved into the more sober Art Deco but whatever one’s preference, Nancy is a treasure trove of architectural wonders.

Wide-eyed visitors gaze at the ornate villas sprinkled in the suburbs, or the opulent Brasserie Excelsior at the heart of town, before strolling down to the river Meurthe or enjoying a cruise on the canal. But when the sun sets over the hills, it’s time to return to the square where golden lights twinkle all around and the dark silhouette of Stanilas the Benefactor keeps watch over his flock. This is just as it should be, a unique and enchanting sight, for no other city in France owes so much to a Polish king.

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PFYP_Villager_ad_Feb14_alt_Layout 1 07/01/2014 16:0

Relax,unwind and…

paint!

Watercolours • acrylic • pen and ink • oils • • • •

Artist and tutor Mary Booth welcomes students of all levels from beginner to the experienced painter looking to improve.

Work in small groups with others of similar ability level, gain confidence and improve your skills.

Courses are held at Mary’s studio in Gamlingay, in blocks of five weekly sessions, throughout the year.

New Tuesday evening class ‘Beginners Watercolour’ starts February 2014.

Visit www.painting-for-your-pleasure.co.uk for more information or call 01767 654920 This advert and the Painting for your pleasure website have been produced by thecreativemix. Please visit www.creative-mix.co.uk to see the ‘exciting and inspiring’ communications we can provide for your business or organisation.

“I can’t thank you enough, the course was worth every single penny and enabled me to have a quick calm birth and a very content, alert baby Ronnie” Sam, Melbourn

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Reg No. 12352

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Health and Beauty

Designer vs. Budget Beauty Buys

by Helen Taylor

Do you love designer cosmetics? Or do you prefer a bargain buy? Whatever your preference, it’s worth checking out our guide to when to splurge and when to save.

Foundation - Splurge Foundation literally provides the foundation for the rest of your make-up. It evens out your natural skin and covers up flaws - like blemishes and scars - to leave you with a perfect finish.

Cheap products just can’t beat their costly counterparts when it comes to this all-important purchase, because poorer formulations don’t have the staying power and the true-to-skin colour of pricier versions.

To find the one that’s ideal for you, head to your nearest department store and take advantage of some expert advice. Find a shade which matches your natural colouring and works best for your requirements, like skin type and coverage.

High-end foundations are formulated with all of these things in mind and come in a variety of true-to-life shades. Built to solve the problems presented by cheap foundations, these products are far superior.

Try Estee Lauder Double Wear £28.50.

Blusher - Save Everyone needs a bit of colour in their cheeks and blusher is definitely one of those items that you can save on, because high-end products don’t differ too greatly from budget versions. Just make sure that you choose a natural shade, as cheaper colours can be a little more intense and unnatural if applied too heavily.

Try No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder £8.00.

Mascara - Splurge Full, long lashes really do make your eyes look more beautiful, so it’s worth investing in a quality mascara.

Cheap mascara is often disappointing because its consistency doesn’t match that of more expensive products, and leaves lashes looking sticky, clumpy and undefined.

High-end cosmetic companies lead the way in developing the best formulas and brushes for their mascara, so you can be sure that you’ll see the benefits when you upgrade from a budget brand.

Try Givenchy Noir Couture Waterproof Mascara £22.50.

Eyeshadow - Save Generally, there isn’t too much difference between budget and more costly eyeshadows, as long as you choose neutral shades - stronger colours can be very harsh.

Cheap eyeshadow does have a tendency to be more glittery and shimmery though, so be careful if you’re a more mature lady because it will emphasise every line and crease around your eyes.

Try Bourjois Little Round Pot Intense Eyeshadow £6.99.

Powder - Splurge Like foundation, there is a real difference between budget and high-end face powder. Expensive products are finely milled, making their texture extra soft and natural looking on the skin.

A good powder sets your foundation and finishes your make-up, so invest in a quality one.

Try Guerlain Les Voilettes Compact Powder £35.

Lip-gloss - Save Lip-gloss formulations are pretty similar, so save some money when you buy yours.

There’s an array to choose from and all of them will instantly serve to plump up your lips.

Try Barry M Lip-gloss Wand £4.49.

Highlighter - Splurge There are many different highlighters on the market; some are in powder form, others liquid.

Find the right one and your face will be instantly lifted with a radiant and youthful glow.

And if there’s one product that you really should splurge on, it’s YSL’s Touche Eclat Radiant Touch £25.

Image: Courtesy of Estee Lauder

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Bedfordshire Foot Clinic Podiatry/Chiropody Yvonne Siudak

BSc (Hons.) MChs, HCPC Registered

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

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

Bedfordshire Foot Clinic

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

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

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Local News

Brand New Zumbini™ Comes to Bedfordshire!

Zumbini™ is a brand new Music and Movement class from the creators of Zumba®. Specifically designed for babies and toddlers, Zumbini™ is the only one of its kind which incorporates singing, dancing and using musical instruments and where the parents/carers actively participate with their little ones! The Zumbini™ program is where the science of child development meets the magic of Zumba® to create the ultimate bonding experience for 0-3 year olds. Classes feature cool Zumba® music packed with world rhythms and catchy kid-friendly tunes created just for this program.

Zumbini™ focuses on energy, fun and play to contribute toward the natural development of social, emotional and physical skills.

Classes happen in 10 week sessions and Lisa will have you and your little ones wiggling, singing and learning together. Each term uses brand new songs which you take home in the form of a Zumbini™ Bundle. This consists of 2 CD’s and a songbook, so you can take the Zumbini™ experience home with you!

Along with musical instruments, scarves and African drums, Zumbini™ is the ultimate class you don’t want to miss!

Lisa has recently gained her license as a Zumbini™ instructor and is so excited to be pioneering this brand new class here in the UK. As a mum of 2 young children, Lisa jumped at the chance to bring Zumbini™ to Bedfordshire! As well as teaching Zumba® and Zumba Gold® locally for over 2 years, Lisa has over 16 years of experience as a West-End performer. Appearing in musicals such as We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia! Fame, Starlight Express and Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang! Lisa is also a qualified dance teacher(A.I.S.T.D) who has taught dance and drama to children and adults and is also CRB checked.

Lisa will be holding FREE TASTER CLASSES on Tuesday 1st April at the Eco Hub, Stocks Lane,

Gamlingay 9.30-10.15am & 10.30-11.15am and on Wednesday 2nd April 9.30-10.15am and 10.3011.15am at St Andrews Church Hall, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade.

To reserve your place for the FREE session please email Lisa at lisa@zumbinibedfordshire.co.uk or go onto her website www.zumbinibedfordshire.com.

Zumbini™ classes commence on Tuesday 29th April at the Eco Hub, Gamlingay 9.30-10.15am and on Wednesday 30th April at St Andrews Church Hall, Biggleswade 9.30-10.15am Each class will run for 10 weeks with a free catch-up class at the end if you miss a session.

To register your place for Zumbini™ classes and for prices and more information please go to www. zumbinibedfordshire.com Lisa also has a Facebook Page ‘Zumbini Bedfordshire’ Spaces are limited so book now!

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Hair by Amanda

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Other restrictions may apply • Bring this Ad with you.

Sandy - Sandye Place Academy, Park Road Mon & Wed 7.30pm, Tue 8pm, Thur 7pm & 8pm Express (30 min) Mon 6.45pm & Tue 7.15pm No need to book • Classes also in Cambourne, St Neots & other areas. For further info go to

www.jazzfitness.co.uk or call 01480 216090

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

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Health and Beauty

Hiatus Hernias

By Alison Runman A hernia occurs when part of the body bulges through a weakened or damaged wall of muscle or tissue. 1 in 10 people will suffer from a hiatus hernia, where the stomach is the culprit, bulging through the hiatus (a gap in the diaphragm that allows the oesophagus to pass through). If this area is weakened or damaged (herniated), the upper part of the stomach can sometimes bulge through and sit above the diaphragm, forming a hiatus hernia. But not all hiatus hernias are the same: Over 90% are sliding hiatus hernias - the upper stomach pushes up through the hiatus, under the oesophagus.

Paraoesophageal (rolling) hiatus hernia - the upper stomach pushes up through the hiatus beside the oesophagus. It usually requires surgery and causes more pain than a sliding hiatus hernia.

Mixed hiatus hernia - both sliding and rolling characteristics are present. Extremely rare.

Smokers, women, overweight people and over 50s are more prone to hiatus hernias and they’re more prevalent in the Western world, possibly due to unhealthy low fibre diets. There isn’t always an obvious cause, but common causes are: • Persistent / violent coughing or sneezing • Persistent / violent straining on

the toilet or vomiting • Heavy lifting • Pregnancy / delivery • Sudden bending or straining to reach something Hiatus hernias can be symptomless, but symptoms are: • pain in the left side of your chest or just under the ribs – this can be severe • acid reflux (heartburn) • physical sensation of your stomach pushing upwards • shortness of breath • sometimes nausea, belching, loss of appetite, discomfort when eating, difficulty passing stools Hiatus hernia symptoms can be mistaken for chest or heart problems and vice versa, and occasionally a hiatus hernia can become strangulated, requiring urgent attention. So if you have symptoms, always see a doctor – or visit A&E if you’re suddenly in great pain.

Unless your doctor suspects a strangulated hernia, they usually won’t refer you for surgery immediately (if at all).

Instead they’ll suggest ways to improve symptoms and prevent aggravating the hernia.

Treatment • Lifestyle / Diet changes - lose excess weight and give up smoking. Avoid eating late in the evening or before lying down. Small, light meals are best. Certain foods are inclined

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to cause heartburn, so if affected avoid them: alcohol, caffeinated or fizzy drinks, peppermint, spicy / fatty foods, onions, garlic, citrus and tomatoes.

• Sleeping – avoid sleeping flat, preferably by raising the head of your bed; using lots of pillows may put more pressure on the abdomen.

• Painkillers – usually antiinflammatories e.g. ibuprofen, or opioids like co-codamol or co-dydramol, depending on your symptoms.

• Antacids and alginates – to soothe the stomach and reduce acidity.

• Proton Pump Inhibitors – e.g.

Omeprazole, to reduce the production of stomach acid.

• H2 receptor antagonists – e.g.

Ranitidine, to block histamine and so reduce stomach acid.

If these steps fail, or there are concerns about damage to your stomach or oesophagus, then surgery will be recommended usually by Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF). This is keyhole surgery carried out under general anaesthetic, which puts the stomach into the correct position and tightens the diaphragm around the oesophagus, using part of the upper stomach. It’s a common, low-risk operation – so don’t be put off. If you suspect you have a hiatus hernia, visit your doctor.

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Finance

Why saving doesn’t have to be taxing

By Alison Runham, www.alison.runham.co.uk

It’s that time of the year when financial talk is all about tax free savings and ISAs. It’s worth listening, because you’re really missing a trick if all your savings are being taxed – so here’s a quick introduction to saving tax-free.

Avoiding and Reducing Tax on Interest If you earn less than your annual tax allowance, you won’t have to pay tax on your savings interest (unless it pushes your income over your tax allowance). But most banks and building societies automatically tax your interest, so register as a non-taxpayer by filling in form R85, found here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/r85.pdf, for each institution you bank with. You can check your eligibility at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/helpsheets/ r85-helpsheet.pdf.

Don’t forget, children pay tax too – most won’t earn enough to go over their allowance, but parents must fill in an R85 on their behalf.

Remember, if money given by a parent produces interest of over £100 a year, the interest is considered part of that parent’s income.

If you or your partner pay different tax rates, consider putting savings in the name of whoever pays the lowest rate. Some couples aren’t happy with their savings in just one name, but if you are, it can make good financial sense, particularly if one of you is paying the higher rate tax of 40% or more while the other pays basic tax or none at all.

Tax Free Savings Even if you’re a tax-payer, there are tax-free saving schemes sanctioned by the government which allow you to invest a limited amount each tax-year and receive your interest tax-free.

An ISA (Individual Savings Account) allows you to save up to an overall maximum of £11,520 a year

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(in tax year 2013-14), either in a Stocks and Shares ISAs (annual limit £11,520) or a Cash ISA (annual limit only £5760 per year – so you may want to invest the rest of your allowance in a Stocks and Shares ISA). Many Cash ISAs now have instant access facilities - handy if you want to save but think that you might need to dip into your ISA. Junior ISAs are also available for children up to 18, but have a lower limit of just £3,720 per annum; those born between 1 Sep 2002 and 2 Jan 2011 aren’t eligible, as they have Child Trust Funds.

Of course, most children won’t pay tax anyway, but one advantage of a Junior ISA is that savings automatically convert into an adult cash ISA when the child turns 18, and then remain tax-free – even if the amount is over the adult ISA limit.

The Government backed NSI (National Savings and Investments) sometimes offer Savings Certificates which give tax-free returns without affecting your ISA allowance. You can also save tax-free with a Friendly Society; their policies often have other features such as life or health insurance, but they are designed for long term saving and investing; charges can be severe if you end the policy early.

Pensions We should all save in a pension, and pension contributions accrue tax relief. You can usually pay extra voluntary contributions into your employer’s pension scheme, and can also pay into a personal pension scheme (either as a top-up or your sole pension). Some pensions will allow you to take early lump sums but pensions aren’t designed for short-term investment, so always check terms and conditions before deciding how much money to commit long term.

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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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Local News

Gamlingay and District Writers Group

Do you ever read a book and think “I could write a story better than that?”, maybe you could, so why not give it a try.

Visit any library or book shop, to see the amazing variety of reading available, the shelves are stacked with every conceivable type of book, fiction, nonfiction, histories, biographies , and autobiographies of famous people, statesmen, sportsmen, pop artists, hobbies, etc, the list is endless, so we all have the opportunity to write.

You may well ask the question “but how do I get started?“ the answer, join a Writers Group; so find out if there is one in your area.

The Gamlingay and District Writers Group, was founded in 2008, by a few like minded folk, who wanted to write, or had even tried their hand already, but decided by forming a group they could exchange ideas, read and encourage each others’ efforts, and by positive criticism improve their writing.

The group started with just half a dozen enthusiasts, meeting monthly at each others’ houses, but as

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numbers grew realised that a permanent venue would be a better arrangement. In 2014 we found that Potton Community Centre had a suitable upstairs room available the third Tuesday of each month, and so from the beginning of the New Year we made this our regular home.

We are a friendly and informal group, so why not join us, whether you are a beginner or published novelist, young or old you will be very welcome.

So do please come along and unleash your creative talent. For further details contact Tracey Dawson 01767 654830 March 18th - Three Wishes Your character has been granted 3 wishes, but will they use them for good or evil? Only you can decide!

April 15th - The Lost Hat Someone has lost their hat. What sort of hat is it and where has it gone? The more bizarre the explanation, the better we like it.

May 20th - Alternative Reality Time to rewrite history – how would things be now if events had happened differently? What if different sides had won wars, or famous people hadn’t died?

June 17th - What Happened Next Add another chapter to a favourite novel or even a film. Imagine how the story might continue.

July 15th - Holiday Disaster Did the disaster really spoil the holiday or did it all turn out okay? Perhaps it even turned out better!

August 19th - Horror / Horoscope A choice this month – scare us with a horror story or use a horoscope as a story springboard. Or combine them if you’re really feeling clever!

September 16th - Things I Wish I Hadn’t Bought What has your character bought that they shouldn’t have? Is it something cheap or ruinously expensive, can they fix the situation by selling it?

October 21st - A Train Journey Where is your character going and why? Or are they just fascinated with trains? Is the train packed with interesting travellers?

November 18th - A Day in the Life of an Animal What do animals get up to all day? Are their lives easier than ours or harder? And do they have an opinion on the human race?

December 16th - Editorial/Rant Let’s end the year by getting a few things off our chests! This is an opinion piece, so give us your opinion

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Technology

Garden of delights

How tech can take the grunt out of gardening It’s that time of year again: spring has sprung and the grass has started to rise. While robot lawnmowers haven’t quite reached bargain basement prices just yet - a robo-mower such as Husquvarna’s Automower 305G has an RRP of £1,399, and even the cheapest online shops charge around £850 - technology can still help: firms such as Bosch, Greenworks and Mountfield all offer battery-powered lawnmowers that offer the convenience of cable-free mowing without the noise, smell and hassle of petrol engines.

Prices range from just over £200 to around £500.

What’s even easier than a cordless mower?

That’s right: grass that you don’t have to mow in the first place. Hi-tech turf (www.hitechturf. co.uk) looks like grass and feels like grass, but it’s entirely artificial - and if you have terrible memories of plasticky, jaggy artificial turf you’ll be relieved to discover that this is a very different proposition. For around £29 per square metre (for HT Luxury) you can lay a lawn that looks just like the real thing without any of the work. If your budget’s a bit more limited then there are more affordable options including a budget artificial turf at £7.99 per square metre.

Lawns aren’t the only places where technology can make life easier. Battery power has reached the point where it’s good enough for seriously demanding garden tasks. Black & Decker will happily sell you battery-powered chainsaws, pruning saws and loppers. The batteries deliver plenty of oomph - the chainsaw will power through up to 150 3.5cm branches before it runs out of puff - but boffins have yet to invent a device that ensures we remember to charge the power tools before we actually need them.

More modest gardening can benefit from gadgetry too.

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Hozelock’s autowatering system sticks a timer onto your tap, turning it on and off at the times you program, and options range from a simple sprinkler to an entire micro-irrigation system. Some timers even have rain sensors that mean they won’t turn on the tap if the weather forecast turned out to be overly optimistic.

Not all gardening gadgets need electricity to function. The iconic Leatherman multi-tool isn’t exactly cheap, but its products - and their many imitators - offer a huge range of tools in one handy gadget. For example the Leatherman Charge AL includes two kinds of pliers, a knife, a saw and a serrated knife, a wood and metal file, wire cutters and wire strippers.

If you find gardening is, literally, a pain, it’s worth taking a look at the range of gardening tools made by Radius Garden, whose slogan is “Garden more. Hurt less.” The odd-looking tools have been designed with ergonomic grips to make them more comfortable and less likely to aggravate repetitive strain injuries, and the range includes trowels, forks, transplanters, weeders and cultivators. Expect to pay around £9 for each individual tool or around £30 for a set of four.

If taking the grunting out of gardening sounds like something you’d like to do, you might also want to consider a device such as Fiskar’s Weed Puller (currently £25), which is designed to remove weeds without using chemicals or wrecking your lower back: it’s a long L-shaped stick containing deepreaching stainless steel claws that effortlessly grab weeds by the roots. It might not be an exciting robot mower but anything that helps with a hard day’s weeding sounds like a great gadget to us.

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Lifestyle

The Power of Play

Recently, on a cold February day, we met up with some friends and their children on a beach. We ran amok, played tag, whooped, built a huge communal sandcastle and returned home cold, damp, sandy and happier than we’d been for quite a while.

We’d given in to play and we felt much better for it. Our society tends to dismiss play for adults. At worst it’s seen as an unproductive, guilty pleasure.

Adults are supposed to be serious and let’s face it, between work and ferrying children around to various activities there’s little time for play. When we do play, it often tends to be competitive (tennis, squash, golf ), and this is particularly true for men.

But research suggests that playing is just as important for adults as for children. It makes us happy, helps with problem-solving, improves our creativity and strengthens our relationships.

The author and psychiatrist Stuart Brown, has spent decades studying the power of play in prisoners, business people, artists and Nobel Prize winners among others. He’s reviewed over 6,000 “play histories,” case studies that explore the role of play in each person’s childhood and adulthood.

He found that lack of play was as important as other factors in predicting criminal behaviour among murderers in Texas prisons. He also found that playing together helped couples connect on an emotional level, and that play could even help strangers to bond and also act as a healing tool.

But what is play? How do we define it? Brown

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By Louise Addison

calls play a “state of being,” “purposeless, fun and pleasurable.” For the most part, the focus is on the actual experience, not on accomplishing a goal.

And play means different things to different people. My friend Rita knits and crochets for pleasure, I write, walk my dog and take photographs, my husband water-skis, and our neighbour restores old mopeds.

You can benefit from play even if you don’t have much spare time. The research suggests we only need a little bit of daily play to boost our productivity and happiness.

If you don’t think you know how to play, write your own ‘play history’ down on paper. What did you do as a child that excited you? Did you engage in those activities alone or with others?

Did you play with trains? Did you draw? Did you build dens? How might you recreate that today?

Surround yourself with playful people. We wouldn’t have had such fun on the beach that day if our friends had been po-faced and serious. The fact that we were all up for running around and playing was important. The best playful people are children. Spend time with them and experience the magic of play through their eyes.

Finally, any time you think play is a waste of time; remind yourself that it offers some serious benefits for both you and those around you.

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Advertising Feature

How to save a fortune when you sell your house Thinking of selling your house this year? What is your plan of attack?

Typically, you would call the High Street Estate agent to come and value it, take photos, produce floor plans and market it on the internet.

The average High Street Estate agent’s commission for selling your home is 1.5% of the value plus VAT. We were selling our house last June, which was valued at £695,000 and that, was a good price! Things were slow at first and there were not many viewings as selling a house over £500,000 takes time.

Eventually we did have 3 viewings scheduled…very exciting. We had a call from our agent to say that he could not attend two of them as he likes ‘to take Sundays off ’ and would we mind showing the house ourselves? I didn’t mind as we have lived here over 14 years and certainly know more about our house than our agent. He had never even stepped foot

in it before! On the one viewing that he did manage to show up for, he just followed us around with the interested buyers and learned all about our beautiful home and then stayed on for tea and biscuits! The buyers loved the house but it was just out of reach for them financially.

If they had met our offer we would have had to write the agency a cheque for the sum of £10,425 plus VAT at £2,085 totaling £12,510.

Hmm? Let’s see: we supplied the photographs, we conducted the viewing, we supplied the tea and biscuits…and we would have paid the agency £12,510. Ouch!

I decided to research a more “do it yourself ” approach to selling our property. Saving money was the objective, but I didn’t want to lose the services that a good estate agent could provide. I didn’t want to pay an agent who never bothered to research my house, then only followed me around during the viewing, and would have charged me £12,510 for his ‘services’. This is what I discovered: 95% of homebuyers now look to the Internet to find a new home.

That means there are 19 million property searches every month!

As I looked into selling our house on Private Sale websites, another problem appeared. They are not allowed to use Rightmove, Zoopla, or Prime Location and that’s where 95% of buyers look to purchase a new home.

I finally

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discovered e-stateagent.co.uk.

E-stateagents will market your property on the top 10 property websites including Rightmove, Zoopla, Prime location, Google.

They can sell your house and save you thousands of pounds with no commission fees. If your house is worth £100,000 or a million it is the same flat fee AND they offer the exact same services as High Street Real Estate agents at no extra cost.

Their flat fee is just £395 plus VAT and that’s it!

I was so impressed by the service that we received that I joined the company and started working for them in this area. Our service includes: valuation, photos, sign, floor plans, descriptions, arranged viewings and negotiations. The only difference is that we ask You to do the viewings that we arrange, after all, who is better qualified to show your property? If, for any reason, you can’t conduct the viewing, we will do it although it’s not really part of the deal…but we are flexible! We also offer extras but will not push you to use them but we do get great deals on mortgages, conveyancing, ECP certificates (that energy thing) and movers/removal services if required and we will handle all enquiries 24/7 as well. Also, once an offer has been made and accepted the whole transaction goes to the solicitors and our job is over anyway.

If you or any of your family or friends are selling please call John on 07503 866225 (local agent) or the head office on 01268 209190 or take a look at our website (www.e-stateagent.co.uk) for further information. If not moving now keep this for later! By the way we sold our house through e-state in the end and saved ourselves over £12,000!

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Life Begins...

When did you last do something impulsive?

By Kate McLelland

It sometimes pays to follow your instincts.

Author JK Rowling reportedly decided to write the first Harry Potter novel after an idea for the story occurred to her when she was travelling on a train from Manchester to London. Following a painful divorce, she completed the book as a struggling single mum on state benefits, becoming a multi-millionaire within a staggering five years.

Yusuke Funaki had a good job as an engineer in Tokyo. By chance he saw a performance by the world-famous circus company Cirque du Soleil and was so inspired by the performers that he decided to learn the gymnastic rope-skipping techniques he had seen in the show. After a few years of practice he abandoned engineering and literally ran away to join the circus. He is still working with Cirque du Soleil as a performer at their Florida base.

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The link between these two individuals is their willingness to follow an impulse, taking up new activities that – given their backgrounds and relative inexperience in their chosen fields - were far from guaranteed to result in success.

It takes a certain kind of courage to risk everything in order to follow a dream, especially when we know it might fail. Most of us, at some stage in our lives, have done things that we have regretted at a later date - a new hairstyle or a tattoo, a weird auction lot that seemed too good to ignore… sometimes our spur-of-the-moment choices seem so out of character it’s almost as though someone else has taken over our minds.

“Did I really do that?” you ask.

A study of the brain shows why we feel this way. The emotional mind, based in the limbic system, is separate from the intellectual mind, which is found in the prefrontal cortex. While the primitive, emotional part of our brain makes rapid-fire decisions about things we like, dislike, hate, love, fear or want, the intellectual and more logical mind is geared to making deliberate and rational conclusions at a slightly slower pace.

Therefore when you allow your emotional brain known as the amygdala - to guide your actions, you’re likely to end up doing something that your rational self would prefer to avoid.

We tend to associate impulsivity with youth and it’s true that young people are probably more likely to follow their impulses when making key decisions. In time, however, most people discover how to regulate these urges in order to function as an adult. Mature people tend to suppress their emotional responses, using the knowledge they have acquired, backed up by logic and reason, when considering a set of options.

While no-one would doubt the

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benefits that knowledge and experience can bring, something is perhaps lost in this process.

Impulse and risk-taking are closely linked with creativity, and there’s a danger that we may ignore the creative impulses that (as J.K. Rowling and Yusuke Funaki discovered) have the power to change the course of our lives.

By middle-age, many of us have ceased to follow our instincts, relying almost exclusively on the tried and trusted methods that we learned in our formative years. In order to stay safe and minimise risk we base our actions – including where we go, who we see, what we eat – on things that feel safe and familiar, but does sticking with what we know actually inhibit brain development?

The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (www.dana. org) is a non-profitmaking organisation of more than 300 leading neuroscientists in America, committed to making the public aware of the progress and benefits of brain research.

According to the Trust: “The brain wants to learn.

It wants to be engaged as a learning machine.

That means stepping out of the same old routines and trying something new and different.”

When individuals settle into routines that are repeated automatically from day to day, the brain activity required for those activities decreases.

That means that we tend to carry out familiar actions on autopilot and consequently our minds receive very little stimulation.

When the brain encounters something unfamiliar, it creates new neural pathways that help it to understand and master that new object or challenge. The good news is that older people can reactivate their brains by undertaking new activities, or by approaching established routines in different ways. That can be as simple as taking a different route to work or as complex as taking a degree in later life.

Whether you decide to join a choir, take up a musical instrument or volunteer for a local charity, it’s not really about the activity – it’s about rekindling the youthful spark that encouraged you to experiment and try new things. At the very least it will give your brain some exercise, at best it might be the key to a whole new life.

Fun Quiz - Mascots 1. Appearing on the bonnet of their cars and taking the form of a woman leaning forwards with her arms outstretched behind her, the Spirit of Ecstasy is the mascot for which car manufacturer?

2. Does Pudsey Bear, the mascot for Children in Need, wear a bandage over his left eye or his right eye?

3. In which 1990s film does a detective go in search of Snowflake, the missing mascot of the American football team the Miami Dolphins?

4. Underneath his overalls, Ronald McDonald wears a striped shirt and striped socks of which two colours?

5. With a black suit and bowler hat, Fred the Flour Grader is the mascot for which food brand?

6. What type of animal was World Cup Willie, the mascot for the 1966 World Cup? 7. Sonic the Hedgehog is the mascot of which video game developer?

8. What was the name of the robot mascot who would often appear in animations on the TV game show Catchphrase?

9. Which series of annual publications have a red cover with a mascot called Bibendum on them?

10. What product has three mascots, one of which wears a chef’s hat, one of which wears a stocking cap, and one of which wears a band leader’s hat?

1. Rolls-Royce 2. His right eye 3. Ace Ventura: Pet Detectiven 4. Red and white 5. Homepride 6. A lion 7. Sega 8. Mr Chips 9. The Michelin Guide (Bibendum is the name of the character commonly known as the Michelin Man) 10. Kellogg’s Rice Krispies (the mascots are Snap, Crackle and Pop)

Before

After

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Garden

A Touch of the Orient

By Pippa Greenwood

As the new gardening year is under way, is it time to embark on a new era in your garden? It can be really refreshing to have a change of style, not necessarily in your whole garden but perhaps you could create a different and contrasting feel in a small part of your plot to the rest of your wellloved garden?

The Japanese style is largely very simplistic and aims to create a relaxed, calm environment. In any garden you’re going to need walls, fences, pathways and so forth, and if you use natural materials such as wood or of course bamboo, they blend in better with the surroundings of an existing or a newly planned garden and instantly help to create that oriental feel. Provided the surface is made relatively slip-proof, a small bridge can be created quite easily using a simple plank of wood, allowing you to cross over an existing or new pond or other water feature. Stain the wood an interesting colour: perhaps even bright Japanese-style red if you’re feeling daring.

Thinking of water, why not create your own ‘deer chase’? All you need to set up is a source of water powered by a pump, then allow the water to pour out from a bamboo spout and then into another hollowed out piece of bamboo. As the weight of the water increases in the hollowed out bamboo it causes it to tip and to swivel around slightly.

Once filled up it then tilts downwards and pours its water into the basin or bowl beneath. When empty it clunks back into position. If you want something even simpler, then buy some wide diameter bamboo canes, hollow one out, cut the end at an angle and simply create a trickling water spout.

Provided you fix everything up with a pump, the water can then be recycled around from the bowl Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

or basin and back into the trickling pipe.

Gravelled areas raked into simple patterns resembling waves or entire circles also help to create a Japanese feel. These can take up the majority of the garden space, be a relatively small area or perhaps link your existing garden into the Japanese ‘room’ that you have created. Concentric rings of raked gravel or sand look particularly dramatic if you place a sizeable, interestingly shaped boulder, stone or specimen plant in the centre of the middle circle.

When it comes to plants there are several which instantly help to evoke that Japanese effect. The so-called Japanese maples with their intricately divided leaves epitomise Japanese gardens and many will turn brilliant shades in the autumn.

Japanese azaleas too can be used to great effect and can bring in some of those really bright colours which look so good for the relatively simple garden surrounding them. Pine trees may be too large for most gardens, but you can gradually bend the stems of a smaller one to create a bonsai effect. Of course, if you’re a collector of bonsai then most of these trees actually enjoy spending the summer outside in a garden and provided they are kept adequately maintained, will look great in your Japanese garden.

A trip down to your local garden centre is bound to supply you with a few oriental-themed containers. Plant one or two of these up with a small acer, camellia, miniature azalea or miniature bamboo and you will really help to complete that oriental touch.

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Garden

Silent Spring 2 Rural Ramblings. By Geoff Wharton Many years ago I used to hate the very sight of tomatoes, I thought the taste was repulsive and refused to eat them so it was quite stressful to work on a commercial nursery growing - tomatoes! I was determined to try to get to like them and so forced myself to eat a few. They were green and tasted horrible but slowly my response to their individual taste began to fade and eventually I found them quite acceptable and even started to grow my own and experiment with the many different varieties which were available. There were yellow ones, stripey tigerella, large beefstake and tiny fruited ones but the variety which I favoured most for flavour was Gardener’s Delight’. I ate them because they were sweet and juicy and there was a lovely balance with their acidity especially when grown non-commercially and the fruits allowed to ripen as long as possible before harvesting, I was additionally influenced by the fact that tomatoes were acknowledged as being ‘good for you’ but this was not the main reason for growing and eating them - they now tasted better than sweets!

I now hear that research funded from the EU has been involved in the development of a new variety of tomato which is particularly high in the health giving group of pigments called anthocyanins which naturally occur in many fruits such as cranberries, blueberries and blackberries. As I remember, anthocyanins are those substances which turn apples red especially when they have been exposed to bright sunlight, hence the contrasting green and red colour of some varieties.

These pigments are supposed to have antioxidant properties which are recognised as being good for our health.

The idea with the purple tomatoes is that they produce about twenty times as much of these substances as ‘normal’ tomatoes and the juice will initially be used to test the potential of their health giving properties. The other advantage is that the fruit has a longer shelf-life, can be harvested from the plant later and thus the flavour is improved.

Everything sounds great both for the commercial producer and for the individual, even though at the moment, the plants are being grown abroad.

However, as with most new technologies, there may be a problem as far as the consumer is concerned - some people are uneasy with the

idea of artificial genetic modifications to our food and this new tomato variety has been produced by GM. The scientists who developed this new variety have done so by removing a gene from another plant - an antirrhinum (usually grown as a flower) and adding it to a tomato. This new gene helps the tomato to produce the extra anthocyanins.

The question is - would you be happy to eat tomatoes which were supposedly better for you although you knew that they had been artificially modified by adding other plants’ genes?

Of course every new variety has a new combination of genes, but the main question in many peoples’ minds is should we be eating food which would not occur naturally? Only you can answer that question - do the benefits outweigh the potential problems? Who knows until they are widely used and then....?

Geoff Wharton Gardening Services

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Health & Safety

Fire Safety Tips

By Louise Addison

Be a careful cook - Nearly half of all home fires are cooking-related. Never leave cooking unattended and keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove-top.

Be space heater savvy - Space heaters can easily ignite nearby household items. Keep all space heaters at least three feet (1m) from curtains or furniture. Turn heaters off before leaving a room or going to sleep. Never leave pets or children unsupervised with a space heater; in addition to the risk of fire, heaters pose a danger of burns.

Check electrical cords - Faulty, cracked or deteriorating electrical cords can cause an electrical fire. Check all your electrical cords for fraying or other signs of wear, and replace or repair any damage. Don’t run extension cords across doorways or under carpeting, and don’t overload circuits. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into a socket at a time.

Go easy on the candles - Candlelight is romantic

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and beautiful, but can be dangerous. Use sturdy candleholders which won’t topple.

Never place candles near anything flammable, like curtains, and never leave them unattended. Consider using battery-operated candles, like LED versions. They flicker and sometimes even smell like the real thing!

Test your smoke detectors - Test smoke detectors and check batteries at least twice a year, when the clocks go forward or backward is a good time.

Install an alarm inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor in your house, including the basement if you have one.

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Treatments from £15

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SURECLEAN Gutter Cleaning Gutters cleaned safely from the ground using our ladderless gutter cleaning system.

Powerful vacuum will remove leaves, moss and all debris and make no mess.

We can clean up to the height of 40ft.

Call us for a free quote

01767 400127/07870 338074 www.surecleancarpetcleaning.co.uk

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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

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Pets

ANIMAL KNOW-HOW

Bad weather doesn’t have to be bad news

The Nation’s weather has always been a popular topic of conversation. Now that the only predictable thing about our weather seems to be its unpredictability, it’s wise to plan ahead so that your animals remain safe and happy.

There have been recent media reports of cats being lifted into the air by the strong gusts of wind in some parts of the country, and others of dogs who have got swept away in floodwater during walks.

Pet owners are urged to keep an eye on the weather forecast in their area and plan ahead – and remain vigilant – to keep their animals safe.

It might be necessary to keep cats inside if the winds become very extreme. People should remember to make sure they have everything they need, especially places to hide (and a litter tray if they don’t usually have one).

Dog owners should plan walks so that the extreme weather can be avoided, and dogs should be accompanied at all times. Two or three shorter walks may be a better option to avoid being out in the wet weather for a long period of time.

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Other tips are: • Dogs with thin or sparse coats may benefit from a coat when being exercised outdoors.

• Move outdoor pets – such as rabbits and guinea pigs – indoors to a garage or shed.

• Rabbit owners should make sure their hutches are waterproof, draught-proof and placed in a sheltered position. They may also appreciate some extra hay to burrow into to make them feel more secure.

• Put horses, ponies and donkeys into stables.

Most of it is common sense – but it is very easy to forget the obvious, especially since the bad weather has been going on so long we’ve become almost too used to it.

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

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Local News

Home Dog Boarding Bedfordshire

At this time of year we all start to think about getting away from the cold and the rain. If, like me, you have pets, it can be a problem finding somewhere safe for them to stay while you are away.

I have never wanted to put my dogs into kennels and felt there must be a better alternative which would not be so stressful for them.

With this in mind I set up Home Dog Boarding Bedfordshire a year ago; a home boarding service for people who prefer something different to the usual kennels.

I offer a safe environment for your pet in my home alongside my two small dogs, where they will be looked after as one of the family.

You can bring their basket, food and any toys they like to make them feel at home. I only take a maximum of two dogs alongside my own and your dog will have complete access to my safe enclosed garden as well as walks in the countryside every

day.

I am fully licensed by Bedfordshire County Council and have third party liability insurance.

For further details contact Jane Fryer on 01767 691455 or jane507@hotmail.co.uk www.homedogboardingbedfordshire.com

Can I go to the Paddocks for my Holiday please?

Paddocks Boarding Cattery Peaceful location. No dogs boarded.

Spacious, individual, heated chalets with large covered runs.

Inspection welcome. Boarding from ÂŁ6.60/day.

Rabbits/guinea pigs also boarded.

64 Meadow Road, Great Gransden

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

The cattery for caring owners.

Comfort and security for your pet.

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Local News

Roosevelt Said

Biggleswade Sandy Lions Club US President Teddy Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Lions clubs do just that, making the world and their local communities a better place. Lions Clubs International was born on 7th June 1917 with the first club formed by Melvin Jones, an American insurance agent, and is now worldwide.

Our motto – “We serve”, our aim – to help those in need.

Biggleswade Sandy Lions was chartered on 3rd October 1978. Like all clubs we have members of all ages, men and women from all walks of life.

We give some of our spare time, not our money, to help our local community, which is our priority, whilst from time to time supporting national and international projects, such as Special Olympics and disaster relief.

We are non-political and non religious, meeting on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 8pm in the Biggleswade Conservative Club, in St Andrew’s Street. Members attend meetings regularly and all

we ask in addition is for your help where you can to support our fundraising and service work. We raise the funds we need by attending local fetes, running concerts and bookstalls for example. We take disadvantaged families to Wicksteed, help the Stroke Club and run events for the elderly. We have fun at our meetings and social events, including an informal monthly lunch at local hostelries. Above all, we aim to have fun, working together with a common cause.

We have several married couples in our members.

This is our invitation to YOU too come to a meeting – to meet us and find out more. All visitors are warmly welcomed. Have a look at our website www.biggleswadesandylions.org.uk or call 0845 833 9749 and speak to our secretary Dave Hagger or his wife Judith, Chair of our Community Service Committee. We are always looking for new members with new ideas. Come and help us to help others, and have fun as well.

GLOBAL YET LOCAL

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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

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.

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Motoring

First drive: Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid

By James Batchelor, editor of CarDealerMagazine.co.uk What is it?

Remember the Infiniti G37? No, we didn’t think so.

When it quietly appeared on the scene in 2009, it was one of the first Infiniti’s Brits could buy. But with, how should we say this, interesting styling, a thirsty 320bhp 3.7-litre V6 petrol under the bonnet and acres of switchgear poached from low-rent Nissans, it wasn’t terribly successful. But that was then and Infiniti now has a far more appealing proposition for the nation’s fleet managers used to buying 3 Series BMWs and Mercedes C-Classes. We’ve already driven this car abroad but now we’re one of the first to slip behind the wheel of a British car – and Infiniti UK is understandably proud of its latest product. “It’s a halo car for us,” a spokesperson told us on our test drive. “A real performance car with the added benefit of low running costs.”

What’s under the bonnet?

We have the all-wheel-drive Q50S Hybrid on test – you could opt for a version fitted with Infiniti’s new 2.2-litre diesel – and it sports a 364bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol mated to a 50kW electric motor. It tops out at 155mph and reaches 60mph in 5.1 seconds. To put that into perspective, a BMW M5 will reach 60mph in 4.1 seconds but the Q50S will return a combined MPG of 41.5 and emit 159g/km of CO2. It’s quick and punchy, but it won’t be the best-seller in the UK – that’ll be the diesel.

What’s the spec like?

It seems to have everything you could want from this type of saloon. The Q50S Hybrid retails at £41,635 and comes absolutely loaded with tech and electric wizardry. The headlines are: full leather upholstery, NASA-developed ‘fatigue free’ front seats, climate control, parking sensors, Bluetooth

with streaming and Infiniti’s clever new infotainment system. The latter not only looks neat but works well too – although we weren’t behind the wheel for long so we can’t say how easy it would be to live with. The Q50S has another crafty little piece of tech too. Called Active Lane Control, the system reads the white lines on the road and keeps the car tracking safely between them.

Any rivals?

Well, it’s the three big guns that make up the biggest competition – namely, BMW’s 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4. There’s no doubt the Infiniti matches the Bavarian threesome in many areas and it does have individuality up its sleeve too. For other left-field choices, there’s also the Volvo S60.

What’s it like to drive?

There’s no doubt it’s smooth and relaxing to drive.

Complaints have been aimed at the Q50S’s steeringby-wires system that can feel artificial. But on our admittedly short test drive, we had little complaint.

While it doesn’t match the sheer precision of the 3 Series, the Q50S can be set up for the driver’s tastes – whether sporting or comfort – and is perfectly adequate. A hybrid saloon will spend most of its time navigating city streets and motorways – and for this the Q50 would seem to excel.

The verdict This is a car with some of the tightest shut-lines in the business and seriously impressive build quality.

Add in smooth driving dynamics and European styling, the Q50S is a fine car. Whether it’ll make a dent in the executive saloon car market is yet to be seen, but Infiniti deserves to do well with this car.

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The knowledge Model: Infiniti Q50S Hybrid AWD Price: £41,635 Engine: 3.5-litre V6, hybrid Power: 364bhp, 544Nm Max speed: 155mph (limited) 0-60mph: 5.1 seconds MPG: 41.5 mpg (combined) Emissions: 159g/km CO2

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Local News

Party On Potton Save the Date

Plan your holidays around 22nd - 25th August.

Your August bank holiday is your fantastic, wonderful and superb Party on Potton weekend.

There will be many new things to see and join in with, it’s going to be big, it’s going to be crazy and best of all, it’s for YOU. Plans are well underway for a jam packed fun weekend with something for everyone.

All the daytime events will be free of charge from the children’s zone to rope walks, scarecrow competition to nerf gun wars, funfair stalls and dog show. There’s going to be a sports day and a traditional crafts day, a carnival through the town with bands and much much more. Fabulous evening entertainment comes in the form of live music and acts, not live music, Potton’s Got Talent with a difference and a couple of cheeky ideas which I’ve been told not to reveal yet. More importantly book your summer holidays around

the August bank holiday because you won’t have a better time anywhere else on planet earth than the Henry Smith playing field. To volunteer to help, get your club involved or if you have a traditional craft you would like to share please get in contact with us. From the hot, hot, hot Party on Potton team. www.partyonpotton.org.uk

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Unit 10, St Georges tower, Hatley St George, Sandy, Beds, SG19 3SH

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Technology

By Sarah Davey

My father, a lively Septuagenarian, bought himself a tablet recently and my teens have been training him to use it. They have discovered that nothing highlights the differences between the generations more than electronic equipment.

These are a few things they’ve discovered, which might prove useful for anyone else about to drag their elderly parents into the 21st Century.

Granddad did not know that ‘Dot’ means full-stop,” My eldest son found him trying to get to wwwdotrspbdotorgdotuk, to renew his membership online!

Downloading apps was not a problem. Closing them though was not intuitive. ”Granddad had 83 apps open at once!” My daughter marvelled. “And 25 browser tabs.”

Gnarled, insensitive arthritic fingers make for tricky tapping and zooming, so Granddad bought a chunky stylus, which can be used like a pen, and is more controllable.

He was very naïve when it came to internet security and had to be taught about fraud, passwords, SPAM and phishing.

Now I’m certainly not suggesting that all 70-yearold are luddites, but we are so techno-savvy these days that it’s easy to forget many elderly people are simply not steeped in the same electronic culture. A couple of months into owning his tablet my father is getting on famously, and it’s certainly brought him closer to his IT support team AKA his grandchildren!

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Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

49

46

29 30

44 43

32 38

8

2

22 14

11

25

34 13

7

1

21 18

©puzzlepress.co.uk

Take your Tablets!

Hidato

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Food and Drink

Seasonal Delights Easy Lamb Rogan Dhansak

This recipe does use fresh ingredients but ‘cheats’ a little by using a jar of sauce rather than creating it from scratch which saves time, but still produces a delicious and authentic dish.

Unlike many curry type dishes, the lentils make this very thick so there’s no need for rice. It reheats perfectly and so can be cooked the day before ready to eat at short notice the next day.

INGREDIENTS 800g diced leg of lamb or lamb steaks 3 whole peppers, red, green, yellow, sliced.

1 chopped and diced onion 2 carrots peeled and finely diced 2 sticks of celery chopped and finely diced 2 jars of Rogan Josh sauce (recommend Loyd Grosman) Half a teacup of dried red lentils 2 – 4 whole red chillies sliced Bunch of fresh coriander Olive oil Salt and pepper For serving, naan bread and sour cream

Serves 4 to 6 Ready in 4 hours

2. In the same pan put about half the diced lamb and fry until sealed, then put into casserole pot, repeat with the rest of the lamb.

3. Fry the peppers for a couple of minutes, then put them into casserole pot with a pinch of salt and a good grind of pepper. Add the chillies to taste – 4 chillies will give a medium heat but use fewer chillies and remove the seeds if you don’t like it too hot.

4. Pour in the two jars of Rogan Josh, then add a bit of water to the jars, put the lid back on and shake. Chop half the coriander and add to the pot with the liquid from the jars and stir thoroughly. You need the casserole pot filled to near the top, so add water if necessary. Don’t worry if it looks a bit watery, the lentils at the end will thicken it all up.

5. Put into the oven, giving it a stir after about 2 hours.

6. After 3.5 hours sprinkle over lentils and stir in.

Put back into the oven for another 40 minutes.

7. Just before serving sprinkle the rest of the fresh coriander on top and then serve with naan bread, and sour cream.

1 Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas Mark 2. Add a splash of olive oil to a frying pan and cook the onions, carrot and celery until they take on a bit of colour, then put these into a large casserole pot.

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Home and Interiors

10 ways to save on renovating your home

By Katherine Sorrell

Building work can be expensive, but if you’re canny you can keep costs down, says Katherine Sorrell 1 Use trade suppliers: they’re much cheaper than their high-street equivalents. Open an account with your local builders merchant, or else try specialists such as Screwfix or Plumbase. Do your research beforehand, wear appropriate clothing and act confident.

If you need to ask advice, though, do – these guys are the specialists and will probably be only too happy to help.

2 Borrow rather than buy expensive tools that you’re unlikely to use very often. Ask friends or try a local hire shop. Before you start, though, make sure you know exactly how to use the tool safely.

3 Do as much work as you can yourself, and ask friends and family to help. You may be able to improve your DIY skills by studying a good manual, taking an evening class or even attending a specialist course. Only tackle jobs you can manage safely, however. Complex or tricky jobs should be left to the professionals, as should anything that involves electricity, gas or working at a height.

4 Try to design fitted furniture such as shelves or cupboards with the dimensions of standard materials in mind. This will allow you to either buy off the shelf or will save on cutting-waste, and therefore cost you less.

5 Grab the best bargains in sales and clearances, and at factory outlets, seconds shops and discount warehouses. This may mean planning your decorating around a one-off sale, or waiting until you have acquired just the right discounted item, but your patience will pay off.

6 How about second-hand? You never know what you might find if you scour the right places, from auctions and junk shops to salvage yards. The golden rule is to be prepared – if you’re out and about, write out a list of relevant dimensions and keep it, together with a mini tape measure. If you do

Roller blinds are smart and simple – and much less expensive than curtains An elegant new tap will instantly update a tired bathroom

Window film is an easy and inexpensive solution for overlooked windows

buy second-hand radiators, taps or electrical items, have them fitted by someone who’s qualified to check that they’re totally safe and functioning correctly.

7 Something for nothing? Some people swear by the fine art of ‘skip dipping’. If you’re going to try this, never trespass, and ask the owner’s permission first. Much easier, though, is to sign up to an internet-based network such as Freecycle, which connects people who are giving things away with people who will happily take them off their hands.

8 Buy wallpaper and fabric from ends-of-line and discount suppliers. And avoid paying extra for special colours from expensive paint companies – have your chosen colour mixed for you, in whatever finish you require.

Johnstone’s and Dulux both offer this service.

9 Use decorating tricks to save money. If you can’t afford carpet, for example, either sand your floorboards or paint them, and add a simple rug for a clean, contemporary look. Instead of bespoke curtains, choose Roman or roller blinds, which use much less fabric and are correspondingly a great deal cheaper. Can’t afford to have the glass in an overlooked window beautifully etched? Then buy some stick-on window film, which is easy to use and inexpensive.

10 Think laterally. You can completely transform a bathroom by changing the taps, loo seat, bath panel, window treatment and shower curtain. In a kitchen, consider replacing either the cupboard doors and drawer fronts, or carefully repainting them.

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n O s ’ t Wha 1 March The Signals Museum 10am-4pm 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. Web: www.rafsignalsmuseum.org.uk

1 March Hardy Plant Society Talk 2pm The Wetherley Centre, Biggleswade Present a talk by Fergus Garrett on ‘Choosing and Using Good Plants’. Fergus is head gardener/custodian of Great Dixter. Web: www.hpscambsandbeds.co.uk 1 March Horse Race Night. Wyboston Village Hall Tickets £7.50 including fish & chip supper A family, fun event. Licensed Bar. Please see website for full details. Tel: Susie Woodman 01234 376098 Web: www.wybostonvillagehall.com 1 March Performers & Pints 20: Rising New Talent!

8pm for 8.30pm - 11pm (ish!) The Rising Sun, 11 Everton Road, Potton (Upstairs Function Room) Free entry (donations welcome) Four high quality emerging artists performing 30 minutes each. Twitter: @PerformersPints Web: www.facebook.com/performersandpints

5 March The First World War - Why did it happen?

7pm for 7:30pm The Comrades Club, Godmanchester The Cambridgeshire branch of the Western Front Association is pleased to present a talk by Dr Mike Sewell on the origins of the First World War. Nonmembers most welcome.

Web: www.westernfrontassociation.com 5 March Gamlingay & District Gardening Club 7.30pm WI Hall, Gamlingay Visitors £2.50 Talk by Geoff Hodge on “Grow Your Own Veg”. The Club meets the first Wednesday of most months.

Visitors always welcome.

5, 12, 19 & 26 March Mums’ & Dads’ Coffee Break 9am-12 noon St John’s Church, Moggerhanger Moggerhanger Meeting Place and Shop. Now well established, this is a small group of mainly mums whose children go to Moggerhanger Lower School.

Some bring their toddlers; there is a box of toys in the church and tea/coffee available (50p per cup).

The group meets every Wednesday (except during half-term).

5, 12, 19 & 26 March Tapas Evening Queen’s Head, 2-4 Cambridge Road, Sandy Weekly Tapas Evening. A selection of different tapas and snacks will be available along with a new range of Spanish wines. Tapas prices start at only £2.50.

2 March Spring Fayre 11am-3pm Sandye Place Academy Wide range of stalls selling gifts suitable for Easter, Mother’s Day and as birthday gifts. In aid of The Miscarriage Association.

Email: claireaustin82@rocketmail.com 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March Quiz Night, Queen’s Head, 2-4 Cambridge Road, Sandy Weekly quiz night with £20 prize pot and entry to a free raffle for competitors every week.

4 March Potton Ladies Club 7.30pm Conservative Club, Brook End Visitors £3, to include light refreshment Speaker: Steve Harris on Tempsford Airfield 1939-1945.

4, 11, 18 & 25 March Groovy Tuesday 8pm Queen’s Head, 2-4 Cambridge Road, Sandy Local live musicians with an open mic opportunity once a month, a folk night once a month and iPod Jukebox in between. Every week has a theme and guests are invited to suggest tracks they would like to hear played, with the added fun of a “beat the DJ” challenge.

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5 March Folk Evening 7pm Moggerhanger Village Hall First Wednesday every month. Open floor folk session evening. Tel: Chris 01767 640242 for more info

7, 14, 21 & 28 March Sandy Ukulele Group 7-9pm Baptist Chapel Hall, Bedford Road, Sandy Visitors and new member welcome for a sing and a strum. Email: Sandyukulelegroup1@gmail.com for more information Web: www.sandyukulelegroup.com 7 & 21 March Whist Drive 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Fortnightly Friday Whist Drive. All welcome.

Refreshments included. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 8 March Guilty Pleasures Disco Burgoyne Middle School @ 7.30pm All those songs you love, but know you shouldn’t!

A disco with a difference – get your song requests in prior to the night. Happy Half Hour @ 7:30pm.

Tickets £5 - on sale from Saturday February 22nd at Cameron’s Newsagent and Potton Post Office both in Potton Market Square.

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8 March Think As You Shop: Local and Fairtrade Produce 10am-2pm St. Andrew’s Church Chapter House, Biggleswade Free admission Presented by FAB (Fairtrade Association Biggleswade).

Enter our Banana Balancing competition. Enjoy lunch with local produce soup and Fairtrade cake. Teas/ coffees available. Kids’ activities. Information stalls and produce.

10 & 24 March Biggleswade Cancer Support Group 1-3pm Meeting Rooms, Baptist Church, London Road Biggleswade A support group for Cancer patients, families and friends in the Biggleswade area. Meet others who will understand and provide mutual support. Have a chat, a cup of tea or coffee in a friendly confidential environment. Tel or text: 07812 796581 Email: csgbiggleswade@gmail.com 14 March 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 14 March Annual Christmarch Celebration, Langford Ladies Circle is a modern, vibrant club for women aged 18 to 45 who want to make new friends, have lots of fun and maybe do a bit of fundraising along the way! We’re all too busy in December, so we celebrate in March instead with a Christmas themed evening meal in Langford, complete with the compulsory Secret Santa! Email: biggleswade.circle@ yahoo.co.uk Facebook: Biggleswade Ladies Circle 15 March Karaoke Night Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Tickets £2.50 Disco and karaoke competition, raffle and licensed bar. Tel: Carolyn 01767 640727 for tickets 15 March Concert 7.30pm Trinity Methodist Church, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade Tickets £7 or £8 on the night Opening Doors for the Community presents a concert

by Ensemble of Friends directed by Douglas Coombes and Double Take in a feast of Choral Music.

16 March Biggleswade Antiques Fair 9.30am-4pm The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade Entrance £1.50 A diverse range of antiques and collectables.

Cafe serving refreshments.

Tel: 01480 382432 or 07906 647346 Web: www.madisonevents.co.uk 21 March Wine Tasting Evening 7.30-10.30pm Everton Village Hall Tickets £10 Wine Tasting Evening with The Smiling Grape Company of St. Neots. Tickets from Everton Lower School Office. Tel Barbara on 07891 926602 for tickets

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22 March Four Seasons Market Potton Market Square, 9am – 1pm Come and join us for something warm and tasty from the BBQ and get the kids involved making crafty things for the spring! Further details can be found on www.partyonpotton.org.uk 22 March Spring Fayre 10am-12 noon Village Hall, Everton Bric-a-Brac galore, homemade cakes and produce, books, Tombola, Raffle and refreshments. Proceeds for St Mary’s Church, Everton.

25 March Knit and Natter 10am-12 noon St John’s Church, Blunham Road, Moggerhanger This popular group meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Wools, needles and know-how are available and the nattering is quite as busy as the knitting.

Newcomers are very welcome.

25 March QH Book Group 7pm Queen’s Head, 2-4 Cambridge Road, Sandy The QH Book Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month and is actively seeking new members.

26 March Sandy & District Horticultural Association 6.30pm Edible Ornaments, Chawston A visit has been arranged to Edible Ornamentals at Chawston including a talk on Hydroponics by Shawn Plumb, followed by a two course meal.

Tel: Vanessa 01767 448795 for more information 26 March Spa Evening & Meal Champney’s, Henlow Grange Cost £35. Ladies Circle event (see 14 March event for details). Please book ASAP. All welcome.

Email: biggleswade.circle@yahoo.co.uk Twitter: @BwadeCircle FB: Biggleswade Ladies Circle 27 March Potton History Society Meeting 8pm The Community Centre, Brook End Potton ‘WW2 German POW’s in Bedfordshire’ presented

by Ken Lewis. Our county had its share of German prisoners who had a variety of experiences with local communities including Potton. Visitors and new members always welcome. Light refreshments provided. Web: www.pottonhistorysociety.com 29 March NCT Nearly New Sale 2.15-3.30pm Stratton Upper School, Biggleswade Admission £1 (in aid of NCT charity).

Top quality baby and children’s clothes and equipment at bargain prices. Items for sale: clothes 0-8 years, maternity wear, nursery furniture and equipment, toys and games, buggies and prams.

Tel: 0844 243 6052 Web: www.biggleswade-nct.org.uk 29 March Singer Songwriter Chris Milner in Concert 7.45pm Moggerhanger Village Hall Tickets £5 on the door

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Julian Biggs Chimney Advert:Layout 1 17/05/2013 14:

Chimney Sweep Member of the Institute of Chimney Sweeps

JULIAN BIGGS/PHILIP BULLEN

Tel: 01767 627591 07950 705479

www.julianbiggschimneysweep.co.uk

D.S. LEWIS CARPENTRY & BUILDING

• Property Maintenance & Improvements • Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms • Flat Pack Furniture Assembly

located in Northill, Beds

• All types of chimneys swept • Brush & vacuum • Chimney Safety Certificate issued

• Extensions, Garage Conversions • New Build & Refurbishment

Carpentry Contracts Welcome

01480 473 524 M: 07967 184 163 T:

Fully qualified and insured Clean & tidy service Competitive rates Local, professional & reliable

E: danlewis.carpentrybuilding@gmail.com Fully Insured Established 1990

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

Prices

s/oven (all inc.)...£40.00

d/oven (all inc.)...£52.00

extractors from...£16.00 microwaves.....£16.00

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

We cover Beds - Herts - South Cambs Contact us now

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

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

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Local

Do you know anyone who is blind or visually impaired?

Local news for local listeners by local volunteers supported and funded by Local organisations We all take reading a newspaper so much for granted in our daily lives. The BIGGLESWADE TALKING NEWSPAPER is the one way that a blind or partially sighted person can independently access the local news items from The Biggleswade Chronicle for that week, plus features of general interest including community events, sport and so much more.

If you know of anyone whom you feel would like to have a “talking newspaper”, keeping them up to date with local news, please contact David Gentle 07840 504940 or visit our web site www.biggleswadetalkingnewspaper.org.uk our details can also be found bottom right hand corner of page 2 of The Biggleswade Chronicle.

We are a registered charity and established in 1981, as a service to the visually impaired in

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Biggleswade, Arlesey, Potton, Sandy, Shefford, Stotfold and the surrounding villages.

A Memory Stick of local news items are sent out every week, and are free to anyone who is visually impaired.

If you don’t have the facilities to listen to the MP3 sound files contained on the memory sticks, we can lend a player to you, and that is also free.

THE BIGGLESWDE TALKING NEWSPAPER Local news for Local listeners by Local volunteers supported and funded by Local organisations Call David Gentle 07840 504940 www. biggleswadetalkingnewspaper.org.uk Registered Charity Number 281316

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KPC Property Services • • • • • •

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

Highly recommended, well established, professional services.

Superior workmanship at a fair price

Kieron Chapple 07900 887156 kpcmaintenance@googlemail.com DRIFTWOOD JOINERY LTD Specialists in Bespoke Joinery

• Wallpapering • Interior & Exterior Painting • Murals • Colour & Design Advice

Conservatories • Doors • Windows Staircases Handmade Kitchens Handmade Bedroom Furniture

Local, Reliable & Professional

T: 01767

220 744 M:07791 438 593

Unit 12, Gracious Farm, Southill, Beds SG18 9JB T: 01462 816695 F: 01462 850915 E: info@driftwoodjoinery.com

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Codeword 1

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Easy Suduko

Hard Suduko

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

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

81

Better Life

Green with Envy

By Derek Thompson

Our Better Life has always been about cooperation.

We try to work with Nature and the seasons; we swap produce and ideas with neighbours and friends. It’s never about competition...usually.

“You must come and see our new place,” a friend of ours simpered. “We’re still renovating, but the garden is looking lovely.”

In fairness, they’ve been renovating for months and months now and there’s no sign of the house surrendering yet. Anne was very keen to go, principally because she likes looking around other people’s houses - when they’re in, I hasten to add.

The garden was, to my emerald eyes, spectacular.

They had six chickens, each one a different breed and with its own pedigree, a humungous vegetable plot with three types of potato already in the ground and enough fruit trees to have made 48 litres of cider last autumn. By way of a contrast, we once harvested five sweet potatoes that wouldn’t fill a saucer and managed a mug of juice from a bag of foraged apples.

We were given a whistle-stop tour of several fruit bushes and raspberry canes, a nod to the concrete pond (rectangular) and a visit to the earthworks

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soon to become a solar array. They also showed us where the water butts will sit and how they plan to follow our example, by linking them to a Rainwater Hub up the wall under the main drainpipe.

I was quiet on the drive home, thinking about what we could do with more space. Anne, ever the practical one, knew just how to harness my ambitions. She drew up a list of things we need to do in March for our own little eco-paradise: 1. Take up more grass, so we can extend the minimeadow to make it a midi-meadow. We’ll also need more fine sand for the 50 / 50 mix before we sow last year’s wildflower seeds and it’ll be a chance to delve into a traditional seed catalogue to diversify.

2. Spread the love by spreading the compost. Plus, this year I really want to look at doing something with seaweed. Incidentally, the ‘love’ does not extend to weeds.

3. Tend to the plants in the (world’s smallest) conservatory. I tend to think everything is potbound, but sometimes I am right. It’s also a good time to check the drainage and keep a watchful eye on the temperature. It may only be March but it can be pretty toasty in there on a sunny day.

4. Generally, get busy. This covers a multitude of activities - everything from checking car boot sales for new old tools to turning over the veg patch and planting out onions and beans.

Naturally, we popped into a garden centre on our way home - for tea and cake. “While you were looking at their wood store,” Anne caught me daydreaming, “Stephanie told me how much they’d been inspired by our garden.”

I smiled then, remembering how we’d agreed a tomato growing competition: Gardner’s Delight vs. Sweet Million - our conservatory vs. their leaky greenhouse.

And I recalled those words of Robert Louis Stevenson: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Mainly, it had to be said, because it was written in the seed catalogue.

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ROOFLINE PRODUCTS INSTALLED

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24/01/2014 14:19

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PK Cleaning Services Est. since 1988

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

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DISCOUNTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE

07511 906161 84

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Pets

Take Care of Your Best Friend

By Susan Brookes-Morris

Our pets are special to us, so the decision to allow someone else to look after them can be a difficult one. Sometimes we just have to however, because of work, a holiday, or perhaps a stay in hospital.

Our worries about giving this responsibility to someone else can be eased however, if we take careful steps when choosing a pet sitter, dog walker or crèche type service.

Try to seek out professionals who have been recommended by others. Ask others for their suggestions when you take your dog to the park or to the vet.

If you don’t have anyone who can make a recommendation, take a look at the register held by the National Association of Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers. The Association is dedicated to promoting professionalism and ethical standards within the pet sitting industry. They have a Code of Practice for their members and you can also read reviews on their website.

It is advisable to observe your pet with the sitter or walker. How do they interact, are you sure the person can cope if you have a particularly boisterous dog or a pet that needs medication?

Seeing the person handle your pet can be very Visit our new community www.beds-local.co.uk

comforting. If your dog is to stay at the pet sitter’s property, you will want to visit to ensure the environment is suitable. These meetings will also give you a chance to question the carer and check on their knowledge and experience.

Your pet sitter or dog walker should create a written record of your contact details and your pet’s needs and note down your vets. If they are to take your dog for walks, you will need to discuss frequency, locations, and whether they can let your dog off its leash. Do tell them if your dog pulls or has a habit of barking at bicycles for example.

The pet carer should ask you to sign a contract confirming the arrangements and the terms and conditions. You will want to check that they have relevant insurance to cover them against liability for incidents involving your pet. If they will be coming to your home to look after your pet or to take them for a walk when you are not in, you may also want to see a Criminal Records check.

If both parties are fully advised, there should be no surprises and the service will be better because it is tailored to your pets needs. This will give you more peace of mind.

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Prize

The Villager Prize Crossword

£25

Across 1 Money (4) 3 Used in board game (5,3) 9 Scold severely (7) 10 Electronic post (5) 11 Young cabbage plants (6,6) 14 To allow (3) 16 Type of drum (5) 17 Joint (3) 18 Seen in a rink (6-6) 21 Violent disturbances (5) 22 Stabbing weapon (7) 23 Supporting column (8) 24 Popular sport (4)

and send to the address below before

18th March 2014 Prize Crossword, Villager Publications Ltd 24 Market Square, Potton, Beds SG19 2NP Name:



Complete the crossword, fill in your details below, cut out this page

Down 1 Advises (8) 2 Serious (5) 4 Stowed away (3) 5 Lock picks (8,4) 6 Loyal (7) 7 Story (4) 8 Eats its own kind (12) 12 Doomed (5) 13 Alcoholic appetiser (8) 15 Twice as much (7) 19 South American dance (5) 20 Hold tightly (4) 22 Type of snake (3)

Tel:

Address:

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Susan Dobson from Bedford For last month’s solution please visit www.villagermag.com 86

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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 Town Life please call 01767 261122

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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.dilley@btinternet.com

Tel: 01767 261622 Mob: 07947 732883 Email: dialporter01@tiscali.co.uk

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 88

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Sureclean DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

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

01767 400127 or 07870 338074

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Business gone slow?

Let us help!

Advertising in The Villager is easy. To find out more call Nigel on 01767 261122 or email nigel@villagermag.com

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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

phe

Email: chippyjenkins@gmail.com

proactive heating & environmental services

References available on request

Window Doctor Repairs to Windows, Doors & Conservatories • • • • • • •

Misty Units New Locks Draughty Windows Dropped Doors Broken Hinges/Handles Extra Security Installation of New Windows, Doors and Conservatories

25 Years Experience Contact Stewart Gyles on T: 0798 444 1638 or

01767 221 057

E: stewy_133@msn.com To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122

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Books Decorating Services

BOOK REVIEW

By Bruce Edwards

Three Brave Women Elizabeth Waite Publisher: Sphere p/b £5.99 ISBN 978 0 7515 5022 0

DECORATING SERVICES

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

With the current popularity of nostalgic television, it is good to discover this tidy little volume, a story of interwoven lives which could well find its way onto the screens in due course, where it would sit comfortably alongside contemporary series like ‘Call the Midwife’. There is something of the same feel both in style and period - human foibles abound and small disasters occur to become proportionally larger as life moves in unpredictable ways. Supporters of television soaps will know exactly what that means.

The three women in question are sisters-inlaw, having married brothers, though each relationship is very different. One husband suffers an early tragic death, another is labelled as a ‘ne’re to well’ and first revealed coming out of prison, but it is the third couple who takes a larger chunk of the narrative. It is the child of this family who provides a not too unfamiliar anchor story, with a suitable amount of courtroom drama to add flavour. An early misdemeanour and a wandering eye can both cause disparate amounts of grief in their turn, happily the three women are loyally there for each other. Followers of Elizabeth Waite will appreciate her style, though there are other authors out there who write in not dissimilar vein. It is a comfortable and heart-warming tale to some extent - and there’s always a chance of a happy ending. Small in both size and price it’s a nice choice for the wet weekend away.

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222 028

M: 07887

618 832

email: topcoat@ntlworld.com

Domestic Repairs JB Domestic Guaranteed Repairs To: Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Electric Ovens/Cookers Dishwashers No Call Out Charge!

Tel: 01767 680621 Mobile: 07778 891490

Domestic Repairs

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

Bill Tangye

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

Education

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Classifieds Electricians

Garden Machinery Service/Repair Garden Machinery & Mowers Expert Service and Repair Collection & delivery available Unit 12a Whites Farm, Great North Road, Biggleswade SG18 9BE Tel: 01767 600085 Mob: 07593 553581

Foot Health Practitioner Amy Hobbs MAFHP, MCFHP

Foot Health Practitioner Please contact me if you have any footcare problems as I offer a domiciliary service and can help with corns, callus, nail cutting, verrucae and ingrowing toenails.

Handy Man

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

Mobile: 07500 046012 Tel: 01767 222282

Garden Specialist

01767 677898 or 07711 311956

Handy Man

Local, honest, professional service

Garden Specialist

Oven Cleaning

Hatley Garden Services

parent company est. 1998

Single Oven (all racks/pans inc) ..........................................£40 Single Oven & Grill Oven (all racks/pans inc) .......................£50 Single Separate Grill Oven (racks/pans inc) ........................£15 Microwaves & Combination Ovens ......................................£20 Extractor Fan (free filter for next clean)...............................£15 Hob ....................................................................................£15 Bulbs ............................................................................... £2.50 Agas and Ranges priced accordingly. V.A.T free

Reliable Trustworthy Service Fully Insured

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

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

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

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93

Classifieds Plastering Services

Kitchen & Bathroom Fitter

Steve Swain

M. Philmore (Phil) - Kitchen and Bathroom Fitter

Plastering, Painting & Decorating

Disabled showers supplied and fitted.

General plumbing.

Painting & Decorating Plastering, Pebble Dashing Rendering, Screeding

57 Green Acres, Gamlingay, Beds. SG19 3LR Tel: 01767 650619 Mobile: 07870366414

Mob: 07887 861881 Tel: 01767 226404

Ponds

Painting Services

Ponds

Water Features and Aquaria Gary Clarke Mob: 07768 070674 Tel: 01767 601198 Design, Construction, Maintenance, Cleaning, Troubleshooting. Specialising in Japanese Koi and Fish Health.

25 Years Experience www.echigo-imports.com Email: info@echigo-imports.com

Pet Services

Private Car Hire

Plastering Services

Private Car Hire

James Geekie Plastering All types of plastering - big or small

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Mats Cars Private Hire Potton Based

4+7 Seater Cars Available

Interior/Exterior Work Undertaken Re-skim Rooms, Walls, Artex & Ceilings Dry Lining and Screeding

Airport/Stations/Nights Out etc Local and Long Distance

Tel: 07792 415356 or 01767 317161 Email: james.geekie@hotmail.co.uk

Tel: 01767 261871 Mob: 07983 218367 www.mats-cars.co.uk All major credit/debit cards accepted

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Classifieds Property Improvements

Property Repairs

Cavalier Property Services Quality Planned Maintenance Solutions Kitchens, Bathrooms, Extensions, Small Works, Decorating, Joinery, Windows, Doors, Design and Project Management Tel: 07730 197465 / 01767 262390 Email: dave.myers1966@gmail.com

Property Improvements Property Improvements by

A professional property maintenance service

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

Tel: 01767 651821 Mob: 07773 973420

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

Stephens Dinky ad_03.indd 1

Property Improvements

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GB

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Security Services

Domestic & Commercial Storage (Near Potton)

Caravans and Cars Welcome Short and long term rates Secure site, cctv with full gated access 7 days a week

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

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

3/12/12 11:45:18

New storage containers just arrived Please call 01767 260248 or 07970 292055

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F E BE& R E BE FRIDAY H C R A M T 21S

G EBRATIN E’RE CEL W , LY R N E E !

NIGHT O EF AND B E B FOR ONE F O R E

ND THE WO

6PM – 9PM

No interruptions, just three mouth-watering courses paired with six carefully selected craft beers.

Roast fillet of Tempsford beef for main course. Full menu available at www.coachhousepotton.co.uk £44 per person – booking & £10 deposit required PS Sorry vegetarians…